We are giddy from giving!

Yesterday we drove ourselves to the Amish Market to have a hearty breakfast and pick up a new 50lb bag of Hard Red Winter Wheat. We discovered our Amish waitress was getting married in 12 days. Peter and I engaged her in conversation for a bit and then we both got a certain look in our eye. We were thinking the same thing. Just this past Sunday our Pastor decided to show Dave Ramsey's video about finance. He told a story about a couple who started their own Waffle House ministry. They decided to pray and ask the Lord to give them a waiter or waitress who really needed money and then they would leave a huge tip. Peter and I knew we were being told to give our waitress a big tip. It was so fun and so fulfilling to walk away seeing the huge smile on her face. What a blessing it is to share what is not really ours anyway! God owns the cattle on a thousand hills!

I challenge you to do the same. I promise, it feels so good!

So that we remember.

Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)

¹⁸ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Throughout scripture we are told to remember. I write this today in order to remember that my Lord is faithful to speak...when I am willing to listen.

Every once in a while something happens in your life that will be a memory to share with your grandchildren. In my case the something that happened will be retold to my children and to my children's children in order to glorify my Father in heaven. For the past two years Peter and I have felt the urge to move from our home and settle in a place where the children can run, our family can continue to grow and we can afford to live a simple life. God has always spoken to us about debt as well. We purchased cars we could afford with cash that we had saved for this purpose. If we use the credit card then we pay it off, in full, when the bill arrives. We always make sure we have the money in the bank before making any purchase. We use the cash system for groceries and clothing and when it is gone, it is gone. We do not put something on credit in order to have it right now. So, we do not have any debt...or do we?

We have a mortgage. For years we have not seen our house as debt. According to culture it is a tax write-off. "You don't want to pay off your house because it's a tax shelter." But this is worldly advice, not Biblical advice. God was speaking to us about this, but we were not positive about what we should do. So, we fasted and prayed. We fell on our faces before the Living God and asked for guidance. God is so good! He answered before we even had a chance to ask! We have been reading through the Bible with the children this year and this is where God had us for the day of our fast...His timing is perfect. His will is perfect.

His answer to our question of whether we should sell our house was this:

Nehemiah 5:1-5
Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers. Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain."
Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine."
Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

We know this sounds ridiculous to many people. But God spoke so very clearly to us through this passage. He knew that this would be our reading for that day. He knew we would be fasting, seeking Him. He knows the plans He has for us. Are we hurting for money? No. Are we able to feed the kids? Yes. Can we pay the mortgage? Yes. God has blessed Peter with an incredible job! But He also spoke very clearly to us to sell our house as "our fields and vineyards belong to others." So, our house is up for sale. We do not have a sign in the yard. We have not listed it with an agent. We have not put it in the paper. But it is for sale and should someone come knocking on our door asking us if we would like to sell our house, then the answer is yes. Because God told us to. By the way, the sign will go in when we have the house ready to show.

If there is something that the Lord has been talking to you about but you are not totally ready to hear. Please consider fasting and praying and really listening to His voice so that it may go well with you too!

Islamic Demographics

Thanks to Lisa over at A Second Generation of Homeschooling for the following video:

Got TEA?

We took the kids to a TEA (Taxed Enough Already) party at the Harbor. It was nice being near water as they got the full effect. The men were throwing "tea" into the water--what a visual for the children. It was pouring down rain and we were soaked by the end of it. The photo below doesn't really show how wet we were! The blanket on Isaiah is drenched, Ashley's pants were soaked to her knee, Abi seemed to be the best dressed, we tried to cover Daniel as much as we could as he was asleep when we transferred him to the stroller and John just marched along stomping in puddles. It was so worth it! I wish Peter were in this photo. He was soaked through as his jacket was not as water proof as we thought. He is so good to me to take a photo of the 6 of us. Sweet man.

I was surprised to see other children there today. I did not take their photos, but it was refreshing. We also passed another van with a great homeschooling bumper sticker. I sure love homeschool field trips!

This man had a thousand bumper stickers made to pass out. Needless to say we now have a new bumper sticker for our big van.

These men were shouting different things and several of them were dressed up in period clothing. Their small vessel behind them them was full of "tea."

Today was an education for my children. It was a history lesson as well as a current events lesson. They did so well as we explained why we were there and how we don't want them paying tomorrow for what our government is spending today. They continue to be amazed as we explain where our tax dollars are going. My children's response is wide-eyed and questioning. We just completed our KONOS Obedience Unit. The children understand the difference between a Democracy and a Monarchy. My husband explained that we are close to having a king rather than a democracy. They knew what he meant. How little did I realize that when we were studying that we would have application so soon!

Eme Girl

Eme has had a good day today. So good in fact that should she continue to thrive she may even go home tomorrow!!!
Thank you for your prayers over her, my sister and brother-in-law. I really appreciate you seeking Him for them. Please continue as it is not over yet.

