Who Knew?

We have been hard at work on some projects out doors.
We've made raised bed gardens, and planted them (mostly)
I also planted some flowers... Sunflowers, California poppies, Chinese Forget-me-nots and Butterfly weed :)
So I have been out working quite often. (I have the peeling shoulders to prove it too!)

It was Monday while I was mowing some of our 5 acres of weeds that I realized it was probably one of the real quiet times I get! Who knew! Loud as it is, with my ear plugs in even, it is actually a nice time to be stilled within and be quiet. It takes little brain power, so my mind is free to reflect and ponder, and pray.

During this time of reflecting I started considering what the neighbors think of me (little housewife) out there doing quite a bit of manual labor.
First I wondered if they thought I was admirable for taking on anything and everything that needs doing... then I started feeling concerned that they may look down on my hubby because he was not the one out there doing it. That's about when the thought hit me that it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks! Several minutes later I had to revisit the thought of it not mattering, and to be really honest... it happened several times, so I had to tell myself "I distinctly remember being done with that thought!"
Then today it tried to creep back in as I mowed even more yard (and had to fill the gas tank to boot!) but it was squelched faster this time. ;)

On the garden front, we have a few plants that we bought as seedlings that are having a hard time with the strong wind, and we have lost some :( BUT we have started several from seed that are really exciting to watch pop out of the ground! Today I found pumpkin plants growing!!! much to Aliyah's excitement; carrots growing, cilantro and garlic sprouting up more, and a mixed lettuces patch has it's first seedlings sprouting! I can't believe how exciting this has been for all of us! I am hoping that the feelings last so that we keep taking good care of our project!

Thinking of sprouting... proof that I can mess up just about any science project ;) is sitting in my window sill. We have several jars of seeds that have different conditions so that we can see what is needed for growth. So one jar has no water, one is in the cold, one in the dark, one is our control so it has all it is supposed to need, and the last one should have no oxygen. It has a lid, and the steel wool we put in is supposed to have a reaction that removes the oxygen.
Well, can you guess which jar is actually growing well?
The one that has a lid! It may even leaf soon! I can't believe it is the only one doing well! Now I'm not sure what we do with it. The control isn't growing, and one that shouldn't grow is growing! lol Oh well!

Playing with our Pentax

So... I'm no photographer (yet) and we have this nice camera that until recently I have been afraid to touch! But with Mother's Day coming I am working on some pictures for Grandmas :) Now that hard part will be choosing!
So far we have...

This is not a moving picture Bri.

This is not a moving picture Bri...

This is not a moving picture Bri!
LOL

Good Love!

Tea Party

We decided to have a Tea Party tonight :)
Grandpa and Grandma gave us strawberries...
which is enough reason to celebrate to me! ;)

This was Punkin's plate :)
She was so excited to have a pumpkin shaped scone!

This one was Brianna's.

Of course, we didn't actually get dressed up to sit down to tea...
(with China dishes and Silverware!)
we just sat down with all the dirt on their clothes from playing outside!
LOL

Ysa helped make the scones.

Neno sliced the cheese.

Everyone helped with slicing the strawberries!
Aliyah was so proud of Brianna for slicing them without help!

This little sweetie needs to head to the bath!
At which time that outfit will mysteriously disappear to the wash!!!
She's been putting it back on even after it made it to the basket...
so I guess I need to take it to the machine instead.

Sunset!

This was too beautiful to pass up!
(Though I did have wet hair still from a shower... so I rushed it a little)

The real thing seemed to have more orange in it to me.
Made me think my Punkin would enjoy it, so I called everyone to look.

That was when I decided it was picture worthy.
Too bad I don't know much about working a real camera!
These might have come out nicer if I did.

This one got more of the oranges in the shot.
It really had the feel of the light over coming the darkness.
Oranges and Yellows (Joy colors) shown out from behind the clouds brilliantly and changed everything it touched with the colors. :)
Made me feel happy and peaceful.

Failure

Sometimes I wonder why I write.
I like that you read it Tracey :) but I think we are alone out here... lost in the ocean of information we call the web!
I wonder if my motives are pure. Do I write because I want to help, or because I want reassurance, or praise of men? Do I think I have important things to share, or am I trying too hard???

So I question myself in writing this.

I woke up today feeling like a failure.
I'm failing my kids.
I'm failing my husband.
In doing those I'm failing God.
I'm failing my friends who need me.
I cannot keep up with house work and school work and yard work.
I cannot keep my tongue or attitude from being a snare and a problem.
I am just a failure.

So then I start wondering... where does all that come from?
Well, great expectations play a role. No one can do everything, but I expect myself to do almost everything, without a mistake. hmmm. maybe that's a perspective issue.

I know that I let others words/actions hurt me and allow their opinions too much weight. I really should be looking only to please God, but I find it hard not to want to please people.

Part of it may just be an attack, as I try to find things to rejoice over and be thankful always, in every circumstance... maybe this is just a challenge to see if I'll fight and keep on or flee?

When trying to reconcile my thoughts on whether or not to write this, I decided that maybe someone, who needs to hear that they are not alone in feeling this way at times, will stumble across this blog post and be encouraged that others do too sometimes.

I may fail... maybe even frequently, yet I think that even in failing I am not a failure. We learn more from our failings than from our successes... so as long as I choose to learn from those things, they cannot be true failings... can they. ;)

Greatest in the Kingdom

Tonight we continued looking at the final week of Jesus. Earlier we explained and partook of the Lord's Supper as a family. This evening after our reading about what Jesus did on Maundy Thursday, the littles and I took turns washing each other's feet.

It is a neat practice in some churches that they wash the feet of one other person and have their feet washed before the Lord's Table is served. While you wash, you pray for that person.
It is a really neat experience and I wanted to drive home some points with them about being a servant.

