Wendy made a note yesterday as results poured in: “This reminds me when Jesse Ventura was elected governor of Minnesota.” We were living in Minnesota at the time and cast our vote for then-Governor-elect Norm Coleman. Neither Republican or Democrat won that race when over 50% of the votes cast went for pro-wrestler-turned-politician Jesse Ventura.

Within a year Minnesotans hated Ventura. He ran on a platform “anti-Special Interests” and “change.” Once in office, he didn’t listen to anyone but himself. His political speeches were anything short of embarrassing. He trumpeted no reform at all and left with no changing legacy. Today, Jesse Ventura is considered a nut case. He rants on radio of how assassins are out to get him and that 9-11 was an inside job, if that gives you an idea of his mental sanity.

So now America elected Barack Obama, another so-called reformer out to “change the world.” He ran on the promises to raise taxes, keep abortion legal, and increase government programs. The mainstream media became the propaganda bloodhounds for Obama, ignoring any negative news about his past associations or questionable policy proposals while viciously attacking any threat to his candidacy (e.g. Sarah Palin’s family and Joe the Plumber). Obama ran on “hope” and “change,” and people cast their vote with the sincere hope, I believe, that Obama will change things for the better.

Wendy and I spoke last night to a group of homeschoolers in Colorado Springs. Having nothing to do with the election, we spoke on family traditions, and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening. On the way home we listened to the disappointing news that Americans voted for a more social agenda than a conservative one. Social policies do not work whenever they are tried, and the “hope” of an Obama campaign will be the hope that they do this time.

We are hoping for a rebirth of conservative principles that have brought prosperity and growth to America. We are a unique nation, and though there are those who desire to look more like Europe, I don’t believe these are the next generation of leaders. Our alumni state of Minnesota put Norm Coleman in office last night by a mere 728 votes (.0003% difference), keeping America from a socialist super majority Senate. America was spared a true “revolution” to socialism, with conservatives able to filibuster the most radical changes Congress will attempt to make.

Within a year people will see the policy proposals of an Obama administration come to fruition, and the 2012 campaign will pick up steam. From now until then, we will attempt to rebuild conservative principles in our friends and family who were convinced into believing in socialist ones. Dispite the defeat yesterday, I see hope in our future.

You might think we’re crazy for saying so, but Wendy and I believe Tuesday will be one of history’s largest election upsets. There are several reasons we think so. Consider…

1. The media is in the tank for Obama, but the truth is still getting out.

The impression is blatant and intentional: Obama is “so far ahead” that the election is practically over. Really? Zogby reports today a mere 5 point spread between the two, where Obama has not yet secured a majority of the electorate (i.e. above 50%). Still, Obama is planning victory parties and predicting success reminiscent of Reagan (Reagan won 49/50 states in his race against Mondale). Nothing of the kind. TIPP polls show over 10% undecided (TIPP was the most accurate poll in the ‘04 election) and McCain is the one gaining with undecideds. Don’t listen to the pundits who say this election is over. It is an extremely close race.

The alternative media (and you can consider this blog a part of it) is uncovering the reality of an Obama administration. The phenomenon of Joe the Plumber has rocked the news. An amateur cameraman captured Obama reprimanding a plumber about small business administration: “I just want to spread the wealth around.” The mainstream media immediately began rummaging through Joe’s past to discover any morsel of dirty laundry to bring Joe down. It was reported he didn’t have a plumber’s license (you can still operate as a contractor without a specific plumbing license) and he owed back taxes (but he still files honestly).

Did the media ever think of researching Barack Obama’s comments? Maybe dig a little deeper? For those who know the philosophies of Karl Marx, Obama’s financial picture of tax policy would be very similar. The YouTube video of Joe the Plumber’s simple question spread like wild fire, but the mainstream media largely ignored it. On Friday, one brave news anchor drilled Joe Biden about this. “Are you kidding?” Biden responded when asked if the Obama administration was Marxist. No Joe, not kidding. Biden was clearly upset and the Obama campaign canceled all appearances with the local news agency.

