Well hello strangers, haha! I am sitting here wondering why in the world I started this blog. I mean seriously, I had such good intentions when I began this thing over a year ago. But come on, between moving back to Georgia, homeschooling, my new line of children's clothing (yes, I am a glotton for punishment), my bow business and of course life with 3 kids in general, things on the homefront have been a little bit crazy (as my 2 year old likes to say). So here I am pledging again to be more faithful to this blog, let's see if it sticks this time!
I think it time for a game plan. I have a great friend in the Atlanta area, with FOUR kids who keeps the balls in the air all the time and she has a FABULOUS blog. Let me give a shout out to Mrs. Genie Blazi, you should look her up! She is amazing! She has devoted a Thursday to blogging, I mean it probably doesn't take her all day Thursday, but if I wanted my blog to look like that IT WOULD take me all day. So, hats off to her and her awesomeness, and back to my gameplan. Thursdays would be great, but Genie has that day, so I am thinking something a little different. I am thinking every other Monday...... how's that sound???? I think the title will be Monday Madness.
Mondays..... you know the day after Sunday. The day my kids are asking me, mom do we really have THAT much school work? The day the house looks like a tornado actually hit the laundry room. The day that the toys are really going to find their proper location, NOT the middle of the hallway! The day I plan a menu for the following two weeks, which will probably take me longer than writing this blog!! Yes, Monday! Why not get all of the tedious details of life over in one day? That is my game plan!
So now that we have a game plan, I guess it is time to blog about my wonderful life and family! Well today has been a little chaotic (I did say this was a Monday blog). We got home about 10 last night from our FINAL drive from Waycross to Starke on a Sunday night (can I get a Whoop Whoop)! So this week is packing, packing and more packing. We move on Friday and I cannot be more excited than I am right now about it. God has been so gracious to us.
Ellie Kay is taking a nap, the boys are on a short break from school work and I have already gotten almost all of the kids things packed this morning. It's been a very productive day! Jarrod is studying at his office away from office (also known as Davis trucking), although I don't know why he can't stay here and study! It's so quiet ( I hope you feel my humor). So now, all I have left to do is cook, make about 30 bows between now and Friday and finish two Christmas dresses for Mary's store. Oh yeah, and move...... I am feeling the need for a brown bag.
I know I have shared this before, if not on this blog I have on facebook, but I am so thankful for church family. These past few months have been a little bit nutty with all of the commuting, but our church has been so gracious.... especially with the pounding:)!! I mean from the RV that was lent to us, to the house, to the pounding, we just feel really fortunate. Thank you Deenwood for loving us like you have. You know life isn't easy and I don't think it's supposed to be either. I mean this isn't heaven, so why do we act like it should be? Things happen, and more than not, not the way we would have planned. But this one thing I know, church family makes all the difference. God has given us such a gift when he gave us the local church. We are drawn together by the gospel and we love each other through it all! We love you Deenwood, thanks for loving us! We look forward to serving along side of you to share with others the miracle of the gospel and the power Christ has to change lifes.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Man has this been a crazy summer!! In a few days it will already be July, and this I cannot believe. Most summers for us are busy, but for some reason this one seems to be especially busy. Our baby boy just turned six years old a few days ago and I pretty much went into mourning. They grow up too fast and in a few weeks Jarrod will be 33. THIRTY-THREE!! A few weeks after that we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary, which is also mind-numbing! I guess I am feeling a little nostalgic this morning. I remember being a "green" 18 year old freshman at Liberty University when I met this HUGE (and adorable I should add) 20 year old defensive lineman.
I am thankful for God's providence. Jarrod and I look back and we see the hand of God leading us both to Liberty, both with unusual circumstances and then leading Jarrod from a career in the medical field (which he planned on all through out college) to the ministry. I don't think we will ever understand why He chose to call us, but are so thankful He did. I am thankful for how He pursued us, even in our rebellion. We serve a gracious and merciful God. I meditate on the psalms quite often and can identify with the writer when He says in chapter 48
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God,
In His holy mountain.
Beautiful elevation,
The joy of the whole earth ,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.
For behold, the kings assembled,
They passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marveled;
They were troubled, they hastened away.
Fear took hold of them there.
And when You break the ships of Tarshish
With an east wind.
