Loving Children As Individuals

"Lord, remind me each day that these precious children are so different from each other and from me!

You created them so uniquely. Show me, as their mother, how to love each one just the way they need to be loved individually.

Help me love them according to their own personality and needs and not just the way that comes easiest to me. Give me discernment as I learn their needs, and creativity as I learn to love them accordingly."

~ Quote from Sandra Stanley

Hint of Spring, Reminder of Love

The weatherman was saying we could get more snow. Thankfully I woke up to just a flake here and there floating around. (I can easily deal with that.) I do love the way this world looks so pure when it is blanketed in snow. The snow scapes give another reason to rejoice in the Lord over His beautiful creation! However, we’ve been “almost buried” in snow this month. Now, I am ready for Spring! And thanks to my wonderful husband I have a beautiful hint of Spring in our home. He brought these home for me yesterday when he came home from work! A beautiful reminder of God’s wonderful bits of creation all around us as well as a sweet reminder of my husband’s love for me. Even though I am not perfect, he loves me unconditionally. We vowed to do so as long as we both shall live. This is like the Lord’s love for us as well. We are imperfect and yet He loves us so much more than anyone can! He loves us unconditionally even though we sin against Him everyday! His mercies are always abounding!

“The supreme happiness of life is the conviction of being loved for yourself, or, more correctly, of being loved in spite of yourself.” ~ Victor Hugo

Praying For Our Teenagers

So many things cross my mind in a day... in my wonderful job of being a mother. I have children at many various stages in life and love that. There is more though to pray about I think as they get older and are in the teen years. I think it is mostly because I realize my time with them at home is lessening. (I have mixed emotions about that.) I am around teenagers and pre-teens a lot and I enjoy them a lot. A close friend and I were just commenting to each other this week how it is so nice to see our daughters becoming young women and how nice the mother/daughter relationship becomes when you can start talking more as adults and you have more "grown-up" conversations during the days at home, etc.

This morning I ran across this information in a newsletter I get and printed it out. I also wanted to share it with you. It is a great list to use when praying for our children... and their friends.

Praying for Our Teens
What to Pray for Your Teens :
* A heart which personally and fully understands, embraces, and shares the gospel
* Reverence for God, and a passion to please and serve him
* Continual filling, anointing, and equipping of the Holy Spirit
* God-honoring family relationships filled with respect, affection, compassion and cooperation
* Protection and strength to face moral temptation and cultural pressure
* Repentance and humble acceptance of correction
* Guidance for decisions about high school options, as well as future college and career
* Maturity to make the right decisions for the right reasons
* Wise priorities for using time
* Preparation for marriage and parenting – pray for their future spouses, too!
* Ask your teens how you can pray for them!

What to Pray for Ourselves as Parents
* Unity in and commitment to your marriage – or if you are a single parent, basic harmony with the other parent (and any step-parent) in raising your teen
* A warm and trusting relationship with your teen, characterized by healthy and open communication
* Forgiveness and release from bitterness, whether conscious or subconscious
* Confidence and boldness to lead, even when a teen attempts to manipulate or rebel
* Wisdom to know which battles are worth fighting, and when to let your teen make decisions (and face the consequences)
* That you will be an example of godliness, wisdom, grace, and good humor

(List taken from The Hope Chest e-magazine written by Virginia Knowles)

“…We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints.” Colossians 1:9-12

Protection and Friendship

Father, please guard my children by day and night,

Keep them in Your care.

Raise up for them friends who know You and love You;

bring them into their lives to reinforce Your ways and values that they may seek them out.

Prepare them to be a trusted friend to others just as You are to us.

~ Lori B. Whitman~

A Funny Moment (with my little children)

I was awakened by a small sweet person. I saw that it was still early and so I lifted the blankets for that little one to crawl into bed.

