THE DEEP END

Alot of the time, the Lord uses me to teach my children. Right now, He is using my children to teach me...to lead me.

After Isaac began gymnastics, Jonah said, "...but mom, what can I do?" So, the discussions began. It was dead of winter...but all he could think of was that he wanted to learn to swim better. We began working and working to find him some instruction and was so blessed to find someone at a local college campus who took a personal interest in him and decided to teach him one-on-one every week.

He has made tremendous progress and now is able to swim the full distance across the pool without stopping - breathing well, coming up for air...we're so proud!

Next, he had to tackle...THE DEEP END!

For two weeks in a row, we prayed, talked about it, encouraged him, cheered him on ... did everything we knew to do to help him overcome his fear - but he continued to have just a tremendous fear of swimming in the water that was over his head. He began thinking about the bottom - the area he couldn't see or touch - and would panic. Although the water or his skill level hadn't changed - his mind had!

BUT - this week - this week...things changed to the glory of God!

As soon as we arrived, Jonah went straight to the five foot waters (which is a foot above his head). He got in confidently and swam beautifully. Mike and I looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders. After a few minutes, I said, "Well, Jonah, where did that come from?"

Believe it or not, my 8 year old son looked me in the eyes and said,
"FEAR'S NOT GOING TO RULE MY LIFE!"

I said, "Huh?" And, he yelled it again,
"Mommy, FEAR'S NOT GOING TO RULE MY LIFE!"

Michael and I looked at one another in shock - did he really say that? Where did that come from? And I asked him..."Jonah, where did you hear that? Who told you that?" He just casually said,
"Nobody mom, God just put it in my heart."

After I regained my thoughts and processed what had just happened, I said, "Jonah, what happened to the Jonah that was here last week - the one that was afraid, cried and wouldn't let go of the wall?"

His reply: "He got swallowed by the whale, mom!"
hehehehehe...

Jonah loves to float in the water...

He swims whereever he wants now.

Practicing his breathing and kicking...he works so hard.

What a handsome doll baby!

Lord, teach me to have courage when I can't see or touch the bottom!

But It's My Dream.

"But, it's my dream, mom." Wow! I never expected to hear those words from an 8 year old boy. It was a week night and he asked me to sit on the couch. Usually, it is the reverse...I am asking one of MY children to it on the couch...so I can get their attention, help them focus on what I am about to tell them...so I can look them in the eye and have them hear something from my heart to theirs. But, that night...he needed mine.

You see, since the boys were small, we had allowed...even encouraged them...as they pursued athletic interests - they dabbled in a small, local basketball league for two seasons, they played Little League baseball last season (and did exceptionally well, I might add!) But, this year was going to be different, I could see. My children were developing their own thoughts and ideas...their own dreams.

Isaac asked me to sit ... to hear his request ... a request I had heard casually many times, but hadn't actually listened to or taken seriously for some reason. Did I think it was a whim, did he really know what he was asking to do, was it possible that I had a prejudice that I didn't want to deal with?

He said plainly, "Mom, I want to take gymanstics. It's my dream. Can I? I think I can do good."

Of course, I immediately said, "Let me talk to dad and we'll see what we can do." I did my research and within the week had him in the local Tumbling class. After the first class, the coach came to me and said, "...you were right, mom. He's got talent. I think he can be competitive in a year or less." Wow!

Now, after 3 months, two standing backhand springs independently, 10 backhand springs consecutively (being spotted of course), trampoline work and much, much more, he continues to work hard to see his dream become reality. He never walks anywhere now...he flips, flops and tumbles.

He enjoys it so much that his teachers have to remind him to quit smiling and "get focused"!
His natural agility is so fun to watch!
He's making great gains and we are so glad that we are following his dream.
Is there anything your children are telling you that you haven't heard lately?

Resurrection Sunday...just amazing.

I am so very sincerely thankful to be a child of the resurrected King! And, for some reason, this particular Resurrection Sunday morning, I was particularly excited...I felt a stirring in my spirit...His Spirit calling me to worship as never before. His power was on display as I hadn't experienced it in a long time...more than likely my issue...definitely not God's! It was a revival for my soul, an awakening of my mind, a drawing of my heart...a uniting of the body of Christ. And, I wouldn't have missed it for anything at all.

Following our church celebration, we continued the celebration with our families...and here are a few pictures to help us remember - it is good to remember.

It's not about us...its ALL about Jesus.