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23 years ago….  enter…. Kassandra Nicole Saul.

WOW – I never could have imagine how she would touch my heart, touch my life, touch my eternity.

She was my little girl after two “all-boy” boys.  It was now time for lace and frills, bows and flowers, dresses and dolls.  I think back to the day she was born and I smile and take a very deep breath.  She was perfect in every way.  And she instantly wrapped the hearts of me AND the boys in the house.  Her daddy and her two big brothers adored her.

Growing up she would encourage the craziness of her brothers by simply laughing at them.  To this day she has this gut based laughter that was born and developed through years of laughing at them – and most times – they were just NOT that funny.  Today she continues to laugh at them…  at their jokes… at their antics…  at their craziness  and NO ONE can make her laugh like her big brothers.

She is the princess and everyone knows it and everyone is really totally okay with it.  She can rally those boys for whatever she wants and still knows how to work them both.

Her father – another story.  He simply melts in her hand, in her smile, in her love and in her heart.

All this – you would think she would have been a brat.  Not so. She was a sweet and loving child that grew into a little girl that was a joy to be around… into a teenager that was actually fun and happy and joyful.  As she got older and started high school, she solidified her relationship with Christ and that’s when the beauty and graciousness, the loveliness and kindness, the joy and laughter really blossomed and has made this little precious baby girl into an amazing, beautiful and love filled woman of God.

I am urged on by this girl…  urged on by her love for Jesus, her love for His Word, her love for friends, her love for her family.  I am spurred on to good works as I watch her serve with all her heart and as I see the desire of her’s for Christ.  I see her take everything to God, in prayer and supplication.  I see her acknowledge Him and trust Him in all she does, in all she needs, in all she desires.  I see her apply His truths in her life and I watch as God’s faithfulness illuminates through her.  Truly – this “child” amazes me.

I watch her with her added sisters, with her niece and nephews and how she loves her family  I watch her with her grandparents.  I watch her with her church family.  I watch her with her friends and as I watch her — in her sincerity, honesty, genuineness and pure love — I think — I want to be like Kasi when I grow up!

I have now seen this little girl God gave to me, this sweet child I raised in Him, this young lady I intercede for…  become this woman I am both inspired and encouraged by…  my very best girlfriend in the world…  MY DAUGHTER.