BEING A WIFE

Bible Study has progressed to our lesson on Being A Wife. Much of what is being discussed speaks to my heart, but speaking the loudest is this - LOVE IS AN ACTION. 7 1/2 years of marriage and I don't think I've ever really thought of it that way. It is something I have to learn and I discovered that God has been preparing me for this lesson, making my heart teachable, for at least a week.

While in the bookstore last week I purchased The Love Dare, a book based on the movie Fireproof. Fireproof, is the story of a firefighter who uses a 40-day experiment (the love dare) to save his failing marriage. The book is a "40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and PRACTICE unconditional love." I flipped through the book at the counter and thought it would be a fun exercise one that I would breeze through, because I’m already the perfect wife. I didn’t even tell Larry, I was just going to surprise him with 40 days of uninterrupted kindness. Well, I had no idea that not even ten pages in, it would reveal to me that I’m not so perfect after all. My confession to you is that I haven't even made it past Lesson 1 – Patience:

"Love is Patient. The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret."

By the end of day one, I completed the lesson, but I couldn’t believe how many opportunities I’d missed. I needed to spend some time on Patience, stopping and praying and asking God to conform my heart. This is where this week's "Being A Wife" became invaluable to me.

The first point:

1. Our relationship to our spouse is parallel to our relationship with the Lord. God has many times compared His relationship to the body of Christ to the relationship between a husband and wife.” Required Reading – 1 Corinthians 13.

“Love is patient, love is kind. I does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is no rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Do you ever just get embarrassed in the presence of God? I didn’t make it past the first three words.

The second point ACTION:

2. Love does not need to be felt in order to exist. IT IS AN ACTION.

How did that convict me? Well, whenever I lash out, my get out of jail free card is “I’m tired,” “I’m stressed,” “I’m overworked,” “I have two toddlers,” and on and on. But, I have to make a conscience decision even when I don’t feel like it, to show love and kindness towards my husband, building him up instead of tearing him down with words because I don't feel like playing nice. Nowhere in scripture does it make exceptions for stress, work or small children. This relates to something else God is dealing with me on - Discipline. Amy made a great point “God does not ask us to operate on emotions or to follow our hearts; we must lead our hearts to conform to God’s will.”

The final point was Prayer:

3. Prayer is the key to a long lasting, God filled marriage.

We should pray for the strength or our marriage, solutions to whatever is troubling you (instead of calling all your girlfriends) as well as cover our spouse in prayer so that he may carry out what God ordained him to do. Amy took the point on prayer to express another one. She wrote:

“I want to take this subject matter and use it as an opportunity to express another point: If you have an issue with your spouse, you have no right to speak of that issue to anyone else if you have not taken it to God in prayer and then your spouse. You are your husband’s helpmate. It does not help him if you do not pray on his behalf, not consult with him, or worse gossip about him to others.”

This was a God sent lesson for me. No matter how "right" you think you have it, whatever IT is, when you raise the standard of God’s word against it, you are humbled and your thoughts are forever transformed, I pray that my actions follow.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord" Isaiah 55:8

We are now studying Part 2 on Marriage (submission). It was not a part of our original plan but Amy felt led by God to take a deeper look into the marriage relationship. I am looking forward to it.!

A CLOSE CALL

The majority of the kids' toys are in our family room. There, they can play under my watchful eye, while I cook, clean and do various chores. Bryce's playpen is there, primarily for naps, but he climbs in and out of it, ooooh, a few hundred times a day. He can't get in or out without assistance, so Chase always gives him the necessary push/pull.

Today, Bryce's screams indicated he wanted out, again however, he was unwilling to do his usual part of climbing most of the way. This left Chase struggling to lift his almost 25-pound frame. Chase shouted, "Mommy, I can't get him out!" I offered to help, only after I pulled breakfast from the oven. I found their response (total silence) odd, especially since Bryce usually doesn't stop screaming until he gets exactly what he wants. Well, it was odd and it was not consent, as we sometimes think silence is.

Just as I turned towards the family room Chase was saying "That's okay [mommy], I'll just use this rope," at the same time he was preparing to wrap a belt around his fully cooperative brother's neck and hoist him from the playpen! Oh no!

I thought of the many times a day, I say "Thank you Lord," for keeping an innocent game, an intended good deed, or just plain curiosity, from turning into total tragedy; The answer is hundreds if not thousands. This is just my story, a few weeks ago, I witnessed a neighbor come that close to backing over his son in their driveway, as they were heading out to work and preschool.

Statistics on toddler accidents show that most of them occur at home and result in more deaths than childhood diseases. My prayer is that God continue to keep our home safe and keep me on my toes! Here is a very moving post and testimony on this topic.

