Safe ...

... in Billings, MT tonight.

Mama drove 550 miles today,

over 5 mountain passes,

with snow on the sides of the road,

every mile of the way.

I only had to switch into 4x4 mode,

on  2 of the mountain passes,

and in Billings tonight.

We left Spokane at 9:15 am.

We arrived in Billings at 10:15 pm

(after gaining an hour with a time change).

We were on the road for 12 hours,

with only a couple of quick gas/potty stops.

We found a restaurant for dinner at 10:30.

We found a hotel at 11:30.

It's now 12:30,

and I am one tired Mama.

After we left Spokane this morning,

it snowed another 6" today.

Thank you Lord,

that we were ahead of the storm.

Yesterday, Billings was hit hard

with an early winter storm.

Thank you Lord,

that we came after the storm.

As you can see,

the Lord is definitely 

directing our paths,

and keeping us safe.

Thank You, Jesus!

Thanks for your continued prayers!!!

Winter Storm Warning

Oh my!

We finally finished all of the good-byes in Oregon at 2:00 this afternoon (after filling every square inch of the u-haul trailer and the little SUV).  We arrived at our first night's destination, in Eastern Washington, at 11:00 pm.  Upon arriving, we were told that a Winter Storm Warning is in effect.  It is supposed to snow 6-8" here in the next 24 hours.  The warning said that  "Roads may be treacherous."

However ... looking ahead at the next several hundred miles, the snow is not expected to be as heavy the next day or so.  Therefore, we are praying that we can get on the road in the morning before the heavy snowfall makes the highways impassable here.

But ... it is after midnight and we must get some sleep in order to drive safely tomorrow.

We drove 400 miles today.  We have 1300 miles left to go.  We expect snow the whole way, from here on out.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Ice ... Beautiful Ice

I know.  I know.  Many of you are not liking the word "Ice" right now.  Your cars are slipping and sliding on the roads.  (One sweet Bloggy Friend's son rolled their truck over an embankment because of the ice.)  And, I agree, I do NOT like ice on the roadways.  However ... at the same time ...

Ice Can Be ... 

BEAUTIFUL!

South Falls

at

Silver Falls State Park

in Oregon

the day before

THANKSGIVING.

On the Trail

Under the Waterfall

The ice on the railings

was like a Glass Wall.

Cassie 

and the

Amazing Icicles

Ice can be ...

WET

and

COLD.

But ...

it can also be

FUN!!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our hike to the

Icy Waterfall.

Heading Out to the Cold White North

Cassie and I are packed and ready.

Her little 4x4 SUV is loaded,
with a U-Haul trailer all hitched
up and ready to roll.

She is leaving Oregon,
a place that she LOVES,
to begin a new adventure,
with her Main Man Dean,
in Minnesota.

Mama gets another Moving Adventure.
Yippee!  From the sunshine in California
last week, to snowy Minnesota this week.
Crazy ... but FUN!!!

Mama is so looking forward to 6 days
with her sweet eldest daughter.

We don't know what adventures lie ahead.

We've never visited these cold northern states
in the winter.

We are expecting LOTS of beautiful snow.

We are expecting bitter cold and winds.

We bought warm gloves and wool socks last night.
Cassie still needs to buy a good pair of boots.

We are praying that we don't run into
any full-out Blizzards.

We are praying for clear highways,
and safe roads, as we head across
Washington, Idaho, Montana,
North Dakota, and into Minnesota.

Please keep us in your prayers.
I am BLESSED to know that so many of
my Bloggy Friends are praying for me.

Thank you!!!

We Are BLESSED!

Thank you!  Thank you ... for your prayers of safety as we all travelled this week.  We all made it home safely tonight.


For the past 20 years, our family has travelled to Oregon to spend Thanksgiving at the Christian Renewal Center ... a WONDERFUL Christian Family Camp ... in the mountains an hour from Portland ... in the woods.  It is a BEAUTIFUL place ... a QUIET place (until the Big D. family arrives) ... a place filled with LOVE and LAUGHTER and MEMORIES.  


