Sleep is very important!

Well, after talking to my mom til after 4 this morning and getting up around 8:30, I am officially exhausted. It's very obvious how important sleep is. I don't function well without it. I have been grouchy and mean all day : (  Yelled too many times, didn't get things done, feel horrible... I am hoping my diapers get done quickly so I can get to bed soon. I am so tired I can't even remember or think what it was I wanted to say!!!  But it's always amazing how God speaks about things...Even things you wouldn't think were actually in there! "Psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep." I am really bad about sitting up late...It's something I am definitely working on and making some (small) headway on! This is also why I moved my son to another room for the night too...He will not stay asleep when I'm in the room! I sleep outside his door and listen and he never wakes up...I wake him up around 1-2am to feed him and he doesn't even fuss! But if he sleeps in the same room as me...He wants to eat every hour! I can't sleep while nursing a baby anymore, used to with my first few kiddos, but I guess I'm getting old, cause I can't do it anymore! : (  He's finally adjusting to the jet lag from the trip out and the time change and new surroundings and such, but now his top teeth are coming through so he's really been cranky! Pray they come through quickly so he can be happy again!


Today was really nice though too! My Sister in Law took my mom and I out to "Tea". Fun and relaxing! And the tea I had was actually good, and I tried the one my SIL had and liked it too! I normally HATE tea and coffee too. : ) Had a scone with butter and lemon curds too and it was awesome! I love lemon! And to visit with adults and not have little ones climbing all over you was nice too! I love my kids...don't get me wrong, but I do enjoy adult fellowship every once in a while. : ) The rest of this week is gonna be spent gettin' ready for my sisters baby shower and my nieces birthday party! So we'll be busy, busy! Can't wait to meet that little guy!

In Cali

Wow! A lot has happened in the last week! Things worked out for sure. I was able to go to my Great Grandmas funeral. It was very difficult, yet it was wonderful to be with family! We know where she is so we had a good time celebrating her homecoming! I had quite a few happenings along the way though...

The first started with me waking up and realizing my alarm had been set ahead almost 30 mins by a little one! Making me way behind on getting to church on time! I was able to make it just on time.

The second happened after leaving my house Sunday afternoon. I was going to pick up my cousin Cristy at the Tulsa airport. I needed to be there at 6, so I left at 3 since it's a 3 hr drive. Just on the other side of OKC it started to pour and Zachary started to scream. When the storm finally let up and he stopped crying I noticed a sign saying "Wichita, I35". Now for those of you who don't know...I needed to be on I44 going east towards Tulsa, not on I35 headed north towards Wichita, KS. By the time I realized where I was and could turn around I was 30 miles past OKC. So I headed back the way I came from, back into the storm. I finally saw a sign that said I44 & Tulsa. So I turned on it. It was a small back highway. I panicked thinking it wasn't going to get me there. At this time I knew I was going to be late, so I prayed "God please help me to get there safely and on time!" Then I received a phone call. It was Cristy saying her plane was going to be at least an hour late. Well, all I can say is Praise the Lord!!! He most definitely worked that out!

The third was when I reached Tulsa. There was so much road construction and signs everywhere that it was very confusing. So I followed the signs that were taking me towards Joplin. I figured that would get me there. Unfortunately it was a turnpike that headed around the bottom of Tulsa and I needed to be at the top! I stopped at got directions (after being told by my grandpa that I was heading the wrong direction). I thankfully wasn't that far from where I needed to be. I arrived at the airport about 5 mins before Cristy!

Fourth, I picked her up and we headed up towards Missouri. We were talking and somehow I ended up taking another small back highway. I realized it when the road when down to a 2 lane road and I should have been on a 4 lane freeway! Thankfully Cristy had an Iphone with GPS capabilities. We found an alternative route there!

After over 6 hrs, we finally arrived at our destination! It normally wouldn't take more than 4 1/2 to 5 hrs. I have never been one to get lost so this was definitely a new experience for me! :) I am very acutely aware that the Lord had his hand on the whole thing. His protection and guidance were what got us there! I am so thankful that He's in charge and taking care of us!

