It seemed that every time I would glance over at John's mom with Elia, she was praying.
This little one has captured all of our hearts!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Nana and Elia
It seemed that every time I would glance over at John's mom with Elia, she was praying.
This little one has captured all of our hearts!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Easter
Today was Elia's first Easter! We were so blessed to spend it with family. John parents and his grandmother are here to meet Elia and visit family for the weekend. It was also a blessing to see John's Aunt Ruth from Bentonville, Arkansas.
Elia's Blessing
We were honored Friday evening to have our family gather for a time of blessing over Elia. Present for the event were: John's parents, his maternal grandmother, my parents, Derek and Renee and their clan (John's brother), Alex and Heather (John's sister), and Randy and Kelsey Bohlender and their kids (our brother and sister of the heart).
It was a beautiful time of speaking love over Elia, reading the Word over her life, and hearing the prophetic stirrings from the heart of the Lord for her.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Elia
A friend told me the other day that she remembered an old song from the 80's that was about a young woman name Elia, though she said she thought it was spelled Elya in the song. All she could remember that was one line said "Elya will teach them to pray".
After a tiny bit of digging I found it!
She told me when I found it not to be surprised if the lyrics were prophetic over our Elia's life! (By the way, Elia and Elya are both pronounced El-ee-a, hope that helps some of you who haven't heard us pronounce her name yet!)
The song Elya is from Silverwinds album "A Song in the Night"
The lyrics are as follows:
Elya
By Georgian Banov and Besty Hernandez
She has a smile on her face
She has a name like a flower
Her laughter is music and grace
That comes from mysterious power
Elya will tell about Jesus
To children behind iron walls
Where truth is forbidden and sentenced to prison
Her country believes what is false
Elya will teach them to sing
Elya will teach them to pray
And the love that she’s giving to children will never die
Elya you must not give in
Elya you know you will win
You’ve planted your seeds underground
And they’ll reach to the sky
Her Bible is stained with her tears
Under the bed where she hides it
She comforts her mother from fears
And they pray every night no one finds it
Elya spend years in a prison
For teaching the children the way
They tried to break her
But nothing could shake her
They can’t take the Spirit away
Elya- A True Story
This song was inspired by the faith and courage of Elya Kasper, a young school teacher. In 1977 she was condemned by her government to four years in prison for teaching her students the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
After a tiny bit of digging I found it!
She told me when I found it not to be surprised if the lyrics were prophetic over our Elia's life! (By the way, Elia and Elya are both pronounced El-ee-a, hope that helps some of you who haven't heard us pronounce her name yet!)
The song Elya is from Silverwinds album "A Song in the Night"
The lyrics are as follows:
Elya
By Georgian Banov and Besty Hernandez
She has a smile on her face
She has a name like a flower
Her laughter is music and grace
That comes from mysterious power
Elya will tell about Jesus
To children behind iron walls
Where truth is forbidden and sentenced to prison
Her country believes what is false
Elya will teach them to sing
Elya will teach them to pray
And the love that she’s giving to children will never die
Elya you must not give in
Elya you know you will win
You’ve planted your seeds underground
And they’ll reach to the sky
Her Bible is stained with her tears
Under the bed where she hides it
She comforts her mother from fears
And they pray every night no one finds it
Elya spend years in a prison
For teaching the children the way
They tried to break her
But nothing could shake her
They can’t take the Spirit away
Elya- A True Story
This song was inspired by the faith and courage of Elya Kasper, a young school teacher. In 1977 she was condemned by her government to four years in prison for teaching her students the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Destiny
Dave Sliker's recent post on the destiny of his children has provoked me to share some of my thoughts of late on my own children's destinies.
I have been thinking lately of the solemn responsibility that John and I have of shepherding our children into their destinies. It provokes me to lean hard and to pray often for much wisdom in my life. Every day we are responsible to nurture the destinies of four amazing children. Oh, Father give me wisdom and great revelation!
