Blessed Beyond the Curse!

I love Easter time.  Absolutely LOVE it.

I simply cannot imagine being a momma without Easter...without the assurance that I have a Savior who is ALIVE and who is FOR me! And that because of His victory over death, I am able to do all things through HIS strength!

Come what may--long days, hard days, emotional days, days when nothing goes my way, days when I feel ill-equipped and even down-cast...I have the victory over sin and darkness in Him alone!!!

It is because of Easter I know I can call on the sweet name of Jesus and He is quick to come to my side.  And with Him comes life in abundance!  A life that isn't always easy, as I take up my cross, but a life that is BLESSED BEYOND THE CURSE!

So glory in this day that the Lord has given you because He reigns victorious!  Because, come what may, dear friend, if your life is set upon the Rock called Christ, YOU have the VICTORY over anything this day holds thanks to the EMPTY TOMB!  He is ALIVE and offers us LIFE!

Hallelujah!  Thank you Jesus for Easter!  This momma needs my Savior desperately...You are the air I breathe as I struggle to raise up a generation for righteousness, even amongst the clogged toilets and books with all the pages ripped out!  Even still...VICTORY IN JESUS!

I am saved!  I am an overcomer!  I am a joint heir! And, indeed, I AM BLESSED beyond the curse!!!

The Moving Manger

I've already shared how, in our family, we emphasize "Christ-Is-More" at Christmas and I've shared about our "Spiritual Christmas Gifts" that we give our kids each year...

So now I wanted to mention our Moving Manger Scene!

I realize this isn't a new idea for some people, but it's one way we enjoy Christmas and keep our focus on Christ!

When we are putting up our Christmas decorations, we start out with an empty manger.

Then as Christmas day approaches we move Mary and Joseph closer and eventually we start moving the wise men too.

Finally on Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph end up in the stable awaiting their sweet little Baby Jesus.

Christmas morning the kids get to search for the baby Jesus figurine and add him to the manger scene!

The kids love seeing Christmas, literally, getting closer through the moving manger.  And it causes us all to dwell on the reality of the traveling that everyone did and all the sacrifices that were made!

This post linked to Works For Me Wednesday!

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"!)

My Life Is A Pilgrimage--A Thanksgiving Moment

Sometimes life is a challenge.  

Whether it's homeschooling, managing a house full of little ones, or pushing through morning sickness, there are just seasons that are more trying than others.

Today has been one of those trying days.  It's a Monday.  It's the day after a long break.  And it's a day I want to crawl back into bed and magically wake up with happy, routine-following, eager-to-learn kiddos.

But I know it's never that easy.  First comes some self-denial and discipline on my own part...and a cry out to God for help in the form of fresh perspective.

Well, the Lord faithfully brought me some perspective this morning!...and I wanted to share it with you all!

Recently I read an article in a homeschooling magazine about the legacy of Thanksgiving Day and as I reflected on it this afternoon (stirring a pot of mac & cheese with much grumbling) the Lord broke through to me...

Remember the Pilgrims.  

The Pilgrims arrived in a new land totally unfamiliar to them.  In fact, there was nothing comfortable, easy or familiar about their experiences in this new world.  They faced many struggles and trials to say the least--many of them died in the process of settling in America...not to mention how they struggled with hunger, grief, fear and even probably doubt.

But aren't we thankful they persevered?!

They had no idea how their sacrifices would bless an entire nation.  

The Pilgrims couldn't see the future, but they trusted that all the hard work and heartache wasn't in vain.

And just look at where their steadfastness has brought us!  

Sometimes the season of sowing is long and exhausting.  Sometimes I feel like giving up when I don't see signs of the harvest.  Sometimes I need to remember the Pilgrims--their voyage, their endurance and even their God.

Because their God is my God too.

I may not see the fruit of all my labor right now, but I know that scripture is true and that my God is Faithful.

So in the trying seasons of this life, I'll hold onto hope, that as I obey, He is working.

And I'll continue in my pilgrimage of homeschooling knowing that the Lord has plans for all these little Pilgrims that He has entrusted me with...

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Jeremiah 29:11

Our Labor Day Camping Trip

Our family LOVES to camp!  Yes, even when momma is struggling through morning sickness...I was honestly hoping the fresh air would help...I think it did!

Last time we went camping (see link) I was 7 months pregnant with Liberty...(and now look at her!)

I think I've camped while pregnant with each of our kiddos...
I even remember camping when I was 7 months pregnant with this big guy...

So here we are again in our favorite camping spot...

Brats and hotdogs for dinner...

Lots of playing in the dirt and sand...

And finally time to sleep...

