All Grown Up

All grown up. Mason, our youngest, will turn two in a few weeks. I was looking through old pictures and found these two of Logan at 6 months and Camden at 3. They are awefully cute. It is hard to believe Camden is going to be in junior high in less than three years. I often wonder what kind of effect we are having on our kids as parents mainly with their spiritual life. So many kids whose parent is a pastor leave the faith at some point. I know that it is all up to the Holy Spirit to convict a person but I want to make sure we are portraying Christ the right way. Last night on our way home from Eat N Park(one of my favorite places) we got to talking about baptism and what it means. Camden and Logan both want to be baptized at church by Jason. I really want them to understand why they are doing it. Camden said that he wants to be baptized because Jesus savesd him. Logan wants to be baptized because Jesus loves him. Maybe we are doing something right.

I have had lots of dreams in my life. Ones you make as a child. Like going to Disney world which did happen twice. As a teenager: dating a certain person, career dreams, athletic dreams, car dreams. In college I always dreamed I would have a teaching career, eventually get married, work towards my masters then doctorate and eventually teach college. I did get married and I did teach for 3 years total. Last year I got to speak at the youth specialities conference. I actually filled in for Doug Fields wife. I had a great time doing it and really enjoyed being upfront and leading the group. Since the seminar went really well I decided to try and write a book in regards to being a youth pastors wife. I wrote the outline and the first chapter. I sent it to youth specialities to see if they would be interested. They turned me down stating that a book was already in the works with a well known wife writing the book. I was very disappointed and a little hurt. It always seems like the big guns get to do all the books and the little guns don't. So I gave up my dream of writing a book. Maybe I will do it someday but not now. Maybe I not even good at it.

Well a little surprise came in the mail. I was looking at this months FamilyCircle and I did get an idea published. My first publishing. NOt that big of thing but it did give me a little hope for the future. I am also going to take my first graduate course this spring. Maybe I will at least eventually get my masters. I think it is good to dream but not get too disappointed it they all don't work out.

Haiti

Last night we had youth group. We prayed for Vicky who is going on the Haiti mission trip next week. I did a talk on the verse "You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that too and they tremble with fear" James 2:19 I was in Haiti in the winter of 1990. That experience changed my outlook on life and my faith in God completely. I reminded the students that many people say they believe in God but they have no faith in Christ. That there is a difference from believing in a God and following God. Someday I would love to go back to Haiti and serve on another mission trip.

long hair

This is a picture of Mason opening a Christmas present this year. He was really into the opening of his presents this Christmas. We haven't cut his hair yet because it is so wavy and cute. He looks like he belongs in the 70's. It is hard to believe that my little one is going to be 2. It is even more difficult for me to believe that my oldest is going to be 9 in a few months and probaly is going to be taller than me by the age of 10. It is hard to watch your kids grow up.