And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. Luke 6:31 

Translates in our house to "Is that how you want to be treated? Then you shouldn't treat him or her like this."

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. Matthew 17:16 & 17

Translates in our house to "Are you planting good fruit or bad fruit? What kind of fruit do you want to grow?"

For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. Gal. 6:7b

Translates in our house to "Are those seeds of selfishness or sharing? Are those seeds of ugliness or kindness? What kind of seeds do you want to grow?"

If it is possible as far as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

Translates in our house to "Are you doing your part to help our home be peaceful?"

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12

Translates in our house to "Are you having an attitude of humility or pridefulness? Do you care more about having your own way or pleasing God?"

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Phil 2:4

Translates in our house to "Are you considering yourself more important than everyone else? Why do you think you should have that over someone else?"

These are some of the bible verses that get repeated over and over to our children in our home, but should these verses apply only to our children? Am I practicing these things in front of my children as I am teaching them what God says? Do they see me apply these basic principles in my dealings with them, their dad, other people in their lives?

Just as I don't expect our children to get this perfectly, I don't always either.

Do they see me striving to please God in all circumstances or do they see me unhappy with where He has placed me, jealous and coveting things others have, or angry about things He has allowed or not allowed in our lives? 

Do our children see me believing God's word to be true, even when I don't feel like it is, walking by faith when I don't seem to have any, living what I know to be true in the times I feel good, even in the times I feel bad?

I don't want to justify the reasons why it's hard to do these things or why I should have a right not to, because God's word doesn't give me an out to obeying what it says. I just want to intentionally try to apply God's word to my life on a daily basis for two reasons.

The first one is that I don't want to miss a thing God has for us. So, even if I have to pretend to do the right thing while my flesh gets in line with what I know is right, I am going to smile when I don't feel like it, be kind to someone who isn't to me, be happy for someone that has what I want, etc. because in applying God's word, by His grace, to all of the situations in my life, I believe He will help my feelings to line up with His word too. Then I will be in the position to receive what He has for me, when I might not have been before.

Will it be easy? No, Is it possible? Yes.

My second reason is because I want my children to understand that God's grace helps me to overcome my flesh and will help them also. I want them to understand that I don't have to be controlled by my feelings, that I can make a choice to apply God's word to my life and it will work, just as it will for them. That God's word will accomplish what it sets out to do, Isaiah 55:11, if I allow it too.

If I want them to learn these things, I have to be able to apply them in my life first.

Will I always set the perfect example? No, because I'll never be perfect in this life.

Will they learn to continue trying to do better in every situation? I believe so, because they see me and their dad trying to do better in every situation.

We are all in different places in our walks with God. Where we are doesn't have anything to do with how long we have known the Lord, it has more to do with our willingness to submit to Him and His plan. I believe this progression can go fast or slow, depending on how we listen and apply what God teaches us. I think it also depends on what we have learned about the Lord and His word and our willingness to actually use it in our lives.

I have had to unlearn a lot of things so I could relearn the right things. My prayer is that through our children learning what God's word says early in their lives and watching my husband and I as we work to apply it, that they will learn that God's word is true no matter what the circumstances are and if they use it, it will work!

How about you? How do you intentionally put God's word to work in your life, even when you don't feel like it? How has God been faithful to meet you where you are when you do?

All to often, I hear others encouraging each other in the ways of their flesh or justifying each others bad behavior. What would happen if we encouraged each other to go to God's word for how to handle our feelings and situations? How would our lives and the lives of those around us be changed?

Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2Pet 1:3

I ran across this recipe in one of those little Jello and Cool Whip dessert cookbooks found at the checkout. I love Tiramusu, but have never attemped it. This recipe is so easy and tastes so good! I doubled it for our family and put it in a 9 X 13 pan instead of a pie pan. 

Easy Tiramisu Pie

48 vanilla wafers, divided
1/4 cup brewed strong coffee, cooled, divided
4 oz. (1/2 of 8 oz. pkg.)  cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups cold milk
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla flavor instant pudding
2 cups Cool Whip whipped topping, thawed
1 square semi-sweet chocolate, grated

Arrange 36 wafers on bottom and up side of 9 inch pie plate. Drizzle with 2 Tbsp. of coffee.

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat 1 minute. Gently stir in 2 cups of Cool Whip.

Layer half each of the pudding mixture and grated chocolate in crust; cover with remaining wafers. Drizzle with remaining coffee. Repeat layers of pudding and chocolate. Refrigerate 3 hours.

I used instant coffee and more of it than the recipe called for so the cookies would be really soaked. I didn't have a square of chocolate, so I used a hand full of chocolate chips that I grated in the blender.

It took about 15 minutes to prepare. Not only was it pretty, but delicious too!

Hope you enjoy it!

