Off The Grid News Article: Learning To Be Thankful In Hard Times

Every November for the last fifteen years, I have read William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation. And every year I'm blown away by this classic Pilgrim story. Written with intelligence and a keen wit, Governor Bradford chronicles the journey from England to Holland, back to England and finally to America with a small band of very determined Christians. These Puritan folks endured persecution and arrests from the established Church of England, as well as the harshest conditions imaginable as they made their voyage and then established Plymouth Colony. Sickness was common during the crossing and conditions only got worse when they landed. But despite freezing conditions, disease and starvation, the survivors always carried a most thankful spirit. The book is an easy read and very inspiring. This year I decided I would read Winthrop's Journal instead. It's John Winthrop's actual blow-by-blow account as he made the pilgrimage to America ten years after the Plymouth colony was established. Winthrop founded the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1630 and, like the Pilgrims, you can't help but be amazed at the continual state of thanksgiving despite incredibly hard times. Check out these journal entries in the year 1630: - Friday, 2.] The Talbot arrived there [Charlton Harbor]. She had lost fourteen passengers. My son, Henry Winthrop, was drowned at Salem. - Thursday, 8.] We kept a day of thanksgiving in all the plantations. And then in the next year, after numerous lives were lost at sea getting supplies to the colony: - January 18.] The provision, which came to us this year, came at excessive rates, in regard of the dearness of corn in England, so as every bushel of wheat-meal stood us in fourteen shillings, peas eleven shillings, etc. - January 22.] We held a day of thanksgiving for this ship's arrival, by order from the governor and council, directed to all the plantations. Okay, quick review. The guy loses his son and the response a few days later is thanksgiving. In January of the next year, provisions (seeds of all things) show up late and at highly inflated prices, and what's the response? Thanksgiving. I often wonder how modern Americans would respond if put in these stark, early colonial conditions. It seems that much of the American attitude today is characterized by a spirit of entitlement rather than a spirit of thanksgiving. If we're going to change America, we have to change it not only in the body politic, but primarily in the hearts and minds of the American people. We must restore a permanent sense of thanksgiving, despite the circumstances we find ourselves in. Here's the thing: In addition to enjoying the benefits and wonders of our relationship with God, can we also learn to thank Him for the difficult times that He sometimes gives us? Interestingly, many of David's psalms of lament actually end up with remarkable thanksgiving and praise. The Bible is indeed full of reminders that God's blessings do not remove trials and hard times. In fact, our difficulties may often increase as we are so blessed. In the book of Exodus, God blessed the Israelites greatly with safe passage through the Red Sea. And yet, after a few days journey in the wilderness, they were already out of water. This presented a new opportunity to feel either entitled to water or to demonstrate faith and thanksgiving, despite how thirsty they may have been. As we prepare for hard times ahead, it would do us all well to look to the example of those who remained faithful and thankful no matter what the situation in which they found themselves.

Excerpt taken from Off the Grid News and was written by Bill Heid

What A Blessing . . . . Christian Friends

Our kids with Eric and Kristen's kids. (not using the kids names on here!)

Oh, the kids thought this was SUPER one BIG slumber party! 6 kids in one room!

Getting ready to say goodbye after a wonderful visit.

On Monday of this week our super wonderful friends from Washington state came for a visit! We were all thrilled to have them come and for us to get to spend time with them. Kristen and I met when we where both pregnant with our first and our husbands were going to be deploying on the same boat. We were deployment buddies and went through the joyful and hard together. Kristen is a sister in Christ that I greatly respect and she sharpens me. She is a doer and she has such a humility and love for her Lord. I am thankful I can call her my friend and thankful for how she has sharpened me.

Eric and Kristen's children are so sweet and fun. My kids just love them. After they left Gabriel commented that it was nice that they "believed like we do". How true, it is very refreshing to be around people that have such similar values and beliefs!!

Another thing to be thankful for this week: Time with Good Friends!

Thanks Kristen for taking the effort to come see us!!

Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation-1863

"The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God . . . No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. . ."

Even a Child is Know by His Doings . . .

Tonight we were at Costco for pizza and I had my hands full with Carson. I sent Annalina to go get some napkins and Ross wanted to go with her. The 2 of them were off on their mission. A few minutes later they were back with napkins, straws, etc. After they got back a lady came up to me and said she wanted to tell me what the kids were doing when they were getting the things. UH, OH what happened??? She said that Annalina was "SO PATIENT " and that she was instructing Ross on what to do/not to do like not putting the straws done because it wasn't clean. She also said Ross was being so careful about counting correctly and hence counted many times! She was impressed and wanted to let me know how they had acted when I wasn't watching. I thanked her for telling me!

It was a great real life lesson for the kids that "even a child is known by his doings"! I talked to them about that and how they didn't even know this lady was watching but she was. If Annalina had been impatient and Ross had been belligerant in listening to Annalina's advice that lady would not have been impressed and would not have thought they were any different than usual. We want to show people that we have Jesus and that there is something different because of HIM.

2 Corinthians 4:7&10

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

And the Next Celebrity Chef is . . .

ROSS!! No not really. Today when I took Ross to his Toddling Gourmet cooking class we got there early before the other kids. The teacher said "I have been meaning to tell you something . . .

" She said that besides cooking she mixes up the curriculum and she purchases cooking toys for the kids to pretend play. She was SO IMPRESSED with Ross. She said when he pretends (like saying . . . and next we put in . . .) she said it is not just what he says but how he says things while pretending to cook she thought he could end up being a celebrity chef!! She is an older lady and she said she was trying to figure out her age compared to Ross' to see if she would live to see it! Then she seriously said she thought that she "hoped he'd remember her"!

We knew Ross was a very good communicator. He is very similar to his Uncle Ben! I think he picked up the cooking bug from Auntie Theo making corn dog muffins! As for the celebrity chef thing I just want to see him love and serve the Lord with all his heart. It honestly doesn't matter if he is a celebrity chef, trash collector, missionary, etc. as long as he is in God's will and seeking Him. It will be a joy to see what all the kids grow up to be! Right now I want them home with me though!! I know I will miss the noise someday!

Loving Trouble!

Carson is just at that age where he is into EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING. He actually might even beat Ross for trouble at that age which is saying ALOT!! Yesterday was a particularly bad day with him getting into things he shouldn't. Carson and I were sitting on the rocking chair and Annalina came up put her face up to Carson's and said "Even though your Trouble I still love you." And surprise, Carson responded to her "I wu oo"! I have heard him try to say it before but never that well! Then we tried to get him to say it again and he said "wu oo" and Gabriel heard it and came!

Actually, that reminds me of Monday when Ross was doing school and he read his first two words for me and Gabriel and Annalina {in happiness} dog piled him and Gabriel kept saying "He's growing up! He's growing up!}

Everything by Prayer . . . Let your requests be be made known unto God

The other night the kids had been put to bed and at least an hour went by and Annalina got up to go to the bathroom but as she was on her way she stopped and talked to us and I said to Brian that it seemed like she had never gone to sleep. She seemed really awake. The next morning before breakfast she was quietly sitting on the rocking chair and usually she would flitting around playing, etc. As I started preparing for breakfast she came to me and asked to tell me something and pulled my head down and whispered in my ear "I want to fast for Grandma Ames" {Grandma is 90 and not saved}. I was surprised! I told her she could fast for that meal only because she is so little. She went to her room and I went and prayed with her for Grandma and then Daddy did and told her she could just come out with the rest of us when she was done praying and she did! Later in the day I found out she had been laying awake the night before because she said she was praying about if she should fast.

What a tender heart. She is a prayer warrior for Grandma Ames and it has touched my heart listening to her speak to her heavenly Father about Grandma's salvation and that she "wants to see her in heaven".

