Worst Best Incident...

I can't believe I'm even going to write this but feel as if I should for a reminder to myself, as help to others & to my Lord & God credit due for His mighty way!

This weekend Bill had to travel out of town for business so it's going to be ALL GIRLS weekend YAY!!!

Friday we picked up Aunt Amy & headed to the Harrisonville  Festival. Oh how the girls had so much fun on the rides & dancing to 'therest' music. 

It was so great to have someone along to help out with the girls...
We got home late, went to bed & rose early on saturday to a somewhat normal routine except it was Aunt Amy here not daddy. 

In the afternoon Aunt Robin came over too & they sent me off for some much needed 'ME' time!
Then it was off to meet up with Aunt Val & pick up our brides maid dresses for Robin's wedding. I was so much appreciating all this extra help managing the girls through this day.

We all headed to Chic-Fil-A ... Robin's favorite place... : ) for a late lunch & play time for the little girls... 
After lunch we headed to Marshals department store to help the bride to be something fun for her bachelorette party dress!
Jordin was having such a great time helping pick out flashy beautiful dresses... she LOVES dresses & dressing up!
So were shopping away & Jayda speaks up... "POOP, mommy poop!" In Jayda terms that means she has to go pee pee...or in the store it means I'm tired of sitting in this basket & I want to get out of here...
So I tell the girls I'm taking Jayda to the potty, one of the girls offers to take the basket, I didn't hesitate to leave it with her and also instructed Jordin to stay there as well.... We talked about the basket directly, but not Jordin...

I go off with Jayda in arm to the potty of which she didn't even go... little stinker!
I check the message that came through on my phone; it informs me that everyone is back in the dressing room now. 
I take Jayda and head to the dressing room. 
As soon as I arrive I visually take inventory of who is present... I ask "where is Jordin, in there with Robin?"
Amy & Val look at each other then back at me stating "NO, I thought she was with you!"
I quickly leave Jayda with them and take off to search for Jordin, surprisingly calm... I thank the Lord for that...
I go to the restroom thinking she must have followed me there & I didn't know it...
I enter & see no one, so I call out... "JORDIN... are you in here?!" No one replies...
I become increasingly concerned... I step out from the restroom area looking around every direction... I start yelling out her name... JORDIN.... JORDIN... my eye catches  Amy & Val searching also... then I see Amy running to the front of the store... as I look ahead to where she is running to I then see Jordin at the front with an Employee!
I am immediately at ease knowing she is in the store & safe!
Amy scoops her up quickly!
Mommy right on Amy's heels as I got to Jordin I could see she had been crying & scared... 
I took her into my arms, held her tight & asked her if she was ok... I assured her I was so glad she was ok & that we found her...
I then reminded her of why Mommy & Daddy have rules! (to keep her safe!)
I held her for a long time... she did not want me to let her go.

Oh my gosh... the what if's in this story are horrific... 
I could point fingers & place blame...I could say it's Jayda's fault since she lied about having to go potty.... I could blame Jordin for not obeying mommy... but truely...I am to blame.. she is my child I am ultimately responsible for her at ALL times.

As the mother, I allowed myself to become too comfortable with others helping me keep track of my girls, shame on me... I need my friends to know that if it were me that was in a group with the parent of someone else & their child was present, I would fully expect that parent was looking after their own child & I would not be as alert to where they were. It's NOT your fault!

I heard Jordin calling my name as I walked away, I should have turned around, shame on me again.

I was trusting her to obey me as I had instructed her to stay there. She knows the store rule is to never leave the basket... I was also trusting she would obey that rule as well... 
Lesson for mommy...children disobey

Lesson for mommy... ALWAYS review rules when going to the store... repetition is the price of learning... (i usually do, but didn't this day!)

Lesson for mommy... put into practice what our children should do if they should ever be separated from mommy in the store again... 

