Tonight...Jesus Spoke

Tonight was like any other evening in our home. Our daughter comes home from school, does homework, we eat dinner, have play time, do devotionals, then bed. *A little history* This year my eldest son has decided to read the Bible in a year and was doing so in his personal Bible (Dan's old one). We were clearing out some books to donate when I came across my Chronological Bible that I never used. (When I read through the Bible I prefer to use the Chronological schedule, but my own Bible, so I keep a print out of what to read each day in my ESV Study Bible.) Anyways, I thought my son would love it and he does! I ran across it on Monday and he has been in it every night and prior to Monday, he was in his personal Bible every night since January 1st.

Prior to this year, he has read through Revelations (yes, I know! Wow) and the Gospel of John. I couldn't be prouder of him...for REAL! He has cried a couple times this month because he lost track of time and it got too late for him to read his daily reading! It was hard on him, like really hard! Praying his future wife is growing in Jesus as well!

So, back to tonight --

Jesus spoke to me! After dinner, I came in the living room and sat down on my laptop to find "Duck Tape projects - Yes *shaking head as I picture duck tape stuck EVERYWHERE like hair and blankets. Oy!* *now shaking head and thinking maybe I should rethink these duck tape projects* Haha. Okay, so I am researching said projects and in comes Payton. He sits down, grabs a blanket from behind the sofa, grabs his Bible from the table, takes out his bookmark and settles in for his time with the Lord. My heart, friends!!!

So, here's the "thing" that God laid on my heart tonight! We have never made our children read their Bibles, we have never made them feel guilty for not reading. We encourage, we talk about how our relationships with God are nothing without time spent with Him. We have talked about how our lives are to consistently glorify our Lord. So, we read...we study...we intentionally put Jesus in our day!

So, seeing my kiddos read their Bible and know that this is because God has prompted their hearts to Him is unexplainable. I have seen many times how our children learn more out of watching, than by hearing, but this put a whole new look at what I already knew. Our kids see what we do (I know nothing profound, but can't explain this new feeling I got)! When we feel like reading is a task, or we get angry because we are interrupted, or when we only study when our kids are asleep, or when we "don't have time", our kids see! Our children, whom God has entrusted us to grow to glorify Him, are seeing that our time with the Lord is not a blessing. 

We need to live intentionally and know that our kids are watching! Our kids see our joy in God when we truly have joy in Him! We will mess up! Wow, do I mess up! Too often do I look at studying as a task or I want to rush it to get to something else. I know I do this, then I decide I'm not going to think like that, then two days later I think it again. Ugh! Satan get out! How many times do you say that? I feel I need to say it a lot! Like when Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get behind me Satan!" He wasn't saying that to be funny or sarcastic, He was saying it because Satan was using Peter to temp Jesus away from His divine plan of dying on the cross for you and me!

I know that Satan uses my own flesh against me to keep me from my divine plan, to keep me from intentionally living for my children's divine plan. Like when I see my second oldest son and how amazing he is with the littles. I have NEVER seen a more helpful, loving, caring boy in my entire life. He will get his little brother's coat on and out in the car, grab Danté in his carseat and take him out, start the car, make bottles, etc without being asked. He is loving. So loving! However, sometimes he "gets in the way" as my flesh would say. Satan get out! I have to say this out loud and I have to say it often!

I want to live intentionally for my children to see the love of God we have in our hearts. I want to live so they see my faults and mistakes and how God uses them to strengthen, teach, and shape me. I want them to know that their faults and mistakes will bring them closer to God because He is the only one who can use them for something so much bigger! 

So, as God laid this gentle reminder on my heart I couldn't help but feel that I am not the only one who needs it... am I?? 

Here is to living and loving intentionally!

Five Things We Learned This Month

The beginning of January, I wrote This blog about starting our 31 Days of Zero Spending without any expectations. Though our month is almost over, we will continue to do this randomly throughout the year and there are many lessons we will carry with us as a forever change. Here is my take on this month.

Five Big Things We Learned in the 31 Days of Zero Spending (some we knew, but had light shed on them in a new way):

1. When we take away convenience, we find something much better! We made beef jerky in the dehydrator last week and made a yummy marinade. It called for a lot of worcesterchire sauce, we ran out, so I made my own. It was so much better than the store bought stuff. We truly loved it so much that I made more to fill the bottle back up. I also made chili powder as we ran out of that, too. So good!!!

My daughter had a birthday party she attended, so she made lots of cards, gave her own toys and made a bracelet for her friend. She planned this gift for over a week and it was much deeper and far more heart felt than anything we would've went and bought.

