Happy Birthday Ethen

It is the eve before his 11th birthday. My mind goes back to the day you were born. You were so beautiful and handsome and you stole my heart the first minute I saw you. You are growing up into a fine young man. Papa and Nana are sad that we can't be with you on your birthday, but we will be thinking of you all day, thinking about the memories we share and thinking about the joy that you have brought us the last 11 years. You are very special to us and we will always love you. Know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and that you have been created for a special purpose. We love you Ethen and hope that you have a terrific 11th birthday. Lots of kisses and hugs and snuggles are sent tonight and tomorrow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

They Left

My heart is sad tonight.....They are gone....They left for Greece on Friday. They left for a new adventure and a new chapter in their life. They will be gone for 2-5 years. They left a 10-year-old and a 6-year-old and will come back two different boys....they will be a teenager and a preteen....I wonder what our relationship will be like then. Will it change or will there still be snuggles and hugs....and endless games of palace, monopoly, phase 10 and Candy Land bingo, well maybe not the bingo. I miss them so much. It's hard not to be able to pick up the phone and call them, as they do not have a phone. No Internet service yet, but hopefully that will be up and running soon so we can talk with them on the computer. The older one did not want to go. There were many tears that were shed. The younger one, well lets just say that he wanted to go to see what it was. His words were "Papa what's a Greece?" Bless his heart he had no clue. At any rate, I'm praying for restoration, for God to do awesome things in their lives while they are there. They will come back home changed for sure, but hoping it is for the better.

My Heart is full

My heart is full tonight. Sam lead worship today in our church. I couldn't help but remember the many times he had done this before today in other places since he was 3 years old, but today was different. There was something about it I couldn't quite put my finger on. I remembered the time he was 3 and was in the backyard leading the birds and squirls in praise to the Lord. Then there was the time he and his sister sang together in a play at church, then there was the time he was in fourth grade and just lead by the Holy Spirit to pray for his teacher. Then there was the time he was in high school and was asked to be the P&W leader for his school and he lead his peers in chapel. And again when he went he off to Masters. I think that was when he seemed to be different. Different in a good way. God grew him up and taught him well what worshiping the Lord is all about, what it means to be sensitive and lead others into His presence. It is not taken lightly. God is so faithful to remind me of the day that He called him to lead others and so faithful to remind me of the day he spoke to my heart regarding His calling.

Yes, I did worship the Lord this morning, right along side my son and my thought was "Lord he is walking in your presence every day and worshiping you not just one time a week, but daily, and living out the calling you have placed upon his life since birth."

Thank you Lord for an awsome day in your house.

Our little princess turned 1 years old on February 27th....what a joy it has been to watch you grow the last few months. You are truly a blessing and gift from the Lord. You are always happy and tell everyone else to be "happy". Nanna and Papa love you so much and look forward to the many more months and year we will have watching you grow. Happy Birthday Kinsley.....you are truly a delight!!!!

WORSHIP

After reading the account of Mary and pouring the expensive oil on Jesus feet and then wiping his feet with her hair and tears, made me wonder about my own worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords......How can I express the passion and love I have for Him....seems like it is more than just singing songs and raising my hands on a Sunday morning.....We were born to worship him every day of our lives with passion. I want so much to dance, to express myself in ways that seem silly to others. To pour my life out as Mary did. The oil was a very costly ointment. It cost her a "years wages". In todays economy a years wages is an awful lot!. So what would be the equivalent to that. I feel like I don't even measure up to that anymore. How do I get back to that.....Is there a way to show the passion in my heart, a way to express how truly great I think you are. How do I pour my love on you? Like oil on your feet, like wine for you to drink like water from my heart, I pour my love on you If praise is like perfume, I lavish mine on you till every drop is gone. I pour my love on you. I just can see Mary pouring all she had on him in a room full of people who didn't understand what she was doing. Who mocked her and said she was wasiting what could be spent on the poor. But the very one she lavished her love on understood everything she was doing and understood her heart. she didn't care what they thought but moved past her shame and lavished her love on him.

Lord help me to be more like Mary. More like I was a few years ago, when I danced in your presence whether people understood or not. I want to lavish my love on you and give you all that you deserve. You love for me is so great and you are so faithful to me. I want others to know the love that you have for them and that they to can give their all to you. Let us not hold back, but be led by your Spirit to dance before you just as David did before the Ark of Your Presence and Just as Mary did before you. Let all I do honor you and be worship to you. Lord your Grace still amazes me.....it is so deep and reaches to the depths of my soul. Help me to remember that the very ONE who sits on the mercy seat is the very ONE who gave his life for me.....I will chose this day to approach your throne bodly by your grace and worship you the way you have created me to worship. I love you.

I can hardly believe it

In about6 weeks or so Kinsley will be 1 year old....and the best part of all is that we will get to share this special day with her. We won't have to pack a suitcase or get on an airplane to enjoy the day as she will be right here with us celebrating her birthday....Thank you Jesus for making this possible. You did work it all out and you are so faithful even when my faith fails.