A prayer for our husbands

I am reading the book, The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. In my quiet time this morning I finished chapter one and it ended with this prayer, which I think is very powerful. Not all of it pertains to me because Evan and I have not really had any hard times in our marriage yet, but I am sure they will come at some point. But I also think it is a great prayer so that some of those hard times are prevented. I wanted to share it with you, especially if you are a wife. There may be certain parts that convict you as some did me. I think as wives we should be praying things along these lines for our husbands:

Lord,
Help me to be a good wife. I fully realize that I do not have what it takes to be one without Your help. Take my selfishness, impatience, and irritability and turn them into kindness, long-suffering, and the willingness to bear all things. Take my old emotional habits, mindsets, automatic reactions, rude assumptions, and self protective stance and make me patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. Take the hardness of my heart and break down the walls with Your battering ram of revelation. Give me a new heart and work in me Your love, peace, joy (Galatians 5:22,23). I am not able to rise above who I am at this moment, Only You can transform me.

Show me where there is sin in my heart, especially with regard to my husband. I confess the times I have been unloving, critical, angry, resentful, disrespectful, or unforgiving towards him. Help me to put aside my hurt, anger, or disappointment I feel and forgive him the way You do-totally and completely, no looking back. Make me a tool of reconciliation, peace, and healing in this marriage. Enable us to communicate well and rescue us from the threshold of separation where the realities of divorce begin.

Make me my husband's helpmate, companion, champion, friend and support. Help me to create a peaceful, restful, safe place for him to come home to. Teach me how to take care of myself and stay attractive to him. Grow me into a creative and confident woman who is rich in mind, soul , and spirit. Make me the kind of woman who he can be proud to say is his wife.

I lay all my expectations at your cross. I release my husband from the burden of fulfilling me in areas where I should be looking to You. Help me to accept him the way he is and not try to change him. I realize that in some ways he may never change, but at the same time, I release him to change in ways I never thought he could. I leave any changing that needs to be done in Your hands, fully accepting that neither of us is perfect and never will be. Only You, Lord, are perfect and I look to You to perfect us.

Teach me how to pray for my husband and make my prayers a true language of love. Where love has died, create a new love between us. Show me what unconditional love really is and how to communicate it in a way that he clearly perceives. Bring unity between us so that we can be in agreement about everything (Amos 3:3). May the God of patience and comfort grant us to be like-minded towards one another, according to Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5). Make us a team, not pursuing separate, competitive, or independent lives, but working together, over looking each other's faults and weaknesses for the greater good of our marriage. Help us to pursue the things for peace and the things by which one may edify another (Romans 14:19). May we be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement." (1 Corinthians 1:10)

I pray that our commitment to You and to one another will grow stronger and more passionate every day. Enable him to be the head of the home as You made him to be, and show me how to support and respect him as he rises to that place of leadership. Help me to understand his dreams and see things from his perspective. Reveal to me what he wants and needs and show me potential problems before they arise. Breathe Your life into this marriage.

Make me a new person, Lord. Give me fresh perspective, a positive outlook, and a renewed relationship with the man You've given me. Help me to see him with new eyes, new appreciation, new love, new compassion, and new acceptance. Give my husband a new wife, and let it be me.-Amen

Bowling

Our field trip this week was bowling. It was nice because my dad came with us. We had a great time together. The bowling alley has great deals for kids in the summer in the day hours. It was only $6 for Daniel to play 2 games and get shoes. But boy did it get busy with kids as the time went on. It was as if you had to watch your step when you went up to bowl so you didn't step on them. They would just run up out of nowhere.

My favorite line of the day was when my dad had ordered a cheeseburger from the bowling alley (now you know that bowling alley food is top of the line). He had a few bites and then it was his turn to bowl. He didn't do as good as he had claimed he was going to on this particular bowl. He came back with as serious of a look as you can have and said " That's because I can't stop thinking of this cheeseburger!" If you know my dad...he wasn't lying! But I found that hysterical and had a good ab workout as I laughed.

None of us were great at this bowling thing as you can see from the scores...yes I took pictures so I could relish in my victory of the 1st game in beating my dad. However, the 2nd game I am embarrassed to post...but I will because Daniel got much better and I was very proud of him (check out the difference from the 1st game to the second)! I can't believe we tied. Well, nothing like some good ol' family time at the bowling alley! Oh by the way...maybe some of you can help me answer this question. Who when they are building the bowling alley goes.." Oh yea, lets go with the under the sea backdrop where it repeats the pattern every 10 lanes with a giant sea turtle!" I'm just curious!

Check out that Turkey (3 strikes in a row) ..yep that would be under ANG!!!