2. We learned the true power of preparedness. We learned that at any given moment in time, we can well survive for months - even with our slew of kids! We love canning, freezing, and keeping our pantry stocked and it paid off! We had very balanced meals every single night. We had lots of sandwiches for lunch, but breakfast and dinner was always well done! Prior to this month, our canning and such was more for the yummy factor, but we learned how needed it could be.

3. We learned the love of a community. Dan and I are blessed financially, so this 31 Days was not a form of getting on track in that area, but it didn't matter to our dearest friends! From friends offering to buy dinner, to waiting to pay for something until February, to buying a coffee and getting us gift cards to take a night off of cooking. Seriously, so blessed to see that we have friends who understand and love us enough to support our decisions - as crazy as they are! :) To those of you who supported us full fledged, we appreciate you. To those who will be doing this, please tell me so I can pass on that support and love!

4. We learned that we live in an amazing area with a lot to offer for FREE! When we go places for fun, we usually spend LOTS of money for our family to get in places. We had our very first weekend with Dan last week where he wasn't working or we weren't traveling, so we HAD to do something. Getting online and looking at the QC Events Page we realized there is really so much to do for FREE! We wen't to the John Deere Pavilion, the Icestravaganza, we did a craft at the Figge Art Museum and we walked the Sky bridge. So simple and so fun and so free!!! :)

5. We learned the love of contentment. We learned the power of not getting what we want, but taking joy in it anyways. The first few weeks were the hardest for the kiddos as they "needed" clasps for their rubber band bracelets, one "needed" batteries for her Furby, etc, etc. There were many nights I "needed" a bowl of cereal and a few mornings where I "needed" a coffee. There were many days where we "needed" a certain ingredient because we wanted to have this certain meal. We learned a lot in the terms of pointing out how blessed we are even when we don't get what we "need". Everything we truly needed was here all along, it just took a few weeks for us let go of our wants.

So, what our hopes were when we began, God provided every single one of them and then some. During this month we also learned the power of divorcing our phones. We have a basket that sits on the kitchen counter and our phones do not leave that basket. We learned that living simply is overly satisfying and just enough. Not a single day going through this have we complained about anything. Not a single day did we want to take the easy way out. Satan tried, but God defeated!

Another fun advantage was the fact that we saved extra than normal and that savings is more than enough to pay for our son's braces that he's getting in a couple weeks. That's awesome, huh?!

This month was challenging at various times, but I assure you, the blessings have far outweighed the temptations. Plus, those temptations have taught all of us self control on a whole new level. They have taught us another form of gratefulness. We make desserts often and we didn't have much this month, but when we did, it was much more loved and appreciated from everyone.

The most important thing in the way we live is that we have contentment by focusing on the eternal, not the temporal. Whether we have money to save or not, whether we are able to keep our pantry stocked, whether we live in a circle of giving believers, whether we live in a huge home or small one, whether we never have a financial concern or we battle one every week, we are to focus on the eternal, not the temporal. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says, "Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that."


We all will be taking what we learned and carrying it through as a daily walk of life. I'm so grateful that God laid this on our hearts and I'm so glad we came out far happier about these "little things" than when we started. I would truly encourage everyone to go through a period of Living Simple so we can Simply Live. Go ahead, give it a go!

Why I'm Proud of an F...

As my sweet daughter walked into the house after school, I asked the normal questions: How are you?, How was your day?... Her reply, "Good, I got my report card, mommy!" Nervous and anxious I replied, "How'd you do?" A little shaky she replied, "Well, (smiling and putting her head down) I got a couple A's, a B, and a C." "Oh that's great!" I said. She continued, "Well, I also got an F, too. Am I grounded?"

During report card time, I always see parents bragging about their child's grades and it reminded me of my child's grade. Don't get me wrong, I would totally brag, too - and I am - right here! I think it is wonderful to see children thriving in school and love hearing parents speak so highly of their children. I am celebrating with each of you :)

Our daughter arrived to our home the beginning of November, she was pretty chipper right away. It took a few days, but then she asked to call us mommy and daddy. It wouldn't be until January that we really started to find more out about her life.

I will not share details, but I will say that we have spent many nights up late crying with her. We have spent evenings with therapists and afternoons speaking with teachers. This lack of knowledge in academics was stolen from her. She did not have a choice to thrive. From being in more schools than one could count to learning survival skills that elude me. Her survival skills included lying, dramatizing situations, acting dumb, never showing emotion, whining and complaining.

