Thursday, December 1, 2011
December Traditions
I'd like to say that most of our December traditions are Christmas traditions, as well. However, finding advent type calendars with Christian themes is becoming increasing difficult, especially as my range of stores narrows! The preschoolers, kindergarteners, and bigger kids alike enjoy opening and following all the days counting down until Christmas Eve.
Naomi looks forward to a chocolate square!
Fall on the Farm
The past few weeks have brought beautiful weather with lots of fall projects. Most include hauling leaves/branches and pruning, but the kids find ways to make it fun!
Cayla (Caleb) had a new batch of kitties. All of them were tigers and we easily found home for these cuties.
Jael and Naomi have fun in the "burn pile."
After hauling all the branches, the stick throwing competition begins!
The boys and Paul spent a Saturday cutting and hauling firewood, too. Hannah, Naomi, and Jael enjoy new play places. Joey is eyeing the big stick!
Oh, so cute!
Bekah helps paddle the boat and crew around the lake, even with her broken foot!
I don't think we've introduced Poppet. Paul found her out on the corner and felt badly for her. We love calling "here, Poppet!" in a pirate accent.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
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!
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!
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!
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| Decorative pillars help hide spacing issues. |
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| Panels added throughout the kitchen help mask the glazing problems. A baseboard will be added after the flooring is completed. |
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| Regular filler strips hide ugly spacers, without drawing attention to defects |
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| more end panels |
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering 9/11
I don't consider myself overly patriotic. I am an American and I do pledge my allegience to our flag, honor those who serve for my freedoms, pay my taxes, and consider myself a law-abiding citizen. However, I do not deck out my home and yard with flags on Flag Day or dress the family in red, white and blue every July 4th. I do not think God is American, either. I don't believe we are a Christian nation founded on Christian priniciples. While many of our founders were Christian and that is evident, we are a country founded on religious freedom.
However, we do remember 9/11/01. Only three of our eight children were alive then and they were too little to remember the events of that day. We remember the horror and terror, the utter disbelief as we watched the events unfold. As our children watched clips last night they were struck by the "realness" of the event. Real children missing real parents. So many lives changed forever. So many crying out to God on that day. . .are they still?
It doesn't take long to forget, just a generation or two. My mother was only a few months old when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The tragedy of that day is remembered vividly by only a few now. Exodus begins by telling us "Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph..." How the lives of the Israelites changed because one generation failed to tell the next of this great man.
How much more should we be declaring God's works and Who He Is to the next generation? When we remember Pearl Harbor, 9/11, the earthquakes in Japan. . .we remember it is our Sovereign King at work! All things are ordained by His hand and He can be completely trusted. He did not spare His own son, but sent Him from the glories of Heaven to take on flesh. He became imminent. He is with us. Christ bore the wrath of God for the sins of His bride.
Let us remember all events and tragedies in light of the cross. Let us speak of them to the next generation, so they may tell their children's children of the glories of our King.
However, we do remember 9/11/01. Only three of our eight children were alive then and they were too little to remember the events of that day. We remember the horror and terror, the utter disbelief as we watched the events unfold. As our children watched clips last night they were struck by the "realness" of the event. Real children missing real parents. So many lives changed forever. So many crying out to God on that day. . .are they still?
It doesn't take long to forget, just a generation or two. My mother was only a few months old when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The tragedy of that day is remembered vividly by only a few now. Exodus begins by telling us "Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph..." How the lives of the Israelites changed because one generation failed to tell the next of this great man.
How much more should we be declaring God's works and Who He Is to the next generation? When we remember Pearl Harbor, 9/11, the earthquakes in Japan. . .we remember it is our Sovereign King at work! All things are ordained by His hand and He can be completely trusted. He did not spare His own son, but sent Him from the glories of Heaven to take on flesh. He became imminent. He is with us. Christ bore the wrath of God for the sins of His bride.
Let us remember all events and tragedies in light of the cross. Let us speak of them to the next generation, so they may tell their children's children of the glories of our King.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Happy Labor Day!
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24
From Joe Thorns' Note to Self:
WORK
"Dear Self,
You need to see all of life as spiritual, and your calling or emplyment as work for God regardless of pay, position, or its connection to the church. In other words, stop treating what you spend the bulk of your day engaged in as something divorced from God and His work in and through you.
Your work is one of the primary ways in which you will glorify God. For as you do it in faith, thankfulness, and godliness, you are serving God and reflecting His beauty to everyone around you.
Perhaps you struggle with wondering how your oh-so-ordinary and mundane work could glorify God, and maybe you even believe that translating the Bible into a language that has never read Scripture before is something that brings more glory to God than what you are doing. You think that way because you have not yet grasped that God is glorified by His people when His people are faithful to Him.
Your calling is to be faithful to God where you are, and in doing this all work is sacred, spiritual, and worthy of your full attention and energy. When you get to work, you are not entering a secular environment as much as you are bringing the sacred into the world by following Christ wherever you are."
Here's my note to myself:
Dear Self:
Work today as unto the Lord. For Christ you labor and not for men. Praise Him for all the mundane tasks that fill your waking hours and often, hours that should be spent in sleep. Thank Him for the opportunity to show grace and joy one more hour to those He brings into my home and life today.
I need not the applause or accolades of the world. The noble titles and prestige and honors many earn. Let me hear only from my Father "well done, Faithful One. You have cared well for the souls entrusted to you." Let me serve only Christ, my King.
From Joe Thorns' Note to Self:
WORK
"Dear Self,
You need to see all of life as spiritual, and your calling or emplyment as work for God regardless of pay, position, or its connection to the church. In other words, stop treating what you spend the bulk of your day engaged in as something divorced from God and His work in and through you.
Your work is one of the primary ways in which you will glorify God. For as you do it in faith, thankfulness, and godliness, you are serving God and reflecting His beauty to everyone around you.
Perhaps you struggle with wondering how your oh-so-ordinary and mundane work could glorify God, and maybe you even believe that translating the Bible into a language that has never read Scripture before is something that brings more glory to God than what you are doing. You think that way because you have not yet grasped that God is glorified by His people when His people are faithful to Him.
Your calling is to be faithful to God where you are, and in doing this all work is sacred, spiritual, and worthy of your full attention and energy. When you get to work, you are not entering a secular environment as much as you are bringing the sacred into the world by following Christ wherever you are."
Here's my note to myself:
Dear Self:
Work today as unto the Lord. For Christ you labor and not for men. Praise Him for all the mundane tasks that fill your waking hours and often, hours that should be spent in sleep. Thank Him for the opportunity to show grace and joy one more hour to those He brings into my home and life today.
I need not the applause or accolades of the world. The noble titles and prestige and honors many earn. Let me hear only from my Father "well done, Faithful One. You have cared well for the souls entrusted to you." Let me serve only Christ, my King.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
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