Generation NeXt Parenting

Good-bye, Farewell...

2009-04-24T21:13:00.004-07:00

Well friends...

In the immortal words of Dr. Seuss..."The time has come. The time is now..."

...that I must end this blog somehow. (so much for the rhyming - clearly I am not Dr. Seuss.)

Don't worry, I'll still be posting on GenX issues at It's Real Life, so visit me there.

Here is the schedule:

Monday It's Real Life

Tuesday Family

Wednesday Writing

Thursday Marriage

Friday Have you seen this? (Fun/or industry related stuff)

Saturday Teen

Please feel free to contact me via the contact page at my website if you have any questions you’d like answered or would simply like to send me a note.

We can also stay in touch via twitter (www.twitter.com/triciagoyer) or facebook (www.facebook.com/triciagoyer)

With Humble gratitude for your continued readership and support,

Tricia Goyer

And so I leave you with this...

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch. ~Garrison Keillor

Do you know about Hearts at Home?

2009-04-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt alone as a mom? Lost in your chosen field of mothering?

There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.

Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. Over time I hope to share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here.

In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement.

Kelly Green!

2009-04-15T09:55:00.002-07:00

Yesterday, talk show host and eco-Mom, Kelly Ripa launched Electrolux’s newest eco-friendly washer & dryer in limited edition “Kelly Green” just in time for Earth Day. She's encouraging people to renew their commitment to living green by planting a virtual flower for a friend.

For every virtual flower planted at electroluxappliances.com, Electrolux will donate $1 to Global Green USA to support their healthy green schools initiatives across America.

Send a Virtual Flower at:
http://www.electroluxappliances.com/

You'll also be registered to win an Electrolux Kelly Green Washer & Dryer...Fun!

I'd say something like this...

2009-04-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

If you were to write a letter to your younger self, what would you say? Would you give yourself advice? Or maybe a warning?

I think I'd say something like this:

Dear Tricia,

God loves you more than you realize.
His plans for you are greater than you can imagine.
There is no such thing as rabbit trails. Follow God and all His ways will be made known.
Seek Him more than publication.
Trust Him even through the tough stuff.
Believe in the molding process. The goal is to make you more like His Son.

Blog-in-less-than-50-words: Abstinence

2009-03-25T09:43:00.002-07:00

Lots of chatter about teen pregnancy on-line. Let me just say abstinence starts with the heart. We can't fix actions. Can't legislate morals. The answer to teen pregnancy in-my-humble-opinion: connect with teens, speak to their hearts, believe in them and promote belief in themselves.

Thoughts?

I'm on Today's Christian Woman!

2009-03-23T11:35:00.002-07:00

This was so fun! I got to be part of a rountable discussion for Today's Christian Woman. The topic was...

Domestically Challenged!
4 women share their secrets on dealing with household issues.

With a plethora of TV channels and magazines telling us the way our homes ought to look, feel, and be if we want any chance of being happy in them, it's easy for those of us who are "domestically challenged" to feel frustrated or like failures if we're not gifted in the home-making department. It doesn't matter how many other things you're good at or what things God has called you to do. If your home doesn't meet certain expectations, chances are you feel lousy.

But is that the way God wants us to feel? Does he care as much about the messiness of our homes as—say—our mothers do? Does a messy house really equal a messy soul? TCW wanted to get the dirt on these questions. So we sat with some domestically challenged friends and listened to them share what makes them messy (besides all that laundry!) and where God is in the midst of the mess.

On What Your House Looks Like Right Now

Tricia: It depends which rooms you go into. I keep a main area clean.

Carla: The first things you'd see in my house are three big duffle bags of soccer gear and a seat from the van on the porch. Then a big pile of shoes.

Caryn: Well, today is a different story because the woman who comes to clean for me every couple of weeks was there yesterday. So while normally it's a mess—there are toys everywhere—it's better right now. It won't last.

Ginger: My house is clean-ish. But I'd be embarrassed if someone dropped in.

On What You Do Before Your Mom Comes to Visit...

Read the whole article here!

Watch a video of this conversation here.

Have you entered to win yet?

2009-03-12T10:16:00.003-07:00

As part of the blog tour for Every Sunrise I'm hosting the EVERY FOODIE contest! Enter to win the 7 books in the Home to Heather Creek Series!

People have been submitting the most amazing recipes...I can't wait to try a few!

Check out the contest here!

Deborah from Books, Movies & Chinese Food
If you haven't gotten a chance to read any of them, they are a MUST read. Tricia's additions to the series have simply been wonderful and I really like how her contemporary books have turned out. Even if you haven't read any of the other books in the series, you will enjoy this book and definitely want more! I can't wait til the next one!!

Deborah from Comfort Joy
This book has me worried. I've only made it to the middle of chapter 5 and I'm worried sick. Yeah, I'm worried. When was the last time a book drew you in so close that you worried about the characters?

Sarah at Real Life
Tricia has a unique way of letting the characters unfold and endearing the reader to them. When I stepped into this family's life and my emotions were drawn into their immense struggles and triumphs, I internalized the power of God's grace.

How to Read Your Male!

2009-03-06T05:08:00.000-07:00

The rise of the “alpha female” has caused a crisis in relationships today. These leading ladies are take-charge, in-control and steamrolling a generation of men. In fact, many of their husbands are running for cover – into the arms of other women and onto the internet for pornography. Has today’s “alpha female” compromised traditional masculinity?

Reading Your Male, by Mary Farrar from David C. Cook on Vimeo.

Bestselling author Mary Farrar argues that because men are so often misread and because the template for femininity has been diminished, many fiercely independent women are unknowingly feminizing their men. Many loving wives, loyal girlfriends, and concerned mothers have failed to realize that a healthy understanding of the male mind is essential for a strong relationship and with a little insight, they can draw out the best in their partners.

This month, her new book, “Reading Your Male” (David C. Cook, $16.99), Mary shares biblical truths and practical advice to teach women just what makes their guys tick.

Working on the frontlines of ministry and counseling for 25 years, Mary has watched the moral epidemic of s e xual sin and divorce play out in the world around her and the couples she counsels. Wives, girlfriends, and mothers in the trenches want to help—they just don’t know how. In “Reading Your Male,” she confirms that women can play a significant role in the lives of their men and teaches them the tools of the trade.

“Reading Your Male” unveils:

~The feminization of men and why “manliness” is becoming a rarity

~Why men think and act the way they do in every part of life, including sexuality

~A healthy view of beauty in a world obsessed with size zero

~How to draw out an emotionally unavailable man

~Teaching your son manliness

Mary holds a master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and is the author of the bestselling book, “Choices: For Women Who Long to Discover Life’s Best.” Mary and her husband, Steve often speak together at couples’ conferences around the nation. Steve Farrar is the bestselling author of ten books, most notably “Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family,” which currently has more than 500,000 copies in print. The Farrars reside in north Dallas, and have three grown children.

Giving advice to your tween/teen!

2009-03-04T12:56:00.002-07:00

As a mother of 3 kids (ages 19, 16, and 14) and a 17 year old exchange student. I've found a few things that work well when giving advice to preteens/teens:

1) Be honest about your past and your mistakes. Kids know you're not perfect, and it helps when you fess up. They respect when you're real with them.

2) Do something together and let the conversation come up. A bike ride, walk around the block, or drive down to favorite coffee place is great. You're shoulder-to-shoulder with your kid, instead of face to face. It's MUCH less threatening.

3) Dinner table is a great time for conversation. Make it a regular part of day. Also, I've found late at night--right when we're ready to go to bed--kids are finally unwound enough to open up. Stay up and listen.

4) Don't accuse. Rather say things like, "I've noticed ..." or "I was thinking ..." or "What do you think about ..." It makes it feel like a conversation (which it should be), not a lecture.

5) Have books lying around on topics you'd like to discuss. Then when your child picks one up and skims through it, it becomes a more natural part of the conversation.

What about you...how do you offer advice to your tween/teens?

Fresh Air Fund!

2009-02-26T10:18:00.003-07:00

This is so cool...I wish I lived closer to NY so I could participate. Check it out!

Host a Child

Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air vacations. More than 65% of all children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year.

Fresh Air Fund Host Families
There is no such thing as a "typical" host family. If you have room in your home - and your heart - to host a child, you could be one too.

Learn More

Fresh Air Fund Children

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 12 years old, who reside in low-income communities in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city.As one child says, "I can’t wait to get on the bus every summer so I can see my family and go swimming and hiking!."

Motherhood has shaped this WINNER!

2009-02-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

"The Shaping of Mother" series has come to an end. I was so blessed by your answers. Some serious, some laugh-out-loud funny! Priceless.

The winner of Blue Like Play Dough is...

Amy said...
I find myself mothering other people, my co-workers, my girlfriends and the funny part is, I do not feel like a nurturer.

I am not a touchy feely person but I do service acts-little things to make their day.

As a mother,motherhood has shaped me to see life in a different view point. Life is more important than the cleaning and such. Today was going out sledding in the beautiful, cold sunny day.

Congrats Amy...send my assistant Amy (amy@triciagoyer.com) your mailing address and she'll make sure you get a copy of BLP when it releases this summer.

The Shaping of Mother - Last Chance

2009-02-23T06:29:00.001-07:00

We have an official "blurb"!

2009-02-19T09:36:00.002-07:00

From Christianbook.com!

In the squash and squeeze of a mommy's day, could God be shaping something beautiful? In this spiritual memoir, Goyer invites women to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary! Learn to see God's hand lovingly at work in every aspect of your life---from laundry-folding to the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon. 208 pages, softcover from Multnomah.

Stories of Extraordinary Caregiving

2009-02-17T04:07:00.000-07:00

CVS/pharmacy Announces National Contest for Stories of Extraordinary Caregiving Second Annual “For All the Ways You Care” Contest

Invites Participants to Share and Celebrate Accounts of Caregiving

CVS knows how much time you devote to being a mother and caregiver, I wanted to let you know that CVS/pharmacy announced a “For All the Ways You Care” contest as a way to celebrate and honor caregivers in America. An esteemed panel of judges will select ten finalists that will be honored for their inspirational stories at a luncheon and luxury weekend in New York City in May. In appreciation for their commitment to caring, nine finalists will each receive $10,000 and the grand prize winner will receive $25,000 from CVS/pharmacy.

Last year’s grand prize winner, Judy McAtee, has fostered 30 children, is a mother of 12 including 10 adopted children, and has provided counsel for 18 families going through the adoption process. Judy is not only an advocate for children, but also their education. As a result of caring for a child with special needs, she was forced by circumstance to examine the virtues of home-schooling. Seeing the merits of home schooling, over the past 15 years she has taught every grade from Pre-K to 12th grade and has tutored children other than her own. You can view a video of Judy’s story here: http://www.forallthewaysyoucare.com/archive/

Youcan go to http://www.forallthewaysyoucare.com/ to join the community of caring and submit their stories through March 1st. Below is a release for your reference.

WOONSOCKET, RI, January 29, 2009 – CVS/pharmacy, the nation’s leading retail pharmacy, today announced its second annual “For All the Ways You Care” contest created to celebrate and honor caregivers across America.

CVS/pharmacy invites caregivers and others to submit stories of caring online at www.ForAllTheWaysYouCare.com, a growing community that strives to celebrate the unsung caregivers in our society. The site provides a forum for people to share a story about someone who has touched their life or how they personally have touched another's.

“CVS/pharmacy is committed to caring for women and those they care for. We are pleased to see the For All the Ways You Care community continue to grow as people exchange stories and discuss all aspects of caregiving,” said Rob Price, senior vice president, Marketing and Advertising, CVS/pharmacy. "Thousands of stories have been shared on ForAllTheWaysYouCare.com since it launched last year, and we continue to be truly amazed by the selfless devotion demonstrated by so many caregivers.”

From the stories submitted from October 5, 2008 through March 1, 2009, CVS/pharmacy and an esteemed panel of judges will select a group of finalists and ultimately a grand prize winner whose stories best represent a nurturing spirit and dedication to others. The finalists will be honored for their inspirational stories at a luncheon and luxury weekend in New York City in May. In appreciation for their commitment to caring, nine finalists will each receive $10,000 and the grand prize winner will receive $25,000 from CVS/pharmacy.

Panelists selecting the winners include Lee Woodruff, author and wife of ABC News Correspondent Bob Woodruff; Dr. Roseanna Means, founder of Women of Means, a program of volunteer doctors who provide free medical care to homeless women and children; Tina Sharkey, BabyCenter chairman and global president; and Rosemary Ellis, Good Housekeeping editor-in-chief. The members of the panel have also posted their own personal caregiving stories on www.ForAllTheWaysYouCare.com.

“I am privileged to be part of this growing campaign,” said Woodruff. “Our family continues to receive an outpouring of love and support, and I am grateful to help give back by honoring special caregivers across America.”

To join the community of caring and enter the For All the Ways You Care contest, please visit: http://www.forallthewaysyoucare.com/ .

About CVS/pharmacy
CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's largest retail pharmacy. The Company operates more than 6,800 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores. CVS/pharmacy is committed to improving the lives of those we serve by making innovative and high-quality health and pharmacy services safe, affordable and easy to access, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://www.cvscaremark.com/ .

Glamour Magazine and Abortion

2009-02-16T10:46:00.004-07:00

I was surprised and excited to read that Glamour Mag did an article about post-abortion stories. (See press release below) I often share my personal story when I speak--years of emotional pain, regret, darkness, and burdens ... and I struggled with all those things as a Christian!

Like Lisa Gaylord, I too found healing through the Bible Study Forgiven and Set Free. After the FIRST NIGHT of going to the study, and seeing the other women in the room, I felt LIBERATED. There were other women like me. Jesus forgave me, but I had permission to forgive myself.

I found so much healing that I later went on to teach the Bible Study. After that, I felt God's call to help launch Hope Pregnancy Center. My freedom also spilled over to all part of my life. I'm a joyful mom and wife. My writing as flourished as I write in freedom and peace from deep in my soul. I've written on Christian book for teen girls: My Life, Unscripted (Zondervan). And another book for teens to help them NOT get in that situation: My Life, Unscripted (Thomas Nelson). Also, two of my novels have stories of women abandoned by men after pregnancy. I've written articles about my experience, too.

Articles:
When Children Have Children:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2006/julaug/12.56.html

Silent Suffering: Post-Abortion Trauma:
http://legacy.pastors.com/RWMT/article.asp?ID=137&ArtID=2565

Awaiting the Transformation:
http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/focusmagazine/spiritualheritage/A000001134.cfm

Radio interviews and articles from Focus on the Family:
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/search.aspx/search?q=tricia%20goyer

Read Lisa's story ... and if you know someone who needs this Bible Study encourage her (or him!) to attend. When Christ sets us free, we are free indeed!

Care Net: Glamour Mag Abortion Stories Point to Need for More Recovery Groups
LANSDOWNE, VA, Feb. 11 /Christian Newswire/ -- In its March issue, Glamour magazine explores the real life stories of women who have had an abortion. Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde thanked the magazine for giving voice to women whose abortion was a traumatic experience and has caused them emotional pain. However, she called on Glamour to do more to point their readers to the healing found through a post-abortion recovery group. Sadly, only one of the women featured in the article found such help, and no information was provided for readers about where to find it. That woman, Lisa Gaylord, now leads the recovery group at Hopeline Pregnancy Resource Center, a Care Net center in Danbury, Connecticut. Read Lisa's full story. "

All too often, magazines like Glamour will shy away from publishing women's raw abortion stories," Delahoyde said. "By allowing some women to share about the 'emotional hell' they have gone through, this issue treats the abortion experience more honestly. However, it does a poor job of presenting a balanced viewpoint about where to find healing. The only resources Glamour refers readers to are those offered by abortion advocates."

