Thursday, November 11, 2010

Small Town DA Mark Hurlbert

There is a lot going on in our small town. If you have ever lived in a small town you will understand the problems with the small town justice system. It is backwards. It makes me think of the song by Vicki Lawrence or more recently performed by Reba,'The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia." The accountablity for our DA seems a little weak. They are able to convince the victims to plea lesser charges so they don't have to go to trial. And most victims are so new to lawyer mumbo jumbo that they trust too easily. Why would a DA's office care so little about justice? Probably because they are not capable of winning any case that takes some thought and preparation. I can only guess.

Jennie has seen it first hand through her situation (I will let her share when she is ready). The Deputy DA tried to plea her case and the plea was ridiculous. That is when she realized that she needed her own lawyer. What we all quickly learned is the DA does not represent the victim. He represents the state and really doesn't have any interest in the victim. I am sure not all District Attorneys handle cases this way, but Mark Hurlbert does.

Mark Hurlbert was the DA prosecuting Kobe Bryant. Victim had to get her own lawyer in that case too. The recent case in the news of the hit and run accident. Later the driver of the car was caught trying to hide the evidence. The plea is a silly misdemeanor. And again the victim had to get his own lawyer. Another case of a teacher having relations with a student. The DA tried to make that one go away too, until the parents of the victim were forced to hire a lawyer.

I am sure there are many more cases out there. I am sure if this small town dug a little deeper they would uncover a very ugly underbelly of our small town justice system.

Just needed to vent a little....

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Why do Wives Dis their Husbands?

First of all I must say I love the using the word "dis". It is such a silly word that has evolved as a slang term in our english language. This is why I can't learn a different language. Because, I am sure there are words like "dis" that people in the Hispanic, French, German etc. culture use and I will never understand what they are saying. So I will continue to use big gestures with my hands when speaking English in another country and hope for the best.

Okay that was a big side note that turned into a paragraph. My posts on this blog seem to have theme. Whatever comes into my brain must be written down and shared. Why do wives find the need to disrespect their husbands? Here is an example from this weekend:

I was waiting for my husband in the lobby of the local movie theatre when two ladies entered my space. They just came from viewing a movie and were laughing and giggling. Then I overhead what they were saying to each other that made them laugh so loudly.

Woman #1 "That movie was perfect. I love any movie that gives the woman an excuse to kick her husband in the face."

Woman #2 responds "There should be more movies like that."

Why? I do not understand the viewpoint of women who like to hurt, humiliate, or dis their husbands. I would never share with a friend how I would like to kick my husband in the head. First of all, I don't ever want to kick him in the head and second of all, I do not want to disrespect him to a friend.

My husband and I have rules that we live by concerning what we share with others. We respect each other with our words at all time. The three C's (cussing, crying and carrying on) only break down a marriage and leave it for ruins. No marriage is perfect (is there such a thing?) but bad mouthing your spouse will never help, so don't do it.

Just a thought from the eavesdropping lobby lady:)

Friday, October 8, 2010

Yoga in the Classroom

Well another great learning day at our local public school (sarcasm intended). My 5th grader came home upset about what they had to do for PE. Apparently a parent was allowed to come to the gym and teach yoga to all the 5th graders. She taught them a few chants and positions to allow their spirits to be connected with each other. Wow, did my hair bristle up and down my neck.

Of course, the principal didn't know that this took place and talked to the PE teacher. The PE teacher of course denied any chanting was taught and said it was just exercise. Passing the blame. The PE teacher is having a hard time finding time to meet with the parents who really had a problem with this guest speaker.

It was really just a lesson for me as a parent. Because there was a child in the class (a Christian girl)who refused to participate and told the teacher "I do not do yoga!" Her parents had explained to her the history of yoga and why it is not okay to use it as an exercise. I had not prepared my daughter in this way and she was confused. She is told to respect authority and to do her best in school. She knows the Truth and we discuss all the "stuff" she learns in school that is not true and is a world view. But I didn't teach her what to do when the authority she is respecting goes against God. She knew what she was doing was wrong but she wasn't sure how to handle it. She didn't want to get in trouble or be disrespectful to the teacher. It was definitely a lesson learned for all of us.

I am still going to hunt down that PE teacher and give her a true lesson on yoga, with love or course. I might just suggest that pilates might have been a better choice.