Please continue to pray...

Amber and Troy checked out of the hospital this morning and headed home without Eme. Eme will be moved to a different hospital tomorrow. Please continue to pray that Eme will be able to go home soon. Pray also for Troy and Amber as they have to "live" in Eme's hospital room. Amber needs to heal from her c-section, pray for comfort as she cares for her daughter.
Thank you.

Prayer Warriors!

My sister will be going home without her daughter tomorrow. Troy and Amber will stay with Emmie as much as they can (as long as nurses will allow) in the non-reclining single chair in her nicu room. Due to stress and lack of sleep Amber is not healing from her c-section as she needs to. Please pray specifically that the Drs will have wisdom as to what steps need to be taken for my sweet niece, for my sister to heal well and feel well and for Troy as you feel led.
Thank you!

Pray for Eme!

Eme is what my sister and her husband are calling Elizabeth Marie for short.
Please pray for her and for them. Eme was taken to the nic-u early this morning.
Please pray specifically that:
Eme will be healthy and whole, the way our Lord designed her!
She is 1 month early so pray as you feel led there. Protection in the nic-u.
That Amber will be out of pain from her c-section and able to completely care for Eme.
That Troy will be the support that they both need at this time and know how to meet Eme's needs as well as Ambers. That each of them will tangibly feel our Great God's arms holding them while they rely on him!
Lastly, that they would all go home together on Tuesday.
Thank you...Kristen

March for Life

The annual Pro-Life march is tomorrow in Washington, DC. Hubby and I will be taking the kids. I didn't get around to making my "Adoption is an Option" signs today.

Yesterday was very educational for the children. My kids were able to witness the swearing in of the first half-black, half-white President. I say that because it gets so tiring to hear everyone only comment about his being black. It neglects half of him. It was a monumental day and so exciting to tell the children that they can be anything...even President. We do not agree with Obama's stance on pretty much every issue. However, we will pray for him as he leads our nation. We do not want the change that he will probably bring as it is not the kind that we think our country needs. However, we will pray for him. Our country needs to acknowledge the true King, the Lord of heaven and earth. Obama is not "messiah." Messiah has come, was crucified, dead, buried and rose again. He is seated at the right hand of the Father.

Tomorrow will once again prove to be an educational experience for my children. They will see the harsh reality of the pain of abortion. They will be grateful to be a part of our family. They will be grateful they were not aborted as 1/3 of their generation have been. Pray for those attending the march tomorrow. Pray that Obama would see that people still care about this issue. Pray that his heart would be open to the One who sets the captives free. Pray that Obama would not be captive to his current ideas.

Adoption: We Want More and 40 Days For Life

Peter and I want more children. We know God has impressed this desire upon our hearts and we readily accept this calling. We are quiverfull. It is funny to say that we are quiverfull when the essence of this means to be open to God controlling the womb, either by giving you 1 or by giving you 18. Nevertheless, we are quiverfull and know that God has a rich plan to grow our family for His purposes and His glory. We do not know where are next child is or where he will come from, but we know he is out there and we are preparing our hearts for him (or her).

I had an anonymous poster on my AFA Journal post who asked for prayer for her daughter who is pregnant and needs clarity on a plan for her unborn baby. Please pray for this girl as well as her family as they help her to make a prayerful decision. Anonymous: I will pray with you. God has a plan for this baby. I will pray that your daughter has ears to hear what God is telling her and that she sees you as a source of wisdom.

Abortion is a big topic in our country around election time. But it's a huge topic to God all the time. Abortion and Adoption go hand in hand. Since Roe v. Wade the number of infants in the foster care system has been drastically reduced due to the increase of abortions. The movie Expelled talks about the link between Planned Parenthood and racism. I probably don't have to tell you that adoption, abortion and racism are all topics that are at the front of my mind. That being said, have you heard about 40 Days For Life? This is a powerful tool that God is using across the country to bring Pro-Lifers from differing denominations together in order to pray and peacefully picket abortion clinics. Please check out the link and pray. Maybe you can join a peaceful picket near you.

I know there are people reading this who have had abortions. My heart weeps with you at the emotion that is in your soul. I know your heart is hurting. There are many places that offer caring help. This is one. I am praying for you too...

Pray for YWAM-Orissa

Please pray for this situation during the next 10 days...


