Halloweens Past

Here are some pictures from Halloween's past.  It's sometimes hard to believe that our kids are so grown up now, and Halloween is no longer full of excitement and plans.  Though I like that, I kind of long for the days of my cute little kids in their costumes.  These pictures make me smile.

 "Zacchaeus was a wee little man..." (1995)

 Farmer Ken and his little animals (1997)

 My little Indian and Ninja (2004)

Napolean Dynamites (2006)

Lord, thank you for the blessing our kids are in our lives, and thank you for memories of laughter, fun, and how you've grown up my little babies into soon-to-be adults.  I pray that the memories of Alyssa and Kyle's childhood years will be ones marked with good things.  May they look on these years with joy and thanksgiving.  Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of our kids.

Heart of Flesh

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  Ezekiel 36:26

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle give you their hearts and allow you to make them hearts of flesh.  Breathe your life into them, dear Jesus, and make their hearts wholly yours.  Keep them from being a stone temple that only loves themselves, but give them a heart that is open and filled with love for you, as their Savior and Friend.  Make their joy flow over as they revel in being your children.  Lord, bring Lyssa and Kyle's hearts to a recognition of their need for you, and deepen the roots of their faith, so that they always belong to you.  Lord, you want to take their crumbling hearts and make them new and whole!  Thank you, Father, that you give Alyssa and Kyle abundant and eternal life.  May their hearts always beat after yours!

Oh the Messes!

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands."  1 Thessalonians 4:11

"Cleanliness may not make one godly, 

but it does make one appreciated."

--Wes Fessler

Thought it is not "Wordless Wednesday", I'm sure the above picture brings many thoughts to your mind about what this mother is praying for today.   

Oh the messes!

Lord, you know my heart, and you know the needs and struggles of our dear children.  Oh how I want Alyssa and Kyle to grow up to be responsible and hard-working adults.  Some days I can see signs of their ability to take care of themselves, being kind to others, making mature choices, and having the desire to have the freedom and responsibility that comes with becoming an adult.  And other days, not so much.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle grow spirit's that thrive to work hard, live organized and orderly lives, and always choose to be responsible with their time and possessions.  Lord, bless their hands as they work and help them to do it all for the glory of your name. 

Thankful Thursday: Answer to the Impossible

I'm giving God thanks today for some answers to prayer.  Below is a post of a few "impossible" things I wanted God to help Alyssa with.  Sure I wrote it (or prayed for it) over a year ago, but I was reminded just this week that He answered my prayers.

Well, most of these impossibilities have been "fixed" anyway!  #1 and #3 are great accomplishments in my daughter's life, now a senior in high school, but I'm still praying for #3.

Thank you, dear Jesus, for answering prayer!

The Impossible

Posted August 23, 2010

"But with God all things are possible."  Matthew 19:26

We've finished our first week of the new school year, and are beginning our second.  Though Alyssa is a junior in high school (oh my), she begins her first dose of college classes this week (OH MY).  As we were driving around I teased Lyss about the three things I hoped she would learn this year...

1.  How to wake up to her own alarm clock.

2. How not procrastinate on her homework or responsibilities.

3.  How to drive. 

Alyssa and friends in Aguascalientes, Mexico (2010)

 

She seems to think that all of these are impossible, but I have great hope that with God she can not only learn these things, she can master them beautifully. There are a lot of things that we "think" we can't do, but we have to choose to try, and then seek God's help along the way.

This is the beginning of new things!  Oh how I can't wait to see how Alyssa, with God, will make huge strides in these areas this year.  Adulthood here we come!

Lord, with you all things are possible.  You give the strength your children need to do big things. Help both Alyssa and Kyle to rise to the challenges in their lives that seem beyond their ability.  Give them confidence, power, and hope that comes for your abiding presence with them.  Lord, there are a lot of seemingly impossible things we have to do in our lives, but your promise to help us scale walls.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for being our strength!

Wordless Wednesday

Asking, Seeking and Knocking

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  Mathew 7:7-8

 

 

Sometimes mother's worry.  I know, surprise, surprise.  Hence today's topic.  I'm asking, seeking, and knocking (down the Lord's door) that my dear daughter will start asking, seeking and knocking. The girl needs a career internship...120 hours worth to graduate in about 7 months.  

