Maplewood Cottage Home-Lessons

• Jan. 12, 2009 - Our New Family Van!

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• Oct. 27, 2008 - The children have a new brother!


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• Oct. 20, 2008 - Car Repaired!

We were quite distressed that our only vehicle started repeatedly stalling on us.

I mentioned to a local friend about the problem and she chimed in that her husband could help mine with a tune up -the local shop was gonna charge hundreds of $$ for.

By late afternoon it is running better than ever!


Again Luke and Dad enjoyed learning more from some one that had experience!

Thank You Lord for the experience! And faithfulness in taking care of us.
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• Oct. 20, 2008 - Dryer Repaired!

We spent our Saturday really working on the repairs that have been nagging at us.
My 3 year old dryer had a squeak for a month and that turned into a grinding!
I thankfully had remembered of a neighbor sharing with us about a local fella's repair service so when Mike attempted to oil the part and hope for the best didn't work I called for HELP.

Well a bearing was completely shot -it could have something to do with at least 3 loads of laundry being dried a day for most of the year ;^) I still need to repair our clothing line outside next Spring so I can use the best part of the year for line drying...

Anyway for 50.00 this fella repaired the machine by replacing the part and he spent considerable time trying to help us with our furnace -then gave referral to another affordable guy that specializes in heating and cooling.

The boys enjoyed seeing how things work! and the repair guy said he enjoyed being in our home with the children -he had a good sized family of five children himself.


Sophia and I had a great time taking a tooth brush to the lint grid and duct. I have been wanting to get it
clean for ages but couldn't really reach so just emptied the trap screen regularly -actually that is a job the little girls love to do for me. So nice to have this completed!

Thank You Lord for providing the means to take care of what you have given us.
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• Oct. 20, 2008 - The PRAYED FOR BIKE

Timmy out grew his bike this year and we wanted to buy him a new one for his birthday in September but couldn't find one we liked and afforded.
When doing our grocery shopping I had to take care of something and this put a pause to our shopping so the guys walked over and 'window shopped' in the bike department for the hundreth time LOL

AND LOOK WHAT THEY FOUND! - on clearance for 30.00 a big boys 18in. bike! Unheard of !?!
Dad spent time with both boys yesterday teaching them some bike safety so they can be trusted to ride across the street and back so they don't have to stay just on our side block. We'd found some helmets and pads on clearance awhile back...

Praise the Lord for giving good gifts to little boys!
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• Oct. 16, 2008 - Out in the Yard

I needed some fresh air after a long day... I'd just taken a nap and others were still resting except for Timmy.
So when Timmy invited me to go outside with him I grabbed my camera and followed!

We both did a little raking... and brought in the trash cans.


Then we admired the burning bushes.

I haven't been blogging much because I am so close to delivering our baby! This picture is not very good as I'd started retaining water because I didn't drink enough on purpose as I didn't get to use the restroom regularly during our road trip.
I really have been looking and feeling well other than the expected tiredness and pressure the body is going through with this BIG baby deciding to grow a bit longer inside!
Still yet MORE signs of impending labor but no active labor...

I want to thank the Lord for helping us sooooo much through many things and bringing us to this point of
DELIVERANCE and REST -such blessed peace.

And I continue to ask for grace in the days ahead - whatever they may bring.
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• Jun. 14, 2008 - Prayer Please!

We have had lots of scares over the Spring and unfortunately they continue. The children seem to think if they are given the slightest independence the SHOULD push the boundaries as far as they can go!

Here is Lina halfway out the gate that had a small gap one COULD slip thorough if they tried hard enough!

She is stuck here and had to call for help!

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• May. 1, 2008 - WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES!

I was really blessed by this devotional from Nancy Campbell's - Above Rubies. Hope you are too.  

WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES!
 
Ephesians 2:22-24, "Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which was corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness."
 
When you were born again by the Spirit of God, you received a new wardrobe. It is a very expensive wardrobe, paid for by the precious blood of Christ. You have so many beautiful garments hanging in this wardrobe. You have lovely dresses of love, joy, peace, longsuffering gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). You have delightful garments of tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance and forgiveness. (Colossians 3:12-17).
 