Notice Biden’s flat-out denial of the meaning of “spread the wealth around.” He denied the notion that it was Marxist or even socialist. Now, this is a denial that the mainstream media should investigate. But, once again, the alternative media uncovers the reality of the Obama administration. In 2001, Sen. Barack Obama literally calls for a “redistribution of wealth.” Posted on YouTube and Drudge Report this morning…

If you watch CNN or NBC or any of the more left-leaning mainstream media outlets, you will be oblivious to such news. Can you call this anything other than a cover-up? Why is it that Matt Drudge and amateur YouTube video enthusiasts doing the truth-seeking that journalists should do

In a previous post, I said this was 1992 all over again, where the media took active part in covering up Clinton’s shady past. But this isn’t 1992. In 2008, we have the Internet, Fox News and talk radio. Alternatives are rampant. Still, much of America rely on the mainstream media as their primary news source. Encourage your loved ones to be free from such propaganda. Even the mainstream media elites are crying foul; the following articles were written by Democrat journalists:

“Would the last honest reporter please turn on the lights?”
“Media’s presidential bias and decline”

2. Several misleading factors with the polls

There are several factors that are making the pre-election polls wobbly. First, the polls are polling TV watchers. Most cable shows are bundled with DSL packages, and those with cable or DSL likely have landlines. Those who are dependent on Internet news (the source of alternative media) rely on cell phones, not television. Internet-savvy folks are much more educated as to the issues of this election, and because of this they are more apt to vote for McCain/Palin.

There is the Bradley Effect, too. While some debunk this theory, I beg to differ. In 1982 Tom Bradley (a black man) lost the governorship of California to a white opponent even though Bradley was ahead in the polls. Some attributed this to racism, but I attribute it to the tendency toward political correctness. When a pollster calls today, the polled voter will be more apt to be for Obama. He’s the more politically correct choice, and the constituent will–especially if he or she is undecided–lean toward Obama on the phone. However, when entering the voting booth, people vote free from the fear of being labeled politically incorrect. Chances are good that a good portion of these voters will vote for McCain/Palin.

Finally, there is the fact that Obama has not secured a majority vote despite the media’s full-fledged Obama campaign. TIPP reports Obama 46.5%, McCain 43.4%, undecided 10.1%. Not only is this within the margin or error, but those that lean undecided is huge. If McCain gains the majority of this number, he will win this election.

These may be petty points, but with an election within single-digits of each other (and some polls within the margin of error), this election can clearly go either way. Call us wishful thinkers, but we’re convinced that McCain/Palin will pull through.

Cut and paste this email in its entirety and email it to someone you think it will convince. You have my permission.

Are we popular enough to endorse a presidental candidate? Who knows. While we’re far from Oprah Inc., we figured we would give our reasons why we’re voting for McCain/Palin on Nov. 4. Here goes…

1. Economics

We post quite a bit about economics on this site, and those of you with a sound sense of what makes our economy tick should get excited over McCain/Palin’s plans–and extremely frightened over Obama’s. It is no doubt that our economy is in dire straights right now, and raising taxes is a sure-fire way to depress it even more. Not since 1933 has a president successfully raised taxes as an answer to a slowing economy, and it then led to the Great Depression (Herbert Hoover was president). It isn’t all that complicated. Taxes take money out of the marketplace and puts it into government bureaucracy. The idea that government will spend the marketplace’s money better than regular people is economically ignorant.

Now, Obama/Biden’s drumbeat response to this is the claim that only 5% of businesses will be taxed: “95% of the people will not get a tax increase.” Again, economically ignorant. The top 5% (the so-called “rich”) employ virtually all of employed people in the nation and purchase most of the commodities of our economy. Raising taxes will most assuredly increase unemployment, increase prices, and shrink our economy as a whole. Why people think these “rich” people will naturally take the financial hit of raised taxes is beyond me.

