Swilor Family: June 2012

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Week 6 Blessings, Reflection and Prayer

My blessings...

That Zac recognizes the entire alphabet and points out letters to us everywhere!
Lucy's new trick is raising her hand when we say "Praise God!" and gets so excited.
Chatting with Lorie and watching the kids play so well as we talked about Artem! So good!
Softball night with great friends and fellowship. And it doesn't hurt that we are now the 1st place team!
Dinner after the game with great company. And that the kids were so nice while we ate and chatted!
Yummy cupcakes in a cute box.
That the hawk that ended up in my house only pooped on the tile floor and not the carpet! Seriously! I heard Zac saying "Bird, bird!" I walked to the back door and looked out the window to see a poor bird squawking at a cat a foot away from it. I opened the door and shooed the cat away. The "hawk" may or may not have been a hawk, but it was a big bird with a sharp beak. I'm guessing a small hawk of some sort. After realizing the bird was hurt and not walking or flying away, I called Miss Jamison to see what to do. I called Hogle Zoo and got an answering machine, so I called Animal Services to come take care of it. We were getting ready to head out for softball. They suggested covering the bird with a box so the cats couldn't get it once we left. So, I go out with the box and the bird scoots under the BBQ. I shooed it towards Luke who was ready with the box and the bird flew into our house!!! Are you kidding me?! Now it's in the house and we're scared it's going to fly at us again, so we were more hesitant. We got it under a box and as we scooted another flattened box underneath to get it outside, it was halfway out of the box and we couldn't get it back in. Then we saw that it wasn't moving anymore and thought we killed it. Ugh. We got it outside and passed the Animal Services van on our way to the game. Bird was gone when we got back. What an adventure!

Reflection

1. One important lesson I want to remember from this week's reading would be: That my hands are a blessing and I want to use them to work hard to bring glory to God! And that serving others is refreshing to everyone involved!
2. Do you realize that everything we do with our hands can be an act of worship to our Lord? What are some ways you worship God through the use of your hands? Making meals for my family. Cleaning our home to make it a peaceful place. Hugging and comforting my kids. Making cookies for a bake sale. Holding my husbands and kids hands to show I love them. Using my hands to type doing this study. Driving to the store to get groceries for my family. We do so much with our hands!
3. How has this truth changed your perspective on your work as a mother and wife? I have been more focused on the things I do daily and am reminded that I am blessed to be able to do the tasks of a wife, mom, and homemaker! It can be easy to complain about all the things that need to be done. This study has changed my thinking and I am happier to do these things to bless my family rather than just to get them done. And to do the work for God, not anyone else. And in turn it pleases my husband and makes our home a happier place!
4. I am going to be more intentional by: Doing work without complaint. Seeking ways to serve! Not just doing the simplest/easiest/laziest way, but going above and beyond to help others.

Prayer
For a great first half marathon in the morning for Mandy and her husband Sam.
For Lorie's adoption to be all in God's mighty hands. That you will lift them up when they are feeling crushed by Satan. God is so much bigger than him and he can do all things! For a huge success at their fundraising this weekend and continued throughout the entire process! And that they won't feel overwhelmed by all that is going on, that they will take things one step at a time.

Week 6 Day 2, 3, and 4

Week 6 Day 2

S- Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"
Ephesians 6:7 "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,"
O- Work wholeheartedly! All for God!
A- In all tasks I do, I need to seek God as I do them and do it all for His glory.
P- God, I hear you. Thank you for being you. Thank you for helping me with even the most mundane tasks. Thank you for making me want to do more for you. Thank you that I am able to work. Thank you for always being present even when you aren't on the front of my mind. Help me seek you more always. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

Week 6 Day 3

S- Proverbs 31:20 "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 "If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need."
Proverbs 11:25 "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
O- Helping the poor is refreshing not only to those who need help, but also to those who give help.
A- I need to keep my eyes and heart open to those who need help. It's easy to rush through the day and even make detours to get around putting yourself into a situation where someone else might need help. I know it's a blessing to me to help others and don't want to miss out on that even if it makes me late or seems like an inconvenience at the time. I also know that it's hard to ask for help. I was recently saying to someone how much of a blessing it is to help and by not letting others help you that you are cutting them short.
P- Dear God, I pray for chances to help others. I pray that we all would ask for help when we need it and know that it will bless and refresh those helping us. Thank you for opportunities to help the poor and needy. Thank you for the abundant blessings you have given me. Please help me to not miss the opportunities you place in front of me to help others. I love you!

In light of helping others. There is someone in our group that could use our help.

Lorie Davis has been sharing that she has started the process of adopting. And I couldn't be happier that her family has fallen in love with Artem that I had been posting about because I fell in love with him too! It has been amazing to see God's hand in all of this! It is a total God thing the way it has all come together! Here are a few ways we can help bring him home...

This weekend there is a parade that goes right past her home. She'll be having a bake sale in her yard on Saturday. If you'd like to donate any baked goods, she can pick them up on Friday at The Rock Church or if she needs to pick them up from you she is willing to make the rounds.

She's taking yard sale donations, items or services donated for an auction at a benefit later this summer, you can purchase raffle tickets for $10 to win a TV, she's offering house cleaning, babysitting, and making cakes for a donation of your choice, or you can donate directly to Artem on Reece's Rainbow HERE.

Pray that God would show you how you can help her bring Artem home!

Here is the link to her facebook page and her contact info.

