Life Changes

Having just gone through Mother's Day I've done a lot of reflecting on how my life has changed from where it was twenty years ago.

 

When I was single and oh, so sad about it, my mom used to say that in ten years I wouldn't recognize my life. I didn't really believe her, but two decades later I can say how right she was. I've now been married sixteen years and have eight children with another one in heaven.

 

When I was first married I was so thrilled to finally have a husband to care for. Shortly after we found out we were having a baby and I could hardly wait to meet this little one. Then I could hardly wait to teach her so many things and start homeschooling her. Now she only has one more year of high school left. She has two great blogs and is writing some fantastic books. How did this happen?

 

Then I look at my oldest son. He was our millennium baby. ☺ I'll let you in on a little secret. I did NOT want a son. I never had a brother and just didn't think I could handle a boy. I'm so glad God saw things differently. Of course, I fell in love with Noah first of all as my baby before he was born and as a son the minute he was handed to me. Now I have five sons and love every minute of them. Boys are different, but it's a good different. That first little boy is now taller than me and starting high school next year. He's a whiz at designing things with Legos, and you can ask him almost anything about World War II, and he'll know the answer.

 

I went on to have another son, two daughters and then three more boys. We call the three youngest "The Three Musketeers". I love to watch the developing relationship between the two oldest of this set (they're bonding over Legos - what else?) and the two youngest. Every morning my baby wakes my toddler up by hugging him.

 

My two youngest daughters are best friends. You know the kind - fighting one minute and inseparable the next. My middle daughter is becoming quite the baker, and my youngest daughter is great with playing with the baby. I love to watch him hold out his arms to her. He's about half her weight, but she carries him around and they have a blast together.

 

This year my middle daughter made a cake for me for Mother's Day all by herself start to finish. My children chipped in with my husband to buy me a silver heart ring from Tiffany's. Time is flying by. I look forward to seeing what the next ten years will look like. I've learned to cherish the moments with my little ones instead of always looking forward to the next step. They grow up so fast, and I want to hold on to these precious times of hugs, kisses, cuddles, silly laughs and the ease of kissing hurts better. I know the aches my children will face as they grow up won't be so easily comforted with just a kiss from Mommy.

 

And in case you need any more convincing at how fast time goes by here are two pictures only three years apart. The first picture is Mother's Day 2011 and the second is this Mother's Day.

 

 

 

 

How has your life changed in the last ten years (or three)?

Do You Need Some Encouragement?

Lately we've been going through some things as a pastor and wife. Helping people deal with their problems can be messy and emotionally exhausting. Sometimes I feel like walking away from it all. BUT. Then you see someone doing something you suggested or someone writes you a note saying what an encouragement you've been to them. Suddenly you don't feel quite so worn out. You feel like you can go on again.

 

That being said I also had someone remind me recently that we don't do what we do for the people we're hoping to help (although we do love them and want to see them have abundantly blessed lives). We do it because it's the right thing to do. So whether or not they listen to us or walk away from us, we still have to do what's right. That reminded me of a poem I read years ago that through the years has been a blessing and encouragement to me.

I thought I would share this poem with you today. Maybe someone else is tired of caring for others and having it hurt. If so, I hope this poem encourages you like it does me.

It matters not if cherished friends
On whom I leaned in vain

Have wounded me by word or deed

And left me with great pain.

What matters is, can I forgive

Again, and yet again?
It's not, have they been true, but, Lord,

Have I been true to them?

 

'Twill matter not when evening comes

How rough the road I've trod

If only I have walked with Him

And led some soul to God.

For when I wake to be like Him

Who saved me by His grace

Earth's pain will vanish when I catch

One glimpse of His dear face.

     ~Author Unknown

And finally, here is a song that my sister sent to me this morning that really spoke to me.

 

Intentional

 

 

At the beginning of the year I heard a lot of people talking about their "word" for the year. I didn't think too much of it. We had a rough start to our year with a lot of sickness. Then in February one of the bloggers I read offered a book she had written about having a personal retreat - a time to think through one's goals and how they could be accomplished.

 

The first thing she suggested was thinking about a word that could define your life for the next year or so. Almost immediately I thought of the word "intentional". I really feel like for a while I've been drifting and letting life happen rather than making it happen. Yes, my children were all fed, the laundry was being maintained, our house was more or less tidy. But I feel like there is so much more that could be done.

 

Along with the word came a verse. It's funny how the Lord will pop something into your head in a moment of time.

 

I plan on putting this word and verse up together - framed - on my kitchen wall where I can be reminded often of what I would like to see in my life. I didn't think finding my "word" was that important, but I'm so happy I did the exercise. It has given me more direction, and helped me to think about my actions. I don't want to drift through life. I want to accomplish something.

 

I challenge you to find a few quiet moments today and think about a word that you would like to define your life by for the next twelve months.

What I'm Up To

Just for fun...

The idea for this post came from here.

Now it's your turn. What are you currently doing?

What I'm Loving

A little bragging time here.

My daughter has a blog - well, two actually. Her main blog - Ramblings of a Janeite - is all about period dramas, book/movie/music reviews, and some randomocity. Occasionally she does lists of things she is loving at the moment. I love these lists. They are beautiful, and I feel like I'm getting a glimpse into her heart. She did one of these lists today which inspired me to do one too.

So here is what I'm loving today...

♦ baby hugs ♦

baby toes

♦ a warm house ♦

puzzles

♦ yogurt and berries and whip cream ♦

a school day well done

♦ big brothers playing with baby brothers ♦

a teenage daughter who helps me stay on track diet-wise

♦ a berry crisp ♦

tea with my husband - made by my husband

♦ my sewing and craft supplies♦

my Kindle

♦ scrapbooking ♦

listening to my children laughing at their inside jokes

♦ walks with my husband ♦

the sound of the piano being practiced

♦ quiet time to myself to read  ♦

jars of canned tomatoes

♦ a clean bathroom ♦

fresh laundry

♦ finding that one "wow" pin on Pinterest ♦

phone calls with my mom and sisters

♦ my sister skyping with my toddler ♦

watching my husband enjoy his supper

♦ listening to music ♦

You can check out my daughter's lists here, here, here, and here. Her other blog is called "Scribblings of a Janeite" and is all about her writing which I might add she is very passionate about.

What are you loving today?