A Winner!

Early this morning, Hubby drew from the names of contributors in my first Give-a-way.  Out of a pretty kitchen bowl, one name was selected...
I'm delighted to announce that he drew out Rebecca's name from Life & Godliness.
What fun!   She has fond memories of a special relative who used to play the accordion and we are excited to send her off one of my books with Hubby's accordion music.

To the other participants, thank you for sharing your thoughts about why motherhood matters.
Each of you shared uplifting, encouraging insights into the most important job of all...nurturing and educating the next generation!  Thank you for caring about motherhood and for loving your own children so much!

Maternal Blessings and Joy for the Journey!

Motherhood Matters Give-A-Way

Mama Manatee swims by to announce my first Give-A-Way!

 Motherhood comes in all shapes and sizes.

 But it always requires care and protection.

When the temperature plummeted last month, this Mama Manatee led her calf into the warmer waters of Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Florida. 
There they frolicked for many to admire, reminding me to take time to be playful with my children and grandchildren!

*Give-a-way***Give-a-way***Give-a-way*

From now until midnight on Monday, January 10th, leave a comment that starts with the words: Motherhood matters...  and your name will be entered into a drawing for a complimentary copy of my children's book Grandpa's Magical Accordion.   Comments must be shorter than 50 words to qualify!  Invite friends to visit and leave a comment, I'm excited to read your thoughts.

Starting Anew

 A New Year, a New Chapter!

As uncertainty looms for many of us,

especially if you are out of work like my husband is...

anticipating something special or better in the new year

can be a challenge.

But so much of life unfolds in an unexpected way!

Truly, we have no guarantees in this world...

except~

the LOVE of GOD found in JESUS CHRIST.

Know Him and know Peace.

I'm reminded of a simple and profound hymn

that I learned in 1978 when I

first came to Christ:  Trust and Obey.

If I take the lyrics to heart:

Trust and obey for there's no other way

to be happy in Jesus,

but to trust and obey.

Then my trusting eliminates fretting or worrying!

 

Praying that when 2011 ends
I will look back and see

that I was better at trusting and obeying.

~ New Year's Blessings to You and Yours  ~

Under My Roof!

I woke up at 4:00am and made a cup of tea.
It is Christmas Eve morning and I am thrilled to have both of my children and both of my grandchildren under my roof!
They've all come "home" for Christmas!
From busy lives and dizzy schedules, they hopped on planes and braved the crowds, all to spend this wonderful time of year with their folks.  And my heart overflows!

This Christmas is extra special, as it is the last one we will ever spend in our cozy home in Central Florida.
After 11 1/2 years, GOD is moving us on and He hasn't told us where yet!
Surprises are fun and this one will be a particular delight...when we find out where we are moving to.

But for this moment, I have all my chicks gathered and even if my head won't clear from the fog of a nasty cold, I will enjoy every moment...reading books to my 4yo grandson, doing puzzles, playing dominos, baking Christmas cookies, snuggling with my 6 month old grandson, watching movies and singing songs!

~ This grandmother's heart is full ~

Christmas Already?

Dear Ones,

How are you doing with all your Christmas preparations?

Somehow the season has taken me by surprise!

How is it possible that the first week in December has come and gone?

Oh, how I'd like to enjoy this annual celebration of Christ's First Advent.

I tell myself that it's not too late...maybe I can factor in some rest and reflection...how about you?

Of course I'm hosting a staff party tonight for my Pregnancy Center Volunteers,

then another party for the Board of Directors next week and attending various get togethers for my husband's ministries. Oh, to keep my eyes on Christ!

And enjoy the real meaning of this festive month.

Anticipating a great blessing in just 14 days!
Daughter Katie and her family will be joining us which means we will have
GRANDCHILDREN in the house!
My heart will be soooooooooooo full...I can't wait.

Praying for you to know the best blessings of Christmas

the Love, Peace and Hope

found in Jesus Christ.

Thankful Thoughts

The Glorious colors of autumn

speak to me of my Master's Joy,

exuberant,

extravagant

and

sometimes elusive.

 

I dare not look away,

or be distracted

for my natural eyes are prone to miss

the evidence of HIS Glory!

Praising HIM for all the beauty

that surrounds us...

Praising HIM for the promise of eternal life.

Praising HIM for the blessing of

family and friends...

Praising HIM for grace that abounds

in every corner of my life.

~ Praising HIM with Thankful Thoughts ~

The Ladies in the Mirror

Mom and me, circa 1979 ~ Colorado

I guess it boils down to imprinting.
Just as a newborn chick waddles after the first moving object it sees upon hatching, so our mothers imprint on us!
A definition for imprinting: (n) A learning process occurring early in the life of a social animal in which a behavior pattern is established through association with a parent or other role model.

In so many cases we struggle to differentiate ourselves from our mothers only to be like them the older we get!  Hmmmm...I see my mom more and more in the little gestures that I make...automatic responses to situations, both happy and sad.

When I recognize her in the way I spontaneously hold my hands,

it surprises me.

Then I miss her.

Yet, I carry her in my heart
as well as in my gestures.

Who is that woman in the mirror? 

A reflection of the generation that passed

and a glimpse of the one taking the stage...

I wonder in what ways
my daughter will mirror me?

"LORD, help us to mirror YOU!

Your Love is selfless and unconditional.

Please mold us by Your Spirit
into our best selves!"