John reminded me last night as I was pacing with a fussy baby and speaking rest over her, that caring for her was an act of worship. Mom's out there, do you get that? Every time you care for "the least of these" you are doing it to HIM. The King of all Kings is captivated by your tenderness and your sacrifice as you nurture those He has entrusted to you. Judson Cornwall shared with a frustrated mother, that even though she was no longer able to serve the way she had served and do the things she had always done before, that her act of caring for her children was an "act of worship". I have held that in my heart for years as a reminder during the times when I could not even get a shower because someone small needed me.
Yesterday in the Prayer Room, a dear woman of God walked up to me as I was holding Elia, laid her hand on Elia's head and said, "She's been rescued. She just got her destiny back!" I look into this little ones eyes, and I see greatness. I see someone truly remarkable. I see one that God reached down and rescued. It blows my mind, and sobers me with the seriousness of the responsibility before me.
So today, I am unshowered at 11:15AM. I smell like baby puke. I am tired. But I tell you this I am blessed to be holding a young woman of great destiny in my arms and I would not want to be anywhere else.
I have been thinking lately of the solemn responsibility that John and I have of shepherding our children into their destinies. It provokes me to lean hard and to pray often for much wisdom in my life. Every day we are responsible to nurture the destinies of four amazing children. Oh, Father give me wisdom and great revelation!
John reminded me last night as I was pacing with a fussy baby and speaking rest over her, that caring for her was an act of worship. Mom's out there, do you get that? Every time you care for "the least of these" you are doing it to HIM. The King of all Kings is captivated by your tenderness and your sacrifice as you nurture those He has entrusted to you. Judson Cornwall shared with a frustrated mother, that even though she was no longer able to serve the way she had served and do the things she had always done before, that her act of caring for her children was an "act of worship". I have held that in my heart for years as a reminder during the times when I could not even get a shower because someone small needed me.
Yesterday in the Prayer Room, a dear woman of God walked up to me as I was holding Elia, laid her hand on Elia's head and said, "She's been rescued. She just got her destiny back!" I look into this little ones eyes, and I see greatness. I see someone truly remarkable. I see one that God reached down and rescued. It blows my mind, and sobers me with the seriousness of the responsibility before me.
So today, I am unshowered at 11:15AM. I smell like baby puke. I am tired. But I tell you this I am blessed to be holding a young woman of great destiny in my arms and I would not want to be anywhere else.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Isabelle's Photography
Isabelle captured this moment and chose to photograph this in black and white, perhaps inspired by our recent visit with friend and photographer Shelley Paulson
I think it's lovely!
I think it's lovely!
Elia Meets Mema and Papa
My mom and dad are here visiting from Pennsylvania. I'm so happy to have them here! They are enjoying their grandchildren, and are getting lots of cuddles in with their newest grandchild, Elia Jane!
Baby Picture Junkies
Some of you have made confessions that you have become addicted to the Baby Elia photos on this blog. I'm supposing that you're going through withdraw the past few days of my lack of blogging! I apologize! The redeeming factor is that many of you have been able to see her up close and personal!
We are all adjusting to life as a family of 6 just beautifully. The kids are in love and are amazing helpers!
My parents are here to visit this week, and we're having a blast with them. John's parents will be in town on Thursday evening! We are excited to have both sets of grandparents here at the same time!
I promise to post pictures later tonight or tomorrow morning, but I wanted to let you all know we are happy and doing well!
We are all adjusting to life as a family of 6 just beautifully. The kids are in love and are amazing helpers!
My parents are here to visit this week, and we're having a blast with them. John's parents will be in town on Thursday evening! We are excited to have both sets of grandparents here at the same time!
I promise to post pictures later tonight or tomorrow morning, but I wanted to let you all know we are happy and doing well!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
BIG NEWS
My nephew Justin asked Jesus into his heart last night! We are very excited! (Jordan the bear asked Jesus into his heart too just for the record).
Justin is now on a mission to share the love of Jesus with all his unsaved friends so they can know Jesus too!
We Rejoice!
Elia Jane: 3 Weeks Old
Elia was three weeks old yesterday! She is our joy and our delight! Our thanks to all of you for welcoming her home with love! We are excited that Elia will be meeting both sets of grandparents in the next two weeks!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Prayer Room Outing
Word cannot explain how it feels to walk in the prayer room with a newborn, knowing that this is the environment that she will come to know and love. We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to raise a little one here in this place. Last night the set was a "Worship with the Word" and there was a sweet presence of the Lord. Elia was so content and so peaceful. She only let out one squalk, and that of course was in a moment of silence in the room!
