A New Chapter for the Russells

God is good. Matt and I have been married for over fourteen years now. We have been together for over seventeen.  We are SO thankful God has been with us every step of the way. He held us through the pain and sorrow of so much loss during a season when we wondered if it would be our new normal. He guided us, as He called us away from our church that our families and closest friends were a part of. He taught us so much as our hunger for His Word increased during our journey to finding our new church home.  He stretched us in new ways as He prepared us and revealed to us our places in ministry there. (One day, I would LOVE to tell you about how God refined my heart for ministry.) He opened our eyes when he called us into foster parenting, and the joy and broken-heartedness that accompanied  has forever changed us. He prepared us for our family's future, when He called our family into homeschooling for NUMEROUS reasons that we would not realize until later on. He strengthened our faith (leaps and bounds) when Matt suddenly lost his job that he had felt secure in for years, and called Matt to start his own business. He encouraged us when He strategically placed people in our lives to likewise encourage, teach, and show love to us as we have learned (and are still learning) how to meet the special needs of our children. He awed us (and continues to do so) as we see how far our children have come and how much they have learned. He is good.
Now, God takes us on a new journey. He has been dealing with us about this for a couple of years. He has planted seeds all along the way. He has prepared us using many of the experiences that I have mentioned above (plus others that I could mention). We just didn't realize it at the time. Then again, that's how God works, isn't it?
 God began to heighten our awareness of the mission field through a home school curriculum that I ordered. There was also a series of videos about siblings who were missionaries that my children really enjoyed. Then last year, the ladies' Bible study for the summer was on Jonah. It was a good Bible study. They usually are! Something bothered me about this study though. Several times in my homework, I was asked the same question. I was asked something along the lines of what it is that God is calling me to right now that I am running from or that I need to surrender to. I wasn't sure why, but that question bothered me. The fact that the question continued to pop up aggravated me even. I LOVE God. And, like many of you, I want to live a life that is pleasing to Him. I want to be a woman after God's own heart. Proverbs 16:9 says, "A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps." I decided a long time ago that wherever He leads me, I will follow. He just needed to show me where. I honestly thought that I was exactly where God wanted me to be. And truly I was. Matt and I work in the middle school ministry at our church, as well as other ministries that we are passionate about. God put us there and we love it. When I had to contemplate why the question gnawed at me so much, though, it hit me (after a few weeks) that God was calling my family to something new. So I said, "God, are you truly calling my family into missions?" The question surprised me! I felt so different after asking that question. I felt nudged to talk to Matt about it. It took a little while, because I was nervous. Times before when I had talked to Matt about moving (mostly on the way home from vacations, because who wouldn't love living on the beach?!) he had ALWAYS said no. He said that we can't move away from all of the people that we love. I ultimately agreed (even though, ya know, dolphins). Anyway, we were sitting on the couch one evening, and I just sort of asked if he had ever thought seriously about our family becoming missionaries. He shocked me we he said that it was something that, ... yes, he is rolling around in his mind. He wasn't taken aback at all.
 The very next Sunday evening, our interim pastor at the time, who has no idea who I am, but had been such an instrument in my spiritual growth in the short time he was with us, mentioned a missions conference that would be held in the next couple of weeks. Matt and I looked at each other and knew that was God's confirmation to us to continue on this path. We attended that conference and that was the night that we had a very serious discussion that led to us knowing without a doubt that missions was in our future. We just had no idea what that would look like for us. We didn't tell anyone right way, because this whole thing was a little scary for us. After a few months though, we knew we needed a couple to pray and discuss things with us. We told my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. That made a huge difference. It was so encouraging and good to have prayer partners. They also had a lot of knowledge and connections that helped us along the way.

This is a long story, because it has been a long journey. Let me fast forward. Just know that it had been a roller coaster of a process, and we had been tempted to throw in the towel at times, but are glad we did not.

