I picked it up again about a week ago to look over it more in depth. It looks like this will be the next evening family reading book. It is basic enough for the twins, and engaging enough for Michael and Kate. It is not activity based (which was my first impression....), but instead discussion based which means we can go more in depth with the older ones, but the twins can still have a meaningful part in the conversation. And, something that is very important to us as a family, it keeps on with the "Big Picture" theme. One of our biggest complaints with most "children's bible story books" is the disconnect and "character study" type lessons. The bible is a big continuing story, and although knowledge of biblical characters is helpful, without the Gospel remaining the main theme, you have a collection of "nice stories". Meade stays true to keeping God's redemption the main theme. It is put out by Crossway (www.crossway.org/blog). We are looking forward to using as part of our evening family worship!
Monday, May 17, 2010
A book I didn't want to like....
We were given a copy of a book called "Mighty Acts of God" by Starr Meade. This was a book I had seen over and over in my "travels" while searching for books. It was one that had come recommended, and I actually had it in a list of books I wanted to get a hold of when we were given our copy. When I first pulled it out of the box and flipped through it, I put it down almost right away. For whatever reason, it seemed too involved for what I was doing at the time. At the same time, our boys are transitioning out of the "Big Picture Story Bible" and reading it themselves, so we were beginning to look over the "next level" of book for them, since the "Big Truths for Young Hearts" book is still a little rough for them to comprehend.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Maybe weekly is a reasonable goal....
Well - today I am updating during the time we are supposed to be at Push the Rock. We aren't at PTR as the twins are not feeling well. To be honest I am not feeling well either, and last night Mike asked if he could have a box of tissues to bring to work. He isn't 100% either. He has been working 6 AM until 5:40 ish PM so far this week. We are in week two of training out of three - almost half through!! Then his schedule will go back to 7 AM until done (and they will be working at full staff at that point). They are also hiring 18 more people (possibly) as actual employees. He has two exams and a project due this week - and he is done for the semester. I think we are both looking forward to that being over. With all the overtime he has had to work, his grades have suffered a bit. Not much, but enough for us both to be a bit concerned about the timing of his degree.
I have several things on my heart as far as both prayer requests and just general blessings that we have seen in the last 48 hours or so (God is amazing!), but first an update on the "rest of us".
Michael Ben is having his best allergy year in a long time. He is starting to get the bug to get outside a lot more, and I am grateful that that seems to be a possibility (after the rain is over...). Kate is growing really fast and has been helping me out a whole lot around here. I am really enjoying her - she is very perceptive and sometimes even asks if I need something before I even realize I need it. She is changing so fast! Chris is perfecting his writing. He also knows just how to tilt his head so mommy says yes. He course corrects me a lot with his winsomeness. I helps me realize I don't have to "always" say no... Stephen is reading up a storm. I have never seen anything like it . He read the word "comfortable" to me in a book he picked up and I almost hit the floor! Homeschooling has its surprises even for the teacher!
Mike is an amazing man. We had a good long conversation last night (at least a lot longer than we have been able to have in a while - you know women - it's never quite long enough for me!) about where we are and what we think we are called to do. Since everything started moving everywhere at once we have felt kind of "reactive". As I had alluded to in an earlier post, there were some things that we were setting aside as we felt called to this really crazy season. You know - for me I like to pick a direction and go there until it ends or gets abruptly interrupted. There is safety in a plan. I am 33 - and guess what - I just figured out that life doesn't work that way. Always thought it was wisdom - now wondering if it was safety - or laziness. Figure it out, let it "run itself", move on to the next thing. Mike has always been a more reasonable view in that. I want to know why the washer we bought didn't last forever - I had checked that off of my list of things to do. He is the one saying - um... let's get over that now. God is good to have us opposite - Mike keeps me sane. Well - maybe most of the time. But that's another post - maybe one called "Why until I got married did I think I was sane". But I digress.
