Merry Christmas

Eating Special Food

Remembering the Birth of Jesus

Running to the Christmas Tree

Yelling to Santa!

Christ was born!

Happy Holidays.

Reindeer fly in the sky.

I Love Christmas!

Santa ate my cookies!

Turkey on Christmas

Mary had a Baby boy!

A Special Gift.

Seasons Greetings!

Love Micah

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles
at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2:10

As I continue to study, Intimate Friendship With God, I wonder why? Why do we as Christians seem to think we can pick and choose what Laws of God that we will follow. If the Laws were given for our benefit, why do we continue in the same sins? Or pretend that our sins are really NOT sin.

As the author discusses different attitudes toward sin I find myself in all the categories, depending on the sin, or on the time in my life. I have used circumstances to justify my "little sins".

Level 1-We do not sin because the consequences are too great. (Not that we hate sin.)

Level 2- We live by the Golden Rule. This person wants peace at any price and cannot understand anyone who is so radical that he would try to change the status quo of his life or anyone else's.

Level 3- The sincere Christian who earnestly desires to please the Lord. He does not want to sin and is deeply concerned when besetting sins are in his life. He is deeply concerned and longs for freedom.

Level 4- The person who has the Fear of God upon him. He hates sin; therefore, he seldom sins.
When he does there is a quick awareness of sin and immediate repentance.

...Through fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
Proverbs 16:6b

True repentance is a change of heart towards sin. How we think of it, turn from it. There is a change in our actions.

Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.
1Timothy 2:19b

Through Christ's death we are called to live holy lives. Why do we keep on sinning. 2 Timothy 14-26. Gives us a discription of how we should live. It is hard to live. But don't we want to be more like him?

The Fear of the Lord is the ONLY way to be released from the fear of Man.
Ther fear of man is being more impressed with man's reaction to our actions than with God's reaction.

This is the basis of the book I am presently reading. I really think it is a good read for any believer and it really challenges me to think about how I determine my actions.

God wants to empower us to do his will. The author states that, " the more concern we have for God's approval in every situation, the more confidence He releases to us to act with HIS authority.

Luke 12:4-5
"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him!"

God is HOLY. We must also be holy. In our thoughts, in our words, and in our deeds.

God's commands are for our GOOD. For a believer to live a holy life should be natural.

Instant, joyful, total obedience!

Isn't that what we would all love from our Children. That they would listen to us right away, not whine and do exactly what we say. I am reading a book on Understanding Fear of the LORD. And this is how the Author says we should obey GOD.

I am challenged by this, how often I say, well later God, ya know I am a little(busy/tired) now.(you fill in the blank). The author suggests that when we are walking with the Lord, it should just be "yeah right Lord! That makes sense! Of course I will obey you."

How often we miss God's blessing because we fail to obey Him. The more we know God the more we realize that What HE asks of us is for our benefit. I remember my mission experience as a young adult thinking "God how are you using me? I feel like you are working on me so much, how can you use such a broken vessel."

This year I plan to read through the bible again for the first time in a number of years. I think of how easy it should be to give up a couple hours of TV to do things to benefit others and my own personal relationship with God. I have begun to do readings from the 2008 calendar so that I can get about a month ahead so I can finish by the end of the year. My first week has shown me it really doesn't take that long to read 4 chapters a day. I am using YWAM's prayer journal.

So I challenge you. To instantly, joyfully, totally walk with God!

Halloween

I wasn't too sure what I wanted to

do about Halloween but once I put

Micah in a clown cosstume,

Vern had to take him around and

show him off. So the tradition

continues.

Just look at my baby girl only a couple months ago. WE are blown away by just how fast they grow. ANd having a baby always makes your other babies look so big!!! I just looked at this photo next to one I took today and....



Just look at her now.

Our little Leah. I can't believe just how small she was last summer.

And perspective. Micah is almost 7. Another 9 years and he will be driving a few after that....

I am so glad we decided to have more kids. Micah and Jaala are great friends and I hope that for Nathan and Leah too. The little ones I will likely have for another 18 years, Lord willing. I am really greatful for my family and especially Vern for allowing his faith to be stretched to include these lovely little blessings.

Well this is our crew!!!

Nathan Daniel James Martin

Born: May 7, 2oo7 12:32pm

6 lbs 7oz

Loved by all his sibblings!

We were a little concerned about the arrival of our little one. His heart rate was dropping pretty low so the doctor recommended a C-section. So after a few tears and a spinal we were ready for the arrival of our young man. He is a bit of a lazy eater so Mom started him on supplements in the hospital. As of this week he has been gaining about an ounce a day and is almost back to his birth weight.

