HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN HAITI!

Happy birthday Matthew! Twenty-nine years ago today, early in the morning I said hello to you, my first son, after a very long and difficult labor. People wondered if I would ever have more children – let them wonder no more – seven sons and one daughter later, I could not be more blessed!! While you were in the womb, we prayed for you, sung to you often, talked to you about your future, and treasured you from the beginning. We gave you to the Lord before we even knew your name. And when you arrived on planet earth March 27, 1981, we had several names picked out. You were a tiny six pound, thirteen ounce baby - long and skinny – black hair and wide open eyes looking all around like, “Get me out of here; I have important things to do.” And you did! When we rehearsed the names we had carefully picked out, the only ones that matched you were “Matthew Aaron.” Those two words expressed the desires of our hearts for you – Matthew – “Gift of God” – Aaron – “Bringer of Light.” We prayed and have believed that in choosing those names for you, that God would allow you to be that gift from the Lord who would bring light to a very dark world. Yes!

With those big dark eyes and legs and arms on the move, we sensed there really was work for you to do. Those eyes, arms, and legs have never stopped moving. You talked early causing people to wonder what expensive preschool I had enrolled you in. You stood at the front windows of our little seminary house, inviting students to come in for breakfast, causing me to scramble for my robe. If they couldn’t come then, you would tell them it was okay, they could just come later for supper. I never knew who would show up. You took to a microphone early, singing worship songs from age 2, on. From seven years old, you spoke publicly every opportunity you had, and still do. Yes!

Your few piano lessons led you to discover that you could hear music, then play it without notes on paper – any kind – all kinds of music. You were a creative writer – composing poetry that would later become lyrics to songs you would write. Drawing, artistic tendencies, creativity – you were not the child who did “time outs” well, because while you were there, a whole new world would open up to you and you would forget why you were there and have way too much fun. You never met a stranger – and did not understand the don’t talk to strangers rule - and if there were none around to befriend, you would make up your own imaginary crew. Having seven siblings helped with that later. The opportunity to speak, debate, and act uncovered more of your talents; where would God take this young man, we wondered. Would he write, act, speak, sing, play music? Would he teach, preach, admonish, encourage, exhort, challenge? Would he create, start something new, lead others?  To all those questions, yes!

While sitting in a room with a sick child and watching the church service on closed circuit television, I felt or heard or experienced an impression from the Lord that there would be an invitation given and that you would respond by giving your life to missions, in the main sanctuary. Yes! You did that day, as a young child. The television showed this little boy kneeling at the altar of a church in Tennessee, saying “yes,” to God and missions.

As pioneer homeschooling parents, you survived the challenge with us. There was not too much out there in those early days, but YES, we did it! I didn’t do an amazing job but my prayer for God to complete the work I was attempting, has been answered in all my children. You graduated and married a sweet childhood friend, one who also had sensed the call to missions on her life. Yes to marriage!

Children began to come even though you had warned me that you would not be having children for several years.  “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” (Robert Burns). Yes to Tobin, Josiah, Jude, and most recently twins Ean and Eden. Not popular, not easy, not predicable – no formulas – but amazing and wonderful - having children! I know you did not mean to follow in our footsteps of large family, but God seems to have taken you down that path, to which you have bravely said, “yes!” What an adventure you are on!!

Now a new calling – finally all the gifts begin to come together in the founding of “SafewaterNexus” http://safewaternexus.org/ under “Go International” http://gointernational.org/. Uganda – now Haiti – bringing wells of clean, fresh water - tents, food, medical supplies, mosquito nets, shoes – school supplies – heart – tears – love - compassion, and most of all, LIGHT – IN THE FORM OF THE LIVING WATER, JESUS CHRIST. Yes!

I am so proud of you as you continue to walk in an imperfect world, an often disappointing world – I apologize for the church and the lack of true compassion and ministry you have often seen – where people care more about themselves and their needs than the needs of others. I do know that there are many challenges before you with Jude’s special needs – with raising support to provide – with loving Jordana and children – with meeting the needs of many who have captured your heart. I do know that life is hard - what your eyes have seen make you wonder  about things you have always believed. But you are on the path – keep going –God will show you how to do His work, with the family He has given you. Keep close to Him – love His Word – keep bringing water to so many who are thirsty – light to a dark world.

