Starr Christmas 2007

Disclaimer: This post is long and mostly re-caps our Christmas for our long distance family (but you are welcome to read!) and the slide show is LONG as well.


Create Your Own

We have been wonderfully blessed this Christmas with the love and presence of family and friends. Thank you to all who gave and sent wonderful gifts for all of us. Andy (mentioned in the slide show) is Micah and Mark's room mate who moved here in Nov and stayed in our house with the guys while we were in Cali. He is a sweet guy and gave our family really fun gifts. Thanks Andy! Our youngest turned 18 months old on the 26th and the other kiddos are at such a wonderful age for Christmas morning excitement. They were very good about taking turns and waiting patiently for others to open their gifts. We played all day with new toys and games. What fun!

Christmas Eve ended up being just our family, which was unexpected. We had planned on my brother, his friend (we'll call him Jay-more on him later) and Mark. Mark ended up cooking at the guy's house (where Jason and Jay were staying) and invited neighbors over to watch football. Our family had a simple candle light dinner, listened to the Christmas passage from the Bible, and took funny Baby Jesus pictures. We put the kids to bed early, finished wrapping gifts and enjoyed a movie.

My parents arrived Christmas morning around nine with quiche and cinnamon rolls in hand. Mark had to work (RTD never sleeps) and Jason and Jay arrived about an hour later. The day was filled with opening toys packaged like Fort Knox. Thankfully we had all the batteries we needed and there were plenty of people for various games. The trash we created was pretty amazing...but with four kids all getting gifts from an aunt, an uncle, a great uncle, 4 grandparents and 6 great grandparents (as well as a few friends) what else would you expect?!

Mark worked a split shift and came over for a late lunch before returning to work. He said it wasn't busy, but he had some homeless folks get on his bus just to get out of the cold. My parents left around 2. We had a simple spaghetti with meatballs, garlic bread and ceasar salad dinner. Jason and Jay stayed late so they could pick Mark up after his shift was over and go back to the guy's house. All in all it was a wonderful day despite being cooped up inside all day and we were very blessed.

Back to Jay. Jason met him in Boulder (where he goes to CU Boulder) a few months ago. Jay has been homeless for about 8 years. He has an abandoned truck with a covered bed that he sleeps in. Jason has been spending a lot of time with Jay, inviting him to hang out at the frat house and has brought him down here on Saturdays and Sundays for the past few weeks (they stay at the guy's house). Jay's father left when he was young, his mother has joined the Mormon church and says that Jay is unfit for heaven and pretty much ignores him. He has a typical history with drug abuse, ect... He has lots of issues and is on meds for a few things. Currently he is waiting for disability to start and says that because of his metal issues that it's really hard to hold down a job for any length of time. He talks about his future with some hope though. He wants to go to college to be a lawyer ("to fight for the little guy" and "then my mom will be proud of me" as he told my mom). He wants to have a place to live and a normal life.

Overall, I see him as a lost and hurt soul who really needs love. He's been wounded and has a very high and thick wall up so he won't get hurt again. But, I am finding it difficult to show him love. He smells of cigarette smoke mixed with bo, he's pretty grizzly looking and doesn't have the best manners/people skills. I am being totally honest here which is a bit hard. I didn't want to spend my Christmas with him in our house all day! I don't like how he makes everything about him, how he complains about everything and is negative most of the time. I battled my thoughts all day and sort of steered clear of him. My mom was amazing toward him though. She brought him a gift, included him in a game and was just really sweet and kind. The kids have gotten to know him a little over the past month or so and have been totally unbiased to him as well. Emma even climbed up on his lap with a book and asked him to read to her! Upon leaving he thanked us and said it was the best Christmas he's had in a really long time and he doesn't remember when he's had so many home cooked meals. Later that evening he told Jason that being around all of us (including our APC family) has improved his morale. You know as I look back on our day I do not feel like we were robbed of "family time" at all. I am thankful (sort of) for this opportunity to grow!

So, pray for "Jay" that God will reach his lost soul. Pray for my brother as he finds a balance in his friendship with Jay. Jay is the type of person that suffocates a friendship till the other person is done. Jason is feeling this now. Jason just really wants to learn from this and already has grown and learned a lot. It's amazing to see his maturity and love (that is totally from God) towards Jay. Jason wants to help Jay without enabling him to continue down the path he's on. I am praying that Jay will learn and grow from my brother and be open to God who sent Jesus to call sinners to repentance.

I think we all have people who come into our lives who at first glance seem easy to judge. May we be quick to show kindness, love and generosity and very slow to make assumptions or judgments. The world is FULL to the brim of hurting souls in need of a touch, kind word or deed done as unto Jesus by those who love Him. The Bible says we love Him because He first loved us and I think a lot of that love we experience from Him comes through other people here on earth. What are your thoughts?

