MASSIVE SNOWSTORM HITS EAST TENNESSEE

I know you are wondering...

How in the world does Robin have time to BLOG? Three posts before 10:30 am?!? Shouldn't she being "doing school?"

Here is the answer, we have had a snowstorm here! A HUGE one! In fact, I think there may actually be a full 1/4 inch on our back deck...ummm...none to speak of on the ground.

The boys woke up sooooo excited to get to "play in the snow!" They have made the most of what we have. Our deck is being scraped clean! They have filled our mailbox with snowballs, after faithfully carrying them from the back deck! Great hiding place boys! I'm sure we will have wet, clumpy mail for several days!

The boys have delighted in a snowball fight with our neighbors. Thankfully, our neighbors homeschool as well, b/c public school is in session today. I told the boys that everyone else was going to school, so we needed to have a day of schoolwork as well.

Mason responded with a quip, "I'm signing a petition! No school today!"

As a mom who love to see her children excited couldn't fight the excitement. It was contagious! Therefore, they have played outside all morning...and I have gotten to BLOG!

Here are some pictures I just took of the fun they are having. These shots provide proof - "Where there's a will, there's a way!" Snow can be fun - even if it only sticks on the deck!

Visit with Cindy and Aubrey Clair

On January 20th, we were so excited to see our sweet friends from High Point, Cindy and Aubrey Clair. They came and spent the night with us b/c Aubrey Clair was competing in her first gymnastics meet here in Knoxville. Can you see her talent in this picture? What about the boys' gymnastic ability?!? Weston is touching his toes, and Mason is doing a floor exercise. I'm not sure what Braden and Franklin are doing - probably showing their talent to appear on American Gladiators...
Evidently God ordained the time for her visit, because it was the day after our friend, David P. left this Earth to be with the Lord. Cindy shared with me much of what God had done during the last days of his life. Her husband was with David for the final hours. It was wonderful to be able to laugh and cry together for the life of our dear friend. I enjoyed our visit so much!

One thing I witnessed for the first time is the hairstyling that takes place before a gymnastics meet! Cindy rolled up Aubrey's hair in those little pink foam rollers. (I haven't seen those since I was a little girl!) It took quite a while to prepare her hair.

The entire time I watched Cindy fix Aubrey's hair, I was wondering to myself, "Could I ever have done this if God had given us a little girl?" Thankfully, I will be left to wonder. Meanwhile, I will be thankful for the boys having buzz-cuts!

It was a wonderful visit in God's perfect timing. You are welcome to stay here anytime, friends! Miss you!

Wake Up to Clean Teeth & A Smile

This was the table setting on the morning of February 14, 2008 - Valentines Day. The flowers on the table were my greeting from my precious husband! In the card he wrote me, he promised to give me what I desire in bed all night long...the covers! Too funny, we are starting to show our age. We gladly enjoyed a bit of time together before he left for work, and he promised a Valentine's Date later.

(Side note - We took our date last Friday night! Kelly kept the boys - I didn't know they were sick. What a great Mom I am to expose her four children to all we have had over the past few weeks! Sorry, Kel! On our date, Reid and I had sushi together - Enjoyed it! It was a great night with my honey.)

Back to Valentine's Day...

I made each of the boys a "Fruit Plate Smile - With Chocolate Syrup Hair." They loved it! I would have done one for Reid as well, but he is usually gone before 7:00 am. The boys usually awake around 7:00. Wish we could enjoy breakfast together as a family, but I'm thankful Reid hard to support our family, so I won't complain about him leaving so early!

The boys were thrilled with their little surprises on the table.

True confession time. February 13th is the anniversary of Ansley's death, and truthfully I was quite down the entire day. It couldn't get my mind and heart to make any plans for the next day.

Being the procrastinator that I am; it was 8:15 pm on February 13th, and I didn't have anything for the boys for Valentine's Day morning. (My mom always had a little surprise for us on the table and I want to continue the tradition!) So, in a frantic effort to make the morning special, I grabbed my coat and headed out the door to find Valentine treats for the boys. My shopping destination...Ingles...the closest grocery store...about a mile from our driveway! I searched and searched for the perfect surprise. I finally settled on NEW ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES! WHAHOO! AND, BOXES OF CANDY HEARTS! YIPPEE!