What has happened over the last 48 ish hours? Well - we had the honor of having lunch with a very dear family to us on Sunday that asked us some questions that seemed at the time to be pretty straight forward, but triggered something in both of our minds that lead to more questions. Vague, I know. Let me fill in some blanks.
Mike is working insane hours right now to support our family. Mike is doing school part time. Mike is finishing the semester and we have a choice to make. Continue with school in the hope that his schedule at work lessens up quickly or take 8 weeks (or more) off?
Mike is feeling an emptiness in his heart where he had held something close that was put aside so he could work said hours and do school in any and all free time that he had (including any family, us, or church time). This job will provide for our needs if he becomes a permanent employee - but our needs could be even "better" provided for if he "moved up higher" in the company by pursuing an interest he has. That interest, if he pursued it and he was successful in his pursuit would move us out of this area into the Exton, PA area. Our friends asked us if there weren't other job opportunities that would allow us to stay in the Valley. Mike said no - as far as he knows, if he is going to get a job that uses his recent degree we would have to move somewhere. Me, being completely ignorant of geography only knew that Exton meant south. And one of our desires is to move south, right? Souderton is south.
Yeah. I looked up Exton on Google Maps (love that thing). Exton is beautiful I am sure. There is even an SGM church in Downingtown (a new plant) which is 5 minutes from Exton. Logic would then dictate that if SGM has a plant down there it is no where near Souderton. Like 45 minutes too far south. Is it "wrong" for us to pursue that?
Sinful - no. But then there is that "call" close to my husbands heart. And that call has a whole lot to do with Souderton and the Lehigh Valley. And by staying where he is, and not "moving up" necessarily in this company, but being content with the provision God is giving us through the job He has already provided, and waiting to see if God has indeed closed a door, or we just got really tired in the waiting (which can be translated impatient, but also just weary), we may be surprised to find He has gone before us (Ps 139:5). By taking some time off of school, Mike would be opening time up to pursue that call he really feels God is leading him to do, and would also benefit us as a couple and family since when he was here then, he would be here and not "in the tower". We would be able to spend time together again instead of passing each other.
Is this wise? I know that James tells us that if we lack wisdom we should ask God for it. And we both took time yesterday before we talked to do that. I also benefitted from some very wise counsel from my Care Group leader's wife (thanks Laura!), as she patiently listened to me rattle off a host of "issues" I was having in complete confusion. She listened as I cried about how complicated it seemed and how tough this has been. How I wanted to do better. She answered with a phrase that really stuck out. "Is this necessary?" Is it necessary for Mike to be doing the amount of school he is doing right now - at this moment? I knew the answer to that - and it had changed over the last few weeks. The answer was "no". No. It isn't necessary. It was "the plan". Mike and I talked last night. He already had the same conclusion. No. No more. Not for the next semester any way. He is building relationships at work. He will finish this week and turn his energy back into us, his family, and begin to redirect his thought back to his leading as well. Come fall, we may have another change of direction in this area. He is all set up with financial aid and other things for that time should we choose to start up again. There was a peace last night as we finished our talk. It was good.
And this morning, at the meeting they have at work, it was announced that they had just created a management position. One that requires a degree in Business Administration (Mike's recent degree). They encouraged those in the warehouse to apply. The position would be at the Allentown Facility. He takes the test on Friday, and the application process opens up on Monday. Could this be our answer already? I don't know that either. It is a matter of prayer for sure, and anticipation - not just that maybe this is "that job" we were hoping for, but also that if it isn't, God is still doing something beyond all we could ask or imagine.
I have several things on my heart as far as both prayer requests and just general blessings that we have seen in the last 48 hours or so (God is amazing!), but first an update on the "rest of us".
