So Many Miracles

Last Tuesday we had our play about George Mueller at the school. The high school students performed the play itself, while the elementary students had a small part as a group. It was much easier this way, especially because the elementary-aged children do a Christmas program each year, in which they have to learn several parts. This year, the children were orphans in the George Mueller play.

Elisabeth trying to be serious

Doesn't she make a sweet orphan ?

We unanimously agreed that Budge had the best orphan costume.

Where'd my arms go?

Just for fun

My sweet hubby in the midst of "his children"

George Mueller had over 50,000 documented answers to prayer. He built 5 large orphan houses, housed over 10,000 orphans, a third of whom came to love the LORD, and received almost 7 ½ million dollars. He personally supported hundreds of missionaries, and when most men slow down in their “twilight” years, Mr. Mueller—between the ages of 70 to 87—began 17 years of missionary tours traveling over 200,000 miles, in 42 countries, spreading the Gospel to 3 million people. In his life he preached well over 10,000 sermons and read the Bible over 200 times—on his knees. And this very humble man accomplished this all by placing his TRUST IN GOD ALONE.

So Many Miracles. He had 50,000 documented answers to prayer because he prayed for them and then looked for the answers. I pray for many things, but I am not always tuned in to whether or not my prayers are getting answered. And, sometimes, our prayers do not get answered in the way in which we would choose. With the new year just around the corner, I am going to focus on praying and documenting the answers to those prayers. What a legacy to leave to your children! 50,000 documented answers to prayer.

Lauren's 5th Birthday

I can't believe that Lauren is 5 already! My how time flies. It seems like just yesterday I was scurrying everybody out of the house in preparation for her birth. She is the one that nearly arrived before the midwife came because I failed to effectively communicate just how far along in labor I was. Her birth is also the only one attended by either family or friends--Michelle Griffin and her mom, Shirley Cikalo, were here to help and were able to watch her birth. Lauren was my longest nurser at 14 months. She stopped nursing the day I miscarried--two losses at once. I still remember that she would curl her body in the shape of the nursing position to let me know she wanted to nurse. She was just a little sweetie--and still is!

Elisabeth dressed Lauren up like a princess for her party

"Close your eyes, Lauren. It's a surprise!"

I'm 5 now!

When I asked Lauren what she wanted to eat for her birthday dinner, she said, "Mashed Potatoes." So I asked her what she wanted with the mashed potatoes. Her reply? "Carrots." The truth is that she loves the vegetables that go along with a roast, but she never eats the roast. She doesn't prefer that meat. So, while she was napping, I decided on tacos, another one of her favorites.

Brian and Tyler at the party

Happy Birthday, Lauren!

Isn't this just the best?

I had asked Chad to move so I could take pictures, but he just couldn't bear to part with this little man snuggled up against his face. ;0}

My heart just melts when I look into the eyes of two of my men!

Derek really enjoyed the cupcakes.

Sock Wars!

I revived an old game today. When Elisabeth and Budge were small, I would occasionally ball up the "lonely" socks (the ones with no mate) and we would play dodge ball of sorts. Lauren, Derek, and I played today and just had a ball. It was so much fun! Just look at the expression on Lauren's face to see how much fun she was having. You should try it!

A Time for Reflection

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned,
in whatsoever state I am,therewith to be content
(Philippians 4:11).

That is my theme for the month of December. Have you noticed that the retail business begins to put out Christmas items just about the time Thanksgiving seems to begin lurking in our minds? It is as if "someone" out there is trying to get us to forget to be thankful. To stop focusing on what we have at the present to enjoy and begin to look forward only to what we can "get."

I must admit, that often I am discontented. Sometimes discontentment is a good thing, such as when we are discontent with our walk with God. However, usually discontentment is not desirable. At this time of the year, it is so easy to get caught up in the "Christmas spirit." I love decorating the Christmas tree and setting up my little Christmas village, complete with two churches and a hot chocolate salesman! :) More than that, I love setting up the nativity set. We have had several over the years. Last year we found a very beautiful, large nativity set at Sam's Club for a very reasonable price. Our favorite nativity, though, is the one my husband bought me the first year we were married. It has had so much wear and tear over the years from the children playing with it that it doesn't really work anymore. On this particular nativity, the shepherds and wise men together with their camels "walk" around a circle and turn in to look at the baby Jesus while playing Christmas carols. We just love this one. We also have a manger that Chad built several years ago that we set up with a baby Jesus inside.

There have been years when I have felt "pressured" to provide many gifts for my children. I cannot say why I felt that way, but I did. We wasted so much money. As we have had more children, of course we have had to scale back on the number of gifts the children receive. This year, we decided to give a gift to the entire family. We are going on a trip to Tennessee, a family vacation of sorts. We are all so excited about it. After all, next to the birth of Jesus--which is the only true meaning of Christmas, holidays, to me, are about spending time together as a family. We play more games during the month of December. We bake more cookies. We make more crafts. We play outside in the snow more. We just love on one another.

Unfortunately, I often become selfish and want my own way and forget about the true meaning of Christmas--giving. After all, wasn't Jesus born to give us something? Eternal life. Aren't we supposed to be giving to others? Meeting their needs, telling them of the eternal life Jesus came to give. Giving. It's not about me. It's not even about my family. Giving. Being content enough to give what I do have away. Even in a recession. Giving. Contentment. Christ. Christmas.

