Hurting Family~My Daily Prayer

Lord, we come together in agreement where in Matthew 18:19 we read that if two of you on earth agree about anything we ask for, it will be done for us by our Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them. Lord, we pray that no weapon formed against this family will prevail. Satan, you were defeated at the cross when our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. He arose showing you His mighty power. Get away from this family and all families around the world who are speaking separation and divorce. God hates divorce, instead he will be the Repairer of Broken Walls, a Repairer of the Breech and will rebuild homes on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

Lord, we are praying that both of these people and all our prodigals around the world will have a personal relationship with You as their Savior and as their Lord. For it by grace that each of us have been saved through faith, not of ourselves, but a gift from God.

Lord, we are putting the full armor of God on this family and on all the families around the world who have strife of separation going on in their homes, putting a hedge of protection and the blood of Jesus over them, so that we can take a stand against the devil's schemes. We stand in agreement with our Lord God and know that all of the enemie's tricks and schemes against this family and other families are broken. For our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Lord, we pray that all the spouses who are planning on leaving and the ones who are gone will flee the evil desires of youth, and instead pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. We pray that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. We know that Your sheep hear Your voice, so speak loudly to Your children today and we pray that they will be obedient to Your voice, Your will, and Your way.

Lord, we praise You that You are in control of this crisis, and I pray that You will show Your people the power of prayer. Give hope to husbands and wives, showing them and speaking to them that You can heal, restore and rebuild their marriage. Nothing is too hard for You, and greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world. Lord, we praise You and thank You that we have confidence in approach- ing You; that if we ask in anything according to Your will, You hear us. And we know that when You hear us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of You. I pray I Corinthians 13:4-8 on them, restoring their love as the day each of them got married. Lord, we give this couple and all the other couples around the world to You Lord, and trust You to protect them from the evil one. We pray this in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

CLEAN TIMES FOUR

We spent over 2 hours at the dentist's office. I am so glad that my dentist allows me to make an appointment for them ALL at the same time. I have mentioned before how much I love the fact that they have such a BIG, OPEN room. I can see all of my children at once. This was Levi's first time, and he was so good. Everyone came back with an A plus, except for Abishai. He had two cavities last time, but they didn't think it was necessary to fill them. This time they did. So, he had two fillings, and he has also been gnawing at his lip. I think his lip hurts worth than anything right now. Poor guy! So, we are all set for 6 months.........

WAITING HIS TURN



FINALLY IN THE CHAIR, WAITING


GETTING X-RAYS

GETTING HIS TEETH CLEAN



FINAL LOOK........and HE CRYS!!!


FORCING A SMILE

ZEKE GETTING X-RAYS

HE LOVED THE FEELING OF HIS CLEAN TEETH

ABISHAI WAS WAITING

X-RAYS FOR "BUBBA"

AND........I GUESS I FORGOT A PICTURE OF JAEL??? HOW DID THAT HAPPEN??? OH, that's RIGHT........I WAS AT THE DENTIST WITH FIVE CHILDREN!!!!

BACK IN SCHOOL

This is already our second week of school. We survived!! AND hopefully had fun, too! Jael has already learned an egg will float in salt water and sink in regular water. Oh, the joys of science experiments.

Our curriculum, My Father's World, looks like this: easy to teach, integrated Biblical content, less preparation, strong academics, multi-age unit studies, international focus, hands-on activities, character development, and recognizes the Bible, God's truth, to be the foundation of wisdom and education. This curriculum combines the best of Charlotte Mason's ideas and classical education with a Biblical worldview, an international focus and our own observations of how children learn.

Abishai and Ezekiel are both learning together, and I, of course, expect less of Ezekiel since he is only 3. Our complete unit-based curriculum includes a phonics-based learning-to-read program and focuses on God's amazing creation (kindergarten). I really like 100 Easy Lessons for teaching them reading, and I will probably focus on that this next summer, right before Abishai goes into first grade. Ezekiel's biggest accomplishment, so far, is that he can now properly use scissors. (Notice the number 5 he cut out, below.)

Jael is learning U.S. history (second). We have a spelling book, and a primary for English lessons. She will be doing a lot of memorization. We also use Saxon math. Jael is still devouring books. And reads, on average, a book a day. She is in the process of finishing Anne of Green Gables, but she finds time to fit in a BoxCar Children book, too!

I love the easy-to-teach, integrated curriculum that is enjoyable, academically strong, and focused on character development.