Michael Ben is having his best allergy year in a long time. He is starting to get the bug to get outside a lot more, and I am grateful that that seems to be a possibility (after the rain is over...). Kate is growing really fast and has been helping me out a whole lot around here. I am really enjoying her - she is very perceptive and sometimes even asks if I need something before I even realize I need it. She is changing so fast! Chris is perfecting his writing. He also knows just how to tilt his head so mommy says yes. He course corrects me a lot with his winsomeness. I helps me realize I don't have to "always" say no... Stephen is reading up a storm. I have never seen anything like it . He read the word "comfortable" to me in a book he picked up and I almost hit the floor! Homeschooling has its surprises even for the teacher!
Mike is an amazing man. We had a good long conversation last night (at least a lot longer than we have been able to have in a while - you know women - it's never quite long enough for me!) about where we are and what we think we are called to do. Since everything started moving everywhere at once we have felt kind of "reactive". As I had alluded to in an earlier post, there were some things that we were setting aside as we felt called to this really crazy season. You know - for me I like to pick a direction and go there until it ends or gets abruptly interrupted. There is safety in a plan. I am 33 - and guess what - I just figured out that life doesn't work that way. Always thought it was wisdom - now wondering if it was safety - or laziness. Figure it out, let it "run itself", move on to the next thing. Mike has always been a more reasonable view in that. I want to know why the washer we bought didn't last forever - I had checked that off of my list of things to do. He is the one saying - um... let's get over that now. God is good to have us opposite - Mike keeps me sane. Well - maybe most of the time. But that's another post - maybe one called "Why until I got married did I think I was sane". But I digress.
What has happened over the last 48 ish hours? Well - we had the honor of having lunch with a very dear family to us on Sunday that asked us some questions that seemed at the time to be pretty straight forward, but triggered something in both of our minds that lead to more questions. Vague, I know. Let me fill in some blanks.
Mike is working insane hours right now to support our family. Mike is doing school part time. Mike is finishing the semester and we have a choice to make. Continue with school in the hope that his schedule at work lessens up quickly or take 8 weeks (or more) off?
Mike is feeling an emptiness in his heart where he had held something close that was put aside so he could work said hours and do school in any and all free time that he had (including any family, us, or church time). This job will provide for our needs if he becomes a permanent employee - but our needs could be even "better" provided for if he "moved up higher" in the company by pursuing an interest he has. That interest, if he pursued it and he was successful in his pursuit would move us out of this area into the Exton, PA area. Our friends asked us if there weren't other job opportunities that would allow us to stay in the Valley. Mike said no - as far as he knows, if he is going to get a job that uses his recent degree we would have to move somewhere. Me, being completely ignorant of geography only knew that Exton meant south. And one of our desires is to move south, right? Souderton is south.
Yeah. I looked up Exton on Google Maps (love that thing). Exton is beautiful I am sure. There is even an SGM church in Downingtown (a new plant) which is 5 minutes from Exton. Logic would then dictate that if SGM has a plant down there it is no where near Souderton. Like 45 minutes too far south. Is it "wrong" for us to pursue that?
Sinful - no. But then there is that "call" close to my husbands heart. And that call has a whole lot to do with Souderton and the Lehigh Valley. And by staying where he is, and not "moving up" necessarily in this company, but being content with the provision God is giving us through the job He has already provided, and waiting to see if God has indeed closed a door, or we just got really tired in the waiting (which can be translated impatient, but also just weary), we may be surprised to find He has gone before us (Ps 139:5). By taking some time off of school, Mike would be opening time up to pursue that call he really feels God is leading him to do, and would also benefit us as a couple and family since when he was here then, he would be here and not "in the tower". We would be able to spend time together again instead of passing each other.
Is this wise? I know that James tells us that if we lack wisdom we should ask God for it. And we both took time yesterday before we talked to do that. I also benefitted from some very wise counsel from my Care Group leader's wife (thanks Laura!), as she patiently listened to me rattle off a host of "issues" I was having in complete confusion. She listened as I cried about how complicated it seemed and how tough this has been. How I wanted to do better. She answered with a phrase that really stuck out. "Is this necessary?" Is it necessary for Mike to be doing the amount of school he is doing right now - at this moment? I knew the answer to that - and it had changed over the last few weeks. The answer was "no". No. It isn't necessary. It was "the plan". Mike and I talked last night. He already had the same conclusion. No. No more. Not for the next semester any way. He is building relationships at work. He will finish this week and turn his energy back into us, his family, and begin to redirect his thought back to his leading as well. Come fall, we may have another change of direction in this area. He is all set up with financial aid and other things for that time should we choose to start up again. There was a peace last night as we finished our talk. It was good.
