The Making of M.O.M.

Okay, so I've barely had time to check my email this week, much less blog. So I thought I'd reach way back into the blog files, pull up a funny post, and "bump" one up. This is the 1st ever Das Not Funny! Friday post I published. It was originally written on March 20, 2009 but the reason I chose this post to bump is because this is basically still my life only the names have been changed to ~~protect the innocent~~ the kids now at these ages. Ashlee is the bike rider, Aaron is the birthday boy and Daddy slapper and Olivia is certainly the spider monkey, albeit a completely uncoordinated spider monkey.

If you'd like to read more of my Das Not Funny! Friday posts you can either click here or on the Das Not Funny! Friday button on my sidebar. Happy Weekend, y'all!

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Original Post:

Welcome to the inaugural post of Das Not Funny! Friday. I'm always sayin' I want to write down all the funny things my kids say (and do) during the week, aren't you? Well, now is our chance!

Why Das Not Funny!? Because, our kids are forever making us laugh, usually unintentionally. As we attempt to stifle our laughter, Ashlee (our Drama Queen) almost always looks at us, frowns and says Das not funny!

Oh my darling, bless your heart...it is so funny.

Won't you tell me the all the funny things you've heard or seen lately. It doesn't have to be just about your children (because not all of you have kids...or maybe your kids just aren't funny;-)).

You can check out the "official" rules by going to this post. But seriously, it's just not that complicated people. Simply write your own Das Not Funny! Friday post, then link it back here to my blog. You can either leave a comment in the comment section or type your info into Mr. Linky.

Of course, if you don't have a blog and you'd like to share your funnies, feel free to do so in the comment section.

Here we go! Happy Friday!

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On Wednesday night we were getting the big kids ready for bed when Lucas, out of nowhere, reached over and slapped Luke right across the face! Trying to prove a point, Luke slapped him back.

This went on for about 2 minutes. Finally, Lucas busted out into hysterical laughter and Luke's face began hurting. His point remains unproven.

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Apparently physical assault on my husband's head is becoming a favorite in our house. Why, just last night Luke was wrestling in the floor with all the kids and Elizabeth came at him like a spider monkey, punching him square in the jaw.

I'm enrolling them all in jujitsu next week. I'm thinking that will help, don't you?

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Yesterday, it was a beautiful day so we spent all day outside. I pulled Elizabeth's bike out of the storage shed, from behind the Christmas tree, where it had safely stored since last fall. She strapped up her helmet while I pushed her bike up the small hill in our backyard and onto the driveway.

We reviewed all biking procedures including how to pedal, turn and stop. Then, she was on her own. She began coasting down the slight slope of the driveway and she was so proud of herself.

Then, she began to pick up speed. In no time she was really flying, going full speed down the grassy "mountain" in our backyard. Her casual yells for help turn into death curling screams.

She's not stopping.

I throw off my flip flops and sprint after her (I use the term "sprint" loosely people), hoping to break her fall, or at least cushion it. I get to her just as she begins to tip, I grab her and think I'm in the clear, but her foot gets caught and we both fall and skid to a stop.

Naturally, she's wailing. I pick her up, brush the grass off both our knees and elbows and we begin the ascent up the hill. Elizabeth's still wailing, completely pitiful. However, she agrees to get back on the bike.

We strap back on her helmet and perch her back on the bicycle seat. I smile at her and say,

"I'm proud of you Elizabeth."

As serious as she can be, she looks up at me with big tears in her eyes and says, "But why? I fell down, remember?"

Yes, sweetie, I remember rolling through dog poop all in the name of motherhood.

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As I held Lucas this week before bedtime, I told him how he was about to be a big big boy and turn 3 years old soon. I asked him what kind of birthday party he wanted to have. With a big smirk on his face he looks at me and says,

"A princess party!"

Tonight, Luke is picking up the RAMBO series on his way home and it will be Lucas' night for special time.

Remember this post and this one and this one?

Oh, and this one?

