PHOTO HUNTERS: SWEET

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Guest Article: “Taking Our Kids Back”

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his is a powerful post.  I hope that it will be of great encouragement to you as it was to me.  We know how quickly satan can sneek into our lives, homes, minds, etc. and steal our children.  This is that reminder, of the guarding we need up in our homes – the repairing of the guardrails we need to fix, before it’s too late. A special thank you to Amy on her blog, Jeremiah 29:11 for allowing me to reprint this here.

There are mommies struggling with what it means to be just moms …

              we loved the days when we meant the whole world to our kids.

And we struggle … missing those days when we clearly saw what our goal was! Bible stories and sleep overs and cookies and bible story crafts … and just because we said it was a good enough reason to assume it would be fun.

And now … if we suggest it … the assumption is that it must be, well, not fun.

Today I saw a shift. We took action. We met them on their playing field … literally. The battle field. An airsoft tournament.

A day of Airsoft battles, cookies, brownies, slushies, salsa! The actual shift came in the form of a short ,impromptu Bible Study (inadequate as I was feeling) about the Armor of God. Short because I almost chickened out. But something changed in my heart sitting at that table today, talking about our kids, their struggles, our struggles, youth group, no youth group, where did we lose them, what happened to my little guy who hung on my every word, gray words/black words, curse words, boyfriends/girlfriends or not … the main question we all had though was HOW DID WE GET HERE???

Followed quickly by, how do we get back?

I love my kid! I love  your kids! And we have a job to do ladies!

Today … we made our first steps toward taking them back … we’re taking these kids back. The world wants them. It tells them that they don’t need rules, they don’t need guidelines, they need freedom and self-esteem and they are entitle to what they want!

Satan wants them. He tells them that we’re not on their side. That we’re old fashioned and outdated and trying to control them.

And we sit around on our hands … and more accurately on our hearts acting as if that’s true because He’s telling us the same thing!

This is a war. 

As great as these kids are …

                A part of each one of them wants just a little bit of the world too!

We have to stand in the gap! I’m going to stand for your family and you stand for mine. 

Ezekial 22:30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none."

Land was the great asset a man could have during this time … if the land was lost, there was no hope.

As a people, one of the greatest assets we have is our children.

We took them aside today and gave them the rules for keeping their eyes protected during the game, we told the other kids … don’t hit them when they are vulnerable … That’s a Bible lesson right there! We suggested strongly that they wear protective gear so that they didn’t get a bruise or a bump while they were playing a game! We teach them to walk, to talk, to read, to add, to subtract, do long division, dissect frogs … the list goes on and on … we don’t apologize for that. We don’t hesitate there.

What lie of Satan have we bought into that keeps us from teaching spiritual lessons to our kids while they are together? Are we afraid they won’t think we’re cool? GUESS WHAT … they don’t think we’re all that cool now. I’m not going to be afraid anymore!

How about you?

Reprinted with Permission
If this encouraged you, please thank Amy !

Have you recently read a blog post that touched and encouraged you?  If so, please let me know so I may check it out, and feature it here on a Friday for my "Guest Article".

Friends Trapped in Cambodia

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have known Kerri for over ten years now. We met at a support group for parents with children with heart defects.  We are both Christian homeschooling moms.  We both have children with heart defects.  We both have buried sons.  Her son, Sawyer, had several open heart surgeries, and then died about 6 years ago after a heart transplant.  It was devestating.  We continued to keep in touch . . . and then she understood our pain and grief when our son died. 

The last 18 months now, I have received e-mails from Kerri as she lives in Cambodia.  They went to Cambodia to adopt a child – which has become several children, and an unplanned, extended missions trip.  They are in the process of trying to get visas for their legally adopted children to come back to the states.  Kerri’s husband, John is only able to visit, and then needs to return to his job in Arkansas.  Their oldest daugher also visits, but returns also to the states for college.  Their two newest children they are adopting are legally adopted, but due to an immigration freeze on children adopted from Cambodia , they cannot come to the USA with their family. They have even been denied a tourist visa that would allow them to come to the USA while their immigration status is reconsidered.

