A rising epedemic

Bullying.

As a youth pastor, I hear this time and time again.  I remember school.  Sure, I remember getting picked on.  However, the extent now compared to then is appalling.  A few slanderous words, maybe even a shoulder check in the hallway is about all I had to fear in school.  Then, after a few days, it was over and we moved on.

Not so any more.  Bullying has come to name-calling, shoving, ganging up on others, pitting others against each other, cyber-bullying, lies, anger. And telling the bullied child to "ignore it, it will go away" is no longer an option.  The bully-er continues relentlessly.

And quite frankly, I am getting sick of it.

Before I move on, let's look at some statistics and information I have pulled from the internet.....

What is bullying?

"A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself."

This definition includes three important components:

1. Bullying is aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions.
2. Bullying involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time.
3. Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength.

Types of bullying...

1. Verbal bullying including derogatory comments and bad names
2. Bullying through social exclusion or isolation
3. Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting
4. Bullying through lies and false rumors
5. Having money or other things taken or damaged by students who bully
6. Being threatened or being forced to do things by students who bully
7. Racial bullying
8. Sexual bullying
9. Cyber bullying (via cell phone or Internet)

Impact of bullying...

Students deserve to feel safe at school. But when they experience bullying, these types of effects can last long into their future:

• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Health problems
• Poor grades
• Suicidal thoughts

BULLYING IS A SERIOUS ISSUE!

• Statistics show that 23 percent of students in grades 4-6 had been bullied "several times" or more; 20 percent had bullied others
• Statistics show that 17 percent of students in grades 6-10 reported having been bullied "sometimes" or more, with 8 percent being bullied once a week. 19 percent said they had been a bully to others "sometimes" or more.

I have read countless articles and have watched numerous news reports on how children have commited suicide due to bullying, even cyber bullying.  I have read reports of children as young as 11 have committed suicide due to this....11!   And yet we look the other way?

Schools have 'anti-bullying' programs in place.  These are ineffective.  The child being bullied is fearful to go report an incident for fear of further bullying...and they say "the school won't do anything but sit us down and talk".   They have boxes so students can report the incidents anonymously.  And yet the punishment?  Sit down and discuss it.

I know of numerous incidents that I have been made aware of where teachers were present as a child was being bullied.  I also know of an incident where parents partook in the name-calling and bullying (and this was to a 6th grader).  So you tell me.....where does it stop?!   A child feels that death is better than living in a bullied environment.  And 90% of bullying occurs in the place we send our children to better themselves - SCHOOL.

This topic has completely infuriated me.  I am wanting to get inside the schools and spread the love of Jesus.  The schools today are nothing like the schools I went to back in the 90's.  Why?  What has gone wrong?  Does it boil down to the parents?  I think this generation is so out of control that the parents just as soon look the other way than to put their foot down and say - enough!  There is no respect for authority and that sort of value starts in the home.

As I see children dread going to school because of what a pit of vipers it has become, I sit and think how God has to turn this around.  Wouldn't it be phenomenal if we start hearing how the Holy Spirit takes over and school is in utter chaos because kids are praying over one another and the sick are being healed and the love of Jesus is being proclaimed!?  That's the kind of phone call I want to get.  That is the kind of news report I want to see.  I want a phone call saying I need to come pick up my daughter because she is standing on the table proclaiming JESUS SAVES - not because she is being bullied to the point she has made herself sick.

God has laid the schools on my heart lately.  Not just because of the bullying, though that has a large part to do with it, but because God has been so stripped of the schools that it is no longer valued.

Revival.  It has to start somewhere.....why not here?

**information taken from - http://www.olweus.org/public/bullying.page**

A mother's love.....

My kids started school today.  They are both now high schoolers!  *gasp*  My daughter started her freshman year and my son his sophomore year.  Where does the time go?  I tend to say that a lot lately.

As a mother, I can remember every detail of their birth and the majority of every moment from then til now.  I can remember, even though both were C-Sections, Caleb's was a breeze and Chey's was a nightmare.  I look back now and think that their personalities totally match how they came into the world.  Caleb is a pretty laid back kid that keeps to himself while Cheyenne is an anxious one that is a social butterfly.  Both my children are as different as night and day.

Now as I look at them, I could not be more proud.  Caleb is 16 and a great young man.  He is good looking, pleasant to be around, talented, loyal to those he lets into his life, passionate about what he enjoys, loves God and rarely has a bad word to say about anyone.  Considering the past he has had to endure, he is a good kid.

