When Mom Becomes a Grandmother

September 6, 2011

This year, National Grandparents Day shares the same day as another familiar date: the bombing of the World Trade Centers – 9/11 – on September 11. Since 1978, Grandparents Day has been observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

In honor of Grandparents Day, particularly grandmothers today, I am reposting this true, shorter blog, only in its entirety. Whether you’re a mom or a grandmother, I hope you’ll enjoy it. Be sure to read to the end for a special way to honor a mom or a grandmother. Read more

A Mother’s Hands

May 6, 2011

 A Mother’s Hands…

reach out to bless her children and

reach up to praise the Lord.

They’re always loving, often praying, and

ever giving more than she keeps for herself. Read more

Extravagant Love

May 2, 2011

(Some of you might be interested to know this story took place years ago at Possum Kingdom Lake–an area in Texas that was recently burned extensively. I felt that this was such a powerful story and truth that I am reposting this blog again in honor of Mother’s Day. I will return to my general blog  schedule next week after Mother’s Day.)

Extravagant Love

By Rebecca Barlow Jordan

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 TNIV 

Much of my husband’s childhood years he spent on a lake in West Texas where his parents and grandparents owned a fishing camp. Like all boys, Larry loved to play “buried treasure.” The sand around the camp offered multiple opportunities for realistic pirating adventures.

But one fateful day, Larry learned a powerful lesson he never forgot. Here’s his story: Read more

Preparing Your Kids for Life: Encouragement for Women, Moms, and Grandmoms

April 6, 2011

At one time or another, we moms may think we’re not doing “enough” to prepare our kids for life. Deep down we feel inadequate. We may not feel skilled or talented or creative. Sometimes we even start comparing ourselves to others as parents, which totally makes us feel worse.

Every mom, young or old, is concerned about making wise decisions. Are we giving our children the right training? We fear for our kids. Are they being bullied? Are they safe enough? We all want our kids to “turn out right.”

If you are a mom or grandmom, here are four things to remember that might encourage you as you prepare your kids for life: Read more

Are Our Children Really Ours?

March 22, 2011

I was so impressed with this sweet testimony of friends Kacie and Jonathan Hunt that I asked permission to share Kacie’s recent blog as a guest post today.

Are our children really ours? Kacie shares a powerful answer to that question as she allows you to see a glimpse of the difficult journey she and Jonathan have just begun. I think you’ll be inspired and encouraged by their authentic faith.

Guest Post

Isaac Preston

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” – Genesis 22:2

The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” – Genesis 22:15-18

Just as the Lord called Abraham to offer his son to him as a sacrifice we believe that as parents we should always remember that our children are not ours. They are the Lord’s and it is not about the plan that we have for them, but it is about His plan. That is why we have chosen the name Isaac for our precious son. It is a reminder that his life, no matter how long or short it is here on earth is for the glory of the Lord.

Thank you for visiting our blog and for taking the time to read about this new journey that the Lord has placed before us. I will take a few moments to give you a little background on how we got to where we are now. We found out on Christmas Eve that we were expecting our second child. We were so excited! We have always wanted a big family and Kadynce would be about 22 months when the new baby would arrive. It just seemed perfect. Early in the pregnancy I learned that one of my hormone levels were low, but that this was a fairly common problem. They put me on supplements and the pregnancy seemed to progress normally. We opted to have what is called a “first screen” at 12 weeks. It is a combined ultrasound/blood test that tells you your risk for chromosomal defects. We did not have this test with Kadynce, but for some reason we decided that we would with this baby. Insurance would cover it and it was one extra time we would get to see our baby. The test, however did not go as planned. They saw a couple of things that seemed unusual and combined with the blood test it raised my risk quite a bit for having a child with Down’s Syndrome. While this came as a shock, Jonathan and I had peace and were prepared to do whatever was necessary for our baby. We opted out of an amniocentesis to conform any suspicions at that time, but we did agree to return in 3 weeks for another ultrasound. That brings us to this past Friday. To make a long story short there were multiple abnormalities immediately detected and the nurse as well as doctor began to suspect the possibility of Trisomy 18 or 13 instead of 21(Down’s Syndrome). They strongly suggested that we go ahead with the amnio so we would know exactly what we are dealing with and they informed us that if it is one of the suspected syndromes most of the babies do not make it to term. We decided to proceed with the amnio so we could be better educated, but told them that it would not effect our decision about carrying the baby to term or as far as he would make it. After a long weekend of waiting we got a phone call Monday afternoon telling us that our baby does indeed have Trisomy 13 and it is a little boy. We almost immediately decided that his name would be Isaac Preston (Preston is Jonathan’s middle name and we have always wanted it to be a part of our little boy’s name.) We will find out next week whether or not this was inherited from us. 97% of the time it is completely random (although we know no baby is random) and not inherited. They say this type of abnormality occurs about 1 in 10,000. Yes our sweet baby is so very special.

