My Resolution

This resolution hangs on a wall in my home as well as in my office. It is a resolution that I have made to take full responsibility for my life as well as the life of my wonderful wife and precious children. I gave it to them yesterday for Father's Day. I felt impressed of the Lord to not only make this resolution, but to also speak a word of affirmation to my wife, Nichole, and to each one of our children. After affirming each one, I prayed a blessing over them, individually. It was very special, a day I will never forget and a day that I pray my children will see lived out everyday by their dad. With God's help, I plan to affirm my wife and children and pray a blessing over each one of them every Father's Day for the rest of my life and for His glory.

I was challenged to commit to this resolution from a movie that I have not even seen, Courageous, which will be in theatres starting September 30th. Be sure to click on the link to read a synopsis and watch a trailor of the movie by Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA --the makers of Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof. My wife and I are looking forward to the privielge of prescreening the movie with my wife and church staff and their wives next Thursday. There is a scene in the movie that I cannot wait to see where men make the same resolution I have made to be the spiritual leaders in their homes. Throughout the movie they display heroic acts of courage on behalf of citizens in their community, but their most courageous moment comes when they choose to stand as men and take responsibility for their own lives and the lives of their families.

I have been looking forward to seeing Courageous because I believe it wll be what I need to encourage me as a man to lead spiritually not only my wife and children, but the church I pastor and the community I live in. But, more than seeing a movie such as Courageous on the screne, I want to live this resolution in real, everyday life before my Father in heaven, my family at home, and the future that is here.

I completely understand that to be able to live up to this commitment, I will need my Master, my mate, and other men. If you are a man and reading this post I encourage you to make the same resolution for your family. Let's see this become a movement in hearts and homes all across America and not just a scene in a movie!

My

RESOLUTION

I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself,
Nichole, and Madison, Morgan, Mallory, Meghan, Joshua, Stephen, and Maleah.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them
the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, Nichole, to love and honor her,
and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with
all of their hearts, all of their minds, all of their soul, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me
and reconcile with those I have wronged.

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins,
and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to
His church, obey His Word, and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides
to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.

Keith A. Boggs
On Father’s Day the 19th day of JUNE in the year 2011


As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15





A Priceless Birthday Girl!

Priceless!

Dear Nichole,

Happy Birthday! Wow... what a gift you are to me, our family, and to the Kingdom of the Living God! I am so honored to have been chosen by God to be your husband. His grace in giving you to me is overwhelming when I process all that you have become as a wife, mother, and friend. You have allowed the Lord Jesus to work in you and through you, and as a result, I see His work all around us!

You need to know that God is using you to make a difference, in me. You take very good care of me and our children. As a matter of fact, you take excellent care of us! I am grateful for your desire for the simple life. I know that sometimes people ask how can it be simple with seven children, but God has used you to keep us simple so that the things that really matter (faith, family, friends) are always our focus. I also believe that you make every day count. The things that you do throughout the course of each day is recorded in heaven and will last forever.

When I look at your life and how you willingly lay it down for your family, I am humbled beyond words. I appreciate how you take specific interest in me, and each one of our children. You make me laugh, you make us laugh... you make me me cry, you make us cry... you keep me fed physically and spiritually, you keep us fed physically and spiritually... you make me want to give God all that I have and all that I am... you make me want to give God all that we have and all that we are and I so appreciate that privilege.

God has given me the high honor of being your husband and friend. He has also given me the privilege of a great heritage in being the father of our children... On your birthday, I glorify God in the Life He is living in and through you every single day. He is using you to altar (yes, "ar" not "er") my life, keeping me ever close and dependent upon Him so that you, our children, and our family will be everything He designed for us to be, and that is Priceless, and so are you, Nichole... simply Priceless.

Happy Birthday!

Your Loving Husband,
Keith

Treasured Moments

I read today on a blog that I subscribe to something that struck me as truly profound. Ann Voskamp over at http://www.aholyexperience.com/ said that we could slow time with those we love by practicing these following words, "Full attentiveness is the only thing that slows time. Catches time."

Ladies, we only get this time with our little ones or almost-grown ones once. May we drink in all the moments and savor every minute we have. May we give our full attention to those we love today.

