wise words from Randy Alcorn

Advocates of small families often cite1 Timothy 5:7 (“If a man fails to provide for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever”), believing that the more kids we have, the harder it is to provide for them and the greater danger we will disobey this command.
However, in what is by far the most affluent society in human history—and with one of the lowest birth rates in history—we have to wonder if that really is a danger. Or are we thinking that “providing” means lavishing on children material wealth that doesn’t just meet basic needs but provides for extravagant wants?
Ironically, while undercutting the value of children on the one hand, we pamper and spoil them on the other. Our children don’t have too little material things; they have way too much already. That’s one reason children from large families tend to be more responsible, harder-working, and less spoiled and selfish. They also know how to relate to small children because they’ve been around them and helped care for them. Perhaps that’s one of the results of decreased family size—more spoiled children who get everything they want (as they couldn’t with more siblings) and have no responsibilities (as they would with more siblings).

Read the whole article here http://www.epm.org/blog/2012/Jan/30/duggar-family-open-receive-whatever-gifts-god-want

Sweet Baby

"The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Sweet baby, we already miss you.

For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 139:13-16

Thank you for your love & prayers.

COURAGEOUS

Went to see it tonight and ABSOLUTELY LOVED it!! Did you see it yet?? If not, make sure you support it today for opening weekend!! Very inspiring. Thanks to Crossroads for bringing it to Canada (great work Mike, you make us proud :) ) because it was so great to see it here on the big screen!! Another movie that Kevin and Erik and Adam won't be ashamed to cry over, I'm sure. Well, Kevin anyways. :) It was totally worth missing hockey over, wouldn't you agree dear? (he would, I'm sure)

Go see it!! & let us know how you like it :)

oh, and THANKS for all your kind words about baby #4!! I am 12.5 weeks and we are all looking forward to "seeing" the baby at our ultrasound next week!! SO exciting to go through this with older kids who hardly stop talking about it. :) So far, due April 5 (I am guessing that will be pushed a little later, aiming to be born on Auntie Holly's birthday!! :) )

http://www.courageousthemovie.com/

Oh, and if you miss out on seeing it in the theatre, we'll show it on our 'big screen' for anyone who is interested! Details to follow...

~ We ~ Can't ~ Wait ~

We thank and praise God for entrusting to us the precious gift of new life, and are all so excited to meet the little one in the spring, God willing. What a miracle new life is, it boggles my mind!
fabulous times at RLL, as usual...and now it is back to the grind - BIG time - after almost an entire month of vacation (Kev was in the office 2 days of the last 4 weeks). Things are not all glorious on the home front (hint: flood and mould = disaster when you live in the basement) but we will survive and are hoping and praying for a smooth transition into the school year this week while insurance takes care of the rest (haha, that might be wishful thinking that everything will go so smoothly, but we will try to be optimistic :) )

Thank you for praising God with us. :)

Psalm 127

1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

We hope your September is going wonderfully!! :)

ciao amici! :)

having a fabulous time, but thankful that this trip is only a week. :) Missing the kiddos and looking forward to seeing them again soon!! But wowzers, Rome is amazing. those of you who have been know how impossible it is to capture in photos, as it is with anything great. SO much to learn and see. SO much tragic history. We are SO thankful that the Reformation happened. Praise God, He was gracious. Being in the Vatican today seemed like bondage to me. I am reading a great book called "Under the Inquisition" A Story of the Reformation in Italy... er, I should say I was reading it until Kev took a liking to it this evening while I was distracted trying to blog...now we will have to take turns reading somehow. Fascinating book. May we hold fast to the truth and be faithful to our Lord, whatever comes.

The Vatican City/Saint Peter's Basilica - biggest church in the world.


The Arch of Constantine
The Pantheon
the Colosseum

praying for a safe reunion with our sweet precious kiddos...I just want to kiss their sweet chubby cheeks. Even if they do quite possibly have the world's greatest Oma :) we can't wait to get back to them!!

Arrivederci!! :)