~Rose

Luke 5:30-32 "And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Happy Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

So, Today is Thanksgiving. I have fond memories of past Thanksgivings. Growing up we usually spent it with my mom's side of the family. Grandma Nina (in Lomita, CA) or Aunt Nina (in Carpinteria, CA) would host and all the aunts and uncles and cousins would gather for card games and the feast! I have 7 cousins on that side. Most years we would not all be together since one family is in Australia and another in Washington. But some years we were all together and then even more family of family would come. I loved it as a kid. The games, the conversation, the good food. It brings tears to my eyes when I think back on those fond memories.

As our family grows and now that we live in Denver, the past few Thanksgivings have been different. The Thanksgiving after 911 Desi spent in New York. Grandma Nina had passed away less than a week before 9/11 so we gathered around Grandpa Dave and tried to enjoy the holiday without the one who made it most special. Other years we have spent it with our church family in Denver. This year we find ourselves in California with Desi's family. His grandmother Maxine is in the hospital and won't be with us today. She's been in for almost a week now. They discovered an ulcer, black spots on her lungs and she has penumonia. She should get out tomorrow. Pray for her recovery! Desi is down there now with his mom and grandfather. We will have dinner together this afternoon. We are thankful to be here now and to have this time with Desi's parents, sister and grandparents.

Speaking of thankful, I love the focus of Thanksgiving. Giving thanks is good to do-all the time. It's amazing how it will put things into perspective when you are struggling with something. I pray that you are able to spend some time today (and each day) giving thanks to God from whom all blessings flow. Spend time with your family and friends. Turn the TV off and go on a walk. Talk. Pray. Look into the eyes of those you love and tell them what they mean to you. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. Make the most of today!

I thank you...my blog friends and readers. You are a blessing to me. I blog for soul adjustment and perspective. I hope that I do not paint this "perfect" picture of my life...but rather just honest depictions of little snippets of my life. The "highlights" if you will. Sometimes I confess my sins, my hopes, my strong beliefs and my dreams. Thank you for accepting me for who I am and joining me in my journey. I have enjoyed being a "part" of your lives as well.
~Rose

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Home School Weekly Digest

So last week Hope learned about how Jesus is the giver of living water. Boy it's interesting to talk to her about our spirit vs physical bodies and how we can thirst in both ways. We read about the woman at the well and how Jesus told her that if she drank the water He would give her she would never thirst again.

I was talking to my brother about it Friday night...the difference between our bodies and our spirits...and how we are truly spiritual beings.

He quoted C.S. Lewis: "You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."

Ponder that one for awhile!

We learned more about George Washington this week and how he became our first president.


We made Johnny Cakes out of cornmeal...another pioneer dish. It was commonly served with apple butter (which I found at the store). We enjoyed a tea party with the Johnny Cakes, apple butter and tea.
How fun...and messy.

For science we did experiments with water. We put some dry pinto beans into a cup, added water and covered it with plastic wrap...by the end of the day they had soaked up most of the water and had swelled up and over the top. Cool.

We listened to highlights from the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky. What beautiful music he made. We will continue to study his music this week. Math continues to go well, but is really a struggle for her. Hope got 100% on her spelling test, which elated her. We had finished Sarah Witcher's Story last week and have a few weeks with no scheduled reading. We started a Nancy Drew (written at a younger level...shorter book) mystery about a pony. Hope loves it-of course. She did a wonderful job with dictation this week and had a good attitude through it. Thank You Lord!


~Rose

A Drive By

I snapped this shot from the van window on our way home from my folks house last Saturday. It was such a picturesque autumn day. This is our state capital. The view from the dome is amazing (360 degrees). I got to go up this summer and got great shots, but alas...somehow they were deleted. Que sera sera.

I am reading 2 & 3 John and Jude for my LTG this week. The end of Jude is just beautiful.

Jude 24-25 "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."

~Rose

p.s. pray for me...Desi will be out of town to Virginia from early tomorrow am to late Sunday night! He is going to a house church gathering conference thing. At least Levi is not an infant anymore...but I have a feeling it will be a long three days...moms...you know what I mean!

Camp Timberline

Warning...this is a bit long...but I want to share the saga that was my weekend. Read on at your own risk!

Desi was asked to teach at a youth winter camp this past weekend. There were about 70 jr and sr high kids and 20 leaders who came up from Faith Evangelical Church in Fort Collins, CO. We had done a few outreaches with Grant (the youth pastor) and the kids over this past summer. Our whole family was invited to come up and stay for the weekend. I thought, "How fun! and we can be there with Desi instead of missing him all weekend!"

So, Friday we head up I25 around 5pm. We arrive at Camp Timberline just after 7pm. We are told we will be staying in the boys dorm (what?) and our room name was "Otis". I have an uncle named Otis. Otis turns out to be one of many rooms (which included a bathroom) in the boys dorm building. We have 7 bunk beds, two showers and a toilet and sink all to ourselves. So, we walk into the room and I see...cement tile floor, plastic thinner-than-twin mattresses, plywood under the mattresses, and exposed pipes. It the dawns on me...I brought sleeping bags for the kids, but nothing for Desi and I. Negative thoughts begin to plague me. I do not bring them into captivity.

