Saturday, March 22, 2008
MY HEART, MY JEREMIAH
I am not sure I can even describe how Jeremiah makes me feel as a mother ... I will never forget his first cry after a very scary emergency c-section ... He came into my world and changed me forever ... I credit the capacity in my heart to love as a mother to him ... He helps me see the world the way God made it w/ his amazing heart ... He is truly one of kind ... I can't tell you have many parents call to tell me what a great friend he is to their child ... Or how many people at a game that will come up to me after a game (whether we win or lose) and tell me how amazed they are at his sportsmanship and athletic ability ... He has the heart of someone much older than 10 ... This year on his birthday I realized how quickly the time is going and I want to cherish every moment... He is my biggest helper at home and never fails to share whatever he has w/his siblings or others...I can see God at work in his life ever day and I can't tell you how over joyed that makes me... I pray for his heart each day, I pray he will make decisions pleasing to the Lord, I pray he is a good friend, and sometimes I pray for his future wife (that one is hard to swallow right now ... hee hee) ...
Just to describe what kind of young man he is becoming I will give you a treasure box moment or two ...
1. Wednesday night, I ask him for his birthday to pick out a bible verse for each of us that would describe us, and sitting right there on my counter he said I already have Maggie's, so I asked what it was and he said, "Man looks on the outward appearance and God looks at the heart." Can I just say that I teared up ... I saw right to his very heart and realize that Jeremiah is so concerned w/how people view Maggie and that they can't see always what a blessing she is to us ...
2. We have played in a lot of basketball games over the years and after each game Jeremiah is always first in line to shake hands w/ the other team and tell them what a good job they did ...
3. I can't think of a time when he had something and his siblings or friends wanted it and he always shares (even his most favorite things) ... He is such a giver ...
4. Now mind you we live in a very affluent area and at a private school, we are by far in the minority when it comes to income .. At our school, there is always a cause they are raising money for and on Fridays you can give a $1 to wear jeans ... Well, we always give Jeremiah his $1, but he never fails to give some of his own money. I know he is usually saving to buy something for himself, but in that moment he realizes their are others who need it so much more than he does...
5. When talking about bringing the girls home or going to Africa, Jeremiah is always supportive and says I don't mind giving up things ... He desperately wants to go to Ethiopia w/ me and I think the Lord is preparing his heart for something big ....
6. I will always remember our 1st trip to feed the homeless on that cold rainy day when a man ask if we had a size 11 shoes for him and we didn't ... I handed him the gloves I had on and gave him a lunch and blanket ... As we drove away Jeremiah said, "Dad we need to make sure we have shoes next time we come." ... He has a heart for those in need and would give them anything he had I just know it ...
I could go on and on about this amazing young man, but I will leave you w/the thought that our children are the only thing we can take to heaven w/us, so let's always walk close to them and show them the amazing life a believer can live by faith each day ... Jeremiah will always be the first person to steal a piece of my heart and that is why his symbol is my heart ... All the good in him comes from the Lord and I am so proud to be his mother and I thank him for teaching me each day more about the Lord ...
Jeremiah, I love you and will always be here for you till I take my very last breathe !!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
32 kind words.:
He is an amazing child. I have gotten to witness it firsthand as he graciously indulges three year olds and their capacity to "play" with him. He is amazingly giving and so much fun for them. Can't wait to see him helping with his brother and sister in Ethiopia : )
What an incredible young man! Hope he had a great birthday! We love you, Jeremiah. What a great big brother you are - can't wait to see you!!!
Wish I could say he got his good looks from me...heehee!
Happy Birthday, Jeremiah. Gwen, he sounds like a wonderful person. I know, from all that I've read on him through your blog, he was sent from the Lord especially for you and Scott.
I am sitting here with tears. What a amazing 10 year old! He is a wonderful reflection on how you are raising your kids!
Happy Birthday Jeremiah! What a blessing you are to your family and friends!
Maybe we can work out an arranged marriage! Rachel is 3-1/2 years younger than Jeremiah. When they're like 21 and 24, I think it could work!!!!
