June has been fun. The Lord is definitely answering my prayers to enjoy these days of motherhood and play. Believe me, it's not all fun (!), but I am seeing the Lord at work in my heart and attitude.
One highlight of our month was Andrew and I celebrating our nine year anniversary. Woohoo! It had been two whole years since our last night away from the kids (basically, since before Ezra was born), and our anniversary seemed like a great reason to make it happen. One of our co-workers agreed to stay with them, and our kids couldn't wait for a whole day to play with her!
It was 24 hours of fun exploring the big city we live near, really good, extravagant food, and a great time enjoying each other's company. Such a great break!
This month I've also been reminded of the weight of our job as parents to train and guide our kids' hearts to truth. Every day before his nap and bedtime, we read the Bible with Isaiah. He loves the stories, but he also loves to talk about Jesus. He asks many questions about what's going on, why such and such thing is happening, and is always concerned about the people who do mean or bad things. He has a sensitive little heart. The other day we had a fairly long conversation about sin, heaven, why Jesus had to die, and what that means for us--all prompted by his questions. Some of them were hard to answer--trying to keep it simple for his mind to understand, but to also not water down the gospel and the reason we need Jesus.
Isaiah is young --3 1/2 years -- but old enough that he is becoming aware of what is right and what is wrong, within his own actions and others. In a world where truth is distorted and right is a matter of opinion these days, I have been reminded of the great importance it is to instill God's truth and love into these little hearts we have been entrusted with. To pray unceasingly for them to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, and to pray that they would follow wholeheartedly after Him.
In the midst of these thoughts, I am also reminded of how important it that I am living out in my own life that which we are seeking to instill in our kids' lives. Am I reflecting Jesus to them in how I talk with them and others, in my attitude, and in my actions? Am I being quick to forgive and slow to become angry? Am I loving and serving the least of these as Jesus did?
In the midst of summer fun, I ponder these things.
In the midst of these thoughts, I am also reminded of how important it that I am living out in my own life that which we are seeking to instill in our kids' lives. Am I reflecting Jesus to them in how I talk with them and others, in my attitude, and in my actions? Am I being quick to forgive and slow to become angry? Am I loving and serving the least of these as Jesus did?
In the midst of summer fun, I ponder these things.
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| blowing bubbles! |
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| Coloring concentration |
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| fishing for something cool |
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| so much fun with bubbles! |
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| swimming and popsicles...what could be better?! |
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| painting the porch with his spray bottle |
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| How old is this kid??! I see a teenager in here... |
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| Ezra enjoying one of the perks of having your dad be the maintenance guy....custom lawn mowing seat and mower rides! |
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| Brothers working together |
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| They love the water table Andrew built for them! |
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| examining their catch |
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| I am lucky to have such handsome guys in my life!! |
