Don't we all have an inner desire to connect with other people-especially those at the same stages of life?
I know this has been a passion of mine ever since I can remember-
to connect with others-to know what they are passionate about-to know what makes them laugh-to know what makes them cry.
So, I have recently entered a "new stage," I guess you could say-mommy hood! I am loving it! I feel so incredibly blessed that I get to be a "stay-at-home" mom. So many people can't/don't want to do that these days, so I am so blessed to have this opportunity to.
I can see how a stay-at-home mom can become disconnected from the outside world, though. I can see how easy it might be to get caught up in the day-to-day activities of life, and taking care of your child. I'm not saying that that is wrong, but I think it can become all-consuming if you let it.
I know I fall victim to being "lukewarm" sometimes. Lukewarm about my lot in life, lukewarm about my relationships, lukewarm about what my purpose is, lukewarm about my spirituality. (this is the scariest of all!)
Thankfully I serve a God full of grace and mercy that drags me back from these times of being "lukewarm." I am at that point now. I don't want to become a "lukewarm" mother or wife. I want to live with purpose and passion to bring Glory to God in all that I do, in whatever I do.
Some days, that is choosing to have joy when I'm listening to my baby cry
Some days, that is choosing to have a positive attitude towards my husband when he comes home from work, even if I have had a long day
Some days, that is choosing to be intentional about building better relationships
Some days, that is choosing to spend time with the Lord first, before the list of chores
Some days, that is spending time just "being" with my daughter, leaving my "to-do" list for a later time
It has been on my heart for some time now to be a part of a Mom's group. To connect with other moms in a relaxed setting. To connect with other women about real, every day life. To connect with other women's children.
So many ideas are running through my head, so I have decided to do something about it. With the Lord's help, I hope to start:
Mom's Morning Out!
My vision: To be intentional about building relationships with other women and children!
My mission: To reach the mom's of the Palouse area. To provide opportunities for mom's to connect with other mom's. To provide places for mom's to bring their children to connect with other children. To learn the hearts of these moms!
So, we set out on this adventure. This Tuesday, February 1st at 10:00am, at the McDonald's (by Arby's in Pullman), we will meet for the first time. I want to hear their thoughts. I want to hear what they want to get out of this. I want to see what might come of this time of fellowship.
So, if you have kids-come-bring them. Take a giant leap of faith, and share this with someone you know that might need/want to be a part of something like this.
Together, we can encourage each other and work at changing the world, one little heartbeat at a time!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Life Lessons Learned from my Grandpa
I spent the entire afternoon in my Grandpa Morgan's (dad's dad) hospital room. He developed a very severe case of pneumonia last week, and has been in the hospital ever since. Mind you, this is no ordinary man. He may be 79, but he acts like he's 59! He has a passion for working with his hands to restore the old and build the new. So this caught us all by surprise.
I will admit. I am not used to seeing him so weak. I know there will come a day when I have to say goodbye on this side of eternity, and I think that reality set in this week.
As Kayla and I spent the afternoon with him, I was reminded again how much we have to learn from our older generations if we will only take the time.
* You are never too old to learn something new. May I always keep this mindset!
* Humility is something we all need a dose of from time to time.
* Never pass up the opportunity to share what Christ has done in your life with those around you-even in your darkest hours.
* You may not always have the right words, but you can always be available.
* We have so much, and take it for granted too often
* Prayer is more powerful than we think
* It takes three to make a marriage last (one should know that's been married 60 years): you, your carefully chosen one, and the Lord
* Tears are NOT a sign of weakness
* It takes more strength to receive kindness and help than it does to give it
* Everyone deserves a second chance and a healthy dose of respect
* Life is too short to live in any other way but to cherish each day that has been given to us
* I have an incredible, incredible family heritage-and this is only by God's GRACE
I also experienced something incredible today.
My Grandpa Miller (my mom's dad), came to visit Grandpa Morgan. He didn't want to be a bother, but wanted to encourage Grandpa Morgan. So what did he do? He asked if he could pray with him. So there I sat, listening to one grandpa pray for another grandpa, and I saw a glimpse of heaven. Two men, who love the Lord with all their heart, who raised Godly children that found each other, and who have had children and grandchildren of their own that have chosen to follow the Lord. It brought tears to my eyes.
It is by God's grace that I am a part of that heritage. May it not stop with me, but may the Lord see to it that we continue to walk with Him to bring up the next generation in a Godly way.
Thank you Grandpa for these needed reminders today. We pray you continue to gain strength, so you can continue to serve our Lord! As you said today, "I'm not sure why I'm here, but I guess God's not finished with me yet!"
I will admit. I am not used to seeing him so weak. I know there will come a day when I have to say goodbye on this side of eternity, and I think that reality set in this week.
As Kayla and I spent the afternoon with him, I was reminded again how much we have to learn from our older generations if we will only take the time.
* You are never too old to learn something new. May I always keep this mindset!
* Humility is something we all need a dose of from time to time.
* Never pass up the opportunity to share what Christ has done in your life with those around you-even in your darkest hours.
* You may not always have the right words, but you can always be available.
