Friday Fave Five

It's time again for Friday's Fave Fives, brought to us by Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

1. God's faithfulness. Even though I have been so unmotivated, undisciplined, and unfaithful the last few weeks, God has been so good to continue to give me forgiveness and His Word. After many days of literally NO quiet time with the Lord, I had wonderful fellowship with Him on Thursday and Friday. And what a sweet time it was!

2. Ten years of marriage.


Today, Brad and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. We spent a wonderful evening together, shopping, eating, walking, discussing and planning for our big celebration...a cruise sometime this January or February.


God has done so much in the last 10 years to provide for us, grow us, encourage us, lead us, and teach us.


I am so grateful for Brad and his leading in our home. He is my best friend, soul mate, lover, listener, and regulator.


He keeps me down on the earth when I get carried away, listens to my dreams, and supports me in all I do. I love you Brad!

3. That the craziness of youth ministry will be over...soon! From July 18th to August 6, Brad has only been at home 6 out of those 20 days. He led one missions trip from July 18th - 26 and another one Aug. 2 - 6. While I love what he does and support him fully, it's been rough to have him gone so much in the last month...actually probably even rougher on Caleb who misses his daddy so much. I am eager to have him home and have some days as a family again.

4. Beautiful times with my Savior and being used by Him. God continues to amaze me as He uses me to connect people, encourage young moms, and do work to further His kingdom. I am so grateful that He chooses to use me!

5. Cooking again! With Brad's crazy schedule, I've been cooking a lot of kid friendly meals...you know, hot dogs, mac-n-cheese, grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...but this week I got to make some normal meals because Brad was home...well, at least two of the five evenings this week!


This is baked chicken (with Italian bread crumbs), fresh green beans (from a organic farm co-op I'm in), and garlic red potatoes. Yummy!

6. I know it's supposed to only be five, but I had to add one more! On Wednesday, at 11:03 p.m., our 1st Aust nephew, Landon Richard Aust was born! Yeah! Caleb finally gets a boy cousin on his daddy's side.


Congrats Brian and Sarah!

So faithful when I am so unfaithful...

Last night while trying to fall asleep, I was overwhelmed with how faithful God has been to me, in spite of my great unfaithfulness to Him.

I am so undeserving of His love and goodness...

...both on bad days AND on good days...since there NOTHING I can do in and of myself to earn His love or goodness.

For the past two weeks, my quiet time has been very sporadic, and I even skipped my normal Sabbath time (2 hours of uninterrupted time AWAY from my home and family...just me and God) last Friday so I could sleep.

I was so tired of being a single parent and also having someone in my home...even though I was SO BLESSED by having Brad's mom here, but, you know, having a spouse gone and someone else in your home can be pretty exhausting. Add in several nights of Caleb crying for "daddy" will make for one tired mommy. I just couldn't get myself out of bed before the kiddos woke up. Thus quiet time faded away.

And I've been feeling it. It doesn't seem to affect me at first, but little things start to creep in...a bad attitude, bitterness, frustration, a complaining spirit.

But God has been so good! And so FAITHFUL!

In spite of my almost total neglect of His Word, He has still chosen to bless me with some precious verses from His Word so that I can bless others. In my very short time with Him, He has given me peace about my struggles and also wonderful words of encouragement. He has reminded me to pray daily for Stellan, his mom, my friend Megan (who is in great turmoil), my friends Jemi and Gianna (who have been sick), my brother (who is taking his bar exam today and tomorrow) and countless others that I should have easily forgotten to pray for.

Why does He do this when I am so undeserving!

Plus, this morning at a play date, He brought a wonderful mom to the park that my friends could love on and encourage! It was totally a God moment!

