A Follower of Jesus

I have learned many things since becomming a parent...and I have prayed through things I had learned to be true as a child and found for myself what I believe in as truth and what I believed just b/c it was what I had always known.

One major thing Travis and I have come to own as far as our belief system...is how we want to introduce the plan of salvation to our children. Growing up in a Southern Baptist Church, I was taught that once I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart, I was saved. My salvation was based upon that prayer in order to call myself a Christian. But through much study...I don't believe this to be true. Travis and I have worked with teenagers over the past couple of years, and in listening to their "testimonies" we have discovered that many of their stories are the same. They were saved at a very young age but aren't walking with the Lord any more. They base their salvation on a prayer they prayed at the age of 4 or 5...but don't truly understand that being a Christian is a daily relationship...a constant walking with Jesus day in and day out! It is like they see their "prayer" as a "get to heaven free card" and can kinda live like they want without any reprecusions. It is truly scary...B/c I believe with this teaching, many people will stand before the Lord one day and He will say "depart from me, I never knew you."

So, in talking to Wesley and Emmy Grace (and Luke one day), we read to them the scriptures. We don't try and make it toddler friendly. We explain who God is and that He sent His Son into the world to stand in our place. We have taught them, and are teaching them, Romans 10:9-10. We are trying to live out what it means to follow Jesus everyday of our lives. It isn't an easy task...b/c we fail and fall all the time. But we don't want our kids to think for a second that following after Christ is a flippant thing you can do in church one day and then that is it! We want them to understand that seeking Jesus is a priveledge. And that it isn't of us at all! It is all God who seeks after us first, finds us, rescues us, and gives us the strength to follow after Him.

So, all this to say, the other day Wesley found me upstairs doing my Bible Study. He wanted to know what I was doing...in the course of our converstion he told me that he was a follower of Jesus. We talked about what that meant and he knew his stuff dead on. He then told me that he needed to be baptized. When I asked him why his response was this..."B/c Mommy, Jesus was baptized and I have to obey what he did. I want to show other people that I am a follower of Jesus. It is just what I got to do." My heart was rejoicing. Of course I had the normal questions in the back of my mind..." is he old enough to truly understand?...am I putting pressure on him to do this?....does he really mean this?...." With all my heart I want my children to know and follow after Jesus! I desire with all of who I am that they seek after Christ early on in their life...that God would spare them a life of stumbling around in the dark trying to find the truth! I want them to be bold and courageous in their faith! I believe with all my heart that Wesley is a follower of Jesus. His heart is so sensitive to the things of the Lord. He asks deep questions about the Lord. He wants to know everything. We talked about what being a follower of Jesus means...that it isn't a one time prayer and then you never have to think about it again. I do believe that once you acknowledge you are a follower of Jesus, that will never change. But it is a daily committment. It is something that we must follow after all the days of our life! It isn't a "get out of jail free" card. He really seemed to understand. I have a peace about it. Who am I to tell my son he isn't a follower of Jesus. In his almost 6 year old heart...he knows. He has no doubts. He is the "faith of a child" that Christ talks about.

So, on Easter Sunday, Wes will be baptized. (all of this is coming from him. Travis and I have put on pressure on him at all) He is so excited. He can't wait to show the world that he loves and follows after Jesus! I am so excited as well. My baby boy is growing up...and already growing into a Godly man who seeks first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness!

Just wanted to share:)

A TreeHouse In Anchorage

It feels as though Travis lives in Anchorage. He is there all the time. Since the beginning of the year, mind you that is only 8 weeks ago, he has been in Anchorage at least 7 times! And he leaves again tomorrow. Last week we were able to go down with him...and we had a blast. Such a blessing. But tonight, when he was saying prayers with the kids, Emmy Grace told her daddy that he should buy a treehouse in Anchorage. That way, he wouldn't have to live in hotels all the time and it would be "super fun". Not such a bad idea!

I'm not really complaining though. I told myself a long time ago, NOT TO COMPLAIN! Why? B/c Anchorage is a much better place for a husband to be than say...hmm...Iraq! I am able to call him whenever I want. I know he is safe. And if push came to shove, I can always go visit...whenever I get that notion. But still, it gets lonley here at night without him. During the day, my minutes are filled with three precious kiddos. But it is the nights...when normally we hang out, play games, watch t.v. together, laugh and just enjoy one another's company. I miss him the most at nights. But praise God iit is only for short spurts at a time...I am so thankful for his job. I am thankful for the opportunites God has allowed us to be apart of b/c of his job. We are blessed beyond measure!

