Whose Day Tuesday

Whose Day Highlight: Christina D.
Family Stats: Married 7 years

Spiritual gifts: Prayer, Encouragement, Discernment

Spiritual Pathways: Worship, Creation, Intellectual

Passions: Natural parenting, educating

Pet Peeves: Bad drivers, especially slow drivers and bad mergers

Secret Shames: Bad TV: Bachelor, Millionaire Matchmaker, Dance Moms; and I’ve been in 8 car accidents—only one was my fault!

Books That You Love: Francis Chan

Can’t Live Without: Dark chocolate, Chi straightening iron, strawberries and nutella, camera, my husband and daughter

Favorite Room In Your House: Daughter’s room, especially the rocking chair

Favorite Tradition: Christmas shrimp feast with my mother’s extended family

Twelve Traditions of Christmas-#12 Birthday Cake

Have a birthday cake complete with candles and singing on Christmas morning to welcome the Baby Jesus!  Merry Christmas!

Twelve Traditions of Christmas-#11 Wake Up Call

To prevent kids from sneaking downstairs before you wake up on Christmas morning, begin a tradition of waiting for a signal.  Some ideas:
-Have your kids sing Christmas carols outside your bedroom door or on the stairs until you wake up
-Play Christmas music or ring a bell to signal the kids can come downstairs
-Place an empty manger in the hall near the kids' rooms--they have to play in their rooms quietly until they see the baby Jesus has been placed in the manger, which signals them that His birthday party has begun and they can unwrap presents.

Twelve Traditions of Christmas-#10 Christmas Eve Pajamas

Have the elves leave a special present every year for the kids to unwrap on Christmas Eve: Christmas pajamas (and slippers, too).  When your kids come down the stairs on Christmas morning to unwrap presents, they'll be in their comfy new pajamas ready for pictures.

Twelve Traditions of Christmas-#9 See the Lights!

We all know about the Plaza Lights and Longview Lake, but here's a list of Johnson County light displays to remind us that Christ is the Light of the World (thanks, Jennifer Goode, for sharing)!
http://www.kansastravel.org/kansascitychristmasdisplays.htm

Whose Day Tuesday

Whose Day Highlight: Layla H.
Family Stats: married to Jim Houser; daughter Emylee Joy (1)

Spiritual gifts: Faith

Spiritual Pathways: Contemplative and Creation

Passions: My occupations: motherhood and speech pathology

Secret Shames: I rarely make it anywhere on time; punctuality is not my strength

Books That You Love: Bible

Can’t Live Without: Jesus and chocolate!

Favorite Room In Your House: bathroom

Favorite Tradition: Grandma’s Girls’ Day Out

Twelve Traditions of Christmas--#8 Christmas Tree Slumber Party

School's almost out!  Plan a slumber party with the kids underneath the tree.

Christmas Break

Mothers Together is on a break while we celebrate Jesus' birth. We will resume on Wednesday, January 4. In the meantime, keep checking this blog for more Christmas fun.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Focus Friday

If you're struggling with "Martha" syndrome this time of year, and need regular reminders to have the spirit of Mary, write this verse on a notecard and carry it with you... only exchange YOUR name for Martha's, and let it sink in:

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (John 10:41, 42)

Think on it Thursday

Good Intentions

It’s a Mary and Martha time of year. The season to fill our schedules and lives so full of “worthy” tasks that we often miss out on the most important aspect of the Christmas season. Maybe you’re experiencing the numbness that so often comes from a schedule so full of to-do’s that you can’t find time to reflect on Who it’s all for.
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” (Luke 10:40)
Remove the name Martha from that sentence. Does your name also fit into that role? Mine sure does. However, my heart longs to be a Mary and therein lies the problem. In the midst of every wonderful party, shopping trip, and wrapped gift I find my heart and mind not feeling satisfied. That discontentment steals away the peace and joy we are meant to have in celebrating our Savior. The world tells me I’ll be happier with more, better, busier. However, my Spirit-filled heart says true Joy only comes from One source. The simplicity of that reality seems ironic to our complex lives. I love how Jesus comes right to heart level as He explained this simplicity to Martha and also to the Samaritan woman at the well.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (John 10:41, 42)

To the Samaritan woman at the well Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4: 13, 14)

It’s the simple, singular reality of a God who loves you enough to not leave you satisfied with the temporary. Once your mind and heart settle on that truth, the peace that comes from a cup overflowing with God’s eternal mercies will spill out into all aspects of your life, not only during this special season, but all year long.

God, it’s hard for me to see through my own good intentions and desires. They fail me so often, yet I trust them so readily. Make your desires my own. I admit that when I fill up my calendar with this and that, there are many times I don’t see you in it. Forgive my pride, God. Show me how I can surrender each day to you and sit my heart at your feet and drink from your eternal waters. I ask these things in the name of Jesus, amen.
Jena Meyerpeter

Whose Day Tuesday

Whose Day Highlight: Christine Yerkes
Family Stats: married
Spiritual Gifts: Mercy, Grace, Creative Communications
Spiritual Pathways: Serving and Contemplative
Passions: gardening, cooking, being creative
Pet Peeves: dirty dishes in the sink
Secret Shames: watching “Millionaire Matchmaker”
Can't Live Without: coffee
Favorite Room In Your House: my bedroom
Favorite Tradition: Our family fall trip—close, happy times

Memorize-It Monday

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6

Focus Friday

As we begin this holiday season, take time today to reflect upon the traditions you hold dear within your family.  Grab a pen and paper for this exercise:

Write a list of your family's Christmas traditions, as well as traditions you would like to incorporate into your celebration.

Now, at the top of the page, in big letters, write one word to describe how you would like your family to experience Christmas this year.  JOY. PEACE. FUN! JESUS. SACRED. LAUGHTER. GRATITUDE.

Look over your traditions list again and ask yourself which traditions contribute to your "one word" focus, and which don't.  Do your rituals intentionally invite in the Spirit of your "one word": JOY?  PEACE?  LAUGHTER?  JESUS?  Are there some traditions that detract from your experience of that "one word", and are you willing to cross them out to make room for something better?

Your time this holiday season is precious.  Decide now how you want to spend it.

Think On It Thursday

All the Earth Celebrates His Birth

Finding the Sacred in the Secular This Christmas

(originally published in KCParent Magazine, December 2010)

More than any other time of year, the Christmas season is steeped in tradition and lore. But in melting pot America, the meaning behind our festivities is easily overwhelmed by a more commercial holiday. We’ll travel the globe in search of our adopted customs and symbols that, like the Christmas star, shine light upon a holy family, a tiresome journey and a lowly manger in a town called Bethlehem.

Glistening Lights

Adorning the Moorish towers of the Country Club Plaza are Kansas City’s famous Plaza Lights, twinkling since 1925. Legend holds holiday lights date back to the 16th century German reformer, Martin Luther, who first placed candles on a Christmas tree long before the invention of stringed bulbs. The lights are symbolic of Christ, the “light of the world.” And our glowing tree toppers—stars and angels—symbolize the star that shone over a stable in Bethlehem and the host of angels proclaiming Jesus’ birth.

O Christmas TreeDecorating with evergreens harkens back to ancient Egyptians, who used the branches to honor the god of winter solstice. Similarly, the Scandinavians and Celtic Druids revered these plants for their hope of life in the dead of winter. But evergreens, remaining ever green as other plants wither and die, have become an enduring Christian symbol of everlasting life.
The Christmas tree became rooted in this metaphor when Saint Boniface, in the seventh century, used the fir tree’s triangular shape to teach about the mystery of the eternal trinity—God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In 12th century Central Europe, Christmas trees were hung upside down from ceilings. Later in Germany, trees were decorated with dried fruits, apples and wafers representing the Tree of Life and the body of Christ.

