New Year, New Beginnings

I have never fully grasped the excitement of New Years. Perhaps this will change as our children get older, as have our perspectives and excitement surrounding birthdays. For now, we are complacent and are not busting at the seems with intense jubilee when the clock strikes midnight.

This past Sunday, a pastor at our church encouraged us to pray about certain changes the Lord wants in our lives. Though our hearts and passions are different, our intentions and desires for Holland, Jackson and Maelynn are identical. As parents, David and I both desire each one of our children to come to know the Lord, seek Him and be used for His glory all of their remaining days. We are always brainstorming of ways and opportunities to minister to Holland and Jackson, but specifically Holland right now. She is at the age where she is asking an immeasurable amount of questions and sincerely is curious about the world around her. We are seizing this chance to mold her little mind and more importantly her heart.

2011 is a year of new beginnings and changes for the Uzzell household. It was placed on David's heart for us to start a family bible study. Though we felt a little unprepared, we wanted to start it before we had the chance to make any excuses! We began our study in Genesis and are using a book given to us by a friend/mentor called Long Story Short: Ten Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family Closer to God.

Our studies are not long, only 10 minutes or so, but the benefits are already being shown. Holland is very excited to pull out our family bible and study book every night at 7 o'clock and shout, "Time for Bible study!" It is great to see her energized about learning and being in God's word. To the best of her ability, she has grasped that God created everything with His power and just by speaking. Her favorite thing (right now) that she is most thankful for God creating is " Toy Story Dominoes". It is wondrous to see Him through Holland's little eyes. While Jackson is not an active participant yet, he drinks his bottle while listening to our conversation and prayers. It is a sweet sight that I know has been captured in our minds forever.