This wait and tiresome journey has not all been in vain, as Kerrie shows love to the Cambodian children around her.  I imagine if she could, she’d bring home an airplane full of children.  In the meantime during this long journey, she helps feed the "beggar children", many times a dozen at a time.  Not only does she feed them, but has given them clothes and shoes along with medical and dental care.  And, she shares Jesus with them. 

But, they need to get home and reunite their family.  They have hired an attorney.  They are in the process of trying to get an immigration waiver or humanitarian visa for their family to be reunited in the USA.  It will take considerable effort to receive either.  They are hopeful their state senator, Senator Mark Pryor, will step up to the plate, and fight on their behalf.  Kerri is requesting as many as possible to contact Senator Mark Pryor, asking for his help in bringing them, and their legally adopted children, back to Arkansas from Cambodia.

You can read their entire story of how and when adopting these children was laid on their heart, beginning with their first adopted child before Sawyer died to the way God put all the puzzle pieces together to bring this family together.  I am sure their story and pictures will touch you.  Most of all, will you add them to your prayers?

In Other Words: Real Prayer

"When there is little awareness of real need there is little real prayer."

~ Donald S. Whitney ~
Spiritual Disciplines
For the Christian Life

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or some reason, moms often do not tell of a new pregnancy until they are at least three months along. It is during these first three months there is the greatest risk of losing the baby by miscarrying.  Shouldn’t this be the time we pray the most?  I understand not announcing it to a large group of people at one time, especially those not known well – but why not share it with a few to be praying for a new little one? 

Having gone through one miscarriage already, we did not tell the children I was pregnant again . . . and we lost that baby too.  The children figured out something was wrong, and we finally told them.  I remember so clearly going to Matthew’s upper bunk to pray with him before going to sleep and he tearfully told me, "Mom, if you would have told me you were pregnant . . . I would have prayed . . . and maybe we would not have lost the baby."  He was so upset with us that we did not give him the opportunity to pray for that little one.  (Maybe that was the first one to greet him in heaven too).  Oh my . . . it still grips my heart.    We don’t know the baby would have lived . . . but we all missed out on an opportunity. 

Sometimes it does seem like the "little things" of life are too little to share for prayer . . . but what is too small for God to care about? 

During prayer request time Wednesday nights at AWANA, the little kid’s ramblings of praying for the simple things such as for a test, a child’s broken arm, or a lost pet can seem to go on and on, yet, their child-like faith is something I often lack.  Often we only share the "big" things – the loss of a job, praying for an operation or someone who has cancer, yet, if God says He knows the very number of hairs on our head and cares for the sparrow, He certainly cares for the little things. 

What a blessed opportunity to pray for little ones before most knew the mom was pregnant.  How neat to hold that baby later, to know we’ve had a part in that little life.  As our children grow older we are more aware as the teens struggle with daily decisions and temptations around them.  As Christians we can tend to hide these difficulties, but we have learned as we have shared with friends, the same struggles, we pray for each other and now have opportunties to encourage and hold each other accountable. To know others are aware and upholding us through the little needs AND the big hurdles of life, makes for real prayer – for real on our knees before God, praying each other through.

This quote brings the following song to mind . . . I am thankful for the many who have prayed me through, and continue to.

Somebody’s Praying Me Through
by Allen Asbury

Pressing over me like a big blue sky
I know someone has me on their heart tonight
That’s why I know it’s gonna be alright
‘Cause somebody’s praying me through
Somebody’s praying me through
It may be my Mother, it might be my Dad
Or an old friend I’ve forgot I had
But whoever it is I’m so glad that
Somebody’s praying me through
Somebody’s praying me through
Through the tears, through the rain
Through the sorrow, through the pain
It keeps bringing me through
Over and over again
So when you’re drowning in a sea of hurt
And it feels like life couldn’t get any worse
There’s a blessing waiting to push back the curse
‘Cause somebody’s praying you through
Somebody’s praying you through
Someone got down on their knees and prayed for me
Somebody’s, somebody’s praying you through

This week’s In "Other" Words is hosted by
Laurel Wreath.
Be sure to visit her site to read other
women’s interpretations of this quote.

