A Lifetime of Blessings at Providence Acres

Just some photos

2011-11-07T14:13:00.000-06:00

I have a few photos, so thought I'd share them while I have a few moments.

This is our cow Tilley. She was our first milk cow.

This is the sitting out stump we made by the garden. Eliana was pretending to be sad that she was sitting out, but she really wasn't in trouble. She was helping me plant the garden.

Michael playing caterpillar, but fell asleep.

Strawberry picking!

The blessing of our new baby grand piano, and the violin.

The new calf whose name is Supper

She calls him Buddy, though.

The yearly invasion of stick bugs!

Kitchen helper.

Brothers fishing.

This is the day Israel was presented with his first Bible. He read the first chapter of Genesis.

Fall is already almost gone, but here's one photo of some of our tribe.

Here's our new cow Mayflower! She's all business, but she gives us a lot of milk and cream!

Remind me to never buy Leghorn's again.

Ach!

2011-10-26T14:46:00.000-05:00

I thought blogger had worked out my issue of sending in mobile messages (meaning from my iPhone), but alas, it's still not working.

My many apologies for not being able to be a better blogger. Perhaps this is the time when I should reconsider blogging?


Why, oh why....

2011-08-16T19:33:00.000-05:00

Can't blogger post photos from my iPhone?
I have lots on my phone, but have to email them to myself to load them to the computer. Why, you may ask? Because I'm synch illiterate and cannot figure out how to plug the phone in to the computer and get my photos off without losing something.
Waaa.....
I have some cute photos, but here they sit on my phone.
The End.

A lot has happened

2011-08-14T14:11:00.000-05:00

I often think about "the blog" and think about all the things I could add or share, but when time permits, I simply let it fall by the wayside. Telling myself I'll do it tomorrow, but then tomorrow never comes and I'm thinking, again, about "the blog".....and well you can where this cycle gets me.

I think so much has happened over the last year that it would be good to catch you up on what we've done, where we've gone, and how our homestead has changed.
Prayerfully, I'll have enough photos to go along with this that I can actually show you what's happened, and do less writing.
Although, writing could take less time than the speed at which my photos upload. LOL!!

Here are a few from 2010 to bring you into why, what, and how 2011 rang in.

We had to sell our goats (6 in all) in order to get our family cow, so 2010 saw the last of our herd go to good homes. These two goats we were actually going to keep, so we gave them their historical names.
The first photo of the brown Alpine doe is Constance, and the second photo is her twin sister (the black and white doe) Mayflower.
(historical figures = ships carrying first settlers to locations in America; Jamestown in 1607 and Plymouth 1622)
They both just became mommas themselves! We're missing our goats. We still had their momma but she somehow escaped and we have never found her since. (we still get teary eyed when we think of her- her name was Ebony)

We purchased a whole brood of Rhode Island Red laying hens, and the weasel killed every single one of them. They were so sweet and friendly. Unlike the white leghorns we now have that are skittish and afraid of everything!
We call ALL of our laying hens Martha. The reason being is that while we do not promote more than one wife, we have but one rooster, whose name is George (we actually call him Jorge' which is Spanish for George) and the whole flock is "Washington's Brigade".

This is Quincy, (historical figure = John Quincy Adams) our Saddlebred gelding. He was just too much horse for us, so we sold him to a dear young lady that has allowed him to flourish in his riding and learning. We miss him too.

This is Abigail (historical figure = Abigail Adams, mother to John Quincy). She was MY quarterhorse mare given as a gift from my beloved homestead hunk. She was gentle with the children, and truly loved by us all. She was a good riding horse, but we just didn't have enough room for riding, plus we were seriously considering our family cow and needed room for the cow should the right one come along. And, if you've read other blog posts here, you know it did. I'll update on her as I catch you up.

In the photo behind Abby is the little miniature horse/pony mix stallion we have named Wilbur (historical figure = William WILBURforce). He's enough horse for us at this time. He will be learning to drive this year and possibly hoeing my garden next summer. We'll see!

I think that's it for today, but come back soon as I upload and tell the story of 2011. It has been an exciting year. We know God has plans still yet to unfold for the remainder of it.

Blessings!

Marrying Well Giveaway!

2011-08-11T17:44:00.000-05:00

Over at Life In A Shoe.
We practice courtship for our family and The Botkin Family will be hosting a webinar soon to share with others about courtship. There will be some great topics covered and YOU can win your very own subscription to the webinar series.
Just go here and do as many things as you can to get in on the opportunity.
http://inashoe.com/2011/08/giveaway-marrying-well-webinar/

Poetry

2011-06-03T20:49:00.000-05:00

We search the world for truth. We cull
The good, the true, the beautiful,
From graven stone and written scroll,
And all old flower-fields of the soul;
And when seekers of the best,
We come back laden from our quest,
To find that all the sages said
Is in the Book our mothers read.

Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier

Psalm 3

2011-05-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

1 LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Quotes

2011-05-10T07:10:00.001-05:00

"There seem to be but three ways for a nation to acquire wealth. The first is by war... This is robbery. The second by commerce, which is generally cheating. The third by agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground, in a kind of continual miracle, wrought by the hand of God in his favour, as a reward for his innocent life and his virtuous industry."

—Benjamin Franklin

"The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent. It follows, the greater the proportion of this class to the whole society, the more free, the more independent, and the more happy must be the society itself."

—James Madison

"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man."

—George Washington

Farm school and taking dominion

2011-04-29T15:10:00.001-05:00

You know, it's tough to blog when you get out of habit. And really, since we've moved here to Providence Acres we've had a lot of thing we could share, but we're so busy "doing" we often forget to stop and realize that we could document our moments.
I am purposing to do a better job of this and share some of what goes on around here. I know, I know, I've said that before, but this time I'm really going to do it!
:)

I'll take some new photos of the homestead, the new life growing here, the children, and the updates.
Let me look in the photo album and see what I might have to share today.

I'll title these with what we call Farm School. This is where life on the homestead is the teacher for the very real life (and sometimes death) situations we can face when we raise livestock.

This Farm School activity is simply using the land God created, and gave us, to practice our dominion skills!

Taking care of the animals that God gave us dominion over.

Every little girl can practice nurturing with the skirt of her dress when you have chicks that like to stay warm!

Taking care of the land God gave us dominion over.

And learning about the various animals on our property.

All this contributes to our home education and helps the children think about what God created for them to enjoy and have dominion over.

Blessings!

A New Addition......

2010-12-03T20:46:00.000-06:00

Well once again we've been so busy living on our homestead that we haven't had time to post and share about our homestead happenings.
I can give you a few updates.

We've decided, 8 goats later, that we're done with milking goats and will be transitioning to a cow. The cow we're looking at will look something like this:

Right now she's pregnant and producing 59 lbs of milk per day..........ummm that's a little over 7 GALLONS!
So while that IS a little more than our goats that average 8-11 lbs at peak, we've got big plans for this milk.
My homestead hunk, Farmer Joe, and I figured up how much we spend on dairy products in our home on an average week.
We were actually surprised to figure out that if we buy it all Organic, it's close to $75 a week, and regular commercial stuff from Aldi is anywhere between $50-$65 a week.

A bale of hay costs $4.50 for the really good stuff, and $3 for the average stuff. I think she'll still save us money in the long run.
The list of dairy products that I know how to make now (and made with our goats milk, but goats milk is a little more fragile, while having cream that does not naturally separate) is going to be such a blessing.

Current items:
Cheese
Sour cream
Yogurt
Kefir
Buttermilk
Cottage Cheese
Cream Cheese
Ice cream

And we'll add to the list:
Real Heavy Cream
Butter

We are thanking God for His hand over our lives bringing exactly what we need, when we need it.
And in this case, at less than 50% off the normal commercial price and about 75-80% off the price of OG cows in other places.

All praises to God!

A few photos

2010-09-02T12:38:00.000-05:00

Our oldest daughter graduated high school early. We didn't know at the time, but God had bigger plans than just finishing up her high school education early.

God was preparing the heart of her future husband. Their courtship was a learning experience for us all, since it was the first time for us, as well as being the first time anyone in our church had ever heard of it. We learned a lot, and the young couple learned a lot about trusting the Lord and hearing His voice as they grew.

In February 2010 they were engaged!

The wedding date was set for July 31, 2010

That weekend will now hold even more meaning for her daddy and I since we share our anniversary on July 29th. This year was our 20th wedding anniversary.

We are blessed beyond measure by our new son-in-love.

These are their engagement photos.

We will be posting some of the wedding photos soon. We have a lot of them on Facebook, but I need to get them over here.

Providence Acres

2010-09-01T22:15:00.000-05:00

Summer is coming to a close, and already it's our second one here at the homestead. We've gone through a lot, learned a lot, and look forward a lot more than I can ever remember.
One of the biggest changes would be settling into what we'll actually call the farm. We've settled on:
Providence Acres Homestead

Kind of has a nice ring to it, not to mention it clearly expresses the importance of just Who gets credit for the life we live here, and the Hand that worked on our behalf each step of the way.

As summer moves into Fall I hope I can share some of what's already taken place over these almost two years, and share our goals, plans, and vision that the Lord lays before us.

Get your work boots on....there's a lot to accomplish. Oh wait, YOU get to sip tea, WE do the work and share photos. Well if you're in our neck of the woods, feel free to stop by.

Are You A Fool?

2009-04-09T07:35:00.000-05:00

I am resolved........

2009-04-09T07:02:00.003-05:00

I found this wonderful list of resolutions by Jonathan Edwards (Colonial American Congregational Preacher, Theologian, and Missionary to the Native Americans) and thought I'd share them:

Resolved~To live with all my might while I do live.

Resolved~Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possible can.

Resolved~Never to do anything which I should despise or think meanly of in another.

Resolved~Never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved~Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Jonathan Edwards

A BIG E-book Sale!

2009-03-17T11:54:00.001-05:00

I thought I'd take this moment to let you know about a great offer from
our friends at LivingOnADime.com and MoneySavingMom.com. Many of you
are familiar with Crystal, Tawra and Jill's money saving,
get-out-of-debt, frugal living and homemaking tips.

