The beauty of a child!

So I just need to take a minute to brag about my children. I hope you don't mind me doing so! A few weeks ago Rachel and I and the kids were eating lunch. Rachel and I were having a conversation about theology and the church. Elias began talking when he heard us talking and so we asked him what he had to say. And he said, "I think God died so he can rescue people." I about started to cry right then and there. I can assure you that Rachel and I had not said anything about that in our conversation at that time. Since then, I have written Elias' quote down and put it on our refrigerator like any good parent does...ha! It's so beautiful when a 3 year old gets the simple truth of the Kingdom of God. Maybe that's why Jesus said we must change and become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

Now, I don't want to leave Jael out. For the last few weeks our church has been navigating through the Lord's Prayer. So Rachel and I began reciting the Lord's Prayer with Elias each night before he went to bed. Elias picked it up pretty quickly and can recite it easily now. But Jael would often times be in the room when we would practice it with Elias. She is beginning to say a few words now but we didn't think she could say what she did one night about 2 weeks ago. We were getting ready to say our bedtime prayers with our children when Jael began reciting the Lord's Prayer. She got all the way through 'give us today our daily bread.' Again, I think I about started to cry. Rachel and I couldn't believe it. We didn't even know she had been listening each night as we practiced the Lord's Prayer with Elias. Well, 2-3 days later she recited the entire thing. Unbelievable! The funny thing is, she doesn't articulate the words real well, but I know exactly what she's saying. In saying that, I'm pretty sure I sound the same way when I pray, and I'm grateful that God knows exactly what I'm saying.

Our family and our church are doing well in Eugene. We would continue to ask for you to pray for our church. Please be asking God to draw hearts to himself. Please pray that we would be sensitive to his leading and that we would live out the words of 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15)

Clint