This Little Chicken is 3

The other day in science we were reading about chicks and eggs. Did you know that mama chickens can hear their baby chicks when they are still in the eggs? I didn't know that...or didn't remember it anyway. So we were talking about how that's different than humans...mamas can't hear their babies when they are in their bellies.

But, then...wait.

Suddenly I thought about Cass. And how I heard her in my womb.

Around 25 weeks or so I started hearing this 'pop' in my belly. I had never heard that before and after a few weeks of hearing it several times a day, I finally remembered to google it. I thought the answer I saw was ludicrous personally...the baby is sucking his/her thumb and popping off and that's what I'm hearing? Absurd, I thought. Besides, I'd had three kids already and none had sucked their thumb...what were the chances?

About 5 minutes after she was born, she found that thumb. The next day we were both laying in the bed, and I heard that same 'pop'...this time it was outside my belly and coming from the sweet little bundle of baby laying nearby.

So...I heard little Cass in my womb.

"She's like a little chick," I told the kids. And then I thought of something else.

I call Cass 'Chicken.' It started out as just 'Chic'...like I call other girls sometimes...nothing specifically for Cass. But, then quickly it turned into 'Chicken' for Cass. "Good morning, my little Chicken," "Aww, Chicken...you fell down?" for example.

How funny that my little nickname for Cass is 'Chicken' and I heard her in the womb just as happens with real chickens. ;) Ha.

So...

Happy Birthday my cute little Chicken!!

Her birthday was actually Friday, but our internet hasn't been working. Still isn't...back to using the neighbor's every now and then.

But, we just love this little fun 3 year old! She is crazy and fun and opinionated. She is my first one who has very strong feelings about what she wears for example. Haha. She is very cuddly and loves her blankets...she doesn't just have one special blanket...she has a special type of blanket, so that's kind of handy (for washing purposes, etc.). She is very coordinated and graceful...has always been able to balance very well (and scare others around her half to death). She is 3, but honestly totally fits in with her 7, 6, and 4 1/2 year old siblings. She thinks that she is just their age...and acts accordingly.

We are so glad that God blessed us with this little girl 3 years ago!

Joel was traveling this past week and we weren't sure when he'd return, so a party this weekend didn't happen. We plan to do it next weekend. Little Miss Chicken has requested a Whale party. ;) I'll let you know how it goes.

And now for some pictures of the little birthday girl from the last few months...

One of my favorites.
"Like this, Daddy?"
"What about this?" ;)
Telling a big story to Daddy.
I just...
...love...
...her bedhead. There really is nothing that can compare. ;) (these all taken on Christmas morning)
This was also taken on Christmas morning...notice Cass and where her thumb is. (she had just woken up...she really only does it when tired or not quite sure of a new situation)
And this was just minutes after birth. She has a long history with that left thumb (only the left).
A little dancing.
My little swingster in her flapper. Yes, swing dancing is a part of our homeschooling. ;)
Dressing up with the sisters.
Helping big brother construct.

There was a little girl...
...who had a little curl...
...right in the middle of her forehead. (and no, I did not position that curl...just happened naturally like that)
Cass is the neighborhood doll.
At some nearby waterfalls when Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Priscilla were visiting...she had to pose a little bit.

We were hiking up a steep hill and this was right after Cass had said, "Oh lawwwdie, help me Jeeesus." (I have no idea where she gets this, by the way) :)
And just because I love this progression of shots.





Tippy-toes.



She's had that chocolate mole on her back since birth. Does that count as a birthmark or are people born with moles? ;)
Some dancing and twirling.



We love this girl!

40 Days

First of all, a tiny logistical update. Joel left yesterday to go to Manaus...one of our bases in the Amazon (the southern part of the Amazon). Really excited for him. We've lived here for 3 3/4 years and he's only been able to visit one base just briefly. There is a plane there that is needing some maintenance so he caught a ride with a plane on its way to Boa Vista and will be catching a ride back with a different plane coming down from Boa Vista (at the northern part of the Amazon region). Not sure when that will be, but hopefully within the week. The kids and I are fine...can I just shout from the rooftops how much easier something like this is now than when I had four 4 and under?!? :) Whew. So, we are doing well, but just pray for us all as we are separated...for safety and health and nothing major to go wrong with the house or car or anything like that and...you know what to pray for. ;)

Now...

A couple of posts ago I wrote about how I was entering into a time of separation. I knew that I was desperately needing that...desperately. So I began to pray about what that should look like and then I realized that it was Carnaval time here in Brazil (same as Mardi Gras). Which meant that Lent was arriving.
'
Growing up we never observed Lent. I didn't know anyone who did...that was 'for the Catholics' and there were really none of those in my small town, so I didn't rub shoulders with Lent-observers. Later as I moved around to several different places and met all kinds of people, I met many Protestants who definitely observed Lent. And why not? We observe Advent, why not Lent?

So, every now and then I would do a little something for Lent...nothing major, but something.

Of course it is my desire to always focus my kids on Jesus, no matter what season it is. But, certain seasons lend itself to even deeper focus, so I've always wanted to really commemorate Advent and Lent more at some point with them. This was the year to start...they are really at the age to understand and it was just a perfect time to introduce this family tradition.

And, I was desperate to meet with God in a really concentrated way.

So, quickly...what we are doing with the kids is this. It's fun, it's simple, and they really learn a lot. The enemy is not liking this. Literally the week Lent started, Joel started having to stay at work until the kids' bedtime practically every night. He's been swamped...and now he's not here at all. Not that that's the enemy's doing, but he's getting a kick out of it not working out the way we'd planned. We wanted to do it as a family, but I've determined to do it no matter what...even if Joel's not here. So, we are working through that and they love it.

As for me...I'm just in awe of how incredible this time has been. And I'm only on Day 11!!

What does this time look like for me? Well, I wake early and am going through two Bible studies.

