No Eating in Heaven?

Today on our way to church, Jaden asked me about what we would eat in Heaven. I told him we wouldn't need to eat in heaven. Well this really brought about the curiousity in him. So I continued to tell him we wouldn't need to sleep either. And of course he asked why. So I told him we would have new bodies that didn't need to sleep or eat, and he learned we wouldn't have any reason to cry in heaven either. I then told him that we would just be able to run and play while we are there--"play" meaning that we would be having the time of our lives worshipping God. Well, his response to this was "I'm ready to go to Heaven now!"

I began to think about this. It got me to thinking about how temporary life is here. I'm really getting into the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy and so it was helpful for me to realize that this stage I'm in is temporary. Also, I've been praying about some big financial decisions we have coming up, and God continued to remind me at church that even my money isn't my own. God owns it all...I just get to use it while I'm here. God gives out the money, to some more than others. But we all really don't "own" anything during our time on earth. It's all God's. And everything we have can be taken away, if we do not carry out our responsiblilities and take care of what He's given us.

So all this to say, it was a good reminder to me that someday, as I'm celebrating God in Heaven for eternity, I won't be worrying about any of this temporary stuff. Praise God for that!

The earth is the LORD's, and EVERYTHING in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
Psalm 24:1

Jaden's new friend, Freddy

Back in November, Jaden had a preschool assignment to take care of Freddy the Frog for the week. Freddy was supposed to eat, sleep, and do whatever else with Jaden, and then record their experiences in a journal to take back to school. Well, needless to say, Jaden got very attached to Freddy during the week and was sad to see him go. But, low and behold, one day we were out shopping and happened upon many other "Freddy's" in the store. Jaden was so excited! I called them Freddy's cousins. :0) So for Christmas, Jaden got to adopt one of Freddy's cousins for his very own, who he also named Freddy. It is very sweet watching a little boy and his frog. Below are some of the fun pix we took during Freddy's first week with us, for the preschool assignment. And we are so excited to have Freddy as a permanent part of our family.


Freddy playing Cowboy/Pirate
with Jaden.

Below, Freddy gets a closeup view

of Jaden's space ship.

Jaden and Freddy

enjoying TV time.

And yes, Freddy even got to

enjoy the bedtime snack

with Jaden.

Running to God

Recently, I've been struggling with God telling me "no" to a prayer request--one that I've had for a quite a while now. In order to deal with this, I've been trying to take hold of the idea that I can trust God, even when His answers don't make sense. However, my disappointment has still been hard to deal with.



Then later in the week, I found myself running to God for comfort, despite my frustration with His answer. And as I realized this, I remembered a time with my little Ethan earlier that day. We were outside playing, enjoying the warm winter weather. My little toddler is so very curious and wanted to play with the trash bag sitting there by the curb, waiting for the garbage man to take it away. I told Ethan not to touch it. Well, he looked at me, as toddlers usually do, and then proceded to try to approach it again. So I told him "no" again. This went on for about 4 times. Finally, I got up from my chair and removed him from the bag and sternly told him not to go over there. Well, he got the picture and started to cry. He sat down in his frustration and cried, then ran to me to hold him and comfort him. Even though I was the one who told him "no", he still ran to me for comfort in his disappointment. Then he got over it and found something safe to play with.



I realized later, that is what I was doing with God. I figure this is a good thing. God is my Father, my savior, my creator, and I have to trust Him. He knows me better than anyone, knows my needs before I know them. And even though His answer was not what I wanted, I still desperately need His loving arms to comfort me in my disappointment. It doesn't really make sense to me, but I'm glad God is there, to love me and fill up my soul with His unending grace and compassion.

Splish, Splash we're taking a bath!

Well, I realize I haven't posted an update in quite a while. I'll blame that on trying to keep up with life with two small boys, and oh yeah, being pregnant, and a busy husband. But life is good.

Just like this picture. Here we have the boys taking a bath at Meemaw's house, with their cousins Grace and Sarah.

Naked, in the water, with your cousins...what is better than that? Not much when you are a little one. Isn't life fun?!!!

My best Christmas gift...

This Christmas, on December 23, I had the privledge of watching my mom and dad get baptized! And my husband, Erick, officiated...meaning he was the one who got to dunk them! My parents had made the decision many months ago that they wanted to get baptized, and they wanted a small, private, family ceremony. And they also wanted Erick to be the preacher to baptize them--if possible. So we loaded the family into the van and made the trek up north to Mema and Grandpa's house for Christmas. Yes, we were going to exchange gifts and enjoy the yummy holiday treats, and to see my sister, my brother in law, and my two sweet neices. But also to baptize my parents!

So at last it happened. I had been praying for my parents and then to be able to watch them express their faith in this way, it was so very exciting for me! It was an honor and a privilege, a very special moment I will never forget. I was so happy to be there with all my family, and to watch Erick lead in it was truely amazing.

I pray God continues to strengthen us all in our faith as we continue to follow Him. No matter what season of life we are in, I realized that I need to remember that I am FORGIVEN! I am rescued from the penalty of my sins, only by the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on a cross. I have a relationship with God because of Jesus's gift of grace. I praise God for His forgiveness--for my parents, for myself, and for all who choose to accept Jesus' free gift of love in His forgiveness of sins. Merry Christmas for sure!!