And this morning, at the meeting they have at work, it was announced that they had just created a management position. One that requires a degree in Business Administration (Mike's recent degree). They encouraged those in the warehouse to apply. The position would be at the Allentown Facility. He takes the test on Friday, and the application process opens up on Monday. Could this be our answer already? I don't know that either. It is a matter of prayer for sure, and anticipation - not just that maybe this is "that job" we were hoping for, but also that if it isn't, God is still doing something beyond all we could ask or imagine.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thank you!
To all of you who have been praying for us - thank you so much. Today was a "good" day all things considered. I managed to school all the kids half way and half the kids the full way (don't ask...), grocery shop for the week, catch up the laundry, clean the kitchen, clean half the dining room, and babysit my niece half the day (she is 7, so I don't even know she is here to be honest). I am so grateful for today. And here lies the challenge.
How will I be tomorrow?
Not how will tomorrow go, but will my contentment be based in my circumstances tomorrow? If (and if I'm honest, more than likely) tomorrow doesn't show near the "progress" today showed, will my joy disappear?
We had a wonderfully convicting sermon on that this past week. Didn't really want to listen to it last night (we had been told the content, and given some recent "struggles" were not looking forward to hearing it), and, sure enough, it hit pretty hard. And yet - His mercies are new every morning - and He gives more grace......
How will I be tomorrow?
Not how will tomorrow go, but will my contentment be based in my circumstances tomorrow? If (and if I'm honest, more than likely) tomorrow doesn't show near the "progress" today showed, will my joy disappear?
We had a wonderfully convicting sermon on that this past week. Didn't really want to listen to it last night (we had been told the content, and given some recent "struggles" were not looking forward to hearing it), and, sure enough, it hit pretty hard. And yet - His mercies are new every morning - and He gives more grace......
Monday, April 12, 2010
Last week.....
Well - here is how last week went. Mike got out of work at 8:15 PM Monday night, 6 PM Tuesday night, 6 PM Wednesday night, 5 PM Thursday and Friday. Add 45 minute commute, as those were the times he left the parking lot. Tuesday night we met him in Allentown with dinner - he ate in the car on the way to Care Group. Praise God he made it to Care group - they kept their word on his out time - and he didn't have to feel guilty about leaving as they worked hard and all got out at 6. These are the facts.
How did my heart do?
Not so good. Entered the week with the best of intentions. By Tuesday - Tuesday!!! - I was already heading down. Mike was very gracious through the end of the week as the house steadily went down hill, and the dinner became more "creative" - hot dogs? Breakfast cereal? Really? And my attitude? By Friday night, I was telling him in tears I cannot do this!!! I feel like we never see him! The weekend came just in time on that front. Friday night we had a "Family Movie Night". No school that night. He did school all Saturday morning - but spent Saturday afternoon helping the kids put together their "box gardens". He also told me they had a meeting on Wednesday, and one of their major accounts is almost filled for the year, so the more intense overtime should back down by the end of this week I am being stretched to flex a different way every day. I never know when he is coming home until 2:30 in the afternoon - and even then it is an estimate. Not only that, but I didn't come through with some promises that I had made to some very dear friends on Sunday. We were blessed to be able to spend our Sunday with some friends who have a rather lengthy history with us. I had it in my head one way (which of course included being right there on the ball!!), and even told them some plans I had thought of. I pulled off maybe 50% of them. They were so gracious - never even mentioned the "missing" components. I failed.
