Never, never be too proud to say "I'm sorry" to your child when you've made a mistake.
Adding a second child to the mix definitely changes everything, especially when the child is already a preschooler. Some days are just harder than others. I do find myself at the end of my rope and do get frustrated with the kids. I try to give myself a time-out, then come back and apologize to them for losing patience.
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another."James 5:16
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
EMM: Donate Your Organs
So it's been a while since I posted about the Every Monday Matters book. You can get more information at the EMM website. I assumed that my drivers license stated I was a donor, but it doesn't so I will have to remedy that. I did go to the link and registered as a donor which also provided me with a card to carry.
I am sure that there are people who don't choose to be donors and I hope they have reasons that they at least believe in for not donating, but I have known I wanted to do this for many years. My grandmother donated her body to science when she died. Unfortunately, she was not a candidate for organ donation due to her health, but she still gave even in her death. This is what I would like to do as well. Whatever organs and tissue can be used is donated and everything else can go to science and research. I guess I need to make sure Paul knows what I want, too.
I am sure that there are people who don't choose to be donors and I hope they have reasons that they at least believe in for not donating, but I have known I wanted to do this for many years. My grandmother donated her body to science when she died. Unfortunately, she was not a candidate for organ donation due to her health, but she still gave even in her death. This is what I would like to do as well. Whatever organs and tissue can be used is donated and everything else can go to science and research. I guess I need to make sure Paul knows what I want, too.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
A Mother's Heart
"Simply having children does not make mothers." John A Shedd
Today's devotion was about a woman who became the mother to her nieces and nephew. She is also known as the "mother of the age of ecology" because of her book about pesticide dangers. Instead of a top ten list or recommended reading, it had an activity for the reader to do for the next week. It asks that you to say a prayer for 5 specific children who need it. I've made my list and said the prayer for today.
"Teach the young women to be sober...to love their children." Henry Ward Beecher
Today's devotion was about a woman who became the mother to her nieces and nephew. She is also known as the "mother of the age of ecology" because of her book about pesticide dangers. Instead of a top ten list or recommended reading, it had an activity for the reader to do for the next week. It asks that you to say a prayer for 5 specific children who need it. I've made my list and said the prayer for today.
"Teach the young women to be sober...to love their children." Henry Ward Beecher
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Power of Hearing
"If we as parents are too busy to listen to our children, how then can they understand a God who hears?" V. Gilbert Beers
This was a difficult one for me because we struggling with our communication with Logan and Sophie, too. I know that my children need me to listen to them and more importantly that they need to know I will. It is difficult when your child doesn't speak English or doesn't speak clearly. We do this back and forth, with me asking questions trying to determine what they need or want. With Logan it is especially difficult because there are times when he's not even trying to say words just grunts or yells. So, I'm never sure if he is actually talking (either English or Chinese) or just making noise. Because we've taught them both some signing, listening also means looking, watching for the sign and trying to match it to what they are saying. I can't wait for the day when we can all listen and understand!
"Let the wise listen." Proverbs 1:5
This was a difficult one for me because we struggling with our communication with Logan and Sophie, too. I know that my children need me to listen to them and more importantly that they need to know I will. It is difficult when your child doesn't speak English or doesn't speak clearly. We do this back and forth, with me asking questions trying to determine what they need or want. With Logan it is especially difficult because there are times when he's not even trying to say words just grunts or yells. So, I'm never sure if he is actually talking (either English or Chinese) or just making noise. Because we've taught them both some signing, listening also means looking, watching for the sign and trying to match it to what they are saying. I can't wait for the day when we can all listen and understand!
"Let the wise listen." Proverbs 1:5
Thursday, February 3, 2011
A Spirit of Strength
"Mothers are like fine collectibles-as the years go by they increase in value." Author Unknown
This devotion talked about the strength that we as mothers have and more importantly how that strength helps our children. It talked about a mother's determination and the sacrifices she is willing to make. As I read this, I thought about Logan's birth mother. I can only imagine the strength it took to leave her baby at that hospital with the hope that he would have a better life than she could provide. Because he was about 9 months old, I believe she tried to find a way to give him the life he deserved. The area he was found and most likely where she was is very rural. The financial costs to provide him the best medical care he needed was more than she could bear, I'm certain. She had to make that sacrifice, to leave him, in order to allow him to have all that she wanted for him. I hope and pray that she knows in her heart that I will be the mother she wanted for her son.
"Despise not thy mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22
This devotion talked about the strength that we as mothers have and more importantly how that strength helps our children. It talked about a mother's determination and the sacrifices she is willing to make. As I read this, I thought about Logan's birth mother. I can only imagine the strength it took to leave her baby at that hospital with the hope that he would have a better life than she could provide. Because he was about 9 months old, I believe she tried to find a way to give him the life he deserved. The area he was found and most likely where she was is very rural. The financial costs to provide him the best medical care he needed was more than she could bear, I'm certain. She had to make that sacrifice, to leave him, in order to allow him to have all that she wanted for him. I hope and pray that she knows in her heart that I will be the mother she wanted for her son.
"Despise not thy mother when she is old." Proverbs 23:22
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Open House, Open Heart
"You built no great cathedrals that centuries applaud, but with grace exquisite your life cathedraled God." Thomas Fessenden
Today's devotional was about a boy who was orphaned then taken in b his aunt. Years later as the aunt was nearing death, the man expressed his gratitude for the welcome she gave him as a child. We've all heard that a house is not the same as a home. And we all have our own ideas about what makes a house, a home. I've always known that "home" was a feeling. I'm known for feeling homesick even in my own house. I'm not sick for my house but for that familiar home feeling. I hope my children grow to have that same feeling about the home that we make together.
"We are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be there God, and they will be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16
Today's devotional was about a boy who was orphaned then taken in b his aunt. Years later as the aunt was nearing death, the man expressed his gratitude for the welcome she gave him as a child. We've all heard that a house is not the same as a home. And we all have our own ideas about what makes a house, a home. I've always known that "home" was a feeling. I'm known for feeling homesick even in my own house. I'm not sick for my house but for that familiar home feeling. I hope my children grow to have that same feeling about the home that we make together.
"We are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be there God, and they will be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Safety First
"As a mother, my job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible." Ruth Bell Graham
Today's devotion was about a mother who helped pass car seat legislation in California. She was inspired to do this after being involved in a car wreck and realizing her daughter was saved because she was buckled in. There are so many things that we have no control over. Those things we just have to let go and trust God to handle them. But then there are those things we can control. And keeping our children safe is one. The second page of the devotion was a list of "What the Bible Says You Can Know and Do Concerning Your Children." My focus for this week is to pray for my children. We've been praying for Logan (without knowing exactly who he was) for years. And now we pray for not only our own children but all the children in China and their mommies.
"Those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord have not forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10
Today's devotion was about a mother who helped pass car seat legislation in California. She was inspired to do this after being involved in a car wreck and realizing her daughter was saved because she was buckled in. There are so many things that we have no control over. Those things we just have to let go and trust God to handle them. But then there are those things we can control. And keeping our children safe is one. The second page of the devotion was a list of "What the Bible Says You Can Know and Do Concerning Your Children." My focus for this week is to pray for my children. We've been praying for Logan (without knowing exactly who he was) for years. And now we pray for not only our own children but all the children in China and their mommies.
"Those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord have not forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:10
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