Praying for my kids

I became a mom 4 1/2 years ago. 

My church has a thursday morning women's Bible study that i used to go to weekly.

it's called TLC. 

thursday ladies conversation?...tender lovin' care?....the ladies connection...(i never knew what it actually meant until recently) 

Anyway, I met some amazing women there.

learnt some wonderful truths about life and the Bible.

Shared prayer requests, and prayed with others.

it was always a time to go and spend time with other young moms, and some special senior women.

there was always child care, which made it so much easier to focus on the teaching that day.

i haven't been going lately - i got out of it when the boy had swim lessons on thursday mornings.

anyway,

one day Christine, who was leading it, brought in an article about praying for your kids.

I liked that idea. 

I had thought of it but beside the "dear God, please help my kids grow up loving you, and keep them safe" i never had a specific prayer time for them.

The article had 31 character traits to pray for - one a day (for most months) 

it talked about this guy's discovery as he began to pray specifically for his kids daily.

Well, i have adapted some, by merging a couple or adding a new one,

but i have been attempting to do this each morning..

i will be honest.

i was doing awesome, every morning...

 then i missed a day..

and another..

it's been a couple months and i just started again. 

3 mornings in a row now.

one thing i try to do, as well, 

while I pray for the specific character traits for my kids

i also pray them for myself and for my husband. 

if we don't have character traits then why do I expect my kids to see the importance of it.

Here the list as i do it. 

with verses for reference (some from the article, some i chose).

1. Salvation (Isa 45:8, 2Tim 2:10, 1Thess 5:9,10)
2. Growth in Grace (2Pet 3:18, 2Tim 2:1)
3. Love (Eph 5:2, Gal 5:22, Prov 3:3)
4. Honesty & Integrity (Ps 25:21NLT, Prov 12:17)
5. Self-Control (1Thess 5:6)
6. A Love for God's Word (Ps 19:10, Ps 56:4)
7. Justice (Ps 11:7, Micah 6:8, Ps 106:3)
8. Mercy (Luke 6:36, Matt 5:7)
9. Respect (for self, others, authority) (1Pet 2:17a, 1Pet 3:15b)
10. Strong, Biblical Self-Esteem (Eph 2:10)
11. Faithfulness (Prov 3:3)
12. Courage (Deut 31:6)
13. Purity (Ps 51:10)
14. Kindness (1Thess 5:15)
15. Generosity (1Tim 6:18-19)
16. Peace, peaceability (Rom 14:19)
17. Joy (1Thess 1:6)
18. Perseverance (Heb 12:1)
19. Humility & Compassion (Titus 3:2 & Col 3:12)
20. Responsibility (Gal 6:5 TNIV)
21. Contentment (Phil 4:12-13)
22. Faith (Luke 17:5-6, Heb 11:1-40)
23. A Servant Heart (Eph 6:7 TNIV)
24. Hope (Rom 15:13)
25. The willingness and ability to work hard (Col 3:23 TNIV)
26. A Passion for God (Ps 63:8 KJV)
27. Self-Discipline (Prov 1:3)
28. Prayerfulness (Eph 6:18)
29. Gratitude (Col 2:7, Eph 5:20)
30. A Heart for Missions (Ps 96:3)
31. Forgiveness (Col 3:13)

when a day is missed feel free to pair up the ones missed and just keep praying.  

Praying for our kids is very important for us as parents, grandparents. 

if you're planning to have kids, adopt kids, raise any kids, it is never too early to begin praying for them.

Keep pressing on. 

36 things

today is my birthday.

I turn 36.

instead of thinking how I'll be 40 in just 4 years :) 

I will spend it being thankful.

(in no particular order - just how they came to mind)

1. as a little girl I had great walks with my dad at the beach throwing stones.

2. my two beautiful children

3. cats I loved and cherished as i grew up. (especially skippy who shared my pillow haha!!)

4. opportunities to take part in dramatic productions. (many over the years)

easter performance

5. crushes who helped me see what I hoped to find in a husband... and what I hoped not to find.

6. i am a child of God.  I made a decision to accept Christ and thankfully even when I mess up He still holds onto me.

7. a husband even better than I could have ever imagined.

8. a big brother who has always made me laugh.

9. a house to call my own.

10. being there when Joe Carter hit the World Series winning home run.. and almost being thrown over the edge by my brother when he hugged me. (we were sitting on the 200 level)

11. being encouraged to pursue things I love.

12. road trips with friends/husband (arkansas, florida, wv, manitoba)

Gilbert, Arkansas: me, nog, andy, jen

13. train trips across Canada

14. worked at Camp Widjiitiwin for many years - love being a part of camp life.

15. dual citizenship

16. amazing in-laws.

17. my camp name: felix.  I love it.

18. Maple Leaf vs. Red Wings games at Maple Leaf Gardens (against the glass)

19. trip to Germany in grade 10

20. amazing trip to Northern Ireland and England (cambridge & birmingham) in grade 7.  watching my dad become like a child as he returned home.

dad, tim, mom, me

21. playing smurfs with my brother outside in our backyard.

22. a husband who can fix my car, fix everything in the house and loves to teach me how to do it all too.

23. opportunities to take care of amazing kids (dylan, luke, dallas, eden, paige, teagan to name a few)

24. being able to read.  (such a wonderful ability i never want to take for granted)

25. friends.

26. late night talks with my mom.. and I do mean late night.

27. room/housemates i've had (rusty, elisa, cheryl, jen, theresa, ak, heather 'ditto', michelle 'fugee')

Manitoba: jen, theresa, me

28. amazing nieces and nephews

29. my blanket - even though my brother lost it when he hid it on me... i still think granny stole it.

30. winter doesn't last forever.

31. a husband who encourages me through my fears.

32. trips to Mexico and Nicaragua - able to experience their world and have them share Christ's love with me as I help build there.

33. creativity

34. rain (i love it's rainy today on my birthday)

35. hot days, cool nights

36. sisters (erin, rusty, elisa, heidi.  again, to name only a few)