April Shower

On a blustery Saturday in April, my two youngest girls

accompanied me to a lovely wedding shower for my June bride!
Abby helped her sick Mama make the chocolate covered strawberries

that morning, and after we had loaded them up, off we went!!

To see what we learned about making these, click here.

My bride and her family are special friends of the Duggar family,
and my bride's Mama asked Michelle Duggar to give a few thoughts
to her daughter on this special occasion.
Michelle really is an engaging, delightful, lovely person
who genuinely loves the Lord,
and she shared several marriage tips that she and her hubby compiled

that have been really helpful for them.

What a blessing to be reminded of these great truths:
Have a personal, daily Bible time, and then prayer time together as a couple.
Make time for dates, and put perfectionism aside.
Don't withhold praise, and never stop having a learning spirit.
Remember and use these words:
"I was wrong.  Will you forgive me?"

Prayer over the bride with Mrs. Duggar, the bride's Mama,

and the bride's future mother-in-law.

Aryn hit it off with Jordyn Duggar,
and now has a new friend!

How to teach our daughters that homemaking has value!!

Saturday's Super Mom

Last weekend, my mother-in-law handed me the current issue of Taste of Home magazine.

(One of my favorites, by the way!!)

As I was thumbing through it, I came across the article about the "dream kitchen contest."

Besides the fact that the featured kitchen was breathtaking, I was drawn to the article because this family home schools their 8 children.

You can read the article and see pictures of this amazing family and their kitchen....

here.

Learn more about Ross and Julie Smithe on their family blog,

  here, 

or their family ministry website, 

here.

Saturday's Super Mom

It's been awhile since I've posted about a "super mom" lately, so I thought it was time to share about another interesting lady who mothers many children.

It rather bothers me, this thought that having more than the national average of children

is something to be loathed. Most couples I know do not even consider this idea is following more of our culture than God's plan for families. I believe it's a secular culture philosophy that has found deep roots in our churches also. I wonder if this saddens our Heavenly Father?

I completely understand that God uses every family differently and that it isn't His plan for all couples or doesn't allow some couples to have several children, much less even one.

That's why I think it's just pivotal that you be in tune with God's calling on your life and His design and plan for the family.....your family.

Why did He institute the family in Scripture even before the church?

Why does the Lord refer to children being our "heritage" and "reward"?

I love this quote by Vision Forum founder, Doug Phillips:

The Bible calls debt a curse and children a
blessing; but in our culture, we apply for a
curse and reject blessings. Something is
wrong with this picture." ~ Doug Phillips

I just wonder how many couples really put any thought into what the Lord might want to use their families for? This has been weighing on my mind lately. It's not the easiest path to be surrendered to God to use us however He wants, to be His vessels poured out for Him, to trust Him when the situation looks foolish or impossible.

But I think that that is the only path to peace and purpose and fulfillment and true joy.

To be in tune with God's will for our lives.

You gotta check out this family!!!

Meet the Muncks HERE.

Saturday's Super Mom

I really have enjoyed reading this week's "Super Mom's" blog and website. She is very industrious and organized, and has tons of tips and ideas that are fun to read through. In fact, I will be referring back to her very soon in an upcoming post about a project I've been working on that has been so very helpful for me. I think it will be encouraging and inspiring for you too. Read about this interesting lady here and here.

Saturday's Super Mom

I've never met this lady either. Don't think I'd recognize her if she was in line next to me at Wal-Mart. But I happened unto her blog one day a while back, and I always come away encouraged, challenged, or inspired. I think you will too. Meet Kim Brenneman here.

Saturday's Super Mom

Today's "Super Mom" is one I saw on the Duggar's Program on TLC. If you've been watching their program lately, you've also seen the Bates Family. They are as equally amazing as the Duggar Family, and I think Mrs. Bates seems to have such a patient, sweet spirit even with an addition being built on the front of their teeny house, while pregnant with their 17th baby!!! You'll be as inspired and encouraged to be a great mom as I was. Meet the Bates Family here.

Saturday's Super Mom!!

My husband and I have known of this family since early in our marriage when we lived in Michigan. They sang at our church there when their two oldest were still little. They have a terrific family ministry, and have even had a couple runs in Branson, MO during the last two Christmas seasons. One thing I find so amazing is that they travel around the country with EIGHT children in a bus!! And I think my house feels maxed out sometimes!! Plus, I remember when they didn't even have a bus. I think they rode around in an RV. Take a minute to look around their website and listen to the clips from some of their DVD's. I think you'll enjoy it!!! Meet the Allen Family here.

Saturday's Super Mom

I first learned about today's "Super mom" from the TLC program called "Kids by the dozen".
Her family has a really interesting web site that is fun to peruse around. I've found a lot of great ideas from them even though my family is less than half the size of theirs!! Read about the Jeub family here.

Saturday's Super Mom

I'm not sure if you have ever watched this family on TLC, but I really admire what they do and find the mom truly an inspiration!! Now, do not even let the idea slip into your mind that I might be thinking this is the life that I aspire to have.....let me assure you it is NOT. I do not feel the Lord has that for MY life. But I appreciate their family values and all the interesting things they do to make such a large family run smoothly. Read about the Duggar Family here.

Saturday's Super Mom

This lovely lady is a personal friend of mine,
and I would love for you to see what she does!
She is a wonderful missionary lady,
and has the most amazing testimony of the trials and blessings
the Lord has brought she and her husband, and their 8 children, through.
She is always an inspiration to me,
and I know she will inspire you too!!
Meet her here.

Saturday's Super Mom

I have met today's super Mom only once, but
my husband and his family have known her family for many years.
My mother-in-law has only the BEST things to say about her.
I find her just amazing.
I think you will too.
Visit her blogs here and here.

Saturday's Super Mom

There are several mom's in my mind whom I would like to share with you
that I believe you will find as inspiring as I do.
This first lady I do not know personally, but I've been following her blog
for some time and have always enjoyed the things she talks about.
Though I don't agree with her on everything, I think she is amazing
and has learned how to let the Lord have His way in her life.
Would I like to have as many children as she? Ummmm....no.
But she still inspires me and gives lots of encouragement to women trying to live their lives for Christ and be the kind of lady God created her to be.
Read about her here.