Meet My Daughter
Amy Lee Sheppard
        |
The date: Wednesday, September 26, 1984. The time: 2:06 p.m. The weather: a sunny fall afternoon. The place: The idyllic little town of St. Charles, on the banks of the Fox River in the State of Illinois.
|
 |
 |
The protagonist: A rosy bundle of joy weighing 6lbs 2oz. Her proud parents named her Amy, which means, beloved. Born five weeks before her scheduled arrival, Mom and Dad worried about her prognosis. They prayed for the Lord's protection on their sweet angel and for wisdom to raise her in the paths which lead to heaven. Through it all, God was in control. After an extended 13 day stay at the hospital, they were able to bring home their joy, hopes and dreams wrapped in a white lace blanket. God made something beautiful in His time.
|
|
As an infant Amy's sweet disposition endeared her to anyone with whom she came in contact. Her smile was present from the moment her sleepy eyes opened, and she loved to coo and sing too. One day, while in a restaurant in Battle Creek, the waitress just poured compliments on the sweet baby girl. Finally, in one of her trips, she turned to the happy parents and asked matter-of factly: "Do you make more like this one for other people?" But the mold was broken. Amy would be the Sheppard's one and only child.
|
 |
|
 |
The toddler years did not bring with them the "terrible twos." On the contrary, just two days after celebrating her second birthday, Amy amazed and amused the guests (and her parents) at her Titi Carmen's and Uncle Thony's wedding when she brilliantly fulfilled her role as flower girl.
|
|
Soon thereafter, Amy began giving indications of other great gifts. She learned the alphabet, colors, numbers, and even spelled her name in a Magna Doodle slate which become known as the "Sheppard Board."
|
 |
|
 |
During these early years Amy enjoyed being read to, and especially liked Bible stories before bed time. Many times she showed wisdom beyond her years by asking penetrating, thoughtful questions. God made a beautiful mind in His time.
|
|
The beginning of Amy's school experience opened a fascinating door to the world of books. Thanks to the dedication of her dear teachers she soon learned to read and became enthralled with all her school subjects. From the Creepy Crawlies unit in Junior 1, through the sixth-grade year's Science Fair project "Inside Out: The Human Body," to the high school challenges in courses such as Chemistry, Physics and Pre-calculus, and now in her college years at a prominent nationally recognized research university, she has blossomed in the learning process.
|
 |
|
 |
The cooing and cheerful babble have given way to more mature pursuits. Now the music comes from her piano, flute, and bassoon playing. She has also developed a love for reading, sometimes devouring 3 or 4 books per week! Her scholastic achievements are also exemplary. Not only was she selected to her high school's National Honor Society, but she also received numerous awards for academics, attendance, citizenship, and athletics. Amy is now attending a major university which awarded her with a full academic scholarship. We should not be surprised. After all, how could we ever forget that at the ripe old age of nine, Amy had determined that her academic career in various illustrious institutions would be necessary to complete the requirements for a legal profession.
|
|
But all of these preoccupation's do not change her gentle, quiet spirit. She always has time for her family and friends. And as always, her sunny outlook is a reflection of her Heavenly Father's character.
|
 |
|
 |
As she has developed physically and mentally, Amy has also grown spiritually. She made a spiritual commitment to follow Christ in the sixth grade when she decided to be baptized, just as Jesus was. Spiritual matters continue being of great importance to her. She serves on the Youth Council for her home church and is an active participant in her University Campus Church.
|
|
The excitement and challenges of the teen years have come to an end. As a result we are glad that she has chosen to follow God in the days of her young adult years and that she has continually made a commitment to her loving Savior.
|
 |
|
 |
As parents, we are both humbled and proud of Amy's decisions to embark upon the joy of service in this world and the higher joy of wider service in the world to come. We thank Jesus for the precious gift He has given us in her. We praise Him for the talents and abilities He has bestowed upon her. And we humbly return her life and talents to His care because as her Master and Maker, He has made everything beautiful, in our beloved Amy, in His time.
|
This site was last updated 07/14/05