Birthday Redeemed!

Well, the weather could not have been more perfect and the day was a wonderful success! Aiden had a great time and loved his cake. Everyone mingled and visited in a relaxed "old friend" kind of way. The guys played football for a long time and will all be sore tomorrow. We got to see nearly all of our family and had hours to chat. Our prayers were heard and answered in the affirmative. I will post some happy pictures later.

Birthday Bummer

Well, we are in Missouri for the week visiting family and having lots of fun. But tomorrow we are having a family birthday party for Aiden(which means about 50 people) at the park and it is supposed to be 55 degrees! I sort of forgot to have a contingiency plan in the case of cold weather. So...what to do? I'm not sure yet...

Redeeming Halloween

 

This is a great book on the topic. We have always participated in this holiday, but I have thought many times about how we could do it. Kim Wier and Pam McCune, the authors, used to bow out of all the festivities and are open in dealing with struggles Christians have with such a dark holiday. I'll share one little idea from the book and if you are interested you can pick up a copy for yourself. We are to be missional Christians. What kind of message does it send to the world we are supposed to be reaching, especially the kids, when they find a dark porch with no candy or a note that says "We don't participate in this holiday." How much better would it be if, in the midst of such a dark night, we had the brightest house on the block, decorated with tons of white lights. We could hand out the BEST candy! Full sized candy bars. And, if you have time to spare, make cool wrappers to tape around that say, "Taste and see that the Lord is good! Psalm 34:8" That is one night that we have a unique opportunity. When kids from non christian families in our neighborhood come to our house year after year hopefully they will remember the Christians as the most generous, the most joyous, the least fearful. Lastly, highlight Reformation Day. Talk about how Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis to the door of an old church on October 31 so many years ago. Gear up for All Saints Day on Nov 1st. It is a great day to teach our kiddos about the saints that have gone before us. We have no need to fear all the dark things that are paraded around on Halloween and so we should not be hiding. We should be redeeming and transforming! And our kids will have tons of fun in the process.

Like a Weaned Child

I am a worrier. It's one of the things I continually have to work on. This is a really great article about quieting your soul. I need to read that any time Jeremy is out of town!

Change the Channel

We women are always having trouble with our thoughts. Whether it is worry and fear, dwelling on our spouses shortcomings, or just thinking about ourselves too much, we have to learn how to take our thoughts captive. Well, Nancy Wilson has a great analogy that I appreciate. She says to think of the thoughts in your head like a radio station. If something that you are thinking on is not what is should be, just change the station. Take control of your thoughts and consciously turn them on to the things of God. Try some thankfulness. Add a little confession of sin. Then get back to more thankfulness. Think about those that need help in your church. Think about how you can assist. Organize your day in your head, but don't organize your frustrations with your hubby. Change that channel.

On a related note...I have seen a poem relating to cherishing and serving our kids. Well, I thought it might be helpful to have one that reminded us to do the same for our husbands so here it is...

To my husband...

Just for this morning, I will wake up cheerfully ready to love on you a little.

Just for this morning, I will cook you a yummy breakfast just because I love you.

Just for this morning, I won't complain when you leave your clothes lying on the floor, but will be so thankful that you are here with me.

Just for this morning, I won't act like your mother. Instead I will treat you with the respect that you deserve and that God commands me to give you.

Just for this morning, I will be thankful that you work so hard to provide for our family.

Just for this morning, I will not manipulate you with silence or loud gestures.

Just for this morning, I will send you off to work with a smile and a kiss.

Just for this afternoon, I will do something that you need done so that you don't have to do it.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you lead our family instead of trying to steer things myself.

Just for this evening, I will be so thankful that you chose to come home to me once again.

Just for this evening, I will enjoy dinner and talking with you and our kids and not worry about...anything.

Just for this evening, I will turn off being a mom of toddlers and turn on being only your wife.

Just for this evening, I will do what you want to do for fun instead of expecting our time together to be on my terms.

Just for this evening, I won't mind if you hog the sheets or get on my side. I will just be glad that you are in bed with me.

Just for this evening, I will remember how crazy I was about you when we were dating! I will foster that!

Just for this evening, I will choose to look at all your great qualities instead of choosing to pick out your flaws.

Just for this evening, I will say I am sorry first and just take responsibility for my part and move on.

Just for this evening, I will be the wife of your dreams!

Little Update

 

I just felt like I needed a more recent picture. Here are my boys (minus the one still inutero) with their fresh buzz cuts.

Loving kids when it's hard...

I just read a terrific article about loving your kids when it's not so easy or automatic. We hate to admit it, but there are times when it harder to really love one (or more) of our kids. What we need then is what we need the rest of the time...grace from our Heavenly Father.