Before the throne...I come....

Amanda, Olav, Lily, and Stian

Stian and Amanda

Where to begin...first this weekend was great! My sister and dad threw us a welcome home party...it was wonderful to celebrate Lily's homecoming with so many wonderful friends!

Then Stian came up with his new wife Amanda. It was so good to see them. I look forward to them returning around Christmas time for a longer visit. 25 hours was just not enough!

But the thing that has really got me bowled over is how???? How can we raise Lily to be cut from a different mold than today's young people?

We were on Stian and Amanda's My Space pages looking at pictures of their friends and they were plastered with young girls wearing provocative clothing and posing provocatively for the camera. It saddened my heart greatly. First, it appears as if these young girls have gotten the message that their only value is in their sexuality. And of course, my mind immediately went to Lily...how will we be able to raise her so that she is "different". How do you raise a child to love and fear God? It brings me to my knees.

I find myself even now praying for the friends she will have in school. That God would surround her with good friends who make wise decisions. That God would protect her from harm, even as she flexes her "muscles".

Parenting is a daunting task...I am very afraid! Jesus, I ask for your guidance, wisdom, and protection por favor:)

P.S. I took two pictures of everyone that I wanted to post, but in the first picture Lily turned her head and in the 2nd picture my stomach and red bra were showing through...so I thought after my rant about modesty...it might not be appropriate to post that one:)

Love,
Kim