Obedience = Blessing

Where has this week went?! I can't believe it is already Thursday. We have been really busy here at home. Cooking, cleaning, training small noisy children, talking a teaching bigger ones. Chris and I have been reading through Deuteronomy 28 about the blessings God promises if we obey him. AMAZING stuff.

Deuteronomy 28
Blessings for Obedience

1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

7 The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

9 The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways. 10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. 11 The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity—in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground—in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.

12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. 13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. 14 Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them.

Now we are going through the curses, WOW we serve an amazing God. Going through the sanctification process is hard stuff but SO WORTH IT! I'm finding an intense narrowing of my interests and a deeper hunger to talk with Jesus and be in the Word.

"Lord, make me as holy as You can make a sinner saved by grace"? Jesus has prayed that we might be one with Him as He is one with the Father. The one and only characteristic of the Holy Ghost in a man is a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, and freedom from everything that is unlike Him. Are we prepared to set ourselves apart for the Holy Spirit's ministrations in us? Oswald Chambers"


I feel so excited what God is showing us!

Feeding my sheep

This afternoon I put on a big pot of chili as I was chopping all the veggies and little and big fingers kept coming in to snag a red pepper here or there I was thinking about our Heavenly Father. I feel like He has me on a path right now where he is really reveling His Father heart to me.

Our Heavenly Father keeps us well fed, so as I set the table tonight I remember to show my children the heart of their Heavenly father and keep them well fed; their belly and their soul.

I love how Jesus told Peter over and over before he went to Heaven to feed his sheep. I long for my children to see through me the Father's heart and that He IS available and that when they cry out to Him that he answers just like a new baby cries out for her mother she comes. We don't stand back and ignore the small baby. I'm learning more and more how this revels God's character. It sure is causing me to stop before respond to one of my children.

Keeping them close

After a very busy school morning with 6 children I was busy vacuuming the dinning room floor when I was reminded to keep them close. My flesh wanted to send everyone off to go do there own thing, that way I could put my feet up for a few moments. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, but at that moment I knew it was *my* want for that moment.

My children love to spend time with me chatting and even doing what I am doing. My 9 year old is happy yes HAPPY to wash the floor with me when I am an enjoyable person to be with.

Isaiah 40:11 says "He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

This verse makes me smile it reminds me of mothering a houseful, and being available to them.

For us to be available to them and not someone else. When we run to Jesus he doesn't give us someone else to go to He is there ready and waiting for us. It just made me think by not shooing them away I am showing them what our Heavenly Father is like.. It's kind of a scary thought that we are the first things of Jesus our children will experience. A little sobering hey?

Letting Go

The foundation of our homes should be Jesus Christ, the husband is the walls - he offers protection, support, and provides stability...the wife is the hearth...she sets the atmosphere. Cold or Warm...I know when I'm not doing well the kids & hubby aren't doing well. I have found for me, that I have to pick my battles and let a lot go for the good of the family.I have to CHOOSE to be joyful, CHOOSE to be quiet, CHOOSE to be kind...and I can only do this with God's power! I often feel a need to refuel in God's Word! Just as our physical bodies need food, so does our spiritual body!! God is so faithful and good to help us, all we have to do is ask!!!


Today while Chris was reading his bible he kept poking his head up telling me things here and there as I was busy around the house. I won't go into detail but he shared something from the book of Acts that was so refreshing to my heart. It was only two little verses that broke down walls I had put up.
He reminded me of the verse. Ephesians 5:25-26 " Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; 26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word"

This was amazing to me, the Holy Spirit spoke to me through my husband. I didn't need to have more patience's I needed to die to my flesh! What had been bothering me for sometime had nothing to do with me, I needed to get out of the way and let the Spirit of God move. I needed to let go! Lay it all down at His feet! I have to be on guard rebuking my fleshly "feelings" and repent before a Father that truly loves me.
The frustration I was feeling felt justified and 'right' yet the more I brought it before Him I saw how it was the enemy fueling me not God.

