Thursday, December 9, 2010

tradition





The Jesse Tree continues to be a little hard for the younger ones to understand but I feel like introducing it as a tradition is important.  We did it last year and they struggled to understand but this year they have shown more comprehension. My prayer is that eventually through years of this tradition, their hearts will connect to Advent and they will share this with their own families.  This is one of the greatest joys of being a mother. I pray I can give them the gift of tradition with JESUS always at the center.

Some days are hard. Tempers, bad attitudes and tough times with school work and many other distractions come into play but at the end of the day I try to focus on the mission field I have here in my home. The seeds I am planting will reap a harvest. At times it's really hard to see the growth. Even as I type this, I have two in their rooms because Josiah corrects Ava Beth with her Math and this causes an instant argument.  It's exhausting and discouraging but I see glimpses of glory. Sometimes it's during circle time (Bible study or Family Devotion) or when I listen to them pray. They pray for one another or pray for their attitudes. They constantly seek God in everything they do, even the little things. They really do get it even when I do not. God constantly uses them to speak truths to me just by watching and listening. Our little ones can teach us so much if we will just take the time to listen. 

Being a wife, a mother to four children and a homeschool teacher is by far the hardest thing I've ever done but it is the GREATEST. Thank you Lord for the do-overs, the second chances and the continuous way you heal me through this calling. It supersedes any marathon I have run, any title I have had or any large crowd of people I have led in worship. Those things were nice but at the end of the day, my husband and children supersede it ALL. It is an honor to be Jeremy's wife. It is an honor to be a mother to Josiah, Ava Beth, Ezekiel and Jude. And thank you for TRADITION! This is my favorite time of year because of the many traditions I began when Josiah was a baby. Christmas pajamas, Christmas cookies, ornaments we pick out each year for one another and so much more. I pray that what we are doing NOW will stick with them forever! 



My Father in Heaven, thank you for the HEALING you continue to bring through the love of my husband and children. I feel your love daily through them. 


(You can ask Naomi, Kelly Ann, Tiffany, Wendy, Paula, my Mom or my Husband. They will tell you I struggle.  I don't always feel like a good mom. I often think I am pretty bad sometimes. I beat myself up a lot. There are days we don't get everything done and days we don't spend time praying as a family. Please don't allow posts like these make you think I have it all together. I do not. I am just like you. So please know I am growing and learning just like every other Mom in this world. Today is a good day but tomorrow could be difficult. I continue to share the good and the bad. Today is the good!)

Sent from my LG android

4 comments:

Michelle said...

For what it's worth - I don't think you need the disclaimer at the end. You are fantastically (is that a word?) real and honest, sharing your successes and not-so-much-a-success moments. I come back to your blog because you don't come across as perfect, yet you come across as someone striving to do her best and to serve her Lord.

Merry Christmas Amanda!

Paula said...

I love all your traditions!! And for the record...I think you are an amazing mother!!! You inspire me to be a better wife and mother!!

We all have bad days....hours...and would be lying if we didn't admit it!! So I agree...thank you Lord for do-overs!! Thank you Lord for the sea of forgetfulness!!!

Kelly said...

Love, love, love your heart for home!!!

You don't have to be perfect, you just have to be willing to allow God's grace to fill in the cracks, and you so evidently do that. Thank you for sharing your days... it is encouraging and gives me hope that God will answer my dreams, too.

Kate said...

keep it real mandi :)

xo