Lately....

Here's a peek into how our family is growing together in the Lord this year:

Memorization wall: Each week we review verses that we are working on or already know. Each new verse memorized means the clothes pin moves up the chart.  I converted this beautiful free printable growth chart by covering the growth marks with scrapbook paper, stickers and borders.  I love how it is great motivation to the girls and to me.

I had it on my heart this year to teach the girls a solid foundations of hymns. There are so many I love and find inspiring and I believe my kids should grow up with that heritage. As I began to look, I found this website that had compiled quite a few of the hymns that I desire to teach this year. I have made my own printables to go with them and am amazed how much the girls are enjoying it.

Each day our family has been reading scripture from The One Minute Bible.  This is a copy I've had since I was in High School. I know there are so many great devotional resources and children's Bibles available. In fact, there are so many I find it overwhelming at times. For now, this is working beautifully. Each day the girls are asking questions about what they are hearing and I pray this is whetting their appetite to want more of the scriptures.

Along with our scripture readings every night, we are writing down what we are grateful for in our gratitude journal.  We've talked about how as a family it is easy to rattle off things that we grateful for in general but it's my desire to practice more specific gratitude.  What specifically happened each day that we are thankful for.  I believe that there is incredible benefit in counting the small daily blessings as every good and perfect gift comes from above. (James 1:17)


One aspect of faith that is of greater struggle for our family is prayer. I always pray with the girls individually before bed but getting to "heart prayers" is still something we are growing in. Due to several "heavy" life circumstances going on in our family right now, I can sense that the girls are truly sincere, but it is my prayer that they would learn how to truly let their hearts come before God and bare their souls.  Personally, I am slowly journalling and praying through the Psalms and am finding such great peace, conviction and passion in my prayer life. As a family, I hope that we can all learn to live our lives in unending prayer. One tool I do have are these JOY cards, but I am not consistent in using them. I guess maybe this post will serve as a form of accountability to begin using them more.


I pray that you are finding ways to grow in the Lord with your loved ones. Please feel free to share any resources you have found helpful in your family's spiritual walk. And if anyone is interested in what I come up with over the year with our hymn study just let me know.

Blessings!

Prayer for today

I have been reading through the book Praying Circles Around Your Children by Mark Batterson.  I am joining Kathleen of Positive Adoption in an online book club as we read our way through the book.  I am enjoying the slow and purposeful approach to read just one chapter a week. It is a very short read and could be easily devoured in one sitting but the pause each week has given the messages and applications time to sink in.

As a peek into my prayer life here is my prayer for the girls today.

"Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child.  Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever." Psalm 131

Father, may Lydia and Emma learn to calm and quiet themselves before You.  In a society that esteems busyness and productivity, I pray that they would stand counter cultural and learn to truly rest and trust in You.  You, Lord God, are true Hope.  In You alone, Lord God, can a person find rest.  I pray that as these precious girls learn to calm and quiet themselves before You, that You would nourish their souls.  That they would be fed and satisfied by You and You alone. Father, may they put their hope in You, both now and forever.  Amen.

I believe prayer is both a private discipline and a communal discipline.  Both the practice of private prayer and public prayer are invigorating to me.  There is great worth in the prayers I pray in silence to God alone as well as those that are shared.  I share this prayer as a means of encouragement and exhortation.  I believe the communal aspect of public prayer is a powerful thing and will never hesitate to share what and or how I am praying for my children.  Thanks for joining me in praying for my kids!

Here is another peek into how I have been praying for my girls.  I wrote descriptive words on pillow cases for each of them.  All the words on one side are words that are true of them today. Things I see in them, admire about them and want to encourage in them.  On the reverse side are the words I am praying for them as they grow.  Words that I would like to see them grow into and really own. 

My prayer list for Emma

That which is already evident in her.

My prayer list for Lydia

That which is already evident.

 As they lay their heads down at night, I want them to know that I pray for them. That I see them.  Even more so, I want them to learn to seek the One who knows them and created them for a purpose.  He knit them together in my womb and He has chosen them, set them apart and appointed them for His glory. (Jeremiah 1:5) 

Thanks for hearing (reading) my heart today! Blessings!

I want to be...