• scream as loud as you can MOMMY
• know mommy's name
•  stay in the last place we were together & I will always come back to that spot  DON'T LEAVE
• Know Mommy & Daddy's names
• know your phone number & how to dial it on the phone

Praise our God and King we were reunited & no harm was done... Thank you Lord for meeting me in the midst of it all... thank you for your sovereign hand of mercy & grace...thank you for directing our path today. 
I am SO over joyed that it's over, it was short and we are all safe and sound...let it be a learning opportunity for us as a family.

I am still in awe of God and how he maintained my head that it was clear as I searched for Jordin, that I knew to go back to where she may have been, to go back to where we were last together & that he directed Amy's eyes to see her at the front of the store!!!

As I continually replay the events over & over in my mind, trying to figure out just how; I am going to explain this to Daddy when I talk to him or see him again. My mind tells me "he will never trust me again, God CHOSE us to be their parents... & I LOST JORDIN!" and these two thoughts haunted me all night & all morning.

Sunday the girls & I head off to church. I Dropped off Jayda to the nursery as usual then Jordin & I head to adult worship. After wordhip Jordin was going to childrens church so I stop her & reminded her to obey the teacher & STAY with her class... she replies "yes mom, I WONT wander off!" 

I think she learned a valuable lesson!

Sitting in my seat feeling lonely, I begin to replay the events in my mind again...I ask the Lord, "please speak to my heart & mind, bring me some peace through Your word today." 

As I listen to pastor Scott's sermon on abuse, he breaks it down in 4 perspectives, Self, Others, David & Jesus...my mind begins focusing on Jesus... and then it wanders to Joseph and Mary... Jesus' parents! 

God reminds me that Joseph & Mary also lost track of Jesus... THE SON OF GOD as well!!! 

My heart was comforted & the tears began flowing... so thankful God chose to include this part of Jesus' life just for me & others who may have dealt with the same thing!

I began processing the events of Joseph & Mary's situation... they were CHOSEN parents too! 

They were traveling & surrounded by their community... trusted friends & family... they too were comfortable & secure that their child was in a safe environment.

BUT... they too could not find him...their story is much like mine!!! 

Check out their experience:

Luk 2:41  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 

Luk 2:42  And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 

Luk 2:43  And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 
Luk 2:44  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 

Luk 2:45  And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 

Luk 2:46  And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

 I am sure taking inspirational comfort from this story at the parental perspective... they lost him for 3 days... I can imagine they retraced their last moments with him, where they were last together as they journeyed back to find him.

Parents... please even when you're in your most trusted circle of people... have GOOD communication with them... if you leave your child with them be certain that they make eye contact with you and that you hear them say "YES I have ... (child's name)." 
Even more important... MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD KNOWS WHAT TO DO IF EVER SEPARATED FROM YOU OR THEIR ADULT BEFORE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EVER HAPPENS...
We had not ever talked about this until it happened... IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE...it happened to the parents... the CHOSEN parents of the Son of God... it CAN happen to you!

It Takes Two...

It takes 2 people to make a relationship.... & it takes 2 to KEEP it going... 1 person can make a difference but 1 person can not maintain the relationship ALONE... at some point the other person has to engage.

I love the movie 'FireProof' & the 4 yr anniversary of this movie is on the 26th of September! It's a good time to rent this movie & or even take the love dare to restore or revitalize our marriages! Take a dare & renew your love!

http://www.shenzhoufellowship.org/main2/files/old/SpecialTopics/TheLoveDare.pdf

THE LOVE DARE 

40 Days Love Journey 

Day 1: Love is patient

Be completely humble and gentle; be 

patient, bearing with one another in love.

—Ephesians 4:2 NIV 

TODAY’S DARE

The first part of this dare is fairly simple. 

Although love is communicated in a 

number of ways, our words often reflect 

the condition of our heart. For the next 

day, resolve to demonstrate patience and 

to say nothing negative to your spouse at 

all. If the temptation arises, choose not to 

say anything. It’s better to hold your 

tongue than to say something you’ll 

regret 

Day 2: Love is kind

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, 

forgiving each other, just as God in 

Christ also has forgiven you. 