* We have so much, and take it for granted too often
* Prayer is more powerful than we think
* It takes three to make a marriage last (one should know that's been married 60 years): you, your carefully chosen one, and the Lord
* Tears are NOT a sign of weakness
* It takes more strength to receive kindness and help than it does to give it
* Everyone deserves a second chance and a healthy dose of respect
* Life is too short to live in any other way but to cherish each day that has been given to us
* I have an incredible, incredible family heritage-and this is only by God's GRACE
I also experienced something incredible today.
My Grandpa Miller (my mom's dad), came to visit Grandpa Morgan. He didn't want to be a bother, but wanted to encourage Grandpa Morgan. So what did he do? He asked if he could pray with him. So there I sat, listening to one grandpa pray for another grandpa, and I saw a glimpse of heaven. Two men, who love the Lord with all their heart, who raised Godly children that found each other, and who have had children and grandchildren of their own that have chosen to follow the Lord. It brought tears to my eyes.
It is by God's grace that I am a part of that heritage. May it not stop with me, but may the Lord see to it that we continue to walk with Him to bring up the next generation in a Godly way.
Thank you Grandpa for these needed reminders today. We pray you continue to gain strength, so you can continue to serve our Lord! As you said today, "I'm not sure why I'm here, but I guess God's not finished with me yet!"
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A New Beginning
Hello blog world! I'm sorry it's been so long since I last posted. I have decided that I want to get back into sharing my thoughts, as I think it is medicine to my soul!
Kayla is almost 5 months now, and she fills our lives with so much love! It has been some of the most challenging 5 months, but also some of the most rewarding. She hasn't been an "easy" baby at all-in fact, quite the opposite! We have dealt with reflux, and with that has come quite a bit of uneasiness on her part. You could just tell she didn't feel good for so long. Then we were able to put her on some medication, which has helped! I think she is beginning to grow out of it, which we are thankful for. Her demeanor is just different-she seems so much happier!
She is a little me. Of which, I feel sorry for her! :) You can tell she has a "go, go, go" personality, which also presents it's challenges. Sleep, ah sleep. What's that?! She is not a great napper-I've tried all the tricks of the trade, and I have come to realize that she is one of those babies that doesn't want to miss out on anything, and doesn't require as much sleep. So, we just tackle each day as it comes!
I keep reminding myself how thankful I am for my time on bed rest-I knew I was storing up for the future. So I'm trying to tap into that reserve right now!
So many joys come with being a mom, and I feel so incredibly grateful that God has entrusted us to care for Kayla.
Grace has a whole new meaning in my life now.
It is because of his Grace that we live and breath and have life.
It is because of his Grace that I have an incredible husband who is very supportive and loving.
It is because of his Grace that we have a beautiful and healthy baby
It is because of his Grace that I have the strength to make it through the days (and nights)when I feel as if I have nothing left to give
It is because of his Grace that I have the ability to pursue the things I love and enjoy
It is because of his Grace that I was born here in America into a loving, caring family
It is because of his Grace that I have an incredible extended family who loves on Ben, Kayla and I
Well, those are my random thoughts for now. More to come later. For now, though, I choose to live in His Grace for today. Not to be overwhelmed by the night ahead of me, by the lack of sleep I get, by the piles of things "to do," but to live in THIS MOMENT. For we never get the days and moments back, so why do we try and rush through them?
Today is the day the Lord has made!
Kayla is almost 5 months now, and she fills our lives with so much love! It has been some of the most challenging 5 months, but also some of the most rewarding. She hasn't been an "easy" baby at all-in fact, quite the opposite! We have dealt with reflux, and with that has come quite a bit of uneasiness on her part. You could just tell she didn't feel good for so long. Then we were able to put her on some medication, which has helped! I think she is beginning to grow out of it, which we are thankful for. Her demeanor is just different-she seems so much happier!
She is a little me. Of which, I feel sorry for her! :) You can tell she has a "go, go, go" personality, which also presents it's challenges. Sleep, ah sleep. What's that?! She is not a great napper-I've tried all the tricks of the trade, and I have come to realize that she is one of those babies that doesn't want to miss out on anything, and doesn't require as much sleep. So, we just tackle each day as it comes!
I keep reminding myself how thankful I am for my time on bed rest-I knew I was storing up for the future. So I'm trying to tap into that reserve right now!
So many joys come with being a mom, and I feel so incredibly grateful that God has entrusted us to care for Kayla.
Grace has a whole new meaning in my life now.
It is because of his Grace that we live and breath and have life.
It is because of his Grace that I have an incredible husband who is very supportive and loving.
It is because of his Grace that we have a beautiful and healthy baby
It is because of his Grace that I have the strength to make it through the days (and nights)when I feel as if I have nothing left to give
It is because of his Grace that I have the ability to pursue the things I love and enjoy
It is because of his Grace that I was born here in America into a loving, caring family
It is because of his Grace that I have an incredible extended family who loves on Ben, Kayla and I
Well, those are my random thoughts for now. More to come later. For now, though, I choose to live in His Grace for today. Not to be overwhelmed by the night ahead of me, by the lack of sleep I get, by the piles of things "to do," but to live in THIS MOMENT. For we never get the days and moments back, so why do we try and rush through them?
Today is the day the Lord has made!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)