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i am in love....

2012-02-08T17:03:00.000-08:00

just a few days with our beautiful daughter and i am in love.

Even though it has only been a few years since i have had an infant in my arms i forget...

i forget how soft they are.
i forget how fun it is to cuddle.
i forget their little squeaks and stretches.
i forgot their funny newborn facial expressions.
i forgot how fragile they are.

The miracle of this little life, our little Perpetua, leaves all of us, even the big brothers, in awe.

The Birth Story:
When your hormones are swaying and you are stressing about labor, about birth, about her health, you need someone around you reminding you of truth - that none of it is in your hands anyway and that God has it all under control... to put your trust in Him.

On Saturday morning Jonathan looked at me and assured me that though he didn't know that everything was going to turn out perfect, he did know that God was with us and that He had everything under His control.

With that assurance we talked to our Doc and went in.

i do it natural... i don't really have any major reason why... my mom did it that way and i always assumed that i would be birthing babies in some rice field in Asia or something so i better not get use to doing it the other way. Though i do have a high tolerance for pain, i know that Christ would never give me anything i couldn't handle through Him. i know it is the way with the least risks too but the former reasons probably motivate me just as much. So doing it natural you know you are going to have pain just how much and how long is the question that you don't know until that amazing feeling when the baby comes out.

My coach, is my hubby - Jonathan, and he is amazing. He looks forward to our time in the hospital now leaning on each other... just me and him. He is my Hero.

I was 4cm dilated when they broke my water... then we walked... for probably about 3 hours or something (i try to stay away from all of the clocks)...the walking started some random contractions. My Doc checked me again and i was 6cm dilated... booo... not what i wanted to hear... it meant, of course, hours more of labor... though when we came in i thought it could take around 24 hours i really deep down.. wanted it to only be one or two hours like all of those happy labor stories i hear about.

So from after she checked me things got intense.....Jonathan was by my side.. reading scripture... moving my verse cards so i could read them during intense contractions.... coaching me where to stand...then i flet the urge to push.. with the boys when i felt that i had to push they told me to just breath through them because i wasn't even close to a 10 yet.... so i tried to breath through it...Jonathan said he was going to tell the nurse anyway just in case..... i had to go to the bathroom so i was heading that way the nurse said it was fine .....until i said i think i feel the head...... and then seeing the head too the nurse jumped into action trying to get me on the bed... she called the Doc over the emergency intercoms and said to us "well it looks like I am delivering your baby". Within seconds the doc was there to say push again and then little Perpetua was out. :)

A healthy baby girl... they checked her vitals and i held her... for a good hour.... just held her as she nursed... so sweet....so tiny.

7lbs 11oz, 21 inches long born at 4:20 on Saturday, February, 4th 2012

she is fixing her hair for the pic : )

What a miracle.

40 weeks... and waiting with anticipation

2012-01-30T17:35:00.000-08:00

The 31st marks our due date little Perpetua Faith... we are excited about meeting you face to face!!

when we first found out

20 week foot

20 weeks

20 weeks in a ball

35 weeks (i think she is praying that she stays in for a while)

look at that kissy face on this little girl... i love little girl lips!

On the eve of the due date.. these little boys don't know what to expect.

Yes, my little men, soon she will be here.

spend less give more: FOOD

2012-01-26T21:14:00.000-08:00

4 principles to spending less on FOOD so you can give more.....

Over the past year as the main money spender on food I have felt very guilty about the amount of money i waste on food each month. Knowing that i could make a change that would help us to save more money and to be able to give more to those who are in desperate need for food/water…. I made a plan.

The plan helps us eat both healthy and cheap (which can be tricky as you healthy eaters know). I am a beginner at this all but I hope these tips, recipes (to come), and ideas can really help you as well. My goal is to spend $100 or less a week on all food/grocery/toiletries/cleaning supplies/diapers/etc./basically anything other than gas for the vehicles.

Our thought is if we can save even $10 extra a week it is worth it. With that $10 we can feed an impoverished child breakfast lunch and dinner for 10 days...talk about making a difference!!!!

1. Think Deeply and Make a Goal

Know when there are times for fasting and when there are times for feasting. We are soooo blessed here in America. Most Americans are use to daily feasting. Snacks, luxuries meals, gourmet drinks, and desserts are just a part of our feasting routine. We have so much food that it goes bad and we throw away food before we even get to enjoy it. We don’t know what it is like to go without, to starve, or even fast. And when there are times of feasting such as holidays we just gorge ourselves till we are miserable. I think God has a word for all of this: gluttony, and He sees it as sin. I am the first to confess I participate in it ALL the time.

A cause helps motivate us all to eat more wisely. Stating a goal or cause to give to, putting a picture from that country or cause on your fridge will motivate you and your family to continue to start a healthy pattern of cheap and better eating in your life. When we are doing it for someone in desperate need… something kicks in and we step up to the plate.

Limiting your food funds is a great start. It helps for the first 6 months to have a cash only budget for your food spending (including eating out). We even include our toiletries, diapers, etc. in it as well.

2. Think Ahead and Eat at Home

Planning your meals a week ahead of time saves on last minute costly food decisions and less trips to the grocery. Also making a plan to always eat in and pack lunches for those that are out and about really makes a difference on the food bill. As a beginner mom at all of this I am learning the healthy, cheap meals I can make ahead and freeze as well as the best recipes to save on the basics.

Once a month I have a make ahead meal day. Where I prepare, cook, and freeze meals so that we always have something easy to have for dinner on those crazy busy days. Also once a week/2 weeks I make the basics that we use mostly every day. For us that is bread, tortillas, beans (we buy dry beans verses canned - cheaper), and Almond Milk.

Using the "cash only" way with a limit of spending per week (like our $100) at the grocery (and everywhere for that matter) helps from buying things not on the list and helps to evaluate what I really “want/need”.

3. Think Vegetarian

I use to think eating healthy meant forking out the big $$, but not always true. Most studies show that a less meat diet is more healthier (though that could change – you know one day it’s healthy one day it is not). I have found many vegetarian meals that my meat loving hubby will enjoy, my kiddos enjoy as well, and are full of goodness our bodies need, and are cheap! Will be posting some of my favs soon.

4. Think Basic and Bulk (not pre-made/processed foods)

Buying in bulk, gardening, and sharing foods are all great helps in saving bucks. I have no green thumb… an honestly pay no real attention to my garden but somehow… it still yields.. so every year I make it a little bigger. Gardening is a great way to teach your little ones powerful life lessons as well.

I also have a massive gardening sister… and reap from that every year… she is sooo generous with her goodies. I have been buying local happy chicken eggs too from friend’s children and that saves a couple of bucks.

This is what I have recently started to buy in bulk and from where:

Chicken - Zaycon Foods 40lbs of Skinless, boneless chicken Breasts for $60 that is $1.50 a pound

Black and White Beans - In Richmond (where my friend Martha goes quit frequently) these guys sale them for $16 for 25 lbs.... can't beat that.

Whole Wheat Grain (I have a great friend that has a mill and lets me use it for free about an hour every 2/3 weeks) - Either this place or this place you can get them for around to $11.40 for 25lbs.

Natural Peanut Butter (no sugar, salt) - Cheapest you can find it here.

Dates– for homemade almond milk - Cheapest you can find it here.

Almonds (Sams) – for homemade almond milk

If you are local and want to join an order for any of these let me know and i will let you know the details. If you are not local i am sure there are places like these near you and Zaycon is statewide.

You can make 1 large/long loaf of delicious homemade healthy whole grain wheat bread (minus all additives) for $1 why spend $2.50 or more for something not a big and not a good. That is $1.50 can feed an impoverished child well for a day and a half. It adds up! It is actually pretty easy...

and it is worth it.

selfishness

2012-01-19T11:39:00.000-08:00

I am sooo excited i get giddy thinking about meeting my little girl in a few days/weeks. But i can't describe my selfish longing when i think of the millions of motherless and fatherless orphans in the world... and how i deeply wish i could take them all home.

Adoption Agency.......my arms, my heart are big enough, and God gives me the strength and help to love and nurture all the children He brings into them... He will help me to do more... just give us chance.

While i am sitting watching this video tearing up.... my 4 year old so smartly reminds me that "that guy doesn't have a world, he is just pretending mommy, it is Jesus' world,"

me - "Yes" (my too smart for his own pants 4 year old)"you are right"

God has this world and He is rescuing the fatherless. Lord, please please let me be apart of your plan.

Around the World top ten

2012-01-15T21:03:00.000-08:00

"Around the World" is among the 5 subjects we hit in our home pre-school

Each day after prayer, verses, bible, and the bible story activity/game/or art... we go to our boxes and figure out where in the world we are traveling to next. We visit a new country or people group about everyday (yes, i know, we are adventurous).

The first day i used this box inside of a box teaching lesson to teach where we are from. Earth/North America, USA, VA, etc., and inside our little city box... there we were... :). Elijah liked our little laminated family. I taped plastic on the top of the boxes so i could slip the country and continent cards in and out easily. This is a good site for country and contient maps.

Now each day we are looking inside the boxes to find out our next surprise destination. We are in Asia for the next several months.

my laminated family

After we find out our destination we get our passports (which are passport looking journals i made where we record pictures and info about our travels each day.)

I had to officially witness Elijah signing it on the first day.. :)

THEN... we start at our big world map where we live and fly ALL around the room ... several times.... to our destination! We are going to Asia so it takes a while. he he...

Then we watch a video, a you tube infomercail about the country, and/or read about the country and people who live there. Then we usually do a art project that we can add (or stamp) to our Passport Journals. We add recipes and games from the country too sometimes.

Isn't she sooo cute.

and lastly we pray for the people in the country or people groups that we have learned about. I love it and i love praying with my boys for people around the world!!!

TOP 10 GREAT RESOURCES that we use for our AROUND THE WORLD studies:

It is a bit pricey but what it teaches my kids is priceless and i will use it as curriculum for years to come. Thank you to the parents-in-law for this gift for the boys!

They have many printouts for art-projects, games, recipes, and all kids of great info. Comes with 12 different videos. We have watched the Malay People video over 5 times already and Elijah loves seeing people around the world and has alot of great questions. Plus he really learns how to pray for them.

Great resource for detailed info on every country in the world and how to pray.

Very fun and informational for kids with lots of pictures and short stories.

Great Short Stories about people groups, beautifully illustrated.

Here is a site with some great around the world printouts.

I know i am plugging these videos again but they are such powerful true stories from people around the world throughout history that have loved Jesus. In other words you need to check it out.... they are real heros for our kiddos.

Little Pims Videos are good if you are interested in introducing a specific language for your kids. We have the Arabic version and the boys really like it.

This one has beautifully illustrated short stories about people around the world. :) I really like it!

This book does a great job of introducing the whole concept of the world and all the people in it.

These are 2 fun game/puzzles that introduce people from around the world. I am sure there are a ton out there. These are a fav in our home.

I also am collecting a great library of individual true story children's books that i cry through most of the time and the kids get a real picture of a little boy or girls life in another place around the world... one day i throw that list up here. :)

How to: Pallet Bed

2012-01-13T07:15:00.000-08:00

This was a free 3 hour project that even a nine months pregnant woman can do. :)

It is a bed for Perpetua's room, so mommy can sleep and nurse our little one and then it will be her toddler bed. We never got a traditional baby bed, we have always used a pack-n-play for the first year plus, which has worked out really nice for both boys, it is great when you travel too because you can bring the comfort of home with them.

The below is what you will need if you can't find pallets the size of your bed. Mine were too big so i had to cut them down.

need:

2 or more pallets depending on size you find - free everywhere downtown, big companies are throwing them away all the time.

circular saw (i am sure someone you know has one)

hammer (to get the nails out)

electric screw driver (because i am a wimp and can't hammer right)

sander or sand paper (i used it because i don't want any spliters in my little toddler's fingers in the future but probably not necessary for a big kid bed)

screws

measuring tape

pencil

optional: one kid down for a nap

Measure and mark where you want to cut to make it the size of your mattress. I did the cut on the length because i knew i could make it sturdy by moving the end piece up and screwing it back in as shown below.

Cut your pallet.

Pry off nails and planks of wood on end piece with hammer (or just hammer them in). And wedge, with hammer, end piece back into the new end.

Screw the new end in and do the same thing with the next pallet. Then just lay the pallets on top of each other as shown below. I also cut out an additional middle piece of wood on both pallets to slip in draw baskets as seen below. If you do that make sure you the side with the fewer planks of wood.

Voila.... a great sturdy place for a mattress with storage below and a fun rustic look.. you could paint or spray paint yours as well i liked the rustic unfinished look.

God's perspective on wealth...

2012-01-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

Here is the non-comprehensive list on passages and verses, God's words, about wealth, what we should do with it, the sins related to it, etc. I am sure there are a lot more out there.. feel free to leave more of them in the comment section below.

These are some of the verses that are challenging and changing me. Ouch is all this little American girl has to say... and then i beg Him ....help me to see everything through Your eyes!

God provides for us

God provides Manna, Quail, and water for the Israelites in the desert Exodus 16:9-21, 31-32, 17:1-7

God provides water for the Israelites Numbers 20:1-11, 21:16-20

God sends help to the Israelites Joshua 5:13-6:27

God provided for Ruth and Naomi Ruth

God works through Saul to defeat the Ammonites 1 Samuel 11

God provides for Elijah 1 Kings 17:1-7

God provides water 2 Kings 2:19-22

God provides for the widow 2 Kings 4:1-7

God provides food for his prophets 2 Kings 4:38-44

I have everything I need in God. Psalm 23

My help comes from the Lord Psalm 121

What if the Lord had not been on our side Psalm 124

The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land. Psalm 12:6-8

Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king. Psalm 28:6-8

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:3-4

Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. Psalm 37:18-19

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever. Psalm 37:25-28a

God is my helper. Psalm 54:4

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. Psalm 55:22

He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Psalm 113:9

Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. Psalm 116:7-8

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:5

He gives food to the wild animals and feeds the young ravens when they cry. Psalm 147:9

The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked. Proverbs 10:3

The godly eat to their hearts’ content. Proverbs 13:25

Everything belongs to God

Joash does God's will with His money 2 Kings 12

The Levities, caretakers of God's money Ezra 8:24-34

Job didn't trust in money Job 31:24-28

God owns everything Psalm 50:9-15

Don't desire their delicacies Proverbs 23:6-8

Everything is Mine Isaiah 66:1-2

Wealth used for evil Micah 2:1-3

Wealth by unjust means Habakkuk 2:5-9,12-14

Wealth never fills you Haggai 1:3-6, (11?)

