It's hard to top the month of July 2010!

It's hard to describe the excitement around here the last month. Let me start with an unbelievable weekend. On Sunday, July 11, Jordan publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ at our church. The fulfillment of the covenant of baptism, in a heart that is just bursting with love for Jesus at age 10! What an exciting moment for us as parents, as well as grandparents, great grandmas, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends to witness. He is an amazing young man, and we know that God has great things in store for him!

He had the biggest smile on his face while he was waiting for his picture to be taken. And that was truly the joy expressed through him the whole weekend. He was so excited to have his family and friends there. The fact that he understands already what a huge decision this is for his life just blows me away. As Pastor Kevin put it, "this is more important than what school you go to, or who you will marry." This is the one that takes him into eternity with our almighty God! And he gets it! God is good!


A week later, we had the joy of helping with the VBS at our church. Hero Headquarters! Leading the singing was just such a blessing to me...to see the kids yelling out "God is My Hero!" The smiles on their faces, the giggles coming from their toes as they listened to Mac, Pizza Man, and Water Woman... This is Kaylie's group of girls, oh and 1 boy. They were outside at games, and had grass seed to bring to a sheet, which they then parachuted into the air as they were "spreading the love of God". Both kids enjoyed the VBS week and God is so good - 23 kids raised their hand and asked to be prayed with on the last night. Jordan told me that he knew he had already asked Jesus into his heart, but he just wanted someone to pray with him, as school was coming up and he knew that it's not always easy to be a witness in school. As a mom, I got goosebumps. He's realizing the power that prayer can have already. And as we were talking about it on the way home, he looked Kaylie in the eyes and said "not everybody will pray before you eat lunch at school. But it's ok to do it." And once again I am amazed at how God works in the lives of children! And how we should all have that kind of faith!

Since I was able to take the week off for VBS week, we were able to spend a few days with my cousin, Lenora, and her family from California. They drove out with their 5th wheel camper to be with some friends in Ponca, Nebraska for a couple of weeks. We spent a day with them in Sioux Center, showing them around town, and on Friday they drove up to Sioux Falls and we went to Falls Park with them. Yep, it was hot, but it was great just to spend some time with them.

To top off the week, on Friday night, Kaylie had her very first piano recital. Ahhh...my little girl has taken a love for the piano. And mom couldn't be prouder! Her teacher, Jessica, is a student at Stewart's School in Sioux Falls, and she did all of the girls hair so beautifully for the recital! Top that off with a $7 dress at Younkers, and Kaylie turned into a princess. She played two songs, "I'm a Little Tea Pot" and the "Tyrannosauraus Rex", and memorized both of them. The recital was at the Inn on Westport in Sioux Falls. A beautiful atrium, with a big white grand piano in the center. It doesn't get much better than that!

Now just a week and we're off to start football. And Jordan is so ready - he's even been running this week, trying to get prepared! And two more weeks and school starts. For both of them. Are you ready for this? Yep, I think we all are. Time to face it - the kids are growing up, and God is wrapping his arms around them (and mom) as we look forward to it all!