Love all around

Valentines Day was a while ago now, but last night at youth I did a devotional on love. We talked about how the greatest commandment was to "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27.

Tim and I went to a Date Night Challenge put on by Focus on the Family, and the follow up for that is a continual set of challenges based on your spouses 'Love Language'. It is a lot of fun (at least for me:) to love Tim in his 'language' and vice versa.

So, back to Valentine's Day! In our home each of the kids made and wrote little cards and things for each other and for Tim and I. My favorite part was the hugs caught on camera between the kids! Matthew is a big hugger, and the other two hug us, but rarely each other. Anyway, a precious gift to this Momma to see the love my kids have for each other!

Family Day!

We had such a wonderful weekend at Camp Iawah together. Our days were filled with fun and laughter! Skating, gym time, wall climbing, archery, ice fishing, hiking, worship, teaching, crafts, games, good food, great friends!!! Oh boy! I had to nap a couple times in the midst of it all to keep up!

Today, during family day we've thoroughly enjoyed our time once again with a morning of skating on the lake, afternoon of bowling, another short nap for me- and some down time on Wii for kiddies, homemade poutine! Speeches and Social study projects! What will tomorrow hold? :)

Question of the day...

" why did God make the skin so hard to peel?"

Momma Monday

Being Momma to a 'tween' girl - who I mother by love and by choice, not by birth, certainly has it's challenges.  But, through it all, my girl sure is a special one.  She is mature beyond her years (most of the time :) and has a love that surpasses misunderstandings.  She longs for peace, and seeks her counsel in Christ.  My daughter is a precious gift!

You Matter

“So, from the beginning, God placed a mark of importance on women.  They were (1) good  because they bore His image and (2) necessary in achievement of His purposes on earth.  Look around you at the sphere of influence the Lord has placed you within.  This circle of people and circumstances is in need of you.  The touch, wisdom, experience, and feminine heart you bring into these arenas are all required if their outcome is to be what He has purposed it to be.  You are not an addendum, a last-minute after thought that can be tossed out without notice.  Without your participation and input, much will be lacking.  This was God’s intention.”

The Resolution for Women  p.38

This was exactly what I needed to hear today.  I read it, re-read it, shed some tears, and read it again, trying to really take it in and believe what these words are saying.  They say that I matter.  They say that I am where I am for a reason, a purpose, and if I wasn’t here, it would make a difference. 

For me, that is something that I struggle with sometimes.  There are times that I feel like things would be better without me.  These are the times when I put my woe-is-me attitude into my heart and just feel crummy.  

When I look at my family, I see traits that I live out that I don’t want to be, that have their negative impact on my husband and children.  These things really bog me down, and not always in the right way.  If I saw them, and worked to change them, wouldn’t that be great!  *sigh* but, I must admit, more often than not, it just gets me discouraged about my place, my purpose, my worth – in our home. 

Even in other areas of life I think it can be too easy for me to get my eyes off the “author and perfecter of our faith,” and put them on myself and situations that arise. 

We have so much power through Jesus Christ to make changes for the better, for good.  We are called for a purpose in our homes, in our sphere of influence, to be examples of Christ’s love. 

I am thankful that I do have hope.  That at times when I don’t feel like I matter, or that I have purpose or worth, I am reminded of the truth, I am filled back up so that I can pour into those around me the love that Christ has showed me.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

Momma Monday

I don't remember which child I am supposed to be highlighting, so I'll just say how I love them all! Ha..

We really like to have a lot of fun together. Last week some of those fun times involved clay creations and painting, fireworks, skating, baking, movie, Dutch Blitz... And Family Feud!

I will admit.. Sometimes I feel like I get toooo much time with my kiddos, but when I put into perspective the time we have here on earth, I ... Usually can make the right choices to enjoy the moments we have together.

James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes

Blessings

I took a couple days to visit my sister and her babes and had the most wonderful time. They are getting so big, and learning so much! I love watching them see things that seem new in their world and try to figure them out. I must say, my favorite part was being recognized and called upon over and over all day long! And of course the sweet snuggles.

Coming home to my own family sure is nice too, especially with a " snow day" at school, which just translates to us as more family time and cancelled programs. At the moment I can't help but beam at the sounds coming from different rooms. My kiddos are all practicing their speeches with nice and loud voices, doors closed.

It's such a different stage of parenting than my sister is at, with a different set of struggles and joys. In both it's a wonderful blessing seeing the hearts of these precious kids come to life with the new realizations of things around them. I'm so proud of my kids, their love for God and their love for each other.

-blessed momma