Our Children's Salvation

Like me, one of your fervent prayers probably is that God would see fit to save your precious children! They are not saved simply because they have believing parents. Pray that God would do a mighty work in their lives and change their heart to repent and believe in Him.
The following really captures the desires of my heart. It is a prayer from the book, Valley of Vision (a compilation of puritan prayers):
O Sovereign Lord, let those that are united to me in tender ties be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory. Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion, instruction, discipline, example, that my house may be a nursery for Heaven. Amen

12 years

Sunday marks my 12 year wedding anniversary! I am married to an amazing man who adores me! In honor of each year of marriage, I put together 12 things I love about my Hubby, Alvin:
1. He loves the Lord our God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.
2. He loves me and lives with me in an understanding way.
3. He loves our children with a tender, Daddy kind of love.
4. He is fun-we have a blast together as a couple and as a family.
5. He values my thoughts and opinions.
6. He is faithful to God and me.
7. He loves God's people and desires to help them grow in the Lord.
8. He has a burdened heart for the lost.
9. He serves me in the home.
10. He is strong and brave-he has 3 black belts (Aikido, jiu-jitsu, kali selat)
11. He is beautiful and has good fashion sense.
12. He would rather go shopping or be artsy than play or watch sports.

Schedules-love em or hate em??

There are seasons when I cringe at the thought of having a schedule! There are seasons when I cringe at the thought of NOT having a schedule...I go back and forth. Currently, I'm thinking about entering back into the delight of having a schedule. It does cut down on the nagging when the kids know what to expect for the day. Or when it is time to have "sit time" or homework time, I don't hear as much revolting. I think we'll try it again-it does take time to get used to-- So if you start to implement a schedule, give it time before giving up-that was to encourage both you AND me!! lol.

Following are some thoughts from Carolyn Mahaney from the girltalk blog:

-A schedule is meant to serve, not rule. When it doesn’t serve, dismiss it. Lay it aside and pick it back up later.

-A schedule must be exercised in dependence upon God. It can greatly enhance our mothering, but it can never eliminate our need for God’s help.

-A schedule should be implemented humbly. We must avoid being self-righteous and judgmental in our communication about mothering practices. We must also avoid sinfully judging other women that they are being self-righteous and judgmental. In many cases they may simply be trying to help.

-A schedule is optional. You can certainly glorify God and be an effective mother without a schedule.

-A schedule is not the most important thing about us. Remember D.A. Carson’s admonition:

“So many Christians today identify themselves with some ‘single issue’ (a concept drawn from politics) other than the cross, other than the gospel. It is not that they deny the gospel. If pressed, they will emphatically endorse it. But their point of self-identification, the focus of their minds and hearts, what occupies their interest and energy is something else” (The Cross and Christian Ministry, p. 63).”

The gospel—and not a schedule—should always be what we’re most passionate about. And this is not a suggestion.