Saturate Your Kids in the Lord & Be Choosy When Picking Your Village

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14 NIV

Every now and then I try to let my son stay up a little later than his 'baby girls' so that he can get some one on one time with mom. Last night I was able to do this an we read about three books before he decided it was time for bed. So my son went to his room and discovered that the girls were both sound asleep. He immediatley jumped on this opportunity. "Momma, will you snuggle with me just for a little while?" he asked in the sweetest of voices. I looked into his big green eyes and just melted,"Of course I will, Buddy." See, most nights I don't get to snuggle with my kids because they're all sleeping in the same room right now while we're living at my parents' home as we're building our house. If I agree to snuggle with one, I upset the apple cart and end up making them all upset because there's no way I can snuggle with them all, in their own individual beds, at one time-which is exactly what they ask for! SO....I took this opportunity to enjoy some snuggle time with my boy. He called out to my husbad, "Daddy, if it's ok, I'm gonna snuggle with Momma just a wittle while, ok?" He chuckled and told him it was fine, kissed us both and said goodnight. Just as we both got snuggled into bed, my boy realized he forgot to brush his teeth! He then hopped up and went into the bathroom. I could hear him talking to someone as I lay in the bed waiting for him to come back.

"Buddy, you need me?"

I asked, because I figured he was talking to me.

"Nope, I'm just talking to God!"

My heart jumped in my chest. My baby boy was talking out loud to God, like he was his friend.

Tears welled up in my eyes,

"What are you saying to him?"

I asked, curious to what my 3 year old talks to God about. He then walked out of the bathroom, bowed his head and pressed his hands together in prayer,

"God, please help me and my baby sisters to not have bad dreams tonight about wolves or witches because that's scary. And God, please help my daddy to not feel sick anymore, And God please help me to get good rest tonight when I sleep and bless mommy, daddy, my sissies, neener, tashy, and papaw. And be in my heart and I love you. Amen."

By the time he finished his sweet prayer, my face was completely wet and I was holding back sobs. I was glad it was dark because he would have wondered what was wrong with mommy. I sat back in the bed as he walked back into the bathroom to brush his teeth and just praised the Lord through my tears for being SO ALIVE to my little boy and so REAL to him at such a young age that he would already talk to Him as a friend-a lesson that I didn't learn until much later in life than 3 years old! So, let me explain, my husband is not really sick but has been working hard on clearing the yard at our new house for 2 days straight and is really sore so the kids call that 'sick.' Also, the night before my husband and I were up with one of the girls who dreamed she was being chased by a wolf. She was terrified! It was so sad. That next morning when her Bubba learned of her dream he wanted so badly to help her feel safe again, even if it meant putting on his Batman mask and "chasing the wolf away or killin it dead!" Side note-We asked him what dead meant and he said, "You go to heaven to be with God and you don't ever come back." He said his daddy told him that, which is fine with me. I'm just amazed at his level of understanding! So as I lay in bed last night snuggling with my little boy, I felt as thought God spoke a word to me, "Well done, my child. You're saturating your children in My Love and My Word. They will do great things in My Name. Now go and encourage others to do the same!" As the chills that come with the presence of the Lord came rushing to my arms, I felt such a peace. I knew it was time to type!

Well it's not always easy to get my three to church, but we are trying to do better with this. It's something we've talked about as a family MANY times because we want our children to know the Lord early in life. My son recently started 3 y/o Kindergarden at Park Place Christian Academy, a local Christian school. They are doing a GREAT job teaching him about the love of Christ. He comes home talking about the Bible and the stories he's learned. He's learning manners beyond what we've taught him at home and is even more loving and caring than normal. He's also started going to choir at church on Wednesday nights and comes home singing praise and worship music and telling of the fun times he had fellowshiping with the other children. It's so incredible to see! My girls will be there in a year and the very thought of having three children so actively involved in learning about God's Love just makes my heart soar! Why? Because I learn from my children every day. I learn lessons in unconditional love, in how to laugh through the pain, in how to be tough when it hurts....and that's just to name a few. They inspire me, and now with my little boy's newfound relationship with Jesus....I am in awe of God all over again! I see the Lord in my child. I guess when you saturate your children in the Lord, you can't help but see Him in them. It's amazing!

So, I encourage you as parents to make every effort possible to explain God to your children and be dilligent about their spiritual life. Get them involved in a church with an active children's program that teaches even the toddlers about God's love instead of just watching them play while you're in church. The little ones understand way more than we give them credit for but sometimes can't verbalize it until later in life. My girls are 27 months and know who Jesus is and that He loves us. That's the most important foundation to build on.

