Faithful Fathers

A Daddy's love is immeasurable. I had a loving dad; I watched my husband be a loving dad and now I watch my "boys" be loving dads. Daddies who show up. 

Swim school. Bike rides. Times in the park. Daddy days. Ball games. Lunch at school with cafeteria food. Scavenger hunts. Emergency room visits. Neighborhood adventures. Beach trips. Farm trips. Ski trips. Pumpkin picking. Strawberry picking. Carousel rides. Fishing events. Naps. Storytimes. Campfires.

Dads who show up----early---late---and times in between. In a child's eyes "showing up" counts.

How blessed are all my grands----each has a GREAT DADDY!

Sweet friend Mary Flo Ridley said it well on her Daddy Factor entry---The blessing of a faithful father is so important, that God made sure everyone could have one in Him, so that even when our earthly fathers don’t show up….He does. What a double blessing for my grandkids to have both!

Where do babies come from?

 9/1/12 Keeping with the Saturday “questions to consider” theme, this question is one that often gives young parents pause for thought. Not having had to answer this in many years, I wanted to share an expert’s answer with you. So listen up, even you grandparents.This gal has the answer.

Mary Flo Ridley has the best info in 28 minutes that you will ever find. I’ve heard her in person and her “Focus on the Family” program last Monday was a synopsis of some of this. She helps you share basic facts along with family values. If you don’t set the values for your family, someone else will. (TV, maybe) Don’t let the world teach your child life values. Mary Flo’s emphasis is on the beauty and boundaries of sex and she recommends doing it a little at a time. It’s a great "inoculation/prevention" technique..

IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME SO CLICK HERE. SHE WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION.

This is a link to Mr. Rogers’ “Fancy Song” which she mentioned, if interested. some of you youngsters may not even know who Mr. Rogers is. 

If you listened to Mary Flo you now know how to answer that question. She also has a Simple Truths program that she uses in public schools. Her latest book, God’s Very Good Design”, helps parents create a godly message of sex for their children. It gives the biblical references to use in “the talk” type situations. “A simple book with a simple plan that gives you simple steps to follow.”

Info on all of this can be found on Mary Flo's homepage. 

My continuing blog readers know that Mary Flo is one of the BIGGEST blessings the Lord provided for me during my cancer surgeries and struggles. She did more than house me, a virtual unknown to her---she ministered to me daily! She's the real deal. You can trust Mary Flo's answers.

"Sooner Rather Than Later"

4/6/10 Having been with my 5 young grand boys more than usual last month, I had opportunity to appreciate the parenting skills of both sets of parents. It is their desire to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord even though that does not seem to be “society’s way.”

Son, Buddy, used part of the spring break visit as an opportunity for “the talk” with his 8 year-old son. Before the world had its way in shaping Nathan’s view on sex, he wanted him to know the truth and to see this loving concern as coming from a father whom he could trust. Buddy was encouraged to have this talk “sooner rather than later” from one of Mary Flo Ridley’s, “Simple Truths” seminars through the "Just Say Yes" organization.

Mary Flo equips parents to celebrate their child's normal curiosity and teaches them how to respond confidently and factually with an answer their child can understand at his/her age.
She has spoken all over the country at schools, civic meetings, and churches. Each Friday on a recently constructed blog, she helps parents answer those “where do babies come from?” type-questions. It would behoove (my grandmother’s word) both parents and grandparents to check it out-- "sooner than you think."

She has a few personal entries as well, which I love cause she’s real!! (I have had first hand experience as a frequent guest in her home.) Mary Flo is quite the legitimate mom, cook, and writer. However, if you want to cut to the chase to get the “sex” info or submit your own question, the site is easy to navigate.

It is worth your time, sooner rather than later---for your child’s sake.

Patio Ponderings

4/27/09 Patio quiet times
What a way to start the day---with a “cuppa” and one of Tootsie’s macaroons--a cool morning, and my heritage snowball bush in full bloom. (The original rooting came from my grandmother’s childhood home in Hampton Station, KY, to my mother's childhood home on South Second in Clarksville, TN, to my childhood home in Hopkinsville, KY, and now back to TN, ready to pass on to each of my children.) Add to that a red Adirondack chair with a pot of bright red double begonias (gift from HHS Student Impact and Andi Darlington) on the table right beside me---a table that is also stacked with my Bible, Jesus Calling, and my "MAC Journey" journal.
I wanted to start my day the way Linda Dickens would have started hers---like a blank sheet given to the Lord, eagerly anticipating what the Lord would write on it. She sought His agenda, His plan.
Mary Flo does much the same---she calls it being spontaneous. I see it as her way of allowing God to be in control and rejoicing over whatever or whomever God brings across her path that day. Not that she doesn’t plan---she does. She has a calendar on her computer that is synced with her palm pilot but that’s just her framework---the parameters of an organized life---not set in stone. (like agendas of type A folks) it's one that is joyfully expectant of additions or deletions from the Lord. She practices Proverbs 16:9. “The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.”
Jesus Calling, as always, seemed to echo my thoughts. “Come to me with empty hands.” “Let me fill……” So I went to my next standard devotional, My Utmost for His Highest journal. It is chocked full of stickie notes, a picture or two, pithy grabbers and song lyrics. Some are wedged in better than others. This morning when I picked it up, the lyrics of the hymn, “Lord of the Ages” fell out---such a God-thing---just succinct verses to express my rambling thoughts.

God of the morning, gladly your children (child)
worship(s) before you...
I am your(s) now and forever kept by your hand.
(May I) Crown You each moment, “Lord of Today!”
(my paraphrase)

Linda and Mary Flo have done that in their lives---crowning Him each morning, “Lord of the Day.” That’s’ why both of these women’s lives are worth emulating---God directed/directs their steps. Like the apostle Paul, they could say, “do as I do.” “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (Philippians 3:17) 

Wow, what a testimony that would be---to live my life in such a way that others would see Christ in me, the hope of glory.