The 5 Love Lanuages of Children

Do you love your child? I mean really love your child they way they need to be loved? I didn't really understand what my child needed to feel loved until I read The 5 Love Languages of Children.

There was so much I learned, I could never list it all. I can say that I now understand my children much better. When we have poor behavior I take a moment to reflect on if I've been feeding their love bank.

The 5 Love Languages are: 

• Touch
• Quality Time
• Gifts
• Words of Affirmation
• Acts of Service

My oldest has the love language of gifts. Anything can be a gift and she has so much joy. The hard thing with gifts is that I really need to make sure that I am still showing her love with all love languages or she will see gifts as empty. 

The middle is very much words of affirmation. She is very emotional when she is told she has done something wrong. She needs to be encouraged often as her ability to do something depends on that encouragement.

Our youngest is a touch girl. She is content and always has been content to just sit on my lap for long periods of time. She also has to have a paci and blanket even though she's almost three. When she is having a bad day, it is often because we have not had enough cuddle time. 
 
After reading this book, my relationship with my children has really changed. I feel more in tune to their needs. There is very practical advice for each love language. Their love language may change over years, but I have a guide to meet those needs.

Book Review: Reshaping it All

If you grew up in the 90s you know who Candace Cameron Bure is. Very few kids went through the 90s never seeing an episode of Full House. 

Back in November I had the privilege to hear Candace speak at a women's conference. She is very refreshing coming from the mad mad world that is Hollywood. Most stars are out of touch with the average person, never really being able to relate with normal hard working people. Most child stars end up messed up with drugs, alcohol, and very unsafe lifestyles. 

Candace is very different then the average Hollywood actress. She will be the first to tell you that she's not perfect. Every day is filled with mistakes. Reshaping it All is about her journey of faith, food, and constant struggle.

What I liked most about the book was the fact that she has practical advice but it isn't a how to on weight loss. What it really comes down to is your attitude and what are you going to do to make God the center instead of food.

It will make you feel encouraged and not alone in your struggles.

Book Recommendations: The Shepards Heart Series

I love to read. My favorite genre would be westerns set in the 1800s. If I can find Christian authors it is even better.

One day when searching through the free Kindle books I came across Rocky Mountain Oasis. It was well worth my time. The story reminds us of the redemption given to us through Jesus. A woman so broken and hurt in almost every way possible learns not only how a husband can love his wife but also how God loves His children.

After finishing it I found out there were three more books. Each story is connected, following a family and their journey in faith and love.

What I love about the stories is that each story deals with a different aspect of the faith experience. In book one you learn about redemption, book two deals with trusting that God will provide, book three you learn more about trusting that God's plan for you life is often different from your own, and the last book shows us that sometimes we need to let go and let God. 

What is nice about these themes is that they were woven in the story in a natural way. It was part of their everyday life rather than the reader feeling preached at.

There is excitement and adventure of the wild west in every book. There are murders, fires, kidnappings, gun fights, romance and faith. Each book offers a new and exciting wild west adventure that is believable and keeps you invested in the characters and their plight.

Check out Lynnette Bonner's website at http://lynnettebonner.com/.

Proverbs 31 Wife Devotional Book Review

10A wife of noble character who can find? 

She is worth far more than rubies.

11Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12She bring him good, not harm,

 all the days of her life.   

Being a wife is hard, but when you strive to be a wife God wants you to be it becomes even harder. I love my husband and I love God, being the best wife I can be honors both. 

Over the past few years I am learning what it truly means to follow God. As our culture changes, I find myself having to go more and more against what is popular. I was not placed on this earth for others but for He who created us.

Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook takes time to look deeply into each verse in Proverbs 31, starting in verse 10, and help you understand how God designed wives to be. We all know that we aren't perfect and we will all make mistakes, but we should always strive to be a better wife for our husbands. 

My husband is far from perfect and I often fall pry to the idea that if he straightens up then I will too. This is the wrong attitude to have. Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook has reminded me over and over that I am responsible for my own behavior. God desires wives to be a certain way and it is my job to strive to be that person. I may influence my husband's behavior, I may not, but I will feel better about doing what I am called to do. 

In reading Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook I was also reminded that we, as wives, were created to be helpmates to our husbands. Does this mean we are to let our husbands control everything? No. I love how Lara describes it in Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook :

God gave us His Word to help us live our lives in a way that is not only pleasing to Him, but will help US to have happy, well balanced lives. Yes, being your husband’s, UNSELFISH protector, who cooperates with him, serves him, sides with him, goes to bat for him, saves him, snatches him from danger, and makes him healthy WILL make YOU happy.
Velez, L. (2004-07-14). Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook (The Proverbs 31 Woman) (Kindle Locations 260-262). AliBelle, LLC. Kindle Edition.  

That is what a helpmate does. They spend their time making sure that the other is cared for, supported, and safe. Being a helpmate is being there with him not behind him taking orders. We are not slaves but helpers. 

 I know have a long way to go to become a Proverbs 31 wife, but I will spend my time doing to best I possibly can. I loved this book and strongly recommend it to all wives and soon to be wives. It really gives a great insight to how God created wives to be.