Sick once again!

I am so sick of turning on the TV to relax and hearing nothing but CRAP! I don't even know if I want to get on this discussion or not. Its just that every station seems to encourage homosexual relations...whether its Oprah, Ellen (talk shows) or sitcoms and now most movies. And if its not homosexuality its violence or lack or morals. I asked Brett...."When we move can we just sell all of our TVs?" lol. My only hesitation is...I owe lots of Disney VHS that I kind of want my children to enjoy. Other than that...I could live w/o it. I like 20/20 and those type of broadcasts...but they mostly cover dramatic awful life stories that leave me either depressed, sad or scared. So I probably should just stop watching them. lol. Well, I've said enough.

Go and....BE THE CHURCH!

Eli and I witnessed some of our Salisbury berries out "being the church." Its great to belong to a family of believers who put into action what they believe. You can find out more about our church family at http://www.salisbury-church.org/

To be a stay at home Mom or not?

The only thing cute about this picture is my belly!

Me with my awesome kids on Mothers Day 2008'

The question..."To be a stay at home Mom or not?" has been floating around for quite awhile within our family and with other families I have talked with. Its a hard decision for some. I have been on both ends of this stick...when Micayla was little, I was a single Mom...and didn't have much of a choice. Now (Thank you Jesus) my life is different and this is the decision my husband and I have agreed is best for our family. I hear a lot of comments like, "it must be hard!" "How do you do it?" etc etc. I can only speak for myself here...but I'll be the first to say it is the hardest job on earth but the most rewarding too. I am so grateful to God and my husband for giving me the opportunity to stay home. I'm not going to lie, its not easy! But it is so worth it, in so many ways and it's what is best for the children...not just my children, but all children.
How do I do it? I'm exactly sure what that question means...how do I do what? Keep my sanity? Keep peace? Enjoy it? Make the most of it? Again...only speaking for myself here...I have #1 made the decision to BE A STAY AT HOME MOM...that 1/2 of it. Making up your mind regardless of circumstances that it is best decision for you and your kids, and sticking with it. Yes...there are many hard days. #2 Pray Pray Pray. God gives me the strength I need everyday for whatever lays ahead...whether it be grocery shopping, doctor appts, battle of the will etc...he is by my side and I am not alone. #3 Develop a rountine. A schedule and a routine (in my eyes) are a bit different. I'm not driven by a minute by minute list of things to accomplish or do. I do have an idea of what our day is going to look like and I allow for flexiblity. #4 I feel like I am capable of being a good stay at home Mom b/c I have a very supportive husband...who also feels it is the best decision for our family. Without him, I don't think I could or would want to stay home. He is my 2nd rock at the end of the day to lean on. Thank you Honey! #5 Have friends to talk with that are also mommies and can relate to your struggles and accomplishments. Its great to have a listening ear. Thanks girls!
There are Biblical principles for being a stay at home Mom and I do find them very encouraging, but my decision is not based on those principles alone. Like I said...at one point in my life, it wasn't even an option. And to say every Mother must stay home because that is what God says...is a bit legalistic in my opinion. To say God designed it that way and he designed us Mommies with everything we need to raise his children and that he knows what is best...is a great encouragement to make a wise decision upon!
Look into your own heart, your husband's heart, God's heart...and your precious little child's heart...and then make your decision...and stick with it. Satan will try to destroy the family God designed through you and your husband, be determined to safeguard it for God's Kingdom.

Painting...1st time ever!

Here my little guy is w/ his brush, paper and paint!
He switched back and forth a lot. My only regret was giving him the brushes b/c when I wanted him to fingerpaint, he had no desire. He liked the brushes. Sooooooo.......
I made him stick his hand in the paint. And he curled his fingers as to say..."yuck!"
I allow him to explore his world for awhile...It was so fun! I must have shot a dozen photos of him painting.
This project was the second one (b/c his first I helped with to show him how to use his fingers) but this one...he did ALL BY HIMSELF! I think its impressive for a 16 month old!

Eli's New Sandbox!

This is his very first time in the sandbox and you can tell by the look on his face, he is not sure what to think of it!!!!!
He adjusts sooo well, and can't resist all those cool trucks and buckets!
Sis shows him how to gather sand and use his trucks...as dump trucks!

Cousin Trystan joins him later, and he is not fond of Eli's sandbox! :( I love Eli's expression...its like..."I didn't do it!"
Yeah! Family time in the new box! He loves being outside.

An "official" announcement!

We feel the Lord is calling us into full-time missions. We felt the call as singles before we married, and even more so once we married. At this point in our crazy lives, we feel God has opened up a door for us. Its a bit sooner than we expected but we feel led to begin taking steps toward this end. An opportunity in Peru (yes Peru)...as in a whole other country...is available for us. Brett has music talent, Micah has coffee experience, and we all have a desire to serve the Lord. In Peru we will be ministring through a coffee shop to locals and tourists in the city of Cusco. This ministry is in its infant stages being started by Jed and Jaime Benoit (http://www.jedandjaime.com/). This coffee shop will be a location for Christian music to be heard, and the Word to be preached through Bible studies and Sunday services. We will also have opportunities to volunteer at orphanages, plant churches, and do outback outreach through the other local missionaries. Brett will jump into a music ministry within the coffee shop. Our children will be with us. Micayla and Micah are both excited about volunteering at orphanages together. We really enjoyed the one we missioned to in Guatemala a couple years ago. Our two youngest will be along for the ride!

We have a long journey ahead of us before we are even able to leave the states. We are in the process of applying with Commission to Every Nation (http://www.cten.org/), to be our sending agency. Then the fundraising begins, and a whole slew of other affairs (half of which we probaby aren't even aware of yet). We have to consider selling our house and cars and other possessions when the departure date gets nearer. We are aiming for a spring/summer of 2009 departure. But at this point we would like to ask everyone for their fervent prayers...pray for patience, understanding, Godly counsel to make wise decisions with every aspect of this ministry, and prayers for faith. Its easy as Americans to lose faith when times get tough and everything doesn't go as expected. I remember when the Rameys left for Mexico and they have such a hard time getting there between their camper going bonkers and other troubles. Yet through that all, God had a plan and he met their needs. It's so awesome to see God work for the good of those who submit to His will. I challenge you all to listen to the heart of God and His calling upon your life. Live Life Intentionally...everyday; Micah, Brett and fam.

Suggested Read: "Good to Great in God's Eyes" by Chip Ingram.

Different but Nummy!

Chicken Salad w/ fruit!!!

2 (10 ounce) cans chicken chunks, drained
1 cup seedless green grapes, halved (I used red!)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 (8 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained (I used pineapple)
3/4 cup creamy cucumber salad dressing

DIRECTIONS
Mix together chicken, grapes, nuts, celery, oranges, and dressing. Chill.

It was a hit in our family. I got this from www.allrecipes.com

The world is not safe for our children!

This breaks my heart! Can you imagine their heartache and worries?