Do Not Grow Weary

Galatians 6:7&9

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.

A man reaps what he sows.

Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest

if we do not give up.

Be faithful today to plant the kind of harvest you want to enjoy tomorrow. Every act of love or anger will have eternal consequences. We plant the seed, but the Lord is the one who makes it grow. Ask the Lord to bless your small, pitiful efforts today, so that a beautiful harvest will spring up for His glory. Do not grow weary fellow mother! We will reap a harvest if we do not give up!

Heavenly Father, Bless the work of my hands today. Fill me with Your character so I can plant good things into my family and those I meet. Thank you that life is a team effort and it's not all up to me. You are so faithful, help me be faithful here, today. Amen

Your CLARITY Day

I'm so excited to have been asked by my mentor and friend, Ann Dunagan of Mission-Minded Families, to co-host a new workshop! We are calling it Your CLARITY Day and it will be a 4 hour workshop at the Holiday Inn in Troutdale from 1-5pm on Friday, June 30th. Here's some of what we will be covering....

Time for a new adventure! Feeling restless in your soul? Need to clarify your vision for how God can use your life to build his kingdom? Find encouragement to dream new dreams. Be exposed to ministry opportunities around the world. Get materials that will help you evaluate your purpose and priorities.

Discover your PASSION
Do LESS (but be more strategic)
Live by Faith, not FEAR
Gain momentum and VISION

Finally start moving forward -- with balance, joy and CLARITY -- toward those God-given dreams in your heart!

INTERESTED? Tell us on our Facebook Event Page

or  REGISTER at liveonpurposecoaching.com/book-online

LIVE with PURPOSE!

My dear friend and I wrote this personal planning workbook specifically for the stay-at-home mom. We are running a very important enterprise: a godly home! Please download this FREE document! We poured hours into creating it so you can experience a more organized and intentional life. You can print off the entire thing or only the pages that interest you. May it bless you and your family!

The Purposeful Planning Workbook

Planning for a Successful Summer

School is almost out and all my kiddos will be home full-time again! They're only young and impressionable for such a short period of time and this is the time to really be purposeful; while the cement is still wet! So I've been thinking and planning for a successful summer. First, I thought about the subjects they haven't had time to focus on during the busy school year as well as the subjects they need to strengthen. Then I devised a plan to motivate them to do it and I wrote it all down. Are you ready to hear what we're gonna do?? I'm calling it "Give Me 10".

GIVE ME 10!
1. Read a chapter from the Bible
2. Outdoor work 30 min.
3. Indoor chores (assigned monthly)
(then Breakfast)
4. Math*
5. Journaling
6. Typing practice
7. Playing with the youngest sibling 30 min.
8. Reading 30 min.*
9. Exercise 30 min.
10. Check-in with Mom
(then Lunch)


FREE TIME ALL AFTERNOON!



*For Reading I have a list of age appropriate, great books from www.Exodusbooks.com

Instead of being paid an allowance I'm paying them to do some of these things they aren't thrilled about. That's how to motivate my boys!

Starting Again

So after 4 years of silence I'm resurrecting my blog! I have come to realize that it won't hurt to have one more light shining in the darkness. It doesn't matter how many blogs there are in this world, God wants me to be share and not be ashamed of how I live and why. Stay at home mamas like me need daily doses of encouragement. So here it goes!

The Everyday Question

By Christine Hoover  taken from an article on Desiring God

"The Everyday Question asks not just about what I do but also about my attitude: Will I joyfully pour out my life as a fragrant offering before the Lord for the benefit of my children? Will I serve my children out of obligation and duty or will I serve like I'm serving God Himself? Will I die to myself so that I might live to God in the specific calling He has given me as a mom?

The Everyday Question must be answered everyday.

Because motherhood is not so much the big, dramatic acts of sacrifice, but the little, everyday, unseen ones.

Because we can have a clean house and obedient children and not sacrifice.

Because we are so easily deceived to think we can live for ourselves and be faithful to God in our ministry as moms.

Jesus said that those who live for themselves will actually have an unfulfilling life, but those who lose for their lives for His sake will really experience life. As parents, our self-death for Christ’s sake not only produces fruit in our own hearts, but produces fruit in the hearts of our children, fruit that grows by the power of God. Let us, then, choose to joyfully give of ourselves for our children.

