A Good Wife

I have been spending some time in Proverbs 31 learning about being a good wife.  Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character


10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
 
There are so many things in there to work for and aspire to.... but check out this little girl:

(Sorry its sideways... I cant figure out how to flip it!)
She saved her birthday money to buy herself a fishing rod and tackle box.  She also has a special fishing hat.  This kid puts the worms on and takes the fish off.  Yup.. she is going to make a GREAT WIFE someday!! Haha.  :o)
 
I am hoping to share more on Proverbs 31, and what God is showing me... but I had to share that first!! :oD

10 Years Old & Already Called

My beautiful baby turned 10 last week. 

Wow.

10.

Dang skippy... Im a momma to a double digit midget!  :o)

And apperantly... God decided that 10 was the age to set her apart and call her for His purposes!!

One day last week, Madi, Mike and I were in the care running errands that tooke us all over the places.  Madi was using the time to talk our ears off.  She was telling us all about a dream she had and what she thought it meant.

Basically.... she said God told her that she was going to be a pastor so she can preach the Word.  She was going to do it in many other countries and she wanted to learn to speak the languages so she could preach to many people.  She was also not going to have ny kids of her own, just adopt a whole bunch.  She also was going to teach her kids to preach and to worship so they could grow up and be ministers.
She said she was going to grow up to be a hero.  She wants to lead people to Jesus.... to help them spiritually, financially, and every other way. 

Thats my kid.  Thats the little human God gave me to raise!!  Talk about a great honor!  Wow.  I am so blessed by her.  And I am so excited for her future.  I cant wait to see what God has in store for her!!!

How He loves!

Mastering transition requires a willingness to identify and let go of exhausted structures and toxic relationships. This clears the way for growth and discovery, and connects you to the deeper currents of the flow of your intended life. That life is fashioned by design rather than default. It is rooted in an atmosphere of acceptance, nurturance, patience, and guidance. It facilitates forward movement and momentum.


Dr. Mark Chironna
 
Im realizing all the junk from when i was a teen is still holding me back. I never felt pretty enough, good enough, talented enough... blah blah blaggghhhh. But I was reminded today that I am to look at myself as Christ sees me.
He sees me as a beautiful women.  A Great mom.  A talented worship leader.  He sees me as the beautiful worthy creation He made. 
 
I will no longer all my past self-perceptions hold me back.  I will no longer allow the past to hinder my future.  I will NO LONGER walk in fear of man.  I will NO LONGER walk in feelings of inadequecies.  I will walk in HIs love.  His image.  His righteousness.  I will walk in HIM!!!! 
 
He has made me, molded me, shaped me, sculpted me, loved me, grew me, called me, equipped me.  HE.  Not I.  Not those who I let make me feel inadequate.  Not the people who I compared my talent to, my face to, my dress to, my hair to.  He alone. 
 
Have you encountered the love of God???  Do you know how He sees you??
 
Give you a hint...... HE LOOOOOVVVEEESSS YOU!  Seriously and completely unashamedly in love with YOU.  Just the way you are.  He made you and He loves you.
 
Wow.  That love and that feeling of knowing that He thinks I am good enough is freeing.  I am free to persue things I might not of persued before.  Transition?  BRING IT ON!  Im ready to walk forward in Him.  I ready to go where He sends, to do what He has called us to do, no matter where it is!!

I Have a Job!

"I have a job."

"Gotta go to work now."

Those are to phrases I havent said in a few years! :o)  But I am proud to say I can say them now! 

My "official" title?

(I chose my title.)

FRONT DESK CHICK

Yup.  Thats me!  I am proud to say that I am now the front desk chick at my church, Faith Alive Community Church.  Its only a few hours a week... and Madi comes with me.  She sits with me (I have a HUGE desk) and does her school work, and then goes out and rides her scooter, or plays soccer in the huge yard, or plays on the play ground equiptment.  She also waters the flowers around the church and helps with any odd jobs that people may ask of her.  She is lovin' it!  I spend my time answering the phones, writing out cards for birthdays, sickness, loss, and thank you cards to visitors.  I also get to make up all the cute "Thank you for visiting" Gift bags! 

I LOVE doing stuff like that!!

I also help do fundraisers for our mission we support in Nicaragua.  I have been having a blast doing all the brainstorming for ideas!!  I have to admit... I came up with some crazy ones... but there were definitly some gems in there too.

On a different note... Madi is doing very well in school.  She is finished with English and Social Studies.  She has 1 small project to complete in Geography, and 5 small chapters to do in Science.  We arent sure yet what all is left in Math, but she is slowly plugging along!