Well, they have just contacted me to let me know that with the rise in the
price of groceries, they have decided to team up to offer you their two
grocery savings e-courses along with a huge pile of bonus items. Even
better, they are offering this Savin' O The Green 17 e-book package to
our readers for $17, a substantial discount off of the regular price of
$75 for these e-books.

The e-books that are included in this offer are:

Supermarket Savings 101 eCourse with audio downloads
Grocery Shopping On A Budget eCourse
Money Saving Meats e-book
Saving On Cleaning Supplies e-book
Eating Healthy On A Budget e-booklet
Is Eating Out Eating You Up? e-book
224 Meals In A Hurry e-book
Grocery Savings e-book
Menus That Make Cents e-book
Plan Ahead Leftovers e-book
Quick Dinners e-book
Menu Planning Made Easy
Simply Centsible Breakfasts
Simply Centsible Suppers
Kids Recipes
Menus On A Dime
470 Crockpot Recipes

For more information on this exciting offer, visit http://1sam127.livingonad.hop.clickbank.net

Providence Acres Homestead updates

2009-02-12T19:41:00.004-06:00

Hi to all 5 of my readers! :))

I know it's been a long time.........AGAIN..........since I've shared the happenings here at the homestead. And for the most part, it was a fairly boring winter as far as homesteading goes.
The latest happenings are:
-we got a new furnace
-we also got a new AXE, so the need for the new furnace is greatly diminished
-we got 15 new Red Star laying hens with 1 Rooster
-we're getting a 4 yr old Saddle bred horse on Saturday; We're naming him Quincy-after John Quincy Adams...........can anyone leave me a comment on the "nickname" for his presidency? Poor guy........ ;)
-our oldest child recently turned 18..................we've raised a whole child! WOWEE!!! Ask me how I feel?

We've got photos, so hopefully I can find the cord for the camera soon. We finally got the battery charged.

Oh guess what? I was thinking of creating my own website for our homestead, so thought I'd take a peek into the name, and our blog rated FIRST on the list for the name Legacy Hills Homestead. We're quite excited about that little fact. Not sure that will make us buy the domain name, but it's neat to see our rankings none the less.

So, the dog is barking, number 3 son is crying (his foot got shut in the fridge), and it's quick clean time. Gotta run!

Providence Acres Homestead

2008-12-10T13:24:00.012-06:00

I know it's been a long time coming, and I'm usually so slow with these things. BUT.......I finally have a few photos of the homestead.

And I feel I must point out that we have changed the name of the homestead a bit, so if you read comments, please know that some folks were responding based on the first name.

Here's the front of our house.

Here's pasture, barn, and the pool.

Above is Alexandra with "Wilbur"...........getting a lesson because he's still a toddler mini-horse/pony. He looks more pony than horse, and certainly has the pony attitude.

Here's Wilbur in the pasture: BEFORE he figured out how to escape.

This horse is our neighbors horse, "Topper". He's friends with our little mini, so they hang out together. He's sad these days because his friend is locked up. His escapes were getting dangerous (out by the road) so until we can get it to stop snowing enough to fix the fencing, he'll be incarcerated to the stall. Not fun for a horse.........or a toddler!

This photo is of my Homestead Hunk......we've nicknamed him "Farmer Joe". He's right handy with a tractor, a saw, and soon the wood splitter!

Of course Eliana is always honing her mothering skills. Even when it's a little puppy. He enjoyed his blankie' and his nap.

As soon as we find the camera battery charger, we'll get some more of life on our homestead.

We're still unpacking, still finding homes for things, and still working on our diligence in homeschooling.

We're off to another farm for our milk today, but come summer we're hoping to add some chickens, a meat cow, and maybe a goat. We'll be planting a large garden, so we'll start plotting that out in January.

A Sale worth blogging about!

2008-11-29T07:32:00.004-06:00

I know, I come out of hiding (and from the foggy haze of boxes, paper, and the reminder that we have a LOT of stuff to unpack) to post a sale.
Well this sale is worth blogging about.

My online friend, and business savvy Christian sister is having a great sale at her store.
Here's what's going on:

Amelia's Aprons will host a black Friday sales event. Beginning Friday Nov 28th thru Saturday Nov 29th. For these 2 days only you can save 20% on every purchase you make.
This includes patterns.
Enter coupon code BlackFriday in the shopping cart to receive your savings.

So, head on over there and use this opportunity to spend your hard earned money on something good for you............and your clothes!

Oh, and I promise I have photos of Legacy Hills. Now, if I could just find the cord to upload them to blogger, we'd all be a lot more content.

We have a winner!! - Blog giveaway

2008-11-16T07:40:00.005-06:00

I'm so sorry it took me so long to choose a winner. We up and decided to move to the country since my last post.
I'm still adjusting to my new life in the country, even trying to get photos is hard.
But, I have a little time this morning before church and drew a name.

It's Tara!
She chose either of the Lavender scents............which we LOVE!!
Tara, send your address to:
becki@reversalmiracles.com
I'll be sending you a 1 pound bag of our detergent.

Everyone else that entered, because it took me so long to choose a name, I'll send you each a sample of detergent. It's a 2 ounce bag, good for a small load of laundry, or a few diapers.

Everyone who entered, please feel free to give us feedback on your product. We LOVE it, but could be biased. *smile*

Finally, we can tell you.....

2008-10-25T07:54:00.007-05:00

.....what our big announcement is!

Last night we took possession of what will now be known as:
Providence Acres
The Liebl Homestead

We'll be living on a little over 3 acres.

While I'd love to show you photos of it, I don't have any yet. It was almost dark when we got there last night, then my camera battery was dying.

But let me give you the run down of what it's got.
-5 spacious bedrooms
-in ground swimming pool
-whirlpool & sauna (inside the house)
-a dining room so large my over sized dining room table, that seats 8, will look small
-it's a ranch style house with a walk-out basement
-top to bottom natural fireplace
-four stall horse barn
-pasture for up to 4 large animals (horses, cows)
-mature trees for little boys to climb and hide in
-farmers on all sides

It's literally a dream come true! The Lord has blessed our family abundantly with this little piece of land.
I hope you'll stop by again to see our photos!

WIFD- Tues, Wed, Friday

2008-10-25T07:24:00.006-05:00

We missed one day, although we still wore our feminine dress, but here are the photos for the other days.

It has been wonderful to see my daughters looking so soft and feminine every day.

I just had to share this picture of Eliana. She found this "spring' dress while we were going through some clothes bins deciding what to take to the resale shop. Clearly this dress no longer fits her, but she insisted on trying it on.............as I was buttoning it, she found the boots!

Our week in feminine dress

2008-10-20T14:12:00.001-05:00

Even though all the girls in our household don't wear dresses and skirts exclusively, we do dress modestly.

We're participating in A Week In Feminine Dress as part of an email group I'm on, and thought it might be fun to post the photos here too!

Hey, if nothing else, it makes good blogging material!

We'll start with the youngest girl.

Here's Eliana, cute as a button, in her pink jumper that she's almost outgrowing. She wears dresses exclusively because she's so tiny it's the only thing that keeps the child covered.

Here's Alexandra working in the dining room...........that's all I can say about that.

And, well, here's me.

See ya tomorrow!

The courtship

2008-10-20T14:02:00.000-05:00

Since I'm supposed to be posting photos of the girls during the Week In Feminine Dress, and I've just uploaded today's pictures for that, I thought I'd share a little bit about our first family courtship.

Danielle, our oldest daughter, has been in a courtship with Carlos for over a year now.

I know that courtship looks different to every family, so I won't go into all the details of our family courtship decisions. Suffice it to say that he is a Christian with a strong moral background and work ethic, they are not alone together, they're saving their kisses for marriage, and we approve of him. *smile*

Here's a wonderful photo that was recently taken of the two of them together.

A little announcement and a giveaway!

2008-10-19T18:34:00.002-05:00

Well, I can tell a little secret that I've had in the works for a while.
I've decided to separate the Reversal Miracles ministry from the Little Miracles products. While the new store isn't up yet, it will be called The Little Miracles Boutique, where we'll still feature the Little Miracles product line. But, we've got a few new items up our sleeve and we're trying to get the store stocked full!

We've also done our first sponsorship over at Diaper Decision's Great Cloth Diaper Hunt
Because we're working on the announcement, we won't be able to stock our inventory as full as we'd like to for this hunt, but don't let it stop you from searching for the icon at all the great stores and winning some VERY nice prizes.
In fact, we're going to hunt too just because it's so much fun!

I know, get on with the giveaway, right?
Well, I'd like to do a giveaway of our Little Miracles for Diaper & Pails. We'll be giving away the 1lb pouch.
It's not just for diapers or diaper pails either! We use it for everything that can be washed, in fact.

Here's how we use ours:
Baby Powder: anything for the little ones, including cloth diapers
Lavender: towels, pillowcases, girl clothes
Lavender Flowers: towels, pillowcases, girl clothes
Tangerine: towels, wash cloths, boys clothes
Tea Tree: cloth diapers, cloth feminine pads, wash cloths, towels, anything that needs to be sanitized.......DEFINITELY BOY CLOTHES!!
Peppermint: Anything.......we just like the candy cane smell.......especially blankets!

So, you know the drill.
1 entry - Leave me a comment with your name and the scent you'd like to try
2 entries -Blog about the giveaway **make sure you come back to let me know the link to your blog post**
3 entries - Refer a friend to my blog, who leaves YOUR name in my comments, as well as their own.........thereby earning themselves 1 entry too.

Because of our upcoming announcement, I'll let this go for about a week or so. I honestly hardly have time to close this up too soon. Not to mention, at the rate folks read my blog, it will take a while for more than two people to comment and actually make it a contest. LOL!!!

Tara is our winner!!

Freeport, Bahamas........in pictures

2008-10-18T07:59:00.000-05:00

It really was quite a while ago, but this year my beloved took me to the Bahamas. He was preaching at a church there, and we were celebrating 18 years of covenant with one another.

Thank you honey for such a lovely trip. Mornings with you and the sound of the ocean are fantastic!

Sunbathing!

These lizards were everywhere! When you walk down the sidewalk, they'll run into you trying to get away from you. ???

I think they were a type of skink, but the locals just called them "curly-tails".

Thank you, again, honey!