While we greatly missed Carissa (in Argentina) and Gregg (in Louisiana) this year, we were BLESSED to be joined by both of our soon-to-be daughters-in-laws (Hannah & Ashleigh), Vicky (1 of our Adopted Big Kids), and Dean (Cassie's "main man").  So, there were 16 of us together for the long weekend (which we actually started on Tuesday).


We LAUGHED ... we ate ... we played cards ... we ate ... we took naps ... we laughed some more ... we ate some more ... we worshipped together ... we listened to a GREAT speaker (5 sessions in 3 days) ... we PLAYED in the SNOW.  Oh my!  What FUN we had!!!


While Hannah has been "a part of the family" for several years, Ashleigh and Dean haven't spent much time with the family.  On the first night, Josh was "on a roll", cracking jokes for about 2 hours straight.  While the rest of us laughed hysterically, seriously rolling on the floor and with tears in our eyes ... Dean sat quietly, just kind of staring at us.  I don't think he had ever met a family quite like ours.  By the 2nd night, though, we had him laughing along with us.  


However, that 2nd night we pulled out 12 decks of cards for a Hand & Foot Tournament and we surprised Dean by how competitive some of our young adults can get (it's a loving and friendly competition, for the most part, but competitive none the less).  He enjoyed the game, though, and asked to play again the next night.


Many more pics and stories to come, but I thought I'd just share 1 fun pic tonight.  Here a a few of us, after a hike in the snow.  (Ashleigh, Jeremiah, and Vicky hadn't arrived yet, Ben had run off ahead of us, and Mama was behind the camera.)

Dean, Cassie, Papa, Hannah, Josh, Lindsey, Hosanna


Josiah, Elijah, Rachel, Sarah

On The Road ... In The SNOW!!!

After a couple of days of being totally exhausted and overwhelmed, the Lord picked me up and got me back on my feet.  Thanks for your prayers!  I've gotten a LOT accomplished the past couple of days.  Whew!


Please pray for safety for the Big D. Family this week.  We have kids traveling here ... there ... and everywhere; and we had a BIG storm hit this weekend.  Storms like this are not typical for Western Washington, especially this early in the winter.


Josh & Hannah are heading across the state tomorrow.  They've got snow on the ground and temps under 10 degrees.  Neither of them have much experience driving in the snow.  We are thankful that they bought new snow tires today.


Cassie & Dean will be heading across the mountain passes tomorrow, as well.  They both have LOTS of snow driving experience, and Cassie has a sweet little 4x4 SUV.  But, they still need to be cautious, and watch out for others that aren't used to driving in the snow.


Jeremiah & Ashleigh will be making the long drive on Wednesday (picking up Vicky along the way).  They'll be driving Mama's little station wagon, which handles pretty well in the snow.  You can pray for Ashleigh, though, as she doesn't know what to do with this bitter cold (we've been having 40 mph winds to go along with temps in the 20's).  Ashleigh is a Texas and California girl.  She didn't even own "winter clothes" until this week.  


Papa, Mama, Lindsey, and the Young Ones will also be out on the roadways this week.  Our BIG van is NOT a snowmobile, so I'm a bit nervous.  Please pray for safe travels for all of us.


Assuming that we all make it safely to our destination, we are beyond excited to be spending Thanksgiving with 10 of our 12 children, 1 of our Adopted Big Kids, 2 soon-to-be-daughter-in-laws, and Cassie's boyfriend (here from Minnesota for the holiday).  


We had so hoped that Carissa and Marcello could have joined us from Argentina; so we will miss them greatly.  Gregg couldn't make it home for Thanksgiving, either; because he is a retail manager.  So, he has to work on "Black Friday".  But, we are looking forward to seeing him next month, at the wedding in Texas. 


Thanksgiving has been our family's favorite holiday for 20+ years.  It means so much that the Big Kids want to continue our family traditions, and are willing to put the time and effort into being together for this holiday.  


I hope that each of you have a WONDERFUL week.  I pray that you will spend time with your families, THANKING the LORD for ALL that HE has BLESSED you with.  No matter how "tight" our finances might be, we are BLESSED beyond belief.

