Sunday morning the sermon at our church was about how we need to study God's word more. Well, it was really about more than just that--but that was a big part of it. We started off looking at Hosea 4:1-6. Verse 6 says:
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
There was more to the sermon, to be sure. But afterward, S and I talked about how we DO need to read...not just read but study...our Bible more.
Let's get practical and think about how that can actually happen. Of course it's easy to say...but do? Much harder.
How can I sit here and say that it is "hard" to read my Bible more? Look at this story. Now come back here and tell me how it is hard for me?
And another verse we read during the sermon Sunday: 1 Peter 5:8-9.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
The devil is walking around like a lion, seeking whom he may devour? Makes me even more determined.
This morning I grabbed my phone and we read Proverbs 15 at breakfast. I don't know how much of it got into their heads or hearts, but we read it. Sweetheart read her assigned reading during school. I read Little Bit's assigned reading out of a Bible storybook. We worked on memorizing scripture. There will be more study tonight.
How can we say we are too busy? Have I been busy today? Yes. We must cook and clean and teach and run errands and do laundry. There are many things to be done during each day. But there is time. There is time to read and study God's word. There is time to get it into our lives.
Folks, we have it so easy here in America right now. Not perfect...but easy. How do you know what kind of world your children will live in when they are adults? How much more will they need to have God's word in their hearts?
Someone is seeking to devour us. And God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Not sinners. Not people "of the world." GOD'S PEOPLE are destroyed because they do not know.
A daily devotional calendar is not enough.
An e-mail devotional is not enough.
An encouraging blog post is not enough.
Listening to Christian music is not enough.
That Little Golden book about Jonah is not enough.
Reading your Bible is not enough!!!!
We must study it. And know it.
How can we do it? How can we fit it in?
1. You have multiple Bibles? Store them around the house. Make it easy to grab one while you are at the dining room table and read it to your family.
2. Make it a part of the school day. No if, ands, or buts.
3. You don't often let your kids skip brushing their teeth? Then set Bible reading as part of the daily routine and do not skip it.
4. Use audio Bibles.
5. Keep one in the car. Read while you are in line for something.
6. Download an app on your phone.
7. Take it to church. Look up the scripture during the sermon instead of relying on the verses on the screen. Trust me, it's not the same.
What else am I forgetting? How can we fit it in?
Because it IS that important.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Thursday, August 20, 2015
In Which We Have a Forced Time Off
Honestly, if it were up to me, we would have started school already. Or at least we would be starting this coming Monday like everyone else around here. But perhaps the Lord knew we needed some time off because we simply can't start right now.
Normally we have laid aside some money for school expenses by now. I've always been able to order what I need by this point in the year. Perhaps because Dad was in the hospital the majority of the summer, perhaps because we've had some unexpected expenses (had to buy a new car), perhaps because our electric bill has been ridiculous.....but for whatever reason we can't order everything right now. Oh, and high school curriculum is expensive!
I did sell some old curriculum on eBay. It hadn't sold on any of the homeschool sites or groups I'm a part of so I was really glad it sold. However, after eBay and Paypal take their bite out--it won't be nearly as much as I could have earned selling straight to another homeschool mom! Oh well. I'm thankful for that money, which I should be getting soon. That will enable us to get started with some subjects.
I'm stressed about it and not really all at the same time. I would like to have everything all ready to go and not stagger the subjects in one at a time throughout the fall, but at the same time I know we just can only handle so much.
Bee has been so sad about Grandpa. Little Bit has been too. But Little Bit is also getting bored now and asking what she can do. The cousins can't come anymore because my sister is back at work. (She's a teacher). So we just wander around here cleaning, organizing, rearranging, and taking it a little bit easy.
I admit I have laid in bed and thought about all the things that need to be bought: clothes for the girls, curriculum, a new lunch cooler, a backpack for Little Bit, new beds for Little Bit and Bee, some stuff for Sweetheart's room, etc. But I am also so thankful that we have paid our bills, had groceries, and are all here together. Sure, it would be really fun to just hop in the car and go get whatever we need without giving it a second thought, but relying on the Lord is a good place to be also. We need Him. We cannot do it all ourselves.
It forces you to think about what's important. And one thing that has been bouncing around in my head is how to make our school focus different. These are not new thoughts, but refined ones? Yes. I was really struggling to find a science curriculum for Sweetheart. Also geography. When it all came together I chose a Christian based biology curriculum and a geography curriculum that focuses on the geography in the Bible. Is there something more important I could focus on? No. I'm still dwelling on how we can study more Bible and worry less about "academics". Not that academics aren't important....it's just that I don't want grades and transcripts and credits to be all that we focus on. We only have 3 years of high school left with Sweetheart--and there is so much I want her to know about God's Word.
So perhaps this forced time off is a good thing. It's giving us time to heal, de-stress from the summer, mull around important thoughts about how our homeschool year is going to look, and yes, get organized. Which is what I'm off to do now. We've rearranged our homeschool so many times that our "stuff" is everywhere. Time to get all the math stuff in one place, all the history stuff, etc.
Because all too soon, life is going to get really busy again.
Normally we have laid aside some money for school expenses by now. I've always been able to order what I need by this point in the year. Perhaps because Dad was in the hospital the majority of the summer, perhaps because we've had some unexpected expenses (had to buy a new car), perhaps because our electric bill has been ridiculous.....but for whatever reason we can't order everything right now. Oh, and high school curriculum is expensive!
I did sell some old curriculum on eBay. It hadn't sold on any of the homeschool sites or groups I'm a part of so I was really glad it sold. However, after eBay and Paypal take their bite out--it won't be nearly as much as I could have earned selling straight to another homeschool mom! Oh well. I'm thankful for that money, which I should be getting soon. That will enable us to get started with some subjects.
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| Our fine arts co-op starts back in a week. Little Bit can't wait to get back to art class! |
I'm stressed about it and not really all at the same time. I would like to have everything all ready to go and not stagger the subjects in one at a time throughout the fall, but at the same time I know we just can only handle so much.
Bee has been so sad about Grandpa. Little Bit has been too. But Little Bit is also getting bored now and asking what she can do. The cousins can't come anymore because my sister is back at work. (She's a teacher). So we just wander around here cleaning, organizing, rearranging, and taking it a little bit easy.
I admit I have laid in bed and thought about all the things that need to be bought: clothes for the girls, curriculum, a new lunch cooler, a backpack for Little Bit, new beds for Little Bit and Bee, some stuff for Sweetheart's room, etc. But I am also so thankful that we have paid our bills, had groceries, and are all here together. Sure, it would be really fun to just hop in the car and go get whatever we need without giving it a second thought, but relying on the Lord is a good place to be also. We need Him. We cannot do it all ourselves.
It forces you to think about what's important. And one thing that has been bouncing around in my head is how to make our school focus different. These are not new thoughts, but refined ones? Yes. I was really struggling to find a science curriculum for Sweetheart. Also geography. When it all came together I chose a Christian based biology curriculum and a geography curriculum that focuses on the geography in the Bible. Is there something more important I could focus on? No. I'm still dwelling on how we can study more Bible and worry less about "academics". Not that academics aren't important....it's just that I don't want grades and transcripts and credits to be all that we focus on. We only have 3 years of high school left with Sweetheart--and there is so much I want her to know about God's Word.
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| Book club starts next week too. Here is Little Bit last spring trying turkish delight at our Narnia book club meeting. (She didn't care for it!) |
So perhaps this forced time off is a good thing. It's giving us time to heal, de-stress from the summer, mull around important thoughts about how our homeschool year is going to look, and yes, get organized. Which is what I'm off to do now. We've rearranged our homeschool so many times that our "stuff" is everywhere. Time to get all the math stuff in one place, all the history stuff, etc.
Because all too soon, life is going to get really busy again.
Friday, December 7, 2012
The Security of Things
Obviously with my TWO hospital stays within two weeks of each other earlier this year, we have some debt. Even with insurance.
Debt stresses me out. I don't like to be in debt. (Car note and mortgage, even though they are also debt, don't stress me out. EXTRA debt stresses me out.) And here at Christmas it gets even harder.
The thing is, we have what we need. There are 6 days until payday and we still have meals we can make from last week's grocery trip. I don't even have to go on a big trip this week! That's amazing. So I'm making a list of what we really have to have.
It's just that I see what's waiting in the wings for us, and I fear for what might happen. What if someone needed dental work? What if the car or van broke down? Any one thing could cause us to be in a bad situation because we have so much going OUT right now and not enough padding for me to be comfortable.
But do I need to be comfortable? Do I need the assurance of a large bank account? Do I need "financial security"? Let's see what scripture has to say about it.
There. A little eternal perspective does wonders. I will try to be a good steward of what we have been given. I will try to be frugal with my husband's paycheck.
But I will not worry.
I will trust in the Lord, Who is our Provider. And is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20)
Have a good weekend!
Debt stresses me out. I don't like to be in debt. (Car note and mortgage, even though they are also debt, don't stress me out. EXTRA debt stresses me out.) And here at Christmas it gets even harder.
