Thief!

Have you ever noticed how many THINGS can steal your time, joy and peace? Sunday morning, I was thinking how excited I was about getting home and getting busy MEDITATING on God's word, but alas, the THIEF!!!! Actually I suppose I should say THIEVES!

They come in many different forms! Mike decided to make an "executive decision" and up our Dish Network programming to the Top 180. OH NO!!! That includes the Hallmark Channel and all those old movies. I watched a good movie Sunday afternoon and all the time I was thinking that I needed to be reading my bible or resting. "...whatsoever is not of faith is sin!"

Then there is the computer. Even this blog can steal my time with the Lord. I can only justify it in realizing that this is giving me a place to go back to and see my spiritual progress.

I think that knowledge can also be a thief. I notice that some people lose thier humility as they acquire knowledge. I hope that the more knowledge I am exposed to, I can keep my mind fixed on how little that is in God's sight and that's where it comes from in the first place. Knowledge without wisdom is completely useless. I can't help but remember knowledge is what Satan challenged the very first woman with!

Lord, please help me prioritize properly!!

Proverbs 9:10
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

Memorial Day Update

Today is going to be nice;no real pressure except laundry, meals and housework. Anotherwords, Mike is home! We are going to plant the Jasmine today. It has already had 4 blooms open on it and they are beautiful. The smell is not strong yet but I'm sure it will be in the future. I need to feed and water my rose.

It has been really hot the last two days which made for a sweaty visitation on Saturday. I signed up 5 more new children. They were not able to come this Sunday but should be on the docket for the near future.

Bus 5 was #1 again with only 23. Bus 3 was #2 with 22. I think the most of the busses were down very low because of Memorial Day celebrations.

The Lord is really working in my life to answer questions that keep popping up. We had Bro. Steve Currington in the services yesterday. (www.reformu.com) He has a very poignant testimony! I kept wishing that all three of my children were in that service.

I came away with this one statement: "God did not promise to bless BIBLE READERS, but he did promise to bless BIBLE MEDITATORS!!" Isn't that strange! Did I not post something about my thoughts concerning the verse, "Let the words of my mouth and the MEDITATION of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer." I am totally amazed at how God knits everything together to bring a person to the next level.

Don't have time to go into this in much more depth right now but I was challenged!!!

Tomorrow at 3:00, I will be recording my solo for the CD project. Hope that goes easily and well. I am praying that I can be in a place that God can use that song EVERY time it is listened to.

This Friday night at 7:00, Bekah and Spencer will be getting married. I am singing "All We Ask". It was because of Bekah's appeal, back in February of 2001, for someone to help she and Missy and Ryan on Bus 5 that I am in the Bus ministry today. I look forward to seeing what the Lord does in these two young people's lives.

John 3:27 "...A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."

Up To The Minute News Broadcast

Shawn made it to Australia safe and sound. You may read his blog for more info and pictures. www.shawn-c.blogspot.com

Who would have ever thought that I could have known immediately that his plane had landed safely. All that was necessary was a check of Quantas' website and an insertion of the flight number and day expected and they gave me expected arrival and then when they had landed it changed to that status. AND GRANDMA THINKS THAT COMPUTERS ARE BAD!!!!!

We got one recording done yesterday. Actually, all these years at Second Baptist, I have been in a ladies trio. I love three-part harmony. Recently, we had lost a member and gained a member but one of our ladies works in retail and it is so hard to get together anymore until we just quit trying. Mike was going to play for a duet which included Andrea Garber and Leah Black. I was waiting on Mike while they practiced and just suggested that they needed a third part so they let me join them for the song and it was a lot of fun. Leah has a beautiful, high voice so she gives the song that uplifting sound. You may hear the results at www.2ndbaptistchurch.com/music There you will find several songs. Ours is 03 Ladies Trio. We are singing "Blessed Assurance".

To explain, these recordings are the rough copy. There is still work to be done with the adding of other instruments. NEWS FLASH...Mr. Hollembeak removed the recordings from the website. He had not intended for anyone to listen to them until he was finished except for the purpose of the artist making changes. I sure wish I had understood that.

Today we record the Mixed Ensemble. We will be singing a medley of "Hallelujah! What A Savior"/"Nothing But The Blood"/"I Know A Fount"/"I Stand Amazed". I love singing with this group because it has people who are strong and confident so you can really put everything into it.