The strange thing is that although we have this expensive wardrobe, we don't always bother to wear the clothes. We are so used to our old shabby clothes of the flesh. We feel more comfortable in them. They feel familiar, so we stick with them instead of trying out our new wardrobe. To put on a beautiful dress of gentleness or patience can seem foreign because we are not used to wearing them.
 
But they belong to you! They are yours! Imagine if your husband purchased a very special and pricey dress for you. You couldn't believe how posh it was. But you never wore it. You thought it was too good for you. How would your husband feel when he paid so much for it and wanted to be proud of you wearing it?
 
I wonder how God feels when He gives us this glorious wardrobe, purchased at an enormous price, and we never wear the garments? He gives them to us but He doesn't put them on us. He tells us to PUT THEM ON. "Put on the new man ..." I love the J. B. Phillip's translation which says, "Fling off the dirty clothes of the old way of living ... And put on the clean fresh clothes of the new life ..."
 
Make sure you put on a new garment each morning. Have you had a lousy night with the baby waking all night? Are you going through a fiery ordeal? Put on the garment of praise. (Isaiah 61:1-3). Let me tell you a secret. You won't feel like putting it on. You'd much rather put on your dirty old dress of grumbling and complaining. But do it by faith. Don't worry about your feelings. Put on your praise garment. Start praising and thanking the Lord. As you do it by faith, you will actually wear it.
 
You can change garments as you need them throughout the day. Are the children getting on your nerves? You feel your anger rising. Quick! Change into your garment of long-suffering or patience. Put it on by faith. Thank the Lord for His patience which is in you because He lives in you.
 
Are you starting to shout and yell because everything is getting on top of you? Put on the garment of gentleness. Thank the Lord for His gentle spirit which lives in you. This is the new man. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He lives in you now.
 
All these beautiful garments belong to you. They are yours. All you have to do is put them on by faith!
 
Strip of your old shabby garments. Wear your new ones each day. Live in them. Let Christ live His beautiful life through you.
 
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
 
PRAYER:
 
"Thank, you Lord, for all the beautiful garments that you have given to me. I am sick of my old rags. They look so ugly to everyone. Help me to put on your beautiful new garments which reveal your beautiful life in me. Amen."
 
AFFIRMATION:
 
I may have little in my literal wardrobe, but I have access to the most glorious garments in my spiritual wardrobe. Praise God.

 PO Box 681687, Franklin, TN 37068-1687, U.S.A.
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• Mar. 21, 2008 - Prayer Request

My husband and I are spending the next week doing prep work for our homeschool and getting a vision for the new season and goals we have had.

I want to add a praise - my dh has been so supportive of being a part of the homeschool... he gets great ideas and gives me help and direction when I am a overwhelmed or unsure about something.

Also we will be taking the school aged boys to the library 24-28 to the China workshop offered. They are real excited. Luke especially has had interest in China since he was small.

The girls will start a preschool reading hour program in April. This works out well as Mike then has time with the boys that day each week and the girls get to learn to behave in public
The lady that will be the story hour lady is a Christian from New Zealand so I am excited to get to know her.

Also we are trying to get clothing worked out for the new season. I am a bit frustrated because i have worked so hard to keep the girls fairly modest but they have grown out of much of their clothing and in a sense we have to start over again! Ugh... and I never seem to get organized enough to do the sewing I say I want to do.

On  a brighter note Mike found shoes on sale ( deep clearance for Luke ) and boy did he need them!

We hope to find a bit more on clearance this week during a few shopping trips.

Everyone is growing so fast!!

Oh praise be for the ideas I have been getting to help the girls set up a little corner to play 'housekeeping' and 'mommy'.  We also found some dolls for the doll house that we have had.

Everything works out in His time.

I think I can safely announce our new pregnancy.
Thing are going well at about 7 weeks.

I have had a lot of direction from the Lord about details for support. Including being given contact with a couple that practice chiropractic locally that home birth!

We are very optimistic!

Praise God.
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• Jan. 22, 2008 - Anniversary of Roe v Wade

I can't express everything that has been going on in my heart and mind over the last months but I do know the Lord is putting a lot of  things on my heart concerning abortion and healing.

