What I Like About You

Ephesians 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Even before working on Ephesians 4:29 this week as our church's fighter verse (memory verse), it has been a growing conviction of mine that I need to build my children up more with my words. It can seem that correction is constant some days. I get discouraged, the kids get discouraged, it creates an unpleasant environment when I correct my children and forget to build them up with love in God's Word. My favorite Colombian Brewed, this is just a quick snapshot of what I like about you...

Noah

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7

Noah, you are a confident little man. Your enthusiasm for everything you do is an inspiration to me. You make me laugh and my days are full of adventure stories from you. You are dynamite, wrapped in super-hero costumes, learning to follow our true Hero, Jesus Christ.

Corinn

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14

How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

Daniel 4:3

Corinn, your awe and wonder at God's creation and your thirst for knowledge about plants and animals is amazing. You love to observe and learn about all that God has done in the world around you. You teach me to be thankful and amazed at God's work in creation. You are my strong and tender hearted child.

Aliah

The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;

Psalm 19:7-8

Aliah, it brings joy to my heart to watch you delight in simple things, to find joy in things that are often taken for granted, like bugs, quiet worship music, and playing at the park. It is a joy to watch as God teaches you and as you learn to rejoice in heart over His precepts. You are sensitive, artistic and creative, learning to love and trust and forgive.

Serena

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

John 1:16

Serena, your love and mercy toward me, as I struggle to learn to love well as a mom, has been evidence of grace upon grace in your life and has been an abundant blessing to me. Thank you. You have a servant's heart and a tender spirit. Your love and care for others is a blessing to all of us. You are gentle and full of grace.

Maria

For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;

at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Psalm 92:4

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

Maria, thank you for your joy in daily life, for jumping in to the middle of our Colombian Brewed and adding a contagious joy and laughter to our days, for being quick to forgive as we stumble through life together. My heart rejoices to see that the joy of the Lord is your strength. You are bright with a love of learning and reading that fills your days. Your patient endurance and joy are a delight in our home.

Hugo

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Hugo, I am so thankful for God's sustaining grace in your life and in your heart as you learn to trust His good plans for you. Your are an incredible young man and a wonderful big brother to all of our Colombian Brewed and to your sweet sisters far away. You are a talented athlete and artist and your perseverance in life has taught me much.

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I could go on and on about how much I love my children, how thankful I am for them, and how much I learn from them daily. There just isn't enough room in blogspace to declare all that God has done and continues to do in and through their lives. I am thankful for each of you, my Colombian Brewed!