It's a Girl!! What????

My husband is the rescuer of animals. Every pet we have now has been rescued or from a litter of a rescued pet. Well, our recent "rescue" came early in December with a phone call from my husband. It went something like this:
Hubby: "Hey hon, don't you think the kiddos need a dog?"
Me: "Ummm, no"
Hubby: "Well, I was helping this little old lady at the grocery store [hold your applause people] and she has 2 male puppies that she really needs to get rid of."
Me (8 months pregnant, 6 kiddos still at home, 1 married daughter with 2 grandbabies, 2 cats, homeschooling, running a business and children's church): "And?"
Hubby: "They really need a home, it would help her out and they are adorable white huskies"
Me: "Honey, if you want dogs at your shop to be guard dogs and pets that's fine. I don't have time for one more thing."
Hubby: That's a good idea.

1st day: puppies at shop
2nd day: puppies at shop
3rd day leading to weekend: Hubby: "I'm going to bring them home just for the kiddos to see how cute they are."

Me: "uh-huh" knowing the inevitable has already begun to happen. The puppies will be adorable, the kiddos will fall in love with them and I'm stuck.

And it happened just as I knew. These two little snow ball, fluffy fat puppy dogs come in, kiddos squeal "can we keep them, can we keep them" yada, yada, yada. And I have to once again give my little spiel that really amounts to a hill of beans but I feel better giving.

Me: "Fine, I'm not watering, feeding, taking out, cleaning up after, training, yada, yada, yada."

Kids: Hooping, hollering and screams of delight.
Me: Big Sigh
Dad: Fat grin!

Well, my married daughter sees the puppies and also falls in love and asks if she could have one for the grand babies. Being the generous soul that I am, I gladly give up the puppy of her choosing and the kiddos agree since he's still in the family.

The pups potty train easy. They have to be gotten on to for snapping while they are playing but are improving. My daughter's pup is named Moe and ours Buddy.

We had Buddy in the cage a few days before Christmas at home while we went to my daughter's. Came home to a huge gash in his head and neck. Spent $100 on pup stuff at the pet store (I know, I know....the "free" dog) to doctor him up. Looked a bit better for a few days but came home Monday evening from being out to his neck opened up like he had been filleted. The E.R. vet wouldn't see him because we didn't have cash that night so we bandaged him up 'til morning and took him to the vet near our home.

I head to work with the kiddos. Hubby heads to the vet first thing that morning.
Phone rings.

Hubby: "Michelle, did you know Buddy was a girl - why'd y'all name HIM her Buddy?"
Me: "Remember, you said she had 2 boy pups to give us when you first called? I guess nobody turned over the rolly polly fluffy pups to check out inventory?"
Background at vet's office: Large roars of laughter!

So, long story short, puppy comes home after surgery from a rubber band that we guess our 3 year old had put on his fluffy little head. It had dug in so deep we never saw it and eventually filleted his throat. Poor baby. SHE is doing great, happy, incredible appetite and the vet's office all voted on the name Abby which we like. So our boy puppy came home healthy and a girl!!

P.S. Other pup is a boy :).

Laughter is Such Good Medicine

With a large household, there are always opportunities for laughter. One can find humor in so many things and it's obviously true that laughter is good medicine because it lightens so many days with joy. I wish I wrote all the funny things my little ones have said over the years. My granddaughter has definitely gotten in on the act and is so much fun. In fact, as I recall the funny stories and things they say, I may just add them to this post.

This week's funnies have occurred at the doctor office as my kiddos had to get check ups and a few immunizations. My eldest son hadn't been to the doctor in 5 years and was not thrilled with the idea at all. My family has just been blessed with great health and I don't usually do yearly check-ups but the kiddos hadn't been in a loooong time and I was feeling a twinge of being that good parent guilt. He and my 11 yo son had their appt's yesterday. We only do certain shots so he was curious if they'd be getting any and if so why, why, why. As we waited, we were being pretty silly and I suggested how the needles would be rather large and they would have to bear their bottoms and was having a little fun with them. (I know a mom with a warped sense of humor.) They weren't quite sure whether to take me fully serious or if it was like my little Christmas pranks of "Fort Penguin" and "Wannabekins" (funny story for another post). As they got silly with one another, I told them to remember they had a camera hiding in the corner. Well, our pediatrician also has a great sense of humor and came in and made the boys feel very at ease. He heard them giggling as he came in and I assured him they weren't quite as silly as their 3 year old sister had been the day before who was Miss. Giggly the entire visit. He checked them out and said they were healthy as could be and he suggested a few immunizations and asked what I wanted to do. (I'm not an easy parent...I investigate a lot before we do anything but fortunately he's used to me.) So we decided on a few and he jokes about where they want the shot, the size of the needle, and how the nurse would be back after she sharpened the needles. Of course, I jumped on the bandwagon and let the boys know "see, there is a camera...he agreed with everything I told them". Then he told them the truth, after we all finished laughing, and we waited for the nurse. The boys didn't even hardly feel the shots (for which we are thankful) and we all left smiling and joking with one another.

