• Jul. 24, 2008
Adrenaline Rush

Last night, the coolest thing I have ever seen happened.  My two boys were sitting on the floor playing in the office, while I was figuring some math.  Noah said, "uh, Mama?"  I said, "just a second, Noah"  The next thing I knew, he was up screaming, crying, and running out the door of the office and into the living room.  Before I could do anything else, he was back in the office still screaming like before and headed straight for his little brother, grabbed his overall straps, and was pulling him across the floor.  As soon as he moved the baby, there it was.........................A scorpion!  Tail curled up, ready to attack! 

I grab Malachi, who Noah left setting in the door, and head for the living room.  Remember this is all happening within seconds.  Noah runs around the living room, still yelling, jumps up on the couch, past his little sister and behind his daddy, looking for protection.  I tell Will that there is a scorpion and he is so caught up with the little ball of 4 year old behind him and trying to figure out what is wrong with his son that never acts this way, that he didn't hear me.  I tell him again and he goes to make his execution (Maybe it's just a guy thing, but he likes to cut their tails off with scissors.) as I try to calm down a green faced, wide eyed little hero. 

I told Noah how proud I was of him and that his actions proved that he is becoming a young man because men do things to protect others even when things are scary and dangerous. 

Will took the kill to its final resting place (the toilet) and we all gathered round.  Noah hovered over the toilet and little Anna stuck her chubby hand up and said, "get back, Noah!  He sting You!"  Will leaned over to make the flush as our children watched that scorpion get the biggest swirly he'd ever had!  I start explaining to Will exactly what had happened and how proud I was of our son.

I'm not sure if it was an adrenaline rush, God given first born instinct, or that our son has an amazing capability to think straight that Noah came back to get his brother in situations where most people couldn't think at all.  It's not that scorpions are so bad......I hate them, and they have a nasty sting! ( I've been stung on the forearm.)....but knowing that Noah is able and capable of protecting his siblings even when things are chaotic, dangerous, and scary.  To a 4 year old, this situation was a big deal.  If he hadn't come back for Malachi, he would have gotten stung, and probably me too.  What a brave little hero!

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• Jul. 23, 2008
Wordless Wednesday

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• Jul. 21, 2008
VBS

Well, our first night of Bible school went very well.  We had all girls  10 of them!  We learned about Moses and his obedience to God and how God used him even when it was hard.  We worked on blankets.  My mother in law is teaching...I'm helping and my father in law is helping when he's able.  Will was doing the youth class, but since he just had 2 tonight, we combined classes.  He has another guy helping him.  Tell you what, as we worked on the blankets, those 3 men were the best helpers I have ever had!  We had a lot of fun and look forward to what God is going to do in the lives of these girls the rest of the week!

 

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• Jul. 21, 2008
From One Crazy Week to Another

Summers are always crazy and full around here.  The rest of the summer definitely testifies to that truth!  As all of you know, we had youth camp the week before last, then last week was just kind of a catch up week.  This week is VBS.  Thank goodness its in the evenings, gives more time with our children during the day.  Then, we leave Saturday for our mission trip to AZ.  Please pray that God would give our kiddos an extra amount of grace and rest, as it is going to be a long couple of weeks for them.  They do it every year and God has been very good and merciful.  I know that God provides the strength we need when we are working for Him, and trust that He will do no less this year.  Thanks for all your prayer and encouragement.  Hopefully, I can be back into a routine with housework, family, and blogging.

 

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• Jul. 15, 2008
Are you Truly in the Faith?

In our Keepers of the Home Group this morning I presented the ladies with some verses and some questions to ponder.  I wanted to present it to all of you as well.  Please take time today to search your heart.  Where are you with Jesus?  Is He first place in your life?  Are you working for Him or just kind of coasting along?  I hope the following will help you as you strive to become closer to Him.

