A Mother's High Calling

The Stay at Home Missionary quoted this on her blog. I couldn't resist copying it here...

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is placed in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse into the future of that life as it reaches into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see it's possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for it's destiny,- she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no other hands the sacred and holy trust given to her."

- JR Miller

To Be Thankful

If you need a reality check, or just a good cry, read this. I couldn't help but sob when I read it. And maybe it affected me more than it will you because I knew them. So let me tell you a little more about them.

Cyndi is a 32 year old widow. Her husband died after a two year battle - and I mean battle - with cancer. He was a loving, godly husband and father. He leaves behind three children.

And while I know he is so much better off, I absolutely hate what death leaves behind.

As I was crying my eyes out, I began to wonder...

If she could have him back,

would she ever be too tired to make love to him?

would she nag him over that chore not yet done?

would she begrudge a weekend golf game? or would she count the minutes anxiously awaiting his return and greet him with a smile?

would she be bitter about the overflowing trash bag that should have been taken out yesterday?

would she harbor anger over a poor financial decision he made despite her advice?

would she complain when he brought home the wrong kind of peanut butter from the grocery store?

Or would she just be thankful?

I want to be thankful for every second I get with my husband and children. I don't want to be petty and trivial. I want to remember what is important!

Monday's Motto

Order of Priorities:

God

Family

Others

Self

My Season

The last couple months have been crazy around here. Wednesday night classes at church started, soccer started, a weekly Bible study with my mom's church started. We had 2 birthdays which = 2 birthday parties plus 2 friends' birthday parties, and an anniversary which = a surprise weekend away (more on that later).

Our typical week has been:
Sunday - church
Sunday night - Awanas
Monday night - Library
Tuesday - weekly Bible study with Mom
Tuesday night - soccer practice
Wednesday night - church
Thursday (every other) - nursing home
Friday -
Saturday - soccer game

One week we had all that plus a birthday which we got to spend with my sister and her kiddos, a birthday party, and we had to make boxes for collecting Bibles to place around the church. That meant lots of trips to Joanne's for craft materials. And since I don't do anything quickly and I wanted to save money, it took a lot of time to get done.

Another week I had 3 Bible studies in 2 days because two of my once-a-month studies met in the same week.

I kept trying to figure out what to cut out. Can't cut soccer but it will be over in a few more weeks. One month I did skip a Bible study. And I temporarily suspended our nursing home visits this month - although we traded one of those to go downtown to pass out Bible to the homeless.

What I have discovered -or rediscovered- is that this is not my season for such busyness. This is my season for staying home and meeting the needs of my husband and children.

I can't do the things I need to do around here if I'm always on the go.

I can't spend the time I want to with the kids when we're always getting ready to go somewhere.

So what have I done? I have made some decisions:

1. I need to pray a lot more before committing to something.

2. Roddy and I decided the class we were taking on Wednesday nights was for the birds. It was a parenting class that doesn't line up with our parenting philosophy, so we emailed the leaders and told them we were going to back out of it. They were great leaders, it was just the material we didn't care for. They were sweet about it and very understanding.

3. I asked my mom if she would mind if I didn't finish going to her church's weekly Bible study. It was a Beth Moore study - very good - but very time consuming. Between trying to do the homework and all the other running around we were doing, I didn't have any time for my own Bible-time. She too was gracious and understanding.

I think if you commit to something you should stick to it but in this case, I believe discontinuing both was what I needed to do. And I'm already reaping the rewards of LESS!

I LOVE being home!! This is my season!!!

Monday's Motto

You get what you put up with.

I'm referring to parenting. What you're willing to allow in your home -disrespect, disobedience, sibling rivalry, etc- is what you will get.

If you take the time to model, train, consistently and patiently correct and discipline what you don't want in your home, you won't have it. It won't be 100% of the time, but you will see a significant difference.

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Happy 10th Birthday to Emma!

I've been looking forward to this birthday brag since I started doing them at the beginning of the year.

There are so many nice things that can be said about Emma. She is patient, kind, and generous.

She is obedient and respectful. It's a rare thing for her to have a bad attitude about something we've asked her to do.

She's smart and creative and a bookworm to the max.

She's hard working and dependable. I can always count on her.

She's a servant. She's the first one to jump up to do something that needs to be done. When she sees me working in the kitchen, she'll ask me if I need help.When there are days that I'm having to discipline and correct more than usual and she sees me starting to wear down, she prays for me and asks me if there is anything she can do for me.

She's a great friend. I tell her whoever gets to be her friend is blessed because she is such a great person. And she's the best kind of friend to have. She's not petty or a drama queen. She's level-headed and easy going. She forgives easily. She's fun. She's not concerned about what others think.

She's unbiased. She doesn't see people who are "different" as different. In fact, I'm not even sure she sees the differences. If she does, she never lets on. She accepts everyone as-is and treats everyone equally.

And whoever gets to marry her is even more blessed because she's going to make an awesome wife and mother one day!

Oh, Emma! I love you so much. I'm proud to be your mommy. You bring such joy to our family and set such a good example for your siblings. Thank you for being a servant and a leader all at the same time. God is going to bless you abundantly for the honor you've shown us. Happy Birthday!

14 Years

Fourteen years ago, today was a Saturday. Not just any Saturday, though.

For breakfast, I ate poached eggs on toast. This was normal because my dad often spoiled me by making my breakfast.

Later that morning I drove to a salon to have my hair styled in an elegant up-do.

I don't know what time I arrived at the church but once there, the final preparations began. Undergarments on. Make up done. Dress and veil saved for last.

Then pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.

Finally, music. Hand-picked by yours truly. Mom took her place in the pew up front.

I came out of the bride's dressing room to meet my dad who would be my escort. And from the side of the foyer I watched my maids-of-honor enter the sanctuary, the doors closing behind them only to be opened again at just the right moment.

We took our places - my dad and I. Not a jitter or butterfly to be found.

Then it was time! The double doors swung open and I could see him. My groom. I caught my breath and almost started to cry. Dad asked if I was okay. I said, "He's just so beautiful!"

And he is so beautiful.

We exchanged vows that I mean more today than I did then. Then I knew him for 8 1/2 months. Today, after 14 years (168 months, 5,113 days) of marriage I know him and love him even more!!

I'm thankful to God for letting me marry the man beyond my dreams and for giving him the strength to stick with me through thick and thin!

Monday's Motto

Often what is best is also what is hardest!