Heading to AFRICA

We are so excited!  In case you haven't heard Maggie and I (Amy) are going to Kenya Africa for a missionary conference.  Why you ask?  We are blessed to have been asked to help encourage these families who give so much full time!  I will be sharing with the homeschool families ideas, tips and encouragement while Maggie will be helping run a childrens program for the young ones -- 

so they don't get eaten by lions as the coordinator says! 

 

So we would appreciate your prayers for us as we  prepare to travel out of the country next month!  If you are interested in more information send us an email and we will put you on our email list.  We hope to post updates here about how God works in our lives, we are trusting as much as we desire to go and bless these families that He will pour blessings on us as well!
THANKS in advance for your support!
Amy and Maggie

New every morning

It's been awhile since I have shared any devotional thoughts ~ there are alot of ponderings in my head so bear with me as I share some of them!

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-26

~A year ago today a 17 year old, Nathan N was taken to his heavenly home - as we grieve for his family, who feels the loss every day, we cling to the promise God gives, of new compassion each morning.
~We celebrated with Zephan and Katie who were married today - May your new life together be covered with God's great love and faithfulness.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Ecclesiates 3:11

Years ago Steve and Tutu (who was about 3) shared this verse in our church's advent service and talked about a tapestry. Our lives can look like a bunch of strings all messed up.... but from God's heavenly view... its a beautiful tapestry all woven perfectly.As we make plans for tomorrow and look forward to our futures we cling to the hope we have in Christ. Sometimes things around us seem so normal or routine and we long for excitement and change ~ look to the Lord and seek HIS plans for you! When times are hard to understand, lack of direction, loneliness, loss of moms or dad in their prime, loss of children and babies, lack of work, orphans longing to have a forever family, lost souls seeking pleasure and peace in earthly things~ hope in the Lord and allow his grace to cover you!

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Romans 5:1-5

Today, I am thankful that each day is a new gift from the Lord ~ that whatever comes my way I can choose to serve Him with a joyful heart so He receives glory and honor and praise! We don't know what tomorrow holds.... but we know WHO holds tomorrow! :)

A simple prayer to start your day:

Good morning God,
This is your day
I am your child,
Show me your way

Find us Faithful (an older post you may enjoy)

blessed

I am blessed.
Today amidst things not going as I had planned, it was a great day. I am a people person and my day was filled with just that. New friends and old, In-laws, brothers and sisters in Christ, and family. It helps that is was a beautiful sunny warm day too :)

Tonight, although I was not "in" the bible study group, (on baby duty) the ministry that God placed before me was a reminder that HIS plans NOT ours, are best. He had me right where He wanted me!!! Thank you Lord for using me right where I am. My heart goes out to those who are hurting today - hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually. My prayer is that you will find God's peace, love and healing and as you grow through the hard times.

I am praying that my ears are open to God's teaching and His help! May I shine brightly for Him and be an encouragement to those who are in need of His GRACE! I am so thankful for this lent season which God has used to draw me closer to Him.
May you seek him with open ears and heart this week.

Isaiah 50:4-9
⁴ The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

⁵ The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.

⁶ I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

⁷ Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

⁸ He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!

⁹ It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Matthew 26:14-25
¹⁴Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests ¹⁵and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. ¹⁶From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
¹⁷On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
¹⁸He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.' " ¹⁹So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
²⁰When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. ²¹And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."
²²They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
²³Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. ²⁴The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." ²⁵Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?"
Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."

A.C.T.S.

I'm sure many of you know this prayer format

Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication

I don't remember who it was that shared the "children's" version but it has been such a blessing for our prayer time I wanted to share it with you!

Adoration = "God you are...."
Confession = "God I'm sorry for..."
Thanksgiving = "Thank you God for..."
Supplication = "God please help...."

What a blessing to share a special prayer time together , I just start each one and then the kids "pop" in finishing these starters. We did this almost daily last year during school and this year we usually do it at least once a week and just do "popcorn" prayers the other days. Today Eugene was so cute --"MOM ITS TIME FOR OUR FAST FEAST THEN ARE WE GOING TO DO POPCORN?"(meaning prayer) I am so thankful that my 6 year old is excited to be a part of our lent fast and prayer time!

As we begin Holy Week one other pondering thought to share: God is really working on me in areas of diligence, I am so easily distracted its a challenge to finish anything! I am so blessed that our fasting this lent has been something we have been able to remain fairly diligent to. Thanks to some wonderful advice from Kari ~ who encouraged if we missed a day or two just start again not to get discouraged. MUCH NEEDED ADVICE! Thanks so much!!!
Tomorrow we look forward to celebrating Passover with some friends :)

Today's Feast
Isaiah 42:1-7

¹ "Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.

² He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.

³ A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

⁴ he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope."

