Waiting for Mr. Lawrence

I could begin with when the contractions started to get heavy but that wouldn't make for a very fun story. Let me back up a bit...
 
With two kids under out belt we thought it would be a good idea to start trying for baby #3  last year. We'd begun tracking my BBT (I love my TempDrop!) and finally in December 2020 we were excited to discover we'd be expecting a baby in April!

Who could it be? Baby #3!

Overall I had a very healthy and easy pregnancy. I didn't gain as much weight as my last two pregnancy's and I felt like I had a lot of energy even into the 3rd trimester. I still needed a nap most days (and thankfully both toddlers took a noon nap so I could too). It was nice not feeling as worn out and I could take my kids for walks and still maintain the house fairly well. Beginning at 36 weeks I even went through a few weeks of "nesting". Actually, it was more like gutting the entire house. I had help from my mom and sister-in-law so I can't take all the credit, but I was able to reorganize all my boxes of children's clothes and there was a LOT that needed organizing!

My  husband was in disbelief when it was finally finished... at 11pm on a Saturday night. He was so impressed (or should I say, relieved?) that he helped me put the boxes back up on the shelves right then and there, instead of waiting till morning.

One of the few things I didn't tackle myself was watering my house plants. Partially because there were a number that needed to be moved to water, some that were up high on cabinets and so on, and mainly because I had taken in my sister-in-law's house plants and 50.... yes, FIFTY plants, that needed caring for. So my friend Jae came a number of times to help me out with that and other house chores I was falling behind on! Praise the Lord for friends like Jae!

Even with the house back in order I wasn't ready to have the baby yet. My husband kept saying the baby would come early. Everyone else was ready for me to have the baby. My grandma especially thought it would be good for the baby to come early since my relatives from VA were in town for my cousin's wedding and they really wanted to meet the baby. BUT.... I was not about to miss that wedding. OR miss getting to visit with my relatives! I knew that after baby arrived I'd be stuck at home for some time.
The wedding was August 21st. My due date was the 24th.

The wedding day arrived with perfect weather. Not piping hot like the day prior, nor as humid. The wedding didn't start till 3pm so I worked on freezing tomatoes from my garden and Jeff worked on changing the oil in his 4-wheeler. The kids went down for their naps, as did I. I set an alarm so I wouldn't over-sleep but Jeff turned my phone off without me knowing it. Once I woke up it was a race to get everyone ready and out the door! Although EmmyLou was quite happy to get dressed in a pretty little outfit, Wright refused to wear a dress shirt (halfway through the Summer he decided he hates shirts with collars!). I wouldn't have it so there was a mini battle and with Jeff's support I finally won. All that to say we ended up a few minutes late to my cousins VERY punctual, and fairly short, wedding. I was mostly embarrassed about not having been there on time or even early (which was my original plan). It never crossed my mind that everyone would assume I went into labor when we hadn't shown up!!!!  I'd put my phone on silent when we got in the car so I never noticed all the missed calls from people wondering if everything was okay. That was quite amusing! 

Don't mind my frizzy hair.
This was at 7pm after a long evening of celebrating!

People kept putting in bets on when I'd have the baby and since it was my 3rd go around with being pregnant I was not offended by all the pestering. I'd joke and say, "well, tomorrow IS the full moon... I'll probably go into labor then!" However, I also reassured everyone at the same time that my babies come late and I was planning on an overdue baby. Wright, my 1st born, was 2 weeks and 2 days overdue. EmmyLou came 4 days past her due date. Anything was possible. Early baby, late baby.... the sky was the limit.

My brother-in-law sent me this hilarious meme!

After the wedding was over and the out-of-town relatives had departed (all except my Aunt Justine) I had nothing left on the calendar to look forward to except giving birth.  I still hoped baby would come on or after it's due date so my husband wouldn't be right about me giving birth early. But either way I was okay with baby coming. On the night of the 23rd my friend Courtney sent me a text that she was getting induced due to medical complications.... and she wasn't due for another 3 weeks!

Courtney & Kyle with their beautiful baby girl!

I was elated to hear that her daughter was born on August 24th. Yet, at the same time I had a miserable day and finally realized that I was disappointed and wanted to have had my baby too! Always being a procrastinator by nature it's normal for me put off painful or difficult tasks (like getting a tooth pulled, washing a mountain of dishes or giving birth). This feeling surprised me, as I've never before cared about when baby came. I was exhausted this last little leg of my pregnancy, grumpy, emotional and just not keeping up with life anymore.

