Larson Log

The Next Step

2012-01-19T01:21:00.000-04:00

Nice looking shed, isn't it?

Wait, a shed with a place for chickens to roost?

and lay eggs?

Be careful!

It's a jungle in there!!!!


Ahh...much better! (By the way, yours truly cleared out all that brush by herself...with a little hacksaw! I haven't touched a saw like that in...well...since my junior year of high school! )

Well, if you haven't figured it out yet...we are getting some hens!!!! Farm fresh eggs! Someone offered the Ranch some hens...and the only place for them is over here at the Farmhouse, because that is where the chicken coop is! This is actually something we have contemplated for a year or two...and then after we moved into this house Josh started talking about getting chickens in a year or two. And God just handed us some hens! =D

Oh, and we also discovered that right next to the chicken coop...is the PERFECT spot for a GOAT!!!!!! We will definitely be waiting a year or two for that one...and then there is the possibility of rabbits...

The possibilities are ENDLESS!!!

Ranch Life Seems to Agree with 'Em! (Photo Barf...)

2012-01-17T00:53:00.000-04:00

Our Little Women/Ranch Hands

Ezra trying out the walking boots

Ready for work!

Anna sure does love that Little Man...for now anyway!

"Let's pretend we're riding horses!"

Papa hard at work.

Ezra investigating

Everybody...

working...

together!

Even Ezra!


A hard day's work finally done!

Israel

2012-01-13T01:39:00.000-04:00

This was my last sight of Josh as I sailed away from him with Friend Ships on the first voyage to Israel in 2003.

Josh teaching Ruth the ins and outs of balancing on a seesaw...in Ashdod, Israel.

The (crazy) young Larson Family before they set sail for Israel 3 years after my first voyage.

Ruth was not allowed out on deck very often, but when we were in Port, she had to have her "hard hat" on.

The Larsons with the Galilee in the background.

The Larsons on The Galilee.

Ruth and Rebekah in the Tower of David.

Josh and a crew member in the Tower of David with Jerusalem (the new city) in the background.

The youngest member of the IDF?!


Ruth was not enjoying the walk back to the ship on our first trip out of the Port...

My heart has always belonged to Israel. Always. Ask my parents. For as long as I can remember, I have loved the people of Israel, and having been blessed (oh yes, I did, Joanna!) to have been there twice...I have fallen in love with the Land! I would live there today, if God would let us. I'd move our family in a heartbeat!

Friend Ships is opening an office in the Land of Israel! No...we are not moving to Israel. But I wanted to share with you the awesome thing God is using Friend Ships to do for His People! Just click on my last statement. Maybe God would have YOU help Friend Ships serve Israel, in Jesus' Name.

The End of 2011

2011-12-31T02:40:00.000-04:00

Tis been a long year, that's for sure! LOTS of changes, lots of joy, and our own share of pain.

Our year actually started on October 23rd of 2010. I had two months left in my pregnancy with Ezra...and we were moving. We had known we would be leaving CMTS eventually...but not like that. This is where the pain comes in ~ the intense desire to want to defend ourselves and say THEY were wrong. But in reality...God had plans for us. God planned a time of rest for my Joshua. A much needed rest. We moved into an empty apartment in the home of our friends, Claude and Sharon Morin. Josh was also given a job putting together snowplows. Not only that, but with the job came a pre-approved two week vacation when Ezra was born!!!! What a Godsend!

Josh started his job, and the girls and I learned to live together without Papa. He would leave the house by 0645 and would come home between 5:30 and 11pm (on average it was 9 or 10 before he walked in the door during the snowfall months). Ezra decided to take his time cooking, and was about a week and a half late. What joy it was when he finally arrived after a short 6 hr labor. My first Man child. Truly love at first sight!

Josh continued working at Storks Automotive until the end of August. We joined my parents as they set up for the Creation Festival in Pennsylvania in June. When we came home, we knew it was about time to move on...but I would not let myself get too excited. I was totally ready to see Josh more often, and totally ready to see what God had planned next for us...but I tried really hard not to put all my eggs in one basket (the basket of moving on).

One night in early August, Josh came home from Storks and told me we needed to look up Christian Teen Treatment facilities or something like that. We ended up finding several ranches we were interested in that first search. We checked them out, and settled on LUC Boys Ranch. We finally (after many attempts) got a hold of the Program Directors at the Boys Ranch, and Josh wowed them with his verbal resume! I think Erik was salivating by the time he got off the phone!

Anyway...we moved to the Boys Ranch. We left PA on Labor Day. We drove to OH and spent a couple days with my family. Then we dragged Mom and Dad on a road trip to see our new digs. Dad must have been impressed! He got to help skin a buffalo the night we arrived! Mom started calling Dad 'Jeremiah Johnson.'

Family Christmas pic Sample #1

Family Christmas pic Sample #2

Sample #3

Yes, my table is dirty...get over it. Ruth wiped it off, and she only wiped where we sat to eat!

We have been living at the Ranch for almost four months now. Josh is settling in to his job...learning how to work on a ranch, and also how to deal with the guys who live here. Most nights Josh comes home with stories...that actually remind us a whole lot of what we have been through (or are going through now) whilst raising our kiddos. Kind of interesting if you think about it.

We switched houses at the beginning of December. The house we moved into when we got here is big, beautiful (has 2 bathrooms), but wasn't Josh and Rebekah. We could relax there, but didn't completely feel like it was ours, if that makes sense. Josh, one night at work, had to go into one of the staff homes that was unoccupied to turn lights off. The house is called The Farmhouse.

The Farmhouse is quite ghetto-looking from the outside. Quite rundown, etc. On the inside...oh my. It is humongous! Anyway, Josh started thinking that it would be the perfect place for our little family of six. He felt cramped in the other house...most like a caged animal, actually. There was no room for improvement on the other house. This one has puh-lenty of room for improvement, and it has a basement where Josh can work on his woodworking projects to unwind at night. (I should mention that a friend of mine knew about the Boys Ranch, and had been praying, since we started talking about moving here, that we would get the Farmhouse!)

Another cool thing that could be happening for Josh...is that since we have been here more than 3 months, Josh will be having a meeting with the higher-ups to see where they think he will fit best here. From the scuttlebutt we have heard...it could be that Josh is being groomed to be the Farm Manager. Do you know what that means?!?!? It means he will continue doing farm chores, and child care just like he is now! =P It also means he will be more responsible for things that happen with the animals.

Anyway, that is it for the Larsons! You may now go on with your New Years festivities!

Christmas with the Larsons 2011

2011-12-26T04:39:00.000-04:00

Christmas has been interesting to say the least this year! =P

The girls and I decided we wanted to try to spend Christmas Eve with Papa who was working, so we worked together with another staff wife to get some goodies together thinking/hoping our husbands would be able to be inside with us! The boys had other ideas, and decided to act up and get consequence time on the board...so Josh and Ron spend Christmas Eve and a little into Christmas morning out watching the boys work off their consequences (Josh got home after 1 am). The girls Ezra and I hung out with the boys and made them Chocolate Chip cookies for their evening snack. As we headed out of the dorm a little after 8:30p, Anna puked on the floor. We stopped to say good night to Papa, and when we got home at 9pm, Anna erupted again on her car seat and outside of the van (funny enough, she turned AWAY from the open door to puke on her seat! =P). Mama rushed everyone into the shower, and threw the kids in bed (gently), and tried to relax for the evening. Not an hour later, Anna erupted again...4 more times between 11 at 2:30am. that means Mama got to give Anna one more shower for the night and ended up changing her own clothes...4x.

So we laid low on Christmas Day. Anna ate...a lot for having lost it all night long. All the while, Shalom complained of not feeling the greatest! =P I am writing this at midnight...Shalom has puked 2 or 3 times since 9pm, and cried a lot because her tummy hurt.

And so...I will stop my own whining, and let Josh show you how we ended our day:

Anna was last to decorate her house and she really got in to it. she is so cute.

Hears the construction crew hard at work to try and finish the ginger bread town in time for the ginger bred families to move in before Christmas is over.

One of our trusty engineers has just about completed their studio apartment and is waiting for headquarters to inspect and stamp the paper work

our First Engineer on the site has put up an a-frame house for a small ginger family

The General Contractor on the site is struggling to complete all the work orders and deliver all the supplies, in order to meet our deadlines.

The First Engineer has fired all her hands and sent them under the table at a much lower rate; in hops to increase productivity and finish in time. Hope her plan works out


Looks like our Second Engineer is getting supplies ready to send her crews on to the yard detail.

There's our Contractor team working hard to clean up all the unwanted debris from the job site before the yard can be put in. Only five of the ten workers are working on this house. The other five must be hard at it somewhere else.

The First Engineer has completed her first house.

Those hired hands are hard workers.

Well the two Engineers are looking rather pleased. They must be on schedule.

I think our Ginger bread families are going to be quite surprised when they arrive at their new homes.

Its starting to look like quite the housing complex now.

Looks like they got the roofs on those buildings just in time for the first snow.

What a pleasant looking studio apartmen this one turned out to be.

Our local Mr. Jiff has been sneaking around our new development after hours. He'll probably get picked up for candy snatching, or some other mister meaner.

It's getting close to the deadline.

Our Third Engineer is not looking happy. Hope everything is still running on schedule.

Work carries on even though there is a foot of snow on the ground.

Another snow storm is just slathering this house.

The contractor is looking very pleased.

Looks like the Third Engineer has finished with time to spare. (This is Mama interrupting to say that somehow Anna grew up overnight - even Josh...who TOOK THIS PICTURE got confused and thought is was Shalom...several times.)

This housing complex is about full of houses.

The yard work is just about completed.

Arranging houses and street addresses.

I would like to thank all the hard workers that put in so many long hours and so much dedication; in order to finish this neighborhood on time. The new home owners should be quite pleased.

The "Hanging Tree" gets a makeover...

2011-12-15T23:19:00.001-04:00

When we were checking out this new house, called The Farmhouse here at the Ranch, Ruth asked me about an ugly dead tree that had a rope hanging from it. She asked me specifically why it had a rope in it. I told her that it was a hanging tree...to hang the horse thieves, of course!

The tree obviously needed to come down. It was dead, and a good storm could drop it right into the girls bedroom! It had to go. Immediately Josh saw the beauty in the tree. The tree branches off in three direction, and Josh got all excited about making a coffee table out of the wood...right where it splits. He said that the inner wood has swirls and "fingers" branching out where it split.

See the swirls? That is at the base of one of the splits.

See how it splits into three different limbs at the top?


Josh is amazing - to look at AND at making things! =D

I didn't come up with the idea of making a blog post about our hanging tree till I was in the basement with him, so I don't have any pictures of the tree, or Josh cutting it into a slab of wood. I AM quite impressed at what Josh comes up with to do with his hands!

This is EXACTLY why we chose this house over the Triplex! Josh has his own wood shop, a work place in which to relax and enjoy himself!

Homemade Soap Giveaway

2011-12-15T02:02:00.002-04:00

Hey People!

My friend Em makes soap! Check her out here!

http://simplycleansing.blogspot.com/2011/12/soap-giveaway.html#comment-form

365 days with Ezra Nehemiah Larson

2011-12-13T02:22:00.000-04:00

My final days...

Within 24 hrs

I think I have one of these of Josh with each of the kiddos!

Trying to be a Mama's helper...She is smiling a) because there is a camera in her face, and b) because she knows we will be picking him up within seconds!

The Larson's. Exactly seven days after our Little Man joined us in the flesh!

The girls STILL love him to pieces!

This picture is for Grandma Larson. Josh came home in this outfit, and Grandma has waited five and a half years to see another little Larson Man wear this outfit!

Pictures are out of order...this is Ezra as we know him today!

Checking out the scenery from the safety of Mama's ring sling.

PapaT's first Little Larson Man. It was love at first sight!

Ezra has ALWAYS been a smiler! I love his smiles and joy!

Chillin'.

The Boy found his fingers early, and has stuck with them!

Handsome trying out outfits for Aunt Joanna's wedding.

Loving the warm weather.

"What's this you say? You DON'T want me crawling?"

Aunt Joanna and Ez-Bo.