Lorie Davis
https://www.facebook.com/lorie.davis.7 Lorie's personal page
https://www.facebook.com/events/368398043215454/ Artem's event page

Week 6 Day 4

S- 1 Thessalonians 4:11 "and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,"
Proverbs 19:17 "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."
O- Work hard with your hands but not to show off. Don't get into others business. Work to please the Lord. Helping the poor pleases God. When I serve the needy, I serve Jesus and will be blessed for it.
A- I love God's promises! He will reward me! Even when I think I have little or am tight for money or don't have enough food (or food that sounds satisfying at the moment), there are people with so much less! And I have PLENTY! More than enough! I could give more away. I don't want to do things for others to make myself look good, I want to do these things to please God and not seek attention to myself. I also need to not worry about what others do with their time and money. I don't feel like I do this often, but it was a good reminder.
P- Thank you Lord for your promises! Specifically today your promise of reward for being kind to the poor, because that is where you are. Your promises fill me with hope. Please help me to serve quietly. I pray that you will show me more opportunities to serve the least. Thank you for softening my heart. I love you!

Week 6 Day 1

S- Proverbs 31:19 "In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers."
O- She made and/or mended clothes for her family.
A- God has blessed me with the knowledge of using a sewing machine. I am not an advanced seamstress (like Miss Melissa), but I do know a thing or two. And am also good at pretending I know what I'm doing. I can bless my family by making or fixing things for them. And I could bless others by making things for them.
P- Thank you God for blessing me with the skill of sewing. I pray that you would help me use it to bless my family and others. Please show me other skills that you have blessed me with that would benefit others and help me to do so. Thank you for continuing to show me how great you are. Help me to be a servant for you. Thank you for teaching me and showing me how to be a servant, by being one first. In your name I pray, Amen.

From the blog HERE...
You are a Proverbs 31 woman in the making and so am I…..non of us have arrive…..but that’s not the point. The point isn’t about BEING the perfect wife or mother, it’s about LIVING a life that is focused on God. My sweet friend, keep your eyes on Jesus. He will mold you into the wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend that He made you to be. We are not called to be Martha Stewart or Mary Poppins…..we are called to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves…that’s the true Proverbs 31 woman.

Weekly Challenge: Pray and ask God to help you see the needs of others around you. Then bless someone this week by seeing the need and meeting it. Share with your group how God worked through you to meet this need.

Ideas include:

Helping someone while you are out and about during your day…..picking up something that they dropped, carrying out the groceries etc.
Babysitting for the single mom down the road
Going through your closets and giving some of your clothes, toys and other items that could be helpful to someone else.
Surprise the family down the street who are having financial problems with a gift card or a check to help pay for one of their bills.
Sponsor a child through Compassion or World Vision
Help out in a soup kitchen
Volunteer and be a friend to a woman who is in prison
Help with VBS
Invite a family or friend over for dinner who is new to your area or church…….give them the gift of your friendship
The ways that you can help out are numerous…..just ask God to open your eyes so that you can see the needs around you, your home, your neighborhood, your church, your community and then put your faith into action and meet that need!

Serving

Happy Monday! The question for the day is...

How does your family serve those in need? Or how could you serve others together?

Hope you all had a great Father's Day weekend!

I'm with most of you feeling like I could and should do more! Most of the questions I have asked have been to share examples of how I can improve. You never fail to impress me with your replies! Thanks!
We do the Operation Christmas Child boxes too. And serve meals. If I see someone in need at the store or something I help open doors if someone's hands are full or other small things like that. I think it's important for Zac to see us helping in ways like that. I'm super excited to be helping Lorie in whatever ways I can to bring Artem home! We have donated all kinds of items from our home especially since moving. I am trying to be more aware of where I take the things we don't need anymore. I'd rather give them to people that are in more of a need (such as a shelter over the DI where the items would be sold). Also, donating food to food drives. Before I had Zac and Lucy I served at church with the toddlers and plan to do that again.

Week 5 Blessings, Reflection, and Prayer

Wednesday Blessings

So, the past couple weeks I have told myself I was going to start my list of blessings and add to it throughout the week rather than just doing it on Wednesday. And here it is another Wednesday and I haven't done that!
I am blessed that I was able to go to Silver Lake with a few of you. You are such great examples as moms and it was so good for me to see you all in action!
I am blessed that I was able to talk to Lorie about adoption/Artem! God continues to show me His faithfulness! I have and will continue to pray for Artem, whether or not he is who God chooses for the Davis'!
I am blessed that I was able to see the Bible Andrea uses for training/disciplining her kids. So good!
I am blessed by each and every one of you sharing ideas and lessons you have learned and are learning as moms!
I am blessed by the beauty that God has given us in the mountains. I love driving up the canyon and Silver Lake is beautiful.
I am blessed by the laughter I heard all afternoon by Zac running along the trails with me. And by Lucy laughing at her brother.
I am blessed that Luke's mom was able to go with us and witness some great fellowship and prayer.
I am blessed that I have an adorable new nephew with some seriously awesome black hair!
I am blessed by a surprise brunch date with my mom today!
I am blessed that Luke has shown me so much praise since starting this study. He is a great encourager and the changes God is making in me are showing and pleasing God first, but also Luke and my kids.
I am blessed that God is not done with me yet!