—Ephesians 4:32 

TODAY’S DARE

In addition to saying nothing negative to 

your spouse again today, do at least one 

unexpected gesture as an act of kindness. 

Day 3: Love is not selfish

Be devoted to one another in brotherly 

love; give preference to one another in 

honor. 

—Romans 12:10 

TODAY’S DARE

Whatever you put your time, energy, and 

money into will become more important 

to you. It’s hard to care for something 

you are not investing in. Along with 

restraining from negative comments, buy 

your spouse something that says, “I was 

thinking of you today.” 

Day 4: Love is thoughtful

How precious also are Your thoughts to 

me. . . .How vast is the sum of them! If I 

should count them, they would 

outnumber the sand. 

—Psalm 139:17–18 

TODAY’S DARE

Contact your spouse sometime during 

the business of the day. Have no agenda 

other than asking how he or she is doing 

and if there is anything you could do for 

them. 

Day 5: Love is not rude

He who blesses his friend with a loud 

voice early in the morning, it will be 

reckoned a curse to him. 

—Proverbs 27:14 

TODAY’S DARE

Ask your spouse to tell you three things 

that cause him or her to be 

uncomfortable or irritated with you. You 

must do so without attacking them or 

justifying your behavior. This is from 

their perspective only. 

Day 6: Love is not irritable

He who is slow to anger is better than 

the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, 

than he who captures a city. 

—Proverbs 16:32 

TODAY’S DARE

Choose today to react to tough 

circumstances in your marriage in loving 

ways instead of with irritation. Begin by 

making a list below of areas where you 

need to add margin to your schedule. 

Then list any wrong motivations that you 

need to release from your life. 

Day 7: Love believes the 

best

[Love] believes all things, hopes all 

things.

—1 Corinthians 13:7 

TODAY’S DARE

For today’s dare, get two sheets of paper. 

On the first one, spend a few minutes 

writing out positive things about your 

spouse. Then do the same with negative 

things on the second sheet. Place both 

sheets in a secret place for another day. 

There is a different purpose and plan for 

each. At some point during the 

remainder of the day, pick a positive 

attribute from the first list and thank 

your spouse for having this characteristic. 

Day 8: Love is not jealous

Love is as strong as death, its jealousy 

unyielding as the grave. It burns like 

blazing fire.

—Song of Solomon 8:6 NIV 

TODAY’S DARE

Determine to become your spouse’s 

biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of 

jealousy. To help you set your heart on 

your spouse and focus on their 

achievements, take yesterday’s list of 

negative attributes and discreetly burn it. 

Then share with your spouse how glad 

you are about a success he or she 

recently enjoyed. 

Day 9: Love makes good 

impressions

Greet one another with a kiss of love. 

—1 Peter 5:14 

TODAY’S DARE 

Think of a specific way you’d like to 

greet your spouse today. Do it with a 

smile and with enthusiasm. Then 

determine to change your greeting to 

reflect your love for them. 

Day 10: Love is 

unconditional

God demonstrates His own love toward 

us, in that while we were yet sinners, 

Christ died for us.

—Romans 5:8 

TODAY’S DARE

Do something out of the ordinary today 

for your spouse—something that proves 

(to you and to them) that your love is 

based on your choice and nothing else. 

Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Buy his 

favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. 

Demonstrate love to them for the sheer 

joy of being their partner in marriage. 

Day 11: Love cherishes

Husbands ought also to love their own 

wives as their own bodies. 

—Ephesians 5:28 

TODAY’S DARE 

What need does your spouse have that 

you could meet today? Can you run an 

errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? 

Is there housework you could help with? 

Choose a gesture that says, “I cherish 

you” and do it with a smile. 

Day 12: Love lets the other 

win

Do not merely look out for your own 

personal interests, but also for the 

interests of others.

