A present always warms her up…
Granny got her some socks and a story book! She loved all the bright colors. It was so sweet.
Granny asked how we were all doing and offered her usual encouragement and blessing. I'm so glad she got to meet Grace; I know she has prayed for us and for her.
After visiting Granny we headed to Guin to meet the rest of the Webb's. Grace especially loved being with all of her new cousins!
She's already falling in love with Annie and Chance! She gets so excited every time she sees them.
Aunt Marilyn did so much to make the gathering special (as always), and she took some great pictures of our time together. She is such a precious person who gives her all to whatever she does.
Returning to church today, Grace seemed a little more comfortable with her surroundings. Rather than looking scared, she looked up at me during worship with her big smile! I prayed as we sang, "let us become more aware of Your Presence" that Grace would truly know somehow that she was in the presence of the LORD. We take so much for granted living in the "bible belt." I know we hear that said a lot but after spending two weeks all over China where the only "presence" you feel is cold, sterile and lifeless it sure is beautiful to feel the warmth and comfort of the presence of the Lord again!
I read this passage recently and it's so amazing how different you see things when God gives you a living example right in your living room!! Matthew 18 says,
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greater in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Jesus called a little child to Him and put the child among them. Then He said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf is welcoming Me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trust in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish."
Amazing isn't it? It says a lot but it sure counsels us to live a life before the children in our lives that leads them to Jesus…not into sin. The world in so many ways will lead them to sin but as Mom's and Dad's and Aunt's and Uncle's and grandparents and teachers and caregivers and friends we can spend our lives welcoming children. Pulling them in, loving them and teaching them the ways of the Lord. I cannot wait until Grace can understand Who God is and just how much He loves her!
Our regular bedtime routine has turned into rocking her (something I didn't get to do when she was a baby) and then when my arms wear out I lay her down and kneel beside her bed. She won't let go of my hand until she falls asleep so I figure since I'm in the position I might as well spend the time praying over her. Valentines night I knelt there as the Holy Spirit reminded me how much He loves Grace and me. He said, "this is what I do every night too." I fell in love with Him all over again.
It was such a beautiful day today we decided to spend some time outside. Caleb took a few shots of Grace I'd love to share with you :)
She's such a beautiful child!
I love her smile
2 comments:
Your love of Christ, being a great mom and your testimony lights my world so much! Grace will one day be able to "thank you" but until then, I will say thank you for being a follower of Christ in so many ways in her life and mine. Love y'all, Stacy
Stacy, how precious! Thank you for following Jesus too. Your Mom had such an influence in our lives, especially Steven's as a young person. He has talked and talked about how she loved the Lord and always made the stories of the Bible come alive to him. You are a blessed child yourself :) let's just keep passing it on!! Love you!
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