Here's to new beginnnings

I started PRAISEwear (PW) about 4 years ago with the intent to create a little hobby while home with my children. Quickly as they got older (and stopped napping, you can see previous blog posts), my husband's promotion and position/schedule changed at work and I started a seasonal job with the local high school coaching, plus all the extra stuff of life, I realized I couldn't wear all the hats I wanted to. I was starting to feel like I was losing joy in things and that was not my goal. Something had to be put on hold and it was PRAISEwear. I wasn't necessarily crushed by it because I still was gift giving shirts and did a few custom orders here and there. It also allowed the Lord to create other serving opportunities in the children's capacity as well as growing my relationship with Jesus Christ through bible studies, experiences, and  hardships. I also had a few months in the last few years where I have completely taken a facebook break to allow God to grow me with one less distraction and some other personal reasons which also made it difficult to be on social media for PW. It just wasn't the time to be completely be all in. Now, fast forward a couple years, our kids are in Kindergarten and first grade...still can't believe how fast time really does fly by! Its been on my heart since June to slowly get back into encouraging online, thinking of new ideas, being inspired by a new season of life. Honestly, I felt like God was speaking to me because two people asked me in one day and then another day about PRAISEwear. So, I started posting and sharing in July and now my goal is to share something daily. I've been praying about sharing my heart more, being vulnerable (people like that...I like that!)...if you know me personally, being transparent is not a problem for me. :) So, here's to hope of new beginnings with PRAISEwear and trusting God on where and how he wants to use me with it to glorify His Kingdom. And of course for more children to Praise the Lord by wearing His word!

Something different

I am entering into a new season of life, I think...no naps. :(You may see me starting to blog again more because my children no longer nap, but on the positive side is that they go to bed much earlier. Also, my husband's work schedule varies day to day so some nights, I have an hour or two of silence. I usually don't watch TV solo and some nights I try to catch up on housework, catch up on phone calls, texts and my online life...Facebook, Skype, and emails. ;) So, if I do blog more, please forgive me for it not making sense because it probably makes sense in my tired brain. :) Here's to feeling inspired!

Romans 13

I was reminded by my Christian facebook friends of Romans 13 the day of elections and the day after. If you are a facebooker, you may be able to relate with how I felt. I was overwhelmed with everyone's rants and raves. Sure, everyone has complete entitlement of their opinion, but was shocked by some people's responses and posts. Romans 13 gave me complete peace about our President being our President.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience....."

Very thoughtful in prayer lately

I have had the urge to blog about how thoughtful my prayers have been recently. I have always understood the power of prayer and totally trust that prayer is everything, but I had an "ah-ha" moment this week about how important power of prayer really is. Not from a personal standpoint, but for our Country and our leaders. Weather you were happy or disappointed with the Presidential Election, my emotion went straight to prayer. And almost a week later, my heart is still focused on prayer for our Country and leaders. Not that my prayers are going to change any political situation, but if all of us Christians came together as One Nation Under God, indifferent of our political stance, and prayed feverishly for our Country, what positive changes could be. Just think...that thought because power and that power becomes prayer!
Dear God
Please give us a president that loves this country and everything it stands for.
Please give us a president who respects you as the one true God.
Please give us a president who will, with your help, lead this nation
to your glory, the way you created her.
Please help us to respect what you have given to us and not take
...anything for granted ever again.
Please God weaken the evil and strengthen the good both without and within.
May our hearts be opened to do your will.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
God Bless America
(copied and paste from friend's post- Thank you Joni :)

God Created

Simple bibs for every day of the week! Learn and teach your baby what God created during meals. $30 for a set

http://www.etsy.com/listing/105305251/god-created

guilty...

I am so so bad about blogging now that my season of life of a baby/young toddler is over. It's amazing how quickly "extra" time changes as the kids get older. Their needs changes, the time changes, the busy-ness of life changes. PRAISEwear blog is still important to me, but a quick facebook post or pictures is easier for me at this very moment in life.
Please become a fan on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PRAISEwear
or
visit my shop with my products: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PRAISEwearShirts

Many blessings to you! Genea

Praying for your children

I am ALL about helpful guidelines on how to continual pray for my kids. A friend of mine emailed me this from one of her friend's blog…it is an excerpt from a newsletter by Homemaker’s By Choice… http://www.homemakersbychoice.org/

Pray Scripturally For Your Children- Giving your child the gift of prayer

Part of building your home on holy ground is praying for your children. It is both a responsibility and a privilege. You can use the guide below in your prayer time by putting your child's name in the blank. And, as you send time in God’s Word, write down passages that you can later use as prayers specifically for your child.

Help _______________ listen to her father's instruction, and not forsake her mother's teaching. (Prov 1:8)

Show ______________ your ways, O Lord, teach him your paths, guide him in your truth...and may his hope be in you all day long. (Psalm 25:4-5)

Hide _______________ in the shelter of your presence from the intrigues of men;

keep _____________ safe from accusing tongues. (Psalm 31:20)

Help _____________ to love righteousness and hate wickedness. (Psalm 45:7)

Guide ____________'s feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:79)

May _____________ love the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his mind.

(Matthew 22:37)

Protect ___________ from the evil one. (John 17:15)

Give ____________ strength to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29

May _____________ be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thes 5:16)

May ___________ have a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. (I Timothy 1:5)

Adapted for use by Donna Otto
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I posted this on my blog late last year, I love it so much that I have it on my fridge. I read an insightful article on ways to pray for your kids from "Thriving Family-focus on the family" magazine last year.
I would like to RE-share with you too- Ways to pray for your kids:
Pray for protection- Ask the Lord to watch over your little ones as they play and your teens as they drive. Trust that the Lord will protect your kids in every way- body, mind and spirit (Psalm 5:11)
Pray for grace (both for them and for you)- Ask God to help your family love each other well
(2 Corinthians 9:8).
Pray for wisdom- Ask God to help your children understand the difference between right and wrong and how to respond to difficult situations (Philippians 1:9-11)
Pray for people in authority- Pray for teachers, coaches, pastors and other who may have influence in your children's lives (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Pray for their daily choice- pray that your children will understand that obedience brings safety and blessing (Ephesians 6:1).

Its NEVER to early to pray for your child/children's future....I'm already praying for their spouses! :)

May the Lord bless you, your family and children.

Blessings, Genea