Ava

**this is one of the stories I started a few years ago. Out of the 4 or so I began, this is the one I would feel most comfortable continuing. But, as you can tell, its got a long way to go and hasn't gotten very far. But I think it about it the most.

She was sitting on the couch in the living room, eagerly anticipating for him to come home.
“Mom? Where is he?” Ava could hardly hold in her excitement as she fidgeted in the sofa, her little legs dangled off the edge.
“He is on his way; he just called and said he left the office. Are you ready to go when he gets here?” Watching her little girl as she had gotten all dressed up for the occasion, her favorite dress and cowgirl boots, and as she eagerly anticipating the arrival of her father- it brought back memories of Julie and her own dad. Growing up, Julie and her dad always made an effort to spend some quality father-daughter time together. When she was Ava’s age, she remembers being just as anxious and fervent. Remembering how special it was to go on those daughter-daddy dates, knowing how much she loved spending that time with him and still cherishes every memory. Her prayer and desire was for one day her daughter to have that same relationship with her husband. She looked at Ava and was so proud and delighted that it was coming true. She heard the garage door open and was snapped back into reality.
“Daddy! Daddy! You're home! Are you ready to go?!” Ava had already jumped off the sofa and darted toward the door. Jumping in excitement her dad swooped her tiny body up in his arms- Her curls bouncing all around. Giving her a big hug and squeezing her tight, it just made her more excited. Julia stood back in the kitchen, leaning up against the counter where she was preparing dinner and just smiled.
“Give me a few minutes to change and talk with mommy, and then we will go.” He put her down on the ground, standing her on her feet. “Go get your purse and wait for me ok?” Ava scurried off to her room.
“And how are you? I missed you.” As he leaned in and gave Julie a gentle kiss, she was yet again reminded of why she married this man. God had been so faithful to both of them, granting them both with the desires they had always harbored in their hearts. When Julia met Jackson she was needing to be rescued. Her relationship with the Lord had been straining, and even though she was involved in ministries and serving in the church- she knew she was still drowning. It was when she least expected it, when she was consumed in her own depravity and seeking to come up for breath, that the Lord answered her prayers. She had been praying for support, for someone to help hold her hands up and be that leader that she so desperately needed.