Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Power of a Praying Parent Week 2
Week 2:
Chapter 2 of Power of a Praying Parent speaks about releasing your child/children into God’s hands. This isn’t something that I have felt a personal struggle with, maybe it’s because
I know He is infinitely smarter than I and knows what Blake’s needs are much better than even
I. But if this is something you have a hard time with here are a few things to remember.
God cares even more about your child than you do. He formed them in your womb and knows every hair on their head.
God will make a way for your child. He has a plan and a purpose for their lives. You can trust Him to guide them (and you!) as they seek Him.
“The only way to be sure that God is in control is to surrender our hold and allow Him full access to their lives.” We have to be careful not to pray OUR will for our child, but GOD’s will for them. This is something that I believe I will struggle with. It is easy to pray for what I want for her, but praying for God’s will for her is how our prayers should be directed. Ask God to guide you in this prayer.
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3
In talking to my Grandma this week she reminded me to not only pray for my child, but for other children as well. That God will honor this selflessness. So take some time this week to pray for the kids other than your own. They can be from church, in your family, or even someone you see at the grocery store.
I hope you all have a great week! I survived my first weekend back to work! Nick did wonderfully, I’m so proud of him and Blake. Here are a few pictures he took while I was gone.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Power of a Praying Parent Week 1
A good idea I found in the books says to make a list of your “concerns, fears, worries” that you have for your child. Just a basic listing of things you personally want to cover in prayer. Remember to include things for the future and effects of your own past. This will also give you something to look back upon later and see where God has moved.
A few of the things on my list:
-Blake’s salvation and walk with Christ as she grows
- Physical and emotional health (you may want to cover specific things that run in your family such as depression or anxiety)
- Kindness of spirit
- Patience for me as a parent
- Nick and I’s marriage, remembering that our marriage is vital to her happiness and security.
- Balancing work with family as I return to work next week
- That I may be the example she needs
Make your list as detailed as you like, but also know that God sees your heart and your concerns do not have to be written here to be covered.
Spend a few minutes this week praying over your list, remembering the greatness of the responsibility God has entrusted us with as we raise our children.
“Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16
My Prayer request this week: Blake had her 2 month check up this week and everything went great, she weighs 11 lb 12 oz and is 24 inches long! I had noticed a few weeks ago that her right pupil was slightly bigger than her left pupil (I can’t help it, I’m a nurse.) I was hesitant to even mention it to the doctor, but I did, he saw it too, so we are going to go see a pediatric opthamologist (sp?) January 31st. Our doctor said it’s nothing to worry about, but he would just like to get a specialists opinion. So please pray that he is right and it’s just a quirky trait and will not affect Blake’s vision.
Feel free to post specific prayer requests that you have.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Prayer Group
God has put it on my heart to start a Parents prayer group. I would like to dedicate one hour per week to praying for Blake, to join the group you don't have to make it one hour, you can do whatever God puts on YOUR heart. I'm going to make MINI-lesson plans that are from the book "Power of a Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian and post them here to my blog. I think blogger will be a great place to encourage each other and share what God is doing in our lives through prayer. It does not have to be strictly for our kids, that is just what will be the majority of my focus here. If possible I would like to meet maybe once a month to pray with each other for our children. If you would like to be emailed the posts let me know (sarahlindsaybarker@yahoo.com)
I will try to have the first post up by Friday.
Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord.
Lift your hands toward Him for the Life of your young children.
Lamentations 2:19
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Buddies!
This is me, Blake, Jennie and her daughter Lane.
Jennie and I have gone through the journey of pregnancy together and now get to raise our little girls together. I'm sure Blake and Lane will be great friends. God has blessed us with some great friends, that really feel more like our Texas family.
This is Blake with her friend Claire at our Lifegroup Christmas Party. 
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Happy Anniversary to Us!!
Yesterday was Nick and I's anniversary! 7 years, I can hardly believe it. Just seems like yesterday we were watching movies at my parents house and going on dates in his red camaro! We celebrated in classic Barker style, Pei Wei take out and renting a movie at Blockbuster. Nick's brother and his wife watched Blake so we could enjoy an afternoon just the two of us. It felt WIERD leaving her, but she did fine and so did we. We rented the latest Harry Potter movie which for me is scandalous because I'm in the middle of the book and in the past haven't let myself see the movies until I've completed each book, BUT with Blake around my reading time is greatly decreased and I wanted to watch the movie, so we did....it was great. LOVE Harry Potter, even if I'm a late-comer.
I will be going back to work January 26th, I've been counting down the days (in dread). I hope we adjust okay and I can focus enough at work to do my job :) I'm going to miss her.
Love,
Sarah
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Christmas Trip...
Blake and I spent 10 nights in Arkansas, getting loved on by all the grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I know they say you can't spoil a baby, but if you could, this week would have done it :) We traveled from house to house, family to family to make sure everyone got a chance to meet Blake. Most of all we were thankful that Nick's Grandpa Barker and that my Grandpa Wells, who are both in poor health, were able to meet their great-grandaughter. At the same time I mourned missing my Grandpa Brown who passed earlier this year, he would have loved to see her and would have made her smile for certain.
Nick flew home for a few days to work, then flew back to bring us home. She's changed so much over the past two weeks. She now smiles often, and will sometimes lay and coo and entertain herself. Night time has been rough, but we are working on it and being patient.
Anyway, here are some pictures from our trip!
I love this picture, it's Nick, his dad and his brother Kyle.
Packing up the car (again and again and again!)
Taking a break to eat on our way home.
The best Christmas gif of all.
Grandma Brown loving on Blake. 
My sweet Neice and Nephew (caitlyn and stephen)
You don't think they were excited to see her do you??
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