Thank you, Lord...It's sinking in.
"Let all that you do be done in love."
1 Corinthians 16:14
1 Corinthians 16:14
7.30.2015
7.24.2015
LOOK WHO FOUND HER HANDS
...and she's pretty excited about it. :) Willow, you bring us all incredible joy!
By God's grace, may your precious hands grow to serve and love the Lord and others all your days.
"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work
of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!"
Psalm 90:17
Psalm 90:17
"For this child I prayed."
1 Samuel 1:27
7.21.2015
IDENTITY
i·den·ti·ty,noun: the fact of being who or what a person or thing is
We live in a hustle bustle world of putting on identity. Marketing, media, internet, activities, jobs, peers, social groups, sports...
The list goes on and on of inundating ways to form who we are and what we're all about. Looking to God's Word for every answer,
I ask myself as I ponder...Who does God call us to be? What does the Bible say about our identity?
The list goes on and on of inundating ways to form who we are and what we're all about. Looking to God's Word for every answer,
I ask myself as I ponder...Who does God call us to be? What does the Bible say about our identity?
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. "
Ephesians 5:1-2, 8-10, 15-17
How will I know what the will of the Lord is? I turn to the Word.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:105
It's easy to assume that my identity is in obvious expressions like having a large family, mothering, adoption, homeschooling, or natural living. These things are true of my identity to a certain extent in that they comprise a large part of how I spend my days. However,
when I stop to define myself and consider the question, Who am I? The blaring answer is much simpler.
when I stop to define myself and consider the question, Who am I? The blaring answer is much simpler.
I am a child of God and my identity is in Christ Jesus.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
This is what defines me.
Of course there are tangible ways that this identity plays out in my life, most noticeably my desire to pour out into the lives of others that which has been poured in by the Holy Spirit and this takes shape in many forms. But, ultimately my identity is in Christ and resting in the fact that I am His beloved child. It's His strength that fuels, His ability that equips, His grace to which all credit is due. With these truths in mind we see that whatever we end up pursuing, however we spend ourselves, if we are living as children of God and imitators of Him, it's He who enables us and therefore deserves honor. In light of these things, though life is full, in actuality it's very...simple.
Of course there are tangible ways that this identity plays out in my life, most noticeably my desire to pour out into the lives of others that which has been poured in by the Holy Spirit and this takes shape in many forms. But, ultimately my identity is in Christ and resting in the fact that I am His beloved child. It's His strength that fuels, His ability that equips, His grace to which all credit is due. With these truths in mind we see that whatever we end up pursuing, however we spend ourselves, if we are living as children of God and imitators of Him, it's He who enables us and therefore deserves honor. In light of these things, though life is full, in actuality it's very...simple.
"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
1 John 4:12
I think it's important every now and then to take inventory of our lives from an external perspective in attempt to reflect upon whether or not our lives line up with Scripture. How do we spend our time? What are we passionate about? What do we talk about? Think about? Do? And, though we can consider how others perceive us, ultimately it's most important to evaluate how God sees us...straight into our hearts. It's easy enough to portray a false reality to the world by polishing the outside of our cup, but God knows us better than
we know ourselves. He looks on the inside where no one else is looking. And clean on the inside is what matters to Him.
we know ourselves. He looks on the inside where no one else is looking. And clean on the inside is what matters to Him.
"For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
1 Samuel 16:17
So I ask myself some questions about how I spend my time and effort. Will the things I'm engaged in outlast my time here on earth?
Are my endeavors and daily happenings glorifying to God? Are the things I invest in of eternal value? Does our outside match our in?
Are my endeavors and daily happenings glorifying to God? Are the things I invest in of eternal value? Does our outside match our in?
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory...Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Colossians 3:1-4,10
In our culture, it can be tempting to define ourselves by many things, most which will not outlast our time on earth, most of which do not carry value of eternal worth, most of which aren't even glorifying to God. But, if God's Word tells us that even the minor things like eating and drinking are to be done to the glory of God, then why wouldn't we consider everything before His presence? Why wouldn't we weigh even the small choices we make before a holy God who cares about ALL that we do and are?
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, lately, as our family has worked through conversations that stem from personalized thoughts about who we are as individuals and who we are as a family unit, the pressing questions are, In who and what do we find our identity? What defines us?
And if any of those things are not of eternal significance, then how might we change moving forward?
How might we better exemplify the truth of who we are in Christ Jesus?
And if any of those things are not of eternal significance, then how might we change moving forward?
How might we better exemplify the truth of who we are in Christ Jesus?
"But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him."
1 Corinthians 6:17
Sometimes it feels so overly simplistic to find our identity in One singular source, that is, the Lord, that it hardly feels enough, let alone concrete. But the reality is that Christ is enough, just in who He is. And though He is Spirit in nature and we don't touch Him physically, we see innumerable concrete expressions of His identity in every detail of the world in which we live, including how He equips us to live.
"If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me."
