Light in the Darkness

So once again I've neglected this blog. No more promises. I am just too busy to carve out time to sit behind the computer. Maybe I'll do better but probably not.

I feel the need to share something with you. Something that almost seems too dark to even write, but it's in my heart and it has to come out. I almost wish I didn't know, but now I do. I have to do something with it, even if it's only sharing with you.

My first mission trip opened my eyes to poverty, so I thought. I came home rejoicing from my second trip after seeing old friends and what God had done in the months in between our visit. My third opened my eyes to real missions... think 2 days of travel to just get to the location with roads so bad they purposefully hand out anti-nausea tea and then later feed you goat with the hair still on it. We had a very evangelistic mission with hundreds committing their lives to Christ, even while the threat of the Catholic church hung over us like a cloud. It seemed whole towns wanted to know Jesus!

The last day, hours before we left the country, we learned about a heart-wrenching situation. A child TJ had counseled on one of his previous missions was in dire circumstances. Pulled from school because of finances and sold regularly as a prostitute she literally did not have a shirt to put on her body. We considered all options including foreign exchange, adoption, and kidnapping. The second two being illegal! We opted to help with her school fees so she could be loved on in the day, taught about Jesus, and be fed. Unfortunately, our story had a hard twist. Our child was later pulled from school so that she could help support her family more. As we were driving down the road we happened to see her on our last day! We were able to hug her and tell her we love her because God does. Then, we drove away...leaving her there to go home, to face the night again.
(There is more to this story than I am willing to write.)

On my last trip we learned is that there are hundreds more like our precious little one in this slum. Children live alone in cardboard houses. They wander on the streets and scavenge for food. Some might live with an aunt or a cousin. Some were abandoned at birth. Many are physically abused. Others have to peddle candy or trinkets on the streets. And as unfortunate as it is, many themselves are a commodity. You can see it in their faces or by the way they cringe when you hug them. We met one child, only one who had a mother and a father.

A family home in Comas slum.

I came home in a depression saying "God where are you?!? Why aren't you here?!? These children need you to intervene. Put your big God foot down and say 'ENOUGH'" After some time to decompress I realized that He is in this slum. He is right here... right here in this school. He is right here shining through Ms. Wilma who wraps these kids up, clothes them, feeds them, loves them, and shares what a heavenly father does! Those living in darkness have seen a great light...Matthew 4:16

IEP Larry Cochran

Ms. Wilma

One of 4 feeding centers where children get meals and Bible lessons twice a week.

What do you think when a PK shows up looking like this?!?

When a PK (Pastor's Kid) shows up 15 minutes late to church like this

on Mother's Day, what do you think of your Pastor's wife? Do you think she's lazy for not having everyone look perfect? Or do you offer her a little grace? "I see you chose to pick your battles today. Happy Mother's Day."

What you don't know is that PK spent the 20 minutes before this photo doing this...

while screaming "Me never goin there again! Me not gettin dressed ever!!!"

Maybe just maybe your pastor's wife was up late ministering to your pastor. 

Maybe she's exhausted because she does Sunday mornings (all day for that matter) like a single mother. 

Maybe she works to help pay for the ginormous cost of seminary so your pastor can be educated enough to serve you.

Maybe your pastor gets up at 4:30 to study every morning and she doesn't get a lot of rest.

Maybe your pastor spent all week doing the business of church and has to prepare his sermons late on Saturdays.

Or maybe God laid something else on his heart and the midnight oil was burning at her house.

Maybe she works and doesn't have time to lay out clothes because her family can't live on a minister's salary. 

Maybe her kids don't like church somedays because dad gets to take 50 other kids home but almost never drives them home. 

MAYBE you could make her day by offering a little grace like someone (everyone) did to me today. 

Maybe you can drop off a box of breakfast bars at your pastor's house labeled "Sunday Only." 

Maybe you can iron clothes or fold them for that matter like Ms. Jonnie used to do for me.

Maybe you can smile to say I understand.

And you can ALWAYS pray that God will give her the strength to walk this blessed but rocky road He's laid before her, so your pastor can do his job well.

(Many thanks for the grace I received this Mother's Day. It was truly a wonderful day.)

