The best news, busy Mama

Brittany and Mama had a long conversation late yesterday as Brittany related a significant event to Mama concerning Zoe and Sophia. For some time, Brittany, as she recounted events leading up to last night, has been overhearing conversations between Zoe and Sophia expounding between themselves what they understood about salvation. It was surprisingly accurate and telling in the details they discussed, so last night Brittany began to quiz them about the idea. As she asked them to relate what they knew, they told their mommy about how Jesus died on the cross to take away our sins. That you cannot go to Heaven just by obeying your parents. You cannot go the Heaven just because you go to church. To go to Heaven, you must ask Jesus into our heart.

Brittany asked the obvious question of Zoe; do you want to ask Jesus to come into your heart and save you? The answer was yes, and Brittany prayed with her to ask Jesus to be her Savior. Sophia was an observer to the prayer, not a participant, so Brittany asked Sophia if she would like to ask Jesus into her heart also. Her answer was that she did not want to do so right then. Brittany assured her that was okay. She could think about it and let mommy know when she was ready. However, Zoe was mortified that her sister would not be going to Heaven as she would and her heartfelt protect motivated Sophia to pray as well. Though that will need to be revisited at some future date, Brittany is certain that Zoe understood exactly what she was doing, and we rejoice in that. When emotions had settled, both of the twins asked if Audrey could pray for Jesus to come into her heart? Obviously, that will need to happen sometime much later. Brittany, to her credit, handled the situation beautifully.

Such is the blessing of being in the right church. One that unapologetically teaches Bible doctrine; especially that of salvation. God, in His wisdom made salvation so simple that the heart and mind of a little child can understand. After raising our children in church, Mama and I felt compelled to move our church affiliation to a different denomination. The very first morning we attended that church, Joshua and Cori prayed in the Sunday School hour to ask Jesus into their hearts. That is one of the primary reasons we have stayed with the Independent Fundamental Baptists. That is why Mama and I worked in Children’s ministries for all the years that we did. That is why we were able to see many young children pray their simple prayer to ask Jesus into their hearts. When presented with the simplicity of the Gospel, children can understand the message of salvation.

Mama has been working at our church school for the past two days. Bro. Zach needed the time off to attend the men’s retreat in Arkansas. A group of about eight men went from our church. I was not able to attend this year because I could not find a substitute to teach my class yesterday. It is for the bast on my part since I do not feel very well. It has turned out to be a fun couple days for Mama. The school is traveling to a competition today – somewhere in Arlington. That is something Mama really enjoys. So, she is making the most of the time to get involved with the students, most of whom she knows well. She was so fired up yesterday evening that she got out the mower and mowed the front and back yards and down the fence line along the road. All that was done before I got home. Today’s activities will probably be a little more tiring for her. I am glad they called on her to substitute for Bro. Zach.  

As always, I have planned activities for the weekend, but I am not sure what can actually get done. Mama is planning on setting up a table or two outside of Tractor Supply tomorrow. She will be attempting to sell both her Color Street products and her crafts. Honestly, she has done better with the crafts lately than with the nail appliques, but Color Street remains the long-term business plan. Though people in general may not have realized it fully yet, inflation is causing our economy to tighten and as that pressure grows money will less easily parted with for feel-good items. We are already starting to see that as Mama plies her wares, hence the multifaceted approach to marketing multiple types of wares to attract buyers. Regardless of how tight money gets, people are always looking for items that give them joy. Mama has many such to offer.

I will stay and work as I am able at the farm tomorrow. Hopefully, neither of us will spend too much money and at least one of us will make a little money. Time will tell.