Praying for Jack and a future giveaway

For a couple of years I've kept a 'prayer journal' to write down specific prayers for family and friends. It's a small, black, 3 ring binder, with tabs for each day of the week.

Each day I pray for two people, and each person has their page a picture of them and a couple of prayers. When I read a bible verse that reminds me of one of them I will write it in their page. It is a neat way to 'claim' that verse over their life.

It's been great to look back and read some answered prayers.

I love it because it would take a long time in prayer to pray this much in one day. By spreading it out over the week I can concentrate on one person each day and really take my time with them.

It also motivates me to not miss a quiet time each day. If I do then those people are out of luck for the week- ha!

I'm not sharing this to brag or suggest this is how others should pray by any means. I am sharing this because recently I noticed Jack's prayer page has been completely blank for 9 months.

I have attempted to write in it many times. And each time I have struggled in what I want to pray over him... so I just close the prayer journal.

Do I pray for a long and prosperous earthly life? Do I pray for him to know Christ at an early age? Do I pray for protection? or for God's glory to shine on him?

So far my prayers have been short and sweet over Jack- something along the lines of...

'Thank you Lord for Jack. Please be close to him. Amen'

Honestly I can't bring myself to pray for a perfect life here on earth. If nothing bad ever happens to him he'd probably rely too much on himself and not on God. As painful as they are, it's during the difficult times we draw closest to the Lord.

But I haven't been able to bring myself to pray for trials for him.

Part of me never wants Jack to suffer over anything. I don't want his heart to ever be broken by a girl, rejected by a friend, not invited to a party, not picked in sports, not make the cut for the team, not get into the college of his choice, etc, etc. Yep protection sounds pretty good to me.

I'm also afraid to pray for his eternal life or God's glory to shine on him. Might that mean he will face big storms during his life or even die young?

And so I've been afraid to pray for Jack sometimes most of the time. I don't know how my prayers will be answered and what that might mean for him long term.

I know I need to surrender Jack and stop wanting to be in control of how his life will turn out. I am continuously working on this one!

But I wanted to share something that really helped me on praying for Jack. I finally cheated and bought prayer cards online.

I had ordered the 'How to pray for your husband' cards a couple of months ago and LOVED LOVED them. They have so many areas to pray for I would've never thought of myself.

I just ordered the 'How to pray for your Children' set. They are SO good! (you'd think I was getting paid big time the way that I recommend these to others :)

They were such a huge help for me getting past this wall. I like that each card has a couple of bible verses under the prayer- it really helps me to ask for a blessing/promise that is found in the bible!

Here are a few examples of the prayer cards (There is a total of 15)

- Pray that they will know Christ as their savior early in life
- Pray that they will respect those in authority over them.
- Pray that their lives will exemplify the fruit of the spirit.
- Pray that they will know the difference between happiness and joy and learn to be content in all circumstances.

I contacted the lady who makes these cards on Etsy and she agreed to give away a set of prayer cards in Sept. She is closing her store in July and August to dedicate extra time to her family (And she has been absolutely a delight to purchase from). So be on the lookout for the future giveaway and some possible discounts on the prayer cards!

I hope this post and the prayer cards may have sparked some ideas on praying for your loved ones :)

Our Anniversary

This past Friday June 11 completed 5 years from the day Steve and I got married.

I am so thankful to have been blessed with such a loving, fun, incredible husband to be by my side. I don't take him for granted one bit!

It amazes me that God brought us together in the midst of my partying days and we met drinking at a bar. I was doing things my own way at the time, yet God was still working in my life regardless of where I was at.

I love you Steve! I am so thankful for the journey we've been on these last 5 years. I would walk through the valley again with you anytime.

And so I leave you with some pictures from the time we got married...

At our rehearsal dinner at Jackson's with Steve's niece Maddy and nephew Ethan.

Walking down the aisle at the end of the ceremony. Steve's bepop

(grandpa) and his uncle Randy performed the ceremony.

My favorite wedding picture

Having that first bite of cake. He didn't smash it in my face, but I did!

Our first dance as husband and wife... I was SO nervous

Serenaded by Steve's fraternity brothers from college...

this was so fun and a real treat!

At our honeymoon in Sandals, St Lucia.

Summer Happies

With the hot weather already in FL, I decided to write down all the things that make me smile and that I love about summer. I put a lot of thought into this and it turned out to be a lot of fun- I think I will try to do this too once the fall gets here!

Here is the list (in no particular order)

1. Making summer lemonades
2. Grilling hamburgers and hot dogs in our backyard
3. Seer sucker polo shirts

4. Stocking up on shorts, capris and sandals at the JCrew outlet in Ellenton (They have the BEST sales!)
5. Pottery barn and pottery kids yearly sales- I love these stores but July is the only time of year I can afford anything
6. The calming sound of ocean waves along with a beautiful sunset

7. Being able to take my sweet 8 month old to the beach- since I now know he loves it!

8. Being tan again and my hair naturally getting lighter
9. Spending time with family at Anna Maria Island over the 4th of July
10. Watching a movie and eating popcorn on late day afternoon showers
11. Yummy frappucinos at Starbucks

12. My small pink and brown bible (Thanks Shelly! even though I use this all year long it fits the best over summer :)
13. Wearing pretty summer dresses
14. Celebrating my wedding anniversary in June

15. Volunteering in July on Andrew's birthday in his memory
16. Reading magazines on how to decorate for summer
17. Taking a break from all the commitments of fall and early spring (Junior league, bible studies, etc)
18. Walking into an A/C room after being out in the hot humid Florida weather
19. Attending showers in late spring/early summer
20. Less traffic on the way to work due to school being out
21. Coconut and lime smells
22. All things with a palm tree on it