BELIEVE

I am so blessed to be a stay at home mommy (sahm). I am so blessed to have a husband that supports my job as a sahm and enjoys working hard so this can be possible. It took me a while to figure out my new role as a sahm, but once I understood my role biblically, it became much easier. Of course, that doesn't take away the long days with young kids and the feeling crazy at times, but PRAISE God for his unconditional love, grace and patience that gets me through! The Bible specifically instructs us to train up a child (Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4) and to teach them all throughout the days (Deuteronomy 6:5-9). I LOVE teaching my kids about Jesus and I love that I am learning about Jesus too through the eyes of children. God wants us to have child-like faith (Matthew 28:3 and Luke 18:17) and I can totally understand why...just Believe!
I pray almost everyday for my kids to accept Jesus in their hearts and make the commitment to live with Him forever. I pray that my children will Believe with all their hearts. I have faith and hope that if we continue to teach them the way we do, they will make that amazing life changing choice.
I encourage you to take a minute and pray for your little sweetest blessing(s) for that one day that they choose to Believe! And if they already do believe, pray for their continued growth in faith!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

Love and prayer

Genea

Praying for your kids

Praying for your kids is so important especially in this crazy and fallen world. Not only praying for kids is important, but also teaching your kids how to pray. I can honestly say that some of the most precious prayers are from kids, their thoughts are so sweet and honest. I recently read an insightful article on ways to pray for your kids from "Thriving Family-focus on the family" magazine. I cut it out and have it on my fridge for sweet reminders. :) I would like to 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).
I also have been reading on and off is "A mom after God's own heart- 10 ways to love your Children" by Elizabeth George and one of the chapters is teaching your children to pray.  It was really encouraging to read about the difference ways and times to pray with your kids and also have them practice prayer. The impact is significant if you keep prayer a priority in your family. If you are curious, the other chapters include- take time to nurture your heart, teach your children God's word, talk to your children about God, tell your children about Jesus, train your children in God's ways, take are of your children, take your children to church, teach your children to pray, try your best, and tall to God about your children. Its a GREAT book, have read half of the book and LOVE it! I journal all my favorite points and there are personal and practical sections at the end of each chapter too!
PRAY for your kids and teach your kids how to PRAY! The bible instructs us to so equip your sweetest blessings with a gift of prayer!
God bless!
Genea

ONE WORD Statements

BLESSED, BELIEVE, FRIEND, HOPE, LOVE, PRAISE the LORD and PRAY are my newest line of shirts!

You are probably wondering why these 7? I picked some specific key words that mean a lot to me in my current season of life with the Lord, my husband and kids and then found some encouraging bible verses!

I am forever grateful for the blessings that the Lord always provides for me and my family, friends and you! I am so BLESSED with an amazing husband who LOVES the Lord more than he ever has! Its so encouraging to watch my husband grow in his faith! I hope my kids will grow up to love the Lord with all their hearts, soul and strength. So blessed with my sweet and loving kids, and so thankful that God has strengthen my faith to be a better wife and mommy...many thanks to Galatians 5:22-23-Fruit of the Spirit! :) In a perfect world everyone would just believe in God and it would be all good, but its our job as Christians to share the Gospel and help people BELIEVE in God and trust in his faithfulness and goodness. Currently, we are teaching our 2.5yr old son (and almost 1yr old daughter) that we always love and share with our FRIENDS...and friends include your sister!! ;) (we have been having sharing issues in our home-LOL). We PRAY daily before meals, for our friends and family randomly throughout the day and before bed. I know Jesus is smiling down when we practice the Lord's prayer...he has it all, but always forgets the same line! We are always trying to be mindful to PRAISE the LORD in all that we do and remember that its for Him that we are living for! Last, but not least, HOPE! We all need some hope-whether its hope for our family and friends, hope for an answered prayer...this verse has given my family lots of strength! There's a little background about why these words and bible verse! Enjoy!

“Now then, my children, listen to me; BLESSED

are those who keep my ways" Proverbs 8:32

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever BELIEVES in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"A FRIEND loves at all times" Proverbs 17:17

"but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,

 they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

"LOVE the LORD your God with all your

 heart and with all your soul

and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5

"PRAISE the LORD,

Give thanks to the LORD,

for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

“This, then, is how you should PRAY:
 “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
 as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one."
Amen
Matthew 6:9-13

Encouraging one word statement shirts- $12

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Thank you and God Bless!

