".....Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

Scott and I are looking at taking a break from the mission field for a while as we prepare for the birth of a seventh child. Our last birth was an ordeal of moving from place to place, capped off by an emergency c-section, and we are hoping to welcome this baby with a little more tranquil living situation. As we have been thinking and planning this possible move, we have gotten a wave of bad news about different situations in the world. Wars and rumors of wars, fires, recession and increasing government control are all bits of the news we have heard. Just as we are looking for a rest from a high-pressure mission field full of crime, where in one weekend we heard of a friend's baby on the verge of death, another man losing his wife in childbirth and a young mom being raped by a passerby, it seems our homeland is ramping up the pressure as well.

I am encouraged by reading Eric Liddel, Olympic gold medalist who was immortalized in the film Chariots of Fire. As he was facing internment in a Japanese prison camp, while serving the Lord in China during World War II, he had this to say, "Help me in the day when I need it most to remember that: 1. All things work together for good to them that love the Lord. 2. I can do all things through Him that strengtheneth me. 3. My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

He chose to meditate on God's word, instead of the circumstances and daily proclaimed Christ by his acts of service. When a job needed doing he quietly went to work on it, encouraging many others by his cheerfulness and willingness. As we care for our children each day, there are many opportunities to  model peaceful, servant leadership, and in doing so encourage others in whatever their circumstances may be.

Jennifer Pepito-TOS Chapel Editor

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We have been watching D.V.D.'s on marriage with another family down here in Mexico. They are by a man named Emerson Eggerichs who does a wonderful job of communicating godly principles for marriage. I have read a lot of books on how a woman ought to honor her husband but this series has been really helpful for understanding how harmful to men our contemptuous attitudes can be, as well as how we can communicate respect to them.

I really appreciated hearing from a man's perspective what our communication means to them. For instance, most women get close by talking together, when we go out with our husbands, naturally what we feel will draw us closer is to talk. This might mean discussing issues with children, or ways we can have a better marriage. Strangely enough this type of talk did not seem to inspire closeness in my husband. As Emmerson explained it, when men want to feel close they often do things together, without much conversation. Things like hunting and fishing, or watching a game or simply going to the hardware store together. As women we can try to understand that our husbands are different from us, and show respect for those differences by trying to meet their needs.

As it says in Malachi 2:14-16, God hates treachery in marriage because he desires a godly offspring (paraphrased). We honor God when we work hard at our marriages, and having a happy, God honoring marriage is one of the best ways to give our children a heart for the Lord and His ways.

Jennifer Pepito-Chapel Editoral

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"The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Proverbs 11:25

Many of us are wrapping up a year of homeschooling and thinking about what curriculum we will use next year. As we pore over homeschool catalogs and wonder how we will meet the needs of all the children God has placed in our care, our tension often mounts. I found a good antidote to this worry at the orphanage my husband helps.

There are three new girls living there now, and one of the older girls, only there a few months and recently having failed her sixth grade classes, was sitting with these new girls patiently sifting through their hair with a fine toothed comb for lice. It was such a vivid contrast, this child, like many here in Mexico may be 20 years old by the time she graduates, if she does.  The Mexican school system does not advance you until you complete the previous grade, so if you spent your first years of life on the streets, you will likely start school far behind. Another boy, fourteen years old will be repeating 6th grade next year. It certainly puts my fretting in perspective.

I have many children, of varying abilities, and some of them have serious struggles, but by the Grace of God, I am able each day to bring them a little further on the journey. By the Grace of God, I am also able to keep moving them forward, knowing that there are many ways to get a high school diploma, or to get a college education.

I am thankful to God for small ways to help these orphans, and for His mercy in allowing me to teach my own children. I am reminded to keep trials in perspective and enjoy the journey.

Jennifer Pepito-Chapel Editor

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"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also ye do."  1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

Yesterday was the end of the year party for our fledgling homeschool group here in Mexico.  We were a diverse crowd, some missionary families, a few Mexican nationals and an Irish family living here to adopt a baby. Some were young families, some older. A few families had many children and one of the families was homeschooling only one. The one thing we did have in common was a desire to love and care for our children in the best possible way.

Are you a part of a homeschool support group? You might argue that you have been homeschooling a long time and don't need support, but what of the families who are just beginning? One of the new homeschoolers there credited our family, among others, with helping her get started. Would she have begun the homeschool journey if we had simply kept to ourselves or only hung out with "mature" homeschool families? I am thankful for all the women of my first support group who were available to answer questions, and consider it a privilege to encourage new homeschoolers as they step out in faith to teach their own children. As we edify and encourage one another in the journey we are operating as the Body of Christ should, loving one another, because He first loved us.