Philippians 1:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
Galatians 5:22-23
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
John 15:4
Indeed, He is enough and more than enough to meet our every need, answer any question through His Word, lead us through any season of doubt, fill us to full and overflowing so the outpouring is as boundlessly creative and diverse as He is. Yes, Christ is definitely enough to define me, define us, we decide...and so we conclude, we are children of God first and foremost and He is our identity.
"If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me."
Philippians 1:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
Galatians 5:22-23
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
John 15:4
Indeed, He is enough and more than enough to meet our every need, answer any question through His Word, lead us through any season of doubt, fill us to full and overflowing so the outpouring is as boundlessly creative and diverse as He is. Yes, Christ is definitely enough to define me, define us, we decide...and so we conclude, we are children of God first and foremost and He is our identity.
"To live is Christ."
Philippians 1:21
7.15.2015
NOVA'S 1ST LOST TOOTH!
Though storms rage and battles wage, it's nice to stop for small but happy things.
Celebrating with sweetest Nova today!!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters,
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."
Philippians 4:4-8
7.13.2015
MAKING SOAP
I'm constantly inspired by the Proverbs 31 woman. I often read through her virtues and practices and ask the Lord to help me grow to be more like her. I long to teach my daughters homemaking skills that I've learned gradually on my own through my adult years and I hope to set them up as well as possible to be keepers of their own homes one day, all the while working together here and now.
The roots of our endeavors are always aimed at honoring God by being good stewards of what He's given us as well as how we spend our time. Plus, we enjoy the creative process involved in many of the things we make and do (or don't do for that matter) and we're always on the lookout for new ways to glorify God in our hearts most importantly, but also in the logistics of daily life.
As we grow and learn new things together, the goal is to develop lifestyle choices that become natural for our children as they branch out eventually. Like so many parents throughout history, the things that we're toiling to figure out here in our generation will prayerfully be common practices for the next generation...and hopefully that will give them a head start. More than anything else, we pray our children will desire to seek the Word as the motivation for all that they do and for my girls Proverbs 31 is a platform we refer to often.
. . . . . .
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31
. . . . . .
The Proverbs 31 woman is resourceful. She works with willing hands and is industrious as she cares for her family and home. I hope to become more and more like that as I progress from habitual ways of doing things toward greater efficiency, creativity, and stewardship.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
In an effort to simplify products we use at home and consumerism in general, we've been honing in on our most minimal/multi-purpose cleaning solutions as we've been making different types of soaps with common ingredients. From laundry detergent at a fraction of the cost of our previous brand to hand soap, shower soap, dish soap, spray cleaners, etc...it seems our best bet at simplicity, longevity, and affordability starts with castile soaps, both solid and liquid. For most recipes we use Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soaps, but for laundry we've been using Kirk's Coco Castile Bar Soap since it's less expensive. The process is fun and easy and it chops our shopping list down which I love. (Not a big fan of errands over here)...especially right now with this gal who prefers my lap over her car seat:
(Hello online shopping!)
Also, considering we'd like to eventually live somewhere less convenient to grocery stores,
it only makes sense to be less dependent upon products and better adapted to making things at home.
Enter soap making...
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
In an effort to simplify products we use at home and consumerism in general, we've been honing in on our most minimal/multi-purpose cleaning solutions as we've been making different types of soaps with common ingredients. From laundry detergent at a fraction of the cost of our previous brand to hand soap, shower soap, dish soap, spray cleaners, etc...it seems our best bet at simplicity, longevity, and affordability starts with castile soaps, both solid and liquid. For most recipes we use Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soaps, but for laundry we've been using Kirk's Coco Castile Bar Soap since it's less expensive. The process is fun and easy and it chops our shopping list down which I love. (Not a big fan of errands over here)...especially right now with this gal who prefers my lap over her car seat:
Also, considering we'd like to eventually live somewhere less convenient to grocery stores,
it only makes sense to be less dependent upon products and better adapted to making things at home.
Enter soap making...
This past week, Elka and I made some foaming soap dispensers to remedy and simplify a few more spots in our home.
Elka's always up for any type of crafting she can get into so she was just the girl for the job!
We started off with mason jars, making a round circle of nail holes in the center of our lids. Since we always have
various jars on hand (plus the ingredients used for this recipe) our cost for this project was next to nothing.
(Tip: Boiling all parts first, water included, reduces potential bacterial growth.)
various jars on hand (plus the ingredients used for this recipe) our cost for this project was next to nothing.
(Tip: Boiling all parts first, water included, reduces potential bacterial growth.)
Then, we carefully used needle nose pliers to cut away the excess...
...and make a hole for the foaming spout.
Next, we carefully pried the hole to just the right size, curling sharp edges in, and inserted the pumps. We both recycled what we had and bought a few inexpensive ($1.50) foaming soaps at the store and just used the foaming pumper, discarding the rest.