Read the rest of the press release here!

Hope + Healing Tonight!

2009-02-11T11:53:00.003-07:00

I have 17 points I'm talking to parents about at tonight's True Love Waits Parent Seminar.

1. Be a Role Model. Kids will follow where we lead. Consider your life. Are you living with integrity? Are you only having sex within the bounds of marriage? Saying, “Do what I say not what I do” never works. Just because we’re older doesn’t mean we are immune to sexual stimuli, temptation, or any other struggles the Bible discusses. Parents cannot shield their adolescences’ eyes and ears forever. As they grow, kids will have to make their own decisions. Help them make godly decisions from the start, by modeling these decisions yourself.

2. Find Healing. Do you have pain from your past that you haven’t dealt with? Your teens will be able to tell. Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Take your mistakes to God. Bring them to him in prayer. Attend a post-abortion Bible Study.

3. Share Your Story. You don’t have to go into all the details to share your successes and your failures. Teens appreciate transparency and honesty.

4. Talk about what love is. Love is not sex. Going “all the way” with someone doesn’t prove your love. (No matter what they show on television.) True love is shown through life-long commitment and by valuing the other person. Remind teens that they are the one responsible for setting sexual limits on a relationship.

5. Remind kids it CAN happen to them. Having sex, even so called "protected" sex, can lead to pregnancy. It can happen even to kids from a good family. The only way to 100% prevent pregnancy is to not have sex. Also, you can get an STD from physical contact alone. If any part of the other person touches any part of you … you can get an STD.

6. Emphasize that even “good girls” get pregnant. Likewise, being a “good guy” isn’t enough to stop you from getting your girlfriend pregnant. Having a good report card, being a good person, having an important parent, or being conscientious will not protect you from pregnancy. According to teenpregnancy.org, 1 in 3 young women get pregnant at least once before they turn 20—good girls included.

7. Let your son or daughter know that most teens wished they had waited. Sex before marriage can lead to pregnancy and STDs, but there is also emotional baggage. According to teenpregnancy.org, 60% of teens “wished they had waited longer” to have sex.

8. Encourage your teen to plan his/her actions BEFORE the situation arises. Do: set boundaries. Do not: get into situations that will cause him/her to compromise decisions. Help your teen make good plans for his/her future and stick to goals.

9. Talk about media’s wrong messages. The media (television, radio, movies, music videos, magazines, the Internet) are chock full of material sending wrong messages. Just because we see everyone in Hollywood having sex and having babies, doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. Babies are a responsibility, not a fashion accessory.

10. Encourage secondary purity. Teens can say “no” even if they’ve said "yes" before. Today your daughter or son can make the right choice and choose abstinence.

11. Realize parents can only do so much … but make sure it’s done! As a parent, you cannot be around your child 24/7. Yet, we can do our best to prepare our teens. Don’t wait.

12. Be available. If kids see that you’re not available to take a walk or sit down for a board game, they will view you as unavailable to communicate about the important stuff, too. Tune into stories about cute outfits and video games. It’s often these talks that lead into other, more serious issues.

13. Open up a two-way conversation, not a one-way lecture. Parents can do this by turning the above topics into questions such as: What are your boundaries? Do you think sex proves you love someone? What do you think of media messages? Talk in non-threatening ways, walking side by side, riding in the car. Not having eye contact helps teens open up.

14. Interview your teen’s date. Ask him/her about morals and boundaries. Tell him/her your expectations. Be a presence. Build a relationship.

15. Become your child’s ally. An ally understands the battle. Parents need to know even more about their children’s world than they do. Read magazines, listen to music, and watch shows targeted to adolescents. Get a Facebook account. Volunteer for carpool. Invite all the teens over to your house.

16. Use the media to prove your point. Sit down and watch shows and commercials with your teen and point out why these things break God’s heart. Ask questions like, “Is this reality? Do people on TV look and act like people in real life? What is the difference?” Remind teens that media is a false reality created by actors, producers, directors, advertisers and others who are trying to get across their views, and beliefs.

17. Seek God … often. “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15b (NIV). Listen to His still, small voice.

Books for parents and kids to read together:

· Preparing You Son for Every Man’s Battle: Honest Conversations About Sexual Integrity, Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker (WaterBrook)

· Every Young Woman’s Battle by Shannon Ethridge (Waterbrook)

· Preparing For Adolescence, Dr. James Dobson (Regal Books)

· So You’re About to Be a Teenager: Godly Advice for Preteens on Friends, Love, Sex, Faith, and Other Life Issues, Dennis and Barbara Rainey, with Samuel and Rebecca Rainey (Thomas Nelson Books)

· Secret Keeper: The Delicate Power of Modesty, Dannah Gresh (Moody Publishers)

Books for parents:

· Parenting Today’s Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years, Dennis and Barbara Rainey (Thomas Nelson Books)

· “Mom, I Hate My Life!” Sharon A Hersh (WaterBrook Press)

· Gentle Passages: Guiding Your Daughter into Womanhood, Robin Jones Gunn (Multnomah)

· Talking to Your Kids About Sex, Mark Laaser (WaterBrook Press)

Come Chat! TODAY!

2009-02-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

Join me live on CWAHM Radio. 1.5 hr radio interview ... TODAY! http://bit.ly/bA9

You can send in your marriage questions for the interview to: jill@cwahm.com

The Shaping of Mother

2009-02-09T07:36:00.002-07:00

2009-02-05T10:23:00.005-07:00

I've started a new series here at the blog. Woot. Woot.

Since my Focus on the Family interview I've been getting heaps of questions about marriage and relationships, so I thought I'd answer a few.

Look for a new question each Thursday. And, do you have a question? Send it here!

Martha asked: I wish I could be half as productive as you. Reading your note about homeschooling was realling encouraging to me as I feel like I am a really rotten teacher lately, when do you know when you need to ask for help before you have ruined them?

Tricia: I have faith you're not ruining your kids! Yes, you're probably not perfect ... no one is ... but love and laughter go a long way.

If you have weak areas maybe consider trading time/talents with a friend. Also, know that kids grow and change, and what may be hard this year for your kids may be easy next year!

I know the rest of you have some wonderful advice for Martha! Please leave a comment with your suggestions and I'll send them to her.

The Shaping of Mother

2009-02-04T06:28:00.001-07:00

In November and December I ran a contest asking:

What is one way motherhood has shaped YOU?

I'm taking your answers and running a series called "The Shaping of Mother". I was so blessed by your answers. Some serious, some laugh-out-loud funny! Priceless.

If you didn't get a chance to give your two cents, do so now. Just leave a comment. I'll be choosing one random commenter to receive a copy of Blue Like Play Dough when it releases in July.

Ginnie: I became more outwardly focused when I became a mother. Even though my daughter is an adult and a mother in her own right, I still feel a great deal of responsibility for her.

Christy: As my son's mother, I've learned how to listen and be a good friend. He craves time with me and for good friends. As my first child, he's the one who made me a mom and changed my outlook from inward to outward. As a teen mom, I was determined not to fall into a stereotype. I read every parenting book I could get my hands on and tried to be the best mom I could be. I read to him constantly and wrapped my entire life around him. Until his sister, Molly, was born. I truly did relish my role as mom. Molly taught me patience and she has made me enormously proud. While I often feel like an ATM and chauffeur, she is fiercely motivated to be the best at whatever she does, and I admire that about her. My youngest, Mia, has shaped my spirituality the most. Mia has a deep, amazing faith that astounds me. She teaches me something almost daily about what it means to truly trust in God's love. Recently, after a pet's death, I was devastated and could barely speak. Mia reacted with joy that Jesus had taken Dotty home and healed her body. Mia talks regularly about the "third Earth." For her the first earth was the perfect one that Adam and Eve had, the second is what we are living in now, the third is the kingdom that Jesus will bring when he returns. Mia can't wait for the third kingdom, because she knows that my arthritis will be healed, and I will be able to run and play with her. Mia pricks my conscience and forces me talk to God more than I would on my own. My children have taught me how to live with my heart walking outside of my body and they have restored the heart living inside of it.

Kristie: Motherhood has changed me in so many ways I never expected. God is constantly molding and teaching me things through my experiences with my children. I am so grateful that He has entrusted them to me.

Dawn: I used to be a very selfish young person. I did what I wanted to do without thinking about the consequences. Even though I grew up in a Christian home, I still put my parents though hell when I was a teenager.
I really didn't grow up until I gave birth to my first child. Immediately it wasn't about me anymore. I had to care for this life that needed me. It was amazing to truly understand how my mom felt being a mom - I was a mom too.

Being a mom has helped me to understand what love is. It helped me to see the importance of family. It also helped me to understand how much God loves us, because WE are HIS children.

I am so blessed to now have 3 precious children and a wonderful husband who loves the Lord. God continues to shape me as I learn how to be a better mom each and every day. Yes, there are mistakes and failures - but He uses them to make us stronger.

Thank you Jesus for giving me the gift of MOTHERHOOD.

Mandy: Since becoming a mother, I realize that I am powerless to control anything in this world. It causes me to rely on God so much more than I ever did before kids. As a mother, there is so much that we can't control the older our kids get. I have to trust God to get our kids thru it.

The Shaping of Mother

2009-02-03T06:29:00.001-07:00

In November and December I ran a contest asking:

What is one way motherhood has shaped YOU?

I'm taking your answers and running a series called "The Shaping of Mother". I was so blessed by your answers. Some serious, some laugh-out-loud funny! Priceless.

If you didn't get a chance to give your two cents, do so now. Just leave a comment. I'll be choosing one random commentor to receive a copy of Blue Like Play Dough when it releases in July.

Angela: Motherhood has encouraged me to grow into the woman God designed me to be...the journey started as one to benefit my kids, but now I am in it to glorify God. It's changed my life.

Shannon: Motherhood has made me a more selfless person. Instead of thinking of serving myself seconds at mealtimes, I like to make sure everyone around me has had enough to eat. Instead of buying myself clothes, dvds, or other items when there is extra money, I make sure my kids have their needs met or sign them up for sports activities such as soccer or swimming. I have also developed greater patience - although I still have a long way to go.

Carol: Motherhood has made me a better person in every way....a more exhausted person, but a better one nonetheless. I have learned patience, tolerance, and the endless limits of my ability to love because of my children.

Gina: How motherhood has shaped me? I instantly became aware that I'm not just responsible for a young life, I'm responsible for a young soul. And a kid learns by watching. So improving myself, with God's help, is the only way to be a better mom. Now, I like myself, I know God loves me & I'm following my purpose.

Leticia: I need to start from the beginning. When I was teenager I hated babies and toddlers etc. They used to irk me. In fact, I won a debate supporting abortion. Thank the Lord Jesus for setting me straight.

Fast-forward to 1996, married three years, decided children were a blessing not a curse. And was told by physicians that it would be impossible for me to have children. Ever. I cried my heart out, I was 26-years-old, and told my family the bad news. I prayed to the Lord to let me have a child before the age of 30. Low and behold at 29, I was pregnant!! I cried so hard at the doctor's office that I made the nursing staff cry with me with joy.

Pregnancy was very, very difficult and painful and I was in labor for 32 hours. But worth it. When Nathanael was placed into my arms, blood and gook and all, it changed my life forever. I had never in my life felt so much love for anyone as I did holding my precious little boy. The Lord blessed me again in 2001, with Ethan. Then unfortunately, in 2003 I was urged to get a hysterectomy. Being a mother, to me, is the greatest and most important job in the world. God entrusted to me with two priceless treasures. They have been my greatest blessing and joy. Every day brings enlightement and trials, but through it all, I couldn't ask for two better babies. I love that I can share my faith with them, that I can dance, sing and play with them. I cannot help but gaze at them sometimes and think to myself "Wow! Those are mine." And I thank the Lord all over again for them.

Motherhood is a hard job, but it is so worth the wonderful journey.

Body and Soul Makeover

2009-02-02T10:00:00.003-07:00

Whether striving to become a New You this year or just looking to Beat the Blues and strengthen your faith, Guideposts.com is full of uplifting content featuring inspiring people and inspiring stories sure to raise everyone's spirits.

Guideposts is inviting people who are looking to take positive steps in their everyday lives to visit the New Year, New You contest page during the next two months and enter online at: http://guideposts.org/newyoucontest/ for the chance to win a makeover for the body and soul. A Guideposts Dream Team of experts will work together with one grand prize winner as their inspirational allies to develop a life-changing personalized plan - for the mind, body and spirit. These experts are leaders in their fields and have had personal life-changing and inspirational experiences that led them to help and inspire others. Now they want to share that inspiration with our winner.

Theresa Rowe, Fitness Expert, wellness coach and author of Shaped by Faith, published by Guideposts, will tailor an easy-to-follow fitness plan based on the winner's lifestyle and goals.

Rebecca Katz, Healthy Cook and author of One Bite at a Time will demonstrate easy to follow nutritious meals and healthy eating habits.
Julie Hadden, The Biggest Loser Contestant and Inspirational Mom, will share her secrets to balancing everyday life with practical tips for weight loss, maintenance and perseverance.

Kevin Carroll, Motivational Expert, is an author, speaker and agent for social change. Author of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball: Find and Sustain Your Life's Work, Kevin will help the winner sustain their motivation for personal growth and change.

If you're in the need for a quick pick-me-up or a total attitude change, Guideposts.com is loaded with tips to Beat the Blues in 2009...just one more example of Guideposts spirit-lifting content that helps inspire and build positive feelings. Beating the Blues at guideposts.com/beattheblues is filled with great food ideas to improve energy and outlook, laugh out loud videos, places to renew the spirit, and more.

Do Good, To Feel Good...how helping others improves your outlook on life.

5 online videos to watch for an instant pick-me- up.

Exercise Yourself Happy...expert tips to help boost your mood.

Funny Films...a list of top movie star's all-time favorite comedies.

Super Foods...6 delicious good-for-you foods that taste good, too.

Inspiring Personal Stories...how others have overcome obstacles in their lives.

Inspiring Travels...truly spiritually fulfilling destinations.

Funny Business...jokes, cartoons, humor and other stuff to tickle the funny bone.

Loaded with web-exclusive content and free tools, Guideposts.com has a full spectrum of features, functionality and multiple entry points giving users the ability to enjoy, learn from and interact with inspirational material in many ways. Guideposts.com is part of the nonprofit Guideposts organization co-founded by the husband and wife team of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Ruth Stafford Peale.

The Shaping of Mother

2009-01-30T05:44:00.001-07:00

Q & A Thursdays!

2009-01-29T12:34:00.003-07:00

I'm starting a new series here at the blog. Woot. Woot.

Since my Focus on the Family interview I've been getting heaps of questions about marriage and relationships, so I thought I'd answer a few.

Look for a new question each Thursday. And, do you have a question? Send it here!

Did your husband have a hard time getting over the fact that you had prior relationships? If so, how did he get through it? How did you help?

John and I both had prior relationships ... although he was never physically intimate with his past girlfriends. It's been much easier for me knowing that he'd waited for me and doesn't have a sexual past. It's been harder for John knowing that I have a "history."

