No More Nightmares!!

I have a recurring nightmare.
I find myself, in my dream, suddenly asked to come forward in church and sing with the rest of the family. (That's not the nightmare part) As I mount the platform, I look down at my feet and notice, to my great fear and dread, that I HAVE NO SHOES ON!! To my complete horror, I look out on a sea of faces – all of whom are now looking at my bare feet as well – and I'm frozen with one singular thought. How do I get out of here?!? My thundering heart jolts my body alert.
Another horrifying dream I have brings back the old marching band days.
For some odd reason, I find myself suddenly on the field with the rest of the band, standing at attention ready to start the show. Show?!? What show??!!? My mind shrieks. Two seconds later, the drum majorette is clapping and yelling, and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I jerk awake in a cold sweat.
I have yet another frequent dream which troubles me.
With no warning whatsoever, I find myself standing in the hall at East Pennsboro High School, students jostling here, there, everywhere. I'm standing stock still in the middle of the mayhem, with a paper in my hand. It's my class schedule. I find myself back at high school, and It's time to go to the next class. I look down at the schedule, and it's too blurry to read. I squint, turn my head from side to side, and even try holding the little paper farther away, but with no success. I can't read the dumb thing, and I'm going to be late for class.
All of these dreams scream one thing: I hate being caught unprepared. Unfortunately, it has happened to me time and again, hence the dreams.
I determined that this school year will not catch me unprepared.
Having seven children, it's easy to go into a school year completely unprepared. There have been a few years when I would look at the calendar and, realizing with horror that it was mid-August, I would announce, "Oh, no! we've got to start school TOMORROW!!" I remember frantically digging through the pile of books, still in the same place as I left them a few months before, looking for this year's books, wondering if there was anything I should have ordered but didn't.
There have even been a few times that one of my children didn't start school with the others, much to my own shame.


Hopefully, this school year will not catch you unprepared. Here are some last-minute organization tips for busy homeschoolers:

1. First, you need to take some time out of your busy summer schedule to check on each of your childrens' books for the next year. Do you have everything you need? Should you order something? If so, getting to it right away will really reduce the stress load later.
2. Make a list, with each student's name at the top, and subjects along the left hand side. Then list the books you have already, and notice what blanks you have. Put a star next to those, and pray about how to fill those blanks. Spend some time looking through catalogs, researching online, or simply talking with your husband to see what would be best for your student and your family. Then, place your orders!
3. Next, work on a school schedule. First, you need to schedule your time, then you may want to make a schedule for your kids' time. Making a chore schedule will help around the house, too. You can schedule your chores and your kids' chores.
4. Then, pray about and decide on your school starting date & your target ending date (understand that it probably won't happen that way, but it may give you something to shoot for).
5. You will also want to take some time to become familiar with the subject matter your kids are going to be learning this year. Look at each child's teacher's manuals, write down things which you may need to gather, print, or collect. Then, set aside a time to gather, print, or collect the necessary items.
6. Take just a few minutes to check on your supplies. You may need crayons, glue, paper, notebooks, rulers, calculators, etc. etc. etc. etc.
7. Finally, it would be a good idea to organize each student's space, or better yet, allow them to get their own space ready. Make sure each child has an appropriate container for his books, dvds, etc. Of course, this may go without saying, but it's a good idea to make sure last year's mess is cleaned up first!

Homeschooling does not have to be a nightmare. Even if you're just starting your preparation now (you're in good company – I have some things I need to order tonight, if possible), you can still be ready in time, and start your school year relaxed, prepared, and joyful. With prayer, preparation, and a lot of grace, you will be ready to start your next school year!

HE’S FINALLY HERE!!!!!

We welcome little Luke Gottlieb Siegwart to our happy family!!!!  He was born to Matthew and Kathryn today a little after noon, and weighed in at 8lbs, 9oz and is 21 inches long!

Matthew and Emily are thrilled to have a baby brother!  (with Grandma Siegwart)

Praise the Lord both mother and son are doing fine!!!! Thank you all for your prayers.