On Friday the 27th my husband came home from work and it seemed to me that he needed some time to unwind without the kids climbing all over him. I was so worn out and didn't know how I'd survive till their bed time, so I packed them into the car and took them to a store 15 minutes away. I figured it would be a good diversion, plus I really wanted to get suet for my bird feeders and tortilla chips for the fresh salsa I'd just made. My stomach felt funny on the drive and I kept thinking maybe I should just turn around and go home. But I didn't. Well..... we made it into the store, put a multi-pack of bird suet into the cart. Then Jeff called. He hadn't realized we'd left and I hadn't announced to him we were going. I just figured he knew from the million times I told the kids to put their shoes on and the car doors shutting, etc. I wasn't able to take his call because my phone was being weird. And then out of the blue... I felt the need to poop. Not just a "hey, lets stop by the bathroom after we checkout" kind of poop. A magnesium poop. For those of you who've never taken magnesium in excess.... like constipated pregnant ladies sometimes have to do.... there's no stopping a magnesium bowel movement.

If the phrase, "I don't give a crap" meant anything to anybody
...it would be the pregnant community.

As fast as a 40wk and 3 days, overdue, tired, waddling, pregnant woman can race with two toddlers in tow, I made a b-line for the restrooms. Which were conveniently located by the front of the store.... unlike the suet. As you've probably already guessed I lost my $*!# when I was 20 feet from the restroom entrance. I abandoned my shopping cart with suet and made it into a restroom stall with my two kids before it actually fell out of my underwear onto the floor. My poor 3 year old son was astonished, "MOM! Why is there poo on the floor?!" I had to explain that momma had an accident. After what felt like  a million years I finally got cleaned up enough to get out of there. Praise the Lord, the exit was located conveniently close to the restrooms!!! And so I hurried back to my home and a hot shower!

Thankfully, if there's a good crowd to poop your pants in front of, it's toddlers. They understand. No judgement there. However, for the next few days, I did hear about the incident from them. My 1 year old kept repeating, "Momma poo poo! Shaw-da (shower). Assedent (accident)." It was horrifying at the time and I did a good deal of crying that night. It's humorous enough now. After I recovered from the event I was mostly disappointed that I'd thrown away a perfectly good pair of maternity underwear!

40 weeks pregnant!

The Saturday before Laurie was born I felt like I had a sore throat and felt like I was getting a cold. I started taking massive doses of vitamins, Super Tonic and other remedies. Jeff even made dinner while I took an evening nap. He had to leave at 6:30pm to go pick up some farm supplies 1 1/2 hours away. I knew better than to ask to go with him... not to mention I was afraid to go anywhere for fear of scary BM's. In spite of being exhausted and feeling under-the-weather, I got the kids in bed, straightened up the house and froze three cookie sheets of peaches! The evening drug on and I started getting worried because Jeff still wasn't home. It turned out the owner of the farm store he'd gone to was chatty! Go figure. He made it home by 10:30pm, shortly after I had gone to bed. I thought for sure he'd be in bed soon and I zonked out.

When I woke up at 12am to use the restroom I was a little surprised that Jeff was still up on his phone. He's can be a night owl so I didn't think much of it. Then I woke up 1:30 and again at 2:30 and the lights were still on each time! I was getting pretty upset. Knowing the baby could come any day I thought it was irresponsible of him to stay up so late when I could be going into labor at any time. If he didn't get sleep I figured he'd be too tired to be helpful or present. I woke up at 3am and he was just going to bed. I was livid but too tired to even express myself. I had no thought whatsoever of really going into labor. I was still convinced it could be another week or two before baby came. ...even though I was having some period-like back pain throughout the night.

And so that was the start of to the 29th of August!

Mom Life

It's hard to believe I haven't blogged in years. Something that was a part of my daily life a decade ago is now a distant memory (typing momentarily interrupted to go help a little guy wipe his buns and try to beat his little sister to the bathroom, who cheerfully always brings the wipes container whenever her big brother needs assistance!).