God asks for tithes and offerings Malachi 3:6-11

Trust God and not money Matthew 6:19-34

Pay taxes (give to Ceaser) Matthew 17:24-27, 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17

A camel through the eye of a needle Matthew 19:16-30

Love God more than money (story of the guy came to ask Jesus what he must do - sell everything) Mark 10: 17-31

Give your all (Widow) Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4

Women give to support Jesus and his disciples Luke 8:1-3

Don't store up earthly wealth make your riches in your heavenly relationship Luke 12:13-22

Don't worry about material possessions Luke 12:22-34

Don't be like the people who do not know God but be faithful with the little things (money). How you value it will and use it will help you in the eternal life with Jesus. Luke 16:1-15

The fate of a man whose god was money (Abraham was rich as well and he went to heaven… so being rich won't keep you from heaven but money being your god will.) Luke 16:19-31

It all will be fading away soon Luke 21:5-6

Support those who are sent 1 Corinthians 9, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Give generously 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 2 Corinthians 9

Support your teachers of the bible Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 5:17:18

Being content whether you have a lot or a little Philippians 4:10-14

Where true wealth is found 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Don't trust in your money 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Don't love money Hebrews 13:5-6

Wealth fades away James 1:9-11, 5:1-6

It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly. Psalm 37: 16-17

Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Psalm 119:36

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain,and your vats will overflow with good wine. Proverbs 3:9-10

The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin. Proverbs 10:16

The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Proverbs 11:16

Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. Proverbs 11:18

Lazy people don’t even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find. Proverbs 12:27

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. Proverbs 13:11

Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness. Proverbs 14:23-24

There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble. Proverbs 15:6

Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live. Proverbs 15:27

When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. Proverbs 16:8

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. Proverbs 19:1

Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away. Proverbs 19:4

Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. Proverbs 21:6

Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! Proverbs 21:26

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both. Proverbs 22:2

The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there! If I go outside, I might be killed!” Proverbs 22:13

Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else. If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. Proverbs 22:26-27

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4-5

Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Proverbs 24:27

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. Proverbs 28:6

Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them. Proverbs 28:11

Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. Proverbs 28:22

Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity. Proverbs 28:25

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Luke 16:13

But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. John 6:27

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. 1 Timothy 6:10

The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble. Proverbs 28:20

God values the eternal not the things that will pass away

Greedy Gehazi 2 Kings 5:20-27

Don't Trust in your wealth Psalm 49

The Warrior puts his trust in Wealth Psalm 52

Generous will prosper Proverbs 11: 24-26,28

Grant me these prayers Proverbs 30:7-9

Never Satisfied Leech Proverbs 30:15-16

Judah puts their trust in mere humans and wealth and not in God Isaiah 2:5-22

Her eyes are on her appearance and not on God - Israel’s next Top Model Isaiah 3:16-24

The successful city of Tyre was brought down Isaiah 23

Babylon puts her trust in herself Isaiah 47

Like chasing the wind Ecclesiastes 1:8; 2:1-11,24-25

wealth will disappear - Only one thing really matters Ecclesiastes 5:10-17, 19-20; 6:9

Give generously Ecclesiastes 11:1-2

Fat cows of Samaria Amos 4:1-3

Girls should be concerned with the inward 1 Timothy 2:9-12

You must not covet your neighbor’s wife. You must not covet your neighbor’s house or land, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor. Deuteronomy 5:21

Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. Psalm 62:10

Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Psalm 119:37

Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life. Proverbs 10:2

Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. Proverbs 11:4

Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. Proverbs 13:7

Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. Proverbs 15:16

Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. Proverbs 16:19

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32

The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. Proverbs 18:11

Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth. Proverbs 20:17

Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. Proverbs 21:17

The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. Proverbs 21:20

Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. Matthew 5:42

God wants you to give

God asks Israelites to Give to those in Need Deuteronomy 15:7-11

David shares with others 1 Samuel 30:18-31

You must set aside a tithe of your crops, one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23 Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 14:22-23

They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. Psalm 112:9

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16

God helps the poor, widows, oppressed and orphans

Rescue the poor and helpless Psalm 82:3-4

History of our faithful God Psalm 107

Speak up Proverbs 31:8-9

What sorrow awaits those who hurt the poor Isaiah 10:1-4

The Lord answers their cries WATER WELL Isaiah 41:17-20

Evil exists there for oppression exists Ecclesiastes 4:1-3

God is furious with those who rob the poor Amos 8:4-8

Give in secret for God rather than man Matthew 6:1-4

Jesus helps the person in need, the Religious leaders are more concerned with their traditions Mark 3:1-6

Jesus heals the deaf man Mark 7:31-37

Jesus heals the blind man Mark 8:22-26

Serve as if you were serving Jesus Mark 9:38-41

Take care of the widows 1 Timothy 5:3-8

Faith without works is dead James 2:14-17

Do not exploit widows or orphans. If you do and they cry out to me, then I will surely help them. Exodus 22:22-23

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem. Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds. For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless. He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer. Psalm 9:9-12

The helpless put their trust in you. You defend the orphans. Psalm 10:14b

For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy. Psalm 22:24,26

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Psalm 27:10

With every bone in my body I will praise him: “Lord, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?” Psalm 35:10

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows this is God, whose dwelling is holy. Psalm 68:5

God places the lonely in families. Psalm 68:6a

Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors. May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky. Yes, forever! Psalm 72:4-5

But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord, praising him to everyone. For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them. Psalm 109:30-31

I know the Lord will help those they persecute, he will give justice to the poor. Psalm 140:12

Blessed are those who help the poor. Proverbs 14:21b

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him. Proverbs 14:31

The Lord protects the property of widows. Proverbs 15:25b

Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished. Proverbs 17:5

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. Proverbs 21:14

Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. Proverbs 22:8

Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9

A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Proverbs 22:16

Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. Proverbs 22:22-23

Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers; don’t take the land of defenseless orphans. For their Redeemer is strong; he himself will bring their charges against you. Proverbs 23:10-11

A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops. Proverbs 28:3

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. Proverbs 28:27

The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all. Proverbs 29:7

The poor and the oppressor have this in common, the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both. Proverbs 29:13

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27

10 practical things that have helped me begin living...

2012-01-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

10 practical things that have helped me to begin living for the eternal

…though note: i have a faaaaaaaaaar way to go but these have helped me a least make the first step.

1. Having God’s perspective or thoughts

i think it was at the Honor Academy, when i was 18 years old, when i first remember this verse being taught, after that study we did i remember a guy writing verses all over his work jeans so that while he was working he would see and read God’s words – very cool. The verse stuck and since then my houses, cars, and sometimes hands have been covered with God’s words. In fact if you want to see what the biggest thing God is teaching me or sin in the forefront of my mind, all you have to do is walk around my house and read.

On the following post there is a great collection of verses on God’s perspective of money, wealth, what to do with it, etc.… it is not comprehensive list or anything but it is a good start. His words are what have been transforming my heart.

2. Having a Goal

Simplifying for simplifying sake isn’t enough motivation for me. i knew it was an obedience thing for me but i asked God for goal. It has helped. Last year for us it was the water well. $2,500 to build a good one in India. So we went through every room/ closet/box/self and found $2,500 worth of stuff. We sold a lot of our stuff on ebay, craigs, and at our big Proceeds for Poverty sale last June with a lot of other donations from our church.

Fact: 2.2 million children die every year because they do not have access to clean water. Knowing that every penny we sold was going to help a village in desperate need and generations of lives really is motivating and helps you decide quickly what you really could live without.

3. Having a Question

“What could I live without so that someone else can live.” …ask yourself that question and it is a lot easier to get rid of the fluff! i am still asking myself that question. There was a recent fire that destroyed the homes of 280 families in a poor village that we know well in India. When Jonathan told me… I started searching the house thinking of what I really could live without so these families can live and a kitchen island is about to go on Craig’s list this week.

4. Having a Guard

In the bible it says to guard your hearts (Prov. 4:20-23) and your eyes (1 John 2:15-17). Several years ago I turned off the T.V….it wasn’t that easy…I was addicted to a few shows… I knew that it was not teaching me God’s thoughts, in fact it was teaching me thoughts that were opposite of His, I also knew that it was a waste of His time… life is short… and there is a world to change out there.

T.V. makes you not only see God differently but makes you think you need things you really don’t. I started with a 30 fast from it, and then a 40 fast, and then a fast with friends that also wanted to fast T.V… and well now.. it is easier to see that it is a waste and damaging to my brain… and honestly I have no desire for it. Other things got the boot too…..

Cut off the T.V. and narrowing the movies to pro Jesus/God thoughts too.
Throw away the pottery barn/ etc. magazines….yes that was hard…but I don’t even care now… however my latest temptation: pinterest.com – I am using it mostly for teaching ideas for the kids… but I do narrow my viewing on that… because well I can easily get sucked in to things like that.
Band the Mall or any shopping… yes that may seem extreme…but I am a sucker for a “good deal” so if I stay away… they are missing God’s money from my pocket and I am not missing out on anything that I really didn’t need anyway.

You may be able to do all of the above and it not affect your thoughts and what you spend God’s money on but i am not that strong! If i need a gift for someone… mostly I am looking for something that will either meet a basic need (wal-mart) or draw them closer to Him (I can find those online).

5. Having a budget for EVERYTHING

Cash budget really helps us with this… if there is no cash in the envelope… there is no spending. It helps you to consider “do I really want that?” It helps you save more and have more money to give to those who have real desperate needs.

We put our food and other spending all together so that really helps. We have a budget for gift giving too…. because I need one… i like to spend money on others but something has changed in my thoughts recently… why spoil the spoiled when there are so many out there without the basic needs to live… and without the basic need of knowing the God that created them.

We are blessed that we have never been in debt and have stayed away from the temptation of the CCs. We haven’t paid off our house yet but… i am okay with selling it and moving to some other country anyway. When we did look for a home we looked for something well within our means…and I feel so blessed… i feel like we live in a mansion… we have much more room than we really need. i do wish when we were fixing it up I had God’s perspective. Ashamedly i wasted a lot of money on things that really don’t matter.

6. Having a Challenge

It is all about Him, why do i want to live simpler so i can give more away? Because that is HIS heart and He truly is all i need. There is NOTHING good in me… i am selfish, i am greedy, i am materialistic, did i mention i am selfish? He is the one who gave it all for us… and we are still not worthy or even understand that kind of love.

It needs to be for Him and through with a real perspective of what we really need. Friends that challenge me have really helped me get back on course.

I was in China one summer about 10 years ago with 6 young Chinese; they had become believers and went to share God’s love with an unreached people group my church in TX had adopted. Everything they owned was in their back packs.

Before we left for the trip we stopped and picked up a few trinkets for the girls at Target, a journal, a smell good candle, and a necklace. Shortly after arriving and meeting with them we gave them their gifts… they looked really confused… so we thought these must be silly gifts for someone who lives out of their backpacks. So we asked them “what do you need or want? New Shoes, a new backpack… perhaps?”(yeah… dumb question… I see that now) they replied…

“the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want”

I sank heavily into my seat… I really don’t remember what else was said that night. But it was like I had never heard that verse before…the words kept echoing in my head.. i think it hit me so hard because they really believed that… it wasn’t like “well Jesus is all you need, but you do need food to eat, or Jesus is all you need or want but you need or want that new whatever too”

He was and is ENOUGH for them.

i want Him to be ENOUGH for me. i want to know that and live it. Thanks for the reminder my friends where ever you are… i will never forget your faith

7. Having Children

Getting kids involved in the giving is a great way to teach yourself what really matters. We do several things:

GO THROUGH: i share with them and show them pictures/videos of people with a basic need, no food to eat, no home because of the fire, that people are sick because they have no clean water, then i ask them, “What would God want us to do to help?”… “Well we need to sell some things to get money to buy them that food/etc.”… “Would you go through your toys and think of what we could sell” Percentages helps with this too…. “We are going to keep half of your toys and we are going to sell the other half to help these people in desperate need. You chose what we should keep” My kiddos are remarkable about this… they have an easier time of letting go that i do. (P.S. I have the same percentages for me… so i can show them what mommy and daddy are doing)

IN THE LUGGAGE: Before every trip daddy goes on… and as most of you know he goes on a lot… i have the boys pick out a toy to send with daddy to give to a child in need. i ask them to pick something they like, “God wants us to give our best.” And surprisingly a few times i cringed as i saw something i really liked go in the luggage… but what do you say to a willing child with a giving heart. You really can’t ask “are you sure?”

For those who are wondering… they never miss the toys…even when we have showed them pictures of the toys with the children that received them…they were happy little fellows excited that their toys flew all the way to wherever to “help” some child without toys.

(Ugandan girls with their teddy bear)

8. Having Creatively Cheap/Free Ideas

Selling my island means i needed to think of a place for my spices, pots and pans, trash cans and junk drawers…. so i need to find free options that make it feasible. Note below: Diaper Wipe plastic boxes screwed into the back of pantry door, the pots and pans are on top of the fridge, and i really just cleaned up my junk drawers, i put all that random hoop la where it actually belonged.

For the most part i am thinking of everything that way. i am asking others if they have something i can borrow or share instead of buy, i am thinking creatively and simply. i know some people don’t feel comfortable asking others but isn’t that what the body of Christ is supposed to be doing anyway?

Recycling and repurposing things really helps. Some of my recent repurposes.

Painted free finds (desk, chair, little guy table and stool)

Free Pallets turned into a bed/box springs

9. Having Reality before my Eyes

In my kitchen i have posted a picture of an Indian kitchen to remind me of how really RICH and WEALTHY we are and for me to count my blessings and be content.

We have MUCH MUCH more that we need to survive. Seeing reality in pictures, watching movies about the majority of the world, and going and meeting those in great poverty puts a lot into perspective.

This site helps you find out where you rank in wealth in the world… that reality can really help you see things differently… check it out and see where you rank percent wise in the whole world. You will find out that you are among the top 11% of the wealthiest people in the world.

http://www.globalrichlist.com/

10. Having Conversations with my Maker

Talk to Him about what He wants you to do with His money and ask Him for His heart for the world. He answers prayers. He will draw us closer to Him and His thoughts… He loves us. Admit where you have not been thinking like Him and ask Him to forgive… i do that.. many times… hourly!

Prayer … true talking to God and listening to Him as well… being silent in His presence… reading His words really is my source of joy. True Joy… not just a little happiness. Joy is something that doesn’t depend on your circumstances or stuff… it can only come from Him… He is the source of limitless joy.

He is the only one who can turn us into joyful givers. Only He knows our hearts and our motives for giving. i remember my student pastor, ol’ Steve Witt, after teaching us about this verse and principle asking us to laugh out loud next time we gave in the offering plate at church… all the students did it… until we had the whole congregation laughing… cheerful giving is more fun.

Remember this, a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

God blesses a man who gives cheerfully, but his worthless deeds will come to an end. Proverbs 22:8

if i believe...

2012-01-06T22:57:00.001-08:00

Over the last several years, by reading God's word, i began to see that i wasn't really living what i say i believe. There were and are so many things in my life that don't line up with the way He thinks and how He sees the world.

A big one for me was the time, money, energy i spent on the non-eternal... you know stuff, fluff, pretty distracting things. Things that really don't matter in the big scheme of things... as the Bible calls it "meaningless".

