Perfect in Weakness

"My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:9

I found this verse on a little card under a bed as I was cleaning up mountains of clutter and muttering/complaining to God that I didn't know why he thought I could handle this many kids, with this many extreme personalities, who get their clothes dirty, use dishes, and pee on the toilet seat.  

I'm pretty sure I'm under qualified and that He way over estimated me.  

It was like God had dropped me an instant message directly answering my questions.  

I picked up the card with a picture of a woman running up a hill and read those words over..and over again. 

Sometimes life feels like a cross-country run.  You "hit the wall", feel the burn, wonder what you signed up for, and are pretty much sure you won't make it out alive.  

My grace  is enough for you to bear up under whatever I chose to give  you.

Your weakness, your inadequacy, your inability is a part of my plan, it is the very way that I 

 will show you my complete strength and provision. 

Rest in me.  Keep running.  

I'm not really sure what the photos of my geeky, adorable four year old has to do with that verse but 

I suppose most of the 'weakness' that I have involves my children and my ability to parent, teach, feed, and keep the dust bunnies from taking over the house. 

Seeding season has begun on the farm.  We have entered "spring fever".  The time of year when life gets more hectic.  Hubster is working long hours  in the field and will become a sort of phantom  for the next month.  There have been brief sightings, and traces left by him..but for the most part the man of the house is illusive.  Such is the seasonal life of a farmer.  I am thankful for both him and his work.

On the home front spring sports have begun, our  homeschooling has not yet finished (although the sooner the better),  yard work and my unplanted garden are beckoning,  the laundry continues to be my nemesis, and the baby's teeth are wreaking havoc.  Life continues to spin.

I  LOVE that winter is over and spring has arrived.  The kids are spending hours a day outside lost in their imaginations.

I'm tired.  Nothing new.  This is mostly an overtired, slightly sleep deprived, pointless, ramble...in case you haven't noticed.

I don't know how people manage more than 4 kids. Honestly.  The laundry alone is unbelievable.

.......I wonder if someday we will have more than 4 children?   How's that for a rabbit trail ramble?

I have no idea what God has for our future.   I'd probably be terrified if I did. 

It's a good thing He only gives us light enough for the next step.  He's writing our story and as much as I'd like to skip ahead to the end for a sneak peak,  that's not how God works.  

I know the passion he has placed at the very heart of our family, what I don't know is what God is going to do with that.

I have weird kids.  No really, I do.

Spazzy.  Quirky.  Dorky.  

I know everyone is made unique...but honestly I think some are more unique than others.

That's a nice way of saying odd.

It's a good thing they're cute.

The big kids took a hiphop class this winter  and this was their costumes.  The big recital was this past Sunday   

It was cute to watch.  They both love a stage.  Where they lack in talent they made up for with enthusiasm and swagger. 

They had a lot of fun with it.  Romeo was the only boy in the bunch but he didn't seem to mind. 

My kids may be diagnosably unique but they are good for entertainment value.  

I may keep them around for that purpose alone.

With all the "weakness" going on in this house...we're leaving a whole lotta room for God's glory to shine.  

Motherhood is not for sissies

Motherhood is not for women with weak stomachs,

or white carpets.

It's not for women afraid to fight for a child, even if it means sleeping on the streets of Port au Prince.  

Motherhood is not for women who refuse to believe in miracles or 

refuse to have a car filled with cracker crumbs and cheerios.

Motherhood is not for women unwilling to protect,

unable to sacrifice,

too wimpy to discipline,

or incapable of pulling Legos out of the toilet with her bare hands.

Motherhood is not for woman too proud to stand and cheer the last runner across the finish line,

or too weak to pull a door off of it's hinges. 

Motherhood is for the caring and courageous women who change the world

 with every diaper they change,

skinned knee they kiss,

car pool they drive,

and lecture they give.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

 to all you warrior mama's who face blood ,sweat and tears

to sacrifice your hearts, your time, your sleep, and your own bodies...

for the life of another.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

to the single mama's,

the  empty nest mama's,

the mama's to many,

the mama's to one,

the waiting mama's ,

hoping mama's,

and expecting mama's.

Take this day to cherish your family, enjoy some rest, and reflect on this high calling of Motherhood.

Easter in Seattle and a special Happy Birthday!

