Take Back Your Life

I am usually leery of recommending devotionals.  Not only are they a highly personal item, but there are just so many variances of belief out there that I usually steer clear of unwanted controversy.  Trust me, the threat is real. But when I saw FlyBy offering up for review the timing was perfect.  We are in the middle of a pandemic as you know, daily struggles are at an all time high for many, and we just completed a move to a town in which we know a total of four people.

 

 

Here's the funny thing.  When the devo came in, my 13 year old son took one look a the cover and said, "Hey, I know him!"  

What?!

Good thing his memory is better than mine.  It seems Levi Lusko, author of Take Back Your Life, A 40 Day Devotional,spoke at a youth conference my son attended a year ago in Phoenix.  He loved him!  

I can see why!

Take Back Your Life, A 40 Day Devotional is a 40 day, hard back, interactive devotional intended to challenge and inspire you to live your life as God intended.  While filled with current pop culture references and side stories, it is also filled with plenty of scripture and inspiration that come right from the word.

It may not be at a PhD theological level, but it is written from a heart that obviously wants to reach souls for Christ and challenge them to run hard after God!

That includes-

•   putting social media aside
•   taking a good hard look at yourself
•   asking yourself what God has made you for
•   putting prayer first
  
•   and more!

Each day's devotion, 3-4 pages long, ends with a short prayer. Following that is a section called Breathe, Think, Live.  Here you will find thought provoking questions, challenges, and tasks for you to complete.  This section, Lusko says, is to "allow God to speak to you" rather than simply reading to check off boxes.  I don't know about you, but I am often tempted to skip application sections.  This time around, I have forced myself to carefully consider each question and then pray for the Lord to open my eyes to what He has for me.

I am only a few weeks in to Take Back Your Life, but I have already seen some changes in my daily life and attitude, and look forward to my reading each morning!  I highly recommend this great little book, and would even consider using it in your family devotion time!  Let's face it, I read half of it to them anyway! The thought provoking questions at the end of each day would be great conversation starters or even good journal prompts for older kids to adults.   

For kids ages 8-14, you can download a 4 day devotional just for them.  It even includes lunch box notes for you to print out and encourage them with!

About Levi- Levi Lusko is the founder and lead pastor of Fresh Life Church, located in Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, and Utah. He is the bestselling author of Through the Eyes of a Lion, Swipe Right, and I Declare War. Levi also travels the world speaking about Jesus. He and his wife, Jennie, have one son, Lennox, and four daughters: Alivia, Daisy, Clover, and Lenya, who is in heaven.

 

 

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC and HCCP for providing this book for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Can You Thank Me?

I am reading an amazing book called Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  It was recommended by a sweet friend and I have since texted several people a picture of it and said you need to get this book now!

So I am saying, all my friends- you need to get this book right now!

We find ourselves in a crazy time in history.  No doubt, Corona Virus is not as life-altering as some of th- things our ancestors have gone through, but for sure it is life altering in many ways.  Life as we know it is different.

Grocery shopping takes more thought and effort.

Prioritizing errands and "essential" activities takes more time.

Schools are adjusting or canceling classes.

If you wear a mask people think you are silly.

If you don't wear a mask people think you are selfish.

Opinions on how you can get the virus change everyday.

Businesses are closing their doors.

Hospitals are maxed out and so are healthcare workers.

Depression and suicides are on the rise.

Some everyday grocery and health items are hard to find.

Travel is limited and vacations are cancelled.

There doesn't seem to be much to smile and be grateful for.

But...

Early on I saw a meme that said something to the effect of "when things get back to normal, let it be a better normal."

AMEN!

One of the things DeMoss reiterates in her book is that it is much easier to be grateful when things are all good or going our way.

The challenge is to be grateful when things are not going our way.  When things are hard.  When we don't understand.

Anyone else there?

The Word says to "...giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ' (Eph. 5:20)

For EVERYTHING

When we are grateful we feel compelled to say thank you!

God is saying "Can you thank me?"

Even when it is hard? Or hard to understand?  Even in fear?  Or sadness?  Or in the middle of a pandemic?

How can you thank the Lord today?  What are you grateful for?

For health.

Healthcare workers

Scientists

Hospitals

Friends

Family

Food on your table

A bed to sleep in

Birds

Flowers

Sun

Rain

Delivery services and mailmen

Books

Games

A cool breeze

The sunrise and sunset

Teachers,Vets, Mechanics

Amazon ;)

I know my list could go on and on.  And it should!

