Borrowed Post: Goals for Motherhood

I copied this post from one of my favorite bloggers. She can be found at shelookethwell.blogspot.com.

Goals for Motherhood

1. Lay down my life and my plans to serve the Lord and my family.
If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself (disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests and take up his cross. (Mt. 16:24)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brother. (1 John 3:16)

2. Only kind and gentle words and tone.
She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. (Pr. 31:26)

She must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered; she must be a skilled teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. She must correct her opponents with courtesy and gentleness... (2 Tim 2:24, 25)

3. Be compassionate and merciful—what they are feeling is BIG to them.
Bear one another’s burdens and in this way fulfill and observe the law of Christ.
(Gal. 6:2)

Execute true judgment and show mercy and kindness and tender compassion, every man to his brother. (Zech. 7:9)

4. Get up and go to them—no parenting from the couch—be consistent and prompt.

5. Create a happy atmosphere.

6. Light up and Smile all the time.

7. Look at them—Listen to them—Touch them

8. Be joyful and happy!
Serve the Lord with gladness! (Ps. 100:2)

Be happy and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always) (1Thes. 5:16)

9. Encourage and Praise every day, all day!
Encourage one another and edify, strengthen and build up on another. (2 Thes. 5:11)

And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over on another, studying how we may stir up to love and helpful deeds. (Heb. 10:24)

10. Love with ACTION!
Let us not love merely in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth. (1 Jn. 3:18)

Love one another, giving precedence and showing honor to one another. (Ro. 12:10)

Be patient and kind. Not rude or touchy. Do not act unbecomingly or insist on your own way. Always believe the best. (1 Cor. 13)

I recently found these goals I wrote from several years ago. It was a wonderful treasure to find.

I can see I have grown some. And I can surely see there is much work to be done. Thank you Lord for Your mercy, grace and patience!

What about you ladies, what are your goals for being a Mama?

more reasons to home school

I found this great list of 55 reasons to home school. (I got it from www.nhen.org)