And really just the need for our nation as a whole to turn our hearts toward Him.

There is so much pain and grief that ebbs away at one's life particularly one that has never turned to Him.

Those of us that have committed our sin and grief to Him in the past may find we need to go back and submit  anew again  to continue growing in our spiritual lives and to live  a healthy life  unto Him.

I believe this year is that for me. And my husband as well.

I do not want to be hindered in my usefulness for Him because of anything!

These are somethings we are meditating on.

I have this huge Andrew Murray book that has 3-4 of his books within! My dh and I are reading it together...as well as George Mueller
and my Streams in the Dessert devotional...

My Bible reading/studies are now mostly in Isaiah/ Jer./ Psalms

A lot about healing and drawing near to the Lord. And the Lord is giving me opportunities to share the book
Lord Heal My Hurts by Kay Arthur w/biblestudy I completed years ago and picked up again.

I also have a book/ biblestudy that I went through when I was first married that a lady from my old church wrote that ministers to Christian Marriages I am rereading that too and praying it can be used to bring more growth in my marriage and give me a means to share with other wives that are egger to learn of Him.
I also have re read the Home courtship, marriage and children John R Rice - Me Obey Him by one of his daughter's.
I ordered some Randy Alcorn books that were on deep discount for the month on Abortion, the b/c issues etc... and praying that may be a means for ministry as well.

I have many tracts and other literature that is perfect to give to the new believer and I am refreshing my mind of the gospel scriptures... and biblical doctrinal points/ verses.

My local and far away churches that feed us are BOTH in Acts; it is exciting to see what the Lord is doing

My kids and I have been reading through the Little House Series and are almost ready to start number four.

We will read it to the old folks in the nursing home down the street. As well as picture books we get from the library weekly.

My dh and I will be reading some of Crown Financial's books.

**I am currently waiting to read more on birthing I skim a few blogs and lists but slowed down on those studies for now. Though I have been so encouraged about the Christian Birthing Ministries and groups.

Well on to reading time!

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• Jan. 1, 2008 - Our Holiday

 I planned for both some 'work' to be done around the house AND some soul searching.
Both were accomplished but not exactly in the same ways I had in mind LOL
NO, NO not by far!
Our first 4-5 days we were without HEAT the first day and a half we hesitated to call a repair man because we simply DON'T have the money. However, after following the simple directions for re-igniting the furnace ( twice) and getting very poor results including some kind of little motor burning out and smoking up the house with a rubber smell... We Called to inquire if the co that put the 'newer' ( 90's) furnace in would be willing to come take a look and possibly post pone our need to pay until later or... make up a payment plan for us ( of which I still am very unsure how we will pay) BUT TRUSTING!

First this made MIKE gloomy. It is always much harder for him to put all the 'stuff' we seem to be handed especially the last year or so.... BUT this opened up great honesty in both of us I was able to tell him I was a little nervous about what this all meant but wasn't worried or anxious but mostly wanted to be very sure to get out of the experience what I am meant too! I did a lot of praying and felt I was far more faithful to praying for my friend and her brothers and parents than I would have been if I was busy with my own festivities! This was a very deep blessing to me!  It also caused me to pray for my friend that is a drunk and has told me that she was out on the streets a lot last winter! I was hoping we would talk again this holiday... ( and she did call me on Christmas Eve )

Mike was bummed out! We had a very sparse time planned and really the only reason we had much of anything was because of CHARITY and gifts from extended family.
I guess this bothers a man more because HE is to be provider of this family for the most part but I try to direct him to the fact that we all have a PROVIDER and that is the Father. His hand is what feeds us and protects us... We both know this but it is good to be confronted with it. It really is. Circumstance is often the best teacher!

