20 Dec 2015

How the Word Breathes Life into My Mothering

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, mothering, parenting, Shepherding Children | 5

Oh, sweet mommas – this post is especially for the mommas out there – and you don’t have to have toddlers to understand this post. Maybe all of your kids are teenagers, or are married and raising babies of their own – or maybe you have a few younger than mine and are still living in sleepless nights because of newborns or sleep regression.

Just as the very word of God spoke all of creation into being, and the word of God is written down for us so we may be changed into His image, the word of God also breathes life into the every day of my mothering – right now which is a highly emotional 3 year old we are seeking to potty train and a speedy 2 year old who loves to jump off everything he can climb.

Two examples for you from the last 24 hours. It was a long afternoon as I fought for my 2 year old to take a nap. I knew he was tired and just didn’t want to miss out on anything. Finally 90 minutes after scheduled nap time, he finally went down for 90 minutes. Then, by the time my husband walked in the door at 635 from his job, I was so done. He immediately took over, gave them a bath, put them to bed (which was a 2.5 hour struggle with one of them), and told me to go do something, anything, other than being with the kids. I went in and took a long hot shower which is one of my favorite things to do in the winter (I know I’m not helping the water conservation society). As I was standing there praying, confessing my anger and entitlement, I was reminded of a verse in James that my husband spent a whole year on our first year of marriage: James 4:1-4 which basically says the reason you are arguing and upset is because you are fighting to get what you want because you are idolizing something and not keeping God God in your life and heart. Yup. I was struggling all day because I didn’t get what I wanted from my sons. I wanted quiet – I didn’t get much of that all day. I wanted obedience – but my sons are sinners and not prone to obey so I shouldn’t expect them to do it. I was crying in the shower, even as the hot water ran down my cheeks and increased my need for an aging-skin moisturizer – God was restoring my soul with the work of the Word.

The second example is from this morning: it was a long morning. I sat in the sanctuary during the sunday school hour, listening to my husband prep for CEve service, scanning through social media, getting encouraged from friends, and the tears were there all morning. Before the service, my husband sat down beside me, and just whispered in my ear the gospel: the God has a plan, Jesus is enough even when its hard, that His grace is sufficient. My tears were dripping on his new gray pants. I didn’t care. I hope they didn’t stain. The gospel is found in the Word. We must know the Word. We must have the Word spoken to us – to our souls – to our hurt and weary souls.

I got a book set in the mail this week from Tommy Nelson that helps adults and kids know key Scriptures in the Bible. How to know them, memorize them, live them out – so that the Word may be life-changing in whatever situation we find ourselves in. The Joshua Code and I Can Learn the Bible would be a great set for you to work through with your children in the new year. If you would like please just leave a post about anything – anything at all.

Happy Mothering.

24 Nov 2015

Praying for Your Kids (and giveaway)

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, Shepherding Children | 6

Let’s be honest for a second, sometimes (in the midst of temper tamptrums and bouts of continued disobedience) it is hard to be really thankful for our children.

But, God has given them to us as a blessing and should be one of the greatest gifts we’ve ever been given – and they need to be told over and over again how thankful we are for them.

One of the times i usually love the most, is when I get to lay down with my older one and pray over him as he goes to sleep at night. He has some sensory delays in his development, so he absolutely loves to sleep in the floor. We’ve made him a soft palette and pile on his stuffed animals and his night night (the blanket he has slept with since he was a few months old). He always wants either me or his Daddy to lay beside him until he falls asleep. And as soon as I lay down with him, I pray aloud over him with my hand on his back or his face. Such a sweet time. I pray for his little heart to be turned to God because God would be calling him, giving him a new heart. I pray that he would be obedient and that he would love God. I also finish each prayer saying how thankful we are for him, bubba, mommy, daddy, and most of all Jesus.

It is so important for our children to hear us praying for them – not just telling them about it. I learned from my mentor the importance of writing down prayers and journaling for future generations. I admit that the discipline has been a struggle for me in these early years, but I do it some. And it is such a treasure for me when I do journal and write out my prayers for them to my great Heavenly Father who listens to our prayers.

