Introducing Together or Apart

Nearly seven years ago, I finished my first draft of my first book! This was such an amazing accomplishment as I had always wanted to write a book. 

Then next step, how to publish (This was what I had as my next goal in writing after finishing my manuscript.) Do I look to traditionally publish? Do I self-publish through Kindle? What about in between? There are so many options out there now, which is a huge blessing, but what to do?

After a lot of research and prayer, God brought me to Christian Faith Publishing. It is an in between option, self publishing, but the manuscript had to be approved by them and they would do basic editing, formatting, cover design and printing. They had the best option in the in between option I had seen and so I sent them my book. 

It was approved! And today I am a published author! I'm so excited to introduce my writing project to you! 

Together or Apart is now available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! I would love for you to read my book, leave a review and share it with your friends. 

You can also visit my author website!

Together or Apart on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I am so glad I gave this 5th book in the Harry Potter series another read. I read it the first time about 13 years ago after I watching the movie and I remember not liking it very much. However, this time around I absolutely loved it! Maybe it's knowing the whole story and seeing the nuances but I greatly appreciated this book and where it falls in the story line of the entire series is such a turning point that even though it's a more challenging read because of the darker themes it is completely worth the read.

Rowling is a master storyteller and completely understands the concept of show don't tell as she pulls you into the wizarding world. In this fifth book the characters also reach a new level of development as we see bravery vs cowardice, self-centeredness vs other centered, and reality vs fantasy. There is also a stark contrast between two branches on the "good" side that shows the necessity of seeking out the truth and not being afraid to question even if you may not want to hear the truth. (Parallels for the current state of things, anyone?)

This book also gives a much deeper look into the characters. I really like how you feel with the characters and also react to them. 

I would share plot but it you haven't read the other books or seen the movies, I don't want to ruin the story for you.

If you are a Harry Potter movie only person, I highly suggest reading this one as it answers so many questions left by the movie.

I absolutely give this book 5 stars

Reading Challenges:

This book is being used on the 2020 Reading Challenge from Tim Challies as a book with a person on the cover in the committed section.

Our Four-Year-Old Malachi

Today our sweet Malachi turns four years old. 

What a precious bundle of energy that is full of fun and laughter! This boy is so full of life and always on the go. Malachi loves to learn and be a big boy. He picks up on everything and pays attention to little details. He thinks he's as big as the "big boys" and wants to do everything they do. This is such a fun age where he is learning phonics, letters, numbers, harder shapes, puzzles and drawing. He loves to learn it all! He is very excited about having his own books this year for "school" and I'm sure will do amazing as he really does love to learn and do what the others are doing. 

Books are another favorite! His two current favorite books are Waldo and "oops" book where we practice seek and find and work on colors, clothing and dressing ourselves. He is a whiz at "Where's Waldo" and has found Waldo, the Wizard and the scroll on every page. He is such an observant boy and pays attention to detail. This week we also introduced "What is Poop?" and I think that's going to become a favorite also. 

Malachi is very into be a big boy right now, which is helpful as we have conversations about what it means to be a big boy. He loves to choose his clothes and dress himself and use the toilet when he's not too busy building or playing. Currently he's in the process of giving up his afternoon nap and wants to hang out in the big boys room to read or play. 

Building is another thing that Malachi enjoys. Mega Blocks are a current favorite, but he'll be moving to LEGOs soon and is very excited to build with anything he can. He also enjoys being outside and climbing. Malachi is almost big enough to climb the trees in our yard, but definitely big enough to climb the cars, including our big van and thinks this is quite an impressive feat! He also climbs the bunk beds, ladders, cribs and sofas. Whatever he can climb on he can. He is so full of energy!

Malachi loves to laugh. He enjoys jokes and singing funny songs. He likes funny movies and shows. In books he'll find funny pictures and laugh. If there is something funny in a situation, he will find it!

Recently, Malachi has started enjoying Bible study with the family getting his Bible and journal to look at and write in while we study Revelation together. He also enjoy evening catechism and is learning the basic answers to theology questions. In the last couple of months he has participated in family prayers which is such a blessing to see him grow in. 

