days of small things

 My sweet Oli's birthday. He is such a blessing to me. Thank you Lord for this man. 

  A picture of the diner after Jackie spilled a bag of Trailmix. Thank you Father for these small reminders from the hand of Your servant that I ought to cherish my children. 

 My sweet, shy, and sensitive boy is growing up! He is still sweet, shy, and sensitive, and yet brave! Just last year, you could not have told me that this guy would be holding a gecko! And making it his business to catch lizards and pet cats and dogs. I am so proud of him. Father thank you for the Faltz boys who are such a good example to our boys. Help me to be careful to encourage but not make this ultimate. Save him Oh Lord! Bind his identity to you and nothing else! Whether he is afraid or bold he might bring you glory in all that he does.  *pictured: our brave son, holding a pet gecko at a family from church's home

  My sweet Oli was recently admitted to the Institute of Reformed Biblical Studies (IRBS)! We are so thankful as this is an answer to prayer! Back in 2018 we went to Oviedo to RTS' orientation and by God's providence, nothing came of it. Then there was talk briefly about CBTS, to no avail.  We waited and waited.  I know Oli grew discouraged and even questioned himself on whether the Lord did call us to ministry.  But the Lord has opened this door WIDE and has provided for us in ways we could not have seen! I am so thankful! In His perfect timing and His exceedingly and abundantly-ness!  Lord we receive this cup of kindness yet.  Thank you Lord!

So the internet is down and Oli was helping me figure it out.  I opened my laptop to check connectivity and the last page that I was on pulled up. It was a Wikipedia page on George Cowper. I had been looking up poems on prayer, as I try to organize my prayer life in a helpful way.  Oli saw it and said " George Cooper, hmm why does that name sound familiar?" Me: It's George COWper.  Oli: Oh, it's pronounced Cooper.  Of course it is. My resident theology/church history expert of course knew this.  facetopalm. And he was so gracious about it too.   So that led him, of course, to pull out one of his absolute favorite books: Bruce Shelley's Church History in plain language.  And 2 hours later I'm getting a history lesson on Christian Abolitionists (of which COOper was one) Harriet Beecher Stowe's family's connection, and a secret society.   He is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to this stuff. He loves it so much. As I lay on the bed watching,...