Halloween

Regardless of how you feel about it Halloween is upon us. In our house we have never celebrated this holiday. (We don't do Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy,  or the Easter Bunny either...but don't worry my kids get plenty of presents and candy.) It is just our personal conviction that we don't want to draw attention away from Jesus. The world does plenty of that. We don't want to put Him (Jesus) into the same category as these other fictional characters either. We are not "anti" these things, but they are not our focus and are not included in our holidays. That being said, I don't want my children to be ignorant or uninformed either.

I was so excited when a good friend of ours gave us a book to read with our children. It explains Halloween truthfully from a Christian perspective. The name of it is Halloween Is It for Real. I have not read it with them yet but I am really looking forward to reading it with them and doing a few crafts. I will post a blog with pictures when we do read the book.

I also wanted to share with you a link to my friend's blog. She has a great post about some of her fall activities, but she also has a devotional you can do with your family while carving a pumpkin. What a great way to share Jesus with your little ones. Click here to see her blog.

We also have the book, The Pumpkin Patch Parable, this is a great way to share Jesus with your family as well. Hope you have a blessed week (all 3 of my readers) and let the light of Jesus shine through you!

My Sweet 7 year old!



I can't believe my sweet Jake will be seven tomorrow, October 7, 2011. It still seems like yesterday that he was born. Time has flown by so quickly and I want it to slow down! I am so very proud of the young boy/child of God that Jake is becoming. In May of 2011 he asked Jesus into his heart. He was baptized on mother's day. I couldn't have asked for a better present. He is one of the most tender-hearted children I have ever met. While at times this can be a little frustrating as a parent, God has really opened my eyes as to how HE can use this for HIS glory.



Jake is a very determined child.  He likes for things to be done correctly and hates settling for anything less than perfection. I often have to remind him that he doesn't have to do things perfectly the first time he does them. This determination really spurs him to be excellent at what he does, whether it be sports or school work or memorizing scriptures for AWANA.  Raymond and I both felt God leading us to homeschool our children. We aren't sure for how long, but we urgently felt God leading us in this direction. I have loved every second that I have been given to spend with Jake and watch him learn, grow, and mature. I would not trade anything for the experience of teaching him how to read and watching his face light up he realized he could do it. I treasure this opportunity to be with him and mold him.

One of the things that melts my heart about Jake is his desire to worship God. Because Raymond and I lead on Sundays Jake is almost always by himself. I watch him during worship (often to make sure he's behaving.. :) ) and I am amazed at what I see. Almost always when I look he is earnestly worshipping the Lord. Often at home he will get his ipod (yes he has an old hand-me down) and put headphones in and just worship his little heart out. His favorite song is "Your Love Never Fails". I pray that he continues to worship God with such reckless abandon the rest of his life. I have even seen how this is starting to "rub off" on Jared. On the way home tonight they were both singing "Holy is the Lord." I know I'm far from the perfect parent, but praise God something is sticking with them. I'm so very thankful that God chose ME to be Jake's mom. Now let me go, I've got to go kiss my 6 year old one last time...

Courageous

My sweet hubby surprised me with a trip to see Courageous last night. What a powerful movie. I honestly feel that anyone with children (no matter what age) or that is considering having children should go see this movie. It is primarily aimed at challenging fathers to be all that God has called them to be, but I found myself doing an inventory of my life and the way I parent my children. God help me to be a better parent and to be the parent and wife you have called me to be.

My prayer based on Proverbs 31:10-31 and 1 Peter 3:4

Lord,

Help me to be capable. Help me to be trustworthy and to make sure that my husband doesn't lack for anything. Help me to reward him with good and not evil. Help me to work with willing hands and provide food for my household. Help me to be strong and when I feel weak to depend on Your strength. I want to reach out to the poor and extend my hand to those in need. May honor and strength be my clothing. Help me to speak wisdom and loving instruction from my tongue. I never want to be idle but to watch over my household. I pray that my sons will rise up and be the men you have called them to be. I pray that I will always fear you and put you first.  Help me to have the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

Amen