From the Orange Peel Gazette...

Don't know who wrote this. I found it in the Orange Peel Gazette and it is SO funny and true.

It's REAL good to Be a Man...

Your last name stays put.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can be president.

You can wear a white t-shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

You don't care if someone notices your haircut.

The world is your stage and no one cares.

You never have to drive to another gas station because this one is just "TOO YUCKY".

Same work, more pay.

Wrinkles just add character.

Wedding Dress: $5,000; Tux Rental: $100.00

New shoes don't cut, blister or mangle your feet.

Your pals can be trusted never to trap you with: "So, notice anything different?"

One mood, all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks.

A five day vacation requires only one suitcase.

You can open all your own jars.

Dry cleaners and hair stylists don't rob you blind.

You can leave the motel bed unmade.

If someone forgets to invite you to something, they can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three pack.

If you are 34 and single, nobody notices.

Everything on your face stays it's original color.

You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger's seat.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

You don't have to clean up before the maid gets there.

You can quietly watch the game with a buddy for hours without thinking: "He must be mad at me."

You don't mooch off other's desserts.

You are not expected to know the names of more than five colors.

You don't have to stop and think about which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

You don't have to shave below your neck.

You can "do" your nails with a pocketknife.

Sunday's Goings On...

I can't BELIEVE that the enemy is using this stupid old trick on me and it still occasionally works. Of course I want church to be the BOMB today (well, yesterday) because we have a guest with us.
HOW many times have we all been through this when we bring a guest?
And HOW many times is church for some reason or another different when we do bring one?
And HOW many times must we be reminded that GOD IS IN CONTROL.

Ya think I'd be there by now but noooooo, not me.
Thankfully, I didn't even know there was a guest speaker until AFTER church. So I was spared the agony of "Is it going to be good" through the whole thing while chasing around my nearly two year old Tasmanian Angel.

So that was hard but that was only AFTER church.

Let's just talk about DURING church for a minute.

Here's me: We can work this thing out. Really. No prob. I'll just sit out here with Kate and listen to the sermon via the speaker while she plays contentedly at my feet with Montessori blocks and I take meaningful notes all the while having direct access to the coffee dispenser.

Here's reality: Kate runs whooping from doughnut table to doughnut table while DEMANDING sips of my hot coffee AND to be nursed simultaneously, while WMCG (well-meaning-church-goer) stands around trying to talk to me at length about something better discussed at another time while I am trying to LISTEN. So I am not listening to the sermon which I so desperately want to be and I am having trouble disciplining Kate because I am listening to the person talking to me.

Frustration mounting...frustration mounting...all I want to do at this point is GET OUT.
So out I try to head while another WMCG decided that I am ok where I am at and I don't need to go anywhere. I keep trying to nicely you know, leave while he also is nicely but adamantly trying to convince me that I'm-alright-you're alright-she's alright-it's alright. Nice right?
AAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Lol
I make it to the front door when I realize Jeff has the keys. I am at this point, willing to STRIDE into the service to get said keys but know I probably won't make it past the sentry. I mean, the ushers.

So I look to the right and to the left and since there is NO tequila in sight, I spot the very thing that could for all intents and purposes cause one to actually DRINK tequila.
The dreaded DAAAAAAY CAAAAARE. (hear booming, echoing deep voice)

Soooo, in we go.

I step over the railing and into what one could only consider well, since it is church, I cannot say. Lol But you know what??????? It wasn't. It was...nice. And....fun. And even...peaceful in some way. The other parent in there had a child with her who was clingy like Kate. I don't know her name. But her cutie-son's name is Axel. (I didn't have the guts to ask her but I will next time! Is a rose a rose by any OTHER name? Ok, bad one I know.) But she was so nice. And evidently in the same position as me since our kids are the same age and it was just nice to relate you know? Maybe I need some one on one time with some Mom's of two year olds... so I did the thing already. You know, I daycared.

ANYHOO, (you DO know it is now 4:20 am right?)

I am happy here in this land of O-So-Many-toddlers because oh, that's right, I actually LIKE kids. Kate plays happily, completely baffled by this many kids and jumps right into all the fun and games. She even has snack and well, it just wasn't so bad.
I even left for a minute to get paper towels for a spill. She was fine.
I'm tempted ladies, I am seriously tempted.

But of course I did witness all the things that I don't necessarily want her to have to deal with either. Though I know my Kate, and I am afraid she may be the one who other parents try to protect their kids from. Poor baby. She just has leadership qualities...Lol


WHERE is the answer Lord??????????????????????????????

I am seriously considering just staying home and (trying) to listen to the sermon on tape some other time. But ya'll know how that goes.
Marissa's idea of rotating myself and one of the girl's each week is also tempting.
If ya'll see me slipping away though, come get me. I need church like everyone else and am still trying to work it out, like everyone else. I lose it like everyone else. Am hormonal like everyone else. And admittedly, need help. Just like everybody else.

And a good time was had by all! Lol

What I realized later: God reigns victorious in EVERY situation.
I was WAY too focused on self at church today.
God will bring you back into submission one way or the other.
Today, it was the other.
God truly, really, absolutely is in control, so that means, I can chillax.
Nothing is that bad, it is all about our reaction to it.
and finally,
after I get through another Thursday without church, lol

Sunday is a comin'!!!!!!!!!!!

God's gifts in a big box

Well, it is a weird thing to be sure. Ya'll have heard my secret desire for a flat screen TV.
I don't even know WHY. I'm a bad consumer, that's probably why.
I mean, we don't let the kids watch any regular TV anyway so unless we need to watch Paula Deen in HD or Toy Story Two for the 10 catrillionth time, who NEEDS one?

So, my Mom of course, buys herself one at Christmas time in prep for moving into her new place. Nothing huge. A 32 inch.
But her deal falls through so she is currently not moving.

As we were discussing what in the world to get for my fantabulous hubby for his birthday which is TODAY by the way, Sloan suggests a Flat screen. Haha.

