Rain, Rain

Here was the conversation I heard between Jesse (5) and Nathan(4) a few mornings ago.

First let me say Jesse is a real outside boy and loves to go with his dad to the field. And anything that gets in the way of that disturbs him greatly.

Jesse (Left): (sounding very distressed) Oh no, it's raining!

Nathan (Right): (in the cutest, most consoling voice ever) Don't worry Jesse. We need the rain to water our garden and the field so the seeds can grow.

Mikaya Anne the Cute Little Ballerina

Mikaya doesn't use the jolly jumper anymore since she started walking. But when she did, she put on quite a show. Here's a couple of clips.

To Obey or Not to Obey? Chpt. 23

In this chapter we as wives are encouraged to search the scriptures once again and find scriptures on obeying/submitting to our husbands. Also to know the scriptures so that we know how to respond in certain situations that may come up in our marriage. When we look at Jesus' life He did not live in ease for his own pleasure. He lived and suffered for the glory that was to follow. And as wives our calling is to give glory to God. Jesus often had less than perfect circumstances, was treated unfairly, but still He chose to love:

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

1 Peter 2:23

In this chapter the point was made that too many times wives are too quick to run away from a marriage that is no fun. On the contrary when a Christian wife does what the world would never do-God is glorified. And that should be our goal, to glorify God.

So as wives God's Word needs to be part of our hearts, that we are so in tune with Him, that when situations arise, we know what God is calling us to do and say.

They also addressed issues where we as wives need to bring in the authorities. But you need to read the chapter if you have the book as I will not go into detail here. There are instances where some wives will need to contact the authorities because of their husbands behaviors.

One verse that I have been meditating on a lot lately, not only for my attitude toward my husband, but my children, and everybody I come in contact with is Galatians 5:22-23. An age old verse that I have heard many times over, but the power of it has really impacted me lately. To be a wife, mother, and woman who has the fruits of the spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance:

against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

To me this is key, if I can live in the spirit, having the fruits of the spirit, I believe I will bring glory to God in my relationships and my life in general.

So what verse has impacted you in your journey as a godly wife, mother and woman?

The Cup Holder

Caller: "Hello, is this Tech Support?"

Tech: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?"

Caller: "The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?"

Tech: "I'm sorry, but did you say a cup holder?"

Caller: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer."

Tech: "Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped. It's because I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotional at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? Does it have anytrademark on it?"

Caller: "It came with my computer. I don't know anything about a promotional. It just has '4X' on it."

At this point, the Tech Rep had to mute the caller because he couldn't stand it. He was laughing too hard. The caller had been using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder and snapped it off the drive.

It's A Girl!

I am excited to announce that we have another neice/cousin.

My sister, Amanda, had a baby girl yesterday.

She was 10 days overdue and a big girl - 9 lbs. 14 oz.

Congratulations Josh and Amanda.

Can't wait to meet you Cadence =)

Sights at our Dugout

P.s Check out our recipe blog for a new recipe

Obedient to Their Own Husbands (Chpt. 22)

That they may teach the young women to be sober,

to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1 Peter 2:4-5

This chapter was packed. Obeying your husband, winning him over without a word, dealing with an angry husband, birth control, head covering, remarriage, making an appeal and more....If you want to know all what it said you need to read the chapter because I cannot possibly comment on it all here. So I decided instead to give you some scriptures to meditate on. I also did a bit of a word study on the word obey in 1 Peter 3:5-7 because I was curious of the strong word obey. Some commentaries didn't like that the KJV used the word obey in Titus 2:4-5, instead they used subjection. But most versions use the word obey in 1 Peter 3:5-7. Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 1 Peter 3:5-7 Obeyed (5219) (hupakouo from hupó = under + akoúo = physical hearing and apprehension of something with the mind) (Click for study on related word hupakoe) means literally to "hear under" and conveys the meaning of subordinating one’s self to the person or thing heard, hence to obey. The word means to hearken or to give respectful attention and so to obey. This word was used to describe one coming to the door upon hearing a knock, a good picture of obedience. (taken from an online bible concordance) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Ephesians 5:22-24 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Colossians 3:18

Motherhood, A Special Privilege

With Mother's Day coming I wanted to write this to my kids,

my blessings, my gifts from God.

Each one of you are so unique, so special and perfectly placed in our family by God. God knew who we needed and what place we needed you in our family.

His plan has been perfect and continues to be.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when

I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

Our family is so special and it is truly an honour and privilege to be your Mom. I have never bemoaned the fact that God has chosen me to be a Mom to you. Have there been hard times? Of course, but there are hard times no matter what you do in life. Through these hard times I have grown, matured and become closer to the person God has created me to be. Thank you for that! Thank you for the challenges, thank you for the character building. Without you, I know I would not be the person I am today. And you can keep right on teaching me because I know I still have lots to learn!

We have spent many hours together, some in the wee hours of the morning, some working side by side, some doing school, some playing together, some laughing, some crying..... And I look with fond memories on these moments. Time together, time to get to know one another, time....It will not last forever, so let's make the most of every moment.

They say that being a mom is one of the highest callings. I don't even want to think about that. I just know that it is my calling. God has called me to be your Mother. From the day that you were born to the day that you die, God has called me to be your Mother. To nurture you, to train you, to love you..... For some of you this journey is just beginning, for others we have been at it for quite a few years. I know I have not been perfect, I know I have (and still) make many mistakes along the way. But through it we have grown closer and God has melded our hearts. My calling as a Mother means so much to me and I thank God for every day He gives me with each of you.