Break Our Hearts

I've been wanting to share about what broke my heart on the last day of our trip in Peru, but I haven't yet found the words. 

For some people in third world countries, the poverty is so great that even the small children must work to just provide food. In Manaugua, Nicaragua there are young kids performing acrobatic acts and juggling or cleaning windshields in the middle of 8 lanes of traffic in hope you'll drop them a little change. In Lima, Peru we are told children are given a box of candy or trinkets and are not allowed to come home until it is all sold. We were briskly walking through the streets when we passed a cardboard box with fruit and candy. Behind it was a pile of something. Inside was a tiny child the size of our 3 year old but obviously much older. She looked sick and had flies on her face. 

I've seen the faces of Compassion International children on tv. 

I've seen them in person, but this little girl...My heart broke. 

I couldn't pick her up or even give her a drink...I felt helpless so I just kept walking. We tried to go back and put money in her box but she was gone. My husband, TJ, wrote this in a devotion to the volunteers at church and it gives me hope and direction for what God is asking us to do next. 

 

"Nehemiah 1:4 – Break our Hearts Lord

“As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days…”

                In their song Hosanna, Hillsong United (and our praise team) invite us to sing to God to break our hearts for what breaks His.  When we sing the words “break our hearts for what breaks yours” I often wonder if we realize what we are asking.  Our hearts breaking isn’t just an emotion that we show, nor is it seeing the need in a situation and simply acknowledging it.  It’s all these things and then doing something about it. It’s bringing joy into a situation that is less than enjoyable.  The word Hosanna itself means joy, adoration, and praise.  When our hearts break for something we as Christians are called to bring Christ into the situation, therefore that is where the joy comes from!  Our hearts breaking for what breaks His means that we have, “put on a mind that is in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5) and seek to follow the Holy Spirit in bringing Joy (Christ) to the world.

  I love the book of Nehemiah, for many reasons, but primarily because Nehemiah saw something that broke the heart of God and he did something about it.  He gives us an example of what happens when our heart breaks for the things of God and then decide to follow Him and not our plans.  The book begins with Nehemiah, who is the cup bearer to King Artexerxes, being given a report from Jerusalem.  Jerusalem was in shambles and was being persecuted by neighboring towns.  This was the worse news as a Jewish man he could have received, period.  It broke His heart not simply because the town was in shambles but because this was supposed to be God’s dwelling place, a city that was holy unto Yahweh. Quite simply Nehemiah’s heart broke because God’s heart was broken.  But here is what I love about Nehemiah; he didn’t just get mad, he didn’t proclaim how much needed to be done and form an action plan, he “sat down, wept, and mourned.”  Why? Because he knew the heart of Yahweh was broken for this very same thing!

What breaks your heart? Is there anything that God is asking you to see with His eyes?  While in Peru on the streets of Lima we encountered a young girl about four or five years old who was covered with newspaper asleep on the steps of a building.  She had no mom or dad who tucked her into a nice warm bed, she had no pillow, she didn’t have money to buy food, and there was nothing that could be done that day that would prevent the same situation the next day.  It opened my eyes to the same things here.  What breaks your heart?  What causes you to mourn for days? 

 I invite you to pray this with me today, Break our hearts for what breaks yours God, show us the things that we should mourn on and let’s see where the Lord leads us."

T.J.

Kickball with Jesus

 VBS in Shucush Peru. Our lesson one day: "Do for others what would want them to do for you." Simple...make 2 bracelets. Keep one and give one away. These kids seemed to know God's word fairly well. I really didn't think we had taught them anything they didn't already know. Then this happened.

Meet Angelo... Angelo sat quietly on his riding toy just holding some string and a handful of beads watching the other boys chatter and vi for the coolest beads. I slid over to help him and he smiled the biggest smile I've seen on earth so far. I thought, "I guess he's never seen a gringa lady before. That's cool." We put some beads on and I realized he was having a harder time than some others and didn't verbally answer my questions. But look at that smile!

Then it was time for "juegos" or games. Angelo's brother asked what we were going to do. He said Angelo couldn't walk. Angelo's ride is a little too small for him but it sure has four wheel drive! He maneuvers these roads every day.

