come rain or come shine

Many times, I find myself living for the next month, the next season of life, the time when all my i's are dotted and t's are crossed or the day that I will have the perfect life. How pointless is that? I can strive to live a more perfect life; I can work hard to obtain a bigger house with a nicer couch; our children will grow up and one day I won't be spending every waking hour tending to spilt milk and messy pants- but how unfulfilling, to always be living for the next season. Life is not perfect. There will always be things to strive for and work on in my individual life, my family as a whole and the earth as God's creation.

So, I say this as a little self reminder: Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Ephesians 5:15-20 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the midst of the storm when the milk's on the floor, the kitchen sink is leaking, and I can hardly stand- I choose to be happy and live my life to its fullest. And on that sunshiny day when the house is clean, my children are angels and I'm fully rested- I choose to be happy and live my life to its fullest.

a home education and social deprivation

It seems that one of the biggest problems people have with homeschooling is the whole "socially deprived" idea. Yes. I agree, that can be a problem. So how do you prevent social deprivation from kids that spend the day at home with no peers other than their siblings? You participate in the world around you! When there is a community project, go as a family and participate; pick up trash with the community, throw a neighborhood BBQ, go to the park and encourage your kids to be friendly, play sports with other families or friends. This is just the beginning. There are so many ways to introduce your kids to the world and prepare them to venture out on their own. You see, I think that teaching my kids from the home will provide so many more opportunities to be a part of our community. We won't be tied to certain hours of the day being at school or homework at night. We will have our own schedule and routine and be able to jump on more opportunities around us because of that.

I think that parents can communicate with their kids things that are going on in the world; over sheltering can be a huge disadvantage to the child and we have to be sure to keep that balance in check. I also disagree with the thought that a grade-school or high-school is a good environment to introduce my children to the world. Why would I want my kids to be in an environment that my child is influenced by kids with little parental guidance, very little mature discussion and very much immature talk of all sorts of trash? In my opinion, placing kids in school with the intentions of it being a place to learn of the world is like teaching a kid how to play catch by throwing a ball at their face. Sure, they will learn, they'll catch on, but at what price? Does it not seem more logical for them to learn of the world under my supervision and guidance. Should I not be the one to explain the dangers and effects of drugs. Should I not be the one to explain the purpose of sex? Even if your children are in public school, you can be the one to talk to them of certain things but who knows what else they are hearing or at what age.

Another thing I consider when thinking of my children's social skills is that I want them to learn to communicate with all ages. I want them to be comfortable discussing with and entertaining infants, children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. I want to prepare my children for college, the workplace and their future spouse and family. I feel that when they are in school and mainly interact with kids only their own age it puts them at a disadvantage for this. So, what is my plan? James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. I hope to help my children keep themselves unstained by the world, yet prepare them to live life on their own. I hope to teach them what is going on in the world around them without pushing them into an environment that makes the said task extremely hard for a child who isn't yet mature enough to face such an environment. We will serve together, talk together, play together, eat together and learn TOGETHER.

I want to end with this: Home schooling children and teenagers is not for everyone. If you are not passionate about it and or ready to take the selfless commitment of time and energy, I don't recommend it. Your kids may stumble, they may have to go through the boring classes in high-school and forget half of what they learned but they'll make it and you can still be a big part of their lives and education. However, if you are willing, your kids will reap the benefits of a home education.

A home education...

Do you have kids? If so, you undoubtedly desire for them to be smart, confident, disciplined, kind, respectful, obedient, unselfish, and blessed. I desire all of these things and more for my children. This is why I am staying home with them. This is why I take my kids to the grocery store with me and teach them how to pick a good ripe peach, the smells that the fruit gives, the colors of the vegetables. This is why I let them make a mess in the kitchen so that they can learn to bake a cake and measure ingredients. It is why we sing songs in the car, read before bed and count things throughout the day. Being well educated, in my opinion, is not about textbooks, how early you start school, or even whether or not you go off to college. To educate children well begins with giving them a desire to learn.