My Husband Rocks~Friday

"I'm scared!" or "I'm nervous!" have never been good enough reasons for my husband to say he couldn't do something. OR that he wouldn't do something. He has always been good about doing whatever anyone calls and asks him to do, sometimes to a fault. It's great to have a friend like Josh; you know he will be there if you need him.


I remember about 9 years ago, MAYBE, that he told me he was nervous about preaching in church. AND he said, "if I am nervous, it allows the Holy Spirit to move through me more freely!"


Well, Josh lost sight of that....for a while, BUT he has regained his weakness. I say--weakness--because the Bible says, the Lord's grace is sufficient for us, and His power is made perfect in weakness. We can boast all the more gladly about our weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on us. Isn't that reassuring? I mean, I am thrilled that when I see what I would consider a weakness, it's all the more for God to move!! How great is that?


I have my weaknesses and so does Josh, but we are better for them. As I watch the changes in Josh, I am excited. God is good!! When we become confident in ourselves, that's the problem. Weakness is not the problem.


Josh is leading worship this week for the first time in 2 years, and I know he is nervous. He didn't shy away from the request, but I know he feels scared. I am sure this week will be AWESOME, as my husband's weakness allows God to move FREELY. May the Holy Spirit be made PERFECT in Josh, this week.

You Rock, Josh, and I am excited to see what God does this week. Let Him work in you, and remember your own advice.

I love you, and I respect you, MAN OF GOD! I believe in what God is doing in you.

YOU ARE A NEW MAN!

Our Garden Grows

Abishai's sunflowers

I get so excited about new growth; I mean, I really do!! I am like a kid when it comes to checking on my garden. After a REALLY rough start, it is starting to produce some vegetables. A bad hail storm a couple weeks after we planted destroyed a lot of our plants.

I still need to get some wire guards for the tomatoes, or they will die. BUT I have gotten to use my fresh basil many times. I would have to say that Basil is my VERY, VERY favorite herb.

Today I went out and I have some corn cobs growing, too!! Wooohooo, I am so excited. I really do hope to get some things fixed in the garden, like weeds (the mosquitos keep me from gardening), and wire cages. I have to get those cages soon, since my dogs keep sitting on my plants. You all had better be excited with me, this is my FIRST garden!!

Anaheim Pepper

Corn on the Cob

Grape Tomatoes

Grasshopper

Tomatillos

BUGS

So, remember those giant mosquitos I was telling you about? Well, Abishai and Ezekiel spend a big amount of time catching them AND the random fly that happens to get inside. Today they spent time building traps; Abishai says his has already worked once. I just love how inventive; God gives them creative minds.

Wasn't it kind for him to use a paper towel? (without my suggestion)

Ezekiel likes to SNAP his phone on them.

29th Birthday

Josh loves lighting LOTS of candles, so it was great FUN for him to have 29 candles to light for me. I got a DQ ice cream cake, which is my VERY favorite. Josh lit 29 matches with his TORCH, and I got to blow them all out!! AND, yes, in ONE breath.....thank you, family and friends, for making my birthday special.

Day in July

Josh was given a day off last week, so we thought we would enjoy a little bit of God's creation. Colorado is a beautiful place, and we have not enjoyed it NEARLY enough. I could do without the wind AND the mosquitos bugs are the worst. AND when I say the mosquitos are bad I mean worse than I have ever seen in my life. They are gigantic on top of being abundant! We spend EVERY evening killing at least 10-15 before we go to bed, JUST so that we don't get eaten all night, enough of my mosquito rant. The weather is unpredictable, but I don't mind too much. It's often cool in the evenings, which brings relief from the warm afternoons. I am blessed to live here.

My Husband Rocks~Friday

Shallah is now 7 weeks old, but I have to mention that she was TWO WEEKS OLD before I had changed her diaper--even once!!! I am a mom of five, and I have never changed a meconium diaper. I know this may mean very little to some of you, but if you have never seen one of the FIRST diapers then you cannot fully understand. They are thick, sticky, and NASTY!! Josh is the most amazing Dad; I know I have said this before. BUT I think it bares repeating.

The boys are blessed to have a Dad that takes his job seriously. He is teaching them to open doors for people, and reminding them to treat a lady with extra care. Josh is sensitive, yet firm. The girls are blessed to have a daddy who adores and loves them. He tells Jael that he will take care of her and that no other man has to, such security is priceless for a little girl. I just LOVE that I am so blessed. Josh is STRONG, yet TENDER. This picture says it all........

Trying to Catch Up

Being spoiled with help for almost 5 weeks was an amazing blessing. Josh's mom and my mom came to help me during Shallah's first few weeks. All of the children enjoyed have both Nana and Grammie visiting for so long. My friends also threw me a baby shower a week after Shallah was born; I was blessed with MANY wonderful things.