This past summer at one of the church camps that my husband and I were helping at, the pastor preached a sermon on a Thursday night that really hit home. Matt came and pulled me aside to pray. He told God that we fully surrender to wherever He is leading us and asked God to give us clarity, because we just want to be in His will. Readers, God had been hearing our prayers during this journey, and He heard our prayers that night. Three days later, the very next Sunday, Brother David Fox spoke in the evening service at our church about a church plant in Colorado Springs. Matt and I both knew before we left that we were going to Colorado. We just felt God in it. That evening, after we talked, we emailed David.  We met him and his wife, Carrie, that following Thursday (I think) to talk about things. It was such a precious time. Their story and their passion for God's mission for them is so special. To hear all of the things that God has orchestrated during their process has been nothing short of amazing!
We are excited to join them! We are also terrified of the many unknowns. We are so happy that God has finally revealed more of His plan for us! We are also so sad we will be leaving our loved ones behind here in Arkansas. We are constantly cycling through all sorts of emotions. We are so honored that God has called us to this, but we know it will not come without difficulty. We would much rather take the good and the difficult (God doesn't promise easy) that comes with being in the will of God, than the alternative of living outside of God's will. THAT would be a miserable road.
We know this. God is good. God will be with us every step of this new chapter. He will hold us. He will guide us. He will teach us. He will stretch us. He will open our eyes. He will prepare us. He will strengthen our faith. He will encourage us. He will awe us. Yes. He is Good.



There is SO much more to tell. More posts to come. I will tell you more about the church plant, about how our process is going, and specific things you can pray for us. In the meantime, please pray for our friends, the Foxes, who have already began their ministry in Colorado. Pray for the people whom they are reaching out to, and others who will cross their path. Thank you so much!

A Petting Zoo Like No Other!

     A few days ago, my sweet children were playing outside. It was a good day for catching critters, so they decided to set up a petting zoo. When they had everything together, they called my husband and me over for the grand opening. And boy was it grand!!!
     Across the entrance, they had a ribbon tied (some bias tape from my sewing stash). Silas cut the "ribbon" and we all clapped! Oh, but that wasn't all! You know how sometimes doves are released? Well, Silas opened his net and out flew a dragonfly across the clear blue sky! He worked with what he had, you know. Ha! We gasped in amazement!
      Then we were allowed to enter and see the exhibits. First up was a beautiful turtle which Camden named Vinder, because his coloring reminded Camden of a vine. Yes, my kids are awesome!

 Next, was a cup of worms. Oookay then.

 Finally, were two "racing lizards" named Lightning and Cutie. They caught lightning (the super sized one) the day before, but didn't want to let him go until they caught another racing lizard to race him against. (I have a policy that we only keep wild critters for 24 to 48 hours. There have been a couple exceptions though. Thankfully another racing lizard was found the next day, and I didn't have to think about making an exception.)
Lightning is on the top left and Cutie is on the bottom left.

 The kids are constantly catching little animals around our place, but I enjoyed seeing them make them a part of their creative play! They have also used them for their emergency animal rescue, but sadly bugs (especially grasshoppers) usually don't make it out of the rescue station alive. I wish I had caught pictures of the ribbon cutting and the dragonfly release, but I wasn't expecting all of that. But oh how I love their creativity!

A Beekeeper's a Beekeeper No Matter How Small

     A while back, when I was homeschooling my oldest child in kindergarten, we were doing a one week unit study on honeybees. Thank you My Father's World! As was a routine occurrence for us back then (tougher now that I have my little ones), we went to the library and checked out all of the books we could find on the subject. Well...that wasn't enough. Silas took such an interest that we began YouTubing honey bees. Then, we called people who knew people and went on a beekeeping field trip with friends and family in tow.
     This friend of the family was very knowledgeable and GREAT with the kids!