My challenge to myself is to go to bed each night saying,

"What am I learning through this trial?"

and

"Yes, God, I can thank you!"

Join me and be blessed!

A Prayer a Day Challenge

As the weeks continue on with so many of us under stay-at-home orders, we want to continue our family challenges.

We started off with A Letter a Day, then A Verse a Day, and last week we conquered A Project a Day.  This week, while deep in the trenches of a global pandemic, let's go back to blessing others with A Prayer a Day.

Let's face it, there is not one person who is not affected or that will be not somehow be affected by the Corona Virus.  Let's cover those groups of people in prayer- one day at a time!

Monday- Those in the medical world, to include doctors, nurses, EMTs etc.  These heroes are working around the clock and putting their own lives at risk to take care of the sick - often at their own families' expense. 

Tuesday- Those in the science/technology world.  These heroes are also working around the clock to find a vaccine, better diagnostic tests, and better ways to treat the virus. The pressure is on them, you can be sure.

Wednesday- Pastors, Missionaries, those who minister to the spiritual needs of others.  Let's face it, these heroes are also working overtime.  They are trying to care for multiple people long distance and continue to run their own churches via a whole new way, finding creative ways to keep the human touch available to their congregations.

Thursday- National and local level leaders.  It is easy to call out leadership and presume to know how we could do things better but none of that is helpful.  In the end, it is the Lord who has allowed them to be in positions of authority and they need our prayers.  Can you imagine the burdens they carry?

Friday- The world, the unsaved and our families. Those who are sick as well as those who are healthy.

The Lord hears our prayers, my friends, and praying draws us closer to Him.

Praying with you!

Blessings,

Prayers and Perspective

So many thoughts swirling in my head these days.  Where to even start?

Honestly, I have not felt like much in our current lives has looked too differently since all this Corona stuff started.

Stay at home?  Yep, we do that a lot.
School at home?  Been doing that for over 23 years.
Social distance?  We just moved and know a big whopping three people here.
Stop all non- essential activities?  No problem, haven't had the time to start any here yet anyway.

Not making light of the situation, just pointing out the facts.

But reality hit me hard this week.

Clarke is now teaching from home and summer school classes are at risk.
Our youngest daughter was laid off of her dream job and has no idea when she will get to go back to work, right as she and her sister have moved out into their own place.
My sweet grandmother is in lockdown in an assisted living facility with no access to friends and family, and my mom is by herself.
I have been on my knees in prayer over hurting friends, sick friends, and anxious friends.
I cannot even watch the news because it makes me feel literally sick.

It's a lot.
We are ALL under a lot of stress, whether we see it or not.
And currently there is no end in sight or hint of when we can get back to our "new normal."
It is enough to make for some hard days.  Not just here, but all over the world.

But here is the deal- I pray we don't get back to the normal we knew before.

After this is all over, I pray we will...

• love more deeply and freely, 
• appreciate the quiet, 
• recognize what is important in our lives, 
• let go of excess, 
• say thank you more often, 
• look for ways to help others,  
• treasure friends dearly,
• and be thankful that the Lord was faithful through the trial.

Oh friends, may we be changed for the better through this time.  What a waste it would truly be if we came through this fire the same person as before.

Let us use this time for good and use our lives for good.

Know you are loved and prayed for!

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS about anything, but in EVERY situation, by PRAYER and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will GUARD your HEARTS and your MINDS in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7, emphasis mine

Blessings,

Life without Girls

You know that saying, don't judge until you walk in someone's shoes?  Or, you never know what someone is facing unless you have been there?  Well, I feel like I am walking both of those things this week.

Life without my girls is...weird. 

Before you say anything let me explain something.

Yes, both girls went away for college.  Far away.  But when the first went away, I had the second one with me still.  By the time she left, the first had come back home so I had her around.  And since last May, they have both been home.  While they both have jobs and busy lives, I knew at least I could hug them or catch up at the end of the day.

They are now both living outside of my home together for the first time.  And people want to know how I am doing and how I feel.

It feels weird and I am not a fan.  There you have it.