After my shopping excursion, I came home and made homemade Valentine's Day cards for the boys. It was a rather late night, but writing the cards transformed my heart from being "down" to actually anticipating with excitement the next day.

The boys were thrilled with their simple surprises and I was so blessed to see their smiling faces and their joy! God is so amazingly good to us! Amazingly good!

The Saga of Sickness Continues - Sick 4

Here we are with another fever - on another child. Mason awoke this morning with a spiked fever although he hasn't felt well for a few days. So we headed to the doctor today to get him checked out!

Over the past few weeks at least one person in our family has had...the flu - type A (3 people), the flu - type B (1 person), a sinus infection (2 people), the stomach virus (1 person), and now...bronchitis! (Mason's diagnosis!) Nope, nursing is not really for me.



The rest of us seem to have finally turned the corner to actually being "well." No fevers for a few days and coughs are subsiding - Whahoo! County schools in the area have been closed due to sickness, but Arrow Academy has remained open and we have accomplished quite a bit - much to the children's dismay! The boys have asked to cancel school, but the teacher and principal have decided otherwise!



Here are a few updates I haven't posted since January...



1.) Our friends the Ancelet's have returned home with Baby Abel from Ethiopia. You can see his adorable picture on their BLOG. We had a Yard Sale on Sept. 29th (Ansley's b-day) to raise money for this adoption. My "Fill a Bag For a Buck!" quote will forever be remembered. We are thrilled for this precious family!



2.) A while back I posted that I was trying to follow a daily Bible Reading Plan from Navigators. The plan is supposed to help you read through the Bible in One year. Although it took me over two years, I finally finished reading the entire Bible. The only reason I am posting this is b/c this is something I never thought I would do - but, now I have done it. If this is something you have "put off" (like me) I would challenge you to try it. Feel the freedom to go at your own pace! Scripture is totally fascinating! All of scripture weaves together and overlaps throughout all of the books. It is incredible! I actually enjoyed most of the Old Testament books - enjoyed! However, as I plodded my way through the book of Ezekiel, I was very thankful for Reid's Bible knowledge b/c I bombarded him with questions! Ezekiel is one interesting - but, for me, a little confusing - book. I am starting the Reading Plan again and hope to continue reading the Word of God over and over. I pray it will infuse my life daily, and keep me more focused on my Lord.



3.) The boys have been playing basketball for Upward. Every Saturday, we have been blessed to watch game, after game, after game, and sometimes, after game. Yes, some Saturdays were filled with up to four basketball games. The three oldest boys were on three different teams, and occasionally one team played two games on Saturday! As exhausting as it was, all three of the boys enjoyed playing! Even Weston! Tonight they received awards at their Awards Night and came home with lots of funny stories to tell. Sadly, Mason missed it b/c he was sick.



4.) Reid and I enjoyed a nice weekend away a few weeks ago. We traveled to Chattanooga and were thrilled to have an entire weekend for ourselves. We talked about each of the boys, our plans for the future, where we are headed as a family, getting back on a budget (again!), goals for our marriage, etc... One of the main things that came out of our conversation together, was the decision to refrain from any sporting programs for the Spring. We have decided not to participate in baseball, and use the time to focus on our family. We thought this would be a "tough sell" with the kids, but their response was, "I don't mind taking a season off." Too be honest, I think our two oldest boys were relieved. We are hoping to take some weekend camping trips and actually enjoy family meals around the table instead of rushing off to another scheduled practice. I think it will be a nice reprieve for our family.



5.) I'm teaching in a Homeschooling Co-op this semester. I have LOVED it and the kids have LOVED it! I am teaching a Human Body Class and a Grammar / Expository Writing Class for elementary grades. I am also teaching an "Altered Art" class for 6th grade and up. (Amy, you would be proud!) I've found God has really given me a passion for teaching! We've done some DISGUSTING experiments in the Human Body class, but it has been so much fun!



