Accustomed to Dirt

When I actually look around my house, I notice something. My house is not very clean. Oh, we keep things straightened up, but I don't often get to the deep cleaning part. Living in West Texas, the dust is serious. I really should do some dusting every day. Maybe I will get in that habit. But often, if I don't really look, I don't notice the layer of dust. So I don't think about dusting.

There is almost always a spiritual application to life's little moments.

I must admit, I have grown all too comfortable not "dusting" my heart. Often, I just go about my merry way taking care of the next "to-do" and not thinking about what is really important. 

Am I constantly saying to the Lord:  
Psalm 139

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
       test me and know my anxious thoughts.

 ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
       and lead me in the way everlasting.

Or am I content with dust?

Lord,
Please help me to pay attention. I desire truth in the innermost places. Please purify and cleanse me. Help me to be a clearer reflection of your Glory to a world drowning in darkness. 
 

Always My Choice

I don’t know a single mother anywhere who doesn’t grow weary, at times. Bone tired, in fact. 

And yes, all my children (and I) are sinners in desperate need of a Savior. I am capable of every sin known to man, as are my children. And it is only by the Grace of God that I don’t fall more often or farther than I do.

But, I do know that I can walk whatever path He sets my feet to with joy, if I choose it.

I find that when my responsibilities are the heaviest, I can choose to look at my “load” or look at my Father’s Face. 

When I look at my never ending list of “to-do’s”, or have to deal with a recurring character issue in myself or my children AGAIN, I have to choose how to handle it. 

Do I use my strength, energy, wisdom? Or do I allow Him to fill me to overflowing with every resource I need to not only faithfully fulfill my responsibilities, but to sing in the process? 

I always have the choice.

I love this text in the Message:
Matthew 11:28
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

I believe it!

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

The skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

Night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

 where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth;

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens 

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

Taken in Midland today. It was beautiful!

How Does He Do It?

The Lord completely blows me away! How does He bring such fruit from little hearts? Kregg and I have been given the following two letters in the last couple of days. The authors shall remain anonymous, so they won't be embarrassed. But I share them here because they are a testimony to His Faithfulness. This is a page in the legacy of our family. We are told in Psalm 78:
             O my people, hear my teaching;

                 listen to the words of my mouth.

                 I will open my mouth in parables,

                 I will utter things hidden from of old--

                 things we have heard and known,

                 things our fathers have told us.

                 We will not hide them from their children;

                 we will tell the next generation

                 the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

                 his power, and the wonders he has done.

                 He decreed statutes for Jacob 

                 and established the law in Israel,

                 which he commanded our forefathers

                 to teach their children,

            so the next generation would know them,

            even the children yet to be born,

            and they in turn would tell their children.

                 Then they would put their trust in God

                 and would not forget his deeds 

                 but would keep his commands.

                 They would not be like their forefathers--

                 a stubborn and rebellious generation,

                 whose hearts were not loyal to God,

                 whose spirits were not faithful to him.

We need to have a generational perspective. We need to consciously, intentionally record the words of our testimony for our children and their children.

These two letters are part of our family's testimony and heritage:
(Spelling and punctuation are reproduced exactly as written)

why do I want to be baptized
I want to exept (accept) Jesus Christ as my lord (Lord) and saivoir (Savior). That means I let him take countroll (control) of my life and I do wat (what) he want's (wants) not what I want. It won't be just ___________ (author's name), __________ (author's name) and Christ, Christ but it will mean __________ (author's name), Crist (Christ) and Christ, ____________ (author's name). 

(I explained to the children the meaning of "cutting covenant". It was a means of last resort when no other solution to a problem could be found. The two people with an irreconcilable difference would "cut covenant" and from that point on, they were no longer two separate people. They were each part of the other. When God made a covenant with Abraham, it was like they were now two new individuals:  Abraham/God and God/Abraham. It was considered something that could never be undone. This is what the author of this letter is expressing.)                         

If he want's (wants) me to go do somthing (something) then I go. If it means I cant (can't) live on a ranch and work catel (cattle), I will do what he wants and be happy with it. becaus (Because) I just know the Lord has a purpose for my life, just like he has one for you. And I realy (really) am wiling (willing) to make this desegen (decision) with all my heart. Yes I know Saten (satan) will make his atacks (attacks) on me harder but with the Lords (Lord's) help I know I can do it. Becaus (Because) nothing is imposible (impossible) when God is on my side. It would also mean I would be marrying myself to Christ. I feel like that's what the Lord wants of me. 

Love,
(Author's signature)

Okay, if that doesn't scream: God is Sovereign!!!! Then I don't know what does. Thank you, Lord for the word of this testimony! Thank you for calling our child out to be yours forever, whatever may come.

And as if that wasn't enough for a 24 hour period for any parent, here's the letter we received from another of our children:

I am willing to pick up my cross and follow Jesus daily. I will do anything he askes (asks) me to do. I am willing to practice and teach his commands. I want to accept his preachings. I want Him to enter my life. I want my heart purified. I hope to be his servent (servant). I want to do what He wants me to not to do what i (I) want. For example when my Mom or Dad tells me what to do, i (I) should do it faithfully. In scripture God says "Honor your Father and Mother." Sadly, i (I) don't do that often. I usualy (usually) act rude and talk back. I do not want to act so ugly. A wise son brings joy to his father but a foolish son grief to his mother. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understandind (understanding) rather than silver!

