How Am I Doing??

As many of you already know, and for those of you who don't, I am one of the writers over At the Well. This opportunity has blessed me with a sisterhood of Christian women like none I've ever known. These women are strong, encouraging and faithful and I've come to love each one in their own way.

In January I did a post for At the Well (click here to link to that post) and the idea was to tell what was our goal, resolutions, directions that God was sending us for the new year.

I decided that month by month I would do a recap--a catch up of sorts--to share how I'm doing. Am I doing this to brag?? Uh...no. I'm actually doing this to keep me accountable an, as I've mentioned here and in that post, to make myself real to so many people who may read our blogs and think we've got it all together and there are no problems or struggles going on in our lives. I know that sometimes I read other's blogs and find myself thinking, "If only I......."

One thing I believe I've clearly heard from God was that this blog must be real.

So, here goes...

**I made a decision to be real with God. I'd like to tell you that I was faultless in January in my time spent with God. While I have done better, I have not been consistent with my daily quiet time. It has been hit and miss at best. Now, I could lay out every excuse in the book, but I'm not going there. Being real is being real, right?

So I press along, putting my fingers in my ears and telling satan to buzz off each and every time he tries to convince me that God doesn't love me as much as He does His other children because I don't spend enough time with Him.

**I also made a decision to get on the same page with DH concerning my spending and I'm pleased to say that I did really good last month. Making the decision to spend strictly cash was a very good step for me. Watching that actual cash dwindle away really puts spending in perspective!!!

**I committed, as well, to weed my time on this computer and even though I've added Facebook to my list of things to occupy my computer time, I have done a bit better at walking by and resisting the urge to see what's going on in cyber-land. I still thing I'm spending too much time on here and I still believe that I'm not spending the time I am on here wisely, but hey, progress is progress, right??

Well, there you have it. One month into the new year and I've made a couple steps forward and I'm still standing stagnant in others, but I am working with God now instead of against Him so I'm excited to see what He's got in store for me in February!!

And by the way--that 50 pounds I need to lose????--Only 2 this month. Haven't really tried, cuz you see, there was that leftover Christmas candy, and the trip to Gatlinburg and the fudge shops there and the...... :o)

Celebrating Over At the Well!!!

As so many other women, I am so blessed to be a part of the group of writers over At the Well. I have made so many friends by being a part of this group, but more than that, sisters in Christ.

Together we have prayed for, cried and rejoiced with each other over so many things that have led us down the paths of our lives.

At the Well is a year old and a wonderful year it has been, but what is even more wonderful is the way that God has grown this ministry!!!

I truly encourage you to hop over there and read today's post and try and take in all of the wonderful changes that God is making in this ministry and in the lives of the women who write and the ones who read.

Worship Him

"The Lord is good,a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him."

Nahum 1:7, NLT

Studying...Created to be His Help Meet

We are studying the book by Debi Pearl, Created to be His Help Meet. Through our study of this book, we are going to learn what it means to be a help meet and actually living the role that God created us as women to fill. I've read this book once before and applied many of the things that Mrs. Pearl spoke of, and it has transformed an already good marriage into nothing short of awesome!! I encourage you to purchase this book and follow along or at the very least, check out the Pearl's website at http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/ Any text taken directly from Mrs. Pearl's book will be highlighted in blue.

I realize that in studying Created to be His Help Meet at the rate of one chapter per week, we will be doing this study for approximately 24 weeks. We could go at this at a much faster rate, but I believe that if we truly want to change and fill our God given rolls as help meet to our husbands, then we need to take things slower and put into practice what we are learning. I hope you agree and stay the course with me as we become better help meets together.

Part 2: Titus 2

Chapter 16: To Love Their Children

The title of this chapter may be a bit misleading. You may think that we're going to talk about how to love our children, but on the contrary--of sorts. Remember this book is about being a better help meet, so.......

Mrs. Pearl asks the question, "How do you love your children?"

The answer? Love, honor, obey and forgive their daddy.

We are told in Proverbs 22:6, that we should, "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (KJV). As mothers, especially those that stay at home, much of that training falls on us. When our husbands leave for work, they are trusting us to not only run the house: wash laundry, clean, cook, etc, he is trusting us to train his children.

