How did I get into this mess?

Clearwater Beach T's

2010-06-26T16:20:00.003-03:00

So my sort-of-ex-husband... left but won't do paperwork for divorce... just got back from almost 3 weeks in Florida with his girlfriend. ...
and brings the kids all home commemorative T-shirts!!! Am I crazy or is this just insulting?? The kid don't understand why I'm not as excited as they are over their shirts. I have 8 walking billboards that my husband is a jerk and living it up with someone else... and have to suck it up (I hate that phrase.. but...) because the kids don't get it.
Lord, give me strength!!
and please help those shirts all fall apart in the wash!

Another night....

2010-06-18T02:24:00.002-03:00

I am constantly amazed at a teenagers mind.
"Mom, I PROMISE I will leave my phone on and you can call anytime to check on me..."
"No, I am NOT going to be late!"
"Why do you keep talking about it... I won't be late and you can call anytime."

2 AM rolls around. After 2 hours of calling a cell phone that no one answers... and a good hour of prayer for that child's safety... the kid comes home.

"I'm not THAT late. My cell phone died... oops sorry!"
"Why are you ticked off? You could have gone to sleep."
"I have no idea why you say I am not considerate of anyone but myself... YOU'RE the one who decided to stay up this late."

And she wonders why I don't let her go out much.

Stranger and Stranger still...

2010-02-21T21:00:00.004-04:00

We had some interesting company last night. My brother, Tim, who lives out west flew in to surprise the fam. And it was quite a surprise. My "other brother".. Jeff.. brought Tim and a friend, Joel, over.

This is Jeff, Tim and I.
Tim is not an axe murderer regardless of how much he looks like one.

Joel is one of the funniest people I know.. always has been!

Jeff is just happy to be let in out of the cold.

He has a little space issue!!

Poor Teddy. He is ready for the next installment of the Grinch.

The children weren't quite sure what hit the house. Lots of laughs. Courtney thinks they are all crazy.. and wants to know when they are coming back. She even called her Uncle J to find out when they would be returning. Not today, child... not today!!

My Ugly Frog has been defeated!!!

2010-02-18T22:16:00.003-04:00

Ok, this has been a loooong day. My hands and feet are cramped.
... but my mudroom looks great!! The kids were freaking when I kept saying bring me all the coats, all the boots, mittens, ski pants... bring it all in!!
"But it won't fit! We want it to look good!"
I wouldn't cheat though.. it was amazing to get it all in!!!

This is the door that was covered by the big wardrobe. I'm not really sure who put the wardrobe in front of the door... The drawers on the wardrobe are labelled for hats, mittens and scarves. I love my new labeller and hardly have any chance to use it.

I decided I had never taken ownership of this closet. It was depressing. Now it has 2 coats of fresh paint... actually the whole room does. The colour is called Scrimshaw Ivory.. tint 1 from Para.
This corner still isn't real pretty, but honesty is important here. I needed a spot to store a few things. Here they are. There are no steps to this outer door.. and a 10 foot drop... so I don't mind covering it up.

Here is my bench. Now it is able to be used!! whooo hooo!! I need to get my curtains up, but that is a job for another day. I'm tired.

There you go, Jenn. One ugly frog taken care of!!

Ugly Frog Contest

2010-02-18T09:51:00.006-04:00

Today is the Ugly Frog Contest at Mom's No Chaos Zone. Since I have a huge ugly frog in my house, I thought I'd enter. Its only today, so if you see this please enter!

To make myself accountable I took pics of before so I could post it for the world to see. Keep in mind, it has to be fixed by tonight.

Are you ready for this?

This is really embarrassing!!

And here (drumroll please) is my mudroom!!!

After taking this shot I thought, it doesn't look too bad. Did you know there is an exterior door behind this cupboard... and a coat closet??

This buffet is supposed to be in the dining room... dust free. I remember purchasing the green bench so the kids can sit down and put on their boots... which are now all over my living room instead of in my quite large mudroom.

I could have spun this pic around so you don't have to get a crick in your neck... however, the pile was dizzyingly (is that a word?) high. This looks smaller somehow.

You literally have to walk on stuff to get into the room. This is one ugly frog.

To top this all off, the bottom half of the walls isn't primed. The room has to be painted as well. Can we get it all done??

Today our homeschool will be experimenting with a Co-operative Work Project. Let's see how it rolls!!

Followers link

2010-02-17T18:26:00.002-04:00

I thought it would be neat to add a follower link on this thing. I'm not sure what the benefit of being a follower is. For those of you who follow this thing whether a link is there or not... could you press the button and tell me what the deal is?? Do you get notified if I put on another rant?? Do you get frequent flier miles for reading the story of my life... trust me, if I really shared my life you'd all run of screaming!!
Please try it out and let me know.
I have an inquiring mind... I want to know!

What I've learned from the police this year

2010-02-17T08:12:00.003-04:00

These are some things I have learned from the police in the past year or so.

--- Putting a knife in someone's face and threatening to kill them is ok... even if you brag to the police that you did it.

--- Its ok to stone one's neighbors.

--- It is not ok to laugh and play in your own yard if your neighbors psycho abused dog doesn't like it ... even at 2 in the afternoon in the summertime.

--- Booby trapping your neighbors porch is just fine, esp if earlier in the day you threatened to cut same neighbors small children's f'in necks with a hoe.

--- It is most certainly fine to keep someone else's child FOR LIFE if they are allowed to stay for a sleepover. Taking clothes and a toothbrush obviously means they are being kicked out of their home.

--- If the parent of that child decides to go pick up their child, it is fine to accost them and physically harm them, because they are coming on your property to take your "new child."

--- It is fine to keep someone else's child and have the original parent charged with trespassing if they go near their own child.

--- It is fine to charge the real parent for kidnapping if by chance they actually get their child back. It is NOT fine to have someone charged for kidnapping if they take your child and won't give them back.

--- It is fine to speed down a highway, lose control, cross a yellow line and passing lane to hit your car. After all, everyone speeds. What is your problem??

--- It is ok for the police to talk to a parent and then turn around and tell their child the exact opposite of the agreement with the parent.

--- When you are robbed, and know who did it, the police will contact the person who robbed you... but not you. They will not come to the home where the theft took place, or call wronged homeowner who filed the report... except for when they call to say ... "I spoke with the person you claim stole from you. He said he didn't do it and we believe him. Ma'am, no you have nothing to say about it .. case closed."

--- The RCMP actually sleep all night and do not respond to calls after midnight. It doesn't matter what is going on... they need their rest. OK.. after filing a complaint about that one, someone got in a "talking to." I got a half hearted apology, but they would not give me a written apology which was what I had asked for.

--- If a person is deemed as a pillar of the community, say like an emergency room doctor or a pastor, they can do whatever they want. If their victim is deemed as a low life.. say like a single mom of 8 children... it is ok to victimize them without censure. And how dare that single mom have a problem with it!!!

I am not going to be bitter, but I will also never have contact with RCMP if I can help it. Egotistical idiots all of them. I haven't met one of them that didn't just completely lie about everything.... oh no.. there was one last summer, but he was frustrated with the rest of them too. He is also very young and probably thinks there is still some honor left in the force.

There isn't.

Another Week... Another Day at Emergency

2010-02-14T23:19:00.002-04:00

For the third time in under 3 weeks, Caitlyn has been in emerge.
She is having some weird trembling/shaking going on in the muscles of her arm. It has gone on for up to 3 days at a time.

Today I'd had enough. It was time for some bloodwork!

The doctor was great. They took 6 vials of blood.... Did I mention Cait is terrified of needles?? Oh my!! She was a trooper. I couldn't believe how well she did. Most of the tests came back normal. Some of the blood had to be sent to another hospital in the "big city" (ha ha) for further tests.

I attended the Ultimate Women's Expo online this weekend. There were women there who had very sick children among other struggles. I remember thinking how happy I was that I didn't have any sick kids. Its not that I have anything against sick kids, I just didn't want mine to GET sick!! I'm realizing that fleeting thoughts like that should be pushing me to get down on my knees and thank God for the gift of health we have been given. I need to be thankful for everyday we are not dealing with a health crisis.

If I am in a position where I need to deal with a health crisis, I need to be thankful for everyday to lovingly care for those I love. Should something happen and I lose that child, its getting down on my knees and giving thanks for the beauty of the life that has graced mine and taught me more about His love for me, and thank Him that this is not the end.

For today... I thank God for the health of my children. I thank Him that I can serve my children by showing His unconditional love to them.

In fact, I think its time to go and get the snacks ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow... the day I call my family doctor to schedule my daughter for her first visit (and hopefully last one!!) with the neurologist. I'd appreciate your prayers!!

Canada wins Gold!!

2010-02-14T23:08:00.003-04:00

You have to wonder... who thought of it first???
Some crazy guys skiing... moguls no less... who had this crazy idea..

LET'S PUT A JUMP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HILL... NO!! HOW ABOUT 2 JUMPS!?!?!?

After a few days of moguls with jumps on the hill.. one of them starts doing flips... and the rest is history. Now I'm not sure what kind of "idiots" think this is a fun thing to do... but it sure is fun to watch!!
... especially when you win a gold medal at the Olympics!!

Congrats to Alexandre Bilodeau for winning the first Gold Medal by a Canadian in Canada!! We have been more than gracious hosts so far by letting the competition place just ahead of us. Its time!

Jack's Party Day

2010-02-06T21:53:00.006-04:00

This is Jack... this is his pre-birthday party... he will be 6 Monday!! Whoo hoo!!!
Jack is very excited about cake, balloons and gifts. He was extremely calm and patient though!! My baby is growing up! FYI he is NOT a baby...

It only took about 12 puffs to blow out the candles

Justin thoroughly enjoys his ice cream

Josh is a more of a frosting kid

Lots of cousins and friends to frost some cookies because, obviously, cake, ice cream and cupcakes are not enough sugar... no way

Jack sitting with Ellie?? How did that happen?? He was joined at the hip with Brett and Luke.. wasn't he? She is kinda cute... hmmm

Even the big boys can't resist cookies with a little pink frosting!!

Look how serious they are!! Damara...( if I spelled that right... it was hard to reproduce the name on the card!!) looks like this is the most important thing she has ever done in her life!

It was actually a very relaxed day.. weird, eh??

It was too cute when Brett suggested I open a bakery so they could all come and buy cookies from me. Sheesh, you'd have think we could have said that before I gave away all my stock!! Poor Brett left wondering if I was going to charge him for the cookies he carried home. Betty Jo.. please convince him I wasn't serious! and tell Cole we found his wallet and didn't steal a thing... honest!!!

Organization, here I come!!!

2010-02-05T20:31:00.002-04:00

Someone dropped in to meet me today. A mom of one of Caitlyn's new friends. Lovely lady.... and wanted to see my kitchen... loves the fixer upper thing. This kind of thing only happens on the nights that instead of doing the supper dishes right away I sit down to watch a show with the kids. sigh...
At least she saw that I spend time with the kids! The little boys.. and Jack.. were already in bed and came down to meet Ashley and her mom, Darla.
When I sent them back they trooped right upstairs which was terribly impressive!
"Did they just do what you told them too??"
"Yes, its called obedience and I expect it."
"Wow, they do well."
Turns out it didn't really matter if there were dishes all over the kitchen. They are now done and I am ready for more visitors... anyone??

I have shelves in my closets!!!!
A total of 12 new, big and amazing shelves!!
Organization, here I come!!

Except I seem to be incredibly drained. Everything is quiet, but I find myself on guard waiting for something to happen. And I think that I really need a break.. one where I can get away and not have to worry about the kids... I don't think that will happen for years.

On a high note, I went to pick up Matt and Cait from Matt's volleyball game against VCA and joined up with some good friends from home. How fun to sit down with 4 ladies and just chat.

The kids have started the movie, so I must run.

Oh Christmas Tree....

2010-01-31T00:59:00.003-04:00

We loved our Christmas tree this year. I wish it looked as good in pics as in real life. The glow of the tree is lost in the flash of the camera... Just excuse the plastic on the windows please!!

This is our tree... and yes, the decorations are all in brown. Molly and I went to Home Hardware's Winter Wonderland room and fell in love... even though the other couple in the store thought this was terribly ugly!! Sorry tree!

This is Molly's favourite ornament. Yes, Molly, when I die this is yours. Yes, she asked that.

Our lovely angel. Molly wanted the one with the big fluffy wings... I won. She is ok with that now.

Who knew that you could get so many ornaments in browns?? Brown sequins? Who knew?!!?

Bows, beads, leaves, pine cones... Too much good stuff!!

Our tree is still up. Molly won't let us take it down until everyone she knows has seen and admired it. The only one left to wait on is Tara. It snowed this week the day Tara and the boys were coming up. If they don't get up until summer, not to fear, we will wait. We have no choice! Molly has spoken!!

Its all a matter of perspective

2010-01-22T23:32:00.002-04:00

The other day I was driving down the road and glanced at my speedometer. I thought I was going quite quickly on an 80 km/hr road, but the meter said 57. Its a digital speedometer so I can always know EXACTLY how fast I'm going. 57?? Somehow I could not get that car to go faster without feeling like I'm going too fast... you know??

I must be getting old... hope no one is driving behind me that I know. How can 57 seem too fast?

I slowed down to 50 because that felt MUCH safer. Maybe I was getting sick. Against my better judgement I just drove in the way I felt safe without trying to keep up to the speed limit.

Then it hit me... I hit the km/m button on the dashboard. Immediately I went from 53 to almost 90. Can you imagine if I insisted on keeping up with the "speed limit" in spite of my better judgement? I would have been going crazy fast and most likely ended up with a ticket or a crash.

Sometimes I feel the need to keep up with the speed of other families around me... not just the regular families with 2 jobs and public school.. but the other homeschooler families as well. I know in my spirit what the Lord expects of me, but think I need to keep up with "everyone else." What I don't see is that I am going at the right speed. I am not slower than "anyone else" ... I'm just not judging my life by the right criteria. Instead of looking at my life through God's standard.. I look through the standards of others. How ridiculous of me!

I just need to push the button, adjust the speed of my life in Christ and move on. All of a sudden I feel comfortable with the speed limits again. Life is good.

Right on Track

2010-01-12T14:18:00.002-04:00

I'm sure y'all will be glad to know that it is January 12th and I am fiscally on track. I have not overspent... even on groceries!!
My bills have been paid before the deadlines!
There have been no new cataclysmic events.
Yes, 2010 is my year.
I am on my way to being healthier, wealthier (won't take much!) and wiser than in 2009.
I am meeting positive people and focusing on positive events...
and I may just drag every single one of you with me!!
Just thought you may want to know!!

Update on the kitchen

2010-01-08T23:05:00.002-04:00

You know what's kind of funny?? This kitchen and dining room actually look a gazillion times better than before.. but there are still MAJOR problems with it.

This is walking in from the living room. Seems a mite empty of a dining room table, don't ya think? The way the living room is set up we would have to lift the thing over cabinets to get it in here ... Connor and I just couldn't do it!

This is kind of pretty... except for the extension cords that run... a) to the bathroom so we can have a light in there and.... b) so we can plug in the DVD player.

The kitchen... poor thing!! We have the stove and actually had a hot lunch and a hot supper... of course we had to eat on the floor.. well the little guys sat at the little tykes table at suppertime. The rest of us just sat around. We have 3 kitchen tables in the house right now... just can't get to them!

Note the saws and tools in the corner. Real safe, eh?

Yes, we put up our Christmas tree! Why?!? So we can enjoy the tree... haven't had a chance to before now. The window will hopefully be replaced this month so we can forgo the plastic. This is not a living room remember, its the dining room. It just has living room stuff in it instead of dining room stuff.

On another note, my daughter is 2 and a half hours past her curfew and I am getting ticked and a little worried. This boy is NEVER EVER EVER taking her anywhere again. He was late before and I told him if this ever happened again he would never see her socially again. He has a cell phone.. and knows I expect them to use it. Momma is MAD!!

Teddy is barking up a storm out there. I wonder what he is protecting us from??!!

Washer and Dryer

2010-01-07T10:49:00.006-04:00

Here we are with our new washer and dryer.

The kids are very excited because, obviously, we have never cleaned our clothes before!!

Lets just see what happens when we get these machines going!!

Everyone, check it out!! The light came on and its starting to spin!!!

Connor realizes this is really quite boring, but the others haven't figured it out yet. Ok, now there is water going in.. we're groovin' now!!

This is the dryer. Its red.

Here is the washer. It is also red.

That means... These are the ones!! Thank you home depot delivery guys.

Someday my laundry room will be drop dead gorgeous. For now... well.. its not done yet!! Story of my life. Thankfully its not done yet either!

Weird day man!

2010-01-06T00:06:00.003-04:00

Since its late... and I really don't want to play with this thing... we will pretend this is at the end of the post.. after I say I'm gonna post some pics, OK?? This is my new floor!!

This is what Mike does hoping to deter me from seeing my new floor!!

And THIS is the beginning of this rather mixed up post!!

Somehow today never did get to a normal kind of pace.

S'ok though!

Tonight my good friend, Kim Hughes, took me up to Moncton for a Monavie meeting. Some of you remember I "was on" Monavie drink for some months last year. My insurance company said I was the healthiest person they had tested... they retested me to make sure I really was that healthy.... and then lowered my life insurance payments $24 per month!!

I've been off it for awhile now and just don't feel so energetic. I've been coughing since before Christmas and I'm tired of it.... literally!!

I am so looking forward to getting back on the juice!! They even have a healthy energy drink!!! Lots of energy, no caffeine headache, no crash afterwards.... and it tastes great. I know this cuz Kim bought me one.... and Caitlyn 2 for tomorrow. One to get her moving in the morning and one to keep her going through the day. Pure health, baby!!!

And if you want in on this... let me know. shhhh... i can set you up...

Note to self... do not take an energy drink at 9pm ever again. I have lots of energy... its late.... lots to clean, but I can't because the floor in the kitchen can't be walked on tonight... or tomorrow so the glue can dry.

Oh oh oh!! I can take a picture!! Lets do that so you all can see my new floor... I feel like the squirrel in "Over the hedge" or is that "Under the hedge"??

(and this is where we pretend the pictures are... is everyone following?)

New Washer and Dryer!!??!

2010-01-05T10:53:00.002-04:00

Today is the day for the new washer and dryer... or maybe not.

I was so excited to find the W/D set of my dreams marked down $900 at the Home Depot last week. They were to be delivered this afternoon. No problem... you remember what the living room looked like last night, right?? I had the morning to clean it and find a path through. ha ha ha ha ha ....

At about 8:30 am I had a phone call from the delivery guys. "Good news!! We will be there in an hour. We are leaving now."

Now?? NOW??? AAAGGGGHHH!!!
First things first.... "Kathy... please come and help me!!"

Kathy is a very good friend. We emptied that living room, put all my dirty laundry in bags under the stairs, cleaned up everything!! yeah... We put it all in the dining room. The whole time I am hoping we can get it all back before Mike gets here to finish the floors. yeah

We had 'er done and Kathy was leaving just as the delivery guys get here. All was well until the washer got in. "Um... excuse me... delivery guy. That is not my washer."

"What??"

"No, mine is red. That is white. Not my washer. At least you didn't bring in the dryer yet."

Some of you know my front steps. These men were not happy campers.

"But look. Your name, address and phone number are taped (big time!) to the top of this machine. Are you sure its not yours. You could just keep this one!"

"I want my red ones. Sorry."

They were happy I wasn't mad at them. Nice men, they were still smiling when they were reloading the set back onto the truck.

I will get my new W/D later this week.

And the mess?? Well, Mike got here just as the delivery guys were leaving... saw the mess... and helped me put it all back.

Its 11 am and I am done for the day!

I'm happy... I'm happy... I'm happy....

2010-01-04T23:27:00.004-04:00

For those of you who wanted more pictures... this should scare the socks off ya!! My floor, alas, is not quite done... which meant Greco again tonight. The sub floor is finished and the vinyl is spread out... just not matched, cut, glued and sealed. Which means.... not done. Ack!

Don't you just love the mess in the mudroom??! Unfortunately the dogs food is back there in the closet somewhere and we couldn't be bothered. Good thing the kids are messy eaters!! Teddy can clean up the floor.

This is the back of the living room, at the top of the basement stairs. Yes, that is my Christmas tree... you will see it looking better in a day or 2 in the dining room where I will take time to enjoy it. I just will.

Here is the rest of the living room. Note the fridge and cupboards lying around. I don't even know what all the mess is. All I know is that I have no place to put any of it.

Why am I posting this stuff?? To make my friends feel better... yes, some one's house looks worse than yours!! I'll fix it .... like soon... Tomorrow they are delivering my new washer and dryer and they have to go through this obstacle course and down the stairs... you know, where the Christmas tree is!! Anyone busy tomorrow morning??? I need HELP!!

This is a deer antler on my table. I don't know who is the wise guy that took this pic. The dog keeps bringing antlers home. With a few more I can make a cool chandelier.... and paint it black... the guy from "What Not to Wear" has one in his house and its very cool.

This is the little ray of sunshine that keeps us smiling!! We love our Josh!

Ok!! Jack makes me smile too! He is a keeper!!!

Every time I feel overwhelmed and stressed I do what Justin does... mutter I am happy.. I am happy... I am happy... over and over in a meaner and meaner voice until.... I AM happy!!

Good night!

First day of School!

2010-01-04T16:08:00.004-04:00

Today was Caitlyn's first day of school.... again!

Today she started at the Christian School in town. I am so excited for her. She had the advantage of already knowing quite a few kids there ... including her brother... and most likely had an amazing day. I am waiting for her to get home ... at any moment... and just spill.

For those of you who have never attended Christian school, it is different than most schools. Cait will be in a gr 9/10 split class which I believe has about 15 students in it. The school has K through 12th grade with friends mingling without regard for age. In fact Matt (8th grade) has good friends in 11th and 12th grades. Since class sizes are small, teachers are able to build a great rapport with the kids and really invest in their lives.

Where is she??

On a side note...

Did you know that I have another blog?? Apparently its in Chinese or some other far eastern language. I'm not sure what I have written in it... hope its not embarrassing....

Downstairs there is the noise of floors being worked on. The sub floor is being secured and soon... very soon... the floor will be down. As soon as the flooring is done and I find my camera I will post pics.

Happy New Year!!!

2010-01-02T20:27:00.004-04:00

Guess what?!!! My little laptop is working again!! For how long we aren't sure. I may have to save my pennies to invest in something more reliable. But it works today!!!

We are all snugged in our house with the storm raging outside. At least I'm told its raging. Its too dark to see and is rather quiet. We are still enjoying living in the top floor of our house. Our 12 by 13 foot living rm/kitchen/dining/ games room is feeling a tad crowded.

Soon... like in a few days.... my kitchen and dining room will be ready for occupancy. The cushion floor would have been laid today if our worker guy didn't put his truck in my ditch. He did not have a fun afternoon! It will go down Monday. The kitchen cabinets will hopefully be done Mon or Tues and I can put some stuff away!!!! Here are some pics.

This picture is from standing in the dining room looking through to the mudroom... which is housing much of our kitchen stuff.

And this is the kitchen. Notice a lack of anything... anything... anything...
Like EVERYTHING!!! Try cooking for 9 in this. We are consisting on crackers, cheese, bagels, yogurt, and clementines... with the occasional hotdog cooked in the microwave upstairs. I miss cooking. sigh....

I'm told it will be wonderful when it gets done. uh huh

My summer resort

2009-08-30T15:39:00.003-03:00

Here are some pictures of my new house. We plan to be into it the first week of October.. this will explain why we aren't moving into it quite yet!!

This is the view from the living room, looking through the dining room, then through the mud room to the great outdoors!! Are you lost yet??

