Pondering the Call to Motherhood

Just the other day...I gently rocked my sweet Abigail, back and forth in rhythmic time, watching her little body go limp as slumber overtook her. She had played hard that day, so sleep came quickly. On a normal night, she would chitter-chatter and sing and pray forever - - telling God just how much she loved Him and eeevery single person in her life (God knows my Abbie is thankful!), then I would put her in bed, tell her goodnight, and walk out. But this was not an ordinary night. That night, her tiredness allowed me the pleasure of rocking her to sleep like I use to when she was a baby. I was thankful for a fleeting "mommy moment"...a chance once more to stroke her cheek and hum a song, a chance to sit and ponder how we got here so very fast. No matter how hard I chase them, the "little years" keep slipping from my grasp.

My babies are growing up...as they should...but still, I marvel at it all - - how a young girl can dream about marriage and the babies that will someday come, and then how someday comes and goes way too fast. I look forward to the years ahead with great anticipation, but now with just a tinge of sadness, knowing how rapidly the time will go.

Bittersweet. That's what it is.

I love that verse in the Bible that says, "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." She weighed all that she was hearing about the Child to come...the past, the present, and the future...keeping them as "heart treasures", only to herself.

It's in the pondering that I feel so connected to her, drawn to the woman who had such trust in God that she said yes to bringing forth His Son, without hesitation. It's like she knew she was made for that very reason! In the moment the angel spoke, my guess is that great purpose settled upon her heart. The heart that had always known received its long-awaited confirmation.

I know deep down that mothering is and always has been a part of my purpose as well. Like Mary, I ponder the mystery and the magic of it all...the past, the present, and things to come. The fact that I might be chosen to have such a calling is too much for me at times. I wake up every day humbled that I get to be a mother.

Don't let the world tell you, my sweet friend and fellow-mother, that any part of your service is commonplace. IT IS NOT.

It is part of your calling and what a high-calling it is! Your precious, pondering heart knows it well!

So run the race with diligence, knowing that God is smiling on you in this journey, my friend. When you fill hungry bellies, soothe hurting hearts, dry sloppy tears, clean grass-stained clothes, recite math facts, drill memory verses, sacrifice so that they can have, and go to bed exhausted for the thousandth time, do it with joy, for you, my friend, have honored your God. He has invited you into this service to Him and you, daily, are answering His call.

We don't know much about the every-dayness of Mary's life as a young mother...but I can assure you, she was doing practically the same things you are. She served her sweet little Jesus-boy and loved Him to the core of her being. She made sure His every need was taken care of. She held Him and nurtured Him and rocked Him to sleep...I'm sure still pondering the majesty of it all in her heart.

God knew Jesus needed Mary.

God knows your children need you.

So kill the doubts - - you are enough. Shut out the discouraging ones - - their opinions don't matter. Quiet the comparisons - - you are uniquely gifted for your family. Cease the worrying - - you, and your children, are in the palm of His mighty hand!

I pray, today, that as you look into the faces of your children - - though they be tiny and new, or older and worn - - you'll get a glimpse of your purpose and wonder at the majesty of it all.

Linking up at: 

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What Joy is Mine

Snuggle Time

Just the other day...my oldest daughter, Sydney, asked me to come and snuggle with her at bedtime. She told me one day, "Mommy, snuggle is sometimes 'code' for...'I really need to talk to you'" This time, "snuggle" was really "code"! But I never know, so...I end up snuggling a lot! :)

I climbed in bed with my precious girl, slid over next to her, and waited to see what was on her mind. It wasn't long before she started opening up.

For quite some time now, Sydney has been wanting to learn French. She found an old English to French dictionary I had in high school and, like she does with all books, she devoured it! She wanted more! So, I had started researching some French lessons for this coming school year (quick FYI, we have been homeschooling for over 4 years and absolutely love it). I hadn't yet made a decision on what to order.

Sometimes delaying is a good thing.

Sydney slowly, and with much reservation at first, started to let me know that she felt God was putting something big on her heart. My heart swelled at the realization that she was learning to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit!! I wanted to get up and dance around the room...but realizing that might be a little over the top, I bravely fought back tears instead, becoming misty-eyed pretty quickly.

As she talked on, I began to realize how much of an impact summer camp had had on her. At camp, she and other girls her age were given the opportunity to hear from different missionaries. One particular missionary couple made a strong impression on her. They had been called to serve deaf people and had even learned how to sign in three different languages! This couple had taught the girls how to sign the entire alphabet.

In the weeks following camp, Sydney went on to tell me that it seemed that she was constantly coming across something having to do with the hard of hearing, whether it was in books, on tv, or in real life. As she recounted the times, I also began to realize how often it was happening. Then she said the words that made me go..."Well, okay then, I guess you need to learn sign language!"

She said, "Mommy, this is not just something I want to do, but something I feel like ...ya know...I need to do. If I learned French, that would just be for fun, but learning sign language would be for God."

(Insert big, beaming smile...annnnnd just go ahead and throw in a happy dance, too!)

I don't care if she ever wins one race, paints one masterpiece, sings like an angel, breaks a world record, or earns a million dollars. I care that she knows how to hear the still, small voice of the Lord and obey it.

So, with that said...my nine year old is now whole-heartedly, one-hundred-percent sold out on learning sign language! She has been watching instructional videos on signing over and over, like it is her job. She is wanting me to find books on the subject. I'm looking for someone to teach her (in real life, not on youtube). We're doing this!!

Because, who am I to say that at the age of nine, my baby girl can't hear the voice of God?

My husband and I have prayed for her. We have instructed her. We have given her tools. Our job is far from over, of course...yet we are realizing that there comes a time to start actively trusting God that the seeds planted are growing up into full maturity.

Seeing wings sprout means it's time to start letting them fly.

Spiritually speaking, I pray Sydney learns to soar far beyond anything I could ever imagine for her. May her wings take her exactly where our Father bids...because, just as with all of us, I know that is the place of His greatest blessing (and consequently, her greatest contentment).

In whatever way He chooses to use it, may her knowledge of sign language and her overwhelming, growing compassion for the hard of hearing, be mightily used for His glory.

_____________________

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Tim 4:12

Linking up at:

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With a heart overflowing, 

Raising Your Own Best Friend

Just the other day...I had one of those moments, the kind meant to be treasured. There was hardly anyone else on the beach. It was late in the afternoon and a bit overcast. The sound of the waves had washed away any amount of stress I had brought on vacation with me just days before.