Reflection

1. One important lesson I want to remember from this week's reading would be: Work hard continually. It is all for the Lord!
2. It's important to our health to find time to exercise. What are some ways you can begin to exercise if you're not currently? I was on a roll a few weeks ago taking the kids on a walk to a park in the neighborhood. It is a hike anywhere we go around our home. Hills everywhere. I need to start doing that more consistently. Early in the morning before it gets too hot! I'm also excited to walk 18 holes at the golf course tomorrow watching Luke play! Praying for a better round than he had today!
3. Are you getting enough sleep? If not, what can you change or eliminate from your day to make sure you do? The kids are starting to get back into routine! Most days are good.
4. I am going to be more intentional by: Making lists and following through. Planning my days better. Starting my days with Jesus more consistently!

Week 5 Day 2, 3, and 4

Week 5 Day 2

S- Psalm 118:24 "The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad."
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
O- The Lord makes all things possible. He is my strength. All good things come from Him. Rejoice!
A- He gives me strength to do all. I am thankful for the strength He has given me and need to put it to use and not be lazy with this body. I need to rejoice in all He has blessed me with and be glad to use this body with vigor.
P- Thank you Jesus for being my strength! Through You all things are possible. You do not give me more than I can handle. I pray that I will use my body with vigor to honor you. I love you, Lord!
From the blog HERE... If you're interested in an arm workout, go to the blog and try this!
I’m here to give you a “31:17″ arm workout! You will need 1 set of weights (preferably 2 if you have them!) and some space around you. Do these exercises 2-3 times a week and you’ll see some great changes in upper body strength! Be sure to check out my blog, www.peak313.com, for constant motivation, encouragement and practical tips and exercises to keep you challenged throughout the year.

Week 5 Day 3

S- Proverbs 31:18 "She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night."

O- Her hard work makes a profit. She works into the night.

A- I should look at the things that I do to see if they are profitable to my family. I may not bring in any income now, but the things I spend my time on should benefit my family. If I'm not done working on what needs to be done, I should continue working into the night. If I plan my time wisely, I won't need to be up late getting things done that could be done throughout my day.

P- God, please help me to manage my time. I pray that you will continue to help me make lists of what needs to be done and continually be working on these things. Please show me what will benefit my family most and especially what will bring glory to you. I am yours!

From the blog HERE... This was a great blog. It goes on to show how to build strength physically, spiritually, and mentally.

In my first video at the beginning of our Proverbs 31 series I mentioned that the word “virtuous” in Hebrew actually was used in the bible normally to describe men……men of war….men ready for battle…soldiers ready to fight.
What a strange way to describe the Proverbs 31 woman……or so I thought.
My sweet sisters in Christ…..we are called to do battle. We are called to be women of war!
We are called to fight for our families!

Our marriages!

Our children!

As we are reading through Proverbs 31 we see that everything this woman does….she does for her family….for their benefit.

What is her focus? Her family…..and ultimately bringing praise to her Lord!

In verse 17 we see that the Proverbs 31 woman is strong….she has physical strength but she also has spiritual and mental strength too. Because of the battle we are in, we need to be strong as well. Here are a few ways to build our strength in these three areas.

Week 5 Day 4

S- Proverbs 14:23 "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

1 Thessalonians 4:11 "and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,"

O- My first observation is... This is weird! I just did the wrong SOAP, but the second verse for today's is the same verse as next week! So I did half of it. Funny. Don't just talk about doing things, do them!
A- Talking about doing things doesn't pay off. Work hard and it will pay off.
P- Lord, please make me a hard worker. Help me to not just talk or think about all the things I need to do, but to do them with eager hands. Remind me that I am working for you. Thank you for your word and for teaching me how to be the woman you want me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Week 5 Day 1

S- Proverbs 31:17 "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."
Nehemiah 8:10 "Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”"
Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."

O- She is a hard worker and because of it she is strong. We should not only enjoy things, but share them so that others can see the joy that the Lord provides us with.

A- I need to be a hard worker daily. I get all gung ho (I just realized I have never typed or seen "gung ho" written and it really looks funny) on Monday and Tuesday then am burnt out by the end of the week. I need to manage my time better and consistently work hard.

P- Dear God, please help me be better at managing my time. Help me to work hard every day. Please give me the motivation to continue doing household projects throughout the week. I pray that my joy in you will shine through me. I pray that I would work hard for my family and also serve others with what you have blessed me with. In your name I pray, Amen.

From the blog HERE... This made me think about what does characterize me?
A real Proverbs 31 woman is still a sinner. She might procrastinate at times, but it won’t be what characterizes her.

In Proverbs 31:15 we see a lady who knows the value of time and acts on it. She understands that we do not know how many days God has given us and therefore we need to make the most of each day.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Proverbs 27:1

Jonathan Edwards wrote a great treatise called, Procrastination, or, The Sin and Folly of Depending on Future Time. In it he calls procrastination what it is – SIN. Ouch! It is presuming on God’s grace. It is presuming that God has given us tomorrow when he only promises today. We live as though God’s owes us another day, month, or year and that he must surely give it to us. The reality is that you and I have no idea as to how many days God will give us and this should cause us to act wisely in how we use our time. However, most of us don’t see procrastination as an evil thing or a dangerous habit.

From the blog HERE... I like the comment at the bottom that was posted that she is continually ready to serve.

This week’s challenge is to JOIN ME – in memorizing the entire Proverbs 31 passage.