Examine your life. Are you 100% sure that you have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ or are you just going through the motions and hanging onto believing a prayer that you said one time but you’ve never been changed? True salvation changes you, not just for a time, but for the rest of your life. It is a surrendering of your life to Christ so that He can use your life to draw others to Himself and bring glory to His name. It’s not about knowing, saying, and doing religious things, but about a genuine relationship with and desire to serve Him.

Matt. 7:22-23

Satan will do everything he can to deceive people into believing that they are saved if they really aren’t. Be careful to truly examine your heart’s desires and the life style that you live.

John 10:10

There are ways to be sure that you are saved. The Bible gives us many evidences for us to look at to be sure that we are truly "in the faith."

You will meet much resistance. People of the world will mock the things you do and choices you make. Mk 13:13

Your desires will be different. Heb. 10:22-23, 1 Jn. 1:5-8, 1 Jn. 2:15

God’s Word will speak to you and convict you almost every time you read it. Heb. 4:12-13

Your life will encourage other Christians to do only things that will encourage their walk with Christ. Other Christians shouldn’t feel comfortable doing things around you that are dishonoring and displeasing to the Holy Spirit. You should always be careful not to put yourself in situations where there is an opportunity for your convictions to be compromised, and you should be careful to help guard other Christians from these situations as well.

Heb. 10:24-25

After going through just a few of the verses that the Bible gives on the life of a Christian and looking at your life. Is Jesus getting what He paid for?

Heb. 9:12-14

Is there something that is keeping you from God really being able to use you? Maybe in looking at these things, you realize that you truly aren’t a Christian and you feel God leading you to Himself. If that is the case, don’t let anything hinder you from coming to Jesus.

Luke 7:36-50

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• Jul. 12, 2008
Home Safely

The Lord has been very gracious to us this week!  It was a wonderful week at camp where many of our youth had a wonderful time growing together in the Lord.  Each of them had the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and a chance to respond resulting in salvation.  About half of our group were faithful christian kids that have a heart for the Lord.  2 of our young ladies felt the Lord's call on their life into ministry.  One to missions, another to children's ministry.  Another young lady, who has grown up in church and had made a previous profession of faith at a much younger age realized that her salvation had not been genuine and there had never been a real change in her life because of Jesus.  Praise the Lord for His guidance to her!  Others even with having the opportunity to hear the gospel, still have a calloused heart that has grown cold to the things of the Lord.  Please pray for them.  Pray for each of these students...please!  Some of them have seen their need to do a lot of things differently.  Pray that they would be strong and determined in their follow through. 

It was wonderful to come home to our children's smiling faces and squeals of joy.  I'm thankful that God has given us one more day with them! Thank you for your love and encouragement! 

In Jesus Joy and Peace,

Charity

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• Jul. 5, 2008
Who's Da' Man!?

Will strutting after a spike on one of his best buds in volleyball....and the shirt was a gift....I know this looks like a really cocky picture, but its a fun one for our family and just wanted to share.

Will and I will be out of town this week for youth camp.  His parents will be staying here with the kiddos, but I probably won't get much chance to update the blog, unless it's in the wee hours of the morning.  I will try to check back in, but can't promise.  Otherwise, I will see you when I get back...I will miss you all!

Charity

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• Jul. 3, 2008
The Blessing of Motherhood

Each morning I wake up to cheerful smiles and happy little feet running across our wood floor, and as the sun shines through our windows, I'm reminded of the grace that God shines on our family each day.  I realize the blessing of the over abundance of clothes that we have to wear by the piles of laundry that I have such a hard time keeping up with, when so many are willing to wear whatever they can get their hands on. 

I see the strength and perseverance in the heart of my young boys and am reminded of the leader that they will one day be and how it is the responsibility of Will and I as their parents to train them to be Godly men who strive to lead in the home, community, church, nation, and possibly world.  I pray that God would continue to give them strength to stand for what is right and courage to share the gospel even if times of severe persecution come, all the while doing their best to protect and lead their family. 

