Christmas 2009

Fall Family Pics

Sorry so many picture posts at once, i'm catching up on months of pictures. I made the dresses the girls are wearing. Very simple- the same idea as a skirt with elastic but make it longer and add ribbon for straps-that's it.

Fall 2009 & Winter 2010 Pics

Here are some pictures from the past few months. Lots going on, everyone growing and changing as you can see. Highlights: Kate is potty trained!, the chickens are finally laying eggs, about 3-5 a day (should pick up in the spring), Claire can ride a bike without training wheels, Owen is finally a real cub scout, we had our biggest garden harvest in December when we pulled out everything the night of the first freeze, and of course, we are patiently awaiting the birth of our newest family member in May!

Smelling Good or Bad?

by Nancy Campbell-Above Rubies

Ephesians 5:26, "Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

Back many years ago when folks did not have the plumbing in their homes that we enjoy today, most families took a bath once a week. Even when I was a child we bathed once a week, usually Saturday evening, to prepare for Sunday. But, we were challenged to have a Quiet Time every day where we read the Word of God to cleanse our inward lives.

Today, times have changed. Now that we have showers, everyone enjoys a shower every day to cleanse their bodies, but many only have a spiritual shower once a week, often a little face wash which they let the pastor give them as they listen to his sermon! They don't even wash themselves!

We could not imagine going around dirty without washing our bodies, and yet we have no compunction about leaving our souls dirty. Just as we like to have a daily shower, it is even more important to daily wash the inward man. Often the inward man gets dirtier than the outward man. Each one of us faces daily challenges in life where we are tempted to be angry, bitter, hurt, upset, cantankerous, grouchy, complaining, proud and rebellious--and so the list goes on. Oh what a filthy inside! We really cannot survive without a daily bath of the inward man, can we? Otherwise our sins and the contaminations build up and we become a "bad smell" in our own home!

Do you remember the words that Jesus spoke to the Pharisees? "Cleanse FIRST that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." (Matthew 23:26) Read also Hebrews 10:22. The Word of God is the water that washes us. The word 'washing' in this Scripture is the Greek word, loutron (the verb is louo) and it means, "to take a bath, to wash the whole body and not just a part of it." It speaks metaphorically of washing every part of the inward man--our heart, soul, spirit, mind and emotions. It's a whole bath, not just a face wash. I find that if I do not personally read God's Word each day that sin can build up in my life and I am not even aware of it. But when I read the Word, the Holy Spirit reveals the things that grieve Him and which pollute my soul. I am convicted to repent and cast them from my life so I can keep my inward man clean. 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." I love the adage, "Sin will keep you from the Word of God, or the Word of God will keep you from sin." This is a good one to teach our children, isn't it? I grew up on this. As soon as your children can read well, encourage them to have a daily Quiet Time. Show them where to read and teach them how to hear the Holy Spirit speak to them as they read. Teach them that it is as important to wash their inward man each day as it is to wash their body. I remember reading about a dear Chinese Christian who confessed, "No Bible; no breakfast." He would never nourish his physical body until he had nourished his soul.

Perhaps you are young mom with lots of little children around you. How do you get time to read the Word? I know it is not easy. I remember when I had three children under 17 months, and then four children under four! Help! How could I find time to read the Word? I did it by putting my Bible on my windowsill, usually open to Psalms or Proverbs. I could look up from doing dishes and preparing vegetables to read a Scripture. You may like to have a Bible in the toilet or bathroom. Keep a Bible in the spot where you like to nurse your baby. Read a few Scriptures to your children at breakfast time and then again at your evening meal. Keep their souls as well as their bodies clean, too.

Which do you wash the most? Your physical body or your inward man?

Jesus said, "Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3)

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, Above Rubies

PRAYER:Wash me and take this mess as far as the east is from the west,Wash me and take this sin,Only You can make me pure again,I'm inviting you to come on in and Wash me!

AFFIRMATION:I'm smelling good, inside and out!

Kate's is 2!