I sat on my knees, digging in the sand, trying to remember the last time I had felt so free to just "be". My eight year old daughter happened to be my playmate. I listened carefully to her instructions on the flow of the water and the proper direction I needed to push the sand. Our castle was begging for a moat, so my little engineer figured out the best way to build it. As we worked together, I marveled at her intelligence and beauty.

This time with her, this moment, was a gift. She recognized it, too.

At one point she broke from our conversation and work and said, "Mommy, I don't feel like you're my mommy right now. I feel like you're my best friend."

"Me too, honey. I feel the same way," I said, looking deep in her eyes as we exchanged smiles.

I wanted to pinch myself, thinking..."Is this real? How is it that I came to be so blessed?"

Her statement made me think about another day that I sat playing with her. She was just a baby, probably only six months old. My husband, who was watching us, suddenly remarked, "You're raising your own best friend, you know."

How profound his words were and are.

Yes, I discipline her. Yes, I teach her. Yes, I guide her. Yes, I mother her.

But after all of "that" is said and done...when she flies from the nest one day and the main bulk of my work is over...what I hope to be left with is a best friend.

The fact is, there is a special woman in my life who once played with me in the sand. She kissed my boo-boo's, took me shopping, and showed me special attention after some mean boy broke my heart. She was there, waiting on me after every practice, every football game, and every outing with friends. She showed me the heart of God and taught me how to listen...really listen...to Him.

She is my best friend, and I also happen to call her mom.

She didn't do all that she did to "raise a best friend" and neither do I and neither do you, but the effect of it all...all the loving and pouring out that we do...it ends up molding this mystery of a relationship. Who can explain it, exactly, the bond between mother and daughter? It is something timeless, eternally beautiful, awe-inspiring, and pure.

One day in the future, when I'm very old and my daughter is still considered young, it's my prayer that she'll once again be able to say a version of the words she spoke to me on the beach that day. I hope to hear something like, "You're not only my mom. You're my best friend."

I'll look back at her and remember the girl who once stood before me. I'll swell with pride at the woman she has become.  I'll swallow hard, dare myself not to cry, and say to her with a smile, "Me too, honey. I feel the same way."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children." - Charles R. Swindoll

Linking up at:
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For His glory,

Put Love Into It

Just the other day...my child reminded me that for one, she's amazing (wink) and two, my attempts to be a "good mommy" don't escape her (and just for the record, your attempts don't escape your little ones either).

We were finishing up with supper when Princess #2 began asking me if she could have dessert. Hmmm, I thought..."Okay, I'll make some cookies." I knew that would be quick and easy enough. I had the break-apart Pillsbury kind right in the fridge, thanks to some lovely coupons.

"Mommy, you make the best chocolate chip cookies in the world", she remarked.

Knowing I shouldn't lead her astray, I quickly confessed, "Oh honey, all I do is spread them out on a pan and put them in the oven. I don't actually make them."

Her response.......

"Well, the reason they're so good is because you put love into them."

I immediately melted into a puddle of mush on my kitchen floor!

All-at-once, I felt affirmed...by my five year old, no doubt! To me, it was as if she was saying, "I know you mess up, Mom. I know you'd like to actually be the mom that makes cookies from scratch. Or, the mom that never forgets about clothes in the washing machine. I know you'd like to have every picture of me tucked away in a super-cute scrapbook. I know you'd like to monogram every single thing I wear, read to me 20 minutes every single day, and always make each meal perfectly balanced. But guess what? Though you may not measure up to your standard of perfection...you measure up to mine...because I see you and I know that your every effort carries behind it the most important thing - - LOVE."

That's what my five year old said to me in just 12 little words. And if you'll listen, it's exactly what your little darlings are saying to you, too.

Do it with love, and nothing else matters. Do it with love, and you'll lead tiny hearts. Do it with love, and you'll make lasting impressions...the stuff legacies, and the best mommies, are made of.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

1 Cor 13:13

Linking up at:
Women Living Well
Raising Homemakers

For His glory,

I'm Selfish. Are You?

Just the other day...my baby girl said to me, "Mommy, will you snuggle with me?" Of course, my heart melted. I happily complied! Cuddling her as I rocked her, I thought about motherhood and how it has changed me...how all I ever thought about it was completely wrong and somehow, right, all at the same time.

My biggest surprise was that motherhood revealed the selfishness of my own heart to a degree I had never noticed. It started the night my first was born and I was denied precious hours of sleep. It only took a few more nights of that for me to realize, life would never be the same and what I wanted no longer mattered...at least not to her!

That night was just the tip of the iceberg. The Lord, in His wisdom, sent all three of my children with ice picks in their hands! They have done a great job at chiseling away at the enormity of my self-love, but as much as I hate to admit it...it still remains. I would think by now that I should be the "perfect" picture of a sweet, giving, sacrificial mother...but I am reminded daily that although I have many moments of triumph (thanks be to God!), I'm still so stinkin selfish, it makes me sick.

A request to snuggle is a pleasant one. Snuggling is easy! It's all the gazillion other demands on my time that make me sometimes want to run out the door and just keep running (picture Forrest Gump).

"Mommy, can I have a drink? Mommy, I can only find one shoe! Mommy, how do frogs hop? Mommy, she  stuck her tongue out at me! Mommy, I'm bored! Mommy, I have a hang nail! Mommy, watch this! Mommy, can you read me just one more book? Mommy, can you watch this 2 hour show I made up for you? Mommy...Mommy...Mommy........".....all these requests while at the same time feeling the pressures of dishes and laundry and meal planning and homeschooling and ministry and.....

Wow! It's a lot!! But ultimately, I have had to realize that God presents me with something daily...a choice.

I can choose to yell at my kids for not doing what "I" want them to do (like leave me alone). I can stomp around my house in a huff, thinking how unfair it is that I have virtually no time to myself. I can make my kids feel guilty for asking me for help. I can shame them for not doing things "the right way". I can completely ignore them and leave them to fend for themselves while I hide away in a book or on my computer or on the phone or in the bathroom or in a dark corner of the closet (what? you've never done that?!)...;o)

I could do all of that and teach them, very effectively, who is the most important...

ME.

Or, I could choose to fulfill my role as mother and take the higher road paved with true love and self-sacrifice. It's the highway chosen by best among us. It's THAT road that I seek to choose daily!!

