4??!?

Eden Elaine...
You are 4!  Is that possible?? Another year has buzzed by, and you are turning into such wonderful little lady. You are starting to come out of your shell, and it has been so fun to watch you blossom. As you mother, I love the fact that other people are finally able to get a glimpse into the wonderful personality you have been hiding from everyone besides myself, daddy, and Jada.
You still love to read.. as long as you have a book, you really don't need anything else. At bedtime, most kids just want a blankie, or a baby, or a teddy. Not you. You just need a book lots of books.  Sometimes I wonder how you can even find room in your bed for yourself amongst all those books!!!
You still love to dance. It is such a joy to watch all your 'ballerina dances.'
And you sing! Oh, do you sing!! I can't wait to see how the Lord uses this gift in you and through you. And you don't just sing songs you have heard... you  make up songs. Beautiful songs. Yes, some of them are silly and don't make much sense (I like these songs, too!) but the songs you sing about Jesus are so full of heart and worship! You are typically too shy to allow me to record your oh-so-beautiful self on video, but I did manage to catch and record your very first song: July, 2011 - "in my heart, God, in my heart. In my heart, God, in my heart...." The melody was perfect, your pitch was perfect. You have a true talent, little girl.  Your current favorite 'radio' songs are 'Glory to God' by Fee, 'Slow Fade' by Casting Crowns, and 'Where I Belong' by Building 429.  Oh! and let's not forget 'Loddy, Doddy, we likes to Party!" :)
It is also so neat to see your love for Jesus. I know you are only 4, and you don't necessarily understand the fullness of who Jesus is, but you still love Him, and you know that He loves you. You ask God to heal you, you pray for people that are hurting or need help and you are so good at being thankful for what God has provided for you and our family. This truly blesses my heart!
You are a fantastic big sister to Jada. You are so good at caring for her and about her. And she looks up to you so much and loves having you as a big sister. I love to watch this relationship grow and change!
This letter would not be complete without giving a nod to your sensational fashion-sense. You have a way with clothes, girly. You put together outfits the rest of us only wish we could pull off! It will be interesting to see how this passion grows with you.
These are a few of your favorite things: Princesses, rainbows, dresses, chicken nuggets, Grammie, books, singing, dancing, playing dress up, cheerleaders, babies.
I wanted to list a few of your least favorite things, but after much thought, Daddy and I just decided that you are overall a pretty happy, content little girl!!
Thank you for all the joy you bring to our lives every single day. I absolutely adore your independent spirit and I love the way you are just full of love.
Here's to another year of living life with you and watching you grow up way to fast!!
Love you,
Mommy

i think the Buddhists call it Karma...

You know how parents often tell their children, "I hope you have a kid just like you..."  As much as we would like to pretend that our parents are wishing us nothing but well-behaved children, I think we all know what they are actually referring to is the exact opposite. So, here you go, Mom.... MY kid following in MY footsteps:
This is how the story has been told to me. It has been told to me for as long as I can remember. And every time it is told, my parents drive home that fact that it was such an embarrassing moment and I think it is just a cute story...you know, so funny, the way kids can act in public sometimes... -- Approximately 30 years-ish ago, my cousin was going into Voluntary Service and my parents and I attended her "sending-off" service. Apparently this was at a church. A church filled with people we didn't know. And apparently no one else was talking. It was quiet. Very quiet. And then a little girl piped up "But don't you wanna go home??!"  Apparently the little girls parents were embarrassed. Very embarrassed.
Fast forward. February 3, 2012. My little family attended the Northridge basketball game to participate in the fundraiser for Sammy. It was right before the Varsity game, we were surrounded by a room full of people we did not know, and the gym had quieted enough to hear a pin drop as the choir prepared to sing the National Anthem. Enter my normally quiet 3-year-old who has a new obsession with cheerleaders. She looked to her left where the cheerleaders had been and, with a look of panic, exclaimed (at a volume I have certainly never heard her speak before), "Where da cheerleaders??!?!"  I. Was. Mortified.  So, I quickly covered her mouth and whispered into her ear, "Right there, EE. They are right in front of us."
"Oh! I just couldn't see their faces!"

.... so funny, they way kids act in public sometimes....

here we grow.....