So in the midst of this, I have this fun thought...
The "greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven"... doesn't know that they are the greatest!
They aren't even thinking about that, they are simply serving!
WOW!
What a way to know it isn't me!

So after I posted One Thousand Things last night, I surfed blogs I read and found that Kristy at Waiting for Happy blogged about the same book that day! Only she's actually read the book! LOL

She has also done the more important thing... been thankful in the midst of trials!
It's worth a minute to read :)

Psalm 22

Psalm 22 is a prophetic Psalm, pointing to Jesus. Where as I knew that for some reason it stuck me differently reading it yesterday... I added my thoughts in with the passage below.

¹ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

This first line is quoted by Jesus on the cross. I wonder was He pointing those around to look at that scripture???

Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
² O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent.

³ Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.
⁴ In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
⁵ They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

⁶ But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people.
⁷ All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
⁸ “He trusts in the LORD;
let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”

Did they ever realize that these words of theirs as Jesus hung, were prophesied by King David???

⁹ Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you
even at my mother’s breast.
¹⁰ From birth I was cast upon you;
from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
¹¹ Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.

¹² Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
¹³ Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
¹⁴ I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.
¹⁵ My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
¹⁶ Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
¹⁷ I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
¹⁸ They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.

¹⁹ But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
²⁰ Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
²¹ Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

²² I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
²³ You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
²⁴ For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.

²⁵ From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
²⁶ The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
²⁷ All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
²⁸ for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.

²⁹ All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
³⁰ Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
³¹ They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.

~Hope~

This week we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord. The only Hope we have.
But what I really feel compelled to write about is the universality of that Hope.
(Not meaning the doctrine that everyone is already saved, but that Salvation came for everyone to choose.)

The Bible says "There is no one who does good, not even one." and "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
We are all desperately sinful! From a man's eye view we justify our own iniquities with a "I'm not as bad as______" mentality; but from a God's eye view none of us even come close to hitting the mark!

Maybe you aren't a murderer... have you ever hated anyone or wished something would happen to them?
Maybe you don't steal, or lie regularly....
But each of us sins, even if only being prideful of how much better we are than those others who commit those "heinous sins."

But here's where Hope entered HisStory.
God knows we can never measure up, so He took it upon Himself to bring Salvation to us.
So, maybe you are a murderer... He loved you enough to die in your place.
Maybe you do steal, He has brought you, Free of Charge, a new life. A life that will be forever.

When we see that all of us sin it should show us we all deserve judgment, and death; when we see the gift of Salvation we see it covers all who are willing to "take up their cross and follow."

You don't have to live with the guilt of your sin. No one is so far gone that they cannot turn to Christ.
Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.
"Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Psalm 103
⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

A start on One Thousand Things...

I have heard of a book about One Thousand things to be thankful for... little or big, breath taking or common... things you are blessed by. Though I have not read the book, I thought I could start my own list! As things come to mind I can write them down (was thinking I need a special journal for it :) (The more obvious of family and friends I didn't start with...)

1. The feel of a baby's hand close to your heart while they nurse or sleep.

2. The look in a loved ones eyes when they see you. (especially in young children who will have that look even if they saw you 5 minutes ago)

3. The smell of rain.

4. The sunshine on my face.

5. Clean, Hot, running water.

6. The smell of freshly cleaned little girl hair.

7. Cookies baking.

8. Long talks.

9. Walking on the beach.

10. Waterfalls.

11. Watching the stars come out.

12. Picnics.

13. Tea parties.

14. A good book.

15. Sunrise. and Sunset!

16. A bed, roof over my head and the bountiful things I take for granted (like toilet paper and soap!)

Sooo many things to write of... so little time to write! LOL

Another nice quote:

"Play hard, Laugh hard and leave the worries to your Father." ~Max Lucado (my version)

Where My Heart Lies

I have been having quite a few crying sessions lately... not that I am particularly depressed or anything, but that I have been hurting for others. For the loss a friend recently suffered... for the lost little ones who need a family. I don't know if I am perpetuating it by reading blogs of others that keep bring up either loss or the need of these little orphans to be looked after, (or both! on some blogs!) or if the Lord is showing me something.

So many look and say; "Well, your hands are full!" and I wonder at what hubby would think that his wife sits here considering adopting one of the least of these. He feels quite a bit of pressure to provide for the 6 we have... let alone bringing in another, and the expense that is...

But it is for LIFE! Someone else's very life hangs in the balance!!! I'm not a great mom much of the time to even think that I would be the best thing for one of these children... but it would be better than being alone; and there is plenty of love here to share!

This feels like one of the issues where my heart will be at odds with my reality. For now I think I must just pray for God to move! Move me; Move him; Guide us ~Amen!

Neat New Quote :)

Christian Stay at Home Moms: Changing the World, One Diaper at a Time!

I really like that! LOL ;)

Lessons from Job and his Friends

Reading Job can be confusing, and depressing... but there is much that can be gleaned.

The first lesson I learned from Job's friend's years ago was: "Shut Up!"
There are times where that is really the best thing! They got it right for a week while they sat there and were silent supports for Job. Unfortunately, they opened their mouths!

But since they did we may as well learn some more!

They taught us that though we may think we can judge a situation, we should be wary. They attacked Job with their words, slandered him saying he must be in sin because God would not allow such things to happen if he were not deserving of it.
This reminds me of the idea that some people argue: God must either not be loving, or not exist because of the evil in the world. God allows stuff in our lives. Yes, sometimes our sin gets us into a bad spot, but sometimes it is someone else's sin that causes us to suffer.
We all have free will, so that means some will choose evil, whether in action or inaction. Those who choose evil are the ones who are guilty of being unloving. God allows us to walk through those adversities to come out the other side stronger and purer. And walks with us!
Is there hunger in the world? Yes. So what are we doing about it?
Do we look after the orphan and widow? Do we plead the cause of the oppressed?
Does not God expect us to act? Pray, definitely, and ACT!

