My Crazy Child-full Busy Life

I love children! I have at times been guilty of denying the very blessing that God has put in my life; to minister to children. It is crazy and overwhelming at times but I know that this is my gift from Him. This natural, no choosing, happy, messy, fun, crazy, busy blessing of caring for children and homeschooling- ministering to the wonderful, wide-eyed, ready to learn sweet children that He brings to me. It's hard at times but well worth it! At times there are friends that criticize instead of encourage and ouch it stings, but then the joy resumes and all of the negative fades to nothing but unwarranted nonsense. I am so thankful for the blessing of children, not just my own but relative's, friend's and stranger's children. It's amusing to me that the children can even sense this love and care from me, because of Him, before I even share with them. Children can feel true acceptance and grace toward them, that is my thought. Looking back over my life and the caring for children and loving to lead children, I can truly say that I have never had a child that rubbed me or I rubbed the wrong way. Children are a blessing! Even if they have trials and struggles that boggle our minds.

 This summer we have had and are blessed by our crazy busy fun home. We really enjoy having extra friends to play with. At times I do count down the minutes until nap time and I enjoy every second of quite. But, I also find joy in the crazy loud fun throughout the day. The laughter and even the tears are so wonderful and loved.

   
Now more than ever I see a natural, patient, tender love resounding in my daughter and son for other children. We have been blessed with children to play, learn and just do life with. As we home school this is part of our school; to learn to share, have compassion, apologize, forgive and worship together. We as a family love and welcome children. No matter shape, size, age, issues...we are growing and learning together and we are so thankful for these sweet blessings.

Love

I love him! My dear husband! The Lord had a plan for us from the very beginning, when I first was introduced to him in 9th grade, 15 years old. Wow! We did not become us until I was 17 but I remember the day I met him. I remember thinking "he's cute but taken and he thinks he is way too cool", but don't we all in high school? Funny!

So, we've grown up together and grown together in so many ways, it's so awesome! He loves me so madly, so deeply; it comes from within his soul. Many people have told us that they can see it in our eyes and feel it when we are together. I love this love of our's, I'm so satisfied and secure in this seemingly unconditional love we share. It is priceless, irreplacable and fragile but if we care for it and continue to grow in it with one another and with God in the center we will enjoy and be blessed with this, each other forever.

Working Homeschool Momma



Spazzy wearing my uniform



I have had the blessing of being home for over 4 years with my kiddos completely focused on them and I have enjoyed every moment. Now I am working as a server and loving every moment of it. We, as a family made the decision that I should work part time to help our family financially. Our goal is to get out of debt, help loved ones and save more.

It's been about 2 weeks, so this is sort of my review. While in training I was talking to another mom about homeschool and she was so freaked that I am a mom, a teacher and server part time. It's not too much! It was prayed over, thought about and we had a family meeting before the choice was made. He does not give us more than we can handle!

As a family everyone has stepped up more with cleaning and upkeep of our home. DH is learning to cook. Every family looks different but this is it for us for right now. We are the Burns family aand we work together to help our family reach our goals and give God all the glory for all that He provides. This is yet another life lesson for my littles and a good, that sometimes mom must make sacrifices also to help provide for the family. It's definately what I dreamed but I do love it and I choose joy not worry. We are still capable of getting our chores and school work done and be involved in co-ops and other homeschool activities. It's a change but sometimes He requies change to bring growth. This is a new fun journey that we are embrassing!!!! 

Raising My Child in HIS Glory!

Very often I am viewed as a stern parent, that does not allow her children to be exposed to much. This is very amuzing to me because we do expose our children, but at the same time we do apply scripture and our values to the things that we allow. If our children question the choices and boundaries that we set forth, we will then talk further as to why they are drawn to it and what makes it good or bad according to godliness, not the word standards of what's ok, acceptable or popular.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

If we are to think and guide our children to think on such things that are excellent and praiseworthy, why would I allow my children to watch tv or movies that are not,  listen to music that is not to the glory of God, go places that are not or even hang out with people that are not.