Please let me encourage you -- these years of snuggling and rocking and wonder and imagination...they'll be gone if you blink...so try to keep your eyes wide open! Like me, you may have an iceberg of selfishness looming just under the surface, beckoning you to give in. Don't get me wrong, there are times that you DO need to take time for yourself in order to be healthy and let's face it...emotionally stable(!)...I believe that. However, there are times that thinking only of YOURSELF has influenced you to give your children and your husband second best...the leftovers...the crumbs. Those tangible, precious gifts from the Lord DESERVE YOUR BEST!

There is a verse in Joshua 24 that says, "Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve...as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

I implore you to CHOOSE to serve the Lord, and not yourself, no matter how stressed out and "done" you might be. Please realize, the way you treat your husband and your children, IS an act of worship unto the Lord! First Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Did you really get that??? Do it ALL for the glory of God! 

When I choose my kids, God is honored. When I choose my husband, God is praised. When I lay down my desires for the sake of another, I look most like His Son!

I know mothering effectively and pouring yourself out day after day is hard...believe me. But oh, if you'll just stay the course, the joy to come at the end of this mothering journey will be SO WORTH every ounce that you give up! And the divine paradox is always this -- you will get back more than you ever imagined -- you will reap what you have sown!

Our culture tells us...do what feels best to you and don't worry about the consequences.

As a Christian, a wife, and a mother, that's a lie you can't afford to buy into! Often, what seems "right" in the moment is the very thing that causes the greatest destruction in a life. If it's your goal to leave a legacy that lasts for generations to come, you MUST and I repeat, MUST, learn to turn off the outside voices of our culture that scream, "It's all about you!"

Because it's not...

not now and not ever.

As a mom, it's about them. As a wife, it's about him. 

But over and above it all...it's about the LORD!!!

_______________

Will you CHOOSE to serve Him today, instead of yourself?


Linking up at:
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For His glory,

Boy-Drama Begins

Just the other day...Princess #2, who is all of five years old, was not herself. We had just gotten home after church and she was huffing and puffing around like a mad woman. When I asked her what was wrong, she ran to her room. "Oh, mercy...what could have happened?!" I wondered. I mean, she can be dramatic but even so, this was a little over-the-top for her. Quickly, I followed her and when I opened the door I saw that she was sitting on her bed with her arms crossed. She wore the cutest little pouty face, with her lips pursed and her eyebrows furrowed.

I, Very Humbly, Became Her Mother

Just the other day...March 2, 2004 at 8:20am to be exact...life as I knew it was forever changed. A beautiful, rosy, wrinkled baby girl was placed in my arms. In that moment, I tasted the most overwhelming love I had ever known. I will always remember those tiny cries that first night and how my exhausted husband said, "Can you just let her sleep next to you? She doesn't cry as much when she's with you."

Tips on Motivating Your Kids

Just the other day...I became a mom. Whew! I had LOTS to learn!! I remember when I was pregnant with my first daughter, my sister in law asked me if I was scared about the task ahead of me. Very nonchalantly I said, "Nah. I've been around my nieces and nephews so much, I think I know what to do. The only thing that truly scares me is potty training." OH. MY. GOODNESS...that makes me laugh!!! I was so naive! Poor little optimistic me. By the way, potty training still scares me and I'm now a mom of 3:)

Mom, Is Your Heart Tired?

Just the other day...I was thinking about the saying "being a mother is like taking your heart out of your chest and watching it walk around". Moms, isn't that the truth?! There are some moments I've experienced as a mother that have literally made my heart physically ache. Want to hear about some of them? Well, kick back, cause here goes...

Passing My Faith Down To My Children

Just the other day…a friend from college called me up, asking for advice with her kids. She said something like, “You seem to be great at passing your faith along to your children, so I wanted to pick your brain a little bit and find out what you do.”  I definitely believe that passing along my faith is the most important job I have, so of course I was happy to share! Later on I thought, “There could possibly be other moms, especially new moms, who need some suggestions. What a great blog idea!” So, here you go. Today I’m sharing all the ways I attempt to pass my faith along.

   

Now please hear me, I know there are FAR better and wiser moms out there who do a MUCH BETTER job at this than I do, but I can assure you, I try really hard. Also, believe me, I realize that in sharing such suggestions, you could see this as a mandate that I believe this is what you have to be doing. Please don’t do that! Sift and filter through this list, take what you need, leave what you don’t, and above all, live in His grace!!!

At the end, feel free to add other ideas in the comment section. We are all in this journey of faith, seeking to learn and grow. This would be a great place to gain insights from each other!

Without further delay, here’s the list (cause lists & I get along really well):

• The most important thing I do for my kids is stop when they have a question pertaining to God, church, heaven, the Bible, etc. My kids know how important it is to me simply because I take the time to answer and to help them understand, no matter what time of day or what the situation. I don’t tell them to ask me later, I don’t say “not now”, I don’t say “ask your father”, I don’t say “you’ll understand it someday”…no, 99.9 percent of the time I am answering the question or looking up the answer in the Bible to show them or doing something to help them understand (I've even been known to act out Bible stories). As stated above, I think this is the #1 most important way I pass on my faith to my kids. Why? Because if my child asks the question, it means it's a topic on her heart and therefore, she will be totally engaged, wanting to know the answer (right then, not later).

• I have read to my children from kid-friendly Bibles or age appropriate devotional books from very early ages. I have known that it’s important to get the Word of God in them and to get it softening their little hearts early.

• I have sung to my kids, well, since they were in the womb.  Of course, I sing songs like “Jesus Loves Me” and “This Little Light of Mine”, but also hymns like “The Old Rugged Cross” or worship songs like “Jesus, Lover of My Soul.” Again, it’s about a repeated message and I believe it prepares little hearts to hear the gospel later on.

• We pray together all the time. We pray at the start of the day at breakfast. We pray at the start of our home school. We pray during home school for other countries and people groups. We pray, of course, at each meal, whether here at home or out at a restaurant. We stop and pray anytime someone calls us and asks for it. We pray anytime there is sickness in our house. We pray in our car each and every time we leave our driveway to go anywhere (please note: each time we go somewhere, it involves a trip…no store just around the corner here). Lastly, we pray with each child, individually, before they go to sleep at night. Bedtime has become a favorite time for my kids to ask those “deep” questions burning in their minds...it's usually some of the sweetest and most special times!

