Telling kids about death, heaven, and hell: Part 2

                   My last post focused on death and the importance of knowing about what it really is. I thought came to me after I wrote it. If we are constantly told our entire lives that death is awful, or wrong, or morbid, and what not. How then, when it does happen to a loved one, are we supposed to cope with it in a healthy way?
                  When the topic of death comes up, most people automatically go for the, "They are in heaven." approach. But do most kids even really know what heaven is? And by lumping in all the people we have ever seen die into the category, doesn't effectively show our children how important giving your life to Christ is.
                  Of course heaven is a wonderful place. There is no more pain, and sickness. We are fully restored to our perfect health. We leave our decrepit earthly bodies, and go to a place where they will  no longer burden us, that's why it is important to keep our spirit right. Well fed, and maintained, because our spirit is what is going to be showing for eternity.
                Heaven... It should be exciting! We get to sit around and hang out with Jesus... WITH JESUS! in all of his glory. We get to meet the creator of ALL things. Its a wonderful, beautiful place filled with happiness and joy. I imagine, that it feels like that feeling you get when the Holy Spirit is heavily on you. Your heart beats faster and your body feels like its weighing you down... I can't describe it. I know that it is like getting high, but better. I imagine that is what it feels like to be in heaven only intensified by 90 million! IT WILL BE AWESOME!
                  For those of us who get there. Its easy to explain to a child the glories of heaven, but do we take the time to explain, how we get there. It says in the bible that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. TO accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Ruler of your life. To recognize that you are a sinner, and that you need saving. And then to dedicate your life to doing God's will, to becoming more like Christ, and to spread the gospel like Wild Fire. That is the only way to heaven, and at some point our kids need to understand, that even though we love some of the people who die, they aren't going to go to heaven.
                 Some would say that telling a four year old, or seven year old, that their grandmother may not go to heaven is harsh, but once again, I would like to point out that I don't believe lying to them is going to do them any good.  If we let them believe that everyone goes to heaven, we might as well tell them that we don't need Jesus to get there. We don't need to live right to get there. We might as well tell them, that living for Satan is ok! But it's not. Now I don't think everyone should just blurt out, "That guy is going to hell for sure!" I mean it isn't for us to know who gets in. But maybe saying, "I don't know if they are in heaven, Only God knows what was truly in there heart, hopefully Jesus Christ was." Or something along those lines.
                   If everything was good all the time, how would we ever recognize it. We wouldn't. We would take advantage of the good, and we wouldn't appreciate it. And then if it ever did get bad, (and in real life it does, even for a Christian) how would we know how to handle that situation? The same theory goes for heaven. If we only expect heaven and eternal life, how can we work to not go to hell? We wouldn't even acknowledge hell.l I don't about you, but to me, it doesn't sound like we would have a fighting chance. So if you are going to discuss heaven, shouldn't we then discuss hell, and the difference between the two. Why we want to do the things we need to in order to get into heaven? I think the answer is simple: Yes....
                                     
                                    To be continued...
           