This may sound a little crazy but children tend to think and act out things that they see on tv or movies, so therefor we do not allow them to view things that we may have issues with them reacting, saying or using  in play. If our Spazzy gal who is 9 stays the night at a friend's or even grandma's and something is on the tv that does not line up with what she has been taught, she will and has called us to ask permission or even asked to do something else while they watched or even asked them to turn it off. It has been a shock, joy and blessing because we never instructed her to do this, she just stands firm on our values. Such a JOY!

The music is the same way, so much music is violent, sexually driven or just about sinning and making a joke about it, saying it's ok or that's just who I am. YUCK!  I, myself as an adult, do not even care to listen to that, it's just all too usless and a waste of time. Our family as a whole really only listens to Christian music, any kind, we like classics, hymns, rock, alternative, pop and country. There is just as many choices all across Christian music just like secular music. When our children are at a friend's they usually tell the friend or the parent I am not allowed to listen to this. Love it! I desire for my children to understand and obey our boundaries no matter where they are or who they are with. If there is too much of an issue I may choose to only allow the friend over instead of allowing my child to constantly feel uncomfortable.

If our children are constantly mislead or hurt by a certain friend, there will be a boundary placed there with that friend. At this time my children are still learning and growing, so they can only be so strong and I am aware of that, therefor I am very involved in thier frindships and choices of whom to pal around with. We desire to be present  in all choices as long as they live in our home and are our children. We have an open door policy, meaning 'talk to us' about anything and everything, there will not be judgement or descipline, but theit will be encouragement. Through sharing now, we pray that they will continue to share and come to us as adults, after they leave home.

Those that we love and hang around do make an influence on our lives but likewise I am aware and I do allow my children to be the light to others as long a they are not be negatively influenced. Also, we stand firm on making our children be best friends because they will have each other longer than any friend, (knowledge from experience). So, if they are fighting and not able to play together that is automatic no friend until we see improvement.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

We know that our children are blessings from the Lord and we honor Him by rasing our children in the way that He instructs and revels to us through His Word-the BIBLE. We do not allow the world or other people to make choices for us, I will listen to others but the moment what they are saying does not aline with scripture, it all becomes useless. He is my Father and I must obey Him and not cater to my childrens whims, the world or others. We do mess up from time to time or get too lax but if they are aware or notice, we sit them down and talk to them about it, apologize, repent and pray together.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Ok, so now that I've gone through all of that, there is a main and popular verse that everyone knows but we base everything on this verse...

Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

This is what we desire, for our children to never depart from what we have tought them, from God, from the Bible, but if they do we desire to give them godliness to turn back to.

What do we hope they will return to as rebeling teens or even experienced adults?

We desire for them to turn back to godly principles, morals and boundaries, return to GOD! We pray daily that they never turn away or rebel, but we know that it is a possiblity, therefor we know it is our responsiblity to give them a good foundation to stand firm on in GOD or return to once they've rebeled.

We are so blessed and thankful beyond measure for our children, the least we can do is raise them in the way that He says and instructs.

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Friends

Friends and friendships are such a fun blessing! There are many different types of friends but usually each one can be categorized into- a reason, a season or a lifetime. I know we usually want all friendships to last a lifetime, but from my experience and many others it just does not happen that way.

Sometimes friends are there for a reason. These sometimes come from no where for me, they just pop up. Perhaps for a common goal, interest, period in life or just because. But just as they pop up, they disappear. They are still like all others a cherished memory, a time of growth and reflection.  

A season friend, sometimes friendships are strategically placed in our lives for a season by our awesome God. The season could be very unseen until much after the friendship has dwindled and is just a cherished memory. Then a flicker out of nowhere and you see the growth, knowledge and sometimes even pain that came from that friendship that you needed for some reason. For me personally, it's to grow me, show me something inside that I was too blind to see. These friends usually leave a mark on my life and it is so very sad to lose them. I believe that I must let go and remember that HE is the one that remains there, true and always. No other best friend, over Him, no one before Him as a confidant. Yes, I have been guilty of running to my best friend or mentor before running to HIM. Then that friendship comes to a close even if for no foreseen reason just dwindles. Then when you look around and wonder why, you see the reason that you were brought together for that cherished season.