The thing is, we have what we need. There are 6 days until payday and we still have meals we can make from last week's grocery trip. I don't even have to go on a big trip this week! That's amazing. So I'm making a list of what we really have to have.
It's just that I see what's waiting in the wings for us, and I fear for what might happen. What if someone needed dental work? What if the car or van broke down? Any one thing could cause us to be in a bad situation because we have so much going OUT right now and not enough padding for me to be comfortable.
But do I need to be comfortable? Do I need the assurance of a large bank account? Do I need "financial security"? Let's see what scripture has to say about it.
- We are told not to store up earthly treasure, but heavenly treasure. (Matt. 6:19-21)
- We are told not to store up riches, but rather good works. (1 Tim. 6:17-19)
- We are told to store up as we have prospered, to help the church. (1 Cor. 16:2)
- We are told not to worry about what we will eat or wear. (Matt. 6:25-34)
There. A little eternal perspective does wonders. I will try to be a good steward of what we have been given. I will try to be frugal with my husband's paycheck.
But I will not worry.
I will trust in the Lord, Who is our Provider. And is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20)
Have a good weekend!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Life v. School
Schooling is a priority around here. I take my responsibility very seriously. But there are times when life is just too busy and other things are just more important.
Not that we drop school completely, but we let other things take priority.
Which is why I'm not going to get every single subject done this week. And maybe not next week. We'll see.
But we most assuredly ARE plugging along with school. Just not at 100%, that's all.
Some of the things going on?
Not that we drop school completely, but we let other things take priority.
Which is why I'm not going to get every single subject done this week. And maybe not next week. We'll see.
But we most assuredly ARE plugging along with school. Just not at 100%, that's all.
Some of the things going on?
- My uncle is in hospice care with terminal cancer. We suspect he will not live through this week. There will likely be a memorial service to attend very soon.
- My dad has had these scary spells of confusion. We were really worried something was very wrong but the doctor seemed to think it was a UTI. Seems confusion is often the only symptom in elderly folks. BUT we've been waiting for blood work results since last Wednesday. So frustrating. Hoping it IS just a UTI and that he can get started on meds tomorrow. Mom has been afraid to leave him.
- Assuming everything referenced above is OK, he will be starting a trial for his cancer. Prayers would be appreciated for both situations.
- Our good, good friends are moving away this weekend. We're helping them how we can this week. And guess where they are moving? Pretty much in the path of the hurricane.
- S will start preaching "full-time" this Sunday. I say full time in quotes because he will also have his regular full-time job. Two sermons a week plus one Wednesday night Bible study. Every week.
- It's our month to clean the church building.
BUT. I always try to do what Philippians 4:6-7 says and present my requests with thankfulness.
So, I am thankful for:
- My health. That I am home and well and able to care for my family.
- Baby Bee, Little Bit, and Sweetheart. I love them so much.
- Our home, cars, my husband's income, food....we are so well provided for by our Heavenly Father.
- That I've been married to my best friend for 19 years.
When burdens seem heavy and there is so much going on you don't feel you can JUST focus on school....that's a good time to remember WHO you should be focused on anyway, right?
Sunday, June 10, 2012
In Which I Don't Even Know Where to Start
Wow guys. Last week was a doozy. I haven't even finished processing all that has happened to us. All I know is God is good. And last week was not my favorite.
So last Sunday night was when I got up to go to the bathroom and passed out. Somehow, before I went out, I managed to call out to S that I needed him. And miraculously....he heard me. Really--that's amazing in itself. Throwing up the blood kind of woke me up.
I got my first ever ambulance ride. S managed to call a friend to come get the big girls and get Baby Bee and himself to the ER right behind the ambulance. My sister joined us and then later my mom took her place. My parents were out of town and I think S called them about 4:30am. They got up and came right home. Anyway, we were in the ER for over 12 hours. Baby Bee was there the whole time with us and thankfully we had a private room with a door that shut. We were concerned about her catching something in the germy ER, but with the private room we felt better. We made good use of the hand sanitizer on the wall. It took S, my sister/mom, and myself to navigate all the tubes and wires and IVs, but I managed to nurse her 2 or 3 times in the ER. Blessing.
They came to get me Monday afternoon for a scope to see what was going on. It was then we learned that Baby Bee would not be able to stay with us in the room. Also, with the meds I would be on, I would not be able to nurse. My wonderful family jumped into action and bought an electric pump for me. Sister did the running to the store for whatever we needed. S had grabbed the "emergency" formula I had stashed in the kitchen cabinet before he left for the ER. I was going to throw it away or donate it all, but then my mom told a story about how she had to to the hospital when one of my sisters was little and my dad had to feed the baby in the car. So I paused...and stored it all. Along with the one sample bottle that came in the bag of free stuff. Providence.
The scope revealed a bleeding ulcer and a hole in a mid-sized vessel behind the ulcer. My hemoglobin level was a 6. For a woman who just gave birth, it should have been a 9 or 10. At 8, they usually do transfusions. I was there. It's a good thing my level was so low, because I think they would have all just chalked it up to having just given birth. My really low levels got them to looking for other causes. I got 4 units of blood before my level got up to a 10 three days later. I sure felt better with blood in my body! And I am very grateful for those blood donors. Providence.
My parents took all 3 girls home with them. I cannot adequately tell you how upset I was to be away from my baby. To not be able to care for her. To not be able to feed her. It was comforting and upsetting all at the same time to know she was taking the bottle just fine. My parents are 76. They've raised 3 kiddos, but certainly aren't used to getting up with a newborn. S and I worried a lot that first night. It's hard to hand over your 2 week old infant to anyone--even awesome grandparents. But she slept her usual schedule and did great. Providence and blessing.
Tuesday brought another procedure: this time to cauterize and plug up the holes in me. I wasn't nearly as scared that second time. Oh that first time was horrible. They came to get me with no warning and neither of us really even understood what procedure was about to take place. Then they park you in a bay staring at the wall all by yourself for 10-20 minutes. I prayed a lot. I cried a lot. I laughed to myself when I saw the towel on the end of my bed. It was there because Bee had peed all over the bed when S was changing her diaper a few hours earlier. I was going into my procedure with pee on the end of my bed. All I wanted was to get home to my baby--to my family. I wanted to be OK.
I'm not a crier. I try not to cry and be an irrational female in front of S. I know when I'm being stupid emotional about something (hormones anyone?) and I don't put that on display. But last week I was a blubbering mess. And my sweet husband listened and comforted and reminded me that God was in charge. The big girls would come visit and I hardly even felt like talking with them. I was pretty sick, I guess. S went and got Baby Bee on Tuesday night and I managed to find a way to hold her even with the IVs that hurt when I bent my arms. I felt so much more hopeful that night.
Wednesday morning brought the news we were hoping for: I could go home! I was out of the hospital by noon, but still couldn't nurse until the next day. I am so grateful to not be pumping anymore. I worried the whole time I was in the hospital that Bee would forget how to nurse and was getting used to that bottle. I mean, we had only been at it for 2 weeks. But Thursday morning proved all my worries a waste of time. She had not forgotten.
S was told by his boss to take the rest of the week off and to not worry about work at all. So he has been with us every day, taking care of things. It has been so nice and so needed to have him here this week. I feel pretty much back to normal now. I haven't driven anywhere yet and I was really nervous getting up to go to the bathroom in the night the first night home. In fact, I haven't really wanted to be by myself at all. I guess you could say the whole thing really shook us up. I guess that's understandable.
But what I know is this: I did not pass out when I was carrying Bee across a room. I did not pass out when I was alone. I did not pass out when I was driving. We now know I had been bleeding for the whole 2 weeks since Bee's birth. Last Friday as I was climbing onto the bed to take a nap while Bee was sleeping, I nearly blacked out. I thought, "Wow--I'm so tired I'm dizzy!" But I did not pass out that day. The Lord was truly watching out for me. His timing is perfect. Remember that S just quit his second job? The one that kept him busy every evening and on weekends? Yep. He was with me this week instead of worrying how he would get that job done. Again--perfect timing.
I have thought and thought about what all has happened this week. Some of it I've pieced together from S or my sister telling me what happened, because I don't remember all of it. It was a rotten week as far as fun weeks go, but we got to see many blessings and the providence of the Lord in our lives. My faith has increased and I am more grateful for small, everyday things.
And that's the story of last week. We are left with blessings, restored health, an intact family, and hospital bills for two different hospital stays in 3 week's time (Bee's birth and my ulcer). The bills will be amazing, I'm sure. But you know what? I have seen the Lord's providence and I know He is already way ahead of us.
And He is good.
So last Sunday night was when I got up to go to the bathroom and passed out. Somehow, before I went out, I managed to call out to S that I needed him. And miraculously....he heard me. Really--that's amazing in itself. Throwing up the blood kind of woke me up.