Just Keepin' It Real

Yesterday ... I was 100% serious when I told you that I LOVE doing things for my Young Ones, Big Kids, and Adopted Big Kids, because I am BLESSED ... it is an HONOR ... it is a PRIVILEGE.

Today ... while I know that yesterday's post was TRUTH
           ...  I'm not quite feeling the same way.



Today, I am ...

...  EXHAUSTED

...  FRUSTRATED

...  HURT

all because of those very same "kids",
that I was so blessed by yesterday.




Yesterday ... I said that I wasn't questioning
                    why I do the things that I do.

Today ... I don't know how I can possibly drive 8 Young Ones
               and Big Kids to Texas for the wedding.




Yesterday ... I was so confident in all that is
                     coming up in the next 6 weeks.

Today ... I am completely OVERWHELMED!

           ...  when can I finish the reception invitations?

           ...  how am I going to be ready to go to OR next week,
                and MN the following week?

           ...  when am I going to finish planning the WA reception?

           ...  when am I going to have 20 hours to do the
                girls' braids before the wedding?

           ...  how can I drive to TX in 5 days,
                and back the following week?

           ...  how are we going to pay for the gas, hotels,
                and food for this 14 day trip?
                (the Big Kids are paying the costs associated
                 with the "moving" trips to CA and MN,
                  but Papa & Mama are in charge of the TX trip.)



Yesterday ... I ran errands, went out to dinner, spent a couple
                     of hours visiting with Jeremiah.

Today ... I walked on the treadmill (8 hours ago),
               and that was the last thing I accomplished.
               I don't have the energy to even look at my "to-do" list.




I WANT to crawl into bed and
pull the covers up over my head.

I NEED to head to the living room
to complete the invitation project.


PRAYING that tomorrow is a better day.






      

Why Do I Do What I Do?

Why did I drive 2500 miles

to move Ashleigh to WA?

She could have rented a U-Haul Truck.

Why am I going to drive Cassie

from OR to MN in 2 weeks?

She could drive it by herself.

Why am I going to drive 8 of the kids

to TX next month for the wedding?

I could just fly there with my husband.

Why am I planning a 

Washington Wedding Reception?

They are having a reception in Texas.

Why am I making 100+ invitations 

for the Washington Reception,

during such a crazy, busy time?

I could have asked

Ashleigh & Jeremiah to make them.

Oh ... 

No ... 

Don't get me wrong.

I am NOT asking these questions of myself.

I am NOT regretting the decision to do these things.

In the past couple of weeks, 

several people that have 

heard about all of these trips 

have made the comment, 

"You're such a nice mom!"

I smile and say, "Thanks."

But, it has really gotten me thinking.

Yes.  I do try to be a "nice" person.

But, that is certainly NOT the reason

that I do all of these things.

Oh.  My.  No.

So ... 

Why Do I Do What I Do???

Privilege:  1.  a special right granted to one person 

                      or a small group of people.

   

                 2.  something regarded as a rare opportunity, 

                      and bringing particular pleasure.

Honor:     1.  something that brings pride or pleasure.

                 2.  a privilege

Blessing:  1.   a means of happiness, a gift

  

                 2.  a beneficial thing, for which one is grateful

I do what I do because ...

It is a Privilege ... 
to be the Mother of 12 Children.

It is an Honor ... 
to be able to Serve My Children.

My Children are a Blessing ... 
a True Gift from God.

Sadly, many mothers see their children 

as a burden, rather than as a blessing.

Sadly, many mothers are so excited about an "empty nest",

that they don't enjoy the privilege
of parenting their young adults.

Sadly, many mothers have not done the hard work necessary

for fun, loving, healthy relationships with their older children;

and the children would never ask their mom to

be involved in their Young Adult lives.

My relationships with all 6 of my young adult children

are certainly not perfect.  We do have our challenges.

Yet ... 

...  I am BLESSED to call them my closest friends.

...  I am HONORED that they would want me to

drive across the country with them.

...  it is my PRIVILEGE to be able to

continue to serve my children,

even after they are 

"grown & gone".

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord,

children a reward from Him.

Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them."

Psalm 127: 3, 5

My desire is to be so much more

than just a ...  "nice mom".

