And I've read some mothering encouragement the past few days that I'd like to pass along. The first is from Camille, with Scripture and medieval mommy-inspiration from Martin Luther.
Karen writes a mother's day tribute to both her mother and her daughter, and the journeys the Lord has walked the three of them through.
I was able to have a long, enjoyable conversation with my own Mom yesterday. So much I'm thankful for, so much I appreciate, so much I see of her in me. . . so much to say that just can't be written online. I love you, Mom.
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Happy anniversary, with much love!
These three precious little ones were born within a month of each other. Twin girls in one family, and a firstborn son in the other. And yes, I've volunteered to babysit! My boys seem so BIG when I see these newborns.
I finished up this semester's classes with a sigh of relief. I toyed with the idea of not taking any classes in the summer, but scheduling wise have ended up with two--Statistics and the Psychology of Religion. Ought to be interesting, to say the least. (And challenging--statistics, to me, is like a foreign language. Requires a lot of work and repetition before things "click.") Speaking of, I'm also having my Russian language skills evaluated in a few weeks. I'm a little nervous about that. I can have long and ongoing conversations in my head in Russian, but tend to stumble over my tongue when I try to speak. That, and my listening comprehension. . . well. . . it's slow even in English! Classes start the week after next, so I'm trying to fit in some "fun" reading this week. Not exactly light reading, but Samuel Martin's book is on my to-read list (and it is now available in electronic format at no charge!)
T10 has had an ongoing fascination with whales for several years. He's read all the books on whales and related species at the library (and even pointed out errors in some.) I could totally see him out on a boat with a beard and binoculars and a notebook, like the cetologist on a video we watched. Last year we went to Shedd Aquarium with Mo and Papa John, and T10's special gift there was a book on how to become a marine animal trainer. Since then his obsession seems to have waned to mere fascination. . . Yesterday after watching Shamu and seeing the other dolphins, whales, porpoises, walruses and myriad sea creatures, he's again certain that he wants to work with and study sea creatures. I know that there are padi scuba lessons for kids as young as 12, but I'm so nervous about that--even if it is a few years away. Our neighbor is a scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory. I'd like to look into what volunteer opportunities would be age-appropriate and work within our schedule. Or, maybe we'll start with the Saturday morning program--that would be a fun Mommy-Son date.
We pretty much do year-round homeschooling, with lull times when Hubby or I are at the end-of-semester crunch, holidays and trips. But I think it is time to reassess the school books we are using and refocus on our education goals with our children. The boys have been learning by leaps and bounds. The most exciting thing is that C7 made the great leap from beginning reading to avid reading. They are all readers! That is so reassuring. Still, it's time for assessment and decisions.
The boys are still active with their Young Conservatives of Our Neighborhood club with the neighbor kids. They are in the beginning stages of planning a 9/11 remembrance service. It has been interesting watching them take a broad idea, and then walking them through breaking it up into little steps.
My morning glories have not yet sprouted, but Kathy's roses are blooming.
Life is good.
]]>]]>As a parent, I have learned a lot. As a parent, I have re-visited how I was parented and how I behaved as a child. Of course, sin mars all we do, and there were mistakes I made as a child that I wish I could erase. While Christ has forgiven me for them, they remain in my memory.
It is the same thing with being a parent. I am sure that someday, I will have even more regrets than I do already for things done and not done.
One thing I can say, however, in encouragement to you who have yet to be parents is this: encourage your children.
There is nothing more devestating than being a child who never gets any encouragement for what he does. Some parents will tell all their friends how wonderful their children are, but will never tell the child to her face. Some parents are full of criticism, condemnation, and rules that have no rational explanation, and the kid never know which way is up. I know that I have not always been encouraging as a parent. I need to daily, verbally, emotionally, and even with a hug, encourage my kids.
Kids who grow up with no encouragement may become people who don't encourage. Kids who grow up with unmerciful, legalistic rules may become unmerciful, legalistic people. I have been married long enough to know how difficult it is to shed the baggage from my childhood. Sometimes, without meaning to, we simply mimick parenting we received. Now, if it's good parenting, that's one thing, but all too often we repeat the mistakes of our parents. We need to pray to God for deliverance from ungodly parenting ways.
So, young people, when you become parents -- and that is not all that far in the future, you know; just think how fast the past ten years have gone and you will realize how fast the next ten are going to go -- ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN. Tell them when they've done well. Discipline them IN LOVE AND WITH MERCY when they make mistakes. And love them fiercely.
Maybe you'll be the one to win a spring-loving, handcrafted diorama!
]]>So this women's Bible study is going through the book of I John. Since I won't be able to attend every week, I want to set aside extra time for personal study and meditation. I've found a site from which to download an audio version for my MP3 player. I think the boys and I are also going to read through it a few times together (and perhaps use it for some memory work?)
Poythress on Biblical Interpretation
Thomas Boston's Useful Directions
"What I tell my childbirth classes is, “Having a baby is a right of passage in which you learn that life is not about you anymore.” That always gets a gasp from my couples, but I figure it’s better to get that fact out in the open before the baby is born so they can start getting used to it. . . . With 5 children, I had many, many sleepless nights, but I can’t remember a single one of them. In the larger scheme of things, they were insignificant. What WAS significant is that I spent countless nights tending to my children’s needs. . ."
--Darlene
Read the full quote and more mommy-inspiration.
Posted with thoughts and prayers for new mommies and waiting to labor mommies. . . You know who you are!
Through it all, we learn to lean into the Lord. . . to trust Him. . . to turn to Him in prayer and humility and rest. . .
And we are free! Free from philosophies, free from rules. . . free to turn to the Lord and grow into the mothers He has called us to be!
I have found it freeing to learn and study and seek wisdom--both the direct revelation in the Bible as well as revelation in God's creation. One resource as we seek the Lord in our ministry of mothering is the website Parenting Freedom. This site is newly online, but the mother behind it has long been sharing mothering encouragement with me and others. I appreciate her willingness to learn, grow, seek the Lord and find freedom in parenting.
I encourage you to visit the website, be encouraged by the Scripture, be challenged by the research, and know you have freedom to seek the Lord as you nurture the children He has given you.
Welcome, little baby J! Hubby's little sister has a firstborn son, entering the busy, breathing world today.
"We're an exceptional family, aren't we?"
That's what R9 said to me as I was making dinner tonight. "Connor has already been in bed an hour, and we're just making dinner!"
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