We'll have about 800 pounds of pig come November!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Pig #2
Meet our pig #2!!! Bacon is so social that we decided she needed one of her brothers to keep her company! His name is Sausage...
MOPS Part 2
So here I am a year and a half later...the annual MOPS retreat is this Friday/Saturday at my house. I'll have approximately 10 women here. We'll spend the time bonding and praying over what God's goal is for the coming MOPS year. We know that He would have us minister to these Moms in a way that makes them feel refreshed...appreciated...purposeful. That's the thing really...sometimes as a Mom we feel as though we're floating around from day to day with no greater purpose than to do laundry and dishes. As small as we think of our daily chores as Moms, God views them as incredibly important!Proverbs 31:10 says, "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."
Do you realize what God is saying? Nothing has more value than a wife of noble character! A woman who cares for her husband and children God's way is rare. She's a worker and knows how to handle her home and finances. She is busy...with the household! These things are incredibly important!!! Caring for your home and family, no matter how big or small, is what helps make your family what it is. And God takes that very seriously. Read Proverbs 31! It will shed new light on your job at home.
There is plenty of time for fun! In fact, God wants you to have fun with your children and family. But He wants you to enjoy caring for them, as well. Something crazy happened to me last Friday. Most of you know that I have never been interested in things like decorating my home, etc. As Lisa so nicely put it when she spoke to our MOPS group last December...she used to complete my craft at MOPS, as simple and easy as they were, because I hated doing them period. And they never looked like crafts when I got through with them, so it was much nicer if Lisa finished them up! But last Friday (July 4th), God inspired me to do some decorating around the house. It looks beautiful! And guess what? I actually enjoyed doing it!
I was partially inspired by my friend Cyndi's purple kitchen. Yes, purple! The kids and I loaded up to go to her house to finalize the details for our MOPS retreat (she's my partner in cryin'...I mean crime!), and her home was beautiful. But it wasn't some traditional type of decorating. I super-dee-dooper admired the fact that she decorated her home the way that SHE wanted to. She doesn't care what the "in" thing might be. She cares about her home reflecting her personality and the life of her family. Cool, huh? When people "moon" over my Mom's decorating, she has always said, "I just buy what I like". I know what she means now!+017.jpg)
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Cyndi's home directly reflects her family. That's what a home should be like! So I stretched beyond my own strength and creative abilities and God met me there. Some of you may not think that God cares about things like that...but He does. He actually cares about EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!
So my passion is the family. And my family is not perfect. But we do love God and the things of God. And in MOPS this year, I'm hoping to teach other Moms to love God, too.
And to love the family that God gave them.
MOPS
Some of you may not know what MOPS is. It's an acronym for Mothers Of PreschoolerS. 
God called me to start this ministry at Grace in January of 2007 and we had our first meeting last September. I truly love MOPS at Grace. And God brought it to me at a time in my life when I was struggling with purpose. Here is the story:
As I stumbled back to bed on a cold January morning, I was hopeful that I'd get at least a good 3-4 hours of continuous sleep. Luke had just nursed for the 2nd time and it was now 4am. I settled back under my warm electric blanket for some much needed rest. Luke was barely a month old and my wonderful husband was gone on a mission trip to El Salvadore. As I laid there waiting for the fog to settle on my brain, I started to roll over...and over...tossing and turning, not able to get comfortable. An hour later, in utter exasperation, I spoke aloud, "Okay Lord! What now???!!!". Go down to your computer. "Are you ON something Lord? I'm sooooo tired. Can't you just put me to sleep?"...Go down to your computer. "Lord...who do you want me to pray for? I'll pray for whomever. But Lord, I'm tired and I don't want to go downstairs to my computer. Plus it's cold."...Go down to your computer...I want you to do something." "You know what, Lord? That's so nuts at 5am, that I think it's not You who's telling me to go to my computer! It must be the devil bothering me...maybe." Get out of the bed and go. That's the only way I'm going to put you back to sleep, is if you do what I tell you to. So I whipped back the covers and went down to my computer. 