MORE Contests – But Not Mine

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posted this a couple of days ago . . . but THERE’S MORE . . . so I am just adding to this post . . . (especially since there are more baby items!!).  I’ve had numerous e-mails asking when I will do another one.  I will, BUT, not yet!  I will do something in a month or so.  The summer is keeping me busy, and we have not quite finished up our homeschooling.  BUT, if you are one for contests, here are several from 5 Minutes for Mom.  Check these out!

1. How about a Krups Icecream Maker for these hot summer days!  There’s even some neat Rosanna Sweet Dreams Icecream Bowls to go with it!  If you don’t enter this one – that’s fine – more chances for ME to win! 
2. You mean there is hope in finding a perfect fitting swimming suit after birthing 12 children ?!?!?!  Check out this contest for a chance to win a Land’s End Customized Suit – everything from style, size and coverage! 
3. I don’t know how many times I have run into an old friend or chatting with a new one at the coffee shoppe, and wished I had a business card for my blog or my e-mail address.  This contest for winning these Momager Calling Cards would be perfect!
4. Here is a new type of baby carrier/sling, called a Metromama Wrap.  It’s really unique.  Anyone ever use one of these?  If you are interested, you might win it here!

And here’s another contest from Mums the Word for a Busy Body Book. This is the ultimate organizer book us homeschool, bloggin’ moms need.   

PHOTO HUNTERS: SHINY

~ ~ ~ ~Theme: SHINY | Become a Photo Hunter | View Blogroll~Our SHINY New DoorThis is what I call a "God-thing".  We haveneeded wanted a new door – but spending$400-$600 minimum was out of reach for us.A few weeks ago we found this NEW door at a garagesale for TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS.  It was just whatwe needed wanted – with the shiny stained glass window.It’s neat to see how God provides even the "wants".~    Delight yourself in the LORD;
         And He will give you the desires of your heart.Psalm 37:4

Guest Article: “The Reason We Serve”

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special thank you to Heather for giving me the priviledge of sharing a recent post from her blog, Dovecote Academy.

The Reason We Serve

Awhile ago my husband and I watched the series "The Band of Brothers." It was an exceptional portrayal of what some dedicated men went through for the liberation of Europe. One of the episodes was entitled, "The Reason We Fight." On this episode some of the men were becoming weary of the fight. Why are we here? They asked each other. It just seemed like endless fighting and losing friends, finishing one battle only to be sent off to another. Then they saw a concentration camp that had been abandoned by the Nazis, but still inhabited by the Jewish prisoners. What they saw there reminded them of the reason they were there. They were fighting so these people could be free.

Today we hear many people criticize the west’s involvement in the Middle East. "No blood for oil!" we read on the protestors’ signs as they accuse the motives of those who send US troops overseas. As long as there is war, there will be critics of war – those who, with good but naïve intentions, want the world’s problems to be solved over a hand shake and a cup of coffee. Oh, that it could be that simple! These critics forget that not every leader in our fallen world shares our desire for peace, or our willingness to compromise to achieve it.

Sixteen years ago one such leader invaded his helpless neighboring country, wreaking havoc at every turn. Controversy surrounded Canada’s involvement in that Gulf war, as it has always surrounded our involvement in the unrest on the other side of the globe. I don’t know how some lose sight of the people who needed our help, but I know I will never forget seeing the celebrations on Iraqi streets at the end of the second Gulf war as the people of Iraq joyfully tore down the statue of their dictator, now finally overthrown.

Today I had another opportunity to see the reason we became involved in the Middle East. The Kuwait Ambassador visited our base to pass on the thanks of his people to those who were involved in the first Gulf War, by giving them Kuwait Liberation Medals. The ceremony was small, with only those receiving medals present (I was privileged to be there as part of the band, playing the Kuwait national anthem to welcome the Ambassador). It was not long, and there was little in the way of pomp and ceremony that I’ve come to associate with such military occasions. But the purpose was touching. The Ambassador made clear the gratitude of his people, saying that his country wants every Canadian who was involved in the liberation of Kuwait to have one of the medals made specially for that purpose. He said, "The people of Kuwait will never forget the participation of Canada…in the liberation of Kuwait."

