i have stored this away

like a treasure, a pearl of great price.

Today Anna's Girl Scout troop came to our house for a meeting.  Next week is World something I can't remember Day (as one dad said, International Day).  Her troop's country this year is....China.  Anna and I are in charge of organizing it.

Although I failed to get a single picture, I have the entire meeting captured in my mind: my daughter proudly adorned in her silk dress from China with a beautiful carved necklace hanging around her neck.  Her cheeks are pink with excitement.  Her eyes glow golden, sparking joy and delight.  She is sharing a piece of herself, a part of her journey, fragments of God's beautiful love story for her.


While I shared about China's rich history, diverse cultural traditions, beautiful art, delicious cuisine and the natural beauty of the country, Anna shared about a place called, Hangzhou.


Anna's birthplace.

Tears gather hot and heart burning as I type those words.  Longing and love and joy all mixed together.  Awe and wonder at what God has wrought in our family.

Anna shared, with hand-written notecards, facts and information about the city in which she was born.
There is much to say about Hangzhou; the Paris of China, a treat to the eyes, beautiful and delightful.

The place of our dreams, in that it is the place of our daughter's beginnings.

She stood like a cedar of Lebanon and recounted what is lovely about Hangzhou.

What I heard was another song.  One of belonging and God's story of love written just for her.  


My daughter spoke of West Lake and Dragon Well Tea, the long-ago glories of Emperor's seeking Empresses and the beauty of the tea plantations in the surrounding countryside.

I heard a girl finding her voice, claiming her story, learning grace.  God is near, my daughter.  He's never been far.  YOU belong, my treasured and beloved daughter.  There wasn't a moment He didn't know you, or know what was.  You have a destiny and you are walking it out, and you were walking it out and you will be walking it out.  And I see you seeing that and beginning to know that in both your heart and your head.  


Cadence.  There was a rhythm of words that matched the beat of eternities heart as not only Anna's troop but all of heaven drew near to hear her tell of Him.  Without a word directly about Him, she told of Him.  His glory displayed in Hangzhou.  His glory displayed in her.  To the praise of His name.

As of late, Anna and I have had some big discussions.  Musings from her heart about her first parents, about friends, right and wrong, God's call on her life and her actions and the difference of the world.
My little girl is growing up.

Of course she is.  As her mother, this is my sacred call.  To raise my daughter to know and love God and follow hard after Him.  And this is what I am to strive for.  She is His first.  Growing her up is what I labor to do...isn't it?

And yet...

there are times my mother's heart leaps in such joy it aches.  Strong burning hurt.  Hurts hard.  Aching goodness.  How can goodness ache?

Don't let this moment pass.  Let's stay RIGHT HERE.  This is so, so sweet.


My Annabelle.

His Annabelle.  His daughter whom He destined from before the very foundations of the world were laid to live right here and right now.  The girl I call mine, who is also His.  His in love and wonder.  Here for specific works laid out for her in advance.  His display of redemption, grace and mercy.  His righteousness living in her.  Our Heavenly Father, who calls us both His daughters, and yet gives one to another as mother and daughter.

I have stored this away.  This treasure I've long known that she is also coming to learn.  In the learning comes understanding.

"I was born in Hangzhou, China."  

It is easy to hear this so many ways.  My daughter hears in through the lens of heaven.  And that changes everything.