{pearls & prayer}

This is just a little story I love about my daughter that I thought would be fun to share.

Whenever I see pearls I am always reminded of Zuriah, my sweet first born {3 1/2 year old}.

When she was a baby I would sometimes go into her room in the night before I went to bed and get her out of her bed, rock her in the dark, and pray over her. {Sleeping babies are just too sweet}.

One night I remember asking Jesus about her and feeling like He said, "She's my pearl." I remembered the parable in Matthew about the pearl...

"The kingdom of heaven is like a a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

I sat and meditated on that for awhile- wow this little baby in my arms was worth Jesus dying for! Even if it was just her- he would still have done it.

We were shopping not too long ago {at Michael's no less} and she stopped me in the aisle and said, "Mom, we need to get these, they're pearls and Jesus said I'm a pearl." 

I was shocked she had said that because I hadn't told her about how I felt like He told me that about her. It was a tub full of pearl beads {that were a little on the expensive side} but I bought them anyway. {How could I not?}

Now every time she sees pearls she always has to have one to hold. I love that! Jesus is speaking to her even now at 3 years old.

I want to encourage you to pray over your little ones- it's amazing how much impact a mother can have through prayer!

exodus {for a three year old}

For Christmas I bought the girls a dvd of Moses- actually "The Ten Commandments" kids version {I love "Prince of Egypt" but I wish it finished the story} this one wasn't as great quality wise, but it had the whole story, which is GREAT.

So when the movie was finished I decided to start a Bible study with Zuriah. We are reading through Exodus! Of course I'm reading a little bit ahead and putting it into the best language that she can understand. I'm not a huge fan of Bible "stories" for children {with the exception of the Jesus Storybook Bible which is incredible} but when I can read the Bible and summarize it for her myself I think it's much better {and offers a better application for her life} AND I get the Word too!

:::

So here's how I'm doing it:

Every day {or every other day} I read 1-2 chapters then summarize it for her in her language 

for example: "the Pharaoh wanted to hurt all the babies, so Moses' mommy put Moses in a basket so he would be safe"

I talk to her about what we read and see what she can recall

I add a practical application, for example: "if someone wants to hurt someone you love do you protect them? Does God protect you? Does mommy and daddy protect you? God is our banner- He protects us, it's one of His names."

I make up a craft for her to make to go along with the passages we read

I talk to her about the craft and again see what she can recall

::: 

For our first craft we made a basket for baby Moses out of popsicle sticks and made a baby out of pipe cleaner with a puff ball for his head. {Baby boy Moses is completely pink in case you wanted to know}

I hope I can encourage you to do a Bible study with your kiddos too- {of course it doesn't have to be Exodus} even Anah at 18 months loves to sit while I read. No matter the age it's great family time and so good for them to learn what God's Word says.