Sure, it's doable

Yes, she's got a few leads. 


Of course, I've talked to her about it.


I know I need to let her succeed or fail on her own (of course, if she fails, there are some consequences that her mom has to live with).

I also know that she's been one busy girl (volleyball just finished up a week ago).

BUT let's get asking, seeking and knocking.  Please, oh please!  

Trusting and believing that God has just the right answer, and He's going to show it to Lyss as she seeks Him!


But can we hurry it up a bit!

Lord, thank you that we can come to you with our worries and thoughts, and you promise that you'll answer when we call on you, and we will find you when we seek you.  Propel Alyssa and Kyle to look to you for wisdom, to ask you for help in the decisions they need to make in life, and to seek the answers you have for their questions.  Give them motivation, dear Jesus, to look to you always and follow you wherever you lead.  Obedience to you is better than sacrifice. Make Alyssa and Kyle's hearts always open to your leading and ready to do their best in every opportunity placed before them.  Lord, may they always continue asking, seeking and knocking!

Godly Successes

"In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him."  1 Samuel 18:14

 Kyle and his pumpkin (2003)

Lord, what blessed assurance to know that you are with Alyssa and Kyle.  I pray that their hearts are always stayed on you, their Savior and their God.  As they grow up in you, may they recognize that you are walking with them, you provide them all the strength and wisdom they need, and you have wonderful plans for their lives.  With you by their side Alyssa and Kyle can do anything. Everything is possible with you.  Following you will always lead to godly successes, and through those successes, Alyssa and Kyle's lives will glorify you.  May our dear children's lives be marked by success and joy because they call you Father, and are willing to go wherever you lead!

Living in God

"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God."  1 John 4:15

Kyle & Lyssa's Playhouse (1999)

Oh, to have God living in us!  What a wonderful, wonderful gift!  But better yet?  We can live in God!  All we have to do is acknowledge Him as Lord.  

Living in Him brings us peace.

Gives us hope.

Provides us salvation.

Showers us with love.

There's no better place to live!

Lord, your Word promises that if Alyssa and Kyle acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, you live in them and they in you.  I pray that they confess with their mouth that you are their Lord.  May living in you, and you in them, be their greatest joy in life.  Thank you, Father, for your salvation, grace, and mercy, and that your children are the precious recipients of these treasures.  Jesus, you are the Son of God!

A Love Affair with God's Word

“[God’s laws] are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.” Psalm 19:10

God’s Word is one of the most precious things in the world to me. I think I fell in love with it when I was in elementary school or middle school. I remember moving from my childhood Bible, into a more adult-like one, and loving the time it took to re-underline all of my favorite verses. I loved carrying it to church and using it when my Sunday school teacher, youth leader, or the pastor asked me find a particular verse. I loved the things I learned, and how it spoke to me about my life circumstances. I remember even taking my Bible to school, hoping I would have time to read it in my free time, or would have it available to share a verse or two with my friends. Yes, I was a “Bible Thumper”! My love affair with the Bible began long, long ago.

I pray that the Bible becomes one of the most precious things in the world to my kids too. I pray that it changes from just a book that sits on their shelf, or under their dirty laundry, to a “living and active”, life changing gift that they wouldn’t ever want to live without. I pray that God speaks to them through His Word, and they find treasures from Him that is a reminder of His deep and steadfast love.

I will totally love it if one day my kids start carrying their Bible wherever they go, or call me with a verse that spoke to them. I pray for the day that their love affair begins, and God’s Word becomes “more precious than gold” in their lives!

Bible Thumpers unite!

Your Word, O Lord, is better than life, and I love it! My heart’s prayer is that Alyssa and Kyle  fall in love with the treasures written for them in Your Word too. Place Bible teachers in their lives that inspire them to dig deeper, search for answers, and understand your direction and plan for them. Lord, when Alyssa and Kyle make efforts to read your Word, open their eyes so that they will see you, and their minds to understand what they’ve read. I pray that your Word comes alive to them, and they never take for granted what a priceless gift it is! Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your Word and the power it has in my life. May it be so with my kids. Let their love affair begin today.

