My Theme Word for 2013

The devil cannot keep God's people bound up any longer!

Have You Ever Felt This Way?

I'm taking a few weeks off from blogging. My family and I got away to Monterey this week, which was so wonderful and much-needed.

Carmel Mission

Colton Hall, where the California Constitution was signed

Beach Fun

 

Monterey Bay Aquarium

But I still read several blogs, and came across this one that I thought was so relate-able.

Have you ever felt like this?

I Want to Run Away

Keep Battling the Body

 

My neck is out right now and my chiropractor is on vacation this week. I've awakened every morning for four days with a splitting headache. Can't wait until he returns Monday!


That nasty cold/flu keeps trying to make its way into our family - each child and parent has had their opportunity to do battle with it. Bought a larger bottle of my elderberry syrup and we're going to town on it. So far, it hasn't won over any of us. We're all still functioning and active. All symptoms have been very mild and totally manageable. Elderberry syrup rocks!

If you missed my post about how our large family wins the battle over illness, here it is.
http://www.chrisseiler.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-our-large-family-wards-off-illness.html

Working on our kids' spring/summer clothing inventory this week. What's a clothing inventory, you ask? Click here: http://chrisseiler.blogspot.com/2012/03/clothing-inventory-chore-charts.html

How Our Large Family Wards Off Illness

Just like any other group of individuals, our family tends to share germs really well. When one of us comes down with something, its not long before others in the family get sick, too.

This past cold/flu season, I've discovered a remedy that has prevented us from getting sick (except my husband, who isn't always the best patient and doesn't allow me to nurse him like I do my children).

One at least three occasions, I have felt my body starting to get sick - sore throat, nasal drip or congestion, etc. But I've kept it from growing into a full-blown illness with God's naturally provided "medicine."

My kids, also, have started with sniffles or complained of sore throats, and I immediately begin this natural treatment, and symptoms go away without ever worsening.

I even treated my mother-in-law a few weeks ago, and she got well.

For the record, our family doesn't get the flu shot and hasn't for several years.

So are you ready to hear my natural remedies? Treatments that do not come with harmful side-effects? Remedies that God Himself gave us in nature?

When I sense a cold or flu is trying to manifest, I begin this treatment, RIGHT AWAY! (This isn't nearly as effective if a cold or flu is already full-blown.)

1. Elderberry Syrup - This is powerful stuff!!! I cannot take it on an empty stomach or I will get nauseated immediately, it's that strong. But it's oh-so effective! It's so strong, you only have to take it once a day. You can also take it for the entirety of cold/flu season as prevention, if you desire. Elderberry is a natural immune system booster. I even like the Immune System formula in the second picture below, as it also contains echinacea and other things to fight illness.

For the kids, I give this:

2. Echinacea Tea - Echinacea is a very effective natural remedy for fighting colds and flus, but only if its taken right at the start of symptoms. I like to drop some local honey in my echinacea tea. Drink as much as you like.

If you do end up getting nasal congestion, one of my tried and true remedies to speed up relief is a nasal wash like this. I have yet to get try this on my kids.

I hope you find these remedies to be helpful for you and your family!

Blog Posts I Really Liked This Week

Before I share with you my favorite blog posts from this week, I wanted to share with you some of the pictures I've been taking in my photography class. Just remember, I'm a beginner!!!!!

We've been learning how to do blurred backgrounds.

blogs i enjoyed this week
Your Care Guide: 25 Point Manifesto for Sanity in 2013 - Holy Experience
5 Things You Need to Know Before You Begin Your 2nd Term of Life - Holy Experience
How We Use Essential Oils to Fight Colds and Flus - The Prairie Homestead
2012 Homestead Yields & Cost Analysis - On Just a Couple of Acres
Encouraging Maturity in Children - Smockity Frocks
We're Going Around the World Literally - Keeper of the Home
Do I Parent Out of Fear or Faith? - Inspired to Action
A No Waste Kitchen  - New Life on a Homestead
Love Your Neighbor. Even If You Don't Think They Deserve It - New Life on a Homestead

What I'm Reading...

My Pastor-Husband bought me a book for Christmas, knowing that I'm in the midst of a personal transformation time - a season of transition.

