Yesterday, in homeschool, we read a touching story from our book Stories from Africa about a little girl named Titi, who was able to sing in the midst of suffering because she gave her heart to Jesus.

Tears came to my eyes as I read this story while I’m also reading the stories written by bloggers on a trip to Kenya of orphans in Africa who are finding hope through the work of Compassion International.

In the end, this little girl’s faith helped others to discover their need for a relationship with Jesus and they also gave their hearts to Him.

When we finished reading the story yesterday, EA looked at me and in the most serious tone said, “Mommy, I don’t want to give my heart to Jesus…”

To say that this was not the reaction I would have hoped for at the end of such a compelling story of faith would be an understatement. I just looked at EA as she continued on with, “…because I want to keep my own heart“.

I can see how the thought of giving your heart away could be scary to a five-year old little girl who takes so many things so very literally.

And at the same time I see that there are many older people who haven’t given their heart to Jesus for the very same reason….they want to keep their own heart that is full of selfishness and sin.

I tried to gently explain to my daughter that giving your heart to Jesus doesn’t meant that you don’t actually have your heart anymore.

That when you give your heart to Jesus, he gives you a new, heart that is much better than your old one.

That He even comes to live inside your new heart and is with you always.

To be your friend.

MC piped in with, “No! Jesus is in heaven, Mommy!”

I answered, “Yes, He is in heaven, but his spirit also comes to live in your heart when you give it to Him.”

To further ease EA’s fear over giving her heart away, I told her that when Mommy was a girl, that I gave my heart to Jesus like the little girl in her story.

I didn’t do this to persuade her into making a decision that she isn’t ready for, but to simply ease a fear.

And she replied with, “Okay, Mommy, I can give my heart to Jesus just like you.”

It is my prayer that my children will follow Jesus, that they will love Him and grow in His love, that they will give their hearts to Him.

But I also never want to pressure into making that kind of decision before they are ready and before they understand what it means.

I told EA that it was wonderful that she would do that but she can wait until she is ready to giver her heart to Jesus. I told her that she would know when she was ready and she can let Mommy know when she’s ready to give her heart to Jesus like Mommy did and like Titi did in her story.

She said, “Okay Mommy, I’ll tell you. I don’t think I’m ready to give my heart to Jesus yet.”

And MC piped in with, “Well, I’m ready for a snack break!”

Do you ever feel completely insufficient and inadequate to answer the simple questions your children have about God?

I love being able to share God’s love with my children.

I love to watch their minds try to grasp an understanding of who God is, of His love, of His ways.

I love to watch them grow in their love for Him and His word.

It is my biggest prayer that I can be of use to God in sharing my love for Him and my faith in Him with my children, the children He has blessed me with so abundantly and who I love so dearly.

I read this passage this morning and was struck by the sheer unwavering faith of Habakkuk in his prayer. There is an unwillingness in his voice to do anything but rejoice in the Lord and be joyful in God.

No matter what comes.

No matter the hardships that he faces.

No matter the uncertainty of his days.

I want to be like that.

I want to know that no matter what, I will rejoice and I will be joyful.

My husband and I have a regular date night on Wednesday nights when our little ones are in choir and AWANA programs at church.

It is a great opportunity for us to have some alone time together without having to pay for a babysitter.

We usually go out to eat someplace nearby.

But this week we did something a little different.

We didn’t need to go out to eat since we took the girls out for their birthday dinner before church activities.

So, instead we found a quiet corner perfect for a reading date at Paneara Bread.

Keith drank coffee and I sipped on hot tea in an attempt to sooth a sore throat while reading our books and enjoying quiet conversation between pages.

I was reminded of just how much I enjoy hot tea and how I love spending time reading with my husband by my side.

What do you do to spend time dating your husband?

Note: This post is being linked to Finer Things Friday at Amy’s Finer Things and Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

Thank you all so very much for your sweet birthday wishes to my girls on their special day yesterday.

They had a wonderful birthday celebration.

The day started out with lots of excitement as they woke up before their Daddy left for an early work day. I thought they may sleep in because as I tucked them into bed on Tuesday night, EA said that it would take lots of sleep to turn five. Well, apparently it didn’t take all that much and there was no such luck for mommy!

When Will woke up and joined us, I got busy making our favorite special breakfast, Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast, served with fresh strawberry slices and topped with whipped cream.

The girls had a lazy morning of watching the Sunny Side Up Show on Sprout as I cleaned the kitchen and readied myself for the day.

I thought I was super-mom by decorating our dining room with a special birthday tablecloth and setting out cupcakes, cake, and presents on Tuesday night. I found out that I may have made a mistake when Will, the girls little brother, opened one of their presents as I was upstairs drying my hair.

MC came running to me and told me that Will found a new book in the homeschool room. I had to explain that, no, that new book was a birthday present, her very own Bible. She was excited about it even through she didn’t get to open it herself and said that she would take it to chapel with her on Sunday.

After lunch, Keith came home from work bearing big girl bicycles for our five year old girls! They were so surprised….they were not expecting these at all!!

We’re planning to take them to pick out helmets, and knee and elbow pads this weekend before taking them riding. In the meantime, they’re practicing riding around the downstairs.

Once their daddy got changed from work, the girls opened their remaining presents from us and their grandparents. They were so thrilled with and thankful for everything…thank you Grandma, Grandpa, Nanny and Papa!!

We began the tradition of having a strawberry cake for EA and a chocolate cake for MC on their third birthday. This year, EA requested strawberry cupcakes and MC requested a two layer chocolate-chocolate cake.

The afternoon was spent playing with their new doll house and calling grandparents to thank them for their presents.

We went to Applebee’s for a birthday dinner before ending the day with Children’s Choir and AWANA. Applebee’s has become our favorite family spot for eating out, especially because with their 99cent kids meals and half-price appetizers, we were able to eat out there for less than it would have cost at most fast food places.

During bedtime prayers last night, EA prayed that they would have a good day today “being five”. It is my prayer that everyday of being five will be good for them. I’m excited to see all that this year has in store for my two little girls!

EA: “It’s March 3rd!”

MC: “I’m five!”

Happy Birthday sweet girls!

Linked to: Wordful Wednesday at Seven Clown Circus and Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom

I’m spending today reminiscing about my little girls.

My little girls who seem to be getting bigger by the minute.

You see, today is their last day of being four and that makes me just a little bit sad.

Already, they seem to be acting like “five year olds”.

They’re beginning

to read

and reason

and understand

and ask questions

and love

and make jokes.

Every day with them is a new adventure.

I cherish each moment with my little girls.

I love to see them discover, learn, and grow.

But I also don’t want them to grow up.

I feel time slipping away from me.

Yes, five is still little.

But it seems so much bigger than four.

So much older.

Why is that?

I’m holding on to today, wishing it to last forever.

Because there can be no sadness for this mommy tomorrow.

No, tomorrow is promised to be a day of celebration.

A princess celebration.

For my two princesses who are eagerly awaiting their special day.

The waiting has been hard but they have made it. Just this morning, EA proclaimed that they “made it to March!“.

Today, on this last day of four, I’m taking a little picture walk down memory lane.

And you’re invited to join me.

Note: This post is being linked to Tuesday Unwrapped at Chatting at the Sky.