1. Spend more time together as a family. 2. Spend more time with children when they are rested and fresh rather than tired and cranky from school. 3. Avoid having to struggle to get children to do the tedious busywork that is so often sent home as homework. 4. Allow children time to learn subjects not usually taught in their school. 5. Allow children to have time for more in-depth study than what is allowed in school. 6. Allow children to learn at their own pace, not too slow or too fast. 7. Allow children to work at a level that is appropriate to their own developmental stage. Skills and concepts can be introduced at the right time for that child. 8. Provide long, uninterrupted blocks of time for writing, reading, playing, thinking, or working so that the child is able to engage in sophisticated, complex activities and thought processes. 9. Encourage concentration and focus – which are discouraged in crowded classrooms with too many distractions. 10. Encourage the child to develop the ability to pace her/himself – this is prevented in a classroom where the schedule is designed to keep every child busy all the time. 11. Spend a lot of time out-of-doors. This is more healthy than spending most weekdays indoors in a crowded, and often overheated, classroom. 12. Spending more time out-of-doors results in feeling more in touch with the changing of the seasons and with the small and often overlooked miracles of nature. 13. Children learn to help more with household chores, developing a sense of personal responsibility. 14. Children learn life skills, such as cooking, in a natural way, by spending time with adults who are engaged in those activities. 15. More time spent on household responsibilities strengthens family bonds because people become more committed to things they have invested in (in this case, by working for the family). 16. Time is available for more nonacademic pursuits such as art or music. This leads to a richer, happier life. 17. Children will not feel like passive recipients of subject matter selected by their teachers. They will learn to design their own education and take responsibility for it. 18. Children will realize that learning can take place in a large variety of ways. 19. Children will learn to seek out assistance from many alternative sources, rather than relying on a classroom teacher to provide all the answers. 20. A more relaxed, less hectic lifestyle is possible when families do not feel the necessity to supplement school during after-school and week-end hours. 21. Busywork can be avoided. 22. Learning can be more efficient since methods can be used that suit a child’s particular learning style. 23. Children will avoid being forced to work in “cooperative learning groups” which include children who have very uncooperative attitudes. 24. Children can learn to work for internal satisfaction rather than for external rewards. 25. Children will not be motivated to “take the easy way out” by doing just enough work to satisfy their teacher. They will learn to be their own judge of the quality of their own work. 26. Children will be more willing to take risks and be creative since they do not have to worry about being embarrassed in front of peers. 27. Children will be more confident since they are not subject to constant fear of criticism from teachers. 28. Peer pressure will be reduced. There will be less pressure to grow up as quickly in terms of clothing styles, music, language, interest in the opposite sex. 29. Social interactions will be by choice and based on common interests. 30. Friends can be more varied, not just with the child’s chronological age peer group who happen to go to the same school. 31. Field trips can be taken on a much more frequent basis. 32. Field trips can be much more enjoyable and more productive when not done with a large school group which usually involves moving too quickly and dealing with too many distractions. 33. Field trips can be directly tied into the child’s own curriculum. 34. Volunteer service activities can be included in the family’s regular schedule. Community service can be of tremendous importance in a child’s development and can be a great learning experience. 35. Scheduling can be flexible, allowing travel during less expensive and less crowded off-peak times. This can allow for more travel than otherwise, which is a wonderful learning experience. 36. Children will be less likely to compare their own knowledge or intelligence with other children and will be less likely to become either conceited or feel inferior. 37. Religious and special family days can be planned and celebrated. 38. More time will be spent with people (friends and family) who really love and care about the children. Children will bond more with siblings and parents since they will spend more time together playing, working, and helping each other. 39. Feedback on children’s work will be immediate and appropriate. They won’t have to wait for a teacher to grade and return their work later to find out if they understood it. 40. Feedback can be much more useful than just marking answers incorrect or giving grades. 41. Testing is optional. Time doesn’t have to be spent on testing or preparing for testing unless the parent and/or child desires it. 42. Observation and discussion are ongoing at home and additional assessment methods are often redundant. Testing, if used, is best used to indicate areas for further work. 43. Grading is usually unnecessary and learning is seen as motivating in and of itself. Understanding and knowledge are the rewards for studying, rather than grades (or stickers, or teacher’s approval, etc.). 44. Children can be consistently guided in a family’s values and can learn them by seeing and participating in parents’ daily lives. 45. Children will learn to devote their energy and time to activities that THEY think are worthwhile. 46. Children will be able to learn about their ethnicities in a manner that will not demean. Children will be able to understand multiculturalism in its true sense and not from the pseudo-multicultural materials presented in schools which tend to depict others from a dominant culture perspective. 47. Children will not learn to “fit into society,” but will, instead, value morality and love more than status and money. 48. Children do not have to wait until they are grown to begin to seriously explore their passions; they can start living now. 49. Children’s education can be more complete than what schools offer. 50. Children who are “different” in any way can avoid being subjected to the constant and merciless teasing, taunting, and bullying which so often occurs in school. 51. Children with special needs will be encouraged to reach their full potential and not be limited by the use of “cookie cutter” educational methods used in schools. 52. Low standards or expectations of school personnel will not influence or limit children’s ability to learn and excel. 53. Children will be safer from gangs, drugs, and guns. 54. Parents will decide what is important for the children to learn, rather than a government bureaucracy. 55. Family will not be forced to work within school’s traditional hours if it does not fit well with their job schedules and sleep needs.

Birth Control/family planning

Eye, yi, yi. TOUCHY subject. I have an opinion. Don't we all? Here is mine.

Scott and I originally planned on letting God plan our family... completely... with no intervention on our part. With 9 months of being sick (throwing up often until the last day of pregnancy) I have wondered if I am to be pregnant so often and especially with little ones running around. It was easier when I was pregnant the first time and I could lay on the couch all day. As of now, we are letting God plan #3. Before deciding this we had contemplated birth control. I had heard that SOME forms of birth controls acted as the morning after pill aborting fertilized eggs. I knew that I wanted to stay far away from that. So I asked my mid wife which ones did that. She looked at me with confusion as if I had asked a stupid question. "None of them do that" was her reply. I felt better. So I decided to get on what they call the "mini pill" because it doesn't interfere with breast milk supply. When I went to pick up my prescription I read the paper work and it said "prevents pregnancy by inhibiting FERTILIZED EGG's attachment to uterine wall" WHAT? that is exactly what I didn't want. I called my midwife and said, "is there any form of birth control (aside from the obvious like condoms and diaphragms) that I can take that won't do this?" The reply was: "No. All forms of birth control do this. With some it is more likely then others (like the mini pill)." I asked, "what's the difference then between birth control and the morning after pill?" She said- "the only difference is that the morning after pill is a much stronger dose of the same hormones." I was disturbed greatly. wait a minute, do my christian sisters know this? We as Christians believe that life begins at conception, right?

