Salvation Saturday: Believe His Is Able

 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, 
“Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them,  
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.  

Kyle and Lyss...2004

Then he touched their eyes and said,  
“According to your faith will it be done to you”  Mark 9:27-29


From an early age Alyssa and Kyle have heard about Jesus.  They've been a part of Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, church camp, and of course always a weekly dose of Sunday morning worship.  They've heard the stories.  They've witnessed lives being changed.  They have been told of the ways God answers prayer.  

They've heard, but do they really see.


I pray that their eyes are opened, and that they believe with their heart that God is who He says, and is able to do more than they can imagine.  


May their faith grow deep, high and wide!


Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle believe in you with all their heart, mind, and soul!  I pray that they know and trust that you are able.  Deepen their faith, stretch their trust, and open their eyes that they may see and know you for themselves.  You are King of Kings and Lord of Lord, and I trust you with Alyssa and Kyle's lives.

The Main Goal

"So we make it our goal to please him..." 2 Corinthians 5:9

Lord, I am on my knees today, for Alyssa and Kyle.  My heart's cry is that they make it their goal to always please you, and you alone, in everything they say and do. May the words of their mouth be sweet and pleasing to you, the work of their hands bring you glory, and their feet always go where you lead.  I pray that they press on toward the goal to win the prize for which you have called them.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for hearing the prayers of this mom!

Thankful Thursday: A Wider Community of Believers

"Love the brotherhood of believers, 

fear God, honor the king."  1 Peter 2:17 

 The three Kens!  My dear hubby on the left.

So many things to be thankful for this week.  We are at our annual church conference this week and it's easy to make a big list of blessings.  I'll try to be brief for your sake!

• The weather in Newberg, Oregon, for our annual conference is usually miserably HOT, but this week it has been cool and sunny!
• Lunch with another pastor couple was great encouragement!
• Time chatting with other pastor's wives blessed my socks off.
• God appointed moments with others.
• Seeing our children "hang" with other kids who are passionately in love with Jesus, and find community, encouragement, and great teaching, is a joy for me to behold.
• Hearing an auditorium of worshipers (not sure how many...500 or so), young and old, all resound their praise in song made my heart leap with delight.
• Seeing many youth from our church participating in these worship times.

God has refreshed my spirit despite the 14 hour days of meetings, worship, and fellowship.  I give Him thanks for the community of believers that surround me, and for His activity in and through us.

Freedom from Fear

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Shy babies...1998

I was a shy little girl, and in reality that shy little girl still lives in me. God, however, has done a work in me and has stretched me out of my “comfort zone”. I’ve learned to trust Him, and depend on this “spirit of power” that comes from Him.

I pray for that spirit of power in my children’s lives. They both started out shy like their mother. Lyssa’s kindergarten teacher promised me that she would get Lyss to talk to her within the first month of school, but on the last day of school, Mrs. Garner looked at me and said, “Well, I never got her to talk to me, but she’s a very good student.” Oh my. Saying “hi” to adults at church was ever so painful. And I began praying that that God would remove her “spirit of timidity” and replace it with His spirit of power!

I have seen Lyssa stretch herself and is growing into a confident young lady. God is good! Giving speeches at school, feeling free to ask questions and share concerns with her teachers, even going out for the student council knowing she’d have to give a speech for her election. God is instilling in her His power! I love that.

I pray that both my kids continue to grow in their confidence to be who God made them. To stand in front of people and speak their convictions. To face conflict, without being walked on, and without fear. I pray that as they seek God’s direction for the future of their lives, they will follow without trepidation, but go boldly wherever God sends them. And when fear does show its face, may they always look to the One who brings peace, strength, and power.


Dear Precious Father, you are the amazing Creator, the mighty Healer, and you’re in the business of changed lives. Thank you for creating my children in beautiful ways. Thank you for who they are and what they are becoming. Thank you for being a God who doesn’t want his people to live in fear, but wants them to live with power, confident in his love, and at peace in all the circumstances of life. I pray that where my kids have a spirit of fear or timidity, that you replace it with your spirit of power, and of confidence, and a belief that you’ve created them for great things. Where they feel weak, may they look to you for strength. Where there is fear, may they sense your peace. Where they doubt, may the fix their eyes on You and find the answers they need. Lord, fill my kids with You! Mark their lives by your presence! May they always live in your spirit of power!

