How to be selfless in a selfish world

I know that I already use this topic in another post a while ago, I also know this post won't win a popularity contest. But when God puts on your heart something to write about that you feel convicted about I think one should write about it and let God teach others trough His words

A few days ago I read the post "Me first" and was reminded of how easy we could get trap in the "world's" view instead of the biblical view that we should have.

The post was written by

Stacy McDonald Thankful wife to my beloved, James McDonald Contented mother to my precious blessings, Jamie, Christa, Tiffany, Melissa, Jessica, Caleb, Abigail, Virginia Grace, Emma Katherine, William Alexander, and our little one in Heaven co author of "Passionate housewife desperate for God" and author of " Raising maidens"

She also write a wonderful blog call "Your sacred calling"

"Me first" is one of those inspiring post that I just fell in love with!

Do I say that I got principal of "dying to self" perfectly, No, by all means God still have lots to work on me in that area. But by allowing God to teach me self denial trough my service done first to my husband and children then to the church and community, I think am doing one step in the right direction.

Why am I writing this post?

As Christian we are call to sharpen one another. Prov 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

I feel that our Christian values are tinted by our selfish world view. We might not even be aware of it. Is so easy to forget to turn to God's word for wisdom and understanding when reading or hearing about faith topic written or spoken by fellow believers. We must remind our self that God word is the only Truth and that He is never changing (that culture can't change the truth)

We are bombarded from every way to put "me first" rather then others.

" I am naturally inclined to love myself – to take care of my own needs. But Jesus wants me to be supernaturally inclined to the needs of others. To go against what comes natural to my flesh—to die to self and serve others. To love others supernaturally – the way we love ourselves naturally. We live in a world that wants to turn the Gospel upside down."

Taken for "Me first" post

From the media, to Christian authors, we are told that if we put our needs first we will be energize physically and spiritually and that will make us able to attend to others needs!!!

But the word of God tell us differently

"

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

" (Matthew 16:24-25)

But some will say " Being a wife and mother, I have to serve all the time, I feel drained. If I don't take some "me" time everybody else suffer"

Again we have to remember who is the giver of our strength and rest and peace. Only God is able to fulfill all of our needs.

Do I mean, we should never sleep, eat or have pleasure, not at all. God does want us to sleep, eat and enjoy His blessing, self denial is not to be misunderstood for being miserable.

Refusing all comfort will not make us more holy, but depending on God will make us happy.

Please read the "Me first" post. Stacy explain it way better then I ever could.

God as given us mothers a sacred calling, we have to choose to embrace it and not forgetting surrender all our needs to Him daily, letting God change your heart and mind trough His word.

Training little one some homemaking skills

Lets face it, we all have to do it, training our little one to do some chores.

Our attitude toward that training will affect the way our children view on what they need to learn.



We all want our children to be able to pick up after themselves. I know it is easier sometimes to just "do it" for them, but what are we teaching them if we do so.

Last week I was putting dishes away when Rebekah just came running asking "Mama helps please" with those big brown puppy eyes who could have said no!

the utensils needed to be put away (I took the knives out first) and then let Rebekah put the rest away. While I watch her, hands full of forks and spoon, dropping all of them in the drawer this is what crossed my mind:

"oh what a mess, she just dumped everything in there and nothing is in the right place"

As soon as I realize what I was thinking about her and how she generously volunteer to help I felt guilty. Why? Well I've been a perfectionist for most of my life, and been working on letting things go for several years now.


And I know that to be able to successfully trained our kids to be good housekeeper I have to let go of what was left of my perfectionist nature.



Seriously who cares if the house is not perfect, if everything is not in perfect order, if our little goose folded mix match socks together. She is learning, and so am I.



And beside both little girls are having fun "helping Mama" I don't want them to think I do not appreciate their effort!!!

What are you doing with your little one to Trained them to be good homemakers?

Titus 2 :3-5

"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed"

20 weeks belly

Yes as you could tell my shirt is a bit snug!

For the 20 weeks update read my last post!

Half baked

20 weeks, wow time is sure flying by so fast. Someone said to be that I might actually be more then half way cause so far I've always had our babies early!

