I had a dream last night that I was in a hospital walking around...not sure why, but ok. A nurse asked me to come and sit with an old woman who was going to die soon. She was VERY old, she was all shriveled up and looked like a raisin. She was raspy and barely able to talk and they said she would die within a few hours. They were going to use some of her organs to save a middle aged man's life.
I sat with her in silence for a while, listening as it got harder for her to breath. I felt compelled to ask if she knew Jesus, but I was scared. Scared of what though? Just scared like I always am to ask someone this question. I don't know what to say after, even though I know that the Holy Spirit can speak through me and give me words...I mean how many times has He given me the words to speak when my children ask difficult questions? Have you ever had a time when you're talking about something Biblical that has confused you for a long time, and suddenly it clicks? There can be no explanation for when it happens to me other than God suddenly and fantastically making it clear.
Finally, I asked her if she knew Jesus. She perked up a little and said some of the usual stuff, He was a man, He did great things, but she didn't really know if He was God, it sounded too far fetched. So we talked for a while and she asked hard questions, and I witnessed to her, and she came to know the truth. Suddenly, she was a healthy 2 year old! She looked just like herself, only 78 years younger. Skin clear and pudgy and new, hair soft and blond instead of wiry and white. I carried her around the hospital trying to find a nurse to see this strange thing that happened. They were as confused as I was.
I woke up still completely confused and told my husband my dream. He said "well did you miss the symbolism in your dream? She was born again!" ahhh...now it makes sense! She was a fresh new being. Maybe God is trying to give me courage to take the plunge and just ask someone...I have someone in mind actually, and I know what the answer to the question will be. I know this person is not saved, but I honestly don't know how to pursue the conversation. This person is immersed in some scary stuff right now and the whole family could use prayer. I've felt a strong calling to this person for over a year now, but I've been...afraid I guess. I guess it feels confrontational to me to just ask point blank, and confrontational is NOT a word I'd use to describe myself. I just keep waiting for this person to ask me questions, but maybe that will never happen and I need to be the one to initiate. Any words of wisdom or encouragement? You can comment here, or you can email me at hearmenurture (@) gmail (.) com.
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Media Monday
On Mondays, I will be sharing a bit of media-Bible verse, song, television show, movie, cartoon, news article, blog post, anything media-ish that has inspired, convicted, or encouraged me.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Monday 7/11/11
I love this song by Joy Williams, Hide.
Lyrics
I first heard this song when I was new to Christianity. I knew that I was forgiven, but I didn't really know what all that meant, and I didn't really understand that Jesus wanted to meet me right where I was, warts and all. I saw these people at church who seemed all put together and figured out. They'd been Christians for a long time, many of them since childhood, and I felt like I couldn't be "holy" like them. We'd just gotten married AFTER getting pregnant, I'd spent many years as an outspoken athiest...I didn't feel like I would ever be good enough. I knew that Jesus would forgive me, but it just didn't connect fully. This song helped me.
"And if you feel like no one understands
Come to the One with scars on His hands
'Cause He knows where you are, where you've been
His scars will heal you if you let Him."
Just wow. Obviously I'm not saying trust everything you hear in a song, but use it as a launch-point for diving into your Bible and finding the truth.
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
So come with me, if you're scared or unsure. Crack open that Bible and look for some love verses.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Wow, it's hard to believe that someone would die for me, ME, while I hated Him. And He died for you too, whether you've loved him since your earliest memories, or if you aren't sure right now. He loves YOU.
I John 4:19
We love, because He first loved us.
John 3
16)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17)For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18)He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
"He who believes in Him is not judged"...again, just wow! I get this "free" pass. All because Jesus loves ME. No more hiding, no more wondering if I'm good enough. No more thinking others deserve it more than me or that others are better than me. Jesus picked them, but He picked me too! And He wants you too. He wants to share His never-ending, knowledge-surpassing, all-encompassing, hurt-healing love with you.
Monday Blog Link-Up at Joy Filled Living
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Monday 7/11/11
I love this song by Joy Williams, Hide.
Lyrics
I first heard this song when I was new to Christianity. I knew that I was forgiven, but I didn't really know what all that meant, and I didn't really understand that Jesus wanted to meet me right where I was, warts and all. I saw these people at church who seemed all put together and figured out. They'd been Christians for a long time, many of them since childhood, and I felt like I couldn't be "holy" like them. We'd just gotten married AFTER getting pregnant, I'd spent many years as an outspoken athiest...I didn't feel like I would ever be good enough. I knew that Jesus would forgive me, but it just didn't connect fully. This song helped me.
"And if you feel like no one understands
Come to the One with scars on His hands
'Cause He knows where you are, where you've been
His scars will heal you if you let Him."
Just wow. Obviously I'm not saying trust everything you hear in a song, but use it as a launch-point for diving into your Bible and finding the truth.
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
So come with me, if you're scared or unsure. Crack open that Bible and look for some love verses.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Wow, it's hard to believe that someone would die for me, ME, while I hated Him. And He died for you too, whether you've loved him since your earliest memories, or if you aren't sure right now. He loves YOU.
I John 4:19
We love, because He first loved us.
John 3
16)For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17)For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18)He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
"He who believes in Him is not judged"...again, just wow! I get this "free" pass. All because Jesus loves ME. No more hiding, no more wondering if I'm good enough. No more thinking others deserve it more than me or that others are better than me. Jesus picked them, but He picked me too! And He wants you too. He wants to share His never-ending, knowledge-surpassing, all-encompassing, hurt-healing love with you.
Monday Blog Link-Up at Joy Filled Living
Sunday, July 10, 2011
10 Thanks July
10 Thanks
On the 10th of each month, I plan on sharing 10 things I'm thankful for. Big or little, new or old.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
For some reason Simply-Linked isn't working for me right now, so leave your blog link in the comments please. :)
July
1) I am thankful for the servant's heart that my 4yo daughter is growing. this morning she told me that if I wanted to sleep in next weekend that she would get up with her 2yo brother and watch him.
2) I am thankful for my A-MAZ-ING husband. God has blessed me more than I could ever have imagined with just my husband. Wow. He's incredible...possibly one of his most useful talents is his ability to talk me down from crazy (which I will talk more about on Transparent Tuesday ). He's so wise and so rational.
3) I am thankful for the opportunity to be a mother. I was told by my own mother that my chances to be a mother might be lessened from dozens of pelvic x-rays as a child. I don't know if it's true or not, but it sure did worry me.
4) I am thankful for chocolate and coffee. Silly I know, but it's a way to connect with my husband, he loves them both. I love just sitting with him and eating some chocolate-something and drinking our coffee together.
5) I am thankful for some truly awesome friends. I'm not the best at being a friend. I'm a complete and total introvert, but when we get together, it doesn't seem to matter and we can talk all day.
6) I am thankful for the area I live in. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am home. It's just a great place to live, safe, big enough, but plenty of country in and around the city too.