Tired, but happy mommy with her newborn son

J

Where God's Presence is Felt

I could feel it in the air. It was almost visible, but yet unseen. It was the presence of God, and I felt like taking my shoes off.
In a little country church, there was a revival meeting. But it was more than a meeting, it was the drawing of hearts closer to Himself, the sensing of His presence. He was evident in the hearts of His people, their testimonies bearing witness to His kind, gracious, yet mighty working Hand.
I could sense the cohesiveness of the local body, their love for their pastor and his family, and their unflagging devotion to the Lord. It didn't stop when the services were over, either. Each individual I spoke with glowed with the goodness of God, speaking in hushed tones, often with tears, of His kindness to them. I was thankful for every evening spent in fellowship with His people.
It hasn't always been like this, however. When we first began coming to this church a number of years ago, there was a different pastor and family. I've seen it time and again – the church always takes on the flavor of the pastor's family, particularly the pastor's wife. If she is cool and detached, then the whole body will be merely a professional organization. If she enjoys activities, then the whole body will be a social group. But if she truly, deep down loves God and His people, then the whole body will be a loving, caring, living unit…a body, a bride.
Could it be that our relationship with God is strengthened by our relationships with others?
Of course, we begin with God. Everything begins with God, and having a right relationship to Him. But if our interactions amongst the bretheren (or sisters) are purely surfacy and we do not truly build relationships, then we miss out on the tremendous blessings of seeing God work wondrously in the local body as a whole.
The previous pastor's wife of this little country church set the example by coming into church minutes before the service and leaving right after the service. She never took the time to build relationships in the church, hence the people never took the time to build relationships with each other, unless it was a few cliques here or there. Were her relationships outside the church?
We build our relationships somewhere. Either they are amongst God's people, or among the people of the world. Consciously deciding to build relationships in the church creates an iron-sharpening-iron experience, and from that springs a deep, lasting unity.
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." Psalm 133
I long to go barefoot through life, looking for and sensing the presence of God. How desperately we need Him in our churches!
…and in our homes…
Lord Willing, after Kathy has her baby (!!!!), we'll take up the subject of building relationships in the home.

High Protein Smoothie Recipe

While we wait for Kathy to have her baby (poor Kath!), let's make sure we take care of ourselves. One thing I always try to do is to eat right, since I'm the one who is ultimately responsible for my body. I also know that before long, I'll be flying up to help Kathy for a few days, so I need to take care of myself so that I can be a help to her.
Since I'm hypoglycemic, I have to be very careful of what and when I eat, especially in the mornings. My daughter Sharon sees me eating…again…in the morning and exclaims, "Mom! How do you do that and not weigh as much as an elephant!! I am SO jealous!" Seriously, though, I need to be careful to eat before I get hungry, because most mornings I don't even feel hungry, I feel terrible.
One of the best things for me either in the morning or as an afternoon snack, is a protein smoothie. Here is a recipe of a smoothie I often make as we drive down the road, because everybody knows that the driver needs to keep himself alert and going…and caffeine is not the best way. Now, some of the ingredients may seem very strange, but don't laugh…I get rave reviews from my favorite clients…my family.
High-Protein (Low fat) Orange Dreamsicle Smoothie:

 
1/3 c non-fat yogurt
1/3 c lowfat cottage cheese
1/3 c low fat milk
1 orange, peeled
Stevia to taste (often 2 packets for us)
1 raw egg (I've been using raw eggs in my smoothies for about 30 years, and neither I nor my family have gotten sick once!)
1 tsp vanilla

 
Blend it all together and test it to make sure it is sweet enough. Then increase the speed of the blender and add about 6 ice cubes, one at a time. The result is a tremendously delicious, healthy snack that really carries you through! My family raves over the taste, all the ingredients are natural, and there is no added sugar. It is about 250-300 calories, and about 20 grams of protein. You can vary it and make it a meal shake by adding oatmeal or some other grain, too. And, strange as it may sound, I also need to add flax oil, for the hypoglycemia. Flax oil is very light and does not alter the taste a bit.
Yum!
If you try it, let me know what you think!

Investing Myself

I've been visiting with my grandkids over the past two weeks, enjoying my daughter's family. It's been great to be with them again! Unfortunately, we had to leave for some meetings before the baby came, so it was a sad parting…but then again, isn't it always?