"..because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."
1 John 4:4

Praise the Lord!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Crazy Talk in the Public Schools

My son Logan could write a blog about the crazy stuff he hears at school. I am not talking about the silly "stuff" kids say, but the crazy "stuff" teachers say. I am so glad he knows the Truth and can filter out the crazy.

His science teacher explained to the class his interpretation of evolution. Old Darwin himself would turn over in his grave. Basically, 70 thousand years ago there were many monkeys. All differect species of monkeys. A certain species of monkey that were very clever, not wise, but clever, figured out which plants gave off the necessary oxygen they needed to evolve. With this clever knowledge they put these plants around them and were then able to evolve into humans. The monkeys we see now are not clever monkeys but dumb monkeys and haven't figured out how to evolve.

Wow, we are some smart monkeys. Unfortunately, most of the students in Logan's class are non-believers and so this information is believed and probably someday repeated.

I believe this poor science teacher can't seem to explain the big holes in Darwin's Theory, so he must make up the story of clever monkeys to put his mind at ease. And I suppose by teaching others this nonsense he can somehow make it true.

This is only one story of many that my son must listen to and filter during his many hours at public school. We feel he is truly learning life skills and with guidance and support from home he can stand firm for the Truth. Because someday soon he will be on his own and he will need to stand firm on a foundation based on Truth in a world full of clever monkeys.

Just another teaching moment in the Raitt household:)

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

We Can't Do Anything We Want

Obama, in his message to our public school children, repeated the same ol' American mantra of "We can do anything we want if we work hard and get an education". I am pretty sure those aren't his exact words but close enough. I disagree. I know it is not shocking that I disagree with Obama, but I disagree with the whole premise that all people can do anything if they work hard at it. That is false, and I think the contestants on American Idol can thoroughtly understand my argument.

I can't sing. I am quite sure I am tone death, I mean deaf. Although I murder any note I try to sing. Growing up in the Catholic church, I once had a priest lean over and tell me not to worry about my singing voice because God was tone deaf too.

Now my mom didn't tell me that if I worked really hard at it I could be a superstar singer. She told me big deal, so you won't be a singer, let's focus on the gifts you have and not the ones you don't have. Bless her pea-pickin' heart, she was right.

I can look at many directions I theoretically could have taken in life that would have been a disaster if I tried to apply the work hard and I can do anything method. Horse jocke? I am 5'11" and just a hair over 125 lbs (sarcasm intended). Hairdresser/stylist? I can barely braid my daughter's hair. Gymnist? Pilot? ballerina? No way Hosay.

I wish more parents would tell their kids to reach for the sky but encourage them in a realistic direction.

Just a thought...

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Obama Talks to our Children

Are you kidding me? What a waste of value time and tax dollars.

That is all I have to say about that subject:)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Where's the Love?

Where is the love? This is what I want to know. We can have knowledge, wisdom, money, generousity, kindness, etc...but still refuse to love. Believe me I am at fault too.

Here is what I am talking about and I hope it comes across well. But since I am the writer of this blog I am sure someone will be offended. (I need to work on that...someday).

A friend of mine is on a brand new walk with Jesus. God has really openned up her heart to listen and understand the truth of who He is and what He has done for her. Sounds good so far. All she wants is to learn the Bible and truly understand what it says. She started meeting with a mentor from our church. Great lady, really knows The Word. But instead of teaching her the Word, she told my friend where change needed to occur in her life and pointed out her sins. Of course, she prefaced every comment with "I am not judging you, but you need to be aware of areas of sin in your life."

Needless to say, my dear friend came to me in tears. It made me think of our role as sisters in Christ. We need to take our authority out of the situation, because we have none. We forget that the measure of faith that we have has been given to us. And if we truly believe that, then God does the changing and giving along our walk with Him. We can't hurry someone's walk or give them the Cliff notes to catch them up. We are truly there just to love. God reveals our areas of sin. God changes our hearts and desires. God gives us the ability to understand His Word. God chose us for a purpose, His purpose.

Do we really feel He can't change people without our help? Are we really helping at all? If I look at my friend and her experience, I would say the mentor didn't help at all. And I am sure she wasn't trying to be mean or judgemental, she just forgot how to love.

