Nurturing your Spirit

"When you come to the edge of all the light you have, and must take a step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two things will happen. Either there will be something solid for you to stand on or you will be taught how to fly." ~Patrick Overton

Okay, I am forging ahead with my thoughts on our book study "Taking Care of the Me in Mommy" by Lisa Whelchel on nurturing our spirit, body, and soul (I Thessalonians 5:23). We are currently focusing on practical ways to take care of our spirit. Tonight’s topics of discussion are Bible Study, Praise, Sabbath Rest, and Journaling.

We eat daily for energy and nourishment not just once a week (Sunday morning). We need to fill up daily with the Bread of Life and Living Water or we will feel empty.
Psalm 119:103 (NIV) How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Here are my favorite tips for BIBLE STUDY:
• Do daily devotions with your kids (“Veggie Tales Family Devotional” and “Big Truths for Little Kids” are good ones)
• Listen to Bible story tapes with your kids
• Listen to Bible on tape/CD in your car, while exercising, etc.
• Break up your reading time into small chunks (morning, naps, waiting in line, etc)
• Keep a small Bible in your purse
• Keep an open Bible in places around your house (dining table, near computer, etc) and read a few verses throughout the day
• Sign up for e-devotions/newsletters (crosswalk.com, devotions.org, cfdevotionals.org, purposedrivenlife.com)
• Subscribe to devo text messages: send text to 27138 with message PRINCESS
• Read 1 chapter of Proverbs + 5 Psalms daily =finish both in a month
• Use great resources to go deeper into the Word (Beth Moore, Kay Arthur, Lifeway, etc)
• Utilize bible software and online tools (logos.com, Biblegateway.com)
• Vary your translation; read the same passage multiple times in different versions
• Use paraphrased versions to gain new insights
• Read through the Bible in a year

Praise and worship are not for reminding God of who He is, but for reminding us of who He is. When we remember His awesomeness, our challenges look smaller in comparison to His greatness. Praise is often the last thing we feel like doing when we need it the most. Maybe that is why it is referred to as a “sacrifice”.
Hebrews 13:15 (NIV) Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Here are my favorite tips for PRAISE:
• Sing while you: shower, drive, exercise, clean house, etc.
• Keep a hymnal with your other reading materials
• Set an alarm for worship
• Teach worship as a part of mealtime (before, during, or after prayer)
• Use a list of attributes describing God (not for things or blessings but for who He is – i.e. Redeemer, Shepherd, Creator, Healer, Comforter, King)
• Dance before the Lord (clap, bow, kneel, lift hands, use musical instruments -these are all in the Bible)
• Don’t neglect worshiping God as a community (Hebrews 10:24-25)

We know that renewing our relationship with God is important but it just doesn’t feel productive. We want to accomplish something rather than just resting in Him. Sometimes our burnout is not because we are moms, but because with all the other things…taxi, cook, teacher, janitor, nurse, maid…we lose our chance to be moms – to be close to our kids and enjoy them. When we get physically weary, our exhaustion opens the doors for the enemy through irritability, lack of focus, and laziness in our habits. Do I trust God enough to believe that ultimately He will enable me to accomplish all the things He deems important enough to do. I can’t so everything in my own strength anyway (John 15:5) and anything of lasting value is only going to happen by God’s grace and power (2 Corinthians 3:5). One final thought…if God needed a break after 6 days of creation, what makes me think I can keep going with no rest?
Leviticus 23:3 (CEV) You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week is holy because it belongs to me. No matter where you live, you must rest on the Sabbath and come together for worship. This law will never change.

Here are my favorite tips for SABBATH REST:
• Worship, play, take a walk, rest, read, spend time with loved ones, practice silent listening prayer.
• Create a mini-Sabbath in the car as you listen to a worship CD and rest your mind
• Trade one day a month with a friend as a drop-off day or take advantage of Mom’s Day Out programs
• Go on a date with the Lord – prepare a meal for your family, let dad serve it, then grab your Bible and a journal and enjoy dinner at a restaurant or send the kids to McDonald’s with dad and have your dinner at home with the Lord.
• Anytime your church offers a women’s event, do whatever you can to attend
• Send your kids to VBS, church summer camps, or other great church kids programs
• Set aside a super-Sabbath: book a hotel room overnight
• Have a TV Sabbath one day a week (or e-mail or cell phone)