"For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy (lovingkindness) of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children." Ps. 103:14-17

Blessings,

Nichole

"Silly Woman" Truth #1



A couple of weeks ago I desperately picked up some parenting books that I had read several years ago in an attempt to regain some Biblical wisdom about rearing this quiver of ours. Keith also committed to do some reading as well. After reading for only a few minutes, I found myself under deep conviction. The Word of God and the wisdom of another was pointing a guilty finger directly at me! And you know what? I am okay with that. It hurts, yes. But, I like for God to show me areas that I need to change or improve on. I want to fall under conviction of His Holy Spirit for the rest of my life, if I need it. And, I will need it. 

"I remember reading this! When did I lose sight of it and how long is it going to take for me to get it??" I have said to myself time and time again. So, I have made a commitment to study, take notes, write out goals and mission statements, memorize, and PRAY. Don't get me wrong, I know these things in and of themselves will not make for successful parenting. God has to do a heart change in me and the children. But, I do think it is necessary for me and they will help tremendously.

I am not going to try to counsel on marriage, but I am going to try to encourage me and you about the first truth I mentioned in our previous post, "Silly Woman".

"The first and the most important thing you will ever do as a mother in training your children is to.....

Reverence Your Husband

I can show respect for Keith by honoring his decision making, listening to his dreams, learning to enjoy his interests, speaking respectfully "always" about him to the children and others, guarding my "looks" that I give him, guarding the way I say things about him (the words may sound ok, but the way I say them implies a negative attitude), teasing him in a downgrading way that seems like fun, but the kids get the message all too clear. Ephesians 5:33

Love To Obey Him

I think we can do this more easily when we truly understand that when we obey him, we are ultimately obeying the Father. It is an expectation of my Heavenly Father and it pleases Him when I obey and submit to my husband in everything. Ephesians 5:24

Feel Honored To Be Married To Him

This will require a "renewing of our mind" that Romans 12:2 speaks of. He is a gift to us. We chose to marry him, so we must have seen something that made us want to be a part of this God-ordained union of the two becoming one. He will fail us, but we are to keep in mind that we were created to be his help-meet and it is a high and honorable calling.  We will fail him as well.  When we look at our marriages as a blessing and become grateful for the marriage, it will change the way we act toward our husband. I have recently learned that our marriage is a picture of the gospel of the Lord Jesus. If I am doing poorly on my part, then I am portraying a messed up picture of the gospel. Wow! Read Ephesians 5:22-33

Joy In His Presence

The Lord dealt with me about joy several years ago and I will never forget it. It was a milestone in my spiritual journey with Christ and I know He was desiring for me to become a woman of joy. Keith takes delight in our relationship when I can be light-hearted and relaxed. I try to smile more and I try to be silly at times. When it gets tough is when life is tough. It is then that I desire to show forth deep abiding joy. It spills over into every aspect of our family life. I believe with all my heart that our husbands will like to be home more, if the wife is joyful. Read 1 Thes. 5:16-18

"God, would you help me and the women reading this to desire and discipline ourselves to become a godly wife. When we do this day in and day out, I believe it will be the first step in raising children who honor You."

Blessings on you and your family,

Nichole



We're...just a little kooky!

Kooky is how we feel once finished with all the pictures Papa takes!



My side of the family got together this past weekend to celebrate Christmas together. We have had back to back weekend celebrations. This time we didn't have to travel but a few miles down the road. My brother, Jason and his family, came in Thursday. My other brother, Randy and his family came in on Friday. We got together Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to eat and just spend time together talking, laughing, playing games, and chasing children.

I know that I can speak for both of my brothers and say that we never thought that we would be where we are at this point in our life.

All three of us are blessed. Blessed beyond what we deserve. Blessed in different ways.

God has been gracious to us all and so very merciful. He has pulled us out of the miry clay and set our feet upon the Rock. He has given us a hope and a future. He proves His love to us. His strength is perfect in our great weaknesses.

I find myself clinging to Him more and more as I see how desperate I really am. He is the Wind that carries us through. He has helped us fly when we thought we were doing it ourself. He has let us fly by ourself, only to experience defeat.

