Down on the Farm!

Mom's Life was down on the farm! Fon du Lac Farm Park had a free day this past Tuesday, and many moms took advantage of this time. Who doesn't love free?

While we were there we got to get up close and personal with many animals.

We also took some time to just look cute.

The kids enjoyed some play time.

The moms appreciated the beautiful scenery.

Some moms even tortured kids by taking LOTS of pictures! ;-)

All in all it was a great day!

~Dawn

Resisting Spiritual Snickers Bars

From Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver p.69-70

Spiritual Snickers Bars

A pastor's wife, Teri, had spent a busy afternoon cooking and cleaning in preparation for dinner guests and had completely missed lunch in the process. Deciding to take the edge off her hunger with her hidden stash of Snickers bars, she ate a couple of them and still had two hours time to shower,do her hair, and get dressed for her dinner party. At dinner she discovered her problem. " There I was with that wonderful dinner I'd worked all day to prepare, but my appetite was gone!" Her snack had taken away her mid-afternoon hunger pangs but she ended up only picking at her plate while everyone else dug in and enjoyed their meal. "The Lord spoke to me at that moment,"Teri says. "He showed me that we often fill our lives with spiritual Snickers bars- things like friends, books, and shopping. They may be good things,completely innocent things-but not when they take the edge off our hunger for God."

Says the author, "I constantly fight the tendency to fill the God-shaped hole he created in me with fluffy stuff...I don't like loneliness....I don't like quietness, so I fill up the silence with sitcoms, and talk shows, Christian music and CNN- but it was in the quiet of the night that Samuel heard God's voice." You might want to consider what activities you are using to fill the empty places of your life. What's taking the edge off of your hunger for him?"

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I can well relate to this passage. I find myself with a lot empty time on my hands lately. In the process of getting my house ready to be on the market, I filled my time with painting, de-junking, pre-packing and storing, cleaning and rearranging furniture, buying things to enhance the decor of my living space. Now all that remains is a "show house" that is pretty much clean and clutter-free. It is also devoid of all my music CDs , my CD player, and tv. No, I didn't get rid of the tv, but in the process of trying to save money on my cable-internet service, we cut the cable and were going to sign up as a new customer to get the lower rate, but we would then have to sign up for a specific time period contract. Unwilling to do that, we decided that internet was the most important so we have no cable. And having old tv's in the house and no converter signal box for our analog tv's means that we have no tv service. Yeah, it's pretty boring around here.

At first, I basked in the quietness of having nothing to do all day. I caught up on Facebook and e-mails. I even sent a handwritten letter to my best friend for her birthday. Then I started staying up late, and sleeping in. I didn't want to get out of my pj's some days. I started to find myself getting depressed and lonely. My husband is gone 5 nights a week and sometimes over the weekends if he has work to do in Des Moines and Allison decided to move to Iowa early and start college there. Since then , Kat has decided to move to Iowa early and get her residency established for the Spring semester. Bex is taking on more hours at Taco Bell in Morton so even as we share living space and a car together, I am seeing less of her these days. I knew the empty nest would happen sooner or later, but I'm getting a taste of it sooner than I fully expected to.

I have accountability partners who are praying for me as I asked them to , that I would find wise ways of filling up my time so that I wouldn't become depressed. I believe God is answering those prayers in a mighty way. I read this passage in the above-mentioned book for my Friday morning Mom's summer Bible study. I read it last year, but this year have benefited by savoring each chapter, underlining and discussing weekly with other sisters in the Lord. I was struck yesterday with the Spiritual Snickers bars section because it so paralleled my own journey lately. God has intentionally stripped away all that could possibly have filled my time and distracted me from Him, to bring me to the point of needing Him most. Thank you, accountability partners and fellow Christ-followers, for praying for me!

I am being more intentional in my Bible reading each morning, and spending more time reading my Bible study chapters for summer Bible study. I am pressing in during the quiet moments of each day instead of turning on a DVD or reaching for a radio, or getting on Facebook and playing my favorite game (Solitaire-how apropos). In those moments God has been sharing insights with me. Let me share just one from this past week:

In Jeremiah, the prophet is sent to speak a difficult and unpopular message to the exiles in Babylon- build houses and plant crops because you're going to be there a long while- 70 years to be exact. Don't listen to the prophets there who are telling you that you are going back and that your king will save you because God didn't send them; they are lying to you. God sent you there to PRESERVE you as a remnant. The people who got to stay in Jerusalem with their puppet king are all going to die of the sword, pestilence and famine!