At this point I, 1.feel foolish for forgetting towels and bedding and 2.am trying real hard to have a good attitude. We've stayed at youth camps before and there have been motel-like rooms for the leaders. This was different. Some of the guys who work there round up a few sheets, blankets and towels. I go to work covering each mattress we were using with sheets. The kids are very excited to have their own bunk beds and think our room is tops. Oh to have their perspective on things.

We have a late dinner, enjoy worship with the group in the Party Barn and head to our room. At least the heat works. The kids are in their beds around 10pm. Levi has a rough go of getting to sleep, but Owen and Emma are out pretty quick. By the time the boys next door come to bed Hope is still up and we get to hear fart stories and talk of girls as we fall asleep. I think to myself...I sure don't want Owen and Levi acting like that. I share my feelings with Desi and he says, "Too bad...they will."

Levi wakes up at 5:17 (I had my phone near by). He is happy and I give him a few cheese fishies, some water and put him in bed with me. He stays awake for an hour and then falls asleep. I have half of a thinner-than-twin mattress (with no pillow) to try to get back to sleep on. More "great" thoughts are swimming in my head.

The rest of Saturday goes a bit better. I get a nice hot shower. (Oh yeah, I had started my period Thursday night...so a shower was necessary!) Back to camp. We enjoy breakfast, more worship and go back to our room to hang out while daddy teaches. Owen hated being in the party barn listening to worship and Emma loved it. She clung to Desi all weekend and cried at the drop of a hat. Hope stayed with some of the girls to listen to her dad.

After the teaching, the kids are divided into four groups for the day and have an hour at each station. We watch them do a zip line, gut check, leap of faith, ect... It gets pretty cold and sort of snows in the afternoon. Owen complains about the new coat I bought him. It looks like Emma's. He refuses to wear it. I let Owen and Emma play outside in the softly falling snow. They are wearing their sweatshirts. I get Levi to nap and then take the other three to the "game" room. They play fooseball, air hockey and table tennis.

After dinner, more worship and back to our room. I am not doing so well at this point. I have totally failed at having that great attitude that I had wanted to have all weekend. I get upset at the kids and say some horrible things. I am totally in sin at this point. I hate being in that place. I apologize and ask for forgiveness from my kids. I am so down, that I don't even feel like praying. I am able to get the kids in bed by 8. They are pretty tuckered out and CRANKY. We let Levi cry it out to sleep later (only a few minutes and he is out). Hope has a hard time falling asleep again. It could be the boys jumping up and down above us, or the boys next door telling their funny stories again. Who knows.

Finally all is quiet and as I try to get comfortable I pray. "Lord, help me get through this night...if I can just make it through and a few hours tomorrow, we'll be in the car and on our way home. I know with Your help God, I can do this. I want to glorify You! This place isn't all that bad and it's much nicer than many families have all around the world. Help me be thankful."

Then the power goes out.

Owen freaks out because it is so dark. We find a book light and turn it on.

Levi wakes up at 4:25 and since it's so cold joins me in my spacious bed. Desi puts another sheet on me and I put a sweatshirt on.

We all wake up around 7ish. It's dark. The power is still out. I go to use the bathroom and get my hands half washed. For some reason the water is off.

I hear people talking outside. I open our door to about 8 inches of SNOW!!!!! It was crazy to see...and beautiful. I overhear some guys talking. No, the power will not be coming back on any time soon. And yes, the water is somehow connected with the power so no water either. So, I do not get a shower and have to pack us up in the cold dark. Oh joy. Another bad attitude erupts.

We gather with the group in the dining hall (lots of windows) and enjoy granola bars for breakfast. The snow is falling fast and I'm wondering..."I sure hope our little Toyota can get out of here!" Desi shares and I take the kids down below to the game room and two fireplaces.

Finally, we are done and Desi treks out to the parking lot to hopefully bring our van up to load. Thankfully he makes it and with some high school boys' help we get the van turned around and are on our way out! We drive in other trucks tracks and make it down the hill safely. We then go about 9 miles into Estes Park and enjoy some coffee and donuts from Safeway.

We end our adventure with lunch at this McDonalds that has maybe the most fun play place ever.
~Rose

I was so thankful to get home. And so humbled by my bad attitude.

Enjoying The Journey

This is a little sign I have above my back/kitchen door. It's such a good reminder for me. I tend to not enjoy the process as much as the finished product. I doubt God really wants me to live like that, but rather to enjoy each moment He gives me breath. To that end, I am joining my husband and we are taking all 4 kiddos up to Estes Park for the weekend. Desi will be teaching 4 sessions at a winter camp for Jr & Sr Highers from Faith Evangelical Free Church in Ft. Collins. I know all you moms out there know...it would be so much easier for me to stay home. But I believe God wants us to go and I want to enjoy it instead of getting stressed. So pray for us! I'll be back in a few days.