Journaling is just putting your thoughts into writing. It helps us remember what the Lord is saying to us and teaching us and we can pass it on to future generations
Psalm 78:4 (NIV) We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Here are my favorite tips for JOURNALING:
• Scrapbooks are a great way to journal your hopes, prayers and reflections of individual family members.
• Write a weekly blog on your life to share with others for encouragement
• Cathartic journal – writing about stressful events reduces symptoms of chronic illness; vent your frustrations in journal instead of on husband, kids, coworkers…
• Have a forget-me-not section of journal – to immortalize treasured words of little ones.
• Write a yearly birthday letter to your kids about their accomplishments, new interests, likes/dislikes, monumental moments, funny things they’ve done or said, and the spiritual growth you’ve seen.
• Gratitude journal – 5 praises at beginning and 5 thankfuls at end of day
• Marriage journal/scrapbook – what you admire about your spouse
• Prayer or sermon journal -pour out your heart to God; write down what He is speaking to you; write thank-you letters to Him
• Computer journal – cut & paste from e-mails you’ve sent and received
• Keep old calendars, planners, letters, etc.
• Send weekly e-mails to relatives & close friends describing the families activities
• Family altars – stories of your encounters with God to pass on to your children

Packing for the Hospital

DOCUMENTS
Birth preferences/birthplan
Insurance cards and hospital forms
List of family & friends to call (w/numbers) in order of importance
Ink pen to sign papers
Spare change/phone cards for if cell phones not allowed

FOR LABOR AND DELIVERY
Comfortable nightgown or big tshirt (disposable or wear hospital gown)
Long bathrobe and slippers w/ rubber soles (for walking hallway)
Barrettes & ponytail holders (keeps hair back during delivery)
Chapstick
Disposable socks (to keep feet warm during delivery)
Camera
Extra batteries
Videocamera and charger
Soothing music/IPOD
Extra pillows (the comfy ones you have been using during pregnancy; w/color cases)
Books/Magazines to read (light reading for diversion)-Girlfriend’s Guide to First Year was my favorite
Book or brochure on nursing
Picture or item for focal point (ultrasound photo/journal)
Back massager and/or tennis balls
Snacks for husband
Change of clothes for husband & basic toiletries (may not be needed until after delivery)
Cell phones
Glasses, contacts, contact solution

AFTER DELIVERY- (I was hungry, thirsty, and exhausted)
Gatorade (more thirst quenching than the juice they give you)
Snacks (granola bars, nuts, whatever you like)
Earplugs & eyemask (to tune out the hospital lights/sounds so you can sleep)
Nursing nightgown (front open) -bring your own pretty one or use the hospital's nursing gown
Nursing bras (a cup size larger than before pregnancy)
Breast pads
Nursing pillow (Boppy, or my favorite - the My Brest Friend pillow)
Sanitary pads (thickest ones w/adhesive strips) -they will give you some but you'll need more when you get home
1-2 pairs maternity undies (disposable or old undies or wear mesh panties from hospital)
Toothbrush & paste
Deodorant
Gentle soap/shampoo/good conditioner/unscented lotion-some newborns are sensitive to fragrances
Towel (colored)-they generally have tiny thin bath towels, I liked my own big fluffy towel
Washcloth (colored so it doesn't get tossed in hospital laundry)
Hairdryer
Makeup
Hairbrush/comb
Loose, comfortable outfit for going home/nursing- (I still only fit in maternity clothes for weeks after baby's birth)

FOR THE BABY
Baby book (for footprints)
Infant car seat (installed)-practice with a teddy bear so you know how to buckle the baby in :)
Infant head/neck support cushion for carseat
Blanket for carseat
Newborn cap
2 Undershirts side snap
Going home sleeper outfit w/feet - something cute (for pictures) baby can sleep in (in carseat and when you get home)
Booties or socks (if no feet on outfit)
Scratch mittens (they have sharp nails)
Sweater if chilly
Cotton balls & a water bottle (for gentle diaper cleaning)
Newborn diapers (with bellybutton cutout) and diaper bag -they may give you some of these at the hospital
Baby wipes (unscented; hypoallergenic)
1 swaddling/receiving blanket
1 soothie pacifier
2 burp cloths (cloth diapers or flannel blanket)

These are the things we wanted photos of:
The clock on the wall at delivery time
Baby on weight scale
Baby right after delivery
Baby with mom
Baby with dad
Baby with both parents
Mom kissing baby's head
Dad hand under baby’s feet
Dad kissing baby fingers
Baby profile
Baby’s hands w/wristband
Baby’s feet
Baby sleeping (you'll get lots of these)
Dad changing baby diaper
Baby's first bath
Dad/Mom on phone
Baby & parents leaving the hospital
Baby in carseat

Successful Weight Loss Action Plan (to fit your life)

* Make a list of 21 reasons you want to lose your goal weight...at first your reasons will have to do with how your body looks and feels but as you list things they will get deeper to the heart of what losing that weight means to you. You don't have to share the list with anyone, just read it occasionally to remind yourself of why you set that goal in the first place.