I have heard trite answers to others difficulties. "Read your Bible." "You must be in sin. If you weren't things wouldn't be going so badly." Yes, there are times where we can point to a causative in someone's life (the speck vs the plank?!?) and say, "Maybe you outta work on that and this will get better." But, really, if there is not a very obvious, spelled out in scripture issue, we should be careful! Remember we will give account for "every careless word!" (Yikes!)

It is vitally important to read your Bible and to pray. I don't want to down play that in the least, but as the answer to difficult issues... well, I don't think it is being very helpful. I think this approach would be better prefaced with, "I really don't know how to help you..." as otherwise it seems to be more of an accusation against a person... "Well, if you'd just read your Bible this would be fine!" God will allow us hardships that won't make sense on this side of them... and some not this side of heaven; so reading your Bible probably isn't going to make a hardship go away if it isn't a clearly sin issue.

From Job himself we learn that God may consider us blameless and upright though He knows we have much to learn still! Job was questioned "like a man" by God, and learned how little he really knew. But God himself calls him blameless and upright twice at the beginning of the book, and in the end Job is to offer the sacrifices for his friend's. SO hey... you aren't perfect either!!! Don't sweat it, God sees those in Christ through His Son and sees the progress you are making. Just keep moving nearer and nearer, day by day.

These are really the newest additions to my lessons, and unrefined... food for your thought. :)
Be Blessed!

The Lessons from the Lady Bugs

This morning I did a bit of weed mowing around our acreage.
I noticed several Lady Bugs that I at first started to avoid, but soon found I really couldn't!



Unfortunately, I noticed that though there was certainly warning (wind generated by the mower, noise, vibration, etc) they would stay where they were. They had the ability to fly off and yet seemed to sit and say, "It's not going to happen to me. It's way over there."

For some reason this highlighted the areas of my life where I sometimes think it's ok to be passive.. "after all it is happening way over there, not to me." This didn't work out so well for the lady bugs today! I don't want to find out what the mower feels like!

As I sit, the mower whirs at the rights of parents in other countries to homeschool their children. They are treated like criminals for wanting to impart knowledge to their own kids without the state doing it.

I sit and parental rights in our own country continue to erode. Children are forcibly given medical treatment neither they nor their parents want. Children are taken from parents who are trying to do their best, not only the abusive ones we are all concerned about.

I sit while there are children starving, literally, across the globe right now. While my own children go to sleep in a safe, warm home, tummies full... there is a child on the street, hungry and cold. Are we resting in our decadence? Do we continue to live lavishly; thanking God for our abundance, yes, but what are we doing for the "least of these?"

Amazing how much one (namely me) can be convicted of by some bugs! ;)

Guess God knows how to get me to pay attention.

Ten little fingers

Ten little fingers.
Ten little toes.
Two twinkling eyes.
One tiny nose.
A great big yawn,
a sleepyhead nod.
You are so Special!
You're a blessing from God!


A Blessing.
A Blessing.
You are a Blessing from God!
Precious Karissa,
You are so special!
You're a blessing from God!

Simple things....

In Jr High, my language arts teacher made us write down a quote each day... One in particular has always stood out and galls me.
"Simple things amuse simple minds."

Every time I find enjoyment in something simple I remember that horrid quote.
Maybe I should simply get used to the idea of my own simple-mindedness! ;)

We just got grapefruit scented dish soap again after a long while. It is surprising to me how much more I enjoy that silly (yet necessary) task of washing dishes when the soap smells nice! It is so simple, and yet makes it easier to complete the task with a good attitude. I find that oddly amusing.

On our drive home the other day I had the opportunity to watch a turkey vulture playing on the wind currents. Often I get to watch hawks at play, and at night I get to catch a glimpse of an owl as it swoops past my van. [I'm usually the passenger when this sort of thing happens ;)]
I really enjoy watching them. It reminds me that there is more out there in life than my small bit of world. Some where, a baby is born. Some where, some one is getting married. Some where there is joy, and some where there is sadness. While one weeps, one rejoices, and the sun rises and sets on both. I can get stuck in the here and now, and forget that I am not the center of life, nor the things with which my day or week is occupied. The rise and fall of the hawk or the vulture, some how grounds me back in reality... there is more than this.
As I ponder this, and realize that watching the soaring is a simple thing; I cannot help but think also that maybe what we need in our current fast paced society is some more simple minds enjoying those simple things.
Do you miss the sunset because you are too busy? Do you get the chance to sit back and enjoy the view? Stop and smell the roses? The moments are fleeting and easily missed. Are they simplicity and so common that they are overlooked?
The beauty of these simplicities are that they are profound. They speak of the creativity of our God, of His care (after all He feeds the birds) and serve as a reminder that there is more to life than we are sometimes faced with.

Maybe I am simple minded, but maybe the person quoted never knew the joy and beauty of simplicity. :)

contrasts

Seated in the midst of angels praising Him and obeying His Words. Crowned with Glory and Majesty, Robed with Light; He chose.........

To be surrounded by scoffers, crowned with thorns, and robed in loin cloth and blood.
To know that agony lay ahead and choose it, considering not it's shame and lowliness.

For you.
For me.

Praise You Jesus! You have overcome death with Life! You have overcome the world!

It seems I know exactly what I want to say... maybe for several posts even! until I get here that is. Then my mind is as blank as the screen in front of me.

One thing that has been recurring to me lately, is that I would not view each day and each child the way that I do if I had never lost those precious souls I never got to hold here. As I reflect on loosing Alice and how she lived until she went home, not allowing things to keep her down or take the joy out of life, but persevering... I think of how precious each moment is... a gift... one that I don't want to waste.

