Our Ten-Year-Old Gabriel

Ten years ago, Gabriel made his grand entrance into the world. He came in with a swift bang and has been a ball of energy ever since then. 

It has been amazing to see God work in Gabriel's heart this year. Over the past two years, Gabriel has asked a lot of questions, study the Bible and God has brought him out of darkness into marvelous light! We celebrated with Gabriel's baptism July 10th and Jim had the privilege of baptizing him. Gabriel is strong in the Word, quick to protect anyone from another, especially those smaller, and has a servant heart. God has already gifted him so much and it is exciting to see God's growing him into an amazing young man.

This year, Gabriel has really grown as an artist. He loves to draw and will draw anything. One of his strongest skills is replicating coloring sheets. It has amazed us over and over when he brings a drawing that looks like it could have been traced, but it wasn't. (We've watched him do this!) We are excited to see how God will use Gabriel's art to minister to others as he grows.

Gabriel also enjoys puzzles, word puzzles and figuring things out. He's a thinker. It's so fun to watch him learn, process and come to conclusions. He gets so excited when he learns something new. His passion for learning is amazing and it's so fun to watch him learn more everyday. 

One of the areas Gabriel wants to learn more in is the kitchen. He enjoys putting things together, making shakes and figuring out meals. He likes helping his sister bake as well.

Gabriel also loves his siblings and helping care for them. He gets down on their level, reads to them, builds with them, talks with them and teaches them. His love for people is straight from the heart of God. 

His most favorite thing to do though, is build with LEGOs. Gabriel loves to build, create, play with and imagine with LEGOs. He builds all kinds of things both with and without directions. He has a wonderful imagination. He has recently discovered LEGO Mario and is slowly collecting sets to bring the video game world to life. It's fun to see him build and create as he bears the image of his Creator.

We are so blessed by Gabriel. He's so much fun and adds life to our home everyday. His hard work in bar none and he is always ready to come along side. We look forward to many more years with our Gabriel!

Father, thank You for Gabriel and the work You have done in his life. We see your handiwork all over him as he grows in faith. Please continue to grow him in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man as Jesus did. Make him more like Jesus everyday. Continue to grow his creativity and use it for Your Kingdom, to serve others and glorify Your name. Thank You for the gift and blessing of his life. We pray this in Jesus's Name. Amen

Our Five-Year-Old Isaac

Our amazing surprise of an 8th child was born into our arms five years ago! What a whirlwind time that was and Isaac is still a whirlwind today. 

Our Isaac loves life, loves to go, loves to explore, loves to sing, loves to be with people. He is so full of life and it is such a joy to watch him learn, grow, and explore. He loves to be outside watching bugs, climbing trees, digging in the dirt, "driving" a car, running with his brothers, playing with water and just about anything else you can do outside. He likes the space and learns so much just being outside. 

Recently, Isaac has gotten really into book learning too. He is amazing with numbers and is quickly learning math facts. We also cannot spell in front of him! He easily figures out what we're talking about when we do this, so if we don't want him to know, we have to make sure he's not around to hear. He's definitely an auditory learner and picks up on so much. Singing has taught him a lot and he walks around singing while exploring the world God gave us or drawing a picture, helping with a meal or cleaning up. Isaac just loves to sing! This has helped a lot with learning Scripture also, which is a blessing. He was so excited to sing in a service recently and actually did well. We pray he continues to love singing and that God uses it to bring Isaac to Himself as He meditates on the words of songs that are straight Scripture or truths of God. 

Isaac has gotten into drawing and writing recently. It's fun to see what comes out of his imagination and it's a privilege to have a stack of drawings he's made for us this week. He has been using his blank copy book to practice writing words and drawing pictures as well, just because. God has given Isaac such creativity! What a joy to see this creativity in an image bearer of our God! 

We do think that's Isaac's biggest love is hair. Not his hair on his head, but lose hair on people or the ground. This boy can see a stray, loose hair from across the room and will get it and pick it up and hold it. We don't know what this is, but he absolutely loves to hold hair. We have also discussed hiring him out for people who want someone to catch all those stray hairs on their clothing before an event, because he would be amazing at that job! It would never be work for him. 

Some of Isaac's other favorite activities include building with LEGOs, playing to vehicles of any kind, and helping put meals together. Recently he has really wanted to learn more in the kitchen, so this is one of the next phases in his training skills. While he does help with routine chores, this has been of great interest, probably because of how much he loves to eat. He's not picky at all and will even eat fruit that has mold on it because he likes the taste of it! Thankful for his adventurous spirit that is also helping build his immune system. He is not very picky either. For the most part he will eat anything except 1% milk. (And he will drink this if he's really desperate.)

We are so blessed by Isaac and his silly personality. His name means laughter and it sure does fit him well. God definitely named him aptly and he continues to fill our home both with his laughter and our own as he makes us laugh with his exuberance and playfulness. We are so thankful for this child that came so quickly we barely had time to think about it. He's one of the best surprises in life!

Father, Thank You for Isaac and the life that he has brought to our family. Thank You for giving him to us in the midst of transition to draw us even closer to You and show us Your goodness and grace. Thank You that he loves to sing and create, the way You made him to and I pray Isaac will use this talents for Your Kingdom and Your glory. We pray that You will save him by Your grace and bring him into a deep abiding relationship with You. Let him know You and love You deeply and let his laughter bring Your joy to those around him. Thank You for all of Your precious gifts, and today we especially thank You for the gift of Isaac. We pray all of this in Jesus's Name. Amen. 

Our 11-Year-Old Reuben

Eleven years. It's been 11 years since Reuben made his incredible and blessed entrance into the world outside the womb and it's been such a blessed life since then.