~Rose

Meek and Quiet Spirit

For my lady readers:

About 4 weeks ago I joined a Life Transformation Group (LTG) with two other women from our church. An LTG is basically a group of 2-3 people of the same gender who meet weekly to pray for the lost, discuss an agreed upon passage, ask accountability questions and encourage each other in their walks with God. My group decided to read 1 Peter for the first few weeks. There was a passage (well, more than one) that stood out to me in particular.

1 Peter 3:1-6 “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.”

The part about that “gentle and quiet spirit” that is precious (very precious) to God and the end that talks about doing good and not fearing anything that is frightening really stuck out to me. I’ve read this passage many times, but I really wanted to ponder this passage. I just “happened” upon a study guide that I have called “Homeschooling With A Meek And Quiet Spirit.” So I pulled it out and am about half way through. I am so enjoying it and the scriptures. Last week I looked up the definition of MEEK and QUIET. Interesting.

MEEK: humbly patient, gentle, courteous, kind, not likely to complain, argue or react strongly.

QUIET: making no noise, silent, restrained in speech and manner, being at rest, tranquil, peaceful, making no disturbance or trouble, moving very gently, free from disturbing thoughts and emotions, to make tranquil or peaceful, to calm mentally.

I listed how my life differs from the above definitions. I often lack humble patience, I am likely to complain, argue and react strongly. I am often not restrained in speech and I am often not free from disturbing thoughts. Bummer. I am far from where I’d like to be. The next verse I read gave me such wonderful hope:

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

I then listed the “works” that God has begun in me that I can see progress in. I am more of a thankful person, I have lower stress in parenting, I am more extroverted, I am more open sexually with my husband, I am more open to God’s leading and my following that lead. Now, I have not attained in these areas, but over the last 8-10 years have seen vast improvement…Praise His Name!

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I then had to list my top five “Meek and Quiet Spirit Robbers” and find scriptures for each to help me think about truth in that situation. Boy was this interesting! I’ll share mine with you and I’d encourage you other gals out there to do the same. It’s a great exercise to get your focus back on what matters as you deal with the situations.

1. Screaming/crying/whining child:
Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” And Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”
2. Bickering Children:
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
3. Finding big messes in and around the house:
Phil 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
4. Bad attitudes in the children when it comes to chores or school work:
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 18:6 “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.”
5. Thinking about things Desi has not done:
Phil 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Just wanted to share with you! I’d love to hear back from you about what God is teaching you lately (if you so feel led). May God’s peace and joy fill you today.
~Rose

The Flower Fades

Bits from Isaiah chapter 40 (read it all when you get a chance)
~Rose

A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.

Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.

Do you not know? Do you not hear?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
who brings princes to nothing,
and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

Let Trials Bless

I read this this morning and was encouraged. It's challenging though. I love the part about how grace changes the outcome of those tribulations...our patience instead of our getting annoyed and upset. It's through difficult circumstances that we are refined or perhaps burned up depending on where we are with God. I pray we can look to our tribulations as tools in the hand of our loving Father, who does not want us to continue to be spoiled children, but rather desires us to mature in His ways so He can use us to reach others with His love.
~Rose

Faith's Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon

Friday September 21, 2007

Let Trials Bless

Knowing that tribulation worketh patience. (Romans 5:3)

This is a promise in essence if not in form. We have need of patience,
and here we see the way of getting it. It is only by enduring that we
learn to endure, even as by swimming men learn to swim. You could not
learn that art on dry land, nor learn patience without trouble. Is it not
worth while to suffer tribulation for the sake of gaining that
beautiful equanimity of mind which quietly acquiesces in all the will of God?

Yet our text sets forth a singular fact, which is not according to
nature but is supernatural. Tribulation in and of itself worketh petulance, unbelief, and rebellion. It is only by the sacred alchemy of grace
that it is made to work in us patience. We do not thresh the wheat to lay
the dust: yet the rail of tribulation does this upon God's floor. We do
not toss a man about in order to give him rest, and yet so the Lord
dealeth with His children. Truly this is not the manner of man but
greatly redounds to the glory of our all-wise God.

Oh, for grace to let my trials bless me! Why should I wish to stay
their gracious operation? Lord, I ask Thee to remove my affliction, but I
beseech Thee ten times more to remove my impatience. Precious Lord
Jesus, with Thy cross engrave the image of Thy patience on my heart.