1) A Call to Die by David Nasser (which I see is now in its 11th printing and has a new cover...I have this 'old' black copy). I got this book and actually started doing it the first time on March 23, 2000 (it's written in the front of the book). I wasn't even married yet...Joel and I weren't even together. Funny to think about. I met Nasser when my friend was working as his manager. They came through the D/FW area and he spoke at a conference and I met them over there (ironically, I hitched a ride with Joel and his friends who were all going camping over there). He gave me a copy of this book (which was brand new at the time) and let me just say...it is really, really good. And is hitting me in the gut once again, 11 years later, albeit in different areas.

2) Every Thursday morning we have an English-speaking ladies' Bible study here at my house. Right now we are doing One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer. Oh. My. Gosh. Seriously, again...God is just speaking straight to me each and every day. That link is for the book...and then you can purchase the video sessions for just 4.99 each. Or, honestly...when googling for this link I saw one site (a google site) that had the whole book online. Not sure how that works legally or ethically, but I'm sure if you just can't afford it and are needing some freedom in your life, Priscilla might not mind. You might want to ask her first though. ;)

Along with those two things, a sweet friend of mine pointed me to their Kairos ministry at their church...who has made available online teachings. Kairos is a freedom ministry and they have them all over...another friend of mine goes to a Kairos in Nashville. But I had no idea that I could access them online. So, I was thrilled to hear that and these teachings are SOOOOO INCREDIBLE. Really, you should listen.

I'm also fasting. 1) Sugar...as in the regular thing that we think of as sugar. But then also the things that really turn to sugar as soon as they enter your body anyway...grains/breads and fruits...all of them. I am using honey though...to sweeten my hot tea when I have it. 2) Internet. More specifically, I do not check Facebook or my email until after the kids' bedtime every day. I am occasionally still on the internet during the day, but only when I need a recipe or am using the computer for homeschool. It's been a significant difference. And just be aware...if you have a question for me or need to get in touch with me, I will not 'see you' until after 8pm (my time) every night. Fasting just brings a whole wonderful level of discipline, focus, and sound mind...and frees up more time to spend that concentrated time with God.

So, doing those things and spending lots of time with God. So refreshing and just what I needed. I'm already walking in a new level of freedom and peace and sound mind. And that is being made evident in my life daily.

This post has gotten really long, so I will save more for later. There are so many exciting things to tell.

2011 So Far

I will post soon about what's going on with me (as a follow-up to the last post), but I wanted to quickly just take note of some of the big things that have already happened this year.

January 3rd, Grady turned 7. SEVEN!! Oh my lordt, what on earth? ;) He wanted a small little celebration...just him and two of his friends to go to the movies (they saw Megamind) and then for them to come back afterward and have cake/ice cream/presents with me and the girls, spaceships theme. He knew that he wanted the movie to just be the boys, so earlier that week he asked me out for a date. ;) Melt my heart. He wanted to do something special with me too (I pray that trend continues for...forever). ;)

He's getting so big and is so handsome...loves to learn and figure out how things are done and work. He thinks a lot and I just love that about him. He's the best big brother there ever was and I just love who he is. We no longer have 'Bible time' every night, mostly because we are back to homeschooling here and have a lot of Bible time discussions during homeschool daily. But, occasionally I still put him to bed and have a little time of just me and him, reading about who he wants to read about in the Word. He's very tall (I need to measure him) and loves to ride his bike. And, I could just go on and on...but, the main point I wanted to make? He's 7 now. ;) And we love him! I love the fun things they all say and wish that I could write them all down, but it's just not feasible to do that...I'd spend so much time each day doing that. ;) But, one thing that Grady said the other day...we were playing War and I had won one of the battles and I said the old saying "I won, I won, I shot the BB gun; you lost, you lost, you ate the applesauce." Well, the next battle he won. He said, "I got the apple pie. You've got to go hunting for your food." Ha...nice.

February 17th, Joel and I celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss. ;) When we got back to the states at the end of 2009, we hadn't even been married quite 9 years yet, but we had a feeling that we'd make it to 10. ;) Plus, I'd never been and really wanted to go, so we took a little 3 or 4-day trip (I can't even remember now) to New York City. We kind of counted that as a little pre-celebration of the big 1-0 since we knew we'd probably not be able to get away on our actual 10-year. But, on the actual day of 10 years, Joel's parents were here. So, they stayed with the kids and we went to a favorite restaurant of ours here.

Sooo hilarious...over the course of conversation we actually came to the realization that the past 10 years have been really difficult. Hahaha. Not anything to do with our relationship/marriage. But, just all the other factors...lots of moves, lots of transition, several jobs, lots of lots of stuff (stressful stuff). Going through those things at the time we didn't really think about it...challenging things, yes, but we just put one foot in front of the other and went on with our daily lives. Only when looking back and 'summing up' our last 10 years did we realize it...and we just had to laugh. And toast our coke and juice glasses to a smoother, easier next 10 years. But, I have grown SOOO much the past 10 years with this incredible man I call my husband. It's been amazing and I'm so thankful for him and for the children that he helped to create. ;)

February 20th, Hadley turned 6. First, we took advantage of a movie that was showing a couple of weeks before her birthday. We all went to see Tangled, along with a couple of other friends that Hadley invited (she pointed out that her inviting Grady along was like putting hot things on him 'heaping lumps of coal on his head;' I promise that she wasn't mad at him for not inviting everyone when he went to the movies for his birthday, but she just thought it was funny and got a kick out of the fact that she was being soooo kind to him on her birthday by inviting him along; I guess you can tell which Bible verse they had learned that week...ha). She told me she wanted the bear that eats bamboo for her birthday. Not sure why I thought of koala first. Well, maybe because I have no idea what bears eat, good grief. But, a friend of ours was over and asked, "Panda?" And panda it was. We had a small little party with her friends here at the seminary and a couple of friends from Asas. We had it at the seminary park and they had lots of fun.

