winter so far at our house

Winter is mild here . Though for Texas it is consider cold! Yesterday morning it was 24F when I woke and our water was frozen, because neither of us remembered to leave the water running little bit all night. So that was inconvenient. We did not have water til nearly noon. No flushing toilets, not washing dishes, or doing laundry. Though we do have gallon jugs of water saved for times like that for drinking, and cooking, and washing hands. Now this morning though it only got down to 44F. ( and we remembered to leave the water running last night!)

Every body has got the flue bug this last week, except for me!! Luck, lucky me! I must be healthy! I am already queasy enough feeling from the pregnancy that i sure don't need to get the flue!!

Schooling is going great!! Looking like we will get finished up in March! SOOO Excited about that!

My Dad and Mom have arrived here from Canada this past Friday where they will spend the winter. They have been coming here to Texas for the last several winters. The kids and I always look forward to it. The kids spend time with them every day, which gives me a quiet house for awhile! And i have a baby sister when ever i need it! ( they stay in a little trailer here on the property) Mom and I have such great walks and talks through out the winter. I love it!!

We got to see snow this past weekend!!
We took a trip to see friends in Tennessee. And while we were there it snowed! Just a dusting, but still snow is snow!!! So the kids loved that. It doesn't snow here every winter. But last winter it snowed 7 in. in Feb. That was are first and last snow fall of the winter. The kids sure had a blast in that and i took lost of pictures.

I am very excited about the newest blessing on the way, but i am kind of in shock of being expecting again so soon. And thinking of how close together this one and my other baby will be.
Anna is almost 11 months now, and will be 18 months when this one is due. That's the closest mine as ever been. But i am as excited as ever!! God know best!

Well winter so far here at our place is going just great!
Hoping your winter where ever you are is going just as good also!

In Him,
Mae

another blesssing

I thought it about time I announced our upcoming blessing. I try not to share this exciting news to soon, but i can never resist.
When I am blessed with a blessing, i just have to share it!! I can't keep it to my self for long!
So here is my big exciting, irresistible news!!
Our heavenly Father has seen fit to bless us once again with the blessing of new life in the womb!!
Yep, a precious , sweet baby is on the way!!
Sooo this will be baby number 6 for this house hold!!
Oh the joy! Oh what fun!
Estimated due date is on August 5th 2011. So that puts me about 8 weeks right now.
Life finds me right now extra tired, and queasy off and on. But not bad at all. Some moms have it so much worse in the morning sickness department. So i am very blessed that way.
All the children are oh so happy of news of a coming sibling.
More the merrier is the attitude around here!!

I have had 2 miscarriages is the past, one between the 2 oldest and one between the youngest son and our first girl about 4 1/2 years ago.
So sadly that is always in the back of my mind when i find out i am expecting again.
But i just put this life into the hands of my heavenly Farther who planted this life there in the first place. This child is His. He/she is for is glory only. We hope to have the little on in our arms in the fall, and in our home for many years to come. But when ever the Lord calls this child to come home to Him, we will be willing to let him/her go. Knowing God know best. And He loves this child more than we can ever imagine.

Thank you God for this blessing of life. I am awed that you see fit to bless me again as mom!! Oh, that i could be every bit the mom that you want me to be!

Over Coming Evil God's Way

Here is another book that I bought at the same time as the other one I mentioned in my last post.
I have only read a little in this one so far.
But it too seems very good.

The title is, Over Coming Evil God's Way, by Stephen Russell

On the front it says, The Biblical and Historical Case for Nonresistance.

On the back it reads,
We live in a world wracked with violence and despair. Does that mean that every act of violence must be met with an equal or greater counter blow? Over Coming Evil God's way asserts that the biblical message offers hope of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation in place of hatred, vengeance, and fear. This books looks at both historical and biblical evidence for the nonresistant live style of the Christian. Some of the themes the book deals with:

• Why do Christians disagree among themselves about war?
• What is the overarching narrative of the Bible, and what does it have to say about peace?
• What is the Christian's right and just battle?
• What is the biblical model for the Christian life?
• How have platonism and Islamic thought weakened the church's grasp on nonresistance?
• What place does the gospel of peace have in winning Muslims and others who have discounted the Christian message, life, and community?

I ordered this book at www.cpl.org ph# 1-800-776-0478

The web site listed in the book which I assume is a place to order this book or others is,

www.christianlearning.org

In Him,

Mae

A Change of Allegiance

I have just recently bought this book from a home school company. I am not quite finished reading it. But i love it it, love it, love it!! And wanted to share all about it here with others.
To me it should almost be considered a must read for all professing Christians. It is about the Christians place in the war. ( or better put, lack of place in the war)

A Change of Allegiance By Dean Taylor

( this is what it says on the back of the book)

What should Christians do with Jesus words, "Love your enemies"?

Is it alright for a Christian to go to war?

Doesn't a Christian have an obligation to defend his country?

Dean Taylor and his wife Tania were both in the U.S. Army when they realized that, as committed Christians, they had to come to grip with these questions. In a new and sincere quest to truth, they were determined to follow Jesus Christ under the banner "no compromise". As they began to search Scriptures and church history, they came to the startling discovery that the Christian Church originally was uniformly opposed to Christians going to war or joining the military.

In A change of Allegiance , Dean Taylor takes the reader on a moving journey through Scriptures, Christian history , and his own life's story as he demonstrates the incompatibility of Christianity and war.
Ultimately, Dean Taylor challenges his readers to consider where their allegiance truly lies.


( this is in my own words)
I have always believed this way. But was just so wonderful to me to read his book and hear of his journey to this believe and his coming out of the army. Was just so refreshing and uplifting to me.
His book does such a good job at bringing out what the Bible says on the subject of nonviolence, loving your enemies.
Any which way you want to cut it, there is absolutely no room for "just war".

If you differ on that then you real need to read this book. (And please read it first before you jump on me with your opposing comments.)

I ordered mine at Christian Light Education. http://www.clp.org/ 1-800-776-0478

Also there is 2 web sites in the book that i assume you can order the books as well.

http://www.scrollpublishing.com/
(717) 349-7033

http://www.radicalreformation.com/

I pray that if you read this book you do so with an open heart and mind to God's wonderful truth on this matter. It is a real eye opener for sure.

In Him,
Mae

one's boldness encourages me

In my second to last post i talked of my timidness in speaking up on certain issues, but that i was working on being bolder.
Well just recently it has been made even more clear to me of why i need to be bold in God and His truth, because my boldness can give others encouragement.
I have just recently been encouraged my self by someone that was bold in in what they believed.
And again to day as well.

Someone asked me today if I was almost ready for Christmas.
I very carefully as I could, replied that we did not keep Christmas. ( carefully, because i was certain that she did and I did not want to offend)
Well i was shocked at her reply to me.
She says, "Bless you! That is so good. Oh, that is wonderful!"
I couldn't believe it!
I never had someone say that to me before after hearing that I didn't keep Christmas.
Then she when on to say that she did not either, and that she had a good friend that did not as well.
She kept going on and saying why she felt it was that it was not pleasing to God.
Others were around, and i was thinking, "oh no what will the others think."
Yet she kept talking so boldly.
I was so impressed!
It gave me such inspiration.
I was like I want to be like her.
I want to be strong and unafraid of what others may think.