In February Lydia wrote and essay about what she wants to be when she grows up.  We entered it in the SMART529 essay contest in hopes of winning some scholarship money but it didn't win.  Oh well, there is always next year.

Though parents and teachers are allowed to help I chose to let her writing truly reflect where she is in her writing ability and offered nothing but encouragement to write the words she thought were best.  Here is what she wrote.

When I grow up I want to be a cook.  I like going to the Union Mission to help make food.  I go there to make food for people who don't have food.  Each time I go I help other people cook.  So far I have helped make toast and cut potatoes.  I made soup and grilled cheese.  I think being a cook would be fun because I love making things.  People need to eat so I will always be helping people.

I think she did a great job and I know she meant every word she wrote.  She has a great heart to serve people and is a great helper.  She really does delight in serving at the Union Mission and wishes we did it every week.  I pray that she would continue to have a zeal to serve and bless people.  I look forward to her being old enough to accompany me on mission trips both near and far. 

Lord, draw Lydia to you.  Allow Your passion for the lost and hurting in this world to become her passion.  May Your heart to heal and nurture become her heart.  And as scary as those word are to pray sometimes, I pray for my mommy heart to release her into your care that she can effect great change for You in the ways that You have uniquely and specially gifted her.  Amen.

Day 31 prayer - Finishing Strong

Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26a

Dear Lord, as this month of prayer for my daughters ends I know it is not really over.  I will continue to come before You with requests on their behalf and desire for You to lead me as I pray according to Your will for their lives.  I pray that Lydia and Emma would run for the prize, that they would not get sidetracked by the many distractions surrounding them.  Help me to teach them to live with a view of eternity and guide them to be disciplined in their lives when I am not able to be there. I pray that they would not measure their days as sucessful as the world defines sucess but as You define it.  I pray that they would run their whole lives for You and that they would follow hard after You.  Refine me and help me to pour out my life for my husband and children so that in the end I may not be disqualified but that I would finish strong.  Thank You Father, for this precious month of joining thousands of other women praying for the beautiful girls in our lives.  We know that You hear our prayers and we eagerly await the work You are doing as a result of our petitions.  I love You and pray that You would give Lydia, Emma and myself a desire to know You more.  Amen.

If you want to read the rest of the 31 days of praying for our daughters check out the MODsquad blog.  I did not post my prayers everyday but I did prayer.  I was very blessed as a result of this challenge this month and hope that you too prayer for your children and special kids in your life.  Blessings and thanks for reading!

Day 17 Prayer- Faithfulness

Lord, You are so faithful.  Even when we are not, You are.  I pray that Lydia and Emma would learn of Your faithfulness and Your steadfast love for them.  I pray that You would overwhelm them with experiences in life that allow them to see and personally understand Your faithfulness.  There will never be a situation that You will turn Your face from and there will never be a time where they will fall further than Your grace has the ability to catch them.  I pray that I am willing to be a testimony to how You are faithful to me and that they can learn from my love for You.  You are good, You are great and You are worthy of all my praise.  Thank you ever so much for Your faithfulness. Amen.

Day 10 Prayer - Endurance

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop  endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:3-5

Lord, I pray that Lydia and Emma would learn the importance and rewards of endurance.  Not all the rewards are immediately visible but they are life changing.  I pray that You would help them navigate the trials and difficulties in their lives and draw them closer to You during the times when they believe You to be distant from them.  I pray that  their character would grow through these trials and that You would ultimately and finally be their HOPE.  You are a great God and You can do in my girls lives more than I know.  I pray that You take these prayers and perfect them. Lord, help me teach my girls how to depend on You and listen to the Holy Spirit who can fill all our hearts with Your love. A love that is unashamed and never ending.  Amen.

Took the weekend off blogging but not praying.  Many blessings to you!

Day 7 Prayer - Thoughts

Dear Lord, I pray that Lydia and Emma would place their faith in You and find their hope in You always.  I also pray that they would learn the practice of taking every thought captive. The enemy wants nothing more than our minds because where our mind goes our body follows.  I pray that You would supernaturally guide them to place their steadfast mind on You and think of all that You have done and all that You are.  Allow their lives to shine brighter than stars in this dark and depraved world. Amen.

