Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Renos
Anyone who has ever tried to do-it-your-self can relate. We started renovating the basement bedroom....oh years ago actually! But now, with #4's arrival fast approaching the bedroom is nearing completion! Yay for family willing to help! A big thank you to Dad O. and Eric for putting in the flooring...almost the last thing needed to be done...on to trim, and touch up paint, hanging curtains and closet stuff. And then on to the girls room. Hopefully #4 will be as happy as Mom is with all the changes! :P Ahh, the light at the end of the tunnel. Here's looking forward to more room...ps. anyone want to buy a house? :P
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Mothering
So I got spoiled this weekend. My husband had Saturday off and there was a women's retreat. What timing! I left with my mom before supper Friday night and did not get home until Saturday, after the kids were in bed(J picked me up in Smithers...we had a b-sitter!) Only one night away from the kids but still a wonderful time with women from our churches! What a weekend!
The topic for the retreat was Spiritual Mothering. Not something that I really thought about before. Kristen Kottlenburg(sp?) was the invited speaker. Friday night was settling in and bible study and pampering (my hands were so soft!) and games! After a good laugh at our text...addicted to too much wine...:P we had a very good group bible study.
Our text was Titus 2:1,3-5..... You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
In our first bible study we briefly discussed who Titus was, what was sound doctrine and if it had changed since this letter was written. We also slightly touched on each part of the command in the text.
Saturday was more indepth with the text. Kristen gave an execellent speech on the whole aspect of Spiritual Mothering. A lot to think about.
The definition as she found in Susan Hunt's book (Spiritual Mothering) helped focus the text on what it really meant for us as women of God."..is when a woman possessing faith and spiritual maturity enters into a nurturing relationship with a younger woman in order to encourage and equip her to live for God's glory."
The whole point...for God's glory. Everything we do.
Kristen pointed out that the older and younger did not really have to do with age, but more with life experience. We are called to accept, love, and care like God, with grace those who are also called into the covenant. And to train others and to be trained in godliness. Our own life does not need to be perfect in order to mother another, only your sight set true on the end goal...for God's glory. Training others also means that we are willing to share and grow ourselves. Seeking a lasting relationship with another women either to mother or to be mothered was what we were challenged with. The key to this command working was the point of having a relationship with another women for this purpose. We were encouraged to be available for others and open ourselves up to begin these types of relationships.
We were also instructed in a few of the points of these relationships. We have to remember not to be judgemental but encouraging and approving. We also have to be accepting of errors with love and patience, and to move past mistakes and challenges to live for God. We have to accept rebukes but also give rebukes in love. We aslo have to be approachable, being open and willing to listen. We have to challenge and be challenged in living obedient lives in accord to God's word. We need to guide and admonish and be filled with the truth of God's word to equip and advise others. Personal and public bible studies are to be completed in order to be filled with this truth. We also should be able to offer to pray together and do devotions togethers as well as remebering others in our personal prayer.We also have to be able to have fun together!
So after this speech we had another group bible study where we talked about how to put this into action. Needless to say we came home with a new perspective on how to live in and with eachother in our church.
I have thought a lot about this topic since coming home so this may not be the last blog on it!:P Where to start, how to continue....all running thru my brain. All in all the weekend was worth going to. The fellowship with other sisters in Christ a real blessing and being taught to nuture and be nutured is definatly food for thought right now!
It is great to be home and hopefully putting these thoughts in order will be the first step in putting them into practice.
The topic for the retreat was Spiritual Mothering. Not something that I really thought about before. Kristen Kottlenburg(sp?) was the invited speaker. Friday night was settling in and bible study and pampering (my hands were so soft!) and games! After a good laugh at our text...addicted to too much wine...:P we had a very good group bible study.
Our text was Titus 2:1,3-5..... You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
In our first bible study we briefly discussed who Titus was, what was sound doctrine and if it had changed since this letter was written. We also slightly touched on each part of the command in the text.
Saturday was more indepth with the text. Kristen gave an execellent speech on the whole aspect of Spiritual Mothering. A lot to think about.
The definition as she found in Susan Hunt's book (Spiritual Mothering) helped focus the text on what it really meant for us as women of God."..is when a woman possessing faith and spiritual maturity enters into a nurturing relationship with a younger woman in order to encourage and equip her to live for God's glory."
The whole point...for God's glory. Everything we do.
Kristen pointed out that the older and younger did not really have to do with age, but more with life experience. We are called to accept, love, and care like God, with grace those who are also called into the covenant. And to train others and to be trained in godliness. Our own life does not need to be perfect in order to mother another, only your sight set true on the end goal...for God's glory. Training others also means that we are willing to share and grow ourselves. Seeking a lasting relationship with another women either to mother or to be mothered was what we were challenged with. The key to this command working was the point of having a relationship with another women for this purpose. We were encouraged to be available for others and open ourselves up to begin these types of relationships.
We were also instructed in a few of the points of these relationships. We have to remember not to be judgemental but encouraging and approving. We also have to be accepting of errors with love and patience, and to move past mistakes and challenges to live for God. We have to accept rebukes but also give rebukes in love. We aslo have to be approachable, being open and willing to listen. We have to challenge and be challenged in living obedient lives in accord to God's word. We need to guide and admonish and be filled with the truth of God's word to equip and advise others. Personal and public bible studies are to be completed in order to be filled with this truth. We also should be able to offer to pray together and do devotions togethers as well as remebering others in our personal prayer.We also have to be able to have fun together!
