Small project

Even though small and insignificant a project it may be, the growth and confidence that takes place from the process and finished project is what makes it purposeful, useful and good.
This scarf will be wide, long and WARM. Oatmeal colored yarn, large needles, a simple knit and pearl design...
Going to keep pressing on and knitting away until it's done!

Publish Post

Remembering

2o11

Where to begin... when did it END?  Whew, time slips by like a child quietly searching for mischief... well, this picture sums up what can happen when they do slip by:

And no, the tears are not because I scolded her for getting into mommy's eye shadow. This one is smart enough to know she's done something wrong the moment I discover her.

Whew.

My fifth blessing is big part of why 2011 has flown by! Loving on and training this sweet girl seems to be what will be the end of me... but I wouldn't trade a moment of it... now, ask me tomorrow morning when she's screaming up a fit yelling,"I DO IT, I DO IT BENNET! You MEAN", and not sleeping peacefully in her tiny toddler bed, it may be another story...

Totally teasing!

Like a sweet man eased my mind by saying during one of her "I've made up my mind", strong-headed moments where she was loudly(while daddy was trying to do worship and mommy was trying to go over verses with Sparks girls)letting us know she did NOT want to go to her AWANA class(even the promise of treats wouldn't trick talk her into it!)or anywhere anyone else wanted her to go for that matter on this particular night, "She's a natural born leader that one."

"Well", I said," God's got a LOT of work ahead of him on this one then." (wink)

Last year was... draining. physically, mentally, spiritually-God only knows. So thankful He KNOWS:

each tear that fell
every dream left for lost
every blessing
the desires of our hearts
our deepest needs
our struggles
areas in need of cleansing and growth

He knows it all.

He knows I can't handle this brood all on my own.

Yes, yes I know, sweet and cooperative, that's them! Ha, and most of the time really they are... but what about those moments when they become wild, selfish animals who can't possibly be related to me!

Awe, shucks I love them anyway.

My mom, sister and I remain close and busy doing activities like home school field trips, bake days and exercise routines together regularly. Game nights, Monday night football with my Dad, drinks and singing around the fire pit, Christmas up at my grandparents cabin with just enough ice snow to make sledding probable possible, my oldest two getting baptized, trips to New York, Mexico(and very soon TEXAS(!!!!!!)) are definitely some of my favorite memories of this past year. I have too many to name.

God is so good. Smiling because of Him tonight.

2011 was busy for a myriad of reasons, and I am thankful that this new year I will be able to focus more solely on my family, blogging, photography and my walk with the Lord. There's nothing I hold closer to my hear than those.

Looking forward to 2012 and all the memories it's waiting to hold!

By the light of my camera screen...

On this cold December morning, hours before light seeps into the dark horizon, I had an epiphany as I sorted through smiles of children, happy moments and dear memories. I am positive, no I HOPE it is certain that many others have had this same desire and idea, and I am so glad God whispered it into my heart as well. I share that you too may be inspired to participate!

I am going to start a new blog project where I will begin documenting 1000 gifts via photos I take personally! Awesome, right?

After being loaned the book One Thousand Gifts by a long-time friend and sister in the Lord, I was moved so deeply by Ann's words.  My overall outlook on life so drastically changed, that I decided I MUST begin a list of simple daily gifts I for which I am most thankful.  I walk through my day now, thanking God as I go often but do not always take the time to scribble the memory down, or snap a photo to remember it always by. God has blessed my family richly, but I intend to dig deeper, look closer, open my heart's eyes to new and previously un-noticed gifts and be thankful in every moment of everyday for the small glimpses of God in everything and every situation. Not just the "good" gifts, but every touch, word, moment, manifestation, and situation that our Creator lovingly lets come our way. 

"Eucharisteo – life-filling gratitude – the practice of which is exercised in recording blessings, one by one." 

I am SO thankful and EXCITED! I hope you will follow my blog; the one thousand humble photos of things, people, places and those little moments of life that I am thankful and grateful for. They will fill it's pages over the course of this coming year(and beyond) until I have at least 1000 "gifts" recorded. You can check out my up and coming blog Eu.char.is.te.o and maybe even be inspired to start a list for yourself if you haven't already! Let's all, friends, choose to be thankful. Choose to live a life drenched in life-filling gratitude. Let's all make a choice to live a life of eucharisteo soaked in gratitude,  giving thanks and praise to God in the midst of even grief, loss and uncertainty; for He Is all good, in all and holds all things together.Though darkness spots His rays of beauty, He is light complete. Always light. The kind of light that fills the deepest darkest cranny's of our scorched souls and brings life to our hopeless wastelands.

Blessings to you, and merry CHRISTmas!
Mommy

Mum's the WORD!

Secrets, just between God and us-I believe they make Him happy!

     Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

Matthew 6:2-4

"How I want to see the weight of glory break my thick scales, the weight of glory smash the chains of desperate materialism, split the shell of deadening entertainment, bust up the ice of catatonic hearts. I want to see God, who pulls on the coat of my skin and doesn't leave me alone in this withering body of mortality... isn't He the face of all faces? He is infinite and without end, without jaw or sockets, everywhere eye. The face of the moon, the face of the doe, the face of derelict, the face of pain, His, the countenance that seeps up through the world, face without limitation, face that "plays in ten thousand places."


All beauty is only reflection.
And whether I am conscious of it or not, any created thing or person of which I am amazed, it is the glimpse of His face to which I bow down. Do I have eyes to see it's Him and not the "thing"? Satan came in the scales that gleamed, a thing of beauty, and he lured the first woman and she was deceived. Beauty, the disguise can slide dangerous. True authentic Beauty requires of us, lays claim to us, and it is this, the knees bent, the body offered in obedience. A pantheists god is a passive god, but omnipresent God is Beauty who demands worship, passion, and the sacrifice of a life, for it is He who owns it. Do I have eyes to see His face in all things so I'm not merely dazzled by the trinket, glitzy bauble dangling for the ogling, till it flakes and breaks and I strain for more to lie prostrate before?"


~One Thousand Gifts

Why are we constantly as Christians lifting up and magnifying the names of the vessels, those "good" outspoken saints and not the only worthy One, Jesus Christ, God, Spirit within us, Creator and illustrator of ALL things good?  Let's be amazed at Him, not his children! Let's scorn Satan and his tactics and leave the judging of radicals and sinners to the One true Judge over all and only One who intimately knows all men's hearts!

A notion

I am overjoyed
that it's not about
how good I am
but so much more
about how good
I am not and how
overwhelmingly
GOOD God is.

Oh, happy day it is when we grasp on to that concept and let it weave itself deep into the very fabric of our daily living.

Passing on a sweet reminder of how blessed the majority of us American women are and how we can be in prayer for those who are without such handicapping conveniences, for their hard work is truly blessed work and completely fed and spurred on from above. In my ungratefulness and selfishness I may get upset that I have sick kids keeping me from my appointments all the while completely overlooking the fact that some women may be losing their little ones lives to mere colds due to a lack of money and medical care... 

I am thankful today for the things God has set before me. All of it is a blessing to walk through with Him.

Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Source: Keep A Quiet Heart

Drudgery

"I must admit I feel a lot of pressure with two children under two years of age. I am committed to do it until they are in school, however, and feel it is God's will. At times like this--when I wonder if I will even be able to finish this letter with both of them screaming for something--or when I miss going to lunch or getting dressed up, everyday life seems a drudgery. I worked hard to get through college--to be a scrubwoman, ha!"

I understand this mother's cry. So does the Lord. He has given us this word: "No temptation has come your way that is too hard for flesh and blood to bear. But God can be trusted not to allow you to suffer any temptation beyond your powers of endurance. He will see to it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for you to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13, PHILLIPS).

"A way out," I can hear her say, "What mother has a way out?"

The New English Bible translation throws light on this: "a way out, by enabling you to sustain it." Think, too, of Jesus' words, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:29 AV). He is willing to bear our burdens with us, if only we will come to Him and share the yoke, His yoke.

I saw this principle in operation when I visited the Dohnavur Fellowship in India. There, day after day, year in and year out, Indian women (most of them single) care for little children, handicapped children, infirm adults, old folks. They don't go anywhere. They have none of our usual forms of amusement and diversion. They work with extremely primitive equipment--there is no running water, for example, no stoves but wood-burning ones, no washing machines. In one of the buildings I saw this text: "There they dwelt with the King for His work." That's the secret. They do it for Him. They ask for and receive His grace to do it. I saw the joy in their lovely faces.

"To occupy oneself with God's Word, talking about it and thinking about it, is also a most tremendous help against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thoughts. In such reading, discussion, and meditation the Holy Spirit is present to supply always more light and new insights.
Psalm 1:2 calls those blessed who meditate on the law of the Lord day and night. It is certain that you will be offering up no incense or candles more potent against the devil than by occupying yourself with God's commandments and words, by takling of them, by singing them and by meditating on them. That, let me tell you, is the true holy water, the sign before which he flees and by which you can rout him."

-Martin Luther, Luther's Large Catechism

I adore rainy fall days.
A refreshing run through the cloud's tears.
Quiet time snuggled on the sofa, reflecting while being serenaded by the gentle patter of drops on the window pane.
Open windows, candles lit, bread baking in the oven and steamy coffee in hand.
A handful of my children cuddled close as books take our minds to far off lands, where stories always end happily ever after.
The softness of the soil and green of the leaves they brings... I adore rainy fall days.
Thank you, Lord for today. Refresh, wash, yes, cleanse my heart and soul just as you are the earth this day. Show what wicked ways have become set in my heart. Pour your healing grace on those desert places, Father. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Fragile Companion

Every cool summer morning, after spending energy on an invigorating run I look forward to grabbing the garden hose, my straw hat and watering can. I shower my flower gardens with a refreshing drink, faithfully as a summertime ritual. It's my time to pray in silence, tend to my plants, till the soil, dig up impeding grass and weeds and enjoy the warmth and beauty of the rising sun. As summer's end looms near, I was blessed with a visit from a tiny neighbor. It's as if he frolicked and played in the coolness of the water and waved a thank you and farewell as he climbed from his home and back again. God is SO GOOD to his children, he sends reminders of his love and small wonders of his amazing creation. 

I will miss these moments come fall!

Life is a beautiful ever changing thing. Some seasons of blooming, growing and joy. Others withering, thirsty and dormant.

Always lovely. Painful. Beautiful.

Life in Jesus always has the good ending.

I am SO thankful to be mom to my busy beautiful five.

Random Thoughts Tuesday

Well, I've got a computer again! It's a relic. Nearly a decade in age... which you know is 100 in human years! And what's worse is it's not a laptop(it's age already gave that away). It's... a... DESK TOP!  *Sigh* Children's teeth must come first! Right?
I will grit MY teeth in agony while waiting for photos to load and I will be happy while doing so! Because afterall it WAS my fumbling fingers that clumsily dropped my dear laptop which in turn led to it's untimely demise.

We just returned from a mini trip to visit family out west. It was an 8 hour drive each way and miraculously, we LOVED every moment of it. It took us a couple of hours to get out of town as we had to make a stop at the doctor's office and pharmacy(such is life with kids). But once on the road we stopped to see Multnomah and Horsetail falls, listened to Adventures in Odyssey and thoroughly enjoyed having family close with little distractions.

We celebrated Grandpa Jim's 90th birthday while there!  One of my favorite moments of the trip was when he opened a handmade gift from his son and grand kids: a paper cut-out of a boat and fisherman with his pole and line out with 90 fish trailing behind. One for each year. All 90 of the fish were hand cut, unique and got bigger in size as you got the end of the line, symbolizing his legacy, influence and family among other things I suppose. Such creativity, thought and time went into a gift like that... those are the best kind.

I stabbed a can open this morning with a sharp knife while my oldest daughter held the phone poised to call 911 if needed... I do believe it is time to buy a can opener.

My son looks like a who from Who ville. Seriously!  He fell off of our bar stool gouging his top lip with his teeth. It's massively swelled up, and well... when he smiles, he almost resembles the Grinch! Hahaha, poor guy. We're all trying not to laugh around him.

I have tons of pictures that I am so very eager to edit, stories that I JUST CAN'T WAIT to post, a house that needs cleaning, dentist appointments that need scheduling, soccer games wanting attendance, dirt that needs raking, an attic that needs finishing, lattes that need steaming, friends I'd love to be visiting, family I'd enjoy calling, clothes that need washing, windshields needing repairing, papers waiting grading and meals that warrant making... I'm quite busy.

I have discovered I am not a wimp after all. A friend, after having 5 kids naturally, recently underwent her first c-section with her 6th child due to complications in her pregnancy. She went on to tell me she doesn't know why I did it more than once, and that the recovery is so hard, especially with other kids in the house needing her, and much more painful compared to having her others naturally. This was news for me!

Having had five c-sections myself and then calling it quits deciding we're satisfied with our family in size and for health reasons for me, we have made the decision to be done with the baby stage. I have never known any other way of delivering a baby than a c-section!  I have gone through 15 hours of labor, ending in a c-section. Completely and utterly awful, let me tell you. I have also, gone into the hospital in the morning for a planned c-section, no prior labor and delivered my baby. Much, much more doable and "delightful" than the prior with a slightly faster recovery. 

My first daughter was breech, so born via c-section. My four subsequent babies were also born via c-section as well due to other complications and just plain poor planning i.e. babies 12 months apart(*wink *wink God knows ALL!). So I haven't a clue as to the comparison between natural birth and c-sections. Now I am aware enough to know that every woman experiences different pain levels in natural childbirth and if you throw in their different levels in pain tolerance, it really is hard to compare. It is quite easier though to compare c-sections to natural childbirth, especially in the recovery process. I would love to hear from other women who have gone through both to get even more input into which process is preferred.

God made our bodies to become pregnant, carry the baby to term and then deliver the baby naturally from our body. No cuts, no stitches, no surgery.  All natural. The way God planned it from the beginning of time, with the exception of pain... unfortunately the fall of man changed the fate of that! After we give birth, as we nurse our baby, our body amazingly bounces back and begins to go back to normal right away!  Within hours or days, besides exhaustion from sleep deprivation, our bodies begin to feel energetic and better than we have in months!  In a matter of hours, we go from being pregnant, to pain in labor, birthing baby and to having a beautiful new life in our arms to start nurturing and loving on. It's God's wonderful design, simply stated.

