A Blog To Note

You can find the full article over at Stacey's blog at Your Sacred Calling. This article was called Jesus Full and I also encourage you reading other articles on her web site (I especially liked the post just below this one). Here is an expert from her article that we highly agree with as we are told we are part of that quiverfull movement!







Welcoming children into our family isn’t about a movement, we told him, it’s about a vision—a vision for “other-focused” living that will produce generations of Christians who love God with all their hearts, soul, and strength. I think he finally got it.


You see, it’s not about numbers—an out of wedlock mother of eight who is paid by the government to stay unmarried and dependent on the state could easily out breed most of us, if given enough incentive.


No; it’s about faithfulness. It’s about instilling in our children, our church, and our culture a passion for purity, children, family, and most of all, Jesus. It’s about raising up godly seed (Christian children) who aren’t focused on living for their own fleeting pleasures; but, are instead committed to glorifying God and enjoying Him forever—which involves loving one’s neighbor as one’s self.


"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”" (Galatians 5:14, ESV)


But you see, before we can do that, we have to believe it. Really believe it. We have to believe it so much that we are living it out each day without even thinking. We must value each life as much as we value our own—way down deep.


We live in a culture that is growing more and more apathetic toward the sacredness of life. Children are brutally murdered in the womb in the name of “women’s rights.” Elderly parents, to whom we are commanded to honor and care for, are forgotten in the name of convenience. The severely ill or handicapped are denied food and water, so they might die in the name of compassion.



Life. Its value, it seems, is measured only in what it offers us—or how it threatens to inconvenience us. The more I contemplate the value of children, the more I realize that my view of children is bound up in how I value life. Am I truly loving my neighbor, my own family, the lost, the poor? Am I looking for ways to bring more and more glory to my Lord? Or am I looking for a cold and dusty list of rules? Am I hoping for loopholes or excuses? Am I worried about my free time? My career? My sanity? Am I ready to blame others or circumstance for why I “can’t” do this or that?


You see, Satan hates human life. He hates godly seed. He hates all that God loves. And he lurks in the shadows ready to devour the fruit in our lives, if we give him the chance (1 Peter 5:8). How do we escape? Scripture does not tell us to flee; instead we are told to submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and the devil will flee from us (James 4:7)!


Are we willing to lay ourselves at the feet of Jesus as obedient and selfless servants? Or will we refuse to submit to Him, failing to resist the devil? Will we allow Satan to devour our God-ordained love for our neighbor (human life) by focusing on ourselves and our own flesh? Will we forget our primary purpose in life, which is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever? I pray not.
Here’s the thing. It’s not about whether or not you believe birth control is a sin. It’s really not about that at all, and in some ways it distracts us from the real point. The real issue is far, far more important. It’s about loving God, loving our neighbor, loving life, embracing His revealed will, and working hard to live out the Gospel honestly and faithfully before a watching...and desperate world.



Let me ask you something. What do the heathen hear from the “quiverfull crowd?”


“Birth control is a sin!”
Or


“Children are a blessing!

It is hard work to train them up faithfully, but we are committed to trusting God, sacrificing if need be, and enjoying every minute we have with each little one that God gives us!”


My husband and I came to our convictions without anyone giving us a list of rules. God revealed to us the blessing of life—children—and we learned to slowly trust Him with the details. Yes, we were confronted with Scripture by some bold and faithful brothers and sisters; but, their focus was the blessing of life—and trusting God.


"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33, ESV)


As we learn to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, He faithfully works out the rest. There are days when life is really, really hard. Noisy days. Dirty days. “I’m locking myself in the bathroom again” days! In fact, just this week, sin was bouncing off every wall in our house! “Mom! She messed up my whole game again…on PURPOSE!”


My hormones were raging, my body was depleted of energy, my nerves were all on the outside of my skin, and my sin was being dredged to the surface of my being—and my children, as usual, responded in like manner.


