Above and Beyond . . .

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us . . .

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Okay, I don't even know where to start! God is so unbelievable awesome, faithful and merciful! My husband and I were completely and utterly overwhelmed by His love this weekend as we celebrated our son's graduation from our home school, Zoe Academy.

We were completely humbled by everything that went on that day. When you are in the middle of life, wondering at times if you are even doing it right, it can be so hard to see any fruit. As the years go on, and we get closer to the Lord, we become more and more aware of our own short comings, realizing that if there be any fruit, anything 'good' come out of our obedience it is going to have to be God and His grace!

We had approximately 75 friends and family join us in our celebration. We opened with prayer and introductions. My husband and I both shared from our hearts to our son. God had given each of us very specific scripture to share with him.

Our son then shared his graduation 'speech' which was short and sweet. ;-)

Some of his siblings shared a scripture with him that they felt the Lord gave them. This was amazingly sweet, as they all seemed so fitting. Even our 8 year old shared a verse she has been memorizing.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, though a bit chilly. We passed out blankets for those in need. Our prayer was to be a light to our family and friends and glorify God in all that we did and said.

After the presentation of the diploma and mom, dad and siblings sharing, we opened it up for others to share from their hearts. When we sent out invitations, we included a note asking the guests to prayerfully consider sharing something for our son.

This is where it got overwhelming and amazing! The things people shared about our son and about our family in general were almost more than I could take. It was so awesome to hear how many lives and in how many ways we have touched others' lives without even knowing it! Our neighbor, who we have served and loved quietly over the years was weeping as he shared how our son and all our children have ministered to him over the years. Our children shovel his long drive, mow his lawn, bring him 'gifts', fix things for him. (he has pretty significant health problems) He tries to pay them and profusely thanks them. I think some of my kids don't even know that people get paid to do some of the things they do for him, they just love to help him. Many, many in the crowd were brought to tears by what he shared.

This man has been both our older sons' Hebrew, Latin and Chemistry teacher over the last three years. He is an awesome, Godly, brilliant man from the country of Holland. He has the coolest accent. He shared from a Latin/Hebrew Psalter, then translated right before our eyes. Then he proceeded to give my son the book as a gift. He had him look in the back of the book (Hebrew books starts at the back ;-) and the date was from the 1600s! What a thoughtful and almost priceless gift!

So many people got up one after another and shared scriptures, prayers, wisdom and insight. It was amazing to see the body of Christ shared that way.

All you can mostly see in the picture are chips and bread, but trust me, it was a phenomenal spread! Brian's mom made her incredible kielbasa. We made about 500 meatballs from an old family recipe. We had beans, pasta salad, green salad, fruit salad, macaroni salad, sumi salad. The word on the street was that it was fabulous! People kept coming back for more. It was great. I love to feed people! Of course, we finished with cake from Costco. Amazing chocolate cake!

Here we are, proud Papa and Mama and one amazing kid!

One other thing that was so amazing and encouraging to us is that the things people shared felt like a gift from our Father. It was as if He was saying, "well done, My children". There were unsaved family members there that have thought us to be just a tad bit loopy for homeschooling and for having a large family. Their comments have gotten fewer and farther between as we have held to our convictions over the years. I dare say that many of the doubts as to whether what we were doing would turn out okay were probably relieved just a bit that day. God seemed to place people who have been touched by our lives with family members who have doubted our sanity. We long ago stopped going to others for validation over our convictions, but this was just sort of sweet and we felt slightly validated.

There was a dear message on our machine at the end of the day that said, "Brian and Michelle, your hospitality and love was only outshone by your humility in giving God the credit for all He has done."

For all you mamas out there who wonder if it is worth it, let me tell you it is! God will reward the work of your hands. I am not saying it is over, but it sure feels good to get a smile from my Father.

Thank you for reading about our special day. If you have any questions about how we 'do' graduation or 'school' for that matter, please feel free to ask. If you are struggling and need encouragement to stay the course, please drop me a note. God is so faithful to complete what He has begun!

Marriage Monday "Adapt Yourself"

Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22)

I love the amplified version of these verses. As I was studying these verses the word adapt really struck me.

We often hear the word submit or submissive pertaining to our role as wives, but it sure does get a bad rap sometimes, doesn’t it? One’s pride and ignorance easily bucks up against having to submit to another.

Today let's focus on the word adapt. This word seems easy for me to wrap my mind around. The challenge for this week is to look for opportunities to adapt yourself or your plans to your husband's. Start small, practice on the easy things. Make it a habit to adapt yourself to him! It just might make the bigger things easier ~ one could hope, right? ;-)

If he has an opinion of which order something should be done, do it his way.

Maybe he thinks you should take this route instead of the way you would take. Simply keep your mouth closed and adapt yourself to his way.

Maybe it is adapting to his way of parenting, dress, finances ect. Whatever it is, look for ways to adapt yourself to him!

Synonyms for adapt: adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile. Adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances, "adapted themselves to the warmer climate" (or your husband! ;-). Accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising.