This revelation is so exciting to me! I have been feeling a strong sense to quiet down and draw near to Him and when I do He answers! But what is even more exciting is His fresh vision and the new wineskin being poured out. I feel a burst of joy to get on my face before God and pray, to serve my husband to bring him good and honor. To train my children to teach them to walk in wisdom. And the only way to do this is to wake up every.morning.and DIE!!!

Oh how I pray I can teach my children this!

One day I am going have to stand before God and give an account for my days. Did I put Him first? did I serve my husband? did I lay down my wants for the souls of my children? Or did I spend all my time worried and concerned about how others were living?
Last night Chris and I spent some time reading Romans 2 together in a few different versions and then we listened to a sermon online. What a freeing amazing joyous thing! Oh how I pray to live and walk with Him. I recently heard someone say "When I think too much about myself, I lose my joy." boy isn't that the truth!!!


Today zipped by so fast before I knew it I was bathing kids and tucking them in. Chris had took today off so he could join us on a homeschool field trip to the pumpkin patch. The kids love it every year, we went on a hay ride out to where some sheep are and fed them corn and then out to the pumpkin patch. Everyone got to pick there pumpkin of choice, the boys typically going for the biggest one they could find. LOL The front steps to our house is all nicely lined with 7 little pumpkins.

Were you raised in a barn?

“The memory of the beautiful and happy home of childhood is the richest legacy any mother and father can leave to their children.” - B.G. Northrup







On Saturday Chris and I were chatting about building our little ones a fort out of a cardboard box. We often are making and doing crafty things with our big guys, and the little ones are happy and content with paper and crayons. So today while littles had runny noses we got busy. A few things we wanted to keep in mind was to use as much materials that we had or were free. We ended needing to buy duct tape and some paint, but we made this whole thing for under $18.

By the looks on my little ones faces their fort was better than anything that ever could have been purchased, because their dad and mom made this together just for them.

This is sure to keep them busy for weeks to come while the older children are at the table doing their school work. Ever since I started homeschooling 7 years ago there has always been a little one toddling around the house. They have always been happy with the small activities I have provided weather it be at the table coloring, or play dough they all have naturally by the age of 4-5 been ready and willing for the seat work. I don't believe this is something that naturally just happens in homes. How often do we hear mothers say "Oh my child would never sit still that long" or "that would be wrecked in a day at our house" Little children need to be loving trained all day long to have happy contented little hearts. We do them a disservice when we don't teach them to sit quietly. These little guys need to be under our wing with a joyful mama, this is how strong character is built. It's during these times of simple free play that I start to see tiny little seeds of fruit growing in my small children. when I over hear a little one say "I'm sorry" and watch as they rub their younger siblings back that I am encouraged we are on the right track.

While Chris worked away on this and little ones napped I prepared a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. My mom came over to join us for dinner which was lovely.

Today will be a slow paced day, we didn't make it to church this morning. It was a calm peaceful morning with all our kiddlets all tucked into our bed trying to escape the chilly morning air. We had a frost last night, I heard the heat kick in a few times through out the night. Defiantly time to layer up the beds and pull out the fleece pj's. A couple of my little guys really don't like jammie's so it takes some convincing. It pains me to go check on them and they feel like little popsicles.

There is a sweet smell filling my house right now as there are 2 apple pies in the oven, I am going to go put together a lasagna for dinner tonight as Chris will have to leave a little early to go lead our care group at church. I will be staying home tonight so that we don't pass the cold germs, getting little ones bathed and tucked into bed early.

Sick Little Lambs

This morning when I woke up the sound of rain filled my bedroom. I laid here quietly trying to shake off the nausea, soon I had drifted back to sleep with 3 little warm bodies all snuggled in. Not long after the house started to wake up and I heard foot prints and dishes clashing, but soon I found it was not breakfast being prepared but lemon tea. All the children had sore throats! They were busy trying to find a home remedy as they had been eagerly awaiting
Friday to come as we were to head to good friends house for a Robin Hood game. After hot tea with honey and Tylenol and teary eyes all half asleep on the sofa I called to say we wouldn't make it. Oh they were disappointed.

