"I heard that!"

We have been blessed during this time of transition in ministry to find a wonderful place to worship, to learn and to grow as God followers! Sojourn is what we envision as a healthy, growing group of believers that strive to grow God lovers as well as introduce those who may not know him to the beautiful grace and love that is God.

One of the things we like most is how Sojourn gears their programming to include the youngest people there with great detail to health, care, security and knowledge, even with the wonderful tool of scipture memory. In the Family Scripture Memory Handbook, there are passages for each month and there is one verse that is highlighted from the passage that is meant to be simple enough for even a preschooler. Knowing I wanted to begin this process with Jovey (I need to brush up on it myself as an adult!), it was just a perfect resource that was right there in front of me, available without me even having to ask. . .I'm thinking it probably wasn't an accident!

I began working on the February preschool verse with Jovey, which is "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23. For those of you who don't know, it is the very first part of recognizing that we, as fallen people, are in great need of God's great grace. I went over and over, by rote, first reminding Jovey of what sin is (bad stuff we do) and what glory is (the best stuff ever, reserved especially for God). She would get it and forget a word here or there,which was normal, since she is only 3. I was just glad she was starting to grasp the ideas.

After dinner and a couple of days of practice, I tried to get Jovey to show that she had learned her first Bible verse to her daddy. She refused, being too busy doing her favorite thing right now, pretending. I told Joshua with a grin, "I think she can only memorize things when they are set to music. I was kinda the same way as a kid." Then, from underneath the kitchen table, or the cave as Jovey was pretending at the time, I hear, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23"! Of course, I made a great big deal out of her great memory work, as did Joshua.

I'm still not sure what was funnier; her desire to prove me wrong that yes, she did in fact know the verse, or the fact that she had heard me talking about it all! Either way, I pray that she will hide God's word in her heart so that she may be strong and able to HEAR His words of love and direction when the time comes to need guidance in this crazy life!

Sleeping Beauties

"When I'm a mother. . . "

"When I'm a mother, I will eat salad!"

-Jovey's reasoning on why she wouldn't eat a bite of my salad at lunch. It is her reasoning for many things lately!

Again Amazed

There are so many moments, as I have told friends before, when I know that I miss opportunities to both model God's love to my children as well as teach them His perfect principles, given to us through his Word. But there are moments. . . very special moments when I see the very face of God through my children and this morning was one of those special and blessed times.

Joshua got diagnosed with Strep throat this afternoon and started feeling it last night after a family trip to the grocery. This morning, when Jovey woke up and asked about where Daddy was (he slept in the guest room downstairs, in case it was a virus he could help contain a bit from the rest of us), I told her that he was sick and sleeping so he could get better and play with her again soon.

She looked at me, still a bit sleepy-eyed from a good night's sleep and said, "Mommy, we should say a prayer for daddy so God will make him better." I paused, as each time this child speaks words that are so wise beyond her years and understanding, I am just in awe. I said, "Yes, baby girl, we should. Would you like to pray?" So she began:

"Dear God, Thank you. . . I mean (she's used to beginning praying for her meals) please make Daddy feel better. Amen."

At that moment, I believe Joshua slept a little sounder, Jovey felt a bit more important, I felt again amazed by God's creation of a people who desire to seek Him, and God smiled, knowing that Jovey is making baby steps to His throne of grace.

Shape matters!

Jovey: "Momma, do you like your carrots?" (referring to the shredded ones in my salad)

Momma: "Yes, I love carrots!"

Jovey: "Me too. . . but just the round carrots, not the salad carrots!" (referring to cooked carrots, not raw ones!)

The ways this girl expresses what goes on in her little brain always makes me smile!