What can we say, except: "Thank you, Lord!"

The faith of a child is precious in the sight of the Lord. We praise Him for what He is doing in the hearts of our children.
                                         

The Fruits of Her Labors

I

Even though it wasn't really time to harvest these, the plants were dying. They each weigh about 40 something pounds. Not the 600+ that she had hoped for, but still lots of fun. 

Check out the cool little designs some critter made on them.

She's already planning to try her hand at horticulture again next year. Good for her!!

What Time is It???

Our normal time to arise in the morning on school days is 6:20. This morning, I awoke before the alarm and quietly slipped out of our room. Kregg gets up a little later and I like for him to sleep as long as he can. I wake up the girls as I go past their room to the kitchen. Then I sneak into the boys room, all three share one room, and quietly wake Josh and Ben without getting Caleb up. They all make their beds, get dressed, and then go feed and water the animals, take out the trash, bring in the paper and then eat their breakfast. We start our school time at 7:10. The clock above doesn't say 7:10.

This morning as the kids were getting their breakfast, Elizabeth said, "Mom, the clock says 5:28 instead of 6:28." 

I stood there looking at the clock trying to process this tidbit of information. 

It took a minute. 

She was right. 

OOOPS! 

By that time, it was too late to send people back to bed, so we are just not telling Rebekah. She'll be excited when she is through with school an hour early. Until then, it's just better if she doesn't know. We are all trying to keep her from looking at the clock and schedule. Wish us luck.

Homeschooling Tool

Found an amazing website: American Journeys . It has original source documents and images archived in a searchable format. There are over 3000 pages on Lewis and Clark alone! Check it out! (The picture just made me think of Lewis and Clark. Plus, I just think it's pretty! Elizabeth took it on our trip out west.) Enjoy!

A Match Made in Heaven

I want to testify to the Lord's power and to, at the same time, encourage those of you who have children approaching the age where they will be ready to marry.

We have told our children for years, that when it was the Lord's perfect timing, He would bring to each of them the one He had chosen for them. I believed it, but I was asking them to accept that on faith. We told them they did not have to "go out looking" for their future husband or wife, that they could trust the Lord to bring the person He had chosen.

This is exactly what happened with Hannah and Jeremiah. She chose, in faith, to lay her future on the altar and allow the Lord to direct her path. It wasn't easy. It goes against everything out culture tells us. She decided to stop pursing relationships, choosing to believe that was the Lord's responsibility, and focus on her responsibility: deepening her relationship with Him. When she surrendered the reins, the Lord directed her path. 

Jeremiah told me he didn't understand why the Lord had him keep an apartment in Midland when his job was in Lubbock. In obedience, he drove to Midland on Wednesdays and Fridays for over a year to help with worship at two different churches here. (He is an incredible musician and has a such a beautiful heart of worship.) Yes, he was called to ministry, but the Lord was also directing his path because he had also given his "future" to Him. 

Hannah remembers hearing Jeremiah's name mentioned by a friend and she said she had a quickening in her spirit. This is before they had ever met. They were introduced through mutual friends who were also involved in prayer ministry here.
It wasn't long before it became apparent to everyone involved that the Lord was doing something very special.

We now have the most amazing son-in-law who loves the Lord with all his heart and loves our daughter the same way. He is a man of prayer who helps our sweet Hannah to grow more and more into His image. And he is so thankful to have her as his wife and helpmeet.


Mackenzy is believing the same thing. The Lord will bring him to her in His perfect timing and wisdom. It is such a relief to not have to "figure this out". The Lord's Wisdom is perfect and He knows exactly what we need. Our wisdom is not sufficient for this task. 


Just reviewed these principles with Caleb again. He is believing for the Lord's Provision, too.


Our job, as parents, is to pray. When a "blip" shows up on the radar, immediately we pray that the Lord will reveal His will. Specifically, "If this is not him/her, make it absolutely obvious. Run him/her off! NOW!" The Lord is so good.


On a lighter note, Kregg does still have his D.A.D.D. t-shirt and hat.

It's hard to read, but the hat says: Dads Against Daughters Dating, Shoot the first one, The word will spread.

Momentous Event

A moment of silence please . . .

An event has occurred that I never thought I would live to witness. 

I know it will not have the same impact on everyone that it had on me, but to those few who truly understand, here goes:

I just finished a load of laundry in which EVERY SINGLE SOCK HAD ITS PERFECT MATCH.

Let that sink in for a moment. . . 

Laundry is a very large part of my life and it is always frustrating, for someone who LOVES closure, to constantly have a basket filled with unmatched socks. (I really said that very calmly, considering the emotion that wells up inside me when I see that ever-present reminder of "things undone.")

So, for those of you who are able, with me, to properly savor this moment: "Thank you for understanding."

As an aside, why does the laundry basket bother me, but this doesn't?

Mercy Extended, Yet Again

I am, as anyone who knows me will tell you, a very passionate person. I am prone, therefore, to losing my temper. Never a good thing. 

This morning, I did it again. Lost my temper, raised my voice.

As each of the kids walked through the kitchen, I explained to them that I was wrong. They are very patient with me, and I am grateful.

Josh's response was priceless: "It's okay, Mom. You're not the only one. It (the Bible) says, 'For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.'"

Precious.

One more round of hugs, please.