Temptations

Temptations

“No temptation will overtake you expect that which is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can endure it. “ -1 Corinthians 10:13 

I was thinking about this verse and started to break it down a bit in my head.  Here is what I found:

  “No temptation will overtake you expect that which is common to man.” This verse basically means, there isn’t anything that you are going to go through that someone before you hasn’t been tempted/tested with.  You aren’t alone.   Reach out and you might be surprised by those around you that struggle with similar temptations.  We are all in the same boat in one way or the other. 

“And God is faithful”.  So, not only are there other people who can say; “Hey, you have got this.  You CAN beat this temptation.  I did and I’m here as a living testimony”.  But you have GOD almighty telling you that He will faithfully walk you through this.  Feeling confident yet?  There is more. 

“He will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”  What? Wow.  God almighty is not only faithful, but is there making sure you are thoroughly equipped to handle what is dished out to you.  He has hardwired you per se, to handle the storms that you will/have faced.  That amazes me.  Could it be true?  That I am strong enough to stand up against my darkest and fearsome temptations?  The answer is yes. 

“But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can endure it.”  So, you see the temptation before you, now you know others have been through it too, you know God is faithful, and you know you are hardwired to handle it.  If all that isn’t enough, He also provides a way out.  I have often asked God to provide a way out of my personal temptations.  A physical portal, maybe, to remove me from the situation.  No, I’m not kidding.  This fight was/is hard.  But then I realize, that Jesus is the way out.  He is the way out of temptation. 

John 14:6 Says, “ I am the WAY, the truth and the life. 

I think of trapeze artists that tumble and twirl in the air.  They leap fearlessly from one swing to the next. Under them is this netting that keeps them from hitting the floor.  He is the netting.   When all else fails, He is the WAY out so that you can endure it. 

If He is the WAY out of my temptations, then I am going to be okay.  If I have to run right into Jesus and that is my way out of temptation, then you better believe I am going to run.  Head on. 

What temptation or testing is ailing you today?

Drug, alcohol, gossip, negative thought patterns, financial troubles, self depravating thoughts, food, pornography or pretty much anything that parading itself over God is a temptation.   A temptation by definition is a desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.  Let the Holy Spirit speak to you today.  And take heart, because you have a faithful daddy who is watching you and is making sure you succeed. 

Suddenly, my temptations don’t look so big and scary.   I feel fearless.  Don’t’ you?

Give me YOUR eyes

This spring we were able to take our kids on a long awaited trip to Southern California. It was a trip to remember and to make a Shutterfly Photo book about. On our 6 hour drive home, we decided to get Chick-fil-a just because you never pass a Chick-fil-a without indulging. As we get our bags full of food, my son Daniel sees a homeless man going through the garbage trying to find scraps to eat. My son watched as my husband fished out his own sandwich and handed the sandwich to the man. The man was happy but confused; our son Daniel would never be the same. He would talk and think about that day often. It bothered him that there would be people starving-- to the point of eating out of the garbage. Moved with a broken heart and compassion, he asked us what we could do to help out these homeless people. A suggestion was given about filling gallon sized Ziploc bags with goodies and a few essentials. We would reach out to the community and have kids put the bags together. So Daniel ran with it…

We jumped right in!  I helped him set up a Sign up Genius page and Daniel went to town; literally he went town.  

He asked our local Dental for toothpaste and toothbrushes.

He asked for donation momentary or tangible.

Donations started to pour in; from his east coast uncle, grandparents, great grandparents, to his west coast friends, church family and neighbors. One of our friends even had her company donate Sun-maid raisins.

We were overwhelmed by how our community moved to help our son with his project. Eventually, the donations were filling up corners and rooms of our house and soon the day came for packaging. It took five very smart boys, 2 hours to put 60 bags together. The bags contained tissues, combs, Chap Stick, wet ones, hard candy-mints, water, granola bars, apple sauce, socks, toothbrush and paste, Sun-Maid raisins, and spoons.

The last step was giving out these bags…but to who?

We decided that we would do a family trip out to San Francisco. So we loaded up our goods and headed out there. Being new to the area, we didn't know where to find these homeless people. It was early - 8:00 am. We drove until we ended up on Mission Street (don't ask us how). We know that the Man upstairs had us here for a reason; soon we started to notice them. They lined the street, finding any nook to sleep in. It was cold, sad, and quiet. I didn't feel safe at all - but we had come so far. My husband and I came up with a plan:  He would go hand out the bags alone, while our kids waited in the car a safe distance away. This mama bear was okay with that plan. Daddy would hand them out, mommy would drive the (get away) car and the kids prayed that Daddy would be safe and that the needs of these homeless would be met. 

It was a life changing moment as I watched my husband carry out this selfless act. And then watching the reaction of these people. They were over-joy, shocked, and grateful; a few refused us and asked us to find others that needed it more. Still others, asked if we could give some out to their friends - leading us to more people to help. Rob had a few long conversation…those stories were sad…but we lent a listening ear. How could giving be so satisfying?

Our boys, will never be the same.

This is the part of San Francisco I want them to remember…the day an 8 year old decided to make good on a "God thought".