What if some really "big" sinners entered through the doors of your church?
Sinners like hookers, gay couples, abortion doctors, politicians, molesters etc...You know the sinners that we justify don't deserve our love. Believe me I struggle with this all the time. But I shouldn't. If God can rescue me from the mire and change me, He can change them. All He calls us to do is love them and be a witness for Christ. Just love them.

Isn't that what Jesus told His disciples?

Just a thought..:)

Friday, July 23, 2010

Help Wanted-Only Men Should Apply

Lately in the news women have been all bent out of shape about comments men make about their gender. For example, Colorado Senate race had a comment made by the male candidate towards the shoes of the female candidate. It was really nothing and actually accurate. He said "Vote for me because I don't wear high heels". Whoopee doo da day is what I say. We do wear high heels (well I don't because I am 6 feet tall) but ladies do, and we wear dresses, and lipstick and we care about how we look in our jeans.

My point is very simple, embrace being a women.

I have a number of very good friends, but I wouldn't call anyone of them to help me on the side of the road when I run out of gas(again). I call their husbands. I usually say "Can you please help me (again), I ran out of gas." They are always so helpful and I call them my "knight with shiney gas can". I never once hear them comment on how I only use them, or how dare I only call them for manual labor, or I am putting them in a gender box, or disrespecting them because I am only using them for manly stuff. Men like being men. As long as I don't make them talk about my new outfit or really make them talk to much about anything, they are always willing to help.

Why can't women do the same? Let's stop being gender-defensive and love being women. God created us and He knew what He was doing. So let's make a plan to never get our gender panties in a bunch and be excited that we never have to wear tighty whities. (Wow where did that last sentence come from?)

Just a thought:)

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

We Added a Martha-Slightly Tweaked

Well as the picture to the left shows, we added a Martha. But she doesn't know it yet. She is the friend that keeps us all glued together. In fact when we need glue she would be the one to remember to bring it. She keeps us on schedule but is able to change at a moments notice. That is the only way she can stay friends with us and love us unconditionally. Her name is Teresa and what a blessing she is to us both.

I guess she is not a true blue Martha but she definitely can live up to the job if she had to. Her home is beautifully organized, always clean and well decorated. But she would never tell anyone to take their shoes off to preserve the clean conditions of her home. She loves people more than things and she loves company. Well at least that is what she says when I come over unannounced with dirty shoes on my feet. So basically she is a Tweaked-Martha.

The three of us have gone through a lot lately, which is partly why I haven't written in so long. But I feel it is time to get back to it and hopefully we will be able to share the story that has taken us away from blogging.

So many stories so little time.....

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

What a change!

So it's my second day at work after being at home with my girls for 3 and a half years. The much anticipated change in our lives is taking place and it feels so strange. Sad to see this "season" of my life end and also a bit of excitement of reentering the "adult world". I think.
The girls had a great day at preschool yesterday and my first day of work was, dare I say easy? I've heard that being a stay at home mom is the hardest job, but don't people just say that to moms to make them feel better, appreciated, and motivated to keep going?
I am looking forward to missing my girls, instead of trying to get by each day finding ways to entertain them and keep them out of trouble. I am also looking forward to engaging in adult conversation with work colleagues and strangers.
I'm also a bit scared. I pray that God guards our hearts and minds against things and people of this world that do not know Him. As a new Christian, venturing past my doorstep on a regular basis is a bit unnerving. And what a new thing to worry about as a mother that my babies are not right under my wing.... I am not protecting them each and every day.

C'est La Vie.....my life anyways. I will let you know how it comes along.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

That's what friends are for-Part 1

So, it's been a long time since my last post, and my life has changed dramatically. I will someday write a book- but not today. My purpose of today's post is to express the value of the true friendships I have experienced over the last 3 months and possibly inspire you to rekindle an old friendship, patch up a bruised friendship, or make the time to introduce yourself to someone new and possibly help them along life's journey.
My closest friend, literally she lives next door to me, is my Maryville friend Beth. Although she has a very busy life mothering 3 children, coaching soccer and basketball, and being a loving and adoring wife to her husband; she has found the time and energy to pull me through some sleepless nights, overwhelming bouts of sadness and heartache (drowning in tears), crazy days of parenting my two toddlers, and really all the hard moments that are leading me to my milestones.

