Mother of Seven + 2

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." I John 1:8-10 It is often said, "Confession is good for the soul." That is so true. I recall an incident with one of our children that brought this home to me. One evening when I was tucking one of my boys in bed he said, "Mom, I need to talk to you."  I asked him if it could wait because it was late. He said it could. The next morning I'm hurriedly getting ready for church and am ironing a shirt. He comes in my room and asks if it was a good time to talk, I put him off again telling him, "Why don't we talk about it in the car after church?" We were leaving that afternoon to go to Grandma's and there would be plent

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." I John 1:5-7 I remember as a young child being scared of the dark. If I had to get up in the night, I would lay there and tell myself there was nothing to be afraid of. Then when I finally got up enough nerve, I would leap from the bed. I had to jump because I was sure there was something under my bed that would reach out and grab my legs. Now as a mother, I have children who experience the same fears.  It is natural not to like darkness. There's something scary about the unknown.  After reading this passage, I wonder if perhaps our dislike of darkness is because our Creator is light hi

We are lasagna lovers at our house.  However, I have little time for long complicated recipes.  Here is my standard Easy Lasagna recipe. 1 lb. ground beef 1 large carton cottage cheese 1 lb. shredded mozzarella 1 jar spaghetti sauce (Try different sauces for different flavors.) 1 box lasagna noodles (whole wheat work well) Brown ground beef.  Drain fat.  Mix together spaghetti sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and browned hamburger.  Spread thin layer of meat/cheese/sauce in bottom of greased 9x13.  Place a layer of noodles over sauce.  Add sauce on top of noodles.  Repeat this process until you have 4 layers of noodles topped with a generous amount of sauce.  Cover with aluminum foil that has been sprayed with no-stick spray.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until noodles are tender.  Serves 6-8.  (Note:  Do not pre-cook noodles.  They will cook in the sauce.  You can use regular noodles to do this.  No need to buy the special ones.) This recipe came from my mother-in-law.  She d

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete." I John 1:1-4 It can be difficult rearing children in our culture. We live in a time when there seems to be no moral absolutes. What is right all depends on what feels right at the moment. This has led to several generations of people who are seemingly lost and looking for answers and purpose in life. John's introduction to his book gives us something to hang onto. What we believe is not changing. It comes from the be

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."  Proverbs 25:11 Monday I received a phone call from a sweet friend.  She felt moved to tell me how much my family immediate and extended had blessed her life.  She had no idea how much I needed to hear those words at that time, but God knew. Later that evening I was browsing through Facebook.  Ran across a post from my dad.  He had posted a picture of me with my daughter.  He made a brief but loving remark about it.  Made me feel special.  My heart needed that reassurance. "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."  Hebrews 3:13 Life can beat you up.  Satan plays games with your mind.  He deceives you into thinking you are alone.  We all need encouraged.  Not just once a year, once a month, or once a week.  Notice the book of Hebrews said "encourage one another daily ."  One thing I've learne

Many times we have been asked how in the world we can afford seven children.  The honest truth is, "We can't, but God can." When we decided to try to adopt one little girl out of foster care, we weren't sure how we would afford it, but we figured we would pinch pennies and make it work.  So, when our hearts were torn by the sibling groups being separated and needing adopted together, we really felt like we had gone crazy to even consider it.  We decided to open our hearts and home anyway and trust God to work it out if it was what he wanted for our lives. During the year that the children remained in the custody of the foster care system, we received payments to cover the cost of their care.  We were able to save enough out of this money to purchase and pay off a practically brand new van that seated twelve.   We were unsure of how things would work out once the adoption went through.  However, we found out that there was an adoption subsidy that was paid each

Sitting here in the early hours of the morning, I'm praying for my eldest son, Ryan.  He's off to take the ACT test today.  I find myself wanting to go with him.  I think, "He might not see a car coming at him.  He wouldn't be so stressed about finding the place.  He would do better on the test because he would relax if I went along for company." A mother's mind thinks of all the things that could happen.  A mother wants to protect.  However, reality tells me he's in God's hands.  God knows and cares for him more than I do.  God knows his time and his number of days.  I do not control those things.  God will give him strength to handle these new experiences in life, and he will be better for it.  So with a prayer I send him off, knowing more and more this will happen in coming days.  Knowing that next year at this time, he'll be in college.  It is time. From This Father Above, We thank you for the blessing of Ryan's life.  He brings us

Time passes so quickly.  I always thought there would be time to get nice memory books made for each of the children.  Suddenly I realize I have one who's a senior and the last year I've completed in his book was 2nd grade. So I've begun the tedious job of sorting through the photos on my computer. It's been fun to refresh my memories as I've looked at the pictures.  There are lots of pictures of school field trips and activities.  I'm realizing these times are highlights in my children's lives.  Sadly though I also have realized that the fun activities are something I've let go in the busy rush of life.  So as I'm starting a new school year, I'm committing myself to take some time for fun learning activities. Today Amber, Cory, and Michael were learning about the cell in science class.  We made a fun model of a cell using lemon gelatin, a grape, and a plastic bag.  And you know, it really didn't take much time, and the kids were thrilled

Some days or weeks in my case are just discouraging.  It is like there is a big stinky pile of mud in my brain, and I just want to wallow in it for awhile.  I don't like it there, really.  Yet I choose to stay. This week has been a better week.  God is teaching me.  I'm realizing I'm suffering from burn-out in more than one area in my life.  Identifying the problem helps. Elijah the prophet came to mind today.  Just previous to the following incident he experienced a glorious moment on Mt. Carmel.  God had shown his power over the prophets of Baal through fire.  When the people saw this they fell prostrate declaring, "The Lord--He is God, the Lord--He is God!" (I Kings 18:39) Then in the very next chapter Elijah is fleeing for his life.  He shows strong signs of depression when he says, "I have had enough, Lord.  Take my life.  I am no better than my ancestors."  (I Kings 19:4)  He complains to the Lord telling him how zealous he had been and yet t