She continues to be such a spunky, fun little girl. I like her a lot. ;) She's really quick to learn things...picks them up fast, figures things out easily. And she's such a great big sister to Eissa and Cass and best friend to Grady. Hadley is forever saying cute little things, but today it was raining and she remarked that earlier she had thought it was only going to 'sparkle' (sprinkle). I'm going to have to try to just have my computer handy at all times to write down more cuteness that they say. I'll be glad I did later, even though they'll probably be like 'why are you always stopping our conversations to type on your computer?' Yeah, on second thought, it might not work. We'll see how much I get recorded.

Anyway, just wanted to take note of these things. Oh, Joel is also another year older as of February 6th (beginning of the year is a pretty busy time for us)...34 years old. :) And, that's it for the 2011 updates right now. Hope you are having a great weekend.

A Return and Departure

I've walked in freedom before.

Throughout the past several years, many things have been revealed about things in my life...some things that have involved others, some that do not. Generational things that I didn't even know existed in my freedom-walking of yesteryear.

What did I do with those things? Not always the right things I'm afraid...otherwise I'd be in a different spot right now probably. But it was all I could do at the time. And God in His mercy has kept me during this time. I held those things at bay best I could, but they must be destroyed.

Breaking free from the unhealthy things in your life is never easy. As unhealthy and undesirable as they are, they are also all you've ever known and 'comfortable.' It's like the poor Israelites...although slaves, that was all they knew for almost 400 years...for generations. In many ways, they were comfortable. And ripping yourself away from what you've always known, whether good or bad, is anything but comfortable or easy.

What are the things I speak of? The crazy thing is that as of now, I couldn't even provide you with a list of what those things are. But, they are very evident in my life.

So begins a time of major reflection, prayer, separation of 'the things of this world' in my life, and major meeting with God for empowerment, clarity, direction, peace, growth...and then moving forward, never to return.

I've walked in freedom before. And I will again.

Who Are You?

I've pondered this often...especially in recent months/years.

Circumstances change you. Where you live, who you are with, the things that happen to you in your life (good and bad). I am a very different person now in some ways at the age of 36 than I was when I was 16 or 26.

With time, things have come to light about certain things in my life...and it's changed me. We've moved, many times...and that's changed me. My 'job description' has changed many times, the types of people who surround me has changed many times...and both of these things can change a person. The things that you learn along the way (information) can really change you.

There are many outside factors that can mold and shape a person, but who you are at your core...who is that? One of my most favorite people did a post on her blog today about this very thing.

Who am I? The first thing that pops into my head is Mama. And, on some level, even if I didn't have children that would still be true. I've always had a heart for mothering. But, what word best describes me. As my friend's blog title said, what you do is not who you are. Mama could still be my description on some levels, like I said. But, what word best describes *all* that I am, *who* I am?

My friend's word is adventurous. Her husband's word is unusual.

I think I have a word for myself, something that describes me in all areas of life, including motherhood. It's actually a word that was given to me by others back in college. But, I'll have to think on it some more. What do you think my word should be?

And what about you? Tell me...who are you?

Been a While, Ay?

Someone asked me yesterday if I had decided to quit blogging. Whoops. It certainly looks like it, but there have been several factors that just prohibited me from updating. Two being...

1) Our internet has been HORRIBLE the past month. Even now, I am typing this up, but who knows when I'll actually get to publish it. It took me several hours yesterday just to get one email shot off. So, that definitely hinders the progress of blog posting (or communicating at all, for those of you who haven't gotten any replies to emails or other correspondence). Update: All day long I tried to post this. When Joel got home he put his laptop in the window and borrowed the neighbor's password/internet. I'm now standing on one leg holding my breath in the window as I try to publish. We'll see if it works.)
2) My laptop broke a few weeks ago (see #1...how Joel's laptop is the one in the window). So to use the computer at all I am confined to our study. Doesn't work so well when the chitlins are awake and then when they are asleep I prefer to do other things these days...like veg on the couch instead of sitting at a desk in the study.

There have been several things going on around here though. For those of you who are friends with me on Facebook (and I show up in your News Feed), you are more up to speed. But, then again I don't put everything on Facebook, so here's a little rundown...

We are so enjoying being back in Anápolis and in a routine. Life is good and we just LOVE where we live (have I ever mentioned that?). :) The seminary campus we live on is just so perfect for us...love love love it. I miss the states and all of you there and I always will. But I really love it here too and after years of travel and moving, I'm just feeling very...settled (ahh) at the moment. It's nice.

Homeschooling is going great. We are getting all caught up on what we got 'behind' on (according to my goal schedule) during our time of travel all last year. It's busy, but we are loving it. Little tangent: One of the books we are reading right now is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. There are so many things in the book that are not in the movie! ;) Who knew? ;) Tangent complete. We will finish up Kindergarten in March and then start on 1st Grade sometime in April...only a couple of months later than our normal projected start date for a new grade/school year (the goal always being February since we follow the Brazilian school year), but considering how far behind we were due to travel, I am very impressed with us. ;)

The kids have also been doing a 'money class.' It's been so great to watch them learn all about what God has in mind related to money according to His Word...to show them that He really does say a lot about it. They've learned all about being a good steward, giving, saving, spending, debt, honesty, and more. We only have one more lesson and then they will receive their very own bank with slots for giving, saving, and spending...and start receiving regular pay for specific jobs they do around here.

A couple of weeks ago Grady started Portuguese class at Kumon. He goes for an hour twice a week. He loves it and it's going really well. It involves a lot of reading...in Portuguese obviously. So, when Hadley has finished her 'learning to read' lessons and has a good grasp of reading in English (has had time practicing), she will start the same program...I'm thinking at the beginning of next year probably.