For many years I think we both tried to ignore my past. We didn't talk about it. I thought it meant that everything was fine.

It was after the phone call from an old boyfriend, Steven, that these things started coming to the surface. I discovered there was healing I needed.

John has been able to work through those past relationships because:
1) I have sought healing myself. Praying that God will "search my heart" and clean out all the crud.

2) I've been very open to John that I'm committed to him completely. I love him on a daily basis, in ways that he appreciates. I know his top love languages are quality time and physical touch and closeness, so I try to show him love those ways.

3) I leave the door open for him to talk to me about any concerns or struggles he has. For example, he recently mentioned he was worried about us attending my 20-year reunion. When I mentioned that I hadn't dated anyone in my class he was greatly relieved. I think it helps him just knowing he can come to me with questions/concerns.

I hope that helps!

What about you...have you dealt with this issue?

The Shaping of Mother

2009-01-28T05:32:00.000-07:00

2009-01-27T03:06:00.001-07:00

In November and December I ran a contest asking:

What is one way motherhood has shaped YOU?

I'm taking your answers and running a series called "The Shaping of Mother". I was so blessed by your answers. Some serious, some laugh-out-loud funny! Priceless.

If you didn't get a chance to give your two cents, do so now. Just leave a comment. I'll be choosing one random commentor to receive a copy of Blue Like Play Dough when it releases in July.

Rebecca: Motherhood has shaped me by showing me my weak areas where God & I need to work. I thought I had it pretty much together until I had kids. Then I learned otherwise! I believe that is all part of God's great plan.

Melody: The most significant thing about motherhood for me was better understanding of how God sees me. I can be sooooo angry with something my kids have done, and yet I still want to give them good gifts, I want to see them restored-not cast aside, and my love for them never wavers. It\'s easier for me to understand God\'s grace toward me when I fail as I know that He loves me even more than I love my children, so His grace is that much greater as well! :)

Marci: Motherhood has shaped me into a vessel that is usable. God has used my kids and parenting as a way to draw me closer into a relationship with Him. I grew up in a Christain home, but after nearly dying in childbirth where I hemmoraged to the point of having my veins begin to collapse, I realized what mattered most. I was in God's hands. Whether here on Earth or up in heaven He promised I will never leave you or forsake you. Knowing the peace of being in God's capable and perfect hands is what I was able to draw comfort from when our son was in Afgahnistan with the Marines. We learned over Father's Day weekend that four men from his unit were killed, but the names were not released for 48 hours. A lot goes through a mother's mind as you wonder, worry and wait. The comfort for me was knowing that God's hands are bigger than mine. Just as I was in God's hands, so are my kids.

Krismar: With arms outstretched, my appearance often resembles the cross. Fittingly, as I need to lay down my burdens at the cross, that cross where He died for my sins. And so I am reminded in motherhood of his redeeming grace, daily, as I struggle to raise my boys in His light and even in the shadow of His cross. Motherhood has shaped me . . . but that shape is humbling in His eyes.

Audra: I think being a mother (of two girls and a boy) has given me a greater understanding of how God can forgive His children over and over again and continue to love us unconditionally. There are days when one or more of my children are stomping on my last frayed nerve and I wonder why I ever wanted children in the first place! However, even in those moments, I love my children and want what is best for them. If I, imperfect as I am, can love my children even when they try my patience over and over, how much more must God love us? Matthew 7:9-11 means more to me now as a mom than it ever did before I had children.

Where did this tummy come from???

2009-01-26T03:06:00.000-07:00

In November and December I ran a contest asking:

What is one way motherhood has shaped YOU?

I'm taking your answers and running a series called "The Shaping of Mother". I was so blessed by your answers. Some serious, some laugh-out-loud funny! Priceless.

If you didn't get a chance to give your two cents, do so now. Just leave a comment. I'll be choosing one random commentor to receive a copy of Blue Like Play Dough when it releases in July.

April B.: Our children shape who we become from the moment they are born! We look into those tiny new eyes, hold those tiny new fingers, trace those tiny new legs, and our imaginations, dreams, and hopes come alive in them. We are suddenly filled with a new wonder and a new love we've never experienced before. How we respond to that love, and how our little one responds to it and gives it begins a new chapter in our lives. When those children have children of their own, its a new discovery of fresh love. It enlivens us. Its hope re-newed. What we do, where and how we go and to whom we connect all goes back to those fresh new hearts at home. Grandparenting begins a new thread of connectivity and heritage that binds us tightly and never lets go.

Pam A.: Motherhood has made me REALLY appreciate my mom and has made us fast friends. It has given me a patient and understanding heart and has shown me what love really is. I never imagined the depth of God's love for me until I had my kids.

Sabrina F.: When my son was born I made a choice to be the mom I wish I'd had as a child. I get to do things with my son that I sooo wanted to do with my mother. I think he keeps me normal. =) When life would have dictated that I be this messed up adult who was not treated well as a child, being a mom I can be proud of gives me a purpose and a reason to keep trying to be the person he sees me as. It's been very rewarding and even healing in some ways.

Deena P.: I don't expect to win (because I rarely do:-), but motherhood has made me less judgmental. Before our oldest daughter rebelled against God, I thought that only bad kids from faux Christian homes did stuff like that. We homeschooled, were faithful in church, lived out our faith, did home studies, talked "real" with our kids about sin and about our pasts...and she rebelled. Now, I don't judge any parent on how their kids behave. I just listen and pray.

Jill: Besides literally reshaping me (where did this tummy come from???), motherhood has taught me that success can't always be measured the way it was before. Sometime success is just getting a shower in or making it through the day without yelling. And that those are quite the accomplishments to be proud of.

What I've learned! Join Me.

2009-01-25T08:52:00.002-07:00

Please join me TODAY (January 25th, 2009) as I am the featured Inspirational Luminary on InspireMeToday.com.

InspireMeToday.com is a website that provides the best inspiration daily, each day from a different Luminary from the fields of empowerment, health, business, family, loving relationships and more. You'll enjoy reading my 'Today's Brilliance', my personal 500-word text of the best things I've learned in life. The 30 minute interview with me and Gail Lynne Goodwin is amazing!

As my gift to you, just use the affliate code provided on this invitation to access the free inspiration! Please stop by, check out the site and help us inspire the world, starting with you! Thank you for your support. We greatly appreciate you!

When you register, please remember to use my referral code:

B5PLPUSAOV

Friday Flashback!

2009-01-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

Oh the dollars those smiles cost me over the years. I'm sure I could have bought a second home with all the dentist bills!

Letter to Homeschool Parents of young kids:

2009-01-22T15:32:00.001-07:00

Dear Homeschool Parent,

If you have two minutes to read this note, I hope you do. I'm writing it to encourage you, because I remember there were days in my homeschooling journey when I thought, "What am I doing? I'm ruining these kids. This is a a big mistake." Maybe you feel the same.

If you are homeschooling young kids you are in your TOUGHEST years. Things WILL get easier. Just remember to make it fun and don't get too stressed about the academic part of it. Homeschooled kids will learn. They DO excel! Interacting with you on a daily basis (learning faith and truth and love) will matter more than memorizing the presidents, honestly it will.

Just today Nathan (14) thanked me for homeschooling him. He watched a video about George Washington and was upset to learn that kids in school don't learn about the faith of our Founding Fathers. Yes, what you teach is important. Equally important is what your kids WON'T learn--humanistic philosophy, evolution, false history.

My kids are normal kids. Our school days were normal days. I'd give them work, they'd complain. I'd teach lessons, and they'd get bored. We read together, and we memorized Scripture. The kids entertained each other, and they fought daily. But we kept at it. They kept learning and growing. As high school approached, they did most of their work independently. I became more of a mentor rather than a teacher.

This year, Nathan (14) is watching DVDs from The Teaching Company for his curriculum. It's college-level, but he doesn't know that. All he knows is he really enjoys the lectures. And what I've learned is that his learning style is auditory, so this is the best teaching method for him!

Cory (19) graduated last May and he's in his fourth semester of college. He will get his AA this year and (God-willing) will have his AS and a certificate to be a personal trainer by next summer. He should have a BS in physical therapy by the before he's 22.

Leslie (16) is in her 2nd semester of college. She has a 3.7 GPA. She has always tried to keep up with her older brother, and her goal is to have her AA by the time she graduates high school.

AND THESE ARE THE KIDS I THOUGHT WOULD NEVER LEARN THEIR MULTIPLICATION TABLES!

Homeschooling trained my kids to learn and to work independently. It gave them a foundation of faith. It fostered close relationships between the members of our family. It allowed our kids time to explore the things that interested them. It connected them with other amazing, homeschooled kids. It allowed them to grow and learn according to their unique needs.

So, yes, today you may be ready to pull your hair out. Today the words Grammar, Geometry, and Geography make you shudder. But tomorrow you will have a kid who will be well-adjusted, loving, and will thank you for giving your time and your heart. Trust in that!

Keep it up!

Tricia

The Shaping of Mother

2009-01-22T15:06:00.001-07:00

In November and December I ran a contest asking:

What is one way motherhood has shaped YOU?

I'm taking your answers and running a series called "The Shaping of Mother". I was so blessed by your answers. Some serious, some laugh-out-loud funny! Priceless.

If you didn't get a chance to give your two cents, do so now. Just leave a comment. I'll be choosing one random commentor to receive a copy of Blue Like Play Dough when it releases in July.

Carrie T: Being a mom to my five kids has been a wonderful journey, but it has also been stretching and sometimes agonizing.

Watching them grow from sweet little babies to amazing young adults has expanded my heart in ways I never would have guessed. Sharing their joys and heartaches and watching their struggles and victories has added a new dimension to my life and allowed me to experience a deeper love than I had known was possible.

But some days....when they lose their homework, forget their lunch, stay out past curfew, get another ticket, lose their wallet - again for the third time - or any number of other memorable catastrophes, I am reminded that love covers a multitude of sins, and grace and forgiveness will often soften a heart that would otherwise remain cold and indifferent.

God has used my kids to mold me and shape me, and in the process, he has given me a peek at how much my Heavenly Father loves me.

Michelle: Motherhood..wow..what can I say..it has totally changed me as a young naive girl to a more mature and confidant woman...it is still constantly changing me everyday. As my kids grow I grow and change and learn more about myself as well as how much I can influence someone else! Motherhood has given me a sense of pride in how I raise my children and also keeps me thanking God each and everyday for trusting me with my 4 little blessings!

Marti: It's made me feel more creative. (Is there a pun in there?) But more importantly, motherhood has taught me so much about God ... about how He must feel when we succeed ... how He must feel when we fail. Being a human parent pales compared to what God experiences, but I think parenthood is one of the ways we are created in His image.

Jessica: Motherhood has shaped me in a lot of ways. I think the main way is seeing more of how God sees me. I love my kids so stinkin' much; I can hardly stand it sometimes. And when I think of how God loves me MORE than that, with a PERFECT love, WOW! I just well up with emotion. Being a mom makes it more clear what kind of a father God is.

Crystal: Mothering has shown me exactly how selfish I am. It's made me rely on God each day for the strength to say no to my selfish desires and say yes to the calling of a homeschooling mom.

The Shaping of Mother

2009-01-21T03:05:00.001-07:00

The Shaping of Mother

2009-01-20T05:15:00.001-07:00

In November and December I ran a contest asking:

What is one way motherhood has shaped YOU?

I'm taking your answers and running a series called "The Shaping of Mother". I was so blessed by your answers. Some serious, some laugh-out-loud funny! Priceless.

If you didn't get a chance to give your two cents, do so now. Just leave a comment. I'll be choosing one random commentor to receive a copy of Blue Like Play Dough when it releases in July.

(scroll down for more)
Karen P.: Motherhood has taught me I don't have to be perfect and that I can be a unique mom, rather than follow another's pattern of motherhood. Not only did God create me to be a one-of-a-kind mom and accepts me as I am, but I've learned my children accept me as well.

Alta: I became a mother at 16,had four children and started again at 52and brought home 6 more. Had two sons die inthe last two years. Motherhood has taught me GREAT Joy and Unbelievable Pain. But that God is in control, and will hold my hand through all things.I like to be in control but I am not, HE is.

Kellie: How has motherhood shaped me? Motherhood has given me a sense of accountability to a degree that I didn't know what possible!

Abi: How has motherhood shaped me? Well in many ways. My physical shape has change drastically. I\'ve built up my resistance to pain does that count. :0)

Danielle: Motherhood has shaped me in many ways. The most profound change has been in my view of God. Before I had children I knew I was a child or God and I knew God loved me. I never knew how deep that love went. When my girls were tiny, I marveled at every little detail...tiny toes, chubby legs, sweet sounds from perfectly formed lips. When the sun hit my daughter's hair it was like spun gold. Even asleep they could amaze me for hours. When they discovered their tiny fists and brought them closer and closer to get a better look, I laughed when they bonked themselves right between the eyes. As they grew I was delighted when they learned my name and now I thoroughly enjoy a sweet conversation about "hethen" (my daughter's word for 'heaven\. When they make mistakes or plain disobey, I get frustrated, but I still love them indescribably. The amazing realization that God loves me, little old me, with that depth is incomprehensible. He loves every feature of mine, even my chubby legs. He loves when I say His name. He loves having conversations with me even when I don't make sense. When I cry and my heart feels empty, He feels it, too. When a burden is just too heavy, He carries it for me, just like I carry heavy burdens for my girls. Even when I disobey, God loves me. Motherhood has shaped me in some unfortunate ways, thanks stretch marks and saggy parts, but knowing and growing closer to God is worth every moment, good or bad.

The Shapeliness of Motherhood series!

2009-01-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

In November and December I ran a contest asking:

What is one way motherhood has shaped YOU?

I'm taking your answers and running a series called "The Shaping of Mother". I was so blessed by your answers. Some serious, some laugh-out-loud funny! Priceless.

If you didn't get a chance to give your two cents, do so now. Just leave a comment. I'll be choosing one random commentor to receive a copy of Blue Like Play Dough when it releases in July.

The Shaping of Mother:

Loring says: Motherhood has shaped me into a muffin-top, pear shaped, stretch marked, wrinkled mom of three.

Jody T says: Motherhood literally saved my life! I was running full speed away from God while I was in the Army, got married to an unbeliever, and got pregnant right away. During my pregnancy, God kept speaking to me about raising this child in church. I struggled with this because church was the last place I wanted to be found. When my son was 5 months old, my husband left and we were on our own. The next couple of years passed with me working 3 jobs and barely making ends meet. Again, I felt the need to at least get him into Sunday school so I started taking him to a little church in the neighborhood. I'd sit through service because it was too much bother to drop him off and then come back and pick him up. One day, the sermon sunk in. God got a hold on me on Father's Day, 1997 and I haven't looked back! I'm now remarried to a wonderful Christian man who adopted my son and we added 3 more boys to the mix. But if it hadn't been for that little boy and that sense that he needed to learn about Jesus, I might still be lost today! So, yes he saved my life by getting me into church so God could save my life. Thanks be to God!

Tanja says: Motherhood has shaped me most by forcing me to see myself through God's eyes and not the world's, or even my own. I've been a stay-at-home mom for eight years, and I struggled with exiting the work force. I missed my job and interaction with adults, but mostly I missed the fact that I viewed myself as a success largely because of how well I performed my job. Motherhood has held many days, for me, in which I would fire myself if I were the Ultimate Boss. But I am not. The Lord made me a mom, and He sustains me. Every day... good days and bad days alike.