6.) I've started a Co-op for our church homeschoolers. To keep it simple, we meet biweekly. Our focus is to learn about missionaries and different missions. It has been incredible! We have learned about a mission ministry in Haiti, and the life of Jim Elliot. This week, our family is sharing about Hudson Taylor. We are finishing up his biography and we've all been amazed at how he exercised his faith by the life he lived! Sooooo inspiring!

7.) We have had some wonderful visitors since Christmas. I am hoping to post pictures of them though - so check back later and see if I actually did it! Gotta keep you guessing! Ha-ha!

7.) I have actually found time to BLOG a bit. Can you believe it? Amazing, isn't it?

That's life in a nutshell - or "BLOGSHELL" should I say? Hope all is well with you! Leave me a comment and let me know how YOU are doing!

It's All In My Perspective

Yes, I am weary.

Yes, I am certainly tired.

Yes, I am longing for all of my children to be well.

But, OH YES, I am thankful to be with them right now!

Today we went back to the doctor for B. He is not getting well, and his cough seems much worse. Today was day 10 of B running a fever. The pediatrician tested him for the flu and guess what? He was positive! No surprise there!

However, after looking at the past 10 days with the fact that his fever did break completely from Sunday to Monday - a 24+ hour period - the strain he has tested positive for is most likely a new strain of influenza. This means B is battling a different flu now than he was last week! The doctor told me that I was probably looking at another week of a sick little boy.

Now, I could be totally bummed out, but I am choosing to be completely thankful. The reason is because my oldest son, M reminded me of what was happening four years ago at this exact time.

Four years ago, for nearly all of February my boys were separated from me while I was sick from the depletion of my thyroid hormone in preparation for treatment for thyroid cancer. My 8 week old son, B, was sent to stay with my Aunt in Virginia. Meanwhile, our other three sons came to live with my sister Wendy.

It was horrible for me to be separated from them and to be completely stripped of my ability to mother my own children. Very difficult and painful!

I remember sobbing on the sofa in our "big green room" on Valentines Day. I was completely alone. The children were all away and Reid was out working on an Outreach Event for the church plant - which ended up being cancelled because of snow. I was reading my Valentine's Day gift from Reid, Streams in the Desert. And, I could not stop weeping...talk about feeling sorry for myself.

However, what Mason shared with me was what he remembers from that time. Mason get sick with Strep Throat...and I was not with him. He remembers being at Wendy's and being sick. He remembers her taking him to the doctor...not me. He remembers how it felt to know that he was getting sick and he wasn't at home.

What a new perspective I have had on my day today after that conversation. It has reminded me to be thankful that I am able to love on my children, provide for their needs, fix them lime jello, cuddle under a blanket, hold them close while they are fevered, and..yes...pat their precious back as they puke in the toilet.

It's good for me to remember the time when I could not be a mother. It is good for me to remember when I could not physically even carry my baby up a flight of stairs. It is good for me to remember when I could not drive, or fix a meal, or carry on a coherent conversation. It is good for me to remember because most of the time I forget about the blessing I have been given to be able to do these things. It is good for me to remember so that I will not take it forgranted.

It is good for me to cherish every moment with our boys...especially the ones that are not easy. It is good for me to joyfully lay aside my desires and wishes and place theirs in front of mine. It is good for my eyes to remain on the cross...for my perspective to be on all that Christ has given for me. What JOY to give up, give in, and give over for the sake of someone else!

I am daily given the opportunity to show the love of Christ to my children. It is my choice to decide if I will show His love or if I will focus on my own selfish desires. I pray I choose to love...and love well.

If I am quarantined to my home for another week...may I keep the right perspective.

FYI - it's so bad here that the county schools are closed for two days. This flu epidemic is hitting everyone hard! Perhaps being quarantined is not such a bad idea!

Sick 1, Sick 2, Sick 3

Well, whaddya know?!? It's actually a BLOG POST from HILLBILLY ROCKIN ROBIN! I even posted a new pic at the top of the blog - from M's 11th b-day at the beginning this year!

Actually, the POST is my way of asking for prayer for me - currently a VERY, VERY tired Mom! Right now, three of our four are sick. B-Day 8, W - Day 3, F- Day 2! Two have the flu and one has a stomach virus! Arghhh!

