Vision Forum Coupon Code

Just wanted to pass along some savings to anyone that might want to take advantage of Vision Forum's $25 off coupon.  They don't send out the coupon codes very often.  I only have one coupon code, so it is "while supplies last".   The coupon code is good through February 28, so you will have to get your order in by Saturday.  Just type the following code in at the checkout...

853NG72278AC

Vision Forum (click here to use the coupon code)

Any day now I should be receiving the newest faith and freedom tour album, Let Freedom Ring.  I will be posting a review on it to let you all know what it contains and how great it is.  I have always wanted to go on one of their faith and freedom tours, but at the moment they are a bit out of our budget.  This is a great way to learn the history behind these great destinations, so that when we do get to visit them, we will have the background knowledge to make them even more interesting!

Wanted: Ergo Infant Insert

Prayer for My Mom

I shouldn't be surprised by God, but I am.  Just as he put it on my heart to lift up others and be more fervent in my prayers, He knew that I would have a need to do so.  My mother called this morning and let me know that her doctor had called her and let her know that she has breast cancer.  Here is my beautiful mother and sister, just a couple of months ago after the birth of my sister's baby girl.

My mother is my best friend.  When you live a military life, friends often come and go.  But no matter where I go in the world, she is always there.  I can't imagine living without her.  I pray that the Lord will heal her and let her live on this earth for a longer time.  Would you please join me in prayer?  My mother's name is Julia.

Be Fruitful and Multiply Part 2

Just as I started this "series" on being fruitful, I read a wonderful letter by Beall Phillips of Vision Forum.  I am by no means an expert on being fruitful, so I really enjoy reading what others have written on the subject.  When I decided to write on the subject, I was rather hestitant because I do know so little and even then have a hard time putting my thoughts into coherent sentences!  However, as I think back to all that I have read, I am encouraged most by women just like me who have a heart to let others know that the ways of this world are deceitful. 

Almost 2 years ago, I was working on the Vision Forum Treasure Hunt, when I first learned of a woman named Margaret Sanger.  This woman was a contemporary of Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini, and is responsible for more deaths than the 3 of them combined.  Her motives were much like those of these three men, and yet she executed her murders under the cover of deceit and lies.  Instead of the gas chamber or the machine gun, she hid under the cover of women's rights and feminism.  Her weapons of choice were the scalpel and a tiny pill.  She kept her own hands clean by propagating her ideas and thoughts, and selling her vision to a new generation of women that wanted to be free from the ties of home and children.  As founder of Planned Parenthood, Sanger pushed for acceptance of contraception, abortion, and sterilization.  The Latin meaning of contraception greatly describes Margaret Sanger, for she was against (contra) conception (conceptio), or the bringing forth of Life.  For a detailed look at Margaret Sanger, George Grant has written an excellent exposé entitled Killer Angel: A Biography of Planned Parenthood's Margaret Sanger.  You can download the free e-book by clicking on the link.

Winner of the Be Fruitful and Multiply Contest...
Because I only had 2 commentors on part 1 of Be Fruitful and Multiply, I am going to send you both a copy of the book.  Gloria and Charity, would you both send me a private message with your mailing addresses and I will get copies out to you both.

As a reminder, Vision Forum's Blessing of Children sale ends tomorrow, Feb. 10th.

Be Fruitful and Multiply Part 1

It seems that in my quest to ponder the path of my feet, I have researched topics only to set them aside for a while and let the information sink in.  Then some time later, I pick up where I left off and delve deeper into the subject.  Like most of you, I wasn't raised with the mindset that children are a blessing from the Lord.  I lived a very secular life, until by God's grace I was shown His ways. 

There are several blogs that I enjoy reading and I sometimes catch myself thinking that these women must be super human.  "I know she has 10 kids, but she is different...she is ________(fill in the blank: more patient, has more energy, has more time, her husband helps more, etc."  The truth is, we are all just human, with struggles and obstacles to overcome.  We all have desires, dreams and wishes.  And in reality, we are all just trying to be obedient to the Lord. 

There are many topics that I have found to be "touchy topics" with a lot of Christians.  No one wants to hear that the way they have chosen to live is wrong, or sinful, so it is politically correct to use the term "conviction".  The thinking goes like this, "the Lord convicts people in different areas of their lives to live certain ways, and if He hasn't convicted you in that area, it must be OK to live as you are."  There have been many times in my life where I have felt this way.  Here is what I have found though.  God's Word never changes.  He doesn't have a different set of standards for different people.  He does, however, offer grace right where you are and if you diligently seek His ways, He will lead you on the path He has laid out for you.