ROOTS AND WINGS

"There are two lasting bequests we can give our children, one is Roots, the other is Wings!" ~ Hodding Carter

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This is one of my favorite quotes and today, I think, marked the beginning of both. Tonight at church, all interested parents registered their children for AWANA. The name - Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed - is derived from 2 Timothy 2:15.

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

AWANA is a 40 year old program, that meets weekly in churches nationwide to teach children ages 4 - 12th grade about the wonderful word of God! It focuses on building a good foundation through scripture memorization and biblical teaching via interactive learning activities. This is another answered prayer.

I love the Lord's faithfulness to His Word. If you read this post, you know my heart sank when Chase learned there was no group prayer before eating at school. I have been longing to have him in a more Bible based learning environment (i.e. Christian private school), but we have encountered some personal challenges around the execution of this desire - commute, costs, no vacancies at certain schools - to name a few; and then came AWANA.

"If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." John 14:4

During the course of my prayers about this over the past few weeks, came the announcement in our church bulletin. AWANA meets one night a week, and focuses on a set, age-appropriate curriculum, running parallel to the school year. Chase has already learned a tremendous amount through attending the less formal children's classes on Wednesday nights. I can only imagine what he will learn in a more formal program. We will even have the opportunity to participate, along with other member churches, in Bible Quizzes, Games & Talent Competitions. This reminds me so much of my VBS, BTU days growing up. A proper foundation is SO important as stated in the divine Book of Wisdom.

""Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

With these Roots my heart will have peace when it is time to give them Wings.

Oh yeah, an added bonus: Children who complete the entire program receive an automatic $10,000 college scholarship.

TESTIMONY TUESDAY

Amy at In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 started a Bible Study a few weeks ago and I stumbled upon it last night.

I have been SOOO praying that GOD would lead me to a network of women (whether its 2 or 200), that I could study with - virtually, that is. I am not in a place right now where I can take on even one more brick and mortar commitment, but I yearn to know more and grow more in the Lord. He has been placing God-Friends all around me and Amy's Bible study is another answered prayer !


Amy asked that all participants answer the questions below:

What do you hope to get out of this Bible study?
I am seeking to know more about what GOD intends for me as a Christian wife and mother. It is a crazy challenge! But I know that for every life circumstance and condition there is an anointed Word from the Lord - I am seeking to know more about that.

What if anything, has prevented you from studying these scriptures in the past?
I have read P31 and heard women speak on these scriptures many times, but that was well before I became a wife a mother or truly committed in my walk with the Lord; For all those reasons, it is much more relevant to me now.

What have you found helpful or frustrating about living out these scriptures?
Frustrating - The Balancing Act, which I often find myself on the unBalanced end of.

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You can see the outline for our Lesson Plan here

LITTLE DANNY BOY

Bryce has decided not to be called well, uh, Bryce. He has, in one day, one hour, changed his first name.

He is the social butterfly in our family and unlike the rest of us introverts, he never meets a stranger. He's had plenty of experience in meeting people and somewhere along the way, he decided he likes the hand-shaking part best! So he often extends his hand to start a conversation.

Chase, who is very obviously the child of two accountants, is much more reserved. But, he goes along for the meet and greets with his brother, mostly because he is very protective of him and wants to be wherever he is; A strange dynamic in the whole sibling relationship, best described as The 'I'll knock the crap out of him but you don't touch my brother!' Syndrome.

A typical stranger-meet starts off with Bryce begging the attention of an innocent bystander by babbling and extending his hand. Chase wanders over, to check out the scene and usually gives a handshake with a shy, barely audible "Hi, my name is Chase." Apparently, Bryce thinks "Hi, my name is Chase," is a scripted line and when asked his name he says, (you guessed it) "Chase." I started working with him to change that.

"Your name is not Chase," I say. "Your name is Bryce." He just looks at me with this silly laugh and hides his face. He will not say Bryce - ever. He calls himself Dani. So, Dani it is, that's how he introduces himself, he answers to it without fail and until he says different, I guess that's what we'll call him. [exhale!] Good thing I hadn't invested too much in my favorite personalized gifts from Pottery Barn Kids.

A PERFECT SUNDAY

Daily Bread -

Scriptures that got me through:

"I have been young and now I'm old; Yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. (Psalms 37:25)

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalms 47:10

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Brotherly Luv -

The boys loving on each other while I get ready for church. I cherish these moments. No arguments and violent fits over armless, headless, figure men. 2-Cute!!!










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Speaking of Bread....

Tomorrow I have to take a favorite family recipe to Chase's school (a day late, of course - it was due Friday, oops) His teacher is compiling a cookbook for the holiday season. I am looking forward to it. I love to eat some of the favorite foods of my childhood as well as prepare our house favorites - one of which is the Pumpkin Loaf. I thought I would pass it along here.


