Elijah enjoying a cupcake

at the Nazarene Camp Ground

picnic!

It never ceases to amaze me the effect a child

can have on someone. We spent last weekend

at our chuch campground in Butler, PA. Oh my we sure did have fun! Caleb attended the youth activities. I can't believe we are headed for the teen years, but just like his childhood I know

God's hand will be upon his life. Infact there are many days that if I didn't have that

promise, I would fall apart. Please continue to keep Caleb in your prayers- It's going to take

a mighty work to reach this kid.

Elijah went to the

nursery and just loved the BeeBees (as he calls them) He adores babies. It doesn't matter

where we are as soon as he hears them, or sees them he gets so excited. I love it!

Gary says he's just like his mommy when it comes to the baby bug. I wouldn't mind it a

bit if he is.

A couple of weeks ago Gary preached a sermon on carrying each other burdens.

It was a powerful sermon that really made me think.

You know carrying each others burdens doesn't come naturally.

Infact I put this in to the basket that holds compassion.

Compassion doesn't come naturally either.

We must ask for this character trait. We must ask God to

give us this- Remember when we ask for this He will give it.

So be careful what you ask for.

From a young age I saw compassion played out in my parents' lives.

So I know what compassion is.

I have prayed for my boys to be filled with compassion

so that they too may grow up and touch lives.

The other day we were in Target and Elijah heard a

child crying. This little girl had gotten herself into trouble and

the parents were scolding her. Oh, how she cried.

Upon hearing this, Elijah began to whine and cry.

As if he was hurt.

He grabbed my shirt and hung on tight! Pulling himself out of the

shopping cart and into my arms.

I tried to comfort and reassure him by saying "It's okay

the little girl got herself into trouble and

she is upset."

Well, it wasn't until the little girl stopped crying that

Elijah stopped crying. He kept watching her.

Now, if you ask me he was showing compassion.

But more importantly he was carrying her burden.

Now that is LOVE played out in a BIG way!

As I told Gary this story he asked "is it normal for a 2 year

old to have this quality?"

Well, I have worked with many children and no,

this is not a normal trait.

Infact this is a trait that not

many adults have.

So today I challenge you -

Carry someone's burden!

Caleb smiling pretty for the camera!

(I can't believe how BIG he is getting!)