We also had some happenings on our way from OK. to CA. (my mom and I and my girls and Zachary). Had several times where we only went 10 miles in over an hour (no that's NOT an exaggeration!) and then once we got into CA, we had numerous people cutting us off (dangerously so) and one person actually, literally tried to run us off the road! So thankful that the Lord protected us and we arrived safely!

I've spent the last 2 days trying to recover some rest from the emotional and physical trials of this last 2 weeks. We have school finished for the day, did our devotions, and now I have to figure out what to do about my drivers license! It expired back in June! I never look at it so I didn't realize. Hopefully it'll all work out easily though. God is good and I'm sure He'll make a way : )

Looking forward to visiting with all my CA family and friends! Have a baby shower for my precious new nephew that I can't wait to meet, on Friday. Gonna be fun! I'll update more when I have more : )

Again...

Once again, I lost it. I got upset cause I was disappointed about something. And didn't look to God for help. So after a very frustrating 2 days. Unhappy doesn't even begin to describe it. I finally called out to God for help and guidance. Once again, He worked things out for the good. It's kinda funny too, cause I get verses emailed to me everyday and they both were what I needed to hear...Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:19 (KJV) and But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 (KJV)...While my "suffering" may seem petty to some, it's everything to me. So, to know that after I have suffered a while, he will make me "perfect, and stablish, strengthen, settle me"! Why is it that at times it seems so easy to give everything to Him and then at others it's like our "burdens" have to be yanked out of our hands? Will I never learn? "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light"....That's a promise from Him so let's take Him at His word! If we will surrender our burdens He will give us rest/peace! Another song : )

1. All to Jesus I surrender;
   All to Him I freely give;
   I will ever love and trust Him,
   In His presence daily live.
   • Refrain:
     I surrender all,
     I surrender all;
     All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
     I surrender all.
2. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Humbly at His feet I bow,
   Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
   Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
   Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
   Truly know that Thou art mine.
4. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Lord, I give myself to Thee;
   Fill me with Thy love and power;
   Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Now I feel the sacred flame.
   Oh, the joy of full salvation!
   Glory, glory, to His Name!

Worn Down

Why does it feel like there's major warfare going on everywhere? It seems like everywhere I look battles are going on. In my family, in my friends families, on Facebook, on blogs...everywhere! And I'm so exhausted I don't feel like I can keep going. Which brings to mind a Twila Paris song...The Warrior is a Child...

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
the warrior is a child

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile
'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The Warrior is a Child

That pretty much describes how I feel right now. I hate saying it cause I want to see my children grow up and serve the Lord, but the end is near. You can just feel it. I know once we get HOME we won't care anymore, but I so want to see my kids grow. There really are battles left and right. I know who's in control though, and I know that the battles already been won! And (another song : ) "I'm on the Winning Side"!

I am on the winning side, I am on the winning side, out in sin no more will I abide, I've enlisted in the fight for the cause of truth and right, Praise the Lord I'm on the winning side!!!!!!!

And (forgive me one more song, our family thinks in songs :)

The Sun's Coming Up

Once again, I face Satan this morning
And I battle him, all the day long
But in my weakness, God sent reinforcements
And at sundown, I'll sing Victory's song

And the sun's comin' up, in the morning
Every tear will be gone from my eye
This old place is gonna give way to Glory
And like an eagle, I'll take to the sky

In a world, filled with doubts and confusion
It's so hard, when you don't understand
But I'll stand, on a solid foundation
And I'll hold, to an unchanging hand

And the sun's comin' up, in the morning
Every tear will be gone from my eye
This old place is gonna give way to Glory
And like an eagle, I'll take to the sky


My Personal Favorite : )

Funeral & Trip

My Great Grandmother passed away yesterday morning. She was a very Godly woman. She is now with her Savior! I will be leaving Monday evening to head up to Missouri. Her funeral is Tuesday. A sad but happy time. If that makes sense. We are definitely gonna miss her, but are so happy that she is no longer in pain. She has missed my Great Grandpa (who died right after Makenzie was born) so much. And the time before last that I was there she told me she couldn't wait to go home. She's Home!!!