Be Careful Little Hands

"Do not steal or tell lies or cheat others." Leviticus 19:11 (CEV)

 Lyss's hands...working in Mexico...2010

Every once in a while my mom likes to remind me of the time I stole a little treasure from the nearby store we had visited that day, and the heartache it brought her when she had to take me back to the store to confess my sin. I don't remember that event, except through her retelling of the horror. But as a mom, I've experienced that dread, and the feeling in the pit of my stomach, as I've realized my own children's moment of weakness. Those were hard lessons to go through, by golly. The handfuls of coins, or the little toys, were never worth the relationship with the people whom the treasures truly belonged.

You turn on the news, and you hear stories of teens and adults, who did not necessarily learn that lesson when they were young. Greed, lust and envy take over, and cause poor choices. Those choices can have huge ramifications in life...for the offender and the victim.

Oh, be careful little hands what you do!

Lord, mark our Alyssa and Kyle's lives with honesty, truth, and holiness. Keep them from choosing to steal, lie and cheat. When they are tempted by greed, remind them that you are the bread of life and the living water, that will fill every want and need in their hearts. When they lust and envy others, move their spirits to long for you instead. And when cheating seems to be the answer, may your Spirit prompt their minds to remain honest. Lord, help our children to live trustworthy and honorable lives. May Alyssa and Kyle live lives worthy of your calling, and that glorify you.



Repost from August 2010

Be the Best Friend

"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"  Ecclesiastes 4:10

Lyssa (in red) and friends...1998

Friends can bring great joy,
and deep heartache.
Sometimes even in the same day.

Deep and life giving laughter one moment.
Uncontrollable tears the next.

Hurt can come easily.
Words even sharp and too honest at times.
But a willingness to work through the pain.
Talking and listening.
Both important to the mending.

Friends give life and meaning to who we are.
Friends give encouragement to strive beyond our doubts and fears.
Friends give light to our dark days.

To have a friend like that is priceless.
To be a friend like that takes sacrifice and effort,
but blesses two.
You and
Your friend.

So love deeply, dear children.
Give abundantly.
Forgive always.
Laugh hard.
Comfort the tears.
Accept the differences.
Enjoy the similarities.Be the best.

And rejoice in such a beautiful gift!

Lord, thank you for the friends you have enriched my life with.  Friends can bring such joy and pleasure in our lives.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle find friends in their lives that spur them on towards good things.  Friends that encourage them when they are down, forgive them when they are wrong, and love them even when they are unlovely.  Above all, however, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle learn to be that kind of friend.  I pray that they love deeply, forgive easily, and give abundantly to the friends in their lives.  Friendship takes work, and I pray that they are willing to do the hard work of being a good friend.  May they shine you, dear Jesus, in their friendships, and lead others towards you.  When their friends need guidance, may Alyssa and Kyle lead them to your Word.  When they need hope, may they lead them to prayer.  And when there is hurt, and forgiveness comes hard, may they look to you for strength.  Friendships enrich our lives, but to have a good friend, they need to be a good friend.  Help them, Lord, to be a good friend.

Salvation Saturday: LIFE!

"I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life."  John 6:47
 

"I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of."  John 10:10

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."  Psalm 16:11

Lord, O Lord Almighty, you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and my heart belongs to you.  I pray for Alyssa and Kyle and ask that you make known to them the path of life and that they can experience eternal pleasures at your right hand. I believe that with you Alyssa and Kyle will have a more and better life than they ever dreamed of.  You are the everlasting life.  You are all that they need.  Lord, be in and over Alyssa and Kyle's life.  Thank you for hearing my prayer.


Photos taken by Alyssa, 2011

Teenage Driver in the House

"For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you..." --Deuteronomy 23:14

We have a teenage driver in the house!  For a girl who did not want to drive, she sure is enjoying the opportunities to get behind the wheel and go here, there, and everywhere.  Of course, for a while she has to have an adult along side her in the passenger seat.

Oh the self control it takes to not grab the wheel, step on the brake pedal, or give instructions all along the way.

I've only screamed twice.

I think that's pretty good.

That was Wednesday.  Thursday was much better.  I wonder what today will hold.

We're a ways off before letting Lyss go off on her own, but still I'm praying for her good judgement, and God's protection to go ahead and behind her, everywhere she drives.