What ways can you, out of your love for your Lord, adapt yourself to your husband?

Okay, I have to share this one. I was looking this verse up in our 'Interlinear Scripture Analyzer', it wasn't making sense to me so I asked my two older sons what they thought it was saying, being the Latin and Hebrew geeks that they are.

This is how it was on the computer:

"The women (wives) to the own men (husbands) as to the Master"

Out of the mouth of babes. . .this was their response, said so matter-of-factly.

"Women be to your husbands as you are to the Lord."

Isn't that good?! Sounds simple, right? If we were to our husbands as we are to the Lord we would be fulfilling the command in this verse!

Marriage Monday: Love Your Man

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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...

I think the above verse is our starting point for sure! My husband has put these verses into a little chart with three columns. First column: Loves is. . . love is kind, ect. Second column: Love does not. . .keep record of wrong, ect. Third column: Love. . . always hopes, ect. He then has placed each of the points in the verse under its proper column. He reads it each day and when a difficult situation comes up he pulls this out and begins to go through it asking himself, am I being kind, am I being patient, ect.

Boy, can I sure learn from this man. What if we, as wives did this type of thing in regards to our husbands? I think it is an excellent idea. Anyone up for trying this idea this week?

Another thing the Lord has showed me is to find out how my husband receives love. There is a book called Love Languages, by Gary Chapman that is helpful to figure out how your husband is 'wired' to receive love.

For example, in the book, Mr. Chapman breaks them down into five catergories. Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, Physical Touch, and Words of Affirmation. It is not necessary to know which of these is your husband's love language. I truly believe the Word of God is all we need and if you obey that, you will be speaking your husbands love language. But, it doesn't hurt to learn about and study your husband. It's part of 'building' your marriage. You can read a description of each of the languages here.

One way to find out just how to love this man is to ask him! Simple enough. . . well, you might need to gently coax it out of him if he is not a talker, but he will probably give you some insight into what is important to him.

My husband has often said he doesn't care what the house looks like when he gets home, he just wants a happy mama and children. He would rather I sit on the floor and play with the children all day than to come home to a perfectly cleaned house and know I didn't spend time with the children. Not that he doesn't like it picked up some ;-)

Does a hot cooked meal say 'I love you' or a peaceful and orderly home?

Would he like to see you in something other than your sweatpants and t-shirt?

What are his expectations with the house, meals, physical intimacy? Ask him. If you do so tenderly and lovingly expressing your desire to love him, my guess is that alone will say "I love you".

Do you know your husband's love language? Have you asked him what is important to him? What are some ways you could 'love' your husband this week?

My Favorite 'Spiritual Place'

When I first read what the topic was for today I was just about jumping up and down like my children do yelling "oooh, pick me, pick me!"

I LOVE this topic and love to share about the importance of having a quiet time. In this post I share what I do in my 'quiet time'. I share in another post how to make time for God.

I have my quiet time in our bedroom. We have a pretty small bedroom so we have sacrificed having an extra dresser in our room so I can have my quiet time area. (Thank you Honey ;-)

One of my children will often times light my candles for me in the morning. I curl up in my chair, pillow on my lap, journal and bible on the pillow. I have to have my tea each morning, I don't think it is the same without it. This is where I pour out my heart to my Father.

To my left is my hymnal, another devotional journal and my 'spiritual binder' where I keep future blog posts, articles I am reading, inspiring posts, ect.

Behind my chair, in a box are all my 'study' tools. They include my Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, concordance, and Matthew Henry Commentator. I can get totally lost looking up words in these dictionaries. I love to dig deeper and find the original meanings.

My favorite basket includes my most cherished devotionals. I have written before about them. My favorites are 'Streams in the Desert' and 'Springs in the Valley'. This also contains my 'Utmost for His Highest' an NIV and KJV bible. Also, this is where I keep my "Mama Truths"

I hope you have enjoyed a peek inside my 'quiet time'. Tell me about your time with the Lord! Isn't is so awesome to be able to meet with our King and Lord?

Are you struggling with having a quiet time? Don't give up, He is waiting for you!

Sweet Fellowship With The Lord

( I wrote my post before I saw the theme this week, sorry.)

I am so thankful or sweet fellowship with my Lord!

I don't think I could adequately describe the sweetness and deep satisfaction this 'quiet hour' with the Lord has brought over the years.

By His grace, it has become the single most needful and important part of my day.

It started several years ago with a weight loss bible study, of all things, that I would do in the mornings that included journaling your thoughts and struggles.

I was hooked when I began to see if I showed up each morning and cried out to Him, He not only "showed up" but poured out His love and mercy upon me. What started out as a simple bible study became my very life line.

All these years later that quiet time has only become richer and more precious.

There have been . . .

. . .many hurts that have been healed

. . .many joys expressed

. . .many tears shed

. . .many sins exposed

. . .many fears relieved

. . .many prayers answered

I am unashamed to admit that I am completely and utterly desperate for Him! I need Him to speak to my heart, pick me up off the floor, quiet my restless heart and direct my steps.