The Me I Want to Be

DESCRIPTION: The bestselling author of When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box; God Is Closer Than You Think; and The Life You've Always Wanted--will help you discover spiritual vitality like never before as you learn to 'live in the flow of the spirit.' But if God has a perfect vision for your life, why does spiritual growth seem so difficult? John Ortberg has some intriguing answers to that question, and he has organized his thoughts and God's words into a straightforward and timely guide for living your best life in The Me I Want to Be.

This book will show how God's perfect vision for you starts with a powerful promise. All those who trust in God 'will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit' (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Ortberg urges you to recognize your brokenness, understand that God is the project manager, and follow His directions. The author first helps gauge your spiritual health and measure the gap between where you are now and where God intends you to be. Then he provides detailed tasks and exercises to help you live in the flow of the Spirit, circumventing real-world barriers---pain and sorrow, temptations, self-doubt, sin---to flourish even in a dark and broken world. As you start living in the flow, you will feel: --- a deeper connection with God --- a growing sense of joy --- an honest recognition of your brokenness --- less fear, more trust --- a growing sense of being 'rooted in love' --- a deeper sense of purpose God invites you to join Him in crafting an abundant and joy-filled life. The Me I Want to Be shows you how to graciously accept His invitation.

I'm not finished with the book yet but I'm thoroughly enjoying it. It has "hit the spot," so to speak. I remember the day I opened the first page. I was particularly discouraged that day, and praying that God would speak clearly to me about what I was walking through. I needed answers and direction, and most of all, to see clearly. I heard nothing. God wasn't responding to me. How frustrating.

A few hours later, I opened the cover and began chapter one. Immediately, I felt God's voice speaking clarity through the pages of the book. He did answer me, just not how or when I thought He would. Thank You, Jesus, that You always keep surprising us!

Perhaps you will find this book as encouraging as I am...

My Favorite Blog Posts from 2012

Everyday,  my email box fills with several blogs I read and glean knowledge and inspiration from.

Today, I want to share some of them with you. I'll break them down by category.

Light a few candles, brew some tea or coffee, curl up on your sofa with a blanket and your laptop and be inspired!

parenting
51 Things You Can Do That Will Bless Your Kids - Finding Joy
5 Ways to be More Present Today - Finding Joy
Kids and Electronics - What Age and How Much is Too Much? - Smockity Frocks
I Gave Myself Away Because of a Dare Wanting to be Loved - Mom's Mustard Seeds
7 Ways to Invest in Your Kids - Finding Joy
Ten Commandments of Courtesy for Kids (and Adults) - Smockity Frocks
Keeping Kids Safe on the Homestead - New Life on a Homestead
Preparing Our Children For Marriage - Renewing Housewives
A Tearful, Joyful, Hopeful Letter to My Teenage Self - Inspired to Action
20 (more) Motherhood Tips - Finding Joy
Hope Chests 101 - A Practical Check List - Raising Homemakers
22 Activities for the Country Toddler and Preschooler  - The Prairie Homestead
How to Instill a Strong Work Ethic in Children from a Young Age  - Keeper of the Home
How Do Large Family Moms Manage Everything?  - Smockity Frocks

finances
Save Money by Purchasing White Linens and Towels - Being Frugal
Fun Fund: Saving Money for Entertainment and Travel - Being Frugal
How We Afford to Mini-Farm on One Income (Part 1)  - The Prairie Homestead
How We Afford to Mini-Farm on One Income (Part 2) - The Prairie Homestead
10 Ways to Live More Sustainably - DIY Natural
Analyzing the Family Budget - Homestead Revival
On Producing Rather Than Saving - Nourishing Days
50 Ways to Make Money  - Bible Money Matters

health
Make Your Own Cough Syrup - Raising Arrows
10+ Natural Cold Remedies - Keeper of the Home
Natural Remedies for Cold & Flu Season - Little Natural Cottage
Allergy Relief for Ragweed Season (or any Allergy Season) - Sprittibee
How I Healed My Son's Skin Infection (Without Antibiotics) - Keeper of the Home
How to Treat Bug Bites Naturally - Keeper of the Home

