Prayer

Heavenly Father, I now submit my spirit, my heart, and my mind to You. Take them and transform them into the original image of the woman You created me to be. Guide me and renew me by the transforming power of Your word. Grant me insight into Your design for love and marriage. Forgive my stubbornness in the areas of self-defeating habits. Expose every blind spot and every area of denial in my heart. Help me to obey Your principles and break the chains over my life that keep me from having fruitful relationships. Free me to give and receive love as never before, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Prayer by Michelle Mckinney Hammond

Fun to Go!

My almost 4 year old is in love with his new toy, only $10.99 at Toys "R" Us. I love it too because it's portable! The toys encourage imagination and creative play, alone or with friends. There are a variety of themes, such as farm animals, dolls, and police.

Not Bound By Fear

"When we really believe that what God is preparing for us in eternity is far greater than anything we could suffer here on earth, then we are free to live a life of risk and abandonment not bound by fear. A generation empowered with this mind-set will be a generation to be reckoned with- of that I am certain!"

-Michelle Anthony from "Spiritual Parenting"

In their own words...

In their own words...

Consider these insights, straight from the lips of a child..



1. Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it; it makes me feel more secure.

2. Don't let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.

3. Don't make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave stupidly "Big."

4. Don't correct me in front of others if you can help it. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.

5. Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense of values.

6. Don't always protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.

7. Don't be upset when I say, "I hate you." It isn't you I hate, but your being a symbol of authority.

8. Don't take too much notice of my small complaints. At times they bring the attention I need.

9. Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.

10. Don't make rash promises. Remember that I feel let down when promises are broken.

11. Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I would like. That's why I'm not always considerate.

12. Don't tax my honesty too much. I am easily frightened into telling lies.

13. Don't be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.

14. Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.

15. Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover that you are neither.

16. Don't tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.

17. Don't ever think it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm toward you.

(excerpt from Rock Harbor VBS training manual)

Leadership

The book, Leadership Gold by John Maxwell, talks about leadership qualities in all of us. As moms, we have the opportunities to be leaders to our children. Here are some qualities written in the book that give a fresh new perspective to us as moms and leaders to our kids.

Leadership is the willingness to put oneself at risk.
Leadership is the passion to make a difference with others.
Leadership is being dissatisfied with the current reality.
Leadership is taking responsibility while others are making excuses.
Leadership is seeing the possibilities in a situation while others are seeing the limitations.
Leadership is the readiness to stand out in a crowd.
Leadership is an open mind and open heart.
Leadership is the ability to submerge your ego for the sake of what is best.
Leadership is evoking in others the capacity to dream.
Leadership is inspiring others with a vision of what they can contribute.
Leadership is the power of one harnessing the power of many.
Leadership is your heart speaking to the hearts of others.
Leaderhip is the integration of heart, head, and soul.
Leadership is the capacity to care, and in caring, liberate the ideas, energy, and capacities of others.
Leadership is the dream made reality.
Leadership is, above all, courageous.

If you would like to be a better leader to your children, pray and ask God for the Holy Spirit to teach and inspire you.

In A Hurry? Try Kefir For Breakfast!

Kefir is a yogurt-type drink with even more probiotics and nutritional benefits than yogurt. It's so good for the kid's digestion and overall health. Whole Foods and Trader Joe's carries Kefir. It comes in many flavors such as strawberry, blueberry or pomegranate. You can drink it or add granola as a parfait. It's fast, delicious and nutritious!

Rice Night... Giving Sacrificially

What a way to not only MODEL but to actually help your children PUT IN TO PRACTICE what it means to give sacrificially... You have to read this blog post below by Ashley Ann. You can not help but be inspired... I would like to do this with my girls.. just have to get my husband on board. ;)

"RICE NIGHT"