We had a good childhood together, but I will be honest with you and tell you that I regret a lot of my actions toward them growing up. I was selfish and self-centered and they were my beating toys. I wish I could go back and treat them differently. I had an opportunity to influence them for the glory of Christ, but chose my own way. What does our example really matter if we can't be a godly example for those closest to us? That is when true character is tested.

This is what we talk about in our home. Girls and boys, what everyone says about you out there doesn't amount to a whole lot if you can't do the same things for those God has placed right before you day in and day out. And then, I think about myself. Things are so much easier said than done.

Nichole, what everyone says about you out there doesn't amount to a whole lot if you can't be love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control with those placed right at your feet.

My prayer is that I will make my adult home life better than what I  made my childhood home life. We learn and we grow. God gives us another opportunity. My brothers and I know this. We are blessed.

And so, here are some pictures of our great time together and all the little ones.

A FANTASTIC Granna and Papa

Me and My Family

Jason, Emily, Adalee, and Brantley

Randy, Jodi, and Devin

Lady behind the scenes, our sweet cousin, Lee

Just some random pictures....

the wind really was blowing hard!

look at that sweet little thing in the middle!

looking for me?!

catch me if you can!!

I am not in the mood for pictures!

Blessings on your week! Enjoy every moment with those you love.

Nichole

 

"What do you want for Christmas, Mama?"

Tonight we all gathered around the living room with the Christmas tree lit and candles burning throughout. It was a peaceful setting and peace is what I was looking for. With lots of little ones it can be challenging to have everyone sit quiet for a Bible story and verse memorization and prayer.

While changing Maleah in the back of the house, Keith must have asked the kids what there favorite thing about Christmas was. I missed the answers, but walked in just as the question was being altered by one of our children to, "What is our favorite thing that we want for Christmas?" Ah, just like us to turn Christmas back into "all about me" mentality. They went around the room answering from the youngest to the oldest.

Then came my turn. "What do you really want for Christmas, Mama?" I knew what they wanted me to answer with. They wanted me to say a new dress, stuff for the kitchen, etc...Those things would be nice, but I couldn't shake the thoughts of what I feel like God has been speaking to me in the last few weeks. Maybe even the last few years.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1-5

Santa Clause, Frosty, candy canes, Jingle Bells, gifts, gifts, gifts, debt, debt, debt (for so many), pressure, stress, busyness, feelings of loss and only memories to hold on to. Christmas parties with cakes and candy. Cantatas and the Nutcracker. Special times with family and friends. Surprises and disappointments for what was given and what was not. Holly jolly moments and moments of deep depression. Christmas miracles, perhaps only noticed during this time that something "higher" was responsible. My mind goes on and on.

As the Lord allows me to pull all of these things back, though many are fun and harmless, I realize that it is only about one thing. I have let all of the these things cloud my vision. In this dark state that I found myself in over 20 years ago and sometimes fall back in to, the light has been shining and I do not comprehend it. Because really isn't this "Christmas Season" that we get so excited about and celebrate the birth of Jesus supposed to be more than a season, but our very life lived out every day in surrender and obedience to Christ? A life lived in excitement and celebration for the one we call Savior?

"Mama.....what do you want for Christmas?"

"I want peace and simplicity. I want this time to be all about Jesus and not about us." What I didn't say, but wish that I had is that I want to give to Him this year.

"But, Mama, what do you really want?"

"That is what I really want."

Nichole

Speaking Thanksgiving

All through Psalm 145 you will see how we are encouraged to speak our praise and thanksgiving out loud to those around us. Private thanksgiving between us and the Lord is vital, but there is something that breathes life into us and others when we speak it verbally for ears to hear. And what a privilige to be able to do this with the very children that God has blessed us with.

 "One generation shall praise your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts."

As I have sought to be a woman of gratitude I can see how my words bring life or death into our home. I have an 11 year old daughter. Why have such things taken so long for me to grasp? She needed a mama of gratitude when she was a baby and a toddler and a little girl.....But, I will not be defeated, because she is still under my care and in my home, so I begin to speak life and I see life breathed into her very being. It is not too late. She begins to speak life into her little sister and her little brother. It is slow going. We are learning to undo a way of thinking. To undo a way of speaking.

"Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts and I will declare your greatness. They shall utter the memory of your great goodness and shall sing of your righteousness."

