tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post3852314182074351744..comments2023-11-02T04:58:40.054-07:00Comments on Don't Blink...: Open Hands...Guest Post!!!!!!!Bridgethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12956456543868988997noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-41841412397493688662010-05-02T09:37:12.897-07:002010-05-02T09:37:12.897-07:00Thank you for sharing. I was searching for mom...Thank you for sharing. I was searching for mom's of large families that work outside the home and ended up at this post. I'm just happy to hear someone not criticize me for the choice I don't have. I work for insurance and 1/2 of our meager bills...no car loan only a small mortgage. But, neither of us make much and we spare little too. But, we are not as tied to the hours that you carried previously. I can't imagine that pain and not seeing my kids more than that. That would be more than I could bear and I would go on assistance just to stay home more than that if it were my only choice; which is my next step down...so I work.<br /><br />Anyways, thank you for sharing. God will provide for us and you.Mindful_Frugalistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05665116419896310646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-1118837217566946702010-03-17T11:52:24.203-07:002010-03-17T11:52:24.203-07:00WOW!! emily, God is using you so mightly! blessing...WOW!! emily, God is using you so mightly! blessings to you and your family for sharing His work in your lives!! <3~jennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974725940921305988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-4879977875577981712010-03-17T06:20:28.621-07:002010-03-17T06:20:28.621-07:00Thank you so much for sharing your story, Emily! ...Thank you so much for sharing your story, Emily! I am all about stories ;-) My husband's company (ministry development) is called I-55 Enterprises - we know and love those verses very much! We have seen the blessing of 5 adopted children (His ways ARE higher than our ways!)... We are packing up right now to head out on the road and partner with an adoption ministry to mobilize Christians to go where the Lord is leading them....we want to be peculiar!!;-) Thanks, Bridget, for hosting Emily!Jennifer in Coloradonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-15472247631152464802010-03-16T18:29:25.770-07:002010-03-16T18:29:25.770-07:00Thanks for giving a reason for the Hope that is wi...Thanks for giving a reason for the Hope that is within you. Your post was a blessing and an encouragement to me. <br />Thanks Bridget for sharing your friend!!Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-68971083450615930622010-03-16T18:23:16.285-07:002010-03-16T18:23:16.285-07:00Emily,
I give thanks to the Lord for your willingn...Emily,<br />I give thanks to the Lord for your willingness to proclaim the truths that He gave to you. <br />I have not been following Bridgets blog long so I have not seen the negative comments; however, just this week, dealt with the same issue about something I said on our blog. God turned it into something good and His Glory was revealed through it. This is why I say, "Continue to speak truth while giving a reason for the hope that is within you and let God deal the critics." Your post was encouraging to me after a long week. We have seen the Glory of the Lord revealed many times when we have stepped out of our comfort zone and laid down ourselves to serve Him. Our children get to see our Faith lived out instead of just talked about. What a great legacy to leave them... I wouldn't change it at all and I inspired when I hear about others who feel the same way.Missyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03965917320294763632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-41964249001926400522010-03-16T16:15:33.025-07:002010-03-16T16:15:33.025-07:00Such truth spoken by your pastor, but it was God w...Such truth spoken by your pastor, but it was God who opened your heart to understand those words. Sometimes people get caught up thinking they are different because of they way they dress or the many "services" of church they attend!How wrong that is!!! We are different when we stand up against the world. When we get our priorities in line with God's plan!It is not easy, but He is looking for a few good men (and women) who can stick it out!!!Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420653041847535481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-48142302972498417832010-03-16T11:33:57.328-07:002010-03-16T11:33:57.328-07:00What a wonderful post!
Last year, we made the dec...What a wonderful post!<br /><br />Last year, we made the decision that my husband would leave his secure teaching job and move into full-time ministry. We stepped away from a secure paycheck, health insurance, retirement accts., everything that the world deems as necessary ... to follow the Lord and his leading.<br /><br />We are making less than half of what we were making just a hear and a half ago. We have 6 children still at home, 2 in college, and 1 who is a missionary in Argentina. So, we are still supporting 9 of our 12 children. But ... the Lord called us to live by FAITH, not by the world's standards.<br /><br />We moved out of our 3400 sq. ft. home ... and into a little borrowed home that is less than 1,000 sq. ft. Our home hasn't sold yet, so we don't know where we will be living next month (when the borrowed home owners return). What we do know ... the Lord called us and we have answered. We are willing to live whereever he calls us to live. <br /><br />We have given up "security" and "comfort", but we are living in the true JOY and FAITH of walking with the Lord for our daily provision.<br /><br />Yes ... there are MANY moms that say, "I have to work". However ... what they HAVE TO work for is ... the nicer house, the nice cars, the restaurant meals, the new clothes, etc... If they would give those things up, they would learn that they CAN live on MUCH less.<br /><br />Thanks Bridget, for the great guest post. When we take our next road trip, I would LOVE to meet Emily.<br /><br /><br />LaurelLaurelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17253303288242135440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-54829632532952151952010-03-16T09:00:39.091-07:002010-03-16T09:00:39.091-07:00Awesome post, Emily! Thank you for sharing your s...Awesome post, Emily! Thank you for sharing your story with us. Thank you for sharing your friend with us, Bridget! :) Blessings!Kate @ Bliss and Thathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04836510592490523666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-90086900930904993482010-03-16T08:08:26.986-07:002010-03-16T08:08:26.986-07:00Amen Emily!