7) I am thankful for the internet. I can remember life without it (we didn't have internet until I was maybe 14 or 15) but I can't imagine life without the opportunities it gives me to learn now, especially as a mother and I need to be able to quickly research something.
8) I am thankful for pencils. I hate writing in pen. I NEED to be able to erase things. I'm also thankful that I'm not still in english class in 10th and 11th grade when my teachers required me to write in pen. Oh the nights spent up late re-writing an assignment because I made a mistake at the bottom of the back of a page and couldn't stand the site of the "X" through it.
9) I am thankful for my Bible. It's a MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I've learned a ton from it. I also have a Life Application Study Bible (NIV) and a Women of Faith Bible (NLT) that I loved too.
10) I am thankful for my Jesus, who loves me no matter how awful I am, or self-loathing, or prideful. I love Him because He first loved me and I am thankful that I get to spend ALL eternity in His gracious care.
On the 10th of each month, I plan on sharing 10 things I'm thankful for. Big or little, new or old.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
For some reason Simply-Linked isn't working for me right now, so leave your blog link in the comments please. :)
July
1) I am thankful for the servant's heart that my 4yo daughter is growing. this morning she told me that if I wanted to sleep in next weekend that she would get up with her 2yo brother and watch him.
2) I am thankful for my A-MAZ-ING husband. God has blessed me more than I could ever have imagined with just my husband. Wow. He's incredible...possibly one of his most useful talents is his ability to talk me down from crazy (which I will talk more about on Transparent Tuesday ). He's so wise and so rational.
3) I am thankful for the opportunity to be a mother. I was told by my own mother that my chances to be a mother might be lessened from dozens of pelvic x-rays as a child. I don't know if it's true or not, but it sure did worry me.
4) I am thankful for chocolate and coffee. Silly I know, but it's a way to connect with my husband, he loves them both. I love just sitting with him and eating some chocolate-something and drinking our coffee together.
5) I am thankful for some truly awesome friends. I'm not the best at being a friend. I'm a complete and total introvert, but when we get together, it doesn't seem to matter and we can talk all day.
6) I am thankful for the area I live in. For the first time in my life, I feel like I am home. It's just a great place to live, safe, big enough, but plenty of country in and around the city too.
7) I am thankful for the internet. I can remember life without it (we didn't have internet until I was maybe 14 or 15) but I can't imagine life without the opportunities it gives me to learn now, especially as a mother and I need to be able to quickly research something.
8) I am thankful for pencils. I hate writing in pen. I NEED to be able to erase things. I'm also thankful that I'm not still in english class in 10th and 11th grade when my teachers required me to write in pen. Oh the nights spent up late re-writing an assignment because I made a mistake at the bottom of the back of a page and couldn't stand the site of the "X" through it.
9) I am thankful for my Bible. It's a MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I've learned a ton from it. I also have a Life Application Study Bible (NIV) and a Women of Faith Bible (NLT) that I loved too.
10) I am thankful for my Jesus, who loves me no matter how awful I am, or self-loathing, or prideful. I love Him because He first loved me and I am thankful that I get to spend ALL eternity in His gracious care.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Transparent Tuesday
Transparent Tuesday
On Tuesdays I want to make myself transparent and share something that God has been working on my life, whether it be small (like cleaning my Suburban so I'm not humiliated when I open the door at the grocery store and trash falls out) or big, like submitting to my husband on an issue that needed to be addressed for many years. You don't have to share this as many of these matters may be very private, but I encourage you to participate privately if you so choose.
Psalm 51:1-4
1)Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
2)Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
3)For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4)Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.
So this is probably going to be a HUGE shock to some people that know me, but I think if we are blessed with another baby, we are going to seek a midwife to assist the birth. I've had one hospital birth (hated it, just felt like I was treated like a child and there was Z.E.R.O. support for my desire to go natural, not to mention they knowingly risked mine and my baby's health and safety for the sake of "timely" delivery) and three unassisted births. I loved my 3 u/c's, especially the first one. Minus my mother's presence for the last 20 minutes of it, it was picture perfect. My husband was serene (on the outside) and so supportive, even when I went bonkers and told him I wanted an epidural right before the baby came. Our second u/c was harder (3 days of labor, and a hard transition period thanks to a posterior baby with hands in his face) and I freaked out and cried and told him that I wanted a c-section because the baby was never coming. It really took a toll on my husband and I didn't want to face that. It was scary for him to see me like that and to have to decide if I was asking for a c-section because I thought something was wrong or if I was just labor-crazy. Looking back now, I can only imagine how much stress he was feeling. For our third u/c, I thought the solution to stressing my husband out would be for me to labor alone. My water broke (trickled all day really, no big gushes) first thing in the morning and I kind of laid around all day, not wanting to cause painful contractions if the baby wasn't ready to come out. That night, we went to bed around 11 and he decided to sleep on the couch, thinking that both of us would sleep better that way. Around 1:30/2 in the morning I got up and told him it was starting and that if he'd help me get my labor area set up that I'd wake him up when I needed him. Around 5:00 I started to have to really work through the contractions, and my 4yo was awake with me. About 5:30 my 2yo woke up and I decided that it was time to get Daddy up. I told him I was going to take a shower (hate baths) because it was really painful but I was only 5-6cm and I thought it was going to be a while. I tried to put on a brave face in front of him and to keep the noise down, but I was really struggling. I kept begging God to let me be done with the whole thing. Instead of relaxing between contractions I would tense up because it just meant another one was coming and I felt like they weren't going anywhere. I definitely could have used his presence, but I didn't want to scare him. Eventually I decided to test push and called him when I found that was making progress. He caught our sweet baby girl, but I knew that the whole situation really wore on him again.
We were talking recently about what the future holds for our family. I'd love to have as many more as God will allow, in His time (we don't prevent or encourage conception-we felt a very strong calling not to "try to conceive" back when we were miscarrying left and right before God gave us our 4yo), but I know that the thought really stresses out my husband. He confided in me more bluntly than usual (he really has been sweet about it, but I needed it spelled out for me) that a part of his hesitation is the giving birth part. It's scary, and so stressful for him to be THE responsible person if something goes wrong. And now I see it, FINALLY. I see what I've asked of my husband all these years, and it really wasn't fair. It's not that we both don't have faith in the Lord for our health and safety, and we know without a doubt that our decision to u/c has been right so far, but now, it's time to bring someone else in because it's not all about ME. It's about US, and if one of us is uneasy, then it's not right for the other one to force it. And I'm sorry.
Part of my reason for really liking u/c was my childhood abuse by my mother. I grew up basically unable to trust women older than me because I couldn't trust my mother not to wound me deeply. But maybe this is part of my growth and recovery now. I will HAVE to open up to another woman now and put some trust in her. I will have to be vulnerable to her. The neat thing is that I get to interview and pick someone who I think will fit me. Obviously I won't pick someone that will try to control me or reminds me of my mother. There are other types of women out there and I am sure that God has an amazing experience planned for me. For us. And for the first time in a long time maybe my husband will be able to relax and enjoy being a Daddy and husband during/after labor instead of worrying if something is wrong and if he'll be able to diagnose and act quickly enough. Poor guy.
