When God wants to tell me something, He doesn’t gives me a little whisper. If I don’t get the lesson the first time it lands in my ear, it only takes a couple of days for it to show up again in another place, another way, until I’ve learned whatever it is that I’m supposed to. Recently, I’d been struggling with this quote from Martin Luther King Jr.:

If you are called to be a street sweeper, sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.

I first read it in Alex and Brett Harris’ book, Do Hard Things. The chapter was entitled “Small Hard Things.” Before I read the book, I had been complaining to my mom about how nothing EVER happens when I do little things. Until recently, I’ve been in charge of sorting, washing, drying, and delivering to the folders all the laundry in the house. Some days I would do nine loads, but the average was six or seven. Every time I went to an event or to work at the office, I would get home and the laundry would be piled high. I felt the same discouragement with dishes. Even if I try hard to wash all the dishes on time, it would only take one of my younger siblings to say, “Oh yeah, I forgot to clean off the table,” or for my mom to say, “I found all these dirty dishes in your room,” in order to back up my beautifully done job.

So when I saw the chapter heading “Small Hard Things,” I immediately flipped to that chapter and began to read. It amazed me that the authors could relate to exactly how I felt. They talked about why we hate small jobs:

1. They go unnoticed, and
2. They never seem to be complete.

Brett and Alex share stories about teens who have learned to rise above the same frustrations I was experiencing, but at the time they didn’t encourage me much. No matter what anyone says, there will always be dishes to wash. Then they quoted MLK. I found myself stuck on the idea of sweeping streets. Sweeping streets? For an ambitious teenager, that doesn’t exactly sound like a great and amazing way to spend your life. If your name is written in history, what difference does it make if your sentence goes: “She swept streets” as opposed to “She swept streets well”?

That’s what I thought, anyway, when I read the chapter from the book. But I obviously got it wrong, because God put another book in my lap just this last weekend. In Safely Home, Randy Alcorn tells the story of Li Quan, a man who had tons of opportunities heaped upon him. A talented learner, he was, even with a humble Chinese background, accepted to Harvard University after the miraculous blessing of a small fortune. When his old college roommate, Ben, comes to visit on a business trip, he expects Quan to be a well-known professor at a local university. But when Ben attends Quan’s workplace, he finds that Quan is nothing more than a locksmith. Quan explains that universities refused to hire him because he was a Christian, so he got a job that could at least feed his family. I was enjoying the novel quite well when Quan suddenly mentioned street sweepers, quoting Martin Luther King and telling Ben that his own father was a street sweeper. “Why?” I thought. “Why do people have to go through life doing such insignificant things?” I spent the day pondering the quote while I cleaned house for the hundredth time. I came up with two things about good street sweepers that are worth noting:

1. They realize that no job is worthless.
Even jobs that are never accomplished are important in God’s eyes. If you do a job begrudgingly, it tells everyone watching that you don’t care. Jesus said in Matthew 5:47, “…if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” I’d say this applies to everything: If you do only great and noticeable work, what are you doing more than others? As Christians, we are to be set apart and different. I find that encouraging: that no matter what I’m doing, I’m different and worth noticing.

2. They take advantage of every opportunity.
What would change if we looked at everything as opportunity to glorify God? Whenever I think about little things, I’m reminded of the verse from Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” The best example in my opinion is Joseph. I can relate: he had 12 siblings. Instead of waiting around for some dude to tell him he was talented and push him up a notch, he had to prove himself as a slave. Even the little jobs he was forced to do, he did well, and God blessed his work.

My problem is often seeing the opportunity. If I don’t recognize my chance to please my mom with a lightened work load or the time frame to build up a relationship with my quietest sister, then I’m not being much worth to anyone.

If you’re still wondering about people who are stuck sweeping streets until the day they die, look again at King’s quote: “If you are called to be a street sweeper…” This means if you’re called to it, that makes the job important. Besides, lots of jobs are looked down on. Many women will say that being a stay-at-home mother is comparable to sweeping streets, but my mom follows her calling with such joy and grace that all who see her are envious of her occupation. Perhaps your attitude will also be one that makes others stop to say, “Here lived one who did his job well.”

You’d hate to ask this question, but sometimes reality forces the issue. Nancy Pelosi is making the headlines today over her ABC News exchange claiming $200 million in contraception is needed to boost the economy. Her logic goes something like this:

People consume.
People drain the economy.
Therefore, $200 million in contraceptives will help the economy.

Brilliant. That is, if you’re Planned Parenthood, one of Pelosi’s favorite lobbyists. Such a stretch is incredibly revealing as to who is in whose pockets. $200 million for “family planning” to reduce the number of children born in America? Sure, that may work, but this would somehow boost the economy? Who is Pelosi trying to fool? Andrea Tantaros of Fox News has declared Pelosi’s brain “officially gone numb” in her well-worded title blog, “Show Me the Economist Who Says We Are In a Crisis Because of a Birth Control Shortage.” That’s a good request!