As we have heard,
So we have seen
In the city of the Lord of hosts,
In the city of our God:
God will establish it forever.
We have thought, O God, on Your
lovingkindness,
In the midst of Your temple.
According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of your judgements.
Walk about Zion
And go all around her.
Count her towers;
Mark well her bulwarks;
Consider her palaces;
That you may tell it to the generation
following.
For this is God,
Our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide
even to death.
I am thankful we serve an almighty God whose glory is greatly to be praised! I pray our lives are continually echoing the glory of the cross, and the next ten years of our marriage and ministry we will know Him better and will continue to be transformed because of it.
I am thankful for God's providence. Jarrod and I look back and we see the hand of God leading us both to Liberty, both with unusual circumstances and then leading Jarrod from a career in the medical field (which he planned on all through out college) to the ministry. I don't think we will ever understand why He chose to call us, but are so thankful He did. I am thankful for how He pursued us, even in our rebellion. We serve a gracious and merciful God. I meditate on the psalms quite often and can identify with the writer when He says in chapter 48
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God,
In His holy mountain.
Beautiful elevation,
The joy of the whole earth ,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.
For behold, the kings assembled,
They passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marveled;
They were troubled, they hastened away.
Fear took hold of them there.
And when You break the ships of Tarshish
With an east wind.
As we have heard,
So we have seen
In the city of the Lord of hosts,
In the city of our God:
God will establish it forever.
We have thought, O God, on Your
lovingkindness,
In the midst of Your temple.
According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of your judgements.
Walk about Zion
And go all around her.
Count her towers;
Mark well her bulwarks;
Consider her palaces;
That you may tell it to the generation
following.
For this is God,
Our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide
even to death.
I am thankful we serve an almighty God whose glory is greatly to be praised! I pray our lives are continually echoing the glory of the cross, and the next ten years of our marriage and ministry we will know Him better and will continue to be transformed because of it.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Easter 2009
Ty was being so sweet.....
Wyatt was being so sweet....
Ellie Kay was just being Ellie Kay....
Ellie actually stayed put.....
The last picture before we headed off to church to celebrate the Risen Lord!!!
I came across this letter yesterday when I was reading about Adoniram Judson. I loved it so much I wanted to share it on our blog. My heart is heavy for our ministry and how God is using us and this letter encouraged and reminded me that serving the Lord is not cheap. I needed this and thought it may encourage some other believers - I have highlighted some of my favorite parts.
To the Foreign Missionary Association of the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, N. Y.
DEAR BRETHREN: Yours of November last, from the pen of your Corresponding Secretary, Mr. William Dean, is before me. It is one of the few letters that I feel called upon to answer, for you ask my advice on several important points. There is, also, in the sentiments you express, something so congenial to my own, that I feel my heart knit to the members of your association, and instead of commonplace reply, am desirous of setting down a few items which may be profitable to you in your future course. Brief items they must be, for want of time forbids my expatiating.
In commencing my remarks, I take you as you are. You are contemplating a missionary life.
First, then, let it be a missionary life; that is, come out for life, and not for a limited term. Do not fancy that you have a true missionary spirit, while you are intending all along to leave the heathen soon after acquiring their language. Leave them! for what? To spend the rest of your days in enjoying the ease and plenty of your native land?
Secondly. In choosing a companion for life, have particular regard to a good constitution, and not wantonly, or without good cause, bring a burden on yourselves and the mission.
Thirdly. Be not ravenous to do good on board ship. Missionaries have frequently done more hurt than good, by injudicious zeal, during their passage out.
Fourthly. Take care that the attention you receive at home, the unfavorable circumstances in which you will be placed on board ship, and the unmissionary examples you may possibly meet with at some missionary stations, do not transform you from living missionaries to mere skeletons before you reach the place of your destination. It may be profitable to bear in mind, that a large proportion of those who come out on a mission to the East die within five years after leaving their native land. Walk softly, therefore; death is narrowly watching your steps.