But never once did I regret having them. Never once did I think, “What in the world have we done, having all these children!” No; I am humbled that God has chosen to bless me with these precious little lives, undeserving and weak as I am, because I know it’s not about me. It’s about training them up for Him—as difficult as that may be some days. Longsuffering is something I think we sometimes file away for missionaries; but, don’t be fooled (Eph. 4:2), we ARE missionaries! And as I submit to God—as I raise my children up for Him, He allows me to enjoy them as gifts from His hand.

Thanksgiving

What are your Thanksgiving plans? Around here we are just staying close to home and hearth. We already finished our Christmas shopping--almost.

Our home is already decorated for Christmas which is the 1st time I have done this prior to Thanksgiving. We just could not wait as we never really have cooler weather or leaves changing, so we try to create that winter feeling ourselves with plants, candles, snowflakes placed on the windows, Christmas tunes ect..

We took advantage of the leave given to the Marines and therefore the hospital around the holidays and weekends. We put in time to take it prior to everyone else. The first Monday following Thanksgiving (30th). The benefit is that we already have Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. Basically we put in 12 days leave and adding these extra days and another weekend we get 18 days off!!! Plus in December we have off Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years Day, and All weekends except the 26th! So, Keith ends up only working about 13 days in December and only took 12 from his own leave!

So, with all that time off what are our plans? To thank the Lord for it and spend as much undisturbed time with our children.

The kids once asked if I have ever seen an angel? My reply, "I see 7 every day."

What we are reading: 10 P's in a Pod, Foxes Book of Martyrs, Plymouth.

A Giveaway!!!

Go to the Marie-Madeline Studio and:

All you need to do to enter is---

~leave us a comment! (Please be sure to include your email address)

~tell us what you would buy if you won

~for 10 extra entries post about this giveaway on your blog or facebook

That's it! The comments will be closed next Friday, and we'll randomly draw a winner on Saturday, God willing. This giveaway is open to absolutely everyone so enjoy!

xo~ the Long ladies

H1N1

The H1N1 vaccination has many dangers.



This info was provided by Above Rubies newsletter!



Check out more information before allowing yourself and your family to become a victim to these shots.

Squalene The Swine Flu Vaccine, unlike other flu vaccines, contains squalene, an additive which when introduced into the bloodstream, causes crippling auto-immune diseases like Lou Gehrig's disease, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, polyarteritis nodosa, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Squalene in vaccines has been strongly connected to the Gulf War Syndrome. The H1N1 vaccine contains 1 million times more squalene than the vaccine given to Gulf War soldiers (which resulted in 140,000 veterans contracting the auto-immune disease Gulf War Syndrome).

The use of squalene is illegal in the USA and UK but is being allowed under the emergency pandemic decree.

Dr. Russell Blaylock states, "If you receive the vaccine, there is little you can do to protect yourself--at least by conventional medicine. It will mean a lifetime of crippling illness and early death."

The US government has given vaccine manufacturers (Novartis, Baxter, Glaxo-Smithkline, CSL) complete legal immunity from any deaths or injuries resulting from their vaccines.If you are interested you could check out some of the following sites which are listed below.


Just a few websites:

http://www.vaclib.org

http://www.mercola.com

http://www.PandemicFluOnline.com


Though we respect the position of our Commander In Chief we do NOT always agree with him such as in the area of declaring this flu strain a pandemic.

Being Different

Since our decision to homeschool our children in 1998 we have found that we are quite different from those around us. Keith and I prayerfully sought God's answer to whether we should being this journey in our lives or not. It all started amazingly enough with an interview on The 700 Club of a woman who had written a book (we had the older version it has been revised) on homeschooling.

I guess I should be careful to say it started there as God had already been softening our hearts to the idea of another choice to the Public school system where we found ourselves (note: we are not downing ALL school systems there is a place for them). We had began looking into the private schools in the area at that time. When I heard this interview Keith had walked in the door and we listened and prayed. The following day Keith checked out several books from the on- post library that dealt with the topic of homeschooling. Most were NOT christian books and several were critical of the "homeschooling movement" a "movement" we were at that time NOT aware of at that time.

