And the Adventure Continues...

Yesterday's discoveries...

1) I was still sore from the whole Mt. Rushmore adventure.

2) A beautiful drive with the most enchanted little creek running through the trees beside the road.

3) A gorgeous waterfall that was glorious to see from the observation deck. 

4) I thought things were going quite well till I turned and saw the look in Dan's eye when he gazed up to.the.top....And so...

5) When crossing the raging river toward the falls, only step on the rocks sticking out of the water.

6) Waterfalls are beautiful when viewed up close from the bottom. 

7) When climbing the side of a cliff, don't grab the pine needles, grab the tree trunk.

8) Gravel is slippery. 

9) If you suddenly start to panic, just sit with your back pressed tightly against the rock wall. 

10) Take a paper bag with you in case of hyperventilation. Trust me. (Wild hair...Don't even care!)

11) When going back down, don't look. Just don't. 

12) It's okay to cry on the cliffs. 

13) When some kid runs towards you with no parent in sight, giddy with his freedom, hold your ground and make him step around you.

14) He climbs down, I slide on my bottom. It may not be a pretty descent, but it's effective. 

15) I am not a rock climber.

16) Every natural structure is a challenge for my crazy husband. Oh great, today we're going here, Devil's Tower. My stars.

Our Little Adventure

Here are some discoveries I made on yesterday's Little adventure:

1) When you ask the lady at the concierge desk how far a certain hiking trail is and she says "five miles" don't believe her...It's much, much more.

2) If a hiking trail says difficult, it is...Treacherous, even. 

3) Every tree in South Dakota fell and landed across the Willow Creek trail.

4) If a trail has "creek" in the name, beware, eventually the creek becomes the trail.

5) The wilderness is never an easy place to be.

6) South Dakota has plants that only exist to shred you to pieces.

7) When the guy wearing a fanny pack at Mile 3 says he saw the "back of the Rushmore carvings," he didn't. Those carvings may as well have been another continent away from mile 3. 

8) South Dakota also has a jungle. (We needed a machete.)

9) There are lots of shiny things in the SD wilderness. None of them are gold.

10) A snake you do see scares you twice as much as one you step over without noticing.

11) If a tree falls in the forest and you are there to hear it, it makes a sound...A loud one.

12) Baby pine trees make a great landing spot for a fall. (Except for the little needles that puncture the skin.)

13) Mile 8 is when trail running becomes no fun anymore...not that I ran for 8, but that's when I started disliking it...a lot. Kudos, distance trail runners! 

14) Mt. Rushmore is super cool...Totally worth it to pay ten bucks and park there.

15) There's a really nice guy named Nate who works the entrance and will let you in free when you hike 10 miles to get there. 

Bonus: when showering in an RV, be gentle with the water handles or they will pop off, pelting you with freezing water, causing you to throw clothes on your soaking wet self, run outside and frantically shut off the water to the RV...All while screaming like a crazy woman. Strangely, at the exact same moment, all the water in the RV park stopped working.😳 (Dan was off getting false information about trails from the front office.)

What a crazy day that was...I also learned you can actually go to and from one location uphill both ways. Needless to say, after our 16 mile journey, today I can barely move! Today's adventure must include lots of sitting, for sure. 

Running on Encouragement

Today I relearned some valuable lessons about encouraging others. Today I ran 5 miles, which really is not a big deal to some people. As a matter of fact, just a few short years ago, it wasn't a big deal to me either. But,  these past few years, I've been working hard to run 3 miles, much less 5. 

So today, I saw this woman running through our town when I was driving my children to swim practice. I saw her again when I came down the road to the park and again when I got on the running path. We passed each other, her at a steady pace, me just getting started. She smiled. Our paths crossed a few more times and she smiled every time. Finally, on mile 2, I said, "You are keeping me motivated!" She laughed and we kept running. 

I hit 3, thinking I would probably stop, secretly wishing I could go 5. She stopped and began stretching. I said, "I saw you in town. How far did you run?" She said, "I think I went 5." I smiled (on the inside and on the outside) and said, "That's great!" Then, she laughed and told me, "When you said I motivated you, I was feeling tired, but I decided I had to keep going!" Wow. How cool is that? Total strangers encouraging one another with simple words and steady action. She turned to leave and I turned to run.  I had thought about stopping at 3, but instead, today, because of a sweet stranger, I went 5. 

It made me think of our Christian walk and how we never know the impact our steady action in the name of The Lord has on others. We also may never realize how our encouraging words may give someone the push they need to keep going when they want to quit. 

Hebrews 10:24

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"

Our 9/11 God

Our 9/11 God

Genesis 9:11 "Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."

He is the Promise Keeper.

Exodus 9:11 "And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians."

He is the Enemy Defeater. 

Deuteronomy 9:11 "And it came to pass, at the end of forty days and forty nights, that The Lord gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant."

He is the Covenant Maker. 

Nehemiah 9:11 "And You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors You threw into the deep, as a stone into the mighty waters."

He is the Rescuer.

Psalm 9:11-12 "Sing praises to The Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble." 

He is the Remembering Avenger.

Proverbs 9:11 "For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you." 

He is the Life Giver. 

Amos 9:11 "On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old." 

He is the Rebuilder.

Luke 9:11 "But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing." 

He is the Healer. 

John 9:11 "He answered and said, 'A man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed, and I received sight.' "

He is the Sight Giver. 

Acts 9:11 "So The Lord said to him, 'Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.' "

He is the Life Changer. 

Hebrews 9:11 "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is not of this creation." 

He is the Sacrifice and the Sacrifice-Maker

For every past 9/11...For this 9/11...For every future 9/11, He was...He is...He will be...God. He is all we need. 

