Celebrating "Christ-Is-More"!

Our Tree-Topper!

The phrase we coined a while back is finally catching on with our boys...

"Christ-Is-More"!

You see, when I hear the word "Christmas", two things stick out to me...

• Christ: the reason for the season, for life and for all things good!
• Mas: the Spanish word for "more"

So around here, we call it...

"Christ-Is-More"!

And we do everything we can during this season to emphasize that...

"Christ-Is-More"!

That He is more important, more worthy, more beautiful, more desirable...

For example, we choose not to put anything in our house having to do with Santa Claus or the North Pole.  Some people call that legalistic, but we call it...

"Christ-Is-More"!

So instead of sheltering our kids from "Santa and his elves", we have pretty good conversations about...

  "Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy?...

All things are permissible, 

but not everything is beneficial."

(1 Corinthians 10:22-23) 

 

So whether it's buying presents, singing festive songs, decorating the house, or planning on how we'll spend our "holiday" free-time, what is more beneficial than practicing that...

"Christ-Is-More"!

(More to come on how our family celebrates "Christ-Is-More"!)

Honest Thoughts (and Doubts) On Homeschooling and My Shortcomings...

Right about now, I'm feeling very incapable.

Not only am I struggling with morning sickness and fatigue, I'm also struggling to figure out how homeschooling looks for our family.

Just about every other day this week, I've been doubting our decision to homeschool.  I constantly feel like I am seconds away from vomiting, which makes teaching and reading pretty challenging...this means I'm usually either rushing through or skipping over stuff.

The doubts come from fear.  I know those aren't from the Lord...He has made clear to us His desire for us is schooling at home...even though someday that may change.

But I think my biggest struggle right now is just figuring out our homeschooling style...and not having the energy I need to apply some creativity to figure it out!

In a lot of ways, I think the whole whopping year I was an "education major" at my Christian college did me more harm than good.  Even though my college education was Christian-based, there was NO shortage of worldly indoctrination about "why kids learn so well and thrive in a classroom".

I know that's not true...I do~ESPECIALLY with boys. 

Still, I let their indoctrination seep into my thinking and now I can't let go of the guilty feelings that my kids need to be sitting still at a desk, learning from "the books" and having a classroom setting replicated in my home.

But I am NOT homeschooling to create a classroom atmosphere at home!  I am homeschooling so that each of my kids can thrive in their own, unique, God-given learning styles where they are NOT hindered, held back or confined by a classroom.

Trusten and I doing school on the front porch late in the evening...

Talk about "unconventional"! 

 I've been loving reading these two posts lately (and looking forward for the other ones to come)...they really inspire and comfort me...

So why can't I let go of this "picture" I had of a traditional school setting in my home???

Why can't I stop thinking their learning has to be from 9am-noon???

Why am I trying SO hard to fit a mold that simply does NOT fit our family???

I am learning...

I am growing...

I am opening my mind to the Lord's plan for our homeschooling...

I am falling freshly on the homeschool vision that the Lord gave us at the beginning of this year, and crying out for more understanding!

I am trying to let go of my ideas and indoctrination of what "education" should look like...and I am excited to find out what the result looks like for our family!

Proverbs has so much wisdom for me...I think I'll start there!

And then maybe re-read this, and this. 

And before it's all said and done, I'll just trust His path and find rest in the this Truth...

Isaiah 54:13 
"All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children."

Why We Homeschool...

(Well, you all did it!!!  After my last post, your comments and e-mails brought on a burning desire to share with you our heart on homeschooling...so here ya go!)

"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." Proverbs 1:8

It doesn't make sense for us to homeschool--it just doesn't.  Primarily because my husband is the administrator at our small Christian School here in our town.  But there are other reasons too--most of our friends send their kids there, the teachers are amazing and very good friends of mine, it's less than a mile from our home, we would get a significant discount...etc.

Yet we choose to homeschool...why?

Well, I plan to *attempt* to answer that in this post...

First of all, let me just say that we did not come by this decision lightly.  We have toiled over this decision...honestly toiled.  At one point this year, we were all set to send our oldest son to CCA (our Christian school) come Fall.  But there was an unsettling feeling we couldn't kick.

We believe there are wrong reasons to homeschool, just as their are wrong reasons to choose private schooling...and we needed to find out where our hearts were...

My husband dedicated an entire day to fasting and prayer in regards to this decision.  The end result was the Lord telling him...