Holly WreathsDotting doorways around Kansas City, the holly wreath greets passersby with welcoming cheer. First used to honor ancient Roman gods, the wreath symbolizes eternal life for its circular shape and lasting green. It also pierces to the heart of the Christmas story. Tradition holds that the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his crucifixion was formed of prickly holly and that its berries, once white, were tinged red by his blood.

Legendary Gift GiversGift-giving is a quintessential custom around the world, but the gift bearer is not always the jolly Santa Claus who makes a stop-in for breakfast at the local HyVee. Like Britain’s Father Christmas, France’s Père Noël, Brazil’s Papai Noel and the Netherland’s Sinterklaas, Santa Claus’ origins trace to the patron saint of children, Turkey’s Saint Nicholas. Santa’s flying reindeer—eight in all, until the addition of a certain red-nosed buck—pay tribute to the Norse god, Odin, whose chariot was pulled by a flying, eight-legged steed.
In Russia and Italy, the gift giver is a witch, Babushka and Befana, respectively. Legend says the crone was too busy sweeping her floors to accompany the magi on their journey to Bethlehem. She soon had a change of heart and took up a basket of gifts to offer the Christ child. To this day, Babushka wanders the countryside (Befana on her flying broom) in search of this holy baby, leaving toys for all good children along the way.

Here We Come A-WassailingThe Christmas narrative recounts voices of angels glorifying God, but the custom of caroling is largely credited to Saint Francis of Assisi. Francis used songs to teach common folk, who couldn’t read or understand the Latin mass, the Christmas story.
Caroling house-to-house heralds back to medieval wassails. In England, peasants visited the homes of feudal lords to bestow blessings in exchange for food and wassail, a warm drink. In Greece and Romania, children still knock on doors, caroling for treats. And in Mexico, on the night of Las Posadas (“The Inns”), chanting pilgrims venture house-to-house in candlelit processions. Several times they are refused lodging, reenacting Mary and Joseph’s arduous journey. The procession ends huddled around a nativity scene in homage to the Christ Child—God With Us—born on earth.

~Wendy Connelly

12 Traditions of Christmas: #7 Kids' Nativity Play

Have your kids act out the nativity story with simple props, and let them retell what happened on the very first Christmas.  (Video compliments of St Paul's Church, New Zealand)

Twelve Traditions of Christmas: #6 Paper Chain Countdown

To help young kids count down the days to Christmas, help them create a paper chain and tear off one piece everyday.  (No, there aren't 33 days until Christmas... my three year old is obsessed with the number 3, and so the countdown returns to 33 no matter how often the elves recalibrate it!)

Wisdom Wednesday

For today's PowerPoint Presentation from Lori Fairchild on Christmas traditions, click HERE.

Speaker Bio--Lori Fairchild

Lori Fairchild is the mom of two wonderful girls – ages 8 and 10. She is the author of the Everyday Truth blog, which encourages readers to teach their children about God and offers them quick, easy ways to share Biblical truth with their kids whether they’re at the dinner table, in the car or just hanging out at home. You can find her blog at http://www.everydaytruth.net/. She recently published the e-book Everyday Christmas: Helping your kids find Jesus in the everyday moments of the season, which focuses on using everyday moments during the Christmas season to focus our kids’ attention on Jesus. She is also a guest writer for the Girlfriends in God e-devotional at Crosswalk.com. Lori has a passion for sharing God’s word with women so it changes both their lives and the lives of their families. Her heart’s desire is that every mom would absorb the Word of God so that it can thoroughly equip them to do the good work of training up their children.

Whose Day Tuesday

Whose Day Highlight: Joy G.
Family Stats: husband Jose (13 years married); daughter Keona; son Josiah
Spiritual Pathways: Creation and Intellectual
Passions: taking care of my family, sewing, crafts
Secret Shames: reality TV like Survivor and Biggest Loser
Books That You Love: Bad Girls of the Bible series
Can't Live Without: coffee
Favorite Room In Your House: I don’t really have one; I would rather enjoy the fresh air outside.
Favorite Tradition: At Christmas time I wrap 25 Christmas books (that are re-used every year) and starting Dec. 1^st my daughter opens one a day until Christmas.  We read them all together.