And others are there for your lifetime or at least a lot longer than a season or a reason friend. When you find one of these hold onto and pray to keep that friend as long as you can. They are a truly rare find. This is the friend that is there no matter what, when you are at your most low and most high of moments. They love you no matter what! This friend is so much like a sibling but yet so much closer. It may even seem as though you have always been friends and close even if you only met a few days before. They are heart friends and know things that most do not and can read you sometimes before you even can. If you have any friends that are this to you, my advice is pray for them and thank the Lord for them, what a blessing, we only get a few in our lifetime. Tell them what they meen to you.

Above all others, it is HIM. Always there so reach out your hand for Him, your number one lifetime friend, HE is to be cherished!

Thankful in ALL things

Wow! Hit really hard with the obvious this morning, which I’m positive has hit me before but never really allowed and applied it to EVRYTHING in my life. This morning it was like a truck slammed into me, ouch and thank you!

I was reading and am not finished reading the book to the right, such a pleasure thus far.

As a Christian, follower of Jesus Christ, I am saved! Saved by his grace. I am forgiven! Forgiven by His grace. I am loved! Loved by HIS grace. I am heard in my prayers and daily trials and joys. I am heard by Him, because of His grace. I am His because of His grace. All that I have and do not have is because of His grace.

I am so not worthy of that which He has given me, repeatedly.

I am so thankful! I express eucharisteo beyond measure to Him.

Eucharisteo= thanksgiving
I have been saved by His grace for a while now but truly being thankful for EVERYTHING that I have struggled with and have not even noticed until today. Wow!
Of course I am thankful on a daily basis for the obvious.
But am I thankful for the less than obvious? The bumps and bruises, the sad and bad, the trials and tribulations, the loss, the sickness, the want?

No, not until now this moment He has made it so obvious that even in those moments He desires that I am thankful.

Yes ,I will pray through the difficult and cry out to Him for that is what He desires. But I WILL remain thankful because I KNOW that He will provide a way out and I will be grown, I will drwn nearer from the difficult.

　

I can testify that trials and pain and anguish and very hard times have grown my faith so much more than the happiest of times that is because I draw near to Him cry out and when it is over and I have reached the end result and gotten back to the happy that is when I see the growth, the closeness.

We have just went through and are still suffering repercussions of no income for 3 months, it has been a great financial lesson and journey. Our children now know and understand a bit more about going without and being thankful for all that we do have.

I look at them, the children and think I do not only want a grateful attitude when things are great and we are getting what we want. I do however desire for our children to be thankful all of the time in everything.

So, pure, so simple…that is what my God, my Father desires from me. Thankfulness, gratitude, thanksgiving, a grateful heart and attitude not sometimes, No, He desires this ALWAYS in ALL things at ALL times.

So that is now a goal, my life journey, to be grateful in ALL, giving Him THANKSgiving.

2010 Slide show

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Father's desire

SO to continue from the other day a bit...this picture captured it, that moment that God has been speaking into me. He so desires this from us, His children. To hold His hand, walk with Him, show Him things in your life, enjoy the moments. Why is it so difficult for us to relate to our FATHER in this way? Too often I know I am guilty of knowing the love He has for me and I for Him but do not allow this in every moment. This tenerness, This viewing of life together. This discovering together. This embrace.

So frustrating!

I AM HIS CHILD!

My heart aches to enjoy and embrace my father like this, this precious moment, enjoying one another. I fear the Lord plenty and run to Him when I have stumbled and need help or comfort. I am seeking that attachment, that love, that walking and doing all of life together, pointing out the moments, laughing, smiling, enjoying; I know He is ever present and He enjoys and rejoices with me even when I do not give Him the same in return. Too often I leave words unspoken, blessings unthanked, answers unpraised, hand unheld through the happy in life. So eager to grab the hand, vent in frustration, cry out in hurt and pain but He remains with His hand waiting for the rejoicing times in life also. So, now I turn to Him, my Father, my daddy, my best friend, me hero

Here I am Lord, your daughter, your child and I am so thankful beyond what I can express.

