I've got 3 diamond-in-the rough sons. Sometimes those diamonds look really rough. The 8 year old and 11 year old are often like little roosters, pushing, shoving, sparring to be the leader. The 3 year old hasn't started that yet, but he's right there with them, every single day. Sometimes they are kind, mature, and helpful ... and I couldn't be more proud of them. Some days they are bundles of bad attitudes and angry voices, perpetually tackling each other, each holding the other in a headlock and refusing to let go -- somewhat reminiscent of Cain and Abel before that rock incident. On those days, I'm sure one of them is going to end up in juvenile detention.
But I have hopes for them. I have goals. I keep making them do the dishes, be kind to their sisters, and apologize to each other because I hope they'll eventually grow up to be responsible, respectable men who will serve the Lord.
1. I pray that each of my sons will be sensitive to God's leading, always
desiring to please Him, willing to stand against the world and its
temptations.
2. I pray they each have a satisfying career, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to
humble themselves and dig ditches if necessary to provide for themselves
and their family. I hope they have callouses on their hands, and a gentle smile.
3. I hope they have a wife who is their friend, who can laugh with them and lighten their load.
4. I hope they have a wife who works alongside them, as a partner, rather than someone who only wants to be pampered.
5. I hope they find a wife who respects them as the head of the home, isn't afraid to share her thoughts, but holds her tongue after the decision is made.
6. I pray that their wife will be a haven and will make their home a lovely nest (no matter what type of home they have). It doesn't have to be "house beautiful" but it should feel comforting, restful, and loving.
7. I hope my sons will change diapers, wrestle with their kids, teach
their children about God, rub their children's backs, and read bedtime
stories.
8. I hope each of my sons will be a husband who values his wife, cherishes her, praises her, serves her, and protects her.
9. I hope they will be men who aren't afraid to show emotion, not afraid to wash the dishes or do household chores, and not afraid to follow God.
10. I hope that they will each be a leader with integrity, in their home, their church, their community, and their job.
I don't know what plans God has for my sons' lives, but I believe He wants them to be leaders who change the world, even if it's only being a light in a small Kansas town. I believe He wants them to be godly husbands raising children who will also serve Him. I believe He wants them to be His witnesses in a lost and hurting world. I pray they do just that.
Praying for my children,
April E.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
10 things I wish for my daughters ...
I've been praying for my five daughters lately, and thinking about their futures. They each have their own personalities, their own dreams, and their own spiritual path to follow. I fully believe God has a GOOD plan for each of their lives, and I pray they follow Him.
With my oldest daughter just one year from graduating high school, I'm realizing time is short, and I've been thinking more about my wishes for their future.
1. I hope they find a husband who is a strong Christian, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, growing in their walk with God, with a teachable spirit.
2. I hope they find a husband who will look at them on the days they are tired or sick or in the midst of caring for their family (in other words, looking messy) and genuinely find them beautiful ... telling them so often.
3. I hope they have a husband who listens to them, and values their opinions. I hope their husband wants to know about their day, their struggles, and their dreams.
4. I hope God sends them a husband who leads the family with strength, confidence, and sensitivity. I hope he has a servant's heart for his family. I hope he is a loving and involved father.
5. I hope their husband is a hard-worker, a good provider, known for his dependability and his integrity.
6. I hope they have a husband who will laugh with them, who understands their sense of humor, and who is their very best friend.
7. I hope they find God's direction for their own life ... whether to pursue a career, whether to try to juggle it with a family, whether to work part-time, or to be a stay-at-home or work-at-home mom. I hope they follow God's plan for their life and rejoice in it.
8. I hope they learn to be content with wherever God puts them, whatever He gives them, and whatever His plans are for their life. I hope they see the good in His plan, even if it's not what they dreamed of.
9. I hope they know that their value comes from God, in who He created them to be, and in their relationship with Him. Even if they do not marry, or marry later in life, or face struggles in their marriages, I hope they realize it is not a judgement on them. I hope they will find their strength and their comfort in Christ, if they remain single or if their marriages fall apart.
10. I hope that they will continue to grow in their relationship with God, all of their life. May they never run from Him, may they always seek His direction, and may they be sensitive to His voice. If they do, they will be prepared for whatever twists and turns and trials life may throw at them.
I don't really have a specific vision for my daughters' lives. I know that God has a plan for them, and I hope they follow His plan, but I don't want to place my expectations on them. Sure, I'd like it if they were stay-at-home moms who homeschool, but that may not be what God wants for their families, and I have to trust Him to lead them.
My main hope is for them to grow ever closer to God, find joy in Him, and have a heavenly vision that looks above their circumstances. That is the prayer I keep praying for them. Everything else will fall into place, if they just hold strong in their faith.
Praying daily,
April E.
With my oldest daughter just one year from graduating high school, I'm realizing time is short, and I've been thinking more about my wishes for their future.