Last night, I just reflected on how the mundane things like dr. appt.'s, going to work, doing school, doing chores could really drag us down if we let them overwhelm us or we can find joy as we go. I'm so very thankful the Lord blessed me with children full of joy and life that make life full.

WHAT A DAY!!

Today has been one of those days if it could go wrong it just might. Things were to begin later at work than usual so I redid my day to include a trip to the bank to get $ for a couch deal we made Saturday at a yard sale in my daughter's neighborhood. Must admit I was quite smug this morning thinking of all I had gotten done by 9:30 (because I was WIDE AWAKE at 5 - Lord help me, I'm becoming my mother). I knew this was a day of great accomplishments and that I could get all my stuff done and be home from work by 1 at the latest while fitting in all my hours. My living room would be finished and I'd have a great dent in the kitchen and dining room this afternoon before I cooked dinner. I had the day "all figured out".

Sooo, I take my oldest son to work with me to work on shelves and we drop off movies to the library, run an errand to the church, hit the bank to get the $ for the couch. I was so psyched to get this for her family. My daughter had just redone her whole home in beautiful warm colors and this would be the perfect fit for her living room. Not to mention I was so excited that my daughter was sooo excited to get this for her home as a Christmas gift. I was going to haul off her old couch Saturday after she finished painting her home to make room for the new one but told her we best wait to be sure she had something to sit on in the meanwhile. (Thank you Lord for wisdom!) My fabulouso sister was going to help me at work today so I could get back home quick today to work on the house. Went to work, got labels a moving and work a rolling for my mom and John Russell and then went to pick up the couch for Cindy to only find out the lady I made the deal with had sold it to somebody else although we had made a deal for me to come pick it up today. I was sooo bummed! Not to mention, I hate time stealer's too. I would've never fit in the bank and trip to Cindy's around working hours to make a longer day out had I known she wasn't going to hold her part of the deal. Well, at least I got to see my beautiful grand babies for a minute and my daughter's cute decorated home (for Christmas).

I'm driving back to work and would you believe, clunk-clunk, the insides of my door fell apart as I rolled my window down at the drive-thru for my ice fix from Sonic. (Can't drown my sorrows in chocolate but I can do sonic ice and it's less than a buck.) Now my door only locks and doesn't unlock. My husband will have to take apart the whole door to see if he can get the assembly back together. Last time I had a dealership fix that it cost me over $400!! And that was with "the family deal!". I yi yi. My door lets you out but you can't get in :).

I get back to work and realize our cell bill came in that should've been ~$200 for our whole family and it says a whopping $925...so we spend an hour with the phone company trying to get it straight and we're not there yet. Call home and kiddos are doing good (of course, I find out later that's because they decided to veg out!!). At last, I finished my work and should've told my mama I didn't have time because now I'm 3+ hours behind getting back home to the kiddos but noooo, not me, I volunteered to go to her house to turn off her window heater that she thought she'd left on (but didn't)and hit a poor raccoon on the way. My son John Russell and I were yelling at it "run, run" (as if it was really listening) as I was hitting the brakes but still had a ka-thunk and "aw darn" before the poor guy could make it.

Get home and to my utter dismay, my home is still a disaster because I'm in the middle of trying to get it all painted before Thursday (what was I thinking???) and now I'm too totally exhausted to even think about getting back at it today. Not to mention my usual productive kids were slugs today and I think I have "symphis pubic dysfunction" this pregnancy because I can only do so much at a time and my bones hurt so bad I have to sit for a bit. What homeschooling mom of 7 with one on the way, who runs a book business and does children's church has time to sit? The temptation to load up on chocolate or carbs was definitely there but then would've had to turn in sorry levels to the dr next week when I show the doc my gestational diabetic readings that I turn into my appts every other week. [And since when is 42 so old you have to go to a high risk doctor every 2 weeks along with your regular doctor every 2 weeks. And since when can doctors justify making you sit for 4 hours a visit as if your time isn't as important as theirs. But that's a rant for another day. Although I'm now a big Favre fan - they said he was too old too in his field too!!!]

