I Wanna Be Like This

I heard a quote this weekend at our Women's Conference from Martha Tennison.

She reiterated what so many of us do when responding to those we love... quick to correct or judge or criticize... quick to raise our voice... quick to be short with them over silly things... when we would never dream of treating our neighbor, a guest in our home, or fellow believer in the same manner.

She said... "When it comes to your family, let your compliments be more than your complaints."

Jesus, I want to better myself and watch my tone of voice with my family. They deserve the best of me... not what is left over after a long day... becasue I am tired... or grumpy... or because my focus is inward about my own insecurities.

This is my Goal. My desire. My prayer.

Coming up...

This weekend and later in November, hubby and I will be speaking for two Marriage Retreats. We LOVE marriage retreats... because we love being married and encouraging others to love it as well. Is our marriage perfect... uh... NO... do we bicker... argue... get in each other's face?.... Uh... YEAH... but we work through it... make-up .... (that's the fun part!)... and love more deeply.

Next week we are hosting Church Planter's Bootcamp.

The next weekend is the Women's Fall Conference for our state's Women's Ministries. I am speaking at a workshop on the Internet... facebook... myspace... texting... etc.... how to keep up communication with your kids... protect them online... GET in their... "SPACE" and know what is going on.

I have had mothers say... I don't look at what my family is doing online because I DON'T want to KNOW!

THIS breaks my heart... fires me up... and I probably get a little too feisty about this... because it is OUR JOB TO KNOW... to protect... to guide... to pray.

All the experts agree... the BEST protection is parental involvement and guidance.

So if you think of us this 10 days, please pray for us.

Pray that:

• the LORD would use us to speak into the lives of husbands and wives
  
• that we can give them tools to help them grow in their relationship
• we are able to encourage couples to have fun with one another
  
• we direct them to the ONE who can ... restore marriages... heal the broken hearted and give them the strength... the tenacity to not give up.

Pray for me that I am able to:

• give these women the tools and some 'know how' to get in touch with this crazy technological world
  
• to give them resources to help them protect their kids and grandkids
  
• and bridge communication with the younger generation in their lives
• encourage women that they are not too old to learn this and have fun at it too!

My mom now texts, emails and this week my girl is going to set Gram up with a facebook! She wants to stay relevant to communicate with her grands in a way they relate to. GO MOM!

Mostly... Please pray these ladies realize and know that GOD can heal, forgive, and restore if the filth of the world has invaded their home through the WWW.

If you have a tip... a testimony... or a word of advice I can add to my presentations, please email or post a comment. The best resource to know what works is YOU!

Have a great week!

Happy 86th Birthday, Grandma Curl!

This past weekend we celebrated my Gram's 86th birthday.

Her name is Curl... I call her "MO".

My Gram ROCKS!

*She still tries to walk 2 miles / day... when her knees say it's ok.

*She and her friend Audrey, who is 76, visit the "OLD PEOPLE" in the nursing home every Wednesday and lead a sing-a-long of hymns and songs of their generation.

(here's a picture of Aud and Ruby... a friend in the nursing home.)

*Just last year my Gram took care of some “Old People” who were younger than she is, every weekend for a month or two. She did this regularly until she was like… 84.

*She has always had the gift of hospitality. SO MANY have lived in her home (INCLUDING US when we moved back to Michigan) and became a part of their family over the years.

Here is a picture of Mo jumping rope with Brianna One month before her 81st birthday! Yes…she was jumping and taught Brianna how to double jump!

*When my Pop had dimentia, MO cared from him 24/7 until he went to be with Jesus two weeks before his 89th birthday and a few months before their 66th anniversary.

*Back in the 1940’s my Mo and Pop took their two young daughters, packed all they could in one suitcase, rode the bus from Alabama to Michigan, got OFF the bus with about $20 to their name… and started a new life in Michigan. They lived in the housing projects in their town… immediately were hired with full time jobs… One worked days… the other nights… so someone would always be home with the girls… and they still found time to have another little girl!

Here’s a picture of my Gram, my Aunt Darlene, Mom, Auntie Sue lives in Alabama and couldn’t be there… so we decided to superimpose her beautiful face!



*Most importantly… she has loved and served JESUS and she and Pop were some of the first attendees to a new little church in Adrian called “Bethany Assembly of God"... and my GRAM is still a faithful member of that church.

*I remember Mo telling me that one Sunday the church had a goal of having 100 people… when the people were counted there were only 99…. So my Gram ran out and found a neighbor kid and brought him to church to make it 100!

That’s only the tip of the iceberg of the kind of Gram I have.

*Mo… I love you. You are and have always been the kind of Grandma every one dreams of having.
*Your Cocoa Gravy and Biscuits ROCK. (if you are southern, you know what that is! IF not… your missing out.)
*Your cheesecake is the BEST!
*You’re heart is big.
*You are SO FUN…the life of the party... till Wheel of Fortune comes on... then it's all about the WHEEL! LOL
*YOU… are a blessing from the LORD in my life and in the life of my family… and I know all your kids, grandkids, greatgrands, and great-great grands... are shouting “AMEN!”

Here's a picture of the Grandkids celebrating with MO for her 79th birthday... Eric was unable to be there...



















...but here he is with Mo last Sunday on her birthday.

So, MO, Grandma, Mamo.. from all of us to you…

We Love You!

Thanks for loving us.

Thanks for being YOU!