That got me thinking if baby #3 come as early as Sarah I have only 14 weeks left!!!! their is so much to do and not a lot of time to do it!

*** 20 weeks belly picture to be uploaded soon****

So how am I feeling now:

I feel a bit better, have good days and some bad days. Heartburn comes and goes so as the morning sickness (they seams to be connected in some way) I'm getting hungry all the time now, even waking up at in the middle of the night a needing a snack!

Energy level goes up and down depending on how I sleep at night. Starting to feel a bit restless at night, lots of tossing and turning and trying to get comfortable. My hips, lower back and belly are sore most of the time.

If I stay standing up for long period of time I have some belly cramps (not contractions but more like tightness and heaviness in my lower belly and side) So I have to rest more often and drink plenty of water. I don't know if it's because my pregnancies were so close together that my body seams to get tired more quickly but doing my chores around the house take longer cause I need to rest lots. Bending over to get dishes out of the dishwasher or clothes out of the dryer seams to trigger some belly tightness.

As any of you Mama's felt like cramping after some chores that involved lifting or bending?

Beside all the pregnancy aches and pain, I still enjoyed the fun part of pregnancy like felling baby moving inside of me, seeing this belly growing and growing and wondering how much bigger is it going to get!!!

Oh and exiting news, I gain 1 pound!!!! Yes 20 weeks and gain 1 pound, I guess being so sick for so long was not good on the weight gain but it seams to be going up now instead on down! Hoping to gain a few more soon. Yes I know people usually wants to loos weight but for baby's health I want to gain some (I gain only 10 lbs with Sarah and she was born early I wonder if it was because I did not gain enough???)

That is it for now, will try to post pictures soon!

Baby prison

Have you ever try to keep at least one part of the house clean or try to cook supper while trying to prevent your youngest from pulling your skirt down or your eldest from putting her hand in boiling pot!!!!

Here is my lifesaver the "BABY PRISON"
See for yourself!

Haiti might be sending some Canadians home *updated*

Here is the latest news from my friends in Haiti.

Message from Jess (Alex's sister)

Jessica Kennedy We just got news from Maya's mom. Maya, Alex and the two children are waiting for a flight to bring them to Montreal. Carl and Joel will be staying in Port au Prince for the time being. They're are starting to smell the stench of decomposing bodies and I imagine that their health and safety is top priority right now. Please continue to pray for them....

Keep praying for the health of all the survivor in Haiti.

Keep Carl (Maya's husband) and Joel safe and that they could be doing God's work. Pray for strength, health.

To what I understand their is lots of corpse everywhere and no where to dispose them. The hospital are overloaded and have a hard time keeping up. water and food supply might be a issue soon.

Also know that lots of Haitian kids were in the process of being adopt and paper work is a issue for parents that want their little one close to them. Pray that the embassy would help reunited those little blessing to their adoptive parents.

*** Will be updating any new news***

12:30 update

Hello everyone, we got a few details regarding Joel and Alex this morning.
Although there were alot of cutouts, Maya's mom Lise was able to speak directly with Maya at 6am.

Maya confirmed that they were able to reach the embassy yesterday. They are now currently back at home awaiting a flight to bring Maya, the two children (Thea and Zahra) and Alex back to Montreal. Joel and Carl will, for the time being, be staying in Port au Prince. We don't know if they are leaving because it's "mandatory" but I can only imagine that Carl would want his family and Alex somewhere safe to give him and Joel peace of mind. With them in Canada, they will be able to focus on the task at hand with confidence knowing they are safe.
We don't know when they will be coming. All we do know is they are waiting for a flight to bring them to Canada.
I will keep you all posted and let you know as soon as we've gotten news.

Please continue to keep them in prayer. Although their district wasn't as effected by the quake, the "smell", stench of the decomposing bodies is beginning to make its way to them. Their health and safety, as desperation begins to set into the people of Haiti, is our main concern. Keep Carl and Joel in prayer as they prepare themsleves to aid in whatever way they can. Please pray for Maya, as leaving her mission and husband in Haiti will, I'm sure, be difficult. Keep Alex in prayer. Her heart is in Haiti and leaving the Haitians in their greatest time of need, although it is for her health and safety (as is for all of them), will be difficult as well. It will be hard for all of them.

