Friday, February 22, 2019

Our 10-Year-Old James

A decade has passed since we welcomed James Marshall Manor Jr! How is that even possible?

Our precious first born in 10-years-old today and I could not be more surprised or amazed by it. Since the beginning, James has brought so much life and fun to our family. He is puny and is always cracking jokes, just like his daddy! His smile is contagious and he wants everyone around him to be laughing and having fun.

The best part of year ten with James has been watching him grow spiritually. Watching a child grow is amazing in and of itself. But there is something about knowing they have been saved and seeing God growing them in their faith that makes that growth even more incredible. It shows you even more of the depth of God's grace.


And James has grown so much in his faith in the last year. He has such a deep love for the Word of God and is growing in prayer. He studies the Word almost everyday and asks great questions. He wants to know all he can about God and the Bible. He doesn't know a stranger and will talk to anyone about anything, but is still learning how to share his faith. He wants so much out of life, but does desire to do what God wants him to do and not what he wants as he prays daily.

We marvel at how God has made James. He loves astronomy, Latin, drawing, origami, writing, building and baking. He is extremely creative and loves to learn anything and everything and he want to tell everyone what he has learned. Talk to James for ten minutes and you'll likely learn what constellations are out right now and how to say all their names in English and Latin. He is enthralled with what God has made!

Not only does he love to learn, James has really taken to his big brother role and is "fatherly" towards the babies in our home. He often will teach Isaac while I work with the middle boys. He changes diapers, reads to them and teaches them letters and reading, numbers, shapes, colors and Scripture. How God is preparing his heart for manhood! What an amazing gift!


James also loves going outside and has started pulling up kudzu to hopefully make space for the garden we all want. He also wants chickens, goats and sheep! He probably wants a goat more than anything else. How we see God raising up to be a hard worker as unto the Lord and we know it's not our own doing.

We are so thankful for James! We are always amazed at him and what God is teaching him. We are so excited to see what God will do with this boy's life!

Father, thank You for the gift of James! Thank You for saving him by your grace. Thank You for the work You are doing in his heart and growing him in Christlikeness. Please continue to grow his faith and trust in You. Guide us as we teach James Your ways and help him discern what You have for his life. Thank You that You are always working and that You use everything to guide Your people and bring You glory. May James glorify You and You only in his life. In Jesus's Name, Amen


Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Year 35

How do I describe year 35?


It's been a whirlwind of a year. This year we have bought a house, spent weeks getting settled and accustomed to a new place, I've school 4 children officially and started 6 recently, I've found out I am a mom to 9 children, I've learned how to really make real food as Jim transitioned to a full time job that has him gone until 7:30 pm four days a week, I've grown in the knowledge of the goodness of the Lord and watched as He has answered prayers in so many areas of life. And that's just a brief overview.

Normally I have so much to say, but this year words seem to escape me!

God continues to change and mold me into His image as I constantly fail to be the woman I desire to be. But every failure leads to more growth and more knowing the deep love of the Savior! By His grace I'm becoming more like Jesus as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and worker. By His grace I'm learning to own my sin and seek to live in His strength and power through the Holy Spirit living in me.

I'm learning what is important and how to evaluate each moment according to the priorities that God has given to me. I'm seeking what it means to be a worer at home both in my home and using my home for work. He is really reminding me about my call to write and working towards getting my other blogs going and getting my book published. But not at the expense of my family. How much I have to learn in all of it, but I'm learning one step at a time.

This year my birthday was full of life. And by life I mean everyday things: sick babies, a quick grocery store run, a doctor's appointment, Jim needing to go to a meeting. But it was a beautiful and wonderful day as I got to snuggle with my babies and do what was needed to care for my family to the glory of God, because that is what life is about! Even on your birthday.

What a blessing to have another year and I pray I have many more in this amazing life God has given me in part of His story! Father, thank You for making me a part of Your story and Kingdom. Continue to teach me how to live my part in it to Your glory!

Even in the chaos, Jim and Lillian made some delicious THM lemon cupcakes for my birthday!