 

      This "week long" study turned into months and now it's been a few years. And now my husband and son just finished up attending a series of beekeeping classes.
     Well, last summer, Silas finally talked his daddy into beekeeping. Now we have thousands and thousands of pets. Honey Bees! They are a true testament to how amazing God is! The fact that they do what they do and they do it well! How creative and detailed God is! There are many verses in the Bible on honey, which lets us know the importance that God puts on them too!
     In the beginning of this journey, we learned all about the biology of the bee. We learned how they run a hive, who does what job, and reasons why they are so important. We read about beekeeping too, but being out in it helps us learn so much more at a much deeper level. I love to learn about most anything, but to see my children (Yes, my other kids are now interested.) have such a passion for learning gives me such joy!
     These are some pictures of  my husband, my five-year-old (Camden), and a friend of the family who got into beekeeping the same time we did. We were doing a routine hive check. At the time, we only had one kid suit, so that's why Silas isn't out there. We had to take turns.

 Here they are just opening up the hive.

 

My husband is inspecting a frame to make sure all is healthy and well. 

 

 Now everyone is inspecting.

 

     Camden is using the smoker to calm the bees. Although, I think he got a little too close! Oh well. He's learning! 

 

Here's a look into a hive. 

 

     If you look close, you can see the bright white shiny larvae inside many of the cells. After each one gets good and fed for a while, a worker bee will seal up the cell. Then the bee will mature before it chews through to get out. You can see the covered cells.

 

    

      You can also see a couple of new adult bees emerging from their cells and getting ready for their first job, which is cleaning the cells.

 

  Bee's everywhere!!!  

 

 

 Camden is using the brush in attempt to clean bees off of his daddy. It's a horse hair brush, so as not to hurt any of the bees. But, with Camden, anything is possible!

 

Now he is brushing the bee's from the top, so that when the next box is set on top, no bees will be injured in the process. 

 

     As you can tell, these next pictures were taken by a way better photographer than me. My sister-in-law captured these of  my amazing husband rehoming a swarm of bees who decided to park in a bush right beside our church doors as church was letting out.

 

Kind of like a bundle of grapes!



     So, you see, our family has embarked on an interesting journey. I am sad I don't have any pictures of Silas, the one who started it all. I will be sure to post some pictures of him beekeeping, the next time he gets out there.

     Have I learned anything from this journey? Absolutely! A million things! But there is something I would like to share with you. I know this may seem a little extreme to let our little ones talk us into something like this, but I do want to use this post to encourage you. If your child has an interest, whether it be photography, or cooking, or piloting a plane, please pay attention. Am I saying go buy your little pilot an airplane? No. But sometimes, go beyond the pretend play. Study with them. Take trips. Meet people. Don't ignore it, and don't squash their interests because they seem too extreme. Many kids are interested in things that go beyond what kids are supposed to like. It's fun to imagine, and some things will have to stop there. I really can't help Camden have a dinosaur zoo right now. But, I know that I can expand his knowledge and he can go places, and he can meet people. And who knows, maybe I'll develop and interest in that too. Our whole family loves our new hobby. Maybe you'll love your child's new interest too. If not, I can promise you this. You will love watching your child love it and watching him dig deeper and discover! An indescribable feeling!!! Plus, it may be an avenue that God uses for our kids to help us live a little! 

 

 

A Bliss Post

Today...A post for Bliss.
Age: 3 years 7 months

1. Bliss' current favorite book is Inside, Outside, Upside Down. It's a Bernstein Bear book. Her favorite quote, "Momma! Momma! I went to town, inside, outside, upside down!" She has to say that part. Her hand usually goes over my mouth just in case I might try to steal her part!

2. She likes "the ice song" (Frozen Heart) from Frozen, and wants to listen to it over and over and over. The other three kids like it even more than she does. Pretty sure most people just skip over that one on the sound track.

3. Jungle Book 2 is a favorite movie right now. She likes the bear and the girl.

4. She loves to sing songs. I love to hear her sing, but am not sure others can appreciate it quite like I do. Ha! Ha!
5. Bliss has some cysts on her vocal chords. That is what causes her to sound so raspy. The doctors are working on a plan to get to the bottom of everything so that she can begin to heal.
6. Bliss is in Speech Therapy and, though she still has a long way to go, she's making huge progress!
7. When she needs to use the restroom she says, "I need to go peep."
8. She nicknames people. Sometimes on purpose, and sometimes because she can't pronounce their real name and it comes out pretty comical!
9. Bliss loves wearing leggings, but calls them panty hose.
10. Her current favorite color is purple.
11. She got a cute little haircut.