I got my first ever ambulance ride. S managed to call a friend to come get the big girls and get Baby Bee and himself to the ER right behind the ambulance. My sister joined us and then later my mom took her place. My parents were out of town and I think S called them about 4:30am. They got up and came right home. Anyway, we were in the ER for over 12 hours. Baby Bee was there the whole time with us and thankfully we had a private room with a door that shut. We were concerned about her catching something in the germy ER, but with the private room we felt better. We made good use of the hand sanitizer on the wall. It took S, my sister/mom, and myself to navigate all the tubes and wires and IVs, but I managed to nurse her 2 or 3 times in the ER. Blessing.
They came to get me Monday afternoon for a scope to see what was going on. It was then we learned that Baby Bee would not be able to stay with us in the room. Also, with the meds I would be on, I would not be able to nurse. My wonderful family jumped into action and bought an electric pump for me. Sister did the running to the store for whatever we needed. S had grabbed the "emergency" formula I had stashed in the kitchen cabinet before he left for the ER. I was going to throw it away or donate it all, but then my mom told a story about how she had to to the hospital when one of my sisters was little and my dad had to feed the baby in the car. So I paused...and stored it all. Along with the one sample bottle that came in the bag of free stuff. Providence.
The scope revealed a bleeding ulcer and a hole in a mid-sized vessel behind the ulcer. My hemoglobin level was a 6. For a woman who just gave birth, it should have been a 9 or 10. At 8, they usually do transfusions. I was there. It's a good thing my level was so low, because I think they would have all just chalked it up to having just given birth. My really low levels got them to looking for other causes. I got 4 units of blood before my level got up to a 10 three days later. I sure felt better with blood in my body! And I am very grateful for those blood donors. Providence.
My parents took all 3 girls home with them. I cannot adequately tell you how upset I was to be away from my baby. To not be able to care for her. To not be able to feed her. It was comforting and upsetting all at the same time to know she was taking the bottle just fine. My parents are 76. They've raised 3 kiddos, but certainly aren't used to getting up with a newborn. S and I worried a lot that first night. It's hard to hand over your 2 week old infant to anyone--even awesome grandparents. But she slept her usual schedule and did great. Providence and blessing.
Tuesday brought another procedure: this time to cauterize and plug up the holes in me. I wasn't nearly as scared that second time. Oh that first time was horrible. They came to get me with no warning and neither of us really even understood what procedure was about to take place. Then they park you in a bay staring at the wall all by yourself for 10-20 minutes. I prayed a lot. I cried a lot. I laughed to myself when I saw the towel on the end of my bed. It was there because Bee had peed all over the bed when S was changing her diaper a few hours earlier. I was going into my procedure with pee on the end of my bed. All I wanted was to get home to my baby--to my family. I wanted to be OK.
Wednesday morning brought the news we were hoping for: I could go home! I was out of the hospital by noon, but still couldn't nurse until the next day. I am so grateful to not be pumping anymore. I worried the whole time I was in the hospital that Bee would forget how to nurse and was getting used to that bottle. I mean, we had only been at it for 2 weeks. But Thursday morning proved all my worries a waste of time. She had not forgotten.
 |
| I don't know what I would do without this man. |
S was told by his boss to take the rest of the week off and to not worry about work at all. So he has been with us every day, taking care of things. It has been so nice and so needed to have him here this week. I feel pretty much back to normal now. I haven't driven anywhere yet and I was really nervous getting up to go to the bathroom in the night the first night home. In fact, I haven't really wanted to be by myself at all. I guess you could say the whole thing really shook us up. I guess that's understandable.
 |
| Little Bit was playing in the hospital bed beside me. She set this up and showed me. That's Sweetheart, Little Bit, me, Baby Bee...and Daddy taking care of me. |
But what I know is this: I did not pass out when I was carrying Bee across a room. I did not pass out when I was alone. I did not pass out when I was driving. We now know I had been bleeding for the whole 2 weeks since Bee's birth. Last Friday as I was climbing onto the bed to take a nap while Bee was sleeping, I nearly blacked out. I thought, "Wow--I'm so tired I'm dizzy!" But I did not pass out that day. The Lord was truly watching out for me. His timing is perfect. Remember that S just quit his second job? The one that kept him busy every evening and on weekends? Yep. He was with me this week instead of worrying how he would get that job done. Again--perfect timing.
I have thought and thought about what all has happened this week. Some of it I've pieced together from S or my sister telling me what happened, because I don't remember all of it. It was a rotten week as far as fun weeks go, but we got to see many blessings and the providence of the Lord in our lives. My faith has increased and I am more grateful for small, everyday things.
And that's the story of last week. We are left with blessings, restored health, an intact family, and hospital bills for two different hospital stays in 3 week's time (Bee's birth and my ulcer). The bills will be amazing, I'm sure. But you know what? I have seen the Lord's providence and I know He is already way ahead of us.
And He is good.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Revisions, Revisions
When you pray for the Lord to transform your family to the way He wants you to be....
...you get a lot of revisions. That's what this whole blog was about when I started. How we went from being a "Christian" family (who looked just like any family in the world) of 2 working parents and some drop-'em-off-at-daycare kiddos, to a one income, stay at home mom, homeschooling, faith-filled family of four.
Now make that five. *smile*
And if that last one isn't revision enough for you, today we are making a decision that will affect our finances, our family, and the future of our kiddos in a very real way. I'm not being dramatic--if feels that far-reaching to me. Such a small decision, really. But with big consequences. And absolutely requiring faith.
So I picked up my Daily Bible and flipped to May 23. It's a section where the Proverbs are listed in categories such as "quarreling" or "truthfulness" and all the Proverbs on those topics are listed together.
Today's category? In the Bible I have not looked at in months?
"Economic Well-Being: Wealth and Poverty."
God is so amazing.
...you get a lot of revisions. That's what this whole blog was about when I started. How we went from being a "Christian" family (who looked just like any family in the world) of 2 working parents and some drop-'em-off-at-daycare kiddos, to a one income, stay at home mom, homeschooling, faith-filled family of four.
Now make that five. *smile*
And if that last one isn't revision enough for you, today we are making a decision that will affect our finances, our family, and the future of our kiddos in a very real way. I'm not being dramatic--if feels that far-reaching to me. Such a small decision, really. But with big consequences. And absolutely requiring faith.
So I picked up my Daily Bible and flipped to May 23. It's a section where the Proverbs are listed in categories such as "quarreling" or "truthfulness" and all the Proverbs on those topics are listed together.
Today's category? In the Bible I have not looked at in months?
"Economic Well-Being: Wealth and Poverty."
God is so amazing.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Thankfulness and Hope
You know, I think I am actually thankful for these last few days. I'm glad I didn't go into labor right about my due date. It's causing me to really lean on the Lord and trust Him. That's always a good thing. I have to admit--it is all in His hands. Not mine.
So I have felt very thankful for the last few days instead of desperate like I was feeling last week. I feel thankful to be home with my girls. Thankful to be able to tie up every loose end in the world. Thankful that I am not on bed rest. Thankful that I am still able to take care of my family and cook supper. Thankful that I feel as good as I do at my age! :) Thankful that baby Bee is healthy and doing well.
I'm also full of hope. Hopeful that this could be the day! Hopeful that our prayers will be answered. Hopeful that everything will work out for good.
I have a list of things to do today. Remember, I have to make one every night so I'll have something to do! I'm going to prioritize today like I might not have all day. Make sure I get the really important things done first in case I am in labor later and can't finish. I've prayed to go into labor on my own before Friday morning and well...I'm going to prepare my fields for rain!!
So I have felt very thankful for the last few days instead of desperate like I was feeling last week. I feel thankful to be home with my girls. Thankful to be able to tie up every loose end in the world. Thankful that I am not on bed rest. Thankful that I am still able to take care of my family and cook supper. Thankful that I feel as good as I do at my age! :) Thankful that baby Bee is healthy and doing well.
I'm also full of hope. Hopeful that this could be the day! Hopeful that our prayers will be answered. Hopeful that everything will work out for good.
I have a list of things to do today. Remember, I have to make one every night so I'll have something to do! I'm going to prioritize today like I might not have all day. Make sure I get the really important things done first in case I am in labor later and can't finish. I've prayed to go into labor on my own before Friday morning and well...I'm going to prepare my fields for rain!!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
A Letter to My Third Daughter
Dear Bee,
I was really, really hoping you'd be here by now. In fact, I spent the end of the week and a lot of this weekend feeling upset and sad and discouraged. What a waste of time. This morning when I woke up and realized I had slept again through another night (well, besides all the getting up) with no labor...I prayed. I prayed for strength. I prayed for the strength I would need to get through this day--either strength for labor, or strength to wait.
Turns out I needed the latter.
But tonight as everyone is sleeping, I feel very, very grateful. We have had a good weekend. Friday night Mama needed to get out of the house really badly. So Daddy took us all bowling. Only there were no lanes so we played glow in the dark putt putt instead and ate ice cream. It was fun.
Today Daddy didn't have to work so we spent the whole day together, just our little family of 4. I know things are about to change (and I'm excited about that!) but it was nice just spending the day together. We went out to eat. We washed the truck together.