We filled our jars with a few tablespoons of Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Castile Soap (which lasts forever), filtered and boiled water, and a few drops of essential oils, Thieves for the bathrooms and Lemon for the kitchen this time. (I usually use Lavender for laundry.)
And there you have it.
And there you have it.
Super simple foaming hand soap...
...also perfect for the bath and shower too just not in glass dispensers.
We love the yummy smells on rotation. I love the ease of having all our ingredients on hand.
And it's always a bonus to streamline another corner of our daily life by simply making soap.
. . . . . .
Homemade Foaming Hand Soap
2-4 Tbsp. liquid castile soap
1 1/4 c. filtered and boiled/distilled water
3-5 drops essential oil
(optional: 1/2 tsp. olive oil for moisturizing)
. . . . . .
We love the yummy smells on rotation. I love the ease of having all our ingredients on hand.
And it's always a bonus to streamline another corner of our daily life by simply making soap.
. . . . . .
Homemade Foaming Hand Soap
2-4 Tbsp. liquid castile soap
1 1/4 c. filtered and boiled/distilled water
3-5 drops essential oil
(optional: 1/2 tsp. olive oil for moisturizing)
. . . . . .
"She...works with willing hands."
Proverbs 31:13
7.09.2015
THE MINISTRY IS HERE
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your might."
Deuteronomy 6:5
For many years we discussed going into ministry, searched for opportunities, prayed for open (and closed) doors. We went on short term mission trips, sent Brodie to far off places, and sought direction from the Lord to immerse ourselves in full-time ministry vocationally.
All the while, our family grew and thus we absorbed unlimited discipleship ministry opportunities each day. Through adoption, the Lord gave us a lifelong ministry to invest in lives from countries across the globe on a small scale and individual level. Through homeschooling and parenting, He chisels our hearts and spends us on behalf of the lives in our home constantly. And ultimately it's become completely obvious, so God-ordained and we accept...the ministry we've sought is here (and has been all along). I laugh because we always had the sense that the ministry we would acquire would be "strangely familiar" and so it is.
The ministry is here.
It's true that the Lord used every outreach, every experience, every trip to elsewhere to align our hearts more with His. And, it's true that for years we thought we would end up living somewhere different. (Perhaps we still will eventually.) But, it's also very true that the Lord has led our hearts in unison with one another to realize that the season of now is deeply immersed in full-time ministry...right here. Our family, our adopted children, our marriage, and those we interact with IS the ministry we are called to right now and we love it.
It's true that the Lord used every outreach, every experience, every trip to elsewhere to align our hearts more with His. And, it's true that for years we thought we would end up living somewhere different. (Perhaps we still will eventually.) But, it's also very true that the Lord has led our hearts in unison with one another to realize that the season of now is deeply immersed in full-time ministry...right here. Our family, our adopted children, our marriage, and those we interact with IS the ministry we are called to right now and we love it.
The ministry is here.
Shepherding 11 little hearts and caring biblically for one another as spouses, leading our young Godward, evangelizing, training, discipling, disciplining, training, loving, and investing in these lives is our ministry right here, right now and we're in.
The ministry is here. It is.
Shepherding 11 little hearts and caring biblically for one another as spouses, leading our young Godward, evangelizing, training, discipling, disciplining, training, loving, and investing in these lives is our ministry right here, right now and we're in.
The ministry is here. It is.
And if we're to do it well we have much to consider, so we do...thoughtfully, prayerfully, daily. Ministry takes time. Ministry requires sacrifice. Ministry needs vision and follow-through from highly committed participants. Ministry demands much from it's leadership. Ministry logistics should be intentionally considered so that it is as fruitful as possible. Ministry must align with the Word of God as it's plumb line to be sure it stays the course. Most importantly, ministry should honor God and seek to glorify Him in every aspect.
Yes, our ministry is here.
Though not vocationally, it is very much here full-time, embedded in all of life for this season intensely and then beyond
as our children have children. We love this ministry opportunity we've been given! We love this ministry right here!
Lord, thank you for the ministry of parenthood and family. Thank you for confirming where you've called us. Thank you for the many souls you've entrusted to us and all the joys and challenges that come along with "us". Please help us, lead us, guide our steps.
Please use us, spend us, create through our efforts and hold us close when we feel weak or even persecuted because of our calling.
Equip us, Lord we pray, with confidence in only YOU and what YOU can do through the meager empty vessels that we are.
as our children have children. We love this ministry opportunity we've been given! We love this ministry right here!
Lord, thank you for the ministry of parenthood and family. Thank you for confirming where you've called us. Thank you for the many souls you've entrusted to us and all the joys and challenges that come along with "us". Please help us, lead us, guide our steps.
Please use us, spend us, create through our efforts and hold us close when we feel weak or even persecuted because of our calling.
Equip us, Lord we pray, with confidence in only YOU and what YOU can do through the meager empty vessels that we are.
Lord, thank you for this ministry right here.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children,
and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Deuteronomy 6:5-7
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