On next Tuesday, I will record my solo, "It Is Well With My Soul". Mike has a piano solo and will be accompanying the Children's Choir so we still have a bit more to go.

Music has always been such a wonderful part of our lives. I can't imagine having lived through my life without that comfort! I started singing as a young child when my father first began his ministry. My brother and I sang many duets. When I went to college I was in a ladies trio. After I married a man who could transpose, I was able to sing solos. All through our married life, I have sung in a trio. I love to just harmonize. I enjoy seeing God work through music. So many times I have sensed the Holy Spirit as He took a song and breathed life into it and ministered to different people. What a blessing to be able to see that happen.


Psalm 104:33 "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being."

Angelic Protection

I forgot to relate the first incidence of angelic protection this week. On Monday, as we were on our way to the orthopedic doctor for grandma's steroid shots in her knees, we were traveling down Hwy 55 with lots of traffic when I noticed a deer on the side of the road 3-4 car lengths ahead of us. Sure enough he started across the road, was hit by a car three ahead of us on the other side. That threw the deer into the air and it landed in the middle of the road but scooted under the car just ahead of us which had pulled off to the shoulder. We followed onto the shoulder and as they pulled on over the deer, we were stopped right at the body. I had to go around the body which had ended up on the shoulder. I ended up in the grass to go around and safely made it back into the heavy traffic. So many things could have gone wrong in that situation but God was with us and saved our lives one more time!!
Grandma was not even upset but has told a couple of times that I hit the deer.

Thank you, Lord, for your protection!!

Birds, Flowers and Sore Muscles

Yesterday was an eventful day. Grandma and I took ANOTHER trip to St. Lukes to visit with her Cancer specialist and get her mammogram. She has been very irritated at the thought of using a wheelchair but after I gave her no way out, we made it just fine. The only problem is that I parked in the parking garage on a slight incline. So, when we started down to the door, I had to hold onto that wheelchair with all my might to keep her from going lickety split down the hill. So, this morning I am dealing with some pulled muscles in my shoulder. AH YOUTH! (How we long for it!)

The birds are so much fun to watch. We have three feeders right outside the living room window in a tree. I just enjoy watching the song sparrows with their little bright red heads, the cardinals, doves, goldfinches, robins and other sparrows. Every morning they are all a-twitter!

AND, this morning my first Jasmin opened. It is so pretty. I have got to get it settled in a pot with a trellis. I have to keep getting those little tendrils from around the chairs and the violets and the tv.

I am now reading one of the books that I got with my gift certificate from Shawn. It is another book by Jay Adams called "Solving Marriage Problems". It is a small book but from what I read has much good information to glean. I am now reading in Chapter 3 and here is an excerpt:

"In this and the following chapters I shall discuss some of the proximate causes of marriage problems. Obviously, the basic cause is always sin. But sin manifests itself in two ways: in erroneous concepts and in sinful attitudes or practices. In all cases error must be replaced by truth, and sinful practices must be replaced by a new lifestyle that is pleasing to God. Often evil practices grow out of erroneous ideas, though not always."

I almost forgot to relate the incident that happened upon our return from the doctor yesterday. Grandma had not had lunch and was getting hungry before we got home yesterday afternoon at around 4:30. She had heard me tell Mike we were having hamburgers for supper. She does not like my hamburgers although Mike LOVES hamburgers with a big onion, tomato and pickles on it. I make french fries and this is one of his favorite meals though it is a quick one.

Grandma had tried to shame me for cooking him something like that for supper after his hard day at work!!!(truthfully, she didn't want them) She decided that we should try some barbeque. I told her about a place I had seen on bus visitation that someone told me was a good place. So, we stopped there and decided to get three different plates, ribs, beef and pork. Each one had potato salad and cole slaw and Texas toast. When we pulled into the garage, out came Maleah. I had forgotten that she was coming over. She and Casey are leaving tomorrow night with Dave and Katie to make a trip to Florida. They are picking Shannon up and going to Dave and Katie's timeshare condo. So, Maleah came over to visit one more time before the trip.

Well, there we were with only three plates. So, Maleah and I left to go get her a plate. The plates we got had been in styrofoam carryout containers and they had wrapped them in foil. When we got back, Grandma had put those styrofoam plates in the oven to warm them up. They had, of course started melting. She got them out and cleaned up. She had also turned the heat on in the house and it was up to almost 80 degrees in there. WHEW......I had already ridden for almost two hours with windows up. Every thread of my clothes was wet and I couldn't believe it when I came into the warm house. Another incident of angelic protection! She could have set the house on fire with those styrofoam containers!!!!