I never dreamed that my heart could be stretched to love so many of you. But I do love each of you fondly. And you have loved me in return, thank you for that. There haven't been many days in the last 18+ years that I have not got a hug from one or more of you. That's a lot of hugs, a lot of lovin' And I cherish each one.

The laughter, the sorrows, the joy, the pain, the love, the grace, the foolishness, the forgiveness. We've been (and are going through) it all. With 12 bodies in one home there are plenty of opportunities to give, to take, to serve, to be served, to give love, to be loved, to cry, to laugh...... And together we have, together we will, together......

My prayer for us is that through our experiences we will grow closer to God, learn to support each other, love each other unconditionally, serve each other, and in so doing be a light to those around us. God has called us all as a family to shine for Him. What a privilege we have, as parents and as children, to be a beacon in the darkness, to give hope to the hopeless, and to persevere through it all, because Jesus is our light, our hope, and our strong tower. With Him we can be who He has called us to be. Never loose heart, always put it in God's hand. He will direct you, He will guide you....

So it's not about me, it's about us. Because without your dad and you, I would not be a Mother. It's about us, family, together.....And most of all.....It's about HIM!

Mikaya's New Fashion Statement

And next we have Mikaya Pauls. 10th of 10 children and as you can see

very 'fun loving' especially in her style of dress.

The lovely bug hat she is sporting on her head was pulled out of the summer hat box just this morning. It will be a wonderful way to keep that warm sunshine off her bald little head (when we get sunshine that is:) Just don't get too close to a fly swatter Mikaya!

The lovely firey red glasses are a hot item around here and she loves to wear them rain or shine.

The pastel pink hoodie was a bargain find at a garage sale yesterday. Perfect for those cool summer evenings.

Don't you think pink is her color?

The fun striped 'jail bird' dress and bloomers were also pulled out of the summer box.

With it's unique stripes and sporty short sleaves it is a perfect summer outfit.

Mikaya looks forward to wearing this to her next summer outing.

Then there are those nice white socks. Oh if those socks would just stay nice and white.

Long enough to pull them up to her belly button,

yet flexible enough to roll them down as bobby socks.

Mikaya thinks that she will find many uses for these 'oh so white' socks.

And then to top it all, the nice brown robeez booties. Also a garage sale bargain.

This will be a nice compliment to many of Mikaya's summer outfits.

And if her feet get to hot, she can just take those booties off.

How handy is that?

So here you have it folks. The new fashion trend of summer 2008.

Don't be caught wearing anything else!

Special thanks to Mikaya for doing such a wonderful job

modeling these items for us.

It Cracked Me Up

Here was a converstion between Zachary & Brooke today.

Zachary: Brooke you have a crack in your pants. (Meaning a butt crack) Brooke: No, I didn't crack my pants!

Life is Fragile

On Monday morning I heard, "Mom, lots of chicks are dead!" Seeing this was a 7 year old telling me this my first thought was maybe 'lots' was actually 'a couple' to a little boy. So I went to the chicken pen to find out. There at the door I found our 9 year old, Caleb crouched down weeping. As I took a quick scan of the chicken pen I soon discovered that yes, there were 'lots' of chicks dead. They were lying all over and theothe half, the live ones were cuddled in a corner. I asked Caleb what had happened and he told me that while he was filling their water Jamie, our 1 year old puppy, had been in there and did what dogs do naturally. It wasn't quite my ideal way of starting a morning. After disciplining the dog and cleaning up the mess I had a chance to talk with Caleb. He of course was feeling it was all his fault and felt very bad. It really wasn't his fault, I had done the same thing when I got water not even thinking that Jamie would do such a thing. She has to go in a building and then into another part just to get to the chicks. Caleb had said through tears how cute it had been when he fed them just a few minutes before and they all came running to the feed. And now so many were dead. I took this as anopportunity to talk with him about how life is like that. One second we can be alive and strong and the next God may call us home to be with Him. Every breath that we take each day is such a gift, every beat of our heart is such a gift. Life is so fragile. We talked about how we need to always be ready to meet Jesus because we never know when that will be. As I thought about this life lesson more later I thought about all our regrets of the experience; that we hadn't 'introduced' Jamie to the chicks so she would know they were our pets, that we didn't put a better latch on the door....Just to have those few minutes back, to do it over. And then I thought about my life. Will I have regrets? Will I just want a few minutes back to make things right? Will I be ready? When I meet Jesus face to face will he say to me, "Come on in faithful servant? or will he say to me "Depart from me, I never knew you." How important it is to live every moment of every day as if it were my last. How about you, are you ready?

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:

depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23

Fuzzy Yellow Fun!

This week 75 fuzzy little bundles arrived at the Pauls' farm.

The kids have been in their glory watching & holding these cute little creatures.

Problem is they won't be cute for long.

They are already starting to look like a chicken and they are only a few days old.
25 will grow up to be laying hens and 50 of them will end up in our freezer.
Lots of work, lots of fun, lots of good eating!!!

Happy 40th Anniversary

THEN

On April 27th my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

We had our family over on Sunday (those who could make it) and spent some time asking mom and dad about their wedding day and the events surrounding. Here is what we learned.

-They had 3 bridesmaids and 3 groomsmen

-Mom was a small 110 lbs when they got married.

-She still has her dress

-They got married in Swan Lake and had the reception in Pilot Mound.

-They don't remember what they had for a meal =)

-They went to Niagra Falls for their honeymoon, they were gone for 2 weeks.

-The price of gas was .25 cents a gallon

-They drove in a red pick up truck

-At their hotel they had KFC in bed!

-When they got home from their honeymoon seeding hadn't started yet and it was lightly snowing.

We love you mom and dad. Thank you for loving each other for 40 years.

We hope you have 40 more!

NOW