Fifthly. Beware of the reaction which will take place soon after reaching your field of labor. There you will perhaps find native Christians, of whose merits or demerits you can not judge correctly without some familiar acquaintance with their language. Some appearances will combine to disappoint and disgust you. You will meet with disappointments and discouragements, of which it is impossible to form a correct idea from written accounts, and which will lead you, at first, almost to regret that you have embarked in the cause. You will see men and women whom you have been accustomed to view through a telescope some thousands of miles long. Such an instrument is apt to magnify. Beware, therefore, of the reaction you will experience from a combination of all these causes, lest you become disheartened at commencing your work, or take up a prejudice against some persons and places, which will embitter all your future lives.
Sixthly. Beware of the greater reaction which will take place after you have acquired the language, and become fatigued and worn out with preaching the gospel to a disobedient and gainsaying people. You will sometimes long for a quiet retreat, where you can find a respite from the tug of toiling at native work -- the incessant, intolerable friction of the missionary grindstone. And Satan will sympathize with you in this matter; and he will present some chapel of ease, in which to officiate in your native tongue, some government situation, some professorship or editorship, some literary or scientific pursuit, some supernumerary translation, or, at least, some system of schools; anything, in a word, that will help you, without much surrender of character, to slip out of real missionary work. Such a temptation will form the crisis of your disease. If your spiritual constitution can sustain it, you recover; if not, you die.
Seventhly. Beware of pride; not the pride of proud men, but the pride of humble men -- that secret pride which is apt to grow out of the consciousness that we are esteemed by the great and good. This pride sometimes eats out the vitals of religion before its existence is suspected. In order to check its operations, it may be well to remember how we appear in the sight of God, and how we should appear in the sight of our fellow-men, if all were known. Endeavor to let all be known. Confess your faults freely, and as publicly as circumstances will require or admit. When you have done something of which you are ashamed, and by which, perhaps, some person has been injured (and what man is exempt?), be glad not only to make reparation, but improve the opportunity for subduing your pride.
Eighthly. Never lay up money for yourselves or your families. Trust in God from day to day, and verily you shall be fed.
Ninthly. Beware of that indolence which leads to a neglect of bodily exercise. The poor health and premature death of most Europeans in the East must be eminently ascribed to the most wanton neglect of bodily exercise.
ns
I have also left untouched several topics of vital importance, it having been my aim to select such only as appear to me to have been not much noticed or enforced. I hope you will excuse the monitorial style that I have accidentally adopted. I assure you, I mean no harm.
In regard to your inquiries concerning studies, qualifications, etc., nothing occurs that I think would be particularly useful, except the simple remark, that I fear too much stress begins to be laid on what is termed a thorough classical education.
Praying that you may be guided in all your deliberations, and that I may yet have the pleasure of welcoming some of you to these heathen shores, I remainYour affectionate brother,
A. JUDSON
Maulmain, June 25, 1832
To the Foreign Missionary Association of the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, N. Y.
DEAR BRETHREN: Yours of November last, from the pen of your Corresponding Secretary, Mr. William Dean, is before me. It is one of the few letters that I feel called upon to answer, for you ask my advice on several important points. There is, also, in the sentiments you express, something so congenial to my own, that I feel my heart knit to the members of your association, and instead of commonplace reply, am desirous of setting down a few items which may be profitable to you in your future course. Brief items they must be, for want of time forbids my expatiating.
In commencing my remarks, I take you as you are. You are contemplating a missionary life.
First, then, let it be a missionary life; that is, come out for life, and not for a limited term. Do not fancy that you have a true missionary spirit, while you are intending all along to leave the heathen soon after acquiring their language. Leave them! for what? To spend the rest of your days in enjoying the ease and plenty of your native land?
Secondly. In choosing a companion for life, have particular regard to a good constitution, and not wantonly, or without good cause, bring a burden on yourselves and the mission.
Thirdly. Be not ravenous to do good on board ship. Missionaries have frequently done more hurt than good, by injudicious zeal, during their passage out.
Fourthly. Take care that the attention you receive at home, the unfavorable circumstances in which you will be placed on board ship, and the unmissionary examples you may possibly meet with at some missionary stations, do not transform you from living missionaries to mere skeletons before you reach the place of your destination. It may be profitable to bear in mind, that a large proportion of those who come out on a mission to the East die within five years after leaving their native land. Walk softly, therefore; death is narrowly watching your steps.