So where does this foundation start? Well, for my kiddos it was in our home, in church and at our awesome Spirit-filled daycare, which has the pledge, prayer and worship EVERY MORNING! Praise God for the ladies at Kids Stop learning center who have helped teach all three of my kids about the love of Christ. They helped us to build that solid foundation for my son when he was there and now they are doing the same for my girls. If you must put your kids in childcare, know that there are wonderful places out there that teach about God's Love and don't give up until you find one!

I also encourage you to teach your children songs about God. There are some awesome and fun Christian music videos for all ages. I know my toddler LOVE all the Cedarmont Kids videos, especially Action Bible Songs. The songs are timeless and up beat and the videos show real children singing the songs, which kids love. Some churches also have music programs for Pre-K. Crossgates has a choir for 3 y/o children that my son LOVES to attend. It helps them feel like 'big kids' and teaches them praise music. Great combo!

I am the first to admit that it's not always easy to be an example to my kids of the way Christ would handle things. It's a hard job, that's for sure. And just like the old adage, it truly does take a village to raise a child. I've said that more than once in my years. Be choosy in who you let be apart of your village. If you are trying to 'pour' a solid foundatin for your children in Christ, make sure your Village isn't built with folks who are going to get a jack hammer and bust that foundation apart! Remeber-your children hear and see it ALL! I heard a 7 y/o singing "Cherry Pie" at the park the other day and it hurt me that he knew that song-hurt me more to think he might actually have understood what it meant!!! Also, remember that if your child watches Sponge Bob each day-SPONGE BOB IS NOW IN YOUR VILLAGE because your child is LEARNING from him!!! And hey, that's up to you if you want your child learning from Sponge Bob. Just be choosy-that's all I'm saying. Make sure your village has people in it that know the Lord and love Him as much as they do your children. This is SO important! All those people I've listed above and then some-The Daycare workers at Kids Stop, The teachers at Park Place Academy, The choir leaders at Crossgates, My family and My friends, The Cedarmont Kids on the videos, Diego and Dora...I could name lots of cartoons here, you get the picture...these people are my village! I am blessed to have them. I have been choosy with who I allow around my children and what I allow them to watch and be exposed to at such a young age and God has blessed us as a family for making these tough choices. Here's another encouraging word for you-If you have a person in your life who you do not feel comfortable allowing around and/or alone with your children, stay firm. It's hard and it hurts, but it helps not only your kids, but also hopefully the person involved!!! Trust me on this one.

I love you and I am praying for you as a parent! We are all on the same page here and the only true handbook on parenting is the Word of God-The Bible. Saturate yourself and your children in His Word and BE CHOOSY when picking your village-God will bless your family if you do!

Lord, I come to you right now acknowledging up front that I am not pefect by ANY MEANS and I need you to show my the way when it comes to raising my children. I thank you for the people that you've allowed me to have in my life-those who help me show my children Your Way. I know that they've all been put there for a reason and I praise you for alligning everything in all our lives so that they are apart of my life at this time. I pray that you would give encouragement to other parents who want their children to know You, Father, that you would open doors in their lives so that not only thier children, but also themselves will come to know you more. I love you, Jesus, and I praise you for the sweet words from my son last night. He is a joy and encouragement to me and I pray that you will allow others' the joy of having their children speak to You like a friend. You said to let the little children come to You, Lord, and I pray that we, as parents, would be obedient and saturate our children in Your Love and Your Word and Your Way....I love You, Jesus. Thank you, Father God for blessing me. Amen.

A Page Is Turned

Christmas in a New Light

Every Christmas it seems that God chooses to reveal something new about His Love to me. This year, overwhelmingly, he revealed to me how Mary and Joseph must have felt when they first realized that Jesus was the son of God, sent to save the world. This morning on my way to take the kids to school I heard a song by 4Him that I remembered from my youth group days in Park Place Baptist Church before kids. It's called, "What a Strange Way to Change the World." I remember it as a pretty song, but now that I hear it with the heart of a parent and...well, it moved me to say the least. Here are the lyrics:

Sure he must have been surprised

At where this road had taken him

'Cause never in a million lives

Would he had dreamed of Bethlehem

And standing at the manger

He saw with his own eyes

The message from the angel come to life

And Joseph said...

Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade

Why Him, with all the rulers in the world

Why here inside a stable filled with hay

Why her, she's just an ordinary girl

Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say

But this is such a strange way to save the world

To think of how it could have been

If Jesus had come as He deserved

There would have been no Bethlehem

No lowly shepherds at His birth

But Joseph knew the reason

The love had to reach so far

And as he held the Savior in his arms

He must have thought...

Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade

Why Him, with all the rulers in the world

Why here inside a stable filled with hay

Why her, she's just an ordinary girl

Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say

But this is such a strange way to save the world

I looked in the rear view mirror at my three miracles in the back seats and began to cry. How must Mary and Joseph have felt. Did they know the cross was coming for their little boy? As they looked at our Savior, were they compelled to run with him, away from all the hurt and pain of the world or did God's angel who said, "Do not be afraid." give them enough peace to know they would be fine. In my flesh, feel that they must have been so scared, especially as a look at my own babies through their eyes. As parents, we want to shelter our kids from all hurt and pain; it's our natural instinct. How hard it must have been for Mary as she realized that her son would bear not only his own pain, but the pain of the world on his shoulders. Truly, Mary and Joseph were special parents because if Jesus was born today, to me...a lowly sinner, would I be worthy and capable raising him? No way. As I continued driving, I began to thank God that he chose Mary and Joseph and not ME! I began to look at my little boy, who just turned three, and thank God that my son is just my son, not HIS son-not Jesus. Selfish? MUCH. And immediately God humbled me. In almost an almost audible tone, I heard God say, "Mandye, your son is still MY son. I entrusted him to you, just like I entrusted Jesus to Joseph and Mary ." WOW. Here I am thinking I'm so different from them, and God tells me I am no different from them at all. God entrusts us as parents with his children, and we are to raise them in His way. So when you look at the manger scene and see Joseph and Mary gazing at Baby Jesus, picture you and your husband gazing at your child-God's child. Now doesn't that put Christmas in a whole new light? No, our children are most definitely not Jesus, but they are God's children. Thank God for his children and for him allowing us to keep them for a little while. God Bless you and yours this Christmas!

Lord, Help us to realize that our children are not our own. They are blessings, loans, from You that you trust in our safekeeping. Thank you for the sending my children to me, because the joy that I feel as a parent is the sweetest joy in the world! I pray for parents and kids everywhere, across the world, that they will come to know You and realize Your love for them this Christmas through the celebration of Your Son's Birthday. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to live among us and for living among us still, today, in spirit. In Your Name, Amen.

I Will Praise You in This Storm

Praise You in This Storm

by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down and

wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day,

But once again, I say Amen and it's still raining.

As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain,

"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands

And praise the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried, You hold in your hand.

You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to You

And raised me up again. My strength is almost gone,

How can I carry on if I can't find You?

And as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands

And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands

For You are who You are no matter where I am

And every tear I've cried, You hold in your hand.
You never left my side and though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm.

I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth I lift my eyes onto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried, You hold in your hand.

You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

Praise God for this song! One of the biggest lessons we can teach our kids in life is how to handle the 'storms.' I look back on my life and all the ups and downs I've faced, I just praise God for where I am and where he's brought me from. It's true that when you are in the middle of a situation, you sometimes cannot see the hand of God, but you can feel it. Looking back, I can trace the path that He had for me and it is amazing. The shooting at Pearl High School almost ten years ago now set my life on an unexpected path and I am still traveling that path. It caused me to choose my profession (Social Work over Television and News Media), and helped me to cope during other events in my life( like all things Katrina, almost dying from meningitis at 26 weeks pregnant with TWINS, building this house while living with my parents, having THREE kids under THREE, dealing with my post-pregnant body). I think that the 'learning' to praise is much harder sometimes than the actual event, or at least it has been in my life, but the result of the praise is such a blessing! Are you able to praise God in your storm? If not, why not? When we learn to praise God through our storms, we can teach our children the same.

Dear Lord, thank you for leading me down this path. It's one I might not have chosen on my own, but as I look back I wouldn't have it any other way. I pray that as my children grow and learn, I am able to be a worthy example of how to handle the storms of life. The peaks and valleys are inevitable, Lord, and I come to you now, praising you for the joys of the peaks and the lessons in the valleys. I love you, Father God. Thank you for the joy of Christ and your saving grace. In You name, Amen.

The Deep End

If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:1-5 (New International Version)