One thing I constantly think of is that if I had used birth control Rhea and Ricky wouldn't be here. Wow. My life without Rhea or Ricky? This picture reminds me of why I choose not to use any sort of planning/birth control.

Wanted to clear something up here. You might hear that birth control prevents ovulation. This is true for about 50% of people. There is no way to know if you are in that 50%. I write this because if I were you I would want to know! No one ever told me this before. I felt I needed to write this to have a clear conscience. Below is an article with much more detail on the subject. I highly recommend you read it. http://www.epm.org/artman2/publish/prolife_birth_control_pill/A_Longer_Condensation_of_Does_The_Birth_Control_Pill_Cause_Abortions.shtml

She does him good

I love that part in proverbs 31 where it says she does him good ALL the days of his life. What a great thing to be said of a wife! I found this quote and it inspired me to do my wonderful husband only good:

"A true wife makes a man's life nobler, stronger, grander, by the omnipotence of her love 'turning all the forces of manhood upward and heavenward.' While she clings to him in holy confidence and loving dependence she brings out in him whatever is nobles and richest in his being. She inspires him with her courage and earnestness. She beautifies his life. She softens whatever is rude and harsh in his habits or his spirit. She clothes him with the gentler graces of refined and cultured manhood. While she yields to him and never disregards his lightest wish, she is really his queen..." J.R. MIller

Have Not Love...

If I have not love, I have nothing! Powerful. Nothing. I read the following verses out-loud tonight and tears filled my eyes. We are distracted with so many useless things. If we have not love, the definition given here, we have nothing and ALL our labors are in vain. I put in bold the parts that tug at my heart the most. Why don't you try it? Read it out-loud and let me know what parts tug at you the most!

IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

² And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

³Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.

⁴Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

⁵It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

⁶It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

⁷Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

⁸Love never fails...

my favorite song!

This song rocks! wow. I listen to it over and over to get me in the right eternal frame of mind. If only I looked to the Lord for my beauty, strength, worth and rest. Help me Father to put my everything in You! Click here to see and hear!

Here are the lyrics:

The Housewive's Song

By Maron

Don't look for your beauty in the eyes of your children
Don't look for your beauty in the eyes of your man
Don't look for your beauty in the eyes of the world
Your beauty, you'll find it in the Lord

Don't look for your worth in your friendships
Don't look for your worth in your pay
Don't look for your worth in the things you do each day
Your worth, you'll find it in the Lord

Chorus
It's like a mirror looking in
When you find the strength to stand
It's not you, it's the Father inside
And when the storm clouds pass on through
And they're only raining on you
Run for cover, in the Father you can hide

Don't look for your strength in your coffee
Don't look for your strength in your routine
Don't look for your strength in your diet and exercise
Your strength, you'll find it in the Lord
Don't look for your rest in the glow of the television
Don't look for your rest on the telephone
Don't look for your rest in the shopping mall sister
Your rest, you'll find it in the Lord

The part that really got me going was: "Don't look for your strength in your coffee, don't look for strength in your routine..." What part "gets you" the most?

p.s. I HIGHLY recommend getting this off of i-tunes. You won't regret it. This girl's voice is awesome!

