More Delightful Dads...

We are celebrating the role that dad plays in the home. Here are some extraordinary stories of dads who went the extra mile. These guys are AMAZING! Thanks again to all who sent Dad Stories! They were wonderful! Here are two more...the grand prize story will be posted next week! Drumroll please...


Sleepless Daddy...
During the 3rd trimester of my second pregnancy I got severe depression. It continued after the birth of the baby. Those were some of the darkest days of my life. A couple years had passed and I wasn't totally convinced that the Lord was done with us having children so we starting praying about it. After praying for two years I became pregnant with my third child. I was so scared. But my husband believed in his heart that this pregnancy would glorify the Lord and he didn't worry about me getting depressed again. So we entered the 3rd trimester and I still felt good. Then our precious Ella was born. That night at the hospital Jeff told me that he was going to sleep in the nursery and bring me Ella to nurse until she was sleeping through the night. He told me that he loved me so much that he would sacrifice his own sleep to know that I was getting a restful nights sleep to fight off any depression. That lasted 3 1/2 months. Jeff is a legend where we live. So many people meet me and they will say is your husband the one that slept in the floor of your babies room? I just laugh and smile "yes". They always ask why and I tell them God told husbands to love your wives as God loved the church. So he is 100% committed to doing that. He is amazing and I thank God for him everyday.
Kelly, Virginia


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And Another Sleepless Daddy...
This past Spring, our 1st grader had a field trip to Roman Nose State Park for a 2 mile hike. Literally over the hills, up the rocks, through the streams.....type of hike!!! My husband had gone with both our older children when they were in 1st grade and he knew how important it was to Hayden for him to go. HOWEVER, he was in very southern Alabama on a contract and doing everything in his power to finish up so he could travel home). After an exhausting day of finishing and loading the equipment to head back, he drove all the way back to Enid, OK virtually NON-STOP & all night and arrived into town 18 hours later just 15 minutes before having to be at the school. He took a VERY quick shower, and headed out with 30 first graders and parents for a "fun-filled" day of hiking in the hot sun, picnic, and playing in the springs. Needless to say, when he got home, he fell into bed clothes and all and slept a LONG time!! But Hayden was such a happy boy, filled with memories of Roman Nose Hiking!!!! What dedication!!!
Kristin, Oklahoma

Okay, moms...now it's our turn to encourage the men in our lives. Rather than comparing your fella to these guys, remember, these men have faults, too. This was just a time when they were particularly wonderful. Ask God to help you see something today in your husband that is worth applauding. It's there and God can help us see those things.

This is Our Life - It Is a Choice

Delightful Dad Series

The house is quiet and dark, all three little ones sleeping as we finally settle in. Suddenly the silence is pierced by a series of beeps from my husband’s bedside. The fire department pager goes off. There is a child with difficulty breathing in town. Without a second thought he is up throwing on the clothes he left next to the bed “just in case” to rush out to help someone else’s little one. In spite of working a 12 hour day and having only a short time to sleep before doing it all again, he eagerly gets up, sacrificing his comfort because someone else whom he has never met needs help.

This is our life. It is a choice. It happens multiple times a day (or night) sometimes, but we wouldn’t have it any other way because that’s who my husband is.

Rebecca Hastings

We are grateful for the sacrifice made by so many everyday. Feel free to post your gratitude comments to all the EMT/Police/Fire/Servicemen and women and their spouses by clicking "comments" below. Thanks for sharing your life with us Rebecca!

Summer Strife

Are you ready for your kids to go back to school? Is the summer fun over? Do you need a vacation by yourself? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may be experiencing Summer Strife. It can be defined as "when children bicker and argue over silly, insignificant things that causes their mother to want to pull her hair out!"

If your kids are anything like mine, they can often get on each other's nerves. My daughter came in this morning, fell face down on my bed and stated, "Mom, I can't take her anymore!" (Like we can get rid of her!)

As I was reading this afternoon in Colossians, I came across this scripture and thought what an appropriate verse to memorize for our family.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

The reality is that we "can't take" each other at times, but isn't it wonderful to realize that God chooses us all the time, and therefore He will equip us to love each other!

Summer Run-Away

Last week was a little piece of heaven. We ran-away from daily life. Thanks to my travel savvy husband we headed out of town for an inexpensive vacation. The kids were ours, and we were theirs. There was no opportunity to ask, "Can a friend come over?" because there were no friends around (not that we don't like our friends!!) We had no internet in our rooms, so daddy and I (and our bewildered teen) weren't clamoring for time on the web.


We needed it. Our family had been going in running 10 different directions as the school year ended. It was time that we ran away. Sometimes I feel like 9 of those different directions are mine! I say that "we" needed the time away, but I was desperate for it. I had to slow down and just be. And in stopping to enjoy my family, I realized that I like being with them! In fact, I loved it.


I also had a chance to spend quality time with God. I like Him, too. What a blessing to be loved by Him not because I'm so lovable, but because He is loving. (See The Love Dare - Day 8 or 9).


After coming back to the real world, I'm more aware of my family and of my relationship with God...and how precious both are.


Maybe you can't run away from home this summer, but, why not try a day or 2 of vacation at home? It takes some planning, but you can create a haven in the heat of summer to bring your hearts back home. Game night, movie night, a baking day, water sprinklers in the back yard...


