what my children need from me....

pg. 33 "The Ministry of Motherhood" by Sally Clarkson

"What matters to them is my loving presence............ And that's what my children need from me. If I want them to be open to my messages, I need to be willing to serve them-to voluntarily give up my rights and my time to meet their felt needs-just as Jesus was willing to give for his disciples."

This gave me something to think about for awhile... actually, from now on, may I never forget these words. Something I really needed to hear today.

tomorrow, I will be....

Baking these with my daughters. And these. Oh, so yummy! :) Playing dolls, playing house (me really ironing clothes while Claire & Lily iron on their little ironing boards with irons that MeMe & Papaw bought them for Christmas), playing in the "castle" with Claire & Lily that Aunt Cheryl & Uncle Greg gave them, watching "Gideon-A lesson in trusting God" Claire's current fave movie, a present from Aunt Crystal& Uncle Paul and playing dress up (present from Aunt Tammy/Uncle Jeremy), playing my keyboard while Claire & Lily rock out on their keyboard (from Aunt Lynn/Uncle Billy), reading James and some in my chronological plan (still trying to follow it as much as I can; it's just been hard), doing the "love dare", making something light for supper (due to the sickness), getting lots of cuddles from Drew & listening to his precious little baby laugh! Listening to my sweet little girls carry on adorable conversations with each other and seeing their sweet relationship develop right before my very eyes. :),washing/drying/folding/putting away laundry, calling the dr.'s office,getting paperwork done for taxes,cleaning the bathroom,breaking up little arguments, kissing owies, (hopefully NOT cleaning up puke & poop)doing school with the girls, organizing mine & Charlie's bedroom, scrubbing floors, and whatever else comes up?!!!!

This is only the tip of the list of things I have to get done this week!!! Is it any wonder that we as stay home Mom's (and working mom's too) just never get ahead?! That we feel "overwhelmed" if we stop and think about all we have to do?! The best solution, I have found, is not to THINK, it is to just DO IT and GET IT DONE!!!! :)

I may have a lot to do tomorrow but I am SO looking forward to it!! I am really looking forward to the play time with my babies & a clean house after I get it all done this week! Nothing like those two feelings, well, that & a happy husband!!! :) So, please pray for me tomorrow so that I may be focused on my tasks! We all know how much the enemy loves to distract us!!!


Love you all & have a great day!! (I won't be on the computer tomorrow; taking a break!)

Julie

operation treat bag is ....SUCCESS!!!!

We handed out treat bags last night to area kids . We gave away ALL of the bags and met A LOT of nice people! They seemed really happy that we were giving away the candy and that they had a safe place to bring their kids to get candy! One lady kept saying, "This is so nice that a church is giving out candy and I know it is safe". And a lot of little kids were excited because the treat bags were in their words, "awesome"! One little boy said, "you don't just give away a little candy, you guys give away A LOT of candy; SWEET!" and thanks to having young nephews and nieces, I know that SWEET is the word that means we did REALLY good! =)

It felt good to see all of the smiling faces and our youth interacting and meeting new friends, hopefully! We did not do this to get people to come to our church, although that would be nice! We did this to serve. Think about that for awhile. I think all too many times we are to focused on "getting them in church" (which don't get me wrong, we should focus on that) but in the process of getting them "saved" or "forgiven" or "baptized" or "in the church" we forgot to find out who they are. We forget that Jesus called us to SERVE as well as to spread the gospel. What are your thoughts? Do you get what I am saying? Just something I have been thinking about a lot lately.

Anyway, we had a great time! And wonderful fellowship with our brothers and sisters, as well!

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE!!!!

Teaching children to serve and give

I know that I have said this many times before, but Sally Clarkson's writings challenge and refresh me as a mother on SO many levels. I absolutely LOVE her blog and hope to some day soon own all of her books. Please read this and let her words minister to your heart. The view she presents here is refreshing, to say the least.

"When we dote on our children to be sure all of their needs are met and to see that they don’t miss out on any opportunity, we can be in danger of making them self-centered and self-absorbed. Giving our children opportunities to serve and give (at church in the toddler’s classes, baking cookies or bread for neighbors, visiting the local Home for the elderly (we used to give a once a month birthday party for all the elderly people in a home near us with a friend and her children–her idea–we made cards, a cake and created a party for all of them to attend.) Hosting teas in our home, collecting clothes and toys for families who are needy and then spending time as friends with them, serving at conferences, (our children started out very young giving chocolates to the moms who came to register at the conferences–our boys carried luggage.) Taking meals to a new family on the block. Visiting in the hospital and bringing flowers–all help our children learn to be thoughtful and to perceive themselves as givers. When we include them in the work, and let them have ideas, and bless them afterward, they gain a self-image of themselves as a person who has something to give–and whose giving makes a difference in the lives of others. Learning to serve and give is one of the most important character practices we can give to our children in a narcisstic culture which promotes selfishness of every kind."