"We have never seen anything like this. We knew that Orissa was the most resistant and hostile State in India as far as the Gospel is concerned. And we brushed off the continuous threats and harassment we faced as we went about His work. But none of our staff imagined that they would see this kin d of carnage.... And it seems to be totally under the radar of the Western Media ....
Let me explain.... A militant Hindu priest and 4 of his attendants, who were zealously going around the villages of Orissa and 'reconverting' people back to Hinduism, were gunned down by unknown assailants in Central Orissa last weekend. Immediately the Christians were blamed. The cry rose up...'Kill the Christians!' And the horror began.... In the past 4 days, we have first hand witness to hundreds of churches being blown up or burned and many, many dozens of Christian tribals have been slaughtered. For no other reason than they bea r the name of Christ.
Night and day I have been in touch with our Good News India Directors spread across 14 Dream Centers in Orissa... they are right in the middle of all this chaos. In Tihidi, just after the police came to offer protection, a group of 70 blood-thirsty militants came to kill our staff and destroy the home.
They were not allowed to get in, but they did a lot of damage to our Dream Center by throwing rocks and bricks and smashing our gate, etc. They have promised to come back and 'finish the job.' Our kids and staff are locked inside and have stayed that way with doors and windows shut for the past three days. It has been a time of desperately calling on the Lord in prayer.
More police have come to offer protection. In Kalahandi, the police and some local sympathizers got to our dream center and gave our staff and kids about 3 minutes notice to vacate. No one had time to even grab a change of clothes or any personal belonging. As they fled, the blood thirsty mob came to kill everyone in the building. We would have had a mass funeral there, but for His grace. In Phulbani, the mob came looking for Christian homes and missions. The local Hindu people, our neighbors turned them away by saying that there were no Christians in this area. So they left.
We had favor. The same thing happened in Balasore.
All our dream centers are under lock down with the kids and staff huddled inside and police outside. The fanatics are circling outside waiting for a chance to kill. Others were not so fortunate. In a nearby Catholic orphanage, the mob allowed the kids to leave and locked up a Priest and a computer teacher in house and burned them to death. Many believers have been killed and hacked into pieces and left on the road.... even women and children. At another orphanage run by another organization, when this began, the Director and his wife jumped on their motorbike and simply fled, leaving all the children and staff behind. Every one of our GNI directors that I have spoken to said: 'We stay with our kids.... we live together or die together, but we will never abandon what God has called us to do.' More than 5000 Christian families have had their homes burned or destroyed. They have fled into the jungles and are living in great fear waiting for the authorities to bring about peace. But so far, no peace is foreseen.
This will continue for another 10 days.... supposedly the 14 day mourning period for the slain Hindu priest. Many more Christians will die and their houses destroyed. Many more churches will be smashed down. The Federal government is trying to restore order and perhaps things will calm down. We ask for your prayers. Only the Hand of God can calm this storm. None of us know the meaning of persecution. But now our kids and staff know what that means. So many of our kids coming from Hindu backgrounds are confused and totally bewildered at what is happening around them. So many of their guardians have fled into the jungles and are unable to come and get them during these trying times.

Through all this, I am more determined than ever to continue with our goal: the transformation of a community by transforming its children. Orissa will be saved... that is our heart's cry. If we can take these thousands of throw-away children and help them to become disciples of Jesus, they will transform an entire region. It is a long term goal, but it is strategic thinking in terms of the Great Commission. What can you do? First, please uphold all this in fervent prayer. Second, pass this e-mail on to as many friends as you can. We must get the word out and increase our prayer base for this is spiritual warfare at its most basic meaning. We are literally fighting the devil in order to live for His Kingdom. The next 10 days are crucial. We pray for peace and calm to pervade across Orissa....Prayer works!”
~ Facilitators to YWAM frontlines

U. N. Opportuniy for Pro-Lifers

OneNewsNow.com had this article regarding the U. N.'s 60th anniversary celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be held on December 10, on their site. International abortion providers are hoping to influence the U. N. to read the declaration with the inclusion of the right to abortion. The Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, otherwise known as C-FAM is gathering signatures for their petition in order to persuade the U. N. to interpret said declaration as protection for the unborn child. The petition has an inclusion for the right of parents to educate their children and choose "the kind of education for their children ."
You can sign the petition here.

HPV Vaccination follow-up

Readers:
I love your comments! Thank you for your encouragement and the links to information I had not previously read (I am assuming that "Kim" was my wonderful cousin who is always on the ball with this kind of info!). I am posting the comments below for your information. I hope that more concerned women will speak up and that we are able to keep this conversation going. I am sure that many of you have seen the proposal to make this vaccine mandatory for public school. This could have serious implications. I am grateful to have the opportunity to homeschool my children and only have to deal with telling our Doctor, "No thanks." Scripture speaks to God's plan for our bodies in 1 Corinthians 6:9-7:40. It is a long read, but do it! Read what God had Paul write to the church in Corinth about immorality and the freedom in the gift of marriage.

