Let the children come to me... and... Be Mine

Today is Sunday, January 29. This morning I took an anti-nausea pill before we left for church. I guess it's working because I feel pretty good. I did refuse my vitamins today though. Guess that was a little rebellion on my part. I'm just so tired of taking pills. I'll probably take them tomorrow. My rebellion is generally short-lived. :) (By the way, thank you to everyone who gave me tips on fighting nausea. I really appreciate it!)

 

I think I'll save the personal stuff to the end again, so here is the scripture that I chose for today.

Matthew 19:14

"But Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.'" 

Children are very trusting of their authority figures. When they're little, what Mom and Dad say must be true. It would never enter into their heads to think differently. And that's how we're to be with God. What He tells us IS true and it behooves us to listen and obey. (Does that remind you of the old hymn, "Trust and Obey"? It does me!) 

This verse also makes me think about how very important it is to train our children spiritually. This is something that I know I (we) didn't do perfectly. But, really, does anyone get through raising children thinking that they did it perfectly? Surely not. We just do the best we can at the time. But one thing I wish I had done was spend more time consulting with my Heavenly Father on my parenting concerns. After all, He created me. He created my children. Who better to ask for advice?

I plan to start reading the book, "The Power of Praying for Your Adult Child" by Stormie O'Martian, soon. I just bought the full book, but I've had the little prayer book for a couple years (given to me by my sister-in-law. Thanks, Kris!). The book gives you a lot of specific ways to pray for your children. Ways that you might not think of on your own. When my kids were in elementary school I started reading "The Power of a Praying Parent", also by Stormie. And I've read it many times. So useful to me. I guess I find it helpful to be given a little structure in my prayer life. Anyway, you might find those books helpful in your parenting, too. 

 

Here is the third set of cards that I made using one of my go-to sketches.  

SHOW

You can see that this card uses the same formula as I've used the last couple of days. In fact, I use this formula a lot when I'm working with gorgeous patterned paper. And, isn't almost all patterned paper gorgeous? :)

 

 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Heart Prints); cardstock is from PTI (Stampers Select White); patterned paper is from My Minds Eye (fine and dandy: Tickled Pink Delicate) and Basic Grey (Sweet Threads: Spring Tote); ink is Stampin' Up (Regal Rose); also used PTI's heart dies. 

 

So, more photos from our trip to the beach last weekend.

Here are a couple photos from our Saturday morning walk on the beach.

That photo is looking to the right as we got down to the beach. And this next one is looking to the left.

You can see how unpopulated the beach was. Love it!

The high-tide line was always covered with shells and pieces of shells. I picked up one each time we walked on the beach and brought them home with me.

Here is the condo building that we stayed in.

So pretty. Our friends' unit is in the first buiding.

Those pictures were taken in the morning. We went back for another walk in the evening as the sun was going down.

 It's amazing how much seafoam the tide churns up and deposits on the beach.

Looking at the picture, I kind of want to put that foam in my hands to see what it feels like. :)

I have one more set of photos from our beach trip which I'll show you tomorrow. Then I better get crafting, because after tomorrow I'll be fresh out of things to post.

So — that's it for today. Which is now tonight. It's amazing how long it can take me to write a post. It would probably help if I didn't have the TV on for much of the time that I was trying to write. :) Thank you for visiting with me... hope we have a chance to touch base again tomorrow!

Comments

[marybethL.]

Thanks for sharing! I love the cards you make and what a great sketch to use to show off that beautiful paper! Beach trip looks great, how I would love to have a beach to ourselves . Not going to happen here, not often at least. Hope you're feeling better today, Im so sorry ! We did enjoy our dinner the other night, you might not want to even think of food. As far as our children go we do the best and teach them by our example, I think you have that covered. Take care.

[Lee]

Glad you are feeling better. Those beach photos are beautiful. We are going to Cape Town in April...can't wait to spend time on the beach again...it's been quite a while. Love your cards. Such a great design. Big hugs xxx

[Joyce Mehrberg]

Glad you are feeling better. I love your sketch, and will try some of those myself. Your beach is beautiful. Lots of fun seashells to collect. I am ashamed to admit that I live less than 1/4 mile from the Pacific Ocean, and see it almost everytime I drive home, and yet have not gone to our beach in weeks. Boo to me. Hugs from sunny San Diego.

[eleftheria]

I agree 100% with you on this one. Parents should guide their kids spiritualy too. I don t have children yet but i know what i would want my parents to have done. Of course i found my way to the Lord but it would have been much easier and less painful.
I m so happy you re feeling better my Janelle.I love your cards, you should use patterned paper more often!
xxx

[SueB]

My Pastor said Saturday night (we normally go to that service) that as a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, our goal is Heaven for all of our family. But, adult kids can drift and it's then when we realize how important God's promises are. Like Isaiah 55:11. And Matthew 12:31. My son has not walked with the Lord for many years and yet when the rubber meets the road he always calls me for prayers. My prayer for my son is that God will shelter the Word that was planted in his heart as he grew up. I may never see it in my lifetime but my hope is in the Lord.

[Connie F.]

I'm just catching up on your weekend posts. Hope you are feeling much better today and are nausea-free! I appreciate the scriptures you share each post. I love the ocean, walking the and picking up seashells. Your pictures are beautiful - looks like you had a nice, relaxing weekend. And as always, your cards are great. I, too, love the bitty bird set from PTI - I think it is my all time favorite! Thinking of you and sending )))BIG HUGS)))

[Vicky]

That beach looks truly wonderful - as do your cards! That sketch is really working hard but I can see why!

[Kristine Dartnall]

i had to laugh at your comment "i only brought a few crafting suplies" for your weekend at the beach.... you go girl... I can look like I am going for a night or a week.. my luggage will never tell... guess I am just a nester... long to be a grab-n-go... love the cards... marvelous!!! your are so organized this probably is not a problem for you... but let me know if you need help addressing or getting out... love you.