Maybe I'll give you a scream count later... (Pray for me!)

Lord, we've hit another milestone in our house, and are moving one step closer to Alyssa becoming an adult.  Thank you for continuing to be with her as she grows, learns, and experiences more and more freedom.  I pray, Lord, that you "move about in our camp" and be our mighty protector.  Each day, go ahead and behind Alyssa and Kyle in all that they do.  Lead them away from danger, help them to make wise choices, and keep them from harm.  You are Alyssa and Kyle's shelter, and in that I trust and rest.

Thankful Thursday

"My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord."  Psalm 145:12

God is living and active in our house!  Just giving a shout out of praise...

• Lyss is driving (with a permit and parents only) and passed her drivers ed. class!  She's had a great fear of driving and was one of the oldest teens in her class, so this is a great accomplishment in our lives. God is good!

• Lyss got her classes figured out for her senior year of high school and the college classes she is taking.  God is good!

• 30 + games later, Kyle finished up his summer legion baseball season.  His team has been hard at work this week painting, weeding, prepping fields, shagging balls, keeping score, and working in the concession stands.  It's been a great learning experience for him all around.  God is good!

• Last weekend our church had a reunion with some Vietnamese men that they helped  36 years ago when they fled Vietnam.  Though our family was not at the church then, it was a rich blessing to see the lifelong effects of our church's faithfulness way back then.  They, their children, and now their grand children are following the Lord with their lives.  God is good!

Good is good, all the time!
All the time, God is good!


Lord, my mouth speaks in praise of you in our lives!  Thank you for the many ways you are living and active in Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  Open their eyes that they may see the good things you are doing and give you praise.  You are so good, and you show yourself to us in so many ways.  Just because I have breath and life I rejoice.  Because you love us I give you thanks.  Thank you, Lord, for all that

The Nature of a Servant

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  Hebrews 16:10

Alyssa and friend Luke...2004

How wonderful it is that nobody 

need wait a single moment before 

starting to improve the world.    

~Anne Frank

Helping Hands...2004

 

After raking leaves, we visited with Helen...90+ years old.

Lord, your very nature is that of a servant, and our attitudes should be the same.  It doesn't always come naturally to us to make ourselves nothing, or to give to others sacrificially.  It's easy to worry about what's in it for me, and to take care of myself.  I see it so evidently in my children at times, and I pray, dear Jesus, that they become people who love to help others, give generously, and sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others or you.  Give them eyes to see the needs of others, and how they can help.  Prod their hearts to encourage the lonely, give to the needy, and feed the hungry. May you be reflected in their actions and attitudes, and draw others closer to you.  You are a servant, Lord, may we be one too. 

Crazy Birds

"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts."  Acts 2:46

 Every morning as the sun rises. and every evening as it turns dusk, we have a congregation of birds that meet up in the trees in our backyard.  They are the loudest bunch of birds I have ever heard.  As it woke me up yesterday morning, two things struck me...

• They meet consistently.  Every morning and every night, without fail, they are faithful to come together.
• They sound like they are happy to be together.

These crazy birds are a perfect example of things I pray my kids "leave the nest" knowing and living out.

• Find a church home and be faithful to attend consistently.
• Enjoy relationships with the other believers in your life.  Hang with your church family.  Have fun.  Work together doing amazing things.  Serve alongside on another.  Work through conflict.  Be encouragers.

As I hear the birds "sing sweetly in the trees", I will be reminded to pray.

Oh I love lifting my little birdies to the Lord! 

Lord, thank you for Alyssa and Kyle and for the precious treasure they are in my life.  I pray that they will always follow you, Father, and live their lives in communion with you and other believers who also love you.  Continuing to meet together with other believers will strengthen their faith, give them encouragement, and teach them some important lessons in life.  The church can be a vital part of their walk with you.  My soul sings "how great thou art!"  I love you, dear Jesus.

Forgiving One Another

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."  Colossians 3:13

Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet 

sheds on the heel that has crushed it.  