As I sit here on the verge of tears, I think about (although I know Jordan is much younger and has not been able to show his whole self to me yet) how much we both think of our firstborn sons. Until Jordan came around, I always knew I wanted to be a mother, but had no idea how wonderful it would be. You are very blessed to have been given a wonderful child like Jeremiah! I can only hope Jordan will grow up to be as wonderful a man as I KNOW Jeremiah will be! :)
What an amazing young man you are raising. I pray my children will have a heart for God, hands for service, and eyes to see inside everyone to see the blessings that they were created to be.
I also pray for my children's future spouses...my parents told me when I was engaged that they had been praying for my hubby since I was born. That meant so much to me, and I hope someday it will touch my children's hearts.
Blessings-Andie
Beautiful! And to think it all started out in the ball cart. HA!
His character is a wonderful testament to the unconditional love and acceptance he must feel from his parents and the Lord. That is priceless! And how awesome it is that more (and more) beautiful children are, and will be, able to experience that same Oatsvall love.
Can't believe it's been 10 years!
Lauren Mc. B.
He is truly such a blessing - we have seen that first - hand!! Our boys still talk about their fun time together!!!
Jeremiah is a great kid. Every time i come to visit i always watch and I see how well he treats Elijah,Emily and Maggie.
Staci
What a special young man..... How awesome to see Jesus working through him already...
As always, your family blesses each of us who know you in any way...
I just wanted to wish the Oatsvalls a very happy and joyous Easter.
What a very thoughtful young man... he is...
Happy Birthday Jeremiah... you are an amazing boy.. LOVE this post.. and the pictures say it all..
HAPPY EASTER..
Hugs to you all..
What an amazing child. He touched my heart when I saw that photo of him with Maggie after she first came home.
I agree with you that God has special plans for him. What a blessing to you as his mother to see glimpses of the amazing man he will be.
Happy Easter Gwen!
You're right, it goes by too quickly! Jared is now 17! Can you believe it? I think he and Jeremiah are a lot alike. I'm sure you have the book, I'll Love You Forever. I remember reading it to Jared when he was so little and thinking the teenage part was SO far away! Now I'm starting to realize the old lady may not be too far away :)
Cherish these times, they are precious. I can say that they only grow even stronger!
I believe that God will do mighty things through Jeremiah! The way you disciple him and the rest of your children is an example to many people. Thank you for being a light.
Golly he sounds like every parents dream child.
He has got great godly parents,and it shows through you kids.
May God keep blessing your family.
Jeremiah is an amazing kid and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for his life!!!
So beautiful. How I pray that the Alexander and Oatsvall kids can enjoy some sweet time together soon.
What a treasure you have there and what an example to the other kids~
What a wonderful post about your very, special son. I am sure your heart is just bursting with pride. He sounds like such an amazing boy.
What a truly amazing child. God really gave you a special gift Gwen. Happy birthday to sweet Jeremiah and hugs to you!
Happy late Birthday J. Sweet boy!!!
Hope you guys had a great Easter. We let the girls go to my folks they are having a blast but boy do we miss them. Sure makes me thankful for them. Can't imagine not being a mom. Love ya girl!
Gwen, that was so beautiful, heart-felt, and touching. I loved learning more about your first child - your sweet son - your heart. He is such an amazing young man, already, at his young age. I'm quite sure that God has big plans for him, and I look forward to watching them unfold.
XO
Happy Birthday Jeremiah. What an amazing son you have Gwen. Not only is he handsome, but he has a heart for the Lord and others. You and Scott must be so proud.
such a lovely post about your sweet boy. He is going to do mighty things on the earth for God :)
Oh my, I love this post. What an amazing boy with such a sweet spirit. The three of you (mom, dad and God) are raising him so incredibly wonderful, he is a testimony to the beauty of living a life filled with the Lord's love.
Thank you for sharing him with all of us!
What a precious young man you and Scott have raised! He has such a beautiful heart just like his Mom! He's a blessing .....and thank you for sharing these precious stories about him.....I have tears running down my face right now...I just know that God is going to continue to use Jeremiah in a mighty way!
Love you sweet friend....and a very Happy belated B-day to your sweet boy!
OK, I teared up as well when I read the verse he had for Maggie. He is a wonderful young man. Do you think he is too old for Hannah? :)