I am posting over here today. Stop by and read some of the many great things over at Weekend Kindness.

Labels: Weekend Kindness

When my husband and I were newlyweds there were things that we just did not understand. We often poked fun at those old couples who wore the same shirts whenever they went out. We have since learned that when you have been married for several years you begin to think alike more than you realize.

There have been several days when I would emerge dressed only to find my hubby already wearing the same t-shirt or the same color shirt! It actually bothers me enough that I go and change. We never plan to wear the same thing, there are just days when it happens. I find it a bit frustrating but mostly humorous.

Just like dressing alike there was another thing we have always tended to notice and say it was never going to happen to us because it is such a sad and horrible thing! Have you seen the older couples in the restaurants who sit and eat their dinner and have no more than two words to say to each other? We all have seen them. Most of us probably, if honest, would say that we feel sorry for them. This is never going to happen to us!

Our older children are at an age where they can babysit the younger children. This has been a great blessing for us. Several months ago my husband and I took the opportunity to go on a date so we could have some time together before my hubby went back to work after almost 6 weeks of leave. It was also a good break because we had some little ones who were not feeling well, who needed care that week and I had been ill also. As we sat in Chili's Restaurant waiting for our food I began to feel like something horrible had happened. Here I was, out with my husband and we were not talking! Had we turned into a sour, old couple who had nothing left to say to one another?!

At the exact moment I was about to say something, anything, just to keep from admitting that had happened; my husband spoke. His words gave a whole new light and perspective to the situation. He said, "You remember how we used to feel bad for those quiet couples who never talked. Well, you know it is nice to know that it is ok to just sit here and enjoy being with you."

I had never thought of our silence as being a good thing. I saw it as a sign of something bad on the horizon. I now realize that it is ok to enjoy the quiet company of your spouse as much as the talkative times. It is good just to be with someone who loves you. Especially when you are a bit tired and feeling a little drained. Allowing your spouse to know that it is ok and that you enjoy even their quiet company can be a strong statement of your love for them.

We shared a quiet meal and mentioned all of the younger couples. (NOTE: we are not old..36 and39) We chuckled with each other as we imagined what they were thinking of us as we sat there obviously tired, with sporadic conversation, enjoying a few quiet moments without all of the activity of the children. I will not look at a quiet couple the same way again. I will choose to believe that they are simply enjoying the quiet company of one they love.

Labels: marriage, Weekend Kindness

Today I am posting over at Weekend Kindness. We were to share something from the mouths of our children. I posted one of my daughter's papers on finding a spouse. I think you will be blessed by reading it.

Take a moment to read it and comment. I would love it if you came back here are let me know what you think too!

Labels: Conservative, Courtship, Weekend Kindness

The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately concerning my dependence upon Him. This dependence must be in every area of my life.

When I started blogging a year ago I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I have been hurt, discouraged and forced to look more deeply at who I am. Though most painful, this has stretched me and caused me to grow. But I have also made many friends along the way. They have encouraged me, spurred me on and challenged me which has also caused me to grow.

The Lord is actively at work in my life and I have a peace that passes all understanding. I have been allowed to be a blessing to others and the Lord continues to open new doors of ministry for me in the blogging world. This adds a great responsibility I did not anticipate and is one I constantly feel ill-equipped to fulfill. I am humbled each time I am praised because I know that it is only by the power of the Spirit that anyone is touched.

Humility is what we are called to and we are told in scripture that when we are weak we are strong. When we are weak is when we know that the strength of the Lord is at work. Often times when I feel the most inadequate and unqualified is when people see the Lord at work. This is as it should be. Then I am unable to boast but must give credit where credit is due, to the Lord.

This humbling is needed in any relationship. It matters not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. I know that by my nature, I am not kind, compassionate, or loving. This is a weakness. But through my weakness can flow the kindness, compassion, and love of Christ, not because of me or anything I can do but because of who God is!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I shall strive to have a weakened kindness, a weakened compassion, a weakened love. A kindness, compassion, and love that is not given just out of ourselves and our own might but is given out of a dependence on the Lord Jesus which flows through me. Then my weak efforts at kindness, compassion, and love will be made strong.

It will matter not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. They will all be blessed by my obedient submission to rely upon the Lord.

Labels: Christianity, Fruit of the Spirit, marriage, Train Up a Child, Weekend Kindness

We had a wonderful weekend. Not as busy as most tend to be and that was a nice for a change of pace. On Friday, we went to a friends for dinner. All I have to say was it was EXCELLENT! Our friend went all out and prepared tomatoes with fresh basil and balsamic vinaigrette, grilled steak, grilled Alaskan Salmon (in honor of our upcoming move to Alaska), baked sweet potatoes, oven roasted asparagus, sautéed spinach, and topped it with berries and chocolate for desert! The company was wonderful too!

Saturday was pretty quiet too. Hubby reseeded the bare patches in the backyard and I cleared the shelves of books we no longer need. Our eldest child went to work, one child went to a friend's for the afternoon, hubby took the 3 remaining oldest to Sea World, and the 3 littles played and watched a movie. Dinner, baths, and bedtime followed and hubby and I were able to sit together and watch a movie ourselves.

