Then the phone rang...

It had been barely even 24 hours since I posted about having the faith to stay put, when your heart wants to go. I was giving the baby a bath and when I came out my husband was hanging up the phone. I was a little confused because the last little bit of the conversation I heard sounded like something was going on, and it was after 10pm.

He told me a very sweet friend we had met at Family Week was in need. Her husband and some other friends were at the airport and needed a place to stay for Shabbat. My husband had told her we couldn't help because we had no way to transport 8 people to our home. But I said oh no Hashem will provide a way, and called her back! (with his blessing of course)

After some back and forth we decided that they would stay one night in a hotel and if there were still issues they would come to us for Shabbat, bezrat Hashem.

That night we prayed that if it was His will that we would get to host these people in our home. We weren't sure what that would look like but we were willing to give it a try.

The next morning they called and decided that half of them would come to our home over night and half of them would try again to get on their flight. Money was tight but we just moved forward in faith. As my husband was getting ready to leave he went to check the mail. Lo and behold there was a check there that we weren't expecting to for at least a week! It was such a blessing, and it meant that we were now able to provide a better experience for our guests.

We don't have any extra bedrooms, so we moved our children into our room and prepared the children's room for our guests. It was kind of like camping, which thankfully our guests didn't mind.

We had a sweet time of fellowship and there was plenty of food and snacks to go around! When they left I felt edified and like we truly opened ourselves up to be used by Hashem to bless His people. I am so thankful for that. It was just like a little wink and nudge to let me know that He sees my heart and that if I just stay open to being used by Him, He will use me in His own way.

Staying put may not always be what we want to do, but it's not about us. It's about Him! Plus there are people all around you that are in need. Whether it be physical or spiritual, there are areas where you can serve and be used.

A week or so after our guests left we had another family over for dinner who was having a rough time. We wanted to be a blessing and we were. A few weeks after that my husband was able to go and help a family, who had been homeless, paint their new home so they could move in quickly.

We may be called to stay here, but I'm learning that we are still called to serve. It may not look how I thought it would, but it looks exactly how my Abba wants it.

Love and blessings,

The faith to stay

I don't know if any of you are like me, but I have this overwhelming desire to be used mightily by Hashem. I want His blessings on my life. I want to serve Him with everything I have.

In my mind that looks so mighty. Like moving cross country on short notice because we're called to serve in some way. Or heading up a ministry of some sort. Or serving on a foreign missions field.

I totally have the faith to go. I'd go pretty much anywhere with out a second thought. Of course there are a few places that I'd ask "Abba are you sure?" but those places are few. My heart for doing the will of my Creator is so big that often my view of what He wants seems grandiose.

But what about when His will is for me to stay put? To serve Him where I am despite how un-grand it feels.

We had high hopes of moving to be in closer fellowship with others, and to devote our lives to full time ministry. We felt very strongly that it was Hashem's will. But then door after door was closed on our plans.

That was so hard. We felt very confused and severely overwhelmed. Many changes had to be made in order for us to go. So when it didn't go as planned we were hurt.

I was so frustrated.

But then the Almighty moved me to a realization that changed things for me. I need to be just as willing to stay, as I am to go.

Going somewhere seems glamorous. People know about it and they say "wow look at her faith". But when you stay put and you are doing the everyday things. The training of children, the cleaning of the home. No one cares. No one says wow your faith is so strong.

Instead they ask "what do you do all day?" They look at you and think all kinds of negative things. Encouraging your faith, is generally not on the list of comments to be made. So you're left feeling like the work you are doing is worthless.

But it takes just as much --if not more-- faith to stay, when everything inside of you wants to go. It's easy to feel like you're being sidelined. But that's not true. Abba doesn't want to punish your faith. He wants to continue to grow it.

He can't do that if you sulk and grow bitter. He needs your heart to stay joyfully focused on HIM as He gives you the grace to navigate your situation. When the time is right He will move.

For me personally I am spending this time at home working on the character qualities that I believe Hashem is trying to bring about in me, and my children, through this time.

It's not easy but with His help it is possible. So if you are like me and are struggling with having the faith to stay, I just want to encourage you today that the Lord has a plan for your life and where ever He has you He wants you to SHINE!

Love and blessings,

Teaching Tzedakah

For our family it's vital that we teach our children the importance of helping others. When we were helping the man we met, the children were involved as much as was safe for them. They joined us in praying for him, and we made it a point to not hide what we were doing with him. 

We want to cultivate a servants heart in our girls, so we try to look for opportunities to serve. Sometimes that means giving or raising money, other times it means giving of ourselves. In Judaism the Hebrew word used to describe charitable giving is Tzedakah. Which literally means Righteousness. I like this word for what we are attempting to instill in our children. Because it's more than just giving, it's about doing what is right. We want them to aim for righteousness in everything they do. 

One very practical and easy way that we teach about giving is by having a tzedakah box. This is sort of like a piggy bank, except the money put inside is ONLY for giving away. It's not for savings or to spend on self. In the past we've had different tzedakah boxes that I've made from various things. But the other day I was cleaning up and I noticed I had two containers PERFECT for making small tzedakah boxes! So in our homeschool today we talked about giving and made some tzedakah boxes. 

I've also created this printable for you, so your kids can create their own tzedakah box! Just print it out and let them decorate it. Depending on the type of container you are using you may need to change the layout when you print it. If you do use it I'd love to see pictures of you putting it together. 

