Giving Gratitude to God

1. Celebrating Passion Week
2. Remembering the price He paid
3. Little boy hugs & kisses
4. Baby breath
5. Baby snores
6. Sleeping in
7. Answered prayer
8. God's provision
9. Friends who are praying for us
10. Wonderful neighbors
11. Kind sister
12. Teaching little hearts in Children's Ministry
13. Funny things kids say
14. Saturday soccer games
15. God's Word cutting deep
16. God's Word soothing deep
17. Cindy's teaching
18. Worship!!!!!!!!!!
19. Warm blankets
20. Sunshine
21. Hot showers
22. Fun visit with dear friends
23. Baking cookies with my boys
24. A husband who has emptied the dishwasher more in the last 4mos than he has in our entire marriage  :)
25. Reading stories with warm little bodies all cozy & cuddly  
26. Food in our pantry
27. Roof over our head
28. Soft pillow to lay head
29. Baby who makes waking in the morning the most exciting & cheerful part of the day
30. Four sets of sparkling blue eyes in my rear view mirror

Well, I suppose its time for an Oelkers boys update.  I apologize for the red eye.  That can be #50 on my To Do List.  :)

Let's start with Zeke who is now 4mos old!  He's still a super easy going, laid back baby.  Either I'm getting better at this Mommy gig I've got or God just keeps making these babies easier and easier.  :)  Up until the last few days Zeke has held the record for best baby sleeper.  He's been amazing- usually sleeping all night without waking (we don't do Babywise training or anything- the boys have just figured it out on their own.)  However, the last few nights he woke up 3-4 times.  I'll let it slide though since the poor baby had a 101 fever yesterday.  :(  He's smiling and giggling more and more.  He's grabbing at toys and very close to rolling over.  Zekers loves it when his brothers talk to him.  Its the sweetest thing!

Next up is Siah Bean.  He'll be two in just 2 weeks!  Siah is still my adorable, precious, sweet little boy.  Our prayer for him is that God keeps his kind, sweet heart and molds it into a heart that is tender for the things of the Lord.  If anyone doubts that a 23mo old can dribble a basketball, come meet Josiah Owen Oelkers!  :)  Siah also has all kinds of cute faces- surprise face, sad face, happy face, kissy face, grumpy face, etc.  Lastly, Siah's brothers think he's pretty cool.  While I make lunch, the big boys are supposed to pick toys to take to separate bedrooms and play until I say lunch is ready.  (Less fighting and interruptions this way.)  Every day we have to figure out whose turn it is to have Siah in their room because he's so popular.  :)

Alrighty, now for Noah.  This boy is crazy!  He has a crazy, neat imagination, a crazy, scary temper, and a crazy awesome personality.  Noah is often in the playroom, or as I like to call it- Noah's imaginary play land.  He's often playing some pretend game, building a fort or building something.  He's always cracking us up or confusing us with the things he says. Here are a few Noah quotes from the last few weeks:

"What is stinkier- a skunk or poop?"

"We have to beat Dada, Mama!  You have to go speed like Lightening McQueen!"

"I bet he (Siah) learned to pick his nose from me too cuz I'm never gonna stop picking my nose!"

And yesterday while in Target, Zeke was getting fussy in his carseat, so Noah tried calming him down with his own version of the story Brown Bear.  It went like this: "Zekers, Zekers! What do you see?  I see a Noah looking at me.  Noah, Noah!  What do you see?  I see.... strangers looking at me!"

My little helper workin' the lettuce spinner for our salad.

Lastly, we have Eli.  Eli has been doing great on his school-work lately.  He's very motivated and loves to learn.  He's been working on his two times tables and learning the presidents.  His memory is amazing.  Some people say his memory is like his mommy's, but I think its way better.  Eli has also starting running with me.  I just started up- its been a year since I last ran, so I'm pretty slow.  On our first run, we only went a mile and Eli was faster than me.  I actually had to ask him to slow down a bit, and when we got home I was more winded than he was!  We're training for a 5K.  It will be both of our first, and we're hoping to run one in July.  He'd probably beat me if I let him go ahead  :)

A fun new sensory activity- clean mush!  It was lots of fun!  However, I would suggest smocks or no clothing.

Life is hard and good lately.  Its super busy and exhausting, but also so wonderful.  There will be moments where I'm on the couch covered in all by boys and I just pray, "Thank you for this, Lord.  Please help me to remember and savor this moment."  Even quick trips to the store with all four are sorta fun.  I usually have Siah in the Ergo on my back, Noah in the top seat of the cart, Zeke in his carseat in the cart basket and Eli walking by my side.  I'm overflowing with blessings!  And its getting sorta humorous to see and hear all the reactions of my abundance of boys.  :) 

We've had a lot of fun "field trips" lately, too.  We went to the OSU sheep barns last month to see the baby lambs, and to Coastal Farm & Ranch to see the baby chickens, ducks, geese & bunnies.  We've been able to go to the park a few times and feed the ducks at the duck pond too!  We've just started up going to Story Time at the library again- first time since Zeke was born.  All fun things to do that are FREE!  (except gas) Yes, its true, I'm having a delightful time raising my boys.  I love the little bits of homeshcool we do and I'm really looking forward to our curriculum program for next year. 

