The World of "Mother"

As a mom, it is hard to explain the emotion of knowing that YOUR baby girl is in labor and about to give birth. You want to do something... and there is absolutely nothing you can do. Nope, she has to walk this road... on her own.

When we arrived in VA - we were able to go back to the room and visit for just a minute. Our first born baby girl was in labor. Her hands were shaking from the meds - and I could hardly contain the emotion. But I did. As I said, I just wanted to do SOMETHING. So, I prayed. And went back to the waiting room. And continued to pray. And went to sleep curled up on a small chair. And prayed. And waited.

She did so well - of course! You can read her story here.

It is the beginning of motherhood. The beginning of being able and willing to give your life for your child. The beginning of sacrifice. The beginning of a love that is incomprehensible and unexplainable and unending.

And for the Mom of the new Mom - it is certainly another "No Greater Joy" moment..

Welcome, my Julia, to the world of "Mother".








(P.S. - there will be pics of our Baby Josiah coming soon!)

A "No Greater Joy" Moment...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 33 I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from I John 5; II John; III John; Psalms 120-125; Proverbs 25; and John 1.

One of my favorite verses... as seen by the title of my blog... is III John 1:4.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

I have a previous blog that talks about all of my children here. The other "no greater joy moments" posts are here.

Today I want to tell you about the most recent:

My son-in-love, Andy has just been selected as a deacon at our church. I am so proud of him. I have watched him grow in the Lord. I have seen him serve our church diligently. I have observed him as a daddy to our grandbabies and as a husband to my precious baby daughter. (BTW - their 6th anniversary was this past Sunday)

And I have NO GREATER JOY than to see our Andy walk in truth.

...Brings joy to this momma-in-law's heart.

I took a picture as some of the deacon's of our church were praying over the three who were ordained. What a blessing!

***(Alan and Bill - I am so proud of you too)***

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Cardboard Ministry

We had a Disciple Now weekend at our church this weekend. It was good for our teens... and expect to hear even more in the days and weeks ahead.


It was good for me too... in that my Julia and Ronnie came here from VA to help with it - so this mom was able to have all the fam in the same city for this weekend. We did not get to spend much time with them - because they were with the kids... but that is completely ok. Loved seeing them for a short while - and also loved knowing that they were ministering to our kids. That is a "No Greater Joy Moment".


But mainly this post is about the end of the service today at our church. We finished the service with a song by the Youth Praise Team (which was AWESOME)... and any who wanted to participate in the Cardboard Ministry.


It is a visual of where you have been - and what God has done in your life.


It was amazing....


I am going to share a few pics today... and when we get the video, I plan to show it to you too. But just to be honest... I did not want to wait on it. I WILL share it with you when I get it.


You can go to You Tube and see examples of others who have done so... but I must say it was so moving to have OUR people... share. I dare say there was not a dry eye in the house. People broke out in applause... and tears.


In the audience... and on the stage. Tears of Joy. Tears of relief. Tears of Praise. Probably tears of relating... Applause of support and love and acceptance!


I praise the Lord for His Sweet Spirit and the freedom in our church for Him to move.


Praise the Lord for people willing to share by the word of their testimony.


Overcomers.... by the Blood of the Lamb!!!


























P.S. Just found out that Michelle and Tricia have posted blogs about today also. Visit with them too! I will add links to others if more are posted. You can tell we all were blessed!

WFW # 11 Coming Home

3) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

4) always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

8) For God is my witness,

how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9) And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,

with knowledge and all discernment,

10) so that you may approve what is excellent,

and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

11) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ,

to the glory and praise of God.

Julia and Ronnie are coming home....

It has been since the wedding in August since I have SEEN them.

That is entirely toooooooooooo long for this mom.

I can hardly wait!

The closer it gets, the more excited I get.

Cooking, Cleaning, and going to Edgars Bakery :)

All of my Chicks will be here in my nest for a little while.

Joy- pure Joy for this mom.

(for more WFW's visit with 160AcreWoods)

Peace...

Can I just tell you how much I love my new daughter-in-love. I hope I don’t embarrass her but I just had to share.

I had to go by their home one day last week, to sign some papers. Of course, it is beautiful. She has done a wonderful job of decorating. But, that is not what I came away with. I called Hal on the way home – in tears. “All I can say to describe it – is in one word – PEACE.” There was peace in their home. It is filled with love and peace.

For this mom, and new mother-in-law, I was blessed. What a joy. What a blessing. What an answer to prayer. Many prayers.

Thank you, Brantley. You are a treasure. Jonathan calls you his little puzzle piece – and I agree – You complete him. And it shows. It is evident in your lives together and it is evident in your home. PEACE. Completeness. Unity. Joy.

It truly was a “No Greater Joy” moment.

WW # 10 Grandbabies are GRAND

No Greater Joy

The Apostle John says in III John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Somedays you just have those "No Greater Joy" Moments. That is what I am feeling today.

Joy just watching Julia grow in the new role that God has given her as a wife to Ronnie. Seeing her display His image and reflect His glory in her home, through her work at church, in the words that she so beautifully writes on her blog and encourages us all in our walk with our Lord. Pure Joy for this MOM.

Joy as I read Jonathan's blogs and see what God is doing in his life on the other side of the world. Knowing that he is in our Lord's hands - and growing. Learning. Becoming the Man that God wants him to be. And he is stretching us all to think about our own lives and where we are in our journey. Joy unspeakable for this MOM.

Joy as I watch my Jenifer as a wife to Andy, mom to our precious Aubrey, and working so diligently at our church. She is bringing Glory to our Lord by her life. She is fun (as always) and growing in each of these roles so beautifully. She keeps me on track:) So Much Joy for this MOM.

Joy Joy Joy - more than I could have imagined - for God giving us Andy, Ronnie and Brantley. You are who I have prayed for all these years - and are treasures to this MOM. Your lives bring honor to our Lord and You are Joy to me! You bring Joy to me!

Abundant Joy even at her young age, as Aubrey chooses her Kid's Praise DVD's over Veggie Tales :) - She is soooo cute. She dances with MommaDee as we sing Praises to our Lord - and raise our hands to say "Thank you Jesus". (She thinks it is "touchdown" - but her crazy MommaDee shouts "Thank you Jesus".) I can hardly wait to hear it from her little voice. JOY - ABUNDANT JOY for me!

And there are more...

Because you see, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth," also applies to those who have been a part of our lives for these years.

Joy as I look at Jessie's blog and read of her journey. It is a delight for me - to read of her life with her husband, Keith and their two precious boys. She is honoring our Lord and that gives me - "No Greater Joy".

Joy as I listen to Nathan's songs that are posted on his myspace page. He is serving our Savior and God is opening up doors of opportunity - What joy to this Sunday School teacher!

Joy as I talk to Jessica and hear her heart toward the ministry with Billy. God has wonderful things for the two of you - and I have JOY just watching.

Joy as I meet with my Women's Ministry Team - and see them so willing to use their gifts and talents together with me. So much more is accomplished because they serve beside me. You ladies bring me joy.


And there are more....

I will have a new label added - No Greater Joy. And I will update this role call of Faith along the way.

I have NO GREATER JOY. Keep on keeping on my precious children. You have given this MOM Joy - Joy - Joy - more than I could ask or think.