Hiester Family Antics: 07.11

The Hiester Family in a nutshell - a big one, like a coconut or something

We are a family of a whole bunch of random people, thrown together in one small house, who all happen to look alike. Each member of our family was hand-picked by God... that's the only explanation for the saga that is our family. Here's the story from the beginning... My husband, Todd, was married before me. His wife's name was Carrie, and together they had 3 kids: Tyler, Kurstin & Elissa. Todd's parents were divorced and his mother remarried. Her new husband, Don, had 2 small children: Ally & Wesley. Their natural mother was killed in a car accident when they were 8 & 11. One year later, they lost their dad and Todd and Carrie took them into their home. 6 months after Ally & Wesley were added to the household, Carrie died of cancer at age 26. Her own children were 3, 6 & 9 and Ally & Wesley were 10 & 13. And Todd was alone with them. Think Lord of the Flies. So when I fell in love with Todd, I got these 5 kids as a bonus. We married about a year and a half into our relationship, with the kids as our wedding party. We made it all official with an adoption lawyer and lots of money, ensuring that we are LEGALLY their parents. They even had to take oaths saying they would perform the duties of sons and daughters, which I think means I have someone to change my diapers when the time comes! After 2 years of marriage we added Robben Carey to the mix. And now we've welcomed Livi Claire...the seventh, and final, Hiester kid (unless, of course, God has other plans). Todd and I are 37 and 35, respectively, and our kids range in age from 1 to 21. It's great because we're cool and always the youngest in a crowd of high school parents.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Rid Me Of Myself

I KNOW my purpose in life. Why don't I live like it? If I am here to further the kingdom of God, why do I not spend each and every moment doing that? Any other action or endeavor is a complete waste of time, of my life, of me. But it's me that's the problem, me that gets in the way. If I ask God to rid me of myself, and fill me with the Spirit, to do His will, not only do I like the me I become, but I am happy, too. But my nature (my human-nature, my sin-nature) clouds everything, confuses the simple truth. If I follow my nature's lead, I think of myself, my wants, my needs, my time, what I want to do, how I feel, how I'm being wronged, how I'm giving more than I'm receiving... I'll tell you where it doesn't lead: to happiness and fulfillment. If I am made to serve my Maker, to do the work that He has set apart for me, then I pray that that will be my focus every day, every hour, every second of my life. When I pray God to rid me of myself and make me an empty vessel to do with what He will, I become more loving, more kind, more patient. I become the me He created me to be.