Loving Your Children Like Christ Does

I wanted to take a little break from our PCS themed posts and share two links that really resonated with me yesterday:

Desiring God: Motherhood Is A Calling

Passionate Homemaking: Scripture Memory with Toddlers

In this world as parents, I don't think we can be reminded to show Christ's love to our children daily too many times. Both these posts talk about writing Jesus' redeeming love upon their young hearts - one through scripture and one through imitating Christ by laying your life down for your child.

I pray these thoughts are an encouragement to you as they were to me.

Photo found here.

Home.

As we prepare to PCS (from Ft. Leonard Wood to Ft. Lewis) in a matter of two short weeks, I find myself once again reflecting on the idea of Home. Part of me really loves the chance we have with the Army to experience so many different parts of America as we move from duty station to duty station. Then there is the romantic and sentimental and homesick side of me who longs for a single house that our children will look back on fondly as Home.

Oh, that idea of Home...my parents have lived in their current, two-story, red brick, track house for over fifteen years. It is also where I spent my adolescent years from 7th grade on, and like I've talked about before, I have many many happy memories spent at home there with my family. But, if you ask any of my siblings or either of my parents about Home, they will fondly tell you about a much different house. We will get teary-eyed as we laugh and recant stories of an eighty year old farm house my parents rented for less than $400 a month. We will talk about surviving Texas summers with nothing but a single window unit. We will talk about the attic room that my sister and I shared. We will talk about old pick up truck beds full of cotton seed we would play in. We will talk of trapping a rat in the bathroom. We will tell stories of running out of propane for our heaters and sleeping all huddled together in the kitchen some winter nights. We will talk of our gravel driveway and cutting our own Christmas tree. We will talk of Gilbert, our old farmer of a landlord. There will be stories full of rubber boots, cows, linoleum flooring, hay bales, and that old farm house. We will laugh about the single, tiny bathroom all six of us shared for those four years. Yes, it was only four years of my life, so how did that old house work its way into my soul so deeply?

I can not quite describe it, but you know the feeling I'm talking about. Maybe you get it when you visit your grandparents' home or drive through an historical neighborhood. That feeling of beauty, permanence, history, warmth, safety, and yes, Home. It can be found in most buildings that were built before the Second World War because some how the generations and the buildings who came after, lost that connection with America's past and with the surrounding nature we all crave. We became obsessed with bigger, "better," and faster which led to whole suburbs full of massive track houses that no one really cares about. Just look at this 100 year old farmhouse and you'll know what I mean.

picture found here.

We have been searching the internet for rental properties in the Ft. Lewis area for months now just to see what's out there, and again I find myself drawn to anything built before 1940 with a wide front porch, thick base boards, and quaint little nooks. We may not find one close enough to base, big enough for our family, or at the right price, but I am saying a selfish little prayer that we do.

As an Army wife, I know even if we do find that perfect, old Home, it will only be ours for a short time before we are packed up and moved across the country again. Still while we have chosen this nomad lifestyle, I hope throughout the years we can look back on many of the houses we live in and think, yes, that was a Home. I think it is important for children to feel safe and grounded while growing up, so I will continue to thoughtfully and prayerfully search for that perfect Home no matter where the Army moves us. I believe it is that important.

And, at the end of the day, I must remind myself that ultimately (while the Army may say home is where they send you) it is the people in the house that make it a home. My family that is my heart will fill whatever space we live to the brim with happiness and love.

Did you move a lot as a child? Do you move a lot as an adult? What are some things you do to help your children feel at home no matter where you are living? What house do you look back on with the most fondness from your childhood?

Still feeling sentimental? Go read Chapter 4:

A Sweet Shout Out!

A big thank you to Lisa over at Sweet As Sugar Cookies for inviting America Dreams to share our delicious Blueberry Kuchen recipe. We loved making it and eating it over the 4th of July!

Head on over to this tasty little blog and check out what other folks made to celebrate independence. It makes me ready for another long holiday weekend just to have a chance to try out a few new recipes! :)

Praying for Peace but Willing to Fight

Just a little reflecting after catching up on a few other blogs I follow (while I love most of their views on natural, Christian parenting, I don't always see eye to eye with them on everything):

I know some people wonder if its hard being a Christian while being called to war. Some may even decide that you can't possibly do both - follow God and fight in a physical battle.