I just can't..........yet

2008-10-18T07:53:00.000-05:00

I know there is an announcement that the whole blogosphere is anticipating from my blog...............and well, we just can't tell you yet! A few more weeks, I promise!
And really, anyone who actually reads my blog, probably already knows.

Oh, wait a second...........I'm not pregnant! Just in case you were thinking that's the big announcement.
How I wish I were, but God's timing is perfect, so I'll be content to wait on my Zion Hope (the name God gave me for our next little girl.......sigh........maybe I'm not so content?......nah, I'll practice patience.)

I think I'll share photos during the next few weeks. That always helps tick away time. Well, if you like to look at 'other' people's pictures. LOL!!

St. Germain in pictures

2008-10-05T17:43:00.000-05:00

We recently took our annual trip to St. Germain WI. It was a beautiful time of year to visit.

It takes a long time to get "Up North".

There's a LOT of fungus in the woods 'up north'; we thought this one looked like a bun with sesame seeds on it!
So, maybe these are the burgers for those sesame seeds buns?

A boys' dream come true!

The leaves were just starting to change. So pretty!
Yet, the flowers were still in bloom.Courageous young men on the look-out for anything wild.................

Teaching little ones how to follow.

But, oh how we are blessed when these polished cornerstones are grown up.

And the plants are grown (or growing) up......and in desperate need of a haircut so as to NOT get mistaken for one his sisters.

We're back home now in Southeastern WI, and the leaves are just starting to change. The weather is getting colder.

God is doing great things in our family..........please come back for upcoming announcements

A blog giveaway!!

2008-09-09T11:42:00.000-05:00

Seaside Tales is having a giveaway!
I'm so excited about these aprons I just had to share. Run over there and get your name in too!
What would be your favorite apron?
We really like the Edwardian, the Amish aprons. Hopefully I'll win one.

Antiquarian Books!!!

2008-09-03T11:48:00.000-05:00

As you know, I LOVE books! Today, in my mailman's hands, were two OLD books.
Later, after Alexandra finishes her school work, I'll have her post pictures. They're just so lovely! One of them is a library edition, so it's got writing in it, but still...........I have truly OLD books. They even smell old. LOL!!

Here are the names of them:
"A Short History Of The English People", John Richard Green Copyright 1878
"Beacon Lights Of History, Volume 2 -The Middle Ages", John Lord Copyright 1883

Okay, back to school now.

The Persecution Project

2008-08-31T19:33:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone,
Go check out the items Liddybug and Megan are selling at Life In A Shoe
They're trying to raise $1000 by September 11th.
Here's a little bit about it from their web site.

===========================================

The Persecution Project Foundation was founded for the express purpose of collecting and disseminating information about the worldwide incidence of Christian persecution, with particular focus on Africa. From its inception, Persecution Project Foundation has endeavored to equip and mobilize the grassroots to take action in support of the persecuted church.

================================================

Above all, please pray for the areas the project ministers to; bringing clean water, equipping Pastors to equip families for independence through small farming etc, and the Word of God.

Songs sung by my children

2008-08-04T08:32:00.000-05:00

Is some of the most beautiful music I hear all day, all week, and probably throughout my life.
Right now, as I catch up on a day's worth of emails, and try to regain some alertness about myself because Michael and I just came home from Children's Hospital..........he has croup, Israel is outside singing while he waits ever so patiently in his swimming trunks for it to rain again. We have a long standing tradition every summer that if there's no lightening you can run and play in the rain as long as you want.

Guess what he's singing about?
How God is so patient with the little baby. We've been practicing patience and talking about it a lot lately.
He's been singing for about 5-7 minutes but it looks like his patience has run out. It's not raining anymore, his brother is splashing him from the little pool on the deck, so Israel has decided he no longer wants to get wet....................???
Three year olds.

The Excellent Wife: Chapter 3

2008-06-21T11:49:00.001-05:00

In our women's study group at church, we're reading The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace.
It's an excellent study for wives at any point in their life.
We recently finished up chapter 3, on sin. I thought maybe those of you who are reading the book too, might like to read my thoughts and what I shared. **okay, I'm a little transparent here too!!**

I've kind of waited to post on this. I was trying to decide what all I wanted to say. I have so many areas of sin that this chapter was very beneficial in reminding me about. Like: that I am a sinner saved by grace, through faith. The very basic tenets of a life in Christ.
I have a perfectionists mindset. I think I can/will/want/maintain perfection.
That's sinful!
I have a failing mindset that says if all around me is right, then life is good. But the truth of that is: What have I ever learned that benefited me eternally during times of feasting?
A lot LESS than those things I've learned during times of famine, that's for sure. Not that I want to live in want, but I've certainly been able to stay closer to the Lord during those times.

I'm sure you can see how this would affect a marriage. Now mind you, I AM married to the perfect husband!
He's the perfect husband for ME!!!

God knew, in His own Providence, exactly who He would create for me. He knew my strengths, my weaknesses, when I would have ups and downs. So, from before the foundations of the world, He began to shape and mold the perfect husband for me.

But here's the problem I think we all have. What do we do with the gift? How have we thanked God for it?
Often, by complaining, murmuring, whining, griping, and yes, even gossiping about our own husbands. I KNOW I've done it! It's shameful and it's sinful. Every time I've EVER done it, I've been wrong. I've spent much time on my knees repenting of this habitual sin.

Does the God who created this man for us not already KNOW what is needed and necessary? Do we truly need to go around talking about his weaknesses? Do we need to take matters into our own hands when this man doesn't DO all that we want? Do we need to usurp his authority as our covering, emasculate him into submission to us, demanding he respect us, all the while we do not respect him, nor do we submit to him, then accuse him of not loving us as Christ loved the church?

Did we not think that the areas that God KNEW they would be weak in are the very areas we are strong in, hence the reason HE brought us together? Yet, we make their weaknesses grandiose, and our own strengths the only glue that holds us together. Not realizing that where we're weak, our husbands are strong. We are created for each other! To learn to work together, yet we often make our husbands do all the work while we chastise them for not succeeding.

We forget that a husband is a bridegroom and Christ is our heavenly Bridegroom. Would we tell Jesus that He is weak, we will not follow His plan because we, ourselves, know better? Yet, we do it all the time. We do not follow His plans to respect our husbands as the head of the family. We take away their God given responsibility to lead us, take over their jobs for them, then get angry that they don't lead us. And, behind their backs we gossip to all the other wives who are doing the same things in their own homes.

And here's the thing, we don't stop there! We lay all over the alter asking and begging God to change our husbands, and God is saying, "My daughter, lie here at the alter and let me do a work in YOU!"
But, because we cannot close our mouths long enough to hear God speak this to us, we go on muttering about our husbands shortcomings. It's a vicious cycle. Trust me ladies, I speak from experience here!

And what's the point of all my ramblings?
Well I began to tell you about my own recognition of being a sinner saved by grace. We are generally quick to point out that we are sinners. After all, it's what the Bible says, right?

However, how often do we afford our husbands the same grace? Aren't they sinners saved by grace too? Aren't they flesh and bone walking around asking God to direct their lives too? I know for a fact that my husband is and does. When I stop picking on his shortcomings, I can see him asking God for direction. I can see his internal struggle for what's right.
But what am I willing to do to be a true helpmeet to him? Usually our first course of action is to point out where they're struggling, and expect them to get it right. I forget that "I" was created for "HIM". Just as in our heavenly marriage to Jesus, "I" was created for "HIM".

But what if our husbands were to do the same thing to us? We'd play the victim, we'd point out why it's not our fault, and find some way to shift the blame. Usually casting the blame back to them.
If they were better husbands, we could be better wives!
OH PHOOEY!!! That's a bunch of malarkey! LOL!!!
Why?
Because we ARE married (covenanted) to a perfect husband. We are married to the one God created for us, and we are also married (covenanted) to the ONE who created us. We are blessed on both sides. Yet we still sin.

Truly, we are just sinful creatures that are trying to manipulate our situations to get what we want. That is, the right to be right ALL THE TIME and tell others they're wrong!!

Don't tell us we're wrong. We're women. We're empowered. We have need of nothing we don't want. And most of the time we don't want to be blamed for our own shortcomings, downfalls, lack of godly character, and yes SINFULNESS!! The Bible is good for reproach, reproof, correction, doctrine, and teachings of all sorts, yet we don't want to be told anything that would apply to us; only to others as WE deem necessary.

Oh what a mess we've allowed in our lives through the lies of Feminism.
We've bought into it hook line and sinker. We live it out in different ways on different days. We speak against it in the church like a swear word. But we hold it close to us when we're being challenged to live right, do justly and walk humbly before our God. And, before our husbands and our children and our brothers and sisters, and their children, and the world; it's reach is far. Yet, we have trouble getting past ourselves, (which is the true spirit of feminism.............just take care of number 1)
The model that WE are giving to our children through what we show them about marriage will permanently affect the generations to come. It will affect the church they go to. It will affect our government. It will affect our schools. It affects our culture!

Do we want to break down the strongholds in our own SELVES, or just continue to buy into the lies of the enemy who comes to kill, steal and destroy? If satan can get your marriage, he can get your children; if he can get your children, he tears apart your family; if he can tear apart your family, he can break down the entire infrastructure of the church. Without the church......................well you get the picture.

And this little painting starts with our own hearts. Our own recognition of sin in ourselves. Our own willingness to do something about it. Our need, on a daily basis, for a Savior. Our own repentance. Our own examination of what God has truly called us to do and be as married women. Our ability to be transparent and say that we are sinners, but so is everyone else!

We are women. Fashioned by the Hand of the same One who spoke worlds into existence. We have a divine purpose. But, we must stop thinking that's God's divine purpose involves tearing down through our words and actions, but instead to begin building up.
"The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands." Proverbs 14:1
I submit to you today, that she also does it with her words. We use our tongues as swords, as weapons. But God asks us to have words that are soft, that will turn away wrath.

I have been challenging myself to take a peek around my lifestyle; what I watch on TV, what I listen to in all areas of media, and yes...........even WHO I spend time with, talking to, and see if there be any wickedness in it. Are any of these areas 'meek and quiet spirit' robbers?
To NO surprise to God, there are plenty!
What am I putting my words and my hands to? Is it the bread of idleness, or is it contentment, joy, quietness, and the labors of a woman who is living to please her husband, train her children, and be a keeper (or a "watchman") over her home, that the word of God be not blasphemed? (Titus 2:3-5)

My friend Jill

2008-06-20T08:50:00.000-05:00

Have I told you about my friend Jill?
Probably not, but she IS the reason I continue to keep up with my blog. I think she' s one of the very few faithful readers I have. Thank you Jill.

