A Letter To My Children About Marriage

Dear Children,
Should the Lord give you the good gift of a husband or wife, and I hope He does, there are a few things that I want you to know.
Marriage, sweet little people, is not for the purpose of your happiness. Happy as I want you to be and hope you will be, you must understand that marriage is Gods design and His purposes must be pursued in order for you to be truly happy. His end is holiness and He will use all things in a life devoted to Him to fulfill that end.
To my girl(s)~
Marry a man whose first pursuit is Christ. After that he is not hard to please. Admire him, cheer him on and show him gratitude and he will fall over himself trying to please you. Smile often, speak well of him always and do whatever necessary to try and maintain a pleasant mood about you so that it transfers to your home, making it a place where he and your children love to be.
To my boys~
Marry a woman whose first pursuit is Christ. After that she may be hard to please ;) Only if you don't know "the secret". The secret to pleasing your wife is to make her feel safe and treasured. You may have to move out of your comfort zone to do this at times. She won't always readily translate the "oil change" to love, though it means that. But let me give you a "secret question" - a question you need to ask her often. Its not just in the asking though, be sure to focus on her, maybe even touch her shoulder or her face, and then ask: "whats on your mind these days?" And then be ready to listen. She wants you to draw her out. She will perceive this as your protection over the matters of her heart. Tenderness, listening, protection...and compliments...that's what she wants.
If your wife or husband does something really stupid, forgive. If they do it again, forgive. Forgiveness must be the propelling force in your lives each day.
If you find yourself "not happy", having lost attraction, disinterested etc. you are not permitted to even think about divorce. If you find yourself arguing more and more, don't think for a minute that the children will be better off without this, because they wont.
The vows you took on your wedding day were not suggestions. They were covenant vows, before the Holy God, family and friends, to stay with this person the rest of your life, even if you don't feel like it. You swore a solem oath and if you cant live up to it, don't get married. Decide up front that your marriage is irrevocable. There is far more motivation if your "marriage house" has no door.
Do not share intimate thoughts or feelings with anyone of the opposite sex. Do not find yourself alone for any length of time with such either.
Divorce is not a "private option". It will affect multiple families for many generations. When you "separate what God has joined" you permanently injure far more then just yourself.
Guard your marriage as fiercely as you would guard your own life. Treat your spouse as a extension of your flesh, just as God sees you.

I want you to be happy...I surely do...But I will pray for you to be holy...I love you...Mom

*I do not take credit for writing this on my own...although I did add and subtract some words from the original "letter"

Looking forward to posting Christmas pictures! Happy New Year 2013!!!!!

For my boys *someday*

TWENTY THINGS A MOM SHOULD TELL HER SON

1. Play a sport.
It will teach you how to win honorably,
lose gracefully, respect authority,
work with others, manage your time

and stay out of trouble.
And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone
for the sexual relationship,
so don't take something away from her
that you can't give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee.
Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young
because you're going to need it someday.

5. Allow me to introduce you
to the dishwasher, oven,
washing machine, iron,
vacuum, mop and broom.
Now please go use them.

6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7. Don't ever be a bully
and don't ever start a fight,
but if some idiot clocks you,
please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something
that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly.
Forever is a long time to live alone
and it's even longer to live with somebody
who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do.
This includes her having a successful career
and you changing diapers at 3 A.M.
Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

 13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir"
still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts"
is because they're "private".
Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing.
Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason
is always a good idea.

17. It is better to be kind
than to be right.

18. A sense of humor
goes a long way
in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely.
My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me
spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother
because I might be missing you.

 

 

*to my boys....you are both so precious to me....I love you to the moon and back forever and ever. You will always be my babies*

Take care of the Golf balls first!

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles roll

ed into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Cokes from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coke represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The coke just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Cokes with a friend

*On voting*

  Wonderful words from one of my favorite Evangelists....it reads:

The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God.

Fun times at Kore

 Today was Saturday. And Saturday, at the Church, is Bible School for all the children.

