February 18, 2015

February Reading Challenge --Update


1 a book you own but haven't read
2 a book that was made into a movie...The Davinci Code --ugh! It was the WORST!
3 a book you chose because of the cover alone
4 a book about women....."Ladies in Waiting, by Evans"
5 a book published this year
6 a book by an author you've never read before
7 a book by an author you love-- "Pied Piper" by Nevil Shute 
8 a book at the bottom of your "to read" list
9 a book with a color in the title
10 a book set in a place you've always wanted to go
11 a book you started but never finished
12 a book with a lion 
13 a book with a female heroine--"Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie"
14 a book set in summer
15a book you learned about online
16 a book that will make you smarter
17 book with a blue cover
18 a book you wish you'd read in school and didn't
19 a book "everyone" but you has read
20 a book with a great first line
21 a book of history
22 a book based on a true story
23 a book you love--reread
24 a book that is more than 10 years old
25 a book that is on the bbc best literature list 

Picture is of my 7 yo reading in school! 

January 21, 2015

Update: haven't done one in ages!!


Reading: The Prime of Miss Jean Brody 
Linking: 
Listening: the running of our washing machine, there has been fevers today and yesterday in our place and so were getting things clean!! 
Recovering: from a super busy two weeks! Sometimes life is so full it tires you out! 
Crazy Doug Fact: Every night (without fail) our little 3yo wanders into our bedroom between the hours of 10:30pm and 2am where she sleeps on the floor in a special spot her daddy has for her! We're getting lax the more kids we bring up! 
Crazy Doug Quote: "Momma, what's a VHS?" Yup totally happened. Made me feel old! 😳

January 17, 2015

2015 Book Challenge-- Interesting Goal!


1 a book you own but haven't read
2 a book that was made into a movie...the davinci code --ugh! It was the WORST!
3 a book you chose because of the cover alone
4 a book about women....."Ladies in Waiting, by Evans"
5 a book published this year
6 a book by an author you've never read before
7 a book by an author you love
8 a book at the bottom of your "to read" list
9 a book with a color in the title
10 a book set in a place you've always wanted to go
11 a book you started but never finished
12 a book with a lion 
13 a book with a female heroine
14 a book set in summer
15a book you learned about online
16 a book that will make you smarter
17 book with a blue cover
18 a book you wish you'd read in school and didn't
19 a book "everyone" but you has read
20 a book with a great first line
21 a book of history
22 a book based on a true story
23 a book you love--reread
24 a book that is more than 10 years old
25 a book that is on the bbc best literature list 



Where I found the idea: http://burns-familyblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/26-books-in-2015.html?m=1

December 14, 2014

Merry Christmas Time!!



As many of you know we don't send out physical cards! But we want you to know we love and appreciate all of our family and friends who make this time of year extra special! May you see the goodness of his mercy, the wisdom of his sovereignty, and the fellowship of his selfless love this year!! Much love from ALL the crazies!!


February 14, 2014

Freedom?

Having five kids has taught me one undeniable fact: I am NEVER free. If the calls of my name, the need of my constant vigilance or the 5 am wake up calls weren't enough to convince me of that fact the constant throng of strangers and loved ones telling me I'm nuts for willingly incarcerating myself in this homebound life would. I am NOT free by worldly standards. I would readily ascent to that fact, my life is not about me! Nothing I do at almost any point of the day is usually about me! (Obviously as a human I am not totally selfless nor is everything I do, but a lot of things are.) in fact the internal struggles away from self and toward service are very real!  But it ALL clarifies the reality that I am NOT free by our cultural standards. 

How does our culture view freedom? Our "idea" of freedom has become uniquely American over 3 centuries. We hold that doing whatever we want without the interference of others (esp government) is the epitome of freedom. So being autonomous! Owing nothing to anyone! Being able to persue my own truth--as the saying goes! To embrace my power! ALL these ideas encompasse our cultural indetification and definitions of freedom and my lifestyle doesn't mesh with this, as anyone who knows me sees easily. 

Too many people see that I have willingly and knowingly incarcerated myself. I have saddled myself with five very needy and high energy children. Plus I homeschool them (gasp) which furthur limits my ability to follow the cultures message of freedom. And my husband is a pastor, more people to take my freedom and serve. I also hold fast the message of truth. I'm limiting my freedom as far as culture and perception is concerned. But what if I'm not really incarcerated but truly more free than those who have held tightly to the reigns and rule of their lives?

What if freedom is about sacrifice? What it freedome is about laying it ALL down instead of hold it tightly? What if our definition of freedom is just another way of redefining hedonism or narcissism? What if seeking to serve and be spent for others really is the freedom we all seek?

When people look at me and think "why not just send them to school and give yourself a break?" I think the focus of freedom is too presently motivated. What I mean by that is is that so often the judgements we make concerning the freedom or lack of freedom in others is really only looking at a completely unsustainable reality--today. Freedom really isn't motivated in just today. 

If we define freedom by being free to spend and be spent in the cause of eternity then our entire perspective changes. If we define freedom in terms of others centered and not me centered then our lives are transformed. If the man who lived the freest life in history is the paradigm of our idea of freedom then we see that in laying it all down we see we are truly free. 

When we look at our chance of service as a sign that our bondage has ended. If we see the weak and needy-- not as impositions but as reminders of our former life of slavery to self. When we notice less of us and more of others there we truly see freedom! If we have been able to freely lay ourselves down we have tasted the freedom we will one day enjoy with him. Just as our savior was free to spend himself for our cause! Not only do we live the true gospel of freedom-- the most selfless act purchased our shackled lives out of eternal prison not to be served but to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others as a living testimony to what has taken place historically and internally! 

So maybe I'm not the one serving everyday in the bondage of a crazy life! Maybe I'm simply revealing what REAL freedom looks like? Maybe you aren't as free as you believe?

December 15, 2013

Christmas Card Time!

As many of you know we don't send out Christmas cards but we still wanted to share a Christmas greeting with you! Hope you have a worship-filled holiday and are awed by His work in your lives!

Blessings for this holiday and the coming year!

With love, 
The Crazy Doug Fam