Memorize-It Monday

To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. ~2 Thessalonians 2:14-15

Special Post: Adoption is 100% Amazing

To mark National Adoption Month in November and the message of this weekend's service, we are honored that Molly Nagel has shared her heart for adoption as a guest blogger.  Thank you, Molly! 

Adoption is 100% Amazing, by Molly Nagel

Please know going into this that while I'm talking about something that is a very tender subject to some, this is not about infertility.  It's not me saying: get over it.  This is me specifically saying there are some parts of pregnancy that I feel pretty great about missing out on.

I am sure it is a beautiful thing to grow a baby inside of you.  I am also sure you do not have to be the one growing it to appreciate the miracle of babies.  I realize I am in the minority of women that haven't gotten pregnant that did not grieve over it.  I have spent a lot of time thinking about what it is like to not experience pregnancy.  I just want to say a few words to those who cannot or choose not to experience pregnancy themselves.

I don't think that beloved childrens' fathers, siblings, or grandparents feel like they have a diminished love for a child because it did not grow inside of them.  Yes, I agree that a mother loves a child differently than these other people do.  (Not better, just differently.)  However, a biological connection is not necessary to experience that exact kind of love.

I am going to list, in my own opinion, some of the benefits that you receive as an adoptive parent.  I am not saying that I made a decision to adopt based on these benefits.  Nor am I suggesting that you do.  I am simply saying, you might as well embrace some of the perks.  Am I right?  Caution: some words I am about to use are not for the faint of heart, some men, or young girls.  I know I have a huge following of grade school aged girls.  Me and Justin Bieber.

Things you can happily skip when you lovingly adopt a child:
*ALL OF THE UNPLEASANT PARTS OF PREGNANCY!  And to be sure, there are MANY.  I know there are a million pictures of people lovingly looking at the pregnant bellies.  What no one's snapping up pictures of are nausea, constipation, heart burn, fatigue, swollen and crazy looking ankles, stretch marks, sleeplessness, the weird waddle, general discomfort, and weight gain in less desirable places than that cute tummy.  Sure, a lot of people want a chance to get some of those cute Liz Lange maternity clothes, but let's face it.  It's not all eating ice cream at midnight and warm smiles from the elderly.
*LABOR AND DELIVERY!  I mean come on!  I don't even need to say more.  But I always do.  So let's list: paper gowns pulled up to your midsection while a group of people are heavily involved in your business, epidurals (that's a shot in the spine, guys!) or the pain of natural child birth, epidurals gone wrong, guilt over taking pain meds, waiting too long and then not getting pain meds, episiotomies (!!!!!!!!!!), stitches in horrible places, c-sections, hearing everyone who has ever given birth's horror-laced delivery stories, lactation specialists, whew I will stop there.
*THE AFTERMATH.  People who just went through the above are tired and sore when settling into life with a new baby.  Not to mention losing baby weight.  What if you could just settle in with that new baby feeling fresh and fit?  Hey, you can.  That's my point.
Things you can rejoice in when you lovingly adopt a child:
*A FRESH START!  If Matt and I had biological children they would be horrible at math and alarmingly hairy.  My body has a lot of ailments that confuse medical professionals and make me feel like an old lady, and Matt is grumpy for hours after he gets out of bed.  Yeah, we've got a lot of bad stuff between us.  People sometimes say, "Oh I just want someone who looks just like us running around." Or, "I just want to see what a child that my husband and I create together would look like..."  In my heart I say, "What's so great about you?"  This sounds really harsh.  I'm simply saying, you are just two people.  In the grand scheme of my life I don't know many people that have such model-quality good looks that the world would miss out on their biological creation.  I do know that Matt and I were startled when Harper showed an aptitude towards math.  Matt and I are dangerous when we're alone with numbers.  Not our girl; she's amazing.  In fact, she's good at a lot of things that we aren't.  And she's good at a lot of things that we ARE.  Because we taught her.  Maximize the best of nature and nurture?  Count me in!
*WE HAVE A GOD THAT SETS ALL THINGS RIGHT.  I don't think I'm entitled to see it in all times and circumstances in my life.  But that is a true statement.  I'm saying it again.  We have a God that will set all things right.  I am a mom who needs a child.  Matt is a dad who needs a child.  Harper is a precious girl that needs a sibling.  We are going to get together with a child that needs a family.  How beautiful is that going to be?  Man, I love my family.  And man, I love that it is formed through adoption.  This is the good stuff.