This is the front part of our living room. The view from the front windows is amazing. Down in the valley there is a track where trains are still running... no distraction there!!

This is the kitchen. The cupboards are to be gutted... they are disgustingly grimy, small and in poor condition. Due to what we have found behind some of the walls.. you really don't want to know... its important to find out what is behind these walls as well!!

Here is my friends daughter, Jenny. She is coming through the mudroom into our rather spacious kitchen/dining area.

And this would be the dining room, with the living room behind it. Charming don't you think??

We have really been enjoying our resort town summer. The kids are very comfortable walking to the library, various parks, beaches, youth center, playground, or just walking!! I love the view from my front windows and taking the kids to the beach across the street!!

However, its about time to get back to work. I think the kids will still be happy doing their schoolwork at the park or in the yard... barring another hurricane!! I'm ready to pack up... sloooowly to mosey on home. Home will be ready in another month. I think I said that a few weeks ago! We really should be in by our Canadian Thanksgiving in October.

2009-08-18T23:08:00.002-03:00

Well... the house is coming along.
There are no longer any stairs... or walls.... or ceilings.. toilets... bathtub...
Basically its absolutely minimalistic in style.
We have utterly cleaned house. I use the term "we" loosely.
I have showed up to check up on the progress of Mark and his brother as they have done every stitch of actual labour. Mark is allowing me to use the "we" word if it makes me happier.
We noticed the electrical needs to be redone on the main floor.
We are having difficulty in putting in the new stairs.
We have discovered a horrific absense of vapor barrier.
We will be working hard to get it all fixed up.
We will also continue to fight the flippin' fleas....
and I'll check up on it all occasionally!!

New house!!!

2009-08-12T13:21:00.002-03:00

Let the bells ring out!!! After searching for months, we have found and purchased a house!! Whooooo hoooo!!!

This house has 6 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 3 staircases and fleas.
The house will be GREAT once the renos are done. I don't need 3 staircases, one will do. We have also decided that one dog is enough, we don't need the fleas.

The dog was kind of left with the house... as were the cats that left the fleas. The cats are gone, but we are crazy about Teddy, the dog. A good friend of mine is dog sitting until we can move. Hopefully we will be into the house next month.

I am also hoping to put pics of our house reno on this thing... if I can remember how. I need Caitlyn for that and she is finishing up at camp this week!! Yeah!!! She will be home Friday.

Not that we are home, exactly. We weren't exactly safe in the last community we were in and have been summering at the resort town my mom is from. Grampy's house was empty, so we filled it. We are loving living across the street from the beach!!

The renovations start tomorrow. What have we gotten into now??

Myth Busters

2009-04-24T20:59:00.004-03:00

Wow, we made it through this week.
This week, we had 7 kids with the flu.
Somehow Matt and I escaped the violence of the stomach flu.
Of course, those who were sick got lots and lots of sleep where Matt and I didn't.
Caitlyn asked me if I didn't regret being sick as I got to have 4 nights of next to NO SLEEP.

The best part was, after the 4th night of NO SLEEP, at 10 am, a very put together woman showed up at my door... stepped into my kitchen (my horribly messy kitchen) where the kids had hooked the laptop to the TV and were watching a movie.

Some people have the delusion that I am up at the crack of dawn, shower and dress with my best MK face, make a "hearty breakfast" and the kids are happily homeschooling at 9am with their rooms clean and devotions done. That may be what I aspire to, but certainly this was not the case yesterday morning.

Drat, another myth busted!

2009-04-19T23:32:00.003-03:00

I was looking back on my archives... to see where I was about 2 years ago. This spoke to me again...

Saturday, May 05, 2007

sometimes God gives you cool things to say

Rosetta Stone Contest

2008-03-22T22:22:00.003-03:00

A contest I can’t resist

Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while — next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE!

This is a $219 program (and believe me it’s worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking. Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they’re included! For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports.

To win this most excellent program — in the language of your choice — copy these paragraphs and post it in (or as) your next blog post – then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenIG/501132/ and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it. And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it. And good luck! The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg. And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win. Yay for free stuff!

What does God expect??

2008-03-05T01:49:00.004-04:00

I was asked today if I thought God expected more from a believer than a non-believer.
That person didn't think it was really fair that God does. Here is my answer.

Suppose you wanted some sewing done for your bedroom. You wanted 2 sets of pinch pleat curtains (for fullness) with a beautiful ruffled valence for each set (because the tops of p.p. curtains is really quite boring). With that a new duvet, pillow shams, sheet sets (one for extra of course), some dresser scarves, etc....
And you'd like everything ASAP

3 women say they can do the job.

One woman does everything by hand.
One woman has a machine and is learning to use it.
One woman has a sewing machine, serger, a frequent user card at the best fabric store in the province and has a list of thrilled customers the length of your bedroom.

Who would you expect more from??

The lady who does everything by hand? When would it ever get done?
The lady who is just learning? What kind of quality would you have?
Or the very experienced, lady with everything she needs to get the job done and a resume to prove it?

Who does God expect more from?

Is it the person who is really trying hard but does not know Christ personally?
The new Christian who is just starting out and taking their first steps?
Or the person who is saved and has been studying the scriptures for years? Someone who has lived a life of Bible study and has experienced God's working in their lives?

He expects mature believers to act like it. To show maturity and to stand firmly when the storms of life come because they are grounded in His word.
Is it fair?? Yes it is!!!

Don't sit and whine because God expects "too much" from you. He is never going to ask for too much.
I expect more from my 13 year old then my 5 year old, and more from my 5 year old than my 7 month old. Is it fair?? You bet.

Josh is a baby. I do not expect him to make his bed and put his toys away. He is just mastering.. no not mastering.. laughing at our attempts to assist him to sit!!!

Molly is expected to make her bed and put her toys away, but I do not expect her to multiply and divide fractions.

Caitlyn *loves* fractions!! OK, does them because she has to. She also helps with babies, laundry and cooking. She sometimes babysits and sometimes is in trouble for not being where she is supposed to be on time.

God is not unfair to expect more from some than from others. He is not here to molly coddle us but to push us towards growth. We all have different experiences. These are not rewards or punishments for good or bad behaviour, they are life experiences. How we handle them depends on our level of maturity in Christ, or if we are in Christ. I can't tell someone that they handled something wrong because it isn't how I would do it. Maybe they are responding more maturely that I would.

Tonight I am told that being obedient to Christ means that I am not experiencing freedom in Christ. Its legalistic. Tonight I say being obedient to Christ means freedom. It doesn't matter what my circumstances are.
I am standing on the sure foundation I have in Christ which I find wonderfully laid out in God's Word. I am obedient to Christ because I love Him.
I deserve punishment, He gave me life. He deserves all glory and chose to die on the cross for me. All He asks is for me to give Him my screwed up life so He can fix it. This is a complete win win for me. I don't want "freedom" from obedience to Him. I don't want Him to expect nothing from me. I don't want to respond like a baby instead of a more mature believer. He's not done working with me, there is a looooong way to go!! I think I'll let Him keep on working thank you very much.
If you are in a place where you can't/won't trust God... I'm so sorry. I have found that He is completely faithful and worthy of my trust. I am not going to change my opinion of Someone who has done so much for me regardless of your insecurities. I am not going to pretend that God is not true to make you feel better. I am not going against God's Word to assauge your guilt. I am not going to pretend that God isn't upholding me through some really tough stuff because you are afraid that it makes you look like you aren't handling things well. I'm not handling things well either. I can't handle all this stuff so I am letting God do it. Mostly I remember to leave it with Him. When I try to help God its just a mess.

Now I'm going to bed. Happy that I got all this out without having singed anyones ears.
If you want to argue this post, don't bother. 3 hours tonight discussing this was enough. God is enough.

The end

Looking much better around here

2007-12-01T22:18:00.000-04:00

My IKEA order is in.
My living room is taking shape!!!
There are 2 chairs that are pretty and one delightful RED couch.
The other couch... just as red.. will be here tomorrow. The van can
only carry so much at once!!
Caitlyn's friend, Jenna, called it ... something I had never heard before and forgot...
but she says it means she likes it and maybe I'd understand the word trendy instead.
I am officially a mom of teens... I have no idea what they are saying half the time and I'm hearing them actually talk. I've also been told that I am a Kewl mom. That's cool for all you folks out there who speak actual English... like me!
One of the neighbor's helped us bring in the couch for me and actually wanted the old couches that are dreadfully ugly. Seems he wants them for his shop for when his buddies come over or for when he needs to get away from his all female family for a good nap.
Whatever the reason, he was happy to cart off one tonight and will take the other tomorrow.
One person's junk, another man's treasure!!!
I'm enjoying this little house so much. Its fun to do it up... though it may take 10 years to finish.

We had parent/teacher interviews yesterday and it was actually quite fun. I really like both teachers. The kids are doing great academically and socially. I just want them home. But, if they are out there... this is the best thing. Some of the issues I had were already noticed by staff and principal and were already being dealt with. This was very good.

Christmas is coming. I'm trying to pretend I can put it off but it won't be put off. The kids are ready to decorate and the decorations aren't even here yet!!
They will be soon though.

Redemption

2007-12-01T02:03:00.000-04:00

You'd think that I would learn by now not to purchase a book because I like the title and the book is purple. You'd think that someone with my book reading experience would know how to flip the book over to check out the plot before PURCHASING a book.

No.

I think... "Karen Kingsbury with Gary Smalley writing a book series together.... I like K. K..... I like G.S. and its a SERIES... I can pick up one a month to treat myself until I get the set... "

I am an IDIOT!!

You say, how can you miss with those outstanding authors?? And its a series?? Maybe you have read the book!! If you know me and you've read the book maybe you know where I am headed here.

First of all, its an amazing, well written, God honouring book that will help a lot of people.

BUT...

I really wanted this, my first NEW book for I don't know how long, to be one where I could lose myself in someone else's life... just for a little while. How was I to know that the main character in the book was living my life. OK, mine is still a little worse. God knows that I needed this book so I could remember that only He can work in people's hearts. All is not lost. I need to believe and be faithful.

Never have I had such a hard time forcing myself to continue reading. I've cried like a baby.. and Caitlyn has a friend over for the night who must think her mom has lost her marbles... its OK though because as a mom I can do weird things and they just blame it on my advanced age!!

I won't ruin the story line for you book lovers out there. I do recommend this book because you will understand me :) and others like me that have gone through a marital breakdown... how we really feel and, most importantly to me, why I feel that I must move towards marital togetherness with my husband. It isn't that I am crazy or out of touch with reality. I am married. I need to be reconciled to my husband... regardless of how much he doesn't want to be reconciled to me. Even when he has royally screwed up, his sin is no worse than mine. "Let he that is without sin cast the first stone.." How can I stone him with hatred when I am a sinner as well?

I need to go to bed.

I do need to say one more thing. Many people are reading my blog and have been asking questions about Dave and what is going on. I'm not picking on anyone. Many people are asking. I value all of my friends and acquaintances... but... please stop asking! I blog as carefully as I can to get my feelings down and try to be honoring to my husband. I share with a few close friends more, but not all. I hope I'm not blundering the way I feel like I am... bottom line is, Dave is not accountable to my friends, no matter how dear my friends are. I trust I'm not stepping on toes here. I love my husband and am willing to forgive him. Whether you agree with that or not is OK. You are entitled to your opinion!! Please don't put me on the spot by asking what he is doing... or not doing.

That's all!! Please keep praying. Someday I'll move past blog world and get back into getting together with friends world!! Whoo hoo!!!

I'll just need to stock up on some hot choc and Christmas tea!!

Happy December everyone!!!

24 days until Christmas!!!

What have I done now???

2007-11-28T08:13:00.000-04:00

To say this has been a traumatic summer/fall would be an outrageous understatement.
Have I seen God's provision, love and direction?? Absolutely!!!
Have I learned to trust in all of this?? Obviously not.
In being overwhelmed and trying to do everything, in my "wisdom" I determined I wasn't doing a good job homeschooling and decided to put my kids in school. This was a stupid, stupid, and once more STUPID thing to do. 3 of the kids are back home. This was not working for them ... and 2 of them are still there. I am leaving them there until my HSLDA membership is in the works, just in case. Their marks are great, mainly because they are at least a grade level higher than their age appropriate peers. They fit in socially and even are complimented for their ability to take discipline well. Which unfortunately means that some discipline has been required... that is another story. Actually, it IS this story!!
One of the children has been having some "anger issues"... do ya think??
He's 11. The testosterone is hitting and there are some issues there for all boys to start with, then his Dad left, Mom was incredibly busy having a baby/surgery/house hunting and hunting and..../moving/attending a new school/making new friends, etc.. etc...
Do you think he might feel like exploding a few times?? I do. I can control it better as I am 28 years older than him!! He is learning control as well.
So, on the advice of many, and because I felt out of control, I took my son to a counsellor for anger management. Another BIG mistake. I should know better by now!!
Monday morning, to start my week I got blasted by this lady.
Apparently, I must be exaggerating the events of this year or I couldn't be so calm.
She doesn't believe that "giving my problems over to God for Him to take care of" is a viable way to handle stress.
I shouldn't be asking my kids how their day went when they come home from school, it is invasive of their privacy.
I have been HIDING my children from the world because of homeschooling and they are socially stunted because of it... Caitlyn's teacher's would strongly disagree to that one... as would anyone else who heard that!!
I am manipulating my answers to what I think she wants to hear because NO ONE could have 8 kids, love it, and be calm. I am *obviously* not telling of my real frustration of being a stay at home, housebound mom.
I say I still love my husband because I am trying to look like the sweet, innocent victim here where in "her experience" in a marriage breakup the 2 parties are equally responsible.
Amazing that she has such vast knowledge of my life before she even spoke to me. It was an hour and 45 min of constant haranguing.
My "homework" is to challenge my core belief system as my faith in God is *obviously* not working for me!!
I am wondering how some people keep their jobs!
What a load of crockery. She is supposed to be the best. I had thought a good counsellor listened first, asked questions, and gentle guided you to a workable solution. Apparently not.
She wanted to play "devil's advocate" as she put it. I told her I had enough stress in my life without scheduling someone in to criticize me just to "play" and I'm not interested.
I will send a lovely card to her as well to let her know that our world view, personal and educational philosophies are completely different and any further "discussion of my core beliefs" would at best be fruitless and at worst be driving me insane. I don't need or want this kind of "help."
I called two good friends who assured me this lady was the wacko and not me.
She had an educational background, which I found out after the first hour, and tried to explain to me why the public system was so much better for my kids in every way and told me the issues I have had a the school did not exist. She does not believe them. I must be a liar.

Not much you can do with that.
Feels good to get it out.
Parent/teacher interviews are rescheduled for Friday I hear. The teacher's haven't called me yet, though the voice mail from the school has said they would. If I don't hear from them, I'll just show up.

There is more.
I'll put another post up later.
Sorry to bore you with more problems, I do want this documented though and blogging gives me a chance to get it all down and have it dated.
Its a good thing!!

Settling In

2007-11-13T16:36:00.000-04:00

Things are settling in here at the ugly on the outside/nicer on the inside little house of mine. All my wood is in.. and enough stacked so that I can safely manoever downstairs. I believe the rest may just stay in a pile as it is handy to the stove and will just be burned anyway. All the diehard wood burning people out there will cringe at the thought of a messy woodpile, but hey!! I don't care. I do need to clear a path to the water shutoff valve JUST IN CASE!! Other than that, about 2 and a half cords are neatly stacked and the rest is just done.
My dining room is lovely. People can walk into my kitchen, sit down and see all my pretty things. The wood in the table, sideboard and hutch is very restful. Teacups are everywhere... ladies bring your daughters for a teaparty anytime! I just need to get a new kitchen door (long story which will not be blogged) and gorgeous curtains. The navy gingham curtains are OK, Andrea LOVES them so they will be hers soon, but I am looking for something beautiful for there. Someday I'll have an hour or 3 to spend in a fabric store with no kids and.... who am I kidding?? Someday I'll drive the kids crazy with boredom as I crazily look through fabric at Walmart with at least 4 of the kids screaming to go to the toy dept, one will be teething and the ladies trying to peacefully browse will be giving me the "take your bratty kids and get out of this dept" look. Can't wait!!
My wonderful friend, Diane, lives 10 mins from the IKEA in Calgary and is shipping me my living room curtains. She also tried out a couch for me and made some recommendations on chairs for my living room that were invaluable.
Did I mention... no I did not... the furniture I have been eyeing for the living room is buy one get one half price this month? My wood was $400 less than my budget and the kids are forgoing Christmas presents until January so we can get our furniture!!!
They were liking the fact that if we saved money on the couches and then saved money with post Christmas sales, they could probably get more on the gift side.
That would be my sweet yet mercenary brood. My parents are up and have taken Molly and Caitlyn into town for groceries and gas. I thought later that they are notorious for getting lost. They've been gone a looooonnng time. Hope they aren't heading the wrong way up the highway.
Matt and Connor had a bunch of boys in today. 3 that stayed for hours and a couple more that flew in and out. I finally sent them on a scavenger hunt. They thought they were too big for it, but they sure are having fun!!
The little guys are jumping on the couch cushions on the floor, which is probably not a great thing for them to do, but... oh well.
The kids are all coming in. One of the Dad's called and said they were having deer burgers for dinner. I'm not sure if that is good or not.
Annnd they're gone.
I need to make supper.
The boys are off to Tae-Kwon-Do tonight.
Boys are wonderful, but I am tired!

Another storm... a real one this time

2007-11-03T21:46:00.000-03:00

Matt and I just got in from the great outdoors...
As I went downstairs to feed the fire I noticed the plywood over one of the "windows" blew off.
Yes, I need 2 windows. I think I will actually give this out as a prayer request as I can't swing buying and installing windows right now.
The storm is starting and will only get worse so Matt and I with hammer in hand went out to put the plywood back on... only we had no nails bigger than finishing nails and it looked like someone took the nails out of our wood... I hope not!!
We asked 2 neighbors for nails. The second one gave us a bucket of screws and a cordless drill... that was great!! Except we were doing this in the dark with buckets of rain falling and the wind whipping around. I wanted to grouse about men who let women and children do men's work, but realized this is MY responsibility now. I helped Matt do some drillin' and then he got a shower. He is now wrapped in a blanket on the couch and I'm getting him some cocoa... then I'll get a shower.
I am soaked and in soaked jeans... lovely!!
Thankfully my leather jacket is waterproof so I'm not as drenched as Matt. I also found that the eaves trough is in sad shape!!
I can only fix so much at a time. The roof isn't leaking... or doesn't seem to be so that's good.
I'm having a hard time tonight to not be ticked off at Dave.
That's my attitude though and only I am responsible to change that. God is good and He is helping!!
Off for the hot choc!

Happy Anniversary

2007-10-19T23:30:00.000-03:00

I'm looking at my last post, which was rather long, and noticed the date. This would be my 16th wedding anniversary which I spent picking lice out of kids hair!! ... with no husband... and I'm ok with that. I really am.
I thought this would be a terribly, horrible, very bad day for the old emotions... and I'm sailing through fine.
Mom called at about 2 this afternoon to make sure I was going to be ok on the anniversary and I had to ask her what the date was so I would be able to find something to do that would be fun on the 19th.
I was a little surprised to find out it is the 19th. I haven't thought about it all day and wouldn't have known until this last blog posting that I missed my anniversary.
I should have had some cake.
I need to get my cake pic of the week (mom is emailing it to me) so you can get a chuckle.
That was my first real stressor of Thursday morning, but it has to be seen to be appreciated!

The Circus leaves town

2007-10-19T22:56:00.000-03:00

This has been the most stressful couple of days... good and bad... in a while.
My parents came up on Weds afternoon. Yes, this was the first day of school for my little chickies and I thought that would be difficult. Actually, it worked though. When you have 5 kids that all have amazing stories and all want to talk at once it was good to have a couple more sets of ears to listen!!
Gwen was having a good day (she slipped a disk in her lower back a couple weeks ago) so she brought her brood over for a visit. For about 15 min it was utter mayhem until we got smart and sent them to the park... all but the 2 youngest boys. We figured at 3 and 6 mos, they may not enjoy the park as much as staying home with mom(s).
We were down to 2 kids and 4 adults with the kids not talking much. It worked far better that way. We were able to chow down on lemon and coconut cream pie.. with coffee served with International delight hazelnut coffee cream. Ok, I'm a sucker for anything that has the word "delight" in it, but this coffee cream is amazing!!
That turned out to be the calmest few moments of the next 48 hours.
The kids came back.
The McQuarries left.
Non stop talking until bedtime.
Thursday brought more interviews at the school for me ... with the little guys enjoying having Gramma and Papa to themselves as THAT never happens... and then...
The crew arrived from Rothesay to help get this house together.
They were scrubbing in the cellar.
The lawn is mowed... stove cleaned out... boxes unpacked...
Mr Brown built me a boot rack and is fixing to make me a bona fide mudroom by the backdoor.
He also listed everything I need to do for the house so if someone asks what they can do I can give them the list and say "pick something". Hopefully they will understand shop talk because I discovered I can't even change a fuse.
That's another story.
I need to update the fuse box to a breaker panel.
Its on the list!!
There were many stressful little issues including baby blankets (and some other useful things) almost going out with the trash. Thankfully Mom suggested we check the garbage that was put out as there seemed to be too many trash bags.
I need to get clear trash bags...
Making my own list!
We went through all the trash bags and boxes.. tons of fun late Thursday night. Garbage day being Friday morning a lot of it was bona fide garbage so going through it was a treat. The things you don't expect ever to say...
"Yes, last night Mom and I spent a good 2 hours going through trash bags for toys for the kids."
Barbies, lego, dolls... it would have been sickening if we hadn't noticed we were missing things until the next day!!!
The problem is now fixed.
We have our goods and the real garbage is gone.
Mom and Dad left this morning. Everyone else had left before we noticed the missing stuff Thursday afternoon. By 10 am today I was back by myself. With sore feet, but a much calmer home!!
For the first time, when the kids came home from school I could sit and talk with them. And did. After about an hour some of the kids new friends came by and they all went to the park for an hour before dinner. Then at dinner, they had a whole new set of stories.
This move will be good.
Caitlyn made the basketball team. Gotta love small towns. She showed up for an info meeting for the BB team. The coach asks, "Who was not on the team last year?" Caitlyn and her friend (either Jessica or Jamie) put up their hands. "What size uniform do you need?"
They are getting new uniforms this year. They will also have sweatshirts that will have their last name on their backs and first name going down the sleeve.
Too cool.
One child came home with a detention... first week of school!!!
Connor and Courtney went to Nacawick for the participation track day. They had a 1.5 kilo run through a trail in the woods. They were some wiped out tonight. They all asked if they could go to bed.
I'm liking this.
One child has lice nits in her hair... uh, make that a few kids.
Not liking that.
Tonight I went through 2.5 heads. Lots of nits, no real lice so far. It took about 5 hours. 2.5 heads to go through tomorrow. Whoo hoo!!
Monday they will walk both to and from school. I have been driving them in the morning and letting them walk home. They will now walk both ways, unless the weather is bad.
On a final note...
I ordered a bunch of stuff from IKEA!! I'm so excited!! My dining room and office part of the living room will look great in a couple of weeks.
My friend Kathy is excited because she loves to put furniture together as much as I do and she's coming over to help me with it.
Its like an adult size puzzle, putting furniture together.
Anyone with a decent amount of Rouse in them will understand the fascination!!

