No More Perfect Moms

I have attended the Heart at Home Northeast Conference (in Rochester, MN) three times. It has been such a blessing to me each time. Great keynote speakers, breakout sessions, musical guests, resources, overall encouragement and practical tips to be the mom God created me to be!

Jill Savage, the founder of Hearts at Home (and a blogger I enjoy following) is the "real deal". 

 

Today I am sharing a little bit about here newest book, the conference and some opportunities for you to get FREE rescources!! 

 

Keep reading! :)

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Hearts at Home encourages moms to embrace imperfection!

 

You always knew you would be the perfect mom. Then you had children.

Now that you know more, it’s probably safe to say that most days haven’t turn out like you imagined.

We’ve all been there.

When life doesn’t measure up to our expectations, it’s easy to feel like we’ve failed as mothers and we begin asking, “What’s wrong with me?”

The truth is nothing is wrong with you. You are normal. Your frustrations, your disappointments and your struggles are the same frustrations, disappointments and struggles that every mom is going through.

Hearts at Home is offering two opportunities for moms to embrace and celebrate their imperfections right along with others who are doing this “mom thing,” too!

No More Perfect Moms, the newly-released book by Hearts at Home Founder and CEO, Jill Savage, will help moms rid themselves of the “Perfection Infection.” With refreshing honesty, author Jill Savage exposes some of her own parental shortcomings with the goal of helping mothers everywhere shelve their desires for perfection along with their insecurities of not measuring up to other moms.

And, if you purchase the book any time between February 3-9 (online or at a store…and yes, electronic versions such as Kindle and Nook count too!) and send a copy of your receipt to NoMorePerfectMoms@moody.edu, you'll be given access to well over $100 worth of resources that will help you on your mothering journey - absolutely free! 

What will you receive? Click here for a full list of audio workshops, printables and books and all the details about how to buy the book!

Then plan to join thousands of moms, just like you, as they celebrate their imperfections on March 15-16, 2013, at the Hearts at Home 2013 National Conference, on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, IL.

Registration is open!  GREAT speakers and music!!

Choose the two-day Friday PLUS! option for a main session and three or four workshops on Friday, plus choose three or four additional workshops on Saturday or choose to attend either Friday or Saturday. Add Moms Night Out on Friday for a great day – or two – away!

Main sessions feature keynote speakers Candace Cameron Bure – mom, producer, New York Times’ best-selling author and actress, and best known for her role as "D.J." on Full House – and Jill Savage – author and CEO and Founder of Hearts at Home.

Moms Night Out welcomes Anita Renfroe (link to:  http://www.anitarenfroe.com), well known for her pop culture parody of the William Tell Overture-Mom Style and special musical guest Meredith Andrews.

More than 30 workshops with titles including Seven Habits of Highly Effective Moms, Real Ways to Connect With Your Kids, Boys R Us--Raising Boys from 2 to 22, and Wise Women Raising Wiser Daughters, give you the opportunity to design the day around your own needs.

With a sell-out crowd at last year’s conference, early registration is encouraged. The Best Value Registration Deadline is February 20, 2013.

Click here for full descriptions of all speakers and workshops and to start the registration process. Group discounts are available!

What my 4 Year Old Taught Me About Forgiveness (a repost)

I first shared this post on September 27, 2011.  Much has happened since then.  My little man will turn 6 years old in a few days.  God's still using him and his little brother to teach me lessons...and I've taught them, by God's grace, quite a few too.  So thankful for the way we continue to grow.

 

I've heard it said that unforgiveness in our hearts is liking drinking poison and expecting it to kill the other person.  To live a happy, Spiritually healthy life we must choose to forgive...and not just when we're asked.  It takes practice and a willing heart, much like any other discipline in this life. 

 

I re-read this a few weeks ago.  My own words ministered to me.  Love how God does that!  So I thought I'd share again, in case you someone else needed to read it too.  :)  Please read more...

Another Lesson from my 4 year old...Forgiveness

Oh, the things I learn from my children!

A few days ago I raised my voice at my 4 year old. Yes, I know, I shouldn't do this. And, yes, I know how important my words are...and that it's not Christ like to yell...and that I wasn't setting a good example for my children. Yes, I know. I am ashamed of it. But, the truth is, I did what I know I shouldn't.

