For the Hurting: How God Sees You: Recognize Your Reality

Please excuse the typos. This is something I put together very quickly recently to help someone. I shared something similar years ago, but it must have been accidentally deleted while preparing the blog for a back up. This is a battle I know well because this is how I had to fight my own severe internal struggles. Those who have heard my full spoken testimony say it is very powerful. The reason it is powerful is the truth you will find in these verses. I had to repeat something very similar to the first paragraph many, many times to myself. Sometimes I have to remind myself again. None of the lies of the enemy or the lies of others can stand in the light of God's Word.

**********

Dear one, you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of your loving Creator. You are so precious in the Lord's sight that He knit you in your mother's womb (a hands on, individual, and detailed work), knows the numbers of hairs on your head (cares about the details of your life), and collects your tears in a bottle so He can wipe them away Himself later (a tender, deeply caring and loving Father). 

You are precious to Him! While only the wealthy and famous have earthly bodyguards, He has set His angels (Heavenly bodyguards) to watch over you. He has chosen and appointed you, called you from darkness to light, and loves you so deeply He gave His son to die to pay your penalty for your sins so you could be heirs with Christ and bear fruit that will last an eternity. He calls you a chosen race, a royal priesthood, His friend, a member of His household, and tells you that through Christ, you are a conqueror and an overcomer! 

His love and mercy for you have no end! He has removed your sins as far as the east is to the west...infinitely apart from you! If the God of the universe can show you unending love and mercy, don't you think you can show yourself a little too? Find your worth in what Jesus has done for you. A Holy Magnificent Almighty God, who even notices you or I, and then gives His Son to die for us while we were still filthy in our sins...places a very, very, very high value on us....we are priceless! You value is right there in what Jesus did. An all-seeing, all-knowing, all powerful God deemed you worth dying for! 

Let that hurt that hinders you, and that you are holding onto so tightly go, and grab ahold of God's truth about who you are ...and get to work learning more about Him, doing what He has asked of you, and living for Him so others may see through your life what He has given you and also offers to them. Drink deeply from His Word, His love letter to you. Now, go back and read this again, slowly, and let the words sink in until you recognize your reality.

**********

Don't fall for the deception of the "imposter syndrome." This syndrome is identified by feelings of unworthiness and failure which cannot be erased even in face of a wealth of information that proves that the opposite is true. Break free from that. There's plenty of proof in the verses below to convince anyone of God's love for and value of them. Don't let your fear/self doubt/deep hurt keep you from being free.

Don't allow any negative self talk. Renew your mind, transform it with God's Word. Every time you have a negative thought towards yourself, challenge it with God's view of you. Self discipline to bring your view of self into line with God's Word. It will take time and repetition. You are worth the effort. As you undertake this, show yourself grace.

Be your own best friend. If you would not say it to your most loved relative or friend, don't say or think it about yourself. If you do, you are your own enemy! Be your own encourager!

Don't fall for the deception that God's Word is for everyone except you. Beat down so low I could not raise my head to see God's love for me, I felt that as a young person. It followed me into early adulthood. Sometimes we can be so damaged down by other people's words, opinions of us, and actions towards us that we feel like it is impossible for anyone to love us, even God. It's not true!! He loves you! He loves you! He really, truly does love you with a pure, unfailing love that is unlike any love you've ever experienced. He loves you! Post it on your wall, set it as the wallpaper on your devices, set reminders so your personal assistant announces it every so often, put alarms in your phone to remind you, repeat it to yourself often. Repeat it until you believe Him! He loves you! 

Does God lie? No!!! Then believe what He says about you and your worth to Him.

Read what God has done for you and what He thinks of you. Read them aloud. There is healing for you in these words. 

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8

In fact, even the hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Revelation 21:4

You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.  1 Corinthians 6:20

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:11-13

Since you are precious in My sight, Since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.  Isaiah 43:4

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:15-16

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. . Psalm 34:3-5

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  1 Peter 2:9

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37: 23-24

The battle is not ours, but God's. 2 Chronicles 20:15

 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11

But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10-12

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 87-39

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, Colossians 1:13

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

I John 5:5

Now that you know the way out, do as I have done...share the Way with someone else. 

God is in control.

You relax on a plane even though you don't know the pilot.

You relax on a ship even though you don't know the captain.

You relax on a bus even though you do not know the driver.

