God Archives - Page 8 of 8 - as Jules is going

Practical Peace

November 7, 2011 by Jules 4 Comments

How peaceful does this woman looks as she calmly gazes over her coupons or whatever she hold in that thing?

How about this lady? Don't we all wish we could be the lady at the super market with an adorable bun, fitted sweater, wearing HEELS as we pace about the aisles gazing at the goods around us!

Bahahahahaheheheheh

That is sooo not how my Monday grocery shopping trips go down.

I planned last night (as I do most weeks) to rise early, shower, get myself ready, feed and dress all 3 the children (With my amazing hubby's help), load my van by 8 (8:30 at the latest) to head out for a fun-filled morning of grocery shopping with my quant list.

7:30 my middle child is awake knocking on her door asking for daddy which wakes her younger brother

I jump in the shower
Matt takes the youngest 2 down stairs to feed them

8:15 I am blowing drying my hair only to be startled by my eldest staring at me in my bedroom
We go maker her bed, potty, brush hair and teeth, pick out clothes for everyone (tossing them down stairs)

8:30 Everyone is helping someone get clothes and shoes on

Matt and I load all 3 children into the van (children toting their diaper bags that had been tossed to them as jackets were being
layered on)

8:45 I pull in the bank to get cash out for the week...ATM doesn't work

8:50 TOTALLY stressed already I run by Sonic and get a Vanilla Dr Pepper {THANK YOU double Happy Hour!!!}
9:05 I pull back into the bank now that the drive through is open and get cash

9:25 I circle the Wal-Mart parking lot looking for a spot close enough to the door so maybe I can make it inside without any major
injury

9:30 I load all 3 of my children into 1 regular cart (meaning no really cool blue, double seater thingy)

9:32 I realize I left my list in the van and take my entire load back out to get it (so glad our parking spot wasn't too far from the
building)

9:35 Group potty break: Preschooler uses potty, Toddler gets a diaper change, Baby is awakened by all the noiseless of the store

9:45 We start our shopping adventure

I won't play-by-play the rest of the trip but lets just say there were missing shoes, 2 laundry baskets taking up the entire cart, an exhausted walking preschooler, a toddler past her a.m. nap fussy because she had to sit on top of the bottled water, 1 bottle made and drank, trading of the rider/walker (who ended up being held >1/2 the time), lot of "are those all your kids?" and "we saw YOU here last time" comments, forgotten items, back tracking, bad selections made, and one sweaty mamma at the check out handing over bananas the moment they were weighed.

My poor babes are always done by the time we get to the register. Usually before then. That's when it never fails something doesn't ring up right, the checker doesn't like my coupon, and I can't juggle breaking up a fight in the crowed cart and paying for my items fast enough.

There have been lots of rough trips to the store. As I stand at that register I breath deeply, focus on hierarchy of needs, and smile with consistent apologies if necessary to those waiting eagerly behind us.

To my surprise most people when you thank them for their patience respond with patience!

I had several encouraging women ask me, "Are you always this calm?" to which I always seem to respond, "If you could only see my insides... {churning}"

Why? Why do I respond that way? Yes, I want to be honest with people but I also want to be a witness in all I do. I am challenged to make this reoccurring situation one to seize!

My prayer is that I will be able to communicate this {Not in these exact words} next time: I am in charge of my actions

The Weymouth New Testament says in Acts 19:36 that "These facts, then, being unquestioned, it becomes you to maintain you...r self-control and not act recklessly."

and because God is in charge of my changing heart, I will rest in what the New Living Translation says