Then again, it's not so hard to believe I haven't blogged in years when you take into consideration the fact that I am a mom. Such characters as moms do not have the luxury to blog nonchalantly whenever they please. I am currently on the computer while my children play happily, yet if I were to make this a regular habit I'd probably have to do it while they sleep. I guess some moms insist on maintaining the pleasures they enjoyed in their child-free years. They do so (I assume) by sacrificing their children to the god of television or some other electronic devices. 

I choose not to do this. And so, consequently, I have less "free" time. That's okay with me though. I can invest into writing blog posts that will be bounced into the unknown and wild realm of cyberspace, read by few and likely erased for some reason as the internet chances or the websites that exist now cease to exist in the future. Or I can invest into every little trying and triumphant moment that my children experience and I am certain that my efforts will go into eternity as far as my children make an impact in the world as they grow and change and become independent people.

That's an exciting thought. My grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren being the people they are because of the choices and sacrifices I made to ensure my children had a hands-on mom. I will never see those fruits (at least not all of them) and I'm okay with that. It is enough for me to know that God promises a huge return to parents who choose to raise up their children to walk in truth.

I might blog more often now. Since blogging last my husband built us our own home. We have no internet lines where we live so for a long time I was without internet (and my phone only had a 2g data plan.... hardly enough to browse the internet for a few minutes). Recently we updated my phone plan so I can use my hotspot and so that I have enough data to actually accomplish things like paying bills online or even an occasional pleasurable moment like watching a movie, etc. So, just maybe, I'll blog more now. When my kids sleep. Or maybe it'll be another two years before I blog again... and that's okay.

Why You Should Drink Milk

Milk is delicious, healthy and yet it's been turned into an evil that it isn't.  This website is really fun and shows that a lot of the things we're taught about milk are simply false. Even though I grew up on a dairy farm and understood that whole milk is a better, healthier product than the 2% - skim milks, but I still thought it was fattening. Did you know that whole milk is only 3% fat? WHOLE milk. ...and I don't mean the whole milk they sell at the store. Much of that is altered and the fat is removed. This is a fact that I wasn't aware of until today when I checked out the 97 Milk website.
I am reminded of a simple the simple truth that we should ever stop learning... and also that we should never stop drinking whole milk. Don't believe the fads, don't believe the propaganda.

97 Milk Website

P.S. I am an advocate for raw milk which sadly this website doesn't promote. I guess you gotta take the good and leave the rest.

15 Red Flags to Watch for in Guys

*the following is adapted from the "Redirected Relationships" presentation given at the Encouraging Young Ladies Retreat.

Learning to see the red flags in guys (and in people!) can take some work. While some warning signs are obvious, others are not so easy to detect. This is why it can be helpful to get wise counsel when you're interested in a fellow.