Why don't you relax in life, knowing God is in control?

-author unknown

Succulent Bargain on Amazon

Amanda and Bethany love succulents, and it has rubbed off onto me. Bethany loves the hedgehog aloe. I've had them off and on over the years, but this spring/summer I've added many more as well as passed many onto friends.

I very recently purchased the 20 grade B succulents from Plants for Pets. The price at the time was 28.95. I received 25 plants and some extra leaves (they propagate easily). My plants came out to 1.16 each! Most of them were leggy or had broken leaves or were asymmetrical which is what makes them "grade B." They were all healthy and disease free. Four or five of the plants looked like grade A plants. I am very pleased with my purchase and wanted to pass the bargain onto our plant loving family and friends. 

Small succulents will grow in a teacup or a ramekin and can sit on a window ledge. They are perfect for those living in smaller spaces. You can find all sorts of suitable planters in thrift stores for pennies. You can also splurge on pretty Pioneer Woman ramekins (currently at 16.99/2.83 each) and plant smaller succulents in those and part them out as gifts and still save money on gift giving. These window hanging planters can be filled those with the bigger succulents. 

Succulents make nice, frugal, but welcomed housewarming gifts, hostess gifts, dorm "warmers," farewell gifts, or they can cheer up a sick friend. I like propagating and keeping extra houseplants around in pretty pots just for those reasons. 

I am thankful for the example my sweet and beautiful paternal grandmother, Elsie Bailey, gave me. She showed me how to minister in a meaningful way as a simple extension of her mothering and homemaking. Love overflowed from her to everyone she met. When you visited, you got a hug and went home with a gift. I saw how those simple things made a big difference. 

Be genuine, be loving, and do what you can for others. A little from you often means a lot more than you think! As my grandmother showed me, even hugs, garden vegetables, and houseplants count for God's kingdom when your heart and mind is set on serving Him by being His light to others. 

The Tour

Joshua and Bethany wanted a tour of where Clint, Amanda, and Brandon work.
(They work for different parts of the company. The company loves hiring family, much like where Joshua and Caleb work.)

Joshua and Bethany changed the time they were going so Amanda could go too.
Amanda gave up sleep so she could be there. I love her elephant tee.

The box is regrind. 

When mistakes are made, the plastic is reground and reused.

Some rules were broken so Bethany could go too.
She is three years too young for the tour.

Our family's standards of behavior is what the plant manager 
said got her out on the floor.
They knew she'd follow the rules and stay safe.
It pays to conduct oneself with good behavior!

Co-worker: Are ya'll taking over?
Clint: Yes! One Asbell at a time!

Amanda was happy to show them some of the science and high tech equipment involved in her job. They also got to see Brandon's office and see the computer "brains" of the company. 

If you are family or friend and over 18 years old, you can have a tour of the plant given by THE FAMOUS C-DAWG!!! You need steel toed shoes. Depending on size, we may have some you can borrow.

It's a Fun Life!

I never know what I will see in my house.
There is always some fun afoot, and 
our joy in each other is apparent to those who visit.
It's a fun life with "all those children!"

When I saw it, I yelled, "Hey someone tell Bones there's no smoking in the house and to close the door when he's on the toilet!"

We bought Joshua the almost life sized skeleton because he's had a miniature skeleton in his room from his anatomy lessons when he wanted to be a doctor.
He was always posing it in different positions...and he's done the same with this one.

meeting her right where her mother is

Over the last 15 years, I have had many friends who have had parents and grandparents who had/have Alzheimer's or dementia. All of their stories are unique and special, but there is one I am observing now that is so beautiful. It touches my heart often because of my friend's deep love for her mother.

My friend's mother use to run a business I frequented as a teen. She has dementia and has good days and bad days. My friend takes each day as it comes. She wakes with no expectations other than caring for her mom in whatever way her mom needs.

One morning, the mom woke up thinking she had just had a baby. My friend drove her to the "hospital" (a store) to pick up (purchase) the baby (a doll.) They spent all day caring for and loving on the doll together. My friend buys used preemie clothing to dress the baby to help renew her mom's joy in the doll.

Another morning, the mom thought it was someone's wedding. They put on makeup, got dressed up, and took a long ride until her mom fell asleep. 

