2013 Reading List & 2012 Short Recep

A new year is upon us. I breathe a sigh of relief and embrace this new year. Last year has earned the title "The Year of Transitions". Now that graduations are over and our children are settled at their new duty stations, things are so different here on the home front. There's just the three of us. Although things have changed dramatically around here, my duties remain the same.

My heart is still centered around my home. I spend my mornings and afternoons homeschooling a 14 year old teenager that has a great attitude about life. She's funny. She's smart. Evenings are spent together as a family. My husband is still a solid rock in my life. We laugh. We play together. We love each other.


As I was gathering my reading list for this year, I really didn't know where to start or what to read. I'm in a new season on this path we call life. It's a bitter-sweet season. I miss my young adult children, but it's beautiful watching my eagles spread their wings as they soar across the beautiful blue sky. They've transitioned from my lap only to leave their fingerprints stamped on my heart.

I'm a wife. I'm a mother. I'm a grandmother. I'm a homeschooling mom. I'm a homemaker. I'm an encourager and friend. With that being said, here's my reading list of 2013. These books reflect some aspect of whom I am, most important, I'm His daughter.

Here are the titles and authors:

"Fascinating Womanhood" by: Helen Andelin
"The Beauty of Modesty" by: David and Diane Vaughan

"Lies Women Believe" by: Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"Feminine Appeal" by: Carolyn Mahaney

"Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by: Joanna Weaver

"A Virtuous Woman" by: Ruth Mast

"Woman You're a Kingmaker" by: Dr. Wellington Boone

"Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman" by: Anne Ortlund

"Liberated Through Submission" by P.B. Wilson

"Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey & Stacy McDonald

"The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands" by: Dr. Laura Schlessinger

"The True Woman" by: Susan Hunt

"Encouraging One Another" by: Women of Faith

"The Many Sides of a Woman's Heart" by: Brenda Hunter

"Woman to Woman: Life Principles From Titus 2" by: Barbara Henry

Magazines:

Keepers at Home

Crowned With Silver

Above Rubies

Here's a sneak peek at what I've been doing since my last blogpost:

Taken moments after I arrived.

My first time meeting this little guy.

We picked up where we left off almost a year ago.

As you can see, I got to visit my grandbabies! I love being their Mema

My youngest daughter got to travel with me. It was great spending time with both my girls.

Youngest son graduated from Army OSUT. I'm a proud Army mom. Hooah!

One of my soldiers got to come home for Christmas. I was one happy Army mom :)

Still keeping the flames alive ;)

Until next time,

Sandra

*Disclaimer: Although these books and magazines are good and have practical tools that you can apply to your life, in no means do they replace the Bible. Also, I'm not endorsing a book and/or authors(s), I'm just sharing what I'm reading this year. Please use your own discretion when reading the books listed above or any book for that matter.

Unashamed: A Miscarriage Survivor's Story

October 15th is National Remembrance Day for Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss.

This is my daughter's story.

August 26th was a day that changed me. I have heard it said that people don't change overnight. Well, I beg to differ. All it takes is one significant event to make someone wake up the next day a different person. For me, the event was a miscarriage.

This pregnancy was completely unplanned and unexpected. My husband and I weren't trying to get pregnant, especially since we had just moved across the country and we had our second child just a few months prior. Yet it seems that God has made us an EXTREMELY fertile couple, despite our efforts to "wait a few years" before having another baby. Just two months after giving birth, I conceived again. 

Over the course of the next two months, my husband and I would casually joke about my daily cravings for slushes and other iced drinks, and the way I would cry at the drop of a hat (both were things that happened while pregnant with each of our sons). Even when I was unable to lose weight and had a few occasions of nausea, we attributed it to the stress of the move and getting the house in order. I had spotting here and there, which I assumed were light periods. I had even taken pregnancy tests that came back negative twice.