Tommy Nelson sent me Jean Fischer’s new book I Prayed For You – and I love it. A cute board book complete with cute illustrated bears. Tells of prayers a mama can pray for her cub as he grows up. And yes, like any good mom I cried as I got to several of the prayers.

This will be a book you can treasure reading to your little one – even until he or she is 5 or 6. Treasure the time. Treasure the prayers. If you want to have a chance to win this book – leave a comment with something you pray for your children. That’s it! I will pick the winner on Wednesday.

18 Sep 2015

One Reason I Love Fall

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, Kids r Readers 2 | 3

Because there is more time to read books!

I love books and I love fall, so there you go.

Almost every night I have the privilege of putting my boys to bed. My favorite time with them is right before bed time when I take the time to read stories with each one of them in their rooms. I start with my younger and we read three books. Then I move on to my older son and we read two books. I love holding them, reading with them, laughing with them, and praying over them. Such a sweet bonding time.

So, what a great thing to combine both my love of books and love of Fall with a new book by Tommy Nelson that I was sent to read with my children and to pass on to you. This great board book continues a series of season books that show furry “lions” (my sons overall word for most animals) having fun as families doing Fall activities.

My Favorite Pen(s) Giveaway

by Kimberly | posted in: creatives | 19

Admitting you have a problem is always the first step in recovery, right?

I have a pen problem. I have TONS of them. Most of them are ball point click pens that come from church, organizations, medical supplies, previous jobs, conferences, etc. But I’m hear to tell you about some pens that should be near the top of your list as well. And head on to the bottom for a giveaway!

So, I’m going to talk about some pens here – and my thoughts. You might not agree with my thoughts – because pens are like kitchen knives: you have to know what you are going to use them for, and grip them in your hands, then you will know which ones are right for you.

My fave pen for every day writing: Poppin Pens. I had a free coupon and got a box of these. Love the bright colors and the medium tip. They are fun. They write smooth. I’m glad I got them free because they range about 1$ a pen.

My fave pen for everything else: Staedtler. Oh my. These write smooth and help me to write like I want to write. Its that easy. They are heavier pigmented so they can be seen from the other side of my Journaling Bible – but that’s ok for me. (And if anyone needs a gift idea for me for Christmas or birthday or just because, the pen set I have linked here would be marvelous)

Runner-ups:

Frixion: a friend of mine gave me some of these. They didn’t write smooth enough for me – but I loved their fine tips and there erasability.

Sharpie Pens: these really are stellar – they just don’t come in enough colors for me (so that’s why they aren’t my fave pens)

LePen: I remember writing with these in my younger days. The only reason they aren’t my favorite (because I love their colors and their writing size) is because they seem to be delicate. I find myself writing with a lighter hand when I write with these.

PaperFlair: These are really good too, but just are too generic for me and don’t come in enough colors. But, I really like them for every day lettering.

So, to win this giveaway (which is for all you weekend people – ending Sunday night at 9pm) – all you have to do is leave a comment telling me what your favorite pen is How simple is that? Winner will be chosen and get some of my favorite pens!

Oh, and this lovely print in the above photo is from Kristin Schmucker

5 Sep 2015

Book Review & Giveaway: God Made All of Me

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, Kids r Readers 2 | 10

Unfortunately, this world hands us things that we must learn how to interact with, pray about, deal with, handle with truth and the gospel, and prepare our kids to face as they get older. This is the sad reality in which we live.

Fortunately, Justin Holcomb and his wife, Lindsey, have written an incredible resource for children (toddlers through 8 years old) to instruct, inform, and prepare them for how they live in their bodies. And how they respond to physical touch.

Child abuse, both physical and sexual and mental, is so rampant these days. We must know how to prepare our children for what they (prayerfully won’t) might encounter. The more our children are prepared the more we as parents can hopefully prevent harm to our children.

What I love about God Made All of Me is that is tells children that their bodies are good because God made them and it teaches them the importance of communication with trusted adults. Inappropriate sexual touch can be totally embarrassing to children – they may not know how to tell their parents. But, if you keep the communication lines open with your child, and teach them that God did make them in His image and it is wrong for others to touch them in a wrong way – you will be equipping your child!

This book comes out this week – and you (and your church library) need this book. My Mom has been gracious enough to provide one for you to win.