"She indulged me all of the years of my childhood. I can indulge her now. Her mind will never be the same as it was. I can make the most of the time I have left with her by finding ways to enjoy her company."

I love how my friend is serving her mother by meeting her right where her mother is in her mind. My friend has changed her lifestyle and given up a lot to seize these precious moments and care for her mother. She has never complained at how much she has had to give up. There are more hard days than good ones, but she is seizing the good moments and making the most of them as they come. 

Her way of caring for her mother goes far beyond just giving her care. It's sacrificial love in action, and I am thankful I get to witness it close up. 

Self vs Grace

"Self likes to do great things; 
but grace teaches us to do little things 
with a great spirit for the Lord's sake." 

-John Newton

If you are doing it for the Lord's glory, you do not need your name attached to it. Don't be concerned if your efforts seem to be ignored or even rebuffed. The Lord sees, and He will reward according to your heart. I am convinced from what I have read in the Bible that the greatest among us in eternity will not be the people we frequently heard of on earth. I believe the greatest among us will be the quiet and steadfast servant who worked heartily for the Lord by giving their all doing simple everyday things that earned no recognition or titles.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 6:1

It's Our 31st Anniversary!

Keep me near you like a seal you wear over your heart,
    like a signet ring you wear on your hand.
Love is as strong as death.
    Passion is as strong as the grave.
Its sparks become a flame,
    and it grows to become a great fire!
 A flood cannot put out love.
    Rivers cannot drown love.
Would people despise a man for giving
    everything he owns for love?

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

Today, Clint and I are celebrating 

                            31 years of marriage 

                                               and 34 years together as a couple. 

It seems like yesterday this boy was turned around in his seat in our 11th grade homeroom class smiling and staring at me, the new girl. My friend, also a new girl, looked back and forth from him to me grinning in that "Oh girl! He likes you!" way of hers. He made it kind of hard to listen to Mr. Daughtrey! Our paths had crossed in different ways before, but we had never officially met. That is when we began, and we are still going strong today! 

God did this thing for us! He gave us to each other early! He cleaved us to one another so we are one flesh. He has multiplied our love through our seven living and nine with the Lord children. He has given us plenty to do for His kingdom. Today, we give Him thanks while we rest and reflect together!

Dear Reader, I care about you and encourage you to put God first in your life and especially in all of your relationships and especially in your marriage. 

Clint and I have sought the Lord and really tried to put Him and His ways first, "and that has made all the difference." He is why we are still together for more than three decades. The glory is all His.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 

Psalm 34:8

How I Clean Legos and Duplos and Other Blocks

First posted on March 18. 2012:

I try to wash all of the children's building toys at least once a year. We have massive collection of Legos, Duplos, and K'nex which are the building sets our seven children have favored over the years. When you factor in some of them are 20 years old with the heavy use they receive, they need it. For the ones with many pieces, I wash them in a large kiddie pool. I fill it up with water, dish soap, and a little bleach. I let them soak for an hour. I go back and agitate them manually for 15 minutes. I agitate them with either my hands, a new broom, or my feet while I sit in a chair. I have also let the children take turns swishing them around with their feet. 

Then I drain them, refill it with water, let them soak a while longer, agitate them, and drain it. I put a cookie sheet under the drain hole which catches the ones that get through the hole. As I scoop the blocks out with my hands, I look for bits of paper or whatever and pull it out. I put them in a container with a hole and rinse them with water as I go. Then I let them sit in the sun for a while. Every few minutes or so, I wobble the container back and forth to get out more water. After a while of doing this, I put a thick towel in the bottom of their container, dump them in, let any water I missed be absorbed, shake them around some more, and then pull it out. I have also laid them out and let a fan blow on them, but it lengthens the time spent on them, takes up a great deal of space, and still does not get them 100% dry. It is not a perfect method, but it is the best one I have come up with to date. My investment of time is not that great since I can get other work done during the time I am waiting for the blocks to soak, drain, or dry out.

 Legos

Duplos

paid IN FULL

He has paid 

a full ransom 

for his people. 

He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. 

What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!

Psalms 111:9

Raccoon

Many of you know that in my travels I have been capturing pictures of wildlife with a game camera and my handheld. This lifty and shifty female raccoon is young and comes up from the East River to this deck in the evenings. My friend, the homeowner, does not mind wildlife or me trying to get better images. I took a worn, old table and put some food on it right in front of the door's window hoping it would pay off.