Again, I will keep you all posted on any other news. God bless.

A message from Haiti *updated*

Here is my friend Alexandra's facebook update today directly from Haiti!!!

"Alex Kennedy: Hey everyone!!!! We are both safe!!!!! We are very blessed that we are!!! Praise Jesus!!!! Keep praying for us! we are all fine but there are lots of deaths and injured people!!! If I do not write for a while it is because the internet is cut off!!! Blessings to you all from Joel and I! Thank you soo much for your prayers!! They are working! Xo"

Please keeps my friend in Haiti in prayers!

Here is some pictures of my friend so you could put a face with your prayers!

Alex



Maya and Carl and their 2 daughters



Joel


Also keep in your prayers all the victims, the volunteers and people who are involved helping Haiti.

Help in anyway you can

*Pray
*donate
*if possible physically go

*** Update****

Here is a note that Jess (Alex sister) wrote after talking to her via Skipe

"We were finally able to connect with Allie and Joel via Skype around 12:20 this afternoon. Please understand that it was difficult to communicate with them as the internet connection was choppy.
As a result, the information they relayed to us was brief. We weren't able to get into much detail.
I am sure that some of the information I did jot down may not be 100% correct but I will do my best to answer all the questions and concerns you will all have.

Joel and Alex landed in Port au Prince, Haiti around 2pm. From what we understood, they were all in the kitchen of Maya and Carl's house when the earthquake "hit" 45 minutes after they had arrived to their home. It was difficult to understand what they did directly afterwards, but they did run outside after the first shake. I believe they (Maya, Carl, their two daughters, Joel and Alex) left, after the first couple of aftershocks (the aftershocks happened around 10pm), by "jeep" to find refuge in a field away from crumbling walls and buildings. This was around midnight.

Since then, they are back at the house but not spending the night there. The house itself is undamaged with the exception of a few cracks in the walls but until they are sure that the aftershocks are done and the house is inspected and pronounced safe, they will not be staying there. They were there though when we were talking with them (it's recommended they stay "at home" for 72 hours). They have plenty of food and water and no needs at the present. However, because they are sleeping outdoors, Joel and Alex have some nice red dots on their faces from mosquitos. They are both taking percautions against malaria.

They had to leave after speaking with us for about 45 minutes as they were all leaving the house and going to find the Canadian Embassy. From there, the embassy will give them information and also let them know if there are any potential dangers to them if they stay. So far, they said there was no talk of them being evacuated. We will hopefully hear from them soon.

Alex and Joel were both very positive and encouraging. They want you all to know that they are safe and sound. Please pray for their health and safety. Alex's stomach has been "upside down" since the quake and Joel got the worse of the "bites"...

Please pray for the people of Haiti around them. Their neighbor had something fall on her head and the injury was severe. When they tried to bring her to the hospital, they had to turn back as it was too busy and crowded.

They did go for a drive and Alex said there were corpses lying around covered and uncovered... With so many people in the streets, it made driving very difficult. Everyone is outside... everything is crowded.

This is all I have for right now... I will continue to post any news we get. On behalf of the Kennedy family, thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement. We were truly blessed to be supported by so many during the last couple of days. Thank-you. XO"

Praying for Haiti

Yesterday Haiti was hit by a huge earthquake, 7.0 and their is lots of death and destruction.

Here is a a video (from CBC) on the aftermath of the diaster!


This tragedy touch my heart for many reason. Peoples loss their houses their love ones and more...

But here is a story of my friends.
Maya and her husband and 2 young babies are missionaries at port au prince (where the earthquake hit) Yesterday my friend Alex and another missionaries arrive in Haiti just before the earthquake hit!!!

I hear news that the family and the 2 missionaries are safe and sound and that the house where they are staying is still standing! Praise God

But this morning when I was reading all the update on Alex and reading that she was safe it was like God was saying to me " I keep them safe so I could use them here in Haiti. They are safe to be a light for me and to share my message"

How crazy it is to feel a sense of peace knowing that God keep them safe for a purpose and to use them. Praying for continued safety and that they will let God use them by His strength!

