My Update...

It's always hard to know when you're blogging, if people want to read about the kids, or if they are interested in what goes on with me too. But, I figure that one of the main reasons that I try to keep up with the blogging is for my own personal record keeping. =) So, here is the update on me.

I recently finished reading a book called "Created to be his Help Meet." (Sorry, I still don't know how to underline on here!!) Anyhow, I finally figured out what was bothering me about the book... I just felt like there was not nearly enough Jesus in the book!! She had some really, really good things to say (hard things to hear) about the relationship between a husband and wife. So I didn't disagree with the end point, so to speak, of what she was talking about, but I don't think that I agree with the path to that end, in the way it was presented. I really feel that as I whole-heartedly pursue Jesus, and treasure Him above all things, that He will bring me into a relationship of submission to my husband that will look radical to some, and her portrait of this beautiful submission was a good one. I just felt like there was not enough emphasis on the personal relationship I MUST have with Jesus Christ, and allowing His Holy Spirit to empower and enable me to submit in a loving way. And, if I am submitted to Christ, and sensitive to His Spirit, then I can be the helper that my husband needs.
But, I got some really beneficial things from the book as well. One great thing was just a reminder that the husband is the head of woman, as Christ is the head of the church. I am still thinking about the far-reaching implications of this... But, it was funny to me that I have always prayed that God would cause my heart to care about the things that He cares about... I just never correlated that concept to my relationship with my husband. God graciously gave me a chance to practice this. Ben came home and was really excited about Kettlebells. They are these cannon-like balls, with handles on them used for exercise, and primarily concerned with correct body movement. There was a free 3 hour workshop on kettlebells and he wanted me to go with him. I decided to put what I had been reading into practice and attend the workshop with Ben. As we were done, he was SOOO excited, telling me what great fun he had with me, and that I was his best friend. We really had a great time, and needless to say... I'm into kettlebells! =)

I read Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ (John Piper), which was perfect as a daily devotional-type reading. Each short chapter focuses on an aspect of Jesus, like his wisdom, his sufferings, etc. It was a great way to start the day, really thinking about my dear Savior.

Now, I am reading 50 Reasons Why Jesus Had to Die (Piper) as another devotional. The chapters are really short, only a page or so of reading.
I am also reading Finally Alive (that's a lot of John Piper!!!) which is all about what it means to be Born Again. It's also been so encouraging, and really interesting to be thinking about what really happens in the process of regeneration.
"The research is not finding that born again people are permeated with worldliness; the research is finding that the church is permeated by people who are not born again."

Ben and I have been reading through the Bible chronologically. We jumped in towards the end of the year, so we will really just read the New Testament chronologically, and then pick up the Old Testament next year. But, it has been so neat, and so interesting, and a great fit since the kids and I are reading Genesis.

And last, but not least, Ben and I just signed up for a course called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. It looks like it will be pretty intense, and we will be going Tuesday nights from 6:30-9:30 pm. We just really felt like this was such an awesome opportunity, and such a great fit for the other things that God is working out in our hearts. Plus, it will be so neat to go through this together!! I am so excited.

So, that's what I've been reading.... what are you reading??? =) I'd love to hear.

Updates...

This morning, we were reading the beginning of Genesis, chapter 24. This is such a cool story, of how Abraham's servant goes to find a wife for Isaac, and the Lord leads him to Rebekah. We had a great time talking about it this morning, and it provided a great opportunity to pray for the future spouses of the kids. Emma and Caleb prayed for their future spouses, and then Noah said, "I didn't say MY prayer!" So, he took his turn praying....
"Thank you God for giraffes, and knights, and ninja turtles."
What a blessing it is, to enjoy these special moments with them. I am so privileged to share in their learning adventure, and it has been quite the adventure for Ben and I as well. I don't think a day goes by where I don't learn SOMETHING. Even if it is just a reminder that my own heart is desperately wicked and in need of the regenerating power of the Spirit of Christ!!


Anyhow...Here are some pictures of our recent days. Emma was my special helper for our little family Thanksgiving. We had turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, and pumpkin pie.
We had a great family bike ride to the park, and had a little picnic while we read our missionary story (about the Tila Indians in Mexico). Emma had met a little friend, so she came and joined us for a snack and to listen to our story.

Quotes of the morning...

....From Noah
(Praying at breakfast)
"Thank you God for Christmas trees, and guns. Thank you God, Amen."

Coming out of the bathroom:
"My bottom smells MINTY!!"

This is a few weeks ago, Caleb had to scrub the kitchen floor as part of his discipline. When I was putting him to bed that night, I told him what a wonderful job he did!! This was his response:
"Mom, I'm glad I learned how to scrub the kitchen floor well, so that I can learn how to be a good daddy!"

Emma, praying before bed:
"Dear God, please help us to get lots and lots of money so that we can adopt an orphan from another country."

And Caleb, on the way home last night (we have been studying Egypt in schoolwork):
"Mom, I think we should adopt an orphan from Egypt."

Haircut...

It was long overdue. We actually were going to cut more, but momma's heart just wasn't ready. =)

The Surfer Psalm

We have been studying the Shepherd's Psalm, which was also the theme for the women's retreat I went to (isn't it neat how God works those things out??). Anyway, we didn't go to Groups (our homeschool co-op) because Ezra had developed a little fever. So, we ended up taking the kids down to the beach for some scooter time. We marveled at the power of the waves, and we sat in awe and praise of our Savior, Jesus. And so, as we sat there, we all worked together on this, our little Surfer Psalm:

The Lord is my strong ocean,
Beautiful and blue,
The birds fly over it.
In the midst of Your presence, I am satisfied.
Your Spirit guides and directs and pushes me in the ways of righteousness,
For Your name's sake.
If You did not draw us, clothe us in the wetsuit of Christ's righteousness, and set us firmly upon Your truth,
Who, O Lord, could stand?
Yea, though I paddle, and paddle, and catch no waves,
I will fear no sharks!!
The waves and the creatures of the sea,
They bow to You, O Lord!
Your wetsuit, a garment of warm comfort and peace,
And your surfboard, which is Your truth,
They comfort me, they protect me, they prepare me to go out!!
You plant my feet firmly in Your truth,
So I am not tossed about by the wind.
You anoint me with Your Holy Spirit,
Which lovingly, and powerfully carries me upon Your truth.
The long, enduring ride,
And the totally awesome barrel,
They restore my soul.
My "stoke" runs over!
Surely, your waves of mercy and the power of Your might shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in Your presence and declare Your splendid glory forever.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.

Long overdue...

Well, what can I say??? I think I am too busy to blog. I'm going to try to catch up, we'll see how that goes.

I went to the Women's Retreat with Reality, and we had a great time. It was not at all what I expected, but it was a good time of putting into practice the things God had been teaching me. Our theme was Psalm 23, and so I don't think I will ever look at that Psalm in the same way. The kids and I have been enjoying a Scripture Songs CD, which includes Psalm 23.

Verses for my season in life:
"Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!" Psalm 90:14

"Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness." Psalm 143:8-10

God has really convicted me (personally) that I have to be with Him first thing. I have to come to Him to be satisfied EARLY. I would never intentionally or knowingly expect my children to meet my needs. But, as I stood back and thought about it, I realized that it meets my needs when the children obey and behave well...etc. So, God really has worked in my heart, that I need for Him to meet my needs, and to satisfy me early with His mercy, so that I can be a person who is free to meet the needs of others, instead of needing others to meet my needs.

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19

One of the most disturbing side effects of my medication was anxiety. But, I was learning to trust God, and work on taking my thoughts captive in the midst of this anxiety. BUT, I've been completely off the medication for about a week now, and I'll see the neurologist Wednesday to make sure I'm doing okay. I am so thankful... It seems so silly, but I never did ask God to heal me. Not because I didn't believe Him for it, but because there was such a strong part of me that believed there was a purpose in it, that I didn't want to ask for it to be taken away. But, in the end, God was gracious to answer the prayers of those who have been praying for healing on my behalf. And I don't know how long I will be off the medication, but for now I will just rejoice in the time God gives me without it!!! Thank you Jesus!!

Other than that, we obviously had a busy month with four birthdays just in our immediate family...
And, here's what we ended up with for Halloween. The kids picked out some Bible verses, which I printed on address labels. They labeled all the candy for us to hand out. It was a great "quiet time" activity for Saturday. Caleb said, "Mom, we get to pass out candy AND tell people about Jesus? This is the best Halloween EVER!"

We didn't buy any costumes, just used what we had. We ended up with a penguin, a princess, a Buzz Lightyear, and a Knight. We had to have one!!