Handsome and his favorite Shalom. They have pretty much the same temperament, except he has a smidge more get-up-and-go...but both wear a Happy-Go-Lucky hat!

No, Mama, I will not stay in my seat, even if you buckle me in!

Handsome is as Handsome does.

What do you mean I can't walk along furniture at 8-9 months old? I'm doing it, and mighty proud too!

Ezra Nehemiah: A Walking Machine!

God certainly knew what he was doing when he sent up Ezra. Both Shalom and Ezra came into our lives during a very trying time. Shalom was given to us (and named) by God after a time of frustration, and anxiousness. Her name means Peace God has Obtained, and she has brought along a whole lot of joy and happiness with her! =D Ezra came at a time of great strife and turmoil for the Larsons. His name means Help and Comfort of Jehovah...and he also brought a whole lot of joy with him! Both of these gifts remind me of the Psalm that says, " Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning." Shalom and Ezra brought the new dawn with them when they came.

You know what else comes new in the morning? New mercies. Jeremiah wrote in Lamentations 3:22, 23, " 22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed , because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Because of God's compassion, we are not consumed. He brings us new mercies each morning. He brings us, or opens our eyes to the Peace, Joy, Help and Comfort that is around us. Amazing, isn't He?

Thank you, God, for the help and comfort you sent to Josh and me, through our kiddos!

The Sad Story of Tailspin

2011-11-29T02:54:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time, there was a little boy. A little boy, who had no one to love him. His mama and his Papa didn't love him - they didn't even know how to love each other! As the boy grew older, he got into trouble, lots of trouble. He did things that not only were against the law, but hurt him a whole lot. He was stuck in a downward spiral....spinning faster and faster out of control! We will call him Tailspin.

There once was a little girl. She lived a very sheltered life. She was often saddened by what she saw around her, and always wanted to fix it. Her heart was soft, and often got trampled on. She cared about people, and hated that there was nothing she could do to stop the hurting. We will call her Tender-heart.

Once day, Tender-heart met Tailspin. Her heart ever on her sleeve, she sought to win him over to the God who made him, and loved him oh, so very much. But Tailspin was angry. He was mad at this God of Tender-heart's. How could he love this God, when this God ruined his family, ruined his life - or so he thought.
Tailspin often told Tender-heart that it was okay for her to love this God...but he wasn't ready. In reality, he wasn't ready to lay down his hate, his hurt. He had become bitter against this God of Tender-heart's...and it was eating him up. Tender-heart became brokenhearted at what appeared to everyone she knew, as wasted efforts to show someone the love of her God. After a couple years, Tender-heart's God took her away from the friendship she had with Tailspin. Tailspin was no good for her, dragging her down emotionally and mentally...and her God had other growing lessons for His Little Tender-heart.

This sad story, is a true story. It happened to me during the two years God had me in Carpentry at Penta County Vocation High School. Tailspin is a real person...and last I knew, he was escalating in his bad choices - he wasn't satisfied with being busted for drugs...he wanted to be busted with drugs, and a weapon. Tailspin still needs Jesus. I prayed SO long during those two years that God would save him, and teach him what REAL love is...not the physical lust between boyfriend and girlfriend (which by the way, he and I were never a couple or involved), but the truly unconditional love of God that he LONGED for with all his heart.

So why am I telling this story? God has the Larsons in a place where many young men at a crossroads, of sorts. Lots of the guys here remind me of Tailspin...and, just like Tailspin, if I am not careful, my "tender-heart" can take their rejection of God personally. I get SO wrapped up in...people...that I forget that this is all about God. Not about me. Guess I am still learning what John the Baptist meant when he talked about decreasing so that Christ could increase.

By the way, I haven't given up hope that God will reach dear Tailspin. I have realized what my Mom was always telling me - at least in this case. Repeat after me, Mom, Allison and Joanna: "No where on your/my birth certificate does it say Holy Spirit!"

The End (at least of MY part of the Tailspin's story!)

My Thoughts in the Wee Hours of the Day...

2011-11-19T03:23:00.001-04:00

It's 1am. Lots of things rolling thru my mind.

how very wonderful Evening Primrose Oil is - but that isn't a topic for a blog
Unity - how it is started, how it works, etc
Parenting - how I think I am doing, what I wish I was doing, how to fix what I am doing wrong, etc.

There is more...lots more rolling around up there, but these are the top 3.

Unity

One of the ways Webster's defines Unity is: a condition of harmony; continuity without deviation or change (as in purpose or action.

That is a great definition. It makes my heart smile to see those words, and know somewhere deep inside that this is something that CAN be done. It MUST be do-able...otherwise Webster's wouldn't have a definition for it, right? =P

I have been places where unity was strong. The common thread totally held everyone together. but what happens when it is that same common thread that SHOULD be holding us together...is the very thing that tears us apart?

I can think of many examples of a common thread...that isn't so very common. Ready for list #2?

education - homeschool vs. in-classroom studies
childrens health
OUR health - herbs vs. conventional medicine
birth
Jesus

Did that last one shock you? Jesus said that he would divide families. That sounds like a deviation in actions. Unfortunately, today, I don't think it is so much following Jesus that separates us, but HOW to follow Him.

So tell me...how does one go about bringing about unity in a place where there is no unity? Where the common thread keeps everyone apart?

Some Hard Thoughts

2011-11-05T02:19:00.000-03:00

I have been called a Pharisee more than a few times in my life. I know about the planks that I have in my own eyes, and that we aren't all at the same place. I just can't get over what I am about to say.

Several years ago, I was sitting in my friend Jennifer's cabin on the ship, Spirit. She and I were watching "You've Got Mail". Suddenly, out of no where, she gets up and leaves saying something about the movie pulling back scabs she thought had healed. I was dumbfounded and confused. I watched the movie, halfheartedly, while trying to match what I knew of Jennifer's life to this silly cute movie! It got me thinking about the movie itself. There I was enjoying a movie about a guy and a girl...who both lived with someone they weren't married to, and they ended up in an emotional affair, because they were no longer satisfied with their current partner. But it's okay, because Tom Hanks' woman was a snob - to the highest degree...and, and...Meg Ryan's boyfriend was a loser in love with typewriters...So it's okay that they ended up together, because they were happier together than with their previous partner...right?

Kind of interesting way of looking at a cute Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movie...isn't it?

Fast forward to today. I hear my friends talking about a show called Sister Wives, and how intriguing it is. I cannot find the words to describe how I feel about this. I just read Wikipedia's synopsis of the show...I know, Wikipedia isn't necessarily a reputable source...but please hear me out.

Who in their right mind would share their husband with another woman? Just saying those words makes my blood boil! I don't see how 'we' can get so bent out of shape about the GLBT arena 'soiling' the true meaning of marriage...and yet find this show intriguing. It disgusts me. This Kody Brown guy needs Jesus...as does his wife, and the other three women in his house - along with all their children...so...I am not ranting about the show, nor the people in it.

My frustration is seeing Christians being intrigued by this show and watching it! Doesn't that boost their ratings? Wouldn't a boost in ratings mean that people agree with the show?

What happened to separating ourselves from the world? Yes, be IN the world, but not OF the world...wouldn't that include approving of what God doesn't approve of?

I won't call myself infallible. I won't say that I wouldn't LOVE to buy a TV and watch all sorts of old movies with my favorite Man with skin on. Old movies are like old friends to me, and I miss them. I won't say that owning and watching TV is a bad thing, because, obviously, that is between you and God. I just don't understand what is so intriguing about watching and approving of a show like that. If it were me...and Josh came and told me that he was bringing home another woman...he'd be coming home to an empty house, because my kids and I would be gone!

Fling your mud. Call me a Pharisee, a wet blanket, a goody-two-shoes. It isn't like I haven't heard it all before. But please, don't call evil good.

Ezra's Cuteness

2011-11-04T02:33:00.000-03:00

SOMEbody was too busy with her girls to watch her son...my first child to get into the Desitin. I should have listened to myself when I told myself I should put it up! This picture was taken November 3rd, 2011

Hard to believe Ezra was ever this small. He was two or three weeks old in this picture.

Anybody want some home-grown ginger?

2011-11-04T02:15:00.001-03:00

Ginger root...planted over a year ago.

This is what it looked like before we had to split the root and soil to get the plant out.

See...it grew so big, that the round pot is no longer round...

Josh separating the myriads of little roots.

This is the side we originally planted.

Cool, eh? Not if you are pregnant like my sister, Joanna! =P

Worship and Christmas

2011-10-27T17:01:00.000-03:00

I sang the Hymns at church. O Little Town of Bethlehem, Joy to the World, Away in the Manger, O Holy Night...they were songs I sang at Christmas time, just like everyone else.

Then I went away to Bible School. After my first semester, I went home for Christmas. MAN! I was smacked by the THEOLOGY in the Hymns! Ever REALLY read all the lines of Joy to the World? Google it, or better yet, pick up a hymnal and check it out! Webster's defines 'theology' this way:

the·ol·o·gy

noun \thē-ˈä-lə-jē\

: the study of religious faith, practice, and experience; especially : the study of God and of God's relation to the world

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So...worship. Webster's defines worship as a verb that means " to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power."

To me, worship is singing at the top of my lungs alone in my car to God. Tears flowing, or waiting to flow: brimming. My heart longing to be with God, yet wondering why He would come to Earth in flesh, lowering Himself to my level, just to love me. THAT is what worship means to me.

Have you ever felt locked in a padded cell? Void of strong emotions? With a THICK concrete ceiling between you and God? I have felt that way for a long time. Me, a "Christian" good little girl practically from birth. I could do everything right, know all the right answers in Sunday School, yet I was feeling like God was completely out of my reach and unattainable...till today! =D

My parents got me Chris Tomlin's Christmas album from 2009 - "Glory in the Highest" for my birthday. I finally got to be alone in the van and listened to it with the volume on high. Oh my goodness. I am gonna play a song for you, and leave you with a message from Jesus.

Luke 4: 18 and 19 (KJV):

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to HEAL the BROKEN~HEARTED, to preach DELIVERANCE to the CAPTIVES, and recovering of the sight to the blind, to set at liberty (to SET FREE) them that are bruised(OPPRESSED), to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." ~ Jesus

Worship, and SOME Christmas music, go hand in hand!

Because I have Beautiful Kids!

2011-10-26T02:07:00.000-03:00

Help me, I'm in pain!

Something to share?

2011-10-20T01:59:00.000-03:00

I keep coming to my blog with the hopes that as soon as I hit the "new post" button, the words I want to share will come spewing out of my fingers and wow the socks off my readers - which is quite hazardous these days with the falling temps! - but it never comes. The words escape me. (How did I ever think I could be a writer?!?!?!)

Oh well. Will take pics soon, and overload you with cuteness.

Changes in the Larson Home

2011-10-13T00:39:00.000-03:00

Hello Friends (ok...Hi Moms.),

Wow! I cannot believe it has been so long since I last updated my blog! A whole lot has happened in our home since May 31st!

The Larsons have moved, and with the move came a new job/ministry for us to participate in. We traded the Allegheny mountains for the Ozark mountains! We traded working on vehicles and snowplows to working on the hearts of boys desperately in need of Jesus. We are now working on a Boys Ranch in Southwest MO. What a ride God has taken us on the past 2 and a half to 3 months!

When we went on vacation in June, we were really seeking God as to what was next for our family. We loved the people we were living with, and were incredibly thankful for the job God gave Josh, but we knew in our hearts the time had come for us to move on. In late July, Josh came home from work and said we needed to Google "teen boys christian treatment facilities," so we did, and we spent a couple days just going thru different pages of treatment facilities. Finally we found one we thought might work for us. Now came the time of intense praying on our part!

All the while, although very excited about our possible upcoming changes, my mind and heart were not at rest with our possible move. I needed certain questions answered, and I was having problems getting them answered. Finally, I was on the phone one day with a friend from Friend Ships for a completely different reason, and happened to ask for which particular Boys Ranch they used to work. Good thing I was sitting down, because I would have needed to when I heard that they used to work at LUC Boys Ranch. The very SAME RANCH we were praying about! That night, or a couple nights later, she and her husband called and answered ALL of my questions...ALL of them! Talk about peace.

