Jesus' In Her Heart

Tonight was a very special night in our family. Karoline asked Jesus into her heart! Over the last few weeks I have been thinking so much about how you talk about asking Jesus into your heart with your children. I don't know why but we talk about Jesus, trusting Him, that He died for us, etc all the time but I don't think I have ever really explained that we are all separated from Him because of sin until we choose and decide to make him Lord of our lives... It's a personal decision.

We were in Charleston yesterday and my brother and Leigh actually happend to be there too so we got to visit with them while we were having dinner. I even asked them about it and what their experiences were like with Jackson and Pressley. It was great talking with them and I just felt like God was preparing me for a conversation with Karoline.

Well tonight we were watching the coverage of the Tuscaloosa tornado and I was explaining to Karoline about hope in the Lord and that for those who believe in Him may be afraid but they know that the Lord loves them and will take care of them. We talked about heaven and that those who believe in Jesus and ask Him into their heart and to be Lord of their life will go to heaven and be with Him if they pass away. We talked about GiGi. I told Karoline that one day when she wanted to make that decision she could talk to me or TJ and we could explain to her how she can ask Jesus into her heart. She looked at me and said "Can we do that right now?"

Thankfully Anderson was completely distracted by "Cars" the movie :) Karoline and I went downstairs and we talked with TJ. We asked her questions to make sure she understood and she was so excited to pray! We prayed, I cried (of course), and felt His presence in the room.

We called my parent and PopPop to tell them the wonderful news and PopPop prayed for Karoline over the phone.

She already is just an amazing little girl. She LOVES memorizing scripture, she LOVES going to church and loves to help with set up and tear down, and she LOVES talking about inviting her friends to church. She cares deeply for those who don't have mommies and daddies, even the dogs and cats (we pray for them every night!)... I think she will adopt 10 children and 20 dogs if her husband will let her one day :) I love her heart! She's amazing!

When I was putting her to bed we went over some bible verses and we prayed and prayed for those involved with the tornadoes. After, like I do every day, I asked what was her favorite part of the day...

she said "Asking Jesus into my heart!"

I said "You know He is so excited and is probably throwing a party in Heaven right now."

K: "do you think He has balloons?"

Me: "Possibly"

K: "Do you think GiGi is invited to the party? I bet she would be proud of me."

On that note I wanted to cry all over again! But yes, I do know Gigi was invited and she was probably making the cake... a chocolate one of course!

Easter- He is RISEN!

Sunday was just an amazing day at Wellspring Church. We had 308 people attend and over 30 people raise their hands to accept Christ! WOW... but personally it was just mind blowing for me because I saw 3 families that I have been praying for for a LONG time attend!! And I saw many of our members get serious about inviting their friends and their friends came, loved it and it got them even more excited! A friend of mine who is a baby Christian with an atheist husband that said he would NEVER come with her CAME!! This was on our Wellspring facebook page and just brought me to tears....

"Happy Easter Wellspring Church! Service today was great...so glad I decided to wear waterproof mascara. Great sermon Trey, you really moved my soul. Thank you Danielle for welcoming my family with open arms, thank you Suzanne for inviting us and finally thank you Tammy for being a friend to Victor. The boys can't wait to go back next Sunday. Happy to say Wellspring is our new church :)"

The music was amazing, sound system worked, lighting worked, Trey's message was AMAZING, and we had tons of volunteers! I pray this is just the beginning of BIG things as we are LOVING our new location at Myrtle Beach Middle School.

After church we went to Bonefish Grill for lunch... you know I'm not big on cooking... then the Easter bunny came! That was a big hit! After we enjoyed the beautiful weather at the beach and a little time at the pool. Karoline and I made some super yummy cookies too!

My parents were in Atlanta with my brother, Light, Jackson and Pressely celebrating Easter and Jackson was baptized! I am so proud of him! Also, my sweet friend Tammie is visiting this week as what has become our Easter traditional visit! We are really enjoying her being here!

Spring Break... So Far...

Well Spring Break started out pretty interesting... Saturday we spent most of the day playing and watching our friend, Mr. Rob, on TV... he's our meteorologist & also goes to Wellspring. Bad weather was coming through, thankfully missing us, but we know sadly there were many deaths and like almost 200 tornadoes with that storm system.