Eissa is chomping at the bits to start school...has been asking consistently for the past two weeks. So, I'm so glad that I got the Sonlight 3/4 curriculum (3/4 stands for 3 and 4 years old) for her and Cass back in December. It will be arriving shortly. It's basically just a curriculum full of great books to read and fun activities. But, they are great books and it will truly give them such satisfaction in having their very own 'school time.' We do that now a bit...not hard to do with a 4 and almost 3 year old...pictures to color, letters to trace. But, of course with her obsession with books, Eissa's and Cass' teacher is very excited about their formal school curriculum. ;)

How did the curriculum get to Brazil? Well, Joel's parents are in-country. They came with their church in Salem, Massachusetts for a mission trip and they have stayed on after the team left to travel and visit. I know they are LOVING being back 'home' after all these years...they moved to the states around '95/'96 or so (I don't remember exactly) and haven't been back to Brazil since. I'm very happy for them and also very happy that they will be showing up on our doorstep in just a few short days. Always great to have visitors.

Not sure if I have posted the top picture before or not. It was one of the picture we took when taking Christmas card pictures. And, that's all of the update for now. It's past time for breakfast and the kids' banana appetizer is going to wear off soon. ;) Have a great Friday everyone.

And...12 hours later literally, I'm hoping to post this. My Friday was horrible actually...lost Joel's wallet downtown, had a sick one (who threw up all over the couch...poor thing), ran out of diapers and milk (that I was supposed to get but lost the wallet instead). Ha. Glad it's over. I'm about to hit the reset button and hope for a great weekend. You have a great one too.

NEVER Hurts to Dream

You all know of our gypsy lives. We've lived in the grace of God for that kind of life for the past 10 years, 7 of those years with small children in tow.

The grace has been fleeting gradually as the years have worn on. In fact, so much so that last year about this time, Joel and I sat down and had a big heart-to-heart. Our time there in the states was so bad and stressful before we found a place to stay that I even told him that I wasn't going to be getting on the plane back to Brazil if we didn't have a place of our own in the states to come back to. Yes...yes I did. :) I had to be honest with him. That was literally the point I was at emotionally and physically. I'd say the grace was gone. ;)

Saline, Louisiana is our home base there in the states. Just logical...the big majority of our friends and prayer/financial supporters are there in the south, spread from Louisiana to Arizona (a big portion actually in Saline itself...Saline is small, but they are generous). I grew up there in Saline, so there is just a built-in sense of community (which Joel feels too), not to mention my extended family lives there. So, basically sense we've been married, but especially starting in 2006, we've been actively looking for and praying about a place of our own there.

Nothing ever panned out. Either it was just way out of our budget or not suitable for our family's needs...plus the fact that the options for something on sale are very slim around there. A community of about 300 people is typically just not booming in real estate. So, we prayed. And waited. And prayed. And waited.

But, let me take you back even further. I LOVED living in Saline. You all know that. 'Paradise' as you know. So, I often used to dream of the places I would live. There are some really great spots around there...almost every spot is a great spot really. But, there was one spot in particular that I remember dreaming about ever since I was a little girl.

This spot.


My Granddaddy's lake lots (the family hot spot during the summer) are right next to this spot (I'm taking the picture from the family dock) and at one point this spot was so fine and fixed up. The lawn was always beautiful and green. The sea wall was just really pretty. Loved everything about it. As a teenager/young 20-something chic I spent a lot of time just laying on that water. A blown-up raft was always with me in the back of my car and even if I had just a 20-minute block of time, I would head out there really quick and swim and lay. Always worked since I made it a practice to always have my swimsuit on (as my underwear) too.

As I would lay there, I would glance over at that spot. And dream.

It was Bro. Holloway's land. He and his wife no longer lived in the area, but would travel over occasionally from Dallas to stay on that spot...and attend the 5th Sunday Singing of course. ;) My family always 'put our names in' for that land, as did others. After Joel and I got married, I actually called him several times, every 2 years or so, just to see. He's an older gentlemen and he lost his wife a few years ago. Started not making the trip so often. So, occasionally after a trip out to the lake, I'd give him a ring. He wasn't a stranger, so it wasn't weird or anything. He was never interested in selling. His favorite answer was, "Wellllll...I'm not dead yet." :) Cute. And true. :)

Last spring I was in the process of getting his phone number again...for about 2 months. ;) Finally, on May 15th, my cousin was able to get it from her dad and gave it to me. But, that was the weekend that my brother was graduating from high school and my other brother was in town and we were all just really busy in general. I planned to call him that Monday.

Sunday night we got a call that Bro. Holloway, although still very alive (hahaha), was SELLING!! But, we weren't home and didn't get the message until Monday morning. I had a meeting in a nearby town that day, so had left early. Joel called me to tell me the message he had just listened to, that 'our spot' was for sale. I was in a library. I tried to be quiet. ;) We called and said we'd buy it that very hour. They were headed out to put the 'for sale' signs up that day...we called before they even had a chance.

Did I mention that it also happened to be my birthday?!?

Well, looooonnnnngggg story (May to December long) short, as of last month right before Christmas, that spot really is 'OUR SPOT.'

Yes, we are landowners. And we are happy.

Plans? Pay off the land (which was a stinkin' steal) and then build a little something there to house the Ebersoles when they make their way back home...and possibly even after retirement, if that happens for us (some people never retire you know) and if that is still our spot at that point. So, we won't actually have a physical place to stay in for a while yet, but we are well on our way and that was good enough for me to get on that plane. ;) Kidding. But, really...it did do so much for my heart. God saw and heard and knew...and provided. The gift of my dreams...literally.

Look at that view.

Sally's Wisdom

Again.

I've re-directed to her before. But, you guys...she's just that good. ;)

I haven't read her blog in a while. Just haven't made the time. But, we got all done with breakfast and the kids started playing together SO WELL and using their imaginations BIG TIME, so I just let them play instead of doing the other things we need to do. Sometimes they just need that. So I set aside my to-do list for a bit while they exercise those imaginations.