I love the words for the Song Give me your eyes, By: Brandon Heath

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach

Give me your heart for the ones forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see

I am praying that God would should me how to carry out some of those "what if I did this or that" thoughts. I want God's love for humanity, and not just on the street, but in the super market or school or the park.

There is a big need for soldiers to service in the army of God. What will you do today? 

Editor - Selena Hoye

Baking Blueberry Galette with the Boys

Today we decided to cook/bake together.  It's important to me that the boys learn that things aren't just "there"...in the store.  I wanted them to know that it takes hard work for things to be made.  Someone grew these fruits.  Someone made this.  Food can be so easy to get and so readily available (first world problems) that sometimes I think we all forget just how much effort goes into it.  Since we couldn't keep our Venus fly traps alive for more than a few days, we decided that it was hard work to grow blueberries.  Kuddos to blueberries farmers everywhere.  So we decided to get the blueberries, flour,sugar and lemons and a few other things out and make blueberry Galette.  We started with fresh blueberries, mixed in a few things and popped it in a (store bought) pie crust and, Voila.   Bubbling.  Goodness. It brings me joy to give my kids something homemade.  And what they make, they are excited to eat.  I plan to let them help me make green beans next.  Hope that goes ok.  Not holding my breath tho.
I will include the whole recipe at the end.  So a big thank you to one of my best friends Joanna and her sister Marissa for enhancing and rocking my world with blueberry Galette.

It doesn't seem hard hitting, but the little things I do with my boys seems to excite them more than anything I buy them or any exciting place I take them.  Maybe "I" am enough?

I need to document all this effort I am putting forth for my kids.  You know how people only remember the bad memories (we have a bunch).  Well I have blogged proof that I did stuff with my kids. So kids, don't forget me when you are all famous. Oh...um...I'm back.   Sorry back to blueberry Galette.

Before long they will be off to graduating High School, off to College and getting married. Deep Sigh! (Depressed eating blueberry Galette)  I love my kids and I love being schooled at the University of Boys!!! Ciao for now.

                                                My little guys taste testing the "blue babies"

                                                            Squeezing lemons

                                                   Apparently we need hats to bake

                                              Team work! If only things always looked peaceful.

                                       Big Brother will take it from here.  Mom wanted to keep the
                                           little sanity she has and went with store bought pie crust.

                                                              He's a pro

                                                             Butter Butter!

                                   All the bubbly goodness.  Top that with some whip cream..Whoop Whoop!

                                1  Pie Crust (we used Trader Joe's)
                                          
                                           2 cups Blueberries
                                          
                                           1/4 cup sugar in the raw or coconut sugar
                                          
                                           2 Tb Cornstarch 
                                          
                                          1 Lemon
                                          
                                           1 tsp Vanilla Extract
                                           
                                           1/4 tsp salt
                                          
                                           1 Egg

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Mix blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice, vanilla, and salt in a bowl.

Thaw out your Pie Crust and put all the delicious mixture into the center.  

Pinch in the dough to form a ring and  to keep the mixture in.  

Brush egg wash (egg and water mixture) on the pie crust.  

Bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.  From what I keep reading it's okay for some of the juices to come out.  Let it cool and serve with whipped cream or Ice cream.  YUM.  THE END

Cowboys Vs. Indians

One little, two little, three little Indians. Four little (sadly the song has to stop there). Today there are no worries; No worries of handing in homework, or making lunches or getting to school on time. Today there is just us; just us and this tee pee we acquired that is. I have been trying to cultivate imagination and free play with my boys and that is exactly what we did here. It was time to release some of the pressure that we were under and just PLAY like the good ole days. Two ** Indian brothers making a fire to roast their kill of the day. When suddenly out of no where: Cowboys. A fight erupts. Who will win? Will the two (or....errr 1.5) cowboys win or the Indians. **By the way, Indians (totally ironic) chuckle chuckle. They are half east Indian and half white btw. This is pure entertainment. Their conversations. Their actions. 

Their arguments! All hysterical. I was first thinking, is this too violent (guns, bows and arrows) ? Its this too much for children? Is someone going to get poked in the eye. Then I realized that we can't 

shelter out kids from violence. We have to teach them to be courageous. 

Boys were born for this stuff. I am learning that I have to teach my boys to have an imagination in this "iworld", where their minds are inundated with technology. This was fun.  Here are a few pictures.  What adventure is next? 

Don't be fooled by this poses pictures.  They run around like crazy after.  They promised to hold tight for a minute though.  And I am learning to not be such a perfectionist.  

   We know that this cowboy is only 3 months but he knows what he wants and right now he wants to run around with the boys.  Sadly, his chunky legs just don't move that fast...yet :)

  This 7 year old elder boys will probably become a police officer.  He is always close by making sure his        baby brothers are okay.

This five year old is sweet and friendly.  He loves imaginary play as you can tell from his makeshift bow and arrow.

 What can we say about our two year old? He has the cutest baby voice.  Its cuter because he speaks full paragraphs.

                                                      

                                                             Brothers sticking together.  

                                 

                                                 They are always fighting anyway.