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Sunday, June 17, 2007

Husband Encouragement Challenge: DAY 17

Reflections on yesterday...
Kevin was a super help yesterday!! He took Eli to the grocery store with him in the morning, so I could enjoy a few quite minutes of the house to myself. He made monkey bread for our breakfast. He watched Eli so that I could shower and get dressed. And he stayed home with Eli all afternoon while I was at a church bridal shower. He helped clean up dinner, he took a bunch of boxes to recycling, and he helped cook the sausage links for this morning's breakfast casserole.

Okay now, since it's Father's Day today (woohoo!), I'm going to take a minute (or more) to reflect on all the ways I'm thankful for Kevin's role as a father...
* His schedule allows for him to be a VERY involved dad!! And he chooses to spend this free time with his family!! And for that I am so thankful!
* When Eli was a newborn, Kevin LOVED to take naps with him almost every day.... so sweet... and to read Dr. Seuss books to him.
* Kevin's the one who gives Eli his baths.
* He changes diapers or feeds Eli anytime I ask... without complaining!
* If Eli's having a horrible day and freaking out, Kevin's the one with great patience to rock and sing to him.
* And when I'm getting anxiety from the crying, Kevin relieves me and takes over.
* He's been at all of Eli's doctor appointments, including all the prenatal visits!
* Even though he doesn't especially enjoy walks, he's taken to like our evening routine of taking Eli out for a short stroll before bedtime.
* He's so great at playing with Eli and making him laugh, but he also enjoys getting him to snuggle.
* Every night before we go to bed, we peek in on sleeping Eli and Kevin gently an quietly leans over the crib rail and gives Eli one last kiss for the day.
* He prayed for Eli every day when he was in utero and he continues to pray for him every day now.
* I mostly appreciate how involved he is and just BEING HERE and all the help he does around the house. I know it won't always be this easy, especially when we get out of the Navy. But for now, I LOVE IT!!!

Can I just say that the Proverb verse for today is one that Eli and I just read in yesterday morning's Proverb reading!

June 17--DAY 17

30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge
By Nancy Leigh DeMoss

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Prov. 9:10

Are you a wise woman? Do you open your mouth with wisdom, as Proverbs 31:26 suggests? As you continue in your 30-day challenge, remember that a wise woman encourages her husband. Is your husband a "wise man?" Does he have a godly perspective that comes from knowing God and walking with Him in obedience? Does he have a sense of purpose for his life and vision for your home? Tell him how much this means to you.

If you are not sure about your husband's vision for your home, ask him, "Honey, what do you want to accomplish with our marriage and home in the years to come?" and "How can I help you accomplish that?" If he does not have a vision, your questions may inspire him to develop one.

If your husband is not walking with God—or perhaps, does not know the Lord - you have the opportunity and responsibility to practice your faith and create a thirst for God. Thank God for giving your husband a place in his heart that only He can fill, and keep praying that he will turn to the Lord to fill that vacuum!

Today I am going to ask Kevin what his vision is for our marriage and home and what he (with God's help) hopes to accomplish.



1 comment:

Angie said...

I have been doing the challenge but have never posted as I'm new to the whole blogging thing. My husband posts our blogs so I've been chicken to try it. BUT we are at Grandma's house today and she is taking care of Caleb, allowing me a few minutes to do this.

I am really excited about today's challenge because I already know the answer. My husband has made it very clear to me what his vision is for our lives, our future, our marriage and constantly encourages me to push toward that goal. He wants our lives/marriage/family to "advance the gospel of Jesus to the Kingdom through spiritual generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost." Although we are currently full time college missionary staff working with the Navigator's (that's their vision and goal) my husband is so faithful to make that our life goal. Even if we were not working with the Navigator's, and we might not always be, he leads our family to live and disciple among the lost so that the Gospel can advance. There is no greater mission than this and I'm so proud of him for leading us to that end.

Some ways he encourages me to help him with this mission is to start relationships with other women, especially our neighbors whom we're not sure about their spiritual well being. I appreciate his constant encouragement and patience with me as I usually have to work up some nerve.

Since it's Ben's first father's day, I have been thinking about him being a father. I knew he would be great but I had no idea he would be as great as he is! My favorite thing about him being a father is the way he prays for Caleb everyday. He always prays for a spiritual quality he would like Caleb to develop. For example, a couple nights ago he prayed that Caleb would be a people person and that he would have a fire in his bones like Jeremiah to share the Gospel with people. Last night he prayed that he would be like David and be hot for God, not lukewarm, and that he would have a deep desire to repent of his sins. He always prays so biblically and I really admire that about him.

I love reading the rest of your blogs and seeing how the Lord is working in even just a few faithful women to bring about some sort of revival to "build up" instead of tear down. It's made a big difference in my life and I can tell it has in yours too!

Angie