Linda says: Motherhood has changed in me to have a bigger, more encompassing love--unconditional. No matter what your child(ren) get into or do, you still love them. Sure can hate what they've done at times, but you still love them. I think people who choose not to have children or are unable to, miss out on that kind of love--a mother's love.

Nicole K.: One way motherhood has shaped me is that it has deepened my understanding of God's unconditional love for me. If I can love my selfish, sometimes frustrating 2 year old to the point that I would die for him...I can finally dip a little into the love God has for me.

Anita Says: Motherhood has made me a less selfish person. I can't say that I am completely selfless, but I now make decisions based on what is best for my child and not what is best for me.

Come back for the next two weeks for more!

Friday Flashback!

2009-01-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Cory and Leslie were in their homeschool choir uniforms. Nathan learned all the songs attending practice ever week!

Be the Change!

2009-01-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a repost from It's Real Life

Lately, I've been thinking there's a lot of things I'd like to change. 1) I've actively started exercising and using a food journal to lose weight and get in shape. 2) I've been trying to curb my spending. 3) And I've been be trying to be more thankful. All of those things aren't easy!

#1 and #2 are things that I now realize need to stem from the inside out. I've tried for a long time to "make myself be good." Now I'm praying for a heart change. I'm praying that God will fill me up so much of Him that I naturally strive to do the right things in His strength and with His wisdom.
#3 started because I've been reading Something More by Catherine Marshall. It's an older book, but a good one. In it Catherine talks about "thanking God in all things." She goes on to encourage readers to thank Him even for the challenging/painful stuff. I've started doing that more, and it's amazing what a different outlook I've had. Usually, I'm a joyful person because I try to ignore the hard stuff and instead just focus on the good. But lately I've been thanking God for everything easy and hard, and somehow He's been showing me the good IN it.

For example, the other day I was upset because our exchange student didn't tell me about a schedule change at school so I had to reschedule my day to pick up her. I was grumpy as I drove to her school ... then I remembered what I'd recently read, and I started thanking God for this opportunity. By the time I got to school my attitude was much better, and in the end we had a GREAT conversation on the drive home. In fact, the conversation connected us in new ways. A God thing!

I know these are simple lessons. They are things God has tried to show me in the past. In fact, one of the lessons He's taught (and retaught me) is that I don't always need to look for change from external means ... sometimes I'm called to BE the change.

This lesson first fit home after our family moved to Montana and were looking for a church home. There was one that God was connecting us to AT EVERY TURN, but personally I didn't like it much. In fact, even when John and I felt God calling us there, I REALLY didn't want to go to that church. Even though the people were nice, the music wasn't that great and there was no children's program for the kids. Yet, instead of complaining about it, John and I felt God telling us to do something about it!

Once we became members, WE started doing children's church and new families started pouring in. Over the years the church grew and changed. It has become the type of place I longed for. We've been going there for thirteen years now, and it's home. Yet at the time, I didn't realize that I was part of the change!

Today, you might be thinking about changes in your life. Don't stop. Don't become complacent! Remember that God wants to fill you and help you. He wants you to offer Him thanksgiving in the easy stuff and the hard stuff, too. And mostly, if there is change that needs to take place remember that often YOU are called to be the change. What you want most is out there in the future ... have faith in that! Have faith in Him!

"Real Mothers"

2009-01-12T10:43:00.002-07:00

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth

is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEAR S OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could tal k it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart,

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

Friday Flashback!

2009-01-09T10:41:00.001-07:00

Note the candy (bribe) in Leslie's hand! This was our years before Growing Kids God's Way!

Today is the day!

2009-01-08T06:39:00.001-07:00

I love history. I really do. I’ve written seven historical novels. I adore The History Channel. But I’ve been pondering the fact that what happened in the past isn’t nearly as important as how I live my life today.

In my role as a parent/wife I’ve looked into the past, too. I’ve taken note of the type of world Gen Xers were raised in. In my books, I’ve helped Gen Xers understand why we think how we think and why we do what we do. But I didn’t stop there. Hopefully, my insight into all-things-Gen-X also spills over to sage advice for parents/married partners on how they should live their lives … today. After all, today is the day we can make things different/better/right.

All these thoughts were rolling around in my head like marbles in a blender when I read this Scripture from my daily reading:
And the Lord said to Noah, Come with all your household into the ark, for I have seen you to be righteous (upright and in right standing) before Me in this generation. Genesis 7:1

When I read the second half of that verse something resonated with me. I WANT THAT. I want God to look down on me and say, for I have seen TRICIA to be righteous (upright and in right standing) before Me in this generation. I imagine you would like the same too (except with your name inserted, of course!). (Want to read more from Noah? Go here: http://www.divine-collisions.blogspot.com/ I love Grace's thoughts!)

For the most part, it doesn’t matter that Gen Xers had stinky childhoods and were given a bad rap. The truth is that at this moment we can made good decisions to be upright and in right standing with God. What happened in our past doesn’t compare to what can happen if we submit everything in our lives to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Have you taken this step of faith?

Do you believe Jesus died for your sins and rose again to pay for your offenses so you can live in eternity with Him? Do you want Him to be Lord of your life? Do you want to discover what salvation is all about? If so, tell Him that in your own words. And when you’re through email me to tell me about your decision! (fromdustandashes @ hotmail.com)

Or maybe you’ve already accepted Christ but you’ve been so focus on the past (of your life, of your relationships, of your mistakes) that you haven’t dedicated every moment of your future to following God. You can also pray (yes, right now!) and ask that God will help you become upright and right standing before Him in this generation. God will LOVE to hear that prayer, too. And if you do make a re-commitment, let me know that too.

I’m a Gen-Xer, remember, I’m always available for a good celebration!

A dream realized!

2009-01-07T03:12:00.001-07:00

In every person's life there are "big dreams." They are the ones that seem unreachable, yet are fun to think about just the same.

This week (1/8 & 1/9) you'll have the chance to experience one of my dreams with me by listening to my broadcast on Focus on the Family Daily Radio!

Listen in to Focus on the Family on your local station! Or ... if you can tune in, request a copy of the broadcast here:

Part 1 (Jan. 8th)
http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001703.cfm

Part 2 (Jan. 9th)
http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001704.cfm

Also, as a BONUS I'll be chatting on the Focus on the Family Marriage Forum.

Come chat with me!

Finally, if you like the broadcast, please email FOF and let them know you'd like to hear more broadcasts for Gen Xers ... and those in our generation! Also, thank them for having me on!

Tricia

Today is January 1 for Me

2009-01-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know the calendar says January 6, but today is January 1 for me. December was filled with ... well, you know December ... it was filled with everything! This included a vacation to Southern California to visit my four sisters and my dad. We drove back, arriving home the 4th. And then January 5th my novel Sunflower Serenade was due. Can you say EXHAUSTING?

So since it's January 1, today I wrote my "January List" of healthy habits, and I'm starting them. Today I'm going to resume my exercise routine (after I finish this blog). And today, I'm starting my Bible reading plan. I'm doubling up until I get caught up!

This is the reading plan I'm using.
http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/8/ojan01.htm

I already started reading in Genesis, and I just had to pause to write this blog. Why? Because I had to share with someone ... God our Creator is amazing! (And since the rest of my family is still sleeping, I thought I'd share it with YOU.)

The creation story is one of my favorites in the Bible. I love it because God is so subtle, yet there is so much behind His Words. For example Genesis 1:24:

"And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creeping things, and [wild] beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so." Amplified Version

In those two sentences is packed within a million Discovery Channel/Animal Planet episodes. Just think about that.

Yet, I cannot rejoice about creation without also marveling at the Creator:

[But] in the last of these days [God] has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom he created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. Hebrews 1:2 Amplified

Do you know what I thought of when I read that? I am in the middle of that mess. I am part of His creation. I am in the world He made ... and even though sometimes I feel lost in the reaches of space (not literally) He knows me. I can even go as far as to say that when I allow the Son His rightful ownership Jesus WILL make, produce, build, operate, and arrange my days in order. My MOMENTS in order.

Today may be January 6th, but I'm pretending it's January 1, just to get on track. And this New Year my main goal is to learn moment-by-moment to hand over all over myself and to give Jesus His rightful place. It's only when He holds the keys to my year, my mind, and my heart that I will run--my life will run--as it ought to.

Happy New Year!

Friday Flashback!

2009-01-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

They're making a pact not to completely destroy the room BEFORE company arrives!

Calling Elizabeth … HELP!

2008-12-31T06:08:00.000-07:00

Here is an excerpt from an article I wrote for MOPS.

Mary, the mother of Jesus is one of the most well-known women of all time. She was also a teen mom facing an unplanned pregnancy. This Christmas we will see evidence of Mary’s story all around us. And as you hear it through Christmas songs and Christmas shows think of three things:

Mary was signed up for a big task she wasn’t prepared for.
Mary no doubt faced criticism from people around her.

Mary found someone to turn to – a friend who could help Mary to succeed in her new role. It was Mary’s older cousin Elizabeth.

Elizabeth played an important part in Mary’s life. We know this because the book of Luke begins by telling us Elizabeth’s story first. Elizabeth was the wife of a priest. She was very old and had no children, but God blessed her in her old age by allowing her to get pregnant. After Elizabeth’s story comes Mary’s story ... another surprise pregnancy. Can you imagine what a shock that was to everyone who knew both women? (Yes! I’m sure you can!)
Read the rest here!

Friday Flashback!

2008-12-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

"Hurry up, Mom" take the photo so we can open those presents!

Friday Flashback...On Monday!

2008-12-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Oops...forgot to post this last week.

This is me with my baby brother. He got the little box :-)

Biggest Book give-away EVER winner is...

2008-12-17T15:34:00.001-07:00

The Shapeliness of Motherhood!

Thank you to all of you who entered the contest...what a treat to read your responses to the contest question...
What is one way motherhood has shaped YOU?

In January, I'll be running a series called "The Shaping of Mother" where I'll be sharing your answers about on how motherhood has shaped all of you.

Priceless.

So without further ado ... the winner of The Biggest Book Giveaway Ever contest, as chosen by randominteger.com, is:

go here to find out

Thought provoking!

2008-12-16T09:49:00.002-07:00

Christmas Can Still Change the World!

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy.

What are some ways you are spending less and giving more this year?

Biggest Book give-away EVER ends tomorrow

2008-12-15T11:41:00.002-07:00

To enter the contest, go to my contact page and leave me a note telling me one way motherhood has shaped YOU!

You'll be entered to win...
~Generation NeXt Parenting
~Generation NeXt Marriage
~The entire set of the Shaunti Feldhahn books
For Women Only
For Men OnlyFor Parent's Only
For Young Women Only
For Young Men Only
~Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (gift edition) and
With This Ring by Joanna Weaver
~My Mother's Wish by Jerry Camery-Hoggart
~Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd
~Me, Myself, & I Am
~Also included in the basket will be some AWESOME body products by J.R. Watkins and a little something for your sweet tooth!

Hurry...don't miss out!

Friday Flashback!

2008-12-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

The smile is because I know that BIG box in the back is for me!

What about consequences?

2008-12-11T09:36:00.002-07:00

I was in the bank yesterday when I heard a conversation between a woman and the teller next to me.

"It's amazing what we'll do for our kids," the woman said. "My daughter was flying to California today and she was slow getting ready. I told her to hurry, but she didn't listen. She said she only needed to be at the airport 15 minutes ahead of time, even though I told her she needed to get there an hour ahead. It turns out they barely let her on the plane, but her bags didn't make it. I had to ship them two-day and it cost almost $200."

I couldn't believe the story this woman was telling. She actually shipped her teenager daughter's bags down to her after the daughter's poor choices led her to miss getting them on the plane. What about consequences?

Essentially, that mother suffered her daughter's consequences. Is it possible we try to help our kids too much? Is it possible that many of the reasons our kids continue to mess up is that we continue to bail them out.

I remember one day when my kids were toddlers. I was sitting outside our apartment complex and I saw another mom stride over to the dumpster and dump in a brand new pair of roller skates. I looked at the woman questioningly.

"I told my daughter for two days to put them away or I was going to throw them away," the mother said. "I have to follow through."

Wow. At first I thought the consequences were a bit harsh, but I soon realized that a parent has to follow what he or she says. Do you think our kids will learn anything if we tell them, "I'm going to ground you." or "I'm going to put you in time out" and then we continually let their actions slide? The thing is that when we don't deal with the lying, stealing, and cheating when our kids are 2, 3, and 4 ... then we're going to be dealing with them in bigger ways when they're 12, 13, and 14!

Check out this new study ...

So, in the end, what's a parent to do? My advice is that we give kids consequences for their disobedience and then follow through. We are the parents. It is our job to teach them, to train them. It is our job to give them a moral foundation and show the reasons why it's important to follow God's directives.

If we don't today, what will our children's tomorrows look like?

Just the thing to get you in the Christmas Spirit!

2008-12-10T10:43:00.003-07:00

Be sure to check out my friend Robin's latest book! She is a wonderful writer! LOVED this story.

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing
Engaging Father Christmas
FaithWords (October 30, 2008)
by
Robin Jones Gunn
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robin grew up in Orange County, California and has lived in all kinds of interesting places, including Reno and Hawai’i.

She and her husband currently live near Portland, Oregon and have been married for 30 years. They spent their first 22 years of marriage working together in youth ministry, and enjoying life with their son and daughter who are now both grown.

As a frequent speaker at local and international events, one of Robin’s favorite topics is how God is the Relentless Lover and we are His first love. She delights in telling stories of how God uses fiction to change lives.

Robin is the recipient of the Christy Award, the Mt. Hermon Pacesetter Award, the Sherwood E. Wirt Award and is a Gold Medallion Finalist. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and the Board of Directors for Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writers’ Guild.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Miranda Carson can't wait to return to England for Christmas and to be with her boyfriend, Ian. She has spent a lifetime yearning for a place to call home, and she's sure Carlton Heath will be it, especially when a hinted-at engagement ring slips into the conversation.

But Miranda's high hopes for a jolly Christmas with the small circle of people she has come to love are toppled when Ian's father is hospitalized and the matriarch of the Whitcombe family withholds her blessing from Miranda. Questions run rampant in Miranda's mind about whether she really belongs in this cheery corner of the world. Then, when her true identity threatens all her relationships in unanticipated ways, Miranda is certain all is lost.

And yet...maybe Father Christmas has special gifts in store for her after all.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Engaging Father Christmas, go HERE

Santa "Cliff" and Guideposts

2008-12-09T12:06:00.004-07:00

Christmas Day is just weeks away and Guideposts is busy helping Santa...Santa Cliff, that is, a remarkable man in North Carolina who makes over 50 jolly appearances each November and December. Santa Cliff's gift to the children who visit him, though, goes beyond just listening to what they want for Christmas. He hears their hopes and dreams, too, writes their names in his Little Red Book and says a prayer for each one. Guideposts is helping by setting up a way for people to send prayer requests for the special children in their lives directly to Santa Cliff here Santa Cliff will pray for each and every one this holiday season.

Guideposts knows many Americans, including our readers, love to share the Christmas spirit with others. The stories and features highlight our shared sense of community, provide holiday inspiration, and help strengthen the values Americans hold dear.

AND...Don't forget to scoot on over and enter the The Biggest Book Give-away EVER!

