My winter retreat By: Rachel

I went on a winter retreat this past weekend and I had a lot of fun. At first when I got on the bus and we drove to the camp, I was a bit discouraged and wondered if this weekend was going to be fun. But then we got to the camp and the fun began. We went to our cabins and dropped off our stuff, then we went to our first session for the weekend. At our first session we talked about things that sleepy people do (not actual sleepy people spiritual sleepy people). So I found out that I need to stop being so self conscience and not just worry about me and what others think about me. After the first session we hung out, I went down and played carpet ball with some other people.

I woke up the next day excited and ready to have fun. After breakfast and devotions we had session two, in session two I learned that Jesus plans, Jesus cares, Jesus waits, Jesus knows, and Jesus wait for it ....... wins! So why do I need to worry, yes I should plan what to do with my life, but Jesus always wins so I'll go with His plans, because I love to win. After session two we had a scavenger hunt. I was on team ten and we came in 7th or 8th place I think. I liked the scavenger hunt because I learned where everything was. Next after the scavenger hunt we had some free time and I mostly just hung out downstairs and played carpet ball. Later when lunch was over I went outside and saw some kids playing a game called gaga ball and it looked really fun, so I decided to give it a try. Man oh man it was sooo fun!!!!! I played gaga ball for about 2 and a half hours, then I decided to go get my superhero costume on.

Everyone met in the gym with their superhero costumes on Tyler was cat woman and I was her sidekick dog lady. All the superhero's got in a circle and we went around telling everyone our name and power. Some people did not dress up and we got to boo them. After everyone went around the group leaders voted for the best superhero. I think almost everyone knew who was going to win at least I did, it was duck tape girl her whole costume was made out of duck tape her dress,crown,and cape. I thought she had a cool costume, but she was not my favorite. I had three favorites 1. Adam who was;Herman Luethy with the power to see in 3D(ha ha) . 2. Devon who was;Mr.handsome with the power to make you look bad or him look good(again ha ha). 3. Logan who was;the fly with the power to fly(one last ha ha).

Next we had a relay race in our superhero costumes. It was fun but I could tell my team did not give it's full effort which made me upset. It's OK to lose but not if you don't give your full effort. We had a little more free time after that and I played more gaga ball.

Then we had supper, and after supper we had session three. In session three I learned that I need to wake up, grow up, give up,and look up. The one that jumped out at me most was grow up. But that's probably because Luke (the speaker) told us a funny story when he talked about growing up. After session three we played capture the flag. I thought capture the flag was really fun even though we never found the flag. But I really liked running around in the dark and walking and talking with others. After capture the flag we hung out for a while and then went to bed.

The next morning I woke up tired and sore. I ate breakfast did my devotions tried to play carpet ball but my wrist was kinda sore. Then we went to session four. In session four I learned about Ananias and how he was willing and he received a difficult task and accomplished a mission to bring a God-sized miracle.

After session four we cleaned our cabins and packed our bags. Then I played gaga ball until it was time to leave. I made two commitments while I was on the retreat 1.To try not to be so self conscience and focus on God more and not just my reputation. 2.To do all things for the glory of God and not myself.

VISION Sunday

Wow, yesterday was another great Sunday at New Song Fellowship Church. Pastor Jamie gave the vision for the church for the next year and beyond. It was impressive and motivating. I left excited to be apart of a church that wants to disciple, train, and send workers to save the Lost, and wants to be a beacon of hope and encouragement in this city. But, that wasn't all, I personally felt encouraged and motivated to move forward with change and plans for progress.

As the New year rolled in I made my resolution, like always. I like making a new years resolution and working at it. I like a time for goal setting and plans for improvement. So, I set out to make a goal for the year 2012. Like always I began praying about it a few weeks before the new year. But, this year was different. Instead of a simple goal like, lose weight, exercise daily, eat better, watch less TV, red the Bible daily, etc. etc. this year the goal seemed a little vague. I resolved to let God discipline me in the year 2012. Yes, that is what I said, I resolved to let God take the rod out and train me.

I will be honest I wasn't really sure what this decision meant or how it would look. But, taking my cue from the movie, "Courageous." I started looking at God's Word for what it meant to be disciplined, I started praying that God would change me, and before I knew it he started showing me His plans. The windows of awareness started opening. The window of poor health habits swung open, then the breeze was felt from the window of poor spiritual habits, next I see the light coming through the window of selfish motives. As each window opens, I wonde,r is it really possible to be disciplined, orderly, and righteous. Surely, God is not calling me to ALL this.

Thankfully, as he opened each window, he also gave me a glimpse of how he planned to change these habits.

I started searching for answers and he showed me diet changes, sleep habits that needed changed, attitudes that need correcting, routines that had to be change, and people and things that had to move onto or off of my priority list. I decided that if I was serious about this goal that I would have to do as He said. So, I started a new menu, I let go of my pop addiction (and my excuses to keep it), I started setting the alarm clock, and I made some new relationship goals. Just to mention a few of the changes that began taking place this month.