She has been there. With a "how ya doin today? phone call everyday at 8 am", open arms, chips and salsa, a glass of wine, lots of laughter, and most importantly the Word of God. She helps me remember that the all sovereign God is at hand, that He loves His children, and that my faithand obedience to God will bring love, joy, mercy, and grace to me and my children.

The priceless gift of friendship-not being alone is one thing, but being lifted up in the midst of trials and tribulations - that's what friends are for. What a real life testimony to me of the power of God's love from one family to another. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Are You Afraid to Parent?

Friends and/or acquaintances make comments all the time to me about how their kids behave poorly. Here are some of the comments:

"I tell them to go to bed and they just ignore me."

"I have to hide certain foods in the house so my kids won't eat it all."

"My little boy screams at me when I ask him to come in for dinner."

"I hate taking my children to the store because they argue and complain the whole time."

"We can't have a family meal because my children refuse to sit down at the table to eat."

It appears to me that their children have taken over and are holding them prisoner in their own home. It is so disappointing and upsetting to me to see parents absolutely uneducated about parenting and losing total control of their children. When there is a lack of parenting and very little boundaries set in a home the children will feel three very powerful emotions: anger, fear and sadness. And out of these 3 emotions you will train a child to be disrespectful, unhealthy and unhappy.

Parenting takes work but the results are worth it. As a society we research all the best beaches to go on for vacation or what car has the best ratings and options or the best diets on the market. But we won't pick up a book or get expert advice about how to parent. It blows me away.

It is time to stop being afraid to parent your child and start making some tough decisions about what are role really is when our baby enters the world. Let me explain something to parents out there, you will not be able to love your child into obedience or hug them so much they become respectful. A new toy will not motivate them to follow the rules or listen to good guidance. It is time to step up and do your number one job....Parenting! These children cannot do it on their own.

Just a thought....

Monday, February 22, 2010

Through the Eyes of a Mary

I think Marys must drive Marthas nuts. I somehow singlehandedly ruined a Women's Tea Party at my church. I don't think I ruined it for everyone, just the Marthas at my table.

My friend and partner in Maryville, Jennie, went with me to the Women's Tea Party. We entered to a beautifully arranged sanctuary of tables and women. All tables uniquely decorated and all women oogling and awing the arrangements. We were assigned a table and went to find it and get settled in.

Mary mistake number one: I didn't look for a name tag on the pushed in seats and so I sat in a seat of my choosing. Jennie sat next to me.

Mistake number two: I took the coffee mug and proceeded to get coffee.

When we returned to the table, we entered into a disturbing sight. A group of Marthas were at their wits end. The assigned seating was all messed up. Basically I took someone's seat. No biggy I thought, I will just move to another seat. As any Mary would see, it was no big thang. I moved seats and problem was solved.

Unfortunately, the problems just began. Because as you remember, I took the mug from the first seat.

Our table was called to the buffet line and we chatted all through line and returned with a plate full of food back to our table. Seconds later the Marthas were in a tizzy. Where is "THE MUG". Where could it be? The head Martha has been looking all over for it! Goodness gracious!!!

Jennie laughed and reached over and gave the unused mug in front of me to the lady without a mug. "Here is the mug!" she said, "mystery solved". I giggled and said "Whoops I must have stolen it from your spot." I thought I was funny saying the word "stolen". They took it literally and whispered amongst themselves "She (eyes glaring) stole the mug". They were visably angry with me and my inconsiderate action of mug stealing.

I looked at them and said "Wow"! I then couldn't contain myself and started laughing. Which made Jennie laugh. She, however, is much more gracious than I am and offered to get the mugless Martha a cup of coffee. The funny part was Martha let Jennie get her a cup of coffee. The whole event didn't stop there but it definitely began the mood.

We now call that day "Tea Party at the Angry Table"

It takes 10 Marthas to deal with 1 Mary.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Are you Christian, Mormon or Catholic?

My 10 year old daughter (bless her heart) must know what people believe at the very beginning of any relationship. And in her world you are either Christian, Mormon or Catholic. Three catagories only...pick one.

If they answer Christian, then she must know if they love Jesus. Who is He? Do you believe God or do you believe IN God?

I love her security and confidence in her faith. I love that she must know if her friends know the Truth. I love that she has asked these questions way before I was informed she asked these questions (usually by the parents, who typically couldn't answer her with any conviction). Deep down she just needs to know who she is dealing with and talking to.

