Jesus is my best buddy!

Today we have a house full of sick kids. It is cold and starting to snow outside - so it is the perfect day to lay around with blankets, pillows, and pajamas and watch movies. Mike had to teach in church, so he went solo while I cuddled up with the sick kids at home.

We just watched "The Ultimate Gift". It is such a good movie. My parents gave it to us for Christmas. It is a hard movie for me to watch because it stirs up good, tender, and often sad memories of when Erik passed away - but it has such a great message. Erik would have loved this movie. It really is an example of how he lived his life anyway - even up until the end of his earthly life, he loved serving others. He always looked for those in need or those without a friend, and he tried to do something for them. When he was in the hospital, he could hear a man in another room crying out in pain and wailing quite often. To many of us, he kind of seemed like a grumpy man; however to Erik, he was a man hurting and in need. He noticed the man had no visitors. Erik asked us to go to Walmart and purchase a bouquet of balloons to deliver to this man. It taught us all a great lesson in humility and service. Today, I wanted my kids to watch this movie as we head towards Thanksgiving and Christmas and remember things we are thankful for and understand those wonderful gifts we have been blessed with.

Anyway, as we were watching the movie, Rylan saw a statue of Jesus. He asked me if that was Jesus and I told him it was. I was impressed he recognized the statue as Jesus because it wasn't the usual "Jesus look" he has seen before. He pointed and said, "That's my best buddy!" I was a little surprised and so I asked him who he was talking about. Again, he pointed at the statue and said, "Jesus is my best buddy!" He was so excited and happy to tell me that. He had the biggest smile on his little face. My eyes filled with tears and my heart began to swell with pride and joy. I love this little boy of mine and I love the innocence of children and the tender love they have for our Savior.