Can I Keep'em Coming

About 4 weeks ago Layla received the Moody series from my mother.  Each book ranges from about 185 to 195 pages and there is only one picture per chapter.  Layla has already polished off 4 of these books in 4 weeks!  That makes me nervous because I want to keep her reading massive amounts of books, but I am a bit picky about content because she is very sensitive in spirit.  These books are great because they are about a homeschooling family, so Layla gets to see some similarities to her own life!  She is amazing!  I better go read some more to keep up with her!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

Sorry this is late, but Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!  We were out of town the past two days because a family friend passed away this weekend.  She was 92 years-old, so not too much to be sad about.  She lived a long and wonderful life and now she is with her Lord and Savior. 

Layla was very cute about the whole thing.  As we were packing on Sunday she said, " I don't want to go to Marge's funeral."  I told her that most people don't want to go to funerals, but we do it to show care and respect for the family that has experienced the loss.  Last night as we returned home, Layla said that she was bummed we didn't have a huge Valentine's Day party.  She said instead we went to a funeral and had a small party.  The party was really just family getting together for dinner.  She said she really needed to celebrate another holiday that involved hearts.  I told her that maybe for our wedding anniversary later this month we could celebrate with hearts.  She seemed content with that.  I also told her it is rare to have to attend funerals on Valentine's Day.  That girl always makes me laugh!

First Real Bibles

Layla, Julius and Gunnar all received their first "real" Bibles this Christmas.  Nate has been leading us in daily family worship and the kids wanted their own Bibles to read along with Mommy and Daddy.  Not familiar with what family worship consists of, then grab a few of these books/ CDs to find out (there are many more resources besides these).

Nate's Grandpa

Last Wednesday, Nate's grandfather collapsed at the grocery store.  He was taken to the hospital.  Because he was alone, it took the family a bit of time to find out what happened.  We received news that evening.  What a shocker!  I guess you never can quite be prepared to hear such news.  By Thursday afternoon, Nate's parents from Missouri and Nate's brother from Chicago were here in town and the whole family gathered by Grandpa's bedside.  The news was bleak.  It was a brain aneurysm and their was lots of hemorrhaging from it.  This summer after needing a heart stint, Grandpa expressed that he did not wish for much intervention should he encounter life and death situations in the future.  There was the option to fly him to a nearby hospital who could repair some of the damage in the brain, but even with that, the odds of his regaining consciousness were slim.  Grandpa's wife and children made the decision to take him off the ventilator Thursday evening.  This was probably the hardest time for everyone because we didn't know what to expect.

Without the ventilator, everyone seemed to expect that Grandpa would pass quickly, but he surprised us all.  He slept peacefully and breathed steadily the rest of Thursday and Friday.  The family stayed by his side and waited.  I count this time as some of the best Grandpa could give us in this situation because it allowed everyone to stop what they were doing and just be together.  Work was postponed.  Laundry was forgotten.  Less important responsibilities set aside.  Family was together and we had fellowship right in the presence of Grandpa for that time, telling stories, eating lots of food, drinking lots of coffee, laughing, crying and not worrying about anything else but our present situation.  At least for me and my little family, it gave us time to come to grips with the situation.  We had time for the shock to wear off.  Our raw emotions had time to be shown, but then give way to peace.  For my children, it gave them time to grasp what was really going on.  I feel because of that time they understood that Grandpa would not be getting better and they understood his coming death in a way that they wouldn't have if he passed suddenly.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Grandpa's strong body gave way and he passed peacefully to heaven.  The next two days were filled with visiting Grandma and other family and just spending more time as a family.  Monday was visitation and Tuesday the funeral.  Layla, Julius and Gunnar gracefully handled both of those events.  The Lord really helped them understand and have peace about the situation.  I will be forever grateful and amazed at how they dealt with such a difficult time in life.

We have the privilege of having Nate's parents in town the rest of the week.  Layla today recounted to me and Nate's dad, one of her favorite memories of Grandpa.  She said he would sit in his big recliner and have her, Julius and Gunnar run past him.  He would try and grab them and they would all scream as they tried to keep from his reach.  She said that she loved that game.

Grandpa was a kind and gentle man.  He knew what he liked and what he didn't.  He was a man of few words, but he made sure that when he spoke, it was with purpose.  Grandpa knew Jesus and loved Him, so we account his passing as a joy.  He no longer has to deal with the trials and tribulations of this world because his Savior has overcome them for him.  We love you, Grandpa!

You Will Be Missed

We love you Grandpa!  You will be missed.  Thank you for all the great memories you gave us.  May we be so blessed as you with long and joyous life.  We know you are fully enjoying Jesus now!

