God creates everyone, so He has many children. Can you imagine His turning to one of His angels and saying, “That’s my kid!” I can, because I know how much He loves each of us, even those of us who have gone astray. Today, I want to tell you about our children, the three that we have that participated in our constant military moves and all of the changes that came to their lives as a result.
This is our lovely daughter Hope Ellen. She is beautiful inside and out. She is the mom of five of our grandchildren and she manages to homeschool all of them and keep her sanity. She is also a gracious lady who serves the Lord in her local church and throughout her community. I am so happy to say that she is a Christian through and through and is raising her children to serve the Lord. She is the one who rushed to my side when I had a stroke, leaving her husband in charge of the then four children and all of their activities. Unselfish to the core, this is Hope.
This is Scott James, our second born who has faced a lot of obstacles in his life. Told by a math teacher that he admired during his high school years that he needed to take a lower level of math, he just wasn’t suited for the difficult course that he was enrolled in, Scott persevered, passed that class and became a math teacher himself. I think that encounter with his teacher has given him a lot of empathy for those who do not understand math at all. Scott also has a ton of patience! He is pictured here with darling Iris, his “baby” who is autistic and non-verbal. Although we have prayed for years for total healing for her, that has not happened, yet she is still a joy to be around and I think part of that is the unconditional acceptance that her father offers her. He is also the father of a teen boy who has a lot of extracurricular activities that his father encourages and participates in.
This is our youngest, Steven Caleb, with his youngest. Like Scott, he is an amazing father. He is a stay-at-home dad who works from home and manages to spend a lot of quality time with his two children, Penny and Evie. He is an Associate Editor for Gamespot online and works hard daily reviewing games, editing stories, pitching stories and soothing Evie and Penny. It always amazes me how he lifts Penny into his arms in the middle of a meltdown and reasons with her. Cuddling her close, he continues to say softly, “Let me know when you are ready to talk.” Sniffling dramatically the three year old eventually responds to her father’s calm, loving actions and calms down.
So, why am I sharing these personal stories with you? Don’t you see yourself in each one? Hectic and rushed Hope, unselfishly rushing to the side of her very ill mother. Compassionate Scott taking the time to show others how competent they really are. And patient Steven calming down the child who is determined to have her way. Maybe you can also see the Heavenly Father in each of them. He is unselfish. After all, He gave us His Only Son to die for us. He is compassionate, seeing how weak we are and becoming our strength. And, oh, how patient God is, waiting for us to turn to Him and rejoicing with Heaven when we do! I am blessed to have three children to demonstrate to me the qualities of God.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 
Vickie, I have to say you have been very blessed with your family and they are all of God’s creation for sure. I have to disagree that all who are born into our world are God’s creations it is very obvious they are not. This saddens me very much as many of my family were not God’s creation including my own son it did not matter how hard I fought for him against evil he became absorbed by it and I have had to move on and give my love and attention to those who really require it. Bless you.
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Your son is still God’s creation, but he is in rebellion now. But for God’s grace, there go I. So rather than judge, I choose to love and pray for change. 🤗
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I do not judge but let go and leave him to God.
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I also have a child who has abandoned the faith she was raised with for some not so good worldly things. A friend of mine shared with me this week that God also feels the pain and heartbreak I feel. She shared about Hosea who was told by God to marry a prostitute so he could experience the same pain that God felt over Israel’s unfaithfulness. She reminded me that eventually Hosea’s unfaithful wife returned when she saw that the ash heap she was living in was not as good as life with Hosea and God. I still try to show my love, try to show God’s love to my child, even though at times I am rejected. Like you, I have had to turn my energy to other more fruitful things. I have to trust God and his plan even though I don’t understand. Praying for you to feel the peace of Christ envelope you in the midst of your pain.
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Wow! God always has perfect timing! My blog was written along the lines of this today, before I even read this….It was heavy on my heart. We all can be a disappointment to others, but we should be encouraged to never give up on each other, especially our loved ones. God never gives up on us! Prayers for those who have family members who have walked away from God. We will trust that it’s only for a short season. God Bless!
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God is good!
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I gratefully accept your prayers.
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God bless you and your entire family Vicklea!
They are a beautiful gift from the Lord for sure.
And little Iris is such a blessing isn’t she?
We have a 4 year old daughter who has mental challenges, and I am so thankful for this condition.
Because hopefully this will prevent her from taking on so much wickedness of the world as she ages.
God bless you sister.
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Children sure are a blessing from the Lord! And you truly have been blessed with children and grandchildren! This was a joy to read! Thank you sharing your family with us 🙂
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This is a fantastic post, Vickie. I very much enjoyed “meeting” your children. What wonderful kids you’ve been blessed with. Children are a gift from God! ❤
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I read so much love bursting through your words, Vickie! What lovely children and their families! Thank you for sharing.
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You have a beautiful family filled with love! Thanks for sharing Vickie, God bless all of you!
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Thank you for sharing what God has blessed you with. Children are truly a heritage from the Lord!
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What an absolutely adorable family! Love those pics, especially Steven with the little one.
Hope Ellen was so loving to come to help you. Hope you are doing better since your stroke.
Scott James proved himself and then became a blessing to others! My son has an animated character he created as a young boy and uses in his cartoons/anime… names James Scott. You made me think on him.
Steven sounds like a loving dad. The little one in the picture seems to agree (and that little one is cute with that costume! 🙂 )
I did see myself in each one. Thanks reminding us of tender side of God’s love. ❤
He loves you too!
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Blessed indeed!
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😊
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What lovely children of God. Little Scott is soooo cute.
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Your family is beautiful Vickie. I agree with you and join you in liking Psalms 127:3 because children are a gift! 🙂
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