Sunday, July 31, 2011

Make Someone Smile Today.


I thought this was a cute idea.  (It’s free here.)  It reminded me today to say encouraging words to those around me, especially Steve and my children.
And, by the way, YOU each brighten my day...thank you!
Blessed Sunday to you each.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

We Love This Day

IMG_7037 by shassoldt
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This day that the LORD provided green beans from our favorite local farmer.  Wonderful beans that we will can and enjoy all winter.  We couldn’t do this last year, and boy, did we miss them!
"Thank you, Father God, for the harvest that Your earth gives to us.”
(And yes, I will still be thankful tonight, when Steve and I are pulling the last cans out the canner to cool - around 11:00 p.m.)

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Feeling

 I’m feeling a little like this right now.
 But I’m choosing to rest on my Heavenly Fathers shoulders.  
“What is my dream of God’s purpose?  His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now.  If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God.  ... that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea.  It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God.
God’s end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now.  If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present; if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious.
Oswald Chambers
Mark 6:48 “...and about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea."

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Some Have Asked....

who we used for the packages that went to our children in China.  We used Red Thread China to order our packages through.  I have loved working with them.  They were wonderful about getting an update on our children.  Of course, that depends on the orphanage that the children are in.  
So, I just wanted to let ya’ll know, in case anyone else is wondering also.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

I Know!!!!

I know my excitement is a little off the chart, but I just think these care packages are so stinkin’ cute!
And I can hardly wait till my little ones are holding these love gifts in their little hands.
 And I can hardly wait to receive new pictures of them receiving these love gifts from us. 
 And I can hardly keep myself from checking my inbox every little bit (I’m not going to tell you how often...LOL)...

looking for our Letter of Acceptance.  I know, I know...
I am totally acting like a “pregnant” moma ready for her babies to be here.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Ready For That Confession?

Remember the beginning of my confession from last Monday? which was encouraged when I began to read Large Family Logistics.  However, the below has nothing to do with having a small family or a large family.  It has to do with...
well, I hope you’ll keep reading and be encouraged.  
Here are some of the things that I felt the LORD was telling me about managing our home, our school, and well, just all of US.  It’s time for me to re-focus and get serious. 

“Yet, if at any stage of life you feel you’re ‘flying by the seat of your pants,’ taking each day as it comes without having anticipated it, planned for it, shaped it, and prayed over it, then take time off and get back to poring over your goals.  Then you will control your days, instead of letting them control you.” Anne Ortlund. 
The Bible reminds me that “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Prov. 29:18 
I’ve lost my “vision” and am “scattered” much like sheep scatter without the care of a shepherd. (Mark 6:24).  And my home and family are also somewhat “scattered” because I have unclear and undefined goals for myself, for the children, our home, etc..  Yes, we had to go some what auto-pilot when we had so many little ones the same age, and were fighting Corbin’s asthma so often.  However, I feel the LORD is nudging me back to a “Plan Of Care”.  
Also, I have been convicted that I have become lazy - idle - sluggish.  I have fed this idleness long enough now that it has become a habit.  


But I’m committed to turning this around.  I’m committed because the LORD has made me a “Shepherdess” to my little flock.  Study Ezekiel 34:1-24 about how seriously the LORD feels about the Shepherds of Israel not caring for the children of God.  Instead they looked only after their own comforts and their own pleasures.  
I long to be faithful in tending to my family and home.  I am reminding myself that love is a choice and a commitment.  So, “what I feel like” doing doesn’t dictate what I do each day.  Jesus “went about doing good” in Acts 10:38, and I am to follow His example here in my ministry.  I must also be faithful, skillful and diligent in my daily work.  
The ministry of meal making is a priority that I must be mindful of.  One of the things the LORD said to the Shepherds of Israel in Ezekiel 34 is “Should not shepherds feed the sheep?”  I am to practically care for the health of my family.  To do that I must not be lazy about my menus.  I need to plan ahead and look to wherever is necessary to feed my family well within the budget constraints that we have.
I am praying and seeking His goals to “make the best use of the time” (Eph. 5:16).  And I pray that as wives and mothers, daughters and sisters, we will seek the LORD for wisdom and thank Him daily for the very precious ministry He has given to us.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Here’s My Something

I really wanted to wait to show you this till the comments were fixed because I wanted to hear all your sweet words again...I miss you guys.  Alexis is fixing it (today? I hope).  But I absolutely can’t wait anymore.  Oh, and by the way, I decided that Monday’s Confession will wait till next Monday... don’t miss it!


Look what we got.....


Do you see his little arm around his new sister?  
We received these updated pictures a few days ago.  They are doing great it seems.  They will be receiving a care package from us any day now and will finally find out that they have a family coming for them.  I am praying that our LOA comes soon!!!
If your just dying to tell me how adorable they are email me!!!!!!!
shassoldt@msn.com

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

I HAVE...

something to show you...be watching...I can’t wait...