Often in the day to day of trivial tasks I loose sight of my place in this grand tapestry woven by God. I start to think my part is meaningless and that I am not doing anything to further His Kingdom or show His glory. But a still small voice spoke to me the other day; I needed to do something for the bigger kids... I must have thought it was important then though I can't recall it now, because I didn't want them to have to wait... as I got up to do it I discovered that Karissa happened to need a diaper change and that is when I heard the still small voice saying:
"Taking care of Karissa, shows the others care too. It demonstrates that their needs will be provided for, that you love them. They will understand that you took care of them in the same manner when they were the helpless one. They will learn to care for others needs too. This is discipleship."
That probably isn't something that conflicts others... obviously the diaper needed changing more than whatever else it was, but for some reason that really hit home in my mind.
They are my disciples. They will learn more from what I do than what I say. When I care for one of them with the right attitude, they all learn from that... they will all feel secure knowing their needs will be met.

Each of these days of diapers and dishes, I am demonstrating to them working for the Lord and not for men and, sadly less often, being joyful in everything.

silliness

funny...
I just posted a comment. The word verification that came up directly after mine was

noses

I always find it funny when it looks *similar* to a word, but this one really was a word.
(Ahhhh, and somewhere in the back of my mind is the quote I was forced to learn in Jr High
"Simple things amuse simple minds.")

Alice

Today a dear friend went to be with Jesus. While we rejoice with the angels over her home going, we mourn... deeply.
I had no idea how hard I would take that. It was sudden and shocking... and even after crying about it for hours it doesn't seem real!
Thankfully she is now whole. She is able to freely praise the Lord and isn't limited like she was here. It is obvious she touched many lives with the response I've seen, and will be dearly missed. She was ready though. She had her proverbial house in order, and would talk about "when I'm not around anymore" frequently enough that you knew she had her eyes on the goal and not the distance to it!

It is so odd to me that she was just here last Wednesday, and I was planning on calling her today so we could go visit them tomorrow. She brought back a cd I'd loaned her which we both really enjoyed... it was sad to listen to it today and yet sweet to sing the praises on it knowing that she was singing praises too! We were both adoring at the same time the Lord who brought us together and now has us parted for a time.

Neno said, "It makes me sad to think that they will not see Mrs. Moreland here anymore, they have to wait to see her in heaven, unless Jesus comes back..." It makes me sad too.

Alice, you are missed. Thank you Lord for the time you shared her with us! I pray we will be good stewards of our todays with our loved ones, and hold them close while we can.

If someone else were mother to my children...

We read today in Exodus about Pharaoh's command to kill all the male babies. We talked about some of the parents who followed the order, and those who practiced civil disobedience... Moses' parents.
This lead to a discussion about the value of life and the modern practice of abortion.

If someone else were my children's mother:
Ysa would've been aborted because a 17 year old, unmarried, high school senior was too scared to face that path.
Neno may have been aborted because of finances, and close proximity in age; or perhaps because my husband wasn't ready to have another.
Aliyah would have been aborted because she has kidney issues, and in-utero we were uncertain what that would mean for her future.
Brianna and Karissa may never have been conceived if "permanent" actions had been taken, but if they were many would have *had* to have them aborted because they had "too many" already, couldn't "afford that many" or don't think they can "handle them all."

As for me, I can't imagine life without them! I thank God for them!

Only those who have been able to be around my kids will fully understand what the world would miss without them.
I can't help but think... what does this world miss now because so many are aborted each day!?!

Edited to add:
I hurt for those who have bought the lies of the abortion industry. Those who made decisions based on fears and the timely counsel that is offered by those who would have us believe that one person's rights mean nothing if they happen to be inside of another person... and that they in fact, are not a person at all. (which is not what ultrasounds show... if they'd only let women see those!)
Just on re-reading this post, I was struck by it's insensitive sound, and felt that more was needed.
If you have experienced the hurt left behind after an abortion, please know that I am not condemning you. I feel for you, and would recommend reading Holly's blog.

odd combination of thoughts

If Ysa were to have a child at the age I had her... I'd be a Grandma in 7 years!!!!!!!!!!! :O woah!

On nights where I am up late I require a snack... really I need it! So I wonder... as an underweight, nursing mother, do I always need that snack and am only awake for it on occasion (which seems to be frequent occasions) or do I need it only because I am still alert and requiring my body and brain to function???? The world may never know... (or care for that matter) ;)

tornado of the mind

I have so many mixed emotions today.
Sadness, Joy, Expectation, Love, Hurt all mixed up... and so many thoughts to go with them.

10 years ago today, my daddy went to be with Jesus. I'm so filled with Joy that he is there; he is whole; he is free from this world and his struggles; I will see him again. So Sad that I have lost an important man in my life, before so much of my life could happen; that my sister hasn't had him there, even for her wedding; that my kids will only know of him, not know him; missing him.

6 years ago today I let go of the hope that would've been our child in the late summer of that year. I was so hurt at the idea of loosing on this day, why this day; but it has been a blessing to me to have one day to mourn and not two. I am glad God always knows better!!!

I have love for them, hope that one day we will be together, and hurt at having lost their presence in my life for now.
I don't even know I can express in words what today has felt like, but bittersweet seems to be one of my favorites. I'm not going to pretend to be where I'm not. I'm not just fine, but I'm not overwhelmed. I do not mourn like those who have no hope, but I do mourn. I've had my moments, and not when or where I expected them.

Now I don't even know how to end my post... nor what I really wanted to say.

The Malachi 3:10 Principle

"Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. "

Try to out give God....
It'll NEVER work!!!

I wasn't exactly trying to out give Him, but I had been talking with my children about this principle of generosity recently, then had the opportunity to give to another family in need. We collected some clothing of a needed size we could quite easily share... didn't even put a dent into the store we have already been blessed with. We collected a few other things and I was touched by the giving spirit some of my children displayed!
We took them to drop them off on our way to another friend's house to visit & drop stuff off... 15 minutes between the 2 stops. When we arrived at the second stop, my friend informed me she had some clothes for us in the exact size we just dropped off!!! Literally TWICE the amount I had just left 15 minutes earlier!!!!
As I marveled at God's display to my husband and children, I joked about how God doubled our gift and how we could never out give Him!
That was Friday... on Sunday, just for fun ;), He gave us another store of clothes of about double the amount we gave AND had someone else tell us they have clothes for us!!!

