Just a Daisy in the Meadow

Moving

2006-11-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm moving over to here. So "see ya" there!

Six Years Ago

2006-10-28T07:04:00.000-07:00

. . . we got married for life!

"Wherefore they are no more twain,

but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together,

let not man put assunder."

- Matthew 19:6

"He brought me to the banqueting house,

and his banner over me was love."

Song of Solomon 2:4

"My beloved is mine,

and I am his . . . "

Song of Solomon 2:1b

I love being Japheth's wife!

Thank-you, Honey, for choosing me!

Being married makes me anitipate even more THE MARRIAGE in heaven . . . and to think that we are chosen by God! And oh, his great love for us . . .

". . . But chosen of God,

and precious."

I Peter 2:4b

"Numbering the People"

2006-10-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

One very busy mom once said, "I just can't count how many times I get up with the children" Meaning not that she couldn't count that far, but that if she let herself count she would feel worse that whole day.

Yeah, it happens that way . . . The best way to deal with it is to bounce out of bed cheerfully! I've done it both ways and the "counting" thing just gets one worked up in a bad frame of mind to start the day.

Each time I get to choose how I will respond . . . and lets just say that I've had PLENTY of opportunites to respong right the last few weeks with Wayne teething some more and with the colds going around.

:) "And David's heart smote him after he numbered the people . . ."

II Samuel 24:10

Kitchi Trio

2006-10-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

It's done . . . the long awaited cd is done! I've been playing it over and over.

The girls\ladies kinda decided at the last moment to make this cd before Delight Yoder flew to Thailand, and somehow they managed! I know Heidi (This Side of Glory) gave alot of her time amidst taking care of her growing family to get it finished in time.

They blend so well . . .

Email me if your interested in purchasing one . . .

You will be blessed!

I'm in Love!

2006-10-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

. . . with my man!

and the father of my boys . . . and my little girl . . .

He gives them the greatest delights! Sunday evening he set up a board walk in the living room two 2x4's between two step ladders and had them "walking the plank".

Although the Fig Tree . . .

2006-10-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

How long does it or should it take for a person to recoop from a trip?

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom,

neither shall fruit be in the vines;

the labour of the olive shall fail,

and the fields shall yield no meat;

the flock shall be cut off from the fold,

and there shall be no herd in the stalls:"

Or as my version goes today:

Although the house stays a wreck,

and I can't seem to catch up:

Though the children are cooped in

because of the rain . . .

the carrots are getting peeled and spread all over the floor,

and still we need to do some more!

. . . I seem to need a morning siesta

as well as afternoon

though there's no exuse for it now;

It's my month to clean the church

but were's the energy to come from . . .

"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength,

and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet,

and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

To the chief singer on my stringed instruments." Habakkuk 3:17-19

Take Me Home to Minnesota

2006-10-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

My dear Father-in-law came up with these words in Wisconsin after a trip in East when the miles dragged on and on . . . And yes, we sang this too on our way back.

Minnesota has been my home for six years now. It has taken a while as adjustments do . . . but for a few years now I feel a part and I feel right at home!

Minnesota Song
by: Robert Stauffer

Take me home to Minnesota
where the wind blows wild and free;
Take me home to Minnesota
among the lakes and the trees;
You can have your crowded shopping malls
and traffic jams galore;
I’d rather sit and meditate
beside a peaceful shore.

Take me home to Minnesota
where the air is pure and clean,
Take me home to Minnesota
on a summer night serene,
When you look up at the stars above
and can touch them, so it seems;
Take me home to Minnesota,
the land of childhood dreams.

Take me home to Minnesota
where there's lots of elbow room;
Take me home to Minnesota
and the cry of the common loon;
I don't fear the chill of winters wind
or the sting of the mosquito,
For those things don't seem to matter much
when your love for this land grows.

When God made Minnesota,
it turned out as it should;
When God saw Minnesota,
He saw that it was good;
From fertile plains, to wooded rills,
to its varied industry,
God made Minnesota beautiful,
its just the place for me!

For My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light

2006-10-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

I've been so blessed once again just by reading "Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts Here's another sample of her writings . . .

Release Thy Grief

"My child, lean thy head upon My bosom. Well I know thy weariness, and every burden I would lift. Never bury thy griefs, but offer them up to Me. Thou wilt relieve thy soul of much strain if ye can lay every care in My hand. Never cling to any trouble, hoping to resolve it thyself, but turn it over to Me; and in doing so, ye shall free Me to work it out."

On another note, when we were in VA we had a class reunion . . . So much fun to see everyone again!

"Praise is the Voice of Faith"

2006-10-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

"Praise Me out of a heart full of love.

Praise Me for every blessing . . .

and every victory.

Yea, and praise Me when . . .

the most difficult thing to do is praise.

This is the vicory that overcometh the world . . .

Even your faith . . .

and praise is the voice of faith.

It is faith rejoicing for victories claimed in advance.

