Here's my deep thought for the week. . sometimes they are too few and far between! :)

On Tuesday of this week our Jackson had an outpatient procedure done that we believe is for his good. . but it was oh, so hard when he was hurting so badly in the recovery room. Thank you, God, that he is doing GREAT now. . even by yesterday afternoon he was feeling great. This definately got me thinking, though. . . what we required of Jackson caused him pain but we knew it would be worth it and for his good. In a similar way, sometimes God totally requires us to go through something that causes us great pain. . and He knows that it will. . .but He knows it will be worth it and for our good. We've never had to make such a dramatic decision for one of our children before--and it was not easy, even though it was right! It was actually MORE loving for us to require this of him than it would have been to let the issue slide.

When God requires you or me to go through a painful season or situation, what does He ask of us? To love Him with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, all our strength. To TRUST Him. To choose to praise Him when we can't see His hand YET. This is how the healing process begins in us.. how He turns our mourning into dancing, our weeping into joy.

For now, I'm thankful that my Jacks-man is doing so well. . and I'm thanful that God's loving-kindness is never failing.

Praise be to God!

He has called my Maddie girl to Himself! She has answered in faith--to be a follower of Jesus! I know many friends and family have joined me in fervently praying for her salvation this summer. God is faithful!

Over the last month we've had more frequent conversations about salvation, and about a month ago, she said that she wasn't ready to become a Christian because she knew that it was such an important decision. She didn't want to just make it easily. I, of course, did not push her. I was glad that she wasn't rushing it . she was seriously weighing this decision.

Over the last week, she's initiated conversations with Stephen and/or me everyday, and Wednesday after church she told me she was ready. In my spirit, I felt a true peace, too. This was HER deal. . she understood what she was doing! She talked to Stephen Thursday, and we set a plan to talk all together after school today. This morning, just about her first words were "can we still pray after school for me to ask Jesus in my heart?".

So. . after school, God mercifully let Jackson take a NAP on the couch (a truly first time event--a miracle), Hope was in her bed, and Stephen, Madison, and I sat on our bed to talk. We asked her questions (again) about what it means to be a Christian. She described that she had a black heart--and how awful it felt! She said it feels like when you get a shot, and then you fall in the mud and hurt it, and nothing you can do can get all the mud off! Only Jesus can wash the mud off and heal the bo-bo. Then she said she now has a pink heart--which meant she was between red (understanding Jesus' blood can cover her) and white (washed clean). It was a precious, simple conversation. We read several scriptures from Romans, particularly about believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is LORD--the leader of your life!

She said that she was ready. She wanted to pray and ask Jesus to be the leader of her life so that she can follow him. We prayed together. . . and a baby Christian was born right before our eyes! Thank you, God!

There aren't words! My heart is so full of thanksgiving! He called her. . she responded in faith. She said, "I know Jesus is calling my name." Hallelujah!

She excitedly made a few phone calls and hollared over the fence to our neighbors! :)

Thank you, sweet friends and family, who have joined me in praying for Maddie. Please continue. . :) The journey is beginning. A whole new chapter of her life is beginning. She's just so sweet and gentle and kind and funny and clever. . and a CHRISTIAN!!! Thank you, God!

My new favorite CD is. . .

Caedmon's Call--Overdressed!!

I love it! Go get it! It's the new soundtrack of my day.

Enjoy!

Libby Lou Girls

Last night Madison and Hannah celebrated Addison' H.'s 8th bday at the North Park Libby Lou--Hannah Montana style! Oh, my goodness! They were adorable and had a ball!

Book Club

I am so excited about something that started last night at our church. . our very first ladies book club! Since I'm such a reader, this is right up my alley! We are reading an amazing book for moms called Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman. It is AWESOME! The whole premise is to re-format your thinking as a mom to use scripture to train your children and to use scripture to probe the hearts of your children. I was blown away that we had 19 ladies there last night, and I know of at least 4 more that are reading it with us, too! AMAZING!!! God is doing a new thing in the hearts of our women at FBCI. My sweet friend and partner in so many projects, Amber, made a blog for our book club, and you are welcome to check it out at http://firstirvingbookclub.blogspot.com/. If you know of more moms who might want to read it along with us, pass this on. It is NOT a big time-commitment, and it is NOT workbook/homework style, and it IS powerful! We are praying for great things!

Questions Jackson has asked today (that I can remember) by 1:45 pm

Can I wake up Maddie?
Can you take me potty?
Can you wipe my bottom?
Can you get me some milk?
Can you turn on cartoons for me?
Can you get me some breakfast?
Why aren't we going to church?
What is her dog's name? (A random lady we passed.)
Why is she outside?
Why are we lost? (We weren't--he just knows our usual routes.)
Why is that big rig naked? (It had no trailor attached.)
Can we shout out "naked bug" everytime we see a big rig or bus? (Yes, we can. And did.)
Why is that man riding that wheel chair? (A large man at the grocery store on a motorized buggie.)
Is that lady big? (The one we just squeezed past near the Target restroom.)
Why are those birds up there?
Why are those ladies in their wheel chairs sitting under the trees? (Waiting for the bus, maybe?)
Can you take me potty?
Can you get me some more milk?
Can you play with me?
Can you fix my car?
When will Maddie get home?
Can you read me my Bible?
Can you read me the part when Jesus died?
Why did Jesus die?
Can you take me potty?
Can you turn the light on in there?
Can you get me some more milk?
Do you remember when I was a baby? (Yes.)
Can we play when I wake up?
Where does Titus live?
Can we move by Titus' house?
Why is she (Hope) crying? (Waiting for her bottle.)
Can I play with my trucks?
When will Maddie get home?
Can you take me potty?

And on it goes. . .life with a precious 3 year old boy! I love my Jackson-boy!

Psalm 40

Psalm 40 has beckoned me to stay awhile and plumb the depths. Thought I'd share it with you. .

I waited patiently for the Lord;

he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man

who makes the Lord his trust,

who does not look to the proud,

to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, O Lord my God,

are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;

were I to speak and tell of them,

they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,

but my ears you have pierced,

burnt offerings and sin offerings

you did not require.

Then I said, "Here I am, I have come--

it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart."

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;

I do not seal my lips,

as you know, O Lord.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.

I do not conceal your love and your truth

from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord;

may your love and your truth always protect me.

For troubles without number surround me;

my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart fails within me.

Be please, O LORD to save me;

O LORD, come quickly to help me.

May all who seek to take my life

be put to shame and confusion;

May all who desire my ruin

be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"

be appalled at their own shame.

But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation always say,

"The LORD be exalted!"

Yet I am poor and need;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

O my God, do not delay.

Beach Trip 2007

We are so grateful to my parents for our 3rd annual Labor Day Beach Get-Away! Here's our weekend in pictures (just pardon the un-rotated ones. . I was experiencing technical difficulties!). Enjoy! AND. . Happy Birthday to my sister (yesterday) and my dad (today)!!!