Another new adventure

2007-10-16T23:08:00.000-03:00

Well, life is about to take another major change.
First, I'm a single mama.. then a baby... hand surgery... the big MOVE... and now..
Tomorrow will be the first day of real school for most of my kids.
Yes, I am sending my kids to school.
I love homeschooling, but have decided that for the moment its too much to do if I want it done well. I am not homeschooling well this year.. not by a long shot. Its time to admit that I need some help and I'm taking it.
The school here is K-12 so all the kids will be in one place, just more kids!
Most of the teachers, I hear, are Christians.
I had a tour and the kids were all attentive and not even fidgeting in class.
My kids just may be the troublemakers!!
The kids are excited/nervous about going.
I feel strangely at peace about it, even though I am a homeschooling at heart mom.
It sure will be weird at home with mighty Jack (3) as the oldest!!
Spending more time with the wee three will be good for us.
A new adventure, yes??

Internet is finally going!

2007-10-11T11:56:00.000-03:00

Hey, we have internet!!
I was hoping to have the super duper wireless modem/router that we had before... but they now charge $2.95 a month for the privilege of having one. So we are hooked up to the wall again. Of course, its the wall in the dining room that is still the workspace for the guys who are fixing up the house soooo... I'm sitting on the floor (and its not comfortable at all anymore) with the kids tripping over me. They do NOT get the fact that the computer must be where the phone jack is at all time if we want to be connected to the internet.
They are also getting very cranky.
I think I should go feed the baby and get the kids busy with something... anything!!
Martha

One More Night

2007-10-08T23:02:00.000-03:00

This is our last night in the old place.
Tomorrow night will be in our new home.
It looks good... actually great since Laun, her Dad and friend Janice stayed there all day until late tonight to finish it. This is how good people have been to me. I don't even know Janice... well, I do now!! She has been so generous to me and I am humbled by such help.
The girls room is sweet. They didn't want to leave today. The boys can't wait to see how their room looks... I can't either since it wasn't done when I had to leave today.
Joy, Laun's mom, baked cookies, a pie, a cake, a casserole, made sandwiches... yum, yum... I love other people's cooking!!
Tomorrow we will take whatever we can fit in the car and then Dave will bring the rest out little by little.
I think we have almost everything we need.
I'm excited... and very sad.
This was not what I had planned... to move on without Dave.
I can't let myself be sad though. I'm choosing to trust that God knows what is best for me even when the world isn't making sense. I have a Bible study called "Trusting God when the world doesn't make sense." Dave bought it for us to do in January and then didn't have time to do it with me. Now I will be happy to have it and do it myself.
I will learn many new things this year, including how to run a wood furnace.
Never done that.
I will learn how to manage 24/7 on my own. This is scary.
I can do this.
I need to go to bed earlier.
I need curtains... or else we will be going to bed when the sun sets!!
Tomorrow I'm picking up curtain rods... tonight would have been more convenient except that everyone who is everyone took today off for dinner.
Thanksgiving is everyday, but our feast will be in a week or 2.
We are too tired to cook a turkey dinner... that was a Victorian we, meaning me.
Mom tried to convince me to drop everything, play hooky and eat turkey with them... but I'm glad I didn't. The work is done (not much thanks to me!) and tomorrow starts a new adventure.
G'night and God bless,
Martha

On the MOVE!!

2007-10-06T22:24:00.002-03:00

I am taking a break from packing!
This has been a crazy couple of days of packing, lugging, sorting, trucking, unloading, moving, moving, MOVING!!
I commented (rather vainly) two days ago how good my nails were looking. My fingernails almost never look good so I was pretty impressed.... I now have ONE fingernail left and its discoloured from when I got my hair dyed this week!
So much for vanity.
On Friday Pastor Steve and Arthur (with the help of Chester's truck) moved ALL my beds for me to the new house. Thanks guys... not that you ever read blogs, but you are thanked all the same.
Andrea came up and helped all day yesterday and today.
Laun and Jodie came up yesterday... brought a ton of stuff with them!!! ... and thoroughly cleaned the new place.
Andrea's husband Andrew came up today with his truck.
My brother Jeff brought up his truck and my nephew Trevor.
Last but certainly not least, my friend Pat brought over her wonderful new truck (its a Chevy Avalanche and its loaded.. that's who I drove with!!) and helped a bunch. Then she went home and bought a bunch of Greco pizzas for supper.
Do I have great friends or what??
I do need to mention Eugene. He is the angel I'm buying this house from. Not only is it a superb deal and he's holding the mortgage for me, he is constantly at the house putting on new trim, doors, siding, etc.. He is giving us the history of the house and the low down on the town, making me feel like this is my home. He is essentially giving me roots.
He wants to put some extra shelving for me when he's done his work.
He looks like Santa...
We had a few mishaps... somehow I was expecting to chase down baby clothes on the highway... and wasn't disappointed!!! Though I wasn't expecting to see the wicker bookshelf fly off Andrew's truck and over our truck.... I needed the exercise though to chase down my stuff and pick up pieces of this and that off the new super duper twinned highway!!
Jeff and Trev got their pictures taken by the big axe.. that was a thrill... ha! ha! I'm expecting to be sent those pics if Jeff can get them off his phone.
I have more stuff to pack here. The old house is a disaster, which is pretty amazing given all the things that were taken out of here!! How could it possibly look messier than on Weds??
I am at a loss.
There is a mouse in the back of my stove making terrible clicking noises... at least it was until I kicked the oven door a few times... right after telling Connor not to kick it. He doesn't think this was fair, but it is my stove after all, at least until Tuesday.
On Tuesday we move!!! Yep out the door and into Canterbury.
Dave is helping us finish moving Monday.
That will be weird... my husband finishing moving us out of his home.
Oh well.
He will be getting back from Atlanta tomorrow night. I wanted to be out before he got back, but just couldn't do it.
He is most likely getting the biggest award he will ever achieve in his career this weekend.
It the PMI award for Professional Development of the Year. He is accepting the award with some people from Global Knowledge. He is the only one accepting for Skillsoft. Skillsoft and Global Knowledge won it together for the Project Manager Development program that Dave headed up the creation of.
I am trying to be happy for him. This was one of the major things that Dave put in front of his family and makes him happy. We are in the way of his career. Its so sad. He thinks he'll be happy... he's not so far.
Right now he's out to some fancy dinner with the others from Global.. its a Brazilian Restaurant.
I'm wondering what Brazilian food is.
The mouse is acting up again. Our cat is a waste of time and airspace. It couldn't catch a mouse to save its hide... unless its bringing one in from outside... or killing one beside the dinner table when I am at dinner.
And people wonder how I'm losing the baby weight so fast!
I'm off to do more packing. I'm going until I'm out of boxes. Tomorrow is my day off. Monday we move these boxes, unpack some at the other house and then bring more back to pack.
Its almost over.
It will be nice to be done.

Bloggin' again!!

2007-09-21T12:17:00.000-03:00

This will have to be quick, as I really should be getting lunch... tuna melts today and my stomach can't wait!!
After the summer hiatus from this thing, I am ready to be back. I really didn't want this blog to be negative and really had to deal with a bit of an attitude problem on my part before I could really be positive.
This summer has been really, really good and really, really horrid.
I have a wonderful new son who is a blessing to all of us... and when I have friends over I only get to see him to feed him... thankfully I'm nursing him!
The gross thing is off my finger!!! YEAH! The stitches have finally dissolved and I'm sure the feeling in it will right itself in time.

My husband has decided he no longer wants to be a husband to me or a good Daddy for his kids. I have found out there have been MAJOR problems that I was unaware of and feel rather like an idiot about that BUT its ok. God is in control of the situation and He knows what I can handle and what I need.

In fact, I am in the process of buying a new house... new to me at least. Its 30 years old, 1500 sq ft, 3 big bedrooms, living room is 19 by 19.5 feet, all new wiring, plumbing, insulation and decks... and its $35000. Yep, it will be paid off in 2 years!!

Tomorrow we go to paint. A few good friends are coming to help. The paint is in the van, ready to go. Caitlyn and her friend Daniella are coming too. They will paint A LITTLE, just to make them happy. They will really be taking care of the baby so I can really paint up a storm.
The stroller is also in the van so I don't forget.

My fridge went on sale yesterday for $800 off. Mom found that out a few days ago. It has now been ordered and will come the 3rd of Oct. My new phone has been ordered as well.

The kids are doing school very well. They are zipping through the work. We are finishing up from last year as the end of the year/summer was shot for schoolwork. They are looking forward to starting their new work... At least some of them are!!!

Caitlyn is off to get milk and eggs. Justin is crying for her. They have a connection. He actually stinks so I should go change him.

If anyone wants to help paint tomorrow....

Martha

BACK!! for a freebie

2007-09-21T12:11:00.000-03:00

Enter to win the complete set of Terrestria Chronicleson the HSB Company Porch!

This looks like an amazing book series that I would love to have... and intend to for Christmas!!
Take a look!!

Yes, I'm still here!!!

2007-06-05T00:03:00.000-03:00

This has been a wild few weeks. Not that pleasant actually. My mother-in-law has been diagnosed with cancer around her eye and has her first round of chemo. Thankfully it went very well. The combo of steroids and chemo has already made a very noticeable difference in the size of the tumors (there are several) and the irritation level in her eye. 2 rounds to go then radiation and she may lose the sight in that eye, but she can at least open her eye again and we praise God for her great attitude and His healing. They believe this is the primary source of the cancer and they will get it all.
I have also had this ridiculous, large, raw, open growth on the end of my left ring finger. It has been so painful that I could not type (its the e-s finger y'know!).
I have had my first biopsy. First cauterization, and actually found out that that means BURNING YOUR FLESH and not what I had thought it meant.
I also found I have a place at the end of my left ring finger that is resistant to freezing. That means when you chop off something on the end of your finger and then torch it you find you can make a noise that you never thought possible.
This thing seeps stinky ooze through 3 or 4 bandages a day and hurts like fury if touched. Today I learned its benign which is wonderful. None of the doctors have seen anything like this before and they are all looking forward to seeing what it is. I personally don't care what it is (as long as its benign) I merely want it to go away.
Then, to top it off we are having some really wretched family issues going on here.
But ...
DO YOU KNOW WHAT????

This is very important. Please listen carefully.

Satan can attack and attack and attack. He can hurt you, distress you and keep coming back with more attacks BUT .... HE CAN NEVER, NEVER WIN!!!

God is bigger that all of this. His love is greater far than whatever hate Satan can come up with and His faithfulness endures forever.
Regardless of anything else God chose me and drew me to Himself. His son died for my sins. He has bought me with His own blood and marked me with the seal of His Holy Spirit that guarantees me an inheritance as His precious and well loved child.

Do you know what else matters?? NOTHING!

My thought on the book of Judges for the past weeks I have missed.
God uses whom He chooses. He allows all kinds of bad stuff to happen so that He may be glorified. Whether its a cowardly Benjamite whom God chooses as His mighty warrior, a mother in Israel who is a prophet and warrior, a woman with a tent, a glass of milk and a tent peg, a son of a hooker or a foolish and blind strong man. God's chooses whom He chooses for His own reasons.

Why has God chosen me for the particular path I'm walking today? I don't know. I'd sure love too though!! He chooses whom He will and my job is to be faithful and obedient. I've had it worse before and God has been faithful. For a little while the other day I was questioning if God remembered me at all, but still faithful He gave me someone to encourage and uplift me.... thanks Ang!!

God is good. Very good. He is absolutely worthy of our trust and praise. He is ever faithful and loving to us. He will never forsake me. I can fully rest in Him.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2007-05-14T12:25:00.000-03:00

This would not be a special day in 2007 if things went as normal!! I woke up in the morning with a wicked sore throat and NO VOICE...nope.. couldn't even croak until after supper!!
Connor made me breakfast in bed... It didn't hurt to eat, thankfully. Justin was coughing up a storm, so we stayed home from church. I was very happy when he decided that he needed a nap very soon after everyone left. I napped too!!!
The kids made pearl bracelets for me in church. I'm told they brought flowers home too, but I haven't seen any!!
It was a very quiet day!!
Dave had cleaned out the porch on Sat. as I had this vision of sitting serenely on the screen porch, cross stitching, babies playing at my feet, bigger kids playing happily in the yard where I could hear their laughter and enjoy the games....
It was not to be.
It was freezing on the porch as I was running a fever.
Dave watched the kids out there with the babies at his feet as he worked on his laptop... we love our wireless Internet!!
I stayed in the dining room, alone.. where I could see Dave and the babies on the porch between dozing, cross stitching and tons of hot green tea and Halls cough drops.
It was actually kinda nice.
The kids have run to the store for more cough drops.
We made it to the next pay day!!
Justin seems better.
I'm able to croak a bit today... just not enough to carry on a decent conversation. A few words and its major coughing time.. not much fun in your 3rd trimester when you know too much coughing can be terribly hard on your belly!
At my last Dr appt I had lost a pound.
Just had to fit that in. I don't think I was supposed to, but I spent a lot of last week sneezing and guzzling green tea.
Didn't keep me from getting sick though.
Molly wants to see her name in type.
MOLLY... is so much fun!
MOLLY SUSANNE PERRY.... yup, that's my name!... she says.
Off to reality.

BRF -- 1 Corinthians 13-16

2007-05-11T22:35:00.000-03:00

Plenty of familiar verses this time around. ch 13... memorized... ch 15 full of AWANA verses that I go over regularly with the kids.
Plenty of relatively unfamiliar verses as well.

How can people read chapter 14 and believe that tongues are the be all and end all of gifts?
How can the pentecostal churches allow tongues with no interpretation in their services?
I was in a service palm Sunday where there were tongues with no interpretation and yes, Paul is right, they seem like they are out of their minds!!

However, tongues are not obsolete like some Baptists like to preach! It is a viable gift for a specific purpose. Even Paul spoke in tongues!

"Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues, Let all thing be done decently and in order." ch 14: 39-40

We need to find a balance. So far, I have not seen a church where this is balanced. Its everyone c'mon and speak in tongues!!! Whoo hoo!! or Tongues?? Never happens!!

My roommate in University... good Baptist gal... went to Bolivia on a mission trip. While there she was given the gift of praying in tongues. It was a beautiful experience for her to pray and have the interpretation there with the ladies she prayed with.

Then back to Canada, where she hardly dared admit she prayed in tongues. Its not done you see. I do not have this gift. I believe many have it and don't dare admit it. "Do not forbid to speak with tongues" is what scripture says.

"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' Awake to righteousness and do not sin." 15:39-40 This is the crux of a lot of problems. For instance, there are 3 boys in this neighborhood who aren't saved, could care less about spiritual things and have ungodly home lives. In the past few years Matt has tried to tell them about the Lord and has prayed for them. We encouraged Matt to reach out to them, BUT they still aren't saved, Matt no longer witnesses to them and Matt's attitudes and actions have been coming down to where they are. This is not good. We were deceived. Yes, these boys can come to know the Lord and we can't shun them... but now its hard to get rid of them!! I don't want Matt with them all the time. Matt is not allowed to go to their homes.. we foolishly let him try that once last year and once this year.. neither time was a blessing.

Sometimes, I think God made a mistake in giving us kids... they get hurt from our mistakes and when we try to backpedal, they just get confused. Who can blame them? Where are the christian kids?? The ones we know are worse than the non christian ones here and my kids are getting weary of being different than EVERYONE else.

15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain..."
I am where I am because of the grace of God. Loving that!! He has never expected me to be the perfect one who made it through life without ever messing up. Perfection in parenting was not expected either. Its by His grace that I can experience forgiveness, daily fresh starts... multiple new starts each day and direction for our family.

15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
In the light of everything we've read in 1st Corinthians, this verse means much, much more than it has in the past. In the light of all we have learned, we need to stand on this scripture and not budge. We need to know the gospel of Jesus Christ WELL... If you don't remember it go back over ch 15... we need to be truly discerning.. we need to judge sin in the church and not back down from it... we need to truly love... we need to not be deceived when it comes to choosing friends... we need to KNOW we have victory over sin and death... we need to stand against sin and not be moved!!! If we "get" the church doctrine here and live it we will have plenty of work to do!! We will be abounding in work!... If we are labouring for the Lord, it may be tough, but it will NEVER be in vain. People may not like us too much.. some may slander us, tell us off, stone us or have us flogged or jailed... who cares? Look at Paul. He stood for what was right. Plenty of folks loved him and did everything they could for him. Plenty of folks didn't like what he had to say.. in and out of the church, but did he change his message? Did he compromise? Did he tactfully change the subject and try to make them feel ok about their sin? No
We do.

One more thing... about giving. Note Paul makes a request for a gift for the Christians in Jerusalem who were desperately needing funds. Did Paul ask for them to tithe a gift for the collection? Nope. Does Paul ever ask the church to tithe?? Nope. Neither did Jesus.
The more I study, the more I see we are duped on tithing.
Remember back in Haggai?? We all were really feeling like we had been stealing from God. Lets get back to reality. What was the temple of the Lord then? What is it now? A church building?? NO!! We are the temple! God does not dwell in houses that men build.. He dwells in US!!
What was a tithe in the OT?? Money?? NEVER!! It was grain, food, oil... for the priests!!! Only a Levitical priest could accept the tithe as this was his sustenance. They were not landowners. They didn't grow crops. This was the sustenance for his family. God never said to give them any money.
In fact the only time money and tithing are mentioned together is when the temple is too far away for you to take an offering, you are to convert your offering to money and then when you get to the holy city you are to have a grand ole time, spending it on whatever your heart desires, feasting with your family. Then keep some extras on hand for those who God brings to you to feed.

We are to give cheerfully to those in need. Our money should not be wasted on new pews or overhead projectors or programs.... especially those that would elevate women and children over men which would be.... almost all of them!!

We need to take care of our pastor. We work them to death!! I keep looking at Paul though. He preached and travelled and never took a penny from those he preached to. He always worked as did his companions.

Look how far we have strayed from the model of the church. I see no record of building plans for larger sanctuaries or gymnasiums... not because they didn't have them back then... the pagans had them.. not the Christians. Their money went to take care of their families, widows, orphans and those in need. Yet, we are guilted into thinking God wants a monetary tithe from us when he doesn't!! He wants us to give as He gives to us. Is it honoring to God to get into debt to pay the church what He doesn't ask for?

Its not honoring to spend, spend, spend and never give either. We need to spend more time in prayer about where God wants our money than listen to more words of men.

We need to be in the loop so we know men who are really godly and those who aren't. We also need to treat all of them the same. None higher than others. Paul wanted Timothy, Apollos and whoever else may come to Corinth treated in the same loving way as he. We shouldn't treat some visiting missionaries with red carpet treatments and then barely entertain others as though they were less important. I've seen some people come to the church and are put in hotel rooms, potlucks are put on in their favor... everyone wants to host them for dinner!! and then... some are basically left on their own. It isn't right. Some are given both services to speak at and some are given 5 min in the morning and an honorable mention at night. Not right.

So... how do you get a church where sin isn't tolerated, everyone loves each other, gives to those in need, makes wise decisions, doesn't ask for what isn't their due, has pastors and teachers who are self sufficient??? AAAGGGGHHHHH! Mind boggling! Read the book!

By the way, guilted isn't actually a word (like AAAGGGGHHHHH is!!).. I just couldn't think of how to properly phrase that sentence so I used creative liscense there. Just because I can cuz its MY BLOG!

sometimes God gives you cool things to say

2007-05-05T17:07:00.000-03:00

Someone asked me today what was the catalyst to make the decision to make wholehearted decisions for God. I wish I could remember exactly how she worded her question, but we had systems failure and my memory is... 3rd trimester pregnancy... yeah.

This is my answer.

When I KNEW who Jesus really is and what He really did for me, what choice did I have?

I was saved at 4 and knew that Jesus died for my sins. When I was older and KNEW what He did for me, and saw who and what I was... a sinner who actually sinned... not a good kid... a SINNER!! How could I not choose to run with all my heart towards Him?

A speaker today told the difference between running to and running from. I'm no longer running from hell and the consequences of sin... I am running as hard and as fast as I can towards my Saviour and the lover of my very soul. Sometimes I fall. I get hurt. I get bashed, bruised and bloody but I CAN'T stop running.

Others may laugh and tell me its easier to stroll and picnic along the way, but I can't. I NEED to be near Christ. I am running towards the Father... Jesus is running with me, picking me up, cleaning the wounds with His word... still running. Jesus never says slow down, this
is a race.

When I am tired, hungry or thirsty HE gives me rest, food and water... its all Him.

How can I stop?

I can't. If I slow down, will one of my dear running mates kindly kick me in the rear and get me moving again.

Thanks.
The room is back up.. what timing... back to the conference!!

For DAWN and ANDREA and anyone else who stumbles upon this

2007-05-05T15:25:00.000-03:00

I am relinking this very cool
and yet controversial post on tithing. What is it? Do we actually believe what the Bible says about tithing? Where does God ask for money?

You girls go and read!! Pray for wisdom and discernment and let me know what you think.

ps BRF is late because I am at the Ultimate Homeschool Expo and having a ball. I will post tonight or tomorrow.

Gotta run..

TTFN!!

I have obviously failed

2007-04-30T14:37:00.000-03:00

I have failed at my job. My kids do NOT understand their own mother tongue... English. A simple request brings on a "I don't know what you mean!" type of response.
Please wash the dishes... brings "What ME wash dishes?? You don't mean the dishes on the kitchen counter? Me?? You mean someone else. I'll just go read a book!!"
Please bring down the books on poetry off the shelves upstairs... "Huh? What's that? Yeah, I know what a poem is, duh!! Yeah, I know what a book is. A book with poems in it? I don't think we have those. I don't know what you mean!"

I think I'm going nuts.
This is ridiculous!!
Feed the dog please... an hour later?
Did you feed the dog yet?
Oh, did you mean me? You looked at me when you asked but you didn't SAY MY NAME so I figured you didn't really mean me.

Was I this stunned as a child? No I didn't ask them that question.
They would tell everyone I said they were stunned. That they would remember!!

I'm going to pray now.
Should have done that before ranting!!!

Another Sunday towards peace?

2007-04-29T23:32:00.000-03:00

This was another weird one for the record. I really want to remember the steps we are taking to get through this church mess.. for lack of a better word.
We went back to our church.
The pastor's message was great. He is in 2 Corinthians as opposed to our BRF 1 Corinthians.
The sermon was on chapter 2 dealing with forgiveness, repentance and restoration. How apropos. It was hard hitting but left us with what do we do if no repentance is offered. You can still forgive and not trust y'know. Forgiveness is what we are called to do. Trust without seeing repentance on the other side is just plain old stupid!! Yet, we can be nice at the same time.
To begin this little story with... I'm not a really touchy type of person. I like my space. If I give a hug its gotta mean that I am completely comfortable with someone and genuinely like and trust them. I very rarely have ever spontaneously hugged my mother. I will hug her because that is something she seems to need... but its not real natural. I don't hug men that aren't my husband... and hate it when men seem to think that touching someone else's wife IN ANY WAY... except a quick hand shake.... is appropriate. Dave had to speak to someone about that this winter. This other man hugs all the ladies and was shocked that I would find it offensive, but he was sensitive enough to know that I don't hate or even dislike him. It ended well.
I love to hug my children, on the other hand. Almost any child. Definitely my husband!!! The occasional friend on special occasions.... not many.
Therefore...
It nearly bowled me over when the woman who has been slandering us, whose husband told us royally off, who had us pretty near blacklisted, who caused all the problems for us in the church, who I most definitely do not trust and am NOT comfortable with... ran down from the choir and made a big show of giving me a hug during the handshake/welcome/family of God time.
Dave admits I looked as repulsed as I felt. It was like hugging a snake.... rephrase.. being hugged by a snake. I didn't hug her back.
This was not what I bargained for. Who hugs people they have seriously wronged?
This was not an apology.
Remember waaaay back in high school when some guy you weren't remotely interested in, but were nice to cuz you were nice to everyone (yeah..), asked you out and you got that queasy sick feeling in your stomach cuz you felt on the spot in a bad way?
That was this morning in church.
In front of everyone.
With my husband laughing.
When she left I could laugh too.
None of the kids got what we were laughing at and hate that Dave and I have our little private jokes.
Not that this is all out...
Nothing else can floor me at church now. I hope.
I can now naturally counter the "Oh, you're back. We thought we'd lost you." comments with a smile and a "Nope, we are still at the same address and phone number. Sorry we missed your call." without missing a beat.
We have an answering machine and call display.
There haven't been calls.
It sure ends the conversation quickly!
I hope that isn't mean. "The kids have grown so much!!" is another comment. Its been 2 months they haven't grown that much!!
I haven't noticed that any of the other kids in the church have changed so much so I'm assuming mine haven't either. They haven't changed hair colour or styles. Same wardrobes. Same faces. We still aren't ready for evening service. That used to be my fave. Testimony and sharing times are sweet fellowship times. This is where the 2 things I actually shared in the 2.5 years we were there were twisted completely around and thrown back in my face.
I am waiting for healing from the Lord from that one.
I don't usually share in public either. Its my private space issue. All those people hearing my private thoughts is intimidating.
Its much easier to just blog everything and then let half the world ... including complete strangers READ my private thoughts.
Yep, I'm not making sense anymore.
Blogging is done for the day.
G'night.