When it comes down to it, Obama is pandering to class envy and the human desire of covetousness. It stems from the Democratic playbook: punish the rich by taxing them hard and use the tax dollars for social programs for the poor. This was tried by Hoover, Johnson and Carter in the 20th century and look how it turned out. All three led to recessions that crippled everyone in America, and Obama’s attempt to “spread the wealth around” will be no different.

As hard as I have tried to reason with some people, I have not been able convince some that trickle-down economics works. Fine. Let me appeal to you this way: the reason we are in economic hardships today is not because of “Bush’s failed economic policies,” but because of the Democratically-controlled congress’s inaction. The housing meltdown was flagged by Republicans in 2004 and 2006 (lead by John McCain, no doubt), but Democrats refused to listen to prudent economists and their very own appointed regulators. In fact, Obama is the second largest recipient of Freddie/Fannie contributions, a whopping $2 million. The media totally ignored the story, but here it is with documented footage. Notice the vitriol toward the regulators who attempted to fix the problem we’re now neck-deep in:

2. Life

We are surprised at how many pro-lifers we meet who are voting for Obama. With this election, the stakes have never been higher. Nearly 50 million babies have been aborted since 1973 when Supreme Court justices on a 5-4 decision read in the Constitution that women had the right to an abortion. The same Constitution that begins by securing “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” allows for sucking unborn children out of wombs. Legal scholars have argued for 35 years the foolishness of Roe v Wade, and it all comes down to judicial activism.

Obama believes judges should legislate from the bench, and McCain believes strict constitutionalists should interpret the Constitution. The former will make decisions by making the Constitution say whatever he/she wants it to say (like the justices that wanted to make abortion legal in America). The latter takes the Constitution for what it says and interprets it from the bench.

Of the nine justices that currently sit on the highest court of the land, at least three will retire after the election. The next president will most certainly shape the court that will impact the next 30-50 years of American law. If Obama wins, not only will Roe be cemented in our land, but who knows what other wacky interpretations will come about.

McCain, especially with Palin’s fundamental pro-life backbone, is a pro-lifer’s only choice. McCain and Palin bring both judicial sense and compassion to the issue of abortion. The McCains are adoptive parents, and the Palins went ahead with a pregnancy they knew would result in a Downs syndrome birth. Not since Reagan has the executive office been filled with such conviction on the Life Issue. They walk the walk, not just talk the talk. We have never been closer to overturning Roe v Wade since its reckless decision 35 years ago, but all this ground will be lost with an Obama presidency. When you think about it, millions of babies’ lives hang on the thread of this election outcome.

If you are unconvinced, watch this video…

3. Media

The popular media is 100% behind an Obama presidency as they refuse to broadcast his weaknesses while hammering the slightest gaffe of McCain/Palin. Just last week, Joe the Plumber became a central talking point in the debates, and because Joe turned into a benefit to the McCain campaign, the press camped out on his lawn and have been raking they guy over the coals. Meanwhile, no one in the media is banging on the doors of ACORN or Bill Ayers to expose Obama of his past associations with voter fraud and unrepentant terrorists.

It’s 1992 all over again. The press then totally ignored Bill Clinton’s history as a draft dodger and reputation as a womanizer. Instead, headline after headline reminded the electorate of Bush Senior’s “No New Taxes” broken promise and any attempt to bring up Clinton’s past was brushed aside or ridiculed as petty. No expose has been shown on the radicalism of Obama or the incompetence of Biden, while NBC can’t wait to expose Joe the Plumber’s weaknesses or attack Sarah Palin for daring to serve her country as the first mother vice president. The media elites are unabashedly using their privilege of speech to sway the electorate by hiding the harmful truth of their candidate while viciously attacking McCain/Palin.