We relished the lovely green apples that my Aunt sent us twenty five pounds of ... with a neat apple peeler, coring and slicing machine. My grandma sent us an assortment of goodies from Figi's and we just now are finishing them up on the New Year Day. Another grandma sent money and that provided for a Turkey and some other needed groceries. The local pantry included some small gifts for the children ( Mike was able to pick them out himself) So Lina got a little girly figure that works great in a old fisher price doll house we got for free last year during all pick up trash week and Sophia got a soft baby with a pacifier. This warmed my heart because they need all the soft feminine toys they can get. Luke and Tim got hats, mittens, pencils and erasers, a yoyo. Then a lady from the library gave some hat's and gloves too. Luke still needs some gloves but this is good to pray for because he is the one that helps daddy the most with shoveling.. technically he uses some that are mine but I will hope to get him some as well as boots soon probably at season's end I can get him some for next year cheap and he'll be set for all the BIG BOY outdoor jobs he'll have next winter! He IS getting big he is much bigger than Tim lately! Tim's boots that were new last year simply don't fit him anymore but it doesn't matter as much cus he doesn't stay out as long. I might call a local charity and see if they have anything for them now though.

We never got frozen! But at one point it was 52 degrees in here obviously much colder outside and very windy. I felt nothing but THANKFUL that we had some  shelter! It helped that we have been reading about pioneers and the far NORTH countries etc... I do have a bit of a childish imagination that kicks in an shields me from being forlorn about many circumstances. I was able to make it fun for the kids we bundled up and read books on the bed.

The repairman did come out twice on Christmas eve. He'd let his guys off for the holiday but was willing to come out and help families that were needing work done. He however was not able to get ours up and working ... he left two small heaters that did make a huge difference to us keeping it in the 60's then the morning after Christmas day he sent a guy out and with all the parts we needed and yeap! It was working great afterward. So from that standpoint our home did get some attention. Though I didn't get painting done.
Best thing was I had something to give the owner that was here on Christmas eve. I had a lovely pineapple pie that someone at Mike's work had requested but then he couldn't be found on Friday sooo we had it already for the repairman...  so happens he is a HUGE fan of pies and it made his day. I hoped it was good and he raved about it and then was sincerely shocked that it was my first pie I ever made. So I plan on treating him to a pie every now and again his shop is almost directly across from Mike's work so he can drop one off every several weeks. 

Mike was more at ease after the repair was made.

After we thawed out we went to get a replacement fixture for the main room's ceiling fan. And it was nice to have light once again after a week of dark by late afternoon.
We had a store credit from a return and that helped!

I also was doing more reading and writing surrounding Abortion and the affects on the Family. This has been pretty deep. I feel very God directed. I recently met  a lady online that is a CPC volunteer and was able to share a wealth of online finds. There is little to no literature on the subject but there are a few online sources I was not aware of until she directed me to them.

Forgiveness seems to be the obvious need in these cases but I can assure you there is much more beyond that .... here is something I wrote

I was wondering if you could remember me in prayer. I have been praying a lot lately about the 'feelings' and memories I have surrounding my mom and my sisters.

They are all unbelievers and there are many 'issues' and reasons why I can't be around them but that doesn't mean that I don't love them and care about them or forgive them.

I grieve them mostly...

One of the breaking points was back in 2002 when my sister aborted her baby my mom and other sister supported her in this ( thankfully no one pushed it on her ) she made the decision mostly one her own but the attitude was "We will support you in whatever you decide."
My sister went with her to the clinic and my mom came to me asking for some money so more anistesia ( sp) could be administered so sis could 'do it' with less fear. I was the only one that really resisted the decision( I DID NOT GIVE ANY MONEY ) I answered her questions about would God forgive her etc... I encouraged her to go to a CPC and she saw a ultra sound and heard the heart beat my mom and I were there too but she still made a wrong decision in the end.

My mom couldn't open up to me( us) about her abortion ( that we all knew she had) other than to say it was merited. I was eight at the time and her 'best friend' since birth so I knew most everything about mom. I was blessed by a sensitivity to spiritual things and  eventually grew up ... My mom remains in bondage and she never grew up. She has rejected Christ over and over again.

After my sister's abortion I found it really hard to spend time with them... I wasn't really angry. I mostly felt numb and sad. Shortly afterward the Lord moved us away and I was raising our two boys with no grandma and no aunts... I was sad and struggling with the 'murder.'