So my Mom goes, you can have mine. It's just sitting in the garage. I haven't even taken it out of the box! After lamenting that I could NEVER accept that, I mean come on now...I did.

I mean, Happy Birthday Darling!

The weird thing? It wouldn't have initially been the size I chose because I am pathetic, but Jeff said if we DID ever get one it would NOT be going over the mantle of the fireplace as I suggested, Lol but should fit INSIDE the TV armoir. So, guess where it fits perfectly?

The OTHER thing I didn't know (because I am so technologically savvy) is that HD is a SERVICE that you have to pay for monthly. So....we'll see about that. I don't think I can bring myself to pay for it. Besides, the movies come in HD and that's really why we thought we would ever want one.

But for now, Ratatouille never looked so good!
Thanks Mom!

Trust and Obey

Wow. What these two simple words pack is a power punch!
Insert the words parents:

Trust and obey-
for there's no other way-
to be happy with your parents...
then to trust and obey!

Lol, sorry but that is just TOO good. And So true!
I love the model that God gives us as the ultimate parent. We need to trust HIM, obey HIM and our children must trust US and obey US as well. God must be the ultimate authority in the home ..they have to see this in us to be sure. Do we fail? Uh, yes. But still, they trust and obey us as they witness us trust and obey Him.

We teach the girls that even when they don't always understand us, that they still need to trust and obey us. The same way that God teaches us to do the same. What happens when we fail to trust and obey Him? Trouble! What happens when they fail to trust and obey us? Trouble! It's a beautiful thang, this trustin' and obeyin'!

Shalom ya'll.

Why we do the things we do...

We are coming home later today, WOOHOO. (it is currently 2:29 am and I am in my 1-4:30 insomnia world. Ahhh, Mr. Sandman, where art thou?????)

We are bringing with us Sloan's best friend since Kindergarten. They have been close for years but have recently begun to notice the differences in how they are raised. SERIOUS differences. It has been tough for Jeff and I to figure our way through their friendship as they've begun to grow up but Sloan led her to Christ a few years ago and she has loved us like a second set of parents and we have loved her like our own. So since she is staying with us for a week or more, we had to lay some ground rules. They are at "that age" and our families do things very differently. So through some emailing we opened up some really neat conversation...I shared a bit of why we do what we do here in one excerpt from an email to her. I had given her some do's and don'ts in our home since she'll be with us for some time and she SO sweetly emailed me back that she would do her best to "obey every rule". Well, that of course broke my heart as that wasn't quite how I meant it...as a list of "rules". Legalism be gone! So, like we do with our own girls day in and day out of every day of their life, instead of just saying "not allowed" I wrote to her some basic "why's" of why we do and don't. You cannot just tell a child "no" when trying to keep their heart and dissuade them from worldly temptation, you must give them the meat behind it! Please be praying for this visit. She is such a wonderful girl and I am sure most of you will meet her!



You poor thing! I guess it DOES sound like a list of rules, doesn't it? Allow me to explain a little further though.These truly are not "rules' but rather, convictions of the heart. The girls are never MADE to do anything but rather are taught what is right and wrong and then choose themselves. Sometimes they choose wrongly. Mostly they choose rightly. Sometimes they come to us and ask our opinion because they know we are wise counsel that means to protect them and teach them. On these items let me give you the background of WHY instead of just the "not allowed". I should have given this to you before, sorry.

*The girls do not wear any makeup so we ask that you also do not.
The word "countenance" means appearance of the face, meaning here, the Christian girl's face of innocence. When one covers one's face in paint, you cannot see one's countenance. The face, eyes and smile of anyone (but here we speak of our Christian daughters) show the "countenance" of their very spirit! The face of their spirit! So we do not cover it. Do we take a great masterpiece of Van Gogh's or Monet's and put ribbons and bows all over it to dress it up? No! Nor do we cover the great beauty that is inside each girl by overly painting one's face. Don't get me wrong. We will allow the girl's to wear makeup. Slowly, with supervision but NEVER so that it is overly noticed. (Sloan likes to wear under eye coverup because she has dark circles) But one should never look upon a young maiden and notice her MAKEUP instead of her COUNTENANCE. You can also cover up your countenance with a scowl, bad attitude or complaining mouth.

*The girls do not wear any mini-skirts or skirts that do not go past the knees.The girls wear no shirts that show any chest area at all...(this means NO cleavage!) Lol
This I could talk on forever but modesty is a oft spoken of tenet of the Bible. You do not show or flaunt anything that belongs only to the eyes of your future husband. You can cause lustful thoughts in boys (and more disgustingly; men) by wearing immodest clothing and that is outright sin because God's Word says you should "do no thing that causes your brother to stumble". Men fight lustful thoughts enough already with the worlds saturation of sex in the media and exploitation of women. It also puts you in potential danger as a young girl. Your innocence attracts the right kind of boy. Your provocativeness attracts the wrong kind.

*The girls normally wear skirts or dresses if we leave the house though this is not 100% of the time.
Now, this may be harder to understand...but then again, maybe not. Even clothing that is modest but TRENDY attracts the wrong kind of attention. Even from other girls. What do we do when we see a girl in a cute outfit? We say, "What a cute outfit!" We do NOT say, "look at that girl's countenance!" If we wear clothing at all to attract attention TO THE CLOTHING, then we are wearing the wrong clothing. There is nothing WRONG with pretty clothes. I LOVE pretty clothes. But I am convicted more and more that nothing should detract from our countenance. I would much more prefer someone to notice what a beautiful spirit my daughter has then that cute outfit. Wouldn't you rather be noticed that way? We are called as Christians to be sanctified which means set apart. We will not fit in with the crowd. We will not look the same. We shouldn't. Others will be attracted to us because they see the light shining from our spirit not the shine off our lip gloss.