So I'm hanging up my unassited birth hat. I don't feel like I'm being forced into anything, and I don't have the "but it's my body" attitude. It's a subtle submission. He probably never would have asked me to have a midwife, but I'm so glad that it's finally clear to me how much he'd like to have someone here. And I'm happy to submit on this one.
On Tuesdays I want to make myself transparent and share something that God has been working on my life, whether it be small (like cleaning my Suburban so I'm not humiliated when I open the door at the grocery store and trash falls out) or big, like submitting to my husband on an issue that needed to be addressed for many years. You don't have to share this as many of these matters may be very private, but I encourage you to participate privately if you so choose.
Psalm 51:1-4
1)Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
2)Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
3)For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4)Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.
So this is probably going to be a HUGE shock to some people that know me, but I think if we are blessed with another baby, we are going to seek a midwife to assist the birth. I've had one hospital birth (hated it, just felt like I was treated like a child and there was Z.E.R.O. support for my desire to go natural, not to mention they knowingly risked mine and my baby's health and safety for the sake of "timely" delivery) and three unassisted births. I loved my 3 u/c's, especially the first one. Minus my mother's presence for the last 20 minutes of it, it was picture perfect. My husband was serene (on the outside) and so supportive, even when I went bonkers and told him I wanted an epidural right before the baby came. Our second u/c was harder (3 days of labor, and a hard transition period thanks to a posterior baby with hands in his face) and I freaked out and cried and told him that I wanted a c-section because the baby was never coming. It really took a toll on my husband and I didn't want to face that. It was scary for him to see me like that and to have to decide if I was asking for a c-section because I thought something was wrong or if I was just labor-crazy. Looking back now, I can only imagine how much stress he was feeling. For our third u/c, I thought the solution to stressing my husband out would be for me to labor alone. My water broke (trickled all day really, no big gushes) first thing in the morning and I kind of laid around all day, not wanting to cause painful contractions if the baby wasn't ready to come out. That night, we went to bed around 11 and he decided to sleep on the couch, thinking that both of us would sleep better that way. Around 1:30/2 in the morning I got up and told him it was starting and that if he'd help me get my labor area set up that I'd wake him up when I needed him. Around 5:00 I started to have to really work through the contractions, and my 4yo was awake with me. About 5:30 my 2yo woke up and I decided that it was time to get Daddy up. I told him I was going to take a shower (hate baths) because it was really painful but I was only 5-6cm and I thought it was going to be a while. I tried to put on a brave face in front of him and to keep the noise down, but I was really struggling. I kept begging God to let me be done with the whole thing. Instead of relaxing between contractions I would tense up because it just meant another one was coming and I felt like they weren't going anywhere. I definitely could have used his presence, but I didn't want to scare him. Eventually I decided to test push and called him when I found that was making progress. He caught our sweet baby girl, but I knew that the whole situation really wore on him again.
We were talking recently about what the future holds for our family. I'd love to have as many more as God will allow, in His time (we don't prevent or encourage conception-we felt a very strong calling not to "try to conceive" back when we were miscarrying left and right before God gave us our 4yo), but I know that the thought really stresses out my husband. He confided in me more bluntly than usual (he really has been sweet about it, but I needed it spelled out for me) that a part of his hesitation is the giving birth part. It's scary, and so stressful for him to be THE responsible person if something goes wrong. And now I see it, FINALLY. I see what I've asked of my husband all these years, and it really wasn't fair. It's not that we both don't have faith in the Lord for our health and safety, and we know without a doubt that our decision to u/c has been right so far, but now, it's time to bring someone else in because it's not all about ME. It's about US, and if one of us is uneasy, then it's not right for the other one to force it. And I'm sorry.
Part of my reason for really liking u/c was my childhood abuse by my mother. I grew up basically unable to trust women older than me because I couldn't trust my mother not to wound me deeply. But maybe this is part of my growth and recovery now. I will HAVE to open up to another woman now and put some trust in her. I will have to be vulnerable to her. The neat thing is that I get to interview and pick someone who I think will fit me. Obviously I won't pick someone that will try to control me or reminds me of my mother. There are other types of women out there and I am sure that God has an amazing experience planned for me. For us. And for the first time in a long time maybe my husband will be able to relax and enjoy being a Daddy and husband during/after labor instead of worrying if something is wrong and if he'll be able to diagnose and act quickly enough. Poor guy.
So I'm hanging up my unassited birth hat. I don't feel like I'm being forced into anything, and I don't have the "but it's my body" attitude. It's a subtle submission. He probably never would have asked me to have a midwife, but I'm so glad that it's finally clear to me how much he'd like to have someone here. And I'm happy to submit on this one.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Daily Themes
I want to start doing some daily themes here. I want to encourage others, and I want to learn from others also! Feel free to grab a button and link back to me when you participate.
Media Monday
On Mondays, I will be sharing a bit of media-Bible verse, song, television show, movie, cartoon, news article, blog post, anything media-ish that has inspired, convicted, or encouraged me.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Transparent Tuesday
On Tuesdays I want to make myself transparent and share something that God has been working on my life, whether it be small (like cleaning my Suburban so I'm not humiliated when I open the door at the grocery store and trash falls out) or big, like submitting to my husband on an issue that needed to be addressed for many years. You don't have to share this as many of these matters may be very private, but I encourage you to participate privately if you so choose.
Psalm 51:1-4
1)Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
2)Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
3)For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4)Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.
F is for Friday
Friday is basically a free for all. I plan on posting about things like Food, Fitness, Family, Fun, Festivities, etc. It doesn't have to be about "F" things, but look forward to me doing my best to make (ridiculous) links to the letter F.
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine.
Service Saturday
Saturdays I'd like to talk about ways that we can serve our families (as a whole, or an individual), our communities, and our God. Or about ways that someone has blessed us! Please be mindful that this doesn't become an opportunity to boast. I want this to be us sharing ideas so that others may bless their family/community/God in similar ways.
John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
10 Thanks
On the 10th of each month, I plan on sharing 10 things I'm thankful for. Big or little, new or old.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
20 Questions
On the 20th of each month, I'd like to post those questions we have for God, like "Why did You pick blue for the sky?"...I'm sure the kiddos in many of our lives will inspire many questions.
Habakkuk 3:3(b)
His splendor covers the heavens,
And the earth is full of His praise.
Media Monday
On Mondays, I will be sharing a bit of media-Bible verse, song, television show, movie, cartoon, news article, blog post, anything media-ish that has inspired, convicted, or encouraged me.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Transparent Tuesday
On Tuesdays I want to make myself transparent and share something that God has been working on my life, whether it be small (like cleaning my Suburban so I'm not humiliated when I open the door at the grocery store and trash falls out) or big, like submitting to my husband on an issue that needed to be addressed for many years. You don't have to share this as many of these matters may be very private, but I encourage you to participate privately if you so choose.