Wish We Could Go!

2008-12-08T10:23:00.004-07:00

Your journey begins in the queue where you can test your knowledge of the Narnia stories. Next, either head into the soundstage or introduce yourself to Prince Caspian himself! Then experience a unique look at the epic story in Soundstage 4, where you can watch special behind-the-scenes footage featuring the film's director, Andrew Adamson.

Your next step takes you deeper...
Pass through a rockwork archway, and you enter Aslan's Stone Table Chamber, the underground vault where Aslan sacrificed himself in the first movie. You stand amidst gorgeous stone carvings in one of the most awe-inspiring sets in the series, which is also a pivotal location in the film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

The adventure will surround you...
Multiple screens, dimensional sound and in-theater effects help you live the story of Narnia firsthand, as you explore this walk-through chamber in depth, guided through the tale of Prince Caspian's courageous battle against the evil King Miraz to win back his rightful place on the throne.

See how it was conceived...
Finally, conclude the journey with a close up look at the authentic concept art and storyboards that contributed to bringing the motion picture to life, as well as the actual props and costumes used by the film cast.

This experience will be unforgettable...
Take home with you the living memory of Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian Attraction now forever etched in your own adventurous mind!

For more info go here!

Friday Flashback!

2008-12-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

Cory always loved to climb ... and that corner cut out of the bottom ... the other kids sitting on the ground!

Know any Vets?

2008-12-04T10:08:00.002-07:00

Beneath those white crosses, which as sentinels stand,
Majestically protecting them like the Almighty hand,
In a slumbering sleep beneath that blanket of stone,
Rest the heroes we've known who never came home.
~~Michael Hanko, In Memoriam, 1962

An article I read the other day stated that there is only ONE remaining WWI veteran alive today. One. Frank Buckles. He's even got his own website: http://www.frankbuckles.org/ That got me thinking...

When I wrote The Liberator Series books, I collected stories from Veterans across the country. I interviewed them at Veteran Reunions, over the phone, and via email. They were all too happy to share their stories with me and anytime I had a question about some minute detail of the war or a random piece of equipment they were johnny-on-the-spot with an answer. It was great.

As the novels were published, my mail box became inundated with stories from other Veterans. I have boxes of their stories and photographs. I started a website, www.triciagoyer.com/ww2stories as a place to collect those stories and share them with the public.

I've interviewed MANY veterans who have passed away, and I'm so thankful I've gotten their stories. So in their honor, and vets everywhere, I'm launching the "INTERVIEW A VET" campaign! (Participation gets you a FREE book!)

Here's how it works!

1. Send me an interview with a WWII veteran, typed-up, or videotaped, or autotaped and you will receive a free copy of one of my WWII novels. (Your submission must be original and cannot be something downloaded off the Internet, previously done by someone else: such as a newspaper article or unit history.) If the veteran is already deceased, you can send a personally written story (1,000-2,000 words) of the veteran's experience, written in the same style as those on www.triciagoyer.com/ww2stories

2. Send and audio/video interview AND a transcript of the recorded interview you will receive two of myWWII novels. DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL OF ANYTHING. IT WILL NOT BE SENT BACK. PLEASE KEEP A COPY FOR YOUR OWN RECORDS.

3. The campaign will run from Dec. 7, 2008 - March 31, 2009.

4. You're welcome to send copies of additional materials, such as copies of photos, newspaper clippings, etc. I would love to have them for my archives! Stories from those on the Home Front (factory workers, etc) will also be accepted.

5. Submissions can be mailed to Tricia Goyer, P.O. Box 5720, Kalispell, MT 59903. Email my assistant Amy (amy@triciagoyer.com) prior to mailing your submission. She will send you a release form that needs to be signed and returned with your submission. The form gives me permission to use part of the story on my blog, the WWII website, or a future book. Oh, and also let Amy know which on of my WWII novels you'd like!

My goals for this campaign are three-fold!

1. To collect stories. WWII vets are passing away and we don't want to lose their experiences.

2. To encourage family members and friends to record an interview. To connect generations and let veterans know we still care.

3. For research, who knows which story might be the inspiration for a novel some day!

Not sure how to get started? I recommend these resources!

How to prepare
http://www.loc.gov/vets/moreresources.html

Questions
http://www.loc.gov/vets/vetquestions.html

Also, make sure you send the Vet a copy of the interview or story! They'll LOVE it.

Home's Cool!

2008-12-03T09:34:00.002-07:00

When summer ends my three kids and I prepare for our school year. While most kids are out buying new school clothes and supplies, we’re scouring our bookshelves, installing programs on the computer, and looking forward to another year of learning together.

Our homeschooling journey began twelve years ago when my oldest son, Cory was of kindergarten age. My husband and I had close friends who homeschooled their children, and we liked what we saw. Their kids seemed to enjoy being with their parents and each other. They were smart, intelligent, and fun to be around. We decided we wanted kids like that and began looking into homeschooling in earnest.

My biggest reservation was, “Can I do it?” In addition to my son who I would homeschool, I had two younger kids, a budding writing career, and I volunteered in local organizations. Yet as I began looking at curriculum, I grew excited about spending quality time with my kids and building a lifetime of learning together. (“Together” being the key word!) Growing up, the only times my brother and I were together was after school—when we didn’t have anyone else to play with. We rarely interacted, and when we did it wasn’t a pretty sight.

I wanted something better for my own children, and I know other homeschoolers feel the same.

“One of the main reasons my husband Tim and I decided to homeschool was because of our daughters’ relationships,” says Jeanette Nostrum, mother of four girls, ages 5-12, who has been homeschooling for three years. “We noticed when they were at school all day, they spent little time together. They also put more emphasis on their relationship with their peers rather than with each other. Bringing them home for schooling has provided the time and opportunity for them to become best friends.”

Faith Walk
Another main reason my husband and I decided to homeschool was because of our faith. John and I felt that learning to love God was even more important than academic success. So this became a one of our main focuses—spending time reading faith stories together, memorizing verses, and including a faith-based Curriculum as a core subject.

Of course, this is only one reason to homeschool. According to the National Home Education Research institute, teaching specific philosophical or religious values, controlling social interactions, developing close families, and high level academics are the most common reasons for home schooling.

Where to Start
When I first started homeschooling, one thing that helped the most was talking to veteran homeschoolers. I asked dozens of questions, including what they’ve tried, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why. It also helped to know that normal people were schooling at home and finding success.
“I have a great support system and find I can always turn to my sister and friends for advice,” says Jeanette. “I’ve frequently gone to the local bookstore, and they always have good information. They point me to curriculums that meet my needs and even provide resources for field trips.”

Unique Learning for Unique Kids
Another aspect I enjoy about homeschooling is the ability to tailor my children’s education to their unique needs. There have been times in our educational journey that it was necessary to take learning slow with one of my kids. Other times, I had trouble keeping up with them as they raced through the books as fast as I can find them.

Now that they are older, two of my children enjoy doing their homework on the computer, having interactive lessons and getting immediate feedback. Then there’s my other child who would rather read out-loud to me from a good book.

I’ve purchased numerous curriculums over the years, trying everything from classical literature, traditional workbooks, and unit studies (instructor-designed thematic studies). There’s always something new to try, which keeps our routine fresh and fun. I also utilize our local library system, checking out both fiction and non-fiction books to keep up with inquisitive minds.

One of best places to learn about curriculum choices is by attending a curriculum fair or visiting local bookstores that carry curriculum. Some areas also have resources through the local Superintendent of Schools.

A Lifestyle of Learning
Of course, parents can attempt to plan the perfect schedule and pick the best curriculum, but what it all comes down to is how the children learn.
In our homeschool we’ve adopted a natural style of learning, which involves learning with and without books. Our “official” school day begins around 9:00 a.m. and ends around 2:00 p.m., but throughout the day we also enjoy cooking together, playing board games, reading in the evenings, and attending each others sporting events.

One wonderful thing about the growth of homeschooling is that there are numerous activities for my kids to get involved in. They’ve been a part of homeschool choir, swimming lessons, and basketball. They’ve also taken private classes such as dance, voice lessons, piano, and guitar. In addition, there are numerous classes offered through local schools, including art, acting, writing, science labs, and much more.

“My two oldest daughters have been part of homeschool basketball, and my husband and I had the opportunity to coach,” says Jeanette. “Through homeschool sports my kids learn teamwork and sportsmanship. Plus they get exercise. Not only that, we’ve gotten to know some great families through the program as we spend time together traveling for games.”
And let’s not forget field trips and volunteering. My family has enjoyed nature hikes, chocolate making, and tours of local historical sites. My kids have also gotten involved in volunteering through local non-profit organizations.

After Graduation
One of the most common questions asked to homeschoolers is, “What about graduation?” As my oldest son nears graduation age, I’ve begun looking into this more. Amazingly, I’ve found that most colleges accept transcripts designed by parents, as long as a “student portfolio” is provide which includes a student’s work.

Personally, my husband and I choose to have our children take standardized testing every year to insure we haven’t missed any vital subjects. This is not only a helpful reference, but it’s also a boost when our kids see how well they’re doing.

“Homeschool graduates closely parallel their public school counterparts—about two-thirds go on to post-secondary education, and one-third directly into the job market,” says Brian Ray, in Strengths of Their Own—Home Schoolers Across America, NHERI, 1997.

Obviously the end of formal homeschooling is not the end of the educational road. Also according to Ray, over 74% of home-educated adults ages 18–24 have taken college-level courses, compared to 46% of the general United States population. Homeschool graduates are active and involved in their communities. Seventy-one percent participate in an ongoing community service activity (e.g., coaching a sports team, volunteering at a school, or working with a church or neighborhood association), compared to 37% of U.S. adults of similar ages. Eighty-eight percent of the homeschool graduates surveyed were members of an organization (e.g., such as a community group, church or synagogue, union, homeschool group, or professional organization), compared to 50% of U.S. adults.

The Heart
It’s hard to believe, but with my oldest has graduated and my youngest son is in 8th grade this year, my homeschool journey is more than half over.

Yet when I look at my kids, I see young men and women who have strong character and the family connectedness I longed for. They love their family, have a strong faith, and seem to be excelling in their education.

Of course, I can’t say that the years have been without frustration and tears. There were days when I seriously questioned if I was crazy for taking on this task. I lost my temper (more than once!) and questioned if I was doing enough to insure my children would lead productive lives.

Yet in the end, I look back with joy and appreciation of our time spent learning together. I have fond memories of teaching three children to read, of attempting science projects on the kitchen counter, and discovering each child’s unique personalities and God-give talents.

Now that my son will soon be graduating and moving on to higher education, I’m especially thankful for the chance to truly know him and the chance for him to get to know me—spending 24/7 with anyone will insure that!

And as looking back, I can say without a doubt I’d do it all again. Through the years, we’ve learning home’s a cool place to be. To laugh, to love, and to learn.

Resources to Check Out:
Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling
By Mary Pride, Harvest House

The Way They Learn
By Cynthia Ulrich Tobias, Tyndale House

100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing The Right Curriculum And Approach For Your Child's Learning Style
by Cathy Duffy

Unit Studies Made Easy
by Valerie Bendt

Homeschool Stats
Provided by The US Department of Education, released 2001

• Homeschool profile—Median amount spent on home schooling per child in the US - $450
• Household incomes—18% of home school families earn less than $25,000, 44% of households between $25,000 and $49,000.
• Religion—Over 75% attend religious services
• Testing—The average SAT score for homeschoolers in 2000 was 1100, compared with 1019 for the general population. And a large study by University of Maryland education researcher Lawrence Rudner showed that the average homeschooler scored in the 75th percentile on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills; the 50th percentile marked the national average.

In the 1980s only about 15,000 families homeschooled. Now, the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) puts the number at between 1.5 million and 1.9 million students - close to 3 percent of the school-age population. Yet the reasons parents choose to homeschool are as diverse as the methods they use. Some parents homeschool after seeing their children struggle in school. Others feel it gives their children more time to pursue other interests, such as champion surfer Bethany Hamilton. Another reason for growth may include a rise in credibility—from colleges and the media, as well as family and friends.

(photo courtesy of flickr)

Live Chat!

2008-12-02T09:25:00.002-07:00

Mark your calendars for December 3rd! TOMORROW!

Goyer gives practical tips on how to lay a firm foundation while raising up the next generation. Knowing that marriages today also face challenges that no other generation has experienced, she wrote “Generation NeXt Marriage: The Couple’s Guide to Keeping it Together,” in which she offers insightful truths for Generation X marriages and those who minister to them. She also talks about marriage role models, and what “Gen X” is doing right. She will chat about both “Generation NeXt” books on Dec. 3. For more information, go here.
Login in today to submit a question...or wait until tomorrow. I'm looking forward to some GREAT conversation!

Abunga.com, the family-friendly online bookstore, continues its weekly “Authors at Abunga” chats in December with award-winning authors offering a Christian perspective on Godly parenting and strong marriages and engaging stories with themes of love and redemption.

The one-hour chats, held at 2 p.m. EST on the first three Wednesdays next month at Abunga.com, will feature family and parenting writer Tricia Goyer, New York Times best-selling novelist Beverly Lewis and Christian fiction author Robin Jones Gunn, respectively.

Friday Flashback!

2008-11-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

These were some of the best homeschooling days. Back then we made a boat out of pillows, these days I just try to get them out of bed!

Interesting!

2008-11-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

Death of the personal blog? by Seth Godin

A quick look at the list of the 'top' blogs in the world will show you that almost all of them are written by teams of people. There isn't one in the top 10 that's personal.

The best way to increase your ranking as a blogger is to post very often and to have teams of people doing the work. If that’s your strategy, of course you can’t have it be a solo blog. The strategy for showing up on this list is to have lots and lots of posts, so your tactic needs to be to have a team of people doing the work.

Personal blogs aren't going anywhere, though. There’s a difference between a blog about YOU (I call this a cat blog) and a blog about the reader. Guy Kawasaki’s blog, and my blog for that matter, are not about us, about what we ate yesterday or how great we are. They are about you, the reader.
I guess there's an easy analogy: Your blog could be like a newspaper (written by a staff) or it could be like a book (written by an author)
9 times out of 10, newspapers outsell books. No surprise. But they’re different. And we need both.

Who cares that you're not writing a mass market newspaper? The point is not to show up on a list, the point is to start a conversation that spreads, to share ideas and to chronicle your thinking. That's the work of an author, and I think rather than kissing author blogs goodbye, someone should just start a new list.

Agree or disagree? What is your top 5 blog list?

Blue Like Play Dough...And the BIGGEST Book Give-away EVER!

2008-11-25T09:38:00.001-07:00

Coming Summer 2009!

Watch the sneak peak video here!

I've never worked this hard on a book! What I thought would be a snap (well, maybe not THAT easy) to write turned out to be a long process of deep soul searching. Blue Like Play Dough contains reflections on things I thought I'd gotten over, gotten past and just plain forgotten!

What finally emerged on these pages is proof of what God can do with a mom who dared to say YES! to Him.

So in celebration of Moms everywhere who are up to their necks in the momminess of life, I'm hosting The Biggest Book Give-away EVER! (Props to Waterbrook/Multnomah for their generosity!)