Then one day I was working out and started to get a really sharp pain in my lower abdomen. I brushed it off, thinking it was just a cramp and would go away. But it didn't. I started bleeding as well, and thought it was my cycle coming around. This continued for two days. I was in the kitchen that late afternoon on August 26th, getting ready to make grilled cheese, when I felt a sharp pain. I stopped what I was doing and bent over in pain. Something that felt like a huge clot slipped out, and I rushed into the bathroom.

There on my pad was what I was later told was the amniotic sac. I called for my husband and he was worried, so I sent a picture of it to my mom. She called me almost immediately, telling me I needed to go to the hospital asap. Blood and clots were pouring into the toilet so fast I wasn't able to catch anymore pieces of the tissue that was coming out. (After an ultrasound the next day, it would be confirmed that the baby had already slipped out as well, most likely while I was sitting in the bathroom.)

The trip to the emergency room and waiting for an explanation from the doctor took forever. Was this a bad period? Was this lining from my uterus that came out? Surely I wasn't pregnant. I just took a test the other day, and it came back negative. All of these things rushed through my head for hours.

The doctor finally rushed in with a nurse, and they were moving so fast I didn't know what was happening. Next thing I knew, I was in stirrups and heard the worst news of my life. "It seems that you had a miscarriage. You were pregnant, and what you brought in was in fact the amniotic sac. I am so sorry." According to my last cycle the baby was almost 10 weeks old.

I felt like the world had stopped and I was just there. The doctor kept talking, but all I could do was lay my head back down and stare at the ceiling. How? Why? I had two babies already, why didn't this one make it? Why didn't I know? How did we miss the signs? WHY DID THIS HAPPEN TO ME?

The car ride home was silent. Neither me nor my husband could find anything to say. We pulled into the driveway, and the shock wore off. A tidal wave of emotions hit me and I sobbed uncontrollably in his arms. No physical pain in the world could have hurt as much as my heart did in that moment. The only thing I could say was "Our baby died. Our baby died inside of me, and I didn't even know."

The days that followed kind of meshed together now that I look back. I didn't know one day from the next. I cried a lot, felt a sadness I can't explain. I couldn't go on Facebook without sobbing at the ultrasound pictures various friends were putting up. I held my sons around the clock, and it made me sad knowing I wouldn't get to see that baby grow up. My husband would hold me at night while I cried in my sleep.

People from our church brought meals and prayed with us. I started to develop a friendship with a woman who had a miscarriage many years ago. While it obviously still made her sad when she talked about it, seeing her being able to work through it inspired me. Losing a child isn't something you can just get over, but it does get better with time.

The next six weeks was a roller-coaster of emotions. Some days would be really good. I would think about it and not break out into tears. The next I couldn't stop crying. I was okay one moment, and having a breakdown the next.

My faith in God helped me, and I knew He was there. But if I can be completely honest, I struggled. I wondered why God would give us this baby and not let us keep it. I knew that there was a reason, and even though I couldn't see it, God had a plan for it all. I just wanted to know what that plan was so that things could start making sense. I wanted to be filled with joy again, not random moments of happiness. I received it through God's Word a week ago.

A woman that I admire greatly suggested I look for a verse that led me to Isaiah 54. After reading just the first few verses, I felt what I can only explain as a spiritual awakening.

Isaiah 54:1-7 NLT

“Sing, O childless woman,

you who have never given birth!

Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem,

you who have never been in labor.

For the desolate woman now has more children

than the woman who lives with her husband,”

says the LORD. “Enlarge your house; build an addition.

Spread out your home, and spare no expense! 

For you will soon be bursting at the seams.

Your descendants will occupy other nations

and resettle the ruined cities. 

“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.

Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.

You will no longer remember the shame of your youth

and the sorrows of widowhood. For your Creator will be your husband;

the LORD of Heaven’s Armies is his name!

He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,

the God of all the earth. For the LORD has called you back from your grief—

as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband,”

says your God. “For a brief moment I abandoned you,

but with great compassion I will take you back.