*We ask that you do not call or talk to any boys on this trip as well.
Now, our families do this differently Kelsie and that is okay! But I want you to know WHY we teach our girl's the dangers of dating. I have a WONDERFUL WONDERFUL book on this if you are interested. You let me know, and I will send one to you. But the BASIC idea is why you are not bringing your WHOLE self to your husband. Any piece of yourself that you give away to a boyfriend, be it physically, spiritually or emotionally is a piece you have robbed from your husband. There are wonderful marriages out there Kels. Based on love, trust and purity. We don't want our girls to bring only a broken picture of themselves into marriage, but the whole beautiful thing. It is called defrauding. Boys and girls literally STEAL what does NOT belong to them when they date before marriage. If you were really hungry and someone set a big delicious juicy hamburger in front of you, you'd be like, YUM. But what if someone had eaten half of it and it was all sloppy and well, you know what a hamburger can look like after it's half eaten! Lol Your stomach would turn a bit. You'd still be hungry, you still might realize it would taste okay but you would KNOW it wasn't complete. And that it was a little well, used. Yucky. So the girls are taught these principles in depth and understand them and have adopted them as their own. We will never have to say "You're not allowed" because they won't want to to begin with. They want to bring their whole selves to their marriage. Going out and breaking up is like practicing for marriage and divorce over and over. It is not God's plan for your life, and I cannot support you doing it in our home.

I am praying for and excited that the Lord could use this visit to positively impact this young girl. Really now, if you've truly read this far then know that I realize we all do things differently and I am not trying to say right or wrong for YOU just for US. SO, hopefully no debate in the comment section, Lol. But we are coming up in whole new arena with Sloan's age and it is so beautiful and exciting. She and I were just talking about how exciting it is to look forward... being future minded and not now minded. That it was so exciting and comforting that it would be a team effort to choose husbands for the girls and that she recently learned (through this book) that she did not have to worry AT ALL about it, or when or how it was going to happen. That right now her job was to further the kingdom instead of concentrate on the attention of boys. Can we all say WOOHOO????
We pray for ALL girls (and boys) that they can be taught the Truth of God's Word when it comes to practical life and marriage. I am sure more posts will ensue on these things...

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for commenting to Crys! I have copied it with the comments to her in an email so she can continue to read it over and over at her leisure!

Priceless

Yes, it really is wonderful to see these reactions...

Break time for Mommy

Woohoo! On the other side of Christmas! What a day and what wonderful gifts...SO thoughtful, I've been in tears a lot today!








I collect Nutcrackers so Rachel PAINTED me one! This pic does not do it justice!
Might be my favorite gift!









I collect these as well, and from Sloan...a Willow of Kate and me!
























Well now, big Daddy, this 600 watt KitchenAid mixer has been something I've wanted since before we were married. Banana bread just came out of the oven. No more kneading bread! Wrist pain be gone!!!
Can we say....winner? (He's redeeming his gift certificate later!)








A WIPE off monthly planner with magnetic dry erase markers from Sloan. (oooooh, chills)








Rachel's fave gift...a GROWN UP bike!















Can't beat beading!













How many LPS'S can one have? SHe also got a LPS Monopoly game!!!!









Ok, SLOAN did it!!! I really just can't get my head in the game!














But Dad brings up the rear with her first courtship book..this is one not to be missed for the younger ones....and older ones too!













A picure worth a thousand words...










Aye matey, this one was a hit!!!

And to my very dear friends, especially dear M, you'll be happy to see my new phones! Charging up!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the night before Christmas...

and all through the house,not a creature was stirring, except for Mom and Dad who are beat from setting up for the big day! Hooray! Here are some pics of the stillness before all the excitement and some pics of favorite presents...can't wait to see your all's day too! Blog soon!
Merry Christmas!

teas set for Rach.

furniture for Lauren

Picnic basket for Lauren

A Christmas Gift...

Could anyone reading please read the comments from the previous post and post a comment as well...

Thanks and...Shalom ya'll.

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!!!

Sunday's Goings on...

No SGOOT this week as I haven't had a chance to listen to last Thursday's sermon. So it is from sgoot to sgo we go!

Maybe I'll get a chance to listen to last Thursday's this Thursday since there is NO CHURCH this Thursday. It is cancelled so we can have family time.

Now I could do a whole funny and sarcastic post on this. You know, I am a HOMESCHOOLER. Family time I have in spades. Intelligent scriptural teaching is what's in demand. hahahahahahaha

Ahem. Sorry. Family time. Okay!

So a new spin on gift giving this sermon...SO good. I got pegged once about being a good receiver years ago when I pridefully said "no I really couldn't" to someone giving me some money when I was broke. She said if "God hands you a gift, would you really say no?"

I have never forgotten that. It always surprises me on how many people won't receive due to PRIDE. Sometimes I cannot even get people to get in front of me in line at the store when I have a basket full and they have one item. "No, no", they say. I'm fine. I'm in no rush.

I told one guy, "You know? You miss the blessing." I think he thought I was a freak.

But I digress.

So we are good givers of gifts Pastor D went on to say from a quote....we need to be good receivers of God's gift. Do we realize what we have?

Kinda like the old cliche about the guy whose house is built on a field of oil but he never knows it. He's rich but doesn't know what he has. So is he rich or isn't he?

Well, technically yes. But he is not living-it-out.

If we have such a great gift in God but are not tapping into it and all that it is, we keep the oil field buried. And we shouldn't do that now should we!

I like the sound of "turning over the government of your life" to God. There is always some place, little or big, that we hold onto.

And I loved the "do what will matter in 1,000 years" comment. I am big on living with an eternal perspective (though I can get off track as well as the next guy) but really, if we did, said or acted out only what would matter in 1,000 years, I bet life would take on a whole new meaning. I call it "living above the line". I got discipled years ago by a wonderful ministry that taught this concept. This pretend eternal "line". What is above it is eternal and below it is worldly. Live above the line!