When less really is more...

A couple of days ago, I was slapped in the face with a cold reality...all over a cup of steaming hot coffee. I realized I've fallen victim to the "more is more" mentality of our culture today. 

I love coffee...A lot. Last year, my husband bought a new coffee maker, the newest version of the Keurig. As we stood in line at Target, I was all excited about how much more it could do. Several women behind us asked, "Oh, is that the new One??" To which we excitedly replied, "Why, yes it is..." Suddenly, a look of grave concern came over their faces as they began to murmur, "I would be nervous about the new one...I'm sticking with my old one...No, no, I would not buy the new one. " "Hmm," we said, "They don't know a good thing when they see it. This one is better. It does MORE than the old one. " And we were right. It does do more than the old one. And they were right. We should have been apprehensive because you can hardly find the cups for it any where. 

However, when you do find them, and put them in the holder and turn on the touch screen, more choices come up than on the old one. One choice is the amount of ounces you'd like to brew for your individual coffee cup...8, 10, 12 or 14.  I always choose 14.  More is better, right? Or so I thought. 14 ounces makes a pretty big cup of joe. I never really finish it all before it gets cold.  But it's more and I like that. 

The other morning, None of my favorite coffee cups were clean. (I'm picky about coffee cups). So I had to choose a smaller one than normal. This meant I had to choose a smaller setting on the touch screen. I chose 12 oz. instead of 14.  Now, I had another option of course; I could have washed a bigger cup and still pushed 14.  But, why wait when now is available, right?  So, 12 it was. I finished my coffee concoction and took the first steamy sip...Wow! It was amazing!  Better than ever before! What was the difference?  It was less...LESS was MORE! 

Over that delicious cup of realization, I pondered how this Truth poured over in my own life. 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."  Contentment here comes from a word that means "be enough".  It struck me that in my choice to let 12 ounces of coffee be enough, I found great gain, goodness that I'd been missing all along because I thought surely more must mean better. 

This little morning coffee revelation has led me to examine other areas of my life where I can choose to let "less be enough".  For example, less busy activity will bring more intentional family time - great gain.  Less material possessions will bring more freedom in giving - great gain. Less pressure to perform will bring more satisfaction in God's giftings - great gain. 

I like this less is more stuff already! 

How about you? What "less" could gain you "more" today?  Oh! I wish we could chat about it over a good 12 ounces of coffee...

Songs of Rejoicing

So, for the past little while, I've been struggling...Not with anything huge or life-shattering, just struggling with some issues in my calling. Like all of us, my heart has dreams and desires that are only spoken in whispers to the heart of God. In my struggle I'm waiting. I'm waiting for His direction, His plan, His leading. And, I haven't seen it. And it's painful. 

In the midst of this struggle, I began reading about King David's desire to build God a Temple. David's desire was centered in his passion for God's glory. He wanted nothing more than to do the work of The Lord. He wanted to draw others to God through providing a place of true worship. But God said "No." Ouch...And, wow...And why? God had a plan for someone else to do the Temple Building. David's job was to prepare his son, Solomon, to equip him and to raise him up, so that he would build a glorious Temple for God. As painful as God's answer to David's godly desire may have been, he did exactly as God instructed him. And Solomon's Temple was an amazing work for the glory of the Lord. 

As I read about the Temple, I thought about God's choices. He chooses to use each and every one of us for different parts of His plan, but the purpose for each of us is the same...It's all for His glory. This reality doesn't change if we experience disappointment in the way He chooses to use us for that purpose. 

Romans 12:15 teaches us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep." I thought I understood this verse. I totally get crying with people who are crying. I have experienced that many times in life and in ministry. It's the rejoicing part I only thought I understood. I looked at it like, yes, I can rejoice right alongside you as we are part of a joyful experience together. I also understood it as being truly happy for someone else's success, even if I missed out on the same opportunity. 

The deeper meaning was revealed when I took a look at the original language for the word "with" as it is used here. In the Greek, it means "amid," or in the middle of someone else's rejoicing. 

This is the lesson God is teaching me. I am to rejoice with (in the middle of) all those who are rejoicing around me...I am to minister to them by rejoicing with them. For instance, in the midst of my struggle over God's calling, I am in the middle of many people who are rejoicing over His calling in their lives. In the past few weeks, God has opened ministry doors and opportunities for precious friends living in different cities and different states. He is doing a work in and through these men and women that they never dreamed He would do. As a matter of fact, their dreams pale in comparison to all He is doing. 

As I've learned of each one, the enemy has been lurking to lead me down a well-worn path of comparison, with a little detour of condemnation, but God has done a precious work in my heart. He has given me the ministry of rejoicing with those who rejoice. I think the sweetest song He is teaching my soul is a song of rejoicing for others when I am in a time of struggling. He hasn't changed my circumstances; but He is making a way for me to bring Him glory in them. Oh, it is a sweet, sweet song. 

God truly does give "songs in the night". I'm learning that sometimes the songs He gives are to the tune of someone else's heartbeat. As I rejoice with my precious friends, my prayer is for our God to always be glorified. 

If you are struggling today, look toward (not away from) those who are rejoicing in blessings given by the hand of God. Let Him teach you how to sing a song of rejoicing, even if the tune isn't your own heartbeat, but the heartbeat of someone else. I promise it will be sweet and more catchy than you could imagine. 

Empty Memories

My children love to play the Memory Game.  I'm not talking about the one with matching picture cards.  I'm talking about the one with matching memories from the past to moments in the present.  