I am, however, super thankful that they are together for now and that the Lord was gracious to allow us an overlapping of two weeks before the boys and I head out of town.  Because the girls are currently 15 minutes away, it has allowed us a sweet transition time of visits, shared meals, and church together.  But yes, it takes my breath away to think of daily life without them in and out of my door.  Letting go after 22 and 25 years with someone is hard.  We homeschooled so they were often with me 24/7.  We moved with the military frequently and we were often all we had.

I know so many of you have been there.  And it is not that I don't love and adore my boys, I do!  But boys are different.  Not bad, just different. They speak a language I often do not, and they love to pal around with dad.

I have a sweet friend whose daughter went away to college this year not too far from home, but far enough not to see on a weekly basis.  I knew it was a challenge for her to send her first to college (been there, done that) but I failed to see how hard it was to send her only DAUGHTER to college.  I regretfully just totally missed it. As I told her- sometimes it takes walking it before we really get it!

It makes me wonder what else I don't see.  Who else is hurt or lonely or struggling within my reach that I just don't even know about?  I pray that the Lord will open my eyes to those people that I may better understand their struggles and better minister to their hearts!  May we be the ones that "get it!"

And may I embrace this new season the Lord has for us with strength and grace- knowing His plan is good!

If you are going through a new season too, let me know how I can pray for you!  Really!

Blessings,

Grace Upon Grace

I didn't mean to leave you all hanging last week, really, I didn't.  We just were waiting for final steps and wanted to be sure all ended well before sharing.  Some of you might remember the huge crazy of 2017 when we sold our house on day one, then it unsold in a day, and then it sat on the market for another three months while we lived in an AirBNB for three months.

Praise the Lord for his mercy- this time around was much better.

Our "forever" home went on the market the morning of Friday, January 10th.  We had FIVE showings scheduled for that day in a few hours.  I took the dog on long walks, and sat in our car a lot.  Because he is 15 years old and I had a horrible cold, we were both done by that night.  We finally got back in the house by about 7.

Saturday morning started with a 10:30 showing that lasted until 11:30. More walking the block with the dog. We ran back into the house for a potty break and then went to the park for a picnic lunch.  We stayed there until 3.  Praise the Lord for sweet friends who joined us to pass the time and keep us company.  We headed back to the house hoping the 3:00 showing would be quick and done.  NOT.  They left at 4, we hopped in for a potty break, and left again for a 4:30 showing that stayed forever.  In case you are counting, that was three showings PLUS the open house that had over 75+ people come through.  By the time we got back in at about 6:00, we were all tired and brain fried and I was pretty sure the dog may not wake up the next morning.  (He is still with us, bless him!)

Sunday resulted in another showing and...4 offers!

All were strong, all were pushing for a pretty quick process, and all tugged at my heart!

By Monday the 13th we accepted an offer.  Inspection was a few days later, appraisal soon after, final walk through was on Tuesday, and we officially close today- three weeks, start to finish.  The new owners are allowing us to stay in the house for a few more weeks, but we begin the moving process on February 10th and should be in Prescott by the 14th.

Crazy right?

Want to up the game of crazy?

My girls move into an apartment this weekend, Riley has been in Scotland for the last week, and Clarke will not be here the week of the packing and loading due to his job. Oh, and the people who bought our house did not step foot into it until the day of the final walk through.  Seriously!  They saw it via Facetime from Minnesota!  Told you- CRAZY!

Want to see the hand of God- look at the little details of your life, my friends!  God is in the details!

• After DAYS of raining, yes it does rain in AZ, the sun came out the day the house pictures were taken

• We had FIVE showings on day one!  

• We only had to leave our house for three days for showings!  Ya'll, this is BIG for a homeschooling family of six with a dog!  If I had had to continue that pace, I would have lost it!

• The contract was easy, the "fixes" minimal, and the buyers have been gems to work with!

• We have a realtor who turned out to be a great friend, that held our hands the whole time, cheered and encouraged us, and did a remarkable job of selling this house.  Coming or going- Lisa is your gal when buying a house!

• I found a rental house for us in Prescott over a matter of days and it will be available February 3rd so Clarke can begin to move a few things up as he commutes.

• The girls found a place to live in one week that splits the difference between their jobs.

• We were able to get a moving company on short notice to move us. 

• So many friends have checked on us and sent sweet messages of encouragement.  Thank you! 

And it just goes on and on.  As a dear friend said recently, just more confirmation that we are on the path the Lord intended.  Grace upon grace!