I have a real heart for the "Wonderful Counselor" name for Jesus as I had a hard core teaching from God on it. Years ago our wonderful old Baptist pastor left. I loved this man. I mean to say. I LOVED him. I was broken hearted.

So I used to follow him around as he had speaking engagements around area churches. I was watching him speak once up on a stage that had big flags hanging behind him on the wall and one said, "Wonderful Counselor". I sat there lamenting in my mind, "He IS a wonderful counselor, why'd he have to leave", etc. etc.

And almost audibly the Lord said to me, "Stephanie! WHO do you think that sign is talking about?!?"

Ouch. WHAT was I thinking???

I am so thankful that I can hear so clearly from the Lord. Hmmm, I wonder if it is because he is having to bring me into correction so much! Lol

I was freed in that moment and never had a pastor on a pedestal again after that day. I was also able to let him go and move on to the authority of our new pastor who ended up marrying Jeff and I and baptizing every one of our family and to this day is a well-loved family friend.

Wonderful Counselor...I also learned through never really having a "mentor" of sorts and ALWAYS wanting one that the best one in the world is right at our fingertips...right inside of us...gently whispering to us...or in my case, usually speaking to me in exclamation points. Lol

Need wise counsel? If it is not coming, it may be that God wants to counsel you Himself. A little one on one time goes a LOOOOOOONG way with the Lord.

Sigh. Peace.
Peace, peace, peace.
Thank you Lord!

Shalom Ya'll

Dinner Outcome

Okay...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FANTASTIC meal!!!!!! A++!! The sweet potatoes were so light and fresh and even holiday-ish!
I could not find nutmeg so I used a little ginger and cinnamon. YUM.

The chicken? Delicious!!!

The RANCH DRESSING though...I mean to say. That is NOT funny, that's how good it is! I forgot chives and it was STILL delicious. This is now a fave dressing and so affordable health wise!!!!

Compare:

Hidden Valley Ranch VS. Homemade

Calories: 140 vs. 50!
Total fat: 14g vs. 4g!
Cholesterol: 10mg vs. 2.5!
Sat. Fat: 2.5g vs. 0.5!
Sodium: 260mg vs. 70mg!
Carbs: 2g vs. 2g

Breaking the Silence...

Well everyone is SO quiet, I shall BREAK the silence!
I could post about any number of things but shall start here: We have a new favorite Food Network chef.
I don't even know her name yet..I think it is Ellie or Ella something.
She cooks all healthy foods.
But not freaky healthy.
Just normal healthy.
So that goes right along with our New Year's resolution of losing weight, getting healthy and exercising more.
Let me just qualify by saying I do not like New Year Resolutions. I think they are futile. Yep. They set one up for failure. Too much pressure to succeed. Goals are great but they should be started at a non-climatic time, you know? But of course we have to do them, because well, it is a NEW YEAR...
Ok, so ANYWAY....we love this girl because she is going to help us cook healthier and give us great recipes.
I know, I know. You all are thinking, "What happened to the pureed veggie thing?"
Well, my kids eat veggies!! I don't know what I was thinking. I think I just thought it sounded good. And I really do mean to add them to some recipes but...I can feed my kids veggies and they'll eat them, so why make more work for myself? And it IS a bit of work!

So back to Ellie or Ella, or whatever.

She blessed us with tonight's dinner and I hope many more to come! Here's what we are having and the recipes. Enjoy!

Maple-Mustard Chicken Breasts and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Orange Essence with Salad accompanied by homemade Ranch dressing.

I am going to quick-write the recipes because I know you all know how to figure things out by now...

Chicken: She used thighs but we substituted breasts. Mix 2 tbs grainy french mustard, 2 tbs Dijon mustard, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 tsp marjoram and 2 tbs maple syrup.
Spread over chicken and bake at 375.

Let me tell you this chicken smells DELISH as it is still in the oven! (yes Fearless, we finally had to move on from your bread! Lol)

Sweet Pots: Peel and cut 4 lg sweet Potatoes. Steam them. Mash with 1/4 cup low fat buttermilk and 1/4 c. OJ. Stir in 2 tsp orange zest, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 ground nutmeg.
Optional: Top entire bowl with one big pat butter. (the idea is that you eat with your eyes and that one pat can make you happy as opposed to putting 1 ot 2 pats on your own serving)

Ranch dressing: (FUN for kids to make!) Drain and let thicken 1/4 c nonfat yogurt in a strainer lined with a paper towel in the fridge for 20 minutes. Then mix it with 1/3 c low fat buttermilk, 3 tbs. mayo, 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1 tbs chives and salt to taste.

Nutritional info: Combined from ALL THREE three recipes: Calories: 520, carb: 67g, protein: 34g, Sat fat: 2g!!!

WOW! (I'll let you know how it tastes!)

Sooo cute!

We used to grow exotic bananas by our pool in Vero.
Apple bananas (tastes like apples)
Ice cream bananas, etc.
So Jeff brought some home and left them in the kitchen.
While cleaning up this afternoon, Sloan calls out to her Dad, "What do you want me to do with these bananas?"

Jeff answers, "Why don't you wrap them up in some flour, egg and sugar and put them in the oven for an hour?"

Kisses to my husband for being so cute!!

Breaking Chains and Breaking Ground

While enduring a visit...wait, that's not right (Philippians 2:14, Philippians 2:14)

While having a visit from some family this past day or two I realized and processed through (even MORE?) stuff.
Where does this processing end anyway? Oh, that's right. Eternity. Guess I better buck up.

I realize that the incredible undermining, lack of respect for parental authority, moral lacking and downright manipulation that borders on abuse, can actually be GOOD for us. Lol

Well, let me say at least that I viewed it in it's proper perspective.

While processing through it I realized that the exposure my kids have to it while not preferable, is still a learning process. It is not something I can protect them from a regular exposure to, like public school for example, because they are immediate family and I have to at least occasionally see them. Lol
But I can view it as less of a "rape" (sorry for the strong word but that's really how we feel about it) and more of a wisdom builder.