BRF -- 1 Corinthians 5-8

2007-04-27T22:43:00.000-03:00

These are some tough chapters. Some of the issues here are heatedly disputed in the church and I have been called a legalist for going with some of it. I believe Paul is being extremely clear in these chapters of EXACTLY what he is speaking of. Those who say these are gray (or grey) areas are perhaps just looking to continue on with the status quo.
You can not act on 1 Cor 5-8 while still being tolerant of sin or politically correct. Its time to choose your side... or don't bother reading.

1 Corinthians 5:9-12 (New King James Version)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?

We are to stay away from those who are sexually immoral and claim to be brothers. We aren't even to eat with them. (No pot lucks or home visits!!)
This is something "loving" Christians these days refuse to do. There is one "couple" at our church who are living together while waiting for each of their divorces to go through and then will get married and expect everyone to congratulate them... and people will!! They thought it would be wonderful to get to know Dave and I better and have invited us into their home for dinner. He is a Bible school/seminary graduate and happens to be familiar with this text. He is actually rather on the brilliant side. By getting us to eat with them we are also committing a sin. We declined the dinner invite. They are not upset as there are others who will go.
The general consensus to these type of situations is that in a few years everyone will forget that they had chosen this route and will just treat them as any other married couple in the church. In this case each of them has a daughter with the same name so there will always be questions from new people!!
The Bible says clearly... STAY AWAY!!!

We have no call to hold the world to our standard... that would be ridiculous!!! We need to be reaching out to those who are lost and in sexual sins.
We have every reason, even a mandate to recognize this in the brethren and expect them to wise up and be holy... not to make a mockery of God's holiness.... even if it isn't what the church people call "loving."
When you bring this up in your church.. and we must... and people say "We can't do anything. To not even eat with them is unloving." Tell them to take it up with God and His word... which is perfect and infallible!! What if some of these people are your best friends? Remember Jesus said He came not to bring peace but a sword. If we aren't willing to choose Him first, we show we hate Him and are friends of the world.
Also, those in sexual sins certainly know it and they KNOW there are always repercussions for the choices they make. We need to be wise enough to be able to judge these situations according to God's word.

In chapter 6 Paul is reminding us that we are going to be judging the world someday. We need to show discernment in judging now. Ch 6 vs 2b ".. are you not competent to judge trivial cases?" When Paul gives us an open and shut case for what we are to do, it should be a trivial matter to simply follow directions. Not even a lot of gray matter used here.

We also need to be able to judge disputes between the brethren. I love Ch 6 vs 5 probably because we have been looking for a wise person to help mediate the problems at the church and have come up pretty empty handed (though we may have found one this week, praise God!!)

"I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?"
Can we all hang down our heads and admit that this is true? Are we wise enough? By God's grace soon we will have a resounding "YES!!!" from some ladies who are taking God's word seriously! We need to be wise. Our men need to be wise, not just in their individual business worlds, but in the Word of God. We need men that can stand up and say "Enough!! This is wrong and this is why. You can't do this and claim to be a disciple of Christ!!"

Someone who actually gets vs 12 ""Everything is permissible for me" -- but not everything is beneficial."
I've heard people quote the everything is permissible for me phrase... how many of them know that Paul was quoting what the believers in Corinth were saying and HE wasn't saying it I'm not sure. Yes, we have freedom in Christ. Freedom from the law. Freedom for what we eat, etc...
God still has reasons for laying things out the way He did though and we really should pay attention. For instance, God forbade eating pigs. It is not absolutely permissible to eat pork in any form. This is definitely NOT a sin. However, it is really hard on your body. We don't eat pork because it literally makes us ill. Ever tried the pouring coke on the pork roast and see what happens?? Little worms will make their way out!!
I guess we do eat some pig. We do enjoy ham.
Just not pork roast, loin or chops.
Definitely not chops.
How bout the shellfish thing? Another no-no according to the OT law. Those creeping things that creep on the bottom of the sea (lobster, crab, etc..) feed on dead flesh. Yep, if another creature dies, they are the vultures of the sea. Remember the Swiss Air flight that crashed off the coast of NS a few years back? That was also a bumper year for lobster. No joke. Dave still eats it, I am thankfully allergic and don't offend anyone at the dinner table by just sticking with the allergen thing. No one who just paid $30 for lobster in a restaurant wants to be told that they are eating sea vultures.

Moving on. (Thank goodness?)

Chapter 7

No one likes discussing this chapter with me... especially those who are in or have been in divorce proceedings. I simply don't care what their station in life is.. If I'm asked I state what I believe to be true.

Before Paul gets in to talking about marriage and when its ok to let your spouse go (very few reasons I might add) he gives this disclaimer.
Please read carefully.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (New King James Version)

10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

The Lord is commanding us not to divorce, but even if it happens (the next few verses say when it can happen with no guilt) we are to remain unmarried.

vs 39 states the ONLY exception to this rule... death of the spouse.

This corresponds exactly to what Jesus says in Luke.

Luke 16:18 (New King James Version)

18 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

I've been waiting for someone preaching on remarriage/adultery to connect these 2 verses. No one has while I've been sitting in the pew... but here ya go folks...
It doesn't matter if you do the divorcing or are on the receiving end of the divorce. If you remarry, you commit adultery. That is where the sin part comes in. Some reasons for divorce can leave you completely in the clear as far as sin goes, why mess it up by committing adultery afterwards?? Another marriage while the first spouse is alive is called adultery. Jesus said it. Paul (though not using the word adultery) makes it clear this is not to happen.

Chapter 8 and the weaker brother and I'm done.
Once again ... how did this get so long??

Vs 9 "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."
The youth pastor who has no problem with having a beer on the patio of the pub along the waterfront on a hot summer day.
The couple who make wine in their basement.
The woman who wears what she considers warm weather necessities such as tube tops and backless halters.
Camping every weekend in the summer so you become a 3 season church attender.
Are these sins? Probably not. Can they become a stumbling block for another and cause some to fall? Absolutely yes.
Lets just not go there.
There are so many really great things to do with the freedom we have in Christ.... like...
Actually visiting people on the Sabbath.
Resting when you can instead of having a prescribed day for it.
Speaking to others of different backgrounds and being allowed to go into their houses.
Not kissing your fingers to a wooden box every time you walk in and out of your house!!
Talking to God face to face.
Reading God's word and discussing it with fellow believers.
Having God speak directly to us as we open His word.
Having the Holy Spirit guide us to a divine appt with a stranger that changes your life.
Meeting strangers and finding them friends.
Having forgiveness from our sin and starting every day fresh.. and sometimes every minute!

Why go out of our way to do something that can cause a brother to fall?

That's my BRF for tonight. BRF could also stand for BRIEF... Not on this blog!!
Now I can read all of yours.... YEAH!!

Ultimate Homeschool Conf

2007-04-27T16:27:00.000-03:00

I am a new member of the Ultimate homeschool Conference and I'm lovin' it!!
For $25 American I can actually listen to many, many sessions on my own free time, read amazing articles, learn about new ways of teaching, get AMAZING free ebooks and treasures (even a lapbooking unit study on sled dogs the kids will love as they had their first sled dog ride ... mushing experience this winter) and lots more. There is still time to sign up if you are interested at Ultimate Homeschool Expo Ticket.
The $25 is if you sign up with a friend. Otherwise its $35. The site will be up indefinitely so you can have encouragement all year round.

I also found this article. I'd love to know what everyone thought of it.
Its a little long and a lot controversial and might just shake up one of our biggest "Traditions of man" beliefs that we have. Hope you are interested enough to take a look.

My BRF is gonna go on late when the kids are in bed.

I know I didn't BRF last week, I did read ch 1-4 several times though... more than I read the 5-8 that I will be posting on.. go figure!!

home again, home again, jiggety jig

2007-04-18T23:34:00.000-03:00

Well, I'm back from the big city!!
Cities I should say... lots of buildings, more cars, parking garages that never end...
Ok, how many people when they travel actually get to have a really good tour of a parking garage?? Not many.
Ang not only showed me around the parking garage but showed me how to play a GREAT game of Scavenger Hunt meets the Amazing Race.
We got a clue... a partial clue... and a panic button for the car and off we went to discover... we can't read a ticket for the garage which apparently tells you where to go and Ang is as blind as a bat regarding the huge cement posts in the parking garage. But that's ok, cuz we got to play this neat new game and she did, after all, carry the big suitcase!!
Aunt Anne, Angela and I had the most amazing time at the Kay Arthur conf. It was so far beyond anything I've ever been to. I don't know enough Bible. Simple as that. I have some new precept studies for me, the kids... oh and a few for Dave. We can get more later.
Thanks to A. Anne for the complete works of John McArthur in a box... Logos for the computer which also has a complete pastoral reference library.
Dave is gonna be cookin' smart!!!
We will be switching our reading programs to precepts studies beginning almost immediately. I need to order a few more things. They have an amazing kids line already and they are, of course, pumping out more studies faster than you can blink.
They have 4 studies to do the book of Genesis, 3 on the book of John, a couple on Revelation.. more to come there.. Jonah, James, Who is God?, How to Study the Bible for kids, on and on...
As a homeschooling Mom I have the rare privilege of having my kids study well what is important. Some of the precept upon precept studies are of post university quality. In those studies the book of Rev. takes over 2 years to complete. This is an exhaustive study!!
Of course most of them won't take that long.
You can also get studies that are 20 min per day and then some that are 40 min a week... one lesson with no homework that are wonderful for Sunday School classes.
http://www.preceptministries.ca/
This is the link to find out more info.
I'm not making so much as a penny for this blurb!!! I think its important.
Time is short. We need to prioritize.

Other than that. I ate too much this weekend. Lots too much!! Way to many desserts and that's ok!! I'm home now... except Dave was getting food for the weekend. Way to many unhealthy snacks at my home right now. I'm gonna weigh a ton when I have this kid.

Gwen and Luke are doing great. We are going up for a birthday party this weekend and I will get to meet the little(?) guy!! I'm wondering if he's getting enough attention... first boy... 4 older sisters.... maybe!
Hopefully Gwen gets her turn to see the wee man!!
Dave has toddled off to bed...
I must go too.

BRF Jonah and Kay Arthur

2007-04-15T00:07:00.000-03:00

All I have to say about Jonah is that it really bothered me.
After Jonah did the rebellion thing and the near drowning thing he was miraculously saved AND KNEW IT. Then he did his little messenger thing and threw a sulk fit that was worthy of any middle schooler. No offense kids, you can't help puberty!
Was Jonah 12?
Did he really through a snit fit at God?
God really can use anyone!!

However, we just finished up the most wonderfully awesome precept study conference weekend with Kay Arthur where we studied Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation, Hosea, Isaiah and Zachariah. I can not describe to you how incredibly real those sessions were and how the Bible came alive.
I purchased some of the precept studies and will be praying for an opportunity to share the word with more people.
It was amazing the people that I met, the divine appointments God had in store for me and some of the wonderful women that facilitated the appts and encouraged me. I do NOT believe in coincidences... one woman met me who upon finding out I was from NB absolutely had to have me meet a woman she just met from Halifax, who just happened to be sitting in the same pew as me in this ginormous church, who also happened to be staying with friends in Guelph, who also just happened to be going through a horrific time at her church even though she and her husband are standing firmly on God's word, who just happened to know the new pastor at the church that has really hurt us this winter and could offer the most amazing encouragement to me and could also give a good character reference to Pastor Chris and Sandy about us.
Do you think this is a coincidence??
We met in Brampton where neither of us had even stopped in before.
This appt was definitely set up by God.
If anyone EVER has a chance to go to a Kay Arthur or precept seminar GO!!!
Do not hesitate.
If anyone is looking to get to know the Bible better, get yourself a good precept Bible study. They have them on about every book of the Bible in weekly SSchool type studies, Inductive 15 min per day studies, and lets get down and dirty into the word with our sleeves rolled up precept upon precept study.
The time we have is short.
We need to prioritize.
As Kay said, "Instead of fighting the war we are in we tend to stay home and weave daisy chains."
This woman is 73 years old and gives everything of herself to see that as many people as she can in countries all over the world learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.
She has written about 100 Bible studies and books, learned the Bible like no one else I've ever seen, constantly travels around encouraging others to study and share, gives her best to the people at the conferences (she spoke for a total of 7 hours today... at 73!) and more.
What are we doing for the Lord?
Where is our energy going?
What are we teaching our children?
As homeschooling moms is the Bible our primary focus?
Is the study of God's Word more important than Math, science, history??
Why are we buying readers and other books to learn reading from when we can teach them with God's word?
If the knowledge of God's word is the most important subject they can learn, do we show that with the amount of time we spend in the word daily with our children?
They have treasure seeking kids Bible studies for kids. They are amazing!!
They will also be what my kids will be doing for reading from now on. There are so many studies we will not run out.
My kids need to be ready for service.
So do I!
Watch out world... here we come!!!

Welcome Baby Luke

2007-04-12T01:06:00.000-03:00

Welcome to the world Baby Luke McQuarrie.
Luke Gordon was born today at 1:29 pm.
He is already half grown at an amazing 11 1bs 12.5 oz.
Can we say OUCH!!
Gwen and Luke are doing fine.
I can't wait to meet him!!!!
Make that he was born yesterday April 11th as I see it is past midnight!

Don't even feel you need to read this... its really nothing!

2007-04-09T14:06:00.000-03:00

3 more days until takeoff!!!!
Caitlyn and I just folded an enormous pile of laundry which everyone helped put away.
One load in the dryer, one in the washer and we are caught up until at least suppertime!!
Caitlyn is making lunch... she's sure I'm never gonna get to it.. it is 2:00 after all.
I think the kids will all be going outside after lunch.
Except for the ones that are going down down for a nap.
Courtney is sweeping.
Justin is sleeping.
Jack is happy squawking.
Lunch is ready.
This has been a productive day.. so far.
I'm even having time to blog about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!

Not yer typical Easter Sunday Morning

2007-04-08T11:42:00.000-03:00

I really have to blog this Easter Sunday morning... when I should be in church... and am NOT!
You see, my boys have this tendency to dig big holes. I do not like this tendency at all. They are worse than the dog.
They dug a big hole in the driveway. I told them in no uncertain terms (insert yelling like a maniac) that this was dangerous and not in the least acceptable and they were to fill it in immediately.
They filled all right... with water.
This iced over and then snowed over and it appeared that the hole was taken care of.
Not.
Dave had taken the boys and Courtney to church in the car and I was going to follow a little bit later with the 2 girls that need to look perfect before they leave the house. I must admit they did look pretty good!!
We backed up the van and as I was about to go forwards the ice under the front wheel broke and down we went into the hole. That hole is pretty deep. The van is sitting on this sick little tilt and Caitlyn, Molly, Justin and I are not going to go anywhere!!
Molly and I have had our cry. She loves church. Easter morning happens to be my favourite service and we were not happy campers.
So we suck it up and decide to make our table beautiful and put together the most wonderful roast beef dinner that we can get up.
We even have Velveeta cheese to make sauce for the veggies... and new potatoes...
I wish church were closer so Dave could have come back to get us, but its 1/2 hour away and the service would be over before we got there.
I guess I should get the veggies prepared.
Happy, happy day!!

BRF -- Galatians

2007-04-07T23:49:00.000-03:00

Nothing too earth shattering this week.
I really enjoyed Galatians.
I love the way Paul doesn't beat around the bush... he jumps right into why he's writing this letter.
Greetings, blah, blah, blah... vs 6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- (7) which is really no gospel at all."
Hi guys WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU THINKING?
vs 10 really sums up how Paul is. "Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

I don't think anyone would accuse me to be a pleaser of men. I have plenty of problems, but I really could care less what anyone thinks of me. But I'm not so bold as Paul. He stood up to the core of Jesus' disciples, now the apostles. I love when he says that Peter was clearly in the wrong so he rebuked him in front of everyone. If you sin in front of everyone I guess being rebuked in front of all of them is fair. I just don't think I would ever do that!
The prophets of old rebuked in front of audiences.
Remember Nathan rebuking David about the Bathsheba/adultery/murder/cover up thing?
Maybe its loving to confront someone openly knowing they have 2 choices... hate you for life or repent publicly. Ouch.

Its so hard to not get caught up in the law. Freedom in Christ is a wonderful thing. Having the heart of Christ is a wonderful thing. Knowing the law helps to understand the holiness of God. The balance is being Christlike in His holiness and still free from the law. That is, for me anyway, a tough call sometimes.
I don't want to be burdened by a yoke of slavery, but what all is the law?
What are we free from? What about tithing? Is that part of the law? Is that still required today or is that the church trying to finance itself. If you are part of a home church do you still tithe? and to who? Is giving the way we are to go now? Does percentage matter? or does whatever we can give matter? Jesus said the woman with the 2 mites gave more than the Pharisees with their tithes. Did she give a tithe or what she had left from her meager store after she paid her rent and bought the groceries? Is all that she had everything until her next "paycheck" or all that she was ever going to have forever?
Sometimes all that I have is literally dumping out the change from my purse knowing that is it until the next pay... and it hasn't been a tithe. Thankfully we have had pay raises since. Where exactly is the freedom here?
Is it more important to give our tithe to the church for the newest gadgets they will be purchasing or to get christian curriculum for our kids to teach them at home? Does giving to registered charity make it a tithe and giving to an unregistered charity such as our homeschool make it not part of giving to the Lord.
Where does freedom come in and following the law go out?
I know that finances are not exactly what Paul is going with here, but this is the area of freedom vs the law that we keep struggling with. Everything we have is God's. We have a home to raise the children He gave us to raise, to offer hospitality to others in and to learn His word in. Our van is to not only schlepp our family around in, but to visit others and maybe even schlepp them around in. Everything we have is to be used for whatever purpose God has given them to us for. Most of all is to take care of and train our children to be warriors for His kingdom.
These are our busy at home with small children years which may not seem as productive as our get out and minister actively in the community years were (and will be again), but no less important. This is also the time when we have less money for tithing as the kids, bless their hearts, require a lot of upkeep!!
Freedom... law... freedom... law...
As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
This is the heart of the book. Chuck the law. Stop picking on the other believers... just do good to them... even the ones that are nasty to us.
Oh boy. That opens a new can of worms. What about those who have spent a good deal of the past year slandering us? What about the ones that have believed the slander and told us off and ignored us? How on earth do we do good to them?
Jumpins!! Wish I hadn't had that thought! Now I may have to go waaay outside my comfort zone and start actively loving some "enemies" that I don't even like.

I'm going to need some prayer for this one girls.
Did anyone notice this Bible just keeps getting sharper and sharper??
I really don't want to change... but how can I grow closer to the Lord and not change?
Ideas... anyone?

Did I say nothing too earth shattering this week? I feel like my world is about to be turned upside down.

Just another Monday

2007-04-02T23:30:00.000-03:00

Today we watched Dave sail into the bright gray yonder...
He's off to Chicago!!!
Thankfully the rain and snow held off until after the flight took off.
We were able to stay outside and wave as the plane took off and became a tiny speck in the sky.
Then, off to Wendy's for a drive through dinner and then to AWANA.
Last week Molly told her cubbies leaders that Mommy is having a baby and SHE is going to be the Mommy when its born.
The secret is out.
I am a surrogate mom for my 4 year old daughter.
She is "practising" with her dolls to feed it.
Yeah.
We have some interesting kids.
Everyone went to bed well tonight.
Even Justin only cried for a minute.
They all are hyped about our cleaning day tomorrow.
Whats up with that?
Matt has us on a schedule that he found in his reading book that has him sleeping for 9 hours, doing chores for 5 1/2 hours, eating for 2 hours, exercise for 2 hours, hunting relics for 2 hours, hunting and fishing... etc...
He's taking the hunting and fishing hours as free time.
Reading for 1 1/2 hours... that would be school work. If it goes over the 90 min he will take it from the choring hours.
He believes we all need to be up at 6am to take up our new lifestyle.
Oh yes, devotions after breakfast for 1/2 hour... "Do we have a bell? It would make it easier?"
Yesterday he grumbled about helping clean up for 15 min and he is now wondering how he can fill 5 1/2 hours with chores?? Think of the spit spot house I would have... inside and out.... if everyone did 5 1/2 hours of chores cheerfully every day.
Ok... I'll see how tomorrow goes. Even a few days of this could make a big difference!
I'd best get to bed and set the alarm for 7:30 am.
I refuse to get out of bed at 6am for no good reason.
Not only that..
Dave is calling me when he gets to his room tonight... er tomorrow morning between 1 and 2 am!! Hopefully I will answer the phone before it wakes all the kids!
g'night!

BRF -- Joel

2007-03-31T23:25:00.000-03:00

Joel is an interesting book, full of flavour and imagery. Its also a little scary and really exciting. It made me want to be Jewish and terrified to make the same mistakes the people of Israel made. It is both terrifying and wonderfully amazing to see how God has the control of the nations in His hands.
How often do I forget? How often do I just not see that God is in control? I go about life. I may even be praying that I will be obedient to the Lord and to be doing everything to His glory... but do I see Him at all? Do I see that he holds the nations in check, raises up and causes leaders to fall, blesses whom He will and punishes those who He loves and complacently ignore Him?
Nope. I alternate between "loving" Him by studying His word and praying and doing my best to live for Him, making "good" decisions and thinking I'm ok and... messing up... complaining, losing my cool... all of it, good and bad with not a true view of who God is.
There is no way to know all of who God is.
He is infinitely beyond the capabilities of my reasoning.
He is in charge of everything and everyone.... everyone on this planet... and those in the spiritual realm as well.
These Israelites forgot about God.
They were just like me, going about their daily business, doing the right things outwardly maybe, but not quite touching their hearts.
Ch 2 vs 13 says "Rend your hearts, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. (14) Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him -- a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God."
Lets take some time and interrupt our everyday lives.
Lets take some time and remember who God is.
Lets take some time to rend our hearts for our complacency towards our God.
Lets take some time to rejoice in the Lord our God.
Look who He is!!!
Look what He has done!!
In His great love, He shook them from their complacency. In His love, He utterly removed them from everything they knew to remind them who He is. To bring them back to fellowship... real fellowship with Himself.
Then... at the end... the blessings on those of the house of Israel. The amazing blessings that are still to come to them. I am a graft on the vine of the house of Israel. Do I deserve the amazing blessing showered upon the land and the people of Israel in the last days? No. I am not in the family line.. but I am adopted into the family.
Reading the end of Joel makes me want to relocate to Israel. I want to be there when their enemies are miraculously turned back and destroyed because of what they have done to the chosen ones of God.
There are amazing things in store both for the children of Israel and the children of God.
We need to wake up and take notice that our little worlds are not the end all and be all of God's plan.
We need to remember who God is... vast, unchanging, righteous, true, loving, forgiving, full of mercy, holy.
We need to remember what God is not... tolerant of sin, ok with being 2nd or later in our lives, complacent, politically correct or asleep.
We need to be watching what is happening in the middle east right now... and be praying for our prime minister as he stands up for Israel regardless of what the pundits in Ottawa are saying. Yes, we need to be a little bit political and pray for our nation. Will our nation be strong if we turn our backs on the chosen ones of God? No.
God is also in control of our nation. It will rise and fall because of the people of God in our land. Will we humble ourselves and pray? Will we take our responsibility to pray for our leaders seriously? Will we ask forgiveness for the sins of our nation? Do we? Are we teaching our children to?