Every now and then the Lord sends folks into your life that you wonder how you ever lived without their friendship prior to meeting them.
I have a few friends like this, but Jill just kind of came out of nowhere, really, and quickly became of those friends.

It started back in November of 2006 during the Jamestown 400: Our National Treasure Hunt where we met on a treasure hunt board. Our families were learning, (and still are) first hand, just what "Persevero" means.

When we got to Jamestown, we met up, without realizing it was a "meet up" in.......well of all places............the ladies restroom. LOL!!
We knew one another by our group user names and I instantly wanted to hug this beautiful woman. Her smile immediately radiated a love for her Savior that we just don't see too often anymore in everyday culture.
During our Jamestown trip we only met up one other time, but God had other plans for our blossoming friendship.

After coming home, Jill and I emailed a few times furthering what God was showing me about friendship. It doesn't always have to be a friend down the street or across town. When God sends you a Titus 2 woman, you'll find ways to talk, chat, and be challenged to grow in your faith.
The Liberty Day Celebration was coming up but we didn't think we'd be able to go. However, at the last minute, we were able to attend. I knew Jill's family would be there, so we loaded up the van, and drug Martina along for her birthday, heading for IL.
Again, when I saw Jill her heart radiated through her smile. Seeing one another again seemed like we just picked up where our last email stopped.

Recently I've found myself in the valley, but that didn't deter Jill. She was faithful to her Titus 2 calling, challenged me Biblically to see what God was showing me in the midst of my trial, and faithful to pray for me. She has not, even once, sidestepped her responsibility to God in her challenges to me for her desire for friendship.
And being that I truly like things to be right up front, this has proven to be a real blessing to me.

Even though I "thought" she was younger than me, she has proven to me time and time again what an older sister would be like. *wink*

"As iron sharpens iron, so a man his friend." And also a true Titus 2 woman.

I know that Jill loves the Lord, her family loves the Lord, and her heart for the things of God and His word will always be the true bond of our friendship. Friendship is good. It's important. But the Word of God endures forever! Jill, thank you for being faithful to God first and foremost. It's that truth inside that gives you your radiant smile.

Jill and I don't know when our families will be able to get together again, but we do know that God has given us a friendship that will last into eternity.

I am blessed to call her my friend.

On becoming a bibliophile

2008-06-09T21:42:00.000-05:00

This is what the dictionary says:
bibliophile:noun
someone who loves (and usually collects) books

Okay, that pretty much describes me.
So I got the brainy idea that I was going to ask my beloved for a personal, family library. We already have a "library-ish" type room where we have the computer desk and some book shelves, loaded with books no less, in the fireplace room. But I'm thinking about something a little bigger. And truly, having Texas blood coursing through my veins just inclines my thoughts to think of ceiling to floor book shelf's with rolling ladders attached to them. Reading stands in the middle of the room with lovely mahogany tables for those formal reading times, and overstuffed wing back chairs for the "curl up" times.

I recently saw a photo of just such a library, minus the overstuffed chairs, on a blog that I frequent.
But for the life of me couldn't find it. So after getting the little ones down for naps today, I sat at the computer scrolling through this particular blog...........that had about 5 YEARS of entries...........and found the coveted library.
I knew it was a famous colonialists library, and even thought I remembered it to be a Presidents library.
Sure enough it was President John Quincy Adams Library.

What do ya think? Too formal for this hillbilly girl? Not to mention our house isn't even big enough for something so big. So maybe something a bit scaled down?

Glorious daughters!!!

2008-06-09T21:03:00.000-05:00

Well around here we're always trying to train our children for the role they'll have as adults. Eliana has been practicing her role a lot lately, and I've been taking full advantage of her desire, that seems to be growing stronger every day, for femininity, and to be more like her Mommy. I pray the Lord would strengthen me as I model for her those important things.

Every woman needs a good apron!

AND............a good ironing board and iron!

**Uhemm........PLEASE note she has the jammie sleeves properly cornered on the ironing board**

Who says you can't roll your dough as you learn geography? I say she's already got homeschooling in the bag!

Hey, her tiny piece of dough looks like Italy, but it's over the Arctic Circle? How do I know this, you might ask?.............I sit in the chair at the North Pole every day at lunch.

What's going on around our table

2008-05-24T08:42:00.000-05:00

With the current prices of almost everything single thing there is to purchase going up, we've been working hard to find ways to use less money for our things.
I taught myself how to make homemade bread, and just about everything else from scratch. We're working hard to build our pantry into a small store by buying in bulk. Some of our bulk items include Oats and Wheat.
We already get free range eggs and raw organic milk from the farmer.

If we could build the pantry enough, my goal is to have enough money left over to purchase all our fruits and vegetables from our local farmers market or food co-op.
Sustainable agriculture within ones own community is so important these days. I don't want my fresh items to be shipped fresh from another country.

Another thing we're working hard to do is teach the children the value of working hard.

So, here are a few photos of us at work.

#1 learning to knead dough with Momma

#2 vacuuming............in snow pants??

#3 preparing the garden.........LOL!! on the side of the garage.....you gotta love city livin'.

Today I'll be sitting down to inventory the pantry, and make a shopping list, as well as a menu for the week. I'll post the menu when it's done.

Right now we have a 25# bag of Oats. We'll be picking up a little over 300#'s of wheat berries the first week of June. We're praying that will last us through the winter. We have a hand grinder for the wheat, but will be diligently saving up for an electric grinder.

The seeds have sprouted, so we'll be planting them on Monday morning.

What are you doing to offset the costs of the items you buy?

A little time to blog

2008-05-20T13:39:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I've had time to sit and write out my thoughts, and truly I still don't have time, but at least I have a few photos of just what I've been up to.

My beloved took me along on a trip to the Bahamas where he was asked to preach. It was such a glorious time together that I decided to treat my dearest to a tropical paradise everyday. The children and I worked diligently for 48 hours to transform our master bedroom into a Master Bahamian Suite!

I don't have all the pictures, etc on the walls, but here's a little of the transformation.

Little Miracles Sale!

2008-03-28T12:23:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone...........who reads my blog......*BIG grin!*

We have decided to go to the Liberty Day Celebration tomorrow,
So my husband would like me to run a sale to help pay for gas in Moby Dick (our 15 passenger van with the name borrowed from Kim C at: InAShoe.com)

So here's the deal:
Take 10% off anything we have in stock, and I'll give additional free shipping to any order $50 or more.
The sale will run through Monday, March 31st, at midnight.
Little Miracles

The coupon code will be: Liberty Day Sale
Hopefully I've set it right so that if your cart has any amount, it will take off 10% AND if it totals $50 or more you'll get both.

CVS/Walgreens..........here we go!

2008-02-29T14:09:00.000-06:00

Okay friends,

I've been reading blog posts like this and my frugal inner woman wants in on these deals. Then I read blog posts like her's and get VERY nervous.

However, as we have some young ones getting older and the need for certain health and beauty products increases, it's time for this Momma to hit the savings extravaganza and see what my frugal hack abilities can accomplish.

Danielle and Alexandra are excited to see what we can get and how much we can save. I'm excited too, but I need to make sure I have it all straight, and don't forget anything at home. This could be the beginning of something big in our family.
Just think of how wonderful it will be to get $80 worth of stuff for a measly .89 cents! I mean who knew.............

I'm sure we'll be taking all our savings on these shopping trips and putting them aside for the.......shhh...............THAT'S another blog post.

In honor of Presidents Day

2008-02-18T17:12:00.000-06:00

In our homeschool we like the children to write an essay every day. Today we wanted them to study a President then write their essay about him.
We chose President Theodore Roosevelt. I thought the quote Christian shared was a fitting reminder for our household as we prayerfully consider our responsibility at the voting booth tomorrow for our State's Primaries.

This is Christian's essay.

Theodore Roosevelt was one of our great Presidents. He did a lot to help America become what it is today. One of the things he did was putting American Presidents on America's money. Abraham Lincoln was one of the first, being put on the penny.

Some of the things he liked to do were hiking and boxing. He would sometimes go to a boxing ring to practice his boxing.
He also liked children. He had six children. With all 6 children in the White House, a lot of people got very angry. The reason they got angry is because they thought it was not right to be a President with young children.
Through all that, though, Theodore Roosevelt was named the 6th Top President of America.

One of the many things President Roosevelt said was, "Much has been given us, and much will rightuflly be expected from us. We have duties to others and duties to ourselves; and we can shirk neither. We have become a great nation, forced by the fact of it's greatness into relations with other nations of the earth, and we must behave as beseems a people with such responsibility."

Doom on you

2008-02-18T17:01:00.000-06:00

"Doom on you, Doom on you"
This is a phrase from the popular movie, Ice Age.
This afternoon the children were playing and started repeating this phrase..............over and over.
When I told them that God doesn't like us to tell people, "Doom on you", one of our 3 year olds (Mr. Conscientious) said, "Mom, God doesn't wike me?"

Aww......"no buddy, God loves you, He just doesn't like it when we say "Doom on you". That's not nice to say to others."
To which he promptly responded, "Oh, God DOES wike me?"
"Yes, honey, He loves you!"

Oh the joys and responsibilitites of raising our children to know God and all His attributes.
I pray they see those same qualities in us, too!

Our crazy weather

2008-02-17T16:29:00.000-06:00

Since Fall, we've had some crazy, crazy weather. So far it's snowed massive quantities...like 5-16 inches at a time, in spite of the fact that the snow has melted at least 2 or 3 times.
It's rained 3 times, and it's gotten below zero......far below zero a few times.
The big news?
It's only February. We've still got at least 3 more months of winter-y weather!

Church has been cancelled at least 3 times so far this year.
Good thing we have online sermons we can listen to, right?

Some of our favorites?
Right now it's anything we can get our ears or hands on from Voddie Baucham.

What are some of your favorites?