Our oldest of 11 turned 20 last year,...Amen Emily!<br /><br />Our oldest of 11 turned 20 last year, and I can't believe he is all grown up! I was blessed to be home since he was 18 months, and I have never once regretted it. Financially or otherwise. The budget never worked on paper, but God always provided.<br /><br />I am so thankful that I was able to be with him - it was so worth the downgraded vehicles, thrift store clothes, and hamburger instead of steak! <br />Our trip has been a little bittersweet - I think that it is probably our last 'hurrah' with our son - he is grown up now and starting to think of his own home. It makes my heart ache and soar at the same time. I am so thankful that I gave up my career for my family - 20 years later, I would do it all again without regrets!<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your heart - I hope that all mothers out there realize the precious souls that their children are, and that time is fleeting. Those babies will turn 20 before you can blink! So, DON'T BLINK - and cherish every second with your family!<br />Blessings, <br />DanaDanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02281736132147444203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-54300468786851056162010-03-16T07:35:53.311-07:002010-03-16T07:35:53.311-07:00I am so touched by this post, not only because thi...I am so touched by this post, not only because this is my brothers family and Emily is my sister-in-law but because they are living their lives through Christ. Jason and Emily are such amazing people and I can honestly say it's because they follow the Lords will; It truly shows. I am truly blessed to have them in my life.rottylover79https://www.blogger.com/profile/01864417599120615289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-66073140328035962182010-03-16T07:20:23.321-07:002010-03-16T07:20:23.321-07:00Emily! I have followed Bridget's blog for over...Emily! I have followed Bridget's blog for over a year and to check it today and see a familiar face was amazing and awesome! I was like "OMG, that is April's brother and sis-in-law!" I am April's bestfriend and have met you and Jason once when you were pregnant with Carter at April's baby shower. Your post really spoke to my heart! Thank you for sharing your story of faith and love. God has such great plans for all of us and your story is a perfect exampled of letting go and trusting God will all your heart.<br />-Katie Boyceelboyce37https://www.blogger.com/profile/16999143272086100869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-44992517872260107062010-03-16T06:16:49.674-07:002010-03-16T06:16:49.674-07:00I loved reading this...especially the part when yo...I loved reading this...especially the part when your pastor asked how peculiar your family was. I would LOVE to hear your pastor speak, he sounds amazing!! I have felt the more we have let God into our lives/let Him lead our lives, the more we look like oddballs to everyone else....including most other families in our church. And many times, I wish we could just "blend in" with the crowd, but then I am reminded that we are on this path for a reason. Its just a hard world to live in AND stick out in...thats for sure. Thank you for your inspiring guest post and reminding me the the Right path is certainly not the most popular path in today's world...but that the purpose of our life is not meant to be a popularity contest either! :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078174358715993084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-17660287284724306952010-03-16T05:30:52.691-07:002010-03-16T05:30:52.691-07:00Dear Emily,
First, I'm so sorry for the loss ...Dear Emily,<br /><br />First, I'm so sorry for the loss of your nephew, Derek. I know that must've been devastating for your entire family.<br /><br />Second, thanks for sharing from the heart. I'm sure the enemy would've liked to scare you away from sharing such a testimony. <br /><br />Although I think some people will criticize you for your honesty, (some who follow Bridget's blog are prone to that) I TOTALLY SAW YOUR HEART IN YOUR MESSAGE. It's clear you do not believe all working moms aren't making God and his children a priority. You were simply confessing honestly, that for a period in your life, you weren't. <br /><br />Your challenge for others to examine their circumstances is fair. I know M-A-N-Y people who THINK they work because they have to, but it's really a circumstance where they are working to support the lifestyle that they've CHOSEN. BIG DIFFERENCE! One of my favorite songs has a line that says, "Oh the differences that often are between, everything we want and what we really need."<br /><br />The worldly pressures to keep up with the Jones' is just another clever manipulation by the enemy to distract us from God, His work, and His priorities for our lives. The Lord has a plan for us and the enemy does too. But the enemy's plan is the direct antithesis of the Lord's plan.<br /><br />If people are honest, we all have things in our budget that could either be eliminated altogether or drastically scaled back to allow us to live on a much smaller income. Most people aren't willing to do that, unfortunately, and it's a symptom of greed and other worldly desires.<br /><br />Those who are quick to criticize your post without careful consideration of its value are likely struggling with the very issues you addressed....whether they're willing to admit it or not.<br /><br />Thanks for your great message!Marshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487556018704182915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-60076909711626058592010-03-16T04:16:12.555-07:002010-03-16T04:16:12.555-07:00What a great post from a fellow KY girl! Emily, y...What a great post from a fellow KY girl! Emily, you have truly touched me. Emily & Bridget, glad you all had the chance to meet in the Bluegrass state and enjoy yummy Chik-fil-A together! Many blessings!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16492593163903535439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397026679704324535.post-88599120750143107922010-03-16T01:07:41.437-07:002010-03-16T01:07:41.437-07:00Wow, that was very touching. And very encouraging....Wow, that was very touching. And very encouraging. I am a stay at home mom, and we go with out a lot of things. But the blessings out way the worldly treasures. Thank you for reminding me of what truly is important.Braley Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08160857196313401949noreply@blogger.com