Isn't God good? I failed. My view of my competency failed. And you know what didn't fail? The grace of God. My head and heart took a turn - but He remained. He worked through my friends - and their grace toward me - even going so far as expressing thanks for our time together. He worked through our meeting on Sunday - the sermon was about living in our inheritance now - and tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit. A gracious and gentle reminder to my soul. Worship included the song "Completely Done" (this song also has a personal history with me..) which had the lyric
"I don't know what lies ahead. What if I fail again? You are my confidence - you'll keep me to the end. I'm leaving my fears behind me now. The old is gone, the new has come. What you complete is completely done."
Some other verses come to mind (some of which I frequently refer to and cling to.....)
Psalm 103:8-14
8The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
God knows that I am dust - that, in my own strength - I will fail. I will come to the end of myself. That is a good place to be - but there are other promises as well. 2 Peter days He has granted me all things that pertain to life and godliness!!
2 Peter 1:3-11
3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ephesians phrases is a different way - but the concept remains :
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
I have all I need to grow in Him. He has promised me every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. He has sealed me with the Holy Spirit. He will finish the work He has begun. And I will be changed.
How's my heart?
To be honest - I am still struggling. I am repeating these verses to myself because they are truth. His words are true. God is meeting me in the struggle. He is there. The struggle is there. The challenge lies in who I am going to believe. Me or Him? As I call out "I believe - help my unbelief" He even grants me the faith I need to trust Him and believe in Him. That is amazing grace......
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Day 3 :) !!
What a week it has been! We are on day 3 of Mike's "real" schedule. Want to hear the funniest thing??
He has not left work after 5:30 one time so far......!!!! :) We have been warned that today may be different in that for some unknown reason, they seem to get a lot of orders the last day of the month - so sometimes it is a long day. To give you an idea - as a 40 person team, they moved 32,000 tires yesterday. Mike moved 600 himself. Crazy people. And - his direct manager has a policy of pushing them to get done by 5. Mike says from 4:30 on it gets really crazy. The radio apparently goes off incessantly with calls to push harder - they can get out.... Apparently that gets results.... he is averaging getting on the road at 5:30. They don't know until they go in what they are looking at order wise for the day - so you never know. This does amount to a 7 am - 5:30 pm shift (10 solid hours of work), and he is sore and tired, but in a good way.
We are holding our own over here as well. Yesterday was tougher than Monday because we had to leave at lunch for gym. It is easier to get stuff done when I am home. But - a friend and I were able to get together for lunch and she introduced my to the wonders of Wegman's (thanks Lisa!!) - so maybe going to the grocery store won't be so bad after all... And it will not have to be done on weekends then - and the kids are at gym, so I should be able to get it done pretty quick since I will be by myself. That will be weird.
The next few days I have something in the afternoon every day. I will see how that goes. I may have to keep that minimal. Tues. is gym, Fri. is swimming - those two days are not optional - but there aren't that many weeks left in those classes. and we only have 6 weeks of school left!! Then things should ease up a bit. We are itching to get outside!!! I am glad to hear that this weekend is slated to be really, really nice. I know we have to have rain sometimes, but the last two days have been yucky. Ready for the sun. Easter is going to be beautiful in so many ways!!!
Thank you for your prayers!!
He has not left work after 5:30 one time so far......!!!! :) We have been warned that today may be different in that for some unknown reason, they seem to get a lot of orders the last day of the month - so sometimes it is a long day. To give you an idea - as a 40 person team, they moved 32,000 tires yesterday. Mike moved 600 himself. Crazy people. And - his direct manager has a policy of pushing them to get done by 5. Mike says from 4:30 on it gets really crazy. The radio apparently goes off incessantly with calls to push harder - they can get out.... Apparently that gets results.... he is averaging getting on the road at 5:30. They don't know until they go in what they are looking at order wise for the day - so you never know. This does amount to a 7 am - 5:30 pm shift (10 solid hours of work), and he is sore and tired, but in a good way.