I wish all the critics could have been there. The men and women who had served and received medals this morning were honoured. They had served, not asking for reward. They simply knew that our world will always have conflict, and we need to be protected from tyrants and to help weaker countries to remain free from tyrannical rule. And they did their part. Are we "pro-war?" No. I wish there were no need for war. I wish we could solve all the world’s problems over a hand shake and a cup of coffee. But since the fall of man back in the garden of Eden, there have been and will always be, those who choose evil and who refuse to work together for peace. Against them we will fight so that those critics will not be silenced by the hand of a tyrant.

Reprinted with Permission
If this encouraged you, please thank Heather!

Have you recently read a blog post that touched and encouraged you?  If so, please let me know so I may check it out, and feature it here on a Friday for my "Guest Article".

A New Wardrobe

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have shared several times now how this book, Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out has really stirred me – in a good way.  There are so many mind pictures as I have read through this book.  I thought the above quote was another one.  How often as a princess of God’s do I still wear the beggar’s clothes?  Am I clothed with His clothes, or ones that have been soiled with a sharp tongue, unforgivingness, and lacking patience. 

How are you dressed today?  Are you in need of a change of clothing?  Just think – we don’t have to play dress-up like our little girls.  Go hide away in His Word . . . find the new change of clothing that is needed to renew the mind.  No pretending needed in our becoming His princesses.   Are you in need of a new wardrobe?

2006 Reviews

2006 Reviews

• TJ Bearytales – On behalf of ClubMom and Playskool, we received a T.J. Bearytales toy to review. The children were delighted with it right from the start  before we even put batteries in it.  Continued here

Before I Wake – I have read most of Dee Henderson’s books, especially all of the O’Malley series, and found this book to be not quite as engaging as the other books I have read.   However, it is a book of much suspense and wanting to know more about these real-life like characters.  Continued here

America’s Choice 30 (worship songs) – This two-disc CD set was a real priviledge to receive, and I have been blessed to listen to it often, over the last several weeks. These were not just "any songs" put on this CD, but the producers, Cool Springs Records, surveyed 150,000 churches and 100 top worship leaders . . . continued here 

90 Minutes in Heaven -  This has been one of the most incredible books I have read in a long time.  It is approaching 1,000,000 in sales, and I understand why! This is a personal story of a Baptist minister, Don Piper, who is driving home from a minister’s conference, is hit by a semi-truck and pronounced dead at the scene.  Continued here

• Trial By Ordeal – Are you looking for a good legal thriller by a Christian author so you should not have to be as leary of what the content would be?  If so, this is a good, "can’t- put-down-until-you-finish" book. Continued here

Divine – I was completely drawn into this book by Karen Kingsbury and read it within two days – up way too late two nights in a row.  I have read many of Ms. Kingsbury’s books, and very much like her writings, but I think this one tops them all.  This story is a modern day look at the story of Mary Magdalene from the Bible.  Continued here

Sandi Patty – Broken on the Back Row - is an autobiography by Sandi Patty with a forward by Max Lucado, is a very personal yet open book of confession, forgiveness and redemption. She does not give the nitty gritty of all the details of . . . continued here

Presumed Guilty – If you are looking for a good legal thriller book to take to the beach or read outside on a warm summer day, this is the book to take with you! Continued here

Help! Mom!  Hollywood is in My Hamper! – This is the second book I am reviewing, by this author, Katharine Debrecht. The first book I reviewed was Help! Mom! There are Liberals Under My Bed! and this review will be similiar in my thoughts regarding it.  Continued here

Life is a Buffet, So Save Room for Dessert – JUST IMAGINE . . . going to a dinner party, knowing you look great in your new outfit and jewelry, you wave confidentially at all your old friends and then . . . you go to the buffet and get yourself some wonderful food. As you walk towards your sister, her mouth drops open, stares at you and begins to laugh uncontrollably. You realize something is wrong . . . continued here

Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room – When is the last time you read a book (besides the Bible) that you know was God appointed, and just what you needed to read? I was given a book to review, and not anticipating it to be what "I" needed to hear. If you are just a mommy overwhelmed with the daily life of caring for your family, your home, your husband and everything else that is thrown at you, then this is the book for you!  Continued here

The Witness – If you want a fast-paced, can’t-put-down-book, this is the book to read! I read into the wee hours of the morning several times, thinking, "I will stop at the end of THIS chapter", but I was too caught up, and read further. Continued here 

The Old Schoolhouse – This is my third review for the Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Besides all the wonderful articles, it is almost like having a homeschool convention right in your home! Though it is filled with advertisements, you will love them! There are lots of beautiful pictures, great descriptions and many links to their own webpages. Continued here

• Help! Mom!  There are Liberals Under My Bed!  The Pros: Written from a Conservative viewpoint for children at least age 15 or older, is a humorous story, seeing the Liberal side of how a business is supposed to be run!  Continued here

Brokenness:  How God Redeems Pain & Suffering -  This is another "God-thing" as I say, when I KNOW without a doubt, God worked out the details, so I read this book. This is a book I received from Mind & Media for free,to in turn, write a review on it. For me, the author could have inserted my name throughout it, as though it was written just for me.

In Other Words: Loneliness

"As Christians, we are called to convert our loneliness into solitude.  We are called to experience our aloneness not as a wound but as a gift–as God’s gift–so that in our aloneness we might discover how deeply we are loved by God."

~ Henri Nouwen ~

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eing a mom with ten children all still at home, there are never dull moments here, especially with four teens and a 20 year old son, there is a LOT of activity. There is a lot of comings and goings, phones ringing and activities being planned.  Then of course the younger ones keep us hopping with their needing another drink, a nursing baby crying and the search for a bandage (again!).    There is rarely alone time.  Actually the last time I was totally "alone" was when I spent a week in the hospital before our baby was born.  I can hardly remember a time without kids AND my husband! (And today we are married 22 years . . . my DH and I have only been apart a few times . . .  really the longest when he took classes a few months ago for a week). 

But there have been times in the last couple of years even in a crowd, even at church or family gatherings, I have felt pretty lonely.  Others could not understand the complexity of what we had gone through and was still going through, from the missing of a child, to the deep grief and finding new starting ground for our family and marriage.  There was always associations of where we were a year before filled with memories  to where we were now – so different.  I found myself doing better with people I hardly knew rather than being with people I knew.  It was easier to just pretend things were ok than having to reveal with those that knew us, it certainly was not.

God calls us to spend time alone with Him.  It is hard – it’s a definite decision I have to make to for this alone, solitude time with Him.  But when I have this alone time, with God, I am not alone, and I am surrounded with Him, and each time new things are revealed to me, especially of His love and wanting to make Himself more real to me. When I have this time, it’s a different security with Him, that in the other alone times of life. I can have more of a peace when choosing to be with Him in an alone time.  It’s work to MAKE this time with Him, to hear that still small voice, but how I am renewed when I do.

Our alone time with God can be at various times and places.  I like my bedroom before the children are all bustling in and out with their important questions and ideas.  But I find too other times I can be outside, weeding the garden.  This makes me think of the old hymn, "I Come to the Garden Alone".   

I come to the garden alone
while the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
and the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing,

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
and the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Text: C. Austin Miles, 1913 (Jn. 20:11-18)
Music: C. Austin Miles, 1913; adapt. by Charles H. Webb, 1987

In our aloneness those wounds can become gifts that God reveals to us of His unending, unwaivering love and commitment to us – a growth time as we change and heal.  But, we have to allow for this solitude time.  Where is your prayer closet . . . your alone time?      

This week’s In "Other" Words is hosted by
Christine at Fruit in Season.
Be sure to visit her site to read other
women’s interpretations of this quote.