Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I love reading about other Supermom's who embrace the high calling of motherhood. Women who share the calling as as honor & look to Christ to guide them as they train their children. Well, a few months back I stumbled across Raising Homemakers. You will find on their website that their purpose is;

"dedicated to inspiring, teaching and blessing mothers who have an interest in raising their daughter in godliness and preparing them in the arts of homemaking to the glory of God."Well, as a mommy to 4 daughters I find this website quite an encouragement. They are hosting a giveaway of some great audio books which are encouraging, inspiring, challenging, & uplifting. Sharing about the beauties and hardships of life and the women who lived before our time – women whose examples we can learn from. Godly women.

I encourage you to stop by, even if you don't have daughters, this is an opportunity for your own growth as well.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

So the girls & I had a great time working on a shoe box for our Operation Christmas Child. First we went & bought a bunch of stuff for our little girl, I thought maybe this year we'd make a shoe box for a boy but what can I say...they like girly stuff.We did hit a few snags though. Like I couldn't find a shoe box!Normally I buy a gift box, well...it's not exactly a gift box. More like a decorated keep sake Christmas themed box thing-a-ma-jig. And it's bigger than a shoebox so getting a few more items is no big deal. However, this time I couldn't find one of those boxes so I opted for a regular ole shoe box. No biggie right??Wrong, seems you need to call shoe stores ahead of time because they toss 'em. I mean right away, they tear em' up & toss them!! UGH!So I figure OK, quick run to the dollar store to pick up a plastic shoe box with lid & we're set.Wrong again.Dollar store is all out.So I'm ready to just sit down & cry, Oh did I mention this is Saturday & I need to turn the box in Sunday at church??OK, where was I? Oh yea, I'm gonna throw a weeping hissy fit.However, I remember that I have one of those plasticky box thingys at home, it's full of little toy animals but all I gotta do is empty it (where?? I dunno).So, finally I get home & we're ready. I get the girls & we lay out all the toys, crayons, notebook paper, etc. That's when I noticed it, we had too much stuff. I just didn't know how in the world we we're gonna get all that stuff in there,The Bear had all sorts of ideas & The Monkey gave up

Thankfully, the Hubby saved the day. He has an uncanny knack for packing things. I mean give him 20 clowns & a compact car & he'll get them in there, so naturally he took over. He & Bear sat there for a good 45 minutes putting things in & rearranging & sure enough every single item fit!! YAY!Bear was so very happy & so was The Hubby, I think they were both really proud of what they'd done & that they did it together...

I was really proud too, but I was most proud of what happened next. Hubby took Bear on his lap & said it was time to pray. They both laid there hands on the box & prayed that the little girl receiving it would be blessed, feeling the love of Christ & come to salvation. Hubby took the moment to teach Bear to remember to be Christ to others, to be His hands & feet and to be "The Good Samaritan"

I'm really in love with that guy...oops sorry. Wandered off for a moment =)I'm really blessed to have a man who knows to take every moment he can with his children & be an example of Godliness. I'm very happy with my little girl too, she's got a huge heart & it belongs completely to God.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

OK, so every year the girls & I look forward to packing our shoe boxes. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, let me tell you cuz it's the most awesome thing ever!!Samaritan's Purse is a ministry following the example of The Good Samaritan found in Luke 10: 30-37.

"After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, "Go and do likewise."

For over 40 years, Samaritan's Purse has done our utmost to follow Christ's command by going to the aid of the world's poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, earns us a hearing for the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ."