So this is our third reason to vote McCain/Palin: stick it to the media. Those who still cling to the popular media (NYT, NBC, CNN, AP, etc.) are the ignorant ones who are obediently following their orders. But subscriptions of newspapers have dwindled in the past decade. My hope and prayer is that the electorate turns on the popular media pro-Obama campaign. This would serve as an extra benefit: a final nail in the coffin of brainwashing propaganda of the popular media.

Read: Michelle Malkin “The Left Declares War on Joe the Plumber”

For what it’s worth, the Jeubs strongly endorse McCain/Palin for the presidential race. Click here to register to vote and view the candidates other positions. Get involved, families, and help ensure a better future for our children.

Biden focuses on “past 8 years” as if Bush is running for a third term. He also starts focusing on “fundamental disagreements” between tickets, which he repeats several times through the debate. Palin speaks directly into the camera, while Biden speaks to the moderator. This is a great debate tactic: remember always who you’re trying to persuade. It isn’t the moderator or your opponent, it is the judge, and in this case it is the American people. “We’re tired of politics as usual” really rings with the American people, I believe, which leads to another debate strategy: take the opponent’s strongest point and turn it to your advantage. Obama/Biden is all about “change.” Palin runs with this when she refers to Biden’s “long record”…”With all due respect, Senator, I don’t believe the American people want the same old Washington.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Tonight Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin will be debating Democrat Joe Biden. The dramatic anticipation couldn’t be scripted any better. The popular media can’t stop trying to find “gaffes” in Palin; they keep trying, but have only resorted to the “possibility” of such gaffes. Here’s how an AFP article worded it: “Concerns about Palin’s readiness to take the national stage have mounted in recent days following interviews in which the first-time Alaska governor has sometimes been lost for words when faced with tough questioning.” Any specifics? None.

Meanwhile, VP candidate Joe Biden can’t seem to keep his leather shoe in his mouth. The Boston Globe ran a piece outlining his several missteps here. It’s funny, for Biden is known for having to stick his foot in his mouth, yet the press seldom hits him with reminders of his blunders. If you listen to the media, the gaffer appears to be Gov. Palin.

Well, the kids are doing their after dinner chores and we have the AM radio blaring. The debates are on, and I’ll be posting question with responses with my quick analysis. I’ll try to post some more thoughts tomorrow. Remember, I’m a debate coach and a publisher of some of the bestselling debate material in the nation, so I’ll be focused on both form and substance. Refresh this page as the debate goes on, and I’d love to see your comments…

Read the rest of this entry »

Wendy and I have spoken on frugal living, and we’ve been emailed asking our opinion on the top news of the $700bln bailout. Since we are the parents of 14 children (soon to be 15), a most natural question is “how can you afford it?” Our lengthy response is in our product “Cheaper by the Baker’s Dozen” where we outlined strategies to frugal living. Really, it stems from a basic understanding of economics, basics I learned getting my MBA and we both have learned as small business owners.

The current Wall Street Bailout that is struggling to pass the House of Representatives is being touted as needed, claiming the current situation in the markets is the worst since the Great Depression. Correction: it is the scariest SOLUTION to economic hard times since the Great Depression, but it is not the Great Depression. Read the rest of this entry »

A month ago the Democrats held the winning hand for history, that with the hopes of the first black president, Barack Obama. Now, with the appointment of Sarah Palin as the vice presidential running mate, history is on the Republican ticket, too. It has been assumed for too long that the first woman chief executive of the nation would be a liberal Democrat. Instead, we have a conservative Alaskan who has five children and hunts moose.

