"Seeking Balance in Ministry, Life, and Grandparenthood!"
by Cresenti Squire Williams on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 8:29pm
APRIL 9, 2012 will be two years since the parents of Jayden Miguel and Lailie Nichole Williams were married by Yours Truly. I was at the hospital during the labor and delivery of my son Brandon's first children, twins who are now almost seven weeks old. Graciously I am also the Mother, Mother-in Law and Grammie to this loving family. They are my children and an important part of my Harmony 2020 Ministry, life and grandparent hood. I am happy to be living close enough for the first time in over 12 years to be able to help care for Jayden and Lailie after their mother, Sarah returns to work. I am thrilled to be involved in this second phase of my life after working as a retail manager for a major company for the last 28 years . God is truly an Awesome God! He is giving me a wonderful opportunity to see Him in a New Light as I watch the miracle of birth and life bring more aspects of God's Own Awesomeness into focus through closely observing my newborn grandchildren.
Here is where I need to make a disclaimer as these are not my "first grandchildren." Cierra Norshea and Alease Ize Williams are my elder son Sheron's thirteen and eight year old daughters. Sheron is in the military serving in the US Navy. As a result, he has lived in various countries and other parts of the USA. He currently resides in San Diego, CA. We live in North Carolina. Because I was almost obsessively dedicated to my job in past years, I was not available to be with him when his daughters were born, Cierra in Norfolk, VA and Ize in Greece. I love them so much, however, and I'm grateful for the time that Grammie does get to spend with them. They are absolutely beautiful, brilliant and loving children and I am so happy to be their Grandmother.
My heart leaps with joy and thankfulness each time I see these new precious offspring the Lord has Blessed us to have! I am in Life's School of Instruction again, but this time my instructors are all of 9 and 10 lbs! It is really amazing how much you can learn about life from newborn grandbabies. It seems that they are an open book on one hand, reaching out and sliently observing everything in their view. Then on the other hand, they can be just little complicated balls of of confusion. There have been many calls from a frantic mom and dad asking what to do when they just can't begin to understand what is wrong and what to do to stop the crying! This reminds me of my own experiences as a young mother. I was always so busy trying to Be a good mother that my 'being' a good mother took precedence over being a 'fun' mother! The babies were safe, happy and well taught, but I missed out on the Fun they shared with my parents!
During this second 'life season', I am finally able to enjoy some of the 'fun' parenting experiences I missed with my own children more than 30 years ago. It is my hope that I will have a positive impact in the lives of Jayden and Lailie and that I will also learn to appreciate the FUN side of living. I want ot be so happy that being a grandparent takes on the accronym of being a "FUNPARENT"! Note some of the following life lessons I have learned from the twins:
Even though the experience of sharing and giving love to my grandbabies is quite enjoyable, I realize that I am only a part of the "village" that it will take to help raise Jayden and Lailie. Sarah's parents Mike and Barbara Myers, are Grandma and Grandpa Myers who are there as well as Grandpa Ronnie and Grandma Williams. Uncles, Derick and Sheron, although through the use of somewhat unconventional methods; and their wives, will be in the village arena also. As will their cousins, Kylie and Nate; Devarn, Cierra and Ize; Margaret, Lorenza and Victoria. All of the cousins are big enough to play with and administer care to Jayden and Lailie as they get older. Praise the Lord and Hallelujah!
Being Balanced in Ministry, Life, and Grandparenthood, atleast for me, means to remember the village that God has allowed to be in place to assist in the care and nurturing of the twins. I am so thankful for family, Christian friends from the faith community, doctors and nurses, mentors and coaches, laypersons and educators; as well as many other positive role models in the community who will be instrumental in the health, growth, safety and learning processes for these precious little ones. And just as I welcome the love and advice of others to help in this process, it is instrumental for me to be a part of the nurturing, faithbuilding and mentoring process for the children of other parents who welcome my input and love for their young ones. The Almighty God is indeed the "greatest network provider" of resources for happy, positive living that I know. He has given us His Son, His Only Son, to look to as The Perfect Example of the Greatest Love. Find Balance by taking the time to pray and meditate on God and His Son Jesus. As we are admonished in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added to you." We are further advised in Proverbs 3: 5,6 to Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. In all our ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM and HE shall direct our paths." (paraphrased) Very good advice for anyone seeking to find balance for life's daily challenges. After all Jesus is The One Who made us, bought us and set the example for us. Follow His lead!
Brandon and Sarah Williams
The future Proud Parents of Jayden and Lailie
April 2009
May I have a little elbow room please?
