42 days and counting!!!

Wow! I really can't believe that Davin will graduate in 42 days! It's so exciting to think of where we will be next and what the Lord has planned for us after graduation. As of right now, we are waiting on the Lord. I found so much peace and comfort in the words of this hymn this morning. I just had to share it with you.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future.

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

We have no idea where we will be going, but we know that the one who is able holds the future. Our lives are so worth living, because He lives!

As we think about what's next we also think about all the wonderful memories and friends we have made. My dear friend Chandra and I have been in very close contact these last few weeks. I think we have come to the realization that fun outings and our kids playing together at the park will soon be coming to an end. Last week we took the kids to the mall and let them play in the kiddie play area. Here is a shot of Hudson and Madelyn. She is the one Hudson says he's going to marry one day. Here is one of Madelyn, Hudson, and Naomi. Catharine enjoyed the play area too. I just didn't get a photo of her playing.
The other day Hudson decided to pull all of his toys out of his toy box. He was trying to find a car (Don't ask which one, he carries a new one around with him everyday!)
I don't think he found the car, but he had fun playing in the toy box, once it was empty.
Well, AWANA has official ended for the year. Hudson did such a good job. He memorized all his verses and earned all his patches. Here he is with his friend Nicolas. We had an awards ceremony on Sunday for AWANA. I forgot my camera. Nicolas' mom sent me these photos. Thanks Julie!

Here he is with some of his cubbies friends on our last night. Corey Perrott is playing a fun game with them. He loves cubbies and has had a wonderful experience. His leaders were amazing and I am so grateful for all they do. My prayer is that where ever we are next there will be an AWANA program.
Okay, so here is our chore motivation shot. In order to motivate Hudson I showed him a photo of his friend Anna Kate doing her chores. (Her mom posted it on their blog) Of course, I had to do the same. So, here he is working hard! He earns a penny for every chore he completes. On Saturday we count up his money and pull 10% out for his tithe and 10% to save. The rest is his to save and spend. He really is a big help, and Naomi helps out too. It's amazing how much they are capable of doing.

Word of God Speak

Hebrew 4:12-13 Says:
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

Today I feel that I had a major break-through with Hudson. As many of you know he is 3 going on 13. We have been working with him on his rebellious spirit and bad attitude. Many times after we correct him he refuses to say he's sorry. And honestly he's not. (I know b/c he tells me) Well, this morning during our devotional time I read him the story of the Lost Son (Luke 14:11-32). We talked about how the son was selfish and went his own way. We also talked about the consequences of our sin. After devotion, we went on about our day doing chores. Hudson decided that he wasn't going to do any chores today. Needless to say we ended up in his room for some correction. Earlier that day after a spanking he asked me to take the spanking off his booty. I reminded him that our sins are forgiven, but our consequences stay with us, just like the sting of a spanking. We talked about how he couldn't do it on his own, and that he needed Jesus to help him have a better attitude. I asked him to pray with me to ask Jesus to help him. He refused and then as angrily as he could he said "I'm not going to, I'm going to have a bad attitude all day!" I just looked at him and said "Hudson you are like the lost son". Well, praise the Lord! His word cuts deep. Hudson immediately looked at me and said he was sorry and sat in my lap. I gave him a big hug and then we prayed together asking the Lord to exchange his bad attitude for a good one. I just have to praise the Lord for his word! Oh, how God's word is living and powerful. Some days are long, but I refuse to grow weary or give up. Everyday I have a chance to invest in the Kingdom of God.

Here is a fun picture of Hudson. He decided to make himself a bow tie, using one of Naomi's hair bows. This is Naomi sporting her first PONYTAIL! What an exciting day for me!

I thought it would be fun to post some of Hudson's funny quotes of the week.

Hudson praying for Daddy before he took his mid-term said
"Jesus, help Daddy do this testament, Amen"

At dinner the other night:
"Uh-oh, somebody forgot to give me my broccoli."

The Saturday night before Easter Davin went through the evang-a-cube with Hudson. He left the cube on the part where Jesus was buried so that in the morning they could talk about Jesus' Resurrection. So all week Hudson has had the cube saying, "Jesus is broken in the tomb, on Sunday morning we'll talk about it."

After Davin threw Hudson on the bed like a fish at the market:
"Dad, throw me on the bed like a market pig"

"I need my phone heads" (headphones)