This post linked to WFMW at We Are That Family.
Also linked to Weekend Wander at While He Was Napping.

A few weeks ago we went to a graduation that was at the Spanish Church we attended for many years. A few of our friends graduated from a three year Pastor's program through Assembly of God. Usually graduations are pretty boring, but because it was in the Spanish Church, it wasn't the usual boring.

There was a couple sitting in front of us that took me back quite a few years. As I watched them, I remembered our life when we had several small children. Their oldest son looked to be about 12. Then there were 2 daughters. One was about 6 months old and the other about 2 or 2 1/2 and she was something.

I remembered being in church with several babies and what a challenge it was. Lots of times Marinely didn't sit with me, because he was helping. There weren't any options for nursery, but our children wouldn't have gone anyway, so we had to have a good plan to make it work.
 
The particular couple didn't have a good plan. I'm not sure if it was only that night, or always, but I felt really sad for her, because I sensed she was totally overwhelmed. 

The 2 1/2 year old was running around, smashing food in the carpet, dumping her cup and when her mom tried to correct her, she screamed like someone was killing her. She obviously was not enjoying her children. I wouldn't have been either, lol.

As I was totally distracted watching them, I tried to remember the things we did to make it easier. The biggest thing was training at home. We practiced church at home. I also realized that nothing was foolproof. I made sure that the cups we had wouldn't spill and that snacks were clean. The church was a gymnasium and when our children were at the running around age, we used strollers. That way if I was nursing a baby, the others were confined to their seats, with their cup, snack and a small toy and they couldn't run around. Usually they just went to sleep.

I also realized that sometimes we would just have a hard day, no matter how much we had practiced. Those were the times I just had to relax and know that if I was in the hall, God would still find a way to minister to me. He always gave me what I needed and I 'm sure it was one of the ways He was using to change me!

I made changes in my life to accommodate the season I was in. I didn't overextend myself with lots of things to do for others. My children and home were  my most important things to do and I didn't want to miss a minute with them. 

So what would I have said to the frustrated momma if I could have. "Train your children so you can enjoy them. It's so much easier on them and you if they have learned to obey. Simplify. Most importantly, relax and enjoy your children. This time will pass and you won't be able to do it over! Be sure to love them!"

But love covers all transgressions. Proverbs 10:12b

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord;
The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3  

This post linked to Raising Homemakers.

A friend loves at all times, Prov 17a

I have a friend I have known for about 16 or 17 years. Over the years, our friendship has turned into more of a relationship of sisters than friends. I was an only child and she had a brother instead of a sister, so we adopted each other. As a result of this, our children have called her Aunt, because any other title just seemed too formal.

It's kind of funny to me, because our lives are so different, but God has meshed us together anyway. She works in the movie business, so she travels a lot and has had families all over the country adopt her as Aunt Pam, just as we have. And here I am, married, stay at home, homeschooling mom of 6. We both live adventurous lives, only different adventures.We're both on missions for God, just in different areas.

As our family has grown, I haven't had the time to nurture friendships the way I did before marriage and children. I have always felt that a true friend is someone who can lead their life, while I lead mine, but being apart won't create a distance. When we get to be together, we just pick right up where we left off the last time. Pam and I have had a friendship like that and I am so thankful for it. We've celebrated and grieved many different things together over the years.

This past weekend she celebrated her 50th birthday. ( She doesn't really mind if I tell.) Her birthday wish was for as many of her close friends and family as possible to be together. So, we went to her birthday party. It was very cool to see how many of her friends from different areas and backgrounds came together to celebrate with her.
It was a great day!





We love you Aunt Pam!

I am sure, all of heaven's heard me cry,
As I tell you all the reasons why this life is just too hard.
But day by day, without fail I'm finding everything I need,
In everything you are to me.

(chorus)
Every time I breathe you seem a little bit closer,
I never wanna leave, I wanna stay in your warm embrace,
Oh basking from the glory shining from your face. Oh,
Every time I get another glimpse of your heart,
I realize it's true, that you are so marvelous God
and I am so in love with you.
Yeah, so in love with you.

How could I, after knowing one so great,
Respond to you in any way that's less than all I have to give.
But by your grace, I wanna love you, not with what I say, but everyday,
In the way my life is lived.

(chorus)

(bridge)
Wrapped in your mercy I wanna live and never leave.
I am held by how humble and overwhelmed by your majesty.
Captured by grace now I'm finding I am free,
You are marvelous God and knowing you is everything

(chorus)

By Big Daddy Weave

This has been one of my all time favorite songs for a long time. For me it shows the progression of what I go through in my life. When circumstances are not as I want them to be, I cry and talk about all of the reasons why this life is just too hard! But, ultimately as I let God work in my life as He wants to and cover me with his grace, He brings me to the place where I find everything I need. Then my complaints turn around to prayers for Him to be glorified. 