Amy, my new friend, had wanted to go to the library, but her daughter...get this...had accidentally dropped her car and house keys in an elevator shaft. You know, the very small and narrow shaft between the elevator and both floors! Anyway, so she decided to go to the park instead...where she met me and my friends. (Seriously, to have a bunch of keys fall like that has GOT to be a God thing.) I knew she looked familiar, and once we started talking, we realized we had run into each other on Sunday in children's church. (Her daughter was crying because she was being dropped off and my child was crying because I was picking her up.) Sammy LOVES her friends, in case you didn't know and cries often when she has to say good-bye! God used Sammy's crying to help us recognize one another...thus making a connection.

Anyway, so we all began talking, sharing with her about our church and ways to get connected, telling her about free babysitting next week at our church, talking about the great nurses at St. Joe's (our town hospital...Amy is due with her third child in just under two weeks and hasn't delivered in Brainerd before), and all around getting to know her better. It was such a treat to be able to connect her and also to love her and her kids.

Again, I sit here wondering why God chooses to use me, despite my utter unfaithfulness.

He could use someone else...someone who has been more faithful...someone with more experience...someone who knows His Word better...someone else...

But no, He chooses to use me...

and I am so grateful.

The only thing greater than raising my children to know and love God and building a healthy marriage that will be an example to my children, our youth group students, and other couples is being used to glorify God and spread His kingdom.

And even though "my thoughts" of what "kingdom work" is may be very different from God's, I'm grateful for every conversation, every connection, every verse, every reminder to pray because even though I may not be in a classroom teaching and loving 140 7th graders or at every youth group event pouring into students, God can still use me at a park, in a hallway at church, and on my knees at home to further His kingdom.

And today, I am so thankful!

Praying for Stellan

I was up late last night praying and up early again this morning praying for this little boy.

And I just can't seem to stop crying.

MckMama (Jennifer) and I went to college together, but it wasn't until last March that I found her blog and began to follow the story of her son, Stellan. It's an amazing story, which began when Stellan was still in the womb. God's fingerprints have been all over Stellan's short life.

But now, little Stellan is fighting for his life.

And I just can't seem to stop crying.

I have never met Stellan, and don't even remember speaking to Jennifer in college, but I am terribly grieved over what Stellan, his mother, and the rest of his family are going through.

As I write, my children are happily making a tent and playing in Caleb's room. They are laughing and playing (with an occasional scream when one of them takes something from the other without asking).

But they are healthy, safe, and in my care.

This morning, it seems so unfair that my children are happy and healthy and Stellan is fighting for his life.

And I just can't seem to stop crying.

So, if you are reading this post, please, please pray for Stellan. And if you want to read about his miraculous story, please check out MckMama at her blog. I also pray that we would all be so grateful for the beautiful and healthy children that we have so graciously been given.

Friday Fave Five

Join me for Friday's Fave Fives, brought to us by Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

It's a time to reflect on the past week and count the many blessings we have in our lives!

1. Play dates at the beach. Since summer only lasts around 3 months, sometimes even less in Minnesota, I love to spend our warmer days at the beach. After a bit of a cool streak and lots of rain last week, it was time to pack up the car and hit the beaches. The kids had a blast, and I got to hang out with some girlfriends. This week, we went to both Pelican and Whipple Beach. It was a special treat to be able to go twice.


I really need to get this kid a sand box!

2. Bad days. I had a rough day this week. The kids were incredibly whiny and crabby, they were continually disobedient, Caleb cried most of the day for his daddy (who is away on a missions trip), and I lost patience often and was frustrated with my children most of the day. I am actually grateful for bad days from time to time. They make me appreciate how wonderful (and mostly well behaved) my precious children really are. They also remind me that it's okay not to "be the perfect mother" and have everything together. Praise God for His abounding grace in the midst of my imperfections!

3. Long visit from my mother-in-law. I never would have made it through the last week without Brad's mom. She has helped out in the kitchen cutting up fruit and veggies and also made banana bread. She has taken the kids to the park...


...Sammy and Grandma are playing "bus ride"...