The truth? There are times we do not agree with the guys calling the shots in D.C., and that is hard. But to be a soldier's wife? To support our military? To rejoice in our victories? all while being a devout Christian? That is not hard.

Honestly, Who do you think gives us the strength and courage and grace to get through those year long deployments? It is not by our own power, but the power of the Almighty.

Is a non-violent solution preferred? Always. Is the reality of our broken world that not every conflict can/will be solved this way? Yes.

Is Religious freedom worth fighting for? You better believe it! Are there leaders and extreme groups in this world whose mission is to take away that freedom? Sadly, yes.

Are there others out there who are bound and determined to attack and hurt us? Yes. Should we defend our values, our beliefs, our freedoms from them and fight to give more people around the world those same freedoms? Most certainly.

Is Satan using religious terrorists to physically and spiritually attack the Body of Christ? You can bet on that. Do I believe that God's spiritual army is fighting these terrorists even more relentlessly than we are? I do.

Has God called upon his people to physically fight their enemies in the past? Yes. Will He continue to call on us to fight those who seek to oppress others? Yes.

Did God's army celebrate with music, shouting, dancing, praise, and thanksgiving after a tough fight and a victory? Yes. Is it OK to thank God for delivering our enemies (Bin Laden included) into our hands? I believe it is.

Were many of the great, God fearing men of the Bible also fierce warriors? Absolutely. Are there still many God fearing men willing to fight for freedom around the world? Praise God, the answer is yes!

The loss of the innocent is always tragic whether it be from illness, accident, or war. The hearts of their families and those who have killed them should always be prayed for. However, this does not mean that some fights are not necessary, and thankfully God has blessed some with the gift of strength and the ability to fight the good fight.

So, whether your strength lies in fighting or holding down the home front, please respect the men and women who chose a life of service to the military, and know that many choose this life because of a strong conviction from our Lord to protect the innocent, the weak, and those unable to fight.

I know, that was a little heavy for the Friday of a long holiday weekend, but sometimes we get so wrapped up in a holiday that we forget what we're really celebrating. In the case of the 4th of July, we are celebrating our independence as a free nation. How did we receive that freedom? From fighting and winning a bloody war. Even though many lost their lives, it was for a good and right reason, and God has in turn blessed this wonderful nation of ours with overflowing abundance. Don't forget to say a prayer to God this July 4th of thanksgiving and protection for our military.

Alright, get out there now and enjoy your watermelon, hot dogs, and fireworks! :) I know we will!

Come and Get It, Y'all!

I loved this post from Passionate Homemaking about sitting down to dinner as a family. This was very important to my parents while I was growing up. So many of my childhood memories took place in their kitchen from eating a meal together to cooking with my mom and sister to teaching my brothers to dance around our kitchen island.

Here's the Post:
The Family Dinner Table

Its a sweet little read for a Friday afternoon and a wonderful reminder of how important it is to take time to be a family face-to-face in this busy world we all live in.

Here's most of the fam around my parents' table this past February.

What's your favorite memory of your family as a child? Anything special your parents did weekly to make sure y'all got quality time as a family? Or maybe there's something you and your spouse do now to encourage and strengthen your family?

Building Up a Firm Foundation

 Really Woolly Bedtime Prayers
"I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep." John 10:14

It is weird that one of my favorite devotional books is one given to our son for his Baptism? Part of this stems from how sweet it is, but a huge part is while the words are made simple for the children, God's Word still finds a way to speak deeply and profoundly to me.

The theme of Jesus as our Shepherd runs throughout the book. Each daily devotion has a short Bible verse that talks about one of Jesus' shepherding attributes. The Bible verse is followed by a poem and a two line prayer. It is perfect for little attention spans. (mine included)

With the exception of three Bible verses (my Conformation verse: Psalm 25:5, of course John 3:16, and Psalm 23 - thanks to my pre-school teacher Mrs. Koster who patiently helped write these verses upon my four year old heart), I have always had a hard time committing verses to memory permanently. The verses in Bedtime Prayers are short and simple; my prayer is that I will be able to learn them right along with Henry. Most of the scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, International Children's Bible, and it is amazing to see God's strong Truth written in such simple words.

If you are looking for a devotional book the whole family can relate to, this is a great one. Maybe you're a new Christian (or a veteran who's out of practice with a daily devotion) and a lot of the Bible feels overwhelming or hard to understand; don't be ashamed to order this little board book. Its a great way to be reminded of God's love every day. We are enjoying its presence in our home.

