40 days

"Shout it aloud, do not hold back.

Raise your voice like a trumpet.

Declare to my people their rebellion

and to the house of Jacob their sins.

For day after day they seek me out;

they seem eager to know my ways,

as if they were a nation that does what is right

and has not forsaken the commands of its God.

They ask me for just decisions

and seem eager for God to come near them.

'Why have we fasted,' they say

'and you have not seen it?

Why have we humbled ourselves,

and you have not noticed?'

"Yet on the day of your fasting,

you do as you please and exploit all your workers.

Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,

and in striking each other with wicked fists.

You cannot fast as you do today

and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,

only a day for a man to humble himself?

Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed

and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the LORD ?

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter

—when you see the naked, to clothe him,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

The LORD will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath

and from doing as you please on my holy day,

if you call the Sabbath a delight

and the LORD's holy day honorable,

and if you honor it by not going your own way

and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

then you will find your joy in the LORD,

and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land

and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."

The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Isaiah 58

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I love this chapter in Isaiah. Thank-you to Joanie for posting these verses over at her blog. She is a wonderful example to me. She and I were on the same page this week.

I have been studying deep the book of Daniel and how filling it's been! I've been desiring to give up some things to the Lord, spending more time in His word and prayer, desiring to have resolve, self-control, and strength like Daniel. Beth Moore's videos have spoken to my heart about being a part of this Babylon. 'Our society of gotta have it, now, more, bigger, better, if I can afford it (or even if I can't) I'm gonna get it.' And can't we see that about to come crumbling down?

I agree with Beth's admonition to be in the world, influential in the word, without being influenced and like the world! We're to be set apart for holy use. Satan wants us to be common and unholy, not set apart for God's use but doing just like everyone else who does not believe in the Most High God. We are to be different. How can we be if we're craving and doing and busy being just like everyone else? I'm talkin to myself here!

I feel like I need to be different than the traditional Lent, though I'm not sure why. But I like a clean, non-stop break, for my fasting period. Beth Moore asked us to join her in a challenge, giving up rich meats for the first half of the Daniel study. That was just not giving up much for me. I barely eat any meat.

So I've thought and prayed and this my own challenge, and my own quiet 40 days of intentional time on my knees memorizing scripture, praying for our country and my family. I will seek His face! I anticipate the blessings of focusing on Him.

It's not legalism, it's not the law. There is nothing I can DO to make myself right with God. I cannot be holy without Jesus Christ. It is because of Him, and Him alone that I can know God and receive eternal life. But Matthew 25 has been speaking to me. As has Isaiah 58. It's not something I will talk about during the 40 days. I won't be preaching it, but I'm posting here to let my (5? ;o) readers know why I'm gone and write out my thoughts...

Small in the scheme of things, but large in my life, I will be giving up 3 things for the next 40 days...from tomorrow Mar 1st until April 9th. the day before Good Friday.. surfing, sugar and shopping.

Maybe you don't struggle with this and you just don't get it, that's okay, but it's good for me to write out my thoughts. :o) Though in and of themselves, these 3 are not sin, Satan uses them in my life. The internet is not so bad, but does suck me in. I love reading about others lives, being encouraged by how they struggle with the same things I struggle with, finding out new ways of doing things, ideas about homeschooling, gardening, photography etc.

Even sitting and uploading pictures, or emailing will be out and much time will be available for other things for this season. I will check emails from my phone, just to be sure not to miss appts and correspondence re: fostering and trainings etc.

Sugar, is highly addictive for me and saps my energy and my health. I struggle with moderation here. I'm betting the evil one thinks I cannot do it. But I can, and I will, showing His strength and resolve in me. Only in His strength. I bought some stevia and of course honey and fruit will be on hand. :o)

Chad will do the grocery shopping and I will be buying NOTHING for the next 40 days. I wonder how much money we'll save? Though truly that is not the reason for doing this. It is my hope at the end when I do return to the stores, that I will ask myself, "Is this a need or a want? Is this for our benefit or for self-indulgence?" He is sufficient for me. My satisfaction and happiness is found in Him.

What a blessing and a breath of fresh air to let go of some things that can hold me captive. And the best party of it all...with the extra time and money we will be caring for the oppressed and the poor as He's instucted me in my quiet time.

We will be proactively looking for ways to serve that will go hand in hand with homeschooling. Not burning ourselves out on ministry, but using our days to be used by Him.

I will be focusing on the boys and helping them with their struggles of fighting and unkind words. We will be praying more and reading scripture with them, each and every day. We will be volunteering at the Matthew House (name inspired by the verses below :o) here in our town, as well as clearing out our home of things we do not need, that others might be praying they had.

Please keep me in your prayers and I seek His best for our family's life. Love, Becca

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The Sheep and the Goats Matthew 25

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

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a little more cuteness...

