Try and try again

If I could choose one word to describe you right now it is "determined."  You don't let anything stop you.  You fall down and get back up.  You try to climb everything you see.  You go up and down the steps, trying to master your movement and balance.  You fight until you get it.  You make sounds and imitate words to try to talk and communicate.  You ask what things are over and over to learn everything that you can.  You, my son, are determined.  You thrive on the combination of encouragement, support, and opportunity.  You move from one stage to the next with a vigorous love of life and learning.
This focus that you have to keep trying until you master it is amazing and something I can learn from.  God wants us to look at problems as opportunities.  He wants to work through us.  We don't have to depend on our own strength to master something.  He is right there with the resources that we need to accomplish it.  I pray that the determination you have right now will grow and mature into a dependence on your Creator.  I pray that you will learn where your strength comes from and who gave you that amazing personality to keep going and not give up.  It is so much fun to watch you learn.  I look forward to the many times you will master a new skill.  And I thank God for the determination that you have to go after it.

Philippians 4:13   I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Two's - Terrible or Terrific?

Especially with years of experience teaching two-year-olds, I have heard the phrase "terrible two's" a lot.  When you were born, I started a two year break from teaching two-year-olds.  I am ready for this year.  I am excited about this year.  You are learning so much!  You are experiencing the fussiness and whining of discovering that you want your own way.  But what an opportunity it is to teach you!  As you discover your own will, you are learning that God wants you to think about others.  You are learning that sometimes you have to wait.  And you are learning to take turns and be patient.  So many discoveries and so much wonder and excitement!  Each thing you learn adds to who you are.  The joy that God placed within you is growing.  Oh how I pray that never stops!  God can use you in so many ways to spread joy and His love to those around you.  You take such pleasure in simple things.  We love spending time with you.  And you have so many people that love you.  So as we jump into this year of you being two, I say it is "terrific two's."  It's a terrific time of learning, discovery, and lots of laughter.  No terrible two's here.  Opportunity?  Yes.  Growth?  Yes.  Tantrums?  Sometimes.  But we move on.  We learn.  We are in training.  The funny thing is that sometimes those tantrums teach Mama that something needs to change in my heart too.  It's that way for all of life.  God is shaping and molding us throughout life circumstances, and there is always more to learn.  I once heard a preacher say that every home needs a two-year-old for entertainment, and now I know why.  Jedidiah, you are so much fun!  And we love you so much!

Health God's Way

Many looking at you today would say that you are a very healthy boy.  You are growing, learning, and constantly doing new things.  You love to play, walk, run, and especially do anything musical.  You love people, and you get super excited when you see your cousins or hear your Grammie's laugh as she walks in the door.  A lot of the health issues you had in the first year of life have been cleared up.  But Papa and Mama are still praying and fighting to see where God would lead us in making healthy choices for you.  You still have digestive issues that cause you some daily pain and a rather irritating case of eczema.  We know these problems are symptoms, and we need to find the cause.  We have tried many things, and we are currently working on trying more.  We are praying that you will not have to deal with these symptoms for long.  Even with all the research and brainstorming, the first place we need to turn is to the Lord.  He is your Creator, and He definitely knows what will help your body function the way that He designed it to.  God has been teaching me a lot through this.  Health is more than physical.  Even our physical symptoms have a deeper dimension to them.  We can get crazy and overwhelmed with all of the health information out there.  We can fight to make sure that everything that enters your body is locally grown and prepared at home.  We can work to make everything from scratch.  We can do all of that and miss the most important part of health.  The more that I read in the Bible about health, the more that I find physical health as a byproduct of spiritual health.  Spiritual health is by far more important.  The destiny of our soul far outweighs the destiny of this body.  I pray that as you grow, you will someday learn the importance of spiritual health.  I pray that you will seek God with all of your heart and have an outward focus to notice those that are in need around you.

Isaiah 58:6-8

Is not this the fast that I have chosen?  to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?  when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?  Then shall they light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall sprin forth speedily: and they righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.