Lots To Catch Up On

Seems like a lot has happened in the last week. Let's see...well, first of all, Maleah and I cancelled our planned trip to the family reunion in Texas this past weekend. There are so many things going on with Grandma that I don't really feel comfortable leaving her alone with Mike. She has fallen a couple of times lately and it really isn't easy getting her up.

Saturday was a good visitation day. I spent some extra time visiting with one of the teen girls and I love doing that. Also, a sweet mother that has really had some experiences in her young life needed a hug and someone to talk to. She is precious and it is very evident that God is working in her life.

Then Sunday was a beautiful day! I was surprised to have 28 on the bus with two first time visitors. Meredith brought a friend and Pookie brought his aunt who is only a year older than himself.

The church service was good but for the first time in quite a few weeks, there were no moves during the invitation. Bro. Himes looks so defeated when that happens. Many of the new christians were there and accounted for in the morning and we did have visitors.

Today, I took Grandma to the doctor to get shots in her knees. I borrowed the church wheelchair and it was really needed. She moves so slow these days and it is very dangerous to say the least, since she is so weak. Maleah went to Red Lobster with us and I got to get my favorite meal!!! Aztec Chicken with broccoli, squash and carrots, baked potatoe with sour cream and butter, a caesar salad and garlic bisquits and iced tea. YUMMMMMMMMMMY!!! I ate every bite!(yep potato peeling and all-I love the way they soak their potatoes in salt water!)And btw, it was the lunch menu so the portions were not large.

Tonight we went to the church to practice with a trio. Our church music director has decided that all the special music people will record a CD there at the church to give away for those that come to the Christmas Cantata. So, we have lots of practicing and hard work to do extra this week. I'm sure it will be fun and I think it is a great idea to give them away. It is going to be of all old hymns with no more copyright laws applicable. We need extra prayer for this week.

Tomorrow, I will be taking grandma to St. Lukes for her mammogram which she hasn't had done for 2 years now. We have to first go to the Breast CAre Center and have the mammogram done and then go to the doctors office and have him look at it. Thank goodness I have the wheelchair available to me again!

The most exciting news is that Shawn is flying out tomorrow night from Tampa, on his way to Sydney, Australia. He will be gone for 3 1/2 weeks on his job. I wonder if he will meet "The Crocodile Hunter"???? or if he'll come back with an accent!;)
We look forward to seeing lots of pictures and hearing lots of exciting stories.

In my book reading, I ran across a sentence the other day that caught my eye. This is in "Introduction To Biblical Counseling" by John McArthur and Wayne Mack. The sentence was this..."Furthermore, he gave his nationwaide audience the clear message that he has no real confidence in the Holy Spirit's power to immediately transform a person's heart and behavior." Now....that caught my eye. In context it didn't but it rattled my mind a bit. I do remember when we definitely agreed that God could do a miraculous work in a man's heart. My dad strongly preached as a young, vibrant pastor that "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new." And you know, we believed it. But as time has passed and psychology has had its foothold in society, we have begun to believe that it isn't really possible anymore. We have been disillusioned and discouraged. We have seen too many people accept Christ and then fall by the wayside. We haven't really seen too much miraculous changes made. Is it that the conversions we see are man-made? Is it a lack of discipling? I want to know more about that. The Bible does say that Christ makes a difference in a man's life. More study is needed!


2Ti 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Bus 5 is #4!!!!!!!

Wow......Bus 5 could be found battered and bruised on the side of the road yesterday!!! We only had 20! Bus 1 was #1 and they deserved it. They had 23 and they have been working so hard to build that route up. Bro. Chronister does a great job with that. Bus #3 and Bus #6 also had 21 each. So it was a good day for all!

We also had two visitors. Pookie, who came last week, brought his mother and his little brother Logan(6 months old) with him. Renee is very young. She is not married to the father. Their father is from Thailand and he went back home for a couple of weeks shortly after I first visited with them. He is back now. I asked Renee if she wanted me to take her to the Bykota class, which is an all ladies class or if she thought Nook would be coming with her and would rather be in a couples class. She said that he was a bit confused in the religion area these days. He had gone back to Thailand on that trip to become a Buddhist monk but she thinks he just did that for his grandmother. I told Bro. Himes about it and hope that maybe he can make a visit there and help this couple out.