Reuben is such an easy-going, laid back young man and brings a sense of calm to our full house. He loves to help, loves to watch, loves to make people smile. He longs to see peace around him, to do well and have others do well also. God has blessed Reuben with a natural desire to do what is right and in that is often the first to correct a younger one when he sees them not doing what he knows is the right things. He can be such an encourager and an example and it is a blessing to see this as a natural bent in him. It helps tremendously when there are little ones going many ways as he can guide the ones that are near him. 

And Reuben loves to do this! He absolutely adores the little ones. He's the first to offer to change the baby's diaper (or do it without being asked if he picks him up and realizes it needs to be done). He reads stories to the youngest ones, plays with them and makes sure they are safe. He is a good protector and hates to see people hurt. He defends fearlessly those that are smaller or weaker, which is an incredible gift. Whenever speaking to a younger one, Reuben teaches and explains. He does an amazing job reaching down to them where they are. 

Reuben is strong. His nickname is Muscles and is called this often. He carries large loads, even now, fixes things easily and problem solves many tasks with his strong mind. If we need help with anything, Reuben is right there lifting the load in anyway he can. He's very handy with tools, fixing maintenance things around the house, taking things apart and putting them back together. Recently, he's been evaluating some of our devices that aren't working properly to see if he can figure out how to fix them. He loves the puzzle and to tinker, even if he's unable to fully fix the problem. He's not afraid to try and is learning much along the way. He also enjoys exercising and exercises with us intentionally twice a week to grow his strength and to show us how flexible he is and we're not. It is such a blessed time of doing life together!

Not only does he love puzzles and tinkering, but Reuben is an amazing artist. His most recent projects include making duplicates of pages from books and you can barely tell the difference! He has an amazing eye for catching the details and making the replicas that most others would have to trace and it still would look vastly different. Not Reuben! God has given him the incredible ability to see and draw it out on paper. It is exciting to see how his skill will grow and how God will use this artistic ability.

This year Reuben has grown as a reader and has read The Hobbit and started The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, along with many other books we have around the house. He's growing in writing as well and all of his studies. He just loves to learn. Recently he's been learning Biblical history, Composition of Fables, Latin, Geography, Astronomy and Math. It's amazing to watch him learn.

As much as he loves people, Reuben is a quiet observer. He's a young man of few words, but is thoughtful and funny when he does speak. He watches what's going on around him and takes it all in, processing internally, then sharing as he figures things out. He can be around people or alone and thrive. He does appreciate it when people know his name and looks him in the eye as well as a hug from people he knows. 

Reuben is such a precious blessing and we're so grateful God gave him to us and our family and that we get to live life with him!

Father, we thank You for the precious gift of Reuben and what he means to our family. Thank You for his sweet spirit and the qualities you have given him as an image bearer in his kindness, sense of justice, creativity and strength. We pray that You will give Reuben your heart and save him by Your amazing grace. Show him that all of these amazing qualities come from You and Your grace so that he might bring you glory. Continue to grow Reuben as a young man in wisdom and stature and may he find favor with you and man. Thank You for all You have done and continue to do in his life. Make him into a man after Your own heart. We pray this in Jesus's Name, Amen!

Our Six-Year-Old Malachi

Our sweet Malachi is six years old today. He was our biggest baby who didn't want to come, but has been a joy to our family since the moment we held him in our arms.

Malachi is serious and studious, focusing on what is going on around him or the task at hand. He has taken to book work this past year and loves to learn. Numbers are his gifting, and every challenge he faces with them he picks up quickly after being taught. He also watches people and observes. Malachi is so curious and wants to know about everything. Trees, bugs, dirt, people. He watches and takes in what he sees, putting pieces together to learn more. 

This past year, Malachi has grown in maturity as well. We have seen God working in him as he grows in learning and instruction in all of life. He volunteers to make snacks or lunch for everyone, excels in sweeping the floor and loves to wash dishes. He takes correction well and we have seen him grow in honesty. The work God is doing in Malachi is so precious to see. He is learning to read the Bible and memorize Scripture. He is learning catechism as well. He likes to answer questions when he knows something and he responds with gusto and a huge smile!

His smile. It's contagious! Malachi smiles so big at so many things. He just loves life. He loves to explore and build, "drive" cars up and down, play with his siblings and pretend. His imagination is vast and it's fun to see the creative part as an image-bearer of our Creator come out in him. He is learning to draw and recently has shown growth in his skills. He loves to make people laugh, though he has a more subdued sense of humor. And hugs. He loves hugs! But only from those he knows and loves. 

Malachi was so excited to move up to the children's hall this month for Sunday School. In just a couple of weeks, he has grown in his understanding of what he's hearing in class and can tell us the Bible passage they discussed in his own words. It's a blessing to see the Word of God take root. Moving to Corporate Worship Service after Sunday School has been a bit tricky, but he is growing in this as well and will pretend to take notes at times, even if he's not sure what's being said. He wants to learn and that is a tremendous blessing.

Our family is so blessed by Malachi's life and we are thankful that God has given him to us!

Father, thank You for the gift of Malachi and the delight he brings to our family and home. Thank You for how you are growing him in wisdom and stature. We pray that You will conquer his heart and bring him to salvation. Thank You that we get to live life with him! Guide Malachi to Your Truth and Knowledge. In Jesus's Name we pray. Amen!

Our 2-Year-Old Esther

Our sweet and precious Esther is two years old today! Our little pandemic baby reminds us of God's grace and provision for His people to protect them and hold them fast. 

Esther has grown so much this year and is not a baby anymore. She's a little women, already learning how to care for babies, clean her floor, put things away and bake. Obviously, she is not grown and more observes these tasks but she is getting really good at cleaning her messes. She knows to get a towel or napkin and does decently at cleaning a spill. 

Esther loves to play with Abel as well as her baby dolls all of which she calls Abel. She carries her baby and dresses (or undresses) her doll. She puts her doll on Abel's playmat and turns on the music. It's fun to watch her learn. She also wants to help Abel with his pacifier and with eating. It's absolutely precious to see her being a little mama. 

Esther's other favorite item is "uh-oh" which is what she calls her blanket. She walks around like Linus dragging it behind her with her thumb in her mouth. So cute! (Though we'd like to break the thumb sucking...)

Recently, Esther has gotten into looking at books. She's' not quite ready for you to read them to her, but she does enjoy looking at pictures and talking about what she sees. She asks, "What's that?" to anything and everything, even if she knows what it is. It's a fun learning game for all of us. She's also learning all the names of her siblings and it's precious to hear her talk about them. They're not always clear but she will say she is thankful for them at different times.

That has been the most precious, hearing her share what she's thankful for at dinner and wanting to "pray". This is mama saying what she just said in prayer form but her eyes are wide and she listens as we teach her to pray. 

We are so thankful for Esther and the spunk she adds to our home. She's strong already and does not put up with anything from her brothers. She's a bit of a Mama's girl and loves to be with Lillian, but she loves on Daddy and her brothers too. 

Father, thank You for our precious Esther and the life she adds to our home. Thank You for this ray of life during a time that has seen so much death. We know that You are ultimate giver of life and we pray that You will give Esther life in You through Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for these past two years and we look forward to so many more years of life with her. We pray this in Jesus's Name! Amen!

The Greatest Salesman in the World

The Greatest Salesman in the World has been recommended to me by my mentor and business coach, Katie Hornor, since the first time I heard her speak. I was gifted the book a little bit ago and finally took the plunge and read it.

I completely understand why this book, though a work of fiction, is recommended so highly in the business world. It is filled with sound advice and great things to think about. The mantle is passed to one who is generous instead of those who are good with money, time or other things that in a worldly sense seem wise. Half of the book is filled with sayings to think on to help you be a good business person and grow in what it means to be a person in business. 

The other half is the story of Hafid who wants to learn from the greatest salesman in the world so that he can become the greatest salesman in the world. The story is intriguing and absolutely draws you in. It is set in first century Israel and ties to Biblical stories. As one who appreciates creativity, I found this quite interesting. My only issue is with the end. I do not want to spoil the book for those that read it and I want others to learn from it, if they do not have similar issues with how the story spelled out. 

Remember: THIS BOOK IS FICTION!

For the advice given from a business perspective I would give it 4.5 stars. The story along side I'd give more like three stars because of how I read it. I'll meet in the middle and give it 3.5.

Reading Challenges:

Back to the Classics 2022: Wild Card Classic

2022 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies a book of your choice in the Light Reader section

2022 Intentional by Grace Reading Challenge: Set in or about a country that is not your own in Level 3

Our 7-Year-Old Nehemiah

Seven years! It's been seven years since we first held Nehemiah in our arms. He came fast and furious and he has been a spitfire ever since. 

When you first meet Nehemiah, he seems like a quiet and shy little boy. But deep down he is silly and full of life. He's always sizing up the situation, paying attention to what is going on and what others are doing. Do not let his quietness fool you. He's watching and learning!

Nehemiah loves to learn. He has excelled at learning to read, basic math, grammar and phonics. He can recite most of what he learns the first time he hears it. He takes initiative, and eagerly starts formal book work learning without prompting and is very proud of his accomplishments.

One of his favorite things to learn is chess and is studying and playing with his brothers to grow in is understanding of the game. He's not quite to strategizing yet, but he can keep up with the big boys. Nehemiah enjoys playing games of all kinds and you can frequently find him playing one with someone during free time. He also enjoys puzzles and solving problems. 

Nehemiah also loves to be outside in God's creation. For him, the weather doesn't matter. He can be dripping in sweat or wrapped in coats, but still be enjoying the great outdoors. He loves to explore, dig and climb. He will watch bugs at work and play with them  in the dirt. His energy is almost limitless, but he's not restless. It's an amazing and brilliant combination that God has given to him as he learns and grows. 

Music is also enjoyed by Nehemiah. He loves to learn hymns and is interested in instruments. He tries drumming occasionally with James and would like to try keyboards as soon as he's able. 

Most of all, Nehemiah likes to be with people. You will see him alone, especially if no one else wants to go outside, but he would rather be with others. He understands at a young age the value of doing life with people, and right now that's his family. He is sensitive and so he is learning to deal with people well. 

We are so blessed by Nehemiah's life and we thank our God, YHWH, that He saw fit to give Nehemiah to our family!

Father, we thank You so much for Nehemiah! He is such a blessing, made in your image! Thank You for his sweet spirit that comes out and thank you for his love of learning. Thank You for how You are working in him and we pray that he will know your comfort and help and that he might be Your comfort and help to others. We ask You in the mighty name of Jesus to save Nehemiah and turn his heart to You! Make him a man after Your own heart and teach him Your ways, that he may know You, love you, honor You with all that he is. We pray this is the name of Your Son, Jesus! Amen

Created to Thrive: An Artist's Guide to Living in Divine Abundance by Matt Tommey

I was introduced to Matt Tommey through my business coach, Katie Hornor, and from the first time I heard him speak I knew God was using him. He has a beautiful way of explaining how art and creativity is a part of God's Kingdom and design that was refreshing and life-giving to an author and content creator.

I definitely grew up in the era of the arts are important, but that's not a career/job/etc, as well as the era of art is not really a part of church. Matt busts these myths wide open in his book, especially in regards to Christians and how they view art and careers as artists. He lays out what it means to be a Christian artist and how to evaluate where you are as an artist. (Yes, he includes writers/authors/content creators as artists!) He uses Scripture throughout, showing us as image bearers of Creator God and how it's not wrong to pursue these things. 

Matt challenges you at every turn, even if it's simply to challenge your thoughts and encouraging you to investigate Scripture on what it says about these things. I greatly appreciate that! He pushes you to take your art forward, if that is what God is calling you to do, but also rejoices in those to whom God has given creative ability that are used to bless without pursuing a career. It is a beautiful combination and exactly the way God intended the church to think about art and encouraging people in the talents that they have. 

I will give this caveat: If you were not raised in church or not from a background where the supernatural is talked about, you may struggle with a lot of what Matt says. He absolutely talks about the Holy Spirit working through us and seeking God in how to pursue our creative endeavors, and even as one who fully agrees with this it challenged me. 

Because of the way he phrases a few things throughout the book I struggled also, but because I've heard him speak and heard his heart, I am fairly confident I understand what he means though I don't agree with the way it's said. It would not keep me from reading it again or recommending it to others, especially Christians who want to pursue business in the creative arts. 

We can thrive as Christian artists if that is where God has led us!

4 Stars for this encouraging and challenging read!

Reading Challenges:

2022 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies: A book by someone you think you could be friends with in Committed Reader section

2022 Intentional by Grace Reading Challenge: About Creativity in Level 3 

Abundant Simplicity

This book has been sitting on my shelf for sometime now. Jim gave it to me several years ago and I'm not even sure where I heard about it to begin with, but decided it was time to read it as I really want to read all the books on my shelf as soon as possible. 

I read this book in January as we waited and planned for our most recent blessing. It was a good time to read it as we had been going through things and figuring out what we needed and what we didn't and purging those things that were not needed or not special to us. We still have a ways to go in that regard as needs are constantly changing, but this book did give encouragement in living simply and helping me discern some of those things. 

On the whole I enjoyed and appreciated the book. As I said it was encouraging over all. It did point to God and Him being our abundance and not looking to things of the world to fill us up. She shared several examples of ways people have done this which were exciting and definitely extreme for our culture. 

But they also spoke to your "typical" American family. There were things about massively downsizing, and yes I love the idea of tiny houses, but for our family this is not and likely never will be a reality. She did say that living abundantly simple will look different for different people, and that with God you needed to figure this out. However, as is often the case, being in a different type family it felt like what she was talking about was unattainable because of our family size. (I am aware this is not true, and merely my perception.) 

I would recommend this book as a great place to begin evaluating what's in your life and what God wants to be in your life. There are many things I still need to evaluate, and I will likely revisit this book again as we go through the ever changing definition of simplicity in our home.

4 stars for this read

Reading Challenges:

2022 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies: A book with a two-word title in the Committed Reader list

My Reading Life Challenge: A Book I've Been Meaning to Read

2022 Intentional By Grace Reading Challenge: By an author you've never read before in Level 2

The Flirtation Experiment

This book was recommended as part of the 2022 Anchored Women Book Club for their February read. 

I was kind of excited about this book when I first got it and even the introduction had me hopeful. But this is one was back and forth for me. I really appreciate the honesty of the two women who wrote this book. 

They shared appropriately their own struggles in their marriages and gave realistic perspective. Lisa Jacobson is a mother of eight, which also helped because I knew she wasn't going to make outlandish suggestions for mothers with many littles in the quest to flirt more with your husband. 

My struggle was the same as it usually is when reading books that tell you how to spark your relationship with your husband, no real definition of what things meant in their mind. Lisa and Phylicia gave great suggestions in their chapters and were extremely practical and down to earth. They were very much, in a kind way, telling women to get over themselves and take some chances to meet your husband on his playing field. That is clearly something that is going to be harder for some than others, but their approach was straight forward and pointed people to God as their help when this is difficult. They were also very clear that if any abuse was going on to seek help right away! 

But many of the chapters felt very much the same even though they were given different titles of ways to flirt with your husband. The suggestions were different and the idea might have been written by one in one aspect and by the other in another, but the idea, if I'm looking for a definition, was in essence the same. 

If you're not a huge romantic, you may struggle with this book like I did, or you may love the ideas to make you more "romantic" in thought, at least the way we seem to describe it in America. If you are a romantic you will probably like it a lot. 

The writing is clear and well formed, so full marks on that front. But again, a bit redundant in ideology. This is a book that would work really well if you know where your weaknesses are for a 30 day challenge. Or if you are in a rough place finding the one you need to work on the most and spending 30 days on one. I do appreciate that you can read each chapter as a stand alone and get what you need from it. The chapters do not build on themselves. Because of this, there is a LOT you can do with this book, which makes it a rare commodity, especially in the Christian Marriage world. 

They are also very much about looking to God to be able to do this. Because of that this book gets a high view in my opinion, even though I'm not keen on the way some things were presented personally. 

I would give this book 4 stars and recommend it, but I would likely ask what someone was looking for before recommending it outright. 

Reading Challenges:

2022 Anchored Women Book Club: February Read

2022 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies: A book about marriage in Obsessed Reader list

2022 Christian Reading Challenge with Jami Balmet: Marriage

2022 Intentional By Grace Reading Challenge: A book for the season your in from Level 2

Family Worship by Donald Whitney

I was able to knock this book out in 2 short reading sessions and it was such an encouragement! We had the privilege to study under Donald Whitney at Southern Seminary, so I was not at all surprised by this book, but it was a blessing to read for us right now.

God has really been teaching us about family worship and building a family ministry business to encourage and help other families really seeking to teach their children the Bible and growing in family discipleship. This book solidified everything we have been working on and showed us we are headed in the right direction! 

If you need a good brief overview of having family worship and the simplicity of it, this book is a great resource! I highly recommend this book!

5 stars

Reading Challenges:

2022 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies: A book about Christian Living in the Avid Reader List

2022 Christian Reading Challenge with Jami Balmet: Parenting/Family Life book

2022 Intentional By Grace Reading Challenge: For the season you're in Level 1

Ragged

This book was recommended as part of the 2022 Anchored Women Book Club, and I am very thankful that it was on the list. As a recovering legalist and perfectionist, I can easily get worn out trying to do it all. Gretchen Ronnevik gives a very grace filled approach to practicing the spiritual disciplines, especially for mamas who's lives are full doing what God has called them to do day in and day out. 

The first six chapters are a call to remember who God is and His ways. While there was a lot of excellent information and being pointed to Truth, I sometimes struggled in these sections to truly understand what she was getting at until the end of the chapter. I'm not sure if it is so much her writing style as it was my tired mama brain, but I didn't enjoy this part as much as I did the rest of the book where the disciplines were discussed. There were excellent points made from quotes she shared and my notes show that many things struck a chord, so in that I would recommend it and I will be reading this book again even with struggling with the first part this last time around.

The rest of the book discusses the spiritual disciplines: rest, Bible reading, prayer, meditation, fasting, confession, generosity, lament and discipleship. I know that most of these are on pretty much any list you will find on spiritual disciplines, but there are a couple that struck a chord as I don't remember them previously on lists.

Lament in particular caught me off guard, but it really hit home, especially with all that is going on in the world. In our society we're so often told to just keep going. Do feel, keep working and you'll get better. But that's not really the case is it? Especially not for Christians. We know the world is broken and not the way it ought to be. When things happen, we need to take time to grieve. And not only that when it's not our time to grieve we are to help others grieve. Gretchen shares how someone did this for her and it was amazing. I had tears in my eyes as she recounted what another family did for her during an intense time of grief and I was blown away. I want to be that for others and I want others to be willing to do that for me if I was in a place of mourning. It was deeply challenging and convicting. That chapter alone made the book a must read for me. 

The other chapters also challenged me and gave me some freedom as she talked about different seasons and how these might look different in different seasons. Welcoming our 11th blessings has changed a lot of dynamics this time because of the personalities of the others and the ages and stages they are in. It reminded me that it's OK if I'm unable to have four hours of uninterrupted prayer and Bible reading every day like I want. It's OK for my generosity to look different than those who are single, empty nesters or in another phase. 

Freedom in Christ sums up the book and I pray that if you read this book, it will help you find the freedom in Christ you need to be able to live well in the season He has you in right now!

4.5 stars for this book on spiritual disciplines.

Reading Challenges:

2022 Anchored Women Book Club January Book

2022 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies: A book about spiritual disciplines in the Obsessed Reader list

2022 Christian Reading Challenge with Jami Balmet: Spiritual Disciplines

2022 Intentional by Grace Reading Challenge: About Christian Living in level 1

18 Years of Marriage

It's been 18 years since we said, "I do"! We have now known each other half of our lives and it's strange to realize that that is even possible. 

This year has been different. So many things are the same but I don't know another word to describe it. 

Maybe it's because we found out our 11th blessing was formed and growing just after our anniversary last year, and this year has been mostly consumed by that, even though that's not really new for us. 

Maybe it's because God has shown us a bigger and different vision for ministry than we expected and we're now working on building that together. 

Maybe it's because we have a teenager now and we've moved into the next phase of parenting along with all of the other stages. Having such a wide range of parenting has many unique challenges. 

Maybe it's because things have become more normal, and yet things are not at all what they were before the pandemic in the whole of life. 

Maybe it's some of all of it and even other things. It's hard to say. 

All that we know for sure is that God has been with us, guiding us, challenging us, protecting us, growing us, and showing us what it means to trust Him and His leading, even when we don't know or understand what He's doing. 

And we're doing life together. We're learning what it means to do life together, to do life as a family, to teach, train, disciple and evangelize our children well and to be good disciples ourselves. 

Perhaps more than anything this year we've learned how inadequate we truly are to do this amazing task that God has given to us, and yet by HIS grace, we have everything we need to do what He has called us to.

Here's to next year and the many years to come (if Jesus doesn't come back!)!!

(We've only taken 3 pictures together in the last year, this one is from Thanksgiving, the last time we took one of just us. If that doesn't say different, I don't know what does in our world!) 

Brisingr

The third installment of The Inheritance Cycle was intriguing and well written just as the first two books in the series were. The amount of imagination and creativity to create the world of Alagaesia and the story spelled out in this book are completely incredible. 

We follow Eragon as he and his cousin, Roran, go to rescue Katrina and through their adventure back to the Varden as the Varden seek to take down Galbatorix and end his tyrannical rule of Alagaesia. 

After watching Eragon's transformation to a Rider in Eldest, this book shows us the practical side of learning as he must take what he has learned from others and figure out how it applies to what he must do. We see the wrestling with the unknown, the battle of revenge vs mercy, and all that lay between as anyone seeks what is best to do in any given circumstance. 

The story is spell binding and captivating. The writing is exceptional. 

My biggest struggle with this book is some of the gore described in the midst of these battles. Because of what Paolini is attempting to accomplish, I can understand why it is there. However, I did feel that at times it was extreme and teetering on unnecessary. 

If you enjoy fantasy, I absolutely recommend this series. 

I do only give it 4 stars, however, due to the violence and some things that I felt could have been left out or handled more delicately.

Reading Challenges:

Tim Challies 2022 Christian Reading Challenge: A book recommended by a family member (Jim) in the Avid Reader section

My Reading Life Challenge: A book chosen by Jim

2022 Intentional by Grace Challenge: Book with One-word title in Level 3

2022 Christian Reading Challenge: Fiction

Jim's 39th Birthday

 Jim is 39 years old today. 

It's been a year of adjustment as life on the whole returned to normal, but we added another blessing to our family, which means a different normal off and on. Per usual Jim stepped up. He worked his 40 hour weeks in the PACU, come home to let me rest, deal with any major issues from the day and spend time with our children. On his days off he takes care of projects around the house and we have been working on our family ministry business, The Manor Manor. 

God has been doing some incredible work on Jim!

As our life has been so full, God has been teaching Jim how much he needs God to fill him so he can do the good works God has prepared for him to do. With the working of God comes spiritual warfare and it has been intense. As we press forward it often felt like two steps forward, three steps back as it frequently can with spiritual warfare. But God has been faithful, breaking down walls, dispelling lies and showing Jim that he belongs to God and that means he can do everything that God has called him too with God's help.

He's really grown in discipleship this year and teaching our children to follow God. We've been working on Bible and Breakfast as a family and that has been a great time of discussion, even on mornings that are rushed. Jim's learning so much about what it means to teach and train your children while living a typical lifestyle of America and is preparing to encourage and teach other men to do the same. It's Jim's heart to see fathers leading their family in the ways of God and also to encourage mothers in their journey as well. This year God has show Jim the importance of family and what it means to live out Joshua 24:15, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." It has made Jim want to be a better leader and to grow in his own leadership both inside and outside our home.

As we have been teaching, discipling and evangelizing our children this year, we have developed some tools to help us and others with teaching God's Word and we're excited to make more and help others. 

Father thank You for Jim! Thank You for giving our family a man after Your own heart who wants to lead well, serve well, provide well and teach well. Please continue to grow Jim in wisdom and knowledge and give him Your vision for our family as he leads us. Thank You for giving him the desire to teach and encourage others. Show him how to do these things well as he grows in You. Fill Jim to overflowing with Your Spirit! We pray all of this in Jesus's Name! Amen!

Our 12-Year-Old Lillian

It's been 12 years since Lillian made her whirlwind trip into this world, God protecting her every step of the way when we were unaware of the dangers that were there. Today she adds even more life and smiles to our family with her smile, her laugh, her life.

This year Lillian has grown in knowing God and trusting Him. She is in the Word studying it and learning what it means. She prays for others and herself. She makes sure we are praying for our missionary friends, the people groups we're learning about in school, our friends, and our family. She is learning what it means to be a woman after God's own heart. As she reads God's Word, Lillian is learning how to apply it to her life and how God has created her as a young woman with the talents and gifts He has given to her. Whether caring for family, people, church or home she is always noticing, taking it all in, processing and beginning to act in those ways. She's growing in learning as well, knowing that she needs correction and guidance to be more like Jesus. It's been beautiful to watch her grow in the Truth this past year.

God has made Lillian an incredible baker! She blesses our family with treats regularly. On top of this she is also in the beginning stages of operating her own bakery. This past year and a half she has been making a cake for Jim's unit every month as well as baking for friends and family events. This is her passion and it's so fun to watch her grow in trying different cakes and ingredients. Last month she got rave reviews on her carrot cake (which happens to be her great grandmother's recipe, for whom she was named). She also enjoys baking cookies, brownies and blondies from scratch, and other lesser known desserts like tuiles and tarte tatin also from scratch. She's growing in the finer parts of presentation but her flavors are on point most of the time! She's not afraid to experiment either. God has given her a beautiful confidence to give new recipes a try, usually with amazing results. What an incredible gift that God has given her!

Along with baking, Lillian enjoys reading. If she's not in the kitchen, The American Girl series, Dear America series, and The Baxter Family series are among her favorites that she has read multiple times. Currently she's reading The Blue Fairy Book and enjoying it. 

Lillian also enjoys learning about geography and cultures. She is currently learning where every country is in the world. She also enjoys being outside exploring nature or reading on the grass or in a tree. 

Lillian is also loving having a sister. It is a blessing to watch her with Esther. Even with a ten year age gap they are already building a special bond. They are now sharing a room and Lillian is consistently teaching Esther, making sure she has what she needs, taking her outside and talking to her about what she is doing. It is amazing to see God's love growing between them. What a special gift He has given to Lillian and Esther!

And it doesn't scare Lillian from desiring a family of her own when it's time. God has truly blessed her with a love and desire for family and home. Right now she is learning what that means for how God has created her. It is a joy to watch her grow in Godliness and Biblical womanhood as she learns more about God and herself.

Father thank You, for Lillian and how You continue to grow her in wisdom, in stature and in favor with God and man. Thank You for the joy and life she brings to our family and home! Thank You for giving her Your heart and growing her in Your ways. Thank You for the young woman You are creating her to be. She is such a blessing! Continue to teach her in Your Word and Ways and make her more like Jesus everyday. We pray this in Jesus Name. Amen!

Our 8-Year-Old Sam

Eight years ago are precious Sam came into the world. 

His birth ushered in a time of great learning and growth in our family and God still uses him to teach and grow our family today.

Sam is full of energy! He loves life but in that love is always looking for the next thing. He is always on the go running around outside, climbing, wrestling, acting out a movie that he has seen. He takes it all in! He loves to explore and do. 

Aside from being outside, Sam's favorite thing to do is watch movies. He drinks them in and remembers every detail. He will quote it for days, ask questions about it and act it out. He uses them to learn about life, but still has to reminded that it is just fiction. Some of Sam's favorites include Star Wars, Chronicles of Narnia, and VeggieTales.

Sam loves to laugh. He enjoys jokes and anything that will make others laugh. It's fun watching him try to figure out what will get those around him to laugh. He's learning to read people and helping them find the fun. He wants everyone to follow his lead in having a good time, at least what he thinks is a good time. 

We see in Sam leadership qualities, that, by God's grace, will one day be used for God's Kingdom and glory. He makes plans and gets his younger brothers to join him. He notices little details. He dreams and envisions and thinks outside of the box. We are still learning how to keep up with him. It is such a joy to see the creator quality of our Creator God coming out in him. 

Legos are also high on Sam's list of favorites. He loves his sets from Star Wars and Ninjago that he can build. He is also learning to use his creativity to make things from his imagination. He is very proud of what he builds and seeks to do it well. 

Sam adds so much life and adventure to our family and home and we are so thankful God has given such a precious boy to us!

Father, we thank You so much for Sam and the life You have given him in our family. We pray that You will give him true Life in Christ and save him by Your amazing grace! Thank You for how You already are teaching him and pursuing him. Conquer Sam's heart that he might live for You in everything. Continue to grow his imagination and strength that it will be used for Your Kingdom to bring honor and glory to Your Name. Thank You for all that You are doing in Sam and through Sam. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen!

Reading Challenges 2022

 Last year I took on several reading challenges, but half way through the year lost momentum when our 11th blessing was given to us. One blessing of having a little one is that I am able to read a lot while nursing and so by God's grace I will read at least 52 books this year! Whether reading to our children, fun books for myself, learning with Jim or delving into God's Word, I so desire to read and learn and enjoy the written word as I grow in writing myself and teaching our children to write and we work towards building our family ministry business. Usually I do separate posts for many of these but I am doing several challenges once again, and decided to list them all here. 

This year I'm using these challenges to help in deciding my reading choices for the year as I tackle the books I haven't read yet on our shelf. Even though I have yet to post about this, I have already read many books this year! Thankful to have a head start. (Note except for the Classics challenge, some books were started in 2021)

2022 Christian Reading Challenge with Tim Challies

Back to the Classics 2022 with Karen's Books and Chocolate

2022 Christian Reading Challenge with Jason and Jami Balmet (formally the Christian Women's Reading Challenge but they combined this year with their rebranding)

2022 Intentional by Grace Reading Challenge

Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge (though I have not chosen my categories for this year, I am likely reusing the ones I set last year as I didn't meet those goals)

2022 Anchored Women Book Club (this has a book for each month and since I don't own most of them, I may not read all of these this year because I'm wanting to read a lot of what I already have along with books that we read as a family)

There will be overlap in these challenges as books will fit into a category in most of these challenges. I'm excited to read more this year. We all love a good book!

Our 3-Year-Old Timothy

Our first child born in our current home is now three years old!

Timothy is so full of life and had such a big contagious smile. He runs, plays, explores, discovers and takes in everything that he can. He loves life!

Right now Timothy wants to learn everything he can and he always verifies that he has gotten what he's sharing correct. He will say something and end it with, "Right?" just to be sure he has it down. It's so precious. He's learning letters, numbers, body parts, names of vehicles, animals, foods, and more. He takes it all in. He likes to sit down with a book and go through it asking and verifying what everything is, though he doesn't care much for the words or stories therein yet. 

Because of his love of learning, Timothy doesn't talk much when out and about as he prefers to observe, but with the family he talks a lot and it's so fun to hear him talking to his siblings about life and what he's learning. He knows who to ask to find out what he needs to know. He also enjoys playing with his siblings and does not let his age or small stature keep him from following along on the adventures of the older children. 

Timothy loves being outside in nature. Hot or cold, rain or shine, he is out exploring the yard, riding in a toy car, finding bugs, attempting to climb trees, or watching the neighbors chickens and dogs. He really likes cars and enjoys watching the cars go by as well as play with toy cars in the driveway. He will also take a book and sit out in the sun and look at the pictures. 

He also loves to eat and will eat almost anything. It's hilarious hearing a three year old ask for more broccoli, carrots or cabbage, but Timothy will! He is already starting to understand the importance of healthy food, which is a huge blessing. He will polish off as much food as our older ones too. For his birthday dinner he asked for rice and beans and ate 2 full bowls! It's so amazing so tee him grow!

Timothy is a snuggler and gives the best hugs. He is a tender heart but also rough and tumble. He seeks that immediate comfort when hurt, but will quickly go back to his play as soon as he gets a kiss. Such a precious combination.

We are so thankful for the life that Timothy brings to our home. He is truly a gift from God and our home and family are so much richer with him in it.

Father, we thank You so much for our sweet Timothy. Thank You for the gift of his life and how much life he brings to our home. We pray that You will give him true life in You, through the death and resurrection of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit regenerating his heart. Thank You for the sweet spirit You have given to him. Give Timothy the desire to want to follow You in everything and to trust You completely. We pray all of this in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our 13-Year-Old James

 The boy that made us parents is a teenager! How can that be?

It's been 13 years since we welcomed James into our arms and it has been an adventure ever since. 

James is so much fun, full of facts, puns and silly humor. He enjoys playing with his younger siblings, telling jokes to us and the older ones, and sharing all he knows. He amazes us constantly with how much he is learning and how much he retains information. It is such a blessing to see him learn and grow.

Learning is James's favorite activity and he loves to learn about anything and everything. His favorite subjects are Bible, languages (especially the ancient ones), animals (especially birds) and architecture. Currently he is wanting to be an architect and is using his creativity to begin dreaming up structures he would like to design one day. 

It is amazing to see God working in James as He is teaching James in his daily Bible study. It's a blessing to have James share what he is learning with us and his siblings as well as daily contribute to our family Bible and Breakfast time. The connections he regularly makes is amazing and it's a reminder that God is the one doing the work as we teach and train and we are so thankful to see fruit from what God has given us to do as parents. 

James continues to work on writing and is planning to finish his first book this year. His imagination is so large as he creates his own world and language for his series. He also enjoys drawing, not only potential design plans, but many other things as well and his skill continues to grow. He particularly enjoys drawing animals, especially birds and bears. On beautiful days he will observe the birds in our yard and draw them. He absolutely loves God's creation and does not take it for granted. He shares this love with all of us and reminds us to stop and take note of what God has created.

He is also an amazing big brother! He is learning about leadership as the oldest and frequently helps by setting the example for his younger siblings on what to do as well as reminding them what God teaches us if they are doing something they shouldn't. He is a major help with little ones and is available to help them get ready, tie shoes or change a diaper when needed. He plays games with them, builds with them, and teaches them naturally. 

We are so blessed by James and thankful for our first born!

Father, thank You for James and the amazing work You have done in his life. Thank You for Your grace and mercy in his life and for how You continue to grow him in wisdom, in stature and in favor with God and man. He is an incredible young man and we are so blessed by his life. We wait in anticipation to see what else You do with him and through him. James is such a blessing! Please continue to grow James and protect him from the schemes of Satan that would seek to drag him down. Give him Your wisdom to face each day with Your truth and strengthen him with Your Holy Spirit to live out the life You have called him to. We pray this in Jesus's Name, Amen

Abel Nathanael

The day started like any other day. It was a Wednesday so Jim was home and I had my 39 week doctor's appointment. I have been having some contractions thanks to my amazing friend Kristen giving me a labor inducing foot massage, but so far no full-blown labor had come. 

Jim and the children prepared for what they needed to do that morning and I left to go see Dr. Barratt. 

I really had hope that things would progress and everything would be fine, and when Dr. Barrett first checked me out he thought everything was fine but he couldn't figure out where the baby's head was and so an ultrasound to check positioning was done. As soon as he put the wand on my tummy the evidence was there; the baby was transverse!

Due to an excessive amount of fluid the baby had turned. That's when the decision had to be made, what was the best course of action?

After talking with Dr. Barrett and calling Jim, we decided to do an aversion and induce labor. This was not at all what I wanted for my labor but after praying and thinking about the options I was at peace with that decision.

As I left the office, I stopped by the ultrasound office to see the desk manager who I've built a relationship with over the last couple of years to let her know what was happening. She was so encouraging and I knew she would pray for me as I went through this as she knows my heart and desires for birth. My God definitely used her to calm any anxiety that was lingering in the back of my mind. 

I went home to get Jim, pack up, and to hug my babies before going to the hospital. When I arrived home, the children were and are 12 passenger van almost ready to go with my parents. I climbed in the van to give everybody hugs and kisses and tell them that we would have their new baby brother or sister soon. Both excitement and anxiety felt the van as they prepare to leave. Once everything was ready for them, my parents took them to their house. 

Jim and I then finished packing up everything we needed for a couple of days at the hospital. If needing the aversion we didn't know how long everything would take and so we wanted to be well prepared, especially with healthy snacks! Jim made us a healthy filling lunch to eat and have energy for whatever lie ahead. We got in the car and headed to the hospital.

We arrived at L&D around 1:30 pm and got checked in. We were so blessed to have the same nurse that we had when we had Esther! Amelia was such a blessing to us as she is a Sister in Christ! She encouraged us and calmed me when she put in my IV (seriously the worst part!). I was having contractions that felt like early labor, so while we waited for the doctor on call to come I walked around and listened to music and sang praises to our God. We were also able to talk with Amelia and get to know her more.

Around 4:00 pm Dr. Umpierrez came to see how things were and do the aversion. They gave me terbutaline to calm my uterus for the aversion. Dr. Little joined her and they were able to quickly get the baby turned into the right position. God was watching over us as they got our little one into position. 

Around 5:00 pm they started the pitocin. It took a little bit to take effect, but it did kick in and contractions started. They were solid. I walked. I sang. I prayed and tried not to panic. I was still struggling in my mind thinking that I would need a c-section. I gave it over to God and prayed for everything to go the way I desired. 

At change of shift we had to say good-bye to Amelia, but to my amazing surprise we got Kelli, who I used to work with at Northside in L&D! It was fun to catch up and reminisce about our time there together. Things were taking awhile, like they did with Isaac since they had to stop what my body was doing to move the baby. Thankfully I was able to sit and not stand the whole time and was able to get a little nap. 

Around 8:00 pm they attempted to break my water, which I wanted since I knew it would be quick for me once that happened. Sadly they couldn't get to it as my cervix was still high. I suggested a foley to put pressure on the cervix, like we had done with Isaac, and the doctor loved it! They successfully got it into place and I stood up for a bit to keep baby in position as much as possible.

As the induction was late in the day this part is hazy. My body was already tired from a full day and I needed to rest again. At some point a few hours after this, the foley came out, meaning the cervix was more favorable!

Around 1:30 am Dr. Umpierezz came to check my progress. I was 6 cm and she was able to break my water. I was grateful as I was tired and ready to have a baby! They got things cleaned up and then sat me up in the bed to let my body work. 

Everything moved quickly at that point, as I knew it would. Every contraction brought progress! About 2:15 am I felt the urge to push. They quickly got everything ready and I pushed.

At 2:20 am we welcomed our 11th child into our arms! Jim started laughing, "It's another boy!" 

I looked surprised at Jim as several things in the pregnancy had me thinking the baby was a girl and said, "A boy? Really?"

He laughed again saying, "YES!" 

They put him on my chest and I actually looked to see for myself! I couldn't believe it and I laughed. I was so thankful to have my little boy lying on my chest, born vaginally, without incident. God has taken care of us as He always does. 

They finished cleaning me up while Jim and I looked at our little boy and talked about what to name him. The name had been up in the air the whole pregnancy. It didn't take long to see his name is Abel, which means God is my Father. God had been us this truth as we learn to abide in Him. We also remember that God is able to do everything and He is able to take care of us. 

After getting me cleaned up, Abel latched and we began the middle name search. We talked about many names, but decided on Nathanael, which means gift from God, which Abel absolutely is! We honestly did not expect another child and here he is. What a sweet and precious gift!

Father, thank You for the gift of Abel! We are so blessed to have him in our family. You have done great things for us and we praise Your name for new life! We pray as he grows You will save him and bring him to life in You. We pray this in Jesus's Name. Amen!