FB Status of JoElle's 1 yr old Teacher

JoElle was baptized today by Keith Christie!

FB Status of JoElle's teacher when she was 1:

Stacy Lee

"I proclaim Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I AM NOT ASHAMED!"-- JoElle Coats (5 yrs old and got baptized today) I am reminded of the beauty of a child-like faith. Thanks, Jo Jo! ♥

On My page:

Megan,

Thank you for having me today! It was so rewarding to see JoElle get baptized. I know God will continue to use her to touch many many MANY lives. This shows how great you and Tim are as parents. :) Awesome job! I hope to be at least half the parent you are when my time comes. haha

Love,

Stacy

Ms. Stacy had such a big impact on JoElle's little life, from 10 months to 2 yrs old. It's amazing the love she poured out on JoElle and the encouragement she was to JoElle and to our family. She came to birthday parties, even to watch JoElle once at ASI gymnastics when she was just a toddler. JoElle looked forward to every day of class with Stacy. She taught JoElle Christian songs, Scripture, and truths about God from the Bible.

Updates on JoElle

So, JoElle has been on ADHD meds for almost 2 weeks now. I can tell a pretty big difference, but it has been crazy b/c of Christmas and New Year's, all the new toys, and no gymnastics.

Tim is not so confident in the efficacy of her medication regimen.

I feel like we have to hang in, see what happens over the next weeks.
I see so many positives, there have been a few minor setbacks, but nothing we haven't overcome.

I trust that God has great plans for JoElle!

Lately, she has been baptizing herself in the bathtub and today she told me she is ready to be baptized "for real." She is very excited! She is now able to pray again, when she was seriously depressed, she could no longer pray at bedtime, now the gift of prayer has been flowing from her mouth.

I wish I could record some of them, they touch our hearts tremendously and I know God is smiling down at her!

Tonight, in her prayer, she proclaimed loudly " I KNOW you are REAL, GOD, and you created EVERYTHING, and you can do ALL THINGS..." and her prayer continued, from her heart. She even prayed for those who do not do the right thing and say the right thing, asking for forgiveness for them and told God "I know you take care of everyone, but I will also help you take care of people, and feed them if they need food, I will be a superhero for YOU!"

Sweet Prayers

Several sweet prayers out of the mouth of babes:

JoElle: "Dear God, I love you so much, and I love the world that you made, in Jesus name I pray, Amen."

"Dear God, thank you for making Mommy pregnant with me and Alexa"

"Dear God, thank you for never giving up on us and forgive me for all of the mistakes I have made"


Her sweet heart brings tears to our eyes.

Precious Prayers

JoElle's bedtime prayer:

I love you God because you are my savior. I love all the things that you made. I love you for being in my heart.

In Jesus name I pray.

Amen.

.....Amen!

JoElle led our lunchtime prayer today over a sausage and egg scramble; she asked the Lord to help Alexa close her eyes to pray and to help Alexa understand God.

We finish our prayers by banging on the table, lifting our arms, and exclaiming "Amen!"

Then we started to eat and Alexa banged on her tray, lifted her arms, and said "Amen!" She wanted us to do it again! It was cute cute.

Likes

Alexa likes to push strollers around the house; she is good at maneuvering them, too, around all sorts of obstacles.

Alexa loves to try to jump; she bends her knees and crouches down real low, then springs up with a huge grin on her face! She also learned recently how to lift each foot up and kinda march so she can dance with whatever music comes on tv.

Alexa thinks it is hilarious when she climbs on the bricks surrounding the fireplace and stands up; she gives us a mischevious laugh...

Alexa is into throwing things, usually things that shouldn't be thrown, and especially loves to throw food down. She is getting picky about food, can't find much she really wants to eat.

She loves to eat Fruit Loops still. If I make the food from scratch, she enjoys it, but if it is from somewhere or a box, no way.

Alexa loves to walk on the sidewalk, through my garden, tries to go into the pond in our backyard, and in the garage. She does not want anybody to hold her hand. She throws fits. She will throw herself backwards onto the floor, even on the cement outside.

Sometimes, for kicks, the throws her head back and makes herself fall on the gloor, she thinks this is funny.

JoElle is doing great at Sunday School and Choir. The other night, she prayed with me to receive Christ into her heart. It was such a precious time with her! She is very excited that Jesus is in her heart. Last night, she told me and Tim that he is now in her eyeballs, and she started giggling.

Then JoElle asked us "How can we get Jesus in Alexa's heart, Mommy?"

What a great question! Then we discussed how everyone has to make their own decision.

JoElle LOVES to sing her songs from choir, all the time and loudly.

She is reading better, I just haven't been very consistent with her. She writes her name exceptionally well. She is still just as silly and creative as ever. Lately we have had a bit of a problem with her not being truthful and have had LOTS of talks about it.

JoElle is enduring time out right now...

JoElle is enduring excruciating but a much needed time out right now, in her bed. I warned her that if she continues to lie, she will go to her room to think it over. She decided that she needed to do this now rather than later.

These past few days, she has been lying quite a bit. She lies about insignificant things, for instance, she will ask me "Do I have more food on my plate?" as she covers up the plate. I will respond, perhaps saying no, would you like some more? She will lie and tell me "Yes, I have more" so I believe her and walk away, then I will notice or she will bring it to my attention that she was not being truthful.

It's really a stupid reason to lie and I don't understand it, but we have been talking about what lying is, why it's important not to lie, discussed the story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" and talked about lying being sinful.

I can't remember the last time she has been sent to time out, it's been at least a year, maybe longer.

Just another demonstration of the struggle between flesh and spirit- "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" and this is exactly why we need Jesus to save us and the Holy Spirit in us to assist us daily, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day and year by year.