Today I read Sally while they were 'exercising.'

For those of you who read her blog already, my blog post is pointless for you today. But, if you haven't read it, head over. Truly great for you personally if you are this kind of person, and also great if you are trying to figure out what to do with a child like this. I am linking to the Part 2. But, be sure to go back and find the Part 1 part too...it's really good (and not directly before Part 2, so just keep pushing 'older post' until you get there).

And, here you go. Sally's wisdom.

Your Mind and Your Brain

I love Joyce. After I posted my last post the other day, I've been watching these videos over the last couple of days. So very interesting. If you find yourself in a place where you do not want to be, if you find yourself wishing that your life was different, take the time to watch these. Then really get on your face before God and ask Him to help you to apply these principles. And drastically change your life.

Your Mind is the Battlefield - Part 1

Your Mind is the Battlefield - Part 2

The lady that Joyce is talking to here is so very interesting. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak in person at a conference I went to while in the states. You have to really listen closely when she speaks because she is just so very passionate about what she's talking about. It's nearly impossible to take notes when in her sessions. Hahaha. She speaks in one big run-on sentence and doesn't take a breath. But, UH-MAZING what she has to say. God is simply incredible...and so is the way He made our bodies. Love how science even shows that. And...love her accent. ;)

Your Brain and You - Part 1

Your Brain and You - Part 2

What Picture Have You Painted?

Excerpt from a book I'm reading:

Most people have what they are not firmly embedded in their minds. There's a saying, "Argue for your limitations and they're yours." Very true.

If you say, "I'm not a morning person," "I don't like to exercise," "I'm not very disciplined," I just hate vegetables," "I'm lazy," "I'm a procrastinator," "I'm depressed," "I'm fat," "I'm old," or "I'm sick," then you're absolutely right!

However, if you say, "I'm a 'go-to-bed-on-time-and-get-up-ready-to-rock-and-roll-at-6:00-a.m.' kind of person," "I love the feeling I get from completing a workout," "I am disciplined and motivated," "I am healthy," and "I am orderly and a hard worker," then you're absolutely right!

What you need is to exchange your old, lousy, self-loathing, limiting beliefs for ones that actually are moving you toward the person you dream to be, the person you were created to be, and the person you really are.

What Joyce Meyer said long ago is true. The battlefield is the mind.

I love to hear my kids reminding each other of the right things to do and choices to make. I'll hear them in the other room saying things like, "Remember, use self-control," "Uh-oh, remember, don't fuss," "Remember, put others first," or "Remember, Mama said words are powerful." Words are powerful.

But, the other day it came time to take it a step further. Hadley started to say something and then stopped herself. I asked her what she was going to say and she told me. Then I said, "Yeah, that's not nice, huh?" She smiled and said, "Yes, that's why I didn't say it." :) Loved that. It's working. The endless training is working. :)

But, it opened the door to a discussion about how the next step to that is to not even have those wrong thoughts. Or, to take those thoughts captive. If you practice that enough, taking those thoughts captive, you get quicker and quicker at not entertaining those thoughts. Every time you have a wrong thought, you immediately take it captive. The more you do it, the quicker you get. And the more you practice that, you start to not have those thoughts at all. It's called renewing your mind. It's a lovely thing.

Your actions spring forth from the way you see yourself and think. Your life and who you are is a direct reflection of your thoughts...of your mind.

So, what picture have you painted of yourself that you repaint every day? Do you paint positive things about yourself? If not, what are you going to do to change that this year?

Hope You Had...

...a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Ours was soooo great. It's been 3 years since we had been home on Christmas, so it was really great to just stay put and relax and enjoy each other. It's great setting up your own traditions with your own family. Lots and lots of fun.

Things have been pretty busy around here...as in most places I'm guessing. I mean, you've been pretty busy too, right? ;) But, it's time for a major update and I am also needing to just document a few fun family facts from recent history. ;) So, bullet points, here we come.

Update...

Everyone is doing well. Grady got a Legos spaceship for Christmas, so he's spent every. waking. moment here at home doing that. He just finished it up as I was typing this. Now he and the girls are playing with it and using LOTS of imagination.

The girls' biggest hit gift-wise as far as what they've spent most time doing since Christmas is their make-up. Of course. It's never far away.

It's been a wonderful few days.

Joel had a reunion of his old youth group yesterday in Goiania. It was so fun to meet all his old running buddies. They are all really fun...a bunch of characters that had us laughing all afternoon for sure. We talked and laughed and had churrasco and they played music...and played music...and played music. Joel said that is mostly what they always did together. We even had a mini Setimo Selo (Seventh Seal) revival...hahaha (Joel's old band that was actually really successful). Then we went to church with Marcelo. Really fun. He's our closest friend out of Joel's old bunch (and was also part of Setimo Selo). :) We hang out with him a lot.

Joel now has the week off of work...so looking forward to this. We will be working on the house. We are really making this house our home these days...working on getting it all organized and fitting our needs. For instance, Joel built a huge custom bookshelf in our little study...and it's exactly what we needed. We have plans to do that in all of the rooms of the house...to do whatever each room needs to make the most of the space we have here. A really needed long-term project. Will be soooo good when it's finished though.

And now the bullet points...

(A couple of disclaimers before I get started. 1) You may have seen a couple of these on Facebook already, but wanted to document them here, and 2) This is about what I love about homeschooling, not about you who may not homeschool and me thinking you should. Hate I feel the need to point that out every time I mention homeschooling, honestly, but want to make sure that you are not reading disapproval of your lifestyle into my one paragraph. Everyone makes their own choices. I'm more than happy with our choice to homeschool. If you feel the same way about whatever choice your family made, then we are all good. :) Now on with the bullet points.)

