The Divine Appointment

The past decade for me seems like a flurry of babies and diapers. What a privilege!---To be entrusted with all these little ones that God had especially chosen to give me still amazes me now especially as I look back and my babies are older (my once infant twins are embarking upon being three years old next weekend and an older daughter turning 17 this year!). Where has the time gone?

But I still remember those nights. Those nights when you felt like you worked hard all day and finally you get to rest and just as you feel like your head just hit the pillow--- there came the cry. At first my fleshly response would be "Oh no, how will I ever get any sleep?" but then I learned that this was not just any nightly call from a hungry baby but instead it was...

A Divine Appointment!

Yes, a divine appointment.

Instead of sitting there wallowing in self-pity at 2 am, I realized that God had planned for me to be up. Yes, it was HIS plan. Now what to do while I was breastfeeding little hungry babies through the night? Something very IMPORTANT---something that I couldn't focus on through the day because I was too busy caring for His little ones. Can you guess? It was...

PRAYER!!!

Not just any prayer, mind you. More like 'warrior' praying, if you will! And I want you to do this too. Don't be mad that you are awake, don't resent your husband and most of all don't waste this precious time. You were awoken by divine appointment by God above for this given moment. Don't let it slip by. Pray for that little child of yours you are holding in your arms.

Here is how to pray---why not start praying for that sweet, warm little bundle in your arms by starting at the top of their little heads and working right down their body. Here is an example:

MIND--that God would protect their minds, that they would be one-minded towards God, that they would always be sold out for Him, that God would be first on their minds, etc.

EYES--that they would be kept from evil, that they would have understanding and the eyes of Christ as they learned Scripture and met people, etc.

EARS--that they would hear Gods Word and accept it and hide it in their heart, keep it from evil

MOUTH--that would speak the words of God and share with the lost, keep it from evil

HEART-- to be strong and courageous for God, protected with the breastplate of righteousness

HANDS--that would feed the poor, help the needy, build the church of God

BODY--a healthy body that would follow the Lord all their life and use it for His glory

FEET-- that they would bring peace, that wherever they walked they would bring the gospel and share it, they would run from evil

God will bring things to mind to pray specifically for your child so don't be limited to the above, these are just some ideas to help you begin with and don't forget to pray for their spouses and their futures. Do this with all your children, not just in the middle of the night but ALL THE TIME, even if they are older and if you are already a grandmother. Don't say you don't have time--talk to Him whenever you can! Whether it be driving or washing dishes, know that He wants to hear from you. Through the day I have established my shower time as a special time in the morning to really just spend a good length of time in private talking to Him about the day and my thoughts.What a blessing it is to come into the presence of God and petition Him on behalf of our homes and children. While you pray, don't forget your other children, you husband, your home, yourself, your parents, neighbors, etc.

Next time, I hope you will be looking forward to your quiet and alone 'divine appointment' with a 'listening' God who loves you, your husband and your children so much more than you'll ever know.

Have a great week building up your sacred homes!

Feminine Dress

Beautiful, modest and feminine clothes can be hard to find on the racks today but we do not have to feel we are helplessly at the mercy of distasteful or immodest designers. With a little ingenuity, inspiration and thought we can find ways to dress simply and modestly through the summer.

I remember reading through Jennie Chancey's article dressing feminine through the week many years ago and was absolutely inspired and challenged to work on my wardrobe, to make it beautiful, modest and comfortable. That time has come again for me, as I am shopping again for summer wear as I am sure many of you are doing also--and was delighted to find that this 7 day challenge is once again circulating to bless so many woman today.

