Christmas

Somewhere long ago I read a blog where a lady had each of her children make gifts for the other children for Christmas. I remember loving the idea and even making some random gift with the kids for Joey. The kids were young though and it really just turned into mom making a lame gift for dad and saying it was from the kids. Lame being the key word in that sentence. 

I have kept the idea in the back of my mind though and this year we went for it again. Each boy made a gift for his siblings. (The girls are still a bit young). Josiah being homeschooled had the most time to pull his gift off. He loves to draw and color and came up with the idea of making a coloring book. I must tell you I am SO impressed with this kid. The books turned out great and th kids have been coloring off and on since they got them. It was a lot of work, but I think he really loved making them for them. 

Benson loves to help me cook, so together we came up with the idea of making cookies for everyone. We stayed up a bit late and made them together. I loved getting to spend the time with him. 

William, being still a bit young, made toilet paper cars for everyone. They turned out great and worked well. If any of the boys needed a lesson in being generous and thinking of others it is william. I think he finally got a glimpse of the joy that comes with giving a gift that the person loves so much. If we are able to keep,this up I know it will make a difference long term.

I sure do love these kids. There are so many ways that I fail, or screw up, but God has graciously worked miracle after miracle and continues to grow them into really wonderful people. 

Another day of Thankfulness

Day two of fighting to regain my joy. I wrote down things I was thankful for, some silly and some serious. I made an effort to document a few of the things that filled my heart with thankfulness today...mind you, these are just a few:

The girls had moments today where they were battling it out, but they had more moments where they were dear friends and I couldn't have been more thankful.They are too cute when they play together and talk about life. I can't understand a word they say but they seem to understand one another and have a great time.

I have been staying away from coffee, but recently I read a study that said having more than one cup of coffee a day helped lower your risk of getting diabetes. Well we all know those studies go both ways, but with diabetes running in my family I'll go ahead and drink my coffee. Not to mention I LOVE coffee and will take any excuse I can get to enjoy a cup or two. 

Technology is great for 100 thousand reasons, but today I was so greatful for the Bible app that comes with reading plans. Joey and I are reading through the Bible together over the course of a year. We do it on our own time, but are able to hold each other accountable all through the power of the internet and our tablets. I can't tell you how much it helps me to have the Word at the tip of my fingers and to know that Joey is checking up on me. It shouldn't be so hard to read the Word daily, but the reality is that right now it is hard, so I am thankful for this app and its support along the way.

Tonight Joey taught Josiah how to play cribbage. He's a natural and they had a great time. I grew up watching my Dad and Grandpa play cribbage. Sometimes I even joined in. It is fun to pass on these games and traditions our families have, especially when they are games that are educational too. Looking forward to one day watching My Dad and Josiah play cribbage together. Fun, fun, fun!

Today has been a great day in the sense that I have been able to battle against the things in my life that want to steal my joy and have been able to choose to be thankful. Multiple times I have stopped the voices in my head telling me to be miserable and instead begun to praise God. It makes a difference. It was hard, but it makes a difference. 

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

Psalm 100:4

Offering of Praise

I don't know if you'll even care, but I've got to do something. Maybe it's just because I'm getting older and more cranky, or because I'm in the middle of the little years and time is not something I have much of, or maybe because of living here among the oppressed and downtrodden. Whatever it is I am loosing my joy. I can feel it slipping away, sometimes slowly, sometimes in big chunks. My heart is angry and cynical. I am asking questions based on doubt, and so so quick to explode or fall into self pity. I've been here before, maybe not exactly the same, but I've lost my joy before and I can't let it happen again. So, I've got to do something. 

It's almost midnight. Three minutes to spare. Before I go to bed though I want to praise my God. I want to remember His gifts. To thank Him for His blessings. I will give up an offering of praise and let it fill my soul. My God is good, and He has been so, so good to me. Let me publicly proclaim His gifts.

He has blessed me with a dear and wonderful friend in my husband. How thankful I am for Joey. My sharpener and my support. The one who makes my heart laugh and sing all at the same time. A picture of Christ, Thank you Lord for Joey.

Thank you Lord for the gift of motherhood. It is the hardest thing I have ever done, being a mom. Harder than I ever thought, and more wonderful than I could have imagined. Thank you for the successes and failures and the daily reminders of my own weakness. Thank you for the blessing of being completely and totally loved by five wonderful, amazing little people. Thank you for morning snuggles and midnight kisses. Thank you for squeals of laughter and hours of noise. Thank you Lord for Josiah, Benson, William, Isabelle and Phoebe. 

Morocco. Who would have ever thought. Thank you for bringing me here and showing me your world. Thank you for these amazing people and their acceptance and love for me. Thank you for allowing me to see you work miracles here and thank you for never once leaving me alone. Thank you for all that Morocco has offered me, most importantly thank you for making this a home. 

Tomorrow I will write more. Tonight I will remember and praise my God. May this offering of praise be pleasing to you oh Lord and may it lead to a renewed joy. 

