Advice for Moms (Evening CL Mtg 2/12/13)

We received a little reminder that there is a MealTrain for one Hollie Reece. You can log on to the MealTrain website and find her name and if your schedule allows, sign up to take a meal to her and her family.
  
Melissa B. shared a personal devotion about the impact Lysa TerKeurst’s latest book titled, Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions, has had on her. You can purchase little key tags with a handful of key statements from the book. Some of those statements are:

• "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it's still a pretty good day."
• "The one who holds the tongue, holds the power."
• "My feelings are indicators, not dictators."
• "Am I trying to prove that I am right, or improve the relationship?"

First Peter is referenced in the book regarding the idea that Simon (meaning “shifty”) is being chiseled or molded by God to become Peter (meaning “Rock”). We are all in need of God's chiseling, aren't we? Thank you Lord!
    
FYI, Lysa TerKeurst will be at Central Christian April 26-27th for the Women of Faith event.
     
Deb Rockoff was our guest speaker this month and she shared some of her wisdom with us regarding parenting, discipline and the time we have in our lives. She is the coordinator at Loving Arms Childcare Center at the Lutheran church near 13th & Ridge. Here are a handful of great thoughts and ideas.

1. As mothers we suffer from “FOMO” – Fear Of Missing Out. So we say "no" too little and find almost no room in our lives for God; for what's most important; for the little interruptions God would like us to notice - if only we weren't trying to do everything and be everywhere. "God first, family second and everything else falls into place." Deb thought that quote came from Mary Kay.
2. "Discipline is a different kind of love. No less important."
3. "We feel indispensable at work when we are actually indispensable at home."
4. Deb said it's easy for her to have quiet time now that her son is grown and off to college. But she sure wished she would have made it a priority when he was young and she was busy raising him up. Even 20 minutes a day can make a huge difference in our lives.
5. Deb also spoke about margin and having empty space in our schedules, so that we live less hurried lives. She illustrated this point by showing us a blank page with margins and the importance of not writing out to the edge of the page, but respecting the margins.  It is the same in our lives… if we fill up the blank spaces we make no time for God, us, or emergencies that come our way.

Here's the short list of books she recommended:
The Five Love Languages (children’s) by Gary Chapman; Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Becky Bailey; It’s Your Kid, not a Gerbil by Kevin Leman; and any book by Jon Gordon.
   
We broke off into our small groups and continued with great discussions and words of encouragement. What a blessing to know other moms who struggle with some of the same issues, strive to be great moms and wives, and pray for each other. If you'd like a copy of the handouts Deb shared with us, just ask.
   
DATES TO REMEMBER:
February 26, 2013 – Coffee/Chocolates at Cocoa Dolce – 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – no childcare.Girls! You know I am NOT going to miss this one!
March 12, 2013 – Communication Between Daycare, School and Children
March 26, 2013 – Dinner/Coffee/ Dessert at Panera (New Market Square) – no childcare
   
Your Evening Carelink Blogger (ECB) – Kendra R.