Praise and Prayer Request

Today is Karsten's 3rd spiritual birthday...the day he was born (adopted) into God's family by trusting Jesus as his Savior. Karsten was 4 years old at the time. Karsten has had many questions about heaven since he was 2 when his brother went to heaven. He has watched his mom and dad shed many tears over the last almost five years. When Karsten turned 3 he began asking all sorts of questions about heaven. Some things we couldn't answer, but we shared with him what God says in the Bible. We told him that Kyler went straight to heaven because he was a baby and God holds babies and children so precious in His sight. We were able to share with him how we know that we are going to heaven some day. Salvation is a gift from God. Jesus did all the work when he died on the cross. All we have to do is admit that we are sinners, ask for His forgiveness, and make Jesus the Lord of our lives. The minute we confess Him as Savior the Holy Spirit lives inside us forever.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2006, as we were driving home from the funeral home on our way to church Karsten said, "I want Jesus to live inside me." So we pulled over in the Kroger parking lot and as he talked to God, he trusted Jesus to be his Savior. That was such a sweet time. It's all about God's grace, His undeserved kindness.

The "22nd" has always been a hard day for Brad and me each month since Kyler went to heaven on March 22. We miss him terribly. It isn't ironic that God saved Karsten on the "22nd" of February...that is God's perfect timing and something He wanted to give to us so we can also celebrate and rejoice on the 22nd.

Speaking of Kyler, Karsten is wanting another brother. We've been praying for God to give him another brother the last 4+ years. Karsten asked this past Friday if we could adopt a brother for him. Wow! That is something Brad and I have talked about and prayed about, but the financial part of it is so expensive. However, we serve a mighty God and all the finances are in His hands. None of it is ours' to begin with. Please pray for us that not only we bring Kylie home this year, but also we would step out in faith again and begin another adoption journey for our third son, Karsten's other little brother. As Ephesians 3:20 says, "God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us."

I want to close with this quote from the Daily Bread devotions.

Have you thought of where you're going ,
When this earthly life is past,
Will the seed that you are sowing,
Bring a harvest that will last?

Live for Christ,
Jennifer