We were so blessed to be able to attend the Above Rubies Family Camp in San Diego for the second time this year! We weren't sure if we were going to be able to go because of last minute details, but the Lord came through and worked out all of the necessary arrangements financially and with Wes needing the time off and we found out we could go 12 hours before we needed to leave! But, again the Lord was so great even in areas that could have been stressful! We were able to pack quickly, get a good night's sleep, and get on the road in time to get to the camp for dinner! It took us about 9 1/2 hours to get there and the children did amazingly well in the car!
What a blessed time we had! Nancy and Colin were on fire for God! Nancy spoke to us ladies about the tactics Satan uses to distract us in our roles as wives and mothers. Colin spoke to the men about having a vision for their families and not letting the world distract you! What amazing wisdom and insight the Campbells have! We were so encouraged and challenged. If you want to find out more about the Above Rubies Ministry go here: aboverubies.org
Our Above Rubies Testimony:
Wes and I went to our first Family Camp in 2002 and the Lord changed our hearts through the message Colin and Nancy presented to us and the revelation of scripture. We had three beautiful little girls at that point and were contemplating what to do next and how many kids "we should have." Well, the Lord showed us that it is in His control to create children and it is NOT our job to take control of how many children to have. He also showed us that He opens and closes the womb. God can decide if your womb will be opened to children or closed (for a season or indefinitely). It is up to Him, not us! He has the plan for our lives and if we truly believe God is in control, we should believe this as well.
Genesis 20:18
For the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Abraham's wife Sarah.
Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.
Genesis 30:22
Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and opened her womb.
1 Samuel 1:5
But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.
There are many more verses describing God opening and closing the womb, you can do a search on Bible Gateway
The Lord also showed us that children are a BLESSING! He gives us children as a way to bless us. We started to ask ourselves why would we refuse a gift or a blessing from God? Only a crazy person would refuse a blessing from the Lord Almighty! If we truly wanted to trust God and believe that God is in control of all things how could we try to take control of the number of children God gave us? We realized that it is only man and the world that convinces us to use birth control because of worldly and selfish reasons such as not having enough money, not having a large enough house, not having enough free time, and more. We began to realize that if we finally trusted God with every area of our lives that He would provide for everything for those blessings He gave us. We also realized God wants our all and for us to learn to serve like Jesus and how better can we learn to serve than by having children for God? We also realized God wants us to be fruitful and multiply so that we can futher His Kingdom! We needed to step away from the world's view of children and be transformed by God's view of children as blessings to us and to further His Kingdom!
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What an amazing journey it has been. It's not always easy, but what peace we have because we are following God's perfect will. I would never trade that peace for anything such as more free time or more money! My time is precious and my little ones are even more precious to me! God has given me the desire of my heart!
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
It was not always my desire to have more children and less time for myself (ha!), but as I sought after His will for my life and not my own will, He placed that desire in my heart. I am so grateful for His plan for our lives and that we have been blessed with seven wonderful children so far! I pray the Lord will bless us with more! I also pray that we can be the parents he wants us to be in order to train them in His ways.
I can't say thank you enough to the Above Rubies Ministry for their diligence in preaching the truth of God's desire for families! Thank you so much Colin and Nancy!