Love Liz; with joy

        A few months back, I had posted about getting back into shape, and becoming healthier, which meant losing a few pounds. (About 30, if I am honest) I had great intentions to start back up, and I did for like a minute, then life got a hold of me.
          Well I am back at it. I started a new workout regimen, which I think is actually the old one I talked about. The Couch to 5K, (Click here to check it out:  http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml ) My good friend, Deary, and I started two weeks ago. We have been hitting the gym, everyday minus the weekends, and are already seeing results. Not big ones by any means, just a have a waist, and legs seem to be a little more defined. Little things. Let me say before I go any further, that had Deary not buddied up with me, I would have quit last week, when my lungs felt like they were on fire! Today I finished week two. During my first 90 second jog session, I started to develop shin splints, I kept going and the second jog, I got a cramp in my side, my breathe was starting to get heavier, and sweat was pouring off of me, I longed to quit. I didn't think I could make it the full six.
             I began praying in my head. "Lord God, I am doing this for you, I am getting fit because of you. Thank you for getting me through each session, thank you for showing me what I need to do. Lord I know that I am your representative, and I want to make a lsting impression on others. I want people to see me, and know that yes I am for God. Lord, Thank you for the joy I feel when I finish, and thank you for giving me the drive. I am committed to this, like I am committed to you Lord." And before I knew it, I was starting my sixth and final 90 second run. I decided that since next week seemed much harder, that maybe I should try for two full minutes. So I did it, and praised God the entire time. 
            Getting off that treadmill, I felt like two million dollars. I wanted to jump up and down, and shout, "That's right, I am AWESOME!" I have found that, if you really are doing, whatever you are doing for God, then there is joy... How do we make sure we are doing it for Him? Well, while you are doing whatever it is, praise Him. Thank Him, for the food He provided so that you have dishes to do. Thank Him, that you can get up and train on a treadmill. Thank you for the cane He made sure you had to assist you in your walking. Thank Him, that he chose you, that no matter what it is He tells you to do He will give you the strength to do it. Thank Him, that no matter how little or insignificant you feel, or the task He has given you feels, HE gave it to you, He bothered giving you life, and drawing you closer to Him. Praise God, that He loves us enough to make things joyful.
             I look around me so often, and marvel at the beauty of the world around us. The magnificent lightning, or the way the sun peaks out from behind white clouds. The smell of cherry blossom trees, and fresh cut grass. The taste of granny smith apples and the crispness when you bit into them. The feeling you get when you are hugged, or when you love someone. The security you feel wrapped in blankets. There is so much around us, that shows us God''s love, and the everyday tasks, should be just as beautiful. Just knowing that he cared enough about us to show us such beauty should give us unfathomable joy. So as I worked on what I neglected so long (My body) it wasn't hard for me to find joy, even though, it was hard work, and I felt a little gross afterwards.  Praise God, for Joy
            

Talking to our kids about death, heaven, and hell part 1: death

        So many times I have been ridiculed, insulted, or thrown some serious negative vibes because I have NEVER hidden my kids from death. Since they were old enough to as questions we have talked about it. I have been told that I am a bad parent, or morbid. I even had someone say, "Is death for Jesus?" I laugh at that one, because isn't that exactly for Jesus, wasn't that the point of Jesus? He died for us?
        Anyways, my kids have been to funerals, and they know that everyone dies. They know about heaven and they even know about hell. Some would question my decision to reveal so much information at such a young age, but I don't think we are doing them any favors by hiding the truth. My mother raised us honestly. Aside from Santa, and the rest of the magical creatures, she never lied to us. She didn't offer a lot of info if we didn't ask, and she only gave us enough to satisfy our curiosity. I try to parent the same way.. A lie is a lie, and they always have a way of getting out.
       So how do we talk to our kids about death? First let me point out that death is always happening, and I have seen a lot of it throughout my life. And honestly Sweet face has as well, just most of it didn't affect him, and he probably doesn't remember,and, honestly the topic never came up, until someone died and he was older, so I guess it was a little easier for me. My step grandfather had died a few years ago, and Husband and decided it was the perfect way to introduce the topic of death.  Husbands grandmothers are getting older, and so much of our families don't have the best health, so we thought before someone very close to them passed, we should start talking about it.
       We took them to the funeral, where I am proud to say, they were very well behaved, and didn;t cause any problems. Peanut played video games on her v- pocket, and Sweet face stared at the corpse. At first I did think that was morbid, and then I thought, why wouldn't he be curious? So I asked him what he was thinking, and that opened the door to a great conversation about bodies and souls. (I have to say, it would have been an even better conversation had I been saved then!) Sweet Face learned a lot about death that day, and he learned about heaven. I explained that though the body looks like the people we once loves, the thing that made them that person was gone. And that hopefully he would go to heaven.
          The next death that took place, happened  a little over a year ago, and it was closer to us. Husbands grandfather, Wolfman had passed away after a very long stay in the hospital. The kids had seen him alive right before he died, and we talked about the fact that he wasn't going to live much longer. I remember Husband's mom scoffing at me, because I said I was going to take them to the hospital, and the funeral. She was appalled! How dare I do that to my children? They don't need to see that. I shrugged and pointed out that, kids needed closer just as much as adults, and wasn't that the reason for funerals anyway? Now because I didn't want the drama that would come with bringing them, I left them at home. Now this death opened a new topic. Sweet face and Peanut actually knew this person. They each had a personal relationship with the Wolfman. They weren't super close but there was something. Not only had they known him, they also saw him deteriorate. They literally watched him die, with the rest of us. If people go to the hospital and stay, they always die, right? Why do people die? If I get sick will I die?
           This death was a little harder to explain. Of course I didn't want them to think that if you got sick you died, but on the other hand, people do die from being sick. "Well, if someone is sick, and doesn't get better than yes, they die." "Do only old people die?" "No sometimes younger people die." "Do kids die?" "Sometimes" "I don't want to die." "Well, you won't die for a long time, and if you do, you won't care, because you will be in heaven for sure!" And then the biggest question. Sweet Face looked at me with fear in his eyes, "What if you die?" "Well my little Sweet Face, I will die, someday, because we all do. But it is not going to be for a long time. God gave me a job to do, and I believe He won't let me die until that happens,, and my job is to raise you to be a God fearing man who will change lives." With a wash of relief, these answers satisfied him.
             My kids seem to have more knowledge about death than most kids their ages. But I think that if you are going to raise your kids as Christians they need to be aware of what death is. Once again, what Jesus did for us, was very real, and if we don't have a real knowledge of what him dying was, how could we expect anyone to understand what was sacrificed. We want to protect our kids, sure I get that. But doesn't that mean equipping them with what life hands us. Death is not evil or morbid, or even unpleasant, its part of the process, and for me, and my fellow Christians, it is the start of an eternal life. A rebirth... if you will... Into the greatest gift of all..... heaven
                          To be continued...
                               