Sub Club--Bible Club

Quite awhile ago I mentioned that the kids had their own Bible Club they started called "Sub Club". They do their club on Saturdays and Gabriel is the leader. I have seen him after school with his Bible open preparing for a Sub Club day. Now he prepares age appropriate worksheets for the other kids. Annalina's worksheets have fill in the blanks and Ross's have draw a picture or draw a line to, etc. A new addition to their club time is saving money for people in ministry (missionaries, pastors, etc.)

Awhile back Ross told me a great truth (I wish I could remember what it was!) and I was surprised and happy he knew it. I asked him where he learned that and he said from Sub Club! Then very recently Ross quoted me Scripture Gabriel taught him in Sub Club! I was very happy! I am thrilled to see Gabriel take an interest in teaching his siblings truths of Scriptures. I am also glad to see the respect the younger siblings have for Gabriel's teaching of the Bible!

Gabriel sets a good example. Annalina wanted to start reading her Bible because Gabriel reads his. He has been working on reading through the Bible for almost a year now. It is a thrill to me to hear both of them mention what they are reading or have read! The other night she wanted to show Gabriel how much she read! I thought that was great!

Washington's Lady--by Elswyth Thane

I really enjoyed this book even though at the end I was REALLY working hard to fight back my tears as his wife struggled through the process of his death and remembering their life together.

The things that impressed me in the book were Martha's strength and resolve to help her husband to do what he felt called to do despite the amazingly hard road it took them on. I was also impressed with Washington's tender heart to his family (extended family even). He was a very busy man but took the time to write even to young relatives about things some people might have considered trivial [see quotes below for examples] but he was so kind and gracious. The biggest thing I walked away with was the OBVIOUS hand of God on Washington and Martha Washington's life. Washington lived through so much danger and disease. It struck me as I read how many friends and family they saw die in their life on earth! So many children and young adults just didn't live long in those days and then throw into that all the war and conflict he was in! It was so apparent God preserved Washington for the leading of this fledgling country and his wife to support he so he could hold up under the stress. He would call for Martha to come and stay at times with him and she could hear the gun fire, drums, etc.

What I wish had been more emphasized in the book was their faith. Also, THIS IS NOT AN EASY READ BOOK and is NOT a novel. What I did is when the historical or relational parts of the book got to confusing to follow I just kept reading instead of trying to understand every aspect of what was being said. The purpose was not for me to get lots of history anyway but to glean from the character of the Washington's, especially from Martha, since she is a woman. Although we glean our strength and wisdom from God I believe there is growth in reading of those that walked this earth in honor and strength of character.

QUOTES FROM THE BOOK

TAKEN FROM THE WASHINGTON'S CORRESPONDENCE

AND ABIGAIL ADAMS CORRESPONDENCE

Washington wrote this to a young relation of his (by marriage) to Eliza Custis who was jealous because her younger sister was getting married and he wanted to warn her about rushing into a relationship because she was to eager--

"Love is a mighty pretty thing, . . . but . . . is too dainty a food to live upon alone, and ought not to be considered farther than as a necessary ingredient for the matrimonial happiness which results from a combination of causes; none of which are greater than that the object on whom it is placed should possess good sense, good disposition, and the means of supporting you in the way you have been brought up . . . ."

Washington wrote this to to Nelly (Martha's son's daughter) because she had written to him and told him about going to a ball in Georgetown (her first ball) and "never to give herself a moment's uneasiness on account of any of them "(speaking of the men). She took pride in her lack of interest. Wise Washington wrote this letter back to her:

"Let me touch a little now on your Georgetown ball, " . . . and happy, thrice happy, for the fair who were assembled on the occasion, that there was a man to spare; for had there been 79 ladies and only 78 gentlemen, there might, in the course of the evening, have been some disorder among the caps; notwishstanding the apathy which one of the company entertains for the youth of the present day . . . . A hint here; men and women feel the same inclination to each other now that they always have done, and which they will continue to do . . . Do not, therefore, boast too soon or too strongly of your insensibility to, or resistance of, its powers. In the composition of the human frame there is a good deal of inflammable matter, however dormant it may lie for a time, and like an intimate acquaintance of yours, when the torch is put to it that which is within you may burst into a blaze;

