A Mother’s Pay Check – A Story from Me

Even though our home may be empty, there are always special items in our home to remind me of my Mother’s Paychecks – how I was paid as a Mom.  This story is one that has come to my mind this week as I await the arrival of our daughters coming home for Thanksgiving.

When Laryssa was about 10 or 11, I caught her with a flashlight under her covers one night after she was suppose to be asleep.  Of course, that was against our family rules and when I found her, I immediately switched into ”discipline mode” and demanded that Laryssa show me what she had under the covers.  I remember her cries of “no, Mommy, no — please don’t make me.”  She was adamant that she would not show me what she had under the covers (I assumed it was a book that she was not allowed to read).  I stood at the end of her bed and lectured her on the importance of obeying me and how if she didn’t obey me, she might not be obedient to God someday.  I really felt that I had done some great “mothering” when I walked out of her room – I was sure that Dr. Dobson would be proud of me and that Laryssa would experience the sadness of her disobedience.

Imagine how I felt several weeks later, when I received this amazing needle point as a gift from Laryssa.

This is what she was working on under her covers – this special little needle point that she designed, bought the supplies for and then created in under the covers in her bed at night.  Today, this masterpiece sits in my kitchen where I can see it and remember the recognizable moment of a daughter who still offered grace and love after her mother did not.

And that is A Mother’s Paycheck….

 

Holiday Resource List of Christian Books and Products for Moms

Last Month I gave a MOPS Devotions on The Trouble with Holidays  where I encouraged Moms to keep the Holidays simple and focus on the real meaning behind each holiday and to make that the focus of each celebration.  Since it has been awhile since I have had a small child in our home, I asked my friend and former MOPS Coordinator, Stephanie to create a Resource List of good list of books and products.  Her children are ages 10 (almost 11), 9. 7. and 6.  Stephanie is a wonderful Mom who does her research on the items used in her home, so I trust her opinion.   

Mom’s Holiday Resource List

Thanksgiving:

• Thanksgiving a Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey – There are 2 versions in the book; one for younger children and one for older children.  Stephanie’s family reads this book every Thanksgiving. 
• Growing Together in Gratitude by Barbara Rainey – New this year, Family Devotional

Christmas:

• Advent Wreath  – Can be homemade or purchased here http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=keywords&Ntt=advent+wreath&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1
• Christ in Christmas, A Family Advent Celebration by James Dobson, Charles Swindoll, James Montgomery Boice, R.C. Sproul – Stephanie’s family uses this year.  It is no longer in print, but can be purchased used on Amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Christ-Christmas-Family-Advent-Celebration/dp/0891096051
• What God wants for Christmas ~ An Interactive Kid Friendly Nativity by Family Life - This navtivity set is a good one for little children.
• Adorenaments by Family Life – Ornaments that teach the names of Christ.  These are no longer made, but are available through Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Adorenaments-Parenting-FamilyLife/dp/1572292385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259009431&sr=8-1
• Getting Ready for Christmas, A Daily Advent Prayer and Activity Book for the Family by Yolanda Browne
• The ADVENTure of Christmas, Finding Jesus in our Holiday Traditions by Lisa Whelchel – 25 days with a tradition, application and teachable moments

Books to read aloud to your children or for your older ones to read to themselves:

• The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg
• Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
• It’s a Wonderful Life for Kids by Jimmy Hawkins -  this is a great book for fans of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life

DVDS:

• A Boz Christmas – A good family movie, it has a live nativity
• The Very First Noel

Easter:

• Resurrection Eggs by Family Life - The Easter Story for Children.  You can make a homemade version
• Eggstravaganza DVD by Miss Patty Cakes

All Seasons:

• Creating Family Traditions by Shirley Dobson &  Gloria Gaither - There are 4 books in this series titled

Making Ordinary Days Special

Creating Family Traditions

Creating Special Times with Special People

Hide It in Your Heart

 

Thanks for the work you put into this Mom’s Resource List, Stephanie.   

 

Serving God at our Homey Home

There is a special family at our church, Henry and Susan Hart and their children, who have a passion for the mission work in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.  For the last several years, their family members have served this ministry through working there, sharing the mission with others and praying.  Last year, they were able to take most of their family members on the trip (they have 11 in their family, counting Henry and Susan) and once again this year they are heading back (this time 7 of them will be going). 

