Dear Sadie,

What a beautiful girl you are getting to be! You have been such a great big sister to Abi, and soon you will have a new baby sister! I know you will be a big help to your mom with your new sister and a good example to her as she gets older. Heavenly Father sent you to a father and mother who love the Lord, each other and all of their children including you! In a world where many children live with only one parent, you are a very lucky girl!

When I was growing up, I had the same position in my family as you do. I was the second oldest with one older brother and six younger siblings. You have fewer younger siblings, but being the oldest girl I think means that Heavenly Father trusted you to be a big help and a good example. When I was a teenager, I noticed that my mom had a hard time keeping up with the ironing and sometimes my dad didn't have an ironed shirt to wear to work. My mom was a hard worker so I knew she sometimes just didn't have enough time to get everything done, but I felt bad for my dad when he had to iron his own shirt before work. So I decided to start ironing his shirts and handkerchiefs on Saturdays so he would have enough for the coming week. Do you know that when I got married my sisters' biggest worry was knowing who would iron my dad's shirts?! But I loved my parents and it made me feel good that there was something I could do for them after all they had done for me. I have seen you be kind to your siblings and cousins so I think you will know when you need to help members of your family as you get older. Heavenly Father loves it when we serve others.

Sadie, I am glad I have been able to live long enough to know you and be your grandma. I think Heavenly Father must love Grampa and I very much to send us so many wonderful grandchildren. I hope you will stay close to Heavenly Father by speaking to Him often in prayers and by reading and learning to love the scriptures. If you do that and keep the commandments you will be happy and have a good life, even if hard things happen to you.

I love you SO much!

Gramma