So i hope my boldness is encouraging to others as well.
Go forth and be bold in Christ who gives you strength.

In Him, Mae

The World s Mine

I came across this lovely poem in a book i was reading to the children tonight. So i just had to share!!

The World Is Mine
Today, upon a bus I saw
A lovely maid with golden hair;
I envied her_ she seemed so gay_
And, oh, I wished i were so fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle;
She had one foot, and wore a crutch_
But as she passed, she had a smile!

Oh, God, forgive me when I wine;
I have two feet! The world is mine!

And when I stopped to buy some sweets,
The lad who served me had such charm;
He seemed to radiate good cheer;
His manner was so kind and warm.
I said, "It's so nice to deal with you.
Such courtesy I seldom find."
He turned and said, "Oh thank you, sir!"
And then I saw that he was blind!

Oh, God, forgive me when I wine;
I have two eyes! The world is mine!

Then walking down the street I saw
A little boy with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched as others played;
It seemed he knew not what to do.
I stopped a moment; then said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word,
And then I knew he could not hear!

Oh, God, forgive me when I wine;
I have two ears! The world is mine!

With feet to take me where I'd go_
With eyes to see the sunset glow_
With ears to hear what I should know_

Oh, God, forgive me when I wine;
I'm blessed indeed! The world is mine!

- Author Unknown

Being strong in God and in His truth

This is something I am really working on as of late.
Being strong and bold for God and His word and His truth.
I know God wants a strong people.
But I have been ever so timid mostly.
For one thing i have a quite nature.
But for another I have just been plain timid to speak up and make my thoughts known when it is so different than whats around me.
I have never wanted to offend or hurt anyone.
I have kept quiet in cases that I could have had an opportunity to share God's wonderful truths on different issues.
And i feel so bad about it now.
I am praying that God gives me these opportunities again to speak and be a light for Him.
I have something so wonderful to share, so why should I feel like i need to keep quiet.
Why do i have to worry about offending someone by sharing God's truth.
Nope, no more!
I am going to be as bold, and fearless as ever!
I am standing on God's word and I am sharing it with others!!

encouragment and peace for this time of year

While out shopping bout this time last year in the last week or two before Christmas I over heard this conversation between 2 customers. They both appeared to be doing there last minute shopping for the big day.
And the conversation went like this.
The one customer asks the other, "Are you ready for Christmas yet?"
The other customer replies in not so nice of tone," I'm ready for it to be over with already." Yep, I'm ready for it to get here and get on over with." And be through with it."
The other customer completely understood how she felt.

I couldn't believe it. It clearly appeared to be one big head ache for both of them. Yet they were still doing it.

I wonder do others feel that way too?

Do you feel in daze trying to get it all done this time of year, gift shopping, meal preparations, and schooling and all?
Are you spending money that you really don't have just to celebrate Christmas?
Are you having a hard tome finding something for the ones that already, "have everything"?
Are you stressing out?
Have you ended up with one big ole head ache?

If so, it does not have to be that way.
God want us to have a peaceful and restful spirit. He does not require that of you. He has not asked His people to go to all this fuss and head ache, and misery. He has not asked us to celebrate His birth. And if He did, you can know it would not be in the way the world is doing it.

So give your self a break. I know it's suppose to be being done for Jesus. But he does not require that of you. He requires your love and obedience, that's it!! So simple!! So peaceful and so restful!

So have a restful, stress free wonderful year all year long.

We certainly are. We are getting just as much school as ever done here, and enjoying the first part of the winter, being relaxed and restful as ever. No gift shopping , no other plans to be making. Just wonderful relaxing and enjoying mommy life!!!
So come on and join me in the party!!
You will be glad you did!!

If you were about to fall off a cilff....

...and you didn't know it.
But i was there and I seen.
I know you would want me to warn you.
And prevent it from happening if I was able.
Say you were at the top of a cliff and you were taking pictures of scenery or somebody.
Your back was turned to the cliff.
You knew it was there some where, but you did not now how close.
You kept backing up to get in the right position for the perfect shot.
You had no clue of the danger you were in.
So i warned you, by letting you know that your actions were about to be the destruction of your life. I tried to be as gentle as I could.
Your first thought was, " posh, i know what I am doing". "I fine".
So i kept giving words of warning.
But i tried very hard not to offend.
Then you took that last fatal step, and I really hollered then! ( i knew you would not care if I lost my gentleness at this point)
And just in the nick of time, you turned from your actions that would have took you over the edge.
You were very happy and grateful then, that I said what I did, though at first you were upset at me for bothering you and preaching at you.


And that is where this blog comes in at. I don't want no one falling off no cliff!!!

Home is Best

Here is another poem i came across to day. I guess it's the day for poems!!

Home is Best

Stay, Stay at home, my heart and rest;

Home-keeping hearts are happiest,

For those that wander they know not where

Are full of trouble and full of care;

To stay at home is best.

Weary and homesick and distresses,

They wander east, they wander west,

And are baffled and beaten and blow about

By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;

To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heat, and rest;

The bird is safest in it's nest,

Over all that flutter their wings and fly

A hawk is hovering in the sky;

To stay at home is best.

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A Child's Faith

I just came across this poem today while looking through one of my cook books.
So thought i would share it here.

A Child's Faith

"Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so"_

Little children ask no more,

For love is all they're looking for,

And in a small child's shining eyes

The FAITH of all the ages lies---

And tiny hands and tousled heads

That kneels in prayer by little beds

Are closer to the dear Lord's heart

And of His Kingdom more a part

Than we who search, and never find;

The answers to our questioning mind-

For FAITH in things we cannot see

Requires a child's simplicity

For, lost in life's complexities,

We drift upon uncharted seas

And slowly Faith disintegrates

While wealth and power accumulates-

And the more man learns, the less he knows,

And the more involved his thinking grows

ANd, in his arrogance and pride,

no longer is man satisfied

To place his confidence and love-

With childlike FAITH in GOD above-

Oh, Farther grant once more to men

A simple childlike FAITH again

And, with small child's trusting eyes,

May all people come to realize

That FAITH alone can save man's soul

And lead him to a HIGHER GOAL.

Helen Steiner Rice

the unruly tongue

Set a watch, O Lord, befroe my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3



This is my daily prayer.



Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minster grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4 : 29

Oh that my speech always be uplifting, edifying, and impart grace to those that hear.




There is so many verses in Bible that talk about the unruly tongue. Here is some in the book of James.



Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. James 3:5



But the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8



There with bless we God, even the Farther: and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. James 3:9-10

And some in Proverbs.

A soft answer turneth away wrath : but grievous words stir up anger. The tongues of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. Proverbs 15:1-2

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

A man hath joy by the answer of him mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! Proverbs 15: 23

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

In my home, when i am around others, when i send e-mails, and when i write on my blog; my only desire is that my speech be kind, loving, caring, considerate, edifying, encouraging, inspiring, and would always impart grace to the hearers. Oh i have so much to work on in that area.



So Lord i need you to control my tongue.

some good thoughts on my mind tonight

Sometimes i have many many things on my mind, but i don't always get a chance to jump on the computer and quickly write it down before i forget. Well tonight i am grabbing a moment!!

