Little did I know when I thought of writing this, that this week would be officially "daughter's week". Convenient, I think...however I don't just have 2 amazingly wonderful daughters, but I also have 2 amazingly wonderful sons. So, I think it should be officially "child week". :) At least for this blog. I find it hauntingly humorous at times, how people will tell you when you're children are young, not to take it for granted, because when you blink, they'll be grown. I remember in the early years, when Emily and Christopher were young, one of my best friends, who is older then I, told me this. At the time, I thought for sure I would be in the toddler stage forever - but - somehow - I blinked...
As a mother, it doesn't matter how old your children are, they are still your babies. Though you may not be able to hold them in your arms - skin to skin - like when they were first born, you forever long to. I beleive for the child, no matter the age, there will also never be any comparison to a mother's touch, a mother's hug, a mother's voice. They say for soldiers who are dying on the battle field, many times some of their last words will be about their mother.
In 1997 there was a song called "Butterfly Kisses" that came out right around the time Emily was born. Never has there been a time when this song is played that tears don't flow down both my husband's and my face. The thought of your little girl or little boy growing up, learning to ride a bike, loosing their first teeth, becoming a teenager, and then eventually getting married and having kids of their own is at times overwhelming...though totally natural. In fact, if they didn't grow, we would say that something was wrong.
Sometimes we get lost in the growing process. When we're right in the middle of the hard stages, like I mentioned before, we think they will never end. (You could apply this to every part of your life) For me, I would notice this a lot during vacations...you know, when you came home and felt like you needed a vacation because you went on vacation. For Sean and I, in was inevitable that we would get in a fight every family camp, every 4th of July coast trip, and every picnic...because it was so hard to try and do everything you felt like you needed to do to make everybody happy, when the only thing you wanted to do was actually relax a little bit. But, things change...and like we are experiencing now, they get older. There's ups and downs, isn't there?
What would I say to do today? Today, take the time to think about and look at your children. Ponder them... No matter if there little, big, or possibly still in the womb, and ask the Lord how you can be a blessing to them. The saddest thing for me would be to one day wake up and be full of regret for the times I didn't say I loved them. For the times I didn't stop my busyness and hug them or talk with them. Take time to look at their growth and accopmlishments (no matter what age) and tell them that you're proud of them. It is so important that you do this... before you blink.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Father's
If you ask almost any man what their most rewarding and challenging job they have is - it wouldn't be their business or employment, a sport, or a hobby. It would be the role of a father. Becoming a Dad is easy - anyone over the age of 11 can physically do it...becoming a father is much different.
I have had the priviledge of living with two father's in my life. The first one being my Dad, and the second one being my husband, who is the father of my 4 children.
My Dad had the rewarding and CHALLENGING job of raising me :) Lord have mercy on Him! My dad is awesome. Some of the funnest memories I have with him growing up include, watching Portland wrestling, (it gave me an excuse to stay up late, instead of going to bed) going camping every year, looking for night crawlers (big worms) in our back yard because he was getting ready for a fishing trip, and my most favorite memory, is playing with him in the 50 degree ocean for hours, riding waves.
I got married to my husband, Sean, 6 weeks after we graduated High School, however we waited 4 years before having kids. During that time, we had given our heart to the Lord. When my daughter Emily was born, or life changed. I saw in my husband a switch...he had become a father. Not only has he been there for each of our children physically - whether it's taking them on vacations, rooting for them on the sidelines, or just hanging out doing nothing in particualar - he has also been there spiritually. When each child was born, he prayed over them for health, strength, wisdom, and for the will of God to be fulfilled in their life. Throughout the years he has taught them the things of God, and helped make them who they are today.
Where does their love come from? The love that changes a man from just being able to physically have a child, to that of being a father? I truly believe that the only place it can come from is not deep within themselves, but from their Heavenly Father. The Bible says that we love because He first loved us. And as much as we like to give good things to our children, our Father wants to give, and has given, so much more. Before we were even born, we were known by Him, and loved by Him. He is our ultimate Father...which is beautiful.
Thank you to my Dad, and my husband, who have been amazing examples of what it means to be a father!
I have had the priviledge of living with two father's in my life. The first one being my Dad, and the second one being my husband, who is the father of my 4 children.
