family time

Do you ever start talking about something and the person you're talking to has no idea what you're saying? Maybe you started mid-thought, you used the wrong word, or some background info was needed? This happens to me, and I usually say something like, "I knew what I was talking about!" hoping to laugh through it!

Well, I don't want that to happen here on the blog, so today I'm sharing a little about what surrounds me, and how that affects who I am and how I blog. Allow me to go on for a bit. This post is gonna be wordy! (with a few pics from dessert and stitching the other night!)



I live at home with my parents and younger siblings. There are six kids in my family, and my youngest sister is seven. (that's her in the super-neon swimsuit above!) For a person my age, I realize this is not quite normal, but we're okay with that. When I ask my parents if they're ready for me to go, they tell me they like having me here. And I like being here, and being under the protection of my parents.

My family home schools, which means that the house is often full, and fairly loud. And I do all of my work from home. Sometimes, it's a wonder that I actually get things done, but I still can't imagine it differently! Oh, and we do a lot (a LOT) together, which means that when we go out, we all pile into our giant van. We call it the Big Bus of Fun. (Some of us say it a bit more sarcastically than others...)



Our house is a creative environment, and that's thanks largely to my parents who encourage creativity. There's always a project in the works, whether it's construction, painting pictures, designing a town for toy cars, or stitching crafts. Pulling out tools, supplies and "stuff" to start making is always welcome! It does mean that the house is often a mess. And we're all too busy creating to ever get it all the way clean! Most of the time, we try our best, and then try not to fret over it. (Although, while writing this I'm also in the process of trying to schedule several DAYS to clear out my office/mini-studio...)

We are all very different people, but we all enjoy creating in one way or another. I think part of that comes from parents who are creative and who set us up in an atmosphere that allows for exploration. But I also know that we are made in God's image, and He is a Creator! It makes sense that we would have that attribute in us; we just need to nurture it.



Which brings me to faith. It comes up as a topic here on Wild Olive because it's a big part of my life. To not talk about it would be to hide who I am, where I come from, and where I'm going. For as long as I can remember, my family has had daily conversations about God, church, the Bible, and everything that goes with these. When questions come up, we talk about them, research answers, figure it out together, and make our faith our own.

God is what all of this (family, blog, work, joy, life!) is about. As a family, we seek to glorify God by loving Him, following His commands, and making Him the most important thing in our lives. It's a process. One that requires practice. But we're trying. And in the middle of it all, we aim to be available for what God has planned. And guess what? He's doing amazing things!

"If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us." 2 Corinthians 4:7 (The Message)