Fifthly. Beware of the reaction which will take place soon after reaching your field of labor. There you will perhaps find native Christians, of whose merits or demerits you can not judge correctly without some familiar acquaintance with their language. Some appearances will combine to disappoint and disgust you. You will meet with disappointments and discouragements, of which it is impossible to form a correct idea from written accounts, and which will lead you, at first, almost to regret that you have embarked in the cause. You will see men and women whom you have been accustomed to view through a telescope some thousands of miles long. Such an instrument is apt to magnify. Beware, therefore, of the reaction you will experience from a combination of all these causes, lest you become disheartened at commencing your work, or take up a prejudice against some persons and places, which will embitter all your future lives.
Sixthly. Beware of the greater reaction which will take place after you have acquired the language, and become fatigued and worn out with preaching the gospel to a disobedient and gainsaying people. You will sometimes long for a quiet retreat, where you can find a respite from the tug of toiling at native work -- the incessant, intolerable friction of the missionary grindstone. And Satan will sympathize with you in this matter; and he will present some chapel of ease, in which to officiate in your native tongue, some government situation, some professorship or editorship, some literary or scientific pursuit, some supernumerary translation, or, at least, some system of schools; anything, in a word, that will help you, without much surrender of character, to slip out of real missionary work. Such a temptation will form the crisis of your disease. If your spiritual constitution can sustain it, you recover; if not, you die.
Seventhly. Beware of pride; not the pride of proud men, but the pride of humble men -- that secret pride which is apt to grow out of the consciousness that we are esteemed by the great and good. This pride sometimes eats out the vitals of religion before its existence is suspected. In order to check its operations, it may be well to remember how we appear in the sight of God, and how we should appear in the sight of our fellow-men, if all were known. Endeavor to let all be known. Confess your faults freely, and as publicly as circumstances will require or admit. When you have done something of which you are ashamed, and by which, perhaps, some person has been injured (and what man is exempt?), be glad not only to make reparation, but improve the opportunity for subduing your pride.
Eighthly. Never lay up money for yourselves or your families. Trust in God from day to day, and verily you shall be fed.
Ninthly. Beware of that indolence which leads to a neglect of bodily exercise. The poor health and premature death of most Europeans in the East must be eminently ascribed to the most wanton neglect of bodily exercise.
ns
I have also left untouched several topics of vital importance, it having been my aim to select such only as appear to me to have been not much noticed or enforced. I hope you will excuse the monitorial style that I have accidentally adopted. I assure you, I mean no harm.
In regard to your inquiries concerning studies, qualifications, etc., nothing occurs that I think would be particularly useful, except the simple remark, that I fear too much stress begins to be laid on what is termed a thorough classical education.
Praying that you may be guided in all your deliberations, and that I may yet have the pleasure of welcoming some of you to these heathen shores, I remainYour affectionate brother,
A. JUDSON
Maulmain, June 25, 1832
Thursday, March 5, 2009
If you have known Jarrod and I for any amount of time you probably know that we like to run. I guess that you could say we are runners, although we are far from the stereotypical runner. Jarrod has the frame of a defensive lineman, which was his position in college when he played for Liberty University. I am also a far cry from these small-framed 110 pound female marathon runners who grace the covers of Runners World. Although, for some strange reason, Jarrod and I love it. We plan our winter routine around training for some sort of event in the Spring, and for the past five years we have also had to train around toddlers and pregnancies.
This year we started training for an ultra-marathon in Alabama which is set for March 21st. We have been highly motivated this year, because this would be my first ultra (50k). I have done other things including marathons and even was at the end of ultra training 2 years ago when I found out I was pregnant with Ellie. So needless to say I was excited about the opportunity to do this race with Jarrod.
On our next to last training run, however, I literally "ran into a problem". My left foot has incurred some sort of tendon problems, maybe pulling or tearing and possibly also a stress fracture. I was pretty bummed. It's hard to go through all that training AGAIN and not be able to race with Jarrod. He is still on course to run in a few weeks and I am very proud of him.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately, mainly because the race is so close and I am still hugely disappointed, but there are many things in life that are like this race. There are many times as believers we have prayed for lost friends or family members and maybe we haven't seen the fruits of our labor. I know that is a huge burden that seems unbearable at times. There have also been times in my life everything seems to be going perfectly and the "training" is smooth, but then everything has fallen apart. I have learned of my God's sovereignty during these times. So, for me, as a believer I know that it isn't during the good times I find out most about my Lord, it's in the days of trial, where He is tested and has proven faithful. I am thankful for a faithful, sovereign God who is willing to use me.