--Mark Twain

Lord, thank you that you show us the true meaning of forgiveness.  Thank you for forgiving us of all our sins, and loving us despite our faults and failures.  Because we have been forgiven, we can in turn forgive others.  Oh how I long for my children to be good forgivers.  Bitterness and anger can so easily take root in our hearts and minds, and effect every aspect of our lives.  Friends hurt us, enemies discourage us, and our families make mistakes.  On a daily basis we have to choose to forgive.  May Alyssa and Kyle choose to develop the character that reflect you living and active presence in their lives, including forgiveness, acceptance, patience and love.  Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to bear with each other, and others in their lives,  and forgive whatever grievances they may have against those who hurt them. May they learn to forgive as you, Lord, forgave them.  Thank you, Sweet Father, for hearing my prayers.

Speak Loud

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."  1 Timothy 4:12

Alyssa had just turned 6 years old, and was learning to write.  Freedom to communicate was at the tip of her fingers. What fun it was as parents, to find that she had some tendencies toward evangelism, and wanted to share with everyone what they too needed to do!  We found this proclamation on one of the dry erase boards at church...

"Askc Jesus too live in your hurte" -- Alyssa, 2000

May she always be willing to communicate to the world that Jesus loves them, and the important truth that all they have to do is ask Him into their hearts.  

Children often have the ability to speak louder than we can imagine.

Lord, I hold onto this promise from your Word..."My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever." (Isaiah 59:21)  I pray that my children always hold onto the truth that you are God, you love them with all that you are, and you are the most important treasure of their lives.  May this truth be forever on their lips, and they find boldness to share it with others in their lives, and to the generations that come after them.  I pray that their hearts burn with passion to spread your Word to the lost.  Pursuing you, living for you, and sharing you with others will bring the greatest joy of their lives.  Thank you, Lord, for holding them in the palm of your hands, and having a future for them that holds good things.  They are a precious gift to us, and to the world around them.  May they speak loud of your love to the world around them.

Praying Scripture: Joy in Challenges

 Photo taken by Lyss...

of Kyle making a shot!

This is my prayer today...

Dear Jesus, help Alyssa and Kyle to consider it a sheer gift when tests and challenges come at them from all sides. Under pressure, their faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So, though it is challenging, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so they become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

When Alyssa and Kyle don't know what they're doing, I hope that their first response is to pray to you Father. You love to help. Alyssa and Kyle will get your help, and won't be condescended to when they ask for it. Alyssa and Kyle can ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. Let them always ask in faith. 

If Alyssa and Kyle meet a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with You, the reward is life and more life.    (James 1:2-7, 12)

Praying for Purity

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."  1 Corinthians 6:12

I like this video. It's a good reminder to pray for our kids sexual purity.



Lord, you call your children to live holy and blameless lives, and that includes avoiding any hint of sexual immorality.  You have made sex to be something truly beautiful when it is between a man and wife, in the context of marriage. Holy Spirit convict Alyssa and Kyle's hearts, even now, to make the decision to refrain from anything that leads to sexual impurity.  Speak to them, and fill them with courage, conviction and strength when temptation is near.  Remind them of your desire and plan for their lives, and that you will honor their relationships and marriage if they follow your guidelines for purity. Lord, help Alyssa and Kyle to make wise choices that lead to lives that glorify you.  Even now, dear Jesus, be doing the same work in the lives of those who will be their spouse.  May they find true loves, who have waited expectantly, and in purity, just the way you've designed it to be.  May their marriages be blessed abundantly because of their strong commitments to remain pure.  I pray, Lord, that we live lives that are holy and honorable to you!

Confessions of a Snooze Alarm

"Train children to live the right way, and when they are old, they will not stray from it."  Proverbs 22:6

My girl...2011

Yesterday morning was not a good morning…At least from this mother’s perspective.  This is a text I sent my dear hubby…

“If I had to make a list of things I hate, there are at least two things that would make the running next to mice…our schedules and waking up the girl.”

 I think I deserve the nickname “snooze alarm”. 

I come to her room every 15 minutes or so.

I remind her of how much time she has until she has to leave.

I turn on lights.

I nudge.

I’ve even been known to set off the fire alarm (blogged about here).

Then at some point I claim that the “snooze alarm” is "out of order".

Yesterday, with 7 minutes to spare before needing to head out the door, and no less than 7 trips to her bedroom, Lyss got out of bed.

I probably get more and more frustrated, not entirely because the kids don’t get out of bed when they should, but because I don’t put my foot down and allow them to fail (or succeed) all on their own in the department of getting up in the morning.  I make myself the “snooze alarm”.