⁵ This is what God the LORD says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:

⁶ "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,

⁷ to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

John 12:1-11
¹Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ²Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. ³Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

⁴But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." ⁶He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

⁷"Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. ⁸You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

⁹Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, ¹¹for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

For such a time as this

Today's FEAST:
Esther 4:6-5:3 some verses that jumped out at me ~ vs 14 "For such a time as this..." am I ready to die for Gods kingdom?
Matthew 7:7-12 vs 8 " For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds and to him who knocks the door will be opened."

(my turn to catch some of the children feasting on God in their quiet time)

digging into God's word is FILLING

when we are quiet and in a HUNGRY place -- God will meet us

God I want to be a willing vessel yet so often my earthly flesh and doubt get in the way -- like Esther I want to say "BUT...". Help me to look up to YOU not around for confirmation or direction. May I ask YOU for the desires of my heart, in seeking YOU may I find the love of my heart and LORD I knock and desire YOU to come in!

To the courthouse...

Life with foster children is an adventure in more ways than one!
From welcoming a child into your home (and life) to all the "stuff" that comes with them.
There is paperwork -- enough to deplete way too many forests I fear!
And meetings.... (just so we all feel BUSY I think) and visits (with LOTS of people)... and Dr appointments.....you get the idea.
Well today we had court again for our foster baby. We don't HAVE to go, but it sure helps to know what is going on with your case from all perspectives. Being in a small town the way they work court has been an adjustment from "big" city court. First of all Juvenile court is only once a week. You are put in either morning or afternoon "docket" so your case will be heard sometime between 9 and 12 or 1 and 4. Then you sit and listen to all the cases until your is called. It's a great lesson in government, I guess.
So as I sit there reading "Lies homeschooling moms believe" by Todd Wilson (a wonderfully encouraging book by the way!) really I am trying not to listen to how sad life is for so many families. Makes me so thankful for a life of HOPE in Christ!!! Our family has plenty of shortcomings please don't hear me saying we are perfect but our faith and desire to try to love each other, forgiving when we fall short is a drastically different picture then most of the cases heard. I am so thankful for children who are willing to love even though it hurts to let go.
All that said I found myself praying for the children and their parents in each case -- that they would come to know the Lord. Thanking God for foster families who love these children for this time. And especially wisdom for the judge as the decisions made are life impacting for all involved.

We are so thankful for your prayers for our family as we love this little one. We pray for her family to come to saving GRACE in Christ Jesus and for wisdom in the judge's decisions for this case. Today was just a "check up" we continue another 3 months until the next hearing. Most of all we thank God for giving our family willing hearts, energy and love to enfold this little one.

If you want to help the many orphans of America you don't have to be a foster parent -- call your local foster care agency -- see if they need respite providers (to give foster families a weekend off!) or if you could be a CASA (court appointed special advocate) to speak on behalf of the child. And please keep praying for these children and their families! THANKS!

Today's FEAST on God's Word:
Isaiah 55:10-11

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Matthew 6:7-15

⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us today our daily bread.
¹²Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.^a]">[a]' ¹⁴For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

How about you???

OK, I really didn't think this "fast" thing would last -- 5 kids plus a baby amidst a crazy schedule -- but it IS! And I am so blessed to see the children giving up something in order to more clearly hear from God. Today after church we relaxed for awhile, then when they started saying they were hungry -- "when is our fast done so we can have dinner?" they weren't complaining just asking, it was already after 3:00! I said lets FEAST on the word then we can eat :) Everyone got their bibles and journals ~ we FEASTED on Duet. 26:4-10 and Luke 4:1-13. (I'm not pasting it in today -- go get YOUR bible out!)

Lord, I desire to give you my best, yet too often I listen to the tempters voice -- who twists your words. May I rest in YOUR truth and be able to correct him with Sword of your Spirit. May I daily focus on YOU and follow the light instead of looking down and tripping over my own 2 feet in the dark. I love you Lord.


Maybe posting is holding me accountable! How about you ~ are you fasting from something? I'd love to hear how God is speaking to you today.
Blessings
Amy

Friday's Fast

These passages come from Personal Meditations on Lent a book by Fern Pruiksma. I first did this lent book 13 years ago!!! Its a blessing to read some of my previous thoughts and see how God has grown me-- and humbling to see God is patiently working on a lot of things that I STILL haven't learned.

Amidst a crazy day we were able to have a our lunch fast --(FEASTING on GOD'S WORD) So onto today passages:
True Fasting
Isaiah 58:1-8
1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Matthew 9:14-15 14Then John's disciples came and asked him, "How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"
15Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

Fasting

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday -- know what that is? The beginning of the season of lent.

Lent is a 40-day liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes at the Great Vigil of Easter. Sundays are not included in the 40-day count because every Sunday is a joyful celebration of Jesus' resurrection. Though not biblical, Lent has long been a tradition in the Christian Church, and it is thought that the tradition of the 40 days recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). Lent is considered a time of penance and discipline.