"raise them for my glory"

To which my husband asked, "So what does that mean, CCA or homeschool?"

and the Lord answered "YOU raise them for my glory"

Afterall, it's our job to raise them, right?  It's not the job of paid staff (no matter how wonderful they may be)

...Because I am the Lord's choice for my children.  I am their steward. 

"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." 
Luke 6:40

When it comes down to it, I don't feel a peace about passing my responsibility off to another.  Sure, it's tempting at times...a whole day to myself, not fretting over whether or not they are learning all they "should" learn, knowing they are learning how to be polictically correct in their social skills (oh wait, that's actually something I DO NOT care about!)...but

~the opportunity I have to homeschool is not worth the sacrifice 

of sending their hearts off to another.

I do not feel like I can diligently (as scripture says) carry out some Biblical commands regarding my children without homeschooling them(for example Deuteronomy 6:5-7).

So, in essence, we homeschool because someday my husband and I will be accountable for the lives of our children.  How we trained them, raised them, led them, discipled them, taught them...I don't want to stand before the Lord and say, "we sent them somewhere else for most of that".

Because we know that more happens, in a 7.5 hour school day, than just education by the books.  They are sponges to their environments.  It's our job as parents (and stewards) to decide what is acceptable in that environment...

They are temples, they were bought at a price...so even though they may turn out to be "good kids" no matter what school we choose, we still need to keep a careful watch on what they hear, see, do.  That isn't being "controlling", that is our JOB, our role that the Lord has entrusted us with.

"My education was interrupted only by my schooling"
-Winston Churchill

If we were to send them to school, we would be entrusting 16,000 hours of their young, impressionable life to someone else.  In their youth, they would spend more awake time at school, around acquaintances than with their family.  In that time, they will be shaped and molded by not just teachers, but even-more-so by their peers.  

Sure, if they go to school, I can complain that so-and-so should not sit by my son...or ask that the teacher not talk to my son about this or that, or even throw a fit when another student describes something in detail to my son that will change the course of his life forever...

Or I could just homeschool them and know what they are hearing, seeing, doing.

My husband and I know first hand that a Christian school is not always a safe place for children...even for the littlest, purest of hearts.

I want to be clear though, that we don't homeschool out of fear.  That's not our drive at all.  We homeschool out of conviction and freedom.  Not fear, not legalism (I'll write about that one soon!).

Yes, I know there are other avenues in which they can be exposed to some dreaded things...not to mention bad attitudes and poor examples.  It may just be inevitable, but in the arena of school (the biggest arena for these influences), this is one less (huge) situation I have to throw them into not knowing what they will be exposed to.

Plus, it's simply just my joy and pleasure to teach my kids from our home.  Yes, there are stressful days.  No, I don't always feel capable.  But thankfully, the Lord is my strength and His mercies are new every morning!

What's more, is that I want my kids to know that I love being with them...that we were entrusted by God to be their stewards and we delight in that duty and don't take it lightly.

So there you have it!  That's why WE homeschool.  Maybe it's not right for everybody...in fact, it might not always be right for us...but right now it's what the Lord wills, so we happily follow the sweet, shepherds voice!

Oh, and did I mention I was homeschooled?!

"If you're so worried about socialization just do the following:
In the morning before school, pull your kids hair and make fun of their socks.

At lunch time, steal their milk money and tell them you don't want to sit by them (you have a friend you like better who you're saving that seat for).

After school, offer them drugs and call them a "momma's boy"...

and voila...your kid has been properly socialized for the day!"

~A quote from a "been there done that" MOMYS

So I haven't covered everything on why we homeschool and our thoughts/feelings on the entire subject (and someday I might add more of my other thoughts) but for now, I'll just add this last thing...

Why don't I think you're wrong for not homeschooling?  Well, first, I'm not going to stand accountable for your decisions, so I just don't go there.  But also, it's not for everyone.  There are families that because of unavoidable circumstances can not homeschool.  For others, they simply don't feel convicted to homeschool and the Lord has led their family in a different direction...thankfully, we're not called to be "cookie cutter Christians"!

Our Family Mission Statement

At our house, we have a "worship table" in our main living area that holds our Family Mission Statement, our Family Vision Statement, our CD player for worship, a copy of the 10 Commandments and a "prayer board" that hold pictures of those we pray for throughout the week.

