Thank you Jesus. Amen.

You may recall the pictures from last August of Lauren and her new 18" doll, Big Kiki, in which they had matching purple dresses and pink shoes.  One day, we decided that it would be neat for Kiki to also have a ballet outfit like Lauren's.  We set out to find one at Target and ended up with a very sweet story about a misunderstanding that happened while we were there.  The story ended up being the inspiration for a talk that Grandpa Dan made at church:

I am going to share a story about our 2 1/2 year old grandchild, Lauren, but before I do I would like to thank you for all your prayers for Lauren.  She had a safe trip to Baltimore and a good report for her Doctor.  He is happy with her ankle surgery and should not have to return for a year.

When Lauren is at our home for meals, after we say grace, Sandy always, without fail, looks her straight in the eyes and proclaims "Thank you Jesus-Amen".

Always, Lauren, in turn, will do one of two things.  She will either repeat "Thank you Jesus-Amen" and smile or just smile.  At two and a half that is Sandy's goal for Lauren.  To have her smile while associating that with the name Jesus.

A few weeks ago while shopping at Target with her Mom, Lauren spotted a dress for one of her dolls and she managed to persuade her Mom that she had to have it.  Lauren was handed the package and she handed it back and said "open it".  Her Mom told her "no honey, we have to pay for it first".  With that, Lauren, thinking her Mom said "pray for it" she bowed her head and said "thank you Jesus-Amen". Open it!

Out of the mouths of Babes.

We are handed a gift that we do not have to pay for.  That is the gift of salvation.  We do not have to pay for it as that was purchased for us by our Savior Jesus Christ.  All we have to do is receive it.  We receive by:

1. ADMITTING- I have a spiritual need- I am a sinner.
2. BELIEVING- that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross to take away your sins.
3. REPENTING- be willing to turn away from your sins.
4. RECEIVING- through prayer, Jesus Christ into your heart and life.

PRAY FOR THE GIFT- RECEIVE THE GIFT AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO "OPEN IT!"

Romans 6:23- "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord".

Goin' to See Santa

 Her new "cheese" smile!

 Dear Santa...

A previous (but cute) visit to Santa.

 We visited this Santa several times this season...enough times for Lauren to call him her "friend".  She was still a little shy when it came time to tell him what she wanted for Christmas.

She was not shy about talking Daddy into a carousel ride, however.

Christmas Lights in the Park

A Birthday Party for Jesus

The party that Lauren had been talking about for days finally arrived.  It was a birthday party for Jesus with Lauren's preschool class...complete with cake, ice cream, and a book exchange.

Lauren surprised Daddy and I with the Christmas gifts that she made for us.

A while back, we had an assignment of designing a personalized quilt square.  Lauren and I got busy and picked out a picture, ribbon, buttons, and clip art of some of her favorite things.  We added everything to the quilt square with the use of a little thread, glue, and iron-on material.  At the party, we were able to see the finished and very creative class quilt!