Faith in a Crisis

Genesis 22:2 "Take your son, your only son Isaac, who you love, and go to the region Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." As a parent, I can not begin to think or imagine how Abraham must have felt. Abraham did not question or doubt God. He did as he was told. The walk up the mountain must have been excruciating. "Please God, not my son." "Is there any other way?" With each step Abraham and Isacc made up that mountain, the thoughts of a parent and then the thoughts of the child run through my mind. They get to the mountain, sacrifice going to be made, and look what happens...verse 12 says "do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son. Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught up in its horns. He went over, took the ram, and sacrificed it as a burnt offering." Now I am looking at the mountain from a different perspective. As Abraham and Isacc were making the long, agonizing walk up the mountain, the walk of faith to the very top, the walk of no sight...there was sight on the other side. Coming up that same mountain was the ram. How many times have I not even had the faith to climb the mountain? Now I realize what I have missed on the other side. My mountain of faith right now may be God providing direction and provision in our own finances. Another persons mountain may be the healing of a marriage or another ones may be physical healing of disease. Whatever my struggle with faith is, I can always know that God's ram is going to be on the other side.

Is Jesus Worth It?

The last few days, weeks, and months have been leading up to this time around my living room Sunday night. My sister began to share some things on her and Jake's heart; things that they had learned and experienced during their time in Virginia. One particular discussion really stuck out to them. They heard a story of a man that had been persecuted for the Gospel. During an interview, someone asked the man, "Is Jesus Worth It?" As Dodie shared her heart, she had to say, with the utmost conviction, that yes Jesus is worth it. Worth living in a foreign country. Worth sacrificing the finer things we enjoy. Worth sacrificing even your life for Jesus. Then the challenge came to us, her family. Is Jesus Worth It? Is Jesus worth being from your daughter and your sister for years at a time? Is Jesus worth not seeing your granddaughter or niece? Worth you taking a stand and vocalizing to your own family, friends, and neighbors that He is the Son of God. Dodie reminded us of the verses in Luke 18:29-30 that say "I tell you the truth..."Jesus said. "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come, eternal life." What a promise to hold on to! It brings me such comfort when my heart is heavy. I am challenged and I want to look at my own life and say "Is Jesus Worth It?"

Is Jesus Worth It...to you?

the Pumpkin Patch

Last monday William had a school holiday and we visited the pumpkin patch with his friends from school. What a fun day! Jumping in bounce houses, climbing pumpkins, going on a hay ride, and walking through the pumpkin/hay maze. It was alot of fun to see him with his friends.

the State Fair of Texas

Several weeks ago on a beautiful Thursday afternoon, Tim, William, and I went to the State Fair of Texas. It was such a great day! We found out it was senior adult day so William had most of the rides to himself. Here are the pictures from our fun day!

William before the ferris wheel ride!

His favorite thing to do-ride in cars!

the famous Ferris Wheel

the Face of Change

Tuesday was a first in our house...William lost a tooth! He had told me several weeks ago that his teeth were wiggly. At first, it startled me. I thought 'oh no what is wrong.' Then it hit me, they are suppose to be lose! I came home from my moms group Monday night to find the tooth barely hanging on. As the day progressed Tuesday, he wanted it out!...and he wanted his daddy to pull it! Tim came by the house and tried several ways to pull it. His fingers were too big and he couldn't get a grip on it. So...it was my turn. We were in the bathroom...I asked William 'are you ready?...(the whole time I am thinking to myself, No I'm not ready! I am scared! This isn't happening! He was just crawling yesterday! But that's another post! ) with one good tug, it was out! I could not believe it! William could not believe it! He didn't cry... he just kept saying "it's out Mommy!" This was a very exciting and emotional thing to experience. He was ready for bed sooner than normal (knowing that the tooth fairy was coming) and the next morning woke us up saying "she brought me cash; I have cash to spend!" What a great day and look at that beautiful face!

the First of Many

Last Saturday William had his first soccer game. He was so excited. We had a 10:00am game and he hardly could stand it. He ate a good breakfast ( so I will have lots of energy mommy!) and had his uniform on before I could brush my teeth, let alone get dressed. As the game started, you could tell the kids were getting the hang of it. Which kids were on their team. What goal was theirs and where the 'hot' zone was. When the whistle blows, we freeze. It was the first time most of them had played ,so for obvious reasons, they will only get better with time. As I (and William's Grumpy and Granny Lou) cheered him on from our side and his dad did the same, with a little bit of coaching too, from the other side, I started to observe something in my boy. To look at him, to know him, he is an outgoing, never meet a stranger, type of guy. Yet...as the game progressed, I saw a somewhat timid, non-aggressive, concerned boy on the field. As I thought more about his actions, it made me aware of what a special boy I have. He liked the game and wanted to go after the ball, but when another player was hurt (on the opposite team) he stopped to make sure he was alright. I know this is only the beginning of probably many sporting events for William. I was glad to observe this all-boy, new athlete in action and realize that some of this is not taught, it is just seen and learned.

Ahoy Mateys...William is 5!

Last week my baby, my little boy turned 5 yrs.old. On August 28th, 2003 at 3 something in the afternoon, our precious miracle entered the world. When I think back about that day, his personality shown through immediately. He had a vigor, a determination, and also a raw sweetness that encaptured you. Fast forward five years, and that same vigor, determination, and sweetness abounds in him. All he could talk about was a pirate party when he turned 5. Well...fellow mateys...we had a great pirate party. He and his friends (all 14 of them!) walked the plank like pirates from long ago. They hunted for treasure...and found some in our own back yard! All the pirates had a pirate snack and drink and then it was time to look at all the loot. What fun it was to see his face. We all had a great time!

William, I can not believe you are 5. I am so proud of the boy you are becoming. You are strong, determined, and you truly care about others. I pray that God will daily bless your life. You will always be my baby, my special boy. Love your first-mate, mommy