Books...Contributing...etc..

          Heyyy!!! Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, ours was wonderful. I did cook this year...I made a roasted chicken, baked beans, corn on the cob, potato salad and I baked a couple sweet potato pies. I know its not quite Christmas-y but I wanted something different from what we had for Thanksgiving.

       So as of now I am still reviewing books. Right now I've got "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer, Desperate by Sally Clarkson & Sarah Mae, Let it Go by Karen Ehman, and The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn. So my plate is really full. I've decided to just take my time with them. Discerning the Voice of God reads like a good conversation mixed with a bible study. So far it is helping me to change how I approach my prayer time. Then there is Desperate. Desperate is like that book for moms that I think every mom needs! It reminds that tough days will come, we will be weary, we will be exhausted, and instead of getting frustrated (as most of us, including myself, do) we need to really lean in & press into God's Grace.
        Recently I've decided to inquire about contributing to This Rookie Wife {http://thisrookiewife.blogspot.com/} and I'm pleased to announce that I will be a monthly contributor to This Rookie Wife. I'm beyond ecstatic as I will share more on marriage and parenting there. I do think I fit the rookie wife role. This is my first marriage (and only one, divorce is NOT an option), we've been married for 2 and a half years and we've got two children. I'm hoping to do my first post within the next week or so. Be on the lookout :)

     Homeschooling. Yes we are still homeschooling. We use the FL FVSFT system which allows us to homeschool at our pace while still satisfying Florida public school yearly requirements. I add in bible study daily and extra work when I see fit. The school system sends out ALL the materials needed for the school year (which is a BIG PLUS for frugal families like ours). We also have access to a homeroom teacher who calls once a month for an assessment to see how much Kaylee is learning. For us this is probably the best route to take with homeschooling Kaylee. I will most likely use the system when Caleb gets of age.

     Welp that's it for today folks! I hope you all have a blessed weekend and a Happy New Year!



~Love to you all
Kris Bush

Merry Christmas!!

Just want to wish ALL of you a Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Remember today is not about the gifts but about Christ and His birth. Share that today as well!

Love to you ALL

From Chris, Kris, Caleb and Kaylee Bush!

UPDATE: Family photos from Christmas :)

This Life and Marriage

This life, I only got one so I'm gone live according to the Lord's Word.

    This marriage, I did it once and that is IT. {I do still want my actual "celebration" when we renew our vows, we didn't have one back in 2010}

            In marriage I am coming to understand that it is NO place for selfishness or pride. We, as a people, have the tendency to say well I do this & that so I deserve XYZ. That's an entitlement attitude. An entitlement attitude will destroy your marriage. That's like the church saying well Lord we prophesy and minister in your name, we deserve to have salvation. NOT! You don't get salvation by your works but by your faith in the Lord! It's the same with marriage you are not entitled to anything based on what you do! You receive just because that person loves you and wants to give to you!

            I address this issue because I am certain even as my marriage face this issue, I am sure other marriages and relationships face this issue. We have a habit of thinking well I do ALL of this for my spouse and our family he/she owes me. When that's not the case. When you give of yourself and of your time to your spouse and your family, you do so because you want to not so you can "get" anything in return. Men when you provide for your family, that is your God given duty. It was never an option on whether to provide for your family. That is what you are supposed to do! You aren't supposed to get a "pat on the back for that" what you get is respect and appreciation. It is today's society that wants to glorify the man who does not take care of his family, so that now the men who do take care of their family act like they deserve something extra or like its not a requirement.



           When we decide to get married we take on giving up I/me for we/us. We when decide to get married we give up of selfish thoughts and decide to be SELFLESS putting our spouse before our selves, seeking to serve them no matter what. When we said I do, we said I don't to the "me, me, me" mentality, entitlement, making decisions alone, and being alone. We can't say I do for the good stuff or the agreements then say I don't when we don't get our way or when our expectations are not met. No we say I do to it ALL.

           Another thing I have realized is that we have unrealistic expectations of our spouses. We expect them to do things the way we think they should do them, or feel the way we think they should feel. NO! Allow your spouse to be their own person. Having unrealistic expectations will suffocate and cripple your marriage. Understand that your process will not look the same. Your praise may not look the same. Your disposition towards things will not look the same. AND THAT IS OKAY. It's okay to not do everything the same. Many times our expectations will not be met, and if you get angry about it, I suggest you do take your expectations to the Lord. If you do not know how to deal with disappointment or differing opinions, you do not need to be married, and if you already married, you need to seek God and ask Him for guidance {guidance may come in the form of godly counsel}. If you do not understand that every day won't be peachy king or filled will roses, you may need to seek God too. 

       Only God can fulfill our every need. Only God can be perfect for us. And even then there will be times we ask for things that do not align with God's Will and He will not give them to us. But trust and know that the Lord has your best interests at heart.

         I tell you these things in Love. Hoping that it is beneficial to your relationships and marriages. I, too, am applying these things to my marriage. And yes I do see a difference. We both see a difference. We both understand the greater picture of our marriage and its purpose and our family.