If they are not Christian she doesn't love them any less or treat them different. She does pray for them. The knowledge of their beliefs helps her understand them and helps her understand if they our trustworthy.

Now we all know that just because you are a Christian does not make you wise counsel or have perfect discernment. We are all still human growing in Christ and stumble along the way. But to a 10 year old who desperately loves the Lord, she wants to make sure that she keeps her eyes open. And knowing if someone loves Christ or doesn't is a place to start.

Now the fact that she thinks that Mormon or Catholic is the only other options is due to the fact that my family was raised Catholic and she sees it and hears about it. And because I am studying the Mormon religion and she overhears conversations in the house, she realizes that the Mormon religion is not the religion of the Bible. There are also many Mormons in our community.

Life is simple as a 10 year old. You either follow Jesus or you don't. There is no middle ground. Everything is black and white. As it should be!

I love that girl:)

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

What do I do all day?

A friend asked what I did all day, because I always look like I am rushing around somewhere. To be honest I do not know what I do all day.

I usually workout, do my Bible study, laundry, coach.....

Sometimes I clean, sometimes I blog, sometimes I write...

Whatever I do all day, I never get it all done. My system seems to work for me because I get enough done to survive and get to another day.

Well I have to go because I need to put away groceries and pick up my daughter.

Let the lessons of today begin:)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Lesson for Parents

Why are parents afraid to parent? This is a question I ask myself all the time. When children are yelling, behaving badly, kicking, screaming, demanding etc. I just want to say, "Would you please start parenting!" It is time to kick it into high gear.

I have a favorite saying that drives my kids nuts. When they ask me more than once for something, for example, "Can I go to my friend's house, can I have another cookie, can I watch t.v. etc.?" Once I have said no I mean no. If they ask twice I simply say,"I can't say yes because it will reinforce your behavior. And I love you too much to let you act this way."

Obedience is not an option. It is not because my husband and I have a power trip, it is because we want them to grow up and be obedient to God. If they can't listen and obey us, how will they listen and obey God?

Now if the family that has ill-mannered children are non-believers, my advice might be different Because they wouldn't understand what it means to obey God because they themselves don't obey the Creator of the Universe. It wouldn't make sense. My question to them would be, "Do you like your children?" "Do you like the child who is yelling at you and throwing his shoes in your face?" Because it is not the child's fault.

The parents have trained him to act this way. Every time a child is allowed to be disrespectful, the parent is training him to be disrespectful. They are saying with their actions it is okay to yell at me and it is okay to treat me this way.

It is time to train our child to become the adults we desire them to be. Discipline equals love. If you do not know how to lovingly discipline your child there are many resources to help. Here are my favorite:

"Dare to Discipline" by James Dobson
"Going Public" by Pritchard (I will have to look up the first name)


"Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death." Proverbs 19:18

"Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

Don't you just love Proverbs?

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Children Do Listen (at times)

Well like I said in the last blog, Jessie and I would talk again about the "Molly" situation. I have to say she handled it well.

Jessie and her buddy Maddie asked "Molly" to play with them at recess. "Molly" couldn't believe it. She was quite shocked actually, but was very happy to be included. They had a great day.

When we talked later about her decision to include "Molly", Jessie was realistic about the entire situation. She said she just couldn't let someone feel lonely at school. Especially if she could do something about it. She said she felt God tugging on her heart to do something.

I told her no matter what the outcome, whether "Molly" becomes a friend or not, she showed the love of Christ. And that is all He asks us to do.

Jessie was able to listen and hear God because she was paying attention. Sometimes our job as parents is to help our kids just pay attention to God. Make choices with a purpose and not an emotion.

Just a thought....

Friday, February 5, 2010

Th Heart of a Child

Lesson 4 (I think)

My daughter came home to share that some girls at school are just plain mean and she doesn't understand why. The story went something like this:

Three girls are best friends, usually two of them at a time. The third one is always left out. The third one or odd-girl-out changes each week. Well it appears the two girls "Jane and Kate" have excluded "Molly" forever. Very sad story, but I am sure not a new one to any of us.

My daughter, Jessie, came home with a broken heart for "Molly". She wondered why she would pick friends that were mean to her and didn't treat her with love.