We did hgave to up her dose of her ADHD meds becuase we were starting to see more anxiety, more frustrations, more interuppting, and fidgeting.  She starts the new dose tomorrow, so we will see how that is working. 
When Madi first come to us, she had SEVERE allergies.  Good diet and a cleanly environment seemed to really help to curb those allergies, but this year they seem to be back more than the last 2 years.  We have gotten a some benadryl for her but I am hoping to get a script for zyrtec.  I only want to give her the meds when she needs them.  Her biggest complaint has been itchy eyes... so I think I may also go to the drug store and see about getting some eye drops and see if we can avoid any more meds.

Im also trying to find someone in our town/area who sells local honey.  I have heard that local honey can really help eliminate allergies.  Have any of you tried that??

For me... Im going to the chiropractor on Friday... Im hoping to releave some of this pain in my back and hips.  This chiropractor has experience helping RA sufferes get relief!  Im excited... loL!!!

We are also back on the "trying to concieve" band wagon.  I have lost a good bit of weight, and I know that will help things.  I am also taking chaste tree extract to help my body make more progestorone.

Mike is really hoping to find a new job.  But we are super thankful that he has the one he does.  It is steady and he has no chance of losing it unless he doesnt show up or comes in late a bunch of times.  He just needs something else.  Something that is challenging, and more importantly... fufilling. 

:o)  Oh... and its GORGEOUS out.... again!!  I am loving spending all our free time outside.  Our electric bill is going to next to nothing this month... we hardly ever are inside to turn lights on!! We just light the citronella candles and tiki torches and play games, or sit by a fire.  Its awesome.  I am truly loving our yard!!

Wouldn't Trade It

things i wouldnt trade for the world:


hand picked wild flowers (aka weeds) presented by tiny grubby hands

a fridge covered in drawings, pictures, & calendars

hugs whenever i ask for one, and even when i dont

picnic lunches in the yard

looks of pure love from big brown eyes

playing hookey from homeschool

freckles popping up on a tiny upturned nose after hours playing outside

1,000 "I wonder's" a day

jumping on the trampoline

and hearing "Mommy" from MY daughter. (even for the 100th time that day!)



April in Photos

I havent been writing much lately... and neither has Madi.  WHy??  Well, we have been busy this last month!!   Here... let me show you... these are photos from my cell phone, so excuse the quality!

Fresh cut from my garden.... yup... my actual garden produced these beauties!!  So tending said garden has taken up a lot of our time!

Game time.... in our bed... the only way to go (specially when daddy is sick!)

Ahhhh...a kid after my own heart... chalk drawings of my tropical dream. 

EASTER... :o)

Lots of eggs... she had to find each one of them so that none were missing.  Like the good Shepherd does for all His missing sheep!!  :o)

Piano lessons!!

The start of a new peice of art based on Romans 5

Lots of trampoline time...

Gardening.

Homemade bread making...

Walks in the park.

wHoly Chicken w/ the bffs

Bonfires in the backyard... w/ marshmellows of course!

Story time!

A visit to bass pro shops.

And so many more fun things.  We have been busy.  Add in school, plus a week with the bff and her kiddos, Easter, church, ballet, worship team practices, and we are out of time!!!  But its a great life.  We are so enjoying this spring.  Living out here in the country is amazing... we see pheasants, wild turkeys, all kinds of birds, and we even had our first butterfly sighting of the season yesterday!  I think we have spent all our awake time outside this past week.  Its been wonderful!!  I am feeling super blessed and just super thankful to God for giving us this life!!

Hmmmm... this post could have also been titles... "Why I Love My Life!"

I am a Lazy Mom

Yup.  Ill admit it. Im a lazy mom.

I make my kid clean up after herself.
My Child has chores and responsibilities.
She doesnt "rule the roost".

I want her to be responsible for herself.
I discipline her.
I take care of myself.  (Ok, working on that one)
I teach her by example.

Yup... I'm a lazy mom.  :o)

Read this: http://www.imalazymom.com/2010/09/parenting-lazy-mom-way-what-is-lazy-mom.html


Um... yup.. new favorite blog. 
Basically... if your a momma who doesnt cater to your childs ever whim wish and flighty little want, you might be a lazy mom.
So many parents just do what their kids want.  They want them to be happy ALL the time.  They dont discipline, they dont punish.  They dont give direction or guidance other than "whatever you do is fine as long as your happy".  The kids dont do chores or help around the house or even clean up after themselves.
Then these same parents wonder why their kids are unmotivated, dropping out of college or even high school, pregnant with a criminal record.  Really???
Now, I know thats extreme... but as parents we need to teach our children the value of work.  The value of taking pride in something, like a clean room.  We also need to show our love by using discipline... guidance... and giving direction.  And by doing those things, our children will feel loved, supported, rooted and grounded.  They will grow to be productive happy people.  And they will still be happy children. 

And thats what that blog is about.  If we do EVERYTHING for our kids, what are they learning? Nuffin.

So yea.  Im a lazy mom.  Are you??