Mothering

A friend emailed this to me recently. I loved it…especially the last line. How quickly I forget what an amazing task God has given me and just look at how unconvinced I am all the time! Truly I love my children, but sometimes-let’s be honest ladies- daily, they expose my sin!!! That’s not so fun. I am thankful though because I am driven to the cross and have to daily, hourly even, call on Him who knows me so well. This is my high calling for now: the godly training of my children. I can get so overwhelmed some days and just plain mad that they are so childish. I have to remind myself how young they are and that God is lovingly in control of it all. I see them maturing and get these moments where I can just live in that moment and they are so precious, you know. It’s hard to describe, but I have been praying that I can focus on the good and forget the bad and I have had moments of truly enjoying my children like never before. Talking to Hope and Owen and really focusing on them (aka: not doing anything else at the same time), or playing a game with Emma, or rolling a ball with Levi. I think it’s those small things where I completely focus on them that are the biggest boost for me lately as a mother. Well, here I am rambling again, so I’ll add the quote. Thanks to Laura E. for sending it my way!
~Rose

"O dear mothers, please understand that you have a very sacred trust reposed in you by God! He has in effect said unto you, "Take this child away, and nurse it for Me, and I will give thee thy wages" (Exodus 2:9). You are called to equip the future man of God, that he may be "thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:17). If God spares you, you may live to hear that pretty boy speak to thousands, and you will have that sweet reflection in your heart that the quiet teachings of the nursery led the adult man to love his God and serve Him. Those who think that a woman detained at home by her little family is doing nothing, think the reverse of what is true. Scarcely can the godly mother quit her home for a place of worship. However, dream not that she is lost to the work of the church. Far from it, she is doing the best possible service for her Lord. Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty. Christian women, by teaching children the Holy Scriptures, are as much fulfilling their part for the Lord as Moses did in judging Israel, or Solomon in building the temple." C.H. Spurgeon

House Church Thoughts

As I sat at our house church gathering yesterday I looked around the room to see who had arrived. Close to 10 of our “regulars” were gone on vacation or for some other reason. People were chatting and enjoying fellowship. We sat in an oval in the Duell’s living room. Bruce & Karen were still on vacation, but their daughter Amy had offered to host since our kitchen was all torn up. I looked around and saw people varying in age from a few months to 88 years old, various skin colors, varying economic backgrounds and in different stages of their walks with God. To my left sat a young single mom and her baby girl, a single 40yr old woman who’s impact on our youth is such a blessing, another single mom of two teenagers who are away at their dad’s house all summer, her niece visiting from Arizona and next to her a junior in high school who’s home life leaves MUCH to be desired (to say the least). Next to her sat my husband and next to him a lady in her 60’s who used to be homeless- God has done amazing things in her life and she’s such a joy to talk to. Next was a single 24 year old who blesses all with his wonderful attitude and encouraging words, next to him another young adult just graduated from college and is mentoring a few of our high school girls. Next to her was another young single adult who shared a few beautiful songs with us, next to her an 88 year old originally from Scotland who has walked with God a long time and has wonderful words of wisdom and encouragement. To hear her talk about God and pray is simply beautiful. Her son sat next to her. He is recovering from heart surgery and lives with his mom who is such a help to him. He has an amazing story of how God redeemed him from a life of drugs and self-destruction. Next to him was a man in his 50’s who is single and one of the sweetest guys you’ll ever meet. He has an amazing ability to remember scriptures, addresses and phone numbers. He recalls scriptures that are blessings to us all.

We had a beautiful time of prayer, looked into a few chapters in Revelation, discussed what God was teaching us, asked questions, tried to answer them, encouraged one another, shared a few songs and had lunch together.

Last night Micah was over to watch a movie with Desi and I. Half way through the movie we paused it to answer a phone call. We started talking about our gathering earlier that morning and how much we loved it. Micah mentioned that as he looked around at all of us gathered there, he realized that if we all went to institutional churches we’d probably all go to different churches. It’s amazing to see how God has brought us together and over the past 9 months or so how close we have gotten. I am thankful for our differences in our lives and see the handiwork of our Creator in those differences. We are learning from and encouraging one another regularly. Just wanted to give you, my blog readers (and friends), a view into one of my favorite days of the week.
~Rose

MISTRIAL!!!!!!!

So, yesterday I arrived at the courthouse right at 8am. I was the 10th person to get the the jury room. Once all 13 of us were there we buzzed the judge's chambers. Then we waited. And we waited. And we waited. An hour went by. Another half hour. At this point I have read my book, used the bathroom, drank water, eaten a few bits of beef jerky, played poker and backgammon on my cell phone, text messaged Desi and talked a bit with some fellow jurors. 10 minutes later the judge comes in and tells us that he and the lawyers had been discussing the case. The D.A. had changed their charge against the defendant Monday so the laws that applied to the case had changed and therefore the judge called a mis-trial. YIPPEEEE! He said that it's not over, just over for us and we were free to go! You might imagine how happy we were!

I had decided on Monday to pray and seek God's will and that I'd just have a good attitude through it all. So I chose to trust that this was what God had for me and it probably meant our plans for kitchen re-modeling had to be post-poned. Bummer, but I figured it was God's plan. He really gave me faith to just trust and enjoy each day. So, all's well that end's well and Desi and I removed the tile from one countertop last night. We'll continue with demo over the next few days. We'll remove the tile from the countertops and the disgusting floor from the kitchen. I'll take pics and post updates as I can. Thanks for all who prayed regarding this jury duty service! I am so thankful it's over!