Mothers Day was very uplifting for me. Ryan came to church and surprised me! That was such a blessing. We got to spend a little time with him as he went to eat with us at "Ryans". I tried to get him to ride the bus with me on the trip home but he declined. Someday maybe he will do that again. I have kids ask me about him a lot!

Maleah did the unthinkable!! She bought me a dress! That is hard for me to do but she did it and the dress really did fit!!! I am impressed! It was a beautiful dress and fit all the criteria. It is washable, no slits, not tight, not revealing in any way. It is a perfect, summer, dressy, comfortable, dress that can be worn on the bus. THANK YOU!!!! She is quite a girl and I feel very lucky to have her.

When I got home after church and going out to eat, I checked my email, as I usually do immediately upon entering the house, there was an email from Amazon.com to let me know that Shawn had gotten me a $30 gift certificate there. What a good idea!!!! That's where I have been getting my books for the counseling course and there are a few more to get so I really appreciate that. Shawn also called and talked a while and that was a blessing.

On Saturday, Mike took me to Bayers where he let me pick out a Madagascar Jasmine! I can't wait to get that situated. It can be an indoor plant or an outdoor plant. It is a vine and has beautifully fragrant flowers that are used in bridal bouquets a lot. I'm excited to see what it does for us.

I love motherhood. I waited so long to be that and I would say that I wasn't disappointed. There are a lot of ups and downs in it but the ups FAR outweigh the downs.

Church was good yesterday and Bro. Himes was able to baptize another couple with 5 children and a young boy from a family that has been coming as long as I can remember on the busses. One by one the children have gotten saved. One of the girls went to the Academy last year and I have watched her growing. Yesterday was special as we even saw the dad in church for the very first time. God is working in that family!!! Believe me, there was a day when many people would have said it is an impossible situation but little by little the Holy Spirit has been able to use the bus captain of that route to minister to this dear family.

Well, I must face my day!!! God is good!

Tristan

Just thought of a little incident that happened yesterday and wanted to post this so I don't forget.

I guess I should start with last week. The bus was totally out of control. I could hardly get their attention and we ended up not singing very much at all. Tristan and his two brothers were sitting in the back and I had told him several times to please settle down. Now, I must explain. He and his two brothers are rough kids. They are very loving with one another but they express it in wrestling. MANY times they get on the bus and they are continuing a wrestling match that was started at home.

I love those boys. Jordan is the oldest. I have mentioned him before. He has been riding the bus long before I started 5 years ago. He was the one that made me think I might not stay but through the years we have become very good friends. I told about his getting saved a couple of years ago and how he commented that he was scared about that.

Cayden is the baby boy and he is such a joy. He is very loving and LOVES to talk!!

Tristan is a sweetheart but the roughest of them all. Last week, after I had asked him to settle down a number of times, I finally bent over and took his face in my hands and said,"Tristan, you know that Mrs. Cozart loves you so much, but if you do not mind me and settle down now, you are NOT riding this bus next week!" He quietened and all was well.

Yesterday, when I went to their home, Jordan met me at the door and told me they wouldn't be going today. Tristan stuck his head out and said "Mrs. Cozart, I prayed today! I'm going to pray tonight too!" I said, "Well, Tristan, that is wonderful. Isn't it nice that we can always talk to Jesus!" He agreed and I waved good-bye as I left.

Once again I'm reminded that I never know exactly what God is doing in a little heart. My job is harder and harder as I get older and burdened with back pain and loss of hearing. My patience is wearing thin. I still love those children but it is harder and harder to concentrate on the good instead of focusing on the bad. Lord, please help me not to overreact!

Mt 19:14 (KJV) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

Exodus 20:12
"Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

Tomorrow is the day that we give honour to a person that has been the most instrumental in helping us become the person we are. I want to make sure that my mother knows that I love her and appreciate all she has done on my behalf.

My first recollections of my mother were things like: her standing me up on the kitchen cabinet to point out morning glories to me, standing me on the table to teach me the song "A Sunbeam", cooking me sugar toast with that hard glaze over it that was so good and us eating it in front of the gas stove on my little table. These things took place before I was 5 years old.