I am forever thankful for what HE has made our quiet time into.

These are two of my favorite verses that speak to me about this time with Him.

The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning. (Ps. 24:14 Amp.)

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! (Isaiah 30:18)

How about you, do you have a daily precious time with your Lord?

Do you find it to be the most wonderful thing in the world?

He longs to meet with you and speak to your heart.

Please check out what other precious women are thankful for.

Marriage Monday: Know and Accept Your Man!

Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. (Pr. 14:1)

The Lord has been speaking to me lately about ‘building’ my marriage. I have decided to ‘try’ to write about marriage on Mondays for the next couple of weeks. Marriage Monday! Feel free to join in with comments and/or writing on your own blog about marriage. You may leave the link to your post in the comment section.

I have been convicted of late, that just because my marriage is awesome and my husband is ‘easy’ for me to love, that that is no reason to not ‘build’ my marriage. Certainly there have been years that my husband and I call our survival years. You know, those years when the children came one right after the other, various health issues as well as stressors within our family prevented us from focusing on anything other than, well, surviving. Now I believe is the time He is calling me to build and sow into our marriage. So, what I am planning on writing about is what the Lord has put on my heart. I hope you are encouraged and challenged to ‘build’ your marriage as well.

This week’s topic is titled Knowing and Accepting Your Man.

One resource I loved about knowing your man was Debi Pearl’s book 'Created to be His Helpmeet'. (Let's not discuss whether or not we agree with everything the Pearls stand for, okay? While I personally question some of their teaching, I was blessed and challenged by this book. I ‘ate the meat and spit out the bones’. I pray you do the same. If nothing else, the link I provide below is a wonderful excerpt that will surely bless you.)

It has benefited me greatly to know what type of man my husband was created to be. Things that used to really irritate me don’t anymore as I realize that this is how the Lord created him. I can choose to accept it and love him for who he is, or I can allow it to irritate me. If I do the latter, I forget that I was created for him, not him for me. (1 Cor. 11:9)

Debi explains that there are three types of men. The Command, the Visionary, and the Steady Man.

Mr. Command

A few men are born with more than their share of dominance and, on the surface, a deficit in gentleness. They often end up in positions that command other men. We will call them Command Men. They are born leaders. They are often chosen by other men to be military commanders, politicians, preachers, heads of corporations, and managers of businesses. Winston Churchill, George Patton, and Ronald Reagan are examples of dominant men. Since our world needs only a few leaders, God seems to limit the number of these Command Men. These men see life as if they are looking from a high mountain, they see the big picture rather than individual needs.

They are known for expecting their wives to wait on them hand and foot. A Command Man does not want his wife involved in any project that prevents her from serving him. . .

Mr. Visionary

Some of you are married to men who are shakers, changers, and dreamers. These men get the entire family upset about peripheral issues, such as: do we believe in Christmas? Should we use state marriage licenses? Should a Christian opt out of the Social Security system? The issues may be serious and worthy of one’s commitment, but , in varying degrees, these men have tunnel vision, tenaciously focusing on single issues. They are often the church splitters and the ones who demand doctrinal purity and proper dress and conduct. Like a prophet, they call people to task for their inconsistencies. If they are not wise, they can be real jerks who push their agendas, forcing others to go their way.

Visionaries are often gifted men or inventors, and I am sure it was men of this caliber that conquered the Wild West, though they would not have been the farmers who settled it. Today, Visionary men are street preachers, political activists, organizers and instigators of any front-line social issue. They love confrontation, and hate the status quo. “Why leave it the way it is when you can change it?” They are the men who keep the rest of the world from getting stagnant or dull. The Visionary is consumed with a need to communicate with his words, music, writing, voice, art, or actions. He is the “voice crying out in the wilderness” striving to change the way humanity is behaving or thinking. . .

Mr. Steady

The Steady Man does not make snap decisions or spend his last dime on a new idea, and he doesn’t try to tell other people what to do. He avoids controversy.

His steadiness makes him the last to change, so he seems to be a follower because he is seldom out front forming up the troops. There is no exciting rush in him, just a slow, steady climb with no bells or whistles. You wish he would just make up his mind, and that he would take a stand in the church. He seems to just let people use him. There are times you wish he would boldly tell you what to do so you would not have to carry all the burden of decision-making.

These are excerpts from 'Created to Be His Helpmeet'. You can read the full excerpt here .

I believe it is so crucial to know what type of man we are married to. Ask the Lord to clearly show you what type of man your are married to, and help you accept and appreciate him. We need to embrace how God made our husbands and realize that our loving and merciful Father chose this man just for us!

May I share some tips I have learned along the way?

*Do not ever allow yourself to grumble about the type of man he is. To do so would be grumbling against God. He was fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and is given to you to love and accept.

*Do not ever compare your husband to another man! We know this, right? It can be tempting, but it is so dangerous and can destroy your marriage.