We are holding our own over here as well. Yesterday was tougher than Monday because we had to leave at lunch for gym. It is easier to get stuff done when I am home. But - a friend and I were able to get together for lunch and she introduced my to the wonders of Wegman's (thanks Lisa!!) - so maybe going to the grocery store won't be so bad after all... And it will not have to be done on weekends then - and the kids are at gym, so I should be able to get it done pretty quick since I will be by myself. That will be weird.
The next few days I have something in the afternoon every day. I will see how that goes. I may have to keep that minimal. Tues. is gym, Fri. is swimming - those two days are not optional - but there aren't that many weeks left in those classes. and we only have 6 weeks of school left!! Then things should ease up a bit. We are itching to get outside!!! I am glad to hear that this weekend is slated to be really, really nice. I know we have to have rain sometimes, but the last two days have been yucky. Ready for the sun. Easter is going to be beautiful in so many ways!!!
Thank you for your prayers!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
On transitions and the grace of God....
Hi all!! We have gotten to that day. That day that ends our 15 month transition. Mike went back to work last Monday.
He is working in a tire warehouse. Funny thing is - he actually likes it. Don't get me wrong - it isn't his ideal career. It isn't what he wants to be doing. But it is the opportunity God has given him at this time to provide for our family, and isn't it kind of God to have his heart in a place where he is enjoying the provision God has granted!! There are details to be worked out schedule wise, money wise (this was a drastic reduction in pay), and goal wise (he is still in school - 2 classes a semester and he will have his BA in Biblical Studies by next May if we figured right), but as we look over the ways God has ordered our steps over the last season (who are we kidding!! over our LIVES!!) we have full confidence in the God of our salvation! So - we are still in adjusting as we have just finished week 1 (training), and as of tomorrow his "real" schedule starts. He is really enjoying school as well (and so far doing really well! He is on week 4 of 8 starting this week). He is tired, but in a lot of ways it is amazing how happy he is to be working again.
As for the rest of us, we are hanging on tight. On Thursday, we got home from the store and when we walked in, Chris loudly announced "Dad! We're home!" - to an empty house. He doesn't see Mike leave in the morning since he has to be in by 7 AM, and thought he was "in the tower" (our attic) working on school. We are getting used to not being able to get to daddy whenever we want - he can't have his cell at all in the warehouse, so it's breaks and lunch only. We are not used to that - me included! I didn't realize how used to him being around we had gotten! Last week was a challenge for me since once he gets home he really can't do too much - it is manual labor, and he has been up since 5 - so he isn't really anxious to be taking on anything extra after that - nor should he be. I have to get my A game going for sure from now on. I kept repeating to myself last week - "It's week 1. It's week 1. This is an adjustment period. It's week 1." By Friday I was feeling it - and didn't have half the stuff done that needed doing. But - that was week 1 :) !
We sat down today and attempted to get some semblance of a schedule planned. Here is where you guys come in. Like I mentioned, this is a pretty severe adjustment for our family. We are going from Mike being busy, but around, to Mike being busy and working 55 + hours a week. My brain is reeling from that number, and that is without the time he needs to get his school done, or the commute time. We already have needs that we would love to have you lift up to our Father (a post on that coming - we had an EXCELLENT sermon today!!) as we step out in faith believing that this is what God has for us in this season. We have desires that may have to be set aside during this time. We have what is looking like a REALLY tight schedule for the forseeable future.