On the way down the steps, God said, Look up MOPS. "Is THAT what You wanted me to do??? I could've done that in the morning!!!!". You don't listen to me in the morning. Ouch...that one brought some conviction...enough for me to change my attitude. "Okay, Lord...here's the MOPS webpage. I know, I know...you want me to look up the nearest MOPS group and see about attending the meeting." After looking up the groups in my area, I decided the best one would be at Sevier Heights Baptist Church, which was a "haul" for me to drive to get there. "It's OKAY, Lord...I'll go. I get the point! Now can I go back to bed?". No. You aren't going to attend a MOPS group, you're going to start a MOPS group at Grace. "Okay...now I KNOW I'm dreaming! God, you must be joking! I have 5 children, including a newborn. I couldn't possibly start a MOPS group at Grace! I'm going back to bed now...see ya!". Carmen...pray about it. "Lord...here's what I think: 
God called me to start this ministry at Grace in January of 2007 and we had our first meeting last September. I truly love MOPS at Grace. And God brought it to me at a time in my life when I was struggling with purpose. Here is the story:
As I stumbled back to bed on a cold January morning, I was hopeful that I'd get at least a good 3-4 hours of continuous sleep. Luke had just nursed for the 2nd time and it was now 4am. I settled back under my warm electric blanket for some much needed rest. Luke was barely a month old and my wonderful husband was gone on a mission trip to El Salvadore. As I laid there waiting for the fog to settle on my brain, I started to roll over...and over...tossing and turning, not able to get comfortable. An hour later, in utter exasperation, I spoke aloud, "Okay Lord! What now???!!!". Go down to your computer. "Are you ON something Lord? I'm sooooo tired. Can't you just put me to sleep?"...Go down to your computer. "Lord...who do you want me to pray for? I'll pray for whomever. But Lord, I'm tired and I don't want to go downstairs to my computer. Plus it's cold."...Go down to your computer...I want you to do something." "You know what, Lord? That's so nuts at 5am, that I think it's not You who's telling me to go to my computer! It must be the devil bothering me...maybe." Get out of the bed and go. That's the only way I'm going to put you back to sleep, is if you do what I tell you to. So I whipped back the covers and went down to my computer. On the way down the steps, God said, Look up MOPS. "Is THAT what You wanted me to do??? I could've done that in the morning!!!!". You don't listen to me in the morning. Ouch...that one brought some conviction...enough for me to change my attitude. "Okay, Lord...here's the MOPS webpage. I know, I know...you want me to look up the nearest MOPS group and see about attending the meeting." After looking up the groups in my area, I decided the best one would be at Sevier Heights Baptist Church, which was a "haul" for me to drive to get there. "It's OKAY, Lord...I'll go. I get the point! Now can I go back to bed?". No. You aren't going to attend a MOPS group, you're going to start a MOPS group at Grace. "Okay...now I KNOW I'm dreaming! God, you must be joking! I have 5 children, including a newborn. I couldn't possibly start a MOPS group at Grace! I'm going back to bed now...see ya!". Carmen...pray about it. "Lord...here's what I think: 
5:19am, 1-25-07
I feel so friend-less sometimes, Lord. I’ve been awake since 3am, when I fed Luke. I’ve been talking to you about bringing some Godly ladies into my life for social purposes. I need that, Father. Please. Also, please lead Dean and I into a SS class where we can serve and grow. Lead me into whatever you want me to do. Sometimes I think it’s starting a MOPS group at Grace or something like that. Sometimes I think it’s teaching. And I know you want me to be more attentive and spend more time socializing with my children. That’s so hard sometimes. I have to discipline, and it’s overwhelming to have 5 kids. They all need me. I need “girlie” time. I need time with Dean. I need some “Carmen” time. But God, help me to remember what You showed me last week...and that was what you’ve called me to do right here at home with my husband and these children is no less important than being a missionary in Africa. It’s not about the size of what we’re doing. It’s all about if we’re being faithful to You with what You’ve called us to do. Are we being obedient? That’s the question. That’s what matters and what You’ll judge us on. When people talk about “what did you do with Jesus?”, it can kind of be misleading. Doing something with Jesus doesn’t mean for some what it means for others. We can’t all be foreign missionaries, but we can all answer whatever call You lay on each of our hearts. My mission is right here at home. Help me, God. That may be a lot harder than traveling to Africa.
Carmen, I want you to commit to thinking about and praying over starting a MOPS group at Grace." "Well, maybe I don't want to think about it." Yes, you do, because you want to serve Me, and this is what I'm calling you to do. After sitting there with my heart racing for a few more minutes, I told the Lord I'd THINK about it. I turned everything off and went upstairs to climb into my comfy bed. And I told God once again that I was only THINKING about it...NOT committing to start a group. And then I had to chuckle when I heard Him laugh...I feel so friend-less sometimes, Lord. I’ve been awake since 3am, when I fed Luke. I’ve been talking to you about bringing some Godly ladies into my life for social purposes. I need that, Father. Please. Also, please lead Dean and I into a SS class where we can serve and grow. Lead me into whatever you want me to do. Sometimes I think it’s starting a MOPS group at Grace or something like that. Sometimes I think it’s teaching. And I know you want me to be more attentive and spend more time socializing with my children. That’s so hard sometimes. I have to discipline, and it’s overwhelming to have 5 kids. They all need me. I need “girlie” time. I need time with Dean. I need some “Carmen” time. But God, help me to remember what You showed me last week...and that was what you’ve called me to do right here at home with my husband and these children is no less important than being a missionary in Africa. It’s not about the size of what we’re doing. It’s all about if we’re being faithful to You with what You’ve called us to do. Are we being obedient? That’s the question. That’s what matters and what You’ll judge us on. When people talk about “what did you do with Jesus?”, it can kind of be misleading. Doing something with Jesus doesn’t mean for some what it means for others. We can’t all be foreign missionaries, but we can all answer whatever call You lay on each of our hearts. My mission is right here at home. Help me, God. That may be a lot harder than traveling to Africa.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Bacon
My wonderful husband decided to add to our growing family! In addition to Basil, Sadie (our 2 German Shepards), Shadow, Frisk, Brillo, Honey (our 4 tomcats), Meme, Jet, and the flock (a total of 7 sheep), our adorable 11 chickens, Tyler/Summerlyn/Savannah/Scarlett/Luke (our 5 children)...we now have Bacon (our Hampshire pig)! She's sooooo cute! She'll taste really good, come November!!!!!