While I am not barren, my loss of a child is still a loss. And for that reason I believe this passage of Scripture applies me and every woman out there that has ever experienced any kind of pregnancy or infant loss.

I have spoken to friends who have also lost a baby, and most have experienced some level of distance from God. That is not to say turning our backs on Him, or discontinued belief in Him. Not at all. Its more like the latter part of the passage from Isaiah, feeling abandoned. Knowing that God is still God and He loves you just the same, but wondering where He is in the midst of this great heartache.

Isaiah 54 encourages us to sing to the Lord. To rejoice, because the best is yet to come. Out of the hurt and the pain, God will give us joy and expand our territory. The sorrow is only temporary. God can and will bring us to a place of joy in Him, and with that the promise of descendants. This could mean having children of our own, and it could also mean for some to take in those without motherly figures and be that mother to them. Both are just as much a blessing as the other.

Another thing this passage points out is an end to the shame and fear. 1 in 4 women experience some kind of pregnancy or infant loss, but few talk about it publicly. Our culture doesn't embrace the importance of the lives of the unborn, and therefore can downplay the loss of one. 

But we see in Jeremiah 1:5 that God values every single unborn life:

  

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.

Before you were born I set you apart

and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

 David knew this as well when he wrote Psalm 139:13:

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and 

knit me together in my mother’s womb."

Whether you got to hold your baby or never felt a single kick, your loss is important and have every right to talk about it openly. Doing so can help you deal with it better, and you may surprised at how many other women you know that have been down that road as well.

When I came out with the news of the miscarriage, it was amazing the number of people who not only encouraged us, but also related. I got a number of messages from friends who never felt like they could tell anyone about their miscarriages until they saw my posts. Prior to my loss, I couldn't completely understand what other women were going through. I could sympathize, but I didn't grasp what they were feeling.

Having gone through this, I have finally come to a place where I am starting to understand why God allowed this to happen to me. It wasn't a punishment. It wasn't that He didn't love me or think me fit to be a mom. My baby could have had unforeseen health problems, and God saw it would be better to bring them home to Him rather than suffer here on earth. My body could have not been strong enough to take another pregnancy so soon. There are many possibilities, all of which make sense.

In the bigger picture, I know that I was allowed to go through this so that I can relate to and help other women who experience the loss of their child. I am blessed to have a caring family and network of friends to support and encourage me, and faith in Jesus to keep me strong when I am weak. But not every woman has that. I want to use my on-going journey as a tool to reach those women, to show them that it is okay to allow yourself to feel and to grieve. It is okay to talk about it.

And if you are searching for peace and love and cannot find either, maybe its time you give God a chance. You will be amazed at how He can fill in the void, and heal your heart. I am not saying everything will be perfect, because it wont. But God's love is sufficient for you. The peace He gives is greater than any form of meditation or therapeutic activity out there. Its real and tangible and it lasts.

August 26th was a day that changed me. I am not the same woman I was before, and I will never be that woman again. But who I am is a miscarriage survivor. I am a woman unashamed of what I have been through. A woman who, through the love of God, overcame the sorrow and is moving forward. I will never forget my baby, and miss them every single day. I am still on my journey, and I hope through my story more women break the silence and shake off the fear of speaking out with theirs.

My son in-love and daughter are proud parents of two active boys. They first met at the age of 13. They were reunited at the age of 19 via Facebook. They married a year later. Currently, they have two active boys that keeps momma busy throughout the day while daddy serves our country in the United States Air Force.

The Cry of a Daughter's Heart

Before I ever start to write this post, let me take a deep breath. *sigh* That felt good and was much needed :)

I read something online recently that caused my heart to hurt and my mind to ponder. After reading it, I thought about the teens and young women that I've interacted with over the years. There seems to be a common thread that flow among them. Many of them are crying out for help. Many are longing for the ear of their mothers to hear the heart's cry.

