To My Future Daughter-In-Law

We are only one week away from you officially becoming family, and I am so excited!

I remember the first time Blake introduced us. I was captivated by your natural beauty and your quiet, gentle spirit. I knew there was something special about you, even before I had the opportunity to get to know you.

As I contemplate the next week and the past three years, there's a few things I want you to know.

I have prayed for you since before you were born. When Blake was an infant, I prayed over him as I bathed him at night. As a toddler, we prayed together every day. As an elementary student, I prayed with him every morning before school. Throughout his life, I have prayed for a marriage built upon my Savior, the Rock and Foundation of life.

With every prayer I prayed over my precious son, I prayed for a godly woman to steal his heart. I'm so glad to see you as the answer to my prayers! And it is obvious God has heard and answered those prayers! My heart rejoices to know you have a foundation of faith, a life built upon the Word of God. I couldn't ask for any more!

I am so thankful you have a history of being a prayer warrior. At your graduation party, your former pastor's wife told me a story about how you have always had faith. She told me how you had prayed for the house where you grew up when you were just a little girl. I can't even start to tell you how happy my heart was!

Prayer has been an integral part of our lives. Blake has seen God move as I raised him as a single mother, struggling to provide for my kids. He has seen God step in and do what only He can do. He knows the power of prayer--and I am thankful you do too!

It takes time to blend two lives into one. Sometimes the first few years of marriage can be rocky as you begin the process of learning and growing together. Don't be surprised if you have some rough days in the beginning.

The stresses of this life are many, and you will quickly discover how the pressure of life can impact your relationship. Hang in there! As you grow together, you will discover how to move in unison, to enjoy one another, to make something beautiful in this life.

I know you are both excited for what the future holds! There's so much promise and also (I'm sure) a little trepidation as well. Can I ask you to do a few things for me?

Commit to praying with and for Blake. I can't even start to stress the importance of praying with and for your spouse. God hears the prayers of a righteous wife praying fervently for her husband! I know that firsthand.

Several years ago, I had alarms set on my phone at a variety of times throughout my day. As the third or fourth alarm went off during the day, Blake asked me why I had so many alarms. When I explained the alarms were to remind me to pray for him, you could see a visible change in his face. There was a sense of peace and joy that simply swept over him.

I know Blake's faith has been shaken and he's faced his share of doubts, but I see him coming out of it. I know deep within his heart, he appreciates the prayers of those who love him. There's nothing more loving for you than to pray for every area of his life: his faith, his career, his manhood, his wife, his family. Be the one in his life who falls to her knees on his behalf.

Don't neglect your own personal calling. It's really easy to get absorbed with your marriage and trying to be a good wife. That's a good thing! But, do not neglect your own gifts!

You are such an incredibly beautiful and talented young lady! I know you love to be creative, to pick up your paints and create such beautiful works of art. You have a beautiful voice and such amazing musical abilities.

Don't ever lose yourself! God has created you with your own unique gifts and callings. Your first responsibility is to God, to become the most beautiful version of you that you can. He created you for a purpose, and it will always be complementary to anything He calls Blake to. Always remember that even though the two of you are one, God has created you for your own unique purpose.

Surround yourselves with other couples who are seeking God. Throughout my life, there's one thing I can point to that has always led to spiritual growth: community. Those times in my life where I was surrounded by like-minded women who were also seeking God were the times when I was closest to God.

You both know the importance of friendship and fellowship, and you also both know the importance of friends who love and accept you as you are. I know you both have dear friends, but make sure you find some believing married couples to help you as you transition through the seasons of life and marriage. Having others who understand is essential to your health and happiness!

I am so incredibly excited to welcome you into our family next week! Please know that I am always here, always available, always praying for both of you!