Recipe for a Stress Free Christmas Season

One mom focused on the REASON FOR THE SEASON
1 Walgreens, pre-lit tree, on sale
1 box of unbreakable ornaments
3 strings of colored lights that still work
Old Christmas decorations that have been sitting in a thrift shop box
1 copy of "Best Christmas Pageant Ever"
Box cake mixes, Easy cookie recipes, jello
Hot cocoa mix and marshmallows
Graham crackers, frosting and candies
Battery operated candles, lots of them if you can!
Lots of Christmas music that focuses on Jesus' birth
Friends, Christmas light tour in our car, free concerts, free carriage rides
A continually open Bible and a child who can read it

Set up tree in 10 minutes or have older son do this and plug in the lights (enjoy the squeals). Allow all children to decorate our precious tree, no matter how it looks. Let the older boys lay the lights anywhere and set up the old decorations however they want to. Set battery operated candles in the windows and light them at dusk every day. Read "Best Christmas Pageant" sometime in the month and discuss every chapter! Bake only easy stuff all month using the simplest recipes you have. OR teach an older child to do this. Drink a lot of hot cocoa. Build gingerbread houses on paper plates out of the graham crackers, frosting and candies. Let children eat gingerbread houses! Keep Christmas music on whenever you can remember to do so. Invite friends in, go caroling, go see others lights, check out all the free stuff in town. Read and re-read every Christmas letter and card, allow children to play with all cards and photos. Two or three times a day, dive into the Bible to keep the stress level down....the Book of James or Philippians....Psalms....Luke 2! Focus, focus, focus! (Note: I'm still working on perfecting this recipe!!!)

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus

This is our annual postcard photo and blurb. Enjoy!!!

2009 Bade Family News Flash 2009 SPOKANE,WA – This just in -- Fearless leader of his clan, Greg Bade, announced today that 2009 has been a year of blessings. He and Terri now enjoy monthly overnight getaways to maintain their sanity! They also rejoice with Hannah (19), who is now engaged to Erik. Sarah, Greg’s silly 17-year-old, continues to beg to wear footie pajamas to all family & church functions. In other family news, Greg’s four oldest sports-minded sons, Zach (13), Noah (12), Elijah (11), and John (9) hauled in & stacked 10 cords of wood very neatly, but still struggle to clean their room. Leah (8), Mary (7) & Lydia (5), affectionately known as the “Little Girls,” sing praise songs, giggle and listen to favorite CDs in their busy room. Greg’s youngest son, Jonah (7), already well acquainted with the Principal’s office, tries to keep up with the BIG BOYS. Related news: Greg’s oldest brother, Bruce, new to Spokane, enjoys family outings and meals with his nephews and nieces, despite the chaotic busy-ness of the Bade homestead. Facebook us: Greg N Terri Bade; email Badefam@gmail.com. (Lydia says, “Read your Bible, pray ever day and you’ll grow, grow, grow!”) 2 Tim 3:16-17

Perspective on "Tying"

Frustrated, our youngest girl, Lydia, sits here again and again, with her little tennis shoes and their very long laces. Over and over she works the white strings to make them into the pretty loops that I show her as an example. "Come on Lydia, take the left string and make it go around the mountain and through the tunnel!" "Mom, I can't make it do that!" I hear repeatedly. She's five and we will continue to work on this one task until she is successful, even though she is convinced she will NEVER tie shoes by herself. Until that day when she can tie, she will trip over the trailing dirty strings and need the help of others.
Working equally as diligent, but with a task that has much harsher consequences if not successfully completed, is our oldest daughter, Hannah. She is focused these days on "tying" of a different sort. With that sparkling jewelry on her left hand, she is working to learn all she can about "Tying the Knot" and making that knot foolproof. She wants to be part of a KNOT that can never be untied, but by death. She will be one of the laces and Erik the other. The result, a strong knot the parts of which are indistinguishable as separate pieces. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)
Wise counsel, God's Word, parental involvement, time in prayer together and alone, learning to yield, listen, and apply Biblical principals to problems are the ingredients of making this knot hold fast for their forever. As parents we must not sit back and "let them figure it out." Now, prior to the wedding ceremony and marriage, is our time to be very much an active part of this "tying" process. The tricky part is knowing when to be silent, when to nod, when to open up, teach OR send her out with a bit of coaching to work through some issue on her own. We constantly pray for wisdom as we have the two of them here for an evening of "just talking." We want our words to be seasoned with grace, full of truth and helpful to them.
Oh, dearest Father in Heaven, how hard this time is in so many ways. We rejoice with Hannah and Erik because we know how amazing a strong marriage can be. But we also plead for them before your throne because we know how very difficult it is to knot one sinful person to another for life. Help us work through the difficulties with grace always on our tongue. Give us words, wisdom and courage to do Your will now for the preparation of this daughter and this man for a lifetime of serving you. May they never seek riches, or the approval of others, rather may they be wholly focused on you and the needs of others for all their years together on this earth. And Lord, help Lydia with her frustration and help me when we get to the two-wheeler and all that running! Or better yet, help me find a wiling brother for that one!!! Amen

