Blogging about life, or living to blog?

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{that was the sound of me, playing with the new camera we got for Christmas, while we were out on a family walk}

"Lish, I love you.

...but don't be that person."

"...? Hmm?"

"Don't be like that. The person who is so busy taking pictures of everything and wanting to blog about it and not just enjoying us."

"Oh."

Quietly, I placed my camera in my coat pocket and tried to be 'all there' for the rest of our walk. It was a gorgeous January afternoon (Sunny! Not snowing! Crisp, but not cold!), and Will got home from work early that day, and wanted to take a family walk. A walk that included all of us enjoying the moment - not four of us enjoying it and one lagging behind to capture it for a post about family time.

It was hard to be "all there". Sometimes, as a mom who blogs, I think about things in terms of "how do I chronicle this?"

Recipes = do I need to take pictures at various stages?
Homeschooling = should I snap a photo of this experiment-gone-wrong?
Homemaking = ooh! Neat trick...grab the camera!
Field trips = play-by-play in photos of the whole experience!
...and so on.

and I'm guilty of interrupting the moment, just to capture it on film...instead of seriously drinking it in.

Jesus did not come that I might blog abundantly. He came so that His glory would be on display in my life - by giving me thousands of opportunities to live abundantly.

When my blogging about life becomes my living for the blog....something's very off.

Do you blog about life, or live for your blog? How do you balance it?

Learning to blog about life,
and not live to blog,
~Lisha

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A Thankful November - 2012

Dear ones,

For the last few years, as November rolls around I take some time every day to pick a few things to be thankful for. Some days it's a whole mess of things. Some days, it's one overarching theme.

I do it because the Lord reminds me throughout Scripture to be thankful. To cultivate a heart of gratitude. Toward Him, because He 'has dealt bountifully with my soul' [Psalm 13]!! There is no area of my life where I cannot find something to praise God for!!

I invite you, friend, to join me on this month-long exercise in thankfulness. Whether or not you worship God - there is still much to be thankful for. However, if you do worship the Lord, you have an infinite amount of good things to offer back to Him in praise.

Here's my running list. What's on yours?

Grateful,
for His glory!
~Lisha

November 1: the Lord of hosts, who only does marvelous things. my husband, who is a gift from God to help me learn to be more like Jesus. three lovely daughters who forgive me readily and repeatedly. friends who love me enough to call me out when i've done something wrong. prayer. a new pastor for our church. a new month feeling like a fresh start...

November 2: for Beautiful You. for the young ladies i've mentored and the young-at-heart ladies who have mentored me. for God's constant provision and His guidance. for my mom and dad and 'little' brother ♥ for my "-in-love" family - the hunters & the hustons. that Jesus came to give abundant life, not just squeaking-by life!

November 3: for chilly mornings under warm blankets. for a big mug of warm tea. for early morning snuggles with hannahbear. for the anticipation of spending the day with friends. for all the ways God provides for our family. for the opportunity to have a home-based business. for the smells and sounds and sights of the holiday season. and that my memories of holidays past are rich with love and joy.

November 4: for communion. for the sun greeting me when i woke up this morning (thanks, DST)! for waking up to a bunch of clean dishes that were not clean when i went to bed last night (thanks, will!). for our church family (local and worldwide). that my girls share a room and i get to overhear some of the giggles, whispers, jokes, friendship, and playtime that happens when they're together there.

November 5: for a working heater in the car. indoor plumbing. strangers at the grocery store who stop to speak a word of encouragement to a hurried homeschooling momma, that this path is hard but worth it. coffee. that i live in a country where i'm allowed to vote, no matter how tarnished the system is. for the ladies (& men) who worked hard and sacrificed much to give me that privilege & responsiblity. daughters who will one day be managers of their own homes. for gracious landlords. for the God of wonders, who is holy and merciful beyond my imagination.

November 6: for washers and dryers and all kinds of modern-day appliances that making managing a home easier. for the next President, whoever it is, per Romans 13 and 1 Thess 5:18. for toddler words that are so cute, like "ebef" and "abbeeeee!" (h's names for her sisters). for the heartfelt prayers of little ones who trust God in a way that i don't yet. for conversations that happen between two people who completely disagree and yet still can love & respect each other. for getting darker earlier = girls ready for bed earlier. for the freedom to vote, and the richer freedom in Christ.

November 7: hoodie sweatshirts and fleecey pajama pants. generous offers of lots of boxes. mary poppins. prayer, and when God answers it in a big way. my neighbor, Merri (I'm going to miss you when we move!!!). a quiet phone, because no political calls are coming in. my SAHMmie moms (remember we're not meeting today, though!). that through this season i'm learning what it means that God's grace is sufficient for me. and that no matter who is Commander-in-Chief, Jesus is the Lord of the heavenly hosts!

November 8: the first snow of the year always reminding me of Isaiah 1:18. 11 hours of sleep. toast and tea being a perfect remedy for a yucky tummy. the conviction of the Word. will, my best friend. family photos, old & new. an extra productive day yesterday on the packing front.

November 9: friends who come to help clean & bring coffee. my brother-in-law Ben, who i've known since he was 10 and now he's...much older (happy birthday!). long fb chats with kimm. that nostalgic feeling that happens when digging through years of pictures, letters, cards, & child artwork. my husband's hard work that allows me to stay home & educate the girls - what an honor & privilege! indoor plumbing which allows for hot showers. that God has revealed what He wants a virtuous woman to be & do, and that He gives me grace upon grace to strive for that. 3 weeks till E's surgery!

November 10: my brother Jerel, who turns not-quite-30 today (happy birthday!). my Nana & Grampy and Grammy & Papa, and will's Grandma & Grandad and Gram & Grampy - for their examples & how they raised our parents. finding my glasses after losing them shortly after abby was born (i can see so much better this morning! woo!). cold but brilliantly sunny fall mornings. not having
too much money - it moves me to be a better steward of what we've got. not having too little money - it reminds me that God always provides for each and every need. how creative the girls are during playtime after i've packed up most of their toys. hazelnut flavored coffee, mint tea, and hot cocoa with those little marshmallows. getting cards in the mail. and lastly, that today is a new day with new mercies & sufficient grace. :)

November 11: the 'Romans road' (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, & Romans 10:9). that my gaining heaven is not contingent upon what I've done / haven't done / am doing / am not doing / will do / will not do - it is solely because i've trusted in Jesus & what He accomplished at Calvary. for the men who have filled the pulpit at JBC while we haven't had a full-time pastor. for the men and women among us who have served their country well and sacrificed much for it. and for new friends and warm hospitality.