15 Red Flags
1 - A guy who is too flattering. This can be any thing from excessively praising you, or shallow praise regarding things like your looks. Too many people can tell you you’re pretty but never praise your real qualities.
2 - A guy who is unkind or mean. 
It doesn’t matter how much you like them. If they aren’t kind, polite or nice to you or to others that’s a big red flag.
3 - If in a relationship he treats other girls the same as you and doesn’t set you apart. 
My brother-in-law was a very popular, friendly guy and he liked to hug all the ladies. My sister didn’t feel comfortable with that and stopped talking to him. He finally saw the error of his ways when his father and a friend backed my sister up.
4 - How a guy treats others when he’s around you.  When a guy is waiters, cashiers or other such people these are good times to watch his behavior. This is important because someday you’ll be the one serving your husband. If he treats someone who's serving him, such as a waitress, with disrespect then he’ll probably treat you that way too.
5 - How a guy acts with kids. 
Remember, you can choose your husband but your kids can’t choose their father. Choose wisely.
6 - A guy who’s so cool that he’s out of your league.
Any guy who acts as if you’re lucky to be with him is bad news. Another thing to watch for is a guy who doesn’t make time for you or your relationship and treats you like a pot on the back burner. Respect yourself and know that you deserve someone who thinks the world of you. My friend Cassandra says, “Don’t settle for someone who treats you half way.”  
7 - A guy who doesn’t want to take responsibility. 
Cassandra went on a date with a guy who told her, “I’m more of a follower so you’ll have to take the lead in this relationship” This is the sort of sissy you don't want to end up with.
8 - A guy who lists his life history of problems right off the bat. 
While the flip side can be a guy who doesn’t ever acknowledge any problems it’s more normal for a person to put their best foot forward initially. Someone who gives you a sob story right away is choosing to be the victim in life. If this guy is miserable he's definitely looking for company. Don't join his pity party. You don't want to lead a miserable life, too.
9 - A guy who shows a lack of protection and gentlemanly behavior. 
Whether it’s opening doors, chairs, or letting you walking on the inside of the road, a man should lay down his life for his wife and his children or anyone who he's responsible for.
10 - A man who expects everyone to serve him but never serves others. If a guy who has high expectations and wants to be served from a silver platter but can't reciprocate is looking for a mama to take care of him. Not a wife. It's also probably that his mom is a piece of work since she was the one who catered to and cultured his needy ways. That's not the kind of mother-in-law you want. You should have to compete with your husband's mother.
11 - A guy who pushes your boundaries. Watch out for guys who don't respect your boundaries, especially men who don’t respect physical boundaries. Guys who do this often start off with the little things and work their way up to crossing your biggest boundaries. When you object they’ll find convincing ways to get off the hook and excuse their behavior. Different men do this in different ways. There are passive guys and there are aggressive guys.  Sometimes it can be hard to detect if a guy is very subtle. These guys view you as a challenge and/or they’re in it to see how far they can undo all your standards. The best way to protect yourself is to establish your boundaries and keep to them. Remember this applies to other areas besides being physical. Emotional and spiritual boundaries are at risk, too. No matter how much you like a guy, or how respectful he is in every other way, if he doesn’t have your fathers blessing or he’s not your husband this is a BIG red flag. 
12- Another thing to watch out for is negative family history. 
Bad family relationships, abuse or other forms of dysfunction don’t necessarily mean a guy will be a nut job but he may come with baggage. Or he may just be a nut job. When searching for a husband we ladies often err on the side of giving a guy the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to see the good in the first guy I courted and dwell on his potential. I didn’t consider the issues with his character. Here is a good rule of thumb: A guy is always guilty until proven innocent.
13 - If you end things and they don’t accept that. AND...
14 - If he tries to get you to leave your parent's leadership and home.
The first guy I courted was notorious for not taking no for an answer. Even after I'd made it clear I was no longer interested in him I received a letter from him in 2016. He mailed it to his sister and had her deliver it to me so that my parents wouldn't see it. It was the weirdest letter ever. It was like if Satan had tried to copy a letter from the Apostle Paul. It was full of twisted scripture and while he tried to make it sound like he had godly intentions, he tried to tell me that my parents were of the devil. He wrote, "Allow me to be pointed now and say instruction from your parents alone will destroy your true potential in Jesus. If they disagree then they have stepped into the shoes of Jesus and are lead of the devil. Let that not be the case. May I also be bold and say that you should leave your parents house in order to follow Jesus. The woman of Proverbs 31 did not stay at home under her parents wings. May I also say that most men don't desire a woman who is foreign to living in the world. You barely know your own self, why would someone else wish to enter into a relationship with you? Finding your identity is something that you do now. Please see the wisdom in this, not for my glory but for Gods."
He ended the letter, " P.S. I have spent much time talking with friends and family about you and it has been a great thing. I know we haven't talked in a very long time. Sometime I'd like to know why? Many people have said we should get married. I have thought about it and prayed about it. So if you want to talk about that we can. If nothing else I'd like to talk about Jesus working in your life and mine. That is the only thing that matters to me anymore."
I like how he just got done telling me that no one would want to be in a relationship with me while I live at my parents home and then dangles the bate of marriage in the Post Script. I have to chuckle every time I read this letter, but it's scary to consider what he'd hoped that letter would produce.
15 - Rushing things is a red flag.  Watch out for a guy who is hasty. This can be an issue. You’re more likely to see a guy’s real character the longer you get to know him so don’t make decisions in the heat of the moment or commit to someone in the beginning of a relationship. It's important to remember that a guy who is hasty may have a problem being patient. Patience is key when you get married because there will be stressors in your relationship, with your children and in life in general.
 
To sum it up!
If your interested in a guy who seems to be demonstrating red flags or people are telling you they’re seeing red flags in him you should take note! Get second opinions, keep an eye out for these problems and if they are really an issue steer clear of the dude! He’s not the only man on earth and there are more fish in the sea!

The Importance of parents in the process of guy/girl relationship

*the following is adapted from the "Redirected Relationships" presentation given at the Encouraging Young Ladies Retreat.