I remember our move to Springfield, after mom and dad had committed their lives to Jesus Christ and dad had surrendered to the ministry. Things were much harder financially than I ever dreamed, I am sure. My mother was very good at keeping us fed. I had no clue that we were poor. I remember the yeast rolls she made occasionally.

I remember her prayer for a piano so that she could teach herself how to do church music since she was going to be a preachers wife. She did that quite well and still to this day plays the piano in church, I believe.

I remember her studying for her Sunday School class when she taught at High Street Baptist. She was still a baby christian herself. One time she taught her lesson to us. It was flannelgraph and we loved it.

I remember when we were in Springfield that she sat up nights for a while and sewed doll clothes for a Betsey Wetsey doll for me for Christmas.

I remmember a rubber band fight the whole family had on Sunday afternoon.

I remember when Mom would set down with us and watch "The Real McCoys". That was the only TV program that I ever knew her to watch.

I remember many mornings getting up to find her studying her Bible. I remember the "Springs In The Desert" devotion book she read when she first got saved.

I remember that she really never had a lot of clothes. She made most of them herself, including our clothes.

My mother was a very concientious person. I have never known her to waste anything.

I have seen her open her home to people who needed it, including one friend of my brother's who lived with them for over a year.

My mother never felt talented in the hospitality area and yet over and over she prepared meals for visiting preachers and missionaries and submitted to the stress it always caused her because of her feelings of inadequacy, to care for their needs.

My mother was the most consistent person I know in the discipline area. She taught me to never make excuses, to work diligently, and to put Christ first.

Mom, I am so sorry I won't be able to be at the reunion but I will be thinking and praying for you. Thank you for all you have done to make me who I am. I love you!!!! Hope you have a very Happy Mothers Day!

Another Trip To The Hospital

Grandma has been having a rough few days. Yesterday, her blood pressure went over 200 on the top again and she panicked. She first thought she should go to Jefferson Memorial but after getting ready she changed her mind and again we made the long trip to St. Lukes.

She took her Valium before we left and by the time we got there her blood pressure was once again low enough to be considered normal. They questioned her if she had anymore symptoms and she did not. The put her in the express room and took her blood pressure a couple of times. The intern talked with her and then they sent her home again.

I really don't understand why we must go to the hospital every time. She realizes that once she takes the Valium, the pressure comes down. The girl that was taking her information asked her what she wanted them to do for her. She explained that the emergency room was no place to regulate the pressure. If it was high, they could administer medication to bring it down but there was nothing they could do for her if it was already normal.

Much prayer is needed. She needs to be able to get involved in something to get her mind off her physical condition. I could not suggest something because it would not be well taken. I sometimes wonder if the fact that she is here with me causes all this anxiety. Maybe she would feel better in a home where total strangers took care of her. That way she could get the undivided attention she so desires and they would not know the past history of her complaints.

The fact that she is so evidently a hypochondriac, makes it extremely hard to know what to do. I ran across a self-test for Hypochondria the other day. Check it out at www.uib.no/med/avd/med_a/gastro/wilhelms/whiteley.html It sure seems to me that she is a classic case. I feel sorry for her and I wish I knew what to do but I don't think like that so it makes her feel like I am completely stupid and she is in grave danger. Do you feel my pain!!!!

Psalm 143:8
"Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee."

Dark Days AND Sunny

Well, I am a little late with this post! After a good day of visitation, Bus 5 pulled ahead to #1 spot very slowly with only 28. Two of those were new people.

Pookie was one of the first timers. His father is from Thailand so his mother has chosen to give him a cute nickname instead of calling him by his full name. We can all be thankful. No way could I say it! He is only 4 years old and was such a cutie. He really enjoyed Sunday School. His parents are supposed to ride the bus with us next week. They also have another baby boy that is under a year old. I'm praying that they will hear the wonderful news of the gospel and make a decision for Christ.

The other first time visitor was a teenage girl. The devil was working in a big way on the bus and in church and I am afraid that she was very distracted. Of course, you never know what a person comprehends. I can only pray.