I am a blessed woman and overwhelmed at the goodness of God...

for a daddy who buys several bales of hay to take his grandchildren and grown children out for a hayride on Thanksgiving Day.

for a mother who spends endless hours stuffing a turkey and baking it to please the tastebuds of all her family.

for time spent with my younger brother and his sweet family.

for a husband who tells me that he will take a temporary leave at the head of the table to go and sit by our 2 yr. old who needs some training in table manners.

for a husband who wants us all to sit around the computer to watch a street preacher share the gospel with an unbelieving culture.

for daughters who sing while they clean the kitchen.

for daughters who race to give Maleah her first kiss after awaking from her sweet sleep.

for the eight steps our little one took in her beginning of independence.

for a little boy consumed with collecting cocoons that have "bagworms" inside of them.

for another little boy accepting a challenge of a sword fight with a stick from his older brother.

for our six year old, minutes after pulling her second tooth out, calling for her daddy to tell her again how she can be saved.

for the moments around our home that is shaping and molding us into the image of Christ, so that He can use us to reach the ends of the earth with His gospel.

"All Your works shall praise you O Lord, and Your saints shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of kingdom and talk of your power. To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts and the glorious majesty of His kingdom."

Nichole

Wisdom spoke to me this morning

" A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

Today I refuse to let circumstances make me speak harshly.

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."

It is true. God does see everything I do. May it please Him.

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life..."

Instead of being harsh, I will speak life.

"In the house of the righteous there is much treasure..."

As I strive toward righteousness in all things, I am a wealthy woman.

"But He loves him who follows righteousness."

Not only am I wealthy, but greatly loved.

"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance."

Oh God, give me a glad heart so those I love will find peace and joy in my countenance.

"But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast."

No matter the affliction, I can be filled with Your glory and Your abundance.

"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred."

Love never fails and will make our meals a delight as long as we are together in love.

"A wise son makes a father glad."

God, give our boys godly wisdom.

"Folly is a joy to him who is destitute of discernment."

I pray something I never thought of until now, discernment for my children.

"And a word spoken in due season, how good it is."

I will refrain from speaking until you say, "speak".

"But the words of the pure are pleasant.'

And when I speak, may they come from a pure heart.

"He hears the prayer of the righteous."

I can only be righteous in you and only you can answer my prayers.

"The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise."

Am I looking and watching? Have I learned from the past? The rebukes of life are everywhere.

"And before honor is humility."

I will choose humility today. You say pride is an abomination. How many times have I been an abomination to you? Rid me of pride and may I know every day, every moment is a gift from you.

Nichole

Proverbs 15 in quotations.

Winners and Not Whiners!

With November well on its way and our surroundings (if we look around us) showing off the magnificent handiwork of an Almighty God, we are ushered into a time that our culture celebrates all the things that we are thankful for.

In the blogging world, what few sites I browse through every so often, I am seeing a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness in many posts.

A couple of months back I picked up the book, Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.



Our memory verses for me and the children are from Philippians 4:4-9 where we are encouraged to be thankful and think only on things that are true, just, noble, pure, lovely, and of good report.

We are teaching our children to be Winners and not Whiners! With seven children in the house all the time, one can only imagine the amount of whining that could go on if allowed. How do we deal with children whining? Especially for our oldest, they are not allowed to continue whatever they are speaking about until the "whine" is replaced with a normal voice. For all children, whatever they are whining for, they do not get. If it takes place during playtime with a sibling, then they are not allowed to continue playing until the whining has ceased. From experience, whatever you decide to do about whining, nip it in the bud when they are little (like around 2!) or you will end up with a whiny 7 year old and then a whiny 12 year old and maybe even a whiny adult! Their future mate, children , pastor, coworkers, etc... will be so thankful you did!

This post was really not intended to coach parents how to transform whiny children into children with a winning attitude, but it could not be ignored. This post is simply a reflection of what I believe God is trying to teach me. I have simply become a whiny adult. In soooo many ways, I am not the grateful woman that He desires for me to be. I see that in my marriage. I see that in my parenting. I see that in my self-image. I see that in my friendships. I see that in my outlook on the world. This is going to be a major undertaking! But, I BELIEVE with all of my heart that is foundational to my success as a christian woman desiring to be fulfilled in Christ.