Let me explain.

The world STEALS innocence. It TAKES without asking. It DESTROYS slowly. It is an invasion.
There is no redeeming benefit. No underlying thing that is redemptive.
It is no gentleman.

But the lessons learned in the Christian family, even from the extending bad influences, can be wisdom building. I was discussing with Jeff that we are pioneers. We are groundbreakers and chain breakers.

And someone has to pay that first price. That someone is us.
We are the first in both our highly dysfunctional families to give our lives to the Lord for real.
To really strive to walk it out, you know?
So there is going to have to be someone who will have to look back to the previous generation and say, "ewwwwww". You know, someone who has to deal with it.
(don't make me qualify, of course we LOVE them and do all we can to live in peace.)

But because we are willing to be those people and our children are following, one day in a generation or two, we will begin to look back and say, "Hmph, not bad."
And in 5, 6, 7 generations, Lord willing, even we will be a distant memory and the ones before us even more distant. The memories will start being of extended family that loved the Lord, married well, had Godly offspring and raised their families to the Glory of God. The mistakes and lines of generational sin will become less and less apparent.

The more serious we take our calling, the quicker we push future generations into victorious living and into the very hands of God.

So while we do everything we can to protect our children from the intense dysfunction of our extended families, we are blessed by being able to have deep conversations with them about it. We are blessed that they recognize the counterfeit from the genuine because of their genuine living. We are blessed that they are being raised to be women of influence instead of blind followers. We are blessed that their everyday life has already built foundations strong enough to withstand family that is desperately in need of the Lord.

It is intensely hard to deal with this... but we can pay the price. The thought of the eternal ramifications on our grandchildren and beyond is well worth it and makes it less painful to bear.

Stream of thought...

*Ok, so since my last post, I have NOT been able to get that song out of my head!!!I wonder if someone is trying to tell something...well, I need it after yesterday that's for sure!

*The Konosis passage in the bible can be applied ANYTIME you are being somewhat or all out persecuted. It works every time. We just always, always, always have the BEST example of anything and everything in Jesus Christ our Lord: Philippians 2:5-11

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


* I found the best present for Rachel yesterday. I can't wait to post a pic of it!!!

* My mother is asleep in Rachel's room and my brother is asleep on the couch. Come on over Fearless if you want to take a peek. Lol

*I despise when I am at a resteraunt/cafe of some kind and I ask regarding two items: "Which one is better" and they nonchalantly answer, "I don't know, whichever one you like better I guess." This is an answer placed in the mouths of strangers purposely just to irritate ME.
I am SUCH a customer service type person. (Philippians 2:14, Philippians 2:14)

*I am leaning toward more giving at Christmas this year to the kids than initially thought. I want to bless the kids because I can. They deserve it. They are appreciative and I love them.
The Lord does not hold back blessing to me and I don't want to at this time of year either.

*Santa baby has put a present under the tree, for me. And I've been SUCH a good girl! Lol
(shake-shake)

*The kids had smores and hot chocolate with my brother last night while watching Ratatouille while I finished up a difficult email.

*It's 3:15 am and yes, I know where my children are.

Shalom ya'll.

Funeeeee

On the way home yesterday Sloan and I were talking about this song we sang at church:

You make everything glorious,
You make everything glorious,
You make everything glorious,
and I am yours......
what does that make me?"

So I was explaining how that meant WE were glorious and how that made me a little uncomfortable to say.

So she says, (with an inner city accent) "You mean like, snap! I'm glorious and I knowit!"

Hilarious!

Sunday's Goings On...

Good to be back at church again...nothing really huge today but I notice that I will probaby memorize where more scipture LIVES learning this way. The intense study of each line somehow sticks it into memory when "trying to memorize it" just doesn't get it.

Scripture always pops up into my mind all day long but rarely is it prefaced with the book and verse number!

So all day long after church I would hear someone complain and hear PHILIPPIANS 2:14 Do everything without complaining or dispute." Lol I know where it is, I know where it is....

Unfortunately, it has also made me ACUTELY aware of anytime anyone is complaining. UGH. It's endless. I shall pray that the Lord "block me" and only alert me to my OWN complaining and no one else's.

As we were leaving church yesterday I joked with a husband of a friend who is pregnant and having a rough time of it.

How is she feeling? Is there anything I can do. I am praying. Encouragement, etc.

And then I say, I don't think you should go home and quote Philippians 2:14 to her though...

Big laugh.

My work here is done.

VERY nice family these sweet people.



At the cookie exchange, I had a moment where I stopped, looked around the room and realized that I already loved these women like my own. Each one, different, unique. I felt comfortable and accepted. SO many interesting ladies to get to know.

I also realized that few of us were of a like mind in reference to many beliefs and that can be a little scary.

I need to be careful not to the let the enemy start singling me out and whispering how different we are here...I need to watch my words and not let my convictions get the better of me when someone is speaking their mind. (i.e. "More kids? I spent one week off with mine last week and I was like woo-ee, forget it!" and Steph runs screaming from the room, lol)

This is not a matter of being judgemental. I know that we are all reforming and are works in progress at different spots but on the same road.
I have such a LOOOOOOOOONNNNGGGG way to go.

But I still hope people don't ask me what I think about this or that too much right off the bat. Because you know....if they ask...
And I want to make FRIENDS here. Lol

I love how the Lord is consistently teaching me to BE QUIET.

"Steph", sayeth the Lord,

"You do not have to offer anything in this conversation. Just LISTEN."

Yes Lord.

"Steph."

Yes, Lord?

"Don't do it."

Yes Lord.

"Steph?"

Yes Lord?

"Stop thinking about doing it."

Yes Lord.

"Steph?"

Yes, Lord?

"Go get a cookie or something."

Ok, Lord.



Let's just take homeschooling for a moment. Lol

One fine lady (no worries, we were alone)

was telling me how homeschooling was a CALLING.

("Steph?")

