What a Ride!

Yesterday, I celebrated 19 years married to the same man. Because I run in mostly Christian circles, this doesn't always seem like a great feat to me. I know though that realistically, both inside and outside the Body of Christ, this far exceeds the "norm".

I would also like to quickly point out that I humbly take none of the credit. Were it not for God's mercy and grace, we wouldn't have gotten this far. And I told Dale last night, "If Jesus doesn't come back, maybe we'll be given 19 more."

I wrote this on my Facebook wall yesterday: "Happy Anniversary Dale Barthauer! Thankful that you joined me on this roller coaster ride 19 years ago." And I meant it!

I wasn't just trying to be cute or come up with something original. Actually, it's not original at all.

I once heard a speaker say that he thought that every valuable life lesson could be taught from the movie "City Slickers". For me, that movie is "Parenthood", starring Steve Martin. And though it's been more than a decade since I last saw it, one of the most profound lessons I've ever learned comes from the grandmother of the family, played by Helen Shaw.

[I hope this clip plays. If the link doesn't work, definitely go to Youtube to watch it.]

Here's what I knew within the first two years of this leg of the Journey together...we were in for the ride of a lifetime! Looking back at this juncture...I wouldn't trade one hill or one valley!

Every once in awhile, I feel compelled to make a "master list" of all that we've been through: loss, death of loved ones, financial distress, job changes or losses, family tragedy, church family difficulties and on and on and on. I don't do this to somehow dwell on the negative. Once I write the list in my then-current journal, I put it away and don't look at it again. I feel comforted by God's Spirit that He leads me to do this because some day, when I've shed this mortal shell, my prayer is that my spouse, my kids or my grandkids or even perfect strangers will stumble upon it and be encouraged to read the factual documentation that God is good and He will always be on the roller coaster with you.

When Dale and I each posted our "Happy Anniversary" to each other we received several dozen "likes" and comments congratulating us. But one friend I think understood my perspective...because she added, "Keep your hands and feet in the car at all times." I would be lying if I didn't admit that I've wished numerous times that I could have just a little merry-go-round fun, (see YouTube clip above) if only for a little while.

But the Holy Spirit has led and pled with me, especially in the last three years, that I need to know and remain confident that when I say these crazy things like, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." (see Joshua 24:15) and 'No matter what, I'm going to cling to Him,' or 'Though the world may pass away, I will serve the Lord,' (see I John 2:17)...I've already bought my ticket and found my front row seat for the loops and spins, heights and depths...I might as well let go and throw up my hands too.

And sometimes...just a very few sometimes...He'll allow me enough inertia, enough speed and just the right amount of wind that I'm even lifted off my seat and allowed the privilege to feel like I'm flying.

A Quandry

As I've been praying and seeking God's wisdom regarding finances, possible future employment and some ministry opportunities coming up for our kids, I found myself frustrated over and over again with trying to figure it all out. Yes...I still haven't managed to relinquish my ability to plan and strategize my way out of anything.

A friend and I were even laughing about our common planning capabilities on Tuesday morning. But then she mentioned a Jesus Calling entry she'd recently read. The conviction that planning for every possibility can be an idol is something I honestly don't like to hear. I have shared on this blog before though that God has been leading me for some time to give up this "gift" that comes so naturally.

While copying down some verses in my Beth Moore study of Esther yesterday, I was comforted to be reminded that I don't have to figure out the "how".  You see, I'd forgotten already what I'd learned in Esther: "It's tough being a woman who feels responsible for the "how"

Moore shared scriptures that I wrote on some index cards when faced with the insurmountable task of figuring out the "how". The one applicable for me today is this: "For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." (Psalm 103:14) He knows my frame. He knows how I feel completely "in the zone" when I'm home being a wife and mom, when I'm able to give full attention to homeschooling, when I'm able to have time to serve in ministry. (see First Day After Taxes)

Not only this, but He knows my passion to serve Him and my desire to afford our children and our entire family the opportunities to minister in the name of Jesus in our city, our state and our world. Amazingly enough, He also knows that this costs money...and nobody knows our utter dependence on Him for provision better than He.

Where would the money come from when anyone in our family wants to participate in a missions trip, leadership conference or even just having the gas to serve someone locally? Good question, right? I know we can solicit support from friends and family...but honestly...as much as we hunger to serve...we may wear out our welcome quickly. Some may begin to dread mail or calls from us...and that's not what we want. We're not afraid to solicit on behalf of the kids or for occasional trips, but what God is calling us to is so much bigger and we've got to start raising funds somewhere.

So there's been this idea bouncing around in my noggin for about a week or so. I even shared it with my friend Tuesday morning and my sister-in-law yesterday. They both thought it was a good idea and not that I need their approval, but sometimes confirmation that you're on the right path is nice to have.

