teach the younger

Some moms in our church are getting together once a week, and discussing this book called Feminine Appeal. So far I really like it and I'm gleaning a lot of wisdom from it. It's based on the scripture in Titus 2:3-5 which says,
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."
In the first chapter of the book the author talks about how important it is for older women to teach the younger women how to be godly wives and mothers. She makes the point that as a culture we require certification, training and degrees for "vocations of lesser importance" but our culture will hand over marriage and motherhood without blinking an eye.
This is so true! I have believed for a long time that being a godly wife and mother is a very high calling, and a lot of work. How can anyone expect to be a natural at it unless they are taught? You don't send someone that has never even boiled water into a kitchen and expect them to make creme brulee.
She also says that when Paul wrote this, she feels he was not picturing seminars, Bible studies, or books. Although those things are beneficial, she feels that he was talking about the older women teaching the everyday things. Here is an awesome quote from the book:
"It would help younger women to know there are a few listening ears when they don't know what to do with an uncommunicative husband, a 25 pound turkey, or a two-year-old's tantrum... He [Paul] meant the simple things, the everyday example, the willingness to take time from one's own concerns to pray with the anxious mother, to walk with her the way of the cross-with its tremendous demands of patience, selflessness, loving kindness-and to show her, in the ordinariness of Monday through Saturday, how to keep a quiet heart."
I earnestly pray that the women and men of the church would start to get this concept. There are some people that get it, but I see so many young women that have no one to turn to when life's questions arise.
If you have some free time, read the book.
Feminine Appeal Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother
by Carolyn Mahaney

Kid advice

The last few days it seems there has been a lot of talk about babies. We have 4 pregnant women in our church right now. Two of them are due the end of Oct. (We had a baby shower for one of those women yesterday, which I'll get to later.) The other 2 are pretty newly pregnant. Amy has three boys already, I think she might be hoping for a girl this time. The other couple I am extremely excited about their pregnancy because they had to go through some fertility treatments to achieve this pregnancy, and they have been trying for a while.
At the shower yesterday, two experienced moms gave the new mother to be little words of advice for mothering. One of the things they both said was, "Enjoy every minute and every age because it goes by SO fast." I heard that a lot when I was first pregnant with Truitt, and I took the advice kind of threw out the part about it going by fast. Well, I soon came to realize that it really does go by fast. Before I knew it Truitt was 6 months old and we found out we were pregnant again. Then I blinked and Ephraim was already here. Now he is already 6 weeks old! It's crazy how quickly (especially in the first year of life) how much children change, learn, and grow. Ephraim is just learning to hold up his head, while Truitt (only 15 months older) is running, climbing, learning animal noises and can say several words.
The other very wise word of advice was "Everything is a stage." Meaning when the kid is leaking though his daiper every night, or can't seem to figure out how to drink from a sippy cup and is upset about it, or in my case won't listen when you tell him to come here. It's a stage. It will pass, and as we have already stated it goes by fast. It may not seem fast while walking through it, but it passes quickly.
So words of wisdom for those of you who are planning on having kids, or an encouragement to those that already do, decide now that you will cherish every moment of every age and remind yourself of that commitment often (it helps when you are in one of those frustrating stages).

Welcome!

Welcome to the Lowrey family's blog. I decided to start this blog for 2 reasons.
Reason 1: I like to blog. I like to share what's going on in our lives for friends and family (especially those who are out of state) to read. I also like writing out silly and random thoughts and feelings.
Reason 2: I got tired of people saying "Xanga is great you should set up an account" then by the time I get everything set up, everyone has moved on to MySpace. Then when I get on to MySpace, everyone moves on to Face Book. Well I've had enough! I'm not moving to Face Book! I looked at it and I don't like the way it's set up. Just a personal opinion.
There you have it.
Just a little info about our family:
Aaron: A wonderful husband and father. Loves music, learning, and philosaphy. Currently working as a new construction plumber and going to school to become and engeneer.
Carrie: The one who will do most of the writing on this blog, wife and mother. Loves laughing, great coffee, and good books. Currently working part time at Starbucks, and will soon be certified to be a Black Apron Barista.
Truitt: Energetic 16 month old. Loves to run, read and play with blocks. Currently working on his animal noises and climbing skills.
Ephraim: Sleepy 5 1/2 week old. Loves to eat, sleep, and look around. Currently working on trying to bring his hands to his mouth so he can suck on them, and sleeping though the night, and holding his head up.
On top of everything else we are also trying to fix up our house because we are trying to sell it. I know what your thinking...."You're trying to sell a house in this market?" Well yes. Our goal is to sell the house and move in to a cheeper place to save money while Aaron completes school. As we speek Aaron is painting the outside of the house. I'm so excited, because it will make it look so much nicer. I love the colors we are painting. The main part of the house will be a light gray. The trim will be an off white, and the other items (ie; the front door, garage door and shutters) will be a nice shade of blue. I'll post a pic when it's all done.
Well, that's the 411 on our little family. Hope you enjoy reading our blog!