My mom is going to be there and will ride back to my house with me and from there me and my girls (and Zachary) will head out to CA for a visit. I'm so excited! I can't wait! I have been wanting to go back there for so long now! I am also anxious to meet my new nephew : ) Seeing all my friends will be great as well!

I don't know how much I'll be able to be on here though so it may or may not be awhile before I post again. My kids are all better now. Zachary is still cranky, but he's still teething. Hoping they come through soon! Speaking of, I guess I'd better get off here and get him to bed!

Got Milk?

Ok, this was too funny to not share! On our way home from church tonight we stopped to get some essentials at WM I ran in and grabbed whatever I thought we needed, as fast as possible. I got some bags of cereal. So in the car James Michael sees the cereal and says "mom, you got cereal but we're out of milk." I said "hmmm, that IS a dilemma" so he says (and I quote verbatim) "Do you got milk?".......I started busting up laughing! So I of course replied "umm, actually yes I do!" Talk about hysterical... : )

Bible Versions

It has really been bugging me the way people today don't seem to be bothered by the fact that they aren't using the Bible they're using a perversion of it! Just because you think it's easier to understand doesn't make it right. I actually understand my Bible just fine. I don't understand all of it and I don't think I ever will. That's kinda the point though, you're not supposed to. God reveals things to you as you need them, not just cause.

First off...Revelation 22:18-20 says For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

The Bible is literally Jesus. If you change the words you change him. Therefore you have created an anti-christ. If you add to or take away you will get what Rev. 22:18-20 says. Why risk it? Besides the fact that in changing him you are leading people to a God that doesn't exactly exist. His name is also being used in vain...sounds familiar...feel like you're breaking a commandment?

Second, versions like the NIV take out verses or parts of verses. Why? Because "they" don't feel like it was interpreted right or doesn't really belong. Well, if God put it there, LEAVE it there. Did you know that if a Jehovah's Witness came to your door and you tried to dispute their belief in the deity of Christ, you couldn't with an NIV? The NIV removed all the same verses the JW's did. So how could you? http://www.chick.com/information/bibleversions/articles/nivquiz.asp Check out this quiz and see if you pass with your NIV. There's other good info about different version too.

Third, Do you know that the only version of the Bible that isn't copyrighted is the King James Version? Yep, that's right...it's illegal to copy your perversion of the bible. How sad is that? And doesn't it appear obvious that Satan will use that against us? You may find copyrights in your KJV but if you check it's only for the synopsis, commentary or study helps, Not for the Spirit inspired, infallible words of GOD!

Fourth, It seems to me that all these new perversions are simply made to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. We don't need a fancy cover, modern words, or great commentaries to receive from the Lord. We simply need the desire. Ask and you shall receive. Ones like the Message bible are so perverse it's sickening really. It's not the Word of God, just what some many thinks God is saying. Really insane! Especially since God's word speaks to different people different ways. A verse can mean one thing for one person in a circumstance and something completely different for someone else in another circumstance. All verses have to be taken into context of the verses surrounding them, but they still speak to each person differently! So how is it beneficial to not read what God says, just what some man thinks He's saying? God doesn't need paraphrasing...He's the same yesterday, today and forever! If people could understand it hundreds of years ago, surely with all our enlightening we can understand it now!

Fifth, Doesn't it seem a bit odd that these perversions are so readily available? and were so easily put into existence? Whereas the KJV took so much time to come into existence because of persecution. How many people died to get that Book to us? I have come to realize that if things are going easy and it doesn't seem like we're meeting with any resistance then maybe we aren't living right. Not that a christian has to be in the midst of trials constantly, but when Satans fighting you it's obvious you're doing things right. He'll do anything to stop you. So if he doesn't care...