God spoke to me in that moment about His moving me back to Iowa. You have to know, that I really H.A.T.E. moving! This will be the 9th time we have moved since I got engaged to my husband. Once was getting married, once was our first house, once was because of a financial setback, but 6 of them have been job-related! In these last few moves, I have been very resistant to the point of stressing out my husband. I don't like change. I am perfectly happy settling somewhere and digging in deep roots and making friends, establishing a support network. I hate the work involved in moving from the stuff I did pre-marketing of the house all the way through the showing and selling, the packing and moving, to the unpacking and rearranging of my life. I don't like notifying doctors, and collecting records and filling out all the release forms for each member of the family times the number of doctors and dentists and orthodontists we have. It seems like too much sometimes. But then those verses came back and God spoke to me and said, "Tracy, I am moving you so that I can firmly establish you -so you can continue on your walk with Me. What lies behind here for you is death and destruction for your spiritual life, but what lies ahead is much better." I could choose to put my foot down and just tell Russ I'm not moving, but at what cost to me spiritually? Isn't is much better to be in God's will for me instead of my own will for me? What must have seemed like a terrible punishment to those exiles (and it really WAS a punishment) was also God's way of preserving them as a nation. Can you get that? A sinful, prideful and terribly brutal nation was in fact, preserving the nation of Israel! So I am choosing to look differently at this move back to my roots. I can't wait to see how God will cause me to flourish in my new/old surroundings. How will He grow me? What ministry area has someone been praying for me to fill? What people does God want to send me to for accomplishing His will in their lives? And what new things does God want to teach me that require a different scenery? I'm game now.

~Tracy

Pressing Towards the Goal

Mommyhood is hard work. It can easily drive you to drink. Hopefully coffee. It can also drive you into the arms of another. Another donut or piece of chocolate that is. This morning I was trying to inspire my kids by asking them how we can love others like God loves us. I suggested things like hug others, as I gave my three year old a hug, or play with other kids. My daycare kids said to kiss someone, play with them, or be nice to them. My kindergartner scowled at me in response and demanded that I read the question on her yogurt. I told her to answer my question and I’d gladly read her yogurt. Her response was “I don’t believe in your silly God. God isn’t real. He couldn’t have made all this.” And she didn’t say this just once.

The bible says in Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul is telling us to push forward to the goal of heaven. The upward call does not mean we should stop when we have asked Jesus into our life, but to continue striving to be more like Jesus.

What goal are you pressing towards as a mother? I am working for my children to know God and his son Jesus Christ. I desire my children to be a new generation of children who are not worldly, but have a Christ-centered perspective. My desire is to have my kids accept Jesus, but to also continuously grow to be more like Him.

My daughter never did get her yogurt read, and she never answered my question. I gently reminded her that she will get her yogurt read if she participated in the conversation, but this ended when I rebuked her for a disrespectful tone. I pray that one day when she’s a mom she remembers this conversation and she is thankful that I continued to press upward towards the goal.

~Jacquie

Worthy of Our Calling

Wow, could I really consider myself a prisoner of the Lord? What does that look like? These were my thoughts as I was reading in Ephesians.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:1 “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” The last part about walking in a manner with which you have been called rattled around in my brain. What have you been called to do?

My mind went to the spiritual first. I am a leader in our mom’s group and am helping plant a new site for our church. But I’m also called to be the mother of my three children, a babysitter, and I’m directly in charge of the finances in our home (scary thought!). I'm also called to be a wife, daughter, sister, neighbor, etc. I could go on and on.

But then I thought about walking in the manner worthy of my call. I know women are watching me when I am in front speaking, but what about when I’m at the grocery store with my children? I try to be a respectful wife when I visit my husband at work, but how do I represent him in front of our children? This prompted me to list out my main “callings” and the current manner I’m walking them out.

Sisters, to be honest, some of my responses were not as attractive as I would have liked. I need to work harder at being the Lord’s prisoner! I challenge you to write down your main callings and how you are treating that calling. If some of your own responses are not as you would like them to be, don’t despair! The next few verses in Ephesians gives us directions. Paul continues, “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others' faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."

I love how God gives us direction here for what we need to walk in a manner worthy of our calling: humility, gentleness, patience, unity, and peace. Now, I know I need lots of work to be able to translate these into my roles, but I’m excited to try to put these to work, and work harder as a prisoner of the Lord.

Lord, please show me where I’m succeeding in my callings and where I could use some work. Please help me to add these new attitudes into my daily roles. Amen.

~~Jacquie~~

Bible Study Update

Hello ladies! This Friday, July 15th, is our last week talking about the book The Uncommon Woman by Susie Larson. It has been a good book, in my opinion. It is a book that challenges you to take the uncommon road, which is not the path most followed. I needed this challenge. I hope it has been good for others too.

Then, the following Friday, July 22nd, we will start a new book. This is a perfect time for new women to join us. We will be reading 'Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.'


This book is all about finding intimacy with God in the busyness of life. Isn't busyness something all women struggle with? I know I do! I can't wait to glean a little insight from what Joanna Weaver has to share.

