News from Jerusalem

 Our friend Netanel has given an update on Gaza, what's happening and what is coming.  He shared the audio link with me and I am sharing it with you.  Feel free to take a listen here:  Gaza Today and Where it Is Leading To by Netanel Nickalls.

Update: May 2021

As I continue to get things in order, today I created vision boards for myself.  I think the lie from the original garden morphs it's way into my days very subtly...did God really say enjoy Him, enjoy good food and family and friends and that life is VERY good?  Or did He say everything should be a never-ending struggle in futility?

As I ponder the principle of sowing and reaping (which I think is a direct cousin if not the very same as the law of attraction), I want to reap GREAT things.  I was reminded by Praying Medic's most recent podcast that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Right. All this sugar and foods which harm and other such things are taking up the place where GOOD THINGS ought to....so I am shifting things in order to put things first.  

Yesterday I ordered a new bible.  My old faithful one has been squeezed dry and so I am eager to begin again the habit of diving into the fresh and living Word with the One who IS the Word.  Word!  

As you can see here, I have made several designs to put before my eyes to remind me of whose I am, who I am and what I want in my life: to enjoy God and myself and those He's given to bless my life and to look and feel great.  Those are simple desires, and yet I have work to do in order to get there.

I listened to a couple of fantastic podcasts yesterday about goals for health and morning routines.  It helped me understand realistic processes (which are often a complete anathema to me) and allowed me to see how I can go forward honoring some bits of my old self while embracing my now self so that I can become my whole self.

There are emotions to regulate, spiritual warfare to battle, truths to embrace, strongholds to evict and extra energy to burn.  I am going to keep before me the reminder of the 80/20 principle...I need to receive 80% and give 20%.  This shift alone will be LIFE changing for me.  As my friend Arthur mentioned years ago, when you give, give, give and do not receive much, ya run out.  It's simple math.

So, to continue combating the Jezebel nastiness of refusing to receive and to go in the opposite spirit of that, I will keep on changing my life so I can give from an overflowing cup.  It feels like the right time to let go of a frenzied mindset, embrace being addicted to peace and allowing myself to know and FEEL that God is good all.the.time.  

Oh, and listening to bits of me that have a bit to say about some pain is a plan too...

How about you?  How is your May faring?

An Update

 Hello!

As I ponder sharing myself and of our lives through Exuberant for Life, I feel such tug and pull. Is it possible the time for feeling free to share regularly will come and that I'm just in the midst of *still* a LOT of emotional healing? Likely.

Getting my house in order has taken more than a decade. In my ignorance and immature zeal I thought it would take a week. That was before I knew anything much about the inner world and the copious amounts of healing needed for oh-so-many wounds.

The other day as the Tall Guy and I chatted, I shared with him what my friend MB is helping me to realize: the journey to being whole is exhausting, time consuming and often feels like battling monsters. While it's WORTH the time and energy (and whatever resources are required), it is a bit mind boggling just how much the processes seem to hinder what used to be considered 'normal life.' He said that is why people choose NOT to deal with it, and in a flash I understood!

The breaker anointing we both have is no small thing, and it is for our posterity that we keep learning and clinging to the One who knows and who gives us strength to continue. Imparting will come, I hope (for I long to get to that work!), yet for now I must be content to just BE, and to keep receiving from the Life Giver and to do the work set before me each day.

I suspect the Ruler portion of my spirit is finally getting to express itself. The inner-man healing work which began more than six years ago is resulting in things like fresh curtains being installed to replace worn out blankets for window coverings as well as setting up simple and good looking systems so we can do what we were designed to do here -create! play! work! love! rest!

I am SO glad to know about productive pain....the kind which hurts but which has a redemptive and good-for-me purpose. Though it doesn't make anything easier, it reminds me to keep taking courage as I face all these invisible and unnamable issues, day in and day out while simultaneously caring for self, family, home and a relationship or two beyond these walls. Courage is a resource I have come to appreciate.

As I keep doing the work which I cannot really name, see or understand very well, I often think of YOU and the journey you are on.

I'm reminded too of the holy work we do to break general cycles of iniquity and I rejoice that there is healing for the soul.

Keeping on,

Kate

Dominion At Home

As I reflect upon the past several years, I recognize a common theme, which I have not been able to see clearly until this morning.  

Whenever my passion for something gets the better of me, certain areas of my life suffer.  

When that happens, I suffer, as do the people around me.

I suppose we all have our limitations.  You might be better at knowing yours than I have been at knowing my own.  

It is likely I have less ability to manage things in my life than I previously thought.  As I look around me, even this morning, I see loads of evidence that I am not managing well some of what I have been given.  

I ask myself: what types of activities, mindsets and processes disable my ability to keep certain aspects of my life running?  This is what I need to consider.

To run well the race set before me, I need to take inventory of what is going well, celebrate what has been shifted that is now well-stewarded which once was not, and be honest about what is currently falling below my own standards.