Everyday."

“For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:11)

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died, and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14–15)



God's Mission

Do you know what God's mission is? Do you know what your purpose is? Shouldn't they inter-relate?
How do you look at the Bible? As an instruction manual full of good advice on life issues? And is missions just one added issue that we have to juggle? No. Missions is THE thing.
God is on mission and you are called to be a part of it.
The Great Commission does not begin at the end of Matthew 28:18-20, it begins in the beginning.
If the Garden of Eden was "perfect", why was Satan there?
Gen 1:28 "Be fruitful and multiply and subdue the earth." God is telling a sinless man and woman to leave the garden of delights and subdue the earth. ("subdue" is a warfare term meaning to take it over and occupy.)

Eden was not perfect, it was the first battle field. The first Adam was defeated in the garden. He had all his needs met and yet they disobeyed God "not Your will but MINE be done".
The "second Adam", Jesus, goes into another battle, yet not in a garden, but in a desert where none of his needs are met. In fact, he has fasted for 40 days. But Jesus wins this battle and Satan flees when He obeys! The ultimate battle is in another garden, the Garden of Gethsemane where "not my will, but YOURS be done" and his obedience becomes the victory for all mankind.
We are in a battle with evil.
Are you called to retreat back to the comfort of Eden? No! You can never retreat. God did not create us to live a safe life in this world even though our flesh constantly cries out for it.

Then we see the Great Commission we are all familiar with:
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded. I am with you always to the very end of the age." Matt 28:19-20

Once again we see a call to leave our security and go out and obey. We are to be doers of the Word.
Our mission is just the same mission as Adam had (and failed at) and Jesus had (and succeeded at) which is: to push back the forces of evil and darkness by our obedience.
The Christian life is all about pushing back the darkness.

We grow in our relationship with God while we're on this mission. We grow closest to those we go through war with. Churches implode when we forget the call of the believer is to do battle against the enemy, not one another. Jesus stepped into hell so he could pull others out of it. It takes us stepping into the ugly to find what we were created to do. Ultimate joy comes from doing that which seems most absurd; leaving our comfort to bring someone else comfort.

We are in a battle to save souls from the darkness of enemy territory.
This is your mission if you choose to accept it.

So this begs the question: are you living in your own type of Eden thinking it's perfect and safe, thinking you've really got it made and found your purpose. I guarantee you, by the authority of God's Word, that you have not found true joy and satisfaction in a life of comfort and security. We were made to find our ultimate high from rescuing lost people out of the darkness into God's marvelous light!

I was so wonderfully convicted by this evening's message! God loving and tenderly used it to help my blind eyes to see where I have been blind to my own faults. I do not feel any condemnation, only encouragement to get on board with what He is doing!
I'm reflecting on how homeschooling is a great way to raise up straight and righteous arrows to do battle against the enemy, or it can create a stagnant stench of self-righteous security that forgets there is a greater purpose. Without knowing it, we can teach our children to hide for cover instead of looking for opportunities to obey and be like our Lord, who came on the ultimate rescue mission. We need to keep our mission ever before us and we need one another to do this!

Is your home a place that is creating weapons for spiritual warfare or have you gotten off mission?
Is God's mission your mission?
Let's get back to pushing back the darkness and leading the way for our children to follow!

What it's Like to Have a Baby with Down Syndrome

In two words: blessed delight.

  

I used to be afraid of having a baby with Down Syndrome. I'm ashamed to say I thought I should probably stop having children when I reached 40 because I might have a baby with this "defect". (I had her just after turning 37.) Praise God He knows better than I do what is best for me!
Do you believe that?
Really?
Do you believe that God knows what is best for you?
If you do, than why be afraid about anything that might happen to you?
God is in control.
God doesn't make mistakes and any baby is never a mistake. It is only our preconceived ideas about what is good that causes all these anxieties.

Babies are good; whatever form or shape or time they come.
God made Charlotte and he put her in our family. She is our gift and God has given us the grace to accept the gift with joy. I had to get over my expectations for what my sixth child would be like. I had to grieve the death of my dreams for her.
But God is not grieved by what He did and neither am I anymore. I had to get on the same page with God and realize that this was His perfect plan for her and for us. That takes faith, but God gives you the faith you need when you need it! Within 24 hours of her birth, my husband I snapped out of our pity party. We got some sleep and lots of grace and we accepted the plan.
I laugh at myself now that I ever was sad about having a baby with DS. She is such a delight to all of us! I don't feel one bit sorry she's ours. In fact, if she died, I would want another baby just like her.

