Can you hear that voice over the angry birds?

So I have had a "smart" phone for a long time now. What do I use it for??? I make phone calls and text. Yes I can do that with a regular phone but I wanted to have GPS (cause I get lost all the time!) Then I decided it would be nice to be able to receive my emails on my phone. Then I discovered games that I can play. Today I realized I could use the google RSS feeder on my phone to keep up with some blogs, and a radio program I like to listen to. The possibilities are endless. I found a way to text but instead of texting using my thumbs I speak into the phone and it puts it all down in a text for me. Kinda crazy!!! I can buy things on ebay with my phone, shop on amazon, order food, and even tell what star I am looking at just by pointing the camera at the sky.

So all of this got me thinking. How often do you see children with a phone some as young as 3 years old playing games, listening to music, and watching videos. What are we being conditioned to? Many many young adults now have no idea what it is like to sit and do nothing. I just read a post by someone who while waiting for jury duty was watching a movie on his phone. How many people in todays society can just sit and do nothing? Old men used to sit on porches and just watch the clouds roll by. In 50 years what are the old men going to be doing? Porch chairs and swings will no longer exist.

I am reminded of the bible verse "be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10a (I looked up the reference by talking into my phone and it gave me the location of the verse.) In order to hear God we must be still and quiet. I know for me God does not yell at me. It is a small quiet voice. If I am busy and forget to listen I do not hear it. Are we training our children to be still and quiet before the Lord? One of my children asked me the other day why I hear God and she doesn't. I had to explain to her that if she is always talking she can not hear what is being said. Same thing goes for the small quiet voice.

These "smart" phones have made life much easier and convenient. But they have their place. Maybe the battery life wouldn't be so short if we didn't use them for everything and depend on them every moment of our lives. We also need to remember to be still and quiet before the Lord, and to train our children to do the same.

Friendship

What is friendship? I have come to learn that many have different opinions on what friendship is. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines friendship as:

An attachment to a person, proceeding from intimate acquaintance, and a reciprocation of kind offices, or from a favorable opinion of the amiable and respectable qualities of his mind. Friendship differs from benevolence, which is good will to mankind in general, and from that love which springs from animal appetite. True friendship is a noble and virtuous attachment, springing from a pure source, a respect for worth or amiable qualities. False friendship may subsist between bad men, as between thieves and pirates. This is a temporary attachment springing from interest, and may change in a moment to enmity and rancor.

How many of us have friendships that are like the thieves and pirates? Are our friendships just there when it is convenient, comfortable, or of our benefit? In todays world we have social websites where we can connect with people from the past, present, and make future friends. How much of these sites are really looking for the spot to fill our gossip jars? Someone I know put her status message as "good morning stalkers" due to the feeling of being watched by so many however few talk, and engage as a true friend would. How often do we log on to these sites just to see what is going on with someone else? What are posting these status messages about?

Another aspect of a friendship is to be there for each other in a time of need. When a friend is going through a hard spot in life, whether it is something that you can relate to or not we should be there as a support, and if you don't know what to say to them you can always ask "What do I need to say? What can I do."

As christians we are to have fellowship with each other. We are to gather as like minded christians and encourage one another. When was the last time you went up to someone at church you didn't know and introduced yourself, and even went as far as to invite them over for lunch? Who knows what that person may be going through. Maybe inviting them over for lunch will make their year!

A friend is someone you know you can trust to be there for you when life gets hard. When you are struggling with your place in God's plan, your inner thoughts, your inner struggles. Someone that you know will grieve with you when you are grieving, and laugh with you when you laugh. Are you that type of friend to someone? Do you grieve when your friends grieve, do you laugh when your friends laugh, do you get on your knees and thank God for the people He has put in your life? Do you pray for these friends as if you were praying for yourself?

God has blessed all of us with friends in our lives. Friends are there to encourage, build up, love and watch out for one another. Again I ask are you that type of friend to someone?