Then on Sunday, another brush fire started behind out house and we had to keep an eye out while our fire department came and blocked off our street and they worked on the fire. It was crazy but they worked quickly to make sure homes where not threatened...

So after all of that we were ready for beautiful weather and the BEACH... and that is where we have been. It has been WONDERFUL! And... let me just say that my kids have been SO sweet quietly playing in their play room and I have slept until 9am for 2 days in a row... heaven... Hope the rest of the week is this good :)

Easter Traditions...

This year now that the kids are older I wanted to go a little more in depth with explaining the Easter story... honestly, that was my intentions but I never did anything about it. Life is so busy. But I actually had 20 minutes the other night to catch up on my blog roll and came across these great ideas on THIS BLOG! I loved her idea but actually choose to do her friend, Julie's. The basic idea is breaking up the Easter story and reading a little bit each night, then the children hang an Easter ornament that represents the passage read.

Now, I just donated our "Little People" sets & I didn't have time to drive around town finding all the little things so I just looked up images online and had them laminated and will hang them. Since I kind of started a few days late we will have to double up a little... YOU STILL HAVE TIME! Just pick out the one's you want to do with your children.

We have done two days so far and the kids really enjoy it. I think it will become a new tradition. Some of the Bible reading is over their heads but they will hear these stories at school and at church too. Karoline said today "Mom, I prayed that Jesus would come wash my feet but now I'm not sure. I don't think I want him to right now"... So cute!

TJ's First Music Video :)

Sunday morning our friend Brent, who has started his own business making amazing commercials and video stuff, made an impromptu music video out of clips he shot at church on Sunday... for not being planned I was very impressed and I hope he will do some more! I love my amazing husband too who is so talented!

Wellspring... what a WEEKend!

This week we moved into Myrtle Beach Middle School! We are so excited to have more space! TJ has been CRAZY busy working very LONG days and nights with many technical issues but on Sunday morning everything was awesome and we had 183 people attend our first "sneak preview"! Our official "Grand Opening" will be Easter. We are excited about how God is moving! I thought I would share a few cell phone pics and short video to show you...

School cafeteria...

Becomes Kamp Kidspring...

Our 3's, 4's, and 5's

The Gym...

And TJ enjoyed a LONG, well deserved nap on Sunday!

Short video of TJ...

Sweet Converstaion...

Karoline: "Mommy, what if you accidentally had another baby?"
Me: "Not going to happen Karoline. Mommy and Daddy don't need another baby."

Karoline "How about adopt? What about a little girl from China? I want a girl so there are more girls than boys in our family."
Me: "If God wants us to adopt a little girl from China I am sure he will speak to me and daddy."

Karoline: "How can you hear him?"
Me: "It can be hard but you just can. You feel it in your heart."

Karoline: "Well, What if I just send him a message up to heaven?" ...

She also said that if we had another child "not to worry" she would be in charge of it!

Love her heart!!

Karoline's Photo Shoot

One of my sweet friends, Adele, used Karoline as a model for some spring photo's. Karoline was thrilled as she is a natural in front of a camera... I think it's because I always have a camera in my hand :) The pictures are so cute! You would never know that Karoline was completely freezing and it was CRAZY windy! My baby girl is just so beautiful and precious... I don't want her to grow up :)

Daddy & Me Soccer

Anderson started Daddy & Me Soccer two weeks ago. Since life is so crazy I forgot when "games" where starting so we were unprepared. No shoes and his pants where so small. Little man gets neglected in the shopping department (what happens when you have an older sister!).

Anyway, he had fun... shy at first, unsure of what was going on, a little ADD :) But then again its a bunch of 3 year olds! I thought he did really well considering about 4 of the kids ended up being more interested in the sand hole and didn't even attempt to kick the ball. TJ did well too and his blood pressure only got to dangerous levels once or twice :) It's a lesson in soccer for Anderson, a lesson in patience for TJ. We'll see how the season goes... next week, soccer shoes!

Karoline came with pom-poms in hand to cheer Anderson on...

Fists together so he will remember not to touch the ball... so cute!

GOAL!