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Every Advent season for several years, now, the Fecher family rotates between three Advent stories to read from each night of the season: Jotham's Journey, Bartholomew's Passage, and Tabitha's Travels, all by Arnold Ytreeide. This has become a favorite tradition. Depending on what's going on in our lives, the message from these stories affects us differently. This year, as we started Bartholomew's Passage, we were all amazed that God, in His Goodness and Wisdom, planned ahead so that we would be reading this particular story THIS season of our lives. I just wanted to share the devotion part from day 2 and I hope this encourages you as it did us:
"Storms come and storms go, but every once in a while comes a storm so big…
Is Bartholomew ready for the storm that has struck? Are we ready for the times that test us, tempt us, rip away the life we know and the ones we love?
We can be. God has promised us all his strength and all his love. He showed us, through Jesus, how to face the most terrible moments in life and still emerge victorious. We can’t do it on our own strength, of course. And we can’t do it by turning to him only when we want something. Se prepare ourselves by purposely building a relationship with him, trying to be the person he wants us to be, doing our best to love others as unselfishly as he loves us.
Building such a relationship with God is not an easy thing to do. But God took the first giant step by sending Jesus to teach us and demonstrate love for us. No, it’s not an easy thing to do, but when we finally decide to let go of our pride and our ego and our selfishness and allow God to teach us how to love, then we are ready for both the wonderful, happy times of life and the terrible storms as well.
‘I will never leave you or forsake you,’ God said. That’s a promise you can count on during the Advent season – and every day for the rest of your life."
God bless all of you this Christmas season! We love you all!
Hugs in Him,
Michelle
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
RE: President Elect Barack Obama
Now, don’t panic. Now is not the time to panic…aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Seriously folks, it’s time for a Word from our Sponsor…from Romans 9:
"What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’
It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh (or Obama, as the case may be): ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’
Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
One of you will say to me: ‘Then why does God still blame us? For who resists he will?’ But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath –prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory know to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory – even us, whom he also called, not whom he prepared in advance for glory – even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?"
The plagues in Egypt were not for the Egyptians, but for the Israelites. Egypt was about to be plundered and her glory was coming to an end. It was for Israel, the object of God’s mercy, that Pharaoh was established, and it’s for us, the object of God’s mercy, that Obama has been established. Here at the Fecher estate, we’ve made
2 Cor. 5:9 our family verse, "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." That’s our concern, our "worry," in a nutshell – to please God. No worries – God is in control!
God Bless,
Michelle
Seriously folks, it’s time for a Word from our Sponsor…from Romans 9:
"What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’
It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh (or Obama, as the case may be): ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’
Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
One of you will say to me: ‘Then why does God still blame us? For who resists he will?’ But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath –prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory know to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory – even us, whom he also called, not whom he prepared in advance for glory – even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?"
The plagues in Egypt were not for the Egyptians, but for the Israelites. Egypt was about to be plundered and her glory was coming to an end. It was for Israel, the object of God’s mercy, that Pharaoh was established, and it’s for us, the object of God’s mercy, that Obama has been established. Here at the Fecher estate, we’ve made
2 Cor. 5:9 our family verse, "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." That’s our concern, our "worry," in a nutshell – to please God. No worries – God is in control!
God Bless,
Michelle
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Stopping in
In the midst of cleaning/ de-cluttering, seasonal switchover for 11 children (glad the older ones handle their own for the most part), and getting ready for a busy June, I found myself drawn here using time I should be getting things done. I miss blogging. I need the therapy and should probably come back for regular sessions as I feel like I have something to say and someone might be interested! :o) Sorry, was that too pathetic. JK
I have my email window open, my Creative Memories Network open, HSB, and I'm hopping between the three as I research Ausperger's Syndrome and Bi-Polar disorder and maybe excorcism in regards to a child of mine. Anyone interested in that "living with a rebel" blog? Well, as I told a friend earlier this week, we're hanging in there but I'd rather be soaring as with wings of eagles.
I hope to get back here soon!
I have my email window open, my Creative Memories Network open, HSB, and I'm hopping between the three as I research Ausperger's Syndrome and Bi-Polar disorder and maybe excorcism in regards to a child of mine. Anyone interested in that "living with a rebel" blog? Well, as I told a friend earlier this week, we're hanging in there but I'd rather be soaring as with wings of eagles.
