Too much work or worth it?

There are so many things in life that require us to count the cost. The question keeps coming up, Is it too much work or is it worth it? I am reminded of the ant constantly. She works happily in summer and in winter he load is much lighter because of it. All of the struggling to lift the leaves that are many times bigger than she and move the sand that is many times heavier is all worth it as she eats the fruit of her labor in the winter of her life.

My husband is amazing in his desire to not complain. He moves swiftly from one task to another always cheerful always diligent and always completing what he started. If I ever spot a task left partially done it glares at me (because there are few) and I stare in disbelief. Usually to see him coming right back to pick it up again.

Do not lose heart! God gives us much encouragement in this area, and many times to recline and take a step back. When you wake up and your house is in order and at peace your day goes smoother. When you go to sleep knowing all of your little ones are tucked snuggly in bed, all of the clutter picked up and tomorrow planned you sleep better. Even if their little bouncing bodies are fluttering down the stairs with stuffed animals and blankets and pillows at least they are coming down to a quiet place to land. I have found that whenever I am too tired at night to put my house back together after the daily hubbub, the next morning is the start of a more chaotic day. When I am at ease my children are at ease and my husband is at ease.

My children are still small and I count the cost with them every day. Do I let disobedience go or do I correct it because I love them? Sometimes I have to take a step back and just laugh. I have seen some really funny things around here. My children are hilarious. They have sinned in the funniest ways and I have had to hold back many a guffaw. After a LONG trip to Wal-mart a few years ago we were talking to the children in the car and establishing who was going to go first when we got home, and little Emma pipes up with a, "What were we thinking!!??". Now Nolen and Emma are our easiest at the store and most helpful. I have been around children their ages who are crazy at the store and it keeps me thankful. God has been so faithful to us and our children.

One day I was in Staples with Nolen, Emma, Mia and Ty. We were laminating something at the copy center and as we were standing in line someone next to me exclaimed, "FOUR children!??! Boy! You sure have your hands full, don't you?" Did I mention that at the time Nolen, Emma and Mia were running back massagers up and down my back and telling me that I was the most wonderful mother in the world? Not asking for candy, not screaming in the store, and not acting crazy in the slightest. At that moment I was witnessing the blessings of godly children in an ungodly world. What a wonderful antithesis!

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic day. Enjoy your jobs, duties and monotany and thank God for thoes leaves that are way bigger than you and that sand that is heavier than you think you can lift. Pick it up as you look ahead full knowing that He is above you lifting it up for you. Take JOY in Gods blessings.

She had a V8 Still Cute, but upright

Miss Mia, sideways, but still adorable.

Thie Beautiful miss Emma

Hey Nolen!!

This is a great picture of our fun friends the Byingtons at their girls birthday and if you will note Nolen in the background he was in rare form. Too much hot cocoa, perhaps? Aren't my dear friend Michelle's dimples cute?

Just so you don't think my dear hubby is a drab, theological and always serious teacher.

Initiative

Every morning while I am getting the coffee ready and then getting dressed My dear husband and Nolen are curled up downstairs by the heater reading from an amazing book called Created for Work by Bob Schultz. This has become great time for them to talk and communicate before we begin our morning hubbub. One one such day a few months ago they read the chapter marked simply "Initiative". The quote on the first page is:

Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all. ~Sam Ewig

The chapter uses as an example a hard working boy named Go Getter who works at the local Fill Me Up gas station who does everything that his boss asks him with a cheerful attitude. The author concludes that this boy would be a dream come true in todays world, but God is not impressed. We serve a God who is abundant and overflowing in His graces to us and we need to be as abundant in our graces to others. To not only do what they ask with a good attitude, BUT to anticipate what they will need NEXT and to do it before the even ask.

As the Bible says of God, "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

So for the past few weeks as I finish up getting dressed, Nolen has been cheerfully coming up to me asking if he can get breakfast started for he and his siblings. Well, as I am not usually in peak form I have been using that as my indication to get moving and have been rushing down to get breakfast on the table. Well, last night I resolved to put a big smile on my son's face and anticipated his eagerness with resolve to make this morning better.

This morning when he came to me and asked if he could make breakfast I said, "Sure buddy! Can you get the cereal down and pour the milk for everyone?" He just beamed! And it really did make the morning go a LOT smoother. No craziness! I was blessed by his initiative and so was everyone else. He felt useful and like the big guy that he is. Now I just need to teach Emma to make lunches . . .

Have a great day!!!!

Still here in 2008

Wow! It's already 2008 and I haven't blogged in almost a month. I am happy to report that all is well and we are just a busy little family. School has already started again and Nolen, Emma, and Mia are loving it. Today Titus, Nadia and I went to a local bible studay and enjoyed it tremendously especially Titus. He was so excited that he attempted to express it through his renound Matchbox car throw (fortunately he has bad aim :).
Our Christmas break was very relaxing and fun for us all. We tried to spend as much time in our fleece jammie bottoms as possible, one day we just changed Titus from 1 set of jammies to the next. It was pretty hilarious.
Scott and I took up soap making and are realizing that so many people are in need of all natural soaps due to the dryness of winter. Scott has done tons of research, and has discovered how to make soap 3 different ways. Amazing. He is a man of many talents. I hope you are enjoying your 2008 so far!!