I have never had that exact experience. With each pregnancy, the excitement and beauty of pregnancy and a new baby has always had the looming surgery and recovery tacked onto it. With a c-section, you are cut open, stomach muscles divided, uterus brought up and out of your body and baby and placenta is extracted... then they stitch you up and put you back together again. It's a harrowing process, one that doctors have perfected over the years with technology to where there isn't much risk at all anymore.  I would always have a blood pressure dive down to 60 over 40 during surgery(which feels like something I can't explain but I'll try... like your drowning and your eyes are darkening and rolling back into your head, your lungs are seizing and you are passing out.... anyways, no fun!) before the anesthesiologist would get me medicated and my blood pressure back up to normal, but other than that it was a breeze during surgery, just a bit uncomfortable and worrisome. After catching but a glimpse of their sweet little face once they we're born, I wouldn't get to hold baby until about 45 minutes after birth and wouldn't be able to feel my legs for at least 6 more hours after that. The next few days and weeks are hard.  No only because I have a new baby to take care of but because being able to walk takes a few days and being able to roll over in bed takes at least a week to be able to do. My overall energy is sapped in trying to heal my cut up body. After five c-sections, the toll on my body can be felt. Scar tissue, nerve issues from the many spinal epidurals and overall tiredness from having had 5 major surgeries in 7 years has caught up with me.

That being said, I am thankful, beyond words that God holds us up in times of trial and hardship... even though things in this fallen world don't always go according to plan, we can rest upon His promises that He knows. He cares. He is always here for us in out time of need.  He has proven Himself faithful to us, many times over.  I wouldn't change a thing that He has brought us through!

Okay, marching on into our busy day I must go. My second in command and I made muffins to sell to daddy's co-workers this morning and we must get them there while still warm and steaming!
Good Day!

If we had been there...

As the sun reflects off raindrops upon leaves, may the heartsprings of my life, resting in faith reflect nothing less than the love of Jesus!

I've been playing through hymnals quite a bit lately on the piano as I(and a few little voices at times)sing along. Right now I am playing through beauties from Hymns For the Family of God. In the midst of "His life and Ministry" section, #286 there is a reading that goes along with an American folk hymn "Were You There?" It's thought provoking. Beautiful, prodding words fill it's paragraphs and it's title "If We Had Been There" rightly begs the questions:
We're we there? No, but if we would have seen Jesus' life and ministry firsthand would we live each day differently today?  If we had touched his hands, walked in His footsteps and had known the sound of His voice... would our faith be greater? Would we live a life more abandoned for God in this year 2011; a life different than the world's flow, than the tug of society and yes, even our fellow believers?

"If we had been Jews, would we have spoken out for Him

when the Sanhedrin accused Him of blasphemy?

If we had been Gentiles, would we have defended Him

when the Romans condemned Him to death?

If we had been disciples, would we have stayed with Him

when the crowd became a crucifying mob?

Or would we have been like Peter-

who followed Him and loved Him

and denied Him three times before dawn?

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

And the Christ who was crucified there, once said:

"As you have done it to the least of these, My brothers,

you have done it unto Me."

As nations rise in war

As governments oppress the poor

As passive people turn and look aside

In silence

We crucify

Again-

We crucify.

As indifference forms the pattern of our lives,

As hungry children cry for food,

As widows mourn alone in empty rooms,

In apathy-

We crucify.

Again-

We crucify.

Were you there when they nailed Him to the tree?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

I think of the nails that crucified my Lord.

They were made of iron; but more-

They were made of hatred, prejudice and greed.

And I wonder-

What part of myself creates mails in other forms

that wound my brother or sister-and my Lord?

You know how many times I have betrayed you, Lord.

You know the times I have chosen evil over good.

Guilt lies upon me like an iron cloak.

My soul is heavy-my burden hard.

Were you there when He rose up from the grave?

O! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.

In the act of death He absorbs our sins.

In love, He forgives our failures.

In the act of resurrection He gives the promise of acceptance,

the assurance of forgiveness, the affirmation of eternal life.

"Your sins are forgiven you", He said, "Go and sin no more."

Through You love, I am made whole,

Through Your death, I have found new life.

You are my shield, my redeemer and my hope.

My sins are forgiven-Hallelujah!"

-Marilee Zdenek

Treasuring the moment

Seasons come and seasons go, blessed be the name of the Lord!

During this crazy busy season we are in at the moment, strangely I've found rest, peace and overwhelming contentment in Jesus and focusing my attention on the physically present people and "real" moments in my life. Trust me, and not of my own will, either! I have been without a computer at home for a couple of weeks now and while it has been hard to refocus and shake the habit of relying on the Internet, facebook and blogging to get my "fix" it has been amazing the blessing that has been washing over me in return for more "quiet" days. Those beautiful souls God has placed before me on this path of life to walk beside for awhile for a greater purpose; I'm not so distracted as to dismiss them now... I've found that there has been less of me and more of Him as a result of this thrust back to the 90's. Hahaha...
We all get in needy mode at times, or our deflating pride or battered self-image needs boosting. Regardless of whether you are willing to admit it we ALL have look at me fests as a result of being discouraged. How easy it is to pick up the computer and have instant gratification from the attention received, burying myself in mindless activities and earthly information, reaching out to others for much needed love and affirmation. Now while that isn't all bad in and of itself, have I turned to God first? Where is my heart when I am doing that? Is God not able? Is He not enough? Have I looked to a smaller god in my life, the easier and quicker way of "dealing" with and filling my needs? Those things do work sometimes in boosting morale, but not usually for long. My senses need to be re-stimulated time and time again, more and more,"I just need to be KNOWN and keep it that way!" Have you ever felt like that?
I've found that in setting myself apart for Christ, reaching out daily to those around me, being sensitive to the Spirit's leading in everyday activities and in prayer, I am saying no to my fleshly desires and it is GOD who instead fills ALL of those needs! I don't need to go out and ask for it, look for it or wave attention down to feel noticed or loved, but how often in the fast paced world, full of information at our fingertips and instant gratification are we brain-washed in thinking that is how God works.

