Campaign activity is at a high as Republican nominees seek support in South Carolina. Part of our family has met the Duggars in SC to help blaze the campaign trail! We are excited to be a part of supporting Senator Rick Santorum as Presidential nominee. Please visit his website (http://www.ricksantorum.com/index.php) to learn more about his goals to help turn our country around! He has already won the Iowa primary and we are praying for strong results in South Carolina as well… Help us put a conservative back in office that will promote Christian family values as well as helping rescue the American economy!  (Photos courtesy of Sister-in-law Casey Bates and Duggar Family)

The New Year is a time most people resolve to set goals. In considering priorities, I’ve noticed that personal Bible reading and prayer often take a backseat to busy lifestyles! Unfortunately, the thing we need the most is the very thing we avoid… until crisis comes!

I was challenged by Erin’s new commitment to read her Bible the same amount of time she spends viewing any DVDs (in addition to her regular daily reading). The accountability of that decision has caused her to think twice before squandering precious time… and it provoked me to look up some statistics about the amount of time we waste in comparison to the time we give God!

Take a look at these staggering statistics:

· According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the avg. American watches more than 4 hrs. TV each day.

· # Hrs. of TV watched annually by Americans = 250 billion hrs.

· # min. per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children = 3.5 min.

· # min. per week the avg. child watches television = 1,680 min.

· % day care centers that use TV during a typical day = 70%

· % 4-6 y.r-olds who said they preferred watching TV over spending time with their dads = 54%

http://www.csun.edu/science/health/docs/tv&health.html

Now compare these Bible Statistics:

· According to Gallup, only half of adults interviewed nationwide could name any of the 4 Gospels of the New Test.

· Just 37% of those interviewed could name all 4 Gospels.

· Only 42% of adults were able to name as many as 5 of the 10 Commandments correctly.

· Surveys say only 20-25 % of Americans have read through the entire Bible

· In an interview with Assist News Service, Rhodes quotes a recent poll stating 35% of born-again Christians do not read the Bible at all.

· In addition, Rhodes indicates that among those who say they read the Bible, the vast majority only read it during the one h.r they attend church each Sun. morning.

http://www.theologicalstudies.citymax.com/page/page/1572910.html

These are pretty sad statistics, considering:

"Half the books of the Bible can be read in 10 – 45 min. each, and many of them can be read in less than 20," says Nashville-based pastor and author Robert Morgan. "The entire Old and New Testaments can be read aloud slowly and with expression in less than 71 hrs."

There are several types of free Bible Reading Charts available to assist you in reading through your Bible in 2012 :

http://blog.betterthansacrifice.org/2008/02/04/free-bible-reading-chart-keep-track-as-you-read-through-the-bible/ (This is a self paced chart)

You can also search “Bible Reading Charts” for chronological or read in a year plans.

We were able to watch the new Courageous Movie http://www.courageousthemovie.com/themovie  at a nearby church New Year’s Eve… It reconfirmed the desperate need for parents to actively restore relationships with their children. May God help us as parents to rekindle these relationships, while striving to follow God in our daily choices!

We tried to post this several days ago, but had trouble getting it to show up… Sorry for the delay and post dated message!

What a special time of year… A closer look at Christ’s love, memories with family & friends, the joy of giving & sharing, festivities & celebrations, Christmas hymns & manger scenes… What an opportunity to spread the love of Jesus with others!

Consider a way that your family might spread Christmas hope and cheer to others this year: maybe a special meal prepared for a sick or needy family, maybe a visit to a nursing home or hospital, maybe spreading God’s word through giving to a Bible printing ministry…

In a country full of goods, its easy to focus only on ourselves, while losing sight of Jesus’s humble entry and life here on earth… Let’s look for ways to serve others as we remember that: “Jesus is the Reason for the Season!” 

(Family Photo by Chad Paine at IBLP Christmas Conference 2011)

At Christmas time, we are always on the lookout for gifts we can give that have purpose or meaning. Giving gifts to express our love can be so fun and rewarding…But I often hear people talk about the frustrations they feel from the holiday season taking on more of a form of commercialism and less of the more meaningful aspects of the holiday like taking time to appreciate the birth of the Savior, time to appreciate loved ones, and time to “spread good cheer!”… So if you want to focus more on “Christ” in Christmas, here’s some gift giving ideas that reflect God’s love and character.

1. Carl Sommer’s series of Character books for children are a delightful way to teach little ones. We often use them to illustrate Scripture lessons during Bible study time. (http://www.advancepublishing.com/)

2. James Staddon’s Calendars (Available through Lenspirations) display incredible photography work, but they also share a purposeful message!

(http://blog.lenspiration.com/2012calendar-2/)

3. Seeds for the Harvest DVD by Mike Adkins is a motivating story that will challenge your family to give. This is a heartwarming message any time of year, but especially during this season!

(http://mikeadkins.org/products.html)

4. The Harvest DVD is a heart wrenching and inspiring story of how a community comes together to help a family in need. You will be challenged in your witness for Christ!

(http://www.christianbook.com)

As the Duggar family attends the memorial service of their precious baby Jubilee Shalom, that was born prematurely during Michelle’s second trimester, our prayers are that many will be encouraged by their faith in the Lord through this storm in their life. It was Michelle that was able to offer our family much comfort after our first miscarriage and we now lift their family in prayer, knowing that God will use this occasion for His glory and that He will draw them close to Himself during this sad time.

In Honor of Jubilee

When little ones leave us we seem to think,

Their lives were somehow incomplete ;

Yet, we may not see the role they play

In helping someone else see the way.

Who knows what blessing their life may bring,

Though seemingly such a tragic thing.