My Dad had the rewarding and CHALLENGING job of raising me :) Lord have mercy on Him! My dad is awesome. Some of the funnest memories I have with him growing up include, watching Portland wrestling, (it gave me an excuse to stay up late, instead of going to bed) going camping every year, looking for night crawlers (big worms) in our back yard because he was getting ready for a fishing trip, and my most favorite memory, is playing with him in the 50 degree ocean for hours, riding waves.
I got married to my husband, Sean, 6 weeks after we graduated High School, however we waited 4 years before having kids. During that time, we had given our heart to the Lord. When my daughter Emily was born, or life changed. I saw in my husband a switch...he had become a father. Not only has he been there for each of our children physically - whether it's taking them on vacations, rooting for them on the sidelines, or just hanging out doing nothing in particualar - he has also been there spiritually. When each child was born, he prayed over them for health, strength, wisdom, and for the will of God to be fulfilled in their life. Throughout the years he has taught them the things of God, and helped make them who they are today.
Where does their love come from? The love that changes a man from just being able to physically have a child, to that of being a father? I truly believe that the only place it can come from is not deep within themselves, but from their Heavenly Father. The Bible says that we love because He first loved us. And as much as we like to give good things to our children, our Father wants to give, and has given, so much more. Before we were even born, we were known by Him, and loved by Him. He is our ultimate Father...which is beautiful.
Thank you to my Dad, and my husband, who have been amazing examples of what it means to be a father!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Focusing on the Good
The other day my youngest daughter, who is 5 and quite dramatic, was in her room crying. She had gotten into an argument over whose turn it was on the swing set. When I asked her if she was ok, she stated very matter of factly, "I'm having a bad day!"
Oh, how many times I have thought, if not said, the same thing.
Whether you're a child, a teenager, a young adult, middle aged, or older - we all have something in common. Sometimes, we just have a bad day! The challenge can be, often times, to not have a bad week, month, or year :) Often times in my life I have "camped" there. It's easy to talk about what's wrong with the world, the economy, and sometimes people in general. Sometimes things go south or attitudes flare up, and before you know it you hear things come out of your mouth, that you wished never did. But, I don't want to camp there anymore.
I asked people to name one thing positive about themselves before I wrote this blog - why? I want to start thinking about what's right with everything, not what's wrong with everything. So I started there...we could probably all name 20 things we didn't like about ourselves, but what do you like? There's again, multiple things we could say is wrong about any given situation - but what about it is right? I don't know about you, but when I'm constantly focusing on the bad - that's when I tend to have a bad day.
I'm not saying real problems don't happen, and there won't be times when there's nothing you can really say or do in that moment to make them go away. In fact, sometimes the best thing to do is sound the alarm, and focus directly on it. What I am talking about is not "camping" in an attitude of distress. I'm talking about living a life that says, in most things I could focus on what's wrong, but I'm choosing to focus on what's right. Choose today, to have a good day.
Phil 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.
NKJV
Oh, how many times I have thought, if not said, the same thing.
Whether you're a child, a teenager, a young adult, middle aged, or older - we all have something in common. Sometimes, we just have a bad day! The challenge can be, often times, to not have a bad week, month, or year :) Often times in my life I have "camped" there. It's easy to talk about what's wrong with the world, the economy, and sometimes people in general. Sometimes things go south or attitudes flare up, and before you know it you hear things come out of your mouth, that you wished never did. But, I don't want to camp there anymore.
I asked people to name one thing positive about themselves before I wrote this blog - why? I want to start thinking about what's right with everything, not what's wrong with everything. So I started there...we could probably all name 20 things we didn't like about ourselves, but what do you like? There's again, multiple things we could say is wrong about any given situation - but what about it is right? I don't know about you, but when I'm constantly focusing on the bad - that's when I tend to have a bad day.
I'm not saying real problems don't happen, and there won't be times when there's nothing you can really say or do in that moment to make them go away. In fact, sometimes the best thing to do is sound the alarm, and focus directly on it. What I am talking about is not "camping" in an attitude of distress. I'm talking about living a life that says, in most things I could focus on what's wrong, but I'm choosing to focus on what's right. Choose today, to have a good day.