November 12: for finding gift cards while packing - that still have the full amount on them! for an impromptu dunkin donuts breakfast date with my girls (thanks to the gift card). for the long list of things to be done and things we need in the next three weeks, because prayer works and i can't wait to see how He'll do it all. for grace even after a crummy start to monday morning. energizing/encouraging music. that i am not, but that He is.

November 13: for the truth of the Scriptures and that it never changes, ever. that my heart is deceitfully and continually wicked above all else when left to my own devices. that the justice due me is an eternity of God's wrath. that God intervened in the person of Jesus. that Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin on my behalf, that the justice of God would be satisfied at Calvary. that Christ's death and resurrection won not only forgiveness of my sins but an eternal home in heaven, if i'm willing to accept & believe it. that i can stare hardship and death in the face and say "O where is thy sting? Where is thy victory?!" that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. that God keeps all of His promises and that He loves me fiercely & created me with a unique purpose that no one else could ever fill.

November 14: honey nut cheerios. chamomile tea. photos of will & i, that tell quite a story of the past 12 years. the tradition of Christmas cards. God's lovingkindness, which leads me to repentence & godly sorrow. this season of life with my littles (who are growing into bigs! stop!). the book of Proverbs. texts like "i was thinking of you today, how are you?" from faraway cousins, after a rough day ♥ cardboard boxes being a reminder that God is doing big things here.

November 15: for sore muscles, which mean that things are getting moved around & packed :) for the promise of a day spent with my girls and good friends in keene. for george winston and his music. for God's absolute sovereignty, so that i don't need to worry about anything at all - local or global. for all of the parents of my friends through the years who have loved me as pretty much their own. for the china tea set i found in the back of the closet and its memories of aunt bonnie's house. that the girls have been (mostly) good while their life is getting packed up around them, and patient with me when i am less than patient with them.

November 16: the inventors of the Keurig, modern washer & dryer, and electric stove. that Will gets the girls up and fed in the mornings so i can sleep in just a little longer. Oswald Chambers and all of the other men & women God has used through history to encourage and strengthen my beliefs & my faith. E&A being able to read. the freedom to homeschool my children.

November 17: for warm blankets. a night out at the opera. that like ancient israel, i often forget my God as i wander in a wilderness, but each time He forgives & provides. joy! a sink full of dirty dishes, because it means that we have enough food to eat. stickers & beads - two things that keep little girls entertained for a long time while mom is packing up a box or two. friday night being 'date night in' with take out and a fun tv show. honey vanilla chamomile tea, which sounds gross but is actually quite good. :)

November 18: that my mother in law is driving from NY today to surprise the girls. that my parents are on their way home from a visit to ME. for E's first loose tooth. for not having hot water this morning- it's a reminder that we are SO blessed to have the ability to even have hot water indoors. for our new pastor! for e being thankful for her "animal friends" (stuffed animals); a being thankful for her blanky; and h being thankful for bunnies.

November 19: Merri, aka the world's best neighbor. my SAHMmie friends and their willingness to be crafty & creative with my kids because it's not a strength of mine. and that they let me impose my math geekiness on their kids every now and again. a quick but dear visit with my mom-in-love, and for the little people singing disney princess castle thing she brought that has all of the girls occupied happily for hours. two weeks till moving day. davidcrowder*band. the awesome coziness of handmade quilts & afghans. people who can speak the truth in love.

November 20: for God and how He supplies strength when i have none. for waking up sick which reminds me to s l o w d o w n once in a while. for tea, and lots of it. for motrin and vitamin c tablets. for all the dust kickin' up around here which means stuff is getting cleaning and tossed. for friends who are willing to rearrange their schedules to watch my girls for a little while. for unexpected orders & show bookings. for will - oh, infinitely for will!

November 21: for a couple of hours without kids in the house to get about half of the living room cleaned & packed up (thanks, Rebeccah!). when a friend knows you well enough to not have to ask how you take your coffee (thanks, Elysia!). for the best PT in the world (H's, from Rise...) - Miss Becky :D for the blog. and the prayers & thoughts from friends & family. and that God is sovereign over every detail ever. the verse 'o wretched man that i am!! who will deliver me from this body of death?! i thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!!!' summing up my existence. lemon-poppyseed bread, and looking forward to mom's amazing dinner tomorrow. for a good, long cry being the best remedy once in a while - and for a husband who just knows that and lets it happen. 

November 22: for God. and all of His mighty deeds. like...
speaking the earth into existence.
speaking the heavens into existence.
breathing life into a man, whom he formed from the dust.
calling forth the waters to cover the the dry land.
withholding the waters from ever covering the dry land again. daily.
ten judgments on a hard-hearted pharoah and releasing His children from bondage.
stopping the earth to keep the sun in the sky, that israel might be victorious [joshua 10].
prolonging a king's life by fifteen years.
choosing to dwell in the form of man and live among His creation.
healing the blind, mute, lame, diseased, & tormented by speaking a word.
raising the dead to life. including Himself.
transforming a religious zealot into a passionate sinner-saved-by-grace.
and His mightiest deed: He, who knew no sin, becoming sin on our behalf, and bearing the outpouring of wrath that was due us...that we might be restored & reconciled to Him. ♥
what a God. what a Savior.

November 23: for family traditions. for ornaments that have survived the last 25 years and still go up every Christmas. for the santa candy holders, the snowglobes, the same 6 Christmas CDs we've been listening to for yearsandyears. for the mantle and the stockings. for my nana's handiwork. for the 'kid's tree' and for the santa hats. and that my girls get to be part of the lane family Christmas. and for my mom and dad who pull it all together every year.