We'll be in the midst of a discussion or a car ride or a dinner and they'll launch into, "remember when..." Occasionally,  with the older three, it's some comparison between how "difficult" their existence was in comparison with the "carefree" lives of the younger three. 

Most of the time the memories shared are of crazy things we've done together, simple everyday routines, our homes and neighborhoods where we once lived.  The wonderful thing about all of their memories, even the exaggerated ones in which I made their lives so "difficult," is that they all have a constant theme.  All of their memories are full..Full of fun and laughter, full of joy and togetherness.  In sharing their past, they fill our home with a sense of contentment and satisfaction. 

Tonight, though, the memory game was different.  For the one child whose little feet have only been under my dinner table for the past 18 months, (my newbie) some of his memories are empty.  And sometimes, our fullness is such a contrast, it takes my breath away.  

With just my little three home for dinner tonight,  I got ahead of myself and had everything ready super early.  As my sweeties came downstairs, I told them we'd have an early dinner and maybe popcorn later.  They loved that plan, but Big Sister (of the little 3) looked at the clock, and in her best memory-game voice said, "We've never had dinner this early!"  And then, from somewhere far away, and yet a place close by in his heart, came an empty memory out of my little newbie's mouth.  He said, so quietly, only I heard, "I used to not have dinner...Or breakfast."  It wasn't exaggerated.  It wasn't for sympathy.  It was matter-of-fact, a memory that didn't match the fullness of the moment, a memory of empty.  

One of my little guy's biggest struggles is with food.  It's never a struggle to get him to eat.  It's a struggle to assure him that he's had enough.  When you've known empty for a long time, it's tough to comprehend full.  Every morning when he wakes up, I have his favorite breakfast cereal waiting in a covered bowl out on the table so when he comes down he knows there is no fear of empty this morning.  Our table is always full. When I started this for all three of the littles, my older ones (the Big 3, as they call themselves) didn't understand.  They said, "You didn't do this for us." No, thank The Lord, I didn't have to.  When I explained, they understood.  His memories don't match theirs.  They get it.  (Now, one of the Big 3 secretly pours more milk in their pre-made cups because she worries their cereal will be dry.)  

I'm praying the memories our newbie is making in our little world will always be full...full of fun, laughter, love and satisfaction.  I pray even more that when he memory-matches in the future, the memories of God's provision will fill him with the knowledge of how very much he is loved by the One Who holds his life fully in His hands. 

 

"You make known to me the path of life;  in your presence there is fullness of joy;  at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  Psalm 16:11

Equipping Them for Something Greater

This morning I read about David's desire to build a temple for God in 1 Chronicles 22. God told David the temple would be built by his son, Solomon. I love what David did next. He gathered everything Solomon would need, making preparations so that his son would be fully equipped to complete the work. Then, instead of doing the work for him, or in his name, David charged Solomon by saying, "Now set your heart and your soul to seek The Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of The Lord..." 

In this account, there is a powerful challenge to me as a mom. Do I prepare and equip my children for great spiritual work? I equip them for great educational work, buying curriculum, taking months to prepare for each upcoming school year. I search out programs and activities to add to their educational experience. I agonize over college choices and decisions, always desiring the best for them in the academic field. 

I equip them for great sports competition. I buy shoes and bikes and whatever is necessary to give them an edge in their sport. I arrange schedules, attend practices, watch games and races, cheering them on to success. I encourage them to give their best on their playing field. 

I equip them to enjoy great relationships. I create opportunities for them to invite friends over. I seek out families with children their ages and build relationships to provide time to spend together. I buy play equipment, games and toys to be shared with others. I encourage them to reach out and to get involved with other kids their age, all so they will be happy, healthy and well-adjusted in the field of friendship. 

But, the challenge to my heart this morning is not about equipping my children to be happy or healthy or even well-adjusted. The challenge to my heart this morning is about equipping my children to be holy. God told David He would use Solomon to build the Temple. I must seek God for His desire in the lives of my children. When David learned God's heart for His work, he set out to prepare everything his son would need to follow and fulfill God's desire. 

Today, my thoughts are turned to God's desire for my children. I want to know how He is leading for their future. I want to seek His face on their behalf. As He begins to reveal His will, I want to do all I can to make them ready, equipping them and preparing them for all He has planned. 

Today, I'll share His Word with them. I'll purpose to spend more time choosing a good study Bible than I do choosing the right pair of running shoes or math curriculum for them. I'll also purpose to study each child to see their special, unique spiritual gifts and find outlets for them to practice serving in those gifts. I'll pray and let God lead me in this preparation process, following through with His provision and His direction. And then, I'll watch as He takes my little ones and makes them into spiritual giants in whatever Harvest Field He places them. I know for a fact His field is better than any other field they could play on, and His work is greater than any other work they could achieve in their lifetime. His rewards will be greater than any end of the year trophy or any finish line medal they could win. They will be happy and healthy and well-adjusted when they follow Him because they will be holy. This is my prayer for my children. Oh, Lord, may it be so. 

How about you? Are you challenged to equip your little ones for something greater? 

A Rooster on Good Friday

This morning as our rooster crowed, I was reminded of Peter and his denial of Jesus. It was a heartbreaking failure in the life of a man who had committed himself to go with Jesus "both to prison and to death." Yet, when fear and pressure entered the picture, the colors of Peter's passion went from red to yellow.  His courage failed and cowardice triumphed. 

I'm so much like him. 

And, I'm thankful that the rooster's crow is not the end of the story...As Jesus caught his eye, Peter was reminded of the words He had spoken to him just a few short hours before this life-changing moment:

Luke 22:31-32 says, "And The Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." 