The blessing of Brothers and Sisters

2008-01-11T07:30:00.000-06:00

There's always someone to admire.

There's always someone to dig worms with.

There's always someone to help you brush your teeth.

Someone to carry you.

Someone to help you eat your apple because you took one that's too big!

Someone to always be there for hugs........................

And kisses!

It's a new year!

2008-01-07T17:09:00.000-06:00

I don't do resolutions. However, I do have goals that I set for myself every year. I usually write them down between Christmas and New Year's Day, as the Lord and my dearest lead me.

This year, I had not come up with anything that was noteworth. I was baffled and wondered, often, if it was because I was just too busy? Even feeling a bit guilty that I had not made time for my own personal, time-honored tradition that I had with the Lord.
The week came and went with well...........nothing by way of goal setting.

And, really nothing came to me at all.
Okay, well except some sickness that literally put all of our little ones out of commission for about 10 days.

And that's how it was until a few days ago.
I had been on a downward spiral of out of control business.
Sheer exhaustion has hit.

As I lay in my bed praying for God to show me the error of my ways, I heard a still small voice remind me of the basics of life.
Yes, the basics of life.

What has become of families that are so busy they cannot even pick up clutter?
Or how about prepare meals, wash laundry, send off a gift to a sister?
Well, that's what has hit our home!

This morning I woke with yet more grace from my Lord Jesus Christ to simplify, simplify, simplify.
Life is much too short to be angry because "items" are everywhere. But to not have time to pick them up can make life feel even shorter through irritations, annoyances, and frustrations over there "never being enough hours in a day". It can even cause you to be irritated with those who left them out, and didn't put them away without being told..........many, many times.

Well, God has given us plenty of hours in a day. Enough to do the things HE wants from us, anyway.
If there are too many items to put away, perhaps there are too many items!~
This is what we're seeing in our home.

We do not have time for God's best because we have filled it with our own "bests" that soon turn to be "beasts" that are very hard to tame.

My prayer, and goals, for the coming year include the usual: getting our family healthier, better organization in our home, better stewardship with what we have.
But it also includes removing those things that keep us from God's very best for us. His best is when we are joyfully serving, obeying, and putting HIS agenda first and foremost in our lives.

All the rest is just clutter.

Work

2007-10-31T11:10:00.000-05:00

Israel volunteering to sweep the kitchen.

And again, playing in the leaves.........by raking them.

**shhhhh........DO NOT tell him that he's working........he does NOT know it yet!!**

God has really shown me how I must teach these little ones the diligence to accomplish things.

They are eager to work.

This one is a bit more conscientious than a few of the others, but he is a great role model for his siblings.

We had a good time playing in those leaves too!

Don't you just LOVE Fall?

She's doing it again.........

2007-10-30T10:32:00.000-05:00

Kim, over at Life In A Shoe, is at it again...........with yet another Vision Forum drawing.
Can you believe it?
This family is hopeful. That's an understatement, but we're hopeful. LOL!!
This time she's giving away $250 worth of VF products, and we're just delighted to choose our favorites.

Jonathon Park: The Adventure Begins #35460 $25
Jonathon Park: No Looking Back #35462 $25
All American Boy's Spy Cipher #83740 $12
Raising Maiden's of Virtue #68538 $20
Teach Them To Your Children #17820 $17
Elsie's Holiday #48404 $15
Elsie's Girlhood #48406 $15
Elsie's Womanhood #48408 $15
Doll Carrier #72566 $14
A Church In The House #33352 $12
The Anti-Historical Revisionism Home School Kit #23507 $45
Fatherhood From A Historical Perspective #43752 $35

That brings our total to exactly $250!!!

Well, what are you waiting for, go enter the drawing!

It's here, it's here!!

2007-10-24T08:48:00.000-05:00

The new, 2008 Vision Forum catalog is here!

There's so much in there, including LOTS of new clues for those code breaking slueths that enjoy treasure hunting. After we made our list of items we wanted from the catalog, we got right to work on tracking down those clues.
Oh we just LOVE this stuff!!!

We also found out that there's a drawing at In A Shoe

So here's our list of item's we're "wishing" for.

#84332 Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God-$16

#17820 Teach Them To Your Children-$17

#72566 Baby Doll Carrier- $14

#35460 Jonathan Park: The Adventure Begins- $25

# 48404 Elsie's Holiday- $15

#48406 Elsie's Childhood- $15

#33352 A Church In The House- $12

#47532 Fathers And Sons- $32

Total of $146

We will be so blessed if our name is drawn!

Look what I found

2007-10-20T09:56:00.000-05:00

Look what I found under our tree!

I found this!

And this!

I think Eliana's looking around to see if there's MORE!!!

Another giveaway I cannot resist!

2007-10-12T15:01:00.000-05:00

Have you heard???

Crystal, is GIVING AWAY 10 FREE copies of the new book, that I cannot wait to read, Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God

From the publishers:
Have you struggled to reconcile God's vision of virtuous womanhood with worldly myths that marginalize and mock the role of the homemaker? Do you wrestle with cultural messages that demean the homemaker's calling and exalt instead the emotionally androgynous power-woman -- the wife whose worth is measured only by the degree of her ambition, the shape of her body, or her money-making skills? Such is the image of the "desperate housewife" that the modern media, culture, and feminism are promoting with great energy.
In a delightfully fresh and honest way, this book addresses these issues head-on and provides fresh vision for the hopeful homemaker. Hear a former "Christian" feminist share how she went from a die-hard homemaker-in-training to a dedicated career woman and then back again -- after God gripped her heart. See the hollow counterfeit of whitewashed feminism and "me-ology" destroyed. And consider the beautiful picture painted in Scripture of the truly fulfilled homemaker who glories in the hopeful calling God created for her.
Pull up a chair, dust off the cookie crumbs, and join Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald as they lay aside stereotypes like the "Stepford wife" and dispel such myths as the 1950s "perfect homemaker." Laughter and tears will flow, and hopefully you will be infused with a renewed vision for victory as a wife and mother. Discover what it means to be a passionate housewife "desperate" for God alone!

I pray that God would use this book to touch the hearts of many, many,women!

Hugs,

Becki

Life Skills Day

2007-09-20T09:50:00.000-05:00

We're having life skills day at the Liebl Cottage School today.
I'm seeing that there are sooooooo many areas that my children are lacking in their everyday life skills. UGH!

I'm also seeing that when I think of education, all too often I think of Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, History, and Science. (around here, penmanship is big too! LOL!!)

However, a Biblical model of education would be:
Education = "studying to show thyself approved, a workman who needs not be ashamed"

What do we need not be ashamed of?
The rest of the passage says, "handling accurately the word of truth"

If I'm not educating myself or my children in the life skill of applying God's truth, every single day, to every single area of life, I am not educating them at all. I'm then allowing a culture, that is clearly against the things of God, to educate them.

So whatever the area of study, it should be applicable to "Life", that we will show ourselves approved to whomever it is we're being educated by.
If I'm being educated by Jesus, then I'll need to "learn of Him", as scripture says.
If I'm being educated by life, then I'll need to show myself approved in learning lessons from it. Again, as a Christian to not be ashamed, as Scripture says.

BUT...........if I'm just going through the motions of any area, then I'm not being educated. I'll continue taking those same tests, over and over, and will be ashamed of many areas that I have not studied in; areas that I have not applied God's truth to.

God continues to call us higher. Forever learning, forever being educated by the Holy Spirit, forever taking tests...........

I guess that's why they call it EDUCATION, huh?

Our First Few Days of School

2007-09-06T06:56:00.000-05:00

WHEW!
Well, we're on our way into a new school year. This year, after a 2 and a half year hiatus......and having 3 more babies, adopting another one, and much prayer, and more prayer......we're homeschooling again.

sigh

It was hard to stop in the first place since that's pretty much all my children have known. But it was for a very good season of my life. The Lord has shown me many, many things that I might not have learned if He did not have my full attention (at least when I'm not nursing, changing diapers, potty training, or chasing these 2 little boys outta stuff................that's another whole post).
So it's back to curriculum, goals, grades, schedules, and how in the world will I get it all done to ensure that my children do not grow up not knowing how to diagram a sentence, do calculus, or rattle off Henry Wadsworth Longfellow without much effort?

This is where the Lord has done such an enormous work in my heart and mind. It started really with a concept the Lord began bombarding my mind and thoughts with a long while back. I think I wrote about it here. **I'll look it up and add the link later**
But it's the whole concept that "what" we love the Lord our God with includes our resources. Our children are a resource to the Kingdom, to their families, and to the families God has planned for them when they leave home.
So I was challenged on exactly what I was gonna do with these 6 resources, or books, the Lord has placed in my life.
God doesn't just ask us the question and expect us to blindly stumble around for the answers. He IS the answer!!!

So off He sends me to gain wisdom and understanding as the scripture says all throughout Proverbs.
I read several passages that assure me that as a parent my husband and I have the duty of raising these warriors separately from the rest. They are being trained for a different "kind" of Kingdom, and a different "type" of battle.
Deuteronomy 6.........the whole chapter........was our starting point.
Then we moved on to a book that came highly recommended from several different Christian groups I belong to: The Patriarchs Wives and the Jamestown 400 groups

It's called "A Biblical Home Education" by Ruth Beechick
WOWEE!!
It transformed everything I had ever thought of for school. It is fantastic! It gave words to the goals and aspirations I've had every single year that my children have been in school. It gave facts, ideas, and "how-to's" to things that were swirling in my mind but had not yet escaped into the realm of real life.

The next book we read is "When You Rise Up", by R.C. Sproul Jr
Again WOWEE!!
Another very well written book on just "what" we should be teaching our children. And from where.

So I'll end this post with a list of our curriculum choices for this year (like they do over at the homeschool bloggers web sites.........LOL!!)

We're excited about all that God is doing in our school this year.
Speaking of that, it's time to wake everyone. Our school day starts in a few minutes!

Preschool:
Bible for:
Learning how letters and sounds, numbers, shapes, and all of creation were created by God.

8th Grade:
Bible for:
Life skills
Philosophy
History
Science
Grammar
Spelling
Reading
Poetry
Handwriting
Saxon Math 8/7

10th Grade:
Bible for:
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The bookshelf

2007-08-12T06:39:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had one of those moments where you "know" that the path you've chosen to take is blessed?
I had one last night while I watched my husband put together a bookshelf.