November 24: that in a little over a week, E will be healing and we can begin unpacking. for paul's letter to the romans. for shortbread cookies. that will is artistic and spontaneous, to counter my practical and type-a personality. for finding 'the sandlot' and watching it last night. for aunts & uncles and the oodles of cousins. that God loves me where i am at but is not content to leave me there - He guides, teaches, rebukes, & encourages me till my character reflects Jesus.

November 25: for abbyisms. and elizabethisms. and the up-and-coming hannahisms. for church. for finally being done going through everything and now it's just packing up a few boxes here and there and cleaning. that God is the lifter of my countenance, my portion, my shield & defender, my teacher, & my King. for e telling me that her belly hurts - a reminder that in God's great faithfulness, the healing surgery is only days away.

November 26: for innocent and thoughtful questions from the hearts of my littles. for God's provision in ways i could not have ever expected. for this being the start of The Week When It All Happens. that my girls have learned to be content with simple meals and only one or two toys to keep them occupied. for older people at the grocery store who take the time to talk with (not at, or down to) my children and share a laugh or two. that nothing in allllllllllllll the world or universe can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus - nothing!!

November 27: so grateful today...for God's grace. that i don't deserve and never will earn. a gift - and oh, a marvelous gift.

amazing grace!! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!! i once was lost, but now am found! was blind - but now, i see! 'twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace, my fears relieved!! how precious did that grace appear, the hour i first believed!!! ♥ [john newton]

November 28: for the wednesday morning mom's Bible study/SAHMs group. for friends who are willing to spend an evening packing up my kitchen. for my mom helping me out by doing our laundry so it's one less thing to think about. for will working hard in the midst of things that do not seem to be going 'our way'. for hugs when words don't really cut it. for the reminder to do everything i do to the glory of God - even packing boxes or wiping runny noses or breaking up a sibling argument. for octopotamuses. for tears of exhaustion that remind me to take Jesus up on His offer to come to Him when i labor and am heavy-laden, for He alone gives my soul rest.

November 29: for turkey soup & pumpkin bread for lunch (thanks rachel!). for finding e's first set of braces and recalling just how good God has been to us here in this home. for the anticipation of just how God is going to be to us in our new home. for everyone i've talked to at dartmouth this week, because they've been pleasant and patient and compassionate. for bartering. and finding new homes for some of our things. for a (relatively) quiet lunch time with will. ♥

November 30: I am thankful today for modern medicines & techniques that allow E a chance to heal and be healthier. for the surgeon who will be operating on her this morning and the nurses & doctors that will be taking care of her. that of all of the health issues I could have to walk through as a mom, that this is really not that bad. that I do not need to worry about any of the details, great or small, because God is not only going with us moment by moment but He already knows the outcome. that E knows that Jesus and His angels will be encamped around her in the OR. that there is not one single cell in E's body that God did not create, and that every moment of her life thus far has gone the way it has for a specific reason. ♥

giving thanks in November...and always,

for His glory!

~Lisha

Leaf Lessons

As Will and I were driving to Keene this morning, I was in awe of the canvas of glorious color around me. Fall in NH is gorgeous! And I was quietly thanking God for His vast creativity and for giving us something so beautiful to enjoy as the weather gets a little cooler...and cooler...and cooler.

Mount Monadnock in the fall. Majestic and lovely!

I was thinking about why it is that the leaves change color. Not completely understanding the science behind it, I do know that they turn these brilliant  and deep shades of red, orange, yellow...because they are dying. Because soon there will not be enough food produced in the tree for them to keep them through the winter - they will die and fall to the ground.

Oh, what a picture of what our lives in Christ should be!

My life is most brilliant and glorious as I die to self and am surrendered to a new season of life in Christ. I am a beautiful and vibrant example of His glory on display when I stop feeding my soul with the temporary food of this world (keeping up with the most popular musicians or theologies or actors or sports stars or gossip or talk shows or reality shows or the latest political fiasco or a hobby or self-indulgent lifestyle that does not impact beyond my fleeting earthly existence). When I relinquish my rights to my dreams, my future, my desires - then He can shine through my life by molding me into who He made me to be: a reflection of Him! And He's the most beautiful being ever!

Praising God for the beauty of dying leaves,
and the lessons therein,
for His glory~
Lisha :)

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Thankful November

For the past few years, I've been posting daily what I'm thankful for during the month of November. I've compiled the entire month's worth of posts here:


1: the Word of God. will and the girls. family, extended and adopted, near and far. friends - old and new, facebook or face-to-face. a van. a van that works. the privilege and responsibility of prayer. that the name of Jesus is so sweet and so mighty. the renewing and transforming of my heart and mind by the aforementioned Word. the girls requesting 'amazing grace' as their bedtime song.


2.  the sounds of little ones getting up in the morning. hot tea on chilly mornings. knowing that we're being prayed for. God's daily provisions. the throne of grace. living in America. isaac, noah, & luke and their moms katie, ashley, & brenda. the Bible House. fuzzy socks. when the girls want to snuggle and read with me. the group of moms that i'm going to be studying the Bible with this morning.


3. indoor plumbing. electricity. supermarkets. sanitation. and all of the other things that are considered standard in our country but are only hoped for in other places. the prophets who chose obedience to God over their own reputation and comfort. being able to read. elizabeth's thoughtfulness, abby's humor, and hannah's joy. the sunrise, which reminds me that God's mercies are new today!