Jesus prayed for Peter. John 17 shows us Jesus prays for us.  Not only does He pray, but just as He did in Peter's life, He also encourages us. He forgives. He restores.  As the events of the crucifixion progressed, Peter witnessed how deep and how wide the love of Christ will reach to grasp the heart of a sinner and to bring him to Himself. 

Jesus promised Peter would return; but it would not happen until after the cross.  The cross would make the difference.  Tragedy melting into triumph. Faith finding strength in forgiveness.  A shattered coward rebuilt to become a champion. For Peter, the cross changed everything.  For us, it still does. The cross...the cross, the place where broken hearts and broken lives are all made completely new...all because of Jesus.  

So today, if you hear a rooster crowing, with your ears or in your heart, don't crumble in your failures, come to the cross instead.  Lay your failure down and let Jesus restore your faith.  And when He does, look around and strengthen a sister who needs to know that Jesus loves her and His forgiveness is complete.  Let this Good Friday be Restoration Day for you. 

Amen and amen. 

Them's dancin' words...

I've been perusing way too many blogs and their comment sections lately. Frankly, I find many of them downright disturbing.  They leave me with one burning question: Why are we so angry? 

While it does not give me pause to see the anger of the world lashing out in print, music and all things media, I do wonder why is there so much anger and hostility among Christian writers and commenters?  Why does everyone feel the need to be right all.the.time?  Why do we feel that our point must made, our voice must be heard and our views must be vindicated at any and all costs?  

I cannot even begin to understand the fury with which people who bear the name of Christ attack one another on any number of topics on any given day.  Do we really not understand what Jesus meant when He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another"?  Do we really not care that He said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another"? (John 13:34-35)

I'm pretty sure  this post is not going to be a world changer; but for me it certainly is a word changer.  I commit to love first before I let loose in print.  I promise not to engage my Christian sisters in vain arguments, disputes over secondary issues or opinion wars.  I want the words I write to be edifying and life-giving.  I want to hold them up as love offerings to bridge a gap, break down a barrier, or provide hope where there is desperation.

I'm not naive or blase' about the real issues and the tough conflicts of life.  

And I know firsthand life can be immeasurably difficult; but in Christ, it can be extraordinarily beautiful.  I want my words to dance in His beauty; and I would love if they somehow persuaded others to join me in the dance.  Besides, dancing is so much more inviting than fighting...

See what I mean?

A Boy and a Basket

Today my boy got his first basket...And I missed it...And my heart broke.  It wasn't because I wasn't paying attention. I was. I was looking at him, at his brother on the bench and at his sister cheering on the side.  But somehow, he put the ball up, he made it and I missed it. There will be other baskets.  But this was the first and it stung a bit because I've missed so many firsts in his little life. 

I missed his first smile, his first steps and his first word.  I missed his first day of school and his first skinned knee.  It wasn't because I wasn't looking.  It was because he wasn't mine.  I was reminded of that simple truth today. I was reminded that although I missed his first basket, God saw it.  And although I missed so many other firsts, God saw them.  He saw every single one. Because he's His. 

My little guy belonged to another mom before he came to me.  He belonged to God all along.  God always sees him, even when I can't.  I'm so thankful that  he's more His than he's mine.  God's gaze is never hindered.  They'll be other baskets and other firsts.  I'll keep watching.  And I'll keep looking to the Father Who never takes His eyes off of both of us. 

Making the most of a Snow Day

Snow days are new to us, especially since we homeschool.  We've decided to follow the lead of our local school system and extend our Christmas break while the white stuff is still on the ground.  Besides, there is much to be learned on our winter wonderland.  We've studied snow flakes under a microscope, determined the trajectory of sleds flying off snow ramps, experimented with temperature differences in snow forts and thrown boiling water into the air to watch it turn to snow.  My word, we've completed a winter unit study without even realizing it! 

All of our "school-free" days have been exciting and fun; but yesterday, I felt the need to gather everyone around the school table and talk about what this year holds for us.  We started with a devotion from Ephesians 5:15-16, which says:

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (nkjv)

Following a brief discussion about the meaning of "circumspectly" (carefully considering consequences) we moved on to talk about redeeming our time.  Redemption is a beautiful word, full of possibility and promise.  I went around the table, from child to child and explained times I've witnessed in which each one of my six have redeemed their time for good.  It was heartwarming to watch their faces light up as I pointed to their selfless acts, expressions of kindness and initiative to help others. 

My desire for this year is that we will be purposeful with our time, remembering each moment is a gift from God.  I also want my littles to be motivated from their hearts and led by God's Word, rather than pushed by my hands or prodded by my words. 

So, our next step was to set goals. Goals give us something to shoot for, a target to sharpen our focus.  Of course, they needed to know how to set a personal goal.  I explained the process this way: 

1) Think about each area of your life. 

2) Consider the gifts and talents God has   given you. 

3) Take a look at where God has you right now. 

4) Explore what you would like to do and expand that to include what only God can do through you. 

5) Ask God for an anchor verse of Scripture to set your goals and keep them tied to His Word and His purpose for your days. 

We settled on six goal areas:

Spiritual

Physical

Educational

Service

Social

Entrepreneurial 

Everyone went to a quiet place alone to pray and write down their own goals.  I met with each child individually to talk about strengths, weaknesses, possibilities and my role in coming alongside them to accomplish their goals.  This time was precious.  It allowed me to hear their hearts and to express my faith in God to do mighty things in and through them.  I can't wait to see what He does. 