But just because it is HIS path does not mean it is all rainbows and ponies.

Moving is hard.  Leaving friends and an amazing church is hard.  Letting go of a beloved house is hard.  Moving away from my girls is HARD!

Don't be fooled- behind the smiles and the excitement are some pretty intense emotions and fears for us all.  But we are determined to walk this path as best we can- knowing that the Lord has paved the path and is leading the way!

Hineni!

Blessings,

2020 Word of the Year

A new decade.  How did we even get here?  This year has flown by for us.  So many good things, and yet we anticipate many more exciting things on the horizon.  I am not sure why we are ever surprised, but the Lord is always gracious to hold us close and bless us beyond belief.  Even in the hard times, He is faithful and good.  If you don't know him as Lord and Savior, we would love to have that conversation with you!

As I have done for the past 6 years, I have been contemplating choosing a word of the year to reflect and focus on.  In the past, choosing was relatively easy to do.  The word just jumped out at me, often weeks before the end of the year. 

2014- GRACE
2015- JOY
2016- A NEW THING
2017- RESTORE
2018- VISION
2019- RENEW

This year, that was not the case.  At. All.

This post was started and then sat blank and quiet, with no words- or WORD- written.  I pondered more than a few scriptures but just did not feel like the Lord was saying, yes- that is it!  It was getting a bit distressing, honestly.

And then a few days ago I saw a Facebook friend post about her word and I knew I had found it!  It was beautiful and it spoke right to my heart.  With her permission, I have adopted her word- but let's face it, it is GOD'S word!  And I am ever so thankful He used a fellow believer and friend to put it in my path and on my heart!

So this year my word is- Hineni

Consider this explanation from the site One For Israel-

 ...it is a way of expressing total readiness to give oneself – it’s an offer of total availability.

When God called out to Moses from the burning bush, Moses replied, “Hineni!” And you know what assignment he was given, and what happened next. When God approached Abraham to ask him to offer his only son as a sacrifice, Abraham responded, “Hineni!” not knowing what God was about to ask. God called out to the young boy Samuel three times before Samuel finally responded, “Hineni! I’m listening!” Many hundreds of years later, when God asked who would go for him in Isaiah 6, and the prophet willingly offered himself with a cry of “Hineni!” Send me!”

As my friend put it- “Hineni-whatever it is you are asking of me, I am already in agreement of it."

As many of you know, our house goes on the market next week and we are moving AGAIN.  It will be our 17th move in 27 years.  The first 16 were no surprise due to our military career.  But this one is a bit different.  We retired to Arizona to our "forever" home.  We planned on staying- forever.

One should NOT use that word, because one never knows what the Lord has planned.

Hineni!

That is the cry of my heart- send me- in TOTAL availability and TOTAL agreement.

But this is about more than a move!

Shouldn't that be the cry of our heart every single moment of every single day?  After all, our days are given to us my the Lord and He determines our steps.  Control is a thing for me.  Anyone else?  I love plans, and calendars and sticky notes and more plans!  

But I want to LOVE God more.  And be ready at any point to say Hineni- send me and I will go. No whining, no questioning, just trust.  Knowing that the God of the Universe only asks of us what He knows is best for us.

To God be the Glory!
 
Blessings 

Joining my Timberdoodle loves for a blog hop- read all about their 2020 goals and visions and a few looks back!
 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

34 Weeks of Moving

JUST KIDDING!

About the 34 weeks part!  We will save that for cleaning and organizing.
Not kidding about the move, however.  And honestly, it could take WAY longer than 34 weeks.  Let's don't even go there right now.

So here is the plan.

Right after Christmas, the house gets stripped of all semblances of holiday cheer and put back together, all while doing a final mad-dash clean.

Then said clean house gets photographed.

Then put on the market a few days later (first full week of January probably) and an open house will take place the following day.

And then we wait.

Remember now, this is our plan- we will wait and see what the Lord's plan is.

Remember also, this is the same people who sold our last house in one day, then lost those buyers and did not sell is again until three months later.  And sat in a AirBNB in Scottsdale for three months.  Have I told you that story before?

Anyway...

Luckily this time we are being more realistic and are in no hurry to leave.

And before you ask-

YES, we are excited about this move.  On most days!
NO, it is not easy to leave friends.  That part is never easy. We are thankful it is only two hours away.
YES, it is sad.
NO, we don't think things are going to change.
YES, Clarke loves his new teaching job.
NO, we do not want him to commute away from us each week anymore.