Thankful Thursday: Great is the Lord!

"Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.  Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom."  Psalm 145:2-3

Praising God for so many things today...

• Our kids health.
  

• Good grades at the completion of the school quarter.
  

• A fun, but quick, overnight family outing to watch Lyss play her last high school volleyball game.  Of course, she was picked to be on the Senior All-Star team and will have one more game.  

• Lyssa also passed both of her driving tests and is now a licensed driver.  She also has survived a handful of solo driving adventures to school/church and back.  (And I survived being a nervous wreck.)
  

• Kyle completed his first day of driving in drivers ed and the instructor was very complimentary.

 Kyle in the driver's seat

• Moments of laughter around the dinner table...and all four of us were present.  It may have been the first time since volleyball started in August.

Great are you, Lord and worthy of praise!


Lord,  today I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.  Great are you Lord and most worthy of praise.  Thank you, for the many, many ways that I see your presence in our lives.  I see so many fingerprints of your work in Alyssa and Kyle's lives.  Thank you for the many ways you show yourself to us!  Your greatness surpasses anything else and I revel in who you are.  Today I praise you!

Wordless Wednesday

Coming and Goings

"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."  Psalm 121:8

Yesterday was Lyssa's first day driving to school.  I didn't realize how hard it would be to let her go.  I worry, fret and let my thoughts go places they shouldn't, and try instead to go to prayer until I get the required text that lets me know she arrived safely.  What peace that comes over me when my phone lets off a sound and I read the words "I'm here."

I think Lyss will enjoy the freedom that comes with driving, but for a while (or maybe forever) I'll pray that God watches over her coming and going. 

Lord, I am in awe that your eyes range throughout the earth and you watch over your children's comings and goings.  There's no better truth for a parent to hold onto.  Each day our children are gaining more and more independence and freedom, and our out of our reach to protect, guide and hold onto.  As Alyssa and Kyle are out and about, please keep watch over them.  Spread your hand of protection around them and cover them with your angels.  Go with them down every path, dear Jesus, and always be by their side.  You are their God, and you love them dearly, and for that I put my complete trust in you!


AND...

Happy Birthday to my dearest Mom! You are the most precious woman I know, and are who I daily am striving to become more like.  Oh how blessed I am that you're my mom...and my friend!

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be.

Homework Blues

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Ecclesiastes 11:4 (LB)


Are there any other parents out there that hate homework? Or am I the only one? I had a friend recently who asked me why, and I wasn’t sure of the answer. Now, as we’ve gotten further into the school year, I am reminded clearly of why it makes me cringe.

My children have a tendency to procrastinate on getting their homework done. They wait until they are down to the wire, and then in a rush or panic, they try to get things done in a timely manner. Often with it comes impatience, frustration, irritability, and sometimes disrespect. It makes for fun times around our household. Sunday afternoon or evenings are spent making a mad dash to finish all that is due for Monday. All of a sudden the stress level jumps, and it makes for cranky kids, and cranky parents.

“If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard,
just keep putting off doing it.” ~ Olin Miller

So, I pray that God either stops the madness of teachers giving homework, or cure my children of their procrastinating tendencies! Oh, what joy that would bring to this mother’s heart. Of course, maybe they learned the art of procrastination from their mother. I guess I’ll pray about that tomorrow.


Lord, this is the day that you have made, and I rejoice in it! Whether it holds homework or not, I will rejoice. You have designs for this day, and things that will be required of my children and I. I pray that we each will be faithful to do whatever we need to do in a timely manner. Help us to not put off the important things of this day, but be responsible to keep our commitments, do our work, and follow through to the best of our abilities. May we choose to do the hard things first, and enjoy the ease of the simpler jobs. After working hard, may we find your joy, peace, and even laughter together in the freedom of having the priorities completed. Lord, teach us to be about the important things first, and stop the madness of procrastination. Let us rejoice in each moment of this day!