This simple decision led us on a search in ALL areas of life. We simply desired to be obedient to God in EVERY area. We could NOT just take a persons word on it (or a book)we needed to dig it out for ourselves. As our search began we found the tapes by Pastor SM Davis and listened to one of his sermons. We began looking into what he was saying as it seemed very different to the normal churches. After a year of having heard his 1st message we found ourselves in agreement and followed with a second sermon tape. During that year I found out I was expecting my 3rd child (Andrew) at that time in my life I had NEVER expected to have more then the 2 children I had and was thrilled I had a boy and a girl! We had given that area of control in our life over to the Lord and he blessed us with another son!

By the time Andrew arrived I was into my homeschooling and John was well on his way. Hannah was being presented with homeschooling phonics tapes, Bible verse songs, and workbook color pages and she was only 2--she was mainly jumping around to them, but hey!

Keith had been accepted into the officer program in the Navy and we left our little Army post to move back into Oklahoma for an 18 mth time frame for Keith to complete his Masters. During this period we had gotten the second sermon from Pastor Davis and had found a church where there were families with 6, 8, and 13 children. These families ALL homeschooled and we were amazed! We only found this body of believers 5 mths prior to leaving OK City and were amazed that there were 600 church members there!

This was also the first time I myself ever heard of Mr. Bill Gothard. I had NO IDEA that the church we were attending was his home church. I had NO idea of his teachings or anything. He even came one Sunday while we were there and all I remember was being a bit shaken by the crowd there that Sunday. We left that Sunday and within about a month found ourselves headed to Rhode Island. After Rhode Island we were sent to San Diego, CA, and the finally Okinawa, Japan. While in Okinawa we collected more teaching from Pastor Davis (as we only had 2) we were finding that with our digging into God's word we were coming to the same conclusions! We were amazed that someone was preaching in agreement to children, dress standards, homeschool, fathers, mothers, and children's roles.

After having been at Okinawa, Japan 2 years it was the year 2004. As every homeschooling mom knows you are constantly keeping an eye out on other children to see how your children are measuring up, looking at your curriculum, reading the latest measurements of homeschoolers test scores, and testing your own children. You are searching for who might be successful in turning out the type of children that are mighty for the Lord. As we searched we saw one example of mighty children. We were amazed at how much brothers and sisters seemed to love each other and their parents. We were amazed at their willingness to look for ways to bless others and how mature in the spirit they seemed to be. They were unlike ANY children we had ever seen and needless to say impressive to more then just us!

We found that there were more then one of these families successfully training children like this and they ALL seemed to have 1 single thing in common. They were all using material from IBLP. As we began to search out this material and order some here and there we began to study it and found it more then lined up to what we had been looking for, but just like with the other decisions we took our time and it wasn't until we were about to leave Virginia in 2008 that we attended our first seminar.

During that search from 1999 on we found that the Lord convicted us in many areas of life from homeschooling, to marriage, to fiances, to children, to our roles and character in everyday life. Because of these convictions we can seem quite different to the average American.

After thinking about all these changes in our life I read part of an article by Terri Maxwell:

"While we may feel like the only ones making the choices we are making, it is probably much the same as it was with Elijah. "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal" (Romans 11:2-4).

Elijah was convinced he was the only one who was remaining faithful to God, but there were seven thousand others who were just like him. He simply didn't know them. He wasn't able to have fellowship with them or be encouraged by them. Isn't it interesting that the Lord didn't tell Elijah to go find some of the seven thousand? Instead He wanted Elijah to remain faithful to the call He had put on his life.

We may grow weary in our walk when there aren't others who are like-minded to encourage us. However, Scripture has direction for us in this as well. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).

As we remain in the Word, growing in our walk with the Lord Jesus, we gain direction for our daily lives and strength to follow through with commitment. We can choose to let our minds be filled with thoughts of self-pity because of a lack of like-minded fellowship, letting this consume us and our time. Or we can serve the Lord Jesus, learning how He is a Friend like no other. May we be women who will steadfastly stay obedient to what Jesus has taught us even when we are different from others around us."