 

Our Family Vision Statement and Verse:

The Wheeler Family is set apart unto the Lord by bravely and faithfully believing God's Word; conforming to it alone and never to the world around us.

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, 

to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, 

holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, 

what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Our Family Mission Statement:

To glorify God by teaching others to believe, obey and treasure God's Word through preaching, teaching, writing and hospitality. 

John 1:1-2

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
 He was in the beginning with God."

Romans 10:14-15

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? 

And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? 

And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? 

As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

My friend Amy over at RaisingArrows, is doing a "Family Mission Statement Link Up" so hop over there, link your family mission statement up and just be blessed!!!

Quiet Times: With My Kids, For My Kids

In my last post, I talked about how after the kids and I have finished breakfast and our morning chores, we gather in the living room for "Devotions".

This is one of my favorite parts of our mornings and I wanted to share it...

Each boy picks out a Bible (we have a shelf with a wide range of Children's Bibles...keep your eye out for them at garage sales and start collecting!) and they pick a spot on the couch.

I turn on worship music and we sit in silence while we "read" our Bibles.

Most mornings we start out this time, by each of us simply praying out loud, one-by-one, "Jesus, speak to me."  There is NOTHING more precious to me than hearing this phrase come from the mouth of my little boys each morning!

By teaching my boys this habit, my prayer is that they will not only grow used to listening for the Lord, but that they will learn how to recognize His voice.  And every once in a while, my  heart is SO blessed when a boy (usually my 5 year old) will say afterwards, "Momma!  Jesus said __________ to me!"  It's almost always one of the 10 commandments or just "I love you"...THOSE are amazing moments for them and me!!!

Since Trusten is the only one even close to reading, this time of "Devotions" mainly means they look at the pictures and as they see a familiar lesson, they reflect on what they've heard in the past.

And for me, this is a perfect opportunity to get my Bible reading in!  I usually only get one chapter read, but it's often just what I need to lift my gaze and keep me in step with the Spirit!

We end our Devotion time with the boys gathering around to pray.  Usually each boy picks someone or something they want to pray for, but we always pray for our daddy.

I know that I'll remember these precious, group morning devotions forever!  Looking around the room and seeing my boys quietly studying their Bibles is a humbling sight for me!  Then to hear them as their prayers grow and mature is such a blessing to my heart!

This post is linked to Momentous Monday hosted by my friend Tiffany(...check out her blog, they are soon adopting from Ethiopia!)
and it's also linked to...

Daily Chores For The Little Ones

I used to drag in the mornings. I would wake up with a simultaneous prayer and deep sigh.  Before my feet even hit the floor, I was already tired just thinking "here we go again" and we'd start the day.  

I would get running first thing--fixing bowls of cereal, changing diapers, loading dishes, cleaning spills, loading my first pile of laundry into the washer, etc.  My tone most mornings was sour and pitiful.  I often found myself wishing that my mornings weren't so demanding of me.

Then I started giving my kids more credit...and it empowered them (click for link)!  They wanted to help, but my control issues were keeping them from it.  So I eased up on my control and gave them more responsibilities.  Quickly, they became thrilled with helping...they felt proud of the new things they could do and were excited they were allowed to do all these "grown up" things!

Then I just needed to establish a routine that worked to make our mornings less mundane and more about having fun and working together.

So about 4 months ago, I discovered a rhythm for our morning that works SO well for us!  I can honestly say now that...
 I LOVE MY MORNINGS... because they are now "our" mornings!  No more boys vegging in front of a DVD while momma runs around filling bowls and cups, cleaning up messes and dressing the babies...we are a team now!  And I keep telling my hubby, that I actually LOOK FORWARD to our mornings..and I know the kids do to!!!

Our morning rhythm success, has a lot to do with the chores we've set up.  Here's what the chores look like:

Schedule:
I have a post HERE about our schedule, so I won't go into it too much, but basically once we wake up and eat breakfast at the table (no DVD's in the mornings anymore) we start our chores.

First things first: MUSIC
We turn on some upbeat music and get to work!  My friend Amy wrote a great post about this HERE.

Chores by Age: (Morning)
**My 5-year-old, Trusten, is responsible for... 
Rinsing the breakfast dishes, and loading them into washer.
Taking the bedroom laundry to the porch and sorting and/or loading the washer.
Getting dressed, brushing teeth.
Making his bed.