...read and played with them daily, and even watched the kids so I could go running almost every night and even to a Bible study with some girl friends. She has happily tagged along on errands, grocery runs, play dates, youth events and long walks.


Here, Sammy and Grandma are "studying" (aka coloring) on our wooden swing set. (Since I just finished graduate school, anytime Sammy writes or colors she calls it "studying"...just like mommy!)

My mother in law has been such a blessing!

4. Continued peace about my decisions, plans, lifestyle, and choices. I have been reminded almost daily this week that I am not on this earth to please people, but to glorify God and live ONLY for an audience of One.

5. Boat rides with neighbors. Brad and I have the BEST neighbors! Dave and Beatrice are such wonderful people who love our kids, take them to the park from time to time, and are always willing to help or just stop and talk. This week, Dave offered to take us on a boat ride on the Mississippi.


Here, Sammy is playing with a pinwheel that she got from Dave. "Mr. Dave said it helps the boat go faster!"


The kids were actually pretty good on the boat, and it was a GORGEOUS evening to be on a boat ride.

What are you grateful for this week?

Have a blessed weekend!

How do they do it?

I am so exhausted...

And even though I feel I have ABSOLUTELY no right to complain...

I'm still going to.

Because, it is my blog, you know, and I can do that if I want.

Brad has only been gone since Saturday afternoon, and I'm missing him terribly.


How do single parents do it?

Actually, I think Caleb is missing him even more.


Seriously...what is wrong with me? I have two wonderful kids (most of the time), Brad's mom is visiting while he's gone and she's been so helpful, and my days have been filled with playdates, picnics, and long walks with the kids.

So, why am I complaining again?

Because today was a horrible day.

...both children were up before 6:30 and were incredibly cranky...oh, and wouldn't go back to bed. (I know some of you have children up at that hour EVERY day, but that's almost an hour and a half sooner than normal for me.) And since I hadn't gotten to bed until almost 1:00 the night before, it made for one cranky mommy.

...breakfast was a fiasco and NO food item would satisfy either child. They both whined the entire time, and refused to play together.

...Brad's mom (not sure how) slept through it all and finally woke up after 9:00. (I know she really needed the sleep, and I didn't want to wake her because I don't want to completely abuse her while she's here.)

...I thought that maybe if I took the kids out of our home for awhile, it would be better...I really, really wasn't thinking. Neither would sit still for story time at the library, Caleb threw a fit at the farmer's market AND during ALMOST the entire trip to the grocery store, and Sammy would NOT obey and received 2 spankings today...

...Once I got them down for their nap, I tried working on a picture order. After almost 2 hours, I realized I had ALREADY ordered the pictures I had painstakingly organized and cropped...and wasted precious nap time.

...Oh, and after dinner, I really wanted to make a quick run to Wal-mart. (Again, what was I thinking?) Two cranky children + almost an hour in Walmart = Bad idea.

...I finally got the kids home and Caleb in bed by 8:30, but he kept crying off and on until 10:30. I finally went in and laid with him, but he just got super excited that mommy was there and started playing. I was so tired that I didn't care...I just wanted him to sleep! After 15 minutes of that, I said, "That's it! You are going to bed, and I am leaving your room!" He cried and whimpered for almost another 30 minutes. In the meantime, Sammy had gotten up several times (trying to milk more time from Grandma), and, I think, finally stayed in bed around 10:30.

...and now, here I sit...missing my husband, wanting to eat ALL the chocolate in the house, and feeling sorry for myself.


I am such a whiner.

I have NOTHING to complain about! There are so many others who have it far worse than I do! I have a friend who will say good-bye to her husband in a few short days until NEXT YEAR! Another friend is dealing with horrible diagnoses for three of her children. Others have husbands that travel and are gone Monday through Friday EVERY week!

I am such a whiner.

What I think is really bothering me, is not so much what happened today and how terrible my chidren acted, but WHO I became today.