Well, I guess I'll get off my soap box now : )

Addendum to last post

Somehow it didn't get put in to my last blog, but when I preheated the oven to 190 and went to put the crayons in...I found the burritos I had made to freeze! I had made extra of our dinner to freeze for another day. Of course they were on a non-oven safe plate so there were nasty fumes and they were rendered un-edible! So of course it doesn't end there. Last night my husband was busy selling stuff (PTL!!!) and was in and out during dinner. He didn't finish it between sales so he stuck it in the microwave. Guess what I just found?!!! LIFE! :)

Daily Happenings

Well, we had an ok day yesterday. Some were still recovering and today I think everyone's pretty good, just got some nagging coughs left. Had quite the day yesterday, in a way, though. I actually did get some stuff done. Which was nice. And we made some crayons! Fun stuff!

Did you know you could mess up making crayons from old broken ones? I did. Because this is me and it all just makes sense, because it's me :) Well on to the Fun stuff! Yesterday, I decided we would finally make the crayons I had promised the kids we would. From all the broken crayons around the house. They did all the hard work peeling them a week or so ago. So yesterday I chopped them up. The silly things kept rolling everywhere! Finally got done and got them in the container. Makenzie, Michelle, and Emily filled all the tins with them. Making them so pretty. It was too hot in the afternoon so I told them I would heat them in the evening. So after dinner, when I felt it was cool enough I turned on the oven. I decided to follow instructions from one site cause I thought they would be the easiest and not make it too hot in here. Simple right, turn on the oven to 190, put crayons in for bout 20 mins and Wala! crayons. But no, it's me doing it so...I decided to sit down to check out FB. My sister was on so I decided to chat with her. As I'm doing this I hear a very loud commotion next to me. The girls are all yelling and James wasn't  really thrilled. Kathleen (the little doll) had gotten into my lanolin and had it thickly covering her face and hands. side note: at least she wasn't EATING it like normal! So as this was going on the oven was ready and I was trying to clean her up and get the crayons in the oven. I get them in and think "Yay!" I left them for about 20 mins. When I checked them they were just looking wet but hadn't melted down enough I thought. So since another site had said to turn the oven to 350 preheat it and then turn it off and put the crayons in. I thought "Well, I'll just turn the oven to 350 let it preheat and then take them out. They should be done by then." Yeah, great idea. NOT! The crayons were already heated to 190 so they got really hot. Do you know what that means? I had crayons burning in my oven!!!! AAHHH! I had to get them out so I had toxic smelling gas smoke flowing into my kitchen. Yuck! And the crayons melted so much that the color sank. So the top is a slight translucent color and the bottom is the speckled pretty colors they were supposed to look like! :) Yep, Only I could mess up melting crayons! LOL... The kids love them and are making crafts with them. So they work fine. Next time I'm gonna just do the preheat to 350, and put them in for 9-11 mins. I think that will work the best!

On to other things..It seems to me that a lot of moms are struggling with the same things right now. After having some not so great days and starting to kinda feel sorry for myself. I started reading some blogs and WOW was I encouraged. Some by moms in the same boat as me (8-10 kids) some older with more kids, but all wanting to raise their family for the Lord and feeling like they were failing! And on one of the sites I found an old blog that really helped! The first is ladyofvirtue.blogspot.com/ her blog from yesterday and the other one was in her Family Life category titled "Help me, I'm drowning!" There are alot of good ones on that site. Very encouraging! And the others are smockityfrocks.com/ and raisingolives.com/ . I don't think it's a good idea to get so caught up in all the great blog readings that you don't do you job. (remember everything in moderation) but there are some good ones out there that are so encouraging. Most of the ones I am following are great. It's just another show of how good God is. When we're feeling down He will lift us up. :)

Funny things...James Michael says to me (after I told Jason I couldn't read through his arm) "if you can see out the back of your head, you can see thru someones arm". Nice huh? Well I gotta go get pens away from Kathleen and get started on school. Especially since James Michael already got it all out for us to do it :) Such a good boy!



P.S. Another great site to visit, although you'll have to look up verses since she uses another perversion of the bible... http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com

FROG!