And that not all families were MEANT to do it.

("Uh, Steph?")

And that she'd KILL her kids and they were too xyz and that the "Lord" did not "mean" for her to and she knew, like she knew, like she knew....

("Stephanie!")

Yes Lord?

"Don't even THINK about it!"

So I didn't already!

Lol.

And a good time was had by all!

Post post: check out the quote of the day...how funny! I just noticed it.
(Patton: "If everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking.")

I really AM kissing Santa Claus!

Ok, my one and only post on the dreaded Christmas debate. (Stemming from Fearless Leader's great post, this is a spin-off post that was a comment-gone-blog)

First, let me preface by saying our family is often misunderstood (who me? Misunderstood?) as being one of THOSE, because we have conviction in what we believe. But I shall officially say here, that we are not passionate about debates over Halloween, whether to Santa or not to Santa, Easter or Harry Potter.
Do we have thoughts on it? Sure we have thoughts.
But we are much more passionate about good marriages, family integration, patriarchal vision, and raising children to the GLORY OF GOD.
However, for the purposes of discussion.....

We did Santa for years but don't anymore...I say, who cares? It was fun. I completely was furious with my Mom when I found out Santa wasn't real. But I got over it. I don't have some lingering distrust of them because they "lied" to me. Because I GREW UP and I GET IT NOW. Lol
But I will say that the Word teaches that "Every good gift comes from the hand of God".

We trick or treated for years but don't anymore. I say, who cares? It was fun. We stopped around 9-11 because it just didn't seem well, reverent enough at the time. I still am not highly convicted about it. Intention seems to be 99% of it for me. It is just NOT the most excellent thing. And you know it. Lol
But I will say that God says to avoid all appearance of evil and to be set apart from the world; sanctified. I mean, it is an evil appearing Holiday based in evil beliefs...so why? Especially when there is REFORMATION DAY to be celebrated (Hello? Christians? How about celebrating the day of Oct. 31st; the actual beginnings of YOUR protestant CHURCH??? I am still perplexed as why this is not celebrated church wide by all Christian faiths, including Catholic!) and also the wonderful celebration at the church ya'll took to me to! (Was it New Hope?) Now there's some church wide unity for you!

Easter? Not a biblical holiday at all and you KNOW what the bible says about celebrating non-biblical feasts...but I LOVE Easter and coloring eggs and unless I fall so in love with my new church that you can never pry me out of it, I most likely will head back to Vero to attend my all time favorite service of the year, Sunrise Service at the beach!

And Harry Potter? Well, come on now. A girl's gotta have her standards. Lol
But I will say-
that I heard JOHN HAGEE (and if you don't know who he is then you really won't get this)
say that if people stopped worrying about the Harry Potter books and how they shouldn't even touch them lest they be tainted in some way, and actually PICKED UP the living Word of God occasionally or (gasp) regularly, then these other things kinda lose their power.
Go John.

As far as the date of Christ's birth. We all know it was most likely NOT in December. Ok already. So if you want to be technical, celebrate Christ and not his birthday. I heard a lecture the other day at the Holy Land Experience about the date of Christmas. (GO THERE if you have never been) and he was saying that Christmas falls around Dec. of the Jewish Calendar which is when they celebrate Hanukkah. So it also could be argued that the two can be related. Who knows! God truly is more concerned with the matters of the heart.
I bet God would be surely pleased if every day, we thought about him, talked about him, even debated about him as much as we do around Christmas.
Isn't the real point that HE IS RISEN?

I am tired of seeing those "Keep the Christ in Christmas" signs everywhere. I want to see signs that say "Keep Christ in your every day life". That is what will transform lives. Not a quick nod to the Apha and the Omega on Christmas day...

It is more about the EVERY DAY Christian living then the once a year celebration that makes a good Christian. So I say, relax. Have fun. Give gifts. Let them enjoy it. Santa. Don't Santa. Laugh, live, love and read your bible every day. Pray. Go to church. Get involved. Obey God. Learn to hear His voice. Listen to your husband. Respect him. Love your kids. Get off the computer...what? Hey! Wait-

If You Leave the House for Cookies....

If you leave the house for cookies,
you may hear a strange thumping sound coming from your tire.
If you hear a strange thumping sound coming from the tire,
you will have to stop to see what it is.
If you stop to see what it is,
you may accidentally find some huge strange metal object sticking out of it.
If you find some huge strange metal object sticking out of it,
You will have call your husband who has just left to go out of town.
If you call him, he will tell you to go to the Kingdom.
If he tells you to go to the Kingdom,
you must assume he does not mean the heavenly one.
If he does not mean the heavenly one,
you must assume he means the Tire one.
If you make it to the Tire Kingdom, you will have to call home
to tell them you will be gone longer than 5 minutes after all.
More like, two hours.
If you're gone for two hours,
you will miss making dinner and have to drive through McDonald's for dinner.
If you drive through MCDonald's for dinner,
you will find happy kids waiting for you at home.
If you find happy kids waiting for you after being gone two hours when you promised cookies in only 5 minutes,
it will remind you that the Kingdom, whether the tire kind OR the Heavenly kind,
is looking out for you-
even when you go out for cookies!

Out of the desert....woohoo!

Bible time this morning...wow! I finished Philippians and found myself sad...not wanting to leave it. Something my old Pastor in Vero taught me was that today's manna is no good for tomorrow! SO true. You cannot hold on to what God teaches you and expect it to hold out indefinitely...you must get the new stuff each day!
So off into Colossians we go...and blammo. More amazing and powerful stuff! (like it wouldn't be?)
I have read these scriptures over and OVER and OVER again through the years and I think with the new way of teaching we are experiencing, it just breathes fresh life into it for me.
We stepped up and out from typical dispensational teaching and over our heads into expositional speaking and came down and rested into Calvary. It took a few years to get here! I feel like Goldilocks....It's juuuuuuust right! Lol
A good fit for us. I love how years of foundational teaching gives us well, a good thick and strong foundation. Now going back over it and digging deeper but not so deep that I have no idea what they are talking about, lol, gives me a fresh and new outlook. So now when I read it on my own I also take one verse at a time and sometimes read it over and over. Even the greetings at the beginning of Paul's letters have so much meaning! I knew that I had not gotten everything out of God's Word that there was...that is ridiculous. But I just couldn't get anything different from it lately. Thank You Lord!

