Word-filled Wednesday

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; 

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there were none of them."

Psalm 139:16

What I would have said.

She was a woman who was fearfully and wonderfully made.  Her Creator knew every hair on her head.

He has loved her with a love that goes beyond all measures.  

He had a plan for her life and so many times when we face loss of someone young, we struggle to understand all the, "whys".  I don't have all the answers, but I do know that as we wrestle to understand and make our way through this life, the same Creator that had a plan for her has one for us.  We are put together by no mistake.  We are divinely set in families and friend relationships with great care.  Becki's life has left fingerprints all over each of our lives.

It's likely we will continue to wrestle with the whys, but I know that with each turn of restlessness and each tear that falls we can trust the one who sees it all.  

"When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:16-17

"You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle.  Are they not in your book?"

Psalm 56:8

Blessings, Connie

Moody Monday: Teen Tip

Yes, that is me with my 2 teens and pre-teen.  And yes, we are all smiling!

A friend and I were talking, "blog talk" and I was sharing how I wish this technology

was around when I was parenting my babies and toddlers.  I went on to say how darling

some of the blogs are that I go to and I think it is because their kiddos are so darn cute.

She encouraged me that I should share about being a mom to teens.  So that is 

how I arrived at Moody Mondays!  My goal is to share one simple tip weekly

on what we have done or do, to encourage, enjoy, and train our teens.

Today's tip:  A lot of the work is done when they are young.  Troy and I had a plan.

We set a vision for what kind of people we wanted our kids to be and tried to be 

creative in the things we did to get them there.  (I am talking about character, not personality.  We love the people they are.)  Example:  We always expected 1st time obedience.

When they didn't obey us the 1st time, there were consequences.  We tried to be very consistent in this area and when we weren't we would apologize to them and start over making clear our expectations of them.  I know some would say that, that is not realistic to expect them to obey the very 1st time and for a time they did really struggle with it, but learned quickly.

In the midst of the consequences we would always remind them that we loved them and 

that we were doing this for their good.  We told them that we are the parents God has given them and 

that they can trust us even though they may not like the consequences they were receiving.  Then 

if they would give us some push back we would ask them, "You know we love you right?", "You know we 

always do what we think is best for you, right?", and "You know that you can trust us, right?".  And we would hash through it with them until they would soften towards us in the midst of discipline.

Guess what.  They still believe that about us today, in the middle of their teen years.

We have not always done things right, but in this area, I am thankful for the endurance of those early 

years of training, because we are reaping some of that fruit now, by God's grace.  

That's the tip.  

Train them while they are young about your great love for them in the middle of discipline.  

Blessings, Connie

Word-filled Wednesday

"He disarmed the rulers and authorities and 

put them to open shame by triumphing over them in Him."

Colossians 2:13-15

This was the work on a building we saw in Brussels, Belgium.

We stood in the middle of the city center and it was overwhelming

how small I felt.  I thought this verse fit appropriately and 

today I am needing this reminder.

Simple Woman's Daybook

                                           

FOR TODAY: February 15, 2012

Outside my window...sun setting.

I am thinking...I really enjoy being a volleyball coach.

I am thankful...for words.  (I know that sounds strange, but I am!)

In the kitchen...pumpkin bars that will be devoured by teenage boys.

I am wearing...once again, my gym clothes.  I am pathetic!

I am creating...volleyball drills in my mind.

I am going...to make dinner very soon.

I am wondering...how fast I can run 1 mile.

I am reading...a book on Volleyball fundamentals.

I am hoping...to still get to the gym today.

I am looking forward to...Moms and more.

I am learning...to be joyful as I serve my family. 

Around the house...yikes, lets not go there.

I am pondering....how I will be presenting the gospel tomorrow.

A favorite quote for today..."suaviter in modo, fortiter in re"

"gentle in manner, strong in deed"~Dwight D. Eisenhower

One of my favorite things...good sugary coffee from Aspen, Yummy.

Chocolate covered Strawberry Mocha~delicious 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Iron my man's shirts, coffee with my sweet friend, and my favorite MC friends are coming over.

A peek into my day...uhhhh, it is almost over.  No need to peek here.

Through the lens.......a sweet crisp sunrise for the villagers who take up residents on our lake for this short time.

If you would like to participate with your own daybook or 

simply read others

please visit Peggy at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

                        Blessings, Connie

Word Filled Wednesday

"Love is patient, Love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,

it is not proud.  It is not rude,

it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but, 

rejoices with truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,

always preservers."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I was reading in my study this week that, the word patient, 

can actually translate to mean a great suffering, or enduring suffering.

That is exactly what being patient is for me most of the time; suffering.

Might I remember that the next time I have to, 

wait for someone I love, love is patient

travel behind a slow driver, love is patient, 

wait for a treadmill to open love is patient, 

listen to teens argue, love is patient,  

submit to my husbands leading, love is patient.

Being patient is showing love, and the suffering I am enduring is 

making me look more like Christ himself.  Simply said, 

"True Love is a servant, who thinks of others and their needs before their own."

Blessings, Connie

Happy Valentines Day

There is no one else in the whole wide world that I would rather call my Valentine!

That's right, you can line up all the men in the whole world and I would still chose him.

I love to be the one who is called Mrs. Troy Hoehne.  I love that no one else gets that title.

This man of mine, makes me laugh and smile like no other.  

He brings out the very best in me. (and the worst at times:)

I love him so much that sometimes it feels as if my heart will burst.

I cherish and adore him.  I long to grow old with him.

He protects and provides for me.  He is upright and righteous.  He is a man of character and strength.

He is fearfully and wonderfully made and his "manscape" is like no other!

My heart still gets butterflies when our eyes meet from across the room.

Best of all, I love us together.

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines day with the one who holds the key to your heart.

If you have any creative ideas how to make your beloved feel loved and special, be sure to leave me a comment.  I always love to hear from you!

Blessings, Connie

Word Filled Wednesday

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."

Psalm 127:3-5

As I sought out a photo to use today, I am overwhelmed by the blessing to be a mother.

No longer do my kiddos look so small, but oh how I remember, as if it were yesterday.

I tend to romanticize those tough years, but I wouldn't trade a minute of them.

They have truly been our reward and will be our legacy and I couldn't be more proud.