Psalm 4:2-4
How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
the LORD hears when I call to him.
Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.

He's still.
Mighty.
A firm foundation.
Always present.
All that I need.

Friends, He finds no joy in us filling our days with US.
Father, this day, I live for you! For You only. Not to fill an earthly need, be lazy, make myself or my "life" known by all or satisfy my longings. You know my needs before I even have thought of them. You are my Maker, and I give this day to you, to live for YOUR glory.

I'm sure I will get my "beloved" computer back soon(smile), so I can post all of the wonderful photos and stories that I have to share, but until then I'm going to keep my eyes and heart focused on living by the motto, "Not my will but YOURS be done in my life and family, Lord".

Now onto one of my other daily fixes... coffee...

Random Thoughts

I am LOVING all of the refreshing rain we've been having and the green it's awakening these days. It's beautiful and energizing to see new growth and the changing of the season. I'm so ready to be out with the old and in with something NEW!

Now, honestly I am the LAST person to want to slam our president with words. I pray for him and respect his accomplishments and what I am going to say next is not meant to deface or put him down. He is merely a man. I have no prior personal expectations about who he should be or what he should do. As a public figure, though and the leader of our country I do believe we have the obligation to be aware and call him out on blatant lies along with his political and ethical moves or lack thereof. It is frustrating to me to see our president's reaction to the crisis in Japan. It reminds me of a donor, showing up long enough to put on their show and take the credit but leaving as soon as the "deed" has been done and the spotlight is off of them... Really? Leading our country is not about putting on the best show or a bunch of useless words-or even about giving money. That's easy.  It's about personally caring, showing sincere concern, sacrifice and leadership. Being the ultimate example in action, not about resting in luxury as you push your agenda. I guess what perplexes me the most is the fact that very few in this selfish country, including our president are willing to sacrifice. Whether it be money or time as well as putting prior plans on hold for a time, leaving room for flexibility; postponing tee time... if it inconveniences too much personally, it isn't even thought twice about. Life isn't a show! It rarely plays out like Hollywood depicts. Sometimes real life happens, catastrophe strikes and the fun stuff has to wait. Running our country is serious business, and I feel our president lives in a dream world, not the real world like the rest of us.

I am completely and utterly busy, busy, BUSY(borderline overwhelmed) getting things ready for my trip to New York City, New York(sorry, I just love writing the entire name, it get's me all excited)! So much to do, so little time, but that doesn't damper my excitement-I CAN'T WAIT!! So excited(did I already say that?) and I know it will be worth all of the gobbledygook to-dos once we're on the plane headed east. I am so thankful for this opportunity to travel, photograph, learn, grow and have heart to hearts with my sister and mom. What a blessing! I thrive on studying diverse cultures, putting feelings into pictures and my heart into print...  I am oh-so-passionate to a fault sometimes.

My kids and I enjoyed a day out shopping today despite the downpours. They are such sweet kids who desire to please. I enjoy them! 

They are quite the funny crew. They enjoy me, too I suppose most days. Ha ha!

Their favorite school subject is health and it's easy to see why.  We do hands on experiments and activities that correlate with our lesson.  What child wouldn't love to run around crazy for a few minutes to observe our elevated heart rate or put a raw egg in vinegar for days to watch how the vinegar seeps through the wall of the shell just like oxygen is exchanged with carbon dioxide through millions of alveoli in our lungs every time we take a breath(and we're a product of chance? *Ha ha cough snort choke--whatever floats your boat!), or a surprise oral competition,  reviewing things we've learned; playing for candy! Fun times.

The Lord is gracious to give those precious moments, those encouraging times to remind me WHY I am home schooling these sponges children...

For His purposes...
For them.