In the two months she has been home we have grown together so much. Our family has strengthened and I know some may wonder how, but I couldn't give you an answer if I tried. My best guess would be because we have someone showing us true thankfulness, true humbleness, true neediness, true passion for family. Seeing the family pull together with each other is beautiful. Seeing our kids grow compassion and love makes me speechless.

In the two months she has been home, she has learned SO MUCH. From not knowing what a state was to learning what all four hemispheres, countries, and continents are. From never doing an event at night to participating in concerts and basketball games. From nibbling food to make it last to learning when she is full. This love bug has learned so much.

She has been through a ton. If I shared (which I wouldn't even outside of this blog because it is her story) what she has gone through in the past ten years, she would have a medal. How she has grown in the past two months is immeasurable. We don't handicap our children and we don't let them handicap themselves. Seeing how she has learned who God is, asks multiple questions about Him, and volunteers to pray after devotions, before dinner and at bed time is simply beautiful.

So, when she said she got an F, then asked if she would be grounded. Our response? Our response was, "That'll happen sometimes. What we're going to do is try harder - all of us. We are proud of you!"

Sometimes an F means so much more! So thankful that God has given us opportunities to see deeper and I pray you do, too!

How I Study God's Word

I get questions all the time that include: what commentary do I use, when do I find time to study, what do I define as study, do I read only what I'm studying...

I would like to share just how I spend my time with the Lord in case anyone out there is wondering where to begin, what you can add, etc. I learned a lot of this in a session at a youth group summer camp for TEENAGERS :) We are never too old to learn :) This study style works for me and may not work for you! That is okay!

I always, always, always end with praying for my husband in our marriage journal! I blogged about that HERE if you would like to start that with your spouse or for your future spouse!

I sometimes study in the morning, sometimes late morning and other times after lunch. Honestly, I don't have a set time to study. I am a mom who homeschools and fosters, and my mornings are not always the same. So many people think you have to study first thing in the morning, well, you don't! We need our daily time with God, yes, but it does not have to be before a certain time in order to be a good Christian. It does need to be a time when we can truly focus and our hearts are with God. Pray before starting. Ask God to open your heart and eyes to what He is wanting you to see. Pray that He quiets your actions and stills your thoughts.

Secondly, when I study I get my tote with my pens, highlighters, notebook, and commentary out. Do you need all this? Absolutely not! I am a writer. I love pens. I love to write things in my Bible. When I pray for someone, I write their name, date, and short description of prayer for them in the margins. When I learn something, I write it in the margins. I underline, I highlight. I underline notes, and things in the introductions.


There are a few reasons why I do this. One is because I love the reminders! I love turning to a passage and seeing why God put it in my heart before and what new thing I learned from it today. Another is because it is my legacy to my children one day.

The notebook is for my notes from the commentary. This notebook is strictly for my study time. I write out every verse that I am studying. So, say today I was studying Ephesians 1:1-3, then I will write that passage out to start my study time. Secondly, I read through the commentary while cross checking along in my Bible. If something catches my attention, then I take note of it in my notebook and may write something in my Bible. For instance, when I found out Saints in the Bible means the same thing as Christians, I wrote that down in both places.

My commentary is written by James Montgomery Boice, I get them from Amazon. He is a wonderful writer, easy to understand, and very descriptive. The chapters are set based on how much is packed into each passage. Sometimes the passage is one to three verses and other times it could be six verses. I line up doctrinally with this pastor spot on (SUPER IMPORTANT). I use Logos as a study tool as well. It is more on the expensive side. Biblia is a free version sponsored by Logos. It doesn't have as much that you can do, but still good.

My Bible - well it is an ESV Study Bible.  This version is very as closely translated as possible. Other versions like NIV or NLT is translated a passage or sentence as a whole. ESV is translated word for word. NASB and KJV also translates word for word. KJV is much harder to understand so find one that works for you. All of these are great and we each have a preference - and that is OKAY!

These tabs on my Bible - well, these are my questions. Areas I have come to in my Chronological reading and haven't found an answer that has felt complete to me yet. God has spoken through people and I have removed a few this past year, then I add another, lol. Never ending - like when you're cleaning your house with kids - pick up one thing to turn around and see two more in its place :) It's good!

I am also reading the Bible chronologically! This is the second time I have done this and love it! Every time I finish, I start over again. Every time, I read something, I see something I didn't see before! This is my reading when my mind needs a break. Sometimes I start with my chronological reading and other times I end with it or do it in the evenings. My ten year old just said his goal this year is to read through the Bible, so he is starting at the Beginning :) <--- INTENTIONAL LIVING RIGHT THERE!!! :)

Most importantly, do what you do! Find your style, find what works. What time of the day works best. For my husband, his time is at work. He takes his to work every day and does it there. Sometimes he can't fit it in his lunch hour or he works through lunch so he sits in his truck in the driveway when he comes home. Find your time that you can solely be with God! Maybe a digital Bible or commentary is better for you to listen to while in the bath or driving home from work. WHATEVER IS PRIORITY, WILL BE PRIORITY! Don't fall into the trap where we say, "I don't have time". We all have time for what we want to do.