I don't know what this journey of gratitude is going to look like for me, but I am taking those steps down this narrow pathway hand in hand with my Maker and I believe it will be for my good and His glory. I hope to share much more on this in the days to come, but for now I would like to leave with you a quote by Lucy C. Smith and also encourage you to meditate today on Philippians 4:4-9. May we as women of God refuse to remain whiners. May we become winners in the area of gratitude!

"One thing is indisputable: the chronic mood of looking longingly at what we have not, or thankfully at what we have, realizes two very different types of character."

Maybe, just maybe.... if we stop whining, our children will as well.

Nichole

Okay, Okay, Okay......

This recipe is dedicated to all FIVE of our consistent blog readers out there!!

Last Wednesday I wrote about the dynamic duo of the pumpkin and the sweet potato. Well ,I have had a couple of people ask me for the pie recipe that I mentioned. We have tried it and love it. We have also tried it without the sweet potato and just added extra pumpkin at the same amount called for with the sweet potato. It was great that way as well.

And, I also wanted to show off this pretty pumpkin from our garden. I know it is yellow, but in a few weeks(we can already see it changing color) it will be orange. We have five of these things growing right now. This is our fourth time planting a garden, and we get excited about anything that will actually grow out here. We are such amateurs at this. As a matter of fact, last night after picking only enough mustard greens to feed half of the family because they simply just aren't growing that well, I told Keith that we aught to be thankful that it isn't up to us to feed the family or we would starve.  We love it. I think we grow to like it more and more every time we plant. So, thankfully something is growing! It is great to see God at work even in the garden!

You will need pie crust for 2 pies. Pillsbury is a good pie crust and you can find it in the freezer section at your local grocery store. Or....... you can try a good homemade one on your own. I will give you the recipe that I use. A recipe made from freshly ground whole wheat.

2 1/2 cups of freshly ground soft white wheat flour (or 2 cups of all-purpose flour)

1 tsp. salt

2/3 cups and 2 Tbs. butter (12 Tbs.)

7 Tbs. cold water

Combine flour and salt. Cut in butter. Add water and mix. If the dough is too wet add a little flour. Divide dough in half and roll out on floured surface. Makes 2 pie crusts.

*I am thinking of adding a little sugar  (2 Tbs.) to this crust because this particular pumpkin pie recipe is not very sweet.

Filling:

2 cups of half and half

3 large eggs plus 2 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 15 ounce can of pumpkin puree (or 1 3/4 cup of fresh pumpkin puree)

1 cup of drained pureed sweet potatoes (from can or fresh)

3/4 cup of sucanat (or sugar)

     go checkout http://www.breadbeckers.com/ to find out what sucanat is

1/4 cup of pure maple syrup (yum!)

2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger or 1 teaspoon of dried powdered ginger

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

3/4 teaspoon of salt

While the pie shell is baking for about 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees, whisk cream, eggs, yolks,and vanilla together in bowl. Combine the rest of the filling ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a sputtering simmer over medium heat (takes a few minutes). Continue to do this, stirring, for about 10 minutes allowing the extra water to evaporate and the spices to incorporate. Remove pan from heat and whisk into the bowl with the cream mixture. Stain through a fine mesh strainer to get out  lumps and the stringy ginger. Pour even amounts into the two warm pie crusts. Cook on 400 degrees for 10 minutes and then turn down to 300 degrees and finish cooking until the middle looks a little "jiggly", which could be anywhere from 30- 45 minutes. The pie will need to cool and set for atleast 2-3 hours. It is soooo worth the wait. It is so pretty and shiny. Just like a picture. I wish I had one to show you. It is also very smooth and creamy.

This can actually be considered a pretty healthy dessert. Especially if you make your own whole grain pie crust. These are just great all-natural ingredients that make for a nice treat and sometimes even leftover for breakfast the next morning. My kids thought it was a great breakfast!

If you would really like more detail and specifics, head over to http://www.americastestkitchen.com/. You have to kind of sign-up by giving your e-mail, but they have fantastic recipes and the detail is great for those who want to "get it right" and "get it good"!

Enjoy,

Nichole

One Dynamic Duo!

