My second daughter just celebrated her twelfth birthday.  As her and I drove around town running some errands, we had a beautiful heart to heart.  We have had wedding and marriage on the brain lately as my baby sister was very recently married.  So my daughter and I were discussing her future wedding and husband.  At first she was being very silly.  Saying silly things she wanted in her husband and silly things she wanted out of life.  But then our talk became serious.

We discussed that even though she is only twelve years old, she needs to be praying for her husband now.  This is something I have done for all of my children for years.  But it is time that she does it as well.

Our girls need to begin now pray for their future husband.  If she starts this practice now, she will be creating a beautiful habit of praying for him for life.  To continue reading, please join me at Whatever Girls today. 

Linking with:

Titus Tuesday  

Soli Deo Gloria

Teach Me Tuesday

Hear it on Sunday, Use it On Monday

Works For Me Wednesday

Winsome Wednesday
Women Living Well

God Is There

For all of those connected in any way to the disaster in Oklahoma, our hearts and prayers are with you.  May you find that the Lord is close to you during this time.

Birthday Blessings Are Sweet

We know motherhood is a beautiful thing. We know that it is also difficult. I continually think and pray about motherhood. I have these four precious children God has placed in my car. Everything I do and say shapes who they are. Our homeschooling shapes their future career path. Our Bible time and how I live my life influences their own walk with God. That is a big load.

 

Our men face the same thing. Often times the husband is the sole breadwinner for the family. His

family's livelihood is dependent on him alone. If this is not the case in your family, I would venture to say that he still feels this heavy load on his shoulders even if you are working as well or even if you are the sole provider. God wired men this way.  To continue reading, please join me at Woman to Woman for week eighteen of our Power of a Praying Wife series.

Continuing to count beautiful blessings...

1075. My precious daughter. Today she celebrates her twelfth birthday. She is such a blessing in my life.

1076. Family and friends to celebrate with.

1077. Homemade lasagna and garlic bread, the birthday girl's favorite.

1078. The light in her eyes as she receives the one birthday gift she wanted badly.

1079. The physical ability to wash dishes when my dishwasher went out.

1080. The food we had to dirty those dishes and the dishes we own.

What are you praising God for?  Share five things in the comments below.







Linking with:
A Holy Experience

Open Heart Surgery

Each morning I wake up and spend time with my Father.  I cherish that time with Him.  As I pray, I ask Him to help me experience Him throughout my day.  Father, help me to see you in all things.  Show yourself to me in big and small ways.  Help me to know it is You.

And He does.  

He shows Himself to me each day.  But I have to be aware of Him.  I have to have my heart and eyes open, otherwise I can miss Him.

As parents, we need to teach our children how they can experience God on their own.  Your child is never too young to experience God.

To continue reading, please join me at Woman to Woman for Family Friday.

For 2013 my One Word is heart.  I desire to have a heart like Jesus.  I want people to see Him when they see me.

Sometimes I feel like I need open heart surgery.

Just yesterday I was dealing with the kids.  You know.  A day of fighting, name calling and all around disrespect.  I had had it.  I was done with it all.  So I let them have it.  As we were in the drive thru grabbing lunch.  {sighs}

My mad mommy voice took over, arms flailing, eyebrows scrunched low.  Oh they were getting an ear full.  The poor lady at the drive thru window was so gracious and pretended to not hear me, because I know she had to have heard.  I am wondering if my friend hundreds of miles away heard.  As I looked at the sweet lady taking my money and offering our food to us, my heart sank.

Here, I had this beautiful opportunity to show the love of Jesus to her.  I should have commented on her sweet smile and thank her for her kind words and wished her a blessed day.  Instead, I was so ashamed of my actions that I had to duck my head.   

My heart sure did not reflect Jesus.  My actions and words did not reflect Him. I had to repent to my Father for the way I blew up.  I was offered His beautiful grace.  Now I move forward.  I start over.

When "those" times stress us out, when "those" feelings threaten to come to the surface, turn to God.  Let Him calm your heart and soul.  Let Him show you how to move forward in love, not anger.

This is where I stand with my One Word.  I am still learning.  Still messing up.  Still asking for forgiveness.

How are you doing with your One Word?  Are you still working on it?  Do you struggle or do you feel as though you are finally getting it?  Share your experiences with us in the comments below.

Linking with:

One Word

Works For Me Wednesday

Winsome Wednesday
Women Living Well

Titus Tuesday  

Soli Deo Gloria

Teach Me Tuesday

Hear it on Sunday, Use it On Monday

Emotions Running Wild

We were not meant to do this life alone.  God intended for us to have others to lean on.  We need those who can lift us up, pray with us, pray for us and encourage us.  Being good friends with Godly people doesn't just happen by chance.  We must pray that such people will come into our lives.  And then when we find them, we should continue to cover the relationship in prayer.

For a long time I felt as though I didn't need friends. To continue reading, please click here to head to Woman to Woman Ministries.

This past week and weekend have been very busy and full of tears.  Tears of joy, tears of sadness and tears of just being tired.  Through it all I will count my blessings...

1056. The great privilege to guest speak on my dear friend's blog talk radio program.

1057.  Sunny days after many days of rain.

1058.  Meeting new extended family and getting to know them.

1059.  Watching my baby sister marry her best friend. {here come the tears again!}

1060.  Watching my husband perform his first wedding ceremony.  I am so proud of him.

1061.  Watching all of my children and nieces and nephews perform special roles in their aunt's wedding day.

1062.  Watching my son as a groomsman.  He is growing up so quickly.

1063.  Watching my daughter as the maid of honor.  Such a privilege this was for her.

1064.  All of the special ways my grandpa was included in the wedding ceremony {he is no longer with us}.  The most precious being, a heart was cut out of a pair of his jeans and sewn into my sister's wedding dress.

1065.  Fun times taking wedding pictures.

1066.  Celebrating Mother's Day at church and with family.

1067.  My wonderful Mother.  I could not have asked for a better mom and friend.

1068.  My wonderful Mamaw.  I am the most blessed granddaughter there is.

1069.  My four blessings from heaven who allow me to celebrate Mother's Day.

1070.  A relaxing Sunday night at home after a busy, emotional week.

1071.  Snuggling up with my husband and watching our own wedding video.

1072.  Hearing my kids "ooh and aah" and giggle over our wedding video.

1073.  Sleeping in just a bit on a Monday morning.

1074.  Another day to count my blessings.

I love hearing of your blessings.  Please comment below with five things you are praising God for.






Linking with:
A Holy Experience