 
The Lord has been so gracious to me yesterday to allow me to hear from all three of my children who are not living at home! Jonathan called in the morning, Stephen in the afternoon, and Kathryn and I texted back and forth in the evening. It is such a blessing to know that each one of them are serving the Lord in their own churches. I do not say that boastfully, because I know they are made out of the same dirt I am…but I'm thankful they are faithful to their churches.
Kathy is expecting baby #3 any day now. She was actually due on the twenty-third, but we are praying that the Lord will allow her to go into labor on her own rather than be induced later this week.
Jonathan has a new job, working outside in the heat in the south. I'm praying that he will stay hydrated and survive; I'm sure his girl is too, since they are planning a wedding!
Stephen works the bus route at his church faithfully, and really enjoys working with kids. Lord willing, we will see him in a week or so, and I'm looking forward to it.

 
I've been thinking a lot lately about relationships; it's the stuff life is made of. Good relationships = good life, bad relationships = bad life. You would think that dedicated Christians would have the very best relationships in the whole universe, but sometimes that simply isn't so. All of us have a sinful nature, and all of us have those fleshly, selfish desires. It is only when we are walking in the Spirit that we are able to truly love like we should.
There is a married couple that I know who were separated, by choice, for about three months. No, the man was not in the military and on a short deployment. It was not even an argument that culminated in a "I'm outta here!" sort of fight. The wife went to spend the summer with her daughter, while the husband, a pastor, had some young pastoral interns stay with him and help him in the ministry. Is there something wrong here? Am I missing something?
These folks are my age, and I can tell you, some couples slow down a little bit, but they don't slow down that much, if you know what I mean! If I was a bettin' Baptist, I'd say something's wrong with the relationship.
I got an email recently from a dear friend whose home is collapsing. The young people are disrespectful, the father works long hours, and the mother is heartbroken. The relationships are non-existent.
Please, people, I beg of you…do something special with those you love today. Don't let your relationships experience neglect, for they are tender plants, and they will wither and die.

 
I have a houseplant that was given to me by a dear friend years ago. It is the only living thing other than children that will fit in the bus, and I think it's beautiful. Through the years, I've taken care of it, watered it, protected it from heat, and kept it from the cold. After our bus accident, while the bus was being fixed and we were without a place to stay, I took my plant with me everywhere, carrying it at my feet in the van for two months, taking it into the motel, or prophet's rooms, or wherever we happened to land at night. It's dear to me, and I will tell you why.
Long ago, I felt that the plant was representative of my relationship with my dear friend. So every time I water the plant, I pray for her. I take the time to write her letters, and we talk on the phone. The plant is a visible reminder of my friendship with her. As I invest bits of myself into the plant, I invest bits of myself into my friendship.

 
Let's try to invest ourselves in our loved ones. Don't let your relationships disintegrate.
I will try, Lord Willing, to take some posts and talk about relationship building. I'm definitely open to comments. What do you do to help build your relationships?

A Piece of my Heart

Our last day in Canada comes with mixed feelings. No matter how much like home a place feels, there really is no country like the United States. We may have our troubles and may be doing some really stupid things, but there is still no more amazing place than the US.
Here in Canada, however, the Independent Baptist churches are in their first generation. To me, it's like going back about twenty or thirty years, to what it was like back in the eighties when I was newly saved. The churches are small, many of them still meeting in storefronts, and the people are devoted to their church, but especially to the Lord. Such a sense of dedication to God as we felt amongst these people!
One dear elderly lady I spoke with told me with tears in her eyes about how good her pastor and family had been to her since the loss of her husband. "They are my salvation," she said simply. "I just don't know what I would have done without them." The pastor and his family pick her up for every service, and make sure her every need is met.
Another pastor and his family, the ones at the church we are staying at right now, is away visiting the pastor's wife's family. They've been gone for almost a week, and of course, we are in the church parking lot. Folks don't realize that we missionaries can see everything going on at a church (and we know the church can see everything that's going on at our motorhome!). It's amazing to see the care of these people for their church and their pastor while they've been away. Yesterday, one lady carefully watered all the flowers on the church's and pastor's property. And then, today, I saw a man walking around with a watering can, checking on all the plants and watering them again!
And then there's the Canadian military. So far as we know, and we've been here several times and talked to hundreds of people, there is no missionary to the Canadian military. As far as Independent missionaries go, there are roughly fifty or sixty missionaries to the American military, but not one to the Canadian military. Thankfully, my husband has been meeting with some pastors near some bases, discussing the need and the possibilities of reaching their bases.
Sunday night after church, my family and I had dinner with a Canadian pastor and his wife. The dear lady spoke tearfully about her son, who spent three years in the Canadian Forces and served alongside troops from the States in Afghanistan. "In a few days, Canada Day will be here, and there are the fireworks. Someone asked my son if he would put them on for them, but he said he couldn't do it. Not yet. He's just not ready yet."
"I never understood," she told me, "how having a loved one in the military affected the entire family. My son came back from Afghanistan a different person. The things he saw, the things he went through, and the things he did…he's different. He will never be the same. And because of what he went through, we're different, too. It has affected us all."
"The first year he was back, on Canada Day, when one of the fireworks exploded, it didn't matter where he was in the house, he would drop to the floor, crying. I would go over to him, rub his back, and say, 'It's ok, honey, it'll pass, it'll pass.' He was so embarrassed, but we understood."
"And then there was the time he had a knee injury and had to stay behind while his unit went to the forward camp. While he was recovering, his unit came under attack, and his battle buddy got killed. My son has never been the same. He knows he should have died, too, and wonders why his friend had to die. It doesn't matter what I say to him, it makes no difference. He still feels that nagging guilt."
"Being a Christian has really helped him a lot, though," she said with a smile. Then her eyes became very serious, she leaned forward and wondered aloud, "What do these folks do who aren't saved? How do they handle such things without a Savior to go to?" Then, just as quickly, she answered her own question. "Well, they don't. The suicide rates and divorce rates among soldiers are the highest ever. They have no help, no support, no one to turn to."
Folks, who will reach these Canadian forces? Who will point them to the Savior who can guide them through all their trials? We can only do so much, but it seems there is always more to do. Pray that the Lord will send forth laborers unto His harvest, for the fields are white!
The wheels of the bus turn faster and faster, taking us back to our homeland. But I think part of our hearts have been left in Canada.