 *So many pictures of precious little faces...some I got to know more then others

 Sweet sweet Hanna spent alot of time coloring her picture

 I wonder what his name is? And if he has parents? And if he gets to go to school? And if he eats out of the trash???

 The little boy on the right is my little buddy! He was ROTTEN (like a good rotten) but every time he saw me during the week he made a run for my legs and hung on me like he was a monkey! He also is precious because both of his parents have leprosy.

 being goofy

 sick baby but sweet nonetheless

 Rachel and I were prepared for this Bible school so we brought coloring pages and an elephant craft and a Bible story that was translated and suckers of course!.

 (some pictures are out of order BUT I will NOT redo them!!! sorry) Above picture...fun times with my special friend in the taxi! Note: Rachel (my sweet traveling companion) raised almost 2,000 dollars to give away to where it was needed most. Anyway after the Bible school we headed into town to buy baby formula and a sheep!

 Beautiful city!

 We guesstimated that they used between $700 and $900 dollars on baby formula to give to the Mothers

 *This picture was for my own personal use...yes they have normal groceries in Addis!

 filling up the cart!

 SUCH A BLESSING!

 And the sheep...you will hear more about this sheep at the week goes on but...yes it is in the back of the taxi and yes we took the taxi back to Kore and yes it was making alot of noise as we traveled down the road and yes we were horrified.

 The church in Kore that we served at all week and the cute little blue taxi

 Market day in Kore

 DARLING little boy...who is quite sick...

 ...his Mother was waiting in the church when we got back from town...her babies needed medicine

 such a special picture of Rachel...this is the life right here!

 Uncle Tesfaye and his nephew

 donkey's carrying their load

 ****continued from the Bible School**** singing songs

 Rachel reading the Bible story and Tesfaye translating (thanks again for reading it Rachel! lol)

 Darlingness

 Ok well I do not like having favorites BUT if you are friends with me on facebook then you will know I have tried to take care of these precious girls from afar! And spending the week with them was pure joy! It was so fun to see them open up and be silly!

 I will have to admit they are my favorites....I Loved all the children I came in contact with but these little girls stole my heart

 The little girls Mother

 Sweet Hanna

 Look who it is! And hes being ornery!

 Darling!

 beyond cute!

like SO adorable! I think Ethiopian children are SO cute! Oh I wish I could take them all home with me! But of course reality sets in especially after an exhausting morning teaching Bible School to 150 kids! We were a little overwhelmed when the day was done.
Every evening Tesfaye took us back to the guest house in the taxi by 6pm. It was always dark at 6:30pm. This particular night our dear friend Yonatan (He was the guest house manager in the Addis Flower guest house we had both stayed at when we adopted our kiddos) picked us up and we headed to Island Breeze for some Pizza and Cokes. It was so good to see him again!
Took hot showers and slept like babies!

HELLO Ethiopia {my favorite place in the world}

 *Dubai from the sky* Today was fairly uneventful except for the fact that we were FINALLY headed to Addis! We woke up in time to catch our 10:30 flight.

 Not a long flight like the day before....Four hours to be exact.

 Such big planes!

 The last two times I have flown to Ethiopia I have taken Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines...Emirates was also a good airline...I would recommend any of these airlines if you plan on traveling to Ethiopia

 The food on these flights are always questionable....like the cold shrimp up in the far left corner :/

We were SOOOO excited to view this beautiful city! We kept saying to each other I cant believe we are here again! We landed and got through customs and got our luggage and exchanged some money in good time! Our driver was waiting to take us to the guest house! It was such a beautiful sunny day outside.

 Rachel had stayed at this guest house when she came for Embassy less then a year ago. The guest home is called Mission Ethiopia Guest Home. They provide drivers and translators...also breakfast lunch and dinner when you need! Its was such a nice place to stay! It was fun getting to know the girls at the front desk and getting to know families and other missionaries! *The above picture is looking out of our bedroom

 IPhone quality picture... but this is the beautiful dinning room of the guest house

 Looking out from the dining room...such a beautiful courtyard

 living room where we would go in the evening and check emails and Skype and of course facebook ;)

 We had some special guests come to the guest house for supper!....SO glad and thankful to see Tesfaye again!