Homeschooling Advice

Scott and I desire to homeschool our children. We believe this is just an extension of "training your child in the way they should go." Why would I want to give the gift of teaching my children to someone else? The article posted below gives great advise on the things we need to succeed in homeschooling: vision, guidance, determination, consistency, patience, positive attitude flexibility and support. Read on:

"When a family decides to homeschool, one of the most common questions people will ask them is, "Why?" For some, the motivation may be educational. For others, spiritual. Whatever the reason, most parents are able to give a solid, well-formed answer to anyone who asks. But often, during the darker seasons of homeschooling, the feelings of frustration and hopelessness may drive the parent to turn and ask themself that same question. The enemy knows that if he strikes the shepherd, the sheep will scatter. This truth applies to homeschool families as well. If he can convince the parent that they don't have what it takes, or they aren't smart enough, or they don't do it just right, then the parent may become too overwhelmed and give up. The results can be devastating for both the parent and the student. It should be understood that the success of a homeschooling parent cannot be guaranteed by a college education. It is not established by a teaching certificate. It cannot be created out of intelligence, prosperity or a spotless reputation. No, the foundation of a successful homeschooling parent comes from a servant's heart and a passion to see their child learn and grow. If a homeschooling parent can read, they can teach. If they love and understand their child, they can provide a positive learning environment. If they are willing to keep trying, they have a continual chance at success. Homeschooling is merely the vehicle by which the Christian parent launches their child into a balanced, victorious life. With humility and the right perspective, the various elements can be set in motion. Vision This is the big picture or the mental image of the end result. The parent envisions a confident, educated, spiritually effective graduate that is ready to fulfill the call God has for their life. Guidance: the Map This represents input and advice that parents receive from other successful homeschooling families, and the prayer and encouragement provided from spiritual leaders. Determination: the Fuel This element motivates the parent to persist in the face of opposition, setbacks and disappointments. These will come, but they do not need to be roadblocks. Consistency: the Rear-View Mirror The purpose of this is for the parent to see what they have already accomplished in order to assess the upcoming course. This will help them make any necessary changes without compromising foundational values. Patience: the Cruise Control This helps set the pace. By doing so, the parent won't rush the child ahead prematurely in their studies, nor become anxious if the child needs more time. Positive Attitude: the Steering Wheel The attitude of both the parent and the student can affect the entire homeschooling environment. A positive attitude will help build and maintain a rewarding and successful educational experience. Flexibility: the Turn Signals No homeschool course is designed to be a one-way street. There is freedom to make changes to promote the highest learning potential for the student. Support: the Tires No parent can take on the homeschooling task alone. For a smoother ride, parents will find security and wisdom in a multitude of counselors. There is also comfort and value in a friend to confide in when things become difficult. Nearly every well-seasoned homeschooling parent has encountered uncertainty at some point during their teaching experience, but the comforting thing is that all have survived. The secret to the Christian parent's persistence is really no secret at all. The most successful homeschooling parents are those who understand where they are going, and who they are in Christ. This motivates them to keep charging ahead despite the questions and doubts that may continue to arise."-written by Amy Miller

Discipline part 3-Studying God's Word

I have pasted below an AWESOME answer to the question: why is it so important for us to read and understand the Bible? When we discipline ourselves to read God's Word we are blessed. Why then do we as Christians have to make it a priority? Why isn't it naturally a priority like sleep, or eating, or hanging out with friends, watching t.v, being on the internet... etc.?! Why don't we crave time in the Word like we crave these things? Because we are worldly. Because we are more in tune with our flesh then our spirit. Because we are not disciplined! If we would be in the Word as much as we are into other non-essential things we would grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All the things we want in other words. The fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:22) as opposed to the fruits of our wretched flesh. Enjoy this great answer to the the question: "why should I discipline myself to make reading the Word a priority?"

"Understanding the Bible is important because the Bible is God’s Word. When we open the Bible, we read God’s message to us. What could be more important than understanding what the Creator of the universe has to say? We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a man seeks to understand a love letter from his sweetheart. God loves us and desires to restore our relationship with Him (Matthew 23:37). God communicates His love to us in the Bible (John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; 4:10). We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a soldier seeks to understand a dispatch from his commander. Obeying God’s commands brings honor to Him and guides us in the way of life (Psalm 119). Those commands are found in the Bible (John 14:15). We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a mechanic seeks to understand a repair manual. Things go wrong in this world, and the Bible not only diagnoses the problem (sin) but also points out the solution (faith in Christ). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason a driver seeks to understand traffic signals. The Bible gives us guidance through life, showing us the road of safety and wisdom (Psalm 119:11, 105). We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason someone in the path of a storm seeks to understand the weather report. The Bible predicts what the end times will be like, sounding a clear warning of impending judgment (Matthew 24-25) and how to avoid it (Romans 8:1). We seek understanding of the Bible for the same reason an avid reader seeks to understand his favorite author’s books. The Bible reveals to us the person and glory of God, as expressed in His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-18). The more we read and understand the Bible, the more intimately we know the Author. As Philip was traveling to Gaza, the Holy Spirit led him to a man who was reading a portion of Isaiah. Philip approached the man, saw what he was reading, and asked this very important question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30). Philip knew that understanding was the starting point for faith. Without understanding the Bible, we cannot apply it, obey it, or believe it."