So, all you have to do is tell me what truth you preach to yourself to keep you from worrying about all the evil that might affect your children as they grow. Truth to guard against evil! So important as we train our children up to love Jesus.

Litfuse provided me this book through New Growth Press to review. All opinions are my own.

29 Aug 2015

Food Blog Love (10 year blogging anniversary giveaway)

by Kimberly | posted in: The Charming South Kitchen | 22

One of the reasons I started this here blog ten years ago this month was to share recipes with my college girls. I loved sharing recipes so they could cook them for dinner, or to share with friends, or even now, to share with their husbands and families.

This month marks 10 years of blogging for me. I love to blog, share recipes, connect with readers, and share life and community. It can be done on blog world – believe me!

So, for this blog, I wanted to share some resources that I love – because often people ask me what are my go-to recipe places on the internet. I’ve come to absolutely love these blogs and turn to them first more than other places. I hope you come to know these bloggers, love their food, know their stories, and share their food with your loved ones.

everything important happens around a table

eatliverun – I started reading Jenna back when I lived in Louisville like 6 years ago. I loved her healthy(ish) recipes, her stories, her wine-tasting, California-living life, and her photos. She also is a fit-girl! She is a momma and though she doesn’t blog here now, she is doing fitness coaching and you can follow her on Instagram. But, she still has her blog up. Two of my favorites are her Thai Red Curry and her Pistachio Cupcakes (as my mister, they are so good). And, if you haven’t read her book and love culinary life stories – you will love her White Jacket Required. I finished it in two days (and I have toddlers!).

bloggingoverthyme Laura and I share the same last name (well, my maiden name). She is superb at the camera and I love her story-telling and her chronicling of her now life in Chi-town. She is down to earth and shares delicious recipes – and she interacts with her readers and wants to encourage them in their kitchen pursuits. I just made her Lemon Zucchini Cardamom Bundt Cake. So good (I ended my sugar and carb fast a day early just to have some – and a BLT).

pinchofyum I’d love for my husband and I to be able to turn this blog into a well-paid blog so that he could quit his job and we could just do this. Wishful thinking. But, other than the monetary side of the blogging, this couple is great at giving photography tips, delicious recipes and that may be a little out of my culinary box, and again, is interactive with their readers. I do love these chocolate chip cookies and this delicious granola

dineanddish Kristen is so friendly and personable and of course a great chef for her family and others. She cares about her readers. I wish I could meet all of these bloggers and sit down for coffee or bake with them in their kitchens. That would be such a treat. Again, her photographs are great (notice a theme of food and photography) and her recipes are delicious. LIke these maple scones perfect for the fall that is approaching quickly and because I’m from the strawberry cap of the world, this unbelievable strawberry shortcake

And since I’ve been blogging for ten years – I will be giving one lucky reader a little prize package – filled with things that I blog about! So, all you have to do to enter is comment here (and for every entries share on social media)! I will pick the winner on September 1!

28 Aug 2015

Nightly Devotions with Preschoolers

by Kimberly | posted in: Bible, Books, Shepherding Children | 8

Something my husband and I are learning how to do (and we are talking about progression, not perfection) is having more time where we talk with our boys about Jesus and the Bible.

And if you have preschoolers, then you know that their attention spans for non-televised viewing is fairly short (one of the pitfalls of our media-driven culture). So, unless you have creative animals, paid sound effect personnel,and a storyboard producer – your nightly devotions might not live up to Daniel Tiger or the Octonaughts.

But, getting the Bible into your children, teaching them about Jesus, and loving them the way Jesus would love them (by the Spirit’s help) is the most important thing you could ever do for your children.

So, currently, my older son is just about to turn three. He loves books. So each night, we put our younger to bed (we read Good Night North Carolina and Goodnight Moon and a Sandra Boynton book and pray with him) and then scoot over to our older son’s bedroom and read a book with him. We are reading Read and Share 5 Minute Bible Stories (that I just got from Tommy Nelson – thank you). Our son loves it. It is short, great vibrant pictures just like in the Read and Share Bible which we also like, and its big (so even if he doesn’t have his glasses on, he can follow along. I love how even now (we are in the Moses story) it focuses on the work of God throughout the Bible – and not the men on earth who fail and are sinners. The whole Bible points to God and Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and the Spirit who indwells in believers. I want that to be what our son gets from reading the Bible.