So, there you have it! Find a comfy chair and dig in...it's good :)

This May Be Surprising To You...

So, I am about to share something that may be surprising to a lot of you! 

I first want to say that I love the Lord with every ounce of my being. I spend time with Him every.single.day! My hubby leads our family spiritually in every way possible. Every evening he leads a devotional with our children, he teaches Sunday School for fourth graders and is the leader for 3-5th grade boys at Awana. I am a youth group leader and the leader for K-2nd graders at Awana. We are very involved with our local orphans, spreading awareness, and doing what we can to take them in.

We DO NOT feel that we deserve any praise, we are simply where God has called us to be - something we all should be doing, right?! We will always take prayers and continue spreading awareness.

With that being said, we are sinners! We are in church three plus times each week and we sin every day. I spend time with God every day and I still need to ask for forgiveness before my time with Him. I know that I'm going to sin - I can't stop it from happening! I can change what I can with God's help, but I can never stop sinning. 

This big debate over gays is hard for me (this is not a blog about gays, but rather our hearts as Christians)! You see, I have an aunt (whom is the best aunt in the history of aunts) and she is gay. She has loved me selflessly, my husband and now my kids. She is humble and funny!

So many people are afraid to talk about it and I don't understand why. I don't believe "Christians" act the way they are supposed to when it comes to gays - at all! We are called to LOVE! In the New Testament, Jesus said to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul. Next is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. There is no greater commandment than these. (Mark 12:30-31) 

You see, Jesus does not put exemptions on these commandments - there are no "ifs". I do not agree with the gay lifestyle, I do believe it goes against all of what the Bible teaches. However, I also know that lying, pride, lust, jealousy, love of things, selfishness, women leaders in the church also go against what Jesus teaches.

I am not saying it is right to sin in any of these areas, gay, pride, jealousy, etc. It is not and we should not be content in any sin! I do believe that marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman! But, just because I believe these things to be wrong and am convicted many times when I forget, does not mean I have to judge and bring wrath down onto others who choose to sin. 

God speaks of love so much in the Bible and that is what we sometimes forget. We are so caught up on what this world has in the spotlight that we forget what God put in the spotlight - love! We don't have to agree with people to show love to them. We don't have to make people exactly like us! We just need to love, stand firm in our faith in God and let Him do the rest! He will change hearts if He wants, He will judge each of us when our time comes! Don't give satan any hold on you! 

I have prayed for you! As you read this, I have prayed that God softens your heart to loving our neighbors! Love is selfless! Love is NOT arrogant or rude! Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in truth. Love believes all things, bears all things, and endures all things. Love never ends. (1 Corinthians 13)

Matthew 5:14-16 (this is actually my homeschool group's verse) says we are "the light of the world" and that we are to "let our light shine so others may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in Heaven".

I just ask that we start a revolution of love! A revolution that shouldn't have to be mentioned, but surely it does! Let's unite to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Love our fellow sinners, the gays, the selfish people, the murderers, the liars, the thieves, those whom are jealous! Let's invite them to fellowship in the house of God! Let us not judge - it is clearly not our job.

In John 8, Jesus is with an adulterous woman and He said, "let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw the stone".  In Luke 6, Jesus says, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?". We do not have to agree, but we are called to love!

Love People!!!!

Joy

I am a very optimistic person (sometimes to a fault)! Yes, someone you probably want to punch on occasion :) You would be surprised by the amount of people who think of it as a rude way to feel and actually tell me, "I don't want to hear that it will be okay." So in those times, I just sit and pray. It is hard for me to put it aside. Don't get me wrong, I am sad and weep for them and their family, but I fully trust that God knows exactly what needs to be done. Moments of sorrow and pain make my heart ache. It is hard regardless of our faith and joy in the Lord!