Sometimes it's challenging to know if she's healthy or progressing because I can't compare her to what I've experienced with my other children. When we talk about the future we imagine "Auntie Charlotte" visiting her siblings to play with her nieces and nephews. She will be the aunt that is forever young at heart and so much fun. Jason and I think of her as our constant companion for the future and take comfort in knowing we won't be alone and neither will she when we get older.

Who cares if she never gets a job or goes to college or gets married or has children? Do those things validate your existence? Are you loved because of what you can accomplish or because you exist. You are valuable because you were created and God saw fit to create you for Himself.
Are you still trying to validate your existence by what you do? Let it go. Look up right now and smile and say "thank you God for making me!"

I am a firm believer that God doesn't make mistakes. You aren't a mistake and neither are children born with an extra chromosome. I am super-duper blessed!

A Homeschool Moment

While I was cleaning up breakfast the boys set up a worship service in their room complete with benches and name tags. I had to run and grab my camera to capture this pure childhood moment when their imaginations and creativity had no bounds. They are singing and playing "Mighty to Save" with all their might! I'm sure the Lord loved it as much as I did. Precious!

Take a deep breath and smile

"Be joyful always."

1 Thess. 5:16



Remember how fleeting your life is. It is but a mist that vanishes and is gone. The weeks, days and years are flying by and if you don't enjoy this moment right now when will you ever enjoy anything? It's very easy to live with all our hopes in tomorrow and not enjoy today. I give you permission; enjoy today. Take a deep breath when life gets crazy (because it will) and just SMILE! Smile at your children. Smile at the messes. Smile at your husband. Smile so much that they ask you why you're always smiling! Remember that all your mistakes and failures are covered in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God looks at you and only sees His own perfection. There really is nothing to become anxious or angry over! God has it all under control.

So smile.

The Case of the Missing Chipmunk

You never know what a day has in store for you....
We woke up to a favorite chick missing from the flock named "Chippy Chipmunk". After much investigating Younger Brother admitted to putting the chick in the back of Daddy's pickup truck the afternoon before and forgot about it. We were all horrified to think that either the chick froze in the night or blew out of the back of the pickup on Daddy's way to work this morning. Lots of tears. Lots of blaming. Lots of opportunities to comfort guilty Brother and angry Sister. I called Daddy to find out if there was any sign of Chipmunk in his truck. He had left that truck at one job and taken a van to another location so he wasn't there to check and he wouldn't be getting his truck until tomorrow night. I pleaded for him to do something to put finality to this saga. An hour later he calls me back. The chicken is alive and well in his truck! Jubilant jumping and laughter fill my home. The somber mood is gone and the tears are a distant memory. Daddy tells me he had to drive very slowly to work this morning because of the ice and he couldn't go fast on the freeway due to an accident. By God's providence, He kept that little chicken safe and sound and my children's hearts from breaking. God is good.
Case closed.

Make a plan

It's a new week. Have you made a plan? Plan the important things!

• Do you have your meals planned out?
• Do you have your date night scheduled?
• Have you picked the Scripture you want your children to memorize?
• When will you hit the library or run your errands for the week?
• Who will you bless by inviting over this week?
• Do you need to schedule an appointment?
• Write a thank you card? Send a care package?

Make a plan and stick to it! (I'm preaching to myself! smile.)

Producers not consumers

One of the ideas I want my children to understand is that they are to be producers not consumers. A producer is someone who figures out a way to make something with their time, talents and resources while a consumer just looks for someone else to do the hard work for them.

Since moving out to our 3 acre farm I've helped my daughters think of ways they could generate income for the family without having to leave home. There are always opportunities if we can only see them! I want them to be good stewards of their blessings and that includes coming up with ways to bless others who don't have the resources we have.

