Guest Post from Cydil Waggoner...Advocating For Joel

ad·vo·cate  (dv-kt)

tr.v. ad·vo·cat·ed, ad·vo·cat·ing, ad·vo·cates

To speak, plead, or argue in favor of

Orphan advocacy is something I approach with a feeling of great responsibility.  To be a voice for 

one who can't speak for himself means that if I don't speak, that individual essentially doesn't get heard by those within hearing distance of me.  Rather than trusting in God's plan, I'm tempted to worry that if nothing comes from my sharing about a need, what does that say about me? Did I 

share this information too late?  In the wrong way? Will I disappoint those who have placed their 

trust in me to be an advocate on their behalf?

I know that after coming home from our adoption trips we would share how much we wished we could find homes for all the kids in Ellie's and Reni's orphanages. While we would still love to do that, but I've only been given permission to share about one particular child (actually, I've been implored by Sister R for nearly a year -- though not released to officially do so until February) and the responsibility feels heavy.  I know there are numerous websites that advocate for specific, adoptable children.  It's honestly difficult for me to see those photos and read about those kids.  Now that I've joined a Y*hoo group for families of children with limb differences, I DAILY receive e-mails of adoptable children with a variety of limb issues, many a lot less significant than Reni's, and my 

heart hurts.  What is my responsibility to do with that information?  For now, we do what we can 

to live out a testimony of the beautiful picture of adoption and pray that it touches others' lives to consider the need and open their hearts to that possibility.

Today, though, I'm going to share about one little one who I don't believe is being advocated for anywhere else.  Would you join me in sharing about this little guy and praying that his family 

finds him?  You can e-mail me at the address listed on the sidebar of this blog for more information about him and the Albanian adoption process. cydilwaggoner@gmail.com

This little boy, Joel, turns 2 this month.  He is being cared for by the Sisters of Charity in Elbasan, Albania.  We met Joel the summer we adopted Reni, when Joel was just a few months old.

After bringing Reni home, Reni's sweet godmother and primary caregiver, Duzi (photographed 

above in the pink scarf),  'adopted' Joel as her next 'project child' after Reni.  Together, with the 

special love of Duzi and Sister R (who was his primary caregiver during his first few months), Joel has made strides developmentally, though he still lags behind his peers.

Here is a list of some of his milestones (sent to me by the Sisters on March 15, photos captured on February 11):

• He can walk around the wall of a room without help
• He has started to take two steps alone.
• He is excellent at climbing up and on a chair (we witnessed this in February, can attest to his agility, and have video)
• He climbs out of his bed
• He can hold things in both hands
• He can hold a spoon, trying to feed others (but not himself)
• He can hold a crumb of bread with 2 fingers
• He points to things which interest him

 

• He presses music toys with his fingers
• He understands 'goodbye' and waves
• He calls 'come' with his hand
• He claps with hands when he is happy
• He is starting to speak 'ga-ga'
• He is looking for the companionship of bigger children
• Most of the time he eats only mashed food, and small pasta soup (not able yet to swallow harder food)

This is how they fed Reni because he wouldn't sit still in his high chair! ;-)

• He is a very joyful child, loved by others
• He likes to play hide and seek
• He can hold a pen in the hand
• He can pass things from one hand to the other
• He likes to play with other children and is a very sociable child
• He likes to move around a lot
• He likes to go out and see new things
• He is capable to learn new things
• Shows with finger 'okay'

At the end of their last correspondence with me they wrote:
"It is a miracle [he] is alive. [He] gives much joy and love to others...

With love, Sisters from Elbasan"

Thank you for praying with us that Joel's family finds him! For more information about Joel, 

e-mail me at cydilwaggoner@gmail.com or you can link to her at http://waggoner.blogspot.se/

Easter Times, Family Times, Happy Times

There has been a definite lack of posting for a while.  I am still alive, but my mother came for a visit!  By the time I hit the bed every night there was no energy left for a post.

I am doing well.  My scars are healing and I am feeling stronger.  I am starting to lift my children again and thinking of starting to exercise again...amazingly enough, I miss it.

The kids really (REALLY) enjoyed the visit from their Nonna (my mom).  She stayed for about 11 days and they milked every minute they could with her.  Samuel keeps trying to think of ways to move her house over to Sweden.  This was the first time that she was able to meet David and he took to her pretty quickly.  He called her Yoda or Yoga...that was the best he could do for Nonna, but it was sooooooo cute.  I know that she really enjoyed being with her grandsons also.  It is a reminder how hard it is to be an international family...there are always family members that miss out.  However, we know that we are suppose to be here, so we will be faithful to our calling and remain in Scandinavia.  Not that it is a hard life (we quite like it here), but there are times that we do miss Wilmore greatly.