Then we called the ranch, and after about three days, someone finally called us back! Josh was in the process of making bread, and I was showering the girls. I don't even think I heard the phone ring. Josh was so wrapped up in the conversation, that I had showered the girls and finished kneading the bread and putting it in the oven, before he was able to talk to me. The Program Director had called and told Josh about the ministry, and Josh, in turn, filled Erik in on Josh's resume. Over the next week, we filled out applications, took a family photo, and faxed it to the Ranch. They were quite impressed with Mr. Larson (who wouldn't be! =D ) and accepted us, pretty much at face value. We told them we would need to be able to give Josh's then-current boss two weeks notice, and then we could be out there in a total of three weeks time.

Josh finished out his two weeks at Storks on a Thursday, and on Monday, Labor Day, we packed up the truck, and left that afternoon - heading towards Ohio. We stopped just at the OH/PA border to spend the night, then drove to my parents house...stayed Tues. thru Thurs. with them, and then drove to MO...taking them along for the ride! =D

Girls beds all set up and ready for them!

The bed Papa made for Anna!

My girls have their own walk-in closet.

Side view of my kitchen with TONS of counter space!

After six and a half years of marriage, I have a DISHWASHER!!!!!

Beautiful cabinets

A Dining Room...NOT in my kitchen!

My dining room, herb nook, and ginger plant...Home Sweet Home!

Living room from the dining room.

View from the couch. Our living room is actually huge...but a quarter of it is stuffed with Josh's tools.


See the section of house behind that Penske Truck? Yeah...all of that is ours. My Dad guesstimates that we have 1,800 sq.ft.

We have been at the Ranch for a month now. We are learning the ropes, and trying to adjust to Papa working strange hours (sometimes 12:30p to 10:30+pm - yes...the plus means sometimes he works beyond 2230, and this week, and possibly next week as well, he is working 2230 to 0730). The girls are having a hard time with Josh's ever-changing schedule, but since he is still learning the ropes, he won't have a set schedule for quite a while.

Another thing my kiddos are trying to get used to is that Mama is working sometimes now. Every Sunday, I make lunch and supper for the Boys and Staff. I also work in cleaning up guest housing. Kind of weird working after not working for so very long! I haven't worked in 4 years (since the day Shalom was born), and now all of a sudden, there are things I need to do. (The good news is, the kiddos can come with me when I clean guest houses!) Sometime soon, another Mama will be joining her husband (he arrived late last week), and there is talk that she and I will split each month of working on Sundays. If this happens, we are hoping to begin church visiting! We already have been invited to home church with a couple who are on staff.

That has been our life since May 31st. Lots of changes, sometimes hard ones, but all of them good! God has taken care of all our needs! We are able to eat our meals with the Boys, so our grocery expenses are quite low. This is a paying gig, so our bills (phone, internet and vehicles) are being paid. God is good!

Israel's Independence Day

2011-05-31T09:26:00.000-03:00

Happy Independence Day, Israel!
(there is a video under the above link...)

June 7th, 1967 Israel recaptured Jerusalem after almost 2000 years without her as their own.

Elderberry Decoction (the Making Process)

2011-03-24T11:49:00.000-03:00


The Finished Product: 1 c Elderberry syrup, 1 c rum, 1 c. honey

Elderberries - I think it is about half a cup of dry berries.

Filled pan with water to within an inch of the top (smallest sauce pan)

Straining out the berry juice

Mix equal parts: juice, rum and honey


Topping off with Rum

I put about half a cup dry elderberries in the bottom of the smallest saucepan I own. Cover berries to within an inch of the top of the pan, and turn on the stove. Heat the berries in the pan until you have half the amount of water you started with. Strain the juice from the berries and then you mix equal parts berry juice, rum or vodka and honey - I ended up using a cup of each. I shook the jar to mix it all together, and then put it in my cupboard (dark, cool dry place).

An excerpt from The Bulk Herb Store - where I bought the berries (link takes you straight to the elderberry page):

"Common Names: Elderberry, black elder, common elder, pipe tree, bore tree, ellhorn
Latin Name: Sambucus nigra
Elderberries are tasty flu fighters. They contain compounds that inhibit the enzyme flu viruses from penetrating our cell membranes and also prevent the virus from invading respiratory tract cells. Taken early enough, as a tea or tincture, you may be able to head off an upcoming illness before it becomes a full-blown flu. They are especially good for bronchitis, colds, coughing, and influenza. Also contains substances that ease inflammation and pain and soothe the intestines, thus making them useful in all inflammatory bowel diseases. It is known to have a gentle laxative action, and their mild tonic action helps to arrest diarrhea."

Two Months

2011-02-06T05:24:00.000-04:00

My Little E-Man is two months old (well, on Wednesday)! Time flies. Check out the latest!

My Boy found his thumb! He seemed pretty intent on keeping it in his mouth too, in spite of the fact Anna kept taking it out of his mouth! Of course, she was sucking HER thumb at the time...

Anna LOVES Ezra! Adores him! Often times, I am pretty sure she wishes she were bigger. She sees her sisters holding Ezra, and helping, and I know (by her actions) that she longs to do the same!

Shalom is growing so much! I have been noticing her face seemed different. Took me a couple days to figure out what was up. Then it hit me...she doesn't look like a toddler anymore. Her face is thinning, and she is starting to look (and act) like a Little Lady! Where is the time going?!?!?!

Speaking of time flying by...check out my almost five year old! Ruth, my Girl who started me on this journey called Mama...is no longer a Baby, nor toddler. She is branching out. She is grasping things now that were once difficult for her. Ruth has been begging me for DAYS to help her finish a sewing craft Grammy bought her almost 2 years ago. Remembering the frustration doing this project brought me, I told her to ask her Papa (who has more patience than Job himself!). When they had to put the project away, Josh remarked about how "she got it" - she understood what was expected and flourished in the responsibility of the project.

She is also excelling in the learning department. My Mother-in-law's friend sent me a link to teaching the girls to read (she knew we were trying to homeschool) phonetically. After two weeks, fifteen minutes (give or take) of daily hearing letter sounds, Ruth can tell me all her letter sounds except for G, Q, W,X and Y. She has started "getting" Q and Y now too.

So that is life this month in the Larson home.

E-Man Update

2011-01-10T21:51:00.000-04:00

This outfit came from Aunt Allison and Uncle Chris...they bought it big...and Ezra is almost long enough to fill it out! He is growing SO FAST...see for yourself!

Ezra is going to be one month old on Wednesday! Where did the time go?!?!?

Things I have learned in the last month:

Ezra is W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!
Who knew a selfish human could love 4 kids so much?!?!?
Six hours of sleep - even interrupted - is do-able, however undesirable!
Ruth, Shalom, and Anna LOVE to help! Anna will even go so far as to throw a fit if she wants to help and can't! Such servants hearts!
Final thought, but don't tell anyone: I am capable of much more than I thought I was!

God has given me SO much. Who am I that He is mindful of me?

Ezra and the Girls

2010-12-30T08:32:00.000-04:00

Ezra and his big sisters, the morning after he was born.

A picture of the girls. This picture was taken so my cousin could make a Christmas present for my Grandma.

Ezra, up close and personal. Yes, his right eye is discolored. Because his hand was right next to his face when he was born, it created a whole lot of pressure on his eyes. Both eyes were red around the iris, but the right eyes was definitely the worst of the two.

A family picture.

Two weeks have past since we brought our Little Man home! We are all SO glad he is part of our family, and I - for one - can hardly believe it has only been two weeks. Feels like I have known him for a lifetime...and in reality, I guess I have...HIS lifetime.

Ezra Nehemiah Larson 12-15-10

2010-12-16T06:26:00.000-04:00

I sit on the love seat in wonder. God has given me a Little Man!!

We went to the weekly midwife visit...10 days post due date. The midwife (Robin) gave us our options, and two little bottles. I was 5 to 6 cm. She didn't want to just break my water, because that was no guarantee to start contractions. She instead had given us an enema bottle, and castor oil as two options of getting things started...and then she stripped my membranes REALLY WELL!

We left discussing our options and ran some errands. Our second stop coincided with some cramping that came and went...every 7 minutes. By the time we were leaving stop #2, they had gone down to 6 minutes, and 15 minutes into our 30 minute drive home...they were 3-5 minutes apart and lasting 45 seconds. All this took place from...2-3:30pm EST. We got the girls home and settled with our neighbors/landlord, and left the house at 4pm.

The next few hours flew and dragged at the same time. Contractions puttered around at 5 minutes apart for a good long time...I had to stand to get them to do anything. By the way, when we arrived, I was at 7cm. After a while she checked me again, and I was at 8.5cm with a definite cervical lip all the way around. Robin (mw) suggested standing in the shower...after 1 contraction I opted to fill the bathtub - with jets! The contractions were good and strong, and I could readily believe/imagine/picture them as a turtleneck being pulled over the Baby's head.

I felt the need to get out of the tub (I know, right...I wouldn't have believed it either). The second my feet hit the floor...Josh became my pillar as a contraction hit me H-A-R-D! I made it to the bed, had another big one, and then the midwife checked me. She had me push...and then after that contraction - it was show time! Josh did a great job giving me a play-by-play - I didn't really listen though till he said the words "I can see it's head!" Next came a BIG push...then no pushing in order to ease the head out. Robin took one look at the size of his head and KNEW he was a big boy! With the next push Josh mentioned a cheek and a...HAND! (just like big sister, Anna) The the shoulders and then..."IT'S A BOY!!!!" Our little Help and Comfort of Jehovah, Ezra Nehemiah had arrived!

He has a big mouth and small ears (Shalom) and...DARK hair like Mama! His face was all bruised as he turned in the canal, then after his head came out, and then again after his shoulders were out...our little Corkscrew!

Ezra Nehemiah 9lb 10 oz 20.5 in. long Born at 8:05pm

Preggo Shot 37w4d

2010-11-17T13:20:00.000-04:00

It's mid-November...aka, Happy Birthday, My Love!

2010-11-15T12:23:00.000-04:00

Sheesh. Life flew by...and I don't even remember blinking.

We are in the apartment, 95% settled. The only things we really need to unpack are the Baby clothes...maybe tomorrow! : P It has been emotion city here the last week or so. Josh is working now, which is a very good thing (I shall explain), and the girls are missing him something awful! As a good friend tried to tell me, all the upheaval of the last month - even the time-change - and the new Baby coming is messing with us all...big time.

God has provided a van for the Larsons! A friend from CMTS has a van that needs the transmission rebuilt (which this friend does very well!). We will be getting the van for...the cost to rebuild the transmission! And God is TOTALLY providing for that with Josh's job! Seriously, in one month...we have a van worth $6000 PAID FOR based on the cost to rebuild the transmission. You can find out what Josh is installing by checking out this site! Josh - hired as part-time/full-time being his choice - has been working some long hours, being gone 12 hours (give or take half an hour) every day for two weeks. That is a long time for my girls who love their Papa so!

Speaking of our wonderful Papa...today is his 31st birthday! So, in honor of the wonderful Man God has given me, I am going to post my favorite pictures of him and his Girls! Enjoy!

Taken in a Mall's photo booth. Ruth and Shalom spotted it, and a friend pushed Josh into it, and paid for the pics.

Engaged. Probably about 8 weeks before we got married. We were "reunited" after a separation of 3 weeks while on a medical missions trip to Haiti in Jan/Feb of 2005.

Our first "family picture" taken before we took our little 2mo Ruthie~Bear to Israel...by ship!

Family picture from 2008. We were the "models" for a friend taking pics at a mutual friends wedding.

Early 2009...Spring, maybe?

Josh spending time with our new little Anna~Bear.


June of 2010. Final family pic...Littlest Baby Larson was still quite hidden at the time. Picture taken at a friends home in West Virginia.

Next blogpost explosion should be in another two or three weeks! Next up on our agenda...the Announcement of Baby Larson #4!!!!

Fairview Hotel (aka It's been a while...)

2010-10-19T15:58:00.000-03:00

It has been a long time since I last wrote. A whole lot has happened since I wrote the post sharing the lesson Ruth (well, mostly Mama) learned.

