Saved! Saved! Saved!

The last two days have caused great celebration in Heaven.  I'm certain they never grow tired of it though.

Yesterday (Aug 9th), I was reading a book called "Missionary Stories with the Millers".  The one story we were reading was about a missionary couple in Congo, Africa who was being tortured by a terrorist group.  The terrorists asked the missionaries, "Aren't you afraid to die?"  And the missionaries responded, "No, because if we die, we get to be with God in Heaven."  The terrorists continued to try and frighten them, but they stood their ground in their faith in Jesus.  The terrorists soon became bored and let them go.  Their lives were spared.  --  I talked to my kids about how great it was that they were so brave and that I could only hope to be as brave as them.  That was a great way to talk about how we don't need to be afraid of tornadoes (since my kids to this day still talk about them and are quite frightened).  So we talked about it for a bit.  Then I asked the kids, "Why don't we have to be afraid?"  One answered, "Because if Christians die, they get to go to Heaven to be with God!"  I told him he was right.  Then he said, "But I'm not a Christian, so I won't get to go to Heaven, will I?  It was that questioned that got the gears spinning; that question was the one that changed the lives of three of my children in a matter of 36 hours.

Right after that, I asked him a series of questions about being a sinner, about Jesus dying on the cross,  having the Holy Spirit living in your heart, and wanting to obey God.  He answered the questions with no hesitation.  And after that, he said, "I want to pray now!"  There was great urgency in his voice.  He prayed and accepted Jesus as his Savior August 9, 2011 during school. PRAISE GOD!!  Only for my daughter minutes later to say, "Oh, that's what it's all about!  I didn't quite understand when I did it a couple months ago, but now I do."  So she went off to her room and prayed for salvation.  Once again, PRAISE GOD!!

Three of my sweet children with the book that catapulted their desire to know Jesus

At Publix yesterday, while I was having my great coupon shopping experience, my middle son went around proclaiming to everyone that he was a Christian and then proceeded to tell them how they could be saved.  It was so awesome to see such a child-like faith with no fear of what someone else might say to that.  What a great testimony to me.  What an awesome day!

But it didn't stop there.  My oldest, today - Aug 10, 2011, in his bedroom, prayed.  I'm putting his prayer down here, because it was so simple and so true.  He said:

"Dear God, Thank you for this day.  I know that I'm a sinner.  I want you to come live in my heart, and I want to obey you.  Oh yeah, and I know that Jesus died on the cross for me. In Jesus' name, Amen."

He opened his eyes and had the biggest smile on his face.  He told me, "I'm a Christian!  I can't believe it!  I'm a Christian now!  I'm so excited!"  And for the third time in 36 short hours, PRAISE GOD!!

Calling his grandparents to let them know of his big decision

They all have been asking questions about Heaven and how to get saved all summer long.  I've been answering their questions and hoping and praying that they would accept Jesus as their Savior.  This is such a blessing for us!!  We couldn't be more happier and neither could they.  We are rejoicing with our children, who have been smiling from ear to ear ever since they got saved.

And now they are certain that one day they will be in Heaven with God!