What does the heart of a daughter cry out for?

She's crying out for help. She's crying out because she feels as though she may be losing her way and don't know how to tell you. She's crying out for you to show her how to make the right choices. She's crying out to be taught what to do about the attention she craves from the opposite sex...She's literally crying. Crying about so many things; but the main thing is because she needs her mother.

I have two daughters, ages 22 and 13. I'm far from being perfect and knowing what it takes to be a mother to daughters. All I knew was that I needed to be there and still need to be there for my daughters. Since I'm not perfect, I decided early on that I would be honest with my daughters so that they don't repeat the same mistakes I did.

Sometimes my honesty resulted in laughter because my girls would say, "MOM you did that!" On the flip side, my times of honesty resulted in many tears. Those tears were healing for me as well as a visual learner for my girls to see how wrong choices can lead to pain.

I can't tell mothers what to do or not to do concerning daughters. All I can say is that many are crying. I implore mothers not to let their daughter's cry go unheard. If you don't answer her cry, some young man will. I pray that the young man is mature enough to not take advantage of the vulnerable young woman, but will encourage her to find her identity in Christ.

Here's the quote I read that my heart to hurt and caused my mind to ponder:

"One day a handsome young gentleman alighted from a train that was making a short stopover. As he paced the platform, he soon attracted the attention of a young girl. She watched him flirtatiously out of the corner of her eye, coughed a little, and laughed merrily and a bit loudly with a group of her acquaintances; but at first he paid no attention. this piqued her,... and she made more ardent efforts to attract his attention; for her companions were teasing her at her failure to "land her catch". Her power of attraction was being tested.

At last he noticed, turned, and came directly to her, while her foolish little heart was all in a flutter at her success. She meant to do no more than to chat with him a few moments, and by so doing satisfy her vanity as to her attractiveness, and clear herself of the charge of weakness the girls had teasingly made.

"My dear girl," he said, tipping his hat, "have a mother at home?"

"Why, yes," the girl stammered.

"Then go to her and tell her to keep you with her until you learn how you ought to behave in a public place," and saying this he turned and left her in confusion and shame. It was a hard rebuke; but this man had told her only what every pure-minded man and woman was thinking."

{from "Beautiful Girlhood" pg. 130-131}

"Mommy Moment" Turned Into a "Mommy Meltdown"

If you happen to be at the local WalMart (yes I do shop there) last night I'm sure you saw that woman too. She was the one in the toy aisle crying her eyes out while hugging her son who towers ever her. The son, reassuring her that it was okay. The thirteen year old daughter wondering what is wrong with her mother; she's reached an all time high of flooded emotions.

I'm sure you're wondering what was wrong with her like the others who saw the drama unfold; and that woman saying over and over again, "He reminds me so much of you. Remember you used to love Woody too." I did not say anything negative about that woman. I related to her all to well. Why? That woman was me.

Here's what happened. My son (17, will be 18 in a few weeks), my daughter (13) and myself were at the local WalMart. We had a few hours to waste until it was time to pick my husband up from work. We took our time walking around the store. We laughed and told jokes as we strolled up and down each aisle.

Photographer: Kim Tortora

I love the feeling of being able to spend time with my children. I wanted to make this week extra special because this is my son's last Spring break at home. Then, there will only be one child left at home. My plans for this week included lots of junk food. Watching movies during the day while my husband was at work. I had this week planned to perfection. What I didn't plan for was this.....

While hanging out in the toy aisle, a father and his little son walked by. The little boy was no older than three years of age. He had a twenty dollar bill in his hand. His father following close behind as the little boy led him through the toy aisle. The little kept saying, "I have to find Woody."

It was at that moment that I looked at my son and said, "Remember you used to love Woody too." That is when it hit me. I started crying because I knew that in a matter of months, my son would be leaving to go and train to service our country.

He looked down at me and said, "It's okay mom. I'm gonna be okay."

