Easter 2012

We had the amazing opportunity to celebrate Jesus with friends, the cross cake, and a Good Friday service. It has already been a really sweet time of remembering Jesus. Especially in light of some very difficult things happening recently. It is good to pray together,to declare God's goodness and grace, to worship Him and His power to turn the darkest of nights into the dawn of new morning.
Happy Easter!
HE IS RISEN!!!!!!

Staggering....

This morning, I am simply amazed at this one verse from God's Word:

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her." Hosea 2:14

This is just amazing. God is confronting Israel on her harlotry...and He uses some very vivid, almost shocking imagery here. He has clearly confronted her actions and behaviors, and handed out judgement. He says that He will punish her for the idolatry and for forgetting her God... and then he says this: HE, God, will allure her. He will do the work of drawing her back to Him, of showing her the beauty that is only found in Him, and speaking comfort to her.

I am just utterly amazed at the lengths our God goes for us...

And, as if that were not enough, this is the closing of chapter 2 in Hosea:

"I will betroth you to Me forever;

Yes, I will betroth you to Me

In righteousness and justice,

In lovingkindness and mercy;

I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,

And you shall know the LORD.

It shall come to pass in that day

That I will answer, 'says the LORD;'

I will answer the heavens,

And they shall answer the earth.

The earth shall answer

with grain, WITH NEW WINE,

And with oil;

They shall answer Jezreel.

Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,

And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;

Then I will say to those who were not My people,

'You are My people!'

And they shall say, 'You are my God!'"

Ahhh!! A-mazed by the GOSPEL this morning.

Big Week for Noah...

First trip to the eye doctor....
AND the dentist....

One Year....

My sweet Judah Sean. Today, you are a year old. The years seem to go by faster with every child!! It seems like just the other day, you came...and you were so big. And I blinked my eyes, and now you have eight (or more!) teeth, and you crawl faster than I can keep track, and you are into everything and you have a definite will of your own. You are amazing. Everyone loves you so much!! You bring a special
Joy to our family. And so today, my sweet Judah Sean, all day I have looked at you and thought of your name: praise God who is gracious. You are a constant reminder of His grace, and it causes me to praise Him all the more. I love you sweet boy.

Psalm 145 is super appropriate:
I will exalt you, my God and King,
and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day;
yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness. The LORD is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The LORD is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, LORD,
and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign. For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The LORD always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness. The LORD is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The LORD protects all those who love him,
but he destroys the wicked. I will praise the LORD,
and may everyone on earth bless his holy name
forever and ever. (Psalm 145:1-21 NLT)

Personal....

I am passionate about sharing what large abundance we have with people who have little. I am passionate about every tongue, and tribe and nation hearing of God’s fame and giving Him the worship He is due (in fact, I can barely keep the tears back when I say that phrase, “every tongue, and tribe, and nation”). I am passionate about cultivating an excellent soul...that is, I am passionate about reading God’s Word, reading wonderful books, entering into and breathing in the beauty of God's creation, so that our souls will be full of His light, and we can exhale some of His beauty as we speak and interact with others. I am passionate about studying God’s Word. I find myself so fulfilled, and in awe of the privilege of being a mom, when I am sitting and studying God’s Word with my children. I am passionate about speaking life into these dear little ones....whispering that God has an important part for them to play in His grand story. I am passionate about ordering a home according to the principles of God’s Word. And while I would not be so bold as to tell a woman that she needs to be at home with her children (since every situation is so different), I weep with those moms who wish that they were but can’t be. I am passionate about marriages that don’t just get by and function well, but are a reflection of the intimacy God designed for this special relationship. I am honored and blessed to have my very best friend in the whole world for my spouse. He has challenged me more than any other human up to this point... but he has also loved me deeper and more steadfastly than any other human up to this point (all while knowing me the most intimately!!).

But...for the purposes of (this specific ministry). The two things that I am most passionate about are discipleship, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. By discipleship, I mean... making disciples who will make disciples. A legacy for Jesus Christ. Seeking for Him as for hidden treasure. I absolutely love taking the hand of a dear sister in Christ, and placing her hand in Christ’s as she seeks Him in the midst of troubles. I do not know much, because I am young and I myself was not taught. But, what I have been taught has been sweetly taught from the Lord and His Word, and so it is there that I place my hope and affection. I am passionate about other women finding the depths and riches and beauty that is found only in Christ.

And by the gospel of Jesus Christ, I mean that it is all different-every aspect of life is changed when we apply the gospel to it. Our response to sin, our desires, the way we work, the way we love.... all of it is changed forever. Sometimes it is so difficult for us to see the way the gospel changes things... but that is my passion, to help search and find how the gospel changes it all.

But oddly enough... the two things that I find women asking me about the most frequently are: mothering/homeschooling and food/recipes. Go figure. :-P

Zoo Fun

Today, we threw caution to the wind and met some friends at the zoo. It was just what we needed. To breathe in God's beautiful creation, to laugh and play with friends, and to get some
energy out. I am so super thankful my mom got a zoo pass. :)

Overheard

While I was making dinner, I overheard the kids:
Emma: Caleb! Do you remember the book The Year of Miss Agnes?
Caleb: Emma! It's been, like, three years since I've read that.

I had to chuckle because he's seven.
But, he's probably right.

Godly Wisdom...

Wow... I really cannot stress the importance of community. Having other women in my life that I can text, like this morning, and ask for prayer. For some reason, the kids were just kinda going nuts, and super emotional (couldn't possibly have anything to do with Community Group at our house on Monday nights, and them going to bed after 10pm???). Anyhow, I texted my lovely ladies and just asked for prayer.... I love the godly wisdom I received from my friend:

"Lisa, remember the beauty of nature and the way it heals and calms the soul...Perhaps the ankle-biters could use a nature walk on the trail."

I knew I was hearing straight from heaven!! I was tired. It hurts my back to lug that big 'ole kid on my back. But, I decided to obey. Packed the kids up and headed for a local trail, where we hiked for about an hour. The kids wanted to go further, but I said it was far enough for today (Judah was getting really heavy for me).

Caleb said, "Yeah, it's hard for a mom who's wiped out!!"

I replied, "Actually, God has really helped me. And we have had so much fun on this hike, I would not have wanted to miss it!!"

"So, you mean, like, God multiplied your strength?" asked Caleb.

"Yes, sweet boy. He did."

And as we put the kids to bed and asked their highs and lows for the day, everyone agreed that our high was that it was such a good day. Only Jesus can do that!!

Twice Freed...

"There was no one in the room except Paul and Philemon. All the others had long since gone home; but it takes time to bring a man's whole life into the light of God, and the tired apostle looked as though he had fought some great battle and conquered. Philemon suddenly dropped at his feet, and Paul raised his hands over him and blessed him.

'The Lord bless thee and keep thee, my son in Christ. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and bring thee to His eternal glory through Jesus Christ our Lord.'

...'His light hath shined in our darkness,' murmured Philemon, and he stood for a full five minutes watching the beautiful craft setting out so gallantly towards the bright open sea and the lands where the sun sets. The storms would come, but the beginning was always glorious. Warmed by the glow of his great joy, he quite forgot his shivering young slave who had no cloak.

Then he turned and saw him, and a strange compassion he had never known before welled within him...he had certainly never given a thought as to the boy...Why should he? The master's comfort was the business of the slave, but the slave's comfort was not the affair of his master.

But now? Something had happened. He seemed to be seeing the whole world with eyes that had been opened. The colours of the sky were fairer, the scent of the acacia at his side suddenly mattered. Could it be that the love of Christ, mysterious and imperceptible as the coming of the dawn, was already beginning to warm and lighten the deep darkness of his broken heart? He hardly knew; but he spread his cloak round his slave and drew him to his side...."

Wow. Both Ben and I were just in awe reading this to the kids. It was so good... to be reminded of the heavenly war waged about those who would have their whole life brought into the light of God. And what a beautiful picture of how the love of Christ changes everything!! It warms our hearts and brings light to the deep darkness of our brokenness!!

12 Years...

Tonight, enjoying each other's company!

The day before we got engaged...December 1999.

It is always fun to just stop for a minute and look back, and remember. This weekend we have marveled at God's faithfulness these past 12 years of marriage. Both of us would testify in a second, that the only reason we are still married and still best friends and still like each other is... God has been gracious and Jesus has been stronger and more powerful than our sin.

We were reminiscing this morning about how we have worked harder in these last 12 years than we ever thought we would. But they have been the best 12 years of our lives. I am so privileged to be married to my best friend.

A Crooked Week...

I had to laugh when I read this today:

"Consider the work of God;

For who can make straight what He has made crooked?

In the day of prosperity be joyful,

But in the day of adversity consider:

Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other,

So that man can find out nothing that will come after him."

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

Now, I say this lightly, because if I really think about it, I have nothing to complain about. But, it has definitely been one of those weeks... you know, where everything is just... unexpected. And in the midst of it, you almost feel yourself fighting against it...until you suddenly realize, am I just trying to make a crooked thing straight? Because, maybe it was meant to be crooked!!

In a nutshell...

Finances were tight and so was time, so I wasn't able to get the groceries I was planning on. But food seems to be my "comfort" zone, I feel secure knowing there are tons of options. But, we just prayed that God would enable me to be creative with what we had!!!

So, I had to laugh when God not only called me out on my food-comfort issue, but then got a phone call from a friend on Monday asking if it was okay for me to have four extra kiddos for a couple of hours. And I have to say, that not only did God provide, but because I had to be a little more creative than normal, I actually think all the kids ate better than they ever would have!! We had oatmeal for lunch!!!

Then, the washer backed up and overflowed...and Tuesday the plumber was supposed to come between 12-4pm. Ben was working late, so I needed to feed the kids, pack them up, and meet Ben when he got off at 6pm so that I could get to Perspectives (and stop by a good friend's baby shower!!). Well... the plumber came at 4pm!! He, he. I should have guessed that one!

But, thankfully, he fixed the problem with the washer because I was going to need it!!!

Wednesday morning Noah came in and asked if he could watch a movie. I told him, "No, honey, we have other things planned for today."

Then, he threw up all over our bedroom floor!! Needless to say, I reconsidered the movie idea. =) So, I was pretty thankful to have a washer that worked yesterday and today. Today, he still can't keep any food down, and Caleb isn't feeling well either. Ben worked late again Wednesday, and tonight we were supposed to go (just the two of us!) up to the Community Group Leaders potluck...

But...

This week was meant to be crooked. So, we have enjoyed laying low... We haven't needed the usually overwhelming amount of groceries, since we are sort of surviving on toast and bagels. And, things seem to be going much smoother when I stop trying to make the crooked things straight. And instead, I am **learning** to smile at God's graces in the midst of the crooked things.

The "easy way" vs. the "hard way"....

I can remember, when Emma and Caleb were very little, saying to them, "Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way." It is funny how at that time, I was trying to get them to choose the easy way!! (meaning, with less discipline!) And now, here I am trying to help them to see the value in the hard way. =)

Yesterday, the kids had a science report to work on. It just so happened that their English work was also about taking notes, and then writing a report. So, Emma took her "notes" on the hawk's bill sea turtle, and then as I read the "report", I noticed that the sentences seemed strangely familiar. Well, that is because they came right out of her science book. I redirected her to her English lesson, which specifically pointed out the difference between copying IDEAS, when taking notes, and copying sentences, which is stealing.

She broke into tears. "Everyone else in my class does it that way, and the teacher said it was ok!!"

Oh man.

How do we, the Hester family determine what is right, and what is wrong? How do we find out what God thinks about something?

The Bible. (Emma answers, and then bursts out, "But I don't read the Bible everyday!!! Just the Action Bible!!")

But Emma, you know the answer to this.... Does God think it is ok for you to take someone else's words, and put them into your report as if they were yours?

I thought we were finally getting somewhere. And I made sure she knew that for the other kids in her class, this was not sin. They had their teacher's approval, and many of them are young, and so at certain ages, you will allow copying facts and information. However, her English lesson (and her momma) have now made her accountable for this. I made sure she knew that I was right there, ready to help her make her own sentences....

But come lunch time.... Emma was just struggling with it, complaining about how she didn't want to work that hard!

And as I looked around at my mess of a kitchen as I tried to strain the vegetable broth, cut up all the veggies to get dinner going in the crockpot, and make lunch for the kids... I told her:

"You know, sweetheart. It would be easier for Mommy to pack all of you kids up in the car, and go through the drive through at McDonald's, and buy you a lunch that someone else has already made. But, not only would the food be less healthy, but I would be spending almost double what it would cost to feed you at home, and that would not be a wise use of the money Daddy works so hard to make for us. So, we could do it the easy way.... but, I want to choose the way that will be most honoring to God."

She got it. And, as a side note, her report turned out so well!! But it just reminded me, that sometimes, it is hard to do things the hard way. Sometimes the easy way seems better. And you know, it's not bad to go out to lunch and it's not going to kill them to (shudder) eat McDonald's for lunch one day. But it reminded me to check my own heart.... Am I taking the easy way, or the hard way? And it also reminded me that many times, the hard way is the easy way!! Because God's way, although difficult, is the way filled with the most joy, beauty, and delight.

"The way of a lazy man is like a hedge of thorns {he is too lazy to remove them!}, but the way of the upright is a highway." Proverbs 15:17

Small Sacrifices...

Lately, it has been difficult to find the time to stop and blog about life, because we have been busy living it! =) A good problem to have. But, recently, Ben and I have had some decisions to make-you know, the ones involving when to say "Yes" and when to say "No." These are always difficult, especially given that we have a large family, and well, let's face it, the almond milk and vegetable broth aren't making themselves. ;)

But, specifically, I had an opportunity come up. Now first of all, this opportunity should not be appealing to the average person-but to me, it is. Secondly, it should just be completely off the table for a person in my stage of life, not to mention the commitments we already have, and given that we are about to start hosting and co-leading a Community Group in about a month....

Laugh with me as you see what we've been learning this week:

Confidence is being sure that God will help you do His work, even when people think you can't do it.

"God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again." Phil. 1:6

Resourcefulness is making use of all opportunities to do God's work.

"Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don't you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land." Isaiah 43:19

Courage is knowing God's power can help you do something hard even when you feel scared.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Creativity means coming up with new ways to reach people and do God's work.

and today's:

Boldness may require doing the unusual.

Ha! Now, the decision is not made for sure or anything. But, the one thing that I really felt the Lord saying to me is that if He is asking me to do something, even something that seems sort of impossible in our current life season, then He will give me everything I need to obey Him. But, it may require some things. It will definitely require a greater accountability of my time before Him-because there is literally, NO time to waste. There's no time to just "watch a show" and veg. (Not that watching a show is bad! I'm just saying....) When you add something to the recipe, it means other things other need to be taken out, or the whole recipe suffers.

But wow! Even the benefits of just seeking the Lord, and hearing His Word, and laughing with joy at how our God never stays in a box!!! He is full of surprises!! I am intrigued, and excited to see what He has planned, because I know it is good. And although I am not being asked to sacrifice anything on the same scale here... I still think Jim Elliot said it best:

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

The moment we've been waiting for....

Okay, maybe "the moment" is a little dramatic. But, a moment, nonetheless. We have been waiting until we felt like our two older(s) were ready to see The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Now, I am just one of those people who in general, always prefers the book. And this case is no exception. But, as we watched with wonder, I found myself moved all over again, by the wonderful thoughts and images of this lion... this One who is not at all tame....but is Good. My heart welled up as they came seeking Aslan, and everyone bows before him. And my heart bowed before Jesus...
I cried as Edmund was pronounced a traitor...as I felt myself in his place. My heart burned as the witch began to quote the "laws" on which Narnia was founded, and Aslan replies sternly, "Don't you quote the Deep Magic to me... I was THERE when it was written!!" And as the witch dares to ask, "How do I know you will keep your promise?" To which Aslan just ROARS!!!!
And I cried, as I watched Aslan on the stone table, knowing that it was because of Edmund's treachery...but even more so...it was Jesus, on a cross, because of mine....
Oh, the beauty of the story. THE story. The beauty and majesty of what Jesus has done for us is just so good... and I love the Chronicles of Narnia, because they are just a shadow, a reminder, of the most wonderful story...
And this weekend, I was lost and caught up in it again. It was wonderful.

December Catch-up....

My sister-in-law Kelly got Judah this shirt, which is quite possibly the most awesome shirt ever. It says "Book Worm." And you know, 18 months is the perfect size for him, since he's... 9 months old.

A salad with "feta" crumbles. After making almond milk, I took the almond "pulp" leftover and seasoned it with salt, apple cider vinegar, and garlic. It made a perfect "feta" for out\r salad with blueberries, walnuts, and butter lettuce. Oh yes, and the honey balsamic vinegar. =)

Nutritional yeast... an important "vegan" thing to have around. =)

Wow! So much.... We totally enjoyed this Christmas season. It was amazing and magical!!! We read lovely Christmas stories, we baked tons of things (VEGAN, things!!), and played with lots of friends, and just generally enjoyed a low-key,Christmas.

By far, the biggest change around here is... our diet. Ben has a family history of high cholesterol among other heart and artery issues. So, we have been pretty close to vegetarian for a while. Ben decided 6 mos. ago to stop drinking milk as well, but we were still doing a lot of dairy and cheese for the kids, and with dinners. I noticed Caleb having some tummy trouble, so we made the decision to cut dairy a bit and see if that helped. Then, we watched a documentary called "Forks Over Knives", and it just sort of sealed it for us. We decided to start the adventure of cutting as much animal products as we could, to see if we could experience some of the health benefits, and have some fun while we are at it!!

I told my sis-in-law.... I don't want my kids to remember this season by what they can't have.... I want them to remember us trying new things, and to remember my excitement at having to be more creative with how to feed our not-so-little family. =)

My little bunny rabbits....

I'm having trouble posting pics this morning, so I may have to come back later and add them in... just want to get all this down while I have a second. We've all had a ton of fun with one of Caleb's Christmas presents from Grandpa and Grandma Nash. He got the Tony Hawk "Shred" game for the wii. So, some fun skateboarding and snowboarding going on here. I hope I can post those pics soon.... it's just too fun!! And, ahem, for the record.... the last time we had the whole family showdown, Momma won!!! Noah and I are the only "regular" riders, the rest of them are all goofy-footers. ;)

It's been a great month full of fun and adventure!! I hope yours was too!!

Christmas 2011 Letter...

Dear Family and Friends,

It is so very difficult to try and sum up a year of life into one letter, so I will take a different approach this year. :) I do need to introduce the newest member of the Hester Family. Judah Sean Hester was born at home with the help of a midwife on March 18th, 2011. He was 9 lbs.!!! His name means “praise God who is gracious”. He is a joy and treasure to all of us, and gets LOTS of love around here!!

This year has gone very quickly for us... but I think it would be safe to say of all of us in our not-so-little family that we love Jesus and His Word, we love people, we love good food, and we love to read. :)

So, I have asked everyone in our family to share their favorite books-either that they read themselves, or that we read as a family.

Ben-Jesus+Nothing=Everything by Tullian Tchividjian, Entrusted With the Gospel Edited by D.A. Carson, and Ministry in the Image of God by Stephen Seamands

Lisa-Jesus+Nothing=Everything, Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick, Humility by CJ Mahaney, and One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Emma-Corrie Ten Boom by Janet and Geoff Benge, A Question of Yams, Wisdom With the Millers and Missionary Stories With the Millers, and George Mueller by Janet and Geoff Benge

Caleb-Mossflower by Brian Jacques, The Bronze Bow, and Out of Darkness

Noah-The LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, The Jesus Storybook Bible, and Out of Darkness

Ezra-The Jesus Storybook Bible and The Bronze Bow

We had the amazing opportunity to do a family road trip to Colorado!! It was a memorable trip in so many ways...and I had the incredible privilege of attending a Leadership Intensive with Sally Clarkson. Ben took the kids to the Focus on the Family Center as well as Garden of the Gods.

Both Emma and Caleb chose to be baptized this year! It was such a joyous time to celebrate God’s work of making them new. Noah is reading well, and enjoying it! Ezra is always into something, usually including mischief, but has at least heard me and can repeat back to me, “I am a treasure.”

It has been a fun year, and we are enjoying lots of extra fruits and vegetables as we move toward a plant-based, whole foods diet. We were pretty close before, but we are cutting more dairy from our diet and enjoying the creativity that comes with the process. =)

We wish you all a Merry Christmas, as you meditate upon Christ and His amazing love. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes everything-this has been the theme of our year, and we pray it is the theme of every year to come as well.

With love and joy,

The Hester Family

Ben and Lisa, Emma, Caleb, Noah, Ezra, and Judah

On being an elf....

Man, for some reason this year, Christmas shopping was so difficult!! My poor husband, found most of his ideas met with responses like, "They aren't being responsible with what they have now! I'm not buying them more!!" Or, "They have some of those (Legos!)....They don't need more!!" Or, "That is just way too expensive!!!"

And, he bore with me patiently... We found a few small things to wrap and put under the tree. And then, this morning, four days before Christmas, I found my weakness. I realized I was just shopping at all the wrong places. Christianbook.com not only had all the items I was apparently looking for (and more), but will upgrade you to 2nd day air shipping for free. =) {Now they can all open a BOOK too!!} Haha!

But this morning I was reminded that every time I have been pregnant, the enemy tells me the same lie: "You're not doing a good job with what you have, and now you're having another one?"

It reminded me that although my children need to learn to treat their things well and be responsible.... It doesn't mean that I withhold things from them until they are doing things perfectly. Because four (really, five!) times, I have been unsure of whether or not I am REALLY doing a good job, and God has chosen to bless me anyway with these amazing, wonderful treasures.

So, this morning I am rejoicing in the fact that I am just a helper. God knows what they need. And oh! He loves them. And He has reflected His own giving heart in my husband who rejoices in blessing them and seeing their faces light up. This morning, finding some really amazing, exciting, God-honoring literature was what it took for me to see it: the picture of their excited faces, me coming out in the morning for coffee to find them sprawled across various pieces of furniture reading.... and smiling because I know they are reading amazing books. :)

It's fun being an elf.

(PS- I have called myself an "elf" in this post just for fun-I do not in any way compare God to santa, santa does not "come to our house" at Christmas time, etc. But I thought it was fun for this post. You get it, right?)

The last chapter...

"He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze..."

But Jesus said that the Victory was God's promise. He called men to make ready their hearts and minds instead.

Was it possible that only love could bend the bow of bronze?

"Magic"

"Mom! There's just no such thing as magic!!" giggled Noah, as he smiled at me.

I leaned across the table and whispered to him, "I think it's magical when you are standing outside and it starts snowing on you for the first time in your life."

"That's not magic! Jesus did it!!" Noah replies.

"Oh, but don't you see? Jesus is the only one who can do the most magical things!!"

Hmmm.... like, tasting something for the first time that it so amazing. Like Candy Cane Lane tea with a little bit of cream and sugar.

We've obviously done some teaching on magic with the kids.... and it is hard because there are some kind of dark, yucky things when you dive into the world of magic. But, especially during this beautiful, amazing, MAGICAL, season.... I don't want them to miss the wonder, the beauty, the mystery of Emmanuel, God with us.

Tea and Sympathy...

"I know what it's like."

It is hard sometimes, to watch your kids as they begin to realize just how "different" they are. I don't think the boys notice it quite as much. But, all of a sudden, they start noticing that we don't read the same books, or watch the same shows and movies , that we don't go to the same school, that we don't have the same toys, that we don't eat the same food.... the list goes on and on.

And the best I really have to offer our kids is that I know what it's like. I know what it is like to not have the same things, to not read the same books, to not eat the same food, to do things differently than others around me.... Really, I know what it is like to be lonely. Sometimes, it is really hard to feel alone in certain things. And yet, we must be faithful to what we believe the Lord is asking of us as a family. He hasn't asked us to look just like any other family. But He has asked us to be faithful as the Hester family, to what He shows us and asks of us. And so, when I am having a hard time feeling lonely and different, like my kids do sometimes, I need some tea and sympathy as well. And it has been given:

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

It is so good, and so beneficial to my heart this morning, that it is worth repeating in the NLT:

"That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." Hebrews 4:14-16

Beautiful to be alive....

"It's not much of a world, is it? Is it worth trying to bring Leah back into it?"

Thacia stood still in the road. "Yes!" she cried, and Daniel was astounded to see that tears had sprung into her eyes. "Oh Daniel-yes! If only I could make you see, somehow, that it is!"

"All this--" she exclaimed, the sweep of her arm including the deepening blue of the sky, the shining lake in the distance, the snow-covered mountain far to the north. "So much! You must look at it all, Daniel, not just at the unhappy things." Suddenly she reached out and touched his hand. "Look!" she whispered.

He lifted his head and followed her gaze. Overhead,barely discernible against the blue of the sky, a long gray shadow hung suspended. Cranes, hundreds of them, were passing in a great phalanx. They wheeled and caught the sun, flashing light from banks of white feathers, with a shimmering like the snow on the mountain. Motionless, the two watched till the line slowly melted into the distant air.

Thacia let out her breath. "How beautiful!" She sighed. "It is beautiful just to be alive in Galilee!"

This quote is from our current read-aloud, The Bronze Bow. I actually missed this part in the book, (Ben read a chapter while I was away one night) and Ben brought me back to it because it is so beautiful. It is so easy sometimes, to get caught up in the unhappy things, the ugliness of this world. But, oh! What joy is found in looking for and basking in the beautiful things. Every beautiful thing is a glimmer of hope.... this world is being "renewed in the image of its Creator." One day, it will all be made new, and together with creation,we will all join in the beautiful praise song we were meant to sing to our God. But in the meantime, we hear measures of this beautiful praise all around us, like:

(the food from Backyard Bowls in Santa Barbara...YUM!!!)

3!!! That's right, 3!!! Dates with my husband this month! (Totally a side note, but it is oh so necessary, and such a blessing when people recognize that parenting five tiny people can be difficult, and that our marriage is absolutely worth investing in! I was on such a high from being able to go out with my husband that I offered to babysit for three people!!! I want to stand alongside people and say, "Your marriage is important!!!)

(The Spring Rolls from Mary's Secret Garden...YUMMMY!!!!)

Five beautiful, healthy children

Reading wonderful stories as a family- (Emma reading to the boys and some friends)

Vegetables in varieties of colors, tastes, and textures

Hearty, earthy grains, crumpled on top of pears...

Friends, and laughter!!!

The sunrise every morning whispering God's love and hope for the day

The sunset whispering God's peace for the night...

The sleep that each night reminds us that we are not God!!! (He doesn't need sleep but we do!!)

The cloth diapers that saved the day since we ran out of diapers and don't get paid until next Friday. =)

Baking pies with Emma and my mom

Staying up WAY too late with the girls

tea parties with friends

Warm smells and delicious tastes, reminding me of winter

The beautiful falling rain, watering the earth, pouring down God's blessing

I could go on and on... but I am sure you get the point. Today, I am so thankful. "It is beautiful just to be alive in Ojai!!" =)

Dear Judah,

You are absolutely adorable!! I mean, look at yourself in these jeans and the little puffer vest. An abundance of cuteness. But do you see here?

This is you and brother Ezra in my bed.

And this is you asleep in my arms.

You are so very tired. You eat tons of baby food and people food, you have two bottom teeth, and your two top ones are just about to poke through. You are into everything because you can "crawl" around, still mostly commando crawl. It is just a suggestion, but, now that you are 8 months old, I really think that adding sleep into our nightly routine could be helpful for everyone all around. Thanks!

Love

Mommy

A Tough One... Top Read Alouds

My friend Kristen did this post on her top 11 read alouds here. I thought it would be fun to do this post as well.... although, this is very difficult for me. So, I'll just mention some of the books that we have loved and read, and try not to duplicate any from Kristen's list. I do want to agree heartily-I have had tears running down my face as my husband reads the voice of Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia. And we laughed so hard at Mr. Popper's Penguins. Nonetheless, here is my list:

1. God King-historical fiction set in the time of Ancient Egypt, around the time King Hezekiah ruled in Israel.

Honorable mention for this same time period goes to The Golden Goblet and Shadow Hawk.

2. Hittite Warrior-historical fiction set during the time of the Judges.

3. Adara-historical fiction surrounding Naaman's servant girl, who tells of a prophet in Israel.

4. Forbidden Gates-I love the picture this one gives of Jewish customs. A young Jewish boy goes against Jewish law to get a Gentile closer to the temple...

5. Out of Darkness- A young Jewish boy (whose mother is ill) befriends a Roman beggar boy who is blind. Together, they hear rumors of a man from Nazareth who can heal.

6. Follow My Leader-a tale of a young boy, blinded in an accident, hoping to get a dog who can help him "see."

7. YWAM biographies- Some of our favorites were George Muller, Hudson Taylor, and Corrie ten Boom.

8. The Hedge of Thorns-a beautiful tale of a young boy and his sister who learn that God lovingly places protective hedges in our lives.

9. Just David-by the same author as Pollyanna

10. The Bronze Bow- another book set in the time of Ancient Rome.

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

"We have to keep reminding ourselves of the difference between moralism and the gospel. We have to keep remembering that the reason Christ came was first of all not to make bad people good but to make dead people alive. If we forget that, our Christianity will turn out to be Christless."-Tullian Tchividjian

WOW...

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29

"...In Ephesians 4:29 Paul commands that our verbal communication always be purposeful, and the right purpose is "that it may give grace to those who hear."

We're all in need of grace... So let us pray, "Lord, help me discern what kind of grace this person needs." For those who are legalistic or feel condemned, we want to bring justifying grace to their souls. To those struggling with a besetting sin, we want to bring sanctifying grace. To those experiencing suffering, we want to bring comforting grace. To those who are just weary, we want to refresh their souls with sustaining grace...Through each and every interaction, however casual, however brief, I want to impart grace through my words, for that's God's purpose in granting us this gift of speech. And in effect, we have God's promise in this passage that when our words are edifying and appropriate, they will give grace."-- C.J. Mahaney, Humility

Colorado part 2....

The "million dollar highway" and the Colorado River.

Friends!!! Here are Judah and Finlee!!!

Sally Clarkson's house, for the Mom Heart Leadership Intensive.

I didn't go with them, but Ben took the kids and met up with our AMAZING friends the Benders, and they went to Garden of the Gods. I asked Ben to take pictures for me, and he took his job quite seriously. When I asked him how he got this amazing picture of Ezra, he said, "I laid down on the ground."