SO excited to finally meet Helen and learn that she is 4 months pregnant (baby will be here Lord willing in March!) We talked of our plans for the week ahead and enjoyed a wonderful supper of sheep and veges ;)
We slept HORRIBLE that night! We were talking in the middle of the night many times and it seemed like forever until the sun rose. We were smart the rest of the trip and took Tylenol pm before bed every night.

A song I had written in my notebook for the trip:
ONE THING REMAINS~by Jesus Culture

Higher then the mountains that I face
Stronger then the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains....

Your love never fails...never gives up....never runs out on me
Because on and on and on it goes
And it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains....(LOVE)

In death...in life...I'm confident
And covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid...
There's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love
YOUR LOVE never fails...and YOUR LOVE goes on and on and on!

Romans 8:38~ "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. Neither death or life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries for tomorrow...not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love."

...and that's what I felt during my whole trip...the love of God...because I knew that if I died or if I got sick or if anything horrible happened to me....{nothing} could take me away from my Jesus... He was there, when I hugged a young Father cursed by the ugly disease of leprosy...He was there, when I kissed the face of a young Mother who is just like me... only she begged on the street for food to feed her children...He was there when I walked through piles of trash to visit the home of my little friends.. and He was there when I  hugged there little sick bodies tight to my chest. He was there when so many little brown hands fit into my two big white hands... He was there when some special ladies held my hands and prayed for me and my family and country. He was there when little Habesha children climbed onto my lap wanting a Mother's love and attention even if it was only for a few moments...and He was there when I sat in little mud homes filled with sick and hurting families. He was there the whole time...and when I can feel Jesus close to me? No matter the situation?...I thrive and my heart beats more strong, and I feel more alive...Some will tell you that I like Ethiopia and Kore because of the adventure and some say its because I am maybe trying to find myself or that I don't know what I want out of life...but I say its because Jesus is so much more real when you only have Him to rely on. And when you experience the feeling of Jesus up close and personal? ...you will want more and more and MORE of Him... and then... you will begin to be {crazy for Him} because you know what its like to have Him so near and then your life will become amazing! Amazing but not easy, because being up close and personal with Jesus means giving ALOT of yourself away...and not only yourself but your things and your time and sometimes your friends and family...but His promises are true...He will never leave you or forsake you...and this promise rings true for my beautiful Habesha friends I left behind...In the darkest, filthiest, sickest, dirtiest part of Kore...God is there and He is still good.

House on the Rock

* Bible story at our house the other night that struck a cord with me....

Jesus was talking about the two houses-one built on the rock and the other built on the sand. Both of the houses look alike and both of them were good houses to live in. But a storm came up and filled the river bed. One of the houses stood and the other fell and was swept away.
Everyone is building their house in one place or the other. Those who made up their minds to follow His teaching and let the love of God fill their hearts and rule their lives were like the man who dug deep and laid the foundation on a rock. Those who refused to listen to His teachings and were living the kind of life they wanted to with all the the emptiness were like the man who built his house on the sand.......

In the days ahead big storms and winds would blow on the houses. Great floods of trial would come. And in that time of testing the kind of foundation they had built their house upon would be revealed........

NOTHING will ever hurt the man who builds his life on love...for even though love cannot be seen or felt it is like a rock. It lasts. It is eternal like God Himself. The person who loves greatly, who lives NOT for himself but for others, becomes so wrapped up in Gods plans for the future that he goes on with God forever and ever.

The shallow selfish little person who only thinks of himself cannot endure trial. He goes all to pieces. He has no future for he has no love.

On what are you planning to build your house? On the sand or on the ROCK?? If you want to stand forever...dig deep...the Rock is there.