Within 2 minutes I had two little children in bed with me. We cuddled and I was hoping they’d rest a bit longer. The wiggles and squirms indicated otherwise. Then I had a brilliant idea… "Let’s play I Spy.”, I said. (This game works well in stores while shopping and on car rides.) However, I very quickly realized this is not such a brillant idea as you need to have your eyes open to play this game.

During the game though my 5 year old son was spying & naming things of a certain color when he guesses ........... “that time machine” ? .....What?

(He was pointing to my alarm clock!)

Secret Sister Tea

Last evening was a special event at our church. It was our annual Secret Sister Tea. The Secret Sister program is such a blessing to be a part of! Each year you draw a name (at this tea) and another sister in the Lord draws your name. You are to try to keep it a secret all year through but encourage that particular sister with cards, gifts, and especially prayers. All while you are getting the same from the Secret Sister who drew your name. It is a very special way to get to know someone better and to be encouraged yourself. I truly love this program. I have so much fun each year as well as learn so much, too.

“He who refreshes another, He himself will be refreshed.”

At the tea, fancier foods are served. There is some opening comments and a prayer before eating then the guessing game occurs which if filled with laughs and tears. This is probably the most fun! Then there is special music and devotional message. Then we reveal our Secret Sisters and find out who was our encourager too! Lastly we draw a new name for the new year.

Last year, the co-ordinator started something new. She asked different woman to be in charge of one table (which seats 8 people). This person decorates her table however she likes- place setting, center arrangement, etc. Well, this year I had a table. It was fun. I love doing things in themes however I don’t always like doing the shopping part. However, my table was pulled together around my red gingham checked table cloths I already owned. I also used my two red candles and berries garlands. I thought of doing a picnic basket in the center and using red and blue bandanas along with sunflowers for a country picnic theme. I thought too I might do something with red hearts (love), etc. Well, when shopping my theme was chosen easily by what I saw at the store. I was able to give each person a small framed heart hanger to take home with them. I bent the hangers back to make an easel for the table. Here is what it looked like.

When arriving at the tea, the ladies just choose a table where they would like to sit.

I was thrilled that both my Secret Sister ....and the Sister that was encouraging me both sat at my table. (..and my Secret Sister didn't know it was me- she said sweet things about me and I got to really surprise her. She is a veteran homeschool mom whose children are grown up and living for the Lord!)

Also, I really prayed for the speaker for the evening. Last year I gave the devotional. I was pretty relaxed about it as I felt the Lord clearly lead me in what to say. I had wanted to get there early though so I didn’t feel rushed and then get nervous. Well, the adversary was truly at work. I was ¾ of the way there (last year) when my car got a flat tire. (Thankfully I had taken my husband’s smaller car since it was just me going.) I called him and he was able to quickly load up the kids in the larger car and get to me. I learned that my wonderful husband can also change a tire in 4 minutes! I got there in time and had a new little story to add to my opening! The Lord is always there even when Satan is trying to overpower and ruin things. Well, this made me think how much Satan must try to attack those that he knows are about to give out God’s word. I had never really thought much about that before ... to that extent. Now from that experience it really makes me pray more often for those speaking at events or church meetings- wherever the Word of God is going out!
Our speaker did a wonderful job, she mentioned my mom which touched my heart and the message is one I will remember. She spoke about relationships and went into Martha and Mary and how we can have Martha attitudes or Mary attitudes. Life can be very busy, esp. when homeschooling 5 children. Marthas are busy-bodies (which can be alright) if we have a “Mary” heart and first be before the Lord and give our schedules to Him! Not busying ourselves too much that we forget to have fellowship with the Lord!

To my (little) surprise

Recently I had a little surprise- something simple yet something I want to remember.

Sunday was Valentine's Day but my husband was out of town at a conference. We had already celebrated. He planned with my oldest daughter to surprise me Friday evening prior to Valentine's day and they truly did surprise me only letting me know 30 minutes before hand that we were going out. My oldest daughter was going to take care of everything on the homefront. It was a wonderful time with my Valentine, my sweetheart for life!

