30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives: Day 11

It's been a few months since I posted an encouragement challenge, and I want to get right back on track. So now let's continue with day 11.

Day Eleven: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." Eph. 5:22

Women who are constantly negative toward their husbands - especially by speaking evil of them to others - show great disrespect. Determine not to do that today (or ever!). This challenge to encourage is closely connected to submission.

Men respond to women who respect them. What do you respect about your husband? Part of that respect includes submission to his authority. Let your husband know how respecting him makes it easier to submit to his leadership. Show your respect in public by listening to him and smiling at him when he speaks. Place your hand in his as you walk together.

If you feel there is nothing to respect, search harder ...nearly every man has some core characteristic that can be nurtured and respected. In any case, you must still cultivate a submissive spirit to his position of leadership..."as to the Lord."

Oh, what an answered prayer this is for me. Praying about my attitude and submission to my husband. This task truly is a challenge for me because I've been deceived all my life thinking that I should not have to submit to my husband. But reading more about God's design for wives and husbands and families encourages me to submit to his authority and not try to do my own thing in my best interest. God had a much better idea in mind than I when He created us. I'm so grateful for his direction and guidance that He gives us in His Word.

Let's not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only that which is edifying and encouraging to build one another up.

Time Flies!

Jonah is walking SO much more now! He just spent a week and a half with his grandpa and grandma Bayman. Greg's parents drove up from South Carolina to visit their kids and grandkids for their 40th anniversary and 4th of July. We were able to take some family portraits and get some video of the grandkids playing together.

Visiting with my-in-laws was a blessing and answered prayer. We enjoyed so much family time together with several events and trips and pictures, pictures and more pictures. I'm so glad that Greg's parents were able to make the trip. They enjoyed seeing all four of their grandkids playing together and I can't believe how quickly they're all growing up!

They arrived the evening of July 4th and Jonah started walking that day. He saw his first fireworks and the loud noises startled him and made him cry. Driving home late that night, we saw 10-12 shows just on the highway and then heard and saw more in our neighborhood. On Sunday, we visited Grace Community Church, where Greg's sister, Deb, and her family attend. Afterwards, we took family pictures outside. That afternoon, we went to Conner Prairie and Jonah pet a billy goat, we walked on stilts and visited with the Dr. in his home and sang patriotic songs while he played the piano.

Monday night, Grandma and Grandpa Bayman stayed at our house and Jonah and Chuy enjoyed the extra attention. Tuesday morning, Greg and his dad met for a nice coffee talk before work, and his mom and I took Jonah shoe shopping! That night we took them to The Melting Pot for their 40th anniversary. We had a nice 3 hour dinner, and Jonah did surprisingly well, considering I forgot his food, so he had to wait and wait for dinner. He filled up on bread, no cheese, and then didn't want any of the meat by the time we got it cooked. Between courses we took video of Jonah, Grandpa and Daddy laughing and giggling and playing. Then we all enjoyed the milk chocolate fondue for dessert, even Jonah. His favorite was the pound cake and cheesecake drizzled in chocolate. We drove home through drenching rains that night and got to bed quite late.

Then, early Wed. morning we all left for Indiana Beach (a Bayman family tradition). The Romero's (Greg's sister, Deb, brother-in-law, Dave, and their kids: Rebecca (10), David (5), and Isabella (2)) joined us too. Jonah and I had our first visit there and he enjoyed riding the ferris wheel, driving the antique cars with Daddy and Mommy, but driving the kiddie boats with his cousins and then the kiddie cars all by himself! We all rode the carousel and he loved going up and down on the horses. It was way past his nap time, so after that, Grandma watched Jonah and Isabella as they napped in their strollers and Greg and I got a mini date. We rode a roller coaster and the log ride. It was romantic, I must admit. :) Got in late that night and turned in as soon as possible. Jonah did so well considering his sleep schedule was suffering a bit. He enjoyed more exclusive time with Grandma and Grandpa.

Thursday morning we went to Lowe's for some yard equipment for Greg and picked out a beautiful, double pink, forever & ever hydrangea that Greg's mom and sister gave me in memory of my Amma. We planted it in a pot for now, and Greg and I will plant it in our yard soon. We were so grateful for Grandpa and Grandma for mowing our lawn and weeding and pruning and trimming. It helped immensely, since Greg had been working SO late for days before they came and while they were here and we barely had time to even think about the yard, let alone do something about it. Jonah enjoyed the yardwork too. He played in his sandbox while Grandma and I cleared out part of the front landscaping. After he got tired of eating sand, he crawled out to see what we were doing in the dirt. It'll be nice to work outside, as a family, in the yard now that Jonah's walking and getting more interested in helping.

Friday, Jonah met Daddy downtown for lunch and had delicious lasagna at Georgio's. Then we met his sister and the cousins and grandparents at The Children's Museum for the afternoon. Jonah loved sliding down Curious George's slide and playing in ScienceWorks. It had been about 2 months since we'd been to the museum and he almost forgot about the giant Tinker Toys and Legos and rubber mulch. We took great pics with his cousins and he can't wait to go back.

Saturday, due to the thunderstorms, we had an indoor picnic at our house. Our air conditioning wasn't working well. So it was 90 and muggy outside and 81 and humid inside, but the good food and company made up for it. We got changed into "matching" outfits for our family photo session at the IMA gardens (Indianapolis Museum of Art). Fortunately, we were able to take most of the pictures inside in the air conditioning and took some outside by a fountain while the kids were playing. It was fun to get some family pictures, especially with everyone for Greg's parents' 40th anniversary. Our friend Scott Wilder took some great photos.

Now, we're catching up on sleep and getting back on schedule. We got our air conditioning fixed today and just in time! It's supposed to be in the 90s this weekend. It's so nice to meet with family, and it's also nice to rest afterwards.

Jonah's Independence Day!

Jonah started walking on July 4th, Independence Day, of course! First he started taking about half a step last Sunday, shuffling his feet and then sitting down. But then he took 1 step on Mon. and on Friday, he took 2-4 steps together and kept trying it several times!

Today we went to Conner Prairie with Grandma and Grandpa Bayman and his cousins, the Romeros and he was having fun dancing and taking 4-6 steps again! He's just walking more and more! It's exciting for me. I wish I had some pics to post, but our camera broke in Taiwan, so we need to get one. But I do have some video. I'll try to post it on Facebook.

Jonah's doing so well. It's encouraging to see him obey so well as he's learning and developing more. We're enjoying our son. He's such a delight to us!