—Philippians 2:4 

TODAY’S DARE

Demonstrate love by willingly choosing 

to give in to an area of disagreement 

between you and your spouse. Tell them 

you are putting their preference first. 

Day 13: Love fights fair

If a house is divided against itself, that 

house will not be able to stand.

—Mark 3:25 

TODAY’S DARE

Talk with your spouse about establishing 

healthy rules of engagement. If your 

mate is not ready for this, then write out 

your own personal rules to “fight” by. 

Resolve to abide by them when the next 

disagreement occurs.If a house is divided 

against itself, that house will not be able 

to stand. 

Day 14: Love takes delight

Enjoy life with the wife you love all the 

days of your fleeting life.

—Ecclesiastes 9:9 HCSB 

TODAY’S DARE

Purposefully neglect an activity you 

would normally do so you can spend 

quality time with your spouse. Do 

something he or she would love to do or 

a project they’d really like to work on. 

Just be together. 

Day 15: Love is honorable

Live with your wives in an understanding 

way . . . and show her honor as a fellow 

heir of the grace of life. 

—1 Peter 3:7 

TODAY’S DARE

Choose a way to show honor and respect 

to your spouse that is above your normal 

routine. It may be holding the door for 

her. It might be putting his clothes away 

for him. It may be the way you listen and 

speak in your communication. Show 

your mate that he or she is highly 

esteemed in your eyes. 

Day 16: Love intercedes

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you 

may prosper and be in good health, just 

as your soul prospers. 

—3 John 2 

TODAY’S DARE

Begin praying today for your spouse’s 

heart. Pray for three specific areas where 

you desire for God to work in your 

spouse’s life and in your marriage. 

Day 17: Love promotes 

intimacy

He who covers over an offense promotes 

love, but whoever repeats the matter 

separates close friends.

—Proverbs 17:9 NIV 

TODAY’S DARE

Determine to guard your mate’s secrets 

(unless they are dangerous to them or to 

you) and to pray for them. Talk with 

your spouse, and resolve to demonstrate 

love in spite of these issues. Really listen 

to them when they share personal 

thoughts and struggles with you. Make 

them feel safe. 

Day 18: Love seeks to 

understand

How blessed is the man who finds 

wisdom, and the man who gains 

understanding.

—Proverbs 3:13 

TODAY’S DARE

Prepare a special dinner at home, just for 

the two of you. The dinner can be as nice 

as you prefer. Focus this time on getting 

to know your spouse better, perhaps in 

areas you’ve rarely talked about. 

Determine to make it an enjoyable 

evening for you and your mate. 

Day 19: Love is impossible

Let us love one another, for love is from 

God; and everyone who loves is born of 

God and knows God. 

—1 John 4:7 

TODAY’S DARE

Look back over the dares from previous 

days. Were there some that seemed 

impossible to you? Have you realized 

your need for God to change your heart 

and to give you the ability to love? Ask 

Him to show you where you stand with 

Him, and ask for the strength and grace 

to settle your eternal destination. 

Day 20: Love is Jesus 

Christ

While we were still helpless, at the right 

time Christ died for the ungodly.

—Romans 5:6 

TODAY’S DARE

Dare to take God at His Word. Dare to 

trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to 

pray, “Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner. But You 

have shown Your love for me by dying 

to forgive my sins, and You have proven 

Your power to save me from death by 

Your resurrection. Lord, change my 

heart, and save me by Your grace.” 

Day 21: Love is satisfied in 

God

The Lord will continually guide you, and 

satisfy your desire.

—Isaiah 58:11 

TODAY’S DARE

Be intentional today about making a time 

to pray and read your Bible. Try reading 

a chapter out of Proverbs each day (there 

are thirty-one—a full month’s supply), 

or reading a chapter in the Gospels 

(Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). As 

you do, immerse yourself in the love and 

promises God has for you. This will add 

to your growth as you walk with Him. 