*Ask God to show you ways in which being married to the type of man you are has blessed you or saved you from something. I cannot even begin to tell you of the things the Lord has showed me that my ‘steady man’ has saved this impulsive and passionate pluck from. ;-)

When you realize what type of man you are married to and really begin to accept and embrace him, your heart will burn with a fresh love for him like never before! You will see him in a new way. You might need to practice being thankful for awhile. Or you may need to stop yourself from the habit of grumbling about him, but when you get your eyes off of yourself and onto Jesus the creator of this wonderful man of yours, well, that is when the real building begins!

Do you see your husband in one of the descriptions of the types of men? Do you appreciate and accept him? Are you willing to 'build' your marriage by first embracing who God created your man to be? Please share any insights on this topic, I would love to read them!

Getting To Know Each Other At the Well

Okay, this will be fun! I am looking forward to getting to 'know' you all better!

My name is Michelle. I am almost 43 years old. I am daughter to the King, wife to a Godly man, Mama to nine precious blessings, Mimi to one sweet grandson, and home school mama. I have many, many other interests, but these are my favorite!









I am married to my best friend ever! We have so much fun together, we laugh at and with each other and can be rather silly, as you will see from a picture down the page. We do everything together. We have been through lots of difficult times during the 20+ years we have been married and feel only closer and more intimate because of them. We pray together everyday. We love to share the Word of God with each other, and if we are having our quiet time in the same room we find it difficult to keep quiet as we can hardly wait to share what the Lord is showing us. Okay, I have a harder time with this than he does.





I LOVE my role as Mama! I struggle greatly with it, but I love it. I am totally fulfilled in my calling as wife and mother. I can't imagine anything else for me. I am living my dream. Our eldest is out on his own. At home we still have eight children. We will be having a ceremony at our home in two weeks to graduate our second son. Our third son will graduate next year. They are so awesome and such a great help to our family. Next we have a daughter, 13 and a son, 11. They are our "middles". They too are a great help and are being trained up to take their older siblings chores. Then we have what we call our "littles". Sweet girl age 8, sweet girl age 6, handsome and sweet boy, age 5, and our little pumpkin and little man of the house, age 16 months!






We work, play and serve together, all of us. Family night around here might be a trip to Costco or snuggled up to a Christy video munching on popcorn.




See, I told we could be crazy. We are way to serious, but every now and again we do something so silly and have the kids roaring with laughter. I recently lost a significant amount of weight and my dear husband was giving airplane rides and invited me along. I was laughing so hard! The kids were laughing harder. You should have heard the squeals, from me and them.

It might interest you to know that just this morning, in the middle of bread baking and painting the house trim we had a wedding at our home! If you look closely you can see my third son painting above the garage, he was much too busy to attend the wedding today. I was the only guest, tissues in hand. We did have a minor accident when one daughter stepped on the other while trying to catch the bouquet. No blood though.

Random things about me:

I have been pregnant or breastfeeding 17 1/4 years of the last 22!

I have five precious babies in heaven

I live in a 1248 sq. ft. home ( 10 of us!)

I love to bake bread. Especially when it turns out like it did today!

I love to learn new things.

I have struggled with health issues for over five years, and the Lord has broken a lot of 'me' during it.

I used to think leading bible studies or writing a book was where IT's at.

Only in the past few years am I finally getting a grasp on the fact that being a mama is where IT is at! (and I want to shout it from the rooftops!)

I hate correcting school work!

I love to encourage others

I love candles (smelly, yummy candles)

I have an Italian stove-top espresso maker that I use frequently for hubby and I

I enjoy a triple latte w/ extra shot, no syrup please

I drink raw milk

I love to scour out my sink and clean my stove, but rarely get to do it

I LOVE my quiet time with God

In storage, I have boxes of old quiet time journals

I love to throw things away!

I drink Black Currant Tea every single day!

I love the beach, really, really love the beach. (Many family vacations on Lake Michigan)

I want twin girls really badly!

I spend every single sunny day in the summer by the pool with the kids. (has to be sunny or I won't go out!)

I hope you have enjoyed this random glimpse into my world. Have a lovely day!!



Come meet other wonderful ladies At the Well

Rejoicing in the God of My Salvation!

My version of Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the basement is flooded and the house is torn apart, though we are preparing the house for a graduation party (in 2 weeks), though the my back has been so bad lately and all of the children's clothes need organizing for the new season, and though life still goes and we still need to eat and wash laundry,

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!

Now I know these things pale in comparison to what some of you might be dealing with, just sharing my last few days. :-)

What could you fill the first part of these verses with? Then, can you turn it around and put your hope and trust in your GOD!?

Thankful For God's Waiting Time

I am learning to be thankful for the long delays in answer to prayer.

The silent years of waiting.

The gut wrenching moments that almost leave one in despair.

I am thankful for all the tears shed over the desires of the heart that appear to go unfulfilled.

Why?

