I've been quite busy lately--go figure!
Here are just some snippets from my life:
I finished sewing on three skirts for my girls last night while my Annie made dinner for us. The Lord is giving me some new ideas on how to turn jeans into skirts--I am already doing this, but I think there is a better way--perhaps with a pleat in the front and back...
My dear husband has been teaching math to the younger set. It's so much a joy to watch him. I watch the youngest little dears while he has fun--and he does have a lot of fun. He is so enthusiastic, and he lights fires in their minds. I am very good at math, he is only so-so, but he understands how a child's mind thinks, and he loves details, so he explains things on a better level and gives them new ways of thinking of things, whereas I think I just expect them to know these things spontaneously.
We're almost through with our reading of "Freckles"--there are many possibilities for our next read-aloud. My dear son has been downloading Ballantyne books from the internet to read on his little ipod--he loves them. They are so overtly Christian and adventurous all at the same time, he tells me. It is so hard to find reading material for young men and ladies that is both challenging and encouraging. Modern dribble doesn't make the grade, IMHO.
For myself, I am just a handful of pages away from completing my second biography of Mother Theresa. I am learning so much from this study. God is teaching me things through the example of her life (just as He has taught so many). One thing that comes into my mind and heart is just how much there is to do to encourage those who are struggling--and my sphere is filled with mothers and their lives. I also loved how the Sisters balanced their lives between the "doing" parts and the "being" parts; making sure that every day included time for prayer and meditation--so wise!
Meanwhile, I have another daughter just about to be married. No great ceremony here--just two hearts that can't live another day apart. So they are preparing in little ways to have a life together. My daughter can't wait to be a mommy and to be home--isn't that wonderful! I am so excited for her. And I love her soon-to-be--I am gaining yet another son! It is true that there is a slight loss, but you also gain when your children leave. I love it when he comes over and I get to know him and hug him and enjoy who he is.
My little girls are switching-up on jobs. The oldest is taking on more responsibility by making breakfast for the kids. The next daughter is taking over the "family closet" (this one doesn't house everybody's clothes, just 7 of us), and the next daughter the cleaning of the little girls' room ( we have a little girls' room and a big girls' room). They are all growing up--but I am so happy that right now they still love wearing tutus around the house and humming pretty songs.
4th daughter, 5th child, is just about to take her driver's test. Daddy has been doing a stellar job in teaching her--he is so gifted and patient.
Every day we spend in the Word together and at least .5 hour in prayer--sometimes 3 times a day. My mind continues to be "defunked"--so good to have it transformed and renewed! I am also attempting to read the Bible in a year--can't get enough of the Word in me!
Silly things:
- Leaving the sun tea outside for days and days (does herbal tea ferment?)
- Not needing a fly swatter because #4 son catches flies with his bear hands, or daughters shoot them dead with rubber bands!
- Having a sewing closet so disheveled that it attracts spiders--found 4 when we were finally cleaning it
- Having little girls who think swimming suits should be the summer uniform
- Lifting up the dinning room rug and finding dinner from eons ago underneath (we really do have a clean house--but kids will be kids)
My precious little one is also growing up. she amazes all every day with her new vocabulary and often keeps us entertained. Last night she took off every stitch of clothing and went around wiggling her little fanny--her daddy figures that, with everyone being children, heaven should be such a wonderful place!
Children are a little touch of heaven on earth.
Sherry
10 comments:
I LOVE reading about life with your beautiful family! Blessings!
I will be interested by your reading the bible in a year.
I did it and found it quite upseting sometimes...I could not recognize the God I love in the war sending one...(old testament) In fact I would not recommend this to a not strong christian!
I enjoy reading about your blessed family, too. It sounds like you have a happy home. I am encouraged to take out my bible more often! Thanks..
Della
I enjoy reading your blog and you encourage me to strengthen my spiritual walk.
I would love to hear more about the turning jeans into skirts and maybe you could post some pictures.
Thanks,Susan
Dear Nicole,
I read your comment with great interest. It gave me food for thought and I thought you would like to hear another person's opinion of the Old Testament.
First, I know that there are many who are saying the Bible is contradictory--that in one passage God is talking about love, and in another He is sending out His people to kill and destroy.
But aren't these the two sides of love? If you have children, you know that you must give them boundaries and keep them from watching and eating things that they want but you know will harm them. Do you allow them to eat candy every meal? Don't they feel "unloved" when you don't allow them to stay up late every night and watch tv programs? And what about when you send them to the dentist and he gives them pain by giving them a shot in the mouth? You know that it is good for them, but they do not feel as though it is good at the time.
God is a person. He is described as being angry, and even being jealous. But if we attempt to judge His actions, then we are saying, in essence, that we are higher than he is; that we are an "expert" on such things, and that He needs us to evaluate Him and check to see whether or not He is doing things "correctly", or at least according to our understanding of what "love" should look like.
But He is sovereign. We can't attempt to look at His word or His works without acknowledging that we are the created ones, the ones who are finite and small, and He is the CREATOR--the infinite in wisdom and power. If we then take another look at what is written in the Bible, we cease judging it from our own understanding, and instead ask God to change our minds to line up more with His, instead of the other way around.
Yes, He is a God of love, and within that love is boundless mercy--otherwise the whole of creation should have been destroyed long ago! But He made a way for us in Jesus--the man who was God--who was perfect in every way, so that He could die for the rotten things we think and do and are. Romans is a good place to read of such things.
I bless you on your quest to know God more--He is bigger and better than our minds can fathom.
Sherry
Dear Susan,
Perhaps I will attempt to show you a little about the skirts--I used to have links on my laptop, but the battery charger frazzled. I will try and post about my experiences, perhaps with a few pictures and links.
Sherry
Thank you for your beautifull answer. What I wanted to say is that when you read your bible in a year, you get big doses of anger, wars etc...
I had read about them before but not in such a concentrated way.
I found it difficult to recognize the Lord and God I love...
I also read "a year with the bible" it wasn't as far as difficult as "the bible in a year"...
My mother did not have the same feeling as me...perhaps it depends also on how we are sensitive and what images come to your mind while reading!!
yes, herbal tea does eventually ferment! Ask me how I know....
Hi my husband would like to know where are the "father blogs" of men with large families? He searched and searched and found only women writing on the subject.
I said, "maybe you need to be a pioneer in this area, hon."
Anyway, if you know of any please let us know or maybe your husband could write for encouragement. My husbands name is clinton.
our e-mail is
mcmillan4him@yahoo.com
my website www.haitiadoptions.blogspot.com
enjoy!
emma
Post a Comment