personal
Will I Ever Change? - Sarah Mae
The Rushing Mom Embraces Today - Finding Joy
Why It Is OK to Take a Mom Break - Finding Joy

beauty
Your Lips But Better - The Small Things Blog
Tips for an Easy Fall Wardrobe  - Simple Design

country living
Our Journey to Agrarianism - Nourishing Days
Homesteading Wherever You Are - New Life on a Homestead
Pioneer Homes - Little Homestead on a Hill
Roundup of Homesteading How-To's  - Smockity Frocks
Is It Easier? - Simply Living For Him
The Garden Plan - Homestead Revival

homemaking
Household Cleaning with Vinegar - Holy Spirit-Led Homeschooling
My (Simple, Natural, Frugal) Cleaning Cabinet - The Prairie Homestead
Quick Homemaking Tips - Raising Homemakers
Clothesline Options - Homestead Revival

food
Just Add Water - Lemonade Makin' Mama
Extending the Family Table - Plan To Eat
Real Food Substitutions - Keeper of the Home
10 Things You Should Make Homemade - Gricefully Homeschooling
Managing Your Kitchen - Raising Arrows
Scenes from the Kitchen - Nourishing Days
Preserving Food - Raising Olives
Stocking Your Freezer - Gricefully Homeschooling
A Plan for Stretching the Meat Budget - Plan to Eat
4 Cheap Healthy Meal Plans for Families - Christian PF (Personal Finance)
Reducing Food Waste at Home...and a Meal Plan - Blissfully Content
Ultimate List of Easy Slow Cooker Recipes - Hodgepodge
Buying Meat in Bulk - Homestead Revival

Crazy Day

My pastor-husband, who makes the majority of things happen at our church, was feeling very overwhelmed and behind going into this Christmas season. He asked me, well kind of begged me, to take today (Friday) off from my home duties and come work alongside him on church activities so he could get caught up.

Our church will be blessing eight families in need this year. Giving to those less fortunate is the greatest birthday gift we can give to Jesus!

Thank God for my mother-in-law, who willingly watched over my kiddos so I could be released to go serve my husband for a day. Let's just say he's in a much better mood this evening after all we were able to accomplish together.

Don't you just wish you could have two of you some days? I sure do.

Here in the valley of Northern California, and especially out in the country on our five acres, we're completely flooded! We have lakes in our backyard - a few of them - that never existed before. This is no joke - during a break in the storms today, my boys actually went swimming in those newly-formed lakes. Coco, our lab mix puppy, was in hog heaven! She was running full speed through those lakes, splashing and playing so happily.

Our chickens are standing in water. Apparently, their coop is a low place in the ground.

And our pigs were wallowing in a foot of mud. We moved the goats to another pen and let the pigs out into the large goat pen so they could dry off a bit.

Only ones who stayed dry were the rabbits because their cages are suspended off the ground and surrounded by tarps. They also have wooden hiding boxes in their cages for them to take cover when they need to.

Brownie

 One of my son's rabbits, Brownie, if truly pregnant, is due next week. We will bring her up under the back patio this weekend so we can put a grow light on the babies to keep them warm. I don't have electricity out at the rabbit habitat.

A few weeks ago, my daughter finally found her Holland Lop doe so she could begin breeding her rabbits. Her doe, however, is a baby, and has to get a bit older before she can have any babies. But she's darling, isn't she?

My kiddos all worked their tails off to finish the rest of this year's schooling and start Christmas break early. We're done, folks! Hooray!

I'm feeling good these days. Over Thanksgiving break, I felt like the paddles were applied to my heart - I was given a good shock of new energy and determination. I just got tired of being tired, decided to take my focus off of my inadequacies and put my focus on my God, whose grace is sufficient for me. I decided to fight in warfare prayer against the devil who tries to keep me down. My strength is returning as I draw nearer to God.

Pruning is Painful

To be honest with you, I hesitated to write this week. I couldn't think of what to write about. I'm such a work in progress right now. It's easier to write about lessons learned after you have learned them. I'm in the middle of some lessons right now, and I feel very inadequate to write about them just yet.

For several months now, I've been in a pruning season with God. It's been an ugly process. I'm not a huge fan of it, myself. I believe strongly that God has some new things in store for my future. I'm totally unsure what they are. But whatever they are, He decided some things needed to be worked on in my life before He reveals them to me or before I walk into them.