Sure enough, this sly little rascal came, and I was able to get a close up look at it. When the motion sensing light was on, it could not see me through the glass. When the light would go off, I'd have to freeze until the light was triggered again. At one point, we were about two inches apart with only the glass separating us. That was pretty cool!

The pictures I captured through the door were ok but not as crisp as I had wanted. So, I decided to try to open the door and snap a shot. I do not recommend anyone do this. I've been watching this particular raccoon for months. I have tested its reaction to different sounds, my movements, and lights. I became pretty good at predicting its actions. I figured it would retreat rather than become aggressive. There are a couple of very large boars (male raccoons) around this particular home that I would not attempt this with. They've run a fox off!

I went slowly and tried to be quiet. I was watching its body language and had my foot ready to close the door if needed. I was four foot from the raccoon when I snapped the pictures. You can see how well it worked out below.

taken through the glass

Bright eyes on a Bright Heart

What just happened?

looking at the green light on my camera

It decided the camera was not a good thing and quietly assumed a defensive posture and backed down the railing. Then it was gone like a "rocket!"

It came back ten minutes later and swiped the marshmallow I left as a thank you for the pictures. These are truly beautiful creatures. I love their smokey coats and bandito faces. I'll be back to this lovely home soon and will try to get more shots if she is still there.

She wanted to watercolor, so she made a way!

Hannah is 10. This is her first sunset in watercolors.

She looked at the sunset over our farm along the York River to get the colors.

Evidently she wanted to experiment with painting watercolors. She grabbed printer paper, watered down some paints we had, and "made do!" Once it was dry, she brought it to show me. I had no idea she wanted to do watercolor, so I will get her some tools so she can do more.

I am thankful she is growing in a place where she feels safe to experiment and grow according to her God given talents. 

Free Art Curriculum

My friend Laurie is offering free art curriculum through Amazon Kindle until the 22nd. 

How to Get Your Family Away from Screens

The wise woman builds her house, 

but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Psalms 14:1 

As a wives and mothers, we have a lot of influence over our families and that includes how time is spent. I love to buy something different than our current normal activities just to see what happens. It might be a new soccer ball or an intriguing puzzle. I've bought Lego Architecture sets and even a tarantula which was later donated to a classroom. 

I started working on this paint by number a friend recommended and some of my family were drawn in where I was working. I simply handed them the paint brush and kept talking. Later, I just left it on the table. Other family members sat down and started painting. Every family member painted some of it. Emily and Hannah asked for their own to paint, so I supplied them with easier sets.

Over the years, I have also used homemade and store bought live traps, board games, nature crafts, decks of different card games, musical instruments, craft supplies, game cameras, zip lines, wood burning kits, metal stamping, crossword puzzles, tavern puzzles, survival type gear, Etch a Sketches, magnetic sculptures, homemade science experiments, and so forth. It has let our family develop new interests, spend more time together, and hone in on likes/dislikes for our children's career direction. It has also helped limit screen time without me having to say a word about it. 

If you are looking to implement this in your family and do not have a lot of money, I suggest starting with DIY items. Google, Pinterest, and YouTube can help you come up with plenty of ideas. If something doesn't work, keep trying. If an experiment flops, go find a new adventure! Remember the best lesson is learned by example. If they see you trying new things and keeping an attitude of learning, they will be more likely to do the same.

Happy Homeschooling!

Thank you!!

Thank you very much for such a nice gift!

I already collect and use steamer pans for single meals and freezer stored bulk cooked meals, so your gift to us will work out great for our family and the group!

We will get a lot of use out of them!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 

James 1:17 

What Do You Do When Life Hands You...

First published 10/8/15:

high tides? We take boat rides and give thanks!

Brandon's dog rode too! 
She thinks she is one of the our little girls!

God says to give thanks in all circumstances. Thankfulness in the midst of hard circumstances is one way God's people stand out from the world. If you want children who whine and are prone to drama, then be a grump and complain loudly about how life has inconvenienced you. If you want children who honor the Lord with thankfulness in all situations, then you'll need to example it. 

I am not perfect in this, but I have gone to my children when I have failed, apologized, and told them how my example failed to show them how God says to do it. Humility makes an impact on your children's hearts. If you present yourself as a perfect adult without sin, your children learn you are a liar (I John 1:8) and will not respect you. They might fear you but very few follow the example of someone who made them afraid. 