Rain

As I went to bed last night the sky was clear, the moon bright. My weather app said there was 100% chance of rain, but there was no sign anywhere. We've been waiting for rain since last year about this time. Normally there would be a good rain preparing the soil for the peas and beans that everyone around us plants. Last year that rain never really came. Crops were planted but never amounted to much. I remember in March going to help harvest the few peas that had survived. I've never seen this area so brown and barren that time of year. Brown shriveled piles of leaves and steams littered the ground. Not only did the families have nothing to eat, there was nothing to sell nothing to trade. Many farmers had purchased seed on credit with the plan to pay back once they harvested their crops. 

This fall everyone has been holding their breath waiting for the rain. Desperately, it's all anyone talks about. Each day dawns warm and bright, not a cloud in the sky. Will we have another year like last year ? Could we survive? Then today as the sun comes up the sky is full of black ugly clouds. Rain started sprinkling down at first until it was quickly a downpour. Puddles and mud and smiling faces, everywhere. After a rain like today there is hope of a good crop and a better year. God did that. He brought the rain and with it he brought hope. Pretty awesome if you ask me. 

Siblings - a Conversation With Josiah

Just had this conversation with Josiah and I don't want to forget...

J: "Mom, it's a good thing Phoebe and Isabelle are girls."

Me: "why's that?"

J: "If you had only had boys then you would have been the only girl. Now Phoebe and Isabelle will grow up to be girls. And it's good because now Benson, William and me have sisters."

Pause

J: "I don't really like Isabelle. I really like Phoebe. I like Phoebe better than Isabelle. I still like Isabelle I just like Phoebe better."

Me: "Why do you like Phoebe better?"

J: "She is little and cute and does funny things. Sisters are good when they are older and babies. I didn't really like Isabelle when she was a baby, but it think I will like her when she gets bigger."

Me: "What do you like about Isabelle?"

J: "I like that she's big and funny."

Me: "What do you like about William?"

J: "I like the way he makes big Legos and how he plays cars. I like the way he does things. What I like about Benson is the way he makes airplanes, and little Legos. I like that both William and Benson are my brothers, because of them I have someone to play with. I would be by myself without them."

Pause

J: "I don't really like Isabelle and William. I will like them when they get bigger. Right mommy? I really like Benson and Phoebe. I almost like William and Isabelle a lot. I like Benson and Phoebe this much (holds up his hands to show measurement) and I like William and Isabelle this much (moves his fingers a tiny bit closer together). It's close."

This kid is killing me. Thinking about so much and wanting to do what is right, but struggling with being annoyed with his younger siblings. Sometimes I am fully aware of the insanity of having 5 kids in 6 years, but more often I am so thankful that these five little lives have one another to grow with, learn with and love. Praise the Lord.

Listening

“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.”-Jane Austen

My Sister-in-law shared this quote with me the other day and it sums up our life perfectly these days. Isabelle turns 3 on Friday. Seriously, how is that even possible?! Not only is it hard to believe she'll be so old, but how in the world is it the end of the summer already?! The summer has been full and wonderful. We enjoyed a week away as a family, and have spent a couple great days at the beach. Life keeps going though and now its time to turn our minds towards what is next. Isabelle's birthday signals the final weeks of freedom. Soon the alarm clock will require I rise and shine and the evenings will be full of preparation for the next day. 

Isabelle and her friend Afiffa enjoying lunch at the beach.

In September we will be hosting two different groups of volunteer teams. One of the groups is from Spain and only half of them speak any English! The other group is from our hometown and brings with them family and friends! (SO excited!) We will also jump full force into school. Josiah will be home schooled this year while Benson and William head back to the private Arabic school near us. Hopefully Isabelle will get to go to a local preschool so she can pick up some language. 

Benson and the awesome sand castle he made with Joey.

Spending lots of time together this summer has afforded me lots of time to challenge the kids in areas we're lacking. Mostly that has looked like me reminding them what their "job" is in our family. To listen and obey Mom and Dad. We seem to go over that a lot, everyone seems to think its their job to tell everyone else what to do. Recently I've realized that just like my kids my "job" is also to listen and obey...Christ. I listen all day to little voices, but so often I fail to listen to the only voice that matters. 

Celebrating my birthday in July.

 

This past couple weeks has been hard. Someone I love deeply is making choices I don't like or agree with. My heart is heavy and broken and I am often crying out to God to change the situation, work a miracle and bring about something new. Today my heart is heavy with this call to listen. Listen to the promises, listen to the truth and wisdom found in the Word. Let the voice of Christ permeate my day to day and know that, I should do my job, He will do His. 

Family hike to a secluded beach.

So as I head into Fall, I need to work to make a change. More time listening to the one who formed my heart and knows my needs. Because I believe all these quick successions of busy nothings will someday add up to something in His grand plan.

Summer Break

Today is the first day of summer break. Sigh. Let me tell you, it's been a beautiful morning. 

First, everyone slept until 8. That is unheard of in this house. Unheard of. Then Josiah decided he'd like to clean up the kids room before breakfast. So on his own initiative he made all the beds, picked up the dirty clothes, put the toys in the basket, etc. It's amazing what a good nights sleep will do for you! 
After breakfast the other two boys went to play on their own and Josiah sat to read to his sisters. 

Now everyone is playing, just happy to be together and having fun. I know that our summer will have its moments of drama and fights, but I am enjoying the peace for the moment. Ya for summer!


Reality Check: As I finished typing this WWIII erupted between to two sisters...
I still say Ya for summer ;-)