I was impatient...unloving...unkind...frustrated...moody...whiny...
stubborn...ungrateful...selfish...prideful...

I became all these rotten things...

and I hated it.

I want to be the perfect mom that always disciplines in love.

I want to be the perfect mom who always is cheerful and speaks to her children lovingly...and NEVER raises her voice.

I want to be the perfect mom who can manage, clean, and organize her home.

I want to be the perfect mom who can take every challenge in stride.

I want to be the perfect mom...

But that's not what God calls me to do...

He calls me to come to Him when I am burdened. He calls me to serve and obey Him, even in my failures. He calls me to cast all my anxiety on Him. He calls me to live an authentic life with others. He calls me to ask for help when I need it. He asks me first to be His daughter and to love Him fully...and not worry about my sticky floors.

So, at this early hour, I'm breathing in humility...and exhaling my desire for perfection...

and am grateful that God's mercies are new every morning.

Do I really believe?

I've been thinking a lot about prayer lately.


And God has been teaching me so much the last few days about Himself, His power, my incorrect and underestimated view of Him, and whether or not I can believe Him and take Him at His Word.

Do I really believe He is who He says He is?

Do I really believe He can do what He says He can do?

Do I really believe that ALL things work together for our good and His glory?

Do I really believe He can heal and restore unbearable and horrific situations?

I have a dear, dear friend who is currently going through a tragic and extremely difficult time in her life.

None of which is her fault.

Because of other people's dishonesty and many other's lack of support and help in the midst of their hardest time, she and her husband have faced great trials. Daily, I go to my knees in desperate prayer for her, and beg for God's strength, peace, and help in this very dark hour.

God has placed a great burden on me to surround her with prayer as well as build an army of prayer warriors to support her and her family. I thank God for this opportunity to serve her and cry out to Him on her behalf.

But I have been wrestling so much with WHY this is happening to her! She and her husband did NOTHING wrong! They were greatly misled, and are now suffering the consequences of another's wrong doing! And I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel for her! I just don't understand!

In the midst of this, I have been meeting with two friends every Thursday night to study God's Word through Beth Moore's Bible study, "Believing God." It has really rocked my view of who God is and what He can do. My faith as been strengthened as I've remembered the ways He has healed, restored, grown, or helped me. He really is BIGGER than I think He is!

And I know He is BIGGER than the situation my friend now faces.

But...I haven't seen a lot of change in my friend's situation, and I've been wondering if any of our prayers are really working...

I mean, I know they matter and that God hears...but...

Then, this morning...

Our pastor has been preaching through the book of Acts. It has been so good, and I've enjoyed it so much. Today we were in Acts 12. Luke, the author of Acts, shows great contrasts in this chapter. (And as an English teacher, I greatly enjoy this.) First we learn that James is killed by King Herod (v 2) and Peter is thrown in jail (v 3)...but then later, Peter is miraculously rescued (v 7-11).

James was martyred, and Peter was saved.

We also see that King Herod is a very powerful Roman leader and that the influence of the Jewish leaders is overwhelming. The small band of Christians seem so pathetic and pitiful next to the Roman government and the very influential Pharisees.

Herod and the Jewish leaders are incredibly powerful, but through God and the prayers of this very small church, Peter is freed and the Word of God continues to increase and spread (v 24).

Herod dies...actually is eaten by worms and dies slowly over five days, (v 23) and the church continues to grow despite persecution.

What contrast!

Even though the power of the world...the hostility of our culture, the authority of government, and the oppression of tyrants...seems so strong...

GOD IS STRONGER!!!

That little band of Christians "earnestly prayed" (v 5) for Peter...and probably for a lot of things. They sought out God's help first...instead of trying to figure something out using their human abilities. They were united and met together...probably very late at night (v 12). They were persistent. Peter was taken into custody during the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Herod was going to bring him to trial (and probably execute him) after the Passover...about 7 days later. They probably met and prayed most of that time. They were also desperate in their prayers. This was not a cute, little prayer service...