How Can I Keep From Singing??

2007-03-31T18:37:00.000-03:00

Last night and this afternoon we did the run of the thrift stores. I really needed some new (to me) maternity clothes. Caitlyn was once again getting to tall for her britches and we love to not worry about how much something costs. If we love it... we buy it. I'm not going to go on about all the deals we got... except for the perfect maternity jeans that were in my size which NEVER happens and the sweet little tote bag for the Kay Arthur conference in less than 2 weeks from now!!!
The really cool thing happened on the way home. We were listening to our local Christian Radio station and Chris Tomlin's "How can I keep from singing" comes on. Justin starts singing along... in tune... not with words, just humming and aaaahing. It was so beautiful! We all just were in awe of our little 15 month old singing praises to God.
He kept on going with the other songs that came on and loved his little concert.
Most of the other kids sang before 2 (except Jack and Connor who danced to music, but didn't start singing until they were 3), but this is early for our family.
I can't help but be glad he's on key... at least we know he is really "singing" what he hears.
I'd better get these kids bathed so I can post my BRF, a day late again!!

Facing the Giants

2007-03-18T20:13:00.000-03:00

I'm not usually a person to recommend movies. Quite frankly there aren't many out there worth recommending; however, we saw "Facing the Giants" this weekend and I'm recommending it. Not only was it entertaining, funny and enjoyable for the whole family, it was also a Christian movie with a wonderful message... NOTHING is impossible with God.
I love asking Molly (4), "What is impossible for God?" She answers with, "Nothing, coach!"
Don't ya want your kids to see the movie now?
Amazing... I had 3 paragraphs here that just disappeared...
The part of the movie that hit home to me was the story of 2 men who prayed for rain. They were in a drought and needed the rain for their crops. One man prayed and one prayed and then prepared his crops for the rain. Who expected God to answer.
I have been praying, but expecting God to say no.
Mark 11:24 says "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
I need to pray believing and prepare for rain.
This is what I did Friday night.
I prayed for a blessing and changed my attitude to excited anticipation.
What would God do? How would he move? What would happen in the morning?
First of all, my husband thought I needed a break and didn't wake me up in the morning.
I didn't get up until 11:45 am. For those of you who can't sleep in, borrow my babies for a few nights. You'll be amazed at their nocturnal prowess and sleep when you can!!
That would have been enough.
I was rested enough to be productive and enjoy playing skip-bo with the kids.
Then I got a phone call from Aunt Anne. Aunt Anne and Cousin Angela asked me if I wanted to come visit and attend a Kay Arthur conference with them next month in Ontario. Of course I would love to, but its not possible for me financially to do that... but Kay Arthur!! Angela knows Kay Arthur is one of those women who has taught me much about how much Christ loves me and pushed me to know God better... through her wonderful Bible studies! As I'm declining I'm dreaming inside of how wonderful it would be to just be able to fly up to visit for a few days... then Aunt Anne is still talking ... "and I'd pay for your plane ticket and get you into the conference. Ang and I are going and we just think it would be so much fun if you were there too." After discussing it with Dave, he realized he had nothing pressing at the office and could his work from home for a few days and I'M GOING!!!!
I'm so excited. God chooses to bless when we prepare our fields for his blessing. I was preparing for His grace to sustain me when things were tough... and He marvelously sent His sustaining grace down. Now I'm ready for a blessing.
Jack, Molly and Justin are playing sweetly after a little veggie tales marathon here. They are singing the SUV silly song and the Busy, busy song from Flibber-o-loo and I'm seeing the blessing there too.
Molly what is impossible for God? "Nothing, coach!!"
She is now singing "Every step I take ... sha na na naaa na na"
Life is good!

BRF -- Mark 9-12

2007-03-17T02:22:00.000-03:00

Have you ever tried to tell someone something that is important to you and they just aren't listening? This happened to me about a week ago. The first time I was interrupted, I figured she just didn't hear me. Since what I had to say was important I tried again. Again she looked everywhere but at me and changed the subject. The 3rd time I was quite bold... "Hey, are you listening to me? I have something to say here. ...." Again, blown off. I wasn't really thrilled, but figured she'd figure this out on her own. Someone else could tell her, or not I didn't care anymore.

How do you think Jesus felt. He had something weighing heavily on his mind. I'm finding it brought up purposefully to his disciples 4 times and then put in a parable for everyone. What did the disciples just not get?? Jesus was going to die, and then rise from the dead.

If my friend said that to me I'd be asking some questions? Did I hear that right? What can I do for you? Why is this happening? How do you know? Lots of good questions.

What do Jesus friends do? The first time Peter takes Him aside and rebukes Him for it.

The second time they didn't understand what He meant and were afraid to ask Him about it. Maybe because Jesus yelled at Peter the time before!! Maybe they didn't care enough.

Right after He told them the 3rd time, James and John asked Jesus for a favor they had no right to ask for. "Yeah, yeah, you're gonna' die. We get it. Can we sit beside you in Heaven?" These disciples are classy guys. Are they even listening??

Again He tries to tell them... Can you drink the cup I drink?? .... Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Are they cluing in yet that He's going to die?

I think the teachers of the law and the elders got it in chapter 12. Jesus gives a parable of the tenants and how the tenants killed off all of the vineyard owners servants and then even killed his son. They knew Jesus spoke the parable against them. They knew they were plotting to kill him even then.

I know there was a lot in these 4 chapters to talk about. There is giving all we have whether its a lot or a pittance to follow Christ. There is the loving God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and loving your neighbor as yourself. The importance of paying taxes and recognizing the authority of the government. How God hates divorce and remarriage after divorce is adultery. How Jesus loves children and we had better watch to make sure we aren't causing any to stumble (a message for mom's as we have what it takes to crush or encourage our children's spirits). Not to mention squabbling over who is better than who and what Jesus thinks of that.

I was mostly impressed though on our denseness as followers of Christ. Not to be mean, but do we pay attention enough to the words of our Lord? Is His message resonating within us or do we brush it off, argue with Christ, nod and agree without having a clue what He really is saying or just rush through what He says (Bible reading) so we can say what we have to say (prayer).
I have to say most of the time I'm like the disciples. I rush through my reading and then feel I can say what I have to say without even cluing in that this is GOD talking to me. Instead of listening to His voice properly I'm waiting for the lull in the conversation so I can put in my 2 cents worth. I'm an idiot. Look at all the valuable learning time I have callously tossed away.

It took a good friend (usually) being a rather poor friend (one day) and not paying one bit of attention to what I had to say at all to help me see me in this passage. I'm not one bit happy with myself.

I love the verse "Be still and know that I am God"

Maybe because I have a hard time being still this verse has seemed so beautiful and other worldly. I need to be still more. I think for awhile its OK to even pray less fervently and just listen. He knows my heart and needs. I don't mean quit praying altogether ... like I could if I tried!! Just relax and let His words sink in. Reading the same passage over and over is helping though.

On to chapters 13-16!!

Amy's survey

2007-03-13T01:18:00.001-03:00

Every now and then I feel the need to complete a survey. I have no idea who Amy is, but I'm hoping this will help her!! I found this on Shannon's blog. I don't know Shannon very well either.. never in person or even on the phone... but I do know Shannon's sister and brother-in-law!!

How long have you been married?
15 1/2 years

How long did you and your spouse really know each other before you married?
6 months

Looking back, how prepared do you feel you were for marriage?
almost enough... not quite

If you have kids, how long did you wait before starting your family?
We didn't really wait. We wanted them whenever God wanted us to have them. Caitlyn was born 2 1/2 years after we were married. We had a miscarriage when we were married 14 months... on Christmas Day... in Calgary when our family was in the Maritimes... hard year.

How many children do you have and what are their ages?
We are expecting #8 in July. Caitlyn is 13 next month, Matt is 10, Connor is 9 today!!, Courtney is 7, Molly 4, Jack is 3 and Justin is 14 months.

What challenges have you faced at this stage in your marriage?
We have both babies and puberty here. I'm tired and they aren't. We are always looking for Christian friends that believe the Bible is the final authority and not our feelings. Much tougher challenge than we thought especially when our kids are reaching the ages where they are interested in other views outside our family.

If you have kids, has your relationship changed since you've added them to your family?
yes

If so, in what way(s)?
We have a real need to work together for our family. When we don't spend the time we need together WITHOUT THE KIDS we work at cross purposes at times which can cause real stress.

What resources or support systems do you have that benefit your marriage?
I read a lot. I depend on women such as Elizabeth George, Anne Ortlund and Nancy Leigh DeMoss for their wisdom, honesty and at times a good kick in the behind... all from the pages of their well written books. I have been longing for a wise Titus 2 lady to mentor me for years and never found one. Someday I hope to be a good resource or support for another young struggling mom... or more!
The Bible of course is the best resource I have. If I can be the wife the Bible has outlined for me, life would be so much better. When I am struggling to make myself my husbands Holy Spirit, I make a mess of things. Being the "weaker" vessel is a wondrous blessing for my husband, children and myself.

What advice do you have for young couples contemplating marriage and starting a family?
First of all, make your relationship with the Lord your highest priority. Being married is tough. Everyone else seems to think they know what is best for your family when the simple fact is God is leading different families in different ways. Seek the Lord together. You may think that you will automatically want to pray and search the scriptures together always, but you have no idea how Satan will try to destroy your marriage. Its work. Nothing is automatic except sin and selfish behaviour... even yours. Take responsibility for your faults and let the Holy Spirit work in your spouse to lead them to take responsibility for theirs.

AND THE BIGGY......What is/are the biggest need(s) that you have as a husband/wife at this stage in your marriage? If you can only take the time to answer ONE question, please answer the last one!
The biggest need we have at this stage in our married lives is to commit to prayer and Bible study together. My husband even went out and bought a special book for us to do about 3 months ago and we have never opened it together. It is tough to find the time... this has been the hardest winter we have had on many, many levels... and we both want to. We just have to get together and do it.

Ok, that was really honest and who knows who is going to read this!
My husband will for one thing... Hi D!!
Hope this helps Amy.
I should check your blog to see if you are a christian... this may be drivel to you if you aren't.
Oh well, you ask strangers for help... sometimes you get drivel, sometimes gold.

Happy 9th birthday Connor

2007-03-12T15:03:00.000-03:00

Happy Birthday to Connor!! He's 9!!
He is also wonderful enough to put his party off until next weekend when (as he puts it) we'll have some time for him. His big gift of the day is no schoolwork and he's quite thrilled with that.

BRF-- Mark 5-8

2007-03-12T01:11:00.000-03:00

Once again... late... sorry.

What struck me most about this passage was the many times that people were amazed at what Christ was doing. He did many, many miracles in this passage. Demons cast out, blind see, dead brought to life, crowds fed, water walked on, etc...

Everyone was amazed, and rightly so.

After healings and demons cast out and the dead raised Jesus goes home for a visit and HE was amazed at their lack of faith. They didn't even have faith that Jesus could do for them what He was doing for everyone else. Sad. These were the people He would have most loved to help. His lifelong friends and family and they wouldn't be helped.

I love that the disciples didn't get it when Jesus fed the 5000, so He repeated the miracle and they still didn't get it. Do I get what Jesus really wanted us to know? I can see His loving care for our needs and we don't need to worry. I also see the foreshadowing to His death. His body broken for us is more than "just" the body. After being broken it becomes sustenance for all with more left over for others. There is no end to His salvation.

Is there more? Most likely.

How wild to see your friend come running over the water!! No wonder Peter is finally at the point where He knows for sure who Jesus is, the Christ, the Son of God! The disciples have been there for the whole ride and are now ready for this amazing truth. This is no ordinary man, its God.

The graveyard, demon, dead raising thing is still really creepy for me. This is the part of Jesus that I fear... not afraid of mind you, awesome fear. This is the stuff that is so far outside the realm of my experience that I like to gloss over it. I have never liked scary stuff and shun occult activities... Christ just fights it... and wins every time. Creepy, but ultra cool and totally powerful.
I'm amazed that the Pharisees dare to test Jesus. How blind could they be? They just out and out refuse to see the truth and are missing out on soooo much. They could be chatting with Jesus and getting the answers to the questions they have always had. They could be healed and have family members healed. They could be fed in soul and body, but they refuse. They would rather be empty and unfulfilled than admit they were speaking to God. And they called Him unclean!!! ai-yi-yi!!

Whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit His soul?

Back to priorities again. I am so struggling with this. The more I am desperate to have my priorities straight the harder this road is. This must be of extreme importance as I am feeling the battle between my old nature and new one constantly lately.

I often wonder why God allows the struggle. I want to lose my life for the gospel but my life just won't die for the gospel. I know what I mean even if no one else does. This is not literal, I'm not suicidal... I just want it to be easy. I want the old man to stop breathing completely so I can do what I want... be faithful to the word and to prayer.

Mice again

2007-03-08T16:09:00.000-04:00

We have a mouse in the ceiling over the computer. I hate the scrabbly scratching sound. We have 2 cats!!!! You'd think they would at least react to the noise.... since the kids have been watching Cinderella, and think this is great! They actually would like to dress the horrid things.
I'm not too thrilled with cats either.
We have them to kill mice... we live in the country so mice are a fact of life... but those cats sure aren't worth their salt. They do kill the mice outside.. I guess inside must be a refuge.

Caitlyn is talking to Gramma (my mom) who was given 2 big bags of dress clothes for Caitlyn. Mom wanted to know when we are going down... she asks me at least every week and I keep telling her not until May. She says that asking doesn't hurt (just drives me crazy). I asked her when she was coming up with the clothes and that annoyed her. She is busy y'know... I do know and so am I. Now Caitlyn is asking over and over when Gramma is coming up... I hope Gramma sees how annoying it is and stops asking me!!

I should ask Mom to send the stuff with Jodie.

If you want to know, just read

2007-03-04T15:15:00.000-04:00

My husband is on the roof again!!
This is a scary time for me as the boy has a definite tendancy to fall. The snow up there is melting though and being blocked by more snow so its leaking through the porch roof. There will be some roofing done this summer!!
The snow is coming off well and I have the curtains open to save my DH in case of a fall!!
Molly and Jack are "resting", the older 4 are outside and Justin is playing at my feet. I love moments like this... quiet and happy!!!
I am soooo disappointed today. I really loved the Wesleyan church, the people, the service, the worship...
We had the pastor in yesterday.
We had 3 main issues that we cannot back down from...

- the foundation of the church as laid out in Timothy and Titus
- remarriage of believers after divorce
- women in the pulpit/deacons

We believe if the church is set up properly (as Paul so painstakingly spells out in his letters to the new pastors Timothy and Titus) many of the problems in the church will be taken care of by the godly men who are in charge.
There will never be a problem with watering down the word so it is more palatable to the masses.
It is clear throughout scripture that if a person is divorced they are not to remarry as long as the other is still alive. Too many scriptures back this up to mention... I am not interested in a debate!!!
It is also clear that it is abominable for a woman to be in authority over a man... again not open for discussion ... that is how it is worded in scripture!

This pastor feels that all these things are ok and that God's grace will cover it all. The apostle Paul would have more than a few words for that attitude.

Yes, God's grace covers any and all sin, but how can we choose to ignore what God says in His word?

Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"

Can we join a church who believes in easy believism and just trust that God's grace will cover it? No. We need to belong to a body of believers who can look at God's word and say... "God says it. I believe it. That settles it." not "Yes, God says THAT but I believe....."

This really hurts as the people in this church are so wonderful! Will we ever find a church for us? Spirit and truth. Not one without the other. Love, grace, truth, freedom and joy!
Obedience is freedom. Truth is joy. Christ is love and grace.
How horrible to miss out on freedom because the word is not enough.
Dave will be calling more churches this week.
Most of em have the gospel down pat. Ok, we're saved now, let's go a little deeper!!!

Matt and the kid across the street are keeping an eye on Dave. The shoveling has stopped. Hopefully its done and the ladder can go away until summertime!

Justin has taken off.

Dave might be able (most likely can) to get permission to do his work from home. He does all his work on the internet and telephone anyway. There is money alloted from his dept to pay for his office space at work. If we can finish the house and sell it we can move.... anywhere with good internet access. He should be getting a raise soon too.
If anyone out there knows of a good, Bible BELIEVING, soldier equipping church out there. Give us a shout!!
I think there is a new one in Quispamsis that is really good, but that would mean going back to Quispam which is becoming very expensive. We'd really like to live where its not so pricey!!

Oh great, Matt's on his way up the ladder!! I'm just not going to look!!!

BRF -- Mark 1-4

2007-03-02T22:30:00.000-04:00

This was not a great week of reading for me. After reading Psalm 119 last week and wanting a real desire for God's word, I failed. Wanting and choosing to read are 2 different things. I need to do better.

On to Mark 1-4.

This was a crammed pack 4 chapters. There is no way to touch on all of it and not be long winded. I am trying to make these shorter (ha ha!).
What a scary time period. That was one thing that jumped out at me. First of all, politically it was a mess. There was great fear of the Romans and the Jewish leaders. Then there is this weird guy preaching in the wilderness. He's like no one they've met before.. a wild man who is preaching "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" The men probably think this is great... no TV remember? This is high entertainment! But this is really kinda weird. Then this other guy shows up, gets baptized and Heaven makes itself known. Ever wonder what the voice of God sounds like? The VOICE OF GOD... SPEAKS!!
This is not normal.
This is kinda weird and scary... and cool.
Is it any wonder that Peter, Andrew, James and John took off from their nets when Jesus called them?? How could they not know what happened out in the wilderness. Most likely they were even there to see it. GOD said this was His son!!!
I'd jump and run too. I'd probably be a little freaked out, while being amazingly honored that He would choose me to go with Him!!
Here's another weird thing... He casts demons out of people and they leave with a shriek. Again, would you be scared?? I would. I think its amazing that demon possession seemed to be so normal. Is it normal now and we just don't recognize it?
Jesus job was to go around and preach to the villagers. I wonder if He was mentally preparing Himself for that guy... y'know, the one with leprosy... the one that didn't obey as well as the departing demons did. Jesus said go, get cleansed at the temple and DON'T MENTION THIS HEALING THING TO ANYONE!!! Its ok to use caps and !!!'s because Jesus spoke strongly to this particular gentleman who promptly disobeyed and Jesus life was changed forever. No more easy travel and quiet visiting. Now He was a travelling sideshow!
There were crowds everywhere!! He was able to get away early in the morning to pray. It must have been really early. Remember, there was no TV, theater, hockey games, etc... to entertain these people. They came in huge crowds to check out this novelty, this faith healer.
The Jewish leaders were getting antsy. People now wanted Jesus opinion instead of theirs. Many were there for the show, a good many were there as seekers of the truth. God had been silent for hundreds of years!! How terribly exciting that God was on the move again!!
Gotta love the family, they thought He was bonkers. The Jesus they grew up with did NOT heal and perform miracles and speak to multitudes of people. He was a quiet carpenter who they thought was delusional and they were coming to take the dear boy home!
Meanwhile, the crowds were getting so big Jesus had to speak from a boat. I always wondered at this until it dawned on me this week... there were no microphones... just one man and a big crowd! Without an amphitheater the best way to speak to a crowd was over some water. If you've ever been near the water, you'll know how well sound travels over water!! There are a lotta maritimers here... even Charlotte County ones!! who would get this concept! Jesus on a boat, crowd along the shore... He talks, they can all listen... brilliant!
What a good job to grab the guys with the boats. They either have 'em or know everyone with one around the Sea of Galilee.
I missed one of these parables. I don't reacall ever reading the Parable of the Growing Seed. It never clicked I guess. Seeds that we sow for Christ, whether we are there to take care of them or not, have a habit of sprouting. The kingdom of Heaven will advance regardless of us. Little seeds grow, sprout and are ready for the harvest and we don't know how!! We don't need to know, God knows. We cannot make seeds grow and sprout. God can.
I have heard that the only thing that matters is bringing souls to the Lord. I disagree. The only thing that matters is that we are faithful to sow the seed. We may never know what happens to it. We may never see any harvest for any seeds we sow, and feel like we have failed the Lord. I've heard of missionaries going 25, 30 years and never seeing a convert. Did they fail? NO
They sowed the seed. The harvest is up to the Lord.
I love the boat story. Jesus is trying to take a nap. The storm acted like my kids when I try to take a nap... pestered the Lord until He woke up! "Quiet, be still!!" He says, just like its my naughty kids but unlike my kids the storm obeys immediately!!!
This even terrifies the poor disciples!
What kind of person is this??
They'll find out!

Book Review -- Psalm 119

2007-02-24T21:47:00.000-04:00

This was a little different than the last few books. The theme of the book was pretty consistent with subtle variations in each stanza.
This is the story of how loving God's word and obeying it changes a sinful man into a confident, strong and wise man of God.
It made me realize (as I do every time I read this, one of my fave chapters) how little I really love God's word. Do I pant after it?? Faint in my bones for it??? Seep myself in it morning, noon, and in the middle of the night? Is it the first thing I reach for in the morning? The last thought of my mind before I sleep?? Basically, is this my addiction? My strength? My everything? Nope.
I like God's word. Enjoy it. Need it. Know it's the basis for my belief, my salvation. But do I love it? Do I want to be with it more... even as much as... my husband, kids, housework, IKEA catalog, my blog, etc??
Why is my life not victorious like King Davids??? I don't LOVE God's word.
My love for God is love for a father.
For Christ, He is my everything.
This is His love letter to me.
What will happen in my life WHEN (not if) I love this book the way King David did??

Here are some promises..

