Proverbs 31 Woman

Archive for the ‘Celebrations’ Category

I remember with great joy a few retreats I went to growing up. It’s a time to get away from the regular schedule and the commitments of life. It’s a time to focus spiritually and also have some recreation. Retreats can last a few hours or a day or 2 or so. We are hosting a day retreat for some tween girls. We went rollerskating at Riverside Arena, went sledding at the local sledding hill, ate good food, read Scripture, wrote down Bible verses and talked about them, wrote to a young lady volunteering in South Africa, prayed, played games, and ate some more.

One place I’d like to retreat to is the Machen Retreat Center in Virginia. I’ve read about it in our denominational magazine; sounds like a great place for a retreat.

Well, time to go.

It’s time to announce an essay contest. The rules are simple:

1. Send a 100 or less word essay titled, “Why I Want to Win the Cello.” The cello is a 1/2 size Nagoya Suzuki , model 40 instrument with a soft case and a bow. Children and adults can enter the contest. (Cello value is $689.)
2. Postmarks accepted until May 20, 2008.

3. Send a SASE and a $10 entrance fee made payable to IX Publishing, Inc., PO Box 2578, Dearborn, MI 48123-2578.
Send cash, check or money order.

4. There must be at least 75 entries otherwise funds will be returned in the SASE you provide.

5. Winning entry will be posted on this site by June 1, 2008. (Cello will only be shipped in the continental USA.)

God is to be praised with the harp, the timbrel, the voice. In everything we are to give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning.

God has used music tremendously in my life and in the life of my family. God has used music to heal broken hearts, to awaken dead hearts, to give many families an overriding purpose. In our family, music has been part of who we are individually and as a family. The Psalms are laden with references to instruments, praising God, recounting His glorious works.

How has God blessed your life with music? Let me know.

The Family Meal Table and Hospitality is a fantastic manual by Nancy Campbell from Above Rubies. This manual is a workbook, too, with spaces to record observations and Bible study notes. Ladies, do you realize the importance of the Family Meal Table? When we sit around the table, we not only feast on food because we are hungry, but we feast on God’s Word together. Recapture the power of the meal table….fellowship together. The days of child rearing our little ones pass quickly (although it doesn’t seem like it sometimes!) If you need some direction in establishing your family’s meal table, consider reading through this manual.

The subheading to the title says, ” ‘What does God have to say about the table in your home? This study guide will tell you. Be prepared to enlarge your vision!’ ”

We are selling the Family Meal Table DVD; if you want a copy, mail us $18 (cash, money order or check) Send payment to IX Publishing, Inc., PO Box 2578, Dearborn, MI 48123-2578. That includes postage and handling. This DVD is life-changing and very encouraging. Allow a few weeks for delivery.

Time marches on. Our children grow up. What do we raise our children for? How do we raise them? We raise them for the glory of the Almighty Lord; He is the One who gave each of our children to us.

So it doesn’t surprise me that one of my children is off on a 6 month missions trip to help at an orphanage in South Africa. Each of my older 4 children has gone on at least one short term missions trip. Places of service have been: Tanzania, Uganda, Mexico, Louisiana (after Hurricane Katrina), the inner city of Chatanooga, and even in our hometown. These opportunities have heightened their awareness of the needs in the world and that the world is much bigger than where we live, go to school, worship, etc.

Going away for 6 months is a very big commitment for a 19 year old. But, it was laid on her heart to get out of her comfort zone and serve the Lord some where for a longer time period. So, she is at TLC near Johannesburg. This ministry seeks to take care of abandoned babies and toddlers. This is putting James 1:27 into action which speaks on pure and undefiled religion is to take care of widows and orphans.

As we train our children to love Jesus and live for Him, as we model His love to others, as we worship and serve in our local churches, we should not be surprised or saddened or ? when our child makes a decision to take a step of faith and put his faith in action. May we be rejoicing, encouraging, and supportive.

Recently I checked the mailbox to see if anything came (the snail mail box) and there sat a large box on the porch! My name was on it!! How excited I was as I opened it and found many items from Above Rubies. I had requested several back issues to give away to young mothers. In addition, I received various books, cd’s, and dvd’s to review on this site. So, be watching for reviews of various materials. The website for Above Rubies is http://www.aboverubies.org. The mission statement on the inside cover of the magazine says, ” Above Rubies is a magazine to encourage women in their high calling as wives, mothers and homemakers. Its purpose is to uphold and strengthen family life and to raise the standard of God’s truth in the nation. The name has been chosen from Proverbs 31:10 AMP, ‘A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far ABOVE RUBIES or pearls.’”

Here are some of the items that will be reviewed in upcoming weeks:

DVD called “Rejuvenate with Serene” – she gives the 1-2-3′s of healthy eating.

DVD and book named “The Family Meal Table and Hospitality” – stress the importance of the meal table. “It will change your family life…”

Gate-Keepers of the Home – How to Guard Your Home – “This manual studies the twelve gates of Jerusalem that Nehemiah rebuilt, relating it to building, repairing and guarding the gates of your home…”

And more!

My husband and I recently learned that we’ll be Grandparents next April!! But, then I was thinking, actually we are already! Little Munchkin (as we all call him or her) is already a person so we are Grandparents already!! It’s funny and interesting some of the comments we’ve received: (My thoughts in response are in parenthesis.)