 

Thirst for the Living Water

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13-14

Taken by Alyssa, September 2009

Thirst (thûrst)
1. A sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat related to a need or desire to drink.
2. An insistent desire; a craving

We all thirst for something to make us happy, but only some of us find the one thing to fill that craving. We think that popularity, success, money, or love will give us fulfillment and satisfy our deepest desires. We strive to make more money, buy bigger houses, or bigger toys, yet we are left empty.

I see this in my kids sometimes. They want the next newest gadget, or the cool clothes, but once they have somehow found their “greatest heart desire”, they find something else they “need.” E-bay and Craigslist in their best friend in being able to accomplish the upgrades. The cravings live on.

Before my kids get too much older, and the cravings get bigger/deeper, I pray that they find the one thing that truly fulfills the emptiness in the depths of their soul. I pray that they are not tempted to fill this thirst with drugs, sex, pornography, gambling, or alcohol, or things that lead them away from God. Instead, I hope they seek out Christ, the Living Water.

If they thirst for something, may they thirst for Christ, all the days of their lives!

Lord, You are the Living Water, and you quench the thirsts we each have in the depths of our souls. I pray that when my kids sense longings or emptiness that they turn their eyes towards you to be all that they need. You are their wellspring of life, and their eternal life. You are their salvation. You are the greatest answer for all their needs. I pray that they will seek you, and they will find you, all the days of their lives. Lord, thank you for the gift of your Son, and the gift of your salvation. May we always live thirsting for more of you!

The Beauty and the Hair

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Lyssa (2009)

One of the biggest mother-daughter struggles that Alyssa and I have encountered so far, happened approximately when Alyssa was between the ages of 3 and 8 (age 8 because somewhere around that age, I finally gave up). Looking back, I think that we both had strong-willed sides. Often we would both loose in the argument, each of us disheartened by our interactions together. What were our wars over you ask? Hair. Yes, I hate to admit it, we fought over her hair.

If I wanted it curled, she wanted it straight.
If I planned ponytails, she demanded a pigtail.
If I wished for ribbons, she wanted barretts.
We always faced a difference of opinion.

The most memorable hair-moment, wasn’t too big of a battle face-to-face, but there was a definite winner and loser. The day is firm in my memory because it was the day of the children’s Christmas program at our church, and I was helping direct the big affair. It’s every mother’s dream, to see her baby girl shine on stage, looking as darling as can be! So, the night before the big day, I had put sponge rollers in Alyssa’s hair, to make her naturally straight hair full of cute curls. Well, they must have not been so cute to Alyssa.

As I spent the afternoon at the church, making the final preparations for the Christmas program, Ken helped by staying home to watch the kids, keeping them out of my hair. Next thing I know, my dear hubby is coming to visit me at the church, with a look on his face like something was very wrong. He had to break the news that while he was watching the football game, Alyssa decided she didn’t want the curls in her hair anymore, and proceeded to dunk her hair in the bathroom sink. The cute curls were gone. Alyssa had won.

In all seriousness, I look back and think some of our arguments over hair were silly. It’s just hair. I would hope that if I were to do those years all over again, I would be less intense at making sure Alyssa’s hair was what I wanted it to be…especially on Sunday mornings. Alyssa’s hair wasn’t what made her beautiful, it was her heart.

Now that Alyssa is a teenager, she is in charge of her own hair, and we don’t fight over how it’s fixed. Whew. I hope that as she continues to grow that she remains opinionated about what she finds beautiful for herself, and that she stands confident in the beauty that emanates from her heart. I’m not sure she knows how to respond when I compliment her, and I also know that we all have things we don’t like about ourselves. I pray that wherever she has doubts, or a low opinion of herself, that it is replaced with a confidence in who God has created her, and that she believes in her heart that she IS beautiful.

Christ lives inside her. What could be more beautiful?