--Eissa has been soooo funny the last few months. She makes so many words have way more syllables than they should. And it started after we left Saline, which is weird. ;) But, for instance, she says 'again' like 'uh-gee-uhn' and 'man' like 'may-uhn' and 'pants' like 'pay-uhnts' and 'get' like 'gee-uht'...you gee-uht the picture. It's really cute.

--Eissa also got a new bike a couple of weeks ago. It's actually Hadley's old bike and Hadley got a new one. Poor Eissa...she got the hand-me-down and Hadley has now gotten 2 new bikes in her life. But, there was not even a sound uttered about that from her. She was so excited about getting a bike period...she didn't even think to complain about it not being new and Hadley getting another new one. So sweet.

--BUT, Eissa will be getting a new one soon herself. Because Cass will be getting the hand-me-down Hadley/Eissa bike...it's time.

--Grady continues to be really into 'Bible time' at night. He is so into the Word...it's really cool. Remember when he was saying "I want God to just go away" back in August? I really think that a lot of that had to do with the fact that He was very weary. Weary of travel...weary of following God who was calling us to travel. He said something to the affect of "I want God to go away so I can live where I want to live and do what I want to do" more than once during those few days when we were having those discussions. Thankfully, God is allowing us to stay put for a while. God knew that Grady needed that (along with all of us actually). But, our Bible time at night continues to be SO rich with discussion and learning. Love it. Oh, and Grady hasn't said anything like that anymore...in fact, he even told me that God could stay. Nice. :)

--I hear "I love you bery so much" or "Ohhh, I just love you" from Eissa several times a day. And Hadley is also very lovey dovey...always wanting to give me a big kiss on the cheek. Cass tells me often, "Mama, you're my best friend." Ha...love that...and hope this trend continues...forever. Doing my best to keep it going, that's for sure.

--My kids say 'starving' for everything. "Oh, I'm just starving to play" or "Oh, I'm just starving to watch a movie" or "I'm so starving to go outside and ride my bike." Last night we got home reeeeeealy late and they were saying, "Oh, I'm so starving to go to sleep." Hahaha.

--They can be pretty dramatic in the way they put things. This morning they were waiting for us to get breakfast when Hadley said suddenly, 'Ohhhhh, I'm just filled with hunger.' :)

--I was about to fix the girls' hair one morning. Eissa said, "I'm first, because I'm so beautiful" (she had just put on a pretty little pink dress made by Grandma that she can twirl around in and make a full skirt...she loves it). She said that and then she tripped over her own feet and fell down. Hadley immediately and very matter-of-factly pointed out to her, "Pride comes before a fall." :)

--Cass says the best prayers at mealtime. Super cute.

--We talk a lot about hearing God. There have been so many things that we've read in school these days that have brought up discussions about the many different ways that God can speak to you. This morning Grady and Hadley had been being playing too loudly. Cass was still asleep, so I had told them to stop doing what they were doing...then they went back to doing it anyway and that's where Hadley's story picks up. She came to me and said, "Me and Grady were playing and I heard God say, 'That isn't the right thing to do.' He gave me thoughts. I think He was talking through the lamp." ;)

--Cass just came up to me and said, "Mama, I got all your stuff-es." Stuff, but there was lots of stuff, so she felt the need to make it plural I guess. Ha. Love these kids.

--LOVE the homeschooling these days. Just in the past 3 weeks we've read stories about the Holocaust (yes, in Kindergarten), bullying, the poor conditions of the Appalachian Mountains, and many more incredible stories that have brought up countless important and incredible discussions. And it's continuous, these discussions. And, whenever I see something throughout our days that relates to what we are learning in school, I can point it out. Many people ask why it's so important to me to homeschool. These are just a few of the reasons. I couldn't do that if I sent them to school. Not that we wouldn't still talk and discuss things...but our lives and activities just wouldn't be nearly as intertwined and all working together. It's nice.

--As I was finishing this post up, Cass and Eissa came to sit with me. They are playing, one on each side of me. Cass said, "Mama, you are my best friend." Eissa said, "I love you bery so much. I wish I could keep you." Hahaha. I said, "So why can't you keep me?" Eissa said, "O.K., I will keep you as a pet." HA. So I asked her, "Why can't you just keep me as a Mama?" Eissa: "Ohhhh, right." And then Cass named me 'Sissarena' and has been calling me that for the past 10 minutes. ;) She's insisting that I call her 'Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the Way.' Fun times.

--Hopefully you have all gotten our Christmas cards by now. ;) If not, they are coming really soon. The friends of ours here in Brazil have not...nor have other international folk. But soon. They were all mailed out on the 23rd...thanks to Joel's wonderful parents and brother and sister for carrying out this major project for us. Next year, since we have no plans of traveling this year at all (that we know of anyway...although I do still hold out hope for being able to travel to one very special big event), we will be settled and normal (hopefully) and calm and set in a schedule. All things I look forward to in this coming year. And...we will be able to get things done in an orderly fashion. Ahhh...it will be nice. But, these are just a few of the pictures we took during our Christmas photo op. As always, click on the image to see an enlarged version. Enjoy. ;)

40 Weeks and An Opportunity to Bless/Save

We just got done with our last adoption class on Monday night. We have been approved to adopt since last spring and on 'the list' since that time as well. All that was lacking were these classes to complete our process. I can't even tell you how excited I am. Eeeek!!

Monday night as we were chatting with the leader after class, we realized that given our list of preferences (or non-preferences)...doesn't matter the race or the gender, we're fine with the ages of up to 3 years old, we will accept sibling groups...man, we could get a call any day. OF COURSE, it could also be 3 years down the road...only God knows the day and the hour. ;) But, it really is kind of like being about 40 weeks pregnant (ahh, the anticipation; so fun!!)...could happen any day. Which got us to thinking...