12. She likes both, but prefers almond milk to cow's milk.
13. She has one volume. LOUD!
14. Bugs and lizards fear her.
15. She has a My Little Pony towel her dad surprised her with. She calls it her towel blanket. That way she can cover up with it at night. She will not use it as a towel.

 

16. She is uncomfortable being complimented on her looks. Not sure why. That is a bit difficult for me. Love everything about my baby girl. And that includes her physical appearance.

 

Ta Ta for now!



 

 

Goodbye 2013!

     For the past few weeks leading up to the new year, all I could think about was how 2013 was a really bad year for my family. Zeb has spent most of his little life sick. We’ve had to process news about some medical things going on with Camden and then turn life upside down to help him deal. Bliss had to start speech therapy, and we found out she has something wrong with her voice box. The treatment hasn’t been working, so we are back to square one.  I have had to battle some postpartum depression (and frustration because my baby weight is NOT coming off).  Add in homeschool, a busy husband growing his business, some other things I don't care to get into, plus everyone’s normal pressures of life, and you can see how things might be a little nerve-wracking.

     I was just ready to move on and turn a new page. I know nothing magical happens between December 31^st and January 1^st, but I was anxious to have something symbolic of a fresh start. Then last night before bed (I did not stay awake to bring in the New Year), something hit me. Zeb has been sick a lot, but not with anything life-threatening. Camden does have a nervous system disorder, but God has put us in a great position to help him learn to cope and learn to live life “normally”. Bliss does has something going on with her voice box. But without articulation issues and needing therapy, her therapist wouldn’t have been there to tell us she thought there was a problem, and we wouldn’t have sought help. Homeschooling has been a HUGE challenge this year, but I am so blessed to be in a position where I can be my children’s teacher and have some flexibility and teach them in a way that is best for them. Matt has worked a lot, but his business is booming, and God is beginning to reveal to us the next step we need to take with it. And, through all of this, I have had friends to support me and offer me encouragement. These things are praises!

     Also, I have learned a lot from this year. Many people make New Year’s resolutions. They plan what they want to happen in the future. I, instead, am going to list what I learned in the past. Accomplishments in my book!

     This past year:

·        I have learned even more patience.

             - from helping Camden work through his sensory meltdowns.
             -  from schooling a child with dyslexia and some obsessive behaviors
             - from having four kids. Ha! Ha!

• I have become even less judgmental, and realized more that things aren't always what they seem.  I have learned to think about not just people’s actions, but the reason behind their actions.

             -due to some things going on with another family member

       - due to my child having issues that many misinterpret as bad behavior from lack of discipline.

·        It has become more evident to me that everything happens for a reason.

       -by way of Bliss needing speech, but it becoming a doorway to discovering more serious underlying issues.

·        I have learned to be more careful about saying things I don’t mean.

       - I battled a lot of bad feelings for several months after Zeb was born, and said things I can't make people forget.

·        I have learned that I can’t do everything on my own. I always tell my kids, “There is only one of me and four of you.” But recently, I have finally started telling myself, "There is only one of me and four of them." That is big for me. I have to get help even if I have to pay for it, and I don’t like to spend money. I’m only one person though, and if it blesses my family, it is money well spent. 
      -I plan to continue get a babysitter once every week or two so I can clean, grocery shop, prepare freezer meals, or go on a date. 

• This past year is just another reminder that GOD IS FAITHFUL!

     Many of these lessons seem so cliché. Sure we hear them all the time, but do we really take them to heart? This year, I have really taken them to heart. I have really grown. This has not been my only bad year. I have had some doosies in my lifetime. I always tell people, though; I wouldn’t change my past because it is what has made me the person I am today. It has put me in the place I am today.

This is the place I am today.

I think I’ll keep it. While I welcome a more restful year this year, I can truly say, it is well with my soul.

P.S. I’m sure I will make some resolutions for the year like many others, so let’s pray for positive changes for one another. I have been encouraged from seeing people who have had a transforming  year this past year.