I was exhausted by the time I got to church which makes it very hard to concentrate on the sermon. My mind kept going back to the different problems that had occured on the ride in and getting children to classes. My back was also hurting and I had taken Ibuprofen for that so I struggled to keep my eyes open. Finally I decided that I would pray and force my mind to concentrate on the many good things I could see right there in that congregation. It was such a refreshing! There was Angela and Darrell, saved so many months ago, struggling but still coming sporadically. I need to keep praying for them. Then Buddy had told me that the neighbors they have been witnessing to for several months, that came a few Sundays had come over on Saturday night and Bro. Himes was able to win them to the Lord! Hallelujah!! They came forward at the invitation with their 9 year old girl who also accepted Jesus and were baptized. Another elderly gentleman that had been saved on Thursday night visitation also came forward and was baptized.

Remember the little one that got saved last week. I questioned whether he even understood it at all. He is 9 years old also. It didn't seem to be that important to him. On the way in to church my cellphone rang. When I answered it, it was Mikey's mom. (the one that got saved last week) She wanted to know what time the baptizing was. I explained that it was after church but that he really needed to be in the service. So, she brought him at the end of the service and sat on the front row and watched him be baptized. It was amusing because after Bro. Himes had baptized the other four, everything got quiet. Then you could hear on Bro. Himes microphone, Mikey was saying "I can't! I'm scared!" Finally, after a little reasoning, Bro. Himes lifted him over into the water and quickly did the baptism. That was quite a face on that one when he came up but it was done!!! Hopefully, he will never forget it. He lives in a divided family but has quite a few encouragements. Perhaps he will be the next Hudson Taylor or Kyle Guimon!!! Who knows!

We went to church last night with Maleah in her new church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church of St. Clair. (www.mzbc.org) It was a pleasure to watch her singing in the choir and going to church regularly. Finally got to meet all the friends she has made since being there. I felt like I knew them all already.

My counseling books have led me to another book by Bro. Adams called "What To Do On Thursday". It is a wonderful little book that is explaining how to get better acquainted with God's word so that you can put it in your heart and be able to make scriptural decisions about confusing issues. I would recommend it to anyone. His point is that instead of memorizing many scriptures out of context, it is better to be familiar with God's word and what is contained there so that you know where to find what you need. He takes each book of the New Testament and gives a synopsis of what is found there. I am anxious to get started with his plan for comprehending it all. By the way, if you are interested, I went to Amazon.com and got the book used. With shipping, it was only $10.00.

Psalm 119:11
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart; that I might not sin against thee."

April Showers Bring May Flowers

That's what they always told us. We have had flowers for a while now. We have also had plenty of showers lately.

I went with Mike Friday out to Crawford County and a lady gave us the cutest little flowers. They are called "Johnny Jump Ups". They look like miniature pansies. Evidently they are very prolific. Can't wait to see them outside.

As for Bus 5, we are in another slump. We went through a time like this last year at about this same time. I looked back on some correspondence I had written to a couple of children I thought I was losing. It was on May 9 so maybe it is the time of year. I remember I was really discouraged and Satan waged a real war against us. I was ready to give up then and I am ready to give up now. BUT WAIT.....I came to a place to realize that MY works were being challenged last year. When self gets in the way, we begin to see times like this as rejection. That's a sure sign that "I" is sitting on the throne. I refuse to let this get me down. I need to stay on my knees and learn to let go. Don't you wonder how Jesus felt (of course He was God and that would make things a little different, but, within His humanity) when the Jews, His chosen people, rejected Him?

We had 22 onboard yesterday and no visitors. The crowd was very unruly and I was ready to quit when I got off. Those children realize when an adult is a little irritable, I think. One little 5th grade boy was brought into "
Big Church" and made a profession. But I am a bit concerned when I questioned him about it on the way home and he had no idea what I was talking about until I really pressed him. I worry about things like that.

On a brighter note. We had two young couples that joined the church yesterday, one set by statement and one by baptism. Also, one of the mature young couples only child, Jakob, who is 5 years old was baptized. Last night we had the Lord's supper and I could see Jakob and Leah, his mom. When we got the piece of unleavened bread, she whispered in his ear and when we got the juice she did again. I knew what she was doing. I remember doing the same thing to my children. I wanted them to understand how important this ordinance of the church is. I wanted them to be thinking about Christ's body that was broken for my sins and His blood that covered that sin. I wanted them to be aware of the sacrifice that He gave so willingly so that they could have eternal life. It was a sweet time.

I also couldn't help but remember when I, too, was baptized at the young age of 6. It was a special time in my life. Little did I know how much growing there was to do.

Hebrews 3:12-14
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God,

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the dceceitfulness of sin.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end."