Here's a few things that's been floating around in my head recently.
( just a quick note before sharing though. Of course i know it's very evident, but just wanted to state anyway that i am not always the best writer at putting my thoughts down. So i just write them down kind of the way there are in my head, sometimes jumbled, and sometimes very straight forward. So you just have to bear with me:)! Also note that I almost always have a little one around me, crabbing at the key board and mouse, and sometimes a little fussy, so i can easily loose my concentration!!)

Ok, so the main thing on my mind is damage that I believe our wonderful electronics has done for our society, namely the T.V. and video games. Sorry everyone!! And i am not talking the good virus the bad on it. I am just talking about the entertainment it's self.

I believe that constant source of entertainment as crippled our society in many ways.
I am speaking on a whole and for excessive watching. (I know most homes have it very moderate.)
I think why it's so bad as that it is so very addictive, and cripples the creativity in one to even think that there's other things do to.
Usually it is the kids that grow up with T.V that get " bored". For example my kids hardly no what boredom is.
It is also very time consuming.
And i am under the conclusion that one should really be concise of how we spend our time.
I can see why it is so very appealing though becuse one wants somthing to do, with out doing "nothing."

Another thing on my mind which pretty much has to do with above is that not every thing in the world though it appears good on the outside or for the most part anyway, does not necessarily make it something good for God's people.
I think it's to easy to adapt most things in our lives as Christians if its good, with out realizing it is not something that God would like in our lives.
Like the T.V. Just because there is good stuff on it, doesn't mean it suddenly makes it something God's people should have. Does that make since?

I think there is numerous other things like that as well.
Like all the sports and activities available for the kids. They are good, but are they necessarily what God would have us fill our time with. Does he really want us moms to be going in 5 different directions at one time to get our kids to whatever things they are participating in, while other things( usually far more important) go on the slack.
Are they for God's people just because they are good?
Of course that is something for every family to answer on their own. But it is something worth thinking about i think.
I feel that way with many things in our society, and the sooner our children realize that not everything out there is something for us to be apart of the better.


Also my thoughts have been on Sabbath ( the 7th Day). How it is not convenient or handy to keep. So many things revolve around Sabbath: sports, different activities, good yard sales, and so much more.
So we have to sacrifice a bit to serve God the way we know He wants us to. But so what, this world and the things of it should mean nothing to us compared to our Love and obedience to God.

And also good to keep in mind, that Jesus gave His very life for us so that we may have eternal life!!
That's so huge!! He did not have to do that. But he did because he loved us that much!!

So do we love Him enough to give Him a day out of of our busy week. The day that He gave us for rest in the first place. He gave us HIS LIFE, surly we can give up a day for HIM.

Again not every thing in this world was designed for God's people. If the things of this world make it hard for us to rest and worship on that day He gave us, then those things have to be given up, instead of the alternate: choosing another day that suites us better. (Which is where Sunday has came in at.)

We all have to realize that the way this world operates was not established with God's people in mind. And we can not have both this world and God too.


Well hoping you enjoyed my thoughts. And don't forget i love hearing your thoughts too!!
In Him,
Mae

heart cries

My heart cries

• for the hurting, and desolate


• for the crying , hungry, and orphaned children in many areas of the world begging for some one to just love and care for them


• for the thousands and and thousands of innocent women and children held against their will in sex slave around the world


• for the terrible devastation in Hatti after the earth quake


• for the abused and hurting women all over the world


• for the children here in America that have every earthly things they could possible want, yet lacking the things they crave and need the most; their parents LOVE, ATTENTION, TIME, and of course GOD'S WORD


• that every home and family would read and pray together least once a day.

• for the lonely, forgotten, and even often neglected and abused elderly in the nursing homes ( when i hear stories of that, my heart just breaks)

• for the the many, many kids that are baby sat by the T.V day in and day out

• that families would turn to God as their spiritual leader instead of the churches

• for the abused and neglected children all over the world

• for the moms that are caught up in the lie that they must go out side the home to make something of them selves

• for the parents that they think they must involve their kids in everything and run them selves ragged to do so ( God does not expect that of us, but the world does)

• that families would spend more time in God's word than they do watching T.V

• my heart cries for every home and family to get back to where God wants His people to be

Oh, Lord how my heart breaks over these things, and i cry out to you Father for these and I lift them up to you in prayer.

In Him, Mae

What are you thankful for?

I asked this question to each member of the family this evening( at least to those that could talk) and here is what they said.

Nathan said he was thankful for the yummy bran muffins i made for breakfast this morning.
Clayton he was thankful for nothing. ( but then later came up with a long list!)
Sam said he was thankful i let him watch the history DVD that he had been begging to watch all day long!
Sarah was thankful for her favorite pink blanket. (thanks to a wonderful cousin for that)
Daddy said he was thankful for his sweet family! ( isn't that lovely)
Me? I am thankful for my heavenly Farther that is so full of grace and forgiveness to me each time i make a mistake. And thankful for my sweet hubby and children!!! Also thankful they forgive me every time i holler at them!

To all that is celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, wishing you a good and fun filled day with loved ones!
Travel safe!!

In Him, Mae

Moms are like snowflakes

I just wrote this silly little poem last night. I thought to share it here, to give you a smile and a laugh for your day!!!
It just popped into my head. Don't even know how in the world i thought of snowflakes with it being over 70F here in Texas!! Don't ask me, but it happened. And here is the lovely product!!

Moms are like snowflakes
is really quite true.
For no two are alike,
Each one is so very unique .
They are sent from heaven above,
for all to enjoy.
And both are individually designed and hand crafted by God himself!
Everyone beholds their beauty.
And all the children delight to play with them.
Keep them cool or they will both surely melt.
( us Texans moms can testify the truth in that!)
So by this silly little poem,
it's easy to see it really is true,
that moms and snowflakes are indeed alike!



See i warned you it was silly!! But hope you got a kick out of it just the same.
If you can think of ways that moms and snowflakes are alike, please leave me a comment and let me know!!

It's that time of year

All my little ones have had colds this past week, and still have the colds. So we are having fun with coughing, runny noeses and such. Late nights, and waking up in the middle of the nights!
Be glad when its ran its course and all is as it should be again.

At least we have decided to take the week off school, mostly anyway.
We still do our morning devotions and Bible verse memory. And Nathan is doing science, because he was a little behind in that subject. And Clayton is doing spelling and penmanship. I should work with Sam's flash cards too.
Its funny how is is almost easier to keep up a routine than not. Of course the week as only begun, and its going good so far. But if later in the week my house is going crazy with lack of routine, then back to the books we will go!!

On Thursday we are going to my husbands' brothers place for Thanksgiving. That should help to make the week little more fun for the kids. Little more hectic for me though!

I am expecting a bother in this week from Canada, actually have been for a day or so already. So the kids are on their toes anxiously waiting for him to drive in. They call him their favorite uncle. ( sorry all you other wonderful uncles :)

It had been cool for a about a week, and we had our wood heater going. Although in the day it would warm up almost to much for the wood heater and we were opening windows and doors!! But in the night and mornings the fire felt nice.
Anyway now it has warmed way up. It is 70F now! It feels like summer, or least how summer should feel i think!