So now I'm in my p.j.'s while my 9 year old daughter just finished cooking yellow rice and black beans for the troops (yum) while I work on my cell phone bill trying to figure out what in the world happened. I'm seriously considering of applying for a bail out from the govt. It's working for everybody else. I hear Atlanta even has their hands out. I don't feel like actually restructuring my bills when I could just get the the money handed out to me.

But God!! The best thing is that although this day is in so many ways shot - I have happy, healthy children, a great marriage, my thanksgiving is all planned out and paid for, we have money coming in to pay our bills, and Lord willing, I know I will begin tomorrow very optimistically with grandiose plans of finishing my work, painting, housecleaning, sewing my middle daughter's Christmas dress with a pleasant attitude and fabulous, helpful children. Did I mention I'm sure the birds will be singing happy around our home, Christmas music will be playing in the background with the aroma of fresh cookies and banana bread wafting through the house. (Hey, if we're going to dream let's do it big!!) More importantly no matter how bad things seemed, I serve a God who loves me. I know that I know that I know he loves me unconditionally. What more could I ask for? I thank Him and praise Him for another day and for the ability to go to bed tonight in His perfect peace no matter the circumstances. The Lord is good and His love endures forever!!

Fantastic Weekend

What a great weekend I had. I spent Sunday afternoon at my daughter Cindy's and we finished up making lots of jars to sell for Christmas (and for Christmas gifts). You can check out our store at www.TheHandmadeHoliday.etsy.com. We'll be adding little girl Christmas dresses and princess nightgowns, pinecone wreaths, candles, other types of jars and more. Check back often. It's been a lot of fun and it's always great to spend time with the family!

Now I need to get busy and finish up work so I can get school done early with the children.

Let's embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving this holiday season!! Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures forever!!

Get Out and Vote!!

I'm unsure how a Christian can vote for any candidate that doesn't support life but especially a candidate that has no problem with partial birth abortion. Put all other political ideals aside. Whether you believe in socialistic or capitalistic ideals, do you believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are you willing to put a price on life? Willing to look the other way while babies are killed and mother's lives are affected, so the economy may get better? Willing to look the other way so that you can get more money from the government? Willing to look the other way so you can get health care, education or any other item that may be swaying your vote enough to ignore the rights of unborn children?

"Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption." ~ James Garfield

"The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." ~ John F. Kennedy

"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.... It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world,and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn." -George Washington.

"And if we now cast our eyes over the nations of the earth, we shall find that, instead of possessing the pure religion of the Gospel, they may be divided either into infidels, who deny the truth; or politicians who make religion a stalking horse for their ambition; or professors, who walk in the trammels of orthodoxy, and are more attentive to traditions and ordinances of men than to the oracles of truth." - Samuel Adams

"It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams

Early morning rambling thoughts

In a recent sermon, I heard this quote from C.S. Lewis and thought it was pretty profound. "The opposite of love is not hate but apathy". It goes well with the quote from Edmund Burke that says, "The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing."

The first quote reminds me of when my friend Nigel admitted that there were tragic things he became immune to living in aids stricken Africa because they were so common living where his family lived. So he asked the Lord to give him His heart on those things. He asked for a change of heart. I definitely want my heart to break with the things that break the Lord's heart.

Do we really love people when we ignore the sins in their lives or pretend they are okay without knowing Jesus? Do we really love when we get so busy in our own lives we don't even pray against the enemy in the lives around us? It's easy for some sins to become "common" to our culture that we don't see them as "big deals" anymore. But sin is sin. And the wages of sin is death. Not life!! We need to show people LIFE and that life is found alone in Christ Jesus.

Are we willing for evil to triumph? We know the devil is defeated so are we going to allow him to destroy lives around us because we are too busy to press into God to pray? Are we going to be too busy to help those who are struggling? Let us be the hands and feet of the One who lives within us to a lost and dying world around us. We can't save anyone....but WE never could. It's all the Holy Spirit's working but we can be available for the Holy Spirit to work through us and give hope and freedom to a lost and dying generation.