Memories... and conviction!

      Yesterday, I was at my Mom's house, and cleaned out my cubby hole in my old bedroom. I literally found every note anyone has written me, since seventh grade. I found every journal I have every kept. (24 total, not including the one I am currently writing in) It was nice to see them. Many were kind gifts from good friends, and the words kept in them were from a completely confused teenager of the young age of thirteen, to where I am now. (Still very much confused if I were to be honest) It is my life, recorded from my mind. And the love I had from others, recorded from theirs.
          I thought the notes would be so neat to read. I opened a few with excitement, and as the letters unopened and revealed many secrets, what I felt was not excitement. Instead tears streamed down my face, as I read the dedicated words, of many heartfelt boyfriends. What I realized was how many people I have hurt in my young life.
          I can't say that I hurt any of these people on purpose, but maybe that's what makes it so horrible. That I was so mean, and it wasn't intentional. I now feel as though I owe each person that comes to mind and apology, and an explanation.
           There were these letters from this guy, who we will call Einstein. (He was one of the smartest people I had ever met) I remember being with Einstein clearly. I was seventeen, and he was 20, almost 21. We had dated a couple times before, but nothing serious. And when we started dating the last time, it got serious fast. Even the way we began dating was wrong. I was just getting out of a year and a half relationship with someone else, who I hurt, and moved right into Einstein's arms. It had disaster written all over it.
             Einstein was a recovering alcoholic, and at seventeen, I thought I could handle that. He was intense, and loved me quickly. I am not sure what it was he loved about me, maybe I gave him a sense of security, or because I seemed to love him for who he was. I don't know, but he spent many sleepless nights writing to me, to make sure I knew how he felt about me. His words of course, were laced with so much genius, it simple letters  made me feel smarter. (I am sure they should have had the opposite effect, but he was good at making me feel good)
             But alas, his problems were grown up problems, even at 20. And though I was m ore grown up than I should have been, my emotions were not quite as developed. Looking back at it now, 20 wasn't so far off from when I got pregnant with Sweet Face, and committed my life to Husband, but at 17 I wasn't ready, and Einstein was. Or at least he wanted to be. At seventeen I wasn't ready for the intensity that relationship was, and I hurt him. I broke it off, in an immature way, and was mean. I never explained anything, maybe I wasn't really sure why it wouldn't work, but I am positive that I blamed it all on him. He did have some serious problems and after our break up, his life spiraled down. We didn't stay in contact, and our lives seemed to move on. But I always kept Einstein close to  my heart. However, the way I remembered him, was from the perception of a seventeen girl, and now after reading his letters, I see home from a  thirty year old woman.
             I have come to realize, just how much I have hurt the people in my life. People that I loved. And most of the time, it was just because I was incredibly selfish. I have said horrible things, and done thoughtless, heartless things. I am so glad I found these, I obviously don't feel great about how I lived my life, and I want to make amends. Even if the other people don't really care. This watching what you say an dhow you say it thing has been tricky for me, but with this challenge, God has brought some much more to light for me. It's not necessarily my words that I need to change, but my attitude, and the way I see other people!
            I am a work in very slow progress, but I am so glad I get to share it with you!