At this time of the year the mission is "Operation Christmas Child"See, what you do is simply get a shoebox & fill it with toys, school supplies, & hygiene items. You can also write a letter to the child receiving the box & include a pic if you want to. See, it's that simple! And it's honestly fun!Tomorrow the girls & I are heading to WalMart to shop for "our child" see, you get choices of gender & age to help picking out the right type of stuff. Last year Samaritan's Purse delivered a whopping 8 million shoe boxes!! That's 8 million smiling faces! 8 million joy filled hearts!! And 8 million children hearing the Gospel & feeling the love of Christ through His people!!Awesome isn't it?!!I can't wait to pick out our stuff, wrap up our box in Christmas paper, & pray with the girls for the child who will open this box. I hope you'll also get involved & send a box to a child who may have never received a Christmas gift in their life. Just think of the joy this little one will feel.Will you let God use you to bless the "least of these"?I know we are & I can't wait!!Check out this video to learn more.If you decide to make a box...AWESOME!!! Here's the link to get you started.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Groggily I get out of bed & stumble towards the bathroom....again. Many babies have....er...adjusted my inner workings so an uninterrupted nights sleep I shan't enjoy again. I take a detour towards the door to my left & listen, quiet...nothing. Yet, I can't help myself, I open the door & there they are....3 of my 4 Princesses, sleeping peacefully. I'm still not really awake & the moment's sweet but I have to get to bed before the baby stirs, but then I hear something. Quietly, she sings "who will love me for me, not for what I have done or what I'll become, who will love me for me, cause nobody has shown me what love really means"The air sucks out of my lungs, I feel as though I'm sucker punched.My girls sleep soundly as the singing comes from the radio & the words echo in the air. I begin crying, feeling convicted. Questioning, what did I do today to show Christ to my children?? How did I show them His unconditional love??I begin to feel racked with guilt & shame, I'm thinking of every time I spoke harshly with them & they looked back with tears in their eyes. I remember when they wanted to play with Mommy but Mommy was too busy with something "important"I'm crying so hard that I think I may wake them & then I hear more of the song that has moved me to tears....

I will love you for you Not for what you have done or what you will become I will love you for you I will give you the love The love that you never knew

This song is about the love God gives to the broken, abandoned, forgotten, confused & every body in between. It's more than that though, it's about redemption, restoration, & peace. He softly spoke to me that night, asking "are you loving my sheep?"You see, God...the creator of the awesome heavens, the magnificent earth, the majestic mountains~He created these children. With His own hands, He wrapped them up in my womb as a gift to me. And now asks....are you cherishing your gift? Or have you begun to take your gift for granted? Are you loving this gift as you did when first received from me? Or have you begun to put conditions on these good gifts??What my point is, what I felt so strongly that night, in the still darkness, as I sat alone with God was this. I have not loved my children as God loves me. I have loved them as best I could but I have put expectations on them & been unfair at times. I have wanted their forgiveness but have held sin against them. I have not treated them as God would want me to.I'm not confessing that I'm a terrible woman & horrible mother.I'm confessing that I'm a sinner. That I need to remember that my children are looking to me to see Christ's unconditional love. They are looking to me to see the example of who God is & how He cherishes & adores them.I need to show them that no matter what happens, what they do or don't do, how they fail or disappoint, not for what they've done or what they'll become~that I will love and loveand LOVE.....Just as Christ loves me...and you.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

OK, so many times I've referred to my girls as animals. My zoo. That's because ever since my oldest was a baby she's been Cow. So naturally the rest had animal names. But I also call them my Princesses. I want them to know they are blessed & highly favored (Luke 1:28).And they are daughters of the King of Kings. I want them to understand that they are royalty.Well, the other day for some reason I got to thinking about their personalities & what type of Princesses they are. Let me start with Cow,I see her as the Medieval Princess....

She reminds me of this image above. The first thing you may notice is the dark colors, the turned & hidden face. And my Cow does have some of those qualities. She likes to wear black & isn't your average damsel in distress. However, what I see is so much more, I see the flowers reaching to her because she brings so much joy & life into this world. I see the sun reflecting God's glory on her. And just as the girl above is doing my Princess knows when to turn away (1st Timothy 6:11) & that makes me very proud.

Then I have my Bear, ya know it's funny I call her that because when you hear "Bear" I'm sure strong images come to mind. However, I also call her my gentle flower, she can be so soft & sweet. She is my girly girl, all sparkles & shimmers.She is your average Fairy Tale Princess.....

When I look at her I see Cinderella. This sweet innocent girl has had it a bit too rough for her tender age. She's lived through more trials then I would of wanted but my princess doesn't have a"Fairy Godmother" instead she has someone better, her Abba Father. He is her King & he is enthralled by her beauty (Psalm 45:11) I know through Him she will live "happily ever after"

Now logically, I would come to my Monkey but I'm gonna save her for last. You'll see why in a minute =)So here's my wee munchkin......

My newest Princess. I chose a simple silhouette to describe her because we have yet to see how God will use us to mold & shape her for His kingdom. We don't have a clear picture as to who she is yet but I am so excited to get to know her. To learn who she is, what will energize her, what will challenge her, & honestly...just to enjoy her. She is a blessing we've waited so long for.