This picture was taken in April 2007. I grew out my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. And I swore I would NEVER do it again.
It's not that I didn't want to donate to a good cause. But my hair looked terrible!!  It was long, scraggly, and just plain yucky looking. I lived in a pony tail for the last several months because, really, what else could I do??! 
I have enjoyed my short hair for the last 4+ years, but I'm about to commit to something, as noted previously, I said i would never do again.  I'm growing it out.
In the past 2 years, I have crossed paths with so many people whose lives have been affected by cancer. Each 'announcement' weighs heavier and heavier on my heart. Cancer is brutal and completely unfair (yes, I know, 'no one ever said life was fair.')  And it takes so much away from its victims.  And I can't stand the fact that I feel like there is nothing I can do to help. Yes, I pray. And I know God hears those prayers and answers them, but I like to feel like I'm doing something more tangible, and I just can't.
My breaking point came last month when my cousin's son was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma.  He's 13. It's not fair. I wish I could do something.
Last year, for the first time, I was able to see the benefit of a hair donation. A young girl from our church has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and she was able to trade in her beautiful bandanas for a head full of hair. And I'm guessing that's a pretty big deal for a high school girl!
So, this is my official announcement. My hair will be getting longer. It might not look pretty, but I'm not doing it to be fashionable, I'm doing it in an effort to help. It's a tiny piece, but a bunch of tiny pieces can come together to make a beautiful puzzle.
And I'm asking you, as my friends, to hold me accountable.  I will tell you right now that in about 4 months I am going to threaten to cut it all off. Please don't let me!!
And if anyone has any suggestions about a good organization to donate to, feel free to pass them on to me!
Here's to another 10+ inches.....

the library....

E: "my best part of the library is picking out books. i love to pick out books. jada, what is YOUR best part of the library?"
J: "PUPPET SHOW!!"


....it needs to be noted... Jada despises the puppet show. makes her cry. every. single. week.  but if you mention the library, that is the first thing she gets excited about. puppet show. puppet show! PUPPET SHOW!!

I'm going to Haiti!

yep. me. next summer.
and i'm so excited!
i'm looking forward to seeing how God is going to use me. i have daydreams... i make up scenarios... my heart leaps with excitement for the things i imagine i will experience. and then i get even more excited when i realize this is God's thing... which means it's going to be way cooler than anything i can dream up.
i am going as a leader with our youth group from Brighton Chapel. please pray for our group as we begin to prepare for this amazing trip. pray that our hearts will be prepared for the sights we will see and the people we will meet. and also pray for the people that we will come in contact with. pray that we will have a lasting effect on them and that we will have unending opportunities to share the gospel with the lost people of this country.
i am attaching a copy of my mission letter so you can read more about this opportunity. i know i've already said it, but above all, please pray!! :)

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”  Psalm 40:8

October 1, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

As you may know, for the past year, Nate and I have been involved as sponsors with our youth group at Brighton Chapel. In that year, we have grown a deep passion for these kids and have been so blessed as we watch them grow in their relationship with our Lord.  We have been given an opportunity to grow even deeper with God and with our youth group, and I would like to share that opportunity with you.

Our youth group is going on a mission trip to the country of Haiti in the summer of 2012. As you probably know, Haiti is a small, island nation that struggles with such things as extreme poverty, a lack of clean water, and a recent, catastrophic earthquake that killed thousands and destroyed much. As Haiti struggles with these issues, the door stands open for people to travel there to physically offer assistance, and also – and even more important – to share the love of God with the people there.

We will be doing a variety of things while on this trip, including working with orphaned children, assisting in water-purification projects, various small work projects, and sharing our faith in Christ. I have been blessed with the opportunity to help lead our group as we go on this mission. Nate has offered to stay home with Eden and Jada to allow me the opportunity to spend a week of my summer growing in my relationship with Christ and serving those less fortunate by sharing God’s love.

I am writing to inform you of this opportunity I have and asking you to pray for me and for our team of leaders and students from Brighton Chapel. Please pray that the Lord will make this trip a reality, that He will give us safety as we travel, and that He will watch over us as we serve.