Our Arrows

"Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth." I picture a young warrior with arrows in his hand, ready for battle, ready and willing to move ahead because he is prepared for anything and protected by his arrows which are straight and have a painstakingly hand-made point on them.
Now I take that picture and relate it to our five sons who are standing here arguing over whose turn it is to carry the full bag of trash out of the kitchen and walk 20 feet to the larger garbage can outside. "I'm not big enough to carry that," "I did it yesterday," "you always make me do it," "why do I have to stop this game, mom, just for trash?"
Our Five Sons! These little men could not be more different. We have the oldest who loves to play with his little siblings. He'll read to them, teach them a game, help them get ready to go somewhere. But handing in homework? No, not this boy, that's too hard to remember. Worry about how that affects grades, nah, just have fun!
Then there is the next oldest guy. Charming, cerebral, excellent musical skills and yet convinced that God created the universe to orbit his body, focusing on his needs first. And even better, he is willing to remind us daily of this!
Our third oldest son loves football almost more than food. I think the list would be food, football and then oxygen. He has an amazing laugh, and always has since he was a tiny baby. But try to make this boy understand that his way is not the right way, good luck! You' ll talk until you are blue in the face and he'll still fumble down his own path and reap the whirlwind.
The next guy in line is only nine years old. He tries desperately to follow in the staggered footsteps of his older siblings. He is kind, would give you his last piece of gum or his last cookie. He'll drop everything to do a task. BUT, beat him in a game of basketball and you will see quite a different boy in front of you. You may find yourself chasing him through the park just to talk about it!
The littlest brother is a tag along at best most days. He can't keep up even when he seriously tries. But he still tries. Usually he gets stuck playing with little sisters, to whom he is closer in age. Smart as they come, this little one is. He is excelling in school, BUT he has become a sort of sponge for picking up the bad habits of the other boys at recess time.
So how do we get from this motley crew to "arrows" ready for battle? Fortunately we have a weapon that has been handed down to us by none other than God himself. That weapon is the word of God. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2Tim3:16)
There is hope in Christ! I cling to this hope for our sons. We need to be on our knees, but we also need to be opening the Word to our children and requiring them to read it, listen to it, pray it, memorize it, obey it. We need to discipline them for not heeding this precious Word, pointing continually back to God's standard for everything in life. May each boy one day utter these verses, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:103-105)
Lord, take this rag-tag bunch of boys and make them into men who do not waver. May they become like those straight, strong, useful "arrow." Make them into men who will follow you and your ways, even to the death if necessary. I plead with you, Lord, stuff them full of your sweet Words until those words overflow into all of their lives and the lives of all who are around them. And please Lord, make one of them want to put this trash bag into the outside can! Amen.

