Random Observation

I didn’t know it was humanly possible to utter the sentence

“do you need to poop?”

so many times in one person’s life…

Our Day

We had a fun late morning trip to town. We headed to the park where Daddy met us around noon and then we headed to Subway. Yummy!!! Here are some pics of our day:

Yes, more sunflowers:

One more thing, before I forget. Here is how I found my son in bed this morning. Oh yeah! Another pic for the future Mrs. Sammy King!

Can anyone relate?

I’ve never been a bettin’ (wo)man (except for that one time in high school when my dad bought me a stratch off ticket to prove to me that gambling takes your money- and then I won a couple hundred bucks!) but I would be willing on most occasions to bet certain things. For example…

•  a newborn won’t spit up until you have taken the burp rag off your shoulder
• dinner won’t boil over until you walk away to change a diaper
• I will get pregnant again as soon as I get my stomach back in shape
• above mentioned baby will not poop until you have put him in a fresh diaper
• the phone will not ring until I go to the bathroom
• in any given afternoon, a baby will cry as soon as my feet leave the floor and cozy up with a good book and some hot cider (yes, I drink cider in August!)
• on my day out by myself, David will call before I am 2 minutes away from the house

That’s just to mention a few=)

A New Mexican Summer

Summer is beautiful here. There is no humidity, some of the mountains still have snow, and the storms are breathtaking! I am convinced July and August in New Mexico are April for Kentucky in regards to storms.

Here are some sites from my home:

(our two babies- these fawns have been living in our yard for about a month now)

(sunflowers- NM is nothing but sunflowers in the summer. They line the highways and fill up your yards)

(my two troublemakers- they tend to stick around during the summer as well!)

That is all, for now=)

One trial after another

it seems like these days. Since we moved here, I went through a long valley of struggles with worry and fear. Praise be to God that through that time I have learned more about Him than ever before and he will be glorified more now because of it. Now it is my mom. Perhaps what I experienced these last few months was God preparing me for an even greater burden and heartache. Who knows? What I do know is that He has a plan for everything…and this is no exception.

I got a call from my dad yesterday afternoon to tell me that my mom’s biopsy reports had come back and that they didn’t look good. Her biopsy was sent to 3 different pathologists who all said “stage 4 melanoma.” Any of you who know anything about cancer probably just sank at the number 4. It is the worst possible and melanoma is a very harsh type of cancer once it reaches that point, at least according to my mom and what she has heard. Today will begin many many tests to determine whether it has spread to other parts of her body, which will help the doctor make a much more accurate prognosis. Then she and my dad will decide treatment options that will be best for her.

I think it is hard when anyone finds out that a loved one has cancer, but your mom? Her blood once ran through my body. She has always been there when I needed her most. She gave me life and held my hand as I brought life into this world myself. She woke me up with singing and back scratches- the same way I wake my babies to this day. She is the reason I lay on my left side when I have a stomach ache and the reason I ONLY use Jif peanut butter. She taught me to make fudge, chili, and homemade pizzas.  And noone else feels quite as warm when I need someone to comfort me.

She is utterly selfless. She is ALWAYS the one caring for the sick. I don’t know how to possibly imagine her sick. She’s my mommy. And I love her so much.

Please take her before the throne today. She still has so much to give and I still want to give so much to her. I want her grandchildren to know her forever the way that they do now. Their world revolves much around Granny and what she might be doing at any given point in the day. She’s only 48. I know God has a plan, but I am commanded to intercede on her behalf and that is what I am pleading for you to do today as well.

God is good and everything He does is good. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t difficult to endure. And this is very, very difficult.

Great resource for Mamas=)

If you’re anything like me, you can be encouraged by today’s blog at girltalk.

Jesus: a movie star?

In church yesterday we had a guest speaker who worked for the IMB. At the end of his talk, he wanted to share a video concerning the call to missions, especially middle America. Up unto this point, Noah had been enjoying some coloring while seated between David and I. As the LOUD audible voice came up on the movie (but keep in mind we are only seeing words and no faces), Noah exclaimed: “who’s that? what’s that?” As the voice went on, he continued to search around the room for where the voice might be coming from. Finally, as though he had just experienced a major epiphany, he looked up and screamed in front of the whole church:

“JESUS?”

Again…as it often is with this child….mommy and daddy had some big time laughs!

Blessed Assurance

I awoke this morning with a huge heart for the lost, mostly for the deceived that sit in our pews with a false sense of security. I feel like most true Christians are numb to the sheer reality of hell. I think we forget because we are promised that a better place awaits us and all the while we oftentimes ignore the perishing around us. For the first time in a long time this morning, I shed tears for the unsaved. My quiet time actually happened to fall in Romans this morning. Ironic, eh?