In the past they grew organic vegetable starts for missions and called it "Sister Starts". They became the "Granola Girls" at our local farmer's market and bought a goat with the money. For 2 years they have breed Holland Lop rabbits to have money to give to Bible Translation (their blog "Bunnies for Bibles"). All this while they've been collecting chicken eggs, growing huge gardens, and now milking a goat to provide our family with good food. They are learning the skills to run a home business, save money, produce healthy and helpful products, generate income and bless the world! It is really fun to see them at it! Their latest venture is to put their animal knowledge out on the web to help other children care for their animals. Their new website that is in the beginning stages is called HappyBarnyard.com. They are excited about learning how to communicate their passions to others. We learned about LillaRose hair clips and now my girls sell them online to generate more money to give to widows and orphans through Voice of the Martyrs. There's no end to what you can do from home!

What interests or skills do your children have? What could you encourage them in learning and becoming proficient at? What resources do you have that others do not? A greenhouse, a power washer, yarn, sewing machine, axe, musical instruments...put them to use for building a business and blessing others. This Christmas, buy your children tools instead of toys. Become a producing family and experience the satisfaction and joy!

parts of Proverbs 31: 13-27

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She gets up while it is still dark;

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

She makes linen garments and sells them

She watches over the affairs of her household and

does not eat the bread of idleness.

What is your motivation?

You wake up early, you go to bed late. You do the dishes, the laundry and pick up toys without end. You plan meals and make meals and clean up meals and then the cycle begins again. You correct and teach and then you repeat yourself again 5 minutes later. Why do you do what you do? WHY? What is your motivation?

"Whatever you do,

work at it with all your heart,

as working for the LORD, not for men,

since you know

that you will receive an inheritance

from the LORD as a reward.

It is the LORD CHRIST you are serving."

Colossians 3:23-24

Is it the LORD CHRIST you are serving or are you serving your own ego, ambition, reputation? Are you serving to guarantee a particular outcome in the future? Are you trying to impress people or make people like you? What is your motivation behind what you are doing?

I admit, it is hard to have pure motives. We can even deceive ourselves into thinking they are pure when they are not! These verses are an encouragement to me. If my motive is to please others or even to please God, than I have the wrong motivation. I will struggle with discouragement and lack joy with a motivation like that. But if my motivation for working hard is out of love for all that Jesus Christ has done to save me, and I do it out of gratefulness, not because I have to but because I want to..that is key!

The only way to live this kind of life is with a determined focus on remembering the grace of God demonstrated through Jesus and the cross. It is a joyful, thankful life of work. It is a delight, not a duty, and it results in an inheritance and reward as well. Before you do another good deed, check your motive. Are you trying to earn favor with God? Impossible! You have favor with God because of what He's done already and you cannot improve upon it. Do good out of thanksgiving.

Heavenly Father, thank you for all you have done for me. Help me to serve you faithfully out of thankfulness and not out of duty. May I boast only in the cross. Amen.

New Focus for this Blog

Yes, it's pretty obvious I'm changing things on here. My blog is now an official website called "FaithfulatHome.com" but my old address will get you here. Now that I have high speed internet it's so much easier for me to post my thoughts and goings on.

• I want to be an encouragement to women out there who stay home to obey God's plan for them. The greatest encouragement I can give is not so much tips and how to's but what God is teaching me about Himself.
• I want to encourage you to stay faithful in all the little things that can seem so unimportant, but really they matter for eternity.
• I want to share encouraging Scriptures to keep you focused on what really matters: Jesus Christ, glorifying Him with your life and enjoying His presence in your daily grind.
• Life can be hard, hectic and messy!! We need one another's encouragement to keep on keepin' on, to not grow weary in doing well and to stay faithful at home. I hope to be a part of that encouragement for you. 

Kristi

First Things FIrst

I just returned from listening to Nancy Campbell for my 5th Above Rubies Retreat. She said a lot of things I've heard her say before, but they sink in deeper the more times I hear them. One of these is the concept of "The Family Altar" taken from what the priests in the temple had to do every day. Each morning they would take out the ashes and put more wood on the fire to keep the fire burning. Each evening they would do this again. Likewise, we should keep our love for God burning in our hearts by reading the Word of God each morning and evening at the family altar. I made up a little sign to hang on my dining room wall to remind me of this principle. If you want to print one out for your family, click on this Google docs link and download your copy. May it be a helpful reminder to make it a priority to keep the things of first importance; GOD, first in your family life.