Wow! Tall order there! In Titus 2:
5 I read, "train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands that the word of God may not be reviled." If I could have understood what a blessing this one verse is early on in our marriage, I may have saved us years of agony! What it doesn't say is, "Teach the young women how to win every argument with their husbands and children, be controlled by their emotions, entertain any thoughts they want, use any language they choose, be kind when it suits their needs and submit ONLY when there is something to be gained by it." But it seems that is how I lived for many years, completely missing the joy of being a wife.
I have learned in the last decade or so of my life that I can rest in the Word of God. He loved the world so very much that HE gave us HIS only Son so we may have ever lasting life. Why would a God who loves us that much, make us slaves to a system of marriage and home life that doesn't work.
Resting, refreshing, retreating, reviving...these are the words I use now as I am soaking up HIS word and HIS commandments. His ways are wonderful ways that make life easier and bring deep joy.
I have the distinct privilege of making this home a retreat for the 12 people who live here and for anyone who enters our door. Also, for a short time, I have the precious job of spending gobs of time with our children in a relationship that will generate memories in their minds for all their years. I can bring smiles or tears with just a word. It's a powerful position we moms hold in their lives.
As I submit to Greg I can see him standing a bit taller. He gains a measure of assurance in his position as our leader. As I submit, I train the children to submit to their leaders, bosses, teachers and anyone in authority over them. Submission to Greg doesn't mean I am a lower class of person, it simply means that I understand God's order in our home and I am willing to take my place where HE wants me to be. I am undoubtedly blessed beyond measure by Greg when I submit to him, because as the head of our household he gains confidence and treasures caring for me. It has taken me YEARS to see that this really works ladies! We were meant to submit as a form of love and respect to our mates and they LOVE it! And we benefit from it!
As I love and treasure our children, I show the world that I value life. I value their lives, their hearts, their future, their needs and wants. I am an example to the world of someone very counter-cultural in this time we live: a woman who actually LOVES kids!!! Lots of kids!!!
What a wonderful joy I have in my heart as my husband walks in and holds me in his arms after a long day. Then we gather everyone at the long dining room table for a meal I've prepared. We eat together, share stories, Greg shares some scripture and usually we dive into our book we are reading. With just a bit of planning early in my day, I can make all this happen and bring a blessing to my family and to myself. I want them to take these memories with them wherever they go and to know that loving and training family was one of my favorite jobs.
What is the legacy we are passing on? Do I have time for a kiss on the lips from my 6 year old when I'm busy working? Is there enough room in my day to sit with a sullen 11 year old who needs to share an important story with me? Is setting up the trampoline in the rain out of my job description (we actually did this last week)? Can I laugh when I am overcome with things to do?
This is a season, another season of life. There was the Air Force Season with deployments and military commitments. There was the baby season full of new babies, little giggles, toddling sweethearts, diapers and sleepless nights. Now we are in this season of training heavily, quality checks on chores, coaching the older ones, preparing them to go into this world ready for the challenges. The girls need to know how to submit to their husbands and run their home in joy with love and confidence. The boys need to know how to provide for a home and family and lead them all in righteousness.
And my part is day by day, step by step, building, adding, correcting. Loving, being self-controlled, being pure, being home, being kind and submitting to my man. And if I am faithful I shall reap a harvest that is beyond my wildest imaginings.
Continually look for the ways God is working in the lives of your children and comment on that. Last week we had the privilege of commending an older son on how he handled someone flirting with him. He handled it in a Godly way and we told him we were so full of joy as we watched him walk through that uncomfortable situation. This takes time to do, but builds confidence in our children and proves to them that the word of God is TRUE and works righteousness in their lives and will lead them to being a wise man and not a fool.
Pray for their spouses now. Pray for someone who has remained pure, innocent, righteous. Pray for someone who loves the Word of God and knows him personally. Pray for a person with a strong character who can handle adversity. And add more, pray the scriptures over that person who will one day walk into your home and amaze you!
What an amazing job I have as a believing wife and mom. What a blessing it is to know that God has plunked me down right here, in this home, at this time, with these people to be the hub of our family.
Father, thank you for your unfailing word. Help me to always cling to your truth. As the Psalmist in 119 says repeately, "give me understanding, clinging to your testimonies, lead me, I will meditate on your precepts, I will delight in your statutes, open my eyes...." It's a continuous process, Lord, plant in me a desire to always begin my day at your feet, resting quietly, soaking up your precious words. And Father, thank you that you are a good Father that we can confidently turn our children over to every day. They were yours before they were ever ours. Amen!

Strength in Weakness

Many who know me probably don't know that I've suffered with a serious disease all of my adult life. In my 20's I had strange symptoms that became more difficult to live with into my 30's. The year EJ was adopted was the worst I can remember with my health. At 38 I found myself weak, laying in a military hospital completely depleted and discouraged looking up at the cracking white paint on the ceiling. I had left four children, 2 of them babies, at home with Greg and my mother. I was beyond hope in my heart. That week, I listened to Christian radio and read my Bible. My body had let me down completely. I had no energy, couldn't keep weight on, couldn't keep food down (hadn't eaten in 4 weeks) and I had no hope. It was there that week that I decided that I had to find a way to get better so that I could enjoy a long life with all these babies. I'm elated to tell you that through a series of events and discoveries that God led me to, I am enjoying good health 10 years later.

I was doctored through a gastroenterologist for ulcerative colitis until that year of my total collapse at 38. After my week-long hospital stay, I ventured cautiously into Naturopathy. I have NEVER regretted this journey, although it has not been easy because it is counter-cultural!