Once i spent weeks trying to find a good deal on this bed for elijah. i saw it in a magazine and i guess i thought it would make me happier somehow because it was so cute... and that is just one example of many many many of my desires for stuff that doesn't matter to our creator. He is still working on me in this area of my life big time.

Last year i was complaining to Him on why i wasn't living in some country somewhere loving on people that need hope and love... I was telling Him it would be so much easier to live the way i know i should if i were there. He basically said to my heart, "Heidi, why don't you live for me that way here." OUCH... it reality hit.

I am not acting out what i say i believe and i am not willing to do what He wants no matter where i am.... though i am still His child, who He loves, as a Father, enough to reprove.

So this started a couple of things last year.... selling alot of stuff to selling stuff with others at proceeds for poverty to being able to build a water well for a poor village in India (giving 5000 people clean water) it also lead to reevaluating every cent that God has blessed us with. (p.s. i sold the bed and our headboard too... did you know that we really don't need one.. we have a mattresses and they are marvelous enough... the Bible says Jesus didn't even have a place to lay His head)

(water well - in honor of a friend who died of cancer last year... she knew what was worth living for)

If you come to my house you are definitely going to see we are still sooooooo blessed... and so are our kiddos... none of us are lacking at all even though we have got rid of soooooo much fluff. i am still sooooooooooooooooo far from my thoughts matching His thoughts, i still covet, still spend time on material fluff that really doesn't matter, but I see Him doing something in me. He is cutting at the core... and it is good...i am wanting these dead branches pruned!!

i know He has been showing a lot of His followers all over america why He has blessed us so... not to build our own kingdoms but to build His...i see a change happening... and it is exciting.

We only are given one life to live. If we really believe He is who He says He is then we must do what He says we should do.

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion, how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:17-18

prep day: teaching them

2011-12-30T09:07:00.000-08:00

God tells us in His word what He expects from us as parents. I remember studying all of what God says about what we are to do as parents before we had kids... it was overwhelming in a since and not in a since because i knew that He didn't leave us alone to do it all but instead provided us with Himself to help us.

In the Bible he didn't say what school you should send your children to, or what you should feed your kids, or even what diapers your baby should wear......

He just said He wants us to do these 5 main things:

1. Recognize they are GIFTS from God and SHOW them love (ways to show them love are below)

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. Psalm 127:3-5

Other verses pertaining to that: Psalm 119:73, Ephesians 6:4, Col 3:21, Psalm 128

2. Be an EXAMPLE for them to follow

Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children. Proverbs 14:26

Other verses pertaining to that: Prov. 20:7, Prov. 12:7, Romans 2:17-24

3. Tell them of HIM and HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS

We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. Psalm 78:4

Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. Joel 1:3

Other Verses pertaining to that: Psalm 22:30, 45:17, 71:18, 78:6-7, 102:18, 119:90, 145:4, Isaiah 34:19, Eph. 3:21

4. Teach them HIS WORDS and through that Truth, Faith, and to be Wise.

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of Mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 11:18-20

Other verses pertaining to that: 2 Timothy 1:5, Prov. 27:11, Prov. 28:7, Prov. 24:3-4, Prov. 15:20, Prov. 13:1, Prov. 1:10. Psalm 144:12, Deut. 5:16, Titus 2:3-8, 2 John 1:1-4, Proverbs 30:11-14, Proverbs 23:15-16, 22-25, Proverbs 19:25-27, Proverbs 6:20-23, 3 John 1:4, Psalm 78:6, Duet. 4:10,

5. DISCIPLINE or Correct your children. (which goes along with teaching them)

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6

Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives. Proverbs 19:18

Other verses pertaining to that: Prov. 29:15,17, Prov. 22:15, Prov. 20:30, Prov. 17:21, 25, Prov. 15:5, Prov. 13:24, Proverbs 4:1, Ephesians 6:1-3, Col. 3:20, Proverbs 23:13-14, 1 Kings 1:5-10, Proverbs 29:21

If we can do these 5 main things then we are raising our kids God's way according to Him...being the parents we were created to be through His strength. We want to give our children goooooood gifts... that last through eternity and are pleasing in His eyes. God said all the other stuff is meaningless compared to this.

So last year i started teaching the boys His words, telling of His marvelous deeds, by the end of 2012 we will have read through every verse and passage in the bible (except for a few minor Adult rated stuff...no need to intro that at 4 years old).

I know my kiddos and so i usually rewrite/simplify the passage if need be to 4/5 year old understanding, do a game, art project, or hands on analogy to teach them God thoughts. And just so you know i am not that creative... God helps me every step of the way...without His help....i could not do it.

So for the next two days i will hermit myself and my goal is to prep for all their school for the next 4 months..... yeah i know ... in two days... well that would be supernatural... but since that is all i have i am going to hope for it.

Last semester we studied who God is, and this semester we will start off with "what God says He wants from us" and then go into "how God wants us to show His love to the world". Below is the first part of passages/verses we will be studying.

I am excited for my kiddos... but especially for me as the Word of God is like my food... it brings life to me.

God wants to be first in your life

A Promise of the Lord's Presence for the Israelites Exodus 23:20-33

The people of God put a calf of gold before Him Exodus 24:1-7, 32:1-33:6

God want to be first in all the Israelites lives Deuteronomy 4:15-40

Part of God's Commandments Deuteronomy 5:7-8

Warning to the Israelites Deuteronomy 13:1-4,18

Things lead Solomon away from God 1 Kings 11:1-13

Jeroboam worships false gods 1 Kings 12:21-13:6, 33-34

Asa tears down the false idols 1 Kings 15:9-22

Ahaziah seek other god's advice 2 Kings 1

You alone are God Psalm 86:8-10

The idols have ears but cannot hear Psalm 115:1-8,11,13 ; Psalm 135:13-18

The greed and the gods of God's chosen people Isaiah 3:1-15

Your idols are as empty as the wind Isaiah 41:21-29; 42:10-25

The idols that do not speak Isaiah 46:5-11

Idol worshipers Isaiah 57:3-13

Israel betrays God Jeremiah 2:1-13, 23-37

The Faithless Bride: Israel and Judah put others before God like a faithless bride Jeremiah 3

Those who put anything before God are foolish Jeremiah 10:1-16

Idols are ridiculous Hosea 4:11-13a

Israel goes to everyone but God 7:9-10,13b-16b, 14:8

Lifeless Idols Habakkuk 2:18-20

Lost without a shepherd Zechariah 10:1-3

Love God first Matthew 10:34-39

God wants to be first (what must I do? Sell everything) Luke 18:17-30

Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed. Exodus 22:20

They are like spiritual prostitutes, committing adultery against me by sacrificing to their gods. Exodus 34:15

Do not make idols or set up carved images to be worshiped in your land. I, the LORD, am your God. Leviticus 26:1

So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:14-15

Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood or even speak the names of their gods. Psalm 16:4

You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god. Psalm 81:9

If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison. Your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26

But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 2 Corinthians 11:3

Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. 1 John 5:21

God wants your love

Picture of Jesus and his relationship with the Church (his bride) Psalm 45, Isaiah 61:10

I earnestly search for God Psalm 63:1-8

Joy in His presence Psalm 65

With all my heart Psalm 108:1-5

God asks a question Isaiah 50:2-3

Gods says, "Here I am" Isaiah 65:1-5

Description of a restored relationship Jeremiah 31:1-14

With Faith we are like a Tree Ezekiel 15

We are like God's bride Ezekiel 16

God draws people to Himself Jonah 1:1-16

Passion for God Matthew 3:1-15

Actions speak louder than words (Pharisee claim they were born into God's family) Matthew 3:8-10

Showing Christ's love to all Matthew 5:13-16

Acknowledge God Matthew 10:34-39

I want you not your sacrifices or traditions Matthew 12:1-8

We are Jesus' family Matthew 12:46-50

Make God your center Matthew 16:24-26

To love God is the greatest commandment Matthew 22:34-40

Give sacrificially to Jesus Matthew 26:6-13

Jesus is with you through the trial Mark 6:45-56

The most important thing in life Mark 12:28-34

be genuine in your love for God Mark 12:38-40

Are you a sheep that knows the Shepard's voice - The Good Shepard John 10:1-42

The only way to know the father is through the son John 14:1-7

Simon's heart was not after God but power Acts 8:9-24

Lydia accepts the truth of Jesus and opened her Home Acts 16:11-15, 40

We are his children through Jesus Romans 8:15-30, Galatians 4:1-7

Prayer that we might understand this great love Ephesians 3:14-21

Love God by doing what pleases Him Ephesians 5:1-14

Love God not the world 1 John 2:15-17

We are His children who belong to Him 1 John 3:1-10

"Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes the arrogant.

24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:23-24"

"This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways."" Deuteronomy 30:11-16a"

I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions. Psalm 119:55

I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn. Psalm 130:6

For your Creator will be your husband! Isaiah 54:5 Look at wedding pictures and talk about how people who follow Jesus are His bride and He will come soon etc.

Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. Hosea 6:3

I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17

My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. John 17:23

You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Acts 2:28 (Psalm 16:8-11)

The person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 1 Corinthians 8:3

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. 1 John 2:28

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life. 1 John 5:20

We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. 1 John 5:19

God wants to be your friend

Noah, God's only friend on earth Genesis 6:5-9:17

God talked with His friend Moses Exodus 33:8-23, 34:33-35, Numbers 12:1-8, Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Hezekiah Seeks God/Hezekiah's 3 Tests 2 Kings 18:1 - 20:10, 2 Chronicles 32, Isaiah 36,37, 38,39

Who can be God's friend? Psalm 15

Who can dwell with God? Psalm 24:3-10

Like a loin cloth cling to God Jeremiah 13:1-11

Through Jesus we can be friends with God Romans 5:9-10

For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face. Psalm 11:7

The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! Psalm 14:2-3

I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. Psalm 17:4-5

O Lord, I give my life to you. Psalm 25:1

The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. Psalm 25:14

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8

I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth! Psalm 116:9

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord. These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there. Psalm 118:19-20

I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Psalm 142:2-3a

Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. Psalm 44:15b

God wants us to worship Him

Where it began Genesis 4:25-26

Pour out your best to Jesus (woman perfume Jesus feet) Mark 14:1-9

Doesn't matter where just in Spirit and in Truth Luke 4:19-24

Taking time to celebrate God Exodus 23:14-17

The Israelites give back to God Exodus 35:4-29, 36:4-7

The Israelites set aside a vacation to celebrate God, Feast of Tabernacles Deuteronomy 16: 13-17, Leviticus 23:33-42 (Among the many guidelines God gave the Israelites one of them was to have this Vacation Party), Nehemiah 8:13-18

A Call to remember God's goodness Deuteronomy 8

Israelites Celebrate the Passover Deuteronomy 16:1-8

Moses' Remembrance Song Deuteronomy 32:1-47

David is not Ashamed to Praise 2 Samuel 6:16-23

David's Thank you song 1 Samuel 22

Solomon gives thanks to God 1 Kings 8:22-66

David appointed worshipers of music 1 Chronicles 6:31-33, 25:6-8

When the Israelites Praised God Ezra 3:10-13, Nehemiah 9

Give thanks with singing Nehemiah 12:27-43

David thanks God for rescuing and healing him Psalm 30

Worship with music Psalm 33:1-5

I awake with Praise Psalm 57:5,7-11

Parties for God Psalm 81:1-3

Come let us sing Psalm 95

Enter His gates with Thanksgiving Psalm 100

Israelites remember and thank God Psalm 105

Praise Him at night Psalm 134

Everything that has breath praise the Lord Psalm 150

Praise God even though Habakkuk 3:17-19

Wise men recognize Jesus Matthew 2:1-12

Giving thanks for His miracles Luke 17:11-19

Remember what Christ did through the Lord's Supper 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Worship looks like this 1 Timothy

"But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren." Deuteronomy 4:9

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2

(Thank God with beilivers) I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.[b] I will praise you among your assembled people. I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.Psalm 22:22, 25

I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells. Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord. Psalm 27:6-8,12

I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies. Psalm 54:6-7

But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy. Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord rejoice in his presence! Psalm 68:3-4

I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me. Psalm 116:13

Praise his name with dancing. Psalm 149:3a

He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. John 3:31

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. Hebrews 12:28

True Follower of Jesus/God looks like

Take up your cross and follow me Mark 8:34-38, Luke 9:23-26

Follow me fully and immedately Luke 9:57-62

Be a ready servant waiting for the Master's return Luke 12:35-48

The Narrow Gate Luke 13:22-30

Don't make excuses or you will miss out on Him Luke 14:15-24

You must put God above all else Luke 14:25-35

The father that forgave (Prodigal Son) Luke 15:11-32

Come first to serve… unlike this world Luke 22:24-28

How to become Children of God John 1:10-13

The followers of Jesus John 1:35-51

Unless a kernal of wheat dies John 12:23-26

Keep seeking God

Jehu doesn't stay faithful 2 Kings 9 and 10

When I am discouraged I will still seek God Psalm 42: 4-8, 11

I am humbled Psalm 131

The ready watchman Isaiah 21:5-12

The men did whatever it took to get to Jesus (paralazed) Luke 5:17-26

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. Psalm 42:1-2a

The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. For the Lord hears the cries of the needy . Psalm 69:32-33a

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!” Psalm 70:4

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21

It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them. No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind! Proverbs 25:2-3

psst.... pray for me... a lot to do in a little time. :)

insert happy dance here

2011-12-29T20:51:00.000-08:00

Well our Christmas celebration has ended... though we will celebrate God's great love all year...here are some of my favorite memories of December 2011...

Elijah's Gift for Jesus:

Elijah picked out a couple things in the GPPD Gift Catalog for Jesus since Jesus is happy when we show others His love by taking care of those in desperate need, but he also wanted to make a "big" picture of our family and Jesus together. He wanted me to draw and he said he would do the coloring so he told me exactly what he wanted to draw: "Jesus in the middle, me holding onto Jesus, Jesus holding daddy's hand - because daddy would like that, draw each of us a heart right here mommy....(ect.)" So precious. And such a beautiful picture of how Jesus loves us. (p.s. i think Joanthan's purple face really adds some pizzaz to it... he he)

Christmas Morning Party for Jesus:

Nothing replaces the awe of my four year old and his giddiness over our "celebration" (as Elijah called it). He loved every moment of it. He loved gathering the gifts for Jesus on our scavenger hunt.. he loved playing in the ballons... all of it... and all "for Jesus, mommy! Because He is God."

Advent:

Because of our adamant Elijah.. we didn't miss one day of our Christmas Countdown! It made Christmas all month long for us. They were giddy to get all their goodies out of the calendar and spend time as a family reading the story and praying together.

God providing for the orphans:

A week before Christmas we were $9,000 short in providing a gift (shoes for the year, outfit for the year, basic toiletries, candy, and a simple toy) for 300 orphans in India. due to the great number of unsponsored orphans that we still have. So we decided to ask on facebook and pray and see what would happen. We were overwhelmed each night as we looked at how many people gave to help these precious children. 2 days after Christmas we had all of the money!!!