How do we get this joy? When we have faith in God! I find happiness in my family, spending time alone with my husband, laughing with my children, being goofy with friends. I find happiness in cheesecake and the smell of a farmhouse basement. God gave us these things for our enjoyment, yes, but true joy is absent when we don't have a relationship with him. "The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." ~Proverbs 10:28

Our faith in Him is our salvation with Him! "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,  for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." `~1Peter 1:8-9

I find great joy in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When a "bad" thing is happening, I can see good! I know that our "bad" things are not intended to bring us harm or hurt us in any way, but to teach us something. Our trials teach others around us about God's glory and point them to Him. God sees the good in our trials and so should we. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." ~James 1:2-3

No one can take away our joy! It is from God and Him alone! I see so many amazing people going through cancer, adopting children, caring for the elderly, sick parents and friends, have a slew of children, whom all have joy! This is not something they can do alone. This joy is from God! It is indescribably beautiful to witness! I am not saying we should not be sad or grieve. Jesus wept and so should we. In our moments of sorrow cling to Jesus and He WILL give us rest! (Matthew 11:28)

My prayer for you is that you see this goodness from God! You see the JOY in the difficult times, in the moments when a friend hurts you, when your children are screaming, when a friend is struggling. When we see with this perspective, we will see His good, we will see God's hand at work, we will forgive, and we will shine His joy for all to see.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." ~Hebrews 12:2

How I Intentionally Pray For My Husband

Prayer is one of the single most important things in a marriage. When you pray for your spouse, you are inviting God to join your marriage. If you don't pray for your spouse, I urge you to start NOW! This is vital! If you are not praying for your husband's heart, character, relationships, who is? The relief is knowing that it is not our job to change our spouse (only God can do that), but we are called to pray for him on a daily basis.

I spend time every single day praying for my children, their spouses, and their present and future. I pray for their husbands and wives as they are living their lives as we speak and God is preparing them for my children. I love journalling my prayers, sermons, studies, etc. I want to be a prayer warrior for my family and all of you! I love seeing how God works through our prayers by changing others hearts and myself.

One thing that God laid on my heart this past year was to pray for my husband with intentionality and purpose. God laid a different form of prayer on my heart this year. You see, Dan gets up to go to work at 5:15 and I like to sleep a bit longer, so our mornings haven't been spent praying for each other's day. We would pray in the evening, but there is just something about starting your day off with your spouse's heart open before God and praying for you!












We started a prayer journal! Everyday we write a prayer for each other. Dan starts off every morning, then I read his prayer for me and I write one for him. This journal is just between him and me, nothing else makes its way into it. Of course, his work, being the light to his coworkers, etc enter because that is how his day is spent. For me, the kids, homeschooling, etc makes its way in because this is what my day consists of. There are no notes from sermons, friends, or Bible Studies - simply a journal between husband and wife.

The cool thing to see this past year is how our prayers have began to visibly change. We went from thanking God for each other (which we still do write, because we are) to thanking God for calling each other to Him so we can spend eternity together.

Not only is this something we will always have that shows our CONTINUAL thanksgiving and love for each other, but a HUGE testimony to our children. These prayers aren't made up or assumed, they are tangibly there, written in our handwriting, to the one person that God has gifted us to love more than anyone else on this earth.

I urge you to consider starting a prayer journal for you and your spouse. If your spouse is an unbeliever, then journal all the more. Satan will make you feel like you should give up, but fight harder. If you are not married, then start one anyways. God already sees you with that person and what a gift to give them on your wedding day. My husband and I have always had a strong marriage. We really are best friends and I know, without a doubt, he would claim this victory in Christ as well. Invite God into your marriage!

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ~Ephesian 5:31

Mean it!

Today our daughter came home with an owl project of Thankfulness that she did at school. It was sort of a rough day as she is still trying to get the hang of school and everything it entails. The learning level is one that she isn't used to. She has went to more schools than she can count. Last week she left her folder at school two days in a row, so we had lots of homework to get done.

She worked diligently on her vocabulary and Geography. We reviewed her spelling words, then did a Chapter 4 Math Test Review. I was growing weary with it all, but as I was going through everything else in her folder, I found this owl picture. I took a moment to read it. It said:

Dear Parents,

What I am thankful for is a roof over my head.

I am thankful for food so I can eat.

I am also thankful for the toys you give us.

I am really thankful for you.

I love you so much.

I don't need toys, I just need you.

I asked her who this was for (she just came to live with us twelve days ago). She said with a big smile, "It's for you and daddy!" As I hugged her tightly, I couldn't help but feel my heart overflow. Overflow with joy, happiness, love, hurt, compassion, sadness, completeness. 

My birth children if asked would definitely say they are thankful for food and a home and parents. They hear far too often how blessed that makes us! But, there is something different about R's letter to us. Hers is set apart from what most of us would feel when we say we are thankful for food and a roof over our head. You see, she lived without those necessities. She lived at times with no roof over her head, with no food to eat, with no parents to care for her.

