It was 20 years ago today we were blessed by God. Melinda Elizabeth Sanford was born into our family at 12:30pm on August 30, 1990.
Months before she was born the Lord gave her mom the name 'Melinda'. Dad however wanted the name 'Rebecca'. They did agree that if it was a boy it would be Phillip Connor. It was just an hour before the baby was born that Dad blessed Mom with agreeing to the name she believed was given by God.
"Melinda" means 'honey' and "Elizabeth" (also her mom's middle name) means 'consecrated to God'. Today all can see that she was appropriately named by God as her hair is the color of honey and her heart belongs to the Lord!
Melinda wore home the same dress her mother had worn home from the hospital 27 years before and her Gramma had worn when she was an infant...a beautiful handmade white cotton dress.
Melinda has always been a 'daddy's girl'!!
When Melinda was seven years old the Lord moved us from Virginia to Illinois. We discovered 'Starved Rock' which looks much like the Blue Ridge of VA. Melinda poses for the camera even back then.
'Sugar and Spice!!' Amazing how you can take Mom's coat, Dad's handkerchief, Granddad's hat and Uncle Richard's glasses and transform a 13 year old!
These two horses at Aunt Lee's are the reason Melinda loves horses! She first rode them when she was one and a half years old with her mom. Here she is years later still loving those beautiful creatures.
At fifteen years old and straight hair is in!!
Today! Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Prov 31:29
May the Lord richly bless you Melinda as you are such a blessing to many...your warm smile and ready laugh brings joy to many...your steady confidence and firm faith brings comfort to many...your sentimental heart and deep love brings encouragement to many.
Happy Birthday, Melinda 'Blessed' Elizabeth Sanford!
You are blessed of God!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a very very sweet friend! You are always SOOOO much fun to be around! Love you, girl!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, best friend. I love you so much and am SO glad that I get to hit the "half-way to 40" mile mark so near to when you do! We're going at this adventure together!! :) This means even BETTER memories are going to be made in our next 20 years. :)
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY!! <3
Happy birthday, Melinda!!! Wow, the big Two O! :-) (How sweet of Jess to remind you that it's half way to 40 - such a true friend. LOL!). I hope you had a wonderful, wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteGoing back through these pictures, they're all very cool, and thanks for being such a great "Sister" :)
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