Abigail Adams speaking of Mrs. Washington--". . . .Mrs. Washington is one of those characters who create love and esteem. A most becoming pleasantness sits upon her countenance and an unaffected deportment which renders her the object of veneration and respect . . . . I found myself much more deeply impressed than I ever did before their Majesties of Britain . . . "

Abigail Adams speaking of Mrs. Washington--"She is plain in her dress, but that plainness is the best of every art, . . . She is in mourning. Her hair is white, her teeth are beautiful, her person is rather short than otherwise, hardly so large as my ladyship, and if I was to speak sincerely, I think she is a much better figure. Her manners are modest and unassuming, dignified and feminine, not the tincture of hauteur about her.. . . Thus you have an account of my first appearance."

Isn't Reading Wonderful?

Another book that we all absolutely LOVED!! I assured Gabriel that is was not to girly and the story had a villian! The kids enjoyed this story so much that as I read there would just be commotion because they were so excited! I saw tears, heard laughing and yelling as the kids put themselves into this story. They were even talking today about what could have possibly happened to Melchisedec the rat!! The book also brought up discussions about how we are to act both internally and externally when people are cruel to us. I know the kids will read this book on their own again.

Super Good Devotional

We actually finished this devotional awhile back but I am now getting around to posting about it. I found Choosing Self-Control on Christian Book Distributers web sight. It was a very good purchase!! I am very impressed with this children's devotional that I just ordered Choosing Obedience. It is Bible based (as a devotional should be!), detailed yet to the point, interesting and keeps their attention. I am looking forward to going through another one!

Power of Words

Today we took the kids with us for my periodontic appt. which unfortunately ended with my surgery, to get my gums repaired, scheduled the end of November! No really, I need to be thankful I can get them repaired! I have to keep reminding myself this is a blessing though! I think of LOTS of money and discomfort. Again, BLESSING, BLESSING, BLESSING!!! My hubby takes extremely good care of me. On that note, I have to brag on my hubby. I told him tonight one thing that is so amazing about him is that he is the leader of our family and doesn't get led around by his wife :-) but he is willing to admit when he was wrong about something. I know why though and that is because he wants to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

Anyway, while I was back with the doctor the receptionist asked if the kids wanted to watch a video about animals going to the dentist. Annalina and Ross thought this sounded fun so they went to a room just across the hall. Babe and Gabriel could hear the conversation as the lady was getting it set up. She started having troubles getting the computer to work correctly and then the cuteness . . . "My big brother Gabriel is an expert at computers!"--said Ross. Gabriel, listening from the other side of the hall, thought that was just great and put a BIG smile on his face!! Babe said Gabriel started laughing and when Gabriel told me the story later he had a huge smile on his face!! Words hold so much power in them.

Amazing Baby!!

What makes this video AMAZING is that I did NOT show him how to do this (obviously he's been watching me) or ask him to do this! By the time I got to the kitchen he had already emptied the silverware out of the dishwasher and put it in the silverware drawer AND shut the drawer!!! It was obvious he had done it and not the other kids because the silverware was just randomly thrown in there since he can't see high enough to know where to put it!

He was putting the other items on the island which is the only place he could reach beside the silverware drawer! Eventually, when the other kids came to watch they would move the plates, cups, etc. back further on the counter so he would have space to put more! He ended up emptying the whole dishwasher except for one pot and some sippee cup stoppers!! After that I put a chair up to the counter and he crawled up and handed me the dishes as I put them away from the counter!! I know I am biased but that is one amazing 18 month old! :-)

He is so funny because he isn't into toys very much except for ones he perceives as "grown up" like his toy vacuum, cell phone, toy guns, toy swords, etc. In fact, he is so often pulling out the broom that we bought him a child sized broom for Christmas!