Wait... Was THAT sarcastic?

             Was that sarcastic? Seems to be my catch phrase lately. I have accepted a challenge to not be sarcastic for an entire week. No sarcasm in my world is like... taking away the jelly from the peanut butter... was that sarcastic? The biggest problem I am finding is that, I don't even know when I am being sarcastic. How can I ever expect other people to get me, if I don't really understand my own words?
            Lately I have been talking to the kids about the power of the word. God created the world with only words. "let there be light!" And it was light. He didn't have a magic wand, or even a special incantation, he just spoke it, and there it was. Makes you think about the things coming out of our mouths. With just a word Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and healed many. With only His words, he begged for our forgiveness, as He became sin while hanging on the cross for the rest of us, who could only hope to be as holy as He.
              It is with words that build each other up, or tear each other down. Words leave the most damage to a mind, and yet they have the power to linger on someones hearts to get them through a rough childhood. One kind word could change someones outlook on life, and one sarcastic word, could do the same in a negative way.
               But I think honestly, the most damage we do, is to ourselves. "I'm so dumb... I don't have any gifts... I'm ugly... I'm a monster..." The list goes on. If we say something enough, we believe it, and if we believe it strongly enough, we become it. If I walked around saying I was a terrible mother or wife, eventually, after talking everyone else into believing that, I would eventually become it. If I walked around talking about how life sucked, my perception would be off, and everything would seem to suck, until eventually no one would want to be around me, and the the bad things that just happen in life would seem worse, and I wouldn't have a grip on reality, and my life would suck...
            BUT... If I talked about how great life is, or how I am walking in freedom, and I no longer needed to fear, or that I am surrounded in love, and I am radiating in love, and I give love freely, Oh the possibilities... Wouldn't life be amazing...
              Who knows maybe that girl you just told was pretty, or that she had a great smile, just decided to give up in love, because she felt ugly, but now you have given her a glimmer of God's love. Or how about the power of speaking God's Word to people. If we walk around silent, how are we to ever save anyone? It is true some people don't want to hear what we have to say, but the right words, could save a life, or better yet, a soul.
                Let's give more thought in to what we say to one another, and especially to our selves. If the world can be made with a word, think about what the right ones could do for our lives...
       Now THAT is some great advise!!!! (Wait was that sarcastic?)