Lyssa is facing her senior year in high school.  One more year and she’ll be away at college and have to figure this getting up thing all on her own.  Oh I need to let go of thinking that the “snooze alarm” is my job, and pass the responsibility and “privilege” off to the girl.  

Wake up, Tresa, it’s time!

Lord, you’ve given me the awesome responsibility of training up my children in the way they should go, and so many times I feel like I have failed.  Give me the strength and wisdom to know how and when to make changes, teach hard lessons, and even give myself and them grace.  You discipline those you love and I need to follow that example even when it’s hard.  You allow your children to face hard consequences when we make wrong choices, and I need to be willing to do the same.  And still you are are our refuge, shelter, and walk with us through the tough times that are a result of our mistakes.  I so want Alyssa and Kyle to grow up to be responsible adults and the things we are teaching them now are laying a foundation for that.  Be our teacher, dear Jesus, and show us the ways we should be parenting, and give us wisdom and courage to make new rules, institute different changes, or allow hard consequences.  Lord, grow up Alyssa and Kyle in the way they should go, and I pray that they never depart from it.

Different Than the World

"All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse."  Proverbs 8:8

Foul language is everywhere.  Sadly, even in our Christian communities it's becoming more and more "acceptable" to let a swear word fly out of our mouths.  Maybe I'm "old school".  Or maybe I'm just old, but either way, I find myself saddened.  I want "us" to be different.

The words out of our mouths reflect our heart. and give testimony to Whom we live for.  What does the world think when our words resemble the trash in the world?

Better yet.  What does God think?

"One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend."  Proverbs  22:11

Lord, our God, you deserve all our honor and praise.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle's mouths always reflect you living in their lives.  I pray that they use their lips to give you honor and glory.  Make their spirits sensitive to curse words and using profanity, and always be persistent and conscious to speak as you desire them to speak.  Lord, may Alyssa and Kyle's speech always be filled with grace.

Planted Seeds

My apologies:  Blogger changed how it publishes posts and once again I didn't realize today's blog didn't go out this morning.  Sorry if you missed me.  :)

"But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”  Matthew 13:23

We're picking up our kids from camp today.  Yes, we had a wonderful time while they were away, and YES we missed them greatly.  I hope that we all four will be able to say we had a great 5 days.  

I remember camp being such a vital part of my spiritual growth when I was a kid.  I have memories of speakers, camp fire worship times, making friends, and new decisions and commitments to Christ as I came home.  As the Word of God was spoken seeds were planted that changed my life and grew into wonderful things.  

I'm praying that the seeds planted this weekend at camp will be life changing for Alyssa and Kyle and will produce crops in their lives that will reap more than I can ever imagine.  

Lord, I thank you for the opportunity Alyssa and Kyle had to hear your Word at camp this week.  I pray that the seed of your Word fell on good soil and that our kids heard things in new, relevant, and life changing ways and that they experienced great understanding for what they were hearing.  I pray that the seed produces roots that grow down deep into your living water and refreshes their inner beings.  May this just cause Alyssa and Kyle to fall deeper in love with you and your Word, dear Jesus.  Oh how I hope that their lives are forever changed!

Choose Today!

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..."  Joshua 24:15

 Cousins...2009

As both of our kids are at camp this week, I've been praying that they make re-commitment to Christ and choose anew to follow Him with their lives.  God wants them to choose Him every day.  So maybe even today they will say "Yes, Lord!"  

Precious Savior, Heavenly Father, Almighty God, I surrender to You my children Alyssa and Kyle.  I pray that this is the day that they choose for themselves to serve You all the days of their lives.  May their hearts cry out to You in acceptance of your forgiveness, your love and your salvation.  Your presence will be a precious gift in their lives.  You alone will be their rock and their salvation; You will be their fortress.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle continue to work out their salvation in you!

Craving Pure Spiritual Milk

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."   1 Peter 2:2-3

Our daughter often craves Qdoba nachos, iced cinnamon mochas, and McDonald's cheeseburgers.  She even gets to a point where she begs, pleads, and is often willing to sacrifice her own money in order to fill her "need".

What I pray for most, is that what she craves more than those things is pure spiritual milk.  God and His Word is the greatest food for her soul.  Oh, how I want her to long for the deeper things.

And the beautiful thing about this?  I think that is the desire of my daughter's heart as well.
Yeah God!