• From the time my kids were babies, I have tried to bring God into our conversations.  I have done this most often as we are playing outside. I’ll say something like, “Look at the beautiful day God gave us, girls!” or “Isn’t God so amazing...look at that gorgeous sunset He made!” But more than that, I try (notice I said TRY) to listen for times when God is providing me with a teachable moment. When those moments present themselves, I try to seize them. Actually, I pray for those kind of moments. Life is the best teacher, and this world, the most amazing classroom!

• This probably goes without saying, but my children attend church regularly. They go to Sunday School, Children's Church, Mission Friends/GA's, and also to AWANA. They are hearing and learning the Word all the time. I believe it's so important for them to hear the Christian message from other people! I'm so very thankful for each and every person who takes the time to pour into their lives!

• I guard my kids from watching negative things on TV (and yes...there's a lot of it)! Almost every show my kids watch is either educational or inspiring. Also, we have invested in a lot of Christian cartoons/videos (things like Boz the Bear, Gigi: God’s Little Princess, Superbook, Veggie Tales, etc.). My kids take notice when they are watching something with a Christian message, and they get excited about it! I also guard the kind of music my kids listen to. My car radio is always set to either a Christian station or to classical music, and at home we love to listen to Pandora (setting up our own "stations" that play our favorite Christian artists).

And that leads me to my last point…

If you possibly read the post I wrote about my dad last Father’s Day, you might remember that in my childhood home, my parents were wonderful guardians of the faith. They created such an atmosphere of honor for the Lord, when I got “out into the world”, the differences slapped me in the face. Without question, I knew the choices I wanted to make and you know what, I want the same "revelation" to happen to my children one day! Don't you want that for yours?!

Peace and blessings abound in an atmosphere that honors the Lord!

Let me leave you with a quick question:

If Jesus Himself were to physically walk into your home, would He be honored by the way you are raising your children to know Him?

If that answer is YES, I applaud you and say keep up the great work! If that answer is NO, I want you to know that it is never too late to start honoring Him...your children will rise to the task of centering your lives on the Lord, if you do. Parent, they will follow your lead!

"Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates."

Deuteronomy 6:7 (The Message)


Linking up at:
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The Better Mom
lowercase letters
Women Living Well
Raising Homemakers
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For His glory,

Notches in My Mothering Badge

Just the other day…I overheard my middle child say to her older sister, “sometimes I wish we didn’t have a mom”. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach right where I was standing. The night before, we had let our older girls watch the beginning of the movie, “Mars Needs Moms”, against our better judgment. My husband had quickly looked at the reviews and had come to the conclusion that it had a positive message. In the end, it does have a good message, but getting to the end is the problem, as the entire movie is pretty scary for little ones. We turned it off about a quarter of the way through. Anyways, the above sentiment quoted by my sweet five year old was a direct result of watching that movie. Note to self: check movie reviews better in the future. Lesson learned.

But, for a moment, let’s get back to that statement…”sometimes I wish we didn’t have a mom”. She said it right after I had taken computer privileges away from her older sister for disobeying. She just turned five years old, people. I get it. Yet, it still stung to hear those words. I may or may not have cried for a whole ten minutes…because, well, she’s just never said anything like that before. Ever. In those moments though, I began to think of my own mom and how many times I didn’t say those exact words, but I certainly felt them.

I remember one time when I was a teenager, I was intent on being particularly bad. I was actually planning my rebellion on the phone with my friend. Little did I know, Mom's intuition the Holy Spirit had gently nudged my mom and she was listening in on my conversation from another phone in the house (something she never did, by the way).  As I voiced what I was going to do, she promptly said, “Oh, no you’re not!” in a very stern voice. I wanted to crawl in a hole. And you can be quite sure that I was “wishing I didn’t have a mother” at that moment!

Can I just say…thank the Lord for a mom who listened to Him?!!!

Do you know how much trouble that woman kept me from all because she walked with the Lord (and still does)?! Oh no, I didn’t like it back then. I slammed many a door in response to her “ruining my fun”! I cried many overdramatic tears. However, you can be sure, I love her for it now. Oh, how I love her!

Needless to say, after recovering from the sting of my five year old’s words, I realized I didn’t need to feel sad. I needed to feel honored. I had just earned a notch in my mothering badge, one of many I hope to collect.

Being a good mom does not mean I need to try to be my child’s best friend so that I can “feel” her love or hear her sing my praises at all times. That makes our relationship about me (selfish) and not about her at all. No, being a good mom means I’m going to take the higher road of loving at all costs, even if that means temporary pain and discomfort for my child. Why? Because I know that the end result will be a well-rounded adult who understands a healthy balance between justice and grace…and a whole lot about what true love is and what it isn’t.

But furthermore, it means I do the main thing first. I stay close to the Lord. I walk with Him. I lean on Him and ask Him to show me how to mother these precious gifts of mine every step of the way. Oh, He knows I’m faaaarrrr from perfect. He sees the times I’ve already messed up. But I have to believe and I have to trust that as I keep Him first, this journey through motherhood is not only going to work out, it’s going to garner some beautiful results in the end.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

 Prov 22: 6


Linking up at:
A Pause on the Path
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Raising Homemakers
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Women Living Well

For His glory,

Unexpected Adventures

Today, I had a fun outing planned for the girls. We are in a large city at the moment since "the king" (of our little castle) had to travel for some meetings. Right down the road from our hotel, there is a museum just for children...ya know, the kind with lots of hands-on activities and really cool exhibits for kids to explore. I had shown the kids pictures of the museum on the internet, talked about it all morning, told them how much fun it was going to be, and gotten them really excited. Being the well-intentioned-but-often-scatterbrained mom that I am, I did not notice one very important fact.

The museum is closed on Mondays.

There were plenty of cars in the parking lot. We unloaded and went straight inside, however we were greeted by a kind young lady telling us they were only open for a photo shoot. Great.

I know all of our faces must have screamed "disappointment" by the way she kept spouting off, "I'm so sorry." I was thinking, "You're sorry?! What about me? My poor kids." I hate letting them down.

Stick with me cause it's about to get really good....

As we walked out, I noticed the humongous state museum across the parking lot. Hmmmm. What if we went there? At this point, it was my only hope. After apologizing to the girls, I started telling them MAYBE we could go to the big museum if it didn't cost too much. I said, "Why don't we just go over and check it out?" They very reluctantly agreed.

As we were walking up, I noticed a ton of steps that I certainly could not drag the stroller up, so I asked a young couple coming down them about the museum and the prices. They were very sweet to tell us all we needed to know, except they weren't quite sure about the price of admission. I thanked them and then the girls and I proceeded to find some kind of ramp so that I could push the stroller up to the building.