New Bible Study

I began a new Bible Study in yahoo groups today under "Counting It All Joy" using the book "Created to be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. Everyone is welcome to join.

Right now we are doing Monday Night Football at my daughter's house and enjoying her and her hubbies new bambino and their two year old with the rest of our crew. Jackson is now 2 weeks old and has gained over a pound.

God is good ... all the time!!

Hallelujah!!

My new grandbaby boy Jackson was born Saturday weighing in at 7# 12oz, 19" long! He's sooo beautiful. Mama and baby are doing fabulous!!

Also, we found out our new baby will be due February 7th. Making this uncle much younger than his niece or nephew. When my computer gets back home from gateway, I'll post some pics of Jackson and the little fella I'm carrying. I wasn't going to find out what this baby was but it was a bit too obvious in the sonogram to not notice :).

I'm beginning a new Bible Study on 10/20 from the book "Created to be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. You can join by going to my yahoo group link on this page.

Brother Andrew Quote

I believe God heals more people through obedience than through prayer. ~Brother Andrew
Sermonindex.net

My Little Farmers

Some pics of the kiddos working in Nana's garden

The Shack

Read "The Shack" this weekend. Great picture of redemption and the love of God. I loved "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers more but this was a good, quick read.

Edge of Eternity Quotes

There is no such thing as a private moment, God is our audience for everything we do in the dark.

We live our lives in eternity's lobby, walking toward a door that will forever seal our destiny.

To be disappointed in yourself is to have believed in yourself. Be careful in whom you trust. Trust the King, not your ability to follow him.

By believing man to be better than they are, you diminish how amazing the King's grace really is.

Those who know their unworthiness seize grace.

The Doctrine of Repentance

"Repentance is purgative; fear not the working of this pill. Smite your soul, said Chrysostom, smite it; it will escape death by that stroke. how happy it would be if we were more deeply affected with sin, and our eyes did swim in their orb. We may clearly see the Spirit of God moving in the waters of repentance, which though troubled, are yet pure. Moist tears dry up sin and quench the wrath of God. Repentance is the cherisher of piety, the procurer of mercy. The more regret and trouble of spirit we have first at our conversion, the less we shall feel afterwards. "
The Doctrine of Repentance
Thomas Watson
25 May 1668

Sutter's Cross by W. Dale Cramer

The book I read last night was a great piece of fiction set in the GA mountains. If you want a fast, entertaining read with a great message. This is a great summer read.

Well, better get back to work and finishing postaging books to send out so I can go home and get things done while I'm feeling half decent. Good news at our home....nobody hugging a toilet today :). Wooo hooo!

Edge of Eternity

Finished Randy Alcorn's Edge of Eternity on our beach trip. GREAT BOOK!! Gives a neat perspective on life and how we effect the now for eternity and in the spiritual. Definitely a recommended book.

Had a fabulous time with family at the beach. I always wished I was a consistent journaler that wrote down all the great things we do as a family, the funny things the children say, the "special times" in life that the Lord touches and more. But as much as I love to write, it's a discipline I have not mastered. Same idea with pictures. I thought as a young mom I could "NEVER" forget some of the great faces the children make or those beautiful "moments" would always last in my mind's eye but I remember far less than I'd like.

I guess my prayer now as a mom is that although I've had "ENORMOUS" goals that I've not even come close to accomplishing, I hope the Lord will use me to make good deposits in my children that will benefit them and their relationships with the Lord. I pray He'll fill all the gaps I leave with good and holy things. That the things I mess up, He'll reveal to me that I can make "right" with my children before they leave home and that I'll have ears to hear Him. That my children will be able to overlook all our flaws and see Jesus in our home. And that in finding Him, they'll find purpose and passion for living EXTRAORDINARY HOPE-filled lives in Jesus.

