Working Together

We build a LOT of towers. (We being Eric & Elijah.)

Siblings

Ahh. {sigh} Well, at least one of the kids was (half) dressed for this photo shoot~:-)

The Daily Grind

At first they were both happy with a water bottle, Haven sitting up, Elijah sharing. Then we worked on a puzzle, Haven having fallen over, Elijah again sharing. Haven was really working the puzzle...with her tongue. (And, yes, it is a big long tongue. Yes, she does use it all the time. No, she does not have a problem. Yes, I asked the pediatrician. He laughed at me. But thanks for bringing it up - again.) Elijah needed to jump (a $0.50 consignment store find!).
Sweet baby girl and I snuggle before bed. Perhaps people keep having babies so they will always have someone with whom to snuggle.

Review: When Moms Pray Together

When Moms Pray Together by Fern Nichols

Put out by: Tyndale
Price: $13.99
Book Info (as taken from the Tyndale site): Moms in Touch International is an organization that brings moms together to pray for their children and their children's schools. As MITI prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Fern Nichols, the founder and president, has collected some of the most inspiring and encouraging stories of God's work in answer to those prayers. When Moms Pray Together will inspire and equip mothers to pray more consistently and hopefully for their children while encouraging them through the stories from moms everywhere.
Disclosure: Mama Buzz- and reviewers -received a complimentary copy of this book for blog tour purposes.

Well, I've never officially reviewed anything, but criticism of either kind is not usually difficult for me; we'll see how this goes.

When Moms Pray Together is a gathering of 3-4 page stories of God's work in answering specific prayers. The tellers of these tales are all moms who are involved in Moms in Touch International, an organization assisting and encouraging mothers to pray together for their children. When reading this book I was my struck with:

- My own arrogance. Some of the children spoken of in these stories are really messed up - drugs, alcohol, cutting - the kinds of things you never imagine your own children even touching. As these mothers told their stories I often found myself thinking, "Well, no wonder! They should have totally done....... Of course their kid is screwed up!" How prideful I am! How stupidly prideful I am! My child is often the "bad one." So why exactly is it I feel at liberty to critique others so harshly? God please strip away these blinders of pride and replace them with lenses of compassion!

- The importance of praying with others. Over and over again the testimony in these stories would contain words echoing "My prayer group was the only thing that got me through those tough years!" or "I was encouraged to persevere because I knew my friends were praying for me." If you are not convinced of the importance of praying with others in the body of Christ, this book will push you in the right direction.

- The unquestioning embrace of public schools by Christian parents. These mothers spent a lot of time praying for their children's school system - a system they repeatedly referenced as anti-Christian as exemplified in curriculum, leadership, rules, or teachers.

- My need to pray. Oh what peace we often forfeit! Oh, what needless pain we bear!

- My need to pray Scripture. Someday I will lose my ability to memorize. Thankfully, now I can still soak it in. My desire to pray Scripture has reinvigorated me to learn Scripture.

I'm not really sure what I'll do with all these new thoughts. When Moms Pray Together has made me want to pray - really pray - with another Mom (or two!), but I have no idea how the logistics of that would work. If you live nearby - oh, but where will that be in another month! - and you have this same desire, let me know. Perhaps God will be pleased to do great things in and through our children simply because we have prayed.

On another prayer note:

E: "Dear God,... I sinned. I put my finger in Haven's mouth. Will you please forgive me? Please help me be kind. Help me love you. Amen."

Out of the mouth of babes...

E: "I'll be right back Momma." {runs out of room}

E: {returning with shiny silver baby monitor in hand} "I had to get my cell phone...ring, ring, hello!....."

Yes. He said cell phone.

Entertainment

Did you know that Haven likes to read?Or that Elijah is really enjoying puzzles?Just wanted to show you some of our newest amusements.

I'm constantly begging Jenelle to come visit, I feel. We were so happy to have her stay for a few extra days. As always, Elijah especially loved it. We picked crabapples together.



Jenelle helped Elijah make cookies (or maybe Elijah taught Jenelle, I'm not really sure).
My favorite part was staying up late talking, eating popcorn, and drinking wine. I so rarely get to have late-night talks with dear friends. This was a super fun treat!
Come back soon Jenelle! (like...this weekend!)