But, needless to say, a treehouse in Anchorage would be rather cool! Anyone want to invest in a timeshare?

Favorite's of the Week!

(Riding in the car in the middle of downtown Anchorage...)

Emmy Grace: "Look Mommy, those moose are obeying the rules and being very safe. They are walking on the side-walk."

Mommy: That's right sweetie, welcome to Anchorage:)
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Wes: " Mom, did God use a pencil or a pen when He wrote my name in His book in heaven? I don't want any bad angels erasing it. So, I really hope He used a pen! "

Mom: "Well, I am pretty sure He wrote your name in blood! Jesus' blood! "

Wes: "That seems pretty gross. He could have just used a red pen!"

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Museum Of Anchorage

All tuckered out before we even got started! It was a long day for this little guy!

Wes giving Lukie a piggy back ride:) Little did he know how much Luke LOVES pulling hair!

The kids building robots:)

Look at that sweet grin!

Wes riding the REAL hoovering space ship thingy:)

A Starwars replica:)

Daddy and Wes looking at Darth Vader:0

Wes was impressed with the gun display! LIke Father like son!

Emmy had no idea who these guys were...but she like them b/c CP30 was so shiny!

This was a remote controll robot! The kids really liked this one!

Travis and I took the kids to the exibit at the Anchorage Musuem...it was Star Wars! It was the coolest thing. Wes and Emmy Grace LOVED it! Here are a few pics...

My Father's Love!

It's 3am, and in 45 minutes the alarm will go off. Early huh? But we are leaving at 4:30am to head to Anchorage yet again. Travis is working there for a week and we miss him. So, I decided to load us all up...toys, clothes, school books, diapers, wipes, walker, pack-n-play, etc....and go spend some time in a hotel for 7 days so we can sneak a peak at Daddy once in a while! But absolutely no complaining here...b/c at least we have the option! He isn't deployed right now and we are so blessed! So...I'm up! I am showered, dishes put away, kitty taken care of, beds made, baby fed, kids dressed, coffee made and one cup down all before 4:30:) Doing good!

On the road...kids all asleep before we even get out of Fairbanks! And we have the day before us! The skies are clear and I can see thousands and thousands of stars! The sky looks so much bigger without the city lights in the background. Gorgeous! But as we travel...the sky starts to break and the mountain's silloute looms before us. Gigantic! Amazing! The stars start to disappear as the sun starts to make it's appearance! The snow starts to glisten like diamonds with the sun reflecting off...and then, before my eyes, stands the tallest mountain in North America! MT. MCKINNLEY! And to make the grandeur even more impressive...the sun rises right above it's peak! Breath-taking to say the LEAST!

And with all the beauty right before my eyes, my mind tries to comprehend my Father's Love! Breath-taking! Gigantic! Huge! Amazing! And all the feelings that words cannot describe, the beauty of creation speak in their place! And in that moment, the splendor before me becomes my voice! And my heart and mind are one with the mountains and the stars and the snow covered trees and the moose with her baby crossing the plains. And with the very creation that God created in His own goodness, it is speaking back to Him His praise and adoration! B/c this one girl, whose heart is about to explode in gratitude, cannot utter a sound, b/c I have become lost in the beauty of our King! My Father's Love!

He provides a way for the most ordinary tasks....b/c when the most ordinary tasks become lost in His love...He speaks for us! AMEN!

Sweet Friends...

Me and Jen

A Triple Piggy Back Ride! Go Michael!

"Luke, I am Your Father!" Oh Wait..that is LUke:) hehe

The boys looking all manly!

Look at that sweet baby's face!

One of the best things in life is friends! We had some sweet friends over for dinner tonight on Valentine's Day. So much fun! We are blessed beyond measure! Love you guys!

My Valentine's...

My Sweetie with a little Sweetie

All my Love's! The best!

OUr Happy Family!

Can you tell he loves his momma!?!

I love my sweet little family! They make my heart smile! Truly!