The Larsons are moving. As of Sept. 23, we are no longer working with CMTS. We have spent the last month packing up our home, and working on the apartment we will be moving into. The above picture is an O-L-D picture of where we will be living. It is the Fairview Hotel built in the 1850s. Some friends from church own this house, and are graciously allowing us to live on the 2nd floor. We will be using outside access to get in and out of the apartment.

The A-M-A-Z-I-N-G carrot we got out of our garden.

Mamas and their Babies. (Non-negotiable Baby name options on the Fridge next to Mama)

My Big Girls

The cuteness called Anna!

A Gentle Reminder from My 4 Year Old

2010-09-17T16:20:00.001-03:00

Wednesday night, Josh was dishing out sorbet for the girls to eat whilst I read to them. Ruth - as I braided her hair - was telling her Papa how much ice cream to give her, and to make sure it was... a lot. I quietly reminded her that Papa was a kind Papa and would not be stingy with this treat.

Suddenly - like a lightening bolt - it hit me that God is the same with us. How many times have I specified how much of a "gift" or good thing I want from Him - the Giver of good things - and fail to remind myself that God is NEVER stingy ...with His good gifts?

Doesn't the Bible say that every good and perfect gift comes from our Father in heaven?

Papa lovingly protecting AND teaching his girl.

The Girls New Beds

2010-08-04T16:25:00.000-03:00

Upon our return home from out monthlong vacation, we found a huge wooden set of bunk beds sitting outside, waiting for either the burn pile, or rain to demolish them. Thankfully, there had not been rain here in most of the time we were gone, so the bunk beds were safe. Ruth had been needing a new bed for a LONG time, and we wanted to move Anna back into the girls room...so we snatched them up.

We took the girls to WalMart, and bought them their very own set of sheets...they both wanted the same color - which makes life easier for me. Here is the finished product:

First Outdoor Festival of their Lives...

2010-08-04T15:39:00.000-03:00

The second half of June we spent in Pennsylvania, at the Agape Farm setting up and participating in the Creation Festival. We learned a whole lot about ourselves and our girls those two weeks.

Our girls camp VERY well. Two weeks in a tent was almost enjoyable...except that...

Being sick (puking and diarrhea) whilst camping is no fun, especially due to the lack of toilet.

The girls only got to see two adult concerts, and had one morning in the kids tent (sorry, no pictures of that one). Anna ended up with some kind of virus similar to 5th disease. Mama threw in the towel when Josh woke up in the middle of the night to help clean up Anna puke, and then decided to...well...he ended up with diarrhea too. We left a day early, and I am okay with that, as Papa spent the next week sleeping most of the days away!

Below are pictures from the Casting Crowns concert. Yes, I am wearing one of Josh's heavy flannels, and I was STILL cold by the time we got back to the room! It got COLD at night...which was an absolute Godsend with a feverish, uncomfortable Anna.

Bagel Making at the Larson Home

2010-08-02T15:26:00.000-03:00

Okay, since we did this several months ago, I forgot the recipe. You will just have to use your imaginations!

Josh is kneading the dough.

More kneading.

Josh is rolling out the dough so it can be rolled into small balls.

Josh is showing the girls how to roll the dough into a ball.

After making 8 dough balls, we let the rest and raise.

Rolling the dough balls into "snakes."

To make the bagel a circle, Josh wrapped it around his hand.

This is the finished circle.

They get boiled for a couple minutes, then flipped.

These have just been flipped, I believe.

These bagels are ready to be baked. I don't believe you bake them for more than 10 minutes total, flipping them after five minutes.

The finished product!

We used spelt flour. I found that they taste better hot with cream cheese rather than reheated the next day.

Virginia Vacation

2010-08-01T14:50:00.000-03:00

The month of June was vacation time for the Larson's. We went to visit some old friends from our Friend Ships days in Virginia. One of our many adventures took us to West Virginia to see our dear friends Mark and Jean Pfau. This is a picture of Josh showing Shalom fish in the water below the bridge we were standing on.

My beautiful Ruth having an "adult" conversation with one of our friends.

Ruth and Shalom with their new favorite person, Lori Miller. You will see why she is their new favorite down below.

Back in the Blacksburg area, we went to see some old FS crew, the Danners. They live on a lake, and took the girls out on their boat. Both Ruth and Shalom got to ride behind the boat with Josh and Jennifer Ward holding them onto the float. They loved it!

While in Virginia, Ruth turned 4 years old! She had stuffed crust pizza and M&M cookies with ice cream as a "cake." Our wonderful hosts, the Steinakers put up with our galavanting, and times of just staying still. They were great!

THIS is why Ruth and Shalom love Lori! She let them ride on her big horse Romeo! Both girls agree that they liked riding in front of Lori, rather than with Lori "pulling" the horse!

For Dess Annette, because she asked.

2010-05-04T16:12:00.000-03:00

Josh and his girls...

Mama and her Girls...

The whole family together Easter Sunday...

Plus one more...you can't read it, but it says, "Pregnant."

A Meek and Quiet Spirit

2010-03-02T15:38:00.000-04:00

I looked up the word quiet in my Bible - it has a small concordance in the back. Here is what I found:

Proverbs 1:33 - But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell in safety, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 - And that you study to be quiet and to do your own business amd to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
1 Timothy 2:2 - For kings and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty.
1 Peter 3:4 - But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

I found "meek" in the back of my Bible 10 times. Here's what I found:

Numbers 12:3 - (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Psalm 22:26 - The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
Psalm 25:9 - The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psalm 37:11 - But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Psalm 149:4 - For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Isaiah 29:19 - The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 61:1 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Matthew 5:5 - Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
1 Peter 3:4 - But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

When I first started looking into meekl and quiet, I knew that God had made a mistake. there is NO way I could be meek and quiet, and I perceived meek and quiet to be. How could someone once described as a spitfire and strongly opinionated have a meek and quiet spirit?!?!?!?

Then I read the following quote on a forum, written by a woman I admire: Rebekah Pearl Anast. She gave me hope! What do you think?

The two people in the bible who were described as meek were Moses and Jesus. Both were willing to endure hardship for the sake of others... believing what lay ahead. Heb 11. Both were amazingly bold before God in prayer, but willing to suffer even death that others might live. Some say that meekness is "quiet strength." I think it is best understood by reading through the lives/stories of Moses and Jesus.

A quiet spirit is exactly that: A spirit that is quiet... not full of turmoil or distress. Not loud and impatient... just quiet. No matter what is going on around you, you discipline your spirit to stand in faith, quietly... waiting on God, not freaking out. Not panicking at the circumstances, but waiting and believing.

The phrase "not afraid with any amazement" is a description of Abraham's wife, Sarah. When Abraham said they were going to leave home and family and wander the wilderness looking for a city whose builder and maker was God... Sarah was not amazed or afraid. She followed him. When he said they were going to have a son when they were nearly a century old... she laughed... but she wasn't afraid to give it go...

Hbr 11:11          Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Hbr 11:12         Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

When the famine hit and they went to Egypt, when she was told say she was his sister rather than wife, when her son was taken to be sacrificed on an altar...

Sarah was not afraid with any amazement. She was fearless and unamazed. She stood waiting for God to show Himself in every situation and refused to let herself question and panic and drive Abraham to something other than obedience to God.

Her husband was sufficed with God... so she was sufficed as well. No emergency rooms, no desperate calls to mama, no panic-attacks and tearful pleading for him to do something else...

She was not afraid with any amazement. Whose daughter ye are if ye do well.

1Pe 3:1     Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1Pe 3:2     While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear.
1Pe 3:3     Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
1Pe 3:4     But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1Pe 3:5     For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1Pe 3:6     Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are,

Chaste Conversation Word Study

2010-02-26T17:01:00.000-04:00

My friend, SC Lady. did the following word study. She actually posted it on a forum we both frequent. She is a Titus 2 woman, if ever I have known one!

STUDY ON CHASTE CONVERSATION

‘Chaste conversation’ is a phrase that is tossed around a lot in religious circles. I have found that often it was easier for me to define what UN-chaste conversation was than it was for me to define what WAS chaste. In an effort to clarify the term, I did the following study. While it will likely have broader implications than only those that concern women, my study was narrowed to women/wives.
First, I looked up the word chaste. It is used three times and only in the New Testament. Each of these uses is in the context of describing a Godly wife:

1. CHASTE
II Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
This carries an implication that treatment/training/keeping of a young woman produces a chaste, virgin bride.
Titus 2:5
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
A chaste wife will prevent the word of God from being blasphemed.
1 Peter 3:1,2
1Likewise ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wifes;
2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Coupling suggests that one doesn’t move without the other – chaste conversation and fear -- a reverent obedience to God.
OTHER FORMS
Other forms of the word chaste also appear in Scripture: chasten, chastened, chastenest, chasteneth, chastening, chastise, chastised, chastisement, chastiseth. Before this study, I hadn’t really bothered to note the connection between the word chaste and the other words made with this root. As they appear in Scripture, these other forms of the word chaste carry the intent of changing not only the behavior, but the heart’s desire.
These other terms are used to describe the process used to make one chaste.

2. CHASTEN
The word chasten is used six times in the context of great displeasure. Twice the phrase ‘hot displeasure’ is used. Also, pleas for mercy are mentioned, suggesting that this is a painful experience.
II Samuel 7:14
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
God uses a rod on His children . . It is the rod of men. He uses men to chasten men.
Psalm 6:1
O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Rebuke & chastening while God is angry are feared.
Psalm 38:1
O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
Rebuke & chastening while God is angry are feared.
Proverbs 19:18
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Done early, chastening brings hope for the future. Don’t be swayed by tears.
Daniel 10:12
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
Chastening of self before God. Cf. fasting Psalm 69:10
Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
A sign of God’s love. The proper response is to become zealous and repent.

3. CHASTENED
This word is used eight times to describe a grievous, undesired experience. The one who is chastened has a painful memory.
Deuteronomy 21:18
If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
A child who is not becoming chaste by means of chastening is not a child of the heart – but is a stubborn and rebellious child – words do not move him. . . . An interesting definition of rebellion is ‘one not moved to action by words.’ This broadens the definition to those of inaction, not just those given to rebellious actions.
Job 33:19
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
Chronic body (strong) pain that cause the sufferer to be bed-ridden is a type of chastening.
Psalm 69:10
When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.
We can chasten our soul with fasting – a self-chastening can make you a reproach to those whose conscience is pricked when they see your chastened life. cf. Daniel 10:12
Psalm 73:13, 14
13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency.
14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
Troubles throughout the day and chastening each morning; Frustrated by chastening while attempting to show repentance.
Psalm 118:17,18
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Chastening can leave you with lingering hurt but the LORD ‘hath not given me over to death.’
1 Corinthians 11:32
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
God judges and chastens us in order that we avoid condemnation as the world will be condemned.
II Corinthians 6:9
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
Chastening leads to life not like condemnation which leads to death.
Hebrews 12:10
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Some will chasten us for the pleasure it brings them. God’s chastening is for the purpose of making us partakers of His holiness.

4. CHASTENEST
This form of the word is used only once and is a description of a present circumstance.
Psalm 94:12
Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
A blessed thing. A teaching tool.

5. CHASTENETH
In this form, the word is used three times and used in connection with loving training of a child.
Deuteronomy 8:5
Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
Just as a man would not allow a son to run wild, neither will God allow His own children to do so.
Proverbs 13:24
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Repeated, early consistent, involved training/correction is what we would see from a loving father towards his son.
Hebrews 12:6
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If we are received as sons, we will be chastened as sons.

6. CHASTENING
Used six times, the word chastening is found in passages that describe the response to chastening. These include: happiness, not despising the chastening, not tiring of the correction, prayer, not fainting, assurance of sonship, and grief that yields righteousness.
Job 5:17
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
HAPPY – not despising chastening
Proverbs 3:11
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
Not despise – Don’t get tired of His correction
Isaiah 26:16
LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
A Prayer poured out as an offering (possible tears?)
Hebrews 12:5
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Not despise – Don’t faint
Hebrews 12:7
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
With knowledge of sonship
Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Grievous but you emerge righteous if you allow yourself to be exercised thereby.