Mommy became nurse and threw together a big ol' pot of chicken noodle soup. The aroma quickly filled the house of soup and Vick's vapor rub. Pale faced children sat around the table and slurped and sipped the hot soup, while I walked around the house shutting curtains and blinds so we could rest for the remainder of the afternoon. My sweet little Jude when he sees me make his noon time bottle he goes to grab my Oswell Chambers devotional and packs it off to my bed.
Sweetest thing you ever did see. In no time at all I could hear Jude sucking his soother and Rachael sucking her thumb. I laid there praying and thanking Jesus for where we were at sick and sore.


Oh let me tell you the eternal rewards out weigh the temporary aches and pains of pregnancy.

Since baby number 4 the growth this has caused me spiritually is amazing.
I am so thankful the Lord led me to this place, where after the birth of every new baby causes me to grow as the woman I have longed to be. I have been saved from myself through childbirth. Continually dying over and over learning to serve my family.
Each one of these children is a blessing, each one causes me to grow in a different way, teaching me to respond in a more gracious Godly manner. Living this way has led me to much joy, peace, less stress, and a relationship with Jesus that I never had before. I feel his gentle nudge asking me to remember to live the quiet life, serve my family and to “Be still, and know that I am God.” Shutting off the things that pull my heart and leave me weary. I ask myself what does it look like to be still? to live quietly? Does this mean saying "No" to even those things that are good? It's interesting to me that this illness has come as I have been feeling the nudge to step back for sometime now. Nothing makes you slow down and to think of those in your home like sickness does, causing me to lay down *my* plans and truly see what slowing down means.

Rachael Joy is THREE

Thanksgiving Day Crafts

Pretty fun things happen over here!

My Testimony

Since it seems I have a little pregnancy insomnia tonight I thought I would write out my testimony of how I came to give my life to Christ. I don't think I have ever written it out. I'm sure their will be things that will really shock some of you.

I grew up in a middle class home, my family believed in God and Jesus but believed in them as the story. You know " if your a good person you will go to heaven." I remember having a few church experiences growing up. And deep down wishing my family went to church.

Around age 12 my mom and dad became Christian's and remember being really upset by the changes that started to take place. I was angry at the worship music playing in the house, I often called my parents hypocrites. As I entered into high school I became very depressed and dealt with alot of self-hatred. I was bullied through grade 8 and 9 and seemed to go deeper and deeper into a black hole. I remember just wanting to please people and have people like me. I craved the attention of boys. I dressed very seductive, I would give anyone anything. I remember sneaking out at 13 years old into a 17 year old boys home and doing what every he asked. Drugs soon followed and so did the stealing alcohol from my parents. Things quickly spiraled, I became suicidal which quickly landed me in the hospital for a month. The hospital introduce me to a whole platter of demons to choose from. Meditation, chanting you name it.... Then I met a girl named Cynthia she was BEAUTIFUL 3 years older than me a model yet also very suicidal. But in my messed up head she had it all. She introduced me to anorexia and from that day at the hospital it became a game of who can hold out the longest without eating. I went from 98 pound 14 year old to 65lbs with in 3 months. Causing some life threading damage to my heart which then landed me back in the hospital for 2 months.

After a long battle inside my head and one of the biggest struggles to gain weight I got out. But I was no where near whole or healthy. I struggled every day to eat I had to have weekly weigh-ins I was on 3 or 4 medications to stabilize my "moods" other drugs to help me sleep. I was a mess!

I gave myself away to who ever, I had no fear of anything. If I died of aids
"oh well " was my attitude. At 14 years old I had a positive pregnancy test which ended in miscarriage days later, probably due to the meds I was on.

There is so many "little stories" I could keep sharing but I'm sure you get the picture, I was really messed up.

My 15th birthday rolled around it was a Friday, my mom game me some money to go out for dinner with my girlfriend our plan was to eat cheep find someone to "boot" for us drink and go to the high school football game. During dinner at Pizza Hut I said to her" you know I think I'm going to go to church tonight". I knew about this youth group at the church my parents were attending, I had gone a couple times when I was 12 but was way more interested in the boys.