Random little girl cuteness!

randompicturechallenge

September 2007 11th picture

This was the twins at the boys' TaeKwonDo practice. They were just so mellow and sweet! They were buckled in, it's just under their dresses. I think I was still in shock at this point...girls!!! Twin girls, and we nearly took twin boys!!!

Click on the button above to join in!

Last bit of winter...

Sunday Chad was busy working on our mini-farm. We were craving snow so I took the four older kids on a little trip to the mountains, while the twins napped.

We stopped at the river on the way up and had some snacks. The sun glistened on the snow bank. The kids wanted to romp in the river but I put my foot down. No getting wet before going sledding! It was truly beautiful...

Tennyson had a blast in the snow attempting to pull the sled. It would've been much easier if he hadn't chewed through his harness the day before! We have to figure out how to make some work for this dog. He craves it! He's a lot like the boys...needs to have something to do, something to love. We've got the love down, and Aidan's getting better about walks but this dog needs something to do!

We reveled at God's creation. We missed Chad, Hope and Halle, but other than that, it was a wonderful afternoon. Definitely a "meadow day" in the mountains. Laughing, romping, being pulled down the hill by a big white dog, joyful silliness and yet quietness too. Listening for His wisper.

10 He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:10-12

Wordless Wednesday

yesterday

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:15-16

anxiety, annuity, answers... feeling alone

pondering, not pestering; pressing in

perfection I lack...not even close, sinful

without resolve, many are the mistakes I make

simplifying, sustaining; stagnant, we're not

ALL that He has for us, will include meeting our needs

Focusing, not fretting; trusting what we know

what is to come? to continue? God's faithfulness! His glory!

enriching, energizing, enveloping, encompassing

with faith of a child, carefree yet cautious

preparing like the sparrow, joyfully, contentedly
dilligent, not distressed; decisions, though~knocking, calling
many mouths to feed, what is one more?

just today, I am called, today to follow You
grace, provsion, for today alone
yes, all the joy my heart can hold
present yet, abundant still
abide Lord Jesus, abide here I pray, today

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:22-27

Chad worked so hard on our homegrown efforts this weekend! Thank-you sweetheart!

The southern side of yard is all fenced now for two goats for milking! I will be visiting the babies to choose from tomorrow! (Thank-you Grandma Sharon for the gate you gave us, many moons ago!) Delicious, fresh organic, goat's milk. Yum.

The northern side, nearly all fenced to protect our fruit trees. The chicken coop is also in there, as will be our bunny hutch (we bought our first breeding bunny today), and our square foot garden will be enlcosed next to the chicken coop. Safe from little boys, dog and racoons!

We're pondering what to get...more ducks and chickens or geese this time? Decisions, decisions!

Duck eggs are delicious and much larger, providing more sustenance than chicken eggs (the green are duck eggs, brown are our chicken eggs, white are store bought). But ducks are so messy. And geese will be much more likely to survive the racoons, especially since we have Tennyson. Though he is an inside dog, he is still a great deterrant and the pesky racoons know he's here now.

Just some random thoughts and plans over at our home. :o)

honestly

when did these two little girls turn into BIG girls! They are still plenty light enough for my to carry and even Aidan does chores with one on his back. But slow down girls!!!

my silliest of sweethearts, how glad I am you're growing

your smiles light up my days!

watching you grow is truly a delight

each day a gift from God!

wordless wednesday

special weekend

Annah and Viktoriya had a special weekend together. One of love, acceptance and forgivness. They shared a time of understanding and learning how families do not give up on one another even when they do not see eye to eye.

They shopped and spent Viktoriya's birthday money, got their pictures taken together, stayed up late watching movies and giggling, slept in, swam at the YMCA with Ethan and Ry (they are GOOD big sisters!), enjoyed worshipping at church together, reminisced and told stories. I loved hearing about their childhood.

We had fun celebrating Valentines Day and Viktoriya's 15th birthday together...

In the end we raced *I mean did the speed limit* to the ferry and said our goodbyes. Late last night, as I was folding laundry on my bed, Annah came in, tears streaming down her face, "I miss Viktoriya." I held her and she sobbed asking "why can't we force her to live here?" We prayed that God would have Viktoriya live exactly where He wanted her in these last few years of her childhood. "What if she insists on staying where God doesn't want her? She's gotta be better off here." Sighs and hugs are all I could offer at that point.

And yes, we do have 4 boys in this house. I'm sorry I've only been posting about girls lately! The boys enjoyed our annual heart shaped choc chip pancakes on Saturday. The little things really make them happy, especially traditions they can look forward to...

And I have to mention (and post a pic to get Chad in the blog again) that my daughter's are not following in their mostly-vegetartian mother's footsteps... they LOVE their Daddy's BBQ anything... It was so funny, they kept begging and begging for more, even though they had already eaten dinner.

chipmunk cheeks galore, full of barbeque chicken!

Halle looking at Chad like "you're seriously not givng me anymore???"

Oh no, the twins highjacked the post again, oh well. Here is a Valentines Day kiss for you!!!