The nice thing about camping is that everyone works and plays so hard that bedtime is welcomed by all!

GOOD MORNING CAMPERS!!!

Wanna guess who our morning person is?

Our sweet Daddy cooked us eggs, bacon and sausage for breakfast...

We enjoyed every bite of the yummy breakfast!

Packing up is always a little sad...

This time Liberty wanted to help put the tent away...

We had such a fun time and can't wait to add one more baby to our 3 room tent next year...
and chances are, I'll be pregnant again, so as to not break tradition, of course!!! :)

This post is linked to Wednesdays Walk at Jenilee's blog.

(Liberty was NOT ready to wake up!)

"Not The Mothers Day I Was Expecting It To Be" (and MckLinky Monday)

I'll be honest...this Mothers Day has been a hard one for me.  I was not prepared for it...and even though I knew it was Mothers Day, I was kinda taken off guard by it.  In fact, I cried most of the morning...and not tears of joy...

My sweet husband let me sleep in, so I awoke to some VERY happy boys who had been waiting for me all morning long!

As I walked out of my bedroom, they all chimed "Happy Mothers Time Day" in rounds (still used to saying "Happy Valen-Times Day!") and greeted me with big hugs.  My heart was overjoyed!

Then I see a HUGE box sitting on our front room "coffee table" (an old chest we keep our board games in).  Again, my heart was overjoyed to see that my boys (and Liberty!) had bought me a brand new, fancy set of cookware!!!  Pots, pans, skillets...my dream come true!!!  I have been wanting a new set for a while, but haven't said anything because I know how expensive these can be!

But my hubby (have I mentioned he's the best in the world?) had noticed (see I told you he was the best!) that I needed new cookware, so he took the initiative to buy me an entire 12 piece, commercial grade set!  Wanna know my favorite thing about this gift?  They range in size from small to HUGE (so bring on the big family, Lord!!!)

Then came the best part...the hardest part... My hubby handed me a DVD with "Happy Mothers Day 2010" written on it.  We popped it in the DVD player and it was a video card!

My hubby had taped each one of the boys telling me Happy Mothers Day, what they love about me, what they like to do with me, their favorite thing about me, etc. etc.  Trusten even sang a song he wrote for me!

I bawled...seriously, bawled.  Now, if you know me, you know I cry easily...but rarely do I full-out bawl.

As I watched the amazing video he put together (with an amazing Chopin piece as the background music) I felt so completely and utterly unworthy.  It was not a good feeling.  Then the video ended with Proverbs 31:28-31...If it hadn't been for my boys (who were so thrilled to finally show me their video card) I probably would have run out of the room crying, "no, this is too much...really TOO much."  

I wasn't being modest...nor am I trying to be now, I just honestly could not handle all that they were saying.

This morning as they showered me with love and compliments, I was so very aware of all my short-comings.  I felt like a hypocrite as I watched my children talk about how and why they love me.

"I don't deserve this love!", I thought.  "How can they love me so freely when I lose my temper so often?"  "These kids deserve a mom who doesn't put herself first and grumble when things don't go her way"  The thoughts went on and on.

As the video ended, my kids ran into the dining room for what else, but DONUTS!  (My favorite!)  I walked into the kitchen with my hubby and as he hugged me, I cried some more.  He asked about my tears...knowing they were different than tears of joy.  

I explained to him that I felt unworthy and that I just know I have SO much to work on.  He just hugged me and told me I didn't have to feel worthy of it...that they just loved me...and that none of us should ever feel worthy...but that we should always be desiring to be more than we currently are.

I said "okay", smiled and headed to the dining room, but was still in turmoil.  Eating the donuts, I thought about his words, and tried to let the Truth sink in.  But I still felt so...so...guilty.  I haven't been being the mom that my boys deserve.

So we finished breakfast, took a quick picture of Liberty and I...

(can you tell my eyes are swollen from crying?)

and headed off to church.

The minute the music began, I started feeling better.  I felt the Lord...He was comforting me and sheltering me.  I knew He wanted to speak to me.  So as I wrestled with Liberty (she was really squirmy this morning!), I waited on Him to speak.

Then we started to sing,

"You amaze me.

You amaze me

and I'm overwhelmed by your great love and mercy.

You amaze me."

And that's when I realized I am nothing without His mercy.  I need it everyday.  I may not be the mom I want to me, but I will never get there without God's mercy.

I am a work in progress.  He has began a good work in me and He will faithfully complete it, but I can't expect to just sit by and watch him complete it.  I need to be actively trying to become what He wants me to be...and NEVER settle.  And that's been the problem...I think I've been settling.  That was the guilt I felt...I think I've been giving myself a few too many pats on the back, buying the lie that I've done "good enough" for the day or the week and I don't need to strive or try any more.