Phil 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.
NKJV
Monday, June 14, 2010
Brothers
As we were driving around the turns heading towards the South Umpqua Falls it never failed...every year...the inevitable noise of my brother pretending like he was going to throw up. Now mind you, he didn't really get car sick, he did this out of shear torture, because I hated it when people threw up, and he wanted to tease me. Whether it was the sick noises, polywogs down the pants, rubber fishing worms mixed in with my candy gummy worms, or trying to scare me with ghost stories, I could always count on my brother to be in on it.
It's interesting to watch my two boys who are 3 1/2 years a part. Some days they drive each other crazy, and other days they are the best of friends. I suppose that is normal in a lot of families, after all, brothers do know what buttons to push. I tend to think they push the buttons purposely and often. Growing up, I'm sure I drove my brother crazy all the time. I was a bit dramatic, and he would pull it out of me. However, I never thought it was fair when he would instigate something, but I would get in trouble for screaming.
One of the most memorable moments I have with my brother was on my wedding day. My whole life, he would tease me, draw funny faces on my posters hanging in my room, hang my dolls up from my ceiling fan, or put life size poster people in the shower to scare me. But, on this day, he was different. There was a look in his eyes, when he cornered me after the wedding, and simply said I looked beautiful, and hugged me. I will never forget that moment, a moment when I knew he loved me and was proud of the woman I had grown up to be. Little did I know then, that one month before our first anniversary, he would be killed in a car accident, at the age of 23.
Sometimes when I hear my children say things out of frustration to each other, I remind them to never take each other for granted. I teach them to honor and appreciate one another, and to realize that having a brother and sister is a blessing - even when their buttons are being pushed. It isn't always easy, or sometimes we might just forget, but lets remember to take the time to tell our family that we love them today. Even though it's been almost 17 years since Scott died, I wish with all my heart, that I would have done that more.
Scott Wayne Jackson
11-18-69 to 6-26-93
It's interesting to watch my two boys who are 3 1/2 years a part. Some days they drive each other crazy, and other days they are the best of friends. I suppose that is normal in a lot of families, after all, brothers do know what buttons to push. I tend to think they push the buttons purposely and often. Growing up, I'm sure I drove my brother crazy all the time. I was a bit dramatic, and he would pull it out of me. However, I never thought it was fair when he would instigate something, but I would get in trouble for screaming.
One of the most memorable moments I have with my brother was on my wedding day. My whole life, he would tease me, draw funny faces on my posters hanging in my room, hang my dolls up from my ceiling fan, or put life size poster people in the shower to scare me. But, on this day, he was different. There was a look in his eyes, when he cornered me after the wedding, and simply said I looked beautiful, and hugged me. I will never forget that moment, a moment when I knew he loved me and was proud of the woman I had grown up to be. Little did I know then, that one month before our first anniversary, he would be killed in a car accident, at the age of 23.
Sometimes when I hear my children say things out of frustration to each other, I remind them to never take each other for granted. I teach them to honor and appreciate one another, and to realize that having a brother and sister is a blessing - even when their buttons are being pushed. It isn't always easy, or sometimes we might just forget, but lets remember to take the time to tell our family that we love them today. Even though it's been almost 17 years since Scott died, I wish with all my heart, that I would have done that more.
Scott Wayne Jackson
11-18-69 to 6-26-93
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Oh No! That Didn't Just Happen, Did it? (Embarrassing Moments)
What's one way to get a group of people who don't really know each other, very well, to suddenly feel as though they've known each other for years? By sharing some of your most embarrassing moments, of course! It's happened to all of us at one time or another...you know, that moment when you do or say something, and immediately you think to yourself, "Oh no! that didn't just happen, did it?" The difference between some people, and myself is, I like to share some of mine over the internet :) So, here we go.
Top 10 Most Embarrassing times in my life:
10. In high school, I was so insecure, I used to wave at pretend people in the hallway, just so it looked like I had friends. Then one day, my best friend caught me, and asked who I was waving to. When I told her what I did, she just looked at me awkwardly, silently confirming what a nerd I really was.