I know he's gonna be okay. The problem is he grew up too fast. Where has time gone? It seems as if it was just yesterday that my husband and I were taking him down the toy aisle looking for a Woody for him.

It was at that moment when all the memories came to my mind and I didn't have a "Mommy Moment". I had a "Mommy Meltdown" and it wasn't a small meltdown either. So much has happened. So much is happening even right now. I wrote here about all the transitions taking place in our family.

I'm so glad my son is so compassionate. I love him so much. He brings so much joy into our lives. I still remember when he was a timid child who wouldn't dare confront anyone or anything. Now, he quickly stands for what he believes in. He's not ashamed to stand in front of a room full of peers and stick up for the unborn child. He's been labeled "The Born Diplomat" in speech and debate. He worked hard and recently went to state for speech and debate. He made us so proud.

I know that in height, he towers over my husband and I, but he will always be my baby.

I'm sure gonna miss him having fun with him when he leaves this summer.

I know he will proudly serve our country with the same passion that he serves our Lord. I'm so proud of him!

After I got myself together, my children and I walked by the seasonal items. There we saw a big bottle of bubbles. The tears started to well up again. I turned to my children and asked, "Remember when we used to play with bubbles? Wouldn't it be fun to play with bubbles again just for fun."

*Confession: I put the bubbles in the basket. After some time, I realized that I needed to put the bubbles back. So I did. That season in my life has passed. As hard as it seems to watch them grow up, they must grow up. As a mom, I can honestly say that my children have made me proud to be their mother. Each day I thank God for choosing me to mother these children here on earth. Mothers, cherish your children. Create memories to last a lifetime.

Are You Too Busy For Timothy?

I've been thinking about all the women in the Bible who had a Godly influence on their children. I want to be one of those mothers who's influence on her children would be carried out for generations to come. I want my children to tell my grandchildren and great grandchildren stories about me. Most of all, I want the generations that follow me, follow the same faith I have in God.

The only way I know to make sure that it happens is by spending time with my children. 

Next year, we will have two more children leaving the nest. Our sons, Trae and Benjamin, will be joining the military. I keep having these episodes that I've named "mommy moments." It's when something strikes that sensitive string that reminds me that my sons are leaving home within 6 months apart.

Am I ready for them to leave?

The real question is are they ready?

The answer to both questions are yes and yes.....Well, kinda yes and no to the first one.

I was reading about Timothy this morning. That's when that string was struck and I started to have a "mommy moment." Mommy moments are when I cry and blubber words that need an interpreter. I laugh too during those moments because I'm so proud of my sons.

I Timothy 1:5 says, "When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also."

Here's Timothy, a young man whom the Apostle Paul had great confidence in, who's faith was passed down through his grandmother and mother. Paul didn't get through the first chapter of the first book of Timothy without acknowledging the faith that was passed on to Timothy.

How did Lois and Eunice pass faith on to Timothy? I think it's spelled t-i-m-e, time. It takes time to impart faith into our children. This precious time that I have with my sons before they leave the nest is time that I will use wisely.

Mothers should never had to apologize to anyone when they say no to others so that their time can be spent on their Timothy. Your Timothy is more important than the women's meeting at church. Your Timothy is more important then the to-do list from your pastor. Your Timothy is more important than the job, your friends, your neighbors, etc.

Let us not be to busy for our Timothy. He may be the next person we read about in the history books. Your name will be there also, just like Lois and Eunice's were.

A Letter to My Son

To My Son,

Some day, some one will walk into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else. You, Dad and I have had so many conversations about the young lady that God created just for you. There were times you've expressed frustration because you know she's out there, but you just don't know where.

As it's written in Proverbs 31, King Lemuel talks about what his mother taught the son of her womb. Those words hold true still today. As the son of my womb, I utter the words, "It will be worth the wait."