Joy, at The Stay at Home Missionary, has done an excellent job in this challenge and I would like to share with you the links of her 7 day journey with dresses so that you would be blessed and challenged as well:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6 & 7

I love how she included her daughter in the pictures (aren't us mothers always training?) --- also included in the original challenge was to try different hairstyles so as you look through her posts you will also see the beautiful job she did on her daughters hair and some links for ideas for you and your daughters. Great job, Joy, and thank you for using your valuable time to bless and encourage women all around the world. (See more links of participants in the challenge here. )

If you are not used to wearing dresses, I want to encourage you to give it a try. Dresses are very comfortable and easy to work in. It inspires our daughters to be feminine, teaches our sons to appreciate modest and feminine women and our husbands like it when we look beautiful for them. It takes a little thought and planning but once you start wearing more dresses it becomes easier. I, personally, don't wear them 24/7 but I do enjoy wearing them when I do. Many women have said they see a change in how people treat them when they are dressed femininely such as getting doors held opened for them, etc. I have experienced the same--- be sure to teach your daughters that when you act and dress like a lady you will be treated like a lady!

Mrs. Chancey also had written this article which made me think long and hard about feminine dress that I also wanted to share with you. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Have a great time shopping for clothes this summer and be sure to pray about what the Lord would have you and your family wear this year. Be thoughtful of your husbands preferences and ultimately remembering that in all the things--whether how we dress, talk or act we are always reflecting Christ to the world!

Accolades!

Have I ever mentioned how great my husband is? He never ceases to amaze me! Not only is he a patient husband, gentle and fun-loving father but now he has an article published in Indiana's homeschool magazine, The Informer, in the May/June 2009 issue--here it is:

(If you click on the images below you will be able to read the article.)

(The below picture of us is an older picture, maybe 5 years ago)

Steve is a wonderful husband and what you might call a 'jack-of-all-trades'. Over the years he has blessed our whole family in several ways--most importantly washing his wife (me) with the Word, spending loving time as a dad mentoring and discipling our 8 children--his invaluable knowledge and skills around the home has saved us loads of money through the years and his ministries have encouraged many. Here are also some of the other things he has done in the past:

*led several Bible studies, including one for families
*headed up a Baptism ministry
*taught parenting classes
*preached regularly for a year and a half at the local prison in Northwest Indiana as a ministry
*men's conferences coordinator and speaker (and homeschool events/conferences)
*a Christian book distributor
*church website designer and technician
*main sound technician for a church
*headed up the church bulletin ministry
*had opportunities to preach at 2 churches
*homeschool graduation speaker
*created a homeschool organization/community online
*runs a blog for Christian men to encourage them in their walk

at home he:

*has built a deck
*landscapes
*finished part of the basement
*knows how to repair just about anything that breaks (how does he do that????)
*repairs cars, etc.
*leads our family in Bible study and worship
*is very hospitable and enjoys having huge get-togethers
*is currently working on our kitchen remodel
*has a crazy sense of humor that keep us all in stitches

Whew, what a list! Just looking at all that gets me tired and I'm sure I didn't even get it all in this one post--this doesn't even contain all the top secret stuff that I know he wants to do and we will be trying our hand at someday... :)

I just wanted to give honor where honor is due and let you see a glimpse of my husband and the things he has done over the years. I have been very blessed by the Lord and definitely see God's hand working in the life of my husband. I am looking forward to many more years with him and the adventures that will come our way.

I love you, Steve!

Get Behind Me Satan

"Get behind me Satan!" he said, "You do not have in mind the things of God but the things of man." -Mark 8:33b

What kinds of things distract a woman of God?

A bigger home, materialism, covetousness, vanity, discontentment are a few.

We are distracted with many frivolous things of this world all the while bombarded by the media and culture around us to 'have it all'. We are 21st century Eves who crave what we should not.

Buy me, buy me, scream the ads that come in our mailbox---everything from craftily designed television commercials, smooth talking telemarketers, glossy enticing magazines and tempting Craigslist classifieds are demanding we spend our money in the pursuit of their shallow and fleeting happiness.

But to 'have it all' for the woman of God contradicts the definition the world dictates to us. In fact, it is the opposite.

And what things should a woman of God desire? What are the things of God that we need to chase after as the verse above declares?