On our way up the ramp, I kept talking about our day and began telling the girls, "You know, God just might have another adventure in store for us today. In the Bible, we are told that a Christian's steps are ordered by the Lord...so we'll just have to see what He brings." As we finished that conversation we were just getting ready to enter the building when the young man I had spoken to on the steps reached us. He was out of breath from running, but proceeded to hand us four tickets to get into the museum FOR FREE. He said, "I don't know if you'll need all four tickets since you have the baby, but take it too, just in case." We were amazed at such generosity!!! We thanked him profusely as he ran back out the door and yelled "God bless you" after him.

My oldest looked at me with her eyes as big as saucers and said, "Mommy, you were just saying to wait and see what God would do and then that man gave us tickets to get in free!" My heart nearly burst open with joy!

ISN'T GOD GOOD?!

I just love that He cares about all the little details of our lives. Don't you?!?!  The fact that He provided my girls with such a great object lesson thrills me to no end! I expect Him, my Father, to take care of me and I long for my children to grow up expecting nothing less. It's true...as His children, we can and should take Him at His word!

Well, needless to say, we ended up having the most wonderful time in the "big" museum, which really was massive and way more than we could see in one trip. What made it even more exciting was the fact that in nearly every room, we saw things that we had studied in homeschool either this year or last year. Wow, it just brought all that learning "home", especially for my oldest daughter.  What a tremendous blessing!!!

Now, can I just brag on God one more time?

As we were going out the door, I asked one of the workers about a good place to eat but she said she didn't live in the area. Another woman overheard me, stopped me going out the door, and told me just to follow her...she would take me to a wonderful place that the kids and I could eat at, right up the road. She literally sat in her car and waited on us to walk all the way to our car that was still in the other parking lot (at the first museum), then she patiently led us to the restaurant, weaving in and out of five o'clock traffic. Amazing.

When I talk about being a daughter of God, I mean it. See, what my Father knows about me is this: I get apprehensive in unfamiliar places and getting out today with my kids was a pretty big deal. I didn't tell anyone that. I didn't say to my kids, "This makes mommy so nervous." I prayed. I trusted. I pulled myself up by the bootstraps and got us out the door because I'm sick of fear. Fear, as a daughter, as a child of the Almighty, should have NO PLACE in my life...

and I've let it have a "place" for

way

too

long.

____________


*Linking up at Joy in this Journey, Raising Homemakers, and Beholding Glory

For His glory,  

Princess #3 and a Panic Attack

Today, on Princess #3's second birthday, I was reminded of a blog post I wrote a while back and never shared...honestly...out of pride. I didn't want to be seen as weak. If you listened to the recent radio show I was on, you'll recall that I said something like, "I don't get much out of a relationship when people aren't real. When we open up and get really honest, then we can encourage and inspire each other." It was something like that. Anyways, I stepped on my own toes with that one! So, here it is...my story of weakness exposed in hopes the Lord can use it to help one of you!

----------------------

Just the other day, I was as still as I could be as my upper chest passed through the open tube of the massive machine. Alone, in that cold room, with my heart racing and unexplained pressure in my chest, I quoted scripture one after the other after the other. I prayed desperately that this wasn’t “it” for me. The ER doctor had ordered the CAT scan about an hour earlier, after blood had been drawn and other tests performed. My precious husband and mother were waiting back in the examining room, their own emotions running wild as they tried in vain to quiet my very hungry 5-day-old baby girl.

Fear had enveloped me months before as a doctor coaxed me into voluntary house arrest due to the H1N1 virus spreading through our community. “Pregnant women are dying from this flu and we don’t know why” he had said. Then, as time inched closer to my third c-section, all I could think of was the last c-section when my epidural had not worked. What if it didn’t work this time? What if they had to put me to sleep again? Last time, I was blissfully unaware of the risks. This time, I knew them all too well.

Thankfully, our baby girl entered this world on a blustery-cold November morning, beautiful and healthy as can be! During my c-section, the epidural had not worked, but thankfully the “spinal” did. Our little princess was precious from the start, but also about as cranky as they come! So, after arriving home, more fearful thoughts began, “How in the world am I going to handle a baby that cries constantly along with two other young children at home?” I tried to push those thoughts out of my head and told myself the continual crying was temporary. Surely things would be better by the time my parents went back home (they had come to help out for a little over week).

On top of all of my apprehension, while trying to heal, some nasty complications developed from the surgery…things I hadn’t experienced after my previous c-sections. I had noticed pressure developing in my chest, but with so much going on, I brushed it off. Then, a few heart palpitations started and I began to take notice a little more. Within hours, I was getting short of breath, so I finally called my doctor. “Get to the ER!” she said…along with something about the possibility of blood clots.

I had tried for weeks to get a handle on the fear growing within me. I even called on friends to pray for me. Still, the comforting peace that I was accustomed to could not be found, and that was confusing! I was tempted to take it as God’s answer that this was “it” and soon I’d be seeing Him face-to-face! Looking back, that thought seems so ridiculous, but I can assure you at the time, fear caused me to waver.


Ultimately, after over four hours in the ER, it was determined that I had just suffered my first, and prayerfully, my last, panic attack. It was not a fun experience to say the least. I struggled with what to do with the news. I wish I could say that all of my feelings of anxiety vanished immediately, but unfortunately they didn’t. For weeks after that, I would begin to feel the pressure in my chest and then cry out to the Lord for help. Thankfully, I never had another attack. I feel certain that my raging pregnancy hormones had a lot to do with it. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

So why didn't peace come immediately for me? I can't tell you. Sometimes answers come easily, sometimes they don't. I do believe that it was some sort of a test for me. It’s like God was saying, “You know I love you, baby girl, but this time I want you to stand on your own spiritual two feet and fight. You may not feel me, but you KNOW I’m with you. I’ve told you in my Word and proven it to you over and over again. Trust me.”

I felt like fear was like a blanket of darkness covering me and trying to smother me. I may have stumbled around in the darkness a bit, but Praise Him, I did not fall! The unseen hand of my Father was grasping mine the entire time. His Word says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) Also, Psalm 37:23-24 says, "If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand."

I know that many times the Lord does indeed comfort and guide by His peace. However, there are times when, for whatever reason, that "feeling" doesn’t come. Are we to be led by our feelings? Absolutely not! He’s still “got” us even when we don’t feel like He’s anywhere around! The Word says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10) 

The Lord also speaks of those who are His in John 10:29 when He says, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand." Did you read that?! We are His and He ALWAYS takes care of His children. He is ALWAYS with us, whether we “feel” Him or not. When He seems to hide, we are to stand firm in what we KNOW. It’s at those times more than ever that we must stand firm on the promises of His Word!