And I'm very thankful that I'm probably going to get to spend Mother's Day with my girls. Well, 2 of them anyway! I'm thankful I get to go to church tomorrow. (Although I'm not looking forward to all the comments!) Monday I go back to see the doctor and I expect we'll be seeing you next week. Which is really soon. I can't wait. I'm ready to hold you and feed you and see what you look like. I'm ready to bring you home and love on you.
I've been going crazy around here getting everything ready that I can think of Bee. We are all ready for you to join us. I know God has picked the perfect time for you to arrive and I trust Him.
Love,
Mama
I was really, really hoping you'd be here by now. In fact, I spent the end of the week and a lot of this weekend feeling upset and sad and discouraged. What a waste of time. This morning when I woke up and realized I had slept again through another night (well, besides all the getting up) with no labor...I prayed. I prayed for strength. I prayed for the strength I would need to get through this day--either strength for labor, or strength to wait.
Turns out I needed the latter.
But tonight as everyone is sleeping, I feel very, very grateful. We have had a good weekend. Friday night Mama needed to get out of the house really badly. So Daddy took us all bowling. Only there were no lanes so we played glow in the dark putt putt instead and ate ice cream. It was fun.
Today Daddy didn't have to work so we spent the whole day together, just our little family of 4. I know things are about to change (and I'm excited about that!) but it was nice just spending the day together. We went out to eat. We washed the truck together.
And I'm very thankful that I'm probably going to get to spend Mother's Day with my girls. Well, 2 of them anyway! I'm thankful I get to go to church tomorrow. (Although I'm not looking forward to all the comments!) Monday I go back to see the doctor and I expect we'll be seeing you next week. Which is really soon. I can't wait. I'm ready to hold you and feed you and see what you look like. I'm ready to bring you home and love on you.
I've been going crazy around here getting everything ready that I can think of Bee. We are all ready for you to join us. I know God has picked the perfect time for you to arrive and I trust Him.
Love,
Mama
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Keepers of the Home
Not really sure where I first heard about the Keepers of the Faith clubs, but I'm sure it was from blogs. A good friend was also aware of them, having some real life friends in another state who had participated in them. This last fall we decided to start a club for our (collective) 6 girls.
The boys' club is called "Contenders of the Faith" and the girls' club is called "Keepers at Home." The different thing about these clubs is they are parent-run. There is no national or local organization over you. They are completely autonomous. Very appealing to me! You know we did homeschool Girl Scouts for one year. Shudder. And thought seriously about doing American Heritage Girls. While I was a fan of the IDEA of AHG, we weren't a fan of sending our 4th grader (at the time) off on multiple camping trips away from us. Families, just like in GS, were not invited and I have a problem with that.
We kicked our club off in October. There are SO many badges the girls can earn. And that was Sweetheart's favorite part of GS--earning those badges! The great thing about Keepers is that it is for girls ages 4-18. So everyone can participate together. We decided since our families were going camping anyway, we might as well have the girls earn their camping badges.
We had them meet the requirements (setting up a tent, planning meals, helping pack, unpack, and clean up camp) and they were having so much fun it didn't even seem like work. (the 6th child was only 1 1/2 on this trip so she isn't an "official" club member. But try telling her that!)
From there, the other mom and I just got together periodically and planned badges that the girls could meet requirements for quickly. I'm pregnant and we didn't have a lot of time to plan before we started so we were all about getting them some easy badges this year! We found a few they had already met requirements for (hers, because they participate in a music co-op and ours for pet care) and presented all their earned badges in December at a special ceremony.
We mostly worked on crafty-type badges this year (plastic canvas, rubber stamping, etc.) but there are SO MANY other kinds of badges I want to explore next year. There are personal goal badges like organization, Bible study badges, skills (first aid, etc.)...all kinds of things!
We ordered the sashes this year and presented them with their year end badges last week at a restaurant. It was really neat to have the Dads there to pray over them and affirm how hard they have worked on learning skills that will help them as wives and mothers.
I'm excited about next year with this club. We will most likely have some new members. We will definitely be better planned. We did a good job this year, but we learned a lot along the way. These clubs have so much potential and you can just take them in any direction you want to--focusing on what is most needed for your children and family.
Here is the website if you are interested!
The boys' club is called "Contenders of the Faith" and the girls' club is called "Keepers at Home." The different thing about these clubs is they are parent-run. There is no national or local organization over you. They are completely autonomous. Very appealing to me! You know we did homeschool Girl Scouts for one year. Shudder. And thought seriously about doing American Heritage Girls. While I was a fan of the IDEA of AHG, we weren't a fan of sending our 4th grader (at the time) off on multiple camping trips away from us. Families, just like in GS, were not invited and I have a problem with that.
We kicked our club off in October. There are SO many badges the girls can earn. And that was Sweetheart's favorite part of GS--earning those badges! The great thing about Keepers is that it is for girls ages 4-18. So everyone can participate together. We decided since our families were going camping anyway, we might as well have the girls earn their camping badges.
From there, the other mom and I just got together periodically and planned badges that the girls could meet requirements for quickly. I'm pregnant and we didn't have a lot of time to plan before we started so we were all about getting them some easy badges this year! We found a few they had already met requirements for (hers, because they participate in a music co-op and ours for pet care) and presented all their earned badges in December at a special ceremony.
We mostly worked on crafty-type badges this year (plastic canvas, rubber stamping, etc.) but there are SO MANY other kinds of badges I want to explore next year. There are personal goal badges like organization, Bible study badges, skills (first aid, etc.)...all kinds of things!
We ordered the sashes this year and presented them with their year end badges last week at a restaurant. It was really neat to have the Dads there to pray over them and affirm how hard they have worked on learning skills that will help them as wives and mothers.
Here is the website if you are interested!
Monday, April 9, 2012
I Want to Be an Encouragement...
...but I'm not feeling it.
The end of this pregnancy (and I suppose the end of any pregnancy) is hard. Oh I am not complaining--I feel very, very blessed to be pregnant and am excited about our new addition. But the third trimester, no matter how much you have longed for it, is not a day at the circus, you know?
I wish people could click over here and be all inspired in their walk with the Lord, to be better homemakers and mothers, to be excellent at homeschooling...
I'd like to be that person that encourages other women in their roles. But right now? I feel like the worst example in history. I need to read my Bible more. I feel kind of discouraged. My emotions are...well, hormonal, which makes me crabby and short-tempered and not feeling like a super Christian AT ALL. I don't always act on how I feel, but oh boy, inside I'm feeling it.
I'm tired. Insomnia has come back to visit and I'm sick sick sick of waking up in the middle of the night. Our house is too small for me to get up and do anything productive either without waking everyone up. Even the sound of this keyboard at 5:30am sounds like a thousand cattle stampeding through the house.
I feel behind on everything. I cannot tell you the last time my kitchen was all the way clean. I hate even walking in there because dirty dishes are always there to greet me. No matter how many paper plates I buy. There is always laundry, of course, and there are always messes. This is normal, real life but it feels overwhelming to this mama who just wants everything in order.
School is actually not going too badly. I mean, besides the subjects that we have just dropped for the remainder of the year, we are keeping up. That ambitious plan I made a few weeks ago is working out. We are all ready to be finished, of course. Don't know exactly when that will be and that's a bummer to not know.
I don't feel very encouraged that baby will come early. Goodness knows my other ones have not been early. But then, my other ones did not cause me to get up in the night during my 3rd trimester to puke. (I didn't. Whew! I HATE puking.) So maybe this one will be different and come a tad bit early? It would be fine with this mama. The sweet little baby movements that I have longed to feel again for so many years HURT now. Goodness. Someone remind me of that in a few years.
(Baby has hiccups. :) That part I like.)
Some good news: We have a name! And no, I'm not sharing it yet. Husband and I have our own little secret. We have not even shared this one with the girls. (It's not one of the 3 we were considering.) Now if she's just a girl like we are planning on, we'll be OK. Also, I have a baby shower at church this week. Baby showers are fun and help you get ready for baby. Then later this week, I'll be going to the Just Between Friends sale. This is a really big consignment sale nearby with tons of baby stuff. Whatever I still need after the shower, hopefully I can pick up there.
We had a really fun and busy weekend, which I'll share pics of later. And today some sweet friends are taking the girls for a fun day so this mama can rest and get things done. Which are the opposite of each other but I'll figure out how that works later.
Anyway, here's hoping that in a few weeks or months or sometime in the future, you can come here again for encouragement. Wouldn't that be something?
The end of this pregnancy (and I suppose the end of any pregnancy) is hard. Oh I am not complaining--I feel very, very blessed to be pregnant and am excited about our new addition. But the third trimester, no matter how much you have longed for it, is not a day at the circus, you know?
I wish people could click over here and be all inspired in their walk with the Lord, to be better homemakers and mothers, to be excellent at homeschooling...
I'd like to be that person that encourages other women in their roles. But right now? I feel like the worst example in history. I need to read my Bible more. I feel kind of discouraged. My emotions are...well, hormonal, which makes me crabby and short-tempered and not feeling like a super Christian AT ALL. I don't always act on how I feel, but oh boy, inside I'm feeling it.