Our family came across a recipe a few weeks ago that showed a scrumptious looking pumpkin pie. After bringing home several pumpkins from our trip to the mountains, we were all craving this pie! Unique to your normal pumpkin pie recipe, this one called for some sweet potato. The kids said, "Yuck!". We decided to do a little research and see why the creator of this recipe recommended such an addition. Sweet potato was said to "enhance" the pumpkin flavor. I assured the kids they would not taste sweet potato, but only "enhanced" pumpkin. Fast forward a couple of weeks and we have enjoyed 4 of these yummy pies. We all agree that the recipe is a keeper.

Now if you would humor me for a few minutes, let's say Keith is the pumpkin and I am the sweet potato.  Biblically we know that the woman was created for the man, to be his helpmeet. I truly believe that a major part of being a helpmeet would definitely be as an enhancer. The dictionary defines enhance as to make greater, better, to heighten. 

I honestly do not remember going into marriage thinking that I would like to spend my time and effort helping Keith become greater and better. I loved him, but I wanted to become greater and better. Over the years my love for him has grown and become more sacrificial as I have learned what God's Word has to say about the role of a wife. I now have a strong desire for God to use me to help Keith reach the heights of all that God has intended for him. Because really when I do this, it will only take me higher as well. So, what are some ways that my "sweet potato" self can enhance my big hunk of a pumpkin?

1- Choose to become a joyful woman.  Smile a lot. Learn to laugh a lot. It is even okay to get silly from time to time.

2- Learn his strengths. Acknowledge that his gifting in whatever area is what he probably receives great fulfillment in. Begin to encourage him and cheer for him. Show him respect and honor for his decisions and his hard work for the family.

3- Show gratitude. It is so important that we become grateful and thankful women. Grateful for everything we have. Concentrate and focus on the good and don't let the devil take your mind down into the pit for all the things you don't have.

4- Provide him a warm, comfortable, and clean home. His time at home is so short and so treasured that we should spend some of our day getting ready for that time. Whether that is fixing nice home-cooked meals, straightening up an hour before he arrives, making sure he always has clean underclothes, playing soft music, lighting a few candles. Whatever you know that makes your husband happy will be worth putting the energy towards.

5- Physically love him. Enough said.

So ladies, I pray that every time you see a sweet potato and a pumpkin in the grocery store, God will bring to your remembrance that you are to enhance that great husband of yours. Make him greater. Make him better. Take him higher.

Nichole

Change My Heart

Change my heart, O God....
     when Maleah has awakened for the third time in the middle of the night.

Change my heart, O God....
     when Stephen yells, "no!" after I ask him to do something.

Change my heart, O God....
     when Joshua whines again as things don't go his way.

Change my heart, O God....
     when I find Meghan playing with toys instead of picking up her clothes as she was told.

Change my heart, O God....
     when Mallory argues and debates the wishes of her mother.

Change my heart, O God....
     when Morgan face turns into a 2 yr. old pout when I ask her to help with the dishes or start her school.

Change my heart, O God.....
      when I find out Madison has tried to manipulate a 4 yr. old to do her dirty work.

Change my heart, O God...
      when Saturday's with Keith are filled with hunting and football games.

Yes, these are just a few of the things that we find ourselves dealing with on a daily basis in the Boggs household. I am not focusing on the negative. I am only identifying with the reality of the kinds of things that make me act in a way that is not Christ-like and my desire is that during these situations that God would indeed "Change my heart." This song goes on to say...."Make it ever true. Change my Heart, O God. May I be like you."

Grant me love. Grant me joy. Grant me peace. Grant me patience. Grant me kindness. Grant me goodness. Grant me gentleness. Grant me self-control. May I be like you!

Nichole

Honored to be a Member

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another , and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

The past few weeks I have been reminded again and again about the importance of being a part of a fellowship of believers in God's Word, the Holy Bible.

I AM ENCOURAGED
       By the lives of the faithful.
       By the smiles of the joyful.
       By the actions of the pure.

I AM CHALLENGED
       To go deeper.
       To walk further.
       To give more.

I AM CONVICTED
       God's Word is my standard.
       God is Holy and desires for me to be Holy.
       God's truth illuminates my sinful self.

I AM BLESSED
       To be a Christian.
       To have an eternal home in Heaven.
       God loves me.