Remember that we meet each Friday morning from 9-11. Below is where we will be meeting each week, and note that if it is raining, we will just meet in the Fellowship Room at the church. Hope to see you soon! :-)

July 15~Fondulac Park, East Peoria
July 22~Fondulac Park, East Peoria
July 29th~New Life Christian Church, Morton
August 5~Upper Grandview Park, Peoria Heights
August 12~Upper Grandview Park, Peoria Heights
August 19~New Life Christian Church, Morton

SUMMER BIBLE STUDY

Hi Gals! Are you wanting to get back into the Word? Hang out with the girls? Get a break from your kids? You can do all the above by joining Mom's Life's Summer Bible Study! Meet with the ladies to share prayer requests, discuss a couple chapters from our current study, and let your kids play under the supervision of our sitters.
Visit on July 15 to try us out! This is our last discussion of the last two chapters of our previous study and you can also pick up our Mary and Martha book for only $8.50. Childcare is $2.50 per child per week. See below for where we are meeting! Rain is not a problem; our rain location is New Life Christian Church in Morton.
Questions: Email or Facebook Jacquie Parker at Patches1981@yahoo.com or call New Life Christian Church for more information. 309-266-9050

July 15 - Fondulac Park, East Peoria
July 22 - Fondulac Park, East Peoria
July 29 - New Life Christian Church, Morton
August 5 - Upper Grandview Park, Peoria Hts.
August 12 -Upper Grandview Park, Peoria Hts.
August 19 - New Life Christian Church, Morton

Release Your Worries To God

Laura Walters shared this devotion at our last meeting, and it is one that everyone (children and adults) can benefit from.

Materials Needed:

A Bible
balloon
small piece of paper
pencil/pen

Words written in bold are when you, the parent, are speaking.

Do you ever worry about things? What kinds of things do you worry about? Do you think the Bible has anything to say about worrying?

Look up any/all of these verses:
Matthew 6:25
Matthew 6:27
Matthew 6:34
Philippians 4:6
Psalm 55:22

God wants us to give our worries, fears and concerns to Him.

Take this piece of paper, and write down one or more things you are worried about today.

Now fold it up several times, and put it in the opening of the balloon.

Blow up the balloon, and let the piece of paper fall down into it.

Let's pray, and you can repeat after me, "Lord, I give you my cares and concerns right now. Please take them away, so I don't have to carry them anymore. In Jesus' name, Amen."


Now hold up the balloon and let go of it! (The balloon will zip away as the air pours out of it.) Talk about how this is like God taking our worries away.

Close in prayer together, thanking God for loving us enough to answer our prayers and take our worries away.

Chocolate Milk Devotion

Here is another great devotion to do with your children. Thanks to Laura Walters for sharing this with us during our May meeting.

Teaching Point: We can ask Jesus to be our forever friend, and he will be with us--forever!

Scripture: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son; that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.

Materials Needed:

clear cup for each child filled 3/4 full with milk
chocolate syrup
spoon
red paper heart-laid on top of the cup of milk

*Words written in bold are when you, the parent, are speaking.

Read the verse written above. Explain-God loves us so much that He sent His son Jesus to die for us, so that our sins can be forgotten and we can live with Him in heaven someday!

Explain-Let's pretend that the cup of milk is us, and the chocolate syrup is Jesus. What is keeping Jesus (the chocolate syrup) from getting inside of us (the milk)? The heart is keeping the chocolate from getting in. What do we have to do to have Jesus come in? (Open our hearts and pray and ask Him to come in!) That's right! Jesus loves us so much, and He died-or got into big trouble-for the bad stuff that WE do. He did that so that we can ask him to be our forever friend, and then when we sin (do things that make God sad) we can ask for forgiveness-and God will forgive us! That means that God washes our sins away! But to do that, we have to open our hearts and pray to Jesus-telling Him that we make mistakes and we are sorry, and that we need His forgiveness. We also ask Jesus to be our forever friend so we can be with Him in heaven someday.

There may be kids who haven't accepted Jesus as their savior. If so, stop right now and ask them if they would like to pray with you. Pray this prayer (can be in your own words)
Dear Jesus, I know that I do things that make you sad. I believe that you died so that the bad things I do can be washed away. Please forgive me for things I've done wrong, and come into my heart and be my forever friend. In Jesus' name, Amen!

If your child accepts Jesus as their Savior, take a minute to celebrate! Tell them that angels in heaven celebrate when one person comes to Jesus!

Next-demonstrate what happens when we ask Jesus to be our forever friend. When we open our hearts and invite Jesus in (remove heart from cup), He comes in right away (pour some chocolate in).

