Lifewomen's Weblog

For Parents Only

lifewomen — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:27:47 +0000

I just finished reading the book For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice. One of the things that caught my eye from the back cover was: “For every bewildered parent, there’s a kid longing to be understood.”

I found the book very insightful and it gave me a fresh understanding of my teens. Some of the discussions included are: Why your child suddenly treats you lien an alien and acts like one too, why your child secretly hopes you’ll stand your ground, why your teen is convinced he can’t talk to you and how to change his mind and what mood swings reveal about teens’ secret fears and how you can boost their confidence.

My boys will tell you that I am far from a perfect parent and on some days they may say I’m a terrible parent. I make lots of mistakes, but let’s face it, what works one day for our teens doesn’t work the next and just why does that happen? This book gave me a fresh perspective and insight into the pressures my boys are facing and tips on how to navigate these turbulent waters. I’d loan it to you, but I need to keep it close by because I’m still trying to apply it to my parenting. I do think it’s worth the investment!

Loving Well

lifewomen — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:22:26 +0000

In our current Bible study, Loving Well, we have been challenged in many ways. One (of many) thing I’m working through is allowing God to love on me, not through me, but to me. In session two Beth says “We will not love well until we feel well loved.” So, now I’m left wondering, how does God love on me or how do I know He’s loving on me? I think for me part of the problem is that I don’t acknowledge how God is showing me His love. I get so wrapped up in our schedule or my to do list and I fail to see the many small ways God is trying to show me. As I’ve been pondering this God has led me to two songs on Steven Curtis Chapman’s new CD. The first song is “You are Being Loved” and the second is “Definition of Me.” The words to these songs have stuck with me reminding me that I am being loved.

Then this morning I picked up the latest edition of Today’s Christian Woman (I’ve had the magazine for probably 6 weeks and I’m just getting to page 24), but anyway, the article I turned to was “God’s Tattoo: Evidence of God’s love is everywhere. But take a special look at his hands,” by Stephanie Voiland. You can probably view the article on line by going to their website www.todayschristianwoman.com. To be honest, I didn’t get to read the entire article (yet) but the author refers to a verse in Isaiah 49:16 which says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Just like a tattoo is permanent, our names are engraved in the palm of God’s hands. For me, today, this was further evidence of God’s love for me.

How is God showing His love to you? I’d love to hear about it!

Basics of Life

lifewomen — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:25:09 +0000

On Sunday, Steve’s sermon was on the “Basics of Life.” He shared with us the mission statement of the church to reach up to God in worship, reach in (fellowship and discipleship) and reach out. There are so many ways we can serve and one of them is through women’s ministries. I often hesitate to solicit help when we have many needs on a Sunday morning. I encourage everyone to take a turn in the nursery or teach/assist a Sunday school class. I can guarantee God’s blessing when you serve our little (and not so little) ones. That being said, it would be wonderful to have more women willing to assist with women’s ministry activites. You could be part of our Planning Committee (we meet quarterly to plan activities) or our Retreat Committee (the retreat is the second weekend in March) or coordinate or assist with an activity. We have a place for every woman at LCC to be invovled!

“Appreciation” worth remembering…

lifewomen — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:34:25 +0000

I know Hallmark has been blamed for inventing holidays or days of appreciation to drum up new business. You name it and there is a day set aside to appreciate it from Mother’s Day to Boss’ Day. Well, I don’t know if Hallmark can take credit for creating “Pastor Appreciation” but this is one worth remembering. October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I’d like to use this forum to personally thank Pastor Steve for all he faithfully does for LCC and for my family. He is someone we can call when in the emergency room, someone who has faithfully prayed for my family while we were in China and even came to visit us (despite the germs) when we arrived home with Maryn. I appreciate his faithfulness in studying and preaching God’s Word.

I appreciate Josh and all he does to lead us in Worship on Sunday mornings and I know he spends countless hours during the week preparing. He does many other “behind the scenes” work for our church and we wouldn’t be the same without him. I appreciate Jamie and his heart for our teens and though he has only been on staff for a short time he is impacting the lives of my boys. I also appreciate Kristie and her ministry to our children. She has a heart for our children and seeks to lay a firm foundation for our children’s faith.

We have been blessed with a wonderful staff at LCC, though not all “pastors” in title, they all minister and serve us along with many others. I appreciate the families of our staff and the sacrifices they make. If you have been blessed by our pastor and staff how about letting them know! Words of encouragement go a long way!