9. Again, in high school, I was waiting for my Mom to pick me up after school, and when I turned around to look at something, I smacked right into a telephone poll, really hard, right in front of everybody. Of course, I acted like it didn't hurt - but really I wanted to cry.
8. My sister in law and I were doing Tai Bo w/ Bobbie Blanks (?) and when Sean walked in, I thought I would show off. It happened to be when we were spinning our hands, like a boxer, near our face. Bobbie said, "Double Time", so I went faster - proceeding to punch myself in the jaw extremely hard. Once again, confirming what a nerd I can be.
7. Praying for someone down at the alter, and not being able to really hear the person, because of the music coming from the stage. When I asked her, her name, I thought she said "Ham". When I repeated it, she looked at me funny, and said, "No...Pam!" That was the first time I ever met my friend Pam Plumb :) who has since forgiven me!
6. One of the things I consistently do, is mix my words up in my sentences. So I say things, all the time, that don't make any sense. One time I went to say "sweet" and "cool" and I ended up saying "Kweet" - Of course, this happened in front of someone who loves to tease me anyway, so I never lived it down.
5. In fourth grade I got this amazing mullet - that was in style then (I think)- But then they permed the top. So for a long time my "friends" called me volcano head. A couple months later, when the perm started dying down, they would say my volcano erupted.
4. Not being very good w/ comebacks - I immediately default to sticking both of my thumbs up, as if saying "good job!". This happened w/ Aaron M. when I was walking by his car - years ago - he honked to scare me, and I turned around and went to say some really cool comeback. However, I couldn't think of one, so I just gave him a thumbs up.
3. Going out to dinner w/ my husband in a really nice restaurant, and when the waiter came to get our order, I started laughing really hard for no reason. I laughed so hard I started crying, and he walked away...luckily he came back later.
2. Roller Blading down McAndrews hill - and having to make the dive roll of my life, in a small patch of grass, so I wouldn't die, by flying off the curb. Of course, all the cars driving by saw quite the sight.
1. The number one most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me - is to embarrassing to put on the internet. Let's just say, I was in my 7th grade English class...you'll have to ask me about it :)
LIVE LIFE! LOVE LIFE! LAUGH HARD! Have a great day!!!
Top 10 Most Embarrassing times in my life:
10. In high school, I was so insecure, I used to wave at pretend people in the hallway, just so it looked like I had friends. Then one day, my best friend caught me, and asked who I was waving to. When I told her what I did, she just looked at me awkwardly, silently confirming what a nerd I really was.
9. Again, in high school, I was waiting for my Mom to pick me up after school, and when I turned around to look at something, I smacked right into a telephone poll, really hard, right in front of everybody. Of course, I acted like it didn't hurt - but really I wanted to cry.
8. My sister in law and I were doing Tai Bo w/ Bobbie Blanks (?) and when Sean walked in, I thought I would show off. It happened to be when we were spinning our hands, like a boxer, near our face. Bobbie said, "Double Time", so I went faster - proceeding to punch myself in the jaw extremely hard. Once again, confirming what a nerd I can be.
7. Praying for someone down at the alter, and not being able to really hear the person, because of the music coming from the stage. When I asked her, her name, I thought she said "Ham". When I repeated it, she looked at me funny, and said, "No...Pam!" That was the first time I ever met my friend Pam Plumb :) who has since forgiven me!
6. One of the things I consistently do, is mix my words up in my sentences. So I say things, all the time, that don't make any sense. One time I went to say "sweet" and "cool" and I ended up saying "Kweet" - Of course, this happened in front of someone who loves to tease me anyway, so I never lived it down.
5. In fourth grade I got this amazing mullet - that was in style then (I think)- But then they permed the top. So for a long time my "friends" called me volcano head. A couple months later, when the perm started dying down, they would say my volcano erupted.
4. Not being very good w/ comebacks - I immediately default to sticking both of my thumbs up, as if saying "good job!". This happened w/ Aaron M. when I was walking by his car - years ago - he honked to scare me, and I turned around and went to say some really cool comeback. However, I couldn't think of one, so I just gave him a thumbs up.
3. Going out to dinner w/ my husband in a really nice restaurant, and when the waiter came to get our order, I started laughing really hard for no reason. I laughed so hard I started crying, and he walked away...luckily he came back later.
