Jim's 39th Birthday

 Jim is 39 years old today. 

It's been a year of adjustment as life on the whole returned to normal, but we added another blessing to our family, which means a different normal off and on. Per usual Jim stepped up. He worked his 40 hour weeks in the PACU, come home to let me rest, deal with any major issues from the day and spend time with our children. On his days off he takes care of projects around the house and we have been working on our family ministry business, The Manor Manor. 

God has been doing some incredible work on Jim!

As our life has been so full, God has been teaching Jim how much he needs God to fill him so he can do the good works God has prepared for him to do. With the working of God comes spiritual warfare and it has been intense. As we press forward it often felt like two steps forward, three steps back as it frequently can with spiritual warfare. But God has been faithful, breaking down walls, dispelling lies and showing Jim that he belongs to God and that means he can do everything that God has called him too with God's help.

He's really grown in discipleship this year and teaching our children to follow God. We've been working on Bible and Breakfast as a family and that has been a great time of discussion, even on mornings that are rushed. Jim's learning so much about what it means to teach and train your children while living a typical lifestyle of America and is preparing to encourage and teach other men to do the same. It's Jim's heart to see fathers leading their family in the ways of God and also to encourage mothers in their journey as well. This year God has show Jim the importance of family and what it means to live out Joshua 24:15, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." It has made Jim want to be a better leader and to grow in his own leadership both inside and outside our home.

As we have been teaching, discipling and evangelizing our children this year, we have developed some tools to help us and others with teaching God's Word and we're excited to make more and help others. 

Father thank You for Jim! Thank You for giving our family a man after Your own heart who wants to lead well, serve well, provide well and teach well. Please continue to grow Jim in wisdom and knowledge and give him Your vision for our family as he leads us. Thank You for giving him the desire to teach and encourage others. Show him how to do these things well as he grows in You. Fill Jim to overflowing with Your Spirit! We pray all of this in Jesus's Name! Amen!

Our 12-Year-Old Lillian

It's been 12 years since Lillian made her whirlwind trip into this world, God protecting her every step of the way when we were unaware of the dangers that were there. Today she adds even more life and smiles to our family with her smile, her laugh, her life.

This year Lillian has grown in knowing God and trusting Him. She is in the Word studying it and learning what it means. She prays for others and herself. She makes sure we are praying for our missionary friends, the people groups we're learning about in school, our friends, and our family. She is learning what it means to be a woman after God's own heart. As she reads God's Word, Lillian is learning how to apply it to her life and how God has created her as a young woman with the talents and gifts He has given to her. Whether caring for family, people, church or home she is always noticing, taking it all in, processing and beginning to act in those ways. She's growing in learning as well, knowing that she needs correction and guidance to be more like Jesus. It's been beautiful to watch her grow in the Truth this past year.

God has made Lillian an incredible baker! She blesses our family with treats regularly. On top of this she is also in the beginning stages of operating her own bakery. This past year and a half she has been making a cake for Jim's unit every month as well as baking for friends and family events. This is her passion and it's so fun to watch her grow in trying different cakes and ingredients. Last month she got rave reviews on her carrot cake (which happens to be her great grandmother's recipe, for whom she was named). She also enjoys baking cookies, brownies and blondies from scratch, and other lesser known desserts like tuiles and tarte tatin also from scratch. She's growing in the finer parts of presentation but her flavors are on point most of the time! She's not afraid to experiment either. God has given her a beautiful confidence to give new recipes a try, usually with amazing results. What an incredible gift that God has given her!

Along with baking, Lillian enjoys reading. If she's not in the kitchen, The American Girl series, Dear America series, and The Baxter Family series are among her favorites that she has read multiple times. Currently she's reading The Blue Fairy Book and enjoying it. 

Lillian also enjoys learning about geography and cultures. She is currently learning where every country is in the world. She also enjoys being outside exploring nature or reading on the grass or in a tree. 

Lillian is also loving having a sister. It is a blessing to watch her with Esther. Even with a ten year age gap they are already building a special bond. They are now sharing a room and Lillian is consistently teaching Esther, making sure she has what she needs, taking her outside and talking to her about what she is doing. It is amazing to see God's love growing between them. What a special gift He has given to Lillian and Esther!

And it doesn't scare Lillian from desiring a family of her own when it's time. God has truly blessed her with a love and desire for family and home. Right now she is learning what that means for how God has created her. It is a joy to watch her grow in Godliness and Biblical womanhood as she learns more about God and herself.

Father thank You, for Lillian and how You continue to grow her in wisdom, in stature and in favor with God and man. Thank You for the joy and life she brings to our family and home! Thank You for giving her Your heart and growing her in Your ways. Thank You for the young woman You are creating her to be. She is such a blessing! Continue to teach her in Your Word and Ways and make her more like Jesus everyday. We pray this in Jesus Name. Amen!