What’s Lurking in Your Closets?

lifewomen — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:27:19 +0000

Those who know me know that I like to have things clean and in order. Part of this is temperent driven, the other is out of necessity. Quite a few years ago the boys were diagnosed with allergies and asthma. We were told that we needed to keep the house very clean for the health of the boys, get rid of our carpets, wash bedding every week, no curtains, dust every day and the impossible list went on and on. So, for years I’ve tried my best to do what I could (and still remain sane). Imagine my surprise when Rich was fixing a squeak on our sofa and found an area that had never been cleaned – we’re talking about 7 years worth of crumbs! I didn’t know that flap came off!

We also have this lovely mold lurking in our washing machine, though it’s actually in plain sight now. We have the Maytag Neptune washer. Those who know of their record just tell us they’re sorry. Apparently there was a design flaw and these washers became a breeding ground for mold (which by the way both boys are allergic to). There was a class action law suit that we missed because we weren’t having the problem back then, but we sure are having it now. I suspect the mold was there all along and we just didn’t see it until this summer. Now I’m disgusted every time I see it and it won’t come off so we’re in the process of buying a new washer.

Then this morning the boys had an orthodontist appointment…we got up, got ready and made the appointment on time. I even had my hair and make up done and my clothes were well coordinated. Yes, I thought I looked pretty good, even Maryn’s clothes coordinated with mine and it wasn’t planned. After the orthodontist I went into the boys school, chatted with a few people and then came home. I had to gasp when I looked at my jacket and saw the white paper still covering the buttons! I know it’s not a big deal, but I have to laugh when I think I look good and then notice a flaw! I guess it’s just another lesson that I’m not perfect.

What’s the point in all this? I think sometimes we get so busy and fail to see those things lurking in our proverbial closets. It could be crumbs from sloppy eating (that would be my boys’ fault, just kidding, I’m sure I contributed as well), mold that’s there and finally shows itself or little pieces of paper that need to be removed. It could be a bad habit, a grudge or thinking that I’m better than someone else. Whatever it is I’m learning that I need to be willing to allow God to show me these things and show me how to get rid of them.

Start “Loving Well”

lifewomen — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:53:06 +0000

“Loving Well” our fall Bible study series begins next week. Our evening group begins Monday, October 15th from 7-9 pm at the home of Darcy Sanders. The daytime group begins Thursday, October 18th from 10am -noon at my home. Please see me on Sunday if you need a journal for the study. Additional study dates will be posted on the church calendar on the website. We’d love to have every lady at LCC attend! Please join us!

What’s for Dinner?

lifewomen — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:02:11 +0000

Do you ever have one of those days, weeks, months or just phases of life when you cannot decide what to serve for dinner? I’m closing in on the “phases” timeframe right now. The not so funny thing is that I have a freezer and pantry full of food, but I just cannot decide what to make. It’s kind of like having a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear. I know that I do best when I write out a menu for the week, even if I decide to change the menu. The question is, why don’t I plan? If you know the answer, you may want to patent it because you could make millions! Dinner time is so busy these days. When your family is busy with activities and you’re bonding with your vehicle (sometimes more than your family), it’s just difficult to get dinner on the table at a reasonable hour. Picking up the phone to order take out (or going through the drive thru) is just so much easier. So, perhaps I need a menu makeover or just a reality check, but I suspect I’m not alone in this “phase.” Does anyone have any family favorite dinner ideas? Please share with us all!

A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place

lifewomen — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:39:11 +0000

I’m sure many of us heard this growing up and many of us desire this for our homes. I know I do. Last night we had the Kick Off for our fall Bible study, Loving Well. It’s was the first time I’ve opened my home since we returned from China and I must admit I was a bit nervous. I wasn’t sure everything would be where it belonged and to be honest I’m still trying to find homes for some items…like all those baby toys. Of course I do have an adorable new helper, though I’m not sure I need her “help.”

Loving Well

lifewomen — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:12:33 +0000

ARE YOU LOVNG WELL?

“Some people are a joy to love, some are difficult to love and we all have to deal with some people who are humanly impossible to love. In all those relationships one truth endures.We will never be able to love others well until we have been loved well. And only God can ultimately give us the complete love we so desperately need.”

Join us October 4th for the kick off of our “Loving Well” Bible study at the home of Sherry Feehs. This is a four session study that will be offered during the day and also in the evening. There is a 4 week journal (we’ll have 8 weeks to work through it) to help guide us in applying God’s Word.

A Mom’s Job

lifewomen — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:11:20 +0000

This video is by Anita Renfroe, a very funny lady. She has written several books including ”The Purse Driven Life.” Enjoy!