It wasn't until after my youngest child had a reaction to a bagel that I was allergy tested. Come to find out I have a mild reaction to eggs (so does my youngest daughter). We have been doing everything we can to wok on a new diet. It is a struggle for me because I miss out on a lot of the holiday favorites because they contain some form of egg.For me it has been a HUGE adjustment because I am having to change what I eat. For my daughter, it is not a big deal because we watch what she eats and she is still learning to eat. It is truly amazing to see how much of our food product contains egg and how much of a change you have to make in your diet for an allergy. While I am still learning, I am thankful that God has put a strong woman beside me to help me deal with this allergy and to work on new recipes that do not contain egg.
On a side note, any healthy egg-free recipes you can suggest would greatly be appreciated.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Teaching our daughters...
One thing that I learned a few years ago by watching the movie Courageous is that I need to teach my son to be a man of God. I try to do that with my step-son as if he were my own son. At the same time, I know that I need to be teaching my girls on what they should be seeking in a man. First and foremost, I want my girls to be seeking a man that loves God. At the same time, I want to teach them to find a man that is going to treat them right. I have started this step through the help of a ministry through my church and they are getting ready for their 3rd annual Daddy Daughter Dance. What a great way to teach my girls what type of humble man to be around! If you church has not created this special night for your daughter(s), I highly encourage you to take steps to start such a fun filled evening.
The other important thing I make clear to my girls is that they should be seeking the spiritual guidance of a man. By providing the encouragement at a young age, it makes it so much easier when they get older. They will have struggles and they will try your patience (something we are seeing with our 11 year old daughter) but we have give them the outlet to grow though a mother daughter journal. It gives the girls a chance to express concerns or questions that they would otherwise not be able to ask and to have a response back from their mother without having a conversation that others might be able to listen too. This is especially true for awkward moments in life.
The other important thing I make clear to my girls is that they should be seeking the spiritual guidance of a man. By providing the encouragement at a young age, it makes it so much easier when they get older. They will have struggles and they will try your patience (something we are seeing with our 11 year old daughter) but we have give them the outlet to grow though a mother daughter journal. It gives the girls a chance to express concerns or questions that they would otherwise not be able to ask and to have a response back from their mother without having a conversation that others might be able to listen too. This is especially true for awkward moments in life.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Struggles of a blended family
We all do things that are not in accordance to God's plan. We sometimes live our lives by a different understanding. This is especially true for me and my spiritual walk. It was not until I met my wife, Catherine, that I even began my Christian life. We did not do all the things we should have in our relationship and God has found a way to let me know that through our struggles early on. I also know that I will have to answer to God for all my life decisions.
When Catherine and I married, she had three young children (all under the age of 6) and shortly after getting married, she became pregnant with her fourth child. Now having been married for 6 years, we have 5 beautiful children (three from her first marriage and two together). At times it is a difficult task for me to be a step-father for fear that I might step on the toes of their real father. What I have learned in the time that I have had Catherine's older children in my life is that no matter what that I love them as my own and I have their respect because of how I expect them to live.
We are a home-schooling family (after several years in the public school system) and my expectation is that each of the kids put their BEST effort in what they do to be successful with home-schooling and with life. I do not expect straight A's. My expectation is that they do the best that they can and give praise to God for their success as well as their failures. It has not been a simple task along the way. Catherine's eldest daughter did have some struggles when we started and still does have struggles even today. During a Christmas break while in the first year of home-schooling, I sat down with her and discussed a few things to include expectations. I made it clear to her that I may not be her real father but I expect her to follow the rules that I set forth in my home. She promptly replied "I look at you as more my real father." Talk about an emotional afternoon and she went into detail that said that she need to have some real structure and rules. Even in her struggles now, she knows that she can look to her mother and I for spiritual guidance.
It is not easy having a blended family. I am learning that every single day. What I do know is that I have a duty to treat each of these children as if they were my own and raise them with the best spiritual guidance possible. I know that I am in for a difficult road but it is something that I signed up for the day I said "I do" and that will not change until God calls me home.
It is not all about flesh and blood but more about the love that is given to a child regardless of their relationship to you. If they see that they are loved, they will let you in and that is the most incredible feeling in the world. I know because I see that with Catherine's 9 year old each and every time she has a problem or is seeking guidance. It was shown the day she decided that she wanted to be baptized. She approached me and asked me to baptize her. That was a VERY proud day in my life.
In closing, I can tell you that having a blended family takes a lot of work and you will have some struggles. Take the time to pray for guidance and remember to lovingly guide them towards God. This is a journey that I will never regret and I am thankful to God for this journey.
When Catherine and I married, she had three young children (all under the age of 6) and shortly after getting married, she became pregnant with her fourth child. Now having been married for 6 years, we have 5 beautiful children (three from her first marriage and two together). At times it is a difficult task for me to be a step-father for fear that I might step on the toes of their real father. What I have learned in the time that I have had Catherine's older children in my life is that no matter what that I love them as my own and I have their respect because of how I expect them to live.
We are a home-schooling family (after several years in the public school system) and my expectation is that each of the kids put their BEST effort in what they do to be successful with home-schooling and with life. I do not expect straight A's. My expectation is that they do the best that they can and give praise to God for their success as well as their failures. It has not been a simple task along the way. Catherine's eldest daughter did have some struggles when we started and still does have struggles even today. During a Christmas break while in the first year of home-schooling, I sat down with her and discussed a few things to include expectations. I made it clear to her that I may not be her real father but I expect her to follow the rules that I set forth in my home. She promptly replied "I look at you as more my real father." Talk about an emotional afternoon and she went into detail that said that she need to have some real structure and rules. Even in her struggles now, she knows that she can look to her mother and I for spiritual guidance.
It is not easy having a blended family. I am learning that every single day. What I do know is that I have a duty to treat each of these children as if they were my own and raise them with the best spiritual guidance possible. I know that I am in for a difficult road but it is something that I signed up for the day I said "I do" and that will not change until God calls me home.
It is not all about flesh and blood but more about the love that is given to a child regardless of their relationship to you. If they see that they are loved, they will let you in and that is the most incredible feeling in the world. I know because I see that with Catherine's 9 year old each and every time she has a problem or is seeking guidance. It was shown the day she decided that she wanted to be baptized. She approached me and asked me to baptize her. That was a VERY proud day in my life.
In closing, I can tell you that having a blended family takes a lot of work and you will have some struggles. Take the time to pray for guidance and remember to lovingly guide them towards God. This is a journey that I will never regret and I am thankful to God for this journey.
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