I am in the beginning stages of educating my children and I am beginning to realize what a huge task I have on my shoulders and at the same time what treasures I have in my hands and how vulnerable they are. To send my children off to childcare or preschool isn't even a question. Why would I send my children off to learn basics that I can teach? Why let other kids habits rub off on my vulnerable little girl that is soaking things up like a sponge? Why let other men and women, who don't know my child like I know my child, try to teach and train them? Not only can they not prevent accidental or purposeful disagreeable behavior, but they also can't train my child the way I see fit to have her behave in a kind, unselfish, polite way. And then, once the basics are taught and my child behaves, then what? Do I want to send them to school to spend time with one teacher and 25 kids? Do I want my child to face peer pressure prematurely? No. I want to raise my children to be grounded. To stand for what they believe and at what point they are ready for this will probably vary from child to child, some might not be ready to face peers and decisions on their own until they are 18 while others might be ready at the age of 14. Some may say, "you are preventing you're child from being used by God." Or, "they're going to be socially awkward". With this, I would have to disagree. My job, as a parent, is to teach, train and protect my children. I do wish for my children to socialize. I do want my kids to have friends and have opportunities to bless this world and those around them. I do want my children to be witnesses of Christ. But is a schoolroom or high-school hall the most effective and best model? In my opinion, the answer to that is no. Stephen and I hope to always be welcoming people into our home, those who love Christ and those who do not. I never want to shelter my kids to the point that they are socially awkward. We hope to entertain, serve our community and share God's love as a family. Under our guidance, our children will get to communicate and spend time with other children, of all ages and stages. Yes. I have decided that the best place for a child is in the home.

If the best place for a child is in the home, how do I ensure that she is properly educated? After all, I didn't even go to college! I honestly do not think that you have to have a college degree to teach children and inspire them to learn. Education begins first thing in the morning and ends when your child lays down to sleep. It's not a matter of "okay, let's start school now," or "it's time to go to school so you can learn." We count, identify colors, read books, identify letters and most importantly discipline and train in character all day. This is our education. Now as my children get a little older (Pear is only 2 1/2), we will move on to do more things, different things. But the core of their education will remain the same: in the home, throughout the day, in all we do, both work and play! (Kinda corny, huh?)

Why do you have to "do school" for so many hours a day, days a week and months a year? Why is it that we feel we must complete the text book in order to ensure a decent education. Do you think it would be better to read a chapter in a history book full of dates and numbers and facts that the child is really not interested in or would it be better to read through an intriguing book on a historical figure, invention, war, etc. Let's say your child is really intrigued with dinosaurs, science inventions, wars, cowboys, whatever it may be, captivate him through that interest. Make learning fun and something that isn't just a bore. Play games that help with times tables, State capitals and spelling. Have your kids dress up and act out a historical moment. There are so many creative outlets for teaching and learning. I am so excited to be a part of my children's education. Not just a part that helps with homework and listens to them talk about their day. I am going to inspire, be creative, have fun with and BE a part of their day.

This all sounds good and it's easier said than done. I have no doubts that there will be many days that I will want to throw in the towel. I'm sure there will be times when I feel my children are lacking in one way or another on the education front. However, I don't think that I will ever regret it once it's all said and done. I will create memories, build character, and inspire my children to learn, more than would ever be possible if I sent them to school.

I was home-schooled. I was slightly stereotypical. There were days that we didn't "do school". There were weeks that I should have devoted more time and energy into learning. I graduated at the age of 17. What this means is that I completed enough "school" to take a test and obtain a high school diploma or rather the GED which is equivalent. I have never stopped learning though as my curiosity about life, history, science, health, English, and more (basically everything except for math) has been spiked because I was encouraged and inspired to learn. My parents taught me that I can figure out, learn and do just about anything I put my mind to. I hope to inspire and encourage my children even more and hopefully, the tradition will follow from generation to generation.

Follow the Rabbi

Stephen and I have been listening to and enjoying the "Follow the Rabbi" lectures by Ray Vanderlaan. They are encouraging, inspiring and very thought provoking. My eyes have been opened to the thinking of an eastern mind and to the very core of the culture which the scripture was written in. I am still trying to break the mold of my western thinking mind which assumes that a+b=c or that when the bible speaks of numbers, it means quantity where in fact, the numbers often spoken of are symbolic to an eastern mind and convey an entirely different meaning.

I highly encourage you check out this link. Take some time and listen to these lectures. I plan on listening to these a couple of times over as I am still processing a lot of the things I've heard. Also, these are great to download to a CD and take on your next road trip. Just an idea!

Be encouraged.

My thoughts on the subject of Birth Control...