Back to the "how"...God knows "how" I'm wired and He's given me certain gifts that I love to share with others. I'm excited He's putting this all together. Here's what we're going to do (drum roll please!):

I'd like to officially introduce Blessings from Baking!

This new blog will showcase the cookies, pies, cakes, breads and candies that we are selling in order to raise money for ministry. 100% of the profits will go toward ministry. 10% of that amount will be shared with Boundless Ministries which goes directly to serving single moms and their families. The other 90% will go toward mission trips, leadership conferences and ministry opportunities for anyone in our family. All of this fits perfectly within our goal of "Writing a Better Story!" I just said to my friend Tuesday that any time we are serving the deeply impoverished, either through a work day, Single Moms' Night Out, at the Henry Hosea house, sending our kids on a missions trip here or abroad, sponsoring a child through World Vision, serving at LifeLine ministries or Master Provisions, etc...we are falling within the boundaries of our desire to serve single moms. If you're serving the poor...you're mostly serving single moms.

So check out the new blog. I'll obviously post regular updates to it on here as well. It's brand new, so it will take some time to build our "offerings". My prayer is that when you venture that way, you'll notice the background. (I can't believe blogger offered an African slum as a background photo!)Divinely placed there for just this use, I hope it's a reminder to those who'd like to order to what purpose their purchases will contribute. It's a reminder to me of the calling to where God is leading and if baking is how we're going to get there...then Hallelujah! and Amen!

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End note- This new adventure will in no way distract us from our service through Boundless Ministries.  We will still accept donations as God provides them, but those donations are specifically earmarked for single moms. Monies earned through Blessings from Baking will be utilized as described above.

Just Had to Share This Quote Today!

We're visiting with family and their internet explorer is not compatible with blogger, BUT I just had to share this quote I came across in Beth Moore's "Esther" today.

"When, because of your faith, your life too becomes perceptibly different; when your reactions are quite opposite to what the situation seems to call for and your activities can no longer be explained in terms of your personality; that is when your neighborhood will sit up and take notice. In the eyes of the world, it is not our relationship with Jesus Christ that counts; it is our resemblance to Him!" --from "The Queen and I"

It's also been interesting in my experience that when "the neighborhood sits up and takes notice" is sometimes when Christians start asking if you're on the right path. Just something to chew on!

First Day After Taxes

I know it's like I'm "beating a dead dog" with mentioning taxes again. I'm just amazed that I'm sitting here absolutely exhausted. I should get up and go to bed, but it's one of those times when you're almost too tired to move.

The wonderful thing about this is that it's physical exhaustion...not mental. And I love it!

I woke up and went for a 30 minute power walk but was back home before 7:30 a.m. Abbey and I fixed waffles and strawberries for breakfast. We all did school. I had a little God-time in the midst of them working on school. We had lunch and I think everyone was done with chores, school and exercise by about 1:30 or 2 p.m.

Then came their media time...and a little for me too. About 3 p.m. or so, Leah and I walked to the bank and of course, had to stop by Penn Station to split a cookie on our way home! Once I got home, it was time to start Mexican black bean chili for supper.

Got everyone fed and Dale's dinner together so he could take Abbey and Rebekah to youth group by 5:45 p.m. Then started work on what was left of the 24 pounds of organic strawberries I got at a great discount yesterday.

I froze two gallons of whole strawberries, pureed more than five cups of strawberries or strawberry/banana blend for future almond milk ice cream making and made about five and a half pints of strawberry jam. By 9:30 p.m. I was ready to call it a day.

I know working outside the house is a necessity at times, but when I'm working at home on a day like today...I know God wired me first and foremost to be a wife and a mom. I think I could have made a pretty good farmer or at least farm-wife too!

Now to hit the hay! [Pun absolutely intended!]

Me & My Honey

Every time someone opens up this blog, they see the photo to the right. It's of my husband, Dale, and I. I intentionally chose a photo of both of us when I updated it several months ago, because this ministry is as much his as it is mine.

Even if he doesn't post or seem to be the "front" man (for lack of a better term), he is integral to everything I do. Not only do I consider what would God have me do in any given situation, but whether Dale even realizes it or not, I always filter through "what would Dale have me do". Often I don't know exactly what he would do or say, so I ask him.

You know...God just has an amazing sense of humor...and He could not have brought two more opposite people together. But 18 years ago yesterday, that's exactly what God did and I'm forever thankful. I am most definitely the leaper in our duo and Dale is the calculator. We're still not really smooth at it, but we do compliment each other well. His wisdom pulls me back from the edge and my passion pushes him closer to the edge...and I think that's what a solid marriage does. Knowing your strengths and weakness and letting the other help you in both is a huge blessing.

And as you've probably seen in a lot of couples that have spent many years together, we've even become a little more alike. I'm thinking at this rate, by the time we hit our 50th anniversary, we might just meet in the middle somewhere!

I'm secretly hoping it's a little closer to the edge though!