What if we are presented with a sibling group, like next week? Hmmm...where will we fit them? :) Our car at the moment will only hold one more person. This house is not ours and we could technically be asked to move out at any given time...but, besides that, we are really kind of growing out of it, esp. if we accumulate more children and people want to come visit (which they always do, something that we are so very thankful for...love hosting you visitors, so keep 'em comin'). What then? So...as much as I want to just settle (and we are until God moves us onward), if I'm honest with myself, change is still in the air.

And what does that have to do with you?

Well, I am writing today about a neat thing that we just learned about recently. We had really kind of put in on the backburner, but felt a little nudge to get at this last night. Let me tell you about it...

But, first a little history for those of you who have maybe just happened upon this here blog. We are missionaries with a Brazilian organization that uses aviation to reach and help others. Being a missionary, in our case, means that we live on support/donations. That is always a thing that requires just a whole lotta trust and faith, you know? A very different lifestyle to lead.

We have never actually been 100% funded, according to the basic-needs budget that we set up for our family (only around 70% to be honest). Our 'income' varies from month to month...and some months are pretty darn tight. But, somehow God has always provided (as usual...He's like that) whether it be through special one-time monetary gifts or through someone just giving us the material things that we are in need of. So very blessed and thankful for that.

We are always mindful, though, of watching out for ways to practically generate funds for our ministry. I can't stand a scam. ;) Or nagging for money or even asking nicely for people to give money just because they love us. :) Hahaha. God can prompt the hearts of the givers to be a part of our outreach...and even provide for a very tangible way to 'make' money. So when we found something recently that could not only help us, but help the ones helping us in a very practical way, we were
on board.

Everyone loves a good deal, right? And everyone has used a gift card or discount card of some sort before, right? Well, that's exactly what we are talking about. It's pretty cut and dry. I can't tell you how many times I've purchased a discount booklet or card from someone. It helped them, sure. But, bonus...it was a no-brainer for me to buy it because not only did it help whoever I bought it from, it also always helped me. So...

We have found a great Christian company who provides discount cards...you can save up to 50% at 100,000 merchants for a full year...all for a $20 investment/donation to our ministry. You can even buy more than one and give them away...what a great Christmas present!

So...as you might have guessed by now, yep, we have your Samaritan Card right here for only $20 each. ;) You can view just how helpful these things can be at www.SamaritanSaver.com. You have to actually have a card to do some of the things on that site, but it can give you a good idea of the wonderfulness you can expect with your Samaritan Card.

How does this work for you to get your Samaritan Cards? Good question. Just go here to our website (EbersoleOnline.com) and click on the link to get your card (click on the image of the card). It will take you to 'the Card' page. You will make your payment through our PayPal account and we'll send you your card...simple as that. You will be able to start saving within days...and if you act now, you can order some as Christmas gifts too.

So, what are you waiting for? Go bless us and bless yourselves, for heaven's sake. Scat. Go now. :)

I love the Sample $avings! Hello!

On Second Thought...

O.K., yeah...just takes too long to resize the pictures and upload to do an album for every month. I really want to do that, but just don't have the time. It was more feasible in Campinas when I started, but not here. So...I had really hoped to avoid this, but what I will now probably need to do is find the best plan to choose and upload (not resize) pictures to another web album that will also print into a photo album. Have looked at Shutterfly and Snapfish a bit now, but nothing in-depth. Who has done this already? What do you recommend?

This blog is where I 'share' and will always be printing out this as a book. So, I'd hoped to just add the albums to this, but now hope to just put a few on here and then print out the others from the other site. Or...show a few here and also provide a link to the online album that I want to print? Not sure that's a possibility. Anyway, I'm sure all of what I just said is about as clear as mud. But, any ideas? Let me know what you know. Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks!!

In other news, the adoption classes have been just great. Love them. Very excited about meeting together with people who all have a heart to help these kids...and be blessed by them in return. So exciting to think about. Can you all pray for one specific child in particular? His name is Washington Gabriel (I just love his name; this is not a picture of him, but we were told that he had light skin and hair and green eyes...this little boy has blue, but this is kind of how I pictured Washington in my mind). :) He developed toxoplasmosis in the womb (ladies, you know how they warn you to not touch the kitty litter while preggo...this is why; you can also get it from a number of other sources, but that's what I always associate it with). He is 2 1/2 and is released for adoption. But, they are having trouble placing him. They mentioned him in the first class and we asked about him after class. We did some research afterward on the disease.

We are all called to care for the orphans. But, we all have our specific callings within that. Some will finance. Some will adopt. Some will take care of multiple totally healthy ones. Some will take in physically or mentally challenged. We will continue to be open, but we sought God that first week about the possibility of Washington. And, at this point in our lives, we know our limitations. We felt no peace about pursuing the adoption of Washington. So hard...he needs a home too. But, we very much know that we aren't the ones for him. So, be praying for him...that his special family will come soon for him. Thank you.

And, big Rebecca is doing very well. As her Dad said, this has proven to literally be a life-saving miracle surgery for her. She is out of the hospital and will return home to Houston on Monday. You can continue to read about her progress here. Thank you for praying for her. (this picture was taken in Jan. 2006...last time I saw these two; Amy Terry Shneberger on the left, 1 of the 4 of us roommates, Rebecca, and me...we missed you Rebecca Porter; I had just found out I was expecting Eissa)

Now on to some family news. Homeschooling is going great. As you can imagine, with all the travel we've done, we're playing catch-up now. It's going well. Lots getting done and lots of learning going on. It's really fun and we love it.

Today the kids stayed with a sitter and Joel and I went and did us a little Christmas shopping. It was quick, but it was fun. Got some Christmas decorations...don't think we've ever really bought any. But, like I said...we're doing some settling now. Ahhh...feels right nice (insert Andy Griffith voice and accent). We are still in search of a tree, but have mostly everything else.

