Our Church

Above is a pic of my youngest daughter and me.

Go HERE to watch the progress of our front yard being landscaped.

My Husband, My brother in Christ

I especially enjoy writing about Biblical Womanhood as well as the application of Biblical theology from the perspective of a woman longing to communicate my love for who God is as revealed in His Word of knowable and applicable truth and NOT who I imagine He is from some sentimental, me-centered perspective that is based on relative, roller-coaster ride of self-sustained religion 'truth'. In other words, I like to encourage others to press on in His truth and His love for His glory.

But then, everything I have written has likely been said a whole lot better by someone else. I definitely have no insight that is deeper than what God has already revealed. Therefore, if you find anything of value here than give God the glory!

Click: What is it? and 5 solas / 5Points

"Lisa at Deo Volente is another blogger that I'd love to meet with and share some coffee. She's been through some rough circumstances in her life, and she's come through them clearly showing the grace of God, and honouring Him through those circumstances. Her various posts are sometimes funny, often really make you think, and always theologically sound."-Jen at JoythruChrist

Lisa is passionate about her reformed faith and her posts reflect how her faith is practically applied to situations in her life. Very difficult ones, from time to time...Ukrainiac

"Lisa's site has become one of my new favorites to read and to participate. I think she brings a nice touch to the application of theology to everday life as a woman and as a mother. It's sort of like Secret— strong enough for a man, but made for a woman." -Young Wilderness Voice

"Praise the Lord! I have finally found the sold-out, brainy Christian women bloggers, and from what I can tell so far, most of them are Reformed to boot! I knew they had to be out there somewhere. It was just a matter of time. I was directed to Lisa’s blog this morning ...which led to Carla’s blog ... and these are leading me to many others." -Katy at Logoscentric

"4Given's blog. The reformed mother of 6. She rips." by The Armchair Theologian

"This girl got it!" by no fluff required

"I find your blog very encouraging, and uplifting. You are an inspiration to me, and the Lord is using you to encourage me." by Lynn

The above links have some excellent resources and information. However, I do not endorse everything on these sites and prayerfully request that if you click on these links, you will do so keeping this in mind.

My blog is worth $379,370.88.
How much is your blog worth?

« Monday Madness: Deliberate and Devout | Main | Someone please tell me this is a hoax! »

Tuesday Tips: Learn from our mistakes

This is an example of when not to take a family picture. But then, when you have so many children, when IS the right time???

Even though it appeared to not be a terribly bright day, we seemed to be facing the sun as we fought to keep our eyes open to take a family picture right outside our church this past Sunday AFTER worship service, on a rainy day... when the kids were all tired and hungry... and I was apparently distracted. My boots were sinking in the mud. Learn from our mistakes, 'kay? This is supposed to be our family picture that we send to people for Christmas. I know it is difficult to tell, but we actually are a happy family. I don't know... maybe it's me, but my husband looks a little confused. I think he's just hungry or maybe that is the facial expression he made when I said, "I'm sinking!" Oh... and the pattern on my husband's shirt is not that psychodelic. It just looks that way because I had to make the pic a lower quality to publish on my site. And I am not pregnant, though I look like it in this pic. My shirt poofed out for some reason.

Well... it's been fun to share this family pic with you all. You should see what we look like in the morning when we just get up. *shudder*

fam%20pic.jpg

By the way... my dad sent me this:

The man looked a little worried when the doctor came in to administer his annual physical, so the first thing the doctor did was to ask whether anything was troubling him. "Well, to tell the truth, Doc, yes," answered the patient.

"You see, I seem to be getting forgetful. No, it's actually worse than that. I'm never sure I can remember where I put the car, or whether I answered a letter, or where I'm going, or what it is I'm going to do once I get there -- if I get there. So, I really need your help. What can I do?"

The doctor mused for a moment, then answered in his kindest tones, "Pay me in advance."

Posted by Lisa on November 07, 2006

Comments

Ahhhhh, a snapshot of "real" life!!!! :-) Don't you marvel at how SheShe manages to get a decent shot of her family of 13+!!!! Wonder how many shots they take?? :-) We've intentionally taken some silly pics. from time to time--fun to look back on!

Posted by: connie | November 7, 2006 08:44 AM

I should have titled this post... "Advice on when NOT to take a family pic."