My desire ... 

my goal ...

is to live life as the woman in

Proverbs 31.

"She ... works with eager hands."  v. 13

"She gets up while it is still dark;

to provide for her family."  v. 14

"She sets about her work vigorously,

her arms are strong for her tasks."  v. 17

"She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come."  v. 25

"She watches over the affairs of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness."  v. 27

"Her children arise and call her blessed ..."  v. 28

Lord ... 


Help me to be the woman that you created me to be.

Thank you for the many children

that you have blessed my life with

(including all of the Adopted Big Kids,
and soon-to-be-daughters & sons-in-laws).

Thank you for the honor and privilege

of parenting all of the children and young adults

that you have entrusted to my care.

Home At Last

We left the hotel at 8:30 a.m. ...
and arrived home at 12:15 am ...
16 hours later ...
after driving another 700 miles.

We only stopped 3 times ...

...  lunch (and gas) at 1:30

...  potty-stop at 4:00

...  dinner (and gas) at 7:30


We drove through ...

... fog

... mountain passes

... rush hour traffic in Portland, OR

... pounding rain for several hours

... traffic from a bad car accident


But ... we made it home safely.  Praising Jesus!


We listened to more Screwtape Letters Radio Theatre.


We listened to a Christian Comedian's book-on-tape.


We listened to a wide variety of music.


We played Yahtzee.


And ... we just plain enjoyed Getting to Know Ashleigh.


Off to bed ...

Oh how I LOVE sleeping in my own comfy bed.

But ... wishing my sweet husband were here, too.

He was only able to be home 24 hours this week,
which took place while I was gone.  So Sad.

Heading Home

We didn't get on the road until noon ... but we arrived at the hotel at 11:00 pm ... 550 miles later.   Crazy that we just stayed in this town 2 nights ago, and we've driven 1100 miles since then.

We had a FUN day with Ashleigh!   We're so excited to have her as part of our family!  Yippee!!!

We listed to Radio Theatre again today.  (Do any of you have any of the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre programs?  They are wonderful!)  Ashleigh has "The Screwtape Letters" on her iPhone.  Have any of you read it, or listened to it?  Wow!  Great stuff!  Very thought provoking.  It definitely kept my mind going while driving.

It's almost midnight, and we must get up early and back on the road.  We have another 700 miles to go tomorrow.

It's been a GREAT trip!  The Lord has BLESSED our time together, as He has kept us safe and our van working well.  We will continue to PRAISE Him, as we travel home tomorrow.

Hope you all are having a WONDERFUL week!

A Great Day of Driving

Ben, Hosanna, and I had a GREAT day On The Road yesterday.  We were heading down the freeway by 8:30 am ... enjoying the California SUNSHINE  (quite a change in weather from the day before).

I got a bit sleepy in the early afternoon (while Ben was sleeping and Hosanna was reading), but put some Radio Theatre in the CD player and I was good to go.  When driving long distances, I really need something to keep my mind alert (rather than just staring blankly at the miles of road ahead of me).  I guess my mind is so used to multi-tasking, that it doesn't know what to do if it's not getting enough stimulation.

After an hour or two of Anne of Green Gables, I got a couple of phone calls.  (It's always fun to chat with girlfriends while I drive.)  Then, Hosanna and I played a game of Yahtzee.  (Don't worry, I don't look down at the dice.  Hosanna tells me what I have and I tell her which dice need to be rolled again.)  Even though I was driving, I beat her pretty good.  (smile)

Pretty soon, it was 6:00 pm and we were heading up the "Grapevine" (a very steep pass over the mountains into Los Angeles).  We arrived at Ashleigh's house in Ventura by 7:30 (pretty good time for 550 miles).

After a quick pizza dinner, the packing began.  Thankfully, a friend of Ashleigh's came over to help, that used to work for a moving company.  He and Ben did a GREAT job of carefully packing all of Ashleigh's furniture into the U-Haul trailer.

By 10:30, I was definitely ready for bed.  Ben, Hosanna, and I headed over to a nearby M*otel 6 to find some beds, as we left Ashleigh with a few more boxes to fill.

