Today was another busy day. My poor "to do" list is screaming in anguish and I could be stressed when I think how close our trip is and the THINGS I have to do. BUT - I've chosen not to stress. I thought I'd just share the highlights of the day.
This a.m. Deja and her children helped us sort produce. This was great. It was a small day so we were able to visit face to face. Deja AMAZES me at all she manages to do with her young children. I simply get tired and cranky if I have to leave my house....::snort::
Another highlight of the day was dinner out with two chaplains and their spouses. It was really fun to visit.
BUT - by far the highlight of the day was taking Arielle out for some girl time. We went to Walmart and picked out a gift for one of our chaplain's wives. We picked out some feminine foundation items for someone who is growing up too fast. I REMEMBERED, Bre and Krista, at the last moment not to hold them up to her to measure. We went to Academy and bought her a new swimsuit....and then we went to Coldstone....where we had Bible Study. We are working through *A Girl of Beauty* by Carol Fiddler. This book is written for PRE-TEENS (8-12). I don't have a lot of regrets from raising our girls...but one is that I never quite pulled off the focused one on one time in the word with them that I wanted. Don't get me wrong, Christ was our priority. We did a lot of studies. We did a lot of family studies. The kids cut their teeth on inductive studies. They love the Lord now. The girls attended Precept studies that I led...but I felt I could have done MORE mentoring with them. Maybe all moms feel this way. LOL
It's long been on my heart to have a mother/daughter Bible study...and I've seen glimpses of this. I've had several in my classes go home and teach their children. We've had high school girls attend our Precept classes.....I believe that cross-generational mentoring is very important and missing in most groups....anyway....my weekly meetings with Arielle are a start. We're both going to learn and grow through this simple book. I specifically chose a simple book to start with so that we established a habit and that I didn't blow her away with an inductive overview of the book of Revelation or something. ::snort:: This book focus' on different character traits. A short devotional and then some verses for further study. We're going to go to different venues for our study - special outings for US. Today we sat outside at Coldstone and talked through our lesson. Sure, some folks stared...but I think they were simply envious of the fun we were having. LOL Since I am not leading a study this summer, it seemed like a good time to establish a routine. (Mike is planning similar with the boys. The problem is that HE has 5 at home and they range from 5 - 18; he'll probably have to do 2 nights or something.)
One thing we discussed today that was GOOD is that the author talks a lot about character being something that takes HARD WORK to develop. I understand her point. WE have to make the daily choices that build character. I shared that really the hardest thing is to "let God do His work" (surrender). That HE is willing to give us the strength to make right choices, decisions, and to resist temptation, but that we have to be willing to let him do the work. In adult speak - we have to yield and surrender to the work that He is doing INSIDE us. It was good to get that off my chest; I certainly don't want to create a girl who thinks she must simply try harder to have the image of Christ formed in her life.
I know it's a highlight in Arielle's week too. I talked with Bre tonight. She mentioned that when she asked Arielle what she had done this week Arielle told her all about our Bible Study. YES!
Note:Mike spends lots of times with the girls and I spend lots of time with the boys as well. We also spend lots of time as a family. These are simply special times to bring up issues that they may not bring up with mixed gender around....Precious times. I look forward to more - 8 years more.
This a.m. Deja and her children helped us sort produce. This was great. It was a small day so we were able to visit face to face. Deja AMAZES me at all she manages to do with her young children. I simply get tired and cranky if I have to leave my house....::snort::
Another highlight of the day was dinner out with two chaplains and their spouses. It was really fun to visit.