Now, if I stay on my diet strictly, I live most days without a thought of my former symptoms. I can only vaguely remember the depression of living with a disease that did not allow me much socialization, because I had to be close to home due to the constant need for a bathroom. I had pain almost every hour of every day. I had interrupted sleep every night with pain and running to the bathroom. Colitis robbed me of ministry opportunities outside my home. It took away the fun of eating out with friends. Colitis made home life very hard because at the height of my illness, Greg's military commitment called him away from home often. The job of mothering and fathering our children fell on me alone. Greg always felt bad leaving, but God always provided for us.

God was working on me then as He is now. I have learned some very good Biblical lessons through this journey. I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone, but I'll pass the lessons on here for free!

My doctor now is not a believer in Christ, she does not know the hope I have in eternity with my Savior. I am sad to say that though she sees the healing strength of the human body and all its intricacies, she does not acknowledge the ONE who created it to be so. I give God the glory for my healing and for this diet too. I share Christ at the Naturopathic clinic with my words falling mostly on deaf ears, but share I shall!

For those interested, I am on a very strict diet which keeps my digestive system from having to digest foods it cannot tolerate. The school of thought at this Naturopathic clinic follows the work of Dr. Carroll and Dr. Dick. The food testing is called Carroll Food Intolerance Testing. You can research it on line, along with the work of Dr. Abrams as well. I have had to remove all FRUIT and POTATOES because I am intolerant to them. This has not been easy. FRUIT is in so much food that we eat including cheese, sauces, seasoning mixes, canned tomatoes, restaurant foods, salad dressings, breads, etc. Of course just eliminating beautiful, wonderful fruit has been very difficult. POTATOES are in any food labeled "enriched" because potatoes have many vitamins and they are useful to enrich foods. (Note: the food in this photo is being prepared for our boys...I cannot eat this bread!!! This was taken on vacation this year. God showed me that I can even vacation when I am ill and have fun!)

About every 18 months to 2 years I come out of remission. Symptoms slowly begin to creep into my day. I notice subtle things like a pain or some fatigue that is unexplainable. If I can find the offending food, I can remove it quickly and the symptoms leave.

Sad to say, this summer I have come out of remission with worse symptoms than I have had in years. I ignored every warning that this amazing creation of a body gave me. So I'm having to walk down a longer road to healing this time. It is a good lesson learned. I believe in the busy-ness of the end of the school year, I set aside ME!!!

Every time my symptoms re-appear, I begin a diligent search for the food that has caused the problem. Usually, I will take 20-30 food tests into my ND (Naturopathic Doctor) for testing. EVERY TIME, I have found that I have been eating something that I had no idea was bad for my digestion. Usually this is because a food company has changed a recipe's ingredients and is using something now that I cannot eat. For instance, Breyers Vanilla ice cream was an allowed food for years until Breyers began to add some new ingredients. I became ill and soon found this was the culprit. Amazingly other patients at the clinic became ill on the same thing! God has created our bodies to be able to give us signals when they are not functioning correctly. This Summer I have had a very difficult season of discouragement and am now, finally, feverishly trying to find out what is causing these symptoms. Last night I happened upon six items that I will take in for testing along with a dozen others I have prepared. It is a long process, but has many benefits!

I bring all this up to talk about a scripture that the Lord has given me as a comfort. I was sharing this passage with my daughter who suffers from migraines (when her ND diet is not followed). We were on a double-gripe (that is both of us griping together!!!) about symptoms and pain and the inconvenience of these earthy bodies. I, then, read to her that Paul had been given a tremendous vision of heaven and right after that lofty experience, God allowed a health issue to torment him. Paul writes, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

God has shown me a few things. First, that He is in total control of my life and I am not. When I lose control of my health I feel a sense of great loss. I become anxious and discontent. He is showing me through this time of illness that HE is the one I must continually look to, NOT ME, NOT MEDICINE, NOT DIETS. Second, God allows weakness to come to show HIS power in my life. When I am weak and He accomplishes things outside my ability, God gets the glory! He shines through the pain and sadness. He provides others to help OR our children do something to help me that I didn't expect. And, third, I am the mother of ten children. I need to be home doing my job. Like Titus 2 says I need to be busy at home caring for my children. This colitis and the symptoms and the crazy diet that can be hard to follow ALL KEEP ME CLOSE TO HOME. This disease keeps me dependent on God and on His provision of our home, kitchen, pantry, etc. Without this disease, given my "type A" personality, I think I'd convince myself that I could work a part-time job for extra funds. OR I'd completely dive into a ministry that would take all my time away from these precious babies God has placed in my care! Fourth and a sort of insignificant side note, I do not struggle with a weight problem when I am diligent about this diet. The diet is healthy and makes my body feel better and stay slimmer. Ulcerative colitis and naturopathic diets are great for weight control!