...this was agonizing and intensive...many pleads and cries were sent out to the Most High God.

And who did prevail?

Well...

Herod is killed...

Peter is rescued...

The Word of God spread...

Jesus said, "...I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18

So, what is my conclusion...

I CAN believe God and take Him at His Word!

I DO believe He is who He says He is!

I DO believe He can do what He says He can do!

I DO believe that ALL things work together for our good and His glory!

I DO believe He can heal and restore unbearable and horrific situations!

In spite of what I can (or cannot) see, I will continue to pray and I will continue to take God at His Word...

...because there IS no greater power.

"He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God." - Joshua 4:24

"...the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

Friday Fave Five

Join me for Friday's Fave Fives, brought to us by Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

It's a time to reflect on the past week and count the many blessings we have in our lives!

1. Hanging out with the Tomans. Our good friends Brett and Tina were in Brainerd to visit this past weekend, and we had a BLAST reconnecting, staying up late playing games, and talking about taking a cruise together! We LOVE them and MISS them so much. Even though we hadn't seen them since last summer, it was as if they had never left...a sign of a GREAT friendship!


2. Sammy's sweet spirit. I am DAILY amazed by Sammy's sweet heart. She's been very loving toward her younger brother this week, and her prayers at meal time have been sweet, considerate, and down right adorable.


3. Spending time with Grandma. Brad's mom is visiting for two weeks, and both Sammy and Caleb have taken right to her. Sammy wants to show Grandma everything and do what Grandma is doing. After receiving a TON of rain, Mom began pulling some weeds in our landscaping. Sammy just had to join her! I am so thankful for Brad's mom and my parents and their influence in my children's lives!


4. Play dates at Whipple Beach. This summer, my friends have called me "the faithful organizer" because I have organized a play date almost every week. I love being outdoors during the summer...since we only have about 3 months of warm weather...if that...and my kids love being at parks with their friends. And I LOVE hanging out with my girlfriends while the kids play.


5. Having a "hired" dishwasher. Brad's mom is eager to please me and her other daughters-in-law and really wants to help when she comes to my house. And now, after having her come a couple of times for an extended period of time, we've worked out a lot of the kinks and have really good communication when she's here. She knows now that I just want her to play and enjoy her grandkids...and do my dishes. I do most of the cooking, cleaning, and organizing, and she can stick with the dishes and the kids. It's a perfect situation!

Praise God for His many blessings this week!

Struggles...

I’m really struggling…

Struggling with NOT living up to other people’s standards and expectations…

Feeling like I need to make excuses or explain why I make the choices I do…

Why?

Why does it matter?

Am I really this much of a people pleaser?

Am I spending all my time trying to make others happy and make myself look good?

Confession time...

We are on WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). A good friend of mine suggested that we might qualify for this when Sammy was about a year old, and I was newly pregnant with Caleb. It's a government program that gets good, nutritious food into the hands of families with small children...as well as provide great education about breastfeeding and nutrition. Each month we receive vouchers for milk, eggs, cheese, cereal, etc. Next month, the program is going to include fresh fruits and vegetables and 100% whole grain foods. This is NOT welfare, but a federal program for those who qualify.

We receive energy assistance. A few years ago in our monthly gas bill, we received information about energy assistance for those in our county who fell into a certain income bracket. Even though we had no problems paying for our monthly bills, there is money available to assist those, like ourselves, who are currently on one income or who are forced to live paycheck to paycheck. It's another great program to make sure that those with small children and the elderly are able to heat their homes.

Because of this energy assistance, we learned about another program through Tri-County that gave free energy audits. We had wanted to pay for one, but just hadn't gotten around to setting it up. We assumed that someone would come into our home and give us a list of suggestions about how we can make our home more energy efficient. Our goal was to gradually save up and complete those projects. At the end of our audit, Dave sat us down and told us that we were going to be receiving a new high efficiency furnace, insulation, door, and vents...completely FREE! He said that there were both county and federal funds available to pay for improvements such as these.