I store my "best of" recipes in a recipe box I received as a gift at one of my bridal showers, 7 1/2 years ago now - WOW!!! The box is inscribed with The Fruit of the Spirit:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."(Galatians:22-23).

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And some other quotes:


"Those who wish to transform the world, must be able to transform themselves."

"The joyful heart is always ready to count life's blessings."

"The true measure of loving God is to love him without measure."

"Nothing is so strong as gentlessness: Nothing is so gentle as real strength."

"Every good work is a grain of seed for eternal life."

"True Peace is knowing God will do what he promises."

"Patience is having the strength to wait for the Lord's perfect timing."

"Faith is the blossom that springs forth the seeds of hope."

"Gather seeds of kindness: Plant each with tender care."

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Oh yeah, the recipe!

Pumpkin Loaf

Instructions for the loaf:

3 eggs
1 cup of sugar
2/3 cup of canned Pumpkin
3/4 cup of flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of finely chopped nuts
Powdered Sugar (sprinkle a towel large enough to hold the finished cake, with powdered sugar)

Grease 10x15 cookie sheet. Line w/wax paper, grease again. Mix batter in the order of ingredients given. Beat eggs, sugar, then add pumpkin. Sift together flour, soda, cinnamon & salt and add to egg/sugar/pumpkin mixture. Spread batter in pan, sprinkle w/nuts. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Turn out on a towel that has been sprinkled w/ Powdered Sugar. Roll up in towel w/wax paper & let cool.


Instructions for the filling:

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
2 Tbsps. Butter, softened
3/4 tsp of vanilla
1 cup of sifted powdered sugar

Cream ingredients w/mixer until smooth. Unroll cake and remove wax paper spread filling over cake. Roll back up & wrap in waxpaper/foil. Store in fridge.

Happy Baking,

MY PURSE PROFILE

I Took the Test

What Your Handbag Says About You

You are concerned with how you appear. Projecting your high status is important to you. You tend to be relaxed throughout the day. You are naturally at peace. You are a high maintenance person. You feel lost outside of your normal environment. You are a very creative person. Your life tends to be a whirlwind, but you always seem to pull it together. You are practical and down to earth. You tend to be a rather reserved and quiet person.

What Does Your Handbag Say About You?

MY SISTERS KEEPER

I attended my first Corporate Diversity Committee meeting yesterday. I enjoyed being in a meeting filled with kindred spirit. You could feel the girl-power at the door. I was one of nine women and likely the least experienced in this initiative. I sat there SO praising GOD for both my Right Now (meaning, HIS allowing this opportunity to happen to me) and my Not Yet (meaning, I know HE has a bigger plan for me).

The highlight for me, was when as a part of our "what we hope to achieve" brainstorming session, one of the more experienced women on the team shared the theory of TURN and PULL. The idea is simple: an organization of women can rise, if as each one advances, she Turns back and Pulls one or more women along with her. I played that over and over in my head. I liked it and I saw it not only as a charge to elevate women at our company and in the corporate-world over, but likewise in the Kingdom of God.

Of course in the context of God the desires differ, they are focused on a strong relationship with HIM and a servants heart - rather than the rise to some C-level (e.g. CEO, CFO, CIO, COO) position of envied authority; But the concept is still applicable. GOD's word charges women to be responsible for each other, teaching one another in spiritual and practical matters (Titus 2:3-5). Turn and Pull. Turn and Pull.

That says to me: Becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman takes a Titus 2 Support System. I think this is a call to action, ladies, we are indeed our Brothers Sister's Keeper.

Who will you TURN and PULL?

"The aged woman likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2:3-5)

A THOUSAND WORDS

A Thousand Words? That means it's mostly picture day here on the blog.

Here, Chase and Larry headed out to Texas a full day ahead of Bryce and me, to do some male bonding. Chase caught his FIRST fish, and two more after that. He was so darn excited, he could hardly form a sentence to tell me what he'd done. He eventually got it out "Mommy! Mommy! I catched a fish, three of 'em!" he said.

BOYS TO MEN

Friday's "Man Trip" started with breakfast and a trip to Dad's office.

Chase's favorite part was the spinning chair. He has no concept of the years of hard work it takes to get an "Executive" chair. When you think about that, it highlights the craziness of the corporate world. AfterI read the book Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family, Larry & I discussed our personal and family priorities. Both money and material things (while nice and enjoyable - I love a good name brand purse) were so low on both our lists, we surprised each other. I am so glad we agree that our true treasures are in Heaven!!!

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)

Anyway, this was a fun time for both Larry and Chase and I am convinced that there are some things that are just easier for a Man to teach a Boy, so I pray for this relationship daily and I am looking forward to Bryce joining the fun.