Thank you to those who joined us and stood up for the unsponsored orphan children. I was in tears when Jonathan shared with me some of those who gave, so many friends -

some from long ago, and family. Thank you!

God providing for the Community Center in Jordan:

For over 6 years our GPPD Associaties in Jordan (who work to help refugees in desperate situtations) have been raising funds to purchase a facility. A couple months ago the building that they have been renting for more than 10 years became available. At thanksgiving our associates needed $75,000 to complete the purchase of that building. It seemed impossible. But we knew if God willed it... it would come to be. On December 21st we still lacked $50,000, it was then that a church from up north committed to match $25,000 if we could get all of it by the deadline given from the owners of the building (Dec 31st). We rejoiced and then we prayed. That was just 10 days away. Overwhelmed Jonathan and i watched... by December 28th just 7 days later all of the money was provided. Insert HAPPY DANCE here!!!

I am learning each day more and more that God keeps His promises... that He does care for the poor and those in need, and that if we are willing we can be apart of His marvelous plan to rescue and love the helpless and hopeless around the world and right here.

7 days till Christmas...

2011-12-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

.. and all i can think about is this ...

click here to join us: http://www.gpartners.org/index.cfm/pageid/2209/index.html

our Christmas traditions

2011-12-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

Today we walked into the library and Elijah gasped and shouted "a Christmas tree" and "presents for Jesus!!" .....it made me smile from the inside out.

here are a few of our little family's Christmas Traditions...i love being a mommy... and i love the awe my children have for Jesus... i pray that won't ever fade. There giddiness makes me giddy too! Follow the links for more details...

Tradition # 1 : Advent - Every night before bed the children run to the advent Calendar. The pockets we have stuffed with...

a Nations Doll ordainment and card that tells a little story about the people the Doll represents,

a little scroll ordainment with verse references that tell of the purpose of Christmas,

A piece to a nativity scene,

and a Christmas cookie or treat!

While the kids are getting the goodies out of the pocket we are lighting the candles on our advent log.

The we cozy up near the tree and read the Bible story, eat our goodies and pray for the people that the Nations doll represents. Then the kids hang the ordainments on the tree and we help them to blow out the candles..

except for last night i forgot that last part.... and well ...due to the smell of a fresh log fire..remembered it and.... we had to go to the store for more candles today.

advent calendars and nation doll ordainments

Tradition #2: We read books and watch videos that remind us of the purpose of Christmas. If you have any additions that might be good for our collection please let us know!

more books ideas

Tradition #3: Make Christmas Cookies Every Week

sugar cookies

Christmas layer cookie that you can use to describe the purpose of Christmas like this.

and more...

Tradition #4: Christmas Gifts for Him Instead of buying gifts for each other on Jesus' Birthday we spend the month giving Jesus gifts that we know He would like. Like Elijah's list: "being nice my brother", "giving food to somebody that need food", "spending time with God", last year he even painted a picture for Him and we always look through this catalog and let the kids choose a gift to give in Jesus' honor.

Tradition #5: Read through our Christmas Coffee Table Books

Tradition #6: Kiss under the Mistletoe

Tradition #7: Have a Jesus Birthday Cake and party on Christmas day at my mom and dad's home and with my sister's family. Sweet times!

Tradition #8: And on Christmas Morning throw a royal Party for Jesus with a star treasure hunt for the "wise men", dancing, singing, finishing the Jesus story, and simply Celebrating Him because He is worthy.

Tradition #9: We always start the month off with going to a Christmas Parade with my parents and nieces and nephews.

Tradition #10: We always go to some live nativity together. This year we are going here.

Tradition #11: We celebrate Christmas with family. One of my favorite times is the Christmas Eve Candlelight service with Jonathan parents and our family and going to Edith's afterwards for yummy goodies and fellowship.

Tradition #12: Christmas Day Breakfast at my Grandmas with my whole fam. Great Maw Maw and Great Paw Paw cousins, aunts and uncles!

Tradition #13: Oh and i forgot... hunting for the Christmas Tree and decorating it together....we usually get ours right after thanksgiving to have it ready for advent.

We Celebrate the miracle of Jesus all month long...it is a great time to remember and teach our children. Of course we can celebrate Him everyday but this is a special time to remember the details of God's amazing plan through Jesus' birth. It is truly "a wonder-full time of year"....

Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts; let them proclaim Your power. Psalm 145:4

jealous King

2011-12-06T04:17:00.000-08:00

Our God is jealous... and rightfully so.

He doesn't just want to be first in our lives He wants to be the only.

The only one that holds our adoration, the only one we worship and promote, the only one we praise and talk about, the only source, our only center, our only celebration.

He wants us to not only take a back seat to Him but to give Him the car completely.

That is probably why He is not that popular with most, even people that call themselves "Christians".

Naturally because of our sinful hearts we want to be first, we want to be in control, we want to worship whatever we wish, celebrate whatever we want, live like we want. Like a selfish, stubborn 2 year old... we act out....rebel against Him.

But the truth is, we are just the created not the creator, He is God and whatever choice we have has been allowed/given by Him.

God is love. He is the Creator and He knows how His created will find the most joy this life has to offer. In Him.

He is Love. His plan has been to bring us back to Himself...where we can have the peace He created. Therefore He did the unthinkable.... He came as the lowliest in the lowliest of setting so that we all would know we are loved and accepted as is...so that we would see love in action. No "god", nothing you would put before Him has this kind of love or is this kind of love.

He is worthy of being our only focus our only celebration.

Two great Christmas Children's book about such simple yet profound beauty...

and

A great video

Colossians 1:19-20

¹⁹ For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
²⁰ and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross

Friday Night Movie

2011-12-02T16:38:00.000-08:00

Movies/T.V. teach you stuff... what you watch changes the way you think and bleeds into your actions...there is no denying that. And for my little impressionable ones... it really molds them. So finding movies that teach my kiddos and me God's thoughts and that keep their attention and mine is hard. Tonight in search for something "good" to watch...something that feed us truth and God's thoughts ...we discovered this version of Pilgrims Progress on youtube.

The kids were glued the whole time. Elijah was really into it and asked a lot of good questions and made a lot of good comments. For me the animation was pretty lame... but my kiddos are at the age where that really doesn't matter.

Warning: There are some spooky parts. If you have ever read the original Pilgrims Progress you know the parts i am speaking of. It didn't bother my kiddos, though... know you have been warned.

Brief History on Pilgrims Progress: written by John Bunyan and published in February, 1678. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature,has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. Bunyan began his work while in the Bedfordshire county gaol for violations of the Conventicle Act, which prohibited the holding of religious services outside the auspices of the established Church of England. Early Bunyan scholars like John Brown believed The Pilgrim's Progress was begun in Bunyan's second shorter imprisonment for six months in 1675.

Celebrate Him!

2011-12-01T19:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas and Easter tie as my favorite celebrations of the year. The pure miracle of Jesus, God coming as man to fulfill a purpose only He could fulfill all motivated by His pure character of Love.... it is overwhelming.

The Greatest of all.... immeasurable by humans... coming in the simplest form ....as a new born babe. It leaves me in wonder and awe.

Yesterday we hung stars, sea shells, holly branches....white for purity, and hints of red for the purpose of Jesus. We set out all of the books and movies that remind us of the miracle. Made plans for our feasting and some Christmas cookies. Played the music. All for preparation as we begin our celebration this week for a month long party revolving around the King!

I was lost in wonder … as I saw how giddy my 4 year old was when he noticed I had put up the stable where “Jesus was born”. Simply beautiful. The whole picture. His face… the miracle… our King.

As some of you know i am not much of a Santa fan... on the other hand from my understanding Saint Nicholas was a remarkable Christ follower that God worked through to show HIS great love to so many people. But the modern day Santa ... revolts me a little... to put it bluntly....maybe it is not Santa...maybe it is the materialism that surrounds the character..or the eccessive spending on needless things for the already overwhelming blessed society in his name.

I don't know why it sickness me so... maybe it is just because i am not a fan of anything that attempts to steal man's eyes away from their Amazing Creator God and His real miracles or a child's eyes for that matter. He is worthy of ALL of our attention this celebration season.

So my top ten reasons why we celebrate Jesus and stick Santa ....ummm.... well.... where he belongs. :I

#1 Jesus is real! Santa is pretend!

#2 Jesus existed before man was created! Santa was created by man.

#3 Jesus gives you Himself, all you need! Santa gives you stuff you don't need.

#4 Jesus' gift last forever (even after you die). Santa gifts are only temporary.

#5 Jesus fulfills all your needs and wants. Santa leaves you wanting more.

#6 Jesus provokes selflessness. Santa provokes selfishness.

#7 Jesus gives you true lasting JOY. Santa gives you only passing happiness.

#8 Jesus' miracles are real. Santa miracles aren't real.

#9 Jesus is truth. Santa is a lie.

#10 Jesus is worthy of our attention, affection, and awe. Santa... well.... "he" is not.

So i don't ask my kids what they "want for Christmas?" the very question makes no since. We already received all we could ever want or need on that Christmas long ago.

Psalm 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

I ask them how they would like to show God's love this Christmas to the world. And what things would they would like to do that would bring pleasure to their Creator God.

This all may sound crazy to some... I hope not to offend you Santa lovers out there... but this season exists to remind us to give Jesus the honor due and He is worthy of all!

(our advent log that we light every night in December during our reading of the purpose of Jesus)

a name for baby girl...

2011-11-27T13:39:00.000-08:00

Jonathan and I heard the story of her namesake about a year ago and it really impacted us and challenged our faith.

The name for the little one in my womb is: Perpetua Faith Grooms

Perpetua means "forever". The Perpetua we named her after was a young noblewoman that lived in Carthage, Tunisia around 200 A.D. She came to first hear about Jesus through her servants. She believed and became a Christian. At the time (like in many countries today) people who followed Jesus “Christians” were persecuted. She was 22 years old and a nursing mother when the government took her and several from her church to prison. They took her child away and threatened to kill her but she would still not deny that Christ was really God and worship the idols worshiped by the majority at the time. Because of that she was martyred for her faith.

This woman's faith stood strong and her persecution actually became her joy and drew her closer to God than ever before. She was faithful to the end of her earthly life. Powerful story…. And some how we just can’t keep her story out of our minds……..we pray that we can have that kind of faith and our children as well.

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:38-39

Here is a 25/30 min cartoon documentary on her, where we first really heard her story…

Oh how sad... the videos were taken off youtube... so if your local and you want to view her story you can just borrow our copy or order your own at..

http://www.torchlighters.org/episodes/index.php?episode=perpetua

we have all the toarchlighter series and it is a great resource of true stories that will impact you and your children greatly

Here are more details about the namesake… Perpetua
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetua_and_Felicity

and a great novel i have been reading.. Perpetua by Amy Rachel Peterson

A Christmas Advent that reminds us...

2011-11-21T04:46:00.000-08:00

...of the why behind the Almighty King coming to earth as a baby in a manger: Love.

A God appointed group of friends and impoverished ladies from India worked hard to created 5 sets. Here is a link to my original post and the family tradition that puts everything into perspective each Christmas for us. Below are details on how you can order one. ONLY 2 left!

100% of your donation goes toward impoverished ladies receiving a sewing machine and the training needed to give them a means to help their families survive.

What if...

2011-11-19T09:10:00.000-08:00

What if Jesus was my point of reference for everything... every thought, every action, every moment...

big or small...

what if ...with every breath i would recognize my Creator in my limited human ability.

what if..

crazy about Jesus

2011-11-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

There are a many things that God has been showing me over the last few years about myself, about Him, about His view of the world. Many times it is opposite of what my culture (both Christian and non) says is truth or is the way to live walk through life. I find myself wondering if i am crazy or if just maybe this is truth that he has been showing me.... and i need to walk in it even if it seems crazy to my culture.

Every time i listen to this guy that has been walking with God.. i am encouraged and reminded that i am not crazy... that i just need to walk forward in truth and obedience.

Check out illbehonest.com for more of his sharing of God's thoughts.

put your hand in the hand that stilled the water

2011-10-25T05:20:00.000-07:00

This is the tune i woke up with in my heart this morning.. Elijah and i were singing it and i youtubed to get the rest of lyrics...

makes me smile on the inside ... we so desperately need Jesus!

what if we....

2011-09-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

i am fasting from the blogging and facebook world for a while unless it is GPPD related. So i leave you with this video to ponder and inspire.

baby love

2011-09-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

i am passed the half way mark now. i feel this little surprise gift from God swirling around in me all of the time. over all i am feeling great....like the with the boys no nausea, morning sickness, or any of the other popular pregnancy woes.

Deeply... my heart has been aching a lot since we got the news that we had to put the adoption on hold while pregnant. At first i thought it was just pregnancy hormones along with the greif from postponing our adoption. i have been really seeking God to see why my heart aches so.... it is not like they said we can never adopt. Yet at times i find myself in pieces over all of it.

He has been showing me that all of these feeling encompasses much. i have wanted to go somewhere in the world and show His love to people who are in desperate need since i was a little girl. God loves and values everyone not just the people in our reach... all people need to see God's endless love for them. i rejoice in opportunities to show love here...but there is something that i think He put in my heart for the people/children that are out of reach of anyone to show them His great love.

i think a part of the excitement over adopting was that if i could not go and show love to many children in desperate need. i would get to show love to at least one fatherless child that needed to see the endless love that God gives them and how He adores and values them.

When this opportunity was taken away... i felt lost... heartbroken. i still don't know what God is up to but i am seeking Him fervently.

Something that He has been revealing to me (it is a simple lesson that i seem to have to relearn a lot) ... He doesn't need me to do anything. He has a plan to rescue the fatherless. As i put Him first and am in communion with Him then i will know what and how He wants me involved in His plan. He will do the rescuing... i just loving follow and obey and enjoy the experience of communion with Him.

i know there is so much of me that i need to surrender to confess and to run away from...so much ugly sin... i know He will show me day by day how to fully walk and dwell in Him. i wish it would happen quickly but God doesn't work on our time schedule and my sin is too much to overcome in a day or a lifetime for that matter.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

God is Powerful

2011-09-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

do we really fear God today? i have been asking myself that question a lot recently... and as i was teaching this part [God is Powerful] of the "God is" study these past two weeks i realized that often i forget how powerful the almighty God is....sometimes i even live like or speak like He is not the creator God who has and is the most powerful being in the universe... how could i lose sight of such an obvious truth... i think those are the times when my prideful self is focused on me..and somehow i think i am big... which all seems ridiculous now when i am looking at truth.... looking at God.

Below is just a few of glimpses of what we did. Each day we read God's word particularly passages about His all powerfulness and did an activity or art project that reenforced the passages.

BIBLE STUDY: Luke 5: 1-11 (Jesus make's Simons boat overflow with fish), Mark 6:30-34 (Jesus feeding thousands of people with just few fish)

ART PROJECT: THE BIG CATCH

You will need: white coffee fliters, markers, water, paint brushes, aluminum foil, glue stick, and paper clips - to make fishing pole you will need a magnet tied to a string tied to a stick.