Brad and I carefully put together a budget every year. We've decided that where our money goes shows where our values are. Because of this, we budget $30.00 a month for babysitting and $40.00 a month on marriage enrichment/dates. We've used this money to eat out, take ballroom dancing lessons, pay for nights away, etc.

We don’t watch ever watch TV except for the Minnesota Vikings (mostly Brad, but I do as well) and 2 or 3 television shows…like Survivor, CSI and the Amazing Race (mostly me). Since the change to digital, we only get 1 or 2 channels (on a good day with little wind) and have decided to not get cable or do anything to try to get a better signal.

We choose to leave our children with my parents for at least a week each year to have time together to grow and work on our marriage, to have our children get to know their grandparents and spend special time with them, and to teach Sammy and Caleb that they have many people in their lives that can care for them and love them.

I chose to go to graduate school the last two years because we felt it would be more beneficial to our family to complete it before the kids got older and busier and to do it when I wasn’t teaching full time and burdened by grading and planning. We saved up for it, and have it all paid off.

We keep track of EVERY PENNY so that we can keep to our budget...and I mean EVERY penny.

Live a bit of a crazy life because of ministry. Our weeks and evenings are busy, but are filled with wonderful experiences and opportunities. We've taken Sammy, at 9 months, to Poland on a missions trip, we put our kids to bed at other people’s houses so we can stay up and play games, and we sometimes keep our children up late at youth events so that they can be a part of our ministry.

We spend cash for all of our vehicles...which are both 12 and 15 years old and have over 150,000 miles each. We never make a large purchase without a lot of discussion, time, and prayer.

Use cloth diapers because we feel it is cheaper in the long run and better for our kids. We also spend the time making our own baby wipes, baby food, and shopping at garage sales because it saves us money.

Even though I was a teacher for six years and now have a masters in education, we have not yet decided to home school or send our children to a private, Christian, charter, or public school. It is not an easy decision that is made lightly. I feel called to be a public school teacher, and I do believe that I will return to teaching some day...

We also set aside one day a week, usually Friday, for Sabbath Rest. Brad and I take turns watching our children so that the other can spend around two hours alone with God for an extended time. We also try hard not to do projects, house work, or other things on those days, but rather spend time together as a family ou on walks, at the pool, or watching a movie. We also, typically, don't answer the phone.

We do these things because we feel they are in the best interest of our family.

We do some of these things because they are personal convictions that God has given both of us and that we feel He is leading us in doing.

We do this because we want to use our time, energy, and money wisely for God's kingdom.

So why is it so hard for me to write about these things?

Why do I feel ashamed?

Why am I so leery to share these values in our home with others...especially family?

Because I care what people think...I want to impress people...I don't want people to talk about me or look down on me because of my choices...

So I'm confessing...attempting to be vulnerable...and laying it out for all to see.

Because I want to live for an audience of One...and listen to His voice...

instead of those around me...

Wordful Wednesday: Horsing around

Welcome to "Wordful Wednesday" created by Angie at Seven Clown Circus. It's a chance to showcase some of our favorite pictures. Come on, and join in the fun!

I have a GREAT husband...actually, I think he's the BEST husband out there (though some of you may think yours is).

Not only is he a really great husband, but he is a SUPER father. Because he's a youth director, he spends a lot of evenings with students doing ministry and during the summer, he's gone quite a bit on youth missions trips, camping trips, and other events. But he's always willing to change a messy diaper (we use cloth diapers, so this is REALLY impressive) and play with our kids. Here's some pictures of him "horsing around" with our kiddos.

"Come on horsey, get up!"


"Hold onto Caleb, Sammy!"


"Daddy is the BEST horsey!"


Don't you all agree, he's the best!

