Parenting and Life is NOT a 'Quick Fix'

Parenting is not some 'quick fix', 'new kid by Friday', 'Supernanny wraps it all into a neat little bow within the hour' kind of thing. I've often thought in the past that I must be a sore failure as a parent because my kids don't want to comply or act interested in something that interests me. I've learned that kids often are the first to raise their hand at church to help do something when asked by an adult, yet at home roll their eyes and 'huff and puff' when asked the same thing. That 'helpful and willing' kid that people see can be so disrespectful to mom or dad at home.

It's also interesting that as adults we too can be the same way. We lead kids at Sunday School in small groups with joy, patience and understanding, yet lose patience, yell and treat our own kids with disrespect. We treat 'difficult' or 'extra grace required' people we come into contact with with patience, yet 'bite the head off' of our spouse with one little misunderstanding or comment.

Maybe you, like me, often feel like a hypocrite because we've messed up or failed because we yell, scream or say things to our closest ones at home, yet act 'sweet as pie' at church or work. Maybe part of it is that we can 'let our guard down' at home, and just let the REAL emotions, fears, worries and feelings come out around those who we are the most vulnerable to. It's not an excuse to treat those we love badly, but I believe I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I'm not saying these things so we can pat ourselves on the back and be okay with our sins, but so that we can receive encouragement knowing that this life isn't easy, and we are not 'the only one' feeling this way. Most importantly we recognize that as Christ followers we are not meant to be perfect. If we hold ourselves to the 'perfect standard' we will always feel like a royal failure. Jesus gives us His grace DAILY. Maybe His plan is for us to always be in a place of feeling like 'we don't have it all together' so that we daily come to Him with hands of surrender saying 'LORD, I don't feel equipped or able to handle this', so that we make a declaration in a prayer of desperation that we NEED HIM.

 ^"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace

to help us in our time of need."  --Hebrews 4:16

Aren't we supposed to be in a place of utter reliance and being in need of Him? Maybe God's plan was for me to be a parent (Whether it's one or nine kids) to teach me about grace, forgiveness, selflessness and trust. It doesn't feel 'peachy' a lot of the time, and I need to get rid of the 'quick fix parenting' or 'quick fix marriage' mindset. Life isn't a 'quick fix'. Life is a life long process of grace, patience, healing, forgiveness and trust, and it certainly isn't 'wrapped up into a pretty bow' by Friday. But, in the midst of the crazy I can truly know peace and joy, because I KNOW He holds me, and I do have a real hope. Not a 'blind hope', but a real hope in the provision, care, direction, leading and blessings from God when I walk in trust and obedience to His word.

"Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  --1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

-Jason

I Need Thee Every Hour - Annie S. Hawks (1872)

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.

Happy 11th Adoption Day Abigail! Father's Day pics too.....

 Today.......11 years ago we officially became parents for the first time!!!!!  EEEEKKKKKK!!!!  Wow I still remember the small details that just blew me away!  The fact that Abigail was with another foster family....we got a call from them saying the parental rights were terminated.....would we possibly be interested?  YES YES YES!!!!!! She was 14 months old at the time.  I remember my nerves flying through my body as we sat in their home.....waiting for her to come downstairs from a nap.  She was GORGEOUS!  I know I am a little bias, but people- I mean model child amazing comes to mind! 

 Oh so cute and sweet!  Of course she batted those eyelashes and we were hooked, but she played shy with us.  After talking with Bob and Cindy we decided to have a day visit the next day....we went to - well Burger King.  I know classy right?  Well, we had never had a child before- french fries are always a hit, and we though indoor playground as we were in Iowa and it was cold outside. 

 There were some unexpected twists in our story together!  Some not so fun, some really not fun, but then at age 2 1/2 she was declared our child in the court!  WOW!!!!  We were more than thrilled! 

Since then she has grown into a confident, beautiful - inside and out, smart, compassionate young lady!  We are so very proud of who she has become in Christ!  She enjoys being an artist and loves drawing, loves to play with her siblings (even though they are normal siblings and also argue), cuddle with the youngest "twins", be involved in JV (our jr high at our church), and help with the little kids at church as well. 

 God has such amazing plans for you Abigail!  We can not wait to see what they are!!!!  I know you are listening and seeking Him.  Oh and you happen to have amazing taste as well.  This is her adoption day desert - raspberry white chocolate cheese cake!!  I mean- that in and of itself is awesome. 

 YUM.....

 MY!!

 Yep- happy Abigail!  Abigail means source of Joy- and this people is a very joyful young lady :). 

 OK back up the truck people because after my post yesterday......which was actually written as a
 testimony for the church's website- The Crossing.  They drew for a prize - my hubby won :)!!!!  This was his morning presents and cards from the kids and myself!  His presents- beef jerky, candles, and cards- 11 of them to be exact.  Advantages to having so many kiddos :). 

 Look at this pic of our family sitting around looking to their daddy.......(well Michael was wondering what in the world I was doing).  He is adored by them!!  It isn't hard to see why. 

 His prize from church- was for a $50 gift card from a local sports store- so he bought himself a nice pair of goggles and nose plugs, and a fun collapsible water bottle.  Now back story- my hubby has had nice goggles before.  The bigger kind because he wears contacts, and loves to have fun while at the beach or in our pool, but they have been busted.  If it isn't a need.....sometimes you just don't repace things.  So he got his chance! 

Now he can play on our next beach trip, and today we have already been in the pool :).  Oh dear......yep.....my hubby is a little different than most, but hey he deals with me all the time- he must be crazy!!!!

Recap on our 13th Anniversary get away

Let me share a little about how AWESOME my husband is :) You see he loves me so much, our children, but most importantly he Loves God!
You see this smile on my face it is because he is loving and nurturing.
This was me zooming in on my handsome guy. I mean....couldn't resist. Want to know why??
Because He Loves learning more about protecting innocent children....from killing, from being left as orphans, from not knowing our Heavenly Father, from slavery.......He wants and loves to protect God's Children!
In addition he talked to the man who runs this plantation and got us a sweet deal on staying here for our anniversary! YEAH!!! This is a once a year thing. We just don't go away- we have 8 beautiful reasons to stay :) So this is rare, and sometimes hard for my mommy's heart, but good for my love on my husband heart!



What were we thinking when we took this pic- Look at how many children we could have if we lived here!!! I mean really. The house was massive!!!! I think we could easily take in a LOT MORE!!! he he he he......






So let me tell you more about this amazing man I have the privilege of calling husband. He gets up at 6am to have devotions before going to work.
He misses his children when he doesn't get to spend much time with them. He reads devotions to them daily.
He talks about the Word of God with them.
He cuddles with our babies, hugs and kisses his children, and takes pride in their accomplishments.
He wants to be home.
He loves supporting me in taking care of them and homeschooling.
He is an excellent chef and loves cooking- bonus for ME and our children.
He does the laundry to help out as well....considering that is an average of over 2 loads a day- He is AMAZING!
He loves me and courts me.
He loves talking to me about what I think, and how we can honor God more.
He prays with me.
He works hard to make sure our family knows God.
He has an amazing voice and plays the keyboard- and I get to help led music with him sometimes at church, and at our camp too.
Yep, that is why I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!! I THANK GOD FOR HIM DAILY!!!!

And if you want to read his heart for orphans....click on the last post. Yep- told you he is amazing :)