There are so many things I think about throughout each day that I want to write out & share here on my new journey through the land of blog, but then I think, "Nah, my readers wouldn't want to read about that!" Or would they?
I so want to be real, true, & transparent w/ out sharing so much that I jeapordize my standards of privacy AND still making it interesting & practical enough to keep you blessed, learning, & coming back for more. Just how does one go about doing that?
I want you all to be BLESSED & EDIFIED by what I write. I don't want to just ramble on about some nonsense! Life is too short for superficial stuff! I want to share practical stuff; things that encouraged me in my walk w/ the Lord, that taught me to love my husband, love my children...things that taught me to be "other-minded"!
Please know that I certainly don't have it "all together"! I want & NEED to learn from all of you too because we ALL have something the Lord has brought us through that can encourage the next person along in their journey through this life, right? ABSOLUTELY!!! So, that said, don't be shy about sharing your thoughts w/ me! I LOVE hearing from you!
Please be patient w/ me as I write out my thoughts & try to come up w/ things that will fulfill my purposes in establishing this blog. Ultimately it is to glorify GOD!!! He must increase. I must decrease.
12.15.2010
12.09.2010
Blessed beyond words!
Today, being my birthday, I'm feeling quite overwhelmed to be blessed by so many people who love me & have said such kind words to me. I am so undeserving of God's showers of blessings in my life...not just today, but EVERYDAY!!! He is SO good to me. THANK YOU JESUS!
sneak post ;)
Hello all!
This is Miss Raquel, Mrs. T's daughter...and I have snuck into my dear Mama's blogger account to write a birthday post for her ;) She would never tell y'all that today is her birthday, so if you are reading this, please comment and wish the best mother a wonderful birthday!! :)
(and/or go and comment on my birthday post to my Mama at my blog: www.God-sDaughter.blogspot.com)
Love you, Mama!! ;)
This is Miss Raquel, Mrs. T's daughter...and I have snuck into my dear Mama's blogger account to write a birthday post for her ;) She would never tell y'all that today is her birthday, so if you are reading this, please comment and wish the best mother a wonderful birthday!! :)
(and/or go and comment on my birthday post to my Mama at my blog: www.God-sDaughter.blogspot.com)
Love you, Mama!! ;)
12.06.2010
Today is very special
Today, my family is celebrating the birth of my 3rd daughter, Miss Lydia. I remember the day she was born SO well. I remember when the nurses said she was born at 17:17 (pm), my husband & I looked at each other & immediately thought of John 17:17, "Sanctify them in the truth. Thy Word is Truth." I pray that for her, as well as all my other babies. She brings so much JOY to our home! From very early on, she has always had a way to make us all laugh. She is precious to us all. Happy birthday, Lydia! I love you so much!
holding her baby brother!
12.05.2010
"A MOTHER'S JOURNEY" by Linda Dillow
The following are words from a small book that has been a tremendous encouragment to me. I thought I would share it for you to enjoy as well. The first time I read it, I was SO impacted, I cried like a baby over its pages! I immediately went online to find as many copies as I could to share with my own dear mother and other sweet mothers who were close to my heart. I only found 5 at the time. You may want to do a search yourself to have a copy in your own library.
Enjoy!!!
A MOTHER’S JOURNEY
By Linda Dillow
"The young mother grasped the hands of her children & looked at the path before her. “Is the way long?” she asked. And her Shepherd answered, “Yes, and the way is hard, & you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning.” “What is required?” asked the mother. And her Shepherd replied, “faithfulness.
(chorus)
Give Me your hopes,
Give Me your dreams;
The journey is long
And not what it seems.
Affirm your children,
Be faithful to Me;
This is the Mother
I want you to be."
It was spring. The trees burst with blossoms. Cheerful wildflowers covered the field, and a bubbling brook echoed peals of laughter as it meandered through the meadow. Like little lambs the children frolicked, following the mother through sweet-smelling clover along the path. The days were good, the evenings peaceful. The young mother was happy as she played with her children. Together they made daisy chains from the gathered wildflowers, and bathed in clear streams. The sun shone on their path, and life was sweet. The young mother cried, “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this! I have given my children joy!” And her Shepherd said, “You were faithful in the good times.
(repeat chorus)
The children grew like sunflowers dancing along the hillside. The days were long but the air was thick. A summer storm rolled across the heavens. Lightning flashed, hail pounded, and the children shook with cold & fear. The path was steep and the children grew weary. But the mother encircled them with the warmth of her love. “Walk on, dear ones,” she said. “We will soon be there.” So the children climbed. When they finally ascended above the storm, they said, “We could not have made it without you, Mother.” And she rejoiced! “This is better than the joy of springtime, for I have taught my children perseverance. And her Shepherd said, “You were faithful in the hard times.