When she wrote, "I don't need toys, I just need you" she meant it. She truly knows that toys are fun, but she really just needs parents to love and care for her. Her thankfulness is deeper - It's realer - It's who she is. It is a deepness that I hope I have when I thank God for the simple things.

When Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me" he said that because their faith is one that we all should have. Because a child's perspective is one that we can all learn from. They may not get adult understanding, but they get what's important. With the life she has been dealt so far, she would have the right to be angry, but her heart is so full of compassion, love, and understanding.

I encourage you to join with me to have a deeper thanks this season. To really put yourself in another's situation and really feel what they feel. When we pray to God and thank Him for His unfailing love, mean it, truly mean it!

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." ~2 Corinthians 12:9-10

A Continuously Changing Family

And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. ~Matthew 18:5


A lot has changed in the past few months in my life and I feel ready to start blogging it again! In October 2011, we got our Foster Parent License in the mail thinking, "Great! What next?" A month later, this happened!

"Ring, Ring" "Ring, Ring"

Me: "Hello!"
Amber: "Hi Kisha! How are you?"
Me: "Good, thanks!"
Amber: "Well, we have a child for you!"
Me: *Shocked and speachless at how fast...* "Okay..."
Amber: "He is two days old, his name is Ziekeal. He is African American and will be ready in about two hours." "Do you need to call Dan and talk about it?"
Me: "I know that Dan and I are here for this reason and we would love to have him in our home!"
Amber: "Sounds good. Meet me in two hours!

At that moment, I hung up and called Dan and then three good friends who provided everything I needed in those short two hours! Blessings indeed. In the next weeks I received an abundance for this sweet baby!

He is now over 6 months old, just cut two bottom teeth, started on baby food and loves to laugh, sleep, eat and poop! He is a joy and we are so blessed for saying, "Yes!" to that phone call on November 14, 2011! What a blessing!

In the weeks to follow, we had two other children come into our home (a brother and sister) and in the months to follow we had a 6 year old boy come through our home! In 6 months, we had 5 children pass through our home, some multiple times, one long term and one short term, but they each have left an impression.

I have seen the first hand need of foster parents or adoptive parents to adopt out of the foster system. These sweet kids are confused, unsure and probably scared, but they all have one thing in common...they all need love and routine! If your heart is even thinking about this area, I urge you to talk to someone you know, myself or call an agency!

One thing my husband and I have said from the beginning is, "Whatever the reason or the length of stay, every child who walks into our home will feel loved!" It's a simple concept we all know to well! I can't tell you how many times I hear, "It would be so hard, I could never do that (you know, love a child, care for a child with the very good possibility they will return home)" I can assure you that is not me, Dan or our family...It is God! He has softened and opened our hearts to children and we have faith that He will not leave us when the time comes for a child to return home. He has been with us thus far and I can assure you that we have needed and leaned on Him many times for comfort, peace and understanding!

I do know that God does not lay these lifestyles on the hearts of every family, but I do know there are some who are nervous to get started, scared, too many questions, etc. Just ask :)

Oh, and how do our kids feel about it? Ask them! I can tell you that I have never been more proud of my boys then seeing them take these younger kids under their wing! From holding their hands in a parking lot to wrapping their arm around them on a carnival ride! Seeing those moments gives me peace! I used to say, "I pray my kids have a passion for children when they are older!" But, it's funny...I already see it!!!


I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! ~ Matthew 25:40

Hard Hats, Elevators & Rooftops...

Today was memorable! I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...me or the kids :)

My husband is a Lineman and was able to pull a few strings to get us a field trip. We got to go see how Electricity is actually made! From the coal coming off the train to the steam to the ash! It was neat to see it all in action.



We were able to invite a few friends along with us and their children. One of the moms said to me, "This will be remembered far longer than the same thing read in a text book." I'm so blessed to be able to give these memories to my children! Not to mention the generosity we received from the Plant Manager and Service Manager! They, literally, took us everywhere they could. We seen offices, stair cases, elevators, an antique 1925 Boiler and vintage house meters.

With us three moms and our 9 kids, we just followed in amazement. Like these little tidbits:

Did you know...The left over water and steam is pumped into a pond where the ash is settled, then the water is filtered and put back into the Mississippi. The water goes back in better than they found it.

Did you know...The ash that settles on the bottom of that pond is gathered and shipped down to a concrete business to use as fill for roads, sidewalks, etc.

Did you know...This plant uses low sulfur coal that's shipped in from Wyoming. Illinois coal has a 2% Sulfur level and Wyoming coal has 0.3% Sulfur level.

Did you know...Mid American Generating Plant has the best and longest record for safety.