When only two were ill with the flu, I was touting the mantra, "The boys only have a fever... I would always rather have a fever than someone throwing up. God is so good."

I bet God was laughing at me, as I was patting F's back while he was puking into the toilet last night! I thought I'd pass out from trying not to breath the stench! Whew! My honey was gone to a banquet, so the joyous job of clean-up fell to me. Oh, the joy of motherhood!

Quite honestly, part of this has been a JOY b/c the boys want to be held and close to their "mama." That is happening less and less frequently as they get older. I need to appreciate it when it does happen. Additionally, having sick ones has kept me at home! I am thankful to be forced to slow down!

My favorite quote thus far in this bout of sickness was from B today. In his innocent four year old way, he said, "Moooommmm, (envision the whiny tone) since I'm sick and I have a fever (we had just taken it and found it had returned!) Can I play the video game?"

Okay, wear me down..."Sure you can, Buddy!"

Thanks for praying - your prayers are appreciated! Hopefully, I will be able to BLOG more often...I'll post as I am able! I have lots of pics to share and stories to tell...it's just tough to find the time to do it! Thanks for understanding!

Thanks for checking on us! Love to you all!

Another Saint Goes Marchin' In

Quite often lately, I've been listening to the "When the Saints" song by Sara Groves. How prophetic were her words...for another dear friend has marched into the gates of heaven and into God's Awesome Magnificent Presence.

Our dear friend, David, left this earth to be with the Lord on Sat. night. Reid and I received the call on Sunday, and talked to the boys yesterday afternoon. Emotionally, it has been a difficult 24 hours.

This is Mason's second close friend to lose a parent within a year, and it has affected him deeply. Please pray for his fragile heart. It is hard for a 10 year old to grasp.

I have wept tears for Anita, Andrew and Allie - praying for God to sustain them all. Please pray especially for each of them. My heart is burdened for my friend awaking this morning without a husband, and two children awaking without a father. Oh, it is hard...hard...hard... But I trust that God is good, and His grace is sufficient.

Life can be so short. We are not guaranteed old age. Lord, help me not to treat my days carelessly! Help me to be intentional with every moment you choose to leave me here on earth.

I know David lived that way. He "said it like it was." He didn't complain about the road he had to travel...and he sought You...he followed hard after You in the midst of pain and suffering. I know he received a beautiful crown of jewels. Thank you for ending his long suffering and bringing him into his eternal home with You.

For those of you who check this blog and know this family - you can call CBC for service information. Please pray for our family travels for the services, for we have one child down with croup again. We need to make some arrangements. We would be grateful for your prayers for God to bring all of that together for us, and that Franklin would be made well so he could travel.

Thank you for your prayers friends. We are grateful! Please cover Anita, Andrew and Allie with your prayers to our Almighty God.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord

Is the death of His godly ones."

Psalm 116:15

Bye Bye Christmas!

Last weekend I was a little sad. It was time to take down our Christmas decorations! We started Christmas behind b/c our decorations weren't up until mid-December and we ended Christmas behind b/c we took down our decorations in mid-January. (Who sets this timetable anyway?) However, there is something about packing everything up, carrying the tree out of the house, and disconnecting the train that makes me a little sad. I want Christmas to last all year long! However...
Once all of the decorations are packed up and put away comes one of my favorite jobs! Replacing the pictures on our refrigerator! I take down the Christmas pictures people sent last year (except for Amy's), and replace them with updated pictures of our friends and family (except for Amy's - hers doesn't need to be replaced - Ha-ha!)! Seriously, it is so much fun to fill our home with faces of those we love and those who love us.

I think it is also my own little way of trying to hang on to Christmas. Now, every time I go to the pantry I see the faces of my friends! Sometimes it brings a smile on my face, sometimes I am stirred to lift a prayer, sometimes I remember a fun memory shared, but every time I see the pictures in our kitchen I am reminded of Christmas and God's greatest gift!

Maybe taking down the decorations isn't such a sad thing after all!

Surprise Mom!