Jennifer Pepito-Chapel Editor

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"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalm 126:4-5

This psalm has been a great encouragement to me at different times in my life. I don't exactly understand it, usually we reap what we sow, but here God, who is so gracious gives us joy in exchange for the tears we have sown.

What are the tears? It might be family struggles, or financial struggles.  It could be the loss of a loved one, or giving up a lifestyle to serve God in some new arena. Even going from dropping your children off each day at the local school, to giving up those free days to teach them yourself could be a field sown with tears, frustration and self-doubt.

What a beautiful promise, that even as we are sowing a field in tears as we suffer trials while following Christ, we are promised a joyful return, by His grace.

Jennifer Pepito-TOS Chapel Editor

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"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient...."  2 Timothy 2:24

We recently found out we were expecting a seventh child, and our joy has been mixed with some apprehension as I wondered how I would manage the coming weeks of all day nausea. We have been managing, I have been very thankful for good read alouds and children who are willing to be hands and feet for me as I struggle to keep up with our busy household. At the peak of this time however, I found my attitude to be a bit peevish.  I was managing school okay, but without a very sweet attitude.  I found my responses to my children to be less kindergarten teacher and more drill sergeant as I fought to overcome the rumbling and aching of my tummy. I even broke my cardinal rule of never insulting my children to tell two of them I thought they had sawdust in their heads, while slogging through a math lesson. I really blew it on that one.

I don't know exactly what effected the change, but God gave me a new dose of grace, and the realization that no matter how I feel, they are still children, given to my charge and I need to treat them with gentleness. I don't think that grumpiness is listed in Galatians 5 as one of the works of the flesh, but that really is what it is, letting my flesh, how I feel, rule how I act. God calls us to be ruled by His Spirit, and the evidence of that is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith. We can be sweet and loving with our children, even when we feel yucky, but for me at least, I can only do it with help from the Lord.

Jen Pepito

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As a mother I sometimes feel as if I am just going from small crisis to crisis.  I was unpacking our car from a weekend camping trip, and trying to do dishes when I decided to also leave the babies diaper off to give some air to a rash she was fighting and take an opportunity to put her on the potty.  That was my first mistake.  Potty training I firmly believe should be started before three years old, but definitely not at 18 months on the tail end of a camping trip with a mother dealing with morning sickness and a post camping clean up.  Well, she was not put promptly on the potty and her sister stepped in the evidence of that and proceeded to track it across the floor.  As if I didn’t have enough work to do without chasing down flip flop tracks across my floor.  Thankfully my floors are tile, which show every speck of dirt (a fact I am often not thankful for, but today it was helpful). 

As mothers, many of our days with young children will be filled with messes and inconveniences.  They are growing people who are learning new skills all the time, often with resulting mistakes. It is important that we take each little disaster in stride, teaching them how to do it better but not overreacting to accidents.

I did not feel like rejoicing while I was cleaning up, and I most certainly did overreact in this circumstance. It is good that God gives me new opportunities each day to learn to rejoice in Him always and to love His little teachers.

Jennifer Pepito-Chapel Editor

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".....Well reported for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. " 1 Timothy 1:10

The King James verb tenses are a little strange to my modern mind (she have?) but the message here about widows showing hospitality is a good one.

We watched the video The Family Meal Table, featuring Nancy Campbell teaching about the importance of having a regular family mealtime.  It was great to hear the testimony of her daughter regarding their happy meal times and regular family devotions, as well as the impact it has made on her life as a mother.  To be able to show hospitality to others, a requirement for an elder or a supported widow, we must start by having meals with our own families.  Although we regularly have people over for meals, and sit together as a family, I appreciated Nancy's exhortation to put effort into lovely meals and lovely tables.  With our water situation (we buy water by the truckload) and our power situation (we have to use a generator and solar panels) I find myself taking shortcuts.  We use paper plates often, and I rarely put food into special serving dishes.  The video did inspire me to try, at least once a week to set the table with a tablecloth, use real dishes and maybe even add a candle or a flower.  I certainly want my own children to be civilized at meals with their families one day, and we as mothers are setting the stage for the next generation.

 Lord, help us to be a civilizing influence in the lives of our children, for your glory.

Jennifer Pepito-TOS Chapel Editor

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"For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded to our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God..."    Psalm 78:5-7

I was upstairs in my room the other day, and my seven year old son came in my room weeping, saying, "I am a bad boy, I can never get to heaven!"

I asked him what was bothering him, apparently he had been listening to a Rich Mullins song about Jesus and was convicted of his sinfulness.  I explained to him that we are all bad, and none of us can get to heaven by our own goodness, that it is only the goodness of God by sending Jesus to shed his perfect blood that can give us access to heaven. We prayed together and went downstairs to greet a visitor.