So many leaves falling off the trees. I like how it looks in the woods this time of year! And the kids love making trails through the woods by raking paths through the leaves. They have made all kinds of trails.

Looks so pretty sitting here looking out my window at the fall colors. And i love that nice breeze blowing in my window. Oh,how i love this time of year.

Have a great day ya'll!
In Him, Mae

so many churches yet only one truth

There is one body, and one spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling: One lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Farther of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4: 4-6



Yet, so many churches with many different doctrines and faiths. And all claiming to have the truth. Something has to be wrong.



This verse seems to sum it all up in why there is so many different teachers of different doctrines.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lusts shall the heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4



That is why I feel its so important for the husband and father in the home to be the spiritual leaders for the family and not the church. He needs to be the one to lead the family in to the truth. All we need to know is right there in the Bible. ( Don't get me wrong though, fellowship with other believers is wonderful.)



But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man tech you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. 1 John 2:27



For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be first principles of the oracles of God: and are become such as have need of milk, and not strong meat. Hebrews 5:12



And we need to be aware and alert for wrong teachings out there.



That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Ephesians 4:14



If you stand on the truth and nothing but the truth, you can not go wrong. So in all that you do, STAND, even if it means standing alone.





In Him, Mae

God wants a people

I believe God wants a people like no other.

He wants a people that walks after His own heart.
To love the things He loves.

A people that loves Him with all their heart, and with all their souls, and with all their might.
Deut. 6:5, Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27

He wants a peculiar people. Deut. 14:2, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9

A people that's strong in the Lord. Eph. 6:10

A people that keeps His commandments. Deut. 5:9 , Deut. 6: 7, Deut. 11:19, 1 John 4: 2-3

A people loves the truth and stands on the truth. 3 John 3- 4, John. 8:32, 2 Thess. 2:10

He wants his people to hate the things he hates. Proverbs 6: 16-19, Eph. 5: 3-6

A people that walks as Jesus walked. 1 John 2:6

God wants a people. May we be that people.

In Him, Mae

lovin' the law

Something else that has really been leaping out at me in our recent readings of the Israelites is how God instructed them to teach the law to their children and their children's children.

And not only to teach and keep the law, but to love the law.



'Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and to bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sitest in thin house, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates." Deut. 11: 18-2o



And remember this was not just God's instructions to His people then, but to His people now!! Which is us!!

But today I see a lack of teaching of God's laws. And a lack of love for His laws.

Not only is His law not seeming to be taught, but in fact trying to weasel a way out of it. Trying to find area in Paul's teaching to get a way from the law.

This should not be so among God's people.

"But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Joshua 22:5

"O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it may be well with them, and their children forever. " Deut. 5: 29

"O how love I thy law! It is my mediation all the day." Psalm 119: 97

" I have longed for thy salvation, O lord: and the law is my delight." Psalm 119: 174

"But his delight is in the law of the lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Psalm 1:2

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandment with thee. So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding." Proverbs 2:2


It seems the love for the law has been lost some where. It even seems to be viewed to some as burdensome. If the law can be managed to be done away with, then one feels free.

But we are to be free by fulfilling the law!!

God's law is to be a joy to us!



Here is what Jesus said about the law .



" Think not that i have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5: 17-19



Also in the book of John we read:



"But this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: ans his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5: 2-3



"And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

He that's saith , I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2: 3-4



We need to get back to where God wanted His people to be. We need to be a people that loves God's laws, and obeys God's laws, and teaches God's laws to our children.

My oldest son had a conversation once with another child about the Sabbath day, and why we keep it. Upon hearing my son say we keep it because it is in the 10 commandments, the child's quick reply was, " oh there's a mystery behind that commandment."
I was shocked. Not only was this child not taught to keep the law, but already at that early age he was taught how to make accuse for not keeping all the law or commandments.



I see a trend today loving this world and wanting the things and the pleasures that this world gives, and so much so that there is a need to try to get out of some laws to do it. People want both the world and its pleasures, and still have God as well. But it doesn't work that way.

We have to Love God way more than this world.

"Love not this world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Farther is not in him." 1 John 2: 15



And as I see it, if our love for God is as it should be, then it will be our heart's only desire and joy to to obey His Law. We will not desire any other way. We will be free and doing exactly as we please, which will be freely doing only that which is pleasing to God.

I think God so longs for His people to gain back a love for the law.

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:25

In Him, Mae

chores for little ones

It's high time to reprogram who is to do what chores around here.

I am sure all mom's go through this.
First you train your oldest ones to do certain chores when they have reached an aproperaite age for that chore. And at first it is amost easier to do it your self than take the time to show them. Yet you know that after they learn how, they can do it on their own, and will be such a big help to you.
So you plug on teaching them and training them the ins and outs and how it's done. Soon the bigger ones are doing these chores and do them it well. You know you can count on them.

Then in a blink of an eye you soon have little ones that are not so little anymore, and in fact are now at the exact age if not older than the oldest ones were when they were taught these chores. But they can't do a thing. They were not taught because you had older ones to do it. ( i am speaking for my self here)

That's the case with me right now. I have my oldest boys, ages 10 and 8, that have been doing chores for years. They are so good and obedient at doing what they are told. Plus they have several things they know to do daily with out being told.

So their 5 1/2 year brother has not been doing chores and don't like to do anything when he is told. Oh, he will once in awhile, but not on the most part. He just wants to be playing and having fun when his school is done. And he complains, "awe, do i have to?" "All by my self?" " Why can't Nathan or Clayton help me?"

So now i have to take the time to instruct another child to do chores. Instruct, supervise, and make sure it gets done. It's back to where it's almost easier for me to do it my self, or continue to get the older ones to do it.
But i know it is so very important and vital for the whole family that he learns. He needs his own set of chores to do. He needs to be responsible.

So this is the latest task ahead of me.
Anyone reading this have great suggestions and tips for me? Any helpful ideas at getting my little ones that are not so little to do chores?
I guess my 3 year old needs to start chores too?
I know, the advice giver is begging for advice. lol!! (have pity on me will ya)

more fall pic.s of 2010

I could not resist this cute pic. of our dog, Daisy.

Nathan, Clayton, Samuel, Sarah, and Anna enjoying our fall days around our place.

Mommy and Anna. Looks like we are both frowning. I don't know whats wrong!!

Fall 2010 pictuers

We took a little drive up into Oaklahoma one weekend a few weeks back. Here is some of the pic.s we took. Above is the kids and I walking on trial.

The boys! Nathan, Clayton, and Samuel. A beutiful senery in the back ground.

Here is the whole family!! We had a fun day and got lots of pretty pictuers.

learning from the Israelites

For our recent Bible reading the children and I have been reading through the old testament, and are in the middle of reading about the Israelites in the desert.

(We read from a Bible story rather than directly from the Bible, because it makes an easier read for the children. But it is very correct and adds nothing to it, like some bible stories. It simply makes it easy to understand and follow along. I like that for old testament reading to the children, because the old testament is a hard read. But i feel its also very important.)

OK, so back to the Israelites, and what we have been learning during this read.
All kinds of good stuff. Its surprising what all can be learned from them.