Glory to God

What a busy season I'm in. We just finished swim team and the children got their trophies the other night. Michael waltzed down from the stage with his trophy in hand and said "This isn't real gold!". I had to break it to him he was not in the Olympics. This week on top of working we are also taking care of Sandi's horses, cats and dogs. It's been fun. The Lord has revealed to me more and more this summer His great favor upon our lives. At every turn, He seems to be blessings us in incredible ways. First of all with another blessing due next year. Then when I'm at my sickest in this pregnancy, He has provided meals (free) almost daily. Without me asking, without my hand out, He has given me a friend that has treated us to lunch in her restaurant several times, given us free coupons to chick-fil-a, the children found free coupons in my car for the kiddos to have Krispy Kreme (not healthy - I know), invited to eat with others and more. He gave the boys a free weekend at the lake in a gorgeous home with jet skis. He gave us a week at the beach free in a week 1/2. He's given us a membership at a tennis/pool club. He provided free bathing suits, goggles and a swim cap when we went to purchase at the swim supply store.

I will now give you the 5 steps to gaining favor with God - NOT!! The only thing I have done is to open my eyes to His abundant generosity to us every day from the cooler morning, the tomatoes on our vine, the blooming flowers, the sky blue pink sky He paints for me in the evening. He is always available to us, speaking to us, loving us. What an awesome God!! The only thing I know of why He's so generous with us is that my heart's desire is to live a life fully given to Him. Trust me it doesn't look the way I want it to. In my dream world I'd always be the perfect patient Mother; the dream wife that lives to serve her husband - waking before him and always having the perfect spread on the table before he even gets out of the shower and of course, always available to meet his every need; the perfect servant of God who always devotes hours of time to spend with Him in study, worship and prayer and a fantastic housekeeper and homemaker on top of giving my children the most amazing God-filled education in the world. Trust me, I'm far short from attaining any of these. I dream and strive for big goals and fall far short.

I do wonder if part of His generosity is due to the fact that against family wishes, doctor's wishes, and sometimes common financial sense we still allow Him to bless us with children in His timing and ways. I have found when we allow Him to give us His children to raise for His glory He truly does provide in AMAZING ways for His own. I have probably spent far less over the last 22 years on the 7 blessings He gave us than most folks spend in 2 years providing for their blessings. If I don't allow my pride to get in the way, people will bend over backwards to give us hand me downs that are in like new condition. We've been given furniture when people were redecorating. We've been given a dishwasher because on my husband's cabinet job the folks wanted to update their kitchen. He's allowed me to stretch my husbands pay to spend far less on groceries than some families I know that have only 2 children. That doesn't mean we've not had hard financial, relational, or other times because we have. BUT GOD, in his infinite mercy, has never left us nor forsaken us, given up on us due to our shortcomings and failings. He continues to guide us and teach us and love us. He is an amazing God and I hope to continually, daily, moment-by moment all my days fall more and more in love with Him. And NEVER settle for the mundane, no purpose life of "making it" day - by - day. May I always be passionate for Him and live zealously to further His kingdom and allow Him to make me a trophy of His grace. And I better end my praises to Him or the horses will never get fed today. :) Praise you Lord Jesus and I do give you ALL the glory for anything good in my life. And I know it's nothing that I can do or earn but your abundant grace and favor upon my life. Praises to the King of Kings!!!

Bruchko

If you want a GREAT book about a life of a young missionary, Bruchko is the book for you. Brucko a.k.a. Bruce Olsen goes to a stone age Indian tribe (the Motilones) in South America to tell them about Jesus. I started last night and finished early this morning before church. It was such a good read. It's the story of a young man who finds God and everybody in his church and home think he's trying to be holier than thou because he was confirmed in the church - of course he knows God (so they tell him). And his journey finding what the Lord wants him to do with his life for His glory. It will encourage you, make you cry, and praise the Lord for all His wondrous ways and miracles. It will also make you ponder what are you willing to do for the Lord. How much are you willing to give up? How much are you willing to suffer?

It reminded me a lot of Corrie Ten Boom's book "Tramp for the Lord" where God always provided in miraculous ways when things looked impossible.

Running to fix Father's Day dinner for Rusty. Happy Fathers Day Dad, Rusty, Brian & Wendell!!

