Joel! (a very delayed post I didn't want to skip)

Joel is our oldest son and 17 years ago this past December he came into the world weighing 8# 15oz. We joke with him and tell him that I was never the same after his delivery. The truth is that knowing Joel is a true blessing and I will never be the same because I have gotten to know Joel.

Because this is a very late birthday post I thought I would share 5 things about Joel.

#1 - He is a goal-setter. Joel often has a list on a whiteboard in his room with goals he has decided to reach. I love it that often those goals have to do with his walk with the Lord. (But his bed may not be made.) This past fall Joel decided to start running and greatly has enjoyed being a part of his high school cross country team. #2 - He is willing to try something new.


#3 - He is a good big brother. Having several younger siblings that enjoy 'finding' birthday presents for each other you never know quite what you are going to get. But he was a great sport and ooohh'd and aahh'd over each one. *

Pink stickers that say "Cheers".

A little handmade pillow and a personal size tube of used toothpaste.

#4 - Joel has a great sense of humor though it may be hidden from some.* Actually he appears to be hiding in a shower display at the IKEA store here.

#5 - He is going to be a great "poor college student". He's up for a Goodwill shopping trip* to see what we can find for fun and he holds on to his money.

Another present from a sibling.

I know I said I would share 5 things about Joel but as I write this I think I should share #6 as well. It is an encouragement to me that Joel has a growing relationship with the Lord. He is disciplined to be in the Word.
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There is a verse that I think of as I think of Joel:

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"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4

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(*Even though his bed may not be made.)

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Love you Joel,

Mom*

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2010

Last night at dinner we were talking about what was good about 2009. As you can imagine for our kids many of the things that were good were fun things we had done during the year or something special they had received. It was fun to look back at the year with them. I am so very thankful for another year where we saw the Lord's faithfulness, good health, our kids growing and learning. There are so many things to be thankful for in 2009.

Most years we take some time in January to sit down and make some goals for our family for the coming year. Along with those goals we set a family verse for the year. It is wonderful to see how the Lord has used those scriptures in our year and how we can look to them in specific situations as we go through the days.

We don't know what the Lord has in store for any of us in the coming year but we are looking forward to watching the Lord work.

Our family verse for 2010 is:

Mark 12:29-31

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

So ready or not it's here! Happy New Year!