Wordy Wednesday…You’ve Got to Read This Book!

22 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Book Review, Books, Holy Bible, Sharing Jesus, Sticking through tough times, Thomas Nelson, Thoughts and Prayers

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I originally chose the book Miraculous Movements How Hundreds of Thousands of Muslims are Falling in Love with Jesus by Jerry Trousdale because I have been very intimidated and fearful about the spread of Islam. I felt hopeless. This, in spite of the fact that for the past five years my family and I have worshipped at a church side by side with several people who have come out of Islam into a living relationship with Jesus Christ. I’ve seen the proof, yet, the continued reports about the spread of Islam in Europe has, frankly, scared me. I needed this book.

City Team International trains people in a deceptively simple discipleship technique that is very effective among the people of Islam. Based on a deep and committed prayer life, City Team teaches new converts to approach the Bible with a holy simplicity, to obey God’s commands and to raise up new believers. Many of these believers very quickly share the gospel with others and, soon, a “church” has been born, often in very hostile regions. By “church” they mean a church that may be small and may be underground but converts are taught, discipled, baptized and sent out. It is a church in every sense of the word.

The stories in Miraculous Movements are sobering. Many of the new converts suffer for their faith, indeed, they are taught (from God’s word) that they can expect persecution. There are many encouraging stories of the seed that is sown in hard places in Africa and the Middle East that takes root in spite of very difficult circumstances. The stories remind us that the earth is teaming with people who are in darkness and they are longing for the light.They are a spiritually hungry people.

The book is practical, applicable and encouraging but, most of all, it is inspiring. After reading the many accounts of what God is doing in places of great darkness, I was convicted of my lack of prayer and my shallow faith. I was brought to my knees in wonder and awe at what our Great God is accomplishing for His glory.
It took me several months to get my review of this book written because I kept rereading parts of it. I highly recommend this book.
I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson publishers for review.

Marvelous Marriage Monday

21 Monday May 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Holy Bible, Marvelous Marriage Mondays, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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Dear Lord,
We need Your love to build a marriage that will last. Teach us, Oh lord, what real love looks and feels like. Give us the strong assurance that true love does what is right even when we don’t feel loving. It takes great strength of character to act lovingly toward someone when they are hard to love, Lord. Give us your strength to do what is right so that all glory will go to You.

Lord, thank you that we don’t have to be afraid when we no longer feel “in love.” Your love is greater than feelings and you will help us persevere until those feelings return. Thank you that as we obey Your word and put our trust in You, You will enable us to walk in joy in spite of our circumstances.

We don’t always believe that you will answer our prayers. Help us in our unbelief, Lord and keep us steadfast and sure, abounding in good works even in our marriages.

We love you Lord. You are the Author of love. You established the marriage covenant to glorify Yourself through the generations. We will trust You to be the strength in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

In Your name we pray,
Amen

A Saint

18 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Cleaning, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama, Thoughts and Prayers

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Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I’ve not time to be
A saint by doing lovely things
Or watching late with Thee
Or dreaming in the dawn light
Or storming Heaven’s gates,
Make me a saint by getting meals
And washing up the plates.

Although I must have Martha’s hands
I have a Mary mind
And when I black the boots and shoes
Thy sandals, Lord, I find.
I think of how they trod the earth,
What time I scrub the floor
Accept this meditation, Lord,
I haven’t time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with Thy love,
And light it with Thy peace:
Forgive me all my worrying,
And make my grumbling cease.
Thou Who didst love to give men food,
In room or by the sea,
Accept this service that I do,
I do it unto Thee.
-Klara Munkres

The Empty Nest; Tea Time with Kim

16 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, goals, Guest Post, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama, Sharing Jesus, Sticking through tough times, Strong families

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Let’s chat today with Kim who has some wisdom for those of us whose children are leaving the nest. Pull up a chair and choose your favorite tea. I’ve got the pot ready to pour! Here’s Kim!

One morning a few weeks ago, I realized that later in the day I was attending a music festival where my son was competing. It would be the last time he did such a thing because he is graduating from high school in June and starting college in September. He is the youngest of our three children. In September, I will be an “empty nester.”

This new designation has come about gradually. First, there was our daughter and that was very difficult. The first one is hard; we don’t know what to expect. When our second one left (our firstborn son), I was instructed not to cry. He is not a hugging kind of guy but I was granted one that day!
When child number three leaves I will be a seasoned pro.

Releasing our children is a natural part of parenting. We are given these lives as gifts from God with full knowledge that some day we will release them. When we are knee deep in diapers, toddlers’ tantrums, baby food, and ear infections, it seems so very far away and, then, one day, we wake up, and here we are!