Included in the basket will be these books:

~Generation NeXt Parenting

~Generation NeXt Marriage

~The entire set of the Shaunti Feldhahn books

For Women Only
For Men Only
For Parent's Only
For Young Women Only
For Young Men Only

~Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (gift edition) and With This Ring by Joanna Weaver

~My Mother's Wish by Jerry Camery-Hoggart

~Bon Appetit by Sandra Byrd

~Me, Myself, & I Am

~Also included in the basket will be some AWESOME body products by J.R. Watkins and a little something for your sweet tooth!

The contest ends Dec. 16th so I can get the loot to the winner before Christmas! A gift from me to you...or from me to you and some of your friends and family! (wink, wink!)

To enter the contest, go to my contact page and leave me a note telling me one way motherhood has shaped YOU!

I'll be sharing your answers (with your permission, of course) on my blog in January!

Too Funny!

2008-11-24T11:32:00.001-07:00

Can I get a DUH!

Friday Flashback!

2008-11-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Leslie never did like ballet ... well, except for the costume!

Me, Myself, I Am...and a give-away.

2008-11-20T09:19:00.005-07:00

Check out this interesting book (THIS WOULD MAKE A FAB GIFT!) Multnomah sent me...

Me Myself & I AM: A Unique Question and Answer Book: The Story of You and God Created by Matthew Peters in partnership with Elisa Stanford and Multnomah Books

A new experience of God comes one question at a time in this fun and provocative journal. Made up entirely of insightful, profound, and occasionally ridiculous questions, Me, Myself, and I AM invites you to open to any page, open yourself to God, and be the author of your own story.

Questions range from spiritually intriguing—
You overhear God talking about you. What do hear him saying?

to thought-provoking—
You are on a long car trip with a close friend who is not a Christian and the conversation turns to faith. What is your biggest fear about what your friend will ask or say?

to challenging—
Do you believe that all of Jesus’ followers have a responsibility to tell others about him?

to just plain fun—
If your life before you became a Christian were a movie, its title would be:
Animal House
As Good as It Gets
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
It’s a Wonderful Life

Me, Myself, and I AM will entertain, inspire, and get you thinking about your spiritual life from brand new angles. Whether you use Me, Myself, and I AM as a reflective tool, a way to start conversations with friends and family, or as a spiritual time capsule to look back on years later, their own words will create a powerful journey of self-discovery.

The reviews are in:

Margaret: I was slightly surprised when I recieved Me, Myself, and I AM. I was expecting a book, but when I opened it up, I found a journal of sorts. And it turned out to be an interesting experience. I'm not one for navel-gazing as a rule, but serious introspection once in a while is a good thing. The guiding questions were thought-provoking, ranging from my life right now, through spiritual life, momentous events in my life, and thinking about the future.

Ben: Me, Myself & I am is an interesting take on journaling. It’s short in page number but long in the amount of content and journaling you will work through. Me, Myself and I am is a well thought through journal as it gives you a chance to look back on your life with God and reminisce on where He’s taken you, what He’s brought you through, and where He’s leading you.

I have three copies to give-away...Answer this question from the book in the comment section below (I chose a question near and dear to our Xer hearts) and I'll randomly select three winners on Dec. 11th.

I have the opportunity to live in my current world but with no exposure to television, movies, the Internet, or magazines. I would/wouldn't agree to this arangement because...?

This is interesting...

2008-11-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

Thoughts?

Generation NeXt books...

2008-11-18T10:30:00.003-07:00

Want to win a copy of both books?

Head on over to Debbie's The Real World Martha's blog and enter her contest. She's giving away a bunch of other neat-o stuff!

Gen X and Gen Y Moms Use Internet Differently

2008-11-17T06:18:00.002-07:00

Here is an interesting article (from a marketing perspective) on the differences between Gen X and Gen Y moms...have a read and see if you agree!

Gen X and Gen Y Moms Use Internet Differently

Though both Generation X and Generation Y moms view the internet as a must-have tool for finding child-rearing information, there is a significant generational difference in their online behaviors and preferences, according to (pdf) a study from The Parenting Group and NewMediaMetrics.

Gen Y moms are much more attached to media that connects them to other moms online - such as internet communities, blogs and video-sharing sites - suggesting they prefer to rely on peers rather than experts to help them parent, according to the study.

Moms who are members of Gen Y also are highly involved in creating their own content and show a preference for time-shifting behaviors, such as watching TV online.

The top three activities of Gen Y moms are reading blogs, participating in an online community of moms, and creating and sharing their own video.
In contrast, Gen X moms are less attached to digital media as a whole. They are more likely to engage in task-oriented activities such as shopping online and uploading photos.

The top three online activities of Gen X moms are: using a photo site, rating and reviewing products, and shopping.

This generational dichotomy indicates a shift in the way marketers should be targeting the next new generation of moms online, according to The Parenting Group.

About the study: The study was fielded in April, 2008 among 847 moms who visited the Parenting.com website. To analyze the data, it used NewMediaMetrics’ proprietary Emotional Attachment (EA) Metric, which is unique in that it quantitatively measures emotional attachment and is based on a an academic theory regarding emotional attachments between mothers and children.

Friday Flashback!

2008-11-14T06:50:00.001-07:00

Cindy and I at one of our first writer's conferences. We were smart, pretty, and without kids for four days!

Tis the Season: In conclusion...

2008-11-13T06:36:00.001-07:00

Search out True Riches

Is our purpose to see how much we can obtain here on earth? Not quite.
“If your objectives are anything other than ‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever,’ you teach your children to function in the culture on its terms,” says Tedd Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child’s Heart. “In terms of Godward orientation, we are training them in the idolatry of materialism. In fact, we even feed the
idols.”
Ouch.

I know Tripps’ words have caused me to take a step back and evaluate how I’m training my kids to function in our culture. It also makes me realize if I don’t deliberately teach my children God’s terms, the world’s terms will quickly fill in where I’m lacking.

“I've taught my son that his issue with discontentment is actually an issue with God,” says Ocieanna. “When my son’s upset that things aren’t going his way or he’s not getting what he wants, he’s really saying he doesn't like the way God's running the universe. I remind him God is the one who gets to choose what happens, and it's our job to glorify Him in all we do.”

Job 36:11 says, “If they obey and serve [God], they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” (NIV)

Ask your kids to help you come up with ways to glorify, obey, and serve God and find contentment in Him. Sing praise songs and pray throughout the day. Talk about His love, His miracles, and His life. Only God can fill us up and satisfy our hearts! He can do this in a way no “stuff” can.

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

(photo courtesy of flickr)

Tis the Season: Read!

2008-11-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

Read Stories about People Who Discovered True Riches

Finally, take time to read biographies! A great way for children to understand that true contentment comes inwardly, not outwardly, is by reading stories about Christians who found satisfaction in Christ even in challenging circumstances. Amy Carmichael, Samuel Morse, George Mueller, and John Newton are some of my family’s favorites. I guarantee that reading about what others have faced for the cause of Christ makes our lives seem easy and abundant!

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

Tis the Season: Teach them to manage their money

2008-11-11T06:36:00.001-07:00

Teach Delayed Gratification and Appreciation

“Help children to understand and manage money. If children save their allowance and don’t spend it on little trinkets, they can learn the power of saving and delayed gratification. Help them decide on something big to save for,” adds Mary E. DeMuth. “Also, provide children with a time to be thankful everyday. My family has a time at dinner when we talk about the highs of our days.”

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

Oh, and Happy Veteran's Day, check out today's post over at It's Real Life. One more reason why I love celebrating this holiday!

Tis the Season: Foster Generosity

2008-11-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

Foster a Giving Heart

Giving is a great way to teach contentment. My kids love to participate in Samaritan’s Purse and in food drives for Christmas. Ask your kids for ideas on how they’d like to give to others throughout the year. You might be surprised by what they come up with.

And remember, the first place to give is your local church. No matter how much or how little you have, teach your children the joy of giving 10% to God first. The habits they develop in their young lives and hearts will be the building blocks for contentment!

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

Friday Flashback!

2008-11-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

I was in 8th grade. I found someone's puppy to pose with. Someone's car for that matter, too!

Tis the Season: Proper Perspective

2008-11-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

Give Your Kids a “World View” of Riches“

Adopt a child from an impoverished nation. Have kids take turns writing to the child,” suggests Mary E. DeMuth, author of Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture. “Openly discuss that we are the richest 1% of the world, and help children understand social justice issues. Encourage them to save money to give away … to dig wells, to pay for AIDS medicine, and other worthwhile things”

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

Tis the Season: Memorize Scripture

2008-11-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

Memorize a “Contentment” Scripture

1 Timothy 6:6-8 is a great passage to memorize as a family: “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” (NLT)

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

Tis the Season: Show by example

2008-11-04T06:36:00.001-07:00

Model Contentment

It’s important for kids to learn to be happy with what they have. This often means modeling that behavior.

“I have asked God to give me a heart that holds things loosely,” says Cara, a mom from Indiana. “I have to consistently reevaluate how I am doing as a model for my kids.”

Personally, I make an effort to watch my words and my shopping cart. It does little good if I tell my kids to be happy with what they have and then fill my cart with things that catch my eye. Sometimes my own “wants” roll off my tongue without thinking. In the reverse of that, my words of thankfulness are also noted and mimicked. Which is a good thing!

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

Tis the Season: Happy for others!

2008-11-03T06:33:00.001-07:00

Teach Kids To Be Happy For Others

Not only do kids struggle with understanding true needs, they often whine about what someone else has … especially a sibling.

“I've been working with my seven-year-old to decrease his ‘have to's’ ” says mom Ocieanna, from Washington. “Instead of, ‘I have to have what Gabby has.’ I encourage him to think, ‘I wish I could have what Gabby has, but if I can't that's okay. With God's help, I can handle it.”

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

Friday Flashback!

2008-10-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

It was love at first sight. Both John and I are in this photo! Can you spot us?

Tis the Season: a NEED or a WANT?

2008-10-30T06:28:00.002-07:00

Distinguish Between a Want and Need

It’s easy to create a list of things we’d all like to have, but it’s important for kids to distinguish true needs. Start a conversation by asking, “If you were on a deserted island, what things would you need to have with you?” Kids might start their list with video games or their favorite music, but you can talk to them about food, water, shelter, family, and even God’s Word to help your kids understand the reality of what things we need and what things we can live without.

Continuing series on Contentment this holiday season!

Tis’ the Season to be Content

2008-10-29T10:21:00.002-07:00

As we come into the holiday season this year, I'm getting a head start.

I have to admit the bling and sparkle of Christmas-buying-mania drives me crazy. I snarl at commercials promoting new toys. I gulp at long wish lists and enormous price tags. But what bothers me most is the discontentment “needing that thing” brings. And I’m not the only parent who struggles.

“My dad rarely paid child support, and my mom had a hard time working with five children. We never ate out, never drank soda. We had hand-me-down clothes, cheap shoes, and no name brand anything. Though I struggle to make ends meet at times, I find myself wanting to give my kids what I never had,” confessed my friend Michelle from Ohio. “Still, I try to instill the value of a dollar in them and teach them to be content.”

The good news is that, like Michelle, we can train our children to be content in a world that promotes having an endless amount of stuff. Over the next week or so I'll be sharing a few tips to do just that:

Distinguish Between a Want and Need

Teach Kids To Be Happy For Others

Model Contentment

Memorize a “Contentment” Scripture

Give Your Kids a “World View” of Riches

Foster a Giving Heart

Teach Delayed Gratification and Appreciation

Read Stories about People Who Discovered True Riches

The Mission Minded Family

2008-10-28T08:32:00.002-07:00

Seeking First the Kingdom in a Self-Absorbed Culture

In her new book, The Mission Minded Family, author and teacher Ann Dunagan presents a plan to transform the “Me Generation” into passionate warriors consumed with God’s glory.

Often, parents and teachers ask their children, “What do YOU want to be when you grow up?” In a world that is increasingly self-seeking, self-centered, and self-absorbed, the answers are consistently more egocentric—“a movie star,” “a rock star,” “a dance star.” Even within the church, this present generation is fixated on obtaining fame, wealth, and pleasure. But shouldn’t we be encouraging our children’s willingness to surrender to God’s plans for their futures? Shouldn’t our question instead be, “Oh, I wonder what awesome plans God has for your life! When you grow up, will you do whatever GOD wants you to do?”

In her new book, The Mission Minded Family: Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny (Authentic, July 2008), author, teacher, and missionary Ann Dunagan shows parents how to combat the influences of the “Me Generation” by giving readers the tools to revolutionize their families into ones dedicated to fulfilling God’s will and potential, instead of their own. In the first chapter of her book, Dunagan quotes David Shibley as he clearly addresses the current crisis within the church.

“We whine, ‘I just want to know my purpose; I’ve got to reach my destiny.’ We race all over the country to attend ‘destiny conferences,’ and we devour tapes and books on ‘reaching your full potential….’ Even cloaking our self-centeredness in Christian garb and jargon cannot cover the nakedness of this cult of self that has infested much of the church…. How can we ever hope to discover our purpose in the earth with little or no interest in His purpose?”

Packed with motivating missions stories, hymns, and quotes, The Mission Minded Family is a quick resource tool with examples of missionary family heroes, ministry ideas, exciting prayer projects, and even practical tips for international travel. Filled with passionate inspiration, The Mission Minded Family will be picked up again and again, read aloud, and used as a reference for years to come.

Find out more here.

The multi-generational family is making a comeback.

2008-10-27T09:08:00.003-07:00

A bit of my story is featured in this Christian Science Monitor article about Multi-generational families.

How many of you have a multi-generational living arrangement...I'd LOVE to hear your story!

All the family under one roof
The multi-generational family is making a comeback.
By Marilyn Gardner Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the October 27, 2008 edition

As a new widower, Tim Spatola faced a crucial decision: where to live. His house was too big; a retirement community held little appeal and was also expensive. So when his daughter and son-in-law invited him to move in with them and their six children, he gratefully accepted. He paid for an addition to their house and joined them in June.

"I'm very, very happy with it," says Mr. Spatola of Milton, Mass. "We have an excellent arrangement."

His daughter, Mary McCourt, adds, "He's very independent. It's working well."

Move over, adult children. The multi-generation household is making a comeback as Mom, Dad, kids, and grandparents live under one roof. The number of parents age 65 and older moving in with adult children increased by 62 percent between 2000 and 2007, the Census Bureau reports. Those under 65 who did so grew by 75 percent.

For some families, like Spatola's, the arrangement is a matter of choice. Others are driven together by high housing costs and economic need. In still other cases, caregiving is the motivating factor. Whatever the circumstances, the dynamics can be complex.

"Families have to think very carefully when they're considering an intergenerational household," says Allen Hager, president of Right at Home in Omaha, Neb., a network of agencies providing in-home assistance to seniors. "I've seen a lot of conflict in families. Women are taking on [most] of the household, child-rearing, and senior care."

He urges adult children and their spouses to talk about money, space, time management, and the role of family members. "A lot of times, finances aren't discussed," Mr. Hager says. "That can be sticky. What is [the parent's] financial situation and what will they contribute to the budget? What if they need paid care?"

For the McCourts, Spatola's presence offers mutual benefits. "Since he moved in, he seems to have a little kick in his step and a purpose," Mrs. McCourt says. "He picks up the kids at school and does some food shopping." He also cooks spaghetti and meatballs weekly for the family's dinner.

Spatola adds, "Being here is a plus for the grandchildren. I exert a lot of influence on them."