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

 

2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.

 

3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

 

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

 

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.

 

6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down),

 

7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

 

8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART“—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

 

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

 

10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

 

11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

 

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;

 

13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

 

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

 

15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

 

16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?”

 

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

 

18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have;
“THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH,
AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.”

 

19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,
“I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION,
BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.”

 

20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME,
I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.”

 

21 But as for Israel He says, “ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.”

Romans 10:1-21 (NASB)

Verses 4-5 are the ones which really ministered to me today:

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

 

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.

 

Lately my heart has been filled with great compassion for the great many who practice a righteousness that is “based on law.” Paul is in essence saying that that is what becomes their salvation in their minds. They claim to have Christ and live by what they choose to believe is true from God’s word, but they have never been brought into an understanding that Christ puts an end to the law.

 

As Nancy Leigh Demoss states: “…a person may know all about God, say all the right things, and even have deeply religious experiences without ever being converted.”I have also been reading in 1 John concerning how one will be certain of a genuine conversion. What a beautiful book that many overlook, I believe. We cannot find better assurances of our salvation than in 1 John. True believers in Christ will meet all, not some, of these criteria according to God’s word:

 

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 1 John 2:3-4

By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. v. 5b-6

The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness… v.9

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him v.15

…if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us…v.19

By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:10

I think at first glance most supposed believers would say: of course I do all those things. But when one is willing to be completely honest with themselves, it can seem much different when you take a deeper look into each of these verses.

I think some important questions to ask one’s self are:

• Are we keeping God’s commandments? Or do we consistently find ourselves failing to do so?
• Are we portraying a picture of Christ in the way we live our lives. Are we, in fact, walking as Christ did? Or do we consistently find ourselves walking according to our ways and for our own good?
• Do we love our brethren? Is our lifestyle indicative of a love for those around us? Do we find ourselves constantly “at ends” with others? And simply put, do you just find it hard to love other people?
• Are we continually pulling away from the things of the world and growing more and more discontent with this world with each passing day? As time passes in the life of the believer and that Christian continues to grow, their should be a noticeable lessening love for this world. Practically, are we saddened by what we see on T.V. to the point that we can’t expose ourselves to it any longer? Are we hurt by the way sin is laughed at and made to be a joke to the point that we realize we are laughing at what put Christ on the cross…and are no longer able to laugh at or even watch such things?
• Are we persevering? Hebrews 3:14 says: “for we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end” The true believer will persevere through trials and tribulations, while the unbeliever will waver in those same trials.

What saddens me is that I can think of at least 10 people right off the bat who fit this criteria of a “so called” believer! I am so hurt for these family members and friends who, most likely, have a very false sense of security. I am most saddened by those who live by a “righteousness” that tells them that if they don’t “do” right, then they will lose their salvation. They also have a very “works-based” faith, which is so incredibly unbiblical I don’t even know where they find proof of it in their own Bibles.

Would you take time to pray for the lost and deceived today? I know my words aren’t even in the slightest flowery and I may have not even properly conveyed my point this morning, but we as Christians have a responsibility (and a command) to pray for the lost. Take it to the throne today. Ask God to bring lost family members and friends to mind. Pray for the unknown as my friend Becky pointed out so wonderfully yesterday. We are intercessors for the perishing and I believe we will be held accountable for it. We have been called to “approach the throne of grace with confidence…” and we need to do so! Have that mustard seed of faith! Sometimes I find myself praying “God, I am gonna pray for “said person”, but I have done everything I can do and they are still lost…so what’s the point?”, but that is not how God called me to pray! I have to have that bold confidence and hope. If I never see the harvest of all the countless times of interceding, it doesn’t matter. We have to be obedient to the Lord’s command to pray for the lost.

Oh how I hope this touched at least one person’s heart. As David and I talked this morning, I said: “hell is real and when did we get so comfortable with the thought of ANYONE going there?” A real place…of torment…of suffering…and it never ends. When I put this reality into perspective I wonder how much God could do with little me if I just committed myself to everyday going to the “ends of the earth”…or just to the grocery store….that ALL may know.

 

 

 

 

Our Home

Sometimes blessings come in small packages. However, at other times, they come in large packages. Very large ones. We are very blessed to be in a magnificent home. We are welcome to stay here until it sells…and it’s been on the market over 3 years I think. It is such a blessing to us.

Until recently, we had not utilized many of its amenities, mostly due to budget and time. But lately, we have discovered so many fun extras in this house…especially in the loft. We have a jacuzzi and a steam room! I have been enjoying these things so much. The steamer is awesome for my skin LOL!

I thought I would share our home with ya’ll. Here it is!

We better enjoy it! I doubt we will ever have a home like this again!

Saturdays are great days for long posts!

What a beautiful northeastern New Mexico day! We’ve spent the majority of it in Colorado, but it’s the same thing basically…

I feel like I have so much to say today! How can I condense it before my “incapable of napping” kiddos begin to scream? I’ll try. Daddy is upstairs watching the Cardinals play so he is kinda keeping an ear out for them as well.

I love links and I love resources so I’ll start there. I found what I am sure will be an AWESOME CD from an always awesome group, the Getty’s. They have put out a children’s CD entitled Songs That Jesus Said: Scripture Into Music. It is on sale for back to school and I will for sure be purchasing it with my BLOW money for the month! Check it out here!

Secondly, I cannot say that I have always been the biggest Mercy Me fan, but I do love their song from the album Coming Up To Breathe, “Bring The Rain.” Here are the lyrics:

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I’ve gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It’s never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I’m forever singing

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty

everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy

Today has been a busy, but great, family day. We went over the pass to Colorado to do our grocery shopping. We took the boys to a fantastic park, which was VERY comparable to the waterfront in Louisville. The river, however, was much much smaller. That’s the “partial” desert for you. Shopping for groceries for 2 weeks is tough stuff with 3 kiddos in carts, especially when you are doing you Sam’s Club-esque shopping, without the Sam’s club of course=)

When we got home from the store, I came to one stark realization: the fridge needed help. The situation was not pretty. Are any of you brave enough to admit that there are just times when you thank God that the department of sanitation didn’t decide to stop by because if they had, the next phone call would have been made to social services, which would result in your children being taken into foster care? LOL… I am admitting it! You name it: old veggies, bad elk meat, probably some iced tea that was far past its “full of antioxidants” phase! But at least it is clean now and you actually see the items in the fridge in compartments (meat, dairy, veggies, etc…)

Simon is almost 1! That just can’t be right! I was just pregnant with him. This reality struck me today as I bought formula for the last time. We have tried him on milk and sippy cups and he is doing great so we are going to begin the initial switch to cow’s milk this month. I also know that we are approaching the end of his baby food days. He simply wants what we are eating and baby food is so expensive as well. And the last thing I have time to do is make homemade baby food. I am saddened because, as a mother, I know this transition is one place where I usually perform poorly. Once my kids are off formula and baby food, it usually signifies the beginning of the juice addiction and an incomplete portion of daily fruits and veggies. In New Mexico you HAVE to drink water…lots of it. So I can at least be fairly certain that Simon won’t have the juice addiction as I have now finally broken the boys from it. Our family of five used to go through 3 to 4 bottles of juice a week. Now it is one. They get one cup of juice a day. I plan to honestly not put juice in sippys for Simon for the most part so that we won’t have the same problem. My friend Traci just does not give her boys any juice so they never have wanted it. I am sad, though. My baby is growing up! I have a hard time without an infant. I love the infant phase!

On the way home from the store, David and I had a schooling chat. We discussed our plans for this year. He wanted to go through the “how it’s gonna work” chat again since he has never really expressed any strong feelings toward home or public schooling in the past. I explained to him some things I had been researching. I told him of the pearls each of you had shared with me. He shared as well some things he had been reading. One floored me.

In David’s current read, entitled Hurt, by Chap Clark, he has been learning much about the world today for teenagers. On the issue of school (public), he quoted me something he had recently read himself:

“A high school junior who arrives home from school promptly at 5:30 after volleyball practice begins a four- to- six hour nightly ordeal called homework- on an average night. She has dinner over a textbook, which allows her to avoid conversation with her mom, and falls asleep exhausted at midnight, only to rise at 5:30 the next morning for band practice before her 7:00 AP calculus class.”

Can you believe that? I can. I experienced it. And this is one area that furthermore sparks mine, and David’s, interest in schooling our children. With a much smaller ratio and, from home, the ability to see where our children find most of their interest, our kids will be much more capable of spending their time wisely as opposed to much of the time that we feel just isn’t necessary in many public schools today. And, as parents of boys, we feel that especially in the elementary years, we can give our children the much-needed time to just be kids and PLAY! I hope this makes sense. It made sense to us, but sometimes I have a hard time conveying=)

I hope you all have an excellent weekend full of rest, worship, and fun!