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday. Once again, it's time to confess all those crazy, silly, and downright funny things we have done in the past week. Our good virtual friend, MckMama leads us always in our endeavor. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have NOT been doing this week.

Confession is so good for the soul!

I did NOT forget to soak Caleb's cloth diapers last Monday night, and then once I realized I had none and was pretty desperate, proceed to put in him some "very girly" cloth diapers my mother had made...about 30 years ago.

I did NOT take my children to a local beach by myself for several hours and have a smashing good time with them...but forget to bring the camera! ARG!

I did NOT give a little scream of joy (in front of people I did not know) when I learned that WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) was changing and GREATLY improving their food options. Nope, I NEVER make a scene!

I did NOT let my son sleep with every Thomas the Train engine he wanted so that I could stay up late and play games with my good friends Tina and Brett from Colorado.


I did NOT leave my mother in law (less than 24 hours since she had arrived from North Carolina) at home with my kids...for over 5 hours...so that Brad and I could sit and enjoy a former student's outdoor wedding and reception. Nor did I call Mom two different times and tell her I was coming home soon, but in reality didn't actually get home until almost 8:00. Nope, I would never be that inconsiderate!


Nor do I have a GREAT mother in law that...once realizing I was never probably coming home...fixed the kids supper and proceed to have a picnic on our swing set. (Did I mention how awesome she is and how much my kids LOVED it!)

Ahhhh, I feel much better! Happy Not Me, Monday!

...my servant Caleb...follows me wholeheartedly...

Today is a pretty special day for me, and I've spent much of the morning remembering where I was 2 years ago at this time.

I know that it's Caleb's 2nd birthday, but every mom out there knows that her child's birthday is very, very special...not only because of meeting their child for the first time, but how that child changes the mother's life forever.


I blogged about Caleb's birth two years ago, but I couldn't let this day go by without acknowledging my "little man."


For both of our children, Brad and I had a couple of names picked out before I gave birth, but we always waited to officially name our children until we met them, face to face. For us, naming is very significant, and it's something we take very seriously. We were still contemplating Caleb's name...between contractions...two years ago. Once me met him, we KNEW he was to be named Caleb John Aust.


We had known someone previously named Caleb, and because of our experience with him, really came to love the name. Then, after reading more about Caleb in Scripture, we really desired our little guy to follow God as Caleb, son of Jephunneh, did.


Even though Caleb himself was not an Israelite, he followed after Israel's God and loved God's chosen people with all his heart. Due to Joshua's leadership, Caleb was often in the shadows, but his influence and love for God is apparent all over Scripture.


He was a man with integrity and great faith. He had no fear of standing up for what was right...even though a million people disagreed with him. "Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.'" - Numbers 13:30

His faith made him stand out, and only himself and Joshua were permitted to enter the Promised Land. "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it." - Numbers 14:24


When something is repeated in Scripture, it's like a neon sign flashing, and we are supposed to make sure we take notice. So when God repeats His description of Caleb, it brings it home about what kind of man Caleb was. "except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it (the Promised Land), and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly." - Deuteronomy 1:36


So my daily prayer for Caleb, as I lay him down for his nap and at bedtime every night, is that he would have the courage to stand up for what is right, that he would not be afraid of the world and its influence, and that he would follow after God whole-heartedly.


I am so grateful for you, my son, and how you have made me into a mother for the second time. I love your curiousity, fun spirit, and playful attitude. I know that God has given you a sensitive heart, and I pray that it will continue to be a heart filled with compassion and empathy. Ultimately I pray that you come to know Jesus as your personal Saviour and surrender your life to Him.

May you always have a heart that follows Him wholeheartedly...

Friday Fave Five

Join me for Friday's Fave Fives, brought to us by Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

It's a time to reflect on the past week and count the many blessings we have in our lives!

1. Spending the 4th of July with friends.


For the past couple of years, we've spent July 4th with a close group of friends at parades, grilling out and watching the fireworks.