Prior to getting married, I thought it important to research different contraceptives and birth control options as Stephen was studying at Western Washington University and I was required to work to help support us. We debated whether to wait to get married until after he was finished with schooling and decided that we could better serve God and each other by getting married sooner even though we would not be living our ideal life, (me being able to stay at home and fulfill my calling as a wife, mother and homemaker, Stephen being able to work full time and be the bread winner, and Stephen having time in the day to devote to myself and our growing family rather than to his studies.) It worked out wonderfully. God blessed us. We grew in many areas and don't regret our decision. God continues to bless us as we are now living our ideal life. All of this to say, we felt it important to abstain from having children until we were ready and able to raise them as we feel God wants us to, with myself, as the mother, devoting my time and energy at home to train and nurture each blessing God gives us.

1. From my research, I came to the conclusion that Abortion is clearly wrong. I believe that life begins at conception. God knows us BEFORE we are formed in the womb. God grows us IN our mother's womb. It was a BABY that leaped in his mother's womb upon being greeted by Mary the mother of Jesus. Need you be further convinced? Do you know when a baby's fingernails develop? Have you heard the heart-beat of a ten week old baby in the womb? Have you felt a baby hiccup at 16 weeks in the womb? Have you seen an ultrasound image of a 20 week old baby? Talk to me if you need further convincing.

Psalm 139:13 For You formed my inward parts;You wove me in my mother's womb.

Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,And [Is 49:1, 5; Luke 1:15] before you were born I consecrated you;I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Isaiah 46:3 "Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,And all the remnant of the house of Israel,You who have been borne by Me from birth And have been carried from the womb;

Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 1:15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased

2. From my research, I came to the personal decision that a birth control pill or oral contraceptive was not for me. I will not place judgement if you choose to use this method however I will challenge you to seek God, pray and fast and research and make sure you're not making any decisions or choices without being informed. There are two ways that the pill can stop conception and, are therefore, in my opinion, contraceptive and one way that I consider and abortifacient. First, the pill acts to inhibit ovulation. Second, the pill changes the cervical mucus which increases difficulty for sperm to travel to the egg. Third, the pill thins and shrivels the lining of the uterus so that it is unable or less able to facilitate the implantation of the newly fertilized egg. As I believe life begins at conception, which to me is when an egg is fertilized, I personally cannot justify taking a pill with even a slight chance of raising difficulty for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. Aside from these items, I personally feel that my body is a temple of God and I should treat it as such. I believe that God created our bodies to work in certain ways and when you chemically mess with that, it may or will have side effects which I don't want. But this is simply a personal choice and opinion.

3. From my research and study of scripture, I don't find it to be a sin to use a non-abortive contraceptive so long as you have sought the Lord in making your decision and are not using contraceptives simply for selfish reasons. I will challenge you once again to seek God in your decision, especially when considering permanent contraceptives as they are very hard to reverse and many people change their minds after making a decision too hastily and have a very hard time conceiving and receiving the gifts which God delights in blessing us with. Stephen and I hope to have several children. We currently feel that we have the ability and desire to do that. So, if God is willing, he will continue to provide and bless us with several children. If for some reason, I have further liver complications and pregnancy puts my body's health on a downward spiral, we have discussed our best option may be adoption and a non-abortive contraceptive may be a blessing to keep me healthy enough to raise these children.

I listened to this talk http://voxpopnetwork.com/vision/2008/01/06/christian-birth-control-options by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church on birth control and found it to be very accurate from what I had personally researched. I would encourage all of you men and women of childbearing age who are married or thinking of marriage soon, to listen to it and come up with your own convictions on the subject as a vast majority or our culture is doing things without knowledge of what they are actually doing.

Missional Church

I came across this website and it's a good reminder of why I want to be a part of the church (meaning the body of believers) and gather with other believers.

Check it out.

On Church and the Gathering of Believers

I have been thinking a lot lately on the subject of "church". What should it be? As we all probably agree, the church is the body of believers; we, followers of Christ, make up the church. But, why then, do we say "we're going to church," on Sunday morning? I personally have decided to begin calling it something besides church. I want my kids to grow up understanding that we go to gather with believers but WE are the church. I tell Pear as we leave the house, on Sunday morning or evening, we're going to go see friends or we're going to fellowship or we're going to gather with Christians.

Is "church" meant for believers or unbelievers? Let me restate this, is the gathering of the followers of Christ meant for believers or unbelievers? I believe that the gathering of believers is meant for believers.

Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Romans 1:11-12 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-22 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.