The words “happy birthday” seem so inferior, when I want to say “I celebrate you – your entrance into this world – I celebrate what Christ is doing and wants to do in and through your life – I celebrate the lives you are touching even today in Haiti.” What a place to celebrate your birthday!  I love you and do not have to think hard to remember my first tears and joy at the announcement of your birth - of my love for you the moment I saw your face. Giving children away to the Lord is important – watching them grow up, make decisions, make mistakes – are all parts that I have had to learn. You were and are the Lord’s - I just got to get in on part of the action.

Please hug someone for me in Haiti today – say, “this is from my mom!” I love you and as always – am praying for you! Happy Birthday!

“Affliction frequently opens truths to us and opens us to the truth. Experience unlocks truths that were closed. Many passages of Scripture will never be made clear by the commentator, for those must be expounded by experience. Many a verse is written in a secret ink that must be held to the fire of adversity to make it visible. Affliction plows and opens our hearts, so that into our innermost nature the truth penetrates and soaks like rain into the plowed land. Affliction, when sanctified by the Holy Spirit, brings much glory to God through the believer’s experience with the Lord’s faithfulness.” –C.H. Spurgeon.

Happy Birthday to my mom, a Proverbs 31+ kind of girl!!

Happy Birthday to one amazing lady who was born 89 years ago today, December 11, 1921, Margaret Elizabeth. Born in Laurel, Mississippi, with a twin brother Charles - she is better known today as Libby. She is mom to three sons, one daughter - grandmother to 17 teens to adults, great grandmom to seven, and "momma" (as my dad calls her) to hundreds around the country and world! She is just one great "mom." Sixty-four plus years ago she said, "yes" to a Pennsylvania GI who had come to her town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She moved to Orlando to be nearer to where he was stationed, then without either sets of parents nearby, this lady married the man she loved one hot July day. Both my mom and dad said "yes" to God first, then "yes" to each other second! They still have that same commitment today. She has never wavered - in fact, she would tell you that she loves God and my dad more today than ever before. What makes this lady so special?

When she said "yes" to God and "yes" to my dad, that began her on a journey that has taken her from southern Louisiana, to Florida, to Texas, to Long Island, New York, and all over the world. She has served selflessly as a wife, mom, and minister's wife all of these years. She has willingly moved from place to place and set up housekeeping wherever God took her; she has listened to thousands of sermons, taken notes, and laughed at jokes she had already heard! She has stood by the side of every one of her children, believing in them, praying for them, and giving to them and to their families. She has traveled the world with my dad the last 30 years as they have conducted prayer conferences for churches in almost every state and many foreign countries. She has logged hundreds of miles walking (and still does), with the man she loves. She has been there with him through multiple and ongoing physical struggles, as they have grown older together. She has laughed at her "elderly things" and never given up on getting things done that needed to get done. She emails on her computer and surfs the web. She carries her cell phone, although some times she forgets to turn it on! She hugs anyone whom she feels might need a hug, as she is out and about, meeting no strangers. She helps and prays for her neighbors, takes food to those much younger than herself, making sure no one goes hungry. She loves...loves like no one I know. She loves her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren, and excitedly looks forward to many more of the latter! She has a Christmas stocking with a name for everyone of the family members and puts them up around her living room every year, celebrating the many lives in her family. She calls the lonely, listens to the needs of others, weeps with those who weep, and rejoices with those who rejoice. She has faced many storms courageously and plans to keep on doing so. She still cooks, drives, and helps my dad mow the yard. If you call her in the morning, you will catch her with her morning coffee, orange juice, and her Bible and prayer list. She may be praying for you. She is teachable and open to learning new skills, keeping the instructions close by in case she cannot remember them.