You know, sometimes you need a truly, profound word from God to keep you from drowning. The above verse kept me afloat today. It's been a rough few weeks around our household. All my children have been sick and this has actually been their first well week in a while. During their sickness, our house in Gulfport went under contract, which was a diamond in the rough for us. What a blessing! But I barely got to enjoy that blessing because Aiden almost had to be hospitalized that same day for some horrible respiratory illness that we're not, NOT calling ashma, but don't tell our insurance agent that. My dad had ashma as a child, so it seems Aiden inheritted more from his Papaw James than just a love of singing. My poor babies. It's been quite a time. And just when I think I have them well, I start getting sick. Today I'm at work, running a low grade temperature and feeling horribly stuffy. And to top it all off...We're singing in church on Sunday for the first time ever at Crossgates! It never fails! I always get sick when I'm supposed to sing. I can't count the number of times I've had to go to the doc for a shot a few days before a performance because I couldn't even talk without coughing or sneezing. It's just the way I am. I should have expected it. So this morning when I woke up I said to God, "I need You to give me a word today, a word that is encouraging because I am just not feeling the love today." It was almost like I was daring God to give me a word. Well, don't dare God. He'll get you even when you're in deep. Here I am, floundering in the deep end of my self-made pity pool of depression and he smacks me in the face with a rope and a word of encouragement to help me pull myself out. It was a great relief! It was so great to find scripture telling me to hang in there. God said, "It'll be ok!"
And you know something, it hit me that God isn't the only one charged with offering relief. As Christians, we should always be on the lookout for others who need encouragement and relief and we should always be willing to provide that. More importantly, as Christian parents, sometimes our kids need a rope from us, too. Even at 2 years old, I can tell that Aiden needs encouargement from me to help him understand this world around him. Things make him sad sometimes, and he looks to ME to tell him that it's going to be ok. What a charge we have as parents. We are the comforters for our children so that they will have an earthly example of the comfort and love that our Heavenly Father gives us. WOW. Now if that don't pull you up out of the deep end, I don't know what will!

Lord, thank you for being an on time God. You are always there when I need you to pick me up, and today you showed me exactly what I needed to see. I pray that I will be able to give that same comfort to my own children. Give me discernment and strength so that I can see your will in my life, as a Mom and a Wife. Lord, I pray that you will watch over the mothers who might read this today and help them to be a Godly example to their little ones, and that you will show them a word from you, Lord, when they are in need. I love you , Father! Amen.

Moving on Up

Just when I was feeling weak, feeling out of control, feeling literally like I could not go on anymore...the Lord sent me an encouraging word:

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31

After a week like I had, a week with three sick kids AGAIN, one with high fever for four days, a week with very little sleep and many tears, a week with very little patience at times...I needed to be reminded that I will soar on wings like eagles! I'm moving on up, Praise God! He is so good to us. I hope this verse offers you the strength and encouragement that it did me.

Father God, please help us all to remember when we are weary that if we will just place our hope in you, we will receive strength. Be with us all, Lord, in these weary end-of-winter, sickly days and keep our families well. I love you, Sweet Father. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Through the Eyes of a Child

It's really hard not to be selfish sometimes when you're a mom. You want your kids in bed at a certain time to please you so you can watch Grey's Anatomy in peace while you nibble at your dinner and swoon over McDreamy. I know I'm right, you don't even have to tell me that you're nodding in agreement. I really don't think it's that we're selfish, it's that we crave the 'ME' time that we used to have before children. The time when we literally have no worries in the world other than what we choose to worry over...which for me is usually whatever program is on television that particular night. To me, that's petty selfishness...the kind that really doesn't hurt anyone. But sometimes it's bigger than that. Let me explain:

Two months ago I found out that Aiden's favorite children's group, The Wiggles, was coming to Starkville, MS. I quickly rounded up all the kids and adults I could find that shared our love of the Wiggles and purchased tickets online. I was SO excited for Aiden because I got good seats on the floor. I was a cool mom, probably the coolest in the world, because he would probably be able to meet the Wiggles from where we were sitting!!! We were THAT close! YAY! Well, cut to this past Sunday when we arrived at the Humphries Auditorium in Starkville for the concert and I found out that our tickets were not on the floor. I was devestated for Aiden. I wanted him to meet the Wiggles up close and in person. I wanted him to get down and run around with the dancers and do all the Wiggley dances that we've seen him dance for the past year. I wanted him to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience! I was so MAD. And no, not silly mad, I was mad mad. There was no joy in it. I was comforted by my sweet husband and sister, who said that Aiden would be fine where we were and that he would still see really well, if not better, from our seats. I didn't care. I was mad. I wanted the floor seats. I thought that's what I had and that's what I wanted. I was borderline FURIOUS.

Now Aiden, sweet angel that he is, picked this exact moment to wake up from napping in his Daddy's lap and realize that he was in an auditorium surounded by Wiggles.

"Wiggles" he said in a hushed whisper, as his huge eyes lit up with wonder. He was truly amazed.

At that moment I realized how selfish I was being. All I cared about was being a 'cool mom' and having the best seats. But when I looked into my little boy's eyes and saw the wonder there, I didn't care who had the floor seats. He looked at me and smiled and his eyes affirmed to me that I was a cool mom, the coolest in the world. When the Wiggles came out on stage, I was filled with emotion. It was as if I was seeing it all through Aiden's eyes. I cried. Yes, I cried at the Wiggles concert (those who truly know me are probably not all that surprised). We had a blast in our 'non-floor' seats and the kids LOVED it. Heck, I loved it. It was great! And I was humbled to realize that my selfishness could have ruined Aiden's time. I know that I've seen mothers ruin their children's good times because of our grown up selfishness. I will try and see things through his eyes from now on. You should try it, too.

