Jack's new thing

4 years ago

4 years ago, my life changed in a big and precious way...my first child was born! Eleanor's birthday was the 29th, and we had a wonderful few days of celebration. This past year Eleanor has become such a wonderful helper. She demonstrates kindness to and affection for her brothers, has grown greatly in obedience to Todd and I, shows a great sense of humor, and has a tender heart towards the Lord. She is sensitive and has remarkable insight. She loves pink as much as ever, loves doing crafts, and enjoys being outdoors. She makes us laugh often! She can be incredibly silly and loves to laugh herself. She has an amazing vocabulary and is good with letters and numbers.

For her celebration on Saturday she chose cinnamon rolls for breakfast, hot dogs for lunch, and pizza for dinner (actually she wanted pizza for lunch AND dinner but settled for hot dogs!). She asked for a pink cake with purple m&m's, which is what she got! Todd decorated with pink crepe paper and everyone showered her with gifts. She has been excited about her birthday for at least 2 months, asking about it most days! The anticipation was so fun. And she was not disappointed! She remained sweet even with all the attention, and after opening her gifts gave everyone a big thank you and a hug. "Thank you all for everything, I love all my presents so much!" she said when she was done. On Sunday her 3's class sang to her and she told me it made her feel very happy. On Monday, her actual birthday, we sang again and she opened one more gift. On Tuesday she got to go the zoo and invite a friend (anf of course grampa and gramma) along for viewing animals, riding the carousel, and eating cupcakes! Will was such a trooper. He did ask at one point, "Mommy, when is my birthday coming up?"

Just last week Eleanor and I had an amazing half hour conversation about salvation. She asked where people go when they die and do not know Jesus. I told her they go to Hell, which is a real place, the opposite of Heaven, where there is sadness and hurting and separation from God and His Son. She disolved into tears and cried that she did not want to go there. I reminded her that if she loves Jesus and trusts Him to save her from her sin, then she has nothing to worry about! That God's words are true and that He has promised earthly joy and a home in Heaven to those who love and trust in Jesus. I read to her John 3:16, and Romans 10:9. She interjected during Romans - "Yes, I confess Jesus is Lord! Yes, I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead!" She had so many questions, some that made me cry and some that made me laugh inside! What a precious thing to see her responding in this way to what she knows about the Lord.

Eleanor enriches my life in countless ways. Happy Birthday, Eleanor, I love you!