This progression is not always easy, and it's not always in order. Lots of times I have to wait for my flesh to catch up with what I know is the truth. I have to fake it til I make it. 
These past few weeks have been like that.

Most of our friends know how much our family loves babies. I'm not sure if I'll ever feel like we have enough. When we don't have our own, we borrow others, lol. I love the added dimension that a baby in the house gives to the older children. Maybe it's because I was an only child, but I love to see the relationships and dynamics of how a larger family operates. 

A few weeks ago, we found out we were expecting another baby. Needless to say, there was great excitement in our house! It didn't turn out as we expected, because we lost this baby, so we are having to readjust.

As the song says, I listed all of the reason's why this life is just too hard. "We wanted this baby, we already lost Daniel last year, why did I have to be pregnant in the first place, etc."  As the song continues, day by day I'm finding everything I need, in everything that God is to me. And by his grace I will try to love Him with what I say and the way my life is lived.

So, be praying for our family as you think of us, as we go through the progression in this song. I am so thankful that we know the Lord and can depend on him, because I can't imagine having to walk through the ups and downs of life without Him to lean on. I am glad he has the Master Plan and we can trust Him, even when life doesn't make sense to us.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5   

This is Albina. Since I saw her picture on Tuesday, I have not been able to get her sweet, little face out of my mind.




She is in an orphanage in Eastern Europe. Because she has Down Syndrome, she is considered an outcast and burden to society. When she turns 5 she will be sent to the institution. 

We have kept Albina's picture up on our computer screen this week, to remind us to pray for her and for the family God wants her to be in, to come forward.

Our children want us to hop in the airplane and just go get her. If it only was that easy, we would.

They have been through a lot of why's this week learning about Albina and going back over our process with losing Daniel, who had Down Syndrome. The biggest why being, "Why are those children left without anyone to love them just because they have Down Syndrome? We wanted Daniel, but didn't get to keep him and now she and the other children are there and noone wants them?"

I can't answer these why's, because I don't understand, but I have sure put it to a lot of prayer this week.

There is a giveaway of a Canon Rebel Digital SLR camera as an incentive to contribute to her adoption fund. So far her adoption fund is up to over $4000. When it reaches $5000, there is an anonymous person who will match the $5000, bringing her fund to $10,000.

 There is a lot more information about her on A Perfect Lily. Please take a look at it and pray for her forever parents to come forward. You can donate here or at Reece's Rainbow. They are an adoption grant ministry who help some of the most vulnerable kids in the world find homes.

Last week, when our son went to Alabama, I sent my cell phone with him.  I can't tell you how many times I reached to pick it up before I remembered I didn't have it. It was kind of awkward at first, but then came this freedom, a freedom I haven't felt in a long time, maybe since before the phone.

We had to travel to a town that was about an hour and a half away from us. Not only was I without my phone, but without our 14 year old son too. It had been a long time since I"d been somewhere with all of our youngest children (10, 9, 8, 6 and 4), and Nicholas (almost 1), who we keep in the day for a friend. My husband was a little nervous about us being without the phone, but we couldn't put off our trip, so off we went.

The first thing I had to do was make an adjustment in my attitude and just slow down. So I purposed myself to enjoy the day and make it enjoyable for the kids. I also prepared myself that it would probably take all day. It just takes longer with this many.

We succeeded in picking up what we had gone for and were on the way home. We detoured for strawberry picking and ice cream before we finally made it home. It really was a great day!



I must confess, I did try to use my phone a few times before I remembered I didn't have it, so I can't say that I didn't miss the convenience of being able to make calls when I needed to, but I can say that I did not miss the phone ringing all day long  and it was exciting to check the answering machine when I got home. Another bonus was actually having things to talk to my husband about that night that I normally would have texted him throughout the day.  It seemed like it increased my excitement to see him, because there were things I couldn't wait to say!

After I had some time to think about my phone, I realized it bogs me down a lot. How many times have I been in Wal-Mart, with all of the children, and became distracted by the phone or felt like I had to answer it, just because it was there? I did not feel like I was in such a hurry without the phone as I usually am with it. I saw how much the phone had been controlling me and I decided to make a change.

I am going to control the phone, it is not going to control me. It is a benefit to simplify life, not cause it to be more stressful. I can choose to answer it or not, turn it off, or even leave it at home.  After having the day enjoying our children, without the interruption of the phone, it became clear to me that I want more days like that.

How about you? How does all of our new technology affect your life? Have you let it take over? Does it cause you extra stress because your phone is with you all of the time or does it help your stress level?  Do you feel like it robs your peace or gives you more?

The answers to these questions will be different for all of us and different for every situation, but they were good things for me to think about!


This post is linked to Raising Homemakers  .