While Malachi is clearly a sinner like the rest of us, we see God's grace in him as he learns and grows in the knowledge of the ways of God. Malachi means "my messenger" and how we pray that Malachi will me a messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Father God, thank You so much for our precious Malachi. You have made him such a precocious and energetic boy who loves to learn and is growing in his love of learning about you everyday. I pray You will take that love that You have given him and grow it into a realization of who he is, who You are and how desperately he needs You to save him from himself! Please save Malachi by Your grace. Make him more like Jesus. Show him the amazing love you have poured out on Your people and let Malachi experience that amazing love. Thank You for how you're working in him and make Malachi wholly Yours! In Jesus Name. Amen!

Heidi by Johanna Spyri

After James read Heidi as part of his literature studies, he told me he wanted me to read it. When I asked why he told me he really liked it and thought I would like it too.

He was right!

I can't believe this classic was not required at any point during my schooling! This is a delightful classic that kept me reading and on my toes.

If you're not familiar with this story, it follows a girl named Heidi as she goes to her grandfather's in the mountains, to her becoming a girl's companion in Frankfurt and then back to the mountains. I want to replay it all, but if you're reading this and have never read Heidi, I don't want to spoil the delight of this story.

This book is easy to read, but also makes you think and challenges you. I love the simplicity of words and yet the beautiful imagery that takes you to this scenic place. I found myself frolicking in the fields, staring at big buildings, and climbing the side of a mountain. You can see it all and sit in the homes from modest cabins to grande mansions. And you feel. As Spyri describes what is happening with the characters you are right there with them, feeling what they feel, seeing what they see, wanting what they want for them. It's beautiful!

I think my favorite thing about this book is seeing the capability of young children. We meet Heidi at age five and she already sees so much, knows so much and can do so much. At this young age she's cleaning, making her bed, caring for goats and exploring the world around her. Today we so quickly dismiss young ones as if they are incapable of doing many things, but this book reminds us that so much is learned so early and that they want to learn. Heidi also shows us a great zeal for life that is contagious. I wanted to be there with her, exploring the hills and the city, enjoying all aspects of life.

I also appreciated the way the book showed the beauty of the simplicity of life. Throughout the story, I was consistently reminded of remembering what is important in life and to seek God in all things. The book is not specifically Christian, but the undercurrent of faith is present. I absolutely see the truth, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" resonating throughout the text.

I highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone. I look forward to reading this with all of my children in the future.

5 stars for this classic

Reading Challenges:
Back to the Classics Challenge 2020 This book is for my Classic by an Woman Author

In other challenges I'm using this as a Book Recommended by Someone Else in the 2020 Reading Challenge with Tim Challies
With The Modern Mrs Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge I'm using this as a Book in Translation

Year Three: The Return

July 16th has become a significant date for our family. In 2010 we moved to Louisville, following God's leading for Jim to attend Southern Seminary. Seven years later, July 16, 2017, we returned to Smyrna, following God back to our home church, Smyrna First Baptist, to be a part of what God was doing there as active members.

It's been three years since we have returned to Smyrna/Mableton, and this third year back has been a wonderful year. This year has been stabilizing. This entire year Jim has worked the same job with the same hours and schedule. We have lived in the same house. We have had a consistent schedule at home, allowing us to grow together and learn together in amazing ways. God has blessed us with a thriving church family where we serve with the missions team and have worshiped together. We have found our current family rhythm and it's a blessing.

It's rare that I find myself at a loss for words since I started this yearly updates our first year in Louisville, but I really don't have much to say other than the above. In some respects it is weird being "stable," as every 4-6 months there has been a major shift of some kind since we started our journey in Louisville ten years ago. And yet, it feels normal, for lack of a better word. We're not at all where we thought we would be when went made the leap of faith to move to Louisville, but we know we are exactly where God has called us to be. And that is what truly matters.

