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Because we are back to spending a lot of time learning new things each day, please check in with our Love Of Learning blog to find exciting updates.

Summer Recap

WOW! This sure has been the fastest summer ever. Rich headed back to work this week and as I reflected on the past 2 months, we have been so busy. Not only did we create some great memories by dressing up cowgirls, playing army every single time it rained and celebrated Father's Day and 2 birthdays, but we moved a family of 8 a little ways south to a new home, rented out our old home, got a kitten, and 6 chickens, but the biggest news of all, we found out we were expecting another blessing in January. PHEW! Pause...deep breath. Did I mention potty training a 2 year old and soothing a teething 1 year old amidst all of that? Oh yeah, and the constant reassurance that even though we were moving away from our bestest friends, we would "still see them enough to keep you all content?" Busy may not be the word to describe what our summer was like.
However you would describe it, God surely remained faithful each step of the way. He does have it all in His hands and provides a lovely space right in the shadow of His wings when things get crazy.
Love,
Amy

A new baby in the house

This is certainly not an update, but just a quick post. The young lady that Rich has been home bound teaching all year, Carson, sent a beautiful gift home for Isabella yesterday. A little duffle bag filled with a lovely baby doll and all imaginable accessories. Isabella was so delighted and it seems her little sister, Cheyanne, and big brother Justus think the baby is pretty neat, too.

Seasons

I have had some great women brought into my life over the past 5 years or so. Some have left sweet footprints and others continue to walk with me.
After the birth of my 2nd son, Elijah, I was so overwhelmed trying to get out of the house and do anything. I had great intentions of joining and volunteering at a local homeschool co op. Unfortunately, it was way beyond what God was calling me to do at that time. I felt disappointment that I couldn't manage what other women seemed to manage so easily. God sent an angel in the form of a fellow homeschooling mama who sent me the most encouraging email regarding the seasons that we experience as mothers. She is a mother who has older children. She wrote about how important it is for us to embrace the season that God has put us in. For one day, the current season will come to an end. Hopefully, we will have been wise and still enough to enjoy this season before it is too late. Looking back almost 6 years, I cannot believe how quickly time passes. My current season is still filled with the most beautiful little people I have ever laid my eyes on. I must answer God's HIGH calling and take the time to be with them while they are here with me.
My blogging season is over. It is time that I make room in my day for what truly matters. Not to mention how hard it is to type with one hand. I may update now and again, but only when time permits.
I guess if you need an update you will have to stop by for tea and browse our family photo albums and baby books. :O)

My thoughts exactly

Isn't it great when you find another that is able to write your thoughts in a way that you might never be able to write? The following is beautifully written by June Fuentes of A Wise Woman Builds Her Home Blog.

"Look at her, she is such a monster."

I heard this not too long ago and felt such sadness---this was actually a mother describing her daughter in a very bitter, sarcastic and resentful way. I think that what we describe our children as reflects not the children but what is going on in our own hearts--"for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." (Luke 6:44-5)

If we truly believe that children are a blessing from God we should refrain from using language that demeans them as inferior. The use of 'monster', 'rugrats', and the like might be used affectionately or jokingly but can eventually lead to viewing children in a wrong and sinful light. With our tongues we are to encourage one another and build one another up (I Thessalonians 5:11) and this verse includes our children.

What It Teaches Our Children

How does a child evaluate themselves as they hear mom and dad referring to them with such words? Will they not have a low self esteem? Will they not try to live up to what they have been 'branded' as, even in jest? If they have been created in God's image then they are not what these words define them as. Remember that 'the tongue has the power of life and death' and we need to be wise in how we use that power. Are they truly gifts or burdens as how the world would like us to believe? If God's word is true we need to believe it ourselves and act as such. They will have a hard time believing they are a child of God is somebody if calling them names. And as we think about that--name calling comes from pride-not from humility, we have to remember that it is not Christ-like and could have lasting repercussions on a child.

What It Teaches The World

We are to be teachers of the Word and not of the world. We are to be an example to the unsaved and bring light to the darkness--but how can we do that if we do not have a biblical worldview of children ourselves? Does the world see a difference in how we view children or just go away shrugging their shoulders not touched by Christ's powerful hand in our lives? We are essentially teaching the world and our fellow Christians to hate and disdain children which is the spirit of Satan who is anti-God. We have become teachers of Satan. Instead, we should be teachers of God's Word teaching what is right and not what is opposite to His Word.

So the next time you see a mom with a lot of children I want you to think about how God gave His life for these children to be saved. How they are His gift from up above--some of those children could very well be your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be sure to speak blessings into their mom's life-----encourage her and support her. Let her learn from your example to love her children. This is what she needs---not the witty remark of 'doesn't she know how to stop having all these children." Shame on those who have thought this or stood by quietly without coming to her defense. I am shocked when I hear a statement like this in church, the one place a mother should feel the most welcomed!

Children are a blessing and gift from the Lord, let us all have a biblical worldview when it comes to children and reject the lies that they are anything less. Teach this to your children and your children's children so that there will be a generation that will hold fast to God's Word in this dark, evil world that despises and murders millions of innocent children because His Word has been forgotten.

Happy 4th!!

A picture of us at Fourth of July celebration at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. What a super day to be outside.

Nessie or Big Blue

Thought I would post a picture of our other new addition...Nessie or Big Blue as we like to call her. We were so extremely blessed AGAIN by finding a super deal on a super used 15 passenger van that we LOVE. It is a total beast and fits in with our family almost as if it has been with us from the start. We have removed the back 4 person seat and will be using the van as an 11 passenger with much much cargo space. We were able to keep the same car payment as we have had and this beauty will be paid in full in less than 3 years.