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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

Wisdom for Every Season

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Ask Susan: How to Embrace Your Season of Life

by Susan Alexander Yates

Did you know there are only a few guarantees in life?  One of those is that life is always changing!

Throughout my life, especially in motherhood and parenting, the idea of seasons of life has greatly helped to shape my perspective.  Whatever season of life you’re in, there will be both blessings and challenges.  And life changes faster than you may expect, so watch for the blessings in each season, and look for God’s faithfulness.

When I was a mom of five children aged seven and younger, I was completely overwhelmed.  But God gave me a gift of seeing that time with a broader perspective, and realizing that it was simply a season — it wouldn’t last forever.

As my kids grew and we entered new seasons, there were always new blessings and new challenges, and that’s something that continues even today (although we haven’t had kids at home for a long time).

This perspective has helped me throughout my life.  And my goal, here on this blog, is to give you “Wisdom for Every Season,” whatever season you’re in.

Which season of life are you in today?  Watch the video for my thoughts on embracing every one.

 

I’ve written a number of books for life’s different seasons. Check them all out here.

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Ask Susan, Empty Nest, Marriage, Parenting, Seasons
March 6, 2019 · 4 Comments

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  1. Christy Vincent says

    July 7, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    Dear Susan and Barbara, I just got through reading The Guide to the Empty Nest. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all the thought and time you put into it so the rest of us can benefit from all the ideas and things to ponder. I kept a journal beside me when I read it so I could take some notes, which included questions to ask myself and topics to discuss with my husband. We have raised 11 children, 9 which are married, 1 that is about to be engaged and married next year and our last born who begins college this year. So, I wanted to read your book before I entered the empty nest to prepare myself for all the things I should be thinking about and discovering some new life purposes. I also home schooled all my children, so it has been hard for me to accept the quietness! We have 23 grandchildren and I feel so happy when the whole family can get together. However, I know God has plans for me outside the family times together, and I want to fully embrace this new season with joy. I’m my hubby’s part time secretary which gives us some good time together and trips to look forward to in spending together. I would appreciate your prayers for being content and using my time as God would want me to. I also want to encourage other women my age of this valuable time in our lives, and that we can pass on important values to the generations under us. If you have any other recommendations of books to read, blog posts, or other aritcles I would appreciate your passing them on to me. God bless your ministry and lives,
    Christy Vincent

    Reply
  2. Tehila says

    March 8, 2019 at 5:38 am

    Dearest Susan,

    I found this video so very, very helpful! Today is the 19th anniversary since my mother and sister were killed in a car accident. My husband and I were in our first year of marriage. I’ve never had the privilege of having a mother to give me wise advice as I raise my children. As I listened to you today, I felt as though I was sitting at the feet of a wise woman who has gone before me. We, too, have five children, in different ages and stages, including two teens, down to a four year old. Your insight gave me so much perspective and truly challenged me to look for the blessings in the season of life in which I find myself, while articulating the struggles honestly.

    Yours is pretty much the only blog I follow, and I do love hearing from you in my Inbox…

    Thank you for your meaningful ministry to so many women, even this one all the way in New Zealand (originally from Israel :-)).

    God bless you, my precious sister,
    Tehila

    Reply
    • Susan Alexander Yates says

      April 18, 2019 at 12:43 pm

      Dear Tehila,
      I am so sorry for your huge loss.Your mother would be so proud of you raising your 5 children. You are doing a better job than you think you are. May God richly bless you and your family. I love having a friend in New Zealand!
      Fondly, Susan

      Reply
  3. Jinny Lay says

    March 7, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    Thanks you Susan for always encouraging words and wisdom. I am so thankful that I met you and studied God’s word together during my time in Washington DC when I was extremely busy with parenting. Now I am in different season of life. I am continuously reminded what God has stored for me today and how I can live my empty nest life.