Needless to say I can relate to Elijah as more often then not our family is not around those that are "like minded" in our beliefs. We must most of the time stand alone. The only times we found ourselves around those like minded was the 5mths in Oklahoma City and for about 1 year in Virginia. Other then that we have had to search out on our own.

For those that ask me on a regular basis I had NOT even heard of the Duggars until 2006 and did not see them on TV till we arrived in California in 2008. Yes, we know them and yes they are EXACTLY as they appear on TV. They are NOT play acting. And for those that may become envious of them their 7,000 square foot home, their motor bus, Jim Bob running for public office, their book sales, and their TV show let us not forget they had 15 children in a regular 2,000 square foot home and were faithful before being blessed with much. "He who can be trusted with little" right? Their book sales money was only in the last year and any TV show did not start until they were about to have their 15th child!

Though we have example that we admire much and try to glean wisdom from like the Duggars we do NOT intend to model our life after theirs. Our family is much different and God has another plan for us and we want another plan for our family! We have a purpose in this life too as do each of our children. Though our lives may appear very similar that is just due to the same convictions the Lord brought families like ours to.

Well, I enjoyed my little trip down memory lane and I hope you enjoyed the ride with me!

Here are some other Great Resources:

Character First

Samaritan Ministries

Chore Chart

Schedules

Training Daughters

Character Link--Internet

Verity

Rebuilders Guide--those that are divorced

For The Breastfeeding Mom

Having breastfed each and every child from birth to at least 12 mths of age this is one subject I feel I "may" have something to contribute.

I have made a GREAT MANY mistakes and have changed in my philosophy over the years. I have read almost anything I could get my hands on to help me to make wise decisions in this vital and necessary area of life. I asked many mothers who have even more experience (or at least did at the time) I bought and watched videos and have done this with virtually each and every child.

With my first child it was difficult at first to feel that I could breastfeed when out somewhere. I would always retreat to a private room --whether that was a bedroom, bathroom, dressing room, or our car. Due to this I felt really nervous when we traveled or visited somewhere.

Over the months I began to gain much more confidence and began to nurse more often in places that where not as private--although I never felt really seasoned till I had 2 successful nursing children under my belt--and even then each child is rather different to include eating habits.

What has been so helpful to me is to release myself from any "standard". I have read about the scheduled mom who seems to (at least from her writing and presentation) to have it "all" together. She supports the routine of ONLY breastfeeding every three hours and sticks to this strict routine. If the child cry to be fed in the meantime to her this means they need to develop more self control. She attempts to develop this character by using any other means to help this child console themselves. I have always looked in amazement at this woman and looked at her as somewhat of a SUPERWOMAN. The con--she seems rather nervous when the child exhibits selfishness despite her desire to teach self control. She seems to be quite critical of the on demand moms.

The other style is called the ON-DEMAND nursing mom. This mom has her baby on NO schedule, but when the baby cries she nurses. With this system she must train herself to be prepared to nurse anywhere and baby must usually accompany mom wherever she goes. She is relaxed and feels this time will NOT last long and so she needs to enjoy every minute. She is criticised by the scheduled mom saying she will produce a selfish child who will demand everything and will have NO self control. She stands up to her critics by claiming she enjoys this stage in life and would not have it any other way. The admiration I found in these moms is that are very relaxed and much more peaceful and really do not seem to care at the opinions of others. The con--she has no real routine.

So, having watched, read, studied, questioned, and experienced nursing myself what is my philosophy? I really know that I am NOT the scheduled mom NOR do I feed on demand. I am not sure what you would call me but for what it is worth and for those that have asked here is my take...

