prayer smiles

At night when I put baby Louie to bed, we first sit on the floor together and read the "bye-boo" (Bible) and then I lean over with my face on the carpet and pray for him before tucking him him. Louie loves these times and has taken to crawling on my back while I'm praying and pretending I'm a horsey. It was fabulous last night to know that God heard my prayers and my son's giggles simultaneously.

In the morning, our newest family tradition is to sing a hymn together at the piano. Then we read from the Children's one-year Bible, ask the kids if they'd like us to be praying about anything, and then Daddy prays for each one of us while he places his hand on our heads.

Yesterday, 5-year-old Keona wanted to pray. Just as Daddy did, she went to Daddy, me, and Jonathan laying her hand on each of our heads and praying. Next, she placed her hand on her own head and asked God to give her a "pink and purple wig" for her birthday.

Then Keona placed her hand on Louie who thought Keona was playing tag! So Louie took off running, but Keona was undeterred. Around the kitchen they went while Louie giggled and Keona prayed with her hand on top of the moving target of Louie's head until a breathless Keona shouted, "AMEN!"