For this child I have prayed...

Introducing Seth Ryan Stanton!

This weekend we had he privilege of attending the dedication ceremony of my dear friends Brian and Mandy's new son. They have been praying and believing that God would be faithful and allow them to be called "Mommy and Daddy" one more time. Two weeks ago, a precious, brave young lady blessed Brian and Mandy through the miracle of adoption. He is perfect and they are absolutely head over heels in love with their new son. We are rejoicing with them as they celebrate this new addition to the family!

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

THIRTeenager!

We are now officially the proud parents of a teenager. Jon and I have been bracing ourselves for quite some time expecting her to breakout into sarcasm and slam every door in the house any minute. So far, its quiet on the home front. We'll keep you posted. LOL.

Happy Birthday Austyn Nadine! What an amazing young lady you are turning out to be..

Sign of the times: everyone gathering around the computer to see the latest video on YouTube. Thankfully, it was just Bon Qui Qui and some Christian comedians they learned about from Mr. Wade (youth pastor). Nothing thrills my soul like the sound of my children laughing, and we get mighty tickled while watching Bon Qui Qui (will post later for those of you who have never viewed this little jewel).

Just another sign of the times: Austyn is sending a text message just before we serenade her with a round of "Happy Birthday". What is the deal with texting? Her phone sounds off at least a zillion times a day..what could be that important? I am certain there will be a new syndrome similar to Carpel Tunnel that is caused by excessive texting. Every young person in the continental US will show symptoms, I am convinced. I do love the new language that has evolved from this means of communication. OMG! Its gr8! I <3>? TTYL.

Taking a break from texting, dancing, singing and video taping the aforementioned activities (via cell phone, of course). There were definitely several future techies in attendance at her party.

We are so thankful that Austyn has such a good group of girlfriends. Each young lady was very polite and really sweet, and we did not detect a single Eddie Haskell in the bunch. Phew!

Lyricosis (a deficiency in lyric clarity)

I don't think there is a human on the planet that suffers more from the dreaded "lyricosis" more than yours truly. If there is a song..I can slaughter it good, if you know what I mean. There in lies the rub, because I do love to sing. Just ask my fellow cave dwellers and they will attest that when momma gets going in the shower, there is some serious hacking of perfectly beautiful and allergoric stanzas. More than anything, I love to worship through song.

I get a good laugh thinking that the great Hashem (The name,Yahweh,Lord,esh oklah..or whatever you call Him) is up there smiling and loving being glorified and at the same time is thinking "Honey, bless your heart..you mean well, don't you?"

Well, today I was removing some old material from the dinosaur laptop to my fresh and speedy one, when I came across an old file of iTune worship songs. You would have thought I had nothing better to do as I belted out some timeless tunes. The study was rocking with "Shackles" by Mary Mary, "Who Can Satisfy (there is a fountain)?", of course, lots of Chris Tomlin and finally "Promise Me" by Aaron Jeffrey. As I sang (and stammered over the verses that I tend to slaughter) I began to really listen to the words that were being poured out and remembered that they would not return void.

They were being sung for me and perhaps for you? Were you one of those women who just found out terrible news about your health? Or maybe you were one of those teenagers who just discovered that your whole world is falling

apart because of a boy or someone who pretended to be your friend..
This is for you, word for word from El Roi (the God who sees you):

Promise Me

It's hard to imagine that I've been there too

I've felt the passion burning in you

Every temptation, oh, I understand

Your savior knows what it is to be a man

CHORUS:

Promise me... promise me...

Before the passion turns to flame

Promise me you'll call my name

Promise me... promise me...

You'll remember these scars of grace

And remember I took your place

Promise me

I know what it's like when the Nightmare comes true

Someone left a cross for me

Like they left for you

Trust me when I say... I've been Where you are

The strength to live again my child is

Hidden in the scars

CHORUS:

Promise me... promise me...
Before the passion turns to flame
Promise me you'll call my name
Promise me... promise me...
You'll remember these scars of grace
And remember I took your place
Promise me

For those who stand, for those who fall

Strength is found in one place

Beneath my cross crying out for grace

CHORUS:

PROMISE ME

Out of the mouths of babes.

Each night at dinner we like to let our children take turns and pray over our meal. Since they have been tiny, we have allowed them to say whatever comes to mind, hoping we will not squelch their attempt at really conversing with God through some sort of rote prayer (no offense, just our approach). Since the day Stephen caught on as to what was going on, he has wanted to be the one to pray and normally we let him sort of babble some (he has not mastered many spontaneous sentences) and another child will pick up the tail end. Well, tonight I turned to him and asked him to pray over our Labor Day meal that was hot off the grill. He smiled and immediately bowed his head and bellowed out "Dur Lood, think you fur chee-burgers, amen" and the whole table erupted in laughter. Hilarious.

That's my girl!

Tonight during the hustle and bustle of getting ready for school after the Labor Day weekend and cookout @ chez Lucas I stumbled across a poem Austyn had written for her class at school. She needed to retype it due to some type of water stain, so I gave it the once-over while she explained what had happened to it. I had to grin as my eyes caught my dear soon-to-be thirteen year old's "Bio-poem".

Austyn

Quiet, smart, kind, caring

Daughter of Jon and Dawn

Lover of puppies, Cooking and shopping

Who feels everybody should know Christ, No Marines should be in danger for their life and nobody should have to be poor.

Who needs sleep, cute clothes and a weekly cream soda or coke float.

Who fears mysterious noises, heights and injuries.

Who gives no tolerance for screaming, no tolerance for being late anywhere I go and gives nothing but neatness.

Who would like to see a stop to crime, 13 year olds who can be trusted with driver licenses and no orphans.

Resident of (our neighborhood).

Lucas

There you have it. If you know our girl, you would have said, "Yes, that just about sums it up".

Needless to say...She rocks. I am blessed and challenged everyday by her strength, leadership and zeal for life (did I mention that she loves ABBA, too?).