Monday, July 18, 2011

There’s Nothing Like A Good Confession

And this is nothing like a good confession - ha-ha.
Yesterday I was finally shaken from an emotional fog I have been in.  I’ll come back to that in a minute...
I tend to manage my home from a “what needs done right now” position.  I have always been like that and really it has worked pretty wonderful for me.  I have felt like I might not be doing the best I should do as a home maker on several occasions because I wasn’t using some kind of time management schedule like other women.  I tried several wonderful time management systems that have been on the market.  But inevitably I spent more time planning the system than using it.  It just wasn’t quite how I roll.  So I would quite and go back to my way.


As more children came into our home, I had to learn to manage more and better.  Laundry day is Monday and doesn’t stop till it’s done; which could last a day or two.  Meal planning became a huge must.  I needed to plan the children’s chores better.  We have loved My Job Chart for this; well, except for the child who is like me.  I have really had to create and follow our home school schedule to keep that on track.  And things seemed to be rolling along with the normal bumps.  
However, somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew that I have been “loosing” it...
I have felt more flustered, frustrated, forgetful, confused, stressed, and scattered.  And, honestly, it HAS been hard with three children who are the same age (Corbin, Alia, Joeliana) and Aiden.  There have been MANY survival days (O.K. - may be months...years?).  And I have learned enough to know that life is like that sometimes.  


I bought the book Large Family Logistics hoping that there might be a few helpful ideas, yet also hoping it wasn’t going to be just another management system that I can’t make work.  I finally decided to give it a go yesterday.  I’m glad that I did because the LORD really began to convict me of some heart issues I have taken on.  
And, I know this is kinds cruel of me, but you will have to wait for my actual heart felt confession till later (LOL)...


And I know that my comments system is still not working.  If you want to email me feel free to until my comments work again
shassoldt@msn.com

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Testing...comments?

Still trying to figure out my comments.....
I think that I don’t like messing with this computer programing stuff...

Help??

I took off the Disqus commenting system ...
and now I can’t get blogger to put back up the old commenting system.
Anyone know what to do to fix this
email - shassoldt@msn.com

Friday, July 15, 2011

I’ve Never Seen This Before

 Eleven children, and I can say that I have never seen this.
 Keshawn cut his finger today so we put a band aid on it.
 He HATED the band aid and kept crying for it to come off.  
 I didn’t want it off because his finger was still bleeding.
 After taking off 4 band aids I decided it wasn’t worth it anymore. 
Goodness, I hope he never gets a really bad cut!


I am really “mind busy” thinking of next years school year and what it will look like.  Besides Kalyn (high school), Caresse (Jr. High), Kiana (3/4 grade), Landon (3/4 grade), Garett (3rd grade), I need to add Joeliana, Alia, and Corbin (1st grade).  And of course, I have no idea where Asher and Noelani will be in the education process when they get home, but I’m assuming I will be starting over mostly.  NOW, without knowing the LORD’s help is sure, I would be thinking “This is impossible for me to do”.  However, I really do like teaching my children and year after year I have found the LORD faithful in showing me what to do.  We really need to keep cost down this year, so I am also praying through that.  
Happy weekend everyone.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

A Whole Lota Rain And Cuteness

 We had A LOT of rain last night, which was much better than the night before when we were hiding out in the basement during a tornado warning and praying the hail didn’t hurt anything.  It was kind of funny watching this river flow through the back yard.  Thankful though nothing was hurt.
 Which was NOT the case for Connie and her family.  Please keep them in prayer as they assess the damage to their home and crop from a storm that hit them last night.


 I’m not sure what it is, but I never get over the absolute cuteness of a non-reading baby sitting with a book “reading” to themselves.  Is he not a whole lot a cuteness or what?  LOL
It’s good that they are all so cute (I think so anyway), because I was having a “conversation” with myself today that went something like this:
“These two boys (who fight all the time) are going to be the end of me.”
“But the LORD will give me the strength and wisdom to mother them.”
“I could write a story called “Raising Aiden”, you know, like “Raising Cain”, but not, because he’s not Cain, but my goodness, he’s takes a lot of _____ (fill in the blank with “patience, constant patience, ABUNDANT, never ending patience...yea, the last one).
“Lord help me to speak with patient kindness today.  I am sure that I will have MANY opportunities to practice it.”
Well, there’s a look into my mind...scary?  Not as scary as seeing the pee come out of the baby’s all ready saturated diaper as he is standing on the kitchen stool, trying to grab a towel to catch the river before it splatters all over the floor, while at the same time pull the diaper off, and too late, realize there was poop in that thing too which is now gooping down in the pee river.  I know, now I need to ask your forgiveness for that word picture that will stay with you all day.
Remember though, I love ya’ll. 

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

That I May Know Him

I SEE my sin and weaknesses,
but I KNOW that He is faithful to forgive my sins - I John 1:9.

I SEE pain and hurt in the ones I love,
but I KNOW that He sees us, has compassion on us, and heals us - Matthew 14:14.