The Law of Rewards

The single greatest contribution to our inability to see money and possessions in their true light is our persistent failure to see our present lives through the lens of eternity. (Randy Alcorn "The law of Rewards")

Playground or Battleground

Men think of the world, not as a battleground but as a playground. We are not here to fight, we are here to frolic. We are not in a foreign land, we are at home. We are not getting ready to live, we are already living, and the best we can do is to rid ourselves of our inhibitions and our frustrations and live this life to the full...
That this world is a playground instead of a battle ground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of evangelical Christians. They might hedge around the question if they were asked bluntly to declare their position, but their conduct gives them away. They are facing both ways, enjoying Christ, and the world too, and gleefully telling everyone that accepting Jesus does not require them to give up their fun, and that Christianity is just the jolliest things imaginable. (The Best of A.W. Tozer)

Eve, as Tozer would have pointed out, couldn't have her fruit and eat it, too. We can't live both for the temporary things of the world and life for Jesus.
All excerpted from the Book: Flirting with the Devil by Bill Pride

Patience with Children

In planting beans the old practice was to put three in each hill: one for the worm, one for the crow, and one to life and produce the crop. In teaching children, we must give line upon line, and precept upon precept, repeating the truth which we would inculcate, till it becomes impossible for the child to forget it. We may well give the lesson once, expecting the child's frail memory to lose it, twice, reckoning the devil, like an ill bird will steal it, thrice, hoping that it will take root downward, and bring forth fruit upward to the glory of God.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Care for the Soul

I implore you to take care of your soul. Mistrust your own strength; get down on your knees in payer to the Lord, for the Spirit of truth; search His Word for direction; flee seducter's company, keep company with the soundest Christians that have the most experience in the things of Christ. Only you must take care of two things: 1. Rely not on the outward obedience to any of God's commands, or of thinking you are better in the sight of God because of that. 2. Beware of searching for peace for your soul from any inherent righteousness. Believe that you are a sinner, so you are freely justified by the love of God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; and that He has forgiven you of your transgressions -- not because He saw anything done, or to be done, in or by you. This is the right way. Lord put you into it, and keep you in it!!
John Bunyan

I Want to be a FATSO!

Today we honored Pastor Wade as he stepped down from our church as Senior Pastor and embarks on a new adventure to disciple the nations. We are all so very excited for this great opportunity. You wouldn't know it as I cried more than my share as folks reminisced about all the things Pastor Wade has done or meant to them over the years. He obviously shared the Father's heart with more than just myself. He definitely delivered a powerful "last" sermon as Senior Pastor. I'll definitely be chewing on the truths he imparted to us today all week. I hope that we all can live up to his expectations and not be "constipated" Christians who sit, soak and sour while Truth after Truth has been poured into us but pour ourselves into others and spread the Gospel for His glory!. As Pastor Wade said, "Sink our roots deep in the river of God's grace and be strong. If we're strong responsibly, we'll be strong reproductively. Not strong in ourselves but in the grace that is IN Christ Jesus." Hope we can be FATSOs for you Jesus and make Pastor Wade proud.

Faithful

Available

Teachable

Servant-hearted &

Obedient

Safely Home

3 of my children had their first swim meets this morning and it was a great time followed by an ice cream social. We then said good by to some dear friends (like family) that are moving. We got home and rested for a bit because we had a tornado of a week and then my precious wee one got a fever. Soo, although I feel terrible for her it's one of the few times I actually stop and do something I love and that's to read. So although now I hold her in one arm on the couch with the computer in my lap, minutes ago I was reading Randy Alcorn's "Safely Home". Boy do I feel like a spoiled brat of an American. My biggest struggles are juggling life homeschooling, part-time working, church, paying bills in a timely manner, keeping my home in a semi-clean state, striving to be a good help-meet to my husband and raising precious gifts for the Lord. We're not hungry. We have a home. We're free to come and go as we like and really free to do sooo many things. However, if I lived in China or another country where Christianity is outlawed, I may be asking myself every day (as the main character of the book has thus far) is this my last day Lord? Wow. Makes a few dishes in the sink and a load of laundry to fold seem very unimportant. I may get up at 3 am. on a Sunday morning to sneak to another believer's home that may take me up to an hour of bicycling with my husband and one child (that I was allowed to have because they sterilized me during my c-section so I could hold no others after my one) to get to another believer's home just to worship with others. I must wonder would my selfish American self compromise and worship at home at a more convenient hour with my own family in a more safe, secretive manner so as not to compromise my job or more importantly the lives of my family. Would I choose to serve God no matter the risks to my family? I'm okay risking myself but my children? Risk these precious children (whom I must remind myself aren't really mine at all but on loan from God in the first place). I must admit I'm afraid I may compromise too easily. My deepest desire would not to but I pray my flesh wouldn't outweigh my heart.

