HE DID IT!!

If you didn't read the previous blog, J.D. was asked to be little boy Jesus in the Idlewild Christmas presentation. The first few nights did not go well at all, but after much talking and bribing, he was very excited about his debut appearance last night. Sitting backstage waiting, he kept asking, "is it my turn yet to go on the stage?" He was SOOO stinkin cute in his little costume (of course I'm not biased).

Before he actually went on stage, he had to wait quite a while in this dark "tunnel", and we were concerned he would get scared, so Aunt Karen (dressed as a Hebrew) went with him so he wasn't back there with people he didn't know (thanks Aunt Karen!). We were very worried about the initial "break away", but he did fabulous. They said it was time, and he jumped up and held Aunt Karen's hand and was grinning ear to ear. Jimmy and I stood there and watched him walk away and I felt like I was going to lose it. I don't know what came over me, but I immediately started to tear up and felt this gut-wrenching pain in my stomach. I looked over at Jimmy, and he obviously was having the exact same feelings. He looked like he couldn't decide if he was going to cry, laugh, or throw up! We said to each other that it's going to be one awful day when we drop him off for college! Ha!

So, we quickly went out into the sanctuary on the side so we could see the imag's (which weren't working 2 songs earlier, and I did some MAJOR praying, so thank you Lord for allowing those to work! ) And there he was, out on this big rock with Mary and Joseph ( or as J.D. called him, Jophes) watching the caravan come by and bow to him. He was SO good up there. He just watched and was actually pointing, and talking to them, and of course, smiling :) We weren't sure what he was saying to them, but apparently he was pointing out the kids he knew (Micah) and talking about the animals he saw. Jimmy and I stood there on the side holding hands trying to hold back tears and literally beaming with pride. Our little "shy guy" did it, and he couldn't have done it any better. As I was standing there, I thought of the day he was born, and just how I didn't know at the time how much I could possibly love this new little baby that I had just met. Of course I loved him the moment I saw him, but I can say I love him so much more now than I ever thought humanly possible. God gave us such a precious little boy and I know that He has wonderful plans in store for him - if I'll just let him go! :)

Lastly, I hope God allowed Poppy a front row seat tonight. He would've been so proud of him. After he expressed his concern that J.D. was wearing a "dress" and blush, he probably would've shed a few tears himself. Ha!

p.s. His first words off the stage was, "can I have my truck now?" (what we bribed him with - whatever works! ) :)