In this blog, our New Beginning’s resident moms, and others, are sharing some of their struggles, joys, and how they balance the realities of motherhood. This blog is about wanting to give support to you and one another, and learning from each other. As Dr. Benjamin Spock said, “Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.” Keeping in mind that it helps to have a sense of humor about the hardest and greatest job in the world, here are some answers to some typical parenting questions. My biggest parenting success: Giving all the love my children can handle. Seeing my baby hit those developmental milestones, for example, when my child started walking. The day I, at the same time, collapsed my stroller, held my baby, and carried a bag of groceries! The day I ran out of diapers, got inventive, and discovered that using Viva paper towel to diaper my baby, really worked! My favorite “me time” indulgences: Having “shower time” after baby is asleep. Doing my hair, doing homework, cleaning, talking on the phone, all these daily activities that I use to take for granted, have become indulgences with baby here. My best day as a mom: Seeing my baby playing, having fun. When my child was potty trained. Giving my child a great Christmas. My worst day as a mom: When my children are sick. When there is a discipline problem. Failed naps. Whining. When I can’t seem to get any sleep. My best moment of the week: Bed time. Seeing my baby’s goofy smile really brightens my day. When my baby holds up her arms so I’ll pick her up. We hope you have been encouraged by this blog, and don’t forget to bestow your stories on others too. You never know if what you have to say is just what someone needs to hear. ![]() Karen O'Leary is the the Program Manager at New Beginnings. She has her BA in Bible Theology and her Masters of Divinity. She has 8-years of experience as a Social Director at a non-profit organization helping those in crisis with financial assistance, brief supportive counseling, and being a spiritual presence in their time of need. In her free time Karen enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.
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What?? We not only have to believe in God, grow in our knowledge of Him, share His Word with others, but now we have to live our lives according to His Will? ![]() Think of it this way: Without telling others what your faith is, would they know that you are a Christian just by watching your actions? How about your bank? Would they know? Would your records show just shopping sprees, bill payments, and groceries or would there also be donations to your church, food pantries, or other nonprofits? Would your neighbors know that you are Christian even if you never speak? Would they see your car pulling out of the driveway every Sunday morning with you in your Sunday best? Would your friends see you acting like a follower of Christ or would they see just another person of the world? If you are not sure if people can see that you are a Christian or not, perhaps you should re-evaluate if you are truly Living the Faith. How can you live the faith? Well, besides some of the things that I mentioned above, God tells us another way to show that we are His children. There are many times throughout His Word that he tells us to help others. Here are some examples: Deuteronomy 15:11 – There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way your will fulfill the law of Christ. Hebrews 6:10 – God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. John 15:12 – My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. James 2:14-17 – What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. My question for you: What have you done to help those in need? Did you help your friend move or did you find a way out? Did you stop by your neighbor’s house to help shovel their driveway when you knew they struggle in their old age? Have you given of your time and talents? If you feel that the Holy Spirit is moving you to do more, step it up and help out. Did you know that even a $10 donation can help a mother in need? Why not just send in the $10? You can do it by clicking the link below. It can do a world of good to help another person and you can continue to LIVE THE FAITH! ![]() Christina Pritzlaff is married with two children. She has completed Early Childhood 1 & 2 classes, Infant Toddler classes, and completed the coursework for her Associates degree in Child Development. Christina splits her time between spending time with her family and working at New Beginnings. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, camping, fishing, reading, and doing counted cross-stitch. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11 Have you ever considered how different you are from the person you were 5 or 10 years ago? What people or events did God use to shape you into who you are now? Imagine how different you and your life might be in another 5 or 10 years! Another thing to consider is how a simple decision you made years ago has shaped your life and the lives of those around you. For example, while talking with a friend the other day, I made this realization: had I never chosen to date my now husband, we wouldn't have gotten married, I'd likely have moved back to Washington State, both of our lives would look entirely different separate from each other, my best friend wouldn't have moved to Wisconsin, etc. The list goes on! Of course, there's no way to know what would have happened had God led me on another path but I'm confident that my life would have been unrecognizable to me now. God had a plan for my life. He has led me to where I am now and continues to lead me according to His plan and who He wants me to be. God has a plan for the moms and babies here at New Beginnings too. He uses their experiences and what they learn in this program to help shape them into who He wants them to be. The work we do here also reaches beyond our residents into the lives of their friends and families and people they might meet in the future. Each mother who walks into our front door does so with a purpose from her Father in heaven. We at New Beginnings are so blessed to be a part of a tool He uses to fulfill that purpose! Would you like to partner with us to serve God and change lives? Please prayerfully consider donating to New Beginnings monetarily or with your time as a volunteer. You can make a long-term difference that matters! ![]() Taleya Williamson is the Operations Manager at New Beginnings. She was born and raised in Puyallup, Washington and attended Evergreen Lutheran High School. Taleya recently graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a Bachelors of Science in psychology with a minor in anthropology. In her free time, Taleya enjoys spending time with her husband, David. |
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