I mentioned yesterday that my husband and I attended a wedding on Saturday. During the ceremony the preacher encouraged the guests to give some encouragement to the bride and groom as they greeted them after the ceremony.

• Make a regular bedtime for your children and stick to it.
• Don’t start letting your children sleep with you!
• If you’ve already have children in bed with you, start breaking them of it today!
• Keep a regular date night – even if you can only manage it every other week.
• Go away overnight once a year (without the children).
• Attend a couples’ conference.
• Pray together.
• Read biblical books on marriage to keep yourself challenged.

Trust me, the empty nest will come much sooner than you think. Preparation for it begins now. Start feathering the nest so it’s nice and comfy when it’s just the two of you again!

I know you’re probably tired of hearing about me being on vacation, but isn’t that what summer’s about? We returned home Saturday evening after attending a sweet wedding in North Carolina. Thus, we got home around seven or so, unpacked some, then got ready for bed. Sunday dinner preparations were not on the top of my list of priorities after a busy day of travel.

We ended up going to Atlanta Bread Company with church friends for dinner yesterday. We’d never eaten there on a Sunday, but it was so pleasant. There was virtually no wait by the time we got there at 1:00 and the music was so nice. As someone in our group commented, it didn’t contradict the worship service. We had good fellowship with new friends visiting and “old” church friends alike.

We really don’t go out on Sunday very often. We much prefer coming home to eat. It’s quiet and dinner is on the table shortly after we arrive, which is a good thing because we’re all starved it seems! We also just enjoy being home. When our girls were growing up I tried to follow my mom’s example and use Sundays to bring out the good china and crystal. I wanted my girls to learn to be comfortable with a more formal setting at a table so they would know how to handle themselves when they encountered it at a later time. We’d put out a salad, dessert and regular dinner forks. I taught them to wait until the hostess (me!) starts eating her food before they start (the same for eating dessert). We weren’t starchy and formal – just a little more fancy than at our weekday dinner time. It’s a part of training.

Could I encourage you moms of boys to teach your sons the same kind of manners? They shouldn’t be afraid to use a cloth napkin, put it in their lap, and know which fork to use when there are several to choose from. Teach them to seat a lady, to wait for the hostess, to know that their salad is on their left and their glass is on the right. Even real men (heaven knows we need more of them!) can eat with good manners.

Sunday is a good day to do something special. Break out that pretty china instead of saving it. What are you saving it for anyway? If it gets chipped it’s okay. Use it! Make Sunday dinner a bit more fancy, but special. It will create good memories and well mannered children!

Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof;

We have seen the fulness of God’s creation this week. The picture above was taken last night at Harbour Town. The sky changed every second – I’m not kidding. It was breathtaking!

The Lord has been soooo gracious to us this week. Let me share a few answers to prayer from this week to praise my sweet, loving God.

• Allison has gotten off to a great start at college this week
• The Lord provided a great job for her with just the right amount of hours
• She has great roommates
• The opening services began last night with Rand Hummel from The Wilds preaching. I’d prayed specifically about who would be preaching in services and chapel. I know Rand challenged the students’ hearts.
• She made a 100 on her first quiz!
• Our condo is so nice.
• The weather that was supposed to be rainy has been perfect!
• God has given my husband and me sweet times together.
• I’d hoped to see Harbour Town after dark. We got there just before and got to see this spectacular sunset.
• I have not had a migraine this week – that is my God’s mercy!
• The Lord has given rest that we needed.
• The Word has challenged and rebuked my heart.

We will head home tomorrow ready to get back into the swing of our ministry lives. God is so good to us; we are undeserving, but so thankful for His kindness this week.

Have you had an answer to prayer this week? I’d love to rejoice with you!

Last night when we walked the beach the waves were higher than we’ve seen this week. Sitting at high tide on our favorite wooden box, we watched them crash onto the shoreline.

As I watched the waves come tumbling over and over I wondered what it is like down beneath the waves. I’m no scientist or oceanographer, but I imagine that while the waves are beating here on the surface, out in the middle of the ocean, in the deep water, it is calm beneath the surface. The fish and sea life go on about their business not bothered by the surface waves.

It reminded me that as a Christian there are often things that are troubling “on the surface” of our lives. Financial struggles, relationship problems, job loss, parenting stress, or illness can cause the waves to be stirred up. Yet, because we have an anchor for our soul we can be at peace. We can go about the business of serving the Lord and not be tossed about.

However, unconfessed sin, a lack of faith in the promises of God, or worry (which is a sin) can rob us of that quiet peace. If there are waves instead of calm, read the verses that I’ve linked the words to here. Confess your sin and let the sweetness of God’s peace rule in your heart instead.

The only place you can enjoy waves is when you’re watching it from the beach – don’t live it out in your life today.

“Maturity starts with the willingness to give oneself.”

While I do business with the Lord and dust off my britches from pitching a “temper tantrum,” how about if you check your maturity level? I trust your results are better than mine!