Zeph. 3:17, "For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

So next time you see me sweating like a sumo wrestler at the Wal-Mart check out line with 3 fussy babies, too many groceries for one cart, and a smile on my face, just know I'm attempting to practice practical calmness in hopes of resting in supernatural peace: practical peace!

~~~

What do your shopping trips look like?

Any helpful hints? {I've tried all kinds of things: different times, days, with the hubs, by myself, etc}

What reoccurring situation will you use to testify what God's doing in your life? How will you look different that the rest of the world when under stress?

Filed Under: The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness} Tagged With: Biblical living, calm, God, peace, practical, prayer, rest, wal-mart

What am I “called” to do?

November 1, 2011 by Jules 6 Comments

I just read Sarah Mae's post today {I Reject That I Can Do It All.} and it made me smile! I've been struggling with what I feel God is 'calling' me to. Reading lots of christian mom blogs I've come across the theme that, as a mom, your ministry IS your family and if you are doing 'ministry' or anything outside your home/family then you've missed your 'calling' as a mom.

I've struggled with this since I feel I'm gifted in administration and have always (before children) helped my husband with the organizational side of youth ministry. I've been feeling guilty as though I were neglecting my children for trying to continue in this ministry by getting a sitter to help my husband out with youth events. Many people would tell me that "your season of life is different now" and "this will pass and you can go back to doing some of that someday."

I'm just not sure if ministering only to Your family is really biblical.

I don't want to wish aways this season of life. I don't want to hoard or wait to use my gifting until I'm in a different season of life. If I never work on anything or with anyone outside our home/family won't that lead to ego-centric children who don't know what it looks like to serve others (outside their family)?

I also feel I'm gifted in working with children but hadn't been helping with a church plant/community children's ministry because I might be out past my children's bath/bed time and because it was in a rough part of town I might be putting my family in some kind of danger. BUT about a month ago I decided I wanted to attempt it anyways.

We (as a family) went to the park were the children (infants-teens and some parents) were being fed both physical food but more importantly the Word of God. We ALL fell in love with this ministry.

We are building relationships with people we would have never met. My husband it getting to use his gifts. I am getting to love on more children. My children are learning tons! They are learning a different culture and how to love people who are different from them. They are learning what it looks like to worship corporately.

They are learning to follow directions from another adult. They are mingle with lots of different ages.

They are learning to share their parents. They are learning 1st hand how to, what we call "Love on people".

I encourage all of you stay-at-home, homeschooling mammas to create teachable moments! Find your gifting. Find your family's gifting! USE THEM!

Don't just be hearers of the word, be doers. "

Jesus replied,'But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.'" Luke 11:28 NLT

Don't just tell your children what Gods Word says, SHOW them.

God allowed me to see that my vision of having an "as you are going, make disciples" kind of family, is well on its way with our learning inside AND outside the home approach. Last night at our churches Trunk or Treat ministry for Halloween my entire family served our community by handing out candy. I know, may not sound like much but let me break this down so you can see why this is my conformation:

We arrived at the church at 5 to set up our van.

We unhooked their car seats, setting them in the floor board of the van. We let them eat hotdogs while watching a movie (HUGE treat). Jamin got to sit in his stroller and enjoy the weather outside while Matt and I decorated the back hatch and loaded it with candy.

By 6pm all of our vehicles were organized into a giant 'safe circle' in our back parking lot, decorated, and loaded with candy to beginTrunk or Treat! From 6 until ~8 my 2 girls, Magdalene (3) and Isabella (2 in January), took turns giving candy to other children.

They were soooo excited to have their 'turn' to place giant handfuls of candy into trick-or-treaters bags. I loved watching their giant smiles. Izzie nearly chased children down in an attempt to give Everyone some candy. They did so good. They never complained that they didn't make the circle to collect candy for themselves. They weren't concerned with how much candy they gave away.

I love ministering not only to my family but with them!

How better to learn to love, worship, and serve than in your mother's lap?

~~~

What myths have you been taught about being a mom? What creative ways to you serve Jesus as a family?

*To see more pictures of the children's ministry I talked about, trunk or treat, or other ministries we do as a family Friend me on Facebook!!!

Filed Under: Cool Ministries, Parenting, The ones about the Rothacher Home Tagged With: candy, Children's Ministry, Christianity, church plant, family, God, Halloween, Jesus, Trunk-or-treat, youth ministry

Growing, Growing, GONE!

October 8, 2011 by Jules Leave a Comment

Years ago I decided that I would attempt to make everything I do be for the glory of God. {1Chr 10:31}

Many of you are thinking..."Well, DUH!" and some are confused. Please keep in mind: God does not ask me to be a pharisee-rule follower. He ask that I be a Christ-follower and He did not always follow the rules we, as humans, had created.

I took 1 Chronicles 10:31 literally! I also wanted to be like the original church, spoken about in Act.

44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity [fn10] — 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Acts 2:44-47

I made a promise to be set apart, weird, odd, different. Among the list of "normal" things I've decided to try and give God glory with "uncommon" ones. Simply reGifting to God. Kinda hard to find a gift for the God who made and owns everything. Here a few examples:

Car- it's not mine. I will always use it to in the way Jesus ask me to...ya know, since its His and all. I will giving rides to those in need. I will drive safely, considering the safety of those in my car and around it (sometimes that may mean Not speed; unless theirs an emergency. Or abiding by other driving laws) I will use it sparingly don't squander gas. I will be willing to let other borrow it (I have 2 and others have NONE).
Home- it's not mine. I will always have space available for guest (over night). I will always have a space available for someone to eat with us (extra food, chair(s), dishes, etc). I will keep it clean enough to have unexpected company at any time. I will share all the blessing in it and be willing to give away any of my things God ask (other have NONE).
Clothing- it's not mine. I will dress (myself and family not matter the age) modestly. I will not spend exorbitant amounts of money on any item of clothing. I will not have excessive amount of clothing (when others have NONE).
Hair- it's not mine. "WHAT?" I know, sounds odd. Stay with me.
I will take care of my hair's health. I will not let it consume huge chunks of time in my day. I will grow it out long enough to donate. I will not get major hair cuts before it's long enough in an attempt not to waste hair (when others have NONE).
Hair. I'd like to take a minute and share with you where this desire started in my life.