“Ah, but she’s a woman,” some say. While some may see power in Palin’s femininity (so-called “Palin Power”), I see the power of family. She has not been defined by what is thought to be the “perfect” politician’s family. You know the image. Husband, wife, two kids. Her family walking on the Republican Convention stage looked unique and different, but more truly American. Rough on the edges and most perfect in many ways. Consider:

• Todd, Palin’s husband. Tremendously confident in his masculinity. Hunter and snowmobile racing champion. He broke his arm in the last race he was in, but he refused to give up. Tough Alaskan, one who would say, “Yeah, I stay home and she goes to work. Got somethin’ with that?” I identify. Early in our marriage, Wendy worked while I finished up school. That’s family working together, not some imagined misalignment of biblical hierarchy. Todd is someone I hope to have the privilege someday to gut an elk out together in the mountains of Colorado…with our daughters.
• Track, first born son. He went to war for our country on 9/11/08. Nineteen years old and devoted to serving his country. He may pay the Ultimate Price, God only knows. He has been raised well within the strong values of this Christian family. These are the values I struggle to teach my children: love of God, love of country, life beyond self. If I were in battle, I’d like to have Track at my side. He seems to be the kind of guy who wouldn’t blink before jumping on a grenade to save those around him.
• Bristol, pregnant out of wedlock at 17. How should Christian parents respond? Exactly how the Palins responded, loving and forgiving, believing in her daughter despite her foolish choices. While the media foamed at the mouth at the hope that the conservative Christians would throw Palin under the bus, Christians warmly sighed at how the Palins handled the news. Peggy Noonan got it right: “Modern American evangelicals are among the last people who’d judge her harshly. It is the left that is about to go crazy with Puritan judgments; it is the right that is about to show what mellow looks like.” Their family will make it through, because families are powerful.
• Trig, Palin’s baby. She had Trig while in office, knowing full well that he would most likely be born with Down syndrome. She refused to compromise either her service as governor or her ministry as mother. Instead, she brought Trig to work—often excusing herself to nurse her son—making sure it all worked out. Families make things work. What a testimony for choosing life even when all worldly persuasion says otherwise.

The pundits are asking Sarah Palin if she can accomplish the executive duties while raising a family. Gee, do they really need to ask? Charlie Gibson from ABC stared down his nose like a cynical professor when he asked a leading question about sexism. Watch this…

I’m glad she didn’t agree with Charlie’s red herring, “Is it sexist to question your ability?” It was a loaded question, one that he would have pounced on if she answered yes. “See, she plays the victim and is not ready to be Vice President,” the pundits would have replied. Instead, Palin pretty much said, “Who cares?” Palin’s femininity is not defined by the media or her naysayers. Instead, it appears that Palin is defined by her strong values and conservative principles, those I would argue are founded in her Christian faith and upbringing.

Sounds like my kind of Vice President.

The Jeub family so identifies with the Palins. Her family embodies something that we believe is a refreshing calling for families: families are powerful. Other life choices don’t compare to the power of family. Not government, not money, not personal career ambitions, not feminism. Family. And family was not and is not being sacrificed by Palin, even when called to public service and high office.

Boy, what a contrast from the typical Washington politician! In every sense of the word, Palin is exceptional. She had been called to politics for all the reasons people should be called to politics: to shake up the “good old boys” and make a change for families. Also unlike Washington elitists, her promises didn’t fall to the wayside after election. She shook up her hometown as mayor and took on the special interests as Alaskan governor.

Some people believe that her being a woman is a violation of a scriptural mandate forbidding women from serving in public office. Two quick notes on that. First, if you’re being persuaded by someone who appears well versed in scripture that the Bible “clearly” invalidates a Palin vote, look up the verses. I have, and scripture does not invalidate a Palin vice presidency. Quite the contrary, God has called women into positions of influence, power and humble service throughout scripture (e.g. Miriam, Esther, Deborah, Mary, Phoebe, Priscilla). People with these archaic opinions have lengthy rebuttals that usually (and ironically) lead you away from scripture. When you read the few verses touted by your friend, ask yourself, “Is it really that clear that God forbids women to be public servants?”

Second, don’t forget who else is running for president. Folks who say, “Don’t vote for Palin because she’s a woman” usually refuse to be reminded how bad the opposing candidate is. Barack Obama promotes several complete opposite principles Sarah Palin is standing on. No matter how strongly anyone believes Sarah Palin shouldn’t be running the country, the bottom line is still this: a refusal to vote is a vote for her opponent. Some have gone so far as to say it would be unbiblical to vote for McCain/Palin. I sure hope they wise up before November 5.