I made a printable so we can print a few copies and keep them around. I encourage you to keep the verses on your kitchen counter, in your purse, folded in your Bible (read it first thing before you have your quiet time), on your nightstand or in your bathroom. If you read it a few times a day – you’ll be surprised how quickly you pick it up!

Proverbs 31 Printable (if the printable doesn’t work – click this link to open it in a new window)

Courtney,
When it talks about her candle not going out at night, I am reminded that the lamp in the temple was to burn at all times. It makes me think that she was continually ready to serve, ready to worship, repentant. I don’t know if that is the picture that the writer wants us to see, but it is a reminder for me that when I go to bed at night, I’m not putting out the lamp of God in my life. It is burning even while I’m asleep. :O)

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Lead By Example

This Monday's Question is...

What are some ways you lead by example to your kids?

By praying together throughout our day. If we are excited or especially happy about something I'll stop and give Jesus praise. Zac and Lucy are so young right now that they just think it's fun to say Praise Jesus. Or maybe it's that they think I'm silly when I get excited and say Praise Jesus! When we are having a rough time, I try to stop and say a prayer for God to please help us get through this. And explain to them that He wants to help us if we just ask. Luke is especially good at praying over meals with us. I need to be better at breakfast and lunch! We read their kids Bible every night and pray with them before bed. They also love when we ask them "What did Jesus do?" and our answer is "He died on the cross for our sins!" Again they probably think it's just fun and silly for now, but we know that it is teaching them. After we read to them, Luke always points the story back to Jesus and shows them why we need Him. By having good manners and being kind to others. Teaching them to do the same. And with discipline. Correcting them when they disobey. It's another great way to point them to Jesus.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Week 4 Blessings, Reflection, and Prayer

It's Wednesday share your blessings!
And holy cow! It's only 9:00 and I'm heading to bed to read!

I am blessed with the cutest little climber girl climbing up my legs as she gets her last little bit of energy out before bed.
I am blessed with an amazing church family that goes out to support our softball team. And especially loved that hot brownies were involved tonight!
I am blessed with a husband who forgives me time and again. And that he loves me unconditionally.
I am blessed with healthy kids.
I am blessed that Lucy didn't have shots at her well check appointment today. Teething and shots would not have been a fun combo.
I am blessed to have a patient pediatrician, as Lucy was not a happy camper at her appointment.
I am blessed to have been able to spend time with my niece this week. And even more blessed to see the bond she and Zac have. I loved seeing them light up at each others presence. So sweet!
I am blessed that I was just interrupted by Zac yelling from bed "Boof!" (Poop) As he was taking his time doing his business he was showing me the soap in the shower. As he called it "Poh". I corrected him slowly saying "Soap". I laughed as he studied my mouth and quietly repeated "Pp, Pp, Pp" then a big, loud, confident "Poh!" We repeated this "correction" multiple times and he continued to be confident that he was saying it correctly. Made my night.
I am blessed each and every time I open an email from this group. I have learned so much from you and we are only beginning!

Friday Reflection Questions

1. One important lesson I want to remember from this weeks readings is: That it is important to be organized and have a plan for your day. And to start my day with Jesus! I need to be an example and lead my kids in a morning prayer and start our days together with Him.

2. Why do you think it’s important to rise early? How could your day be different if you went to bed earlier and woke up before your family? I'm still struggling with the idea of rising early. Even when I try to go to bed early I am restless and have a hard time falling asleep. I do see the importance in rising early and making time for Jesus and planning my day before it starts. I need to be better at this.

3. What dream has God planted in your heart? Leading my children to know Jesus. That we constantly talk about Him and seek Him together as a family. Also, God led me to do this study, which is so not something I ever ever ever thought I would be doing. It is all Him! I have been so blessed by it and hope to do another study like this one. This group of ladies has done 2 other online studies and I hope they do another that I can lead again.

4. I am going to be more intentional by: Slowing down. Starting my day with Jesus and a prayer with the kids, no matter how crazy it is. (Today Zac screamed through it, but he was clearly listening. I thanked Jesus for our Friday Family Pizza Night with Dad. Later I said something to Zac about Dad and he yelled "Pizza!" Thank you Jesus for showing me that through his fit, he was listening!) I am going to make some goals. And a daily/weekly list of things to get done... and do them! Last, I am going to trust no matter what plans I make, Jesus is the ultimate planner and I will follow His lead.

Prayer
Please pray for my sister, Ashley, to get some rest! She spent 2 nights in the hospital getting re-hydrated with 10 bags of fluid. She is home now. Please pray for protection for her. That Jesus will hold her close as she gets better.

Praise that my Grandma is on day 14 of chemo and is feeling great!

Week 4 Day 3 and 4

S- Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 21:5 "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."

O- God wants the best for us and we will benefit by committing all things to Him. When we are diligent we will profit.

A- In all things I do I need to seek God first and commit to Him completely. I should not rely on myself to get through life. God wants to help me and wants me to give myself up to Him and I will reap the rewards He wants to bless me with.

P- God, please help me to lean on you always. To bring to you every task before I start. It's so easy to go through my day and realize I should have sought you first! Please change my heart. I know by giving myself to you that I will benefit. Thank you for loving me, a wretched sinner, and still blessing me beyond belief. You are so good all the time. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

From the blog titled "Keeping Your Husband the Man of Your Dreams" HERE. I thought this was a fun blog to read. Just simple reminders that things change the longer you are married and how important it is to keep your husband the man of your dreams.

