Papa-son and Mama-cita's Kiddos

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Endurance and Enjoyment

Each year I ask the Lord to direct me to a word or words or phrase to help me in my walk with Him.  As is His perfect character, He never fails to give me just what I need!


My words for 2011 are ENDURE and ENJOY.  While it is probably pretty corny to most (my hubby laughs every year when I share my words), I hold tight to my words knowing they are His words to me.


And because I believe in the total inerrancy of Scripture, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is something I cling to in my (many!) times of need.  It states the following: 



"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

So, today, I am running to the book of James that gives weight to my words for 2011.  As I've been (slowly) working on memorizing the book of James, I am getting fresh faith to "count it ALL joy" and to "remain steadfast when under trial" and "to bridle my tongue" as I deal with the lot for today.

Today I have already had dirty diapers to change, mouths to feed, dishes stacking, children to correct and train, Scripture to review, laundry to continue, a baby to nurse, and then... the HEAT which has me seeing how much I need my God and how thankful that He is near to me.

My heat?  Vomit.  Yes, and I LOATHE vomit.  The smell is horrible but cleaning it up has got to be the most undesirable chore to me.  But, I will endure and... dare I say, enjoy it.  All because He told me to count it as joy for He will use it for my good.

What are you joyfully enduring today?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Why We Try to Steer Clear of Hospitals

My husband and I have a growing distrust of the general medical field.  We, in particular, do not trust hospitals.

When our daughter was 3.5 years old she had a hernia repair (which lasted all of a few months!) at one of the local hospitals.  She came home with a terrible rash in the area of her surgery.  What did the outstanding medical field label it?  Scarlet fever!  Yes, they told my husband that she must have had strep without us knowing (or any of our other children getting!) and thereby contracted Scarlet Fever.  And, oddly enough, the rash began in the area of the hernia repair and spread from there.  Though we protested this clinical diagnosis, they prescribed penicilin and refused to even entertain the idea that she contracted this rash from the surgery!

We didn't know what else we could do.  That was the end of that story.  Until the next year.

The following year my husband needed a hernia repair.  Dealing with a different hospital and doctor this time, we had the same exact rash appear on him that our daughter experienced.  This time we were smart enough to not ask the hospital for help!  We nursed him back to health (though it took longer) with simple coconut oil!

Well, we read this article earlier today and just knew we could've been the couple focused on.  We are so thankful we did not give birth to our newest baby in the hospital!  In fact, I'm sure she'd still be in the hospital and I'd be in a position of asking permission to hold my baby.

Our advice to anyone going to the hospital?  Go the other way!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Looking Back on my 6th Pregnancy

I'm thirty-six years old and pregnant for the 6th time.  My body has greatly changed since I was expecting my first at 30 years old.  But, I think my perspective has changed the most.

Now, let me first say I understand that MANY women dread pregnancy and actually have very unpleasant experiences.  Through God's kindness, I am NOT one of those ladies.  That said, I do believe pregnancy can easily turn from being a blessing to a burden for lots of ladies, simply because we believe lies from the world.  And I've been quite guilty of believing and even encouraging those lies.

Some of the lies that greatly affected my past pregnancies mainly revolved around what our trustworthy medical field would purport about it.  But others were already in my mind, like I was supposed to have weird cravings and had to be extra careful about any kind of physical activity, regardless of stage in pregnacy and previous level of physical activity.  What I believe the actual truth to be is God has made SOME women to have pregnancies that DO require extra levels of precaution and rest and medical intervention BUT the vast majority of pregnancies don't need anywhere near the amount of medical intervention.

My first pregnancy was exciting.  My first ultrasound showed something that the doctor thought was twins.  It turned out to be fibroids.  The result, I had multiple ultrasounds, I found myself wanting as many as they would allow, and I battled fear of having those pesky things get in the way of me having a vaginal birth.  I was told that I would want them removed post-delivery.

Well, I've had those common fibroids with each pregnancy and each time they have not interfered with any delivery, praise God.  And, though the only option from the medical field's perspective was eventually have them removed as they are common and most women will have them at some point, with this sixth pregnancy I've learned that a good midwife can simply feel them, that there is no need to have ultrasounds to see them as they move and change, and they can, in fact, shrink (or at least have their growth stunted)!

The Lord spoke of women having babies way back in the 3rd chapter of the first book of the Bible.  Pregnancy, labor, and birth are NOT new or surprising or things to dread.  But we can act like they are, can't we?  These are lies that need to be fought.  God has a purpose even in a woman being pregnant, laboring, and giving birth.  And He has spoken quite clearly that women will bear children in PAIN.  Yet, in reading Hebrews 12 this morning, I was reminded that even the pain of childbirth is good as it will yield fruit which He has created.

In my mind, one of the best fruits of being pregnant, laboring, and then giving birth is discipline.  "It is for discipline that you have to endure."  And let's be real, "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."  But we all need to be trained by it.  And

So, why am I writing all this?  I am not hoping to offend.  I am hoping to encourage other pregnant women out there to not just accept what might have been fed to you from the world about this good gift from God.  I love how my hubby puts it - constantly audit your life - and consider the blessings that come from the "difficulties" of pregnancy.

In the meantime, if you find yourself struggling with the perceived burden of pregnancy, please consider joining me in joyfully enduring this most precious, unique season.  God is sovereign and He is good.  And He is working out His will, in and through us, with these light, momentary afflictions.  Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself so that you do not grow weary or fainthearted - by looking to the cross where Jesus made a way for us to be redeemed, once and for all!

Friday, March 25, 2011

A Helpful Reminder

Are you, like me, needing to be reminded that God has a specific purpose in the things He is ordaining in your life today?  I am so quick to lose sight of the marvelous reality of the Lord wanting to use my momemts to glorify Him... and for my good.

I read THIS earlier and believe it will be helpful in reminding me to keep asking myself, "Lord, what are You calling me to right now?"

May we endure and enjoy where the Lord has us this day..

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Prayer for Japan

It's been 2 months, I think, since my last post.  What might cause me to break my "silence?"  A greater glimpse of the All-Powerful God whom I serve.  If you have not seen Piper's blog post prayer for Japan may I gently encourage you to check it out?  It is well worth reading and praying and considering.

To God alone be the glory...

Friday, January 14, 2011

Why I'm convicted to memorize Scripture

I have been seriously convicted to memorize Scripture more than ever.  And I'm not talking about the small one or two verses that I've done in the past.  I am going to make an effort (and trust God to grant me the grace necessary) to memorize large passages of God's Word.

If you are needing a little exhortation to memorize Scriptures, you must check this out.  In fact, if you ARE memorizing Scripture I trust you would also be greatly encouraged by this video of John Piper sharing why we should all memorize God's Word.