Please parents don't fail!!

Here's a comment I recently read from Rick Boyer in a posting he made on Facebook:

"We don't have TV in our home; never have had. But the distractions of the internet are just as bad or worse, and we have to have it for business. The occasion of my posting the above was that last night I sinned by wasting a chunk of time on online entertainment. Nothing most people would call immoral, but it's immoral to waste our limited time on this earth. I was severely convicted for it. I know better."

This is a family we have kept up with and have learned much from reading their books. He (Mr. Boyer) even admits how the computer can waste time. I said this in an earlier post I made some time ago; "If the TV is the BEAST, then the computer/internet is the brother called the DRAGON". They can both take away precious time. God help us to not be legalistic into thinking just because we get rid of the beast, we don't have to worry about the dragon. 

My family and I still watch a very good movie that is family friendly from time to time, and I mean that in the strictest sense. No foul language, no harsh unnecessary violence (there are some civil war, historic things that can be taught at an appropriate age), no immoral images, etc.., and we even sometimes get safely on the dragon (like now),

But even being careful about all these things, I can still fail miserably as a parent if I waste time. It's that precious time God has granted me that I don't want to miss with my family. It doesn't matter how much of my story I can tell on a blog, or how much of my time I can give a friend, or my career, 
if I miss this opportunity to make an impact on the lives God has entrusted me with; I'VE FAILED!

But you don't understand, I've got a degree in......FAILED!
But you don't understand, I've been a success at....FAILED!
But you don't understand, I have an opportunity to....FAILED!

Do I make my point?

Katie turns 14!!!!

July 5th Katie turned 14.  Katie's birthday is always so much fun because there's lots of excitement with 4th of July activities that lead up to her birthday.  We had a fun night celebrating.  While we were enjoying cake and ice cream we realized that there was quite a windstorm outside. It didn't put a damper on things though we just kept on with the celebration.  Katie is probably on of the sweetest people I have ever been around.  She is a pleasure to have as a daughter and we are so proud of the young lady she is becoming.  Katie is always quick to forgive and also quick to ask for forgiveness.   She makes some fantastic brownies and cookies and always knows when her Momma is in need of chocolate. She has a very soft heart and a love for children.  She has been very interested in adoptions and has educated herself (and anyone else who will listen) with all kids of different information.  One of her gifts was a movie called "Rescued" the family that made this DVD also sent her one of their bluegrass CD's since it was her birthday.  Not your typical gifts for a girl turning 14 but this only shows just how big her heart really is. Our little "StinkerBell"  is growing up on us way too fast!!!

Family Shepherds

I just finished this new book by Voddie Baucham. It was a gift from my wife for Father's Day. I would encourage every man to read this book. Voddie has articulated and applied Biblical principles so men can be equipped to be the leaders God Almighty is calling them to be in their homes. I have read many books on educating men in this area and have gleaned great wisdom from many, but I have also seen some contextual criticism come up when attempting to discuss these books with other men; not with this book. Voddie has allowed God to properly keep each scripture reference in context and to the point "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works". 2nd Timothy 3:17. Men step up and lead!

What some people will do for free food (year 2)

Yes,  for the second year we dressed up as cows to receive free food at Chickfila we also met up with our friends the Duncans.  The Chickfila cow was out and all the kids (as you can tell from the picture above) were very excited.  This year we went for lunch and it was completely packed out with cows of all ages.   We had a fun time making our outfits and all the kids helped make their outfits unique.  We LOVE ChickFilA.

3 weeks of squeezing

I am so thankful for my family. The last 3 weeks have been tough. Trying to help our local congregation at Waterville Baptist get ready to open has been very difficult. July 8th is almost here! My wife has been amazing and my kids are such a blessing. Devotion time is my favorite time with my children, and we have had to be very creative these past weeks to keep our devotions, but my blessings have understood. Through these difficult times, our church has been challenged and we have been squeezed. Let's hope what came forth from the squeezing was Jesus and not my flesh. Growing hurts. Some Christians I know don't even have to be squeezed and "fleshly" things are present. Let me say ; the fruits of the Spirit do not consist of impatience, hatefulness, or "I have arrived" attitude. I think you will find the list in scripture is the exact opposite. God knows our short comings and He can mold us into His likeness, but these 3 things mentioned have to go. I can't wait for Sunday!

Sam Turned Three!

