As my daughter Amber gets older and the styles keep changing, Rick & I are having to approach modesty with her. Our latest battle is over swimsuits. The biggest in style is the bikini.
About a day or two ago, Amber * I got into a pretty big argument about this. I tried to explain what modesty was. Being a preteen girl, she totally thought I was being mean and OLD. I even tried pulling up a website that showed MODEST swimsuits. These suits we lycra dresses with lycra tights underneath. Of course, Amber didn't like them. I can't honestly say I liked them either! ;-)
Then this morning, my son decided to say some inappropriate language. After he sat down in timeout, we read chapters 2 & 3 from Genesis. We talked about sin and the first sin. It was here that all of a sudden it clicked for Amber. When I read that after eating from the tree of knowledge Adam & Eve were ashamed of being naked and covered up with fig leaves. My daughter then says, "This is why we cover ourselves up." Then as we read that God created tunics from skin she finally says, " I get it, Mom".
I love how God can take everyday experiences and make them the most amazing "Aha" moments. Praying that through your experiences today and the next week, you get that Aha moment. May God bring you and/or your children closer to Him through those daily tasks.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Values--Something for LIFE
Almost everyone I talk to knows my husband left last month to go on a business trip. What most people don't know is how much of an impact it has had on our family!
When Rick came home from Indiana, I knew there was something different about him. He seemed to walk taller, think bigger, and smile a whole lot more. The kids and I missed him so much. Then he began to tell me some of the things that happened while he was there. The things that stuck with me were the amount of food they had, how big their rooms were, and the values they had to come up with. I didn't realize how much this would have an impact though until weeks later. Fast forward a few weeks...
Last night, we did something as a family we have never done before. We sat down for a family meeting. I knew it was coming because Rick had said he wanted to but the kids had no idea. Earlier in the week, Rick had asked me about setting up family values for us. Thinking it was a good idea, it would be nice to have the kids involved. This was an awesome thing we were going to do.
The kids, Rick, and myself all sat down in our front room with a piece of paper and a pen. Rick explained what was going to happen. We wanted each person to think of 5-10 values and we would vote on them for our family. There were so many to choose from. Believe it or not, there was also many of the same. However, when all was said and done, we chose 4 that suit our family. We chose: Faith, Loyalty, Growth, and Positive.
This morning, I struggled with being positive. I don't know exactly why but I felt so inadequate as a mother and a wife. I didn't realize then but I was being attacked by Satan. During this time, I cried, yelled, hit the shower (literally). It took Rick praying over me in order for me to "snap" out of it! After that, my day got SO much better! The day was a long one with so many activities with my kids and my husband! What a blessed day I had today!
The values we set may take a while to fully take effect but they are so worth it! My son can tell us what each value means to him and so can my daughter. I find that as I think about what they mean, Growth, has come to mean so much to me. I pray that I never become stagnant in my walk with Christ. I pray that whoever reads this will find encouragement. I also want for those who don't know Christ as their Savior, to question me, my family, anyone they come into contact with what it means to have Jesus save them. Remember, even personal values can have a tremendous impact on you!
When Rick came home from Indiana, I knew there was something different about him. He seemed to walk taller, think bigger, and smile a whole lot more. The kids and I missed him so much. Then he began to tell me some of the things that happened while he was there. The things that stuck with me were the amount of food they had, how big their rooms were, and the values they had to come up with. I didn't realize how much this would have an impact though until weeks later. Fast forward a few weeks...
Last night, we did something as a family we have never done before. We sat down for a family meeting. I knew it was coming because Rick had said he wanted to but the kids had no idea. Earlier in the week, Rick had asked me about setting up family values for us. Thinking it was a good idea, it would be nice to have the kids involved. This was an awesome thing we were going to do.
The kids, Rick, and myself all sat down in our front room with a piece of paper and a pen. Rick explained what was going to happen. We wanted each person to think of 5-10 values and we would vote on them for our family. There were so many to choose from. Believe it or not, there was also many of the same. However, when all was said and done, we chose 4 that suit our family. We chose: Faith, Loyalty, Growth, and Positive.
This morning, I struggled with being positive. I don't know exactly why but I felt so inadequate as a mother and a wife. I didn't realize then but I was being attacked by Satan. During this time, I cried, yelled, hit the shower (literally). It took Rick praying over me in order for me to "snap" out of it! After that, my day got SO much better! The day was a long one with so many activities with my kids and my husband! What a blessed day I had today!
The values we set may take a while to fully take effect but they are so worth it! My son can tell us what each value means to him and so can my daughter. I find that as I think about what they mean, Growth, has come to mean so much to me. I pray that I never become stagnant in my walk with Christ. I pray that whoever reads this will find encouragement. I also want for those who don't know Christ as their Savior, to question me, my family, anyone they come into contact with what it means to have Jesus save them. Remember, even personal values can have a tremendous impact on you!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
New Phase of Life = New Life??
The last few weeks have been crazy! I felt like I was never home. I know so many others that said the same thing. All of their kids were either graduating high school, 8th grade promotion, 5th grade "graduation", or Kindergarten celebration. Yes, we can all say we knew or knew of someone in those shoes.