Eli has inherited my obsession with list making.  He memorized how to spell "Today" and wants to list out our day each morning.  :)

Sheep craft!

Make your own pizza!

 My crazy, blessed life. 

Jehovah Jireh

Isn't it interesting how when we're in those low valleys of fearing the unknown or worrying over a crisis or stressing about possible change, God meets and comforts us and our walk with Him enters into a new level of sweetness.  We depend and rely on Him more when life gets rough.  It's a unique paradox.  At the very same time, life seems so awful and wonderful.  Awfully wonderful! 

And what is a low valley?  I mean, a low valley could really, seriously be the pits of despair or, as in our case, just a dip in the road.  Its really not that bad.  And is it ever bad?  Doesn't God say he works things for the good of those who love Him- those called for His purposes?  Perhaps there is bad, but He works 'em for the good- turns bad things into His good plans. 

Yesterday at Women's Study, Cindy said something that rang so true with me:  "God has us humble and die to ourselves to show the power of His resurrection living in us."  I always forget that.  Resurrection power!  We're talking, roll the stone away power!  Living in... me? 

^"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."  -Rom. 8:11

 What does that mean?  That by Spirit who lives inside me I am no longer in bondage to the things of the fallen nature.  Fear? Puh!  I need not fear.  

I don't have to be a fearful, trembling girl.  Or a stressed and wigged out girl!  I'm a... a... soldier?  

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." -Ephes 6:13

The boys and I have recently started doing this every morning before we start our day.  They love it.  Well, of course they do- they're boys and we're talking about battle gear!  

The belt of TRUTH   (Spirit inside me, give me discernment to know what is truth- to examine things under the microscope of Your Word.)

The breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS  (I am are clothed in the garments of Christ.)

The sandals of PEACE  (The good news brings peace to my soul.  My eternal destination is secure... ahh, sweet peace!)

The shield of FAITH  (I believe He has and will fulfill all of His promises.  I believe.)

The helmet of SALVATION    (I am saved from the power and penalty of sin.)

The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (The Word of God cuts deep!  Exposes deep!  His Word is a lamp unto my feet.)

And praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.  (I want/need and GET to be in constant communication with the God of the universe.)

Our life is crazy right now.  Business.  Lack of money.  Big decisions.  Important meetings.  A husband leaning one way, a wife leaning another.  A possible closed door?   

The boys and I were out running errands yesterday, and our last stop was the bank.  I had some money to deposit.  I stopped the car and asked the boys to quiet down and pray with me.  I asked God to give us wisdom in our finances and to provide for us.  I asked him to take the money we were depositing and expand it like He did for the 5,000 people with two fish and five loaves.  (The boys know that story.)  I said amen, but I kept praying in my head... please, Lord.  Could you really do that?  Please!  Please show them that You DO provide.  

We drive home.  Eli hops out to check the mail.  Hands it to me.  Junk, junk, bills, ... envelope addressed to me.  No return address.  Handwriting not familiar.  Stamped from Medford Oregon??  My heart leaps or maybe sinks... I don't know.  I felt so strange and I instantly pray a strange prayer,  "Please, Lord, let there be money in here."   I slowly rip it open, and folded into a blank piece of paper is $95!!!!!  "Oh my goodness, boys!!!  God just answered our prayer!  He just expanded our money like the two fish, five loaves!!!  God provided for us!"  Boys:  "Hooray!"
Me:  "Time to pray again and thank the LORD for the good things He has done."

Thank you, God for showing my boys from such a young age that you are Jehovah Jireh- The LORD who provides!

Thank you, God, for reminding me that You are in control and You will be taking care of us. 

Passion Week

We did a lot of celebrating this week.  I forgot my camera for some of our activities, starting with Palm Sunday.  Last Sunday was so fun in Children's Ministry.  The main hallway was decorated with a big Palm Sunday banner and Palm branches all over.  I made palm branches for our class the night before, as did most teachers for their classes because Pastor Matt brought in a donkey to re-in-act the Triumphal Entry.  All the classrooms came out and the kiddos were saying "Hosanna!  Come save us!"  It was precious!  

Throughout the rest of the week we worked on a few crafts, read the Calvary/Resurrection story,  and had communion on Good Friday.  Friday evening we had some teenagers over for pizza and then took them to our church's Good Friday night service & showing of The Passion of Christ.  


