The hardest things in life

Teach us the most.

In my last post way to long ago I announced we were pregnant with baby number 5.  A few months later I experienced my very first miscarriage an my sweet baby went to be with Jesus.  I was so mad at God for putting me through this. I trusted him with my fertility and I felt betrayed.  I learned though that trusting God doesn't always mean getting what we want or necessarily mean a happy ending. I learned that just because I am pregnant doesn't mean I will get to hold a baby.  I learned many other things and I just want to share some of what God taught me through this horrible trial.

I have an absolutely amazing husband that cares deeply for me. I have always known I was blessed to have him but I needed a reminder of how great he really is.

One thing I learned is I have really great friends! People to hold me up and encourage me and to remind me daily that God is in charge.  Some of them I have never even met in person but they still love and care about me.

I have great kids and I need to let some things go and spend more time with them because I never know when the chance to be with them could be gone.


Here is a few pictures I took when I was struggling.  It was the simple things that kept me going. Here is a few pictures I took of  "weeds" that were growing in my yard as well as my chives, and a beautiful hanging basket that my Mother In law gave me after I lost the baby.

Family Planning

Our Way
*Note* This is what God has done in our lives and may not apply to you, we wont judge you for your choice please don't judge us for ours.

We just announced that we are expecting Baby Number 5!! Yay!! We are so excited and so are our Children! But there are those who are not excited for us, and it is heartbreaking to have someone give you a negative response when you tell them about something so exciting in your life. So I decided to share why we are pregnant with our 5th (well other than the obvious, yes we know what causes it).

Recently we have really started digging in to Gods word and have been learning a lot!  It is amazing what God does in our lives if we let him. So I am going to reveal a little bit of my heart to you today.

Truth is Malachi was a challenging baby, and still is, so I decided we should wait. Well then my reasons for waiting for another baby changed.  They become selfish and vain. Selfish because David was ready for another baby and vain because I was more concerned about my looks and weight loss goal and looking Great for my 10 year high school reunion then what God really wanted for our family. So God revealed to me the importance of big families through my Above Rubies magazine as well as through the book called  A Full Quiver.  I am going to share some Biblical truths as to why we made the decision to not only have a 5th baby but hopefully many more.  

Psalm 127:3-5 says, 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.

Proverbs 17:6 says, “Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of children is their parentage.”

Matthew 18:1-3At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

So this is what God Showed us. If you have more questions ask me. OR just go get the book  A Full Quiver and read it through. Who knows it might change your life too or it will at least show you how it has changed ours.

With Love
Rachel

Devotions? What does that mean?

The What, How, When and Why of Devotions

*Note* This is my own opinion and doesn't have to reflect the way you live your life

So in my last post which you can read here I talked about the many changes that have been happening in our lives one being stepping up our relationship with God and doing daily devotions. So now I want to cover what are daily devotions, how do we do them, when do we do them, why do we do them.

So first...

What are Devotions?

Devotions are time spent reading Gods word and praying. Just being in Gods presence. Just listening and spending time with your savior.

How do you do devotions?

So when I was a kid going to church camp I was always taught to do devotions everyday. So in my mind that meant I had to have a really great devotion book, you know like a Daily Bread or something. So I would get one, I would read it  and of course I would read the couple verses that go along with it but I always felt that something was lacking and then I would quit because, well it was lacking. So recently I decided that I don't need devotion books, because I already have the Ultimate Devotion book that was written by God.  So How do I do devotions?  I read The Bible and spend time in prayer. and So far I am doing better than I have ever done before at keeping up with spending time with God.

When is the best time to do devotions?

Well I do devotions at night before going to bed and my husband and I read for a few minutes just before he leaves for work in the morning and we read right after dinner in the evenings while everyone is still sitting around the table.  We chose these times because they work for our family.  We tried doing Family devotions right before bed but that posed a problem on days that everything went crazy and we were just getting home at the kids's bedtime. We would just skip the devotions because everyone was crazy and tired.  I tried doing my devotions at nap time or first thing in the morning (like everyone tells you to do)  but the kids would get up early or I had to train them to keep them in bed at nap and so I was missing out on my time with Jesus. So  I took my husbands advice and started reading before I go to bed. No matter what time it is I try and read for at least a few minutes before drifting off to sleep.  My husbands dad told him once. "what better way to fall asleep than in the presence of God"

So as a summary do devotions when it works for you just make sure you are fitting it in. :)

Why do devotions?

Do devotions because it helps you to be closer to God.  It teaches you to live how he would want you to live.  And it helps you to be a better you.  

Big Changes!

Recently we have made ALOT of changes in our lives.

 First my husband had a job change!! Yay! what a blessing that was!  He is still with the same company just a better position.  Then we moved to be closer to his new location and it has been fabulous!! We are renting a house, and for the first time in our married life we actually have a house! With space! It is amazing and I don't have enough furniture to fill it. LOL

But more than those changes we realized that our relationship with God was greatly lacking so we decided to step it up a little or a lot really. We made a contract that we both signed together stating that we would

 1. Do devotions with our kids every evening at supper time. We just started in Genesis and started reading to them then we discuss what we read and pray

2.Do our own devotions privately before going to bed each night.

3.Do a couples devotion in the morning before David leaves for work and before the kids are out of bed.

It has been fabulous!! we haven't been perfect we have missed a few couples devotions but we are working towards doing better. Our kids have really enjoyed it! and I am amazed and what God brings to the surface when you are spending time with him everyday.  For example, I am learning that I am a little bit of a control freak! Yikes! God is teaching me to relax and let him take care of our problems.  Maybe later I will tell you more about what he is doing but for now I just want to encourage you to make sure your heart is aligned with Gods so that he can help you be a better happier you!

Almond Joys! Yumm!

So recently I have chosen to go completely sugar and grain free! I know I know what do I eat!! Well There is a whole world of food out there It is kind of amazing actually!

 But if you know me you know that I LOVE chocolate! Well this poses a problem for me because Most chocolate is loaded with sugar right?? Well I created a lovely recipe today that gave me a delicious chocolaty treat! So here it is!

Healthy Almond Joys
5 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
3 T coconut oil
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
48 almonds
liquid stevia
2 tsp. pure vanilla


In a double boiler melt chocolate and coconut oil together. after chocolate is completely melted add vanilla and 3 droppers full of liquid stevia. In a separate bowl mix together coconut and coconut milk and add 5 drops of stevia.  Now in a mini muffin pan place 2 almonds in each cup then put about 1 tsp of chocolate on top of the almonds, then add about a teaspoon of your coconut mixture and top with another teaspoon or so of chocolate. Put in the refrigerator until the chocolate harden back up and enjoy!! They are lovely!!!