Sunday, March 25, 2007
New Pants from Nana
Sorry Nana, I love the pants, but they are a little too big still!
Love,
Elia Jane
Love,
Elia Jane
Thursday, March 22, 2007
The Cloud Family of LAHOP
We were so blessed to meet Rick and Cyndi Cloud of Monroe, LA who hosted us our last few nights in Louisiana. Along with their daughters, Jennifer and Julie, and Jennifer's fiance Francois, they run LAHOP.
We are honored to call them friends!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
We're HOME!
Photos to follow I promise!
Just a quick note to let you all know we arrived home this morning at 1;30AM. The kids were wide awake awaiting the arrival of their baby sister. They are smitten! We were up til 3AM loving on Elia. Isabelle gave her 2AM feeding. I'm pretty sure that was a once only thing, but it sure was fun!
She was greeted this morning by three happy siblings who took turns feeding her, burping her, bathing her, and just plain gazing upon her beauty! John and I are grateful for our two weeks of bonding time, because the kids are having their turn now! And we are loving every minute of it!
Elia by the way will be on INSIDE EDITION tonight at 6:30PM (central time).
Just a quick note to let you all know we arrived home this morning at 1;30AM. The kids were wide awake awaiting the arrival of their baby sister. They are smitten! We were up til 3AM loving on Elia. Isabelle gave her 2AM feeding. I'm pretty sure that was a once only thing, but it sure was fun!
She was greeted this morning by three happy siblings who took turns feeding her, burping her, bathing her, and just plain gazing upon her beauty! John and I are grateful for our two weeks of bonding time, because the kids are having their turn now! And we are loving every minute of it!
Elia by the way will be on INSIDE EDITION tonight at 6:30PM (central time).
Monday, March 19, 2007
LAHOP
We made it to LAHOP in Monroe, LA yesterday early afternoon! We are so blessed to be resting here in the presence of God. LAHOP is run by Rick and Cyndi Cloud and their daughters Jennifer and Julie. They purchased a small house a few blocks from their own where the house of prayer resides. Whether through live worship sets, recorded music, or the KC-IHOP webcast, LAHOP maintains the sweet presence of the Lord 24/7. We are blessed to be sleeping in a lovely bedroom just off of the prayer room.
As I write, John is playing a set and Elia is sitting at his feet in her car seat soaking up the beauty and goodness of the Lord. Last night John played awhile before bed. I was giving Elia her bottle in the PR just before he sat down to sing. The minute he started playing/singing, she pulled away from her bottle and turned her head wide eyed to listen to her daddy.
What an honor it is to be resting here today! We long to return home to Nick, Taylor, and Isabelle who are eagerly waiting to meet their new sister, but we are blessed to be waiting her at LAHOP. God is so good!
As I write, John is playing a set and Elia is sitting at his feet in her car seat soaking up the beauty and goodness of the Lord. Last night John played awhile before bed. I was giving Elia her bottle in the PR just before he sat down to sing. The minute he started playing/singing, she pulled away from her bottle and turned her head wide eyed to listen to her daddy.
What an honor it is to be resting here today! We long to return home to Nick, Taylor, and Isabelle who are eagerly waiting to meet their new sister, but we are blessed to be waiting her at LAHOP. God is so good!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Baby's Day Out
Elia is out of the hospital! We were discharged bright and early, before lunch! Her first day out was full... nap with mom and dad, bath time, and dinner out! We're all about to crash now and enjoy a quiet evening and the first of many "interrupted sleeps"! Blessings to you all for following our journey.
We're headed to Monroe, LA to LAHOP, Louisiana House of Prayer, where we will actually get to stay at "the house of prayer" (it's housed in a home that has bedrooms available for guests!" Pretty cool
We may not have the opportunity to blog again til we get home! Pray our paperwork comes back so that we can travel home with our little bundle on Monday!
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