My heart leapt this week when I placed my hands on your mommy’s belly for the first time and felt you move.

Dear beloved grandchild, you are a squirmy one! My daughter giggled at my squeals of joy from feeling you softly “dance” inside her. Little does she know that one day very soon your movements will be powerful kicks instead of gentle flutters.

Your mom and dad have decided to wait until your birth to discover if you are a boy or a girl. And they will rejoice in learning your identity, knowing that it is the Creator of the universe who decided who you are.

The same God that set the planets in orbit and knows the name of every star calls you by name too. He loves you so very much and understands every detail of you so well that he will always know exactly how many hairs are on your head. It is he who encoded your gender into your every cell and every drop of blood. And whether you are male or female, it is by his hand and in His image that you are made.

Even though you are only 26 weeks old, your face is perfectly formed, and your delicate features are all in place. I wonder: Whose nose do you have? What color are your eyes? Who do you look like?

You have 10 tiny toes with paper-thin toenails, toes that you can wiggle at will. Your 10 little fingers and perfect little hands can grasp, and you already can suck your thumb. Although you only weigh about a pound and a half, you hear the world outside, and turn your head toward loud noises. Your sweet mom’s voice is the most consistent sound you hear, and after you’re born, the voice you will most respond to will be hers. Just as God intended.

Safe in the “secret place,” you are perfectly formed. The main changes you will go through between now and your due date are to gain that adorable baby fat and grow the fuzzy hair on that sweet head of yours that I just can’t wait to kiss and smell.

During this Thanksgiving week, I praise God for your precious, miraculous life.

My prayer for you, above all else, is that throughout your life you will know to whom you belong, that you will understand what a perfect, priceless creation you are, regardless of what the world says.

Your DNA has been established since your conception. From that very moment you have been a unique human being with your own developing personality, physical traits, talents and divine purpose.

I pray that from your earliest days of understanding, you will know and claim your godly heritage through Christ Jesus. I also pray that verses from Psalm 139 will be seared into your memory, reminding you of your high value should you ever face times of doubt:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

As your grandmother, I pledge to come alongside your amazing mom and dad, and to offer my undying support while always being careful to remember that it is they who have the privilege of raising you.

Yes, during this Thanksgiving week, I have so much to be thankful for. Chief among them is you, my little precious one. I love you so very much, and can’t wait to meet the miracle that is you.

Rebecca Hagelin can be reached at [email protected].