Think about the word train. When you train for something, you learn about it. You learn how to do whatever you are training for. With our children, training them means to show them how, teach them. Help them learn how to make a bed, wash laundry, cook a meal, show love and respect and anything and everything else that goes with growing and living. Yes, sometimes it's tough. Yes, sometimes it's exhausting, but it's what we are commanded to do.

There is a time and a place for tv, videos and yes, even certain video or computer games. But nothing can replace baking cookies, learning how to make a bed, sweep the floor, take out the trash, fold the laundry--all by Mama's side.

Nothing is better than snuggling down, after making and enjoying lunch together, with a good book. Nothing is better than sitting down around the dinner table and enjoying conversation and laughter and catching up with each other's day.

Nothing is better than hugging their daddy and giving him a big kiss when he gets home from a hard day at work. Nothing is better than fixing him something to drink and taking the time to look him in the eyes and ask him how his day was and truly listening to him. Nothing is better than encouraging those children to be quiet and respectful when Daddy gets home from work and telling them why--because he works so hard to take care of us.

All of these things and so much more is training our children to be the future husbands and wives---help meets--they are called to be.

This week Mrs. Pearl encourages us to never do anything at home without a "buddy" beside us. She also encourages us to stop many times in a day just to play with or talk to our children. If you have older children, as I do, send them a text or an e-mail to encourage and uplift them.

Next week: To Be Discreet

Sharing My Award

I was humbled to receive the "Honest Scrap Award" from my friend Kristen over at Hands, House and Heart Full.

Kristen and I "met" through blogland and she has become a very dear friend of mine. I truly encourage you to check out her blog.

So...with this award, I am suppose to share 10 secrets...things about myself that you don't know. I don't know how well I'll do on that, but here goes.........

1) In elementary school, I played the flute. We later moved to another state and I wasn't able to continue on. I sometimes wish I had though.

2) I love to bake everything, especially desserts from scratch!! I believe everything tastes better made from scratch!

3) I have been a stay at home mom for 18 years. Financially, it hasn't always been easy, but it's always been worth it!

4) There is 13 years between me and my sister, and 13 years between my sister and my daughter!

5) I/we did fertility treatments for 5½ years before getting pregnant with DD.

6) DS is living proof there is no such thing as safe sex!! (Too much info maybe???....maybe not if you're talking to teenagers!)

7) The main part of our house is over 100 years old.

WOW!! This is harder than I thought it would be!!

8) We were missionaries in Colorado for 5 years.

9) I do not know how to swim--I can stay afloat a little bit, but it's not going to save me!!

10) I did not meet Jesus until I was 27 years old.

Now...I'm suppose to share this award with other bloggers I love. Well...I love ALL of you!!! So, if you are reading this post, I am giving you this award and I would love it if you would accept it and pass it on! If you choose to accept, please leave me a comment so I can come check out your post and learn your secrets!!!!

"I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning."
2 John 1:5, NLT

Random Dozen

Time to share a bit about myself by linking up with Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for Random Dozen. I really love participating in this meme. The questions are fun (although sometimes the answers can be tough) and it's great to read how others think about the same things.

Click here to join us!!

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?

Getting better with time..but I still have a very long way to go. I heard a preacher put it this way, "We are microwave Christians serving a crock pot God." This really makes you stop and think.

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?

Potato chips!!! I am a potato chip fanatic!!!!!!!! I LOVE potato chips!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did I mention I LOVE potato chips!!??

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?

Let's see....before I had children I was a ½---now I'm at least a 3!!!!!!

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?

Sure. Mostly in material things. This is a lesson that God has been trying to teach me for years.....material things only bring temporary pleasures at best.

5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?

Not usually.

6. Which line is hardest to wait in?

Whichever line I happen to be standing in!

7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?

Well, DD decided for us that we would wait, DS wanted the whole world to know! We had a sonar with both--just couldn't wait!

8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?

The elderly for sure, children depending on the situation I find myself in.

9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?

As a kid living at home, yes....now...NOOOOOO!!!!

10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?

5½ years....that's how long it took us to get pregnant with our first blessing.

11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?

We are about the same, just more patient with different things.

12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)

A) Anticipation by Carly Simon

B) The Waiting by Tom Petty

C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx

D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

I'm going to choose another song...While I'm Waiting by John Waller