Millie Tanner
Millie has been married to Steve Tanner for twelve years. Steve is Pastor of Family Ministries at Grace Community Church. Luke and Jake are 6 yr old twins in Kindergarten. She works at the Women of Grace Center as a counselor and has been there for two years working with women and couples. Millie has a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling. The Tanners have been at Grace for 4 years. She grew up in Tyler and says that she loves MOPS!
Shannon Etheridge
We have the priviledge to hear Shannon speak about her new book “The Sexually Confident Wife”. Shannon is a renowned speaker and author, bringing honesty and insight from a Christian perspective to topics such as marriage and sexuality. She has also written “Every Woman’s Marriage”.
Part 1
Part 2
Join us for food, fun, laughter and learning as we focus on the important role you play in your family unit. Speaker Chris Legg will challenge and entertain as he addresses the topic of marriage in a fresh and fun way. Mission: Marriage will be held Friday Feb. 6, from 6:30 - 8:30. Cost is 20.00 per couple and includes, dinner and dessert from Joe's Italian, entertainment and door prizes. Limited childcare is available at $5 per child. To make reservations, contact Cindy Waterman at 903-570-7476 or jcw930@suddenlink.net. This event is sponsored by MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and is open to all. Spend some time with your mate on a cost effective date!
I LOVE new pajamas. Or as my little family affectionately calls them, “jim-jams.” You know how unresolved trauma from childhood has lingering effects into adulthood? Well, I have pajama trauma. When I was about 7 years old, my parents had to attend an out of town funeral and entrusted my brother, sister and me to the care of family friends who had two daughters about my age. All was fun and dandy until bedtime rolled around. You see, my mom had bought me a brand spankin’ new pair of pink Strawberry Shortcake pajamas. My little insides gushed with anticipation of snuggling up in them. So after my bath, I raced to my room to discover my sweet, soft, cotton-candy pink pajamas adorning the gangly arms and legs of my playmate. Her eyes flashed a look of victory. And sadly, it was her mother who had sanctioned this. Crushed, I slipped into my worn red flannel pajamas, forever changed.
I have replayed this event over and over in my head – to my family, friends, strangers – anyone who would listen. Really, what is the big deal? Why did this have such an impact on me? As I have gotten to know myself a little better over the years, I now know that my love language is gifts. In short, this means I give and receive love via gifting. So to me, those pajamas were more than just sleeping attire – they were the screams of “I LOVE YOU!” from my mommy, hundreds of miles away. Screams that were stifled the instant that kid stuck her bratty body through my top. And now, as a mom, I can view it all from a different perspective. That lady had no personal vendetta against me. I now chalk it up to a misstep of a mommy, who in her eagerness to bathe and bed five children, failed to notice which pajamas were whose. And in her defense, I never expressed my hurt or desire to wear what was rightfully mine.
So what have I learned from this? Well – kids can be mean, and grown-ups make mistakes. Two truths which, sadly, still endure today. So as I strive to impart this wisdom to my two little lovies, I keep their top drawer stuffed full of cute, snuggly jim-jams – enough to share with a friend.
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’ s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and [Strawberry Shortcake pajamas] to adorn your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 To learn more about love languages, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com
Written By Tanya Showen
It never even occurred to me until I was told by a professional that I was doing to much for my son. I was amazed that he said he should be able to completely dress himself from head to toe at age 3. I had just always done it for him. For one reason or another maybe because I did it faster or right the first time. As a mother I still struggle with letting go and having my children try things. Because it does not always fit into my schedule to wait for them to do it.
I am amazed everyday by what they can do. Even the simple things they do just make me think could they have done this 6 months ago if I had let them try. I let my 6yr old make his own breakfast the other day. It was just a bowl of cereal but to pick out and pour his own cereal and milk was quite an accomplishment in his book.
He was so excited that he ran and told his 2 yr old brother who could really care less. His independence level has soared since that day. He begs to fix lunch and to get stuff for his brother and sister. In the small things we should always rejoice. I am learning to rejoice with my child so that he to can learn to rejoice in the Lord always.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:Rejoice!
If you could use a night out with your man, girlfriends - or just yourself,
here's your opportunity! Kingdom Kidz Childcare (nursery at Grace Community
Church) is hosting date night Nov. 7 - from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Cost $5 per child, donations are accepted also. All proceeds from this event benefit abandoned children in China. Deadline to sign up is Thursday, Nov. 6. Hurry, before space fills
up!
Ephesians 6:1 -4
"Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
As parents we try to stay as informed about our kids as we can. So when they start doing something that we don't feel like we know how to handle, we run out to the nearest book store and get the latest book on how to fix it or change it. I am just as guilty of buying a ton of books about how to change your childs behavior.
I have learned that every book has the same answer. The answer is consistency and asking God for help. Unless we put it in the right order we will never learn to be consistent. When we ask God to help us everyday to be consistent with our children in a Christ like way, only then will we see a change.
I worked for the first 2 years of my oldest child's life. I quit only after I had my second child and could not find an opening for my son in any daycare. He had stayed with my mom from 6 weeks old up until I quit. It was only then when I was at home with him 5 days a week that I started to notice things about him. He threw huge temper tantrums that sometimes took over an hour to get over. He hated going to church and would crawl under the tables and hide.
I started to go to a women's bible study, not for my spiritual growth but as a place of refuge. I never fully invested myself in any of them, I just needed somewhere for him to go so I could get a break from him. Through the next 3 years I pulled away from my child slowly but surely. His behavior only got worse the more I tried to discipline him the angrier he got. I did not want to be around him.
At age 4 he was diagnosed with ADHD and we put him on medicine out of desperation. I was 8 months pregnant with our third child and he had started hitting and kicking me. He had fits of rage towards me and his little sister. I was scared for the baby and what he might decided to do to him. This little boy was also the sweetest kid you could meet too. He loved being affectionate and it made me cringe. As a mother, I did not want to feel this way but I was always mad at him. He was in trouble constantly and was worse then my 2 year old. He could not even go to the bathroom to wash his hands without pouring out all the soap or stopping up the sink. By this time, I had a 5 year, old 3 year old, and 1 year old.
Jerry B. Jenkins: Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It
A classic book on marriage that's been around for years. It was recently updated to add a chapter on boundaries for the internet. One of the best - a must read. (*****)
Jen Hatmaker: Ms. Understood: Rebuilding the Feminine Equation
Jen has been at it again! Her newest book has just been released. Check it out at LifeWay or plan to pick one up at the Ladies Night In - July 25. (*****)
Cheri Fuller: A Busy Woman's Guide to Prayer
Who isn't busy? We can all find refreshment from the encouragement within these pages. Enjoy! (*****)
William P. Young: The Shack
For a fresh view of God which is firmly grounded in the Word, read this book. It seems to be popping up in conversations and Church studies everywhere. (****)
Erin Smalley: Grown-Up Girlfriends: Finding and Keeping Real Friends in the Real World (Focus on the Family)
With three daughters I can recommend this book. It is full of practical advice that is right on the mark - Rhodema Cargill (*****)
Jen Hatmaker: A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study
If you've heard Jen in person at Grace Girls Night In-you know this book is a treat! (*****)
Jennifer Carson: Letters to my Glory Baby
Jennifer Carson, a WOG volunteer who founded the non-profit called Children Are A Gift, wrote this memoir in memory of her lost child. Her ministry led to an incredible park being built in Tyler Texas called "The Children's Park." (****)
Susie Larson: Alone in Marriage: Encouragement For the Times When It's All Up to You
WOG's Rhodema Cargill recommends this read and not just because she's in it! If you're alone in marriage, this will help you through those rough seasons... (*****)
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