I hope to get back here soon!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
PREOCCUPIED
So I’ve been preoccupied. I have a lot I could blog about but I’ve put it off, as I’ve mentioned many times before, waiting until I get the nerve to be honest. "Honest about what?" you wonder. Well…honest about the fact that I cannot offer a blog about how to be the amazing Christian homeschooling mom of many who has it all together and can show you how, too. Honest about the fact that I cannot inspire you to live a perfect life by my perfect example. Honest about how homeschooling will not prevent you from having rebellion in your home.
So, I’ve decided to offer a portion of what has had me preoccupied and not at my "blog post." Some time ago, I posted about "Fitzilla," http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Zookeeperof10/321887/ my second oldest. We’ve decided that, besides a spiritual imbalance, there must be a chemical imbalance. I don’t know if one causes the other, if they’re both one and the same, but I know this child, this young woman, needs help. Dweller-of-the-Crag (that’s what Craig means and we like the idea that his name means "lives in the Rock") and I have held on to our faith and trust that God made us her parents and we are, somehow, equipped to help her. Well, we try to hold onto that. But we sure do feel inadequate.
Anyhoo, I’m considering starting another blog dedicated to just this subject so other moms-of-rebels can come together and figure this thing out. Does anybody know of any other blog like that? I’ve found the funny ones, the inspirational ones, the here’s-how-to-homeschool-the-right-way blogs (gag me), the "here’s what I fixed for dinner and can you believe American Idol last night?!" blogs (puleez), and others with various struggles yet have courage to inspire you i.e. the gals with cancer, children who have died or are handicapped, etc. But is there anyone else struggling to do the right thing for their troubled youth while holding together their precious family?? And have time for them, and do laundry, and feed them, and plan birthday parties, and sleep????
Well, up until 8pm last night, Fitzilla was planning on leaving home. Grandpa was already on his way to pick her up and give us some time so we could have break and figure things out. She was bound and determined to move in with some friends but, out of the blue, asked if it was too late to change her mind. She wanted to stay. I was confused before but now…I’m pretty loopy.
Well, let me know if you know of anybody else dealing with this. This is so draining. I have cried more in the last 2 weeks than I did when my brother died. The heartbreak is, well, must be what God feels when we turn against Him. Father God, forgive me when I have rebelled against You! I’m sorry I made you feel this way. In Christ, Amen.
So, I’ve decided to offer a portion of what has had me preoccupied and not at my "blog post." Some time ago, I posted about "Fitzilla," http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Zookeeperof10/321887/ my second oldest. We’ve decided that, besides a spiritual imbalance, there must be a chemical imbalance. I don’t know if one causes the other, if they’re both one and the same, but I know this child, this young woman, needs help. Dweller-of-the-Crag (that’s what Craig means and we like the idea that his name means "lives in the Rock") and I have held on to our faith and trust that God made us her parents and we are, somehow, equipped to help her. Well, we try to hold onto that. But we sure do feel inadequate.
Anyhoo, I’m considering starting another blog dedicated to just this subject so other moms-of-rebels can come together and figure this thing out. Does anybody know of any other blog like that? I’ve found the funny ones, the inspirational ones, the here’s-how-to-homeschool-the-right-way blogs (gag me), the "here’s what I fixed for dinner and can you believe American Idol last night?!" blogs (puleez), and others with various struggles yet have courage to inspire you i.e. the gals with cancer, children who have died or are handicapped, etc. But is there anyone else struggling to do the right thing for their troubled youth while holding together their precious family?? And have time for them, and do laundry, and feed them, and plan birthday parties, and sleep????
Well, up until 8pm last night, Fitzilla was planning on leaving home. Grandpa was already on his way to pick her up and give us some time so we could have break and figure things out. She was bound and determined to move in with some friends but, out of the blue, asked if it was too late to change her mind. She wanted to stay. I was confused before but now…I’m pretty loopy.
Well, let me know if you know of anybody else dealing with this. This is so draining. I have cried more in the last 2 weeks than I did when my brother died. The heartbreak is, well, must be what God feels when we turn against Him. Father God, forgive me when I have rebelled against You! I’m sorry I made you feel this way. In Christ, Amen.
Monday, March 24, 2008
KNOCK, KNOCK. ANYBODY HOME?
