"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" Proverbs 19:21
I opened up Google Reader a few days ago to catch up on my blogs. I was casually reading, scrolling through rather fast, when I read a blog, and literally gasped out loud. Paul was sitting across the room and wanted to know what in the world was going on. The first sentence of the blog was what had made me gasp. The writer wrote:
"I am sitting in my neighbors house because my house is gone, blown away in the tornadoes last night".
She, and her family (which included a 3 week old baby) along with several neighbors, rode out the storm in their basement. When it was over, they went up the stairs, into nothing but rubble. A few miles away, good friends of theirs rode out the storm in their home. The father felt the storm upon them and threw himself on his children in order to protect them. He did and he lost his life.
I found myself wondering what they had planned to do today. Did they plan to have a workday in the yard? Maybe a fun family outing. Maybe Saturday was their day to bake or run errands or catch up on laundry. Whatever it was, I am certain they did not plan to be homeless. I am certain that Mrs. Lee did not plan to be thinking about a funeral for her husband. I'm certain that they did not plan to try and find temporary housing and secure clothing for their families.
Plans are a funny thing. We have to make them in order to live organized and productive lives. However, we must always remember Whose plans will prevail.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Last game for softball/tee ball
Anna, Ellie and Sam had their last games of the season this evening. It was a perfect evening for baseball as the weather was great. Anna and Ellie really enjoyed playing this year, and both of them improved tremendously over the course of the season. Sam had a blast for his first year and can't wait to play again next time. It is a joy to watch my children play in this league. It is semi-competitive, but there is none of the ugliness that is prevalant in other leagues. Anna and Ellie's coach remarked tonight that he so enjoyed coaching the girls because everyone was respectful of one another (even though they fiercely wanted to win!). There was no "smack" talk, no boo-ing, no ugliness at all. All the parents cheered for all the girls to do well. It is refeshing to see a group of young people who can be very competitive without being ugly. Good job girls.
Resurrection Sunday
(I know I'm a little bit late with these, but that's what happens when you can't find the camera cord!)
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Raising Godly Tomatoes
Strange title for a book, isn't it? Especially a book on child training.
I have been reading a lot of books lately on parenting. I feel almost desperate for more information, more encouragement, more how to's. I've been a mother for over 21 years, yet at times I feel like I don't know what I'm doing anymore.
I want to do a good job with the children I have left at home. I have 3 young children, 2 of which are very young, and I want to do a better job with them than I did with the older ones. But, at the same time, I have 2 who are not young and require different training than the younger ones do and different training than their older brothers did.
It's overwhelming at times. And frustrating. But I don't want to be frustrated- I want to be joyful and confident.
Wednesday night, one of my good friends asked if I had ever read this book. I hadn't, but I had read the website so I was kind of familiar with the author. I took the book and began reading that night.
I cannot recommend this book enough for those with young children. Her methods are Biblical and easy. Well, easy in that there is not much to remember. She likens children to tomatoes, who have to be staked in order to grow properly. Children do to. And they are staked when they are by their mother/father all the time. Yes, all. the. time. How else can I correct wrong behavior when I don't see it? How can I correct a young child when it's not done immediately? She says young children only have one rule to follow: obey mom and dad. That's it.
So I've been watching my young children closely for a few days. What I've noticed is disheartening. I've allowed wrong attitudes and behaviors simply because I wasn't aware of them or because I've been distracted. (Lest you think poorly of me, my distractions have been laundry and cooking and cleaning and schooling!) But child training has to take priority. It's the only lasting thing from these years. I can clean all day and the house be dirty tomorrow. I can launder all day and the hampers be filled before I go to bed tonight. (Now, I know these things need to be done, they just don't need to take priority over child training,)
If you have young children, you need this book. It's a must have for families. I've already seen improvement in my little boys and look forward to begin training with Emma.
Who knew, at the age of 44, I'd have the privilege of training young children??
I have been reading a lot of books lately on parenting. I feel almost desperate for more information, more encouragement, more how to's. I've been a mother for over 21 years, yet at times I feel like I don't know what I'm doing anymore.
I want to do a good job with the children I have left at home. I have 3 young children, 2 of which are very young, and I want to do a better job with them than I did with the older ones. But, at the same time, I have 2 who are not young and require different training than the younger ones do and different training than their older brothers did.
It's overwhelming at times. And frustrating. But I don't want to be frustrated- I want to be joyful and confident.
Wednesday night, one of my good friends asked if I had ever read this book. I hadn't, but I had read the website so I was kind of familiar with the author. I took the book and began reading that night.
I cannot recommend this book enough for those with young children. Her methods are Biblical and easy. Well, easy in that there is not much to remember. She likens children to tomatoes, who have to be staked in order to grow properly. Children do to. And they are staked when they are by their mother/father all the time. Yes, all. the. time. How else can I correct wrong behavior when I don't see it? How can I correct a young child when it's not done immediately? She says young children only have one rule to follow: obey mom and dad. That's it.
So I've been watching my young children closely for a few days. What I've noticed is disheartening. I've allowed wrong attitudes and behaviors simply because I wasn't aware of them or because I've been distracted. (Lest you think poorly of me, my distractions have been laundry and cooking and cleaning and schooling!) But child training has to take priority. It's the only lasting thing from these years. I can clean all day and the house be dirty tomorrow. I can launder all day and the hampers be filled before I go to bed tonight. (Now, I know these things need to be done, they just don't need to take priority over child training,)
If you have young children, you need this book. It's a must have for families. I've already seen improvement in my little boys and look forward to begin training with Emma.
Who knew, at the age of 44, I'd have the privilege of training young children??
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A Day at the Zoo
She's just about as tall as you Dad!
The ugliest creature at the zoo.
The cutest creature at the zoo.
Another cute creature.
The parakeet house. Hundreds of birds, flying around. I can assure you I did not go in there.
A hornbill bird carrying around a dead mouse. This bird was so crazy looking, he didn't look real.
Emma was worn out on the way home. She never fussed once the entire day. It was a fun family day.
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