1. Don’t Compare Him

2. Find Things to Praise Him For

When I was first married, I loved telling Keith, “I love you.” But one day he responded in frustration, “I know you love me. What I want to know is WHY.” When men know that we believe great things about them, they soar. When they question whether we really appreciate them, they retreat.

A funny thing happens when we start to look for things to praise. We then start thinking about our husbands in a more positive way, too!

3. Don’t Try to Tame Him

4. Embrace a Healthy S*x Life

From the other blog HERE. More great ideas on how to embrace busy moments with kids.

And by God’s grace, I’ll turn busy moments into God-moments:

A ten year old boy can feel loved and heard (after a long season of hearing us say “no” to the things of this world), all because his parents listened to his heart, and very intentionally said “yes” to a pet rat. I can slow down long enough to tell him that if we as his parents love him and long to give him good things, just think how much more his Father in heaven loves him and promises much greater blessings to those who walk in obedience with Him.

I can spend time sitting with my children in a fort made of sticks, marveling at the beauty around us and God’s goodness to us through His creation. I can purposefully teach them that only a powerful, very real God could do something this magnificent, just by speaking a word.

Science lessons can bring on conversations with my kids about how small we are in such a complex universe, and how when we don’t always know the answers, God does. Science books answer some questions. God’s Word is applicable for all of life, and we should depend on it daily.

Daily tasks can teach little ones how to humbly serve. Gentle answers can show grace. Small helps can be the hands and feet of Christ to children whose hearts are looking for Someone to trust in. And when they ask why we help and love and forgive, we can remember together the work that Jesus did on the cross for us.

Week 4 Day 4

S- James 4:13-15 "Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 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. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”"
O- No matter the plans we make for ourselves, God has the final say in what will actually happen.
A- As I make plans for my life I need to seek God that what I am doing is His will. I want to follow His lead for me. I know His plans for me are better than my own. I need to be willing to make changes in my plans and trust that He knows best.
P- Sweet Jesus, I know that you have plans for me, plans to prosper and not to harm me. I pray that I will listen for your voice as you lead me and my family. I pray that you would show us clearly as you lead us. And we will gladly follow without question or doubt. I pray that we will not lean on our own understanding. That we will seek you first in all things. Thank you for knowing what is best. In your name I pray, Amen.

Week 4 Day 2

S- Proverbs 31:16 "She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard."
O- She doesn't just buy a field, she considers it. She thinks it through. She doesn't just throw her money around. She plans and thinks about what she is purchasing I'm sure seeking God before making a decision. Once she makes her decision she puts more money into it to take good care of it.
A- I need to think about my purchases and not just buy things to have, but to take good care of them. I have a nice home that I love. I need to spend more time in taking care of the blessing that God gave me.
P- God, please help me to remember that all I have comes from you. I want my home to be our happy place. A place that is taken care of and not a place of clutter. Thank you for helping us to get rid of so much excess that we just don't need. Please continue to show us how we can fill our home with you and not just stuff. Please help us to take care of all you bless us with. Thank you for always providing just what we need. I love you. Amen!

From the blog HERE...

She was talking about being confronted for dressing immodestly after becoming a deacon's wife. I like the reminder to go straight to someone if we have a problem and not gossiping. Also, I have found myself adjusting clothes I never had a problem with before having kids. I need to just get these things out of my closet. I have also lost a little weight and things hang differently. Time to clean out my closet and donate some more items!

1. Confrontation is NOT easy to receive but she was right AND she had done it in the right way.

I appreciated that she called me (confrontation is not easy) and talked to me about it rather than going to other deacon wives and gossiping about me or worse going to the pastor. (If you have a problem with another woman never go to the pastor first about it – go to the person – it’s Biblical – see these instructions in Matthew 18:15-20). The only thing I would have changed about her confrontation would have been in the coming months. When I saw her I felt shame…we would pass in the hall and she never asked me how I was or how my baby was – I would have liked for her to befriend me but that friendship never budded and eventually her family would leave our church.

3. Young moms need to test their clothes differently than the typical woman.

When I buy clothes I look in the mirror and check – is it too short? too tight? or too low cut? I test all of this standing up in the dressing room in front of a mirror. BUT young moms can end up in strange positions when caring for our children. We have to bend down to pull our kids out of carriers – which means skirts go up even shorter or necklines can hang down open. Babies and toddlers pull on shirts – which means there’s potential for a shirt to be pulled down or off the shoulder…in front of the dads who are dropping their kids off in the nursery. I have worked in the nursery every other Sunday for nearly 5 years – so I do the shirt and skirt check regularly. If a dress is loose on top, I just put a tank under it – if it’s a little short for bending down I wear leggings. I encourage you to test your clothes before wearing them!

Week 4 Day 1

S- Proverbs 31:15 "She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants."
Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
Mark 1:35 "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
O- She makes time to prepare her day. She is organized and seeks God first thing.
A- I need to start each day with God. Speak to Him and listen to Him. I need to be more organized and plan my day rather than letting the day get ahead of me. Luke gets up much earlier than me to go to work, but I could prepare his lunches the night before. Plus, I need to make a list of all the unfinished projects I have and get this house put together already! Stop slacking! It will also make my home more peaceful and I can start a good cleaning schedule.
P- Dear God, please help me to want to be an early riser. That I will seek you first thing and wait expectantly for you to lead me. I pray that I will not be grumpy in the morning and that I will rise with a positive attitude ready to face the day. Please help me to get the projects I have unfinished done and make my house a home that is comfortable and peaceful. Thank you for always changing me for the better! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

From the blog HERE...
The Proverbs 31 woman gets up early and organizes her day! She is proactive instead of reactive!
She believes that productive mornings = easier days.