**My 3-year-old, Brahm, is responsible for...
Washing off the breakfast table.
Taking living room laundry to porch and loading it in the washer.
Getting dressed, brushing teeth with mommy.
Making his bed.

**My 2-year-old, Samuel, is responsible for...
Getting all the cups to the counter
Getting dressed, brushing teeth with mommy
Putting any misc items back into his crib that mysteriously made it to the floor during the night.
Getting Bibles out for morning devotions.

All of this must be checked off before we move onto morning devotions!

(Afternoon)
**Trusten (5yo)...
Washing off lunch table
Kitchen clear (toys out of kitchen)
5 minute tidy (the room depends on what is needed)

**Brahm (3yo)
Cups to kitchen 
5 minute tidy (the room depends on what is needed)

**Samuel (2yo)
Shoe tidy (put all shoes on shoe shelf by door and/or straighten up shoes)
5 minute tidy (with Trusten--a bit of early mentoring)

(Evening)
**Trusten (5yo)
Wash off dinner table
10 minute tidy (the room depends on what is needed)

**Brahm (3yo)
Cups to kitchen
10 minute tidy

**Samuel (2yo)
Kitchen clear 
10 minute tidy with Trusten

Of course, now that we have a dog, I may need to tweak our chore chart to include some dog duties!

A few words about our chore chart...
--I used Sharpies for all the writing (each boy picked his own color).
--All the "check marks" are done in dry erase marker...
SO, when the day is over, I wipe off the check marks to prepare for the next day, but the chores and check boxes stay put!

Where are the kid-friendly pictures?
I used to use "chore cards" for the boys that had a picture of a boy brushing his teeth, making his bed, reading his Bible, etc.  We kept them in an envelope, but still, the cards got chewed up, lost or spilled on.

So, I took the "wall chart" route instead.  Honestly, it's more for me than the kids.  They have already gotten so used to the morning flow that they do each task without thinking.  But, I still like to keep track with our check-off chart.

I could have drawn little pictures next to each responsibility, but chose not to.  I don't have anything against that idea, and may even re-do it someday with pictures.

But for now, my kids seem to "get it" without needing picture reminders.

And what better way for them to be introduced to letters and words than by having them recognize which assortment of letters goes with the task they just completed?

It's just another way I can encourage them to read and apply it!


This post is also linked to Real Clean Wednesday and Works For Me Wednesday!


Come back next Wednesday for my part of the chores...how "mommy's" daily chores look and how I schedule the cleaning each week!

"Happy Wife" vs. "Spotless House"

These two rivals used to compete fiercely in this house. And what's worse, is that I used to think both of these competitors could win. And in the beginning of my marriage, they usually did, even though there was always a struggle.

After all, I am a complete and total neat freak--to a great fault. And my husband was..well, a guy!  Hence the struggle!

But then came along baby #1. And while it took some intense training, I quickly learned how to still end the day in a nice tie...10 points Happy Wife, 10 points Spotless House.  Everyone is happy.

Then came baby #2 just 18 months later. I was still in the habit of obsessively arranging each and every toy perfectly on the "toy shelf" with each part in it's respected place and all figurines poised perfectly.

So needless to say, the competition really started to pick up then! The house was usually "a horrible wreck" (meaning toys were on the floor and I hadn't vacuumed in 2 days). Before, I had only THOUGHT the battle was fierce. Now it was getting ugly...and so was Happy Wife. Spotless House usually ended up on top most days. I kept wondering...how can I bring this whole thing into balance again? But it was an uphill battle.

Then the bell rang (per say) and the Lord faithfully stepped into my corner and started to do a work in my heart. It was then He showed me a hard, cold Truth that I had been blind to for years. My house had become an idol.

In many ways I was worshiping and valuing a tidy, "showroom" house above all else and the sad part is, I didn't even know it. The physical state of my home was directing my mood and my heart.

I decided something needed to change...and it was my perspective. I needed to start looking at the eternal things and not the temporal ones.

2 Corinthians 4:18, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

It was STRAINING on my eyes, let me tell ya!  I was so used to letting my eyes rest upon the temporary things!  As I changed my focus, it was a difficult but it has been worth it--it's a much prettier view.

So by the time baby #3 came (again, just 18 months after the last baby), I was ready and prepared to do everything I could to make sure "Happy Wife" won every time. I was determined to keep my eyes on the eternal and not the temporal.