    Reply

Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of more than 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

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More of our Family Camp fun from Labor Day weekend More of our Family Camp fun from Labor Day weekend. Such a joy! ⁣
⁣
Be sure to check out the blog for more details and pics. (Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog)⁣
⁣
* Poppy (John) is always happy to get help with the horses and the kids love them.⁣
* There's always a competition of some kind going on! Volleyball, a hula hoop contest, a ping-pong tournament. ⁣
* The "ice cream gutter" is a cherished annual tradition!⁣
* Lots of hanging out, and even some quiet moments, but not a lot of sleep. ⁣
⁣
If you want to host a camp or family event of your own, check out my book Cousin Camp for all kinds of ideas. (Link in bio.)⁣
⁣
#christianmom #christianfamily #grandparent #cousincamp #familycamp
One Word: Mystery One Verse: “To them God ch One Word: 
Mystery 
 
One Verse:
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27
 
One Thought:
You are a God of mystery. It’s a glorious mystery. I can’t explain you even though sometimes I want to. Your mystery is part of what makes you so much greater than man. Thank you that you, with all of your glorious mystery, have chosen to dwell in me.
John and I are in Colorado for a week’s vacation John and I are in Colorado for a week’s vacation, still celebrating 54 years of marriage! We had a fun dinner, sharing about folks who have been role models-mentors for us in ministry and family life over these years. It sparked a fun discussion and thankful memories!
We're so grateful we got to host another Family Ca We're so grateful we got to host another Family Camp over Labor Day weekend!⁣
⁣
Here's a peek behind the scenes. I'm sharing all the details (and more pics!) over on the blog, check it out. (Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog)⁣
⁣
1 - We had 33 of us this year!⁣
2 - So much prep and shopping. But I never clean before they come because I learned that's futile. 😜⁣
3 - Lots of cousin bonding.⁣
4 - My daughter-in-law @christenbyates, who's a professional artist, set up an art station this year and the kids loved it.⁣
5 - Cousins with their camp journals. (I keep the journals at my house and they get to write in them every year.)⁣
6 - John led a short teaching time every day, this year on Psalm 139.⁣
7 - Meals are crazy when you're cooking for 33 people!⁣
8 - There are shoes everywhere. 😂 ⁣
9 - The kids actually did dinner cleanup this year, without any prompting! ⁣
10 - A few of our guys.💙⁣
⁣
#christianfamily #cousincamp #familycamp #christianmom #grandparent
One Word: Shows One Verse: “But God shows hi One Word:  Shows
 
One Verse:

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
 
One Thought:

If you, God Almighty, would send your son to die for me in my own wickedness, then how much more will you show me how to make the decision I need to make.
Cousin love at Family Camp! These are 2 of our you Cousin love at Family Camp! These are 2 of our youngest grands. (We have 21!)

Catch the blog later this week for details and more pics.
This photo of me and John is from our trip to Isra This photo of me and John is from our trip to Israel last fall. When we first got married, I didn't know what being a pastor's wife would entail. Now after more than 50 years of marriage I understand a little better (although I can always learn more!).⁣
⁣
I'm sharing an interview over on my blog with @thegospelcoalition's Front Row Seat series on Supporting Our Husbands.⁣
⁣
We discussed how pastors’ wives can support and encourage their husbands in ministry, marriage, and life. But so much of this applies to any marriage, whether your husband is a pastor or not.⁣
⁣
Check it out -- link in bio, or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog⁣
⁣
You might want to share it with your pastor's wife -- it will encourage her!⁣
⁣
@kristen_wetherell  @kario312⁣
⁣
#christianwife  #pastorswife  #christianmarriage
One Word: Founder One Verse: “...let us run One Word:  Founder
 
One Verse:

“...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12: 1-2
 
One Thought:

You are the author of my faith. You began it, Father. It is yours. I ask you to be perfecting it. Thank you that even this isn't up to me. My part is to fix my eyes on you and let you do your work within me.
This is how we feel right now -- we finished our A This is how we feel right now -- we finished our Annual Family Camp yesterday!

4 days with 33 kids and grands; 19 teens sleeping on floors and outside, 44 bags of trash, 15 gallons of ice cream, 67 dirty towels, 135 ping pong games, 90 individual miles hiking on the AT, gleaning from Psalm 139, 532 tickles and hugs, and 2 exhausted grandparents--who are deliriously grateful!

More pics coming soon.

* numbers are estimates 😆

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth

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