Our challenge this week:

Rise before your family!!! Come on girls I know YOU can do it!!! I know it’s hard! It’s hard for me too, but lets focus this week and RISE before our family does…..before our kids do! Let’s rise, have our quiet time and organize our day BEFORE it starts!!! Pray this week for strength and the discipline to rise early! Also pray about your finances and ask God for wisdom to help you make wise choices concerning how you spend the money He has given you.

The video on the blog this week talked about rising early being difficult in certain seasons of life... like having a baby and not sleeping through the night. There are definitely still nights that we are up. We had a rough month between both kiddos with being sick, having night terrors, and teething. Things have gotten better, but still not consistently sleeping well every night. And I am NOT a morning person to begin. I have not been consistent with my quiet times, especially before this group. Now I get up and start my reading while the kids play in the morning. Then if I don't get my SOAP's finished then, I finish at nap time. I also notice if I start cleaning up the house in the morning (dishes while the kids have breakfast) I get a lot more done throughout the day than if I wait til the afternoon. Plus it's nice to have a clean kitchen all day instead of just before Luke gets home and motivates me to do more throughout the day.

I have to share my morning story with you. Just after 5 this morning our neighbors dog started barking. We live in a condo, so it was right outside my bedroom window and went on for an hour! I was so extremely frustrated and had another meltdown that Luke got the brunt of. The dog woke me, then Lucy, and Zac. Thankfully Zac woke up yelled "I love you!" and went right back to sleep. That was a little blessing. Lucy on the other hand was up and ready to eat. So, she got a bottle and fell back to sleep. I was too frustrated that I was waken up that early to get back to sleep while the dog was still yapping. As I made Lucy her bottle I noticed that the dog wasn't even out on a leash to go potty, but just in her kennel on the patio yapping. I'm assuming she was yapping inside, so she was put out to yap so that they could sleep better. Oh my, the frustration! I asked Luke to knock on their door before he left for work. As Luke was leaving the mom and daughter were walking home from the gym and it was their son who had let the dog out. The mom was not happy about the situation and it was quickly taken care of. Then as I'm laying there trying to calm myself down once things quieted down, I was thinking that I was probably being tested by God. Was He the one waking me to get up and prepare my day? I'm pretty sure I failed the test. And because I got Luke all distracted from his normal morning routine, he forgot to grab his lunch I made him the night before. :( I even left him some nice notes with his lunch and he didn't even get to enjoy him. I did not lift him up to start his week! God, please change my heart and attitude. Help me be self-controlled! I am struggling! Thank you for your forgiveness and the forgiving husband you have blessed me with. Amen!

God First

Happy Monday Ladies!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I went grocery shopping today and am ready to try some of your recipes! I must admit that I spent way too much at the grocery store today and feel ick about it. And I threw a huge, major, out of control tantrum to Luke today. I mean it was bad and totally unfair! I have been over-thinking this new food plan and expecting him to hate all the new meals without giving him a chance. The whole argument was that he doesn't give new food a chance before he tastes it, which is unfair because this has happened only a few times. I just had it in my head that he was going to complain and didn't even wait for him to react in whatever way he will. What a fail on my part! I seriously freaked out at him! FAIL! I am ready to regroup and get back on track with God's help and all of yours! I'm so thankful that he forgave me, as Jesus forgives each us! What a graceful man he has become. So, I thank you in advance for listening to my struggles and lifting me up.

Our Monday morning question is...

How do you put God first?

Praying for a productive week. That we all put God first, then our spouses, our kids, then everything else. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

How do I put God first?
I speak to Him throughout my day. I thank Him, praise Him, and share my thoughts. I used to think to myself and now I talk to Jesus. When my kids are struggling throughout the day, I try to stop and pray with them. I tell them that Jesus can help us to get through this. It's so awesome to see how quickly things change after saying a little prayer. I pray for Luke and my kids. And by humbling myself. I feel like one of the ladies just wrote my story about letting Luke humble himself first, because he always does. Thanks for saying that out loud (through email) to each of us!

"Another way that I put God first is when I humble myself. (When I choose to humble myself). After I became a Christian I learned how prideful my heart is, like mega-prideful. This is an area that I also continue to struggle. It mostly rears its ugly head in my interactions with my husband. He is much more humble than I, and I had learned that if I just continue to be a little more stubborn that he will humble himself first and ask for forgiveness first. Often, taking all responsibility and guilt off of me for my actions, or so I thought. How terrible is that?! So, that is a delightful character trait that I feel like I am always on constant alert to avoid and change. When I humble my heart, ask forgiveness of others, and mend my relationship I am putting God first, not my own selfish pride."

I am a work in progress with this, but see the greatness in it. And by trusting in God when times get tough, rather than dwelling and wondering what can I do?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Week 3 Blessings, Reflection, and Prayer

Wednesday Blessings

God answered my prayer yesterday of having an eager attitude and eager hands! I rearranged my dining room to make more room for the kids to run around. It is so open and roomy now! And I cleared off the clutter on the table (most of it). Now we can see better out our big windows and the light is so bright and refreshing. I had the whole downstairs cleaned up when Luke got home. And the biggest blessing was that Luke praised and praised me all night. He was so thankful and said how peaceful it was! I am blessed by my kids who had fun roaming around while I moved things and swept up the floor. I know it's been too long when Lucy's pants are covered in crumbs after crawling across the kitchen floor. I'm blessed by the awesome sandbox that my Dad made the kids. We spend lots of time in there. I'm blessed by the sunshine that allows us to be outside and for the picnic we got to have at the park yesterday. I'm blessed to have healthy, happy kids! I continue to be blessed beyond belief by this group of amazing ladies! Your encouragement and tips are a huge blessing to me!

