Attached String #1- Diligence

Attached String #2-Great Attitude

Attached String #3- Commitment

Of course, upfront that seems easy, but when you are in the thick of it, it can be easier said than done!  Sometimes the challenges of life make you mentally, emotionally, or spiritually tired.  Then, diligence, great attitude, and commitment become extra challenging.  Jacob learned quite quickly that you must be INTENTIONAL everyday. Starting your day by plannoing on being diligent, planning on having a joyous attitude no matter what comes your way, and sticking to it (endurance) even when the going gets tough!

The month was chalk full of “life lessons” for Jacob.  Times when something that had seemed easy when only contemplated, then in reality was a little more challenging.  We are so proud that he kept an open and honest relationship with us the whole time.  He talked to us about everything, even the hard life lessons when he tried to stand us for what was right and found himself in the minority.  We are proud of his diligence and commitment to growing and learning A LOT. In the end, his anchor held! He did not waver.  

Most of all, Jacob learned that when God gives you a gift, you must work hard to take care of it, learn about it, and be willing to be challenged in order to allow God’s gift to grow in you.  He went in planning on allowing God to challenge him in his giftedness, and he was joyously surprised at what he experienced.

Jacob we are so proud of you!!! You are becoming such a diligent and joyous young man of God (and cellist too) !

Here’s our top 10 reasons why you should consider sitting down as a family and setting goals.  Goals for the months to come and goals for the year. Maybe even goals for a few years out.  Involve the WHOLE family.  You would be surprised how much kids enjoy this.  They just love planning on great things to come.   

1.) It helps you stay focused and say “No” to competeing affections. There are a lot of “good” things out there, but you have to make a choice.

2.) It is very motivating to you and your children.  Just like the excitement of preparation for a big holiday, kids LOVE planning on great things to come!  You will be pleasantly shocked at the drive that is instilled in your children!  As well as how much they learn in the planning process. 

3.) Peace. Sometimes the  chaos of life and all the choices that drag us in different directions makes our brains dizzy!  KNOWING where your priorities lie and having them written down is a huge source of peace and erases the chaos of choice making.

4.) See God answer prayer in your family. When something is just around he corner we get ready for it.  That usually means part of our preparation is praying for that upcoming thing.  When we pray as a family for the upcoming events that we have committed to for the year, we quickly begin to SEE so many MORE answers to prayer.  Why?  Because we are LOOKING!!!  God always answers, we forget to look.

5.) Blessing a family member–If someone in your family loves to plan and organize a calendar- Then this will be a HUGE blessing to them.  They love to know what they can count on!!!

6.) Your children will automatically reach higher and higher each time you sit down to talk. It started in our house with simple things like finish this book, go the the butterfly museum.  Then, it turned into bigger things.  Sophie’s story below is the perfect example.

7.) Meaningless, meaningless, meaningless.  Sometimes people feel like they are so “full of life” that it seems meaningless to them- what does it really matter in the end?  Goal setting is perfect to combat this!  You go from one or tow things all the way to running out of paper because your family plans so many meaningFULL things.

8.) Family Unity.  Our world divides up family members left and right.  From sports, to school, even church events.  They are all good things, but they divide up the family.  Setting goals helps you make sure that you work together as a family!

9.) Your kids will not just “know” but they will experience how much you value their ideas, goals, and opinions.

10.) You will grow in wisdom and stature. Truly you will. Throughout Scripture, there are countless examples of people “stepping forward in faith" in some great adventure” and then you see how much they grow.  In the end we grow to because we learn from their example.  THAT COULD BE YOU!  God calls us all to step out in faith.  What is HE asking you to COMMITT to,  not just “intend” to do?  You will surely grow by committing your time to Him!

SOPHIE’S STORY OF GOAL SETTING:

We have this Christmas CD of beautiful harp music. Sophie listened to it all season.  When we set Goals in January, who knew that she was going to say “ I would like to learn the harp”. Wow, really? Yes really Dad & Mom, I really do. Alright, lets write that down.  Anything else?  Yes I would like to meet Betty-Ashton (the harpist on the CD). Well OK Sophie!! That sounds Like a great goal. Now what do we need to do to reach that goal? We must insert that Sophie is not normally an initiative taker and surely doesn’t like new things-  this was a HUGE goal! So we set about planning, learning what it would take, writing letters, etc.