I was out late last night. I was meeting with two friends, and we kept finding things to talk about, and one of my friends had some nice clothes and some stained sheets to give away so we had to go through all of them, and then the dog ran out of the house when I opened the door to leave, and then...well, I was late getting home...but when I did, I was so sweetly surprised by my precious children!

I walked in downstairs and was greeted with a message going up the stairs, "You are the best Mom in the universe!!!" (There really were three !!!)

As I approached the top of the stairs grinning from ear to ear, another sign was staring me in the face! It said, "There is no one like you!" AND, this sign had an arrow to direct me down our hallway...
On the door at the end of the hallway...
(Okay, now this sentimental Mom is still grinning, but has tears in her eyes from this adorable expression of LOVE that has been poured out by her four boys! She also recognizes that evidently they paid close attention to the Christmas morning scavenger hunt!)

I walk into my bedroom where Reid waiting up for me...(He couldn't turn out the light or I wouldn't be able to see the HUGE arrow sign hanging on my side of the bed! The poor guy! Then he had to listen to me gush and gush and gush about our wonderful children!)

The arrow sign contained more sentiments of LOVE, and notes from the boys titling me "Teacher of the Year." (That is now a running joke in our family!) This morning the boys pointed out they made the sign in the shape of an arrow b/c of the name of our school, Arrow Academy. Too cute!


When we walked into the kitchen for breakfast, I found this note on the table. It said,

"Dear Mom, We want you to know that we did this just because we love you. We really do mean that you are a great teacher. We hope that you have no more trouble teaching us, me (Mason) and Franklin especially. That is all the time I have. Sorry. Love, Mason, Franklin, and Weston

We love you soooooo much!!!! (Yes, there are that many O's and !!!s) :)


Here are a few more signs that I found later this morning when we came downstairs to do school. Oh, I love our boys! Reid said they did all of this completely on their own! God is so good! The one in the upper left says, "I bet you make Satan cry!" Too funny, especially if he knew the conversation I was having while he was drawing the sign! I bet Satan was crying then -for sure! (Right B & J?)

These signs of encouragement will be hanging up for a while! I am so blessed! Oh, and I am so encouraged b/c evidently my students think I really deserve the "Teacher of the Year" title bequeathed on me by my wonderful hubby! Thank you, students of Arrow Academy!

Weston with a Wii Trophy

Oh, the times are a' changin'!

A few weeks ago, a friend of Reid's from his office held a fundraiser for Eskimo Escapades.

Reid's friend held a Wii Bowling Tournament and charged all of the participants a small entry fee. Yes, the fundraiser was a video-game playing tournament. I've never heard of such a thing, but I suppose that is where things are headed. So, instead of bowling in a bowling alley, the group bowled in the company meeting room!

There were 18 people competing and WESTON beat them all! He walked away with the coveted trophy! Weston got to come home and tell his brothers about "beating everyone Dad works with!" Weston really enjoyed his night out with Daddy this time!

That night at bedtime, I tucked Weston in singing...

At Wii, he's the champion, my friend

And He'll keep on bowling to the end...

Bum, Bum, Bum...

At Wii, he's the champion,

At Wii, he's the champion,

No time, but good times,

At Wii, he's the champion...of the world!

So, what has this led to in our home? (Another homeschooling opportunity!)

The boys are currently saving their money to buy a Wii Game System. They are tracking the prices of Wii systems across the nation via a website called Wii Tracker. They are trying to decide what the most important gaming additions are going to be for the Wii. They are trying to figure out ways to raise money so that they can buy more games as well, and they are motivated to MAKE SOME MONEY!

Tonight at dinner, Mason informed his brothers that they all needed to be collecting aluminum cans because "Aluminum cans are two for a nickel right now!"

Save some cans for us, would you??

Sermon To My Heart

For the last two years, I have been reading through the Bible. I've tried to follow the daily reading plan to read through the Bible in one year, but, obviously it has taken me longer than most...as do most things!



The reason I tell you this, is not for a "pat on the back." I want you to understand that as I have worked to devour the entirety of God's Holy Word, I have realized how often I don't see the overall picture. Many times, I take verses out of context, and skew their complete meaning into one that is - at times - more desirable to hear.



This morning I was reading from Hosea and Joel. (I'm not sure I have ever read these two books in scripture until they were on this daily plan I am following! How sad!)



