Landon Riley Douglas is 13!!

March 26, 2010 our oldest turned 13.

Some people have said oh, you are parent of a teenager.

Then they follow with.We will be praying for you. Then many laughs abound or giggles.

When Landon turned 10 I feared this day. I was foolish to fear; but in God's mercy, He guided me to pray and seek scripture to pray for my child. I must say I am not fearful and I am actually enjoying it and excited.

I have seen God work many things in our lives with Landon and I trust God with him. I have asked for God to guide on us to lead him biblical and give him friends that are truth seekers. I have asked God to slay Landon with law of His Word so he will see he is a sinner and in need of a savior.
Do we have frustrating times and does Landon sin? Yes, but b/c God has intervened in our lives it is going to be a wonderful adventure.

Landon is all heart. He is funny and is learning to be more self controlled. But I could not nor would dream of having any other son other than Landon. He is smart and understands when you teach the bible and other topics. He loves science and geography. He loves people. He has a tender and compassionate heart. He is sensitive and strong! He loves the color green and camo! He loves to be active!! Landon is a rule follower and very black and white. He does love quality time spent with him and he is very loving towards us. He also loves HUMOR!! We laugh a lot together. Another one of his loves are his animals. He loves his dog and he loves learning and working with his Pop's horses. Landon also respects his elders. He loves his grandparents especially His Pop!! He may fight at times with his brother , but we know he loves him b/c he worries and is protective over his brother even in advising his father and I on what his brother can handle watching or doing. He does get concerned if something will scare Parker.

We love Landon very much. God has used him to make us into the kind of parents He wants us to be and we are so grateful God gave us him our firstborn son. Our family is blessed to have him. We enjoy his heart of compassion and his humor.

We celebrated with his friends that God has provided and went laser tagging. I say God provided them b/c our prayer has been that God send godly friends and remove evil influences out of our sons lives. God answers prayers. I was so awed by God's goodness when this group of boys came to our house. I love them and their families and only God could have brought this all about. I could not have picked it on my own nor my husband. I am so grateful God called us to home school, and then led us to a great group of homeschooling people who have the same heart in raising children to glorify God and Honor Him. We both have been so grateful for all that God has brought into Landon's life and ours. We know that the teenage years will be exciting, learning, hard, fun, bittersweet, but mostly we looked forward because we serve an amazing God and when you commit your ways to Him the journey is so much easier and rewarding! It only encourages us more to memorize scripture, pray it over our children, and be doers of the Word for God's glory and His purpose for our lives and our sons.

We love you Landon Riley and pray everyday for you to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. We looked forward to seeing you grow into the man wants you to be!! We pray for you to be a Psalm 15 man.

TRUSTING GOD

"If we can't believe God when circumstances against us, we do not believe him at all."
Charles Spurgeon


Trusting God no matter the circumstances has been a huge lesson for me this whole year. I am learning to trust God in many areas and I have become so awed by His overflowing love. Have you had those moments in your spiritual walk where you just fall in love all over with the Lord? As a believer it is so exciting to see new believers when they get saved. It reminds you of the kind of zeal and fervor you should have on a daily basis. It reminds you how grateful to be when you are saved. It's relief that you are not going to burn for eternity. It is indescribable the moment you see what a sinner you are, the need of a savior, and the peace that comes from knowing God has showed mercy and saved you. It renews you and refreshes you especially if you have been walking with the Lord for while and been going through a trial. Just as spring, babies, and even baby animals can bring a sweet smile to your face. It is beautiful to see a Christ follower on fire for the Lord. It tells us in God's word when we seek Him we will find Him, but you have to seek with all your heart. I have learned to just seek and Him and really just pray and ask for Him to enable me to commit all my ways to him no matter the circumstance.

When a loved one hurts you, can you just let it go and forgive and not react but respond with God's grace every time? When I do my daily chores can I just praise God for all the blessings even if it is something like potty training which takes a lot of patience and consistency? When I clean up the accidents can I have a happy heart while doing it every single time? Can I ignore other's heart conditions that treat me with no respect and disregard me as if I were of no value? Can I breath life into my husband and children with encouraging words instead of criticism? Can I fight depression and self pity? Can I encourage my friends to keep their eyes on God and His Word? Can I encourage with God's word and not my own? Can I be bold and stand firm in my convictions even when facing opposition or persecution? Am I committed to God and what He tells me even if all leave and forsake that are human? Can I not get lazy? Can I not procrastinate? Can I not give into temptation? Can I be disciplined every day to my quiet time and exercise? When someone hates you because the Christ in you makes them uncomfortable can I just not worry about it, nor feel any anger towards them? Can I just not be insecure? When my child sins can I not see it as a personal reflection, not let my pride get in the way and correct without punishing, and just see how God is working and what He wants me to do? Can I be content in all circumstances and keep joyful in trial and tribulation? Can I praise God through a storm or valley? Can I just be still and empty myself out for the Lord and only for His glory and not for Him to praise me or others to think I am good?

All of these I answer no to. I can not do it on my own, but with the Holy Spirit I can! He will guide me and mold me into a yes. He has and will continue to in my walk with Him. In that I am awed. In that I am humbled and grateful!! In death and resurrection of Christ our Lord am I set free! I am so thankful for learning to TRUST and KNOW God. I am awed that I am being allowed to die to self and live in Christ.

By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace was not in vain. On the contrary I work harder than any of them, though it was not I but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Cor. 15:10
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in ALL things at ALL times, you may abound in every good work. 2Cor. 9:8