Pre-Marriage Thoughts for Lissie

Mrs. Beaver:

Following the news that Eric and Lissie are engaged, I thought I'd share some photos of them taken when they shared two weeks together at our home in early January. I'm going to alternate the photos with some quotes regarding the role of the wife in making the marriage a lifetime success--and, hence, a glory to God. These are ways in which I pray Lissie will bless Eric throughout their years together. (The quotes are by Kim Brenneman from her book Large Family Logistics.)

"The heart of her husband trusts her, and he will have no lack of gain." (Proverbs 31:11)

"In Hebrew, "no lack of gain" literally translates to "prey, plunder, and spoil." The Excellent Wife is prudent and careful in the management of the home and its expenses. She increases her husband's prosperity. She is so proficient that her husband is at peace and able to focus on his own workload. A wise woman takes care of those things in her charge which not only glorifies her heavenly Father, but blesses her husband." (pg. 24)

"She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life." (Proverbs 31:12)

"Jesus'went about doing good' (Acts 10:38). With Jesus as our example, a wife should try to understand her husband so that she can learn how to do him good. She should study him and learn his likes, dislikes, gifts, faults, so that she can understand how to be an effective complement to him." (pg. 25)

Lissie, I echo what Kim Brenneman has to say to her readers:

"Hear your husband's dreams and help him to reach his goals. Listen to his suggestions, and be attentive to his needs when planning your day and organizing your long-term domestic goals, whether you are shopping, taking care of your children, or pursuing a remodeling project. Make sure your priorities reflect his." (pg. 25)

 "Our men work so hard for us. They are sweating and striving against thorns and thistles. We should seek to be a jewel and a crown for our husband and to make our home a castle and fill it with comfort for him." (pg. 25)

"An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,

but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones." 

(Proverbs 12:4)

"Becoming a crown to our husband in not something that comes automatically. It takes diligent focus and effort...That is a strange concept in our culture which equates love with romance and lust. Biblically speaking, love is a choice and commitment. It is seeing your husband as God sees him and loving him as God loves you. It is a deeper and richer love than worldly love. I would encourage you to learn more of God's love and how we are to love, as He does." (pg.25)

Lissie, my beloved daughter, most of these quotes imply denying self, putting your own priorities to the side and working at making the relationship a happy one. With nearly 30 years of experience as a wife, I would tell you "Follow these words of wisdom and you'll have something even better than happiness--you'll have joy as you walk the path of life together."
With love, Mumsie

Happy Reunion

Mrs. Beaver:

Last night the kids and I had a sweet reunion with Mr. Beaver. We also happily welcomed home our oldest son, Joe, who had traveled with his dad to Los Angeles on this week-long business trip.

Our small airport has a great window where you can watch the planes land. The sun was just setting as we waited. My niece, Amanda, who arrived the day before to help us prepare for Tessa's wedding, was with us also.

We cheered as the plane touched town...

...and then made our way to another part of the airport where it's possible to watch through glass windows for the passengers to deplane.

Despite our best efforts to explain the reason for our visit to the airport, six-year-old Oksana still seemed a bit unnerved when we got there. Any visit to an airport has had this affect since we adopted her from Russia in late November. Yesterday she withdrew like a turtle pulling into her shell. When we looked at these photos after we got home, we noticed she had even quietly slipped into sucking her thumb, something she normally only does in bed at night.

It wasn't long before Oksana, and the rest of us, were rewarded for our wait by being reunited with the men in our family. Since this had been my first full week on my own since we became the parents of twelve, I felt as overjoyed at having my husband back as I used to feel when he was in the Navy when we were first married. Then his deployments as an engineer on a nuclear submarine would last a MUCH longer three months at a time, but I wasn't carrying the responsibility of any children. 

When we made our way to the baggage claim area, Oksana never left Joe's side. In the 3-1/2 months that our new children have been here, Joe and Oksana have developed a sweet bond. All her apprehension about being at an airport melted away when she was able to hold her oldest brother's hand.

Joe was equally happy. I was reminded again of his impassioned words when we first saw a photo of Oksana a little over a year ago, "She HAS to become ours!!!" Oksana is truly a gift to our family from the Lord, and Joe is keenly aware of the Lord's goodness in giving him this little girl as a sister.

We left the airport and went home to a DELICIOUS dinner of wild rice soup delivered earlier in the afternoon by our dear friend, Sandy. Sandy and several other friends and their teenage daughters came over to help us assemble numerous casseroles to feed the many people who will pass through our home during the upcoming wedding week.

Friends, your help was invaluable and the fellowship a blast. Thanks--you're so dear to me! Thank you for being Christ's hands and feet just as I reach a point of real need.

Thanks also to all who have prayed for me and the kids during this week of single parenting. Thanks also to those who recorded comments in response to my plea for prayer cover early in the week. Your prayers on my behalf were answered and then some! The Lord did above and beyond all I could have hoped for. The kids and I had a sweet week together showered in God's grace.