Here are some pics from Kate's 2nd birthday. We celebrated at her favorite place, Chuck E. Cheese. She still asks,"my birtday?" and sadly i tell her that it's all done, but she handles it well. Such a hard concept to understand. She is doing very well and learning lots. She repeats every action and words her siblings say and loves to play baby dolls and dress up with Claire. She definitely has her 2 year old moments, but is a sweet, loving child most of the time. We are so thankful for our "sweet baby Kate"!

Better Parent or Better Disciple?

by www.nourishingheartandhome.com

Having several small children (and a couple older) has really made me face some things in my life. There are a multitude of parenting books out there...many are very very good too...but I was finding that as I tried to "implement" whatever technique was in the latest parenting book I was reading with my kids, I still didn't see the fruit that I wanted to see. Oh, I might have seen some good fruit at first, but then we would fall back into bad habits, etc.

I think I am finally seeing something that the Lord has been trying to show me all along. While these parenting books are very good, they do not replace what I, as a parent, need to "be" in front of my kids. The student is only as good as his master. The Lord is showing me that I need to not worry about being a perfect parent, and focus on becoming a better follower of Christ. As I learn and grow and become more like Him, my children will follow as they seek after the same things. I am learning that in all my striving, I have been striving after the wind. I was trying to hold before my children an ideal that I myself was not living up to.

For example....
I hear my children yelling at each other...then remember how I have raised my voice in frustration with them.
I wish for my children to have a daily time in the Word...then I look at myself and see my lack of discipline in this area at times.
I desire for my children to have a servant heart...then I see how very selfish I have been at times.
I get frustrated when my children don't obey me...then I ask myself if I am obeying what the Lord is showing me.
I want my children to be more disciplined in certain areas...then I see that I lack discipline in some of the very same areas.
I try to teach my children patience...then I think of the times I have snapped at them in impatience.

I think you get the picture. I am not trying to say that there is not a place for aggressive and intentional parenting. But I think that I have been striving after the wrong thing. I have been after a "formula", an "answer" to all parenting problems, a "fix-all"...when what I really need to be striving after is becoming more like Him...a more faithful disciple...a more loving follower of Christ.

I look forward to the days ahead...because I know that He has all the answers! I am ever so anxious to follow hard after Him...to allow Him to grow me and change me into the woman He wants me to be...and in the process becoming the mother and wife that He wants me to be. As I reflect on this past year and look toward the new year, the Lord is making it clear to me where my focus should be...it should be on Him...on obeying Him...on spending time with Him...on becoming more like Him.Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness...for your love...for your patience...for Your continued working in this imperfect vessel. I look forward to the new year and all You have in store for us.

Davis Update

I guess it's time for an update from the Davis clan. Everyone is doing well, chugging along with daily life, homeschooling, and work.
I am implementing some new ways of accomplishing our daily homeschooling to make things easier on myself. The kids are actually responding well and seem to like this format better. I'll share later what changes in curriculum and structure we are making. We are also working on reorganizing our home and making better use of space. We have moved many toys and the boys legos, etc upstairs to our loft room. The access is not ideal (a ladder) but it works great for getting all the stuff out of their room and making less clutter.
Baby #5 is growing radiply and getting very active. The kids love to put their heads on my belly and wait for the bump. They love to pretend that he/she is in there saying, "Hey you, move over, your crowding my space!" Kate is in love with her "baby" in Mommy's tummy. I have found that making a big deal about the new baby being the 2yo's "baby" makes the adjustment easier when the baby gets here. Not as much jealosy when they see ownership in this new little person, not someone stealing their attention.
We are busy each week with 2 homeschool co-ops, basketball practices and games for Cody, Cub Scouts for both boys, and various church activities.
We recently celebrated our 11th anniversary followed soon after by Kate's 2nd birthday. I have lots of pics to post of Christmas, Kate's b-day, basketball, and lots of other stuff when i find time to get to it???

The Easy Way

By Nancy Campbell, Above Rubies

Isaiah 44:20, "A deceived heart has turned him aside."

