michellesingleton.com // Confessions of the Preacher’s Wife

Here are highlights from our annual Family Beach Trip:

1.   Winning the Singleton Bocce Tournament!  It’s true.  Every team I was on won!

2.   Losing the Family Miniature Golf Classic.  Gotta share the victories…

3.   Boogie Boarding with Nathan.

 4.   Juliana and I building our Drip Sand Castle, complete with a princess room!

5.   Body Surfing the warm Atlantic water.

6.   Gathering Sea Shells.

7.   Chasing after the Ice Cream Truck:  Snow Cones and Dove Bars, please.

8.   Wham-O Trac Ball.

9.   Capturing a Hermit Crab ~ make that 5 new pets!  Favorite crab name award goes to Nathan with “The Hermanator.”

10.  Tracking a Loggerhead to it’s nest.  (We found 7 nests and helped move one nest with 128 eggs.)

11.  Holding Rob’s hand on our Nightly Beach Walks.

12.  Morning Walks to watch the sun rise.

I thank God for family vacations!

Ever played the game of RISK?  My son and my husband are hooked.  Addicted.  I don’t get it.  I played for the first time yesterday and I still don’t get it.  It was torture.  Juliana, my daughter, doesn’t get it either.  Could it be that it is yet another difference between men and women, boys and girls, testosterone and estrogen?

Rob and Nathan had a ball playing with us girls (could have something to do with the fact that they took us out, conquered our nations, with much elated happiness) but Juliana and I agreed that it probably wouldn’t happen again.  “Daddy, I’m not playing this game anymore!” declared Juliana.

In desperation Rob and Nathan pleaded,  “But it’s so much fun.  You get to conquer the world.”

Juliana and I said at the same time, “We don’t want to conquer the world.”

“Rob, here  is the fact.  Juliana and I want to travel the world.  We want to meet people from many nations, sightsee, try international culinary delights, shop foreign markets, hike the countrysides and sing and dance with the villagers as we spread good cheer!”

And with that I silenced both Rob and Nathan.  At least for the moment.  But I still don’t think they get it!

I love the differences between each of us Singletons.  Our individual uniqueness enriches our family life.  And the variety adds spice to my life!

May you enjoy the “spice” in your own family!

Michelle

At the end of the school year awards ceremony, Juliana’s teacher presented her with a character award.  Juliana was celebrated for many attributes, among them was that “she always has a song in her heart.”

Ever been around someone with a beautiful song in their heart?  Their joy is catching!  And that is my daughter.

I love being with Juliana.  She makes me laugh … she is a happy girl.  Just writing about Juliana brings a smile to my face.

Last Sunday morning, Juliana and I got up early to beat the heat and set out for our morning walk.  She pulled out of her pocket a recorder ~ remember grade school music class?  She reached in her other pocket and out came a kazoo which she handed to me.  And with that, the Singleton Girls Marching Band was officially formed!

We played our little hearts out as we marched through the woods.  And laughed so hard ‘til I had tears in my eyes.  What fun!  I’d never thought of this on my own.  Every hymn we knew, we played loud and clear … faking the notes we didn’t know. 

What a sound!  What a sight!  I was grateful we live in the country ~ no nearby neighbors!

I am sure God heard us.  And I can’t help but think this was what he had in mind when He gave King David the words for Psalm 66:1  “ make a joyful noise unto the Lord…”  What a happy day!

Grab a kazoo and seize every opportunity to make a Joyful Noise for Jesus!

Michelle

I enjoy word studies.  I am fascinated with the origins of words and their use.  Check this one out!

We are working on this as a family.  How to do more and give more than what is asked or expected.  Or how to do a little extra with our chores, our homework, and in our helpfulness to others — without being asked.

Lagniappe reminds me of the Colossains 3:23 principle:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

When I was in high school, my mother stuck a card on my bulletin board with this verse on it.  I read it everyday.  And I was reminded to always give my best effort. 

What a community we’d have if adults worked their jobs as if God was their boss.  And if kids did their chores and homework knowing that God had given their assignments.  

Lagniappe ~ what a great idea … but sometimes I fall short.  However, I’d hate to think how far I’d miss the mark if I had never learned Col. 3:23.

Blessings as we pursue a lifestyle of giving a little something extra!

Michelle

One of my favorite Bible verses in the Message, 1 Thessalonians 5:13

Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

This is the kind of mom I want to be ~ my kids’ cheerleader.  But how?  How do I bring out the best in them?  I came across this list of 101 Ways to Praise and Encourage a Child. 