Flatten coffee filter, color with marker randomly with different colors. Paint water onto filter and watch the colors spread as it absorbs water. Let dry. When dry cut out in the shape of a fish. With a marker mark the eye. Glue scraps of aluminium as shinny scales. Attach paper clip and throw in basket. Have the children fish in one place with out fish and then talk about how Jesus showed his power to Simon by making fish were they seemed to be no fish.

SNACK: Make a Berry Blue Jell-O in a clear glass bowl. Refrigerate for an hour. push some swedish fish in the bowl. Yummy and fun.

(we even had a guest join us for this fun!)

ART PROJECT: Bean Art (God sending fire on the alter - based on our Bible study on 1 Kings 18:1-40)

You will need: small paint brush, pencil, board (card board, etc), a variety of beans (different color – I even used rice), ruler or straight edge.

1. Start by drawing the simple picture in pencil on your board. Number were you want a color/bean (number-by-color).

2. "Paint" a thin layer of glue in one area of your pattern, and sprinkle the area with colorful beans. Use a single color in each area.

3. Use the ruler to clean up the edges of the beans before moving on to the next area.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 until the board is covered. Let dry for a few hours.

now this next one was Jeriah's... it is a sun... no theme... just something simpler for the two year old... and yes we had a lot of beans to sweep up afterwards!

BIBLE STUDY: GOD OPENS THE RED SEA Exodus 14-15:21

ACTIVITY:

Parting Water

To help your child understand how powerful God is, fill a bucket with water. Try to part the water. Try with other things (sticks, etc). Have child put their hands in the water to see if they can part it. Once it becomes clear that the water cannot be parted, talk to your children about how only God had the power to part the Red Sea. Thank God for being so powerful. (i snagged this idea from some random sunday school material online... sorry i don't have the original source to list) verse: Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27

ACTIVITY: God is powerful

You will need: a large magnet, plastic (see through) container with lid, lots of random metal that fits in container (paper clips, nails, screws, etc.)

Put metal in container and close lid tightly. Talk about the magnet (we even read books about how they work). And have them test the power of the magnet by placing it on the container and watching the stuff stick. Discuss how God made the the stuff that makes up a magnet and that He is all powerful. verse: Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all other gods. Psalm 96:4

ART PROJECT: Mountian melt like wax (based on our Bible study on Psalm 29 and 97)

You will need: crayons with paper removed, grader, 2 10x10 inch wax papers, 2 hand towels, iron (hot - keep out of reach of the children), ruler or straight edge, marker, tape, and one sheet of construction paper.

We read Psalm 29, then you tubed how crayons are made - to watch wax melt, we you tubed volcanoes (mountains melting), thunder and lightening, hurricanes, and tornadoes as well to show what the verses were describing. We talked about how powerful God is.

Place one hand towel on table. Make sure iron is on but out of reach of children. Place one wax paper on the hand towel. With the grader shave different color crayons on to the wax paper. When covered at least half way, with a ruler make the shape of a mountain or triangle. Place other wax paper on top then place hand towel on top of that. Press hot iron firmly over the hand towel checking to see if crayon shaving have melted. Once complete, cut a matching mountain shaped hole in construction paper and tape wax paper to back side and write the verse: Psalm 97:5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

(sorry no picture... still hanging in our window will try to get a picture)

One of the songs we sang....

MY GOD IS SO BIG

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

He made the trees

He made the seas

He made the elephants too

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do

I will leave you with this... after 2 weeks of studying the power of God and watching the hurricanes swirl up trees with Elijah on youtube... this song stands out in my heart... and i am left overwhelmed by my AMAZING POWERFUL GOD!!!

Lord, help me to be in awe of you constantly!

the coolest school ever...

2011-09-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

at least in Eljiah's eyes...

So we completed our first two weeks of home pre-school!! Yay... THANK YOU JESUS!

Elijah is really giddy about it and i am too! it is so fun to be a part of His education!

His schooling includes....

Bible - What we have been doing through this past year where we study most of the scripture on a specific subject and have activities and art projects that correspond. See the following post "God is POWERFUL" it is the second part of what i have been teaching the kids.. "Who is God?" (first part was "God is CREATOR"-previously blogged)

Reading - We are doing this book...

which i like so far. i did have one day where my patience ended but after i realized it is okay if we don't get through the 20 minute lesson everything will all be just fine.. then things seemed to work better for the both of us. On Friday Elijah read his first two words by sounding them out. He is also learning to write letters! Mommy's so proud!

Science - We are reading books and Youtubing videos. The past two weeks we looked at things that God created that are powerful and discussed how much more powerful He was than His creation we also looked more at the human anatomy in which Elijah is fascinated with.

World - Which includes some great books (a few below). This month we are focusing on the whole world. In the following months we will be talking about specific areas of the world.

We talked about the shape of the world and read books on mapping.

And made this cool paper machette world...

Art Project: God made the WORLD with His great POWER (Paper Mache world)

Remember when God created everything... He started with the world. We are going to make a world...

Things you will need: newspapers, 1 ballon, flour, water, spoon to mix glue, old container to mix glue in, paint brushes, pencil, paint

1. Make papier mache glue by combining 1 cup of flour with 1 cup of water. Boil 4 cups of water in a pot on the stove and stir the glue mixture into the boiling water. Simmer it for about 3 minutes and let it cool.

2. Tear or cut the newspapers into strips approximately 1-inch wide. Dip the strips of newspaper, one at a time, in the glue, or apply the glue to the paper with a brush. Inflate the balloon and cover it with newspaper strips, about 3 layers deep. If you have time, allow the papier mache globe to dry between each layer, but if not, be sure it has several days to dry after it is completely covered.

3. Poke the balloon with a needle to pop.

4. Draw a pencil outline of the contents on it.

6. Paint the water blue and the continents green or whatever color you wish.

(we made these out of old maps and sea shells and pistachio shells.)

We talked about land and water and the variety God has made. Which went right along with the Bible truths we were discussing. We even went on a field trip in the rain to a near by river to discuss what a river looked like and get a visual of a smaller version of the overflowing Jordan River in Joshua 3 of the Bible where God held up the water so people could pass through.

We talked about where nations began (tower of babel - Genesis 11:1-9) and what they are.

One of the art projects we did below to represent the different people around the world....

Art Project: God filled the world people (bubble wrap painting)

You will need: cut out big circle from cardboard (old box), paint, paint brush, paint shirts, wet paper towels, bubble wrap.

Have them paint the bubble wrap with different colors then stamp the painted bubble wrap on the board. Discuss how God made so many people with different languages, cultures(ways they live), and different ways they look - these different groups of people are called: nations. Pray over the nations of the world.

A great matching game with different faces from around the world...

One of the biggest thoughts that stuck with Elijah were the stories and pictures of the street children around world. Page 36-37 of this book (one of my favs).

Each day we go to our map and pray over the world. He prayed so sincerely for the "children that sleep on the streets" and has every day since mentioned them in his prayers.... i already see God giving Him His compassion for the people of the world.

i really love teaching my boys. i guess we are teaching them all of the time whether it is proactive or not... they are such sponges and are watching everything we say and do...really makes you evaluate yourself...... hmmmm.... scary. :)

(where we post his work from the different subjects He is studying)

simply heroic

2011-08-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

i love being the hero... rescuing someone in need... loving someone sacrificially. It is fun for me... i think it is the Jesus in me that makes me that way.

He is our rescuer... and what a great way to show someone Jesus' love than to rescue them.

But very rarely do i get rescued by heros.... i don't really know why. Maybe it is my independent spirit or the untrue philosophy in my mind that thinks "i can do it all" even though i know i can never really do it all (what is that called???? oh yeah... PRIDE). It also could be because i hate inconveniencing someone else even though i know i need the help and it is hard for me to see that i am in over my head at times.

This past two weeks... i have been on the receiving end of the rescuing and it feels amazing.

There is a little part of me feels a little guilty for not doing in all with just Christ and me but most of me thinks it is amazing ...............and i really feel Christ rescuing me through the people willing to sacrificially love me. I feel His love through them.

a superhero is someone who notices someone needs help and then does whatever it takes to help them with joy. Someone who sacrifices them self to help another. Jesus is our example and gives us strength to be a superhero.

Thank you to my mom and Kelly... my superheros this week. Thank you for rescuing me. I needed it so desperately! Thank you for noticing i needed it and loving me like Christ does.

questions and competition

2011-08-20T06:06:00.000-07:00

and so it begins ......the last 3 weeks my 4 year old as been into one of the above every other sentence.

even while i am typing he just asked me..."Where do doggies poop at, mommy?" i have been you-tubing videos to answer most of his questions recently but i think i will pass on this one. i do have a good book on the subject though. Definitely recommended for the younger crowd especially the ones a little fearful of the potty.

Any who .. earlier this week we you tubed the anatomy of the whole human body. In which i actually learned some things as well. That was a result of the first question of. "How does my food break down in my tummy, mommy?" which then led to about 10 other questions.

The amazing part is how much he is remembering. When quizzed last night by one of his aunts he did quite well of explaining the inner parts of our bodies and what they do. I was very impressed.

And if he is not questioning something He is competing.... with everything.....

"i have more eggs on my plate than you do", "i am going to beat you putting on my shoes", "i can go faster", "i am bigger" etc. etc.

Jeriah of course would never know he is missing anything except that his brother is now pointing out every lack... the sibling rivalry is amplifying to a new level. :) Oh yay.....

So today Mawmaw and Pawpaw have the boys on an adventure i am am about to buckle down to put together and understand myself all Elijah's preschool curriculum. I am not sure if we will keep with the home school... i see pros to all types of schooling... but this year since it is incredibly cheaper and He is such a sponge... mommy is going to try her first attempt at home schooling.

Now, as you know, i love teaching the Bible... it is phonics i am a little intimidated by. Pray for me today if you think about... i need creativity, wisdom, and organizational skills. i am excited about the Holy Spirit working through me to teach these little ones.

Who is God Day 6 and 7: God is Creator

2011-08-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

these little builders are learning that God is our builder..

Day 6: God made you

God has looked deep into your heart and knows everything about you. He knows when you sit down and when you stand up. He knows all your thoughts.

He sees you when you are at home and when you to far away places. He knows everything you do. He even knows what you are going to say before you say it. He goes ahead of you and behind you. He gives you good gifts.

You can never run away from God. Wherever you go He is. From the wings of the morning to the farthest ocean He will be there. He will guide you and His strength will make you strong. Even if you hid in a dark place He still knows where you are. Darkness and light are the same to Him.

He made all the little parts of you in your mommy’s womb and He did a marvelous job! Only He saw you before you were born. Only He knows what every day of your life will bring. He laid out every moment even before time began.

His thoughts about you are so many that they cannot be numbered. They are more than grains of sand on the earth!

He is with you when you wake up and go to sleep. He knows your heart and all of your thoughts. Let Him keep you from evil and lead you along His path.

Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24

Day 7: God’s BIG plan

As look we around the world we discover that there are busy people somewhere doing something both in the day and in the night. The world does not stop. We also see that no one can discover everything that God is doing. Not even the wisest people, no matter what they say. God never stops.

Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. He was there before anything was created and is the boss over all of creation. Through Him God created everything in the heavens and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see like rulers and kingdoms of the unseen world.

He existed before anything else and He holds all of creation together. Jesus is the leader of all of the people that choose to follow Him. It is like He is the head and all the people who follow Him make up His body. He is first in everything. God in all of His fullness was happy to live in Christ and through Christ make an opportunity so that all of man can come back into relationship with Him. God made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by Jesus’ blood on the cross. This includes you! You are separated from God because you disobey God in your thoughts and in what you do or don’t do. You are God’s enemy. But now, because Jesus died and rose again you can choose to follow Jesus and have a relationship with God that created you. When you choose to follow Jesus, ask God to forgive you and make Him boss of your life you can be God’s close friend and when He looks at you He see you perfect through what Jesus did for you on the cross.

His big plan is that you become His forever friend and follow Him all the days of your life.

Ecclesiastes 8:16-17, Colossians 1:15-22

All of creation praises Him

Psalm 148

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars! Praise him, skies above! Praise him, vapors high above the clouds! Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being. He set them in place forever and ever. His decree will never be revoked. Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds, kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, young men and young women, old men and children. Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! He has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!

Art Project: Play Dough Self Statues

Verse: O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Lesson: God own hade made us very unique. He made no one in the world just like us. He is our Potter. Let’s make little statues from clay/play dough that look like us and think about the wonderful way God made us.

Side Lesson: Identify the body parts and talk about the unique shape of their nose or ears and the unique color of their skin or hair, etc. Remind them that God made them that way and He said it was wonderful.

You will need: Play dough (recipe below) and a flat surface.

Directions: Form your statue and let dry over night.

To make non-cook play dough

You will need: 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/4 cup salt (4 tablespoons), 1/2 cup water, 1-2 tablespoons flour (if needed), food coloring

Directions:

This recipe is fun and safe to make with your child. In a bowl, add 1 1/4 cups flour and salt. Mix. Add the water and some food coloring together. Mix. Place in the flour mixture. Mix together with a spoon (or your hands). If it is too sticky, add more flour. Store in covered container or a sealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. It won’t last as long as cooked or store bought play dough.

Activity: Stuffed Animal War

Verse: With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of mine to anyone I choose. Jeremiah 27:5

Lesson: With God’s GREAT strength He made the earth and all of its people and animals.

You will need: all the soft stuffed animals in your home.

Directions: Read the verse and discuss the lesson. With our strength we are going to have an animal war The goal is to throw as many stuffed animals as you can find at someone. You can hide if you want. This is a good bed time activity to wear out keyed up kids. Make up and explain the rules: Location -Only in this or that room or the throughout the whole house. Where to throw them - only at people, possibly not at faces, and possibly not at things or wall with fragile things on them. Time – Have a time limit (5 minutes). This is a great lights out game for older kids. Lights out may be dangerous for younger children.

Who is God? DAY 4 and 5

2011-07-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

DAY 4: Job questioned God

This day was fun for the boys because they had the opportunity to color the 2 dinosaurs that the Bible mentions specifically while I read the text.... please go here for the text.

DAY 5:We can Trust the Creator God

God’s majestic name fills the earth! If we were to measure the His greatness it would be higher than the stars. God taught children and babies tell of His strength and make God’s enemies afraid of Him.

When we look at the night sky we see the work of His fingers which set the moon and the stars in their place. Why would this big wonderful God even think or care about us? Yet He does. He loves us and crowns us with honor. He makes us in charge of all of His creation. All of the animals, birds, fish, and everything in the sea from the smallest to the largest.

Like the stars in the night sky and all of creation we can make His name known. The stars speak without a sound proclaiming to the whole world God’s wonderfulness. The Sun bursts with great heat and light that no one can hide from. It shouts to the world how wonderful God is. God simple words made the skys, the stars, and the universe. With His words He locked the seas and the ocean with the land. With His simple command the world began and everyone in the world should be in awe of Him.