The was David's first Easter with us.  He did not quite understand what was going on, but he played along and I enjoyed watching him mimic Sam's excitement and wonder. This Easter was a bit different for me.  I really like the preparation for Easter.  I have a special devotional, we have certain traditions to help us remember how dark Friday was and the despair that was felt on Saturday by the disciples and then the glorious Sunday when Mary came running to tell the news.  However, since I had the interruption of my surgery, I felt like I lost a lot in my own preparations, so instead I am a little off kilter, but eternally grateful that He is no longer in the grave.  Where would we be without our hope in Christ, without the knowledge that we can be his children, without his guidance and love. I would be in udder dispair....you may think that is a bit harsh, but it is perfectly true without any dramatics.  I am here because my Savior picked me up and has brought me thus far.  PRAISE be to HIM and HIM ALONE.

Enjoy the pics.
Laurie

Mom and David having a jam session

We always dress in our international duds for Easter and Pentecost.  I was pretty impressed that I still fit in that sari.

just precious

Nonna's glasses were always a fun item to play with.

He loves his Nonna

Family pic in the church

Just too good looking...watch out girls.

My little ninja...he was so cute!!!

I took my mom and the kids to Grebbestad and this was one of the sunsets...stunning.

More of the same sunset.

We also got the chance to pop up to Mysen, Norway (where we are moving to), so my mom could see the church.  This is the cross on top.

My husbands new charge as of August.  

I couldn't help sharing this pic, my mom gave me these microfiber turbans to put on wet hair and he looked so adorable.   

End of March...Start of Spring

This post will mainly be pics because those have been lacking for a while.  I just downloaded my card with 600 photos on it.  They went all the way back to before Christmas.  Guess life has been busy. 

I will say that in the past month or so we have really seen David blossom.  He is definitely feeling more comfortable here and learning the boundaries.  It is not all rosy, but he is doing really well.  I love that he really wants to pray with us, he loves to read books with us and in general horse around.  I have seen him get a lot closer with Andreas since I have been incapacitated for a little while and he is generally a joy.  

I have also noticed that my two wonderful boys are now truly brothers, PRAISE JESUS!!!! I am not sure when it changed from butting heads to brotherhood, but it is wonderful to see.  I will try to do a whole post on that soon.  We are about to come to our 1 year mark of being home and next month will be celebrating David's fourth birthday (first one at home).  

In other news my mother arrives here tomorrow.  It will be her first visit here and her first time to meet David.  We are really excited to have her (well David has no idea, but the rest of us are excited for him).  

Enjoy the pics,

Laurie

He is such a character.

I am amazed I actually caught him looking at me, it is not so easy.  He thinks it is fun to look away when I am trying to take a pic.  

Brothers, doing what boys do well.... playing in dirt and rocks.  I love the sherpa hat that David is sporting.

Don't these parents teach their kids not to open their mouths with food inside....sheeesh.  

Typical!

Blurry signs of spring...snowdrop flowers.

Actual greenage...it is pretty amazing to have this so early this year.  

David looks a little distressed, but he must do what his brother does....so arms up!  They had torn up their beds behind them and made a fort.  YEAH...they are playing together!

This is so typical David he is such a jokester. Is think this one is going to pull the pranks in the house.

Why is it that I cannot get a normal pic of my 7 year old?

Such a cool cat!

Do you think we wore them out or something...classic!

Another goofy face!

These two are such a blessing...what amazing gifts from God.  

Birthday Surprise

I promise that I will get pictures back on my blog soon.  But for now I would like to tell you about my Birthday surprise.

On March 14th, I turned......okay.....38.  My husband had some well thought out plans for me and was really excited to reveal my gift to me.  So let's go back one day.  March 13th around lunchtime.  I had one of my favorite lunches which was pears and a type of mildew cheese.  It was a new type for me and I wasn't sure I was suppose to eat the rhine, but it was good so I did.  I thought as I was eating it that...I might have to pay for this later.