Daniel got his 1st strike. he was very excited....it was all because I taught him my mad skills! You can kind of see it on the screen.

Our 2nd game. Yikes...not so good! Daniel and I got 85 and Dad got 90...no one broke 100! Ouch!

Dad claimed that he was the 'Special Man' when it came to pin ball.We're very scary.....

Cooking lesson #2

Yesterday we had our 2nd cooking lesson at Camp Dangie. The kids made Junior Wellington's. A beef Wellington is usually a filet wrapped in a puff pastry. But we made it with a hamburger wrapped in a puff pastry with cheese. I have to say that it was AMAZING! I got it out of an Emril's kids cookbook. The boys did a great job making them. This is a great family meal and could be great if you make it a family cooking night where everyone takes part in making it. This is going into my recipe book for good! Yummy....the more I think about it...I want one right now!

I know he looks like he doesn't want it...but he already had lunch. It was delicious!

Family Day in the Park

On Sunday our church, Cross Roads, in Hammond hosted Family Day in the Park. It was lots of fun, especially for the kids. Here are some pictures from it. I can't believe how big Soryn is getting and I love the hat!

Read it!

So today was wonderful! I was able to get so much reading done and it felt GREAT! I finished the book Wild at Heart by John Eldredge today. I strongly recommend this book. It is written for men and I think every woman should get it for her husband. Evan read it and I know it lit a fire within him. But, I decided to read it and get an inside peak into a man's soul. It was very eye-opening to me and helped me to realize things that I need to change in the way I treat and talk to my husband. I think it is also great to understand children (boys). It was an easy read and very enjoyable. It's like you are learning their secrets and inmost desires. Get it and read it....but make your husband read it also.

There is also a woman's version that his wife Stasi Eldredge wrote called Captivating which is amazing as well. I also strongly recommend all women reading that book and then passing it on to your man so that he can get a clue as to what women really want and how they long to be sought after. It's just great to be able to see the other side and how they think and what God ingrained in their hearts. I find it amazing that God made men and women so different but we fit together perfectly. It's a great idea for you each to start out with the gender specific one to you and then swap and discuss what you read. Your eyes may be opened to a whole new world. Happy Reading!

Reading and Relaxing

Today I happen to be home alone. I need times alone though and I have to say I am a little excited. Not because Daniel is not here, but because I get to spend a few hours in the coffee shop READING! I have been looking forward to it all week! I have so many books that I am either reading right now or want to read. So on today's agenda I will be reading: My Bible, Wild at Heart, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and hopefully starting the Nicolas Sparks book: At First Sight.....yea I have to throw a little romance in the mix (not the trashy kind though). A hot chai with milk frothed on top..mmmmm...I can't wait! Thank you God for times when I can just sit, relax and dive into a book! This is going to be a great day.

Gratitude

We have been working on getting approved for a loan on a house. You see our goal is by Thanksgiving...well really my goal was by this summer. After talking with the mortgage lender we found out that we are approved for the amount we were asking for, but then she started talking about how much we will need down and closing costs and all that fun stuff. After that happened, I was completely discouraged. We just don't have that money right now and it seems like it will take a lifetime to save it on our budget. So, when Evan told me, of course I was frustrated and distraught thinking..."we'll never get into a house."

Of course my husband being Mr. Positive always has a way of knocking me off of my high horse..in a good way. He always reminds me how blessed we are. We live in an adorable apartment and have way more than so many people in this world. God has provided for us above and beyond what we "need." I hate when he is right, but he is. I know I need him for that at times and I am thankful he has that outlook.

So, I started to think about it, and as I look around my little apartment I realize how blessed we are and that I have NO reason to complain or grumble when "my plan" doesn't pan out to my liking. The truth of the matter is....God has never let me down. He has always provided for me even in hard times of my life. This isn't even a HARD time, it's just one in which I need to re-prioritize and realize that a nice house is not a NEED....it's a want. If I had to stay in this apartment the rest of my life, I would be blessed to do so.

I am reminded of these scriptures:

Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

Matthew 6:25-34
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God has NEVER failed me or not provided for my Needs. How amazing that is and yet sometimes this world gets hold of me and I think "I need more." Our flesh is so selfish and many times without gratitude to our AMAZING SAVIOR.

This morning in my car I was listening to Nichole Nordeman and really focusing on the words of this song (watch the video below and listen to the words). It reminded me that I have so much to be grateful for even when what I want is not tended to in my timing or sometimes at all.