In Honor of Reformation Day (Oct 31st)

Our family has been listening to Luther and the Reformation by RC Sproul this week and it has been SO good! Luther's story is so incredible and inspiring, that I had to share the link with you. If you can't make it to church today because of illness etc, than sit down and listen to this amazing history! God opened the eyes of one man to the truth that had been burried under centuries of greed and power in the church. It blows me away how one man could stand up to the power of the Catholic church and change the world forever.

My New Favorite Children's Devotional

I've been using this devotional at breakfast time for the past 2 months. I wanted to try it out for awhile before I started raving about it. Well, I'm here to rave. It's been really good, especially for younger children. It's totally scripted, so when you ask the questions you have an answer already there for you. (This is especially good if you're not quite awake by breakfast time!) You can buy it from Amazon for $13.59 or you can get a Kindle version for $9.99 (what I have). Highly recommended!

Seventy-Eight Weeks Of Memorable, Faithful, And Practical Devotions

Teaching the Bible can seem overwhelming, especially when you understand the importance of teaching our children how every story in the Old Testament points forward to God's story of salvation through Jesus Christ. But Long Story Short makes it easy. It chronologically teaches seventy-eight of the main stories of the Old Testament in a way that is memorable, faithful, and practical for Christian living.

Doctrinally Sound, Christ-Centered, And Full Of Gospel Grace And Hope
Ten minutes a day, five days a week, Long Story Short is the family devotional program designed to explain God's plan of salvation through the Old Testament. Three days are spent on that week's story, one day is spent seeing how this story points to Jesus, and on the fifth day another Bible passage is read with the purpose of seeing what it teaches about Jesus. Long Story Short is doctrinally sound, Christ-centered, and full of gospel grace and hope. Simple enough to transform the hearts of every listener, Long Story Short confronts us with our desperate need for His grace. This gospel-saturated, God-centered devotional is suitable for children from preschool through high school.

Sunrise Over Mt Hood

Just wanted to bless you with this AMAZING sunrise I witnessed. "The heavens declare the GLORY of God!"

It's Been A While!

I know it's been a long time since I posted on here, but that's about to change! We now have HIGH SPEED INTERNET at our house! WOW! We had dial up on purpose so we wouldn't spend much time online, but it ended up taking us more time in WAITING than anything. High speed has also come down in price. Here's a few pics of what's been going on around here....

My grape arbor is doing great! We planted two rows on each side of our garden plot to give it definition. Next year we should have oodles of yummy grapes!!

Yesterday we picked our plum trees. The boys helped me get them ready for the dehydrator. Yum!

Long Live Les Mis!

Yesterday a dream of mine was realized; I took my daughters to see the Broadway musical "Les Miserables". I was a Les Mis freak in high school when I saw it for the first time and memorized the entire 3 hour production (which is all told in song). This 25th anniversary production was even better than the original! It was simply AMAZING!! It was so fun to see it with an audience that loved it too and cheered after every scene. What a beautiful story of how God's love, grace & mercy can change the most wretched of lives. "To love another person is to see the face of God...."

It's travelling to Seattle for 3 weeks next. If you can get tickets, especially orchestra tickets, spend the money and buy them, you won't be disappointed!

Francis Schaeffer Junkie

I was loaned Francis Schaeffer's complete works (4 volumes containing all his books) as well as his 10 part DVD on the rise and fall of Western Civilization. I am BLOWN AWAY at how prophetic his thoughts were 40 years ago! He shaped a lot of people's thoughts about understanding worldviews. I am learning so much from him. In How Should We Then Live? he goes on location to show how man's thinking changed through the ages from Rome to present day (1970's) and how philosophy changes art, music, culture and finally the church. Every teen and adult needs to watch this series to see how our thinking and postmodern culture are the products of history. Fascinating, thought-provoking, and eerily prophetic!

Daddy's on VACATION!

We're headed to Lake Chelan WA for 2 weeks at the lake at my parent's 5 bedroom condo! Who-hooo!!