I know some women who have gone through periods of depression after their children have all left home. For those of us committed to being home full-time with our children, and who do not have a career to return to, it can be a time of uncertainty. What will we do? How will we fill our time? What does this time do to my identity as a mother? Of course, we are always mothers, and there are always others to mother.

I am now an “older woman.” Looking back on the past couple of years, I can see that I have eased into that role. A young mother thinks she is going into labor at 11:00 at night so I drive to her home and snooze on the couch while her other child is sleeping. At 3:00 a.m. her husband sends me a text message to say they’re on their way back; false alarm!

A young mother asks me advice about homeschooling; I send her some information. I check my e-mail and a young woman is contacting me to ask me what I think of a particular book; is it biblical? What are some good books about child rearing? These are little things that fall under the category of being a Titus 2 woman.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to t heir own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5).

As I look ahead to my “empty” house in September, I can see that I have been given a great opportunity now to help young women who are in the place I have just left behind. The things that we, as older woman, are to teach the younger women are the things which we must have learned ourselves.

There are times when the trials and tribulations of domestic life seem utterly mundane. There are times when we feel the disapproval of the the world, which judges our usefulness based on our ability to earn a living. We are “just” stay-at-home mothers (as if it were an indictment).

The time when we mother our young ones, teach them godly truths, keep our homes and love our husbands is a training ground so that we may be an older woman to others someday. As we live our lives out as wife and mother, we are gaining precious life experience and wisdom to pass on to someone. Young mother, when you are tempted to feel like your life is so very monotonous, remember that you are going to be an older woman!


Kim Shay has been a child of God for the past 27 years, a wife for 25 years, and a mother for 22 years. She has three children, 22, 20, and 17 and homeschooled them until high school. They live in southern Ontario where Kim works actively in her local church teaching the Bible to women. She loves to read, to write, take her Beagle for walks and spend quiet evenings with her husband. Kim has been blogging since 2005 and can be found at The Upward Call.

Marvelous Marriage Monday; Praying for One Another and Giveaway Winner!

14 Monday May 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Marvelous Marriage Mondays, Sharing Jesus, Sticking through tough times, Thoughts and Prayers

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The winner of the Union 28 giveaway is Anne! Please contact me, Anne, and let me know where Union 28 needs to send the gift certificate! Enjoy!

Lord Jesus,

We lift our friends and their marriages up to you today. We know that when one marriage fails, it deeply affects those who know and love them, including us.

We want our friends to be blessed with loving, godly marriages. Give us a vision for their marriage even when we see the weaknesses and struggles. Give us wise words of encouragement and hope when our struggling friend comes to us asking for advice and help. When we see someone we love being wronged by their spouse, guard our hearts from bitterness and anger.

May we give our expectations for others to you.

We ask for protection and guidance for our loved ones. Turn their hearts fully toward you. Use their life circumstances to bring them to a place where they boldly say, “I am yours, Lord Jesus.” Bring hidden sin into the light. If they need to confess and repent, we pray that you would give their spouse the strength and grace to allow them to honestly repent in the open.

Guide our friends and loved ones to wise counselors, godly elders and church leaders and other fellow believers who believe deeply in preserving the marriage covenant even when circumstances seem hopeless.

We pray that in good times and bad, we would be the kind of friends that would continually point them to Jesus while loving them in practical ways. Give them (and us) gloriously happy marriages that proclaim your goodness to a broken and sinful world.

We pray these things in your name.

Amen

Overwhelmed? (My Guest Post at Far Above Rubies)

10 Thursday May 2012

Posted by in Changing the next generation, Far Above Rubies, Guest Post, Holy Bible, Inspirational Mama, Sticking through tough times, Thoughts and Prayers

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Are you overwhelmed?

Pray

Turning to God first goes against our nature. Do it anyway. Prayer brings the peace of Christ to our minds and spirits. When we are feeling overwhelmed by everything, God shows us what specific areas are the true problem. Ask the Lord to clarify the source of your struggle.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Perhaps you need to learn…(read the rest at Far Above Rubies).

A Happy Skirt; My Review of Fresh Produce

09 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in Mothers Day, Practical Help

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I was not familiar with the company Fresh Produce until they contacted me and asked if I would be interested in picking something from their line of clothing and reviewing it on Generational Womanhood. Hmm, I had to think about that one. Thirty seconds later I replied, “Bring it on!“

I chose the Jersey Tiered skirt from the Summertime collection.

The Jersey Tiered skirt is soft, beautiful and swingy. You know…swingy? That’s an important quality for a skirt!
I love it!
Check out these other fun skirt styles!

