Lead by Example: First Day of 2nd Grade

 Dearest Zoë,

It seems only yesterday we were carrying you around in our arms, a sweet little brown-eyed baby girl. And here you are - 7 years old, carrying around another sweet little brown-eyed baby girl like a little momma. You have grown and matured so much! That little girl seems to all but have disappeared, having emerged into a beautiful young lady! We are proud of you. We love you. We are excited for you...and we are also a little terrified for you. 

Second grade feels "old" and "big" and you are embarking into new territory for us as parents. We don't know what lies ahead, but we trust in a God who watches over you and has given you incredible gifts and a heart of gold. We know that you are capable of doing almost anything your heart desires. Once you put your mind to it - it is as good as done! 

You have the makings of a great leader. You like to be the one in charge, directing this and that, organizing, creating and producing. Our prayer for you this year is that God would grow you in patience, compassion, humility and awareness of others. A truly great leader is one that leads in humility by example. Like Jesus. When you lead this way, people want to follow and sit under your direction. May you find joy also in sometimes being a follower - allowing others the opportunity to make choices and imagine an alternate way, even if it is not the way you wanted it to be. May you learn to let go with grace.

Happy First Day of School, Zoë! Here's to a great year ahead!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Home is Where the Heart Is: Our Great Summer Roadtrip

Over 5,000 miles.
Through 10 states.
9 full days driving in a van.
3.5 weeks away from home.
Over 500 pictures.
30 beloved relatives.

Memories to last a lifetime.

This was the first of these roadtrips in which everyone was having such a wonderful time visiting with a multitude of extended family members that even after nearly a month, no one was ready to come home! Well, except maybe Zac. ;P

We had many great adventures, saw many beautiful places, and spent precious hours playing, talking, laughing, and eating with our loved ones. We felt at home in many places along the way (in some ways, more so than we do in our own "home" in Fort Worth), for "home is where the heart is" and our hearts are at home with our family near and far.

We are overwhelmed by gratitude to all who made this trip possible through generous provision and gracious hospitality! God has blessed us abundantly with wonderful relatives on both sides who love us well and extend the goodness and grace of God toward us. We love you all!

Here are just a *few* of those pictures.

Much love,
The Poppens

Until next year...