1. I hope they find a husband who is a strong Christian, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, growing in their walk with God, with a teachable spirit.
2. I hope they find a husband who will look at them on the days they are tired or sick or in the midst of caring for their family (in other words, looking messy) and genuinely find them beautiful ... telling them so often.
3. I hope they have a husband who listens to them, and values their opinions. I hope their husband wants to know about their day, their struggles, and their dreams.
4. I hope God sends them a husband who leads the family with strength, confidence, and sensitivity. I hope he has a servant's heart for his family. I hope he is a loving and involved father.
5. I hope their husband is a hard-worker, a good provider, known for his dependability and his integrity.
6. I hope they have a husband who will laugh with them, who understands their sense of humor, and who is their very best friend.
7. I hope they find God's direction for their own life ... whether to pursue a career, whether to try to juggle it with a family, whether to work part-time, or to be a stay-at-home or work-at-home mom. I hope they follow God's plan for their life and rejoice in it.
8. I hope they learn to be content with wherever God puts them, whatever He gives them, and whatever His plans are for their life. I hope they see the good in His plan, even if it's not what they dreamed of.
9. I hope they know that their value comes from God, in who He created them to be, and in their relationship with Him. Even if they do not marry, or marry later in life, or face struggles in their marriages, I hope they realize it is not a judgement on them. I hope they will find their strength and their comfort in Christ, if they remain single or if their marriages fall apart.
10. I hope that they will continue to grow in their relationship with God, all of their life. May they never run from Him, may they always seek His direction, and may they be sensitive to His voice. If they do, they will be prepared for whatever twists and turns and trials life may throw at them.
I don't really have a specific vision for my daughters' lives. I know that God has a plan for them, and I hope they follow His plan, but I don't want to place my expectations on them. Sure, I'd like it if they were stay-at-home moms who homeschool, but that may not be what God wants for their families, and I have to trust Him to lead them.
My main hope is for them to grow ever closer to God, find joy in Him, and have a heavenly vision that looks above their circumstances. That is the prayer I keep praying for them. Everything else will fall into place, if they just hold strong in their faith.
Praying daily,
April E.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Review: Firestorm by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Publisher: Waterbrook Multnomah
Format: Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9781578564668
Price: $18.99
This isn't the first time I've read Firestorm. I actually read the Full Circle series by Lisa Tawn Bergren when it was first published. I enjoyed it then, and I enjoyed it again this Spring. Even though I'd previously read the book, I only remembered the main storyline, and didn't remember the very emotional sub-plot of the book.
Firestorm is a contemporary romance, set in a ranching community in Montana. Reyne Oldre began her career as a wildfire fighter, moving onto fire science after a tragic fire claimed the lives of some of her crew. Now she works to develop equipment that will save the lives of other fire fighters. Unfortunately, she loses out on a research grant to Logan McCabe, a handsome smokejumper. As if losing wasn't bad enough, Reyne is asked to work with him on his research project instead. Despite her anger toward Logan, she finds herself drawn to him. Together they have to overcome her fears from the past, as they try to make their relationship work.
The subplot of Firestorm centers around previous characters from the Full Circle series, their relationships and their faith as one of them faces a losing battle with cancer. This sub-plot is revisited and closure is brought in the short novella, Sandcastles, included at the end of Firestorm. The entire series is brought full circle with this satisfying conclusion.
I truly did enjoy reading Firestorm. I was pulled into the story, and couldn't put the book down until I'd finished the book. I even cried, much to my children's amusement when they found me with tears pouring down my face. Although the progress of Reyne and Logan's romance was predictable at times, the story was still compelling.
You can take a look inside Firestorm yourself, by following this link and clicking on the book cover.
April E.
Firestorm was provided free by Blogging For Books, for review purposes. I received no further compensation, and this is an honest review.
Monday, June 11, 2012
You might be a homeschool family if ...
You might be a homeschool family if ... you've had a geography textbook on the bathroom vanity for well over a week.
You might be a relaxed homeschool family if ... no one has come looking for it in all that time. (Or a family who's only semi-schooling through the summer.)
You might be a literature-based homeschool family if ... you have more than one child who has memorized the contents of all 8 of your bookshelves. (Who needs a library catalog? Just ask the kids.)
You might be a homeschool mom if ... the librarians know you by name, and even let you know when a new book comes in that they think might fit your current unit study (based on the theme of everything you're checking out.).
April E.
You might be a relaxed homeschool family if ... no one has come looking for it in all that time. (Or a family who's only semi-schooling through the summer.)
You might be a literature-based homeschool family if ... you have more than one child who has memorized the contents of all 8 of your bookshelves. (Who needs a library catalog? Just ask the kids.)
You might be a homeschool mom if ... the librarians know you by name, and even let you know when a new book comes in that they think might fit your current unit study (based on the theme of everything you're checking out.).
April E.