Our Own Little Library

     There are a few things that I love to buy, and I could spend hours looking at and studying them. One... is homeschool curricula and learning tools. I just "need" so many things I see!  Another is patterns (and also fabric). I thoroughly enjoy finding things I can use to make little girl clothes for my daughter. Now if I could only find time to sew. Ha! Ha! The items that draw me in the most, though, are books.
      I love to read, and have quite a collection of my own, but in the last few years, I can't stop buying books for my children. I bought them books often from the beginning, but after we began homeschooling, I have been buying constantly.
     One curriculum that we used early on gave us a list of books (that complimented what we were learning about) we could check out from the library. We loved this. We were reading between 40 and 60 books per week! The kids just thought we were cuddling on the couch and reading, yet they were learning sooo much!
     Going to the library weekly became more and more challenging though. Hopefully we'll get to do it more often when my little ones aren't so little. We still loved reading books, though, and needed some new ones. It wasn't long until I found out about the semi-annual library sale.
     The first time I went, I was shocked! In the past, I had bought books from a local semi-annual children's consignment sale. At just fifty cents per pound, these books were even way cheaper than that! From what I understand, the library sales its books that they have chosen to retire from their shelves for one reason or another, while others donate used books from home to help raise money for the library.
     Now one might think that the books probably aren't any good, that they are just the outdated rejects. Not true. The variety is wonderful. Plus many of the books, you would not be able to find in a store. We have accumulated quite a bit of sciency type books, biographies, war books, etc. We have found some great living books, and also just some fun children's books. By the way, the sale has books other than children's books. In fact, children's books are the minority. I just never make it that far before my box is too heavy or full to add more books!
     I have been to the sale maybe four or five times now. The last time I went, I purchased 40 pounds of books. If you did the math, you know that I spent $20.00.  And for $20.00, I got around 150 books! New, you could buy one or two books for that price. I want to show you some of the books we have added to our library just from the last sale!
     Here are some books on American history. And there is a really nice detailed book on our national parks.

 



     Here are some biographies on some key people in history, including Benjamin Franklin, Martha Washington, and Louis Braille.

     These are some science books that teach different things about the human body, the importance of trees, how paper is made, etc.



     I found a ton of books on animals and ecosystems. I always do. I think I even got one on granddaddy long-legs!

     Here are some dinosaur books. We really like dinos around here! I have to be careful with these type of books, since there are conflicting views. We already have Dinosaurs of Eden, but I love this book and paid $13.00 for it just last year. Since this same book cost me $ 0.13 at the sale, I couldn't pass it up!! With four kids, I might need another at some point, just in case...



 

     I found some more children's Bible based books too!

  

     I bought these books on different social challenges that the kids may face. I find a few of this particular set every time we go. I should have a complete set in no time. I remember having these when I was a kid, and really liking them!



 

     I usually find a few American girl books. This time was no different. I am hoping by the time Bliss is ready to read them, I will have some complete sets.

     I almost have the complete set of the Little House books from shopping this sale. I am only missing one now. This year, though, I found a "My First Little House Book", for a younger audience. I didn't know about these. Very cool!



 

     I also got a few other chapter books for Silas.

 

     I also purchased several early readers. Here are a few of them. The ones where we both read are neat. They are designed for a parent to read a page, then the next page is at the child's level. Some early readers I found were science or history type books. I think it is great for little ones to be able to read and learn about things for themselves! I think it must feel very rewarding!

 

     We found some fun math books too. My kids really enjoy these books that each teach a different math concept using candy. We have the M&Ms one, the Skittle's one, and the Reese's Pieces one (which we have borrowed...sort of long term) already.

    We always find some I Spy books. Our kids (and their parents) really like these!

 

     Of course I had to get some good books with my sweet babies' favorite characters. Curious George, My Little Pony, Berenstain Bears, etc!

     Here are some classics. Until now, I have never read The Ugly Duckling to our children!

      I found some other books that looked really fun too. The Tortoise and the Jackrabbit, Bigfoot Cinderella, and The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig all sound like they will be a fun read! I also got some Robert Munsch books. The boys get a kick out of some of those!