As you can imagine, the expense of this trip is big and they work as a family to raise money.  Yesterday, they had a craft/bake sale at our home (they live in the country and we live closer to our church).  It is such a blessing to have a home that can be used by the Lord.  They had done so much work for this event and the Lord certainly blessed their efforts for His glory.  There was a steady stream of “shoppers” through our doors to purchase the work of their hands and to support them.  Enjoy the photos below…

 

Becky handles the table with the homemade jewelry, scarves, and stamped cards.  Each of the girls “managed”  table filled with goodies and write up a sales receipt.  At the end, all the receipts are added together for a total – it was a good system.

Lots of homemade breads made with freshly ground wheat.

Emily enjoyed making the candy and managing the cookie and candy table.

Anna has been to the Dominican Republic the most and is a gifted photographer.  She created amazing cards and frames with her beautiful photos.

Abby with the handmade Christmas Ornaments.

Susan and I at the end of day, both of us looking a little tired.  Susan is a remarkable woman who suffers from constant pain and spends much of her time in a wheel chair – but she love the Lord and serves Him as a wife, mother and friend.

I have had the priviledge to get to know this family through MOPS as the Hart girls have worked in the child care program (MOPPETS).  It was a wonderful day with this family, I enjoyed each conversation I had with them at various timese throughout the day. 

And to top it off, my oldest daughter, Alycia came home and we went to the theater to see The King and I in the eveing.  It was so GOOD to be with her and the play was good! 

I am a blessed by the friends and family the Lord has provided. 

“Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. ” “Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.” Nehemiah 9:5

 

The Empty Nest at our Homey Home

This is a post that I have been writing in my head for the last 10 weeks – especially as so many people have asked how we are doing with our empty nest.  So here is my answer to how are we doing with the empty nest?

Well… it is hard yet good, lonely yet freeing,  fun and yet sad, and did I mention quiet?  I have enjoyed the freedom from parenting (mostly driving back and forth to Audrianna’s school and work)  – but I have really missed the companionship and fun of Audrianna and her friends (especially her boyfriend, Nic) popping in and out of our home.  It has been very enjoyable to renew the way our marriage relationship started of just Bill and I.  We enjoy our time together, but sometimes we both look at each other and say that “it is just a little too quiet around our home.”  Most of all though, I have missed having my daughters’ presence  in our home and the talking that always took place – talks in the morning while they are still in their pajamas, talks at the end of the day about how their days went, and the anytime and all the time conversations that we had . 

In the past 10 weeks, I have seen my oldest and youngest daughter only 3 times each, my middle daughter not at all  – this is the longest I have gone without their daily presence in my life.  For 25 years, I have had the priviledge to have at least one of my daughters with me.  And through the grace of God, I have worked myself out of a job – my daughters are handling life on their own, making excellence decisions and serving the Lord in the places He has placed them.  And that is the goal of mothering our children  – we have them for a season and then we release them to live on their own, directly (with much prayer) under the Lord’s care now.  Our daughters are doing well on their own and their Mother – well she is adjusting and is looking forward to having everyone home a week from today.  If you are near our home next Friday – be prepared to be overwhelmed with all the words, laughter and love coming from “Our Homey Home.

“A Mother holds her children’s hands for a while…their hearts forever”

Signs of our empty nest….

Empty towel racks – these use to hold the multiple towels of 3 daughters.

There are no shoes in the entry way – when the girls were here, there would be up to 10 + pairs of shoes in this area.

 

Once again in the foyer, the empty deacon’s bench – no backpacks, no purses, no shopping bags … just the pretty stuff.

The small kitchen table  – this table can more than double its size, but for just Bill and I, this is still big!

I am looking forward to welcoming everyone home next weekend.

A Mother’s Paycheck – A Story from Genny

 

The first story in A Mother’s Paycheck Monthy Contest is from Genny who writes at www.mycup2yours.com , Hearts at Home Blog and 5 Minutes for Faith Blog.  Her story is definitely A Mother’s Paycheck for her job as the Mother of 2 children. 

Everyday Gifts

by Genny Heikka

“The other day, I was jotting down some notes in a notebook, when I turned the page and saw a little drawing from my daughter – a happy face with an “I love you” next to it. It was a cute surprise, and it made me smile.

It also made me pause and be grateful for the other little surprises – the little gifts – in my life. Sometimes, I go about my day and take for granted those gifts – a hug from my daughter, hearing my son laugh, spending time watching a movie with my husband, getting a card from a friend, or even finding a good parking space at the store.