I said to her, sometimes people just don't know there is a different kind of friendship. No one taught "Molly" her true worth or maybe no one ever showed her what a true friend looks like. Or maybe this situation is about how we will handle someone else's pain when we see it. God really wants to know what followers of Christ would do? He askes us to be different than the rest.

(To understand the full story would be to know that "Molly" has never been nice to Jessie. But Jessie is so grounded and confident, she picks friends who treat her well all the time.)

So I left her with this lesson and allowed her to process on her own. I am sure we will talk again tomorrow about the outcome.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and every one who loves is born of God and knows God.......By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son in to the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
1 John 4:7-11

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

1 Samuel

After our lesson on how God uses young men to do His work, I caught our son reading 1 Samuel. He said he wanted to read the story for himself and really get to know Samuel.

Sounds good to me:)

Knowing my son, he will have a ton of questions for me (or Jim) to answer. I better be ready......I better start praying now.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The Word is for the Young too!

Daniel, David, and Samuel were not old and wise in their faith. They were young men or more correctly boys. Yet they knew God and God knew their hearts. These boys did amazing things because they believed God.

We have been talking to our kids about these true and real characters of the Bible. Daniel was taken from his safe Jewish home and dropped in the middle of Babylon. We helped them view this image by using their safe and secure home as an example. We said, "Listen up, it would be like being taken from your safe Christian home and plopped right down in the middle of Las Vegas." We asked them if they would be prepared and could they stand firm with just God on their side? Of course, our 6 year old said, "Yes, I would be ready, but where is Las Vegas and why did we all go there." (Maybe this lesson was a little bit much for her, but she still listened and participated.)

The other two understood what we were saying. Daniel knew the Books of Law and he knew and believed God. He was able to stand firm because he knew the Word. He was a boy between 13-15 years old and was able to stand firm for 70 years of captivity.

"Daniel, servant of the living God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?"

Lets teach our children to be Daniels and get them in the Word.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Do it in Love!

My sister-in-law is keeping me accountable. She emailed me in love saying...where are the daily posts!!!

First lesson learned post:

My son is amazing. He is 11 years old and loves the Lord. Not only does he love the Lord, he understands and believes what He says in the Bible. I also need to mention that he is very confident in his faith. I say this because he has many conversations with his friends and non-friends at school during lunch hour.

They are studying evolution in his science class and Logan balks at the whole theory. This causes some intense discussions and debates. Logan is very verbal and replays each discussion thoroughly with us when he gets home from school. I have to say the kid knows his stuff, but the delivery is somewhat aggressive.

We asked him if it was more important for him to win the debate or for his friends to come to know the Truth in Christ? If we win for the sake of winning we glorify ourselves. But on the otherhand, if we tell the Truth in love we glorify God. It was a lesson in love, not creation vs. evolution.

We see God working in our son and he is starting to show his God-given gifts. It is our job as parents to teach him how to use his gifts to glorify God. Pride is something we all struggle with and it is no different for an eleven year old. We told him to keep talking to his friends at school but do it in love. God willing the hearts of his friends will change but for us we are excited to see how God will change Logan.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:16

God is Good!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hello Again

It has been awhile since I have written and I am finally glad to be back at it. Life has given our family a bit of a twist. We have been emotionally involved with our dear friend and the absolute destruction of her family from sexual abuse. It is still a bad situation but we continue to see the Lord protecting them.

It just made me realize a few things about how I viewed myself as a Christian parent. I suppose it is back to that underlining question of what is my purpose. I always thought as long as I stayed home with my kids, monitored their friends, coached their teams, kept them under constant surveillance etc.... they would live safe and happy lives. How naive. How totally wrong I was to think I had any control.

I finally realized how little I truly pray for my kids. I guess I feel I don't need any help......Wow! I need to remember that the God of the Universe loves my children and has an amazing plan for them. I need to be in the Word more with them and make sure they know Truth. I also need to give them time to be in the Word and prayer on their own. Everyday should be an opportunity to learn more about our God. To really get to know Him.

It is time to keep me accountable. I am going to attempt to Blog our daily God lessons. I am so excited to let God lead each lesson and allow God to reveal Himself to us as a family. Our kids go to a public school so I know a teaching moment will be available at least everyday around 3:00.

God is in control....can I get an "Amen!"