I AM MOVED
       By His presence and His Spirit as the Word
       of God is proclaimed by my faithful pastor and teacher.
      
So ladies, when the morning (or evening) has been rough, you are running late, and you have lost your cool as you try so hard to get everyone ready for church. Remember, you will be glad you made it. We need it.

Love you,
Nichole

Goodbye, Summer! Hello, Fall!

I know I am a few days late in saying goodbye to summer, but here in south Georgia it has felt absolutely nothing like fall!

Oh, but yesterday we ushered in a slightly cool breeze with a bright blue sky and even a few leaves falling to the ground. Or maybe that was pine needles. Oh well, either way it was something falling out of a tree and thankfully it wasn't one of the boys.

Today it is cloudy but cool. We have two doors open and the boys are running in and out (something I don't normally let them do. You do remember your mother saying, "I told you to stay in or stay out!"? Yes, I say that too.) I am cooking lunch and I so badly wanted to tell you that only one fly came in, but as soon as we started to eat his family decided to join him.

Before Keith came home to join us for lunch, the girls and I decided to say goodbye to summer. Madison said goodbye to the bugs. Yeah, right. Morgan said goodbye to the heat. We have our fingers crossed. Mallory said goodbye to swimming. We didn't get to go as much as usual.Meghan said goodbye to the sunflowers. Sweet. And I say goodbye to another few months of watching the kiddos grow. Seeing their little bodies become tanned by the sun. Watching them laugh and splash in any kind of water we can find. Even if it is in the backyard of Papa's on the old yellow slip-n-slide. Goodbye to the watermelon, peaches, and berries of all sorts. Goodbye to the long summer nights when bedtime wasn't until long after 9.

When we say goodbye, it is only for a season. But, one thing is for sure and that is we will never get the one we are saying goodbye to back. So, for all you women out there who are blessed to have someone very special around you, treasure the moments. Don't let them pass you by. Lift up a word of praise to the one from whom all blessings flow.

Now we say, hello fall! We welcome the shorter days and the cooler air. We anticipate the beauty of the leaves changing and falling. We look forward to hot soups and spicy chili. Jackets and long socks. Football games and hunting. (I threw that in there for Keith!) Special times with family and friends. A time to give thanks to the one who blesses us beyond our imagination.

May our days ahead bring God glory. May we as women embrace His great calling and honor Him in all we do.

Nichole

Fruit in its Season

(1) Madison Suzanne, (2) Morgan Gail, (3) Mallory Nichole, (4) Meghan Elizabeth

(5) Joshua Spencer, (6) Stephen Nicholas, (7) Meleah Grace

A Baseball Team? A Soccer Team? Kid's Little League?

No. May I introduce you to our Mission Field and our Discipleship Group.  We just happen to all be on the same team! Right now it is the team that makes up our family. The Boggs family. Prayerfully as they grow and mature and the Holy Spirit draws them, we will all be on the same Faith team!

It wasn't too long ago that the days were long and wearisome. Constant training and disciplining. A whole lot of whining and complaining. Selfish and sassy attitudes. Huffs and puffs of all sorts. Why are our kids (and myself included) acting this way??!! What am I doing wrong? We should be farther along than this. This is not a picture of the Lord Jesus in our home. I wanted to throw my hands up and wave the white flag of surrender. Certainly I didn't want to quit, did I?

Not too much later the Lord gently reminded me that this was in fact a picture of a battlefield. I was dealing with eight people who had a sin nature that wanted their own way! He reminded me that this was my mission field. There are several little ones who have some growing to do. They don't know Christ as Savior. My mission field. There are several older ones who have stated that they want to follow Christ. These are my discipleship group." Be strong and of good courage", the Lord told Joshua several times after Moses had passed away. He had an even bigger group of people to lead! "Be strong and of good courage, Nichole". I know He is with me and I know this is where He wants me. I wave the white flag of surrender, "Yes, Lord".

So, joyfully and prayerfully we will open up God's Word to 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and recite the truth about love. I encourage the children that this is how we treat each other and this is how we should love. It reminds me of a ball team teaching the fundamentals, the basics. We may have to read it every week until they are grown and married, but I believe and trust that His word will not return void.  You know why? Because we want numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6, and 7 to WIN!

Nichole