When Pink Is PINK and We Give Thanks...

It was at the college Bible study when I thought God said eight. Ok, perhaps it wasn't God, but I do remember thinking eight would be a great number of children. I had just recently become a Christian, and for the first time ever, I was surrounded by people that loved the Lord, not a man. Introductions into the world of Biblical womanhood, being a Godly wife, loving and educating  children (and lots of them), demonstrating modesty and femininity, eating healthy...these topics and many more were changing the way I was thinking.

Saved by grace, but now traveling the long journey from brokenness and rejection, I had no idea there was more carnage up ahead. Through selfishness, sin, infertility and a marriage on the edge of failure, He spoke Hope.

"I will restore to you the years the locust have eaten...And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you..."            Joel 2:25,26

One miracle at a time (with the exception of the twins!) God gave us eight babies! God has blessed us over and over again in many ways, and it is true that He has restored the years the locust have eaten. We eat in plenty and are satisfied, and we are again praising the name of the Lord our God, who had dealt wondrously with us...He has blessed us with another little one.

The farm is growing again...which makes me wonder about "eight"...

Farmhouse Giveaway!

Once you've been diagnosed with infertility and treated as such, it's difficult to view oneself as being a mother of many. In fact, even after four children, I still described myself as "infertile" when retelling the story of God's hand of blessing in our family. Eight children later and menopause looming on the horizon, I guess infertile doesn't really describe me anymore...unprepared is more accurate!

In a never-ending search to be taught how to mother and manage (because God isn't finished with me yet), I have found many practical and helpful tips throughout this book. When it came in the mail, I thought the size was odd. Joshua gently pointed out the "encyclopedia/resource" sort of feel to it..."something you'll want to reference".

"Oh...that is so wise..."

So with a big thanks to Vision Forum, this very useful resource is the next farmhouse giveaway! Entering is easy...
1....just pass on to all my followers an organizing/home management tip that has changed your life! Although only one person can be the winner of the book, we can all benefit from our collective tips.
2....post about this giveaway for an additional five entries! (Make sure to let me know!)

Can't wait to hear from you...the winner will be chosen Sunday night!

My Greatest Gift Ever...

I remember so vividly the many Mother's Days that I sat with empty arms listening to yet another message on the gift of motherhood, while I wept silently inside fearing I would never be a mother. I would never know the awesome experience of carrying a baby inside my womb and feeling the kicks, the twirling, the little life moving about, hearing the steady heartbeat on the monitor...I would never know the extreme joy of bringing forth life, of that first sticky moment when baby was placed upon me...the sleepless nights, all the firsts of development and growth, the giggles and tears, the squishy fat rolls, the delicious smell of a nursing baby, that voice calling "momma!", the questions and conversations, the hugs, those shared moments of youth and young adulthood...

...I grieved over what I thought I would never know.

But God, who is rich in mercy...showed Himself strong on our behalf and saw fit to bless us with eight beautiful children! We have trusted God with the fruit of our womb, and He has blessed us beyond measure.

But the greatest gift, by far, is when one of my children decides that they love God because of who God is. Not because of what I have said or done, not because of a special training technique or book, and even in spite of multiple mistakes and sins on my part.

When my child falls in love with Jesus, that is my greatest Mother's Day gift...ever.

Abiding Joyfully

"He maketh the barren woman...

...abide in the house...

...as a joyful mother of children.

Praise the Lord!"

~Psalm 113:9

This psalm has literally been true and fulfilled in my life! When I was newly married and working outside the home, my heart longed for the blessing to be at home raising children. And I thought more would be good! Over the years, the babies were being born to others, but not to me. In my grief, the Lord answered with this psalm, and I circled the reference in my Bible...7-14-92. On 10-17-93, the Lord saw fit to deliver safely to my husband and I not one, but TWO beautiful babies!!

Since then, two babies became eight, and I am amazed that I have a home full of children. Daily the Lord shows me the need and opportunity to be joyful and enjoy the gifts He alone has given to me. And the thankfulness I have for my husband and his willingness to allow me to fulfill the Scripture of being a wife and mother at home can never be fully expressed.

I am blessed beyond measure.

I Love You More...

"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground:I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel." Isaiah 44:3-5

One of these days I'll share my "infertility" story. But for today, I'll just say that I never thought I'd be a mother at all, and instead the Lord has seen fit to bless me with eight dear children. I'd like my "Mother's Day" to be more of a reminder to me of the joys I have as a mother and the great promises to me from my heavenly Father, instead of honor that, while biblical, I feel I don't really deserve. I desperately need the Lord to pour down His Spirit like rain upon me, because I do feel dry and thirsty. And though motherhood is the highest calling ever in a woman's life, it is also the most difficult commitment I have ever made. So I look for the Lord of all the earth to pour His blessing upon my children, to fill all the void I leave, to compensate for all my weakness, and to be to them all good, when I am all need. I want to remember...

~the circle of brothers and sisters in the field of dandelions~the blur of legs running past the window~bonnets swinging down their backs~baseball games~dirty feet~toads and snakes~marshmallows around the campfire~those little ones holding fast to the swing rope~the smell of a nursing baby~unbelieveable chub on those baby thighs~dreamy eyes of a waking baby~unrepressable giggles and laughter around the table~tulip bouquets...bulb and all~chubby baby hands patting my cheeks~the hugs, the kisses, the I LOVE YOU's...

To all my sweet children, I LOVE YOU MORE!