Right now my four year old boy and my two year old boy are showing their daddy their muscles and asking him if they are strong enough to serve Jesus. One thing God laid on my heart last spring as my four year old struggled with illness all winter and Kole was gravely ill with cancer, was that he could use them in their death or he could use them in their life! Of course, I picked plan B. Anyway, Janni and I talked about raising our kids to love and serve the Lord. We like Isaiah 61:3 where it says "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor". The ten commandments talks about the blessing that comes to those who only bow down to the One True God. It promises in Exodus 20:6 of God's "showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments". That is our goal as mothers! We both are expecting new life and are excited about our job ahead of teaching them about our Lord and His Word. The exciting thing is that they will have fathers and siblings excited to teach them the wonderful love of God right with us! We are becoming in many ways "praying families". God has used Kole to spur us on! I many times catch my four year old pacing the floor with his hands folded calling out to God for any bump or bruise or ache he might be suffering. Right now his pain is physical, but one day when his pain becomes emotional he will have had practice. He tells me all the time with complete confidence, "Jesus always makes me better". At first, praying all the time was kind of awkward, especially when Elijah wanted to pray for his Sonic Action figure. Sonic just can not function with his leg broke clean off! But, it has become so natural to pray for every sniffle and struggle. Janni and I are rarely together anymore in person or on the phone without praying together. Jesus has become the very "air that we breath"! I told my mom today that as time goes on the enemy will become more fierce and threatening and desperate. Our children need to be armed with the Word of God, with prayer, with faith, righteousness, and salvation. We need to look at these years as "boot camp"---training our children to "fight the good fight". They may never march in the infantry but they are in the Lord's army! We cannot loose living for Him and making Him our single life's goal. What He has for us and our children has living eternal value. I have told my children that I have promised God that what ever child He would give me I would raise them to love Him. I know Janni feels the same! We have left it up to God in how He chooses to gift them and equip them for His glory. He is one teacher and trainer we do not have to pay by the hour! During this distracting time it has been difficult to be always there "in mind" for our children. That is where we can depend on God to be our children's teacher and great will be their peace (Isaiah). My daughter enjoyed watching a cartoon about Hannah from the Bible. Her name is Hannah and so the story inspires her. Biblical Hannah, also made a commitment to God to raise Samuel to love and serve our Maker of heaven and earth. Samuel was both a godly prophet and priest for Israel. Samuel was raised with one single focus--- being to serve His Lord. God blessed him and used him here on earth to bring God much glory. That is our desire for our children up past a thousand generations, if the Lord tarries. May it be for you too! We want a big army of Christian Soldiers. Keep praying for our little soldier. He has the courage, willingness and training to serve. He needs strength from "On High"!

Love,
Jodi