Father God, help us come to You as little children, Lord. Help us see things as they see it, so that we will see what truly matters to You. Forgive us for our selfishness, Father, and let us be humble and see our mistakes when we slip. I love you, Lord. In Your Name I Pray, Amen.

Show the Love

Last year Aiden did not understand Easter because he was too young. He did understand that it was an exciting and fun time of year; a time when he got suckers, candy, books and a new Easter Elmo(that he still carries around to this day!). This year, I want him to know a little more about Easter. Perhaps he is still too young to comprehend the death and resurrection of Christ, but he is not too young to comprehend how much Jesus loves us. How can we Show the Love to our children? Well, I've decided that Show the Love will be my Easter theme. I am going to be actively seeking ways to help Aiden understand this concept, so feel free to post and comment about ways that you remember celebrating Easter and God's love when you were a child or with your children.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." Matthew 28:5-7 (New International Version)

What can I add to that? Thank God that he is risen, indeed. As we head into this Easter season, I encourage you to meditate on the love of Christ, the love that he ultimately showed us on the cross and through his resurrection.

Thank You, Jesus, for the love that you have shown us and that you continue to show us. Please show us ways, as parents, to show Your love to our children during this Easter season so that we might be an example of you. I love You, Father God. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

The Devil Wears Knee Highs

Ok, so for the past three months I've declined for one reason or another every time Daddy invited me to choir at Crossgates, which is really unlike me. I LOVE to sing and my favorite thing to sing about it Jesus, so why not go? It was always something! Well, I was determined to go last night, and the devil was in full force to keep me from going. It went something like this:

• Get to house (4:45)
• See our family dog running like mad from edge of neighbor's yard as I pull in driveway.
• See neighbor dog CHARGE from his yard into mine toward my dog
• Stop car and yell out window for my dog to run like mad to the house
• In the mean time, sister's little mini dog charges big neighbor dog
• Big neighbor dog proceeds to toss mini dog on the ground, all the while I am flailing around and blowing the horn, as I have somehow forgotten how to get out of the blessed car.
• Figure out how to open door handle and jump out, yelling at neighbor dog to GO HOME and yelling at my dogs to GO INSIDE
• Traumatized 2 year old watches entire incident from car seat through rolled down window, screaming and crying because he thinks mini dog is hurt and thinks mommy is nuts
• Round all dogs into the house and shut door to keep them from doing anything else stupid
• Run back to car, which is still parked halfway down the driveway, and get back in to sooth screaming children.
• Park car in driveway and remove traumatized 2 year old and take him inside to see that mini dog is ok.
• 2 year old smacks our dog on the head. He thinks it's his fault. Tell 2 year old that our dog is sweet and not to hit him. 2 year old bursts out in tears, clearly still traumatized.
• Remember that I have 2 other children in the car and go get them out
• Change all diapers (mine included), because if they weren't dirty before we got home, they are now
• Put 2 year old and healthy snack in front of Diego cartoon to calm him down and bring him back to a normal environment.

By now, it's almost 5:45. Choir is at 7. We would need to leave at 6:30. I have to hustle.

• Get clothes for all children because they are filthy from Daycare.
• Saved when mom agrees to keep 2 year old because he was so traumatized earlier.
• Take turns holding screaming twins because they want mommy.
• Strip clothes off twins while both scream uncontrollably.
• Give one twin to Neener to rock while the other one decided to play on the floor.
• Neener's twin falls asleep so game time decision is made for me to simply take one twin to church...the needy twin. The one who WILL cry when I leave her. Bless.

By now it's 6:15. AH!

• Get needy twin dressed, pack small bag, fix bottle because nursery messed it up last time they kept them, and attempt to get her in car.
• In the mean time, 2 year old learns new word. "DELICIOUS!" Literally too cute for words. See video for proof of at least a 5 minute setback.
• Get momentarily sidetracked by the fact that I haven't had dinner.
• Get to church, meet my Daddy, and take needy twin to nursery. Give instructions to worker on fact that she's needy, without her sister tonight, and that her bottle is in her bag and that she'll be fussy and sleepy after she eats it.

