This was written by a friend who is the mother of three very lovely young ladies. I hope it blesses you as it did me. Although written with daughters in mind it is very applicable to sons.

My Daughters Belong to the Lord
by: Raye Frerer, Missouri

22 very few years ago, I walked into my home with a defenseless infant nestled in my arms. As I stood in the hall, I knew 5 seconds of terror while I faced the knowledge that I was completely incapable of raising her to be a beautiful, strong, godly woman without the mercy and guidance of our Heavenly Father.

Today, I stand where I stood then, and know that I am still utterly dependent upon God’s mercy. Soon she and then her sisters will walk away from us held by other arms, and emotions surge through my heart with an awe-inspiring force. Will those arms, stronger than mine, realize the absolute necessity of reliance upon God? Will they understand that God has made these girls to be loved intensely, protected fiercely, and swept into a grand adventure serving their Lord? Will the parents that have protected and raised these young women in the nurture of the Lord have the wisdom to recognize and bless the husbands that you provide?

Oh, Lord. I need you more today than then.

I fall before you with my heart exposed and cry to you for mercy, grace, wisdom, and forgiveness. Mercy for each daughter in the choice of her husband, grace for the strength to release her to a strong godly man, wisdom to take them through the days before they leave this home and forgiveness for the times I have failed you while holding the gift that you placed in my arms. And… I ache for the sons that I never had the opportunity to hold.

As I pray, I feel your calm healing presence flow over me and I know…

It is not necessary that I see their future husbands or be aware of their names in order to know that the Lord is more than able to care for my daughters for the rest of eternity.
It is necessary--- that I trust Him.
I choose to trust in God.

He is always trustworthy.
It is His nature.
I will trust in God.

Shannon lives within His Wisdom.
Bethany rests in His Peace.
Dara exists at the heart of His Compassion.
I trust in God.

I see no sons-in-law.
Yet, I pray for them.
I trust in God.

I know that these young men do not need an irritating, interfering, mother figure.
They are sons of the Lord and He parents each of them perfectly.
I pray for their parents.
I trust in God.

The Lord is filling my heart with Himself,
He fills its son-sized hole with His presence, His peace, and His joy.
I trust in God.

I am in need of comfort, and
I feel His love as he wraps it ‘round me.
I trust in God.

I know that I, without Him, cannot live this season of life graciously, and
His presence encourages.
I trust in God.

My heart needs to share its deepest thoughts, and I know…
He listens.
I trust in God.

I trust in God…
…And once more, I am at peace.

I received this poem from a friend and thought it should be shared
(I did a little personalization...)*_*

I stopped to watch my little daughter playing in her room.
In one hand was a plastic phone; in the other, a toy broom.

I listened as she spoke to her 'make-believe' little friend,
And I'll never forget the words she said, though it was just 'pretend'.

She said, "Dolly's in the corner cuz she's not been very good.
She didn't listen to a word I said or do the things she should."

In the corner sat her baby doll all dressed in lace and pink,
It was obvious she'd been put there to sit alone and think.

My daughter continued her 'phone call', as I sat down on the floor.
She said, "I'm all fed up and just don't know what to do with her anymore.'

"She whines whenever I have to work and wants to play games, too;
She never lets me do the things that I just have to do.'

"She tries to do the dishes, but her arms just cannot reach;
And she just can't quite fold the towels, and I don't have time to teach.

"I have a lot of work to do and our whole house to clean.
I don't have the time to sit and play -- don't you know what I mean?"

That day I chose to make some major changes in my life
As I listened to her play-words that cut me like a knife.

I'd not paid enough attention to what I hold most dear.
I'd been caught up in "duties" that increased throughout the year.

But now my attitude has changed because I realize
I've seen life in a different light -- through my wee one's eyes.

So let cobwebs have the corners and dust-bunnies rule the floor,
I'll not fret about keeping up with those things anymore.

I'll fill our home with memories of a child and her mother;
For God grants us just one childhood, and we'll never get another."

Author Unknown

Reflections Of A Mother

I gave you life,
but cannot live it for you.

I can teach you things,
but I cannot make you learn.