Prov. 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Hebrews 13:17, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Some gals might feel like their parent’s intervention is going to ruin their lives but this is the form of protection God has given us as we seek a husband. I cannot stress enough how huge it was to have my parents involved in both of my courtships and in dismissing the guys who I chose not to court. The first time around I really gave my parents a run for their money. I didn’t always like my parent’s involvement during my first courtship. When they started advising me against the fellow I liked I didn’t want to hear it. At times I thought if my parents were out of the way it would be so much easier. How wrong I was! And how glad I am that they were there to save me from myself! Without their prayers, leadership and forgiveness I could have really ruined my life.
My grandmothers also greatly influenced my decisions. They’d both been left by their husbands and had a lot of wisdom for me. They cautioned me in regards to the guy I liked as they'd noticed things about him that bothered them. He reminded them of the negative traits they'd see in their ex-husbands.

Not every girl has a father and a mother who are willing to take the time to protect their daughters and insist young men seek after us ladies by means of courtship, but if you have parents who want to do this for you, take advantage of it! And if you don’t, seek Godly parents in the Lord to help you!! Later when my future husband, Jeff, started communicating with me through Facebook Messenger I came to them right away and had them read all of our messages.  Even though I felt much older and wiser I didn’t want to make the same mistakes I did the previously. I knew I could still be deceived.

By the time I began getting to know Jeff I knew I wanted my family and friends involved in my choice of a husband. I made sure to get my parents input and made them read all of my correspondences with Jeff. I knew the temptation was to believe that as a much wiser 25 year old, my parent’s input was unnecessary. But I knew that God put my parents there for my protection, EVEN at the age of 25. It was a relief to turn things over to God and to my family and go into our relationship knowing that it might not work out. I was okay with that because now I was able to trust God with my future and trust my parents with my heart.

In every stage of life God has provided a woman with protection and an authority over her. Parents, husbands, and even widows have protection through the men of the church and other Godly church family. (1 Tim 5) Occasionally a young woman’s parents are wrongly controlling and abusive or alternatively they are absent and uninvolved. In such case a young woman cannot rely on her parents to advise and direct her. The temptation in such cases is for a woman to feel like she can make her own decisions but this is very dangerous. In such situations it is important to seek godly, married and/or older women in the church to direct and council you. Not women who tell you what you want to hear but who can be honest and direct with you.

6 Misconceptions I Had About Courtship & Marriage

*the following is adapted from the "Redirected Relationships" presentation given at the Encouraging Young Ladies Retreat. 

Satan has a lot of ways to deceive us from the simple truths we have in Christ. Don’t let these misconceptions fool you the way they fooled me. 

Misconception #1
A courtship protects you from getting hurt.
While it would be nice if this were the case, it is an unrealistic expectation. Courtship started becoming more popular with Joshua Harris’ book, “I kissed dating goodbye”.  While his principles worked for some people there are a lot of bitter ex-courtiers now who’d like to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The principles of courtship are the best out there for conducting a relationship between a man and a woman looking to get married. We just need to acknowledge that we are still flawed human beings living in a flawed world and even courtship can have its problems. Most gals I know who’ve experienced “redirected relationships” have had a rough time getting over the relationship. Even if you don’t give away your heart and you conduct yourself in the best possible way you are putting yourself out there and being vulnerable to an extent. It hurts when it doesn’t work out, even if things end cordially or by your choosing. One week people are congratulating you on being in a relationship and the next you’re having to explain that things didn’t work out. It is a very humbling thing to have a relationship that doesn’t end in marriage.

Misconception #2
A courtship is supposed to end in marriage.
We’re correctly taught that each time you’re in a relationship you give away a piece of your heart. Because of this I wanted my first relationship to be my ONLY relationship. I am really happy for those people who marry the first person they get to know, but I’ve learned that sometimes it’s better when your first relationship isn’t the ONLY relationship. There was another young man who was interested in me for quite some time and who was a good guy in every way. My friends liked him, my parents thought he was great, but I just didn’t feel like he was right for me. It can be hard to end this kind of friendship/relationship when you feel like you have no good reason to, but you should NOT feel guilty to end a courtship even if you don’t have a “valid reason”. You are the one who will live with your decision, not your parents or anyone else! 