The last 2 years we've also celebrated Caleb's birthday a bit early as well. This year we went to the Nisswa parade Friday night, the Crosby parade Saturday morning, grilled out with friends, had Caleb's party Saturday evening, and watched Brainerd's fireworks that evening.





It was a SUPERB day!

2. Taking naps. I've been able to take two 2 1/2 to 3 hour naps this week. I don't really know why I've been blessed enough with TWO wonderful naps, but I am so thankful for them!

3. Taking the kids to the beach ALL BY MYSELF! Now, I don't have any pictures of my kids at the beach (since a camera was the one thing I forgot), but I managed to pack everything else, keep the kids from drowning, bring them and everything else home safely, and bathe them all by myself. (Beside a hour or two, Brad was gone from 6:30 a.m. until after 11:00 p.m. that day.) I am still amazed at how well it went and am kicking myself for not taking the kids more often!

4. Finishing staining the 125 spindles and posts on our deck. I have been working almost every day during the kids' nap at staining our 24 by 14 foot deck. The railing and spindles have taken me FOREVER! But I finally finished on Tuesday, and hopefully we'll stain the floor sometime next week. I am so thankful to have "nap time" back and be able to catch up on cleaning, laundry, and have some personal time for myself.

5. Playing with my kids.


I have really been thankful for my children, especially since they've returned from Grandma and Papa's house. I am so blessed to be able to stay at home with them every day...even when the days seem to drag on and on. I love watching them, instructing them, and being able to spend so much time teaching, training, and loving them. I often miss teaching, but I know that I am exactly where I need to be right now...and that's following God, loving my husband, and being the best mom I can be to my children.

Like two peas in a pod...

Before my kids went Grandma and Papa's house, my mom asked if sometime she could have Sammy and Caleb by themselves. You know, to spend more quality time with each of them.

I told her that was a BAD idea!

And she learned very quickly why that would be a bad idea.


She and my dad had done the entire nightly routine perfectly and gotten both of them to bed by 8:30. (You go grandparents!) Then they began to go through the mail and pay some bills. Around 10:30, they heard Caleb crying through the monitor. Mom couldn't remember if she was supposed to let him cry for a bit or go to him right away (and in her defense, I don't think I specifically told her). So she let him cry for about 5 minutes, but by this time, he had worked himself up into quite a tizzy.


Once she entered his room, she realized he has a soiled diaper. (YES, he hadn't had a soiled diaper that late at night for months and months, but he did at Grandma's house...poor Grandma.) Anyway, she got him all cleaned up, but he just wouldn't calm down. He kept crying and crying and crying. She took him back upstairs and tried rocking and reading to him...nothing helped. (And she wasn't about to call me at 11:00 p.m. her FIRST night alone with them and let me hear him crying...good call, Mom.)

Until...


Sammy poked her head out from her room. (Can you blame her? Who could sleep through Caleb's constant screaming.) Once Caleb saw her, he IMMEDIATELY stopped crying and said, "Dee,dee" (translation, "sister"). Mom then waved her over, and my little 3 1/2 year old walked right up to her brother, started patting his head and said, "It's okay Caleb. Mommy and daddy are just going to be gone for just a few days. They're coming back. We're going to have lots of fun with Grandma and Papa. It's okay Caleb, it's okay."

My mom had to hold back tears.


And, in that moment, she realized that my not quite 21 months apart children needed to be together. They were best buddies. Sammy led, and Caleb followed. They didn't do well without the other.

She then sent Sammy back to bed, read one more story to a now very calm little boy, and asked him if it was time to go "night, night." He took his nuk out of him mouth and said, "yesh."

And that was that. For the next 11 nights, not one peep from him.


Upon telling me this story--well after he was calmed down and asleep in bed--my mom said, "I will NEVER ask you to have them come and visit separately ever again!"

She's a quick learner!