WOW • WAY TO GO • SUPER • YOU’RE SPECIAL • OUTSTANDING • EXCELLENT •
GREAT• GOOD • NEAT • WELL DONE • REMARKABLE • I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT • I’M PROUD OF YOU • FANTASTIC • SUPER STAR • NICE WORK • LOOKING GOOD • YOU’RE ON TOP OF IT • BEAUTIFUL • NOW YOU’RE FLYING • YOU’RE CATCHING ON • NOW YOU’VE GOT IT • YOU’RE INCREDIBLE • BRAVO • YOU’RE FANTASTIC • HURRAY FOR YOU • YOU’RE ON TARGET • YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY • HOW NICE • HOW SMART • GOOD JOB • THAT’S INCREDIBLE • HOT DOG • DYNAMITE • YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL • YOU’RE UNIQUE • NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW • GOOD FOR YOU • I LIKE YOU YOU’RE A WINNER • REMARKABLE JOB • BEAUTIFUL WORK • SPECTACULAR • YOU’RE SPECTACULAR • YOU’RE DARLING • YOU’RE PRECIOUS • GREAT DISCOVERY • YOU’VE DISCOVERED THE SECRET • YOU FIGURED IT OUT • FANTASTIC JOB • HIP, HIP, HURRAY • BINGO • MAGNIFICENT • MARVELOUS • TERRIFIC • YOU’RE IMPORTANT • PHENOMENAL • YOU’RE SENSATIONAL • SUPER WORK • CREATIVE JOB • SUPER JOB • FANTASTIC JOB • EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE • YOU’RE A REAL TROOPER • YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE • YOU ARE EXCITING • YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT • WHAT AN IMAGINATION •WHAT A GOOD LISTENER • YOU ARE FUN • YOU’RE GROWING UP • YOU TRIED HARD • YOU CARE • BEAUTIFUL SHARING • OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE • YOU’RE A GOOD FRIEND • I TRUST YOU • YOU’RE IMPORTANT • YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME • YOU MAKE ME HAPPY • YOU BELONG • YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND • YOU MAKE ME LAUGH • YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY • I RESPECT YOU • YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME • THAT’S CORRECT • YOU’RE A JOY • YOU’RE A TREASURE • YOU’RE WONDERFUL • YOU’RE PERFECT • AWESOME • A+ JOB • YOU’RE A-OK MY BUDDY • YOU MADE MY DAY • THAT’S THE BEST • A BIG HUG • A BIG KISS • SAY I LOVE YOU!

Just reading this list makes me smile!  Coming from my lips, think what it will do for my Nathan and my Juliana!  Why not try them out on your kids?

Blessings,

Michelle

I absolutely love celebrations ~ of just about any kind!  Give me the opportunity and I can find something to celebrate on any given day.

We have just completed another Birthweek at the Singleton House!  Seven straight days of celebrating Rob…. the kids and I, our family and friends realize how very blessed we are to have Rob’s presence in our lives!  I know I am a better woman because of Rob.  God has shown His love to me through Rob and his love.

I started the “Birthweek tradition” years ago, before Rob and I were married, and my family loves it!  We all go out of our way to let the birthday person know how important they are to each of us.  It is so much fun.  Everyone wins ~ celebrations work out that way.  And it is a great reminder to serve each other and to put other family members first!

Birthweek gifts come in many shapes and forms: a special meal (the kids are creative cooks ~ ever eat dessert first?), a homemade card, a surprise gift or trinket, secretly doing the birthday person’s chores, playing their favorite game or watching a movie ~ their choice, a party, a cake (yes, we eat cake with lots of frosting), a skit, a song (birthweek gifts are not always tangible)……7 Days of Birthday Surprises!

Try it out on your family…….it just might be a tradition that sticks!

Family Blessings,

Michelle

Today is our favorite person’s birthday!  Happy Birthday, Rob! 

We love you with our whole hearts and ….

To infinity and beyond!!

Michelle, Nathan & Juliana

I am giving Rob a “Blue Ribbon” ~ 1^st Place Winner of Terrific Dads.  Why?  Because he is!  And I am becoming an expert on Rob’s many strengths.

A wise Bible teacher gave me some advice:

One of the best things a woman can do for her husband (and her children) is to become an expert on her husband’s strengths.

And I add, teach your children to recognize their daddy’s strengths too!  Wouldn’t that contribute to strong family ties?

Father’s Day is a perfect time to start!

Dads, we honor you.  We commend your devotion and faithfulness to your family.  We affirm your strengths and recognize the importance of your leadership in our homes.  

Happy Father’s Day!

Michelle

Yesterday I wrote about my dad.  I also had wonderful granddads who  taught me what a father’s love is all about.  It was only natural that I could grasp at a young age how my Heavenly Father loved me too!  One responsibility of fathers is to teach their children of God’s love.  This is often done without any words at all.

As a single girl, I had a list of qualities that I wanted in my future husband.  Among my top 10 was Super Dad.  I never expected my husband to actually fly, but I wanted a man who could “fly” in the eyes of our children as he pointed them to Jesus.

That was one of the first things I noticed about Rob.  He loved kids.  Always has.  He knows how to relate to them, and they love him right back.

God also gave Rob the ability to direct children to Jesus.  He has the knack of finding Jesus everywhere and in everything, and never misses an opportunity to point Jesus out to Nathan and Juliana.  I love that about him!

Rob teaches our children about God in ways they understand.  Through stories, Bible reading, playing Wii, hiking, games, laughter, prayer, hugs, through his devotion to ministry and well, through the way Rob lives his life with integrity before God. 

Nathan and Juliana will tell you they have the BEST Dad in the whole wide world ~ to infinity and beyond!  And they are right.  I married Super Dad!

Happy Father’s Day, Honey!

Michelle

I am a blessed girl.  I have a wonderful dad with many strengths.  I wanted to share all of his terrific qualities, but the list was too long.  So today, I chose to write about just one.

Consistent.  That is my dad.  He is 100% dependable.  You can count on him ~ every time.  He is always there when I need him. 

Dad demonstrates consistency in all areas of his life: his unswerving love for the Lord, his faithful devotion to my mother, his unfailing love for me and my brother and our families, his reliable work, his commitment to friendship … the list goes on. 

Anyone who knows my dad knows that whatever task he accepts, he will consistently complete it with excellence. 

Growing up, I must say that dad was consistent with his discipline too.  My brother and I always knew where we stood with dad, the rules of our home, and our behavior.  Dad never wavered in fairness or in making sure my brother and I did the “right” thing.  As a parent, I can only hope that my children see consistency in my own life.

I believe my dad’s ”Consistent” attribute is one of the reasons our home and our family have always been a peaceful, safe and stable haven.  A reliable shelter from the storms of life.

I love you, Dad.  Happy Father’s Day!

Michelle