Misconception #3
You can be in a courtship and keep a clear head & heart without getting your feelings involved.
It’s easy to believe that you’re thinking straight and that you can make decisions on your own. I used to think that guarding your heart meant you don’t entertain any feelings or thoughts for a guy. It is good and right to try to guard your heart but it is impossible to put aside feelings that come naturally. God created us to be emotional and physical beings and I’ve never met anyone who was capable of removing all emotion from the courtship process. I learned that instead of getting down on yourself for having feelings, it is better to learn to acknowledge your feelings. Write them down or share them with your parents. This can allow you to also focus on the more logical side of a situation. In my second courtship I certainly had feelings for my future husband…. But at the same time I maintained a stronger desire to be logical, to do things right and know things might not go as I desired.
That being said when I was younger I hadn’t learned to be logical. I doomed myself to some miserable years and bad decisions. It’s really important to not allow yourself to get infatuated or to dwell on any certain guy inappropriately. Had I not already placed myself in a vulnerable emotional state maybe I would have been more objective and heeded the wise advice I received right away.

Misconception #4
If you’re not married before you’re 20 you’re an old maid.
I definitely felt this need to get married young. You obey God, you honor your parents, and you get married and raise babies. Conservative Christian and homeschool culture made marrying young feel like the norm and to me it was the pinnacle of success. As I’d watched so many friends find their soul mate and begin their lives and I wanted that as well. Though the desire to be married was good and natural, it came from a place of pride in my heart.  God worked on my heart to teach me that there is more to life. Looking back I’m extremely thankful for my single years. They weren’t the curse I thought they were. Take advantage of your single years! They are a HUGE blessing. Use this time to study God’s word and learn as much as you can. You may not have time like you do now when you become a wife and mother! There's a real lack of time and ability to study God’s word once you have kids. Think about every year you’re single as an opportunity to soak in the Word of God and store it away in your mind so that later you can pass it on to your children. 1 Cor. 7:34 says, “There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” While this verse doesn’t directly talk about raising kids I think it applies to mom life and as well as being a married woman.

Misconception #5
The mistakes that happen to other people won’t happen to you.
Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” I started out in my first courtship with the best intentions only to find myself in situations I came to regret. Whether it’s giving yourself to a guy emotionally, perhaps giving yourself to him spiritually when that’s not his place as your spiritual authority, or even as far entering a physical relationship, be it something as simple as holding hands or kissing, to sleeping with a guy… it is never to late to do the right thing. One friend said that she’s heard girls say, “I’ve slept with him, now I have to stay with him.” This kind of thinking is a lie from Satan. Satan wants us to believe that we’re marred, we’re ruined, and we aren’t worthy. He’ll use any mistake we make to bring us down. I learned that it’s best to learn your lesson, remember who your heavenly Father is and have a battle plan so next time you don’t fall into temptation. Don’t let it control you or keep you from trying to do the right thing the next time around. It’s never too late to do the right thing.

Misconception #6
You’re incomplete and your life doesn’t begin till you find that significant other.
Another deception was that influenced me was that you don’t really begin your life and fulfill your true purpose until you find that person that completes you. It was a belief that I was incomplete until I was married. Not true. It was a freeing moment when I learned God has created each of us in His imaged. In Colossians 2:10 it says, “Ye are complete in Him…” The only thing that makes a human incomplete is the lack of having a quickened spirit and being saved in Christ. Once we have that relationship and union with God we are set…  Marriage is a wonderful, additional stage in life but it's not the be-all-and-end-all.


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EYLR Follow-Up

Hello, to the gals from the Encouraging Young Ladies Retreat!
 
It was such a privilege to share with you on Saturday morning. I was very honored to speak to you all on my "redirected relationship" experiences and I hope it was helpful information. I was very edified to spend the morning in your company and I was inspired by you all. I wish I could have gotten to know each one of you... but hey! Maybe I'll get to meet you someday at one of the Forster's retreats for married ladies.

I'd like to post the rest of the misconceptions and red flags I wasn't able to cover during my presentation on Saturday. I'm going to do a series of posts because no one wants to wade through a super long post.  So keep checking my blog through the month of February. I'm not sure when I'll stop posting but I'll let you know when I get done sharing all of the information I have for you.
Please feel free to comment to say hi or even share some of your own thoughts or experiences. I'd love to hear from you!

May God bless you and may the fellowship and wisdom you enjoyed at the retreat last with you throughout the year!

-Mary Ellen