This week has posed a new challenge for our family. Our oldest son is in Alabama with our pastor and some others, helping with clean up of the damage from the tornadoes a few weeks ago.

This is not the first time he has been away from home, but it is the first time he's been away on a mission for God. I'm not sure why, but it feels different this time. 

Before Caleb could walk, he was exposed to serving others in the migrant camps in our area. I can remember him at 2 or 3 years old passing out sodas or clothes to the people. At 4, the worship team let him play his guitar with them when we went into the camps. They didn't care if he really couldn't play, because you couldn't hear him anyway. I am so thankful for these things in his younger years, because I believe they have set the pace for what is coming in his life. We were so blessed to be surrounded by people who believed that ministry was for the family and as we had more children, we carried them with us and they learned to serve as well. It wasn't always easy with little ones, Especially when they had to wait for the people to eat or drink sodas before they could, or were being eaten alive with our lowcountry mosquitoes, but the blessings were so worth the difficulties and they learned a lot about serving.

 When our church decided to collect supplies and go to Alabama, I wasn't surprised when our two oldest boys were begging to go. My husband's work schedule this time of the year doesn't give him much time off, so we knew we wouldn't be able to do it as a family. Our oldest son was able to go and Andrew, who's 10, reluctantly stayed behind to get a few years older, lol.

Because of homeschooling, we are accustomed to being together most of the time. I know it sounds crazy to some, but that's how we like it, so It's very different when one of our children isn't here. I know people who can't wait to send their kids off for a break, but I feel like I am in a race with time to use all of the time we have left to spend together and build the foundation as strong as we can before our children walk into their adult lives. We know this time is critical for their preparation for college, ministry, marriage, work or whatever God has for them and don't want to waste a minute. Because of this, we are very prayerful and careful about the things our children do and who speaks into their lives. We won't get to do this over again, so we are doing our best to stuff it all in and trusting God to make up for the rest.

As we were sitting and praying last night, it occurred to me that if Caleb continues with what he feels like God is putting in his heart right now, he only has 4 more years here. As the kids were talking about missing him, I shared this thought with them. It's kind of hard to comprehend that we are that close to the end of this time with him in our home. Our other children can't imagine him not being here, but I know the time is approaching, faster than I would like.

I talk a lot about seasons and know this will be another season we will face and just like all of the others, with God's grace walk through it, but it got me really thinking. 

With all of this contemplating, I had to ask myself a few questions. What are the most important things for us to accomplish, with him and the others, these last few years he is living at home?  Obviously for us since we homeschool, the basics, but there's so much more! We want our children to have the basics, not because it's required, but because it's how God will be glorified in their life. Are the things we are training them in, the things that are important to God? Are they the things that will prepare them to do whatever God calls them to? Which things do we need to forget, to make more time for the giftings God has placed in each one? Have we adequately trained them in God's word?

I am so thankful for God's wisdom and direction in these things. Whew, it's overwhelming, but exciting thinking of what's to come!

This post linked to Raising Homemakers.


  

I was thinking over the weekend that maybe I need to go back to the beginning. When I started this blog, it never occurred to me that others, who don't know our family personally, would be reading, so I am going to back up and tell you a little about us.

My husband and I met and married as the result of a Spanish ministry that started from the English church I went to. He is from Guatemala and I was born in Virginia, but planted in South Carolina when I was around 6 months old. My dad was retiring from the Marine Corps and wanted to live close to an active military base, so my parents chose Beaufort.

My husband and I are blessed to have 7 children, whom we homeschool. Our oldest son Caleb is 14, Andrew is 10, Nelida is 9, Elias is 8, Samuel is 6 and Olivia is 4. Daniel was born with Down Syndrome and a heart defect. Lots and lots of babies live through this, but God's plan was for him to leave us, so he went to be with the Lord in February of 2009.

We have felt for several years the Lord leading us to plant a church in my husband's village in Guatemala. We are praying and waiting for God's timing to bring this to pass.

I love the Lord and serving Him. Although it's not always easy, I am so thankful for His calling to be a wife and mom and wouldn't trade places for anything. I am so excited about God's plans for us and our children as they are growing older. It's so exciting to see them begin to walk in the giftings God has placed in their lives.

To some, six children in the house seems like a lot, and to others, we're a small family. For me, some days we feel like a small family, and other days a really large one. Maybe it's because I was an only child or maybe it's just the mess and laundry we can make that causes me to feel this way. Even with all of the confusion and choas, I love it and don't know if my heart will ever feel so full not to want more.

When I first had the idea of writing about our family, the Lord gave me this verse out of Malachi.

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name. Malachi 3:16

So this is our book of remembrance, our memorials that we are sharing or speaking with others. Because of the busyness of life and still having dial-up internet where we live, I don't always write consistantly, but I pray you will be blessed by what you read here!