In case you're wondering how a little one would go through this process, we simplified it for the 6 and 8 year olds.  They had to draw three pictures showing how they can be a help at home, at church and to others.  Their pictures, as well as the desires of their hearts, were priceless.  Our 6 year old drew a picture of himself leading a friend to church and wrote: "Come with me to God."  Our 8 year old, who came home to us (through adoption) a year ago with huge issues concerning fear that he wouldn't have enough food, wrote: "I will give people food." Looking me in the eyes, he said, "Because we have lots of food, Mom, and some people don't have enough."  Oh. My. Heart...

What I learned from this snowy goal-setting day is that we do have "lots"- lots of love, lots of hope and lots of God's gifts to give.  I am excited to see what God will do as we redeem the time for Him this year.  If you're snowed in today, or if you find yourself in a sunny spot, why not ask God how you can redeem the time for Him this year?  You'll be glad you did! 

Winter Wondering

Today the temperature outside is colder than I have ever experienced: -8 with a windchill factor of -25. Our weatherman warned that it would only take 10 minutes for any exposed skin to suffer permanent frostbite in these conditions. Scary. 

As I sit by the window looking out at the beauty of the snow covered winter wonderland, it's hard to believe there could be so much danger out there. Yet, as I sip my coffee, I'm reminded that my protection comes from staying inside where there is warmth and shelter from an environment that could destroy me. The parallel impact of my Bible reading this morning almost took my breath away. 

I'm using the One Year Chronological Bible and have come to the account of Abraham and Lot.  Abraham gave Lot the first pick of land to settle and Lot chose to "pitch his tent toward Sodom". In Lot's eyes the land around Sodom was wonderful.  Yet, we discover no matter how beautiful Sodom looked on the outside, it was a horribly wicked place, filled with unspeakable danger. But Lot chose to go there, to raise his daughters there.  He moved right inside the city and made his home there. 

Abraham, on the other hand, chose land set apart from Sodom.  One day three men came to visit Abraham. One of those men was the Lord, Who told Abraham about the coming of his promised son, Isaac.  Wonderful news. But He also told Abraham of the destruction He would bring on Sodom. Abraham pled for his nephew Lot (in the sparing of 10 righteous people) and the Lord agreed to spare him. 

The two angels accompanying the Lord went on to Sodom to meet Lot.  When they arrived, men of the city, young and old, came to Lot's house and demanded to have the "men" for their own sick purposes.  They became hostile and Lot was saved only because the angels pulled him back in his house and afflicted the men with blindness.  Horrific scene. As the angels sent Lot and his family out of Sodom, Lot's wife looked back and suffered fatal consequences of her disobedience.  She was turned into a pillar of salt. 

Lot and his daughters ended up living in a mountain cave. His daughters made a horribly sinful choice and birthed sons of incest.  These sons grew to evil nations that plagued the children of Israel for years to come. 

Thinking of all the heartache and evil surrounding Lot, I can't help but wonder what would have happened if he had stayed closer to Abraham.  What if Lot chose to stay close to the protection of God's promise?  What if he saw Sodom for what it truly was; cold, dangerous and deadly?  Things could have been so much different for him, his wife and his children. His impact could have been for good, not evil, his legacy for righteousness, not ungodliness. 

Heartbreaking. 

Abraham certainly wasn't perfect; but he chose to stay near God, in the protection of His promise.  Abraham believed God. His faith was counted as righteousness. The righteousness of God kept him safe from the danger and destruction of the outside world.  Staying close to God allowed Abraham to live a life of security in the protection of His Father's arms. 

So, as I look out the window at a world of sparkly white, though beautiful, I'll remember there is danger in overexposure. This world is full of beautiful things, many of which God has given us to enjoy.  But He never meant for us to venture out unprotected by His covering hands.  Staying close to Him is the only sure way to escape the permanent damage of the world's desire for us.  I'm thankful today, and everyday, for the warmth of His secure embrace. 

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

"Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings..." Psalm 17:8

Home School Spaces

It truly is amazing the difference a functional learning space makes! Although I've been homeschooling for years, I've never had a space that "worked" for us. When we lived in Georgia with just one little learner, we set up a tiny space in an upstairs dormer window nook. It was cute in a kind of Owl-house-of-the Hundred Acre Wood-way, but cute isn't always functional. Let's just say as I grew with a second pregnancy, that space became really, really small. 

Our home in Florida had a quirky little "library area" outside the children's rooms. There was a wall of great shelves and cabinets; but with everyone going through the space to our main entry, we could not leave anything out or risk tripping and trampling. Besides, three kiddos, with a mama toting number four soon made that space impossible. 

So, we set up shop in our sunroom. The sunroom was not heated or cooled, and temperature was a huge issue. It worked well in October, okay in November, some days in December, not so much any other month except March. Still, we had to make do, and somehow we had fun learning moments there. At least it was large enough to accommodate 4 kiddos and a mama carrying one more. 

Planning our Missouri move (another story altogether!) our house miraculously sold in four days! With my husband in a hotel in Missouri, we were homeless. I loaded up the kiddos and moved in with our precious friends where we started school in her upstairs theater. (A beautiful space, for which I was immensely grateful!)

Our house hunt was centered around 3 things, land, an actual laundry room and a homeschool room. We looked and looked and found nothing. One weekend Dan called to say he'd found a house with almost five acres, a bedroom sized laundry and a huge open space for school. My friend and I sat at her kitchen table and walked "virtually" room by room with my husband as he toured the house with our agent. He described each room as he went, showing me the possibilities. We needed to settle on something due to our upcoming adoption, so although the outside of the house is a little "colorful" and the inside needed paint (in every room) as well as carpet, the house was only 4 years old and a great space. He made the offer; it was accepted, and I saw it for the first time at inspections. 

