The Harvest Is Ripe

I haven't been able to blog much lately, and I feel as though my brain is going to explode with all the thoughts, feelings, emotions, and more that have been stored up inside without an opportunity to get out into the virtual world!

For starters, my baby girl turns ONE YEAR OLD tomorrow!  Where, oh where, did the time fly by?!  We had her birthday party yesterday (pictures posted on facebook), and I am determined to blog about that and Kellah in general tomorrow.

Our big girl Coralyn continues to surprise and amaze me on a daily basis.  Before she was even born, we prayed she would be observant and curious, paying attention to the people and things around her.  Boy did God answer that prayer!!!!  We can be driving along, and she will point out the smallest thing on a sign or explain to me how to get to someone's house -- providing turn by turn directions (she must have gotten this trait from her Daddy!).  She will remember what I say, VERBATIM.  Even if I just tell her something one time, in passing, she will be able to recall my words -- WORD FOR WORD.  This can be a very scary thing, as I have to watch what comes out of my mouth very carefully.  This is also a huge blessing.

Like the other night when we were doing our Christmas story cards.  Our children's pastor at church, Jeanne Hewitt, created these so that the Christmas story is divided up into 25 short segments.  On day 1, you read the first card.  On day 2, you read cards 1 and 2.  On day 3, you read cards 1, 2, and 3.  So and on so on until you get to December 25 and read the entire Christmas story.  By building to the story each day and repeating the story over and over, children (and adults) become so familiar with the story that the memorize it without even trying.  Or at least that is what Coralyn has done.  Lawrence got out the cards and was going to start reading through the cards, but before he could begin, Coralyn interrupted, "No, no, no.  Tonight I am going to read the story to you!"  We figured we would amuse her and give her a chance to tell the story in her own words.  Oh us of little faith...

Coralyn dives into the story, "An angel appeared to Mary and told her, 'Don't be afraid.  You will have a baby and will name Him Jesus.'"

Next card, "An angel came to Joseph and told him, 'Don't divorce Mary.  She is going to have a baby and you need to name Him Jesus.'"

Third card, "Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem to have baby Jesus."

"When they got to Bethlehem, there was no room for them, so they found a stable and there was room there.  Mary had baby Jesus and laid him in the manager.  She wrapped him in clothes."

"Then angels appeared to the shepherds and told them, 'Don't be afraid.  I have good news. Baby Jesus was born!  You will find Him in Bethlehem in a manager.'"

"So the shepherds said, 'Let's go find Baby Jesus!' and they went to Bethlehem to find Baby Jesus in the manager."

That's as far as the cards went for that day.  I am sure when we get to the part about the "three wise men," Coralyn will recount their visit word for word as well.  I overheard her this afternoon "teaching her class" in her room, and she was explaining to her students, Grammy and Daddy, about why Jesus had to come to earth, how He was born in a stable, how shepherds came to visit him, and then how kings came to see Baby Jesus too and brought him presents.

I did have to laugh this morning after church, though, as Coralyn shared with us what she learned in her class today.  I don't remember exactly what she said, but somehow Baby Moses was right there in the stable with Baby Jesus.  I guess she doesn't have the entire Bible memorized perfectly yet!  But, for a three-year-old, I would say she is doing pretty darn good!  I am so proud of her.  And challenged by her too, for that matter.  She pushes me to be a better parent.  If she is soaking everything up like a sponge, then how much more should I be intentional about teaching her Bible verses, talking about stories from the Bible, and living out God's Word before her very eyes!

One final thing that I simply must share.  Totally not family related.  But definitely proof once more that the harvest is ripe (just as Coralyn has shown us how tender and ready her heart is to learn about Jesus, even at her young age).  Last week at our Ponca and Beyond Bible study, a new kid came.  When he walked through the door, I had no idea who he was, but casually welcomed him and let him know all the other kids were downstairs playing ping pong and hanging out before Bible study actually began.  Once he headed downstairs, I turned to some of the other moms still there and asked who the boy was.  Evidently, he is a neighbor of the family where we have the Bible study, and their two boys had invited him to come.  I didn't get to be a part of the Bible study much last week because Kellah decided that she needed to be attached to my hip the entire time.  So, while Lawrence talked with the kids, I was upstairs playing with Coralyn and Kellah.  As Lawrence shared part of the Christmas story and then went on to describe how Jesus grew up to die for our sins, the new kid questioned, "What's sin?"  Obviously, this whole Bible, Jesus, sin, and salvation thing was a totally new concept for him.  Lawrence was able to explain how sin is anything we do that displeases God and continued with his train of thought at the time.  After that, Lawrence kept a close eye on the new boy and later reported to me that the kid was soaking up everything he was saying throughout the entire Bible study time.  How awesome is that!

BUT, God is just beginning to work here!  Lawrence talked with the mom where we have Bible study.  Darla shared how the new boy's mom came to her in tears, saying how much her son had enjoyed himself at the Bible study last week, that they haven't gone to church for a long time but have been wanting to get start up again, and that they even ordered a Bible for their son.  She also let Darla know that her son would DEFINITELY be back to Bible study tonight!

When Lawrence told me this, I got goosebumps!
I love seeing God work in the lives of these kiddos, and their families!
Things like this confirm that we are doing exactly what He wants us to be doing, that He is somehow using us to make Jesus known!

As I write this, I think again of the verse where Jesus tells His disciples, "The harvest is ripe.  Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the fields."

That is the very thing Lawrence and I want to be doing -- going out into the fields and reaching the kids in the Kellybrook area.  The harvest is certainly ripe!  As we wait for our house to sell, so we can make the move over there and be involved in the community day in and day out, our hearts are heavy.  We are burdened with the need these boys and girls -- and their families -- have to know Jesus.

Please pray with us that God would send out workers, specifically US, into the fields.  Pray that our house would sell SOON, that we would be able to buy the house God wants, and that we would be effective workers for our Lord in the Kellybrook community.  All the to glory and praise of Jesus' name!