Today I am in the Netherlands with my wonderful husband as we attend the fifth World Congress of Families.  I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the representatives from different countries as they have spoken about the vital need to strengthen our homes and families. 

 A couple of highlights for me have been meeting a lady who is the president and founder of Family Watch International and the recent author of Stand for the Family.  She is doing all kinds of exciting things as she shares an important message to preserve and protect the institution of the family on a global level.

One of my very favorite authors and a well know speaker Sheri Dew, is here as a chairman of the conference as well as a presenter at the conference.  I hung on to every word as she spoke to us today.    She boldly declared that sexual purity and virtuous living are the keys to strong families and a strong society.  I felt the spirit of her message and could tell by the nods in the room that others felt the same. 

Rebecca Weisler

I want to send out a million THANK YOU’s to all of you!   Your unending support and encouragement this past month has been tremendous.   I was completely caught off guard when I was awarded the “on line vote winner”.  In fact, I was so surprised that I mistakingly walked up to the front of the stage and cheerfully waved at the audience  instead of doing what we had been taught during rehearsal,  which was to stand in our place when the winner was called (whoops).  The co -hosts graciously moved on once I walked hastily back to my place but I’m sure the contestants were wondering, ”what in the world is Mrs. Georgia doing?”.   

 On a more thoughtful note, I have had time to reflect on what that meant to me that night.    I saw your votes as a token of your love for me and my family.  I thank you ever so sincerely for rallying around me at a time such as this. 

 Today while the kidos and I were fixing lunch, our 13 year old played the song “Strut” by the Cheetah Girls.  It made me smile as I remembered the contestants and I on the stage learning this dance and cheering each other on between our mistakes.  I told our children how much I loved and admired the ladies that I stood by.   Although we were all competing for the same title, you wouldn’t have known it.    The kind and warm words that were spoken revealed the type of women I had the privelege of spending my week with.   

 As I reflect on the experience of the pageant, I have come to realize that I wasn’t there for a crown.  Instead,  I was allowed to simply share a  message that resonates deep within us all –  the crucial job we have as married women to strengthen our home and family.  As my husband so clearly stated in a recent conversation, “When we strengthen the home, we strengthen every thing else. ”  

 I am happy to be home so I can continue to share this message and more importantly so I can walk the talk as I work to strengthen my own home right here in Atlanta, Georgia.

With much gratitude,

Rebecca Weisler

Rebecca Weisler Mrs Georgia , Mrs Illinois, and Mrs Turkey

I’m writing this on behalf of Rebecca who is sleeping in, hugging kids and in short catching up on being away from her family while she participated in the Mrs. International Pageant in Chicago this last weekend.  Married women engaged in supporting wonderful and worthwhile causes came to compete from around the world… Rebecca’s roommate for the week was from Turkey and is pictured above. 

We loved supporting her as a family, cheering from the balcony, and hearing her talk about all of the incredible women she was able to spend time with throughout the week.  There were many highlights that I am sure Rebecca will speak to later…but for me it was when our little 2 year old Ashlyn watching her Mom dressed up on the stage said, “I love it when Mommy is a princess”.

While Rebecca didn’t win the whole thing she did win the “Online Voting Competition” .  So she was the “People’s Choice” winner.  And regardless of any title or award she is the “ONLY CHOICE” we’d make for Mom, Mother, Spouse and Friend.  We love you Rebecca and are very very proud of you!

Kirk & Kids

To see more pictures of the pageant click here.  or  http://www.flickr.com/photos/40641681@N02/

Today I leave for Chicago to represent Georgia, myself and most importantly my platform on the importance of strengthening families at the Mrs. International pageant.  What will it be like?  I am very new to the world of pageants so in lieu of experience my head is filled with the imaginings that I might have had as a young girl.  I am excited to meet all of these other women, hear their stories and share this experience with them.   This is a rare experience and I want to soak it in and treasure each moment of it  

Kirk and our five children left yesterday morning to see a few sites on their drive up to Chicago.  So for the last 24 hours I was absolutely alone in our home.  It was a wonderful time to gather my things and my thoughts.  As wonderful as it was… it will be far more wonderful to see them all again this weekend and introduce them to my new friends.

Chicago here I come -  Rebecca

Here we are in the lovely U.K. where Kirk and I spoke at a family focused gathering.  Afterward, we visited with a remarkable family who is busy raising a strong posterity.  Their secret?  God first, family second, their own interests third.  It reminds me of a time when my dad wrote the word JOY on a piece of paper and taught me to live with my priorities in this order: J-Jesus O-others Y-yourself.  I have found this to be a true formula to a joyful life.

As Kirk and I were eating fish-n-chips at a local English Pub we noticed this plaque hanging on the wall — we loved what it said. 

  As part of my platform to help strengthen families I created this blog to help guide families toward resources that are there for just that purpose.  Additionally, it  is a site where I can share some of the insights that have helped me in my efforts to strengthen my own family.   http://thoughtsforfamilies.com
]]> http://rebeccaweisler.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/thoughts-for-families/feed/ 0 rebeccaweisler rebecca weisler http://rebeccaweisler.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/georgia-intl-2009-pageant/ http://rebeccaweisler.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/georgia-intl-2009-pageant/#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:39:57 +0000 Rebecca Weisler http://rebeccaweisler.wordpress.com/?p=124 ]]>   What a fun night it was for my husband and I to be the “Master of Ceremonies” at the Miss and Teen Georgia Int’l Pageant.  We loved every minute of it.    Here are a couple of pics Kirk took during the event– 

Healthy in Body Mind and Spirit

 Here are 4 thoughts to help us strengthen our families and come H.O.M.E. to what is most important  in our lives.

H = Healthy in body, mind and spirit.  In body, we have a summer motto:  Empy Pantry, Full fridge.  We are trying to eliminate processed, boxed foods and replace them with real, raw foods.  We have planted a garden again — Kirk is amazing when it comes to gardening.  We are all reaping the benefits of his hard work!    Healthy in mind — read 1 book a week.  Turn off the TV and visit the library or browse Barnes and Noble.  Knowledge is power — the more you learn, the better you will become.  Healthy in Spirit — surround yourself with positive, happy people.   Look for people to serve, pray daily and live in harmony with gospel truths. 

O = Optimistic Outlook (being hopeful is often the most helpful thing we can do)  Act the way you want to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.  

M = Meaningful Marriage .  It is wonderful for your children to see you and your spouse  kissing,  holding hands and even flirting with eachother!   I have fond memories (I thought it was disgusting at the time) of my dad walking behind my mom up the stairs and not being able to help himself as he gently placed his hand on her backside.  He would look back at us kids and lovingly say, “these are the best set of buns I have ever seen” .   We should talk and act in such a way that gives our children something to look forward to.    

E = Emphasis on Values .  Do our children know what we believe?  Do we talk openly about what we hold dear and sacred?   I have found that talking about our values with our children have usually been in the most casual settings.  Such as riding in the car, sitting at the dinner table or even walking th aisles of the grocery store.  What we  say (along with what we do) will have a lasting impact on your child’s belief system.   Don’t forget to Talk the Walk!