Things I Learn From Being Their Mom

Chickens, Borneo, and How God Uses Social Media for His Glory

January 19, 2012 By stacey 20 Comments

She must have been chattering to me for 5 minutes or so. I was a bit distracted, but I could have sworn I heard her say “Borneo” and something about chickens.

“Mommy!” She exclaimed louder than before. “I want to give my birthday present for Jesus to Borneo.”

What? Did my five year old just say Borneo?

“Okay honey, let’s see what we can do.” I said while Googling where in the world Borneo was located.

{FYI. Indonesia. Borneo is located in Indonesia.}

“How perfect is that, sweetie. Mommy has a friend named Joy who lives in Indonesia. I will send her an email and ask her how close she lives to Borneo.” I informed my determined girl.

And here in this every day kitchen conversation with my 5 year old, God amazed me with how He works.

Guess where Joy lives….

Borneo. Joy lives in Borneo. My five year old was not surprised. She knew God was in this.

I was able to connect with my friend Joy – who happens to live in Borneo, Indonesia - in a matter of seconds through email. I explained our tradition of giving our girls $30 on Christmas Eve to buy a gift for Jesus. I told her my five year old would like to give a gift for Borneo. She replies with a couple of choices for my girl. We discuss. My five year old chooses. I cry. I know Jesus will love His birthday gift of chickens for Borneo.

See, I’ve said before that God is all over his Social Media thing. I met Joy through her blog and we connect every week on Twitter. We chat on Facebook and email back and forth. I met her in real life at Relevant (Isn’t she cute?) She truly is my sister in the Lord (Remember her amazing Grace Story?) And this week, God is using her to show my five year old, when you listen to God stir your heart, He will show you great and mighty things.

Do you want to know the rest of the story? Trust me, you do. It is even better than the beginning. You can read it over at Joy’s blog called The Grace Full Mama right now!

Filed Under: Connect, Encourage, Parenting, Things I Learn From Being Their Mom

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She Plays Grace

May 10, 2011 By stacey 5 Comments

She plays grace…

Long fingers, like her daddy, placed on white and black keys. She’s pausing and thinking how it goes. It is unnatural for her to find the notes. But then in the midst of the learning, the tune emerges. Soon, it will flow from heart to hand and she won’t have to over think it. I’ll be in the kitchen doing dishes and grace amazing will search me out and find me.

I, too, am learning the notes of grace. I’m pausing and over thinking how it goes. But as I’m searching for the notes, grace is singing in my heart and searching me out. Maybe, some day soon, my head will let my heart lead the way.

Filed Under: Grace, Grow, Things I Learn From Being Their Mom

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Learning the art of slowing down {Giveaway}

March 18, 2011 By stacey

I could stay busy all day long. My kids can become something I have to do, instead of a relationship I have the blessing to build. One thing I have found, to slow down the busy in our home, is reading books aloud to them. It pulls my heart into the moment. And if I’m lucky, I get a hug and they share their snacks with me.

Some books I read because they love them. Others I read because they have stood the test of time. Still some, have language that hangs int he air and delights our hearts. For my littlest book lover, I frequently reach for Margaret Wise Brown. She is a classic in every way. I think I can quote Goodnight Moon by heart. Many times, when I’m reading this to her before nap, my other girls come running. They know it, and they love the slow down, too.

Recently I found this book, also by Margaret Wise Brown:

The story behind this book is as beautiful as the book itself:

The Moon Shines Down is being published for the first time 56 years after the death of the beloved children’s author Margaret Wise Brown.

Amazingly, this unpublished manuscript lay incomplete and forgotten in a cedar trunk in a Vermont barn. When it was discovered, the onionskin paper had yellowed and the paperclips that held the pages together had rusted. Children’s book publisher, Laura Minchew, a longtime fan of Brown, took on the challenge to complete the work.

Based on the New England Sampler prayer, “God Bless the Moon and God Bless Me,” this soon-to-be bedtime classic is a prayer for God’s blessing on all the world’s children.

Are you in need of a slow down too? Do you have a little one you would like to pull into your lap to read to today? Well, the kind book lovers at Tommy Nelson would like to share a copy of this soon to be treasure with you. The Moon Shines Down is perfect for little people. Or big people who enjoy a quiet moment with an old friend.

I will pick one lucky person who leaves a comment to win a copy of this book. All you have to do, is share your favorite book to read aloud to your kids. Feel free to fill up Facebook and Twitter with news of this book release as well. For each action you take, be sure to leave a comment. I’ll close comments on Sunday and announce the winner next week. So comment, share, read, enjoy!

***Special thanks to Tommy Nelson for sponsoring this giveaway and providing me with a review copy of this new family favorite.

Filed Under: Giveaway, Parenting, Things I Learn From Being Their Mom, Tommy Mommy

Learning about engagement and not hiding from my kids.

March 3, 2011 By stacey 20 Comments

I have a confession.

I hide from my kids.

I hide in the bathroom.

I hide in the laundry room.

And sometimes, I hide when they are standing right in front of me. True story.

In my defense, there are 4 of them, they are all girls, and with me, most days, 24/7.

Some would say I have good reason to hide, and often.

But, I heard a word last night at a meeting for my homeschooling group that rocked my world. The word was engagement.

It means the act of engaging {which means to occupy the attention or efforts of (a person or persons}: (dictionary.com)

I had to ask myself, “Am I spending more time hiding than I am engaging them? Do I let them occupy my attention, easily? Or am I somewhere else living another life? “

I forget sometimes, that engagement does not always mean deep, serious, life changing conversation. Most times, they simply want to tell me funny joke, ask me a question, or tattle on their sister.

I’m still working on the answers to those questions, while hiding in my bedroom writing this post.

{Sigh} I am learning so much, being their mom. I’m pondering this thought in my heart today:

My engagement in the moment communicates their worth.

Filed Under: Parenting, Things I Learn From Being Their Mom

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Things I Learn From Being Their Mom…

February 24, 2011 By stacey 9 Comments

She has been planning this play date for weeks. It is no wonder she is up before the sun talking fast and packing her bags. How she will wait the last few hours until it starts, I’m not sure. Her giddiness is contagious.

She is the 2nd of four girls and selectively social. Some call that shy. If she likes you, she really likes you. In her short 8 years she has had a couple of besties. Both of them had to move. So I have been praying for God to send a new friend. One that will stay and grow in Christ with her. He, has faithfully and quickly answered my prayer. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Today, they will unpack her 2 overstuffed bags, play with stuffed animals, Legos, and trade their marbles. They’ll drink Koolaid, eat cookies, and their hearts will promise to be true forever. She will come home more excited then when she left, and begging for the next play date.

Lessons are everywhere, and as their mom I have the chance to learn daily. As I watch this friendship dance unfold I tuck this truth in my heart:

Friendships take time, planning, and a willingness to unpack your heart with the hope it will be received and cherished. Oh, and sharing a snack only makes it sweeter.