Right now, I have several friends who are choosing the wayward road away from Christ. They continue to make sinful choices. My heart has been heavy with burden for them. I have been praying for God to turn their eyes and hearts back to Him...good prayer - until I read the passages this morning.



The verses in Hosea that struck me were found in Hosea 6. My Bible states that "Hosea was written b/c Israel continued to play the harlot. God begged her to return to Him, yet, she would not listen. God's heart was grieved. If only Israel could understand; if only she could see what she was doing to the One who had betrothed her to himself. If only she could see what her infidelity was doing to her children! Then the word of the Lord came to Hosea with a surprising message: 'Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and have children.'"



In chapter 6, Israel once again realizes their choices have brought difficulty and hardship. Therefore, they figure a brief return to the Lord's ways will make things better for them...



“Come, let us return to the LORD.
For He has torn us, but He will heal us;
He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.
2 “He will revive us after two days;
He will raise us up on the third day,
That we may live before Him.
3 “So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD.
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth.”



Now, here is God's response...



4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
For your loyalty is like a morning cloud
And like the dew which goes away early.
6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.


God then says,
7:14 And they do not cry to Me from their heart
When they wail on their beds;
For the sake of grain and new wine they assemble themselves,
They turn away from Me.



God allows punishment on his wayward people...while restraining his anger to the point of wrath. He continues to beckon His people back into relationship with Him. He continually reminds the Israelites of His faithfulness from the time of their birth. He continues to allure them with all that He offers. However, the people continue to forget and choose the path of destruction...



13:5-6 I cared for you in the wilderness,
In the land of drought.
As they had their pasture,
they became satisfied,
And being satisfied,
their heart became proud;
Therefore they forgot Me.



In the final chapter of Hosea, God issues yet another call into His grace. He reminds his people again that He is the one who answers them...He is the provider...



14 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,

For you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

2 Take words with you and return to the LORD.

Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity

And receive us graciously,

That we may present the fruit of our lips."



God answers,

4 I will heal their apostasy,

I will love them freely,

For My anger has turned away from them.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel;

He will blossom like the lily,

And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

6 His shoots will sprout,

And his beauty will be like the olive tree

And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

7 Those who live in his shadow

Will again raise grain,

And they will blossom like the vine.

His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after you.

I am like a luxuriant cypress;

From Me comes your fruit.

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

Whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the ways of the LORD are right,

And the righteous will walk in them,

But transgressors will stumble in them.


As my reading progressed into the book of Joel, I found the same story. God trying to call his people to repentance. A present day plague of locusts is used as to describe what is happening to their souls as they continue to turn their hearts away from God.

Here is the Introduction in the Book of Joel:

2 Hear this, you elders;
listen, all who live in the land.
Has anything like this ever happened in your days
or in the days of your forefathers?
3 Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation.
4 What the locust swarm has left
the great locusts have eaten;
what the great locusts have left
the young locusts have eaten;
what the young locusts have left
other locusts have eaten.

Even after continued sin, and a complete lack of repentance, God says in Joel 2:

12 "Even now," declares the LORD,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."
13 Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.

25 Then I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm —
my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
27 Then you will know that I am in Israel,
that I am the LORD your God,
and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.

As I am reading these passages, and allowing God to speak to my heart several things greatly convict me!

1.) I am guilty of a judgemental heart! I look down my self-righteous nose at my sinful friends... My thoughts are something like...Oh, I would never do what he/she is doing. They are so guilty! While it is true that my friends continue to make sinful choices, and they are wrong in the eyes of God - have I been so focused on the sins of others that I do not see my own?!? Oh, wretched sinner am I!

My sins are not the same as my friends'. And, my sins are the same. Mine are not as blatant to the naked eye. Does that mean they are not as bad? No. Absolutely not. I am still committing sin before a holy and righteous God. My actions are still sinful.

2.) I am guilty of "crying out from my bed" not crying out from my heart. I want the "grain and new wine." And, I want it to come easily to me without having to do anything...