Continue reading Genny’s Story here

A Mother’s Paycheck – New Weekly Column

 

I know that what we do as moms is important, yet with no paycheck, no vacation, and no 401K plan, it’s hard to see what we’re really getting for all our sleepless nights and endless laundry.  I believe that moms DO get a paycheck, in the form of treasured memories such as special notes, sticky hugs, and irreplaceable gifts.  These are the payments for our hard work and we are called to “bank” them, just as Jesus’ mother Mary “treasured these things in her heart.” 

This was an intro to a book that I was working on at one time entitled A Mother’s Paycheck.  I wanted Moms to realize that the pay we receive is not the same as the world – Mothering provides us with a unique, special paycheck for our hearts.  Through my years of speaking and writing, I have always felt connected to the times in Luke when we are told that Mary (Jesus’ Mother)treasured and pondered moments.  Beth Moore in Jesus, The One and Only explained Mary’s treasured moments from the greek word means “to preserve.” She describes it as …”the idea of keeping treasures preserved or safe by holding it close.” 

So I thought again about how I have been paid as a Mom and I started this list..

• The smell of my freshly washed baby cradled in my arms.  My babies smelled like Rainbath as that is what the hospital bathed them in and today when I smell the Rainbath fragrance, I am once again reminded of each one of my precious newborn daughters.
• The feeling of a little one snuggled up beside me with a stack of books just waiting to be read.   My time and myself are all they wanted.  They were delighted in each moment together with me and thought that the silly voices I made for different characters were the best.
• The first time my daughters gave me a dandelion bouquet.  With great delight, they snatch it from the grass and brought the treasure to me just waiting for my response.  I always had a little tiny glass bottle that would hold all the little violets, dandelions and “other flowers” that made their way into my kitchen.  Each of those flowers were my paycheck.
• Decorating my refrigerator (and other surfaces) with the most amazing artwork from my daughters.  There were times when I didn’t even know what the image was, but I knew it was important and I proudly display it for days, weeks and even months.  Now, I have several of those precious pieces of art displayed on my Mom’s Wall of Fame.
• When out of the blue, I am told that I am loved.  I have had my daughters tell me that they love me more than fun, almost as much as God and that they love me sooooo much!  It is not that I just did something for them, but just a express of love.
• Little hands that reach for mine when they needed reassurance or just wanted to be close. 
• Notes left on my pillow, to be found when I went to sleep – notes of love, thankfulness, repentance and silliness.  I have kept every note just as you would keep your paycheck sub – as a reminder of the importance I played in the life of my child that day.

In today’s troubled economy, we need to remind ourselves how we are paid,  now it is time for you to share your Mother Paycheck Stories.  You can submit your treasured stories of how you are being payed (or were paid) as a Mom.  Submissions need to be approximately 400 words and sent to sandrajoseph@windstream.net  If chosen, your story will be posted here with a link to your website/blog  (if you don’t have a website, your story will be posted here).  One story will be featured each week on here on Recognize and Remember. 

Forward this link onto your friends and family and soon, Recognize and Remember will have many sweet stories of how Moms receive their  Mother’s Paychecks.

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Christmas Give Aways at 5 Minutes for Moms

 

I have the 5 Minutes for Moms Blog on my Google Reader – this is a good site for mom information.  They are doing a Christmas Give Away that has lots of fun items for your kids and yourself.  Check it out…

 

 

Lunch, Operation Christmas Child and College Students = a busy day filled with relationships

Somedays the Lord just fills my life to overflowing abundance ~ today was one of those days for me… 

It started with a quiet morning, which was something I needed.  Time to move a little slower, to ponder once again God’s presence in my life and to enjoy the silence of a house to myself.

 ~~~~~

 My lunch time was shared with a special former MOPS Mom who I have always found to be very capable and yet so open to becoming more like God.  She and I met at a quaint restaurant for salads and lots of good talking about ourselves, our relationships and the work God has called us to.  I am so proud of her for staying committed to her God even when it has been difficult.  I love it when former MOPS Moms stay in contact – it is such a wonderful blessing to see how God is at work in their lives.  Love you, Rebecca.