Psalm 51:1-4
1)Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
2)Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
3)For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4)Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.
F is for Friday
Friday is basically a free for all. I plan on posting about things like Food, Fitness, Family, Fun, Festivities, etc. It doesn't have to be about "F" things, but look forward to me doing my best to make (ridiculous) links to the letter F.
Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine.
Service Saturday
Saturdays I'd like to talk about ways that we can serve our families (as a whole, or an individual), our communities, and our God. Or about ways that someone has blessed us! Please be mindful that this doesn't become an opportunity to boast. I want this to be us sharing ideas so that others may bless their family/community/God in similar ways.
John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
10 Thanks
On the 10th of each month, I plan on sharing 10 things I'm thankful for. Big or little, new or old.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.
20 Questions
On the 20th of each month, I'd like to post those questions we have for God, like "Why did You pick blue for the sky?"...I'm sure the kiddos in many of our lives will inspire many questions.
Habakkuk 3:3(b)
His splendor covers the heavens,
And the earth is full of His praise.
What a week!
"Phew!" as my 2yo would say. The big kids had VBS (Vacation Bible School) this week. They had a ton of fun, but my goodness, I didn't realize how much work there was involved in getting 5 people out the door by 8:30 in the morning everyday! And I wasn't even volunteering this time (next year when my 2yo is 3yo and in the 3yo class...maybe). I have to give kudos to those out there that do this every week during the school year, I just can't imagine. We still start our homeschooling day at 9, but if all I have the energy/time for is pajamas and fuzzy hair, pajamas and fuzzy hair it is. I had so much I wanted to do this week-like get my blog all spiffed up-and I just had no energy to do it after running all morning. Not to mention that it was just nice to sit and chill with the kiddos after they spent a few hours away. Aaaaaaand, my almost 6mo ((sob)) is teething big time this week and just not happy if I put her down (poor sweet baby is asleep in the Baby Ktan right now).
So those are my excuses for not doing anything around the blog here in over a week. I DO very much want to figure out how to get a button to show up...I have to try a new code my friend sent me. And I really want to figure out how to get tabs up at the top of my blog. I found something posted online, but wow, my non-computery self just did not get it. So if anyone has any tips that would be awesome, just don't take offense if I can't figure it out, ok?
Oh, I suppose I should update on the shingles. I had pain in the same spots (on my left shoulder blade and on the left side of my chest about where the nursing clip of my nursing tank hits) for 3 or 4 days and that was that. I took garlic and nothing became of it. So thankful, I really wasn't in the mood for shingles right now! Though a few days later I was WISHING I had shingles because I woke up to my left breast swollen, red, hot, and soooo hurty. I guess I had a mild case of mastitis starting? I have no clue, in almost 8y of straight breastfeeding I've never had anything like that happen before. I have caught my 2yo chewing on his TOEnails ((ew))...I wonder if it's his fault? I've had clogged ducts before, but this didn't feel like it...though on the 2nd or 3rd night of pain, while I was nursing the 2yo, I was massaging also and felt something hard go soft, so maybe there was a clogged duct deep inside that was starting to get infected. At any rate, I'd like to share that I took garlic everyday again for that and I'm pretty sure it knocked the potential infection out.
F is for Friday!
So those are my excuses for not doing anything around the blog here in over a week. I DO very much want to figure out how to get a button to show up...I have to try a new code my friend sent me. And I really want to figure out how to get tabs up at the top of my blog. I found something posted online, but wow, my non-computery self just did not get it. So if anyone has any tips that would be awesome, just don't take offense if I can't figure it out, ok?
Oh, I suppose I should update on the shingles. I had pain in the same spots (on my left shoulder blade and on the left side of my chest about where the nursing clip of my nursing tank hits) for 3 or 4 days and that was that. I took garlic and nothing became of it. So thankful, I really wasn't in the mood for shingles right now! Though a few days later I was WISHING I had shingles because I woke up to my left breast swollen, red, hot, and soooo hurty. I guess I had a mild case of mastitis starting? I have no clue, in almost 8y of straight breastfeeding I've never had anything like that happen before. I have caught my 2yo chewing on his TOEnails ((ew))...I wonder if it's his fault? I've had clogged ducts before, but this didn't feel like it...though on the 2nd or 3rd night of pain, while I was nursing the 2yo, I was massaging also and felt something hard go soft, so maybe there was a clogged duct deep inside that was starting to get infected. At any rate, I'd like to share that I took garlic everyday again for that and I'm pretty sure it knocked the potential infection out.
F is for Friday!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
A Little Conviction
My husband was just holding the baby when the Little Guy came up and bashed right into him. I was thinking of my own reaction to this happening MANY many many times. I usually react in anger and make the Little Guy move away from me. I'm always telling him "gentle, Mommy likes nice touches". My husband's reaction just convicted me though. He said "sometimes 'rough' is all I get with Little Guy". The way he said it was like it was a privilege to be assaulted by our very rough and tumble Little Guy. Wow. All this time I've been treating it like something that should only happen at certain times (like tickle-wrestle time), and here my husband was treasuring it. You know the saying "there is no 'I' in team"? I'm always saying "there is no 'gentle' in Little Guy". And there isn't really. He WILL hug, and he will kiss, but it's usually accompanied with a body blow or tackle of some sort immediately before or after...or he uses my hair or skin to pull me toward him. And you know what, that's ok. I'm going to adopt my husband's attitude (with God's help because it really does trigger an angry response from me when he hurts me oftentimes) and treasure my little guy and the way that HE needs to love.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Stress, shingles and garlic
I had shingles in the fall of 2008 while pregnant with my 2yo. It was not fun. I got it from being OVERLY, extremely, "oh-my-gosh-the-world-is-ending" stressed about the presidential election. My parents had gotten so head-over-heels into prepping and "end-of-the-worldness" (not saying they ALWAYS go together, I think responsible/reasonable "prepping" is great) and were CONSTANTLY talking about how if the election went a certain way that we'd need to move to the mountains and burn our vehicles and live out our last days hiding from the government and how I'd have to learn how to perform surgery and do stitches, on and on. Here I was, just turning 26 (figured out it was shingles the morning of my birthday), having the absolute time of my life. I was married to an amazing guy, had 2 beautiful kids and another precious blessing on the way, we had started homeschooling, work was going great for my husband, we'd just moved to a bigger apartment less than a year before, got the vehicle of my dreams (older and it just about fell from Heaven the way all the details worked out)...everything was so great and here my parents were telling me day in and day out that I was going to have to take my kids to the mountains and raise them in seclusion (seriously, they talked about how they'd shoot anyone who got too close to our dwelling)...in this life my parents were painting, my kids would never get to experience love, they'd be hermits and have no idea how to be around anyone outside our family. Unlike my husband, I daydream about my children courting and marrying. I'm out of this world EXCITED and ECSTATIC that they might find someone to love as much as I love their dad. Giddy. But my parents were completely dashing that dream. I couldn't even pick a homeschool curriculum because anything that required computers or library access would be out because we'd be in the middle of the forest, secluded, for the next 10+ years according to their plan. Thinking about it now it makes me sick the lack of faith they had and the effect it had on me. How did I fall for it all? I was absolutely sick with worry and scared out of my mind. I know I drove my friend crazy talking about it. I'm so thankful that eventually she told me that she couldn't be a part of the conversation anymore because it was worrisome and overwhelming...it gave me courage to eventually say the same thing to my parents.
