Audrey heard from God this past weekend at Living Proof Live in Tucson. I didn't doubt she would, but you can bet I prayed through the whole thing for her to know it when she heard it!
Have to say that one of the first things Beth said on Friday night was that each one there was called by God to be there, and that God had something specific to say to each and every one of us. I totally elbowed Audrey at that point!
And this is it. What she heard just for her. It's pinned to her bulletin board along with her event bracelet that she finally took off.
(And as much as the editor and teacher in me wants to fix her typo, I love that it's there. God speaks to us even if we don't always spell correctly! Even if we're not quite grown up. There's no age or height requirement to hear from him. All it takes is the desire to hear him and a heart to listen.)
As we talked on the drive home, we thought about what that means in her life. About her areas of influence. About how we have seen this truth confirmed in her life. She gets that this is part of her calling.
And she's 11. That blows me away. How amazing is that?!
She heard from God. She knows it was him. And you can bet she's listening for him to speak again. Because once you hear his voice, you can't wait to hear it again.
Isn't it amazing to see your girl growing in the Lord? I'm witnessing that with my 11 year old, too. Such a sweet time!
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | March 30, 2010 at 07:52 AM
This is so awesome...isn't God SO good?! Man I love Him! And I love that your 11 year old daughter already has a desire to hear God's voice..to listen to His calling...to follow Him. Wow..what a privelege to raise Godly daughters...!
Posted by: Michelle | March 30, 2010 at 08:00 AM
Amen! I'm thinkin' your blog should be called "the good Mom" :-) Isn't that our whole mission as mothers? To help our children find their missions and prepare them to accomplish them?
Posted by: Beth | March 30, 2010 at 08:00 AM
P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S.
Posted by: Lora | March 30, 2010 at 08:19 AM
I cannot wait to share such an event with my girlies! (The twins are nearly 8 and the baby is 5, so we need to wait a little longer.) I love, love, love that it was such a great time for her spirit. I love, love, love that she's learning to hear what God has to say to her. Specifically. So happy for you both!
Posted by: Gail @ Pandemonium in the Parsonage | March 30, 2010 at 08:30 AM
She's open to hear Him, b/c you & Tobin have taught her to listen! What awesome parents you two are. It's been awhile since I've commented on your blog, but I want you to know that the wisdom you share, whether from your teaching, scripture memory, your family or your household hints speak to me VERY often. I love seeing 'The Simple Wife' appear in my Inbox!! You're a truly talented wife, Mom and friend to many!
I'm so glad you and Aubrey were able to see Beth in Tucson! Since we moved back to Texas I am enjoying being close enough to see her locally. My neighbor & I have been driving to Houston (72 miles)every Tuesday night for Beth's Tuesday night Bible study. What a blessing!
It seems like forever since the Siesta Fiesta in '08! Blessings to you and keep on lovin' those girls of yours--their beautiful, inside and out!
Bobbie Lutz
College Station, TX
Posted by: Bobbie Lutz | March 30, 2010 at 08:35 AM
Oh that is awesome...prayers spoken for a couple of years on your girl's behalf are being answered and unfolding in beauty. That gives me hope for my girl, who is needing prayer right now.
Posted by: Holly @ Crownlaiddown | March 30, 2010 at 09:04 AM
Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!
It is great that she has figured this out at the age of 11!
Posted by: Jill | March 30, 2010 at 09:05 AM
I have tears welling up in my eyes. I want this so much for my daughter when she gets older. Right now she's only 16 months old. This brings to mind a verse my mom always quoted to me--3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Posted by: Bethany | March 30, 2010 at 10:09 AM
I love how you are teaching her to listen to His words just for her! What did He say to you?
Posted by: Mary Ann | March 30, 2010 at 11:11 AM
I love, love, love this!! I read your post about the event on Thursday or Friday of last week and eagerly waited in expectation to see what the Lord shared with Audrey, His Word just to her!
My son is only 14 months old, but even recently I was talking to him about listening to God and asking Him for a Scripture verse to use for our Easter cards. I hope to instill the same thing in Brennan as you are doing in Audrey and can't wait to see how it unfolds in Brennan's life, too. I'm so excited for precious Audrey...that's a moment that will stick with her!
Posted by: meghan @ spicy magnolia | March 30, 2010 at 01:06 PM
i had to read it 4 times to find the typo. don't ask me to edit your next manuscript, ok? i could design the cover for you though....
Posted by: mum2isaac | March 30, 2010 at 01:52 PM
good job mom.
you have done well.
Posted by: No.17 CherryTreeLane | March 30, 2010 at 04:50 PM
Praise the Lord! How exciting for you both.
Posted by: rhonda | March 31, 2010 at 06:40 AM
How sweet and how exciting! My daughter just turned 11 and I would be praying the same thing for her! Love it.
Posted by: Kristy | April 02, 2010 at 06:00 AM
I love reading your blog! I've been reading it for a while now, but I don't think I've ever commented. This was so encouraging to me! I'm so thrilled for your family and for your daughter that she was preparing her heart!
I just wanted to thank you for being such an awesome mom to a kid like Audrey.
My name is Audrey, and I was homeschooled from 3rd grade on. I have six younger siblings and dying my hair pink was totally something I would have wanted to do when I was eleven; I was also eleven the first time my mom took me to a Joyce Meyer conference with her and I knew I heard something from God.
Keep on keeping on! And you probably already know this, but I'll say it anyway, maybe as much for myself as for you: The word of God sent forth will not return void, and I will almost guarantee that even if, God forbid, Audrey goes through some rough patch in her teenage years or even later, this and other things God has done for her/spoken to her will not be really forgotten. It'll be something returned to over and over again.
That's what I've found, anyway. :)
-From another Audrey
Posted by: Audrey Simmons | April 05, 2010 at 01:38 PM
You all bless me so much. Thank you is such a small thing to say for the way you prayed for her to hear from the Lord that weekend. And since my blog comments were all being sent to my spam folder, I've been able to read them all at once in a huge batch. I am overwhelmed by your kindness, love, and encouragement.
You bless me and I love each one of you dearly!
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne (The Simple Wife) | April 06, 2010 at 03:01 PM