To give you a small example, just now when I went to the coffee pot to get the decaf brewing, I noticed what I had not last night before I retired.  The tiny kitchen is overrun with items needing immediate attention: boys winter gear & light sabers, dirty dishes, overflowing trash.  

The one person who has the duty to care for the dishes can knock that chore out in about 30 minutes (fewer if he can resist the temptation to be distracted).  The snowsuits and boy toys can be put away in seconds; trash remedied in moments.

What is at the heart of it all, and the reason I share, is because I know that in the past two days I have been obsessed with what is happening in certain areas of my nation.  Putting such intense focus on moment-by-moment news has sucked all the energy out of me for making sure my home is running properly.

Who cares about a well-run home?  I do!!!  It is the one physical place where I spend almost all of my time, as do these children!  It is supposed to be a nurturing place; a place of warmth and of acceptance where love and hope are continually renewed.  

In the past days it has been anything but.  

I see now how giving almost all of my attention to what is happening nationally impedes my ability to keep these home fires burning.  The result?  The fruit?  The children have been fighting; my husband has barely had a proper meal in days and we have all been sustained on bits of nourishment here and there without any proper oversight from me.

I have also sadly neglected my self, which is the life-long pattern I have spent the past several years learning how to adjust.  

As I write this, I can see how ignoring my needs starts the cycle of not giving others what they need and deserve: my time, my love, my EFFORT.  

To see that I have not given my self time, love or effort is sobering.  Being indifferent towards myself does not bless anyone.

My soul is finite and can only do so much on any given day.

As I continue the journey of learning to live life as a whole person, I continue to need to make changes in order to better execute this life for which I am so exuberant.

While I know it is not the end of the world, it needs to be the end of me doing too much in one area and not enough in others.  Physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health matter, no matter what is happening in Washington D.C. or anywhere else in the nation and world.

I am reminded of Kris Ann Hall's words this week: we must focus on our local and state governing bodies in order to affect real change.  Similarly, I must turn my focus to making myself and then my home a place of beauty and of peace and of faith in the One who gives us breath.  That process begins with my heart, soul, mind and body, which have been VERY busy with matters too far beyond my reach.

Yes, I pray for God's will on the earth, and I agree with Him to make happen here what He would like, and I will continue to intercede where He leads; however I must also put in the work of what He has given me to do...here...today.  My realm is that of this little home; tending to its bodies and its needs is my responsibility, as is caring for my own self!  

Real transformation begins inside of us, and from that place, rivers of life can flow.  

It is time to focus first on what matters most.  The 80/20 principle comes to mind, as do so many others.  I will now take courage to return to what needs to have my first priority...and then from a place of strength there, will see what is left to give beyond the hearth and home.

On Patriotism and Inner Acceptance of Whatever IS True

I've spent a long time reading posts of others and considering so much information. Finally, a bit from my own innards erupts and I share it here, in case you care to read.

No matter what the truth is about any of it, I want to know. I am not concerned about "party" or devoted to any leader blindly, including any POTUS. I want justice for all and want the truth exposed all the way around and I'll adjust to whatever the facts are even if I can't stand what comes to light. 

I learned long ago that men and women are not angels and so am wiling to face embarrassment, sadness, anger, disgust etc if/when anyone I believed in/trusted has been dishonest, lied or covered up crimes for themselves or someone else. 

I'm a patriot of this nation and want it's best for it's people. 

While we don't all agree on what that looks like, it's important we have the emotional maturity (which has to be developed as it isn't automatic) to have logical and honest discussions. 

I might not have the maturity yet...but am learning and growing and willing to face my own faults, errors and wrongdoings. I know how to accept grace when I'm wrong and receive love when in error and have decades of messing up and then adjusting my behavior to not be such a fool. 

If there are those who represent us (or have or who seek to) who have been/are dishonest, I don't care WHAT side they're on. Those deeds need to be exposed and brought to light. I am not interested in fueling and adding to the garbage by saying I love everything some people do and dislike their opponents. 

I am willing to concede perhaps I've been duped as it seems so many have been. I don't have all the facts and indeed long for systems whereby we can access facts without all the corporate and financially biased drama etc. 

IF there are major parties (business, corporations, individuals, etc) who are part of a massive deceptive "cover up" of what's really happened/happening, then I literally pray that all gets exposed, no matter WHO has participated. We (the Republic and indeed the world) need to know what's true and what the facts are. 

We must get tot he point where we all can access information to understand the big picture and then can we, once INFORMED, decide for ourselves how to handle those who have misused their governing privileges which we gave them by electing them. 

Finally, I don't need to be told what the facts mean...I can figure that out for myself because I don't drink the water and was reared to be fiercely independent and to think for myself. I do look for sources willing to swim upstream from chatter and noise which doesn't sit right with me. Oh, how developing discernment has messed with my ability to think and consider information. Listening to our gut sense (etc) is so important. 