He urges us in His Word to not grow weary in well doing - and that is hard at times, but through Him all things are possible. We can have joy in the trials and I am convinced that this is something that we learn only in trials. So, whether it be a broken foot or a broken heart, I know I can trust in Him and keep on perservering. Like one of my favorite chorus tells, "Seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all." The prayer of my life is that no matter the circumstance, my testimony would be that He is my greatest treasure and worthy to persue at all costs.
This year we started training for an ultra-marathon in Alabama which is set for March 21st. We have been highly motivated this year, because this would be my first ultra (50k). I have done other things including marathons and even was at the end of ultra training 2 years ago when I found out I was pregnant with Ellie. So needless to say I was excited about the opportunity to do this race with Jarrod.
On our next to last training run, however, I literally "ran into a problem". My left foot has incurred some sort of tendon problems, maybe pulling or tearing and possibly also a stress fracture. I was pretty bummed. It's hard to go through all that training AGAIN and not be able to race with Jarrod. He is still on course to run in a few weeks and I am very proud of him.
I have been thinking about this a lot lately, mainly because the race is so close and I am still hugely disappointed, but there are many things in life that are like this race. There are many times as believers we have prayed for lost friends or family members and maybe we haven't seen the fruits of our labor. I know that is a huge burden that seems unbearable at times. There have also been times in my life everything seems to be going perfectly and the "training" is smooth, but then everything has fallen apart. I have learned of my God's sovereignty during these times. So, for me, as a believer I know that it isn't during the good times I find out most about my Lord, it's in the days of trial, where He is tested and has proven faithful. I am thankful for a faithful, sovereign God who is willing to use me.
He urges us in His Word to not grow weary in well doing - and that is hard at times, but through Him all things are possible. We can have joy in the trials and I am convinced that this is something that we learn only in trials. So, whether it be a broken foot or a broken heart, I know I can trust in Him and keep on perservering. Like one of my favorite chorus tells, "Seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I'd be a fool. You are my all in all." The prayer of my life is that no matter the circumstance, my testimony would be that He is my greatest treasure and worthy to persue at all costs.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Hey Everybody:) I know I haven't written in a while.... I admit I facebook more than I blog. But, several weeks ago I wrote a note about my heart's desire for my children and I thought it would be appropriate if I shared it with those of you who aren't my "friends" on facebook.
The past few days have been unusual in the Everson household because Miss Ellie Kay has been in Valdosta with grandparents. The boys and I have been missing her like crazy and all of the sudden we have a lot of extra time on our hands.Schoolwork went by quickly without the "aid" of a 17 month old toddler, but none the less it was still a challenge. My oldest, Wyatt, who is very much like his daddy was all business. We sat down, started with science and 2 hours later finished his last spelling word. He got it all - easily and quickly and just like that, we were finished. Such a breeze. Then it was Ty's turn. Immediately I remembered that the Lord makes everyone different. I love that about my children. Ty is the Everson family comedian and very rarely ever turns it off. As I struggled through the next 1 1/2 hours with him to get him to focus, it was hard for me as well to turn off the laughter. He is a GREAT kid. I know my boys learn differently and eventually Ty will learn how to read fluently. I am not worried about that. When Jarrod came home last night from work immediately the boys ran to daddy. Let's wrestle!! They even do that differently. Wyatt, again, gets down to business, while Ty has to see how many "Jim Carrey" like faces he can do. And as the night wound down and it was time for bed we all sat on the couch and did our nightly catechisms. I know we do this just about everynight, but for some reason last night really amazed me. My seven year old and five year old were able to give answers to some of the most important questions there are in this life. Jarrod asked Ty, "Can you be saved through the covenant of life?" Ty's quick response, "No, because I broke it and am condemned by it." Then, "How did you break the covenant of life?" His answer, "Adam represented me, and so I fell with him in his first sin." Then Jarrod asked, "How, then can you be saved?" Ty answered, "By the Lord Jesus Christ in the covenant of grace." They did this, Wyatt included for about 10 to 15 minutes, because the boys have around 50 of these memorized. It was after we prayed with them and tucked them into bed that Jarrod and I really had a chance to talk together and the conversation immediately went to these crazy kids. We shared our prayer for these boys and Ellie, to do something hard for Christ. Wyatt is able to communicate well and my prayer is that the Lord uses him to communicate His Word. Our prayer is that God calls him to preach. Ty has a boldness that I have rarely seen in a five year old. Jarrod's prayer is that the Lord uses him on the mission field. That's a hard prayer for a momma, but Jarrod directed me towards something I have never seen before. Adoniram Judson's proposal letter to his prospective wife's father. It's hard for me to read, especially when the burden of your heart is for the Lord to really use you and your family. Here is the letter.....