My husband has a home office.......in our bedroom.....*wink*.....and needed a little more organization. **big grin!!**
So off he went to get a bookshelf to house some of his 'piles'.

As he put it together, our little ones, Michael, Israel, and Eliana were watching Daddy and helping him with nails, hammers, almost smashing in the back of the cabinet because they were (falling into it)- uhemm.........leaning on it.

Oh, they were soooo happy to help Daddy with his project. The little boys became quite serious when it was time to pick out the little nails from the pile. They wanted to"show themselves approved as workman that need not be ashamed". They did Daddy proud for sure.

Even Eliana was doing her part by being cute. She hugged Daddy's back, his side, patted him, pounded on the back of the bookshelf to make sure it was snug and secure, and had an occasional giggle, coupled with her high pitched squeal when the boys got too close for her liking.

When the bookshelf was stood up, Daddy began collecting all the pegs and brackets that would hold the actual shelves.
As he did, Eliana realized that she now had a makeshift stage to stand on. So up she went to sing us a song. She immediately started singing!
What a sweet little voice she has. She then added a swaying/rocking to accompany her singing.
Soon, she had 2 other singers that were NOT going to be singing backup!
Michael and Israel decided that singing was the perfect way to round out this event, so up they went to sing along!

Israel sings the words to about 3 songs all as one song........we aren't sure what the song is just yet. He speaks clearly, but his singing is still a little mumbly. LOL!!

Michael on the other hand, just opens his mouth and whatever comes out, comes out. Spit, water, food (if he's eating) and a clear shot to his tonsils because he sings at one decible............LOUD!!!............at the very top of his lungs, so his mouth must come almost unhinged!

Must be that whole "make a joyful noise" thing King David was talking about. And there's NO doubt these little ones were joyful, as their parents were watching and listening.

All I could do was stand there and smile.
When they were done with round one, they all clapped for themselves and I quickly joined in.
What an honor for parents to see their children joyfully singing!

As round two and three came and went, I noticed that while I continued to smile and clap, my eyes filled with tears.

Standing before me in the bookshelf were 3 of the greatest books I'll EVER read.
Three books that I would not have had the opportunity to read had I not let God have control over my womb and bless me with 2 reversal babies, and to trust Him for the life of this little boy that was brought to us at 6 weeks because he was unwanted in the home he was born into.

We are so blessed by these books that God gave us with so many blank pages inside.
He gives us the charge to be co-authors with Him. Each day I can be an instrument of writing God's Word into their hearts and lives.
What a godly legacy we can leave behind.

Yes, this night, on our new bookshelf, I am amazed by the great and mighty works of our God. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The One Who rewards me with "the fruit of the womb".

Oh my Lord Jesus, I stand in awe of You. I pray You will applaud all that You read from the little books on my bookshelf.

Jamestown

2007-07-07T11:33:00.000-05:00

What GREAT fun we had, as a family, in Jamestown the first week of June.

It was inspirational, to say the least. We're late getting out any photos of this event hosted by Vision Forum, but better late than never.

We are so appreciative of the time, efforts, talents and gifts, treasures of real American history, and vision that was passed on through this event.

The Liebl family will not be the same.

Here's Daddy giving a lesson in Colonial Williamsburg.

Here's the English Garden Alexandra and I enjoyed for a loooong time...............we're determined to have one like this one day!

While the Liebl's didn't win the gold, we felt so proud of all the families that participated and truly honored to be with them throughout the week. The treasure we left with far surpasses the value of the gold.

Often I felt as if I (Becki) would jump out of my skin!

We were NEVER ONCE heckled for having six children. In fact we were a small family by comparison..........LOL!!

Our 15 passenger van fit right in with the rest of them.

The only time anyone stared at us, was to read our names on our nametags.............just in case we knew one another, but had not met 'face to face' yet.

In fact, we were thinking that perhaps putting "usernames" on our nametags may have made things a bit easier.

Some of the families we only knew by their usernames. But we did get it figured out once we started talking.

We met LOTS of folks and were blessed by them ALL!!

It was truly a blessing to be a part of this historical event. Thank you Mr. Phillips and Vision Forum Ministries.

The Liebl's in WI

Quick!!!

2007-07-07T11:22:00.000-05:00

I'm just getting in under the wire, but if you go visit Biblical Womanhood, you too can enter YOUR name into the drawing for a full set of Ballantyne Christian Adventure Library.
By posting a link, I get to enter our names in twice. YEAH!!!

Thanks Crystal!!

We're making butter!

2007-04-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

We're just sitting around today, making butter!
Danielle and her friend 'L' are shaking, shaking, shaking..................their little mason jars, frantically trying to get some 'chunks' (butter) so we can finally get on with breakfast.

We want to have pancakes, which we'll need buttermilk for, (buttermilk is the by-product of all our shaking) and of course some yummy homemade butter.

We're getting really hungry and the girls thought it would be fun to share what we're doing. If we get some photos, I'll post them.

Raw Milk

2007-03-10T08:27:00.000-06:00

I know, I know...........it seems everyone is on the bandwagon of some nutritional thing or another.
Around my house, we aren't all about 'dieting' per se. We're more about lifestyle habits, changes, and choices that are good for us according to God's word. We trust that God's plans for eating, and the food He instructs us to eat or not eat are good habits and choices to uphold.
So with that in mind, I've read a LOT about raw milk.
Being a little worried about the real benefits vs. the real risk I figured that the Lord would send us some organic raw milk when it was time.

A few weeks ago it was time! A friend that I met online, who just happens to live 20 minutes away from me, drinks raw milk. It's ORGANIC raw milk too! WOWEE!!
Can you tell I'm excited?

The farm that she gets hers from is only 36 miles from my house. The milk is fantastic, and even Mr. L liked it.
Two of the older children are a bit hesitant to try it, but I know once they do they'll love it as much as the rest of us. **I'll confess I was nervous too, but really wanted to like it, knowing how good it was for me.

If you'd like to read about the benefits of raw milk, go here.

A few of the other things we've done with our milk is:
~Make butter
Just pour the cream into a jar, (after you've ladled it off the top of your milk) tighten the lid and shake.........even our 2 yr old's had fun with this as long as I was careful in watching how hard they were shaking.......so as to make sure it didn't shake right out of their chubby little hands. LOL!!

~Get some kefir grains and make your own kefir
This is so yummy with some fresh fruit added in the blender, or as my new friend drinks it with some real maple syrup added.

~If you let the milk separate out of the fridge, you'll get curds and whey. The curds can be left out a bit longer to make cream cheese, the whey can be used to soak your grains/flour in. (I'm going to try this today)

~And last, you can also use the cream to make your own whipped cream.
YUM!!
Just add a little sugar (we use Rapadura or Turbinado) and whip until light and fluffy.

Thank you Jesus for giving us the knwledge and understanding of those things that contribute to our health and wellness.

The Modesty Survery

2007-03-10T08:22:00.000-06:00

Being that I'm a Momma of 3 virtuous maidens and 3 patriarchs in training, I'm excited to post a link to 'The Modesty Survey'.
Thank you to the Harris family for their committment to raise their children according to Biblical principles.
Casting that vision to your children is impactng the world, one family at a time!

Not just a blessing

2007-03-01T08:41:00.000-06:00

The Bible calls children a blessing. I think anyone who reads my blog will know that I wholeheartedly agree and fully trust the Lord to plan that area of my life.
Recently I was doing some study on the passages of scripture that talk about the blessing of children, and just exactly "what" it is we should be teaching them.

You see for years we homeschooled our children. We thought it was best to do so. However, as scripture points out, "without vision the people perish".
We weren't necessarily perishing in our homeschool vision, but it was lacking for sure.

After our reversal miracles came along it was becoming apparent that I could not keep up with everything.
We had 2 infants, one bottle feeding........with reflux, and one nursing...........with latch issues.
It seemed that housework and schoolwork just fell by the wayside. I was a mess!!!

I was lacking direction, vision, and enough motivation to make things different. I can look back now and see clearly that this is where the Lord wanted me. Right smack dab in the middle of chaos so HE could shed light on my sinful nature, my bad attitude, and my need for a Spiritual bath, as my beloved would say.
Thankfully, I have a beloved husband who hears from God and obeys Him!!

So off to school outside the home our oldest children went............with this Momma's heart breaking and bleeding all over the place!
Oh it was just terrible! Suddenly I had all the time in the world to clean, cook, and do whatever else my heart desired, and all I could think of was missing my children. I felt somehow they had been stripped from me. I can still feel twinges of that pain in my heart as I recall that fateful day.

But again, knowing that our perfect God has perfect ways, I have learned that even in the midst of trial, He is still at work in us.

It has been exactly 4 and one half......very long.......very intense.....missing my children.....semesters since my children were home for school.

What have I learned? Well that hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20........LOL~~
And that God is still with me while He teaches, rebukes, and reproves me. That He loves me no matter what.
He still has a plan for the story that He is creating in my life and my family's lives.
He has also showed me scripture. Scripture that I may not have been so impacted by had I not had a need to search out the heart of God on a matter.

Here's what I found.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is a portion of the 'Shema' to the Jewish.

"Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on our heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

I was blessed with a Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) for Christmas and when looking up this same passage of scripture I noticed that the word "might" at the end of verse 5 isn't exactly the same.
In the CJB version it says this:
"and you are to love ADONAI your God with all your heart, all your being and all your resources."
As Christian's it is not our only goal to bring the unsaved of the world to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
It is also for those unsaved little ones who live right in our own homes! What is a parent's number ONE resource for casting a vision to the next generation? It is without a doubt our children.

Praise God that in His own foreknowledge He would use this passage of scripture to cast His own multi-generational vision to His people.
Children aren't 'just' a blessing, but a resource. A great resource for furthering God's kingdom to the next generation. A resource in casting their own godly, multi-generational vision to their children and their children's children.
What an awesome and mighty work we, as parents, have in teaching these "arrows in the hands of a warrior" to hit their mark.....a lost and dying world.