My daughter promoted from 5th grade this year. My son is leaving 1st grade. My husband and I realized we now have a 6th grader and a 2nd grader. Then I started thinking about this new phase we are all entering. I've said it before. As of this fall, I will be homeschooling my children. We feel it is the best way to go at this time.
As of May 18th, both of my children came home to be with me all day, every day. So far, we are all just trying to figure out how this summer is going to for us. We are having to learn how discipline is going to work. Never before have my children had to do "chores" before they were allowed to watch TV or be on the computer. When my DH and I are on the same page and the kids are trying to cope with that. They still seem to think that if one says no, the other will say yes. While they are getting better, it is taking some time.
My daughter seems to be slowly getting better about understanding this. It seems like since becoming that 6th grader, she has taken on new responsibility. She seems to be ready to do her chores in the morning so she can have the afternoon free. If only my little guy would get this concept!
I know my little guy is still young. When I was home for 4 years, he seemed to do really well. He listen a LOT better than he does nowadays. I take the heat for that. I didn't stand my ground a few years ago. It is so important for children to have their parents in their lives. When I went back to work, my children suffered, especially my little guy. He missed having me home to teach him and love on him. I will never get that back but hopefully, he will learn once again that he can be with mom whenever he needs, instead of me pushing him off because I was worried about work or whatever needed to be done around the house since I wasn't home all day.
I guess this new phase that our family is going through is really what this New Life in a Cemetery is all about!
My daughter promoted from 5th grade this year. My son is leaving 1st grade. My husband and I realized we now have a 6th grader and a 2nd grader. Then I started thinking about this new phase we are all entering. I've said it before. As of this fall, I will be homeschooling my children. We feel it is the best way to go at this time.
As of May 18th, both of my children came home to be with me all day, every day. So far, we are all just trying to figure out how this summer is going to for us. We are having to learn how discipline is going to work. Never before have my children had to do "chores" before they were allowed to watch TV or be on the computer. When my DH and I are on the same page and the kids are trying to cope with that. They still seem to think that if one says no, the other will say yes. While they are getting better, it is taking some time.
My daughter seems to be slowly getting better about understanding this. It seems like since becoming that 6th grader, she has taken on new responsibility. She seems to be ready to do her chores in the morning so she can have the afternoon free. If only my little guy would get this concept!
I know my little guy is still young. When I was home for 4 years, he seemed to do really well. He listen a LOT better than he does nowadays. I take the heat for that. I didn't stand my ground a few years ago. It is so important for children to have their parents in their lives. When I went back to work, my children suffered, especially my little guy. He missed having me home to teach him and love on him. I will never get that back but hopefully, he will learn once again that he can be with mom whenever he needs, instead of me pushing him off because I was worried about work or whatever needed to be done around the house since I wasn't home all day.
I guess this new phase that our family is going through is really what this New Life in a Cemetery is all about!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Real Peace and Contentment?
Do you ever have that feeling you are just too much at peace? No? Well, I can say I feel that way today. I know I am not deserving of it either.
Just when I thought that, I read a verse again this morning. "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God-my God-will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord."
I had to really let myself see what God was talking about. I realized I am fearful of homeschooling my children this next fall. I worry that I won't be able to do it. They will be terribly unhappy, miss socializing, and angry with me. These words began to sink in though. I don't have to be fearful or dismayed. My God will be with me until I have finished the work he set out for me to do. My DH and I believe that homeschooling our children is what we are being convicted of doing. This is what is best for them and God will be with us throughout it.
I used to be really against homeschooling. Then I warmed up to the idea. My DH was against homeschooling at that point. We are finally on the same "wavelength" of thinking. THIS is a SCARY thought in itself! So again, I am beginning to feel so much peace. God has wonderful timing!
Last year about this time was the beginning of my downfall. I was tempted, not once but twice, last year to leave my DH. The first time actually happened in May. I never could pull the trigger. I knew I was unhappy and very non-content. Thankfully, because my God does not leave or forsake me, I stayed and went through a few more very bad trials. But it has brought me such contentment, I'm now ready to just do it! Do it for HIM!!!
Just when I thought that, I read a verse again this morning. "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God-my God-will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord."
I had to really let myself see what God was talking about. I realized I am fearful of homeschooling my children this next fall. I worry that I won't be able to do it. They will be terribly unhappy, miss socializing, and angry with me. These words began to sink in though. I don't have to be fearful or dismayed. My God will be with me until I have finished the work he set out for me to do. My DH and I believe that homeschooling our children is what we are being convicted of doing. This is what is best for them and God will be with us throughout it.
I used to be really against homeschooling. Then I warmed up to the idea. My DH was against homeschooling at that point. We are finally on the same "wavelength" of thinking. THIS is a SCARY thought in itself! So again, I am beginning to feel so much peace. God has wonderful timing!
Last year about this time was the beginning of my downfall. I was tempted, not once but twice, last year to leave my DH. The first time actually happened in May. I never could pull the trigger. I knew I was unhappy and very non-content. Thankfully, because my God does not leave or forsake me, I stayed and went through a few more very bad trials. But it has brought me such contentment, I'm now ready to just do it! Do it for HIM!!!
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