When the really high tides come every 5-7 years, we take the children out around the neighborhood in a boat and visit our neighbors! Our picture gets taken a lot! Sometimes, we are blessed to be able to lend a hand to someone in need. We are thankful for storms that give us opportunities to make these fun and unique memories! Storms also give us opportunities to bond closer as we work together.

After a visit on a dry deck, Girly didn't want to leave!

Was it all fun? No. We had to elevate 200+ animals, prepare nine buildings just in case water got higher than expected, take our cars and RV to a community parking lot, and move equipment to higher ground. Joshua had surgery and then had a bad side effect from the pain pills during this period. The winds tore part of a roof off one of our buildings. Only having one vehicle that can handle some of the water, we had to coordinate appointments, jobs, and transportation with a narrow window of time that the water was low enough we could drive in it. We worked together with lots of joking around and got it all done without complaining. 

In our homeschool character lessons, we taught our children that complaining only makes a situation harder for everyone and is a vocal alarm revealing the work we need to do in our hearts. If you are saved by grace through faith, there is always something to be thankful for! Our olders now repeat this to our youngers, so we feel like this Scriptural lesson has become part of our spiritual legacy.

back in the boat

After the work was done, we had a few lazy days with delicious home cooked meals, snacks and desserts, games to play, and movies to watch. Moms, you should monitor morale and know how to renew energy and optimism in your family during stressful situations. An encouraging word, hug or shoulder massage, a treat, a break in the workload for some play, or a reward can make a big difference! Don't forget to praise your family as a group and emphasize the strength of working as a team, "Team Asbell rocks! God has made us strong together! We accomplished so much together! What a blessing to have each other because many hands do make the workload lighter! Thank You Father for this amazing family and the gift of each other!" Build your family with your words.

As a mom with toddlers, I always "brought up the rear" to make sure no one was left behind. Now, it's habit! There is no better view than watching my family enjoy themselves. The musical laughter that drifts back to me is better than any symphony.

Our neighbors had their truck stuck for a while. As we passed, we offered to let them wait the tide out in our home. 

Water during the highest point was at our hips, but we were home before then.

I Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Are you bold?

The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, 

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Proverbs 28:1

Being bold is seeking God's will through His Word and then following it no matter what. It is speaking out for truth and righteousness and not caring how others respond. It's not being ashamed to let others know you are a Christian and hold strong Christian values.

Do you have a bold faith or a wimpy one?

In what ways are you being bold in your faith?

Are you doing what is right no matter the cost?
When God convicts you to do something, do you obey or do you delay?

Where are you wimpy in your faith?
How can you improve?

Dear Reader, I challenge you to do a Bible study on boldness and see where you fall short and where you measure well. Ask God to teach you what boldness is and to help you become more and more bold for His glory.

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU FOR THE $150 gift card to Sam's Club. 

We will put it to good use.

From My Scribble Pad 3

 

  

I asked God for a way to glorify Him with my drawing.
I am thankful our group enjoys my scribbles and lets me post them on the walls. 

May it strengthen individuals, draw our group closer to the Lord and each other, and bring glory to the Lord.

Dear Reader, how can you use your hobby or natural talents to glorify the Lord?

Around Here August 2019

Clint, Brandon, Amanda, Joshua, and Caleb all had great reviews from their employers and received raises! Caleb's was the best at $1.50 an hour!

Clint and I have the business opportunity we are pursuing. As soon as the other side gets their paperwork finished, it will be a done deal. At work, his employer just won two big contracts with well known brands which is very good. We also learned we are related to lifelong friends in our hometown through his family and mine. We've enjoyed the visits, the meals out, fellowship, and sharing of information as these relationships are taken to a deeper level. God is good!

Brandon is doing very well and is seeking the Lord on something that could bring a big change to our family. We will see where the Lord leads.

Amanda has been doing great. Her water heater sprung a leak and damaged her laundry room, but she got to work fixing it. 

Joshua will be training new hires. It pays a dollar extra an hour on top of the good raise he just received. He is also considering changing his major. He loves the big responsibility, fast pace, sense of urgency, excitement, and the need to work closely as a team at his current job. He's come to the conclusion that while he's enjoyed and is thankful for what he's learned in his law studies, he will never be happy with the hours of desk time the job requires. We are happy he has the insight and maturity to make a change.

