Giving Thanks...

Hannah Grace's words of Thanksgiving

This time of year has always been a time our family reflects over the things in our life that we are so truly thankful for. This year, I have so much to be thankful for and it seems like this Thanksgiving, Christ is even more the central focus. Usually, as a family we will go around and talk about things that we are thankful for...many years it will include: our family, our health, our home, our church, our friends and so on. This year, God has proven to us that He is a faithful God who loves us dearly. I am so thankful for my sweet Savior who loves me and desires for ME to be like Him. How unworthy I am of that task. I just don't understand why he loves me so. But in His lovingkindness, he has sought fit to use life's tragic circumstances to draw me into a sweet relationship with Him. I have never known Him to be so real. He truly is a God of mercy and kindness. He loves His children and nothing will separate His children from Him. There is nothing that I can do that would separate me from the love of Christ. God has been so faithful to me over the last 9 weeks. I never imagined I could go on with life...but with each morning, He lavishes the grace that I need for each day. I do not fear the future, but I cling to the promise that my life is in His hands. I actually find a lot of hope in the future. I know that He has something wonderful in store for me and my family. During this Thanksgiving season, I am so thankful for Christ and His amazing love.

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you."
Psalm 31:19

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
Psalm 107:1

Thoughts on Sophie and Eternal Life.. From her Daddy

As a father, it is a dark nightmare to even write these words: My daughter is dying.
There is nothing that can be done for her by doctors, her parents, or any other person to prevent her death. I cannot express the pain that is in my heart and mind at this moment. One of the issues that rises in your heart when it is your child that is dying is, "How do I know that my child will have eternal life?" Most of you just read that sentence and thought, "Why would you think about that? Everyone knows that babies go to heaven." When you have never faced the death of your own child it is easy to just blindly accept that others teach that babies are covered by a special grace until an age of accountability, but trust me when it is your child that is dying, other people's teaching and belief is not enough to bring you comfort and peace. I believe that Sophie, and other children who die, are saved and given eternal life. Why do I believe that? I base what I believe not on the fact that Sophie is innocent of sin, because she is born in sin. I do not base my conviction on an age of accountability, because the Scripture does not teach any such age. Why then do I believe that my daughter will live and reign with Christ forever? I believe that Sophie will be saved by God through the sacrifice of Christ applied to her life by faith alone. The simple way to say it is that she will be saved the same way I am saved. My belief is based on the passages that speak about this subject (Psalm 139, II Samuel 12:15-23, Jeremiah 31:15-20, and Matthew 18:1-14). God is merciful, gracious, sovereign, and just. My conviction about Sophie's salvation comes from my understanding of God's character. I hope in him and him alone! One day I will see my little one again. When I see her she will be praising her savior Jesus Christ. I think of it this way. When I get to heaven if I ask her, "Sophie, how were you saved?" She will say something like this, "Dad, I was not saved because I was a baby when I died. God saved me because he chose to be gracious to me and merciful. God saved me through the blood sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ. God saved me through giving me faith in Christ as my savior. And Dad, the best part is.. he saved me forever! I am His child and all of the kingdom is my inheritance because of who Jesus is for me. Jesus is the treasure that we all praise for now and through eternity!!!" Those thoughts bring me great joy because they are rooted in God and his character, not tradition or other's opinion. I know this has been a brief explanation without alot of Scripture references, but if you would like me to send you some more detailed explanation please post a comment and ask me for a more in depth answer. I want you to be comforted by God, Christ, and the Word. Sophie is my daughter and I love her deeply. My heart will hope in Christ who is the captain of our salvation!


Treasuring Christ for Eternity,

Carlton

Cookies and more...

Dear Friends,

I know I say this on every post, but I want to thank you for letting me know how Sophie is changing your walk with Christ. It does give me comfort to know that her little life is having such a huge impact on so many people. I have truly been overwhelmed by your stories. It also convicts me to know that her life is having such a impact on the kingdom, yet I look at my own life and wonder why I am not bolder in my walk with Christ. What an amazing little girl. The name "Sophie" means wise and she is far wiser than any of us. God is using Sophie to display His glory and I am humbled that He would choose my child for His great purpose. I mentioned to a friend today at church how I struggle with being joyful in seeing those come to Christ and grow closer to Him through Sophie's life, yet on the other hand, my flesh cries out, "I don't care about your salvation, I want my baby! Please God, use somebody else's life to display your glory!" But, when I look at this life and think of eternal things, I am truly joyful at the end of the day.

I am posting some pictures of the scarecrow cookies we made this past week. We had so much fun doing these cookies! They tasted great too! The recipe came from Family Fun magazine.

Aimee

Cookies- Sugar wafers(hat), Fiber One Cereal (hair), mini-chocolate chips (eyes), candy corn (nose), Chocolate sprinkles (mouth), and a cookie with icing!