4. early morning whispery-giggly conversations between sisters while they're still in bed. friday morning being waffle morning in our house. psalm 119!! the freedom to educate my girls at home. random jammy-days. the birds who live on (...in) our porch, as a visual reminder of matthew 6:26. my mom & dad. God's absolute sovereignty! friends who encourage & admonish - refining me as iron sharpens iron. will and his dedication to being an example for the young men by leading MOG. my 'beautiful you' ladies. having enough for just today, and that being sufficient


5 Hannah only waking up once last night. another sunrise (His mercies are new every morning!). jerel & kimm visiting this weekend. the quiet that happens in the moments directly following the beginning of a meal. good news from a far country being like cold water to a weary soul (proverbs 25:25). farmer's casserole. that God's promises never fail and His Word never returns void. hannah getting stronger every day! abby & elizabeth being best friends. the steadfast love of Jesus, who is the anchor of my soul


6. getting in an extra hour of 'snuggle' time this morning with the girls because their bodies didn't reset with DST. :) the imaginations and insights of my children. the Word being living and powerful, able to discern the thoughts & intents of my heart. chocolate mint tea. our church family. my dear friend katie, and today being her birthday. looking forward to spending time with my sister-in-law this afternoon. handmade blankets. the freedom to worship and follow Jesus. 


7.  the many ways that God has softened and changed my heart over the years. the ten commandments, and the whole of God's law as the 'tutor that brings me to Christ'. candles that make my home smell like i've been baking all day. how elizabeth & abby just love on their little sister. being nudged out of my comfort zone, so i can grow. sonlight (our homeschool curriculum). whoever invented the crock pot.


8.  long talks & praying with good friends. leftovers. hannah's physical therapist (Miss Becky). the Word of God, which never, ever changes. will ♥ martin luther. being a wonder to many, but God being my strong refuge [psalm 71:7]. when things don't go the way i planned!! butter toast. dirty laundry & dirty dishes, which mean that my family is clothed & fed. sunny days. did i mention will yet? he is a godly husband, dad & leader in our home


9.  the girls sneaking downstairs in the morning and ambushing me with hugs & kisses. sunny mornings. not feeling well because it forces me to admit that i can't handle the day in my own strength, so i rely on God's. job 38-42. christmas carols. the moms from Bible study (even though we're not meeting this morning!). the theriault family, whose obedience is bringing blessing! and coffee....... :D


10.  my little brother, jerel, who was born on this day a number of years ago (love you bud)! a good night's rest. the ladies in my life who encourage me to rightly divide the Word of Truth and who strive to live what they're teaching. waiting on the Lord. those little ghirardelli chocolate squares. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control, against which there is no law [galatians 5:22-23]!


11. men & women who have served in the military, not for their own glory but for the love of their country. freedom of the press, religion, assembly, and speech. spending time in prayer and in the Word with young ladies like kaila, tricia, brianna, & hannah. joshua 1:9. when e & a ask tons of questions. mild november weather. a husband who is doing what he loves & is called to do. hearing the girls pray before bed 


12.  such a beautiful morning! my mom & dad ♥ when people choose to shop local & support the Bible House. that God is not the author of confusion but of peace [1 Cor 14:33]. the marvel family. long talks with dear friends. early morning "mom, will you read to me?" requests. some convenience foods, like frozen waffles. the privilege of being a full-time wife & mom!


13. for a day of rest. romans 8. psalm 119. james 3. revelation 21. psalm 51. proverbs 31. john 1. exodus 20. 1 corinthians 2. deuteronomy 6. hebrews 12. 1 samuel 17. genesis 1. well, okay, all of the other chapters, too!


14. Jesus' sacrifice on my behalf, even though (and especially because) i'm a wretch. that the morning brings with it a new start. the power of words, when they're used for encouragement & building up. squeals of joy from two girls who've learned a hard lesson about taking care of what they have, when they earn back their favorite dolls. being unable to sleep - it usually means extra snuggle or prayer time. that first cup of hot tea in the morning.


15.  the privilege of praying!! hearing "mamamamamamama" and knowing that means me! the chance to hang out with elysia for a late-night chat and dunkin's. that God promises to never leave nor forsake His children. the honest cries of the psalmists' hearts. our usborne venture. having 3 daughters for whom God has a magnificent purpose. walking through life with will for the past 11+ years.


16.  A Bible Study for Moms!!. that the girls are so forgiving. God being my shield, refuge, fortress, strong tower, & defender. late-night dinner and movie 'dates' with will after the girls go to bed. the truth that when we seek God and His righteousness above all else, He provides for our physical needs (matt 6:33). the impossible being possible with God. gideon (judges 6-8). hugs. 


17. the knowledge that God is at work and still faithful, even when I can't see tangible results. hannah being able to stand all by herself for a few seconds :) the girls' love of books and reading. the way the Word convicts me of those areas where i need to change. Jesus being the anchor of my soul and God's promise that i will not be moved from His love regardless of the circumstances i find myself in.


18.  homemade gifts. music. restoration of the saints. that God promises to use all things for the good of them that love Him and are called according to His purpose! (romans 8:28). when hannah wakes up in the middle of the night and all she wants to do is snuggle for a minute before going back in the crib. the example of the early church in acts. homeschooling this week = learning a little about tudor england, hudson taylor, being good stewards of the earth, and the battle of jericho with my kindergarteners.


19. godly wisdom & counsel. a husband who is encouraging & supportive. my supercomfy ksc hoodie. running water (after going a goodly part of yesterday without it!). chicken noodle soup. spending time at mom & dad's. the anticipation of seeing will's family next week. the lessons i've learned from each of my four babies. technology that allows me to be connected to family & friends no matter where they are.


20. oswald chambers. amy carmichael. jim & elisabeth elliot. stephen. gladys aylward. brother andrew. hudson taylor. george mueller. corrie ten boom. william & catherine booth. brother yun. bruce olson. paul. john. peter. and all of the other men & women who have and are currently counting everything as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus and following His call!


21. the girls' honest and deep observations about my character & actions. God's protection. that those who believe in Jesus have not been given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind (2 tim 1:7)!. will's side of my family. everything bagels. open spaces. hannah being slightly mobile (scooting!). abby's 'mothering' of her little sister. elizabeth's patience in teaching abby how to do things.


22. coffee. brilliant sunrises. veggies right from the garden. the girls learning an appreciation for where their food comes from. emily & mike. coooold mornings that make for a good excuse to stay in warm jammies under cozy blankets while enjoying aforementioned coffee. a chance to celebrate christmas and thanksgiving this week. that if i confess my sins, God is faithful and just to forgive me [1 john 1:9] and remove them as far from me as the east is from the west [psalm 103:12]


23.  that the Lord sometimes prevents our plans and reminds us that His plan is better! snow for our "thanksmas" celebration :) leftover turkey and all the trimmings. when hannah gives hugs and kisses. construction paper, which tends to spark oodles and hours of creativity. will getting up with hannah at 5 so i could sleep in!