Cheyenne is 14 and such a great personality!  She is cute as a button, marches to the beat of her own drum, opinionated  funny, talented, loves God and has a heart to help those hurting.  She has come a long way and am proud of who she has become.

I am not saying my kids are perfect by any means.  They are kids so they tend to spout off at the mouth, throw fits, whine and sometimes make me want to gouge my eyes out with a hot poker.  However, that being said, I hear what other kids are up to or the problems I hear other kids facing (I hear a lot of horror stories since I am a youth pastor) and I thank God how awesome my kids are.

I expect them to make mistakes but I am quick to forgive.  I lavish them with gifts even if they don't deserve it.  I praise them for a job well done and scold them for a job less than desirable.  I expect them to give their best in all they do and if they fail doing so...that's okay because you can't condemn someone for failing if they tried as hard as they could.

Wow.  Sounds a lot like our Heavenly Father.  He hopes for the best in us but He expects us to make mistakes and is quick to forgive.  He lavishes His children with gifts even when they aren't deserving sometimes.  He praises us for a job well done and expects us to learn from a job done less than perfect.  He expects our best but accepts us at our worst.

All because He loves us.

So yes, I am bragging on my amazing kids.  If you don't like it, then you aren't a parent. I loved them the moment I found out they were in my belly.  It is crazy how you can love someone you have never met.  They say a man becomes a father when he holds the baby for the first time.....a woman becomes a mother when she finds out she is pregnant.  This is so true.

So to my kids, you are growing up so fast.  I want you to stay with me forever (and I sometimes think you will, haha) but I know that you will grow up, move on and have families of your own.  But know this......you will never get rid of me.

I love you both more than my heart can contain.  Have a great first day of school!

Cheyenne and Caleb [then], ages 2 and 4

Cheyenne and Caleb [now], ages 14 and 16

I am here by His grace....

Another birthday.

It seems the older I get, the quicker time goes.  I don't get excited for birthdays.  To me, it is just another day...another year older, perhaps another year wiser.  I don't mind saying my age - tomorrow, the 10th, I will be 36.  Wow.  Even though I don't mind saying it, it still blows my mind that I am that old. I don't feel that old and I certainly don't act my age!  HaHa!

As I look back on my life, I am amazed I am where I am today.  All I can say to that is God is good!  I have come from a checkered past, not as bad as some but worse than many.  I have dealt with everything from sexual molestation to drug abuse to the occult with a few tidbits in between.  I am lucky I am even alive.  Did I mention that God is good?  I did?  Good.  I may mention that point a few more times.....

If I had sat in front of this computer 10 years ago, I would never have posted how awesome God was or how much I loved my family or how I am happy with my life.  No, that was a time where darkness overcame joy.  Happiness was something I experienced rarely and was often replaced with a seething anger.  I could blog my testimony, which would be lengthy and quite shocking.  However, I won't due to the fact that it will be impossible to leave out points that my family may not want splattered on the internet.  That is why I enjoy speaking to youth groups.  I enjoy sharing my testimony and what God has done for me.  I can relate to most because I have been through a wide variety of situations.  I don't share my testimony to glorify it in any way.  It is just fact.  It is my past that has happened and cannot be denied.  However, it does not define who I am today.  I am not a victim, I am a victor!  God is good!

So as I approach another birthday tomorrow, I smile.  I have been serving God for six years now and I cannot even remember the person I was before.  Sure, I know it was me...I know I went though it but it is almost like a movie.  Like it was something I had watched rather than experienced.   My life is good right now. That doesn't mean I don't face trials and tribulations but the difference between me then and me now - I have God to help me through it.  While that sounds cliche, it is true.  Having God as part of my life makes all the difference.

So, I am another year older and another year closer to 40.  Kind of blows my mind.  I see someone from my school years and think - 'Do I look that old?'.  But age is inevitable.  You can embrace it or you can deny it and wake up one morning and not recognize the face in the mirror.

This year is a year that is going to be some amazing changes!  I am going through Jeanne Mayo's Cadre discipleship (http://www.youthleaderscoach.com/cadre.asp), my son will get his permit (egads!), I am taking the steps to get healthier and I want to fall back in love with God to the point that I am intoxicated with His presence.

So when people ask how old I am, I merely smile and say "36" and when they gasp and say I don't look that old, I smile a bit broader.

36......pish-posh - it's merely a number.

Me at 4 years old

Satan is a punk....

Sometimes we forget how good God is.