Becoming a Productive Family

We have a vision and it's getting clearer the older we get and the more we learn from others who have gone ahead of us. We have been so inspired by Generations with Vision and Western Conservatory. We are encouraging our children to be productive with their hands. We don't need to be a one income family, we can be an 8 income family!! We want to pay off our farm, a big goal, but if we all work together and pool our talents, resources and time, we can do it! Our culture is full of laziness and living for the weekend. Kids are seen as a burden, leeches that suck all the money out of your pockets. Teens are expected to be driven around to all their activities and you're a bad parent if they are ever bored. If they ever do work, the money is for them to keep, of course! That's not the way we're doing things around here. We are a FAMILY economy! We want to help each of our children discover their way to contribute to the family and stewarding God's resources. Our daughters run 4 businesses: "Bunnies for Bibles" and "Happy Hens" with a brood of 41 laying hens, and "Sister Starts" growing vegetable starts in our greenhouse. They are starting up "Granola Girls" and they will sell our homemade granola at the Sandy Farmer's Market the first Saturday of each month. Both of them are feverishly researching the pros and cons of owning a dairy cow too. They would love to milk a cow twice a day all year long to help us pay off our farm! It is so rewarding to see my children grow in their skills, passions and knowledge in order to produce something that blesses others and is done in a God-honoring way. There is such a lack of healthy food available these days. It is satisfying for them to raise healthy plants, eggs, and animals the right way. I can't wait to see what my sons do...bees? ...beef? If I could offer any encouragement to young parents it would be this: teach your children to work six days a week and to find satisfaction in their work. This is what brings glory to God and purpose to man. Teach them to work as a family team, accomplishing more together than apart. They will help us get debt free and then we will help them be debt free. When you're in debt you are a slave. Teach them capitalism. Teach them that they can create wealth. There's no lack of wealth in the world, there's only a lack of people willing to work hard! You don't have to wait for your husband to find the perfect business to work from home, you can help your children create their own businesses. "She works with eager hands...her arms are strong for her tasks...she makes...she plants...her lamp does not go out at night...her children arise and call her blessed" Prov 31. You can be that kind of woman and you can raise that kind of woman or man. Become a producer, not a consumer! Just thought I'd share how we're working toward our vision of being a productive family.

Regional Speech and Debate Tournament

Today at 12:30pm you can see the final round in the Oregon/Washington/Idaho NCFCA speech tournament. If you want to have your socks blown off by what teens are capable of accomplishing, than come and see the finals! I went and judged a round of "Dramatic Interpretation" on Thursday night. I knew I would be impressed but I had no idea of the quality and quantity of talent at this competition. If you don't know what to do this rainy Saturday than go down to Imago Dei 1304 SE Ankeny, Portland today..you will be AMAZED!! Click here for more details.

MY Favorite Books

I just updated the sidebar of this blog including my favorite books. Just wanted to highlight my absolute favorite, must-read, hands down gotta-own-it books!

Newest Favorite: One Thousand Gifts by Voskamp

Favorite Missions Book: Radical by David Platt

Favorite Homeschooling Book: Teaching the Trivium by Bluedorn, to sample a great chapter click here. (I'm not a "trivium" teach 'em latin kinda gal, but I love their take on why and how to educate, without match!)

 "A Charlotte Mason Companion" by Andreola is another fav because she paints such a beautiful picture of home life.

Favorite Books to Read Aloud: Little House on the Prairie series & any of the Lamplighter books

Favorite Marriage Book: What Did You Expect? by Paul David Tripp

 Favorite Book on Home Management: Large Family Logistics by Brenneman (you don't have to have a "large" family to benefit from her organizational skills)

Favorite Parenting Book: Shepherding a Child's Heart, Raising Godly Tomatoes and No Greater Joy Vol 1, 2 & 3 (To be honest my favorite has yet to be written...have you read one that's truly biblical and grace-full??)

 Favorite Economics Book: The Bankruptcy of Our Nation by Robinson

Favorite How To Book: The Encyclopedia of Country Living

Favorite Devotional Book: Dialogues with Fenelon (on intimacy w/God), Devotional Classics by Foster (on Christian living), 100 Days of Blessing by Campbell (encourgement for the young mother

Favorite Apologetics: The Reason for God by Dr. Timothy Keller

 Favorite Missionary Biography: Bruchko and Heavenly Man

 Favorite Fiction: Stepping Heavenward by Prentiss, and Henry and the Great Society by Roush

Charlotte Our Little Dolly!

Can I even begin to tell you how much we love this little baby girl!

She's going to turn one next month!!

Must See!!!!