The song of praise is made of the very fabric of things hoped for.

It becomes an evidence of unseen things.

It is the raw material in My hands . . .

from which I fashion your victories"

- Frances J. Roberts

More Family

2006-10-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

Skyler - the "baby" of our family. He's almost thirteen. He's quite the entertainer for the boys . . .

Mom - They just moved off the farm into a trailer . . . When we got there it just seemed to fit . . . My memories of my Grandma (Showalter) were in their tailer and off Grandpa with his garden.

I think Loraine takes after Mom.

Dad - It's fun to watch Dad blossom so to speak at this age . . . He's having fun being his own boss, working with wood (he bought a sawmill) and planning for his shop and later a house.

We had to tease him though about all the sheds (they were so cute though out of rought lumber, simple and woodsy) there on the place. It looked a bit like a resort ;) "Yeah," he said, " the Last Resort"

Younger Sisters

2006-10-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Karen . . . always remembers birthdays and loves making her own cards. She can really decorate anything, rooms, scrapbooks etc.

When I left home, she was the faithful egg gatherer. Now she spends most of her days as a cook in an assisted living home.

Sally . . . works at the same place as Karen though not as a cook but as a CNA.

I often call her Miss.

She would ride with me to church Sunday evenings when I could get no one else to go with me . . . She also would sleep out on the trampoline with me (unless it was fall and underneath the walnut tree ;)
. . . and, oh, yeah, she's the one that would get up in the middle of the night and have a cup of hot chocholate with me . . . . so many fond memories!

Beauty is . . . a light in the eye

2006-10-10T08:11:00.000-07:00

I read this in Matthew 6 and I am sad, I cry, I mourn . . . so many I love, their eyes speak of something between them and God . . .

“The light of the body is the eye:
if therefore thine eye be single, (clear)
thy whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be evil,
thy whole body shall be full of darkness.
If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness,
how great is that darkness!”

At times I feel so helpless . . . But I am not hopeless, I read this from Isaiah 58,

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free . . .

Then shall thy LIGHT BREAK FORTH as the morning . . . “

. . . and neither am I helpless.

My Brother, Roland

2006-10-10T06:44:00.000-07:00

. . . and Patrisha,

and a cousinly kiss

A Farmwife and Mother

2006-10-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

This is my older sister, Kendra.

She is quite busy each day with chores.

This is my brother-in-law Loren Rhodes.

We stayed at their place almost a week. They showed us wonderful Southern hospitality . . . Kendra is a great cook!!!

Here we're saying, "Goodbye"

Aunt Aimee

2006-10-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is Roland's little girl, Cheyanne, just two months younger than Loraine. I am finally beginning to feel (a little bit) like an Aunt.

Kendra's girls

2006-10-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

Courtney turns six today . . . my oldest neice. She was born a few weeks before Japheth and I tied the knot.

She used to be the shyest girl around. When we'd come to visit she'd just stare (at a safe distance) at our boys and think them the oddest creatures!

Now she has blossomed into a lovely playmate.

Regan is shy also . . . She's three.

Now I am waiting, and anticipating getting to know them . . . as they grow . . . and interact with them as adults. Time flies by so quickly!

Travel

2006-09-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Quote from Japheth Jr. " Mom, in Uncle Skyler's country they talk different"

Yeah, somehow the little bit of Southern drawl that I had has disappeared and I don't think of it till we go to VA again . . . then it hits me . . .

Now I'm really excited about this trip . . . Once I chose to deliberatly stop dreading the travelling with five children\babies, ages five and under in a little minivan.

When the reality of crabby, tired, dirty (from all the snacking and drinks), and restless children hits and we still have all day to go ( we are starting Friday evening after work and going all night and all day except for a hour or two of sleep, and all the bathroom breaks we need) then I will CRY ALOUD to God and He will uphold me.

I promise, I will be sane when we arrive!!! God will see to that! I've proved Him over and over . . .

Upheld with His Hand

2006-09-19T13:59:00.000-07:00

I’ve started memorizing some again.  Right now I’m working on Titus.  Ya never know when this will come in handy!  Maybe someday in prison for my faith, I’ll look back to these days and “Praise the Lord!!!” for each nugget of “gold” I was able to store away. Or maybe I will become blind . . .

But hey, it’s not just for these maybes.

Several weeks ago, Japheth and I were heading to Duluth for a quilt\sewing machine show.  You know how it goes trying to get the children ready for a babysitter, eat breakfast and pack for the day etc.  Anyway that morning neither of us had our devotions.  (Ok, I know we should’ve done that before hopping out of bed, but here’s my lame excuse.  I got up earlier than I thought I needed to feed Jaden and from there on it wasn’t a minute to spare from the others waking up and needing me for this or that.  Actually, neither of us had time to sit down and eat either.)  We weren’t very far along on our journey, when I wished for my Bible.  Not having put one in the vehicle, I suggested that Japheth recite something for me and I for him.  It was a sweet way on that date to share devotional time together.