GO DADDY GO

I don't have daughters, I am blessed with two sons, and they are wonderfully blessed with an awesome father. They adore him and he - them. I also have an adorable niece - "B"- that gives me my girl-fix.

I have found that, once you become a parent you pray for all children - for their well-being and also that they have parents and loved ones who adore them as much as we do the precious babies in my family. Here is a totally cute video from You Tube, meant to highlight the importance of involved Dads; And for those of you with daughters, here's another website you might like.

Say a prayer of thanksgiving and for the well being of all the children God has placed in your life, today.

Enjoy!!!

"Lo, children are a heritage [gift] from the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward" Psalm 127:3

THREE SCORE & TEN

My mother-in-law is celebrating her 70th birthday today.

Larry, the kids and I will attend the official celebratory bash this weekend in Larry's hometown (Marshall, TX.). We are looking forward to some fishing, 4-wheeler riding and good BBQ - sounds like the recipe for a Texas Good Time.

Chase is so excited. He's been talking about it to everyone - the teacher, the barber, the grocery store clerk and just about anyone who will listen - all week long. Along with their cousins, Chase and Bryce will perform a special birthday song for Granny. Bryce, is not yet able to say or sing words as long as "celebration," but to compensate he will serve as back-up dancer. He has been brushing up on his dance steps the past few nights and has the word "Whoo Hoo!" down pact. Right now, he is a dancing-prancing-whoo-hoo machine.

Bryce often gets actively involved in Praise & Worship at church, so he tends to Praise & Worship at the sound of ALL music. I noticed last night when he and Chase were practicing their performance, that even though it's not a Gospel song, he was doing a little "shouting" anyhow. I suspect, he'll steal the show when he closes his eyes, shakes his head and lifts his hands towards heaven (to Kool and The Gang). But that's okay, with his Granny being 70 years young, we all have something to give Praise & Thanksgiving to the Lord about. Go 'head praise him baby.

By the way, we will also get to see Nana & PawPaw (my parents) and Niece Brailey. They are making the 3-hour drive to join the celebration. Whoo-Hoo!

"The days of our lives are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away." (Psalms 90:10).

NO PRAYING ALLOWED

We start every meal with a prayer at home. Chase is pretty well disciplined and says his mealtime prayers along with a Bible verse (“Jesus wept,” John 11:35) often. There are times he wants to eat right away, until we stop and have him back-it-up and bless his food.

Recently, Chase charged the dinner table like he hadn’t eaten in months. I had to slow him down with my “say your verse or you’ll get a tummy ache,” speech. A confused look appeared on his face and I thought he was preparing to debate me on my tummy ache assertion. Not able to articulate what confused him, I helped him.

“Why are you looking like that?” I asked. “Ms. Laurie said we don’t do that," he responded. “Don’t do what?” I questioned. He lowered his head and said “Pray.” My heart sank; Oh yeah I thought, he is in a public school environment. He told me the classroom rules - remain quiet until your food is served and say please and thank you, “but not prayers,” he finished.

For this and other reasons I vowed to find a Christian school, but God said “Wait a minute. Remember, this is your responsibility, first.” Christian school should act as reinforcement to what Chase is receiving at home. We don’t live in a Private Christian World and whether he attends Christian School or not, it is our job as parents to give him the foundation to stand on God’s word everywhere.

Everyday is an opportunity for us to teach more and pray more and say more to our Children about God’s word. In parenting God has given us both tremendous responsibility and opportunity! I told Chase that he was free to say an individual prayer without permission or class participation; Go ahead....pray baby.

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6

THE ECONOMIC CRY-SIS

Admittedly, the recent developments in our economy, have left me wondering whether the bad guys will just get rich and walk away, despite their bad decisions, bad intentions and massive profits; Wondering about those of us who are always careful to do the right thing, those of us who wouldn't so much as dream of being this reckless and dishonest? Do we get left holding the bag - the worthless, empty rescue bag?

It's a crying shame. I have engaged in countless discussions with friends and family, but ultimately, I went where I knew there was an answer for our current state of confusion - God's Word - where every life circumstance and condition is addressed. I started with a familiar scripture (Galatians 6:7), that I learned in Vacation Bible School as a teenager and have never forgotten.

God's word is clear that there are consequences for our actions. No person on this earth - as HE is not mocked - will fail to reap what they have sown. I found it comforting to read the words that God gives on how we should react in distressing times and his promise of what His children will receive. We are not to become discouraged but rather, reassured in our reward of everlasting life! Now, that's ahhh'right with me - smile :)

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

"Be not deceived for God is not mocked. Whatsover a man soweth, that shall he reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall reap life everlasting. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:7-9