One of my all-time favorite quotes is from a powerful woman of God named Corrie Ten Boom:

“Faith is believing in the dark what God spoke to you in the light.”

Exactly.

----------------------
*Linking up at Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well, Joy in this Journey, and A Pause on the Path

For His glory,

HELP! I'm Overwhelmed!

Just the other day, I sat across the table from my dear friend, telling her “I’m overwhelmed and I don’t even know why.” Honestly, I just couldn’t put my finger on anything exactly. In my mind, I should be doing just fine…but in reality, I knew that was not the case. Well, you know after you talk about something, it’s in the forefront of your mind, so I just kept thinking about it as I drove my little kiddos to the library, praying that God would help me deal with all of my anxiety. And, do you know what I realized in a God-given “aha” moment?! I realized this: I need to majorly scale back on reading other blogs because they have given me unrealistic expectations for my own life. 

The blogosphere is made up of all kinds of unique and wonderful people…many of whom I enjoy tremendously. However, it is rare to find those who truly open up about their lives. Most people paint a rosy picture, display amazing photos, and come across as all-together perfect. And then when said “all-together perfect people” say you need to do as they do and follow rules A, B, C, and D in order to:

•  Have your husband adore you and be pleased with you

• Have the perfect marriage

•  Have properly behaved, well-rounded, smart children

• Have a meticulous home that runs like a well-oiled machine

• Have the most gracious and hospitable home in the neighborhood

•  Have décor like Martha Stewart and cook like Paula Deen

Um…IT  GETS OVERWHELMING AND QUITE FRANKLY, I CAN’T DO IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew. Excuse me…I needed to just get that out:)

Seriously, I KNOW that’s not the intent of most bloggers, but really, if you click on a lot of them, the message that comes across is just another “YOU SHOULD”. And you know what God showed me that day…

He never put any of that on me.

I was putting it on myself and then feeling “less than” because I couldn’t keep up with ALL OF THE STANDARDS I took from other people. 

God brings true peace into a life and into a home…nothing else can. And He says that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He never puts anything on us that is overwhelming to the point of causing the kind of anxiety I was experiencing. That stuff I was clinging to was not of Him! 

In this case, I was reading too many blogs, but at other times, I have left conversations with other people feeling like I had to DO WHAT THEY WERE DOING in order to “do better, be better, feel better”. This trap can happen through watching too many home remodeling shows, or reading too many magazines/self-help books, or even by reading a status update on a social media site where another woman declares, “I’ve done 10 loads of laundry today, baked fresh bread, exercised for an hour, cleaned out the car, homeschooled all five children, and made plans for a romantic dinner with my spouse this evening.” (Usually when I read such things, I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet that day and end up feeling lower than low.)

I asked a few of my friends to send me some examples of what causes them to be overwhelmed. Here’s just a glimpse of what I got back:

"I feel most overwhelmed when I have too much on my plate and try to be super child of God, super wife, super mom, super daughter, and super friend."

"I don't feel like I'm ever enough - my house isn't pretty enough, clean enough, up-to-date enough. I don't feel like I'm enough as a person, either."

"It's overwhelming to me to try to do everything that I 'think' I 'should' be doing and feeling I get it all wrong... ALL the time. I feel overwhelmed with the idea of how hard marriage is, how much work it takes on a constant basis. I feel overwhelmed with trying to be the Godly wife that I'm 'supposed' to be and the reality of the selfish wife that I truly am. I get overwhelmed when I look at other women's marriages who seem to have it all together and a 'perfect' marriage, and wonder why mine doesn't look like that all the time?"

"I get overwhelmed when I think of all the typical 'wife' things that need to be done and I'm just so dadgum tired (and busy) to keep up (you know... laundry... dishes... chores... grocery shopping... meal prep... etc... etc... etc...)"

"I would say one of the biggest things that makes me most overwhelmed is when I start thinking of how big of an impact my every single action and word is having a HUGE impact on the future lives of my children. I get overwhelmed at the thought that I am investing in the future generations of my family."

Heavy stuff, huh?!

In examining my own feelings as well as those of my friends, I realized that…one, it is sad how extremely hard we are on ourselves, and…two, whether we realize it or not, we use other people’s lives as our measuring stick! But, who really has a perfect marriage? Who really keeps a perfect house? Who really has perfect kids? Who really cooks like Paula Deen and decorates like Martha Stewart? More importantly, WHO is it that makes us think that everyone else does and then beats us down with guilt when we realize that we don’t???  It’s not God, I can tell you that.

Let me close with a story that I feel will help:

I was a new mom. My baby girl was maybe four weeks old at the time. In preparation for becoming a mother, I had read book after book after book about my new job and this one particular day, I was working diligently on getting my baby girl on a schedule. Wouldn’t you know it, she just didn’t want to cooperate with my plan! Actually, she had not cooperated in a few days and finally, I was at my wits end. So I did what all new mommies do in a pinch…I called my own mom. The baby was crying…I was crying…and I remember telling my mom, “I am doing everything the book says to do and it’s just not working!” My precious and amazingly-wise mother calmly said, “Becky, God has given you all you need as a mother. You throw that book out the window and listen to how HE is telling you to take care of your baby. You’ll know what to do.” Seriously, that’s the best advice on mothering I have ever received!!! And my mom was right on target. As soon as she said it, I knew that’s what I needed to do and it was like she gave me validation to trust what I was hearing from the Lord.

So ladies, here is your validation...

God has given us all that we need as a wife, mom, woman, friend, etc. As a Christian, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Don’t take that lightly!!! HE WANTS TO BE THE ONE TO SHOW US the path of peace in our individual lives! We need to pay less attention to each others standards of who we should or should not be and more attention to what HE expects…in our homes…in our marriages…in our relationships with our kids…in every detail of our lives. Our Father wants to show us the best way…His way! Taking the time to listen to that still small voice He gives all of us will work, every time.  

  

Yes, I believe God uses others as iron sharpens iron in our lives. It’s great to be surrounded by others who challenge us. But when we use their standards as our judge, we have set them up as an idol in our lives…period. As a Christian, you and I must seek less to please an audience of many and more to please an audience of ONE…the only One who can bring order and peace into our lives.

