I Believe I Can Fly

So be strong and courageous!

Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.

For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you.

He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

-Deuteronomy 31:6

These Few Simple Words

I'm just going to share a few quotes I pinned to my Pinterest board, "Worthy Words" recently. You can check out all my boards by clicking on the Pinterest link at the lower left corner of my blog. I hope they make you smile, like I did...and that some of these ring true for you...they sure did for me!

My Daughter is a Teenager

Recently, my daughter celebrated a birthday. She turned 13. It was a very fun time in our house, slumber party, family celebration, jokes about PG-13 movies she could now legally see (definitely only joking!), and most importantly, realizing that while she is now 13, she has "decided" not to fall into the sterotype we call "a teenager". Go Rachel.

My daughter is breaking the mold in many ways, and I am proud of her. The choices she is already making show a commitment to Godly living and a decision for Christ that I did not have at her age. I think I can safely say that many kids her age now do not share her views on modesty and purity, but she is determined to stand for her choices and I am determined to encourage and support her.

I decided last year that it was time to stop being in denial about how old my kids were getting and just embrace each age. I'm doing pretty well with that philosophy, except when I break out the baby pictures. I mean, just look at this kid! It really does feel like I blinked and she went from this:

To this:

But, I guess if she has to grow up, I'm glad she's growing in the direction she is. We trust our kids to the God who entrusts us to raise them. We teach them about Him, and His boundless love for us. We pray for our kids, play with our kids, walk and talk with them through all of life's challenges and gifts. And one day, we let them go. I know that day is coming...but not yet, thank goodness! I am happy she is 13, only 13. I love her and am trying to enjoy this time with her so I do not blink and find we have already reached another milestone.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

Let Freedom Ring!

Here's hoping you all had a fun and safe 4th of July! We had a great time with friends, bbq'ing at our house, relaxing, kids in the pool, eating waaay too much (yes!), and seeing some fireworks.

I am so thankful to live in a country where I can speak my mind (as cracked as it may be sometimes), pursue my dreams, live in freedom and worship God without fear.

And it is because of Christ's work on the cross that we have true freedom, a freedom that cannot be taken away by any person, group or government. Thank you, Jesus!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.    -Galatians 5:1