Yeah, It's Almost Summer Holidays

Well seeding is done and we just have to spray pot holes and then we hope to take some holidays! We are looking forward to lots of family time. The last few days we have been hunting for a camper. We feel our hotel days are over as there are too many of us for 1 room, and it gets too costly. So we are going camping, yeah! We are hoping to get a camper early next week. Ta, ta for now.

The Owl Episode Continues

So here's whats up with the owls. Last week when we thought our owl adventure had come to an end, the owlette's kept popping up all over the yard. We weren't sure what was happening with them. At the end of the week 2 of them had found each other and were cuddled under the boys treehouse. Every day they seem to move a little higher in the tree and get a little braver. And just when we were wondering if the mother was actually taking care of them, we saw she had left a dead rat for them. So we were happy to know she was actually feeding them, but not to happy where she left the food. On the platform of the boy's treehouse! In the words of Jennifer EEEEWWWWW!!! The next morning when we went out there, the rat was gone. So either the little owlette's ate it or some cat got a free meal. I have also noticed the mother hanging around on top of a really tall tree close by, but not too close, just keeping an eye on them. What's really interesting is we have friends who had a robin build a nest on their childrens tree house. She said they can't even play in it anymore because the robins swoop at them and pester them. And here we have a huge owl who doesn't bother us at all. So that proves that size doesn't always mean everything. Just a note of encouragement for all us vertically challenged people!!

THE BIG PICTURE

This is to all you homemakers out there. I have been thinking a lot lately about my calling as a wife and mother. I think society and even the church is missing the biblical patten for motherhood. Sometimes I find myself adopting the world's views of a homemaker instead of my Creator's view. So I ask myself What is the big picture? I want to be a submissive wife, I want to teach my children to love God with all their heart, soul and mind, I want our families actions and beliefs to follow God's Word and be honoring to Him, and when I stand before God on judgement day, I want Him to say 'Well done thou good and faithful servant'. So every day's duties, wether it be washing dishes, changing a diaper, making a meal, getting a part from town, looking at a spider, dealing with disobedient children, giving a hug, reading a story, getting up in the middle of the night with a sick child, grocery shopping ect., every act is part of the big picture. "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands." So the question I need to be asking myself is, am I building my house, or pulling it down? Am I building my house by godly words and attitutes. Or am I tearing it down by grumbing and complaining about what God has put on my agenda for today. Am I building my house by being a submissive and loving wife, or am I tearing it down by belittling my husband in front of others and grudgingly doing what he desires. Being a homemaker is hard work, it's 24/7, but it is also very rewarding. The other day I saw a wall hanging that I wanted to throw in the garbage. It said "Housework makes me ugly" and it had a picture of a woman looking very 'unkept'. As I thought about it I realized this quite often the impression that society gives to homemakers. If you don't have a prestigious job, if you aren't busy with ministry in your church, you are somehow not quite 'beautiful'. Well I strongly disagree. What a job we have! Think about the responsibility and ministry that we have. We have the opportunity every day to encourage our husband in their calling, and raise little humans into godly adults. WOW, WOW, WOW. If that's not a job, I don't know what is! As homemakers we need to get to the place where we love our job and we are not ashamed to say so. I love being a homemaker. Does it mean sacrifice? You bet! Does it mean denying myself? You bet! Is it hard work? You bet! But think about the big picture. What an amazing opportunity! We may not be able to do everything that a single woman, or a woman with a job may be able to do. We don't leave our job at the office. But the rewards are eternal. Look at the big picture. Children and even husbands today are often viewed as a hinderance, an intrusion, or a burden when in fact they are our ministry. When we see how valuable our contribution can be, we should be overwhelmed with gratitude to God for being 'blessed' with such an opportunity. Making a home, serving a husband and raising children is an amazing privelage. LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE!

This Week's Advice by Brooke

Take time to smell the flowers...

Or EAT the flowers?