1. Sometimes what appears to be the end is really a new beginning. I know this is basically our motto, but it bears repeating. We may reach a point in life where we think everything is ending, but the truth is, every ending is also a beginning, and sometimes a beginning to a much, much better future. 2. Groups are good. Sure, we all remember the cliques that formed in high school and middle school; they weren’t the greatest. However, if you want a group or organization to have any kind of unity, then you have to do something together. The group that prays together stays together, but at New Beginnings we do a lot more together, including going to church and doing other fun activities. 3. A group of women CAN exist in harmony. While women can be extremely harsh on each other, especially in a group setting, at New Beginnings the opposite is true, as we do our best to encourage and support one another. 4. Sharing is caring. Our fourth item on this list is something that we were all told when we were four, but that we struggle with throughout our life. New Beginnings benefits enormously from the cash, items, and time that donors and volunteers share with New Beginnings. However, within New Beginnings, each person benefits from time wisdom, knowledge, food, or anything else shared by an employee, resident, or resident supervisor. 5. God is great. You know what else makes New Beginnings great? God does! Everything we do is for the glory of God, and we have experienced His many blessings firsthand. Elizabeth Scheibl is a former intern and current Resident Supervisor at New Beginnings. She is still an English major and History minor at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In her spare time, she likes reading, writing, and standing on chairs and singing.
0 Comments
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.
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. Many of our moms have gone through their life looking for the void in their hearts to be filled. They have sought relationships that have failed, they have been abandoned by family and friends and they don’t know where else to turn. I heard a man on TV say today that he was a Californian, he didn’t know the state flower, he didn’t know how many square miles California was, he didn’t know what its counties were, etc., but he was a Californian because he was born there. He went on to say that sometimes that is the same way we are Christians. We can’t tell you very much about what it means to be a Christian, what God thinks of us, what Jesus says about this and that, or maybe, we have heard what is required of us, but we don’t necessarily follow it in our lives, however, just like the “Californian” we consider ourself a Christian. Maybe, we think we are a Christian because we belong to a church, or because we are American, or because our parents were Christians, and that makes us one too. However, only a personal, authentic relationship with God can fill our emptiness. So how do we get that kind of relationship? First, know that God loves YOU, He cares about you, and if you call out to Him, if you seek Him, He will make Himself known to you. Second, you must understand that we all fall short of who God is. You must own it, not just intellectually, you have to personally realize that you have offended a holy God. God is perfect, and there’s no way you can be enough compared to Him. We have all sinned (to “miss the mark” of God’s holy standard), and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). That sin, unless attended to, will keep you separated from God for all eternity! Scripture says that by grace (unmerited favor) you’re saved, through faith. It’s not of yourself, it’s a gift of God, not a result of something you did. God sent His son Jesus Christ, Jesus was 100% God, and 100% man, fully human, fully God. He died on the cross to pay the cost of your sin. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” But you need to receive Him by faith. When you walk into a room and sit down on a chair, you are doing so by faith. You believe that the chair will hold you up. You didn’t walk around it first, check its legs for sturdiness, rock it back and forth to check its balance, no, you put all your weight on it and just sit down. That’s the kind of faith you have to have in who Jesus Christ is, and what He did for you. John 14:6 says “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me’.” You know you have an authentic relationship with God when every time you miss the mark, you run to God because you are sorry! So to all the moms who haven’t had everything in their life go perfectly, if you feel it’s too hard, or if you are tired and looking for help, know that in Christ you are stronger then you thought. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you - Philippians 4:13 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.
What do the books I mentioned above have in common? They have all been made into movies. However, there’s another very popular book that has been made into dozens, if not hundreds of movies, including a miniseries. Yes, the book I’m talking about is the Bible. Like most bestsellers, each of its readers probably has his or her favorite character or story. More importantly, the Bible offers us the story of our Savior and the good news He brings, in pure, unadulterated form. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the events leading up to His birth in the narrative of the Old Testament-a premier event that is not exclusive, but inclusive to all of humankind. As cool as franchises like Harry Potter or The Hunger Games are, you’re not going to have J.K. Rowling speak at your graduation or get a tour of the set for the Hunger Games movies without paying a hefty sum. The Word of God, in contrast, is completely free (especially if you’re at a hotel), and has been on the bestseller list for over two thousand years (waaay before the New York Times Bestseller List made its debut in 1931). So, why not find a cozy place to sit, grab your beverage of choice, and spend the day-or even just an hour-with some colorful characters in the greatest story ever told? Elizabeth Scheibl is a former intern and current Resident Supervisor at New Beginnings. She is still an English major and History minor at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In her spare time, she likes reading, writing, and standing on chairs and singing.