There were still definitely days when the gloves came out and fists were flying...But Spotless House and Happy Wife were learning that they didn't have to start every morning (and end every day) in a fight. In other words, I was learning the condition of my home did NOT need to rule my attitude.

So when baby #4 came onto the scene (yes, once again, just 18 months later!) I had really learned to master my flesh. I could logically talk myself into the fact that it's okay if laundry is sitting in the basket not folded, the dining room table hadn't been cleared off and all the linens and pillows in the house are in a pile in the living room for the conventional need of a "landing pad". I was training myself that those things were temporal and did NOT mean Happy Wife went on vacation!

Now that I have 4 little ones, there are often messes left here and there. More times than not there are dishes piled in the sink and laundry is still sitting on the couch waiting to be put away.

But Happy Wife has taken over this house. On most days, our house is still pretty clean and tidy (I'm still working on not obsessing!) but one thing is true...I have finally started to believe and apply what my husband has told me all along,

"I'd rather come home to a happy wife than a spotless house."

And if it's a Happy Wife he wants, I'm determined that Happy Wife is what I'm gonna strive to give him!

Why Am I Looking At This?

Style. 

Spelling.

Addition.

Athletics.

Popularity.

Socialization.

I keep getting distracted by these things in my children's lives.

I keep being tricked into thinking that what I see about my children, is what matters.

I keep being deceived that my kids should be at a certain stage in life because of what others say...or just because of what I see other kids doing.

But what does it matter...Really?  What if Samuel can't ever dribble a basketball?  What if Brahm never learns that head-to-toe camo isn't "cool"?  What if Trusten doesn't learn to spell until he's 10?  What does it matter?

Sure, the "experts" say...

Sure, my pride may get hurt at times...

But what I want to know is what does God say?

1 Samuel 16:7 

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

I'm convicted today that I need to do the same.

Teaching Them To Be Doers Of The Word, Not Mere Hearers

James 1:22-25

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

"A doer who acts..."

This is something we are always trying to do with our boys.  Well, actually, lately we've been slacking on this, but we're seeing how we need to get back in the habit of teaching this way.

When we correct them, instead of just telling them what they should have done, we try to always make them do it over the right way so they know what to do next time because they have practiced it.

This is one of the most effective discipline tools that we use.  But, it's also one of the hardest because it means more work for us as parents.  (Which is probably why we've been slacking on it lately)

It's much easier to just say "next time, do xyz" than to actually walk them through what xyz looks like.  It's pretty tiring, especially when it's three children multiple times a day!

In the long run, though, we know it will save us a lot of heartache and hassle.  It may take more time now, but the lesson of acting upon what they hear will hopefully benefit them in years to come.

"Being no hearer who forgets..."

We used to find ourselves correcting our boys for the same things over and over.  Were they just not listening?  Were we not explaining it the right way?  No.  We made them look at us (insuring we had their attention) and made them repeat it to us (insuring they understood)...

They were simply forgetting because they would act out of instinct since they hadn't tried another way.

But once we started having them immediately act (literally) on our correction, we started to see big changes in their behavior. 

We give them a chance to...
***Hear how to do it right next time

***See how to do it right next time

***Practice how to do it right next time

This way, they have no doubt what was expected of them.

"He will be blessed in his doing"

The boys think this is great fun.  They call it "playing Do Over".

Once they re-play the wrong thing and replace it by doing the right thing, we always remind them that there is blessing is hearing and doing what the Word says.

We often tell our boys that even though it's sometimes hard to obey, there is great reward in doing so.  All three of our boys know by heart that scripture says their days will be long and it will go well with them if they obey us, as the Lord has commanded.  Thankfully, this is something the boys understand and desire!

And our prayer is that practice, will make perfect!

Matthew 5:48

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Hmm...Now if Ryan and I could only start practicing this with our boys all the time, instead of just talking about it :)

Worshipping "here" not just "there"

"I will fall at your feet.

I will fall at your feet.

And I will worship you here."

As we sang this phrase from a popular Hillsong over and over last Sunday at church, it just hit me like a ton of bricks.

The Lord had my attention.

This is what I've been missing...falling and worshiping here.  "Here" is not "there" in our church sanctuary.  "Here" is the place I'm at in life right now. 

"Here" is 4 kids under 5 who are constantly wanting things from me all day.
"Here" is wiping up pee off the bathroom floor AGAIN because someone missed the toilet.
"Here" is hardly sitting down all day expect to feed my sweet baby girl.
"Here" is making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the millionth time.
"Here" is folding the same basket of laundry twice because someone accidentally dumped it out.
"Here" is reminding my arguing boys, once more, that toys are not more important than one another...and that toys are not worth so many tears.