"The Lord is my Shepherd.

I have everything I need."

Psalm 23:1

Find a Local Farmers' Market

Oh yes! Summer is quickly on its way! While you can definitely check out your local produce year around, those delightful Farmers' Markets are in full swing this time of year. Depending on where you live, you might be able to find one any day of the week, but I'd bet money there is at least one open on Saturdays in your area that the whole family would enjoy visiting.

Everything is green in our backyard, and its a welcome site after a gray, snow-filled winter.

Take those kiddos outside, let them see the bounty that is being grown right in their own backyard, and then let them each pick something they've never tried to take home and eat as a family. Its a great summer activity and might even save you from fighting the traffic in the grocery store produce section for a mediocre squash grown who-knows-where.

On Saturday the Schoellhorns loaded up, and we visited C-Street Market in Springfield, MO. A chilly spring wind blew in that morning, and we weren't quite dressed to stay the whole day at the market. We did do a quick loop through all the local produce and homemade goods as C-Street Market celebrated the opening weekend of their growing season.

The market is located on quaint, historic W. Commercial Street, and I am so glad we discovered this jewel of a spot. I can't wait to go back and snoop in all the adorable boutiques and art galleries on a sunnier day. Seth can't wait to show Henry the historic foot bridge that takes you right over the railroad tracks. (pretty sure they'll be watching trains while I'll search the shops)

We did however have time to pick up a pair of Jalapeno Cheddar Rolls from Black Owl Bread Company's stand. Delicious! Plus I'm pretty much in love with anything having to do with those adorable, squaty owls. I can't wait to try their Spinach feta rolls and maybe an oatmeal raisin cookie next time.

Here are a few web sites to help you locate those local farms, markets, and even restaurants in your area:
Local Harvest
Eat Well Guide

Like what you tasted? Consider always buying your produce locally or joining a Coop. Some even deliver your veggies straight to your door.

My favorite summer treat? Berries! Any berry will do, but I'm a sucker for blackberries and raspberries. What about you?

Earth Day 2011

Happy Earth Day 2011

What a great day to stop, look at your family's lifestyle, and pick one way you could be a better steward of this gorgeous planet we have been entrusted with. Maybe its as simple as not running the water while you brush your teeth. Maybe you'd like to start using less energy and your family decides to commit to line drying clothes instead of using the dryer, (I'll admit it; this is quite a bigger commitment than the teeth brushing thang) but with summer coming there will be plenty of warm sunny days to give it a try - we're going out on a limb and hanging those cloth diapers of ours. Or, maybe you got outside and planted a tree or veggie garden as a family.

For the Schoellhorns this year we are switching to all natural hand soap and recycled paper towels. Hopefully one day we'll make the switch to only using dish towels and cloth napkins, but for now I just love paper towels a little too much. Baby steps, y'all. :)

In honor of Earth Day, www.soap.com is offering a discount on bundled groups of green household cleaners. Head over there, and let them help you get started! Plus you'll get free 2-day shipping if you spend over $39.

So, what did your family do for Earth Day? Share with us and inspire other families to save a little nature too. 

The Book that got us thinking:

Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher

A good friend of mine told me about this book four years ago, and it took me another two to finally order it from Amazon.com . After it arrived in the mail, I could not put it down. I felt like Crunchy Cons really put into words so many ideas that had been aimlessly floating around my head and even threw out a few reasons as to why I might have been feeling the way I did. Rod Dreher and his book just got me thinking and gave me confidence in my own ideas.

From the back cover of the book, A Crunchy-Con Manifesto:
1. We are conservatives who stand outside the conservative mainstream; therefore, we can see things that matter more clearly.
2. Modern conservatism has become too focused on money, power, and the accumulation of stuff, and insufficiently concerned with the content of our individual and social character.
3. Big business deserves as much skepticism as big government.
4. Culture is more important than politics and economics. 
5. A conservatism that does not practice restraint, humility, and good stewardship - especially of the natural world - is not fundamentally conservative.
6. Small, Local, Old, and Particular are almost always better than Big, Global, New, and Abstract.
7. Beauty is more important than efficiency.
8. The relentlessness of media-driven pop culture deadens our senses to authentic truth, beauty, and wisdom.
9. We share Russell Kirk's conviction that "the institution most essential to conserve is the family."

There's a little peak into Crunchy Cons, but I'll let you read all the nutty goodness between the binding for yourself. Happy reading!