Saturday, January 30, 2010

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Stay at home missionary





"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children,
and training them up in God's fear,
and minding the house,
and making your household a church for God,

as you would be if you had been called
to lead an army to battle
for the Lord of hosts."




~Charles Spurgeon






Monday, January 25, 2010

9 months







My sweet little baby is 9 month. Oh if you knew what a joy he is to us!
Words are not enough to express how thankful I am to be his mommy.
Zachary was carting him around the other day and said "Dad, we are going to need another baby in the house soon! Jude is getting so big."
We have been busy this January. Our oldest four took skiing and snowboarding lessons for three days, and we have been hitting the books pretty hard. But with a spring like January they are wanting to get outside. We have been starting our schooling much earlier in the mornings that way they can have their time outdoors before it's dark.


Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Here I am to worship

“Man was made to worship God. God gave to man a harp and said, ‘Here above all the creatures that I have made and created I have given you the largest harp. I put more strings on your instrument and I have given you a wider range than I have given to any other creature. You can worship Me in a manner that no other creature can.’ And when he sinned man took that instrument and threw it down in the mud and there it has lain for centuries, rusted, broken, unstrung; and man, instead of playing a harp like the angels and seeking to worship God in all of his activities, is ego-centered and turns in on himself and sulks and swears and laughs and sings, but it’s all without joy and without worship….I say that the greatest tragedy in the world today is that God has made man in His image and made him to worship Him, made him to play the harp of worship before the face of God day and night, but he has failed God and dropped the harp. It lies voiceless at His feet.”
A. W. Tozer
Worship, The Missing Jewel of the Evangelical Church, 11-13

This quote got me thinking of how I worship, how I worship here on earth that I won't be able to in Heaven... nursing babies, making bedtime snacks, reading stories, washing the hair of a screaming toddler, cutting toe nails, buckling carseats, teaching math, rubbing sore tired legs, going to the park, take someone potty for the thouand time, baking with someone even if it's messier, squishing over a little bit more so one more child can fit in our bed, changing diapers, folding clothes...
Oh Lord let me worship you with Joy daily!!!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Bath Time!




My keyboard isn't working right, it's really frustrating. Every time I click a letter it types an "a" after so I have to go back and delete it.
So I don't have much to say tonight but thought I would share these sweet pictures. Jude just loves his bath now that he is sitting so well.


Saturday, January 9, 2010

Books of the week

I have been reading this eye opening book on the emerging church.
Chris has been reading these to the younger three at bedtime.

Natalie and I just started this little story.


And the older 2 guys are reading this for school, but quickly fell in love with the story.
Our school week went really good, we got alone done. We are trying to really focus on the three "R's" for January.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

A Winter's Day

I love cold wintery days. I love heavy snowfalls and freezing cold temperatures they bring a sense of closeness in the home. Everyone seems more calm and mellow. Children are pleased to snuggle up and listen to stories all day. Makes you feel like you can hold that baby a little longer. My oldest enjoys sitting a little longer with his hot apple cider chatting with his Mama. Ten year olds have some pretty great things to talk about. I'm thankful for these cold days they really make you slow down.

If we would have a true home, we must guard well our thoughts and actions. A single bitter word may disquiet the home for a whole day; but, like unexpected flowers which spring up along our path full of freshness, fragrance and beauty, so do kind words and gentle acts and sweet disposition make glad the home where peace and blessing dwell. No matter how humble the abode, if it be thus garnished with grace and sweetened by kindness and smiles, the heart will turn lovingly towards it from all the tumults of the world, and home, " be it ever so humble," will be the dearest spot under the sun.

Golden Gems of Life



This morning was slow it took us awhile to really get going the house was chilly. I put a big pot of oatmeal on the stove as that simmered away I was finishing up a phone call, I diligently reminded my tiny ones of proper behavior while Mama is on the telephone. Belly's were filled and all were happy we heading down to our school room. We had a really wonderful day together.
After lunch everyone picked a book and found a comfy spot to read for a little while. I snuck off to my bedroom with the baby to fill his little belly with mommy milk and soak in the Word. How refreshing it is to do that in the middle of my day. It's renews me and prepares me for Chris to return home.
With the weather so cold the children were bursting with energy that needed used up. We had a tidy up race that was done with the older boys wearing roller blades in the house. Hard floors are wonderful for that! I put a delicious pork roast in the oven and set the table for dinner.
What an immeasurable gift my life is! Oh how I thank the Lord for my children's sweet faces and intoxicating laughter, my husband, the yummy food and conversation every evening around my table.

Chili Biscuits
-1 1/2 cups of flour using whole wheat for half.
-1 tbsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp. baking soda
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/2 tsp of chili powder (or to taste)
-3/4 cup of grated light Cheddar
-1/4 cup olive oil
-1/2 cup buttermilk
or plain milk with 1 tsp. vinegar
-1/3 cup of salsa
Gently mix all ingredients together in the order given.
Drop biscuits on to a lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake @ 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

I see it's past midnight, I'm going to go peek in at all my sleeping treasures and crawl under my fluffy duvet. ~good-night~



Monday, January 4, 2010

Grandmother







It's amazing how death always takes us by surprise. Even though we all know one day it will happen but when it does we are shocked it did.

On Saturday my Dad's Mother passed away peacefully in her sleep. It's sad she is gone.
I have wrestled for two days now with my emotions.
I am sad for the relationship I never had with her. The relationship she never wanted with me.
I'm remembering the 7 year old little knowing I was not loved by her. And now at 28 finally dealing with the rejection that I for so long told myself I didn't care.

Truly it is a misery even to live upon the earth. The more spiritual a man desires to be, the more bitter does his present life become to him; because he sees more clearly and perceives more sensibly the defects of human corruption.
Thomas a Kempis

The next two days are going to be hard, I have done alot of crying so much infact I don't even look like myself. My eye lids are swollen and feel like they are water bags when I blink. But I am choosing joy and I am going to walk with my Heavenly Father through this.
_____________________________________________________________________

It was a peaceful Monday today, I sat up for most of the night sorting my heart out watching as the snow fell, it was so calming. The baby was as restless as I was so I wraped him and I up and brought him out to the living room with me and he laid on my chest as we just sat together. The house was silent I could just hear his sweet little breaths of comfort. I cherish the priceless simplicities of life.....