It is so important not just to have teaching be informational, which I have a bent toward, (information JUNKIES unite!!!!!) but TRANSFORMATIONAL as well. Application, application, application. That is always how we've taught our girls and I daresay it works. It must inform and then transform.
Ok, enough already! Here ya' go: Merry Christmas! Your gift for today? The sheer POWER of God's Word.

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

And my prayer for you today is from Colossians 1:9-13

I pray that God fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And I pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

DID YOU HEAR THAT????? Glory to God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scary!

Now I'm glad I moved to the "country". At least, that's what I call it here. But imagine my tree-huggin' surprise when the neighbor called animal control because she thought the gator in our lake was eating her cats. So out they come yesterday to trap it. And trap it they did. Kinda felt sorry for the poor guy. We've watched him and his cohorts happily in our lake for the two years we've lived here. We didn't bother them. They didn't bother us. One new cat-happy out of towner and blammo. No more gator. Now we

love our kitties as much as the next guy and one of our cats recently went missing as well. But we still don't think it was the gator. And neither did the trapper. The neighbor wasn't too happy that she had just caused the death of a gator who was not guilty. But once they're here too late I guess. He makes his living this way.

While watching the gator thrash on the line early this morning, Sloan sadly put her head down and quietly said, "Well, we have dominion over the animals I guess."
Ugh.
Truth is sometimes just too weighty.
I'm glad they were all gone when I snapped these photos.
Hey, don't blame me, this is YOUR town!

Musings on Sloan

Sorry the last few posts have been a bit scattered...there will always be much to say around Sundays and Thursdays! Woohoo!

While telling us the "big story" on what happened with Kate during church last night the tears came. How sorry we felt for her! Not that we weren't here, not that she had the trouble (which is GOOD training!) but just because we LOVE her and don't want her to have to weather the storms. (But glad for the outcome, of course)

We were talking about why the tears were there. Was it frustration from not being able to calm Kate down? No! It was maternal sorrow! She was telling us how Kate was crying for me and nothing would appease her as she called my name (Mommeeeeeee, Momeeeeee)

Sidebar: Typical me has to qualify: Sloan does not babysit all the time nor do we use her like a babysitter. And yes, she is perfectly capable of handling it and SHOULD handle it as well. It's called training them up people. And she will be a better Mom for it.

ANYHOO, she was saying she was upset because she felt so sorry for Kate and that she could not help her and meet her need. I was so proud of her ability to recognize this and shared with her when I sometimes feel that way too. When we have to drive to Vero and Kate gets upset...and I cannot get her. I get teary eyed because I cannot meet her need at that moment. That is a maternal thing and something no one can get but a Mom.

Sloan is getting one on one training in that because she is old enough to feel maternally for Kate.
Unfortunately, last night, she was was not maternal-in-carnate. Lol

But she learned and I quote: "I finally realized that she was not going to die, I was not going to die and it wouldn't be long before things changed."

That we would all feel that way in the midst of a storm! Smart girl! And Lord willing, soon to be great Mom!

It is a sacrifice for us to separate for a time as we worship not always together as a family, but one that if we allow it, will be well worth it! The fruit is already bursting forth!

More SGOOT

So I also LOVE LOVED LOVED the discussion on Philippians 2:12 when Paul says "conitnue to work out your salvation..."
Pastor D (ok, I just CANNOT call him PDiddy anymore, lol) spoke about how if someone is working for us, shouldn't we also work alongside?
Jeff and I were talking about it more this morning, a little simplistic but accurate enough.

If someone came over to help you rake leaves in your yard, would you sit back on the porch and watch? NO!!!!!! You'd pick up a rake!


So we talked about how working out your salvation really can be thought of as a working out (a stepping out, a living out) of God's plan.

At first I wasn't sure about the us being the co-pilot and the CO-operating idea...I first heard it as we were CO-managers or co-directors and that of course is not true. But it all it came into it's fullness when he turned the CO-operating into cooperating.

One defintion of cooperating from the American Heritage Dictionary is:

To acquiesce willingly; be compliant: asked the child to cooperate and go to bed.

Uh, yes is the answer to this defintion when referencing one "cooperating with the Lord". It really means to be compliant to His will. To listen, obey and DO IT!!!

The co-pilot listens to the pilot and does what he says! Right!
Case in point: I listened to the Holy Spirit admonish me on how I addressed the children (see 2 posts ago) and then PUT INTO ACTION what needed to be done. So I "worked out" God's plan for my life by listening and obeying.
By working out our salvation, we are actually IMPROVING our lives and the lives of those of us around us..

Peace on Earth? Check!

I heard a little something in some song on the radio yesterday. The gist of it was that there WAS peace on earth for all who sought it.

WOW.

Guess what? There IS peace on earth for those who seek it. Woohoo!

SGOOT (Sunday's goings on on Thursday)

Upon seeing Jeff and I together sans kiddos, a friend from church last night commented that we had a "built in babysitter". More aptly put however, she is a "Mom in Training". And last night was no exception. Through her sacrifice, a great gem was and is to be bestowed upon her.

I had forgotten my phone at home (providentially?) and could not be reached when Kate decided to have an all out hysterical fit and could not be calmed. Had I been reachable I would have immediately left and missed what could only be called God's Great Mercy on my Parenting.

Amongst all the other great stuff that I could talk-blog-shout about all day, this (little?) one stuck out to me. Let me just confess that this is not the first time God has addressed me on this matter.