Please welcome...
BACON
Please don't eat me!
Distraction
Speaking of honesty...
Do you ever feel like you need a break from religion? From church? From trying to figure out life? From God? I can honestly say that I have needed a break from religion, or what the world calls religion...it's too fake for me to stomach sometimes. And there are times that I need a break from church...it can be too busy. Not to mention that it's a lot of work to get 5 kids ready and out the door. Not sure who it's harder to get out the door...the 17 year old or the 17 month old! In any case, we LOVE going to church and are blessed every Sunday morning! And as much as I try to "veg out"...sometimes I resist analyzing life, but most times I can't. My brain gets tired! But it still keeps working...or not.
A break from God?...from GOD?...NEVER! And I mean NEVER!!! I never need a break from God!!! Unfortunately, that doesn't stop me from taking a break from God sometimes. And when I say that I sometimes take a break from God, I don't mean that I really want a break from God. It's just that I get distracted. Like when you're driving down the road and you notice a state trooper pulling up behind you. Or when you look in your rearview mirror (the one INside the car) and see your precious toddler puking. Or when you're SUPER stressed and you're getting ready to pass a Starbucks. Maybe when you're trying to get some housework done on a sunny 70 degree day...with a refreshing breeze blowing through your sunroom?
How about when you have a desire to peek in God's Word, because you KNOW you'll be blessed and reassured by Him if you'll only read it...but your best friend from out of state calls OR another episode of the Bachelor...the one where he chooses which girl he'll take to the overnight luxury suite (gigantic exclamation mark!)...is 5 minutes from starting OR your neighbors call to invite you over for some social time OR you pick up the latest James Patterson novel on your way to grabbing your Bible. Distraction. Now, I'm not saying that any of the distractions are bad (although I do believe in traditional dating and not spending the night with someone to whom you're not married to). They could be really good distractions or even necessary distractions. But they are distractions, none the less. And if you're going to be refreshed, validated, and comforted by God's Word...you gotta go there. Without the kids around your legs. No phone. No tv. No computer. No other books are necessary.
How about when you have a desire to peek in God's Word, because you KNOW you'll be blessed and reassured by Him if you'll only read it...but your best friend from out of state calls OR another episode of the Bachelor...the one where he chooses which girl he'll take to the overnight luxury suite (gigantic exclamation mark!)...is 5 minutes from starting OR your neighbors call to invite you over for some social time OR you pick up the latest James Patterson novel on your way to grabbing your Bible. Distraction. Now, I'm not saying that any of the distractions are bad (although I do believe in traditional dating and not spending the night with someone to whom you're not married to). They could be really good distractions or even necessary distractions. But they are distractions, none the less. And if you're going to be refreshed, validated, and comforted by God's Word...you gotta go there. Without the kids around your legs. No phone. No tv. No computer. No other books are necessary. Just you and the One who created you
Psalm 86:11 says "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
Psalm 86:11 says "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."So basically, God can teach you to be blessed/reassured of His love and care/refreshed/validated/comforted and so much more if...IF...we give Him the opportunity to by making the time. Then...we can walk in His truth...not be jerked around by those distractions. And we can be reasonable about our "distractions" because our hearts will be in the right place and not controlled by the things that can never fill us up. Our hearts will be growing in Him...not being deceived by distractions! Which, of course, will lead us to respect God more and more.
Yes, I'll surf my computer. I'll read the latest James Patterson because I love murder mysteries (Nancy Drew is STILL good!). I seriously doubt I'll watch The Bachelor, because I'm usually drinking my cup of coffee and getting ready for bed by then. My long-time friends who live out-of-state usually email, and no need to worry about pesky neighbors because we don't have neighbors! And while I get distracted from God's Word often, every breath I take and every move I make comes back to Him. He reminds me in various ways that He's patiently-and not so patiently sometimes (no power/nasty head colds/broken tv or DVD...you get the point)-that He wants to speak to me. And He will. As soon as I disable the distractions.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Beauty Of Grace
Tell me-why do you run? You say you're so ashamed. Bruised & broken. Thought if I figured out the mess you've made, that I'd leave. Anywhere you are is never too far away...there's freedom from your scars...the mistakes that you've made
F O R G I V E N
the memory's erased...baby that's the beauty of grace.
Tell me-what is love? I'll never hold you to the things you may have done. You say you want new life. In my arms, there's mercy.
Tell me-what is love? I'll never hold you to the things you may have done. You say you want new life. In my arms, there's mercy.
So blow a kiss goodbye to all the pain you hide...
Anywhere you are is never too far away...there's freedom from your scars...
the memory's erased...baby that's the beauty of grace.
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