At the beginning of the year God gave me the word "focus". Focus on my relationship with God. Focus on my marriage. Focus on my family. Focus, focus, focus. This past weekend I attended a wonderful Hearts as Home women's conference in Bloomington, Illinois. I came home with yet another word..."reclaim". Reclaim my marriage. Reclaim my children. Reclaim my time. Do not mistaken this reclaim as a wimpy verb. No, this reclaim is filled with power, determination, and dedication.

Maybe you're wondering if I have lost my marriage, family, and time. Well, in one sense, no, yet in another sense, yes. I still physically have my husband, family, and time. It doesn't appear that I have been robbed of any of my precious loved ones. However, if you look a little deeper you'll see...just as you will in so many other households in this country...robbed!

Work, finances, and lack of communication have robbed me of my marriage...BUT God has told me not to allow these worldly things to weaken my relationship with my husband. Go after him, pursue him, and don't stop until the devil's grip on my marriage has loosened and we are once again completely in God's grasp. The grip is loosening. With God's help, I am reclaiming my marriage!!

TV, computer games, and video games have robbed me of my children...BUT God has told me to fight off these worldly influences. Put an end to depending on electronics to entertain when I need a helping hand. Rather, encourage the children to dive back into the precious appreciation of God's blessing of nature and all of its wonders, strengthening relationships (face-to-face, not virtual), and allow the children to rediscover self entertainment. What wonder it has been over the past couple of days to see my children lavishing themselves in God's wonders of nature and people! With God's help, I am reclaiming my children!!

Staying too busy, spending wasted time on the computer, and answering the phone impulsively rather than screening calls have robbed me of my time...BUT God has told me to redeem my time. Quit wasting time running in circles trying to please everyone (especially those outside of my family), stop wasting time on the computer (bye-bye Facebook), and take advantage of Caller ID and answering machines. By taking these simple steps over the past couple of days I have:

• Taken a long walk and played "freeze tag" with my kids outside.
• Enjoyed, really enjoyed the wonder of God's world outside...again. There is nothing better for the soul than spending some time outside in the warmth of the sun with a fresh breeze surrounding you.
• I watched the kids ride their bikes and had a little bit of time to sit with Grace and have a sweet chat while the youngers peddled their hearts out.
• I've even given a little more attention to our sweet dog, Maggie.
• I've been able to focus on my kids so much more...especially in the area of disciplining with patience.
• I was able to do school with ALL FOUR kids! Yes, even my dear little Claira. The younger two and I read/rowed Make Way for Ducklings and learned a little about Boston.
• I helped Della plant tulips in the front yard. She purchased them with her money while we were out today.
• I took Grace to the pet store so she could purchase a cage that was on sale for her future ferret that she is diligently saving up for.

With God's help, I am reclaiming my time!!

It is so easy these days to numb ourselves to the realities of this fallen world. Then before we know it we are crying, "I've been robbed!"...and we've enabled the robber to violate us! We've opened the door, let him in, and even directed him to our family members...without realizing what we are really doing. We must snap out of it and become proactive...reclaiming our marriages, our children, and our time.

I know this is a rather heavy post, but this is also a heavy revelation.

As for the Hearts as Home (HAH) conference, I want to encourage every mom to visit the HAH website and even investigate what the conferences are all about. What a treat this two day get-a-way is! It is encouraging, fun, and so well rounded. I walked away feeling honored to be a mom, not alone in my struggles, and filled with hope, information, love. I encourage you to visit a fellow mom's blog, Radically Blessed. Tricia has a great post on this WONDERFUL event and all the fun we had. If you have questions about the conference or are considering going, please let me know! I sense God has encouraged me to share this incredible conference with other moms and encourage them to go...I am also willing to go again if anyone wants to give this jammed packed fun and encouraging weekend a try.