Comments on: Our Early Convictions http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/ Family, Children, Love, Jesus Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:36:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nate http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2898 Nate Tue, 14 Dec 2010 04:56:18 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2898 I was just recently turned on to your blog by my wife. Reading this, I thought I was reading a transcript of our life. We literally had the exact conversation a night before we found this post. It is reassuring that we are not alone. We have six children, I am in school as well as working full-time, and we have someone (a mother-in-law to be specific) who has gone from the "You're done, right" to "You need a break." Progress, right? A break does sound good, but in so many other ways the attempt at controlling our fertility is taking the joy out of much of life and replacing it with stress. We're praying that God would overcome our fears and worries with his peace that passes all understanding. Thanks for writing with openness and honesty. I was just recently turned on to your blog by my wife. Reading this, I thought I was reading a transcript of our life. We literally had the exact conversation a night before we found this post. It is reassuring that we are not alone. We have six children, I am in school as well as working full-time, and we have someone (a mother-in-law to be specific) who has gone from the “You’re done, right” to “You need a break.” Progress, right? A break does sound good, but in so many other ways the attempt at controlling our fertility is taking the joy out of much of life and replacing it with stress. We’re praying that God would overcome our fears and worries with his peace that passes all understanding.
Thanks for writing with openness and honesty.

]]> By: Amy http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2897 Amy Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:24:05 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2897 We are currently pg with our 7th, and, while it's nice that family/friends aren't coming at us with the ol' "don't you know what causes that?" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) it is somewhat hurtful that no one (barring our close friends) asks about the baby, how I'm feeling, etc. There is little joy from them about a new life. I'm very thankful for our church and other friends, who embrace life and support people in child bearing. We scientifically spaced our first three children, then became convinced that the Lord could plan our family better. I remember feeling scared and excited about having many, many more children. That was 10 years ago. Since then, we have added only 2 children to our family. (Baby #6 died at 2 hours old.) Provided the Lord sustains this pregnancy, and allows us to raise this baby, we will have been blessed with 6 (this side of Heaven). I'll be 42 when this baby is born, and have no idea if the Lord will bless again. There is no denying that the LORD opens and closes the womb. We turned our fertility over to God 10 years ago. Some families would have added 8 or 9 children in that time. For us, only 2. (three, with this baby) I don't think any couple can set out to have 12,15,19,20 children. It is only by God's grace that any of us have any children. We are currently pg with our 7th, and, while it’s nice that family/friends aren’t coming at us with the ol’ “don’t you know what causes that?” (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) it is somewhat hurtful that no one (barring our close friends) asks about the baby, how I’m feeling, etc. There is little joy from them about a new life. I’m very thankful for our church and other friends, who embrace life and support people in child bearing.
We scientifically spaced our first three children, then became convinced that the Lord could plan our family better. I remember feeling scared and excited about having many, many more children. That was 10 years ago. Since then, we have added only 2 children to our family. (Baby #6 died at 2 hours old.) Provided the Lord sustains this pregnancy, and allows us to raise this baby, we will have been blessed with 6 (this side of Heaven). I’ll be 42 when this baby is born, and have no idea if the Lord will bless again.
There is no denying that the LORD opens and closes the womb. We turned our fertility over to God 10 years ago. Some families would have added 8 or 9 children in that time. For us, only 2. (three, with this baby) I don’t think any couple can set out to have 12,15,19,20 children. It is only by God’s grace that any of us have any children.

]]> By: Stephanie http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2896 Stephanie Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:36:33 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2896 Chris and Wendy, Do you realize what an inspiration you are to people? Thank you for stepping out there and trusting God, and telling your story no matter whether you get critized for obeying your convictions. Amazing. I can't wait to read your new book. I've been a big fan of you and the Heppners ever since I saw you on TLC's Kids by the Dozen. We are parents to 9 beautiful blessings, and have struggled through the years with giving our fertility wholly to the Lord. Control issues, I suppose. But when we really thought about it, how can we not? How can we ask God to bless us with a new home, or new car or whatever else to provide for our daily needs and then turn around and say but please don't bless me with more children, because I just can't handle it. I think what we tend to forget that God has already told us in His Word, the Bible, that He is in control of the womb, He's the one that opens and closes it. I'm living proof of that. Many times I should've been pregnant, but wasn't. His timing, not ours. Blessings to you. Mayb God continue to richly bless you for your obedience to Him. -The Neujahrs from MI Chris and Wendy,

Do you realize what an inspiration you are to people? Thank you for stepping out there and trusting God, and telling your story no matter whether you get critized for obeying your convictions. Amazing.

I can’t wait to read your new book. I’ve been a big fan of you and the Heppners ever since I saw you on TLC’s Kids by the Dozen.

We are parents to 9 beautiful blessings, and have struggled through the years with giving our fertility wholly to the Lord. Control issues, I suppose. But when we really thought about it, how can we not? How can we ask God to bless us with a new home, or new car or whatever else to provide for our daily needs and then turn around and say but please don’t bless me with more children, because I just can’t handle it.

I think what we tend to forget that God has already told us in His Word, the Bible, that He is in control of the womb, He’s the one that opens and closes it. I’m living proof of that. Many times I should’ve been pregnant, but wasn’t. His timing, not ours.