I'm sure you didn't assume I was perfect. Of course, this all out proves that I am not. As much as I love my boys and as much as I want to be the perfect mom, I still blow it more often than I'd like to. Thankful for God's grace...and for continued growth.

After I raised my voice, I felt terrible. I asked the Lord to forgive me. Then, I went with a repentant heart to ask my little Andrew for his forgiveness. I said, "Andrew, I'm sorry for raising my voice at you. That was't right. Will you please forgive me?" He said, "Yes, I forgive you, Mommy. It's okay." I said, "No, it's not okay, I shouldn't have raised my voice at you." He looked surprised as he replied, "It's okay, Mommy. I forgive you." I told him thank you and out of my own shame said I was sorry again. He said, "I forgive you, Mommy. It's okay. I already forgave you before you even asked."

Did you catch that? He already forgave me before I even asked!

Wow! Tears flooded my eyes...unmerited, undeserved forgiveness before I asked...just because he loves me! What a relief! What joy flooded my heart!

I need to take a lesson from my 4 year old!! Do you also?

Instead of taking offense, holding a grudge, and critically looking at another's faults; how much better to overlook and forgive...without being asked...not because it's merited or deserved...just because of LOVE!

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Colossians 3:13

 

"Anyone who overlooks an offense promotes love..."

Proverbs 17:9a

 

Read other posts about Forgiveness here.

 

 

 

A Thankful Heart, Good Medicine

At the end of October our oldest little boy (5 1/2) and I made our own Thanksgiving Countdown Tree.  I can't take credit for the idea.  I saw it on some Facebook page (if I remembered where I would give credit where credit is due).  We had so much fun working on it together.

Each day from then until Thanksgiving we removed one leaf from the tree, wrote something each of the 4 of us (even our 2 1/2 year old) were thankful for on it, then put it at the bottom of the tree. 

By Thanksgiving Day the tree was bear and the leaves at the bottom represented so much to be thankful for!  We read each of them aloud...and thanked God again.

It was a fun thing to do.  But, more than that, it was a great exercise to teach our children the power of praise and thanksgiving.  To point out their blessings.  To direct their thanks to the Giver of all good gifts.  To teach them to recognize how faithful and good He is, in all things.  It was good for their mama and daddy too!

“How my eyes see, perspective, is my key to enter into His gates. I can only do so with thanksgiving. If my inner eye has God seeping up through all things, then can't I give thanks for anything? And if I can give thanks for the good things, the hard things, the absolute everything, I can enter the gates to glory. Living in His presence is fullness of joy- and seeing shows the way in.”  Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

Oh, to have eyes to see...to really see! 

 

The problem is we don't often slow down enough to see, to recognize how blessed we are.
 

I've been very focused on pursuing better physical health recently.  Even been sharing parts of my journey on my other blog Health In Beranville and corresponding Facebook page.  But I know overall health goes a lot deeper than the physical.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." 

Proverbs 17:22

I believe a thankful heart is a cheerful heart.  A thankful heart does not focus on the negative.  It does count blessings (even in the hard stuff of life).  It's like medicine, healing salve for our souls!  How can we not be cheerful (to be down hearted) when our heart is full of thankfulness?!  

Today I plan to take extra time be still.  To rest in His presence.  To ask Him to give me eyes to see, really see, just how blessed I am.  To praise Him, the Giver, because He is so very good!  To nourish my soul.

Have you stopped to count your blessings today?  Have you praised the Giver?  If not, what's stopping you?  Take the time...right now!

Having a hard time knowing where to start?  Can't see the good?  What about this, did you wake up this morning with air in your lungs.  Of course you did.  Today is another chance.  His mercies are new every morning (Lam 3:23).  Do you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, internet access, food in your belly?  If so, you are richer than a large majority of people on this planet.  He is good and faithful and His loves endures forever.

Oh, if only we have eyes to see, really see! 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever

Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever."

 

Psalm 136:1-3 

 

Related Posts that you might enjoy:

Don't Cry Over Spilled Lemonade &

Stop That Whining!

A Healthy Soul (and intro to a NEW BLOG)

I've been on a health kick here in Beranville.  Not some hippy, trendy weight loss diet or New Year's Resolution.  No, more like a whole lifestyle change.  Something that's well overdue. 

"Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." James 4:17

Lately I've decided to spend a lot more time focusing on my physical health because, quite frankly, I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired all-the-time.  I need to feel better in order to do all the things I know God has called me to do.