We now have the ability to give to other families again with the abundance He has blessed us!
Know that God's word is true always!

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

Long ago, before computers became the generally accepted mode of communication, we used a pressed fiber sheet and graphite or ink implement with which to make markings on said sheet.
Many fibers can be used for making these sheets like cotton, linen, even elephant dung (ick) but my favorite, being cheap and readily accessible, is tree fibers. There are even forms that are pre-folded and contain art work and sometimes sentiments that may be appropriate for your occasion; like "Merry Christmas;" "Happy Birthday;" or "Thank you!"
Other accessories you may need are specially folded fiber sheets in order to send your message through the postal system* and the necessary postal tax.
*Postal system: an archaic system of boxes and sorting facilities run by government workers which collect and distribute articles and tax the users.

The implement you choose for marking with will need some practice to use well. Wrapping your fingers around close to the tip area will help. After many year of only scrolling your signature and occasional list, you may find that your hand cramps quickly; I suggest starting out slowly, and taking breaks as needed.

Though antiquated with the arrival of email and social networking, many are still moved my a single note sent by post. The art of writing a "thank you card," for example, though extinct prior to the internet communication takeover, still moves many to endearment of the sender and in turn causes the "thanked" to give thanks to the sender!

perspective

The LORD has been showing me some areas that my perspective may need a little tweaking.

First... for quite some time I've been a little down on the messages our Pastor gives. They are smart and funny, they are biblical; but they feel so surface level that I wanted something deeper. Each message I'd think of some nugget of Truth I wished he would have brought out. Well, it hit me like a ton of bricks that maybe, just maybe, the HOLY SPIRIT sharing those nuggets with me had nuggets HE was sharing with every believer at their own place... some deeper and some closer to the surface. Maybe my little nuggets of Truth were actually just underneath the surface and I was feeling prideful about "needing more depth" than I was getting.
Time for some perspective.

Then it was about GOD being the ONE in control... as in not me! :-O ;)
I was driving myself home from a failed visit with a friend who happened to be struggling very much emotionally. At first I was upset that I had not gotten to visit, and with the way it was prevented... then I said "GOD is in control. Maybe HE doesn't need me to do HIS work! (like that's news) Maybe I need a reality check. GOD is able to make good of the effort; whether it was prevented by the enemy or was GOD's will that I not visit her at the time doesn't matter... HE will work all things together for the good of those who love HIM, who are called according to HIS purpose." With this perspective firmly in place, I was able to simply pray over the friend from afar, knowing that the SPIRIT I was speaking to was not bound by my location but was with her also.
So today when everything felt like it was going wrong (and my attitude was showing it!) I went... wait a minute! GOD knows all of this is happening. It is NOT outside of HIS control or HIS plan and purpose for me... plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me hope and a future. Therefore, these things that seem to be wrong are not all they seem. HE will make good of it!

That perspective, and some Carob Cake, went a long way toward changing my bad attitude. ;)

Just 5 more minutes ....

12:02 AM : putting 4 year old back into bed, discover 8 and 11 year olds still awake...
Me: "Good night girls, it's after midnight."
(giggling)
11 Year old: "Good morning Mom, it's after midnight."

LOL!

and another thought....
Every time I get my "to do before baby" list shortened, I add something!
"If only I can do _____________ before she comes." "Well, and maybe _______ too."
At this rate I would be pregnant forever! Good thing I don't have a choice, and in the mean time of waiting, I wont be bored! he he he

Trusting God

A running theme that I have been thinking on is "What is it to trust God?" and "when is it ok to tell someone to "Trust God" (Which IMHO is a cliche` way of not offering support to someone who needs a listening ear)

So tonight I think I came up with:

Trusting God is knowing Who He says He is, and believing it even when it doesn't look true in my circumstances. "Let God be true and every man a liar."

So it may feel like He is far away, or uninterested... it may seem like He isn't answering... but I can know that God is not a man that He should lie.

This is another of my "not quite refined" thoughts, but I wanted to jot it down and see what comes of it later.

Roll Call

Since sleep isn't going to happen anyway...
I'll write down some thoughts. :)
Post 1???

The new roll call
Ysabella Olysea
Moriah Janae`
Nathaniel David
Aliyah Miechelle
Brianna Joylinn
Karissa Renee`

:D
We made it to picking *before* she was born!!! Yea!

Of Dishes and Dusting

I was reminded today, while washing dishes, that instead of drudging through this seemingly endless task (and all the others in the life of housewives,) I should rejoice and give thanks for the blessings they represent. Those blessings, albeit disguised in mess, are: first, that we have food; second, we have the dishes themselves; and, most importantly, each represent a very special blessing... my family.
Maybe I should thank the Lord for each person the dish represents as I wash, and each full tummy, and the bounty He has provided. Maybe I could also pray for each precious-to-the-Lord person that doesn't have a full tummy, or a dish to eat from, or a place to call home.

Ephesians 5:¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Sermons We See

by Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear;

And the best of all the preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness,
I am eager to be kind.
When a weaker brother stumbles
and a strong man stays behind

Just to see if he can help him,
then the wish grows strong in me
To become as big and thoughtful
as I know that friend to be.

And all travelers can witness
that the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them,
but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many,
men believe what they behold;
One deed of kindness noticed
is worth forty that are told.

Who stands with men of honor
learns to hold his honor dear,
For right living speaks a language
which to every one is clear.

Though an able speaker charms me
with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon
than to hear one, any day.

(a longer version than I have seen before)

funny to me

We bought a new set of funnels for the kitchen today. Nothing really special, just plastic funnels... the only ones that they had at the store.
When we went to take off the little sticker package thingy, Honey noticed it said
Made in USA
He said "Usa. [pronounce like Spanish for Use] That must be a town in China."