“Listen carefully and I highly suggest you watch the full episode... Full: https://t.co/lEBuVRHbqO Backup link: https://t.co/4pQ6nFRd95 https://t.co/UnTY69lREJ”

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“Listen carefully and I highly suggest you watch the full episode... Full: https://t.co/lEBuVRHbqO Backup link: https://t.co/4pQ6nFRd95https://t.co/UnTY69lREJ”

Please watch this.

Man Love, Fathering and a Wife/Mama's Dream

It's the normal moments in life which make me swoon. 

I just overheard these two talking while they work on food prep for next week:

The tall Guy, slicing hard boiled eggs for our salads said, "We've gotta get better at keeping our cool when we're frustrated so we're not scary. I need to do that too." 

Andrew (age 13), smashing the egg yokes, replied, "I thought you were the perfect Dad." Then he sniggered and said, "Just kidding."

Tall Guy responded: "Nope. I'm not."

Andrew answered: "You're the perfect dad for me."

Me: [sitting over here pretending not to hear while I run to tell you]  🥰😍🤩🤣👏 🙌

Zeal Arising

This got me quite riled up this morning!  Not only do I need to keep allowing excellent people to fill my heart, ears and mind with truth and wisdom, I need to allow the little bit that spills over OUT of me.  I need to get the podcast done and published talking about certain things which are SO on my heart which will NOT shut up!!!  Not an echo!

Get the book on audio or hardcopy now!

For the Married Folks

Take a listen to Rabbi Daniel Lapin's podcast "How to Master the Curiously Complicated Machinery of Marriage"

Another First for A Son

First born
First day
First coo & giggle
Words so fast

First sit, then crawl, then steps!
Fast forward through so many firsts 
Now the job he's long sought! 

How elated I still feel as he reaches out to the world beyond, embracing what's his to enjoy and 
So proud of him
Even after more than 17 years of savoring each first. 

Motherhood is one of THE sweetest things.

Blooming Boys

This morning our middle son Andrew (13) asked to visit the village library.  He likes helping organize and working with the librarian Miss Shirley.  He spent an hour or two with her and then his Dad drove up to get him as a thunderstorm dampened all our doors; it wasn't safe for him to walk home as he would normally.

This afternoon our firstborn son Luke (17) headed off walking to the local village burger joint for his first official work day washing dishes.  This has been a long time coming and it was especially sweet to send him off with blessings of fun.  How he and I have longed and waited for him to have a practical outlet to spend his enormous energy in a way that he can trade for money!  Congratulations Luke!  

Also today, our third son David (11) worked through all the steps necessary to prepare and bake his own lemon cake for his birthday tomorrow (yes, he prefers to make his own!) and is now walking through the steps to make butter cream frosting.  He likes when I help him find a youtube video. I quickly scan the list looking for practical and simple how-to's, show him and then let him choose which one he'd like best to follow.  Once he's done he heads to the kitchen, watches the video stoping, rewinding and reviewing as needed and working diligently on all the details until he's done!  An impressive scratch baker, he is also learning about how to use substitutions such as stevia, honey, coconut or almond flour, coconut oil and other items we keep on hand instead of the old traditional foods we (mostly) no longer keep supplied for health reasons.

I am so proud of my sons who have each been groomed by their Papa to do real life here at home.  What a blessing it is to know our little men are prospering in life as well as in their studies.  The Moore Formula of 1/3 work, 1/3 service and 1/3 academics is such a fantastic foundation to build upon and I'm grateful each day for the opportunity to walk alongside these children while they grow and learn and become who they will be.  

How Should We Then Live??

If you click a link I provide here, I might earn a small commission at NO EXTRA charge to you.

During my first and only year at bible college, I had the ridiculous pleasure of sitting under the teaching of Dr. Jack Layman.  He made history and western civ MIND BLOWING.  He introduced me also to philosophy which fascinated me beyond words.  

Over the course of those two semesters, he shared Francis Schaeffer's HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE video; the book was required reading.  I am forever grateful for that time and for Dr. Layman helping bring my mind up to speed with how/why our culture IS the way it is.  

Last night I was wow'ed all over when hubby and I started watching this with our two older children who are studying western civilization via a fantastic homeschool curriculum written by Linda Hobar called Mystery of History.

I love the way Schaeffer weaves in art and science along with religious practices while taking us along to places where it all happened.  The filming is brilliant.  Our 17 year old son who excels as a film maker, enjoyed the artistic story telling.  

It helps me make sense anew of where we are today.  I look forward to the next 10 weeks as we study and discuss ramifications.  The conversation last night was stellar and lasted hours past the first lesson.

More SRATools

For those who deal in some capacity with SRA there is an online resources available here.  Thanks to my friend SR for sharing!!