Genea

Been toooo LONG!!

WOW, I am embarrassed with how long its been since I have blogged! Life has just kept me from blogging!

GOOD FRIDAY and EASTER weekend

I received an email from a Pastor on his thoughts on Easter and wanted to share with you!!

"Why do we call this day Good Friday? Scholars differ on the origins of the term “Good Friday”. Some say it’s a mistranslation of “God” Friday. Others say “Good” was formerly translated “Holy” which would honor Jesus' sacrifice on the cross as a Holy act.
But for most of us in the Christian faith we have come to understand the day we traditionally observe the death of Jesus is “Good” Friday because His death was necessary to make the way of new life possible through the resurrection.
I very much doubt that for Jesus' friends and followers this would have been considered a “Good” day. As they watched Jesus - their teacher, mentor, friend, son, brother – die on a cross, they would have been very challenged to see this moment as a “Good” one.
And yet God knew that in a few days, all of this pain, suffering, loss, hurt, betrayal, and agony would surrender to a resurrection which would bring a new day, not just to his followers, but to the whole world – FOREVER!
As Jesus hangs on the cross on “Good” Friday, offering up his life – he’s not only taking on our sin, but he’s also becoming one with our pain. He is identifying with us to allow us to connect with God. Nothing changed in heaven when Jesus died, but EVERYTHING changed on earth! We can now pass through the holy place that had once been reserved only for the High Priest. Now we can all be made holy. Now anyone can have access to God!
In our deepest moment of pain it’s often hard to see God working. It’s tough to feel his presence. It’s challenging to believe that he is bringing “Good” from all our suffering.
But rest assured – he knows how to bring “Good” from all things, even the painful things! He knows how to restore, re-create, and renew. He knows how to resurrect our lives – he’s done it before!!"

Just simply take a moment out of the crazy and busy day and think what Christ endured for us and our sins. He endured so much for us- pain all the way to the cross for us! Seriously? It is amazing if you really think about it. I hope you have a HAPPY EASTER!!
He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!!!

God bless- Genea

Heaven- wow!

Every Wednesday morning I attend a bible study for women of faith called Community Bible Study (CBS). This year we have been studying the book of Revelation...intense, let me tell you! Its been an amazing study, very convicting in a few areas of my personal walk with the Lord. Even though I have almost read every chapter in the book of Revelation, I still don't understand a lot of it! I trust that when the day comes to meet Jesus, all my questions will be answered without even having to ask! I HAVE to SHARE with you about HEAVEN!! It is UNBELIEVABLE! I honestly can't wrap my head around the whole concept other than I AM SO BLESSED to be going to this AMAZING place called heaven!
Here is just a glimpse... (copied and paste from www.biblegateway.com) and I personally highlighted some of the beautiful description!

".....One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. ¹¹ It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. ¹² It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. ¹³ There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. ¹⁴ The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
 ¹⁵ The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. ¹⁶ The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length (about 1,400 miles), and as wide and high as it is long. ¹⁷ He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick (about 200 feet), by human measurement, which the angel was using. ¹⁸ The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. ¹⁹ The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, ²⁰ the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. ²¹ The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass....."
Revelation 21:9-21

Ok, so how incredibly awesome does that sound! WOW! Reading this just puts a huge smile on my face and I pray that it brings a smile to yours!
Love and prayer,
Genea

HEART of the HOME

I love the phrase "Heart of the Home" because us women are called to create a loving, caring and happy home. And Proverbs 31 is such an encouraging passage for both working and stay at home mommies. I worked after my maternity leave was over with my first child and Proverbs 31 is what got me through each work day! Another encouraging verse is Titus 2:3-5. My husband and I prayed on guidance about working or staying home. The Lord answered our prayers in the strangest way...my position was eliminated, received a nice severance package and was able to maintain my work health insurance up to our second child and ended a month after she was born. How awesome is God?! Very awesome!!! He definitely knew what our family needed and made it possible!

Heart of the Home

Proverbs 31

Aprons

^{Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character}



 ¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her women servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-31

http://www.biblegateway.com/

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God Bless you!

Genea