By this time we'd moved to Missouri and were schooling in a townhouse. (Super funny memories.) When we were able to move in, we painted everything we could, changed carpet and completed our adoption. We finished schooling for the year, but we hadn't quite made the room functional. Sooo, this year, I worked like a madwoman with the help of the kids, my husband and our precious neighbor, to finally make a fun, functional space to learn. Here is the tour. ( I love virtual homeschool room tours!) 

I found this great table at Tuesday Morning on clearance for less than $200!

The chairs came from a little antique store in town. They were brown till my sweet friend helped me give them an antique robin's egg finish. The color came from the new rug. I found the rug at Ross for $109. (So exciting! It's huge and colorful!) 

 

Precious canvas painted by my daughter.   Our theme verse reminds us we are anchored by Jesus and launching out to discover all He has for us to learn and grow! 

Our reading/ listening corner with fluffy pillows (from Tuesday Morning) a cubbie bench, and chalkboard (free plywood from Home Depot painted with chalkboard paint from Joann's). We attached the board to the back of our other set of cubbie shelves from Target. The map rug is from Biglots. I think it was only $10.

Our craft table/continent wall/ cubbie area. This table has floated around our house for YEARS. At one time IT was the homeschool table! I paid $5 for it at a yard sale- great investment! On the right, vintage tin cans, from another local antique shop hold chalk and erasers. (Love those!) 

Our high school "lockers"! We love this new addition! I wanted real lockers, but did not want to pay $150 for them; so my husband and I found this antique "pantry" at yet another local shop for $52! The kids love it! 

Calendar corner, comprised of a display board and foam mats (less than $10 from Five Below). We also use the square mat for Lego play. This keeps Legos contained and makes for easier cleanup. 

The largest investment in the room was the library wall. It covers the whole wall behind the table. Desperate for a spot to house our huge library of books (which we use daily) I saw a similar display on Pinterest and was determined to try it. My friend and I walked into Jo-Ann's, saw a crate display and politely asked if they would dismantle it to sell us every crate they had. With my coupons and discounts, I paid about $300; but compared to the thousands for real wood bookcases, my husband was pleased with my purchase...That is, until I sent him on a citywide search for more crates because I had misjudged the space! We love the finished product and had no problems moving all the books for our recent wall painting. 

 

This antique Scrabble board has a lazy Susan base and is perfect for spelling practice. Plus, it's just fun! 

Maybe you're just starting out on your homeschool journey, or maybe you, like me, have struggled for years to settle into a space that works for your family. I hope  this little visit into our schoolroom gives you ideas to try for your own space. I'm so thankful to have a spot that allows us to learn and grow together each day! Praying your spot will become all you need for your everyday. Although, I'm incredibly thankful and happy with our new space, I know that our togetherness over the years in big or small spaces, has been the greatest blessing of all. 

Nehemiah...Lessons for Life Building

Nehemiah is a powerful book nestled between the Old Testament prophet Ezra's account of God's release of His people from Babylonian captivity and God's protection of His people from Persian slaughter in the book of Esther. Reading through all three books gives us an amazing picture of God's mercy, His restoration, His rebuilding and His fierce protection. 

My children and I just completed Nehemiah by reading a chapter each day. I was blown away by the depth of Truth they were able to grasp from every chapter. The older ones contemplated the teaching while the littles ones were captivated by the action. 

Chapter by chapter revealed a new Truth for us to apply in our everyday lives. We recorded each one on a chart and talked about ways we can incorporate them in every area of life. 

Chapter one: Recognition and Confession. Recognize what is broken and confess your part in it. 

Chapter two: Step up. Count the cost. Volunteer to work at rebuilding. Examine what is needed, how long it will take and make provisions for your current responsibilities. 

Chapter three: Work together. Each person has a gift or talent to bring to the task. Encourage others in their gifts and put them in a place of service.

Chapter four: Have a mind to work. Remember The Lord.  Our God will fight for us. 

Chapter five: Fear God. Be generous.

Chapter six: Do not fear man or circumstances. Pray this: "God strengthen my hands."

Chapter seven: Work in an orderly manner. Be faithful. Fear God.

Chapter eight: Obey God. Love His Word. 

Chapter nine: Separate yourself to holiness. Confess your sin. Stand up and bless The Lord your God.

Chapter ten: Do not neglect the house of God. 

Chapter 11: Bless those who willingly offer themselves to step out in obedience and sacrifice. Be a person worthy of that blessing.

Chapter 12: Rejoice with great joy-as a family-rejoice!

Chapter 13: Guard your gates. Put your spiritual house in order. Take a firm, concrete stand against sin and temptation. Never back down! 

We enjoyed learning these Truths. my desire is for them to take deep root in our hearts. I pray we, like Nehemiah, will be builders of God's people, as well as rebuilders of the broken down places. 

Running Behind

I can't get used to this Midwestern weather. One day, the sun is brightly shining and running in shorts feels just right. The next day it's cloudy, windy and about 30 degrees colder...not pleasant.

Last week was an experience of weather extremes and I was not in the mood to run in it. My husband talked me into layering up and lacing up. We headed out and grumpiness hit my heart as soon as the chilly wind hit my face. I began to complain...loudly.

As we rounded a turn, my husband ran in front of me. At first I thought he was tired of hearing me whine about the cold, but then I realized he was blocking me from the full force wind we had turned into at the corner.

I ran behind him for a while, thankful for the break from the cold, until my grumpy heart had another complaint. I couldn't see ahead of me. And I didn't like not seeing where we were going. All I could see was my husband, running ahead of me, out in front, choosing our path. Hmmm, comfort or control. My bad attitude cried out for both. I could not be satisfied with comfort because I could only focus on lack of control.