 ~~~~~

Then, I had the absolute best time as I “borrowed” a former MOPS Coordinator’s 9-year-old daughter to go shopping to fill Operation Christmas Child boxes.  Oh,what a great time we had!  She was very well-behaved, thoughtful, kind, and as I told her, fun!  She had planned well for her box and she did a great job of staying on task — there was not one time she asked me if she could get something for herself (which was amazing for a little girl her age).   I was impressed by her love of God and knowledge of the needs of His people.   She has a passion for missions and every time there is an opportunity to do some type of outreach, such as Operation Christmas Child – she spends her own money. Today, the two of us had a good time shopping at The Dollar Store  (she bought for her box and helped me pick out items for my box) and then we packed the boxes at my house.  My daughters and I did this project every year and are now doing OCC on their own (by the way, I miss you girls).  I loved having a “borrowed child” for a few hours to work on this project together!  What  joy!

 ~~~~~

Finally, I topped off my afternoon with speaking to a group of Geneva College students in a leadership program about mentoring.  I wanted to be “cool”, but I am a Mom and that is the way I came across.  It was fun to speak with these kids (who are in the same life stage as my youngest daughter) about doing “life on life” with others.  It occurred to me as I was talking with this group – how much of my day had been centered around my mentoring relationships. Yesterday was the same as I lead a MOPS book discussion in the morning and had 12 Moms to my house last evening for a MOPS social. 

~~~~~

God calls us into “community” with others – to be involved and to walk alongside each other, modeling what a relationship with the Lord and each other truly is.  I love sharing life with the people God brings into my life and I pray that my relationship with others always brings God glory and not myself.

 

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:14

Hearts at Home in Rochester, MN is this weekend

This weekend Bill and I will be attending the last 2009 Hearts at Home Conference.  What a wonderful blessing I have had leading workshops for this ministry.  Once again, I will be leading workshops on Recognizing, Recording and Remembering and The Joys of Mentoring.  There is still time to make plans to attend, visit http://www.hearts-at-home.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=629&Itemid=179 to learn more about this upcoming event.  Walk up registration is available!

If you are attending, please be sure to stop by our table and introduce yourself — I love to meet other Moms!  Please also remember Bill and I as we travel — we are excited because we are stopping by Chicago to visit a special Moody Bible Freshman on our way out and back.  I can’t wait to see her….

I will reconnect with you next week…

Blessings,

It is Autumn at our “Homey Home”

 

“Autumn, The year’s last, loveliest smile.”   

William Cullen Bryant

Welcome to our “Homey Home”  Come on in…

This is Mr Pumpkin – Bill and I bought him before we had children.  He is holding 2 acorns that a sweet little girl named Audrianna placed there years ago.

 

Our Write Plate will greet you when you enter — if I know you are coming, I will write your name on it.  I received this as a gift for speaking at a women’s retreat in Texas and I love it!  (Blessings Unlimited has a similar product title Memo Board with Easel, to see it visit http://sjoseph.blessingsdirect.com/Products/Directory/CUST043/ProductDetails.aspx?prodid=635& ) Notice the flower in the photo – a special friend brought those to me when I was not feeling well (thanks Paula, I am enjoying them very much — you are too sweet)

 

 

I have a corner counter in my kitchen that I enjoy decorating for different seasons.  This is the current display.  Don’t you love the fruit?  They Fruit of the Spirit Adornments from Blessings Unlimited.  There are 9 pieces of fruit, each with a different aspect of The Fruit of the Spirit, to see them visit http://sjoseph.blessingsdirect.com/Products/Directory/CUST043/ProductDetails.aspx?prodid=131&cid=200

On our table is a basket of gourds and indian corn (and usually an old dried gourd whose seeds shake inside).  Each year, I would always pull this dried gourd out and tell my girls that it was a rattle just like babies had on the Oregon Trail (As I child, I read a book about the Oregon Trail and this is the fact that I remember).   At any rate, I did not put it out this year, because there was no one to “show and tell” my story to.

 And finally in the fall at our home, you will always find apples (and apples sauce, apple crisp, apple pie, apple anything) from my favorite orchard – Peace Valley in Rogers Ohio (see last years post titled  Apples = A Fall Tradition ).  Holding the apples is the Blessings Unlimited Abundance Tray, seen here http://sjoseph.blessingsdirect.com/Products/Directory/CUST043/ProductDetails.aspx?prodid=696&cid=200.   This tray features the word Grace and the verse:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance . Peter 1:2

This verse  is my prayer for you this autumn time of year.  Come and spend some time – I promise I will show you the  famous Oregon Trail Gourd!

(To view the complete catalog of Blessings Unlimited products, visit http://retail.dayspring.com/Promotions/BlessCat_Current_Online.pdf)