Would you pray that Mike's schedule would allow us to attend our Care Group (first and foremost)? The way it looks now, he may not be able to be out of work in time for that to happen. This is a precious means of grace to us, and we are rather unwilling to let it go. He is approaching the scheduler tomorrow about making arrangements that will allow that. Please pray that he would be shown favor in his request. We actually have 6 dates in April that we had already scheduled on the calendar that would necessitate him getting out on time (6 PM) in order for us to keep those commitments. That is his end time, but apparently they don't really follow those end times. Would you pray for strength and endurance for Mike to finish his education as he also works all these hours? Would you pray for protection for our family as our time together will be lessened during this time - that we would enjoy and make good use of the times we are together? Would you pray that we would be strengthened as a couple through this busy season as well - that it would only serve to bring us closer, not make us too busy to remember we are married :) ? Would you pray that I would be faithful in my service to my family - not overwhelmed, but serving with joy and gladness - serving the Lord, my family, having the discernment to take on only what He has for me? That I would be able to prioritize my time as unto Him, and that I wouldn't be lazy? I have a tendency to find things to "fill" my time - they are such good things - and I neglect the things I know I am called to for the sake of those things. It's a "righteous" way of mismanaging my time. My family cannot afford that kind of behavior right now! I also desire joy in this season. All in all, it's a pretty tall order. But I serve a mighty God, and I believe that I am seeking to walk in obedience to Him. He promises the power to do what He has called us to - and I am clinging to that. I want it to be a reality in my life. Would you pray?
He is working in a tire warehouse. Funny thing is - he actually likes it. Don't get me wrong - it isn't his ideal career. It isn't what he wants to be doing. But it is the opportunity God has given him at this time to provide for our family, and isn't it kind of God to have his heart in a place where he is enjoying the provision God has granted!! There are details to be worked out schedule wise, money wise (this was a drastic reduction in pay), and goal wise (he is still in school - 2 classes a semester and he will have his BA in Biblical Studies by next May if we figured right), but as we look over the ways God has ordered our steps over the last season (who are we kidding!! over our LIVES!!) we have full confidence in the God of our salvation! So - we are still in adjusting as we have just finished week 1 (training), and as of tomorrow his "real" schedule starts. He is really enjoying school as well (and so far doing really well! He is on week 4 of 8 starting this week). He is tired, but in a lot of ways it is amazing how happy he is to be working again.
As for the rest of us, we are hanging on tight. On Thursday, we got home from the store and when we walked in, Chris loudly announced "Dad! We're home!" - to an empty house. He doesn't see Mike leave in the morning since he has to be in by 7 AM, and thought he was "in the tower" (our attic) working on school. We are getting used to not being able to get to daddy whenever we want - he can't have his cell at all in the warehouse, so it's breaks and lunch only. We are not used to that - me included! I didn't realize how used to him being around we had gotten! Last week was a challenge for me since once he gets home he really can't do too much - it is manual labor, and he has been up since 5 - so he isn't really anxious to be taking on anything extra after that - nor should he be. I have to get my A game going for sure from now on. I kept repeating to myself last week - "It's week 1. It's week 1. This is an adjustment period. It's week 1." By Friday I was feeling it - and didn't have half the stuff done that needed doing. But - that was week 1 :) !
We sat down today and attempted to get some semblance of a schedule planned. Here is where you guys come in. Like I mentioned, this is a pretty severe adjustment for our family. We are going from Mike being busy, but around, to Mike being busy and working 55 + hours a week. My brain is reeling from that number, and that is without the time he needs to get his school done, or the commute time. We already have needs that we would love to have you lift up to our Father (a post on that coming - we had an EXCELLENT sermon today!!) as we step out in faith believing that this is what God has for us in this season. We have desires that may have to be set aside during this time. We have what is looking like a REALLY tight schedule for the forseeable future.
Would you pray that Mike's schedule would allow us to attend our Care Group (first and foremost)? The way it looks now, he may not be able to be out of work in time for that to happen. This is a precious means of grace to us, and we are rather unwilling to let it go. He is approaching the scheduler tomorrow about making arrangements that will allow that. Please pray that he would be shown favor in his request. We actually have 6 dates in April that we had already scheduled on the calendar that would necessitate him getting out on time (6 PM) in order for us to keep those commitments. That is his end time, but apparently they don't really follow those end times. Would you pray for strength and endurance for Mike to finish his education as he also works all these hours? Would you pray for protection for our family as our time together will be lessened during this time - that we would enjoy and make good use of the times we are together? Would you pray that we would be strengthened as a couple through this busy season as well - that it would only serve to bring us closer, not make us too busy to remember we are married :) ? Would you pray that I would be faithful in my service to my family - not overwhelmed, but serving with joy and gladness - serving the Lord, my family, having the discernment to take on only what He has for me? That I would be able to prioritize my time as unto Him, and that I wouldn't be lazy? I have a tendency to find things to "fill" my time - they are such good things - and I neglect the things I know I am called to for the sake of those things. It's a "righteous" way of mismanaging my time. My family cannot afford that kind of behavior right now! I also desire joy in this season. All in all, it's a pretty tall order. But I serve a mighty God, and I believe that I am seeking to walk in obedience to Him. He promises the power to do what He has called us to - and I am clinging to that. I want it to be a reality in my life. Would you pray?