In that moment, God spoke to my heart. He called me to look at my discontentment on this run and consider it as a reflection on my life run with Him. Ouch. I realized how often my heart cries out for control. God stays in front of me, shielding me from the icy onslaught of the world and I become grumpy because I can't see ahead, I can't choose the path.

One of my favorite verses in all of Scripture is Ps. 25:4. It says, "Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your path." Not only is He willing to teach me His wondrous ways and to show me His providential paths, but Jesus is willing to take the full force of any icy wind blowing my way.

Why do I keep trying to run up front? Because my nature thinks it knows a better way and my feet blindly follow my selfish flesh, leaving my heart out in the cold.

I'm learning to run behind The most Elite Runner of all time on this race of life. Hebrews 12 tells me Jesus has run this course before, knows the path, chooses to run before us and shields us from dangers we won't ever have to see. Although I often can't see what's up ahead and I have to trust Jesus to choose the path, running behind really is the way to get ahead.

Out of the Blue

On this last journey through toddler years, I'm soaking in every new phase. To me, each progressive stage of newborn to elementary age is fascinating, but the one we're in now just sends me over the moon.

My littlest Little is five, just stretching into his five year old britches, with a mind and personality that are both a bit bigger. I adore watching his unique personality develop. He's quite the charmer when he chooses to be.

More than a budding charisma, I love watching his heart decipher the big thoughts in his little mind. Daily, he has questions, deep questions. He longs to understand, to piece together the stories of Scripture he's learning with the heart of their message.

On a recent vacation, we were nestled together as a family in a tiny, touristy ice cream shop. I turned to see my little man with a far off look in his eye, and from that out of the blue place came this question, "Mom, were the people who made the Titanic like the people who built the Tower of Babel?"

Uh...Gulping my frozen yogurt and pushing aside the fact that no one was speaking of the Titanic or a tower of any sort, I tried to get to the heart of his question. "Do you mean were they prideful?" He nodded with the most urgent look on his face, as if to say, "This is important. I've got to get this pride thing. It's big and it's bad and I think I might understand it." "Well, yes, "I replied, "They thought they could make the biggest and the best and the unsinkable. They didn't listen, so, yes that was prideful." He nodded, this time in affirmation to himself of the connection made in his mind and heart. And with that he went back to his single sized scoop and his triple sized thoughts.

Oh! I want to linger with him in that out of the blue place where his eyes are opening to spiritual things. It's a beautiful place. It's the place he goes to each morning in devotions when he listens with such intensity that his facial expressions react to the drama of the text. As we studied the events leading up to the crucifixion, he focused on every scene of the upper room. In his mind he was there.
It's a breathtaking thing to watch.

As a mom, my heart cries out to God to continue to woo this little one with His Word. I pray his fascination with it, his focus on the details of each passage, will never fade. My biggest prayer though is that God's Word will continue to connect with his heart.

I wonder why we can't all be like my little man, living in that out of the blue place where our hunger to understand compels us to match what we see in the world with the message of the Word. Why can't we rise above all that is taking place around us to see Jesus and let His Truth be our reality? Is it because we've stepped out of the blue and into the gray? Everything we once simply understood, believed at face value, depended on in childlike faith has somehow gotten lost out there in the murky gray of the foggy teaching of the world.

So how do we go forward, through the haze? We go back, back to the simple, but profound Truths of the Scripture. Instead of seeking more of the world in flesh, we seek more of the Word made flesh. We seek Jesus. We ask Him those out of the blue questions to bring clarifying connections in our heart and mind. He's promised if we seek Him with all our heart we will find Him. If there is anyone who seeks with all their heart, it's a child. Their determined focus is amazing. Just think about when they want a new toy. They seek a relenting yes and focus until they get the desired answer.

I believe this is the way Jesus would have us live. As a matter of fact, focusing on a child Jesus set in their midst, He taught the disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" Matt. 18:3).

Let's go there, to that out of the blue place where we see life, death, family, friends, strangers, enemies, work, home, church, everything, as Jesus sees them; connecting His Truth to our circumstances and trusting in His answer to be the only Answer we ever need. And contemplating it all over a frozen yogurt just might help.

Suffering for the Good

Through my high school years, I was privileged to sit under my dad's Bible teaching in Sunday school and in my youth group. Many of the deep truths and funny stories he shared stand out in my mind. He had a way of making the Bible come alive as he taught.

Most fixed in my mind is his account of the crucifixion. I remember when he came to the verses describing Jesus' suffering on the cross, he would step away from his podium to give us a visual of the passages.

Dad would take us to the garden to envision Jesus agonizing in prayer as His disciples nearby succumbed to sleep. Dad described in detail the great blood drops of sweat as Jesus pleaded with the Father to remove the cup from Him. He made sure we understood that cup contained the wrath of God against every sin we would ever commit. We could not begin to imagine such horror. Dad pointed to Jesus' heart of submission as He said, "Not My will, but Yours, be done."
Moving from disciples who slept to one who betrayed, we "saw" the kiss of Judas in the garden of Gethsemene; Satan slithering through the twisting of olive branches.

Dad would continue through the night time mockery of judicial proceedings, detailing Peter's cowardly denial, the enraged beatings, blaspheming, spitting, slapping, laughing, abusing of the body of our Savior. Then, he would describe the crown brought by soldiers, huge, stabbing thorns, twisted into a circle and pushed down, piercing the head of that bowed to the Father on their behalf.

We heard of the scourging, tearing of flesh by shards of bone attached to leather strips, repeated until flesh, muscle and nerves were shredded. At times, Dad's descriptions were too much to bear.

