Proud Moment

   One of the things that Dutch and Madison have enjoyed while living here in Bradford Co. is being part of the RTL Little League program. Every summer that we've lived here, Madison has had the priviledge of playing on a team. Several years he made the All-Star team as well. And while being part of All-Stars takes up much of our summer due to practices and games, it is definitely a highlight for both Madison and Dutch. I don't go to nearly every game, just because juggling Gracie and Mariah... well, you know, chasing babies while trying to watch a game can be rather... interesting, to say the least. But this past Friday night, laden with snacks and drinks, a small picnic table and four new containers of Play-doh (Gracie LOVES PLay-doh)- we did set out to watch a home game. And to make a long story short... Madison's team lost. But I want to share with you his "warm up" song and the song that gets played right before his at bat on home games. It's called "Lions" and is sung by Skillet (who ever dreamed we'd like a song by them). :)

  See, every player gets to pick "his song" and the announcer will play a short clip of it just before the player bats. When asked what song he wants, Madison's response was- "I don't have a song." Say what? Madison the kid that loves music... no song?? It turns out that he was too shy to say it because most of the songs the kids picked were classic rock or country so he was a little afraid his would be out of place. But his dad spoke up for him and said, "Yeah, he has a song- it's called "Lions" by Skillet." It is a really great song... I"ll post the lyrics here, but you need to pull it up on YouTube and listen to it... it might become your new favorite.

 

Lions

Skillet

Today we live, today we breathe
Today we know that we are strong when we are weak
Today we trust, we overcome
Take every chain that kept us slaves and throw em' off

We're not waiting for permission
We defy our inhibition
Like our middle name is "fearless"
Unafraid

 

If we're gonna fly, we fly like eagles
Arms out wide
If we're gonna fear, we fear no evil
We will rise
By your power, we will go
By your spirit, we are bold
If we're gonna stand, we stand as giants
If we're gonna walk, we walk as lions

Today is ours, it's always been
Before we face the fight
We know who's gonna win
We live by faith and not by sight
We don't want safe and quiet
We don't wanna run and hide

This is not an intermission
It's our time, not gonna miss it
You've already called us fearless
Unafraid

 

If we're gonna fly, we fly like eagles
Arms out wide
If we're gonna fear, we fear no evil
We will rise
By your power, we will go
By your spirit, we are bold
If we're gonna stand, we stand as giants
If we're gonna walk, we walk as lions
We walk as lions

 

Oh, everywhere we go
The battle has been won
We know you've gone before us
So, we take it hard in faith
With every step we take
We know we'll rise victorious

If we're gonna fly, we fly like eagles
Arms out wide
If we're gonna fear, we fear no evil
We will rise
By your power, we will go
By your spirit, we are bold
If we're gonna stand, we stand as giants
If we're gonna walk, we walk as lions
We walk as lions

 

Anyway- the point of this blog is to introduce you to this really great song (that you all probably already heard and I'm just behind with the times;)) and to just tell how proud I was when he got up to bat on his second or third at bat... and a little clip of this song played and he stepped up to the plate and ripped his first All-Star homerun!! What a proud moment!!!!!

I lost 30 lbs since Christmas...

  Sometimes ya just know it's time to change your eating and shed a few pounds. I came to this conclusion after 7 people asked me at my dad's viewing when I'm due...😂😂 I wasn't pregnant... my baby was 6 months old. So I decided that after the holidays I would do things differently... 

  I'm writing this blog to motivate and encourage others. Losing weight doesn't have to be dreadful. I'd love to share with you some simple things that can make a big difference. Here goes.....

WATER

Start you day drinking an 8 oz. glass of water. Keep drinking water throughout the day. Do it BEFORE you eat.

SUGAR

Cut way back on your sugar consumption. Cut out sweet drinks even orange juice. Learn to say no to the things that spike your blood sugar.

EAT

Eat less more often rather than stuffing yourself a couple times a day. Eat the right foods together, don't eat fat & carbs at the same time. Eat none starchy veggies instead of potatoes. I love roasted veggies (broccoli, green beans, Brussel sprouts etc.) w/ butter or oil and seasonings made in the oven at 425 deg. rather than cooking them stovetop. 

EDUCATE YOURSELF

You can eat a lot of tasty food and you don't have to live on rabbit food... and still lose weight. I ate meat, cheese etc. but I learned what food to eat together and cut out the ones that were wasted fillers.

EXERCISE

Exercise is an important part, though it is my least favorite. But even a little bit is better than none at all. A simple 7 minute workout that you pull up on YouTube can make a difference. Just make a start!

DON'T

Don't focus on the food you can't have. Don't see it as a diet but rather just choosing healthier foods. Don't get discouraged and give up.

Get determined. Make small changes a little at a time. I promise that as the scales starts dropping, your confidence will start building and you'll be unstoppable:).

Now please excuse me while I go finish my beloved roasted broccoli...

