A Reflection

Skye graduated this weekend. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on how many prayers God has answered, and answered generously for that young woman. I am so incredibly thankful for all that He has done in her life. She's had to work hard to obey him too!

I am very tired and it is late, but I thought I would share a tool that I use to pray for my kids. Paul printed it out and had it framed for me many years ago. I have it in the hallway by the kids' rooms. That way, as I walk by, I look for the number corresponding to the day's date and pray for that virtue. I pray at other times too (like when I fold each child's laundry I pray for them, and bedtime prayers, and my own prayer time), but this is such a neat way to have a regular program of prayer, I thought I would share. So.... here it is...
From http://www.reviveourhearts.com/downloads/index.php?id=9479

31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children

by Bob Hostetler

1. Salvation—"Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." (Isa. 45:8; 2 Tim. 2:10)
2. Growth in Grace—"I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Pet. 3:18)
3. Love—"Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them." (Gal. 5:25; Eph. 5:2)
4. Honesty and Integrity—"May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection." (Ps. 25:21)
5. Self-Control—"Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do." (1 Thess. 5:6)
6. Love for God's Word—"May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb." (Ps. 19:10)
7. Justice—"God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do." (Ps. 11:7; Mic. 6:8)
8. Mercy—"May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)
9. Respect (for self, others, and authority)—"Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as Your Word commands." (1 Pet. 2:17)
10. Biblical Self-Esteem—"Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:10)
11. Faithfulness—"Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts." (Prov. 3:3)
12. Courage—"May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions." (Deut. 31:6)
13. Purity—"Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions." (Ps. 51:10)
14. Kindness—"Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (1 Thess. 5:15)
15. Generosity—"Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age." (1 Tim. 6:18-19)
16. Peace-Loving—"Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace." (Rom. 14:19)
17. Joy—"May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1 Thess. 1:6)
18. Perseverance—"Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them." (Heb. 12:1)
19. Humility—"God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all." (Titus 3:2)
20. Compassion—"Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion." (Col. 3:12)
21. Responsibility—"Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load." (Gal. 6:5)
22. Contentment—"Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength." (Phil. 4:12-13)
23. Faith—"I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them." (Luke 17:5-6; Heb. 11:1-40)
24. A Servant's Heart—"God, please help my children develop servant's hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men." (Eph. 6:7)

25. Hope—"May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13)
26. Willingness and Ability to Work—"Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord and not for men." (Col. 3:23)
27. Passion for God—"Lord, please instill in my children a soul that 'followeth hard after thee,' one that clings passionately to You." (Ps. 63:8)
28. Self-Discipline—"Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." (Prov. 1:3)
29. Prayerfulness—"Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers." (1 Thess. 5:17)
30. Gratitude—"Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:20; Col. 2:7)
31. A Heart for Missions—"Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see Your glory declared among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among the peoples." (Ps. 96:3)

For another great prayer idea (that admittedly takes a little more time investment) check out...
http://www.granolamom4god.com/2010/05/what-bible-will-i-purchase.html

Strep Round # ???

The kids have had strep so many times this winter and spring so many times that I have lost count.

Wildcat has it and is on antibiotics. Today Kapooka was diagnosed again with strep and a double ear infection.

I am tired from caring for ill children. It is my privilege to do so, I just hurt when they hurt. Kapooka isn't sleeping well either.

I'm not sleeping well with all of the other transition going on in our lives.

Paul has resigned from our church. I love the people dearly, but the church can no longer pay Paul. We've missed paychecks before and done so gladly but our budget just can't squeeze anymore. It is time to let someone else try and build this body of believers.

Since the church is 1/3 of our income we need to replace that. Paul is just exhausted in all areas. He is especially exhausted from being pulled in 2 directions all of the time. After much prayer, the Lord is leading us to seek 1 job for him that would better use all of his gifts and talents. This week he told his school he is resigning.

We are so thankful for both our church and school. We truly love the people and the opportunities. However, when it is time to move on, the Lord makes it clear. We are doing our best to follow His direction. I am doing my best (which is not very good) to trust that the Lord has a plan to provide for all of our financial needs as well as give Paul a job where the stress will be less and he can work on a team.