God’s plans last forever and cannot be shaken. God looks at us from heaven and sees every single person in the world! He watches each of us. He made our hearts so he understands everything we do. We should put our whole trust in Him. The greatest army can’t save a king nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. You can’t count on anything to save you but God. God watches over people who fear Him, people who depend on His unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive during hard times. We can trust in God’s unfailing love and make His name know to everyone in the world just as the stars in the sky do.

Psalm 8, Psalm 19:1-6, Psalm 33:6-19, Isaiah 66:1-2

Art Project: Star Art

Verse: He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! Psalm 147:4-5 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. Psalm 102:25

Lesson: God know the number of all the stars in the universe and has a name for every one! HE IS AMAZING!

Time: 5 minutes

You will need: Tooth pick, black construction paper

Description: Take the tooth pick and poke small holes all throughout the paper. If you place a thick towel under the paper and poke the holes through the top it works a little easier. Afterwards hold the picture up to a light in a dark room or a window in a dark room and observe your stars in the sky. Count them together and then reflect on how many stars that God created and how great He is!

Activity: Life giving Hike or Walk

Verse: God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. Isaiah 42:5 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Psalm 24:1-2

Lesson: God gave us the air we need to breath and to live and walk His beautiful earth! He made everything and everything belongs to HIM!

You will need: a safe place to walk or hike

Time: 20 minutes or more.

Directions: Before you start your walk or hike, read the verses and discuss the lesson. As you are walking point out interesting things God made and thank Him for them. Maybe bring a bucket to collect. Ask the children what if “_____” belongs to God. And remind them that everything belongs to Him.

Activity: Building a BIG Box house

Verse: For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Hebrews 3:4 He is the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. Ephesians 3:15

Lesson: Who has built everything? God did! We can build many things in our life time but never as many as God has built. Name 10 things that God has made!

Side Lesson: This is an opportunity to learn basic engineering skills. Talk about what boxes to stack where in order for the house to be build strongly and let them try and retry building their house.

You will need: 15 to 30 boxes both big and small (you can use cereal boxes, diaper boxes, or boxes from your recyclable bin), tape

Directions: People build house but God is the builder of everything. He made the trees that made what it takes to make these boxes. Build a strong house for you to play in with the boxes and tape provided.

Elijah made a home in India for the children with out mommies and daddies.. we even had to get on an airplane to go to India. :) Very cool!

madly in love with my husband

2011-07-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons why i am madly in love with my husband but i think one of the aspects of him that makes me giddy and head over hills is His passion for God and for showing and sharing God's love with the world.

I remember the first time i noticed him. I was visiting home for a "missions" conference at my church in Virginia and He was on the stage praying. As he prayed for Afghanistan he became overwhelmed with tears.

I remember looking up and thinking who is this guy who has God's compassion for people?? He rocks! I want to pray with Him.

I remember telling my friends, whom thought i would never get married, that if God wanted me to marry that He would have to just show me. I wasn't into the dating thing. They teased that i was looking for a lighting bolt from God and that it didn't work that way. I even remember hearing a few tell me i had to let my exceptions of what would be a great husband to me down that the man that i would want wasn't out there.

But i was content in being single the rest of my life verses settling in a marriage just to be married.

Then this man stepped into my world like a lighting bolt from God we both just knew from one conversation after a week of hanging out that God had us for each other. He said he was reading my newsletters months before and really felt God talking to him about me, even though he really didn't even know me.

It wasn't but 2 short months after that that we were engaged and 4 months after that we were married.

He has more than i could have ever asked God for and things i have needed that i didn't even know i needed.

To all you singles out there God is definitely the best matchmaker...and if I threaten to match make you ... just remind me of that!! :)

Trusting Him with everything produces the best results.

I thank God for this humble and passionate leader, friend and lover HE gave to me. I also thank God that He gave Jonathan supernatural patience to deal with my ridiculous pregnancy mood swings. God please help us all through that... he he!

On May 31st we celebrated our 8th year of marriage. Each year we hold up a sign that with words that describe the greatest thing that God has taught us throughout that year. This year it was "God's love = action". :)

Who is God? DAY 3:God made everything wonderful

2011-07-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

Day 3: God made everything wonderful

Psalm 104 (just pure scripture not even paraphrased i think it is a beautiful understandable illustration for little ones)

Let all that I am praise the Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty. You are dressed in a robe of light. You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens; you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds. You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind. The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants.

You placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved. You clothed the earth with floods of water, water that covered even the mountains. At your command, the water fled; at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away. Mountains rose and valleys sank to the levels you decreed. Then you set a firm boundary for the seas, so they would never again cover the earth.

You make springs pour water into the ravines, so streams gush down from the mountains. They provide water for all the animals, and the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds nest beside the streams and sing among the branches of the trees. You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home, and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor. You cause grass to grow for the livestock and plants for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth, wine to make them glad, olive oil to soothe their skin, and bread to give them strength. The trees of the Lord are well cared for, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. There the birds make their nests, and the storks make their homes in the cypresses. High in the mountains live the wild goats, and the rocks form a refuge for the hyraxes.

You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. You send the darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals prowl about. Then the young lions roar for their prey, stalking the food provided by God. At dawn they slink back into their dens to rest. Then people go off to their work, where they labor until evening. O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. See the ships sailing along, and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea. They all depend on you to give them food as they need it. When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied. But if you turn away from them, they panic. When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust. When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord continue forever! The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made! The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains smoke at his touch. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! May all my thoughts be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let all sinners vanish from the face of the earth; let the wicked disappear forever. Let all that I am praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Art Project: Shaping the Mountains

Verse: For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Amos 4:13

Lesson: God is all powerful He shaped the biggest mountains in the world and made things so small that we can’t even see them with our eyes! He loves us so much that He shares His thoughts with us through His creation and His word, the Bible!

You will need: piece of card board (you can cut from an old box) no bigger than 14 x14 inches, paint brushes, tape, water, small bowl, scissors, craft glue, 4 white sheets of paper, scrap paper, water color or acrylic paint.

Directions: Have your child look at pictures or local mountains and chose what they want to shape their mountain or mountains like. Wad up the scrap paper into at least 4 wads and tape around them making them a little firmer. Tape the wads of paper onto the card board shaping it in to one or two mountains as they prefer. Squeeze 2 tablespoons of glue in the small bowl and add one table spoon of water. Using the paint brush, brush the white paper and over lay it on to the wads of paper shaping it still into the desired mountain shape. Talk about how God shaped every mountain in the world.. Let dry. Wash out your paint brush. After the mountains are dry, paint the mountain in the desired way.

Activity: Sun Rise, Sunset, and Star Gazing

Verse: It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into morning and day into night. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name! Amos 5:8

Lesson: God made the earth to rotate around the sun and the moon to rotate around the earth making day and night. God made the rain from the waters in the seas. Only He could do this.

Side Lesson: This is a great opportunity for a science lesson God’s creation of the universe and our place in it.

You will need: Time (takes about 5 to 20 minutes), possibly an alarm clock and a blanket. If this is a winter, spring, or fall activity it will give you a shorter day and you won’t have to wake up so early. It also may work better for your family if you observe each on a different day.

Directions: Before the sun comes up gather your child and a blanket and go outside, if you are in a city a safe building roof top might be best. Sit on your blanket and watch the sun rise. At sun set the same day go back to your spot reminding your child that God created the earth to rotate around the sun and watch the sun go down. Come back to your spot a little later after it is dark and watch the stars together and talk about the creator of all of these things and thank Him together for His creation and His wondrous plan for the universe.

We just ending up going camping tonight in our backyard and watched the sunset, and the stars... and well uh... we were suppose to watch the sunrise... but after the second time this preggo moma had to run in to the potty, misquotes, and the air mattress completely deflating.... i gave up and carried both sleeping little men in... i know...... i am a wimp. My goal is to wake up early and bring Elijah outside for the sunrise... we will see....

We did have fun though.. funny bunnying, acting like wild monkeys, swinging under the stars, wrestling, hide and seeking, counting the stars, and making scary noises.. i love my boys!! We even talked about how God knew the name of every star... and Elijah said he didn't know their names but if he could name them he would name most of them "wigdy wigdy". ; )

The coolest thing about doing all of these activities, art projects, and story time together is that Elijah always looks up at me and tells me he loves me when we are in the middle of it.... it is like he knows i am doing it all because i love him and it makes him feel special.

Also a very cool thing ......on the days i do the special activity, art project or story times... HE BEHAVES!!! No need for any punishment at all throughout the day!! I think maybe because he is getting that special one on one attention he needs from mommy and also because the power of GOD's word that we are studying. It is like his little heart is getting how wonderful the One who created it is.

Who is God? DAY 2 - God's word's create

2011-07-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

Day two of learning who God is. :) We made a cool wall book... the bigger the better!

Day 2: God's words Create

In the beginning, before anything else was, God was. God’s words created everything and nothing was created without them. God’s words gave life to everything that was created. God’s life brought light of truth and understanding to everyone. This light shines in the darkness of confusion and the darkness can never make God’s light go away.

At the very start of creation God made the heavens and the earth. The world was empty and darkness covered the deep waters. The spirit of God hovered over the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light” and there was light. God saw that the light was good. Then He separated the light from the darkness and called the light "day" and the darkness "night."

On the second day of creation God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” It happened and God called the space “sky.”

On the third day of creation God said, “Let the waters under the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” It happened and God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the land sprout with plants and trees with seeds that produce more of the same plants and tree.” It happened and God saw that it was good.

On the fourth day God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them mark off the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” God made two great lights the sun and the moon. He also made the stars. God saw that it was good.

On the fifth day God said, “Let the waters fill with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind. Let them make lots of baby fish and birds that will grow like them.” God saw that it was good.

On the sixth day God said, “Let there be every sort of animal and let them produce baby animals that will grow to be like them.” That is what happened and God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make peoplein our image, to be like us. They will rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals on the earth.” So God created people in his own image, both a man and a woman and told them to make babies who will grow like them and rule over the earth.

Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good!

John 1:1-5, Genesis 1

Art Project: His words Wall Book

Verses: John 1:1-5, Genesis 1 (i printed out my brief version of the story and taped it to the top of the wall book)

Lesson: God's words are powerful they speak and things happen. Let’s look at how His words created the universe and everything in it.

You will need: A long (8 to 12 feet) sheet of wide white paper (you could use the back of old wrapping paper or most office supply stores sell a huge role of it for around $12), glue, tape, markers, crayons, AND whatever other supplies you would like to use: scrap tissue paper (left over from parties), finger paint, old magazines to cut out pictures or the cut out pictures from the activity the day before, some kind of printed picture of what people think God might look like(or not your preference), leaves and flowers from your back yard, a few old pictures of your family, etc. Let your kids help in the creativity… they are amazing.

Directions: Read each paragraph one at a time and discuss the meaning or what God did on that day. Then color, paint, and glue an illustration of that day. Talk about the power of His words.

God is wonderful

2011-07-25T17:08:00.000-07:00

This week we started our "God is" study.... we = my little people and i.

The first week we are looking at is "God is creator" using all the passages and verses in the Bible (or almost all) that show us this.

i am giddy about the study.. i think Elijah gets a little confused on who God is at times...and i still obviously am as well at times. This week we are opening our hearts to His words and our eyes to His creation and letting him teach us who He is.

Because i am not an illustrator, they color in pictures found on the web that i make into coloring pages (free downloadable program - Kodak Easy Share) while i read the story.... a little visual helps the munchkins process.

This week we are also doing art projects and activities that teach us about our creator God. Today's lesson and activity are below if you want to join us as He teaches us about Himself.

(if you want my coloring pages just comment/email me and i will send you the PDF of this weeks pages)

Today: GOD IS WONDERFUL

God is not like people. He does not lie. He does not change His mind. He always keeps His promises and does what He says He will do. He is without fault. God is pure and can’t even stand the sight of evil! He is perfect!

God’s ways, thoughts, and plans are so much bigger than ours. We can’t possible understand Him or His ways, thoughts and plans. God always was and forever will be. He is the creator of time and is not limited by time as people are. Before God made the mountains, before He even made the world He was. God is three persons; the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all in one wonderful being.

One day some religious men came to Jesus and told him He was filled will the devil because of the miracles He had been doing and the many people that were following Him.

Jesus replied, “ I am not filled with the devil. Why do you call me names? I make my Dad, God, famous. He seeks people to know Him. He is the judge of good and evil. I am telling you the truth if you follow My words you will live forever with Me."

The religious men were angry. They replied, “You are demon possessed! Everyone dies even great men of God, yet you say if anyone follows your words they won’t die. Do you think you are greater than these great men of God who died? Who do you think you are?”

Jesus replied, “I am not making myself famous, but the God you say that you follow is making Me famous. You don’t even know Him, but I do. I know Him and keep His word. These great men of God you talk about saw Me and looked forward to the day I was to be born and live here. They knew I was coming.”

The religious men were confused, “You are not even 50 years old and yet you say these great men of God from long ago have seen you?!”

Jesus replied, “ I am telling you the truth, before these great men were even born I am”

The men were angry. They knew Jesus was telling them that He was God. They tried to hurt Jesus, but He escaped.

The truth is that God; the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have always been and always will be. God is wonderful!

Numbers 23:19, Habakkuk 1:12a,13a, Romans 11:33-34,^{Deut 6:4,}^{Mk 12:29,}1 Timothy 2:5, Matthew 28:19, Genesis 1:26a (versus with God referring to himself as “us” - Genesis 1:1; 3:22; 11:7; Isaiah 6:8, 48:16, 61:1;Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Father is God (John 6:27; Romans 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2). The Son is God (John 1:1, 14; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 3:16). Revelation 1:8, Psa 90:2, John 8: 48-58

Activity: Sorting the variety

Verse: O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

Lesson: Look at all of the different varieties of things God has made… notice how each is so unique and special. God is amazing!!

You will need: Old magazines, scissors (safe ones for the little ones)

Directions: Go through the magazines together finding animals, insects, reptiles, fish, sea animals, and birds. Cut each one out. Discuss the unique way God made each living thing. Keep the cut out pictures to use for tomorrow's Art Project.

Elijah's Birthday Month

2011-07-22T21:31:00.000-07:00

Elijah, my now four year old, was running around the house today singing happy birthday to himself. It is really understandable that he thinks that his birthday hasn't ended yet considering how many celebrations he has had.

Before we left for Florida we had a celebration with family and a few friends. Elijah has always been a train fan... and like all birthday celebrations in the Grooms' home we have a tradtional theme verse for the celebration. To my surprise "train" is in the Bible so a train party it was.

We had train cookies for party favors... notice our theme verse.

We had a Train Birthday Cookie cake.

We had Train decorations.

We even celebrated with a picnic at a local park where trains drive by throughout the day and there is a big red caboose to climb on.