Each baby is different so there are some variations. Babies definitely are not usually hungry any more then every 2 hours, but there are times they are sleepy and need just a bit to nod off or they have colic, sick ect.. So, I am open to notice these things. I rarely ever breastfeed right off when I see a cranky baby. Most often I find there is something else wrong as my own body usually sends the alarm that I need to feed (ie, tightening at the breast, leaking, just the nervous feeling that I am needing to soon which is usually followed by one of the other 2 signs or both). I rarely ever wait to hear a cry to feed. When I have one or both of these signs mark it down it has more then likely been 2 hours or more--unless I have a sick baby. Sometimes (like when I find I am expecting again) my body may produce more milk more often and then I have a need to nurse a baby more often and most often babies are happy to oblige--at least a little.

Sometimes (usually every few months) babies go through a growth spurt and need more feedings or longer. If you fail to meet this need it can become difficult to continue to feed for a full 12 mths. When I say full 12 mths I mean with NO supplements. No rice, cereals, toast, cereals, baby foods, formula, pumping ect.. I mean I feed with NONE of these and straight breastfeed at the breast for a full 12 mths. I just feel this is the absolute best with the best food (that is completely adequate), and little to no air if feeding at breast alone. I realize there are times when any of these listed supplements or others may be necessary and I am in no way judging anyone I am just giving my experience.

When my baby reaches 12 mths or older they usually start to show signs of interest in eating their own foods as they usually sit at the table in their high chair with their own empty spoon, bowl or plate, and cup. They are happy to play with these and as they watch you and your family eat they begin to mimic. This is the sign I watch for and I then begin to introduce solids. With having waited so long we can move right into toast, baby 1st foods, and cereals. We usually only introduce one meal a day for a couple or maybe 3 weeks. Then 2 meals a day, then three, then so on till I am only nursing prior to sleeping that will cut down to once a day eventually. I have NO time frame and watch each child to see how well they are handling by watching their bowel movements and moods. Do they appear more cranky like maybe having stomach pains--extra gas ect.. this may be too much too soon, so we slow down and keep it slow till baby adjusts. At most this process has taken about 5 mths from start till weaned and we have had no ill effects for me or baby except when I read too much and took someone elses ideas and then suffered clogged milk ducts ect...Read your body and your baby--ask yourself why am I in a hurry?

In my belief babies are born needing to sleep and eat mainly and in between need to be changed and talked to. So when a baby wakes I usually talk to them or sing--then this is usually followed by squirming and a bowel movement and a diaper change. After this usually I talk to them a bit more then feed them they fall back to sleep for about 1 and a half hours. So, I usually know the routine and schedule within the 1st few days of life. In the afternoon there is usually 1 nap that lasts longer and goes another hour.

With this general working for my family I am happily able to know my babies schedule and feed without a baby crying. I know how long I have to accomplish what and arrange my home to add another human in it. I am flexible to realize that there are times in which baby may need more feedings--or I may need it. I feed these extra times knowing this is not going to last long. Usually a week or two then back to normal. I have notice my last few babies were much more happy and so was mama!

Back To Old Virginny

"Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" (1847)
Words and Music--anon.
As Arranged and Sung
by Edwin Pearce Christy, 28 Nov 1815 - 21 May 1862
New York: Jaques and Brother, 385 Broadway
[Source: pages 132-133 from "Minstrel Songs, Old and New" (1883);
also, 020/048@Levy]

1.
The floating scow of Old Virginny,
I work'd in from day to day,
A fishing 'mongst de oyster beds,
To me it was but play.
But now I'm growing very old,
I cannot work any more,
So carry my back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny's shore.

CHORUS [sung after each verse]
Den carry me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny's shore,
Oh, carry me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny's shore.

2.
If I was only young again,
I'd lead a different life;
I'd save my money and buy a farm,
And take Dinah for my wife.
But now old age, he holds me tight,
My limbs, dey are growing sore;
So take me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny's shore.

3.
And when I'm dead and gone,
Place this old banjo by my side,
Let the possom and coon to my funeral go,
For dey was always my pride.
And den in soft repose I'll sleep,
And dream for eber more,
Dat you've carried me back to Old Virginny,
To Old Virginny's shore.