Jarrod Everson Family

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.