We couldn't get back on the road early today, because Ashleigh gets to pick up her wedding dress this morning from the Bridal Store.  (What fun!)  The store opens at 11:00, so we are hoping to be heading north before noon.  We don't know exactly how far we'll get today, but I am hoping for another 550 mile day.

We are definitely looking forward to the next 2 days with Ashleigh.  What a FUN way to get to know my soon-to-be-daughter-in-law better!!!

Thankful for the Little Things

While I have definitely had my FRUSTRATIONS,
with my Takin' Care of Mama Challenge,
I DO have MUCH to be THANKFUL for.

During the first 6 weeks, I lost 10#.

During the second 6 weeks, I lost 8#

During the past 4 weeks,
I lost and gained the same 2 pounds
over and over and over again.

However, this past weekend,
I seemed to have broken through the plateau.
(And I'll be working real hard on this Road Trip
  not to find those lost pounds again.)

On Saturday ... I DID IT ... I hit the 20# lost mark.
(I have a LOT left to lose, but this felt good.)

I now weigh LESS than I have in 10 YEARS.
(This was a HUGE goal to hit.)

I slipped right into a couple pair of pants last week,
that I haven't worn in SEVERAL YEARS.

Have you ever bought "Loose Fit" jeans,
that were certainly NOT loose?  The jeans
I slipped on last week were practically BAGGY!

I slipped my Grandma's antique Wedding Ring
on my finger ... and it hasn't fit in 10 YEARS.

I took my Wedding Ring in to be re-sized a full size,
as it was nearly slipping off my finger
when I washed my hands.

In the past 6 weeks I have lost ...
(I didn't measure the first 2 1/2 months.)

2 1/2 "  on my hips
1 1/2 "  on my top
2 1/2 " on my waist
1 1/2 " on each thigh
1 "       on each upper arm


While I'm not losing as quickly as I'd hoped ...
I am losing weight.

While I'm not dropping sizes as fast as I want to,
I have dropped a size.  (One thing that is very 
frustrating ... most women drop a size per 10# lost, 
while I have to lose 20# to drop a size.  Sad!)

While I'm not in the size I was hoping to be in
before shopping for my Mother of the Groom dress,
I still have 3 weeks to keep losing (weight & inches).

While my goal wasn't to lose weight in my fingers (smile),
it was fun to take my ring into the jewelers to get it re-sized.


My other Takin' Care of Mama goals were to ...

1.  Read the Bible in 90 Days.

2.  Exercise Daily on my Treadmill.


I have NOT been reading through the Bible as quickly as I'd hoped, but I am not at all discouraged.  I have still been completing my Bible Study Fellowship lesson each week, and occasionally getting back to my "Thru The Bible" study.  If it takes me 180 days to read through the Bible, rather than 90 ... that's fine with me.  I am still studying God's Word, and that is the focus.

I was exercising VERY regularly, until I got sick 4 weeks ago.  I was in bed for 8 or 9 days.  I was really struggling for another week.  And, then, I have kept coughing (and was exhausted) the past 2 weeks.  Because I knew that I needed to be healthy for all of the upcoming Road Trips, I purposely stopped exercising.  I needed to focus on getting healthy.  I am happy to report, however, that Friday ... FINALLY ... I went a day without coughing and I FEEL GREAT!  Yippee!  THANK YOU JESUS!!!

I am sure that my weight loss plateau had a lot to do with the lack of exercise. So, I am excited to get back from this quick trip to CA, and get back on the treadmill.  Time to ramp up the exercise again!


How are all of YOU doing on your Takin' Care of Mama Challenge?  I know that at least one of you has taken the challenge, and is doing a weekly write-up on your blog.  Keep up the good work!

Survived ...

Day #1

725+ miles
(I believe that's the furthest 
 I've ever driven in a day,
 without a 2nd driver.)

Many Hours of Rain

Thick Fog on a Mountain Pass

I left home at 8:00 am,
and pulled into the hotel at 11:00 pm.
(It takes awhile pulling a trailer,
 and driving 55 mph the whole way.)

Off to bed ...

I'm EXHAUSTED!

Tomorrow's a "short day" ...
just 550 miles.

