More appreciated advice (and a song....and some books :0))

One of the most appreciated pieces of advice I received from my "Titus 2 Mom" a few years ago was to pray for my children's spouses every day. It seemed like a great idea but at the time my kids were very little (and few LOL) and I didn't do it regularly. I am realizing more now, especially with the older ones being in school, how important it is to get back into that. I am a "by-THE-Book" kind of girl and we are teaching our kids the kinds of things that they should be looking for in a mate and the kinds of virtues they need to possess.


I love this song by DC Talk (they are a Christian rap group which is why the lyrics might seem a little odd). It's one that I will definitely want my boys to really think about and also one that my girls need to take to heart because there are (Lord willing) two young men out there who are looking for them. (Please go to the end of the lyrics for some more stuff).
That Kinda Girl Lyrics
Artist: DC Talk
Album: Free At Last


The other night I met a girl
And she looked to be so niceI asked her for the digits
And she didn't think twice
A couple of days later called her up and asked her out
She said,"with you?" I said, "with me,"
And then she said, "without a doubt"
I took her to the Garden where
I guess they grow the Olives
She wore a tighter skirt
Than any I had seen in college
She said, "I love to smoke and drink
While cursing like a sailor"
I asked her where she got her mouth
And if she had a tailor
Finally I walked her to the door to say goodnight
She said, "I am an apple,Would you care to take a bite?"
Politely I refused and said, "I'm looking for a lady"
So she slapped me in my face and said,"Boy, you must be crazy"


Different from the ones before
Different from the ones before, she's that kinda girl
Different from the ones before,
Cause I know she loves the Lord
She's that kinda girl, virtuous in every way
The kinda girl that makes you say,"I hope she comes my way"


Well I'm lookin' for a girl who virtuous
Cause God laid it on my heart to search for this
So I open up the Word to the book of Proverbs
The 31st chapter tells me all about her
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain
A woman who fears the Lord, she ain't playin'
Hear what I'm sayin', cause I'm sayin' it clearly
She's the kinda girl I gots to have near me


She's that kinda girl. Different from the ones before
Cause I know she loves the Lord
She's that kinda girl, virtuous in every way,
The kinda girl that makes you say...

Well I'm lookin' into hookin' with a lady
And not a girly of the worl'y that's shady

But the kinda girl you meet
Behind the doors of a church
Ya see, God will bring her to me
So I don't have to search
Too hard I've been scarred by the ones of the past
So put an APB out on the one that will last
A little longer than a roll in the hay for sure
But a bona fide lady's what I'm prayin' for

When I finally meet her, I'll know how to treat her
By fulfilling all her needs
Love her and respect her, cherish her forever
She's the kinda girl for me

Heaven help me, hear my plea
I know there's one who's perfect for me



Because reading is such an important part of the day, I am always looking for new books that teach something. We got the kids a set of three books by Jennie Bishop. The kids REALLY love them and they are wonderful books for teaching kids about friendship & love, purity and itegrity.

The Garden Wall

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=71684X&event=CF

The Princess and the Kiss

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/productitem_no=628686&netp_id=209180&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW

The Squire and the Scroll

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=170793&netp_id=351975&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW

MOther's Day

Yeah, I know this is a little late LOL!



I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine was special in it's own way. I actually got myself out of bed at 5 and had time to use the treadmill for a half an hour. I spent that time on walk/running and praying for each of my kids. What a powerful time that was and I realized just how much I was missing my REAL prayer time. What blessing those children are. It is so easy (for me) to get caught up in the day to day needs/responsibilities that need to met. Or to see only the messes, hear the bickering, etc. instead of focusing on the silly smiles, little jokes and looks of wonder as they experience life.



I prayed for my own mom as it was her 1st Mother's Day with Gram gone. I get teary now just thinking about what these 2 women mean to me and how they have shaped my life. I am so thankful for the godly examples of mothers these 2 are/were.



BP was insistant that I get breakfast in bed so I had to go back and sit in my room while the crew with The Captain's help got breakfast ready. It was a good thing the morning started with prayer and my heart was in the right place. The procession came down the hallway, into our room and 2 feet from the bed, it happened. T1 apparently stopped short (happened so fast I didn't really see how it happened). The Captain ran into him and the whole tray landed all over the rug. Coffee, juice, hot syrup & strawberries, the works. BP & T1 immediately broke down because The Captain had a frustrated reaction (understandably). So I ended up comforting the kids while The Captain cleaned up the rug. I think it is safe to say that was the first and last time I will be getting breakfast in bed LOL!!