7. CHASTISE
Each time this word is used, it refers to a punitive action meant to leave a physical mark AND designed to leave a mark on the will of the individual. This is a means employed by government to punish lawbreakers as a warning to others and to rehabilitate the offender (if he survives). Chastise is used six times.
Leviticus 26:28
Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.
God will – in fury – walk contrary . . . He will chastise seven times for sins.
Deuteronomy 22:18
And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;
This is a punishment for a man that lies about a virgin he took to wife, stating that she was not a virgin.
Hosea 7:12
When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
This punishment will descend upon the guilty like a net on a bird and before the congregation.
Hosea 10:10
It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.
The chastisement of a sinful nation (Israel).
Luke 23:16
I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
A public punishment (ref. Christ)
Luke 23:22
And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
A public punishment (ref. Christ)

8. CHASTISED
This word is used 5 times. Four of those five instances refer to the administration of punishment by an authority that is unwise in the wielding of his power.
I Kings 12:11
And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Used as a display of power
I Kings 12:14
And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Used as a display of power
II Chronicles 10:11
For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Used as a display of power
II Chronicles 10:14
And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Used as a display of power
Jeremiah 31:18
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.
Comparing the punishment of a nation to that of a balking animal that needs the trusted Master to turn him.

9. CHASTISEMENT
Chastisement is used five times in Scripture describing a punitive action towards those called sons. These verses show God using powerful measures to chastise His own children.
Deuteronomy 11:2
And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,
It is suggested that those who have not been chastised cannot have an appreciation for God’s greatness and/or might – AND that God holds those who HAVE known His chastisement to a greater measure of accountability.
Job 34:31
Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
An appropriate response (a chaste response) to chastisement.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
What was our own chastisement was borne by Jesus, Who gave us peace and healing in its place.
Jeremiah 30:14
All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of thine iniquity; because thy sins were increased.
The ‘multitude of thine iniquity’ can earn chastisement administered by a cruel one that leaves marks.
Hebrews 12:8
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Proof of legal sonship. A bastard is not corrected as a son.

10. CHASTISETH
Chaste is used in this form only once. In context, ‘Chastiseth’ indicates that God will correct/chastise those who are in the position to chastise others.
Psalm 94:10
He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
If we administer chastisement upon the heathen, we can expect no less to be done towards ourselves.

CONCLUSIONS
How do we become chaste?
From reading the verses that appear, I conclude that a wife becomes chaste as she yields to the chastening of the Lord. Said another way, it is God’s task to make you chaste. It is our task to yield to His chastening. If we are not chastened by God, then we are not His children (Hebrews 12:8 ). He holds His children that have been chastened to account (Deuteronomy 11:2). If we do not yield to His chastening, we are called rebellious (Deuteronomy 21:18). If we continue to struggle against His chastening, He will not relent from measures at his disposal (Proverbs 13:24) until we yield (Job 34:31). He does this to make us chaste and in order that we not be condemned (I Corinthians 11:32).

For me this is great encouragement. None of the Scripture I found stated that my chaste conversation was dependent upon my environment, my history or my husband. Rather, my chaste conversation is a work that the Lord IS NOW ACCOMPLISHING in me as I yield to His hand. This gives me even more confidence as I come before His throne in prayer asking Him to guide and direct me into all chaste conversation. I know this is His goal for me.

I was also encouraged that this is in fact God’s work. While He may use the ‘rod of men’ (II Samuel 7:14) He does this for our profit (Hebrews 12:10). I was only able to find chastening in the context of a parental authority towards children to change the bent/direction of the heart OR from a governmental authority to administer punitive consequences and ‘rehabilitate’ the individual. I did not see where a spouse was directed to attempt to treat another spouse in this way, which is consistent with the connotation of a parent-directed activity.

I believe that our ‘chaste conversation’ is actually a gift from God – the gift of being taught how to love that which delights Him.

II Thessalonians 2:10
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Which brings us to a key question:

What is chaste conversation? What does it look like?
It appears to me that ‘chaste conversation’ is not so much about how well we corral our inward impulses and keep them from influencing our outward behaviors. Remember that conversation refers to what is your habit. If choosing to walk with chasteness, causes you inward turmoil, frustration, etc., then I would suggest that it is not ‘chaste conversation.’

As I understand the term, it is referring to how strongly our desire is to delight our LORD. This does not mean that we are not grieved when we are mistreated or treated poorly. Instead it means that we have a higher calling, a greater love interest that gives us the desire to please HIM above all others and to consider how our actions reflect upon Him as we move throughout our day. This means that all else comes second to pleasing Him: our hopes, our dreams, our rights, our comfort, our WHATEVER. When all of these things are no longer our CHIEF desire, and that desire is to please HIM, THEN I believe we are walking in ‘chaste conversation.’

It is with this understanding of the term that I again dug into the Scriptures and found some passages that I believe describe some of the ways we can actually observe the outward appearance of chaste conversation (remember, it is to come from within). These are not the only passages, but a few that spoke to me:

Philippians 2:1-5
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:13-15
[For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

II Thessalonians 2:15—17
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

I Thessalonians 5:12-24
12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16Rejoice evermore.
17Pray without ceasing.
18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19Quench not the Spirit.
20Despise not prophesyings.
21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

For those who are struggling with the connection between chastisement and chaste conversation:

When I started doing this study on chaste conversation as it relates to women/wives, I was taken aback at the link to the other words made from its root. When I initially thought of a chaste woman, I did not think of one who needed God's chastening.

I wasn't sure what to make of it all until I did the study listed above. I used to think that chastening was simply Gods punishment of or correction of our own poor behavior. However, if you will look, the words punishment and correction are not used interchangeably with chastisement. Chastisement carries with it the connotation of a loving training that is administered by a parent. Chastisement can (if called for) include painful measures, but I don't see that it always does. Rather, from reading the passages, I gleaned that chastisement is intent on capturing the heart of the child and giving the child a heart for that which pleases the parent.

THAT's why a chaste person is a person you'd never think of as needing any chastisement. When God's fingerprints are on the person's heart, she becomes a glory to Him and all that He does. God's chastisement is done with that goal in mind. In other words, we cringe and turn away at the mention of the word chastise, because we've gotten the wrong impression of the term. A slave, a servant, a criminal -- THESE are simply punished. Chastisement (by a parent) is reserved for sons or (by a government) for citizens. Chastisement is not squandered on a person of no value. Depending on the individual, we can be chastised by His voice calling us to another way, or we can require more severe measures. The blessing is that HE knows what is required, and HIS love for us will not relent until we are chaste.

I like to think that (although it does not specifically say this) that some of God's greatest examples of chaste conversation will be women. In the New Testament, only women are mentioned with the word chaste. Although we are weaker vessels, I think that God knew we would have the sensitivity to respond to some of His more subtle measures. Artists know that the genius of the work often lies in the minutest detail.

Chaste conversation (IMO) is so much more than 'living Jesus' or 'being a shining light for Him.' I say this because those phrases seem to emphasize the outer behavior. Chaste conversation is how a person falls deeply in love with Jesus and how that is lived out. If you were to tell a person to do A in order to appear more chaste, she (if not chaste) would be in for a frustrating experiment. BUT, if you helped that person to better love HIM and suggested that they try A, she would be amazed to find that the things which once frustrated her were now a joy (though they may not be simple or easy).

And THAT'S what will win them. When Suzy (who was always critical and angry) suddenly is at peace and full of joy . . . When Mr. Jones can no longer get Mrs. Jones angry or to argue with him . . . When Mr. Smith is moved to secretly read his Bible because he wants whatever Mrs. Smith has gotten ahold of . . . When the children change their behavior because they love their new mama so much that they don't want to hurt her . . . When men who think God can never use them are inspired to hope and dream in the possibility because, 'If He can change HER '. . . When people catch a vision of what God can do because of what they see Him doing in YOUR life, THAT'S chaste conversation!

And that's what His chastening hand brings. Successful chastening yields a chaste woman that brings others to Jesus by her daily living. It isn't just what she does, but her manner, her bent, her heart. God is glorified by this AND He brings blessings/rewards to us through the process. Talk about trading ashes for joy, turning mourning into dancing, purchasing lavish riches without money -- He does this for us and delights to have us called chaste. . . . It's almost too much to imagine!

A Cursory Glance at a Bible Study...

2010-02-26T10:24:00.000-04:00

NOTE: I am learning/looking this up as I go. I thought I would share a bit of my journey with you. Wanna learn with me? I have not arrived, nor do I write this to "teach." Call it, being transparent, if you will!

I needed a boost. A kind of shot in the arm. So I picked up my Bible to see what it says about me and my role in my family.

I started looking through Proverbs to see what Solomon had to say about women/wives. Here is what I have found:

She keeps her Man satisfied - Prov. 5:15-19
she is gracious - Prov. 11:6
She is virtuous - Prov. 12:4
She guards her mouth - Prov.13:3
She is wise which leads to being prudent - Prov 16:20; see also Prov. 18:15, 19:14
She is wise, and builds up her home - Prov. 14:1
She does her Man good all her days -Prov. 31:12
She works with her hands at what she has available -Prov. 31:13
She keeps her family fed and warm -Prov. 31:15, 31:22,24
She is not lazy -Prov. 31:17
She cares for those less fortunate -Prov. 31:20
She uses wisdom with what she says -Prov. 31:26
She is not idle, and keeps her house in order -Prov. 31:27

What should a wife NOT do according to Proverbs?

She shouldn't be without discretion - Prov. 11:22
She shouldn't make her Man ashamed of her - Prov. 12:4
She should not be foolish and tear down her home Prov. 14:1
She shouldn't be contemptuous - Prov. 21:9
She shouldn't be a sluggard - Prov. 26:14
She should not be contentious - Prov. 27:15
She should not be idle - Prov. 31:27

Paul wrote a letter to Titus (2:4,5). He said that the older women should teach the younger women how to:

Be sober
Love their own husband
Love their children
Be discreet and chaste
Be a Keeper-at-Home
Be good
Be obedient to their own husbands

Who would have thought that we as women would need to be taught how to love our husbands and children, how to be good?!?!? He said the older women were to teach the younger women this so that the word of God would not be blasphemed! What on earth does that mean?

Peter also wrote about women. He said we are to:

be in subjection to our own husbands
be chaste in our conduct coupled with fear
that our apparel should be a meek and quiet spirit.

Hmmm...looks like I have more studying to do! Anyone care (or dare ;D ) to add your thoughts? What is a meek and quiet spirit? What is Chaste conduct? What do these two things look like?

In Honor of Grampa Larson

2010-02-05T14:10:00.000-04:00

I turned and saw this...wait, I will get closer...

Shalom is "butchering her chickens..."

THESE are her chickens.

Here she is cutting something.

See?

Now for this chicken - it was a real blockhead!

She even cleaned up her utensils!

She is washing her cutting board. Up above, she washed her knife.

She is washing one of her "chickens" here.

Giving her knife another once over, before calling it quits.

Now she is done! I am sure Grampa Larson would be proud!

Pop Quiz: Can you guess which traits she did NOT get from me?

Made me giggle!

2010-01-26T13:32:00.000-04:00

"Grrr...Don't Mess with ME!"

"Huh? You talkin' to me?!?!?!"

Happenings at Our Home

2010-01-17T11:16:00.000-04:00

Remember this?

How 'bout this face? Look familiar?

What about this tiny little head looking up at her Grammy?

Why am I bring up these ol' pics?

Because I want you all to see and know the TIME IF FLYING! My "little" Anna-Bana (as Shalom calls her) is now crawling, sitting up, and has her first two teeth!!!

Oh... She is now doing this...

And this...

Look, Mama...ONE hand!

The only problem is...the kiddo has learned that she can go up, she just can't figure out how to get down!

Ruth's first attempt at a green thumb...

2009-12-05T14:54:00.000-04:00

One day, coming home from picking up Papa, Ruth decided she wanted to bring home some Morning Glory seeds to grow the pretty flowers. She and Josh sprouted them. They put the seeds in a cup on top of a piece of sock, and got the sock JUST moist.

After a couple days, the seeds sprouted. They left them in the cups until the sprouts were quite long. Some were trying to imbed themselves into the sock material.

This would be a picture of the sprouts in dirt.

After a day or two, the sprouts shot up thru the soil. This is after a couple days growth - obviously. If you look closely, you can see the roots heading toward the bottom of the cup.

