For about 5 days around New Year's, we had my in-laws come visit and stay with us. All of my husband's family still lives in England, so we go over to visit about once a year and his parents and occasionally brother or sister and family come to visit us. We love them dearly and it's always very difficult to say goodbye. Talking to a friend recently whose family is in California (about same flight time as to London), she said, "It would almost be better to never see them." It would - to make a clean break emotionally would help prevent those outbursts of grief when you have to leave after relishing in each other's company. When I spoke with my Mother-in-law about this, she agreed with how difficult it is. She brought up the story of her Uncle, who emigrated from England to New Zealand when he was a young man. He never saw his Mother or most other family members again. At that time, the trip was made by boat, and I guess it was very difficult and probably expensive to make trips between the two countries (not to mention long). He decided to detach himself, probably to make it a little easier to cope.
Although sometimes I think that way is easier, I know I could never do that. Even though it can be difficult in a number of ways, we do all we can to stay close with my husband's family. I'm so thankful for modern technology, including airplane flights with decent meals and in-flight entertainment, (not to mention stewards that somehow stop your baby from screaming after you've tried everything), telephones and international phone plans, and webcams. If you have any family that lives far away, have you thought of getting a webcam? You can purchase a good webcam for around $50 (although you can pay less or more for one as well) and use it with a free service, like Skype or MSN Messenger. It's so wonderful to have a little bit of face time here and there. We can also see our little nephews playing with each other, rather than just hear it in the background over the phone. I also started a blog where I can post photos and videos of my toddler playing and going through day to day activities, so my overseas family can feel like they're experiencing it with us.
Although I can get caught up in thinking about the difficulties of long-distance, God reminds me to praise Him for the blessing of family that we love and for the numerous ways we have to stay close with them. It's very hard to live so far away from family, but I'm thankful that today there are resources that make the distance a little easier! As my Mother-in-law said to me, "Now if only they could invent some kind of beam transportation that brings you from one place to another instantly!"
Monday, January 12, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
New Year's Resolution?
Have I ever told you I love to read?
Reading is not only just a hobby, but a safe haven for me.
But if you're a mother, especially of more than one (in my case it's three plus another on the way), you know how it gets with the schedules. You can hardly find time to do anything for yourself, let alone sit and relax while reading your favorite book with a cup of tea in your hand. Ha! I wish.
But for my New Year's Resolution, I've decided to squeeze in some reading. So, I did some research. What I found is called LibriVox ( www.librivox.com ). It's a site where you can download endless audiobooks for FREE! They're mostly classics because they're from the public domain. But since I've always had heart for classics anyway, this works for me... at least for now.
It's still not an ideal way, but as I dream of a time where I have a little more free time in my hands, this is how I get to do what I love to do :) So, if you're a reader like me, but can't find the time, check out this site and just download to your computer or your MP3 player and enjoy while you're making dinner or doing the dishes, etc. Your daily chores will become less of a chore :P
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Introduction to The ABC's of Character-Building (by Beth R.)
It started as a letter that I received from my mother, Sue Goddard, when I was expecting my first child. She wrote, “As you 
know, Dad and I had very little formal training when it came to rearing children. We just knew from God’s Word the attributes we wished our children to have. So we proceeded to use that book to help us, to the best of our ability, introduce those values to our children in and through our own home life.” Mom then laid out an incredible list of qualities – one for each letter of the alphabet – with Bible verses that gave them solid shape and meaning. What an incredible resource this list became all through my kids’ growing-up years! It helped me focus not on only their outward well being, but on their inner character growth.
I’ve added some of my own thoughts to make the ABC’s of Character-Building a collection of two generations of mothering tips. That’s over fifty years of experience – from laced saddle shoes to Velcro cross-trainers – from black and white TV to flat screen HD – from the Korean War to the War on Terror. Our kids will need to steer through similar dramatic changes in their world. Thankfully, God’s truth provides unchanging wisdom and unfailing guidance. Mom put it this way: “As people are spiritually well, the other goals will fall in place.” Let’s use these scripture guideposts to create a spiritual wellness program in our homes that will last for generations to come.
All verses are presented here in the King James Version, just as my mother gave them to me. I chose to retain this version of the biblical text as a reminder of our long Bible heritage. Many generations of mothers have found a haven in these words! Let us do so as well.
