I Love My Husband

I love my husband.  He is such a good man.
He has a continuing desire to always be loyal
to God, me, and his children.
He is faithful and trustworthy.
He is always there to support me, encourage me, defend me,
and correct me where it’s needed.
And I am so thankful that he only has eyes for me!
I am more blessed than I deserve.
I love him more than I could ever express by what I do or say.
He is the perfect man for me
…

even as the imperfect man that he is.

Thoughtful Thursdays

For quite some time now, off and on, I’ve been contemplating different ideas of getting the kids involved in the community and giving them opportunities to be thoughtful.  Among other ideas, I came up with “Thoughtful Thursdays.”  Though it’s likely not original, I really did think it up on my own! haha

So now that I have the idea, I’m now at the point of ready to get started! My goal in practicing thoughtfulness, is for us to create the habit of thoughtfulness.  Now… this is where you come in! I need some ideas in how to go about being thoughtful in a way that will teach the kids sacrificial love and compassion.

For today I’ve decided to help the girls in writing thoughtful notes to someone they care about.  I’d love other ideas though that will encourage us to get out and meet new people!

Thank you in advance for you helpful insight and may you be blessed on this that the Lord has made! xoxo

Update!!

Go check out the latest @ THEWHITTENFAMILY.WORDPRESS.COM!

Sin Interferes with Progress

Doesn’t sin have a consequence that wears heavily on us?!  We lose opportunities to grow, be blessed, and help others.  Instead we place huge obstacles in front of us that cause us and others only to struggle, as well as hurt God again and again.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a blog and this is what God has put on my heart this morning.  I am here because I continue to “lose track” of time.  Here, God has created a world for His children – for us to care for, replenish and fill, and share His truth to those who’ve not yet heard – and I don’t take hold of the authority He’s given me in Christ Jesus over my life.  I allow myself to hold onto temporary emotions that harbor only resentment, bitterness, and in some cases a deep rage that comes out on unsuspecting and innocent bystanders.

I have forgotten that I am stronger than temptation… I’ve been saying for so long that I “can”  and yet I don’t.  I have heard this said from smokers, drunkards, and the like – I “can” stop, I just “choose” not to.  I have found I use this EXACT phrase that has annoyed me to no end in the past.  Ugh.

Here I am to share with you because the struggles shared by others helps me and so I hope this helps you.  How have I allowed myself to neglect the very things that are important.  I haven’t done my devotions or my journaling in a long time.  When I have gotten into the Word, I’ve not allowed it to take it’s deeper place in me but instead have used it temporarily.  I’ve changed slightly over these past months but not as much as I know I would have – and have in the past – had I been in the Word as I should be.

I haven’t taken the time to train my children in areas that I know is important for them as children of God.  I haven’t taken time to play and be silly with them, nor pray and carry their burdens with them.  Even more important than all of that, I haven’t taken time to teach through my actions and through talking of the love of God nearly as often as I should be.

Thankfully God is SO great… and I know I can stop what I’ve been doing and start doing what I’m supposed to be doing – all the time – by faith, with Him.

I go back to remembering that feelings are temporary and truth is eternal… and God’s Word says “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3) As we do this we can be confident in the fact that, “he who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

So I commit to doing as the Lord asks, knowing that He’s promised success.  And I go forth ready for the in’s and out’s of life, standing on this truth – that the work He’s doing in me is good and He’ll carry it on, transforming me to His likeness until the day of Christ!  Praise God!

I pray that you be blessed on this glorious day!  Enjoy Him, get in His Word, and Pray.

21 Days of Training

Due to some things that have come up, our plans for “21 Days of Training” are being slightly delayed. We plan to implement what we can, where and when we can, and will pick a new start date for the commitment at a later date.

Obtained from the message board at the RGT website.

Our Preparation:

• Read Raising Godly Tomatoes by L. Elizabeth Krueger and To Train Up a Child by Michael and Debi Pearl to get in the training mindset.
• Remove everything from the home that doesn’t add to family harmony.
  • Box up all that’s lying around with labels to deal with it later.
  • Box up all but 3 things per child to play with.
• Plan simple meals in advance.
• Tackle all housework in order to keep up with only basic cleaning.