Have you ever seen anyone play kickball with their hands? Some men on the team made sure it happened! Angelo hit the ball and other boys took turns pushing him full speed around the bases. Remember the do unto others thing?

I think they got it!

Many of those boys gave their hearts to Jesus this day. As those awesome men put it, "Today...we played with Jesus" and we were blessed beyond measure.

Angelo may not be included everyday but he waved his arms like a champion as his mother carried him home this one day.

It made the 14 hr bus ride over 11,000 ft on this road totally worth every minute!

Jesus in the Toilet?

Before heading on my first mission trip, I received a friend request on Facebook from a man that I was a little leery of becoming friends with. He had a Spanish name and lived in another country. I noticed we had mutual friends and then realized he was a pastor who helps lead the mission teams and now I know pretty much does it all in Nicaragua. 

Pastor Carlos posted some pictures that didn't make much sense to me. There was a toilet (concrete hole) and every person in this community, I mean every person had their picture made with it...the one toilet.  I didn't understand why until I stood in that place, until I realized there was no where to "go," until while playing with some kids I stepped in a little ditch with murky blue water running through it, until I went to the kitchen sink that didn't drain to get a bucket of water to fill up the back of a broken toilet behind a blanket at a restaurant. It was windy that day...and like all the restaurants it was outside...enough said. 

Now, I look at that latrine and I know why they had their picture made with it. Because now the little ones don't have to go into the field at night and people have their dignity. Now their well water will be cleaner and their babies won't be so sick and they can breathe a little easier. 

I look at these people who rejoice that God provides and I almost feel ashamed because I have 3 toilets in 1 house. The entire village could live with us...really.

I feel angry and ask why does God give to some and not others? 

And I remember His love. I don't know who built that latrine...maybe a missionary team maybe Carlos' brother Thomas. God's love is right there in that latrine. He could've just opened the heavens and poured out money, but instead someone sweated and toiled and sacrificed and built a toilet. The people of Brisas saw them working day in and out, saw that someone cares, saw that the Father cares for His children. 

As Christmas approaches, I realize that God could have just saved me, opened up the heavens and said "Hey, you're forgiven." He cares too much for that. He came to earth, to breathe the same air I do, to feel the pain I feel, to eat the same foods, and to probably even use the bathroom in the bush. He bore my sin, carried my mess, and suffered for it, I mean really suffered...because He loves ME and YOU. How much mercy this precious little babe would bring! 

Lady J

As I hurried to grab yet another pan of tacos for the 4th graders on Wednesday, I noticed a lady just standing near the kitchen.  We will call her "J". I assumed J was one of our kids' moms. Often they get on the bus when no one is home and occasionally someone notices and needs them for something. I smiled as I hurried by and on my way out asked J if she needed help. J said she needed groceries. There were like 500 lbs of tacos right in front her. I invited her to eat with us but J declined. I suddenly I realized I left a poor man with 22 ravenous 10 year olds and no tacos. I promised to hurry back. By the time I came down, someone had given J a pre-made bag from the food pantry. 

As I walked J out, she told me there were 9 people in her house. I smiled. I touched her arm....I told her to come back tomorrow when the office was open for a grocery voucher. I felt self conscious with her in her pjs and me with my new shirt. I should have left my sweatpants on instead of squeezing into uncomfy clothes at 5:15 so I could look more like "the preacher's wife." I wanted to pray with her. I wanted to share with her the One who has given me a new legacy to leave my children, who has restored my marriage, and who has literally set me free from darkness. I wanted her to know she matters and is loved,  but I was suddenly aware that she didn't want me to love her. She didn't want Jesus from me. She just wanted food. She had hungry kids or maybe not, but she was desperate enough to walk into a place full of people she didn't know, who might judge her, to possibly face rejection and ask for food. 

Sometimes we don't know what to do, or what God would want. Had I pushed Jesus on J, she probably would have never come back. Did I miss the opportunity to share with her? Was the food, the smile, and the incredibly loud joyful buzz of 150 kids enough to show her Jesus? I think it was enough. She didn't ask for God. She wasn't looking for Jesus... BUT she knew whose house to go to when she was hungry...and HE is ready to show himself even to those who aren't looking.

 

In Isaiah 65 God says, "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;  I was found by those who did not seek me."

How can God use you to show himself to others? I didn't do anything for J but stop and smile. I can't even claim credit for giving her a bag of food, but God can use you if you're willing. Open your eyes and be ready!

Harvest in Peru

SO...I haven't been blogging since...forever. Life has just been more important. Our house has been filled with children, we've added a college student to our family, and we have been doing some international missions with our church. It's crazy but blessed!!!!

So far, my heart has been in Nicaragua and TJ's heart in Peru. We are a house divided, not by football allegiance, but by which country has pressed into our hearts! You should hear the banter in broken Spanish or mostly English on my end, haha! Then TJ mentioned a trip to Peru that had maybe only 1 young woman on the team. In Latin American culture, it isn't appropriate for a man to lay his hands on the women to pray for them and honestly it would be a little strange to see a group of all men trying to put on a VBS, even though they always help and play with the kids. I considered it and...We prayed and prayed and we have babysitters for that week!
 
Even though my heart is breaking that I can't afford to see these precious faces this winter and go to Peru we are heading to Chachapoyas, Peru January 2nd.

We have heard that the village we are visiting has only just now heard the gospel. Seriously! Never. Heard. About. Jesus. A man walked 10 miles to hear the gospel preached and brought the message back to his village. We have been told the harvest is ripe! I think we will also be visiting "Wilma's school" that TJ helped a mission team from Dayton counsel at last May. We will possibly be doing a construction project, medical outreach, VBS, eyeglasses outreach and will be speaking at churches in the evenings. I am learning that with missions we really can't plan for the next day or even hour. We have to be flexible and just love on the people who are in front of us that very moment.

We need your help...
PRAY- Pray that God would have the hearts of the people we meet softened and ready to accept the love we offer in the name of Christ.
SUPPLIES- We need everything but I'm sure we can only take very little since we will have an in country flight. Craft supplies, streamers, glue, crayons, coloring books, tinsel, inflatable balls, jump ropes, frisbees, gum, shoes, old eyeglasses...etc. Anything that is light and can show love!
SUPPORT- Travel is very expensive to get to from Tennessee to the village in the Andes Mountains. If God moves your heart in this way, you can send a check to:
First Church PO Box 12 Dayton, TN 37321
and make sure to put Burdine Missions on the memo line.

Also, I would be more than honored to come share what God is doing in our lives and the lives of our new friends at your women's group!

I plan to share more on this blog of our past missions and I hope the people who we love so much will minister to you as well.

"I tell you open your eyes and look at your the fields! They are ripe for harvest." Luke 4:35

"Jesus Hippie"

I don't have any excuses for ignoring this blog except I've had more important things to do. Period.

In the last year, we've moved, TJ started a new job, we've  been incredibly sick, had an enormous amount of children in and out of our house, and begun doing missions with our new church. Life is busy and I'm a complainer. I'm tired. TJ's tired but we've been called to raise our brood plus a few and to ministry.

When TJ and I went to tour the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary several years ago, we met with an admissions counselor, obviously. I thought he was the craziest person I had ever met. We quickly dubbed him the "Jesus Hippie." We also quickly learned the famous was full of them!  When he got married he told his wife to quit her job "because marriage is hard enough. She can stare at the ceiling all day for all I care. Maybe she'll learn to paint or sew." Then he proceeded to tell us how they sold everything they had and moved to seminary with...nothing...no money...no place to live...no food. They lived in their van because God called. Seriously? Who does that?!? The cafeteria workers fed them. They got jobs at the school and eventually got an apartment. He put his wife through seminary...and then let her stay home with their children! They were expecting their 4th child while he was attending seminary. "It's all good. Our 2 bedroom apartment is bigger than the 3 bedrooms on campus." Yep, 2 bedrooms. I feel like we fill up our 4 bedroom house pretty easily. He said checks just come in the mail when they needed something. I remember asking, "Who just sends you money in the mail?"

This man's attitude has perplexed me for years even after our every need has been provided for ...even after I have been able to stay home with our four children...and learn to paint and sew...even after checks have come in the mail or cash or gift cards put in our hands or food delivered. Every time I'm shocked at how God provides. I'm sitting on the balcony of a condo at the beach that was gifted to us...worrying about tomorrow. Not because we really have a need but because I forget to look over the years, to see the big picture, to see how God has provided, to trust that He's got it already. 

God is good, life is hard. Let's not grow weary. Let's run looking into the distance even in the midst of life, and dirty diapers, and kids who are hungry/dirty/abused, and children peering into our window while we change clothes because "I would really like it if I could just come inside." Let's run toward the goal He's given us not just toward tomorrow.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:26, 27 NIV)

Day of the Devil Mama

I have all these neat things I want to blog about, but today...oh my...today. Something happened this morning between my shower and burning my eggs. I'm not sure what it was, but it was like Satan was attacking me from all sides. Maybe it's that in 3 days I'm going to speak to a girls' Bible class about the pain of "not waiting" and I don't have a clue what I'm going to say. Maybe it's that the only girl in the class that I know told everyone how "awesome" I am...NO PRESSURE. 

Here is a rundown of the morning. I'll save you the complaining and just make a list.

Burnt eggs.

Kyle screaming the entire time I attempted to make a Lost Dog poster for our corgi...sniffle.

Spilled entire bag if makeup in the car. 

Couldn't find mascara or eyeliner. (Those are the most important next to foundation you know.)

Late for library story time.

Kyle knocked my coffee out of my hand at the front door of the library.

Shaving cream craft (enough said.)

Both animal shelters were unstaffed and locked.

Kids screaming in the car over Captain Crunch.

Driving around an apartment complex looking for the dog only to have the police chief call and ask why I am being so suspicious...he was joking...sort of.

I may have yelled...screamed...texted my husband to whine...laid on the couch... and drug myself to church. By this time I was turning around some. When we got home, Cole told me his Bible verse when  I wasn't really listening and then...then he said, "Mama can I start leading a Bible study for our family every Saturday night? Come on Carter lets go have Bible study right now!"

As the guilt of my wretchedness creeps in, I remember something I wrote a couple of years ago. "God knew I would be the best person to love, raise, and teach these precious babies even at my worst." God is using me despite myself. I'm not taking credit for Cole wanting to start a Bible study. That credit belongs to the amazing people at WNL. God is still at work in our family and in the hearts of these precious babies despite me, my attitude, and my selfishness. 

I'm thankful he has already paid my for my sins today and the guilt is gone. Let go of your guilt and realize that we can never be good mothers, sisters, friends, employees without HIM. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

There is nothing good in me but HIM.

I think of you...

With every drop of clean water,

I think of you.

With every dish I wash,

I think of you.

With every drop of medicine,

I think of you.

With every cry of my little ones, with every smile,

I think if you.

With every game we play,

I think of you.

Every time I lay my head down on my pillow,

I think of you.

I came home from Nicaragua thinking "God, how could you leave my friends, your people, in that place and put me in this place? They love You so easily, and I doubt You every time I don't get my way." I have finally decided that I don't have to know what God is doing, but I know who He is. Psalm 116 says He is gracious and righteous and full of compassion. I felt like I loved these people so much after only a week. How much more does our Heavenly Father love them? He has known them since the beginning of time. I know he is faithful to care for ALL His people and somehow they know it too.

Princess Maria

I recently went on a short term mission trip to Nicaragua

with 11 people from our church that was led by Go International. I thought I would be writing endless posts about our adventures. Instead, I find that my heart has been so deeply affected by these people and our God that I can't find the words. For today I leave you with this. Look into the beautiful eyes of Maria. Imagine them full of tears and pain as she explains to me that she can't go to school while she writes her name in my notebook in the most beautiful cursive. She can't go because she doesn't have a uniform. She doesn't have 1 white shirt and 1 blue skirt folks. That's all that is keeping her from learning, from making a better future for herself and her country. 1 shirt and 1 skirt is all that stands between hunger and food, a tin shack and a home, and shoes and bare feet for Maria. How can God use you to help her and others like this precious child of the king?

I have a dirty little secret...

Actually it's a big dirty secret. Are you ready?

Add in two more loads to fold and 6 more to wash! And...I washed a goodnight this evening...

FANTABULOUS...sigh. Now my washer smells like pee and is full of salt waiting for the delay sanitary wash about 5 am. Did I mention I have 6 more loads to wash?

A friend stopped by today and I think we just stared at each other and wallowed in our exhaustion. We are in the same place - 4 kids that are relatively the same age. Why one of us didn't take the kids and let the other take a 5 minute nap I'm not sure. Maybe it's because we were afraid one baby or the other would cry. Anyway, overwhelmed would be an understatement at this point. 

So instead of crying, which I could easily do, I am going to choose JOY. (That might have been something Joyce Meyers said. I honestly can't remember so I hope she doesn't sue.) I am going to choose joy because my children have clothes, because I have a washing machine, and because I am able to stay home and TRY to wash them. I am going to choose joy because my child is healthy enough to pee in a goodnight and...put...it...in...the...laundry basket. I am going to choose joy because even if none if these things were true for me that God is still good, that He is still God, and I know somehow He is using even this huge pile of laundry to work through me. 

We Jumped Out of the Boat!

I've been offline for a couple months except for my iPhone. I am still searching for the wireless adapter for my desktop. It's probably buried deep in a box with our cast iron skillets or maybe it fell off the U Haul. I finally confiscated T.J.'s net-book to blog. We moved this June. We didn't just move...we got out of the boat. We were comfortable. I was comfortable. I didn't want to go into full-time ministry if it meant moving around often. We were happy near our family and friends. Then God made us so uncomfortable that we were ready to get out of the boat. Honestly, we were ready to do a running cannonball. I wonder what would have happen to Peter if he had jumped out of the boat and ran to Jesus instead of just walking.

Anyway we packed up our junk things into the biggest U Haul ever and two more trailers, said goodbye to our family, three church families, and friends and moved to Dayton, TN. You see, God had gone years ahead of us (as he always does). He had prepared the way by placing friends and Pastor Ken and Phyllis here in Dayton. God and all the amazing people at First UMC Dayton provided amazingly for our family. There is plenty of crazy story to tell about our journey. I leave you with this for now: It's 45 minutes to the nearest Hobby Lobby or Target, but we love it here!

Curriculum 2013-2014

     I am very excited about what we are doing next year! I hope it leaves much more time to explore the kiddos' interests. Last year, we did the whole literature based thing. It was great but extremely time consuming. I found that we couldn't read the books the kids wanted to read, because we were struggling to get our 5 chapters of ancient history/literature reading in every day. This is 1st Grade folks! Anyway, forward to 2nd Grade and we add a Kindergartner too.

Kindergarten-
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (My fav. book for reading!) We are already on lesson 39. $22 New - Bought for Cole
Get Set for the Code (Handwriting, Phonics) $3 - used first few pages were written on.
BJU Press Math K5 - $23 New

2nd Grade-
Bible- A Bible :)
Read. Read. Read some more.
Character: Keepers Of the Faith $6 New
BJU Press Spelling 2 - $21 New
BJU Press English 2-  $23 New
BJU Press Math 2 - $23 New
Enjoying God's World (Abeka Science) Free
Our America (Abeka) Free

We plan to read-aloud lots of American history books that we have at home or will borrow from the library. Although, this year I will jump ahead and share with the kids that we made up with England. I kind of left that out when we studied the Revolutionary War 2 years ago and the kids were horrified to learn that Bear Grylls is British.

FYI: BJU Press is aligned with Common Core.

After selling some of last years curriculum, I actually made $$! Yes, you could homeschool 2 kids for under $150. After registering with our umbrella school, we are still under $220. I probably spent that driving Cole to pre-school.

Money aside, I know that even at my worst, God has given these babies to teach. They will learn just as much or even more from my mistakes. I pray that I can be just a sliver of what God intended me to be for them.

I Want To Smell Like Jesus

It seems that lately I have been drawn to Ephesians. Maybe it's because God is asking what seems like alot from me right now. I have come to think He must be preparing my heart for something, even though I don't have a clue what it is yet. Today I read in Ephesians 5...

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children  and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

I am supposed to imitate God? Wow that's big! Lately I feel like I have been sacrificing, but I know I haven't offered myself as a fragrant offering. When I sit in the nursery with my little ones through Sunday School and Church, I can assure you my attitude isn't very fragrant. It probably resembles the dirty diapers I put in the trash can! What about when our finances are tight? I can assure you I am not joyous about cutting our grocery budget. Can I really give myself up as a fragrant offering, being joyous and ready to share Christ with the people I meet on that grocery store trip with four kids and a calculator in hand? I didn't, but I could have.

I think God is calling us to let go of something. The first thing is my right to a very poor attitude. I can't be a fragrant offering while complaining to myself all day. Next He may ask for our comfort which for us would include moving, giving up farming, or who knows what?

At an event a couple weeks ago the speaker said, "I want to smell like Jesus." If we "smell like Jesus" others will notice. Soon they will want to smell like Jesus too. (I have a hard time not getting tickled with the whole "smelling" thing.) But really I can change my attitude, my response to everyday sufferings to be a fragrant offering to the One who suffered in my place. Then, He can begin to work through me.

Get Clean Part 2

We are attempting to keep the house a little more clean and I think we are succeeding. I posted about how we do laundry in Get Clean Part 1. I think it's working. BUT my sweet friend, who also has four children, told me that she only does 1 load of laundry everyday. WHAT?! We have clothes for the barn, running, dance, karate, and basketball. My kids go outside almost everyday, even in the winter, and get extremely muddy. Any suggestions on how to cut down laundry?

On to the cleaning.
Our kids have age appropriate morning and evening chores. I posted each child a list with pictures of chores and how to get ready for the day/night on the wall in the upstairs hallway. I see all of them standing in the hallway verbally checking their lists. I hear "Check. Check. X!" And then off they run to the next thing.

Morning:
Everyone:    Make beds, Put dirty clothes away
Kate (3):      Clean bathroom sink
Carter (5):    Take out trash in downstairs bathroom
Cole (7):      Take out trash in upstairs bathroom

Evening:
Everyone: Pick up bedrooms
Kate (3):      Check Mom and Dad's room for toys
Carter (5):   Check dining room for toys
Cole (7):      Check living room for toys
Mom:           Pick up school room
Dad:             Clear the kitchen bar

The boys bring in the empty trashcans and recycling tubs each week and feed the goats, chickens, and dogs everyday.

I made a cleaning schedule. It helps give me an idea of what to do when I am overwhelmed. Plus the hubby often checks the list and helps out!
Monday:      Vacuum
Tuesday:      Mop
Wednesday: Bathrooms
Thursday:    Vacuum
Friday:         Mop
I may not get the entire house mopped or vacuumed if it's a busy day, but at least something gets done. Having a bad plan is better than having no plan in my mind!
Happy cleaning!

Homemade Baby Wipes

Homemade Baby Wipes

Thanks to my friend Emily for sharing this recipe with me after baby #4 arrived! We have used these for about 8 months now when we aren't using cloth wipes. They prove mighty handy!

1/2 roll any paper towels (Use select-a-size if you want smaller wipes.)

2 Tbs. baby wash

2 Tbs. baby oil

2 Cups water

Cut paper towels in half using a serrated knife. Reserve 1/2 in a ziplock bag for later use. Remove cardboard tube from roll.  Place in an 8 cup container. Mix baby wash, baby oil, and water. Pour over paper towels and let sit for 1 hour. 

You can also add a little Tea Tree Oil to prevent mildew. We use them so fast it's never necessary.

I usually pull half of them out and place in an old wipes tub and leave in the car.

Make some wipes and save that $3 for something like a Pumpkin Spiced Latte!

Our Notebooks

Our notebooks. I bet they look a little different and smell different than public school notebooks. We were a little behind this week because of several doctor appointments. Science fell by the wayside since we are ahead for the year. We were supposed to study temperature. (I haven't even gotten a thermometer yet.) I walk into the kitchen to find Cole with three cups of water. He used the meat thermometer measure their different temperatures. He said he wanted to measure the "water temperature in the wild." Off we go to the river. If Cole says anything, I did NOT fall and slide on my tush in the mud while mid sentence saying the bank was slick. At least I didn't fall in. That's another story, haha! The river was 35 degrees, by the way. He observed the water temperature was warmer than the air and warmer in stagnant places. Then we headed to the barn. Notice the horse poo and mud on the notebook? He observed that the water in the stalls was 2 degrees colder than in the trough. Now he wants to make a chart and find the average temperature of the river. Wait are we doing math now?

Our notebooks will see cat hair from practicing spelling words on the front porch in the spring, water stains from sister squirting it with water gun while doing math under a shade tree, a leaf that has to be saved forever, grass stains from dropping it to run and push brother on the swing and unfortunately they might see many forms of animal manure. (Cole loves to sit in the chicken pen and label the parts of a chicken.)

I am sure Cole learned more today about temperature than he would have by me reading a 5 minute lesson to him. This is what homeschooling is about folks.
What do your kids' notebooks look like?

Get Clean! Part 1

Maybe not everyone struggles with housekeeping as much as I do. I just don't have that OCD gene. Obviously, I am sitting at the computer while the sink is full of dishes. Anyway, FlyLady has helped me tremendously, but it's hard to ever master laundry when there are 6 people in your house. I think I have finally figured it out! I realized getting the laundry put away was a bigger part of my problem than actually getting it washed. Here's what we have been doing for the past few weeks.

Laundry - Everyone who shares a room shares a laundry basket. Simple enough. That means no one can leave their clothes in the bathroom. Only towels can go in there. Each day of the week I do a different room's laundry. Everything that comes out of the basket, goes back in to be put away. No running from room to room to put away 6 different peoples' things. I still have about 2 loads a day, but I don't have to do any laundry on the weekend!!!! It was hard for me to watch the laundry pile up, but it actually worked to my amazement. (Note: I throw dish towels in with every load so they don't sour.)

Monday - Mom & Dad
Tuesday - Cole & Carter
Wednesday - Kate & Kyle
Thursday - Towels
Friday - Sheets
Saturday - Nothing :)
Sunday - Nothing :)

Considering we do school most of the day I just get it washed, fold it after the kiddos go to bed, and put it away the next day. Best of all I have everything listed in a notebook that lays on the counter. Since the hubby can see what I have planned he will grab a basket and throw it in! Having it easy to see helps us both get it finished so we can have time to relax later.

Family Night

It has been way too long since my last post. A nasty virus ravaged our house for two weeks before Christmas, then Kyle and I caught a cold after Christmas. Add in two room makeovers (pictures to come) and millions (okay dozens) of Christmas toys, candy, and boxes EVERYWHERE and you can easily guess that I have been swamped.

Here are some fun Family Night resources I thought I would share. Family Night is essential for our semi-large family. We run a pretty tight ship around here out of necessity and need some fun time to relax. We try to have Family Night at least once most weeks. Almost every night we end up with cookie crumbs and popcorn covering the living room floor. Family Nights aren't extravagant, just snacks and a movie or a game. It's essential for our kids to know that we are intentional about spending time with them, that we WANT to have fun with them, that they are important to us. I am excited to try Just Add Family for some easy and fun devotional family time soon. I will let you know how it works!

We couldn't do Family Night without the Plugged In App and website. After many failed trips to the Redbox and finding nothing safe for our 4 sets of precious little eyes, we realized we needed some help. Plugged In gives us reviews from a Christian perspective. They aren't biased or crazy conservative, but just state the facts so we can make our own choice. For the most part, we end up not seeing many new movies just our old faves. The kids enjoy the time together and popcorn just the same.

I also use Thriving Family website for book reviews. We read lots of books. I use Thriving Family to help me decide what is age appropriate for our kids. For instance, I remember loving Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn as a kid, but forgot about slaves being whipped and ghosts in them. I downloaded the audio books and scared the boys to death. I definitely don't have time to pre-read everything. Focus On the Family saves the day again!

Go read a book or make some memories with your kiddos!