Ruth waters her morning glories as often as Papa will let her. Soon the hope/plan is to put them in a pot next to the trellis by our planter in hope that the morning glories will cover the planter next summer!

Go Ruth! By the way, I stay out of it...I might kill her flowers! I inherited a BLACK thumb!

Dinner for Five

2009-12-05T14:37:00.000-04:00

Somebody small is now joining the family at the "Big Kids" table!

She seemed pretty proud of herself at lunch today.

Josh rigged her chair so it would be more stable at the table. Isn't he clever? I sure do like him! ;)

See...she even has a prim and proper smile, just as a Gracious Lady should!

And no, I did not take pictures of what she looked like AFTER eating. It would ruin the prim and proper image!

Explanation...

2009-12-03T15:21:00.001-04:00

So...I am going to explain why I photo-barfed a bunch of pictures below this post.

Because my girls are cute...and I wanted to!

Love Rebekah =)

Finger Painting - Or Arm-painting, if your name is Ruth!

2009-12-03T15:17:00.000-04:00

Hanging Our Art on the "Fridge"

2009-12-03T14:57:00.000-04:00

For those of you who know the character of my children...can you guess who painted which pictures? Here is a hint...Anna did not paint any of them!

Winter/Christmas Decorations

2009-12-03T14:26:00.000-04:00

Is it silly to be so very proud of my first ever art project since middle school? Too bad, I am INSANELY proud of these two little pieces of paper with paint on them!

The Aftermath

2009-12-03T14:19:00.000-04:00

Then and Now

2009-11-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

My Ruthie-Bear, sick last January.

"Roofie" as Shalom calls her, yesterday at nap time.

Josh is an optimist for the most part. The whole trying to see the good in things kind of guy. So here is my attempt at being thankful...

Until Josh got sick a week and a half ago, no one in the Larson household has been sick since last winter.

Thanks God, that my family is not often sick!

Candle-Making with Papa

2009-11-22T11:43:00.000-04:00

We had a bunch of old dilapidated candles.

Here is Josh grinding up the candles.

These were the two "main flavors" added to the mix.

Basically, Josh took two whole candles, and stuck them in a jar. Around the outsides he had the girls fill in the jars with the above shavings.

Shalom chose the orange and some white candle shavings.

Ruth chose green and white, with some orange added. You notice her candles are red...there is also some red shavings in the bottom of the jar. Shalom chose two purple candles, and the bottom of her jar also had purple shavings.

Ruth adding green.

Now she is topping her candle off with white shavings.

Shalom adds some green.

Ruth's "homemade" candle.

Shalom's "homemade" candle.

Shalom shows off her handiwork...and her cute smile!

Ruth shows off her handiwork.

Voila! Homemade candles. The one on the left is Ruth's and the one on the right is Shalom's.

Lesson learned: If the wick gets too close to the side of the jar, and the jar is cold when you are lighting the candle...the glass WILL crack.

Ode to Joshua...for His Birthday

2009-11-14T09:48:00.002-04:00

He stayed up way late last night fixing a gasket on our car ~ a job that HAD to be done to pass Pennsylvania state inspections.
He puts up with my fits of insanity (PMS), and my fits of carnality.
He gets up early for his quiet time, and wrangles Ruth and Shalom at the same time so I can sleep in every day!
He puts up with my piles and my messes.
When we were dating, he helped me keep my promise not to kiss him, by telling me he wouldn't kiss me!
He went with me to see Joanna at Tyndall AFB several times.
He encouraged me every day of pregnancy, saying, "It is still worth it, isn't it?"
He loves to make me feisty, and will push my buttons to do so.
He loves his girls in a way that makes me want to cry.
He is willing to follow God, even if it will cost him friends. (See Psalm 15 ~ that is my Joshua!)
He is Patient
He is kind
He doesn't envy - that I know of
He doesn't brag
Nor is he arrogant
He is not rude
He isn't easily provoked
He doesn't think evil of others
He rejoices and seeks after Truth
Josh never fails to show me love, no matter how many times a day I prove myself unlovely.

Josh...without a girl to call his own

Our first truly big, highly chaperoned date...the Alaskan Outdoors!

Two become one...

And 14 months later becomeTHREE

And what a pair Josh and Ruth make! This is their Winnie the Pooh "Think, Think, Think" impersonation.

And then we become four with the arrival of Shalom

The Larsons.

Joshua, Shalom, Ruth, Rebekah and Anna

(I can't believe you guys let me go ALL DAY with Anna's name spelled wrong!)

We love our Papa-Bear!

God is Bigger...PERIOD

2009-11-12T15:25:00.000-04:00

So...in this blog post, I talked about Baby Stellan. Well, he went in for a test to try and start SVT to make sure his surgery worked. The answer to that question is HERE.

So...if God can do that for Stellan and his family...why do I forget? Why do I worry?

Remember singing that silly song "He's Got The Whole World in His Hand"? Since that song is a kids song...Click below to see how I feel about God right now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCuaQCr0hws

The One "Brown Jug" You'll Get from Me!

2009-11-10T16:15:00.001-04:00

"Ha ha ha, you and me.
We hardly ever disagree
I don't remember all the words
But this is the one brown jug
You'll get from me."

Wait...let me give you a close-up.

Yes, Ruth's shirt DOES say, "This is my Princess Shirt". Josh and I are not big on princess stuff. We have known too many 'princesses'. But I couldn't resist this one, because Ruth gets to set her own standard for "Princess."

My Little Prairie Gangsta's

2009-11-10T16:03:00.000-04:00

Watching God from the Outside (and where I am...)

2009-11-10T15:48:00.000-04:00

So, I have semi-actively been keeping track of Baby Stellan. Yesterday, to be honest, I totally expected at any time for MckMama to post that Stellan had died. But she didn't. I prayed, and watched, and God did what I didn't expect, but totally hoped He would.

A year and a half ago, I stumbled upon Baby Audrey. I watched as her Mama and Papa laid her to rest in a cemetery. I sobbed. I told God, "I don't understand." He let me. He just listened. Josh told me that god is big enough to handle it.

So here I stand (literally...I stand at our computer). I am embarrassed at my lack of faith. I am embarrassed at how easily my emotions sway me and my attitude. I could say more, but I won't drag you down. just pray for me, okay?

Friday

2009-11-02T21:25:00.000-04:00

Friday the 30th was my 29th birthday. Yes, I am the kind of girl who will admit her age! For my birthday, my Mom and Dad and Grama Taylor came for four days. We had a good time! Mom and I stomped Dad and Josh in Spades ~ 550 to +10...I add the plus sign, because there were times they were WAY below that number!

For my birthday, my Mom made me a Mei Tai (no alcohol...it's a baby carrier!). The above is Anna in her Mei Tai. She likes it! I like it. It is the most comfortable baby carrier I have worn yet!

Thanks Mom!

Anna in Action

2009-11-02T21:19:00.000-04:00

My Anna is a very happy girl! She is starting to be a mover and a shaker! It is no longer safe to leave her in the car seat while I do things in the same room! At lunch today, she wiggled and wormed her way out of her car seat! So Papa decided she needed a "harness"!

2009-10-27T15:30:00.000-03:00

Ruth...I had to take 5 pictures to get a good post-able face. Totally Josh's daughter!

So it isn't her best smile...it was either this one, or the one of her picking her nose!

Anna-Bear...my chunky ~~monkey~~ I mean bear.

My girls. They take up all my time. All of my day. Oops, there goes the buzzer. Back to being a Mama again!

A Mama's Confession

2009-10-06T22:22:00.003-03:00

I must admit to you and to myself that I am not SuperMom, nor am I Wonder Woman. I am a Stay-at-Home-Mama who doesn't have it all together. My home is cluttered. Food is hardly ever on the table on time. I lose my temper. I get angry at my girls. My girls whine. They complain. They sometimes don't make it to the toilet on time, and mess their pants. They sometimes don't do what I ask or tell them to do.

But there are times when they melt my heart. For instance, tonight, I was rereading Gracia Burnham's autobiography of when she and her husband Martin were held hostage for a year. I was at the end, and reading how she was explaining to her kids how their Papa died. Ruth asked me an insignificant question, and I started bawling. Ruth (as she has since she was 6 months old) got really concerned that her Mama was crying. She got off the couch, where she was sitting next to me, stood in front of me and said, "Mama, do you need me to hug you?" I readily accepted, as you can imagine!
"
There are times when Shalom will come to me and say, "Mama, can I hold you?" or "Mama, can I sit on you lap?" Again, my heart melts, and I pull my little cuddle-bug into my lap!

I really do love my girls. They do melt my heart, and remind me of God's grace and new mercies every morning!

My Cuddle~Bugs

Family Picture Time

2009-10-06T22:03:00.003-03:00

In the girls room

in our room

In the doorway

In the living room

In the kitchen

The question is: Which one to send out in a newsletter? If you have already voted on Facebook, you can't vote again!

Pop Quiz - Who Am I?

2009-10-01T15:23:00.002-03:00

Note: Papa didn't even get this one right!

Three Years Ago

2009-09-26T16:56:00.003-03:00

I sailed with my two (then) loves to Israel with Friend Ships

This is Ruth (no really, it isn't Anna!) on 9/24/06.

Sheesh...I am having a hard time telling the difference, and I am looking at Anna right now!

Three years ago, September 2nd, God sent Josh and me to Israel with our Ruthie~Bear. We sailed with Danette, Debi, (Capt.) Jake, and Jonathan along with a whole cast of others. What a trip. Learned a lot. Thought a lot. Prayed a lot. Sang a lot. Came home preggo with Shalom Elkanah - interesting name...it means Peace God Has Obtained. There will not be peace in Israel unless God makes it so...interesting, huh?

The trip is over. The lessons were (hopefully) learned. Would I do it again? Trip to Israel - ANYTIME! Sailing for a month to get there - LO! Oh, that is Hebrew for no.

Ooops

2009-09-19T16:12:00.003-03:00

It has been almost two months since I last wrote or posted anything. Guess you could say three is a handful! Plus, it kind of ruins posting pics if your camera batteries are dead, and you don't have new ones in the house!

So, what's new? Or, what has been happening in the Larson home? Let me sum it up for you. Dishes, cleaning, blow-outs, showering, eating, blow-outs, growing, learning, blow-outs, laundry, laundry and more laundry.

Anna is going to be FOUR MONTHS OLD in 16 days. She is over 11lbs, over 24 inches long, and busting out of 3-6 months sizes! This past week, I put her in a 9 month size outfit...and she was almost long enough to fill it out. She downs about 7 to 8 ounces a feeding via me and a bottle. she has a LOT of Ruth-like qualities, but I am noticing a few laid-back Shalom qualities too.

Shalom is 26 months old (2 and two months) and fully potty trained. That's right, she is out of diapers! WooHoo! She is also getting to the point where she would rather go on the big people potty (yes, she can get herself on it too), instead of on her easily accessible potty chair. Now I get to "deal" with two voices calling, "I need wiped!" while nursing Anna! Shalom is about 26-28lbs, and tall enough to climb into the bath tub all by herself! She loves both of her sisters a whole lot!

Ruth is 39 months old (3 1/4), and just over 30 lbs. Ruth loves her sisters. She loves playing Mama with her babies, and wants to carry them around in a pack. Ruth is gaining wit, and wisdom as she grows. Yesterday, I was making bread for lunch. She grabbed the cup that I had had the flour in, and was licking out the flour (I don't know where she gets it! Honest.), and getting little bits of flour on the floor. I exclaimed, "Ruth! I just swept the floor!" To which she calmly replied, "Well...it can get dirty again!"

Josh and I are both doing well (nope, no weights posted on us!!! But we DO both have birthdays coming up in the next two months!). Josh is busy - as usual - with all thing shop related. He and I are also quite busy this canning season. We have 9 gallons of juice canned (grape and apple), lots of salsa, pumpkin, peaches, and cherries. Next on the list is apples for sauce and slices to make into crisps. We will actually be picking apples later today, and will be given some more tomorrow.

I am learning what being a Mama of 3 is all about. Learning that I need to WAY up my consistency level...that is the biggest thing. Looking into (not fully, just perusing) homeschool curriculum...suggestions welcome!