And what a great lie from the enemy!  I mean, what other lie would he want me to believe, than one that can get me to stop striving and to just settle.  He doesn't want me to grow anymore.  He doesn't want my kids to be blessed anymore.  He wants all of it to stop...and, what's more, He hopes to even see me loose some ground.

So more than ever, I need the Lords great mercy!!!  I need His mercy to cover over the areas where I lack...and to help me when I've taken my eyes off of Him.

Lord, you TRULY do amaze me!

Thank you that today, when I was overwhelmed by my weaknesses and by what I don't deserve, You showed me your love and mercy.  

Thank you that you reminded me to be "overhelmed" by you...and not myself.  

I need your mercy to help me take my eyes off my victories and my defeats, my accomplishments and my guilt.  

Help me, Lord, to seek your mercies in my mothering...I need you Lord so that I never feel "worthy"...but always be striving, reaching, growing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After church we went out to lunch, then came home to take some more pictures...

We ended up having a WONDERFUL day!  I truly am a blessed Momma!

My favorite quote of the day was Trusten when he said,

"Momma I love you too much to love you just a little bit"

And the day's not over yet!  Once the boys wake up from naps, we're having a cookout and spending the evening outside, playing!

Editing to add: My Mothers Day just got even better!  I won a giveaway over at my friend Jill's blog!  I think I'm gonna choose the framed hymn with cross!  So excited!

This post is also linked to: Momentous Monday and Mom and Me Monday

Now it's YOUR TURN!!!  Link up YOUR Mothers Day post below...(and be sure to visit the others who linked up their posts!  It's a great way to get to know some new bloggin' friends!)

MckLinky Monday--Tell me about your Easter!!!

This week has been FUN!!  Besides the giveaway, I have loved getting to know so many of you and seeing your blogs!!

Plus, it's EASTER, which has made the week even better!  This is, by far, my favorite "holiday" we celebrate.  I have always loved Easter, but I'll admit, I love it even more now that I have kids.

My kids make Easter come alive for me.  They help me to strip away everything that I have become calloused to and expose the raw Truth.

Thursday night during family worship, my husband was sharing with my boys about the events that had happened the 3rd day before Easter.

I was in tears watching my 3 year old son realize, for the first time I think, what Jesus went through and that it was for HIM.

Brahm's eyes were wide and his hands covered his mouth as my husband shared the details.  He was disturbed.  He was shocked.  He was genuinely sad.

How come that's not my response anymore?  Most often, I am moved, but not like he was.  You could almost see it changing him.  Oh, to be like a child!

My 5 year old (pretty familiar with the story by now) followed up my husbands talk with a ongoing list of all the bad things he would have done to the Roman soldiers if he had been there...

"I would have punched 'em in the stomach, then kicked 'em and knocked 'em down.  Then when they were on the ground I would have stepped on their heads and pulled their hair out.  Then I'd poke their eyes..." (it went on to get a little more violent...yikes...how does he think up this stuff?)

But he was honestly offended for Jesus.

My husband let Trusten continue for a little bit describing all the ways he would hurt those "shoulders" (until we decided it needed to stop so that my younger two didn't have nightmares!) and my husband simply said,

"You know what Trusten?  Jesus would not have wanted us to do that...and he doesn't want us to think those things even now.  Because you know what Jesus said as he was dying?..."

"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34)

After a little more explanation, Trusten replied a very bummed-out and thoughtful "Oh."

So I'm reminded this Easter, from my kids, how grotesque and shocking the death of My Savior really was.  I can't just hear it and think "yeah, I know that" but I need to let myself think on it and picture it...that changes a person.

I'm also reminded that more than just the forgiveness of my sins happened on the cross...so did the forgiveness of the ones that I don't think deserved it.

And these reminders make me all the more excited about the best part...when the real party began...
EASTER MORNING!  He's alive!!!  Hey Death, where's your victory?  Hey Death, where's your sting?

**So now I'm wondering, what the Lord has taught you or reminded you of this Easter?

I'm going to MckLinky this post so you can post about what you learned this Easter, then come back here this week to link us to it!

*If you've never used MckLinky, just write a post about the subject above (or find one you've written in the past) then come back here and click on the link below (it says, "You are next!").  
Then a screen will come up and where it says Title (that is what everyone will see) type your name or your blog name and the title of your post.  
Where it says "Link URL", copy and paste the link to your exact post, not just your blog?  Got it?  Got it!

Now link up, sisters!