This sounds like a campaign ad, I know, but you know what? Wendy and I have never been this excited over the Republican ticket. McCain has his shortcomings, and while I most likely would have voted for him, I wouldn’t put a bumper sticker on my car. I may just do that this year. I have my eye on this one: “I’m voting for the pit bull with lipstick.”

Most Americans believe that the US is in a depression and that the economy is tanking. The recent bank bailouts and mortgage financing companies are truly disturbing. I sort of wish I wasn’t eye-deep in researching the NCFCA team-debate topic for release of our bestselling Blue Book for homeschool debaters. I’d be writing a lot about the economy, a topic I find intriguing. There is a lot of fear mongering going on, and though I don’t like $4/gal. at the pump anymore than anyone else, I am hesitant to agree with the alarmists out there. Follow me here…

I believe we’re going to be just fine.

I know, I know. The headlines on every news channel and every website is posting doom for America. I, too, see our political horizon as a bit scary. Congress, instead of drilling offshore and in ANWR, is debating bringing back the 55mph speed limit. Obama, who could be our next president, claims that because drilling won’t reduce gas prices for at least six years, we shouldn’t drill. Note: in 2002, President Bush was defeated by Congress to advance drilling in ANWR…yes, six years ago. John McCain at least promotes offshore drilling, something that Congress is digging its heals in about. Also note: John McCain led the charge of moderate Republicans to kill the ANWR bill. I’m not too hopeful that our politicians will come up with helpful solutions.

We can learn several lessons from India. Homeschoolers participating in the NCFCA will be debating changes to the US’s policy toward India, the league’s debate resolution. In my research of the topic, I am learning tons about the recent history of this remarkable nation. After India attained its independence from Britain in 1950, she struggled through 40 years of socialist economics. Though India has a rich history of some of the smartest scientists and businessmen in the world, she was known in the 20th century as one of the poorest nations on earth. It wasn’t until 1990 that India started reforming its License Raj, a series of beaurocratic red tape that made it virtually impossible to innovate and do business in the largest democracy in the world. The lifting of its restrictions have been a boon to India’s economy. Now India is in negotiations with the US to open up its nuclear power development to meet the energy demands of its growing middle class. World economists have predicted that India is on course to surpass China and America’s economies by 2045. No kidding.

It’s difficult to make sense of the bank and mortgage crisis, but what’s going on now is simply responsible taxpayers paying for irresponsible loans. India recognizes that the only way to solve its poverty problem is to devert its policies from socialist safety nets to solving its economic infrastructure. President Bush has lifted the executive moratorium on offshore drilling, and now Congress needs to do the same. It is basic supply-and-demand economics that needs to be addressed: if we Americans demand more oil, and we have it, let’s get it and ease the demand (and our dependence on foreign oil while we’re at it). If government wants to be proactive in energy alternatives, pour money into nuclear development rather than bailing out mortgages. Again, India is onto this, and America should be, too.

We may see our government making foolish fiscal choices, but families should find themselves doing just fine through this shaky economy. Seriously, I am not getting too nervous, and I’m the guy with a 14 mouths to feed! Times will be tight for the next few years, sure, but that shouldn’t depress you. I’m hearing a lot of our friends complain of their scaling back and having to make frugal choices, but I know better. They’re simply starting to live life like the Jeubs, and frugal living has never robbed our family of joy and growth.

If I weren’t so busy with Blue Book I’d write a bestseller and make a million: “Frugal and Fruitful.” Much of our Cheaper by the Baker’s Dozen CD has rich ideas to live frugally, but the main point is this: don’t let anyone rob you of the life God has in store for you. In fact, the coming hardships should return Americans back to what matters most: faith, family, love. The second home or the SUV ain’t it.