My "reward" for all the stress...shingles. It all started with some severe pain in a small spot just to the right of my spine at about my bra line. It was terrible. I'd check it once an hour (or more) fully expecting to see a deep purple bruise. I was certain I had to have backed into something and not remembered (which is easy for me to do, I'm constantly noticing new bruises and am left wondering how on earth I got them). No bruise ever came and eventually little blisters did. The morning of my birthday I spent hours researching rashes and blisters and all sorts of scary things and came to shingles. It fit. I sent a picture to my friend and her wonderful in-laws confirmed it. I decided at that point to treat it holistically. I was probably already beyond the time limit for antibiotics (which we try to use only as a LAST resort) and found that garlic would be great. So I took a ton of garlic and endured the pain for days. I found too that apple cider vinegar was great for the itchies. I thought for sure it would burn, so I took my sweet time trying it out, but it didn't. It cooled and eased the itchy sensation. Wonderful! My husband noticed a second patch of blisters starting to surface after several days, but the garlic knocked it out! Amazing. They never fully came up. I did end up with some nasty scars, but that's ok. At least they're on my back.
Fast forward now, 2 1/2 years later and here I find myself with that all too familiar intense pain on my back. This time it's on my left shoulder blade near my arm and also on my left front about where the hooks of my nursing bra hit. I noticed the pain late yesterday and within a few hours checked the mirror and saw nothing, so I cut up a garlic clove. I used softgels last time, but I have none right now and I wanted to get started on some right away. Plus my friend has told me MANY times how much more effective plain old garlic is. I just have to cut the clove up very small or I choke (so pathetic!). I took 3/4 of a clove last night (my 4yo daughter beat me to the last 1/4 and chewed it up excitedly!) and 3/4 of a clove this morning and would you believe me if I said the pain was MORE intense this morning than last night, but it is LESS intense this evening? I don't know if I'm out of the woods yet or if I'll end up with some blisters, but this sure seems promising! Thank you to my sweet friends who are praying for me, and to Jesus for being the ultimate healer.
And the reason for the stress this time? I think it's sleep. I've never been a sleep fan, always had a hard time falling asleep, and I just operate on less than most people. But as a mommy to 4 kids I am tired a lot and I do cherish those 6ish hours each night. I've been struggling lately though. My 2 yo is still in bed with me (and that means no room for my husband who has made a huge sacrifice and slept on the couch since the night my labor started with our 5mo) and he likes to kick a lot and put his arms under me. I don't want to hurt him, so I'm always waking up and pushing him back to his side, and I also don't want him to hurt the baby-or for her to roll off the bed while she's on the other side, so I sleep with my arm around her. My hair is also driving me crazy at night too. I roll on it and it gets pulled and wakes me up, or I'm afraid that it's on the baby and I wake up to move it. I'd wear it up, but my scalp is so darn sensitive that that would just give me a perma-headache, plus I have dread locks and it's important that they have time to breathe so they don't get yucky. Then there is my poor bladder that has been so abused by 4 successful pregnancies-especially the 3rd. He just really nailed my bladder for some reason and it's never recovered...so I'm up several times a night to go potty. And of course then I have to think about my 4yo who sleeps perpendicular to my bed...well, at least that is where her mattress is, she is usually on the floor next to it, and I've almost stepped ON her head several times. And then there is my 7yo who sleeps perpendicular to the 4yo and his allergies. He snorts and sniffles and coughs several times a night, which also wakes me. But this is all important stuff that is non-negotiable as far as I'm concerned. I'm not going to boot the baby and the 2yo from my bed (though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't longing for the day that the 2yo is ready for his own bed...we've tried and he wakes up and cries for me until I let him back in bed with me), and I'm not going to boot the 4yo and 7yo from my room either. The hair, I could always cut I suppose, but I've worked SO long to grow it out, I'd be really sad, and so would my 4yo who says that girls should have long hair. So I need to find another way to deal with this stress, obviously. I'm going to start reading my Bible in bed (well, ok, I'll be reading on my phone on biblegateway.com) and praying more. I know that I can still be aware of all this stuff without letting it stress me out so badly.
My "reward" for all the stress...shingles. It all started with some severe pain in a small spot just to the right of my spine at about my bra line. It was terrible. I'd check it once an hour (or more) fully expecting to see a deep purple bruise. I was certain I had to have backed into something and not remembered (which is easy for me to do, I'm constantly noticing new bruises and am left wondering how on earth I got them). No bruise ever came and eventually little blisters did. The morning of my birthday I spent hours researching rashes and blisters and all sorts of scary things and came to shingles. It fit. I sent a picture to my friend and her wonderful in-laws confirmed it. I decided at that point to treat it holistically. I was probably already beyond the time limit for antibiotics (which we try to use only as a LAST resort) and found that garlic would be great. So I took a ton of garlic and endured the pain for days. I found too that apple cider vinegar was great for the itchies. I thought for sure it would burn, so I took my sweet time trying it out, but it didn't. It cooled and eased the itchy sensation. Wonderful! My husband noticed a second patch of blisters starting to surface after several days, but the garlic knocked it out! Amazing. They never fully came up. I did end up with some nasty scars, but that's ok. At least they're on my back.
Fast forward now, 2 1/2 years later and here I find myself with that all too familiar intense pain on my back. This time it's on my left shoulder blade near my arm and also on my left front about where the hooks of my nursing bra hit. I noticed the pain late yesterday and within a few hours checked the mirror and saw nothing, so I cut up a garlic clove. I used softgels last time, but I have none right now and I wanted to get started on some right away. Plus my friend has told me MANY times how much more effective plain old garlic is. I just have to cut the clove up very small or I choke (so pathetic!). I took 3/4 of a clove last night (my 4yo daughter beat me to the last 1/4 and chewed it up excitedly!) and 3/4 of a clove this morning and would you believe me if I said the pain was MORE intense this morning than last night, but it is LESS intense this evening? I don't know if I'm out of the woods yet or if I'll end up with some blisters, but this sure seems promising! Thank you to my sweet friends who are praying for me, and to Jesus for being the ultimate healer.