While at this exact moment, we are adjusting to being a family of 12 and all that goes along with children expressing themselves when their world is suddenly different, even in a good way, our life is still stable. We are thriving in this season, even in transition. Our children are doing well on the whole. They are delving into their creativity as well as helping around the house and loving on their new sister. Jim and I are learning to parent even more intentionally together and growing in our marriage. Our family vision is becoming stronger as we seek God as a family. Our children are seeking faith in Christ alone, desiring to follow Him in all areas of life and we're seeing tremendous growth, especially in the oldest four. It's been a year of great blessing and we are so grateful.

Even though it's not what we expected, we're so thankful to be where we are. God is moving. God is being glorified. We are growing in Him and seeking His Kingdom. And that is where our life is found.

Esther Elizabeth

It started as a normal morning. Jim got up and made breakfast. I woke after a wonderful weekend of fellowship, foot flex point massage and time in a pool to still no labor contractions. I had dreamed that I had the baby, but when I woke nothing new was happening. Since no contractions were there Jim called his floor and told him he needed to come in to work. No sense wasting a day off if the baby was not coming or here.

We ate breakfast as a family, had our Bible reading study time and did morning chores. During Bible time I found it hard to concentrate and all of the children were struggling as well. We read and sang but my brain was not really there. We went to respective chores. Malachi and Isaac came with me to fold laundry. I turned on my labor playlist which I'd been running off and on throughout the week. The song "Sons and Daughters" by Iron Bell Worship was on and God spoke to my frustrated heart, reminding me He was there with me and that He loves me and delights in me because of Christ. I sang and folded clothes and let the truth of being God's daughter wash over me.

It was then that I started to feel some discomfort in my pelvis. It was nothing major, just enough to say something might be happening. I continued to sing and teach the littles how to fold and put away clothes. I had an appointment at 10 am to check on my blood pressure, which had started creeping up a couple weeks earlier, so my parents came to watch the kids while I went to my appointment. By the time I was ready to go and my parents got there, I was uncomfortable enough to feel unsafe driving. I told my mom and we got everything together in case things intensified or we decided it was better for me to stay.

A little after 9 am my bags and camera were in the car and my dad drove me to my appointment. I was definitely contracting regularly while we drove, but they were mild and around 10 minutes apart. With all of the Covid restrictions, my dad stayed in the car and I went in to my appointment. Walking in the contractions backed down until I put my back pack down. I didn't want to sit down so I walked around the waiting room in an area where others were not while I waited. I definitely had a deep contraction that made me wonder if my water would break while waiting. It didn't and I was called back.

I told them I was contracting so they put me on the monitor for an NST and everything looked great. Contractions were still more than 5 minutes apart and mild. Dr. Barratt checked to see if I had dilated since my last appointment but I was still only 2-3 cm at that time, which didn't surprise me. So then the debate: Do I stay or do I go home and see what happens?

I knew I was in early labor but all of my labors have varied so much I didn't know how quickly I would progress. Also, with my hemorrhage with my last baby there was concern there. After back and forth, Dr. Barratt looked to see who was in delivery today. When he told me Dr. Almquist that sealed the deal as she is the other doctor in the practice that I really like and I didn't want to risk it being a long labor and ended up with someone I didn't want the next day. I told Jim I was going to L&D. Of course I forgot his clothes while packing, so he made a quick run home since I wasn't in rip roaring labor yet to change a grab a couple things that I had forgotten .

I got to the labor floor a little after 11 am and got checked in. While I was going to the unit my contractions stopped, which made me question my decision for a minute. But after getting in my room and changed, the contractions started again stronger than they were before, but still not bad. I walked around my room while I waited for my nurses and Jim to come.

The nurses came first. They put me on the monitor to make sure everything still looked good and did my admission assessment. Dr. Almquist came in and we discussed the plan: get pitocin started so we have a good labor pattern, break my water and have a baby. This has become my norm, so I was fine with it. Since I was already contracting on my own, I knew I wouldn't need much pitocin. My veins were not wanting to show up for the party, but finally they were able to get an IV going with one stick around 12:30 or so. There was no pump in the room so they had to go track down equipment.