What follows is recent pics of my girls. Enjoy!

Ruth loves her Anna!

Anna and her red hair!

Told ya, they love each other!

The Big Test...in random order

2009-07-26T16:02:00.004-03:00

Who is who?

Subject A

Subject B

Subject C

Sisters and Their Smiles

2009-07-26T15:53:00.001-03:00

Family Pictures

2009-07-26T15:05:00.002-03:00

Just Anna

2009-07-01T19:38:00.002-03:00

Ruth and Anna

2009-07-01T19:32:00.003-03:00

2009-07-01T19:27:00.002-03:00

With Great Grama T

Introducing Anna Corinne

2009-06-06T16:51:00.005-03:00

12 hours old

Fresh from the oven

Born: 12:07am 6/5/09
Height: 20 3/4 in
Weight: 8lb 7oz

Apple Pie

2009-05-03T21:31:00.002-03:00

So, last year when we made 40 qts of applesauce with the Bajus', Mr. Ryder mentioned apple pie. being his favorite. Every since then it has been on my to-do list to find a spelt flour pie crust recipe, and make him a pie.

I finally got around to it the afternoon.

Some things I learned:

There is definitely a reason they recommend putting foil around the edges.
It might be a GREAT idea to put a pan under the pie to catch the over flow.
A rolling pin really is the best thing to use when trying to roll out pie crust.

As you can see, I cut off the edges. They were black.

In the bottom right corner of the picture is a corner of a picture of Betty Crocker's apple pie, verses my apple pie. I think I did pretty good for my first ever pie crust!

A Lesson from my 21 month old

2009-04-20T15:05:00.003-03:00

Saturday was the most beautiful day we have had all year. On Saturdays, if we can help it, we do nothing but the bare essentials. We don't do dishes, try not to cook, etc. No, we are not legalistic, this is our Family Day (Saturdays are) and we feel these things take away from family time.

Anyway, we went for a walk with the girls. It was too beautiful a day to NOT go for a walk. CMTS has a pond on the property, so we walked down there. As we were coming back, Shalom started to pick up sticks (she had heard us talking about needing wood for our cookout later in the day). And then she noticed this big rock, and to her...it was a treasure, and she wanted to take it home. Being the loving parents we are, we refused to carry her treasures - if she wanted them, she would have to carry them!

Josh estimates that she carried that rock, and those sticks an eighth of a mile before she started to realize this wasn't going to work out. She knew something would have to give, because we were coming to a road, and she would have to hold our hands. Not to mention...that rock was pretty big and was getting heavy! Josh went back to help with the situation...he showed her how to put the sticks in her pockets, but she would have to either carry the rock herself, or drop it.

We kept walking, and finally, Shalom dropped the rock. She didn't try to pick it up, but she did start crying. That rock was a treasure to her, and she had to make the decision of whether or not it was worth it to carry the rock (which probably got heavier with each step her little 21 mo. old legs took) all the way home (1/4 to 1/2 mile), or was she going to leave the heavy weight behind her?

I know. I am adding a bit of drama to this situation. Did those thoughts REALLY go thru her mind about leaving a burden behind or carrying it all the way home?

On some level, I believe it did. It broke Shalom's heart to put the rock/burden down and leave it behind. To her, it was a treasure (I told Josh, "It isn't even a PRETTY rock!!!"). She cried for a good five minutes, and whimpered several more after putting down the rock.

I can see SO many comparisons in this note to a lot in my life. But I won't taint your thoughts with my situations. I would rather you glean and apply this to your life, without my views stepping in.

Shalom has a new bed!

2009-04-13T14:58:00.002-03:00

CMTS is donated stuff ALL the time. Last weekend, Josh was supposed to go up the hill behind our house to find something that needs to go the Belize. Ruth calls it "Up Hill." While Papa was "Up Hill" he found, in one of the many storage containers up there a little toddler bed. He and I had been commenting for days on how Shalom was really growing too tall for her Pack 'N Play, and needed a bed. Josh had even contemplated MAKING her a bed.

Shalom loves her new bed! She cuddles into her pillow, and goes to sleep quite quickly these days. She knows this is a Big Girl bed, and she knows this is truly a privilege for her to have this new bed!

NOTE: The pictures went in backwards... They actually start at the bottom!

Easter Morning w/ Papa, and New Haircuts

2009-04-13T14:49:00.003-03:00

My Girls with their favorite guy on Easter morning.

Showing off her Baby-Blues the morning after her haircut.

Trying to show off her "naked" baby.

Ruth's turn to fake smile.

Fake smile AND a new haircut.

Because they make me smile, I share...

2009-03-31T14:53:00.004-03:00

Nothing new to tell. Mama and Baby are running out of room these days.

Ruth has started taking after her Papa when it comes to getting her picture taken...she makes goofy faces instead of really smiling!

Shalom is starting to talk in sentences! Mostly tangible ones too!

Josh is getting ready for yet another Mexico trip. CMTS heads to Mexico this Friday night.

Edit to add: Josh is NOT going on the trip, he is working on the vehicles being taken on the trip! Sorry for the confusion.

CrossRoads: My Thoughts and Yours (Hopefully)

2009-03-02T11:28:00.002-04:00

We have all heard at least one person make the statement, "Just do_______, God is big enough to bless it, or else stop you from doing it." I know that I have made the statement many times. I was told this several times when Josh and I first got engaged. Josh asked God when we should get married, and God told Josh, "Don't think about it." A lot of people had a hard time wrapping their minds around that one, including me. It took me 5 or 6 months to let it sink it. When we finally did get married, everything was perfect. In six weeks time, my Mom had my wedding all planned out according to my wishes. She made my wedding dress in 6 hours. I had tulips in my bouquet (apparently a hard flower to have, because they don't last very long...plus it was mid April). I had a twelve-day honeymoon on a missionary's salary! My in-laws were able to come all the way from Alaska - and God took care of the cost in an unexpected way! Had we "just done it," expecting God to bless it or stop it, how much would it have cost us...financially...emotionally?

One time in Lake Charles, I wanted to see my family. I pushed and pushed Josh about it. I had a pretty good argument too! I had just recently had Ruth, and my parents hadn't seen her. I wanted to show off my Baby Girl! What new Mama can resist the urge to want to place her brand new Baby in her parents arms? Like I said, I had a really good argument, and both Josh and I needed a break. My parents bought us tickets after we got the okay to go. Then we all had a crew meeting with the head of the ministry we were at, all vacation time was taken away. We (the ministry) were leaving for Israel, and needed all crew to be available to help prepare the ship. Um...we had just spent $500 of my parents money to fly home, and now I had to call the airline and get them changed! Changing the tickets was $100 per ticket, making the final ticket price $700 for two people!

For our wedding, we waited PAINFULLY sometimes for God to give us a date (we were engaged 8 months by the time we got married). For the trip home, we went ahead of God, and paid a big price, literally.

My questions: Is one thought right and the other wrong? Is it wrong to go ahead of God, and wait for Him to stop you if that is not the direction He wants you to go in? What if you NEED to figure out what to do with your life, and God isn't talking? I am sure there are stories out there where the second half of this note turned out good (choosing something, and God blessing/stopping it). What are they? Are you willing to share?

Help Comes in All Forms

2009-02-12T01:30:00.005-04:00

The Girls eating cookies just out of the oven.

Um...keeping our of Mama's hair while she cooks.

Yep, her too!

"Breaking up" pineapple while Mama makes the juice into syrup for our popovers.

You get the picture.

My girls want to help me. As the title of this post indicates, it could be ANY kind of help. When I am making supper after Josh comes home, Shalom will come over to me and tap my leg, and then use her head to position herself between me and the counter, oven, etc. The girls like to "help" with dishes, which usually consists of some of the plates, utensils, etc ending up in the strainer, but mostly it means Mama and the daughter rinsing will end up wet...me in the ever-growing belly, and the daughter all down the front!

The dish scenario started to irk me...I have been doing dishes for almost 15 years now, I can do the dishes faster, and get them done better WITHOUT help. So why mess with a toddler helping me? Good question.

My girls want to be a part of my day. They want to spend time with me. Sometimes, they are not content to just be in the same room with me...they want to be doing what I am doing. They WANT to help me. They enjoy it when I encourage them by telling them how strong they are, or what a big help they have been. More importantly, though, they are picking up by watching me, what it is that a Mama does. One day, my girls will be doing the dishes, cooking for their siblings - or future husbands, and they will remember the times they spent doing these same tasks with their Mama. Will they be good memories? Will they cherish their time spent with me?

It is my hope, goal and prayer that my girls will look back with joy on the times we have spent together keeping house for their Papa. I pray that they will want to be keepers-at-home someday, because of their time with me. (NOTE: I am not opposed to them getting jobs, etc.)

My Babies are a gift from God to me. I admit, sometimes I lose sight of that (i.e., dishes are piled high, I just want to get them done, and the floor is soaking wet because Shalom dumped water everywhere, etc.), and get frustrated at their lack of help! But they are only toddlers! They are supposed to make messes, and when we are done with the dishes, we all clean up the water (if you think of it, how many people do dishes in the sink and don't have to wipe the counter when they are done)! It is a part of the growing process, and teaches them to clean up after themselves!

Life is a journey - in so many ways - and it is my job as Mama to Ruth and Shalom to make sure they get as much out of their journey right now as possible! A big job...a Mama size job, and I pray I accomplish all that God wants me to!

The Results (see previous post)

2009-01-24T22:14:00.004-04:00

A must for all helpers...a chance to lick the beaters!

Proudly showing off their cleaning capabilities!

The yummy cookies

The girls showing off their cookies.

The girls thoroughly enjoy the job of "putting away the cookies".

Saturdays in the Larson Home

2009-01-24T19:28:00.003-04:00

I am happy. Very Happy. Josh works for a ministry that lets him have all of Saturday off. We have decided that Saturdays are for doing nothing. No grocery shopping, no housework, yard work, etc. We stay around the house or hang out at Cabela's or walk around the mall (in winter), and in the summer we will take nature walks with the girls around the 50+ acres the ministry owns. It makes for a VERY relaxing weekend. Sometimes, like today, we will all take a nap in the afternoon. Today, we actually took a 3-hour nap! VERY refreshing. That did, however, push "lunch" back until a little after 4pm. Then supper till...well, you get the picture.

Today, Josh decided that since we ate lunch so late, he wanted to do a "project" with the girls. So they took up making Cocoa Oatmeal Cookies! Here are some pictures of the process of making.

Some mistakes can turn out fabulous!

2009-01-18T16:53:00.002-04:00

I made brownies today. No really. These are brownie...COOKIES! For those of us who love the crust...this is the best thing! So how did I do it? Keep looking at pics!

Shalom, making sure I got the recipe right.

She REALLY enjoyed eating the batter.

And wearing it!

Apparently Papa liked it too!

So how did I do it? All I did was accidently add COLD butter instead of MELTED to the recipe!
Try it!!!

Our Day in the Snow (from early in the week)

2009-01-18T12:51:00.003-04:00

It snowed last weekend, and I think Ruth was having some cabin fever-like symptoms. So we put on their snow suits, and hit the snow.

Shalom is showing you her tasty morsel of WHITE snow. I made sure to warn them of the dangers of yellow snow! With three dogs, and a few farm cats that hang around, hopefully Ruth and Shalom will take the hint! Unfortunately, even our back yard isn't safe from animal waste.

This fall, CMTS was given two boy cows to raise for meat. Don't worry, we are talking two years down the road...No veal for us! This is a picture of Shalom looking at the cows.

Ruth was the one who wanted to see the cows. We were going to go show Papa their snow suits, but he had taken a car on a test drive. We checked out the calves and then went to find him. He got a kick out of our little snowballs!

By the way, I lost brownie points with the girls...I did not supply them with hot chocolate! Maybe the week we will hit the snow and follow it with hot chocolate. We will need it after a week of imprisonment...I mean sickness! ;)

My Girls are Better!

2009-01-18T12:44:00.002-04:00

Thanks everyone who prayed for my girls! They are back to their normal, fun-loving, mischievious selves again! Last night, Ruth was even picking on Josh! It has been a couple days since she felt up to that.