Here's some info I pulled from Wikipedia about trials if you're interested.
~Rose

Criminal trial

A criminal trial is designed to resolve accusations brought by the government against a person accused of a crime. In common law systems, most criminal defendants are entitled to a trial held before a jury. Because the state is attempting to use its power to deprive the accused of life, liberty, or property, criminal defendants are afforded greater leeway to defend themselves than parties to a civil suit.

Mistrials

A judge may cancel a trial prior to the return of a verdict; legal parlance designates this as a mistrial.

A judge may declare a mistrial due to:

• The court determining that it lacks jurisdiction over a case,
• Evidence being admitted improperly,
• Misconduct by a party, juror, or an outside actor, if it prevents due process,
• A hung jury which cannot reach a verdict with the required degree of unanimity
• Disqualification of a juror after the jury is impanelled, if no alternate juror is available and the litigants do not agree to proceed with the remaining jurors.

A declaration of a mistrial generally means that the court must hold a retrial on the same subject.

An important exception occurs in criminal cases in the United States. If the court erroneously declares a mistrial, or if prosecutorial misconduct goaded the defendant into moving for a mistrial, then the US Constitution's protection against double jeopardy bars any retrial; so the prosecution must be terminated.

The Fear of the Lord

I've been thinking about the "fear of the Lord" lately. Last week I did a scripture search on that phrase and jotted down all the benefits to fearing the Lord. It was really interesting. I am still mulling over what that looks like for me personally, but I know it involves trusting Him daily to be all that I need and to not look to other people, things or feelings to fill me. My thought life has been a battlefield lately and it's amazing how turning to prayer and the scripture really fills me. I came across this devotional this morning and was encouraged. My favorite part is the last two sentences. Boy do I sometimes miss living while I live and I hate wasted time...Lord, help me and those reading to redeem the precious time You have given us and daily live in holy reverence of Your amazing majesty all the while reminding ourselves that we are sons and daughters of the ONE TRUE KING!!!! May Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!
~Rose

Faith's Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon
Friday June 22, 2007

He with Us; We with Him

The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (Proverbs 10:27)

There is no doubt about it. The fear of the Lord leads to virtuous habits, and these prevent that waste of life which comes of sin and vice. The holy rest which springs out of faith in the Lord Jesus also greatly helps a man when he is ill. Every physician rejoices to have a patient whose mind is fully at ease. Worry kills, but confidence in God is like healing medicine.

We have therefore all the arrangements for long life, and if it be really for our good, we shall see a good old age and come to our graves as shocks of corn in their season. Let us not be overcome with sudden expectation of death the moment we have a finger-ache, but let us rather expect that we may have to work on through a considerable length of days.

And what if we should soon be called to the higher sphere? Certainly there would be nothing to deplore in such a summons but everything to rejoice in. Living or dying we are the Lord's. If we live, Jesus will be with us; if we die, we shall be with Jesus.

The truest lengthening of life is to live while we live, wasting no time but using every hour for the highest ends. So be it this day.

Thy Kingdom Come on Earth as it is in Heaven!

Our friends Richard and Thomas were out to visit Mother’s Day weekend. We had a wonderful time with them and were blessed by their message of the Kingdom. I’ll attempt to share a bit of what they shared with us. They started off asking how many times church vs kingdom is mentioned in the Gospels. Church is mentioned 2 times and Kingdom over 70. Often church is telling people how to get to God’s Kingdom of Heaven, but we want to bring that Kingdom of Heaven here to the church on earth. If you think about it, we are the King’s ambassadors and He has a calling for us here on earth. I doubt He wants us to “just make it through” and finally get to heaven, but rather be active in bringing His Kingdom to earth. People should get a glimpse (or even more) of the King and what He’s all about by looking at us, His ambassadors. Our home should be like an embassy which represents God’s Kingdom. I think one of the best ways of bringing His Kingdom here is to seek God and ask Him what spiritual gifts He has given us and then to use them! We are all part of the body of Christ and He has gifted us in different ways for His Own glory.

God’s Kingdom came at Jesus’ first coming, but it only came in part. The full measure of the Kingdom will come at Jesus’ second coming. We are living in two ages simultaneously. The old age did not end at Jesus’ first coming, but continues as well as the new age that began at Jesus’ resurrection. It has been compared to D-Day in WW2 vs V-Day. D-Day was the decisive battle that turned the war around and assured victory over the Nazi’s, but V-Day, when the Nazi’s would surrender and sign a peace treaty was still months away. So, Jesus’ death and resurrection was our D-Day against the war of sin and death and ushered in His Kingdom, but our V-Day will not arrive until Jesus’ second return to earth. So, now we are living in this tension of both ages where some moments of living in His Kingdom are filled with joy unspeakable and other times we struggle with our own sins and the evil in this world. I think it comes down to loving God and loving others which are greatest commandments according to Jesus. I have not attained this perfectly, but strive toward that end. We are all on a journey and I pray that we can focus on God and His will for us, use our talents to draw others to Him and to enjoy the journey! Micah is reading a book in which I got some of this info from called Kingdom Come (isbn:0830823638). I plan on borrowing it and reading it in full and will fill you in as I learn new things!