We have fasted as a family from various things during lent over the years: sweets, t.v., computer, pop (aka soda). Taking the time we usually spent doing those things to instead spend time with God - reading His word and in prayer. Giving up something to grow closer to Him. This year we decided to try a meal fast. We are giving up lunches for lent this year. Instead of having food we will FEAST on God's word. Thought we would share today's "feast":

Our scripture was Duet. 30:15-20 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

and Luke 9:22-25 22And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

Finding time to be still and listen to the Lord is not always an easy thing to do -- ok its an extremely difficult thing in a house with 6 kids!!! But today was a blessed time for us all to be reflecting on God's word and praying for one another together during "lunch" time.

May this encourage you to seek God and flee from temptation today!

Remembering Lisa

I have been pondering life a lot these last few weeks. The suffering in Haiti, newborns whose lives are full of challenge or so very, very short, the selfishness of our American society and on and on. Our plan sometimes seems better than God's - however he has the big picture we only have one little puzzle piece.

This morning we took the long way to church and stopped at the cemetery first. It was one year ago today that Lisa Pettijohn was cured of cancer forever. God's hand interwove our families in a way that I could have never planned or imagined, but continue to thank Him for allowing us to know Him deeper through walking this valley with Lisa and her family. It was saying YES to something that I felt totally unprepared to do but trusted in God's strength that He would give us what we needed one day at at time. Schooling extra children is not something that was on my "to do" list. One of my girls commented how actually having 8 children instead of 5 was easier (I worried we REALLY needed to work on her math) her reasoning was that God provided helpers almost every day so the ratio of "teacher/student" was 2/8 instead of 1/5!!! When we thought we were blessing someone, God turned it around and humbled me -- often Lisa shared things that I had no experience in (she was our "french" expert for history reading)and had amazing insight into scriptures. People came out of the woodwork to bring meals, help with transportation, be teachers assistants, cleaners, you name it they came! I found myself being very humbled to have complete strangers in my house amidst the mess and help with meals, laundry, school and more. We felt the BODY OF CHRIST around us in a very real way last year. There were many emotionally draining days, but there were also days where peace poured over our time together - time memorizing the entire book of James -- so much to ponder, time in prayer together and keeping journals. The moments when Lisa did spelling with the kids -- she was always so much fun -- I have tried to learn to be more like her! Lunchtime conversations were always full of laughter as Lisa would throw out "discussion questions" that usually ended up in silliness. These are the memories we hold onto.

I know in my head Lisa is healed and dancing in heaven with Jesus NOW but there is still the missing place in our heart and I am sure so much more in each of her family members. Many days this year we have felt a void missing the extra students and teacher in our class. I cling to Christs great love and hold to the faith that we will be together again! I thank God for each day in a new way -- knowing that each day IS a gift not a given. I desire to see what else God wants us to say YES to in order to see Him glorified and participate in the body of Christ serving out of love.

May God shower the Pettijohn family with peace today.
Amy Q

My prayer:

As I arise today,
may the strength of God pilot me,
the power of God uphold me,
the wisdom of God guide me.
May the eye of God look before me,
the ear of God hear me,
the word of God speak for me.
May the hand of God protect me,
the way of God lie before me,
the shield of God defend me,
the host of God save me.
May Christ shield me today.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit,
Christ when I stand,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Amen

Standin' in the need of prayer

We are currently studying the civil war ~ I have always enjoyed this spiritual. May you be blessed by it today too!

It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.

Not the preacher, nor the deacon, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer;

Not my father, nor my mother, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.

Not the stranger, nor my neighbor, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer;

Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.


There are many things we like to THINK WE can do ~ we can't on our own, not without God! So often it seems easy to lift others needs up to the Almighty one because they aren't OUR struggles. We need to humble ourselves and invite him to work in OUR lives too.

Today may YOU come before our wonderful Father, lifting up your heart to HIM who can do more than we can ever ask or imagine.
We are all Standin’ in the need of prayer!

Cute pictures for a good cause!

You may remember our post about LIGHTHOUSE the Russian orphans that came this summer.... well good friends of our have been called to adopt a sibling group, a 14 year old boy and a 13 year old girl. If you live nearby, join in this unique fundraiser to help a local family bring 2 children from Russia HOME! We did something similar 2 years ago and it was so neat! The kids had a blast! and I LOVE the pictures! BONUS you get a wonderful photograph for just $10!!! (additional photos can be purchased as well but don't have to be) A neat way to remember how you were a part of bringing children to their forever family.


**If you would like more information on how God has brought this all to be, you can contact us or Stacy and if you live out of town and want to support the Q's in their adoption journey the address for donations is:

First Assembly of God- Rolla

1608 N Oak St
Rolla, MO 65401

Please note ** Quittschreiber adoption fund** in the memo portion.

Please pray for these 2 children and the family that is waiting for them to come home and that the last 60% of funds needed will be raised quickly.
THANK YOU!

A Child's Prayer

God make my life a little light
within the world to glow;
a little flame to burneth bright,
wherever I may go.
God make my life a little flower

that giveth joy to all,
content to bloom in native bower,
although the place be small.

God make my life a little song
that comforteth the sad
That helpeth others to be strong
And makes the singers glad.

by M. Betham-Edwards