-They bring me to my face at the feet of my Lord

-They cause my wandering heart to cling desperately

-Somewhere in the middle of all of it, I realize it is not all about me

-My desires and prayers are purified in these waiting times

-I learn to pray, to trust and grow in faith

And when those deep longings are finally fulfilled, the joy and thankfulness that overwhelms my entire being cannot be matched!

I find myself right back where I started, at His feet, in praise and adoration!

It is a joy that is so deep and profound that can only be experienced because of the "waiting time."

The desires that might have started out as something you almost thought you had coming to you now feel like a giant gift you humbly receive from your merciful and gracious Father.

Weeping may endure for a night,

but joy comes in the morning. . .You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;

You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,

To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever!!

Find more reasons to praise our God and be thankful over at Laurie's.

Organization 101: School Room/Children's Stuff

I recently revamped and reorganized our School Room. (which we don't do school in, it is more like a Resource Room) I will be showing you before and after photos. Please do not be shocked by the before photos, the room was neglected for a long time!

Okay, there, now you can see what a mess it was!
While reorganizing I thought I would share some tips that we use to attempt to keep the children's things organized.

I am known as the Rubbermaid Queen and my dear husband has said more than once that we should buy stock in Rubbermaid. I love containers! I am no respecter of Rubbermaid containers, though I do love the new purple and green ones they have recently come out with. ;-)

On with the tips:

• We keep just about everything in containers!
  
• We do not collect or keep any 'single' item toys. If it is not part of a set, then it can't stay! One exception are the baby toys.
  
• We purpose to collect toys that are from one particular group.
  

For example,

Fisher Price Little People

Fisher Price Lovin' Family House stuff

Big Legos

Small Legos

Kitchen Stuff

Dress up Stuff

Lincoln Logs

Play-doh

• Again, unless a new toy is a set or can be made into one, it has to go!
  
• I label each container. I love to type them so they all look neat and perfect. I type them up in Word, print on regular paper, cut to size and attach with my favorite packing tape.

I make sure the whole label is covered to protect it. I vary the size of the font for the size of the container.

• Try to always buy containers on sale. (This doesn't always work if you are a 'mad woman' at times crazily organizing because it has to be done right NOW! I'm just saying. . .)
  
• Keep in mind the space you will be putting your containers before you purchase. Measure exactly what you will need and take it to the store with you. For one cabinet I carefully measured exactly what size containers would fill the space perfectly. As my organizing friend always say, "make sure you use all your vertical space too"
  
• It helps to be ruthless when it comes to keeping this system in check. It is not worth keeping if it doesn't have a perfect home! (or doesn't fit into a container, but that's just my phobia ;-)
  
• Library books always go in a sturdy basket in the living room. This keeps them neat, safe, and in one spot. (in theory)
  
• I like to keep flimsy children's paperback books in baskets of some sort on shelves.
  

• Other children's things I keep in containers are . . .
  Crayons
  Markers
  Colored Pencils
  Kid's Scissors
  Water Color Paints
  Stamps
  Dry Erase Markers

I am sure there must be other ideas I could pass along, maybe another time.

I hope this inspired you or gave you some new ideas!

I would LOVE to hear any and all of your storage solutions!

I will post 'after' pictures in the next post.


You can find other great tips at We are that Family

He KNOWS!

He knows the way that I take, when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

I am so thankful that I serve the LIVING, guiding, Sovereign of the universe, our acting, powerful personal Jehovah!

He is an Almighty Guide Who knows and directs my steps, not matter where they lead.

He KNOWS the way I take, every way I take!

Like Job, see God's hand in everything and say, "Though He slay me, yet will I hope and trust in Him!"

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;

Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,

Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;

Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.

What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?

Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

If with His love He befriend thee.

Your Work Shall Be Rewarded

I found this article I wrote years ago and thought it would encourage us Mamas, who are so in the thick of it, to not forget the bigger picture. Put your whole heart into being a Mama, it is so worth it!

The little boy in the story, Joshua, our third child, is now seventeen! He is a sweet and tender young man. He loves God, His Word and his family. We are so thankful for his servant's heart. I am humbled by the magnitude and honor of this calling of being a Mama. It's a little long, but I think you will find it worth the time.

My day begins at 6:00 a.m. My husband comes into our room to wake me up. He gently encourages me out of bed, ushers me into the bathroom, sticks a toothbrush in my hand and starts the shower for me. I shower, put on my face and start fixing my hair. It is now 6:30, I make my way to the living room. I grab my Bible and notebook, and sit down to some time alone with the Lord.

By 7:15, my one year old Isaiah (now 11) is awake, I get him some juice and he sits with me for a few minutes when my two year old Victoria (now 13) comes requesting her juice and her spot on my lap.

It is now 7:30, I wake my eleven (now 21) year old for his “quiet time” that we are ever so gently trying to encourage.