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed! -- Psalm 112: 1 & 2
The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. - - Proverbs 20:7
Let’s get started with the letter A in the article that follows, and watch for future installments to the ABC’s of Character-Building throughout 2009.
know, Dad and I had very little formal training when it came to rearing children. We just knew from God’s Word the attributes we wished our children to have. So we proceeded to use that book to help us, to the best of our ability, introduce those values to our children in and through our own home life.” Mom then laid out an incredible list of qualities – one for each letter of the alphabet – with Bible verses that gave them solid shape and meaning. What an incredible resource this list became all through my kids’ growing-up years! It helped me focus not on only their outward well being, but on their inner character growth.I’ve added some of my own thoughts to make the ABC’s of Character-Building a collection of two generations of mothering tips. That’s over fifty years of experience – from laced saddle shoes to Velcro cross-trainers – from black and white TV to flat screen HD – from the Korean War to the War on Terror. Our kids will need to steer through similar dramatic changes in their world. Thankfully, God’s truth provides unchanging wisdom and unfailing guidance. Mom put it this way: “As people are spiritually well, the other goals will fall in place.” Let’s use these scripture guideposts to create a spiritual wellness program in our homes that will last for generations to come.
All verses are presented here in the King James Version, just as my mother gave them to me. I chose to retain this version of the biblical text as a reminder of our long Bible heritage. Many generations of mothers have found a haven in these words! Let us do so as well.
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed! -- Psalm 112: 1 & 2
The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. - - Proverbs 20:7
Let’s get started with the letter A in the article that follows, and watch for future installments to the ABC’s of Character-Building throughout 2009.
The ABC's of Character-Building: A is for Angelic
A is for Angelic
And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. - - Luke 2:10
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. - - Revelation 5:12
The lore of the Christmas season portrays angels as graceful, sweet-voiced songsters, dazzling peaceful shepherds on picturesque hillsides against a starry sky. No wonder we call our adorable children “little angels.” Unfortunately, the only time we do that is when they’re asleep!
The truth is, “angelic” is usually NOT the adjective that comes to mind as we navigate the chaos of a kid-filled day. Raising children has its ups and downs. We clean them up -- calm them down -- dress them up – put them down for naps – pick them up – watch them fall down again. And along the way we often get all worked up, and put our foot down!
Where does “angelic” fit into this blur of constant motion? How can we raise kids who have an other-worldly glow about them, when they have a perpetual layer of worldly dirt ON them? Actually, real angels are a lot grittier than we think. Going back to their recorded appearances in the Bible, we see that they are usually loud! And surprising! And even terror-inducing! Hmm, now that’s a description that sounds more like real children!
Angels in the Bible are geared up for action. They tend to show up in shining regiments, like an incoming army. Yes, they sing, but their songs are more like battle war chants than saintly descants. They often have flaming swords in their hands. One of them wrestles all night with Jacob. Another one actually hits Peter: he gives the famous apostle a good smack as he tells him to get up and escape from prison. (Now that’s an angel that boys can relate to.)
The Bible says nothing about personal guardian angels. Nobody in the Bible prays to angels for miraculous deliverance. On the contrary, angels are sometimes sent in answer to prayers made to God. Most often, though, they arrive to intervene in human affairs independent of human request, in times of God’s ordaining, as His chosen instruments. And one other thing we see clearly in scripture: angels don’t allow others to worship them. They direct all attention to God. In fact, they never fail to increase people’s perception of God’s mighty power and awesome glory.
So do we really want to raise “angelic” kids? Yes, but not the definition of “angelic” that means “looks cute, hands folded, never gets into trouble.” We want to help our children be like those real angels – focused on God’s might, God’s message, and God’s mission. Ready to act on His bidding and protect His beloved ones. Willing to “fly” to the rescue at key strategic moments, and proclaim good news where and when it is most needed.
Angels are actually God’s servants… and God’s action heroes! As we role-model focused, humble service to God in our day to day living, we can become the truest of action heroes in our children’s lives as well. We can show them, throughout life’s daily ups and downs, the intersection of the Eternal. What a gift to know, from young childhood, that what you see is not all there is… that God’s purpose shines inside the everyday.