And now we come to my Little Monkey....ah she is more than a handful. She keeps me on my toes & challenges me daily. Not with disrespect, she just has a way about her that makes your face twitch a lot!! So who best describes her??? Please click on the link below & you can have a small window into our world =)

Now why did I pick this video?? Because this is a new breed of Princess!! She is a little stick of dynamite!! Just as the video begins she is like most girls, dancing, singing, & a picture of tranquility. Then all of a sudden she is on "the attack" & can certainly knock you for a loop!! However, with my Monkey it's never intentional. She never hurts anyone because she can, she is a force & is still learning to contain it, her strength is not physical, it's deep within her. When I was pregnant with her a stranger came up to me & The Hubby & said "I just wanted to tell you, your child is going to be strong in the Lord" (Ephesians 6:10) Then he walked away, I believe these were prophetic words & I claim them for her. She says all sorts of "interesting" things that make me wonder. I believe God is going to use her mightily & right now I need to help her with all of those little bursts that go on inside of her. When she turns all that strength & energy towards God & His work for her....whew!! Watch out!!

So, these are my Princess, they're all very different & I love them for that. They don't fit any one type of mold, we don't serve a "cookie cutter" God. He is the master creator & makes no mistakes. My daughters are beautiful & amazing, I'm blessed & proud to call them mine. They are unique & special, fearfully & wonderfully made.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

My friend has a wonderful giveaway happening right now! Click on the link to check out these breathtaking fresh wreaths. Would you also consider buying one to support her eldest son in his efforts to become a missionary pilot? He is an amazing young man & has a burden for the lost. You can read more about him in her post as well.

Friday, November 5, 2010

I wanted to share some pics of this past Sunday. Halloween.I may step on some toes & if I do let me just say that's not my intent & I'm sorry, I'm not trying to hurt or upset anyone. We don't celebrate Halloween in my house, we don't raise our kids to participate. That being said, I DO NOT look down on nor pass judgement on you if you do. I am NOT trying to force you to think like me & raise your family as we raise ours. In fact I thoroughly enjoy going on FB & seeing my friends little ones lookin all cute & dressed up. I mean come on, a chunky little baby done up like a piglet is just downright adorable!! I'm just aggravated because I always get the "oh those poor kids" treatment from certain people, & honestly...I'm tired of it. So, I thought I'd post some pics of my kids (& my niece too) having a good time. Enjoy =)

Monday, November 1, 2010

I survived.....I think.I think I survived Day 1 of my diet, the reason I say "I think" is because there are still a few hours left in the day & there is fresh bread just waiting for me to slather it with butter & devour it before anyone knows.Honestly, this is a lot harder than I remember, has the first day always been this difficult?? I'm hungrier than ever, I feel like I could violently break in the windows of a bakery & eat EVERYTHING. I don't understand my tummy.Usually I don't eat much of anything all day, I know I know...that's bad. But it's the truth, I don't eat, maybe a little bit here & there but no real food. Sometimes, I realize I haven't eaten when I'm suddenly sick.Soooo, I thought I would feel great this morning when I got up & ate breakfast and at first I did but after 2 hours I was hungry! And I had "a well balanced meal" what gives?? I realized throughout the day that I was hungry every 2-3 hours. I remember someone telling me once your supposed to eat every few hours but I have no idea why.The big thing I noticed was that I did good all day, it was difficult but I did it until.....I was sad.I'm having struggles with my parenting, I have a lot of insecurity right now. My girls aren't being the children I'd like them to be. I love them but I suppose I'm taking there behavior very personal.All day I felt like a less than good mama because they weren't doing as told & I lost my temper more than once. Then The Hubby told me he has to work overtime tomorrow & I won't be able to visit a friend I very much want to see. Well, after my day & that bit of news I just wanted to eat everything. I didn't care about my efforts of the day, I didn't care about my commitment to myself & others.I just wanted the hurt to stop & food was the good & reliable friend waiting to console me. I knew I needed to pray, I knew I needed to confess to God my idolatry.But, I couldn't, because then the shame comes. It's a vicious roller coaster, but it's one I refuse to stay on any longer. I can't live this way, it's not good physically nor emotionally.

O Lord, My God, Forgive me. I need you so desperately for I am weak, I am unable & unsure. Lord steady my feet & light my path on this unknown journey. I am timid & afraid, Goliath jeers & laughs at me & I see that I am incapable. But I call on the Mighty God of Israel, I call on The Most High God to enable me through His power. I praise you Abba Father for you are good & merciful. Thank you Lord. In your matchless name, Amen