buying houses boldly

              We have been learning about being BOLD at church this last month. Through this series we have been studying the books of Acts. And this past Sunday we learned about BOLDly obeying God. A few days before the service, our Pastor, PS, had called and asked me to email him a few testimonies on our obedience. After discussing what he had in mind, he finally gave me free reign to write what I thought was god, and however many I thought necessary. (Bad move on his part, once I get going, I may never stop! Bwa ha ha!) 
              Anyway, I had sent him four or five storied of my acts of obedience, and what they had done for us. He had chosen two, and along with a few other people's testimonies read them aloud during the service. (If you would like to here it the service and the other testimonies please feel free to click on this link: http://clcbutler.org/media/2012/7-22-12.mp3 )
              One of the stories I had sent seemed to me to be the biggest one. I thought for sure it would have been used. I thought that it would help so many others in seeing how great God and faithful God is. Looking at it now, I realize that I felt so strongly about that testimony because it was very hard for me to obey and trust. And though it may not have been what PS wanted, or needed, I thought maybe I should share it with you.
              A few months ago, Husband and I began looking at houses. When we first started, I thought we would just look at a few, and then stop, just like we have done so  many times before. But after about seven houses I started to realize Husband was serious. We looked at a dozen or so houses before we fell in love.  This house was beautiful, brick, six bedroom home with plenty of room to spare. Mom could live with us, and I could have an office. It came with a garage, (the only thing Husband seemed to really want) and it was in our price range. It needed some work, and the yard definitely left something to be desired, but the four of us were in love. And we went home to pray about it. Husband and I prayed together, and we prayed as a family, and then I prayed on my home. I knew that it was only by God's grace that we were even able to buy a house at this point in our lives, and I wanted to make sure it was His will that we bought THIS one.
          I prayed long and hard, and asked that he let me know if this was the one and if we should move on it. I opened my bible to read for the night, and when I did my eyes landed on John 4:16 "Go and get your husband," Jesus told her.  "Ha, ha God, that is really funny" I said out loud, "but seriously, I need an answer." so I closed my bible, prayed once more and opened it again. This time I even tried to manipulate it, to make sure I wasn't any where close to that verse again, but sure enough, that;s where I opened it again, I remember thinking that maybe he just wanted me to wait for Husband and we could pray together, so I did, but every time we did, I heard nothing, I felt nothing.
            So Husband said he was positive that God wanted us to have this house, and the next day we put it our bid. Sitting at the realtor's office, I remember having a panic attack. I felt wrong, and wanted to get out of there. I kept telling Husband that we shouldn't be doing this, and I didn't think it was right. I didn't hear anything from God, and he kept assuring me that he heard clearly that we should be doing this. In the midst of my panic there was this moment when my silent battle with God had just stopped. I threw up my hands and said, "Fine God, I 'll let him do this, but I am trusting YOU that you will make it right. If he isn't doing what he is supposed to be, if he hasn't been praying or hearing you, then you need to make sure this doesn't go through." and then in my most threatening tone, I said, "I AM TRUSTING YOU!" Looking back I realize how ridiculous it was to threaten God, but I did let go of my control of that situation, and let God and Husband handle it. The next day we learned that we could not get the house, because it was bank owned and they wanted cash.
              There was a small part of me that was sad. I really did want it to be the house, and I was hoping that it was God's plan, no matter how I felt it wasn't. But there was a much bigger part of me that was relieved, and I knew that God had stuck to His end of the bargain.
             And the hunt continued. We had looked at least twenty more houses before Husband was in love again. This house was a smaller three bedroom, no room for Mom, no room for an office, barely bigger than what we were already living in. It did have a swimming pool  and over an acre of a semi private yard. Oh yes, and the most important thing, according to most men, a garage. When we went home from looking at the house Husband went on and on how he knew that was the house. He felt it as soon as we went in. We are going to grow old there.I just know it... blah, blah, blah... I however, did not feel that way, so I prayed. I prayed hard, and asked God for a sign. Is this the house? If it is I will be gracious, and I will love it and care for it, and I wouldn't fight. I just needed to know that it was what God had for us. I opened my bible to read once again, and the very first verse I read was, Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. Awesome! I didn't second guess it this time. I knew he was talking to me, and I knew that meant that I was to stay out of it.
           Husband scheduled another viewing of the house. Mom came, and showed that she wasn't impressed, and Husband had decided to move forward. I was anything but thrilled, but I let Husband decide. The bid was accepted immediately and the process began. I stayed out of all of it. Husband took care of all the details, and I packed. I got a lot of ridicule from my friends for letting husband handle it. Even a Christian friend of mine made her opinion of my insanity known. "Isn't that a decision you and Husband should make together?" And I would always reply that God was clear and wanted me to stay out of it. It was hard. I will say that. When people keep saying you're crazy, when you don't even particularly like the house, when things go wrong, and when your husband can't even take charge on where you are going to eat, it tends to make things a little more difficult. I mean, we weren't even sure that we had the house until the day before closing. But I knew that if this was the house God really wanted for us, then eventually I would be happy. I would fall in love, and the house would be a dwelling for Jesus, where my kids would grow up learning to love and forgive like him, where I would grow old being proud of who they have become, being proud of who Husband and I have become. I had faith in God, and I knew that if it was His will, it would be great!
             And then when it actually came to closing, I stayed home, and let Husband do the work. We obliviously bought the house. We have been living in it for almost three months. I am not only in love with the house, for the most part, but I am falling in love with Husband all over again. Letting him make such a big decision without my help, seemed to change the dynamic of our family. Even though Husband put me in the role of leader in our house, I couldn't expect him to step up, if I never stepped down long enough to give him a chance. I learned a lot about Husband, and the man he could be. Things are much different on our family now, we have more communication skills with each other, and he seems to have more confidence. I am so glad that I listened to God, that I BOLDly obeyed, even though I was ridiculed by some of the people closest to me. I didn't let them or Satan change my mind or make me think I was doing something wrong. I stuck with God. I listened for His voice, and took comfort in knowing I was doing His will. I expected that everything would be alright, and He honored that! So please if any of you are having second thoughts as to doing what you think God was telling you, do it. If it's God's will you can't go wrong!
       

