11-11-10

I saw a book that I am interested in reading called, Building the Christian Family You Never Had. I feel guilty even saying that I'd like to read it, knowing that my parents did the best that they could to raise me to know Christ. I just want our spiritual lives to play out more for Anna Claire to see - for us to be vulnerable in front of her about our walk with Christ. I think that may help it become real to her. Father, may it be so! We need grace even to WANT to know You more and to walk more closely with You!

Andy and I are both working on scripture memory verses in our own way. He's made himself fancy cards and a CD of a person speaking the verses. I've downloaded seventeen verses set to music by Mark Altrogge and I'm going to have Andy make corresponding cards. I love my CD - it's been so helpful. Only thing is that I'm having trouble remembering the references without the music....

Andy did a great job last night speaking in the youth service. Or rather, God showed up. About halfway through, you could almost sense a visible change in Andy's demeanor as he spoke, and it was powerful. He was talking about spiritual warfare and using Ephesians 6 as the text. It was all good, but the idea that I want to carry away - the item that God really emphasized to me - was that I pray all the time for my physical needs regarding a body that decays and a temporary physical life, but how often do I pray about my (and others) spiritual needs? He showed at the end of chapter 6, that although Paul was in chains, he didn't pray for freedom, for healing for the marks that no doubt covered his body from his imprisonment, etc.....he requested prayer from the believers for the words to speak and boldness to proclaim the message. Wow. I mean, I pray for my dad pretty frequently, albeit without the passion that should mark prayers for his salvation. (I guess it is just a common prayer now, but it is still the cry of my heart!) But other than praying for Dad, and praying for Anna Claire to know Christ and that me and Andy would be godly parents, I don't spend a lot of time asking for God to meet my spiritual needs. I need to rectify this.

Last night we had the most fun in the tub! Anna Claire was just a "talking" to her Daddy! She's becoming so responsive! It sounded just like she was imitating his "hello's!" I've been trying to start a habit of giving her a bath before bed - she likes to splash so much that she seems to wear herself out and be good and ready for bed afterwards! We've also been reading from a sweet little children's bible story book. I like it a lot - it tells the bible stories, but then shows how Jesus is in the theme of them all. Very sweet. I know she can't understand yet, but I want her to grow up familiar with the name of Jesus and knowing of God's love even before she can understand the words.



All kidding aside, however, I think that a black and white striped HAIRY spider on the outside on my drivers side window is a good way to get me KILLED while driving......can we say hyperventilate!!! Thanks be to the little Indian man who runs the gas station for killing him, otherwise I would still be sitting at the gas station OUTSIDE of the vehicle where I could keep my eyes on the nasty critter.