Sunday, as always, was another wonderful day of worship. Hubby was however on call so he left early Sunday morning and just came home just this morning.

Today looks to be another beautiful day! Now for some other news.


Over the weekend I had one of my posts highlighted and added to the great resources at Noble Womanhood. This is such an amazing honor and I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to touch the lives of others. Take some time and explore their site.

Apparently several others were touched by that post also, Praise be to God! I am always so thankful when the Lord takes my meager abilities to speak to others! Here are the links to the others who have highlighted this particluar post and their take on this issue.

1. Life in a Shoe's Disclaimers
2. Biblical Homemaking's Conviction without Qualification
3. Seeking Rest's Convictions: Your, Mine, & Ours
   
and at the Olive Grove
4. Highlights from Higher Ground's Disclaimer on Conviction
5. Thoughts of the Heart's Truths we Live By: Convictions
6. A Happy Home's Considering Convictions
   

Others who have linked (linky love being given) without adding their own comments.

1. Life of a Sahm's Convictions
2. Ladies Against Feminism - Disclaimer on Conviction
3. Walking in Faith -A Thought Provoking Article
4. Old Paths - A Disclaimer on Conviction
   

Here is my weekly update for the Moms of Many Exercise Challenge.
I TOTALLY blew it this week and didn't do a darn thing except run up the stairs. I hope to do better this week.



Today I am also blogging over at Weekend Kindness. I am sharing a bit about how the Lord is the one to build a home and how the blessings and wonders of parenthood Never Grow Old.



This week I was also tagged for the 7 Random Facts meme.
I was tagged by Vanessa, Sandy, TF, & Tracy! I have done several of these but realize that it might be good for some of my newer friends and readers to get to know me a little bit better. Here are four previous posts that have quirky, serious, interesting, and not so interesting facts about me. I am not however going to tag anyone this time around.

1. Link 1
2. Link 2
3. Link 3
4. Link 4
   

Labels: Moms of Many Exercise Challenge, Weekend Kindness

Weekend Kindness is a new blogging venture for me. I have a post up over there today. It is entitled, A Quiet Time. I would love for your to stop by, read it, and join in the discussion. Please come back here and let me know what you think.

A QUIET MOMENT

I also wanted to share with you something else that is going on over there. This month the focus is going to be on building relationships. To keep the excitement going, we will be having a contest on our way to building up 101 Relationship Secrets! That’s right, we’re looking for you to contribute relationship secrets in one of four areas all through this month. We’ll also be announcing prizes– one from each group! So head on over and familiarize yourself with the site and enter yourself in the contest by giving us some great ideas!

101 Relationship Secrets Contest

Labels: marriage, Weekend Kindness

My first official post is up over at Weekend Kindness. I would love for you to go and read it. Please comment there (and here). There is also a lot of great stuff over at WK so take some time and look around. Here is a snippet of my post for today.....

The Lord has been dealing with me a lot lately concerning my dependence upon Him. It matters not if I am dealing with my husband, my children, those I meet day in and day out in real life, or those I seek to minister to here in blogland. I know that by my nature, I am not kind, compassionate, or loving. This is a weakness. But through my weakness can flow the kindness, compassion, and love of Christ, not because of me or anything I can do but because of who God is!

Labels: marriage, Quiverfull, Train Up a Child, Weekend Kindness

Being a stay at home mother, wife, and homeschooler can be a challenging position. Those on the outside tend to make comments and give nasty looks. I have experienced this many times. We are often made to feel as if we are wasting our lives and not making anything of ourselves. To be honest there are times at home when I will feel unappreciated. Thankfully, these times are rare!Often times in my household, it is usually because I am having a bad day and am reading to much into the actions and words of my family than is really there. I realize this is what I have caused myself to feel. I have let the voice of the world in rather than dwelling on the call and command of God. I found this quote from Martin Luther and think it is one of great encouragement. I hope it is to you as well.

What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. —Martin Luther

Labels: Encouragement, Family, Quiverfull, Quotes, Weekend Kindness

Psalm 127
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved {even in his} sleep.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate.


This is one of my most favorite passages of scripture. It is very near and dear to my heart. The family that God ordained from creation is very important. God uses the christian family to build His kingdom. The Lord is the one who is to build the house or else we are laboring in vain. Who are you letting build your home? I pray it is the Lord.

This passage of scripture came to mind to me this morning as I played with my 6 month old. Even having 8 children, I am still awed and amazed at the little things that come with an infant. Her little fingers, the way her eyes light up with her smile, the cute little baby laugh as well as the excitement that she is becoming more mobile. You would think these things would be "old hat" kind of things, but it is new with every child.

I watch my teenagers and the children in the middle as they work on their school lessons and continue to learn and discover things and I think, "What a blessing!" The newness has not worn off only changed a little.

Children truly are a gift of the Lord and I am truly blessed to be having my quiver filled. I am blessed to have a husband that acknowledges God's sovereignty in this area.

As you go throughout your day, maybe a good day maybe a not so good day, whether you are amidst happy, funloving children today or are amist runny noses, fevers, and crying (like me today) I pray that you will see the great love that God has for you in bestowing His gift of children upon you.

Labels: Christianity, journal, newsletter, Quiverfull, Weekend Kindness