Only 7 More Weeks to Prepare!!!

Oh dear, only 7 weeks until Baby 6 comes! I hope I start "nesting" soon, so that I can get everything ready!

My primary concern is making sure that Rebecca is ready to cook a few days worth of meals AND that we have the ingredients for them on hand. She has recently mastered making bread by herself. And, we rarely run out of those supplies, so at least the family won't starve. Rebecca and I made up a list of all the recipes she can cook beginning to end all by herself. We were very happy with all the options she has there. But... having ingredients on hand for those meals is another story!

Paul and I have talked about buying "convenience" foods for the freezer: hot dogs, frozen  pizza, ravioli, etc. But, I just don't think I can bare to see those foods come into my house again after we have worked so hard to cut them out. Plus, they are SO expensive! We are buying our food with cash now, accounting for every penny - and I am becoming more frugal every day! What's more - my family is all losing weight and I don't want to regress into old, unhealthy habits (again). So, let's hope that I get a sudden burst of nesting energy that lasts for the next 7 weeks. Because if the freezer is going to be filled, then I am going to cook the meals myself!!!

I don't know yet who will be here to watch our children when Paul and I are both at the hospital. Paul's folks are 20ish minutes away. So, they will likely be the babysitters.

But, you see, this is the problem - my mom and Paul's mom did not have quite so many kiddoes under foot when they were mamas with kids at home. So, when they come to my house they find it very hard to prepare a meal (and keep their sanity). This is completely understandable!!! However, they think that since they cannot do it Rebecca cannot do it either. But, Rebecca was born into this -and she does it VERY well. She is more efficient in the kitchen that I can ever hope to be. She is even able to incorporate the kids into cooking - I don't know how she does it ; )  But, my point is, if our mothers can agree to let Becca do the cooking, everyone should be well fed.

Let's hope they like our menu options...

I need video suggestions

Okay, Friends - I need your advice!

Some days I am just too tired to pull off a full day of school. On those days I would love to put on an educational video that I can count as school credit (history, geography, science, music, creation, etc). My kids are all under age 10. They LOVE anything about natural sciences or geography. They will watch documentaries about people if they are not "scary."  Please add a warning if something is particularly evolutionary in its thinking, so that I can be forewarned.

We really like the Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution series. So anything along those lines would be especially appreciated. We do watch the National Geographic films - and enjoy  them - I just like to be forewarned of the world view represented.

Please let me know any suggestions you have! My kids and I need your help.

Real Struggles

He enters my home and sits down comfortably as though he is an invited guest. My fatigue and irritation are written all over my face, but rather than make a move to leave he settles in all the more. You would think that he is all the more resolved in his visit after seeing my noticeable agitation.

His name is Rage. He often enters my home with the desire of disrupting all my well-laid plans. My plan is to act in a loving way to my family, to my friends, and to everyone I meet. My plan is to be patient and kind, forbearing with those who are irksome to me. But, Rage does not pay any heed to my plans. He thinks he has a higher authority. We are constantly bickering back and forth. He points out all my flaws and short-comings. Then he proceeds to point out all the weaknesses of those surrounding me. At times in the conversation I become quite provoked. I lash out and use words with the others in the room that are entirely inappropriate. Rage is pleased. He is starting to pace now… like a lion on the prowl. It is becoming more clear in my mind every minute that this visitor is my Adversary. He is waiting to devour me. And, if he has his way, he will use me to  devour everyone around me.

The fur on the back of his neck is now sticking up. He went from being a seemingly innocent bystander to being a constant source of contention within my home. In response, I am perturbed within my own self. Another visitor has entered the room, he is closely acquainted with Rage. In fact, they serve the same master. This new unwelcomed visitor goes by the name of Condemnation.

Rage and Condemnation and now working together with a will to steal, kill, and destroy all my good intentions at godly living. Condemnation is quick to point out each and every way that I have displeased my Master. He speaks with authority, as though he knows my code of conduct better than I do myself. The constant prodding of Condemnation is causing me to further conduct myself in a pattern of behavior consistent with that of his companion Rage.

I see how things are spinning out of control. So do they. Rage is cheering me on. Condemnation is reminding me that self-control is a fruit of the spirit, and I am clearly not acting like a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit. He goes on to tell me that perhaps I am not a Christian at all. With weeping I agree that he is right. I am undone.

But, wait! What’s this I remember reading in My Master’s Book about Condemnation? I remember now! There is no condemnation in Christ. There is no condemnation in Christ. There is no condemnation in Christ. Condemnation is not welcome in my home, he must leave at once!

