Elizabeth

Elizabeth Joyce Luebben was born at about 1:45 early Tuesday morning on October 15, 1996. Elizabeth is our fifth child, second daughter.  She is also my fourth biological child, and first biological daughter; so, like each of our other children, has a unique relational connection to me.  We chose to 

 name her after two very special women in our lives; her grandmothers Elizabeth Johnson, and Joyce (Freddie) Luebben.  I remember coming home from work, and my oldest daughter, Sara, came out to great me with the news “mom’s water broke”.  So – we proceeded to the hospital; and less than eight hours later we welcomed our newest, and last (as it would turn out) baby into the world.

Elizabeth has always been very feminine, and also sort of tough (what would you expect with three brothers closest to her in age).  She is such a creative young lady; has a spectacular eye for composition with respect for photographs, and drawing.  Like Micah, she was also very good with disguises; part of her creativity I guess.  She is very intelligent, and has a quick wit…which would sometimes frustrate Micah, in particular, when they grew up.  She and Micah used to fight quite a bit, but also played quite a bit.  She knew how to push his buttons; and did a good job of this.  As a young tween and early teen, Micah and Josiah, particularly Micah, was very protective of her…God help the boy who would look twice at Elizabeth in the wrong way.

Some of my fondest memories with Elizabeth were during our first few years back in the Tri-Cities; playing games together nearly every night when I came home from work, and listening to my “oldies” records. Now I look at this young lady, our beautiful 16 year old, Columbia Basin College running start student, and am just amazed at the work God is doing in her heart.  Following are a few of her recent Facebook posts, which reflect the work that our Lord is doing with her, and give her mom and me such joy. 

I am so blessed. I don't deserve the friends and family I have.

"If you're not for sale, don't put yourself on display."

Never count success by money gained... Success is the measure of God's Will and mind that you have revealed to those around you. Success is the measure of His Will that those around you have seen worked out in your lives.

I love my family, I love my friends, I love my Savior and the life He's blessed me with...because He loved first.

At the end the day I remember... His love is enough.

"When I'm completely focused on Jesus, all situations can be the same exactly as that when I'm not, yet there's a difference; when I'm focused on Christ, I'm happy, hopeful, at peace, and loving.
Why do I always forget this?"

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

"I gave in, and admitted that God was God."
I'm here because He's put me here. I'm nervous, I'm overwhelmed,.. I'm so excited.

What can make me whole again? Nothing. But the blood of Jesus.

I see Your face in every sunrise; the colors of the morning are inside Your eyes. The world awakens in the light of the day, I look up to the sky and say, "You're beautiful."

Elizabeth, my youngest daughter, you have been such a wonderful blessing from God. I pray that you always keep our Lord front and center, and look forward to witnessing the great things He will accomplish with your creative talents, sharp intellect, and quick wit.

Sara

Sara Elizabeth Luebben Smith came into my life for the first time on July 4, 1987.  Her mom (Sally) flew out to visit me after a few months of writing and phone calls in May of 1987; and well, things went rather well, so we both knew that it was critical that Sara and I meet, to see if this might be the future that the Lord had in mind for us.  So in July I flew back to Chicago, where Sally came to pick me up, and Sara and I got to know each other for the 1^st time.  She was not quite 5, and I don’t know how much she might even remember this visit; but Sally and I sure do. 

Sara seemed to take to me right away, and she was so adorable and joyful, there was no question that I could love her as my own if the Lord willed.   And guess what – the Lord did will.  I proposed to Sally, and also Sara for all practical purposes, long distance, with a large sign in their front lawn on September 9, 1987. 

I was not able to experience Sara’s birth and earliest years, but was able to help her learn how to ride a bike, dance on the fold-out couch together to the Nutcracker Suite, camping, exploring the beautiful northwest and country together.  I missed the diapers and sleepless nights with Sara, but was there for almost all of her milestone life events; not such a bad trade off all in all.  One of the very special highlights of my life was when Sara agreed for me to adopt her, at age 6.  Some of the most difficult years were seeing you face such hard times in your late teens, and not being able to protect you like a father should, or so longs to.  But you have grown into such a beautiful and wonderful lady, wife, and mother.  God has blessed you with four living children, one in heaven, and one on the way!  Wow, hard to imagine that that 4 year old girl I would meet on the 4^th of July would be turning 30 and carving out such a wonderful life.  

I love you Sara, you are my first child, my first daughter, and mother of my first five grandchildren (Ethan being with our Lord). Mom and I are so grateful that you maintain a faith in our Lord; and hope and pray that you and TJ will grow in the Lord, and help your children grow in the Lord as you enter your 30’s.  Just think, in the next 10 years Auston will be 21, MaKenzie 19, Tray 17, Brenna 15, and your newest child 9.  The Lord has placed them under your care, what a blessing and responsibility. Trust and lean on Him, and make sure you expose your children, our grandchildren to Him as often as you can, and trust Him with their lives, as we have trusted our precious Savior with yours, and been so very blessed.