I do have one prayer request... Zac has an eye appointment on Friday. It's another follow up to see if his glasses are still improving his eyes crossing. The last appointment we had, the doctor sounded pretty certain he wouldn't need surgery. They have continued to improve each appointment. We are praying for complete healing and no surgery! Another blessing is that he loves his glasses and keeps them on!

Here are Friday's Reflection Questions. Don't forget to share your prayer requests, so that we can lift each other up to God!

1. One important lesson I want to remember from this week's reading would be: To seek God and constantly ask for eager hands and a heart to serve. To watch for opportunities to serve not just loved ones, but strangers as well. To be others-centered. I also want to remember the praise I got from a happy husband coming home to a cleaner house. And how easy it was to keep it clean if I just stay on top of it. I slacked yesterday after 2 days of having it all nice and I was much less eager to clean it all back up!

2. Why is it important to work with "eager" hands? How can working with "eager" hands bring glory to God? Working with eager hands and an eager attitude shows that we want to do it and not just to get it done. God wants us to serve others happily, without complaint. To work for Him and not to please man. When others see us working with eager hands and going above and beyond what they are used to seeing, God's light shines through us. I want others to see Him working through me, so that they will want to know what is different about me and that they will want what I have. Being lazy isn't going to do that.

3. How is your family eating? Are there some changes you can make to glorify God even in the meals you prepare your family? Not as healthy as we should. Sometimes not healthy at all! Ugh. Please God change this!! I need to be more prepared and not wait for the last minute and just make what is convenient. If I have a plan for dinner, I can prepare it throughout the day. My goal this weekend is to make a grocery list, so I can make some of the healthy recipes you all have sent. I am actually excited about this! God, please help me to follow through!

4. I am going to be more intentional by: Preparing the following weeks meals the weekend before. Keeping things tidy and not letting the clutter get out of hand. I am going to make it a goal to have a peaceful home when Luke gets home from work, so that we can relax together as a family in the evenings when he is home. I like Melissa's idea of having a checklist for things that need to be done throughout the day/week. I like how you call it your cleaning list, but it has "Quiet Time" first thing each day!

Prayer

For Zac's eye appointment (It's at 4:00 today). I pray that his eyes are healed and he doesn't need surgery. Pray for wisdom and a clarity for the doctor. And that he continues to be an awesome patient. He has always been so good at his doctor's appointments.

That I will lead as an example to my kids and those around me. That I won't be lazy and will work with eager hands without complaint.

That this group will continue to lift each other up and encourage each other as we all struggle in our walks as wives and mothers. That we will focus on what we HAVE done and not what we haven't. And that we will continue to change for God's glory!

Have a blessed weekend!

Question (We all shared recipes this week in our group. And I also asked this specific question. I got some great ideas and thought I’d post the question here as well.)

I would love to hear what you all feed your kids. What are their favorite breakfasts, lunches, and dinners? I think it's Zac's age and knowing that he has an opinion now that has made him pickier. If he doesn't eat what I give him, I'm not making anything else and he doesn't get to snack. Also, ideas on how to get him to enjoy eating more healthy. Different textures throw him off (veggies especially) and he won't give them a chance.

Some things he does like... All fruit, yogurt, cereal (We don't do sugary cereal, because he likes the less sugary ones and I don't want him to change his mind. He gets spoiled with these at Grandma's) NutriGrain bars, pancakes, french toast, and has finally started to like eggs. String cheese, green beans, potatoes, cooked carrots, spaghetti, any kind of pasta. His new favorite are black beans, which are the messiest thing ever but he LOVES them! And chicken nuggets and hot dogs and sometimes lunch meat are the only meat he'll really eat. He won't eat chicken that I cook.

Thanks in advance!

Week 3 Day 2, 3, and 4

Week 3 Day 2

S- Proverbs 31:13 "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands."
Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"
O- Work hard for the Lord, not just for man. I love Colossians 3:23 and pray to be better at it! It is so much easier to work hard when doing it for God, than to work hard for man. When we work for man, it is easy to give excuses as to why to be lazy. When I focus on working for God, I don't want to be lazy or make excuses. He deserves my best for sacrificing his life for mine!
A- Again, I need to focus on God in all things I do! I can focus on Him in all things I do and work hard for Him! I can do my housework with eager hands, because He provided me a house. He gave me these hands and I can work hard with them to honor Him. To give Him thanks! I want to do these things without complaint. He is my boss and deserves my hard work in all things I do.
P- Dear God, please catch me when I am being lazy and turn my heart to you. Help me to realize when I am not working with all my heart. Turn my face to you. I want to be better and know that it is only possible with you. You are here to help me. Help me to serve my family with eager hands. Thank you. Amen.

From the ebook
"God never condemns rest. He condemns laziness." I can't tell you how happy I was to read this. I struggle with feeling guilty for taking a nap IF both kids sleep at the same time. I feel like I am being lazy, even when the housework is done. I can always do more, is what I tell myself. I can't believe how tired I get throughout the day. Two kids (especially now that they are both mobile) is exhausting. I wish they'd share their energy!