One thing that is so clear and easy to pick up is that when the people obeyed God , he was with them, protecting them, guiding and leading them. But when they disobeyed and turned away from Him, He turned away from them as well.

If God said something was to be done a certain way, but they thought they had a better way, or could do it just alittle different: that was disobedience and they suffered for it. God meant what He said , and and what He said was to be done, and done His way.

Just like when the people had no water and cried on to Moses that God would give them water. So Moses and Aaron pray on to God for water, and He gives them instructions. Gather the people together in front of the rock, and speak unto the rock, and it shall give them water.
So Moses and Aaron gather the people in front of the rock. But Moses thinks he has a better plan and strikes the rock with his staff instead. Water comes flowing out. But Moses is punished for his disobedience. He would not be allowed to bring the people in to God's land. Numbers 20: 1-13.

There's an example time and time again how God give them very pacific instructions of how He wanted things done, and when they did not obey, they suffered for it.
We can learn such great things from that.
We learn that these examples can be applied to every area in our lives.
We learn that God's word was the only way.
We learn that God was, and is, and always will be the same.
We learn if we want God's blessings on us, then we must obey.
We learn that God's commandments wasn't just for His people the Israelites, it was for all His people for ever and ever.

Well I just need to keep reading and see what all many more great things we can learn!!

that's what i love

Sometimes when i sit to post i don't just have a set subject or topic to post on.
There will be thoughts swirling around in my head and i want to share. Knowing God put them there. But I will be unsure of how to to best write it it all down.
So i get on my posting site anyway and i begin to type.
And the words the will just flow. And it seems as if it was already previously written and that i am simply copying it.
That happened to me with yesterday's post. I could not believe how it all came to gather so easily.
And i know where it comes from. So i give God all the credit!!
That's what i like about blogging, and that's what I love about my Heavenly Farther!!!

He gives you the words to speak when you don't know what to say, and just when you need them. And he gives you the exact words that some one is needing to hear at that exact moment!

If you have ever read something on here that seemed to speak directly to you, like it was written with you in mind. Well it was! But know it didn't come from me. There's no way i could have known what you needed to hear at which moment.
Our Heavenly Father is the one that orchestrated that!!
I just wrtie what He sets on my heart.
That's what I love about my Heavenly Farther!!

fall happenings , Bible verse memory and recent thoughts

Well its been a few days since a post. I apologize, but busy with mommy life!
I know all you moms understand though!

Fall
I am very thankful for the cooler weather. Though at the moment i am rather hot here in my house because this morning was cold, so had our wood heater going. Now its very pleasant outside ( actually very warm), and the heater is still putting off heat. Ugh!! But when i get off here i will get out side for awhile where its lovely! Its 78F.
Fall time is my most favorite season. I love the colors, the cool breezes, wearing sweaters ,( although that is very seldom we have to here) being out in the crisp cold air!

Pictures
I had good intentions of putting on pictures of our fall drive we took up in Oklahoma a few weeks back. Pretty in that area we went with the fall colors. I had trouble though up loading the picture's. So that will have to wait till a later date.

School is going well.
Nathan in grade 5 is working along much quicker than when we first begun and now school does not go all day long! In fact he was done by lunch time today! His handwriting has also improved! He has been my sloppy one, and Clayton my neat and careful one.

Clayton in grade 2 always got done early just because his school does not take as long. But a change for him is that his reading had greatly improved since we begun the year! Yea!! His reading is faster and much smoother. He reads almost all his instructions now. So that means less hands on from mom!!

Sam age 5 is enjoying learning to read from, 100 Easy Lessons To Teach Your Child to Read. We are taking nice and easy, and its going good. He loves reading his words and printing his letters.
Sarah lat 3 loves to copy Sam while he does his sounds and reads words. I think she may be an early learner!

Bible verse memory
I am excited about what we are doing now. We are learning whole passages at one time ( 4-6 verses). And we do them altogether, instead of Nathan learning his, Clayton his own and so on.

So on Sunday ( that's our fist school day of the week), I introduce the passage we are to learn for that week during our morning devotions. I will read it through once and then we read it all together 2 times more. Then through out the day a few more times, and again before bed time.
This is done every day till Sabbath morning. Then on Sabbath the children are to recite it to us by memory.

Since we have started doing it this way, the passages we have learned are Psalms 23, Matthew 6 : 9-13, and this weeks- John 3: 15- 18.

Nathan recited Psalms 23, and Math. 6:9-13 perfectly.
Clayton missed 1 verse on Psalms 23. I am also repeating Matt. 6: 9-13 for him this week because he did not do well.
So Nathan is on his own this week with John 3: 15-18. I want to keep at us all doing the same verses together but I wanted Clayton do learn the previous one better before moving on.

Sam and Sarah are learning snippets of those verses. They love repeating the verses together with us.
I reward little prizes for memorization. It keeps them spurred on!!


Thoughts
Some of my recent thoughts.
Our time on earth is short, we need to make the most of it! I believe the time of His return is near. We need to more than ever be impounding and instructing our children in the Word of God. Get them prepared to with-stand the many winds of doctrine out there. Give them the truth and nothing but the truth.

It's time more than ever to weed out the unimportant things in life, and give more time to the important!

There's so many little things in the world and in our lives specially in our lives as mommas, that our pulling and demanding our time.
We need to get rid of those things that pull us away from the house constantly. And get rid of those things that keeps so darn busy that we hardly have time to cook and have a family dinner every evening. The things that pull us away from daily Bible reading and devotions .
Get rid of the things that do not edify or build us up spiritually.
Look into what God wants us as moms to teach our children, not what the world says we should.

And don't forget the weekly Sabbath rest! God knew we needed it, that's why He gave it to us. I sooo look forward to it each week.

May you have a blessed day, as you enjoy your fall weather where ever you are!!
And remember i love your comments and your thoughts!

my deal with candy

Would you like a cavity?
I'm sure your answer is no.
But what if i asked you if you would like candy?
You would most likely answer, yes.
My kids on the other hand would have answered yes to both questions, because that is our word around our house for candies.
Yep, that's right, "cavities".
I feel like they should be called what they really are. May as well not hide the truth of the effects of candy.
Though my kids are still not put off by that. They openly ask for, " cavities."

I can't stand candy. Now i used to like it as a kid alright and even as a young adult, but very moderately. Then when i became a mom and my first son at a very early age got cavities. And the other siblings had many to follow as well. ( were talking the real thing here) I changed my tune!
Now i can't stand the stuff and i wonder how candy ever got considered as a treat in the first place. How can a cavity causing, no good for your body thing , ever be called a treat!!

Now i know there's all kinds of candy and there may very well be '' healthy " candy even. Though i haven't heard of any. But i am talking run of the mill, chock full of sugar or corn syrup kind!
The kind that rots your teeth, and is poison to your your body. The kinds that are hard to the immune system.
That a treat? Ugh! I don't think so!

To me a treat for a child would be a fruit ( there's all kinds of yummy pretty fruits). That would be a true treat and something very special. Taste good and does wonders for the body!! There of course is other healthy snacks as well.

But it seems no matter how hard i guard the gate of my house candy still sneaks its way in. And then theres Grandma's house, the neighbor, the bank, the library, ect, ect.. All well meaning of course. I guess they just don't know how bad it is.
So hoping every one catches the fever with me! If we all stopped buying candy er "cavities" they soon would stop making the stuff. I look eagerly for that day!!!
So pass the word on!