~Rose

Nakie Levi!

This morning Hope came into our room and announced, "Mom and Dad, I watched a little of the news and there will be a high in the mid 80's today." We laughed and thanked her for her sweet and matter of fact weather report. After getting home from our ladies prayer group, Desi left to join a scooter ralley downtown (I soooooo wish we had a sitter so I could go too!). I watered our plants and put a few inches of water in the toddler pool. As soon as Levi saw it, he just HAD to get in. What a cutie! He brings such amazing joy to me right now. I really wondered if my 4th would be as much of a joy as the first. I am truly amazed at how God has enlarged my heart to have so much love for each of my 4 children. What a true blessing. If the only good in my life was my family (which it isn't) I would be weathier than Kings and Queens. Thank you God for choosing my family for me. Some days are really hard and I sin and struggle, but YOU are there to stretch me, mold me and change me into the woman YOU desire me to be. YOU are faithful to complete the good work YOU started in my life!



~Rose

Faith's Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon

I read this today and it ministered to my heart. I pray it does yours too.
~Rose
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Faith's Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon
Saturday May 19, 2007
Read more devotionals here.
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We May Speak for God

Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee
again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the
precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth. (Jeremiah 15:19)

Poor Jeremiah! Yet why do we say so? The weeping prophet was one of the
choicest servants of God and honored by Him above many. He was hated
for speaking the truth. The word which was so sweet to him was bitter to
his hearers, yet he was accepted of his Lord. He was commanded to abide
in his faithfulness, and then the Lord would continue to speak through
him. He was to deal boldly and truthfully with men and perform the
Lord's winnowing work upon the professors of his day, and then the Lord
gave him this word: "Thou shalt be as my mouth."

What an honor! Should not every preacher, yea, every believer, covet
it? For God to speak by us, what a marvel! We shall speak sure, pure
truth; and we shall speak it with power. Our word shall not return void; it
shall be a blessing to those who receive it, and those who refuse it
shall do so at their peril. Our lips shall feed many. We shall arouse the
sleeping and call the dead to life.

O dear reader, pray that it may be so with all the sent servants of our
Lord.

Yeah, that's me...

Hope read to me today out of her Bible reader- "Jesus Calls Matthew". We talked about the pharisees and how they were so bugged that Jesus was eating with Matthew's sinner friends. Jesus said that healthy people don't need a doctor, but He came to save sinners...yeah, that's me! Boy, it's amazing how quick I am to get bugged or angry at my kids. Lord, help me!
This picture shows the party that Matthew threw. Pictured are Jesus and Matthew..."Where are the other people" I ask Hope..."I don't feel like drawing them" she replies! She said there were life-savers on the table so that when they ate too much sugar, they could eat a life-saver to feel better.

I've recently been thinking about my daily schedule. I have had my eye on Managers Of Their Homes for awhile and finally got it. It arrived Friday and I'm almost done reading it. Now begins the writing down of all I feel God has called me to do as a wife and mother and the time I need to do those things. Next I'll do a page each for the kids. This is to be done prayerfully over a week or so. After that I'll discuss with Desi, revamp if needed and then write them on colored blocks of 30 to 60 min segments. The final step is to attach them (4 colors: Mom, Hope, Owen and Emma...hmmm, maybe Levi too?) to the master schedule. I'll probably do a slightly different one for Fridays, which are lighter school days and a few hours spent with friends. All this to say, please pray for me as I pray and seek God's will for my daily life. I know a schedule will keep me on track, help me to get more accomplished, help my kids to get more accomplished and ease a lot of frustration that comes from trying to managae the chaos that is our household! So, you, my friends, will you please keep me accountable to this? Thanks! Time to get Levi...he's calling for me!
~Rose

Good Friday

Today is was a nice day. The kids and I went over to my neighbor Priya’s house for playtime and lunch (she has two kiddos Emma and Levi’s ages). After that we did a bit of school beginning with Owen’s Math U See. He is totally PUMPED about math and it’s so cute to see him get so excited about it! I met my mom around 3:45 for coffee and picked up a pizza after for dinner (we love Papa Murphy’s). After dinner Desi and I gathered the kids together and talked about what Good Friday is. I read the crucifixion story to them from a kids Bible and we asked why it’s called Good Friday if Jesus died? Hope answered, “Because He died for our sins!” We sang a few songs, prayed and then got down to the business of decorating hard boiled eggs. This was our first year doing it and the kids LOVED it!