Lailie one month old. Born Nov 29, 2011
Jayden ar one month old. Born 11/29/11
You speak first. No you first!
Mommie's big boy!
Daddy's princess!
Here is where I need to make a disclaimer as these are not my "first grandchildren." Cierra Norshea and Alease Ize Williams are my elder son Sheron's thirteen and eight year old daughters. Sheron is in the military serving in the US Navy. As a result, he has lived in various countries and other parts of the USA. He currently resides in San Diego, CA. We live in North Carolina. Because I was almost obsessively dedicated to my job in past years, I was not available to be with him when his daughters were born, Cierra in Norfolk, VA and Ize in Greece. I love them so much, however, and I'm grateful for the time that Grammie does get to spend with them. They are absolutely beautiful, brilliant and loving children and I am so happy to be their Grandmother.
My heart leaps with joy and thankfulness each time I see these new precious offspring the Lord has Blessed us to have! I am in Life's School of Instruction again, but this time my instructors are all of 9 and 10 lbs! It is really amazing how much you can learn about life from newborn grandbabies. It seems that they are an open book on one hand, reaching out and sliently observing everything in their view. Then on the other hand, they can be just little complicated balls of of confusion. There have been many calls from a frantic mom and dad asking what to do when they just can't begin to understand what is wrong and what to do to stop the crying! This reminds me of my own experiences as a young mother. I was always so busy trying to Be a good mother that my 'being' a good mother took precedence over being a 'fun' mother! The babies were safe, happy and well taught, but I missed out on the Fun they shared with my parents!
During this second 'life season', I am finally able to enjoy some of the 'fun' parenting experiences I missed with my own children more than 30 years ago. It is my hope that I will have a positive impact in the lives of Jayden and Lailie and that I will also learn to appreciate the FUN side of living. I want ot be so happy that being a grandparent takes on the accronym of being a "FUNPARENT"! Note some of the following life lessons I have learned from the twins:
- When you've eaten to satisfaction, STOP-- Great advice for those of us weight watchers!
- In order to be acknowledged, Make Noise! Stop crying when you've gained an audience!
- When you have a goal to reach, Push! Especially when you have to get rid of wasteful energy!
- After being fed, bathed and content, Sleep in positive energy, but no more than 3-5 hours at a time!
- By the ripe old age of six weeks, Recognize the importance of family time!
- When all else fails and crying no longer works, PRAY! Find a Fellow Prayer Partner with Experience!
Even though the experience of sharing and giving love to my grandbabies is quite enjoyable, I realize that I am only a part of the "village" that it will take to help raise Jayden and Lailie. Sarah's parents Mike and Barbara Myers, are Grandma and Grandpa Myers who are there as well as Grandpa Ronnie and Grandma Williams. Uncles, Derick and Sheron, although through the use of somewhat unconventional methods; and their wives, will be in the village arena also. As will their cousins, Kylie and Nate; Devarn, Cierra and Ize; Margaret, Lorenza and Victoria. All of the cousins are big enough to play with and administer care to Jayden and Lailie as they get older. Praise the Lord and Hallelujah!
Being Balanced in Ministry, Life, and Grandparenthood, atleast for me, means to remember the village that God has allowed to be in place to assist in the care and nurturing of the twins. I am so thankful for family, Christian friends from the faith community, doctors and nurses, mentors and coaches, laypersons and educators; as well as many other positive role models in the community who will be instrumental in the health, growth, safety and learning processes for these precious little ones. And just as I welcome the love and advice of others to help in this process, it is instrumental for me to be a part of the nurturing, faithbuilding and mentoring process for the children of other parents who welcome my input and love for their young ones. The Almighty God is indeed the "greatest network provider" of resources for happy, positive living that I know. He has given us His Son, His Only Son, to look to as The Perfect Example of the Greatest Love. Find Balance by taking the time to pray and meditate on God and His Son Jesus. As we are admonished in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added to you." We are further advised in Proverbs 3: 5,6 to Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. In all our ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM and HE shall direct our paths." (paraphrased) Very good advice for anyone seeking to find balance for life's daily challenges. After all Jesus is The One Who made us, bought us and set the example for us. Follow His lead!
Brandon and Sarah WilliamsThe future Proud Parents of Jayden and LailieApril 2009May I have a little elbow room please?Lailie one month old. Born Nov 29, 2011Jayden ar one month old. Born 11/29/11You speak first. No you first!Mommie's big boy!Daddy's princess!