My Goals:

• Learn 100% consistency in dealing with my children’s misbehavior.
• Fall in love with my children
• Regain lost respect
• Basic obedience and a respect for authority

Additionally:

Some additional habits I’d like to create preceding my husbands arrival home are:

• Have dinner ready.
• Freshen up myself and the kids.
• Clear any clutter and dust.
• Minimize noise – being sure the laundry and vacuuming is done.  Also encourage children in a quiet activity.
• Save petitions and in depth conversation for a more appropriate time than when he walks through the door.  Make him comfortable and allow him to relax and unwind.
• Listen to him.  Let him talk about his day.

The ultimate goal in this is: to make our home a place of peace and order, a sanctuary where he can renew himself in body and spirit.

My Responsibilities:

• Smile
• Speak quietly
• Make it enjoyable when possible
• Avoid leaving home
• Play soft classical music
• Go to bed early and rise before the children wake
• BE THE PARENT
• Don’t explain decisions
• Don’t whip with the Word
  • Teach and train with the Word as a part of everyday life.
  • Ask them what the consequence was for them having broken the scriptural principle.
  • Scenario: “You did ___, am I right?” … “The rule is ___.  You know the rule.  For breaking the rule go to the bathroom.”  Administer the spanks.
  • Later in the week talk about principles that relate to the misbehavior as a part of every day Bible study and allow opportunity for the child to connect the lesson with their disobedience.
  • If a child doesn’t know why they are being corrected then I should be teaching – not correcting.
• Meet out the punishment then the session is over – no preaching.
• When giving directions tell them what they can do – not what they can’t do.  This will set them up for success.
  • Say: “Leave that alone” instead of “Don’t touch that.”
  • Say: “Be careful with your drink.” instead of “Don’t spill you’re drink.”
• Allow opportunities for failure: placing “trees of knowledge of good and evil” in their midst in order to give them a healthy respect for what happens when careless.
• Remember: my children are disobedient and disrespectful because I have not done my job.  It is MY responsibility to teach and train them and any areas of disorder are more opportunities to teach and train them.

What I’ll Be Teaching/Training My Children:

• Respond pleasantly and immediately to direction or rebuke.
• Pay attention
• Be responsible and levelheaded
• Be respectful and submissive/obedient
• Pleasantly obey
• Be pleasant and cheerful – no grumbling, whining, moaning, or other bad attitudes.
• No appeals unless being chastised or restricted for something they didn’t do
• No back talk or arguing

The first three days will include intensive training with them by my side at all times.  Then I’ll begin allowing short time periods of them alone for the following two days.  By day seven we hope to be training for proper behavior in day to day life and by the end of the two weeks we should be just reinforcing the new training and including training as a part of normal life if and when it comes up.

Training a new concept:

1. Explain new concept.
2. Practice new concept.
3. Occasionally throughout the day, engineer a practice of new concept.
4. Throughout the week, have another practice session.
5. Work on it at least once per week for 2-3 months so it becomes a habit.

My Schedule For First Two Weeks:

5:00am – Get ready and dress feet.
5:30am – Devotions
6:00am – Make Breakfast and do dishes
6:30am – Wake kids, eat breakfast
7:30am – Clear place, wash hands, brush teeth, get dressed.
8:00am – Exercises: jumping jacks, “simon says,” “yes ma’am,” “STOP.”
8:30am – Play in the room while still playing “yes ma’am,” and “STOP.”
9:30am – Snack time while doing blanket time.
10:00am – Build with legos while playing “yes ma’am,” and “STOP.”
10:30am – Change activity while still playing “yes ma’am,” and “STOP.”
11:00am – Sit at table while I prepare lunch – talking but no getting up.
12:00pm – Eat lunch, clear place, wash hands/face, brush teeth, etc.
1:00pm – Naptime – no talking, no giggling, be silent.
2:00pm – Whomever is awake watch a video until others wake.
3:00pm – Wake kids, eat snack.
3:30pm – Free play while still right with me.
4:00pm – Exercises.
4:30pm – Back to the table while I prepare dinner and do dishes.
5:30pm – Eat dinner, clear place, etc.
6:00pm – Clear clutter, vacuum and finish up laundry
6:45pm – Wash up and get in pj’s and read until Daddy gets home
8:00pm – Bedtime while I sit in doorway – quiet and watchful
8:30pm – Read to those who aren’t asleep yet or read to myself
9:00pm – Prepare for the following day
9:30pm – Bedtime

Week three we will begin going places to observe what additional training is needed and train at home in those areas.

During these 21 days I hope for our home to be full of joy and growth in the Lord.  Constant loving fellowship and soft quiet spirits are our prayer for when we come out at the end of this!  God is good!

Before and After…

BEFORE

AFTER