We are HIS



Our blessings-HIS CHILDREN

 2 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV) ^18(A) and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

"When God looks at His loved ones, He doesn't focus upon past failures, faults, or sin. He sees the heirs to His kingdom—men and women who love Him and desire to spend eternity in His presence.
No matter how far we may wander from the Lord's perfect will for our lives, we are always welcome back. The Bible teaches that God's love cannot be lost, regardless of sin or poor decisions (though we may have to live with the consequences). Our Father's arms are always open."    In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley



Us-HIS CHILDREN

Often times, more than I'd like to admit, I do not see myself as a child, although I know that I am HIS child. Until recent and from time to time I  hold the past against myself or against others, even after praying and seeking His forgiveness or an  apology and I've said there is forgiveness. But, if we are not truly forgiving ourselves or others, than how can we allow Him to grow us. When we are not moving on and learnning from the experience but instead sinking in self-pity and doubt, we are not growing but instead we are dragging our heals and not allowing Him to work in us or through us. From more recent experience and my Father working on me I am able to see that we all fail and that is ok, it's what we do once we pick ourselves back up that makes a difference.

I am a sinner just like everyone else, saved by grace and struggled with two scriptures and fought on how to truly apply them to life: "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" Matthew 5:39 and "Jesus answered, "I tell you not seven times but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:22 These are Jesus' words, I have to turn the other cheek repeatedly even if there is not an apology and I have to forgive offenses 77 times by the same person? To apply these two scriptures truly and completely there are many blessings. We are to love our nieghbor (others) more than ourself. It's crazy thing, but I don't believe it's a Jesus kinda love when we do not forgive. Since the Lord has showed me as His child how to live in these words I have seen much fruit.

I find joy in knowing that I am His child, so I must look at it this way...when either one of my children do or say something wrong or hurtful I do not hold it over there heads beyond their apology and repentance, they are learning and growing, that is how my Father sees me I am young, learning and growing. What a releif that He does not condemn and punish us like we do ourselves! I desire complete forgiveness from others and from Him, but I must have the same grace and humility toward others, because we are all His children. Why hold grudges, hurt others and ourselves? So just like I have done in my relationship with the Lord, I release all past hurts and mistakes on my part and on others even without a spoken apology. This is a huge step for me personally, as He gifted us emotions and choices and I haven't chosen correctly. It is such an awesome release, I AM FREE!!!!! I pray that you too enjoy this peace this graceand have a blessed, fruitful day.

Peace and Order for 2011

With thankfulness for His blessings upon me and my family, He is so awesome, I open this new blog, new year, 2011. I praise Him and lift His name on high. With a longing for peace and order I hop into this new year, new start, fresh look on life and things we'd like to work on, change. Desire of the stillness and peace that is not natural but seeked after often is that which I would like to obtain. Therefore focused on not over committing or signing up for too much is a new change that will allot more time at home, growing my heart and the littles' hearts for Christ and people. There's so much to put in order- home school, finances, health, fitness and general daily life, the list could go on and on. This is the year our family will grow by leaps and bounds, we will do so by chasing after Christ and getting up from the stumbles and bumps that we will still experience, that are a source for growth. It is all in God's hands, I need to release my grip from things that I persistently try to control.  Our family is in need of true obedience in many areas and that is our new year's goal as a family, that when we see where change, growth, improving is needed that we focus in on it and with the Lord's gently, loving guidance make the necessary choices and changes. Sometimes it is much easier to follow the way of the world and others around us, but He calls us to be different, set apart, so I will focus on what He requires and convictions He sets within me in His word, my prayer life, obedient love, and His leading, not on how others feel or think I should do things. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 So even if it does not make since to others or sounds silly, if He has called you to it, follow and He will bring you through it. "A goal without a plan is just a dream"  Happy New Year's 2011, many blessings to you and yours.I'd love to read your new year goals, please share.