OK, I think I have caught you up.  Sorry it was been quiet around here in Family, Faith and Fridays land- inset crickets chirping- but things have been a bit crazy here.

Stay tuned- I am pretty sure more craziness is to follow.  No, really!

Blessings,

Who Knew?

Have you ever gotten the surprise of your life?

You know, like guess what, you are pregnant or, hey you won a million bucks?

No worries, me neither on either of those. But...

We, and by we I mean my husband, did get hired pretty quickly to teach college classes.  Like a week and a half notice.  And he hasn't taught in a few years.

And oh yeah, did I mention the University is out of town?  By two hours.

Yep, there is that!

I think I just heard God snicker!  Really!  You have to either trust and know He is up to something, or the whole situation, including us, is CRAZY!

We choose to believe that He is up to something big!

• Otherwise, this job would have not come up out of the wood work.

• And Clarke would not have passed an interview which involved teaching a mock class with a little over 12 hours notice.

• And we would have not found him a place to live during the week that is owned by the most caring and kind Christian couple you could ever meet that we adore already!  In ONE day of looking.  Recommended by a friend of a friend.

Those things don't just happen, folks.

They are orchestrated by a God who loves us, who is in every detail, and who is the Master Planner.

OH, and who may even chuckle a bit!

So, if you think of us over the next few weeks, whisper a prayer for safe travels as our hero commutes up and back weekly, for the adjustment of our family, and for us to remain in wide-eyed awe and wonder of the Lord!

Because HE knew!

Blessings,

The Reason for God- A Review

I love the learning and the information that comes from books.  Oftentimes, you can be inspired or simply find nuggets of truth in the pages.  Which explains why many of my books contain highlighted passage after highlighted passage.  I believe well loved books look just like that- well loved.  Covers worn, pages turned down, and typeset often smeared.  I also believe that The Reason for God by Timothy Keller will become one of those books on my shelf.


I have been reading this book for weeks now.  Yep, it has taken me that long to get through the 251 pages.  Usually I am a fast reader, but this book, and the information it contained, made me slow down, sometimes re-read, and then ponder what was being said.

Timothy Keller is a pastor and the founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.  It was there, while starting his church, that he ran into person after person who were not only asking questions about Christianity, but seriously seeking the answers.   In helping them find answers to all that they questioned, the book The Reason for God was birthed.  In it, Keller explores many of the questions he was asked on a daily basis, using not only the Bible as the ultimate source, but literature, philosophy, historical documents, and reasoning as well. 

What you will find among the pages is a detailed, and well thought out argument for Christianity.  Well, not an argument really.  But a calm conversation between reader and author.  And THAT is one of the reasons I like this book.  Keller is not trying to pick a fight or be the winner of an argument.  He very calmly addresses each issue in what feels like an intimate conversation with the reader.  Yes, he wants you to come away with a new, or deeper, faith, but he wants you to do so because you were compelled to consider the facts.  I understand, of course, that there are varying beliefs of how one becomes a believer, but the basic facts in this book I think are valid across the board. 

To break it down for you a bit, the first half of the book ponders the reasons many have for no faith.

• There Can't be Just One True Religion
• How Can a Good God Allow Suffering
• Christianity is a Straitjacket
• The Church is Responsible for so Much Injustice
• How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell 
• Science has Disproved Christianity
• You Can't Take the Bible Literally

In the second half of the book, Keller sets out to explain the reasons FOR faith.

• The Clues of God
• The Knowledge o God
• The Problem of Sin
• Religion and the Gospel
• The (True) Story of the Cross
• Te Reality of the Resurrection
• The Dance of God

In his final chapter, Where do we Go From Here? Keller addresses what it means to put your faith in Christ.

I find it rather ironic that I decided to review this book for Timberdoodle Co. when I saw it listed in their catalog as a resource for high schoolers.  It is actually part of their 12th grade curriculum kit.  I had simply hoped it would be a good addition to my senior's Bible reading list.  It it for sure, but I also would highly recommend it to so many others!

Maybe you know someone who has questions about Christianity.  Maybe you do.  Grab a copy of this book and soak in the truths.  I think if you go in with eyes wide open, you may just come out the other side with a heart wide open as well!