There are multiple very good websites that talk about Trisomy 13. This site  (living with trisomy.org) is one of the best I have found. We are not in denial. We know that at this time the prognosis for Isaac is not good, but we also know that we serve a powerful and mighty God and that his will will be done in all of this.

Several of you have asked how you can specifically pray for us during this time. Here are a few requests that we have:

· That we will have a peace that surpasses all understanding. That our minds will not be filled with worry, but instead just an intense sense of peace.

· That our faith will remain strong and we will not doubt that our Lord is sovereign in all of this.
· That we will have wisdom. As the pregnancy progresses we will be faced with many tough decisions. We want to make the best decisions possible for baby Isaac as well as for our family as a whole. This may be very, very difficult and this is weighing so heavily on my mind right now.

· Most importantly that God’s glory will shine each and every day through our lives and the life of our Isaac.

Thank you much for your love and support through this. We love you all so much!

***************

I hope you will join Kacie and Jonathan in praying for these requests. You can read other entries of Kacie’s “Just an Ordinary Girl” blog here.

Feel free to share your comments below, especially to encourage Kacie and Jonathan in this difficult faith walk with God.

Loretta was the book giveaway winner of Karen O’Connor’s book, The Upside of Downsizing. Thank you for all your comments.

 

 

How Do You Measure Success?

October 28, 2010

A mom may guage success more by her kids’ accomplishments, rather than her own–even their behavior, and her effectiveness in influencing them.

The salesperson tends to measure success by the number of sales, the size of commission or bonus, his promotion–or lack of it–and his effectiveness in producing results.

The writer often sees success in the size of her advance, in how many books she writes and the number of readers who buy them, the total number of book sales and its placement on the charts, and in the number of her blog folllowers and face book friends.

The preacher might evaluate success by the size and spiritual growth of his congregation, the number of converts and baptisms each year, and the absence of conflict among his congregation.

What’s Wrong With That?

Different folks, but same philosophy: equating success with results. It’s the nature of life. Is there anything wrong with that? Read more

In the Wilderness? Words of Encouragement for You

October 18, 2010

I asked the Lord this morning to show me some words that might encourage others, but as I journaled, He first reminded me of those who might need those words of encouragment the most, the ones still walking in their own “wilderness”:

Are you one of these?

• The one whose heart is broken by another’s cruelty and refusal to stay in the marriage.
• The one who is searching for something–or someone–to ease the pain of loneliness.
• The mom who struggles to find the balance between working at home and ministering and caring for her kids.
• The one who cannot work from home and whose heart is paralyzed with fear for the children’s’ protection.
• The father whose job is on the line and who lives with fear of a pink slip. Read more

Book Giveaway and Carol Kent Interview

October 9, 2010

   

I first met Carol Kent years ago at the Christian Booksellers Association. I consider Carol a mentor as I trained with her to speak professionally.  Even before I watched her walk through her family tragedy, she impressed me as one of the most godly women I had ever known or met.

Carol is generous to a fault, and I am blessed to call her “friend.” Her life–and her books–have touched mine as she has shown me and so many others what it really means to walk by faith “between a rock and a grace place.” Read the entire interview and listen to the video as you hear from her son in prison. Better still, read the book! You’ll be blessed beyond measure, as I was. 

I really wanted to keep this book, but as someone once reminded me, “It’s selfish to keep something that could bring so much blessing to others.” So, reluctantly I will give this book away. At the bottom of this blog you’ll find a place to comment on this interview/blog/video–or on Carol’s life. If you will add your appropriate comments below, I will add your name to a random giveaway for this book. (sorry, I can only send to U.S.)

Questions/Answers from Carol Kent   

Tell us about the Christmas gift you received. How did it help you to find grace in the middle of a seemingly hopeless situation?   

Two weeks before Christmas our doorbell rang at 9:15 p.m. It was dark outside and by the time my husband, Gene, joined me at the front door, we were surprised to find no one there. It was already dark, but my eyes fell on a large, exquisitely wrapped gift. The card on top said, “Mom.” Initially, it felt like a bad joke. Nine years earlier our son, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy had been arrested for murdering his wife’s first husband and he was in prison serving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence.    Read more

Are Children Who Lie, Smarter?

August 4, 2010

 

Apparently some think so.  Does the research lie about kids? Read on and decide for yourself. Read more

TEN WAYS TO REFILL THE EMPTY NEST

July 13, 2010

Wikipedia describes the empty nest syndrome as “a general feeling of loneliness that parents or guardians may feel when one or more of their children leave home; it is more common in women.” Just as a bird prepares a nest out of bits of twigs, grass, and other sturdy ingredients to serve as a home and refuge for its babies, so we moms have built a nest through the years for ourselves and our families. When that nest begins to empty, how do we fill the vacuum? Read more

Next Page »