But most importantly, "Here" is where I need to be worshiping.

"Here" is a really, really hard place for me sometimes.  It's a constant pouring out and giving of myself.  But at other times "Here" is the joy of my entire being.  A selfless living that makes me glad I am nothing but a wife and a mom.

The truth is, falling and worshiping at church is easy.  The whole tone of Sunday morning is one for experiencing God.  And my heart is ready and waiting on Sunday mornings to experience him.

But what about the rest of the week?  Sure, I think about the Lord many times throughout my day.  I pray little prayers all day long.  I recite scripture to my boys as we carry on with daily tasks.  But what about my worship in my everyday, mundane tasks?

As I continually pour out and give of myself, what is God getting?  In other words, am I doing it all for Him and His Name's sake?

So I'm going to start working on this...falling and worshiping HERE.

And if I happen to stumble in the midst of my day, at least I know I'll find myself falling at His feet and not laying in front of an idol called "Me".

New Mercies!...and Mercy Donuts!

Yesterday was just one of those days...disobedience seemed to be lurking around every corner. But it didn't need to merely lurk for long...my boys were more than willing to play!

It seemed constant and as if there was no end in sight. No matter how many times I corrected, reminded, redirected or punished their behavior, the disobedience just kept on persisting.

By lunch time, I had had it. I was tired, discouraged and over-all weary. I wasn't using speech seasoned with grace, instead I was letting my boys know I was highly disappointed...in them and in my parenting.

After enduring their consequences, (which included no fruit with their lunch) it was nap time. I was thankful for the quiet, but still felt discouraged (again, in not only their behavior, but mine too).

I had a good talk with the Lord and felt hopeful and determined not to grow weary.

After naps, the boys' consequences continued on during the the remainder of the day. No sweets, no DVD's, no trip to the library...and when they would start to whine about their depravity, Ryan would remind them of Lamentations 3:22-23

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."

"Trusten and Brahm, the Lords love never ceases, and our love doesn't cease either. There are times, though, we must reap what we sow. But the hope and promise is that there are new mercies every morning!"

So they were sad, but hopeful...a beautiful combination!

This morning they woke up especially early (6:40 am!) and crawled in bed with me, I hugged them tight and whispered "Guess what?"

They knew the first answer, it's how we start every morning. So they both chimed "this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it".

I said, "That's right! But guess what else? Mercies are new today!"

And I felt the Truth of that promise! I could almost literally see and touch and feel the new mercies. It was thick in our house...what an amazing feeling!

We walked to the kitchen, and there on the counter was a bag of donut holes for each boy (and a donut for me!). A "new mercies" present from daddy.

And you know what? It's been a great day! Thank you Lord for your mercies to not only my boys, but to me as well!

He's our Wonderful Wrestler?

For the month of December, the memory verse I've introduced to the boys is Isaiah 9:6,
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

As we have been learning and studying this verse, both a funny and a special story have happened in the past few days.

First the special story:
As I am teaching T-Man and Boo to study the scriptures, I've been pausing after each phrase and explaining it using other scriptures. I read "For to us a child is born" and ask the boys, "Who is this child who was born to us?" They exclaim "JESUS!" Then I say, " '...to us a son is given'. Who gave His only son?" They exclaim again saying "GOD!".

So during family worship Tuesday evening we're going over all this with daddy and talking about the Trinity as seen in this verse. We could tell T-Man's wheels were turning (we LOVE it when we see this happening!) and he asked us "So if Jesus is God's son, who's son is the Holy Spirit?"

It was such a precious time to be able to explain how God is one, but in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. He really, really got it and it just made me think about how often I think of the Trinity without being shaken with awe at how great and awesome our God is and all three of His persons.

Now for the funny:
As we memorize this scripture I'm going to add a "name" for Jesus as we go, so I can explain it in depth to them. So, right now we're focusing on "Wonderful Counselor".

When I asked -Man this morning to quote the verse to me, he got to "And his name shall be called..." paused for a long time thinking quietly and finally said, "Wonderful....Wonderful....Wonderful Wrestler?"
It was so funny that I laughed and he looked at me very seriously and said, "Momma this is not something to laugh about".

~Oh how I LOVE my "job"!!!