The excitement of something new kept me going, but at times it is overwhelming to be trying to make such changes. For example Saturday, I sat trying to work out my new menu, but not having enough new recipes for large families to really fill a whole week was getting frustrating. Then sitting with my husband and working on the budget "together" finding it overwhelming after years of doing it alone. (The accountability is so scary)

So, at this point of still be excited to try and make changes to become the woman God made me to be and being overwhelmed by it all, I head to Sunday morning worship. Having no idea how it would spur me on.

Here is what I learned Sunday morning:

From Titus 4:6-16

verse 6 BE DOCTRINALLY SOUND

"In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the [a]sound doctrine which you have been following."

I need to fill up on God's word constantly, I eat three meals a day, so I need to match that with spiritual food. This grow my Faith and keep me doctrinally sound (if I don't know what God says in His word, how can I live according to it?)

verses 7-9 BE DISCIPLINED

7" But [b]have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance."

"Discipline is delaying gratification to attain something greater and better." this was a quote Pastor Jamie said.

Discipline involves tools: budgets, calenders, schedules, goal sheets, and choices in discernment, priorities and planning.

I found that encouraging because i have spent a great deal of time these past couple weeks working on plans, discerning what is best for our day to be spent doing, planning how to make changes, creating and making new schedules and charts. I wondered if it was all worth it, but this was a reminder that planning is necessary for success, change, and progress.

verses 10-11 BE DILIGENT

10 "For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11 Prescribed and teach these things."

Change and Progress doesn't come easy, but if I focus on Hope, then the hard work will reap a reward, and as I learn these things, I am to prescribe and teach them to others (for me my children first.).

verse 12 BE DESIRABLE

12 "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. "

I need to be bold in Christ by speaking, acting, loving, and serving in faith and purity. I need to be a good example.

verses 13-14 BE DISCIPLED

13" Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery."

Here pastor Jamie said, we are told to use our spiritual gifts, and to make sure the Word is being shared out load in public. Wow, what a calling.

verses 15-16 BE DELIBERATE

15" Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. "

Wow, what a finish it says take pains, be absorbed, and pay close attention. Can God make it any clear to me that yes, he wants my full attention on Him and the things of Him.

"Spiritual growth never happens by accident"

So, I press on encouraged that God is in the process of changing me and making progress in my life for His purposes. If you want to hear the message first hand you can at http://newsongfellowship.net/media

God of the ordinary day

Do you ever wonder where God is in the day to day routine? I think sometimes I just need to stop and look and then I see His marvelous work before my eyes. Like this morning:

As I feed baby Anna this morning, I sat watching Davey do his morning job of clearing the breakfast table. I watch as he systematically takes the plates off, going around carefully removing each fork (so not to throw it away) and stacking each plate on top of each other. He stops at my place, and politely asks, "mom, are you done with your food?" I think how far his speech and vocabulary have come. He not only spoke in a complete sentence, but clearly knew what he wanted to say and what answer he should listen to hear. I respond that yes I am done. I watch to see what he will do next, will he eat my food or clear it off and throw it away (as he is suppose to). Without hesitation, he adds the dirty plate to the stack. With a little bounce in his step (always a bounce in his step) he joyfully takes the stack to the trash. As he returns to the table, he smiles at Stephen and includes him in his little chore. He tells, Steve that he can dump the water from the cups into the pitcher. Stephen is excited to be able to help. All the while, Davey continues to do his job now again systematically removing each fork. He moves round and round the large table, and picks up each fork and adds it to his pile in his hand. This again amazes me, as I see he is able to hold all of them in his hand with a tight grip and none falling out. His hand coordination and muscle control has improved so much. Again he bounces into the kitchen and deposits the forks in the sink. Bouncing back to the table, he continues to talk with Steve in a happy easy going way. He tells Steve he has to take the cups now. He again begins circling the table stacking each cup into each other, and takes them to the kitchen. Upon returning to the table he gently tells Steve, he has to take the water pitchers to the sink. Stephen reluctantly gives them up, and Davey takes them to the kitchen. He returns to the table for one last pass, he takes the left over food carefully to the kitchen, and places each thing either on the cupboard, in the trash, or in the fridge as it should be. I sit and marvel at all that he just did. Without any assistant at all he completely cleared the table, included his younger brother in his task, and politely considered my needs, and all without complaint.
Now, if only tomorrow or even later today when he is not being so compliant, i can remember this moment, and the amazing gift he is to me. God truly has showed his power in this little guys life, and I feel privileged to be able to witness such a miracle.
I pray that I never forget to appreciate the miracle God has done in my children's lives and in mine because of them. I pray to that my friends and family know God's presence in their lives each ordinary day.
Psalms 73:25-28
25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. 28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.