And the reason for the stress this time? I think it's sleep. I've never been a sleep fan, always had a hard time falling asleep, and I just operate on less than most people. But as a mommy to 4 kids I am tired a lot and I do cherish those 6ish hours each night. I've been struggling lately though. My 2 yo is still in bed with me (and that means no room for my husband who has made a huge sacrifice and slept on the couch since the night my labor started with our 5mo) and he likes to kick a lot and put his arms under me. I don't want to hurt him, so I'm always waking up and pushing him back to his side, and I also don't want him to hurt the baby-or for her to roll off the bed while she's on the other side, so I sleep with my arm around her. My hair is also driving me crazy at night too. I roll on it and it gets pulled and wakes me up, or I'm afraid that it's on the baby and I wake up to move it. I'd wear it up, but my scalp is so darn sensitive that that would just give me a perma-headache, plus I have dread locks and it's important that they have time to breathe so they don't get yucky. Then there is my poor bladder that has been so abused by 4 successful pregnancies-especially the 3rd. He just really nailed my bladder for some reason and it's never recovered...so I'm up several times a night to go potty. And of course then I have to think about my 4yo who sleeps perpendicular to my bed...well, at least that is where her mattress is, she is usually on the floor next to it, and I've almost stepped ON her head several times. And then there is my 7yo who sleeps perpendicular to the 4yo and his allergies. He snorts and sniffles and coughs several times a night, which also wakes me. But this is all important stuff that is non-negotiable as far as I'm concerned. I'm not going to boot the baby and the 2yo from my bed (though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't longing for the day that the 2yo is ready for his own bed...we've tried and he wakes up and cries for me until I let him back in bed with me), and I'm not going to boot the 4yo and 7yo from my room either. The hair, I could always cut I suppose, but I've worked SO long to grow it out, I'd be really sad, and so would my 4yo who says that girls should have long hair. So I need to find another way to deal with this stress, obviously. I'm going to start reading my Bible in bed (well, ok, I'll be reading on my phone on biblegateway.com) and praying more. I know that I can still be aware of all this stuff without letting it stress me out so badly.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Time to get my nurture on
Mondays...Mondays really have been hard lately and I don't know why. They never used to bother me, but for whatever reason, I've realized over the last several weeks that I'm mega grumpy on Mondays. I know my awesome husband has been praying extra for me on Mondays, and I'm so appreciative. I think it's partly due to being with Daddy all weekend and all of us missing him when he goes back to work.
This Monday wasn't too bad until the afternoon, and then it was just...blah. I let it get the best of me and broke a promise to myself and didn't get the living room picked up before my husband came home from work. My husband's job is loud and messy, and he's let me know that it's really hard to relax on his time off when the house is the same (or worse...which is very possible with several small children and a wife who struggles with the housekeeping part of being a sahm). I have been trying to get the living room picked up before he gets home for the past few months to bless him and serve him, but Monday I didn't even try. I just felt blah and I let it dictate my afternoon and his evening. At bedtime, as he kicked a toy he'd just stepped on, he vented his frustration a little to me. I failed him and I was sorry.
Tuesday I did a much better job picking up, but Tuesday was Monday 2.0 in its own way. Tuesday my patience appeared to be on vacation. According to my 7 year old's dictionary, patience is "the ability to remain calm when dealing with a difficult or annoying situation, task, or person". My 2 year old was deep into the "Terrible Two's" yesterday. He kept hitting and laying on his older sister and me, and tried to crawl on his baby sister. He was pushing all my buttons and he was unrelenting in it. As much as I tried, I couldn't channel Michelle Duggar (bless her for sharing her whisper instead of yell tip...if I could just manage to successfully incorporate that). I *should* have taken a time out, put my little guy in bed, and gone to pray, but I didn't. Let's just say it's a wonder that I'm not hoarse today. Not my proudest afternoon for sure.
Today is Wednesday. It's a new day. It's a chance to make reparations for the wrongs I've done. It's a day to nurture. Obviously, I plan on having the living room picked up for my awesome husband when he gets home...and hopefully the dishes too. Everything else is pretty tidy right now. I also plan to serve him in whatever way he needs or asks for this evening. For the baby, there will all the usual cuddles and carrier time and some floor time play. For my 2 year old, I've promised to go and play Thomas just as soon as I finish up here. I also plan to tickle wrestle with him later. When he gets rough, it seems to be his way of showing that he just needs some rough love and boyish affection, and I completely disregarded that yesterday. He loves to just go in the bedroom on our bed and snuggle, wrestle, and tickle. So we'll do that this afternoon sometime, probably when he starts getting grumpy and tired. For my 4 year old, we're going to do dishes together-her new favorite way to "help" and sew some headband/scarves this afternoon. Maybe we'll color together too. Quality/quantity time and affection seem to be a big need for her, and I'm not good at filling it everyday. This is an area I NEED to improve. For my 7 year old, I plan on writing a "love" note. He feels really special when he finds them and usually carries them around for a while or puts them on his shelf. I also plan to ask him more about his latest Lego creation and maybe we'll read a book together later too.
I love my family and I definitely haven't done a very good job showing it this week so far. But we are renewed each morning and I'm going to take it. All too often in our society when we have a rough day, we're told to take a day off and focus on ourselves, do something nice for ourselves, but I'm going to focus on service today, and I KNOW I'll feel better. I'll feel fulfilled, satisfied, renewed.
"22)The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23)They are new every morning,
Great is Your faithfulness.
24)'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul,
'Therefore I have hope in Him'"
Lamentations 3:22-24
This Monday wasn't too bad until the afternoon, and then it was just...blah. I let it get the best of me and broke a promise to myself and didn't get the living room picked up before my husband came home from work. My husband's job is loud and messy, and he's let me know that it's really hard to relax on his time off when the house is the same (or worse...which is very possible with several small children and a wife who struggles with the housekeeping part of being a sahm). I have been trying to get the living room picked up before he gets home for the past few months to bless him and serve him, but Monday I didn't even try. I just felt blah and I let it dictate my afternoon and his evening. At bedtime, as he kicked a toy he'd just stepped on, he vented his frustration a little to me. I failed him and I was sorry.
Tuesday I did a much better job picking up, but Tuesday was Monday 2.0 in its own way. Tuesday my patience appeared to be on vacation. According to my 7 year old's dictionary, patience is "the ability to remain calm when dealing with a difficult or annoying situation, task, or person". My 2 year old was deep into the "Terrible Two's" yesterday. He kept hitting and laying on his older sister and me, and tried to crawl on his baby sister. He was pushing all my buttons and he was unrelenting in it. As much as I tried, I couldn't channel Michelle Duggar (bless her for sharing her whisper instead of yell tip...if I could just manage to successfully incorporate that). I *should* have taken a time out, put my little guy in bed, and gone to pray, but I didn't. Let's just say it's a wonder that I'm not hoarse today. Not my proudest afternoon for sure.