My prayer: Lord, keep me focused on You, Your Kingdom and Your Path. Please don't let us forget our "brothers and sisters" in the world who suffer daily for You. Please don't let us live such comfortable lives that we are more worried about who the next American Idol is than praying for the church world wide. And please allow my heart for You to outweigh my selfishness. In other words to truly be In Christ, so that I choose as Christ would and not my fleshy me. Let me not live in an eros prison but on the Agape Road of fellowship with you. (We're studying about this in Church on Wed nights....Bob Mumford's "The Agape Road"....great study...) And please let my children grow up more concerned with the Your Kingdom, Your people, Yourself Jesus than what fancy car they may drive, what title they may carry, what newest fashion's they may don or what movie is out that "everybody" is talking about. Amen

To find out more about persecution in the church go to http://www.prisoneralert.com/

A ministry of Voice of the Martyrs

Be Content in All Things

Certainly our contentment does not consist in getting the thing we desire, but in God's fashioning our spirits to our conditions. Some men have not got a foot of ground of their own, yet they live better than other men who are heirs to a great deal of land. I have known it in the country sometimes, that a man lives upon his own land, and yet lives very poorly; but you find another man who rents his land, and yet by his good husbandry, and by his care, lives better than he who has his own land. So a man by this art of contentment may live better without an estate than another man can live off an estate. Oh, it adds exceedingly to the comfort of a Christian. ..... If I become content by having my desire satisfied, that is only self-love, but when I am contented with the hand of God, and am willing to be at his disposal, that comes from my love to God. ...If I am contented because I have what I desire, perhaps I am contented in that one thing, but that one thing does not furnish me with contentment in another thing; perhaps I may grow more dainty and nice and froward in other things. If you give children what they want in some things, they grow so much the more coy and dainty and discontented if they cannot have other things they want. But, if I have once overcome my heart, then this makes me content not only in one particular but in general, whatever befalls me. .... When I have got his grace of contentment, I am prepared to be contented in all conditions. Thus you see that contentment brings comfort to a man's life, fills it full of comfort in this world; the truth is, it is even a Heaven on earth. What is Heaven but the rest and quiet of a man's spirit; that is the special thing that makes the life of Heaven, there is rest and joy, and satisfaction in God. So it is in a contented spirit: there is rest and joy and satisfaction in God. You have Heaven while you are on earth when you have a contented spirit..."The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Burroughs 1648

'I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content' Philippians 4:11

Grace, Grace, Amazing Grace

God's

Riches

At

Christ's

Expense



Grace is the heart of God's love and the hand of His power constantly moving toward me so that I can be all He designed me to be and do all the He desires me to!



(Pastor Wade Trimmer)

Sin

Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay,
and cost you far more than you are willing to pay.

Unknown quote but learned from Pastor Wade

5 Great Truths that Changed the World

Martin Luther

1) No Priest but Christ (Heb 7:24-25)

2) No Sacrifice but Calvary (Heb 7:27)

3) No Authority but Scripture (II Tim 3:16)

4) No Confession but at the Throne of Grace (I Jn 1:9)

5) No Justification but by Faith (Romans 5:1)

Charles Spurgeon - The Church in Thy House - Philemon 2

Is there a Church in this house? Are parents, children, friends, servants, all members of it? or are some still unconverted? Let us pause here and let the question go round--Am I a member of the Church in this house? How would father's heart leap for joy, and mother's eyes fill with holy tears if from the eldest to the youngest all were saved! Let us pray for this great mercy until the Lord shall grant it to us. Probably it had been the dearest object of Philemon's desires to have all his household saved; but it was not at first granted him in its fulness. He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who, having wronged him, ran away from his service. His master's prayers followed him, and at last, as God would have it, Onesimus was led to hear Paul preach; his heart was touched, and he returned to Philemon, not only to be a faithful servant, but a brother beloved, adding another member to the Church in Philemon's house. Is there an unconverted servant or child absent this morning? Make special supplication that such may, on their return to their home, gladden all hearts with good news of what grace has done! Is there one present? Let him partake in the same earnest entreaty.
If there be such a Church in our house, let us order it well, and let all act as in the sight of God. Let us move in the common affairs of life with studied holiness, diligence, kindness, and integrity. More is expected of a Church than of an ordinary household; family worship must, in such a case, be more devout and hearty; internal love must be more warm and unbroken, and external conduct must be more sanctified and Christlike. We need not fear that the smallness of our number will put us out of the list of Churches, for the Holy Spirit has here enrolled a family-church in the inspired book of remembrance. As a Church let us now draw nigh to the great head of the one Church universal, and let us beseech Him to give us grace to shine before men to the glory of His name.

