Annoucements

Less than a week after we announced that God was rewarding us with another blessing, the Duggars announced the expectation of their 20th child.  When hearing about our pregnancy with #9, some folks will ask, " what are you trying to do, keep up with the Duggars?"  This is one family I don't mind being compared to, however.  John and Kate were a different matter.  The Duggars appear to be godly people raising their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  So, I was thankful when the Duggars made their announcement.  It actually put a lot in perspective.  Here's a woman slightly older than me, going through the physical/emotional trials of pregnancy (11 more than me!), and the opposition I receive (real or perceived) is 100-fold to my 10-fold.  So what that I get some negative reactions from family and strangers?  This woman probably receives hate mail!  I am amazed at the reactions and stupidity that flows from the mouths of people and media regarding the decisions this family has made.

I was raised Methodist.  Let me tell you, the Methodists are PROUD of their Susannah Wesley and her 19 children.  She is hailed as a great mother.  Over half of her children died in infancy, leaving her only 8 to raise to adulthood.  I don't know how the Methodists are reacting to Michelle Duggar, but I doubt with the same praise.  Katie Luther had six children.  Sarah Edwards raised eleven children.  My great-grandmother had nine children... 

We would do well to remember that it is only in this century that we have seen the results of a birth controlled world and the decline of children to a point where many countries are under replacement rates.  We are an anti-child society.  This could not be further from the heart of God. 

Christ followers should be proclaiming the blessing of life and children, not buying into worldly thinking that we or the Duggars are somehow "irresponsible" in our choices.  Voddie  Bauchum makes an observation that Christians want God's blessings and rewards when it comes to good health, happiness, success, prosperity, peace. . .but not His blessing of children.  This blessing they say "no thanks, God." 

May He have mercy.

Progress...

I posted the quote from Jonathan Edward's regarding time in the Chew On This column because I always think I'll have "time" to blog. . . it's probably safer that I don't!  While we all have just 24 hours in a day, it seems mine get filled with more and more of the "immediate."  Diapers that must be changed, children who desire meals, formal education, clean home and clothes (I admit, I desire this one more than my kids!), people to disciple, family to enjoy, hospitality to be displayed, LIFE!

And in all these daily, often mundane, life activities - God is there.  Not passively watching as an amused spectator.  No, divinely at work, orchestrating all things for my good and future glorification.  Gloriously at work in the lives of my husband, children, and self.  Painfully at work, too. 

There is not enough room or time to write all the details of our kitchen remodel.  A major project that started with an explosive boom that slowly fizzled out.  I began to doubt whether it would ever be completed.  Finally, we have some progress.  After eight months of waiting for right orders, non-damaged items, delays, errors, etc., we saw a glimpse of hope this week as the kitchen began it's final stages of completion.  We are now waiting for Kraftmaid to come out and redo all the glazing in the kitchen.  After that step, the backsplash and flooring can go in and we can be done!

Decorative pillars help hide spacing issues.

Panels added throughout the kitchen help mask the glazing problems.  A baseboard will be added after the flooring is completed.

Regular filler strips hide ugly spacers, without drawing attention to defects

more end panels

  Despite all the delays and problems, I love my new kitchen.  I am so happy to not be working in a teeny little cramped space.  The kitchen has become that daily place of gathering and talking that I hoped it would be.  Having a full view of both the front and back yards is wonderful.  The sunsets I enjoy!  By waiting, God graciously provided us with upgrades we wouldn't have afforded, reimbursements for cabinets, money to be put toward flooring, and lots of extra cabinets/materials with which to make our laundry room and enhance the built-ins and fireplace mantel.  However, I'm still happy and hopeful it's almost done!