I'm tired. Insomnia has come back to visit and I'm sick sick sick of waking up in the middle of the night. Our house is too small for me to get up and do anything productive either without waking everyone up. Even the sound of this keyboard at 5:30am sounds like a thousand cattle stampeding through the house.
I feel behind on everything. I cannot tell you the last time my kitchen was all the way clean. I hate even walking in there because dirty dishes are always there to greet me. No matter how many paper plates I buy. There is always laundry, of course, and there are always messes. This is normal, real life but it feels overwhelming to this mama who just wants everything in order.
School is actually not going too badly. I mean, besides the subjects that we have just dropped for the remainder of the year, we are keeping up. That ambitious plan I made a few weeks ago is working out. We are all ready to be finished, of course. Don't know exactly when that will be and that's a bummer to not know.
I don't feel very encouraged that baby will come early. Goodness knows my other ones have not been early. But then, my other ones did not cause me to get up in the night during my 3rd trimester to puke. (I didn't. Whew! I HATE puking.) So maybe this one will be different and come a tad bit early? It would be fine with this mama. The sweet little baby movements that I have longed to feel again for so many years HURT now. Goodness. Someone remind me of that in a few years.
(Baby has hiccups. :) That part I like.)
Some good news: We have a name! And no, I'm not sharing it yet. Husband and I have our own little secret. We have not even shared this one with the girls. (It's not one of the 3 we were considering.) Now if she's just a girl like we are planning on, we'll be OK. Also, I have a baby shower at church this week. Baby showers are fun and help you get ready for baby. Then later this week, I'll be going to the Just Between Friends sale. This is a really big consignment sale nearby with tons of baby stuff. Whatever I still need after the shower, hopefully I can pick up there.
We had a really fun and busy weekend, which I'll share pics of later. And today some sweet friends are taking the girls for a fun day so this mama can rest and get things done. Which are the opposite of each other but I'll figure out how that works later.
Anyway, here's hoping that in a few weeks or months or sometime in the future, you can come here again for encouragement. Wouldn't that be something?
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Today I am Praying
*for my husband's health. For an end to the diabetes. For us to deal with it better in the meantime. For his energy levels. For him to feel better.
*for his job situation. He has been blessed with a great job, but he also works another job after hours. Just ONE job sure would be nice--more time with family, more time to study God's Word, etc. What can we do to make that happen? What can we wait for God to do?
*lastly, for me. Six more weeks. I'm not going to lie, I'm dragging. Everyday things are exhausting. Still, I'm thankful for good health (mine and baby's). Getting a little nervous about the end though.
*what are you praying about today?
*for his job situation. He has been blessed with a great job, but he also works another job after hours. Just ONE job sure would be nice--more time with family, more time to study God's Word, etc. What can we do to make that happen? What can we wait for God to do?
*lastly, for me. Six more weeks. I'm not going to lie, I'm dragging. Everyday things are exhausting. Still, I'm thankful for good health (mine and baby's). Getting a little nervous about the end though.
*what are you praying about today?
Friday, March 23, 2012
The Goodness of God
He never ceases to amaze me. I get a little stressed out every season thinking about Sweetheart's clothes. She is just growing so quickly. She's the biggest and oldest girl in our family so there are no hand-me-downs waiting for her. This year when we pulled out the tubs of spring and summer clothes we had stored away, Sweetheart had about 4 things that fit her. Four.
Still, every year we recieve hand-me-downs. I mean it. Every single year. I really and truly thought that at some point they would dry up. I mean, she's 12! Now the Lord provides in other ways too. My husband works so hard and we had money to go buy her some clothes this spring. Here is an outfit we found at Goodwill for $6. Not everything was gotten so cheap, but I'm always glad for cheap!
I got some ribbon from Hobby Lobby to make a belt and she was good to go. The skirt is from Justice. That may not matter to you or me, but it matters to a 12 year old. She's shopped at Justice exactly once--on her birthday last year. And yet she's had a lot of Justice clothes in her closet--all found at Goodwill or consignment sales.
I get that. I really do. I remember when we were in junior high, and "designer jeans" were all the rage, sister and I had exactly ONE pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans to share. (They were given to us.) It was traumatic to have to wear other pants to school. Seriously. I only got teased once or twice that I can remember, but it was rough not feeling confident about what I was wearing.
Do "designer labels" matter? Well, they shouldn't I suppose...but if it makes my 12 year old feel happy about her clothes, then I'm fine with it. It's an age thing. When you're older you don't care where your clothes come from. And honestly, she doesn't turn her nose up at anything. I could outfit her completely from Wal-Mart and as long as she liked the clothes, she would wear them. Ah, homeschool.
I only bring up the "designer labels" to make a point. We have more of a Wal-Mart budget, but my daughter has designer clothes in her closet. Why? Only the goodness of God.
What, Brenda? Are you saying that God cares about labels? No. Just that He loves us so much, He not only supplies hand-me-downs for our daughter, but GOOD ones. And from the craziest sources.
Yesterday we recieved 2 small bags of clothes---5 shirts, 5 bottoms, and a jacket--from a mom of a 10 year old boy. Pretty much the last person I would consider a viable hand-me-down source, you know? Seems their neighbor had sent her son home with all sorts of "treasures" from their garage, including 2 bags of girls clothes. The mom looked at the clothes, thought about Sweetheart, and brought them to us. They are GOOD brand names. Brand names we would not otherwise own. They are clothes that will LAST. (And her size, exactly.)
Along with what we were able to buy for her last week...I'd say she's pretty set for this summer. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:28-34
Still, every year we recieve hand-me-downs. I mean it. Every single year. I really and truly thought that at some point they would dry up. I mean, she's 12! Now the Lord provides in other ways too. My husband works so hard and we had money to go buy her some clothes this spring. Here is an outfit we found at Goodwill for $6. Not everything was gotten so cheap, but I'm always glad for cheap!
I get that. I really do. I remember when we were in junior high, and "designer jeans" were all the rage, sister and I had exactly ONE pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans to share. (They were given to us.) It was traumatic to have to wear other pants to school. Seriously. I only got teased once or twice that I can remember, but it was rough not feeling confident about what I was wearing.
Do "designer labels" matter? Well, they shouldn't I suppose...but if it makes my 12 year old feel happy about her clothes, then I'm fine with it. It's an age thing. When you're older you don't care where your clothes come from. And honestly, she doesn't turn her nose up at anything. I could outfit her completely from Wal-Mart and as long as she liked the clothes, she would wear them. Ah, homeschool.
I only bring up the "designer labels" to make a point. We have more of a Wal-Mart budget, but my daughter has designer clothes in her closet. Why? Only the goodness of God.
What, Brenda? Are you saying that God cares about labels? No. Just that He loves us so much, He not only supplies hand-me-downs for our daughter, but GOOD ones. And from the craziest sources.
Yesterday we recieved 2 small bags of clothes---5 shirts, 5 bottoms, and a jacket--from a mom of a 10 year old boy. Pretty much the last person I would consider a viable hand-me-down source, you know? Seems their neighbor had sent her son home with all sorts of "treasures" from their garage, including 2 bags of girls clothes. The mom looked at the clothes, thought about Sweetheart, and brought them to us. They are GOOD brand names. Brand names we would not otherwise own. They are clothes that will LAST. (And her size, exactly.)
Along with what we were able to buy for her last week...I'd say she's pretty set for this summer. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:28-34
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
A New Day
I am so glad to start fresh today. Yesterday was an emotional adolescent day at our house. It's truly the first time I can say we had an "adolescent problem" at our house.
Does anyone have a fit-throwing needs-to-be-potty-trained toddler I can swap you for?
Just kidding. I love my girls so much but this growing up thing is all new territory for me and I feel totally unprepared!
And wait!! In about 2 years I can have both the adolescent and toddler at the same time!! (Which, as I understand it, are quite similar things.)
So as I came into the picked-up living room this morning and saw the sunlight streaming into my yellow kitchen...and thought about the day ahead...I was so thankful for this verse:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
I don't know about you, but I need new compassion every morning.
And so do my children.
Does anyone have a fit-throwing needs-to-be-potty-trained toddler I can swap you for?
Just kidding. I love my girls so much but this growing up thing is all new territory for me and I feel totally unprepared!
And wait!! In about 2 years I can have both the adolescent and toddler at the same time!! (Which, as I understand it, are quite similar things.)
So as I came into the picked-up living room this morning and saw the sunlight streaming into my yellow kitchen...and thought about the day ahead...I was so thankful for this verse:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
I don't know about you, but I need new compassion every morning.
And so do my children.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
We Had An Adventure
But you'll have to wait to hear about it because the pictures are on husband's phone. It was a good weekend and this morning it was in the 60s when we woke up. HEAVENLY!
Now we are back to a normal week (in which I will not know what day it is all week because Monday will mess me up all week long) and need to get back in the swing of things. We have this week and next week and then a week off! Yay!
