A collection of quotes on mothering & parenting in general...

"If you love your children, let the simple Bible be everything in the training of their souls, and let all other books go down and take the second place." J.C.Ryle 

~Ephesians 6:4~"Let no Christian parents fall into the delusion that Sunday School is intended to ease them of their personal duties. The first and most natural condition of things is for Christian parents to train up their own children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Charles H. Spurgeon
"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3~5 

"God never gives us hindrances. On the contrary, He means, in making us wives and mothers, to put us into the very conditions of holy living. But if we abuse His gifts by letting them take His place in our hearts, it is an act of love on His part to take them away or to destroy our pleasure in them. It is delightful...to know that there are some generous souls on earth who love their dear ones with all their hearts yet give those hearts unreservedly to Christ" ~Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss 

"Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!" (228-229) ~Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

Adventures in Practicing Patience

   

People often assume I am a very patient person.  Patience is not a inborn trait (well it may be for some,) but for me it is not.  I've had to learn it slowly; difficult situation, after difficult situation (I'm a little hard headed, just ask my mom about my teenage years!)  God has graciously taught me how to begin to learn upon him as I deal with these daily, (and often times longer) trials.  One thing I still have difficulty with is being patient with the arrival of our newest family addition! *grin*

Every pregnancy I experience at least 2 weeks, sometimes more, of what is called prodromal, or pre-labor.  As soon as this starts up, every time I have a contraction I think "is this it?!?"  I just can't help it!  I drive myself (and everyone around me too I'm sure) batty.  Well it has begun and God is in the process of teaching me yet another lesson in patience.

How do you pass the time at the end of your pregnancy or how have you in the past?  I'm in the count down now!