Walking in a New Direction: marriage
“Babe, when was the hardest time of our marriage for you?”
“You first,” my husband said.
It was when he worked at a factory. It was supposed to be a 2 or 3 year gig, but it had turned out to be 15 years. We were both thankful for the job. It paid well. But it had also changed my outgoing, fun husband to a quiet, stoic guy who just made it through the day. I was losing the man I loved, even though I slept beside him. We made hard financial choices during that time, and eventually he went back to school. The guy I fell in love with re-emerged.
Then it was Richard’s turn to answer the question. His answers weren’t surprising.
But that discussion led to a deeper one. And aspects of that conversation surprised me. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:48 am |
You are adopted
If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome!
Just this past weekend, my husband and I participated in a 5k called Titus Task. It’s an amazing event created by Noel and Lori Tugwell. After years of not having children, they adopted a beautiful child from China. Then they began the process of adopting two more children from a Haiti orphanage, Louis and Titus.
Before the papers were fully processed one of the much-loved children died of malnutrition. The Tugwells were devastated. They flew to Haiti and brought Louis home, but they never forgot his brother, Titus.
They started the Titus foundation, which raises money to help offer matching grants to families who desire to adopt domestic or international orphans. Since the inception, many little ones have found a loving home.
There were many highlights of the race. First, the beautiful diversity of children running around doing what kids do, laughing, playing. Second, the immense privilege of running with our adopted angel, Luke — our 4 month-old grandson.
Luke and Richard were the first stroller/runner team to cross the line.
The smile on his face said it all. He loved it! (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:12 am |
The Mom I Have Now
This month’s issue of Proverbs 31 Magazine features me and my family. I loved it! Especially the pictures on the inside of my beautiful grandbabies. The article featured my book, The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future. It shares what God can do in spite of brokenness, and how to give our children something greater.
But every time this story is shared, I want to share the “rest of the story”. You see, the rest of the story is that my mom is one of my best friends today. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
11:02 am |
What you are saying. . .
Hi Suzie, I wanted to thank you for joining us at the Destiny Conference this past weekend in Richmond, CA. Your story and description of your relationship really, really touched me. Both my mother and I were there. We haven’t had the best relationship and she hasn’t been the best mom.
You helped me realize something. She wasn’t given the proper tools from her mom, nor did her mom have the proper tools from
her mom. My mom has always had Jesus, and though she may not have taught us in our home what that looks like, we always knew she loved the Lord, even when depression was taking over her life she held on to Him for dear life.
And because of that I’m convinced it’s why I have come back to Christ. That Saturday after the conference I was able to finally tell her in a non-hurtful way that even though she wasn’t the best mom, I was no longer blaming her for how rough my life was as a kid, and adult and I thanked her for keeping her relationship with Jesus through it all.
R.
Dear R.,
I love this. The past didn’t change, but you did. This is freedom. It’s experiencing forgiveness, letting go, moving forward. I can’t wait to see what God can and will do with this step of faith and love.
Suzie
Posted by Suzie @
3:55 am |
Moms need each other
When I started Moms Together, I hoped for 500 moms. This month we are celebrating our one-year anniversary and we have 4600+ moms.
Every day of the week there is solid information, discussions, encouragement, prayer and community.
Last week we talked about bullying, about what to do when your child throws a tantrum, special needs children, our words as moms, dealing with mom jealousy when it seems like another mom has it all together, and so much more. We also offered some fun giveaways!
Are you a mom who is looking for a place to hang out with other moms? Join us on Facebook at Moms Together.
Posted by Suzie @
3:43 am |
To live free: thanks giving
I love Thanksgiving. In the Eller family it is a feast with at least 100 to 150 family members showing up. This is an actual table from our last Thanksgiving. It’s just one desert table (there were four), not counting the meat table, the salad table, the side dish table. Crazy, huh?
But to live free is not about this kind of thanksgiving, but rather thanks giving.
In Psalm 100:4 the Psalmist encourages us to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.
The gates and courts he is speaking about are areas where only priests could enter. But after Christ came, that changed.
When give thanks we enter in to that special place of intimacy with God. It draws us close, in spite of our feelings or circumstances.
What might happen if for the next 24 hours you and I offered nothing but thanks giving?
A child talks back. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
4:16 am |