It's 7:00 and I MADE IT! Baby in tow! I think I'm in the clear, as rehearsal starts, but then it happens. My pager goes off. It's needy twin. They're calling me for her. In my mind, I know she's screaming. But this child screams when I leave the room, so she's just that kid. The one that you dread because she is going to cry after her mom for hours. Aiden was the same way and JUST grew out of it. So I leave the choir room and go down the hall. Now up to this point, it has been hectic afternoon and night, but I've persevered. I've gotten through this battle and made it to church, Praise God! But then things took a turn. I'm greeted, and I use that term lightly, by a granny with serious attitude. I automatically guard myself because I recognize him at once! It's the Devil in Knee Highs. Here's how it went:

The Devil in Knee Highs says, "Are you Carsen's mom?"

"Yes, I am," I replied with confidence

"What's wrong with her?" the Devil said

"Um, what do you mean?"

"Well, she's in there crying her eyes out! You need to tell the worker when you drop her off if she has special needs!"

"Special needs?" I ask.

"Special needs." She growled and her eyes glowed. I swear she did. Ok, maybe not.

"Well, she's rotten, does that count?" I laughed a little.

"She's what?"

"She's rotten. Spoiled. Needy. (I see I'm getting no where with light humor. The Devil in Knee Highs obviously has no sense of humor.)Um, there's a bottle in her bag."

"Well, you need to tell them that! They don't know if you don't tell them." She literally puffed smoke from her nose and stomped her foot when she said this!

Now, I've had enough. I am done with the Devil in Knee Highs.

"I DID tell them that." I stare down the Devil, "Now, where is my baby?"

She pointed me to the door. Special needs?? What??

I walked in and there was my needy little angel screaming her lungs out. They had just given her a bottle and were trying to rock her to sleep. Needless to say, she wasn't having it. Another great conversation:

"Is she ok?" the worker asked me.

"Oh, she's ok if she's been fed," I said, "she's just rotten."

"She's what?" Both workers look at me like I've grown a tail and I'm about to cry at this point. No one gets me and I'm beginning to think they all think I'm saying my child is rotting.

"Give her here" I grab Needy and she automatically stops crying.

"Ohhhhhh." Obvious point taken by workers.

We played on the floor for a minute and I immediately really liked both ladies. The apologized that the Devil in Knee Highs got me out of choir and said she's just real anal about everything being 'just so.' Well, good for her wanting things 'just so', but she was definitely a tool of Lucifer last night because I almost picked up Needy, got her bag and hit the road. If it weren't for Daddy depending on me to show back up in choir, I'd probably have just left, espcially knowing I had two more at home to bathe and get to bed. That's when it hit me! Daddy was depending on me, but he wasn't the only Daddy depending on me. My heavenly Daddy was depending on me, too! What a rush to think that Jesus was watching me from Heaven, cheering me on as I made the conscious decision to go back to the choir room. He was blessed by my obediance. And bless those childcare workers, (Yes, even the Devil in Knee Highs) for what they do because if not for them, I wouldn'd be able to be a part of the choir at all. I wouldn't be able to worship. So, the moral of my story is, don't let the Devil in any form (Knee Highs or whatever) keep you from doing your duty and being a blessing for your Heavenly Daddy.

Father God, I pray that this message makes some sense to some mommy out there who is struggling with her own Devil in whatever form he choses to appear. I pray that they would remember that you are blessed by our obediance and that when we are not obedient, Satan wins. Help us to know that when we do lose a battle, that we are still winners because by knowing You, Lord, we know we've already won the war. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Could It Be Today?

By Max Lucado

You are in your car driving home.Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you.

A trumpet?

A choir?

A choir of trumpets?

You don't know, but you want to know.

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From whence came the light begins to tumble a river of color spiking crystals of every hue never seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.

North. South. East. West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy. The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver- bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship. Prensently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet:

Holy, holy, holy

Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don't know why you say the words, but you know you must. Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is.

Jesus.

Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration:

"I am the Alpha and the Omega."

The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know:

Nothing else matters.

Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy. All that mattered, matters no more...for Christ has come.

Father God, I pray that this simple illustration fires up the hearts of Your people as much as it did mine this morning when I first read it. I thank You for the promise that You shall return like a thief in the night. Praise you, Lord, in all your Glory and Majesty. I can't wait to join in the choir of angels and sing 'Holy,Holy,Holy' to Your name. I love You, Jesus. In Your sweet name I pray, Amen.

Aiden's Jeep Adventure

**I wrote this for Aiden while I was pregnant with the girls. I tell him stories at night when we're going to bed, but I finally got this one down on paper. I hope to write more, including stories about the girls, and one day get them published for the kids as a keepsake. I did change our last name in the written versions for privacy purposes. Hope you enjoy!**

Aiden's Jeep Adventure

Aiden O'Dell loved his Jeep. He rode in it all the time. His Jeep was his favorite thing in the world. When Aiden got in his Jeep, he could be anybody he wanted…even a lion hunter!