Also in our family tradition we had a special time of prayer over Elijah. And recorded in his book some of the things people prayed for him. So sweet.

All of that fun was on the 9th... but we left for FL that day, on the 10th he went to a church in Jacksonville who just so happened to be celebrating everyone's birthday so there were cupcakes, a bucket, and sidewalk chalk for everyone.

On the 12th, his actual birthday, he woke up to this.....

Played hard at the beach all day....

cuddled with daddy....

and woke up from his afternoon nap to this...

saw God's "birthday" rainbow on the beach for him...

and even witnessed some late night "birthday" fireworks!

Also later that week at Rick and Rasha's we sang the song again and had cupcakes and he played all day in his new pool...

Elijah is a curious 4 year old. Who currently loves to tie up any type of ribbon, string, or rope to about anything... i am constantly walking in a room and finding something tied together that shouldn't be. He is smart, brave, and creative.

He still talks about his "office"... where everything thing is somehow better. He loves crafts, projects, reading books, playing outside, the water hose, and still notices every "bob, bob" (form of heavy machinery). He is excited about His new brother or sister and i think still thinks that he or she may come out brown since we had been talking about our little Africa baby for so long. He has actually mentioned several times he wants "too many" sister's and brothers. :)

My prayer for Elijah is 1 Timothy 4:7 that he would not listen to silly thoughts or argue over silly things but instead train himself to think like God and be like God. Most of all i pray that he sees Jesus for who He really is at a young age and falls madly in love with Him!

Jeriah and Elijah's list

2011-07-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

We just got back from spending about 2 weeks in Florida. We went there for camp with 5o some of our teens from our church and tagged on visits with friends and family with an opportunity for Jonathan to speak at our friend's church in Kissimmee.

Here are Elijah and Jeriah's top 10 reasons why FL is fun:

1. Christian and Aliya's ducks

2. Christian and Aliya's dogs too!

3. the beach

4. Louie

5. Rick and Rasha

6. the coolest free parks

7. Dinosaurs

8. Aunt Lynda

9. Story time with Jesus

10. finding lizards

simple summer blessings ...

2011-07-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

10. sidewalk chalk roads

9. the water hose and sand box

8. catching lighting bugs in jars and making the liveliest night light there is.

7. Popsicle on the porch

6. Yummy garden benefits (pic from May when we planted it together)

5. time with the neighbors

6. mud puddle making and swimming in them

7. hikes by the water

8. the pool

9. ice cream at Bratchers

10. the beach

questioning God

2011-07-22T15:22:00.001-07:00

So i have been a bit moody lately... it could be pregnancy or it could be that i am just a selfish prideful being.... or the combo. I have been questioning God about a lot of things...basically not being content and wondering why on so many things...

going to the nations, mothering the orphaned and abandoned, etc, etc,

Today i was working on a new study to teach my boys. It is the "Who is God?" study... anyway i am in the first week talking about our creator God and one of the passages i am reading through hit me like a ton of bricks... so i thought i would share God's all powerful words in case anybody else has been questioning the Creator.

Job questions his Creator God

Job 38; 39; 40:1-2, 6-24; 41

There once was a man named Job who was suffering greatly and in his pain He questioned God.

So God in a whirlwind responded to Job with questions. He said, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angelsshouted for joy? Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop! Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness? As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors. The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence. Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know! Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced! Have you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail? I have reserved them as weapons for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war. Where is the path to the source of light? Where is the home of the east wind? Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning? Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? Who sends rain to satisfy the parched ground and make the tender grass spring up? Does the rain have a father? Who gives birth to the dew? Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes. Can you direct the movement of the stars binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth? Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods? Can you stalk prey for a lioness and satisfy the young lions’ appetites as they lie in their dens or crouch in the thicket? Who provides food for the ravens when their young cry out to God and wander about in hunger? Do you know when the wild goats give birth? Have you watched as deer are born in the wild? Do you know how many months they carry their young? Are you aware of the time of their delivery? They crouch down to give birth to their young and deliver their offspring. Their young grow up in the open fields, then leave home and never return. Who gives the wild donkey its freedom? Who untied its ropes? I have placed it in the wilderness; its home is the wasteland. It hates the noise of the city and has no driver to shout at it. The mountains are its pastureland, where it searches for every blade of grass. Will the wild ox consent to being tamed? Will it spend the night in your stall? Can you hitch a wild ox to a plow? Will it plow a field for you? Given its strength, can you trust it? Can you leave and trust the ox to do your work? Can you rely on it to bring home your grain and deliver it to your threshing floor? The ostrich flaps her wings grandly, but they are no match for the feathers of the stork. She lays her eggs on top of the earth, letting them be warmed in the dust. She doesn’t worry that a foot might crush them or a wild animal might destroy them. She is harsh toward her young, as if they were not her own. She doesn’t care if they die. For God has deprived her of wisdom. He has given her no understanding. But whenever she jumps up to run, she passes the swiftest horse with its rider. Have you given the horse its strength or clothed its neck with a flowing mane? Did you give it the ability to leap like a locust? Its majestic snorting is terrifying! It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength when it charges out to battle. It laughs at fear and is unafraid. It does not run from the sword. The arrows rattle against it, and the spear and javelin flash. It paws the ground fiercely and rushes forward into battle when the ram’s horn blows. It snorts at the sound of the horn. It senses the battle in the distance. It quivers at the captain’s commands and the noise of battle. Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle rises to the heights to make its nest? It lives on the cliffs, making its home on a distant, rocky crag. From there it hunts its prey, keeping watch with piercing eyes. Its young gulp down blood. Where there’s a carcass, there you’ll find it.

Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you. Take a look at Behemoth (Argentinosaurus), which I made, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. Its tail is as strong as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God’s handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it. The mountains offer it their best food, where all the wild animals play. It lies under the lotus plants, hidden by the reeds in the marsh. The lotus plants give it shade among the willows beside the stream. It is not disturbed by the raging river, not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it. No one can catch it off guard or put a ring in its nose and lead it away.

Can you catch Leviathan (Elasmosaurus)with a hook or put a noose around its jaw? Can you tie it with a rope through the nose or pierce its jaw with a spike? Will it beg you for mercy or implore you for pity? Will it agree to work for you to be your slave for life? Can you make it a pet like a bird, or give it to your little girls to play with? Will merchants try to buy it to sell it in their shops? Will its hide be hurt by spears or its head by a harpoon? If you lay a hand on it, you will certainly remember the battle that follows. You won’t try that again! No, it is useless to try to capture it. The hunter who attempts it will be knocked down. And since no one dares to disturb it, who then can stand up to me? Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine. I want to emphasize Leviathan’s limbs and its enormous strength and graceful form. Who can strip off its hide, and who can penetrate its double layer of armor? Who could pry open its jaws? For its teeth are terrible! Its scales are like rows of shields tightly sealed together. They are so close together that no air can get between them. Each scale sticks tight to the next. They interlock and cannot be penetrated. When it sneezes, it flashes light! Its eyes are like the red of dawn. Lightning leaps from its mouth; flames of fire flash out. Smoke streams from its nostrils like steam from a pot heated over burning rushes. Its breath would kindle coals, for flames shoot from its mouth.The tremendous strength in Leviathan’s neck strikes terror wherever it goes. Its flesh is hard and firm and cannot be penetrated. Its heart is hard as rock, hard as a millstone.When it rises, the mighty are afraid, gripped by terror. No sword can stop it, no spear, dart, or javelin. Iron is nothing but straw to that creature, and bronze is like rotten wood. Arrows cannot make it flee. Stones shot from a sling are like bits of grass. Clubs are like a blade of grass, and it laughs at the swish of javelins. Its belly is covered with scales as sharp as glass. It plows up the ground as it drags through the mud. Leviathan makes the water boil with its commotion. It stirs the depths like a pot of ointment. The water glistens in its wake, making the sea look white. Nothing on earth is its equal, no other creature so fearless. Of all the creatures, it is the proudest. It is the king of beasts.”

BANG.... no more questions today from me, God.

test of trust

2011-07-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

God has a tendency of changing my plans frequently. i know He is the Awesome God who created the universe so most of the time i am pretty accepting of His plan and walk down His path for me with trust.

But every now and then He asks me for a plan that i don't want to give up. He asks for something dear and doesn't even tell me why i have to give it up.

i would like to say I just look my creator in the face and say whatever You want...

but this time i have really thrown a fit, fussed, grieved deeply, and then finally just the last few days... i am walking into a place where i am looking my all wise creator in the face saying, "God, i don't understand why You would ask this of me, but i know You, and You do love me and Your plan is always better so yes I chose to trust You."

A few weeks ago 2 very surprising things happened. We received our first referral (picture and information of a child in need of a family to adopt them) and discovered we are pregnant (and i am not talking paper pregnant).

Of course we wanted both miracles but we knew our agency may not want us for this child. You see our agency has set rules about pregnancy and adoption. So of course we were taking the "regular" precautions in order to adopt...but God worked through that less than 1% (nothing can stop His will)and to our surprise there is a precious little one growing.

We didn't know what God was up to, but we knew we needed to try for this precious little one that was referred to us. If we accepted and they would have approved us, it would take about a year and a half for us to get to her). Even if we hadn't received a referral we didn' t want to stop the adoption process. We feel very passionate about growing our family through adpoting a child without a family. Adoption is God's heart, putting the fatherless in families is His passion .. and perhaps He would move mountains for us.

So we fought "adoption style" with around 7 notarized letters stating our desire and capability of showing this child the love and care she so desperately needed even though we were having another child from friends and family. But in the end they said no and we are currently on hold with them.

i know it all seems so selfish...i am sure some would say we should just be grateful for the miracle inside of us...and we are so very much. But our hearts have experienced a great loss...the life outside of us is so very real to us..even if i wouldn't have seen a face, we know we would feel the same.

But the big picture is that God knows, He could have moved the mountains, He still can, but He has a different plan of how and when this child will come to us..and His plans are always better no matter how temporarily painful they are. We know He will provide this little girl with a family. We trust Him with our future adopted children and we do rejoice in this little miracle in my womb due February 2nd. We are excited to meet this little one.

trust

2011-07-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

trust is being able to say, "God, even though i have no idea what you have in store, i am going to say yes to what you have asked me to do."

Sometimes trust results in something happening that i didn't expect or even thought i wanted, sometimes the results of trust are hard. Though i know He knows all things and He has what is best in His eyes in store... it is still hard in my weak selfish and prideful heart to be grateful for the outcome.

And then sometimes trust results in something way more amazing than i could imagine, like it did over a week ago in our lives.

God has been convicting me over my materialism and emphasis on things that will fade away for a while now. At the beginning of the year we felt like we were to sell a lot of our stuff that will fade away and start living more simply. We also felt like God was leading us to sell enough stuff to by a clean water well for a village in desperate need for someone to show them God's love in this way. Did you know 2.2 billion children under 5 die every year because of sickness and diseases related to lack of clean water. It takes about $2,500 to build a water well in India through GPPD.

Anyway, so we started the process selling stuff on Amazon, Ebay, and Craigslist... it began to take a lot of time and since spending too much time on stuff is one of the things that i have been convicted about we decided we needed to make a different plan.

So we planned to have a sale where we could sale our things and other people could donate things as well and specify one of 5 causes for the monies to go to. We made plans to collect the items on Monday through Wednesday and sell them on Thursday through Saturday, June 20th—25th. We called the event PROCEEDS FOR POVERTY. If you go to www.gpartners.org you can read more about the event.

Neither one of us knew what to expect we would have just been glad to get rid of our things. On that Monday we were overwhelmed when we saw the generosity of so many people from our community and our church, the whole Student center was full and we had 2 more days to receive things.

We had passed out over thousands of flyers that were generously donated to us and had signs all over Roanoke but we knew that we need more promotions to sale all of this stuff. God provided again… on Wednesday Channel 10 and 7, our local news, showed up to interview us and kept showing blurbs throughout the weekend every day.

On Thursday, the first day of the sale, to our surprise, there was a line of people waiting. Hundreds of people rushed through the doors in the first 2 hours making us over $4,400. We were overwhelmed by God!

God loves people so much He will rescue the poor and those in need. That is HIS promise and we were witnessing it in action.

From this 3 day event we raise over $16,000!! 100% of the money will go towards building a home for orphaned and abandoned children, helping to finish a school in the slums of Port-au-Prince, Haiti (which will effect around 300 children), and building 4 clean water wells in 4 villages which will effect around 20,000 people who do not have access to clean water. We also have enough to feed 30 children for one month and provide 5 families the tools and training needed to start a sewing businesses and provide for their family for a life.

To see the tangible results go to www.gpartners.org in the upcoming months as we go and record the people and effects of Roanoke’s generosity, our churches passion, and what God is doing!

We had no idea.... we just said yes Lord, we will obey. And to be real with you there is a lot more we could live without in this house. I know the refining is still in progress and i am excited about walking down His path and just being to see things through His eyes.

have you ever heard of a kid and his ....

2011-06-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

..imaginary office?

For the last 4 months my oldest boy has had one. Everything is quite grand there from the views to the transportation to the toys and food... everyday.... he describes new and exciting things about his "office".

At first, i admit, i was a little annoyed after a month straight of every time we get in the car him insisting on visiting this said "office"... and demanding directions from the back seat...and the utter disappointment when we arrive back at home without visiting it.

I mean how could i visit his "office" ???? It takes a car going "right and then left and then right and then straight and then left and then right...(and well you know)" and an airplane, and a boat, and i am sure at one time there was a helicopter involved?!

Also for a time i was annoyed when i told him not to do something or to do something it would assuredly be followed with "well i don't do that at my office" or "at my office i do that". i did find a way to cure that one. "Well dear, you shouldn't do it at your office either it is dangerous/rude/not nice there as well". Which usually puts him in his deep thought mode.

Now, it has become constant daily humor in our household, discovering new things about this "office".

Somehow, like always. i see God teaching me a lesson through my little one. = We should do everything here that we would do there, and not do things here that we would not do there. ... For a long time my "office" has been somewhere else in the world (around 20 years really since i new i wanted to live in a mud hut in Africa or straw loft in the Maldives).... but i am here... in the ol' VA... and i am learning to not only be content but be here fully... without always dreaming about my "office".

He has been asking me... why aren't you doing what you dream about doing at your "office" here in the ol' VA?

Big stuff! hmmm... anyway...

here is a blurb of a muffled conversation from my almost 4 year old about his office.

poor laundry...

2011-06-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

...you have been sitting in my room in piles on the floor, all washed, all dried..... for the last 5 days...every now and then thrown around in search for a treasure like ....clean underwear.

....poor dishes who i think have molded to sink in which they have set all weekend.

....poor moma's eyes .....who have been open till the wee hours of the early morning thanks to strength from God and a little of this the last night..

but the kids are still alive, fed, and semi dressed at times, and the husband still has had dinner made and excitingly the new GPPD website is ALIVE!! And i know i said "alive" and not "live" you techy web people.... but i am pretty sure it might possibly have its own heartbeat.

