Sleeping Like a Baby

This picture helps you understand what people mean when they say..."He is sleeping like a baby!"

Loss, But NOT DEFEAT!

      Of course, it is old news that Barack Obama was re-elected for another 4 years. As many of you, I am very, very, very disappointed in the results of the election, but I am not the least bit surprised!
      First & foremost, do you believe that God still reigns & is in control? If your answer is yes, then do you believe that everything that happens God allows? If your answer is yes, then God knew that Obama was going to be re-elected before the foundations of the world! Throughout the Bible, there are numerous passage that talk about the fact that God is in control of judges, rulers, etc. It is an indisputable fact that God is still in control & that it was His Will to allow Obama to be re-elected. To believe otherwise, would be to believe that God is weak & not in control of everything!
      Second, I believe the reason that Obama was re-elected is due to the many people that have rejected God & anything to do with God. Christian, the Great Commission has not changed, prayer has not changed & God still reigns! I am sure you have asked yourself this question: "What are we to do with Obama back in office? Our country is doomed!" Yes, our country is doomed, BECAUSE IT HAS REJECTED GOD! The reason that Obama was re-elected is because America has rejected God & His principle! Is there still hope for America? THERE IS CERTAINLY HOPE & MERCY FOR AMERICA!
      The first thing that we must do as Christians is continue to witness & tell others about Christ. The more people that are converted to Christ & truly saved will vote differently in the next election (if the Lord tarries)! The second thing we must do is PRAY, PRAY & PRAY SO MORE! Not just a quick prayer in morning to check off your list of things to do, but fervent, persistent prayer for God's mercy & power! And the third thing we must do is to FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT! Fight against ungodliness, wickedness, laws that undermine God's Word, false doctrine! There are many, many verses in the Bible that talk about fighting against false doctrine & wickedness!
      Below, I have posted an article from Mike Huckabee, who was the one of the presidential candidates for the 2008 Presidential Election. While I do not agree with everything that Mike Huckabee supports & believes, I believe that he "hit it on the nail" concerning the election in his "Statement on the Election".

      "There is a lot to be disappointed by in the election results this evening and I am disappointed, but not despondent. Tonight's results only remind me that our country has slipped into a deeper state of dependence on government than I wanted to believe. Where the Goliath of government has grown so too has our dependency.
     It's also increasingly apparent to me that our real problems are not political, but spiritual. Both parties have failed to acknowledge that. Democrats have not wanted to even acknowledge the need for God in our public institutions, but sadly, many of the Republican leadership will acknowledge God, but not because they believe we should be humble before Him, but to use God in our speeches and platforms. We wear our love of Israel like a badge of courage but on the issues of life and marriage too many of our leaders are more like lambs than Lions of Judah.
     Well now maybe our Republican Party will look at itself in the mirror. I feel that we shouldn't pack up and quit, but gear up and get ready for the next battle. That's what we do as people of faith and a party of principle. We don't stop believing what we believe. We do a better job of doing what we're supposed to do. That’s how you attract voters and win elections. And that is how you save America from herself. "  

 (http://www.mikehuckabee.com/2012/11/statement-on-the-election)

   One more thing I would like to post concerning the Elections is the lyrics to a song from a patriot cantata by Bible Truth Music-"This is My America". The song is entitled, "Turn the Tide". The lyrics are perfect for these thoughts concerning elections.

When America was founded she was strong & pure & good, 

and her leaders on their knees were not ashamed to call on God;

but our nation in her pride has turned her back upon the right,

and the clouds of evil threaten to turn glory into night.

Strong wickedness has crept in, like a cold & bloodly thief, 

those who know the Lord and do His will stand by in disbelief.

For the love of God and country, we must not cease for a day,

for the future of our children, we must life our hearts and pray.

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!

God's enemy is hard at work, undermining everywhere,

breaking down foundations, twisting laws & setting snares.

He would take away our freedom, and replace it with despair,

and he laughs at those opposing him as if they were not there.

God's children cannot sit by, we must stand up and defend,

for the battle is not over 'til our King declares the end.

We must work & fight & meet him, not as those who beat the air,

for the greatest weapon in our hands in strong & fervent prayer.

      

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!

Though the waves of immorality may beat upon the shore,

and it seems that all ungodliness is knocking at your door,

We must never give up hope, we must not let them win the war.

We must plead with Him who has the power to cleanse & restore.

Turn the tide, Lord, turn the tide! Open wide the flood gates of Your Power,

Stem the flood of wickedness; restore, revive & bless, turn the tide!  

      Christian, there is a work to do! "Let us not become weary in well doing..." We must fight, pray & witness until the Lord returns! To the work, to the work!

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 A little update on our family! We are doing very good! Nehemiah is growing very, very quickly and showing his sinful personality! (We have our work cut out--that's for sure!) But we are so thankful to the Lord for Him! This next week, our church is having its 33rd Anniversary & annual Missions Conference! So please pray for the Lord blessing & conviction!

A Note from my Student

     Yesterday my little first grade boy brought this note up to me.  I especially appreciated it because he is not one to really show his feelings very much.