Micah had told us he would be "mad at God" if baby wasn't a brother so I was rather relieved that we had a boy. I didn't want to deal with that. We were all pretty sure we were having a boy.

i have had about a week's worth of meals from the church and community. And help with child care while I take 2 trips a week to weigh Nathan. One friend even washed my floor for a hold of baby!!!

I am pretty tired but all are adjusting alright. Nathan took a trip to the grade 1 class "Show and Share" on Friday. The kids would have liked to hold him, but we told them maybe next year in grade 2. When Nathan is a few months older. He can hold his head up a bit but that was a bit much for a 3 week old!

The Martin's Home feels complete.

Happy Easter!!!!I don't have pictures I want to use right now. I kinda like having something with a picture in my posts but anyway, I decided to send greetings this holiday season.
I was listening to a kids hymn tape in the car with the kids and Micah kept interrupting me saying, "Hey Mommy, this one is in our Hymn Book." Anyway most of them went over well. I like some hymns, and some contemporary/choruses. I would like to keep my kids rounded. some new some old.
we will start our morning with a 6am service, breakfast. (I think probably an egg hunt) and an 11am service. That gives us a full am. Then we will probably eat around 5pm. I think we will need all of monday to recouperate. Micah has Easter Break this week so we shall be busy. The countdown is beginning for the Martin's newest edition. Our little one should be here by the beginning of May.

Halleluia What A Savior!!!

This is what we are celebrating. A chance for a new life in Christ. A chance to leave the old selfish ways behind, and walk to bring glory to our Father. We are greatful for a Savior that washes us free from the eternal cost of sin and brings us life anew. Thank you Father for your most precious gift. -Jesus.

Where have we all been?
Well I am back. I will do my best to post a little more often. Although I plan to have a new baby by the end of April.

Kids are made of rubber???
I read this comment on a blog and I much, much disagree. Kids may bounce back far quicker than those of us who are older, but kids are also very sensitive. Micah and Jaala often talk to me about living back in Thunder Bay and missing their house in Morden. Micah just turned 4 when we left Manitoba and Jaala was only 2 1/2. They are much more in tune to what is going on around them than we give them credit for. I know of children who get very upset when their parents fight. They might not know what the fight is about but kids can sense our distress.
I remember reading a book. I think it was by Floyd McClung. "Living on the Devil's Doorstep" about their time in Amsterdam. And they were praying about what to do next and they involved their children in their decision making. If we teach our children that they can hear from God then we should also consider that they may have valuable imput in our decisions. Ultimately we have to be responsible for what we decide to do, but it always impressed me how we might be able to benefit from their opinions.
As I have been pondering over the "Rubber Kids" thought I also remember spending summers in Southern California with my cousins, aunts and uncles and how the last night we were there always seemed so emotional, like we would never see them again or something. It is alright to have strong feelings for others. It is alright to miss what we once had. But we still need to look ahead to what our Lord has for us.
As for the kids. They are little people. And can be quite sensitive. So enjoy the memories, and look to the future adventures!!!

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14.

Vern gets a Sunday off preaching. There will be a church member speaking. So we get to go to church as a family for a change. Jaala has been having some tummy trouble. Vern took her late tonight to see the doctor. We aren't sure if it is an attention thing or if she is really going through something. She seemed to be having sharp pains tonight and had some really bad gas. Poor little thing. She will be 5 in May but she still is my baby. In some ways she seems so grown up but she still has a baby face.

Vern and I had gone on a date tonight. We had a nice dinner alone and then went to a show and Walmart. The nearest Walmart is 45 minutes away. SO that is a treat too. We received a digital camera for christmas so I may post photos more often. However I needed some rechargable batteries and a memory card. Still experimenting with all the details of the digital world but having fun.

I have had a cold for the better part of 2 weeks. I am seeing my doctor Monday for the baby so I have just coped the best I could/ Trying to use as little tylenol as possible. I don't want to take anything unless I have to being pregnant. Micah is looking forward to going back to school Monday and Leah is growing like a weed. My friend Joanne saw her tonight and it has been a few months, she was just amazed at all the changes.

Vern does a lot of talking with her. She loves to parrot and try and say whatever we are saying. Most words come out a lot like"da da" However she also does Mommy, mama, baby, bye, Cheeseburger comes out a lot like "chi-chi-cha"
But the laugh is priceless, Ha-ha-ha-ha!

All for now. Happy 2007!!!