In the meantime, I'm in this painful pruning process. I feel like Jacob wrestling with God, and I'm pretty sure I'll come out of this season with a new identity.

This week, I decided a few things:

1. To stop dwelling on what an awful person I am while being pruned, and instead focus on how great God is - slow to get angry and abounding in love.
2. If I ever want to get out of this season and begin bearing more fruit or even much fruit, I am going to have to start battling in prayer. The enemy would love to keep me bound up in this paralyzed position as long as possible, wallowing in self pity and discontent. Only as I begin to bind Satan in Jesus' name will I see the fruit of all this.
3. It is entirely possible that my latter days will be greater than the past. I had a hard time accepting that. What could possibly be better than birthing and raising five beautiful children? Being a pastor's wife? Planting a thriving church? I don't really know. But, in the words of my dear friend and mentor, Sherri Sumstine, "That was His best for then. This will be your best for NOW." God, I want your new best for me, and to get that, I must release the idea that there will never be anything better than what I've already had.

Sorry if this sounds like a bunch of gibberish. Everything's very scattered in my head. I feel inadequate to talk to you about parenting or marriage or homeschooling or homemaking at this point. I am not on my A-game in any of those areas. I can't wait to be on the other side of this time so I can go to bed each night feeling good about how I did in those areas of my life. But for now, I'm navigating one day at a time, doing all I can to keep tuned in to Jesus so I can hear everything He's wanting to say to me right now.

Thank God for grace - from my children, from my husband, even from my dogs, and mostly, from God Himself. God rocks!

Discovering Your Life Purpose, and a Few Farm Updates

A FEW QUICK FARM UPDATES

Look how big the chickens have gotten! (Sorry pictures are poor quality - taken with my cell phone - my camera is broken.)

And we started tilling and planting for our fall garden.

I don't have more recent pictures, but we've already got rows and seedlings in the ground, as well as stakes up all around for a fence to keep dogs and predators out of the garden.

Also, for next week, I'll try to grab some pictures of the newest animal addition to our farm, the rabbits. My two oldest are each starting their own rabbitry, as they used to raise rabbits and wanted to do it again.

And, we got the pig pen all cleaned up in preparation for our three little pigs coming November 10th! So fun!

DISCOVERING YOUR LIFE PURPOSE
I had the privilege of hanging out with two teens this week who are at that fork in the road - one has already graduated high school, but has no idea how God wants her to use her life and what she's supposed to do now, the other is a senior faced with making decision about college, but not knowing God's purpose for his life yet makes him not confident to make those decisions. I asked them some questions, trying to steer them in identifying what God has created them to do. They replied with, "Geeze! These are hard questions!" But they both agreed the questions caused them to think about some new things.

Each human being was put on this earth on purpose - it wasn't an accident that God chose you to be on this earth at this time. He created you with a purpose, for such a time as this!

It saddens me to see how many high-schoolers and twenty-somethings, and sometimes even thirty-somethings, have no idea what to do with their lives. They flounder, not understanding what God has called them to do on this earth. High-schoolers waste away their days having fun and playing video games. College young people change their major three times before they graduate, and then go out and get a job in something entirely different than their major, because they discover they don't really care for the field they majored in. And they still spend their days unhappy, unfulfilled, empty, and playing video games.

My Pastor-Husband and I believe there is a way to avoid living aimlessly. We believe God has a purpose for each of us, and it's our job to discover what it is. We also believe it's very important, as parents, to help our young people discover their life purpose, from a very young age, so their days aren't wasted and they can live with true joy.

God has provided us many clues to discovering our purpose.

S - SPIRITUAL GIFTS
The Bible says we are all given certain gifts, and we need to discover what they are. We suggest you take approximately three spiritual gifts tests (there are many out there), and combine the results to find confirmation about how God has uniquely gifted you. Just search on the internet and you will find numerous tests online to choose from.

H - HEART
Ask yourself, "What is my passion? What weighs heavy on my heart? What do I love?"

A - ABILITIES
What are your talents and skills?