Called to Church

As I was cleaning up after lunch today, Layla came into the kitchen to inform me that I needed to come to church.  She said she would be serving both the "body and the blood" and I needed to come take communion.  After I was done cleaning, I headed to my "pew" where I was informed that I had three babies that I brought to church with me.  They were already waiting for me on the couch.  Layla served communion while Julius lead us in worship.  We sang "I'm in the Lord's Army."  Gunnar even hurried over to make sure he could take communion, too.  It was not only fun, but precious, and I wanted to make sure I documented it so that  I will never forget it.

Has God Had His Worship Today?

Have you worshiped the Lord today? I know many days I forget. I tend to get in my Bible reading and some prayer, but often forget to partake in worship until I am at church. Worship is not just for church time, but can happen anytime. Today while wiping up crumbs from the table, "You Are Good" came to mind and I began to sing. I haven't sang this song in quite some time. We used to attend a church that played these songs during their worship service, and I forgot how powerful they were. I quickly did a YouTube search and before long the kids and I were enjoying a very spirited little worship service of our own. Maybe these songs will help you enjoy an impromptu worship time of your own. If they are not to your liking, find some of your favorite songs on the web, your Ipod or put in a CD. Let's try to remember to give the Lord the worship He deserves!

(On a side note, music is not the only way to offer worship to the Lord. Pastor Robert Dickie has a wonderful book called What the Bible Teaches About Worship, that talks in depth of the variety of forms of worship that the Bible outlines. It's a great read.)

The Grinch

Today Layla asked me to read How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I forgot how much I like that book. Well, the kids liked it a lot, too. We then had a nice little discussion about why we celebrate Christmas and how we should be like the Who's even if all our Christmas stuff was taken away from us, because no one can take away Christ's gift of salvation. That led to a few carols being sung and then the kids asked me to put on their favorite Christmas album. So around here on this very hot and humid May day, we are enjoying Jingle Bells, Away in a Manger and O Holy Night!

Bloggy Break

Just wanted to let everyone know that I won't be posting for the next week and a half. Spring break is starting and we will be super busy with family, Easter and Layla's birthday. Head on back by April 12th to read Layla's birth story. It's a doozy, that you won't want to miss!

Happy Easter! Jesus is risen from the dead and He is Lord!

Prayer Needed

Yesterday, we held an open house that had a very good turnout, according to our realtor. Please pray for us that we can sell our house soon! We are anxious to get to the country! Plus, I know that this house can be a blessing for another family, just as it has been a blessing for us, these past five years.

Melt My Heart

Nathan called in sick this morning, as he is feeling rather under the weather. I brought the kids downstairs to let daddy get some extra sleep. Layla asked why daddy didn't go to work. When I told her he was sick, she exclaimed, "Let's pray!" We huddled together in the living room and Layla led us in a simple prayer asking for Nathan's healing. It doesn't get any sweeter than that! The Bible is certainly correct in it's esteem of child-like faith.

No, Their Foreheads Aren't Dirty

So, way back when, I used to work in an office with a special and interesting mix of folks. One day, on Ash Wednesday, my coworker, Mary, came back from attending the noon mass at a local church. As I approached her in the hallway, I was taken aback by the very large smudge on her forehead. I said, "Mary, you've got some dirt on your forehead! Let me help you get it off." She raised her hands in defense and said, "no, they are ashes!"

Me, the little girl who grew up in Protestant-ville, knew nothing about ashes being smeared on the forehead. The churches I graced through my years were anything, but liturgical. Mary gave me the quick run down of the tradition and taught me something new in life. Thank you, Mary!

So if you see someone today, and you think their forehead is dirty, think again! I now can't have an Ash Wednesday go by without chuckling about my ignorance!

To learn a bit more about Ash Wednesday, click here.

Good Enough For Who Its For

My father-in-law has a saying, "Good enough for who its for!" I often hear him use it when he is fixing something. Nathan and I have taken to saying it from time to time, ourselves. As one who has a tendency to get caught up in perfectionism, this saying often keeps things in perspective for me. My home isn't going to be gracing the pages of a magazine and my linen shelves need not look like Martha Stewart's (with the exception of when the realtor is coming over, wink, wink!). My dinner table looks just fine the way the kids set it and the toys don't have to be perfectly put away. Its good enough for who its for.

But that saying can work the other way, as well. Are you really being good enough to yourself and your family? Too often we save the good sheets, the good towels, the good food, the good dishes, the good clothes, the good attitudes, the good smiles, the good energy, and the good words for those outside our families. The Lord made us responsible to serve our spouses and families before we serve others.