24. ...is thankful today. <3


25. plaid friday, and the growing movement to shop local. a marvelous time in ny. Jaffrey Bible House and the man who runs it. handmade blankets. God promising to fill us with His peace, which surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts & minds in Christ Jesus [phil 4:6-7]. that elizabeth's tummy & succeeding digestive organs are functioning much better. no bloody noses for abby last night. and hannah has figured out how to scoot - she's mobile! ♥ ♥ ♥


26. that the Lord's mercies are new right now. for the conviction of the Holy Spirit. that the Word is like a mirror and it reveals the depth of my depravity and the magnitude of God's grace. for time to catch up with my BU girls. :)


27. 13 months of getting to know & love hannah. cheerios. tough times pressing me to know Who, what, & why i believe. treasured memories. jbc. a good night's rest. that the girls play so well together. will's spiritual gifts (teaching, discernment, & generosity), and how my gifts complement his. oversized tea mugs. praise dance parties with the girls ♥


28.  the mornings when it's hard to find something to be thankful for, because it brings me back to the Word. God's promises - that He will provide for us when we seek His kingdom first [matt 6:33]. that He will never leave us nor forsake us [josh 1:5]. that He will work all things together for the good of them that love Him [rom 8:28]. that He will keep us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed on Him [isa 26:3]. and so many more. His ways and His laws are perfect, and He is faithful and true, even when we can't see or understand what He's doing.


29.  examples in the Word of unrestrained praise and devotion. the sound of my mom's voice on the phone after a long day. dear friends. the last of the potatoes & carrots from gram's garden in ny (so good!). talking with will about our dreams. today being taco tuesday at our house. that God loves me with an everlasting love, and that He will not relent!


30. quiet time in the morning to read before everyone else wakes up. books. that all the rain we got last night wasn't snow. toast & blueberry jam. the law of God being our tutor to bring us to Christ [galatians 3:24]. the group of moms that i get to study the Bible with on wednesday mornings, and the ladies who care care of our children while we study. unexpected visitors and 'interruptions' in my schedule. the promise that Jesus will be coming back. a whole month of giving thanks, turning into a lifetime habit of giving thanks ♥


Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever!
[1 Chronicles 16:34]


Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus! 
[1 Thessalonians 5:18]


With a thankful heart,
for His glory!
~Lisha :)

The Bon Jovi Allusion (or: Livin' on a Prayer)

Hi, friends:

Will and I live dependent upon God's ability to respond mightily to prayer. Without a "steady" form of income, we rely on the Lord quite literally for our daily bread. and everything else you can think of. 

Rent.

Electricity.

Heat.

Gas.

Hot water.

Emergencies.

Diapers & wipes.

The Van.

Clothes and shoes.

Homeschooling books.

Cleaning supplies.

Paper goods.

Bathroom supplies.

...et cetera.

Like missionaries who are out 'in the field' - whether stateside or worldwide, we do not always know where the money we need is coming from. Unlike missionaries, we don't raise our own support. We consider ourselves to be a missionary family of sorts - offering the Word of God to the community around us full-time! Will's job is to be available for anyone who needs the Bible and to provide solid biblical resources (books, music, curriculum, in-depth studies, research volumes, etc). Because we are not joined up with any missionary group,  people rarely think of us as in the mission field!

We believe that God has called us to this mission (and it IS a mission, my friend. We have an enemy who hates what we do and throws discouragement and doubt at us daily). We are passionate about it; we counted the cost before diving into this venture and we are thrilled to be used of God in this way! 

We've had people tell us before to let them know if we need anything. Well, we do have a few things that we've run out of in the last couple of weeks. I'm asking that if you are so inclined - please pray with and for us. Along with this list, we've got some bills coming up that we are trusting the Lord to provide entirely for. We have seen and lived miracles of provision before, and know that the Lord will not forsake us now! 

[We have woken up to cases of diapers left on our doorstep. We've come home from church to find $543 in cash tucked in Hannah's carseat. We've received envelopes in the mail that simply say "FROM THE LORD" where the return address should be, with $100 gift cards tucked inside. We've prayed for a van, only to find out shortly thereafter that one had already been bought for us. Customers sometimes leave money with Will "for whatever needs we have." Friends - our God is REAL and He provides for His children!]

The other way you can help? Consider ordering your Bibles, books, music, jewelry, gifts, etc through the Bible House! Will can order almost anything and usually does not charge shipping (unless you need it super-fast). If you're part of a church group, you always get a 10% discount, whether its churchware, Bibles, curriculum for VBS/Sunday School, books for a study group, etc. Supporting us as we minister to the community allows us to...well...to continue ministering to the community! Bible Houses don't generate oodles of money. In fact, Bible Houses tend to operate on a very meager budget in the strength of a God who has access to all the resources on planet Earth [but who is waiting on and pleading with His people to pray!!! Just ask, people!].

Here's a brief list of material needs. Most important to us is that we are conformed to Christlikeness - not that our material comforts are met! I list only for those who have repeatedly asked what they can do.

-diapers (sizes 5 and 3) and wipes (the unscented kind). I handle a lot of poo on a daily basis.

-handsoap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.

-paper towels & toilet paper

-plastic wrap & aluminum foil

-sneakers & pants for Will

-sneakers (sizes 9, 9, & 3) & warm tights for the girls

God has taught us much about being content in all situations and about what TRULY constitutes a need. For example - cell phones and paper towels are NOT a need. They are modern conveniences. Food and clothing are needs. For His pruning and His joy I am so grateful!!! I would not trade this lean season for any other right now. Think of all the miracles we'd be missing if we 'made enough money' to cover all our own needs! Praise be to God alone who has used "not having enough money" to teach our daughters (and us!) that He can be trusted to provide in the most extraordinary ways - often through people and circumstances we never would have imagined!