A man and woman were on an anniversary trip. So excited to have a vacation by themselves having left their 3 kids with relatives, they rode with wide grins in an elevator up the St. Louis Arch! FUN! The doors open and a small boy and his father enter with them. The small boy held his father's hand gazing around the elevator in awe. When his eyes became fixed in fascination on the man on the anniversary trip. "Daddy! He looks just like a crash dummy!" The man and his wife laughed at the little boys creativity. Yep, they could see where he got that! The man has alopecia. Alopecia Aretia.

Alopecia areata is a condition that causes round patches of hair loss, and can lead to total hair loss. The cause of alopecia areata is unknown. About a fifth of people with this condition have a family history of alopecia. Alopecia areata is thought to be an autoimmune condition. This occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. Alopecia areata is seen in men, women, and children. A major life event such as an illness, pregnancy, or trauma occurs before the hair loss in some, but not most patients
Forms of alopecia include:

Alopecia areata -- patches of hair loss, usually on the scalp, but they also can be in the beard or other areas

Alopecia totalis -- complete loss of scalp hair

Alopecia universalis -- total loss of all body hair
Most of the time there are no other symptoms besides hair loss, but some people may feel a burning sensation or itching.

Alopecia areata usually begins as one to two patches of hair loss, most often on the scalp. It may also be seen in the beard, eyebrows, and arms or legs. Roundish patches of hair loss are smooth, and may be peach-colored. Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometimes seen at the edges of a bald patch.

Loss of all scalp hair (alopecia totalis), often within 6 months after symptoms first start.

Loss of all scalp and body hair (alopecia universalis).

{All the above information on Alopecia was found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002421/ you can find addition information (i.e. optional treatments) there as well}

This story happened close to 20 years ago. I would have been ~7 years old. I heard this story first hand from my parents, the couple on the anniversary trip.

My dad has been a solid example of how a Christ-follower should be when faced with condition resulting in long-term "physical" effects. He has never flinched at the comments made, back in the day, when people would mutter "skin-head" or other derogatory comments about having no hair {Any Where}. He's always been open to anser question with a smile on his face about why he had no hair. When the bald spots began to out number the hair on his head he ask my mom to shave it all off. With tears rolling down her face, standing in the bathroom, I remember watching my mom buzz my dad's head and then use a razor to remove the remaining hair. Wearing hats for years and a few less family pictures may be a result of insecurity but you never really get that sentiment.

I have chosen to use All the things God has given me for His glory. God has blessed me with the ability...grow hair. I have chosen to live in a constant state of growing, growing, and some years grooooowing my hair only to have it be gone. With this commitment comes the privilege of trusting that God knew what He was doing when he made me and my hair. Requirements for hair donations include (but are not limited to):

Make sure hair is a minimum of 10-12 inches. Pull curly hair straight for a more accurate measurement.
Hair cannot be permed, color-treated, or highlighted. Temporary coloring or highlights that washout are acceptable.

I have done "the chop" 3 times now and I am currently in the growing, growing stage. I have donated to Locks of Love the past 3 times but recently found out their wigs are expensive for the recipients so this next time I am donating to Wigs for Kids! I'd say I have about 3-4 months before my hair is long enough to have 10-12 inches an about shoulder length left over. I want to challenge YOU to join me in the Growing, Growing, Gone process! I encourage anyone who can grow hair to do so for the sake of those who can't!!! Don't want to grow your hair that long? PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING PLEDGES FOR MY HAIR DONATION or SOMEONE YOU KNOW THAT GROWS!

~~~

Comment to join this hairy moment ;o), give other donation sites, or to make pledges!
Do you have a story to share. Comments are open!

~~~

For more information about both organizations click the following links:
http://www.locksoflove.org/donate.html and http://www.wigsforkids.org/donate

Filed Under: Cool Ministries, The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness} Tagged With: Alopecia Areata, chop off hair, Give Glory, God, Growing, Hair Loss, Locks of Love, Wigs for Kids

Ultimate FAIL

June 24, 2011 by Jules 7 Comments

Photo Credit

This week has been tough! As many of you may already know, ~~my husband~~, ~~my sanity~~, ~~my confidant~~, my literal other half, has been gone to Super Summer AR for the past 8 days and will finally be home tomorrow afternoon. It's times like these...ugg, when you're squeeeeezed, that your true self oozes out. No energy to "pull it together" or even fake it.

Several conversations with my best friends during this weeks ooze-fest have led me to post my ultimate fail!