P - PERSONALITY
We all have different personalities. Some of us are introverts, some are extroverts. Some of us are people-driven, others are task-driven. Your personality is not a mistake. It plays into your overall purpose.

E - EXPERIENCE
God has orchestrated many experiences in your life that will lead you into your purpose. Some of your experiences might be awesome opportunities that couldn't have happened by chance. Some might be bad childhood experiences. Whether good or bad, God can use your life experiences in your overall life purpose.

SOME OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER:
Your God-ordained life purpose will ALWAYS involve helping others. That's just what God is all about. You may think that being a computer programmer does nothing for the Kingdom of God. But if you are being a witness for Jesus in your workplace, than you are helping others. There's always a way God can use your skills and abilities to glorify Him.

Employment may not always be in the area of your purpose. There are seasons when God may provide for you in an area unrelated to your purpose in order to get you to the next step IN your purpose. McDonald's may not be your calling, but he can use McDonald's as provision to propel you forward.

Think about the different parts of the SHAPE acronym for your life. Help your teens evaluate this qualities in their life. It's OK if you don't have all the answers right now. What's important is that you are looking for them - now that you're aware, watch for the signs in your own life. If you pray and seek God, He will begin to show you His unique design and purpose for your life.

And I would also add one more thing:
Don't get side-tracked by the world's definition of a successful life. Don't let society define your purpose for you. God is creative. There's not a mold you have to fit into. Be open to whatever path He leads you on, even if it isn't mainstream. I do not believe EVERYONE needs to go to college. That's our world's standards. We don't live by those standards, but by the standards put forth in God's Word. Some of you can get all the training you need in an apprenticeship or a two-year specialized college. Others of you may find distance education works best for you, such as College Plus or Global University, and some of you may not need college in order to fulfill God's purpose for you. There are many ways to receive education and learn, and we all don't have to fit into the same box.

I pray you enjoy the journey God will take you on as you seek to discover God's unique purpose for you and your children. It's a wild ride that may have a few surprises, but promises to be full of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction. There's nothing like living out your God-given purpose!!!! Nothing!

Maybe You Ladies Can Help Me

This post is for my lady-friends, only, please...

Girls, I've really been struggling with something for a while, and I thought perhaps some of you may be able to shed some light on my issue for me.

I am 36 years old, and gave birth to my last child 2 1/2 years ago (he was a stillborn). Ever since Matthew's birth, my hormones have run amok in my body. My cycles seem to have returned to a teenage state - I am experiencing symptoms that are unusual for me during a menstrual cycle. They are more similar to my pregnancy symptoms, or my cycles as a teenager. The most major physical symptoms are acne and tender breasts (who has acne at 36 years old?).

 But worse than that, approximately two weeks before my cycle each month, I feel like a monster is raging inside of me, or like a pressure cooker ready to explode. I get completely overwhelmed about normal life. I have no desire to be around or talk to anybody. I feel powerless to get control of these emotions. I feel like everyone around me would be better off if I closed myself up in my room until it subsided. And it will subside, a few days after my cycle begins.

Several months ago, my OB/GYN put me on 10 mg of generic Prozac. She convinced me that many women experience changes in their cycles at my age, and feel this medication takes the edge off the symptoms. I was very hesitant to start medicating the problem, but didn't know any other immediate answers to my issue. I eat pretty healthy already, and am pretty active. So I went ahead and got the prescription.

Initially, I felt relief, just as the doctor said. I felt more in control of my emotions and feelings during those few weeks prior to my cycle.

However, the past few months, I feel like the medication has been less effective. I'm very frustrated. I feel most sorry for my family, whom I feel is robbed of their wife and mother for those days my hormones take over each month. It definitely interferes with my ability to perform daily functions as usual.

If, indeed, this is part of perimenopause, which my doctor did not think it was, do I have to live like this for the next 10 years? I do know that women in my family have struggled with strong hormones like me. I have already begun to pray that the Lord would just heal me.

Can anyone shed some light on what's happening with me? I am open to hearing anything, especially if you have discovered any natural ways to battle hormones. I appreciate any input you have.

Thank you, gals, for letting me share openly and safely with you. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has experienced these kinds of things. Perhaps in me sharing, you will find answers you are looking for as well.