So, when you are just starting out:

Be simple and short. Attention spans are short. Keep your kids’ focus by reading something, asking questions, and praying. It doesn’t have to be long – just consistent.
Utilize good resources. There are so many out there. I recommend this bible story book, and catechisms for kids. So many other tools out there, especially as your children get older.
Be faithful. God will reward even the smallest. He wants your children to know Him too.
Pray that God would capture your child’s heart! You can’t do it yourself. The greatest parents in the world can’t make their kids love Jesus. Only He can!

If you want to win a copy of the Bible story book I talk about here, then all you have to do is answer the question: what is one way you are teaching your children about God? I’ll pick a winner Sunday night!

1 Aug 2015

Building Spiritual Disciplines in your Toddler (part 1)

by Kimberly | posted in: Bible, Books, Shepherding Children | 3

Toddlers: they are the funnest and hardest part of my day. This afternoon when I was eating Chickfila with my boys on the back porch – watching my older one get so excited about dipping his fries in the sauce or hearing my younger say “coke coke” begging for a sip of my diet coke – I looked at both of them with a huge smile – telling them I love you. And then there are moments when I just want to put them to bed and have a moment of silence to myself. And I’ve learned that is ok. Grace comes with bedtime.

But, grace also is imparted to our children by them learning about spiritual disciplines. One of the disciplines that we are teaching our boys is prayer. They clap and say yay when we are done praying at dinner.

A great new resource to help your child learn how to pray is the Say and Pray Bible. It is by Tommy Nelson resources and is a board book with great illustrations for your toddler. One of the aspects of this Bible that I love is that it helps them identify objects in the story (learning new vocabulary, helping them learn how to spell). This is purely educational. But, when tied in with a Bible story and prayer guide – this is a great resource for your toddler – probably my new favorite.

One of the ways I intend to use this as my boys get older is create worksheets that they can do as we read along with the story. I want to pull of the words and give them space to learn how to write, draw pictures of the words that they can match, There is a variety of creative games or word searches that you can do to help your children learn how to read, spell, match, and learn the Bible.

If you would like to win this resource for your children – just leave a note here or on Social media and tell me one verse that you are teaching your kids to pray.

That’s all.

11 May 2015

Every Bitter Thing is Sweet (Ramblings and Giveaway)

by Kimberly | posted in: Books | 4

One of the best books I’ve read lately, one that has captured my soul in a time of hurt and healing, is Every Bitter Thing is Sweet. I was introduced to it by a few friends on IG and she spoke recently at my former church in the RDU area. It has indeed been a book that I will re-read in different seasons of life. I will be doing an official review of it on another site, but here I just wanted to give some personal reflections – and have a giveaway (Thanks to Zondervan.)

First, just two notes…This book may not be for you. It is a memoir of Sara Hagerty’s journey of a wife, adoptive mom, and now a mom. It is one written on a painful journey and how God met her in her time of need. There are Scriptures at the back of each chapter – dive into those verse. Even if you know you know them, read them again. Scripture is good for our soul – as Psalm 19 says, “It revives the soul”.

“I was a different woman than the one I had been before my life unraveled, because God had become to me a different God than the one I’d contrived to be when it all was working as it should.” (pg 180)

2014 was a difficult year to say the least. I had a 2 year old and a newborn. We moved states and my husband changed jobs. I learned new meanings of the word trust. I cried so much. Hurt was a regular part of my vocabulary. But, what I’ve been learning even into 2015 is that God is an amazingly, close Father and I am in so desperate need of the Gospel every minute of my life. When we walk through valleys, our God shows up so clear to us – because He is often all we have – and that is a beautifully hard thing to learn.

“She was finding a new identity. She was walking out the fulfillment of our feeble prayers. Her heart was growing. Pain had made space.”

Friends, I’m not there yet. Not completely. There’s more space, but not near as much as there should be. I’m learning every day how to trust again, how to be selfless (which I’m so not, and that’s not humble modesty). I’m learning to lean into Jesus and his Word. I want God to be daily re-creating me more and more into his image.

