Jun. 23, 2009 - Review of "Shepherding a Child's Heart"

This is the book I've been hung up on since March.  I keep going back over it and re-reading portions.  There is so much wisdom to be gained and I keep forgetting it.  This book is basically how to speak to the heart of your child.  "From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)

Tedd Tripp asserts that "a change in behavior that doesn't stem from a change in heart is condemnable".  As parents we're to require proper behavior and to do that we have to understand our child's heart.  Then we can help them understand their heart and how a straying heart results in wrong behavior.  Instead of punishing the action, correct the heart issue.  When 2 kids are fighting over a toy - correct the selfishness, the pride, and lack of self-control.

I read the book all the way through, then found a parent's handbook that digs deeper into Scripture to help me understand better how to address heart issues and understand WHAT the heart issue is.  It's easier to spank for disobedience than to dig into WHY the child disobeyed.  I'm up to chapter 7 in the book (going through the Parent's Handbook along with it).  I only have 10 more chapters to go!!  I've decided though that training my children needs to be my priority over other things, including my blog and Facebook.  Next week we start back homeschooling so there will be less time for outside influences and more time for Mommy to focus on training!

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Jun. 23, 2009 - Review of "Raising Godly Tomatoes"

This is by far my favorite book I've read this year.  I'm not sure if I can share all I've learned in a short post.  First of all, it's not about how to grow holy vegetables.  Elizabeth Krueger, the author, offers much wisdom and experience (she has 10 children) of how to parent focusing on "the heart of your child, as well as his outward actions...applying reasonable discipline, and instructions on how to build a close relationship with your child."  The 1st things to consider are
- Are you ready to make your children your full time job?
- Do you view yourself as the God-given authority over your children?
- Are you commited to separating your child from wrong influences (TV, friends, etc.)
- Can you reject psychology-based parenting? 

She says that the way you begin is to keep your child close to you 100% of the time!  She calls this "tomato staking".  It means you're able to see what your children are doing, encouraging them and correcting them.  You will know your children better and be able to recognize what's going on in their hearts.  This means training their hearts to think as God thinks and their bodies to do as God does.  In other words, if your child disobeys/refuses to obey you stop what you're doing and immediately make him obey.  She asserts if you train for obedience, then you won't have to train for anything.  You are convincing your child that he must ALWAYS obey you.  And above all - BE CONSISTENT!!  This may sound like you'll be spanking or correcting all day.  You won't!  You'll have moments of correction in between times of loving on you children - reading, cuddling, singing, playing, etc.

I haven't totally enacted all that she suggests.  But I'm working on it and I've seen progress.         

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Jun. 23, 2009 - Review of "The Love Dare"

I didn't actually read this book all the way through.  It's a 40 day challenge for couples to show unconditional love to each other.  Since Mike and I are the perfect couple in need of much grace (and so I could read more books in a shorter amount of time) I decided to skim the book, get some ideas and then put them into practice.  I plan to go through the book in the near future for the whole 40 days and I'll try to blog about it...or at least some of it.

I think the introduction to the book sums it up best. 

"The Love Dare journey is not a process of trying to change
your spouse to be the person you want them to be. 
Rather it is a journey of exploring and demonstrating genuine love,
even when your desire is dry and your motives are low.  Love is a decision and not just a feeling.  It is selfless, sacrificial,
and transformational.  And when love is truly demonstrated
as it was intended, your relationship is more likely to
change for the better."

I've seen this to be true time and again.  When I've put Mike's needs ahead of my perceived needs our relationship is sweeter.  It's not easy but it's what God has required of me.

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Jun. 23, 2009 - Review of "The Peacemaker" by Ken Sande

I'm not doing well on my reading challenge.  So far I've only read 4 books.  BUT....I'm letting the words affect my life instead of just reading to finish the challenge.  One thing I thought I'd do is review the books I've read so far and then when I've finished reading each book.


The 1st book I read was "The Peacemaker" by Ken Sande.  I read this one 1st because I knew we were having a conference at church based on this book and I wanted to know what the whole thing was about!  I learned so much from this book about how to promote peace - at work, in church, my family, and most important in my self.  Our 1st priority should be glorifying God!!  He starts out explaining that in a conflict we need to be asking - How can I please and honor God in this situation?  The 2nd thing we need to focus on is "getting the log out of our own eye".  In other words search your heart for where you are contributing to the conflict before focusing on what the other person has done.  Ask yourself "How can I show Jesus; work in my by taking responsibility for my contribution to this conflict?" Then we're to gently restore the relationship.  As we remember God's mercy to us in our faults we can extend mercy, grace, and love to others instead of guilt, shame, and condemnation.  This often involves speaking the truth in love - sharing where they have wronged you but admitting your own mistakes.  In doing so you're coming before them with humility not judging them.  Ask, "How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict?"  Lastly, we're to be reconciled.  We're to be committed to restoring any damaged relationships.  The question this time is "How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution to this conflict?"  We're to forgive as God has forgiven us.  In Matthew 18 there's the story of the servant who's forgiven a HUGE debt by the king, but refuses to forgive a small debt owed to him.  We're often like this ourselves - we treat others' sins as greater than our sins against God.
Final analysis: GREAT book, very convicting

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Jun. 23, 2009 - 2009 Reading Challenge - updated June 23

My friend LouAnne pointed me to this Reading Challenge.  We're to pick 12 books (1 a month) to read in 2009.  Since I'm a veracious reader I'm picking 30 books and will attempt to read 2.5 a month.  I know I probably won't get all of them read but these are all books I've wanted to read and this is a good reason/excuse to stick with it!