So my friend and I split for the night and I walked about 10 blocks to this youth group. I walked into the church the lights were low and everyone was worshiping. The presence of God was so thick I was completely overcome. I walked up to the front of the church where the alter was and literally fell to my knees bawling. The youth pastor came over and prayed with me and I gave my life to Jesus. I laid on the sanctuary floor for FOUR hours repenting and crying out to God.

I don't remember how I got home that night or what even happened. But I remember the next day my mom being stunned by me. I had a 100% transformation! I was a new creation in Christ!

I felt new, everything changed. The depression was gone, I could sleep, I stopped swearing. It's funny when I talk about now with my mom she says it scared her cause she knew it was nothing I could have done on my own.

From that day forward I never ever looked back. When I think back to what I was saved from how can I not give God all the glory and praise? How can I not speak out and be bold and scream his truths from the roof tops. His Grace is enough!!! The JOY in my heart wants to scream most of the time. I was on my way to the depths of hell and he pulled me out of the pit. How can I not look at my husband and children and be moved to tears and the thankfulness in my heart. How can I not want to give everything I have to Jesus? I don't deserve ANY OF THIS!

He made beauty from ashes.

Modest in our Speech?!

So there is this"game" going around on Facebook this is the email I got.

Remember the game last year about what color bra you were wearing at the moment? The purpose was to increase awareness of October Breast Cancer Awareness month. It was a tremendous success and we had men wondering for days what was with the colors and it made it to the news. This year's game has to do with your handbag/purse, where we put our handbag the moment we get home for example "I like it on the couch", "I like it on the kitchen counter", "I like it on the dresser" well u get the idea. Just put your answer as your status with nothing more than that and cut n paste this message and forward to all your FB female friends to their inbox. The bra game made it to the news. Let's see how powerful we women really are!!! REMEMBER - DO NOT PUT YOUR ANSWER AS A REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE- PUT IT IN YOUR STATUS!!! PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

This left me thinking about the verse

1 Timothy 2: 9, 10, “likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.”

I want to reply to everyone posting this ladies, men are vision driven. We have a responsibility to help our brothers in Christ to live a holy life. We must not cause them to stumble by our words. We tend to only think of modesty in terms of clothing. But every time I see one of these status posted " I like it on the floor" I get a picture in my head. No I'm not a pervert!! But I will guarantee you if I a female get a mental picture I promise you the men on our friends list are too. And I for one do not want my Pastor or friends husband thinking of me in this way!!

I know this sounds harsh but someones got to say it. What kind of example is this to the younger women on your FB. I am seeing teens post this and Christian homeschool boys wondering if that's really what they mean. This isn't rocket science we are causing these men to sin. They are sinning because of you. You are partakers in their sin because you are setting them up for it. God will hold you responsible.

~sigh~ Modesty has fallen out of style because the church has married the world.

How Pro- Life are we Really?

This you tube video is being shared around Face Book lately and while it is an amazing video I think the issue goes much deeper. And in light of Abortion awareness week I thought I would post.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ

So Are We Really Pro-Choice or Pro-Life?

Most Christians would answer Pro-Life. By this they mean that they are against terminating a life that has already been conceived through abortion. But are they really Pro-Life? What if God should so desire to bless them with another family member? Usually not. The majority of the church has openly embraced birth control, even though the very name clearly implies that someone else is in control other than God. Their bodies, destiny, family size, timing and structure have never been turned over. God’s way has always been conception, birth and life. The world’s way has always been birth control, sterilization and abortion. It all accomplishes the same purpose. Life has been stopped. Whose side are we really on?

Just some thoughts..


What does God say about children and Who creates Life. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5.



"Then He (Jesus) said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent me. For he who is least among you all- he is the greatest." Luke 9:48. "All these were the sons of Hemen the king’s seer in the words of God, to exalt his horn. For God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters." 1 Chronicles 25:5.

"Obed-edom had eight sons "for God blessed him." 1 Chronicles 26:4-5.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:" Colossians 1:16





"Did not He that made me in the womb make him? And did not One fashion us in the womb?"

"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all." Ecclesiastes 11:5.

"Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion." Isaiah 8:18.

"Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by Myself;" Isaiah 44