Lord, help our children to crave pure spiritual milk, so that they may grow up in their salvation, and fall deeper in love with you.  I pray, Father, that their souls hunger and thirst for more of you.  Put within their hearts a longing to dig deep in your Word, to pursue you with every ounce of their body, mind and soul, and encourage others to do the same.  I pray that when they seek you, they find you, dear Jesus, just as you have promised.  

Thankful Thursday: God Hears

They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.'  Zechariah 13:9

 Alyssa & Kyle...2003

I know that God hears my prayers.  How do I know?  He answers.

Sometimes with a "yes".
Sometimes with a "no".
Once in a while with a "Let's wait and see." 
Periodically He changes my mind.

However, I always have an assurance that He is listening.

This week was no different.  I sensed His care as I cast my burdens on Him, and He answered me when I called. 


Lord, thank you for hearing your children when they call on your name.  Thank you for answering me when I prayed to you for help this week.  I know and trust that you are watching over Alyssa and Kyle and you are fighting for and working on their behalf every day.  When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way.  I pray that when Alyssa and Kyle need you, they will know they can cast their cares on you and you will care for them.  We are your people, O Lord, and you are our God.  Thank you for answering us when we call.

Faith Encouragers

 I hadn't noticed that this didn't post this morning.  Not sure why, but I had written it.  :)  I'll leave this for tomorrow's prayer too.  Today has been crazy getting kids ready for camp and having baseball.  Anyway, here is today and tomorrow's blog all rolled in one. 


"When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours."  Romans 1:12 (NLT)

My kids are heading to camp tomorrow.  I remember camp being an important part of my spiritual formation.  I'm praying that as my kids head up the mountain they have experiences that impact their walk with the Lord in powerful and personal ways.  I'm praying that they find people who encourage their faith, and that they find opportunities to encourage others as well.

Let' the fun begin!!

Alyssa & Friends at camp...2008

Lord, you put other people in our lives in order to bless us, encourage us, and sometimes even teach or stretch our thinking when it comes to our faith.  Faith in you isn't necessarily something we do on our own.  We learn so much from the other people in our life.  Thank you for the many people who are like that in my own life.  What joy it is to walk this journey with others.  

Father, I pray that you strategically place friends or adults in Alyssa and Kyle's life that encourage them in their walk with  you.  Give them places of safety and refuge with people who they can trust, and who speak love and truth into their lives, especially when the daily grind of life is so hard.  Give them mentors and friends who walk with them as aliens and strangers in this world.  

In turn, I pray, dear Jesus, that Alyssa and Kyle BE the encourager in the life of someone else.  Help them to be bold and wise in their conversation with others, leading them closer to you.  Use my children to bless someone else by speaking truth, being kind, and showing love that reflects you.

I pray that there will be others in Alyssa and Kyle's life that encourage them in their faith, and also that they will want to encourage others as well.

Thank you, Jesus, for hearing my prayer!

Living Beyond Differences

"I consider my life worth nothing to me..."  Acts 20:24

 My girl and boy!...1998

My kids are total opposites in more areas than one being a girl and one a boy.  God created them each uniquely that's for sure!

One likes to stay home.
One likes to go.

One revels in the rain.
One plays in the sun.

If one hates a song on the radio,
the other loves it.

Where one likes to go out to eat,
the other whines in disgust (yes, even at 14 & 17),

If one were to like black,
I'm sure that the other would vote for white.

There is even a difference of opinion on
chocolate vs. vanilla.

Sometimes these difference cause a little ruckus in our home.  When they face decisions or react they don't always think of the other person.  It's so easy to be selfish and  thoughtless of the other.

Part of growing up and maturing will be Alyssa and Kyle learning to put aside their preferences and considering others desires ahead of their own.  Sometimes considering our life nothing is hard...

Lord, thank you for making Alyssa and Kyle so different.  They are each wonderful in who you have made them to be. Continue maturing them, dear Father, and help them to learn to appreciate each other and their differences.  Putting the other person first can sometimes be hard but it's a sign of you living in them, and of growing more compassionate and kind.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle learn to  look towards the interest of others and choose to sacrifice their wants and wishes on behalf of someone else.  I know you are living in Alyssa and Kyle's lives and you are molding them into who you want them to be.  Thank you, Lord, for wonderfully making our children!