Love and Peace to you!
~Kris Bush


        My husband & I 
(his 24th Birthday, about 2 1/2 months after we got married)

BOOK GIVEAWAY

SO I JUST WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH ONE OF THE PUBLISHERS I REVIEW FOR AND ALLOW THE VERY FIRST (BUT NOT THE LAST) BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

THE BOOK IS..............{DRUM ROLL PLEASE, LOL}.................

BEYOND ORDINARY BY JUSTIN AND TRISHA DAVIS!!!



You can learn more about Justin and Trisha Davis at http://refineus.org/beyond-ordinary/
Their marriage ministry is RefineUs.

I am beyond thrilled to be able to bless someone with a copy of this book!!!

~TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY YOU NEED TO COMMENT BELOW, TWEET ME @IAMHISCHOSEN OR FACEBOOK ME: https://www.facebook.com/MrsKrisBush


ENJOY!! I'LL BE PICKING A WINNER BY FRIDAY!!!



UPDATE: SINCE ONLY ONE PERSON ENTERED THE GIVEAWAY THUS FAR....THAT'S THE ONE PERSON WHO WILL WIN THE COPY!!! CONGRATULATIONS SHAVANNAH!!!

Gifts

     Moms have you ever felt that your kids had a little too many Christmas gifts? Or is there even a such thing as having too much?

           This Christmas my husband and I are faced with this question. We weren't expecting out of town grandparents to really send them Christmas gifts. Then of course they had three sets of grandparents to send them Christmas gifts on top of what we already bought them for Christmas. Now we're like...O.K. One we're running out of room to even hide the gifts, LOL. And two we're OMG, they are spoiled they're going to have so much that it all probably won't fit in their bedroom (they share a room) after Christmas. We thought about giving much of it away but then we're like no people actually put thought into these gifts, that doesn't seem appreciative. 

       So our solution has been to allow them to keep their gifts this year but make sure to emphasize what Christmas is really about so that they aren't caught up on receiving gifts. Plus we said next year we won't buy so much ourselves just in case the kids grandparents send so much like they did this year.

     I will say this much. Thank you Jesus for the abundance because we are well aware there are many families who don't have. Maybe while my hubby is off work we can donate some of their toys. {I need his help since I don't drive much and would have both little people, LOL}

     Oh and FYI...after the new year there will be a book giveaway! {Details will be announced on 01/14/13}

     I hope and pray that ALL of you are having a joyful holiday season and Merry Christmas from the Bush Family!!

Grace

           So this is the next book review: Grace by Max Lucado. I received this book from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) in exchange for an honest review.

          So my first thought is wow. This is my first Max Lucado book but will certainly not be my last. The first thing I noticed is the style of writing. Grace is written in such a way that it reads more like a literary work than an a inspirational work. The book is very eloquent yet very knowledgeable about Grace and the manner in which God extends grace to us.

           Let me be honest. I am a person greatly in need of Grace, which is one reason why I really wanted to read the book.  God answer to my pleas have been Grace. Grace has made it where we have had more than enough. Grace has made where not only has our bills been paid, we've had surplus. And its all because of God's Grace. Grace is the reason why we have salvation. I really believe that Grace helps us to forgive and to truly love. 

        I had a certain sense of Grace before however now I see Grace through new eyes. I look my children, especially my son (I miscarried twice before him and once since him, it has been hard to stay pregnant) as grace. I see the way they view life and I can only credit God's Grace. Children see the good in everything, they forgive so easily and love so easily.

     


I personally recommend this book to EVERYONE. It does not matter who you are or how well you think you the concept of God's Grace, we could always stand to know more.

Book Review: Fierce Women

First: This book was sent to me via the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.

        So I requested to read Fierce Women by Kimberly Wagner. It seemed very interesting to me. I was one of those people who saw fierce women as either sharply dressed women or overly ambitious women. So as I began reading this book, I was thinking okay none of this applies to me. I'm one of those women who isn't so outspoken when it comes to my husband. Usually I keep my comments and suggestions to myself unless asked for {I've felt the repercussions of giving unwanted advice}. Another thing I noticed is that my husband doesn't fit the profile of the men she describes. My husband is very strong and does not need help or permission to take the leadership role. That's just who he is. There is no room for argument, sometimes you can compromise with him but not too often. And so I was left with the thought to stop reading the book because I can't relate. I'm not fierce, I don't know anyone who ever describe me as fierce.

     
        However I continued reading the book, out of obligation and curiosity. Then I realized that for us the cycle was the other way around. And that was how I related to the book. Then I realized that I do have something in common with the fierce woman, pride. My pride sometimes will have me holding a grudge for hours. Sometimes my pride will have me say I forgive but don't quite forget and hold on to the hurt. And that's a big issue in marriage. Once we decide to forgive, we have to let go of the hurt or pride will creep in and cause a big mess.

             I may read the book again, actually now I am going over bits I want to relish. Yet I do recommend the book to other women who fit the "fierce woman" role. I say this because many women are fierce, destructively fierce, and they don't recognize it however they wonder "why is my marriage/relationship like this?" They have a pride issue. I think that was it boils down to PRIDE, which is a very ugly word and can cause much distress. 