Some conversation included a discussion about all the amazing blogs by Christian women I've been reading as well as the bible study I'm in at my church. Awe: The inspiration. The goals. The challenges. The utter disappointment in myself, as a wife, mom, and manager of my home.

Another set of conversations included major venting! Confessions rolled out of my mouth:

"I can't do this anymore! I cried, no, blubbered in my childs room before trying to make my way down stairs to appear unshaken in the eyes of my in-laws. I ignored the crying baby. I snatched up my daughter. I am not engaged with my children. I yell at my children to stop yelling. I lost a piece to my camera that makes it work. I let my kids watch way more than 2 hours a day of TV this week. I just want to hide in my pantry eating cookies. (true story) I love my babes and know God has chosen me to be their 'primary care giver' but I just don't want to today. I ate an entire box of oatmeal cream pies. I am out of Dr Pepper because I've been drinking way more than I should, especially while nursing. I spanked my child and told her we don't hit. My child (3) used the old-school phrase "none ya!" and I am the one she got it from. I can't find peace."

All the while the taunting thoughts, "I want to bottle what she has and bring her amazingness into my home. How does ______ do it?!?"

There it was. The very things I have been using to try to be who God wants me to be dug me deeper into Satan's lie- She has it all together. I was comparing myself to someone else. Wither the comparison is to exalt or belittle, it's wrong. Where another women is in her walk with Christ should have no barring on my relationship with Christ. My friend gently reminded me that "no one has it all together and they just aren't sharing those rough I-wanna-hide-in-the-pantry-eatting-all-the-cookies-in-peace days."

Though I have confessed this list of faults I want to you know that my ULTIMATE FAIL has been leading people, you, to believe I have it all together. Do you ever secretly desire to be that women that people ask, "GIRL, how DO you do it?" I do. I hide all kinds of faults and failures because of this pride built up inside me. I never again want to feel that desire to lead people to believe I have it all together.

Because I don't!

That's just it- GOD does it. Any and Every positive thing about my life is by the grace of God, not because I'm anywhere close to put together.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9

Sorry for leading any of you to believe I have it all figured out! I'm sorry if you ever ask yourself, "How does she do it?!?" New commitment: to exposing my weaknesses! Lets be real with one another.

"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For When I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:9-10

I am worn out!
I suffer a thorn!
I am undisciplined!

As I am writing this:

I keep flinching every time my stinky dog bangs against the siding on the front porch thinking...I don't know what, is coming to get me. I am fearful.

I am eating my 3-year-olds birthday cookies with a tub of frosting. -Sorry Nanna! Undisciplined.

Where are you on this journey of needing peer approval? Yours may not be the generic, "how does she do it". Do you struggle in with specific aspects of how someone else is pulling something off better?

Leave a comment so that we may "boast all the more gladly about [our] weakness[es], so that Christ's power may rest on [us]" and so we may encourage one another!

Filed Under: The Ones about Jules Life {Randomness} Tagged With: boast, confession, cookies, delight, dog, failures, faults, God, grace, julie rothacher, lie, power, satan, sorry, strong, tough, true, ugg, ultimate fail, weakness

31 Days to Clean: Day #1

May 1, 2011 by Jules Leave a Comment

31 Days to Clean Having a Martha House the Mary way

Day 1: Why Clean?

Mary Challenge: Make your “mission statement”. Mine states:

"I want my home to be a comfortable place to live;

where my children have fun throughout the day,

my husband is relaxed,

as a family, we are free to host guests at any time without feeling embarrassed about the condition of my home,

as well as be a good steward of what God has so richly blessed me with.

I want to Want and Love to live in my HOME."

My inspiration comes from a passage in the Old Testament every time I think about how I want to go about this hospitable thing:

2 Kings 4:10

¹⁰ Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him.

Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

My goal is to meet the needs of my family but right along side that to also create an atmosphere where any and everyone feel welcome, loved, comfortable and a desire to hang out at any hour of the day (this gets us in bind some days, hehe)! I also want to meet even the simplest needs: The text version, a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp, equates to our family providing a guest room (even if that means my kids will always share rooms), uncluttered space to bring in their things and/or a place at our table to eat, plenty of seating for conversation, and practical items: Extra toiletries, quick-fix food, etc.

Martha Challenge: Make your mission statement pretty and place it somewhere you can see it daily then organizing supplies.

I edited a picture (which I LOVE doing) of my home and typed out my "mission statement" on it, printed it at Wal-Mart and bought a CHEAP frame, then I gave it a home, with this yummy candle, on my kitchen counter between the sink and the stove. Just the place to see it (multiple times) daily! I feel kinda silly posting all this but I am hoping to hear Your stories of "why" you clean!To read more about the Shunammite woman, Elisha, and her reward for hospitality, click here.