What's More Important?

Hey Beautiful Girl,

I have a question for you today. What's more important, winning at a game or having a good name? Now that may sound like a funny question, or like those two things don't really go together. But they do.

Yesterday I was working with a bunch of kids at the city recreation center by our house. The director was playing a game with them kinda like "Simon Says." In the game, a person gets called "out" when they don't follow the leaders instructions just right. The game started with about 50 kids playing, and one by one they got out. They would get called "out" when the leader saw them goof up in following the instructions.

But I saw some kids make a mistake and the leader didn't catch them. The kids would look around to see if they had been caught. If they weren't caught, they stayed in the game - even though they shouldn't have. They cheated because they wanted to win.

My question to you is this: is it more important to win, or is it more important to be known as someone who is honest even when no one is watching you or catches you - even if it means you lose a game?

I hope that you will always live your life so that when people think of the name Alexa Jayde Brown, words like honest, trustworthy, good and kind will come to their mind.

I love you.

It's All About The Dream

Sweetheart,

There is an opposite to everything in this world. Remember when I wrote you about how important it is for you to find people who can give you a hand up, helping you realize your potential? Well, there is another type of hand - an opposite one.

The opposite of the people who can help you reach your dreams are the people in the world who will keep you from your dreams. And while it will be up to you to find those who will give you a hand up, those who will drag you down will always seem to find you. So be on the lookout. Sometimes they are hard to recognize, and other times you will know them instantly. Here's how to tell the difference: any relationship that takes you closer to your dream, or brings out your true potential, is a hand up - and any relationship or friendship that causes you to drift away from your dreams or diminishes your potential is a hand pulling you down.

It's all about the dream.

A Helping Hand

Alexa Jayde, beautiful lady,

Do you know the best way to reach the top? Find someone who can take you by the hand, someone who believes in you and loves you, and who knows the way to the top. Listen to them and learn from them.

We weren't meant to reach our goals by ourselves. God made us to need people and to connect with people in order to reach our potential. Find the right people, work hard, and trust God - you will reach the top.

Swimming

Hey Bird,

I was just thinking today about something, and it made me kind of sad. I was thinking about swimming. Not just any old kind of swimming, I was thinking about you swimming.

I see pictures that your mom and dad post on Facebook, and other pictures that your mom sends to my phone, of you swimming and having a great time. I do love the pictures, but the part that makes me sad is that so far I have only seen pictures of you swimming. I have never been with you when you were swimming. Pictures are great, but they are no substitute for being present.

Know two things. I miss you very, very much, and God is present with you at all times. My hope for you is that you will believe to the point of knowing and experiencing the truth that you have a Heavenly Father who is present with you at every moment, and who loves you perfectly at all times.

Truly believing this will shape your life like few other things will.

You're Two!!!

Alexa,

Two years ago today you were five days old. From the moment you arrived you were beautiful and brought such joy to all of us. It is amazing to me that before you were born, the world seemed complete; but, now that you are here, the world would not be complete without you.

One of the things that this tells me is that God is still creating the world!!! He is still making the world into the place that He wants it to be - and you are a big part of that world. As He helps you to live your life, and as you obey His heart as you grow up, God will be creating His world through you.

I don't know about you, but this sounds like the most exciting life possible.

Last Thought -- 'til Next Time

Alexa,

I put you and Nani on the MegaBus two days ago headed for Kansas City. You spent three days with us all by yourself. This was the first time you have done that!!!

My hope for the next year of your life, and for your whole life, is that it will be filled with "first times." I hope yours is a life of adventures and opportunities that will allow you to see and experience this incredible world that God has created.

Don't back down or shy away from the "first times" that come your way. Some may be a little scary, and some may even be boring. But jump in!!!

It may be the chance to go to a new place, try a new food, read a new book, meet a new person. Whatever it is, be watching for the chance to do something for the first time.

I trust that God will be the one (along with your mom and dad) that will be keeping an eye on the "first times" that come your way. There is a lot of evil in this world, but He (and they) will be there with you to help you see and know the difference between the good opportunities and the bad. Trust them.

And when they give you the go ahead, the green light, the thumbs up, then jump in! Experience and enjoy life to the full.

Be careful

Hey SuperGirl,

I thought of you this morning (actually I think about you all the time). I was reading in Matthew 7 and one verse stood out in my mind:
⁶"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."

This verse can have a number of applications, but only one meaning. The meaning is that we must guard the valuable things in life, being careful how we put them out to the world around us. We must always be honest, genuine and authentic; however, who we trust with the the most valuable things of our lives must be guarded somewhat.

When I think of you, and the most valuable things of your life, I think about your heart and emotions, your dreams and goals, and your commitments.

So, I guess I just want to tell you to be careful about who you share the deep and secret things of your heart with, and about who you let in on your dreams. Also, go slow in making commitments, being sure that those you connect with are worthy in character of your trust and allegiance.

I know this sounds pretty negative, but I don't want to see you hurt. Your dad is pretty sharp about knowing people - who to trust and invest in - so talk to him about this stuff. He won't steer you wrong.