I decided to take the coming months to do something about it.  To take steps toward better health, including a healthy diet and ridding my home and body of toxins.  I even started a new blog to share what I'm doing and learning with others and to keep myself accountable to stick to it.

But I know that health goes beyond the body to the soul. 

 

"For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things,

since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

I Tim 4:8 NASB 

As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ I can't neglect to pursue nourishment for my soul, much in the same way that I'm attempting to nourish my body.

Health gurus talk about building emotional and spiritual health with everything from meditation to stress relief techniques.  But I believe the best way to nourish my soul (emotions and spirit included) is spending quiet time with the One who made me.  This includes time for prayer, talking to God and seeking His guidance.  It also includes Bible study, getting into the Holy Word and letting it get into me.  These are my food and preventive medicines for the soul.

I'm not talking about empty religious rituals or checklists.  I'm talking about a thriving relationship with Jesus.  I know from experience that nothing else provides all that our souls are longing for like He does.  Knowing Him fills my soul with hope, joy and peace that no bodily diet, exercise program or stress relieving technique can even come close to.  Knowing Him fills me with happiness unlike any brownie or being able to fit into that "skinny" dress ever could. 

Just like my healthy diet it takes diligence to spend time with Him each day.  As I wrote on Health in Beranville, we always make time for what's important to us.  If you asked me I would say my relationship with Jesus is very, very important to me.  Yet, I've been guilty at times of neglecting my soul nourishment.  It's easy to make excuses like I'm too busy or it's too hard.  Then I wonder why I feel weak.  I must remember to nourish my soul daily!

Will you join me on my quest toward better health both physical and spiritual?!  I'd love it if you would! 

*First, make a commitment today to spend concentrated time with the LORD each day this week, then follow through.  If you need tips on where to start feel free to e-mail me: rachel76x@yahoo.com

*Then, join me on my health quest.  Follow my Health in Beranville blog (either through blogger or sign up for e-mail updates in the right hand side bar).  There I will share my trials and errors, triumphs and failures as I pursue better health.  I'll share healthy diet ideas and steps I'm taking to rid my home and family of toxins (including my self-tried recipes for personal care and cleaning products), plus other tips toward wellness.  I'd love company on the journey! 

P.S. Don't have a personal relationship with Jesus?  Don't understand how you could possibly have a relationship with someone you can't see?  Have questions?  I'l looove to talk to you about that.  Again, here's my e-mail: rachel76x@yhahoo.com

Blog Break

It's really not a lack of things to write.  It's really not a lack of desire to do so.  I think of things to share.  So much really.  Yet, words and time escape me.  Lacking direction.  It's become a source of frustration for me. 

So today I announce a break.  A break from writing on my blog until the message is more clear.  I will take the time to focus in on the One who compels me to write...and seek His direction on what comes next for me and this blog. 

Best wishes to my reading friends.  Thank you for your patience. 

He is faithful! (follow up from previous post)

Sometimes the only words that explain something are "He is faithful!" 

In my last post, I shared about some of the trials my family has faced this year.  The most recent one being a fractured leg for our little Noah (2 1/2).  I asked my blog friends to pray. 

 

Well, I need to give you an update. Yesterday we took Noah back to the doctor for more x-rays.  Guess what they found.  He is all better!!  No fracture.  Although his leg was a bit stiff (from not using it for 10 days), he was able to walk.  Like me, all the nurses in the nurses station held their breath and let out a gasp as they saw him walk stiffly from the doctor's office to the sticker station.  He left there without a splint or cast.  Amazing!

 

There's really only one explanation for it...God's healing hand!  The doctor couldn't explain it.  And I have to admit, although I had prayed for it to happen, I was so surprised (God never ceases to amaze me!).  My heart flooded with joy and praise to the Faithful One. 

 

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  His faithful love endures forever."

Psalm 118:1

 

I spent the rest of the day watching with delight as my little boy enjoyed walking and even running around the house along with his big brother.  Both of them giggling.  Admittedly this is something I most often took for granted before.  My heart rejoiced for all that we have...life, health, joy...the list goes on and on.

   

I realize that God doesn't always answer prayers this way. This time He did.  He is faithful no matter how He answers.  He deserves our praise for all He has done and all He has given.  Every good thing comes from Him.  And He helps us through the hard times. 

 

God answered our prayers.  He continues to show Himself faithful.  ALL praise, glory, honor and thanks to Him!  His faithful love endures forever!