(repeat chorus)
Golden aspen leaves drifted to the ground, but the trees stood tall in the autumn breeze. And the children shed the leaves of childhood. Multicolored winds of doubt and temptation whipped around their teenage hearts, and they chased foolish fantasies along the path. The mother’s heart feared. She saw the many hidden traps that lay before them. At times the journey was painful and the mother faltered. As the Shepherd gave her counsel, the mother tried skillfully to lead her children around the snares. And at autumn’s end the mother said, “This season is better than summer or spring, for in autumn I taught my children wisdom.” And her Shepherd said, “You were faithful when your heart was breaking.
(repeat chorus)
Mountain snow weighted the limbs of the stately pine trees. Like them, the young adults stood tall. In the night of winter, threatening clouds of prejudice, oppression, & disease darkened the earth. The world had turned inside out. Sometimes the young adults groped and stumbled. “Look up,” their mother said. “Lift your eyes to the Light of Life.” Above the clouds they saw the One who brings light out of darkness. He grasped their hands and gave them peace. As the snow slipped off the pine boughs, the mother said, “Winter is the best season of all, for I have shown my children God!” And her Shepherd said, “You were faithful to give your children to Me.
(repeat chorus)
The seasons marched on & the mother grew old. She was frail & bent, but her children were tall & strong & walked in the way of wisdom. When the journey was hard, they helped their mother. When the path was rough, they lifted her. At last they came to the pinnacle of the highest mountain. Beyond it they saw a shining road & a golden gate flung wide. There stood the brilliant Tree of Life. The mother said, “I have reached the end of my journey. I have been faithful to my children & faithful to God. The end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone with the Shepherd!” As she passed through the gates, she heard her Shepherd say, “Well done.
You gave Me your hopes,
Gave Me your dreams;
Though the path of life
Was not what it seemed.
You affirmed your children,
Were faithful to Me;
You were the Mother
I asked you to be.”
She heard her children calling, “You will always walk with us, Mother!” They stood & watched as the gates closed after her. And she heard her children saying, “A faithful mother is more than a memory; a faithful mother lives with us forever.” And her children grasped the hands of their own children & looked at the path before them. “Is the way long?” they asked. And the Shepherd answered, “Yes, and the way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it…
but the end will be better than the beginning!"
Enjoy!!!
A MOTHER’S JOURNEY
By Linda Dillow
"The young mother grasped the hands of her children & looked at the path before her. “Is the way long?” she asked. And her Shepherd answered, “Yes, and the way is hard, & you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning.” “What is required?” asked the mother. And her Shepherd replied, “faithfulness.
(chorus)
Give Me your hopes,
Give Me your dreams;
The journey is long
And not what it seems.
Affirm your children,
Be faithful to Me;
This is the Mother
I want you to be."
It was spring. The trees burst with blossoms. Cheerful wildflowers covered the field, and a bubbling brook echoed peals of laughter as it meandered through the meadow. Like little lambs the children frolicked, following the mother through sweet-smelling clover along the path. The days were good, the evenings peaceful. The young mother was happy as she played with her children. Together they made daisy chains from the gathered wildflowers, and bathed in clear streams. The sun shone on their path, and life was sweet. The young mother cried, “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this! I have given my children joy!” And her Shepherd said, “You were faithful in the good times.
(repeat chorus)
The children grew like sunflowers dancing along the hillside. The days were long but the air was thick. A summer storm rolled across the heavens. Lightning flashed, hail pounded, and the children shook with cold & fear. The path was steep and the children grew weary. But the mother encircled them with the warmth of her love. “Walk on, dear ones,” she said. “We will soon be there.” So the children climbed. When they finally ascended above the storm, they said, “We could not have made it without you, Mother.” And she rejoiced! “This is better than the joy of springtime, for I have taught my children perseverance. And her Shepherd said, “You were faithful in the hard times.
(repeat chorus)
Golden aspen leaves drifted to the ground, but the trees stood tall in the autumn breeze. And the children shed the leaves of childhood. Multicolored winds of doubt and temptation whipped around their teenage hearts, and they chased foolish fantasies along the path. The mother’s heart feared. She saw the many hidden traps that lay before them. At times the journey was painful and the mother faltered. As the Shepherd gave her counsel, the mother tried skillfully to lead her children around the snares. And at autumn’s end the mother said, “This season is better than summer or spring, for in autumn I taught my children wisdom.” And her Shepherd said, “You were faithful when your heart was breaking.
(repeat chorus)
Mountain snow weighted the limbs of the stately pine trees. Like them, the young adults stood tall. In the night of winter, threatening clouds of prejudice, oppression, & disease darkened the earth. The world had turned inside out. Sometimes the young adults groped and stumbled. “Look up,” their mother said. “Lift your eyes to the Light of Life.” Above the clouds they saw the One who brings light out of darkness. He grasped their hands and gave them peace. As the snow slipped off the pine boughs, the mother said, “Winter is the best season of all, for I have shown my children God!” And her Shepherd said, “You were faithful to give your children to Me.
(repeat chorus)
The seasons marched on & the mother grew old. She was frail & bent, but her children were tall & strong & walked in the way of wisdom. When the journey was hard, they helped their mother. When the path was rough, they lifted her. At last they came to the pinnacle of the highest mountain. Beyond it they saw a shining road & a golden gate flung wide. There stood the brilliant Tree of Life. The mother said, “I have reached the end of my journey. I have been faithful to my children & faithful to God. The end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone with the Shepherd!” As she passed through the gates, she heard her Shepherd say, “Well done.
