Are you a keeper of your home, or a keeper of your calendar? Today I had the privlege of hosting a small ladies retreat for my bible study group, and some other friends. We watched "Reclaiming God's plan for women", by Nancy Campbell. She is always so refreshing to listen to. I guess it's because she speaks the truth directly from God's word, and she is also just a very joy filled person. She definately shines for Jesus. Some of the points I love from this new DVD series is how she encourages women in their high calling of motherhood. She also shares her story of how she didn't always feel this way. As a young mother she once felt burdened by motherhood, and felt it was hindering all the work she wanted to do for God. Thankfully, she came to the realization that mothering was a ministry, and a great one. I also love how she so very eloquently speaks about society today, and how even as christians, we may find ourselves just following along with society and it's ways, thus taking on the ways of the world. This has happened with christians and childbearing. I just read Tereasa's post about it at Harvester, and I fully agree! As christians we are really lacking in this area. We are saying that we will have children when we choose, and we will have as many as we choose, while not allowing God into the equation at all. We ask God to be Lord of our lives over so many other areas, but we want to be in control of this one. That's not God's plan. We don't even hear this preached in our churches. I often ask myself why? Women desperately need to be encouraged in their mothering. They need to hear how important their job is. They need to hear how children are a blessing and a great reward. A friend of mine once announced that she was pregnant with her 3rd child. I will never forget her response to all the congrats she was recieving. She seemed to sort of sink down into her chair not wanting the praise. She then stated that she was embarrassed. How sad, that God was blessing her with a 3rd child, yet she felt embarrassed! By the way, her daughter today is just beautiful and very loved! After going to my first Above Rubies retreat in 2006, I had a major reality check. I knew that what I was hearing was truth, and it was so encouraging. When I returned home, we immediately started our paperwork for our China adoption. If it wasn't for that retreat, we would not have Lilyann home with us right now! I am so thankful for this woman who not only speaks the truth, but she encourages us as mothers in a way I have never heard before.
The other point I loved hearing was that of being a keeper of our homes. She asked the question, are you a keeper of your home or your calendar? Sadly, today, most mothers are keepers of their calendars. She encourages mothers to love their homes, and love bringing up your children in your homes. Being out running your children back and forth, here and there for every activity under the sun does not serve them best. In closing today, I want to strive to be a better mother, and a better keeper of my home. I thank God for our little farmhouse, and the family He has filled it with!
Here's Lilyann with her first ever easter egg! She wasn't quite sure what it was.
Miranda hunted all the eggs around the house before we went to church...she was so excited!
Me and my sweet girls all dressed up in their Easter dresses and ready for church! I wanted one picture of all three of us, and I think this one turned out pretty cute!
Today is the first day of spring! We have so much to do here on our little farm. We will be planting a big garden this year, and Jeff is busy getting all his seeds ready to make starts to plant in the garden! We will have lots of fresh garden veggies this year, as well as lots of flowers bloomin! I get so excited this time each year when I see all my tulips and daffodils poking out of the ground. Soon, we will have so many, that I will get to wander around the yard, looking for the prettiest blooms to cut, as I create a fresh bouquet to bring inside. 
Pupcake had a birthday! She is one! Miranda threw her a little party! I'm not sure what Pupcake thought of her party hat. Her cake consisted of layers of bread and dog food that Miranda put together for her.
Here's happy, smily little Lilyann, with bottle in hand. Her bottle is like her security blanket, she doesn't like to give it up, even if it's been empty for awhile!
Oh, and here's what happens when you leave your 6 yr old to play with the baby while you jump in the shower...
And here's little miss Lily walking! Yes, she has been walking for about 3 weeks now, and finally gets to start using her squeeky shoes we got in China! 
Are you a keeper of your home, or a keeper of your calendar? Today I had the privlege of hosting a small ladies retreat for my bible study group, and some other friends. We watched "Reclaiming God's plan for women", by Nancy Campbell. She is always so refreshing to listen to. I guess it's because she speaks the truth directly from God's word, and she is also just a very joy filled person. She definately shines for Jesus. Some of the points I love from this new DVD series is how she encourages women in their high calling of motherhood. She also shares her story of how she didn't always feel this way. As a young mother she once felt burdened by motherhood, and felt it was hindering all the work she wanted to do for God. Thankfully, she came to the realization that mothering was a ministry, and a great one. I also love how she so very eloquently speaks about society today, and how even as christians, we may find ourselves just following along with society and it's ways, thus taking on the ways of the world. This has happened with christians and childbearing. I just read Tereasa's post about it at Harvester, and I fully agree! As christians we are really lacking in this area. We are saying that we will have children when we choose, and we will have as many as we choose, while not allowing God into the equation at all. We ask God to be Lord of our lives over so many other areas, but we want to be in control of this one. That's not God's plan. We don't even hear this preached in our churches. I often ask myself why? Women desperately need to be encouraged in their mothering. They need to hear how important their job is. They need to hear how children are a blessing and a great reward. A friend of mine once announced that she was pregnant with her 3rd child. I will never forget her response to all the congrats she was recieving. She seemed to sort of sink down into her chair not wanting the praise. She then stated that she was embarrassed. How sad, that God was blessing her with a 3rd child, yet she felt embarrassed! By the way, her daughter today is just beautiful and very loved! After going to my first Above Rubies retreat in 2006, I had a major reality check. I knew that what I was hearing was truth, and it was so encouraging. When I returned home, we immediately started our paperwork for our China adoption. If it wasn't for that retreat, we would not have Lilyann home with us right now! I am so thankful for this woman who not only speaks the truth, but she encourages us as mothers in a way I have never heard before.
