Category Archives: Parenting

The Gift of a Smile

09 Friday May 2014

Posted by in Parenting, teens

≈ 1 Comment

Yesterday was a rough day.  Usually I try to deny those kinds of day any power and seek to reach bedtime with a tired sigh and a counting of grace gifts, but yesterday. whew.

The loads on my shoulders got more numerous as the day went, between painful phone calls, ignorant business mistakes, teen attitudes and general neediness, and that ongoing unknown about the “where” of the next job.

Sadly, my frustration and pain poured out on one of my daughters toward the end of the afternoon, just lashing her with words that were neither helpful nor beneficial.

Even though I apologize and asked her for forgiveness later in the evening, and even later crept into her room to pray over our relationship, bedtime was a quiet sorrowful time.  The morning greeted me with the knowledge that while my daughter said she forgave me, the word wound was still there.  All I could do was get up and greet the day, the family and wait for the healing that follows the act of forgiving.

And then there it was, the smile, a gift full and complete.

Ephesians 4:29

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

 

 

 

One Simple Life to Another

28 Thursday Jun 2012

Posted by in Compassion International, Gratitude, One Life, Parenting, teens, Uncategorized

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Two years ago, when we sponsored Lesbia and Bryan Marcello through Compassion International, we were just starting to really understand the opportunity to impact lives and sow hope where there might not be any hope.
Two months ago, when Builder and I made the decision to become Child Advocates and to strengthen our family’s ministry efforts, I had a tiny idea how it might impact our children.
But here were are in the hot middle of summer and my heart is bursting with joy as I see just glimmers of what God is doing in this family and through this family.
When my children asked me what I wanted for my birthday recently, I just couldn’t think of anything.  And then as I prayed I started seeing faces and upside down symbols and there was the answer.  Sponsor a child from the areas at risk for exploitation and abuse.  Let God rescue one of this young ones through our commitment, love and letters.
And here she is, the gift my Beloved Builder granted for my 44th birthday…
Neema, Tanzania
What a beauty she is and what a blessed woman I am.
And in the same week, surpise another child, unexpected, this one from Indonesia, joined our international family.
Niki Agusta, Indonesia

What joy swells in my heart as I look at this faces, sense the pain and maybe fear in those beautiful eyes, yet I also see the potential.  There is a song that is sometimes on the radio.  Just this week I bought it from iTunes because the lyrics are a prayer I occasionally pray for my daughters, and now plan to write to these children.

The Words I Would Say
by Sidewalk Prophets

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,

Never give up hope
,
You’re going to do great things,

I already know,

God’s got His hand on you so,

Don’t live life in fear,Forgive and forget,
But don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day.
His love will find a way

And today while I am hoping what I share encourages someone else to begin singing hope over a child through sponsorship, I also want to leave you with these words, dear reader friend

Be strong in the Lord
Never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things,
I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so,
Don’t live life in fear

Don’t forget why you are here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day.

Celebrating Chica on her 8th Birthday

22 Saturday Jan 2011

Posted by in Celebrations, Craft Projects, Joy, Menu Planning, Parenting

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We celebrated Chica’s 8th Birthday with a Medieval Feast.

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The preparations for this party started in Canada, before we moved back home.  We bought 2 flat sheets from Walmart, made a simple paper pattern and sewed up tunics as part of the theme.
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The day before the party, Petal Rose helped decorate the castle cake. 

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The whole week before the party, Mae wove floral wreaths for each of us and the guests.

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Aren’t they beautiful?!  Mae and Petal Rose really took part in preparing for this party and for making it a wonderful success!

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The little blue monster sitting there on the table served as the dragon for the party.  He sat on a trap over a fair puppet maiden and the lovely princess knights fought him blindfolded to rescue their friend.

When the guests arrived, it was early afternoon and everyone was hungry, so we started with our Medieval Feast.  There were Roasted Chicken Legs, Cold Fruit, Veggies, Bread & Butter, and a Pink Lemonade.
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Each of the girls drew a sword from the stone when they arrived, and recieved their “title”.  We had Lady Ice of Cream, Lady Sun of Shine, Lady Lolli of Pop, Lady Razzle of Dazzle, Lady Slice of Orange and Lady Roe of Petal. The Ladies made  Coat of Arms to pin to thier tunics.

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Mae entertained by twisting balloon swords and shields.  And we had beautiful time period music playing, that we had found on iTunes.

Chica had a wonderful time, esp being back home and being able to celebrate with some good friends.  I am so blessed by this little surprise child and enjoying who she is growing into more everyday.  Chica is a fireball of delight!

Mae and Petal Rose really took a large part of the planning and preparing upon themselves.  It is exciting to see how able and willing they are to help, and how creatively they can do it!