We add 2 more things to our schedule this week: physics and piano lessons. We are officially doing all parts of school now.
The Texas wildfires have been crazy this weekend and found out last night about several friends who almost had to evacuate and a friend's parents who did have to. We sat here last night and realized we are totally unprepared to evacuate quickly. With hurricanes, you have days to know that a hurricane is headed your way. With fires? Not so much. I realized last night I know where things are--but many things are not easily grab-able or in the same place. Need to fix that. Also thought through what we would take--one list for "just get out and take what you can" and a longer list for "you have a few hours but be ready."
All of this drought and these fires have made me really think about how we are NOT in control. We cannot make it rain when it's needed and we cannot make it stop when we are flooding. We can fight fires, but honestly if that fire wants to burn, it's going to burn. We are totally dependent on the Lord and I think we very much forget that in America.
In case you don't live around these parts, take a look at this fire map and then pray. (By the way, our family is in no danger---we were just thinking about it.)
Now we are back to a normal week (in which I will not know what day it is all week because Monday will mess me up all week long) and need to get back in the swing of things. We have this week and next week and then a week off! Yay!
We add 2 more things to our schedule this week: physics and piano lessons. We are officially doing all parts of school now.
The Texas wildfires have been crazy this weekend and found out last night about several friends who almost had to evacuate and a friend's parents who did have to. We sat here last night and realized we are totally unprepared to evacuate quickly. With hurricanes, you have days to know that a hurricane is headed your way. With fires? Not so much. I realized last night I know where things are--but many things are not easily grab-able or in the same place. Need to fix that. Also thought through what we would take--one list for "just get out and take what you can" and a longer list for "you have a few hours but be ready."
All of this drought and these fires have made me really think about how we are NOT in control. We cannot make it rain when it's needed and we cannot make it stop when we are flooding. We can fight fires, but honestly if that fire wants to burn, it's going to burn. We are totally dependent on the Lord and I think we very much forget that in America.
In case you don't live around these parts, take a look at this fire map and then pray. (By the way, our family is in no danger---we were just thinking about it.)
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Hardest Part
Housework? Challenging, but do-able.
Homeschooling? Work, but fun.
Laundry? Never ending, but mindless.
Cooking? Boring, but necessary.
Training my children? Getting harder every year. Give me toddler fits any day. Toddler fits I know how to handle. Give me potty training again. I was prepared for that.
Guiding my children spiritually? Overwhelming. Hard. Worrisome.
I see how other children have turned out around me. And there are so many pitfalls. And there are so few people around to help. There is so much to avoid and guard against and prepare them for.
Absolutely overwhelming.
So I will do the only things I know to do: pray, study my Bible, and obey.
Homeschooling? Work, but fun.
Laundry? Never ending, but mindless.
Cooking? Boring, but necessary.
Training my children? Getting harder every year. Give me toddler fits any day. Toddler fits I know how to handle. Give me potty training again. I was prepared for that.
Guiding my children spiritually? Overwhelming. Hard. Worrisome.
I see how other children have turned out around me. And there are so many pitfalls. And there are so few people around to help. There is so much to avoid and guard against and prepare them for.
Absolutely overwhelming.
So I will do the only things I know to do: pray, study my Bible, and obey.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
When the Questions Get Tougher (And Why I Am Thankful for My Husband)
I'll be really honest with you: I was sort of disappointed in my husband's reaction to fatherhood. I remember when he would walk in the door after work, look across the room at me and the baby, ask how she was, and then UNFEELINGLY go set his stuff down and change clothes. Then he would walk through the house to do something else. How dare he! :) (Post-birth hormones anyone?)
Confused? What I wanted...and expected sort of, was a husband who would walk in the door, throw his stuff down and come right over to the baby and want to hold her. I had been holding and admiring her for hours in complete awe and I wanted him to feel the same way. I wanted him to smile and coo and fawn over the baby just like I did. Don't get me wrong, I know he loved our babies, but I was kind of wanting him to act like..well, a woman!
A few months later, a friend who is a little older told me her husband was the same way when their girls were younger. But now, she told me, he is super dad. Now that the girls are older he is SO good with them. Hmm. That brought me some hope. And I have watched it play out here in our home.
I don't mean to imply that he used to be a "bad" dad and now he is a "good" dad...not at all. Just that as they have grown, it has all changed so much. Immediately after they were not nursing and were potty trained he was already more comfortable being alone with them. As they grew and could walk and talk and communicate needs better, he didn't mind taking them places by himself. And I can already tell you that the closer they get to "teenager", the more comfortable parent will be him. I was the one with all the ease of parenting during infancy and preschool years. He will be the one when they are older.
I'm so thankful for him now and just shake my head at myself for ever wondering about him as a dad. (ha!) He is so good with them and just handles problems that I am completely befuddled by with no problem.
One example of this is our girls' spiritual development. I am all about the singing "Jesus Loves Me" and the flannel board stories and the Bible crafts and everything "little kid" about Bible learning. But last night when our daughter was asking question in the car? I was very thankful for my husband. I feel very out of my league. Sweetheart has been peppering Daddy with questions about the Trinity, other religions, you name it. ACK! WOULDN'T ANYONE LIKE TO SING ZACCHAEUS WAS A WEE LITTLE MAN??
Needless to say, the Lord knew what he was doing when he paired S and I together as parents. Our girls have had a strong start (I'd like to think) in their younger years, and they will have a strong finish (finishing their childhood, that is) with their Dad in charge. I am very thankful for him.
And I've been studying and trying to keep on my toes too! After all, I can't say "ask your dad when he gets home" TOO many times in the day. I am the homeschool teacher!
And this is one reason why I have been praying for S to be able to be home more. He works so hard for our family, but if he could work one job instead of 2, that would give him a lot more time in the evenings to teach our girls about God's Word. Praying!!
Confused? What I wanted...and expected sort of, was a husband who would walk in the door, throw his stuff down and come right over to the baby and want to hold her. I had been holding and admiring her for hours in complete awe and I wanted him to feel the same way. I wanted him to smile and coo and fawn over the baby just like I did. Don't get me wrong, I know he loved our babies, but I was kind of wanting him to act like..well, a woman!
A few months later, a friend who is a little older told me her husband was the same way when their girls were younger. But now, she told me, he is super dad. Now that the girls are older he is SO good with them. Hmm. That brought me some hope. And I have watched it play out here in our home.
I don't mean to imply that he used to be a "bad" dad and now he is a "good" dad...not at all. Just that as they have grown, it has all changed so much. Immediately after they were not nursing and were potty trained he was already more comfortable being alone with them. As they grew and could walk and talk and communicate needs better, he didn't mind taking them places by himself. And I can already tell you that the closer they get to "teenager", the more comfortable parent will be him. I was the one with all the ease of parenting during infancy and preschool years. He will be the one when they are older.
I'm so thankful for him now and just shake my head at myself for ever wondering about him as a dad. (ha!) He is so good with them and just handles problems that I am completely befuddled by with no problem.
One example of this is our girls' spiritual development. I am all about the singing "Jesus Loves Me" and the flannel board stories and the Bible crafts and everything "little kid" about Bible learning. But last night when our daughter was asking question in the car? I was very thankful for my husband. I feel very out of my league. Sweetheart has been peppering Daddy with questions about the Trinity, other religions, you name it. ACK! WOULDN'T ANYONE LIKE TO SING ZACCHAEUS WAS A WEE LITTLE MAN??
Needless to say, the Lord knew what he was doing when he paired S and I together as parents. Our girls have had a strong start (I'd like to think) in their younger years, and they will have a strong finish (finishing their childhood, that is) with their Dad in charge. I am very thankful for him.
And I've been studying and trying to keep on my toes too! After all, I can't say "ask your dad when he gets home" TOO many times in the day. I am the homeschool teacher!
And this is one reason why I have been praying for S to be able to be home more. He works so hard for our family, but if he could work one job instead of 2, that would give him a lot more time in the evenings to teach our girls about God's Word. Praying!!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Fitting It In
Sunday morning the sermon at our church was about how we need to study God's word more. Well, it was really about more than just that--but that was a big part of it. We started off looking at Hosea 4:1-6. Verse 6 says:
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
There was more to the sermon, to be sure. But afterward, S and I talked about how we DO need to read...not just read but study...our Bible more.
Let's get practical and think about how that can actually happen. Of course it's easy to say...but do? Much harder.
How can I sit here and say that it is "hard" to read my Bible more? Look at this story. Now come back here and tell me how it is hard for me?
And another verse we read during the sermon Sunday: 1 Peter 5:8-9.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
The devil is walking around like a lion, seeking whom he may devour? Makes me even more determined.
This morning I grabbed my phone and we read Proverbs 15 at breakfast. I don't know how much of it got into their heads or hearts, but we read it. Sweetheart read her assigned reading during school. I read Little Bit's assigned reading out of a Bible storybook. We worked on memorizing scripture. There will be more study tonight.
