Growing Up... Abigail

Abigail speaks very well. Sometimes I forget how little she is because she sounds like a ten year old when she talks. Tonight, we were walking home from church and she pointed at the sunset and said, "Jesus made that for us Mommy." Some time ago, someone in Sunday school taught her that God lives up in the sky (which by the way, I don't quite agree with) so I told her that God lives in her heart. So, tonight when she stopped to stare at the sky, I asked her what she thought of all the warm colors. She said, "that sure is a big house." It took me by surprise when she said it because I wasn't sure if I understood it correctly. I kind of chuckled and she grabbed my thumb and said, "c'mon Mommy, I open the door." Mike had given her the keys to the house and she had them in her hand. When we got into the house, Abigail got her bath and we brushed her hair. She also loves to sit on our bathroom counter and brush her teeth. When we got done, we prayed. Not because it was bedtime, but because we had a good day today. And we had a good conversation about the sunset. I wanted to thank God for making it. So did she. When we were done praying, she said, " Thank you Jesus, Amen."

Abigail is...

Abigail is:
My goodness…simply beautiful…the stealer of the covers in the morning…the one who makes me smile…the puddle of yucky pee on the kitchen floor…the destroyer of a clean house in less than three minutes…the one hiding behind the shower curtain…the first to say, “amen”…a light in a dark place…the one with the sense of humor…an encouragement…the gardener...my favorite….at peace with herself…her Father’s joy…blessed…a ticklish little girl…fragile…grace…spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song…louder and louder…a lover of purses and mommy’s shoes…a prophetess…a helper with the laundry…a snotty nose…sticky fingers…sorry for hitting…a colorful artist on brand new clothes…a gift from God…a funny face…a bump on the forehead whenever it’s picture time…a lover of books and music…a worshiper…a lover of French fries even when they’re cold…highly favored…a fearless couch jumper…constantly loving…cranky at bedtime…one who is cherished…a world of new discovery…earnestly seeking…a good girl…a lover of pink toenail polish…flourishing…nurturing…delightful….a comedian…a crown to grandma’s and grandpa’s…a precious life…delivered…saved by the power of love…an answered prayer…a beloved child…growing up

too fast.

Psalm 127:3-5

I was sitting with Abigail as she opened up her Christmas presents and I began to reflect on what it means to be truly grateful. She is so wonderful. She is excited all the time. Life hasn't gotten hard for her yet. Life hasn't beaten her up with experiences. A boy has never broken her heart. She doesn't have any bad memories that she tries not to think about. She is the happiest little person that I know. And she makes me happy. Whenever I reflect on these blessings, I thank God. I thank Him for changing my life by allowing me to be a part of hers. And I think to myself, "Lord Jesus, please help me, so I don't mess this up".
As she grows, I find myself taken back by her constant discoveries of the world. She reminds me daily, to remember what it's like to be a child. She reminds me to be free when I give love, to not withhold it, but embrace it instead. Thank you, Lord, for my family. Psalm 127:3-5 "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

Two Alike

Prov 31:26-28

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

NKJV

Into The Sky

This past weekend, Mike and I were able to go to Grove City Church of the Nazarene to experience an incredible night of worship called A Night with The King. The music was awesome and the presence of the LORD fell heavy on both of us. I was incredibly grateful for the time we got to spend talking with friends and for this time of refreshing. When the music started, we saw the little children dancing and singing, twirling around, and smiling. Not one of them was fussing, fighting or crying...just dancing...free. I watched them and so did Mike. During this time, I think we both somehow discovered how caught up in our lives we have been and how much we need Jesus. I think we also discovered a new way to approach Him. This song is written by Jason Upton. Jason has a 6 year old son named Samuel. One day Samuel came into the worship room and said, "Hey Dad, I'd like to write a song for Jesus". So, they wrote this song together. I was reminded of it on Friday while we were watching those children. It goes like this:

Hey Jesus, are ya still on the cross

or are You feeling better?

Hey Jesus, can You come play with me

I am ready and willing

Won't You come down, down, down

down to the ground

To the "next to me" place
with a smile on my face
and a song in my ear...
Around and around

and around and around

and around we go

Hey Jesus, when I wave at You

do You wave back too?

Hey Jesus, when I'm feeling sad

do You feel sad too?

Hey Jesus, if we throw these books

do you think they will fly?

Hey Jesus, can I touch the moon?

throw me into the sky

And then I'll come down, down, down

down to the ground

to the "next to me" place

with a smile on my face

and a song in my ear.

LIFE

Do you have children? I do. I have a beautiful seven month old daughter who loves to laugh. She is fragile, but brave at the same time. Her name is Abigail Lauren. She is feminine, fiesty, and fearless to say the least. My husband and I have been initiated into the realm of parenting and it is for certain, the most wonderful blessing that we have been given. Sometimes I stare at her and think about LIFE. I think of how she is completely dependent on Mike and I for everything that she needs and she is not a bit worried about it. I learn a lot from her. She is the most honest person that I have ever met. I don't have to remind myself that she is only going to be this little for a short period of time, and I should cherish it while the time is here. Everyday, I do my best to do just that, even when it gets tiring. She is starting to crawl. One thing is for sure, she is persistent. She tries and tries, and when she falls down, she tries again. She also knows how to get what she wants. When she is hungry, she sticks everything in sight in her mouth until I get the hint, but she doesn't often cry about it; a great sign of maturity at such a young age. When she's tired, she nuzzles up to us as if to say,"could you cuddle me to sleep now?" and we gladly do. She gets excited and her eyes grow three times their normal size, I think as a point to emphasize that when she's happy, we all should be. She likes to carry on conversations by herself too, and even though we have no idea what she's saying, she does and thats all that matters to her. I was nervous at first, to take her to church, only to discover that she was born to be an evangelist. People are drawn to her and she likes it. She greets everyone with a smile and it can brighten your whole day. To have a child is to be given the world to hold in your hands, and the entire universe to try to fit inside your heart. Sometimes, when I get frustrated, I try to remember that it must be harder for her than it is for me. It's at those times when I am most thankful for God's willingness to teach me constant mending and repairing, to guide Michael and I through. He is our source of LIFE. We are all in this together. The smiling face of our child, and the LORD's goodness and grace beyond measure, keeps us.