* Plan ahead to get more sleep (even if it means your housework goes out the window...your health is more important and a well-rested person is more efficient at EVERYTHING they do, and less cranky too) - 8 hours minimum. I could go into the science of how this helps you lose weight but I won't bore you ...unless it helps you fall asleep ;)

* Do something relaxing for yourself each day, quiet time, bubble bath, cup of tea, you choose (you HAVE to put this on your schedule or you won't do it, even if it is only 5 minutes)

* Get 30-45 minutes of exercise 3-5 times a week- walk, jog in place, jump up and down, whatever you can fit into the nooks and crannies of your day, (cardio is best for weight loss, but strength training does give nice muscle tone); you can also wear a pedometer and try to increase your # of steps daily (although it may not seem efficient, try to stand while doing everything and keep your feet moving...it DOES burn calories)

* Drink 64 oz of water daily...that's 8 water bottles! Your body NEEDS it. You can add Figure 8 fizzing beverage tabs to the water for variety and an energy boost. Yes, you will use the bathroom more.  That's a good sign you are hydrated.

* Protein shake with fiber powder added to replace at least one meal (I suggest breakfast or supper... if you are a breakfast skipper, definitely have the shake for breakfast...if you eat a healthy breakfast already - like low-sugar yogurt and oatmeal - then your shake is for supper). I love fruit juice-sweetened yogurt (from the health food store) or Stonyfield Farms Organic Vanilla Yogurt and the lowest sugar oatmeal packets I can find. As a general rule, stay away from anything that has "high fructose corn syrup" in the first 5 ingredients.

* Healthy balanced lunch (you can prepare several healthy days meals at once and freeze so it is "fast food") - healthy means whole grain pasta, whole-wheat bread or brown rice, lean protein (chicken or fish), a little healthy fat (olive oil and nuts), as many vegetables or fruits as you can of a variety of colors, use seasoning like garlic and rosemary and balsamic vinegar instead of butter and salt for flavor (although a little sea salt is tasty on veggies)

* Healthy snacks like raw almonds, carrot sticks, apple slices (put them in small baggies so they are easy to grab on the go).

* Find a friend to encourage you and help you stay motivated...report to them regularly your successes and ask for encouragement for your struggles.

* Most importantly, DON"T GIVE UP if you have an off day, just get right back on track and know that healthy weight loss doesn't happen overnight, but you WILL shed those unwanted pounds if you just keep trying no matter what.

* Plan to reward yourself with something non-food related when you reach your goal...a new pair of jeans that make you feel great, some sexy new shoes, or a pampering treatment like a massage or pedicure.

A Beginning

"He who has begun is half done. Dare to be wise; begin!" ~Horace

Well, I have been meaning to start this blog journal to share my resources and experiences with other moms and I am finally diving in..headfirst. Today I had my first small group Mom's meeting and we discussed the book "Taking Care of the Me in Mommy" by Lisa Whelchel. It has so many practical tips for moms on nurturing our spirit, body, and soul (I Thessalonians 5:23). I am excited for what these next 6 weeks will bring as we share our thoughts and ideas on these topics. The website for the book is www.LisaWhelchel.com.
Tonight we discussed Scripture Memory and Prayer. It is important that we are aware of everything we allow to enter through our eyes, ears, and heart. What you receive (allow in) is most likely what you will give. Prayer is simply a heart to heart conversation with God. Prayer is also worship, listening, confession and submitting to His will, not just requesting things from God.
John 15:4-5 (NIV)^"4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. "

Here are my favorite tips for memorizing Scripture:

• Make index cards or post-it notes with verses on them. wwwBibleGateway.com is a great resource for finding scripture by topic, keyword, or reference and for reading the Bible in different translations.
• Keep blank index cards or post-its in your Bible and write down verses that are meaningful to you.
• Post the Scriptures around the house where you will see them - computer, mirror, fridge, microwave, car visor, purse, TV screen, kitchen sink, etc.
• Read them aloud.
• Try "Scripture primping": Verses to match your tasks as you get ready for the day. For example, as you brush your teeth read Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.". As you put on your eye makeup recite Proverbs 16:2 "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit." (emphasis added)

Here are my favorite tips for prayer:

• Pray during everyday tasks. Pray for the person whose clothes you are folding. Pray for your kids as you drop them off at school.
  
• As you clean, pray over specific rooms and related activities in those rooms (for example bathroom - purity, dining room - healthy habits, family room - harmony and good communication).
• Pray the Scriptures you know or are learning.
• Take a prayer walk and pray for your neighbors as you pass their homes.
• Pray for a different topic each day of the week. Make them easy to remember like Monday Marriage or Friday Finances.
• Find a prayer partner or make prayer appointments in your calendar or planner.