We see a situation and get so discouraged.  We get angry, upset and even depressed that the problem before us seems impossible to overcome.  We stare up at the mountain and see the large mass of rock and not the big picture.


We were born into a life of sin (thanks a lot Adam and Eve) into a sinful world.  Bad things happen to good people.  That's life.  When we become a Christian, it isn't like this magic bubble surrounds us and all the good stays contained while the bad bounces off of it.  Not so.  


Whenever I hear of someone going through a bad time, I can't help but think of Job (Joe-b) in the Bible.  He lost everything.  His wife, his family, his land, his livestock and eventually his health - everything.  However, God never left him nor did He let him suffer without an ultimate plan.  The devil was trying to prove God wrong.  So when the devil came up the the throne room of God and said he had been "roaming the earth" (presumably looking for someone to harass), God suggested Job.  Then Satan told God to let him have Job.  He told God that Job only served Him (God) because he was protected.  He said to let him have Job and he will prove that when calamity comes his way, he will turn away from God.   Therefore, God let Satan do his worst.  Job grew upset and even a bit angry but he never blamed God for what was happening to him.  In the end, God blessed Job even more abundantly for his faithfulness.


Sometimes I look at my life like Job. Granted, my life has been pretty good compared to most but sometimes it just plain sucks.  If you notice, it seems like everything comes in a package, one thing after another.  There are times I get discouraged and overwhelmed thinking I just want to lay down and let the world pass me by.  Then I think of Job.  I get a new perspective and I realize if all this is coming against me, then God must think I am "blameless and upright".  Satan can only do what God allows.  He has no power except that which is given to him.  So if God gives him the power to come against me in a whirlwind, I will stand firm footed because God knows I can handle it and He will bless me in the end.


This isn't to say that sometimes I freak out.  However, when I look back I see that God has taken care of everything, every time.  So, why do I still freak out when I know that God has always taken care of me (even when I was a sinner, how awesome is THAT)?  I am still flesh....and I still have doubts.  Perhaps I think this is the one time God will leave me to my own demise.  Perhaps I am thinking I have been given His grace once too many.  Perhaps He is up there, sighing and throwing His hands up saying "Really, Misty?  AGAIN?"   Typing that brings a smile to my face because the God I serve is amazing.  He takes care of His children and when I accepted Christ, I was adopted into the Royal Family of God.  I am His and He is mine.  He never gets frustrated with me, He is patient and understanding and is always in the midst any situation.  For that, I strive to please Him.


So, if you are feeling discouraged, anxious or just plain 'blah', know that God is there in the middle of your situation.....and so is the enemy (aka Satan).  He is standing before the throne and condemning your name wanting nothing more than to destroy you.  Are you going to stand by and let him win?  


The enemy does not have to take you down to win, he only has to make you ineffective.


In closing, I want to leave a few scriptures for you, all are NIV.


"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." – Philippians 4:6


"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." - Dueteronomy 31:6 


"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light". – Matthew 11:28-30


"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." – Galatians 6:9


"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." – Psalm 42:5-6a


"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10

Everyone has a lil' superhero in 'em....

Vacation Bible School (VBS) started this week.  This is my fifth year doing it and my first year tackling it alone.  Even though I have doubted myself, debated with myself and even thought I couldn't pull it off, tonight was a success!  Four more days to go!

This year's theme is "Hero Headquarters".  It isn't your typical heroes.  We don't have Spiderman or Superman on the walls.  No, most of the superheroes we show are unnamed.  The Bible stories we learn about all week are about some amazing heroes that never were named.  Today we learned about how Naaman had leprosy and went to Elisha only to be ignored.  Then a servant girl came and told Naaman what to do - dunk in the Jordan 7 times.  He did and was healed!  How grateful he must have been to that servant girl ...... who's name we don't even know!

VBS is full of fun, games, snacks and just having a good time.  I think my volunteers have as much (if not more) fun than the kids that come!  They dress up and get the kids pumped and try to involve every kid so no one feels left out.

So why do it?

VBS is a long process.  While I am doing VBS week, I already am thinking of next year's theme.  I will order the kit in the winter (if not before) and already begin on planning.  It takes about 9 months from start to finish. It does get easier as the years go on.  I know what works, what doesn't and know what I need to focus on the most.  It is hard and sometimes overwhelming but it is worth it in the end.