My disciples

This is a reprint from an article in October of 2006, so you'll notice the kids are much younger! The principle still holds true today, even though they are now 12, 10, and 7. And yes, they are still right with me all the time…and I love it.

 
I was going about my usual business last week, and I noticed something. It was not an unusual thing I noticed; it was something that happened all the time. It is a normal, everyday occurrence. What I noticed about this thing was something that God was speaking to my heart: I have my very own disciples, my little children.
I went outside to hang out the laundry, and my 7-year old, 5 year-old, and 3 year-old followed me out to play. As soon as I went in, they followed me inside. When I went to the store, they begged to come along. When I go to church, they are following me everywhere, to the point that if I turn around, I often trip on one of them! I must admit, regretfully, that I have often wished they could just "go play by themselves for awhile," so I can get something done. But this past week, as we were at a missions conference and the Lord was working in my heart about the lost around the world, He very gently showed me the little ones in my home.
"These are your disciples," God seemed to say. As I sat in my pew, with the preacher going on and on, I realized what potential I have been ignoring. Here I have with me on a daily basis, a small group of young people completely dedicated to following me in whatever I do. They love me and want to be with me. They want to do what I do, and learn from me. What an opportunity! I can pour good things into their moldable little lives right now that I will never be able to get in later on.
I asked the Lord for forgiveness for taking such a grave responsibility for granted, and asked Him for help to teach and direct them in the right way. I soon had my first test!
Saturday morning, it was time to clean the van. Now, you have to understand a little bit about us to understand the enormity of the task of cleaning the van. We have a large 15 passenger van, and it was extremely dirty on the inside from remnants of our 4 ½ month trip. I had cleaned it a few times during our trip, but it had been awhile, and if you can imagine a family of 8 living out of their van for a few months, you can begin to imagine the disaster which we called home for awhile. It was going to be a big job, and I knew it. This job would only be made bigger and more complicated if I added some small children to it. But I knew that not only did the van need cleaned, but also the children needed to spend some time helping me clean it, so we could work together. They need to learn that work is a daily occurrence.
So, we set out to clean the van. I had four helpers: all the way from the 11 year-old on down. It took all morning, and was lots of work, but in the end, we had a very clean van, and some happy kids! I told them I would give them a few caramels if they worked hard, and they sure did work to get those things! And my, did they enjoy them when they ate them! And what a clean van we have now! I made sure I told everyone how the little ones and I cleaned the van out, and all the big kids, and even Daddy oooo-ed and aaahh-ed over such a clean vehicle! How good that made those little kids feel!
They are learning each and every day. I try to drop little bits of wisdom, and now I am trying to have them work with me as we go about our days. How wonderful it is to serve God by investing of myself in my little ones! They are my disciples.