Giving children time with a grandparent is one reason Nikki Maxwell and her husband encouraged her divorced father to move from Seattle to their house in Los Angeles. A computer programmer in his early 60s, he works from home. "He saw that we needed help – help with the children, help with the finances," Mrs. Maxwell says. "He wanted to get closer to his three grandchildren. He's out there on the bike with them, and he plays with techie toys. I'm indoors cleaning and cooking, and they're at the park. We really value that."

Even so, challenges arise. "It's awkward when you are trying to redefine your relationship with your parent," she says. "We have a lot of control issues. Especially with the financial issues, it's hard to tell where there are strings and where there aren't. He won't lend us money, but he'll give it."

They also face in-law issues. "My dad and my husband buck heads in the kitchen," Maxwell says. "For my husband, it's been a lot of compromise."
Sundi Hayes of suburban Kansas City, Mo., finds similar challenges in sharing a home with her 62-year-old father. "When my husband is frustrated with him and comes to me, I walk a fine line between the two relationships," she says.

Yet she appreciates her father's help with their three children: "We both work outside the home, and Dad is there to care for them before and after school. He also does small things around the house if I ask him to." Still, she adds, "I'm hoping it's not permanent. I would prefer that he live on his own."

Some temporary arrangements do become permanent. When Holly Hansen's mother-in-law needed care, she went to the Hansens' home in Sebastopol, Calif. After her recovery, they invited her to stay.

"This was not a decision made lightly," Mrs. Hansen says. "Mostly, we have not regretted the decision."

Referring to "a few rough patches," she says, "It has probably been the most difficult for Millie. She had to leave her home of 50 years and friends behind to start over in a new community at 92."

Yet rewards abound, too: "Millie and our daughter have a very close relationship," Hansen says. "Millie has made new friends. I never would have thought that this situation would work out, and for many people it may not be the answer, but for us it has been a wonderful experience."

Sometimes even grandchildren become caregivers. For the past five years, Tricia Goyer's grandmother has lived with the Goyers and their three teenagers in Kalispell, Mont. She joined them when she could no longer care for her mobile home.

The couple took out a loan to add on to their house. They pay all the grandmother's expenses beyond the $200 a month she contributes. They also rearranged their schedules to accommodate her. In addition to working full time at home, Mrs. Goyer says, "I care for my teens and my grandmother, which includes doctor's appointments, hair appointments, and lunch out so she doesn't feel she's cooped up all the time. We feel it is our place to care for her."

Read the rest here!

Friday Flashback!

2008-10-24T06:44:00.001-07:00

My 6th birthday. I used to hate my summer birthday because I missed out on cupcakes for the class. Now I don't mind, because I've realize cupcakes can be enjoyed any time of the year!

What a Girl Wants, What a Boy Needs part 1

2008-10-23T09:52:00.002-07:00

What a Girl Wants, What a Boy Needs

Moms look at their daughters and think, “a little me.” They smile understandingly at the importance of pink, fuzzy pajamas and painted toes. The same thing happens when a father sides up to his son. Men know what brightens a boy’s day—dodge ball, dugouts and dirt, of course.

Yet relationships become more complicated when it comes to parenting a child of the opposite sex. A mom yelps in horror when she spots her young son scaling the outside of the jungle gym. A dad cringes when asked to play ‘fairy princess’ with his daughter . . . yet again. What’s a parent to do?

Moms and Sons

From the beginning, a mother is a life-source for her son. Even the Bible speaks of a mother’s training beginning at birth. “You made me trust in you even at my mother's breast,” we read in Psalm 22:9 (NIV). But as a son matures, his list of needs grows too.

The Softer Side of Love. “Men are conditioned to be harder,” says Dr. Greg Smalley, president and CEO of the Smalley Relationship Center. “A mother’s gentle nature helps a boy become more rounded and balanced. A mom encourages the softer side of love.”

“By virtue of her nurturing, comfort, and structure, a mother shows her son that reaching out to an external source is a good thing,” adds Dr. John Townsend, co-author of Raising Great Kids (Zondervan). “When a mother teaches her son to reach out, she also prepares him to trust in God.”

Healthy Connections. It may be surprising, but one of the most important things a boy needs from his mom is for her to “step back.”

“When a son gets older, he will find more connections with his dad or with friends. Oftentimes, moms will feel abandoned,” says Dr. Townsend. “Some mothers have a hard time letting go.”

As a boy matures, his natural tendency is to move away from the parent not like him (his mother), and move toward the parent like him (his father). A mother’s job is to make sure her son doesn’t feel guilty for this natural tendency. Moms need to encourage the father and son connection.

Intimacy through “Doing.” Moms think of “intimacy” as heart-to-heart talks and cuddles on the couch. Boys see it another way.
“Men, boys included, define intimacy as ‘doing things,’” says Dr. Smalley. “Oftentimes moms will attempt to draw out their sons through conversation. Instead, I encourage moms to kick the ball around or play a game of ping-pong, and then seek to communicate.”

“With my young son, the best communication came on days when I gave him my time and myself,” says Robin Jones Gunn, author of Mothering By Heart (Multnomah). “It may have taken four hours of play to get to an eight-minute conversation out of my son, but those eight minutes were priceless.”

Strict But Loving Authority. Moms have a hard standing their ground. Yet experts agree that boys need to see their mothers’ strength.

“Sometimes a mother is afraid to show her power because she doesn’t want to hurt her son’s feelings or wound his self-esteem,” says Dr. Townsend. “A mother shouldn’t be cruel, but a strict and loving mother will produce a boy who is not mean and self-centered.” A mom can show this power by being firm in her directions and her consequences.

“The objective of any parent is to correctly portray authority—to show her children what God is like,” adds Robin Gunn. “Does God let us get away with sin? Never. It grieves Him and breaks His heart. The best thing I can teach my son, is to obey God . . . by learning to obey me first.”

The Value of Emotions. Our society gives a clear message that boys need to be tough. Boys hear, “don’t cry” or “suck it up.” Moms need to show that there’s value in emotion.

“It’s important for moms to teach compassion, empathy, and consideration—relational tools that are not natural to males,” says Dr. Smalley.

“When I was growing up, once a week my mom took me to McDonalds for breakfast,” he adds. “I later learned it was for the purpose of teaching me how to share my feelings. My mom combined ‘doing something’ with sharing feelings.”

Guidance. The best way for a mom to build her son’s self-esteem is by teaching him practical skills like housework, laundry, or how to take out the trash.

“Moms need to encourage their sons to take initiative, to have responsibility,” says Dr. Townsend.

Equally important is a mother’s tutorage on relating to females. “The way a boy treats his mom, is the way he’ll later treat his wife,” says Dr. Smalley. “If a mom lets her son walk on her, dismiss her feelings, use anger or physical force, that’s the way he will also treat other women.” Moms teach their sons respect by deserving respect.

The Need To be Heard. When boys want to talk, the most important thing a mom can do is put down the dishtowel, give her son eye contact, and be fully engaged.

Moms can also make listening noises, such as “Hmm.” Also, don’t be too quick to give advice. Instead ask, “How does that make you feel?” or “So what are you going to do about this?”

“It’s huge for boys to be able to voice their frustration, anger, and insecurity,” says Robin Gunn. “Allowing your son to consider his own plan of action is like passing the baton of decision making. Once a boy talks through his feelings, moms can praise good decisions. A mom’s affirmation also opens the door to future conversations.”

Agree or Disagree?

2008-10-22T09:53:00.002-07:00

Generation X parents outshine Baby Boomers
by Laura DeMarco

Group called slackers embraces family

In the 1990s they were derided as cynical slackers. They were mocked in pop culture as lazy, selfish types who would rather spend their time moping in overpriced coffee shops than moving into adulthood.

But Generation X is all grown up now - and having children.

And when reality finally did bite the 60 million Americans born between 1965 and '79, they didn't react as might be expected. Gen-Xers are embracing family life with a vigor not seen in baby-boomers.

Generation-X includes more stay-at-home dads, fathers working from home and dads cutting back long hours than previous generations, say analysts.

Gen-X moms are distinguishing themselves from baby-boomers by embracing traditional roles. Though they're more college-educated than any previous generation, more Generation-X moms than boomers are staying home or working part time.

Xers' focus on home life shows up in several more parenting trends: they make financial sacrifices in exchange for family time; they're increasingly discipline-oriented; and they let their kids just have fun.

In part this is a reaction to their background, say sociologists. Their childhood was a time of personal and political upheaval. Xers were the first generation with large numbers raised in broken homes. Almost one-third had divorced parents, compared with 13 percent of boomers, according to the Yankelovich research analysis firm. Nearly half of all Xers had working moms. Before they were labeled slackers, they were latchkey kids.

Now Generation-Xers have become homebodies. And they're raising more than half of all children under 18 in the United States, some 40 million kids.

Fathers more involved

Three years ago, Ellen Barrett, program director for the Heights Parent Center, noticed more men coming to the Cleveland Heights gathering Place.

"In the last three years, we've really had a surge of dads, and not just dads who happen to have the day off or who are home on vacation," she says.

The center now has a busy father's play group with about 40 members, most in their late 20s to mid 30s, that meets several times a month.

The last decade has brought significant changes in the roles of fathers, says James Chung, president of Boston-based Reach Advisors. The company recently released the first major study on Generation X parenting. Titled "From Grunge to Grown Up," it surveyed 3,020 Gen-X and baby boom parents nationwide.

According to the study, 48 percent of Gen-X fathers spend three to six hours per week on child rearing, versus 39 percent of boomer dads. Forty-seven percent of Xers wish they could spend more time with their children, compared to 36 percent of boomers.

The number of stay-at-home dads has jumped 18 percent since 1994, to 189,000 in 2002, according to the Census Bureau.

For Parma resident John Benson, 35, and wife Maria, 36, the decision to swap roles was a financial one. As a writer, Benson could work from home while taking care of their 1- and 3-year-old sons, unlike his wife, who works in accounting.

But the choice was also based on his childhood.

"I was a latchkey kid, and I don't want my kids to be latchkey kids," he says.

That's a common denominator among many Gen-X parents.

"Gen-Xers grew up in the aftermath of a time of much social upheaval, in an era of rapidly increasing divorce rates and mothers rapidly re-entering the work force," says Chung. "Some of them want to raise their families different from the way they grew up."

Bernard Carl Rosen, professor emeritus of sociology at Cornell University and author of "Masks and Mirrors: Generation X and the Chameleon Personality," says it's not just family history that's influencing Xers.

"Generation X is far more insecure than boomers. Their family situation was a bad one, the economy was not in good shape when they were growing up, they've seen a lot of betrayal by politicians. The world they grew up in felt very fragile."

But mom still the anchor

When one parent does stay at home, it's still more often the mother. What's different is that though there are now more college-educated women among Xers, there also has been an increase in mothers staying at home and working part time.

Census figures found that 10.6 million children under 15 in two-parent homes were being raised by stay-at-home moms in 2002, a 13 percent increase from the previous decade.

Twenty-five percent of Gen-X moms spend 12-plus hours a day on child rearing, according to Reach, more than double that of boomer moms. (Even when boomer children were as young as the Xers' kids, moms spent less time with them, says Chung.)

Cleveland Heights stay-at-home mom Andrea Lynn, 32, says she had long planned to quit working as a librarian when she had children. A past nanny job helped make up her mind.

"I saw what the working two-parent household was like and I didn't want that," says the mother of a 3-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son. "It's too hard to have everything."

Many women are coming to that conclusion.

The number of professional women working part time - by choice - has risen 17 percent from 1994, to 2.9 million according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In part, this is due to the fact that Gen-Xers feel less loyalty to one company than past generations did. Women today also don't feel like they have to prove themselves as much as boomers did - it's a given they can have a career if they want it.

"I knew working full time wasn't going to work out after the birth of my third child," says Bay Village resident Amy Hannum, 33, mother of a 7-year-old son and 5- and 3-year-old daughters. She works three days a week as a development writer at Oberlin College. "I wanted balance in my life."

Hannum plans to return to work full time when her youngest enters school, a career path similar to many Gen-X moms'. Only 16 percent of stay-at-home moms will not consider returning to work, says the Reach survey.

"Now there are more options for women," explains Chung.

Discipline returning

Choice comes with a price.

"I told my husband that even if we had to give up a car, I wanted to stay home," says Lynn. "He was very supportive."

Willingly making financial sacrifices is a common Gen-X parenting trait, notes Chung. But the cuts are aimed at parents, not children.

There is, however, one thing for their kids that they seem to be cutting back on: the permissiveness of many baby-boomer parents.

"A lot of boomer parents think they have to be friends and buddies with their kids," says Hannum. "A lot of Generation X parents have a good time with kids but have clear boundaries that they are the parents.

Adds Lynn, "You owe it to your kids to teach them how to behave and to have manners. I really believe in limits for kids."

For many, that includes lighter extracurricular schedules.

"There's less demand for enrichment activities" among Gen-X parents, says Chung. "The attitude is more 'let the kids be kids.' "

Such attitudes are natural for Gen-Xers, explains Rosen.

"They are very sensitive to other people's needs," he says. "To the boomer, the world was more or less fashioned to his or her needs, and that included children. I think Generation-X will make better parents than boomers."

Priorities

2008-10-21T09:49:00.002-07:00

I have to admit there are days when I wish I had the house to myself to sleep in, take a long bath, read, and write. Then I think . . . what would I have to write about???

Kids have deepened me. They’ve shown me how to love deeper and give more. I’ve also learned how to be patient, watch my tongue, and not become overwhelmed by emotions on days I just want to hide away with a half-gallon of ice cream and have a good cry.

They’re a lot of work, but now that my oldest is eighteen, I realize how quickly the time goes.

"How do I set my priorities when all things seem equally important and/or urgent? While our children were living at home, their needs came first," says author Elizabeth Lowell. "After all, they didn't ask to be born. We asked for them. For me, that meant writing part-time around the kids' schedules."

Your priority may not be writing, but I'm sure there are those things in you life that make you think, "I wish I could have more time to . . . "

Hopefully, I’ll be writing for the next forty years. And over that time period you'll have time for some of those longed-for interests too.

So enjoy that important time you spend "just for you" . . . but enjoy the kids more.

Tackling the Media Monster

2008-10-20T08:31:00.002-07:00

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Hopefully most of us have outgrown the hopeless and incorrigible attitudes we modeled (or rather, thought were the height of coolness) in our teen years. Still, we remember the impact television had on us, and we want to make wise choices concerning our kids.

I have a love/hate relationship with my television set. On one hand, I wish we didn't have one (okay, actually four) in our house. If we didn't, we would undoubtedly spend more time talking, interacting, playing board games, and reading books. On the other hand, there are shows I can't imagine missing. My family has fun together sitting around the tube enthralled by the latest episode of our favorite show. And as a writer, I love taking notes of the characters, dialogue, and plot twists that work-that keep us wanting "just one more episode".

Some of you have quit television cold turkey, and I applaud that. I too want to protect my kids from the media's influence:

*Interacting with media provides the same experience as if you acted out those things ourselves.
*Values portrayed by the media are often ones we don't promote.
*Tuning into the media diverts kids' attention from God.
*Instead of helping us appreciate who we are and what we have, media causes discontentment.

But I don't think it's possible, or wise, to shun television culture completely. My kids will be bombarded by the media messages their entire life. Isn't it better to teach them how to make wise decisions concerning their choices of entertainment? Won't it benefit my children to train them to view television, radio and movies in light of God's truth? Ask God what He is saying about your media choices.