I'll be blameless v1&2 "Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the
law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes, and seek Him
with all their heart."
Not part of their heart. Not half heartedly, whole heartedly. Not because I have to
seek Him, because it is my hearts desire.
I'll not be put to shame v5&6 "Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying you decrees! Then
I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands."
When I consider God's word and where my life should be, I am put to shame. I'm not
blameless.
I'll be pure vs 9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."
Here is hope. I can keep my way pure. I can choose to be proactive today. I can be
more faithful in reading, faithful in prayer. Past mistakes do not need to mold my
future.
I can keep from sinning vs 11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might no sin against
you."
I need to memorize God's word. This is something I used to do a lot of, but not so
much anymore. Even if I'm learning the AWANA verses with my kids, that's some-
thing. That will help to keep me from sinning. Wow!
There will be strength in my sorrow vs 12 "My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me
according to your word."
There have been many times when this has proved to be true. In the times of my
deepest sorrow, God has been my strength; so much so that its almost difficult to
readjust to my regular world where that extra strength is not needed. I love the
'according to your word' parts. David knows what is in God's word and is claiming
promises he knows are his. When my soul is weary, God will strengthen me. I need
to know God's word, so I can claim these promises.
I can choose vs 30 "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws."
This is the one thing I can do that really can please God. I can choose the way of truth.
This is following Christ who is the truth. I can read his precepts, accept them as truth
and be obedient.
He sets my heart free vs32 "I run in the paths of your commands, for you have set my heart
free."
I love this one. When I run, not hesitate, in way God commands He sets my heart free!
Not just my spirit, my heart!! I can live in freedom without feeling like I am missing
out, not with depression or in bondage to sin... truely free!! I need to know His word to
be able to obey and then I'm FREE!!
Freedom again vs 45 "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts."
I will have comfort vs 52 "I remember your ancient laws, O Lord, and I find comfort in them."
I can find delight even when I am slandered against vs 69-71 "Though the arrogant have
smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. Their
hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. It was good
for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."
I've been in the position of being slandered before... a few times... smeared with lies is
just the right way to say it. Those sticky lies that no matter how hard you try to wash
off, just seem to spread and spread. If I focus on those lies I AM MISERABLE. This
is experience talking. I have been quite miserable for the last couple months because
of this very thing. It has taken my focus off the word, even as I am reading the Bible
my focus has wandered to "Why are they doing this to me?" If I am delighting in
God's word the slander won't be important. I want to say it is good for me to be
afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
I will find comraderie with God's people. vs 74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see
me, for I have put my hope in your word."
I want to rejoice when I see others who put their hope in God's word too. So many
christians put most of their hope in themselves, my hearts desire is to know more of
those who truely trust the Lord... as theirs is to find like minded folks as well.
I will be able to fully trust who God is vs 89&90 "Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm
in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations."
God is still the same faithful God that He was in King David's day. His word is eternal.
It reminds me of the commercial for Peanuts videos "Their for me, for me, for me."
Through all generations means mine too!! Eternal encompasses THIS time.
I will be preserved in this life. vs 93 "I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have
preserved my life."
I counted. This little phrase "preserved my life" (once sustained my life) is mentioned
12 times in this chapter. I've heard that if its mentioned 7 or 12 times, take notice. Its
really important. I need to remember that my life is absolutely preserved when I am
living in obedience to God's word until God in His perfect timing takes me home.
There is nothing on earth that can change that... note Job for instance. I can live in
freedom and not in fear, because God is preserving my life. There was a well loved
preacher here in these parts who served the Lord with all his heart, until he started
living a life of sexual sin. He thought he was "above the law" and stayed in his pulpit
even though other men of God warned him not to trifle with God. He refused to either
change his lifestyle or leave the pulpit. The result? A "freak" accident that killed him
instantly. This is serious stuff folks.
I will have wisdom and understanding vs 98&100 "Your commands make me wiser than my
enemies.... I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your
precepts."
God will direct my life vs 105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
I will have a refuge vs 114 "You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your
word."
I will gain understanding vs 130 "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding
to the simple."

This is confidence vs 140 "Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them." With the practice of reading, testing and proving God's word comes the confidence that this really is God speaking through the written word. This isn't just a book, or just a special book, this is the actual word of the Holy Almighty God written to me. To give my life direction, to give me hope and a promise of a future. I need to eat it up. To crave it, long for it with all my being. Not to read as a duty because its the right thing to do. To join with David as he rises before dawn and through the watches of the night to meditate on God's promises.
To close (yes its finally over) I want this to be my heart song vs 171 "May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees."
I want the overflow. I want God's praises to spill out all over my life as I get closer to God as He teaches me. I want my family first to see a difference. I want God to look so good to others they are asking me if I know Him and how they can too.
First I need to learn to love His word.
Thankfully the Lord can teach me how.

Getting back to normal... whatever that is

2007-02-21T23:24:00.000-04:00

Just a thought... Putting titles to these ramblings is ridiculous. How do you title "I have nothing to say but I'm saying it anyway??"
Actually, that wasn't bad. Matt called tonight. He is in Toronto on his way home from Edmonton. He sounds happy and is glad he's coming home. The company manners for over 2 weeks are hard to maintain when you are ten.
Caitlyn went to youth group for the first time tonight. Dave was working late so I called a family from church that lives way out here in the boondocks with us. Their daughter wasn't going, but their son and his buddy were so Caitlyn got to go in with 2 boys. I'm not sure if that was a good thing or not. Certainly in a couple years she'd see it as a good thing, now its just embarrassing. She had a blast and they went to Tim Horton's afterwards. It was a good evening.
When Lana said they could drive her it was at 5:45 tonight. She mentioned that Cait would have time to have a bite to eat before she left, but we were done dinner. She actually wanted to know my secret. You'd have to live here to realize what a joke that is. This was the first time in about 3 weeks we ate supper before 7:30!!! When I'm sick in the morning the whole day gets put back a few hours. I wasn't sick today!!
In fact, when Cait left at 6:30 the dinner dishes were done and the kitchen, dining and living rooms were all clean. School work was even done to my satisfaction.
Unfortunately, Dave came home at 10:45 tonight sick and missed out on the fact that we actually had it all together today. Maybe next month we'll have another all together day.
I did have to cancel physio though because Jack wasn't up to snuff still. I'm not sure if he's sick or teething. Justin is teething, and boy can he yell!!
Dave has a rather important meeting in Saint John Friday. Hope he's well enough to go.
According to the spellcheck, I can't spell my own daughter's name.
Since I can spell everything else, I'm not worried.

Another Day in the Life

2007-02-21T11:32:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning started "officially" with the alarm clock going off and Justin throwing up all over my bed and pillow. I had just thought the night before that my laundry was all caught up, folded put away and there wouldn't even be enough to fill a load yesterday. That idea was soon squashed. Amazingly, I couldn't find the time in the morning to change those sheets and my room was getting really stinky.... so were the babies. Justin was changed and then I tossed Jack up on the bottom of my bed that was still clean and out squished.. you know.. from Jack's diaper on my blankets that escaped the baby puke. This time I started the laundry going and had major little boy clean up as well.
We were still happy and doing well. It seemed that we might have been doing well in the school dept too. And then, as I was starting supper, late because I got on this thing.. another story.. I realized it was Tuesday... PHYSIO NIGHT!!! AAGGHH!!!
We all got ready and dashed out the door, drove down the road, realized we forgot my bank card which should have been in my wallet, drove home again, got the card, had to get gas and were 15 minutes late for physio... just to find...
Physio is Wednesday night this week.
Now we were all the way in town so we went to the grocery store. The big kids went to the dollar store to pick out a treat while I did groceries with only Justin and Jack. It was actually very enjoyable. We were quite relaxed and were even able to help out an elderly lady pick out hot chocolate for her grandkids. She thought picking up hot chocolate would be no problem at all until she saw the 40 or so different kinds at the superstore. We prefer the no name (bulk size, of course) brand as it has the best flavour and is definitely the best priced. Then we can afford marshmallows too! We saw her again in the marshmallow aisle. She was so thankful she ran into us as she had promised them marshmallows and forgot. Our mission to help one person was accomplished!!
The big kids met us as we were going through the checkout.. perfect timing and off we went home.
As we drove in the driveway with 2 sleeping babies, I knew I didn't have what it took to haul in groceries and babies, so made a deal with the kids. They could eat KD for supper after they brought EVERYTHING in from the van. I would bring in the babies. Jack is too heavy when he is asleep, but in he came and I plopped him on the couch admiring how sweet he looks when he is conked out. Justin is so much lighter after Jack!! He woke up when I opened his door and giggled and giggled when I took him out. Tonight will be soooo much better than this morning I thought... until I walked back in the door.
Jack is now vomiting on the floor... all over his coat and everyones boots.
Caitlyn decided if they were having KD, she would most likely have to make it, thankfully! By the time the KD was DONE Jack had been cleaned up twice. I think everything he vomited on was clean. I had remade my bed as I was putting through my 4th load of laundry on my laundry free day. Justin now decides to hurl as well. My house stinks, I stink, the boys are semi-stinky and Caitlyn says "Would you like your dinner now, or do you think you are going to throw up too??"
Did I mention morning sickness is back? The morning was a treat to get through, but afternoon and evening I'm fine. Good thing!
The kids got to bed after 10. They thought this was great. Dave called and still had more work to do and wasn't leaving quite yet. The guy should get a medal for all he has been doing for work this year!
I lay down with Justin and asked Caitlyn to remind Dad to bring in wood when he got home and promptly fell asleep with the baby.
This left Caitlyn and Connor still up with NO MOM!! They slept in the living room last night.
Today is going to be better.
No one threw up ... not even me.
We have plenty of groceries.
I know I have physio tonight and can plan accordingly.
I have no laundry to do today!!

Blogger update

2007-02-19T00:17:00.000-04:00

I have updated to the new blogger. I think it actually is easier than the old one. The spell check works!! It didn't before. That should clean up some of the mistakes from my end! I also like my new look. This layout looks more like me. I don't know what my girls will think as they liked the pink!! Oh well, they can start their own blogs if they want. Everything switched over perfectly and I'm as happy as a clam in high tide. If you don't understand the last statement your aren't a real maritimer!!

First Wesleyan.. 2nd week

2007-02-18T23:40:00.000-04:00

We went back to 1st Wesleyan again. We really enjoyed hearing the pastor speak this week. He spoke straight from the heart and we were both encouraged and challenged. Molly went to her Sunday School, er foundation building class no problem this week, but balked at Junior Church. She said she'd go to that next week. Jack knew right where to go and his teacher told me he was the perfect child.... happy, smiley, quiet, participated in everything when he was supposed to... Jack's my boy!! He loves it there. Justin is not so sure. He cried for a bit. Connor and Courtney know what to do and where to go... no probs. Caitlyn is a little stressed that we are going there and not Kingsley where her buddy Daniella is.

Soooo... We took Daniella with us tonight. There is a youth service which they went to, Connor and Courtney spent time in the gym with Pastor Karl and Dave and I went to the adult small group study. It was a great evening.

Afterwards we met a couple and found out she is Dad's first cousin! That was fun. We now have "kin" at the church. That sure makes a person feel at home. Hope's dad was Dad's fave uncle.

Just as we were about to leave I asked Caitlyn to hold Justin so I could put on my coat. She was just holding him when he started throwing up all over the place. Cait was not impressed. This was not how she wanted the kids to think of her on her first night at the youth group. Oh well, at least they won't forget her!!! There was another Caitlyn who attended the youth service for the first time and she and my Caitlyn hit it off. Daniella wants to go back. All in all it was a good day!!!

We still haven't heard from Pastor Chris from Kingsley. I think Dave will have to email him.

BRF Ephesians.... late again!

2007-02-17T12:48:00.000-04:00

Last night, as I waited my turn for the computer I was going over Ephesians again and praying on what to say in my review... and fell asleep. I think God wants me fully alert for this one!

I love the book of Ephesians. Whenever I am overwhelmed, or feeling like I'm just not making it as a real follower of Christ, whenever I don't know what else to read... I turn to Ephesians. The first 2 chapters are like my ultimate comfort food. No matter how I see myself, no matter how anyone else sees me... He chose ME before the beginning of the world, that I should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined me to adoption as a daughter by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory ofHis grace, by which he made me accepted in the Beloved.

Why on earth should anything else matter? When I know... not just in my head but in my spirit... that this is true how can I be upset about anything else? I obviously need to read this more. When my life is off kilter and I'm grumpy and worried and stressed and sinful (most days) , I need to open my Bible and read this. I think I should cross stitch a sampler of it! Its on my to do list now.

I am so glad Paul took the time to pray for spiritual wisdom for the Ephesians; it reminds me to do that for myself, family and friends. I love praying scripture for people, but its amazing how far Satan goes to stop me from doing that. I'm taking a short break right now to pray this prayer for my BRF buddies. Back in a few........

I'm back.. did you notice this? The same power with which He raised Christ from the dead is now directed toward us!! This is an exceeding great WORKING power! It gives me such a thrill (that sounded like my mom, but its the right word!!) to know that this amazing power is now working to to change me into the likeness of Christ.

The language in ch 2 continues to amaze me... I'm gonna paraphrase again, get ready!

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loves me, even when I was dead in trespasses, made me alive together with Christ (by grace I have been saved), and raised me up together, and made me sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards me in Christ Jesus. For by grace I have been saved through faith, and that not of myself; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest I should boast. For I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that I should walk in them.

This is such a personal passage. Its all about Christ and what He has done and I get all the benefits of His amazing love and grace. The NIV uses the word "lavished"... He is lavishing upon me the completeness of His love, mercy and grace, not because I deserve it but just because He loves me. This is the only too good to be true issue that is actually true.

Now we see the great mystery... as a gentile, I am allowed into the Holy of holies... the very presence of God, because His son became the propitiation for my sin. I can now be a partaker of His promise in Christ.

Here is another verse I love... personalized again..
Ch 3 vs 14-20
For this reason I (Paul) bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jusus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant Martha, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner being, that Christ may dwell in her heart through faith; that Martha, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height -- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that she may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen

I'm now ready for the book to be over... but its not. Now that I know what it is that Christ has done for me, and how He loves me, and will forever its time to know what I am to DO.

I heard on the radio a week or 2 ago... Receiving eternal life is free, following Christ costs something.

I could just stop reading the book and everything it has said so far will remain true. Nothing that I do or don't do will negate what Christ has done for me. But how can I not want to obey Him?! I agree with what Charmin said a few weeks ago; I love order. I love boundaries. I love knowing what to do, where to go, how to act, what to say, etc...

Chapters 4-6 go from the doctrinal to the practical. Once we "get it" we are to start "living it" in every area of our lives... in our church, our marriage, our place of employment. Quite simply we should be living out our salvation in every area of our life. I may be just a little part of a big body, but I should be doing my utmost to be living out this life so that my part is a healthy part. The first thing I should be focusing on is not rushing out to do, do, do.. but to put on the new man.. to be an imitator of God, as dear children. How can I imitate what I do not know? I need to know God more, to study His word, to speak to Him constantly and to imitate Him. And when I forget to focus on Him, I don't imitate Him. I forget what He looks like so quickly. When my kids look at me, do they see Christ? Certainly not as they should.
Am I longsuffering, kind, full of love, mercy and truth? Am I wise, compassionate and forgiving?
Or am I crabby, nitpicky and impatient?
Is my aroma sweet smelling?? Or does my attitude stink?
Do I only speak what is good for necessary edification or do my words hurt and tear down?

I'm stopping now to remember that God created me for His good pleasure and the exceeding great power that raised Christ from the dead is working in me to make me like His son, because on my own power I'm all the negatives that are up in the previous paragraph. In His power I can be all the good. How??

Its quite simple. I need to be prepared.... armed even. I just can't go around with the sword of the spirit waving it around like a maniac. I need to get ready. I need to gird myself with truth, wear the breastplate of righteousness (mine is as filthy rags, Christ's righteousness is what I need to hide behind), my feet need to be shod with the gospel of the gospel of peace (the gospel is the base of everything I do). I need to not only have a shield of faith, but know how to use it. Unused faith makes us weak and defenceless. The helmet of Salvation protects my mind and the proper use of the sword of the spirit with slay the enemy. Its not enough to know that I have all this armour, if I don't put it on I am defenceless. I also need to pray, pray and keep praying. I need to ask God how to wear my armour correctly. I need to pray for strength for my brothers and sisters regularly. I need to pray for boldness.

The Christian life is not a picnic, its a battlefield. We need to train our children to fight, not just play around with their armour. There are standards we need to live out in our love for Christ. How can we do less? Without what He has done I am just another lost soul without hope, living in darkness.

This has been very long. Sorry. I needed to verbalize it all for me... so I will remember.
Now I need to go check the amazing job my kids did cleaning out the woodstove.
Can't wait to read everyone else's blog... after I finish my chores!!

First Wesleyan

2007-02-11T22:18:00.000-04:00

We are looking for a new church. I hate to be so blunt, but there you have it. Today we attended First Wesleyan. Yes, I've always been Baptist, but obviously aren't terribly thrilled with what we've been finding in Baptist circles.
The kids "foundation building" classes were great. I know the lady who has Caitlyn's class and she is amazing, so godly and wise. I couldn't pick a better teacher for her. Dave's friend/coworker does the Jr church and that was great too.
The music was terrific. There were instruments (sweet trumpet Ang... the bongos were a nice touch!!) The worship leader, Mark, is a friend of ours and he did an incredible job. The choir was wonderful. Mark was dancing up a storm there in the back row of the choir which Caitlyn thought was funny!! The music was all very worshipful and varied.
It was kind of a weird day to visit since they had a missionary speaker... none like I had ever heard though. She has the ear of the likes of Bill Gates and Bill Clinton and can easily articulate why the church of commonfolk can do more in the world than all their professionals. Its not the amazing abilities of the people to deliver hope, education and the gospel; its the power of God working through these common people that is making the difference. They have to agree with her, even though they don't really get it. She was an amazing speaker.
At the end of the service Pastor Mark, the worship pastor, our friend, got up and read his resignation... was it because he saw US there? It was just a weird day to be there. So... we'll go again next week when it should be a normal week.
Pastor Karl, the Senior Pastor was very approachable. He wants to meet with Dave soon for coffee. I think we'll wait on that until we have a chance to speak with Pastor Chris at Kingsley. That way we'll know more of where we are headed.
There were quite a few people there that we knew... the christian community isn't that large here in NB... and we did enjoy the service. A few questions arose, but that is what coffee with Pastor Karl is for, right??
On the whole, so glad we went! They are starting up a new Beth Moore Bible Study next week. Now to get Caitlyn to want to go to the youth service next Sunday Night!! She really wants to go but is extremely nervous about approaching a large group of young people on her own... wonder why? Maybe I'll see if she can take a friend with her. That should help.

Aliant slowing me down

2007-02-11T22:08:00.000-04:00

Its been a little frustrating trying to use the ol' computer lately. The speed has been sloooow. We've been getting and average of 80kbs/sec... so we called the trusty service provider (ha ha) because we should be getting upwards of 700 kbs/sec.

Friday our speed was just cruising at 150 and that was great for us lately... then the tech came, "fixed" the problem and told me he doubled the speed. I was so excited!! The speed changed all right. It dropped down to 27.5. When you get the decimal figure you know its slow.

I called Aliant, yes Aliant... I have mentioned them by name Ha Ha!!! ... to complain. I was very nice, just couldn't see how 150 doubled came to 28 (I'll even round up)... must be the new math. This guy fixed the problem for me and now we average 4 kbs/sec and most of the time I can't pull up the page I want. I'm almost afraid to ask for MORE help, but the technician is coming back tomorrow.

Just thought y'all might want to know.

BRF -- Haggai

2007-02-09T23:51:00.000-04:00

I must admit I had a problem with Haggai. I was still regrouping after the Timothys. I haven't felt the edge of the sword of the spirit doing its surgical work like those weeks in a long, long time. It feels awful to have to really humble yourself and learn and grow and pray and weep and pray some more. It was almost more than I could stand. "Life" got tough... from more than one direction. And God was so, so, so good... and Dave was good too. My poor family most likely thought Mom was losing it for sure. And then,

Haggai

Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues... this book makes no sense. I don't see anything. BRF is gonna be real humiliating because I don't get it. Can we go back to the New Testament???

Then Wednesday.
I opened up the Word, looked at this book and prayed. Ever have a time when you know you aren't the one praying? Its your voice, your brain but its the mind of the Spirit of God. Those times remind me that He really is indwelling me and He is giving me the blessing of praying what I can't and so desperately want to. This is only the 4th time this has ever happened to me. It makes me crave God. Then He sat with me and said He'd help me this time to understand some.. not all. I love Haggai. Its so simple.
When God is allowed into the study of His word, its so simple. When He is allowed to teach its easy. When I study with my own wisdom its meaningless and confusing.

The first chapter was enough to finish me. I had just been thinking (This is awful I know) that if we skimped on our tithe than maybe we could do a few things around the house that need to be done. This thought has been recurring for the past few weeks. At first I dismissed it, then I dwelt on it, then... someone decided that I needed to read Haggai chapter one. I hope y'all feel sorry for me as I had to face another major conviction here!!
vs 3 "Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" The Israelites put their own homes before the Lord's. Their priorities were completely off. They were taking the world's advice.... The Lord will understand why you need to have your nice things first... He has heaven, this is all you have... keep the nicest home you can for your family... that's your ministry so put your tithe there...
That is NOT God's plan. God is always to be first. That is not selfish on His part... He is caring for us. The only way for our homes to be havens for our family is to make sure that He is first in our lives. "But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."
Thankfully the Israelites recognized the truth when they heard it and with their Governor Zerubbabel leading them they hustled to get the temple finished. I love it when they actually obey!!! It gives me hope that I can also learn, repent, obey and be blessed!

Don't you just love the carefully consider verses. I stopped and made sure I considered these carefully. Ch 1 vs 5, vs 7, ch 2 vs 15, vs 18-19. Why do I feel sometimes like we work and work and everything just disappears into thin air? Where does the money go? We don't buy anything and yet it disappears. My priorities are way out of whack and I don't even notice. We work hard and bring in little. We put our earnings in a bag of holes.

Ch 2 vs 6-10. This temple was being built... but it was not as grand as the temple that was destroyed. Solomon's temple had been amazing, this one was ok. God's not so picky about how things look on the outside. THIS was the temple to be blessed. THIS was the temple which was to see the Desire of All Nations and be filled with glory. What a fabulous name for Christ.... The Desire of All Nations. I have to pause again here... this name makes Christ so BIG and holy and beyond the baby Jesus and even the miracler worker and healer of the sick... He is beyond... beyond what I can imagine and that's ok. He is still my Saviour and Redeemer... but more. I'm left behind in the dust! THIS temple will receive Him. This work the people are doing is extremely important.

Mom always used to say that goodness never rubs off on anyone, but evil does. If you hang out with people who aren't living for the Lord, they will not be the ones to raise their standards to meet yours... you will lower yours to meet theirs. ch 2 vs 10-14. She was right.

vs 15-19 ...Consider now from this day forward.... from the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid - Consider it.... from this day I will bless you.
God sees our hearts. He sees repentence. He sees us change... He causes it. When we are not just hearers of the word, but doers He blesses. He doesn't always give us money... He blesses us.

vs 23. "In that day," says the Lord of hosts, "I will take you Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel," says the Lord, "and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you."
This verse made me very excited for this governor who didn't have much to govern, but I didn't know why. I googled signet rings, found out some neat stuff, but still didn't get it. So yes I cheated. I checked in Dave's study Bible. This was an honour. Zerubbabel was not given the word from the Lord, but Haggai was. Zerubbabel was the authorizing voice that put the "seal of approval" on the words from Haggai. He was the driving force behind obeying the Lord to finish the temple.
The signet ring was extremely important in verifying any edict sent out from the king or a nobleman. The ring was not taken off the finger except to bestow honour and power to another who could then legally speak for the king (or nobleman). To be the Lord's signet ring would be in essense having the legal rights for the Lord on earth. Could Zerubbabel be capable of handling such an honour?? NO, of course not. He is the one who seals the genealogical lines of both Joseph and Mary.
He is a descendant of Solomon's line, through that Joseph would have the legal right to the throne of David. Because of this Jesus had the earthly legal right to the throne of David. As an adoptive son, Jesus being the eldest would still have this right.
Zerubbabel was also a descendant of Nathan through whom Mary had the bloodline to the throne of David. Thus Jesus had full blood and legal rights through his earthly parents.
I'm not sure just how they skip through the women in the geneologies. Do they just count the fathers of the mothers and go through his line to the throne? I think there is a new line of study here for me!!
However this all plays out, Zerubbabel made it into both geneologies in Matthew and in Luke as did his father, Shealtiel. This because He obeyed a word from the Lord which he received 3rd hand and obeyed it.
Wouldn't it be terrible to be a prophet of the Lord, KNEW that what you said came straight from on high and no one listened? I know that some of the prophets had that happen. How wonderful that didn't happen this time.