To stand up there and dance and talk to the kids while they are engaged in what I am saying is so rewarding.  To give the message of Jesus and the Bible and to have kids just enjoy learning about Him is amazing.  It is great when I ask what they learned and they can tell me.  They really get it.  Some people over look children but Jesus said to let them come.  We are to train them up in His ways and send them out.  If we can have fun doing it, then why not?!  haha!

I couldn't do this without my amazing volunteers.  It takes about 20 volunteers to run VBS smoothly.  I would like to personally thank my husband.  He works 7 days a week and he goes and helps at VBS then comes home and goes to work.  I know he hates it (not VBS so much, but the dedication and the energy it takes) but he does it because I need him and for that I love him.  I know he has grumbled but seeing him interact with the kids makes me smile.  They truly love him.  He is "Pizza Man" and I can hear all the kids yell PIZZA MAN! when they see him. Some even wanted to share their snack of the day with him. That would melt anyone's heart.  So, to Matt - thank you so much for helping me.  It means a lot.  Really it does.   To my other volunteers - you mean the world to me.  Without you, this wouldn't be possible.

So, tomorrow is Day 2 and I am excited to see what this week is going to bring.  I know for one thing - it is going to bring happy, screaming kids to a church to learn about God in a way that is fun and exciting.  Who wouldn't love that?

"Don't let anyone look down on you beacuse you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."  -1 Timothy 4:12

Me as "Maintenance Misty" and Matt as "Pizza Man"

I want off this roller coaster.

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions and I want off.  We celebrated my son's 16th birthday with family and friends and while that was a fun and blessed time....I came home to a sick little kitty.

My cat, Kyra, was a special cat.  I wanted a cat in January of 2006.  Now, if you know anything about animals, winter is not a good time to be on the look out for a kitten.  It didn't change the fact that I wanted one.  I knew I didn't want a calico (they tend to be mean) and would prefer a male because females can be more temperamental.   Therefore we began our search.  We checked the papers, nothing.  We checked local shelters, nothing.  I was getting frustrated.  I suppose I could have waited until spring but if you know anything about me - when I get something in my head, I want it then and there.

So, my husband extended his search.  We found a shelter about 45 minutes away who said they had a couple kittens.  We got in our vehicle and drove there immediately.  It was a small shelter but it was a nice place with hospitable staff.  When we went into the 'cat' room there was a small kennel with two kittens in it.  One was a female calico and the other was a male orange cat.  I immediately knew I wanted the orange tabby.  I always wanted a fat, orange cat.  So, I reached my hand in and grabbed him only to have the devil himself channel from the pits of hell and into that little orange fluff.  I tossed it into the kennel but not before getting a few battle wounds.  No, I don't believe I will be taking THAT one.

I sighed, disappointed that I wouldn't be getting a kitten today.  Then, I looked at the calico.  She was cute with fluffy hair and big eyes.  But she was everything I didn't want.  Determined I would settle if need be, I reached in and scooped her up.  Immediately, she cuddled against my neck and was purring.  I fell in love with her right then and there.

When we got her, we had 2 other cats and shortly after we got a puppy.  But she was my special little girl.  We had a bond that frustrated my kids because they wanted to play with her and cuddle with her but she wanted nothing to do with them.

She was certainly not your average cat.  I am sure she thought I was her mother and she was my child.  When I got up in the morning, she would be sitting outside my bedroom door.  When I left, she would walk around the house looking for me.   When I didn't give her enough attention, she would meow loudly making it clear she wanted it undivided.   She would sit in the middle of the room and watch me as I went about my day.  Once I sat down, she immediately sprung from the floor into my lap and would make herself very comfortable.  She would lick my hand then put her paw on my palm and curl it in a motion that made me think SHE was petting ME.  On the rare occasion that she would just sit next to me on the couch (opposed to on me), she would stretch out one paw so it was touching me.  If I moved, she would move to ensure her paw was touching me in some way.

She loved bbq pork rinds and she would make herself sick on cheese puffs if I let her. When I would call out her name, she would mew in response as if to say "here I am!".  I would lay on the couch and she would lay on my back or side.  She would completely melt into me.  There were many times I would wake up to her laying on her side and resting her head on my arm like one of my children.  So when I say she was special - she was.  Matt would often say how ridiculous it was when she would lay in my arms like a baby or curl up against my neck.  I think he was jealous - haha.

She was a little girl.  She was barely tipping the scale at 6 pounds.  She was long-haired and cute as a button. I was so in love with her that I often said I couldn't imagine my life without her.

