A mother's prayer

I was remembering a talk that I had with Dottie just a few months ago. We were talking about her mother, Deanne, and how wonderful it is to hear her pray over us. No one can pray like Sis Deanne. Her prayers are always filled with God. Dottie was talking about when Josh was little, he would maneuver his way under Sis Deanne when she was praying just so he could hear her and feel the presence of the Lord. I thought how great that must feel. I wanted my child to feel like that toward me. I have been noticing lately that when we stand in church to pray, Kalyn stands and wraps her arms around me, just to be closer. I wonder if she is feeling that way toward me, just to hear me pray over her. How awesome are the heartfelt prayers of a mother!

LUCKY # 7

Today is Kalyn's 7th Birthday!! She is growing up so fast. Her person is unfolding more each day. She is becoming more articulate, more thoughtful, more compassionate, and more loving as each day passes. It is a joy to be a part of the miracle that she is. I can't thank God enough for her. Here she is with her waffles this morning before school. I'll post more pics of her birthday later.

Making bookmarks

Church started a new ministry last year. At the beginning of the school year, each student makes a bookmark. He or she can decorate it any way he chooses. Once each student has completed it, all the bookmarks are placed together. The bookmarks are prayed over and then the adults randomly chose a bookmark. Whosever bookmark the adult has chosen, the student then becomes that person's prayer partner. It is the adult's responsibilty to bathe that particular student in prayer. And, it never hurts to drop a note or small surprise to just let the student know we are thinking about them and care for them. Here are a few of the students showing off the bookmarks they made.

Alabama Adventure

We went to the waterpark at Alabama Adventures the weekend before school started. We had a blast. The lazy river was our favorite part. We also ran into some friends, Rhonda, Phillip, Malisha and Preston. We were so glad to see them. Felt like old times. Miss you guys!

Kalyn's nosebleed

Kalyn has been having some major nosebleeds lately. We have gotten used to them. Kalyn is not even scared anymore. She just knows how to handle it. It has happened so often. Wednesday night, we were sitting in the living room floor, when Kalyn's nose starts to bleed. When it starts, it usually lasts for a while. Well, her nose was gushing! We couldn't keep kleenexs on it fast enough. It bled profusely for about 20 minutes. When I put one more kleenex under her nose, she said "I think it has stopped." Well, sure enough, it had. Not even a drop on the kleenex. No slowing down, just completely stopped. I asked her "You prayed didn't you?" She nods her head and sheepishly says, "Yeah". I explained to her how awesome that was. That was exactly what she should have done. And how faithfully, it worked.

The Power

Recently, in our Wednesday night children's class, I was reviewing the bible points that were addressed during VBS. With school starting back, I thought it would be a good time to reinforce those lessons. We were talking about the different kind of powers that Jesus gives us. We came to the lesson on "Jesus gives us the power to tell others about Jesus". I read the scripture Matt 5: 14-16. " You are the light of the world- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." After a few moments of silence, Sarah Lewis spoke up and so sweetly said, "That's a good one." I haven't been able to get it out of my head. Yes, indeed, Sarah, that is a good one.

1st day of school

The first day of 2nd grade! I am overwhelmed by the thought. It is so hard for me to accept that my baby is in 2nd grade. Last night, it was even hard for me to write 2 in the grade spaces on all her papers. Well, enough about me. Onto her.
She had a really good time. Loved it! Was so excited about going back to school. She picked out the perfect lunchbox and the oh so great backpack. Nothing else would do besides the one strap backpack. Talk about style! If you look closely at the botom of the backwards picture, you can see her cat playing with the too long strap. Kalyn was glad to see her friend, Grace. If you all remember, Grace is the answer to a prayer of mine. I was having difficulty making the decision whether to send Kalyn to school. Her birthday is so late in the year, I was afraid she would not do well, be too young, etc. So I asked God, if we were doing the right thing, to just let Kalyn have a special friend. In popped Grace. It was instant friendship. The two have been in the same classroom each year and are almost inseparable. We tell Kalyn all the time that Grace is an answer to a prayer. She just looks at us like Yeah, Right. Grace will always be special to us just for that reason.

Kalyn's new do

Check out Kalyn's new hairdo! Just in time for school to start back. She has grown up, matured so much this summer. I can hardly believe it. Seems like only yesterday I was fixing bottles and hunting down pacifiers. Where did all the time go? I want to get the book "LET ME HOLD YOU LONGER" for her. I have been meaning to and just never have purchased it. It talks about all the "last" things we forget to celebrate. We rejoice over every first step, first word, first day of school. But what about all those lasts...like, the last bottle, the last diaper, the last baby coo, the last time we picked them up off the floor, the last time we had to fix the cereal bowl, reach the shelf, fix a drink, etc. If us parents knew the exact moment of those precious "lasts", we would be heartbroken and want to hold on to them forever. I find myself experiencing more and more of those "lasts" than I truly want to.

PLEASE PRAY FOR DADDY

MY DAD WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING WITH CHEST PAIN (again). UPON MOM'S REQUEST, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL TO SEE HIS CARDIOLOGIST. HE IS SCHEDULED FOR A CARDIAC CATHERIZATION TOMORROW AT 1:30. PLEASE PRAY FOR HIS HEALTH AND THAT EVERYTHING WILL GO SMOOTHLY DURING THE PROCEDURE. PASTOR, YOU REMEMBER ALMOST 1 1/2 YEARS AGO, YOU WERE SITTING AT THE HOSPITAL WITH MOMMA. YOU WERE A GODSEND THAT DAY. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE PRAYERS WERE WHAT SAW DAD THROUGH AND CHANGED THAT DOCTOR'S MIND AND CHANGED THE COURSE OF TREATMENT FOR HIM. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR WHAT GOD DID.

Coolness on the way!

We have been without air conditioning since Thursday. Yes, Terrie, I admit I am spoiled. It has really bothered me these last couple of hours. Before then, I was adapting okay. But it has gotten on my NERVES! We were using a company that had made a good first impression on us. However, we have tried to be patient. He told us today that he did not know when they would be able to put in a new unit. Mind you , it costs ALOT!! So, Patience has run thin. Steven called a different company this afternoon and they are coming in the morning to install a brand spanking new air conditioner/heat pump. Now thats service!! So maybe by this time tomorrow evening, I will be basking in delectable coolness. HALLELULAH!!!

No more getaway

You may remember a blog post that I did a couple of months ago about our air conditioning needing a doctor. Well, it has happened again. When we arrived home last night, the air was not working at all. Could not get the thing to even turn on. Despite Steven taking a flashlight and shining all the places he knew to shine, there was nothing we could do. So we open all the windows, turn on all the ceiling fans and try to get comfortable enough to sleep. I guess the repairman gets my weekend getaway. I sure hope he enjoys it!!!