So, in conclusion, I am thanking God even today, even while I am suffering with symptoms. I am thanking Him for the blessing of healing but also for the afflictions that cause me to run into HIS arms for comfort and that bring glory to Himself through my weak life. I've had more time to read my Bible this Summer than in the previous six months combined! I have had precious time with each child, especially when they climb onto my bed to talk to me or sit with me on the sofa while I rest. I am so very blessed with a husband who is willing to put anything on hold to keep me well. He blesses me every day.

Thank you, Lord, for ulcerative colitis. Thank you for difficult diets. Lord, I plead with you to heal me, but only if the healing would bring you glory. Father, use my illness to draw others to yourself. My you be continually glorified in my words, actions and daily walk!

Hidden Things

"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings."

In the thick of it, I cannot see beyond my nose. I am frustrated at their unthankful hearts. I find myself being impatient and unkind. They leave socks everywhere....everywhere. I am constantly picking up pens, plastic toys, string, pieces of clothing, food items. "Oh God, how did I get here?"

I am the maid, the servant, the unnoticed, overworked mom. "What's for lunch?" "When can Michael come over?" "Why can't we have an RV like they do?" "Are we only going on one vacation this year???" AAAGGGHHH....

Yes, we have chosen this life. Called to it? Prepared for it? I can't really say either! We chose each time we adopted. We laid each situation out in front of the Lord and weighed pros and cons. Doors shut along the way at times and closed down options for us. But these 10 children, these were hand-picked to be together with us for this time. They are our children. "Father, why are the Summer days so difficult for me this year? Why am I struggling? "

Being raised as the oldest of three children, I was in no way prepared for this task. I cook in large pots, purchase huge cans of applesauce, procure produce in case lot sizes, run laundry in super-sized loads! I am the same girl who 25 years ago rode around in a convertible, music blasting, red hair blowing in the wind, red nails changing stations on the radio. What a howl to think of all God has done to get me here!

Lord, I pray, even today and for every day, that you would humble me. Help me see that your role on this earth was no more than a servant. It is a high calling in your economy. You emptied yourself of everything to be my Saviour and I am eternally grateful for this amazing love. I want to graciously give you ALL of me, empty ALL of me into your hands.

If you choose to conceal the "whys" for now, give me please the grace to bear your fruit on this earth for however many days you have me here!

As I stoop this day to pick up another dirty sock, remind me of how low you stooped to be the Saviour of the world! And may I always be a THANKFUL child.

Full Circle

As I held her tiny body in my arms outside that Romanian hospital staring into those huge brown eyes my tears ran down my face. Years of waiting for a child had almost crushed my heart and our marriage yet, God's perfect plan was unfolding right in front of us! We named her Hannah after Samuel's mother in 1 Samuel. I remember praying over her then and often afterward Hannah's prayer, "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me and not forget your servant but give me a child then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life...."

I often wondered how God would want us to "give her back" to him. And as the years have gone by I realize that parenting is process of giving our children back to God. We are working ourselves out of a job. That's parenting, in a nutshell as painful as that sounds to me today!

Early this morning we received an email from our Hannah. She is in Romania for 10 days serving her people, giving back, loving them and sharing the gospel with them. I feel like we've come full circle in a way. We are praying that God will plant in Hannah's heart a deep love and compassion for the hurting and lost in the land of her birth. We pray this for all our children. Every one of them has come to us by way of adoption and every one of them has a "people" to go back to.

Our letting go is difficult. We are in the beginning stages of "letting go" of an adult child. We are learning to keep our mouths closed when our advice is not necessary. We are learning to praise her when she takes huge steps into adulthood and looks back for our approval. And most of all we are treading lightly when asked for our opinion. Continual confirmation, affirmation, gentle course corrections are all a part of this stage of parenting.

Thank you Lord for the wisdom of others that you are providing us with so we may tread in the path of righteousness directly behind them, even when we long to just pull back on the reins and control our adult child.

"When words are many, sin is not absent. But he who holds his tongue is wise." (Proverbs 10:19)