Happy (Belated) Father's Day!

To my wonderful honey, the amazing father of our two little blessings. I could speak a thousand words and still not adequately express how thankful I am for Bob in my life! Besides, I already showered him with cards, gifts and words of praise on the actual day! =)

Instead I will share a few pictures ... (side note: we did not get ANY pictures on Father's day - which I feel terrible about - the weather wasn't very nice and we just totally forgot!)
January 2008
March 2008
March 2008
March 2008
March 2008
March 2008April 2008June 2008 June 2008
And I haven't forgotten my two "Dads" - my Dad in heaven and my Father in law who I call my Dad that I get to have now since my own Dad is gone.

I still miss my Dad and still wish he were here to be with us and see his grandkids growing, I will always love him and will always feel a small ache in my heart for him -- and there's a lot more I could say (and might say) at a later time.

My FIL is just an amazing person that I am so thankful for. He is such a great example to his kids and grandkids. I couldn't have asked for a better Father in law.

Thankful Thursday

Recently I've heard about the deaths of at least 3 little ones. Little innocent babies or children who were taken from this earth too soon. It's really made me stop and think this week about how truly blessed we are as parents.

So this week I'm thankful for my two beautiful daughters. They are healthy, they are full of life, they are vibrant and silly and sometimes even drive me up the wall. But they have been given to us as a gift from God, they are actually His, but are 'on loan' to us for awhile. We love them, we cherish them, we thank God for them.

Sometimes I want to scream in frustration when they disobey or don't listen, but other times when I hear of a child dying I want to just hold them close forever and protect them from any harm in this world.

I have this little 'tagline' or cliche that comes at the end of emails that I send out. It says "Creating family memories and traditions since 1996." -- I know it sounds a bit commercial-ish but it's truly been my goal in my life, in my marriage and in my parenting - to make memories for my family, and to carry them on as traditions year after year. It's important to me that they have memories and traditions and a legacy to look back on someday.

There's so much more I could say on the topic of my girls ... perhaps I will highlight them individually at another time. Here is a picture of my blessings on Mother's Day:

Indescribable

We sang this song this morning in church and it was such a blessing to my heart. I bolded certain parts that I particularly love.

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God

All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God

Inconquerable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Thank you Lord that you see the depths of my wicked heart and love me just the same!

We received ...

the greatest gift any parent could wish for on Christmas Eve. Our daughter H accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior!!

She told us about a year and a half ago that she prayed to God one night and accepted Him, and we believed her, but weren't really sure that she totally understood what it all meant. So we've been talking with her and praying for her, and mostly just waiting for her to come to us when the Holy Spirit was pulling on her heart.

So on Christmas Eve we went to our church for the Christmas Eve program. It was beautiful and very well geared to children. The girls really enjoyed seeing the other children up front singing on stage. I was especially impressed with one little girl who sang an entire solo by herself (I think she's about 9 yrs old). It was beautiful and made me cry (of course!)

Near the end of the program the speaker gave the gospel message and said that if anyone did not know Christ as their Savior, but would like to, they could come up front and there would be people who could talk to and pray with them. (I actually had the thought in my mind, "what if H says she wants to go up?" knowing that I was already emotional from the singing ... I didn't know if my emotions could handle it!)

The next thing I know, my Mom in law is leaning over saying "H wants to go up front!" And so with my heart about to burst, I walked up front with her and after the last song we sat and prayed together with someone and she accepted Jesus. It was really neat because the lady who prayed with us (Karlyn) is the Mom of one of my friend's and also close friend of my Mom's. Her granddaughter is H's friend and I know she had a tender heart for H and was rejoicing with us over H's profession of faith!

Later I was talking to H and she said to me, "Mom, I actually asked Jesus into my heart a long time ago ... remember that night I prayed by myself?" It was neat that she remembered and yet still wanted to go forward ... I feel as though that was the confirmation from God so that I knew in my heart that her long ago prayer was genuine and true. So now I have no doubt that she truly knows and understands and has chosen to believe in Jesus Christ.

I just want to end by saying how very thankful I am for my parents, and Bob's parents. They both did a wonderful job of raising their children who all know and love the Lord. That doesn't mean we never have hard times, or face large obstacles, or loss. But knowing that we have eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ is the most extraordinary gift one could ever hope for. And now that we have the opportunity to teach our children and help them understand God's Word and grow in Christ ... it's a blessing that I am so thankful to be a part of.

One of the first verses H learned in Awana was John 3:16 which says ... "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life."

AMEN! H can now know that she will someday live for eternity in heaven with Jesus.

If you are reading my blog today...

Please pray for the Skees family. I have never met them, but found out about them through another blogging friend. Their little girl Ellie (8 years old) just died last night of cancer that she has been battling for over a year now.

I can't even fathom the loss of a child in this way, let alone the thought of planning a funeral and trying to celebrate Christmas in just a few short days. I can imagine this time of year will always be bittersweet for them in every year to come.

As her blog says "Ellie is dancing in heaven right now!" Praise God for that! She is now pain free!

You can visit their blog here if you wish to read more or leave your own comment.

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31