Condemnation leaves and I see that he too was truly a lion trying to devour me. He never intended to build me up and help me to live a more godly life. I see now, as he turns to go, that his tail is between his legs. He was acting strong enough for a while, but he knows he is no match for My Master’s Word! He cannot be welcomed in a home whose motto is – There is no condemnation in Christ.

But, who is that prowling behind me. It is Rage. He is still here. He thinks that I am still under his influence, because I spoke with such vehemence to his friend Condemnation. But, my anger is something that Rage has misinterpreted. He will soon see that the power of anger within me now is the same as that Righteous Holy Anger burning in The One who turned over the tables in the Temple. That’s right, Rage. The power within me is the same power that was within the sinless One, Jesus.

Rage begins to back away. He sees a light in my eyes that tells him that he has lost ground. He has seen this light before, it is a reflection of the Light of the World shining from inside my very soul. With one last offensive effort, Rage jumps at me again. But, I am holding my shield of faith now! I have at last remembered that My Master gave me armor to fight against such enemies. While my shield deflects his sharp teeth, I reach for my dagger. I stab Rage again and again:

“No weapon formed against me will prosper.”

“I am the righteousness of Christ.”

“Put away bitterness, wrath, and anger.”

“I am a new creation in Christ.”

I feel strength from within me. Clearly my master is fighting from within my own self. He is waging war with his foe. My Master’s Helper – that is the Holy Spirit – has given me strength and armor for this battle. And, now, Rage is stumbling out the door.

I sit down to look at my own wounds. They are many. The lions never leave me unscathed. But, My Master’s Helper is here to tend to the wounds. He speaks kind words to me. He reminds me that My Master loves me so much that The Son came to die for me. He reminds me that I am the apple of My Master’s eye. Such words of love are a balm to my soul. The stings of my enemy’s sharp teeth are no longer so evident to me. I am immersed in remembering the love of my master.

I get up. I now have renewed strength to face the day. Yes, I made mistakes. Yes, I have a lot more growing to do. But, My Master loves me. He looks on me and sees the righteousness of His Perfect Son. He looks at me and sees what He knows I will become. My Master knows that He will finish the Good Work that He has begun in me. He has perfect confidence in this… and He wishes to share some of this confidence with me. Warmth, joy, peace, and love are all abounding now within my home. My Master’s Helper has left a blessing in the place of the conflict that was here just moments ago.

I can hear my Master singing over me from afar. He is still reminding me of his love. He is delighting over me! He is singing over me! I am quieted by His Holy Love and I return to the business of my day.

Peace is restored. Joy is restored. Love is restored. My Master loves me and He sent His Helper to restore unto me the joy of my salvation.

His Mercies are new every morning, and I have a reason to live. Praise God to whom all blessings flow.

If I hadn't seen it...

I would NOT have believed it.

Nelson (just turned 8) was running out the door at recess and knocked over a box of dog treats. Without my saying one word he picked up the box and all the treats and then went on his way.

Can you believe it? Seriously, I am not making this up!

32 Weeks and Counting

My 32 week check-up went great. 

I am measuring at 33 weeks. 

Baby's heartbeat was 134. 

All is good.

Only 8 weeks to go!

A Day on the Farm

We spent all day at the farm yesterday. We were very tired at the end of the day. Paul could hardly get out of bed at 3 to go to UPS. Paul's Dad had a lot of odd jobs that would not have been too overwhelming for 3-4 grown men, but our hay team consists of Paul, his Dad (who has a hernia), his mother (who can only drive the truck), my two eldest children, and my own pregnant self. It was some day!

Most of the time, I watched the kiddoes and took pictures. But, when it got to be late afternoon I knew that I would have to help. So, I pulled on some heavy gloves and started stacking hay bales in two long lines. The purpose of this is that the men who gather the bales do not have to walk so far from the trailer each time to pick up the bale. Also, the bale(s) on top of the stack are higher off the ground and the men do not have to bend down. It was a small thing for me to do, but it helps them a lot.

So, without further ado - pictures. As usual, click any picture to bring up the nifty enlargements page.

Did you notice the big white dog? He is a Great Pyrenees. We will be getting his sister this Friday! She will likely eat more than she is worth for a while, but we could not pass on a "free" pure bred livestock dog with such a great disposition.

Number Two Turns Eight

Nelson turned eight years old today!

Eight of my favorite things about Nelson:

1- He is becoming mechanical like his Daddy. Give the boy a screw driver or a drill and he is in his element.
2- He is becoming a farmer like his Daddy. Just set him in the tractor seat and watch him go!
3- He is FULL of energy... though, admittedly, this is not always my favorite trait in him...
4- He loves the Lord (and will be baptized Nov. 20th).
5- He is very protective of his little sister.
6- He compliments me on my appearance a lot.
7- He brings me flowers.
8- I see great potential to be a truly great man!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NELSON!!!