Back to School 2012

The school bells are ringing and the buses are rolling...it's back to school time!  This year we have a 1st grader and a 9th grader!

We attended two open houses this past Saturday.  Cecily (our 9th grader) wouldn't dare let me take a picture at her's.  I'm not sure why, ha! Bentley is still indulging me with the picture taking.  After getting supply lists from his teacher and all of Cecily's, we went on Monday to get the things they needed.  I was able to find everything at Target and Staples.  I'm thankful for the great deals at Staples making the school shopping fairly painless.

Isn't she beautiful?  I am finding it hard to believe that she's 14 and starting high school!  Her dad and I are so very proud of her.  Cecily is developing into a remarkable young woman.

No, Bentley did not go to school barefooted!!  Cecily has to be in her first class at 7:10 a.m. and Bentley doesn't have to be in his class until 8 a.m.  He barely was up in time to see big sister off this morning.

Mike took Cecily and JennaBeth and I took Bentley this first day.  Little sister was a big help getting her "bubba" and all his supplies into his classroom.  Those two played together so well yesterday.  When I asked where all the sweetness was coming from (because it isn't always that way!), Bentley said, "On all those other days we didn't know about missing each other, but we know we gonna miss each other tomorrow since schools starts".

That was her later in the afternoon after a full morning of playing with her bubba!

So on this first day of a new school year, my heart is full with thanksgiving and praise for all the ways God has blessed and is blessing my family and I offer this prayer on behalf of Cecily, Bentley and JennaBeth:

 

A Mother's Prayer

(originally by Mrs. Mary Steadman Roe)

Oh, Thou who hast been my God, my father's God, my father's father's God,

my mother's God, my mother's mother's God;

I come before Thee now to entreat Thee solemnly to be also my children's God.

 Thou, all-great Jehovah, and Thou alone, knowest the value of my children's souls,

and Thou alone canst save Them.  

Oh, let Thine arms of mercy and love be constantly about them

to preserve them from the follies of childhood, the dangers of youth,

and the sins of maturer years.

 Thou knowest the anxieties of a parent's heart,

and Thou hast more than a parent's love for all whom Thou takest

into Thy care and protection.

Oh, let my beloved children be some of those blessed ones

whom Thou carriest in Thine arms,

whom Thou leadest gently,

whom Thou wilt watch over every moment of their pilgrimage below, 

and of whom at last Thou wilt pronounce,

"Of such is the kingdom of heaven".

Let Thy restraining grace be exercised toward them, to protect them

from evil dispositions, unamiable tempers,

disobedience, and all outward immoralities.

 May they love each other and their parents,

and learn to take pleasure in denying themselves for each other

and for the sake of all who may come within their reach.

Preserve them from carelessness, laziness, wandering habits,

and improper companions.

 And oh, great God, above all things,

let Thy converting grace enlarge their hearts

that their parents may have the unspeakable happiness

of seeing them all follow the dear Savior;

or, if their mother should not be allowed the blessedness of seeing 

this great change wrought upon them while on earth,

may I be called to rejoice over it in the bright regions

of eternal glory.

 Oh, my Savior, 

take my children into Thy care and keeping.

I confess that I am not worthy of the least of all Thy mercies,

much less am I worthy to ask Thee for so great favors,

yet I would not be discouraged,

for Thou hast said,

"Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it",

and I do trust that through the merits of the Savior alone

Thy sovereign mercy may lay hold of my dear children,

and that they may, every one, spend their lives in Thy service.

 And oh,

enable me to labor incessantly for their conversion,

to pray without ceasing for them,

and to endeavor, by all means in my power,

 to impress the truth of the gospel on their minds

and to seek with all earnestness that the Holy Spirit

may impress those truths on their minds while they are yet young.

 

Blessings,

Jennifer