A new online friend gave me some new resources to read about this and I am seeing it is very common for 'others' to be hurt by aborton not just the mom dad or grandparents but virtually anyone that was aware of the decision and felt helpless to save the baby and the others the pain of murder.

Over all CPC's are NOT equipped to counsel 'others' and there is little literature printed either.

Would you pray that the LORD would direct me to scripture that supports healing. I am reading in Jer. right now that has always been a place of healing for me.
I did pray a lot during that time and after but it seemed a very heavy oppressive burden for several months and is still there somewhat after all these years.

Also if anyone is interested in any of the resources I am being given let me know I will share!

Thanks so much !!!

The CPC's I have spoke with in person didn't have anything specific to use to mesh out the aftermath for the 'survivors' and the online friend's CPC in another area that is far more progressive than mine and has more experienced volunteers ( 20 plus years) told her they really weren't equipped to counsel family members etc...
~~~~
Here is a quote I really identified with

"I had forgiven my mom because I knew she had problems. I just now am understanding she had no life because she had no peace. She could not forget what she did no matter how much she drank, she never forgave herself. But only through Jesus could she have found peace.

Now that I understand how deep her hurt was I love her more than ever before. I would give anything if I could have her back, if only for a few minutes to put my arms around her, and tell her how much I miss her."
~~~~
My 'problem' is because my mom and sister are hurting THEY HURT OTHERS and just because I can forgive them through the work of the Holy Spirit because I am saved... it doesn't mean they are healthy enough to allow them to be a part of my life...
So I grieve those relationships along with the more obvious losses.

AND I struggle with how can I still be used as a channel of LOVE and FORGIVENESS when I can't be in contact with them.

PRAYER is the obvious first choice YET I often feel bogged down by hurt that isn't healed and I feel this hinders my consistency in prayer.

I know enough to realize asking "why" isn't productive and handing it over to The Lord is the first step to bringing closer...  that in itself doesn't make it 'easier' to deal with things like having a hard time trusting others or seeing sometimes that I don't feel motivated to look forward to 'good things' in life. I often have to fight a subconscious expectation that something bad and out of my control is just on the horizon. The BIBLE tells us that we should think on lovely things and hope and TRUST in God's goodness regardless of the evil that seems to 'win.'

So keeping our spiritual eyes on truth is what we all need the most even if in life we have many evil things happening to us and around us.

I have done much study in Jer. several years ago but that was over ten years ago now that I think of it. I have recently heard a great sermon preached on Jer. rereading it now is very eye opening about how the Lord deals with people and sin... I am making an effort to read the fotenotes so I can get some NT links to the concepts being brought forth. When I studied there before I was using Lord Heal My Hurts by Kay Arthur. This was right after I had rededicated my life to the Lord and was out of my mom's house, going to church regularly and made a good friend that directed me to the study... meeting with me weekly!
I sure miss that kind of interaction. I am hoping that we can go to church soon. We sincerely tried last sunday but it was a no go for several reasons.

I so look forward to this New Year.

May you all be blessed.
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• Nov. 22, 2007 - Thanksgiving Praise

MY THANKFUL LIST

Oh, how much we have been blessed.

How far back shall I go?

What is most on my mind is the awesome love He has for us and how no misfortune in life can overshadow His love, care, and guiding hand.

Romans


8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


The Holy Spirit ministers to us where ever we are in any situation in sorrow and pain. In confusion and in enlightenment!

When we first moved away from longtime friends and family we were unsure exactly what the Lord had planned for us.

Would we find that He would give us just as good or better relationships?
He chose not to; at least not in the form of close neighborly relationships.

What He did give us is a deeper bond with himself, a deeper love for the Church, and a deeper sense of the value of our immediate family.

John 14:16
16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

When He allows hardship, loss, confusion, or loneliness there is always blessing to follow.

This last year or two has had a mix of events that have been really profitable to us.


Yes, we were blessed with our first home, property; and managed to get moved in... I did not say settled in or completely organized but we are here making adjustments to the place for our needs, enjoying the privacy that comes with having control over our own space and the luxury of a community where we can enjoy parks, libraries, as well as drives in the country!