Blessings,

Let Go and Love People

I can't remember when it all got started- this desire, this NEED of mine to downsize but it may have been about the time that I wrote this.  Go ahead, read it.  I will wait!

Time to Let Go and Move On

We had come off living in two very large homes, one that was a historical 5000 square foot base house, and I think I was just tired.  Tired of stuff and tired of what it took to take care of said stuff.  When you are a military family that moves a lot you get used to keeping stuff "in case,"  You never know what the next house will be like and those curtains, or that piece of furniture, might fit.  Or even those coats and boots and snowsuits might finally get used again.  True story!

Fast forward years later, and after several years of writing about 34 Weeks of Clean, and I still feel the same way.  OK,  maybe even more strongly about cleaning, de-cluttering and organizing.  But also about this-

I want to love people more than things.

Yes, I want my house to be beautiful, but I want people to be first.
Yes, I want to spend time cozy in my home, but I want to spend more time with people.
Yes, I want to love the things that surround me, but I want to love people more.

Love God, love people has become my mantra these days!

May I put it to work as much as I say it!

How about you?  How are you loving people?  I would love to hear your ideas and experiences!

Blessings,

Let Me Tell You a Story

Moving is easy for this family.  The physical moving part.  Leaving friends and a church that have become family is not easy.  Never has been, never will be.  Leaving our last church family was a gut wrenching doozy!  Like, take your breath away, doozy.

We miss their faces, we miss their love, we miss worshiping with them, and while we have now found a church home here and love new people, it has been a challenging transition.

So here is my story, and if you read the abbreviated version on my oldest's FB page, bear with me.  It is worth the repeat, trust me.

One of our elders from our previous church posted a YouTube video of a father-daughter team in Omaha singing Sovereign Over Us,  a song that was not only sung often there, but is one of our family's favorites.  It has been a gentle reminder to us in some difficult times that God is SOVEREIGN and nothing takes him by surprise.  Nothing.

So we sat and listened in awe at the beautiful voices (who knew that sweet child has such an angelic voice?), smiled through tears, and missed our people.  And in that moment I voiced that I wished we could sing that song at our current church.

Don't get me wrong, I love our new church and the worship here is beautiful.  But it is different.  A bit louder and fewer traditional hymns.  I am here to tell you that you can teach an old dog new tricks and I am indeed learning to appreciate a different worship style.  But there are times, I must admit, when my heart longs to hear the quiet, worshipful voices of our friends in Omaha.

Anyway, we listened, commented, and moved on with our nightly family devotions.  This was on Saturday night.

And on Sunday- wait for it- the worship team opened their mouths and began to sing Sovereign Over Us!

Yes, they did.  Take a moment to just breath that in.  I know I did.
Ashton turned to me and we both beamed through our tears.

If that is not God speaking and showing HIS sovereignty, I do not know what is!  If that is not God saying I hear you and I care, I do not know what it is!  If that is God saying you are loved, I don't know what it is!

Let me share what Ashton shared...

"Chance? No, the workings of a sovereign God who cares so very much about us, who takes care of every little thing, and who turns everything for our good and for His glory. And who is sovereign over the worship team and their song schedule."

Oh friends,

If you feel unloved- He loves you.
If you feel alone- He is with you.
If you are in pain- He can heal you. 
If you are afraid- He will give you peace.
If you need answers- He has them!

He is God and he reminds his people he is sovereign.  Even through the singing of a simple, yet profound song.

Thank you, Jesus!

Blessings,

Adventure is Waiting

My older kids grew up on audio adventures, so it has been neat for us to continue that tradition with my youngest son, age 11.  Reviewing the digital version of Season 6: Underground Rising from Brinkman Adventures  was a treat that brought a big smile to his face.  Let's face it, who doesn't like a good adventure?

The Brinkman Adventures is a faith based adventure series featuring a family of missionaries, the Brinkmans.  Each story, about 26 minutes long, is based off the lives of real life missionaries. Some are recorded in two parts, as were two from this season.  Founder Ian Bultman and his production team hope to one day be able to support missionaries through their ever growing Beachglass Ministries which produces the Brinkman Adventures, both on CD and in digital version. In the meantime, they are inspiring future missionaries one story at a time.

Titles from season 6 include-

• Dutch Underground (parts 1 & 2)
• Twice Born Fly
• I Wonder Why?
• Free Burma Rangers (parts 1 & 2)

This 2 plus hour season is a change from their previous 4 plus hour sets, but I think is a more manageable series to listen to.