I am so proud of my mom and the picture of relentless motherhood she is; she is a powerful example of a faithful, loving wife, to her daughter, daughters-in-laws, grand-daughters, great-grand-daughter, and those yet to come. She is quiet strength - resolved commitment - love in action - an amazing mom.

Prov. 31 describes my mom well! She is a "wife of noble character...worth more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her...she brings him good, not harm all the days of her life!...she works with eager hands...she brings food from afar...gets up while it is still dark...provides food for her family (and others)...considers...and buys...sets about her work vigorously...her arms are (still) strong for her tasks...she opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy (you cannot stop her even now)...her husband is respected at the city gate (many of them)...she is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed (yes, we do!); her husband also, and he praises her (boy, does he?); Many women do noble things (in this culture), but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Today I give her the reward she has earned, and I am one of her works praising her at the city gate!

Mom, may all of us who know you, follow your example, in love, faithfulness, and good deeds. You are amazing! Happy Birthday!!

Family - God's idea - He defined it!

My firstborn son Matthew worked out a way to bring our fourth son, Wesley, all the way in from Los Angeles, where he moved for school in August. After a midnight call from Matthew, in Tennessee, woke us up - asking us if we had received a special delivery (which we had not) - Wesley burst into our room, followed by a younger brother who had picked him up from the airport. I had been praying that someone would have him over for Thanksgiving, like we have others in our home for holidays. I had been on the phone with him earlier in the day, concerned that he have a place to be for Thanksgiving. He assured me he would work something out and have a good place to be for the day!! All the while, he was actually waiting in the airport to come home!
We will all be together after tonight when Matthew, his wife and children arrive. Eight children, one daughter-in-love (so far), and five grandchildren, six and under, including a set of boy/girl twins will all be in our home for the week!! My extended family is in Texas and I so miss doing holidays with them, but I am thrilled and grateful to have my family together for Thanksgiving!!

We were shocked by Wesley's arrival - he went from room to room waking the other siblings up. Mary Kathryn's response after being woken from a dead sleep was to jump up and say, "This is a dream come true!" As the boys all looked at each other, I thought, "Don't you just love the GIRL factor in a house full of boys??"

Family - what a great idea God had, and I am so thankful to Him for it!

Happy Anniversary to my husband!

Bob - 31 years - 8 cities - 8 churches - 8 children -

many pregnancies, many strollers, many diapers -

many cars, many houses, many meals -

many boys, many pancakes, many birthdays -

many songs, many sports, many miles -

many school days, many books, many field trips -

many people, many challenges, many hopes -

many hurts, many tears, many sorrows -

many trials, many hurdles, many questions -

even now,

but many hair bows, many blessings -

many knicknames -

many smiles - many laughs - many thanks -

many years with the person I chose to grow old with -

to cry with - to laugh with - to learn with -

to grow with - to parent with - to just do life with.

I am glad I chose you. I celebrate who are you - who you have been to me - who you are to our children - who God is in you - I love you and am so grateful to be able to walk another day with you by my side -  There are many views about relationships today, many misunderstandings, many expectations, many broken hearts - but I have learned so much from you in marriage, as I consider this verse: "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."  You are that kind of man - one who lays down his life daily for me, for our children, for anyone. I like how The Message says, "This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line...." That is you - unselfish, so kind, and so full of God’s unconditional love. It may not sound romantic, but how could anyone want more in the person she loves and marries?

Thank you. Happy 31^st Anniversary. I love you, Joy
est. October 14, 1978

Hang on to Homeschooling!

Who would have known? I heard my first homeschool radio broadcast in 1982 through Focus on the Family. I read my first homeschooling book shortly after. I met my first homeschooling student (age 9 who could not read until that year, then took off reading everything in sight) in our first year of seminary. Now, homeschooling on purpose since 1985 - 8 children later - 6 high school graduates - 5 college degrees so far - 2 more children in high school - missions minded - servants' hearts - worshippers - giving their lives away - that is how I would describe the children whom I have had the privilege of homeschooling in my own house! Did I use the perfect curriculum? No, often just what was handed down to me or was the most affordable. I must have had the perfect schedule - no, I am not sure we did the same thing any two days in a row for the last 25 years.  How will your seven boys play sports? Don't worry, they have played just about every one. What about socialization? I am not sure I could take it if my kids were any more social than they are! What about music lessons - how will you afford them on one salary? I have more kids playing more instruments and singing than I could have ever imagined, and without lessons!

