My Lightswitch Moment

If you would've asked me about my religion prior to 2 years and 2 months ago I would have told you I was "Weddings and Funeral" Catholic. Well, you can throw Christmas in there too but I stopped going to mass at Easter a long time ago. So prior to 2 years and 2 months ago I had been to Church probably about 6 times in about 5 years.

There have been many turning points in my journey with God ranging from a curling iron to new friends... to MOMS. One of the most pivitol "lightswitch" moments came from one of the least expected messages during table talk time at MOMS.

"Submit to one another (your spouse) out of revence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21.

First of all, when I think of the words "submit" and "husband" in the same sentence - my ginchies get in a knot (well, they used to). I mean seriously? You want me to submit to my husband? That's just crazy - I mean we live in a society where women are climbing up the corporate ladder and have careers... we are not dependent on anybody nor do we need to submit to anyone.

But think about this. God gave up his son for us... He let his son die... for us. Now think about your own children. Can you even possibly fathom letting your child die when you have the power to stop it?

How do you thank someone for letting their son die for you? So your sins could be forgiven and you could have everlasting life? How can you possibly thank God for that? Well, the answer is actually quite simple - God wants you to take all that love and thankfullness that you want to shower him with... and give it - or submit - to your husband. There are no words to express how much God loves us - how do you describe a love so strong that you would actually give up your only son?

I recently posted on Facebook that I have asked God to forgive my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I have been praying regularly, reading the Bible and asking God daily to open my heart to him. 2 years ago God started stirring my soul and today I am learning how to look for God in everything I do.

What's your "lightswitch" moment?

Gloria Reimer

Last Tuesday Gloria Reimer gave a humorous and heart felt talk on being a mom, raising children, spiritual life and prayer. Personally I walked away with a lot on my mind and some good information to chew on for the week. I love how she encouraged us to give our children teachable spirits, and not to negate their questions. Teaching your children to question everything and to learn that every choice has a consequence, good or bad. The biggest lesson for me was that when we sit and worry about our children we are ultimately trying to become God. God knows our children and loves our children much more than we do, so we need to stop worrying.
So just as a recap, here are the questions that you discussed as a table.

-How do you encourage yourself when you feel or think you are not doing well as a mom?
-What are some of the teachable moments you have already experienced with your children?
-What lessons have you learned from your children? How are they developing you as a person and as a mom?
-What qualities would you like to see developed in your children?
-Do you have a place in your home that you have created for a sanctuary where you can be still and quiet? If not, how could you create such a place?

To end the morning Gloria then closed with the prayer of Ephesians 3:14-21

I pray that out of His glorious riches
He may strengthen you with power
through His spirit
in your inner being
so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts by faith.
And i pray that you
being rooted and established in love
may have power
together with all the Lord's people
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge
that you may be filled
to the full measure
of all the fullness
of God.

4 Days of Getting Up with the Kids!

Made pancakes for them this morning! So very grateful to Shelby and Rachel who have been calling me every morning to check up on me!! I have the most wonderful and supporting friends. Such a small change for me to make but it's impacting us all in a huge way.

Good Morning!

Guess what time I got up this morning? 7:30!!!! I set my alarm last night and got a wake up check up call from Shelby at about 7:35... just to make sure (and she did ask if I was actually out of bed and not just laying there awake). My reward? I was in the kitchen when Megan (my middle one) came out of her room and she looked at me with well, complete and total surprise and confusion to be honest and asked why did you set your alarm before mine? My answer - I wanted to get up with you guys this morning. Her response? She ran across the kitchen and gave me the biggest hug, looked up at me with a huge smile and then hugged me again. Wow. Talk about your heart stuttering.
She just left for school and as always, wanted a mouth smacking lip on lip kiss (definitely her love language) and I told her that God is always with her. Big smiles, big hug and she is off and ready to face the day.

My oldest (Sydney). Yea... kind of like pulling teeth with that girl to get any sort of response but I like to think she is smiling on the inside. We even managed to keep the TV off until after 8:00 and Jeremy actually ate his breakfast at the table instead of on the couch watching TV.

And the blizzard outside? Who cares. I had a great morning and spring is in the air!

'Self Esteem' with Brenda on March 23rd

Brenda Summach - married to Larry for 34 years; 3 daughters - Melissa, Michelle & Mandy-Rae, 1 son in law mike, and grandson William. Was a dental assistant, taught piano, and owned a small retail store in Alberta. 23 years ago this spring she started her Mary Kay business to be at home with her girls. In this profession she has become a National Sales Director of which there are only 450 out of 2 million consultants in 37 countries globally. Brenda loves to travel free, courtesy of Mary Kay, for the last 18 years, her favourite place being Bali, Indonesia, and going to Italy this May!!

"My purpose and focus has been to help my daughters & other women to have the courage to become all God designed them to be. Excited to have the privilege to share my journey with you!"

Peer Pressure with Jodi

What a fantastic morning..Thank you so much Jodi for coming out and speaking to this fabulous group of women!! We can learn so much from each other, can't we?? Listening to Jodi was fantastic and confirmed alot of things for me, as well as made me realize how important being a mom is! A bit of pressure, yes, but with God beside us, we will do an amazing job in raising our little kidlets! Like Jodi said to the 'young/new moms'..Peer pressure is coming...So, are you going to react with 'Faith' or with 'Fear'?? Wow...I would like to say that I parent by Faith, but I think in most part, being a controller by nature, that I mostly parent by fear...I have alot to learn. Lots of good insight today...made me think alot about why I do what I do. I hope that all of you moms that were there today, left feeling encouraged to start fresh in your 'Parenting Journey' with a strong sense of Faith with you!!

If any of you would like to have the info that Jodi was talking about, please email the MOMS Ministry at momsministry@hotmail.com and I will be more then happy to send it your way!!

Have a great week Ladies!!

~Helen Vander Kooi

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves
and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

By: Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
Copyright 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte