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.