So let's skip ahead to March 13th at 3:00 or so.  I took Samuel to a friends house for a play date.  It is a good friend of mine so I was excited to get to sit and talk with her for a while.  I realized my stomach wasn't feeling so good.  Lots of cramping in the top of my stomach.  We had to end our time a little early and went home.  I called Andreas and asked him to bring me a coke because my stomach really hurt.  He hurried home and said maybe we should take you to the hospital.  No, no, no.....I was pretty sure I was paying for that cheese earlier.  We called the nurse hotline and asked and they said see how it goes for a little while and if it doesn't go away then come in.

So I waited (still thinking it was the cheese) the cramps were at the bottom of my stomach at this point, but I had spend many miserable hours in bed that night.  Around 1:30 I woke Andreas up and said, I need to go to the hospital.  The pain has settled over my right ovary for some time by then.  Andreas called his parents (who where absolutely wonderful).  The drove 30 minutes at 1:30 am to be with the boys as Andreas took me to the ER.

Alingsas ER is actually about 1 minute by car down the road from us.  However, at 2:00 am it is closed! Yes, you read that right!  We did get into the waiting room, which apparently we were not suppose to be able to do (I really think the Lord did that for me because I was at the end of my pain rope).  Andreas got on the phone with the nurse hotline and they got nurses and a doctor down to us.  They checked me, put on IV in me, told me you might have an appendicitis or a kidney stone, put me in an ambulance and drove me 40 minutes to the bigger hospital in a city nearby.

So there it is folks, my birthday surprise was an appendicitis!  Happy. Birthday. to. me! I was operated on the night of my birthday after a million tests to confirm what it was.  They tried to do laproscopic surgery, but it didn't work as far as being able to do it safely.  So I have lapro scars and a rather large incision.  I came home on the 16th and feel very sore right now.

I am thankful for doctors that are thorough and a medical system that is free!  I know the Lord was with me and protecting me through it all, sending wonderful people to take care of me.  My husband has been absolutely amazing...reaffirming how amazing I have always thought he was.  My kids have been sweet and trying so hard to be with me, but not be on me.  My friends have been encouraging and helpful and I am a very blessed woman.

Thank you Jesus, even in the hard times, that you send caring people and you place your arms around us.

Laurie

Slow Brain

I can't believe it is the middle of March and I haven't posted since Feb.  All I can say is...exhaustion.  But, I have a little story that happened this weekend with Sam.

We were all sitting at the table playing with cards and cars and drinking tea.  Andreas and Sam were going back and forth teasing each other.  Sam got it into his head to put Andreas in his place a little.  However, Sam messed it up and...well I will let the dialog tell the story.

S: Daddy, you have a medium fast brain.
A: Oh really.
S:  Yeah and mommy has a slow brain...

At this point Andreas died laughing (and so did I), but of course I had to act a little offended.

Me:  Hey, wait a minute, are you saying I'm dumb?
S:  No, no, no that is not what I mean!  I mean that daddy thinks too fast, but you take your time and think things through!  (Andreas is still laughing hysterically).  Daddy, stop laughing, Mommy is smarter than you!

Although it did take Andreas and I a while to stop laughing, Andreas knew that Sam was trying to say that I was smarter just to get his Daddy.  But now, I have heard several times from Andreas that my brain is slower and then he goes into a good belly laugh.  So there you have it folks, right from my sons mouth (and he's not even a teenager yet), moms dumb!

Laughing,
Laurie

Mysen, Norway

Pictures of Mysen

If you click on the link above you can see pictures of the beautiful town of Mysen.  There is even a pic of the white steepled Methodist Church that we will be moving to this summer. Unfortunately, I remembered my camera about two hours after we left home!   I know many are wondering how our trip to the great white North was.  Well, it was simply great!

I actually have a funny story for you...which my husband might kill me for, but here goes.  A few days before we went to Mysen, we first traveled to Grebbestad where Andreas' parents have a home.  It is only an hour and a half from Mysen and we thought that would be better for traveling purposes.  Those few days, my normally laid back husband, was anal about his kahki pants.  He wouldn't hold David with dirty shoes, he got uppity when something got on them and so on.  Those were the only pants he brought and he wanted them clean for our meeting in Mysen with the church.  On the way to Mysen we stopped to get a drink and a little sweet snack.  He bought little round chocolate pieces thinking that they wouldn't get him as dirty as a candy bar that might drop little pieces of chocolate on his pants. Well, we get to the church and Andreas gets out of the car.  All I remember hearing is OH NO!!! I looked down at the drivers seat and there is melted chocolate all over it...which meant...there was melted chocolate all over my husbands pants.  Yes, one of those chocolate bits had gotten on the seat and with the seat heater had quickly melted.  The irony of it all.....