I am also asking if you would consider partnering with me financially. The total cost for each participant on the trip is $1500. This cost covers transportation, lodging, food, and supplies – really, everything. Each person is working to raise enough to cover his/her own costs. I do understand that this is a hard time economically for many people. If you cannot afford a contribution toward my trip, I would love it if you would simply agree to pray for me and for our team!  Whether you are able to help financially or by lifting me up in prayer, I would like to thank you so much.

If you would like to read more about the organization we are serving with, you can visit their website at www.cpr-3.com. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at 260.463.6553 and I will do my best to answer them.

Thank you so much for prayerfully considering how you can help me with my mission trip.

In His love,

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”  Isaiah 6:8

Kari Mauck                                                                                               Your Name_____________________________

0250 N 010 W                                                                                           Your Address___________________________

LaGrange, IN 46761                                                                                                   ___________________________        

_____ Yes, I will pray for you as you prepare to go to Haiti. I will pray for the Lord to give you safety,

that you grow you in your love for Him, and that He will prepare you to serve!

_____ Yes, I will support you with a gift of $_____.__ to help with this trip.

                Checks can be made out to Brighton Chapel and are totally tax deductible.

Please return the bottom portion of this page to my address listed above,

 and keep the attached letter as a reminder to pray for our group.

Thank you!

Jada Elyse. 2.

My dear, sweet Jada --
You are two! When did that happen? It seems like just yesterday you made your mad-dash of an entrance into this world... and you've been going strong ever since!
It has been so fun to watch you grow and change over these past two years. One thing has never changed, though -- your spirit!  You are so fun-loving and you know how to make people laugh. You are so sensitive to other people's feelings. You constantly put other people's needs above your own.  Your sweet smile and deep brown eyes are enough to melt anyone you come in contact with.
You are so hard to discipline. Not because you don't give us plenty of opportunity (you DO!) -- but because you are so stinkin' CUTE! As soon as you do something bad, you just give that look that says, "c'mon, that was funny..." You will never know how hard it is to try to conceal how funny you truly are! :)
You are a talker. You have been putting together long sentences for over 6 months now. It is so amazing to me to just listen to you talk. You are a very good speaker and have an excellent grasp of how to put your thoughts together.
Jada, you are such an independent spirit. You want to do everything yourself and you usually have enough determination behind you to get it done!! Daddy and I are rarely allowed to help you. We have learned to just let you know that we are available to help you if you need us, then we just step back and watch you learn... it's hard to watch you cry in these situations, but it's so rewarding to see you accomplish something new on your own. (and, i must admit, it is heart-warming when you finally give in with a 'help me, mommy.')
Your love for your big sister is the truest expression of love i have ever witnessed. I never experienced the 'sibling relationship,' and it has truly been a joy to experience that bond through you and Eden. Thank you for showing me this kind of unconditional love.
Your likes and dislikes: your favorite songs are Jesus loves me and "daddy's song" (DC-10 by Audio Adrenaline). Your favorite breakfast is pancakes. Your favorite movies are Dora and Strawberry Shortcake. Your favorite baby is Baby Belle. When you go to bed, you want a baby and a book,  but you absolutely DO NOT want a blanket. You are still loving your thumb and your belly button. If given the option, you will choose to stay in your jammies all day. You love to read. You say that you enjoy story time at the library, but you definitely do not like the puppets!  Favorite food?? Nope... no favorites... you just love food!
I can't wait to see what new and exciting changes we will experience with you in the next year as you grow and learn even more!!
I love you Jada Elyse,
Mommy

Bible lessons from a 3 year old

Last night, Eden was insistent that I stay in her room after the girls were put to bed. After about a half hour of back and forth, I finally gave in and just took my book into her room and lay on her floor waiting for her to fall asleep. As she laid in bed and read her book aloud, this is what I learned:
• Adam and Eve lived in Wonderland
• The animals all came one by one to visit Noah on the boat
•God sent a really big storm to Wonderland
•The boat eventually came to Wonderland
•God sent a rainbow and it was beautiful

Her details may have been a little off, but I gotta tell ya.... her interpretation of the story was just as beautiful as God's original story.  Because I'm pretty sure when God was naming the Garden, it was probably a toss up between the Garden of Eden and Wonderland. What a tough decision.  And He really did send a beautiful rainbow at the end of that big storm.

Thank you, God, for your promise, your love, and the way you have filled the hearts of both of my daughters with a great love for you! AMEN