How can we say we are too busy? Have I been busy today? Yes. We must cook and clean and teach and run errands and do laundry. There are many things to be done during each day. But there is time. There is time to read and study God's word. There is time to get it into our lives.
Folks, we have it so easy here in America right now. Not perfect...but easy. How do you know what kind of world your children will live in when they are adults? How much more will they need to have God's word in their hearts?
Someone is seeking to devour us. And God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Not sinners. Not people "of the world." GOD'S PEOPLE are destroyed because they do not know.
A daily devotional calendar is not enough.
An e-mail devotional is not enough.
An encouraging blog post is not enough.
Listening to Christian music is not enough.
That Little Golden book about Jonah is not enough.
Reading your Bible is not enough!!!!
We must study it. And know it.
How can we do it? How can we fit it in?
1. You have multiple Bibles? Store them around the house. Make it easy to grab one while you are at the dining room table and read it to your family.
2. Make it a part of the school day. No if, ands, or buts.
3. You don't often let your kids skip brushing their teeth? Then set Bible reading as part of the daily routine and do not skip it.
4. Use audio Bibles.
5. Keep one in the car. Read while you are in line for something.
6. Download an app on your phone.
7. Take it to church. Look up the scripture during the sermon instead of relying on the verses on the screen. Trust me, it's not the same.
What else am I forgetting? How can we fit it in?
Because it IS that important.
Monday, June 27, 2011
On Getting Rid of Stuff
Last night as we were driving home from church, we noticed a lot of smoke towards our neighborhood. There had been a large fire in our city earlier, but this smoke was in a different direction. As we approached our street, it became obvious that it was terribly near our house and yes...my heart did skip a beat as I realized I had left the dryer on when we left for church.
Cars and people lined our street and it took us a while to get to our driveway. My parents live next to a field and the field was full of neighbors and strangers all watching the fire. It was, thankfully, on the street behind ours. It was a house fire and we stood alongside everyone else watching the firemen and the smoke and the huge flames shooting out of the house for quite some time.
This morning I got the girls up early (I've been needing to get them up earlier so they will go to sleep easier at night and I knew this would do the trick) to go on a walk and see the house. It was really something to see. Just about every single thing those folks owned is gone. Just like that.
I thought too about the Crawfords and all of their neighbors who lost everything in the tornadoes several weeks ago. I went to sleep thankful. Not for our home and stuff--although I was very thankful to be laying in bed in our home instead of in a hotel room or a friend's house--but thankful for the only thing that really matters to me. My family.
I was thinking about how the girls would process the fire they witnessed. The house down the block from us burned when I was 8. I saw it at night. I was scared for months that our house would catch fire. I know the girls would be concerned about their favorite toys. Any time we talk about a family who has lost their home that's what they are concerned about--their dolls. Their dollhouse. Their favorite things.
I was the same way when I was younger. I remember a hurricane headed of our home when I was around 9. I remember my dad telling me to go pack in case we had to leave for my grandmother's house. I remember sitting outside my closet door crying because I couldn't fit all my dolls and stuffed animals into my bags. Which ones would I leave? These are the things a child worries about.
I was happy to realize last night that I wouldn't worry about things today. Sure, it would be sad to lose pictures. It would be painful to watch my children miss their things. It would be a big, huge headache. But they are just things. I was never so glad we spent only $20 on that garage sale couch. Because that couch can so easily be replaced.
And then I read an article about letting go of things. About travelling lite. About not carrying our burdens and bags around with us. Yes, the article was speaking of spiritual things, but we all know that physical things can drag us down just as much.
I had read "The Biggest House in the World" to the girls this weekend. (Part of our summer reading list) The little snail learns, through a story his father tells him, that having the biggest, best shell will only be a burden and he cannot move and see the world if he has that heavy load on his back.
And I thought about how S and I have worked so hard to be out of debt so that if the Lord should call us to go somewhere---we could.
All of that combined is making for a very good day of cleaning out the homeschool room. With much use being made of the trash can, and the giveaway pile.
Cars and people lined our street and it took us a while to get to our driveway. My parents live next to a field and the field was full of neighbors and strangers all watching the fire. It was, thankfully, on the street behind ours. It was a house fire and we stood alongside everyone else watching the firemen and the smoke and the huge flames shooting out of the house for quite some time.
This morning I got the girls up early (I've been needing to get them up earlier so they will go to sleep easier at night and I knew this would do the trick) to go on a walk and see the house. It was really something to see. Just about every single thing those folks owned is gone. Just like that.
I thought too about the Crawfords and all of their neighbors who lost everything in the tornadoes several weeks ago. I went to sleep thankful. Not for our home and stuff--although I was very thankful to be laying in bed in our home instead of in a hotel room or a friend's house--but thankful for the only thing that really matters to me. My family.
I was thinking about how the girls would process the fire they witnessed. The house down the block from us burned when I was 8. I saw it at night. I was scared for months that our house would catch fire. I know the girls would be concerned about their favorite toys. Any time we talk about a family who has lost their home that's what they are concerned about--their dolls. Their dollhouse. Their favorite things.
I was the same way when I was younger. I remember a hurricane headed of our home when I was around 9. I remember my dad telling me to go pack in case we had to leave for my grandmother's house. I remember sitting outside my closet door crying because I couldn't fit all my dolls and stuffed animals into my bags. Which ones would I leave? These are the things a child worries about.
I was happy to realize last night that I wouldn't worry about things today. Sure, it would be sad to lose pictures. It would be painful to watch my children miss their things. It would be a big, huge headache. But they are just things. I was never so glad we spent only $20 on that garage sale couch. Because that couch can so easily be replaced.
And then I read an article about letting go of things. About travelling lite. About not carrying our burdens and bags around with us. Yes, the article was speaking of spiritual things, but we all know that physical things can drag us down just as much.
I had read "The Biggest House in the World" to the girls this weekend. (Part of our summer reading list) The little snail learns, through a story his father tells him, that having the biggest, best shell will only be a burden and he cannot move and see the world if he has that heavy load on his back.
And I thought about how S and I have worked so hard to be out of debt so that if the Lord should call us to go somewhere---we could.
All of that combined is making for a very good day of cleaning out the homeschool room. With much use being made of the trash can, and the giveaway pile.
 |
| Stuff headed out of here... |
Monday, June 13, 2011
Applying the Standard
You guys have made me kind of nervous. I thought I would get a lot of feedback (positive or negative I wasn't sure) on these movie/TV posts, but you have been eerily silent. So, I shall continue.
If we all agree that Christians should concern themselves with what is set before their eyes (and the eyes of their children), then we have to figure out how to go about that. It may seem like a very simple thing to do, but I imagine if you were a new Christian, and had previously watched whatever you wanted, this would seem a daunting change to make.
First, some practical things. There are several places where you can go to get good reviews of movies from a Christian perspective. My go-to site is www.pluggedin.com and I look up anything I can there. They even have reviews of video games. Julia also shared a few in the comments section of another post: www.americanvision.org/movieology and www.movieguide.org . Does anyone know of other sites that give reviews?
I have learned my lesson about reviews. We picked out a Mary Kate and Ashley movie from Netflix for the girls to watch called Billboard Dad. It looked cute....it's MK and A for goodness sake....it'll be fine. It was old and Plugged In didn't have a review on it so I read the Netflix reviews people left. AND IT WAS RATED G. So I thought all was well. In one scene, the dad is getting ready to go on a date and the twins ask him, "Dad, do we need to give you the safe sex talk?" Needless to say, this Mama almost choked on her lunch. I will be more careful or pre-screen from now on.
So you might think the answer might be to just watch educational things with your children. Documentaries will save the day, right? Um, I have a sinking feeling that is not true either.
I will say I have found older movies to be better. I'm talking about Shirley Temple old. Roy Rogers old. OLD. Morals were higher back then for the most part I suppose. I would still look into it, but you are probably safer with older movies than more modern ones and some of them are so charming.
Of course ask friends if they have seen a particular movie. Christian friends whom you trust. After all, we don't all have time to sit around pre-screening things for our children. We can help each other out.
The last thing I want to say is this. You will be hard pressed to find a movie or show with no "sinful things" in them. In movies there are bad guys and bad guys do bad things. I think the difference is, does the person doing the bad things get away with it? Or are there repercussions from their actions? For example, if a movie showed someone robbing and lying--I would want them to be caught and punished. Old westerns are great about this. In some movies, the characters act perfectly horrible and life just goes on. We cannot have a flippant attitude about sin. I wasn't allowed to watch The Love Boat growing up. Later my mom told me it was because people slept together who were not married to each other. Mind you when I was growing up, married people on TV shows did share a bed and it was even implied that they were going to....um, really share the bed. But if they were married characters then my parents were fine with that. (I'm talking about prime time TV here-nothing graphic-like Hart to Hart. Oh my word I'm showing my age.)
There are a lot of lessons to be learned from seeing bad guys do bad things on TV. My mom was always really good about making comments like, "Oh that horrible man! He just lied right to her face. That was wrong!" I also think discussing movies and shows afterward is important.