Our First Snow Day!!!

Today is our first official snow day, and I think that Chad and I are more excited than the children! Since we had family here, we were not able to put up our Christmas tree on Friday and were trying to figure out just when we were going to be able to do it. Now, we can put it up today! Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

We had such a nice Thanksgiving Day with my family. My parents got here around 2:00 for dinner. Really the only mishap we had was that I broke my one and only platter when I put the mashed potatoes on the counter. But...thank goodness for Kmart! They were open, and Chad ran over there and found the prettiest little platter with pink flowers on it.

I am working on updating my blog, so please be patient while we have fall leaves with Christmas trees! Hopefully it will be up and running today sometime.

Chocolate Candy Balls

1 can sweetened, condensed milk
2 T. cocoa
2 T. butter or margarine

*Cook all until it forms a soft ball. Let cool. Cover hands with margarine and form 1" balls. Roll in sprinkles or nuts. Refrigerate.

This is a delicious, simply candy the whole family can make. I'm not sure if they can be frozen, but it doesn't seem like anything would be ruined from freezing. I'm going to try to freeze a few and see what happens.

A Happy, Happy Thanksgiving....to you, to you!

We had such a nice day as a family today...Slept in, Cuddled, Colored, Cooked. Life is good. My family is coming in to town tomorrow, so we're aflurry with activity trying to get Thanksgiving Dinner ready.

Elisabeth buttering the rolls before the second rising.

A nice little ball of dough in the hands of Lauren

Don't the rolls look just lovely in the pan?

Meagan decided to make a little snack and was sooo excited when they were ready to eat!

Well, we are going to have quite a spread tomorrow. I have been really wanting to "present" my food nicely lately. Isn't this turkey cheese ball so cute? The s and I had such a fun time making it. We were going to dig in tonight but decided that it was just too cute to eat just yet.

Last night was our school's annual Thanksgiving play. Instead of the traditional turkey, pilgrims, and Indians Thanksgiving program, Chad decided to do a play about George Mueller. It was so good. I plan on posting some of those pictures in the next couple of days.

Over on Daily Pleasures Amy challenged us to see if we did 100 things in a day that we loved. I don't know if I did 100 or not, but I did more than one. Let's see...

1. Nursed the most precious baby in the world

2. Nursed the most precious baby in the world

3. Nursed the most precious baby in the world

4. Nursed the most precious baby in the world

5. Nursed the most precious baby in the world

6. Spent time with Elisabeth in the kitchen

7. Kneaded bread dough (this is one of my favorites!)

8. Peeled 15 pounds of potatoes - I just love seeing the white of the potato

9. Baked a cake

10. Talked to my sil Tracy

11. Listened to my family playing together

12. Looked at pictures of fond memories

13. Laughed with a two-year-old

14. Ate pizza

15. Washed dishes in the sink instead of the dishwasher (There's just something about washing dishes by hand that makes me feel like I just love my life. Why is that?)

Well, there are many more things I did today that I loved doing, but, alas, I must go to bed now! Have to get up early to cook my two eighteen pound birds. ;0)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

A Welcome Winter Weekend

So many things to do in the snow, and SO MUCH SNOW! We really only have about 5 inches or so on the ground, but the children just couldn't wait to get outside and play in it! Derek played in the snow for the very first time on Saturday. I had forgotten that I had bought Derek some very nice snowpants last year. It's always pleasant to discover that you prepared ahead of time. Derek was very warm...for awhile! ;) I'm thankful that we live somewhere that is beautiful when it's cold!

Derek feeding Budge hot chocolate. At one point, he grabbed his head and tipped it back. In the background we are watching some fantastic videos about evolution. We borrowed them a friend, and they are fascinating. Another great series of videos is Planet Earth, though they DO contain evolution. However, the footage in this series is wonderful, so we have chosen to go ahead and watch them while interjecting our "two cents" every time evolution is mentioned.

Derek getting ready to play for the first time in the snow.

Meagan went around the house finding as many icicles as she could. She then enlisted Elisabeth's help to get them down so she could eat them. (Gross, I know, but who didn't eat icicles as a kid?!?) If you didn't, you really missed out! :0)

Derek got so "cofe" (cold) that he had to come in and drink some hot chocolate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On a different note, our Pastor has been preaching a small series of messages from I Thessalonians 4:3-12, entitled "How To Possess Your Vessel." My own personal meditations from the message over the last 15 hours has been from his fourth and fifth points of the sermon: 4. Stay away from bitterness with the help of the Holy Spirit. According to I Thess. 4:8, nearly all human anger is directed at God. 5. Stay in brotherly love with heavenly help. C. H. Spurgeon said, "The mother of all sins is selfishness."


My own personal reflections have led me to this place. I do not love my husband or children nearly enough. If I loved them enough, I would refrain from speaking harshly, from becoming frustrated with them. If I loved them enough, I would bring my body under subjection and not give in to my besetting sin. Sin is really all about love. When we sin, we don't care who gets hurt. We care afterwards, but at the moment of the sin, we don't care. Then we have to spend extra time trying to prove that we really love the ones we just hurt.


My focus today is to really, truly love my family. Doing the right thing.