Dear Precious Father, thank you for my daughter, and for the beautiful girl you have made her. Inside, and out, she shines of her Creator. She is fearfully and wonderfully made. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but I see beauty emanating from who she is. Her laughter makes her face radiate. Her creative flair brings out a confidence in who you’ve made her. She’s loyal to her friends, a delight to little ones, and brings joy to her family. Everything about my daughter shines a beauty. I pray, Lord, that she believes in her heart that she is beautiful, and that she accepts the way you have created her, even in the areas she feels inadequate. Lord, I pray she never doubts her natural beauty, but also rests in the fact that it’s what is on the inside that is most beautiful. She will be most beautiful when you are living in her heart.

Thankful Thursday: He Quiets Me

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:17

It's been a crazy time in our lives, and as I sat in the dark of the morning recently, God reminded me of the above verse.  I'm thankful that when parenting gets overwhelming, circumstances feel out of control, and days long and busy, God will be with me and He will quiet me with His love. He is mighty to save.

I needed to be reminded of that.

Lord, thank you for speaking to me through your Word this week.   What blessed assurance to know that you are mighty to save!  Thank you for quieting me with your love, especially in the moments where all around me feels like chaos.  You, Lord, are my peace that passes all understanding.  You are my strength when I am weak.  You alone are my refuge and fortress.  Thank you, Lord, for being my God.

Here is one of the "exciting" things that happened this week...

Kyle broke his wrist sliding into home plate!  Yes, he was "out"...and is now "out" for the season.

Wordless Wednesday

Choose Well!

God's Word always says it best...

Don't become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That's not partnership; that's war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God's holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: 


  "I'll live in them, move into them;
   I'll be their God 
       and they'll be my people.
   So leave the corruption 
       and compromise;
   leave it for good," says God.
  "Don't link up with those 
      who will pollute you.
   I want you all for myself.
        I'll be a Father to you;
   you'll be sons and daughters 
       to me."
   The Word of the Master, God. 

 (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

One day, hopefully not in the very near future (ha!), our children will decide to marry.  I'm praying that God leads them to just the perfect spouse.  Not only will that special person come into their lives, but they will need to be chosen.  Oh how I want our kids to choose well!

Make the best decision, babies!  Follow Christ and His plan for your lives.  Choose well!

Lord, be near Alyssa and Kyle as they begin the search for someone significant in their lives.  I pray that you make them really aware of your hopes and desires, and even expectations, for their future.  May your Holy Spirit nudge their hearts when they are tempted to become partners with someone who rejects you,  They are the temple where you live, and you are their God, and anyone who does not believe in you is a compromise and their relationship with you will suffer.  Make Alyssa and Kyle wise and sensitive to your plan, dear Jesus, and may they please you with every road they go down in the future.  Bring someone into their lives that will always draw them nearer to you, and help build their home and family on the one true foundation: You! 

Macaroni and Cheese Lesson

Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Yesterday, a child of mine begged, pleaded, and was very persistent in wanting me to make a box of macaroni and cheese for lunch.  This was after leaving the potluck at church where there was plenty of food to be had.  Being the good mom that I am, I figured this child, who for this blog entry will remain unnamed, needed to learn to do their own work and take care of their own physical hunger.  I'm sure they wouldn't starve.

What could have taken less than ten minutes to make, ended up in longer ordeal than necessary in hopes that I would give in.  No such luck. 

Hopefully it was a good lesson that "those unwilling to work will not get to eat."

*chuckle-chuckle*

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle grow up into adults who are not unwilling to work.  Especially when they are hungry or in need.  The sluggard doesn't receive what he needs to live.  May Alyssa and Kyle's hands be of great use to not only help themselves, but to be of some assistance to others in need as well.  I pray that our kids always work diligently and glorify you in all that they do.

Their Heart Condition

(Isaiah 29:13)
And so the Lord says,
 “These people say they are mine.
   They honor me with their lips,
      but their hearts are far from me.
   And their worship of me
      is nothing but man-made rules 
      learned by rote. 




I always loved watching my kids play "doctor".  Not that it was a common occurrence, but what was interesting is that they'd often go to hear the heart of their "patient" first.  They didn't know any better, but I think they were a little bright.  Maybe they were doctors in training! Because truly the heart beating is a sign of  life (and obviously death).  Depending on it's strength it lets us know if it is healthy or not. 