The Decision

  It's official-- The Fisher family will be leaving The Haft in January of 2018. As I took a stroll outside the other night from the Barn to our house, I wondered how we could ever leave this place? The moon was bright and shining on the pond. The stars, which always seem brighter here because there are no street lights, were softly twinkling. The peepers were peeping... these are all the sights and sounds of this mountain life we've come to love. 

  So why are we leaving? Well really it's because we're sensing that that is what the Holy Spirit is telling us to do. Two yrs ago, we committed to stay a total of 5 yrs at which point we would discern if we were to stay longer or not. As we talked about the future and staying longer, neither one of us felt like that's what we are to do. We've always said that our time here is only for a season. 

  So with the decision made to leave when our 5 year term was done, we began to discuss where we would move to. The number one option that seemed to make sense was to move back to Lancaster in the house next door to my recently widowed mother. Is Lancaster Co. where we really WANT to be? Not exactly, but we feel certain that that's the next step for now. And there are things that we as a family are definitely looking forward to in there- particularly things the that kids want to pursue. They are excited about the opportunities and options they'll have at their fingertips.

  We don't know exactly what it will all look like...?? The job or ministry role Dutch is to take on in this next season is yet to be determined. We have purposed to take our time and not rush into anything. We hope to take some time with our kids in 2018 to do some traveling and sightseeing. We haven't made the trip to Florida as a family for several years so we hope to do that as well as take a trip out west. We'll consider the first year back a Sabbatical year from full-time ministry.

  How do we finish well here? We want to put everything into these last 9 months here so we can walk away with the satisfaction of knowing that we put our all into this place until the very day we left. We are grateful for the opportunity we've had to be a part of this great ministry. We have learned so much!! And we do look forward to serving guests, and hosting retreats through the remainder of this year.

  We know well though, that when the day comes to say good-bye, it will be hard to leave this place, this life, this community... but the Holy Spirit will lead us, of this we are sure!!!

There Is So Much More

  Ever question what life is about? Do you wonder why we spend our whole lives working, saving, spending, and accumulating "stuff", only to die and leave it all behind? I have these questions and many more sometimes.

  I've come to the conclusion that life is about "so much more". This life on earth is only one kingdom- but there is another kingdom!! This earthly life is only the beginning of what God has in store for the rest of our lives (and for your 411- heaven is way more than what we've been taught!! but more on that another time). But anyway... We would be foolish to only focus on the earthly kingdom and the earthly stuff when we can participate in the things of the heavenly kingdom. And it is possible to partake of the heavenly kingdom while we are still earth side. People who are seeking a real relationship with God, where they speak to Him and He actually talks to them too, are tapping into another kingdom. They are able to see into another realm. And that to me is super exciting because I find the thought of living here, only to leave it all, a little depressing. The idea that there is so much more and the fact that we don't have to wait till we die to begin experiencing it, is fascinating to me. It is what motivates me, and drives me to a deeper relationship with Abba Father. The Christian life is mucher more than knowing ABOUT God, its EXPERIENCING Him. It's being "seated in heavenly places". Yes!!

  If you question what this life is all about... it might be time for you to go deeper. Because I promise you... "there is so much more"!!

Your Story

  We've been around enough of people in the last 5 yrs and heard so many stories of brokenness and pain that I can honestly say nothing surprises me anymore. We've heard about abuse, we've heard people's deepest secrets, their fears and their addictions. We've had the privilege of praying with, listening to, and walking with these people. We've seen captives set free and we've witnessed demonic deliverance. We have learned ALOT. 

  EVERYONE has a story, some are more broken then others. Everyone deals with their brokenness differently. Some people shut down emotional, and lots of people go into survival mode, others become religious. And in their brokenness they hurt other people. It's actually kind of a crazy cycle. The devil loves it. He loves to set people on a course where they will self destruct. If he can just get you to believe one lie... he can do a lot of damage. 

  The awesome thing is that God is in the redemption business. He can take a mess and turn it into a message, he makes beauty from ashes. Your mess, your story does not need to define you. God is a God of grace- grace that we can't fathom. You can be restored, set free, and victorious. There is hope!!  No sin is too much, no story too broken for our big God. Chances are that God wants to use your story, your brokenness & your healing journey for His purposes. No one has more authority to speak into another person's brokenness than one who has been there themselves. 

  If you are struggling with an addiction, if you have carried a secret for many years, if you just long to be free- find someone that you can confide in. Start walking toward healing & freedom, and then watch what God does with your story. 

  

I'm coming back to blog again....

  The Lord has been telling me over & over lately that I need to start blogging again. I keep asking Him, "How do I find the time"? He says, "Make time". So I'm going to try to do just that. 

  One of the issues I have with blogging is how as a blogger I put thoughts, ideas etc on paper and I start to feel like people hold me to a certain standard. So here's my disclaimer- just because I tell you bits and pieces of my life does not mean that I, in any way, shape or form, have it "all together"! In fact, most days I don't have. I may possibly share a victory or triumph with you one day, then fail miserably at it the next. 

