Blog – Page 17

The next generation

June 29, 2015trishLeave a comment

Last weekend Britton and Grant’s families came for the weekend. Sunday Britton led us in house church. While we were singing four of my grandsons were sitting on some cushions and singing along with us. Just look how precious they look!

Shortly after I took took this picture they weren’t so cherub! But, as I watched them sitting there and worshipping, I thought about how Neal and I tried to raise our kids to love and serve God. Both of our parents raised Neal and me to believe in God and follow His ways. My grandparents did the same. Now I see my married kids training their children and bringing them up to love the Lord also. I pray that my grandchildren will continue in this pattern.

Psalm 78:6-7 says, “He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them- even the children not yet born- that they in turn might teach their children, so each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.”

What we do today makes a difference in the future. Yesterday I went to the baby dedication for my good friend’s daughter. They also had baptisms. It reminded me of two things. Our time here on earth will come to an end for us all but new life, through the birth of littles ones and the spiritual new birth we are offered through the Lord Jesus Christ, continues the future. Second as the saying goes, it takes a village to raise our children. We need others to stand along side us to bring up our children in the ways of God. That can be parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, etc. We all have people watching us whether we realize it or not! Those who do not have a spiritual heritage can start one with your own family so that future generations may know.

Last year I started “GrammyCamp.” You must be three and potty trained to come! Next week is the time for Lane, Eli and Caleb to come to Grammy Camp 2015. I decided to take this opportunity to help train my grandkids to love and serve God. This year we will be learning Proverns 7:1, “My son, listen to my words and treasure my commands.” We will have a pirate theme with all kinds of activities and even pirate food. (For ideas like I did below, follow my Pinterest board marked Grammy Camp ideas.)

Ahoy matey! Welcome to Grammy Camp 2015 — Ahoy matey!
Welcome to Grammy Camp 2015

“Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.” Deut. 4:9

Who can you pass on what the Lord has done for you today or this week? The legacy can continue on through you or start through you!

On the journey,

Trish

PS My next post will be about how I survived Grammy Camp!

Until death do us part…..

June 8, 2015trishLeave a comment

Yesterday would have been Neal and my 35th wedding anniversary.

I’ve been to three weddings already this year and have two more to go. Even though its been almost three years since Neal is gone, the weddings are still hard. Each one gets a little easier. Someone told me that they are hard because I had a good marriage. I would agree.

Vows in a wedding are not just tradition. Wedding vows are our committment to our spouse that we will remain faithful and legally married to each other to each other until one of them physically dies. Scripture teaches us to not go back on our vows. When you make a vow to the Lord, do whatever you promised Him (Deut. 23:21). From this day forward I promise……….until death do us part. I think some people believe that until death do us part means until the death of a relationship, making it easy to end a relationship.

The marriage covenant helps us understand what God has done, is doing and will do for us. God’s covenant love tells us that He doesn’t give up on us and neither should we give up on our marriage relationship. How can you show your spouse that you love them, respect them, cherish them, serve them? Looking back, I wish I had done more of that to Neal.

Britton shared a story yesterday in his teaching at church of how Neal wouldn’t tolerate the kids disrespecting me. Neal would tell them “You will NOT disrespect my wife that way.” The kids got the message and it made me feel so loved and respected by my husband. “Be considerate as you live with your wife, with respect.” 1 Peter 3:7

Neal was also very considerate. When I was working on my master’s , my program was online except for twice a year I had to go on campus in Minnesota for two weeks at a time, for 3 1/2 years. He encouraged me to do the program knowing I would be gone 4 weeks a year. Britton and Grant were in college, Whitney was in high school and Karsten and Collin were elementary school age. Neal knew that anytime I went away I wanted to come home to a clean house. And sure enough it was! Hard telling what it was like while I was gone but before I would come home Neal and the kids went on a cleaning rampage, even doing laundry!

I would love to still be married to Neal. Loving someone is one of the hardest work there is. But it is so worth the effort. It’s not true love because it’s easy, it’s because we worked at it.

Do something special and unexpected for your spouse today. Here’s an idea that Neal did, write a love note on the mirror with lipstick so that’s the first thing they see when they wake up! Don’t take your spouse for granted. They may be gone tomorrow.

On the journey,

Trish