Paul opens Philippians 2:12 by saying "Therefore, beloved..." PDiddy talked about how if we are going to address a brother or sister in Christ or a CHILD in some kind of instruction or admonishment, were we able to first say "beloved" or "favorite little one".
Are we in the "mindset of Christ" when we address others? For me, this was about my own precious children!

How about this? If we saw a friend in some pattern of sin and heard from God to talk to them about it how many of us would? I mean, to admonish one another in love is scriptural but rarely done. But if we did, would we not be OH-SO-CAREFUL? Would we not pray first, BESEECH the Lord to be with us, preface beyond preface what we said to them with every qualifying statement there was? (not that that would necessarily be good but we WOULD!)

In other words we would be sure to let them know that we were approaching in LOVE.
BUT!!!
With our children does it go that way? With me, uh..not always.

I cannot even COMMENT on what I have said to my children in rebuke the last few days and none of it started with "beloved". It normally starts with a frustrated and biting remark on some failing I view as continual. OUCH LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's worse?????? The big "failing" I see in one daughter was her abruptness with her sisters! ARGHHHHH the pain. Now, I know this is nothing new for most of us. We all know the old cliche that we can see our faults in our children. But I yet aspire to allow God to strike that sin out of me and stand in the gap with my own kids that they might be shown mercy and NOT ADOPT my sinful patterns before they can be stricken from me lest they subsequently be "caught" by them!

I must now endeavor to preface my instsructions and admonishments with love and praise and not insult!
Confession: The other day I was telling my oldest how much I loved her and she said, "Really?" I was like, S, are you kidding me? Do you really not know that I love you? She said, "No, of course I know that you LOVE me, but sometimes when I am in trouble, I wonder what you THINK of me."
Oh my people. Oh my. Lord, right now I confess and repent of this.

Last night when I was about to "jump on" her for not getting into the shower after telling her three times, that WONDERFUL Holy Spirit stepped right on in.
"Sloan! How many- (hear brakes screeching)
"Sloan, do you know how much I love you? How much I appreciate your watching your sisters? You are so wonderful! Thank you for working tonight out, I know how hard it was! You are the bomb!!! (all smiles from the arrow)
Now I know you know I've asked you three times to get into that shower, right?
Off she goes, skipping into cleanliness. Happy and free, knowing she is loved even when rebuked.
Ugh, I could take a shower myself just thinking about my own shortcomings!!!

Ya think?

I've been thinking about what is "true for today" lately. While at the park the other day, we got to talking about how Mom's worry so much. How we all play every dark scenario we can over and over through our minds. Crazy.
The enemy loves to get in and create fear but God has not given us a spirit of fear has he?

HSC mentioned that we had to think about what is true in the moment. That is so true!

Our minds as women are WILD and need to be tamed. Our thought life is running rampant and we need to get ahold of it and bring it under submission.

Every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Philippians 4:8 says: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (emphasis added)

How often do we actually do this? We let our minds go by the wayside so often, so consistently. What a mistake! Let us think and meditate on what is
true,
noble,
right,
pure,
loveley,
admirable,
excellent
or praiseworthy.
You are going to see that post-it around my house!

Listen to what the OPPOSITE of those things are:
false,
ignoble,
wrong,
tainted,
ugly,
shameful,
below par,
and worthy of rebuke!

These can be just lazy lines of thinking as opposed to horrific ones, but all the same, it's wrong and it's dangerous. When we are not thinking the one way, we are thinking the other. Our thoughts have one characteristic or another. It is up to us to choose which list from which we think!
Wow. I for one, need a good mind-cleaning. My thinking can really get out of control. I am going to work on sweeping all the junk out of there and concentrate on the above things.
I can get complacent in what I think and therefore also in what what I say, do, act out and most importantly believe!

Realizing this, we also need to train our children to train their thought life...NOW. If we train them young to get into a pattern of thinking on the above things, then we save them a lot of trouble later. Gems of life, these. The Word gives life! Woohoo!

We all spend lots of time organizing every room we have in our home, but let us not neglect the one from which our reality is created, our thought room!

Happy Birthday Crystal!!!

Can you BELIEVE I forgot to ask how old she was? I'm sure it must have been 40 something...

I LOVE you like mad sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a piece of homemade chocolate cake just for YOU!

My Quilt

So, here is my quilt in all it's well, done-ness. Lol Thanks to my great friends, it is assembled. I also had made these matching pillow cases. It looks good but still needs quilting! Ohhhhh, the hard part. Go insane for three months, get it done and THEN realize the work's yet begun. Whose idea was this anyway? Don't ask.

New Friends

Tis' the Season!

Sloan caught Kate sampling the Gingerbread House wares yesterday...too cute!!!

"Pop-ju" means lolipop. You cannot see in the video but the entire middle of the table is filled with the candy from decorating...the piles of white "snow" is powdered sugar!

Double click on play...

I get by with a little help from my friends....

Well, I couldn't get my quilt finished in time for the Big Reveal so I only had my top done. I was somewhat disappointed but leave it to my good friend HSC to offer to do it RIGHT NOW. Everyone else jumped on the band wagon and before you know it, I had a quilt. In the words of my eldest daughter, you ladies ROCK! I love you guys and will never forget this night!


Friends who will stay over til' a quarter to one in the morning helping me finish my quilt?
Priceless!












Can she quilt it? YES SHE CAN!!!














I'm supervising....












The amazing levitating red satin! (This fabric was supposed to be used for my flying carpet)












Look at me me M! My rotary cutter won't work! Mwa ha ha!!!!!! (Where'd that pizza go?)













Five eighths? What's that?













Gettin' serious

Second Quilt Big Reveal

Our Quilt Group's Second "Big Reveal"

A Christmas Star theme!













Gorgeous!













Winning Quilt by HSC
















All in a day's work for Miss D.















Don't hate me 'cuz my quilt's beautiful.













Sloan's great beginnings...













I've progressed from a photo copy...

Speaks for itself!