On The Road Again ...

Mama is headed out on another ADVENTURE.

Today is the first day of an absolutely INSANE amount of driving.

In the next 6 weeks, Mama will be driving another 9,000 miles.
(Which was totally NOT planned when I took the 9,000 
  mile Road Trip with the kids in August and September.)

But ... no time to think about the next 9,000 miles.
I'd better take One Trip At A Time.

Today ... Mama is headed to California
               with Ben & Hosanna.
Today ... Mama will drive 700 miles.

Tomorrow ... Mama will drive 550 miles.

Tuesday ... Mama will drive 650 miles.

Wednesday ... Mama will drive 600 miles.

I'll be driving my Big Red Van,
1200 miles straight down I-5.

So, if you see Mama's van,
pulling a U-Haul Trailer,
just Honk & Wave!

Why am I driving to CA and back in 4 days ?!?!

To move sweet Ashleigh to Washington.  Yippee!!!
Ashleigh & Jeremiah are getting married next month,
and she thought it would be a good idea to move up here.


I'll try to check in with all of you Bloggy Friends
while I'm on the road.  But ... I might fall fast
asleep the minute I find my hotel room each night.


Hope your week is BLESSED!!!

Project Day

Mama decided to take a minute out of her CRAZINESS, 

to snap a few pictures and share a quick snapshot of 

Daily Life at the Big D. House.  

We are enjoying a Quiet Afternoon of crafts and projects.

While it is cold outside, the bright afternoon 

Sun is Shining through the dining room window.

Sarah & Rachel 

are sitting at the Kitchen Counter,

Coloring, Cutting, & Gluing.

Josiah

is at the Dining Table,

Designing, Cutting, & Gluing

Elijah

is at the Kitchen Counter,

Deciding What to Draw.

Mama's Project

is coming along well.

Mama LOVES to Do Craft Projects!

I'll be back later ... 

with pics of the completed projects.

Hope you are all having ...


a very BLESSED day!!!

Life is CRAZY!

Hello Sweet Friends,


I just have time for quick note, but wanted to let you all know 
that I am alive and well.  Life has just been a bit CRAZY around here.


What have I been up to???


...  LOTS of Grocery Shopping
    (I'm trying to stock up so that no major 
     shopping is needed until after January 1st.)


...  Christmas Shopping
     (While we won't be able to buy many presents this year,
      I have bought our yearly traditions:  an ornament for each 
      child, and New Pajamas to open on Christmas Eve.  Other 
      than that, there won't be any other presents under the tree 
      this year, assuming that we even have a tree.)


...  Planning a Wedding Reception.  Yippee!!!
     (I only have time for a quick post tonight,
      as I have 100+ invitations to make tonight and tomorrow.)


...  Searching for a New (Used) Car for Josh.
     (He must "retire" the old Ford Escort at 198,000 miles.)


...  Planning & Preparing for 4 Upcoming Road Trips
     (to California ... Oregon ... Minnesota ... Texas ...
      driving 9,000 miles in the NEXT 6 WEEKS.  YIKES!!!)


...  Researching (and applying the knowledge learned): 
     How Does My Body Work?  And, Why?
     (quite frustrated with the continuing weight loss plateau)


...  Keeping Up with the Life of 
    My Big Kids &"Adopted" Big Kids
     (Skype ... Phone Calls ... Emails ... Text Messages ... 
     A Dinner "Out" ... Praying For ...)


...  Trying to Support My Sweet Husband from Afar
     (Phone Calls ... Emails ...  A Dinner "Out" when He is Home 
      ... Praying For ... Helping ... Loving ... Serving ...)


...  Trying to Help My "Little Miss" 
      Deal with Her Serious Issues
     (Hugging ... Holding ... Praying For ... Talking To ...)


...  Oh Yes ... Of Course ... the 
     Everyday Mothering of 6 Children
     (homeschooling ... disciplining ... discipling ... training ... 
      praying for ... praying with ...   talking to ... talking with ...)


...  Keeping Up With My Weekly Bible Study Fellowship Lesson
     (LOVE the lessons ... the teaching time ... the small group!)


