From Frazzled to Fun

Celebrating Independence Day! 

I pray you have a blessed day full of family, spectacular celebrations, and lots of red, white and blue...all with gratitude in your heart to God.

Founding Father John Adams was one of the foremost proponents for America's independence, and later became our second president. 

A leader known for integrity and honesty, he was never afraid to speak out.

I want to honor him and share a couple of his quotes for us to ponder.

“I am apt to believe that (Independence Day) will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."

“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve...

Huge news yesterday.

I share my take on it in this short fireside chat.

• Life is WINNING!
• What does this overturn have to do with my son's birthday?
• This is only one of the NEW THING breakthroughs coming! 
• Healing for those with post-abortion grief and depression

His Kingdom come, His will be done! 

The battle between darkness and light is fierce these days, and it's out for our children.

In what many would have thought would have been a safe places -- first Disney, and now a major toy company -- they are promoting their perverted agendas to try and twist our children's minds.

End of May 2022, Mattel released a new Barbie doll, fashioned after actor Laverne Cox. "#TRANS IS BEAUTIFUL" is the new Barbie hashtag.

Trans actor Laverne Cox said the new Barbie doll in his image can be " a celebration of transness, and also a space for [children] to dream, understand and be reminded that trans is beautiful," he said. "That there's hope and possibility for them to be themselves."

In a statement shared with PEOPLE Magazine, Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, said the brand "couldn't be more excited" to partner with Laverne Cox on the transgender doll. 

(I wonder if this excitement would wane if we shared this with...

Dads do so much every day. Need some ideas for Father's Day?

Gifts can be very simple and meaningful at the same time, especially for men.

How do the dads in your life show love? That's probably the best way to show them love.

Here are a few simple ideas, along with the love language in parentheses:

• Make his favorite meal and everyone give him a homemade card (gifts/acts of service)
• Take his car to the carwash and have the kids help vacuum and wipe down the dash, etc. (acts of service)
• Tuck random notes from you and the kids in his closet, car, medicine chest. (words of affirmation)
• Do something as a family that he loves to do (quality time)
• Make little coupons for free backrub, footrub, or backscratch. (physical touch)
• Encourage older kids to write out 3 specific memories with their dad that were special. (words of affirmation/gifts/quality time affirming)

Remember, dads are typically low maintenance and these things -- homemade cards,  notes, coupons, etc. don't need...

Are you concerned about the "woke" messages trying to hit your kids from every side, including elementary schools'  ABCs of socialist activism — teaching kids terms such as “W is for woke,” “S is for social justice,” and “A is for activist”?

It's up to us as parents to be intentional to help our kids understand freedom and liberty is an important party of society.

I recently heard about a book series, the Tuttle Twins, that was written by a dad who teaches the ideas of a free society through fun stories.

Maybe this would be a great tool for your family?

One parent review said, "Tuttle Twins is a breath of fresh air amidst a one sided educational system that trains kids to be good employees rather than good citizens."

I even read reviews that said the parents learned a few things alongside their kids as they read through this series.

Check out the Tuttle Twins children's book series here.

On another...

Ingredients:

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken (or boned chicken thighs can be substituted)

4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

2 cans of Rotel tomatoes

4 medium ribs celery, diced

2 small zucchini, diced (2 cups)

1 bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced

24 ounce jar marinara sauce

2 jalapenos, seeded and diced

1 tsp red pepper flakes (for extra heat)

Directions:

1. Place the chicken in the slow cooker; add the garlic, tomatoes, celery, zucchini, and peppers. Pour the marinara sauce over all, and sprinkle the red pepper flakes on top (if you like it hot).

2. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 6 to 7 hours. Before serving, shred the chicken with a fork (and remove bones if needed). Serve over rice.

I was on the schedule to pray at the close of our church's Mother's Day Sunday service.

Little did I know what the Lord was going to prompt....

Nor did my pastor husband!

Chris had just preached a sermon on 2 Kings 4:1-7, which tells about a widow who was worried she wasn't going to be able to pay debts to creditors.

Elisha asked what she had in her house. 

She said she had a little oil.

She brought her little and God multiplied it.

He did the same thing in my kitchen one day. Watch the video to hear the story.

If you feel like in your life you might be "coming up short" in your patience, energy, or resources, I think my unexpected sermonette in our Mother's Day service might encourage you.

Mothers are gardeners of God, tending to the hearts of their children. 

- Roy Lessin

For every mom reading this post I pray the Lord gives supernatural insights, and that wisdom walks beside you as you do your "gardening".

You do so much every day for your family. I honor you on your day.

I pray this year the Lord heaps on you blessings beyond what you could ask or imagine.

We had two kids at the time, but late one Saturday night, my wife said … “it’s time.”

Did I forget to say we were 9 months pregnant … at least my wife was! "It’s time” wasn’t something she said often, so I didn’t hesitate to ask for further clarification.

We loaded up the car, called friends who had committed to come spend the night and watch our two older boys and we headed to Good Samaritan Hospital.

Upon arrival, we learned it apparently was time for a lot of other babies that night also.

We did all the typical stuff you do when a baby is about to be born -- paperwork, blood pressure, etc. I asked the attending nurse if we could get a room for my wife and she answered that no rooms were available and we could wait in the hallway. The waiting room was full but they had placed a few chairs in the hallway -- I got one for my wife and I stood by her.

When I asked how she was doing she said “it’s time".

My wife had...