We met Andreas' new district superintendent right outside our car.  So as Andreas was introducing the family I was quickly using David's wet wipes on the backside of my husbands pants.  What a great first impression! Luckily, wet wipes are stinking amazing at getting stuff off of material (although it makes me wonder if I should be using them on David's skin).  I was able to get enough off so that no one would notice...or if they did, they were definitely too close!

So the moral of the story is...God has a sense of humor, so should we!  Or another moral could be, it doesn't matter what you are wearing we should look at the persons heart.  (that one is good for me because I am always dropping food on myself or the kids are wiping their hands on me...when did I become a napkin?)

Okay, back to the other highlights of our trip.  The church people were amazingly nice.  We stayed with one of the couples that kindly let us sleep in their basement, made us breakfast, helped with two lunches and even scraped the snow off of our car in the morning.  Hans and Kari, if you are reading this...thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Then there was Mona and her family that made a huge dinner for about 20 people at her house so we could get to know everyone better...and her children really made Samuel and David feel at ease.  Sam is so excited that he already has two friends in Norway.  Again, if you guys are reading this...thank you, it made us feel extremely welcome.  Everyone was positive to our coming and ready to help.  It really felt like God had opened hearts immediately...but then again, meeting these amazing people I can not imagine that their hearts were ever closed.  I am really excited to make new friends and see where the ministry goes.  I loved that showing Jesus seemed to be a lifestyle and not a side note with this congregation.  The congregation has several internationals (which my whole family will be also) and has old, middle aged, youth and children.  I can only say that I am overwhelmed at the blessings that God seems to be providing left and right.

I understood about 60-70 percent of the language and when I need to lapse into English, they all understood.  Of course we will deal with some culture shock, but that seems to be our lives...we just go with it and move on.

So all this to say, thank you for your prayers, but keep praying also.  I think the whole family is looking forward to seeing what our future holds in Norway.

Blessings,
Laurie

Is Stubbornness a Good Sign?

I do know the answer to that question.  Yes, the fact that David feels like he can test me to the limits with his stubbornness is a good thing.  He feels safe and comfortable with me and that allows him to test me like a normal 3 year old.  But I have to admit he maybe more stubborn and thick headed than I am.  My mother always laughed and said I would have a child that got me back for being so stubborn...well mom, this is the one.

I fully understand that this is normal for a child of 3 to test his/her boundaries, but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with.  I have taken many ''mommy time outs'' today and I released a long drawn out sigh when he is finally in bed asleep.  This is one of those days that I know I love this child instead of feeling like I love him.  These feelings come with some guilt also.  Funny how I feel guilty when I have failed to show grace to David because I know that God has given so much grace to me.  Shouldn't I be able to leave that guilt at the feet of Christ because of his grace.  Yet, sometimes I seem to get stuck in that guilt. I start feeling bad for my children because they got the short end of the stick with me as their mom. (that was not said to gain pity, but just an honest thought at points)

It is hard to find the right balance between grace and clear rules that he can understand and learn to abide by to work in a family.  It is hard to know that what I am doing is the best for his emotions, comprehensive level, and attachment.  Right now I seem to be second guessing myself and trying to remember all the things I have studied for adopted children and and a toddlers psychology.  It was so much easier when I was working with other parents helping them with their children.  Right now I seem to be too close to see the clear direction to go in.  To be very honest, I am simply tired.  David is wearing me down and I need to take a few steps back.

I think this simply looks like true parenting.  Whether your child is adopted or not, parenting is not for the light hearted.  It will take you to the very edge of your sanity (sometimes over) and back.  Children will break your heart...sometimes with their behavior and sometimes because their behavior shows you hurt that has happened to them before they ever came to your family.

I need to remember that I do not hold all the answers.  I need to remember that it is not personal and I need to discipline out of the fact that I love him and not out of the fact that I want control (I think that line blurs sometimes). Don't tell my children (because they believe mommy knows everything) but I think I know only about 1%.  From that one percent, I do know this...I am so thankful to have my wonderful husband to help me, back me up, talk things through, to bring me back to what really matters.  The second thing that I know of that 1% is that God doesn't expect perfection, he knows I am going to make mistakes.  But he does expect me to come to him and not mimic David's actions with my own towards him.  After all, I am an adopted child too and learning to be fully attached and fully trusting is not an easy thing.  I am sure my behavior has matched David's on many days.

Laurie

Drum Roll Please....

