Saturday, May 11, 2013

Mother's Day + Free Books

So many of us in blog land have a heart for kids, with no kids to fill our arms.  For those of you in the same boat as me, I'm praying for you.  {{{HUGS}}}  We lost our son two years ago this past winter.  The past two Mother's Days since, I have been pulled aside by women in the church to tell me they are pregnant.  This year I'm already for it, which of course means it probably won't happen.

So last year I started something in our church, and when we got a new pastor since then, was VERY adamant about carrying on the tradition I had started last year, thankfully he agreed.  In the book "Hannah's Hope" by Jennifer Saake, she talks about how Mother's Day is supposed to be a day of joy, but without meaning to, churches end up hurting women who have lost children, or don't have children, without even meaning to.

So, in the book, it has a whole chapter on including all women in Mother's Days.  It also has great ideas for Children Dedication days and such.  So for Mother's Day, as I did last year, every single women in the church is included.  Every single woman helps the children, whether through being a children's leader, a babysitter, hug giver, praiser and encourager, what have you.  Whether we have given birth, or just come along side to help, we have the heart of a mother.  So in plans for tomorrow, I have plants ready to give to every single woman in the church, and some extras in case we have guests.  Two other women are helping, and they too are including events for every woman in the church. 

Whether your arms are full tomorrow, or your heart is breaking, I'm praying for you.  {{{HUGS}}}  I don't know why things turn out the way they do.  I don't know why my arms are empty and everyone else at the church is worrying about new cars because they can't fit all their kids in, same goes with my family.  I'm the oldest, and the only one without several kids.  But I do know this.  We ARE still important.  Our husband STILL LOVE US just as much.  We still have SO MUCH VALUE and SO MUCH LOVE to give.  I wish I could make tomorrow easier for all of you that are hurting, but I can promise, if you need an ear to listen, if you need someone that understands, I'm here.  {{{HUGS}}} 

And at some point, if you're okay with a book with Biblical perspective, I think you might like reading Hannah's Hope.  It can be a bit hard to get through if your heart is set on children and you have none yet, at least it was for me, but it REALLY did help as well to see hope.

And today there are a number of free books, one is about marriage.
And for all you mothers out there, I want to give you a bit of a treat. :)  And so the rest of the books are for, or are about, moms.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to you! :)

On Amazon today, not sure for how long, or how good these books even are, but these books are free.  I can't guarantee they are good, but they looked okay, so am sharing them with you.  Just copy and past the title into amazon, and hopefully it will be freen in your country. :)

- A Redneck's Guide To Stayin' Married (sounded like fun)
Parenting from the Overflow (A devotional)
- A Mother's Day Mix: The Ambitious Millipede's Mother's Day Gift (Children's Book)
- Beautiful Muddle (One woman's perspective on kids, marriage, family, and life)
- Don't Put Headphones on the Cat and Other Life Lessons  (Marriage, parenting, having a career….Being Supermom was supposed to be so easy.)
- Called to Adoption: A Christian's Guide to Answering the Call
- Plenty: 31 Sips of Joy for Moms Everywhere (Devotional)
- The Mom Rut: How To Break Out Of Your Mom Rut
- A Gift For Mommy (Children)

16 comments:

  1. EsMay, more than anything I pray that your arms are full next May.

    Thank you for the reminder to kiss those stinkers of mine even if they leave their crusty socks all over my house.

    love you, willie!

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    1. Thank you, Willie. Yes, give them a kiss, even if they stink. ;)

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  2. I think its a wonderful tradition you've started in your church to honour all women on Mother's Day. Perhaps its easy for women who have children to think about what its like to crave a child in your life so badly but be denied the opportunity to be a mother. I remember a time when I craved so badly to the point of obsession. Just after we adopted our first three (adopted together b/c they are biological brothers), we were surprised to be pregnant again. There is hope and God will see that you get what you need. Maybe it won't be in the traditional sense of pregnancy but rather in fostering or adoption or something else. I don't know if this helps as Mother's Day comes around, but I felt compelled to say this to you. (Hugs)

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    1. Wow EsMay ~ that's a wonderful thing you've started at your church - I'd love to see that happen at my church too.

      I think you have such a generous heart - not many of us can reach out to others in the midst of our own sorrow, at least I don't recall being able to when I was struggling with this - you're pretty special.

      And I'm with the others, hoping that your arms will be full next May. <3

      And then someday, you'll be right there with Willie and me, dealing with those "crusty socks"! ;)

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    2. You should read my post if you get a chance. I feel the same way about including all the ladies because there are so many who have mothering in their hearts but not in their arms. Much love and prayers for you that one day your arms will be full. <3

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    3. Cali Mom, thank you, so many compiments... I'm a little red. And thank you, I hope to have a little someone to fill my arms this time next year as well. :)

      Quiet Sara, thank you, and I'll check your post out. :)

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  3. Bless you Es May, I think you are doing an amazing thing with your church. As Cali said, I don't know many who would be able to reach out as you are. You have such a generous and compassionate heart.

    I too pray that your arms will soon be full.

    ((Hugs))
    Roz

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    1. Thank you, Roz. I don't know if it's that I can reach out, as much as it's that I know how much it hurts, and if I can help someone else have less hurt, I want to at least try, if that makes sense. And thank you for the prayers, I will selfishly take them. :) {{{HUGS}}}

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  4. What a wonderful thing you are doing. While we may not always agree with God's plan, we know that HE will do what is the right thing for us but in HIS time not ours.

    Blessings.

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    1. Yes, sunnygirl, that is the key. :) Though, you are right, waiting on that timing can be very hard.

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  5. I've said it before and I'll say it again. You're amazing! I hope your wait will soon be over. Have a wonderful day.

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    1. Thank you, Sarah. I don't feel amazing, but it touches my heart that you think so. And I hope my wait will be over soon too. :) Bought a faith gift today, something for a baby, in hopes of the one we believe we will have someday

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  6. Sending you thoughts and wishes for finding peace. It sounds like you are on a healing path.

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    1. Thank you, Kim. It is slow, but yes, I am healing. :)

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  7. What a wonderful tradition you have started with your beautiful and loving heart Es May! Sending lots of prayers and healing energy your way that you have the gift you long for, soon!

    Hugs and Blessings,
    Cat

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    1. Oh, thank you, Cat. :) I would love to have my gift soon too. It's been a long wait, but it'll be special, whenever it happens. But I do hope soon! :)

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Please feel free to leave any comments, but I do ask you to be kind. We go into this with eyes wide open after months of prayer, and a peace in our hearts that this is the right choice before God for our marriage. I am open to questions from those who wonder why we made this choice, but I would ask for no personal attacks. Thank you. :)

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