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.- Deuteronomy 16:17

Martha Moments

I hate to have to confess this but... I had a Martha moment. One that caused me to become convicted and have to repent rather quickly. About a month ago I told you all  about a homeless man we met, whom we'll call John. What I haven't shared is that we've been in constant communication with John. He said that he accepted Messiah at a previous time, so we've just accepted that and haven't pressed him. But he's struggling with an alcohol addiction. We've been taking him weekly to a program at our church for addiction help and discipleship.

Well to make a long story short my husband has been spending lots of time talking with John and trying to help him. Which is awesome! It's stretched us and helped us to really move out side of our comfort-zone. Recently we found out that John has an opportunity to move and go stay with family in the south. Maybe a good idea, maybe not, but I'm staying out of it. Ok so now here comes my Martha moment...

I was cooking dinner and my husband, who was just supposed to be running to the store really quickly, ended up getting a call from John. I was cooking and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Then I had the thought "I hope John moves because then we'll be free from this project!"

AHH I know! It sounds even worse than it did when I thought it. Immediately it was like the Lord said TEWAUNA SHANTE! (you know how you get the full name when you're in trouble?) Oh man, I had to go to my Heavenly Father and hash that one out. It wasn't that I didn't want to be a blessing to our friend. I just wanted my husband home so we could have dinner. We had things to do, and he was interrupting. It didn't matter that John was suffering through a loss in his family, or that my husband is the only access he currently has to Jesus. I wanted to serve dinner and needed my husband home. Oh my, I'm so ashamed of my selfishness and so thankful for my Father's correction.

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? -Hebrews 12:7

When I was done getting chastised and repenting I realized something about myself. It's not revelutionary but it's the truth. I am wicked! Apart from Jesus I am no good not even a little bit! As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. -Romans 3:10

I know this shouldn't of shocked me, but it did. I guess I got to a place where I felt like oh look at me I'm helping random people, I'm awesome. When really I should be only looking to Jesus, saying what next Lord! I'm nothing special, but He is everything and it is a privilege to get to do His work. It's not burdensome, and I'm not the all star. It's so easy to slip into our flesh, but thankfully we have am AMAZING Abba, Who comes right beside us and reminds us of the truth. 

Martha moments and all at least we can always get back to what is needful. 

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. -Luke 10:41-42

An Update With Pictures!

These last two weeks have been very busy and exciting. Of course the week of the 4th of July we were busy with family at cookouts and fireworks. We had a fun week, although our oldest came down with a nasty stomach bug that had me pretty worried about her. But God is good and she's doing just fine.


Here are some photos from our time at the beach on the 3rd of July. It was so much fun! We generally don't go to the beach because of modesty issues but my dad has a friend who has private access to a local beach pretty much in his backyard! So every year we look forward to going over there so we can hang out at the beach for a little. Unfortunately it was kind of cool and low tide so we didn't go swimming. 

I made that cover up for my munchkin and she loved it!

  

awwww lol

Our 3 year old took this picture!
Future photographer maybe?? :o)

Happy Independence Day!

After all the celebrating and fun festivities were over it was time to get busy. My husband and I recently volunteered to help out with the teen nights at our church. It was an awesome experience the first time, I just fell in love with the girls, and decided this was something I definitely wanted to be a part of. They are so sweet and a lot of fun to hang out with. We meet with them once a month and were asked to speak with them this month. It was such a blessing and I spoke with the girls about how God loves us. :o)

The following week we jumped right in to help out with Neighborhood Vacation Bible Time. Usually we have Vacation Bible School at the church but this year it was decided to take Bible time to the kids! So we went to local parks and set up shop! It was AWESOME. We had two different sessions one in the morning in one town., and then another in a different town in the afternoon. We had a total of 86 kids between both sessions and we had 21 kids accept Jesus as their Savior! It was really a great experience, God really showed up. There was a school camp starting at the same time and we were nervous because we thought they might want us to leave. But instead they brought kids over to us! All of the days we were there different kids stopped by. Even if they didn't stay to participate in the program they were at least able to hear the Gospel! 

Arts and Crafts

Bible Time

Closing assembly

Nothing beats serving God! We were tired at the end of the day but the joy we had from serving others and doing the Lord's work is indescribable. 

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. -Matthew 9:37-38

I'm linking up with Women Living Well

Unprofitable Servants

Servant Heart by Jun Jamosmos

Sometimes in our roles as wives and mothers (and even as daughters) we get stuck in this rut of serving and feeling like we aren't getting anything back. I know for me having two very little children I rarely get a thank you for the things that must be done. Like washing dishes, or changing diapers, cleaning up a spill, cleaning a nose, giving a bath, and I could go on and on. But that feeling of not being appreciated can only set us up for failure!


Who said we would get a thank you? Who told us that we even should? Our Lord, Jesus, told us something very different. 

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. -Luke 17:7-10

We are merely servants sent here to fulfill the roles God has called us to. Be it daughter, wife, mother, friend or anything else. We are called to serve those that are put in our path. And when we begin to feel like we aren't being appreciated by those that we serve that means we are looking at ourselves as more than the "unprofitable servants" that we are.  


I know some may say but you don't know my family, they don't deserve to be served. To that I say you are absolutely right! But we aren't serving them because they are worth it. We do it because God has placed them in our lives for us to love, be kind to, and take care of. 

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -Galatians 5:13-14

P.S. Have you signed up to Soak in the Son with me this summer?

I'm linking up with Time-Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies & Women Living Well