If you haven't found
Storing Up Treasures In Heaven, go there , now! Yes, right now, I'll wait!
Ok, back? Well here is her latest post, and all I can say is AMEN, and , No I'm not pregnant!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Happy with what you haveby Courtney, Wife of the Rockstar
I have had several people ask me "Why can't you be happy with the kids you have?". I have thought about this and questioned my own motives in wanting more children. I really had to think about what my answer to this is. I am happy with the 9 wonderful, amazing, blessings God has given me. It actually isn't a question of me being unhappy. I am perfectly happy with 9. If God desires for us to stop at 9, then I will happily raise my 9 treasures and pray for lots of grandchildren.
I have had people say to me "You are so young, when they are all raised, you can do whatever you want with your life". I always find this statement odd. As if to say that I am not doing what I want now. I am doing exactly what I want to now. I actually cannot imagine my life without little people in it. I cry thinking of that day. I grieve each time the baby isn't a baby anymore thinking it may be my last baby. The world sees children as a burden. I see them as life's greatest blessing.
I believe the world NEEDS more people who will change it. I believe the world needs more people who will preach the gospel to the lost. I believe that God desires this also. I believe that He is pleased when a new life enters the world or an orphan finds a home. I believe the angels rejoice.
Satan's greatest tool is to deceive Christians into thinking that children are a burden. These days many Christians are choosing not to have children. When Christians stop having children, the world grows darker. One day we will not be here, and our children and grandchildren will need to carry the torch. They will need to be a light in an ever increasing dark world.
These precious treasures God has loaned me are for HIS Glory, His purpose. Their lives are marked and He chose them before they were born. Just like the people of the biblical era deemed it a great honor to have a Godly lineage, so do I. They desired children for the same reason I do. Because the only thing that will ever change the world is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The only way the world will see the light of God is through people. When Christians do not fulfill the call to have and raise Godly children, the world loses.
When we die, nothing is left of us. We won't really even matter to this world. But, our children will be here to carry out the call. They will be here fighting the battle. They will be here shining light into a dark and Godless world. The average Muslim woman will bear 12 children. Muslims are taught to go out and convert as many people in their lifetime as they possibly can. We are already losing the battle here on Earth. Christians are dwindling in numbers rapidly. This isn't a question of happiness for me. This is about my duty, my call, my responsibility
.Adopting a child into our home is more than it seems. Yes, we are saving a child from poverty. Yes, we are giving them a Mother and Father, a family, the privileges of living in America. Yes, we are clothing them, loving them, giving them a roof over their head. Yes, we are giving them hope and a future. But, even more than all of that, we see it as a way for another soul to come to the Lord. We see it as an opportunity for one more person to come to know the Lord. We see it as populating Heaven. Earth is but a moment. Heaven is for eternity. Saving a child is so much more than just giving them a home. It is preparing them for eternity. I cannot think of anything more valuable to the Father.
I conclude with this. I have no idea how many children we will have/adopt. I do know that I desire to do my Father's work. I desire to do His will, and when He says we are done, then I will let everyone know. For now, please know that we are happy with 9. We were happy with one. With each child our happiness grows. With each blessing we are more grateful than we were before. And with each new addition, there is another opportunity for the world to know the Lord.
"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him" Psalm 127:3
"Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live." Deuteronomy 30:19
"Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their parentage." Proverbs 17:6.
"Like a fruitful vine your wife within your home, Like olive plants your children around your table. Just so will they be blessed who fear the Lord." Psalm 128:3-4.
"Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth." Genesis 1:28.
"Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them" Psalm 127:3-5
And her
Rockstar husband is pretty cool, too
I came down with the stomach flu on Mike's birthday, so the girls made him a cake.
But very imaginative, when no candles could be found she improvised.
Last weekend we all loaded up for our annual trip to Santa's Christmas Tree Farm. Before we had even parked, Liv was asking for money to ride the pony. Let me just tell you Santa's farm is an event unto itself, and a $$ maker. Resigned that we were going to spend a small fortune on a dead tree, I was not thrilled to give Santa anymore of my $$. Well the pouting ensued, and I had to remind her of proper behavior, and ask her if we needed to visit the porta-potty, if ya know what I mean ;) Well amazingly smiles returned and we went off to search for a pre-cut tree.
So we grab a pole, and a saw, to which Maddy said, Liv's going to hurt someone with that, let me carry it!
Ethan carried the pole. You know that's why we had so many kids, right! Mike and I don't want to have to chop down the tree and carry the saw!
Blood & Tears at the Happiest Place on Earth
So, after carrying Liv with her leg half sawed off (you saw the pic, right!) from the back 40 to the porta potty area, Mike and I decided maybe the 19.99 tree didn't look too bad! Yeah you know there would have to be arterial spray coming from that knee for me say yes to a tree smaller than me, right???
This is our tree, see Maddy has to climb the windowsill to reach the top.
And Ethan like a good Momma's boy proudly held up the Jeff Gordon ornament, I don't know what happen the the Tony Stewart ornament, Mike . I think I may use this pic for our Christmas card, ok honey?
We ran into almost everyone we knew, gotta love small town living! I think we could have held church there.
Ethan joined a rock band since he is now 3. He plays the air guitar!
That's hot, Sarah Beth!
We celebrated Ethan's birthday while all of our family was in town for Thanksgiving.
Look at them bunnies!
Well, no party is complete without someone getting thrown in the pool!
Ethan received a box of tools, and as soon as we were home he informed me he had work to do. He has been in my guest bathroom for hours trying to unscrew the pipes.