My Mom's testimony with Christmas

I mentioned in a post nearly 2 months ago, that i would be soon writing a post about my Mom's testimony with giving up Christmas.
Well here is that post! I am sorry it took me so long.

When my mom was young they celebrated Christmas in her home. It was a fun occasion of a big dinner, giving of gifts to each other, and so on. It was something she always looked forward to, and enjoyed.

At the age of 18 she went with a friend to a church . Though she had been to church as a kid, this time with her friend, is when she first really heard the message of Jesus. And this is when she accepted Lord into her heart.

After that Christmas took on a whole knew meaning for her. Especially the first one after. It was such a joy to her to be able remember and celebrate Jesus's birth, knowing what He did for her. Knowing that through Him she received forgiveness and life!! It was extra special to her. And she felt she was really honouring Him.

Then along came Dad! She was 21 then. He starting helping her to see that Sabbath was the day God gave us for rest and worship, and talked to her about Christmas. He showed her how Christmas had pagan roots. How that day was adopted from worship of a son god. And explained because of all that, that it would not be something that God would not be pleased with.

Learning those things, about where and how Christmas all begun: made her loose all desire to participate in such a holiday.

She found other ways to honour Him, just in her simply love and obedience to Him. Instead of in a holiday that He did not create, and that did not really honour Him anyway.

She did miss celebrating Christmas for awhile after. But the part she missed she said was the worldly things of it, such as the music, gift giving, and gathering with family.

But she never once felt cheated in her ability to honour and praise her Lord! In fact quite the opposite was true. She felt she was honouring Him so much more in not participating in a pagan holiday.

She had so much greater joy in just serving Him! Knowing that her live in its self was an honour to Him! She never looked back.

my favorite wise sayings

I have came across many wonderful little sayings or maybe better put "phrases of wisdom", over the years and wanted to share here. Some of these has been said in my home growing up, and others i have stole from someone else since i have been a wife and mom, and yet others i have came up with my self. We like saying them around our house.
Read and Enjoy!

If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all.

What you Jesus say?

If there's a will there's a way.

Its never right to do wrong.

If its not fun for all, then it's not fun at all.

Never say can't.

Its better to be safe than sorry.

Many hands make light work.

It will all come out in the wash.

Don't cry over spilled milk.

What would Jesus do?

It will show up.

If you don't use it, you loose it!

What would Jesus think?

If you snooze you loose!

Don't count your chicks before they hatch.

If its the Lord's will, it will all work out.

If God's for you, who can be against you?

If it's meant to be, God will open the doors.

Take one day at a time.

Haste makes waste

Think before you speak.

Always stand for whats right, even if it means standing alone!

Go the extra mile.

Don't get mad, get glad!

If you eat the best first, you will always have the best.

Smile, Jesus loves you!

Always look on the bright side of things.

Think of others, before your self.

allowance ~ just a little note

I just had one quick thing to add to my last post on allowance.
Just going to mention that our boys do have ways of earning a little extra once in awhile. They are not paid for chores by no means , but for certain things that go above and beyond chores that daddy wants to pay them for.
Also last year Nathan grew and sold pumpkins so he made quite good on that. ( this year they didn't turn out as well)
Also at our yard sale they all had little things of theirs that they sold. And made a little on that.
As they get older they maybe can do jobs with daddy and earn some that way too. All of that will teach hard working skills and teach them responsibilty.
After all that is life.

allowance ~ how we do it

This is how we do allowance. We start giving our children allowence when they are about 5 .
If they beg for money when we go to the store and i give them a dollar or 2 each time to spend ( or in most cases a quarter or 2 for bubble gum machines), then its time they had a monthly allowance. So that way they can learn responsibility. They know they better spend it wisely because when that's gone, that's it till next month.

When Nathan was 5 and I started his allowance . I started him out at 2 dollars a month. All he wanted his for at that time was for bubble gum machines anyway so i just paid him by quarters. And they went a long way for him. When those quarters were used up he had to wait for the next month.

As they got older and more responsible they got a bit more. Last year at 9 Nathan was getting $ 5 and Clayton at 7 got $3 a month, and Sam yet not 5 did not receive any. Though i did give him a quarter occasionally for the machines or his brothers would .

This year Nathan received $6 and Clayton $4, and Samuel $2. Then just recently Daddy decided they could have each month for how old they were. Except for Samuel we will not start that till he is least 7. I do not feel is responsible enough yet by no means. So now Nathan is getting$10 and Clayton $8.

They are so exited with the money raise and are calculating how much they will get in a year , and how much they will make in a year, a year or two from now!!

Before the raise it may have seemed like a meager amount, and some still may feel it is. But it really wasn't and realy isn't. They learned responsibly from that. They learned to save. And they learned they could with go with out that one thing, and save up more money for that bigger thing. You would be surprised at how much they saved!! And of course all their needs are met by us.

This is one of those things where less is more. "Less" taught them many more things than "more" ever would have.

I feel a big allowance would be appropriate when it is put in a bank account for the child. And is saved for when they are much older. Maybe they could be helped to save for thier first car!

Maybe as time goes by and our oldest ones get older we may have to make changes in this but for now it seems to work very well for us.

I feel its never to young to start teaching money managment skills. Younger the better really!

its catching on!

You know back when I posted about the saying , What Would Jesus Do?
And i mentioned we need 2 more like that, What Would Jesus Say?, and What would Jesus Think?
Well i introduced those to my kids. And boy did they catch on!
With in days after ward I was hearing those all the time.
One did an offence , and another would pipe up and say, " What would Jesus say?" or " What would Jesus think of that?"
One time Samuel said something mean to Sarah, and Clayton piped up and said, " What Would Jesus say to that Sam?" So Samuel quickly said something nice to Sarah to replace the mean thing he just said.
I love it, I love it!!

But i have been caught too! I got upset at Nathan over something, and said in not so nice of terms to shut up.
Well wouldn't you no theres Clayton, and he quickly says, "What would Jesus have said , Mom",
So I'm like, "oh, uh, Would you be quite please?"
He's like yep, that's better!
Daddy to has been caught several times as well.
So we really have to watch what we say now. But that's a good thing!!!

my take on T.V/DVDs/commputer games

Ok so you may be saying enough already!! And if you think i have already more than over done this subject, your more than free to tell me so. Just do it nicely though huh! lol!!

But actually i felt an didn't quite cover everything.
I just wanted to share my personal take or view on the above mentioned items. And why it is i so obviously don't care for them. Note this is my personal take only , just something for me and my house, that's it! Just sharing so you can see where I stand and why I do.

I grew up with no T.V, no movies , no video games. And I just want my kids to be free from all that as well. I want them to know there is more to life than that, that there is other fun things one can do! And of course work, live is not all about fun and games. It should be a good balance though.

Its not even that those things in them selves are bad, but just that they can consume way to much of ones times.

I want my kids to be creative, do crafts, write letters , work hard, play games, read books, read the Bible daily, learn a trade, learn useful things, learn to bake and cook, play a musical instrument, ect. ect. And if anything hinders that , then i don't like it!