There was 19th century economist Carl Marx who believed humans to be a burden to society. Adolf Hitler would agree, too, but he was a military dictator, not an economist. China’s leaders have been limiting family size for three decades, but I wonder where they’ll be once that generation reaches retirement?

Perhaps where Japan is today. Tokyo reports corporations are aggressively urging couples to start multiplying. In a CNN article, it was reported that the economy is tanking in Japan. “Japan in the midst of an unprecedented recession, so corporations are being asked to work toward fixing another major problem: the country’s low birthrate.”

America is not built on the notion that the government needs to take care of its people. Quite contrare, Ms. Pelosi. America is built on the notion that its government is of the people and for the people. People are the driving force of our economic prosperity and our freedoms. Reversing this to make government the driving force has been tried before, but never succeeded (note Marx’s successors above). As long as people are given opportunity to prosper, they will give into the economy and everyone will grow. Economists who believe this are a dime a dozen.

A government who actively encourages through millions in funding to terminate pregnancies and limit births is begging for–at least–an economic bruising. Change is definitely in the air. One of the first executive orders from the Obama administration was to reverse the Bush policy of refusing federal funds for overseas abortions. So now tax-payers are paying for overseas abortionists. Just what is needed to help stimulate the American economy!

You see, only populations that procreate are ones that have the opportunity to prosper and grow. This isn’t Jeub bias talking here; this is the reality of demographics. Japan–whose birthrate is 1.3 per couple, below the replacement ratio of 2.1–are wising up. They’re seeing the devastating effects of a childless society: they’re getting old, and there are no children left to fill the jobs.

This is why we believe it is quite obvious: people are assets. Ms. Pelosi is sorely short-sighted, seeing only babies in diapers needing government-assisted childcare. We see every person as a unique and special gift from God, a contributor in unique ways to society. On a purely economic level, the Jeub children will grow into 15 adult contributors to society, through their work and their ingenuity. Here’s a much more logical syllogism:

People contribute to society.
Government takes from people.
Therefore, give back to those families creating more people.

Granted, this logic is Jeub-biased. I would love to see the per-child tax credit go up, and see our government actively encourage couples to stop fearing parenthood and start engaging in this most beautiful stage of life. Such incentives would work better than Pelosi/Obama’s call for contraception spending.

Sometimes I randomly browse my bookshelf in my bedroom and read parts of my books. Recently I found this gem of a quote from The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkein:

“If you must go, then allow me to ride in your following.” she said. “I can wield a sword, and fear niether pain nor death.”
“What do you fear, lady?” Theoden asked.
“A cage. To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recalls or desire.”

The woman speaking is Eowyn of Rohirrim, unique because of the things she fears. I am fascinated by the character of Eowyn for her personality. My question when I read the above quote is, “Am I afraid of doing nothing as Eowyn is?” The cage she speaks of isn’t literal, but figurative. What she means is that she can’t stand the idea of not doing anything heroic with her life. I find that just the opposite is true for me: I’m happier to stay on the safe side of things than I am to step out and take risks. Eowyn, however, is actually scared of being on the safe side of things all her life.

Last weekend, my dad took Lydia and me to a speech and debate tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah. Both of us were thrilled to advance to the final level of competition while there. Lydia advanced in her original oratory speech on “family creativity”. I took sixth place at the tournament in impromptu, a speech where I am given two minutes to prepare a speech on a topic, and give a five minute speech with no notes. In my final round, I addressed the topic of “Nick of time”. Among my examples of people who had to do things that were in the nick of time–like Queen Esther and Huckleberry Finn–I told my audience that our lives are only here for a small amount of time, and we need to treat each moment like it is the nick of time. I challenged them with the lyrics of a song that came on a CD Lydia gave me for Christmas:

I have everything to lose by not getting up to fight
I might get used to giving up, So I am showing up tonight
I am my own enemy, the battle fought within my mind
if I can overcome step one I can face the 99.

Superchick, the band that wrote and performed the above song, is one of my favorites because they always sing songs that challenge you to think about how you are living. What’s important when we look at the song and the story of Eowyn is that we realize that they have a new perspective. That perspective is about fear. Eowyn’s perspective was so unnatural that the king was inclined to ask her, “What do you fear, anyway?” I’ve found that it’s necessary to ask myself about risks. What am I risking by taking an action, and, more importantly, what am I risking by not doing it? Perhaps, if I don’t say anything on the subject of something I care deeply about, my reputation will be different. By not telling my friends that I sincerely believe something, I risk them thinking that I’m one who is afraid of speaking out. That’s a risk I’m afraid of.