Did you know...This generating plant was the largest West of the Mississippi until the mid 70's.



My children were able to see the coal being ground up into a powder form. They were able to see it being dumped in the lines that took it to the boiler. They seen the boilers, seen the fire inside that was a raging 2,500 degrees. They seen the steam stacks, the master control room and lots of buttons and gadgets. This is a day that I know will never be forgotten. The great part is...it's only the beginning... It's the beginning of the year, the beginning of their life ahead. So many more exploring adventures that are ahead of us. Oh...AND THE BEST PART OF THE FIELD TRIP: HARD HATS, ELEVATORS AND ROOFTOPS!!!!!
Speaking of that rooftop, we got to go up on it!


What a gorgeous view!! We were overlooking the Mississippi River! It was beautiful! We were standing right next to the smoke stack that you could see miles and miles away!



Up on the rooftop we also gotto see a train unloading the coal. There was a tractor out there on that huge mound of coal. He was levelling it out as the train slowly pushed along. The coal then goes into this huge elevator and makes it's way through the process. It was quite neat to see all the coal that goes into giving us our lights! What a neat process!


What adventures have you been on lately? Any adventures in your own yard?

2 days, 20 hours, 54 minutes and 13 seconds

I haven't written in awhile and I could think of a list of excuses why, but I think, instead, I'll just pick up where I left off. I will be writing about the life of a Lineman's wife.

Our daily lives are like any other 9-5 job...except my husbands starts much earlier; at 5:00am to be exact. We wake up at 5:00am together to do our daily reading. My husband gets ready for work as I have newly added a walk to start my day. He leaves at 6:15 to be at work before 7:00. His day starts and SO DOES MINE and my sons, my other sons and my daughters!!!

We have breakfast, usually a playdate or playing at home, an appointment, etc. Then lunch, nap for my daughter. My husband then comes home at 6:00pm, currently, as he is working 6 ten hour days. We have dinner together...ALWAYS TOGETHER, then play and bed for the kids as my hubby and I spend some quality time together.

That is how our weeks TYPICALLY go!

BUT...

On-call

weeks

ARE

SO

DIFFERENT...

The kids and I still have the same schedule and routine, but Dan does not!

He works...

And works...

And works...

And works...

In the past 4.5 days he has worked TWO 25-hour days!!!!! Yes, I didn't think that was possible either, but to my amazement, it is!

So, needless to say in the past 4.5 days, I have been on my own, COMPLETELY!

I know it seems like a simple task, but this also happened to be the week of

1. Two physicals,
2. Two eye exams,
3. Due to the physical, a lump was found on one son's knee who has to get a sonogram tomorrow,
4. Due to the eye exams I have two kids who now need glasses,
5. A dog who needs to go to the vet for a rabies shot,
6. A family reunion,
7. A youth group skit at TWO services last Sunday, which led us to church from 7:30-12:30,
8. Our first youth group girls study and
9. Our last home group meeting!

So, as I was talking to a friend today about not wanting to go to the grocery store, I think I can give myself a little credit on knowing that it is okay to simply be exhausted! I am there! I am exhausted and I CANNOT wait for Dan's on-call week to be completed in 2 days, 20 hours, 57 minutes and 18 sec...15 sec...12 sec...

You get the point!

So, I hope to encourage any other momma who may be feeling the same way. I know how you feel! I know what it's like to be scared to fall asleep because you're scared of what the next day brings, lol. I feel your pain, I feel the grays popping up, but I ultimately feel blessed. <--(Bet you didn't expect that one, huh?!) I do feel blessed.

I am blessed that my husband has a job that he adores every day, (even with lack of sleep and a grouchy wife every 12 weeks as he enters this crazy week) kids who are amazing with the transitition and a Lord who gives grace. That's the most important isn't it?

Grace!!!

My God gives me grace, my husband gives me grace, my kids do and so do my friends! That is a blessing and now is a time that I need it the most. So, thank you for that grace this past week! It's been noticed!!!

Now as I part from my blog on rambling, (Can you tell I haven't had an adult living with me the past few days?!) I hope you all have a fabulous end to your week. Mine will end in 2 days, 20 hours, 54 minutes and 13 seconds...

I did splurge...$1.00 for a Moolatte

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and dust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:19-21

The above verse was what I woke up to this morning. God didn't stop there, He had more in store...

I normally don't watch a lot of tv, but this afternoon I flipped it on and it happened to be on Fox where The Desperate Housewives of Orange County was on. I watched it for about 10 minutes before I could no longer stand to see it. Here's what I witnessed...