One neat thing about Brinkman Adventures is that by going to their website you can get the back stories to all of the adventures in each series.  This area often includes interviews from the real missionaries involved, pictures, videos and more.  In our favorite adventure in season 6, Twice Born Fly it also includes a video of a fly metamorphosis!  Also on the website you will find podcasts to listen to that will expand the adventures even more!

Our Use and Our Thoughts-
After a quick download of the adventures to my computer we were ready to listen!  Because of the relatively short length of each adventure, it has worked out well for the two of us to listen to these either right before or right after lunch, in between school subjects.  Despite the still hot weather here in Arizona, it provides some snuggle time with my boy.

I have to admit, I am not an auditory learner like my boys and have sometimes struggled with listening to audio dramas in the past.  This is not the case with Brinkman Adventures.  I do not know if it is due to the length of each one or how exciting and intriguing they are, but like Colby, I often find myself sitting on the edge of my seat to see what happens next.

My boys have never struggled with their listening skills (with audio dramas, that is) and love listening to Brinkman Adventures.  Colby will often listen to them while he is playing in his room, and even occasionally while reading a book, go figure.  They are also great for longer car rides around town or while off on an adventure ourselves.

We often differ on picking our favorite episodes, but such was not the case this time.  We both agreed that our favorite story from Episode 6 was Twice Born Fly.  For me, I just loved that the gospel was so clearly pictured using a story that the dad told his kids about a dream he had, and that it eventually led to the decision for his young son to be saved.  The conversation between father and son and what it means to be "born again" is precious and brings back memories of a conversation we had with our own son just a short year ago.  Colby loved the dream part of the story the best.  Not surprising as it involves a prison break out!  What is it with boys and their sense of adventure, right?!

Our second favorite was the I Wonder Why? adventure.  While the family involved started with heartache, the story follows their adventures of following God's lead to sell all they have and move to another country to help orphans.  Because Colby was adopted as a small child, this story gave us much to talk about!  We were not only able to discuss how hard it would be to sell all we have and move away from friends and family, but also what it means to help others and how that can look different to different people.  Orphan stories are sometimes hard to listen to, but for our family, it is another opportunity to discuss how the Lord has blessed our family and many others we know through adoption.  Another central theme to this story was forgiveness and changed hearts once we are saved.  Again, a great way to introduce some pretty deep discussions to your family time.

Ever so generous, The Brinkman Crew is offering our readers a discount through the end of this month!  Think about Christmas, my friends, it is just around the corner, and these would make great gifts!


Friends,  you need Brinkman Adventures in your life.  You don't have to just take my word for it- over 70 of our Homeschool Review Crew members reviewed Brinkman Adventures as well.  Click on the banner below to read what they had to say.

Peaceful, Not Perfect

If you know me at all, you may already know I have a thing about perfection.  I desire a perfect house, perfect children, perfect plans, and on and on.  As you can imagine, I have been let down many times because of that unrealistic expectation.


In my quest to simply my life more and more, and in an attempt to intentionally be living the life that GOD has for me, I am ruminating on several things I want to share with you, my fellow perfectionists!

•  Instead of trying to fit it ALL into my life, I am asking the question- Does this add value to my life?  Whether that is an activity, or a book, or even something as simple as a "thing" I want to buy, I am asking that question.  Why add stuff without adding value?

• Is this MY plan or GOD'S?  Trust me, there is a difference.  My plan often seems pretty good, but I know by faith that God's is better.   

• These kids belong first to GOD, then to me.  As hard as it is, I must hold loosely to them and trust that again, God has a better plan.

 

• I am not, nor are my kiddos or husband, perfect.  Nor do we have to pretend to be.  We make mistakes.  We are selfish.  We are sinful.  I have to trust that God forgives us of those sins, is teaching us, and continues to draw us closer to him, despite those sins.  Our friends will have to love us as we are, the good, bad and ugly.

• Stuff is not the answer, God is.  More things, a perfect home, whatever- it will not fill us.  Only God can and will.

• Peace comes from God and God alone.  The Bible says in John 14:27- "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  

Friends, I long to live a peaceful life.  Not one full of perfect plans, or a perfect house, or even perfect kids.


Just one full of a perfect God!


How about you?


Blessings,