Jim made it to the room not long after this. I was so thankful to see him! He got my oils going in the diffuser and made the room as comfortable as possible. I was still contracting on my own but able to sit down. A little after 1 pm they hooked me up to fluids and got the pitocin going. I was still OK at this point but really tired, so I took about a 30 minute nap while it took effect. Around 2 pm there was a nurse change due to other things happening on the unit. Dr. Almquist came in to check on me, make sure the pit was going and meet Jim. The plan was still the same, just needed a consistent labor pattern, which was almost there. They bumped the pitocin up and I stood up as I was getting to the "I don't want to sit point." I also needed to pee about every five minutes.

Within an hour I was in a good labor pattern, my contractions were deep and strong and I was so ready to have a baby. Thankfully the contractions were not painful. I swayed and prayed as I waited for the contractions to do their job. Around 3:20 pm Dr. Almquist came in to see about breaking my water. I laid down for her to check progress. I was 8-9 cm, completely effaced and baby's head at a +1. Just checking my cervix caused my water to break. She said, "I'm going to get my gear because I think we're going have a baby. Let me know if you need to push." I had a few contractions that were normal, move the baby down contractions. I was so ready to meet my baby.

While I waited for the urge to push I prayed for strength to push so I wouldn't need to push much. Finally the urge came. Just a little bit. A little bit more. Then the big one. One big push and the baby came smoothly. Jim said laughing, "It's a girl!" I said, "Really!? A girl!" He said, "YES!" I couldn't believe it. We finally had another girl. I laughed and talked to her as they put her on my chest. I marveled at this little miracle that all of our children, family, and friends had been praying for.

Jim said, "Esther is finally here." We have had the name Esther Elizabeth waiting in the wings for 9 years. Esther is such an amazing story of courage and how God uses His people to work out His plans. My middle name is Elizabeth and it means consecrated to God or oath of God. We pray this little girl will have the courage to follow God where ever He leads and she is consecrated to Him as she is His gift and blessing to us.

We're so thankful for Esther and her precious life. She is such an answer to prayer in so many ways and God provided exactly what we needed to go into labor and have a quick and nearly painless delivery. To God be the glory for such an amazing miracle and blessing!

Were We Ever Great?

The state of our country is rocky at best as I write this. Lives have been turned upside down from a new widespread virus and then destroyed by horrible acts of racism. As we come around to celebrating the independence of the United States once again, this question is plaguing me; Were we ever a great nation?

First, what does great mean?

According to the Google dictionary it means, "of an extent, amount of intensity considerably above the normal or average."

Sadly this definition is subjective at best because what is normal? What is average? Yes, the US has been ahead in many ways of many things, especially technology and for many years we were the wealthiest nation in the world. We have had power and prestige.

But really, is any of this great?

When I think about our history, while there are things that could be categorized as great, I cannot help but ask what did this greatness cost?

Was it great when the Europeans came over and took over the land of the natives, killing and driving them off because they wanted their land?

Was it great that we used "superior" weapons to make sure we destroyed as many as possible?

Was it great that we kidnapped people from their homes and built a home and legacy on the backs of slaves?

Was it great that we had a civil war because there was no agreement on how we should treat humanity and killed not only slaves but each other because of our own greed?

Was it great that people were (and in many ways still are) segregated because of skin tone or ethnicity?

When you look at how we have treated and still treat each other in this country, the answer is a resounding NO! Our greatness isn't defined by wealth, technology and what we have. Our greatness is defined by whether or not we live according to the Law of God.

In fact, I can only think of one time in history that any country could be called great. That was in the beginning after God had made all and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and God declared it good!

But soon it all went to hell, literally, as Adam and Eve brought sin into the world and we have been in chaos and turmoil ever since that day. We continue to live in this sin, hating each other, living for ourselves and our style and our preferences, doing what we believe in our hearts is right.

This is why we are not great, because this is true of the US today. And until we fall on our faces in repentance for our sin, our hatred, our greed, our malice, our bowing to self, we can never hope to be great. Therefore, repent and turn to Jesus and ask Him to reveal your heart. Live for God in true freedom which glorifies Him and Him alone, not ourselves and our agendas.

This is greatness: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

As you celebrate today, remember that the point of freedom is to lift others up and in this we love God and glorify His Name.