Awhile back she got a flea infestation that was pretty bad, thanks to my dog.  I thought I was going to lose her and that scared me.  I couldn't take her to the vet because, as much as she loved me, she would tear me apart when I tried to put her in a box to take her.  So I did everything in my power to treat her.  The dog was treated via the vet but with Kyra I had to do what I could and eventually she bounced back.  Fleas can kill a cat.  Especially small ones.  They drink so much of the animal's blood that the animal becomes anemic and can't replace the blood cells quick enough.  It happens mostly in smaller cats or elderly ones.

So everything was back to normal.  I went on vacation for 10 days with my kids at the end of June and Kyra was a wreck without me that long.  She did not adjust well. Then I went on a vacation for 4 days with my family and when we got back, Kyra made it known that she missed me by not leaving my side.

This past week, she went from this vivacious kitten to just slinking around the house.  While I found this odd, I didn't really think nothing of it.  She tended to have mood swings (like most women, haha).  Everything happened so quickly I am unsure of what day it was, but I am going to say Friday....something was seriously wrong.  She wanted to sleep all day and night.  She didn't want to sit with me.  When I loved on her, she didn't get up.  She acknowledged me but she didn't get up from where she was laying.  She then would go and lay in the bathroom on the toilet lid and not come out.  I began to get a little worried.  I checked her food and water and realized that I hadn't given her any food since we had gotten back from vacation on the 6th....and it didn't look like she had eaten any while we were away.  I grew even more worried.

Late that night she was lying on the bathroom floor, curled in a ball and she looked so weak and pitiful.  I gave her some raw hamburger trying to get her to eat something.  I got excited that she ate a few nibbles so I quickly got her more.  She didn't even touch it.  I got her some water and she took a few licks and when I checked back on her, her nose was just resting in the bowl.  I text Matt and he said we would take her to the vet Monday.  I told him that I didn't think she would make it until then.

Saturday comes and it is Caleb's birthday party day.  It was such a fun day honoring a great young man.  When I got back that evening and Matt left for work, I checked on Kyra.  She was not doing well.  She was laying on her side and her breathing was ragged.  I tried to keep my composure because my daughter was getting ready for bed and I didn't want to upset her.  She even said "Kyra doesn't look well, mom." and she grabbed a small blanket and covered her up.

After she went to bed, I text Matt and he said to try to find an emergency vet open.  I love him.  He hates animals....and yet he knew the pain I was in.  I told him no.  I knew she was dying and I just wanted to be with her and show her she was not alone.  I put my pillow and blanket in the bathroom and laid down with her, all the time stroking her head and whispering to her.  She was so cold.  I prayed so hard that night.  I told God to just take her.  I didn't want her to be in pain.  Then I prayed for healing because I didn't want to wake up without her.  I didn't know what I wanted.  I sat up, crying and wondering what I could do - if anything.  As I sat there, Kyra mewed softly and took every ounce of strength she had to get up and she belly crawled to my lap.  She then crawled into it and placed her paw on my hand and curled it twice as if to pet me. This moment couldn't be any more precious to me.  Those of you that may think animals are just animals.  Or that cats are impersonal and only snub their owners.  Or maybe you hate cats all together.  This moment couldn't have been any more meaningful or purposeful.  She was saying good bye and she wanted nothing more than to be close to me.

I was determined to stay there until she passed away.  I wanted her to pass away feeling the love of her owner.  It was then that I noticed she had fleas.  How had I not notice this before?   She had a flea collar and I had dusted her and I flea controlled my dog for the past couple months - how had she gotten some?  And there were quite a few and I realized that was her demise.  I felt so guilty that I hadn't realized this sooner.  I was angry that she was being eaten alive by these parasites.  She couldn't even scratch them at that moment due to being so weak.  And even though I knew she was dying, I had hope that she wouldn't.  So I doused her with some of the best flea spray ever that the vet had given me a long time ago.  I then felt bad because she was already cold and I wet her fur with this spray.  I just didn't know what else to do.  Do I just let her die or do I try to bounce her back?  Deep down, I knew nothing I did would change the outcome.  Honestly, I am not even sure it was the fleas....with cats it could be anything.  But I had to have a reason...I had to have something to blame.

I had fallen asleep on the floor next to her and woken up sometime in the middle of the night and don't remember even going to bed.  When I got up, I checked on her and she had made her way to Cheyenne's room.  She was lying there, still and barely breathing.  I gave her a scratch to let her know I was there then got ready and left for church.  While I was at lunch, Matt called me and I immediately asked how she was doing.  "That's why I called you."  he had said.  My heart sank.  I was so determined to stay by her side until she passed the night before.  I was even going to stay home from church but decided to go.  And while I was gone, she passed away.  Alone and without the love of her owner.