Anyway, I laughed. :)

Philippians 4:11B-14
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

So many times I consider this verse and think about how I need to be more content in every circumstance. Then tonight it came to me afresh:
"I have learned"
Paul didn't know it at first, he learned it! (I know... Duh!)
He suffered need, hunger and want.
He experienced plenty and fulfillment.

Often as I look back at hard times I have had, I kick myself for not "going through it" contented and "in victory," yet these times were new to me, and the Lord was teaching me... if I had gone through them right away as though I can do all things... I may have begun to believe that I am who can do it and not through Christ alone! I am loathsomely prideful at times... it could have been worse to be victorious and like Moses and Aaron claim the victory as mine. For this Moses and Aaron could not enter the earthly Promised Land!

SO I am learning to be content whatever the circumstances.
:)


Join the Blog and Share! :)
"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up!"

Reminding me

I believe:

God is Good all the time.

His plan is the only right plan.

Hard times will come to everyone, they are a time to seek His refuge.

In my weakness He is Strong.

My life, breath, being is in Him; likewise for my husband, kids, family and friends... I only need trust Him to have the best plan... see above.

When all else fails, revert to the top.

A Friend

What she doesn't need:
Your advice on:

• What she should do
• What she should think
• What she should feel

What she does need:
Your:

• Listening ear
• Time
• Acknowledgment of her, and her thoughts and feelings
• Acceptance
• Encouragement

Very Rarely she needs:

• A call to be godly

What do you say?

Today someone noticing my prego belly and 5 kids in tow asked,
"So this is number 6?"
Innocent enough. I only said, "Yes."

But in my head I was thinking.
"Well actually, this one's not mine to hold yet.
And this one is number 9."

I can't actually say that to most people.
It would be shocking and perhaps depressing for them...
Yet I really hate *not* counting "the others."

It was "too early" for many to "count" them. But when is the right time to start???

Not counting them makes me feel like they didn't matter to me. But they do. They matter to God, Whose Arms they went straight to, and they will always "count" to me.

I guess some things are better left unsaid for the safety of others.

You're never too young???

Tonight Ysa, my 10 1/2 year old, told me about some plans she is making...
for her funeral! :O
She was just thinking about when she will die, and decided she wants to be laid to rest with a cross in one hand and a bible in the other with her arms across her chest in the sign "love."

Needless to say I was taken aback with her planning for *that* future! But her concept is pretty in it's own morbid way. The cross that has saved her, the Word of God and Love.

She also said she wants to die praying and worshiping, not doing something worldly and useless!

Reminds me I need not hold too tightly to what is God's. She is not mine, she's His.

If ever you needed to know where your issues lie.....

Look to your children!

Amazing how much of our own sinful, horrid nature we can see in the little replicas of mom and dad running about the house!
I re-read my last post and thought... man! I am always working in the same areas! I sure hope there's been some progress along the way!!! And I guess that brings me back to the kids...
How many times have you had to say "Wash your hands after using the bathroom." or "Don't touch that! It could hurt you!" to your kid before they just did what was right?
Once? No? Well, twice then? hmm guess not...
I guess as God's child He can keep working on the same thing as long as it takes me to get it! and as usual He is much more understanding and patient with me than I am.

Tonight I heard one of my kids yell at another... I know that's not shocking, being kids, but it was the way it was done. Ouch! That sounded like me lately! :\ I could tell God was poking my conscience and saying, you know... We may need to work on that a bit, huh.
So that will have to be my latest project... listening closely to myself, and keeping my mouth shut.

My Grace is sufficient

I was doing a little introspecting earlier... I know, that's not news...

Why is it we give others more grace than we do ourselves?
It seems there are either those who give no grace to others because they are giving all of it to themselves, to the point of not seeing their sin....
or there's those that find all the grace for others, but offer themselves little to none.
Why?

Why do I have the hardest time forgiving myself or allowing myself to make mistakes?

What that really does is say to God, "Your grace really isn't enough for me... I'm not able to show me Your grace..."
1 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you...."

Lord, Let me be Thy handmaiden, Acceptance with Joy!

ponderances

Reading our Story/History/ Nap time today we went through a couple of chapters of the Life of James Madison... America's 4th President, one of the main framers of the US Constitution and one of the minds behind the Constitutional Convention.

One of the arguments...of many... at the Constitutional Convention was over how to count slaves. The Southern States wanted to count slaves as part of the population, though they were treated as property, and given no rights. The Northern States felt that was a power grab and didn't want to count them at all. They compromised on the 3/5th rule, counting each slave as 3/5ths of a person.

Whereas to my modern mind this idea is asinine, I found myself agreeing to this compromise. It would've been an abuse to count them fully since they were given no freedom, no say in their lives let alone their country; and yet the nation needed to be united, which always takes give and take or compromise.

Now I've never been a fan of compromise. My strong convictions and personality have viewed it as it's verb form, to make a shameful or disreputable concession; and not it's noun form, more of the each side gives a little/ settlement of differences.
The last year has been a lesson in what I've been calling "Godly compromise" Where others don't agree with my convictions I've been learning to give them grace, allow God to have control, and let each of us be "fully convinced in their own mind." Living out Romans 14 (just read all of it..it's really good! (; lol) in my daily life and not trying to be the Holy Spirit in the lives of others. The way I've been looking at the Constitutional Convention compromises, probably is the fruit of the last year's training in real "noun" compromise :)

More vocabulary fun!