You may have a cozy, comfortable, generic, risk-free, do-the-same-thing-every-day life. Trade that in for abundant life in the Spirit! Trade it for God's purposes! Trade it for never-a-dull-moment-in-Christ! Seek God's face, and His hands will guide you and show you the extraordinary things He can do with a life that is yielded to His plans!!

Living on a prayer,

for His glory!!

Lisha :)

A Very Hunter Update

...And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen! [John 21:25]


I feel like this verse is more than adequate to sum up what has been going on in our home and hearts over the past year. If I listed all that Jesus has done, you'd be reading this for a long, long time! And though I want to share all He's done, I know you have other things to do and other blogs to be reading and Facebooks to be checking, and I have a home that needs cleaning and a puzzle that needs putting together - so I'll cover the highlights.


Highlight #1: The Bible House is still open. Oh, friends, that the Bible House has not closed again is purely by the staying hand of the Lord and His blessing!! The inventory is still small, because we find that certain companies and indivduals (like our landlord) would appreciate that we continue to pay them what we owe - thus, no splurging on massive amounts of Bibles, books, music, etc for the store yet. We pray and hope that some day the Lord will provide for those things, but for now about 80-85% of the business we do is still from special orders and church groups, so having a large inventory isn't necessary. I cannot explain to you how thrilling it is to be used of God in this way - to be running a Bible bookstore right smack in the middle of downtown Jaffrey - when really Will and I have no business running a business. We have no business degrees, financial training, or anything that would qualify us to do this, except that God has asked us to do it. It may not be a success the way you define success, but we know that God is being glorified because we are walking in obedience to His calling on our lives!! And that is 'success' enough for us!


Highlight #2: Elizabeth is doing much better. As many of you remember, Elizabeth was hospitalized for about a week up at the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD), because of some lifelong digestive troubles that got grossly out of control. I'll spare you the details if you haven't already heard them, but since we came home we have been so thankful that the Lord has been healing her slowly and surely. We've been taking her to see Dr. Josh at Jaffrey Chiropractic and we have been very pleased with the results that we've seen from good chiropractic care! So good, in fact, that Hannah has also started seeing Dr. Josh - she loves being adjusted, and we've seen major progress in her movement since she started going. This ties into...


Highlight #3: Hannah has the same struggles as Elizabeth did when she was younger. Low, low muscle tone and hyperflexibility mean that Hannah (at 10 months) has not rolled over yet, nor can she bear any weight on her legs. We praise the Lord that we have already walked this road with Elizabeth. The doctors at Dartmouth had prepared us to expect that Elizabeth might never walk or speak - and look at the work the Lord has done in her! So, whatever the outcome with our sweet Hannah - we know that the God who created her did it perfectly [see Psalm 139:13-14] and His purposes will be accomplished through her whether she ever walks or not [see Romans 8:28]. But we are very hopeful that Hannah, like her sister, will be fully mobile and talkative in a relatively short period of time!


Highlight #4: We have been without a van since April. The week before Elizabeth's trip to the ER that ended up in her being transferred to CHaD, our van sputtered out completely after a few months' time of almost-being-dead. And since we didn't have the money to a)have it towed, b)have it fixed, or c)fill the tank with gas anyway, it's been sitting there for the last five months. The Lord has been mighty and gracious to provide transportation to and from the grocery store and to do laundry about once every two weeks. Running errands, play dates, and other side trips have not been able to happen. And, if I may be so bold - spiritually speaking this is one of the best things that has ever happened to me (and consquently, my family). God has taught me how to love being home - really BEING home instead of being a 'stay at home mom' who is outside of her home more often than not. [Read my post Busy, busy, busy to get a glimpse into the work the Lord's been doing in my heart over the past 5 months!] I've gotten used to not having a way to get around whenever I want, and now that I've adapted, the Lord has seen fit to send the money and resources to fix our van. We received an amount of money recently equivalent to the garage's estimate of what it's going to take to fix the van. The garage called tonight, and as long as I can pay to register the van (pray with me! We don't have the money!) soon, the van is done and just waiting for us to pick it up! 


Highlight #5: Elizabeth and Abby start kindergarten very soon! At home! Yay! The theme for this year's curriculum for History/Geography/Reading is Intro to the World: Cultures. Science is an experiment-based introduction to biology, earth science, & physics. Bible stories, Memory Verses and the Firm Foundations weekly study make up the faith curriculum! Sonlight's Language Arts focuses on learning to read, and we use Alpha Omega's LIFEPAC Math program - which you can order through the Bible House!


There are many, many more great things which He has done. Our marriage, which has been rocky over these past many months, is being renewed and restored by a God who is about the business of binding up broken hearts. We are seeing the fruit of His Holy Spirit grow in our sweet children as they come to terms with their own sin and process the message of the gospel. He brings people into our home who need the love and hope of Jesus Christ poured into their hearts - and He has been pleased to let us be the hands, feet, and words of a Savior who rescues to the uttermost they that come to Him in faith!! He has miraculously provided for each of our needs in our most desperate hours (like when we can't afford toilet paper - toilet paper! Have you ever taken that for granted!? - and a friend shows up with a bag full of the stuff on your doorstep when you're down to the last roll!!). God has supplied toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, paper towels, soap, diapers, wipes, and iced coffees [ok. That last one isn't a necessity...] in direct answer to prayer when we lacked the money for them. And although He has not provided all of the money to pay off all of our bills yet, we know it's because He doesn't recognize "cell phones" and "car insurance" as needs. But He has not once left us without food or clothing or shelter. He has not ever failed us. And we are so thankful to be His and to be daily dying to self to see Jesus Christ magnified as the Lord of our hearts and home!


Friend - oh, friend! Trust Him in all things. Following Him to the ruin of life as you know it is exciting and beautiful. And it is of eternal worth. 


All for His glory and honor!
Lisha :)

Busy, busy, busy!

I noticed a couple of years ago that whenever someone asked me how I was, one of my top three responses was "Oh, busy!" And almost everyone I met understood, and justified my busy-ness because I have toddlers. I became entrenched in the cultural lie that it is normal to always be busy.

www.librarygrits.blogspot.com

I don't want to be busy anymore. I have come to loathe "busy."