We also have the greif of having been misinformed about the true condition of the house and have the burden of repair and PRAYER for help for the expense and labor are great.

Yes, Michael has been blessed with a decent job. It hasn't always been stable but has given us our basic monetary resources for six years.
Though there has been stress over being frequently laid off, being told the whole operation was hanging in the balance, lost opportunity in position and job duties that were better suited and more enjoyable... why does it matter ? We have been provided for and what does matter is that through circumstance there has been faith built in the One that does matter!

Psalm 65:9-13

9Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

10Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.

11Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

12They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.

13The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Yes, we have each other! Our marriage is stronger, our family growing. Have we had loss? Yes, we have two babies waiting in heaven for us. Do we miss what might have been? Yes, do we still morn upon fleeting thoughts... " Baby would have been a third of the way to greeting us at birth today!" Sorrow, yes. Trust even more!

Revelation 21:4 KJV

4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Do we have every area in our lives perfected? No. Is it our sole responsibility to do so? No. We have a helper the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 7

1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9

9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Trust, again is our companion as we battle frustration. We do have beautiful, loving, guidelines for life and godliness; keeping them ever before ourselves we move forward. Trusting. Leaning on the strength that does not come from self but given as a gift from Him who is able.

Hebrews 13:12
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood,

Hebrews 6

1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3And this will we do, if God permit.

1 Peter 5:9-11

9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.


Are all men our friends? Do others always bless us? Who shall we fear?

John 10:27-29

27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

1 Peter 3:9

9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.


2 Timothy 1:12b for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.


Like in the days of Ester we Americans can have a day of thanksgiving and sharing

Ester 9:22
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

Revelation 7:12
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.


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• Aug. 9, 2007 - Okay I am on a High

And I can't seem to come down.

I feel so free and happy now that I have the first years assessments done!!!!

I know it is on the late end but PS hasn't started and I am still in the buffer for a week or so yet!

I am enjoying the planning of this new year.

There i s always a lot to do... but I am even thinking about some possible changes to our household!

Mike and I need a lot of time to discuss but I am literally overcome with great expectations of the future!

These last several months have been so stretching for me spiritually and just as a common person...

I feel like I have climbed a mountain and and although there are other peaks and valleys ahead I am enjoying  being on the top right now!

I am so glad to be looking seriously at balancing my thinking more to include a regular exercise of thanksgiving !!!!!

There are hardships and imperfections in our life but we are SOOOOO BLESSED.

I want to look at life from the perspective God gives me not what the world sees.


I see a family that is sooo blessed right now that we can trust with all our might that the Lord is carrying us along!

Seems although we've had times of frustration my husband and I are really very close and sure of our love for one another.

Mike really is a great husband! One of the best. He is unique and I need to appreciate him for who he is DAILY.

They kids are all coming along well and I even think the LORD proved to us that a lot of the ' problems' that we have are spiritual in nature more so than I thought. And when we give time and attention to the spiritual needs of our family we do so much better.

We'd had a particularly hard week with Timmy two weeks ago.
Then he went to VBS and totally calmed down! With in day one!!!
He is the most passionate kid.
When his focus is on any one thing he really is effected by what his heart is feeding on.

So when we keep his focus on the spiritual growth that he needs he is a sweetheart.

It is not that we don't give regularly to spiritual pursuits but when we have those times where life is overwhelming and things get off kilter our quiet times get more sporadic and then WOW watch out cause
the problems get bigger with behavioral issues etc... and a normally sweet family gets like!

We also find just simply having DAD in our midst does wonders for the whole family. We need DAD!

I once was told by a non believing neighbor that she noticed that Mike and I really 'needed' each other.
I think she was just amazed at observing this... not being critical but seeing it as rare and special.

I think that all christian marriages should have that element.

We are a couple, a family for a reason because we need each other in this life!

Whenever we are trying to function alone we become splintered in our thinking and feeling toward each other and the family starts to break down.

Praise God for the Healing that takes place when we repent of our over independence!!!
And follow Him in our ways.

We have great financial needs but Mike is being careful to not over work. Actually that hasn't been too hard as there hasn't been weekend work available for a few weeks again and prior to that well months and months went by with only five day work weeks. Those have been some of the best times!
The hours are still long and at odd times so that is really enough for us to handle right there.
After having such terrible repercussions from taking the 7 day work week we are reluctant to do so again.

We are going to go to a potluck picnic on saturday at the church we are attending. 
Hope this will be refreshing.  The kids and I are gonna do some baking today and tomorrow  for it!

Best of all Mike is spending more time leading devotions in the home and that is a blessing to me!!
He recognizes that they need more than just Bible reading or story devotions but more instruction!!
And they need it from him regularly along with what I can give them.

So let's lift up our husband and the father of our children!

May God Bless Your Family,

Jacinda


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• Jul. 30, 2007 - Prayer over VBS

This whole week my children will be at their first VBS! Well the older ones Luke and Timmy were able to attend. The girls and I are taking some quite time and baking cookies for the kids each day.

This is a blessed time. We are attending a church for the first time in three years!

We had been moved to become more separate in our understanding of what scripture teaches the biblical approach to ministry should be.

This had left us without a home church...

Now we are praying that we will be a blessing to an independent Baptist church just north of us.

I am praying that over time we can share our understanding in the areas of the christian life and ministry with the pastor and his family and come to a full peace that we are in the church He would have us in.

It takes time.

We have the most blest foundation in the teaching of scripture in the word of God expounded by the Holy Spirit!

We have been helped along greatly by this ministry http://www.feasite.org/index.htm

The literature and dvd's, cd's offered to us free or at minimal fee have strengthened us greatly.

Dear Lord,
Please watch over Luke and Timmy as they are away each evening.
Thank you for providing this couple and their church to serve the children.
 Please help the boys be a blessing to others as they learn more of you through your word and your people.
If the professions of faith that they have had in the past were at all given in confusion please help them trust in thee for the first time, if they are needful of specific growth in you please do your work in their
 hearts and lives.
Help bring to the hearts and minds the cross, the sacrifice, and the resurrection power.
Help the ones that do not know thee to take hold of the gift you offer freely without the unrighteous work of self.
Let them repent of personal sin.
Please help confirm in these young hearts your power to continue the work you have started until completion of your purposes.
Let them dedicate themselves to you.
Let them be set apart in grace and purity.
Take hold Lord of the hearts of the adults of the congregation ... Let us be examples and encouragements to the young ones. Let us not be stumbling blocks. Purify us with your word in our quiet time.
Give us faithful hearts to pray for the young people.
Move us to action in our own homes, in our spiritual endeavors for our children.

In your power and grace. Amen. Jesus, Amen.
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• Jul. 24, 2007 - It's Happening again!!

Timmy seems to be going into his " old self " I don't know if it is the change in diet. He has always had a problem if too much starch, or processed sugars are in his diet!

We stopped getting so much dairy, juice etc...
cuz we saw them as pit falls for Timmy in particular.
But recently signed up for WIC again and so he has started expecting milk with cereal or on it's own. Plus there has been a lot of baked goods available to the kids.

When you combine the diet issues and me getting busy with things other the children themselves, It doesn't matter to them that you are doing something FOR them. They want their parents time, energy, and days full of activity whether they are ' planned ' activities or not.
Dad got a very full weeks worth of work which is an answer to prayer! BUT it seems there is always this downside of behavioral backlash.
When dad came home yesterday morning Timmy had been unable to sleep so dad read him chapter after chapter of the Bible. This seems to help a lot but of course dad wasn't able to go to sleep as early as he might have needed to.

When you can't juggle it all... then you can expect behavioral upsets and well that is were we are at once again!

Unfortunately it really effects the other children that may not be so worked up otherwise. Michalina imitates Timmy a lot. And even little Sophia that has a very sweet laid back approach to life gets feisty when noise level is up etc...

Oh, Lord let us get past this hurdle.
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• Jul. 18, 2007 - Praise God

Helping mom? I asked Timmy to pick up the yard so I could mow the lawn and what do I come out to but every last thing piled in a heap! He's that kinda fella he loves using his energy creatively ! It was in fun.

Michael called me from work last night to tell me he will be able to get work this weekend. He's been working 10 hour days this week and not getting home until 3 am so he will get time and a half on saturday and double time on sunday. We really needed this upswing in earnings.

I just pray I can be careful to give him decent meals and keep the house going without his help. I am usually tired and not as productive especially into the following week when he works this much. I am determined to keep up the good fight though and not get grouchy.

I plan to keep baking and doing the money saving steps I have discovered that take extra time and effort.

I also am still praying about doing some sitting... and am working on areas of the house so we can use our space better.

I am continuing reading scripture each day that pertains to our current events as well as thinking over the sermons I listen to weekly. The children are enjoying regular Bible reading. Dad read to Timothy several chapters in one evening when Tim couldn't sleep. Usually I have a hard time getting Tim to focus but he was able to listen for daddy in this instance.

Lot's of neat things going on that encourage us each day. I have been trying to get enough rest so I can be receptive to the Lord... seems when my body is tired I am more apt to feel depressed.

It's been rainy but that is so important to our garden and the farmers' crops. Its been so very dry this summer. I really pray that things can prosper. Our garden is doing okay I think we will get just what we need for meals the next few months and that's great!! Next year we will be all the wiser on gardening techniques and maybe we can sell some over flow at the farmer's market and put some up for the early winter.

Been thinking of the concept of how much we DO and how much the Lord does for us... I'll write on that later.

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• Jun. 16, 2007 - Luke 6

A pheasant visited our yard in summer of 2006 and this was such an impression to me of God's grace. He  provides so marvelously for His people as well as the inhabitants of this earth. If we ever had great need I would know He would provide as he did in the wilderness for the Israelites. I think pheasants are very beautiful and of course we only enjoyed this one with our eyes!

Luke chapter 6 has really been speaking to me. I NEED to have these words ever before me! If I would have them in my heart my heart would become less weary with life and I would have more joy. I pray I can show my dear children with my life that these words are true. Luke 6 (King James Version) King James Version (KJV) Public Domain Luke 6 1And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? 3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? 5And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. 6And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. 7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. 8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? 10And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 11And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus. 12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. 20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. 30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. 43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. 45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. 46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
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• Jun. 16, 2007 - Trials ...

We ALWAYS have our good share of trials going on. My dear husband, I say that with affection, have a lot of growing in godliness and the Lord does not neglect the ' schooling ' that we need to become more lovely, sweet spirited children of His.  We need to yield to HIm in every area and have peace in our hearts with faith overflowing. We often cry out WHY and only need to go to His word for the answers ...  1 Peter 2:19-24 (King James Version) King James Version (KJV) Public Domain 19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  We do ask for prayer from any of our readers...  We have neighbors that have rejected the gospel? and decided they do not like us! This has been stressful to me in particular as I' d been sharing with the lady and she abruptly pushed me out of her life but obviously still thinks of us often. She called the police last week saying we weren't watching our children when they were are outside. Problem is that I need that break of letting the children go out by themselves while I do chores etc... but I have no direct veiw of the yard, this neighbor does though and sees every little thing the kids might do wrong; Or if I leave Sophia temporarily in her stationary seat while I run in for anything Or have to attend to something in the yard. I have gone back to carrying Sophia in her sling so we don't have the opportunity to part. And all three gates are paddlocked now. We were having a problem with Timmy especially leaving the gates open and Lina then would chase butterflies, birds, and squirrles into the outer parts of the yard! She has been very hard to train in this area. When I am out with her I have been practicing with her about staying near us. We have been taking walks with no stroller in use so she has to hold my hand and I have to get use to slinging Sophia again.  My husband also has had many job troubles he really wants to get out of factory work. He plans to take some Apple Technician courses on line when we have the money. As for now we are very happy the foods plant he works for is not shutting down! And it appears that they are going to do some expansion!!! So it will be great to be relieved of the eminent possibility of a big change/ and more hardships. For me I need to continue to learn live more submissively. And to be more gentle with the children as I train them- less anger more real discipline! The boys are both coming along with their studies but need to learn to follow my direction more during our sit down time especially. The girls are so young and mainly we are focusing on obedience to parents. Lina is especially strong willed so I have to work wiht her a lot.

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