I got home late Sunday night (actually Monday morning) from the Proverbs 31 Ministries' She Speaks Conference. I'm still catching up on sleep, and find myself dragging through the day. After six non-stop days in North Carolina, my adrenalin resources were pretty much exhausted.
It was an amazing trip as usual. I went early to hang out with my P31 sisters, and talk ministry business. Then the first conference participants started arriving on Thursday night, in order to be ready for the women's ministry pre-conference sessions starting Friday morning.
Anyone who has ever been part of planning a big conference knows the unbelievable number of details that must be attended to. I have to give a huge shout-out to our P31 office staff and volunteers, under the awesome direction of LeAnn Rice. They worked many hours before the conference to make sure that all of those details were tied up in pretty little bows. So although there were a few minor glitches, the conference was so well planned that we just glided over those little problem areas with grace.
I wrote a devotion today (The Adventure of Obedience) that describes what many of the women at She Speaks did this past weekend: they just showed up because God told them to.
"I'm not quite sure why I'm here" was spoken by more than one sweet woman. They had heard about the conference from a friend, or one of our speakers, and knew God wanted them to go. They didn't know why, expect for maybe sometime previously in their lives, they had a small inkling of an idea to speak to women in their church. Or maybe God brought them through a difficult time, and they had a sense that they were supposed to share that experience with someone ... somehow ... sometime.
So they registered online, called our office, signed up for a book proposal appointment, agreed to be in a speaking critique group, made plane reservations, wrote sample chapters, made and froze food for their families, arranged for their children to be with Grandma, an aunt or a friend, bought a new outfit, had their toenails painted, and came to Concord, North Carolina.
AND GOD SHOWED UP!
Oh yes, He did. And I'm pretty confident that those women who weren't sure why they were at She Speaks, know why now.
If you attended She Speaks, please take a moment to post how God showed up for you. I want to celebrate with you and give Him ALL THE GLORY.
Plus, I'll pick one of the posts at random and send you a Starbucks gift card. Just make sure I can get back in touch with you some how.
If you didn't attend She Speaks this year, I hope you'll plan on doing so next year. It will be held July 31-August 2, 2009.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Nothing has stretched my faith more than parenting, and this week I'm getting a really good stretching.
Yesterday I put my three boys on a bus heading to church camp in California - without their cell phones. This is good for them, but hard for a mom who is used to talking to her kids every day when we are apart. They will get home on Friday, but I won't be here, because I'll be in North Carolina at She Speaks. So that means a full week without seeing my boys.
Normally I wouldn't worry at all for their safety while at camp. But this is a new camp, and they have a beach day. I know this sounds like lots of fun to most people, but I view the ocean as a huge death trap. I never relax at the beach when my kids are in the waves, and am on constant guard, often walking up and down the shoreline like a one of those long-legged birds.
God has dealt with me about this fear because at its root is a lack of trust. Every time that fear starts in my belly and threatens to work its way up, I have to take a deep breath and declare again who I trust.
Obviously I don't trust myself for their safety - I'll be 3000 miles away and their dad is 350 miles away.
While I'm praying for alert and savvy adults to be around, I don't completely trust the counselors for their safety.
While I'm sure there are great lifeguards, I don't completely trust the lifeguards for their safety.
While I'm praying my kids will stay with a buddy, I don't trust other children for their safety.
But I do TRUST GOD WITH THEIR SAFETY! The truth is that only God can be where I can't.
You can be sure I'll be praying this week for my children's safety. But that's not my only prayer. Above all else, I'm praying that God will bring my boys to a new place in their own faiths. A place where they move from a "head" trust and faith, to a "heart" trust.
Come to think of it, that's what God's trying to do in me this week ... again.
I'll be leaving first thing Tuesday morning for She Speaks. I can't wait! If you think of it, please pray for my kids, and for all of the travel for those of us heading to North Carolina and especially for the She Speaks conference. I want God's presence to be felt in every space and for hearts to be touched.
In His love,
Glynnis
Yesterday I put my three boys on a bus heading to church camp in California - without their cell phones. This is good for them, but hard for a mom who is used to talking to her kids every day when we are apart. They will get home on Friday, but I won't be here, because I'll be in North Carolina at She Speaks. So that means a full week without seeing my boys.