What do you do? Some will take a walk while others will sit and have a glass of wine. What about that small bit of ice cream in the freezer? No matter what your coping mechanism might be, you were given the skills to take that break and pull yourself back up. You might have family or friends who you can talk to and help you work through the pain and sadness. You pray, hope, and look for a better tomorrow. What if you didn’t have the skills it takes to cope with your bad day? What if you didn’t have a strong enough faith to go to God for help? What if you didn’t have a fridge or freezer to keep that little bit of ice cream or you don’t have the family or friend support to help you work through your problems? What happens then? Many people fall into depression. The hurt and abuse of their past along with the struggle of their today does not bring much hope for tomorrow. Did you know that many of the young women who apply and are accepted into New Beginnings admit to be suffering from depression? They have seen no hope for a brighter future for themselves or their babies. A kindness from some one only brings a temporary relief from the sadness and struggle. Did you notice that after a bad day, you are not as productive as you usually would be? Maybe you don’t sleep as much or you hurt a bit. For those who suffer from depression, this is an everyday bad day. Every day it is a struggle to do the simplest of tasks. When it is really bad, even getting showered and dressed is a task that proves to be too complicated so to ask them to go out and work, would be asking the impossible. The feelings of worthlessness and sadness just increase after not being productive. Its an endless cycle.
In this blog I talk mainly about depression due to circumstance and situation. Of course, there are other reasons for depression and by no means am I trying to overlook or ignore them. Sometimes it is really a chemical imbalance and your mind is wired different and therefore experience depression. In this case, seeking out a professional who will be able to treat you effectively would be the way to go. Another form of depression that we might see a lot at New Beginnings would be postpartum depression. This is very common in new mothers as there are so many changes happening not only in a woman's environment but also in her body. For more information, resources, and tips and tricks to help combat these baby blues, check out the website below by clicking on the button called "Baby Blues". This article was written by Jackie Edwards who had gone through her own baby blues and found ways to help through research and learning. Take a peek and learn some strategies to help yourself and others you love who may be going through it. Thank you to all who continue to support New Beginnings and give these women hope and a promising future. 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.
Still feeling doubtful? Take a moment to pray. God tells us over and over again in His Word that He will grant us anything we ask for in Jesus' name according to His Will. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8) "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24 "'Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.'" (John 16:23b-24) Some people spend their whole lives searching and feeling lost. Our God doesn't want you to be one of them. 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. “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” These words, spoken by Helen Keller, remind us just how much of an impact one person can make. Take, for example, Varian Fry. Fry, born in 1907, wasn’t a particularly fascinating man. However, he was smart, and when he decided to do something, it got done. However, Varian’s greatest accomplishment wasn’t a professional or personal one; it was life-saving godsend for a number of Europe’s greatest minds, including Max Ernst, Franz Werfel, and Heinrich Mann. An American journalist with no espionage experience, he went to France in 1940, where he and his associates helped save over two thousand Jews from the Nazis by furnishing them with false passports and other documents to allow them to escape.[1] [1] https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005740
You are only one person, but when it comes to making a difference, you have the strength of a crowd. Try it. Elizabeth Scheibl is a former intern and current Resident Supervisor at New Beginnings. She is still an English major and History minor at Wisconsin Lutheran College. In her spare time, she likes reading, writing, and standing on chairs and singing.
Where does New Beginnings fit in to this? Well, take that single, struggling mother and give her a safe place where she can lay down at night with her baby and know that those few possessions she has, won’t get robbed from her. Give her love and support. Guide her toward resources for food and education. Give her diapers, wipes, towels and blankets for her baby. Teach her about God’s love for her and her child. All of a sudden that cry doesn’t mean the same thing. It might mean hope and a future now. It might mean that they can now pass that love onto their child. With a warm place to live and baby’s needs taken care of, the focus of the mother goes from Survive to Thrive. What does a Baby’s Cry mean to you? Leave a comment below and tell us about a baby’s cry and how you can help the mothers here at New Beginnings see the miracle in a baby’s cry. 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. |
Archives
October 2019
Categories
All
|