Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Makayla

Last night after we put the kids to bed and just got to bed ourselves about an hour later Makayla came in our room. She was crying and telling us that she knew she had made bad choices and that she had been reading her bible. She apologized to us for her disobedience. It was clear she had a lot on her 9 year old mind. We sat up with her for a while talking to her, crying with her, and praying with and for her. Every year I journal what each of our children are doing these days on their birthdays and write a letter to them on that day (thanks to their uncle Tim for the brilliant idea). I write about something they said that I want to remember to tell them when they are older or what we talk about. I imagine them reading each letter when they are older and wonder if it will mean as much to them as it does me. She said back in January of 2012 that she wanted to learn about being a christian and then in March had told me that she had cried out to God asking HIM to help her and to understand. God has done such great work in her little life that has been so evident in watching her grow. I know it is not of me or Josh at all but that HE does and will use us for HIS glory and how my mind doesn't get that sometimes. The hard work that it does take to stay home and be their teacher pays off so much when I hear what I heard last night. I am amazed at how God uses me (the selfish and dare I stand with Paul in saying the chief of sinners).  

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”  (1Tim 1:15)

My prayer is that each of our children see HIM through Josh and myself. Though we get it wrong most of the time and don't do things what we should, I hope that as we humble ourselves before God they see where we go to the ONLY ONE that makes it right. I remember Makayla's first verse she memorized was 

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5

WE picked when we had her dedicated to the Lord this verse 

Proverbs 16:9New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.

She has learned to read for herself and a couple years ago she picked this verse all by herself and memorized it and then told me this is her favorite. 

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13

Several times just this week we have been at several places and have heard from strangers at how different our children are. How well behaved they are and how their manners are very respectful. Not boasting in anything of us but Praising God for those little things. We talked to Makayla about being a new creation and the old sinful one Jesus took care of on the cross and what the scripture  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 really means.

That we should see a difference if we truly belong to HIM. It's a heart condition. We are thankful that indeed we have seen that in her. Being careful that we are not those parents that want to try to save their own kids and pray this prayer and" your good" kinda thing. We also need to pray for her as we know the enemy will come all the more as God draws her to HIMSELF knowing that the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 and also John 10:10. We are thankful for our family and friends that are great examples in our kids life. Those who love them and also discipline them as they grow wanting them to make good choices. We look forward to watching HIM grow our little Makayla.....

Outside Play

Too funny...

Some things never grow old :)

Kendrick Brothers new film

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/07/prweb12054075.htm