A cool activity that I forgot to take pictures of was our resurrection rolls- an activity where we each had a marshmallow- representing Jesus.  We dipped it in melted butter to represent the oils of embalming.  Then we dipped the mallow in cinnamon sugar which represented the spices used to anoint His body.  Finally, we wrapped the coated marshmallow in a crescent roll- representing the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.  Then we placed in the oven (the grave) for a pretend 3 days.  :)  When we took them out of the oven "Jesus" was gone!  The boys were so funny.  "Where did the marshmallow go?  Is it still in the oven!?"  

The other activity was a spontaneous "experiment" I came up with on the spot and tried to mix Jesus into the message.  I was showing the boys how water and oil don't mix.  I put both oil and water in a sealed jar so we could all watch what happened when I shook the jar.  I explained that just like oil and water can't mix, a Holy God cannot mix with a sinful man.  I put blue food coloring in the jar and we noticed that it affected both the water and oil.  I told the boys the food coloring was like Jesus, being the son of God, He died for our sins so we could be without blemish and be reconciled to God. (I spoke in preschool terminology.)  My analogy wasn't great because the water and oil didn't suddenly mix ... but since they both changed to the same color I said it was like being adopted into God's family when we believe, even though we don't become the same as God, we can be part of His family and more like him because of Jesus. (I think I'll use red next time so its more like the blood of Jesus washing us from sin.)

Finally, today we went to church and praised JESUS for conquering the grave, washing away our sin, and justifying us before God.  Yay!  Our good friends, Joey and Brea, were here too so that was lots and lots and lots of fun.  :)  We ate pretty darn good, too!

Here are some of our pictures from this week:

Boys got sunglasses in their baskets!

We're finding out that the bigger the family, the harder it is to get a descent picture!

Two different empty tomb projects.

The boys would not stop jumping all over Joey!  Ahh!

We also drew little red dots on our palms and wrote our names on them to remind us that "Jesus died for Eli!"

 

Giving Gratitude to God

"Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"  -Ephes. 5:20

The book, One Thousand Gifts has really impacted me and the way I think and react.  I'm trying to be more thankful in all things.  It's amazing how applying this simple little discipline, of always being thankful, can radically change my attitude and behavior.  So here's my end of the month thankful list:

1. little boy laughter
2. reading stories with warm little bodies surrounding me
3. a good nap
4. hot tea on a rainy day
5. an encouraging word
6. a sweet visit with dear friends
7. good conversation with my husband
8. support and love from my husband
9. helpful little hearts
10. repentant little hearts
11. family game night
12. Zekey giggles
13. SIAH!
14. food in our pantry
15. sanctification
16. God's Word penetrating deep
17. chocolate chip cookies
18. worship
19. sleeping in
20. being sharpened by great friends
21. a clean kitchen!
22. pink nail polish- picked out by a son
23. brotherly love
24. my sister's voice
25. sunshine
26. rain too  :)
27. flowers starting to bloom
28. slow-cooker chicken tacos! 
29. a good book
30. FORGIVENESS of my sins

Broken

There was an evening last week where I was especially worn out from my day with the boys.  My  reality of too little time for the goals I had set for myself left me feeling stressed and anxious- which made me exhausted and discouraged.  I told Jonny that the boys' constant need of correction that day not only left me emotionally and mentally worn out, but my body was worn out.  It was like the five and a half years of non-stop caring for children- all four births, all the bending over, arms that are always holding someone, lack of sleep- caught up with me that day.  My body felt... slow... worn out... beat.  I told him that the boys had not only fried my patience but my body felt TIRED. 

Today I was feeling it again.  Then I remembered something.  God always sees my failures and patiently guides me.  He never grows weary.  He looks on me with love, AND His body was broken for me.

"But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." 

~Isaiah 53:5-6

So good to remember before Easter.  May I have more of His grace as I do the job He has called me to.  AND maybe, just maybe, I am most useful to Him when I am broken.

Eli!

My first born son is exactly 5 1/2 today!!!  He is such a cool kid.  Jonny and I are always telling him so.  He's just fun to hang out with.  He's my little buddy.  We do so much together- reading chapter books, coloring, basketball, cooking, puzzles, cuddling... even cleaning.  Last night, before pulling his covers up over him, he asked, "Could I stay up and help you clean?  I love to help you, and I love to clean!"  Oh my goodness, what a sweet boy!  He's super duper smart too.  We were working on math problems yesterday, and since his simple addition didn't seem to be a challenge, I taught him about adding two digit numbers and carrying.  (I'm sure there's a technical name for this sort of addition...) Umm, yeah, the smartie-pants got it immediately.  He's going to be way smarter than me some day.  I sure hope he'll still find me interesting.  One things is for sure, this boy has my heart and I will treasure him for all of my days.