I can give you directions,
but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can allow you freedom,
but I cannot account for it.

I can take you to church,
but I cannot make you believe.

I can teach you right from wrong,
but I cannot always decide for you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes,
but I cannot make you beautiful inside.

I can offer you advice,
but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love,
but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share,
but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect,
but I cannot force you to show honor.

I can advise you about friends,
but cannot choose them for you.

I can advise you about sex,
but I cannot keep you pure.

I can tell you the facts of life,
but I can't build your reputation.

I can tell you about drink,
but I can't say "No" for you.

I can warn you about drugs,
but I can't prevent you from using them.

I can tell you about lofty goals,
but I can't achieve them for you.

I can teach you about kindness,
but I can't force you to be gracious

I can warn you about sins,
but I cannot make you moral.

I can love you as a child,
but I cannot place you in God's family.

I can pray for you,
but I cannot make you walk with God.

I can tell you how to live,
but I cannot give you eternal life.

I can love you with unconditional love all of my life
... and I will.

~ Author Unknown ~

Life Inside the Womb

Once upon a time, twin boys were conceived in the womb. Seconds, minutes, hours passed as the two embryonic lives developed. The spark of life grew and each tiny brain began to take shape and form. With the development of their brain came feeling, and with feeling, perception--a perception of surroundings, of each other, and their own lives. They discovered that life was good and they laughed and rejoiced in their hearts.

One said to the other, "We are sure lucky to have been conceived and to have this wonderful world."

The other chimed in, "Yes, blessed be our mother who gave us life and each other."

Each of the twins continued to grow and soon their arms and fingers, legs and toes began to take shape. They stretched their bodies and churned and turned in their little world. They explored it and found the life cord which gave them life from their mother's blood. They were grateful for this new discovery and sang, "How great is the love of our mother--that she shares all she has with us!"

Weeks passed into months and with the advent of each new month, they noticed a change in each other and in themselves. "We are changing," one said. "What can it mean?"

"It means," said the other, "that we are drawing near to birth."

An unsettling chill crept over the two. They were afraid of birth, for they knew that it meant leaving their wonderful world behind. Said the one, "Were it up to me, I would live here forever."

"But we must be born," said the other. "It has happened to all the others." Indeed, there was evidence inside the womb that the mother had carried life before theirs. "And I believe that there is life after birth, don't you?"

"How can there be life after birth?" cried the one. "Do we not shed our life cord and also the blood tissue when we are born? And have you ever talked to anyone that has been born? Has anyone ever re-entered the womb after birth to describe what birth is like? NO!" As he spoke, he fell into despair, and in his despair he moaned, "If the purpose of conception and our growth inside the womb is to end in birth, then truly our life is senseless." He clutched his precious life cord to his breast and said, "And if this is so, and life is absurd, then there really can be no mothers!"

"But there is a mother," protested the other. "Who else gave us nourishment? Who else created this world for us?"

"We get our nourishment from this cord--and our world has always been here?" said the one. "And if there is a mother--where is she? Have you ever seen her? Does she ever talk to you? No! We invented the mother when we were young because it satisfied a need in us. It made us feel secure and happy."

Thus, while the one raved and despaired, the other resign himself to birth and placed his trust in the hands of his mother. Hours turned into days, and days into weeks. And soon it was time. They both knew their birth was at hand, and they both feared what they did not know. As the one was first to be conceived, so he was the first to be born, the other following.

They cried as they were born into the light. The coughed out fluid and gasped the dry air. And when they were sure they had been born, they opened their eyes--seeing life after birth for the very first time. What they saw was the beautiful eyes of their mother, as they were cradled lovingly in her arms. They were home.

"No eye has seen, no ear had heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"
(1 Corinthians 2:9).

Written by Wayne Rice Copyright 1995 by Youth Specialties, Inc.

Baby #1...Caleb Andrew Seest *_*

Baby #2...Lydia Pearl Seest *_*

Won't You PLEASE sign our Baby Guestbook????
We had one from Toolzone, and a "counter", too...
I don't know what happened to them though!!
But PLEASE sign our new one we made May of 2001 *_*
******

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Since 9/16/3