Then  in early spring Sophie began lessons.  Her violin teacher “just happened” to be friends with a harp distributer in the area who “just happened” to give lessons and have “just one slot available”.  They “just happened” to have a student sized harp we could rent as we learned and “just happened” to live nearby.  And Sophie “just happened” to see HOW AMAZING God’s perfect timing is when you pay attention and how NOTHING “just happens” in life!!!  Of course she had already been taught that, but now she had a life story to prove it!

Then this June, for Sophie’s 9th Birthday. She met Betty-Ashton. She wrote to her just after the new year.  She found out she lived in Nashville, not too far from where we go to a homeschooling conference and Emi & C-Dub live!!!  Then, to Sophie’s shock, Betty Ashton offered to meet with her for an afternoon free of charge!!!. She went to her home, got to hear her play, learned that Betty Ashton started playing when she was 9 too,  learned about teaching & harp therapy, learned how to make the harp sound like a spanish guitar, and even got to play on her harps.  She went home with a t-shirt, a new CD of songs composed by Betty Ashton, and IMMENSE JOY and ENCOURAGEMENT.  She set a goal.  She worked toward it.  and WOW- how blessed she was when it came to fruition!!!!

It was filled joy and play

So much to do it made time fly

All the days passed in a blink of an eye

There once was a day called May

Here are a few of the May highlights from our family:

We had the privilege of being a part of Nauna & Nat’s wedding in New York.  Jacob had his first ever “live” performance to play cello for the ceremony, and Sophie got to stand up in the wedding.  We all had a wonderful time seeing friends from Mom’s childhood, and visiting with family.  We even got to play on their BIG grassy hill with their new dog Fritz, and a little baseball too!

Then we traveled to Ohio/PA area to see the extended Martin family.  What a BLAST!!! We stayed at Uncle Dave & Aunt Betsy’s.  They have a HUGE & FAST new zip line, plus a trampoline!  We had a great time catching up with family.  We were also blessed to see our dear friends, The Ellis’s and their four little kids, who just started in the pastorate. 

Stay tuned for Zip line pix……soon to come!

Then we were off to Nashville!  Where we spent time bowling with Emi (mom’s sister) & C-dub.  They have a lot of friends that are musicians.  So while the other kids played, Jacob interviewed a few of them on their instruments and techniques! There is always time for nurf gun training.  In addition, Sophie had the privilege of spending the day with Betty Ashton a harpist (that we will place as a separate blog entry).

Then we were off to our homeschooling conference. The kids had such a great tie making new friends and seeing old ones, as well as learning about the blessings of God. The family’s highlight was seeing Robert & Clayton perform on dueling pianos!  WOW AMAZING!!!  Dad and Mom got to hear some great teaching and were thankful to reconnect to friends met in years past.  I see a few road trips coming up!!!  To see some great pictures from the conference, our friend James Staddon took some great shots.  Click here- Pix from Nashville from James

To see some great shots of real guns (verses nurf) check out The Neely’s recent blog entry- you can click here-  The Bigger Gun!!! by the Neely’s  

Stay tuned for Events on a Zip line and A Day of Harpping with Sophie

We, like every parent on earth, are very aware that parenting is a refiner’s fire.  God uses children, as well as many other life circumstances, to teach us where we need to grow.  As our children model our words, actions, emotions, responses, we are held accountable to a higher standard every day!  There is nothing like a child mimicking your attitude to put you in your place with God!!!  Sometimes you don’t even need to be a parent yet-  just an older sibling.

Last month we spent learning about the process of refining metals and making glass.  We learned how metals are purified multiple times to increase their value, how sand is turned into glass, and how we, as Christians, are refined throughout life.

We went to a local artist workshop on making glass.  He was a wonderful host to our family and took time to teach each child the process of glass making. He even gave us a tour of the historical church where his studio is located.  At the end, he allowed us to stay extra and watch him work on a project.  We decided to split up the family and we will do a second visit in a few months.  Since there was a 2000 degree furnace involved- we thought that was a wise choice for our family!  In the end, we came home with BEAUTIFUL stained glass flowers to give as a present to Nauna and Nat for their recent wedding. 

We can’t wait to go back with the rest of the kids.  In the meantime, we have no doubt that God will continue to supply us with our own personal “furnace” to refine us day by day!

OK- there is another family favorite….cinnamon rolls.  Every work day we bake oodles of cinnamon rolls and deliver them to all the church volunteers.  It is a great way for our younger children to be involved and show gratitude and hospitality.