I am well acquainted with the beauty and joy my little girl brings to our home as she sings and giggles throughout the day and am reminded of the joy that we as wives and mothers should be allowing to reign in our home as we are the ones who set the tone.  It is up to us to make sure that our home is a joyful, happy, delightful, and restful place to be.  It should be a place where the weary find strength and rest and the disheartened find an encouraging word.  I smile to think that she will one day be a cheery and happy wife and mother who sets a wonderful and joyful spirit in her own home as she loves her husband and trains her children.

"Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future."  Proverbs 31:25

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• Jul. 2, 2008
Wordless Wednesday!

Smiles from the laundry room!  This is how I found my children when I woke up the other day. 

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• Jul. 1, 2008
Be a Joyful Parent

"Parents are competing with many others in an open contest for the position of role model.  Children will seek to be like the person who most attracts them.  Parents cannot demand respect or admiration.  If it is not freely given, it doesn't exist.  Joy attracts everyone."  Taken from To Train Up a Child by Michael and Debi Pearl

Whaaaaat??????  Is there something on my face?

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• Jun. 30, 2008
The Important Things in Life.

Sometimes people focus so much material things and forget what their children really need.  Time, love, reading books, nature walks, tea parties, prayer time and so on.  Children are much more happy and will love and respect the friendship of a parent who puposes to truly invest in them and spend time getting to know who they really are.  Enjoy your children.  Make special times with them everyday and don't let anything else take that place.  Will and I have several things that we try to do with the children to show them how much we love them and to train them in the way of the Lord. 

Will tucks the children into bed each night, lets them pray, then prays over them.  I like to go in too, but a lot of times I just let him.  This is a very special time between he and the children.  He prays that God would protect them, that He would raise them up to have a love and desire for Jesus, the God would give us wisdom to train them in the way they should go, and that He would protect them from falling into the sins that Will and I have struggled with in the past.  Our desire is that they would become mighty warriors of God and Godly ladies for Christ. 

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• Jun. 29, 2008
Muffins with Gram!!

I like to invite Gram and Marmee over every once in a while to have breakfast with the kids.  Gram (My mom) came recently and the kiddos had a wonderful time!

(You can't tell much from this pic. but I really think Noah's eyes are shaped like my mom's.)

Just so happened that Noah was the only one I could get a picture of.  I was busy with the other two.

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• Jun. 28, 2008
Baby Wearing Contest!

Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)

Visit this link to find out more about winning a baby carrier from along for the ride!  You can enter by July 31 and win!  Good luck!

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• Jun. 27, 2008
My little Super Man!

Malachi, as we have talked about before, LOVES to have things on his head!  This time, it's Daddy's Super Man hat!  Kye is very good about playing while Mama works with the older children with their learning. 

 

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• Jun. 26, 2008
Wordless Wednesday on a Thursday!

Silly Girl!

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• Jun. 24, 2008
Meet Conan!

This is Conan one of the newest additions on our little farm.  We also have Maderick a min. donkey that Noah got for Christmas.  We gave Anna the opportunity to name Conan because Noah named both Bryant, the dog, and Maderick his donkey.  So, when we asked Anna what she wanted to name the new donkey, she said, "uh, tonan"  (her "c" still sounds like a "t")....I said, "Conan!??  Where did you hear that?"  Of coarse, our 2 year old just grinned.  So that's the story of Conan's name.  Oh, Will's brother gave him to us...Thanks Spence!

I love his eyes...I think they are outlined beautifully!

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• Jun. 23, 2008
Baby Chicks

3 weeks ago today we woke up to a phone call saying our baby chicks had arrived at our local post office!  (they hold the chicks at the post office to insure safe conditions for the day until they can be cared for, but like for them to be picked up right away.)