"Mommy, SweetFace didn't pray for me the right way!"

    Tonight, I asked Sweet Face to help me with bedtime by tucking in Peanut and praying for her. Knowing that Sweet Face is seriously anointed by God, and is always willing to pray over and for people, I expected him to do well.  He always seems to know how to pray and what to pray. He has a real gift. So after he finishes and they stop giggling, he went into his room and tucked himself in. (For the record I don't usually make Sweet Face do my work, there's something wrong with my neck!)
     A few minutes later I hear the sweet chipmunk voice of my little Peanut, "Mommy, SweetFace didn't pray for me the right way." "Well Peanut there is no wrong way to pray as long as it comes from the heart." "All he did was thank God for me, and asked that he would watch over me." She replies. And as I am thinking how that;s pretty much what I do, and it sounds like a good job to me, she says, "I need you to do it the right way." So I tell her to come into my room.
       I explain to her, that what Sweet Face prayed was fine. It doesn't have to be just like my prayer, but if she wants I will pray for her again. She looks at me with that sweet little face, and puts her tiny hand on my neck, and says, "I want to pray for you!" Wow! Of course being the Peanut is only four, I didn't really expect much, but I let her do it. I mean who turns down perfectly good prayer?
       "Father God," she starts off. "We thank you for Mommy, and we ask that you heal her. Take away all of her pain, and make her neck feel better. Give her healing, and make her comfortable, and make her not nauseous. We ask that you be with her, and take away all of her pain, so that she can keep her goodness. Thank you Jesus. In Jesus Name, Amen." As my eyes welled up with tears of pride, I felt it on my heart to talk to Peanut about giving her life to Christ.
        It's strange, because I am usually the first one to say, "Do you really think a kid that age really understands?" But if God tells me something, I do it.. (Some things just take a little longer) So I explained it to her. "Do you know what it means to give your life to Christ?" Peanut shakes her head no. "Well it is when you want Jesus Christ to come into your heart. You decide to let Him be in charge of your life, and you want to follow Him, and listen to His rules forever. It means that you want Him to save you, because sometimes you sin. And sin is when you do something wrong. And if we don't have Jesus Christ, even when we are sorry, we aren't forgiven. It means that you know why he died on the cross, and that you believe it. Do you know why?" She said she did, and then told me, it was so we could go to heaven, so that God could forgive us. "Well does that sound like something you want to do?" "Oh yes, Mommy." "Ok sweet girl, then we will pray together, just say what I say..." I lead her through the prayer, and kept it very simple. I didn't use big words, or get over complicated. We didn't pray for longer than two minuted, if even that, but as we held hands, talked to God, I could feel the Holy Spirit. His presence was so overwhelming, and I cried, and as we closed our prayer, Peanut began to laugh. She laughed, and giggled, and had the biggest smile on her face. She actually seemed to glow. She squeezed my hand and looked up at me with her amazingly big brown eyes, and still giggling said, "Could we do that again?"
          We talked about how great she felt, and I explained why. I then told her a bit about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and as she listened, her eyes twinkled. Once again I felt the Holy Spirit all over us, and could feel Him in the conversation, so we prayed again, only this time we asked the Holy Spirit to come, and to fill Peanut up.
        After we prayed together again, she kissed me on the forehead, and asked Sweet Face if she could pray for him. At first he said no, and she insisted that she needed to so he let her. She came back into my room and told me that she had prayed for Sweet Face in the Spirit, and she wanted to pray for me again before she went to bed. And she did.
         I can say that though the enemy is fighting me on my belief, my little girl seems to have been changed in very little time. I believe that she was saved today, not that I thought she was damned before, but I realize how great it is that these two kids have such a head start on an amazing life. That they will grow up knowing God, and the miracles if Jesus Christ and his name. I believe they will save millions of people and heal nations, with the Holy Spirit.
       I am thankful for the opportunity to raise these two spiritual kids. I always believed I would do something big in my life, and now I know that it was to bring these two into the world, to do the work of God! Praise God, and thank you Jesus.