Lord, please help me to be thankful and filled with gratitude daily. For YOU have provided for all of my needs and have never once failed me or left me. Help my mind, heart and spirit be of YOU and not of the things of this world. Help me to realize that having more "stuff" or better "stuff" will not make me who I am. YOU make me who I am and I pray that I will daily dwell on that. Thank you Father for being my PROVIDER!

Father's Day Fun

I had the fam over for Father's Day today.I made chicken enchiladas, mexican rice, corn and homemade M&M cookies. We all sat and had lunch together then played Singstar, catchphrase, and ImagineIf, which is amazing because my dad hates board games. But, he actually enjoyed them. I'd have to say this was a great day. We all really enjoyed each other's company and had some yummy food with lots of fun. I love it when my family gets to spend time together. Happy Father's Day Dad! Here are some pics to re-cap the day and a video of Daniel and Dad's singing debut on Singstar!

She looks cute in that apron!

Nothing like extra cheesy chicken enchiliadasHe looks good with a kid....

Dad liked his clothes!

Jaimie and Cullen rock it out on Singstar

Dad and his "chirens" ---we miss you Dayne

Group shot: Audrey was not into it!

She made up for it here.

Gingham, lace and polka dots

My Maw Maw and I spent the day together tackling the sewing machine. There is a lot to learn, I have discovered and I won't learn it all in a day. It was a great time to bond with my grandma though, and I love our finished product. I think I am going to start saving for a nice sewing machine. The one my mother-in law gave me does the job but the motor sings a hum of it's many years at work. But momma you were more than awesome for passing it down and I am very appreciative. I will get my use out of it.
I told you that I would post a picture of the finished product of my 1st vintage/funky fresh apron....so here it is. I realized that I will need to buy thicker fabric and learned some do's and don'ts. But overall I think it turned out precious! I might actually monogram it at the top in hot pink to match the bows and ribbon. Either way, I think this apron will always be special to me because my Maw Maw and I worked at it together. So, what do you think?


The white is eyelit lace and the ribbon has white polka dots on it. It is hard to make it out in the picture, but the material is white and green gingham. It's so adorable in person.

1st Cooking Lesson

Yesterday was our 1st official cooking lesson at Camp Dangie. I decided to teach the kids how to make homemade personal pizzas, since pizza is a favorite of all teens. They really enjoyed it. They said the best part was playing with the dough. The boys got to wear the aprons they had decorated. I had fun teaching them how to do it. Overall the pizzas came out pretty good....the crust tasted like homemade biscuits...very filling! I was very proud of them, they did an excellent job for never having done this before. Watch out Top Chef!

Sew Cool

This was my great grandmother's apron. I love how vintage it is. I have always had an obsession with aprons. There is just something about them that makes me feel so domesticated and fun. It makes me want to stay in the kitchen and fill it with wonderful aromas of homemade pies and bread and take me back to a time when life seemed to move at a slower pace. I think I could stay in a cute apron all day! That may just be the desire to be a mom/house wife coming out in me. After all, the wedding gift I wanted the most was one I designed in my head (A pink and white gingham apron with eyelit lace at the top and bottom and monogrammed with Mrs. McGinty). Needless to say...I didn't get it.

Anyway, I have always wanted to learn how to sew. I think it is a talent and hobby that has become lost in today's society. My mom and grandmother used to make us clothes on their sewing machines and I always wanted to be able to do that for my kids. So, I asked Evan if I could have a sewing machine, but of course the one I want is like $400. Instead, his mom, very kindly passed hers on to me. I am so thrilled!

So, I decided to combine my love for cool aprons, food and hopefully my new skill of sewing. My Maw Maw is going to teach me on Saturday how to sew. I plan on making a bunch of different vintage/retro style aprons and possibly even start selling them (depending on what they look like.) I think I will even make that apron I have longed for since I got engaged.

So, as of Saturday, the fabric in the picture below will turn into a really cool apron (I hope). I will post a pic of it when I am done and you can give me your opinion. You have no idea how excited I am about this!

Zephyr's Game

Today for our weekly field trip I took Daniel and our sister Jaimie to the New Orleans Zephyr's Game. None of us are really baseball fans, but the atmosphere is always fun. We had amazing seats...probably because no one watches the Zephyrs. We were in the 3rd row right behind home plate. The game was not so good...7 to 2 (we lost) but it was fun hanging out with Jaimie and Daniel. Jaimie normally has the baby, but it was nice to have her with us. We were disappointed with Danny because they asked him to go out on the field to play a game with Boudreaux the Nutria Rat to win a prize and he refused. They had picked him out of the audience..and he said "please don't make me do it." Of course Jaimie and I ragged him for it. It was a great day with my siblings...just wish Dayne could have been there with us to join in the fun.