I remember reading in Elizabeth George's book, A Woman after God's Own Heart, that she learned early on to not give things to others that she had not yet given to her husband and children. She recalled making a lovely homemade dinner and dessert for a person in her church. Her children and husband sat eating boxed macaroni and store-bought cookies as she took her full-tray of lovely food out the door. She was convicted by that experience and from that day on, she has always made the same thing for her family that she was sharing with those in need.

Take time to ask the Lord to show you ways to better serve your spouse and family, prior to serving others. Then, after exceedingly meeting the needs of your family, you can graciously serve others, knowing that you are honoring the Lord by taking care of your first responsibilities, first. The Lord will always bless those that honor and obey Him with the resources necessary to build His kingdom, family by family, and church by church.

So always make sure, "its good enough for who its for!"

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31: 11, 12

Battling the All or Nothing Mentality

I have this silly little enemy that I am constantly battling with. You might be familiar with it, too. Does "all or nothing" ring a bell? It likes to rear it's sneaky little head into our lives through our relationships, habits, diets, faith, and thinking. If you are having a hard time recognizing what I am talking about, let me give you a few examples.

• "Well, I really shouldn't have eaten that for breakfast this morning. Oh well, I can always get back to my diet next Monday."
• "I really only have a few minutes to read my Bible right now, so I will try and do it later when I have more time."
• "There are a lot of dirty dishes in the sink. I can't really get to them all right now, so I guess I will leave them until later."
• "Everything seems to cause cancer! What's the use in trying to change!"
• "The government is just to big for one person to try and make a difference."
• "How am I ever going to get that entire project finished! I will never find the time to do the whole thing!"

At least in my life, time is of the essence. Between preparing three meals a day, wiping dirty faces, washing dirty dishes, changing dirty diapers, doing dirty laundry, sweeping dirty floors and a whole list of other things that involve dirt and messes, I can sometimes feel like I am getting nothing done outside of my motherly responsibilities. Most times I am to blame, but not because I am lazy. I assure you I don't sit down much throughout the day! But rather because I am losing the battle mentally. In my own mind, if I can not complete a task from start to finish, I don't always think it is worth getting started! If I would only get started and keep back at the task, as many times as it took, then I would finish the task.

I realized this the other day when it took me all day long to clean the ceiling fan in our bedroom. With a crawling baby and two other little people running around, I don't have the luxury of going upstairs to clean my gross, dirty(See more stuff involving dirt) fan for 30 minutes. Instead, every time I laid the baby down for a nap, I would clean a blade or two before heading back downstairs to deal with the older two kids.

Sometimes the same applies to dishes. As much as I would like to wash all of the dishes, it is much better to get a few done than none at all. Then I can do more the next time I have a few spare moments. It is the same for faith. Isn't is much better to spend a few minutes in prayer or read just a few verses, rather than go an entire day without prayer or God's word? With our bodies, isn't it much better to keep trying to eat healthy, whole foods, even if you might have eaten a junky meal or snack? In reality, the "ALL" of "all or nothing" practically doesn't exist. I think Satan just likes to fill our minds with unrealistic pictures of perfection to keep us distracted and keep us from doing "something." He knows that if he can keep us tied up with "all or nothing" type of thinking that we will more than likely accomplish "nothing."

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:3 -5

I frequently lose battles against "all or nothing" in almost every area of my life. I would like to start winning! I plan on doing SOMETHING when that "all or nothing" feeling tries to creep in.

In what ways can you attack the "all or nothing" monster in your life?

With My Mouth Will I Make Known

"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."
Psalm 89:1

Lately I have been marveling at the way the Lord blesses our family, even in the smallest details. Our budget has been extremely tight lately, and we have just been forced to wait upon the Lord in many areas. He always provides! Even when you don't expect it. I heard a preacher say once that many times we don't wait on the Lord to provide because we rush out and purchase it on credit or try to meet our own needs in our own power. I can surely attest to that and have the debt to show for it!