He went on to explain the cross, where Jesus willingly lay Himself down. Nails, spikes really, driven between bones in His wrists and ankles. Then, he demonstrated how Roman guards, adept at tortuous killing, hoisted the cross and dropped it into a hole, ripping through flesh at the nail sites. In hanging, Jesus had to pull Himself up with suspended, extended, fatigued arm muscles to breathe every breath. Yet, using every ounce of strength, He spoke words of comfort from the cross, concerning forgiveness, provision for His mother, assurance of salvation to a dying thief, and agony in thirst.

The most heart-wrenching words ever spoken came from His lips in hours of complete darkness as God the Father turned His face from His only Son, Who had become sin for us. As Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" At this point in Dad's lesson, I could no longer take it. Jesus, perfect, blameless, hanging there in utter darkness, in a state of complete isolation that I will never have to comprehend. Too much.

Dad came to the end of the lesson, recounting Jesus' last words from the cross, "It is finished." Holding my breath, I remember one question rising from the depth of my soul, "Why?" I wanted to know why He had to suffer so much agony. I knew blood was required. I understood sacrifice; but suffering, like that? Why? After all, Dad reminded us He could have called "more than twelve legions of angels" to stop the torture at any moment (Matt. 26:53).

Hebrews 12:2-4 explains Jesus despised the shame of the cross, yet He chose to endure. Why? I've found my answer in passages like 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him Who knew no sin to become sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

I also learned why from 1 Peter 2:21-24, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him Who judges righteously; Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed."

He suffered to endure every type of suffering you and I could ever experience, abuse, hate, false accusation, beatings, nakedness, humiliation, betrayal, abandonment, loneliness, physical, emotional, spiritual agony, death.
Hebrews 5:8 says, "though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. He suffered to identify with us. We suffer to identify with Him. In dying, He showed us how to live in a world suffering as a result of sin. He suffered to raise our dead hearts to righteous life in Him.

Ultimately, the answer is found in Isaiah 53:10, "Yet, it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. " It pleased God to make Him suffer in our stead. His stripes were necessary so that we could be eternally healed. Through His suffering, our broken souls are made whole. Amen.
Hosanna...Jesus saves!

Little Brothers

I remember the "new mommy" days after bringing home each of my five newborn babies from the hospital. Sleepless nights, new schedules, exhausting days, sweats and no makeup, longing to see friends, figuring out a new normal with a growing family.

I also remember the joy of watching siblings bond with a new little brother or sister. One of my most treasured memories is of four precious little ones huddled around their baby brother after waiting days for him to come home from the NICU. Three sisters, two brothers melting together into the heart of our family. My friend calls them "the clump".

Through the years, I have been adamant about their continued bonding. Watching them grow as friends fills my heart with joy. So, when our new addition was welcomed in just a few short months ago, I wondered. What will happen? To be honest, as I watched the shifting dynamic of the clump, my heart grieved a little. I truly worried about how he would fit. How would he become one of them, one of us?

In many ways, bringing our little guy home has been the exact same as those new mommy moments with a baby. Sleepless nights, new schedules, exhaustion, sweats and no makeup, even longing to spend time with friends have all been a part of this journey. Don't get me wrong, there has been sweetness in and throughout these new days of adjustment.
It is just a process, an ocean of unchartered waters. And I tend to get nervous when things get wavy.

But today, I heard the sweetest words so far...Our new little guy came to tell me something our youngest had done and he said, "My little brother is so silly." The significance of his own words wasn't lost on him as he quietly repeated, "My little brother..." "Yeah, buddy," I thought, "Your little brother is silly...and you're just like him! Silly as the day is long." Sweet realization sweeping over both of us.

God truly sets the orphan in families. He doesn't just drop them off and move on to the next one. With the gentle pressure of His great Potter's hands, He molds, makes and forms us together in one big, beautiful (and yes, even silly) clump. I'm so thankful God chooses to clump us together in physical families and in His spiritual family as well. I'm learning to bond with new family members in my house and in His. I just can't wait till heaven when we get to be one great big family clump at the throne of Jesus!

Vera Ate my Bible

Today I had the ultimate first-world problem...My Bible ribbon on my Vera Bradley Bible cover got stuck in the zipper! I literally could not get my Bible open! I couldn't get to the Word.

Now, I have numerous other copies of God's Word, but the one inside my purple cover is MY Bible. It's the one I use for devotion, for study and for church. I love my Bible. Not having the ability to get to it was frustrating.

In the middle of desperately trying to pry the pink ribbon from the grip of zipper teeth, it hit me that there are believers throughout our world who cannot get to God's Word. Their hindrances are far more serious than a Bible trapped inside a $28 Bible cover. Their hindrances are no Bibles in their language, copies that must be shared with numerous other believers, threats of prison, beatings, torture and death if they are found with a copy...Wow.

Their reality puts my "problem" in crystal clear perspective. These people fight fear and brave suffering just to have a portion of the Bible we often take for granted. I'm so very thankful God promises to be found by those who seek Him. Choosing to give in to my frustration this morning and walk into my day without the Word is not an option.


So, I took out another copy of God's Word and read these words from Jesus in John 17:7-17:


"Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.

For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

I pray for them.

I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.

And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You.

Holy Father, keep through Your name those whim You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name...

But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

They are not of this world, just as I am not of the world.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

So, how do we help persecuted believers, blocked from access to the Word?

We pray for them, like Jesus.

We read, study and teach our copy of the Word.

We let the Word set us apart from the World.

If God calls, we go to them and serve them however we can.

We remember them and call on others to pray for God's Word to spread and for God's people to be kept from the evil one.

There is a powerful new book out called The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken. Read it. It will change your heart.

Now, I'm going to find some pliers for Ms. Vera's teeth...