So tonight, after discussing the difference between allusion and illusion over dinner.....
Kiddos and I are singing camp songs and doing tongue twisters by the pc when Neno (6) says:
"Look A and B. Which comes first???? A!" He has a large wooden letter A and the matching B.
A few minutes later.... after another round of "She sells sea shells by the sea shore."......
Neno: "Look, B is younger. BA. I have BA." ;0)
I laughed pretty hard, but refused to explain! LOL

My Son ~ Imagine This

When Billy had just turned eight
He was all alone in a boat
By his house on the lake
He laid back as he closed his eyes
And he drifted off to sleep
He awoke to the sound of crashing waves
His boat was a million miles away
And just when he thought he'd seen the end
He heard his father's voice again, he said...

Son just take my hand
Rest your feet on solid land
Keep your eyes laid on me
Don't be swayed by the sea
And I will lead you home

You know that I live for You
But sometimes I get caught in the storm
And I fall
You know when I'm in that boat
And the world comes seeping in
Sometimes I start sinking in the sea
Sometimes I'm in way too deep for me
Sometimes when I'm crying out for fear
I hear You whisper in my ear, You say...

Son just take my hand
Rest your feet on solid land
Keep your eyes laid on me
Don't be swayed by the sea
And I will lead you home


Sang this to m' Daddy when he was sick. He was pretty sure this was gonna be it, but it was rough. Imagine his little girl (not yet 16 years old) with out her daddy so young. It was the only thing "holding him back," he so wanted to "go home." I cried through it, and only knew the second verse and chorus, but he liked it anyway. Told me how ready he was to be safely on the other shore, and shared with me his longing to be here with Jodi still.

She and I sang to him together, well, sorta, as it was after he had already gone home.
"Some glad morning when this life is o're, I'll fly away. To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away."

Tenderness

Tenderness ~ All Star United

Hush baby, don't cry
Just try to remember the time
When all your pitfalls and fears
Became mine


And when we fall apart
Just one thing takes me back to the start


Chorus:
Tenderness
Put my heart to rest
Your tenderness
Hits me to the bone
Tenderness
When my head's a mess
Your tenderness
Keeps me coming home


Hush baby, don't cry
This rings in my head all the time
And still
I tend to forget your words


When I'm the swan in my full dive
Just one thing keeps me alive


Repeat chorus


BRIDGE
And so it seems to me
To all of us here
The answer is clear
That you need a little less stress
And some more tenderness.


Repeat chorus

Higher Calling

It occurs to me, that there is no higher calling than that to which God has called you.
No matter who you are, as long as you seek to honor God in what you do, it is the high calling for you. Whether the task is noble or ignoble matters not; for not every vessel is for noble purposes, but some for common, ordinary uses.

Diapers and dishes, laundry and learning may not be the "sold out," "on fire" servant I sometimes imagine I am supposed to be, but it is where He has placed me.

And that is really the only thing that matters.
To be in the center of God's will.

"Here am I, thy hand maiden, Acceptance-with-Joy" ~Let it be.~

Lessons from the Seasons : Winter

As I mentioned in my first outline, winter is a time to "Be still and know"

While that sounds really restful (and a little abstract,) there is work going on in it.
During the winter months, as plants cease from the work of growing, maturing and producing fruit, they take on a different work..... the roots grow deeper.
I see in this analogy, that as we rest and wait on the Lord, we will grow more firm in our foundation. This has been true in my experience, though it can mostly be seen in hind sight.
Some of the most difficult times in my life became forced winters; and all I could do was be still. And it is during those same times that I grew so much more than during the easier days of springs and summers.
It brings to mind that it is not our working that does great things, but God's working in us.
"He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion."

Those dark and sometimes gloomy days can, in future times, be a beautiful reminder of His care and grace. My desperate moments when all I could do was cry, not even "cry out" just cry, are the times when I was upheld, and closest to my Lord.

Winters don't seem to be sweet times, like autumns. They have beauty all their own, yet they can contain some real difficulties. Maybe if I took time to "be still and know" when it wasn't out of sheer inability to do anything else, then I wouldn't see them this way. ;) But this has been my experience.

Lessons from the Seasons : Autumn

So I didn't take the time to write up Autumn's lessons during Autumn, but that maybe because it is a very busy season ;)

Autumn is In Gathering time. The time when the maturing of summer turns out the fruits for harvesting. :D

For me this period always seems shorter than the time spent producing the fruit!
Months or years can go into a harvest. Some trees wont bear fruit for 7 years. Lilacs wont flower for about that long. Yet the blossoms only last a matter of weeks, once a year, with the right conditions.
I seem to be like that. Lots of work goes into maturing, lots into pruning, and caring for young fruit; but the harvest is good, even if it is the shorter part.

Lately I have reaped the benefit from years of working on certain areas by the affirmation and encouragement of other saints.

Autumn is also time to prepare for winter, and do trimming. You can mulch or fertilize, to enrich soil and help it through the days ahead. This is probably a good time to have a retreat or just a small time for only you and God to get together with fewer distractions.

(Once again, these are just the beginning of ideas that were forming in my head last spring (; )

The Blues ~ Switchfoot

The Blues


Is this the New Year or just another night?
Is this the new fear or just another fright?
Is this the new tear or just another desperation?

Is this the finger or just another fist?
Is this the kingdom or just a hit and miss?
I miss direction most in all this desperation

Is this what they call freedom?
Is this what you call pain?
Is this what they call discontented fame?

It'll be a day like this one
When the world caves in
When the world caves in
When the world caves in

I'm singing this one like a broken piece of glass
From broken hearts and broken noses in the back
Is this the New Year or just another desperation?

You're pushing till you're shoving
You bend until you break
Do you stand on the broken fields where our fathers lay

It'll be a day like this one
When the world caves in
When the world caves in
When the world caves in
When the world caves in
When the world caves in
When the world caves in

Is there's nothing here worth saving,
Is no one here at all?
Is there any net left that could break our fall?

It'll be a day like this one
When the sky falls down and the hungry and poor and deserted are found
Are you discontented? Have you been pushing hard?
Have you been throwing down this broken house of cards?

It'll be a day like this one
When the world caves in
When the world caves in
When the world caves in

Is there nothing left now?
Nothing left to sing
Are there any left who haven't kissed the enemy?
Is this the New Year or just another desperation?