I also want to encourage you to not lower your expectations and settled for less than what God has for you. That would be so easy to do. I know first hand because I've done that many times in my life. The pain that I've experienced by settling left me empty with a broken heart.

I know that you desire a young woman who's heart is totally sold out for Christ. That's the greatest asset she will have. But I also know the virtues that you're looking for. I want to say to you that there's nothing wrong with the virtues you're looking for in a young lady. Continue believing the truth found in the word of God about what a virtuous woman is.

I must confess my son that I think about her too. I wonder what type of personality will she have. Will she laugh at my corny jokes? Will she adorn herself in an apron during the holidays and stand with your sisters and I in the kitchen? Will she encourage you to remain close to your family while raising your own? I know that's your desire. It's mine too.

I look forward to the day when she becomes a part of our family :)

Some day son you will find her.

Love,
Mom

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
-Galatians 6:9

My Son's Encounter

Yesterday I was washing dishes when I heard my son come through the front door huffing and puffing. He has just come from a corporate meeting with the company he works for. He's not part of corporate yet, being only 19 years of age. His hope is to someday make up the ladder with the company he works for. He started out a little over a year ago bagging groceries. My husband encouraged him at that time to move up within a year. He did just that.

The meeting he attended is held once a month. His boss encourages him to attend so that the people in corporate can get to know him. The only problem during this meeting, my son was the only male in attendance. He informed me that the meeting is open to everyone, but it's geared toward women and how women can advance in corporate with this company.

Next word that proceeded from his mouth, "feminist!"

He told me that he couldn't believe what was coming out of the mouths of the women. Over and over again he kept thanking me for educating him about the feminist movement and the dangers that come along with it.

We then proceeded to talking about his wife. He's not married yet, but greatly desires to be one day. Thus the reason for him trying to earn a sufficient living to provide for his future family.

My son walked away from that meeting wondering if he would ever find a young woman who would know the value of her role in the home. Many say he's asking to much from a young woman and that's the reason why he's still single. Perhaps that's the case. Or maybe he's just choosing not to settle. After all, he's very handsome and passionately loves God. He has a job and a car. Best yet, he's never kissed a girl and does not plan on it until after he's married.

By the way, my son said he wants to marry someone who's anti-feminist.

I say hooray for him!

I want to encourage all young women to look into the feminist movement and the history behind it before calling yourself a "feminist." You can search far and wide to find yourself a place in this world. Only to lose yourself by conforming to what someone else says you should be. 

Guess What?

They started courting in December 2009 with the permission of my husband.

Ryan flew up here in February to surprise Ruthie with an engagement ring. The whole family was in on it! You can read about the proposal under the "Courtship" label.

Ruth at the church preparing for her wedding day.

The big day is finally here! They pray and ask God to be the center of their marriage.

Friends and family celebrated with them.

Now say CONGRATULATIONS to Papa and Mema!
I know it's hard to believe that we are going to be grandparents.
I know you're saying to yourself, "Sandra doesn't look a day older than 21 and that handsome husband of hers is 25 & holding!"

Don and I are overjoyed that we are going to be grandparents for the first time.

A few weeks back, Ryan and Ruthie got confirmation that they are expecting a baby. Some say it was way too soon, but we say God is the giver of life. We applaud this young couple for going against the grain of society and see this baby as a blessing rather than a burden.

Now if you can remember to pray for Don and I as we learn boundaries. We've always said that we would never be those grandparents who spoil grandchildren. I sure wish we can take those words back. We have a plan already laid out for this grandbaby. Don and I looked at each other the other day and I said, "We're gonna be in trouble huh?!"

The Hype About Kissing

Some have asked us, "What's the big deal with kissing? Why such restrictions put on young adults who are over the age of 18? They are engaged right, so it is okay huh?"

Since the beginning of Ryan and Ruthie's courtship, Don made it perfectly clear to Ryan that he can not touch his daughter nor kiss her until after they said I do. Ryan gave his word and kept his promise to Don.