I know I was vague and suddenly stopped talking about everything that the Lord was/has/is doing in our life. Sorry about that. There were multiple reasons for delaying those posts. Now, however, we are ready to make it public. And suddenly, I don't really know how to tell you just all that God is laying before us. So instead, I'm going to share with you a modified excerpt of an email I sent out to our close friends and family. I will ask you that if you know the specific dates that we will be out of town, would you please keep that private and not share that in the comments. I was going to wait until we've returned to tell you what was going on, but truthfully, I need your prayers. I need you to pray over every aspect of this trip, what we will be hearing, seeing and living.

As you feel led, would you please pray over our family as we prepare, plan, travel and seek the Lord's will for our family.

So it's with excitement, much prayer and some fear that we tell you about our trip this November to African Inland Mission's Candidate Week. Yeah, missions. It's scary and exciting and overwhelming all at once. We have felt the Lord prompting us toward missions for about 4 years now. However, neither of us chose to recognize the Holy Spirit drawing our attention to the details that God was clearly placing in front of us until the last 18-24 months. So with much prayer and Biblical guidance we chose to step out and interview with Africa Inland Mission (AIM). That interview lasted 5 hours on July 15th. We found out more details about AIM and realized that for a family our size, going on the mission field through an organization like AIM just makes sense rather than trying to go at it solo. AIM has been sending missionaries to Africa for over 100 years so they are equipped and have much experience with the things that may not even show up on our radar. Plus, they have experience with sending large families to Africa.

Why Africa? Honestly, we are not sure. We've wrestled, prayed and cried many tears over the possibility of our lives being lived so far from our friends and family. No, neither of us has ever been to Africa, neither of us knows what's in store. But here's the best way we can explain the yearning we have for Africa in our hearts:

It's the same yearning a barren woman has for her unborn children. It's the same longing a person who desires marriage has for their unmet spouse. It's inexplicable as to why we ache for the peoples of Africa, yet we do. A woman need not experience motherhood to know she longs for children. A man need not experience marriage to know he desires a wife. The same is true for us and our heart's longing for Africa.

Why missionaries? Well, the Bible is clear (Romans 10:13-17 plus several others) in commanding us to make disciples of all nations and share the saving power of the gospel. For us, obedience to that command looks like missions to Africa. For you it can and will look different.

We are so excited to see how God is going to show up and work in the coming year as we gain knowledge, support and funds to head to whatever mission field God is preparing for us. We pray that you will come along side us and see how God will take our family from the impossible to a reality. We pray you will ask us tough questions, pray for our discernment, be excited with us when God works majestically and mourn with us over the heartaches we will surely face. Mostly though, we ask for you to pray for us as we step into a lot of unknowns. Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps." No scripture could be truer for our season of life right now. As we plan and prepare ourselves we leave each step open to the direction of God. He has been so faithful in leading us to this point, we are certain He will not forsake us now.

This wasn't easy to write and I'm sure for some of you it hasn't been easy to read. My prayer is that you will receive this season of our lives for what it is. A family desperate to seek the will of God for our lives, knowing that our calling can and will look much, much different than someone else's. Not for one second do we believe that we are "better Christians" or "holier than you" because God has called us to such a challenge. Truly we ask you each to examine your own walks with the Lord through prayer and Biblical study. We feel confident that in doing so you will see just where God is calling you to a challenge so that only His name can receive glory, if He's not already doing so! Trust us when we say that we are NOT choosing this path for our own glorification but solely to make the name of Jesus known to all nations. If it were self glorification we desired we can think of MUCH EASIER ways to obtain it.

Finally, if you have questions please ask them. If you are concerned, please express it to us. You can email us at any point. I can promise you we will hear every word and prayerfully consider every concern and question. If you believe that we are radically throwing our safety and livelihood and that of our children into a pit then we beg you to pray for the Holy Spirit to intercede and change the desires of our hearts. Trust me when I say that I (Jessica) have prayed many prayers asking God to call us someplace else, to a completely different ministry where we can stay within the comfort of our normal lives. However, for this season of our lives, God is calling us to explore missions.

We'd jump at the opportunity to tell you more about how the Lord has led us to this place so if you want to know just ask. But be ready to spend some time with us because it won't be a quick conversation! This is a long time coming and not a decision we've made flippantly or in the last several weeks.

Obviously, we will know many more details after Candidate Week.

For more information about Africa Inland Mission you can visit their website at: http://www.aimint.org/

Thank you friends for your ever present encouragement, your constant love and your prayers.