"How did you do it," they ask? I have to confess, there is no "perfect" way to home school; there is no "right" curriculum; there is no "ultimate" schedule; there is no magic formula. There is not an ideal mother/child relationship for schooling at home. All I know is that it works. What works? Loving your kids and seeking to give them the best that you can in terms of character and a biblical worldview that can change their world...living life in front of them in an imperfect world, as an imperfect parent, who has a perfect Savior!

As I sat through two recent graduations of two sons, I was more convinced than ever of the possibilities and benefits of home schooling your children, if at all possible. They did it! We did it! God did it through us! Every time I drove by a middle school this year and watched the  inappropriate boy/girl interaction, I would look at my fourteen year old daughter and be so thankful that she did not have to endure all of that. When I watch the peer dependency of young people, then see my guys choose each other to throw the frisbee with, go to the beach or movies with, or just sit and play music with...I am again awed at what God has done. Reading Pilgrim's Progress and The Screwtape Letters, followed by incredible indepth discussions about the books - how could it get better? Easy? No, never, not one day, but do-able.

How can you respond to your children who are so grateful to you for the sacrifices you have made? How do you react when they tell you they are so glad that they have not grown up in churches where they had every need met by others and where trendiness was the modus operandi for ministry! They want to give their lives away and find God's will for themselves. When your tenth grader is discussing with businessmen in an airport about absolute truth and they ask him what college he goes to...when a son tells you how God is teaching Him to pray - when you ask your husband for a good verse on brokenness, and your daughter offers the ones she has been reading lately... when your sons who have never led worship, step out and lead for the very first time...when your young adults are talking to you about their future marriage relationships, and want your input (even though you are working hard at letting them determine their convictions and set their boundaries)...these and more are all byproducts of God's "amazing grace" in homeschooling.  Again, we are not perfect and our children have and do make mistakes. But to be able to be there and guide them through to the other side, is also a gift in homeschooling.

(mom, dad, and five of the eight at UCF, spring '09)

God initiated this direction - He went before us down this path - God kept our feet steady along the way - God has produced the fruit in the hearts and lives of our children. No shortcuts, no furmulas (although I have longed for them) - just hard work - prayers, tears, hugs, flexibility, and more hard work. If I could tell you it was a certain curriculum, schedule, or secret homeschool weapon, then I would not be able to boast in the Lord like I am. It is His mercy that has been new every morning - His faithfulness that has proven true, especially on those many days when I never even got to the academics for the day!

Take hope in the path that God has called you to, whatever that path is, and seek Him. Stay on it - don't give up! Fellow homeschool moms and dads, do not decide ahead of time what it must look like, exactly what every child should be and do,  and wonder how you are going to control it all. Focus on those internals, not just the externals. Ask God to allow you to follow Him in raising up children who love Him, love each other, and love the world...children who get it - who want to give their lives away for His sake! Wow!

I encourage you to keep on going! Enlarge your vision of God, to stay on this task. He uses every experience to teach us all. He is a BIG God and the object of our hope!!

back from texas and more...

Our family has just returned from Texas where we spent time with my parents, 86 and 87, who are amazingly plugging away at life and ministry.  We also saw my three brothers and family - did the cousin thing and enjoyed it all.  I will tell you more about my parents in a later space.