Already?! They just got married! (Well, you’re right, but God gives His gifts even on honeymoons!)

You’re too young to be Grandparents! (Why, thank-you.)

When is the baby due? (Well, most babies are born at around the 9 month mark!)

Being Grandparents is easier than being Parents. (Who said I want the easy way in life?)

on and on…….

How thankful I was (and my husband) to receive the following note from very good friends yesterday:

“Good times!

Congratulations!

Best Wishes!

Congratulations! We are so happy for you and your family. There is a whole new world waiting for the two of you. God is truly great and His blessings beyond compare. Wishing you both all the best as you anticipate the first child of a new generation….Love.”

Then, tucked into a little pocket was this passage from the Bible: “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with THEIR CHILDREN’s CHILDREN – with those that keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts. Psalm 103:17-18″

How refreshing it was to get that special card!! Children truly are a gift from God!!

We attended OPC Family Camp again. There are Bible Studies for youth and a guest speaker for the adults. Families each take a turn in the kitchen preparing one of the meals. What is it that makes us want to return? The teaching, the focused time we have to talk with other Christians, the opportunities to enjoy God’s creation by canoeing, watching the night sky, swimming, taking walks. While the middle schoolers were discussing the armour of God and memorizing verses from Ephesians, the adults were studying about heaven. In the evenings, we had a hymnsing, progressive campfires, a variety show and a powerpoint of pictures take throughout the week.

A Proverbs 31 woman does not stay home and eat chips and dip all day. In fact, rarely. If ever! She is serving others: her family, friends, people the Lord brings across her path. This week our family is able to host 2 German musicians here on a Blue Lake exchange tour. They are in an orchestra.

We are thankful for such opportunities where we can open our home ( which actually is the Lord’s home!) and share the love of Christ. We provide food, shelter, and opportunities to see what an American family lives like. One of the keys to offering hospitality is to be prepared (with food, a plan, etc.) yet, to be flexible. Since the students arrived last night, already some planned events were canceled (due to instruments still being left behind in Germany) and new events have been lined up. Flexibility is key!

Today, my youngest child and I will play some fiddling tunes at our friend’s 90th birthday! He is a wood carver who has a zest for life! We have friends of all ages. This friend and his wife have reminded us to be thankful for each day the Lord gives, to live life to the fullest, and to keep learning new things. Recently, this friend was given an aquarium with fish to take care of. Also, he and his wife take regular “field trips” (aka outings….and not just to the doctor’s office).

When I wrote the blog entry about swimming, my 11 yr. old asked what that had to do with being a Proverbs 31 woman.

Well, the Proverbs 31 woman girds her loins with strength, she takes care of her health by eating well, exercising, and taking care of herself. “Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.” A Proverbs 31 woman is a woman who fears the Lord; she keeps everything in balance.

This Spring and Summer has been full of weddings! Is it love that makes the world go round or is it Someone Else? Yes, it is the Triune God who is in control. Yes, yes. Anywhoooo, back to weddings. In May, I, a middle aged faun, was a bridesmaid in a wedding. The couple met online and it wasn’t too long before they were engaged then married. They met on a reformed internet info. group. The Lord was glorified as these servants covenanted together to be husband and wife and to serve the Lord together. They even sang a beautiful duet together during the service. There was congegational singing of a psalm, also. My family was able to assist with the congregational singing by playing stringed instruments: guitar, cello, viola, violin. There was a pianist, too.

After that wedding, is was time to prepare for my son’s wedding to his sweetheart. Their courtship lasted 16 months and it was God – glorifying. As mother of the groom, my responsibilities were quite different than being a bridesmaid. And, I did some special things to bond with my daughter in law. Once the engagement happened and was announced (March 30, 2006), I began a special keepsake journal – letters to my (then future) daughter in law. I wrote what my responses were to the engagement, the unfolding wedding plans, the details, the bridesmaids, the colors of the wedding, etc. By writing these letters I was able to process what was happening! My son was getting MARRIED! Wow!

God had blessed him with a godly woman and he was going to become the head of a new covenant home! My husband and I had prayed about the provision of a godly spouse since before his birth. Seeing the answered prayer come to fruition was truly a blessing, a gift from God. (By the way, in case you wondered, the wedding colors were lilac and silver, there were 8 bridesmaids (one being a junior bridesmaid), a flower girl, a ring bearer, 4 musicians playing piano, guitar, flute and violin, Scripture passages were read from Ephesians 5, a fantastic message was given, ……) Oh my!! The message made it clear that the couple not only leaves mother and father and cleaves to eachother, they also become a new entity, a new family.
Planning a rehearsal dinner 11 hours away from where the wedding occurred was not as hard as it sounds. The young couple made an initial list of possible venues. I made several calls to narrow the options to 3. Then, we discovered their first choice venue was going to be closed that night so we went to the next option. We received menus in the mail, chose 3 entrees (a chicken, a fish, and a beef option), planned a program for the rehearsal dinner and made a seating plan. We also had considered preparing food in the church kitchen for the dinner, but it did not seem practical, coming from a distance. So, all in all, the rehearsal dinner went very well.