Week 3 Day 3

S- Proverbs 31:14 "She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar."
Proverbs 9:1, 2 "Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table."
O- This woman is not lazy with her meal preparation. She is willing to shop for the best even if it means not going to the most convenient market. She has her meal prepped and her table set before the meal is ready to eat.
A- I need to prepare better, so that things are all ready before Luke gets home. Then we can both be relaxed and things are peaceful when he comes home. We can enjoy our meal and not just throw it all together quickly at the last minute. It will make us healthier as well.
P- Dear God, please help me to not be so lazy in the kitchen! I pray that I would make my family healthy meals and find recipes that we all like. Please change my ways! Thank you for providing food to prepare these meals. Please help me to stop and take time to enjoy my meals and not just rush through them. Help me to make it a time of fellowship and that the focus will be on you! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

I might be the queen of convenience when it comes to meals. I do like to cook, but am clueless as to where to start getting healthier. Mary, bring on the recipes! Quick and easy, but healthy! We went to Whole Foods this past weekend and everything smelled so delicious! I also struggle, because I'll look at new recipes and think Luke will not like that, so I don't even try it out. He likes things pretty plain. I also stink at cooking veggies right. They get soggy or are too crunchy. HELP! Melissa, you make great squash! Also, Zac is still really picky about eating meat and only likes some veggies. I think this is a texture thing. I'll take all the healthy food tips you've got.

So, I usually post a few highlights from the blogs. If I do that today, I'll be copying the whole thing over. It was really good and all about being intentional with our husbands! God is totally speaking through me, because he obviously matched up my "intentional" question with today's blog post. I highly suggest reading it HERE.

Week 3 Day 4

S- Genesis 24:15-20 "Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.” “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels."

O- Rebekah was eager and willing to serve the servant.

A- I need to be aware of others needs and willing to serve quickly without complaint.

P- Lord, please help me to be quick to think of others before myself. Help me to be a servant for you. Please help me to go above and beyond the basic needs of my family and others. Help me to make serving my family a priority. That doing more than enough will come naturally and others will be blessed through me. In your name I pray, Amen.

Today's blog HERE was titled You Are Equipped for Motherhood. Here are some encouraging thoughts from Women Living Well.

"God gave you the gift of motherhood, not to see if you could handle it, but knowing you could because He has equipped you. When what you need seems just out of reach, pray. He has equipped you with the ability to pray.

“You do not have, because you do not ask God.” James 4:2b

But check your motives. Be sure they are pure. Do you really need what you’re asking?

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11"

Week 3 Day 1

Week 3 Day 1
S- Proverbs 31:12 "She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life."
1 Kings 11:4 "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been."
O- I need to be careful that I do not turn Luke's heart away from God in the things I do and even say to him. I want my focus and his to always be on God and it's so easy to get distracted by day to day things.
A- To be aware of the things I say to Luke and do daily, that they are not turning our focus away from God. I want all the things I do to bring him good and not harm... all the days of my life. I have to admit that hearing "all the days of her life" made me think of Days of Our Lives, a clear example of my heart turning away from God! Ha!
P- Dear God, please help me to focus on you more and more each day. Keep my heart close to you. I pray that I would not lead my husband's heart after other gods! I pray that I would bring him good and not harm. He is such a godly example to me and I pray that I would be a better example to him and our kids. I pray that this week I will intentionally focus on you and talk about you with Zac and Lucy more often. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

From the ebook
This was a good reminder for me. Although it's important to serve others, I should be serving my husband first.
"And to whom does she do good? Her neighbors, PTA, or scrapbooking friends? Nope – first and foremost – she does good to her husband!
She does not talk about doing good to her husband – she DOES it! She willingly cooks, cleans, cares for the children and stretches a dollar. She willingly submits, respects and
praises her husband. She willingly responds to his physical touch and seeks to satisfy him in the bedroom. (okay – I could go further on that one but that’s a topic for another
time lol!). She does not criticize him over and over for the same flaws but loves him despite his flaws. She knows the power of her words and would not, in a moment of anger, use them to harm him."
I also loved this.
"We must not attempt to lead our husbands – but allow them to lead us (Ephesians 5)."
I remember hearing a convicting sermon about submitting to our husbands a little while ago. Since putting that advice into action (submitting and letting Luke lead), I feel like our relationship is so much stronger. It brings him confidence and takes a load of my shoulders! It was hard to give in to the things that I thought were a better choice than his (hello selfishness and pride). However, submitting to him and letting him lead has allowed us to learn from each other. I trust his choices.

From the blog HERE
I love the reminder to constantly be in prayer, to constantly be talking to Jesus as He is our Friend. And I love that prayers of gratitude help us to focus on our blessings.
When we come to a massive mound of dirty laundry that we are about to tackle, I believe that pausing and thanking God that our family has all these clothes can change our perspective and help us come to our tasks with eager hands.

Our challenge this week:

Look at the menial tasks of doing laundry, grocery shopping and cooking as a noble task that God has called us to. Come to these tasks with an eager attitude. If this is a struggle for you – pray and ask God to help you. Get on your knees and thank God that he has provided for our basic needs of clothing and food and never stop giving thanks! Bring your kids along side of you and let them offer up a prayer of thanksgiving too.