"I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls, for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"
Her father concented, she went and she died on the mission field. My thoughts this morning are toward heaven. I would rather Ellie live a life by her husband's side, spreading the Word, Ty leading people to the Lord through the Word, Wyatt proclaiming the authority of Scripture, and that life run short than for them to live to be 80 and do nothing of eternal significance. My heart is heavy for my children. I am burdened for their salvation and their sanctification. I pray that the Lord will use me to influence my children toward the kindgdom and that their hearts would be hot for His Word and His people.
The past few days have been unusual in the Everson household because Miss Ellie Kay has been in Valdosta with grandparents. The boys and I have been missing her like crazy and all of the sudden we have a lot of extra time on our hands.Schoolwork went by quickly without the "aid" of a 17 month old toddler, but none the less it was still a challenge. My oldest, Wyatt, who is very much like his daddy was all business. We sat down, started with science and 2 hours later finished his last spelling word. He got it all - easily and quickly and just like that, we were finished. Such a breeze. Then it was Ty's turn. Immediately I remembered that the Lord makes everyone different. I love that about my children. Ty is the Everson family comedian and very rarely ever turns it off. As I struggled through the next 1 1/2 hours with him to get him to focus, it was hard for me as well to turn off the laughter. He is a GREAT kid. I know my boys learn differently and eventually Ty will learn how to read fluently. I am not worried about that. When Jarrod came home last night from work immediately the boys ran to daddy. Let's wrestle!! They even do that differently. Wyatt, again, gets down to business, while Ty has to see how many "Jim Carrey" like faces he can do. And as the night wound down and it was time for bed we all sat on the couch and did our nightly catechisms. I know we do this just about everynight, but for some reason last night really amazed me. My seven year old and five year old were able to give answers to some of the most important questions there are in this life. Jarrod asked Ty, "Can you be saved through the covenant of life?" Ty's quick response, "No, because I broke it and am condemned by it." Then, "How did you break the covenant of life?" His answer, "Adam represented me, and so I fell with him in his first sin." Then Jarrod asked, "How, then can you be saved?" Ty answered, "By the Lord Jesus Christ in the covenant of grace." They did this, Wyatt included for about 10 to 15 minutes, because the boys have around 50 of these memorized. It was after we prayed with them and tucked them into bed that Jarrod and I really had a chance to talk together and the conversation immediately went to these crazy kids. We shared our prayer for these boys and Ellie, to do something hard for Christ. Wyatt is able to communicate well and my prayer is that the Lord uses him to communicate His Word. Our prayer is that God calls him to preach. Ty has a boldness that I have rarely seen in a five year old. Jarrod's prayer is that the Lord uses him on the mission field. That's a hard prayer for a momma, but Jarrod directed me towards something I have never seen before. Adoniram Judson's proposal letter to his prospective wife's father. It's hard for me to read, especially when the burden of your heart is for the Lord to really use you and your family. Here is the letter.....
"I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls, for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"
Her father concented, she went and she died on the mission field. My thoughts this morning are toward heaven. I would rather Ellie live a life by her husband's side, spreading the Word, Ty leading people to the Lord through the Word, Wyatt proclaiming the authority of Scripture, and that life run short than for them to live to be 80 and do nothing of eternal significance. My heart is heavy for my children. I am burdened for their salvation and their sanctification. I pray that the Lord will use me to influence my children toward the kindgdom and that their hearts would be hot for His Word and His people.
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