Joy

Isaac enjoyed playing at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a couple of hours this morning while I hung out with my sister-in-law.  I was able to find a frog umbrella for Isaac which I think he will like.  I'll wait until it rains to give it to him as he already wants to wear his rubber boots and there is still lots of snow outside.

Thankfully Josiah had a couple of BMs today.  We stocked up on prunes so hopefully that will help him.  Early afternoon seems to be his worst time of the day but he always enjoys his bath mid-afternoon.

He's moving his hands even more these days.  I went into his bedroom to find him playing with his NG tube attached to the tube with his milk.  I had the tube under a beanbag over his head but he pulled both down.  He loves to play with tubes and he gets mad when I remove them from his hands.

This morning I asked Isaac if he would like me to read a book to him.  He said, "No.  Isaac read."  He then sat on the floor of his room and looked at the book.  Mom said he went right to the books when he arrived at their house and sat down and started turning the pages and telling himself the story.  I caught him in the afternoon looking at this farm story while I was preparing supper.  I'm glad he enjoys books.  I like to read to him.  

Isaac asked me yesterday, "Joy mean?"  I gave him a long-winded answer.  I need to think up a more concise definition like the one I've heard my brother use for patience: "waiting without whining."  I just did a brief Bible review of joy.  In God's presence there is "fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11) and the "fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace ..." (Galatians 5:22).  I can sing and dance because of Jesus.  Yesterday morning at breakfast, Isaac said it was too early to dance. 

Our boys are a treasured gift from God.  It is our responsibility to love them and raise them for the glory of God.  We believe that "boys will be godly and boys will be honoring and boys will be humble." If I tweeted I would certainly retweet Ann Voskamp's long but powerful blog post of from March 20, "After Steubenville: 25 Things Our Sons need to know about manhood."

Thank you for your prayers!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Nehemiah 8:10
"...  Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”