Normally I wouldn't worry at all for their safety while at camp. But this is a new camp, and they have a beach day. I know this sounds like lots of fun to most people, but I view the ocean as a huge death trap. I never relax at the beach when my kids are in the waves, and am on constant guard, often walking up and down the shoreline like a one of those long-legged birds.
God has dealt with me about this fear because at its root is a lack of trust. Every time that fear starts in my belly and threatens to work its way up, I have to take a deep breath and declare again who I trust.
Obviously I don't trust myself for their safety - I'll be 3000 miles away and their dad is 350 miles away.
While I'm praying for alert and savvy adults to be around, I don't completely trust the counselors for their safety.
While I'm sure there are great lifeguards, I don't completely trust the lifeguards for their safety.
While I'm praying my kids will stay with a buddy, I don't trust other children for their safety.
But I do TRUST GOD WITH THEIR SAFETY! The truth is that only God can be where I can't.
You can be sure I'll be praying this week for my children's safety. But that's not my only prayer. Above all else, I'm praying that God will bring my boys to a new place in their own faiths. A place where they move from a "head" trust and faith, to a "heart" trust.
Come to think of it, that's what God's trying to do in me this week ... again.
I'll be leaving first thing Tuesday morning for She Speaks. I can't wait! If you think of it, please pray for my kids, and for all of the travel for those of us heading to North Carolina and especially for the She Speaks conference. I want God's presence to be felt in every space and for hearts to be touched.
In His love,
Glynnis
Thursday, June 12, 2008
If you've read my earlier posts on our favorite vacations, you'll know we love the national parks. So here are our top five favorite national parks that are good to visit with kids.
5. National Mall in DC - Makes you proud to be an American.
4. Acadia in Maine - First place the sun shines each morning in the continental US and crazy beautiful seashore. Plus lobster - yum!
3. Grand Canyon in Arizona - Aaahhhh (what else can you say?)
2. Denali in Alaska - The widest variety of wildlife we've seen. Early one morning we watched a mama black bear and her cub walk down the highway just outside of the park.
1. Zion in Utah - Breathtaking canyon, and our favorite hike ANYWHERE - the Narrows. That's the picture to the right. We are headed there again this summer, on our way to Yellowstone.
We will definitely do the Narrows hike, but will also do Angel's Landing. Well, let me clarify - I'll get to Scout's Landing with the girls which is two miles up, and then we'll pray the boys up the last half mile to Angel's Landing.
I did this last part of the hike safely and without worry before kids. But when I tried it a few years ago, I think I had a panic attack. I knew my fear would make it unsafe, and watched my guys go to the top without me. Believe me, I will be praying for angels to make an appearance this summer! (Note: this hike is NOT good for young children)
Maybe we'll amend this list as we put more stamps in our National Parks Passport. But for now, these are some of our favorites. Our honorable mentions are Yosemite in California and Kenai Fjords in Alaska.
Soon I'll post some of our favorite vacation spots that don't have a national park attached to them. I pray this encourages you to make some plans with your family, and create some memories your kids will cherish.
In His Love,
Glynnis
5. National Mall in DC - Makes you proud to be an American.
4. Acadia in Maine - First place the sun shines each morning in the continental US and crazy beautiful seashore. Plus lobster - yum!
3. Grand Canyon in Arizona - Aaahhhh (what else can you say?)
2. Denali in Alaska - The widest variety of wildlife we've seen. Early one morning we watched a mama black bear and her cub walk down the highway just outside of the park.
1. Zion in Utah - Breathtaking canyon, and our favorite hike ANYWHERE - the Narrows. That's the picture to the right. We are headed there again this summer, on our way to Yellowstone.
We will definitely do the Narrows hike, but will also do Angel's Landing. Well, let me clarify - I'll get to Scout's Landing with the girls which is two miles up, and then we'll pray the boys up the last half mile to Angel's Landing.
I did this last part of the hike safely and without worry before kids. But when I tried it a few years ago, I think I had a panic attack. I knew my fear would make it unsafe, and watched my guys go to the top without me. Believe me, I will be praying for angels to make an appearance this summer! (Note: this hike is NOT good for young children)
Maybe we'll amend this list as we put more stamps in our National Parks Passport. But for now, these are some of our favorites. Our honorable mentions are Yosemite in California and Kenai Fjords in Alaska.