Marianne said:
Besides the obvious of putting a dangerous chemical into our young daughter's bodies. We are saying ( in my humble opinion) that our daughters WILL be promiscuous. Where is our trust in God and in the power of the Holy Spirit that He will lead them down the right path.
In our house our daughters are being taught what Jesus says about promiscuity. Prayfully and with the knowledge that both parents walked down the isle wearing white-- Married at 36 yrs and 38 yrs old.

Justme27 said:
That is terrible! I still can't believe that people vaccinate 10 year olds against STDs.
Stand firm. :)

Kim said:
Vaccines are full of poisons, animal viruses, and when they don't use African green monkey kidneys, they are often manufactured using aborted fetuses. Hpv vaccine only effective against small percentage of cancer-causing viruses.
See Barbara Loe Fischer's Vaccine Information Clearinghouse for more info; especially, the very serious side effects produced by this new vaccine in some of the young girls who were given the shots.

Rob Biagi

Readers,

I have previously posted on our favorite musician, Rob Biagi, and his daughter Natalie. Links to their sites are on my side bar. Please read below and pray for the Biagi family. We had the pleasure of seeing him in concert in CA before his hospital stay.

7.1.2008 - ROB BIAGI'S LEUKEMIA

In a freaky, "one-in-a-million" case, Rob Biagi has been diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. We say "freaky, one-in-a-million case" because it was exactly 9 months ago (to the day) that Rob's youngest daughter Natalie was diagnosed with another type of Leukemia: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. That makes two Leukemia patients in one family with very different versions of the disease (extremely rare). And if you add in Rob's son Matt (who has had nearly 65 potentially cancerous moles removed from his body in the last 18 months), that's a large burden for any family. The Biagis need prayer, encouragement, and help from you. If you wish to send a card, letter, or gift to Rob or his family, please send it to:

Rob Biagi Productions

17941 Skypark Circle, suite J

Irvine, CA 92614 U.S.A.

THE DETAILS ON ROB:

Rob had just finished a week-long VBS in Carrollton, Texas when he discovered a large lump below his ribcage. He visited his doctor first thing Monday, and tests were begun. His doctor instructed him to go to the Emergency Room at Hoag Hospital. The results showed that Rob's spleen was extremely swollen, and that his white blood cell count was extremely high.

Rob was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit overnight, then to the Oncology (Cancer) Floor. More tests were run (CT scans, a bone marrow biopsy, 2 blood transfusions and several rounds of antibiotics). The tests revealed that Rob (like his daughter Natalie) has Leukemia. Rob's Leukemia is very different from Natalie's, however, in that Rob will NOT go through aggressive chemotherapy and steroid treatment (which has resulted in hair loss, LOTS of pain, swelling, and a LONG recovery period for little Natalie).

Rob's type of Leukemia is a life-long condition that will be treated by regulating his white blood cell count with medication. His daughter Natalie's Leukemia has been aggressively treated, and will most likely go away, never to reappear.

During his 4-day hospital stay, Rob was surrounded by his family (his wife Kathleen and the kids, as well as his parents and his two brothers and their wives). He is resting comfortably at his home in Southern California.

Rob is extremely disappointed to have to cancel his concert appearances for the next several weeks while his body stabilizes.

NOTE TO KIDS AND PARENTS: Leukemia is not contagious. You will not "catch it" by giving Rob Biagi a "high-five" or a hug at a concert, or by standing next to him for a photograph. Says Rob, "The word 'Leukemia' does sound scary, so if kids don't want to get too close to me for awhile, I understand. Just tell everyone I love them and covet their prayers for my family and me."

- Rob Biagi Productions Staff

Please Pray!

In the words of Mark Lowry:
"Jesus came to give us life. But not just life. Life more abundant.
And since life is a constant series of mountains and valleys,
life more abundant just means that the mountains are even higher
and the valleys even lower."

My valleys are not low, but they are challenging! Things always seem to pile up this way. I am used to spinning plates and my Lord knows it. Daniel spent all of yesterday, last night and this morning with a high temperature and a hurting stomach. I took him to the Doctor this morning thinking that perhaps he had Strep. The Strep test was negative, but he has sores on this throat. My sweet boy has Hand-Foot-Mouth Virus for the 2nd time in his little life! The last time he had it was awful, complete with the tiny blisters between his toes, on his ears, his throat and sweet little hands. He was only 22 months and couldn't understand why I had to pin him down to put medicine in his mouth. At 3.5 he is doing a much better job this time. He is taking his Tylenol, Motrin, Benedryl, Maalox and Prevacid like such a good boy. We are alternating the Tylenol and Motrin which resulted in getting his temperature down to 99.8 from 103.5. Please pray for us! Please pray that the other children do not get it. Please pray that Daniel will be healed quickly. As I stated in my last post, we are headed on a plane on Thursday at 6am to finalize Abi and Johns adoptions. We have to go! I know that many of you are faithful prayer warriors. Thank you in advance for standing in the gap for our family!