I have a lot of respect for Mahatma Gandhi, the spiritual revolutionary who took on the British Empire through peaceful means. He had some daring ideas on economics, too. Though his lineage became socialist powers of the new India, I do not believe Gandhi was a socialist. He had a profound understanding of the economic challenges of India as well as discerning views of the West’s problems. An article I discovered in my research paraphrases a recent discovery of one of Gandhi’s audios, recorded weeks before his assassination in 1948:

Gandhi’s self-denial and tour of rural poverty was rooted in political philosophy. The central reason people turn to violence, Gandhi believed, was that they were afraid: of others, the unknown, of loving one’s possessions and fortunes, of death. Fear was the root cause of corruption and greed. The way to destroy fear, Gandhi argued, was to give up the things that people held precious in the first place. When you have no possessions, you fear no theives.

Wendy and I want so much to get this point across to young couples, which is why we wrote Love in the House. A life centered on building wealth is a life centered on fear, and we believe God wants us free from fear. Now, I’m all for working hard to make a good living, and I’m caught many times wishing I had more than I do now. But in my heart of hearts, I know that desire alone is worth nothing. My heart wants to walk with God and raise a family to do the same.

Okay, one last thing and then I have to get back to writing Blue Book. Wendy received an incredible email from a young lady about a week ago after our “Kids by the Dozen” episode was shown on The Learning Channel. Her story speaks volumes. What a testimony:

I’m writing to tell you what an inspiration your family has been to me. My husband and I have been married for 6 years and have three children (6, 5, 2) but decided after our third that [my husband] should get a vasectomy. I was a lost Christian and he was an atheist and we were consumed with worldly goods and keeping up with our friends–more children would be an inconvenience.

Since then, Jesus has grabbed ahold of our lives–we have a great encouraging church and [my husband] became a Christian one year ago. We could not imagine the changes that the Lord had in store for our hearts and our family. My husband came to me about 2 weeks ago and told me that he had really been struggling with our past sins and our vasectomy and really felt the Lord calling him to have a reversal and let go of worldly things and focus on what really matters. I was, to say the least, reluctant. We have a nice life now, three beautiful children, nice clothes, house and things. We do not make a lot of money and I didn’t want to stretch things too much. I am a stay at home mom and always assumed that 3 children is just right–any more and I might lose it. I didn’t feel it was in the interests of the other children, but I told him I would think about it–but really just wanted to put the idea out of my mind.

Well, God had other plans. I have struggled inwardly for the past two weeks about having more children and have prayed that God would show me what He wanted for our family and not what I want. That God would take away my sinful desire for things of this world and instead allow me to focus only on the eternal. Then, just last night, while washing dishes I heard a quiet voice–we were meant to have more children. I still tried to push that thought away, put the kids to bed and get ready for bed myself.

That is when I started flipping through the channels and saw “Kids by the Dozen.” I was in tears by the time my husband got home from work at 10:30. You come across as so genuine. I love your budgeting techniques, and the way you love and care for your children is evident, as is your love for the Lord. I am not an overly emotional person, so my husband knew something was up [when he saw me crying]. He watched the rest of the show with me and was in tears as well. We knew our calling was to continue to parent. We stayed up most the night talking and this morning we called to make our first appointment on the way to a vasectomy reversal.

I cannot wait to hold baby number 4 in my arms and watch my husband do what he does best–be a dad. God is a loving God, a worker of miracles. In just a short two weeks he has allowed me a glimpse of eternity through the eyes of my children and our children to come. Thank you for telling your story and being an inspiration to those like me.

God will bless his people when his people open their hearts to him. What a testimony from this young couple, how God moved them to follow his lead, to follow the love written on their hearts. Wendy and I are humbled that our meek lives helped encourage them. This family is stepping out in faith, fearlessness and, most importantly, a love for God’s will in their life that surpasses all understanding. A lagging economy won’t hold this family down. They will overcome any obstacle that tries to get in their way. May God bless them abundantly!