Eden's first birthday in heaven ~

Happy 1st Birthday in Heaven Eden Rain ~

Happy birthday to you in heaven
Our precious granddaughter Eden Rain
We heard the angels are throwing a party
To celebrate your birth and beautiful name.

They must be very excited
I'm sure they have baked a cake
And strewn flower petals all around
Getting ready to celebrate.

They have some presents to give you
That we just know you will love
We sent all your gifts to heaven
On the wings of a pure, white dove.

There's a box filled with love from your mama
All tied up with glittery strings
Inside there are one million kisses
And a new pair of soft angel wings.

There's a box of hugs from your daddy
He misses his little girl so
He's added some dreams and a rainbow
Along with pretty ribbons and bows.

Your sisters gifts are so special
They had to be just right
They worked so very hard on them
Sometimes even into the night.

Their box is the one that sparkles,
Because girls love nice, pretty things
They've included some stardust and wishes
 And lullabies for the angels to sing.

They also put in several handfuls

Of soft feathers for your bed

Then they included something so special

It's a new crown for your sweet little head.

Grandpa and I sent a simple gift

A sweet pair of new dancing shoes

You know how practical we are

To send something you can use.

So when you take those first little steps

Up there on the streets of gold

You can feel us all sending our love

Since you can't be here to hold.

We pray your birthday is very special

And that you know just how loved you are

You're our beautiful and precious angel

Dwelling in heaven among the stars.

Become Like Little Children...

I wanted to share something with you today that my son posted on his family site and it really touched my heart...I hope it touches yours too. Have a blessed Monday!

"Matthew 18:3 says "And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'

"Growing up this verse or this concept was always related to a child's faith. Jump off the table and daddy will be there to catch you; get hurt and mommy will be there to comfort you. A child has absolute faith in their parents to be there for them and in turn we have been taught that this is the meaning of the verse.

After being a father for only one year I have come to a different understanding of this verse.

Have you ever watched your child through the day; watched how they interact with their parents. Mom and Dad literally ARE their life. One story for us particularly comes to mind to describe what I mean.

Liss and I were getting ready to eat dinner one night so as always we had our TV trays set up in the living room. Keira was playing around the couch and Liss was going into the kitchen (probably to get the food...I don't remember why because this isn't the important part). Upon seeing Liss leave the room as she often does Keira started following her mommy out.

Problem: The TV tray next to the couch was directly between her and the path to get to mom. Solution: Who cares.

Keira proceeded to try and push her way through the hole between the tv tray and the couch. She of course started crying because she couldn't make it through, but being a typical father I decided to wait a moment and see what would happen. Would she backtrack, sit up and wait for help? Neither.

This little girl was so intent on getting to her mother that she didn't care what stood in the way. She wasn't making any headway. It was obvious she would never make it through, but this little girl didn't care. She kept pushing and pushing causing more pain to herself until daddy finally came to the rescue and freed her from her prison allowing her to continue her single-minded pursuit.

This is the understanding I've come to know from this verse. It's not "jump and I will catch you" it's "push, pull, scrunch, twist...do what you have to do to seek me with all your heart.

"Do this...be like a child. Have a single-minded pursuit of me like a child. Stop at nothing to find me like a child.

Matthew 18:3 says "And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"