Am I saying it's OK to watch people engaged in all sorts of sinful behavior in movies? No..I'm not saying that. Obviously sexual sins are a bit much. But watching a bad guy who stole something get caught and go to jail? That I can handle. That we can discuss. There is good and bad in the world and I would rather my children learn about alcoholism from an episode of Little House on the Prairie than from real life experience. Especially with time to discuss it afterward.
I would like to wrap up with some thoughts from Erin and her husband. She left a comment on my last post that I thought just beautifully wrapped up this whole topic. I'd like to share part of it here:
"...it came up in our family devotion time, not by me, but by my husband! The point of discussion during family devotions was that it's not necessarily about setting "rules", but more of drawing close to God and seeing His beauty and preciousness so much that this other filth becomes just that in our eyes - filth. Guidelines (rules) and parameters/restrictions are beneficial and helpful, but as Christians, our goal not to be just "moral" people, checking off our "what we do right" list, but instead being transformed by our intimacy with the Holy Spirit so that our hearts no longer desire or are attracted to sin.
Amen! I couldn't have said it any better! So...some practical ways to have guidelines...and a reminder that it's really about loving the Lord.
NOW. I'm done. Any other thoughts?
If we all agree that Christians should concern themselves with what is set before their eyes (and the eyes of their children), then we have to figure out how to go about that. It may seem like a very simple thing to do, but I imagine if you were a new Christian, and had previously watched whatever you wanted, this would seem a daunting change to make.
First, some practical things. There are several places where you can go to get good reviews of movies from a Christian perspective. My go-to site is www.pluggedin.com and I look up anything I can there. They even have reviews of video games. Julia also shared a few in the comments section of another post: www.americanvision.org/movieology and www.movieguide.org . Does anyone know of other sites that give reviews?
I have learned my lesson about reviews. We picked out a Mary Kate and Ashley movie from Netflix for the girls to watch called Billboard Dad. It looked cute....it's MK and A for goodness sake....it'll be fine. It was old and Plugged In didn't have a review on it so I read the Netflix reviews people left. AND IT WAS RATED G. So I thought all was well. In one scene, the dad is getting ready to go on a date and the twins ask him, "Dad, do we need to give you the safe sex talk?" Needless to say, this Mama almost choked on her lunch. I will be more careful or pre-screen from now on.
So you might think the answer might be to just watch educational things with your children. Documentaries will save the day, right? Um, I have a sinking feeling that is not true either.
I will say I have found older movies to be better. I'm talking about Shirley Temple old. Roy Rogers old. OLD. Morals were higher back then for the most part I suppose. I would still look into it, but you are probably safer with older movies than more modern ones and some of them are so charming.
Of course ask friends if they have seen a particular movie. Christian friends whom you trust. After all, we don't all have time to sit around pre-screening things for our children. We can help each other out.
The last thing I want to say is this. You will be hard pressed to find a movie or show with no "sinful things" in them. In movies there are bad guys and bad guys do bad things. I think the difference is, does the person doing the bad things get away with it? Or are there repercussions from their actions? For example, if a movie showed someone robbing and lying--I would want them to be caught and punished. Old westerns are great about this. In some movies, the characters act perfectly horrible and life just goes on. We cannot have a flippant attitude about sin. I wasn't allowed to watch The Love Boat growing up. Later my mom told me it was because people slept together who were not married to each other. Mind you when I was growing up, married people on TV shows did share a bed and it was even implied that they were going to....um, really share the bed. But if they were married characters then my parents were fine with that. (I'm talking about prime time TV here-nothing graphic-like Hart to Hart. Oh my word I'm showing my age.)
There are a lot of lessons to be learned from seeing bad guys do bad things on TV. My mom was always really good about making comments like, "Oh that horrible man! He just lied right to her face. That was wrong!" I also think discussing movies and shows afterward is important.
Am I saying it's OK to watch people engaged in all sorts of sinful behavior in movies? No..I'm not saying that. Obviously sexual sins are a bit much. But watching a bad guy who stole something get caught and go to jail? That I can handle. That we can discuss. There is good and bad in the world and I would rather my children learn about alcoholism from an episode of Little House on the Prairie than from real life experience. Especially with time to discuss it afterward.
I would like to wrap up with some thoughts from Erin and her husband. She left a comment on my last post that I thought just beautifully wrapped up this whole topic. I'd like to share part of it here:
"...it came up in our family devotion time, not by me, but by my husband! The point of discussion during family devotions was that it's not necessarily about setting "rules", but more of drawing close to God and seeing His beauty and preciousness so much that this other filth becomes just that in our eyes - filth. Guidelines (rules) and parameters/restrictions are beneficial and helpful, but as Christians, our goal not to be just "moral" people, checking off our "what we do right" list, but instead being transformed by our intimacy with the Holy Spirit so that our hearts no longer desire or are attracted to sin.
Amen! I couldn't have said it any better! So...some practical ways to have guidelines...and a reminder that it's really about loving the Lord.
NOW. I'm done. Any other thoughts?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Standard Is High
In my last post, I talked about how I realized that our standard for what we watch and read should be very high. The Bible is very clear about the Christian's relationship to sin....we should have no part of it.
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
We are not the same as we once were. We have been washed, sanctified, and justified...we cannot continue to walk as we once did.
Now let me take a moment to step aside and add something to my discussion on conviction. If God's Word is unchanging, then how are there possibly Christians who do NOT feel convicted to ________ or to not _____________? I do not think there are as many choices as we think there are. It cannot all be "I'm OK, You're OK." If a Christian is content to watch movies or TV full of sin and all the things we are supposed to not have anything to do with, then I think there is a problem!
The folks who raved about the awful movie on Facebook are young Christians at best. Perhaps they do not know? Perhaps they have not read and understood God's Word? Maybe they need to be taught. I certainly know that I was a young Christian once who watched things I should not have. I remember all too well. I am not trying to stand on a soapbox and look down my nose at others who are not doing as good as I am. (please read that with all the sarcasm you can muster) That is not what I am trying to say. I realize that convictions come at different times in people's lives.
What I am saying is that many American Christians have lowered their standards as far as the entertainment world goes. The entertainment world has lowered its standards after all, and I'm afraid that many of us have bent a little too far.
But I'm not participating in these sinful behaviors....I'm just watching fictional characters do it.
It's a movie. It's not real life.
I can hear those words and not start saying them. After all, I'm an adult. I know right from wrong.
It was a really good movie. I just wish they had left out _________. Could have done without that.
It's fine for grown-ups but it's not good for the kids.
What else do we say about TV and movies? What excuses do we make? How much sin have we let into our homes through the television set? How desensitized have we become to the things that God detests?
I am talking to myself here too! I think we really, truly need to ask ourselves these questions. And even if, by some miracle, we truly were NOT affected in any way by what we see (which I doubt), how much good have we missed out on?
Am I saying that watching TV or movies is a sin? Absolutely not! I am saying that we need to think very, very hard about what we have been watching and if it lines up with the standard in God's Word.
Next up: We'll discuss the really practical part of deciding what to watch.
Any thoughts so far?
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
We are not the same as we once were. We have been washed, sanctified, and justified...we cannot continue to walk as we once did.
 |
| Little Bit watching TV a few years ago... |
Now let me take a moment to step aside and add something to my discussion on conviction. If God's Word is unchanging, then how are there possibly Christians who do NOT feel convicted to ________ or to not _____________? I do not think there are as many choices as we think there are. It cannot all be "I'm OK, You're OK." If a Christian is content to watch movies or TV full of sin and all the things we are supposed to not have anything to do with, then I think there is a problem!
The folks who raved about the awful movie on Facebook are young Christians at best. Perhaps they do not know? Perhaps they have not read and understood God's Word? Maybe they need to be taught. I certainly know that I was a young Christian once who watched things I should not have. I remember all too well. I am not trying to stand on a soapbox and look down my nose at others who are not doing as good as I am. (please read that with all the sarcasm you can muster) That is not what I am trying to say. I realize that convictions come at different times in people's lives.
 |
| I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. Psalm 101:3 |
What I am saying is that many American Christians have lowered their standards as far as the entertainment world goes. The entertainment world has lowered its standards after all, and I'm afraid that many of us have bent a little too far.
But I'm not participating in these sinful behaviors....I'm just watching fictional characters do it.
It's a movie. It's not real life.
I can hear those words and not start saying them. After all, I'm an adult. I know right from wrong.
It was a really good movie. I just wish they had left out _________. Could have done without that.
It's fine for grown-ups but it's not good for the kids.
What else do we say about TV and movies? What excuses do we make? How much sin have we let into our homes through the television set? How desensitized have we become to the things that God detests?
I am talking to myself here too! I think we really, truly need to ask ourselves these questions. And even if, by some miracle, we truly were NOT affected in any way by what we see (which I doubt), how much good have we missed out on?
Am I saying that watching TV or movies is a sin? Absolutely not! I am saying that we need to think very, very hard about what we have been watching and if it lines up with the standard in God's Word.
Next up: We'll discuss the really practical part of deciding what to watch.
Any thoughts so far?
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