Even though Fresh Produce is a new acquaintance of mine, I have decided that I would like to get to know her better. HER? Yes, if companies were people this one would be a woman because she produces colorful, feminine clothing in a variety of sizes that will make any woman glad to be a woman!

Check out their Caribbean line of clothing

Fresh produce says, “In women’s apparel, the Fresh Produce brand is known for its original prints, vibrant color and stylish, comfortable clothing, all designed and created by CEO, Mary Ellen Vernon.

The heart of the Fresh Produce is rooted in the positive impact of color. We love color and want our customers to light up the room in our clothes. From casual tops and feminine dresses to decorative scarves and stylish pants, Fresh Produce is dedicated to creating feel-good clothes women want to wear every day.”

“Feel-good” clothing that is also colorful and pretty? Yipee! I will also add that their clothing is mostly modest. It was not hard for me to find a variety of choices that I would feel comfortable wearing. Kudos for Fresh Produce!

Here’s what I also love; Fresh Produce is not a skinny woman snob. No, indeed, they have clothing in all sizes including Plus sizes! And, because I am one of those mothers who shamelessly exploited her young children by occasionally dressing them in outfits that matched their mother, I am pleased to see that Fresh Produce carries some children’s clothing in matching prints. Woo hoo!

Check out this little cutie patootie dress (that’s my name, not theirs because that little girl is so sweet!) on sale for ten dollars!

Fresh Produce can be found in stores and outlets and, currently, ships to over 200 countries around the world!

Enjoy!

Marvelous Marriage Mondays; ABC’S for a Wife*

07 Monday May 2012

Posted by in Holy Bible, Homemaking, Inspirational Mama, Marvelous Marriage Mondays, Sticking through tough times, Strong families, Thoughts and Prayers

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*Don’t forget to honor and love your husband by bragging about him and being entered to win a gift certificate for marriage-honoring clothing!. Winner will be picked May 14th!!

A B C’s of Being a Help Meet

Admit when you are wrong

Be positive*

Cuddle

Do it his way

Encourage him

Fix his breakfast

Give back rubs

Hug often

“I love you” should be said many times daily

Joke around in a playful manner

Know his needs

Listen to him

Manage your home well

Never hold grudges

Open your eyes in the morning and smile

Pray for him

Quit nagging him

Reminisce about good times

Show respect and honor

Trust, and earn his trust

Understand his need for reverence

Vulnerability is a feminine trait; cultivate it

Wink at him!

X is for private times

Yearn to please him

Zealously guard him with your love

Thank you to to Christina HsKube who found these delightful ABC’s on a message board. If you know whose creative mind they originated in, please let me know so I can give credit where it is due!

Advice to the Young Wife; Tea Time with Irma Morton

04 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Homemaking, Guest Post, Decluttering, Marraige, Cleaning, Strong families, Sticking through tough times, Changing the next generation

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Come on in and have some tea with a new friend, Irma Morton. As you can see, I’ve found my pretty teapot so we can relax together and talk.

I’ve invited Irma over because she has some wisdom and helpful advice to share with us and you all know that I am all about gleaning wisdom from other wise women! So, let’s have some fun “girl” time! Here’s Irma.

Being a wife is very simple: love your husband, enjoy your marriage, and love your family.

Every marriage is unique, every family is unique. Don’t ever make the comparison between your marriage and others.

Don’t let your past experiences dictate your future. Make a decision and commitment that you are going to have a loving home, a welcoming home, and that you are going to get tough, when trouble comes.

A wife has many responsibilities and commitments. You start by taking care of the home: cleaning, cooking, etc. Take care of your spouse. Men are very receptive to a woman who is taking care of his needs: love him, cook for him, take care of him, and make him feel like he is the king of his castle (because you are his queen).

If you have children, nurture, love and care for them. You and your spouse should decide how they will be cared for while you are working outside the home (should you agree to that). Work together as a team.

When my husband and I first got married, we still had the mentality of two single people living together. No discussion was made about what to do with our child while I worked outside the home. It was very frustrating to say the least. I often felt resentful toward him because I was left to carry the responsibility of obtaining daycare. The problem got worse when I took a job out of town. My child had to be put in a daycare for extended hours.

Fast forward 18 years later to the arrival of child number two. Fortunately, as parents we are now in tuned to each others needs and that of our child. This time we are doing it right. I suddenly became a stay-at-home-mom although my desire has always been to work outside the home.