Busy means "oh, I have to run here and do this and attend this meeting and bring my kids to drop them off here and I have to make and get to all these appointments and make sure I have some do-gooder things on my to-do list and...."


Busy means I don't have much time to spend with my God, minister to my husband, disciple my daughters or take care of my home - because I'm hardly ever there!


Ladies, if you are married and/or have children, the Lord does not desire for you to live a "busy" life. He desires for you to find your real, deep joy in Him and His calling on your life, which is 1) being a wife, 2) being a mom, and 3) caring for your home.

In Paul's letter to Titus, God says it is GOOD for women to love their husbands (of course!), love their children (don't we all?), AND to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, and obedient to their husbands. Those things are what God values in a wife & mom's life! Nowhere do you find anything exhorting you to over-book your life or your family's life with too many outside commitments.


Rather, the Lord desires that a woman live a FULL life. Full, not busy. There's a difference. The Proverbs 31 woman lived a full life. Her days were full of rising early to provide food for her household; to seek out the food and other essentials needed at home; to instruct the children and be a blessing to her husband in his work; and to stay up late providing for their clothing and home needs. Her days and her life were bursting with a massive investment of time in her family and her home. And you know what? She is praised for it. Because she was living out her God-appointed role joyfully. 


I want a full life. Full of time to soak in the Word and time to help Will run the Bible House. Time to do dishes, clean bathrooms, make beds, and cook healthy meals. Time to spend every minute necessary to teach my children about and how to imitate Jesus. Time to play with the girls and teach them how to effectively run their own home someday. Time to say to a friend "oh, yes, I'm available to watch your kids in a pinch", because I've got nothing much on the schedule. Time to invest in making my home a place where people can come, put up their feet, and experience the peaceful presence of Jesus Christ - because I've made my home a place for Him.


I reject a busy life. It's not that there won't be days when we have lots of things to do; it's that I defy the word "busy" to describe my general lifestyle.


Here's to a fullness of days in Jesus, and a lifestyle that is not dictated by appointments, lessons, and daycare schedules. Here's to enjoying each day and looking forward in anticipation to how Jesus can minister to others through me, because I am available. Here's to the joy of knowing that my life does not have to be busy to count eternally - the joy of a full life, thanks to Jesus.

For His glory,
now and forever!
Lisha :)

I'm sharing this post over at A Proverbs 31 Wife, The Modest Mom, The Better Mom, Splashin' Glory, The Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home, Teaching What is Good, Far Above Rubies, Cornerstone Confessions, Deep Roots at Home, Walking Redeemed, Raising Homemakers, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Hope in Every Season, I Choose Joy, Serving Joyfully, Simply Helping Him, and Essential Thing Devotions!

...her worth is far above rubies!

Let me introduce you to a woman that I have learned much from and have come to love dearly!

She is kind. She is strong, both emotionally and physically. She is a hard worker. She makes wise financial investments. She doesn't get tired often. She makes all of the clothes for her entire family. Her husband is a respected member of the community. She has compassion on those who are needy. She is faithful. She is not an angry or contentious woman. She is full of joy and has no fear about her future. She loves working with her hands.

She is the woman described in Proverbs 31. The "Excellent Wife" (or Virtuous Wife, depending on the translation you use). Here she is, in all her beauty:

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
so he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good
and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
she brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night,
and provides food for her household,
and a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it;
from her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
and strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good,
and her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
and her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
she shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done well,
but you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
but a woman who fears the LORD,
she shall be praised!!
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her own works praise her in the gates.
[Proverbs 31:10-31]


Every time I read this passage - underlined, highlighted, circled, noted to the max in my Bible - I am further inspired and convicted that I want to imitate her. In providing a husband and children for me, the Lord has placed on me the high and noble calling of growing into the Proverbs 31 woman - a virtuous wife and mother. A strong, intelligent, financially sound, wise, diligent, compassionate, selfless, (seemingly) tireless lady who spends her time taking great care of her husband, children, maidservants (I wouldn't mind having a couple of those around!), and her home.


The Lord has given me a deep desire to be more and more like this lovely lady, who smiles at all the days to come. Even though she knows each day will require hard work and there probably won't be much appreciation. She doesn't do it for the applause - she does it because she loves her family and fears the LORD. She knows this is what He is asking of her, and she tries to do it excellently!

It breaks my heart that there seem to be so few women who really desire to be virtuous wives today (there are plenty who want to be good wives by a modern standard, but not many that would follow a scriptural definition). Why is it that so many women scoff incredulously at being like the woman of Proverbs 31?


I think it has to do with the lies we've bought into about being modern-day women. 
*"Her lamp doesn't go out at night AND she's up early dishing out food, even for her maids?! When does she get her recommended 6-8 hours of sleep? I could never do that. I'm a night owl/earlybird/fill-in-the-blank-with-reasons-you-don't-want-to-be-like-her!!!"
*"When does she have girls' nights out away from her kids? I need a break from my family every so often. I could never be so diligent. I need time for myself!"
*"Make things instead of buying them?! Spend my days cleaning my house and teaching my children to be good stewards of what we have? But I've got too many meetings and too many playgroups and too many church activities; I'm tired, and I don't have the time to do those things. Besides, I can just buy food and clothes and my kids will learn real-life skills from their school!"

...and on and on and on and on they go. The many reasons why we, as wives and moms, don't believe we can fill the shoes of the woman God has lauded as 'virtuous'. She is a relic of the past; she is the standard of a different time when there weren't modern conveniences and 'liberated' women.

And some of you may be thinking...
Times have changed, Lisha! Life's not like that anymore! It's too traditional/old-fashioned/backwards/insulting to expect that a woman's 'occupation' should be only to be an excellent wife and a mom! What a waste of talent and strength, to keep a woman at home!

