Not Home Yet

The other day, as I was driving to lunch with my family, I had about 20 minutes of quiet time to think. (that doesn't happen very often as a mother of six) Earlier in the day, Benjamin (11 months) had a hearing test. They have some concerns over his hearing. He may have a possible minor hearing loss.If it is confirmed, he will need hearing aids. They will perform one more test in mid- June, while he's under sedation.

Anyway, as I was driving, I was thinking about this and the many other things going on with Benjamin. I was also thinking about other challenging/ frustrating things our family has faced lately. At first, I felt frustration and despair rising up. However, as I pondered more deeply, I realized that sometimes that there are many blessings that come through hardships.

If you don't already know this, my mom has a significant hearing loss. She has been hearing impaired since she was a child. For many years she has worn hearing aids. While hearing loss is a disability, I don't feel worried or scared or sad over this situation with Benny. It is what it is. We deal with it. Just like many things, it will become a  part of his life. Just like carrying EpiPens for David, or doing breathing treatments, or dealing with Benny's seizures. It's not something we saw coming, but these things have become part of parenting these two special little boys.

Ok, so on to my main point...
As I was driving, I had a revelation. A reminder really. I often find myself wishing life were easier. I hope for healing for my children and other loved ones. But truly, it is the challenges in life that force us to keep our eyes on Jesus. If my life were perfect, if I had everything I wanted and never had any problems, it would be too easy for this world to become my Home. This world is not my home. It's not meant to be. Every challenge I face keeps me longing and waiting for the day I will be reunited with my Savior, and I cling to Him in this life all the more. I experience a sweet communion with Him that I wouldn't have experienced otherwise.

Another awesome giveaway from Diaper Junction!

Check out this week's Feed Your Stash Friday giveaway from Diaper Junction...

http://www.diaperjunction.com/11212-FYSF-Win-an-Eco-Posh-Wool-Cover-and-Lanolin_b_453.html

Welcome to this week's Feed Your Stash Friday Giveaway!

New FYSF and this week it's all about Wool!

Enter this week's giveaway and you could win an Eco Posh Wool Cover and Sheepish Grins Lanolin!

Breathable, Beautiful, Comfortable Eco Posh Wool

Eco Posh wool is a wonderful natural option for a cover because it is highly breathable yet extremely absorbent without feeling wet on the outside. Woo diaper covers are great for all-seasons and make the perfect cover for newborns, toddlers, even potty trainers!

Eco Posh Wool Diaper Covers are a perfect fit over Eco Posh Recycled Organic Fitted diaperss, prefolds, one size diapers and the Eco Posh Training Pants.

Sheepish Grins Lanolin

Sheepish Grins lanolin is rated above pharmaceutical grade with no additives or preservatives.Four ounces of Sheepish Grins solid lanolin will go a long way.

To Use: Add a teaspoon of solid lanolin and a few drops of baby wash to very hot water and stir to combine. Add mixture to your wool soak water then immerse your wool item into the lanolin-rich water. Soak your wool a minimum of 15 minutes or over night. Remove extra water from your wool by rolling it in a towel and then allow to dry.

The Giveaway Details:

Enter this week's FYSF Giveaway and you could win an Eco Posh Wool Cover and Sheepish Grins Lanolin!

Open to the USA & Canada. Winners have 7 days to claim their prize. All winners entries will be verified.

Great Giveaways!

Looking for some fun this week? Autumn Beck (All ABout Cloth Diapers) is doing a "My Favorite Things Giveaway."

It's a great way to learn about her sponsors- cloth diapers, stores and other natural products you may or may not have heard about. I'm enjoying learning about some new products and companies.

With baby #6 on the way, I'm thinking ahead. I plan to use cloth on this little one, so I like to start gathering a little at a time. And it'd sure be nice to win something.

Have fun!

http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/my-favorite-things-event/

Come Home for Christmas

It's almost Christmas, only 4 days away. I'm as giddy as my children. This year I feel blessed beyond measure. I have a husband who is my best friend & everything I could ever want, 5 beautiful children, and a wonderful extended family & church family. Although financially things have been tight lately, we've seen the love & care of others poured out. Really, it's overwhelming!

This year, I have been attending BSF. (Bible Study Fellowship) We are studying Isaiah this year. The word that comes to mind first is "Wow!" There is so much in Isaiah to study, and so much application to our own lives. It's heavy stuff. Our culture is a mirror image of Isaiah's day- decadent, spoiled, comfortable, and so so far from God. "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." (Isaiah 29:13)
Oh, how I pray that this is not true of me!! And yet I know it is!! I pray that my heart will be stirred and I will only worship Him in Spirit & in truth!!
God, through His prophet Isaiah, also offers hope... He gives glimpses of the hope that will come in a Savior, Jesus!

The song, "Come Home" by Luminate has been echoing through my mind.
These are the words to the chorus-
"So I know you've been running, searching for something
but you're looking in a place you don't belong
It's never too late, you can't outrun grace,
No, mercy doesn't care what you've done
So come home
So come home.
(Words by Samuel Hancock and Ben Glover)

My heart cries out for those who have not come home yet. I know a lot of people are skeptical about Christianity. I know that we (Christians) screw up a lot- we're sinners, we're human, and we mess up, too. But here's the thing... we know a Savior who picks us up and cleans us up. We want you to know Him, too. We want you to experience something that really can't be described. It's not about believing in us... it's about believing in Him.

If you haven't come home yet, please do. We're ready to welcome you, and more importantly, He is! He has been waiting for you since the beginning of time. Come home for Christmas.

Another RagaBabe giveaway...

I know you may be tired of hearing about giveaways and cloth diapers and how much I love RagaBabe, but here I go again. I do love these diapers. I wish everyone who cloth diapers or who has ever thought about it would try these. Here's your chance to win one!
http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/ragababe-easy-aio-giveaway/

He is Faithful

We are almost halfway through the school year...the kids & I, and Brian. Brian's graduation is feeling more "real" and so close. We still don't know what is next, and so we're just trusting the Lord as we wait on Him and His timing. We don't know where we'll be next year (or even in 6 months) but we know He does!! This is an exciting time for us, and a little scary, too. I still feel so unworthy to be called into ministry, but isn't that how He works? (I keep reminding myself of that!) We have been so blessed along the way with good friends, family, church family.

This last several years have been full of trials and testings, and full of many joys. We've experienced car trouble, health issues (Brian's leg injury, Brian's blood clot, David's many health challenges, etc.) and financial difficulties. The Lord is faithful, though. That's what I would like everyone to know... no matter how many curve balls life throws at you, you can trust Him. No matter how much you mess up, He loves you. He is faithful to His Word. He is faithful to u His People.

During this Advent Season, I hope for nothing more than the peace and joy of Christ to permeate my heart and my household. We get so sidetracked by this world and this life, and especially during this season. Let's make an effort to spend more time this December with family, celebrating and worshipping our Faithful God!! He is Emmanuel- He is WITH US and He is faithful.

"Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you establish the earth, and it endures." Psalm 119:90

Lauren's Little Lovies: A Merry Fluffy Christmas

Lauren's Little Lovies: A Merry Fluffy Christmas: "My Current Sponsors: Bippy Diapers Suburban Tree Hugger Ragababe Mom of Sasha Click-A-Doo Dipes Turtles in Bloom Peanut Pan..."