We are looking forward to being on the radio in Colorado Springs on 100.7 KGFT. Focus on the Family has a local radio broadcast that we have been invited to be on. Host John Tracy has given Wendy and I some homework. We are to answer questions surrounding the following:

• How do we grocery shop for less than $600 per month?
• How do you cover all your Christmas shopping for less than $1000? (Actually, we spend less than this.)
• What are the advantages of a large family, even by pro-lifers who are sometimes shocked at the size of the Jeub family?
• What did the Jeubs learn through renovating the Jeub-mobile bus?
• How was the The Learning Channel experience?

For those of you locals, be sure to tune in at about 5:30 on Friday, December 1.

The mainstream media seems to be catching onto the “quiverfull” movement. An Internet article on Newsweek Online features a family from San Antonio who recently acquired www.quiverfull.com. The Bortels affirm the idea that families are increasingly surrendering the reproductive side of their lives to God, and they are enjoying the fruits of its obedience. (Read “How Full Is Your Quiver?” here.)

I suspect, though, that Newsweek and MSNBC miss the mark by inserting hotly sensitive words into the context of explaining the quiverfull movement. The article claims quiverfull families are “purists.” They define purists as those who purify themselves from any form of birth control. I suppose we are purists, then, if this is how Newsweek defines it. However, “purists” have a negative religious connotation that does not sit with how the Jeubs view family and children. “Purists” seek to cleanse every questionable area of sin from their lives, usually with the erroneous understanding that we can somehow attain perfection in this world. This dysfunctional view of self as we relate to God has historically led to phariseeism, witch hunts and disappointing hypocrisy.

The article also claims that quiverfull evangelicals are in reality turning into Catholics. “What quiverfull looks like is a group of Protestants who are more Catholic than Catholics.” The article also seeks the commentary from a sociologist who claims that the only functional use of children existed in the past when they were “helpful economically, but today, they become a disadvantage, especially to younger kids who don’t get as many resources.” Trying to boil our convictions down to dogmatic and economic equations misses the mark of what quiverfull families truly believe.

While we can’t speak for every large family, we believe the mark of our life to be quite simple and liberating. Instead of viewing children as an economic burden, we see them as blessings from God. Having children isn’t a method of “purification”; it is an enlightenment of children as gifts, a realization that is often in opposition to the view that children are a disadvantage. The title of the article, “How Full Is Your Quiver?”, suggests that this liberating understanding is really some sort of contest, a works-based race toward who can have the most kids. “Quiverfull” means simply that we will take God’s gifts as God gives them. The “full” in the quiver is entirely relative. A family with one child can be just as quiverfull-minded as a family with 13. The number isn’t where the “purification” is; it is in the obedience and love we have for our God and the plan He has for our lives.

In defense of the article, though, it is nice that the mainstream media is recognizing the quiverfull movement. We wrestle with the stereotypes of radical fundamentalism all the time, but it isn’t surprising that popularists misunderstand the love of Christ and the liberating freedom of allowing Christ to fill your quiver. The article claims that the “quiverfull movement is absolutist,” but that hangs on what is meant by “absolutist.” If this means that we look forward to a growing love for God (which includes his plan for our lives) and a growing love for each other (which includes the children we are given), then yes, I guess the Jeub Family are a bunch of absolutists.

Those who live the quiverfull life understand what I’m saying. Imagine loving your spouse without worrying how pregnancy will “disrupt” your plans. Imagine a faith in God that looks forward to the exciting plan God has for you rather than a faith that requires you to develop a religion that fits your man-made plan. Imagine your family experiencing the fruitful and joyful love for each other believing everyone is a gift to this world. This is the quiverfull mindset, and it is a freeing and exciting way to live.

Written by Lydia Jeub, Craft Idea by Cynthia Jeub

It was an ordinary day in the Jeub home. It was nine o’clock: school time. Cynthia was looking for a craft to do for school. She found a very creative craft. First she found a big piece of paper and drew a turkey. Then she took a bunch of colored paper and put everybody’s hand and it and traced around their fingers and cut out the hands. Then everybody shared something they were thankful for. Then Cynthia helped write what they were thankful for on their hands then glued them to the turkey to make feathers. Then she hung it on the wall.

It looks like the best Thanksgiving picture on the wall this year.

• Cynthia was thankful for a good home.
• Lydia was thankful for good friends.
• Isaiah was thankful for lots of Legos.
• Micah was thankful for his quilt.
• Noah was thankful that Thanksgiving was coming.
• Keilah was thankful for candy.
• Hannah was thankful for her tea set.

We liked doing this craft. Some other Thanksgiving ideas:
http://www.homeschoolzone.com/pp/turkyday.htm
http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/thanksgiving.html#leafturkey
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/turkeycrafts/a/blturkhpr.htm
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/articles/111098.htm

Happy Thanksgiving from the Jeub Family!

A friend of mine–one of our hunting party–went hunting with his 14-year-old son. This father is technically a 1st-year hunter, too, like his son, though he was “trained in” a few weeks back in his first elk hunt. Phill wrote a particularly exciting reflection on how his son shot a doe on their first day hunting. Phill’s recollection shows the importance of building a heritage with your kids, and hunting is a great way to do it.

Read the rest of this entry »

When Wendy and I married, our family vehicle was a 1980 Chevette. It didn’t take long to grow into the 4-door sedan, then to a Toyota minivan, then to a 9-seat Suburban, and now to a 15-passenger van. Our vehicles have grown as our family has grown, but in 2004 we made the ultimate plunge: we bought a bus. Read the rest of this entry »