My friends, especially my married and/or mom friends: the honorable title of "Excellent Wife" is a great reward. It is valuable! And it IS doable! Not because women are awesome, but because God is awesome and in His grace he allows us to be slowly (over a lifetime!) transformed into a godly, virtuous wife and mom. And He gives us wisdom as we grow to see that being "just" a wife and mom is a most glorious and wonderful calling.

If God has given you with a husband and/or children, He bids you to come to Him, and He will cover your shame and shortcomings with abundant grace. He invites you to accept His forgiveness of your sins, and to walk gloriously in the role of wife and mom He's made you for!!

Does it mean that you're going to wake up early each morning with a big smile on your face and never get mad and you're going to have to be a perfect wife and mom every moment of every day? No! Because we all have sinned and fall short of God's glory and His perfect standard, no woman is capable of being a perfect wife or mom. Not you, not me (oh, golly, certainly not me! I miss that mark every hour...), not anyone. The Lord has given us mercy in that area through Jesus' atonement for our sin. He asks that we strive for excellence, not perfection. And in those moments when we fail, He picks us up, encourages us with His Word and His love and other women who are in the same situation, and gives us grace to keep striving.

My prayer right now is that you would be inspired to hope for and work toward excellence as a wife and mom, if you've been called to those. That you would desire to spend your days loving your husband and/or your children, even if it means dropping some other things. Love always involves a sacrifice; for wives and moms, it's usually a sacrifice of time (and sleep). I am praying for you, dear one, that you would joyfully realize that being a wife and/or mom is beautiful role and that you would want to emulate this lady. What better way to share (and grow in) the love, patience, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ than to start with those you love the dearest?

If you'd like to take a closer look at the Proverbs 31 woman, here are some wonderful resources:
-Proverbs 31:10-31 [quoted above]
-The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
-Beautiful in God's Eyes:
      The Treasures of the Proverbs 31 Woman by Elizabeth George

And here are some other fantastic resources for wives and moms:
-Stay-at-Home Mom by Donna Otto
-Open Heart, Open Home by Karen Mains
-My Heart's at Home by Jill Savage
-Authentic Beauty and Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy
-The Power of a Praying Wife and
       The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
-Becoming a Titus 2 Woman by Martha Peace
-The "I heartily recommend..." list of blogs on the left side of this page!
[These are by no means exhaustive lists!]

Dear friend, if you are a wife or mom or a homemaker, it's not just because you chose it, but because the Lord created you for it long before the foundation of the world. Your work is important to Him. It is no little thing to be "just" a wife and mom. Great men & women throughout all of history were nurtured and raised by women who took their "job" seriously and strove for excellence. Will your husband or children be raised to greatness because of your excellence and obedience, for God's glory? Join me on this journey of growth in grace and excellence...

Only by His grace, and for His glory!
Lisha

I may be sharing this post at these Link-up parties!

~~~~~~~~~~
P.S.

...her worth is far above rubies. [v.10]

Rubies are some of the most valuable gems on the planet. A real ruby is rarer than many other gemstones. And God - the God who spoke all of the rubies ever into existence  - the God who never, ever changes - declares that a wife who strives for excellence in her role is MORE VALUABLE than rubies. You, as you choose to grow in excellence, are more precious to God than the rarest gems on Earth. And infinitely more beautiful.

Want to know a bit more about rubies? Check out www.gemstone.org and search "Gem by Gem" for them. Read about how rare a perfect ruby is, and be encouraged that your work in your home and the work God is doing in your heart is worth more than the money people spend on gems.

Abundant Life!

[First posted on MySpace: 03.03.2008]


the message at church yesterday was about living joyfully. 

do i live each day overflowing with true joy? 

sometimes. most days i don't though. 

lately i've been falling prey to the pity-me syndrome, especially around will and the girls. i wake up complaining about how much work i have to do, or about how sick i feel, or about how frustrated i am that the girls are both teething and so i am not getting more than 2-3 hours of sleep at night, or really fill in the blank with anything. i complain. it's a miserable existance most days. i also find it really easy sometimes to blame everyone else on the planet for anything that goes wrong. that also makes for a miserable day. 

so i was eager to hear about how i could get the true joy back into my life. have you ever been there? desperate for someone to tell you how to find joy again (or maybe even for the first time)? 

really, living joyfully is about taking the focus off of me and focusing on God. life is not about me. or you. or your spouse (or significant other). or your kids. or your career, your car, your house, your salary...you get the idea. when i stop being self-centered, or even other people-centered (because face it...people are sinners and eventually let you down at least once!), and start living a God-centered existance, life becomes not only bearable but it overflows with a true joy. 

now please allow me to clarify. "joy" is not the same as "happiness". joy is deep-rooted; happiness is a temporary emotion. i am not saying that if you live a God-centered life that you will always be happy - oh no, my friend. there are too many heartbreaking, gutwrenching things going on for us to always be happy. i am saying, though, that if you live believing that God is in complete control of every situation (even the bad ones), something happens to your soul. there comes a calm assurance that no matter what happens, God is there with you and you can at least be grateful for His presence in your life. (ever read that poem footprints?) sometimes all we have to be grateful for is the fact that He is willing to carry us when we are too weak to walk. that joy and peace will overflow eventually and others will be drawn - not to you (because it is not about you!!!) but to the One who loves you and cares for you. 

Jesus says in the Gospel of John, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (10:10) He never says "I have come that they might live by a strict set of rules and regulations and then only if they act good enough will I allow them to live a good life." He was born, He lived, He died and He rose from the dead that we -anyone who believes- might have ABUNDANT life. not a meager existence, not a purposeless stay on earth, but an abundant, everlasting life. full of God's love...full of God's peace...full of the joy of knowing that God is in control and that He has our best interest at heart. 

so i went home from church and prayed out loud with abby and elizabeth (will was at sunday school) while i did the dishes. we thanked God for just about everything we could think of, and sure enough my heart was lightened and my pityme mood faded away. i have been encouraged to live joyfully and focus on how great God is and how thankful i am for His unfailing, unchanging, unconditional love. 

you can live the abundant life that is overflowing with joy, too. place your trust and your heart in God. acknowledge that Jesus can save you from a meaningless existance...and begin to live joyfully!