Would he have heard enough to convict him of sin if the music had been Silly Songs? I have nothing against silly songs, or silly Sunday school, once in a while, but so often today it seems that adults want to consign children to dumbed down religious instruction to their detriment.  There are actually churches where children are not allowed in the service.  They are stuck in Sunday School singing Father Abraham, while their parents get to sing really wonderful songs about who God is. They are eating cookies and gluing animals on the ark while their parents are hearing the gospel.  I have nothing against children's programs.  It is a fun break for my children occasionally, but when parents aren't allowed to make the call about where their child will be most edified, when parents are forced to leave their children in a silly program when they could be learning to worship, this bothers me.

I am raising adults, not children, adults who I pray will be passionate about their Savior. How will they become passionate about Him without knowing His word, and being aware of their position in relation to Him? Sunday School is a fun diversion for my children, a place where they can learn classroom skills and be with peers, but it should not be their only instruction in righteousness, and should not cause them to miss worshipping God with adults who, by their passion, can instruct our children to be worshippers also.

Jennifer Pepito- Chapel Editor

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"Then were there brought to him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 19:13-14

Several years ago we went for the first time to a church where the pastor's were very involved in homeschooling.  It was the first time we had been to this type of church and we were amazed to see all the families sitting together, enjoying God's word.  Some of the little ones were coloring or drawing, but none of the parents were feeding their children candy to keep them quiet, as this young and uninformed mom was doing.(I can't believe I did that!) We were encouraged to see that families could work together, and we enjoyed having our own children with us for the service, especially singing together as a family.

We just received the brochure for a large homeschool conference in California, and my husband was amazed to read that they will not be allowing children in their sessions.  Personally, I really enjoy going to a conference by myself so that I can take notes and enjoy the speaker, but I have never felt imposed upon by other children at conferences and am discouraged that the practice of separating families, which is becoming so common in churches, is carrying over into homeschool conferences as well.  For some families, I am sure the option of a kids club (they are providing one) is helpful, but to not have a choice where your children will be, or to be forced to leave your children in a class with caregivers you are unfamiliar with, shouldn't happen in the homeschoool world.  A homeschool conference should be the one place where families are sovereign, and can make the decision about where their children will be most edified. 

There will be some wonderful speakers at this conference, and some of the sessions would really minister to my 7 and 10 year-old boys, but unfortunately they wouldn't have the chance to hear them.  Discovering this, makes me thankful for local conferences, where families are generally welcome to come together, and learn together, a core value of homeschooling.

Jennifer Pepito-TOS Chapel Editor

Jennifer will be speaking at the CFS conference in San Diego, California on May 10th.  CFS welcomes entire families.

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"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18

I thought I was really suffering yesterday afternoon.  Note the word thought.  I had to purchase food to feed a group of people who are coming this weekend.The group will be building bunkbeds at a nearby orphanage.  There will be two families staying with us and on Saturday we are taking lunch to the orphanage so I needed to buy something like 160 slices of bread, not to mention numerous packs of ham, veggies, fruit and the big necessity, cookies. Costco can be overwhelming on a normal day, but try going with six children to buy food for up to 50 people for 4 days. 

When I suffer (or think I am suffering), I usually get mad at my husband.  Is this a right response? No, but it somehow seems, to my twisted way of thinking to be more his fault than God's (blaming God would be a direct lack of trust, but really, if I blame my God given head, it is just as sinful) when I am in difficulty.  Now, I realize it is really wrong to get mad at your husband for wanting to serve God and feed orphans but my flesh often seems to transform my mind, rather than the Spirit of God.

It was great to read Romans 8 this morning with my children and see a few truths.

Truth #1-The sufferings of this present time, are nothing compared with the glory to come.

Truth #2-The whole creation groans and travails in pain (all of us struggle as we wait for God, and his coming glory).

Truth #3-The Spirit of God is praying for our weaknesses (yes I am weak, but God is going to help me).

Truth #4-We can conquer through Christ who loves us (God can help us get victory, through His Word over wrong thinking patterns).

Truth #5-Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I thank God for His word, which encourages me, that even in struggles, great or small, He is with us and working things out for His glory.

Jennifer Pepito-TOS Chapel Editor

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"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  James 4:7

Someone sent me a really neat youtube video.  I have heard lots of Christians, especially back in the pre Y2k days talking about how they would protect their family with their fine arsenal.  Whether they were right or not, I haven't yet figured out, and this is not a commentary on our Second Amendment rights.  We live in a fallen world, and I am not sure what to teach my children about self defense and pacifism.  Here in Mexico where our need for self defense might be greater, we are prohibited by law from having any firepower, so whatever our thoughts might have been about safety and defense have submitted to the need to really embrace the truth that God is our refuge and ever present help in trouble, and that His angels encamp around about us(Psalm 46:1 and 34:7).