Believer's Are Father's Specials!

Based on Ephesians 1:3-14

Sovereignly Chosen (elected us)
Positionally Holy (Justified/sanctified us)
Experientially Changed (regenerated us)
Completely Accepted (reconciled us)
Incredibly Secure (adopted us)
Avowedly Valuable (redeemed us)
Legally Cleared (forgiven us)
Securely managed (sealed us)

From: Pastor Wade Trimmer

Today's Quote

Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you yourself shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.
Phillips Brooks (1835-1893)

Listened to A.W. Tozer on Peter and Corrie Ten Boom while folding clothes tonight on sermonindex.net. Great resource!

Thanking the Lord for another beautiful day. Thanking Him for being able to teach my children, be at home with them, giving me a job that I can work with them, a job that blesses not only me but missionaries, giving me a church that I can call home and Christian friends I can call family. Bless the Lord Oh my soul and let EVERYTHING that is within me bless His Holy Name!!

Fun in the garden

Worked on my herb garden today. The kiddos veggie garden is doing well. We've already eaten a few weeks of Nicholas' lettuce. The tomatoes are flowering, the cuc vine is growing, the rosemary and lamb's ear are doing well but once again my lavender didn't survive. Can't figure out the trick to lavender. One of my favorite herbs but can't get it to survive. Planted a ton of seeds today and going to plant sunflowers tomorrow.

Great day at home with the family. We ate lunch at my mom's and took a great ride in the country. It was a beautiful spring day.

This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.

The Family Poem

Herbert Russell, the ruler of his home

Gives glory to Jesus; the one true God alone.

That he may become a man after God's own heart

and that love to his children generationally departs.



Cynthia Dineen, the bearer of God's light,

Will judge and disern the wrong from His right.

She will shine forth in this world with God's precious love.

She is a true gift from the Father above.



John Russell, God's joy shines on his face.

To the world he will show God's precious grace.

He will become the man of prayer he was prophesied to be

And spend many a day down on his knees.



Nicholas Brian will be victorious and strong in the Lord.

The Word he shall yield - his mighty sword.

The battles of life will be fought and won

because he will seek power from the Son.



Timothy Levi will grow to be an honorable man.

Seeking the Lord for His holy plan.

His joy will be contagious to other in this life.

To join them to the Truth, his source of Light.



Praise Elizabeth will praise the Lord all her days.

She has a testimony of life that cannot be swayed.

She will give her oath of allegiance only to Christ.

And His life will radiate throughout her life.



Michael Elijah will be bold for the Lord.

He will express God's character to a lost dying world.

God's glory and grace he will share unashamed.

His fervor for Jesus shall never be tamed.



Emily Ruth, what an incredible joy

Will forever be in the Lord's employ

A true friend she will strive to be

and win many a heart for eternity.














~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Herbert = Bright, Ruler; Russell = Like a fox
Michelle = Who is like the Lord; Rene = Reborn
Cynthia = Bearer of God's Light; Dineen = Judged
John = God is gracious; Russell = Like a fox
Nicholas = victory; Brian = Strong one
Timothy = Honored by God; Levi = Joined to
Praise = Praise; Elizabeth = Oath of God
Michael = Who is like the Lord; Elijah = the Lord is God
Emily = Industrious; Ruth = Friend
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quote from Amazing Grace

Before we watched the movie we read a lot of great stuff out of "Amazing Grace of Freedom. The Inspiring Faith of William Wilberfore the Slaves' Champion". My favorite quote from the book is as follows: "So, the question is, what will you do with the gifts you have been given? Will you put them in a drawer and pursue a comfortable life? Or will you choose to defy the odds, step out and confront the injustice in the world? Many choose mediocrity because it's easier than reaching for greatness. My prayer is that you will internalize the life of William Wilberforce and make a difference in your world, whoever and wherever you are."
What a great challenge! I don't want to settle for mediocrity. That may mean I don't watch as much television, read as many books, enjoy as many "me" things that would distract me from the purposes and plans God has for me. May I choose the best things from God and not just the good things of the world.

Quote from Mother Teresa

"How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers."