Great Outdoors

I would camp 24/7 if I could. 

We had a great time at the Outdoor Show in Bakersfield a couple of weeks ago.   It felt like old times when we used to visit the one in the Northwest.  With so many different ages of children, it can be a challenge to find activities that we all enjoy.  This was one of them for sure!  We were a proud family to see our Salvation Army C-Carts outside the Gate collecting canned food for the Corps and ARC.  We added some corn ourselves. 

Among all the RV's, Trailers and 5th wheels to tour were also outdoor vehicles. 

Even for the little kids. 

Elijah and I took tried to take this baby for a spin, but the owner was on lunch. I think a tandem bike would be a great team-builder.

David hiding from my pictures.

Ann launching herself into the sky.  She was laughing and enjoying herself the whole time.

After the workers harnessed the girls in, Paul doubled checked to make sure they were really secure before take-off.  He is such a good daddy. 

Hannah is so light that the workers had to keep launching her, but she still had great time.

Elijah took our portrait.

The free trout fishing for kids was the best part of the day!  Hannah learned that a real fishermen is very patient.  She took the longest to catch her fish.  The men at the pond helping us were so positive and patient even though they had been doing it all day long. 

David did pretty good on his own.  He kept coaxing Mary to catch a mermaid.  She was a little disappointed to catch a fish and not Ariel.

Elijah kept at it and caught the second biggest fish.

Ann caught the biggest, and I just realized I didn't have a pic of her fishing.  She was actually the first Chouinard to catch one.  Those fish flopped all over and we made them hold their own fish.  I kept telling them "Hang on and don't let go no matter what or how much blood!"  Much where we are in life right now,  no matter how much flopping, we won't let go :)   "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

James 1:2-4    

Hold on, Don't Let Go, Persevere

We have had such beautiful weather here.  I keep all the doors and windows open and spend as much time as I can outside.  It just re-charges me like nothing else.  All the trees are blooming.  Is it spring yet?  We have to wait 30 minutes at school after picking up Ann, but before picking up Elijah, so when the weather is good I bring the girls' snack and we lay out on the grass at the school.  So nice.  I usually bring books or paperwork or sermons trying to squeeze in "productivity", but lately I just lay there and watch the girls climb the tree, or chat with other moms,  or plot out how I could pick the lemons off the tree that were too high for the school children to reach.  Then we wait another 30 minutes after getting Elijah but before picking up David.  That wait is in the car and although I play Adventures in Odyssey and bring books and such, it can be a looooong 30 minutes with 4 children strapped in the car with nothing to do but "toy" with eachother.  I've been bringing my earplugs.  I am eager for summer when I don't have to spend 3 hours a day transporting children here and there.  

Many people I know are experiencing tremendous pain in their life right now.  We are praying. You never know who is suffering.  Be kind and tenderhearted to those around you today.  Be patient and understanding. Withhold judgement and criticism that comes from a jealous,mis-informed or thorny heart. If it doesn't come from true Christian love, then it doesn't belong.   May God's grace help us all.

It's Not You, It's Me

I can often find myself in a panic as I look at the world around me. Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Itching ears being soothed by almost truths. Sound doctrine, logic, being replaced by deceitful emotions. And yet we have no control over any of it. Influence YES! but not control, that is still God's job.

We can convince ourselves of all sorts of things when we are trying to get our own way or trying to satisfy the crowd. While all the while ignoring/denying the TRUTH and LIGHT that the Word and the Holy Spirit pierces into our lives. Through and through He WILL do it! PRAISE GOD for the reprieve He gives us from the flesh!

We must truly be the change we want to see. It's not "them", it's us! Or more spefically, I. I must be the one to remain in Him and honestly answer when I ask myself...

How am I living?
Am I authentically practicing the answers that I quickly apply to the world around me?
Do I have integrity in dilligently loving God and His Ways?
I am only accountable for myself and will give an answer to how I have managed what He has laid in my path.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25)

And so we must have resolve about the way in which we live. Not being pulled this way and that by popular opinion or what we can talk ourselves into at the moment just for the sake of easy. There must be substance and sincerity to our own walk with God or our touch on the world around us will be fleeting and will not last. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth, yet we are of no use if we lose our saltiness.

Protect your Holiness.  Do not continue in situations that you know will be the demise of you and your family.  I would rather lose face than my holiness.  Do what God says.  Continue in it so that you will remember God's Way and be blessed (content, happy).   Seek God above all else.  Recognize the distractions that creep into your life for what they are, detractors from what is really most important for you to be doing. 

The Capacity To Love

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels,
but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient,

love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,
it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. 

Love
always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.   Full, Mature, Whole, Strong, Enduring  LOVE

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

Oh, Lord, would you increase our capacity to....

Love YOU

Love our FAMILY

and love OTHERS

sincerely, deeply, genuinely

for real.

Life (as I know it)

Earlier this week, Paul and I went to another training seminar to pick up more "equipping". My sister-n-law came and cared for the children, but really, I think God sends her just as much for me, as for the children. I just love that woman. 

I am really enjoying the opportunities that San Francisco has to offer, but especially the new ARC skills that I am learning to most effectively love and serve people, which of course, begins in my own home.   Our most recent conference in Long Beach was all about people, our rehabilition program services,(you know the psycho-stuff)  and I learned some amazing yet practical tools.

Jesus said "you will know the truth and the truth will set you FREE!"   

Is it fair game to apply my new understandings to my children, why yes, of course!   (hee!hee!)

This new appointment and venture in our lives, is not soley set out for Paul and Rachel.  It is for the whole lot of us.  Our gracious God appointments the whole family, right down to little Mary.
 He is not a divider, sending us all to go our own separate ways, God is a uniter.

It has been almost a year of an uphilll battle in a lot of ways.  Not everything is "solved" from my perspective, but I try to commit my ways to the Lord instead of brooding, and I keep seeing God's creative provision!!

I take the kids out and about everytime I get the chance.   The children and I are trying to have some fun with all the (annoying) attention we get for being a "big" family.  Now we just pretend we're movie stars and we have paparazzi.  But really, people are so friendly and curious, I don't mind.  I do mind though when they ask me how old I am.

Here is a hidden picture game... can you spot all five?

Wherever you are in your journey, may you know the love and peace that our Living God has to offer.



Friends

I'm so glad the table doesn't stay empty for long...

Tea with friends.

A giant bumble bee flee into the kitchen and Papa Bear caught it under a glass for all to see.


Even with a move, and being perfect strangers to everyone, God is still blessing my family with friends.
Elijah has been to a couple of birthday parties and visited over at a couple of friends homes, fine Christian families. 
David has spent time over at friends homes, also good Christian families. 
I've visited over with some moms of the boys' friends while all our children played.
We've had a few friends come and visit too, such as the above darling girls, and a brother-sister set from the boys' school, and we even have our very own set of twin boys to play with across the street. 
I've been so blessed to have 2 friends from The Dalles come and visit. Did my heart so much good!  And because I've needed more overnight childcare than usual, I get to see my mom and sister-n-law often. 
We're also quite excited and looking forward to vacationing with our good family friends early summer (between the two of us we have 11 children!) And yesterday, a package in the mail from another dear friend from The Dalles.

I remember there was a time in my early Officership that I thought I would just live a friendless life.  Sure we had our people and staff, but it's an unfair burden to them by making them your "friends". We're not there to get our own needs met.  Slowly, but surely, God has brought people into our lives that become friends, good friends, add that to my childhood-always-friends, and I feel like one very blessed lady. 

Several years ago, one of my Home League ladies wrote this up on our chalkboard:
"If you want a friend, be a friend."  So it takes some effort.  I'm not always on top of it due to the needs of my family and ministry.  But I try, I pray for them, and I thank God for the special people we call friends.

Still A New Year

Christmas is packed up and put away.  Now it's as if it never happened except for the chocolates lurking in the cupboards and the toys that still haven't found a place to belong. 

I wonder where our next Christmas will be...

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

I'm glad every day is a fresh start.

Most every night, on my way to dream land I say to myself, and God,

tomorrow is a fresh start, and I'll do better.

I'm not all that much into New Year's resolutions.  Why wait until Jan. 1 to resolve to do something that I'm not already doing, but should be.  I make resolutions all year long.    Not that they always stay.  But even if I do or don't do something a few times, atleast I'm better off  than had I never tried at all.

This year, I'm asking God to make a resolution to me.  I want to be satisfied with Him alone.  He says He is ENOUGH.  I want to really *get that*.    Sure, at times I get it.  But I want more of Him.  See, I'm not satisfied ;)     I just know that when He is enough for me, I'm not looking to other places.  I'm not putting that demand/expectation on my husband, or family, or people around me.  I'm not even looking to the ministry for fulfillment.  None of those things will ever be enough for me.  But God says HE IS.  (Must I always have to re-visit this "lesson" in my life!?!)

So, I am going to make a habit of bringing my every need to Him.  Yes, I pray.  I pray hard.  Like when I am facing a serious temptation- when my heart is racing and I have to will my flesh (mouth and mind) to behave! -that kind of temptation- I plead hard.  But what about the subtle little temptations that God brings to my attention that I just dismiss as -well that's just the way I am- or -just the way I've always done it- I am going to pray about those too.  And when I am feeling needy, lonely, mis-understood, I don't always want to tell God, because I know he'll deal with me- I am going to pray about that.  When I am praying for others, I will pray about their details.  Because God is enough for them too.   When I am dealing with my children, who I plead and pray for daily, I am going to pray about the "little" things too.  Like- God please help me when the little girls are making me crazy trying to keep them quiet in church.   And my unspoken needs will go before His throne of grace too.  I know I have them because I was listening to the Scripture the other day "ask and it will be given" and I am still stuck- what should I ask?  What are my needs really?

~Enough is Enough~

What It's Really Like

So, I've really put off posting on what it's really like since we stepped into our new appointment as ARC Trainees, (for drug and alchohol addiction) training to become ARC Administrators next summer.  Several times, I've started a post and then stopped.  I aim to be honest, but haven't always come from the best or realistic places.  A running theme for me for awhile was feeling so trapped in a lot of ways, even my husband's livelihood and ministry depending on my compliance as an Officer and wife.  But I'm having more peace about it now.  I still feel the "blood and fire" and I'm not letting anything stop me from obeying and serving the Lord the best I know how. 

     While I love a new adventure,  moving is still hard and unless you've *been there, done that* it is hard to truly grasp.  Leaving behind friends, memories, and years of hard work and hope.  Not to mention just the logistics of finding where things are, packing/unpacking, establishing new healthcare, changing all the addresses, making new relationships, and so much more.  Ugh!  It's especially hard for me when I talk myself into feeling like the stupidest person on the planet for allowing someone else to make life decisions for me and my children.     I am trusting like never before...  I thought I've surrendered it all only to find that yet... there is MORE!  I guess we never truly "arrive" anywhere except in the place that makes us wholeheartedly trust Him and rely on Him.    And life is so sweet right now!  It makes little logical sense, but here it is all sweet and solid and good ... amidst the busy-ness, challenges, temptations, and unexpected turns.  Thank you Lord for your amazing ways.

There's more...  
     I was praying for months and months for God to give me a passion for the addicted.  And then, I realized, or rather, God   spelled- it- out for me, that I already have a passion for people.  Especially the marginalized.  Injustice is my hot button, ever since I was little.   It just so happens that my new ministry will be to a more specific group.  I am trying to learn how best to minister to them,  whatever small part I might play.    Everyone else seems so much better qualified, but I am learning from them and seeking God's ways.
And surely, since God orchestrated all of this, I belong.

And more...
     I love our house.  This is my favorite Quarters out of 4.  It's got 3 big bedrooms, 2 bathrooms right next to eachother, an eat-in kitchen, dining room and living room.  It totally works for us.  There is also a guest apartment downstairs that has been frequented enough to aid my lonely heart.
     We walk all over the place here.  I walk to the beach, the forest park, several playgrounds, markets, shopping centers, Walgreens, etc.  I have always wanted to live in a place that I can walk everywhere I need to get.  Thanks for the freebie God.

     The children are such troopers!  Elijah had one breakdown of missing The Dalles after getting a letter from a friend.  Hannah and Ann have had a few, but the overall tone has been -- this is one great adventure!
Paul came up with the great idea of making and posting our Camp Chouinard poster since this is really just a transitional move and the kids are already anticipating the next one.  Despite a very frustrating and mess of a problem with the children's education, they are all settled and doing fantastic with their learning.
     We have had the most un-stressful Thanksgiving/Christmas season ever- ministry speaking.  Seriously, since I was a teenager in the Corps.    I hardly know what to do with myself because I'm only going in 10 different directions instead of 50.  I am savoring this.  It will probably never happen again until retirement. And by then I'll have my Officer children's families to help. Smile.
     I live the closest to my family and childhood friends than I have in over 15 years!  I have already seen my family 3 times, one of which was on my dad's birthday, the day we traveled down here, and a second time at my brother's wedding.  They have also come down to visit too.   I have yet to get to do much with friends, but I seriously have to get a move on that.  Schedules are so hard to co-ordinate. 
     Paul and I have had to leave for 1 to 3 day meetings here and there.  God keeps providing childcare  for these meetings.  My dear sister-n-law all the way from Michigan is a life saver.  Our good friend from The Dalles with her daughter.  My mommy ;).  And soon my newest sister-n-law.  I hate asking for so much help, but here I am, the one in need, and God is meeting that need through these fine ladies, and making me take a hard look at my independant streak.  Plus... Paul and I have really started enjoying our little "honeymoons" away from the children.  

This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
-Jeremiah 29:10-12
    
    

Is the Bible really God's Word? and teaching our children!

                                         
              Here is my Bible on the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus ate with his disciples.

I love to warm up my Sunday School class with a Sword Drill.  Do you know what that is?  The children place the Bible in front of them, closed, with their hand on top.  They sit eagerly on the edge of their chairs in anticipation for the Scripture Chapter and Verse I'm about to announce.  The moment I announce it, pages fly, sometimes Bibles too, while the children race to find the Scripture.  The first one who finds it, jumps up and reads it.  Even the littler ones get involved when I pair them up with an older child who likes to help.  I have to admit, that I think us adults enjoy Sword Drills just as much! I've torn many a pages in Bibles with when my competetive spirit gets out of hand.  (Shame on me.)

It is thrilling to see children and adults excited about using their Bible!  The Bible is God's Word.  It is absolute truth.    I'm not trying to get anyone's defenses up or anything, but here are some of the questions I have asked myself in discerning the Bible to be God's Word.  
*name me one other book in the whole world that is a compilation of 66 books,  has been written by 40 authors, covering a period of 4000 years, yet has the same common thread of redemption for mankind? 
*Pick any book in the Bible and you will see a clear and consistent display of God's character and man's character.  You may not know God, but I'm sure you know yourself.  Look to the word and you will see yourself.  Yikes!
*In all the excavating and studying of history, the Bible has never been proven wrong. The Bible gives an accurate account of all kinds of historical events. Even "atheists" (silly gooses!) look to it for historical value.  If it can be trusted in it's physical context, then how could it not be trusted in it's spiritual context?
*When it is read, it resonates with the human soul, no matter what time period or culture one may be in.  How can it always relate?  Because God and people are the same no matter what the timeline or language.
*It is the best selling book of all time.  Millions of people have and continue to embrace it.  Could that many people really be duped? 
Seriously, how could I not believe??  Only God could inspire a book like that.

When I was working on my CBS Lesson the other day, Ann asked me why I kept flipping around in my Bible.  I told her I was studying and answering questions from my notebook.  She looked at me and said "isn't that cheating?"  "No way, Ann!" I said, "we're supposed to look in our Bible for the answers." 

                  Reading Scripture over the house of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and imprisoned          
                     overnight. Next to me was the cistern that prisoners were traditionally thrown down. 


and a quote, about children, and the blessing and exhortation of giving them direction from God's Word      
       “Think of the possibility of raising a multitude of men and women
       whose bodies have never been poisoned by vicious indulgences,
       whose minds have been enlightened and filled with the principles of Divine truth from their infancy,
       and whose hearts, from their earliest days, have been inspired with the love of Christ
       and possessed with the one supreme ambition to glorify the Father,
       dethrone the devil, destroy sin and save the world!”
                                William Booth, Founder of The Salvation Army, 1884

Don't ever be ashamed or afraid to teach your children the Word. I have heard christian mothers say "well, I don't want to turn them off from God"  or "it's their choice" or "I wouldn't want to shove it down their throat".   That is all worldly thinking of  fear and defeat!  My children LOOOOOVE God's Word!  They love the real heros and the wild stories and how it always seems to have just the right answer for them.  My babies have ruined Bibles from mimicking those around them that are reading.  Help your children get  in the habit of listening to the voice of God that reveals itself in Scripture.  Train them to go to it for answers.  Help them be in the habit of reading it and learning from it.  Let them see you wrestle with questions and search for answers.    Going to God's Word is the best habit to develop in them!  Pushing in their chair, or making their beds, or saying "please" and "thank you", among so many other habits are all good, but if you must stress, and fret, and focus on one... make it the reading and learning from God's Word. 

Mother Is Not Maid

When I was  in the dentist's office the other day, I got a chance to catch up on all the celebrity magazines.  I would've never thought that admist all that entertaining trash I would find an epiphany-a-ha-click-lightbulb- went-off moment for myself, but God is infamous for turning garbage into gem!  Here's what I found.........

"Mother is not maid."

-Jonas Brother's Mom

You know when I am most frustrated with motherhood is if I'm not actually engaged in it.  I get most frustrated when I feel like I've just been cleaning up, shuttling kids around, and feeding everyone all day.

Yes, those are all parts of motherhood, but it is NOT the definition of motherhood.   I think in a lot of ways the pattern of this world says... "do not over-mother", "let the village raise the child", "don't cram things down the kids' throat", "you're just a mom, you're not capable of what the professionals are" and on and on.  On the inside I am not duped into believing these things. God is transforming me by the  renewing of my mind.  But I have to admit that there are many times when I will just nodd my head and agree so as not to look "over-bearing" and so that I will not look "foolish" because I consider being a mother the most important-eternal-world changing- legacy leaving thing I will ever do.  I have 5 little disciples 24/7.  

So I have been really pondering lately my role as Mother in my children's lives,

 how am I and will I be actively engaged in raising my children?

A Mother nurtures and takes responsbility for her offspring.    A Mother trains, guides and protects her children.  She does what she knows to be best for them.  She does not just wish, or churn things over in her mind, or simply sit in thoughtful prayer; she puts her love into action, she takes a stand, and she takes full responsibilty for being the only mother that God has given  her children.  She is fierce, but gentle.  She has her mind made up, but is open to Heavenly Father and earthly father  directed change.  She is steadfast, but knows when to take a break.   She respects her children, but is not afraid of them.  She is head over heals in love, but sensible. She is friend and foe, depending on the the child's perception! 

And more precisely:        

A mother meets the need of her child according to what he/she cannot do for themselves (much like ministry!)    A mother selflessly serves, teaches, demonstrates and helps her child do for themselves what they cannot do until they can.  Oh, how tender God has made our hearts!  How He has put these special abilities in the hands of Woman for all the world to benefit and see His glory and grace. 

Not what they won't do for themselves.

A mother uses discipline, routine, natural consequences, and sometimes punishment so that the child will eventually do for themselves what they won't do.    THIS is where it counts.  It is my intention to raise men and women, not helpless children in an adult body.  I must constantly be on my toes in this area- praying for discernment so that I will know the difference between cannot and will not.  For example:  My 3 yod, Hannah, is in the mostly "cannot" area when it comes too cleaning up her room perfectly, but my 10 yod, David, absolutley can, and perfectly at that.  My 10 month old, Mary, can not possibly make her own bowl of Cheerios, but my 8 yod, Elijah, sure can.  This also applies to heart areas.  I expect my older children to be more in control of their emotions than my little ones.  Sometimes I need to physically hold a child until their temper cools but I expect an older child to hold themselves.

What does a "will not" look like?  Hear me----it is very rarely in the form of open defiance!!   It comes more in  forms of     laziness, "not hearing", denial, moodiness, divertion, lying, sneakiness, self-justification, blame, forgetfulness, selfish acts, and more.  These  are the areas that require the heart of a mother to tend after.  Others would want to expose these sins to make themselves look better and feel better about themselves (that's my conclusion of why we pick out others' sins),   but a mother does it with un-conditional love, acceptance,  and perfect hope for the path that her child will be on.  A mother is on her child's side, not against.   

She pours her energy into the character of her child before she pours it into anything else. 

She is far more Mother than Maid!

 "The chief danger of the 20th century will be

religion without the Holy Ghost,

Christianity without Christ,

forgiveness without repentance,

salvation without regeneration,

politics without God,

and Heaven without Hell."

-William Booth

Chilling words that are still ringing true into the 21st century.

Women Officers--- Tough Times

     I wrote this in the back of my  Bible when I was in training college.  The words aren't so comforting, in fact they are quite harsh.  I did not even fully understand the reality of Officership when I read them the first time, but as the years go by, and we have faced some difficulty, I begin to really get it. 
     When we consider the cost of following Jesus, of answering His call,  we must also remember that Jesus was rejected, despised, spit upon, mocked, tortured, and ultimately crucified, for the sake of OTHERS.
     And the most glorious part of all was that He rose from the grave, victorious over it all.
    
     "Then one day, for unknown reasons, God just isn't there anymore.  The Presence that has guided us and strengthened us is gone.  Our covenant with God feels broken and void.  The Scriptures stops comforting. Every page condemns!  We continue to read out of obedience, but the Word becomes the letter that kills.

     Pastoral skills become worthless.  The church is no longer a warm, nurturing environment where friends gather.  The church expels us from the secure womb.  Evil rages against us.  The boundaries of the church are not walls keeping evil out but a boxing ring keeping evil in, so that it can come back and strike us again and again and again.  We can't run.

     I'm up a tree.  High, far out on a fragile limb I cling.  I climbed out there because God said that He wanted me there and  that He would be with me.  Now the limb is cracking off the trunk.  God isn't there anymore.  The picture changes like a dream.  I am not out on a limb, but strapped to a tree.  I am hanging from a tree.  I am dying on a tree.  Pinched in God's vise, dangling helpless, I am made into the bait of God, but for whom?
  
      Nobody  pretty wants me now.  The world wants winners.  Nothing succeeds like success.  Look good to attract the good-looking.  Die to attract the dying.  Suffer to know the being of suffering.  Cry out to know the crying out.  Hear the blood of the innocents screaming; searing pain rises from the blood soaked dirt.
     Only now am I a parable of Jesus Christ."

-David Hansen, "The Art of Pastoring"


This can really apply to any area of life, couldn't it?     Not all of our days will be perfectly perfect.  In fact, not many.  We trust in Him, no matter where it takes us or who it leads us too.  At times, we may face unbearable pain and frustration, just like Jesus.   But we trust that His purpose and plan is being accomplished in us- bringing us closer into perfect fellowship (holiness) with Him.

Humble vs. Proud

I wanted to share this from Nancy Leigh Demoss.  Food for thought...

"Humble vs. Proud"

1. Proud people focus on the failures of others. Broken people are overwhelmed with the sense of their own spiritual need .

2. Proud people are self-righteous- have a critical, fault-finding spirit looking at everyone else’s faults with a microscope but their own with a telescope. They look down on others. Broken people are compassionate. They can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven. They think the best of others and esteem all others better themselves.

3. Proud people have an independent, self-sufficient spirit. Broken people have a dependent spirit and recognize their need for others .

4. Proud people have to prove that they are right. Broken people are willing to yield the right to be right.

5. Proud people claim rights and have demanding spirit . Broken people yield their rights and have a meek spirit.

6. Proud people are self-protective of their time and their rights and their reputation.
Broken people are self-denying.

7. Proud people desire to be served. Broken people are motivated to serve others.

8. Proud people desire to be a success. Broken people are motivated to be faithful and make others successful.

9. Proud people desire for self-advancement. Broken people desire to promote others .

10. Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated and are wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked. Broken people have a sense of their own unworthiness and are thrilled that God would use them at all in any ministry, they are eager to give others the credit and they rejoice when others are lifted up .

11. Proud people have a sub conscious feeling this ministry is privileged to have me and my gifts and they think of what they can do for God. Broken people have a heart attitude that says I don't deserve to have any part in this ministry and they have nothing to offer to God, but the life of Jesus flowing through their broken lives.

12. Proud people feel confident in how much they know. Broken people are humbled by how very much they have to learn.
13. Proud people are self conscious. Broken people are not concerned with self at all.

14. Proud people keep others at arms length. Broken people are willing to risk getting close to others and loving intimately.

15. Proud people are quick to blame others. Broken people accept personal responsibility and can see where they were wrong in a situation.

16. Proud people are unapproachable. Broken people are easy to be entreated.

17. Proud people are defensive when criticized. Broken people receive criticism with an open, humble Spirit.

18. Proud people are concerned with being respectable and what others think and working to protect their own image and reputation. Broken people are concerned with being real what they care about is what God knows and are willing to die to their own reputation.

19. Proud people find it difficult to share their spiritual needs with others. Broken people are willing to be open and transparent with others as God directs.

20. Proud people want to be sure that no one knows they have sinned to cover up. Broken people are willing to be exposed because they have nothing to lose.

21. Proud people have a hard time in saying, “I was wrong, will you forgive me.”
Broken people are quick to admit their failures and seek forgiveness when necessary.

22. Proud people in confessing their sins, tend to deal in generalities. Broken people are able to deal with the specific conviction of God's spirit.

23. Proud people fear consequences of their sin. Broken people are grieved over the cause the root of their sin.

24. Proud people are remorseful they got found out. Broken people are repentant over their sin which is evidenced by the fact they forsake them

25. Proud people when misunderstood in relationships, wait for the other one to come and ask for forgiveness. Broken people take the initiative to see if they can get to the Cross first no matter how wrong the other may have been.

26. Proud people compare themselves with others and feel worthy of honor. Broken people compare themselves with the holiness of God and feel a desperate need for mercy.

27. Proud people are blind to their real heart condition. Broken people walk in the light

28. Proud people think they have nothing to be repentant of. Broken people realize that they have a need of a continual heart attitude of repentance.

29. Proud people are unbroken and don't think they need revival, but they are sure everyone else does. Broken people continually sense their need for a fresh encounter with God for a fresh filling of His Holy Spirit.

Which are you?

The Jackpot

When I was a little girl, my mom bought me a pack of Bubbalicious Bubble Gum.  I opened up the package and on one of the individually wrapped pieces of gum were the words "YOU WIN" stamped all over it.  How excited I was!  I won a free Barbie Doll and I can still remember going with my mom to the store to redeem my prize and pick out a brand new Barbie, a Hawaiin one with long, shiny black hair and a hula skirt.

As a teenager I called up a local radio station to request song be played. 

I had no idea that there was a contest going on and I got put on air as the lucky caller.

  I won a DJ Jazzie Jeff and the Fresh Prince "Summertime" CD. 

A couple years ago, I was watching a Portland news show and they said the 10th caller gets free tickets to the RV Show.  We love going to those so I thought, why not try and give them a call.  I won! 

And yes, I'm one of those people that gets all excited screaming and laughing... on air. 

We drove to Portland on the day of the RV show and stopped by the TV Station (KATU),  unloaded all the kids and I proudly walked in to claim my prize. 

Sometimes I get real lucky and win all the bonus tickets out of the Monkey game at Chuck-E-Cheese. 

In fact, the kids beg me to play it now so that I can win a whole bunch of tickets for them.

BUT ...

I really hit the JACKPOT

with him.

Thank you, Lord.

What I've Learned These Past Couple of Weeks

The past couple of weeks I've learned...

.... when you force things to fit, they will break.  People too.

... I should never get so distracted that I forget to put the lid on the blender for my morning -berry/yogurt/ flaxseed/soymilk- smoothie.  It only takes longer to clean up a big red mess.

....when you buy a loaf of bread from the Bakery at Freddy's that they will slice it for you!

.... for every 100 things I do get done, 50 don't.

.... the reason I've been going through hairspray like crazy is because my 2yod has been using it on her barbie doll.

.... there is nothing like a good meal with comrads.

..... that I so enjoying holding hands with my hubby during church and getting preached at :)

.... my children are quite capable to pick something off of my "to do" lists and do it themselves.  (my newest wicked tactic!)

.... to quit making my "to do" lists longer than my "can" do!

.... that there is only one person who can PEE all over my husband's desk and important papers, but still get kisses and cuddles

.... that I shouldn't change Mary's diaper on Paul's desk (woopsie!)

.... the thing below the drain at the bottom of a shower is called a Pee Trap (learned that one in Home League!)

.... what Suet is and how to make pudding from it.

.... that as soon as you sweep all the leaves off your back porch, more are sure to come

... that being joyful sure feels a lot better than not


And now I'll leave you with a quote about complaining that I recently overheard one of our Advisory Board members say to another...   

"When you complain... half the people are glad it happened to you and the other half don't care."

That one just makes me laugh, because it's probably true!

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me!  I know it takes a lot of effort on your part.

I'll Fight

While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight;
while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight;
while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight;
while there is a drunkard left,
while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets,
while there remains one dark soul without the light of God,
I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!
(William Booth)

These are the BEST (busiest too!) days of our lives...

Although at times I feel I could rip my hair out (or someone elses ha!ha!), although I feel crazy busy and go 150mph from dawn well into the night, although I can feel overwhelmed and long for simplicity, although at times I can be weary and discontent, I know that one day I will look back and know that these are the BEST days (years) of my life....I have a darling husbad, a full house, an active ministry, all of mine and Paul's dearest relatives are living and vibrant, we have our health, and so much more to be grateful for I couldn't even list them all.

Our big boy- David started 5th grade! on Tuesday.

Elijah started 2nd grade!!

They were up at the crack of dawn full of excitement for the new school year.
We visited the school the day before to roam around the freshly painted and newly decorated hallways. Their particular teachers happened to be there so we visited with them a little and checked out the class lists and seating arrangements.



Ann's face is healing up just fine. When the stitches dissolve I will start slathering it with Mederma hoping she will have a minimal scar.

Missing those summer days and summer corn already....

Our 3 ladies before church a couple weeks ago.

Our littlest lady. She is such a joy!







To the world our children are just another bunch of kids,

but to us.... they are the world!

Thanking you Lord for giving me the best days of my life......

The Mayo Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

A comrade of mine emailed this to me and I really liked it:

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Cups of Coffee .

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar he shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions - and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. 'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand...'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.The Coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Cups of Coffee with a friend !!

Tuesday, Corps

Today was our last Game Room day for the Summer. Ms. K and the kids made up ice-cream sundaes to celebrate. I passed out tons of flyers inviting the kids to come to church and youth activities which start in Sept.

I frantically worked in my office to get things finished up enough to take our "staycation" beginning tomorrow! Yay!! One of our Advisory Board members will be preaching on Sunday and I'm excited to go visit a church on Sunday and sit side by side with my family. Not that I don't like my church!! It's just that furloughs are our only opportunity to see what other churches are like. (I still like mine best he!he!) I think we'll be going to Gateway (Paul's pick) but I'd rather do the Synagogue that meets near Lyle on Saturday or a group of families that meet at the Sr. Center on Sundays. But Gateway's good too, that's where a lot of David and Elijah's teacher's attend. I bet they'll be extra good.

My "Alternative" Lifestyle

Why are all the sinful, ungodly "alternative" lifestyles accepted and celebrated? What about us Christians?

Even as Christians, united in one Holy God, we are all unique, aren't we? We all have different understandings, lifestyles and convictions don't we? Our whimsical God has created a beautiful assortment of people for His glory and purposes.

Here's my alternative lifelstyle:

• 
  
  I believe in one God who is the Creator, Preservor and Governor of all things and one Savior, Jesus Christ.
• 
  
  I believe the Holy Bible to be God's Word and I (try) live by it.
• 
  
  I have received salvation from sin and have eternal life.
• 
  
  I have one husband who I am committed to loving 'till death do us part.
• 
  
  I have 5 children, who I want, love and adore. And until further notice, I welcome any that God would send my way.
• 
  
  I love being a mother and a wife and am committed to doing it the best I know how and as much as the good Lord will equip me to do so.
• 
  
  I am an ordained full time minister of the Gospel. I preach on Sundays from a pulpit, and no, I'm not a woman's libber. Just called by God to preach His word whether it's from a wood box on a platform or on my living room couch.
• 
  
  I wear a uniform most days of the week. It identifies me with the ministry I work for. I am not my own, I was bought at a price, I belong to Christ and His calling in my life.
• 
  
  I believe in right and wrong, moral and immoral and absolute truth. I am an open-minded, understanding person, but weigh everything against the truth of God. It doesn't make me a bigot or judgemental or a hypocrite or whatever those with no truth would call it... it just gives me a place to stand in the shifty places of life. I'm glad I have that.
• 
  
  I believe in individual responsibility and accountability. You make your own life. You should take blame and the credit. The good, the bad and the ugly. We will stand before God and give a full account for it.
• 
  
  I am against welfare and I am pro charity. I believe the government should have no right to take from one man to give to another (aka- taxes). I believe we have raised generations of people who think they are entitled to the many services that the governement provides. I believe the Bible- if a man does not work, he shall not eat and you should reap what you sow. Sow not, reap not. Charity should be done by the charitable and the Church, not the government.
• 
  
  I am a true feminist. I believe a woman should be a woman, not a man. I want to look like a woman and act like a woman according to how God created me and how His Word instructs me.
• 
  
  I know that my alternative lifestyle would be more accepted and tolerated in this world if it were a sinful one. But praise God for His sanctifying work in His believers!

What's your "alternative" lifestyle? How has the Lord defined you and called you according to His purpose? What makes you unique in this world? What makes you unique in sea of Christians? Use it for the glory of God and the good of others!

The New Religion- Greenstians

I am convinced that we need to add another religion to our textbook religions. I even have a new name for those who practice: Greenstians. Read on...

The other day, we were out and about and decided to stop at McDonalds for a quick lunch and a chance to play on the playland. We had been around town, touching grocery carts and such so I had everyone head to the bathroom to wash up. After washing our hands we had to stand underneath a hot air dryer forever to get our hands dry. I hate these things, and if you have little kids, you probably do too. I always have a little one who is terrified of a loud machine blowing hot air directly in their face just because they have wet hands. I would be too. I get annoyed having to stand there for so long just to dry my hands and am often just using my skirt/pants to dry my hands and tell my kids to also. We have better things to be doing than to stand around and wait for our hands to dry. There was no other option because McDonalds is "saving the planet" by not letting me use paper towels to dry my hands. (All the while they're killing us with their mostly nasty food.)

We are being pressured to act green. Here is just a small sampling of the pressure I feel:

• Bring your bags to the grocery store (I only do this to save the nickels and so that I can carry more into the house in less trips. I happen to LOVE plastic bags and all their many uses.)
• Waste your time washing your garbage so that you can recycle.
• Use dishwasher soap that doesn't really work because the lawmakers are actually in my kitchen telling me what I can and can not do.
• Embarrassed that I can not spend a fortune on an electric car to proudly drive around saying "I'm saving the world, I'm saving the world"
• Attempt to convince my children that it is their fault that global warming is occuring, not just the natural way that things work. (There has always been climate change even without "emissions" and our "destuctive race")
• Look down on me for eating a cheeseburger, thus driving up the demand for cows, thus forcing more production of cows, thus producing more cow farts and burps. Yeah right, totally my fault.
• Shame me for mopping my floors with *gasp* Pine Sol. A very toxic agent that happens to make my floor sparkly clean and my home smell sooo good and refreshing (to me).
• Stress me out about drinking from plastic bottles when sometimes I have no other choice.
• Feel guilty when I pull up to the gas pumps to yet again fill my gas guzzling mini-van.
• Keep me dodging the hole in the ozone layer over my head that I have created with my almost daily use of hairspray from an aresol can.
• Entertain the ridiculous thought that I have single-handedly over populated the world by breeding 5 children of my own.
  

And countless other practices of this new religion.

What is religion anyway? Religion is a specific system of belief and worship, involving a code of ethics and a philosophy. Green living is a new religion. Society wraps its arms around it and bows down to it and it is becoming the most acceptable form of proselytism.

Now, don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly embrace taking care of the earth and being good stewards of what God has given us dominion over, but it is certainly not my focal point, God is. I also take all realistic, practical precautions not to poison my family or the earth, but it is definately not the first thing I think about in the morning. (See how I feel the need to defend myself against the Greenstians?? I'm scared of backlash and being labeled as non-green, black if you will.)

But really, I am sick and tired of everyone else's religious, obsessive ideals being crammed down my throat. Think about it. Christianity is progressively being nipped and tucked away. Some Christians are even retreating from the fronts in fear of becoming corrupted by this world's ways instead of fighting the good fight and standing firm against the devil. Because of society's every growing godlessness, there is a sense of shame and embarrassment taking the place of the bold living and speaking that Christ calls us to. People don't want to hear about a Saviour who entirely saves us from destruction. But they'll bend over backwards and inside out to try to save the planet. They don't want to hear about the love of God but everyone's on board the love train of sin. Don't you even dare talk about moral living either or else you may be committing a hate crime.

Any other religion besides Christianity is broadcast loud and clear in our society. Think about all the things we can get caught up pursuing that is glorified in the our society's eyes. In fact, even we can get caught up in the things that appear right in the world's eyes and earn us pats on the back.

Here are some other ways of life, that all have their place, but when out of balance, have become culturally acceptable religions:

• perfect health- organic, natural, raw, fat-free, no sugar, excercise, excercise, exercise, (the lawmakers even want to put a tax on junk food, that way they can govern our bodies too and punish us for "bad" choices like the cigarette tax. Did we elect them to punish us according to their standards???)


• perfect lifestyle- namebrand, high-end, best quality, latest and greatest (we've really gotten far... trillions of dollars of debt!)


• perfect education- private, public or home, elite, ivy league, $ (some people in other countries are just trying to survive the day, but in America, we take for granted the privelege of education)


• perfect philosophy- godless, thinking, creating new thought, understanding the ultimate whys (everyone thinks they've got THE answer!)


• perfect relationships- studying endless books, keeping just the "perfect" easily relatable people in your life, consulting Dr. Phil, Oprah Winfrey or countless others (what happened to loving the unlovable, and developing real character in the face of conflict)
  

And so many more culturally acceptable religions! What do you think of?

The real fact of the matter is that there is only one perfection and there is only one way to thoroughly save our planet and that is our Holy God and His sanctifying work in us.

So leave me alone world! "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" (and the Lord alone)