I take the two little ones in the bathroom with me, placing them on the counter, one on each side of the sink. As I finish my hair and face for the day, I have two little ones staring at me as I look in the mirror. I struggle to get done before someone touches my hot curling iron, pokes their eye out with one of my make-up brushes I have given them to keep them quiet, or one of them falls off the counter while trying to stand up. Finally, the last spray of hair spray, the last curl of the eyelashes, I’m done.

I place one child on each hip, bring them to the kitchen, throw some dry cereal in front of them and go wake up the their brothers, Luke, age eight (now 18) and Joshua, age six (now 17). They are not thrilled to be awakened, but I try to keep a smile on my face and encourage them out of bed and hurry them along so we can stay on ‘schedule’!

From eight until nine, they eat breakfast, forget to take care of their bowls, lose sight of what chores are to be done next, almost always annoy someone, and usually someone starts crying. During this same time frame I am finding it increasingly difficult to be nice and to tolerate laziness. I cry out for wisdom on how to train and discipline each situation. All the while, there is an intense battle with my flesh and my spirit, and my flesh is winning. Usually by nine o’clock someone has been spanked or yelled at.


By 9:15 we have made it through, have repented for bad behavior and are sitting down for Bible time and prayer. As I wrestle with the one year old, and hold back from sending the two year old to just watch TV, we read the story, practice our scripture memory and pray for our day.

Now it is 9:30, I no longer resist the urge to send my two year old to watch TV, only ‘“good” shows mind you.

The three older children get their books and sit down at the dining room table. And on a good day, they start their work. I put the baby down for his nap, Yeah!

By 11:30, they are done with most of their school work. We usually make it through unscathed. It is now lunch time. We eat lunch, the baby has gotten up, and I have rescued Victoria from the TV by now.

After lunch they go their own way for awhile. I catch my breath, tend to the little ones needs, answer many questions, change diapers, sit on the floor and tickle toes and bellies and enjoy the giggles.

Today instead of history or science, I put the babies to bed, send the older kids off the play Legos, (they are educational you know). I grab a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows and take advantage of the quiet for some time with Jesus.

By three o’clock the tears are streaming down my face because of the love of God, His mercy and His grace. My six year old Joshua walks in and sees me crying and asks if I am okay. I take advantage of this time to love on him, my middle child, and like a flash of lightening I am immediately reminded of last week when he asked if he had Jesus in his heart as I was answering the phone. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized I never answered his question. I asked him if he knows if Jesus is in his heart, and he says “no”.

We read some scripture and I asked him if he would like to ask Jesus in his heart. He says enthusiastically “yes”. We pray a simple prayer and by the end of the prayer Joshua is crying. When I ask him why, he says “Cause Jesus is really in there now”.

Of course I am weeping now, and we just embrace and cry and revel in the presence of God. I am amazed at His mercy and grace, how He leads me and reminds me. I am humbled by this incredible experience. The older boys come up to find out what is going on. My oldest runs downstairs to make a poster with the time and date that Joshua was saved. Also on the poster it says “welcome to the family, God’s family” and “there is a party in heaven today.” I am overwhelmed with joy and the realization that this is what it is all about.

The endless days of things never seeming to change, the frustration of wondering if anyone is 'getting it' and many shed tears are all worth it if the children that God has entrusted to our care turn their lives over to Him and begin that journey of a redeemed life.

Obviously every day is not like this, and this is not even a typical day in the life of our family, but I share this day to encourage you and to encourage me. This is why I am here, this is His purpose for my life, God has created me to love, serve and lead these precious souls to our Savior! I am forever grateful for this opportunity to raise Godly warriors for the Lord.

It is so worth it ladies, so worth it! Your work will be rewarded! I have no greater joy than to see my children walking in the truth.

You can read more encouragement over "At the Well"

Marching Orders For the Week

Commit you way to the Lord, trust also in Him

and He shall bring it to pass.

(Psalm 37:5)

Is there some desire or prayer heavy on your heart today? Something you hold onto so tightly? You try to make it happen. You try to force the solution? You fret over it, wondering if it will ever change.

Maybe it’s your marriage, your spouse…
Maybe it’s your children or one of your children…
Maybe it’s your health or someone’s health that is dear to you…
Maybe it’s YOU! Your weaknesses, sin or personal struggles…
Maybe it’s your financial situation…
Maybe it’s just the day-to-day that you cannot seem to change…

Whatever it is, your El Shaddai , your Almighty God can be trusted.

Why not get on your knees right now, bow your head and commit your way to the Lord, trust Him with your desire and let Him bring the answer to pass.

Let Him fill your heart and mind with peace.

He can be trusted! Do you believe this?!

Do your part, commit and trust!

Commit: (Strong’s #1556) to be rolled together, to roll oneself upon. The picture is rolling oneself upon the Lord, trusting, committing one’s life to the Lord.

Trust: (Strong’s 982) to attach oneself, confide in, feel safe, be confident, secure… this type of hope is a confident expectation, not a constant anxiety. We can truly relax when we know God is in control.

Okay, you have your marching orders for the week! COMMIT and TRUST!

