Much Rejoicing

About a month ago, I felt like my Bible time with the kids had waned a bit and I woke up one morning just thinking/praying that I’d like to just find something to teach them some basic biblical truths.  I got online and searched for pre-school type devotionals and the Lord led me to one called Truth for KidsExactly what I was looking for, yes?

Now, some of it’s a little cheesy and the graphics are a little outdated and I’ve found a few spelling/grammatical errors, but the meat seems to be right on the money.  Every morning at breakfast, we’ve been studying these basic biblical truths and learning scripture and it has been a blessing to me, too.

A couple of days ago, we learned about how the Lord makes us a new creation once we choose to confess our sins and follow Him.  The little devotional talked about how in our sin, we’re like an ugly old caterpillar but when we accept Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, He transforms us into a beautiful butterfly.

At lunch yesterday, Sawyer was putting her dishes in the dishwasher and she started to say, “That ugly old…” and she caught herself.  I said, “Good catch, sugar.  We don’t say ugly.”

In the next second, we both thought of the caterpillar and we said, “Except for that caterpillar.”  I told her that in that instance, it was definitely ok to use ugly, because that is exactly how our sin is.  She said, “Yeah, I want to tell brother about the caterpillar.  And I want to ask Jesus into my heart.”   

I told her we could do it right then and there!  (I think I might have gotten a little too excited *ahem* because her shyness took over and she took a while finishing at the dishwasher…then she wanted her blanket…then she decided she just wanted to play).  I wasn’t going to force her into that decision so I just told her that whenever she was ready, Jesus was ready for her.

She came back about five minutes later and said, “I’m ready to ask Jesus into my heart.”

So we did!  We prayed together.  She said she was a sinner and that Jesus died on the cross.  She said she wanted Jesus to live in her heart and be in charge.  Then she said, “But I’m not going to change my mind.”

I asked, “Change your mind about what, sweetie?”  She said, “About being married and being a mom.  He can live in my heart, but I still want to stay here with you guys!”

She has been sooooooo concerned about that lately and I think she thinks the two are connected somehow; if Jesus is in your heart then you are/become a wife and mom.  How sweet is that?  We talked that through and she felt a lot better about it…even though we prayed about it again upstairs.  🙂

I am such a joyful, proud momma this morning.  I am boasting in Christ, because every good thing about her comes from Him – of that I have no doubt.  She is leaps and bounds ahead of me in this life and I’m glad she is!  It will serve her well…

Thank you, Lord, that you give us the free will to choose you! 

Thank you that you forgive our sins as far as the east is from the west! 

Thank you that you want to be in relationship with us from a very early age. 

Thank you for what you’ve done in Sawyer.

Sweet girl, you will never regret this decision – I promise you that.  Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and no one or no thing can revoke that.  I pray that satan does not steal the joy of your salvation and daddy and I join forces with you to push away his nasty attempts to distract and restrain you.  This is the beginning of a beautiful journey and I pray that you follow close to Him all the days of your life.  I pray that you call upon the riches of the Holy Spirit in you to guide your every thought and word and action.  Go take the Kingdom by storm, sweet girl! We are so proud of the wonderful little sweetie you are; you bless us!

Sweet Sawyer, seconds after asking Jesus into her heart...
Sweet Sawyer, seconds after asking Jesus into her heart…

*****If any of you reading this have questions about following Christ or confessing sin or what He did on the cross, please don’t hesitate to shoot me a message or comment and I’ll be glad to help answer those.  It’s a life changing decision to be an heir with Christ…one you won’t regret!*****

Random Rambles

Well hello, September.  What did you do with August?? 

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Tonight is the kickoff BBQ for Cubbies!  There’s a little someone around here that’s awfully excited.

Cutest Cubbie I know!
Cutest Cubbie I know!

She’s been going through her book from last year and teaching Wryder the verses.  I love this program and how it fosters a love for the Word of God.

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We started “back to school” yesterday.

Makin' A's...
Makin’ A’s…

Last year, I did a preschool curriculum with Sawyer that I’ll continue this year.  This girl loves to learn; has since she was a little tyke.  (She knew all of her shapes, including a trapezoid before she was two!)  We don’t go at it hard and we only do four days a week, but it’s amazing what you can accomplish in an hour.

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Wryder has recently discovered he might actually like books…which is good, because we have a few. 🙂

Who doesn't love to read?!
Who doesn’t love to read?!

We are doing some serious rejoicing over here!

He’s on the go all the time and sometimes we force him to sit with us and read a little book, but it’s definitely not his favorite thing.  He came across a farm book and it’s spurred his interest, praise the Lord!

He loves to stand in front of the book shelves and point and say “book, book.” We’ll get him a book and he’ll take it to his little desk and read.  Seriously?  It’s adorable.

Tractor in hand, still...
Tractor in hand, still…

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Wrex’s paternal grandparents recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.

On their wedding day...
On their wedding day…

How incredibly cool is that?!  The family is hosting a party for them later this month because THAT is worth celebrating, yes?!

If you know and love the Phipps’, please join us!

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We’ve been soaking up these last lingering days of summer as they get noticeably shorter.

Sorting imaginary cows...
Sorting imaginary cows…
Digging with spoons...
Digging with spoons…
Dads make trampolines more fun...
Dads make trampolines more fun…

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These little sweeties are growing like weeds!

Brenhem and Berwick
Brenhem and Berwick

I can’t wait to get my snuggle on with them in a couple of weeks.  Seriously, how cute are they?!

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I better get a move on…I’ve got little fingers to paint and lessons to teach and lunch to make and hair to do.  All in a day’s work for a momma…and I love it!