My prayer for our time was, "Lord, please help us enjoy the time away as much as we'll enjoy the memories later." He certainly answered that prayer for us. I hope that as you take your moments and run with them this summer, He will do the same for you!

Lighten Your Load...an Irresistable Offer

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28

I've loved this verse for years. It's comforted me when I was tired and exhausted. But, on Sunday, it hit me in a whole new way.

Who in this world wants you to come when you're worn out? Maybe your mom, but nobody else. Your family constantly has you on the go and needs your best. If you work outside the home, you need to be alert and looking good. Friends don't tolerate weariness for long. Even at church we often hide the fatigue and put our best foot forward.

But, God says, come when you're beat or overwhelmed and He will give us rest. He wants us when we feel unloved or unloveable. His arms are open when we feel like a failure. They are open when we don't feel like a failure, too, but He knows that at our wits end, we are honest and vulnerable. It's at that point that we realize we can't do it on our own so we're teachable and ready to accept His strength and help. Why wouldn't we come? We certainly won't find a better offer anywhere else.

He goes on to say, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." We aren't free from burdens and chores, but when the routines of life are run through His hands, they are lighter and easier because we face them with His strength.

I am humbled that my sweet saviour who has already done so much for me wants to do more. He wants me to drag my tired self to Him so He can show me His faithfulness, love and kindness. He wants to do the same for you!

Carrying a lighter load...

Sharon

Why I Love God, Part 3 - He Never Gives Up On Me

"It just doesn't seem right that I should be ridiculed for everything I do." I couldn't reply. I didn't want to admit that he was right. But, my husband was Robin Hood splitting the arrow in half. I've been in a rut of criticism. Poor guy couldn't do anything right.

While I finished up the day, I felt as though loads of wet laundry were being thrown on top of me. The load of guilt for how I'd treated my husband, then the load of regret for things I hadn't done with the kids, and yet another - the load of wishing that I had managed our home better. I was sick of me. I dropped into bed feeling kinda hopeless.

This morning, I started the day...praying as I went. I realized how little time I've been spending with the One who makes me a better wife, mom and manager. I spent some time working on verses I'm memorizing with a friend, wrote in my journal about God's gift of a new day; thanked Him for never running out of patience with me and for His endless gift of forgiveness. Turning my eyes to Him began to wash away the guilt, regret and wishes leaving room for my soul to be flooded with the hope He brings in a new day. Just because I was rotten yesterday doesn't mean I have to continue in that pattern. A new tradition can start today. A fresh way of communicating with my family is possible. In Him, there is hope.

Without spending time with Him, I forget that my hope is in Him; not in my husband, my children, my abilities, or my circumstances. He won’t stop loving me (even when I don’t like myself very much.) “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:38-39 (NIV) He won't give up on me.

Thank You, Lord, for your unending, unbreakable, unrelenting love for me. Help me purify myself with the truth, so that I can have a sincere love for my family and help me love them deeply from the heart. (I Peter 13:22) As generously as you've loved me, help me love the same.

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled, set your hope fully in the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed..." I Peter 1:13

Making History…Mother’s Day 2010

My daughter just finished a scrapbook project for 7th grade Texas History. It was her personal Texas history…the parents, grandparents, greats and beyond (if they wanted to go further.)


I thought it was a perfect project to make history real to them…to realize that this is what makes history – the things that happen in daily life.


My husband looked at one of the pictures and said, “Where did that little girl go?” She’s 13 now and is only a trace of the little girl who flipped everywhere, didn’t care how she looked, and pressed flowers just because she wanted to, not because she had a wildflower project due in a few days.


The days zip right by. People tell you it will happen. We wrote a song about it knowing it was inevitable. But, realize you have are fewer days left with them at home than you’ve already spent is tough. Ouch! My eyes are stinging…


Everyday, we’re making history. We may not be making the textbooks, but to the people who mean the most in our lives and with the people who matter most, we’re making their personal history books.


As we start a new “Mother’s Day Year,” let’s make the most of the hours we have with those we love.
-When we need to slow down, let’s slow down;
-If we need to discipline, let’s stand up, be the mom, then follow through;
-Maybe it’s letting go of all those things we wanted or expected so that we can embrace where we are.


If we keep waiting for a better time, it probably won’t come. The time is now to invest in our families. With God’s strength we can do what He has called us to do.


Our goal at Mom and Loving It Ministries and in our own personal lives is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength by making the most of every opportunity as we are at home and going along our way, when we go to bed and when we get up.* That’s how we want to make history.


How do You Make History?
1. What are everyday things you do with your family that you hope will make a lasting impression on them?
2. Maybe your kids are grown. What made an impact on your children?

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you precious moms! You’re amazing! You might be thinking, “No I’m not! If you only knew!” My husband told me once (when I was beating myself up for how horrible I had been as a mom that day), “Honey, I wish you could see yourself the way I do.” It helped me understand that I’m sometimes too hard on myself. So, instead of shaking your head at your mess-ups, I hope you can see yourself today the way that we see you - more important, the way that God sees you. He thinks you're remarkable!

Psalm 34:5 “Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame.”

Sharon

*Mark 12:30, Eph. 5:16, Deut. 6:7