For example, I say "I want to have more time with the Lord." Then, I continue to add more to my already full calendar instead of carving out time to be in communion with Him! What my actions say is - God, give me what I need, but don't inconvenience me or my schedule to do it. If fail to be in relationship with Him continually throughout my day.

3.) As I condemn my friends for consistently choosing to participate in sinful behavior...I realize that I continue, over and over, to struggle with the same sin! Over and over. Even if my sins my not manifest themselves through my actions, they are sinful thoughts!

For me, recently, I have struggled with the sin of discontentment. Here is a snapshot of my thoughts...

"Oh, if only we had a larger house...If only I could keep this house clean, it's just too big... If only I had more time for myself...If only I had more time with Reid...If only I had more time with my children...If only I had more time with God...If only I had more time... If only Reid made more money...If only we could afford to do such-and-such...If only we were better stewards of what God has given us... If only I could cook better meals for my family... If only we could afford to go out to eat more often... If only Reid would... If only my children would... If only my friends would... If only my family would... and, so petty as, If only our shutters were painted black, and If only we had nicer silverware... If only..."

Do you see the point? I live in abundance with a warm home, and every comfort I need - yet, I continually choose to be dissatisfied. God has graciously chosen to pour out his blessings in my life. His goodness overflows! And, here I go down the same sinful path...

I have more materially than most of the world - billions of people, and yet I allow myself to think that it is not good enough. What an ungrateful heart! I have forgotten God's gracious provision in my time of drought. Has my heart become so proud that even in God's provision, I say His manna is not good enough? Oh, wretched sinner am I! It seems I would fit right with the Israelites!

4.) These passages also made me realize that I tend to "rend my garments" and not "my whole heart." I go through the motions of having a consistent quiet time, going to church on Sunday, serving the body, trying to "be a good wife and mother," etc... But, there are times that my heart is not "in it." I find myself just "going through the motions."

Much like my friend who can sit in church on Sunday while continuing in sinful behavior, I continue to "perform" without taking time to truly examine my heart... my motives... my thoughts...

As I was reminded Friday night, God must be primary in my life - not a priority. I must have Him before me in everything I do. For He is in all things, and all things are His. My every thought must be for Him - only! My pursuit in life should be to Glorify God and ENJOY HIM FOREVER! I can not look at others "unholiness" with a critical spirit, but with a compassionate, and grieving spirit. I must continue moving toward my own sanctification! Oh, to be more like Christ! (Whew! It is a refining process!)

5.) I must truly REPENT of my sinful behaviors, choices, and thoughts! REPENT! I must completely turn away from these debilitating habitual choices. I must make the choice to say -

"Never ever again! Lord, I am sorry I have grieved you with my sinful ways, and I seek your gracious forgiveness. Lord, I yield every thought, word, and action to your Glory. Oh, I pray you will turn more and more of me into more and more of you! You are the Holy One - the Gracious One - the Perfect One. It is you that I long to reflect to others. Help my thoughts, opinions, and decisions in every moment reflect Your presence. Thank you for your goodness and your gracious mercy that You continue to pour over me. I love you, Lord. I desire to live for You ALONE."

So, that is my prayer today. To yield, to seek, to honor the One True God. May I choose to delight in Him and may my loyalty be always at His feet.

I pray I never stop climbing the mountain. I pray God will continue to burn away the dross in my life as He reveals himself to me through His Word. May I never reach a place where I think I have "made it" spiritually, but continue to grow and mature in God's Holy Grace.

When the Saints...

I heard a song recently on the radio, and it moved me. Chill bumps... Feeling excitement and a challenge deep in my soul... When I heard it, I thought, "Yes, that is it!"

The song is called "When the Saints" by Sara Groves. Below, I have the link and the lyrics, but first I'd like you to read what she said about writing the song:

"’When the Saints’ was inspired by the work of The International Justice Mission. Their work made me think about the people I have admired in history and made their kind of action seem more accessible. I used to read about amazing heroes like Harriet Tubman who secured her own freedom from slavery and then helped rescue many others through the Underground Railroad. I have always wondered how I would have responded in different times in history. Would I have opened my home to the Underground Railroad or given Anne Frank refuge? We think those stories are removed from us, but right now there are millions of slaves, millions of people hiding from their oppressors. I realized not too long ago, that I have not been the Good Samaritan. I have been the other guys, who walk on the far side of the road. It is my heart’s desire to change that, and ‘When the Saints’ is a celebration of people who were placed by God for certain times and events, and a prayer that I will have the strength to show up for my time. "

The song should bring our thoughts back to the faithful who have gone before us. This song should also bring us into the present! How quickly we forget... We should be compelled to be rescuers to the oppressed, servants to the needy, and share the hope of Christ with every soul we encounter! I am convicted! Whoa!