Anyway, then on Valentine's day we (my five children and I) came home from church and I did feel a little down because we usually spend Sundays together as a family. I didn't think it showed though to me children as I was busy preparing our lesson plans for the upcoming week, etc. It was getting close to suppertime and I asked my oldest daughter if she would wash some potatoes and prepare them to microwave for baked potatoes. Then I was busy again and time slipped away from me. When I rushed out to the kitchen to prepare supper for my children, I found this at the table (all prepared by my creative oldest daughter) who also had the potatoes cooked with toppings all pulled together and a vegetable cooking too.

To those out there that have low expectations of teenagers, I beg to differ. If you don't value them or expect much from them, then they won't feel encouraged to do much!

As my children grow up and get closer to adulthood, I have mixed emotions. I don't look forward to the time when they leave home as I feel blessed to have them in our home. I do however, feel happy when I see that all the lessons, devotions, prayers, etc pay off into them doing things on their own that our thoughtful of others and creative.

Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
—Proverbs 22:6

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5

Valentines

Here are some of the Valentines that my younger children made for their friends.

I found the printable tags online. They have a great message! I think I could use these for prizes for children at many different events.

You can print the tags at Little Blots of Faith. You can glue them around lollipops or pencils!

Happy Valentine's Day!

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you,
that you also love one another." John 13:34

Our Winter Wonderland

WOW! I haven't seen this much snow in a long time. We've had two snowstorms back-to-back.

The morning after the first storm, I woke up and looked out an upstairs window- it seemed like a different world. It reminded me of Narnia when they stepped through the wardrobe and into the Winter Wonderland. It was that same feeling...like we went to bed in one world and woke up in a diffferent one. Quite amazing!

Here are a few photos from the snow scenes God created around our home:

We will be outside shoveling (and maybe even playing) soon. Maybe I will get some more pictures to share!

I'm a Mom for Modesty

I recently added this "button" to my sidear.

Moms for Modesty Mission Statement:
As a Mom for Modesty I believe in common-sense modesty for girls and young women.
I believe in refraining from sexualizing our girls and young women.
I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by permitting my daughter(s) to dress in an immodest manner.
I believe that true beauty comes from within and I strive to teach my daughter(s) this truth.
I will loyally shop at retailers that provide girls' and young womens clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.
If you agree with this and want to see more about this issue or join in, visit Moms for Modesty!

Many retailers, marketing and PR firms review mommy blogs for trends and opinions. If we speak as one we may be able to effect change, get better fashion trends, teach our children and encourage each other!

I am also a homeschooling mom. We are currently making a lapbook on modesty and doing a Bible study in our home. My children are all good about modesty as I do think I have incorporated that into them. I think we are going to learn a lot though too through our study. Our lapbook kit is from The Knowledge Box. We are using this as a starting point but adding a lot to it.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~ Romans 12:2

Blog Beginning

I feel like my first blog post should be something substantial however, this blog has been awhile in the making and I’d like to get “rolling” with it. I love the idea of journals and always wanted to keep a daily journal but my efforts never stay consistent. I do keep a journal of favorite quotes, Bible verses and Sermon notes but don’t seem to be able to keep going with a daily journal of life events. I know I miss out on documenting a lot of the happenings in our lives – our race here on Earth. I’d like to have these things recorded for upcoming generations if the Lord wouldn’t return before then. I think it would be so wonderful if I had a journal that my mother or grandmother would have kept while they were growing up.

I am a blessed mother to 5 wonderful children here on Earth as well as one child in Heaven that I look forward to meeting someday. I am sure you’ll all agree with me that with raising five children in stages from teenager down to preschooler (and all the stages that also lie in-between), I have a lot to keep track of! I have a teenage daughter, a pre-teen daughter, a 10 year old son as well as a kindergartener son, then also a preschool daughter. Since I am at the computer quite often with homeschooling, I am hoping I can keep up-to-date here. I know too that this blog can then be printed so I can have a hands-on journal to save! If you are curious about this, check out this link

…and so begins my on-line blogging journal.