So after this speech we had another group bible study where we talked about how to put this into action. Needless to say we came home with a new perspective on how to live in and with eachother in our church.
I have thought a lot about this topic since coming home so this may not be the last blog on it!:P Where to start, how to continue....all running thru my brain. All in all the weekend was worth going to. The fellowship with other sisters in Christ a real blessing and being taught to nuture and be nutured is definatly food for thought right now!
It is great to be home and hopefully putting these thoughts in order will be the first step in putting them into practice.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Signs
And after telling me that I whine, this is not a whine! I 'stole' these pictures from Jason...I thought if he won't put them up one his blog, I will on mine! These are two of the few signs that Mom has hanging up at the entrance to her house. Only Trish!
The gun is fake(just in case you were wondering!)
The gun is fake(just in case you were wondering!)
So yah, my Mom has a sense of humour...but who didn't know that!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sick kids
Wow! And I thought that we had been passed over! Our kids got sick last night on the way home from Smithers. Not what I thought I would be blogging about today! I had so much other stuff to write about...like the ultrasound and all but now sick kids and cleaning up after sick kids is all that I can think about. I mean have you ever had to clean a carseat? Not my idea of a fun job. Especially the built in one! Oh the joys of motherhood. And I was thinking of tackling the potty training again with Evangelene! Maybe that will have to wait until after the baby is here! Fun fun!
Speaking of the baby; we got to see him(I'm guessing it's a him....only guessing!) yesterday! What a miracle! We saw him move his hand toward his mouth as if he wanted to suck his thumb and he also showed us his foot...we could count all 5 toes on that foot! It was amazing to have an ultrasound this late. There was so much more detail. What a blessing we have recieved from the Lord!
So back to sick kids. 2 are asleep...1 is watching a movie. No quiet time or nap for me today :( Going out to clean the carseats! I am so glad I have a washing machine. I could not imagine not being able to do this at home and taking it to the laundry mat. No fun! So hopefully the kids feel better this afternoon as we have a babysitter booked and are looking forward to an evening of fellowship, dessert and games with other adults from the church.! Off cleaning! (Oh the joys!)
Speaking of the baby; we got to see him(I'm guessing it's a him....only guessing!) yesterday! What a miracle! We saw him move his hand toward his mouth as if he wanted to suck his thumb and he also showed us his foot...we could count all 5 toes on that foot! It was amazing to have an ultrasound this late. There was so much more detail. What a blessing we have recieved from the Lord!
So back to sick kids. 2 are asleep...1 is watching a movie. No quiet time or nap for me today :( Going out to clean the carseats! I am so glad I have a washing machine. I could not imagine not being able to do this at home and taking it to the laundry mat. No fun! So hopefully the kids feel better this afternoon as we have a babysitter booked and are looking forward to an evening of fellowship, dessert and games with other adults from the church.! Off cleaning! (Oh the joys!)
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Kids
Listening to the kids nicely playing is one of the things I love about being a mother! It is a joy to see them getting along and playing so well.
Listening to them whine and cry is another story. How can you tell that they need more sleep or that they need a nap! Even when it is one out of three crying it still makes for a stressful day. It is tempting to just say ' let me deal with customers all day...they're easier than kids!' Yet those spontaneous hugs, smiles and I love yous make up for it!
On a different note, after listening to Steve Green-Hide it in Your Heart- all morning, my computer is now playing Young Messiah Christmas music...I love it...although it almost makes me want the Christmas season again...I said almost...I like this no snow spring bit of the year better! I guess listening to Christmas music in the spring is the best of both worlds! A thought!
Listening to them whine and cry is another story. How can you tell that they need more sleep or that they need a nap! Even when it is one out of three crying it still makes for a stressful day. It is tempting to just say ' let me deal with customers all day...they're easier than kids!' Yet those spontaneous hugs, smiles and I love yous make up for it!
On a different note, after listening to Steve Green-Hide it in Your Heart- all morning, my computer is now playing Young Messiah Christmas music...I love it...although it almost makes me want the Christmas season again...I said almost...I like this no snow spring bit of the year better! I guess listening to Christmas music in the spring is the best of both worlds! A thought!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
First time...
Ok, so after reading a number of other blogs, I thought I should start my own....not sure how that's going to go yet.
Interestingly, Felicity is standing here beside me, asking what I am doing and if she can do it too. Not only do I think she will eventually have a blog herself, ( 3yrs is a little young!) she will most likely be doing things with a computer/phone/camera that we haven't even dreamed of yet! What a thought!
So the other kids are quiet now(hopefully sleeping) so our quiet time is begining. Maybe a nap, maybe another rendition of Little Mermaid..we'll see who wins!
Interestingly, Felicity is standing here beside me, asking what I am doing and if she can do it too. Not only do I think she will eventually have a blog herself, ( 3yrs is a little young!) she will most likely be doing things with a computer/phone/camera that we haven't even dreamed of yet! What a thought!
So the other kids are quiet now(hopefully sleeping) so our quiet time is begining. Maybe a nap, maybe another rendition of Little Mermaid..we'll see who wins!
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