It’s been about 4 months since I’ve been here. I’m not sure why I’m dropping by or if I’ll make it back anytime soon. I know I’ve wanted to say hi to some kind folks and I’ve been asked where I’ve been. I find writing very therapeutic and the sharing, the affirmation, the likeminded friends have been missed. Maybe I’ll try again but I can’t seem to find the time and I am SUCH a procrastinator. I keep putting off email and blogging until I have 2 free hands to type with – it’s SO much easier and faster. Isaiah has gotten so big and likes to help type when he nurses. He’s snoozing right now so we’re good until he’s done then I’ll need self-discipline to stop and put him to bed then get on with business.
Another huge hiccup the previous months was I managed to get a part in a play, believe it or not. That sucked the time right off of the calendar. I’ll blog about that later if I make it back. Anyhoo, that was an amazing fun time but I didn’t have spare time to begin with.
The final straw that broke my blogging back was my lousy dial-up internet provider besides getting slower than it already was, started this nasty habit of closing down whenever I would have more than one window open or have certain websites open such as HSB. It also shuts down my favorite cake idea website, several blogs, 2 favorite recipe resources, and several others I use for homeschooling. I was thinking of moving to Blogspot before this started so I can post photos without my whole post getting rearranged but this situation may force the matter.
I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Did it come to early for anyone else? We "accidentally" booked ourselves for working a birthday party on Saturday without realizing it was the day before Easter so the day was spent mostly on that and NOT on traditional Easter activities. The little kids got gypped and I was also up until 2am prepping for our family gathering at my FIL’s on Sunday. AND while a lot of folks were making their bi-annual visit to church, we had to play hooky in order to get ready. Whine. We had a nice day even though it snowed at one point! On Easter! The nerve! The kids road ATVs and got covered in mud. I’ll decide after laundry if I’ll be the "stick in the mud" and demand dry ground for future rides. Even 4 y.o. Autumn got to ride with Daddy and liked it FAST. Does anyone else have the problem at family gathering of some dipstick turning on the TV? I loathe that. You can watch TV at home! Play! Visit! Talk to somebody, for crying out loud! My 18 y.o. happened to be the first dipstick to turn on the TV though she knows I despise that so I had to make, yet another, rule and declare that no child of mine shall turn on the TV at a gathering. I should write my own rulebook and sell it so new moms will have a head start.
Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake, news at 11.
Feeling rather blah, sorry if I sound it. I’ll try to make my rounds and visit!
Have a great week!
Another huge hiccup the previous months was I managed to get a part in a play, believe it or not. That sucked the time right off of the calendar. I’ll blog about that later if I make it back. Anyhoo, that was an amazing fun time but I didn’t have spare time to begin with.
The final straw that broke my blogging back was my lousy dial-up internet provider besides getting slower than it already was, started this nasty habit of closing down whenever I would have more than one window open or have certain websites open such as HSB. It also shuts down my favorite cake idea website, several blogs, 2 favorite recipe resources, and several others I use for homeschooling. I was thinking of moving to Blogspot before this started so I can post photos without my whole post getting rearranged but this situation may force the matter.
I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Did it come to early for anyone else? We "accidentally" booked ourselves for working a birthday party on Saturday without realizing it was the day before Easter so the day was spent mostly on that and NOT on traditional Easter activities. The little kids got gypped and I was also up until 2am prepping for our family gathering at my FIL’s on Sunday. AND while a lot of folks were making their bi-annual visit to church, we had to play hooky in order to get ready. Whine. We had a nice day even though it snowed at one point! On Easter! The nerve! The kids road ATVs and got covered in mud. I’ll decide after laundry if I’ll be the "stick in the mud" and demand dry ground for future rides. Even 4 y.o. Autumn got to ride with Daddy and liked it FAST. Does anyone else have the problem at family gathering of some dipstick turning on the TV? I loathe that. You can watch TV at home! Play! Visit! Talk to somebody, for crying out loud! My 18 y.o. happened to be the first dipstick to turn on the TV though she knows I despise that so I had to make, yet another, rule and declare that no child of mine shall turn on the TV at a gathering. I should write my own rulebook and sell it so new moms will have a head start.
Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake, news at 11.
Feeling rather blah, sorry if I sound it. I’ll try to make my rounds and visit!
Have a great week!
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