I had to learn the art of homemaking without losing myself to it. My children think I’m a much better person for it. Remember, you are a wife, mother, sister, aunt, daughter and friend! You don’t lose that because you are a wife.

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established, by knowledge the rooms are filled.” Proverbs 24:3-4 (ESV)

Having a great marriage takes time, energy and patience. It is possible to have a great marriage. My husband and I have been married for over 30 years and we are still very much in love. Two became one but not overnight. The most successful marriages consist of communication and respect for each other. Talk about your hopes, your dreams, your fears and your desires. Understanding each other takes time (it increases with the years).

Often, we enter marriage with preconceived ideas of what a marriage should look like. Decide what kind of marriage you desire. Seek out other married women that you admire and ask for advice. It’s good to get advice from those you admire and respect. Remember, a single, never married woman cannot give you counsel on marriage – she does not have that perspective.

Be careful how you live. There are so many distractions outside of the home screaming for your attention. Making the choice to take care of your family should be your first priority, this doesn’t mean you have to give up the things you love it just means they take a different place. When you invest in your family, you are making an investment for a lifetime –there’s a great reward that comes with it!

Irma Morton has a great deal of knowledge and experience as a wife married to the same man for over 32 years. She has two children ages 31 and 13 (eighteen years apart). She has counseled many newly—married, married, divorced and single women giving advice on marriage and family life issues.
She has been published on Womensavemoney.com and writes a quarterly newsletter to her friends and family expounding the word of God, called The Good News Gazette. She shares her wisdom giving slices of advice on every day married life and how to navigate issues that may arise. She coined the popular phrase “The 20 minute rule.” When someone has been away from home for hours greet them and then give them 20 minutes to unwind. It has saved many marriages and relationships.

Kids as Kites

02 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in Thoughts and Prayers

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“I see children as kites. You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you’re both breathless. They crash . . . you add a longer tail . . . you patch and comfort, adjust and teach. You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they’ll fly.” Erma Bombeck

The kites are flying around here as the winds of life gust and blow!
This week our intrepid little debate and speech club (E.P.I.C.-Emphatically Preparing with Integrity and Clarity) is hosting Regionals for homeschooled highschoolers from Oregon, Idaho and Washington.

Daughter Lorna (26) is cooking all the food (meals and snacks) for 150 judges for four days. Of course,”cooking” also includes planning, shopping, hauling and cleaning up. The food will be delicious because Lorna is a gifted cook.

Assisting his big sister is Kealen (16) who wields a chopping knife with confidence and panache. Capable Abigail (10) will be the go-fer and general errand runner, making sure that the platters are refilled and the water replenished.

Patrick (almost 7) and I, will be assisting in the kitchen as well as running home to fill a few boxes or cook dinner when we can. I am also throwing together a birthday party for Patrick two days before we leave so he can have one last “hurrah” with his Ferndale friends.

Hannah (18 )is competing in debate and speech at this tournament (on her way to Nationals in Minnesota next month). I wish you all could hear her original oratory of Fredrick Douglas! You’d be inspired. I plan to post it on my blog.

Of course, Hannah (being Hannah) really wanted to host some other students at our home in the midst of our move so we have competitors staying with us, having their hair “Hannified” and enjoying one another. These are darling girls and it makes the tournament much more fun to have guests.

Hannah is very gifted in words (both speaking and writing) but her passion is people.

Noah(14)is timing rounds at the tournament and absorbing the atmosphere. He has loved competing this year.

Rosie (20 )is working and finishing a college class as well as preparing to move into a home with two friends (she’s staying here while we move…that wind is blowing, for sure!).

Of course, we can’t forget the Patriarch, Doug, who will make the long commute from his job over in the desert, pack up the 15 passenger van for the third time and leave (again) on Sunday!

In the midst of the gusts of change and growth this week, one more of our “kites” is preparing to fly away to Korea. Phillip (24) leaves next week to teach English for a year there. We will miss him.

Time moves so quickly and change is inevitable. How I have come to appreciate the truth that God never changes.

This is the last week my prayer partner and I will meet together at her home…but God never changes.

This is the last time Abby will study in our home with her best friend from down the street…but God never changes.

This is the last time Patrick will skip down the street to see if a friend is home in this neighborhood…but God never changes.

This is the last time we will worship with fellow believers at Christ Covenant church as members…but God never changes.

And (just to throw a little fun into the whole crazy week) our little gray mama cat is anxiously scratching in closets and drawers as she prepares to have kittens. The question inquiring minds want to know is…will she have them before or after moving day on May 13th?

*Updated May 12* Gracie gave birth to five healthy kittens on May 10th. We will box them all up and take them in the moving truck tomorrow!