Religion Vs. Relationship

Did you know the bible calls us to be modest? Not just in our clothing but in our conversations and behaviors also. Did you know that just because you wear long skirts, you are not more holy than the next person? (No I'm not saying long skirts are bad) Yes the God has rules for how we should act, speak, and dress however if you are doing everything to the T but missing the personal relationship then all of your efforts are in vain. Without praying, searching out who God is, searching the heart of Jesus and knowing more about Him you are not going to get anywhere fast. Jesus said in order to know the difference between a Christian and a fake you need to look at their fruit. Ok no we are not trees, you can not pick cherries off our fingers but the fruit of our lives. You can take that literally and say their children, or you can look at it and say their behaviors and attitudes. If you are living your life for Jesus there are things you will not be doing. One of them would be dressing like a hoochie mama. (I have no idea if I spelled that one right. It doesn't seem to be in my spell check. Ha ha) Another would be lying, or stealing.

Children as fruit: You can tell a lot about how people parent by watching their children for 5 min. One thing is small children have not learned to control their tongues so things just come out. Second I firmly believe that a child will only get away with what the parent allows. I'm not saying the child will only do things that they are allowed I am saying they will only "get away with what they are allowed". If you tell a child they can not have something and they right away end up in a melted pile of mush on the ground screaming and yelling it is obvious that the parent has allowed it. Of course when this happens in public the parent is embarrassed. But what if the parent at home does not allow that behavior. The first time that child displays that type of behavior if the parent deals with it swiftly and sternly there is a greater chance of it not happening in public. I have a very strict rule in my home. It is "if it is not cute when they are 15 then it is never cute". Things like playing with food, jumping on furniture or throwing a fit. You can not allow it then suddenly ohh you are 5 now you can't do that anymore. It is much wiser to just never allow bad behavior. Ok sorry tangent. Back to fruit. If you children are obedient, helpful, respectful, and caring your "fruit" is something that will show others where your heart is. If your "fruit" is destroying things, hurting others and being a pain all the time then it is showing how you parent and the fruit is just not there.

If you are reading your bible, searching for the true heart of God, all of the fruit comes. You don't have to do anything to impress others, or try to make them believe you are holy. When you die God is not going to ask your friends if you were holy or not. HE KNOWS!!! Someone I know became a Christian a few months ago. One of her prayers were "God I'm not going to change your going to have to change me." When she told me this I laughed so hard. That is what a Christian is, someone who changes from being a part of this world in to someone more like God. Since that prayer this person has changed soooo much!!! HUGE leaps and bounds. When you seek Him you become more like Him. You will start to dislike things of this world that previously didn't bother you. If God tells you to only wear long skirts fine but don't just do it because you think you are closer to God for it.

(Yes I'm picking on the long skirts however I mean no harm they are not bad they are just my example. I do wear long skirts most of the time. They are very comfortable, and many grow with the ever changing belly every year or so!!)

We have had some big things happen in the last month or so. A child we knew something was wrong with but couldn't figure out what because she was smart, and all the behaviors didn't seem to add up has been diagnosed autistic. We are waiting on a appointment with a specialist to hopefully learn what we can do to help her function better, and help her learn easier.

We switched every bedroom in our house around! My craft room is still feeling the pain from this venture. I have many things that still need a home but God will have to provide the time to do that later, right now does not seem to be the right time.

After 14 years I found family I had been looking for. We are pretty sure of what I thought. Now we are just waiting for the DNA test results. (Did you know you can buy DNA tests at Walgreens?) This in itself has been interesting. Introducing new family after 31 years is interesting. Don't bother asking me how I feel about it cause I honestly don't know. Right now I'm just rolling with it.

The baby is crawling, waving, saying ma ma and da da. Today she got herself "stuck" again. However for the first time she crawled backwards to get herself out. She also figured out how to crawl onto the bottom part of the end table. She loves to chase people around in her walker. I think her favorite part is running over our toes!!! I don't think anyone is ever ready for a crawling baby. Crawling will soon mean walking. She is already doing good at holding fingers and walking. Her first teeth seem to be getting close to emerging also. I can't believe how fast she is growing up.

Yesterday my girls woke up all itchy. There were lots of bumps all over their legs. Especially in the back of the knee. We watched the bumps all day and by bedtime there were twice as many. They have the chicken pox! I have no idea where they got it from. My boys seem fine. The baby doesn't have any spots, but has been fussy. I can't tell if it is teething, or she doesn't feel good. We will be having a pox party for any and all that would like to attend. The little boy came down the stairs asking the girls "Where is the chicken pox. Give me the chicken pox!"

Last night one of my girls woke up "starving" so she made herself some bread and peanut butter. I stayed up with her and I cut up some cantaloupe while I waited for her to be ready for bed again. Then she told me she wanted to do her spelling. It was 2 am!! I informed her it could wait till morning. But she had it in her head that she HAD to do her spelling. After trying to explain it to her I could see that it was more of an internal "I have to do my spelling now" than a I want. So she did her spelling. 20 min and about 50 yawns later we were off to bed again only for it to be time to nurse the baby. I'm beginning to believe that sleep is not actualy necessary for moms. We somehow seem to have a superhuman ability to stay awake long hours, and somehow function the rest of the day. I did have an idea today. If I just tape my eyes open my children will actually think that I am fully awake!

So that is just a small update on our crazy family. In the middle of lots of changes, stressful times, and just plain crazy we are enjoying each other as a family. Playing together doing chores together, and learning together. I think the together part is the most important part. I'm off to go make some food! Food is just as good as sleep right??? =)

Perception

Many put much effort into how they are perceived. Some wear lots of make-up to hide what they feel are imperfections. Some people color their hair to look a certain way. Some people are dressed to the 9's and look perfect when they go out. The way we look, dress, speak, and behave are all ways that give others impressions of us.

No matter what you do people are going to have an impression. But what kind of impression are you giving them? I once had someone surprised when they came over that I was willing to show them my house that was untidy. I thought it was odd to be embarrassed about my house. I thought "Yes it is messy right now, I would like it to be clean but what is there to be embarrassed about? God already saw it!" I don't clean my house so others will be impressed. I clean my house because I am uncomfortable when the house is messy. I get easily agitated when things are messy. When company is coming over I prefer my kitchen to be clean at least because who wants to eat at some ones house when their kitchen is a mess. I'm not talking just dirty dishes but when the kitchen is gross, no one wants that.

No one is perfect. I have proof! God said so! Jesus was the only sinless man on earth, and even Christ didn't throw the first stone! Why as a society do we judge others so harshly. When we perceive that others do something better than us we are intimidated. Everyone is going to do something better than you. It may be cooking, cleaning, writing, crafts, or whatever. God gave us all different gifts. God made you perfect for your family. God knows you are not good at crafts, or writing, or public speaking. That is ok! You have strengths in something else. You may cook well, or play piano beautifully. You have all the tools you need to be the mom God wants you to be. So instead of picking on people for their weaknesses we should all encourage each other in our strengths.

I'm sure everyone can come up with a time when even their strengths were weak due to changes in life, or pure exhaustion. Every life has seasons. Not everyone will be in the same season at the same time. Enjoy where you are. Spend your time being who you are. Trying to impress others is time consuming, and exhausting. Plus the one you need to answer to is God and He already knows your strengths and weaknesses. He created them!

It is well with my soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

This is one of the hymns we sang yesterday at church. This is one of my favorite songs, however I am not sure that I ever really stopped to think about the words. What does it mean for it to be "well with my soul". Am I ok with God's plan or am I still trying to control it all.

Life has not been easy for me lately. There have been a few things that have thrown a wrench in MY plans. Of course these things are no surprise to God. Just as I thought things were finding a new normal several new revelations have appeared that may have a large impact on my family. Time will tell how this plays out but for the moment I am put in a very unique position. I have have 2 ways things could go and both will change my life in some way.

So while trying to sort out all the changes, and trials in my life right now I find myself wanting to complain. I know my closest friends would probably say I am a whiner right now. I have forgotten Job. I have forgotten that no matter what is going on in my life it can always be worse. We have a roof over our heads. I have 5 beautiful children, a wonderful husband, and so much more. What do I really have to complain about? I feel sometimes that I am like my 2 year old who is prone to being upset when he does not get what he wants. Lately he has come up with a new way of dealing with disappointment. He will come to me and ask for something like some candy. When I tell him no he responds with "awwww" in his cute little voice. Then moves on. No whining complaining, or fits. Just a simple "awww" then deals with it. I strive to be like my 2 year old in this area. I want to just say awww and then be able to deal with the fact that what I planned is not alway what God planned.

So God created the universe. God has numbered every hair on my head. God loves me. God created me. God created my children. Nothing going on right now surprises God. He has a plan. He has the big picture, and I have a tiny port hole view of things. I can only see right in front of me but not to the left and to the right. So I should trust in Him, and sing "it is well with my soul". If I am trusting everything in Him all of these things should be well with my soul. In the mean time I will also remember that Hebrews 11 promises rest at the end of this life. I'm gunna need it!

large family???

I don't feel like we have a big family, but I am constantly reminded how big we are compared to other families. As we are often asked questions like "Do you know what causes that?" and "Are you done yet?". 100 years ago people would have been proud to have a family this size, and so much larger. No we don't have a farm, we live in a subdivision, but we still have chores to do. I think chores build character in children. If children are raised without ever having responsibilities how will they ever learn? They will not one day wake up and say "I would like to start working hard now!" Instead they will either learn the hard way through many failures, or just never get it. I pray my children learn to work hard so they will be prepared for the hard times later in life, and enjoy the good ones even more.

Having a "large" family has brought a few challenges to our home. The average family in America is 1.86 children according to the 2000 census. So guess what homes, and cars are built for. With the invention of the minivan people thought ohh hey this is great it will fit the whole family! Well for us, yes we fit in a minivan however there is zero room to move once you include car seats, and forget about adding groceries! Plus if we have guests we would have to travel in two cars because we would not fit in one vehicle. So we upgraded I'm sure much to my neighbors sadness. =) We now drive around in a 12 passenger van. I love the leg room, the space for my children to move, and the fact that when I put on my turn signal people MOVE!

According to the 2000 US census there are 1.86 children per family. Think about that. There is one mom and one dad. Now if the average family has less than 2 children what is going to happen to the population of the country? Yes people from other countries become citizens all the time. But think about your family line. In just a few generations your family line can completely disappear. That means the heritage of your family will become extinct if this trend continues. And yes I have heard the over population ideas. For anyone that would like to tell me that our country is over populated I encourage you to take a road trip! Please look hard to see if you can possibly find some extra space where a family might be able to fit. I for one have driven across the country a few times. Trust me we are not over populated! And what about jobs if we have more people. Umm HELLO if there are more people then there will be a higher demand for things, and in turn will create more jobs. Just my 2 cents.

Back to my "large" family:

Laundry is another item that is challenging for a "large" family. First of all unless you have a super capacity washer you are in trouble. I have 2 boys that are 4 and 2. They make a mess!!!! So their clothes have to be washed every time they wear them. Plus I have determined boys are gross. My girls can wear a skirt twice before it needs to be washed some days. Not all days but some. They can get messy too! Keeping MT. Laundry under control sometimes takes some effort. The house God gave us had a folding door to a area in the hall that held the washer dryer, and the water heater. Sounds good right? Easy to get to, confined right? So where to you put your dirty stuff? Where do you put all your detergent? In our case we make our own detergent so we have a 5 gallon bucket for it. Our solution was to re-wire, and put new plumbing in the garage, and move the laundry area to the garage. My husband had it done in a day. Now we have an area for our dirty clothes 3 bins, whites, darks, and linens. Plus room for our detergent, and our laundry baskets. Plus no more constant noise from the washer and dryer being on while we are trying to do schoolwork. Spin cycle can be loud!

Now food for a "large" family can be challenging. Big pots, big pans, storage for the food, and then where to put all your supplies. First extra counter space is needed. I have learned that the kitchen table is a great place to do prep work. When making pancakes it can take all day! My solution: 2 griddles. I can now make 10 pancakes at a time! We hardly ever had waffles because it took so long. I found 2 belgium waffle makers on sale. So now it takes 15 min or less to make pancakes or waffles for our family. Half the time it used to. Plus now since we have the empty space in the hall where the washer and dryer were my husband installed shelves and we have a pantry. Or as one of my friends calls it the prayer closet. (The first few times she came over for a meal as I was preparing things I would leave the kitchen and come back with food. Finally she asked where I was getting all the food. I told her I left the room prayed real hard and as I walked back the food appeared. =) Then she followed me and saw our lovely pantry.)

Living in a society where children are not cherished is very challenging. We get many comments of "my your hands are full" and "are they all yours?" from people not realizing how rude they are being. I love to see the looks on their faces when I tell them I homeschool my children and do not have babysitters. Their jaws just about hit the floor. In our society money, status and entertainment are cherished. At the end of the day I have my family to cuddle with, and spend time with. At the end of my life I will be able to say "Wow that was a lot of fun! God blessed me beyond what I could have ever imagined for myself." And I pray now that my children will all be able to look back at their childhood and be able to remember that family is more important than money, status and entertainment. Some things are more challenging but they are soooo worth it!