  My blog is meant to motivate and inspire. It a place where I can put thoughts and ideas on paper, but please keep in mind that it is only a very small piece of my world. Don't spend your time comparing your life to mine or assume things about me from the little tidbits I share- I only aim to encourage you and share ideas, God stories, and etc. to help you on your life journey. 

  I hope to post once a week, but we'll see how this mother of six does with that goal. At this stage in life with a 3 year old (very typical, yet somewhat "special needs" child) and a 9 month old baby, I don't get much more done than drinking my morning coffee and chasing little people. One day I referred to my life as "beautiful chaos"... and that about sums it up right now!! But I'm convinced that life is what you make it... and the perspective with which you see it. So I'm choosing the high road, choosing to be grateful... ha, that's easier said then done. The truth is that there are days I get extremely frustrated and raise my voice ALOT at my children. I'm thankful for God's grace and that His mercies are new every morning. 

  So before I close this little "I'm coming back to blogging" post, here's my little encouragement for the week-- to anyone out there that is stuck in a rut- don't give up, don't keep making agreements with the enemy that says you don't have what it takes… don't buy the lies!! Be an overcomer!!

Christmas Letter 2015

The King of Kings was born in a BARN- a smelly, damp animal barn. Think about that!! Poor young Mary was nearly nine month pregnant when she made that long trek to Bethlehem. Here we are so busy picking out the perfect gifts to put in our plush, already cluttered homes. We are trying to create a magical season that is far removed from the way it all began over 2,000 years ago. Don’t get me wrong… I LOVE this season!! But it struck me recently, the reality of what really took place that December night in Bethlehem. As I pondered, I realized I really do want to make this season celebratory, but keep it revolved around things that really matter. Jesus- the Saviour of the world was born that night. The greatest gift ever given!!

  Here’s a quick family update though I’m not sure much has changed from last year….

  Dutch & I are still Directors at a ministry called The Haft in Bradford Co. PA. Our job ranges from administrative duties, to prayer ministry, to facilitating retreats, to cooking for groups, to keeping the outdoor wood furnaces burning, to everything in between. If you ever wonder if we’re just sitting in the hills of the Endless Mts. twiddling our thumbs, guess again!! J

  ShaLyn- will be a teenager in a few months. I’d say she’s already showing signs of it. Her responses some days have me shaking my head and asking, “Where is my cute, little, innocent Shay.” Besides the teenage drama though, she really is a gem. Super capable, motivated, & for the most part quite responsible. She’s in her 7^th year of homeschooling! She has used the Abeka Academy DVDs the last 3 years, and LOVES it. She says she’s moving to Pensacola, FL. someday to attend their college. We’ll see about that!! Her bucket list of things to do/become in the future continues to grow. I’m excited to see just what it is that the Lord leads her to in life.

  Madison- the child that keeps our house from being overrun with girl drama. He keeps me updated on all things football. He “plays” football by himself every day down in the basement. Its all imaginery, of course, but it keeps him entertained for long periods of time. Most of the time he’s the easy going child. I really do love his personality. A big highlight for him this year was the November Youth for Jesus retreat we had here. He had an encounter with the Holy Spirit like never before. He said that week was the best week of his life!!

  MaKayla- the middle child!! For some reason she has this idea that the older kids pick on her- that may or may not be true;) I am finding that she does have a really tender heart though, and far too often it gets hurt. A highlight for MaKayla and I this year was taking a quick trip (with my mom & sis) to TN. to surprise my oldest sister, Anne, for her 50^th birthday!! MaKayla felt so honored that she got to go along. All the other kids, except Gracie, had to stay home with dad. MaKayla thanked me several times on that trip for “picking” her to go along.

  Gabby- the child that made me question my parenting ability. Need I say more?? She’s little and feisty, and has a lot of spunk. She tells me she’s going to go to gymnastic when she’s 8!? I’m guessing she’d be a natural. One of the hardest things for Gabby is when the other kids are doing school and Gracie is napping- Gabby gets sooo bored. She follows me around, asking me to play games with her. A mama can only do that for so long…

  Gracie- turned two on Thanksgiving Day and SHE IS WALKING!! It was sooo long in coming!! She finally managed the art of balancing herself despite the fact she only sees with her one eye and only part of that eye has vision!! What an incredible brain she has (we all have really!), to be able to piece together her little world and do most of the things a typical two year old can do. She climbs onto the kitchen counter, the bathroom counter, and out of her Pak N’ Play. She is the most loveable, cuddliest child you can imagine.

    A family highlight this year was a camping trip we took to a campground not too far from here. We had our first experience camping in a camper!! That suits me much better than a tent. We all agreed it would be fun to take an RV and travel for a few months, picking campgrounds as we go, sightseeing, etc. We chalked it up as a dream we’ll pursue in the future.

  Overall, we have had a good year! Every year brings with it it’s challenges & surprises- perhaps the biggest surprise for us this year was finding out that we are having Baby #6, due to arrive the end of May!!

                                                                                                   Celebrating Jesus!!!

          dutch, rosa, shay, matt, makayla, gabby, gracie