Meanwhile, I help lead a large homeschool co-op locally and also have the opportunity to teach a downtown women's lunch/bible study.  I am working hard on both and am pouring over what topics to cover in the luncheon-study.  Businesswomen from all over the downtown Orlando area come into a classy, decorated atmosphere, are served by numerous ladies from the sponsoring church, enjoy a great lunch made by an amazingly creative cook, then listen in to a teaching time.  The response has been amazing this past year so I will get to do it again this fall.  The question I am asking is, "What would working women want to hear about in the middle of their busy day, over lunch?  My goal is not too heavy, not too light, not too serious, not too silly, but practical, with humor, and uplifting, whatever the topic is.  I want them to go out smiling and encouraged, with a little better glimpse of our God.  I am considering a study on  women of the Bible, but then thought that it would be hard to invite a co-worker to come to lunch and learn about "Deborah" - Deborah who????  You would really have to know about these people to want to come.  Then I thought about an in-depth look at the Lord's Prayer and what each line represents in a prayer life.  Hmmmm.  Another thought I had, was to tackle the "giants in our lives"...like fear, discouragement, hurt, pain, failure, etc.  Maybe I could take one giant per week and talk about it and what God has to say in His Word about how to take on that giant - that would be something you could invite anyone to.  I think I would like to attend that one.  Anyway...

my seventh child just got his learner's permit - teaching a seventh child to drive - only one more after him to go - wow!  Talk about "prayer life" - teaching teen boys to drive is one way to increase your praying, quickly.  But we are making it!  This is my very fun 6'3" 15 year old who has had the ongoing struggle with how to "focus" on things in life (like school).  When he asked if I could picture him driving me around, I said, "NOOOOO!!!" but I was only kidding.  It may teach him to focus!  Wouldn't you trust this guy?? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He really is a great guy and so much fun...tenderhearted, serious about the Lord.  God is teaching him a lot this summer - through ministries like teenpact and through his own Bible study and involvement with other young people.  He and Zachary are also learning how to play instruments and lead in worship - very fun to see them grow!

I did watch a youtube this morning that touched my heart.  I long, as many of you do, for the "church" to be all it can be in our generation - to be real and powerful and full of God's creative work - and this is a little glimpse into that.  How secure these people were and once again, as my husband says, "It is a reminder that the church should be the safest place on earth."  If you have not seen it, watch "cardboard testimonies" and respond - it is very powerful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Modern Day Hero - my sister-in-love

Life is full of twists and turns for everyone. As one book I read several years ago said, "Life is chaotic" (Finding God, by Larry Crabb). And it doesn't seem to be changing except for the worse. An amazing aspect of life though, is that in the midst of all of the mystery and chaos, there are people who ride the waves of life with great courage, strength, and grace. That is my sister-in-love. This year she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, which took the life of her older sister just a few years ago. Now she faces the same disease, but is doing so in a most gracious, faith-building way. She, her daughters, husband, and church family got together recently to form a club when she cut her hair before chemo started. Not just anyone could be in this new club; it was the "Dana's Hair Club for Men", involving men and boys who wanted to join Dana in cutting off their hair. Each man or boy got their own certificate and business cards to take them through the time frame of the chemotherapy.

With incredible courage, Dana cut the hair of those attending and hers was also cut that night. Her smiles have taken her through that night, as well as the most recent rounds of chemotherapy. Dana, you have been and are one classy lady, a dear friend, and I am so thankful that you are my sister-in-love. I could not love you more if you were my own sister. Thank you for your gift of courage and strength that blesses all who know you. We are on your team and pray that God sees you through to a great victory of LIFE!

Before the scissors began clicking...

 

 

 

This is Dana cutting my brother's hair; he is the pastor of the church and Dana's husband.

 

Dana has been a barber by trade so it was everyone's turn to get her back for all the hair cuts of the past! This is my brother cutting her hair. Now that would be scary!

The club with Dana and my brother, Gary, in the middle!

Now this is real church life - touching people where they really are. What an amazing group who would shave their heads to love Dana.

Dana, my brother, and their two daughters. They have definitely learned the fine art of scarf tying. At chemotherapy sessions, Dana teaches other women how to tie their scarves. This is the stuff great people and families are made of - making it together through the chaos of life - hanging on to the One True Person and Promise we have - Christ! You are all amazing! 
    Dana, May the God of peace himself make you entirely pure and devoted to God; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept strong and blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes back again. God, who called you to become his child, will do all this for you, just as he promised.                                    1 Thes. 5:23-24 (Living)