A lady was having a birthday party on a private ship which her husband rented for her and had all of her friends as well. They were giving gifts as I witnessed her opening the gift from her husband...to my surprise it was a Rolex, but not a simple, ordinary Rolex... No, this one was laced with diamonds around the band, inside and out of the face, etc. Of course the price was announced and it cost over $40,000.00. This one was to replace her previous Rolex which "just" had diamonds on the face...

I couldn't help but think throughout that conversation, with looks from friends of jealousy and excitement that I felt bad for them. I mean $40,000.00 on a watch...

I'm not saying that I don't splurge, I mean I did just buy Velveeta shells n cheese and a shirt from the clearance rack at Old Navy, and a Moolatte at DQ for $1.00...Haha. It was Mocha flavored in case you're wondering.

I just find it SO important that we think about our money before we use it in a senseless manner. If all you're doing is thinking or worrying about money, that's a sign that it has control over you. Money itself is not sinful in nature, but what we choose to do with it can be. I'm not perfect in this by no means, there are many things that I purchase that I could live without. I do, however, find it important to enjoy a little something here and there. God gave us money to do good. What we give is because of Him that we're able. Just because you have the money, doesn't make what you're spending it on "right"...just a thought.

As part of homeschool we designate a finance lesson once a week and we talk about how we earn money, save it, tithe it, spend it. What its purpose is and what what God intended with it. To see my 6 year old son take all of his "spending" money from his jar, stick it in his pocket and take it to church for offering is one of those teachable moments. It may have been a pile of change, but it was all he had. Reminds me of a story... Teach your kids, its never too early to start!!

I pray that you hear this post with encouragement. Whether you are doing 'all the right thing's financially or have gone off the deep end and spend like theirs no meaning just because you can or maybe you've made the commitment to make wise choices and are still trying. Whatever phase you're in, I hope this blog post gives you just a little more encouragement to make it a little longer. The rewards speak for themselves. If you need help getting started in gaining financial wisdom, visit: for budget forms, saving tips, etc.


"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and dust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:19-21

A Full House and Full of Personality

One of the neatest things with all three of my children, is being able to see and experience their differing personalities everyday!! If any of you reading this have more than one child, you know EXACTLY what I mean! One child is a poster child, the next is the goofiest, then the next is just silly! Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of those fighting moments between my three children... You know the ones, "Mommy he's bugging me!" "Mommy, he's being mean!" "No, mommy, he's being mean!" "Mommy, she's looking at me!" "Mommy, he's touching me!" Yes, I have plenty of those moments in my house, those are the humbling moments!! But, the times when I look at each of my children and see the God-given traits that make each one of my children unique are the times that I just smile with a blessed heart.

My oldest, Payton, is very serious, extremely organized and loves to stay on top of everything. A standard picture of him is typically just a simple smile with a straight head...very streamlined! My second, Landon, is the goofy one! He loves to be silly and make others laugh and smile. He is SO caring and wears his heart on his sleeve. A standard picture of him is typically...oh wait, there is no standard picture of him, haha. I have to try to get a streamlined one, but they usually end up with a silly face, head tilted and hands doing..."something"! haha, definitely two different personalities! Both boys love to help Dan outside and our neighbors when they can! They love serving others and I see their faith many, many times throughout the day.

My third, Elli, is just plain silly!! From the day she was born she has completely had her own sense of style! When she was younger, I use to think she had to wear certain clothes, everything had to be matchy-matchy (you know...matching pants, socks, shoes, shirt, bow...everything). Up until about a year ago, I started realizing that I'm making her be what society sees, rather than what she wants. Trust me, sometimes I have to put a stop to certain outfits, but for the most part she does a pretty good job in picking out clothes and dressing herself. Sometimes she asks me to do her hair a certain way, then she adds her own thing to it, etc. This is very difficult for a Type-A, very matching momma who has to have everything in it's place! But, this is one of the moments, that my child has taught me to loosen the straps and have a little fun!! Yes, we have been plenty of places in her favorite pajamas because she just couldn't part with them or have worn the same shirt for three days because (in her words, "It's my favorite!"

I am like my first son, more streamlined, organized and a little more on the serious side! Then God knew I needed a little sillyness, so He gave me Dan! Dan is the goofy one who makes up his own words to songs, who usually has a silly face in his pictures, who could care less if his jeans have holes and grease stains, because that's what makes him comfortable. Our children are a reflection of who we are. Whether we are teaching them or their teaching us, a family's personality as a whole is hand-crafted by God. I'm very grateful for the sillyness in my life that shines through my husband and children and I know the seriousness is the perfect balance to the goofy ones in our home!