For the next school year I will have the honor, and the privilege, of again teaching these arrows at home. As a Momma who's caught a 'vision', I've purposed in my heart to do all I can while there is still time, training these warriors and maidens; "pressing on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus..........forgetting what lies behind **(and the mistakes I've made)** and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

In His grip,
Becki

It's Christmas Day!!

2006-12-25T08:36:00.000-06:00

And I can finally post again!
Thank you Jesus for this wonderful gift to me this morning!!!

I have been gone for what seemed to be an eternity to me. LOL!!
My "Browsers Cookies Functionality" was turned off, and for the life of me I could not figure out how to turn it back on.
I finally did something this morning, still not sure what it was I deleted, but it worked...............so far. *grin*

I was also able to post a draft I was still working on at Thanksgiving. Good thing most of it was already finished or too much time may have passted and I would have completely forgotten my train of thought.

We have had a whirlwind weekend and now it's Christmas day!
We'll be heading out this morning to see my Momma and family, in Illinois, for celebrations.

There are so many gifts that Jesus has given me this year I think I'll need another entire post to write them all down.
I'll just leave it at thanking my God and Father for His sacrificial gift to me and all mankind for salvation.

I pray your CHRISTmas is blessed in every way!
Merry Christmas.............

A lot to be thankful for....

2006-11-26T04:56:00.000-06:00

As November comes to a close I wanted to share some updates, some things I'm thankful for, and some photos.
We missed Thanksgiving at my Momma's house for the first time in about 13 years because of everyone being sick. I felt terrible. Driving with 6 sick children would have made things worse.
We're going to try and drive down this coming weekend if we're on the mend by then.
Eliana woke with a low fever this morning, so we'll be keeping an eye on that too.
I'm learning the value of my sleep these days........LOL!!!

We're starting some construction on our basement. The older children and Daddy started hauling stuff out to the big dumpster in the drive way.
WOW.............do we ever have a lot of JUNK!!
Why do we try to hang on to so much stuff? Not to mention, having all this stuff and still 'wanting' more.
Makes me think of the 'stuff mart' in the Veggie Tale movie with Madam Blueberry.
So, I'm also learning the value of a few things vs. many things. Simplify, simplify, simplify! Right?

I'll be trying my hand at that homemade, HANDmade, bread this coming week.
I've got some Oat/Wheat Flour that I got from my Natural Farms Food Co-op.
There's 10#'s of flour and the bread machine is in the garage. Out of sight is out of mind, or so I hope. I've never kneaded bread before, so I'm sure we'll have a few flops. Literally!

I've been doing some sewing for Eliana. I've got a lot to do for Christmas, so I'll be starting that this week as well.
I didn't know the pattern was actually pj's..........so Daddy decided it's a Prairie-ish type dress. It will probably go to her ankles. LOL!!

We're off to church this morning, and some children still need a few things.......
Until next time.................

Just something funny!

2006-11-06T06:38:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I went to see my Mom this weekend. We were talking about a little Amish community that we used to visit when I was young. I had considered taking the children to one so we could shop at their stores, etc.
After talking for a bit with my Mom about going when we were younger, she informed me that the reason we were going so often is that she was trying to GET IN TO THE COMMUNITY!!!!

She was really going to begin to raise us Amish! She tried for several months, apparently, but being an Old Order Amish community, they had strict rules that prevented her from joining.

How funny is that? My friend Amy.........Amos (her secret Amish name) was laughing so hard, as were the rest of my friends. Martina keeps telling me that I could be, and truly I could have been...........ach! Jah......I could've.........been Amish.
LOL!!!

How different my life would be.
Praise be to God who knows the beginning from the end, who saw what I was to become. A wife, a mother, a simple life, usually in dresses and skirts, just not the dark black ones, and not with any little white hats.

I can say that I do remember playing with some Amish children...........I think we jumped rope.

Until next time..........

Has it been so long.........

2006-11-03T07:51:00.000-06:00

Since I last posted?
WOW, it's amazing how fast time can go by without even realizing it!

We did go on vacation, so that was a whole weeks worth of my time MIA, and it's looking like it'll take a whole week to recover. LOL!!
This next week Israel will celebrate turning 2!!!
WOW.......has it really been 2 years? He's such a great little man. Always looking for ways to help Momma. He's definitely my shadow right now. Offers hugs of encouragement to me throughout the day.........who could pass that up?
He even went potty on the big potty while we were up north..........woohoo!! I know this is the start of something VERY good.....!!

Since my "Amish" post, I've decided to try my hand at some homemade bread ~ NOT out of the bread machine~
I'll take photos and show them to you...........I'm sure it will be funny.

Just a quick update today. I'm back to work so we can go visit my Momma tomorrow and have all our Saturday chores done before we leave. It's a 1.5 hour drive with 3 little ones, I'm sure the older 3 and myself will be exhausted by the time we get back.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Am I Amish????

2006-10-19T08:01:00.000-05:00

I have a GREAT praise today! I want to share it, but will have to "lay a foundation" as I've heard my husband say so many times in his anointed preaching!

I'm part of an accountability group with some other ladies from our church. We have each made a list of 'chores' that we feel the Lord would like us to accomplish each day.
We email this list to one another, then check in each day on our weeks progress.
My list usually contains the same things.............each and every day.........and I rarely, IF EVER, complete it.

I soon realized that I make my lists so incredibly long, that there is no way I'll be able to finish it. Thus, my instantaneous feelings of being completely overwhelmed. It's then that I'll usually call Martina to come help me out of my mess. To which she ALWAYS so graciously says "YES" to. Often coming with a box of Cinnabon's. So of course we'll need some coffee to wash that down.
**I love you sister!*
I'm still not sure how Martina has managed all this time to keep my house, AND hers clean, but I'm sure it was also the power of her prayers.........along with my dear husbands, that moved God to do such a work in me. Thank you dear sister for your selfless acts of kindness!

So with my recent change of heart, change of nature, put myself on the rock to be broken, or be crushed by the rock conviction that I've felt from God on being a Keeper of my home, I have been a tad worried about our upcoming vacation to a home 'up north' and all the laundry I need to do BEFORE we go.
Now where we live, up north means your in the car for at least 5 hours! With 6 children!.................if I never post again on this blog, you'll know what happened. LOL!!

As you know from recent postings, laundry is my nemesis. So what's a Mom to do with all this dirty laundry, knowing that we must take a good portion of it with us 'up north', just to get dirty playing in the mud, dirt, and yes even some snow, so I can bring it home and wash it again?
Well, you pray and ask the Lord for a chance to redeem yourself with the laundry and prove that it is God working in your for both His will and good purpose.
So that's exactly what I did.
I asked the Lord to NOT let it rain so I could hang laundry out on the line for the rest of the week.
And you know what? I just looked at the forecast and there is NO rain in site for a few days!
WOOHOO!!!
Praise the Lord! Isn't He so good to us? Such a small thing, but it has such a big impact on my faith, on my trust, and on the sure-ness that my God desires ME to grow in my role of responsibility!
Thank You Jesus!

My very good friend of 16 years, Amy, whom we affectionately call Amos, (I think she's secretly Amish) and that sounds like an Amish name.......... taught me that the Amish have contests to see who can get their laundry out in the mornings the earliest. How fun is that?
I LOVE contests!

At least at this point, I don't really have anyone to compete with. Amy????........I know you just got a new laundry line???

And, apparently, the Amish hang their laundry out ALL YEAR round!
WOW!!
I'm not sure if Curt would let me do that, but I think I'd get an "A" for effort.

Okay, enough rambling..............I'm off to hang my laundry...........with GREAT JOY I might add!
I hope your day is going as good as mine has started out!

Momma's Little Helpers

2006-10-18T10:44:00.000-05:00

Being that we have 2 little boys that are watching every single thing we do, I noticed the other day that they have desired to "work" a little harder around the house since seeing Momma work harder, too!
Now maybe it's just because I'm doing more training than I ever did before, but either way, it's such a joy to see my children learning and growing in their roles as members of the family.

Michael and Israel LOVE helping unload the dishwasher. I was thinking that I'd get a shot of it later today when they wake up from naps.
They also put their shoes away, hang up their coats, help switch over the laundry, and pick up their toys each day .

I'm not sure Michael has the laundry down just yet!

We've also been using Chore-packs. They've been an excellent tool in teaching us all how to keep up with our daily home responsibilities.

The blessings of a clean and neat home far outweigh the time, trials, and training that go into making this happen. I've always known this, but now I've got the ummph to make it happen.
Thank You Jesus!

AHH!!! I've been tagged!!

2006-10-14T18:11:00.000-05:00

So what does that even mean?
I honestly had to go check on a few other blogs to actually check it out. I'm still a little unclear, but being that I'm fully addicted to blogging..............okay, really I'm fully addicted to writing, I'm just excited to have another thing to write/blog about. LOL!!
Lisa, from Our Shoe, has tagged me. Thanks Lisa.........REALLY!!!

So my friend Martina and I are sitting here wondering what we could come up with for these words.
Here's what we have so far.

1) Trank:
That's what a little one says, who has trouble with their 'd-r' sound and would really like a 'drink'.
"May I hab a trank, pwweeease?"

2) Glebe:
I wonder if that's like a gleke? That's when you spit from under your tongue.........like when you eat something sour. ???

You know, it's taken me about 3 days to get this far..........since I don't really know anyone else in the blogging world, except Lisa, I'll have to think about who I'm going to tag.
WAIT..........I know 2 more people. I'll just have to see what their blog address is.
I'll keep you posted. LOL!!!

The housekeeping........backslider???

2006-10-12T07:24:00.000-05:00

You know, I never really thought of it until just yesterday, but I've been home with my children since I was 4 months pregnant with Alexandra. That's over 14 years!!!
I've always struggled with housekeeping. It's just not part of the nature, or the discipline that was instilled in me. I'm not sure why, because as a child my Mother was on top of everything! Working 2 jobs as a single Mom, she really worked hard!
Perhaps she worked too hard and didn't give us enough to do? She could certainly have benefited by us doing a few chores around the house. It would appear that it would have benefited me too................!!

So yesterday, as I sat on my chair doing my morning Bible and prayer time, I was writing in my journal, yet another sob story of how I really need God's help to be a better housekeeper.
It was a really good case that I presented to God on this day. The kitchen was a mess, the laundry will surely come out of the MAIN floor laundry room and eat me any moment........I'm positive!!