Good Point Tammy-Victory Indeed

My sweet friend Tammy pointed out that chapter 8 of Romans is a little more encouraging then Romans 7. I used the majority of chapter 7 to discuss why it is so hard to live a disciplined life. While we are stuck in this fleshly body we do have victory in Christ and we are guided by the Holy Spirit (if we choose to yield and follow Him). It can be depressing to only read about sin and death having it's way in our bodies but there is also life in the Spirit:

Romans 8:4-5 "So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit]. For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit."

I put the last part in bold because that is what I was trying to say at the end of my first posting on discipline. If we seek after the things of God discipline will come more naturally to us because we are setting on our minds on the things of the Spirit, not the flesh. We can live more disciplined lives as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Thanks Tammy!

Discipline part 2-PRAYER

I was talking to some girlfriends today about the lack of prayer in my life. A great sermon I heard instigated the thinking and goes right along with my discipline series. He says that people start out zealously in things and then peter out. One thing we should never peter out on is prayer. I think if I could just grasp a glimpse of the power of prayer I would be on my knees a lot more. Oh Father, please give me a glimpse...

Listen to this message when you get a chance. It will not be a waste of your time.

http://realitymessages.com/audio/2009-06-14-Prayer_Why_Dont_We-32kbps.mp3

Discipline

The word itself makes me want to hide in a corner. It's something I hate and yet I crave. I am reading a little pamphlet by Elisabeth Elliot called: "Discovering Joy THROUGH Discipline". It has given me a different perspective on discipline all together! I am going to do a little series on discipline this week sharing with you what I am learning.

There IS great joy in living a life of order and self control, isn't there? When my house is clean, my eating good, my exercise consistent, my time in the Word regular, I am just a happier person. God created us to be this way.

Why is it SO hard to remain consistent in our disciplines? I believe this section of scripture sums it up perfectly!

Romans 7: 8-25 (amplified version, my fave) Read this slowly. It is so meaty and good!

But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment [to express itself], got a hold on me and aroused and stimulated all kinds of forbidden desires (lust, covetousness). For without the Law sin is dead [the sense of it is inactive and a lifeless thing].

⁹Once I was alive, but quite apart from and unconscious of the Law. But when the commandment came, sin lived again and I died (was sentenced by the Law to death).

¹⁰And the very legal ordinance which was designed and intended to bring life actually proved [to mean to me] death.

¹¹For sin, seizing the opportunity and getting a hold on me [by taking its incentive] from the commandment, beguiled and entrapped and cheated me, and using it [as a weapon], killed me.

¹²The Law therefore is holy, and [each] commandment is holy and just and good.

¹³Did that which is good then prove fatal [bringing death] to me? Certainly not! It was sin, working death in me by using this good thing [as a weapon], in order that through the commandment sin might be shown up clearly to be sin, that the extreme malignity and immeasurable sinfulness of sin might plainly appear.

¹⁴We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin.

¹⁵For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe which my moral instinct condemns].

¹⁶Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it.

¹⁷However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.

¹⁸For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.]

¹⁹For I fail to practice the good deeds I desire to do, but the evil deeds that I do not desire to do are what I am [ever] doing.

²⁰Now if I do what I do not desire to do, it is no longer I doing it [it is not myself that acts], but the sin [principle] which dwells within me [fixed and operating in my soul].

²¹So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.

²²For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].

²³But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].

²⁴O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?