I shed a few tears as did my daughter.  I kept my composure because we were with friends.  Matt buried her for me and then met me in town to go to a movie.  We didn't get home until right before he had to go to work.  I thought I was doing well, considering.  But as I walked into that house, I felt her gone.  As I sat in my chair, she wasn't there in my lap.  As I looked at the couch, she would never share it with me again.  She was gone.

As I got up this morning, I knew I wanted to blog about it.  I wanted to share her with the world.  I cry as I type this.  I still miss her and will every day.   I will never find another cat as special as her and quite frankly, I don't know if I will even try.

God created animals to be companions first.  When Adam was in the garden of Eden, God gave him the animals.  However, He knew that man needed more than animals to be companions so He created Eve.  Animals are our family.

People make jokes about cats.  Cats are hated by many and yet dogs are adored.  I have a dog and I love him dearly but he is just a dumb dog.  All of his mannerisms are taught.  He loves me and I him, don't get me wrong but with Kyra it was so much more than that.  There is no connection spiritually between me and him.  I love him and he is great but he isn't her.

I know some people may read this and think "why blog about it?".  I wanted to share my love for her.  I typed it with a heavy heart and through tears to let the world know how great she truly was.  Some will think I am silly.  Perhaps I am.  I know this - she was special to me.  She was my baby girl and when you have something that special in your life, it isn't by coincidence.

So, I pray that God has a special cat up there that can't wait for me to get home.

I often would wake up to this.

She is in our computer desk as I sit at the computer - she was never far from me.

She often slept like this on my lap - I will miss you, Kyra.

Playing in the toilet - this was actually taken 2 days before she passed.  It all happened so quickly.

In the words of Frosty the Snowman....Happy Birthday!

I feel old.

My son turns 16 this week.  He has grown into such a handsome young man.  When he was little, I used to cradle him and think of how he would be when he was 16.  I sat and pondered on if he would be a good kid or would he be a kid that was never home and would rather spend time with his friends than family.  I never dreamed he would be as amazing as he is today.

He was born in a small community in Indiana and was 3 weeks late.  Come to think of it, he never gets in a hurry now!  He was 8 pounds 7 ounces and I was young (I was not quite 20 years old when I had him).  I had this bundle that I could "play house" with and soon realized that it wasn't all blankies and teddy bears.

We have been through alot, he and I.  However, we have persevered.  He knows he can depend on me and I know that he has my back.  He is a young man I can be proud of.

He has the biggest heart of anyone I know and has such passion in the things he enjoys.  He is so musically gifted that I wonder who the heck he got THAT from because I can't carry a tune in a bucket!  He plays the drums like a beast and is so intelligent that it makes me angry when he doesn't apply himself.  He loves God and his friends and would lay down his life for either.  He would give his last dollar to help someone out and he loves his step-dad like he was his biological.

He tends to be awkward and spout off at situations he doesn't know how to respond in which is often mistaken for disrespect.  He is a teenage boy and is working on discovering who he is in a world where you can be anything if you just apply yourself.

He is so much like my dad that it makes me tear up sometimes.  He and my dad would have been buddies, I am sure of that.  He has some of the same interests, mannerisms and things he says that make me thank God for giving me a piece of my dad in my son.

I couldn't of asked for a better son.

So as his birthday week is approaching, I just offer up a prayer for him -

Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray blessings over Caleb.  I pray that everything his hands touch and every place his feet plant are blessed and give glory to You.  I pray that as he transitions into adulthood soon and how in a few years he will have to make some big decisions, I pray that he goes to You for guidance first.  I pray that he keeps his focus on what You want for him.  I pray that he succeeds in everything he sets out to accomplish and I also pray that his failures are not looked at as such but looked at opportunities to move on and learn.  I pray that he finds someone that loves God more than she loves him and someone that respects him and cherishes him as much as I do.  I pray that he doesn't let the worldly things tickle his mind with promises of things that are not pleasing to God.  I pray that he stays rooted in the Word and connected with You.  I pray that his greatest love is his love for his Creator.  I pray for a hedge of protection and a blood covering for himself, his future family and a safety and security that only you, God, can provide.

I ask this is Jesus' precious name.
Amen.

I love you, Caleb.