Here are some pictures of Ruth carrying Shalom on her shoulders...just like Papa does!

My Big Girl is sick! :(

2009-01-16T16:26:00.003-04:00

It all started Monday when a little boy came to CMTS to visit his Grandma. Two days prior he was puking followed by a high fever that made his other RN Grandma take him to the ER. Monday morning (at about 3 am) he got over it, and came to see his Grandma here (his parents were out of town). My girls barely talked to him, especially Shalom who sat the furthest from him - but she got sick first. Two days worth of fever hovering around 100. Miserable, clingy and crying. Good snuggles though.

Ruth now has the fever, along with a sore throat. Yesterday and today you would find her on the couch sleeping (see picture). Sometimes she would wake up whimpering, and I would go to her, only to find that she wasn't really awake! My tough girl has been reduced to whimpering and whining! I know she isn't well when she doesn't move from the couch unless she is going to the bathroom, and even then, she needs carried, and a lap to lay her head on while she uses the facility!

Shalom is now crying in a miserable way. I am going to take her temp...hopefully she isn't back to being a sick little lady! :( Please pray for the Larson home!

Lazy Bag of Bones

2009-01-06T12:02:00.002-04:00

I have officially declared today, "Lazy Bag of Bones" Day in the Larson home. Mama felt a little too adventurous yesterday, and swept and mopped the kitchen. For a normal Mama, even a not preggo Mama this would be no big deal, but for some reason my lower back is not the easiest to "work with" - LITERALLY - when pregnant! So I overdid it yesterday.

The girls and I had a nice pleasant morning. LOTS of strings of fellowship tied this morning! We ate breakfast, had quiet time (Mama reads the Bible, and the girls look at books quietly, or play with a toy - quietly), and just played and rough housed...LOTS of tickling and laughing. A very good, RESTFUL morning with no requirements (except for when the girls decided to dump their toy box, then we all cleaned up).

I had quite the interesting conversation with Ruth this morning. We were talking about the Baby, and Ruth knows Mama will be nursing the Baby - she remembers me nursing Shalom. She and I had previously had a conversation about how she would be able to nurse a baby when she got big and got married (she said, "Big like Uncle chris and Aunt Allison?"). Today we kind of revisited that conversation, but she decided to enlighten me and tell me that God would tell her when she was ready to be married!!!

Enjoy pictures from our morning together!

As a closing note, please remember my friend's Dad in prayer. I received this in an email this morning. I can't remember if Mr. Morris is saved or not.

Saturday night my mom and i drove to my dad's house to check on him since he had been coming down with a cold two days prior and he wasn't answering his phone. we found him on the floor, semi-conscious. We called the ambulance and i was amazed at how quickly they arrived! he was taken to the ER and is now in the ICU. Tests have shown that he was immobilizes for at least 24 hrs before we found him. we still have no idea how he go so sick so very fast. he has severe pneumonia that has led to septic shock and multiple organ failure. despite all of this he has shown some signs of improvement over the last day and a half. they have reduced some of his original meds and his sugar levels have stabilized. our primary concern is for his kidneys. they had shut down but are functioning now. tomorrow they will test again to determine if dialysis is necessary. because he is on a respirator and sedated we have not had any communication with him. this is very hard as we have no idea how much he hears and understands his surroundings. please join us in praying for healing, peace and patience.

My Girls : They Love Each Other

2009-01-06T11:57:00.004-04:00

Both Ruth and Shalom are holding their toy version of a camera. Just moments before, Shalom had hers to her cheek saying over and over "Smile!" and "Nice!"

It doesn't look like it, but Ruth was gripping Shalom's shoulders, but Shalom rose to the occasion with her "smile."

She thought I said "snarl", not "smile!"

Some Examples of God's Goodness

2009-01-02T22:29:00.003-04:00

There was a knock on our door today. One of the guys that does our pick-ups stood there holding a crate of milk products for our family. Inside the crate was two gallons of skim milk (that Josh is going to use to make yogurt), at least 10 little cups of strawberry yogurt, and 4 cups of peach yogurt, a half gallon of Egg Nog (which is ALL Josh's) and a whole gallon of chocolate milk. Thank you, Lord.

The Sunday before Christmas, Andy Merrick's brother Chris came to our front door. His church gave him several Thanksgiving meals to give to missionary families that he knew of...so we were given a whole turkey, instant stuffing, instant potatoes, a bag of rolls to brown in the over, some applesauce, and a box of brownie mix! Thank you, Lord!

A friend here at CMTS works at a local grocery store (her husband is Josh's boss in the shop). Because she is a worker, she was given a coupon to get either a 15 dollar turkey, or $15 off the purchase of a larger turkey. She had already bought a turkey, and wanted to get us a turkey using the coupon. She dropped off 2 halves of a 26 pound turkey! Thank you, Lord!

After Thanksgiving, we were given the remnants to 2 - 24 pound turkeys - plus turkey stock. Thank you, Lord!

I now have almost 2 gallons of turkey stock in my fridge waiting to go thru the canner. Thank you, Lord!

After sending out our Christmas letter (the second or third post in December), someone wrote in their Christmas letter a verse from the Bible that had been going thru my head while typing and editing Josh's letter.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psalm 37:24-26 (in Context)

If this post doesn't make sense, take a look at our Christmas letter, and you may get a better picture of what I am trying to say.

Merry Christmas from the Larsons (a little late!)

2008-12-29T15:41:00.004-04:00

Edit to Add: You will want to turn off the music at the bottom of the page.

Christmas in Reverse? (well, the pictures are anyway!)

2008-12-25T18:13:00.004-04:00

Shalom liked her new Baby from Great-Grama T!

The girls with their new Babies from Great-Grama T.

Our "low-budget" Christmas tree.

Shalom and Ruth helped decorate the "tree."

Grandma Larson got us some plastic stick-on decorations, which included a fully decorated tree. The girls and their Papa thought it could do with more decorations, so they added some "snow" to the tree.

We had a very nice day together. We all woke up about 7:30 (um...Ruth considers that sleeping in!), and then got dressed. While breakfast was baking (an egg bake. It had shredded cheese on the bottom, eggs in the middle, and more cheese on top. Bake it for 30 minutes at 350, and there is breakfast. Yes, it really is that simple!), we read the story of Jesus' birth. After breakfast, we read about his death and resurrection. In our family, the important part for us is what Jesus did for us in his entire life...not just the birth.

After reading about Jesus, we "put up and decorated" our Christmas tree. Then the girls opened their gifts from Great-Grama Taylor. They each got a baby doll (I am noticing a theme here!!!). As soon as Shalom got the wrapping off of her gift, she said in a high pitch voice "BEBE!!!" I think she liked it...she carried it around til naptime, and then slept with it!

By the way (on a non-christmasy note), Shalom is learning new words by the hour it seems. We JUST (as in while I was trying to type this out) went through a book on shapes, she said in rectangle!!! Yep...this is considered bragging, although I didn't do anything but tell her what the shape was!

A Visit with a Friend + Family pics

2008-12-22T14:09:00.004-04:00

First family photo in several months...my girls are SO BIG!!!

For the Grandparents - by the way, this is Shalom's "cheese face"...she just started it in the last month or so.

In case you thought I was was exaggerating...

I thought I would give you a close-up of my Beauties!

A family pic with Debi in it. Debi and I realized we have known each other for many many moons...YEAR in fact - seven of them. We were roommates in Bible School for a year, and then she showed up at Friend Ships...and helped set me and Josh up together! We have been thru a whole lot together - laughter, tears, frustrations and joys.

I love Debi Stout! (Josh does too, I don't know why he is so serious in the pic!)

Merry Christmas from the Larson Family

2008-12-07T15:52:00.001-04:00

December, ‘08
Hello All!
Merry Christmas from the Larsons!
I have had a desire to write this newsletter for quite some time now. I was hoping to print out something with pictures and fancy trim, but finances have not been available for that.
I don’t normally speak of our finances to anyone. It is something Rebekah and I try not to speak of, because we do not wish to make anyone feel pressured to support us…or to give because they feel sorry for us.
But…well, I have been a missionary for over five (5) years now. And there are times when I feel so…???…so grateful to God… There are times when it seems like God wants to make sure we know that He is in control and that we are right where He wants us. These last few months have been one of those times.
May I share with you a little of these last few months, so that we can reaffirm to you that our Lord is still on the throne and He still takes care of His children?
Finances have been low for quite some time now, and we have cut our spending as low as possible. So low, in fact, that we have not bought meat for…Boy, quite some time. We didn’t share this with anyone though.
It wasn’t even a month after we used up the last of our meat from the fridge that I came across a large amount of canned tuna that had been discarded, I said, “Thank you, God.” and took it home. About a month or two ago, a friend knocked on our door with a bag full of ground pork, sausages and bacon. Thanks, God. Shortly after that, another friend stopped us alongside the road and gave us a bunch of bread. Thanks, God. And again, someone else gave us a bag of hamburger, bacon and sausages. And recently we were given quite a bit of turkey. Wow, God. Wow…thanks! So as of right now, there is more variety and quantity of meats in out freezer than I have ever had before!
As I sit here trying to compose this letter, I feel blown away by God’s love for me and the family He has given me.
I could go on and on and tell you about so many ways my Lord provides for us, the Larson family - but there just isn’t enough paper…or printer ink for that!
I think the less a person has or possesses, the more grateful he is for the plenty God does give him. At least that is how it is with me anyway. God is good.
I hope this has encouraged you to keeps on doing what God has for you to do. He does provide for His work to be accomplished. Amen?!!??!
Our girls are growing and learning very quickly. Boy, they’re cute! Rebekah tries to keep our blog updated, so that you, our friends and family, can see what we are up to if you wish.
Rebekah is pregnant and due around the middle of June. Boy, Ruth - our first - is such a joy and pleasure, then Shalom came and doubled that! It is hard to imagine having three little buddies and helpers! God is SO good.
Work is busy as always. The office says this is our slow season?!?!? I’m not sure why they say that. The shop still has a nice long list of cars to work on. Maybe it is wishful thinking on their part?!!? In the last six months we have packed two containers for Ghana, one for Liberia, one for Honduras, and Haiti. We have also sent off two or three school buses (each) packed full of stuff for Haiti and Belize. Our loaner cars have been coming and going so much I can’t keep track of them. Fortunately, it is not my job or I would be even balder than I already am. The cars we purchase and repair for people in ministry - if I were to guess how many we work on in the shop, I would say it was 2 - 5 a month. Then there are always landscaping projects going on. And the 10 - day Mexico trips over Thanksgiving and Easter. As you can see, there is plenty of work to keep a fellow busy!
Thank you for your prayers for us - and your support of us - as we continue to serve our Lord here at CMTS.
Please feel free to keep up with us on our blog or write to us any time you wish.

Love

Joshua, Rebekah, Ruth, Shalom and “Little Tyke”

larsonlog.blogspot.com
Joshs_Rebekah@yahoo.com

The Larson Family
321 Focht Rd.
Bernville, PA 19506

Because it has been a while...

2008-11-01T16:54:00.002-03:00

...and I know you need a Larson girls fix...

...I thought I would share some pictures with you...

...to remind all of my girls adoring fans...

just how cute Ruth and Shalom really are!

Okay, now that I finished that...I will update you on my beauties.

Ruth is QUITE the character. Between the sarcastic "'Course not!!!" and "Nomie's Turn/did it/wants to" Josh and I are fairly kept in stitches. Every so often, you will hear the pitter-patter of little feet, along with a "CHARGE!!!!" followed by a "headbutt" from Ruth's bunny.

Shalom is gaining character too - not quite like Ruth's though. When asked a question, if the proper response is yes or no, you can be sure to see Shalom's head moving in the proper direction. When asked if tired, a quiet, "uh huh" will be her response. Shalom is getting in two molars, and one of those little teeth right next to the front teeth. She has not complained a bit, not had any physical signs of teething! SO glad for the Peggy Larson constitution!

Hm...

2008-10-16T10:41:00.002-03:00

The CFHusband and their family are in need of our prayers. I have linked to their site under their name. Apparently, Tricia isn't responding to the treatment like she should. The family is discouraged and could use our prayers.

Please pray!

Thanks