There have been many areas of my life that I have had to give over to the Lord.  I have been stubborn and prideful, and He has had to gently show my that His ways are so much better than mine.  Even though at the time, I felt justified in how I was living, looking back I can see that it wasn't in a way that honored the Lord.  I didn't "feel" sinful at the time, but now I can see that if was sinful.  It is easy to see in hindsight, but what about the here and now.  I think we really have to lean on the Lord and seek His guidance. 

Trust in Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknoledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Be Fruitful and Multiply Give Away
With that said, I wanted to do a blog series on being fruitful.  I recieved an email from Vision Forum with their newest sale items.  I am going to post a link at the bottom of this post, but I also wanted to have a give away.  Of the four items Vision Forum has on sale, I have only read Nancy Campbell's book Be Fruitful and Multiply.  I really enjoyed this book and it was such an eye-opener for me.  So I would like to bless someone else with a copy of this book.  Soooo, to enter the contest, just leave a comment with your name and I will draw a name Monday morning.  I hope to have another post in the series done by then as well.

Cloth Diapers Revisited

Funny how life goes in cycles...here we are back in cloth diapers.  Isaac is the second of my children to wear cloth diapers and the first to wear them from day one (we started using them with Hannah when she was a couple of months old).  In fact, he has never worn a disposable.  There was something so sweet about putting on that first diaper, snuggling him up close and feeling a soft padded bottom rather than crunchy sounding paper. 

I never thought I would even use cloth diapers, much less love them.  When I was 7, my youngest brother was born and I became the diaper hanger outer.  It wasn't too bad of a job to have, just glad I wasn't the diaper swoosher!  Seeing mom dip diapers in the toilet left a lasting impression.  When my oldest daughter was born, I felt an air of haughtiness as I thought to myself, "glad we can afford Huggies".   Not sure how it happened, but sometime during my fourth pregnancy I found out that I could use cloth diapers and not have to swoosh!

I decided to use Fuzzi Bunz for my daughter.  I know, they are pretty pricey.  But here is how I justified the cost...it was costing me $100 to buy Huggies and wipes.  If my baby was in diapers for 24 months, that would be $2400 out to the garbage.  At the time I bought my Fuzzi Bunz, they were much cheaper than they are now.  But I did just find out they came out with a one-size-fits-all Fuzzi Bunz, so that might be a more economical option.  We just bought 24 smalls for our newest little guy which cost a little under $400 (free shipping and free inserts).  I had mediums and larges from my daughter.  The medium diapers I had lent to a friend, so they have really gotten lots of use.  I think I probably paid about $400 for all my mediums and larges.  So for 2 children, I spent about $800 in cloth diapers saving $4000 over disposables (I would have spent $4800 on 2 children in diapers).  Not to mention I saved my friend a couple of thousand as well.  So for us, I didn't mind the cost especially since I don't have to swoosh the Fuzzi Bunz!

I did want to share what we use for wipes though.  I took fleece and cut it into sections that would fit in a wipe box.  At the time, I thought I would keep them in there already pre-moistened.  I have since found out it is easier just to keep them with the diapers, grab a couple when I get the diaper, and wet them at the sink (or have one of my young helpers do so).  They are thick enough that nothing gets through and the size is just right.  I have tried baby washclothes, but they seemed to thin.  Here is a picture of ours...

Here is the place where we get our diapers. They are a Christian family and we have had great service from them. I think they have a store in Houston, if anyone is in that area!

Introducing Baby Isaac

Isaac James
born December 5th, 2009
weighed 8 lbs 2oz (we think...more on that later)

More thoughts...

Thank you all for wonderful words of encouragement.  So many things run through your mind during times like these.  So many friends have commented on how strong my faith is and what an inspiration I am to them.  I don't feel like one at all.  I think to myself, "if they only knew the battle going on inside".  I know in my heart that my God is so good.  I try to dwell on vVerses such as:

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

There are just those time, though, where my heart ask why.  I think that the pain I feel is not so much from the loss of the baby (I am so comforted knowing my sweet baby is with Jesus).  The pain I feel comes in trusting the Lord, even during a time when it "feels" like He has forsaken me.  I know it doesn't compare, but I wonder if this is a glimpse into the how Christ felt on the cross.  I don't know if I should even make that comparison.  Surely my suffering cannot even begin to compare. 

I am realizing what a great purpose my child has served in it's short life and death.  The loss has sent me to the Word, digging, seaching for answers.  It has caused me to seek to know my God even deeper.  Sometimes I sit and ponder the Scriptures, but my finite mind cannot wrap itself around the infinite Glory of God. 

I believe I have written before that my husband and I have chosen to let the Lord plan our family - as many of you have.  When you are young and make this decision, you sometimes question your sanity in doing so.  I always thought that it would mean having a baby every nine months, and in no time at all I would be living in a shoe!  How gracious God has been in giving me just as many as I could handle, as just the perfect time.  I would admonish the younger women to be thankful for each child the Lord places in your womb, for you do not know the plans of the Lord.  He ultimately opens and closes the womb.  He gives and takes away.  Blessed be Your name!