**I would just like to add one more note stating that I think a child in a family that loves her is a gorgeous thing no matter how it happens.  The purpose of this post is NOT to negate the beauty of a family formed biologically.  The purpose IS to promote the mindset that adoption is an awesome plan A and an incredible way to unite people as a family.  Peace.*

  --Molly Nagel (you can find more of my thoughts on adoption and read my personal experiences at wavybel.blogspot.com)

Focus Friday

Read Philippians 4:8

Take a mental inventory of your thought life. Ask yourself the question:
“What do I think about most of the time”? Do my thoughts line up with Philippians 4:8? You can even start writing your thoughts down. This will begin to reveal the areas that you struggle with.

As you inventory your thoughts, you will begin to categorize them and better understand the condition of your mind. Are you consumed with thoughts of fear and anxiety; doubt and unbelief; judgmental or critical thoughts, controlling or manipulative thoughts?

We are often unaware of the types of thoughts that consume us. As we begin to understand our areas of struggle, we can then identify these thoughts when they enter our minds. Then we can do what it says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Romans 12:2! Then we can live the abundant and victorious life that God desires for us!

Think on it Thursday

Do Not Be Afraid

Fear often battles for my attention. There are moments I know fear is knocking at my door, waiting for me to open it a crack so it can pour its way into my mind, drowning out hope. Unfortunately, there are times I open that door and listen to the lies that fear whispers to me.

I know they are lies, because I have a stronger Voice in my life. When I feel burdened with fear I open my Bible. There, in God’s words, I find something stronger than fear. I find he offers me three things bound together creating a cord that cannot be broken...faith, love and hope.

He reminds me that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). He says to trust Him with all my heart and to not rely on my own understanding (Philippians 4:6). My understanding can create space for fear.
But God is bigger than our reality. He knows our journey and what every day will look like before it comes to be (Psalm 139:16). He knows the pain and hardships we will face.
With this knowledge he still tells us,
“Do not be afraid”.

God did not give us a spirit of fear. This certainly doesn’t mean we won’t encounter adversity, troubles and tragedy. In fact, he promises that this life will have pain and suffering. However, He also promises that we will not walk through it alone. He will carry us. We are not forgotten. Our God is fighting battles for us, and the victory is already His. He calls us by name and his thoughts of us outnumber the grains of the sand. His love for us can overcome our fear. He wants us to believe it, to believe in Him.

This morning I went to a funeral, to say goodbye to a dear friend. Though my heart breaks for the daughters he leaves behind, I am certain of one thing. God has prepared them for this. He is standing firm in the center of their shaken ground. He will not abandon them. He has them wrapped up in his loving arms and he will carry them through this great loss. He has given them a hope beyond measure, hope that sustains them until the promise they have received from Jesus reunites them with their Father again. And Jesus tells them,
“Do not be afraid”.

He tells me the same thing. When the trials that I face create doubt in my mind, I will not allow fear to have control over my thoughts. It is in those moments that I will remember the promises given to me in God’s word, promises of strength, peace, comfort and victory. I will consider myself fasting from fear. I will no longer open the door when I hear fear knocking.

God, my faith is in you. My hope is in you. I love you because of the love you have poured into me. Create in me a cord that cannot be broken, one of faith, hope and love. Amen.

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love and sound mind.” Timothy 1:7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.” Psalm 118:7

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

~written by Rachel McKenna