2. Roller Blading down McAndrews hill - and having to make the dive roll of my life, in a small patch of grass, so I wouldn't die, by flying off the curb. Of course, all the cars driving by saw quite the sight.
1. The number one most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me - is to embarrassing to put on the internet. Let's just say, I was in my 7th grade English class...you'll have to ask me about it :)
LIVE LIFE! LOVE LIFE! LAUGH HARD! Have a great day!!!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Season's Change
One of the best things about living in the Rogue Valley, is the fact that we get to experience all four seasons. Now, if you ask most of us, at the moment, we are ready for the winter/rainy season to go away, because we are ready for summer! However, three months from now, we will be talking about how we're ready for the 100 degree weather to go away, and we'll start preparing for cooler nights and watching the autumn leaves begin changing color. We're always ready for old seasons to end and new seasons to begin.
It's no different in our lives, is it? I can tell you in my life I have experienced all four seasons - and most of the time they last more then three months. I remember when Sean and I first got married, we could go and do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, and for however long we wanted...as long as it didn't cost more then $10! Then after we had children, that all changed. No longer could we go anywhere without bringing the stroller, change of clothes, baby food, diapers, wipes, etc. etc. etc. At that point in time it felt like most of my friends weren't in that season. They either had older kids, young kids with older siblings to help, or they didn't have any kids. In fact, it felt very lonely for a long time. It was also right in the middle of a lot of transitions for Sean and I in careers, and if being honest, I would have to say it was one of the winter seasons in my life. There were times, even as a Christian, when I doubted I could ever feel happiness again. I would question, "Who am I?" all the time.
Death of a loved one, loneliness, disappointment, hurt, abuse, and so many more things, affect people in many ways. The beautiful thing about winter though, is if you process through correctly, not only does spring ALWAYS follow, but with it comes new life, new hope, new vision, and new purpose! You can also come out of winter with a closer relationship with the Lord, if you will trust Him. My personal belief is that it would be very hard if not impossible to make it through this life without the Lord.
Think about your life. What a difference a day can make! What a difference a year can make! there's no time limit or boundaries to seasons, only the guarantee that we will experience all of them, and get through all of them. And just like living in the Valley, without the winter and rain, could you truly appreciate the summer?
What season are you in? Where is your hope?
It's no different in our lives, is it? I can tell you in my life I have experienced all four seasons - and most of the time they last more then three months. I remember when Sean and I first got married, we could go and do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, and for however long we wanted...as long as it didn't cost more then $10! Then after we had children, that all changed. No longer could we go anywhere without bringing the stroller, change of clothes, baby food, diapers, wipes, etc. etc. etc. At that point in time it felt like most of my friends weren't in that season. They either had older kids, young kids with older siblings to help, or they didn't have any kids. In fact, it felt very lonely for a long time. It was also right in the middle of a lot of transitions for Sean and I in careers, and if being honest, I would have to say it was one of the winter seasons in my life. There were times, even as a Christian, when I doubted I could ever feel happiness again. I would question, "Who am I?" all the time.
Death of a loved one, loneliness, disappointment, hurt, abuse, and so many more things, affect people in many ways. The beautiful thing about winter though, is if you process through correctly, not only does spring ALWAYS follow, but with it comes new life, new hope, new vision, and new purpose! You can also come out of winter with a closer relationship with the Lord, if you will trust Him. My personal belief is that it would be very hard if not impossible to make it through this life without the Lord.
Think about your life. What a difference a day can make! What a difference a year can make! there's no time limit or boundaries to seasons, only the guarantee that we will experience all of them, and get through all of them. And just like living in the Valley, without the winter and rain, could you truly appreciate the summer?
What season are you in? Where is your hope?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Covenant Relationships
As the old woman lay in her bed, her breathing had shallowed. Beside her were her children, now of course grown, and holding her hand. In the background were pictures...snapshots, if you will, of a life well spent. Some of them were when she was younger - her dark hair shining in the sun. Others were of when she was older, holding her great grandchildren. On the other side of the bed, holding her other hand, was the man that she had loved for the last 70 years. As she looked into his loving green eyes, it took her back for a moment. Suddenly there she was, in a beautiful white dress, staring into those same green eyes. Promises were being made, promises that were not meant to be broken. Promises made for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, until death do they part. On this day, there in her room - those promises would be fulfuilled.