 

P.S. Thank you to those of you prayed!  I pray this increases your faith and strengthen your prayer life. 

Faithful in the Hard Times

Sometimes you wonder why trials seem to come "all at once"...

This has been quite a year for me and my family.  Starting last December with an ER visit for stitches for our oldest and gluten intolerance tests that lead to 7 months of a gluten free diet for my youngest, to my husband's ER visit and appendectomy in January, to my Dad's brain tumor diagnosis in February, to my miscarriage and d&c in March...STICK WITH ME HERE...this is not a pity party.  Just stating some facts so you know where I'm coming from....Then, there was my Dad's surgery and a few trips to a fertility specialist (since we'd had 3 miscarriages) to get meds that ended up making me sick.  After that another ER visit in July, this time for me...I had an unidentified infection that made me very sick.  All of this in the midst of the worst drought our farm has seen in over 20 years.  Last month (September) I got very sick, and ended up having my gallbladder removed.  

Now it's October.  What is it this month?  Well, it's a fractured leg for my 2 1/2 year old.  Goodness gracious!! 



As you can see, he's in good spirits.  Poor little fella!

It was such a simple thing, I stopped the swing, he hopped off, grabbed his leg and said, "Oww! Leg hurt me."  I thought he was fine, but later that evening he couldn't bear any weight on it.  I felt terrible...and still do!!

This brings with it more complications than just a splint on his leg (although that's hard enough)...like Mommy (me) needing to carry him (35 lbs of solid boy) everywhere...while still under weight restriction after surgery.  Active little boys should be able to run, play and ride trikes.  We've had to be creative to find ways to keep him busy, without being up.

You know, after a while, you really do start to wonder why so many trials come "all at once".
 
Today I found solace in I Peter 1.  Verse 6 says, So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.

I'll admit some days it is hard, but I remind myself that I must keep eternal perspective.  This life is but a vapor.  This world is a fallen, imperfect place where "stuff" happens...and sometimes those things happen all at once.  This place is not my home.  Something better is coming.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold -though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.  So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (vs 7)

The question is, is my faith genuine?  It's easy to say we have faith, but what about when the hard times come.  Faith is taking God at His Word. 

He says He has good plans for us (Jer 29:11). 
He says He works all things together for good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28).
He says that if we trust Him and seek Him, He will direct our paths (Prov 3:5).
He says He is faithful and will do what He says (I Thess 5:24).

Do I believe it?

You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls. (vs 8-9)

Oh, I believe...Lord, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).  Although I have never seen Him, I have seen Him.  He has proved Himself faithful time and time again.  Yet, I long to know Him more.  To trust Him more whole-heartedly, undivided and unwaveringly.  Yes, I love Him.  I know He loves me.  So, I choose to walk in faith.  I know that often circumstances are not what they seem on the surface.  I believe He will see us through this fire...and whatever lies ahead!  And, I believe, afterward, we will have a deeper level of trust in the One who made us (I'm praying this for my husband too). 

"When you are in the midst of your trials, your Lord will reveal His character to you in ways you never knew. You will experience His strong and comforting presence. Like Job, you will learn that your Lord will remain, even when everyone else abandons you. You will see God more clearly as He takes you through the dark times. Then you will experience God in ways you had previously only heard about from others." ~ Experiencing God Day By Day ~ Blackaby

As I choose to trust and lean in on Him for strength and hope through the craziness, He reveals Himself to me in new ways.  I praise Him for all that's going well...and it's a lot really.  Truly we are blessed!  When I remember to see, I rejoice with a "glorious, inexpressible joy".  When I practice faith I am filled with the peace that passes all comprehension.  God is good...all the time! 

When this year has ended, I pray I remember how faithful He was, especially on those days when this life's unavoidable trials come again.  Then, I pray that, one day, when I stand before Him, He will find that I also was faithful!

This is not only true for me, readers.  This is true for you.  No matter what you're going through you can choose to trust Him through it.  He promised He would go with you (Is 43:2), that He would never leave nor forsake you (Heb 13:5).  Will you take Him at His Word?  Choose to see all of life's blessings and praise Him today.

P.S. Friends, will you please pray for my little Noah as he goes back to the doctor on Monday for additional x-rays?  The x-rays will show how bad the fracture is or is not and the doctor will decide whether he needs a cast or not.  I appreciate faith filled prayers more than you know! :)