The sun was shining bright in the sky and the wind was blowing cool. It was the perfect day for a Jeep ride!

Aiden called to his mommy and daddy to let them know he wanted to ride in his Jeep. Daddy came out and got Aiden's Jeep from the garage so that he could ride.

Aiden jumped into the driver's seat and took off. "Don't forget to stay in our yard," reminded Daddy as Aiden drove off, "It's safe there. If you go outside the yard you might get lost."

Aiden waved bye to his daddy and headed around the house and through the trees to the back yard. Aiden began hunting for lions. "Rrrrrrrr!" 'I don't see a lion, thought Aiden, but I do see a tiger! Better go faster or it will catch me!'

Aiden sped up his Jeep and went faster. Over the bridge and through the ditch, Aiden zoomed in his Jeep. "I can race in my Jeep!" thought Aiden. He pretended that he was riding in the grand prix, next to a red corvette. And the winner is…Aiden O'Dell in his big blue Jeep. Fastest Jeep anyone here has ever seen, folks. YAY, Aiden!

Aiden came to the end of the ditch where his yard ended. Aiden peered into the woods behind his house. He just knew he would find a lion in those woods. 'I will catch that ole lion and bring him home to Daddy,' Aiden thought. But then Aiden remembered what Daddy told him before he left, "Don't forget to stay in our yard. It's safe there. If you go outside the yard, you might get lost." But Aiden was very curious and wanted to see if he could find a lion so he pushed down on the pedal and zoomed through the woods. Aiden soon realized that the woods were scary and he was having a hard time getting his Jeep through the maze of trees. Aiden was afraid. He thought that something was going to jump out at him from the trees. Aiden decided to turn around and go back, but the trees were too close together to make a turn.

When Aiden finally found his way out of the trees, he didn't see anything that looked like his yard or his house. He wished that he had not wanted to find a lion in the woods. He bet that he could have probably found that lion in his yard if he had just looked hard enough. Aiden wished that Daddy was there. He'd know how to get home. Aiden dropped his head and let one fat tear roll down his cheek. 'Please God,' Aiden thought, 'Send my Daddy to save me. I'm sorry I didn't mind my Daddy and stay in the yard. I'll never do it again."

Just then, Aiden heard a loud rumble. He could recognize that noise anywhere! Aiden became excited! It was Daddy in his Jeep! Sure enough, Aiden saw Daddy and his big blue Jeep coming through the woods, crushing over the trees that had blocked the path back to his yard. Aiden was so thankful.

Aiden thought Daddy would be very angry with him, but he did not look angry. Daddy scooped Aiden up into his big arms and gave him a hug. "Daddy, Daddy…I'm so sorry that I went out of the yard. Please don't be mad at me. I'll never do it again!" Daddy turned Aiden around in his arms so that he could see him, "Son, I am very disappointed that you left the yard, but I am mostly glad that you are safe. And I'm glad that you learned the lesson of always listening to instructions. You were almost lost in the woods, but I found you and now you're safe again. Aiden, there will be times when you do wrong, but Daddy will always be here for you to help you learn your lesson and show you the safe way back home. I love you very much." Aiden hugged his Daddy tightly and thanked God that he had a great Daddy with a big Jeep to find him and protect him. Daddy put Aiden and Aiden's Jeep into the big Jeep and they all rode home together, back to their safe yard.


The END

High Intensity Pigment

(Originally Posted on More Than a Mommy!)