Our Baby is with the Lord

Psalm 127

I know that this topic has been discussed time and again, and most of us are on the same page.  However, it just occured to me how many young women there are that may be reading our blogs and just beginning to understand the fruitful womb.  Anyhow, I have been pondering this passage and all that it entails, so I thought I would post my thoughts...

When I first read these verses, I was actually surprised.  I had heard the first verse many times...Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.  I had heard that verse applied over and over to the things we choose to do.  For example, if you are going to take a job, ask the Lord if it is the right job for you.  If you are going to start a new business, put the Lord first and make your decisions based on His guidance.  Now these are noble things to do, but when I read the entire Psalm, I was surprised at the context of this verse.  God is telling us that He wants to build our house (household). 

We can try and create our perfect family - 2.5 children and one dog, but we are laboring in vain.  We are planning and preventing to our own demise.  We are eating the bread of sorrows.  How many times do we spin our wheels trying to serve in different ministries, when the very heritage of the Lord is place in our loving care.  With each babe He places in our wombs, He is both entrusting us and rewarding us.  Let us be reminded of the prodigal son who squandered his inheritance.  How many times have we squandered our heavenly rewards in search of temporal happiness, convenience, neccessities?

As we look at the last verse, we see that happy is the man hath his quiver full of them [children].  How many makes a full quiver.  I think the answer is found back in verse 1, let the Lord build your house.  He has designed each man and intimately knows how many arrows it will take to fill his quiver.  For every young family who timidly asks themselves, "How can we handle the 15 kids we are going to have if we don't limit our family size?", there is another family hoping and praying, "Lord, how can we go on without the children we so desire?"  In both cases, the Lord offers the answer.  He wants to build our houses, so that we don't have to labor in vain.  He knows us and loves us and has plans to prosper us. 

Bloom Where You Are Planted

My sweet girl turns 5 today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE

Laugh for the Day

Diaper Duty -- cloth diapering

I am potty training my soon to be 2 year old, so I thought I had better post a bit about cloth diapers before they are out of sight, out of mind.  I was a very hesitant cloth diaper user.  If I would have had to slosh them around in the toilet, I would never have decided to use cloth (unless it was an absolute necessity).  I decided to use them for 2 basic reasons: one, the health of our babies, and two, the amount of money we save by using them.  I have really grown to love using cloth diapers.  My little girl is always so soft and snuggly, and her skin so smooth and healthy.  The material used to make disposable diapers so absorbant can get into babies urinary tract and cause all sorts of health problems.  Not to mention the smell it creates when mix with urine.  I had thought that the cloth diapers would be smelly, but as long as they are washed the same day they really don't smell.

I had also calculated how much we spent on disposables and wipes.  It came to appoximately $100 month for a new born.  Over a 2 year period, I estimated that we would spend appoximately $2000.  With my last child, I bought 2 sizes of Fuzzi Bunz (which can be used for the next baby, or resold on Ebay-great resale value) for approx. $500 and made my own cloth wipes from microfleece.  So, for 1 baby, I saved $1500, and if I have another baby, you can see how great the savings becomes!  Now I realize there are cheaper diapers out there, but the ease of use and the multisize ability of Fuzzi Bunz has worked well for me.

How to (a bit graphic in nature):
For a newborn - 15 to 18 diapers should last you 1-2 days.  Once the diapers are soiled, I place them in a plastic grocery bag on the back of my laundry room door.  They sell bags that your can put diapers in, and them throw in the wash, but I didn't splurg.  I wash my diapers once a day.  I know this sounds like a lot of extra washing, but it really isn't.  For one thing, there isn't much prep work, they are already by the washer, and two, they don't really require folding (I have a dishwashing tub on a shelf in my room, and I have one of the kids take them from the dryer to the tub and toss them in).  When I wash them, I pull the soakers out from them middle (Fuzzi Bunz are a pocket diaper) and toss both the diaper and the soakers into the washer, along with any cloth wipes.  Since a newborn's stools are usually runny, I don't try and remove anything before placing them in the washer.  I wash my diapers in the hot water cycle twice, adding a mild detergent for the second washing.  I then dry them on a low heat setting.
Toddler -- 12 to 15 diapers should last 1-2 day, although I do double up on the number of soakers I insert into the diaper.  Once stools become solid, I take them to the toilet and "shake" off as much as possible.  The washing directions are the same as above.

I didn't always use cloth diapers for my babies.  I wish someone I shown me how easy, and wonderful it could be...so natural and comforting.  As I am potty training my little one, I won't miss the extra work, but I will miss the diapers.  Hopefully God will bless us with another little one to pass these diapers along to!

Blessings!
Jasmine