This verse out of "The Message" speaks volumes:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30

May we all walk closely with you, Lord. Teach us the unforced rhythms of Your amazing grace! May we walk in Your freedom...learning daily to live freely and lightly...trusting in Your voice above every other!
_______

Stitched with Great Love

Just the other day...I finally did it. I got out all the little baby clothes I had tucked away and started cutting them up...sweet little nightgowns and cute little play outfits that once held my tiny bundles of joy. It was bittersweet as I fought back tears and I rejoiced all at the same time...sad over the moments now gone, but proud about the precious trio of girls that continually bless my days.

At one point, I actually held a few pieces close to my face, trying desperately to get one last whiff of baby smell. It wasn't there. And I found myself longing, oh just once more to breathe in that sweet-baby-aroma. To a mother, such a smell is intoxicating.

Life is strange and confusing and wonderful all at the same time. Once I was a sleep-deprived, desperately-tired mommy, wishing for the time that my house would finally sleep again...all of us from night until morning. And now, I sometimes long to get up during the quiet midnight hours to nurse and rock and soothe my baby, holding her close to my heart. I know that for me, those days are over...sweet memories now etched upon my heart forever...and it came all too soon.

I will cherish those memories and think of those days and try desperately to pour that love into something tangible for each daughter...a quilt. It won't be perfect...in fact, its imperfections will readily show (a reflection of the seamstress herself). But when nights are cold and times are dark, Lord willing, it will be there to comfort and warm and convey unending admiration...whispering about a love so deep it began as a prayer in a young woman's heart.

The label will read:

Handmade

with love

 from Mama

...and it will surely be the truth!

I've heard it said that our children are gifts that we send out into the future. I just happen to believe that a quilt stitched with great love can be that, too.

*Linking up at Micellany Monday
and Raising Homemakers 

For His glory,

On Tough Love and Mommy Guilt

Have you ever had one of those days when it was all you could do to show "tough love"? Oh, today was one of those days for me. Princess #1 told me her room was clean and so I trusted her that it was up to par. Shame on me for not checking, I guess, but at the time Princess #3 had "issues" and had to be promptly put into the bath! I was a little preoccupied, to say the least.

Later, when I opened the door to P#1's room, I was astonished.  Shoes here and there, Polly Pocket clothes all over the floor, stray pieces of paper, clothes not in the hamper...certainly not clean by most people's standards. So I called her back and I must say, I did not have the most pleasant tone in my voice was pretty upset as I told her, "This is not clean!!! You need to stay in your room until it's completely finished."

Did I tell you how much I admire the way Michelle Duggar quietly disciplines her children?

I was not Michelle Duggar today.

My poor child cried big ole crocodile tears. She said, "It's too hard! I can't do it, Mommy!" (This, from my child who miraculously cleans her room perfectly without being asked at times!) I even stood outside her door and heard her say, "This is just the worst day ever!!! I wish my Grandma and Papa or my Nanny and Papa were here."

And down they came....those iron-clad shackles known as "Mommy Guilt" squeezed around me hard. I mean really hard. All I could think of in that moment was this..."I'm forcing my perfectionist tendencies on my sweet child. Why can't I just let it go this time? I'm causing her to have "the worst day ever", for goodness sake! I really am a terrible mom sometimes." (Wow, I don't have a clue where her "drama queen" tendencies come from. Ahem, let me clear my throat before I proceed.)

As I fought back my own tears (it was just one of those days), I prayed under my breath for God to help me. I needed Him to show me when to give grace and when to stand my ground. Isn't that SUCH a hard balance as a mom?!?! I didn't read that part of the manual.

In a few minutes, after she had calmed down and I had calmed down, I reentered the room. She was working, but very slowly and with a frown on her face. Suddenly, thank the precious Lord, I knew what to do. I sat down with her in the floor and said, "This is what mommy would do." Then, I proceeded to show her the exact steps I would take to get the room finished.

It was like the heaven's parted and the sun had finally broken through.

Not too long after that, out she popped, "all done"! Then my very happy girl went outside to play with her little sister, and I, checking the room, thanked the Lord for entering into my day in the most simple and profound way.

Hmmmm, what is that quote?

"Tell me and I will forget. 

Show me and I will remember. 

Teach me and I will understand."

Lord, please help me to never forget the lesson you taught me today. Help me to discern the teachable moments and promptly act on Your leading. Help me to remember what it is like to be a child...still trying to make sense of things, still wanting oh-so-much to please, but not always knowing how to accomplish what is expected. And, help me to enter into my children's world, with a willingness to guide them from the level they are at in the moment. 

_________________
 

*Linking up Tuesday at Time Warp Wife

*Linking up Wednesday at Women Living Well and Raising Homemakers

For His glory,

Stress, off. Relax, on.

Just the other day...I figured out that relaxation takes a little while to soak in. The first few days of our vacation (hence no posts lately), I found it extremely difficult to switch gears. I'm so accustomed to "go, go, go" and "do, do, do" that getting into relax-mode was not like flipping on a switch. Boy, wouldn't that be nice?! Stress, off. Relax, on. Oh, that it could be that easy! But thankfully, somewhere around day three, I found myself so peaceful and at ease, I started thinking, "Wow, I'm not motivated to do anything!" (And believe me when I say, that's a strange feeling for me!) The agenda became something like eat, sleep, play with the kids, spend time together, and ultimately, just bask in the goodness of God. Ahhhhh! My husband more than once made the comment, "I could really get used to this!" Yep, me too!

I think vacation made us both stop and take inventory. Personally, I started thinking about the things that really matter and taking into account what it is that makes me stay in "go" mode all the time. Immediately, I knew what it was, and yet, I had SUCH a hard time coming to a resolution about it. Ok...are you ready....

It's the computer.

There. I said it. (And isn't admitting the problem supposed to be the first step on the road to recovery? I hope so.)

For me, the computer represents work (my part time job), keeping in touch with lots of extended family (hi family!) and friends (hi friends!), and now this blog, which I consider a ministry that God laid on my heart. So I started thinking about what it is that I can do to help myself take back some territory and some peace. I have already made a conscious decision not to join Twitter or Pinterest, because to be honest, I seriously cannot waste any more of my time. But Facebook??!?! Facebook gets me. I'm a very social person so I just love everything about it, but the problem is, I don't know when to stop. I log in and before I know it, I've wasted an hour reading status updates and commenting and suddenly all the stuff I needed to be doing HAS to get done so I rush, rush, rush. It's terrible! Terrible, I tell you!!