I asked the question yesterday, "if you are married, when is your anniversary, and how many years have you been married?" Almost 40 people responded! The years ranged from almost 1 year to almost 49 years. I am proud to say that on June 21 my parents will have been married for 42 years! That is what prompted me to write this blog. I have never tasted the bitterness of divorce, and for that I am grateful. I understand that it is not the case for many people. But, that can change. That is one of the reasons we take such a strong stand on purity, with our children.
There are many types of covenant relationships. Some being marriage, parent/child, friendship, and then the most important one is our relationship with the Lord. In order to be in this kind of relationship we can't be emotionally led. That is one of the number one reasons for divorce - people were either emotionally led in the preparation of getting married, or they were emotionally led in getting out of the marriage. I understand there are situations of abuse and different things...that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about people who just "fall out of love".
Think about the words in our marriage vows for a minute. How would things change if every person lived by them? There would be a lot less broken hearts, and a lot less pain. I never once layed in my bed crying at night because I thought my parents didn't love each other. I never worried if my Dad would be there in the morning, or if my Mom would up and leave him for yet another man. But I know people who have. I bet you do too. Maybe you were one of them. That is why, we have to get back to what it really means to be in a covenental relationship.
For better or for worse:
Every healthy relationship goes through storms. In fact, the Bible promises it. The difference is, when your relationship is built on a strong foundation (Jesus Christ) the storms will make you stronger, not weaker.
For richer or for poorer:
Paul said this: Phil 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Don't let financial problems bring a wedge between your family. We must fight for what is important!
Until death do us part:
Do you really mean it? In the beginning of this blog, I wrote about an old woman, looking into the loving green eyes of her husband. That is the woman I want to be - 60 years from now. Looking into Sean's eyes, holding on to Emily, Chris, Timothy, and Anna's hands. I want to have pictures all over the place of me playing with my grandkids. And then, when it is time for me to go home to be with my Lord and Savior, I can truly call myself a covenental woman. It is what I long for, it is what I strive for, it is my desire. How about yours?
I asked the question yesterday, "if you are married, when is your anniversary, and how many years have you been married?" Almost 40 people responded! The years ranged from almost 1 year to almost 49 years. I am proud to say that on June 21 my parents will have been married for 42 years! That is what prompted me to write this blog. I have never tasted the bitterness of divorce, and for that I am grateful. I understand that it is not the case for many people. But, that can change. That is one of the reasons we take such a strong stand on purity, with our children.
There are many types of covenant relationships. Some being marriage, parent/child, friendship, and then the most important one is our relationship with the Lord. In order to be in this kind of relationship we can't be emotionally led. That is one of the number one reasons for divorce - people were either emotionally led in the preparation of getting married, or they were emotionally led in getting out of the marriage. I understand there are situations of abuse and different things...that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about people who just "fall out of love".
Think about the words in our marriage vows for a minute. How would things change if every person lived by them? There would be a lot less broken hearts, and a lot less pain. I never once layed in my bed crying at night because I thought my parents didn't love each other. I never worried if my Dad would be there in the morning, or if my Mom would up and leave him for yet another man. But I know people who have. I bet you do too. Maybe you were one of them. That is why, we have to get back to what it really means to be in a covenental relationship.
For better or for worse:
Every healthy relationship goes through storms. In fact, the Bible promises it. The difference is, when your relationship is built on a strong foundation (Jesus Christ) the storms will make you stronger, not weaker.
For richer or for poorer:
Paul said this: Phil 4:11-13
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Don't let financial problems bring a wedge between your family. We must fight for what is important!
Until death do us part:
Do you really mean it? In the beginning of this blog, I wrote about an old woman, looking into the loving green eyes of her husband. That is the woman I want to be - 60 years from now. Looking into Sean's eyes, holding on to Emily, Chris, Timothy, and Anna's hands. I want to have pictures all over the place of me playing with my grandkids. And then, when it is time for me to go home to be with my Lord and Savior, I can truly call myself a covenental woman. It is what I long for, it is what I strive for, it is my desire. How about yours?
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