Wisdom. Knowledge. Love. Humility. Patience. Kindness. Faithfulness. Self-control. Charity. Servanthood. Humility. Joy. Peace. Goodness. Contentment. Forgiveness. Busy at home and sharing Christ with an unsaved world that desperately needs Him is to name a few.

The things of God. Not man..........I am speaking of KINGDOM WORK.

Satan will try to distract us in the same manner he was using Peter to rebuke Jesus as Jesus stated what his purpose on earth was--to die on the cross for mankind, His Kingdom work. Will you allow yourself to be taken off the mission He has called you to?

Many here reading this are feeling off track today, but I exhort you now to get right back on-- to fight the good fight and to finish the race (2 Tim 4:7). Don't become lukewarm in your walk and remember your first love.

The Christian woman must always evaluate her life under the lens of Scripture. Her thoughts, her actions, her desires must always be striving to be in conformity with Gods Word.

What 'things of man' do you need to rid yourself of today?

A Lovely Daughter

Our internet was down all week due to a broken phone line in the neighborhood but we are back online now. My daughter had a recital this past Saturday and I wanted to share it with you:




Do you recognize the song? It is one of the songs on my playlist for this blog: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach. I was ecstatic when she chose it.

What a blessing older daughters can be.

Janai, we love you!

(Note: Be sure to turn off the music in the sidebar!)

Beautiful Motherhood

Womanhood is a wonderful thing. In womankind we find the mothers of the race. There is no man so great, nor none sun so low, but one he lay helpless, innocent babe in a woman's arms and was dependent upon her love and care for his existence.

It is woman who rocks the cradle of the world and hold the first affections of mankind. She possesses a power beyond that of a king on his throne...

Womanhood stands for all that is pure and clean and noble. She who does not make the world better for having lived in it has failed to be all that a woman should be.

-Mabel Hale, Beautiful Girlhood

To be read more posts on blessed motherhood
that I've written in the past
click here.

Large Family Budgeting-Duggar Style

Mothers all across America are relearning how to be frugal balance their budgets during the economic crisis--why not take a few tips from the Duggar Family:

(be sure to turn off the music in the sidebar!)


Part One



Part 2



Part 3

Where Mother Is

A little girl

when asked where her home was

she replied,

"Where Mother is."

~Keith L. Brooks

Modesty-The Sweetest Charm

"Unaffected modesty is

the sweetest charm of female excellence,

the richest gem in the diadem of her honor."

~Webster's Dictionary
1828

A Time for Work and A Time for Play

Today I am taking the day to spend time with the children. Although a mom can be a home 24 hours a day with her children that doesn't mean she is actively entering their world. So many things can vie for her attention that by the time she actually sits down she can be too exhausted for any merriment. So today, I am purposefully planning a big block of time to spend with each child. This is so important in keeping their hearts. It is also important when shepherding them. We are not just managers of our children, merely keeping them clean and feeding them. We are Nurturers, and these children will become adults one day. Memories of their childhood are imprinted upon them forever and precious childhood will be over in a blink of an eye. Mother, what is that thing you have been longing to do with your children? Don't delay! They will remember the precious time you sacrifice to love them.

So today I will:

1. Read to the twins and frolic with them.

2. Play dinosaurs with my little 4 year old son.

3. Enter the enchanting world of dolls and dollhouses with my 6 year old daughter who loves to squeal and giggle.

4. Engage my older sons in pretend sword fights and 'man-to-mom' talks.

5. Take my second daughter out to a fabric store to look at crafty things and planning projects and plan a tea date (this is her love language)

6. Spend time with the teenager---helping her with some things she has been asking me to do on the computer. And LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN to her, because she has alot on her heart as all teenage girls do and maybe later play a board game together.


They will not stay children forever. One day that small boy they will grow older and walk out that threshold of your home and return a man. You cannot reclaim those days. Do not have any regrets and do what your heart has been nudging you to do with that child.

Choose to ignore your 'to-do' list today.

Time is running out.

Mothers--DON'T delay!