We plan to get the kids settled in their rooms for their Christmas presents (shhh.). ;) The girls are getting iron beds. Only 2 beds will actually fit in their room without doing a bunk bed (which we don't want to do), so we plan for the younger two to share one of the beds (like the older 2 are doing now...Cass uses the crib). Or, we might also use trundles. But, someday I'm sure we'll move to a bigger house and will make the 3rd bed for our dear little Cassle.

We have accumulated the greatest bedding for them already. Our great friends, the Carmos, when moving back to the United States, gave us 2 Pottery Barn twin quilts. Then when we were in PA this summer, Joel's aunt and uncle had us over for supper one night. I was getting the tour of their house and she had just redone one of their rooms for the girls (they have 4 girls...cute as buttons). They had picked up some new bedding for a good deal and so I just casually (with the wheels turning in my brain) asked what they would be doing with the old bedding...which I had just happened to have already noticed looked like something from Pottery Barn. (little background: I've drooled over Pottery Barn stuff for years, but have never actually owned anything from them) Well, she conferenced with her hubby poo and it was given to us a few days later. We have 3 girls. We now have 3 Pottery Barn (really, really cute) quilts for girls. Perfect. (picture is not of our bedding...ours is cuter) :)

Grady has a great boy bed (with a trundle...and a top bunk for assembly as needed). So he will be getting a few things for his room, but he's mostly set. Then they will each be getting (by and by...not by Christmas, but in the future) a great hand-painted picture with their names and other wonderful stuff on it, done by none other than my incredibly talented and able-to-do-anything friend (since childhood...she also helped with my wedding), Tanya (hopefully...we are still talking through the logistics). Not only is she talented, she knows me. Knows my style. My flowers were just perfect for me for my wedding. Perfect. Because she knows me. So nice when doing something of this sort. Oh, and the kids' rooms will also be getting some paint. Yay. I'm excited. (picture is a small sampling of Tanya's artwork...she does all kinds; if you are interested in getting something done, I'll be glad to give you her business contact info....she does stuff for people all over country literally...and hey, now all over the world :) )

Someday maybe me and Joel will get a bed and some paint in our room. And wall hangings. For now, our made-and-taped-up-by-our-kids art will do just fine. ;) It's the best there is anyway.

I'll have to tell you the full stories about the beds we are planning for the girls another day. It's very interesting the way you get things accomplished around these parts. ;)

It's been a very rainy, wonderful, relaxing, but very productive day here at the Ebersoles'. I hope you had the same.

Jean and Big Rebecca

Yesterday the 2 little girls (Eissa and Cass) were sick. Guessing it was just a little 24 hour thing...they are both back to normal today. But, yesterday was definitely a take-it-easy day. We did some homeschooling amongst the high fevers and 'spilling,' but mostly I just had 2 sick little girls piled up on top of me. :)

And then today, Grady was up and dressed and ready to go with Joel to work by the time we came out this morning. We had not planned that at all. But, he never does that. So, we figured that maybe he was just in need of a 'guy day.' :) Besides, it was a great day to do that...Asas de Socorro is hosting a commemoration party celebrating 55 years of work here in Brazil tomorrow, so everyone is working hard there at the hangar getting things ready for that. We are having a girl day here. Fun. We've watched a princess movie, Gigi, and we will paint our nails of course. We might even make some cookies for our men later. ;)

Yesterday we got the call from the social worker handling our case (to adopt) that the required classes they give to couples hoping to adopt will start on Monday. We'll have classes the next three Monday nights and then we'll adopt the next week. :) Not really. Who knows when it will happen (except God), but we'll be ready and it could happen any time after those classes are done. So...pretty exciting. (insert squeal)

Remember this little guy? Well, from day 1 of meeting him, (they called him Jean, pronounced more the way the French pronounce it...Jay-uhn with a soft J and a nasally 'uhn') on the day this picture was taken (June 2008), I just loved him and we've always asked about him. He was just stuck there forever in the process of being cleared by all family members. I was starting to wonder if God was keeping him there for us...our processes and paperwork seemed to be running along the same speed. Well, we called to ask about him again today. Guess what? He's adopted!! He was cleared to be adopted a month or two ago, he went to 'visit' a family (like a trial period type thing...there is no foster system here), and never came back to the orphanage...he found his family. We're so excited for him that he is finally in a family in a real home. Be praying for our family as we go through these classes and just that God would make it perfectly clear and the process smooth concerning the children who are supposed to be in our family.

And finally today, my friend Rebecca (Miss Beautiful there in the middle) is having major surgery as I type this. She was one of my roommates in college...such a wonderful group of girls that I was blessed to live with during college! So funny...I had never really lived with girls before. And what a few girlie girls they were too. So fun...and it was good for all of us I think. ;) Tomboy meets girly girls...lots of learning and laughing and fun times. But, please be praying for her and her family and loved ones. This specialized surgery had to be done in San Diego. Well I'll be doggonit (more Southern) if her best friend (and another one of our roommates) didn't just get all moved out to San Diego a couple of years ago (also named Rebecca...the San Diego Rebecca is mighty short and the surgery Rebecca is mighty tall...so people just ended up calling these best friends Big Rebecca and Little Rebecca...hence the reason for the 'big' in my title of my blog today). Interesting how God works all these little things out. Anyway, if you could be praying for my friend, Rebecca, that would be great. You can follow her progress here. You can go to the 'journal' for her blog posts and updates.

The following are just some more pictures that I took of 'our little boy' that has now found his family. These were taken June 2009, exactly a year after that first picture. Wonder what he looks like now. So very, very happy for him.

Not too jazzed about having his picture taken right after waking up from his nap. ;) But still such a cutie, even when unhappy.

With some of the other kids there at the "kids' house" as our kiddos call it. Some of the many who are waiting for a home and family of their own.

Again, November is National Adoption Awareness Month. How cool that we are taking our classes to adopt, our last step in the process before actually adopting, in November! What would God have you do to help kids like Jean find their families? Are you a family that one of these children could find their home with?