Thank you cookies

This is a rather terrible pictures of some cookies I just finished this evening. They are a little gift for some very special people. This year there have been several people that have made an impact in Eli's life. The children's leaders at BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) have been unbelievably amazing. If you have children and have the chance to attend BSF you should do it...even if it's just for the children! Eli has learned so much this year. I don't think Edgar and I really thought Eli was 'ready' to learn much about God. We took him to church and prayed with him at night, but really thought that was about all a 2-year old 'needed'. Then I started to go to BSF and I quickly saw that Eli was not only really learning about God, but he was EXCITED about learning about God. We would pull into the parking lot and he would get so excited and say 'Bible Story! Bible Story! Learn about God!!'. It was so cute...and amazing that a 2 year old caught on to what was really going on :) I now will often hear him playing with his toys talking about Jesus. When Edgar and I talked about whether I should go to BSF again next year, Edgar said 'You have to go! Eli NEEDS to be there'. I think because we saw what he was capable of learning at BSF we became more vigilant about teaching him about Jesus. We take time to tell him Bible stories and teach him about Jesus. He LOVES it when I pull out the flanelgraph and tell him stories with that :) We work on his memory verses each week, and while he has yet to actually say one from memory, he's learning. (And a few weeks back when his verse was 'The Sovereign Lord helps me' mommy learned a few things to :) ) I can't even begin to write down what an impact this has made on my son...I don't know that I will ever truly know. I DO know, though, that I will miss going each week this summer. We'll definitely be going back in the fall :)

The other amazing thing is that even in Leah's class they have a Bible story, and they pray over each and every baby in the nursery each week. Just.Beautiful.

I have been tremendously blessed by the study in Isaiah that we have done this year, and am sad that it is coming to a close. Tomorrow is the last 'regular' meeting until next fall. It has been so wonderful to have the accountability of a Bible study group as well as to sit under the incredible teaching of God's word. Sometimes I don't understand why God so richly blesses me and my family with opportunities like attending BSF, but I am incredibly grateful. It has truly been an incredible year.