Today is Wednesday. It's a new day. It's a chance to make reparations for the wrongs I've done. It's a day to nurture. Obviously, I plan on having the living room picked up for my awesome husband when he gets home...and hopefully the dishes too. Everything else is pretty tidy right now. I also plan to serve him in whatever way he needs or asks for this evening. For the baby, there will all the usual cuddles and carrier time and some floor time play. For my 2 year old, I've promised to go and play Thomas just as soon as I finish up here. I also plan to tickle wrestle with him later. When he gets rough, it seems to be his way of showing that he just needs some rough love and boyish affection, and I completely disregarded that yesterday. He loves to just go in the bedroom on our bed and snuggle, wrestle, and tickle. So we'll do that this afternoon sometime, probably when he starts getting grumpy and tired. For my 4 year old, we're going to do dishes together-her new favorite way to "help" and sew some headband/scarves this afternoon. Maybe we'll color together too. Quality/quantity time and affection seem to be a big need for her, and I'm not good at filling it everyday. This is an area I NEED to improve. For my 7 year old, I plan on writing a "love" note. He feels really special when he finds them and usually carries them around for a while or puts them on his shelf. I also plan to ask him more about his latest Lego creation and maybe we'll read a book together later too.
I love my family and I definitely haven't done a very good job showing it this week so far. But we are renewed each morning and I'm going to take it. All too often in our society when we have a rough day, we're told to take a day off and focus on ourselves, do something nice for ourselves, but I'm going to focus on service today, and I KNOW I'll feel better. I'll feel fulfilled, satisfied, renewed.
"22)The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
23)They are new every morning,
Great is Your faithfulness.
24)'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul,
'Therefore I have hope in Him'"
Lamentations 3:22-24
Monday, June 13, 2011
Yay, I'm making a healthy choice!
Yesterday I stayed out of service at church because I had a rough morning getting to church and I was late and decided not to try and find a seat somewhere. I sat in the lobby and it actually turned out really well. I had been wanting to talk to one of the children's pastors for a while since she is the person we're closest to at church. She's really sweet and makes us feel so welcome, and she just baptised our 7 year old a week ago. I also got to talk to the other children's pastor as she was walking around checking up on things. I haven't really spent much time talking to her before and we got on the subject of my parents. "V", the first pastor knows about my family, but "D" doesn't. I told her just a little about my parents, that there was emotional, mental, and verbal abuse growing up, plus some sexual abuse from my mother. I told her how my parents hate other races and would constantly talk about black people and illegal immigrants like they aren't people and shouldn't be respected. I explained that we tried talking to them about the matter and how we didn't want our children to grow up being taught that kind of attitude. We make sure that our children know that ALL people are created in God's image, no matter how different we look, and that God thinks all of us are beautiful. But my parents would have none of it. So we took a step back out of the relationship (after asking them to go to counseling, neither of them had peachy childhoods either). I am always anxious when talking to someone from church about it...certain that someone will tell me "well, forgive and forget"...basically "let them walk on you and treat you however they want, you know, 'honor thy father and mother'" even though I know that isn't what I should be doing. But she didn't say any of that. She said "well, that sounds really healthy!". Wow. It's so nice to have confirmation in that from someone who has spent a great deal of time studying God's word. I DO have to take a step back and protect myself and my children. I don't want them growing up seeing their mom be a footstool or doormat, and I certainly don't want them growing up thinking it's ok for them to be a footstool or doormat either. I also don't want them growing up hearing the way that my parents and brother talk about different people. God made us all equal, not one of us is elevated above the other. If someday my parents take steps to get better mentally, then we'll see what happens, but until then, I'm going to keep protecting my family. It's just so nice to hear that it's healthy.
Friday, June 10, 2011
What a neat resource!
Faith on the Go
I got this on my Facebook feed a few days ago and I love these ideas! We've only done one thing so far, but we're definitely going to be doing many of these. We talked about the word patience (from #1) and the older two kids drew pictures that showed patience. My daughter drew a picture of herself "patiently" waiting for a carrot and then wrote the word "patience" as I spelled it for her. My son drew a picture of Thomas the train "patiently" waiting to cross a signal, and then wrote a sentence describing it. While they did that, I held the sleeping baby and drew whatever letter my 2 year old asked me to draw. We've been trying to talk about patience ever since, and I need to get some Bible verses for reference for them. I think today while we run errands I'll talk to them about #11 too! Have you done any of the activities from this? I'd love to hear about it.
I got this on my Facebook feed a few days ago and I love these ideas! We've only done one thing so far, but we're definitely going to be doing many of these. We talked about the word patience (from #1) and the older two kids drew pictures that showed patience. My daughter drew a picture of herself "patiently" waiting for a carrot and then wrote the word "patience" as I spelled it for her. My son drew a picture of Thomas the train "patiently" waiting to cross a signal, and then wrote a sentence describing it. While they did that, I held the sleeping baby and drew whatever letter my 2 year old asked me to draw. We've been trying to talk about patience ever since, and I need to get some Bible verses for reference for them. I think today while we run errands I'll talk to them about #11 too! Have you done any of the activities from this? I'd love to hear about it.
Just a little (a lot?) about me.
Welcome to my new blog!
My name is Jennifer. I'm a 28yo SAHM (stay-at-home-mom). I have a wonderful husband (10 years together, 8 years married!). He's just amazing...I don't know how to describe his awesomeness really. But I think he should teach classes on how to be a husband because he bats it out of the park! I'm so blessed. We have 4 kids, a son who is almost 8, a daughter who is almost 5, a 2 1/2 year old son, and a new(ish) baby girl who is 5 months old. We've also been through 4 miscarriages and we know that our babies are in Heaven rejoicing with Jesus. We long for the day that we get to meet them, and so do our children. They find it pretty exciting that they've got brothers and/or sisters in Heaven already.
I wasn't raised a Christian. Much the opposite in fact. We went to church occasionally as a kid to a strict church-strict but lax at the same time. Ritual-y I guess. I don't ever remember learning that the KEY to our salvation, our only ticket to Heaven, is a relationship with Jesus Christ, our one and only Savior. Maybe I missed it when they talked about it. By highschool, I had completely abandoned any thoughts of a God for this world. I was a vegetarian (fine for some, but it created some idol worship issues for me) and I would literally read my Bible (my aunt sent me a new one every few years) and rant and rave about the animal sacrifices. It was a huge wedge preventing a relationship with Jesus for me. A year into our relationship, my future husband and I were talking one day when I got word that a friend of mine had decided to be an athiest like me. I felt victorious, like I'd won someone over finally. I was really excited and told him so. The way he looked at me cut completely through me. I knew then that I had a real chance to lose him. I was terrified, he was the BEST thing that had happened to me. For the first time in my life, I was willing to listen to the truth about Jesus, and I did. He witnessed, and I confessed. It was like a veil was lifted from my eyes and I could finally see the TRUTH. I had been witnessed to so many times before, but it fell on deaf ears. I wasn't interested. I wish I could say that getting saved changed my life immediately, but it was a slow journey. I was locked into some really scary OCD/fear/anxiety issues at that time, but with the Lord's help I really worked through them and gave up a lot of my issues. It's always awesome to improve your mental health, and I was so grateful.
My awesome guy and I grew closer together, and we got married a little over a year after that. Unfortnuately, like I said, we weren't closely following the Lord and didn't experience an immediate transformation into...perfection (but who does?) and we conceived our oldest child 4 1/2 months before the wedding. It's always *fun* when people figure that out, so it's just best to throw it out there and avoid the looks while they try to count out the months. It's a blessing in disguise I suppose because it gives us a "hey, we did this and we want BETTER for your lives" conversation starter for when it comes time to talk the talk with the kids.
