Baby Shower

The baby celebration on yesterday was really special to me and I was so grateful for the fellowship, the gifts, the words of wisdom and the prayers that were shared. Even from those who couldn’t attend but passed along a blessing!

Look at the cute little baby boo on the cake. He looks even sweeter now that I look back on the photo....



Best Advice
At the shower, we asked everyone to write down the best advice they have received, either from their mother, as a mother, or from a spiritual mother. There were so so many good ones but here are 8 of the best ones (in no particular order).

1. Tell God everything. Don't hold back. His grace is sufficient for it all.

2. Always remember to listen to God's word regardless of how it looks in the eyes of the world and regardless of what this world says. If you stand firm on god's word rather than man's word, you will always be secure on your solid rock. ---- and that came from a teenager!

3. Realize your child is "in training". Training children to obey your voice. First time obedience. Doing this will train them to obey God's voice.

4. Have patience, and remember you were that age before and experienced and explored the same things.

5. One of my favorite sayings is "years from now people won't care about how much money you made or how may cars you drove, but most importantly that you poured into a life of a child." That is how you effect the world.

6. As mothers, we are not only shaping lives, we are forming the next generation. There is no vocation that can compare to the value of motherhood. Giving all of what and who you are to your children is a position of honor that should never be taken lightly. Regardless of the sacrifice, pressure, heartache or pain you face as a mother - continue to give it your all and the rewards of Godly fruit will be yours for generations to come. --- from a mother of eight children

7. You can go to God and find out what your children need when they need it (without depending on them to tell you).

8. Try to plan your meals early in the day. That way, when it's time for Daddy to come home, dinner will be ready, he can eat and be in a good mood! He will be more inclined to meet your needs as well.

Great advice!!!

Spiritual Moms
My friend, Lynn Scarborough shared some words from her ministry, Spiritual Moms, and talked about the importance of us birthing children in the spirit, regardless of whether we have children in the natural or not. Lynn has an amazing testimony, a wonderful book by the same title, and a new blog for us to read and keep up to date on what’s going on with this mentoring group. Please visit when you get a chance. www.holymamas.com

Blessing
Here’s a blessing that was written by my new friend, Angela. A blessing for all mothers, with wonderful and encouraging references from the Word of God.

Joyfulness - "joyful mother of children"
Psalm 113:9
(happy, cheerful, rejoicing, festive)
"That the joy of the Lord will be their strength"

Fruitful - "the fruit of the womb is a reward" Psalm 127
“That their training would bear plentiful, good fruit bringing great reward”

"Your wife shall be like olive plants all around your table"
Psalm 128:3

Wisdom - personified as a woman in the book of Proverbs. Wisdom beyond their years - wisdom for every decision, wisdom on your lips. Wisdom in all your instruct, wisdom in the way you manage your household

Grace - unmerited favor, undeserved blessing, a free gift
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9
May God's strength and power rest upon you.

Endurance - (constancy, steadfast, patient endurance, bearing up)
Hebrews 10:35-36
"Do not cast away your confidence which has a great reward for you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise."

Love - Both to give love and receive love!

Giving love - patient, kind, not rude, not prideful, rejoice in truth, believes the best of every person (child), bears all things hopes all things, endures all things... never fails.

Receiving love - hearts and minds and spirits that are significantly impacted by the abundance of the Father's love, Being filled back up moment by moment, as you give out, you receive back "good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over." Imparted with a revelation of the Father's heart for you - Love that adores you, love that delights in you, love that never leaves you, love that is never retracted or taken away, love that embraces you when you fail, love that will never fail you, the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:35-39

Contractions Update
In the middle of the night, Sunday night, I was surprised by contractions that came and went for almost two hours! Then they were off and on every 30 minutes or so until about mid morning. If he would have come on Monday, that would be very surprising! Even if he came some time this week, 2 weeks before the due date. We'll see.... Jeoff was off work for the morning and took Pupster to the doctor and Lamby went with him, so Kitty and I went out for a walk. I tried to walk for an hour like they suggested at my last appointment but I only got about 30 minutes in. I walked about 30 minute more later that evening.

Will keep you posted, for those of you who care to know, LOL!