Haley's World

Haley & The Congo Project

Each night before Haley goes to bed we decide on someone to pray for or something to pray about. For a long time, it seemed like we were always praying for someone who was sick or dying. When we finally no longer had anyone to pray for in that category, I decided I wanted to start us focusing on things we are “thankful for” that God has given to us. You know, instead of always asking for something, start saying "thank you" for what we have already been given.

So, tonight as Haley & I got to the point of thanking God for what we are thankful for (and wow, it seemed like the night from “hell” leading up to it), I decided to tell her about the girls and boys of The Congo Project. I started out by saying, “Haley, did you know that there are some boys and girls who don’t have a bed to sleep in at night like you do.”

From there, something unexpected happened. Haley began to recite for me what she knew some boys and girls don’t have that she does have…

Haley - “Yeah dad, and some boys and girls don’t have blankets.”
Me – “You’re right, Haley!”

Haley – “And some don’t have mommies and daddies.”
Me – “Yeah”

Haley - “And bedrooms.”
Me – “Yep”

Pause

Haley – “And Toys.”
Me – Speechless.

(NOTE: Earlier in the day, I had an email conversation with Caleb Bislow about what we would do with any monies given beyond the $10,000 that it would take to buy the building for the ladies and children of The Congo Project. He had mentioned that a first need would probably be beds. That conversation was actually in the back of my mind when I started to talking to Haley about being thankful for having a nice, warm bed to sleep in at night.)

This back and forth conversation with Haley, felt very much like a holy moment. I was in awe of what was coming out of my 3 year-old daughter’s mouth. As the saying goes, "Out of the mouths of babes..."

I couldn't help but think that God had just used Haley to outline the next phase of The Congo Project. So, in the coming days watch for more details to come about Phase II of the Congo Project after Phase I (raising the $10,000 to buy a building they can call “home”) has been completed.

Haley's Faces

This is awesome!

Check this out! My brother put it together. It's hilarious!

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We're at Babys R Us shopping and look where we find Haley! You can't leave this girl alone for a second. She's sooo much fun! (usually)

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Playing at Grandma and Grandpa Thompson's

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Haley's World

Haley and G-Pa, one her absolute favorite people in the whole world!

Haley and one of her friends, Katylynn Prenkert.

Haley loves stickers. She's known to put them anywhere and everywhere.

Haley's first date (and her only date until she turns 30) with her uncle Ben.

Haley at the park with Mom. She's going to be a thrill seeker!

Swigging at the Park

Last Thursday, Haley and I hung out at the park for awhile. Most of it was spent on the swing...

Haley's Baby Steps - Part 3

Last night, Haley had her first overnight stay away from home. She went to her Grandpa and Grandma Thompson's for a sleepover. Needless to say, they were more than a little excited to have their first grandchild with them for the entire night and this morning. I'm sure it's the first of what will be many sleepovers Haley will have with one set of grandparents or the other.

Baby Steps - Part II (Haley's Firsts)

1st Game - We were amazed last week when Haley began mimicking us when were playing peak-a-boo with her. She cracks up whenever we put her blanket (named "Lilly") over our face and then remove it and say "peak-a-boo. We couldn't believe it when just recently she began doing this on her own to herself. She'll put her blanket up to her face and then remove it, we'll say peak-a-boo, she'll laugh and then she does it all over again. This is the first time that she's done something like this where she copies exactly what we do. Of course later in life that could come back to bite us! However, for right now that's pretty cool and very cute!

Baby Dedication

Today, was a significant day. Not only was it Rachael's first Mother's Day but it was also the day that we chose to have Haley formally dedicated to the Lord. The heart of baby dedication can be seen in 1 Samuel 1:11a (NLT), "And she made this vow, 'O Lord Almighty, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you." Hannah desperately wanted a child and in her desperation she promised that if the Lord would bless her with a child, she would GIVE HIM BACK TO THE LORD.

Hannah understood that what we have has been given to us by the Lord. The things we "own" aren't ours in reality but only ours to manage. It's the same with children. The children the Lord blessed us with belong to him ultimately. He has given us the responsibility of raising them up in the ways of the Lord. We will be held accountable for what we do with what we've been given, children included.

So today, when we participated in this ceremony of baby dedication, as parents Rachael & I returned to the Lord what was rightfully his from the beginning. We gave our daughter back to the Lord, surrendering our will and desires for our daughter's life now and forever for the desires and will that God has for her life.

Today that was a fairly easy thing to do but I'm sure there will be days in the future where this commitment to keep Haley dedicated fully to the will of the Lord will be tested.

BABY STEPS (HALEY'S FIRSTS)...

First Cold
Haley got her first cold sometime last week. It’s mostly a head cold with lots of congestion including but not limited to snot, sneezing, snot, coughing and snot.

First Tooth
It’s official the whole teething thing is well underway in the Thompson household. Haley’s front two bottom teeth are oh so close to breaking through. The best remedy to ease the pain so far seems to be frozen aqua (aka. Ice Cubes).