(photo courtesy of flickr)

Friday Flashback!

2008-10-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

We tapped to Chitty-Chitty bang bang. I promise I still break out dancing every time I hear that song!

Carpet Stains?

2008-10-16T09:39:00.001-07:00

I was contacted by Spot Shot to test out their new Carpet Stain and Odor Eliminator. Along with the free sample they sent me a piece of carpet and some stain stuff too ... chocolate and ammonia. (Hmmm ... can I eat this chocolate? Just kidding!) Anyway, I really didn't need the samples. My carpet already has stains. Lots of them. In fact I didn't have to wait 24-hours for more to "pop up." You see we were just sitting down to a movie when our dog ... well to put it nicely ... lost his dinner on the carpet.

I'm happy to say that Spot Shot worked great! And since it was out I thought I'd test some of those old spots, too. It worked and it doesn't have that horrible chemical smell. A win-win in my book!

Bon Appétit

2008-10-15T12:11:00.001-07:00

Bon Appétit
By Sandra Byrd

In this sequel to Let Them Eat Cake, Byrd again entertains with descriptions of delectable food and, this time, with exquisite details of France as well. Foodies will delight in this novel, and anyone who adores romance will warm to the story. It's easy to identify with Lexi's struggles in life, because they mirror so much of what everyone experiences, no matter what their age.” Romantic Times

Lexi Stuart is risking it all. Saying au revoir to the security of home, her job, and could-be boyfriend Dan, Lexi embarks on a culinary adventure in France to fulfill her life dream of becoming a pastry chef.

As she settles into her new home in the village of Presque le Chateau to study and work in a local bakery, her optimism meets resistance in the seemingly crusty nature of the people and culture around her. Determined to gain her footing, she finds a church, meets a new friend, and makes the acquaintance of a child named Celine–as well as Celine’s attractive, widowed father, Philippe. As Lexi lives her dream, the only thing she has to do is choose from the array in life’s patisser ie display window. Lexi discovers that as she leans more on God the choices become a little clearer– and making them, well, c’est la vie!

Bon Appétit is the sequel to this year’s Christy Award finalist, Let Them Eat Cake.

Hungry?

Enter to win a gourmet baking basket www.sandrabyrd.com

To purchase book, please visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400073286

Merci!

Making Decisions 101

2008-10-14T10:48:00.002-07:00

Decisions …

Write down one decision you are trying to make. Now, answer these questions:

~What is behind my decision?

~Is my motivation to be liked, appreciated, or accepted?

~Who is behind my decision?

~Am I concerned about what others would think?

~Are my choices and decisions based on my relationship with God?

~Who loves me more? Do I let those who love me most have greater influence, or do I worry more about those who could care less about my heart, spirit, soul, emotions?

On another piece of paper make three columns. Pick one of the decisions you KNOW you’ll have to make. On the top of the page list any one of those decisions. In the first column write “Spouse.” In the second write “Friends.” In the third column write “God.”

Now, consider what type of advice you would get from your spouse, friends or God. Write each one’s advice under their heading.

Finally, at the bottom of the page, write that person’s motivation. (Why would he/she/they make that decision for you?) For example, your friends might push you to do certain things. And your spouse might want you NOT to do those things because of the cost or the influence it has on you.

And what about God . . . how do you think He feels about these activities? If you’re not sure, go to His Word, and ask Him to guide you to the answers. Psalm 138:3 says:

When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted (NIV).

If you aren’t sure of what God’s answer would be seek out a mature Christian for advice.

There are some decisions that will make a BIG difference to your life and faith. Just think how much better your decision will turn out if you take time to think it through beforehand. When the time of decision comes . . . the work is already done. After that, you just need to follow through, allowing your service to Jesus to rule over being a slave to the opinions of others. After all, scripting your responses makes dealing with the drama 100% easier.

Interesting question!

2008-10-13T08:37:00.002-07:00

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

Callista from SMS reviews answered...I don't know about fundamentally. Generation NeXt Marriage by Tricia Goyer gave me some things to think about with regards to my marriage and Love As a Way of Life by Gary Chapman made me think differently about what's important.

I love this question (and LOVE Callista's answer!), what are some of the books that have changed the way YOU see life?

Friday Flashback!

2008-10-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

Last summer we saw this rock at the local park. It's weird ... it somehow shrunk over the years!

WHAT YOU DO WILL AFFECT MANY FUTURE GENERATIONS

2008-10-09T10:07:00.002-07:00

In the eighteen hundreds two families from New York State and their descendents were studied by a researcher named Dugdale. What he found further illustrates the truth of Psalm 112:1-2.

1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. 2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Max Jukes and his brother married sisters. They did not believe in Christian training. They had 1,026 descendants. Three hundred of them died very young. Many others had poor health. At least 140 of them served time in the penitentiary for an average of 13 years each; 190 were public prostitutes; and there were 100 drunkards in the group.

Over a hundred-year period the Juke’s descendents cost the state $1,200,000. With inflation and more liberal welfare programs today, these two brothers and their families could easily cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Contrast the misery experiences and caused by the Jukes family with another record:

Jonathan Edwards became a Christian and married a girl of like belief. After graduating from Yale in 1720, he became a preacher. From their union, he and his wife had 729 descendants. Among them were 300 preachers, 65 college professors, 13 university presidents, 60 authors, 3 congressmen, and a vice president of the United States. Except for Aaron Burr, a grandson of Edwards who married a girl of questionable character, the family did not cost the state a single dollar.

The mark difference between the two families was the basic training of the children which include both philosophy and practice.

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD TRAINING AND IS IT SUPPORTED BY YOUR PRACTICE.

Just A Young Boy's Dream!

2008-10-08T10:08:00.001-07:00

Defending Your Marriage From External Stressors

2008-10-07T09:10:00.002-07:00

by Dr. Harold L. Arnold, Jr.

Rebuild!

As I listened to the married couples gathered at the monthly marriage fellowship, the word "rebuild" kept coming to my mind. While some of the couples were paragons of strength, others were floundering in troubled marriages. For some marriages, I sensed desperation in their testimonies of infidelity, loneliness, disrespect, devalued self-worth and communication failures. Still others seemed paralyzed in mediocrity and satisfaction with the status quo. The emotional wounds and disappointments had left many of these couples feeling broken, without any clear path to restoration.

As I addressed the group, I asked for their patience to examine a biblical story that on its face seems removed from the subject of marriage. It is the story of Nehemiah as recorded in Nehemiah 2-4. I started with a question. It was the same question, in fact, that the Persian king Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah, his trusted Jewish cupbearer, in Nehemiah 2:2, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart?"

The king's observation was accurate. Nehemiah's heart was burdened by a call that God had placed in him to rebuild the shattered walls of Jerusalem that had been destroyed when the nation was taken into captivity. In response to Nehemiah's request, King Artaxerxes permitted Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to assess the state of the walls and eventually to begin repairs. God had obviously stirred Nehemiah's and the king's heart to begin the difficult work of restoration. But, as Nehemiah soon learned through the mocking and ridicule of neighbors, enemy attacks to undermine his efforts, and the waning confidence of his own people, obeying God's call to rebuild was going to require remarkable perseverance, faith and obedience.

Like Nehemiah, many of you are also experiencing a great sadness of heart. And for many, this emotional state is directly connected with the struggles in your marriage. The disappointments, frustration and anger have left your own emotions in shambles, much like those broken walls of Jerusalem. My message to you is to have hope that God hears your cries just as He heard the lament of the Hebrew captives. God is calling you to rebuild the walls of your marriage. This call to rebuild is about prioritizing God's desires for your marriage over your own desires—in a pursuit of holiness. It is a call to marital intimacy that is built on selflessness, trust and respect. It is a call to extend grace as you unconditionally love the spouse to whom God has joined you. And, it is a call for an investment of time to allow strained emotions to heal.

You should be prepared, however, for attacks on your efforts to rebuild your marriage. In a culture that values individualism and self-satisfaction, your efforts to exemplify godly stewardship, humility and grace in marriage will be mocked—sometimes from your own family. With half of those around you opting for divorce, your unconditional commitment to an abundant marriage will be met with sarcasm and envy.

All of us experience attacks on our marriage – often leading to our own sadness of heart. God, however, has made provisions for you to withstand these negative influences. Fortifying the walls of your marriage is not simple, as it also requires obedience to the Lord's call to rebuild.

If God is stirring your heart to strengthen your marriage, this series of articles is for you. They are designed to provide insight, encouragement and practical advice to those seeking to protect their marriage from the external stressors that threaten it.

Copyright 2008 Dr. Harold L. Arnold, Jr. Used with permission.

Other articles in this series:
Finding Stability Amidst Marriage Stressors
Defending Your Marriage Against Mediocrity
Shaving Planks
Commitment: The First Defense Against Marital Stressors
It's About TIME: Building the CORE of Your Marriage
Ten Tips for Protecting Your Cross-Cultural Marriage From Outside Influences
Next Steps / Related Information

Amazing!

2008-10-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Friday Flashback!

2008-10-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

In Montana this is as close as you can get to tree hugging and live!

Stop Lurking! Every week I will draw names for a free Tricia Goyer book from those who comment on my blogs. Winner's choice! Tell your friends.

Balancing Life and Cleaning!

2008-10-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

I work from home, which means I SEE what needs to be done all hours of day and night. When I clean I see the writing stuff I need to do. When I write I see the house stuff. Yet when it comes to writing, life, kids I have to make priorities:

1. Food. I shop big at Costco and have enough extra stuff around to throw together a nice meal at 5:45 p.m.

2. Order. My kids have had chores since they were preschoolers. At 19, 16, and 14 they still have daily chores AND know how to sprint through the house in a cleaning frenzy when I call home in desperation. "Company's coming!"

3. Peace. In my heart, not always in my schedule. When I have peace and go with the flow the family follows. They'd rather have a happy mom than a perfect house.

4. Understanding. For myself mostly. If God has called me to write books and articles and be an attentive mom and wife then I CAN'T keep a perfect house too. It's impossible.

5. Help. I do have a housecleaner once a week for three hours who does the deep cleaning. Huge help!

Tips:
I do something called "The 27." I'll time myself and spend 27 minutes answering email, cleaning my desk, cleaning the house, putting away laundry, packaging books to send out ... you name it. 30 minutes sounds like it's a big chunk of time but for some reason 27 minutes seems doable! And I'm always amazed how much I can get done in that time.

Also, I only have one small corner in my kitchen where stuff accumulates, and I clean that off every other day. And I don't let kids drop stuff as they go. They must put it away. So if you show up at my house it looks (mostly) uncluttered ... just don't look at the dog hair on the floors or the dust on ... everything!

Sweet September Contest WINNER!

2008-10-01T10:04:00.002-07:00

I plugged the numbers into random.org...and here is what I got!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

61

Timestamp: 2008-10-01 17:04:31 UTC

So that means blueviolet is our winner!

blueviolet said...
My sister is my touchstone, my best friend, my confidante. She is the person who will drop everything and be at my side whenever I need her She accepts me completely for who I am and is totally nonjudgmental. I can tell her absolutely everything and know it stays with her alone. She has a fun, bubbly personality and she is like sunshine to me. I adore her.doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth
12:42 PM

CONGRATS Elizabeth, send my assistant Amy (amy@triciagoyer.com) your mailing address and your pumpkin yumminess will be on the way!

Women Alive Vancouver (BC)

2008-09-30T10:34:00.006-07:00

If you live within driving distance of Vancouver, BC consider coming to this FABULOUS Women's event! October 17 & 18, go here for registration info: https://www.womenalive.org/events/vancouver08/

Keynote Speaker: Thelma Wells
You loved her at “Women of Faith”, now she’s back with a brand new message. From an abusive childhood to the founding of a national women’s mentoring ministry, Thelma Wells’ life has been a courageous journey of faith. Eventually raised by great-grandparents, she grew up to be a trailblazer for black women. Thelma, the first black core speaker for the Women of Faith Tour, has authored several books as well as founding The Daughters of Zion Leadership Mentoring Program. Through this ministry, Mama T, as she is affectionately called, has mentored over 100 spiritual daughters.

Weekend Host: Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson
Laura-Lynn is the host of Canada’s newest national daily talk show, “The Daily with Mark and Laura-Lynn.” Seasoned broadcaster and comedian, she is the creator of her own TV series, “Coffee Shop Girl”. Come prepared to laugh with her, but mostly AT her!

Special Music: Glenda Rae
Whether performing in New York, Los Angeles or London, Glenda captures the heart of her audience. Though mainstream press dithers about whether she is a pop, soul, blues, or jazz singer, there is no doubt that at her deepest roots, she is a Gospel vocalist.

Worship Leader: Tania DeMeglio
Come and enjoy an awesome time of worship with Vancouver’s own Tania DeMeglio.

Breakout Sessions:

1) Greta Sheppard
Excuse Me, Your Unforgiveness is Showing!
For many years, Greta, a sought after motivational speaker and author, lived in silence and denial about her sexually abusive childhood. Finally at age 50 she exposed her secret. Have you ever had anything so hurtful, so cruel or so offensive in your life that forgiveness seems impossible? Come and learn what it means to find freedom in forgiveness.

2) Sheryl Baxter
Money Matters
Where does the money go? Why is there never enough? Statistics show that money is the #1 cause of marital conflict. Half of all Canadians have less than $2500 in savings. Come and learn how to make informed decisions, find your hidden wealth and eliminate the money fear factor. Sheryl, a senior Field Training Specialist with FaithLife Financial will focus on household budgeting and accelerated debt reduction based on biblical principles and disciplines.

3) Candace Newton
Beyond Barriers, Loving the Way Jesus Loved
Cozy Christianity feels good but is it right? Candace’s mandate is to impart the love of Jesus and to be moved with compassion to all those that “don’t measure up.” If you are tired of nominal Christianity then come prepared to be propelled right out of your comfort zone by her challenge to live like there is no tomorrow. Candace, Founder of Unlocking Secrets for Women is the Associate Producer for “The Daily with Mark and Laura-Lynn” as well as creator of a newly developing TV series called “Luv Ya Mom”.

4) Kristy Morris
Deliverence – The TRUTH Will Set you Free
Have you, or do you know anyone who is involved in New Age, hypnosis or the occult? Are you in spiritual bondage from memories of your past or in dealing with the present? Suffering from chronic asthma, Kristy was lured as a child into the psychic realm which eventually led to the deception of
hypnosis and witchcraft. Now a pastor’s wife, Kristy will encourage you to live your life with liberty, freedom and joy so that you can be used to deliver others.

5) Marilyn Mahoney
The Truth of the Matter
How’s your thought life? Are you on a merry-go-round of allowing unproductive thoughts to drag you down? Explore how your thoughts powerfully influence your emotions and actions and learn four questions that can help you uncover Truth- the secret ingredient of a healthy thought life. Marilyn, is an Educational Consultant with Fraser Health Authority and serves in ministry with her husband pastoring the newly- formed West Coast Biker’s Church.

6) Tricia Goyer
Parenting in our Generation: Raising Kids who Impact our World.
Want to change the world? Want to impact future generations for Christ? Start at home. Tricia Goyer, author of fifteen books understands that parenting in our generation is all about raising future teens and adults who are prepared to step out and follow God’s dreams for their lives. She will
share the importance of discovering God’s unique design for each of our children, give ideas for family ministry and for fostering attitudes of giving and service in young hearts.