BUT - by far the highlight of the day was taking Arielle out for some girl time. We went to Walmart and picked out a gift for one of our chaplain's wives. We picked out some feminine foundation items for someone who is growing up too fast. I REMEMBERED, Bre and Krista, at the last moment not to hold them up to her to measure. We went to Academy and bought her a new swimsuit....and then we went to Coldstone....where we had Bible Study. We are working through *A Girl of Beauty* by Carol Fiddler. This book is written for PRE-TEENS (8-12). I don't have a lot of regrets from raising our girls...but one is that I never quite pulled off the focused one on one time in the word with them that I wanted. Don't get me wrong, Christ was our priority. We did a lot of studies. We did a lot of family studies. The kids cut their teeth on inductive studies. They love the Lord now. The girls attended Precept studies that I led...but I felt I could have done MORE mentoring with them. Maybe all moms feel this way. LOLIt's long been on my heart to have a mother/daughter Bible study...and I've seen glimpses of this. I've had several in my classes go home and teach their children. We've had high school girls attend our Precept classes.....I believe that cross-generational mentoring is very important and missing in most groups....anyway....my weekly meetings with Arielle are a start. We're both going to learn and grow through this simple book. I specifically chose a simple book to start with so that we established a habit and that I didn't blow her away with an inductive overview of the book of Revelation or something. ::snort:: This book focus' on different character traits. A short devotional and then some verses for further study. We're going to go to different venues for our study - special outings for US. Today we sat outside at Coldstone and talked through our lesson. Sure, some folks stared...but I think they were simply envious of the fun we were having. LOL Since I am not leading a study this summer, it seemed like a good time to establish a routine. (Mike is planning similar with the boys. The problem is that HE has 5 at home and they range from 5 - 18; he'll probably have to do 2 nights or something.)
One thing we discussed today that was GOOD is that the author talks a lot about character being something that takes HARD WORK to develop. I understand her point. WE have to make the daily choices that build character. I shared that really the hardest thing is to "let God do His work" (surrender). That HE is willing to give us the strength to make right choices, decisions, and to resist temptation, but that we have to be willing to let him do the work. In adult speak - we have to yield and surrender to the work that He is doing INSIDE us. It was good to get that off my chest; I certainly don't want to create a girl who thinks she must simply try harder to have the image of Christ formed in her life.
I know it's a highlight in Arielle's week too. I talked with Bre tonight. She mentioned that when she asked Arielle what she had done this week Arielle told her all about our Bible Study. YES!
Note:Mike spends lots of times with the girls and I spend lots of time with the boys as well. We also spend lots of time as a family. These are simply special times to bring up issues that they may not bring up with mixed gender around....Precious times. I look forward to more - 8 years more.
11 comments:
I'm starting something similar with Hannah. We're doing "scrapbook night" on the nights that hubby is down south. I have yet to find a devotional book, I might check the one you're using out. Do you like it so far?
Jen in Az.
Sounds like a very precious time!
God's grace is so amazing!!
Laura
I noticed that book yesterday and WANTED to talk about it w/you...but then people had to start coming to pick up their produce. The NERVE of them coming on time ;-) We just ordered "Beautiful Girlhood" w/a plan to do something monthly or biweekly w/Emma. I'm beginning to believe we MUST be kindred spirits...
Jen - yes, I like it so far...but we had to begin our times before the book arrived....now that it's arrived...I've looked ahead, checked it out and we've done the first chapter. I think it will fit the bill.
I also really like the Discover4Yourself series from Precept. Arielle COULD do these but I wanted to start with something really simple at first....I have a reputation among my kids for hard Bible Study because I lay out Precept Upon Precept courses for them as they grow. LOL
Deja - ah we are kindred spirits except you do MORE than I. ::snort::
000000000000000000000000000000.+
::snort::: Stacia screamed...she was caught between the file cab. and the rolling desk chair...the copy machine was running and the above comment had been left.
You post and Jen's comment have got me thinking.I need to spend time like this with Hayley, scapping and some sort of growing up devotional might be a good combination. She's 11 and should probably have her own time with me not in a group with the brothers. I'm not sure I understand the bible study which I bought well enough to impliment it. Maybe I should just buy a girl book to do with Hayley and a boy book for the boys.
Sis:
What a special day for you and Arielle... and YES I think almost ALL moms wish they could have done more with their girls and/or kids and had move close times etc.
STILL, we PTL loud and clear that our three children are serving the Lord actively and our grandkids have been and are being raised in the Christian faith.! Really what moe can a parent ask for??
love/prayers
I think perhaps everyone looks back and wishes for more time and thinks of other things they could have done. Just last night I was nearly in tears thinking of all the things I should have done with our oldest dd! New traditions that I'm just now starting and wishing I would have done them with her, etc.
Good job, De'Etta! It's hard to carve out that special time in a family (no matter what the size and even more in such a large family). It's interesting how we are the same people yet each of our children really get a slightly different parent. :)
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