Easter at Qwest … Without the Rain | The Mars Hill Blog




This year in Seattle, WA there was an enormous Easter church service held at a sports stadium.  God is doing great things in what was once the most "unchurched" city in America.  I have a few ties to that city.   I married a man  that grew up near Seattle.  He and I spent 3 years living in the Pacific Northwest.  Our first son was born and died  in Federal Way, WA.    My husband's only sister lives in Seattle and last year she began attending Mars hill down town campus church.  Since then, I have been actively following sermons, events and the work being done in and through this church.   God has done an incredible work in my sister in law and he used this loving, bold, truth speaking body of believers to breath life and faith into her.  Needless to say , I'm a fan.

I conspired, wished and dreamed of attending this event with her but alas it was not to be.  Maybe another year.  Fortunately for us we can watch it online.  If you're curious about who Jesus is and what all the fuss is about 2000 years later...or if you just want to be encouraged by around 18,000 other Christ followers celebrating Easter Sunday take a look.  It's pretty sweet.  Click on the link above.

The first part of the video shows a little clip of some kids talking about Easter.  After that the singing, sermon and nearly 700 baptisms begins.  I loved the old school music!   Don't miss the "resurrection/baptism" party at the end.  

I can't post about this service without also bragging about my dear bsff ( "Best sister friend forever" I know that's totally cheesy but it's kind of our inside joke...well not so much "inside" anymore).  She is one of my very dearest friends as well as a sister.  I am so blessed to have her in my life.

If you watch three row up  behind the drummer ,in the golden robed choir, you might catch a glimpse of  her.
There is a moment that absolutely made me cry...and I'm not a crier.
"How Great Thou Art" transitions into "How Great is Our God" (quite possibly two of my fav. songs) and you can see my sister with her hand raised belting it out, knowing and believing every word she is singing.

Our God is great!

 It is a painful, tragic and stunningly beautiful redemptive story that God continues to write in her life.   I  mentioned our long lost sister here briefly before when she spent a few weeks with us last July.    God brought her into our lives 2 1/2 years ago after more than 2 decades of no contact.  My husband hadn't seen her since they were children, and I had never met her.  To know where she came from,  what God brought her through and where she is standing now...in this video....leaves me speechless.   I  can't help but share with you one of the dearest people in my life.

 I am looking forward to spending another month this summer with her and her adorably goofy son. We have so much fun together!  She is hilarious.
  She is an inspiration to me and one of the most genuine people I've ever known.  A beautiful example of extreme forgiveness, grace in the midst of persecution,  and unselfish love even towards those who could not show her love in return.   She exudes a quiet trust that God is her defender, her Father and her partner.

She lives an inner city life as a single mama. She spent most of her life without a family (which makes me wish we didn't live 1000 miles away!).  Her own life is still not easy , but she is a blessing to all those who know her.   Her apartment is always open to those in need, she usually has a few extra kids around,  she has been a surrogate mom to abandoned babies, and she sews quilts for prostitutes...just to brag on her a little.  She will be embarrassed.  She is learning, growing, and passionate about her new faith in Jesus.  You really can't even shut her up about it...she'll tell anyone she can how much Christ has done for her.

My blog friends, TODAY is her birthday.  She will be celebrating it by riding city buses with her son, being a mama, plugging coins into a machine at the laundry mat, and getting ready for her son's big birthday party tomorrow.  This special lady's birthday may just come and go like any other day.   I wish so badly that we could spoil her, make her a cake and have a big old family party...but she's there and her family is here.  She does have a lot of really great friends in Seattle and a fantastic church family.

If you have a minute pop on over to her knew blog  "We are more than"   browse a little, follow,  and wish her a happy birthday.  

I love her title "We are more than.."
Maybe you've heard that song from 10th Avenue North "You are more than" ?

She is so much more than...
Brook, you are a beautiful woman, a beloved daughter of the most high God,  a warrior mama, and a faithful servant of Christ.  (even if you're sink is always full of dirty dishes)


Today we celebrate you and all that you are in the eyes of God!

Going backwards

Sometimes when you're a mom...

one of your kids completely baffles you (or all of them do in completely different ways).  

You can feel him retreating, resisting, and disconnecting.  

Nothing is working.

You pray, fast, and ask God for wisdom.

Sometimes the answer is humbling.  Sometimes the answer isn't at all what you expected but you are thankful 

and hopeful that the breach can be repaired.

Sometimes when you're a mom,  you are sad to realize how insecure one of your children truly is.  You realize how fearful he is of being "sent away" like the others.   You are shocked to discover how confused he is about how he came to be part of his family and how long he will be staying.  Too young to express or understand his fear, he acts it out and hides it behind whatever control he can find.

You want to scream  and pull out your hair because this child does everything he can to keep you at an angry distance.  You realize just how thick his walls mistrust have become.

Sometimes when you're a mom you realize that you need to go backwards for a little while in order to move forward.

