The Beauty of Adoption

Very powerful video!  Adoption is a gift that I would want to experience. You might too if you take some time to watch!

 The Beauty of Adoption

on my mind on my heart.........

"When I stop being “Kingdom-minded”, I stop making Kingdom choices.

 Choices like

devoting a life to raising the next generation 

to love God, to honor authority and to live wisely...

When we understand that our whole existence is to

 glorify the Lord, we live each moment

differently. 

We get about our Father’s business. 

We don’t measure “if we should have children” by

their convenience or how many vacations it 

will cost me or whether I can pursue my favorite pastime

or career. We don’t have children to look cute

 in their ball uniforms and homemade hair bows.

We fall down on our knees with the grave responsibility of stewardship over these children, these

people who will either further the Kingdom or be a blight on society, based largely on our diligence

to the duty of raising them.

I must govern my home well. It is the cruelest act of motherhood that I should

neglect to teach my children to obey the loving authority over them. For in doing so, I make

them unable to submit to God.

Children who have not learned self-government

 stand to be the most wretched of all men and women,

loathing you for your indulgences.

But don’t you see, it isn’t harsh! It wells up from the deepest love, the deepest desire to see our

children walking in truth and evokes sheer delight to walk beside them.

When I see my children through Kingdom-eyes, 

their vices aren’t irritations that bug me and cause

me to be angry; they are offenses that sober me

 and call me to the tireless and tender action of

praying for, teaching and tending the garden of their souls. 

(Teach me this Lord? Please teach me how to live this way each day.)

My children are the very happiest when I have loved 

them enough to require gratitude, obedience and

honor. Their little faces light up into mine when 

they sense my tenderest sincerity toward their

character.

And then, to place my hands on their heads, kneel over them and pray…

“Father, you have blessed me with this child. Thank you that she is growing to

love You, thank you that she is obedient, and I pray that she will serve you all

the days of her life”….

causes a heart-smile to break across their faces, and they know–

it sinks down deep and they KNOW

that I am in this for life, through tears, joys and hardship. 

I am their advocate, and I will stop short of

nothing to give “my life for yours” in these few years they are mine." 

(An exert from When Motherhood Feels Too Hard, By Kelly Crawford)

In this world it can be so difficult to remember the privilege of tending souls. But in my Savior's world, He knows that He has bestowed on me the greatest of all great gifts, when through humility, hardship &  uncomprehending joy, He's made me a mother. 

The Privilege of Motherhood

How do I so often forget? 




How do I lose my joy when I know that every bit of it is a gift. Even  in the most heart-breaking moments, it's still a gift.

"A mother toiled with all her might

Tending needs both day and night.

Cleaning, laundry, dirty dishes,

Changing diapers, giving kisses.

No one saw her faithful deeds

The sacrifice for others’ needs.

She never got a company raise

Or heard the applause of worldly praise.

But still she labored diligently

She knew what others couldn’t see.

And then one night a dream told true

About that treasure this mother knew.

She dreamt of seeing her Savior’s face

And then she felt His strong embrace.

Before she had time to even speak

The King of Kings knelt at her feet.

A water basin soon appeared

She gasped in horror through her tears.

She begged of Him to take her seat

To let her wash her Savior’s feet.

He just smiled and said with ease

“You did, when you served the least of these”.

Teach me to wash their feet Lord? For Your glory and for my growth?
I want nothing more than to  speak of you, live for you, be willing to die for you, and pass my  fervent love  for you onto  my children's children's children.
The answer to all these desires?
Just this...
To wash their feet...
with joy. 

Hurricane Sandy....

Well... I know you might not see the hand of God, but it is in these pictures.

Thank you God for keeping my family safe and my house still standing.....

Valley of Vision Prayer

 I have loved this prayer lately...

Gracious Lord,

Thy name is Love, 

in love receive my prayer?

My sins are more than the wide sea's sand,

but where sin abounds there is grace more abundant.

Look to the cross of thy beloved Son,

and view the preciousness of His atoning blood;

Listen to the never failing intercession,

and whisper to my heart, "Thy sins are forgiven,

be of good cheer, lie down in peace."