Since we had babysitters Josh and I decided to go out to dinner for our anniversary. Yes, June 19th, 2009 was a our 10th anniversary!! We made it, and it's only because of God's faithfulness. Each year is just more and more precious to me, and I am VERY glad to announce that we are doing better than ever. Daja mentioned that this was our diamond anniversary, which spiritually speaking is the perfect representation of what we have been through. Thank you for all of those who have supported is through the refining process.

Oh, and then two weeks after the baby was born my mom and I, PLUS 5 children, drove to Pennsylvania!! My aunt graciously paid for the gas and hotel, which made it all possible. It was fantastic; it really wasn't a bad trip at all. I loved sharing my family with all of my relatives. We enjoyed many things like a trip to the zoo, a buffalo farm, a FISH farm, and a host of other things. My family was amazing in their hospitality; they do know how to make us feel welcome!!

Just today, we got a wonderful package in the mail, which brought up all of the wonderful memories from our visit. Jael got a bear with a picture of a sandbox on it, plus a necklace and bracelet. Oh, and a few Boxcar children books. The boys got some handmade pillows with pictures of the Sneetches on them, PLUS the SNEETCHES book. Levi got a few new pairs of socks. (always a necessity) Shallah got a CUTE duckie outfit, and I got a nice birthday card and a decorative plaque about being "together!"

The excitement over this box of goodies was contagious. I mean, I am blogging about it!!! The Sneetches book was a memory I will never forget and now the boys won't either. The LAST night we were there my Uncle Rob was entertaining the boys with book after book, but it started with this one. It's a favorite, and it was delightful to hear both boys know that UNCLE ROB was the one who read them the book!! He reads very entertainingly. I hope they remember this for years to come, and now they have pillows and a book to remind them.

PromiseLand

The week before Shallah arrived the kids attended our church's VBS, and they had a blast. The theme was PromiseLand (like Candyland).....there was SO much candy involved that it was ridiculous. AND REZ makes every effort to make things over the top. The church was filled with everything related to candy. Candy bars hanging from the ceiling, cotton candy, and colored carpet squares were EVERYWHERE. The goodness of God was the main theme, and the children were also told to share it with others. Crazy hair day had to be the funniest, although, HAT day was a lot of work.

Time is Ticking Away

So this whole scenario just doesn't play out right for me; I tried it! The sooner I fall behind, the more time I have to catch up. It's been two months since I blogged and a LOT has happened. I have yet to "find any more time!"

IT'S A GIRL!!

Shallah Rianne Abdelaziz

7lbs. 5 oz.

19 inches long

June 14th, 2009

The Family Garden-Part 1

One day the Abdelaziz Family went to the store and bought plants and seeds for their garden.

We named it "The Family Garden."

~Jael Abdelaziz

My Husband Rocks~Friday

This last year has been financially challenging, to say the least, and it still seems to be a struggle. Do I feel blessed? ABSOLUTELY!!! I mean, God is SOOO good. I know that Josh has been under stress to provide for us--a job he takes very seriously. (thanks, Babe)

The reason I bring this up....I am SO ENCOURAGED by the faith and optimism that Josh SPEAKS, when I know inside the stress has been getting to him. He is believing for a new job, which he interviewed for on Tuesday. (more $$) He speaks things into existence, because he has GREAT FAITH.

He called me the other day to ask if anything "good" was in the mail. I had to reply, "No!" BUT I was curious as to WHY he asked. His reason: "I am expecting a miracle!!!" God has provided for us in some many ways in the last year, many of which are miracles. BUT he continues to believe that God is a GOD of MIRACLES, not just ONE TIME....but we are His kids. MANY TIMES over we will continue to receive God's blessings.

I have a few of my own prayers, wishes, and concerns, and I am gaining GREAT faith from the example displayed by my rockin' husband. God is a GIVER of GOOD GIFTS, and I pray Josh receives every one of them.

Thanks for being a man of faith and a speaker of it, too!

Boys and Models

Abishai picked out a couple of models for his birthday; the process took a long time. It was probably more time than Daddy EVER spends in a "craft" store. Abishai just could NOT decide which one he wanted, and they had so many.

Josh helped him put together one of them, which is displayed with pride in his room. He knows it's not a toy, and he has done a great job just admiring his work. He is very good at detail work, and I am wondering if this will turn into a bigger hobby. We will have to get some shelves for all of his projects.

I love watching the boys do "boy" things.