Praying

As the world watches, Japan has undergone a catastrophe of a magnitude that has not been seen in many many years... Along with the horrific remnants of an almost 9.0 earthquake, power outages, the threat of nuclear reactor core meltdowns and a 40 foot tsunami wave that left astounding sights such as an entire bus left sitting atop a three story building after the retreating ocean left it there-the entire nation of Japan moved up to 8 feet to the east! Along with that mind staggering statistic, we also know that the rotation of the earth has been altered a few inches from the shaking, shifting and groaning of the planet last Friday... amazing. It's hard to wrap my mind around everything that has happened and for some probably impossible to understand why it has happened. It is impossible on many levels of our comprehension to completely understand why and how these things happen. We sit around as human beings in our robes of worldly wisdom and try to figure things out, take preventative action and box up and label phenomenons because we feel more in control if we completely "understand" the situation. I believe though, as a Christian, that in this world, things are always going to come into our lives that are "bigger" than us. In this world there will be trouble. There just is and always will be. Because this earth is the Lord's and everything in it, we will NOT always understand the reasons behind our troubles. The earth is God's creation. He alone can control, completely understand and prevent catastrophes from happening. Our minds can't comprehend things that we haven't already seen: "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth..." The earth along with everything and everyone on it will see it's end one day.  There is a last breath for everyone. Every dawn of morning brings us closer to that day. The earth is groaning under the weight of age and sin-God can only wait so long.
I plead with my fellow human race, to those who haven't given their lives to Him yet, that you will do so today because Jesus' return is soon.  I pray He doesn't tarry and comes quickly and rescues us from having to endure anymore pain and devastation as Japan has seen this past weekend and will undoubtedly have to overcome throughout the coming days, months and years.

Watching. Praying. If possible enabling.

"Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds in the sky.
Destruction and Death say,
“Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,
for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
When he established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,
when he made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,
then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.
And he said to the human race,
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.”

nothing new under the sun

Oil's in the cereal for a change, ice cream's made from breastmilk, geography lessons coupled with a dose of reality and perspective in the news, prayers for Japan on our lips, heavy hearts and lifted eyes waiting for the return of our Lord and Savior.

The world is a crazy messed up place full of unsuspecting people pretending to know it all and have everything under control and I have to say I feel a bit like shaking my head in disgust while saying, "yadda, yadda, yadda. Same ol', same ol'."  It seems out-of-"our"-control situations like Tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes among other natural disasters would serve as a warning coupled with a little reality that we are all minute faulty men at the whim of something or some ONE bigger.

Let's start praying to HIM folks, because Jesus' return looms nearer each day this evanescent world turns.
God is our only hope. He IS hope. We cannot place hope in ourselves, other men, in our knowledge, in our abilities or whereabouts. God is in whom I choose to place my trust.  And not just for today or during difficult times, but choosing to walk a consistent life of steadfast hope in Jesus, always and forever and in every situation; He is my hope.

Ecclesiastes 1:8-10 All things are wearisome,

more than one can say.

The eye never has enough of seeing,

nor the ear its fill of hearing.

What has been will be again,

what has been done will be done again;

there is nothing new under the sun.

 1 John 5:19-20 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 Corinthians 1:15-17 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Revelation 22:15-22 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Random Thoughts Thursday

Well, amoxicillin, benadryl and prednisone, those are the drugs of choice needed these days. It all started with my second in command coming down with strep. We took her in, got her tested and medicated, only to then have to take four more in for testing and drugging.  That left two of us. About 5 days later, my baby came down with strep. We took her in and got her drugs. A day later, my son wakes up absolutely COVERED and swollen with hives.  I didn't know for sure what it was at first.  Many things were running through my head-hives? Scarlatina? Measles? Chicken Pox?  It was discouraging to say the least after a week of doctors, colds, coughs, pharmacists and sickness.  I took him BACK in to the doctor to find out he had an allergic reaction to the amoxicillin and got yet another prescription for prednisone and orders to give him benadryl along with it... nice. Now today, my oldest daughter is also showing signs of hives so, ceasing antibiotics and switching to benadryl is now in order.  This scenario totally reminds me of those commercials. You know, the ones that quickly state the miraculous nature of their drug and it's super-natural power to completely eradicate  your problems... only to then take the remaining 3/4 of the commercial to "quickly" and "discreetly" name off all of the side effects of taking their pill.  Yeah, not so sure death is better than having to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes... hmmmm...
Doesn't this picture just make you hurt for him?

Thankfully, today he is about 75% back to normal. Thank you, Lord!

Does anyone else have bad hair days bad enough to make you grab the shears and chop away at those stubborn waves?  Well, I sure do.  I had one of those days last Sunday. I flopped, curled, flattened, poofed, gooed and fluffled my hair... to no avail.  SO! I got out the scissors and chopped those unruly pests away.
This is the outcome.

So to have or not to have bangs-this is the question.
Any thoughts?