But, Jesus wants to be our best friend. What do we do with someone who is our best friend? (talk, laugh, play, etc.)

God Will Vacuum Up Your Sins!

Here is a fun devotion to do with your kids. Laura Walters shared this with us during her talk in May.

Materials Needed:

A Bible
A piece of paper
A pen or pencil
Vacuum cleaner

Words written in bold are when you, the parent, are speaking.

Do you remember what the Bible calls it when we do bad things? (sin)

Right! Let's look up Romans 3:23 to see what it says about sin.
So everybody sins...and we have talked before about how we can ask for forgiveness of our sins, because Jesus died on the cross so we could be forgiven...remember?

But what happens to our sins when we confess them? Does God keep them all in a big "sin box" that He can pull out someday and show to us?

Let's see what His Word--the Bible tells us about that.

Look up Psalm 103:12

So God totally takes away our sins! Pretty cool! To help us remember that, let's do a little exercise together. I want you to take this piece of paper and write down one or more sins that you have committed lately. (give a few minutes for this)

So these are things you've done wrong, huh? Have you asked God to forgive you for those? If you have--great! If you haven't, let's stop and do that right now.

Remember, the Bible says that God removes our sins from us, "as far as the east is from the west."

Now I want you to tear up that piece of paper, and vacuum it up with the vacuum cleaner.

After vacuuming, remind your child that this can remind them of how God removes our sins from us when we confess them. They are totally gone!

Pray together, thanking God for Jesus' death on the cross and for removing our sins from us completely when we ask! Amen!

Summer Bible Study

Hi gals! Mom's Life will soon be starting their summer bible study. We'll meet every Friday starting June 3 until August 19 from 9am to 11am. This bible study has an informal atmosphere. We meet, share prayer requests, and discuss the two chapters of the book for the reading assignment.

The first book we'll be reading is The Uncommon Woman: Making the Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson. Borders.com gives this description: "Imagine yourself in a pool of strong swimmers, all swimming clockwise. You, a Christian woman, are swimming counter-clockwise...counter-cultural, if you will. This book is for the woman who longs to rise up out of the stereotypical behavior of gossip, insecurity, pettiness, and small dreams. She has an unfulfilled desire to be someone who goes against the grain of the common for the sole purpose of living a life with conviction. The woman who reads this book is ready to believe in her deep value, ready to accept her high calling, and ready to make a difference in a world in need of her influence. Go ahead, swim against the stream to become The Uncommon Woman."

Child care is $2.50 per child. Books will soon be available for purchase. Facebook Jacquie Parker or email her at patches1981@yahoo.com for more information.

I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

Where is my heart today??

Today I had that sinking feeling. You know the one if you're a mom... or if you're not a mom and you've just been really overwhelmed and think you're going to blow. That was me today. To set the stage I was making dinner and it was past dinner time. My two year old is sick and cranky and whiny and hungry and she is trying to "help" me make dinner. All my attempts to get her to go play are not working. I had a busy day away from home, so I had been rushing around: feeding the my three month old baby, doing the dishes, nursing my baby boy, cleaning up the living room, attaching the baby to me to nurse (again!?!), and now finally I was making dinner. The oldest, who is five, was peppering me with questions throughout this whole time and unfortunately my answers had gotten to "just let me finish dinner, so I can think" and "I can't even think to answer that right now; please just let me finish dinner!". You get the idea. The events that lead to me losing control are my two-year-old dropping a can into the bowl of marinade, my two-year-old dropping a cake on the floor (upside-down in the pan with lid), and my two-year-old dropping a bowl of mandarin oranges all over the floor. (Thank the Lord the bowl was plastic!) At that point I needed to get away, but couldn't leave the kitchen with the chicken browning on the stove, so I did the next best thing: I stuck my head into the cupboard. After a few deep breaths I saw the verse I had taped on the inside: Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Let me explain why this hit me like a fist in the gut. This made me realize that my treasure was getting dinner on time like a good wife, having the house clean so my husband could relax (like he could relax with me as wired up as I was! Ha!), and making a healthy meal to take care of my children. Instead I realized my heart was thinking that feeding my hungry child something an hour ago would have been better for my hungry whiny child, I was wanting to hold my sick child instead of telling her to go away, and having a welcoming home for my husband didn't necessarily mean one that was spotless and with dinner on the table at 5:30 sharp. I thank the Lord that his pep talk worked. I had my oldest set the table and told her how proud I was of her. She just wanted me to give her a little of my time. I sat on the floor next to my two-year-old girl and told her I would open another can of oranges. I hugged my husband and told him how much I appreciated him working for us and holding the baby so I could cook dinner. Thank you Lord for having me put that verse in my cupboard months ago. Help me to treasure the things I should, so my heart will be there also. Amen. Jacquie Parker Mom's Life Director