²⁵O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

God's word always has a way of expressing everything we can't. I love the end, He alone is the One who will deliver us from this wretched body! Until then we must discipline our flesh and seek the Lord in prayer constantly. We are in a battle folks. It's as if there is two of us. Which ever we feed more becomes stronger. Feed on the Word and prayer. Feed on things of the Lord. Purge yourself of worldly, fleshly things and discipline will come more naturally! ( I preach to myself of course!)

A Blessing?

Here they are, my little blessings from the Lord!

I have been thinking so much lately about the psalm 127: Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. ^{Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy, blessed, and fortunate is the man whose quiver is filled with them!...}

Isn't that a beautiful chapter? Children are described as a heritage, as a reward, arrows in the hand of a warrior and those who have them are described as blessed and happy and yet, when I mention that we are letting the Lord bring "#3" as He wills, the church often looks at me and says: "better you than me", "you're crazy", "you need to be responsible" (I am not even sure what that last one means...)

I used to say that we were "letting the Lord plan our family". I want to still say that but I don't know what the future holds. As of now Scott and I have felt led to let the Lord plan our family (hence 2 children in 2 years :0) I would consider my life blessed because of them. I would consider myself happier now that I have Rhea and Ricky in my life. I believe I will be even happier when the Lord decides to bless us with another. More tired? yes. Is my patience more tested? yes. Do I have to put myself last more often? yes. That is the Christian life though, right? Aren't we called to put God first, others second and ourselves last? Children help me do that. I am more dependent on God then myself and I find great refuge in the promise that His strength is made perfect in my weakness and that His grace is sufficient.

It frustrates me when Christians exclaim: "Trust the Lord!" and then tell me that God is practical and sensible and He would have me take control of how many children I have and when I have them.

I listened to an awesome message by Voddie Baucham. This guy pulled no punches. Here is the link:

http://www.fccm.net/site/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=71

If you choose to listen to it, you have to look for his message-he is next to the month of march.

He talked about how as Christians we despise children. wow. He gives an example of a Pastor who announced to his church that his wife thought she was pregnant and that when they found out she wasn't they said "man, that was a close one". Like they almost had an encounter with cancer or something...

I don't pass judgement on those who wish to limit the amount of children they have and I wish others would not pass judgement on me.

One woman who has trusted the Lord with her family size that I really admire can be found at: generationcedar.com

Whining

I have a problem with whining. Some times I feel like a two year old when I don't get my way (see picture above). I may not be showing it outwardly but inwardly I am having a tantrum! I need to discipline my children when they whine/pout for their own good. I recently read this by a grandmother:

"...now I correct more for the sake of the children's own happiness than because I find them irritating. Now, if I swat a grandchild's bottom for pouting after a reprimand, and say, "No pouting. Play and have a good time", I am doing it to render the child's life joyful. I am setting up this child for future success and happiness by consistently helping him to reject and transcend the frustrations and anger that will poison his future paths. Correcting behavior does not drive a child to bury or deny his feelings. Rather, he learns he has a choice regarding those things he will think and act on. One cannot think good thoughts and smile while stewing and sulking in anger. Try it. Another major reason I discipline pouting is because every minute of pouting, whining, and rebellion is a minute outside of God’s desire for us, and of happiness lost. In correcting my grandchildren for this, I am teaching them to do as we are told in Philippians 8:8-9: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." I am teaching my grandchildren to dwell on, think about and ponder, what is good; knowing that their reward will be genuine, radiant joy..."

What a great thought! I don't want my children to turn out like me. I want them to have that radiant joy that comes from thinking on that which is good, even in the midst of not getting their way. As Christians we are called to deny ourselves, deny our own interests and wants and keep our eyes on the goal-Jesus. He is our example. Can you ever picture Him whining? Never. I want to practice NOT whining about anything or anyone. I know the more I practice that the more naturally it will come. Lately I have been trying to not even complain about the weather.

So next time you discipline your child (or yourself) for whining or pouting, remember, it is for their good.

Vision

This is an awesome quote. If only all moms could have this vision. If only I could have this vision. Help me Lord to know the great task you have given me as a mom. Help me to serve my husband and children as unto you.