       For those of you who need a translation it says: "I like Mrs. Brock.  She is the best teacher.  I like God too.  God loves us too."  It is little things like this that help me continue on and remind me that being a teacher is worth it!

The things children say!

       I had something funny happen in my classroom a couple of days ago that I thought I would share with everyone...hopefully it will bring a smile to your face like it did to mine!  I actually wanted to laugh, but had to hold it in since I was in front of my students.
       During our morning Bible/devotion time we were talking about helping at home, doing our chores, being neat & clean, etc.  Some of the girls were complaining about having to do the dishes, clean their room, and other such chores.  I told them that now was a good time to learn how to work hard and do a good job with their chores because one day they would grow up and get married.  I then proceeded to say, "When you are a wife it will be up to you to make sure that your house is clean, dinner is cooked, the dishes are washed, and the laundry is done."  As soon as I finished, one of my little 2nd grade girls looked at me with a very puzzled face and said, "So what does the husband do?"   :)
       I made sure to explain to her that the husband did his own share of hard work all day long so that he could bring home money to pay for things!

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       As for a little update on our family, we are all doing great!  Nehemiah had his 4 month doctor visit today, and he was in the 95th percentile!  He weighs 17lbs. 9oz. and is 26 1/2in. long!  It is no wonder that mommy's back is always hurting!  He now loves to grab whatever he can and chew on it. He also loves his feet and hands!  Yesterday he was reclining at about a 45 degree angle and pulled himself to a completely upright position!  I could not believe it! We think he is teething....oh yay!  Well I guess this was really an update on Nehemiah, but who really cares about Tyler and I, right?:) 



Ready for Church

In this picture I think he fits the nickname that my friend Rachel has for him...

"Mr. Pickles"

In Full Swing

     Well, school is in full swing, which means that we do not have much left-over time to write on our blog!  Our lives are busy, busy, busy but we love it!  From the time we wake up at 5:00 am until we go to bed at 10:30 pm we have things to thank the Lord for!  We can even thank the Lord for Fall, although it means that the blizzards of winter will soon be here!
     School is going well so far.  My students definitely keep me hopping!!  I am normally very worn out by the end of the day, but I guess that is how all teachers are!  They also keep me laughing with the interesting things they do and say!  A few days ago, my little 1st grade girl drew me a picture of her and me.  She had already given me several such pictures, and I always like to ask her what we are doing in the picture.  Normally we are hugging each other, picking flowers, or just standing there.  Not this time though!! When I asked her what we were doing in her picture she said, "We are both aliens with no arms!"  Well that was a bit of a shocker!  It did make me smile to myself though!  Its ok that she made me an alien, since she is the same one that likes to write me notes and tell me I am the best teacher ever and she loves me!:)  I think there is nothing more entertaining than teaching elementary age children.  I wouldn't give up my job for anything! 
     Nehemiah is also another source of amusement.  Babies are so fun to watch!  He is getting to be more and more fun as he gets older.  He smiles, laughs, and coos so much now!  When he wakes up in the morning sometimes we will hear him just "talking" away to himself in his crib!  He also has a colorful elephant that he loves to talk to.  Last night he finally slept through the night, which was a great accomplishment for him!  8 hours of sleep!  That made me happy too, since I did not have to stumble out of bed at 3 o'clock in the morning and try to find my way to his room without running into a wall, door, or other dangerous object in my way!
     This past Saturday we had a Carnival-themed party for our van kids and church kids ages 3-12.  We had a grand time!  We were able to rent some big inflatable "bouncy houses" ( I guess that is what they are called).  At one point the bouncy house that I was watching got detached from its air source and began to deflate with kids in it!!  I tried to hold it up while frantically calling for Tyler's help!  Thankfully at that point the three kids that had been in there came sliding out the bottom!  Tyler and a few other men remedied the problem and we did not have any more issues for the rest of the day!
     The van ministry has been doing well these last few weeks.  Now that school has started, kids that were gone during the summer are being faithful again!  We are needing to do two runs with the vans on some Sundays which is wonderful since it means that too many kids are coming for just one van load!  We are also picking up two of our most faithful little girls for Wednesday night Patch the Pirate Club.  It is a blessing to see them ready and excited to come every Wednesday!
   Other than these things, our life is moving on as normal!  We will try to keep you updated as best as we can!

**My students and I are in the process of making a paper chain to count down to Christmas Break--only 87 days!!!

Goodbye Forever!

      

         We would like to take a moment of silence in the departing of our well-respected car. While it was my second car, it was the first car that my wife & I had together! It has been a great car & has given many years of trusted support in our many ventures!
         It will be very missed in the Brock Household, especially evidenced by my wife on two occasions saying, "I really miss our white car. I can't believe it was sold so fast!" "We will truly miss you, Betsy!"
       Praise the Lord, we sold it yesterday to a lady & her family, who were very excited to get a car! I was able to sell the car for $1,000, which was what I wanted to get out of the car! Praise the Lord!
       If you would like to pay tribute to the old white bomb, please leave a detailed comment. (HAHA LOL!)