My sweet baby boy, 

you can be my baby again as long as you need to be.

I will give you the assurance, the affection, the attention now that I am realizing you so desperately need but are so good at convincing us that you don't want.  

God gave us you.

You came from me and will always be mine.

You are forever loved.

Sometimes when you're a mom

you realize just how high the stakes are, and how easily a problem can be overlooked while it takes root and grows.

You hope that with God's wisdom, grace and provision you won't screw it up completely.  

Have Faith Baby

1 year ago we brought home a 5 week old baby girl. 

I marveled at her delicate features.   I was impressed by the strength and stamina of her cry.  I wondered after the first few sleepless nights what I had gotten myself into.

We didn't know her case plan. 

We didn't have any idea how long we would have her with us.

I assumed she would stay just long enough to fall in love with.

Inevitably, I would have to say goodbye.  I would once again hold back tears as I place the child that I love into the arms of a stranger and walk away. 

God had different plans this time.

It seems almost unreal that she is still here with us a year later and that we are looking forward to making her forever ours..

 and yet nothing could feel more natural, 

more perfectly right.

"I will always love you and treasure you and celebrate the day you came, the day that God found us you."

("God Found us You" by Lisa Tawn Bergren)

You, my sweet girl, have been such a ray of sunshine in our home.  Your beaming smile and playful giggles add so much joy to our family. You are loved deeply and you will be loved forever.

The adorable little dress that Miss Cece is modelling came from Faithbaby .  I was so excited when it arrived in the mail today! I won a gift certificate from Lynnette's spring blog party last month and this was what I bought with it.  Thankyou to both Lynnette and to Faith Baby for making my little girl look even more like a princess.

Frogs and snails And puppy-dogs' tails,

What are little boys made of?

Frogs and snails

And puppy-dogs' tails,

That's what little boys are made of.

What are little girls made of?

Sugar and spice

And everything nice,

That's what little girls are made of.

Tomorrow we are celebrating one year with our little girl!  

We are so thankful to have reached this important milestone.

Praying for many more years of celebrating ahead of us.

Happy Easter 2011

 I hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebration today. 

As much as I typically avoid all the commercialism that goes along with Easter we do have a couple little traditions that make the day special for the kids. Dying eggs is one of our Easter traditions.  This year my kids dyed Easter eggs with Grandma while my hubby and I spent 2 days away on a little mini vacation.  Nothing exotic just a dinner date with friends, a night at a hotel, sleeping in, shopping, and enjoying each others company.  It has been far too long since went anywhere alone together.  It was wonderful to get away.

I thought this egg kit that Grandpa picked out for them was so cute.  They crack me up.  Pun intended. 

Easter morning is mostly spent getting lovely for church, but we usually have an egg hunt at some point during the morning rush.  This morning they searched for eggs filled with Play-Doh, which kept them nicely entertained while I spent time beautifying myself.
In case you're curious...we don't do the Easter bunny thing.  My kids wouldn't fall for it even if I wanted them to.   I haven't banned the Easter Bunny from hopping into our yard, it's just a non issue for us, totally off of the radar.  I  don't really have a strong moral objection to it, I  just have never felt like going out of my way to lie to my kids and spend tons of money on  baskets full of junk.  All the money grabbing from stores and marketing to our kids greed bugs me anyway.   To each his own.  This year they were thrilled to receive a KinderSurprise  egg and some chocolate mini eggs along with their breakfast..  It was a fun little treat.
  All that stuff is so far away from our focus today.
Today we celebrate and worship.

{Stopping for a picture on our way out the door.}

Poor Cece got cropped out the bottom of the picture.  She looked adorable standing there with the big kids in her Easter dress though.  (Someday we'll have permission to show her sweet smile)

 1 Corinthians 15:55

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

Death no longer has the final word.

The power of death and the grave is defeated, and Christ is triumphant over all!

That is reason to celebrate!

So today we are celebrating a risen Savior,
hope,  life and freedom in Christ,

a beautiful sunny spring day,

and the blessing of family

....with the first wieny roast of the summer!

Not your traditional Easter dinner but we felt like taking advantage of our first warm day of the year.

It reached 18 degrees Celcius today (63 F for all my American friends)!

Gorgeous!  I could feel the warmth of sunshine for the first time in 7 months!

  The best part is the hoards of mosquitoes haven't hatched yet.   

The flip-flops have been brought out of storage.

Silas is back to running around in bare feet.  He climbed up the last of the snow drifts dressed in his swim suit and bare feet.  No, I didn't get a photo.  Would have been a good one though.

These are two happy boys.