So when I take a fresh look at the perspective of all my actions, I have got to make sure I know that every thing I do has risks and things to be afraid of. The main thing is that I choose not to be afraid.

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”   – Romans 8:15

I got the wonderful news that my little sister is expecting her third child, due later this year. My kids are jumping for joy to welcome another cousin into the family. I spoke with my dad yesterday, and he shared with me, “I’m sure glad Heidi is having another child. I was afraid she was going to choose not to have any more.”

I seized the opportunity for a bad joke. “You have extreme kids, Dad,” I said. “With Heidi you hope she has more kids, with me you hope I don’t!”

That actually was really funny, and we laughed almost to the point of tears. You’d have to know our relationship, I suppose, to see the humor in that. My folks are about the coolest people you could ever sit down and have coffee with. They love life, love people, and love their family. But, you know, I’m the odd-ball kid who has 15 children. I realize that’s odd, and even though they love me and all their grandchildren (3/4 of their grandchildren come from 1/4 of their children), there is this skeptical worry in their eye that begs, “You sure you know what you’re doing, Chris?”

Our convictions to have children are from God, that’s for sure. Our book Love in the House goes into explaining much of this, how we struggled with the temptation to leave God in a box, and how years ago we almost refused to trust in the calling He had for us. Wendy and I hear from other parents who have in-laws who judge them harshly. That’s sad, for we all need encouragement to move forward in the story God has for each of us.

Speaking of stories, I received more wonderful news from a friend of mine who wrote a really good book, When God Writes Your Love Story. Eric and Leslie Ludy are having another child! They are ones who have struggled with fertility and have only one natural-born child. God’s story for them revealed two adoptions for a total of three children. God kept writing (a humorous twist that will make you laugh out loud!) and blessed Leslie with pregnancy. Her blog announcement brags, “Four kids, four and under!”

I emailed Eric this morning: “Wahoooo! The Jeubs are high-fiving you, doing back flips, and cheering for the Ludys! We are so incredibly happy for you. Four kids 4 and under? No sweat. With God taking care of the Ludys, anything is possible.” I gave him the P.S. that Wendy is due in 2009, too.

His response:

Thanks, Chris, for showing your exuberance. It’s always right when we are beginning to feel overwhelmed that Wendy gets pregnant again and puts everything in perspective. Pass on our congrats to your amazing wife! That’s incredible! We are cheering you guys on!

It looks like a good year to have babies. Remember, the year is still young. There’s still time, if you’re not expecting, to fit a child in. (Ha, I can hear my dad groaning at that one, but deep down he loves it.)

Drum roll please! Lydia, the family’s filmmaker, spent literally 30 hours on this video. And this doesn’t include capturing the footage. Lydia went through all the different photos and videos from the past year. It was quite the year, as the pics show. The video goes quick, so you will likely want to view this more than once:

This is my introductory post, giving everyone here a basic idea of what you’ll be reading and what kinds of things I’ll be discussing.

There will be a few different categories of things that I’d like to start with:

1. everyday life. These posts will include things that have been going on, updates on events, and other basic day-to-day thoughts.

2. Operation Sisterhood is what we’ll call the second one. Basically, I’ll give updates on things I’m discovering in my relationships with my siblings, as well as any new ideas and helpful tips for other teens who are also concerned about building their families.

3. Reflections on media. This involves what I’m learning in my Bible study, the books I read, the music I hear, the movies I watch. I’ll try to include reviews on things, good vs. bad media intake that I’ve recently found, and most importantly what I’ve learned.

Looking forward to beginning a year with blogging!

–Cynthia

A vice president at Pizza Hut was inspired by the “Kids by the Dozen” TV shows, so he threw our names into a media campaign for their PANormous Pan Pizzas. Pizza Hut ordered 25 PANormous pizzas, 6 pasta dishes, and 25 2-liters of soda, delivered by the two fine Pizza Hut delivery people pictured here. We sent an email inviting our friends from town here, and few people turned down free pizza. We had about 100 people over for New Year’s Eve!

Only three families stuck around till midnight, where we lit sparklers and yelled Happy New Year off the back deck. We still have our handful who fall asleep before midnight, but the kids are getting older and so are their friends. Games were played well into the night while we parents sat around in the living room and enjoyed semi-peaceful conversations. Wendy and I didn’t lay our heads down till 1:30 a.m. What a party!

Part of the deal we had with Pizza Hut was to take some pictures of the family. The game leader of our AWANA program, Ken Mallott, is a professional photographer (see his web site here…fantastic photos!). He and his wife came over…and he brought his camera. His camera is worth more than all my vehicles put together! He snapped a ton of pictures of partiers chomping down on PANormous Pizza Hut Pizza. Pizza Hut plans on using these photos for ad campaigns in the future. So, if you see a Jeub kid on a billboard somewhere, you know where the picture originated!