Good afternoon, all.  We are on day 8 of the cold/ fever flu bug around here.  Most are sniffling and hacking and somewhere in the before- during- after continuum, with only a couple not sniffing at all.  It seems to have one person fall to the fever every three days... at this point the plague will leave the building in a month.  As for now, though, it is really nice to spend quieter days at home.  I think it really rates re-considering the activities which have us running around on a normal basis, as we have gotten school done every day this week and had some extra time for fun and games.  With six schoolage children and two toddlers (and being pregnant) sometimes it seems that all we do is school!

On to my title... I have recently joined a quiverful blogroll.  Being quiverfull is a fancy name for a pretty simple concept.  We believe in letting God control the size of our family.  We believe the Bible teaches that children are a blessing, and we should not deny God the ability to bless us how He sees fit.  I mean, really, if God were blessing us with tons of money, would we ask him to stop because we have too much?  No thanks, God, I'm having trouble controling the bank accounts of what I have already... please stop sending the cash flow my way.  Of course not.  That's ridiculous.  Yet that is exactly what many people do each and every day.

Of course, it means being content if God doesn't send more our way, too.  I have friends who don't use birth control either, and only have one or two children.  So it is not a definite that you will have dozens of children if you trust God with your family size.  And really- isn't it all about trusting God?  Do I trust Him enough to know that He knows what is good for me?  That he is not out to punish me with these children, but to bless me?  When this baby is born I will have 2 under 2, 3 three and under, 4 four and under, 5 six and under, and 6 eight and under.  It makes me tired to just think of it!

Is it an easy task?  Nope.  Not at all.   It's hard to be pregnant so much.  It takes hard work to train them in righteousness (for I then need to be trained in the same thing... there is no "do as I say and not as I do" in developing the characters of these children).  It takes hard work to teach them, to get the house in decent order (it's never even close to perfect), and to feed them, along with being a good wife to Eric.  Sometimes I feel like a balloon ready to burst... just stretched too thin.  Sometimes I hate the pressure of how everyone watches us due to the large size.  I hate having people think I have it all together when I know how often I really fail.

The Bible says that we will be saved in childbearing... I don't think that it is actual salvation.  For that only comes through believing in Jesus.  My personal take on it, and I am not a theologian so I could be wrong, is that my large homeschooling family keeps me way to busy to get into trouble meddling in other people's affairs.  For I surely am busy from sunup to sundown, and many times in between.  It takes a daily laying down of my life and desires, and putting on the service, humility, and desires of Christ to do what I am called to do.  Yet I wouldn't trade it for the world.

A friend of mine recently sent me a link for maternity t-shirts... the sayings were so funny - have fun browsing... I love the one which asks if this baby makes me look fat.  And I'd love to get the one which points an arrow to the baby and says, "Product of a United States Marine".  But alas, they are for the young, skinny pregnant ladies, and I am no longer that.  So enjoy browsing!  http://www.cafepress.com/buy/maternity   .

And I know I may have pressed some buttons with this topic.  If you have nice, considerate comments (you are allowed to disagree- just be polite!), I will gladly accept comments and questions.  Fire away!

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Posted by MamaArcher

What a great post!! Thank you so much for sharing!! I am so glad to have you as a part of our roll!
Kristine
www.mamaarcher.com

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Posted by 4sweetums

I like the t-shirt that says "I made a human what did you do today." I really enjoyed your post. I like how you included that some just aren't meant to have lots of kids. My obgyn joking said that I could only hold a pregnancy once every 13 years. That is the gap between the my birth children. Blessedly God led us to adoption so I got to have a few more than two. I can't imagine how busy you are but you have a great spirit in what you are so blessed to do.
Blessings,
Dawn

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Posted by stillearning

People disagree with you? Who? No I'm jk really I don't see it as a hot button topic but of course I agree with you. ;) I don't see you saying if YOU don't do this then you're not a christian. I think people tend to muddy the waters sometimes when it comes to issues of conviction? They feel that they are coming under condemnation but that is not so...at least not with the majority of QF people I think? Oh and my dh uses the money example too...we don't say, "Please Lord don't send us any more money, we have enough!" :)

God Bless, Pam

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Posted by Ashley

Welcome to the blogroll. I hope your pregnancy is easy peasy and the new baby is sweet as pie. :)

www.helpmeetintraining.blogspot.com

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Posted by CTdittmar

Enjoyed your thoughts and openness! Thanks for sharing.

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Posted by Michelle

Your post was such a blessing to me! Actually, I've enjoyed reading your blog posts as I've just discove red your blog only 3 weeks ago. We too, are quiverful minded, but didn't get that way until about 5-6 years ago. Most people don't get it, but it has brought me such peace to place my trust in God for my family size.
I am 38 and have 5 blessings and I hope and pray that God will bless us at least one more time...or two...or three...:)

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Posted by Anonymous

This is a difficult topic for me, as I see how important it is to trust God for all things, and I understand the blessing of children. But, I have no problem getting pregnant and really can't imagine being pregnant every year and caring for my husband and all the children. My husband and I have been married for almost 5 years and we have 3 little girls who are 3, 2, and 1. We have decided to take a little break and though I finally feel like if I ended up pregnant I wouldn't freak out, I still want to wait a little longer. Training our children is a lot of work, and they aren't even difficult children! My husband believes that we don't need to use any form of birth control, but can ask God to actually close my womb for a time as the Bible speaks of God opening and closing the womb. I want to believe that and that God doesn't give us more then we can handle with His help. But some days get so over whelming and I want to enjoy my husband and my children. I just am wondering how you all deal with so many pregnancies and children and husbands who enjoy attention as well!! I love being home and caring for my family but just don't feel like I can do it all and some days just fall on my knees confessing my weaknesses! Does anyone else feel like that!!! I would appreciate any advise!
Valerie

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Posted by Anonymous

I stumbled on your site while searching for something else and was amazed! God bless you for what you do! I agree completely...children are such a blessing. I'll be bookmarking your site. :)

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