For Christmas I asked for the new documentary movie "AGENDA, Grinding America Down" and it did not disappoint!!! Everyone in this nation needs to see this movie!!!! This documentary is all about the communist agenda (not conspiracy theory) to destroy our nation and make it weak and in need of the savior of socialism (more government control & power). There is so much information given in this movie that I cannot possibly summarize it all. All I can say is that we have been duped, dumbed down and lulled into dependancy upon the State and we are in for it! We need to prepare the character of the next generation to face hardship with perseverance, and to face evil with truth and love, never giving way to fear. My action points are to get this movie in as many hands as possible (buy it now on sale from http://www.visionforum.com/ for $14.40 and $5 flat rate shipping for the month of January and BUY at least 2 copies so you can lend it out!! Or you can purchase a copy from me and save shipping if you live in the area.) I am compelled to equip my children with memorizing a lot more Scripture and teaching them to stand up for what is right with faith, courage and conviction, even if it cost them their lives.

Put This On Your Wishlist!!

This is SOOOOOOO good!!! I've been listening to these 9 CD's of Victoria Botkin in my car and LOVING it! If you ask for anything for Christmas, or if you get some spending money, spend it wisely on this set of messages. I thoroughly respect this woman and value everything she says. I've been so blessed!

"Listen to Victoria discuss subjects like woman’s great power, sinful tendencies, independence vs. submission, beauty, dress, makeup, respect, women’s rights, hospitality, pitfalls of perfectionism in homemaking, Hollywood expectations, trials, trust, and cultivating personality. Throughout, she responds to questions and answers from women."

(It's currently 30% off right now at Vision Forum with $5 shipping.)

Our Greatest Gift: Char-Char-Rosie

The Littlest Angel

Charlotte indeed is the biggest blessing we received this year. She is such a joy and delight to wake up to every morning. She's 7 months old and the children still fight over holding rights! We saw our good God heal her heart and spare us the misery of open heart surgery! We enjoy her smiles and warm cuddles. We are so thankful for her!

The Mystery of Lost Ruby Ring

Once upon a time there was a delightful girl named Jaime Lyn. On her 12th birthday she received a very special gift to show her how precious she was, it was a ruby ring! She treasured her ring and every time she looked at it, it reminded her of the kind of woman she wants to grow up to be; a woman worth more than rubies. One cold fall day she took her neighbor's dog for a run and cleaned up the chicken barn and by the end of day she realized she had lost her beautiful ring! The first thing she did was pray and ask the Lord to help her find the ring. She went outside in the dark and tried in vain to locate it. How would she ever find it with all the places she had gone that day? When it was time to go to sleep she knelt down beside her bed to pray. One last time she asked the Lord to show her where her ring was and he answered her, "Look inside your bed". Quickly she ran to turn on the light and fling back the covers and there in the middle of her bed lay her precious ruby ring!! The End.

This is a true story that happened last night! Our Heavenly Father cares for the little things too.

Fall on the Farm

Just an update of what we've been up to around here. Gathering pumpkins and buttercup squash by the laundry basket full. (Learned a little tip from Mrs. Welling: got to gather them and harden them off before the first frost. That way they last all winter. Squash don't need to be kept cold, just cool like in a garage where it won't freeze.) We've chopped up 5 cords of wood with the children's help. I spent this morning cleaning off our roof and gutters, patching holes in the gutters..what fun, but it's got to be done! Jason mowed a maze through our tall grass and the boys have been running their hearts out! They're sleeping really well at night with all the wood work and running. Hogen has really become helpful this fall, now that he's 6. Lots of work to do before winter and curling up by the woodstove and reading lots of books aloud.

Ahh..Vacation

We took our yearly one week vacation to Lake Chelan in Eastern Washington. It was wonderful! I got to spend some time reading, swimming with the children, boating and taking it easy. We had some good times with my extended family too. It's BEAUTIFUL there...

View of Lake Chelan from my parent's lake home.

My sister (expecting girl #4), my parents, and us!

Brie Ella turned 11 on our trip.Boating with Mary Beth

Our mode of transportation.

Mary Beth with her Great-Grandfather Mason (93 years old!)

Hogen (6) learned how to swim!

Warrior Mother!