You gave Me your hopes,
Gave Me your dreams;
Though the path of life
Was not what it seemed.
You affirmed your children,
Were faithful to Me;
You were the Mother
I asked you to be.”
She heard her children calling, “You will always walk with us, Mother!” They stood & watched as the gates closed after her. And she heard her children saying, “A faithful mother is more than a memory; a faithful mother lives with us forever.” And her children grasped the hands of their own children & looked at the path before them. “Is the way long?” they asked. And the Shepherd answered, “Yes, and the way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it…
but the end will be better than the beginning!"
12.04.2010
VERY important quote when thinking of marriage!
"Most importantly, you want to marry someone who has a reverential love for
Christ, because if they do not, you can be sure that they will have a
reverential love for self." ~Jeff Pollard
Christ, because if they do not, you can be sure that they will have a
reverential love for self." ~Jeff Pollard
12.02.2010
Definition of a homemaker
After reading my last post, one of my dear readers asked that I explain what a homemaker is. At first, I was a little surprised that she would ask me to do this because I FOOLISHLY assumed that "everyone knows what a homemaker is!" Right? But when I began thinking of a definition to post, I realized that I couldn't come up with one that would apply to every woman out there as we are all going through different stages in life. Going to the Word of God for a definition was my first thought...
Titus 2:3-5 says: "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS, to LOVE THEIR CHILDREN, to be sensible, pure, WORKERS AT HOME, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored."
Then, I wondered how a dictionary would define a homemaker...
Titus 2:3-5 says: "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to LOVE THEIR HUSBANDS, to LOVE THEIR CHILDREN, to be sensible, pure, WORKERS AT HOME, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored."
Then, I wondered how a dictionary would define a homemaker...
American Heritage College dictionary defines a homemaker as: "One who manages a household."
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate dictionary defines it as: "one who manages a household especially as a wife and mother."
I found it most interesting that Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language did not have "homemaker" listed as a word! Perhaps because during his time, it was most common to see women at work in the home, rather than in a workplace outside of the home, therefore, making the word unnecessary.
As I thought to come up with a definition myself, I wanted to be thorough in helping my readers understand the many tasks that are involved in homemaking & what makes homemaker's lives different from anyone else's. But again, I couldn't come up with one in general that would apply to every woman for obvious reasons. What I did come up with are questions to ask oneself; questions that I asked myself when wondering how I would define "homemaker"...
When you wake up every morning, what is it that you do throughout your day to make the *building* that you live in a HOME? What is it that you do that makes your husband and children want to be there? Is your husband respected & loved on by you? Are your children secure in your love & guidance? Are they warm & fed? I find that when I neglect those basic needs, (that I can & should fulfill), I dishonor the Word of God. Just like Mrs. Bouma says in the quote I posted: "The mothering, the nurturing, the comforting, and caring..." are all things that a homemaker does everyday. There's much more to it than that, but these are the basics. I could add SO much more to that like: decorating a home, or managing the finances, or meal planning, or delegating responsibilities, or..., or..., or...!!! These are all part of homemaking. I fail at doing them all perfectly at least EVERY day! At times, they can seem overwhelming, but by God's grace & faithfulness, the fruit that is harvested from being a committed homemaker is MOST rewarding! I count it a privilege & an undeserved blessing to be allowed this task. I wouldn't trade it for any other job on earth!
I found it most interesting that Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language did not have "homemaker" listed as a word! Perhaps because during his time, it was most common to see women at work in the home, rather than in a workplace outside of the home, therefore, making the word unnecessary.
As I thought to come up with a definition myself, I wanted to be thorough in helping my readers understand the many tasks that are involved in homemaking & what makes homemaker's lives different from anyone else's. But again, I couldn't come up with one in general that would apply to every woman for obvious reasons. What I did come up with are questions to ask oneself; questions that I asked myself when wondering how I would define "homemaker"...
When you wake up every morning, what is it that you do throughout your day to make the *building* that you live in a HOME? What is it that you do that makes your husband and children want to be there? Is your husband respected & loved on by you? Are your children secure in your love & guidance? Are they warm & fed? I find that when I neglect those basic needs, (that I can & should fulfill), I dishonor the Word of God. Just like Mrs. Bouma says in the quote I posted: "The mothering, the nurturing, the comforting, and caring..." are all things that a homemaker does everyday. There's much more to it than that, but these are the basics. I could add SO much more to that like: decorating a home, or managing the finances, or meal planning, or delegating responsibilities, or..., or..., or...!!! These are all part of homemaking. I fail at doing them all perfectly at least EVERY day! At times, they can seem overwhelming, but by God's grace & faithfulness, the fruit that is harvested from being a committed homemaker is MOST rewarding! I count it a privilege & an undeserved blessing to be allowed this task. I wouldn't trade it for any other job on earth!