I am trying to start a HS Co-op to study...Guess what? Missionaries... I want our children to know the sacrifices that have been paid, the lives that have been offered, the blessings that have come because men and women of faith heeded the call to serve a lost and hurting world. This song signifies the message that will be interwoven in the Co-op. "Yes, let's remember the faithful, and let's be faithful!" I'm so excited about studying Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, David Livingston, Gladys Aylward, etc... These are people that I admire and respect because of the lives they led here on earth! I'm also excited about linking arms with others to live with a "mission mindset!" My hope is that as we study these servants who have "paved the way" we will learn from the lives they offered and choose to live with the same focus. Jesus - ONLY!

Enough rambling...back to the song. Here are the lyrics and at the bottom is the link to listen. I pray it will move you - as it has me - out of complacency!

WHEN THE SAINTS by Sara Groves

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I cannot let it go

And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

And when the Saints
go marching in
I want to be one of them

Lord it's all that I can't carry
and cannot leave behind
but your word has compelled me
when I think of all who've gone before me
and lived the faithful life

And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharaohs court
I hear his call of freedom for the people of the Lord

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul

I see the young missionary and the end of the spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear

I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the lepers side

I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door

I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load


LINK TO LISTEN TO "WHEN THE SAINTS"

Let me know what you think!

Scavenger Hunt on Christmas Morning

Evidently, I am a little "over the top" with the number of pictures I took on Christmas morning. This is my seventh (I think) BLOG about Christmas morning! Unbelievable! I guess there is something in me that hopes you really enjoy seeing all these pictures of our adorable family!

I think I am also borderline OCD b/c I really like to keep all my BLOGs in chronological order - why is that? It's January 8th, I really should be blogging about my New Year's Resolutions...but I am still blogging about Christmas morning. Oh, well! Enjoy this Christmas Blog #7!

One of our Christmas morning traditions is a Scavenger Hunt for each of the boys. They receive three gifts from Mom and Dad - like the wise men brought to Jesus. Two are under the tree and the last one is found after all the other gifts have been opened. We usually tuck their first clue into the toe of their stocking. The boys open the stockings from youngest to oldest and we stop between each stocking for the "hunt!" Each boy receives the same number of clues as their age in years. Therefore, Mason was hunting for quite a while! Reid did a great job with the clues this year!!
Weston found his first clue in the toe of his stocking! He searched the bathroom, the garage, outside, and finally found his K'nex. He loves to play with these and was very excited to find them after searching through his many clues!

Braden received lots of help from his older brothers for his scavenger hunt. He hunted upstairs and downstairs and finally found his new Spiderman bike. (My sister found it at a Yard Sale for $20 - Thank you Kelly!) Braden was so excited about his new bike that he immediately put on his "riding clothes" and headed out for a ride! Doesn't he look cool?

Franklin had to search the pantry and the mailbox to find his clues. He finally got to tear open his gift after lots of searching! He finally found his Cardworks game. He was excited about being able to build structures out of cards! He loves to build with them!

Mason hunted high and hunted low - inside and outside - and down the hall! However, he finally found his special gift...for the second time if you read my earlier BLOG. Seriously, he found his Baltimore puzzle framed and ready to hang! He was so excited!

Mathiang's hunt was the last one. (We make the boys go in the order of ages.) Mathiang was so excited! He hunted from clue to clue - even the ones hidden outside. Finally, he found his new Christmas tree for his apartment and his special book! It was a book I made on Snapfish of the pictures of him from Christmas' he has spent with us.

He was thrilled to see his picture in a real book! It was a great gift, and such a great way to end our special morning together.