(My sweet cousin a.k.a. my hairdresser is going to scold me. I know it.)

picture from here

Kids love making decisions for themselves and hands on snacks.  I thought I would share some of our recent yummies!
One of our fave snacks to dress up is yogurt.  You can blend it into a shake with blueberries and strawberries or you can scoop some into a bowl and add crumbled up graham crackers for a treat that resembles cheesecake!  Greek yogurt is the best because of it's richness, but it does have more calories than regular.  Often times, I buy plain yogurt so I can add the sweetener myself!  All you need is a little honey or agave syrup, vanilla and cinnamon and you have yourself some semi-homemade scrumptious yogurt!
You can add berries, maple syrup, graham crackers, cookies, sprinkles, cereal, oats or toasted nuts to yogurt and your kids will never get tired of creating their very own snack.
Another favorite of ours is freezing chocolate milk to make some mean homemade chocolate bars!  The kids devour them!
 Another diverse snack are plain ol' brown rice cakes.  They are a bit plain on their own, but present your kids with a few bowls of toppings and spreads and they will think it is the best, most fun snack ever.  We love hummus, peanut butter, lunch meat and mustard, homemade sour cream chocolate frosting, nutella or melted cheese. Yum!
So make snack time simple, yet diverse, healthy, yet satisfying, quick yet loads fun and you will have happy, healthy children because of it.
I am beginning to feel the excitement of adventure welling up inside of me. New York!!!!  That is where my mom, sister and I will be headed come March 21st... there are still so many things I need to get planned, made and settled before we go... Hmmm, I will be working the two days before we go and the day after I get back...AGH!  Better stock the vitamins... Spending time with my mom(who is celebrating her 50th birthday!) and sister(who is 5 months pregnant!) will be so refreshing and some of the places, people and cultures we are going to encounter will make the struggle of leaving completely worth it.
My husband and I tried out Google video chat last night for the first time! Awesome!  Now I just need to get my sister-in-law Janna, my aunt Sheri and family and my husband's sister's and well, ALL distant family on it as well so we can catch up "in person".  My kids would absolutely LOVE to get to talk to their cousins online. I don't know why it has taken us this long to get into online video chatting... five kids would probably have something to do with that, though. The coolness, in style factor and having to keep up with the latest trends kind of gets put on hold when you have kids one right after another... so we're stuck in the 90's. Haha.
A lot of people might wonder why everything I do or say is laced with Jesus or my faith in God. (I sense eyerolls like Frodo's sword senses Orcs) I know that some see that as small minded or naive. Child-like faith- is it really so bad?  If we don't have some higher reason for living... why live at all?  If there is no eternity, why do anything remotely good for others, follow rules or love anyone or anything at all?  If God is not loving infinite Creator, and this life here on earth is all of the time I have to enjoy and experience, well first of all I'd be utterly depressed. Then I would decide to live what life I have solely for me and my purposes, not having a care in the world, subject to no one. I see SO many living that way, only to meet an abrupt end in life.

"The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.  “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?  “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die. “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear, you Israelites: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?  If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it; because of the sin they have committed they will die.  But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed and does what is just and right, they will save their life.  Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live; they will not die.  Yet the Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Are my ways unjust, people of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?  “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.  Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?  For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

Ezekiel 18:20-32

Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:6-9

Is it hopelessness, selfishness or rebellion that keeps us from pursuing and seeking out God? Or is it that most just haven't heard or seen the truth?  More than not we are all constantly being fed lies and pummeled with worldly "wisdom" and believing them, not even trying to search out the truth!
God is just. He is loving. He is real... I would hope that everyone comes to realize this before they walk through death's door. 
Instead, I hear theories like, "We are all gods. We have evolved slowly over billions of years. God is more of a feeling than a person... yadda yadda yadda. The diverse amazing earth and my infinitesimally complicated body's makeup that cannot be 100% explained by scientists just... came to be here one day? " Let's face it, it all sounds a bit like a farce. Let's lay down our pride people and our desire to understand and know all and accept that we are all a product of Intelligent Design. Because if Christians are wrong, yes all of our hopes and dreams and the reason we lived will be crushed once on the other side... but we will still end up in the same place as everyone else. If the rest world is wrong in believing they have no one with whom to give account to... they will be sentenced to Hell for eternity after standing before the Maker they rejected. What do you have to lose?

Three's a crowd...

...unless that third person object is my camera of course!

If you we're wondering what in the world yesterday's post was about well, really it's about nothing at all.  We love to be silly and not act our age at times-just having fun playing around with my beloved(no, I'm not referring to my camera *teeheehee).

My awesome husband and I went on a date about a week back and had a W-O-N-D-E-R-ful time! My main man has always been a hopeless romantic. Don't get me wrong, he's still a guy. He looks at things, situations and problems completely logically, can only see the next thing that needs to be conquered done, feels empowered and accomplished when leading and doesn't let emotions take over his decision making...and it drives his emotional control-freak wife crazy sometimes.  Guys and their practical level-headed one-track-mind... how DO they do it!?
Well, the day before our date, before I had any knowledge of it whatsoever, I went out and grabbed the mail from the mailbox. As I was sorting through I noticed a letter addressed to me, from my husband!  I tore into it to find a detailed invitation for a night out with my husband. So sweet, so organized, so debonair, so... romantic. ((contented sigh))
I was so very thankful because it has been a crazy past couple of weeks and I'm not going to lie, almost downright out of control at times.  So this little piece of joy sitting amongst more "to do's" in the mail pile was a breath of refreshing air!
We had a great evening out, taking a walk along the river and snapping photos of each other.  We also had dinner, saw a flick and stopped by the coffee shop.  We try to get out twice a month on our own, but it certainly isn't a rule. Ha!
I'm thankful for my husband today. For his compassion, love and positivity... I'm thankful for my main man, peanut butter, freedom, family, prednisone, green tea, God's working in my children, Memaws, Papas, sunsets, my new camera, new friends, gatherings of diverse people around the supper table, Agape love and scissors-ahh, what a great invention.
Here a few peeks from our "photo session".