For Maybe some lost soul will see

His desperate need of Calvary.

A mom might begin to treasure her role

As she realizes her investment in a soul.

Maybe a dad will spend more time

Making memories versus spending a dime.

Maybe a sibling will stop to pray

Before choosing unkind words to say.

Maybe hurt feeling will begin to mend

To secure their bond with a friend.

Who knows the impact a life can make;

There is a purpose for Heaven’s sake.

So though we hate to say goodbye;

We know that Jesus now holds you nigh!

Alyssa, Tori, and I were invited to accompany a team of students travelling to Romania on a week long ministry trip. It was a tremendously moving experience as we became aware of the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of precious people from other backgrounds and cultures.

While there, we visited schools and were invited to teach character lessons. We also visited the Minister of Health, hospitals, orphanages, and Gypsy camps. We were able to share the Gospel message of love and encourage others through music and song. We were given a police escort through town with the President and Mayor of the county, while passing out tracts telling of God’s love. I think we all have a new perspective of life and missions.

We serve such a BIG God, and we feel extremely privileged to be able to tell others of Him! 

In a recent sermon, Gil stated that our relationships are the most valuable thing we have:

•          First, our relationship to God
•          Second, our relationship with family
•          Third, our relationship with others

We can lose our house, our health, our finances, our reputation… but with the hope and assurance and comfort of these relationships, we can still endure the tough times!

However, the neglect of any of these important relationships can hinder our faith, our motivation, our fellowship, and our joy!

Let’s take opportunity this Thanksgiving to show appreciation for the special relationships that have helped mold and make us who we are… beginning with Christ who loves us unconditionally, extends to us His free gift of salvation, and offers us forgiveness and fellowship with the Creator of all the universe!

If there are damaged relationships in your life, purpose this Thanksgiving to give priority to mending old wounds and restoring your “attitude of gratitude” for the people God has placed in your family and in your path! Take time to “Count your Blessings!” 

Happy thanksgiving!

Helpful Resources for Mending Relationships:

• Embassy University (http://www.embassyinstitute.org/) – For $9 monthly, watch tremendous messages on anger, bitterness, and relationships (ex: Basic & Advanced Seminars, Anger Resolution Seminar, Financial Freedom Seminar, Home School Conference messages, and many more!)
• “Who Is Ahithophel? (A Portrait of Bitterness)” Sermon by Pastor Jim Schettler (http://www.burgeterrace.org/). – This is one of the best sermons we’ve ever heard on the subject of bitterness! The sermon was preached at Burge Terrace Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN on August 7, 2011 Sunday pm during a Majesty Music Conference.
• Journey to the Heart (www.livingthejourney.com.) – An opportunity for sons and daughters to find freedom through forgiveness and by gaining a clear conscience, as they learn to detect wrong heart attitudes that rob them of their true joy.
• Sermons by Pastor SM Davis (http://www.solvefamilyproblems.com/) – Pastor Davis is committed to helping build strong families.
• “Experiencing a Fulfilled Marriage I & II”  by Patricia Ashley (http://www.focusonthefamily.com/) – A humorous, yet challenging message presented to wives.
• Fireproof DVD (http://www.christianbook.com/) – A fire fighter learns that marriage means commitment and dependability.

We are extremely excited about the Duggars wonderful news of the new baby God has graciously formed. So many have been helped by the Duggars example of patience, sacrifice, self-less love, and Christian faith (including us!)

We rejoice with the family and pray earnestly for the safe pregnancy and delivery of their 20th child! We are challenged by their contagious optimistic faith!

May God likewise give each of us the strength, wisdom, and humility to serve Him whole heartedly in various areas of our lives!

Jessa Duggar expressed it well in a recent Today Show interview when she was asked if it was difficult to live under the pressures placed on them to be “perfect, model children”… Her humble response was in essence: “It’s not about us, but about helping others see the love of Christ!”

May God help each of us have this same desire to direct all praise and attention to Him!

Little did I know what a huge surprise my family had in store for my 45th birthday!

Gil & I had planned to drive to Chicago to pick up 3 of our girls who had gone on a short mission trip to Romania!

Gil took me to the Indiana Dunes State Park and the Holland Michigan State Park for a few nights of sweet fellowship together before picking up the girls and returning home.

During our weekend birthday excursion, the children back home had rounded up helpers to perform the impossible task of turning our red mud yard into a beautiful labor of love! They built a frame for a swing that we had been given. They laid sod and landscaped the yard, on top of the shopping and prep work necessary to perform their surprise! They transformed the yard, the house, and filled my heart with joy by their desire and willingness to do something special for me!

I used to love making hand made cards; it was a hobby for me. The girls would sometimes gather around and make their own renditions of the cards I had made.

As a 9 year old, Erin in particular, loved to “help me.”  I used calligraphy in my cards, and I began to notice how beautiful Erin’s handwriting was becoming as a result of copying! For the next several birthdays I invested in card making and calligraphy books to encourage her. I soon became much too busy for card making, so Erin put all of my supplies to use and far exceeded my abilities!

Passing the torch: Erin is much older and still makes cards, but now I watch the younger children surround her as she patiently shares stickers and supplies, while encouraging them to develop their own copies.

Now, Carlin has successfully learned how to mimic Erin’s calligraphy and card making skills. She often makes cards for Erin when Erin’s schedule is too full! In fact, Carlin made a tub full of cards to sell at The Appalachian Museum’s Homecoming & Craft Fair.

A little time , a little patience, and a little love will improve the skills of your young children or young siblings when their curious eyes are begging to participate in your activities. It may take you longer, cost you more, or make a bigger mess… but the end result is well worth the investment!! So take time to share yourself with those whom you can impact for good!