June 26,2009

Dear Madeline,

Well we finally were all able to go as a family on the Disney cruise after waiting a very long time.  It was planned for two years ago but cancelled and rescheduled because of Pa's heart attack.  So after scheduling it for the third time we were all able to go including Matthew. God's timing is always perfect and this was the year He had planned for us to go.

You had a wonderful time with your cousins and it is such a blessing to see you and Sarah Beth together.  You adore each other so and you shared a lot of special time together for four days.

The Disney Island Castaway Cay was so gorgeous and the weather was perfect.  You spent most of the day at the beach with your sisters, cousins, dad and mom, and Uncle Doug and Aunt Kelli.

Pa and I spent the day lounging under a palm tree enjoying the breeze and scenery.

Though you no longer believe in the princesses  you still enjoyed getting your picture made with all of the characters.  We all enjoyed the evening meals in the different dining rooms and the shows were just fantastic - especially the Golden Mickies.

The day we went to Nassau and your parents agreed to let you and your sisters get your hair done in island beaded braids was an experience none of us will ever forget.  Uncle Doug and Aunt Kelli agreed for Sarah Beth and Emily to get it done also.  Your Uncle Doug was going to find the place where they could get the best price for five girls to get braided hair.  We passed up one group of island ladies doing it under an outdoor pavillon.  We walked through the straw market and into town.  A lady on the street agreed to a price of $25 each and led us upstairs into a dark place where there were bad paintings on the wall and they were burning incense. On one side of the room they did tatoos and in the back room they did body piercings.  Emily and Kate Bradley sat down to get their hair braided.  You immediately wanted to leave as your pure and tender heart told you that this place was sinful.  It was definitely not a Disney-approved place.  I left with you and we went back to the pavillon to get your hair done.  I held your hand tightly as we walked that street in Nassau.  You were so disturbed by what you had witnessed.  Your strong sense of what is right and good and pure is what makes you such a beautiful and special young girl.  

I did my best to explain that not everyone makes good choices and that there are people that do not recognize sin as sin.  I tried my best to help your troubled spirit.  We found a lady to do your hair and soon the rest of the family joined us.  Abby and Sarah Beth got their hair done with you.  You all looked like beautiful island princesses.  We took lots of photos of you.  You later said to your dad "If I could say the word hate I would say I hate that place!"

My prayer for you Madeline is that as you fall more deeply in love with Jesus that you will hate sin and satan more and more.  May you always choose to walk away from sin as you did that day.  As your Granna I can say that I feel confident that you will.

Back to the cruise - it was a wonderful time for our family and I was so blessed to share such a special time with you.!

Love, 

Granna

Phillipians 4:8  Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence, and anything worthy of praise, think on these things.