Impacting my Children for Eternity

I LOVE listening to my girls sing. One of their favorite songs to sing is "Mighty to Save". Imagine driving down the road with us and listening to two little voices singing as loud as they can,


"Savior, He can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave!"



We had some good conversation about "Jesus, conquering the grave" this Easter. Emma is certain she has asked Jesus into her heart. Happy and I have wanted her to wait, but she has pressed us and pressed us. One night she asked us how to become a Christian. Happy and I explained it to her...she then said, OK, now pray with me. When she was done praying she had tears in her eyes and was ecstatic that she was a Christian. Not wanting to rush things for our 5 year old, we never did make a HUGE deal of it. We were not even sure she really understood what she was saying. That was a couple months ago. Last week, on the way home from church, Emma asked me if Myah was a Christian. Then she asked if she was. I said, "I don't know Emma, are you?" (Sometimes, Emma just likes to test me on things....). She said, "Mommy don't you remember when me and you and Daddy prayed together? I asked Jesus into my heart that night." It made me feel good to know she had remembered it. So, Emma's journey of faith has begun!

I was given too much change back at McDonald's not too long ago. A ten dollar bill to be exact. I explained to the cashier that I was not giving this ten dollar bill back because I was a good person, but because I was a Christian. He said thank you and I could tell he was shocked I was giving it back and not driving off with extra money in my pocket! But, from the back seat, he also heard...."I'm a Christian too!" "I'm a Christian too!"

I can only trust God that He is using me to impact my children for eternity. They see my good days and my bad days. My prayer for them and for me is that we will continue growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior every day. :)

Blogging Again...

I have not blogged in so long! I guess I have allowed other things to come between me and blogging. ho-hum. I will attempt to get back into gear. :)

In February, I celebrated my birthday. Wow! I still cannot believe I'm in my thirties. Instead of worrying about it, I am bound and determined to make the thirties the very BEST years of my life...and then, when I turn 40, I will be bound and determined to make those the BEST years of my life...and so on. Good plan, huh? I'll let you know how it works for me. :)

In February, my Grandpa (Mom's Dad), went home to be with Jesus. He had battled emphysema for many many years. He went into the hospital for pneumonia, which he was very susceptible to, and his body decided to shut down on him. His heart, lungs, kidneys, they all began to quit. My sister flew into Atlanta from Maryland, and she, my mom and dad, and myself drove to Texas to visit him. He was alert and knew who we all were. He was such a gentle man. Never yelled at the nurses, but would say, "thanks hun". I never really thought about how gentle of a man he really was. We absolutely cherished those moments with him. He said some things that made us laugh. My dad offered to go down the hall and get him some coffee and as he was headed out the door, my grandpa calls out, "I want starbucks, Gary." he-he. Another time, after he had been moved to Hospice, the Chaplin came in to talk with Grandpa. He asked if Grandpa was at peace with God and Grandpa said yes. (Never once did he seem scared about death, only sad to leave those he loved.) He asked Grandpa what religion he practiced and my dad answered, "we're baptist's". Grandpa had to clarify, "East Texas Baptist". My dad and Grandpa and I got a chuckle out of that. Grandpa fought for life until the end. I guess that is how God made us. It's very natural for us to cling to the life we know and love. After a week with him, we traveled home and he died two days later in his sleep. I was unable to go back for the funeral, but he was given a military funeral. He had worked in the military for 30 years and then, AT&T for another 30 years. (He was actually my dad's sergant in the military...before my dad even met my mom, but that is another story for another blog. :)) My Grandpa lived a legacy of faith. I will cherish the memories I have with him and cannot wait to see him again one day!

There is plently more to say, but for now I will end this blog. We have some big news to share with you later, but right now Myah Grace just woke up and needs some morning snuggles. (No I am NOT pregnant.) :)

Simply Emma

Tonight before going to bed Emma and I have this short conversation:


Emma: Mom, how did God just make stuff with his own hands?

Me: He is an amazing God.

Emma: No, I mean how did He just create the whole world with His hands?

Me: He is God and...

Emma: No, HOW DID HE DO IT?

Me: I'm not sure how He did it Emma, but we'll talk about it more in the morning.

Emma: Well, I'll probably just ask Mary about that when I get there. :)

Apparently, Emma believes Mary might offer her some insight into Creation.

Check this out!

My brother-in-law just started a blog and posted some really great thoughts on peace. Thought you might like to check it out.

http://www.coffeejive.blogspot.com/

Baby doll slings

The girls wanted me to make them a baby doll sling. I used some scrap fabric that I already had and slapped a couple pieces together and there ya go! Anyone need a baby doll sling? he-he!

"Will you sing with us?"

Emma was in the Christmas play this year and was cast as an angel. She had one very important line. "Will you sing with us?" Her daddy and I were so proud of her. She is the youngest one of the group. In the end they did a dance to "Go Tell it on the Mountain". They were suppose to jump every time they sang "go". Well our little angel nailed every jump. Never mind the fact she was the only child facing a different direction throughout the song. :)

A big hug from daddy at the end!

Christmas 2008

Well, my sister came down from Maryland with her family and brought the tidings of pink eye and bronchitis. Though they were ready to stuff our stockings with pink eye drops, we managed to not get it. Unfortunately, however, Myah ended up with pneumonia. She had it two years ago as well. Doc told us once you get it once, your body will become more susceptible to it. She really did quite well and never even acted too sick. God was watching out for her. She missed out on the Petite Farms hayride, but that was all. We had a wonderful time with our family. It always seems too short. My sister's boys are getting so big. Zachary is 8, Jacob is 6 and Simon is 21 months. Emma and Myah just LOVE their cousins to death. They decided they all wanted nicknames this year. Emma wanted her nickname to be Stella, Zach decided on Al, Jacob was just plain ol' Jake, and Myah was.....hmm..I don't know who Myah was. There was never a dull moment that's for sure! We also enjoyed a wonderful time with Happy's parents and family. I'm sorry to say I did not take any pictures that day. I don't know what was wrong with me. I must have been coming down with something. Next year I will take double!!

Myah, having a breathing treatment.

Emma opening her rollover pup!

Celebrating my mom's Birthday at Petite Farms

The cousins had so much fun playing air hockey.

My Dad opening his Wii

Simon, riding his new rocking horse