Soon I'll post some of our favorite vacation spots that don't have a national park attached to them. I pray this encourages you to make some plans with your family, and create some memories your kids will cherish.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
"Mom, watch this!"
I heard this sweet command multiple times on our recent vacation. My head turned, or looked up, to find one of my sons trying to jump high enough to touch something just out of reach. One time Dylan took three huge leaps, then jumped to touch a beam above his head. Robbie tried to jump straight up to touch the low-hanging covering over a walkway. Josh (my 6'3", 16-year-old) just stood on tippy toes to touch his target.
As I watched them stretch, strain and try repeatedly to touch something beyond their grasp, I compared myself to them. I can't remember the last time I took a running jump to try and touch the ceiling. Is it gravity and a 40-something body that unite to discourage my attempts? Is it that I just don't care enough to see how high I can jump? Or, maybe I give up before I even try?
I wonder if there's something deeper here. Am I the only one who doesn't even try at times. Is it possible that some of us just stop trying to reach what looks to be out of our reach. Instead of backing up and going for our dreams with a running leap, do we just shrug our shoulders and keep walking ... thinking maybe the jumping and leaping is for other people who have a better chance? Or maybe we are just too tired.
One time I did try and see how high I could jump. It was painful at times, but it was worth it. I wasn't seeing if I could touch the ceiling, I wanted to write a book.
To be honest, it was hard to share that dream with others. One time I did, a friend said "Aren't there lots of books on that subject?" Another time when my dream seemed close to coming true, I told lots of friends. Only to have to go back and tell them all it was a false alarm.
I think that's a big reason why we are afraid to jump ... others will see us fall short.
Next week I'll be going to She Speaks. This is a highlight of my year. I love every minute of that conference. But I know there will be many women who are clutching a dream tight to their chests, afraid to even speak it ... afraid to reach ... afraid to jump. Maybe even regretting for a moment they signed up. But they are there. And I am SO PROUD OF THEM!
Here's one thing I know: God planted that desire in my sons to see how high they can jump. And God planted that desire in all those women attending She Speaks. And God planted a desire in you too.
Do you have a dream you've hidden in your heart? Maybe it's time to see how high can you jump.
Love,
Glynnis
I heard this sweet command multiple times on our recent vacation. My head turned, or looked up, to find one of my sons trying to jump high enough to touch something just out of reach. One time Dylan took three huge leaps, then jumped to touch a beam above his head. Robbie tried to jump straight up to touch the low-hanging covering over a walkway. Josh (my 6'3", 16-year-old) just stood on tippy toes to touch his target.
As I watched them stretch, strain and try repeatedly to touch something beyond their grasp, I compared myself to them. I can't remember the last time I took a running jump to try and touch the ceiling. Is it gravity and a 40-something body that unite to discourage my attempts? Is it that I just don't care enough to see how high I can jump? Or, maybe I give up before I even try?
I wonder if there's something deeper here. Am I the only one who doesn't even try at times. Is it possible that some of us just stop trying to reach what looks to be out of our reach. Instead of backing up and going for our dreams with a running leap, do we just shrug our shoulders and keep walking ... thinking maybe the jumping and leaping is for other people who have a better chance? Or maybe we are just too tired.
One time I did try and see how high I could jump. It was painful at times, but it was worth it. I wasn't seeing if I could touch the ceiling, I wanted to write a book.
To be honest, it was hard to share that dream with others. One time I did, a friend said "Aren't there lots of books on that subject?" Another time when my dream seemed close to coming true, I told lots of friends. Only to have to go back and tell them all it was a false alarm.
I think that's a big reason why we are afraid to jump ... others will see us fall short.
Next week I'll be going to She Speaks. This is a highlight of my year. I love every minute of that conference. But I know there will be many women who are clutching a dream tight to their chests, afraid to even speak it ... afraid to reach ... afraid to jump. Maybe even regretting for a moment they signed up. But they are there. And I am SO PROUD OF THEM!
Here's one thing I know: God planted that desire in my sons to see how high they can jump. And God planted that desire in all those women attending She Speaks. And God planted a desire in you too.
Do you have a dream you've hidden in your heart? Maybe it's time to see how high can you jump.