Yesterday, I went to church for the first time in at least three months. I don't think I've been more than one time since we moved back from the coast in October. I've had excuse after excuse, some very valid and some not so much, as to why I couldn't go. And ALL of these excuses had to do with my children. "Aiden has a cough, The girls are too little, The nursery doesn't fix the bottle right, Carsen cries when I leave, AIDEN cries when I leave..." The list goes on and on. So yesterday, I decided to get up and go to church because it was the Minister of Music's last Sunday and I wanted to see his work one last time. He is uber-talented and the choir in phenomenol and always a blessing. I also went to support my Daddy, a devoted choir member who is devestated (not his words because he's a man's man, but I know he is devestated), by the loss of the such a talented guy. So, that said, I got all dolled up for church-and because I've lost five pounds and my clothes are getting loose and one of my chins has gone away-I felt pretty good about myself. I put on my makeup extra-nice, and I used my new mascara, which is a color that I call SCARY BLACK. It's part of L'oreal's HIP (High Intensity Pigment) line, which is made especially for those with ethnic skin tones. Those of you who know me know that I am the whitest white girl ever...literally. I'm one step from Albino now that I've given up tanning. So naturally, I got the HIP mascara. I wanted my lashes to POP. Ha. Well, they did and I was impressed. So off I went to church, with Aiden and my HIP eyelashes in tow. (Anthony kept the girls at home because he didn't bring church pants this weekend. He wasn't planning on going since we never go lately. How sad is that?) Mom and I dropped Aiden off at Sunday School. He was geared up for it because we told him they would sing and learn about Jesus (He LOVES "Jejus"). Well, in true Aiden fashion, he teared up when we got there and he didn't know anyone. I looked at the teacher and said, "He'll be fine! But I did promise him that he'd be singing this morning so if you could throw in a 'Jesus Loves Me' even if it was unplanned, that'd be great!" He nodded and took my crying baby from me and we rushed off to church, which had already started. The first few minutes in church after leaving a crying child are pointless. You wonder if you should have just brought them with you or if they are still possibly crying, but after a few minutes, it usually wears off. Plus, they'd have paged me if he kept it up, right? So anyway, I finally settled down and began to worship. That's when it happened! Something came over me like I haven't felt in SO long. It was the spirit of the Lord speaking to me louder and clearer than I've ever heard. All of the sudden I knew why my life had been so chaotic and crazy (aside from my three children under two and my husband who I only see two days a week). It was because I was trying to handle it all without God. This has been my problem all of my life as a child of the King. I have SUCH a hard time giving up the reins and letting God lead me. I went through this right before I found out I got my job in Jackson. I had an epiphany then, too, and ended my stuborn streak by finaly telling God that I'd be fine if I had to stay where I was, and giving up the bitterness that was consuming my life and my joy. I remember telling God that I was sorry that I'd been trying to fit everything into my time instead of His. It was so humbling and SO not long ago. God blessed me then by showing me that he wanted me to have the desire of my heart (He loves me THAT much!!) and the very next day I got a call saying I had gotten the job in Jackson. How did I forget that lesson so soon? Well, God reminded me yesterday, in a split second, I tell you, that all I need to do to make things right is to just show up, come to Him and be willing. I could have shown up and not come to Him, or I could have shown up, come to Him and not have been willing, but I did all three...and I was SO blessed. I have decided that I will be an active participant in Crossgates Baptist Church, which is where my family attends. I want my children to know and to love Jesus. Aiden and I pray every night, which is so sweet and such a special time, but God told me yesterday that I can't do it on my own. I need Godly leaders to reinforce that lessons that I teach my children at home. It may not be Biblically based, but when I hear the old adage that it takes a village to raise a child, I automatically think of the many Godly men and women that were put in my path as a child who taught me about the love of Jesus. It is my desire to be a Godly mother and wife and I can't do that without the support of a church family. All of this was revealed to me yesterday. It was just amazing! And I tell you this, in true Mandye style, I blubbered. I could barely contain myself. I was moved by this being the last Sunday for the Minister of Music, I was moved by the lesson that God was teaching me and I was moved by the spirit of the people around me. It was clear that this was a loving place, and a place where I could belong and worship. I pray that when Anthony is permanantly here come April 13th, we will be able to join as a family and truly be home at Crossgates. In the mean time, I feel that God has called me to transform my blog from More than a Mommy to a blog about the trails and tribulations, the blessings and joy, of raising my three children in the way of the Lord. The name may change, because I really don't know yet what I want to call it. I want everyone to know that I need your prayer. This world is not friendly anymore, especially not for children. I need prayer to keep my children safe, keep them healthy and to help them grow in the Lord. I am already teaching Aiden how to pray, and I am so blessed by his simple prayers. Oh if we all would just humble ourselves like children when we prayed. It is so genuine and pure. And God places people on his heart already, at two years old. Sometimes he prays for family or his friends at school and sometimes it's a surprise like the time when he prayed for Mary Kellan Sartin when she was sick. He didn't know she was sick and needed prayer, but he followed what was layed on his heart and simply said her name. God moves through children, and he has already taught me lessons through mine.

Lord, I pray that this blog will be a place of encouragement and will at times serve as a beacon when there's a mom out there who is feeling lost like I was, and needs to find Your sweet light again. I pray that others will learn that finding You is as simple as showing up, coming to You, and being willing. I am willing, Father God. Please use me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

After the service I found my sister and asked her if I had High Intensity Pigment all over my face. She laughed, hugged me (like good sisters do) and said no. Aparently the money you pay for that stuff keeps it in place. Praise God! That could have been a scary sight!!! Oh, and when I asked Aiden what he did in Sunday School, he said he sang"Jejus Woves Me!" and proceeded to sing it to me. Praise God for Godly teachers! My village is already pitching in!!! Love to all! -Mandye