After thought. The temple over the years had some restoration and improvements done and then was expanded upon by Herod, but this was definitely the same temple that Christ was dedicated in and was prophesied over as a baby... the same temple where the curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom when Christ was crucified, so we can know enter into that Holy place everyday. The same temple that stood when peace with God became a reality. The prophesies of Haggai all came true.

BRF(S) 2 Timothy

2007-02-03T12:54:00.000-04:00

If I were at the end of my life and writing a letter to my child, what would I write??
You can be sure I wouldn't be wasting time on frivolous things. It would be important, very important. There would be a few big issues and many small things. I would be trying to convey what I have learned in my life experience to someone who would no longer have the benefit of being able to ask me anything.
I think I would also try to let more of me show through. I would want my child to "hear" my voice as they read through the letter. I'd instill a little humour....
Just like Paul did.
This week, I thought I'd have this book memorized. I figured with a whole week with no chores or cooking to do I'd read the book at least 10 times a day. not.
I've actually had a real struggle with some bitterness that had nothing to do with the fact Justin was so sick. That was left securely in God's hands and I had a real peace about it, even when Justin was barely breathing and not responding to medications like he should. I became more and more bitter as I sat in one room, with the occasional excursion to the cafeteria or bathroom, and didn't hear from my church family, at all. They knew I was in there, right from the very start BUT no one called, visited, sent a card, offered to help with the kids or sent a meal. As the week went on my attitude about this became more and more stinky. I was ticked.
Now I was finally ready to hear Paul.
He is confined to house arrest. He has no telephone. His friends are all disappearing, some even leaving the faith. He is older, tired, has endured unimaginable beatings in his life with no physiotherapy... I'm sure he's in pain... and yet, what is missing? There is no bitterness. He is not taking anything personally. He names some of these people and uses them as examples to encourage Timothy to stand firm and hold fast. He uses himself as an example of how to endure... and why.
I love the way he says in ch 1 vs 3 that he has served God with a pure conscience. He is able to use himself all throughout this letter as an example of how to serve the Lord. Could I do that at the end of my life? I'm thinking not. I can use many examples in my life of what not to do.
In chapter 3 Paul says this... vs 10 and11 "But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra -- what persections I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me."
Ok... I feel like a flop. Yes, we have had a hard time at our church lately. With slandering, rudeness, snide remarks and worse. We are innocent of these accusations, yet to most it doesn't matter. Paul had much worse happen to him. No one at our church has had us arrested, stoned, flogged or run out of town!! (Though I have a feeling a few would like to!!) This has nothing to do with us really, it is their sin that is being allowed to run wild.
It is not my responsibility to stop the trial, it is my responsibility to respond in love, period. I don't want to. I want to be bitter, run away and tell a few people off. Is that enduring hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ? I can't let the fact that I had a bad week affect my attitude toward the people that Christ died for and loves with an everlasting love.
How's this for a rebuke?? ch 2 vs 24-26 "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
My feelings are not to be the motivation behind how I act. I need to be gentle and able to correct in humility so they may know the truth and be freed from the captivity of the devil. There is no room in the Christian life for bitterness. It keeps others (and myself) grip of the devil.
I would like to fulfill my ministry. To be able to say at the end that I have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. I dare say I have a long way to go!
I love the part, right after he explains that he has finished... is being poured out like a drink offering etc., where he asks Timothy to "be diligent to come to me quickly" and later "Do your utmost to come before winter." Hello, I'm gonna die soon, come soon or don't bother... and bring me a coat while you're at it... before it gets cold.
This is getting too long.
I would hate to have been one of the guys Paul named as an example of what not to be. All we know about them is that they fell short of the mark.
It would be wonderful to be named as someone who has been an encouragement to Paul. We don't know much about them either. Some we have heard of before, some not. I'm wondering who Claudia is. Of the last of Paul's letters, she is the last person named. What an honor.
Who would name their kids Pudens?? Want some puddin' Pudens?
Hopefully I won't be so longwinded next time!

Home at last

2007-02-02T22:54:00.000-04:00

We are finally home!!! We arrived at 6:45 pm to find some very happy kids. I didn't know until today just how sick Justin was. Another day at home would most likely have been his last. I am so thankful for IV's, oxygen masks, ventalin, antibiotics and all the machines that put them into little bodies in just the right doses. I am thankful for good nurses and doctors, parking passes(!), volunteers and student nurses who still go gaga over cute babies! And I am so thankful for the healing hand of my heavenly Father who gave us our baby back.
From Sunday to Wednesday night Justin didn't even try to sit up! When he did sit up, for 2-3 min tops, he crashed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow... I'm so glad he didn't fall into the crib bars. From the 3 Monday afternoon until 2:oo this afternoon Justin drank a total of 11 0z of fluid, and ate mainly yogurt from Weds night on.
This was not fun.
Wednesday Connor was sliding, crashed and 2 kids crashed on him. We thought he broke his collarbone, but thankfully only pulled a pec. Now he has the fun of telling others he has a pulled pec!
Thursday, Molly and Jack both fell ill. They most likely also have RSV, but the symptoms lessen with age. Therefore, Jack is more sick than Molly, but Justin was more sick than Jack. The older kids have the sniffles, which is how RSV shows in older kids.
Dave and I were both coming home at the same time, but Dave stopped to get the prescription for Justin and a few groceries. I came straight home, except the stop for windshield wiper fluid as I was driving almost blind. Jack had just had a fudgicle and had a dirty diaper so I lovingly cleaned him all up and put on fresh jammies. He started coughing and I crouched down with my arms out for a big Jack hug!! How I missed this sweet boy. He came running with a weird look on his face which I recognized a split second too late.
Yes, instead of my warm, cuddly hug.... I got puked on over the head. As I sat there holding Jack with vomit dripping down my hair and face I just started laughing.... hysterics maybe? Jack, unsure at first, giggled, pointed to me and said, "Yuck!"
Yeah, yuck!! Absolutely!! Then I did what any sane(?) mom would do... call the oldest child! "Caitlyn, I need help!! Towels, wet washcloths, whatever you can find NOW!!"
She ran in and stopped short. Jack pointed to me again and said, "Mommy, yuck!!"
That's my boy. Short and to the point.
I'm clean now.
Dave is home.
Dave cleaned all the pukey towels!!! Love that guy!
The kids are in bed.
My book review Friday is moving to Saturday.
My ventalin puffer is not working well... I pray that Justin won't need it!
I am almost scared to go to sleep knowing no nurses are on the watch 24/7 for Justin... God is watching 24/7 for Justin, Jack, Molly and all the rest of them and He has always woken us up when we needed to be awake...
I have nothing to fear.
I would love to share something that was hilarious, but the person who said it has no idea how hilarious it was... and I'm not sure that she doesn't read this. I think she was absolutely serious. I'm so glad I could have a good laugh with God!!
G'night.

The hospital, our new home

2007-02-02T22:50:00.000-04:00

Well, this isn't how I planned this week. This week we were going to delve into history and study Samuel de Champlain and the settlement on St. Croix Island in 1602. We have the interpretive trunk from the dept of education with 30 different items including a beaver pelt, a moccasin, a wooden shoe boot and cd's teaching the kids how to speak an Indian language.
However, that isn't happening!! I am sitting in the hospital with a very sick Justin.

We were admitted yesterday after I couldn't get him to wake up and the only liquids going into his little body were what I was forcing in. My doctor let me bring him right into the office, diagnosed him with pneumonia, with possible RSV, and then sent him right to the hospital for admitting. I'm so thankful for a few good friends who are willing to take on a bunch of kids with no notice, just we are on the way!!

This has been a good time to do a little Bible study and do some reading. Last night I didn't have my own Bible yet and went to pull out the trusty Gideon Bible only to find out it was in french! I don't read or speak french. How wonderful when Dave brought in my bag with my own Bible in it!

Justin is on oxygen, IV with antibiotics and the occasional Tylenol and is starting to respond well. His temp is hovering around normal. His fluids are better, tho' he isn't drinking much and because he is getting enough oxygen he is somewhat more alert. My active little guy doesn't even want to sit up. He did play with a truck for about a minute today. I'm so glad this is temporary. Some moms would love to have their kids as healthy as my baby. We will be in at least another day, maybe more. They would like to see him more alert and active and breathing well without the oxygen. He is still struggling to get a good breath even with the oxygen.
He is so cute and so... pathetic(?) that everyone is falling in love with him.

I just took a look at my last post. I was leaving to check Justin. That was when I saw the very labored breathing and high temp, sweats and couldn't wake him up. How the mood of the house changed in a very, very short time!!

Curtains, Stew, and Banana Bread

2007-01-29T12:45:00.000-04:00

This has been another bizarro type weekend.
Poor baby J... he has been so under the weather. At first I thought it may be just teething, since he's teething too, but sadly, he's also sick. And so is Jack... and Molly... and Dave... and Caitlyn. Caitlyn not so badly tho, praise the Lord. I need her help!!
However, we've had one of the most productive weekends in a while. We moved furniture, cleaned through desks, drawers, cupboards, raised the dust, dusted.. I baked 3 loaves of bread, a dozen rolls, 3 banana breads, made curtains for my bedroom (after finding my curtain book in an obscure drawer), talked to my mom and Dave's mom, and made a huge stew all while taking care of one very sick baby. Mrs. Wilt would be proud!
Now its Monday. I'm trying to type while instructing children in scripture memory and english grammar. The kitchen is not as neat as Saturday. When my Dave crashed and burnt it kinda hurt the momentum in the house. Big men fall hard.
I'm so pleased with my curtains. I really have no idea how to sew. I bought a machine when we first were married thinking all wives needed a sewing machine. Then I bought books on how to make pillows, curtains and things for the home. Now when I sew, I pray and go for it. Amazingly everything seems to work out. A few more little touches and my room will look good!
I'd better get back to work here. I need to check my precious little baby.

I Timothy

2007-01-26T20:39:00.000-04:00

This was one meaty book!! First of all, it made me wish I had a Paul... a mentor... a humble, godly person who would write me a letter telling me how to do everything I need to do!! And then I realized that I do! In fact, I have more than a Paul... I have Paul's God. Guess what? He even wrote me an amazing letter outlining everything I need to know in order to live a life honoring to Him. I'm overwhelmed... by the fact that He wrote this book to ME and that I take it for granted and don't do what it says. Ouch!

The first couple of days, I was very caught up in the roles for deacons and overseers. God is very patient with me as I will never be a deacon or overseer as I don't fit the criteria. In thinking about the deacons in our church I realized only one of them actually fits the criteria. No wonder our church is in a mess, the leadership is not qualified to lead. God then pointed the way to where Paul instructs Timothy on the women in the church. Some of it was pretty hard to read, esp the part where we are to be silent in the church! We had a church business meeting this week. Here was my chance to see if I learned anything. There were a few times when I wanted to jump up and say, "Hey, this isn't right!! Haven't you read 1 Timothy?" But I was silent. To my amazement one of the things I so desperately wanted to say and didn't came out of the mouth of an older man. God doesn't want me to go against His word, even if the words I speak are technically correct. I would still be disobeying. I did notice that the only heated discussion occurred because one woman opened up a can of worms that didn't need to be opened. If she had been silent in the church that little fiasco would have never happened. Gotta love those object lessons.

I watched as a man without the qualifications of a deacon was voted into office. Again, I kept my mouth shut... this time no man spoke up. I did not get upset with my husband for not saying anything! Our votes were the only nays...

Its very hard to read sometimes what the Lord has in mind for Ladies Ministries. Chapter 5 vs 9 & 10 sum it up like this... "... been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." Somehow I missed leading a Bible study, helping in AWANA, running kids to soccer and music lessons, taking a weekly/biweekly day with the girls for r&r, singing in the choir and hosting couples get togethers. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with any of those things, but even these good things can become a distraction for what we are supposed to be doing.

vs 14 of ch 5 continues.. "So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander." I know this is about widows, but I'm thinking the same applies to the younger women. Get married, have kids and stay home. You will stay out of trouble, and not cause trouble for others. There are several women I know who stay at home and still seem to have time to call and want to talk for hours.. I don't have that time and don't want it! How many women can talk for hours and not say anything bad about anyone. I'll be honest. I can't. I'd rather have short meaningful conversations and remain busy at home. There sure is enough to keep me busy. I'm looking forward to seeing the floors in my kids bedrooms, having the curtains made for my room, being able to do projects like this and not feeling guilty because my husband is in the kitchen doing MY job...

I'm still not impressed with ch 2 vs 14 "and Adam was not he one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner." Ouch, ouch, ouch!! On the radio, one of the preachers today was saying that we all have a blind spot. Think ya don't?? You do... its a BLIND spot!! Ask someone to point out yours and try not to be offended.

Women are so easily deceived. How do we know when we are deceived?? We don't! We are deceived... UNLESS we are so entwined with God and His word, we are so drenched in the truths found within this Book we have copies of all over our houses, that any lie will stand out as such. Only knowing the truth can keep us from being deceived. I love the book "Lies Women Believe, and the Truth that Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I read it thinking that I had the entirety of truth already established in my life and there was no way that I believed any lies. Ha ha ha Talk about bursting my bubble. I had believed many lies that were hurting my relationship with Christ. Lets back that one up... I'm sure that I believe many more lies that I don't know about yet. As a daughter of Eve, I am easily deceived. Its best that I keep my mouth shut, unless I know for sure that what I believe is in full accord with God's word. Its best that I keep my mouth shut and not take it upon myself to share what I know better(!) to my husband or any other man. Do I think that God needs me to take the place of His Spirit? Can we share and teach with and to other women? Of course we can! God has gifted some women and given them a special anointing for that purpose! But never to have authority or teach a man.

How does this truth cover up lies in the church? A woman is never to be a pastor, deacon, adult sunday school teacher (unless its a women only group), let her opinion fly in a church business meeting, etc. Does this mean our opinion doesn't count? Of course not. My husband and I discuss many things together and we do influence how the other thinks. Dave asks my opinion a lot... more now that I just don't give it to him like I used to!! And he values how I think. Sometimes I even hear my thoughts coming from his mouth... Cool.

One more thing and then I am closing this epistle. Its almost as long as 1 Timothy itself!! Godliness with contentment is great gain!! How I long to be content. I don't want to be eager for money and wander from the faith. I want to be generous and share with what I have and not be always wanting more. What we have here is so much more than most of the people on earth. We have food, clothing (too much even), a warm home, wonderful kids, cars with working heat and airconditioning. Who wants to think of AC today?? brrrr We have so much. Why am I always looking for more? I am not content. Still praying about that one!! God is good and will help as He so sloooowly works in me to make me more like Him.

Oh yeah! One MORE thing... wouldn't you love to know what it was that was prophesied over Timothy?? See, I am a nosy gossip at heart... wanting to know what is none of my business... aren't you just a little curious??

Happpy Birthday, Justin!!

2007-01-24T13:19:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Justin!! Our baby boy turned one last week on the 17th. We are so thankful God entrusted us with the care of this precious boy. He is just the right type of cuddly kid, while at the same time becoming more boyishly independant. He loved having his birthday cake and 2 fisted it faster than any baby I've ever seen!! Thankfully he well slimed his hands with frosting, because he put out his candle with his finger. He moves MUCH faster than his Momma!!! The sugar high lasted about 4 days and he has become more little boy and less baby this week. By the time this next wee one arrives, Justin will be quite the mature toddler!!

Let it snow and snow and snow some more!!

2007-01-20T23:00:00.000-04:00

Wow!! Just when we thought we were safe... Winter hit with a vengeance!! Has it ever been this cold before?? I'm sure it has sometime, but not for awhile! Yesterday Dave didn't even go to work it snowed so hard. The plow was called, kids were outside playing their little hearts out... And then we realized... The boys did not have the proper gear for winter. Matthew didn't even have a heavy winter coat let alone ski pants. Connor's coat was a little small and he was wearing purple ski pants. Ok, he likes purple, but c'mon!!! We live in Canada, how could our kids be so not ready for winter?
Then I got the call...
"Hi Martha, its Wes calling. Diane is working at Sears today and says to get in there!! All the kids snowsuits are half off the lowest ticketed price AND she has a coupon for a further $20 off for you."
How fast could we get into Sears? Scarily not that fast as I was still in my jammies and robe and had bedhead at 11:30 am. I was talking on the phone at that time and my friend whose name will not be mentioned completely (G--n McQ----ie) was as dressed as I was! We did manage to get into Sears 20 min before Diane was off shift and was able to get Matt, Connor and Jack all really nice jackets and skipants. Jack's even included a hat and scarf. Matt's suit was originally $109 before taxes. We got all 3 suits for $102 after taxes. They will all fit next year too. Hopefully Matt will be able to pass his down to Connor.
Moral of this rather long winded saga?? God provided what we needed, when we needed it, in a really nice way without us having to go nutso worrying about it. We haven't had any snow until now so we didn't need these items before. Today was even too cold to go out to play. Tomorrow is the first really good snow day and those kids will be ready for it.
It really helped to remind us of God's provision for us one day after hearing we will have to wait another 3 months to find out if Dave gets a really amazing job!! We were pretty sure it was a sure thing, but then were told it was on hold until April. I hate waiting. I'm the kind of person who would rather be told and out and out NO than to be told to wait. God gives me many, many chances to improve my attitude about waiting, and this one is a real stinker. But y'know, I'm almost enjoying the wait. Notice I said almost. Its a challange of whether I can win over the old nature of impatience and be excited about living the life God has given us NOW.
Now, I have curtains to sew, kids closets and dressers to clean through, linen closet to sort through, babies to feed and clean up after, children to train, a husband to take care of!, quiet times to have, Bible characters to know better, rooms to rearrange, budgets to make and stick too, books to read, Bible studies to do, lots of math to correct, a gazillion doctors appts to get to... and so on and so on...
I think God has given me enough to keep me busy for NOW that waiting for what might never come should be a cinch!
I'm reading Anne Ortlund's trilogy "Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman", "Disciplines of the Heart", and "Disciplines of the Home". If there were ever an encouraging book (or set of books) on living a beautiful, feminine, gentle life... this is it. I am inspired to grab hold of the reins of this house and really make a difference in it. There are even study guides in this thing. I would love to actually do this as a group study with some like minded women. Thanks to Joy for giving me this book!!!
This was rambly! I feel rambly tonight. I am so thankful there are no rules for blogging. I can ramble all I please!!

Molly Talk

2006-12-28T13:27:00.000-04:00

Molly is a very interesting character.
She has been telling me lately about when she was a grown up and I was in her tummy. hmmmm...
She does not like to go to the bathroom alone for some reason and either wants someone in there or leaves the door open.
The other day as she was doing her duty and I was keeping her company she comes up with, "I can't wait to be a grown up." sigh "I want to chew gum, eat peanuts and get some privacy!"
Not quite believing what I'm hearing due to the circumstances of this conversation, I ask her, "Do you have any idea what privacy is?"
"Nope", she replies, "but everyone around here is always saying they want privacy and when I grow up I'm gonna get some!!"
Knock yourself out kid!!

Merry Christmas

2006-12-28T12:49:00.000-04:00

This was quite possibly the calmest and most enjoyable Christmas we have ever had. To begin with, I have been terribly sick with morning sickness and a sore throat. The throat would not get better because I routinely irritated it with stomach acid.... more than you needed to know right?? On Saturday the 23rd we decided that if the kids were to have anything in their stockings we really should hit the mall. I am so thankful for a capable almost 13 yr old who can watch 5 siblings for 5 or 6 hours. I've had adult babysitters who didn't do as good a job!!
Dave and baby Justin and I had a very relaxing time in the mall. I thought it would be crazy, but there were no lines at all.
God gave me a break for Christmas. Sat, Sun, Mon and Tues I was not sick once. Thinking the worst was over I was bitterly disappointed when it picked up again Weds again... I am so thankful for my reprieve tho.
Christmas morning was also a gift. The boys woke up at 5:30 and quietly played games in the dining room for 2 hours. They woke everyone up at 7:30 and calmly waited for us to get up. We sat down by the tree and read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and then all prayed before we even got into the stockings. Once again the kids were calm and focused. They opened gifts with the same restraint and played quietly and kindly with each other all day, and the next and the next. I am so thrilled with my children. Dave has been home all week as he took it for vacation and he is quite impressed too.
I think our Turkey may have been a little too large. We have so much frozen, soup has been made, hot and cold sandwiches have been enjoyed and we have tons left. I think more is going in the freezer!!
I think the very best part of this Christmas has been the healing of relationships in our extended family. Some very strained relationships have been made right, misunderstandings clarified, and we can finally enjoy each other again. God has been merciful.
There has been a situation at church that has made this month very difficult. Some gossip has been circulated that is completely false and some have believed it and have treated us accordingly. It has made going to church very stressful. A dear lady has been calling this week to encourage me through this. Knowing one person there cares about us, rejects the gossip and is praying for us makes the world of difference. Hopefully this trial will soon be over. There is a part of me who would love to see the perpetrators of this gossip brought to task over it. I'm pretty sure who it is since he royally told us off last month!! Some conversations are so ridiculous, they really should be taped somehow... anyway, there is also a part of me that is trying so hard to wait on the Lord here. At some point soon we have to confront this person and say that we have been offended by him. I'm sure that he knows this and hopefully is looking for an opportunity to apologize. We will see!
Dave should be home soon. Caitlyn and Courtney went to a birthday party, Matt and Connor are out playing with a friend, Justin and Jack are playing cars/watching Barney and Dave took Molly to do some errands. Everything is calm and quiet. Life is good.

Adam to Noah

2006-11-29T08:14:00.000-04:00

I have the list I was looking for about the first 10 generations of man and their names. Thankfully someone was paying attention and took a pen last week!!
Here we go...

Adam === Man
Seth === Appointed
Enosh === Mortal Sorrow
Mahalalel = The Blessed God
Jared === Shall Come Down
Enoch === Teaching
Methuselah= His Death Shall Bring
Lamech === The Despairing
Noah === Comfort

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow. The blessed God shall come down teaching. His death shall bring the despairing comfort.

What a testamony of God's plan for mankind. It was given clearly through the ancient patriarchs before the flood... written well before it came to pass. I love seeing how God works. I really have no idea how people don't see Him for who He is.
I am so humbled to know that He loves me. I know me... I am no where near being anything that God would desire outside of Himself!

The babies are up!

Off I go. Happy Wednesday!

God is on the move

2006-11-28T13:09:00.000-04:00

This has been a very strange week.
We had a great weekend visiting my folks in Rothesay... played cards until midnight with great friends... my kids were actually in the Santa Clause parade with Mum and Dad's church... Sunday morning service was great... had a really good time in the afternoon watching the kids having a blast with their cousins... good time of fellowship with the folks... got home in time (well a little late) for Sunday evening service.. the kids had play practice after the service and then...

We saw a really nasty side of someone who has spent some time gossiping about us and spent a good portion of an hour making some ridiculous accusations to Dave and I. Thankfully there was a witness to this as no one would believe the maliciousness of this person. There is no pastor to take this issue to... its a church issue, this person has some serious problems... but we have a mighty God!!! He was able to take this situation and bring good. Dave and I were able to pray about this situation together (sometimes we forget how important that is). This morning we started a new tradition of getting the kids up early to have worship time before Daddy leaves for work! What a great start to the day. The girls were even able to cheerfully get their room COMPLETELY clean by 10:18 this morning. I didn't think that was even humanly possible!

Dave also got some news that has the potential to change the course of our life while freeing us from a situation here that isn't good... without offending anyone. Is it because our family turned to God in prayer knowing this situation was way beyond our control? Absolutely. We wouldn't have dreamed this solution up! It may not happen, but God is moving and when He does we need to get ready!! Its so exciting to see God's hand at work. I'm concerned for this gentleman at church because I don't know what it will take to humble him... God does. He viciously verbally attacked part of the body... and will most likely get a spiritual spanking. I've had some of them and wouldn't want to have another.