So i may be an extremest when I say almost completely no to these items, but its because i see it way over done. And it makes me mad. So then i am like throw it out completely! There now its under control!! My favorite way of controlling things is not having them in the house!!

I am so happy that my husband felt the same on the T.V. So that's never been an issue for us. Though we did have one while we were living in a camper trailer waiting to have our house built, which had an antenna on it( so it got 3 stations). It was about a year we had it. It went when we sold the trailer, and i was so happy to see it go.

But movies via DVDs has been another thing with us. It has took some time for him to be on the band wagon with me on it. And i can not say he truly shares my convictions yet. But since he can see how much it means to me that my kids do better things than sit and watch to much, or spend to much time playing computer games, then he does support that.

Until we got to the point that movies were allowed only once a week, then to every other week as of just late, they were way over done. And it annoyed me to know end. There was hardly no time for reading, no time for games, no time with just sitting around visiting , begging and nagging can i watch , and sometimes complaining about doing chores because they didn't want to miss something : all because of the movies. GRRR with a capital G!!

Computer games were the next issue to conquer. Hubby allowed them, and several times a day. I could not stand them at all! Now its down to very little a day. YES!!!

That's why i stand the way i do. Of course I feel there is times for down time, times when no work needs to be done, times when absolutely nothing needs to be done . But i still feel my kids and mommy and daddy too, has better things to do.
Pual in the Bible did better things! Laura and Mary did better things!!! And we can too!!

what my kids do in thier spare time

When schooling is done for the day and their chores are done for the day then comes spare time.
The kids have way more spare time than I of course.
I do wish that they had a bit more balance with the spare time and the chores. Right now its way more spare time than responsibilities. But as they get older then they can take on more responsibilities that is so important in their growth.

They get done with school at different times through out the day.
After school chores include,

• folding clothes
• dishes for Clayton (Nathan does supper ones)
• tidying up the living room
• putting away school things off the kitchen table
• i get them to help with supper preparations if its something they can do
• and any thing i happen to see needing doing

So on to their fun spare time things,

• playing in our woods
• coloring
• making puzzels
• playing in the sand box
• playing in the tree fort
• making a roller skating path through the woods (with boards)
• playing out door games
• vsiting Uncle who lives through the wooods ( or its more like driving him cracy)
• reading books
• building things

After supper all the boys help cleaing up the table. Nathan does dishes. Then they like to spend more time out side running around and playing tag and stuff.
Then its clean up time, and stories and Bible reading. Then tuck in bed and prayers.
Firday eveings we use to have as movie night, but i have been trying very hard to make it game night instead. And last Firday we did play games. I am hoping to push movie night to once a month or even more seldom than that if i can. I am not big on movies as you can see, even if they are good ones.
The kids have liked playing games on our commputer but i am trying very hard to cut that down big time as well. Its just snippets a day now! Yea!! I feel like they have better things to do than sit in front of the commputer playing a game. It wasn't bad games , but still. And I always remind my kids that I did not have all that when i was grwoing up. We had no T.V, no other way to watch movies, and no commputer. And we had a TON OF FUN!!!

what i do in my spare time

I don't even know if you could say that I actually have any spare time. But occasionally through out the day or evening I grab snippets of time and call it my spare time.
Moments when schooling is under way with out me or is done for the day, and not too many dirty dishes are piled in the sink, or too many loads of clothes are waiting thier turn to be washed!!!

In that time things i like to do is,

• read books to the kids just for the fun of it
• read & write letters ( snail mail)
• read my favorite magazine ( Above Rubies)
• get out side and get fresh air
• make cards
• work with pictures
• baking
• look up Bible verses for a post
• post on my blog
• read and write e-mails
• read my Bible
• phone my family

After supper is over and the kitchen is resonable clean or the boys are cleaning it, I love to go out side for awhile. Then come in get every one cleaned up .
Then i like to,

• play games with the kids
• read their evening stories & the Bible

Then its time to tuck them in bed ( at least the boys) and say prayers which is about 8: 30 or 9:00.
I like to go to bed shortly after as well except some time the girls go down much later. I am going to try to get them at an earlier bed time as well so that i can get to bed at least by 9:30.
Then i can gt up nice and early and get at it once again!!!
I have been asked how I find time to keep up my blog, well to tell you the truth I really don't have time, I just do it any way!! I feel its one of the importians thing and i just take the time. But i don't do face book, and no T.V. So that all helps.

can you pictuer this?

I have been thinking about this lately and thought to share it here for what it may be worth.
For what someone may learn or glean from it.

So here's what I have been thinking and wondering. I am thinking about Paul in the Bible.
I am thinking about his great ministry to others. His great love to God and his such great love and devotion to spread the Word to others. How he travled around all over, with many, many hard ships to spread the Word of God. He's such an inspiration to us.
Anyway in that thought of him and his witnessing and writing letters to the churches and the people.
I can just a bout picture him with a lap-top on his lap while sitting in prison. And writing his letters that way. I could emagine how productive that may be in his ministry. Mass letters to many at all one time.
I can almost pictuer him putting our mordern tool into high prodution for the work of the Lord.

It seemed that in all he did he did so greatly for the Lord. Why wouldn't he use this tool for the Glory of the Lord.
I can so pictuer that. Can you?

But now pictuer this. Pual sitting in front of a T.V. , or portable DVD player, or maybe playing games on his lap-top; wasting away hours upon hours. I mean he is just stuck in prison anyway. Why not. You got to pass time some how don't you? He doesn't want to get borded. Gota have a little entertaiment now again after all. That gives live spice. Maybe his friends good even gather with him and have movie night.

Can you really pictuer that?
I can not. I have tryed so hard to pictuer it, and I just can't. Maybe just one or two movie nights a week or one a month, but I still can't pictuer it.
There is no way he would waste any time at all that way. There is no way he would loose valuable time that could be spent writing letters and ministering. Yes even while stuck in prison. Prison seemed to just open a whole new door for him. It wasn't a place to sit and sulk and waste time. It was awhole new ministry field.
He used his time so wisely.

Shouldn't we spend our time wiesly too? Does our time mean anything to God anyway? Does it matter to him how its spent ?

Now we may not have others to minister to as Pual did, but we have our children. As moms thats our top ministry. And i think we would be surprised at who all around us we could reach out to and give our time too if we just would.

This is has been so very heavy on mind latly and I feel God has put it there for a reason. So i am passing it on.
I would love to hear any of your thoughts on this.
Blessings In Christ, Mae

How we met

I thought it would be fun an approprite to share my "how we met" story following my last post.
Dating wasn't even an option no how for us, we were hundreds of miles apart!!
We had a long distance relationship, and thats why i said it really depneds on how and where they meet thier spouse on how it will go from there. We never how our young ones will meet thier futuer one, the two may meet be on the misssion field half way around the world or right at home, or on-line or so on.

So here's our story- enjoy!!


My family and I moved to Belize, Central America a few months after my 15th birthday. We did not go their as missions, it was just a dream of my Dad's. ( his dad had been there many years before ,but it did not work for my dad to go down at that time. Finally we made it. We lived among the Mennonites their, farming)
We were there in all about 3 years. Well it was about the middle of that time, that my oldest brother was in contact with my husband to be's dad for the first time. They got each others address off a Christian newsletter. Anyway they( my brother & the Dad) started corresponding and his family ( wife and son Paul) wanted to move to Belize as well. So they started making plans of coming down, selling their place, packing up and so on.