We each have a "heart condition" in regards to our relationship with God.  I was struck by the passage in Isaiah above because it confronts us with the fact that we can say we believe in God, yet still have hearts that are far from the Him.  We can believe in His Sovereignty and power, and in His faithfulness and love, but still not have a living and growing, life-changing relationship with our Savior. 

On this "Salvation Saturday" I'm praying for the heart condition of my kids. I'm praying that Alyssa and Kyle fall in love with Jesus, and that they never find their hearts far from Him.

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle say that you are their Lord and Savior.  I pray that they honor you with their lips.  And above all, I pray that their hearts are never far from you.  May their worship of you be life giving, strength sustaining, and honor-filled toward you, their God.  As Alyssa and Kyle accept you as their Savior, may they not just live by a list of dos and don'ts, but live in a personal relationship with you.  Thank you, Lord, for hearing this mom's prayer!

Giving to God

"The Lord said to Moses,“Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give."  Exodus 25:1-2

___________________

Dear Precious Savior, you deserve so much from your children. You love us and we want to love you.  I pray, that because of that love, Alyssa and Kyle will long to bring to you the very best of who they are.  Their lives can be an offering to you. May they use their gifts and talents, and their treasure and wealth freely and without abandon, to bless others, and give you glory with their lives.

 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."  Romans 12:1

Something to Smile At

I don't know why, but this just makes me smile.

It reminds me of the little things we parents do to help our children succeed, feel brilliant, experience moments of great joy!  Oh the days when my kids were this age...

Thankful Thursday: Because

I love the Lord because he hears my voice

and my prayer for mercy.  --Psalm 116:1

 I love the Lord because...

• He fearfully and wonderfully made our children.

• Alyssa shined bright on Senior Night for her varsity volleyball team, and we had a great cheering section from our church.  They made signs, brought gifts, and painted the windows on our van.  We were blessed.

• Kyle started Drivers Ed.  I can't believe he's old enough?! Soon I will have two new drivers.  *gasp*

• Alyssa finally took her SAT! Yeah.  I can't believe college is just around the corner.

• Kyle is adjusting well to his new school.  I'm amazed by all his new friends!  Scary that some of them are girls!

• Our Church Leader's Retreat was marked by tender worship, the Spirit's teaching and leading, and great affirmation of what He's been doing in our church over the last year.

• I've attended four retreats this September, and in each one, I feel He had a word just for me.  I'm tired, but also blessed by His presence with me.  He's working on me! (I think I'm thankful...ha!)

I just love the Lord "because"!

I love you Lord because you are my Lord.  You hear my voice, and in so many unexpected ways, answer my prayers.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for the many ways you show us your love.  I revel in the ways you are showing yourself in our lives.  Thank you for the abundant blessings each day, your peaceful presence in the busyness, and your supernatural strength when things seem hard.  You are our God, and we are blessed beyond measure by your presence in our lives.

Wordless Wednesday

Someone to Come Alongside

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."  2 Timothy 2:2

Believe it or not, our kids don't listen to everything we have to say.  Often someone else can offer the same advise or encouragement and they seem to listen to it better. Go figure.

However, I think that Alyssa and Kyle have a lot to learn and sometimes need encouragement and wisdom from someone with a few more years "under their belt".  Someone they can share their worries and fears with.  Or a person to challenge them in their views and attitudes.

Some days it will be me. 

But most days it won't be.

So, today I'm praying that they find a friend, or someone to come alongside them, to influence them in the things of the Lord and bless their lives with encouragement and support.

Lord, thank you for my dear children, Alyssa and Kyle.  Thank you for the way you're growing them up and drawing them near to yourself.  I pray, Father, that you send someone into their lives that will encourage them in their faith, challenge them in their world views, and teach them some of the lessons of life that for some reason aren't always heard from me.  May they each find a mature friend to influence their spiritual walk closer to you.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle are blessed with mentors that love them, yet are willing to tell them the truth even when it hurts.  Prepare their hearts for these moments, and teach them to be open to the wisdom and guiding of others.  I entrust Alyssa and Kyle to you, dear Jesus, and pray that they are on a continual journey closer to you!