Please pray for the family of those friends who are in Canada, for God to give them peace and pray for the survivors in Haiti that God will give them comfort and peace, also for their immediate needs!

Boy pregnancies vs girls pregnancies

I was reading some old wife tales about pregnancies and the gender of the baby. I was trying to remember if all those tales did applied for the girls.

Most of them did. But this pregnancy seams a bit different. I know that each pregnancy is it's own but I don't remember having those pregnancy headaches with the girls (had a few but not all day long and for weeks at the time)

So the old wife tales said that headaches are a signs of carrying a boy.

So here is my question for you:

"Did you experience more headaches during a boy pregnancy then a girl one???"

I have my theory, boy will give you headaches during pregnancy in preparation for those they will give you later when they grow up hehe!!!!-

PS my feet are definitely colder this time around then with the girls,headaches and cold feet = boy?!

But I want to be pretty!

Here is something that as been on my heart for sometimes now. The topic of modesty!!! Well being a Christian all of you know that this is important to me and I'm sure for all of you sisters in Christ, but this post may offend some ladies. I know two area in many Christian woman's life where modesty sometimes get neglect , wedding and pregnancies!

If you are a still reading this I just want to not point the finger at anybody but only share what God as put on my heart regarding this. If you have some concern or want to email me privately I'll be more them please to talk more about that topic with you.

First I'll start with what the WORLD is putting in our mind that pregnancy should be. we live in a time where our physical appearance is more important then our inner beauty. We see it in magazines, we see the tendency of all the adds trying to tell us that beauty is a size Zero etc...

But did it affected our view of pregnancy? YES it did! See this add and tell me what is the message send over here!



Well your blossoming body should be expose to the world and it is HOT!!!! So pregnancy is HOT, and you should be tempting your brothers in Christ with showing it off!!!!

It is very difficult to find modest pretty maternity clothing. You'll find pieces like these very easily!




But finding cute modest clothes like these bellow are way more difficult to find. (I found those on the web from a store in Turkey ~ mostly Muslin country have more modest clothing then us)


Don't get me wrong, pregnancy is a beautiful thing. I love the new curves on a woman's body but their is a fine line between seeing the curves and showing them and sometimes more off!

Here is a few picture of me during my pregnancies, see that their is no very deep cleaving, legs, arms/shoulders showing off but yet I still find that you are able to tell that I'm pregnant and the beauty of it!





Now for Wedding day, Oh the wedding day! How many bride that were so modest during their single year walk down to meet their husband to be wearing something like this!!!




I found a interesting post on the Gril talk blog about the topic of modesty during formal events and wedding here's the highlight.

"Ladies, please don’t forget to apply these principles of modesty to formal events and weddings. In recent years, I have become increasingly grieved by the immodest dresses of both brides and bridesmaids at the weddings that I officiate. I have observed a number of young ladies in our fellowship who have dressed modestly all their lives appearing on their wedding day in extremely provocative dresses, exposing more of themselves than on any other day of their lives.

I assume the best about what is going on in the hearts of these young women. I don’t think that they went to the wedding dress shop determined to be provocative. No doubt, they just wanted a dress that would be elegant on this day that they have dreamed of all their lives. When a bride and mother set out on their expedition to find a wedding dress, they are, quite naturally, thinking like… women! Unfortunately, there is no one in the shop who is thinking like a man! I’d like to make a radical proposal, girls. Why not take your father with you to the wedding boutique? If that thought is just too much for you (or your Dad!) at least consider taking the dress out on approval and allowing your dad to see it before you make your final purchase.

Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself when shopping for a wedding or bridesmaid’s dress:

Does this dress reflect the fact that a wedding ceremony is a holy service of worship and not a fashion show?

Can I picture myself standing in this dress, for an extended period of time, just a few feet from my pastor as he opens the Word of God and leads me in my solemn vows?"

I love reading what was this father's criteria for his daughters wedding apparel.