Here i need to take a pause and say that when i seen Pual 's picture for the very first time, i thought he look ugly. Honestly! I guess it was a bad picture of him or something. He was 18 at the time I think. So i basically already had him married off to my older sister, cause i thought it was a no go for me!!

Well as it turned out they were unable to come down. So instead they settled in another location in Texas.

Then a year went by and one of my older brothers were getting married. At the ripe old age of 18 I was feeling very desiring to meet my "one", i guess i felt I was getting old and would not meet anyone!!
So at that time I really prayed out to God to send me a husband. I prayed, "It doesn't matter what he looks like, how old he is, where he lives, just as long as hes the one you want for me Lord. I just want your will Lord and nothing else." It was during that pray that his picture came in to my mind so vividly. And at that moment I knew he was the one! I absolutely had no doubt in my mind.

So just after my brothers wedding we got ready to head back up to Canada. This was August 1997. I was to travel up by bus with my oldest brother and his wive. And my Dad and mom and sister would drive up later. My oldest brother made plans to stop and visit the family that had planed to come to Belize. They were to pick us up at the Dallas bus depot.
So it was at the bus depot when I seen Pual and his family for the very first time. And the moment i first laid eyes on him, I said a little pray that went like this. " Lord, I didn't know mt husband was going to be so good looking". He was too! He was wearing a red shirt and a base-ball cap. I thought he was hot!!

Well we stayed at their place about 3 weeks. And Pual and I just clicked!! In fact it was during that time at their place that i thought he already asked me to marry him. We were out walking together and he said something like , " remember this time next we will be married." Atleast that's what i heard him say. But i find out later he didn't say that. I guess he had said, " Remember this time next year I will ask you to marry me". Boy isn't funny how you can hear what you want to hear sometimes!! So a misunderstanding but it all worked out!


Anyway we made plans of writing each other, and my bother and his family and I went on up to Canada.

Not quite a year later in July 98 Pual had a week off work so he drove up to visit, and met my parents for the first time. He was only able be there 3 days.

Then another year went by and we planed our wedding and he came up 3 weeks before the wedding. Some point before that time he had written to my Dad for permission to marry me.
I was 20 and he was 21 when we married on Sept. 19, 1999.

Some relatives and friends were concerned for me that I did not know him that well. But I knew with out a doubt he was one the one for me and we really did get to know each other through letters and by phone very good i think. I tyred very hard to share everything about me and my personality and so on.
Well that was 11 years ago. We are still going strong today!!!

betrothel, courting, dating?

What will it be?
I know my oldest is only 10. So most likly it will be atleast another 10 years before I have to deal with this. But i feel its never to early to think about it and make a game plan.
Atleast won't hurt to think about it and talk it over with hubby.
That doesn't mean we are making plans set in stone, but just thinking.
I got this in my head becuase of an article i just recently read on the matter.

So what will it be?

Well i can confindenly say that betrothel is out; the practice of the Farter choosing for his daughter who she is to marry, with out her having any choice or having the joy of falling in LOVE! Nope i don't agree with that.
Though I do belive my girl's mates are already chosen for them, but by their Heavenly Farther, not thier earthly farther. And i hope they do wait on the Lord for that special young man that God has desinged just for them.

So that leaves coutring and dating left.
I do not know too much about courting and how it looks like and all, but that does seem much the better choice than dating.
I do not care at all for the world's way of dating. So if we go with dating it will be very resticted and parent supervised for sure.
Of course it will depend on the childrens ages I would think and if our daughters are still at home by that time. I would like my girls to be at thome till they are married but I know that may not be realistic.

I also feel we need to have standerds, rules , and guide lines set so that are childeren know what to expect and what we allow and do not allow. But i really feel most of it has to be kind of felt out. Depending on the child, how the 2 meet, the age of both, maturity level, and so on.
But i guess mostly you really don't know what it will be like untill your there and dealing with it.

Its somthing to pray about as well of course.

Welll this is just somthing thats been on my mind and i thought i would share it here.
I would love hearing you comments on this.

Blessings, Mae

Reversing diabetes ( about my Dad)

About a month ago I believe it was, I wrote a post about an up-coming post I was going to write about my Dads experience on reversing diabetes.

Well here is that post!!
The problem is that last night when I spoke to my mom getting the last minute details, she told me she felt it it was a bit premature to share his experience since he hasn't reversed his diabetes yet. He is still in the process. In fact it has kind of come to a stand still with him. And it looks like for him it will be in a long process.

But I will still share abit of back ground on him, where he is at with this, and tell others about the diet plan.

My Dad has had diabetes for many, many years and has been taking insulin to keep it under control. Over those years his health has gone up and down. Some days he would feel great with lots of energy and then other days he would feel very rough. He as also been over wight. All of that combined effected the way he felt.

But even so he would not watch what he ate. He would he sweets, starch, anything. Tryed to keep it in moderation though. But he said he would rather die than not get to eat and enjoy the foods he loved! So that's the way it went for years and years. And over those years he had to keep increasing his insulin intake. And he was having way more bad days than good days.

Finally the last couple years has been his worst. Never feeling very good, and low in energy. He was finally getting desperate and ready for a change, yes even a diet change!

We had heard about how healthy a raw or almost raw diet was for diabetes. He certainly had not been interested in raw at all. But Mom started putting raw vegetables in their daily diet as much as possible, in the form of salads or just vegy sticks.

Then this spring I was sent this news letter thing by e-mail that talked about reversing diabetes. There was a link on that to the web site www.deathtodiabetes.com . I checked it out and seen there was a book called Death to Diabetes, written by a man that had reversed his diabetes by controlling his diet.

In the book he shares his experience , what kind of diet he went on, and the end results. And encourages others that they can do this too!! I believe he had his completely reversed in 4 months.

So i bought that book and sent it up to my Mom. They started reading it and started changing my Dad's diet. The first thing the book instructed was to start with changing breakfast. He said that was the most importian meal of the day, and that made the most effect. The main focus was to be on breakfast and then slowly change with the other meals as well.

Do they did. Dad started eating broccoli and brussell sprouts for breakfast!! He also would have eggs and fruit, but no starch. ( no toast, no fryed potatoes)

Right away he started noticing a difference. He soon felt better and had more energy. With in a week we was able to to started reducing his intake of insulin. Before that he was taking 50ccs morning and evening of insulin. Right now i think he take 25ccs of insulin.

But right it seems he has come to a stand still on his progress. For some reason his sugar levels are staying the same. He is not able to go down anymore on the insulin. He has gotten a little discouraged because of it.

But he still feels good on the most part and still is strict on the diet. In fact my mom told me they have no starch at all for any of the meals now. But that he can have brown rice. That should be very good.

I do hope he continues to stick to the diet though he is not having any more changes. It is suppose to work at completely reversing diabetes. For anyone that has diabetes or knows anyone that has it, i would highly recommend they check it out for them selves. It is so worth it.

You may try finding that book ( Death to Diabetes) on e-bay as well.

Have a blessed day, Mae