Here's my list:
Theology:
~ The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
~ The Practice of Godliness by Bridges
~ The Discipline of Grace by Bridges
~ Joy of Fearing God by Bridges
~ Desiring God by John Piper
~ Future Grace by Piper
~ Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by Piper
~ When I Don't Desire God by Piper 2/13/09
~ Willing to Believe by RC Sproul
~ The Peacemaker by Ken Sande 1/14/09
~ Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas
~ War of Words by Paul David Tripp
~ The Prodigal God by Tim Keller

Marriage:
~ The Love Dare (the book from the movie "Fireproof") by Stephen Kendrick
~ Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
~ Biblical Womanhood in the Home edited by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
~ Praise Her in the Gates by Nancy Wilson
~ Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey

Parenting/Homeschooling:
~ Raising Godly Tomatoes by Elizabeth Krueger 3/11/09
~ Educating the Wholehearted Child by the Clarksons
~ Heartfelt Discipline by Sally Clarkson
~ The Mission of Motherhood by Clarkson
~ The Mystery of Motherhood by Clarkson
~ Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp 2/24/09 and now re-reading it
~ Instructing a Child's Heart by Tripp
~ Teach Them Diligently by Lou Priolo
~ The Contemplative Mom by Ann Kroeker
~ A Mom Just Like You by Vicki Farris
~ The Spiritual Power of a Mother by Michael Farris
~ Parenting By the Book by John Rosemond

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Jun. 6, 2009 - Playing catch-up

First, a picture from our wonderful trip to Cedar Point.  My mom and dad cared for the kids so Mike and I could get away to celebrate our 10th anniversary.  Unfortunately, we were sick with bronchitis/sinus infections the whole time and when we returned the kids were sick with the same stuff!  Since we felt so bad we didn't document the trip very well.  This is the only picture while at the park. 

Top Speed Dragster
It is 420 feet tall.  You're shot out at 120mph up the hill.  Take a 1/4 turn then crest the top.  Take 3/4 turn and return to the bottom.  The whole trip only takes 17 seconds!!  It was so awesome we rode it twice!!

Old van and new van
We bought a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan for a great deal!  It has a CD player, captain's chairs in the middle (instead of 2 bench seats), and a DVD player.  We didn't need a new van but decided we couldn't pass up the deal.

My adorable girls!!!

Rebekka's favorite activity - playing with my shoes!  She takes after her big sister in loving shoes.

Alec trying to not be kissed by Mommy!  He wipes my kisses off - can you believe it?!

My happy baby!!

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May. 22, 2009 - Win a purse!!

Go to Smockity Frocks to win a handmade purse!  If you blog or Facebook about it you get extra entries.  Anyone who knows me knows I NEED a new purse (like a need a hole in my head)!

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Apr. 26, 2009 - Vist from Chattanooga Cousins, Alec's Birthday, and Easter

I've been very lax in posting pictures of the kids.  I'm a little busy - most moms of 4 munchkins are.   So these are pics from the last 2 months.  I'll try to do better in the future!

Mary, Esther, and Rebekka

Rebekka (9 months)

Alec - excuse the messy #4...the writing icing was too liquidy

Annika hunting eggs

Alec showing his latest find

Eric running off to find another egg

5/6 of the family (someone has to take the picture)

Rebekka trying to figure out the remote control

Annika and Alec being silly

Annika being her cutie patootie self

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Mar. 13, 2009 - 10 years of marriage

Here are some pictures of us through the last 11 years (I started with us meeting).  As you can see we've added a bunch of kids in that time, but we're SO blessed!  We have 4 wonderful kids, an awesome church family, and our Savior's grace that strengthens us for each new day.

 
July 1998 (Mike's 1st visit to VA and when we saw each other for the 1st time)

Engagement (September 4, 1998)


March 13, 1999

Honeymoon on Kiawah Island, SC

Our 1st home (so sometime between March 99 and Oct. 01)

Our 2nd home (lived here Oct 01 - March 04)

Christmas 2003 (Eric was 22mo)

Nov 07 (Eric 5, Alec 2, Annika 10mo) at Topsail Beach, NC


Summer 2008 (Eric was 6, Alec 3, Annika 20mo, Rebekka 3mo)

Christmas 2008 (Eric 6, Alec, 3, Annika 2, Rebekka 6mo)