 

     I don't want to bore you with more, but I am always so excited! You can see, that I find some really great books at my local library sale! If I get home, and read some of my new finds, and find they aren't for us, it's no big deal. I usually don't lose more than a dollar's worth. I can set them aside and donate them back.

     It is so nice to be learning about something, or just wonder about something, and to be able to go to our bookshelf and grab a book that can help us out! Many times, I learn right along with my little guys! 



Little Miss Bliss Turned Three!

 

    Well, better late than never. A month and a half ago,  my baby girl had her third birthday. I will post about her little party later. But today, I celebrate my Lovely and her past year. When I found out I was carrying a little girl, I prayed for her to be all of the things I thought a little girl should be. Thankfully, God gave me everything He knew our His little girl should be. We feel so blessed that God chose us to be her parents. As I did every time I was expecting, I prayed that this sweet little child would grow to do BIG things for the Lord. I can't wait to see what He has in store for Miss Bliss.
   
    So what has she been up to this past year? Well, she grew hair! Yay!! This is her on Christmas just a couple months after her second birthday.

 

 

    And this is her, in the first part of August, just a couple of months before her third birthday!  What a difference seven and a half months make!  

 

     And she even had two trims between these pictures to keep things even. This is a picture of her first hair cut!

 

 

It's even longer now!

 

 

     With the arrival of Zeb, she has become quite the little momma. She likes to do everything with him and for him and to him, but she does not understand gentle, so we really have to watch her with him. She really enjoys her baby dolls too, but will tell you that Zebby is her baby!

 

     She likes a little tea party and a good book before bed most nights. She likes books with real pictures that we can point to and label. My boys preferred this during their second year too. She also likes her purse book and pony books. When being tucked in at night, she has an order to how she wants her blankets stacked. We never know what she is going to sleep with, but she always has to have something. Sometimes, she wants a purse and a book, sometimes a doll, sometimes Curious George, sometimes My Little Ponies or La Loopsy Ponies (they are just so cute!).We just never know.
     Bliss is a little meat eater. She can do without the bread, which is something she did NOT get from me. She also loves fruit like all of my kids, and would eat it all day long. She likes chocolate too.
     Her favorite color is pink, which makes me happy. We were looking through a jewelry catalog a few weeks back, and when we turned to the pages full of pink jewelry, I thought I was going to have to get a paper sack for her to breathe into. She was beyond excited! When asking her what flavor of something she wants, she says pink. Ha! Ha! I wasn't aware pink was a flavor, but that is all that matters to her. Crazy girl!
     Having three brothers, she is rough and tough and doesn't take much from anyone. Anything they can do, she can do too!

     Her favorite DVDs are Curious George and one of our Scholastic DVDs that has "Dry Bones" on it. I think that song seems like an odd choice for a little girl, but she can't get enough of it.

            
     She likes to wear boots and has many pairs. She is wearing legwarmers over these boots. I just love legwarmers!

 

 She likes playing outside, and doesn't mind getting dirty. Here, she stole my "healthy" ice cream cone! Stinker!

 

 Bliss also likes going to town, only when she wants to leave home, she says she wants to "go home". I think she is driving to T.J. Maxx in this picture. Ha! Ha!

     She is obsessed with her dad right now, and that is fine with Matt. He loves it! When we got home from therapy one day, she woke up from a small nap refusing to get out of the van until Daddy could unbuckle her. He was at work. I think she would have waited too, if I had let her. Here she is that day crying for her daddy. Just pitiful.

 

She is also a loud talker. I think that comes from the Parker side of the family. Ha! Ha! She has some phrases that she says that are sooo cute. "Close your eyes...." is our favorite phrase. You would just have to hear her say it to understand! She does has some articulation issues and is taking speech therapy for them. We have heard from more than one person that she sounds like a little minion. I...would have to agree! Sweet girl!

 

     While this does not cover all about how Bliss has changed and grown and stayed the same this past year, it is a pretty good start. Oh yeah! I almost forgot. I like her little "cheese" face too!!!