Day 22: Love is faithful

I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. 

Then you will know the Lord. 

—Hosea 2:20 TODAY’S DARE

Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an 

initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. 

Choose today to be committed to love 

even if your spouse has lost most of their 

interest in receiving it. Say to them today 

in words similar to these, “I love you. 

Period. I choose to love you even if you 

don’t love me in return.” 

Day 23: Love always 

protects

[Love] always protects.

—1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV 

TODAY’S DARE

Remove anything that is hindering your 

relationship, any addiction or influence 

that’s stealing your affections and 

turning your heart away from your 

spouse. 

Day 24: Love vs. Lust

The world is passing away, and also its 

lusts; but the one who does the will of 

God lives forever. 

—1 John 2:17 

TODAY’S DARE

End it now. Identify every object of lust 

in your life and remove it. Single out 

every lie you’ve swallowed in pursuing 

forbidden pleasure and reject it. Lust 

cannot be allowed to live in a back 

bedroom. It must be killed and 

destroyed—today—and replaced with 

the sure promises of God and a heart 

filled with His perfect love. 

Day 25: Love forgives

What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven 

anything, I did it for your sakes in the 

presence of Christ. 

—2 Corinthians 2:10 

TODAY’S DARE

Whatever you haven’t forgiven in your 

mate, forgive it today. Let it go. Just as 

we ask Jesus to “forgive us our debts” 

each day, we must ask Him to help us 

“forgive our debtors” each day as well. 

Unforgiveness has been keeping you and 

your spouse in prison too long. Say from 

your heart, “I choose to forgive.” 

Day 26: Love is responsible

When you judge another, you condemn 

yourself, since you, the judge, do the 

same things. 

—Romans 2:1 HCSB 

TODAY’S DARE

Take time to pray through your areas of 

wrongdoing. Ask for God’s forgiveness, 

then humble yourself enough to admit 

them to your spouse. Do it sincerely and 

truthfully. Ask your spouse for 

forgiveness as well. No matter how they 

respond, make sure you cover your 

responsibility in love. Even if they 

respond with criticism, accept it by 

receiving it as counsel. 

Day 27: Love encourages

Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let 

me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.

—Psalm 25:20 

TODAY’S DARE

Eliminate the poison of unrealistic 

expectations in your home. Think of one 

area where your spouse has told you 

you’re expecting too much, and tell them 

you’re sorry for being so hard on them 

about it. Promise them you’ll seek to 

understand, and assure them of your 

unconditional love. 

Day 28: Love makes 

sacrifices

He laid down His life for us. We should 

also lay down our lives for our brothers.

—1 John 3:16 HCSB 

TODAY’S DARE

What is one of the greatest needs in your 

spouse’s life right now? Is there a need 

you could lift from their shoulders today 

by a daring act of sacrifice on your part? 

Whether the need is big or small, 

purpose to do what you can to meet the 

need. 

Day 29: Love’s motivation

Render service with a good attitude, as 

to the Lord and not to men. 

—Ephesians 6:7 HCSB 

TODAY’S DARE

Before you see your spouse again today, 

pray for them by name and for their 

needs. Whether it comes easy for you or 

not, say “I love you,” then express love 

to them in some tangible way. Go to God 

in prayer again, thanking Him for giving 

you the privilege of loving this one 

special person—unconditionally, the 

way He loves both of you. 

Day 30: Love brings unity

Father, keep them in Your name, the 

name which You have given Me, that 

they may be one even as We are. 

—John 17:11 

TODAY’S DARE

Isolate one area of division in your 

marriage, and look on today as a fresh 

opportunity to pray about it. Ask the 

Lord to reveal anything in your own 

heart that is threatening oneness with 

your spouse. Pray that He would do the 

same for them. And if appropriate, 

discuss this matter openly, seeking God 

for unity. 

Day 31: Love and marriage

A man shall leave his father and his 

mother, and be joined to his wife; and 

they shall become one flesh.