The gathering is meant for spurring one another on in faith. It is meant for eating together, building community and encouraging one another. It is meant to be a place where we can break bread and share in communion in remembrance of Him. I am not saying that if someone comes to the gathering that does not know Christ we send them out and say find Christ before you come to our gathering. But, I am saying that we as Christians should be reaching out to the lost by inviting them into our homes; eating, playing games, going on walks and doing things that EVERYONE in the world does, is the way to reach unbelievers. In order to do this you must first make friends. Talk with co-workers, say "hello" to the person standing next to you in the grocery store, get involved with different people that share a common interest. We can't simply go to "church" and attend youth church and have our bible study. In order to be Christ to the world, we must take part in the world.

Corporate church is something I have titled a church that has a too much staff, a big building with a matching mortgage and/or leadership that thinks like a business owner. Why does a church need a secretary? Why does a church need a big building? Why can't we meet in areas such as a school or a building that isn't normally used on Sundays? Can the body of believers pitch in and take turns providing bread and juice for communion? Can the body of believers pitch in to set up tables and chairs? Does a church really even need a full time paid pastor? Why couldn't the men and elders of a community of believers take turns sharing their faith and scriptures. Would people with the gift of teaching and preaching naturally step up to the plate? If the gathering is doing what I believe it is intended to do, a lot of "corporate church" jobs would not be needed. If we were truly building community and friendships with one another then couldn't we, the body, answer questions people may have otherwise called the church office for? Couldn't we, faithful friends pray for one another, lay hands on the sick and encourage those in need. I do believe that everyone has their own gift(s) given by God and that these are powerful. I believe that there are people that have been granted the gift of preaching, teaching, healing, prophesying, etc. Maybe there are many men with the gift of preaching that do need to be supported (with money, food, housing,) by the believers. Has the modern church taken this too far? Is pastoring supposed to be a career path that one chooses to got to college, get a degree and therefore they are qualified?

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts.

Ephesians 4 7-13 7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it[a] says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."[b] 9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

I believe both of these scriptures are very true but are we often times missing the boat? Are we using these gifts in the ways intended? Because one is called to be a pastor, does this mean that he is to work full time at a church and get paid a full time wage? Or does this mean that his gifting is preaching and he is to use this gift as God guides him. We are all in full time ministry, we simply have different gifts. Because I am called to serve the community, does that mean that "the church" should pay my wage to serve the community? Or maybe I have the gift of prophecy, does this mean that the church should pay per prophetic word given? I may be too legalistic about this, and I may be completely wrong. I am simply trying to figure out what is right. Is the role of a pastor in a church too large? Have we, the body of believers slacked off a little and stopped doing our jobs and therefore given the responsibility to pray for, counsel, prophecy, teach, etc. all to the pastor of a church? What was the role intended to be?

On the subject of children's care and nurseries...why? If the gathering was meant to be encouraging one another, breaking bread and fellowship, why do we need child care? Yes, we may need to train our children a little better, and yes some people may need to loosen their wigs a little but as a mother of a baby who is not the "angel baby" I don't see why the childcare needs to be provided. I do think that mothers of young children need breaks and I hope that they are blessed with grandparents and people in their lives that offer those breaks but I do not agree that the gathering is the time for a babysitter. It seems churches are constantly in need of servants to watch children during service and that indicates to me that either people aren't sharing the burden and are taking a little more than giving which to me indicates that it may not be a great plan. If all parents who desire the childcare want to take turns to watch the children, great! Maybe it does help them be encouraged but if the burden is not shared than it's purpose is being defeated because a servant becomes worn out by watching kids too many Sundays out of the month. I personally strongly feel that if God blesses me with a child, it is my responsibility to train this child in the ways of the Lord. To honor, respect and obey both God and myself as a mother. I also personally feel that until my child is trained to honor, respect and obey God, myself and those around him or her, she is to remain with me during outings and gatherings so that I can teach and train him or her. Each child is different, some may be trained earlier than others but I know that me 17 month old is not trained well enough yet. Sunday school should not be the primary place that our children are learning about Christ. The home is where our children need to be trained and taught the scripture. I am not saying that they can't be encouraged or taught anywhere else but if we use sunday school as our source than we are missing the boat.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go,Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

What do you think? This is an open discussion. This is what we're supposed to do as Christians right? We're supposed to question our faith and figure out what we believe and why? Are my thoughts different than what the scripture says?