I woke up feeling sick this morning. Mostly physical but I know my spirit wasn’t right either. We were unable to attend worship with our congregation today because the first of the youth minister candidates was here to interview. Our intention was to attend another local church service, but like I said…I was sick. Benny could have taken the kids without me but he decided we were going to worship at home as a family instead. He shared this plan with Max over breakfast and Max was so excited he could hardly eat. Benny told him he could preach to us and Max said, “I’ll do communion too!”
We gathered in the living room and Zoe chose the songs we sang. Max prayed for the Lord’s supper, “Dear God, please help us remember this juice represents the blood that dripped from the cross to cover our sins. We love you. Amen.” (I almost cried ) Our children have definitely been watching what we do – Zoe broke off a small piece of the cracker that was the “bread”, and passed the plate to me with a big smile as she put the piece in her mouth. Max stood on a chair as he shared his favorite Bible story with us – The Good Samaritan. He told us all of the details he knew and then said, “and that’s why God wants us to help people”. We watched a Storykeepers video that also has the Good Samaritan story in it. Benny and Zoe both prayed which is precious. She always thanks God for her food and her family – each of us by name – and says, “I wuv you God, Amen!”
There were five of us gathered in Jesus’ name and He was there too. It was wonderful. It’s an awesome feeling to know that God is real to our kids. We didn’t play church today, we did church kid’s style…I think we should do that more often. It was without ceremony but was still orderly, without fancy words but was heartfelt, and it included everyone, not just those of us who have already been baptized. I’m so thankful for my family and the freedom to worship how and when we choose.
Sometimes I Write 
That’s really good stuff. Hope you’re feeling better. I’m home with an upset tummy today. God Bless
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Hey, it’s Angi. I just want you to know how inspired I am by your family. I hope and pray that should God bless me with children someday, I have the boldness and love to make God as real to them as you and Benny have with your kids. Thanks for being my friend and mentor. Love you!
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Hello Nikki,
Although we’ve never met, I feel like I know you already just from all that Angi has told me about you. She had read me your post tonight and it touched me in ways I can’t even begin to describe, what a precious family and what a blessing to have had such an incredible time of family, worship, and communion with the Father on a day that you were anticipating to be difficult.
I also want to say thank you for the friend and mentor that you have been to Angi (and Kyle) I can tell you of countless times that she has shared your wisdom with me.
I started to talk about how ironic it was as to just how I got you your blog, but then I smiled as I realized irony had nothing to do with it and God had EVERYTHING to do with it. Yet, that’s just how HE works. I was reading (as I usually do) Mike Cope’s blog and I saw your comment on one of his recent posts. As I read it (before I saw the name) I thought, this sounds just like Nikki and then I saw your name. I knew before I clicked that it was you, and then, there was your blog. I then went on to read all of your posts. Thank you for the blessing and encouragement that you are, not only to Angi, but so many others whose lives you are touching w/o realizing it! Press on and on those days when you know HE is in control but you can’t see the road, remember Jer. 29:11 and Zeph. 3:17.
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God is so awesome to bless me with such great friends! Thank you Angi, Steph & Ed. I needed the encouragement today and God used you to do it. Steph & Ed – even though we’re only blogging friends at this point, I want you to know I’m glad to have you in my life! God bless you both!
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