So if you haven't ventured through our online world yet or you are one of those people that wonder what exactly we do... (really GOD is doing it... we and a bunch of other cool people, like you, are just joining Him in what He is already doing... loving people)... check it out...

P.S. If you want to be a donor for Proceeds for Poverty and need cause stickers to tag your stuff... you can register right there on that site!!

is GOD enough?

2011-06-01T03:49:00.000-07:00

It is hard to articulate what God is teaching me about my thinking over the past year. I know really there is hardly anything Christ like in me. And everyday i am in the word i see it more and more.

I know in my head that God is enough that He is all i need and want but i haven't been living that way i have been wanting so many other things, thinking if i had them i would be satisfied, happier. Of course they only bring a few minutes of thrill and they are nothing in comparison to a relationship with the living GOD!

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:9-10

I know the only thing that I really need/want is Him.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need/want. Psalm 23:1

i remember the first time i really understood what that verse was saying. i was in China with believers from the underground church. We had come with gifts for them. Some random things we had picked up at target on the way to the airport: a candle, a necklace, a journal.

When we got there we realized that everything they owned they could fit in a backpack. They were traveling, telling their people about Him. We quickly realized our gifts were a little silly so we asked them, "what do you need/want? Shoes, a new backpack?" they looked even more confused.. then one of them sitting across from me said... "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want"

I sank in my seat... all the other conversation in the room disappeared and those words echoed in my heart. I knew i needed to change and 10 years later (sadly)... i am ready to make that change.

So how do i teach this truth to my children and my "old thinkn" this in a society that constantly needs and wants the latest thing with advertisements and attitudes of wants and needs everywhere?

I honestly have no clue. I know they will see what we "want and need" and if Jesus really is all we want and need from our actions and words. So i guess that is step #1.

Step #2: Jesus used analogies to teach the crowds and you know me.. i am all about analogies. So this is the art/lesson we did today ( i would love more ideas - please comment them so others can use your God given creativity)....

Since i was making a cherry pie anyway (with yummy black heart cherries from my sister's trees). We used a sifter.

Things you will need: Kid, sifter, markers, paper, scissors, tissue paper/yarn (for hair flare), glue stick, tape.

1st we talked about who made him and how good God is as we made his face and taped it on the sifter.

2nd we talked about the verse "God is all we need" (Psalm 23:1) He made us to need Him more than anything else.

3rd we talked about some of the things we say we need or want on a daily basis = toys/food/big giant monster truck/etc. etc. We pretended that the flour was those things and we droped the flour in the sifter. We talked about how they looked like they filled us up and give us happiness.

4th we spun the sifter and we talked about how when we live life these the happiness these things give fads as they do. That food goes right through us give us a little strength but then we need more. That toys are fun for a little bit but they get old and broken and we forget about them. They all disappear... he looked in the sifter and it was empty (Elijah- "WOW - They're GONE, MOMMY" - i love kids amazement at the simple things)

After a couple goes at that...

5th we put the dough in the sifter "Elijah".. we talked about how Jesus fills us up and about how doesn't disapper like the rest of the stuff does.(took a few turns at spinning the sifter). We also talked about the fact that He created us to need and want Him more than anything else and He knows that only He can truly give us lasting happiness.

That is why people who love and know Him can say this verse and that is why He is all that we need...

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need/want. Psalm 23:1

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 1 Psalm 73:23-26

SMACK list

2011-05-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

i love my time in the mornings alone with God, my bible, and my journal. It is the source to my survival throughout the day!

this morning i was wide awake way earlier than i should have of been for going to bed so late. i knew it must have been Him waking me up ready to show me something. i went to my spot opening His words to read where i had left off yesterday.

Over a month ago i felt God reveling to me that i needed to read through Jesus' life and write down everything that Jesus did (all His actions, how He showed love) and all of His thoughts.

So i found my self in Matthew 22:24-40 which talks about the 2 greatest things we need to get in order to get life and Matthew 23:1-26 which talks about the religious leaders. So i started to list out Jesus' description of these "religious leaders" of His time.

Religious Leaders (official interpreters and teachers of God's law) look like:

they don't practice what they preach
they crush people with unbearable religious demands and "rules" and never lift a finger to ease the burden of these "rules"
everything they do is to show off or show others how good they are
they love to sit at the head of the table or seats of honor, they love to be exalted or honored by man
they shut the door to the Kingdom of Heaven in people's faces
they don't even go into the door themselves
they cross land and see to make a "convert" then they teach them to be twice the hypocrite they are.
they are more concerned about their fancy religious buildings than they are of the God that makes something/someone holy.
they are more concerned with the gifts given to God than God whom the gifts are for.
they are careful to tithe on everything they earn and receive but they ignore the most important aspects of God's law - Justice, Mercy, and Faith.
they cheat the poor then pretend to know God by making long prayers in public.
they are careful to APPEAR holy but inside they are filthy, full of greed and SELF-INDULGENCE!
on the outside they appear like people that do good and are right but inwardly their hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
they remember publicly the profits and martyrs of long ago that were obviously people sent by God. yet it was their ancestors, religious people like them that murdered and persecuted them.

While Jesus was describing them he said to them... "Woe to you, what sorrow awaits you! Hypocrites!"

Jesus told the crowds, "Don't follow them, Don't tell people what they preach, Don't obey what they teach, Don't think they are better....we are all equal, Don't call them father or teacher... you only have one "teacher,father" and that is Me. "

He also said how we can be like Him and not them, "If you want to be the greatest be a servant, a person who serves is the 'greatest'. Those who humble themselves will be exalted, those who exalt themselves will be humbled. First be concerned with the inside and wash it... then the outside will become clean too."

The question that came in to my mind after all of this and all that He has been showing me all year is..... which do i look more like? Like Jesus, the disciples, or the religious leaders?

SMACK!! Only God knows what's in our hearts! Our we really like Jesus?

Jesus, make me more like you, i want to love, serve and be like YOU!!!!

way bigger than us

2011-05-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

Constantly i am reminded that God's love and plan for people is way bigger than us and our biggest dreams.

Months ago in search for people who help the Romani (Gypsies) of Eastern Europe, Daniela discovered Global Partners and the work we are doing in Slovakia with the Romani people. Recently she started Yoy Dally, a non-profit organization, to raise awareness and funds to help the Romani people.

Her compassion for the Romani began in her childhood as she watched the discrimination of her Romani friend.

Last Night she hosted a Benefit in New York, New York where proceeds were given to help us, Global Partners in Peace and Development, help the Romani. This charity event included live Romani music by Vadim Kolpakov (who was the lead guitarist on tour with Madonna) , distinguished Romani speaker Dr. Petra Gelbart, the photography of Yan Yoors, a Roma-inspired fashion show introduced by Lotte Verbeek of “The Borgias” , the background spins of DJ Joro Boro and my favorite speaker and the most handsome man in the world, my hubby, Jonathan D. Grooms.

It was a huge success with around 250 guests. See our facebook page for more pic of the event.

The Romani have very difficult lives, many are discriminated against, most do not get an education and do not have job skills. In Slovakia more than 80% of them are unemployed. The Romani children are many times put in special ed classes simply because they are Romani.

Our desire for some time is to start a Romani Center in the Hore Hronie region of Slovakia. We believe that this project will not only help meet the basic needs the Romani people have today, but will truly help them in the years to come.

The purpose of the center would be to enable this new generation of Romani people to get out of the poverty cycle and build a life with meaning and true hope that comes from God.

This community center would be open daily, as a safe place for children to come, have fun, play sports, play music and learn. Classes would be given to meet the needs of adults and young adults to prepare them for life. Such as “How to manage finances”, “How to improve their health” (nutrition, hygiene - many Romani people are sick year after year due to lack of basic nutrition), “How to read.” (many are illiterate), basic work skills to get a job, and world view classes. The center would advise students and help keep them in school as well as teaching them practical vocational skills.

We praise God for what He is doing to show love to the Romani and i feel so humbled that we can be a part of humongous plan.

my little sprout

2011-05-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

God is so good to us. On May, 18th 2009 He blessed us with our second child, Jeriah Michael. Tuesday was his second birthday celebration of God's miracle and gift of his life and health.

Jeriah is my little thinker, my listener, my cuddler, my laugher, my "moma's boy"... he likes dirt, "bob bob's" (any heavy machinery including a riding lawn mower), bikes, slides, chocolate, his daddy and me. He has been all over the world in his little life and is a great traveler.

When i was thinking of him and what to do for his celebration... all that could come to mind was how much God was and is growing my little sprout. This verse seemed to fit well for a celebration theme.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7

So we had a tree for a cake...

And dirt for an additional dessert...

(2 instant chocolate pudding mixes, Oreo cookies crushed in a blender, edible candy grass, and gummy worms)

A big fresh salad with yummy garden veggies (notice the garden shovels)...

"Growing" games and projects... (God was watering our yard most of Jeriah's party so a lot of the games we did inside instead of outside).

GARDEN TREASURE HUNT (take pictures of growing things outside, the first child to bring all 5 items to you wins)

PLANTING VEGGIES (kids like dirt)

RAKE RACE (have 3 children's garden tools and some rocks or pine cone, they have 10 seconds to see who can rake the most up - they really liked this one)

Family and friends to join us...

Every celebration we invite people to come early and pray over the birthday boy. It was a sweet time this year. Jeriah sit so calmly in mawmaw's lap and let us pray.

Here are links to other themed birthday celebrations we have had.

God is our Builder theme

He is thinkn about me (sand) theme

It is such a great time to reflect and thank God for the precious life he has blessed us with.

Thoughts...

2011-05-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

For over a year God has been showing me that my thoughts are not like His thoughts...

and as i was reading this morning... what's in the heart is what can pollute a person not necessarily what is on the outside. (Matt.15:1-20)

In the book of Matthew from the Bible Jesus was pointing out, to the "religious people" , that they should not be so concerned about their outward stuff, the stuff other people can see, but more concerned about what is on the inside the stuff only God can see.

The heart is the source.

In my mornings, i have been looking through the words about Jesus and from Jesus in the Bible writing down His thoughts and His heart.... and the actions those thoughts produced in His life.

It has been a powerful evaluation of my heart... seeing His actions and then seeing my daily actions.... reading His thoughts and knowing my thoughts.... i have sadly found over and over again that i am not thinking and loving like He does.

i know He is doing something in me... and i am seeing a gradual change happen from the inside out.... but this is definite a major construction project.

i am so thankful for God's grace and patience in teaching this mislead, prideful, and selfish heart.

I did a little object lesson with the boys + 1 today... to share with them what He has been showing me.

I asked them which one they wanted to drink out of... and why..

of course they chose the one that looked clean on the outside. I talked about what God is teaching me... that i need not to be concerned with what is on the outside but let God help me clean up the inside (my heart and thoughts) and then and only then would the outside really be as it should.

I also throw in something else that He has been teaching me... that was very applicable to my "taddle tell" boys this morning. God is most concerned with your relationship with Him and Your heart.... so you need to do the same - be concerned with your own heart not everyone elses - and let Him be concerned about everyone else.

why is it so much easier to taddle tale on some else to God or point out someone else's stinkn' thinkn' than to focus on my own stinkn' thinkn'..... will i ever grow up?

Feast of Booths 2011

2011-05-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

Every year since the children were born we participate in a family tradition that well really started before Jesus was born.... Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles). It is a one week celebration that the Israelites began. They took time to remember all God's miraculous deeds and thank Him.

It is one of our favorite times during the year. It helps us to see His love and count our many blessings. Below are the details and a brief guide that we sort of follow.

Just like the Israelites we always go away from home. We remember, relax, rejoice, and feast. We enjoyed a free stay in Massanutten, Virgina this year... very peaceful and fun!

Feast of Tabernacle

The Feast of Tabernacles (referred to Biblically in Leviticus 23:34, Deuteronomy 16:13, Zechariah 14:16-19, John 7:2) is a seven-day Biblical festival also known as the Feast of Booths/Tents (found in Nehemiah 8:14). It is celebrated by a number of Christians who have observed correlations between the Old Testament Festivals and New Testament Scriptural evidence that both Christ and the Apostles observed and taught these Holy Days to Early Christians, Jew and Gentile alike. It is one of the most important holy days as it lasts the longest and normally requires a great deal of preparation and travel to be able to attend. The Feast of Tabernacles includes travel to a place away from home in God’s nature often in tents or booths. Observing daily celebration and storytelling of the greatness of God and the great things He has done throughout that year. Including family worship to God.

Suggested Agenda below: (no need to do it in this order or manner) Sometimes takes about 30-45 minutes daily.

Day 1: Remember

“Remember His wonderful deeds, His marvels, and the judgments from His mouth.”

1 Chron. 16:12

Take time to remember and right down all of the marvelous deeds he has done throughout the year and then pray and thank Him. Record them in your family Journal.

Day 2: Tell

“I may tell of all your praises, and rejoice in salvation.” Psalm 9:14,Luke 10:20

Tell of all the things He has done and what He has taught you about Him/His character. Share them with other families that have joined the feast or with each other.

Day 3: Worship

“You should exult His works, sing about them.”Job 36:24

Corporate singing God’s praises as a family. Maybe even some dancing. :)

Day 4: Past

“Remember His Deeds His miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11

Read through out loud stories of things He has done in the past and through records from past Feast of Tabernacles.

Day 5: His Name Praise Walk.

“Remember My name for all generations” Ex. 3:15

While walking outside speak and list names of God. Creating ones or speaking already known ones that He has shown to your personally and as a family throughout the year. And prayer/praise walk together.

Day 6: His Love

“Rejoice in His testimonies and riches.” Psalm 119:14

Read through Psalm 136 together and then speak out loud our own testimonies with each time all saying together out loud “His faithful love endures forever.”

Day 7: Lord’s Supper

“Do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Cor.11:24-25

Remember His mighty grace and salvation by reading the scripture and taking the Lord’s Supper together for family members who have made decisions to follow God. Also take time to right down prayer requests for the next year and pray in faith for them together.

moma tears

2011-05-09T19:41:00.000-07:00

On mothers day morning at church they lead us in worship to the below song. I am sure if have heard it before but this time was different.... when they said Africa.... suddenly everything in me feel apart... i could barely stand........then the song went on to say sons and daughters.. and all i could feel was my heart and tears running down my face.

We have been in the adoption process officially for over a year now... and though i know God's timing is right and he has our child chosen for us... our little Ethiopian son or daughter seems so far away.. and i know it may make no since to anyone... but i have a child out there... and i want to hold her/him, touch her/him, even change their stinky diaper... but i can't. And sometimes i can barely take it thinking my child may be out there alone, possibly neglected or needs unable to be met... and their is nothing i can do about it.

if you are a parent you know how hard it would be to know your child was out there without you.... and though i have not met our child yet... all i can do is cry a mother's cry and grieve for the moments my child has to live without what they need..... without me.