Blessings to you. Mayb God continue to richly bless you for your obedience to Him.

-The Neujahrs from MI

]]> By: Jessica Brammer http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2895 Jessica Brammer Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:01:04 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2895 We will have been married for 4 years by the time our third baby comes this summer. I was thinking about how this is probably the last baby people will really get excited with us about (It is our first girl) now that we have boys and girls and three. We were once scared about the prospect of a lot of kids, but now we are excited about it. It is definitely freeing as well to not have to "plan" your family. We are thankful for your family and the ministry you have in encouraging others. Please keep it up. We will have been married for 4 years by the time our third baby comes this summer. I was thinking about how this is probably the last baby people will really get excited with us about (It is our first girl) now that we have boys and girls and three. We were once scared about the prospect of a lot of kids, but now we are excited about it. It is definitely freeing as well to not have to “plan” your family.

We are thankful for your family and the ministry you have in encouraging others. Please keep it up.

]]> By: Ron Stauffer, Jr http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2894 Ron Stauffer, Jr Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:34:01 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2894 That's funny--like someone said earlier, we just need to have 4 or 5 more and people will stop asking! :) We have somewhat of a different problem--it's not that we have so many kids, but apparently, it's strange to have 3 kids when you're in your early 20s. That's what we get the most comments on. "You have <em>how many kids?</em> You too young!" -The Stauffers That’s funny–like someone said earlier, we just need to have 4 or 5 more and people will stop asking! :)

We have somewhat of a different problem–it’s not that we have so many kids, but apparently, it’s strange to have 3 kids when you’re in your early 20s. That’s what we get the most comments on.

“You have how many kids? You too young!”

-The Stauffers

]]> By: Deanna http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2893 Deanna Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:24:48 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2893 I praise the Lord everyday as I look at my youngest and think upon your earlier book. My hubby and I were struggling and just not at peace with trying to convince ourselves different of what we already knew...just give it to the Lord. Since then, we have our dear #8 one year old little guy, along with his 7 siblings that fill our lives with adventure everyday. What will the future bring? I don't know. But this I do..God will always be there for us and guide our steps as we serve Him. We are not better than others with a smaller number of children, but we experience the blessing and peace of having what God has given to us, with an open heart. P.S..we praise Him for helping us get out of debt this year!!! Hoping to buy a motorhome free and clear next year and make a trip to CO to visit family, old friends, and hopefully new ones too!!! :) Much Blessing to you all, the CA crazy Tonns I praise the Lord everyday as I look at my youngest and think upon your earlier book. My hubby and I were struggling and just not at peace with trying to convince ourselves different of what we already knew…just give it to the Lord. Since then, we have our dear #8 one year old little guy, along with his 7 siblings that fill our lives with adventure everyday. What will the future bring? I don’t know. But this I do..God will always be there for us and guide our steps as we serve Him. We are not better than others with a smaller number of children, but we experience the blessing and peace of having what God has given to us, with an open heart. P.S..we praise Him for helping us get out of debt this year!!! Hoping to buy a motorhome free and clear next year and make a trip to CO to visit family, old friends, and hopefully new ones too!!! :)

Much Blessing to you all, the CA crazy Tonns

]]> By: jasmine http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2892 jasmine Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:52:15 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2892 we've gone back and forth on the idea of how many children to have and had decided for 3 years that our little girl would be our only child. and then after a couple of years of reading your blog and watching the shows, we decided to just let it happen. i'm 9 weeks along with our 2nd and i am almost in tears after reading your post. its so selfless to give your lives to God and just take each child as they come. already we have comments about letting this one be our last. i'm so relieved that we have decided to just let God take over. if He wants this one to be our last, then it will be, but if He decides for us to have more, then He will decide that too. i pray that we find the same bliss that you have found, it is so inspiring. we’ve gone back and forth on the idea of how many children to have and had decided for 3 years that our little girl would be our only child. and then after a couple of years of reading your blog and watching the shows, we decided to just let it happen. i’m 9 weeks along with our 2nd and i am almost in tears after reading your post. its so selfless to give your lives to God and just take each child as they come. already we have comments about letting this one be our last. i’m so relieved that we have decided to just let God take over. if He wants this one to be our last, then it will be, but if He decides for us to have more, then He will decide that too. i pray that we find the same bliss that you have found, it is so inspiring.

]]> By: Valerie http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2891 Valerie Mon, 15 Feb 2010 03:02:19 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2891 I can't wait! I will be one of the first to order. All of your products are top-notch. I can’t wait! I will be one of the first to order. All of your products are top-notch.

]]> By: Chris & Wendy http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2890 Chris & Wendy Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:21:49 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2890 And we love your blog, too! http://www.joyfulmother.blogspot.com/ And we love your blog, too! http://www.joyfulmother.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Vicki's DH http://jeubfamily.com/2010/02/12/our-early-convictions/#comment-2889 Vicki's DH Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:49:09 +0000 http://jeubfamily.com/?p=1446#comment-2889 We're pretty sure that we ARE crazy, but that's fine. :) We’re pretty sure that we ARE crazy, but that’s fine. :)

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