Derailing to get on track

Lately, I have found myself unable to focus and stay on task. This is not new, as I have always been easily distracted (some might say I have ADHD) I like to think of myself as a great multitasker. But, since having baby girl and moving, I have struggled with focus, insomnia, and depression(again not new, just not wanted). As the dark months start to close in on me, I find my hearts prayer for the Lord to give me a booster shot of energy, motivation, and drive. So this morning, I woke with an idea. I am calling it the "Katie's Daily habits of Health." I am a firm believer that God made us like himself (God the father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit). We are mind, body, and soul. To be our best all three parts must be in good health. So I came up with a list of 20 things I need to do daily to maintain optimum health. This is a very simple list of very basic activities. They are in order of what come to me first (not what is more important than another).

1. Get up at 7 am (this is necessary to get up same time everyday to help with insomnia and motivation)
2. No candy (sugar addiction)
3. No Pop (caffeine and sugar addiction, Dr Pepper is my drug of choice)
4. Go to bed at 10 pm (not TV) (again to combat insomnia)
5. exercise 30+ minutes (combat laziness and depression)
6. go outside 5+ minutes (no matter what fresh air is always benificial)
7. no eating after supper (no nighmares)
8. drink water only (this is different than no pop)
9. pray
10. read Bible
11. eat with kids (if I eat with the kids I eat healthier, because I feed them healthier than I do myself)
12. one serving per meal
13. read out loud
14. memorize
15. have a meaningful conversation
16. hug someone
17. say I love you
18. pray with or for someone
19. write a letter or blog
20. be grateful for something/someone

The goal is to intentionally do each of these things everyday, until it is a habit. So, my plan is to take 20 weeks and intentionally add a new one each week. So, week one focus on getting up at 7, then week two add no candy eating, and so on, so by the end of twenty weeks all should be added into the days activities. Then go back to the top and do it again, until it is mastered.
I am sure other people would have other goals, but these are areas I need to focus on. maybe you have suggestions or ideas of other areas people in general could work on, please feel free to comment and share them.

Question 1: Are they all yours?

Whenever I go out of those with all twelve of my kids, I get asked this question. "Are they all yours?" Sometimes it is asked in a different way, like "Did you bring the whole neighborhood today? or "Do you run a daycare?" Sometimes, people say, "His,Yours and ours?" But, no matter how they ask, what they want to know is are they really all yours? Most of the time, this question doesn't bother me. I love people, to watch people, find people fascinating, and am very curious about people. So, I understand that others are curious too. Once in a while someone will be a little too nosy and/or rude in their curiosity and that is harder to deal with. So, what is my answer to this question. Usually, I just give a yes answer and a smile. This satisfies 85% of those who asks, and they usually say something like God bless you, or what a blessing large families are. But, once in a while people want more and say, so you gave birth to all of them, you must have been pregnant for the last fifteen years, are there any twins, etc. Others are even bolder and want you to clarify if any are adopted, foster, or step children (to me that is a little rude when the children are standing right there). Even though three of my beautiful children are adopted and know it, I don't think a total stranger needs to make them feel some how separated from the rest of the children. This is especially true when you have foster children. It always bothered me when I was a kid and people would point out that some of my siblings were foster children. Like they and I didn't already know that. Life is hard enough as a kids in the system why make them feel less like part of the family they are with.
Oops, I side tracked there, lets get back on the right track. So, Are they all mine? To be totally honest, yes and no. You see I believe they belong to God, and that I am just blessed by him to be their mother. So, yes, they are all my children born of my heart, and some born of my womb. Most days I do not even feel worthy of such a high calling as to mother one child, let alone twelve. But, God has blessed me, and I am grateful to enjoy the life I share with these children. They teach me so many things day after day. The next question I often get asked is, "so are you done?" check back in to see what my answer is for this one.

Psalm 127
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.

two trains

Often in my mind, there are several trains of thought running in all sorts of directions. So for the next few weeks, I am going to focus on just two of these trains. One is how to answer the many often asked and sometimes not so often asked questions about being a big family, and the other is being prepared to answer the many questions asked after sharing the gospel message with someone. Recently, while studying 1 Peter chapter three, I was challenged by the thought of having a ready answer for the joy and hope in my life. I realize this verse is speaking about sharing the gospel message of salvation found only in Jesus Christ. But, I find often when I share the gospel with someone there is always many more questions. I also find that my choices in life give a message to others too, about my life as Christian. So, I think that it important to have answers to both questions about what I believe, and why I choose to live as I do. So, with that thought in mind I will begin a series of blogs to answer some of the many questions I have been asked. Below you can read 1 Peter 3, the verses I was referring to are towards the end, specifically 15 and 16. Keep watch for the first question for train one, "Are they really all you children?" and train two, "What makes you any better than me?"

1 Peter 3
1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

What I`m Thankful for

This entry is a little late but, oh well. I am thankful for our loving and caring God. My most of the time nice family. For a nice warm house and a nice warm bed in my nice warm room. For food and drinks, most of all clear cool water. I`m thankful for my pet cats (5) and my pet rabbits (2). I`m thankful for Friends. For clothes and shoes. For entertainment like plays, movies, computer, etc.. I`m thankful for books to read. For toys to play with. For plants and animals. For mountains and rivers. For holidays. I`m thank ful for lots of things.