Sunday, March 20, 2011

My rubies

Here's a little ditty about some rubies:

About 4 years ago I asked Hubby for a mother's ring. We lived near an amazing place that had a little jewelry shop. The wife and I struck up conversation every time we walked through there, she had lots of littles and so did I. I filled her in on our adoption adventure and how we were working so hard to bring 4 new children home to our family. It was her husband who was to make my mother's ring. Naturally, I included a birthstone for each of our children. 7 children to-be, 7 birthstones. They were still working on the ring after our African children came home. About that time I found out I was expecting our little Angel Baby. So, I called them up and had them add an 8th stone to the ring. I chose an anniversary style ring with the stones going all the way around the band. Only 8 stones wouldn't cover the entire band...I wondered what to fill the rest of the band with? I immediately thought of rubies. So, I called and the man evenly spaced 3 rubies for every birthstone placed around my mother's ring.

Why rubies you ask? Well, partly because of Proverbs 31:10. "A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls." Not that I'm the most capable, intelligent or virtuous woman out there but it was my Hubby who found me and it is He who says I am far more precious than jewels and my value is far above rubies or pearls. Hard not to feel beautiful and appreciated when it's said that way, isn't it?

Way, way back in 2006 at the very beginning of this blog I spoke of our decision to adopt from Liberia and why. It was at my very first Above Rubies retreat that God used an every day woman to speak to me about the orphans in Liberia. My life and my family's life was changed forever by that retreat. So, as a result of that experience is reason #2 why I chose rubies to be placed in my mother's ring. God used that retreat to make me a mother to 8 children.

Below is a picture of Colin & Nancy Campbell. I've been to a few women's retreats over the years and have had the pleasure of speaking with Nancy personally. She is the founder of Above Rubies ministries. Such a sweet, sweet lady. You can read more about them here.


It was an Above Rubies magazine that first introduced me to her and the ministry. Did you know you can get this magazine for free? As many copies as you want for free? I get them, keep one for myself and give the rest away or leave them in waiting rooms. I pray over them and hope that someone will pick it up and receive the same encouragement I have. Interested? Take a look here.

I've learned a lot over the years from things she has had to say and from the articles others send into the magazine. I've also wrestled with certain things she's said. Those things have caused me to dig deeper into the word to see what God has to say about it (it wasn't hard to find, all her teachings are FULL of scripture!) and pray really hard about how God would have me receive that information and apply it to my life. I've acquired many of her books and CDs over the years as teaching materials and enjoy digging deeper into the subjects she talks about. Amazing things...amazing lady.

We are blessed to be going to our very first family retreat this next weekend. I'm so excited to be bringing my entire family as well as meeting Colin for the first time. I highly recommend the women's retreats and after next weekend, I'm sure I'll be saying the same about the family retreats! Wanna take a look at info on the retreats? Here it is. I've also met all of Nancy's daughters personally. Sweet, sweet girls. I am the age of their youngest daughter, Serene. Serene and Pearl have many CDs (found in the bookstore) and have blessed this home time after time with their sweet voices.

I've been praying for a few years now about hosting/planning a women's retreat. Now that we are back in northern WI, there just aren't any near here (trip to Canada anyone?). I've been holding out and praying for a partner in crime to help me. I think it might be a bit much for one person, we'll see what God has to say when He answers me about it! :)

Reason #3 I picked rubies for my mother's ring: I think they're pretty.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

24 hours

Well, the last 24 hours has been a humbling experience! I asked for help and you all jumped right in. I went from 6 followers to 31 in less than 24 hours...you all could make a girl blush! I've filled out my application for the review team I was telling you about. Thanks for all your help in making that a possibility! If you stop by and aren't a 'follower' yet- I'd love to have you! The more the merrier!

So, now that you are all here you should know I have plans to jazz things up a bit around here (and post LOTS more). That being said- for those of you who've looked around here a little, what kinds of posts do you enjoy most? What would you like to see more of? Here we go...................

Friday, March 11, 2011

Can you help me out?

Hey there! :)

Can you help a girl out? Will you 'follow' my blog? If you're not sure how, hit the word 'follow' over there on the right. Then, fill out the info in the little box with a Google account, etc. That will make you an official follower. As of now, there are 6 of you (thank you!). But, I need 25 minimum in a quick hurry (2 weeks) to complete the application process for The Old Schoolhouse Crew. The TOS Crew reviews homeschool curriculum and I've wanted to join for 2 years! I'll be Facebook-ing about it too and may even join the Twitter world so I can tweet. So, would you show me some blog love and follow me?

Friday, March 04, 2011

EEK!

Has it been a month already? I bet you thought I'd forgotten about you all- nope, not so! I'm beginning to think it may be MANY years before things slow down...

As of late January I went back to school to complete my bachelors degree in nursing. Just a handful of classes left until graduation! :) So, I now school the kiddos by day and then try and study and do classwork at night and on weekends. My original thought of doing it in my spare time has proven futile. I guess I don't have much spare time- who would have 'thunk' it? School and every day life stuff has kept me hopping- I'm very much looking forward to spring break to catch up on little projects around here and to breathe a little! Before we know it the snow will be melted and I'll be planting the garden again (can't wait for that!). We're all ready to get out of this house and enjoy the outdoors again!

This past weekend we took a road trip to my sis & bro-in-laws new house. We celebrated her birthday along with our Mama who also came for the weekend. Here's a few silly pics of our time together:


Me & my baby (one of them anyway!)

Mama
Mama rockin out Honky-Tonk Style!


A mean game of cribbage between the boys!



Jelly face!
~Sweet Princess~


Hangin in the kitchen...

Bday girl....'You talkin to me?'



Just 5 of the cousins...a good time was had by all!