So what is my resolution? I found a nifty little timer on my cell phone and I plan on putting it to good use! I will allow myself 10 minutes on Facebook sometime in the morning (but never before my time with God, already do that one), 10 minutes in the afternoon, and a little more at night IF all the other basics are done (clean kitchen, school ready for the next day, work done, etc). I know. It's anal. But it is a must if I want to be faithful to all that I feel the Lord calling me to (always homemaking/mothering!...writing...on this blog and beyond...women's ministry at church, etc). Plus, above all, I just have to make sure all of my priorities are in order, or nothing I have to say will be worth reading or sharing and I know that! And if the timer thing doesn't work, well, I've decided that entire days off of Facebook are next...as in, I only get on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I'm resolved to do what it takes!

Now, want to hear something REALLY funny?

Did you remember that this blog is being redesigned at the moment? Well, my awesome designer suggested I do a Facebook page for the blog and have a link to it on here (the day I got back from vacay). Soooooo, I created a Just the Other Day fan page on FB! Isn't that funny/ironic?! Yep, I think so, too! But I'm telling you that because YES... I want my readers to "like" the page, but I also want you to help keep me accountable. Hear me! I am asking you to...seriously. Ask me about the timer! Remind me about my vacation decision! I welcome you to help me out:) I need you! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-the-Other-Day/264225813596794 <---- Click there and it will take you to the new page!

 Let me leave you with this:

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up." 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 3

May the Lord guide us as we discern the seasons in our lives. 

May we be found faithful in all that He has placed before us to do.

May we be found using our time wisely!

***Linking up at Women Living Well and Raising Homemakers***

For His glory,

Michelle Duggar & An Inner Struggle

Just the other day...I started watching the show "18 Kids and Counting" (now "19 Kids...") out of sheer curiosity. I had heard a little about the Duggar family from my sister, but I really had no idea what to expect. Honestly, I think I expected to see a train wreck. I mean, come on...THAT many kids?! How can sanity be an option?! I was a skeptic, to say the least.

It didn't take long for my opinion to take a u-turn. I'm now a fan! I even set my DVR to record the show because I don't want to miss it. My family and I now watch every episode. And, while I adore each and every Duggar (especially little Jackson...that kid cracks me up!), I really have developed a huge amount of respect for Michelle (the mom). 

Michelle is no doubt a loving, attentive mother. She seems to be a really strong Christian. I love that she is so very organized with such a large family. I am drawn to the quiet way she guides and disciplines her kids. However, what I find the most refreshing about Michelle is the fact that she is so unconcerned with herself...and most specifically, with her appearance.

In a country full of women who constantly compare themselves to society's standards of beauty (myself included), she stands out in the crowd. She seems so unaffected. I could never imagine her saying something like, "Do I look ugly in this?" or "Does this make me look fat?" She just seems to have conquered all of that self-doubt and I find myself wondering..."How???" As a woman, I find myself at war with the TV and magazines and the internet and you-name-it...all of them telling me how I should look! When we are fed so many images of perfection, how can we not feel less than perfect? How, as a Christian woman, do we read the following passages and then reconcile that inner beauty is enough?

 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Prov 31:30

"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God." 

1 Peter 3: 3 - 4

Obviously, I don't have the answers, but I'm searching for them. I know those verses in my head. Somehow, in my heart, I just haven't reached the stage where I'm content to walk out the door if my hair and makeup are not "just so". I know my true worth does not come from what I look like on the outside. I get it. And yet...I struggle. I long to get to that place where a "gentle and quiet spirit" and "fearing the Lord" helps me to walk in full confidence, no matter what I look like as the years pass quickly by and bring on more gray hairs and wrinkles. I don't quite know how to get to that place.

At any rate, I'm thankful that TLC decided to produce the show "19 Kids and Counting" so that I can get a weekly peek at a Christian family who seems to be doing things right. But most of all I'm thrilled to watch a living example in Michelle Duggar (and secretly I'm hoping she will share on this subject one day). With three girls of my own, I long to stress the importance of inner beauty so much more than their physical appearance...and I try, believe me! However, it remains an issue I must tackle for my own sake and for theirs. They are still young and, for the most part, unaffected by the world's standards, but I know the days of make-up and boys and comparison are looming just around the corner! I'm praying that with the Lord's help, my girls can stand out and rise above it all. The world's systems and standards of beauty are obviously failing and leading many down a path of destruction (pornography, trafficking, etc). A different idea of true beauty is much needed!!!

You can visit the Duggar's website here: The Duggar Family  (Look for Michelle's Blog) 

What about you? Is this a struggle for you as well? How have you learned to be "in the world and not of the world"?

An Interview with Princess #2

Just the other day, when Princess #1 was 4 and 1/2 years old, I did an interview with her. You can read it here. Now that Princess #2 is the same age, I wanted to do the same interview. She's so funny! I hope you enjoy it. I encourage you to do these kind of interviews with your children. Believe me, they are FUN to look back at years later:) I'm amazed at how similar my girls' answers are. It will be neat to see what kind of answers Princess #3 comes up with in a few years!
 

1. What do you think heaven looks like? Bright and pretty with lots of flowers and trees.
2. What does Dad do at work? I think he writes and makes posters and “stamples” (staples) stuff.
3. What do you think your husband will be like? Handsome and nice and I think he will like me.
4. If you were going to spend one year on a desert island and could only take three things with you, what would they be? Money, " Cuddle Bunny", and a phone.
5. Who is your favorite aunt and why? Aunt Schuyla, because she loves me.
6. Who is your favorite uncle and why? Uncle Jeff, because he plays with me a ton.
7. What do you think Joseph and Mary heard in the stable on Christmas night? “Don’t be afraid.”
8. What do you think Joseph and Mary smelled in the stable on Christmas night? Flowers.
9. What is the nicest thing I ever did for you? Played with me.
10. When is a time that I hurt your feelings? When I get in trouble.
11. When is a time that you were really mad at me? When you get mad at me, I get mad at you.
12. If you could be a movie character who would you be and why? Wendy in Peter Pan, because she’s pretty.
13. What is your favorite outfit? My dance clothes.
14. What is the hardest part of being four years old? Trying to take care of my baby sister.
15. What has been your favorite childhood memory? When (Princess #3) got born. She was so cute and tiny!
16. If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? A dolphin, because they can do really special tricks (then she got in the floor and started showing me how they do tricks).