Just thought I'd share.

God has given us women quite the gift in a husband.

Someone to walk the path of life with, to keep us real, loved and protected... I couldn't have chosen anyone better suited for me than my main man.

Excellence

This season of life my family is walking through is so fast-paced, borderline out of control and downright CraZy... sickness, work, school, commitments... but yet I still have a hard time saying NO. The struggle at times is that I have a hard time choosing priorities or passions and sticking to them.  I find myself desiring to DO everything, to try something new, to venture out into the exciting unknown, to be good at everything. The problem I see in that indecisiveness and lack of dedication and unwavering focus is so much mediocrity.  Now don't get me wrong, mediocrity along with dabbling in diverse interests, isn't wrong or bad.  It's just... shouldn't we strive for excellence?  Becoming an excellent photographer for instance, takes dedication, perseverance and sacrifice. Dedication-the time, hard work, practice and study it takes to excel at the hobby. Sacrifice-not giving your energy or means to many other "things", saying NO to other alluring and even urgent projects or even relationships.  The thing about photography is it's just a thing. You can always eventually move on to the next fad and not have any baggage or lasting consequences of putting your investment up on the shelf to collect dust... except for maybe a few regrets.
On the other hand becoming a parent-the biggest endeavor one can take on-and not dedicating your life to the raising of upright children may leave one with a life-time of regrets and constant reminders of those failures to invest everything you had into your kids!
Our Christian walk. That is NOT something we can take lightly, off and on again or only pick it up when it's "fun" or convenient.
For a person such as myself and my type DD personality, if a captivating idea comes to me, I feel the means are readily available and the door opens, I dive head long into it. All or nothing with me. Expend every ounce of energy into learning, expanding my knowledge and bringing my new found passion to fruition. Only, I must have dedication A.D.D. because it doesn't usually last long.  Once the "honeymoon" stage of a new adventure wears off and the gruelling mundane work begins, I am often quickly caught up and swept away with a new ambition.  I make a great starter... just a lousy finisher. This is all well and good, and for the most part doesn't hurt anyone, but the sacrifice of wanting to be good at and try everything, is that I will never ever be excellent at anything. 
I believe the first and most important calling we have as Christians is to be excellent in Christ. Our walk with God should be our all-time, 1st in line passion. All of our energy, resources and time should begin with time spent in His Word, prayer, growing in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and following His lead, dying to the flesh and living a life led instead by the spirit... but beyond that-what is our calling as Christians? 

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Colossians 3:16-17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

God's grace is enough to cover any and ALL mistakes we make in life-those times when my dedication to spending time with Him wanes. I am so thankful for that truth! I can ask myself when presented with a decision, "Is this to fill an emotional need, to take the place of God? Am I calling it quits on this venture because I feel it's becoming too hard or because God is leading me in a new direction?" I believe whole-heartedly that the MOST important thing about what I might choose to fill up the days of my life is the reason behind WHY I am doing it. Am I doing it for God, alongside and through the strength and means He provides? Or am I looking to step a rung higher up the worldly ladder in my own strength-to appease my pride? If I know I am called to do something and I choose to go my own way instead, that would certainly not be beneficial... even if I thought it was for a "good" reason and helped someone else out, my heart wouldn't be in the right place and I am sure my conscience and circumstances would eventually tell me so! If it doesn't bring my Lord glory or if I am doing it for my own glory, or God just isn't plain behind it, what good is it going to profit anyone? My labor would be in vain because it bears no weight, it's foundation is weak, it's fruits will wither and die.

Proverbs 19:20-21
Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
That you may be wise in your latter days.
There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.


1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

So, from what I gather, it's not as much about what I do, but why I do what I do that makes the difference. Am I fueled by God's love or love for myself? Do I have what it takes to be an excellent Child of God? I have faith that God will lead. He provides a plan, a way and the tools to excel in it.  I pray that my Christian walk would not resemble my tendency to move from one thing to another-pursuing many different passions and hobbies, dropping whole-hearted dedication the minute something new, exciting and better-looking knocks at the door-and scream lukewarm mediocrity.  It's easy peasy to do the wrong thing that in the end, brings death and destruction.  It's not so easy to choose God's will and "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus..."  I long to have a heart and spirit that excels in reflecting Christ in everything that I do, whatever I do and every minute of every day I walk this earth.
Because anything worth the getting, takes time. Sacrifice. Dedication. And work... and Lord willing, will end solely glorifying my Savior, through excellence-a heart that desires God.

Psalm 86:10-12
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
Teach me your way, LORD,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.