We picked them up at the back door, Noah rang the bell, and it was neat because Marmee (Will's Mom, the kids call her Marmee instead of Grandma) who only works as a fill in and on the weekends at the post office, happened to be working that day, and was able to deliver the chicks to Noah!

The kids enjoyed watching the chicks in the box, while I prepared a brooding area. 

We ordered 30 chicks, and received 32.  We received a free rare bird with our purchase, it is the white chick with black markings on its head in the lower left corner.   They don't identify your free chick, it's a surprise!  As this one has grown, we are thinking it's a Silver Spangled Hamburg.  The chicks look nothing like this now, and I am still in the stone age days of a 35 mm camera...which I love, but don't have the convenience of posting pics immediately!  So they look totally different now.  They are molting all of their chick fuzz and growing their feathers. 

For your lesson in chickens today... the black chicks with yellow spots on their heads are Dominiques, the yellow chicks are Buff Cochins,  the pretty little brown chicks are partridge cochins, the solid black chicks are Black Austrolorpes, and the brown white and black chicks with stripes on their backs are silver penciled wyandottes. 

The children have had so much fun watching them grow, and in 5 more months, we should start seeing some eggs!  The children have been able to learn a lot about responsibility with animals bringing in more feed and changing the paper, as the chicks are in the utility room for now.  We decided it would be best to leave them inside a little longer...just to let them get a little bigger to be able to better protect themselves.  We will be putting them outside in the next couple of days.  We are also looking forward to showing in the fall at the local and county fairs.

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• Jun. 21, 2008
Happy Birthday PaPa!

 

Happy 49th Birthday PaPa!

Tomorrow is my Daddy's 49th Birthday!  We are celebrating by going to Cracker Barrel for lunch after church!  YUM! 

Happy Birthday Daddy.  You are so special to me.  I am so thankful and proud to have a Godly father who truly lives a life pleasing to the Lord.  He has taught me so much and invested in me as well as in my children.

Thank you, Daddy for the love that you have for your family and the way that you have instilled Godly character and hard work into the hearts of your children, and now, your grandchildren.  Happy Birthday!

 PaPa, thank you for loving me, taking me with you, and letting me come to your house sometimes.  Thanks for letting me ride the tractor with you sometimes! -Noah

PaPa, thank you for swinging with me and singing with me!  -Anna Beth

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• Jun. 20, 2008
Annas rag curlers

I have ALWAYS LOVED the OLD little women.   In that movie...Kittie, the little girl at the bording house, is SOOOO cute with her hair tied in the rag curlers.  I have been waiting for what seems like forever for Anna's hair to be long enough.  It finally is!

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• Jun. 19, 2008
Cool School Fan!

I'm am totally and completely convinced that our children have the absolute coolest Daddy EVER!!!  A couple of weeks ago, Will and I were awakened to a HUGE crashing noise in our little house.  Awakened from deep sleeps, Will and I both leap into action running through the house.  My biggest fear is that Noah has fallen from his top bunk!    I also ran into the kitchen to see if everything was alright there, because just the night before the wind had blown the baby's bathtub out of the sink and made a similar, but not quite so big crashing noise on the tile! 

While in the kitchen, Will summoned me to the office, which also doubles as our school room and I couldn't believe my eyes.  Our huge (really, outdoor) fan had fallen from the ceiling and crashed in the floor.  The globe had shattered, the blades busted, pieces were everywhere!  I swept up the glass and decided the rest could wait until morning.

Yesterday, Will went to pick out a new fan, and brought home this TOTALLY cool one!  It's the Hunter discovery.  It took me by surprise at first because I wasn't expecting a kids fan, but Will was quick to point out that he'd had the kids school room in mind and that it would go well with the huge map hanging on the wall.  (Our school room is pretty mission minded with pictures of families and individual children and adults that we know support or pray for)  This fan means more to me than any of the other lighting in our home!  Daddy put thought into bringing home a very cool fan, and I must say,  He succeeded!  Thanks Will.  I love you!

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