Besides being picked by this amazing guy to share his life and love forever, being a mom is the best thing ever! These kids teach me lessons on a daily basis, and being a parent has taught me so much about Jesus and how He cares for us. We made the decision right away that I would be a SAHM and have been so blessed in that respect. It was extremely tight for the first few years...I can still hear those pennies squeal, but it was so worth it. We're just now getting the ball rolling on buying a house in the next year or so. Our vehicles are both almost 20 years old, but that's all worth it to me! I've not missed out on any of my kids' firsts...it's a worthy trade-off for sure.
I wanted to make this blog because I guess I've had it "up to here" with how relationships are portrayed on tv and movies and all over. Men are constantly beaten up by their "ball-busting" wives, disrespected, put down, and treated like idiots. Women "wear the pants" in the family and are in charge of everything. They can "take care of themselves" and don't need a man to help them with anything. They seem to almost always work through their mothering years, putting their kids in daycare or hiring a nanny, I know that's exactly what happened in my house growing up. I just don't feel like the rest of us, those of us who submit willingly and lovingly to our husbands and who willingly and lovingly stay home to raise our kids ourselves are being represented. I want to encourage the women out there who aren't sure and reaffirm the women out there who already live this lifestyle. It can be lonely sometimes when everyone around you looks down on your family for living the "old-fashioned" way.
Please don't take me the wrong way and think that I'm going to be preaching at you from my pedestal. I am so far from perfect, it's not even funny (though I do wonder if sometimes in my stupidity if I make God laugh). It's a journey...one that we can't finish until Jesus comes to take us all. We'll never be perfect here in this life, but that doesn't mean that we can't make a conscious effort to try our hardest everyday. Even if all we've done is wrong and awful all day (any other moms feel like that sometimes? Raise your hand if you struggle with yelling or being too hard or soft on your kids), we can still do some good. If your kids are in bed, write them a love note (or draw a picture for the non-readers) and leave it where they can find it in the morning. Apologize as soon as you can and use the opportunity to talk about how we are all imperfect sinners and that Jesus loves us anyway. I hope that this blog will be encouragement to someone.
My name is Jennifer. I'm a 28yo SAHM (stay-at-home-mom). I have a wonderful husband (10 years together, 8 years married!). He's just amazing...I don't know how to describe his awesomeness really. But I think he should teach classes on how to be a husband because he bats it out of the park! I'm so blessed. We have 4 kids, a son who is almost 8, a daughter who is almost 5, a 2 1/2 year old son, and a new(ish) baby girl who is 5 months old. We've also been through 4 miscarriages and we know that our babies are in Heaven rejoicing with Jesus. We long for the day that we get to meet them, and so do our children. They find it pretty exciting that they've got brothers and/or sisters in Heaven already.
I wasn't raised a Christian. Much the opposite in fact. We went to church occasionally as a kid to a strict church-strict but lax at the same time. Ritual-y I guess. I don't ever remember learning that the KEY to our salvation, our only ticket to Heaven, is a relationship with Jesus Christ, our one and only Savior. Maybe I missed it when they talked about it. By highschool, I had completely abandoned any thoughts of a God for this world. I was a vegetarian (fine for some, but it created some idol worship issues for me) and I would literally read my Bible (my aunt sent me a new one every few years) and rant and rave about the animal sacrifices. It was a huge wedge preventing a relationship with Jesus for me. A year into our relationship, my future husband and I were talking one day when I got word that a friend of mine had decided to be an athiest like me. I felt victorious, like I'd won someone over finally. I was really excited and told him so. The way he looked at me cut completely through me. I knew then that I had a real chance to lose him. I was terrified, he was the BEST thing that had happened to me. For the first time in my life, I was willing to listen to the truth about Jesus, and I did. He witnessed, and I confessed. It was like a veil was lifted from my eyes and I could finally see the TRUTH. I had been witnessed to so many times before, but it fell on deaf ears. I wasn't interested. I wish I could say that getting saved changed my life immediately, but it was a slow journey. I was locked into some really scary OCD/fear/anxiety issues at that time, but with the Lord's help I really worked through them and gave up a lot of my issues. It's always awesome to improve your mental health, and I was so grateful.
My awesome guy and I grew closer together, and we got married a little over a year after that. Unfortnuately, like I said, we weren't closely following the Lord and didn't experience an immediate transformation into...perfection (but who does?) and we conceived our oldest child 4 1/2 months before the wedding. It's always *fun* when people figure that out, so it's just best to throw it out there and avoid the looks while they try to count out the months. It's a blessing in disguise I suppose because it gives us a "hey, we did this and we want BETTER for your lives" conversation starter for when it comes time to talk the talk with the kids.
Besides being picked by this amazing guy to share his life and love forever, being a mom is the best thing ever! These kids teach me lessons on a daily basis, and being a parent has taught me so much about Jesus and how He cares for us. We made the decision right away that I would be a SAHM and have been so blessed in that respect. It was extremely tight for the first few years...I can still hear those pennies squeal, but it was so worth it. We're just now getting the ball rolling on buying a house in the next year or so. Our vehicles are both almost 20 years old, but that's all worth it to me! I've not missed out on any of my kids' firsts...it's a worthy trade-off for sure.
I wanted to make this blog because I guess I've had it "up to here" with how relationships are portrayed on tv and movies and all over. Men are constantly beaten up by their "ball-busting" wives, disrespected, put down, and treated like idiots. Women "wear the pants" in the family and are in charge of everything. They can "take care of themselves" and don't need a man to help them with anything. They seem to almost always work through their mothering years, putting their kids in daycare or hiring a nanny, I know that's exactly what happened in my house growing up. I just don't feel like the rest of us, those of us who submit willingly and lovingly to our husbands and who willingly and lovingly stay home to raise our kids ourselves are being represented. I want to encourage the women out there who aren't sure and reaffirm the women out there who already live this lifestyle. It can be lonely sometimes when everyone around you looks down on your family for living the "old-fashioned" way.
Please don't take me the wrong way and think that I'm going to be preaching at you from my pedestal. I am so far from perfect, it's not even funny (though I do wonder if sometimes in my stupidity if I make God laugh). It's a journey...one that we can't finish until Jesus comes to take us all. We'll never be perfect here in this life, but that doesn't mean that we can't make a conscious effort to try our hardest everyday. Even if all we've done is wrong and awful all day (any other moms feel like that sometimes? Raise your hand if you struggle with yelling or being too hard or soft on your kids), we can still do some good. If your kids are in bed, write them a love note (or draw a picture for the non-readers) and leave it where they can find it in the morning. Apologize as soon as you can and use the opportunity to talk about how we are all imperfect sinners and that Jesus loves us anyway. I hope that this blog will be encouragement to someone.
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