Sometimes school is in a text book, and other times school is in daily life.  Being responsible for the things God has entrusted to you.  Wise Diligence, Joyful hearts, Endurance, Alertness, and being a servant first. Lessons to last a lifetime!

Jim and Terri are the overly blessed parents to 10 beautiful children.  Their family is designed by God and He built it through birth and adoption.  Over the years, God had shaped their hearts, minds, and lives to willingly answer, “Here I am Lord, send me”, I will go where you lead me”.  I am sure if you asked them 40 years ago if they thought they would have ten kids, some adopted with varying special needs, they would have said- No Way! That’s Crazy! Who us? Really?

They have walked where we currently walk.  They have survived the “Diaper years”, but they are still “in the thick of it” since parenting never ends, especially when you have been blessed with kids who have special needs.  Their “baby” is a teenager now and their oldest is a pastor in WV.  We of course can finally say we have a child in the “double digits” (our oldest is 10yrs) and diapers… well, they keep coming around here!

When we first met, Sean and I had NO IDEA we would end up so much like them!!!  We have  built a friendship over the years.  A bonding of “common hearts” for encouragement, insight, Godly wisdom, laughter, an understanding ear, and did I mention laughter- we really need that one! Of course there was also, trampoline jumping, swinging, girly stuff, piano duets with Isaac and Jacob, hikes, running around outside, cookouts that became cook-INs, trips to the fire house, celebrations at church with Beyond Capernaum, and a little much needed “man therapy” for the dads- construction! The dads spent time at their church checking out the site!–as they are building a very large addition.

This past week our families gathered together for what is becoming our annual “Palooza” time of fun, encouragement, bonding, and unsaid reminders of why our families look the way they do. Everything God designs is beautiful!  Just look at creation.  Your family, our families, are no exception.  They are created by God and for God’s glory.  Keeping that perspective is ever important as we raise our children in the “day to day”. God is sovereign and He does not make mistakes!!!  Every child is a blessing from God—sometimes we just have to shift our vision…off of ourselves, and to God’s glory.

When they mentioned this, it was not a big part of the conversation, just something that was mentioned, something they worked at, and then the we moved on.  But God would not let Jill and me move on.  Over the next couple of days this passage kept coming back to us, convicting us, as we found ourselves complaining about one thing or another…ouch!

So, we have also committed to the 2:14 challenge.  When we are in the midst of complaining about anything, the other has permission, even the responsibility, to simply say, “2:14.”  The complaining must stop at that point, and the recipient cannot react, complain or explain themselves.  They simply have to stop complaining.

I encourage you to join us in this challenge.  So often we can find ourselves complaining to others, or even to ourselves, about others or a situation.  It is easy to do something, react to a situation, and then justify your behavior by complaining/explaining why you did or said what you did or said.  It is easy to share your struggles or frustrations with someone we care about, but in an attitude of complaining rather than seeking counsel.  It is easy to focus on what is wrong with others and keep the focus away from what God may be trying to teach you. 

So, stop complaining and join the 2:14 challenge!

Sarah walks and runs everywhere- she never crawled.  Joanna crawls like a champ.

Sarah loves veges and beef.  Joanna loves bananas.

Sarah loves EVERYONE.  Joanna doesn’t like anyone! (well, not totally true- her Nauna finally gained victory in holding her!!! way to go Nauna!)

Sarah loves to sing and dance. Joanna loves to scream.

Sarah loves baby dolls and pretend food.  Joanna loves to hammer everything.

They both are soooooo joyful. They both smile tons.  They both are teeny weeny in size.  They both captured our hearts forever!  What a divine double blessing!

Surgeries like this are “wait and see”.  Would the tumor be attached to his brain? What would happen? Sometimes your thoughts are so full that you can’t even think!  Is this really real?  And then, in that same train of thought, your life gains IMMENSE perspective! Seriously- I was just complaining about……….  My “light and momentary troubles” have just become like dust.  Something that SEEMED overwhelming, just blew away in the wind.  God swung me around as if to say “Wake up! Get Perspective”

Logan came out of surgery last night.  After 11 hours the doctors successfully removed ALL of it!!!!!! Every bit!!!! And it was NOT attached to the brain, but the bone.  THANK YOU LORD!!! 

Logan has a long recovery ahead of him. His family and he covet your prayers and encouragement.  But OH, what a very GOOD Friday it is today!!!!

He has a “Caring Bridge” site set up for updates.  The address is http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/circleoflove.  This site is restricted, so you will need to enter some information and get approval from the author, but that will just take a minute.  Thank you for your prayers.