**Just ask Martina..........she's been here, and while she's very helpful.........even she didn't want to get eaten by all that laundry!**

And as I wrote my prayer down, the Holy Spirit spoke to me once again about this area of my life.
I suddenly realized, yet again, that I need to take dominion over my flesh, repent, and fall at the foot of the cross.

Now while that may sound like a whole lot of dramatics over an unkept home, the Lord showed me how I am in a backslidden state of mind in my role as a Wife, Mother, and Keeper at home, and this area is just a symptom of something bigger, and uglier than even the laundry, in my heart.

In fact, He even showed me how I've looked at myself as a 'Stay at home Mom' and have not fully accepted the role of "Keeper at Home" as the scripture states.
OUUUCHH!!!!

Yes, God was......and is,...... ALWAYS right!
I have used my time at home to just say that I've been able to "stay at home".

Now being a Pastor's wife, I clearly know that the scripture says that a woman is the Keeper of the home. It's right in Titus 2.....verses 3-5!!!
I have many opportunities to teach it to others. I've seen many lives and home's transformed over that small passage. Yet mine is still in a bit of a ruckus.

I can wake up today, look at my home and see where my heart should be.
AT HOME..........
But, my heart also needs to be "Keeping" (ie. tending to the duties) in this home that the Lord has so graciously blessed us with, and not just "staying" in it.

I have a lot to accomplish today. My sweet sister-in-law, Erica, will be keeping the little boys today so I can set about tending to this big house we've been blessed with.
I'm positive my dear husband will appreciate this work of the Holy Spirit in my life. To his amazing credit he rarely, if ever, says anything about the house being cluttered. I complain about it more than he does............yet, until yesterday, I didn't quite 'get it' that God is calling ME to do something about it.

And what's even more amazing about this silly little revelation, that's really not so silly, is that I have a very sincere motto that says,
"If you're going to complain about something, that means God is calling you to do something about it.", and, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

HA HA HA!!

That makes me laugh simply because so often we can be looking at ourselves straight in the face and not see the sin in our lives...........regarding any area really, yet we'll so easily see the sin in someone else's life.
Reminds me of the scripture that says,
"First remove the log (Plank) from your own eye before you try to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

God forgive me! Father, thank You for the grace, the love, and the blood of Jesus that covers my sin and washes me white as snow.

Today is a new day, and I suppose a new life, for me.
Today I officially step into my God-given role as a "Keeper of my Home".

Cont....Sharing our blessings

2006-10-11T11:15:00.000-05:00

Today I'd like to continue where I left off and share about our older blessings.
**sigh..............where do I start?**

That's probably the bloggers dilemma everywhere, huh? LOL!!

First, here's a photo (from a few years ago......but that I love) of all three of the older children.

I'll start with sharing about Danielle.
She's almost 16, is very excited to start driving, is exceptionally good at engineering, plays the piano and sings so beautifully that it makes me cry almost every time, is very excited to start driving,........and well........very excited about driving! LOL!!
She is such a wonderful young woman. I'm in awe of her God-given talents, her gifts, and her ability to handle so much.
She has certainly attained a level of responsibility that I could only dream of when I was her age.
I know that God has great plans for her. My prayer is that she never underestimates herself, or the power of God to do in her, and for her, what she cannot do for herself.
Her compassion for those less fortunate is astounding!.........REALLY!!
My heart beams when I watch her, knowing that there's that part of me that wants to grow up and be just like her. I keep thinking, if I am truly this blessed to be her Momma, just think of how Jesus feels!

Next, I'll share about Alexandra (or Allie.......or Ally-jamma.........or Ayee, as Israel calls her). Who would've known that this spunky little baby would grow into such a pleasant and tender hearted young lady? She has a special heart towards the things of God. She sees opportunities that the average adult doesn't see, to help others. She is my right arm in running the house and taking care of the little ones. She can cook more meals than I ever dreamed of at her age. I know that her future husband will be a very blessed man......At 14 I'm sure she runs a tighter 'ship' than I do......and well, let's not discuss my age... **grin**

Then there's Christian. Who started off his life with us a bit early, by about 8 weeks, but hasn't stopped for a moment since then. Here he is with his Auntie Tami at a family event.

Christian is good at so many things it's hard to tell of it all. But right now he's doing great in cross country, and in the art of keeping his room clean. Those 2 things alone are no small feat for any average 12 year old boy..........*wink*.

He's going to be a good builder (just like his Dad). I keep asking for a bird house from him............(I hope he's reading this.......LOL!!)

He has big shoes to fill when Daddy's not here. He does his best though. His heart for the Lord grows with each passing month as I watch my little boy becoming a young man right in front of me.

Where did the time go? How did they grow up so fast? We are so honored to have them with us, and say they're ours. But, really they're only on loan from the Lord aren't they?

I used to think I had so much to teach them, but I've since learned that God has so much to teach me through them!

Sharing our blessings

2006-10-10T15:13:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share about each of our blessings..........And really I'm stealing this a from my great friend, co-laborer with Christ, and inspirational Titus 2 woman, Lisa, from Our Shoe, who has shared something about each of her 'shoe dwellers' on her blog.

I think I'll start with today and go backwards, since the blessings I have today aren't at all what I thought I would count as blessings when I first got married. But really reflect what God was putting in my heart even back then, I just didn't know it.

Today I am the proud Mother to 6 children on earth. However, this wasn't always the case.
In 1993 I had a tubal ligation, at the age of 26, against the advice of my Dr, during an emergency c-section with our 3 child. So I was the Mom of 3.........And not always enjoying it.

I thought what I was doing was being smart by cutting off more children. But, as time passed, I realized that it not only no longer seemed smart, it was now heart wrenching as I ached to have more children.

I really thought we would just adopt more children, if we wanted. We found out the hard way that if that is not God's plan for you during that time, it will not happen, and you cannot 'make' it happen. We have had 2 failed adoptions.

So I pondered, and waited, and wanted, and wondered how this hole and this ache would be filled.

Until one day I was reading a book that forever changed my life.
It's called "A Full Quiver" by Rick and Jan Hess. A friend from church (who has 7 children) gave it to me to 'look at'. Well I had looked at that book for 2 years, and it was now time to read it.
I read it in one day!

It showed me scripture from the Word of God, telling me how children were a blessing, and how the longing in my heart wasn't there by accident. It was there because God planted it there. Being that He is the perfect giver of all gifts, I learned that "the fruit of the womb is a reward." I learned that God created me to nurture and raise children for His kingdom, for His glory, "as arrows in the hand of a warrior".

It was another 9 months of prayer, repentance, and waiting on God to move in my husbands heart before we flew down to Rio Bravo, Mexico for my tubal reversal surgery in Dec 2001.

I hoped and prayed this surgery would work. I had a few people in my life that thought I was surely going to die, or even be butchered there, but Lo, the Lord had plans for me that I had not yet even figured out.
**now you can kind of see why Jeremiah 29:11 means so much to me.**

It was only a few short weeks after my recovery and I found out I was pregnant with my first reversal baby. Only to loose that pregnancy before I even knew I was pregnant.

It was another 16 months before we conceived again.
This time I had good days and bad days wondering if all was okay. I think from the beginning the Lord prepared my heart to allow Him to keep that baby. At 18 weeks we found out that our little miracle, that we later named Aviella Joy (which is Hebrew for God is my Father, who gives joy) was already in the arms of her Heavenly Father. She was stillborn on Aug. 22, 2003.

It was a very hard path to travel, but I knew that God still had a plan for me in this area. I began to meditate on the passage God gave me in Job 23:10
"For He knows the way I will take and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
I can honestly say that although that was one of the hardest times of my life, I know that the Lord carried me every single second of every single step. He did not leave me, nor forsake me. When nothing else seemed sure, I was sure that He loved me and knew what was best for our baby girl.

Six months later we conceived again. This time I just knew it would be okay. And it was.
Israel Josiah (Hebrew for "Prince of God, and fire of God) was born.

During the time of my reversal we also became foster parents for our county. While I was 6 months pregnant with Israel, a little 6 week old baby boy was placed in our home, named Michael.
We just adopted him in May of 2006.

In April of this year I gave birth to another daughter, Eliana Faith. (Hebrew for "God has answered in faith")

I think I wouldn't be able to accurately share just how blessed I am by my older children, Danielle, Alexandra, and Christian, and to realize how much God loved me enough to give them to me even when I didn't know they were a blessing, unless I had walked the road of reversal.

I can see God in them and know without a shadow of a doubt that God was planning my destiny to "give me a future and a hope."
Little did I know the trial I'd have to come through to know this hope, but now that I do, I cannot keep silent about it.

I have run a women's ministry for about 3 years now called Reversal Miracles.
Right now we do most of our ministry through a yahoo email group.

I am so incredibly blessed by other women around the world who have this same desire in them toward children that I have, and I get to share the miracles of new life, the blessing of children, the ups and downs of waiting and trusting God for all things, but most importantly the Love of a Savior and God that looks down on His children and 'knows the plans He has for us.......................'

Thank You Jesus.

Getting Started

2006-10-09T14:14:00.000-05:00

with a new blog................
I'm Becki, wife to my very best friend, my hero, and my Pastor. We have 7 children (one living with Jesus).
We love the Lord Jesus Christ, we love each other, and we love our children.
We also love the people of Africa! Curt does missions in Uganda, where one day the whole family will go to build a complex (Curt's job) that has an orphanage inside (my job).

I'm sure you'll find the general musings of a large family. There's usually so many things happening in our home on any given day, you're bound to laugh and cry............Likely all at the same time!

So for the introductions:
Husband/Dad/Pastor = Curt
Wife/Momma/Keeper At Home = Becki
Daughter =Danielle (almost 16)
Daughter = Alexandra (14)
Son =Christian (12)
Daughter = Aviella Joy (with the Lord)
Son = Michael (2)
Son = Israel (2)
Daughter = Eliana (6 months)

I'd like to share my favorite scripture with you too, as I've been pondering it a lot the last few weeks.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for prosperity, not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope."
It seems each time I meditate on this passage I'm at a new place in my walk with God. It means something different to me every time. How does God do that?
I don't know, but it happens each and every time.
Thank you Lord!

Until next time..........