We have 7 kids total, four of them are my biological children. I never want to seem unfair to them, they are all great kids, but I want to tell you of one of my daughters for fiery Friday. Brittany Shaye will be sixteen this year, is starting to drive and she has a boyfriend. I had told her before that she can date three years after I am buried, but I guess she got tired of waiting. She is a good kid, and that is why none of this is really bothering me. She has a fire in her for God, she has a heart that is always seeking to comfort, support, protect, and a desire to lift others up to God.
She called me to tell me about William, and asked me if I was okay with them going to the movies. After all the grief I had given her about dating, and that I was pretty sure that if she didn’t follow the first rule that the second rule would be enforced, she could not date until she reached the age of 35. I surprised both of us when I told her I trust her judgment. She was expecting a lecture, I was ready not to dash that expectation. But as she was asking me all the memories rushed in of how she is. Her strength in her belief, her stance to please God first. I did trust her judgment, and it was nearly painless.
She is not afraid at school of doing the right thing, she is good about avoiding peer pressure, she knows Bible verses AND takes them to heart seeking Gods guidance. She is doing very well in school, and she is going to be a teacher after college, as she attends college I have faith that she will carry the same principles with her. Some parents told us wait until your kids reach the teenage years, they will be totally different. They were right, they are stronger. We are blessed with all of our kids, biological and step. We did not do it, but through the grace of God. They have two sets of parents that love them and wants the best. But Brittany stands out today to me.
She is entering what some perceive as an awkward age, she is in the midst of her teenage years, and her fire is building. I know that others have been touched by her words and actions. Today I want to help keep that fire going in her. You are loved Brittany Shaye Williams!
Dad and Nee-Nee
What’s this Bratney? A boyfriend? I feel a sermon illustration coming on.
It is a pleasure to have Brittany in the youth group. She has such a love for God and wanting to know him more.
Preach on brother Dusty, preach on!
Jason, thank you. You, Shannon and the youth group mean a lot to her also.
There is a light in her that shines upon all of us. If you are having a bad day she will always shed light on your darkness. We are truly blessed to have her and our boys ( our God given gifts ). They are growing up into good productive people, I am so proud of each one. Seems like yesterday we were trying to keep their little fingers from pulling the child protectors out of the electrical sockets
. Looking back now, explaining why it was so dangerous was funny and way over their heads (like that movie we saw once w/ Shelly Long) 
. Anyway, I also wanted to say I am thankful for their dad and Noreen. Noreen has treated them as her own and I especially want to say “thank you” to her for loving them as she does. And to their Dad, it is a great blessing that we are good friends that can still parent together. Although we live in different places all four of us are on the same page when it comes to our children. It doesn’t get any better than this! We are very fortunate to have a good relationship with each other and the kids. Our children have two great homes and they love spending time with both. Brittany always speaks fondly of the church so I want to say thank you to everyone that has made them feel at home there. Also to the ones who watched over them on youth group trips. I am glad she and the boys have good people in their lives. Our children are very blessed and loved by many. Thank you and God bless.
The Kidz Mom (Tracy)
I feel so loved. It reminds me of a song “You are so beautiful to me” (or something like that). Anyways, Dusty I’ll wait for that sermon if I have to. Thank you Jason, Dad, Mom. Jason I’ll pay you for the hoody as soon as I can.