Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

We were having a typical Bible study conversation this morning in our 20’s and 30’s Sunday morning class when my friend, a spunky farm wife/volleyball coach, said “Sometimes Life Vacuums” and continued on with her train of thought as if we all spoke this way. Everyone acted as if they completely understood her, because no one had the guts to admit they had never heard this expression before. “What does Vacuuming have to do with the Bible?” one member finally asked. “You know, the action a vacuum makes…that’s how life is sometimes.” Read the rest of the story over at the Internet Cafe...

The past two months have been a time of adjustment for me. It's been a good adjustment; I've wanted to be working for the past 4 years, but I've needed time to figure out how to balance everything on my plate. And that plate has gotten quite full, a bit like Thanksgiving dinner, where I try to cram in cranberries, stuffing and jello salad around the turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans. And the roll and salad just have to go on the side and somehow I still save space for pumpkin pie! Between being a mother a wife (I need to remind myself that THIS is my most important job), teaching adult Sunday School with my husband, coordinating Children's ministries at church, writing devotionals, and working practically full time as an online teacher, there's little time left for anything else. Last week, it became apparent to me that something very important was missing on my overflowing plate. Jesus. How could I fill up on so many other things and yet leave no ti...

The team of writers at Laced With Grace is please to announce our fall readers contest. We have joined with Women Of Faith Ministries to offer two premium tickets to attend the two day conference at any venue in the United States. Tickets include admission for two, boxed lunches and other neat stuff. I remember my first experience with Women of Faith in Dallas, TX. The sound of thousands of women worship God echoed in my ears. It was an amazing experience! What do you think God could do in your life through a Women of Faith conference? Please plan to enter our contest daily. Stop in and read our daily devotions Monday through Friday and leave us a comment. All comments count as an entry. We will announce the winner on the Monday following Thanksgiving. Tell your friends and add our button to your blog or website then let us know. We will enter your comments twice into our drawing.

I'd like to introduce a new book that has a refreshingly honest approach to women's issues: The SOS for PMS: Practical Help and Relief for Moms In her latest book, Mary explores an often frustrating topic, the symptoms of PMS, and offers practical advice and encouragement for mothers. Readers will find comfort in the stories shared by other moms, realizing that they are not alone in their struggles with PMS. With this book, you will find suggestions designed to inspire healthier lifestyles, relationships, and daily choices for all women.Gather any group of moms together and the topic of frustrating PMS symptoms rises up in conversation along with the guilt and concern about its effects on family members. Now Mary Byers, author of The Mother Load, offers mothers encouragement, help, and camaraderie as she shares: ~women's stories-the good, bad, and the hopeful ~overlooked symptoms and how to manage them ~foods and activities to avoid or indulge in God's first aid for str...

Reasons to be thankful abound: Thank You Lord, God of heaven and earth, for these many blessings.... For warm September days spent enjoying the change of color outside. For a little boy who "loves to go to God's house and learn of Jesus' love"... For his sincere desire to learn Scripture verses and follow God's ways (even though it is hard at times to obey his mother and father or the teacher, but that's a story for another time) For a morning that started with prayer. For a daughter who is growing so fast...her "adult" front teeth communicate the obvious. She's smart and loving and always wants to do what's right. I am so proud of her initiative in planning See You at the Pole this year for her classmates. For friends who lift my spirits with their laughter and the sharing of burdens. And, appropriately, for our dear Iris, who faithfully hosts this weekly exercise of thankful therapy! It's Iris' birthday soon and I'm so glad I me...

Heather Creek Farm.... Sounds like a marvelous place to raise three kids, doesn't it? But these kids have lost their mother and are learning a new life with their grandparents far from their metropolitan life. Tricia Goyer leads us through their lives as they learn and grow through this experience... Blog Tour Contest: Since Sweet September is all about family, Tricia wants to meet yours. Leave a comment on the Tricia’s blog tour post ( http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2008/09/sweet-september-blog-tour.html ) sharing who your favorite family member is and why and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win William-Sonoma’s Pumpkin Harvest Loaf Pan & Quick Bread Set. (I’ve attached a photo. It’s super cute…and would be great for fall treats!) About the book: Harvest time at Heather Creek Farm is an exciting time, but the kids don't seem to be getting into the spirit. One day while he's wandering through the fields, Christopher stumbles across an old piece of metal buried in...

Great hunters dwell in my home. Earlier in the summer, we moved the bluebird house off of the deck and into a nearby tree. The sleek black feline hunter was poking his paws into the small opening, searching for prey. I love the fact that my cat scares off the rabbits, squirrels, black birds and mice, but he was taking it too far with the baby blue birds. So, in an effort to keep the bluebirds around, we moved their house. But, even in their new location, they are not safe. The cat climbed straight up that tree and slung himself precariously across a thin branch while dangling over the edge of the bird house. And there was that paw reaching around from behind the house to poke its way into the round opening. Thankfully, the bluebirds have already evacuated so I could laugh at my cat hanging by a mere claw doing acrobatics to reach his prey. On the same morning, my little guy (3 1/2) was catching grasshoppers. The big flying grasshoppers were eluding him though, so he put on his se...