When it became public knowledge that Ryan and Ruthie were waiting to kiss until after they said "I do," the question arose as to what's the big deal with kissing. There's nothing wrong with kissing. In fact, I love kissing and I'm all for it because it's a form of intimacy. Intimacy is something that should be shared between a husband and wife according to scripture.

As a young teen, I did my share of kissing and I'm not proud about it. Those kisses lead me down a path of destruction because it opened up a door that led to a room in my heart where only my husband was suppose to dwell. The results from kissing left me sad and frustrated. Sad because I so wanted to be cherished. Frustrated because I wasn't.

Was my daughter doomed to repeat the same mistakes I did? I wasn't sure at first. They say history has a way of repeating itself. I didn't want my daughter to make the same mistakes such as the ones I made. With all the Christian jargon about generation curses I didn't know what to believe. One thing I knew for sure is that the God I serve had redeemed me from a life of sin. With that redemption, the generation curses would only be passed down if I allowed it. I was not going to let that happen.

In Song of Solomon, the Shulammite woman reminds the Daughters of Jerusalem not to arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Kissing can and does arouse the sexual senses that we all have. We are kidding ourselves if we think that our children will not be aroused when kissing that young man or woman. Once those sensual desires are awakened, what's a young man or woman suppose to do? However they deal with it outside the marriage bed to bring satisfaction and release is sin.

As a mom, I've taken the lines from the Shulammite woman and remind my kids constantly not to arouse love prematurely. Many hours of dialog are spent in our home talking about purity and the rewards it brings.

I had an interesting conversation with Ruthie weeks before the wedding. I asked her if they've talked about the kiss that they will share at the altar on their wedding day. After she turned beet red, she said, "No we haven't talked about the kiss. We've decided not to talk about anything like that." That was music to my ears.

The picture above was taken right after the kiss.

I Can't Find It Anywhere! But I Found.....

As the sweat beads form on my forehead and my freshly washed blow dried hair looks a lot like my sister's senior picture from the 70's, I'm tired from searching for the manual on parenting young adult children. You know that manual that has a step by step guide to parenting young adults and helping them transition into adulthood. Did you see it here at my house on your last visit? Did I loan it to you? Not quite sure now?!

I looked through my list of books on the bookshelf. Searching each spine of the books hoping for something.....anything that has "young adults" written on it. It's got to be here. We have all kinds of books in our library. Books on marriage, raising children, Godly finances, you name it we got it. In my quest to find such a book only produced the one book I always come back to. The Bible.

I want to start off by saying I have great young adult children. I'm so happy that God chose me to be their momma. The problem is really not my young adult children. The problem is with me. I have to rely on God's Word and trust that He is in control. I had to pray for fear of failure as a mother to leave because it started to consume me. It's a trick that the adversary uses against so many Godly mothers. Sometimes when I operate in fear, my mind runs away with "what ifs." My prayer today is that I fully lean on God during this season of my life. I tell women often, "Embrace the season you're in." I need to apply these words to my life.

After reading Deuteronomy 6:1-9, I was encouraged because verse 7 is something that I've applied to my life since becoming a mother. As a mother, God commanded me to teach these commandments to my children. Yes I did, but in order to do it, I had to be there. I did during those long hours of nursing them as infants. Those longs days of walking around with a sore foot from stepping on Legos. Those longs night of being up with sick children hacking in my face and trying to catch the snot on the upper lip of my child before it makes it's way into his or her mouth.

It's a sacrifice that's been well worth it. Now that I have some children in that young adult age, I'm happy I made the choices I did when they were younger. The only thing I regret is spending so much time fearing failure. Thank God for His grace.

I'm not perfect. I'm a parent. So that alone cancels out being perfect. I am confident in His Word and not the word society has placed on me.

I'm confident that my world changers will do just that....Change the world!


¹ “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess,
² that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.
³ Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ ⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.