"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 in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into its soul to see its 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 its 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 others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her." - J.R. Miller

Learning Contentment

I love this picture. It is from my wedding day. When I look at it it brings me a sense of peace and joy. We have the ability as followers of Christ to always experience peace and joy by drinking from the water that flows from Him, the living water. (John 4:13-14: Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.") I recently sent this email out to some girlfriends: "Good morning ladies, I wanted to share with you this morning how the Lord ministered to me through His LIVING Word. I say living because I feel it comes alive to me when I read it with an open heart and brings me that life and living water that only the Lord can give. I woke up with some stinkin' thinkin' this morning. I am a selfish creature. The Word has a way of revealing the ugliness of our hearts and guiding us away from stinkin' thinkin' :0) Our minds are powerful. They have the ability to make us joyful or make us bitter. Happy or sad. I love the saying: "your day is only as good as your attitude". As Christians we must take our thoughts captive and give them to Christ... not the enemy or our flesh. Psalm 90:12- Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." That is awesome. If we learn to number our days... make each one COUNT then we shall gain a heart of wisdom. Our lives are fleeting and we must be seeking ways to redeem our time and make the most of our moments. We can do this by choosing to be the opposite of what we feel (unless the feelings we have are positive). This morning (with the Spirit's help and guidance) I am CHOOSING joy. I am choosing to make today count for the better. I hope you do the same :0)" I continue to think about choosing joy after sending that email... I don't feel it would be honoring to my husband to share with you things that I want to change about him (lets face it ladies, no matter who we are married to we find things we want to "fix") but I can tell you of other areas where discontentment creeps in and "steals my joy". I don't like where I live because of the wretched air quality. I wish that my family lived closer by. I never get to sleep as much as I want. Why do I have to be SO sick when I am pregnant? I could go on and on (because I am just that selfish). The morning that I sent this email I had gone to bed the night before at 8:30 because I had not been sleeping well and I was so excited to get a good nights sleep. At 9:30 (when I was sound asleep) the phone rang in our room and woke me up. I didn't go back to sleep until 2 a.m. or so and then Ricky woke up at 5 min to 5 ready to start the day. I was exhausted and immediately began repeating in my head why I was so miserable and tired. poor me. There are ALWAYS things to complain about, no matter who you are. Contentment is truly a choice. There are many woman who would look at you and think, "what does she have to be unhappy about?" Not to mention the starving people in Africa or even in our country that would probably view most of us as spoiled brats anytime we mutter a complaint. Do you see what I am saying? It is ALL in perspective. Continually rejoicing and giving thanksgiving takes practice (we are what we practice!). Reactions define us. Anyone can have joy when things are good but it takes a woman of God, whose joy is found in the Lord, to have joy regardless. I want to be that woman. I have gotten many of my desires for contentment from a book called: "Created to Be His Helpmeet" have you read it yet? If not I highly recommend it (check out cheapbooks.com). I love one story she tells of a joyful woman who Debi (the author) went to visit. The woman couldn't wait to show off her home and especially this neat little shelf her husband made. The thing is, her house was a shack. It had dirt floors. And yet, she was joyful and thankful (which usually go hand in hand). Debi has so many good examples in this book about being a miserable wife that sounds like a dripping faucet to our husbands or a fountain bubbling over with happiness. The bible says that we, as women, have the ability to build up or tear down our homes. I was listening to a message by a woman on being a good wife. She said that when her husband spoke to the men he asked them what they wanted most from their wives. One of the very top things was "for her to just be happy". The enemy would have us waste our lives away (and our husbands for that matter) thinking about everything we don't have or thinking about how things never go our way. blah, blah, blah... I could go on and on because contentment is something I struggle with. I think we all struggle with it to some extent. I long to be like Paul who said: "But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied)." (1 Tim. 6:8) There are many verses on contentment. Here are a couple more: And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.(phil. 4:7) and my favorite: "Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content(satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. "(phil. 4:11) I like how Paul said contentment is something he LEARNED. We are naturally bent to be discontent. we have to deny ourselves (in the amplified version it says: forget, ignore, disown ourselves-Mark 8:34) if we want to be content. I know this is going to be a life long process for me and I am so grateful to serve a God who is long-suffering. As I continue to drink the water Jesus offers I will continue to learn contentment.