Come Meet a Lovely Woman

I wanted to take the time to mention somebody who is so sweet and encouraging. She frequently comments on my blog with very kind and uplifting words. I think she is one of those people that if you ever got to meet in real life you would be so sure that you would just love them to pieces!

I don't know if she is even old enough to be my mom, but she is the kind of woman you would want for a mom. She notices things and encourages you in a way only a mom could.

She has a lovely and peaceful blog. I love to go and just be refreshed, and that is exactly what happens every time I go visit. She has a prayer list on her blog and I find myself touched by the Spirit to pray for those on her list. This just shows in one more way, the tenderness and thoughtfulness she expresses.

God has blessed her with what appears to be a gentle and quiet spirit that I know is precious in His sight.

I pray for God to keep her and bless her and to always make His face shine upon her!

If you are wondering who I could be talking about, it is

Connie

over at

Reaching Out and Up

Do I See Their Hearts?

The Lord recently spoke to my about how He sees my heart. I tended to live under condemnation a lot. I wanted to be so different than “I” felt I was acting, especially in the area of being a mama. Brian or my mom would always say ‘you are such a good mom’ and it would make me cringe, because I was so far from what was really in my heart. They were probably looking at my heart while I was looking at my actions.

He is now using that same concept to deliver me from years of frustration towards my children. We have always struggled with how to train and expect certain behavior yet not get frustrated when they don’t do it correctly. It’s like we are supposed to expect, yet not expect??

He showed me that our children are no different than us!

What?! I thought, but we are grown and mature and always obey and do everything right…uh, not so much.

You see, they really do desire to please us, just like we desire to please God.

Does our behavior always show how much we desire to please God? No. It is the same for them. It might not look like it all the time, but their heart is to please! (Thank God!)

They are just immature and need training, again, just like us!

We might be more mature than them, (most of the time) but we are still very immature. We still need a great deal of training and discipline by the Lord.

I came across this list of “What ifs” about our children that blew me away. Please check it out. It has changed how I look at my children. I still fall down, I have years of bad habits to overcome, but His grace is sufficient!

For years I have cried out to God asking Him to make me more compassionate, turn my heart towards them, help me to see them through His eyes…I believe this is part of the answer to those cries.


What if you could see their hearts and not just their behavior?

I am not saying that the behavior does not need to be addressed, that’s another post. I’m just wondering if my focus has been wrong all these years.

Back To Blogworld

Hi Ladies! Last week was a wonderful week of rest and reflection for me. It was busier that I had planned, but lovely none the less.

One thing I did learn for sure, I missed you all! I did not check one blog, which was a challenge at times. I missed hearing from you and knowing how you are doing. Is that crazy? I mean we are talking about women I have never ‘met’ in real life.;-)

I am curious about what your Easter celebration looked like. What traditions do you have? What types of foods do you eat? Have you ever celebrated Passover?

We have celebrated a Messianic Passover in years past and it was both beautiful and powerful! I would highly recommend doing this at least once. There are many wonderful resources available. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like. I tend to go overboard, of course. We try to include all of the children in the readings and preparation. One year we led up to Passover by each day experiencing the Ten Plagues. That was a blast. If you are interested, I can share some of the ideas and pictures.

Our traditional food every Easter with Brian’s family is Fresh Polish Kielbasa, ham sandwiches with the best rye bread ever, horseradish and pickles, and my husband’s favorite potato salad. It is extremely important to coat both pieces of ‘best ever rye bread’ with butter, then a thick layer of horseradish, pickles and then ham. Mmmmmmm, so good!

My dad usually has Kielbasa also, as he is Polish too, but he likes to change things up, so this year we had wet burritos for Easter. Go figure.
I would love to hear about your traditions and foods.

Heart Surgery

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.

This past week of seeking to find rest for my soul. (Part one, two, three, four, five and six) the Lord has done some major heart surgery.

I plan to take the week off from blogging in order to recover. ;-) I do, however plan to check the comments and respond where appropriate. So if you have a special need or prayer request, please let me know. I also want to quiet myself and our family as we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.

I came across a week long devotional for families that we plan to do this week, as well as just slow down, be reflective, prayerful and even 'fasting' from the world as best we can.

I hope to be able to formulate all the Lord has done in my heart, but as of right now I cannot seem to think about it without crying. I am so humbled, once again, by His mercy and love towards me.

A few things His gentle scalpel found were, the fact that nothing ever seems to be 'good enough' for me, what if I see my children hearts the way He sees mine, and have I made a 'god' out of this 'desire' I hold so tightly.

Okay, see, can't do it without crying. Three separate, huge, distinct and humbling revelations. I think that is pretty major, don't you?

Please pray for me as I 'recover' from His gentle, yet extensive heart surgery. It feels so big to me. I just don't want to go on with 'life as usual' and not bask in His forgiveness, love and grace.

I pray you have a lovely, grace filled week. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Let Him love through you. Serve and love Him by serving and loving those precious souls in your lives!