As you can tell from the pictures Sam is a baseball fan even though he's never been to a real baseball game since he was a small baby.  He is a real Yankee fan, always wanting a Yankee hat.  We did a baseball theme for his birthday this year.  I actually bought a store bought cake (even though it didn't taste that good to me) it had baseball players and the field on it.  The little baseball players were a huge hit.  He really enjoyed opening his presents this year too.  The last picture is my favorite!!!!  I knew they were watching his new Winnie the Pooh movie but I didn't  realize he had piled up on his sister.  I think she was just about as tired as he was.  That's another fun part of having little ones so close in age, they celebrate as much as the actual birthday person.  I guess turning three and being a birthday boy just wore him out.  He enjoyed relaxing and watching his new movie before bed.  Happy Birthday to our 3 year old sweet boy!!!!

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day Dad!!!

Sarah's 4th Birthday

Happy 4th birthday to our dear precious Sarah!!!  You are such a joy to all of us!!  We had a princess birthday for Sarah.  She woke up to our dining room being decorated for her princess celebration.  We eventually had to put a few things away till that evening.  It was too tempting for 3 little ones in the house not to bother. That evening her Daddy even surprised her with a dozen roses and pizza for her birthday supper.  It's hard to believe that she is already 4, seems like she should still be the little baby of the family.

Moore Family Films: Watch Free Online-It Is Your Life: The Moss Famil...

Moore Family Films: Watch Free Online-It Is Your Life: The Moss Famil...: On sale for $10.00 (Regular price $15.95) During the month of June, Moore Family Films is offering another one of our films free for o... This month the Moore Family is sharing another great DVD. We enjoyed watching this. It was great seeing the story of another Mom who has had MANY c-section!!! I'm sure that anyone who watches this will come away very inspired by this family!

National Bible Bee

It's that time of year. The time that our family gets really excited about a box being delivered to our home from the National Bible Bee. This year they have made a few changes and instead of learning about 8-10 verses per day it is more like 8-12 verses per week. Also there is personal and family Bible study that will take about 20 minutes or so per day. This will be very manageable for most people. Now one of the best things will be a chance to go to Nationals in November. They will be held in Tennessee again this year. The Pigeon Forge area will be the location and since that is so close to us we are excited about going even if Morgan's scores don't get her there to compete. Last year Kirk Cameron, Voddie Baucham and the Gettys were special guests along with many others. Just going to the conference will be wonderful-getting to compete in the finalist would be even better. We will do this study all summer as a family and encourage and help Morgan with the memorization part. Since she was a little girl she has always been blessed with the ability to memorize things. It just comes easy for her (unlike her Mother). When she was in Kindergarten we started going to a different church near the end of January/beginning Feb. we were very glad they had the AWANA program there. Our previous church had not yet started their AWANA program and we had hear great things about it. I was a bit concerned that it would be difficult for Morgan to finish her first year book since we had started so late. She thoroughly enjoyed going to AWANA. It was a very small group and she really liked her teacher. She quickly devoured the book and completed it by the end of March! She then went back over it again and by this time we knew that the Lord had blessed her with a gift of memorizing things very easily. When we first heard about the Bible Bee several years ago we knew this would be just right for Morgan. She had went as far as she could in AWANA and we knew how much she loved to memorize Gods word. For different reasons she has never competed at the locals but this year our goal is to finish well and by that I mean to do her best in the local competition and then see where that might lead. I cannot stress enough that this is more than a competition but it is memorizing the scriptures that will stay with you for a lifetime and also personal and family devotions. I hope to do updates about our experience with the Bible Bee all summer. I also hope to find other families that are blogging about their participation with the Bee and maybe do a link up. Sign-ups are through the end of the month!!! Spread the word!!!

Strawberries and Mothers Day

Last Saturday we went to pick strawberries..

Mothers Day A rare picture with all my sweet ones!

Tuesday Linkup

I'm linking up with Tesha's Tuesday link up.  She has a blog that has been a blessing to so many.  This is something that she sent out to other Mommy's that have suffered a loss.  I read through all the names and thought of how all of these women have had to go through so much.  I am so thankful that the Lord blessed me with 8 children and I can't imagine what it would be like if I hadn't been able to enjoy every single one of them.  I am blessed each day with hearing the laughs, giggles and of course on some days the screaming and crying of 7 of them but I am forever changed after having Daniel.  Those few weeks with him still inside me were difficult with the pregnancy problems but they were at the same time wonderful and a gift from God.  Things that were once taken for granted are now hoped and prayed for.  Mercy Me has a new song that I heard on Sunday.  I'm sure that we can all relate to this song if we have suffered a true loss of any kind.