So are you guys going to have more?

Ok this may come across as a bit of a “rant” but I am explaining what we believe for us. I just want to be clear that I DO NOT think this is a sin issue for everyone but IS for us.

Children flow out of marriage!!!


I have heard it explained like this.... when we plant seeds in a garden and we end up with fruit and veggies nobody blinks an eye nobody is shocked by this.
When a couple at church announces they are expecting number 4,5,6 the most common response is shock, disgust mouths hang open and question the couple “don’t you know what causes that?”
But what shocks me is when the bible says “become one” and a baby comes the ones who let this happen more than the “approved” number are now freaks or get reminded that God gave us brains to use.


Sometimes it’s hard to trust God in this area, and it’s really hard when so often it seems that people think God needs “help”. God does not want us to look at what everyone else is doing or even what everyone thinks is acceptable to God, he wants us to look at scripture.
Personally I believe we were created to have large families or why would God causes us to ovulate for years and years? I often think of Susanna Wesley she has always amazed me. Her husband I guess would be thought of as a “jerk” he was never home to help she had a baby almost every year on bed rest and very sick. She lost babies to illness and in house fires. I wonder if she had been given a chance to use birth control if she would have. But she would not have had Charles or John Wesley who were her younger ones and even Susanna herself was baby number 24. I think so often we put God in a box of what we think may be right when really God’s way are not our own. He is much bigger than our simple way of thinking. He does NOT need our help or our small minded thoughts of common sense. Think of a couple stories from the bible.... Does common sense tell us to run through the street naked? Come on David surely the Lord wouldn’t tell you to do that, THAT is not *modest*!!! Or Abraham going to sacrifice his son, is that “common sense”?


Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Numbers

1. I have been breastfeeding for 62 months out of 120 months
2. 120 fingers and toe nails I clip
3. 132 months that I have been married
4. 58 months I have been pregnant ( two 2 week overdue plus one wee one in heaven)
5. 4/6 of my kids are asleep
6. 6 the number of times I nursed Jude last night
7. 5 the number of carseats
8. 6 the number I count to when at a park, many many times
9. 13.7 weeks since Jude first took my breath away
10. Too many to count the number of kisses and hugs during the day I get

Standing Alone

Sometime standing alone is really hard.

Being stretched in your convictions and having no one in your life that shares the same convictions is pretty lonely sometimes. I long to have someone that can truly be an encouragement to me in this walk, but then as quickly as those feelings come I remember I have the greatest friend I ever could ask for. One who truly knows my heart and longs to be with me and encourage me. His name is Jesus....

Who needs toys?

Who needs toys when you can go to the beach?

We have been spending many days at the beach, it's been so nice to get our chores done in the morning and head out with towels and a lunch packed. One of my most favorite parts of going to the beach is the drive out there. The kids and I have the best talks. This gives me such a wonderful opprtunity to really share about the Lord with them.

I love watching the older children teaching themselves to swim better and little ones build sand castles.

Last week Natalie swam for 5 hours soild, and Austin and Zach played endless hours on the body boards.

Beautiful

Letting go of everything that robs me of Peace.
Rachael’s eye lashes.
The kind of rain that hits the window.
Snuggled in bed with my little ones under duvets and soft fluffy pillows, watching tired, tired, tired eyes grow heavier and heavier, after a full and busy day....
Steamed milk with Vanilla
Staying up late until you’re so tired you can’t stop laughing.
A hot cup of tea in the afternoon with your bible.
A tear drenched pillow.... from crying out to the Lord
Holding a warm little hand.
Bread in the oven.. and enjoying it with my family around the table.
Having a long talk with someone dear.

Sadness, is feeling a child grieve a loss...and crying with them
Being judged harshly by one who knows little to nothing.

Joy, is being outside in the morning watering all the flowers.
Holding a sweat baby for hours on end just because you know you won’t get to for long.
Hearing the door open after a long day....seeing your husband home.

Beauty, is all these children, when they smile....
Forgiving someone who has hurt you... and truly letting it all go.

Something yummy, a chocolate cake coming out of the oven
Chubby little fingers with dripping ice cream running down

Loneliness, is keeping a joy or sorrow all to myself.
Not hearing from someone close.

