Coming Soon - Shayla's Big Day

Things are lining up! Aunt V flew in from Arizona; Grandpa arrived from Tennessee and Nonee and Paw Paw arrived today from Florida - Yipee!!! Shayla will make her first Holy Communion on Sunday. Shayla was happy to show them Christi's "spot" at the cemetery. I'd like to thank the incredibly sweet and thoughtful people who have left darling gifts at Christi's grave. Shayla brought a few home to decorate our home. Thank you!

Christi Thomas, 2004 - age 6 1/2 "First Holy Communion"

Shayla Thomas, age 8 "First Holy Communion"

Below is the prayer our sweet friends, the Bakers from Dallas, wrote for Christi's first communion meal prayer in 2004. I will just changed the name from "Christi" to "Shayla" and I will say the same special prayer before lunch on Sunday. I think it's most appropriate!

Dear Heavenly Father,

What a glorious day! Thank you for today, and our precious Christi. She
is a blessing in the lives of her family, and all of those who have come
to know her. Praise you, Heavenly Father for making her in your
likeness. In your word, you say in the book of John "All who receive
him, to those, who believe in his name, he gives the right to be called,
children of God." (John 1:12).

Lord, we are grateful for your provision, for your gifts, and for your
grace. We are grateful for your nature, your knowledge, and your desire
to know each one of us personally. On this special day, we look to your
word for continued direction and celebration. In the book of Isaiah you
tell us "He gives us strength when we are weary, and increases the power
of the weak. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will
walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29,31) May you be with Christi, and
touch her body and mind, never having her fall short of searching and
reaching for you in her life.

Finally Lord, you have given all of us instruction, to have the wisdom,
insight, and understanding of a child in order to understand your love
for us.

In the book of Mark we are told a story about the nature of children.
Jesus says, as parents were bringing their children to him to be
blessed "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for
the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth,
anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, will
never enter it. And he took the children into his arms, put his hands on
them and he blessed them. (Mark 13-16) Lord, this is what Christi has
done, She has come before you, with the blessing of her parents, family,
friends, and all of those who love her so dearly, and she has come to
you for your blessing Lord. We pray that you will use your hands on her,
bless her, keep her, and love her for all of the rest of eternity.

It is our prayer that today, as Christi has taken her first Holy
Communion, she will desire to know you personally as her Lord and
Savior. Lord, please bless this special day, this meal, and all of those
who are here to share this special day. We give thanks to you dear Lord
for this incredible little girl…In Jesus name we pray, Amen….