Things have been quite on the blog, but not in life.  It seems to be moving faster than I can keep up sometimes.  We have had some big news brewing, but I haven't been able to share exactly what that is...until now.  I figure if my husband stated it on his FB page, it was time for me to announce it on the blog.

I so wish I was good at cliff hangers (Linny from PCS) but I'm not.  I do know that some of you out there will be very interested in this news, while others may think... is there a difference?

So barring any direct acts from God...which we do believe He is calling us to go...we are moving to another country!  In all counts this will be my 4th country to live in, Andreas' 3rd, Samuel's 3rd, and David's 3rd.  I am sure there are those of you out there that have lived in more, I would love to hear everyones count and where you have lived (that means 6 mths. or longer).

Since the Methodist church in Sweden is dissolving  merging with two other churches and Andreas' ordination is in the Methodist church we needed to move conferences.  Andreas' chose not to join the ''new'' church and God has confirmed that decision time and time again.  We are definitely not stuck in this denomination, however, at this point the conference change was the way to go.

So what country will we be moving to you ask....well let's just say it is a good thing I like snow.  We are headed North to Norway!

Yes, you read that right.  Now some of you know there is a love/hate relationship between the lovable Norwegians and the neighboring Swedes.  Norway belonged to Sweden until 1905 when they won their independence.  Now they are fiercely competitive and love to heckle each other whenever possible.  We have a good Norwegian friend, living in Atlanta now, and she once gave my husband a t-shirt with the Scandinavia map on it....except Sweden was missing!  That might give you a little taste of how this rivalry goes.  So it will definitely be interesting living there with a Swedish husband, but it is all done in good humor.

Andreas has been offered a church in Norway and we will visit them this weekend.  We would appreciate your prayers as we visit.  It is a time to talk to the people and find out what their  expectations are and let them know ours (this will also be the time we make our final decision).  We will get a chance to meet them and see the church on Sat. and worship with them on Sunday.  One of the families are hosting us on Sat. night.  We will also be looking at some possible places to live and finding out what the school situation is.

This has and is being committed to prayer and we are fully trusting that God has this under control.  Amazingly enough, I have had an uncanny peace about this whole transition since it came into site about 6 months to a year ago.  Now, this is not the normal me, so I can only assume the Lord has been preparing me for this for sometime now.  Sam is amazing us also with his excitement over the move.  He understands that he will miss his friends, and a new language (similar but not altogether the same) is on the horizon, but he is excited.  (the nice thing about owning our house in the woods is that we will spend summers here and get to maintain the friendships that we cherish here in Alingsås.)

I sure hope that I will be able to meet some of the readers that visit this site from Norway maybe now you will even come out of hiding and comment or join my blog.  Ia...now you must come and visit me and your beloved Bergen (no I am not going to be in Bergen).

Aaha...that brings me to another good question...where will we be.  We will be in a small town in the South of Norway called Mysen.  It is really small, but quaint (not much bigger than Wilmore, which is where I am from).  It is about 10 minutes from Askim, which is a little smaller than Alingsås, and an hours train ride from Oslo (which is where all my doctors appts. with the kidos will be).  We will also be about 3 hours from Gothenburg, so the kids will still get to see their farmor and farfar as often as possible.  (needless to say, Andreas is looking at cars that use very little gasoline).

So now you have read, please pray.  We really need to be lifted and keep our eyes on our Heavenly Father this whole time.  We could get bogged down in the little details and then it alls seems really scary.  In so many ways I am also excited.  This will be the place that I will venture back to work when David is 5 or 6.  I am praying that the Lord is preparing a place for me...doing what I love, working with orphans and adoption. This will also be the place where we will launch our family orphanage and school in Nepal...first visit set for February of 2013 (more on that in the coming months).

Life is charging full speed ahead...sometimes I am holding on with my feet flying behind me and sometimes I have my feet firmly set, but I need to remember it is not me that pushes this life ahead, but the ONE who has held me since my mother's womb.  Thank you Jesus that I do not have to do this alone!

Laurie

Pulled from the Past...Backlog

I think I mentioned that in December Samuel participated in his first gymnastics competition.  This competition was around Dec. 13 and was called the Lucia Cup (after St. Lucia which is celebrated here in Sweden).  He was a bit nervous in front of so many people and judges, but did really well for his very first competition.  He now says that he wants to be in more competitions.  This actually makes me really happy.  Some of the reasons we directed Samuel towards gymnastics is that he has so much energy and he is competitive.  We thought the discipline of gymnastics would help these two traits be put where they belonged in a good environment.  Sam loves it.  Below are a few pics from that day.  I think Sam looks adorable in his outfit.  Such a handsome, wonderful, energetic boy.  I praise Jesus that I get to be his mamma.  