True Love

Another Valenetines has come and gone. And sitting here, pondering the events of the weekend...I am asking myself..."Do I expect too much from my man?" My man, who dresses in flannel and jeans....my man, who carrys a hand gun in one pocket and a knife in the other...my man, who wears his NRA hat like I do my makeup...my man, who dreams of planes and guns and large animals hanging on our wall...my man, who makes his own bullets, who flys his own airplanes, who fishes and hunts for his own meat so we don't pay for it at the grocery...my man...who, in all essence of the word...IS A MAN...do I expect too much of this man when I want flowers and chocolates and romance and sappy, lovey, mushy, share all your feelings kind of moments? B/c as much as my man is man, I am a GIRL! I love everything sweet and pretty, girly and frilly! I love the tender, romantic moments that make you sigh in delight! I love watching movies that end in fairy tale happiness! I love watching the knight swoop in and ride off in the sunset with his princess in his arms! I love dressing up for no reason at all! I love it all! The red and pink and hearts and candy and flowers that our culture uses to sell Valentines day...i love it all and don't mind engaging in the marketing and consuming of it all as well!

But, in my dreaming of a perfect Valentine's Day, it involves my MANLY Man thinking like me for a moment...and that is my question...is that too much! I know it isn't natural...and I wouldn't want him to be LIKE me...but I do want him to THINK like me on occasion. Is that too much? Sometimes I think it might be...and yet...I hope for it every holiday. I love suprises and hope for unexpected moments of sappy, romantic bliss from that Manly man. It doesn't happen too often...VERY rarely to be exact...but when it does...it fills my heart with delight and makes me catch my breath! B/c it is in those kind of moments that he takes my breath away! Why? B/c I know it isn't natural...normal...and doesn't come easy to him at all! It just isn't him. It is everyhing that is OPPOSITE of him! But when he goes outside of himself and does something sweet just for me...it makes my heart skip a beat and makes me feel like the most blessed girl in the world! LOVE IT! And that to me...is TRUE LOVE!

Valentine's Weekend

I love Valentine's Day! I know many many many people believe it is stupid, over-rated, and not at all needed...but to me...I LOVE IT! I love the chance to be sappy, romantic, and lovey to my sweeties. My kids love it too! It is a time where we take to show others how much we love them. THis year we made Valentine Cookies and delievered to some very dear friends in the neighborhood. Wes and Emmy helped me decorate, And Daddy too, and then we probably ate more than we should have! But it was fun and yummy too! I love going out to dinner...it is the one time of year that I can get Travis to take me to a fancy resturaunt all dressed up! He is so handsome! I love how everything gets decorated pink and red...hearts all over...it just makes this girl smile! So...for those of you who don't enjoy this holiday...don't worry! I will enjoy it enough for all of us! Have a great weekend....

A Sick Baby

Poor Lukie! He is sick! Every symptom you can think of...he has it! He isn't a happy boy! And on top of the sick part...he is cutting two new teeth! He is chewing on everything he can get his little hands on! Please pray for him!

But, in spite of the tears and runny noses and yucky diapers, he still lights up when Daddy walks in the door! That baby loves his daddy! And his brother! THe sweetest thing to see is when, through the tears streaming down his face, he will break out in the most amazing smile when his daddy or bubba walks in the door! So precious!

Can't wait till he starts feeling better. He was up since 3am this morning...so that means mommy was up too! Think I might try and sneak in a nap before he wakes up...

A Glorious Day!

So, I am a blessed girl! LEt me explain by telling you the events of my morning! First of all, I awoke next to the most amazing man God ever invented laying right next to me! Even though we both woke up late, he offered to make the bed while I started breakfast! (that is my new thing...trying to make breakfast every morning). Then, while making breakfast, I heard two little children come tumbling down the stairs, shreiking with laughter! After breakfast, we sat down to homeschool! Wes is doing amazing by the way! Such a smart kid! After school, we headed out to meet my mom, Mimi, and together we all went and visited Papaw, my dad, at work! My kids were delighted to be able to see their grandparents in the middle of the day for no reason at all...just because! After visiting with Papaw for a bit, we went to lunch with Mimi! Fun times! All three of my wonderful kiddos were good, behaved, polite, and full of sweetness! It was such a great morning! AND now, we are home, kids down for a rest, and the next two hours all to myself! Great great great! Thank You Lord for this life YOu have allowed me to live! I couldn't be happier!!!!!!!!!!!

My Sweet boy!

Luke! He is the sweetest baby ever! By far, my only baby who LOVES to cuddle with his mommy! I used to sneak into Emmy Grace's room at night, and snuggle with her while she was sleeping! Wes was WAY too interested in everything else around him to care for that special time with mommy! He was content seeing me from afar! BUT LUKE! He loves to cuddle! To just sit in my lap and love! And I AM LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT! HE is FINALLY loving life...he seems pretty content (as long as he is NOT in his carseat). I am a happy mommy!