Walking against the flow...

You know it doesn't take much for our family to turn heads.  All we really have to do is walk into a store or restaraunt (sp? I haven't finished my coffee this morning, and I don't want to get up to get the dictionary.)  People seem to be amazed at the size of our family.  Some reactions are positve, but most of them are negative.  Children aren't looked upon as blessings anymore.  They are something to be tolerated.  When people find out that our kids all have the same parents and we homeschool, we are really looked at as if we are weird.  You mean there is a such thing as "our kids" instead of "yours, mine, and ours" in a family this size?!  And you WANT to be at home with your kids all the time?!  Yes and Yes!
I get a lot of questions about the decisions I have made in my life.  Because of those decisions, my family "sticks out like a sore thumb" or should I say broken toe.  LOL  I try to teach my kids Biblical values so they don't fall for what the world holds valuable.  I want our sons to be Godly leaders of their home.  I want our daughters to see the value of their families and keep her Godly duties close to her heart.  Oh, I am sure I will cause a stir with that comment.  How dare I "sell my daughters short!" According to the world, I am.  Oh well, I am not living my life to please the world.
Even after my mini-meltdown last week, I still LOVE my husband with all my heart.  Do we agree on everything?  No.  Are we both perfect? No.  But, I have to say that Mike is perfect for me.  I have to follow his leadership just as he is to follow God's leadership.  When I see things that I don't agree with or is a little off by God's standards, does that mean I am suppose to be his conscience?  No, I am to pray for him even more, asking God to prick his heart on this matter.  Do I live by this all the time?  Nooooo.  I am all too quick to point out what he is doing wrong and how I think it needs to be done.  What is the result of this, you ask?  I am telling Mike that I don't trust his leadership/judgement.  That I could do a better job.  It slowly chips away at the man God wants him to be.  I should be lifting him up.  No, I didn't say putting him on a pedestal and overlooking the things he is doing that is against God's will.  But you can pray that God will give you an opportunity to talk with him about these things, and not doing it in your timing.  Remember God's timing is perfect.  God may need to deal with your husband's heart and soften it a bit before you can talk an issue and not cause a great divide.
I am trying to model my life after the Proverbs 31 woman, and I have a LONGGGGG way to go.  As a daughter of the King of kings, I am to live my life set apart from those things of the world.  Does it mean that I will follow at path that is popular?  Yes, more time than not.  Does it mean my values will clash with others around me, whether it is family, friends, or strangers?  Yes, it does.  In those times, you pray for God's guidance on how to deal with each situation.
I have found a blog that is giving away a book So Much More written by Anna Sophia Botkin and Elizabeth Botkin.  Hop on over and check it out. My Way Home 
Now, I am off here to be productive.  Jonathan has a recheck on his ears this afternoon, and Andrew has driver's ed, so my afternoon will be shot.  I pray you have a wonderful day.  Maybe tomorrow I can update everyone tomorrow on the happenings around the Hill home.  Love ya bunches!