Day 6 Prayer - Hope

Dear Lord, what I really want to pray right now is that You would protect my girls.  That You would keep them from all harm.  But I also know that all of us will experience trials and sorrow.  They are a guarantee in life in this broken, broken world.  I know my best efforts to pray for protection from evil, from physical harm, from abuse and from so many of the awful things in this world are heard by Your ears.  You will protect them and lead them and guide them.  I pray that they look to You in every and all situations.  But more than the protection I desire for my girls I pray that You would produce in them an everlasting HOPE! A hope that comes in the darkness when all seems lost. A hope that reaches into the crevices and barren places of the soul.  A hope that overcomes the world. (John 16:33) You oh Lord are that Hope! I pray with everything I am that I am willing to give testimony to the Hope You have given me. (1 Peter 3:15) Let Your hope, Your love, Your faithfulness transcend and surpass any of life's circumstances.  You alone are my Rock and my Redeemer. May Your name be praised forever and ever. Amen.

Day 5 Prayer - Purpose

Obviously I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Galatians 1:10

Lord, it is so difficult at times not to go looking for our worth, significance and purpose in other people.  I pray that Lydia and Emma would not get caught in the comparison trap but would look to You for fulfillment and satisfaction.  I know that You want to work this out in my life as well so that I can model this type of God-honoring life in front of thier watching eyes.  Glorious Father, guide Lydia, Emma and myself to desire Your approval and help us to remember that bringing Glory to Your name is our highest purpose. Amen.


At times, when it comes to praying for our children the message is just as much for ourselves as it is for them.  Their eyes are always watching, observing and learning which means we need to desire God to do in our lives that which we plead for Him to do in their lives.  Thanks for reading and be blessed!

Day 4 prayer - Time

Father in Heaven, I pray that Lydia and Emma would learn how to spend their time wisely.  Let them learn to accept what comes their way and be led by You.  I pray that You would order their steps and that they would choose to look to Your plan for their lives.  You are a great God and worthy of all that we have.  May we all be a blessing to You in how we spend our time. Amen.

Day 3 prayer - Truth

You are following a different way that pretends to be Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Galatians 1:6b-7

Lord, I pray You would protect Lydia and Emma from the schemes of the evil one who wishes to twist and distort the Good News.  Freedom in this life comes only through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.  I pray that Lydia and Emma would be grounded in Your truth and have the ability to discern between truth and lies.  Lead and guide them on the path of truth recognizing You are THE way, THE truth and THE life.  As their mother, teach me how to instruct them to stay alert to satan's schemes and I pray that You would strengthen our family to turn to You in any and all situations.  Amen.

Be reminded that as parents God has given us the opportunity to make a difference in future generations by what we do now.  That is not something I can do without prayer.  We should never take for granted the importance of prayer on this parenting journey.  Blessings!

Day 2 Prayer - Rescue

Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. Galatians 1:4

Lord, I pray that Lydia and Emma would come to fully understand and accept the truth of Your gospel message.  I pray they would understand the depth of our human need and would place their faith in You alone. You indeed are the only One who can rescue.  I pray that they would grow to depend on Your ability to rescue them and that they would learn that in all things they can trust in You.  Lord, I pray that I am willing to let my children fall and fail so they can further understand Your divine ability to rescue them.  I accept Your grace in my life and acknowledge how often I want to be my girls rescuer.  Help me to always point them to the true Rescuer.  Lord, be blessed in my life and in Lydia and Emma's lives as well.  Amen.

Day 1 Prayer - New

Today is a new day and also the first day of a new month.  I am feeling an awakening and a stirring and I know God can do amazing things in my life and the life of my family members.  Today I am starting another challenge, or should I say journey, to pray for my daughters every day.  Now, this is something that I already do but I am joining the MODSquad in being intentional about it over the next 31 days.  I already have a journals with the requests I have made to God on behalf of my girls but I have a heart still full of more petitions to be made on their behalf.  If you wish to join me in praying for your daughters (sons welcome to) then check out the MODSquad website for more information.  Thanks for reading. Be blessed!

Lord, I thank You that You make all things new and that You have ordained the next 31 days as a public way for me to pray for my children.  This truly is a new thing You are doing in my life and I am excited to see all that You desire to accomplish.  Thank You for Your grace which is new every morning.  Amen.