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Thank You Lord for your ultimate sacrafice!
~Rose
P.S. This is my 300th post. I LOVE BLOGGING!

Blogger problems?

Is anyone else having trouble uploading photos to blogger? Just curious. I don't like not being able to post pics!

So, I am still excercising. I am up to 30 minutes M-F. If it works out, I'd like to do a second 30 minutes some afternoons...maybe 2 days a week if possible. I've worked up to 20 girl push ups and 50 stomach crunches in various forms. It's the eating less that is SO HARD! I'm still nursing Levi quite a bit and I'm just hungry pretty much all the time. I'm really tring to force myself to fill up on filling foods like apples, carrot sticks and the like...but darn it all I want is junk food! I have been good about fast food...really avoiding it...making sure I am home for meals...not tempted to eat out (which saves money and calories). Dinners have included salads and veggies. This summer dinners will consist of mainly salads, which I love to eat, just don't really like preparing them, which is sillly, since they are so easy to make!

This week I cleaned out Owen's closet (mainly filled with toys) and moved the toy bin shelf thingy (ya know, the one with four shelves, and 12 multi-colored/sized bins). I know Melissa blogged about her pantry...so I'm blogging about Owen's room. It feels so good to conqure a space that was bothering me! I brought out the toy shelf and moved this old (grandpa Dave made it for me as a little girl) bench seat (with storage for all our little stuffed animals-the big ones mysteriously dissapear) into the closet. I went through everything and had piles: 1-Keep, 2-throw out and 3-donate. Once we were sorted we put everything to keep back in the bins. Hint-if you moms do this with your kids around and they ask about that box (donate) tell them you are moving those toys. I got rid of 2 large boxes of toys and clothes and they didn't even notice! Owen's room is clean, inviting and organized. All three kids have enjoyed discovering "new" toys that had been unseen in that dimly lit closet, and better yet, have spent time playing upstairs. My job now is to stay on top of them to put things away once they are done! So, here's a little encouragment to those of you who have a room to conquer...go for it! Ask for help if necessary and just do it. It feels so good to purge, clean and organize :)

Psalm 39
4 “O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Do not make me the scorn of the fool!

A friend of mine (Thank you Denise) encouraged me recently to take joy in the journey of motherhood. No matter what stage of life God has us in, I think it's so important to remember how short life really is and it's up to us to make it a bit easier if our attitudes are Godly...trusting in His providence.
~Rose

"lt is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man."-Psalm 118:8

So, I was getting caught up on posts tonight and read this devotional on my blog. I was really convicted. If you have the time read on...
C.H. Spurgeon's Evening Devotional
Wednesday March 7, 2007
"lt is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man."-Psalm 118:8

Doubtless the reader has been tried with the temptation to rely upon the things which are seen, instead of resting alone upon the invisible God. Christians often look to man for help and counsel, and mar the noble simplicity of their reliance upon their God. Does this evening's portion meet the eye of a child of God anxious about temporals, then would we reason with him awhile. You trust in Jesus, and only in Jesus, for your salvation, then why are you troubled? "Because of my great care." Is it not written, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord"? "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication make known your wants unto God." Cannot you trust God for temporals? "Ah! I wish I could." If you cannot trust God for temporals, how dare you trust Him for spirituals? Can you trust Him for your soul's redemption, and not rely upon Him for a few lesser mercies? Is not God enough for thy need, or is His all-sufficiency too narrow for thy wants? Dost thou want another eye beside that of Him who sees every secret thing? Is His heart faint? Is His arm weary? If so, seek another God; but if He be infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise, why gaddest thou abroad so much to seek another confidence? Why dost thou rake the earth to find another foundation, when this is strong enough to bear all the weight which thou canst ever build thereon? Christian, mix not only thy wine with water, do not alloy thy gold of faith with the dross of human confidence. Wait thou only upon God, and let thine expectation be from Him. Covet not Jonah's gourd, but rest in Jonah's God. Let the sandy foundations of terrestrial trust be the choice of fools, but do thou, like one who foresees the storm, build for thyself an abiding place upon the Rock of Ages.

I had just emailed a long-dist friend in TX before posting. Asking for encouragment really...she also has 4 kids (but they are a bit older). Now, I know it's not wrong to share our struggles with oneanother, but this devotional got me thinking...do I seek God first when I am struggling? Not always. Lately I have been praying for more JOY in motherhood. I think I am possibly at the HEIGHT of exhaustion in my motherhood. I don't think it'll ever be this physically exhausting again. It's the endless chores on top on endless diapers, messes, bickering and training. I am so thankful for Desi and the 4 kids God has blessed us with, but some days are overwhelming! I know I need to come to my Father God with these feelings and trust that if He has redeemed me, He can certainly help me have a better attitude in these little things in daily life that I struggle with. How dare I not trust that He will indeed carry me through!
~Rose