I bought a bunch of messages from FamilyMinistries.com and I've just got to recommend you order this great message by Bev Bradley for $7. Bev is an great communicator.
It is so good to be reminded WHO our battle is against.
It is so important that we raise our children KNOW Jesus and not to raise humanists who just behave well.
It is so neccessary to LOVE and pray for each child.
I am so convicted to model repentance to my children. I'm to help them honor God and battle against sin instead of battling against them. Am I most interested in knowing and loving their hearts (as Jesus does) or in behavior (witholding my love to motivate them)? No! Do not be satisfied with good behavior. Seek to model the love and grace of Jesus to their hearts. Fight for them!

Henry & The Great Society

"What a testimony it would be to see believers in the midst of a godless society, yet unentangled in its net; to see them quietly pursuing the necessities of life, but aloof from the madness of desire that characterizes our time; to see them at peace with God and each other and unspotted by the world around them; to see them content with just the necessities of life and possessed of an ability to find peace and happiness in the simple things of life. Oh, to see God's people loving mankind around them and living in the genuine demonstration of that love...following a manner of life because it yields the precious fruit of contentment and joy, not because 'everybody else' lives that way...adapting their lives, not to the pressures of society, but to the pressures of the Holy Spirit within."

"Another tragedy is that (a man) would rather sacrifice his liberty and freedom than give up his indulgence."

"We labor on desperately to liberate ourselves and only succeed in enslaving ourselves by our new found liberty. Jesus said a man's life did not consist in the things he possessed, but we do not believe him; and we have never quite learned that a man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to leave alone in this life."

(favorite quotes from an incredibly profound little old book called "Henry and the Great Society by Roush)

Big Step for Charlotte!

Charlotte is 10 weeks and growing great! Last week I decided to try nursing her and SHE DID IT! Bye-bye pumping! Now she can take a bottle or breastfeed and she's still sleeping 10 hours at night. She is just the sweetest and easiest baby I've ever had! She doesn't seem to be showing any signs of heart failure so we are good to postpone her open heart surgery until she's bigger. It will definitely be in her future, but the bigger she can be, the better. Thank you for your prayers!

We had my sister's family over yesterday and she took a family picture of us on our farm. Love it! Thanks Kim!

Chicken Farmer

Brie Ella was made to care for all God's creatures, great and small.

Reflections of Elizabeth Elliot

I ran across some notes I'd taken from Elizabeth Elliot. Her life was full of suffering and heartache, but she remaines strong and steadfast and a beacon of light to multitudes. I greatly respect her life and wisdom. This is Elizabeth's favorite quote taken from missionary to India, Amy Carmichael.
(I quote this quote of a quote often.)
"In acceptance, lies peace."

"It is not my business to understand why God does anything. It is only my duty to respond."

1. Don't allow yourself to complain about ANYTHING - not even the weather!
(this is a hard one to live by lately!!)

2. Never let your imagination run away with you...wishing you were somewhere else.

3. Make no odious comparisons.

4. Never dwell on what might have been, thank God for what is.

5. Remember that tomorrow doesn't belong to you- it belongs to God.

"The best place to be is in the center of God's will."

Celebrating an Accomplishment

Last night Jaime Lyn performed a violin concert from Suzuki Book 3, including works like Gavotte in G Minor & D Major by Bach and Humoresque by Dvorak. She was joined by family and friends who are fellow violinists. We are so proud of all her diligent practicing 5 days a week for 5 years.

Her teacher for the last 3 years, Elizabeth Knopp.

A Song for Charlotte

Within the womb I formed you

I fashioned and made each part
I thought of your fingers, your hands and your feet
Your mouth, your lungs, your heart
Though you might think that you're different
I made you the way that you are
So you could discover the God who made you
And find out all I am

And though you might think you have limitations
There are no limits with me
When you turn your eyes to my salvation
Finally you will see

In Me, you have all that you need
In Me, you have all that you need
In Me, you have all that you'll ever need.
And I've heard each prayer that you've called out
"Why did you make me this way?"

You may not completely understand now
But there will be a day
When I make everything known to you
And what you don't now understand
You will see that I'm wise and I'm mighty and good
Just like all my plans

And if you trust in the work of my Son
One day you will see
That I've made you the way you are
To draw your heart to me
To draw your heart to me.

By Bob Kauflin, Sovereign Grace Music
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