Does justice never find you? Do the wicked never lose?
Is there any honest song to sing besides these blues?

And nothing is okay
Till the world caves in
Till the world caves in
Till the world caves in
Till the world caves in
Till the world caves in
Until the world caves in
Until the world caves in
Until the world caves in
Until the world caves in
Until the world caves in
Until the world caves in

What's in a day?

I've noticed some patterns in my life that strike me as odd. How is it that these things line up? Do I make associations that really aren't connected? Well, maybe sometimes, but others there's just no way I could make it happen.

This is a hard week. I knew it would be. It really does feel bitter and sweet, an almost indescribable sort of pang, but at least it isn't overwhelming.

Wednesday it will be 9 years since my daddy died of cancer. I miss him, but I'm soooo glad he isn't here suffering through this life! The odd correlations here are that it will also be the 5th anniversary of the loss of a pregnancy; and that my Uncle died yesterday with a very similar story. Aggressive cancer found too late, very short hospice, dies within 3 days of when my dad did.
It's all culminating in my Blues.

This baby was due 9-9-05; and as it would turn out we were having a D&C that day for the second miscarriage of that year. Another oddity.

Maybe I'm too nostalgic. I really shouldn't live in the past. I try not to, but every so often, I'm stuck there for awhile. Maybe it's part of the "processing" we are supposed to have to do. Or maybe I'm just a dork.

Reminiscing can be dangerous....you may remember things you were glad you forgot.

Catharsis

Had fun today with vocabulary.
Catharsis has been a favorite word of mine lately, usually used as cathartic, but it's the same ;)

Mo's reading had a few words she didn't know so we used that to continue our learning about alphabetizing and dictionary use.
Talkative was one of her words, and it was defined with another of my favorite self descriptions "loquacious;" so we talked about Mommy being loquacious and Daddy being taciturn.

Looking up taciturn then, we read all of the definitions and used them in sentences about ourselves.

I used several words including reticent, and garrulous and Mo replied with "Yeah, Daddy can be uncommunicative." ;)

I was excited, but maybe I'm easy to impress

Post 130, Psalm 130 (and 25)

Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

¹ Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

² O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

³ If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?

⁴ But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

⁵ I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.

⁶ My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

⁷ O Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

⁸ He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Psalm 25

1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

² in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

³ No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.

⁴ Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;

⁵ guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

⁶ Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

⁷ Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.

⁸ Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

¹⁰ All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

¹¹ For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

¹² Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

¹³ He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.

¹⁴ The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.

¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

one of the best sentences in the whole world!!!!! IMO

From:

Winne-the-Pooh
~A. A. Milne
Chapter Nine
In Which
Piglet Is Entirely Surrounded by Water

"In after-years he liked to think that he had been in Very Great Danger during the Terrible Flood, but the only danger he had really been in was in the last half hour of his imprisonment, when Owl, who had just flown up, sat on a branch of his tree to comfort him, and told him a very long story about an aunt who had once laid a seagull's egg by mistake, and the story went on and on, rather like this sentence, until Piglet who was listening out of his window with out much hope, went to sleep quietly and naturally, slipping slowly out of the window towards the water until he was only hanging on by his toes, at which moment luckily, a sudden loud squawk from Owl, which was really part of the story, being what his aunt said, woke the Piglet up and just gave him time to jerk himself back into safety and say, "How interesting, and did she?" when -- well, you can imagine his joy when at last he saw the good ship, The Brain of Pooh (Captain, C. Robin; 1st Mate, P. Bear) coming over the sea to rescue him."

My Bubble

I spend almost all of my time in a sphere of like minded people.
Maybe we don't agree all the time, but "If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary"
Also, for back ground, I'm taking a class called "Woman: Aware and Choosing" (WAC)

I went out last night with some ladies from a whole different life style and world view. It was interesting. Most of it was fine, some was a little uncomfortable. After coming home, I couldn't sleep...I had just eaten a whole cannoli! ;0) So I read in my WAC book. It was encouraging that it said right in there I don't have to justify my choices! to anyone really. I am able to make decisions, but I owe no one an explanation.

My choices are very counter culture.
I stay home and take care of my husband's and children's needs. I teach them. I encourage other mothers in our work. I worship and pray. I typically don't watch TV when I do have a spare minute, and I never eat bon bons. ;0)
Society may say I am foolish to just do these things....I'm not "contributing to our home" because I don't bring in a paycheck. I am crazy to "ruin my kids" keeping them home from school; and what about the poor school that's "missing their money" because they have one less child? Why do I have so many? Don't I realize the world is crowded?
I don't have to give anyone the answers to all of these questions.
Certainly God can be glorified in my answers to some, but I really have no need to try to argue my decisions, nor allow myself to feel bad because people don't understand me. I have a right to choose the intention of the question and the freedom to simply not answer.

That was freeing for me.
I hope it is for someone else too.

Lessons from the Seasons : Summer

With summer in full swing and HOT here in So Cal, I'm compelled to continue the series I started; Lessons from the Seasons.

So far, my summer lesson has been maturity and weeding!

Our plants 'new spring growth' gains in size, strength and color.
We see areas of our spiritual growth start to show baby fruit, ripening, maturing.

We also see amongst all the beauty, the weeds!
No where do I see this better illustrated than my tumble weeds.
I pulled out over 142 from only one side of one of my iris beds...yes, I counted. Where I pulled every little to big sized weed one morning, I found medium sizes that evening! Where did it come from? How did it grow sooo fast?!?

In this analogy, I see 'little' sins in life grow quickly! Maybe you feel you just weeded, but now there's something growing, again. "Take every thought captive" means constant weeding!!!
The good news is that the littler they are the shallower the root; much easier to pull out.

I hope this encourages diligence. Soon the Autumn will come to enjoy the harvest of the promising fruit you see!