Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thankful

"Give Thanks to the Lord"

We have had an amazing week full of Thanksgiving! We celebrated Jeff's Birthday on Wednesday at our favorite pizzeria, Grimaldi's in Chandler. The children had a great time honoring him, and included a card "Top 10 things I'm grateful for about Dad". Next, we enjoyed Thanksgiving with incredible food, football, and relaxing together! I love that each year I get more confident in preparing our meals, and therefore enjoy the day much more! And then, we topped of our weekend with Date Night! Jeff & I got to "toast" to ALL that we are grateful for with dinner for 2 last night!

As we've spent time reflecting over the past year, and all that God is doing in our lives, we are filled with joy for the journey and gratitude for the growth! I think the process of reflecting and expressing gratitude glorifies God. It is through this process of Counting our Blessings that we give Him the glory and honor for ALL that we have. In this humble place of gratitude our hearts are open and soft, such fertile ground for the Spirit to plant.

Thank you all for being a part of our journey as we grow in being blessed to be a blessing!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Love Language Week

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he"
Proverbs 23:7

About a month ago, Jeff & I began an amazing journey together, unified in our desire for greater depth and direction as parents. Little did we know at the time, the impact "Train Up A Parent" would have on our family!

Earlier this year, as a family, we began defining our Mission and Purpose. This powerful inquiry led us to passionately stand for Leadership Education as a lifestyle. Based on the principles of "A Thomas Jefferson Education", we boldly stepped into a journey of faith. We began seeking inspiration on what it means to "train up a child in the way they should go". Could it be that to train a child is to FIRST train the parent? And if so, how and where to begin - especially considering our season in life? This led us to the place where Jeff & I are beginning to understand what Godly Character is and how to instill this vital teaching into our hearts AND the hearts of our children.

I have come to know the truth of Proverbs 23:7 over the past couple of years in ways I could not have anticipated. What was in my heart defining my thoughts and therefore actions? What had I instilled in my children that would define their thoughts and actions? Had I instilled Godly Character? An uncomfortable inquiry has led me to a renewed sense of intention and purpose as a daughter of God and a mother!

Knowing that God is a God of Restoration and Healing, and realizing that it's never too late to align with Him; I am excited to parent today for what we want tomorrow. This perspective has been extremely profound for me! Godly Characteristics are instilled with love, patience, and consistency; and determine the level of success each of us will enjoy. What better place to focus my heart? This has been a time of "internal housekeeping" - identifying the habits and beliefs that exemplify Godly Character and dismissing everything else. I am finding this process requires daily alignment. I am also finding great joy in this journey!

We have gained several new tools to implement as a family which are producing results of greater peace, unity, and connection! I'll share more of these another time. As for this week, we are going to focus on Gary Chapman's Five Love Languages. Identifying each others primary Love Languages will assist us in communicating our love more effectively; which is certainly our intention. I am looking forward to rewarding Michelle and Anthony's ability to identify and apply each Love Language in various ways. I hope that by the end of this week we can be a multi-lingual family! I plan to introduce one Love Language each day and discuss it as part of our morning family devotion. It is my desire that these discussions will produce actions full of love!

I am SO grateful for my amazing family! I feel SO blessed to be a wife and mother surrounded by my greatest teachers! I am especially grateful for the wisdom and understanding of How to Train Up this parent such that I might Inspire my Children's Very Best!