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