Perfect for Mother’s Day (even though it was yesterday)

“If my chief end as a mother is anything less than knowing Him and carrying His glory in my life, I will walk through these years empty.” (pg 156)

I need to hang this on my mirror so I see it every day. Notice she didn’t say to have the cleanest house, have the best “work from home” business, or have the most well-dressed kids. She said to know Jesus and carry his glory. Reflect his glory!

“He wants us to make a habit out of coming near. Because His response to our pain will be safe.” (pg 146)

In the presence of God is the only safe place there really is – because there there is no sin. God is perfect and holy and gently. He will not break us. He will shape us into the image of Jesus with gentleness. Other people – in response to our circumstances – will bring us (even more) pain. Don’t set your hopes on other’s responses. Focus your hope of the Lover of your Soul. He is good.

“Delight and life from a tongue can change a soul.” (pg 101)

This needs to be the air I breathe to others. Conviction shouldn’t be the first thing on my mind. Critique shouldn’t be the first thing on my list. I know God’s Word calls us how to live and I want to know how I can bring life (not sappy optimism) into others. I want to love on others like Christ would. That is a hard balance. If you see others living in sin, tread lightly, be gentle, allow the healing words of Christ and gospel to speak through you – not the harsh words of condemnation. Remember when you are speaking that there is no condemnation in Christ – so if your words leave someone feeling condemned – that’s not Jesus.

Giveaway Question:

I have one copy of this book to giveaway. If you’d like it – please answer: What is one thing you’ve learned about God as you’ve walked through a difficult season?

23 Mar 2015

God’s Delight in Pre-Teen Girls (Book Giveaway)

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, parenting, Shepherding Children | 10

(This post is sponsored by Tommy Nelson Mommies: they give me free books – and allow you to win them – in exchange for my review of them. All opinions are my own.)

One of the first things we learn as believers (or are taught in Christian learning) is “God created everything.” I already teach that truth to my boys. We love the verses that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” and “created in God’s image”

But, somehow, I think it is a very easy truth to learn and put into belief the older we get. I remember being a pre-teen girl. I was overweight, wore glasses, didn’t have great hair, had zits, wasn’t all the cool, wanted to be cool, had a crush on the cool guy, started my period, looked different than most of the girls in my class, it wasn’t easy.

I believed lies. I desired popularity. I earnestly tried so hard to fit in. But, one of the things I don’t remember reminding myself of is that God created me perfectly in his image and has a plan for my life.

Then, I graduated high school and started college. I taught 7th grade co-ed Sunday School for 3 straight years. I still keep in touch with some of those girls. There were (and still are) so many battles pre-teen and teen girls face. But, there is only one answer. God’s truth.

My first devotional when I was in 10th grade was Spirit Wings by Ken Burns. I loved it at the time. I was just learning how to have a quiet time thanks to my youth pastor and youth workers. Quiet time material has come a long way. I think it is an important discipline for kids of any age to learn. Taking time each day to talk with God, read His Word, and listen to Him.

You, as a parent to them, have a vital role in this. You can not only model this for them, but also teach them how to do it for themselves, and engage with them after their quiet time. Ask them what they learned. Ask them what they read. Ask them important questions of how they might apply it to their heart that God is in the process of making new and making to look like Christ’s.

Tommy Nelson has put out resources for quiet times for pre-teen or young teen girls called Brave Girls. The two I have for the purpose of this blog is Faithful Friends (on friendships and relationships) and Better Than Perfect (on self-image and how to relate to this world in light of the Word). Each day is a 1-2 page read. Starts out with Scripture, then there is a story, lesson, truth, completely applicable to this time in their lives, and finishes with questions and prayers.

One way I think it could be better would be to bring everything in every story under the Cross of Christ – but I do think these are really really good and can be a great help to you as a parent in giving your daughter some solid material. And, as you talk with your daughter and engage with her in what she is reading, you can tie everything back to the Gospel.

So, if you would like a chance to win these books, please comment with the answer to one of these two questions.

1. What was the first devotional book you read (besides the Bible)?

2. How do you train your children to have their own quiet time?

giveaway

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