Oh, and did I mention my throat hurts but my supposed primary care physician won't accept me as a patient. The insurance company says that she is my doctor and I can't go anywhere else.

Oh and did I mention that while I was in the bathroom today Kapooka dumped laundry detergent all over clean laundry that she pulled from the dryer. In the process the detergent got all over her, the washer and the floor too? And yes, the detergent was up high, she is just a monkey. Next time I will have to do my business much more quickly if she leaves the room that I am in. Sigh...it has just been one of those days. At least I caught her before she put the first address label on the wall (she climbed to get those while I was getting the detergent somewhat cleaned up).

Skye's Banquet

She got a new haircut the day of banquet. It is much shorter, but she really likes it. Her boyfriend brought the flowers for her.

Here they are...the lovely couple!

Kapooka got dressed up to get pictures taken with Nana too!

We loved the back of the dress! Pretty good for getting in on clearance at the end of last year. She was told over and over that she had the prettiest dress at the banquet (and the most modest too). My heart was really happy for my girl Skye.

Raising Girls

I really loved Dr. Dobson's book Bringing Up Boys. I am ridiculously excited to read his newly released Raising Girls.

In the latest Focus on the Family magazine, they printed this article. I have not found one with which I agree more. Check it out!

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Family/Media/2010/may/girl-power.aspx

Final Vacation Post

The kids spent a lot of time looking like this during the week. They had wet hair, a little sun-color on their cheeks, and big smiles on their faces.

We stopped to take this picture as we left the island. We wouldn't mind coming back again!

When we went to the outlet mall, they had a great outdoor play area that included the typical slides and climbers. There was also a carousel, and this water area. Kapooka loved it, and Wildcat had a good time too. The older girls liked shopping. Paul was worn out from watching the young ones on the play area.

The Estuarium

Kapooka loves this picture. She loves to say turtle!

Wildcat trying on an oldfashioned diving helmet!

The esturarium had an awesome touch and feel area. All of the kids enjoyed touching this whelk. They said it was soft.

The Estuarium had a nice quiet little area for kids Kapooka's age. The older kids got in on the act. Here they are pretending to drive a boat.

Dauphin Island is a barrier island, so it plays a pretty important environmental role. There is a lot of wildlife both birds and sea life. The estuarium is an aquarium on Dauphin Island that explains the island's unique role in the environment. Of course, the aquarium didn't talk about God's creation, but we talked with the kids about how neat it was that God had put the island where it was, sort of like a gatekeeper. Today, I have been praying for Dauphin Island. The oil spill is due to hit their shores today. This isn't a political post at all (because I am not sure if an occassional oil spill is just the price we have to pay, or if more should be done). The Alabama coast region has many employed in the oil industry as well as commercial fishing and tourism. All of those industries are suffering currently as well as God's natural world.

A couple of interesting facts we learned at the Estuarium....

1. An octupus' ink is toxic even to itself, so an octopus needs to swim away after it expels its ink.

2. There are small shells that are often found with holes in the top that look like they are ready to put on a necklace. There is one type of marine animal that has a sharp snout that drills that hole and eats what is inside the shell. God's creation is amazing!

Fort Morgan

Paul worked some might computer mojo, so I am back in the blogging "business" with pictures. I really love that guy, and not just for his computer skills either!

One afternoon, Kapooka really needed a long nap since she hadn't napped for 3 days. I volunteered to stay at the condo and nap with her. Everyone else went to Fort Morgan. This fort was key in the Battle of Mobile Bay. They all had a really good time, but were glad a toddler wasn't along. She would have been bored.
Here you can see one of the cannons that looks out onto Mobile Bay. It was neat to see a fort right on the water. That was something I had never seen before. Later in the week, we all went to the aquarium, so I did get to see some of the outside of the fort. Aquarium pictures will be the next post.

On Wednesdays a blacksmith demonstrates his craft. Evidently it was fascinating to watch.

In all honestly, this particular sight was one of Wildcat's favorites on our whole trip. He still talks about the gigantic potty that the soldiers had to use at the fort. The tides came in twice a day to clean it out. All that is missing to make this picture complete is reading material.

I just love this picture! It is at the entrance of the fort.