Grace cataracts from heaven and flows for ever, 

and mercy never wearies from bestowing benefits.

Grant me more and more to prize the privilege of prayer,

to come to thee as a sin-soiled sinner,

to find pardon in thee,

to converse with thee;

to know thee in prayer as

the path in which my feet tread,

the latch upon the door of my lips,

the light that shines through my eyes, 

the music of my ears,

the marrow of my understanding,

the strength of my will,

the power of my affliction,

the sweetness of my memory.

May the matters of my prayers always be wise, humble, submissive, 

obedient, scriptural,Christ-like.

Give me unwavering faith that supplications are never in vain, 

that if I seem to not obtain my petitions,

I shall have larger, richer answers, 

surpassing all that I ask or think.

Unsought, Thou hast given me the greatest gift,

the person of thy Son,

and in Him, thou wilt give me all I need.

(The Valley Of Vision)

How I learned to K.I.S.S

Then I learned to K.I.S.S. I shared my feelings with a friend and fellow homeschooler who was just as busy as me, but somehow managed achieve the in-achievable. Her advice? She told me I needed to K.I.S.S., or rather, I need to keep it simple, silly.

Pick something simple and achievable and do it.

This has turned out to be the best advice and much goodness has come out of embracing the keep it simple attitude.

Kids don’t need elaborate plans to have fun, learn or make memories. 

They are learning all the time!....it’s good enough. If it was fun and cozy and together, that memory will grow into the festival you had hoped it would be.

Since I’ve pulled off the pressure to go big I’ve noticed something. It’s actually easy to experience.

milly

I only had to slow down, keep it simple and pay attention to notice. So....

Even though Milly is usually "too old" for the preschool co-op, she has taken on this roll of helper.  She loves to take care of the littles and doesn't even need to be asked.  She we all went to have a fun day at Pumpkin Valley Farm!

AUD and IZZ (besties)

reffie, roo, lan & west

climbing on the fence to see cows eating pumpkins!

only half the group

 

My Baby turns into a 3yr pirate!

Happy Birthday Andrew
You have been a perfect addition to our family, you make us laugh and challenge us everyday.  

My precious little boy..
You are 3 Years Old today...You are the most loving of little boys...I love the way that you are willing to play house with not just one but two sisters! Always pretending to be either the dad or the baby....Such brotherly love! :)I love that you you truly love to help out your Mama... It amazes me that you are big enough to vacuum up all the crumbs under the table all by yourself, and  wash the dining room table (even if it means crawling on top of the table to do so) each day with very little assistance ...You truly have a servants heart...I love how when you're happy about something you show your delight with your WHOLE body (you jump and clap and let out your contagious belly laugh)...I love your "rad moves", and the way that you feel so free to bust out your moves whenever you hear music, no matter if we are at home or in the grocery store...I love the way that you cherish God's Word in your heart... Do you know how I know this is true?... Because I hear you practicing those verses via song with your sisters Me's going to be a peacemaker, not a trouble maker. Me's going to share my toys.."Buddy I am so proud of you... I am proud to call you my son...A most Happy Birthday to you little buddy!!!! I sure do love you!!!

Here's some of the highlights from the party you planned.... 

One day, I hope my Kids remember.....

One day, I hope my kids remember:

- that they were loved

- that they were wanted and chosen

- that Mommy and Daddy worked hard to offer them an incredible childhood

- that we made sacrifices so they could have the chance to blossom in their own time

- that we failed (often) to be ideal parents, but that in our failings we asked for forgiveness (often)

- that Mommy wishes she could be perfect, but knows you need to see the need for grace as well

- that they have a mission and purpose in this world

- that God loves them and will guide and direct them in life

- that He gave them each other as eternal friends

- that our family is unique and precious

- that Mommy and Daddy will always be rooting for them, praying for them, and cheering for them to dream big, be faithful in the small, and relish being who they are

“I sustain myself with the love of family.”
~  Maya Angelou