All relationship fences were mended and the day was much brighter from there. After church we had our moms over for dinner (which the Captain prepared - he even ordered a white clam pizza for me that I had been craving for 2 weeks). It was a wonderful day.

Here are some pictures from the day

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v469/latronica4/MothersDay/

Interesting

Taking the poll from Jess (who borrowed it from Anna). I am glad to see that I scored 100% in what I believe LOL. Some other interesting things on the list, too.

1. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (100%)
2. Seventh Day Adventist (81%)
3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (79%)
4.Jehovah's Witness (79%)
5. Orthodox Quaker (66%)
6. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (65%)
7. Eastern Orthodox (64%)
8. Roman Catholic (64%)
9. Bahá'í Faith (58%)
10. Orthodox Judaism (55%)
11. Islam (52%)
12. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (43%)
13. Liberal Quakers (38%)
14. Jainism (37%)
15. Hinduism (33%)
16. Unitarian Universalism (30%)
17. Sikhism (28%)
18. Mahayana Buddhism (28%)
19. Theravada Buddhism (28%)
20. Nontheist (28%)
21. Reform Judaism (24%)
22. New Thought (23%)
23. New Age (17%)
24. Neo-Pagan (15%)
25. Scientology (15%)
26. Secular Humanism (14%)
27. Taoism (13%)

Special advice

I am on a song kick right now so every now and then one may pop here. When I use a song, I'll try to share why it means something.

When we got married, lots of people had advice and things to share with us. A lot of it I took with a grain of salt. However, one piece of advice, from friends of The Captain's parents stuck with us. I am sure many have heard it - "never go to bed angry". Wise words that come from Ephesians 4:26
"In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,"

They also told us that they said the Lord's Prayer together before the went to sleep. They have been happily married for over 40 years :0). We changed things a bit, we didn't say the Lord's Prayer but we prayed together each night. No matter what the day brought we ended it together. I have to admit, though, that we haven't always followed the "don't go to bed angry" advice. And you know what, it is horrible what it does to your relationship. It's always over something so stupid and it usually me thinking "I'll show him. I won't talk and he'll just know I am upset." Manipulation doesn't work (at least not the way we intend) and it doesn't fall under my Biblical job description as First Mate to behave this way. So really, the only person I end up hurting is myself and I lose a night of sleep.

Now The Captain works 3rd shift and we don't go to bed together every night. I really miss our prayer "nightcaps". One might not think this is a big deal but it really is. We liken our marriage to a cord made of 3 strands - Christ being the 3rd "person". Without that 3rd strand, the cord weakens and can break. You take away little things, like praying together, and it becomes easier and easier to think that we can do it in our own strength. Not gonna happen. I have recommited to ending our night in prayer - even if it is when he has to walk out the door to work.

Don't go to bed angry. Talk and then talk some more if you need to. Otherwise one brick becomes two and before you know it there is a wall. We don't know what tomorrow holds. I want there to be no regrets for me and the man who holds my heart.

Between You And Me
Artist: DC Talk

[It's just between you and me]
[I've got something' to say]
[I wanna get it straight]
[Before the sun goes down]

Sorrow is a lonely feeling
Unsettled is a painful place
I've lived with both for far too long now
Since we've parted ways
I've been wrestling with my conscience
And I found myself to blame
If there's to be any resolution
I've got to peel my pride away

(chorus)
Just between you and me
I've got something' to say
Wanna get it straight
Before the sun goes down
Just between you and me
Confession needs to be made
Recompense is my way to freedom now
Just between you and me
I've got something to say

If confession is the road to healing
Forgiveness is the promised land
I'm reaching out in my conviction
I'm longing to make amends
So, I'm sorry for the words I've spoken
For I've betrayed a friend
We've got a love that's worth preserving
And a bond I will defend

(repeat chorus)

In my pursuit of God, I thirst for holiness
As I approach the Son, I must consider this
Offenses unresolved, they'll keep me from the throne
Before I go to Him my wrong must be atoned

If there's to be any resolution
I've got to peel this pride away

Just between you and me
I've got something' to say
I wanna get it straight
Before the sun goes down
Just between you and me
Confession needs to be made
Recompense is my way to freedom
It's my way to freedom

It's my way to freedom (2x)
I've got something to say, so let me say it today
It's my way to freedom (2x)