'Thankfulness' To Find Rest For My Soul

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. (Col. 3:15)

At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. (Eph. 5:20)

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances]. (Pr. 15:15)

(Emphasis mine)

Obviously there are tons more verses that speak of being thankful and content, these are just the ones the Lord has shown me this week. I believe it to be true that you cannot be both,

thankful and fretful

thankful and anxious

thankful and burdened.

When we take our eyes off of ourselves, our situations and our own thoughts and put them on Jesus and begin to praise and thank Him for all He has done in our lives, the troubles just fade away. Well, to be honest, not the troubles themselves, but how big they seem in our minds. ;-)

No matter what particular 'thing' I am going through with the Lord, it usually, at some point comes back, in some way to my lack of praising and thanking Him. I even think that thanking Him will cause us to grow in our trust of Him!

There are many times in the Psalms that David recounts the acts of the Lord to bring his soul out of the pit!

Why so downcast, O my soul, put your hope in God!

What are some ways that we can practically apply this truth?

One way that I try to practice this is in my quiet time. When I begin writing in my journal, I have gotten into the habit of starting out by thanking Him for anything I can think of.

I often times put 'thankful' verses on notecards and place them all over the house.

Memorizing 'thankful' scriptures.

Practice, practice, practice, being thankful. It really does become a habit, but it needs to be cultivated and practiced.

How about you?

For the rest of the series...

Seeking rest for my soul a weeklong series
Casting to find rest for my soul
Trusting to find rest for my soul

Ceasing anxiety to find rest for my soul

Take My yoke to find rest for my soul

Take My Yoke To Find Rest For Your Soul

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

(Matthew 11:28-30)

I love this verse, especially so this week!

Yoke:
G2218 zugos dzoo-gos'
from the root of zeugnumi (to join, especially by a "yoke");
Coupling which unites two--to bind

On Monday when I was meditating on these verses I was asking the Lord to give me a picture of this or show me what it meant. I then had the idea to look up the definition in the Greek and thought. . . duh. I pictured a pair of oxen, balance of a scale, or anything really, that is joined together or yoked up.

I heard Him say to my spirit,

"Yoke up with Me, go side by side with Me through your day. I am gentle and meek and being yoked up with Me is comfortable, gracious and pleasant."

It so fit with all He is speaking to me this week. I need to look to Him, acknowledge Him, be yoked with Him.

Read the verses again, what speaks to you in them?

Me?

By coming to Him, I will find that rest my soul desperately craves.

Be yoked with Him and I will learn to be meek and humble.

By being yoked to Him, looking to Him I will find it to be pleasant and comfortable.

I marvel at His mercy and grace that He showers me with everyday.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Ceasing Anxiety to Find Rest For My Soul

Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy

(anxious and worried) about your life,

what you shall eat or what you shall drink;

or about your body, what you shall put on.

Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body

[far above and more excellent] than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and

yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them.

Are you not worth much more than they?

And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure

(cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?

And why should you be anxious about clothes?

Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow;

they neither toil nor spin.

Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence

was not arrayed like one of these.

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and

tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you,

O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying,

What are we going to have to eat? or,

What are we going to have to drink? or,

What are we going to have to wear?

For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these

things,

and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.

But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness

(His way of doing and being right),

and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.

Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

The command seems pretty clear here, STOP being uneasy, anxious and worried about life!

Below is the devotional that started this whole week long series on finding rest for my soul. I hope it blesses you as it did me. I loved, loved, loved it!

Many years ago there was a monk who needed olive oil, so he planted an olive tree sapling. After he finished planting it, he prayed, "Lord, my tree needs rain so its tender roots may drink and grow. Send gentle showers." And the Lord sent gentle showers. Then the monk prayed, "Lord, my tree needs sun. Please send it sun." And the sun shone, gilding the once-dripping clouds. "Now send frost, dear Lord, to strengthen its branches." cried the monk. And soon the little tree was covered in sparkling frost, but by evening it had died.

The the monk sought out a brother monk in his cell and told him of his strange experience. After hearing the story, the other monk said, "I also have planted a little tree. See how it is thriving! But I entrust my tree to its God. He who made it knows better than a man like me what it needs. I gave God no constraints or conditions, except to pray, "Lord, send what it needs--whether that be a storm or sunshine, wind, rain, or frost. You made it, and you know best what it needs."

(Taken from Streams in the Desert, updated edition, which I highly recommend. You could easily find an affordable copy at Amazon. I found some copies for a penny!)

Isn't that so good?!

Doesn't He know best what we need?

How are you doing this week with resting, trusting, casting and ceasing anxiety?

See the following links for the other posts in this series.

Seeking rest for my soul a weeklong series

Casting to find rest for my soul

Trusting to find rest for my soul

Also, be sure to check out Kariann's Prayer on this subject. It is so great.

And

Annemarie wrote a great post on this subject before she even knew what I was writing about. It is a wonderful post, be sure to check it out.