The song of Psalm 89:1 has been on my heart and I felt compelled to sing of the mercies of the Lord and make His faithfulness known to all generations! Here it goes:

• Nate's fellow teachers and staff members blessed us with 29 packs of diapers when Gunnar was born!
• My girlfriend gave me a large garbage bag full of clothes that got me through my post-baby period of frumpiness!
• My mom's friend gave me two large garbage bags full of clothes that provided me with clothes to wear once I lost all of the baby weight!
• Layla needed a larger bike this summer and our neighbor's sold us a "princess" bike with training wheels for $5!
• When we needed new curtains to match our newly painted back room, the Lord miraculously allowed the curtains to come out in just the right color after some "mishaps" with bleaching and trying to dye them, lol! It saved us having to purchase new curtains, which can be expensive!
• After ruining a very large load of clothes that contained almost all of Nate's work shirt (pen left in pocket, oy!), Menard's just happened to be selling polo shirts - 2 for $5 (Side note: hairspray took the ink out of some of his shirts)!
• Friends of my parents gave them a nice gallon of yellow paint. They gave it to us, allowing us to repaint our bathroom for free!
• We needed a new door for our bathroom. Nate found a six panel, primed door at Menard's mis-priced (normally pretty pricey). He was able to purchase it for $10!
• Nate found outdoor carpet on clearance to re-carpet the front steps, just when we needed it!
• Our next door neighbor has been clearing out his house since his wife passed away and gave us lots of canned goods, napkins and Kleenex (came in handy with all of our runny noses lately)!
• My mother has been blessing us with things like steel cut oats, red lentils and coconut milk, pretty frequently. These items are never cheap in the Jackson area!
• My grandmother purchased a winter coat, snow pants and pajamas for Julius. She bought some pajamas for Gunnar, too!
• My mother bought some pajamas for all the kids!
• We received a check for $150 from extra money in our escrow account! I actually cried at this one as I tucked it away for gas money for our Missouri trip!
• We received coupons for free butter and such in the mail from Kroger, right about the time we ran out of butter and payday was still almost a week away!
• We needed to replace a Plexiglas window on our front porch. When we priced it out it was going to cost between $15 and $20. When cleaning out the basement, Nate found a piece of Plexiglas just the right size!
• And even with all this, Nate and I have been able to pay off $900 worth of credit card debt over the past three months!
• I know there is more that I am forgetting!
  

In what ways has the Lord blessed you and your family? Don't forget to sing of the mercies of the Lord forever!

The Christian Mind

I just finished reading Harry Blamires' book, The Christian Mind. Very interesting, especially considering it was published in 1963. The book challenges Christians to evaluate whether they think about things in a Christian context or if they unknowingly think of things in a humanistic, worldly context. I was very convicted by this as I recognized areas of my thinking that was very humanistic and not Christian, especially in areas that I would consider not related to church. I found his postscript very interesting, especially considering this was written 46 years ago. I will share a few excerpts:

"No one can think deeply about the issue investigated in this book without sensing the possible approach of a crisis in Western civilization of a kind that is not being publicly anticipated. For, nuclear disaster apart, increasing mass-education, alongside increasing material well-being and accelerating pursuit of it, is going to make secularism consciously and articulately secularist. And this turn will challenge Christians to be more consciously and articulately Christian. The question is, will the Christians of the next fifty years, over and against strengthened secularism, deepen and clarify their Christian commitment in a withdrawn cultivation of personal morality and spirituality, thereby achieving the kind of uneasy co-existence of Church and State? Or will the Christian of the next fifty years deepen and clarify their Christian commitment at the intellectual and social levels too, meeting and challenging not only secularism's assault on personal morality and life of the soul, but also secularism's truncated and perverted view of the meaning of life and the purpose of social order?"

"This is a worrying matter; for the present climate of opinion makes it impossible to avoid taking these steps without opening oneself to charges of "bigotry", "dogmatism", "doctrinaire intolerance", and without incurring that most crushing of all contemporary smears - that one is being "holier-than-thou". It is scarcely surprising that we have taken many steps already towards withdrawn and departmentalized Christian spirituality severed from contemporary culture by the drugged inoperancy of the Christian mind. We shall take more such steps, under the influence of that habit of settling down quietly, if sometimes uncomfortably, with social corruptions and intellectual perversions which cannot be touched or condemned because good men and fellow-Christians are involved running or promulgating them, or because the political party which we support as a bulwark against tyranny and materialism has instructed us that these things are all right."

"The time has come at which Christians must take the initiative in order to avoid being outmaneuvered. What is demanded of us by the voice of the Church, if properly understood, is likewise dictated by tactical and prudential considerations. In short, it is better to define, establish, and nourish a Christian mind in freedom now, as a positive last effort to bring light and hope to our culture and our civilization, than to have to try and gather together the miserable fragments of Christian consciousness after triumphant secularism has finally bulldozed its way through the Church, as a body of thinking men and women."

So I challenge you to think about all areas of your life, especially those areas that don't seem that important, and evaluate whether you are thinking about them with a true Christian mind or in terms that the world has defined for you.