    One thing I will say to women reading this blog, if you are having issues in your marriage, relationships {with men}, ask yourself is it me? Am I too aggressive? Do I use my influence to be demeaning and negative? Is your husband in a cocoon trying to stay away from you? One thing I will tell you is to go get this book, read it, identify with it and do something about YOU.

So this is my honest opinion on this book and the effect it had on me. It's a good book. It's becomes great when one identifies with the fierce woman and can take the initiative to become a beautifully fierce woman.

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/store/product/fierce-women-power-soft-warrior/

The meaning of Christmas...

So this morning I decided to explain why we celebrate Christmas to our five year old (the one year old sat and listened but I don't think he understood, LOL).

I did this because Kaylee, our five year old, seems to think that Christmas is all about getting gifts and playing. I know, I know typical reaction for a five year old. However I wanted her to know the real reason behind Christmas.

Christmas...seems to say Christ mas or in Spanish: Christ more.

In my opinion, Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. When he was born, wise men came from far away just to give thanks for Him and to give Him gifts. I believe this is why on Christmas we get together with family and friends to give thanks for the Lord and to give each other gifts. 

We are not to worry about receiving gifts. Because its not about receiving. Christ does not worry about what we can do for Him but what we do for others and what He does for us. So on Christmas we give and be thankful that we even have the extra to give.

This is what I explained to my daughter. Christmas is not about her or her brother or about them getting gifts. Christmas is about Jesus and before anyone opens a gift we will give thanks for Jesus and read about Jesus. THEN they will open the gifts that are given to them, like gifts were given to baby Jesus.

Personally I recommend that all parents break down the meaning of Christmas. Don't just give gifts and have kids thinking that's all Christmas is about because it isn't (that's actually a very shallow and dense way of viewing Christmas). Remind them to be thankful and humble that anyone even thinks of them. And that it is NOT a requirement to receive gifts on Christmas, it is a privilege.


~Love to you all
Kris Bush



^^
The perfect depiction of Christmas.



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Mercy and forgiveness...We are like Them.

        Hi everyone I know I have not posted in a little while besides the freebie post. Well I've been reading a lot. Not just the books I am reviewing {although there are quite a few of those I have and a few that I am expecting in the mail as well} BUT also reading my bible as well. 

         Lately I notice that I can get the most out of my reading when its done at night after dinner, after the kids are in bed and my home is quiet. That is when I can unplug from everything and just plug into God. Sunday evening I read the entire book of Joshua. I learned a lot about people how to deal with them. I also learned a lot about myself. 

       One thing I learned from the book of Joshua is that with people you cannot force them to do a thing. You can encourage them. You can remind them of the consequences of their actions. However the best thing you can do is lead by example. Joshua did this when he told the people of Israel that they would need to choose who they would serve, God or idols. However Joshua made it clear that he and his household would be serving the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

       That's how we have to be with people.  I have had this bad, where I see someone I genuinely care about acting a fool while putting on the front that they are serving God, and I want to help them see God and then see themselves. However I realize that no matter how many times I try to lead them to God, or try to help them, it does not matter if they don't want it for themselves. I can want salvation for them but they don't want salvation, they don't want to repent and live for God, then honestly? They won't. And there's nothing I can do about it. 

         So now I have to keep people like that at arm's length, love them but from a distance. I don't want to get caught up in that. And trust me, you can get caught up in another's choices if hang out with them too much. This is the same warning God gave Israel about the pagan nations. Israel was not to live among them but were to drive them out. Israel did not do this and guess what? Those pagan nations with their evil idolatry became a snare to the people of Israel.

       Last night I read Judges. Judges kind of remind me of tug of war. One minute the people of Israel would tug on idolatry and do evil in the sight of God. Then they'd end up in slavery after hard times. Afterwards they'd tug on God asking Him to rescue them from their shackles. They'd be obedient to God only while the chosen judge lived. After the judge died, they'd fall right back to idol worship. And guess what? Yep. They'd end right back in misery overtaken by their enemies. And what happens next? Yep. They'd go running right back to God, crying out for help, to be saved.

       I'm not going to lie. In reading Judges, the people of Israel kind of irritated me. They were an ungrateful lot. They were not true and faithful to God but would use Him when they needed Him and forget Him afterwards. Honestly I was upset, because in my mind I'm thinking how could you keep falling back into idolatry after it was the reason you were miserable in the first place? {Now here's the funny thing. Aren't we the same way? When things are going good we do what we want with no regard for God, but as soon as things go awry we go crying back to God for help. Do we not know that if we had continued doing things God's way we wouldn't need to run back to Him because we'd already be walking with Him?} Were they not thinking or did they just not care? Either way, God kept forgiving them and kept saving them.

     I saw for myself the magnitude of God's mercy and forgiveness. And I'm sure that quite a few of us (myself included) have been like Israel. Yet just like God forgave them, He forgives us too.




Love to you all
Kris Bush