Let’s seek to raise angelic children who can stand up for God’s principles and stare down the enemy with confidence. (Maybe we’ll hold off giving them those flaming swords, though. Toy plastic light sabers are enough of a challenge!)
And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. - - Luke 2:10
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. - - Revelation 5:12
The lore of the Christmas season portrays angels as graceful, sweet-voiced songsters, dazzling peaceful shepherds on picturesque hillsides against a starry sky. No wonder we call our adorable children “little angels.” Unfortunately, the only time we do that is when they’re asleep!The truth is, “angelic” is usually NOT the adjective that comes to mind as we navigate the chaos of a kid-filled day. Raising children has its ups and downs. We clean them up -- calm them down -- dress them up – put them down for naps – pick them up – watch them fall down again. And along the way we often get all worked up, and put our foot down!
Where does “angelic” fit into this blur of constant motion? How can we raise kids who have an other-worldly glow about them, when they have a perpetual layer of worldly dirt ON them? Actually, real angels are a lot grittier than we think. Going back to their recorded appearances in the Bible, we see that they are usually loud! And surprising! And even terror-inducing! Hmm, now that’s a description that sounds more like real children!
Angels in the Bible are geared up for action. They tend to show up in shining regiments, like an incoming army. Yes, they sing, but their songs are more like battle war chants than saintly descants. They often have flaming swords in their hands. One of them wrestles all night with Jacob. Another one actually hits Peter: he gives the famous apostle a good smack as he tells him to get up and escape from prison. (Now that’s an angel that boys can relate to.)
The Bible says nothing about personal guardian angels. Nobody in the Bible prays to angels for miraculous deliverance. On the contrary, angels are sometimes sent in answer to prayers made to God. Most often, though, they arrive to intervene in human affairs independent of human request, in times of God’s ordaining, as His chosen instruments. And one other thing we see clearly in scripture: angels don’t allow others to worship them. They direct all attention to God. In fact, they never fail to increase people’s perception of God’s mighty power and awesome glory.
So do we really want to raise “angelic” kids? Yes, but not the definition of “angelic” that means “looks cute, hands folded, never gets into trouble.” We want to help our children be like those real angels – focused on God’s might, God’s message, and God’s mission. Ready to act on His bidding and protect His beloved ones. Willing to “fly” to the rescue at key strategic moments, and proclaim good news where and when it is most needed.
Angels are actually God’s servants… and God’s action heroes! As we role-model focused, humble service to God in our day to day living, we can become the truest of action heroes in our children’s lives as well. We can show them, throughout life’s daily ups and downs, the intersection of the Eternal. What a gift to know, from young childhood, that what you see is not all there is… that God’s purpose shines inside the everyday.
Let’s seek to raise angelic children who can stand up for God’s principles and stare down the enemy with confidence. (Maybe we’ll hold off giving them those flaming swords, though. Toy plastic light sabers are enough of a challenge!)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Settling into life after the Holidays...
I love the holidays and thoroughly enjoyed my time with my family. Time away from home, away from the typical everyday responsibilities, time to play, time to visit, time to eat what I wanted without worry. I loved getting out with my husband while grandma watched the kids, cuddling with my nieces, shopping with my mom, giving gifts and watching my children play with their cousins.
But settling back into my normal routine after a week away has been a bit rough. The kids schedules are off from being away and not sleeping well, there are tons of new clothes, toys, books, and other presents to unload and find places for, not to mention the laundry that must be done, the groceries that need to be bought and the house that desperately needs to be cleaned again. The biggest obstacle to out smooth transition back into life at home was the one unwanted gift we brought home from...a nasty cold and cough. First my husband got it, then the baby, then the toddler, then me. We have now recovered mostly, from the holidays and the cold (except for the baby), but I feel like somehow I am behind in starting the new year!
Regardless of the less than easy aftermath of our holiday traveling, I am so grateful we went and thankful we have family who love us. Hope you enjoyed your holidays and if any of you are having a tough time transitioning back into 'normal' life (whatever that is), don't forget that the best Father ever, our Lord has it all in his hands. I am reminding myself now that even though I have not gotten around to writing out my goals/tasks for this next year, God already has everyday of this year planned and it is more important for me to spend time asking Him what should be on my list, than making it up as I go along!
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