I'd best be off to have a shower and check some math...
I'm too excited for words to find out what God has in store for us...
Seems like the wind is starting to change...
God is on the move!

Lots to think about

2006-11-18T00:02:00.000-04:00

Wow!! Its been awhile since I blogged last. These last couple weeks are like a blur. We had 2 sets of catalogs to deliver and Justin is teething. That may not sound like much, but Justin is not a great teether... lots of screaming and little sleep.

On a high note....

Dave, Caitlyn and I went to see Merv and Merla Watson tonight. They were so amazing!! I haven't heard music like that for a very long time. There are good musicians and then there are the truely gifted... Merla Watson is truely gifted... perfect pitch, rich tone, violin playing that sends shivers all over.. amazing. They live in Israel and spoke about its past, present and future. They are not Jewish by blood, but in heart. Merv sang the blessing Aaron would have sung over the congregation of Israel... I could never express how very close God was tonight. I'm ready to move right on over to Jerusalem, the Holy City. Caitlyn would like to visit. We all decided if God actually wanted us there, He'd let us know!! Merla has written over 500 songs and has composed music for them which blew us completely away!!

Tiszandra babysat tonight and for the first time in 4 yrs of living here we feel like we have a truely competant, godly babysitter. Matt was even happy and he's NEVER happy with a sitter!

What did I learn tonight?
I need to pray more.
God is much, much bigger, better and more wonderful than I thought before tonight.
Miracles still happen.
God moves fast, get with Him!!
Archaeology is making the rocks cry out to praise God.
Yeshua in Hebrew is the only word with 7 flames on it.
Truth in Hebrew is EMET which is the first, middle and last letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Truth being first, last and everything in between. The first letter in EMET also represents God, when you take it out you get the word MET which means death.
The first 10 generations of men from Adam to Noah have the whold plan of salvation in it. When I get a copy of it I'll post it. I should have thought to take a note pad.
Sometimes I get so caught up in everyday life I forget about the wonderful life we have in Christ. The hope and the future that we have. When Merla was talking about the people returning to live in Israel and the wonderful musicians that are arriving, she told of her dream to bring them together to play music that would be glorifying to Jesus when He returns.
She wants to actually be playing when Christ comes back.
All the other feasts were fulfilled in the New Testament on the anniversary of the feast day. For example the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost to free us from the law on the anniversary of the day the law was given to the people of Israel. Jesus became the firstfruit from the dead on the day the firstfruits were brought to the temple.
It's quite logical to assume that Jesus would come back on the feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hoshana. It is the only Biblical feast that has not been fulfilled in Christ. Its a day set apart to celebrate a new beginning with the Lord... and you blow trumpets!! Pretty cool.
I think I need to learn Hebrew.
There is sooo much to learn.

That is my long rambly blog for today.
It does not express my heart as much as I would like it to.
I do not want to forget tonight.
This was an evening of spiritual encouragement, refreshment and excitement!
I don't ever want to celebrate our pagan celebrations anymore.
Easter has been a sore spot for me after learning its based on the Babylonian cult and represents Ishtar. Christmas actually has nothing to do with Christs birth as he would have been born during the feast of Tabernacles which is in early October.
The Watsons showed a portion of scripture in Isaiah that was a blessing to those outside the Jewish family who partook in the feasts that God ordained. I need to find that verse again!!
Lots to think about.

There ya go South Africa Ruth!!! A long rambly blog.... with no static. Intercontinental phone calls are not always the clearest, eh?

SNOW!!!!!

2006-11-06T13:46:00.000-04:00

I was so pumped to dive into the new school stuff today, but was usurped big time by the white stuff pouring from the heavens.... FIRST SNOW!!
I hollered for the kids to get up, fill the woodbox and go out and play.
There wasn't really enough snow for gazoodles of fun, but my kids are creative.
They got out the wheelbarrow and transported snow from all over to the steps in the front yard... and went sliding. What a hoot! There isn't enough snow to cover the grass.. well maybe by now... but we have a sliding "hill" out there!!!
The kids from next door came over and they had a ball.
I forgot about wet ski pants, mittens and boots everywhere.
But I also forgot how great a fire is when its REALLY cold and snowy out there.
I guess they balance out.
I'm glad it didn't snow yesterday!!
I'm thrilled it snowed today.
Dave called 4 times from traffic cuz he was bored.
I forgot about 1st snow accidents.

Muffin business is picking up. I need to get these kids on their school work so I can work on my brochure!! I'm so far out of my comfort zone. How on earth do you make a brochure?? Dave showed me where to go on the computer.. I have a degree in marketing and communications.. I love what I do... I love to write stuff.. How can this be so scary??
My good friend Diane will even put it together if I get her all the info I want on the brochure. I just need to be businesslike... a little more formal... choose my words carefully... and then scrap it all to just say what I mean and how I would really say it... I'm soooo formal after all!!!
Ok here I go...
stuff to do...
wasting time...

Mainiac Weekend!!

2006-11-05T22:48:00.000-04:00

We just got back from having a wonderful weekend in Maine. I changed the babies, made sure they were tucked in and immediately had to catch up here!!
Ok, I had been away for 48 hours and had no idea of the conversations going on in blogland.
My oldest and dearest friend, Joy married a Mainiac and then became one... we still love her! They have 4 sweet daughters who are special friends of my kids. This is one family who exude hospitality. They sold thier large home and are living in a tiny 2 bedroom minihome until they can build their home in the spring, YET.. they welcomed us all to visit. Imagine 4 adults and 11 kids enjoying meals and fellowship in such quarters... BUT WE DID!!! We had a ball. Molly did not want to come home... neither did Caitlyn, her kindred spirit lives there!! Yes, Jade, that would be you!!
On the way down to Maine the clouds were very dark and low... snow clouds. We had to drive an hour north of Fredericton to drive down to Newport and I was a little nervous to drive in the snow. God had other ideas for us. He put on this incredible show of light showers. Y'all know about rain showers, but ever see a light shower?? Its when there is a perfect break in the clouds and a shower of light streams down bright against the rest of the clouds. Every time we saw one we told God what a great job He did... and He just kept outdoing Himself!! I had no idea there were SOOOO many different types of light showers!
Yes, it did snow. 3 little tiny flurries that got the kids wild about ideas of snowmen and sliding... but it was nothing that could sit on the road!
We are home safe and sound. Everyone is asleep except me.... Dave and baby Justin on the chair behind me... I could take a picture of that... I did.... and woke Dave up! ooops!

Can you help us, please?

2006-10-28T20:25:00.000-03:00

Monday morning a phone call came in with a bit of a strange request. Apparently someone who had this catalog thing before us decided to dump thier catalogs in the woods instead of delivering them. People walking along a provincial walking trail noticed them and called Sears to arrange for someone to pick them up. We became the arrangement. This was to be a super easy job and we thought a walk would be nice. So, we loaded up the van, took our little red wagon and packed some work gloves. Who knew what shape these old catalogs would be? We didn't want to have to touch them.
The directions were clear take this road to that road, turn right, find the well marked walking trail, walk 100 meters to the beaver pond, 100 meters past the pond and voila, find the catalogs and truck 'em to the warehouse.
We left the house at 2:30 fully expecting to be home by 4:30 or 5 at the latest, ready to make dinner.
We found the walking trail with no problem at all, but just to be sure, Caitlyn, Matt and Connor ran down the path to see if there really was a beaver pond. Yep there was, but it was 300-400 meters down the trail. Matt, Connor, Courtney and I grabbed the gloves and wagon and off we went. Just past the pond, the trail split into 2 trails. We figured if the pond was further than we expected so were the catalogs. Lets suffice to say that we walked forever through muddy, swampy, hilly, nasty trails for an hour... no catalogs.
We were freezing and I was exhausted from trying to look like I was having fun for the kids. This was NOT fun! Meanwhile, back at the van, Caitlyn is watching the babies and having tons of fun of her own as Molly had to pee... and they were stuck there waiting for us!
Thankfully we had the cell phone. Calling the guy at Sears was no help. He insisted we were in the right place and if we opened our eyes we could see those pesky catalogs. They were, after all, OBVIOUS from the path.
To the boys great delight, an army guy stopped to see if he could help us. I guess a lady waving her arms around speaking softly, yet FIRMLY into a phone while who knows how many kids are jumping around a van denotes someone needs help. Thank the Lord for this guy. Not only did he make the boys day by talking to them... he had a map. So did I. In fact, we had the same map... but he knew something I didn't know... there were 2 streets with the same name and one of them wasn't on the map!! This should not be allowed.
We went to the other street with the same name about 5 minutes from where we were (after taking Molly to the bathroom) and quickly found the walking trail. It was the same trail we were on actually, just further down. This was a straight as an arrow, dry, flat trail that was a pleasure to walk on. This was my kind of trail. The beaver pond was about 100 meters down the path, the catalogs another 100 meters down in the most dense thicket of brambles and alder bushes and burdock things you could imagine.
"OK, Mom, what do we do now?", Connor asks. I really, really wanted to say, "Go home and cry kid" but I didn't. Like a good mom I let the kids stay on the path as I blazed many trails through those bushes and threw the very waterlogged catalogs at the path for the kids to put in the wagon. They were strewn quite far down the trail. You'd think whoever dumped them could have had the decency to put them together, but no.
Just as I thought we were done, and I was certainly done, this was a job for prison inmates, Matt noticed the other side of the path also had some.
At 5:35 we were finished. Of course the warehouse to which these were to be taken closed at 5:00, but the "quick and easy" job was done. On the way to meet Dave, Caitlyn pulled out some tweezers and pulled the thorns from my hands. The workgloves were great, but they just shredded in the bushes.
Pizza Delight sure sounded good!! We drove in (no way was I cooking after this!) and just inhaled the wonderful aroma of pizza and garlic fingers cooking... Stomachs were growling... kids were grinning in anticipation of our wonderful dinner. There was no line. whoo hoo... We stood there for a minute or 2 when a frantic manager came out of the kitchen with this line, "Tell all your tables it will be at least a 45 min wait." We weren't even at a table yet. We left.
Ponderosa was a good choice!! All you can eat buffet! We ate until we could barely move and got home by 9 pm.
At first I wanted to forget this day... but now I want to remember.
Our circumstances were awful...
but we were happy...
we laughed at the ridiculousness of it all...
the kids will never think money comes easy!!
Next time someone has a quick and easy job for me, the answer is no.
When they want to know why, I will make them read this!!!

Has this always been here??

2006-10-24T07:22:00.000-03:00

I've discovered, if I journal a thought somewhere... on paper or here... I won't fall asleep right after my Bible readings. I'm a little surprised by this mornings Psalm. If I had read it last week THE RANT would not be on a previous post.

Psalm 4 (New King James Version)

To the Chief Musician.
With stringed instruments.
A Psalm of David.

1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart[a] for Himself him who is godly;
The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

I remember all the "How long Lord.." Psalms, but this perspective was different.
"How long, o you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood??"
I have a problem. I seem to love worthlessness... worthless arguements, worthless stuff, worthless ideals... I keep bitterness and resentment like it was some kind of treasure in my heart. How long??? Thankfully the Lord is longsuffering towards me, otherwise I'd have been snuffed out loooonnngg ago.
"There are many who say Who will show us any good?" Remember THE RANT? I should not be looking for others to show God's goodness. It would be nice if they did, but I should be looking to God for that. "Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us. YOU have put gladness in our hearts."
Boy did that smack me today. If I am looking for others to take the place of God in my life I will always be seriously disappointed. I need to look for God to be God... God to be God... I'm starting to get it... God to be God... Lord lift up the light of your coutenance upon me. You have put gladness in my heart. No one at church, or the neighborhood, or in my family can put gladness in my heart... only you can.
That is really too cool, and lets a whole lot of people off the hook.
How long will I love worthlessness?
Only God should be where I look for good.
The Lord will hear me when I call.
He will relieve me in my distress.
I can trust Him.
I can rest.

I am a friend of...

2006-10-23T23:32:00.000-03:00

There is one song out there that I am having a really hard time with.
The choir sang it in church Sunday morning.
I'm glad my glasses are so screwy that I can't see to drive at nights so I have had to miss choir the past month, because I would not have sung the song... and I would have let loose a pet peeve that they don't need to hear.

Friend Of God - Phillips, Craig and Dean
Genre/Lang. : Christian
Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That you hear me When I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How You love me
It's amazing (Repeat)

~Chorus~
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God Almighty,
Lord of Glory
You have called me friend

(Repeat Chorus)

He calls me friend
He calls me friend...

Most people are rip roaring crazy about this song. They just eat it up. Maybe I'm a nut, but I always feel that it glorifies me more than God. I, I, I.... I am a friend of God... sing "I'm amazing" instead of "It's amazing" and that is the feeling I get every time I hear it.
Personally, I don't think I'm the greatest friend God has and I'm not going to sing about it... I don't spend enough time with Him and I'd rather dwell on what He has done for me and is doing in, around and through me. I'm in awe of who God is. He isn't my buddy, He is my Lord, Saviour, Redeemer and Perfecter of my faith.
I am not His buddy, I am His servant, a warrior and forever in His debt because He paid mine. I am made His joint heir.... which I do not deserve. What a wonderful, awesome, amazing privalege to have to God of all creation be my Father, protector, provider, sustainer.... there is nothing about me that He should desire to love me, yet He does. It is a most lopsided arrangement. All I have for Him is my sinful self, which is all He wants. He is everything to me.
There is one part of the song I do like,

Who am I that you are mindful of me?

I am not His friend. I am His child.

a withered leaf

2006-10-21T10:32:00.000-03:00

Psalm 1 Blessed is the man.... But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

I must confess to being a withered leaf this week. Instead of delighting in God's word and studying daily, I've been busy. "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

I am so glad we have the same name (never used to be!). Jesus is speaking directly to me, with my name. I need to refocus on what is NEEDED, a close relationship with Christ. There is certainly enough to keep me busy here... when I am in close fellowship with Christ, I have the same number of hours in my day... yet somehow... things fall into place. My house is cleaner, the kids are more obedient, schooling is done, bills are paid... My priorities are His priorities, I'm so much more joyful and even the kids comment. I can't control the things that are out of control, God does that.

I don't want to be a withered leaf. When life gets really dry and hard, I need to be feeding from my hidden source of water that the world does not understand. I need deeper roots.

I'm so glad God is infinitely patient with me. Good grief!! The things I don't get sometimes... or just plain forget.

No Bible, no breakfast.
No Bible, no blog.
No Bible, no hot chocolate.
No Bible, no email.

These are my resolves.

I got a job!!!

2006-10-19T23:56:00.000-03:00

Here we go..
For all of those times when I have said I will not go to work...
For all of those times I quoted from Titus 2....
For all of those times I was labled a wacko (love the term now that I know what a wacko is!)...
For all of those people who said I would work if the price was right and I was tired of home...
For all the times I said God would provide...
For all the times I said I would not work if it in any way detracted from what I do (or don't do) at home...

Yes, I have a job!!

I am making the most organic of organic, fresh milled muffins of various ancient grains for "my" physio/massage/pilates center. They are paying me what I want and think they are getting a bargain. Dave can't believe how much they will pay. 2 dozen a day to start, some might want extra dozens. I'll work 30 minutes to an hour a day and will get paid better than if I took in someone's kids for the whole day. In fact, the work will be done before the kids are up in the morning. God is soooo good!! Who knew this would happen. Its a gift! And I get to use my new oven every day and will now be able to pay for it!!

A big whoo-hoo for God. I don't even have to be out of my jammies!!!

I do have to be up early, while its still dark... to provide food... One step closer to Proverbs 31!! By the time I'm 75... maybe??

Help, God

2006-10-19T08:19:00.000-03:00

Ok, I'm still not getting it. I've been up for 2 hours now studying your word and I'm confused. I know as a parent I have a responsibility to raise my children to honor you and love you... I realize that we all have different backgrounds, temperaments.. ya da ya da ya... but does anyone actually read the Bible anymore?? I'm reading all these blogs and websites of people all over the place that are striving to serve you and sacrificing their own wants to be what you want them to be. Why can't I find them here? I'm reading in John where if we love you we will obey you.. and in James where we need to act on what we read.. and Philippeans where we are to think about what is good, pure and praiseworthy... and how about the Proverb to train up a child in the way that he should go?
And here is my dilemma... christian parents who allow their kids to be nasty, malicious even, to other kids and think its cute because everyone wants to be friends with their kid... or parents who allow their kids to break the law because they think that law is silly and I'm the bad parent who thinks its wrong and doesn't want my kid influenced by this... kinda late since she already is influenced..
We have a wonderful, godly pastor who is leaving the church. He has taught us well, showed amazing love for his congregation and so has his wife. I have learned sooo much, been challanged, forced to choose to grow (or know I was choosing not too!). I have seen people petty and nasty to them, say horrible things to them and pretty much try to stifle their ministry. Did our pastor ever retaliate? I'm sure his knees are sore from the workout, he has only loved them more, and served them more. Yet, the people who are "the beautiful people" in the church have daily poisoned the church against their own pastor and his wife...
Not only that (I'm ranting but this is my blog!!) they fill their children with horrible movies which I wouldn't watch myself let alone let my kids watch, and then their kids put this filth in my kids minds AND THE PARENTS DON'T CARE.
We are exhorted in scripture not to forsake gathering together with his people, but where are his people??
Where are those that are set apart from this world? Where are those who hate sin? Where are those who are raising godly offspring?? Hello, God?? Where are they? You know what is going on... this is not a shock to you... you know my desire to raise children for you.. they won't be perfect, EVER... but I so want them to know you and love you and honor you in what they say and do...
and yet, as a woman, I need to stay back and pray and I have a hard time with this. I want to escape with my kids to a place where they will be nurtured and tended to until their roots are firm and they can withstand the attacks that are not supposed to come from the church. And this is considered a great church.
I kept my mouth shut. I did not tell anyone what I really, really wanted to. I would have only spoked what is true, but you didn't call me to be a Malachi, you called me to be a mom... a Mary.. a servant... your child... obediant and loving.. Please keep me in your word so that I will understand the lies of the evil one. Please keep my childrens hearts safely fixed on you, because I can't. Please help me to love your church, because right now I'm having a really hard time with that. Thank you for the gift of your son and for the loan of your servants who have led us and exhorted us to become closer to you these past few years... please bless the socks off them! Please help this church to know what they are throwing away. Please keep the minions of the evil one away from the children you have entrusted to our care. Please give me wisdom to deal with the parents in our church who don't seem to be doing a whole lot of parenting.... and then wonder why all the young people are not serving the Lord as adults. Please give me wisdom with the few people I know who are deliberately undermining our parental authority and mock my children's obedience... please take them out of the position of authority they have placed themselves in. I guess I should let you go God so you can get to answering this prayer. Oh, one more thing... please wake me up again tomorrow at the horrible hour you woke me up today... I really need to grow in you.. It was a pleasure beyond words to spend 2 hours just reading what YOU had to say today.
Please help the people who have the misfortune to stumble upon this blog today to forgive the personal nature of it.
I love you.

Whoo hoo!! I'm lumpless!

2006-10-14T22:05:00.000-03:00

This morning I was up at 6:30 am. I'm never up before 8...:30....9... you get the picture. And why the early time on a Saturday morning?? To go under the knife.
I got to have my head opened up and some of the extras removed. Some people have a deficiency up there, but in my family... we have extras!! The lump has been removed!!! Hoorah!
The surgery took about 10 min. Just a freeze, slice, pop and stictch kinda thing. The lump was like a soft marble and now my head hurts. I'm not terribly fond of stitches and I refuse to brush my hair until they come out. Its only 10 days! The curly hair gurus say curls should never be brushed anyway, so I'll be trendy. I think I'll stay home for a while.
FYI its really a weird feeling to have half of your head frozen. Its hard to stay balanced. I mean that in a purely physical stay on your feet kinda way. Intellectually (and emotionally) I'm perfectly balanced regardless of how much freezing is in my head....
Yeah, that sounded good.

just ponderin'

2006-10-11T17:36:00.000-03:00

Ever wonder why the smallest kids want to help the most?? Unless, of course its a much older child trying to get out of homework!!!
The kids are going out to stack wood for Dad. They want to get all of the split stuff stacked before he gets home to surprise him. This is Caitlyn's idea... Molly and Jack think its great! Molly is outta here, but Jack is drooling and his nose is running a marathon so he's confined to the house. Matt and Connor, who will be taking over all the wood splitting and stacking in the next few years, would rather do anything but help Caitlyn. She even has the little kids riding in the wheelbarrow on the way out of the garage!!
Its really cold today!! Time to switch the living and dining rooms around for the winter arrangement! The woodstove is in the 'dining room', but I need the couch in there so I can fall asleep over a good book in front of the fire. It might actually be warmer in here if we lit a fire.. no wonder Jack's nose is running!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2006-10-09T19:09:00.000-03:00

I really should be doing dishes!! The kids are at AWANA, Jack is 'helping' Dad stack wood, Justin is happy, Dave's parents just left.... but I am soooooooo full!! Every year I promise myself I will not eat that much... Oh well, I did leave the extra piece of apple pie to eat when I watch 'The Amazing Race' with Dave tonight!!
I'm wondering if anyone else experiences the little extras that go with a really good Perry Thanksgiving. As we were setting the table, I realized the cranberry sauce had gone missing. Since Dave's mom and I are the only ones that eat it, no one else was concerned. I just bought it Saturday so I KNEW it was here somewhere... but it was definitely not in the kitchen... and we were not starting dinner without it. It seems that when the girls were putting the groceries away the put the sauce in the freezer with the cans of juice concentrate. Why I even bothered to look in the deep freeze for a can of cranberry sauce should tell you what kind of a house I live in.
The good news is cranberry sauce does not freeze. It keeps its jelly consistency, its just cold... so Caitlyn and Courtney were allowed to eat with us after all!!
Now Courtney is just a little thing, (Most people think she is 5, but she's 7) but she can sure pack away the food!! After 2nd and 3rd helpings she cut herself off to save room for dessert until she saw the drumstick!! Usually they go first, but for some reason there was a huge one with her name on it!
"Please, please can I have this?", she asks.
Being the kind Mom that I am I gave it to her. Next thing I know, this horrible shrieking comes out of the dining room. I thought she got a bone stuck somewhere, but no. She bit into the bone and one of her teeth fell out. It was loose, but not THAT loose. Dessert cheered her up though. Sugar is the best medicine!
Now Justin is playing with a doll on the floor, my coffee is gone, and Dave is still working on wood. I really should do some more dishes. I've only washed and dried 4 sinks worth... there should be 2 more to go. I'm so glad Verna did some before she left.
Lorne and Verna brought us an anniversary gift... its the swag chandelier from AVON that I loved in Verna's catalog. We have a swag lamp in our bedroom, but it shoots sparks when we turn it on. Actually, I think I'll go hang my new chandelier!!!

Our day at Kings Landing

2006-10-08T00:19:00.000-03:00

Caitlyn and her friend, Brittney take Jack and Molly for a walk.

Can you tell who loves to get her picture taken??

Connor having a blast at the kids games!!!

We loved how this tree looked against the old barn.

Today is a banner day! We had a great day at King's Landing, I made my first batch of Mustard Pickles and learned how to post pictures on this thing!!!

I promise to never again post so many pics in one day.

This is our Matt coming up from the dock.

Courtney dashing up from the dock.
Dave took a pic of me and the kids. In fact, he took 135 pics. There are none of him today though...

Jack was interested in every little detail of his day. He insisted on walking the WHOLE time.... you'd think he'd be asleep at 1:00 am then, wouldn't you?