Our present thoughts on our safety in God were reinforced by this video.  The woman, who resisted the devil and witnessed to her attacker was elderly.  She didn't have a family to defend but her life is still precious and yet she, with great courage resisted this evil man without any physical power, solely through her witness of Christ.  Praise God that he is able to defend the defenseless and use their witness for His glory.

Jennifer Pepito is the Chapel Editor for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, homeschool mom to six and missionary wife.  She will be speaking on Teaching Toddlers While Educating Elementaries at the CFS conference near San Diego, California on May 10th. For more information check out their website www.cfssd.org

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“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…”  Romans 12:12

I read a book recently called, To School Through The Fields.  It was subtitled An Irish Country Childhood, and was full of the memories of a girl growing up in a large Catholic family in County Cork.  I was very inspired by the passages about her mother, she was, much like Ma in the Little House on The Prairie book, faithful to serve her family, and in many ways, selfless.

            It seems to be harder for us modern women to, in a sense, forget about ourselves so that we can meet the needs of our husbands, children and extended community.  We have been told by so many secular and Christian sources that we need to take care of ourselves, and we end up in many ways becoming very selfish.  Life starts to be so much about how we feel, that often the defenseless children God has placed in our care get sidelined, and the husbands who we have the opportunity to serve are treated worse than the children.
 

Proverbs 15:33 says “Before honour is humility.” (KJV) The more we as women try to elevate ourselves and make ourselves the center of the universe, the more despised we become in the eyes of those around us.  Only by placidly loving and serving those in our sphere of influence do we gain honor, whether here on Earth, or in heaven, when the Lord calls the meek and quiet spirit we have had while serving our families, very precious in His sight.

Jennifer Pepito-TOS Chapel Editor

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"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea...." Psalm 46:1

We were having a chat with another missionary Tuesday morning while my children sat nearby doing math.  Ella had a fever and was fussy so I was carrying her around with me.  Suddenly she jerked her body and then her arm started twitching rythmically and her eyes took on a glazed look.  I realized she was having a seizure so I quickly gave her ibuprofen, took her temp and asked Scott to pray for her.  She continued seizing so we gathered the children, ushered our guest out and jumped into the truck for a fifth trip to the E.R. in a years time. Bumping up to our gate, which the guest locked for us, and down two miles of a dirt road praying fervently for the life of our child, while she continued to jerk in my arms.

Finally we got to the paved road and around the same time Ella stopped seizing.  We changed our course for the U.S and after a mix-up at the border got her to the hospital where we spent the next 30 hours, thankful for a pastor friend and my mother-in-law who came to our rescue and cared for the other children.

Leaving my house, I thought I could never go back there again, it was just one more crazy, scary incident and I didn't feel that I could handle more.  Meanwhile we heard about the judgement in California against homeschooling.  Where could we turn?  California represented difficulty with homeschooling, our home in Tijuana represented many other scary situations.  Where would my family be safe?

Praise God for His beautiful word!  He is our refuge, and strength, though trials may come, He is a strong tower and to Him we run.

We are back at home in Tijuana now, signing petitions to protect homeschooling in California, and administering fever reducers to prevent another febrile seizure in my daughter.   Although we take earthly measures for protection, we realize that our help is in the Lord, and it is in Him that we place our trust.

Jennifer Pepito-Chapel Editor

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"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."  Prov. 13:20

A fellow missionary passed on to us a stack of videos from www.solvefamilyproblems.com , these videos have been a huge blessing to us.  Each one is a sermon about some aspect of parenting, and we don't have many opportunities to hear sermons such as these where we are ministering.  Today Pastor Ron Williams shared(in the video we watched) about the hazards of friendships.  It has been on the mind of Scott and I lately, one of our children needs some extra help in speaking to people confidently, and yet we want to protect them all from foolish companions.  After hearing him share penetrating analogies about sinful friends being contagious,(would you kiss a leper to spread your health to him?) we had a discussion with our children about whether they had been defiled by their companions. 

My children play with a variety of people, missionary kids, orphans and homeschool families who come to stay with us, all of whom come from a variety of backgrounds.  Unfortunately it has been the missionary kids who have been guilty most often of poor conduct.  Disrespectful of parents, lewd in behavior and mean to siblings, my children have witnessed it all. Having this time to talk led to a good discussion of ways we can minister to others(including fellow missionaries) while not becoming fools ourselves.

Who are your children playing with?  Just because they claim Christ does not make them safe.  As parents we have been entrusted with these clay jars to protect and disciple as vessels for Christ.  Invite people over, fellowship with others, but find ways to include the children.  The gifts we receive from the Lord are worth protecting.

Jennifer Pepito-Chapel Editor

Jennifer helps her husband Scott with a ministry to families in Mexico and joyfully homeschools her 6 children. She will be speaking on discipling and teaching multiple ages at the CFS conference in San Diego, California. For more details see www.cfssd.org

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