Love,
Glynnis
Saturday, June 7, 2008
After 11 days on vacation, we are happy to be home again. Our vacation went amazingly smooth, thanks to some great planning on the part of my husband. He really gets all the credit. I thought I would share a few tips today about some things that helped make this a great vacation.
1) Set up behavior consequences in advance. Kids are often so excited on vacation, that they aren't always on their best behavior. Identify some simple consequences, announce them in advance and follow through. Here's one example we used. Our kids (especially the 3 boys) are very physical, with touch, hugs, and wrestling. They will often start with an arm draped around someone, only to end up in a good-natured tussle. This isn't good in a public place, and we've told them not to act that way. So when it happens, they get to hold Mom or Dad's hand for awhile - constricting their freedom. We've used this often on hikes, and it works. Not only does it stop the behavior, but it calms them down and ends up wonderfully with the positive touch from a parent.
2) Pack an emergency bag. We always carry a backpack and include the following: sunscreen, Ibuprofen, lip balm with sunscreen (a must!), and bandaids. We just added a new item to our emergency bag: baby powder. This was great to have in sticky Florida. We all got a little chapped.
3) Give your kids' spending money. Our kids have very few opportunities to make money, so on vacation we buy all their snacks and souvenirs. But it gets tiring to make sure we give equal amounts of money. So this vacation we gave each child money to spend at his/her discretion. There was no begging for a snack, or for this or that souvenir. They chose how and when to spend their money. Of course, we had some limits - like no ice cream before dinner.
When our children were little, we actually used this as a reward for good behavior once at Disneyland. We bought some Disney Dollars, and if they got through an hour with obedient and respectful behavior, they received a dollar. We found that the reward worked much better than the threat of punishment.
4) Hold your kids' spending money. We have 2 out of 5 kids that keep track of money. The other three lose it with alarming frequency - having money fall out of pockets and leaving purses in restaurants. At home, we figure this is a learning experience. But on vacation, it's heartbreaking to me when they lose it. On this trip, I put each child's money in a separate envelope and doled it out as they requested. It was a bit more management for me, but it worked great!
Vacations have the potential to be fabulous experiences, or to become a drain due to little annoyances. Hopefully, these little tips will help enhance your next vacation.
In His Love,
Glynnis
1) Set up behavior consequences in advance. Kids are often so excited on vacation, that they aren't always on their best behavior. Identify some simple consequences, announce them in advance and follow through. Here's one example we used. Our kids (especially the 3 boys) are very physical, with touch, hugs, and wrestling. They will often start with an arm draped around someone, only to end up in a good-natured tussle. This isn't good in a public place, and we've told them not to act that way. So when it happens, they get to hold Mom or Dad's hand for awhile - constricting their freedom. We've used this often on hikes, and it works. Not only does it stop the behavior, but it calms them down and ends up wonderfully with the positive touch from a parent.
2) Pack an emergency bag. We always carry a backpack and include the following: sunscreen, Ibuprofen, lip balm with sunscreen (a must!), and bandaids. We just added a new item to our emergency bag: baby powder. This was great to have in sticky Florida. We all got a little chapped.
3) Give your kids' spending money. Our kids have very few opportunities to make money, so on vacation we buy all their snacks and souvenirs. But it gets tiring to make sure we give equal amounts of money. So this vacation we gave each child money to spend at his/her discretion. There was no begging for a snack, or for this or that souvenir. They chose how and when to spend their money. Of course, we had some limits - like no ice cream before dinner.
When our children were little, we actually used this as a reward for good behavior once at Disneyland. We bought some Disney Dollars, and if they got through an hour with obedient and respectful behavior, they received a dollar. We found that the reward worked much better than the threat of punishment.
4) Hold your kids' spending money. We have 2 out of 5 kids that keep track of money. The other three lose it with alarming frequency - having money fall out of pockets and leaving purses in restaurants. At home, we figure this is a learning experience. But on vacation, it's heartbreaking to me when they lose it. On this trip, I put each child's money in a separate envelope and doled it out as they requested. It was a bit more management for me, but it worked great!
Vacations have the potential to be fabulous experiences, or to become a drain due to little annoyances. Hopefully, these little tips will help enhance your next vacation.
In His Love,
Glynnis
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