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Book Review - by Mike
We have been privileged as a family to read a book called "The Big Picture Story Bible". This is by far, the twins absolute favorite book!!! Mike is generally the one that leads the twins each night before bed, so I asked him, and he graciously agreed, to give he and the twins perspective on this book! Here is Mike's opinion :)!
" I did an interview with my twins as to what particular things they like about "The Big Picture Story Bible" and I was pleasantly surprised by the answers they had for me. Christopher and Stephen both liked presentation of the creation story, but when asked what he liked about it, Christopher replied that he really like how "...it showed God's words making the world." Stephen's runaway favorite story was "A Blind Man Sees" (Part 18). When asked what he liked about the story, he replied that it showed how Jesus really loved the blind man.
Other comments about the "Big Picture Story Bible" from not only the twins but also the older two kids were;
"I really like how every story always has a part that talks about Jesus or God (the Father) and how he loves us."
"The illustrations are really neat."
"The story about Revelation helped me know more about the new heaven and new earth."
I as the dad enjoy reading this book to my kids because the stories are constructed to keep the attention of the kids as we read. The illustrations are colorful and support the subject matter, and yet they are not too complex to distract from the story. Each part is just long enough so that important Biblical truths are communicated and all the information can be remembered. Most of all, Mr. Helm brings the amazing and wonderful story of God's plan of salvation, from Genesis to Revelation, into a simple, yet elegantly accurate form that is easy for children (of all ages ) to understand. As I have read these twenty six stories to my children, and then read them several times over afterwards, I have seen my children's knowledge of the overarching plan of God's redemption increased, and I also have been encouraged in my faith."
We loved the book so much we gave out copies for Christmas this year !! For more info on this book or other books published by Crossway check out their blog at www.crossway.org/blog
" I did an interview with my twins as to what particular things they like about "The Big Picture Story Bible" and I was pleasantly surprised by the answers they had for me. Christopher and Stephen both liked presentation of the creation story, but when asked what he liked about it, Christopher replied that he really like how "...it showed God's words making the world." Stephen's runaway favorite story was "A Blind Man Sees" (Part 18). When asked what he liked about the story, he replied that it showed how Jesus really loved the blind man.
Other comments about the "Big Picture Story Bible" from not only the twins but also the older two kids were;
"I really like how every story always has a part that talks about Jesus or God (the Father) and how he loves us."
"The illustrations are really neat."
"The story about Revelation helped me know more about the new heaven and new earth."
I as the dad enjoy reading this book to my kids because the stories are constructed to keep the attention of the kids as we read. The illustrations are colorful and support the subject matter, and yet they are not too complex to distract from the story. Each part is just long enough so that important Biblical truths are communicated and all the information can be remembered. Most of all, Mr. Helm brings the amazing and wonderful story of God's plan of salvation, from Genesis to Revelation, into a simple, yet elegantly accurate form that is easy for children (of all ages ) to understand. As I have read these twenty six stories to my children, and then read them several times over afterwards, I have seen my children's knowledge of the overarching plan of God's redemption increased, and I also have been encouraged in my faith."
We loved the book so much we gave out copies for Christmas this year !! For more info on this book or other books published by Crossway check out their blog at www.crossway.org/blog
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