—Genesis 2:24 

TODAY’S DARE

Is there a “leaving” issue you haven’t 

been brave enough to conquer yet? 

Confess it to your spouse today, and 

resolve to make it right. The oneness of 

your marriage is dependent upon it. 

Follow this with a commitment to your 

spouse and to God to make your 

marriage the top priority over every 

other human relationship. 

Day 32: Love meets sexual 

needs

The husband must fulfill his duty to his 

wife, and likewise also the wife to her 

husband.

—1 Corinthians 7:3 

TODAY’S DARE

If at all possible, try to initiate sex with 

your husband or wife today. Do this in a 

way that honors what your spouse has 

told you (or implied to you) about what they need from you sexually. Ask God to 

make this enjoyable for both of you as 

well as a path to greater intimacy. 

Day 33: Love completes 

each other

If two lie down together they keep warm, 

but how can one be warm alone?

—Ecclesiastes 4:11 

TODAY’S DARE

Recognize that your spouse is integral to 

your future success. Let them know 

today that you desire to include them in 

your upcoming decisions, and that you 

need their perspective and counsel. If 

you have ignored their input in the past, 

admit your oversight and ask them to 

forgive you. 

Day 34: Love celebrates 

godliness

[Love] does not rejoice in 

unrighteousness, but rejoices with the 

truth.

—1 Corinthians 13:6 

TODAY’S DARE

Find a specific, recent example when 

your spouse demonstrated Christian 

character in a noticeable way. Verbally 

commend them for this at some point 

today. 

Day 35: Love is 

accountable

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with 

many advisers they succeed.

—Proverbs 15:22 NIV 

TODAY’S DARE

Find a marriage mentor—someone who 

is a strong Christian and who will be 

honest and loving with you. If you feel 

that counseling is needed, then take the 

first step to set up an appointment. 

During this process, ask God to direct 

your decisions and discernment. 

Day 36: Love is God’s 

Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a 

light to my path.

—Psalm 119:105 

TODAY’S DARE

Commit to reading the Bible every day. 

Find a devotional book or other resource 

that will give you some guidance. If your 

spouse is open to it, see if they will 

commit to daily Bible reading with you. 

Begin submitting each area of your life 

to its guidance and start building on the 

rock. 

Day 37: Love agrees in 

prayer

If two of you agree on earth about 

anything that they may ask, it shall be 

done for them by My Father.

—Matthew 18:19 

TODAY’S DARE

Ask your spouse if you can begin 

praying together. Talk about the best 

time to do this, whether it’s in the 

morning, your lunch hour, or before 

bedtime. Use this time to commit your 

concerns, disagreements, and needs 

before the Lord. Don’t forget to thank 

Him for His provision and blessing. 

Even if your spouse refuses to do this, 

resolve to spend this daily time in prayer 

yourself. 

Day 38: Love fulfills 

dreams

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will 

give you the desires of your heart.

—Psalm 37:4 

TODAY’S DARE

Ask yourself what your mate would want 

if it was obtainable. Commit this to 

prayer, and start mapping out a plan for 

meeting some (if not all) of their desires, 

to whatever level you possibly can. 

Day 39: Love endures

Love never fails. 

—1 Corinthians 13:8 

TODAY’S DARE

Spend time in personal prayer, then write 

a letter of commitment and resolve to 

your spouse. Include why you are 

committing to this marriage until death, 

and that you have purposed to love them 

no matter what. Leave it in a place that 

your mate will find it. 

Day 40: Love is a covenant

Where you go, I will go, and where you 

lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be 

my people, and your God, my God. 

—Ruth 1:16 

TODAY’S DARE

Write out a renewal of your vows and 

place them in your home. Perhaps, if 

appropriate, you could make 

arrangements to formally renew your 

wedding vows before a minister and with 

family present. Make it a living 

testament to the value of marriage in 

God’s eyes and the high honor of being 

one with your mate.