Oh... and the matchey attire is not typical for us. It was fun... well, that's not the right word. It was an experience... unforgetable. Especially to Brandon who was so uncomfortable in his itchy sweater. Can't you tell?

Next time I will have to call sheshe for advice. ha.

What we ought to do is really take a family morning shot and send that out for Christmas. Of course, I would have to be holding a cup of hot double strong coffee with extra Vanilla creamer.

Posted by: lisa4given | November 7, 2006 08:57 AM

You guys look great! Very real! Thanks for sharing with us...

Posted by: joythruChrist | November 7, 2006 12:41 PM

Oh, I forgot. I also meant to ask if you made the girls and your matching outfits?

Posted by: joythruChrist | November 7, 2006 12:43 PM

I ordered them from HannahAndersson.com
They are rather overpriced... but the quality is exceptional.

THey actually have outfits that would make your entire family match. Cute! But I am not sure we are ready for that.

After the picture taking adventure, we went to Sam's Club. We tend to get things in bulk when we go shopping... sometimes, if we go there after church, we eat lunch there. (not just the mega samples... but they actually have a food bar with good pizza and sandwiches)

We typically get alot of stares and comments anyway when our entire family ventures over there, but this Sunday was exceptional as we were all so matchey. Oh boy.

Posted by: lisa4given | November 7, 2006 01:34 PM

I just wanted to say that you 3 girls look so cute! I never had a little girl... : ( But I do so love my boys!

Sam's? I love Sam's! Have you tried the buffalo chicken/ranch pizza? Denny and I just had that the other day and fell in love with it. Not bad pricing for a meal there, too.

We typically get alot of stares and comments anyway when our entire family ventures over there, but this Sunday was exceptional as we were all so matchey. Oh boy.

They were probably peeking outside, looking for the bus... LOL

Posted by: joythruChrist | November 7, 2006 06:33 PM

Well... you really have me pegged since I do drive a 15 passenger van that we call the bus. hahahahahahaha.

Posted by: lisa4given | November 7, 2006 06:52 PM

I keep having this insane desire to put all of ours in matching clothes. You know the stereotypical homeschool dress. Blue jean jumpers with sneakers and bobby socks for the girls and white collared shirts and black pants for the boys. We would really look like some cult group then with all of our various races and nationalities. Now they just think we are a class from one of the local magnet schools. For some reason that doesn't go over well with my ten teenagers. Still....

As far as pictures, Sheshe and I always allow them a silly one if they will sit still for the good one. Still hard to get a picture of 15 people with all of their eyes open and no goofy looks.

Posted by: Fatherof11 | November 7, 2006 10:26 PM

Well... you always end up with such great pics. I love the one of your family that is on our fridge of the children on the steps. You guys are a God glorifying inspiration to us.

Lisa

Posted by: lisa4given | November 7, 2006 10:47 PM

HA! Love the picture! I didn't know you had TWO sets of twins. That makes certain stories much easier to understand. Now which ones are the ones that try to ride the doggie?

Beyond that, 6 kids is a good sized family! I have a friend from Saskatoon though who comes from a family of 18, and none of them are adopted...and no twins. (YIKES!) Apparently they used to not get a whole lot of photos taken, but they'd pull one off every year or so.

Could you toss up a larger one, or a linked one? It's a small picture and kinda hard to see. Maybe it's just my eyes in my old age! DOH! HA HA!

Posted by: The_Armchair_Theologian | November 8, 2006 05:30 PM

Lisa,

You know I always enjoy seeing the twins in the class that I help teach. My goal is tell them apart! So, is Shane on the left and Jayson on the right?

Posted by: Julie | November 11, 2006 05:19 PM

No... Shane is on the right and Jayson is on the left. You have a 50/50 chance. :-) *hugs*

Posted by: lisa4given | November 11, 2006 05:23 PM

Ministry Opportunities

"I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest," declares the Lord GOD. "I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick..." Ezekiel 34:15-16

Psalm 127

"My Husband, My Hero of Faith"

Just a pilgrim on a journey...

"I will lift mine eyes unto the hills; from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth..." Psalm 121

Below is a video testimony about how God saved our marriage after an 18 month separation, 5 years into our marriage. We had 2 children when we separated. We now have 6 children and have been married for... well, OH so much longer!!!... by the grace of our faithful Heavenly Father.