Caleb is working three jobs, selling his woodworking on the side, and is 40% through his college courses. He has been offered TWO other temporary jobs, but he says he thinks he will pass. He replaced the rear differential in his SUV recently too saving himself quite a bit. 

Bethany is doing well in both college and behind the wheel. Clint has her driving short trips in low traffic to build her confidence. She's our shorty, so driving the suburban is quite a bit for her to handle right now. She is doing fantastic at running things at home when I am called away. Sometimes she and the girls stay in another place while I am gone too. When that happens, the boys take care of things at home for us. She's proven herself responsible, trustworthy, and very capable. Since she likes to stay up late, I often get her to stay up to make sure Caleb gets home safely since he closes the restaurant a few nights a week. 

At first, I made our three youngest girls travel with me. After I saw how hard it was on them, I asked them what their preference was. They said they missed home. So, I am letting them stay home or with someone else in a nearby area. I am in close contact with them throughout each day. 

Emily and Hannah are still loving the pool and are doing well in their school work. I am enjoying observing their very close sister relationship. They are the best of friends. Emily even asked for a gift for her birthday that she knew Hannah wanted. Once Em received it, she gave it right to Hannah. Sweetness!

If plans stay the same as they are this week, Clint and I will not be traveling quite as often or be away from home as much once fall arrives. We will be juggling more, but it will be mostly close to home. I have enjoyed seeing everyone and traveling, but I am ready to be home more! 

Dear Reader, We covet your prayers for our family. Thank you from the depths of my heart to those who pray for us. How can our family pray for you and yours? Please send us an email through the address in the header.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Philippians 4:4

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; 
my only aim 
is to finish the race 
and complete the task 
the Lord Jesus has given me—
the task of testifying to the 
good news of God’s grace. 

Acts 20:24

Victory Reflections (Hyperemesis Gravidarum)

Joy filled my heart as I watched my four men drive off for a day together visiting parts yards to find things they needed or wanted for our family's vehicles. This is a picture they sent me via text from that day.

My pregnancies were horrible, and sometimes I did not think I'd live through them. Hyperemesis gravidarum kicked my butt and made me whimper. I've been about as low with it as one can get. I prayed for death because I was so beaten physically, mentally, and emotionally by it. My hair fell out in clumps, and my teeth became loose in my gums. I often had to take it minute by minute because thinking of another day or week of being that sick was too much. By the grace of God and with a lot of help, I won! 

It was worth every moment, every bit of suffering, to get to this point in life where enjoy and I watch my husband enjoy the sons (and daughters) God gave us. Seeing Clint's joy increases mine.

I am victorious over that nasty HG!! It did not defeat me, and it did not determine how many children I would have! I have seven living children and nine with the Lord. My very hard work in bearing children is over, but I will enjoy them in this life and will know them all for an eternity. 

I want you, struggling mama, to win too! If you need a friend to encourage you and pray for you, please email me at the address in the header.

If you are a mother with severe hyperemesis gravidarum, I understand. I know it is hell on earth and in no way can be compared to morning sickness. Please see how I have survived it multiple times, and be encouraged to make the decision to let your child live. That debilitating period will pass. You will get through it. You will develop strength and endurance as you go through it. 

There will come a time when the suffering is far behind you, but the joy in your children will last and last. The things you learn about yourself and the coping skills you develop will serve you very well for the rest of your life. Don't give up! One day you too can look back and feel a sense of accomplishment and triumph at having endured through something very, very hard. 

Dear Reader, pray with me for the mothers with HG. Many kill their babies to end the severe and debilitating sickness to escape weeks/months of intense physical suffering. Pray for the doctors who treat these women to have hearts of compassion and to use effective treatments. Pray for people to come beside them and minister to them. Pray for the church to see, understand, have compassion for, and minister to these women who often become isolated in their illness. 

Are you one of the "children of the burning heart?"

To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too easily satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart. -A. W. Tozer The Pursuit of God

No, dear brothers and sisters, 

I have not achieved it, but 

I focus on this one thing: 

Forgetting the past and 

looking forward to what lies ahead, 

I press on to reach the end of the race 

and receive the heavenly prize 

for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 

Philippians 3:13-14

Dear Reader, I am praying that God will give you a burning heart to keep pursuing the Lord.