All the boys received a medal.  He looks so proud of himself here.  

Just monkeying around.  

That was his medal from Farmor and Farfar...the best part about it for Sam was the gold wrapping on the outside, the best part for David...chocolate on the inside!

To of my 3 handsome boys. 

He really does amaze me for being in gymnastics such a short time how much he can do.  This little guy is tremendously strong also.  He tries to play strength games with me to see if he is stronger than me yet.  He is not...however, when he is I have a secret (or not so secret) weapon...The boy is more ticklish than anyone I have ever known in my live.  One poke and it doesn't matter how strong he is...he is on the floor laughing.  

Blessings,
Laurie

Life Lessons on...Death

A little over a year ago... well a year and a half ago, my beloved Po Po (grandfather) died.  Sam made the trip back to the States with me.  Sam spent the last week of Po's life drawing him pictures and giving him toy cars, and holding his hand just to comfort him.  I was so proud of my little guy.  He was a little scared at first but pushed past it to be helpful and loving.  Now, I did not allow Sam to see Po the last day he was alive (which Sam didn't realize until very late at night).  I didn't want Sam to see my grandfather so stretched and really not there anymore.  I still think that I made the right decision on that one.

Since that time, Sam has talk about loving Po and all that he did.  We even have a book that we put together of all Sam did for Po (my wonderful Aunt's idea).  It was a very good catalyst to speak about death and dying.  Sam also knew that Po was not afraid of death, but was ready to go home to be with Jesus.  To see death in such a light was a really good thing for Sam.  He begun to learn that death was not to be feared if you know our loving Savior.

Sometime in the not so far future we will be facing the death of Andreas' grandparents.  No, that is not happening right now, but we can perceive it on the horizon.  We went to the hospital to visit with Mormor the other day.  David was definitely scared, but Sam, even though initially startled by the tubes and things, pushed past it to hold her hand, talk with her, and love on her.  Again, I was so proud of his caring and gentle heart.  As we left Mormor I could see the wheels turning in Sam's head.  I didn't push, I knew it would come in due time.  The next morning I was driving Sam to gymnastics and this is the discussion we had:

S: ''Mommy, will you die someday?''

M: ''Yes, someday I will.''

S: ''Mommy, will I be old when you die?''

M: ''I hope you will be old when I die, but none of us know when we will die, so maybe you will be old when I die.''

S: ''Mommy, I took care of Po Po when he was dying.''

M: ''Yes, you did a wonderful job and Po Po really appreciated it.  Mommy was very proud of how gentle and loving you were.''

S: ''Po Po was ready to go home to Jesus!''

M: ''Yes love, he was, but I miss him a lot.''

S: ''Mommy, Mormor is ready to go to heaven.'' (needing a reassurance that Mormor wasn't scared)

M: ''Yes baby, she is.  Mommy, Daddy and the rest of the family will be very sad and cry, but it is good for her to go to heaven and be with Jesus.''

S: ''Mommy, I hope I am old when you die like Farmor (farmor is mormor's daughter, Andreas' mom)

M: ''Me too baby, but no matter when I die, I will go and be with Jesus and then you can meet me there when it is time for you to go to heaven.''

S: ''Okay mommy, I'll do that.''

Written down it doesn't sound as significant as the conversation really was.  His intonations and inflections.  I could almost ''hear'' the gears in his little head moving.

Then two days later I talk to him about praying for a college friend who was dying of leukemia.  This friend was my age and had 4 children.  She died Monday night (please pray for her family).  I felt like it was a good thing to talk to him about because of what we had been talking about.  Again, I could see the gears moving in his head.  He asked me why I was crying when I talked to him about it.  I said because I was sad for her children and her husband.  I wish I could remember exactly what he said, but in his own sweet way he reassured me that it was okay....she was with Jesus.

I know this discussion isn't over with him and I honestly look forward to more of it with him.  I am humbled by his sweet innocence and perfect trust in Christ.  I love the fact that he has seen and is seeing his great grandparents welcome death, so that they move into eternal life.  Great grandparents that show him a faith that makes dying something to move gracefully into without fear.  Great grandparents that show him the reality of heaven and being with Jesus.

As Sam learns these lessons....I think his mommy learns them also.

Laurie