God is at work...

God is doing a work on our sweet girl's heart.
About a month or so ago, Hannah and I were taking a walk down the street and out of the blue she told me that she enjoyed listening and obeying and that she liked it when she did what we asked her to do.  She went on to tell me that if I asked her to do something she would from now on respond with "Yes Ma'am!" every time.  Now, naturally, I was delighted with this, but I also was afraid this was going to be short lived.  Much to my delight, and a firm belief that God is working in her heart, she has absolutely lived this out lately.  She continues to remind us every few days that she loves to listen and obey and loves to respond with "yes" each and every time we ask her to do something. 
God is doing a work on our sweet girl's heart.

I can see glimpses of God's love pouring out of her.  Her prayers lately are different.  She has prayed the most heartfelt, open, and honest prayers that have brought tears to my eyes. 
God is doing a work on our sweet girl's heart.

There are times when I ask her to do something and she begins to say no or get an attitude and then...something happens.  Her face changes, a smile comes across and she gladly says, "Yes, Mama, I would love to do that!"  Along with that has come a joy in helping. 
God is doing a work on our sweet girl's heart.

In the past, our sweet Hannah has not always received instruction well.  That has changed lately also.  Her heart seems to really hurt when she realizes she has done wrong.  She seems to be experiencing genuine repentance and remorse when she sins and is corrected for it.  This change doesn't mean that she is without sin or the need for correction...she is a 4.5 year old who naturally gets into trouble, but her response to the correction and the sin has changed.  It's beautiful, really! 
God is doing a work on our sweet girl's heart.

Jason and I have laid in bed many a night lately and just marveled at how God is working.  It is amazing and beautiful to watch unfold in front of our eyes.  We are so grateful for our sweet girl and for the obvious signs of God's work in her heart.  May God continue to draw Hannah to himself and pour his great love out to her.  We are thankful that God is doing a work on our sweet girl's heart.

Being the family of God

Our church here in Waco has a saying that we use frequently and that is "being the family of God for you in this place."  Recently the question was asked as to how Calvary has been the family of God to us in this place.  I have many answers to this question, but I want to detail one answer below. 
Our faith family at Calvary has been the family of God to us in the way they have helped care for Hannah.  Our life group has been one of the most tangible evidences of this.  Hannah has developed amazing relationships with so many wonderful adults who love and care for her as their own.  This has blessed our hearts like nothing else!
A few months ago, we were invited to a life group member and dear friends house who wanted to make gingerbread cookies with Hannah.  I was merely along for the ride since it was really Hannah who she wanted to help her with the cookies.  However, this was not a normal cut and bake cookie session.  Our dear friend had made homemade gingerbread dough that was waiting for us when we arrived.  After getting their matching aprons on, they set out to work on the cookies.
I was so blessed to see the two of them quickly get lost in the art of making these cookies.  Our dear friend gently took Hannah's hands and explained that she was going to use the rolling pin first and she wanted Hannah to place her hands on top of hers so Hannah could feel how it felt to roll out the cookies. 

 They did this time and time again until all the dough was rolled out to the perfect thickness.

As they rolled the dough together, experienced hands lead the way for young hands, gentle words of encouragement and leading were said to Hannah.  She was reminded to take her time with every step of the process. 

Hannah was taught how to place the cookie cutter exactly where it needed to be in order to yield the most cookies.

And there they were.  These two who are community to one another.  One young, one older...one having new experiences, one who has experienced too many things in life...one who is teaching, one who is learning...but they were here, together, being the family of God to one another and to me. 



The cookies turned out beautifully and they were delicious!  But, what was much more remarkable was the joy that I had in watching the time unfold together.  You see, this is what it has looked like to be the family of God here in this place.  It is our dear friends doing so much more for Hannah than just baking cookies.  They are teaching her about life, about God's great love for her, about learning, and about community.



So, thank you Sheila, for loving our Hannah and for doing so much more than just baking gingerbread cookies that lovely day.  You have truly been the family of God for us, in this place.