Have you read the story of Pilgrim's Progress? If so, do you remember when Christian was tempted to turn into Bypath Meadow? Faithful and Christian were weary and the King's Way was rough and stony. They were tired and their feet ached. They came to a stile where the fence divided the King's Way from Bypath Meadow. Bypath Meadow was a smooth, grassy path instead of the rough stony one--but best of all; it ran right alongside the Way of the King. They wouldn't be going in the wrong direction. They really wouldn't be turning away and they would be able to jump back over the fence if it veered in the wrong direction.They turned aside to the easy path. But eventually a storm came and flooded the path, darkness came and they could not find the way back to the King's Way. They fell asleep and were seized by Giant Despair and his cruel wife, Diffidence. They were cruelly beaten and imprisoned for some time until God provided a way to escape.

This is how the enemy tempts us too. We would never veer right away from the Lord. Of course we want to obey and follow Him. But we are often tempted to take the easy path. We are tired of the sacrifice, heartaches and sleepless nights. We are tired of taking up our cross. We want it easy. We want everything to go our own way.

"Have another child? Help! Too much work. I want to take it easy. I want some rest." But does it really make life easier? More children results in more blessings, more entertainment in the home, more diversity, more built-in helpers and built-in friends.

"Do I really have to stop eating all that sugar and all those carbs? I love them. They're my comfort food." They may be the desirable way, but not in the end!

"I'm overwhelmed with all this homeschooling. I can't take it any longer. I'm sending them back to public school." Sure, it's the easier way. But what about the ungodly influence on your children? What about the subtle humanist brainwashing? What about the ungodly friends they may make? How will it affect their destiny?

The easy path takes us further and further away from the truth. If we take the easy way in our family, we'll begin to take the easy way in other areas too. We'll begin to rely on government, rather than being a free people and taking responsibility for ourselves. We'll become weak and no longer people of strength of character. And the long term result is bondage to dictatorship.

I was talking to a friend about a couple who are having marriage problems. "It's no use her going back to him until her heart wants to go back," my friend commented. "Oh no," I replied. "If she waits for her heart, she may never return!

"What does the Bible say in Jeremiah 17:9? "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Our heart can so easily deceive us. We don't stay in a marriage because our heart is happy and wanting to stay. We stay in a marriage, or go back to a marriage if we have left it, because it is the right thing to do--because of obedience and commitment. No wonder there is so much divorce today. Everyone wants to take Bypath Meadow. They want the easy way out. Their focus is on looking after themselves. Everything revolves around self. "Poor me. He's not meeting my needs. He doesn't understand me." The excuses keep coming. But Marriage is not all about "me." Marriage is forgetting about myself and concentrating on how I can serve my husband and family. It's commitment to my vows. It's not giving in to deceptive feelings but sticking to the vision of building a godly generation. It continues in the face of hardship and frustration.

Marriage is more than two people. Marriage affects our children. It affects the extended family. It affects the church and everyone around us. It affects the generations to come--and eternity. When we turn aside to the easy path, we enter into deviation, delusion and deception. It is only when we get back on the King's Highway of truth that we will be safe, even though we may face challenges and difficulties.

Don't be deceived by the easy path.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, ABOVE RUBIES

PRAYER:"Oh God please save me from being deceived. Save me from taking the easy path that looks good, but is not your way. Give me discernment to recognize the bypaths. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:I will not be deceived by the allurements of the easy way.

Target Clearance-Christmas Dresses

Target has lots of clearance sales going right now to make room for the new stuff. One specific item we saw today (Bryan Target) was girls Christmas dresses marked down to $4.98. They had probably around 50 dresses still, mostly in red, but also some green plaid, red plaid and gold. All were very pretty and dressy. So, if you are looking for dresses for next year, now's the time to buy.

Gymboree Semi-Annual Sale

Gymboree is having their big semi-annual sale right now. I think it may be almost done though. I am hoping to run up there today and see what deals i can find!
Happy Bargain Searching!