Here are some criteria CJ gave to the girls:

1. Find a wedding dress with a neckline that completely conceals any cleavage.
2. Avoid dresses without sufficient covering in the back.
3. Strapless gowns or dresses with only spaghetti straps are revealing and thus do not serve the men in attendance at your wedding.
4. A modest gown should not be excessively tight and draw unnecessary attention to your figure.

I know now you all are wondering what was I wearing on my wedding day! So here is my wedding dress


And my dear sister inlaw made it for me, she did a wonderful job!!!!

With all this said, I just want to remind you all sister that we are call to be modest ALL the time, even is special occasion, or stages of life. Let us dress to honor the God that was serve all the days of our life.

1 Peter 3:3-4
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

16 weeks or 4 months with baby in the belly

 

Picture taken at 15.3 weeks

If you would like to compare the growth of the belly look at this picture taken 2 weeks ago!!! Yap we sure are growing!

We are now in our 4th months, and time is sure flying by so fast. Only 4 more weeks and we will reach the 20 weeks or mid pregnancy.

This trimester is better then the first one but pregnancy aches and pains seams to be sticking to me like crazy glue. Trying to remember that this little life growing inside of me needs me even before he/she is born and all those aches are part of the blessing of time to come.

"Ps for those who notice the Wii box behind me,No we did not get one for Christmas, my parents did and the picture was taken at their place"

Absolutly girly

These girls needs a brother to protect them, don't you think. They are too cute!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also great news, my friend Gen, from A Lily... slowly blooming and her husband Phil Just welcome their first baby to the world. Congrats both of you for the safe arrival of your precious baby boy (name still to be decided)We love you tuns!

Sisterly love

Just because they are so cute together

Happy new year!

How to be content being home

A couple days ago I was having a conversation with a friend and she was talking about "women that are bored in their home or find staying home boring"

I taught it was very interesting and also mind boggling, why? Well since I got married I never had time to get bored. My husband makes sure that I have plenty of things to get me occupied during the day. And our children have mastered the art of keeping me busy!!!

You get the picture, lots of love to give, cleaning to do etc... But what about women who do not have young children to look after. (or a messy husband)What can they do not to get bored. Well this is what I came up with.

Titus 2: 3-5

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."

Well older women who have experience in homemaking and child rearing should be able to share a thing or two. Open your home to those wonderful fountain of knowledge and learn from them.

But what if the women is young and have not yet had any children. This is what would be my advice for her.

Gen 9:1 "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth"

Psalm 127 : 4-5 " Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate."

Psalm 128:3 "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table."

Their are still women who can't have children (infertility)what about them!

Psalm 113: 9 "He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD."

God does give us homemakers plenty of opportunity to be the Highly praise Proverb 31 women. A women with to much time on her hand is more likely to indulge in sin like gossiping or overspending, laziness etc... and yes we are all susceptible to those sin, but while being busy homemakers and doing it to glorify God we are doing exactly what He intended us to do.

We are to be our husband helpmate and a mother to our children, both of those require from us lots of time and commitment. Yes, it is not always easy, we get tired, in pain etc... but knowing that we are doing the Lord's will should be our comfort!

Prov 31: 28 "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her"

Walking the walk

While I was pregnant of the girl I started around the third trimester to walk the penguin walk. For those you have been pregnant before you know what I'm talking about. That walk is usually do to a change of your gravity center and a bit of loos hips.

Last night I was walking the walk, not because my belly is THAT big but because my hips decided to turn into jello on me!

Long story short, I was on my feet about 12 hours, cleaning, cooking, baking etc... and was just wearing slippers (bad move on my part) so by 8 pm I was walking like a injured penguin.


The pain was bad for a couple hours but seams not too bad this morning. (one hip is looser then the other)But I think it's a bit early into the pregnancy to walk the walk. So today I will wear shoes with support and hopefully tonight my hips will not be hurting and not into the jello consistency hehe!

Looking at both the girls pregnancies, I see some similarities but this one is a bit different. My morning sickness seams to happen in wave now (Am very great-full for that) headaches comes and goes and energy level is way higher then the last to pregnancy. Just feel like everything is happening sooner, showing sooner, feeling movement sooner, hips pains are happening sooner, increase of appetite is sooner etc..

To all of you dear readers

I wish you a very Merry Christmas!