...  Praying ... Praying ... Praying ... And Praying Some More
     (Laying in bed for hours, many nights, PRAYING for
      my kids, my husband, the Little Church on the Island,
      our house for sale, our struggling finances, the weddings ...)




Yes.  That is what has been keeping Mama busy.  I try to keep up with my Bloggy Friends, reading several blogs daily, but I just sit and stare at the "New Post" button, and don't know where to start ... don't know what to say ... don't know how to share ALL that is on my heart. 


Please keep us in your prayers, as we continue this challenging journey that the Lord has us on.


A Bible Study Friend shared with me today that she was thinking about me this week and the Lord showed her this "picture" of our family:


We are on our Journey.  We are on the Right Road.  The Lord has parted the Red Sea.  We are Crossing the Jordan.  But ... we haven't reached the Other Side yet.

The Lord's Discipline

Discipline (verb):


1.  To train and develop by 
    instruction and exercise.


2.  To punish.


Discipline (noun):


1.  Training that produces 
    obedience and self-control.


2.  Training (something painful) that 
    corrects, molds, or perfects.


I don't know about you, but usually when I have thought about the Lord's Discipline, I have automatically thought of it in it's verb form, with the meaning of "punishment".   However, this week, I have been really pondering this word ... and it's meaning for my life.


In this past week's lesson for Bible Study Fellowship (B.S.F. Int'l), we read about the Lord's Discipline.

We had to answer the question:  Explain why God's discipline is an expression of His love?

The lesson asked us to look up Hebrews 12:3-17 as a reference (and/or use any other scripture to explain or illustrate our answer).

When I read verses 5-6, my "punishment" definition fit.

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Thus ... "discipline" is used along with "rebuke" and "punish".  Clearly, the Lord does use His discipline to "punish" us.

However, when I went on to verse 7, I began to wonder if the Lord's Discipline might have more than one meaning.

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons."

My immediate thoughts ...

We have endured much hardship this year.  Therefore, is the Lord disciplining (verb) us for something?  Have we done something that we are being punished for?!?!

I sought the Lord in earnestness.

"Oh, Father, have we done something wrong?"  


"Lord, have we not seen something?  
  Have our eyes been closed to our sin, in any way?"  

This was serious business.

We have sought the Lord throughout our trials this past year, and I couldn't imagine that we could have possibly missed something so big.  But,  I so wanted to hear from the Lord ... to KNOW if our hardship was due to some type of punishment.

Then ... I felt as if the Lord were wrapping His arms around me, as He showed me that there is more than one meaning for the word discipline.

In v. 7 (above), the word discipline is used as a noun, not a verb.

The Lord showed me that this time of hardship has been allowed in order to ...

"produce obedience and self-control"

and for ...

"training (sometimes painful) that molds and perfects".

While I absolutely believe that the Lord does, in fact, use discipline for punishment, I now felt confident that that was not the case for us in this particular instance.  I felt His peace, that passes all understanding, showing me that He will use this time of hardship in order to grow us into the people that He wants us to be.


Verse 12 goes on to say ...

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness."


Of course God wants to train us.

Of course He wants to teach us obedience and self-control.

Of course He wants to mold us and perfect us.

God wants us to share in His holiness.
What an AMAZING thought!



Oh Lord, I pray that you will continue to discipline us ... to train us ... to mold and perfect us.  I pray that we would not whine and complain when we endure hardship, in order to produce discipline.  


Thank you, Lord, for treating us as your sons (and daughters).  Thank you for loving us enough to discipline us (whether as punishment or as training).


And, Lord, while I pray that you would help us to be content in this time of hardship, I would be remiss to not admit that it is HARD.  It is NOT fun!


Father God, I pray that you would move us out of this time of hardship, and that you would move us onto the next step of this journey.  I pray that you would make it possible for us to live with Papa ... that we could live together ... worship together ... minister together ... once again.  


Thank you, Lord, for ALL that you have taught us in this time.  Help us to always remember the teachings learned in hardship, and not to become complacent once this current hardship is removed.


Thank you Lord ... 


...  for all that you are. 


... for all that you have done for us. 


... for all that you are teaching us.