Gentleness, is the feel of my child's warm breath on my face, during sound sleep.
Rocking the bigger ones in the rocking chair even if they don’t fit.
A nursing baby.
Saying hard things that need to be said to.
Crying with someone.

Comfort, is being understood, and accepted.
A bubble bath.
An evening with candles lit around the living room
The hand knit blanket on my legs.
Staying up with a feverish child.

Contentment is the soap suds in the sink knowing your family is well nourished.
The breeze blowing through the dining room window.

Heartache, is judgement, misunderstandings, and unforgiveness.
Missing a loved one, you know you will never see
Wishing I could take back something I have said, and knowing I can never take it back...

Hearing is, my baby in the womb for the very first time and the joy that pours out as well as the tears
hearing little feet running into my room during the darkness of the night...and wrapping my arms around them.

Friendship is, thinking the best.
time
saying I'm sorry.....
being forgiven.....
good food, good conversation, tears and laughter.

I got this idea from another blog, what things in your life are beautiful?

The Simple Woman

Outside my window The rain is pounding down. I love listening to the rain at night.

I am thinking about a friend I haven't heard from in a while.

From the learning rooms My big boys are learning how to rip out carpet and lay flooring.

Lots of reading during the days.

I am thankful for My sweet little baby who nurses so well and melts me every day.

From the kitchen today was a busy busy day in the kitchen, I made two loaves of Amish bread, one loaf of strawberry banana bread and a big curry beef dinner. It was so yummy all the children loved it.

I am wearing pj pants and a tank top.

I am reading latly my bible and that's about it.

I am hoping to get lots done this week, I have a large "to-do" list.

I am creating memories with my babies, everyday we are doing something that I pray they will enjoy and put a smile on there face.

I am praying for direction, what is the next step in our life.

Around the house Im on the laptop in bed, Baby Jude is cooing beside me, all the other children are sound asleep. Chris working on a project in the livingroom.

One of my favorite things big meals together where all the kids are happy to linger at the table and chatt.

A few plans for the rest of the week a friend is having a cleaning supply party tomorow, other than that stayin home, Chris has this week off.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you

Oh Canada

"This year, or this month, or, more likely, this very day, we have failed to practice ourselves the kind of behavior we expect from other people." C.S Lewis

I have been thinking about how comfortable we live. Yesterday being Canada’s Birthday and reading over friends Facebook status about how thankful they are for our country got me thinking about our comfort levels.

I for one am not someone who likes to stand out, I am happy just being home taking care of my family having my circle of friends and that’s it. But maybe that can be a little sinful? Maybe we are too comfortable? The children and I have been reading different stories of Martyrs, and how they selflessly gave up their lives for Christ. Christians were thrown alive into boiling oil or they were bound in bags of scorpions and poisonous snakes and thrown into the sea. There were people whose stomachs were cut open and corn was thrown onto their intestines and while they were still alive pigs would eat the corn right out of their bodies.

Some really horrible things.

Yes we live here in our comfortable country were we can make all our choices to fit us.
We say we are willing to reach the lost and build the kingdom of God, but are not willing to have another baby to raise for God’s Glory, no because that would truly be a sacrifice. That would sacrifice sleep, time, and our convenient family of four vacations.

We are so comfortable we have a hard time even remembering to PRAY! How many times have you told someone that you would pray for them and it slips your mind?
Satan must love our “freedom” it truly pulls us away from Christ. Our passions and pastimes pull us farther and farther away.

In our culture we are taught if it doesn’t feel good it must not be good. We don’t like to be “uncomfortable”.

We are so good at being a comfortable North American Christian, we get dressed up we go to church on Sunday we attend our mid-week home group. We gossip we judge others all because we have way too much idle time on our hands.

We truly don’t know what it means to desperately need and cry out to Jesus. We are all too happy in our complacency. We are consumed with being liked and impressing our neighbours. Our happiness lies in our conveniences and they rule over our lives.

It is just too much trouble to move out of our comfort zones and the truth is, we actually like it here. Here in Canada we can enjoy our lukewarm Christianity. You know, the type of faith that Jesus spits out of His mouth!

"So because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." Revelation 3:16