FROG...if you read my last post you know what that stands for....Fully Rely On God! Through Him is the only way you will accomplish anything! No matter how big or small that thing is! As I (and my friends) are finding...you take some babysteps to get in the right direction and satan hits you with everything he can to bring you down and stop you in your tracks! It's so much easier to just quit and yet it's absolutely necessary we don't! We are everyday living a testimony. What is your testimony? I don't want mine to be that of a quitter, a whiner, a complainer, or a slothful person. I know I can't be a good testimony though without spending time in the Word. It's a daily battle to be there though. So pray for me and I'll pray for you, that we will do the simple, yet difficult, and read the Word everyday! It makes such a difference! If you don't do it and only do it once in a while, you may say "doesn't seem to make a difference to me". But if you start doing it consistently everyday, and then you don't do it once in a while, you will notice a major difference.

As mothers especially, even if we never go out "soul-winning", we are everyday having an influence on the little lives watching us. And in that how many thousands of lives are we influencing? I wonder if Susanna Wesley ever thought about that? And yet even if she never did, her life and the lives of her children have had a influence on thousands throughout the years. What if you child is the next John or Charles Wesley? Or the next Amy Carmichael or Gladys Aylward? So today, tomorrow, next week, next month, this year, this decade (see the pattern) keep doing what you know is right. Rely on God, He will give you the strength you need to accomplish the important tasks before you. And remember what the IMPORTANT tasks are. They aren't necessarily a clean house or perfect children. Those would be nice, but your tasks are the eternal ones of being a servant of the Lord and proclaiming the Gospel of Salvation!

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


Didja see that? Your strength is made perfect in weakness! God can use you just as you are with all you imperfections and perceived weaknesses!

Looking Unto Jesus...

Well, we have internet and phone again for at least the next month. Yay! I am really behind in everything...I really need to get over this whole "all or nothing" attitude. We are spending today catching up on laundry. Got alot of the girls clothes done, still got around 2-3 loads of theirs left though. I'm hoping to get all of the girls clothes done today and then some towels too. Tomorrow, blankets! I looked at the Flylady zones and decided that I would start with the zones Monday, today I'm going to work on the decluttering. Today is the purse and car. I actually did my purse a few days ago but I'm gonna do it again, just cause. And the car we mostly cleaned out Tuesday, so we just need to finish it now. So nice that I actually kinda have a start on both these. The car would have been so overwhelming!

I am trying to keep a positive attitude about things, and it's really difficult at times. I tend to start looking at surroundings and things just seem so overwhelming, depressing or irritating. So last night I had an epiphany! Really it came about because of the way God made me :) And all women! Our brains are like balls of wire, with no beginning or end. (Mens are like boxes on a shelf, but that's another story LOL) So, anyways, I was thinking about something (can't remember what) and then I started singing a song, and something in that song reminded me of the verse that talks about keeping our eye on the prize, then I thought "and we really need to keep our eyes on the cross", and the cross is really Jesus, so we need to keep our eyes on him, and then I thought that's what happened to Peter (ironic too cause I'm reading 1 Peter in my bible reading) He took his eyes off Jesus and SANK! That is what we do! Something amazing happens (Jesus walked on water), We get out of our comfort zone (out of the boat), Start doing something amazing ourselves (walking the way Jesus walks), and then we start looking at circumstances and panic (Peter took his eyes off the Lord and looked at the water), then we go under (life is miserable, depressed, overwhelmed, etc...), but you know, if Peter had kept his eyes on the Lord he wouldn't have sunk. He'd have walked all the way to Jesus (gotten to Heaven which is essentially eternity with God), and he would've done it the way Jesus did. We are so much like Peter though. We take our eyes off the Lord and what he's told us to do, and we start looking at our circumstances and BAM! we get discouraged, depressed, overwhelmed, etc... If only we would keep our eye on the prize, which is eternity with Jesus, and if only we would keep walking the way Jesus walked (in obedience to the Father). We would have an amazing life! We'd be walking on water! Keep your focus on the Lord, keep your eye on the prize, don't look around you at life, Keep doing what you know is right, even if you have to start small get started, and (from the sermon Wednesday) be CONSISTENT! Don't give up! (which just reminded me of the t-shirt they used to have with the bird eating the frog, with the frogs arms coming out it's mouth and strangling the bird! :) Which also reminded me of the acronym F.R.O.G. Fully Rely On God! Don'tcha just love the way God made us! :D