Since having Little we have grown in our understanding of the Lord in ways we never imagined. My understanding of the Fall is deeper, my understanding of what heaven means for all who are broken is bigger, my prayer life is deeper – – so much is different.

Another difference is my understanding of and need for the Body of believers, God’s Church. The truth that we all have a place, we all have gifts, we all have a purpose, we all have “good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do”.

1 Corinthians 12 is all about the spiritual gifts of God’s people and how we need each other if we are going to live the abundant life here on earth. I pray verse 22 for Little.

Let me set it up for you:

12 “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, …”

Our Little may seem weaker to many, but my prayer is that she will be indispensable to the Body of Christ and the furthering of God’s kingdom. He has given her special gifts and I weep to see them in play.

I am so thankful for her Testimony to His love for the weak, downtrodden, hurting . . . broken. Oh, that I may learn from her. . .

In that same vein, let me tell you the conversation (edited due to echolaic tendencies which would cause this post to be three feet long) in the car this morning:

Little: “I love God, Mommy”
Me: “I am so glad you do, Little.”
Little: “We need to tell others.” (quote learned at VBS)
Me: “You can tell others, Little. You can tell your new friends at camp today.”
Little: “I’ll tell my new friends I love Jesus.”
Me: “You can ask Miss Britoni if she loves Jesus.” (Britoni is Little’s counselor)
Little: “I will ask Miss Britoni, ‘Do you love Jesus?’ today.”

In the car on the way home from camp. . .

Me: “Little, did you ask Miss Britoni if she loved Jesus?”
Little, after long processing pause: “I asked Miss Britoni if she loves Jesus.”
Me: “What did she say?”
Little, after long processing pause: “She said, ‘YES!'”

How about that? INDISPENSABLE!!!

My Little girl loved camp. Not only was she a big hit with the counselors, they were a big hit with her too! She had opportunities to do things so many kids her age haven’t done. I am very grateful — VERY grateful.

Here are some photos – I was given a CD when I picked her up today. I was also shown a photo of her petting a boa constrictor but it is still on the lady’s camera. I have given her my email address and I’ll share that one with you WHEN (not if) I get it.

The thing that strikes me as funny is this: they did rock wall climbing yesterday but only let those 6 and over participate. I had told Little that they were going to climb the rock wall (because I had not been told of the age restrictions) and so she apparently talked about it all day. As the day drew to a close, Little’s counselor approached the “rock wall guy” and asked if he would please let Little have a turn. Her comment was, “I feel certain her mom wouldn’t mind.” So, there was concern over whether or not I would mind my daughter climbing a rock wall while completely strapped in and held by an adult but there was NO concern about whether or not I would mind her interaction with a boa constrictor. SERIOUSLY!! Funny thing is, I was/am not concerned about either. I am THRILLED she got to do both and a bit jealous that I wasn’t there to do either 🙂

“Thank you, Variety!!”

And now photos: