Oct. 6, 2007 - I could never handle that many children...
Do you ever hear comments like that? I hear these things all the time:
*How do you do it? I only have 2 (or 3 or 4 ect...) and I have my hands full.
*I don't have the patience to have that many. I'm glad that you do.
*You must be an amazing woman.
I love to smile and say, I am just a regular woman, but I love and serve an amazing God. When I only had 2 or 3 children, I surely felt like my hands were full. I use to think "If God had only given me 1 more hand..." :) When I had 4 or 5 children, I felt the same way. Then I came to realize, that when I had 2 or 3 or 4 children, I did not need the grace, strength, patience, ect... to handle 10 or 11. The Lord gives HIs grace to us as we need it. The Lord graciously blessed us with soon to be 11 little ones...and that same Lord who gave us our children is so good and faithful to give us the grace we need to train them, love them, nurture and care for them, and bring them up in Him.
That being said, today was a good day. Having all the grace I need to bring up my 10, Daniel/Daddy took 3 of them with him all day to put up a new roof on the kitchen of a widow here in town. Having just the little ones and the girls with me, the house seemed extra quiet :) We all worked together on the morning chores, then I sent the wee ones outside to play in the back yard while the girls and I had fun in the kitchen. In 2 1/2 hours we made:
A HUGE pot of split pea soup (with ham and potatoes and carrots and onions...yum)...it fed 13 people for lunch with some left over for next week :)
2 loaves of whole wheat bread
2 crockpots full of apples simmering for apple butter
4 lbs of honey granola and
A dozen hard boiled eggs (one of Daddy's favorite snacks we like to keep on hand)
Besides the regular chores, we:
Clean out, swept and mopped behind the fridge
Washed the kitchen walls
Washed all the bedding (we still have to make them...that's next after blogging :) )
And Cleaned out and organized the girl and boys closets.
And it is not yet 6 pm! Woo hoo!
I'd love to post some pics of our yummy kitchen creations and some of Juanita's roof project...but Daniel took the camera with him and hasn't gotten back yet...maybe I'll put some up later.
Have a wonderful day in our Amazing Lord!
Comments
Oct. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by MommyJoy
I actually get comments and questions like that all the time, and I only have four :) Or people will look at me like I've got three heads and say, "Are they all yours?" Most people are nice about it, but it does get old. I remember thinking when I had only 1 or 2 that there was NO WAY I could handle 3 or 4, but I feel very different now. With each new baby, I feel that God has given me the patience and strength to adapt and find the energy and time for all of them. I look at my family now and having four feels very "normal" and comfortable to me. And I think I've finally reached a point where I have faith that God will give me the strength to handle whatever little blessings come my way.
Sounds like you got a lot accomplished today. Hope you have a restful night :)
Oct. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
To my surprise I get strange looks and questions all the time about why I have 4 kids. That never makes since to me, my family doesn't really seem very big. When we found out we were pregnant with the last one a family member was shocked when we said that we were going to adopt our foster kids. Then when she was born the same family member said "are you done yet?' like we were crazy or something. It saddens me when people say "better you then me, I can't wait til my kids go off to school." THat is just so sad. I used to hope for 6 or 7 but that seems unlikely unless we adopt more. Unlike those who are shocked that I homeschool 4 I have had to accept that God meant me to have this size family which seems smallish to me. But I am very much enjoying my journey with my wonderful kids.
You got alot done today. I am going apple picking with my kids next week and hope to make crockpot apple butter and a few apple pies. YUMMY!! Do you can your apple butter or freeze it? I need to learn how to can.
Blessings,
4sweetums
Oct. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mojmommy
I would love to handle more. Right now we have three and I have bad days, but I had bad days when I had none. Children are a blessing from the Lord, the more the merrier. We have lost 2 and I am not able to have anymore....I have moments I grieve about that A LOT. However God is good and I put my trust in Him. I believe He can do anything...through my body, adoption, or foster care. Either way I know he will bless our quiver full. God gave you the amount you can handle.. His grace is sufficient. I wish I had as many as you, but right now 3 is my blessing and I am happy with that.
Be blessed,
Chasity
Oct. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by southmsmomof4
Children are indeed a blessing from the Lord. I thank God for my four and if He desires for me to have more, I would be overjoyed. I still get the "how do you do it?" My answer remains the same as when it was 2 and 3 children- By the Grace of God;-)
God bless you.
Stacy
Oct. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jess4him
Fantastic! You DID have a productive day! Those always feel sooo good. I'm blessed with a husband who is not opposed to having many children. We hope to have a few and then adopt some more (from Russia, Africa, etc). My wonderful husband revealed to me a little "secret dream" he had the other night of buying some land and really doing the farm thing! I tried to hold back the tears (and ecstatic joy I was feeling). Again, I'm SO thankful for you and your daily example of being an ambassador for Christ!
Oct. 16, 2007 - WOW
Posted by Sweetie
You certainly accomplished a lot, I am impressed! How are you feeling this week?
Oct. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by DandelionSeeds
CONGRATULATIONS (again) :)! I'm so happy for you guys! Is it possible to just love someone you've never even met? I have to tell you that from the letter you emailed me... well, I just know we are sisters in Christ, and that some how... God has something planned. You keep "popping up" in my life, whether it be in thought or on the blogs... I have to admit... I'm terribly curious to see what God has in store and if someday we'll meet... hmmmm... we hadn't had plans of Mexico... but if I could only begin to tell you everything that we never planned that we're currently going through (good and bad)... well... you know. :)
Looking forward to your posts. I've bookmarked you, dear friend.
Still Seeking,
Amy
Oct. 25, 2007 - Hello!
Posted by lovetolearn
I am inspired by you and your choice to follow your calling in the missionary field.
I only have three boys and I get the same thing, The sad thing is after the birth of our youngest we made a decision to have a tubal ligation. We were not Christians then. We are in the process of finding a doctor to "reverse" the surgery, which will be very expensive. I look forward to having many more children if that is God's will.
God bless you and your beautiful family!
Jayne