 I FEEL fear,
but I KNOW that He encourages me to not be afraid, for the battle is not mine, but His - 2 Chronicles 20:15.

I FEEL so far from the LORD some times,
but I KNOW that by the blood of Christ I am brought near to Him - Ephesians 2:13

I SEE our problems,
but I KNOW that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus as we take our anxieties to Him in prayer and thanksgiving - Philippians 4:6-7.

I SEE evil,
but I KNOW that God is good and His steadfast love endures forever, so I give thanks - 1 Chronicles 16:34.

I SEE disasters that take away,
but I KNOW that as we call upon Him in our day of trouble, He will deliver us and we shall glorify Him - Psalm 50:15.

I FEEL the weight of burdens,
but I KNOW that I can cast my burdens on the LORD and He will sustain me - Psalm 55:22.

I FEEL defeated many times,
But I KNOW, thanks be to God, that He gives me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ - I Corinthians 15:57.

I SEE death,
but I KNOW that we who believe will pass from death to life - Eternal Life - John 5:24.

Philippians 3:10 starts with this “That I may Know Him...”
I believe that the things that we are feeling and seeing today can lead to two paths;
-hopelessness
-or the chance to KNOW the LORD more.  
What ever you might be seeing or feeling today, look at it as a God ordained opportunity to KNOW Him more.  I’m not saying it is easy.  There are several really HARD things that are facing us today; including sorrow for our family who lost everything yesterday when their house burned down.  But let us encourage each other to take what we see and feel and find what we KNOW.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Lightning Strikes Our Brother and Sisters Home

Here is the link to the present article.
Steve’s brother, Ronnie and his wife - Kathy, our sister (in law) need our prayers right now.  Their home was struck by lightning and a good part of the back burned down.  Every one if fine, thank you LORD.  Kathy had just left to go to the store, or she would have been home - thank you Jesus.
Please keep them in your prayers.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

To Dallas And Back

And now I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Jace Hassoldt!  What a wonderful wedding and what a blessed time that we had.  We just got home a few hours ago.  It has been a long drive back home and we are tired, but also, we are so thankful for the new daughter that the LORD has given us and for the new and “ever-after” love that the LORD has given to our son.  


I didn’t have much time to take pictures, but here are pictures with my sister (in-law), Karla, who is married to my adorable little bother Kim.
Thank you all for your sweet prayers and words of love for our family this last week.  I can’t wait to get more pictures from the other family and friends who took pictures. 
Tonight...laundry is already going.  Steve fixed pancakes for the children.  I am glad to be home.  
Again, thank you for sharing this special time with us.  

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Groom Is Going Crazy!

 We are safely here in Dallas/Fort Worth and boy is it hot - yesterday at 4:30 p.m. it was 110!  YUCK.  It is wonderful to see Jace and Karlie again.  Jace begged me back in March to let Aiden’s hair grow out till the wedding.  See, Aiden is the ring bearer and Jace wanted to give him a mow hawk for the wedding.  
Jace went crazy yesterday with the clippers giving his little brother a hair cut.

 Aiden didn’t care...he loves Jace and loves the attention!



 At my parents house in Lubbock we had a wonderful 4th of July weekend.  We went hot tubing.


 And we went swimming in the pool by the lake.  


 Of course, everyone loved the chance to swim.



 And on the 4th, we all waited for the parade to come by!  

 The funnest part of the parade is the candy that they throw for the children!!

In two more days my son will be a married man...
weird!  LOL  

Friday, July 1, 2011

Signing Out

from blogging for a few days as we will be on the road heading first to Lubbock and then to Dallas for the wedding!  Thank you all for sharing this precious moment with my family!
 It’s and old, old story...there once was a young woman who gave birth to her first born - a son.  
And as boys will do, he stole her heart from his first breath.

Of course, to her, he was the most beautiful baby ever, and taking care of her new son was a daily joy. 
 How she loved him and he loved her.  
 That baby boy brought joy and sunshine to his adoring family each day. 
And each day the mother delighted in his journey from baby hood...
...to boyhood. 
 Daily the mother thanked the LORD for the gift of being a MOTHER, for she was learning what a sacred and honored job she had. 
 As the young boy grew, the mother knew the day would come for the boy to become a man.
 And that as young men will do, he would steal another woman’s heart.
She knew that it is good and right for him to leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two should become one flesh. (Eph. 5:31)
As the mother prepared for her baby’s wedding day, she rejoiced and thanked the LORD that He gave the baby boy to her to nurture, train, raise, and love.  She thanked the LORD that her baby boy had found the one he wants to spend his life with. How proud she was of the man he had become; still thoughtful, kind, fun and loving just as he was when he was little. 
And as she typed out this post to share, she wanted the whole world to know how grateful she was, how deep in her heart THANKFUL and how much she loved being this baby’s boys mother.  
And the only thing she would say to that young man now is,
“I love you.  I’m so glad that God gave you to me.  And you will always be my baby.
Happy Wedding Day Sweetheart.”
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