And then this morning . . .  Do you have a problem with your children getting up too early?  Anyway we decided to stay in bed for our devotions rather than have the boys hear us get up and us have to tell them to stay in bed till seven (Sometimes we set the alarm so that they know when they may get up.)  But our Bibles were still downstairs . . .  So once again we recited Scripture for each other.

One problem . . . if this gets to be a regular habit I will have to be on the go constantly memorizing . . . Well, maybe that would be good!

Anyway a phrase from Titus . . .
“They profess that they know God,
But in works deny Him . . .”

Yeah, God speaks to my heart about preparation for our trip . . .  all the fretting, and worrying about getting everything done that needs to be done, and dreading the ride in, and back!

“Fret not, He’s watching over you,
The Lord will see you through.
You’re sure to stand the test . . .

Commit
and Trust

Delight
and Rest . . . “

Psalm 37 says so much . . .

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord
And He delighteth in his way.
Though he fall he shall not be cast down;
For the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.”

Family Ties

2006-09-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

This is my MN brother-in-law, Jonny and his wife Jen.

. . . and Alisha Rose who is about four months.

They live a mile or so from us.

We enjoy their friendship. God is good . . . Family is precious!

Praising God Yet Again!

2006-09-14T08:53:00.000-07:00

Have you read Margaret Penner Toew poem, "God Answers"? Here's just a bit of it.

"Neath the soil inn utter darkness there's a subtle silent stirring . . .

In the stillness God is working out the answer to your pleadings, . . .

When the fullness of the time - His time- has come
you'll have your answer . . . "

I have found this to be soooo true!

In His time . . . . years later after praying on and on or not even praying consciously, in the fullness of time, my answer comes. Soooo many things have blossomed this way!

I remember talking with God over each child . . . asking for grace and physical strength because I just didn't think I had it in me to care for a child, then another, and then another and so on. Do you know how God did it? No, He didn't take the "mountain" away, but day by day He gave me what I needed, not before, but it was there as long as I leaned hard on Him!

And some days I would wonder and say, "You said, Lord, that Your grace is sufficient, but why don't I find it true?" It was those times I wasn't leaning on Him as hard as I ought! But when I faced another mountain of a day, climbing those steep, rocky paths and CLAIMED God's promises, it was then that I proved Him true! Oh, the riches we have in Christ!!! The unspeakableness of it all as it washes over my heart anew . . . God is soooo good. And I speak that phrase with all meaning!

And so, today, I give you a recent testimony of God's strength being enough for me.

Yesterday, I somehow thought would be a good day to do up my waiting tomatoes. I didn't really want them sitting in my freezer waiting for next week when I get back from a very special weekend (Ladies Retreat) andthen the next Friday we leave for VA for a week and a half. (For those interested we will be spending most of our time with Loren and Kendra, in Ferrum and plan to attend the church in Floyd on the 23rd.) I just wanted them done and out of the way. I made spagetti sauce again . . . It takes so long to cook down even with adding tomato paste! But it's done, all 18 quarts.

I also had some laundry pilling up to be done . . . you just can't let urine saturated clothes and blankets sit around too long.

The daily round of bottle feeding, pamper changing, owies to kiss, encouragement to shower, discipline to bestow, arguements to settle, questions to answer, etc. is always there no matter what goes on.

My husband was also having a birthday, his thirtyeth mind you As cell groups were planned that evening I wanted to share a birthday snack\party for him. So a cake was in order, and I tried a new reciepe of some taco cup thingies which he said were a winner.

On top of this all I did not eat anything since breakfast . . . Remember the Bible says not "if" you fast but "when" (and I say this only for you to understand how much God's strength upheld me this day!)

And the phone kept ringing . . . arrangements for traveling etc for this weekend and all kinds of other odds and ends.

God enabled me to not get frustrated, not to worry about getting everything done . . .

HE EMPOWERED ME!

And I can only say it was His strength, just as He's helped me through each day recuping from cancer, adjusting to being a newly wed, being pregnant, adjusting to becoming a Mom, having more babies, fitting into a new community, learning to train children, etc.

God is THE ONE!

He can truely satisfy ALL your hearts needs, and empower you for His work! (And homekeeping is His work!)

He is my ALL in ALL!!!

I SING HIS PRAISES!

And today I look back . . . God has given me my hearts desires! I prove that promise to be true also!!! Though I still dream and desire more . . . It is there, I know it, beneath the soil, sprouting and in His time it will come.

"In my weakness He is strong;

In my need He leads me on.

When I come to the end of all I am,

And when I place my trust in Him,

That's when His strength begins . . . "

-Part of Mike Harland and Cary Sshmidt's song, "In My Weakness"
Sung by the Soundforth singers on their cd "A Quiet Heart"
who by the way sing, "We Are Not Alone" which haunted us all at Krystal Yoder's funeral.
"Bear" otherwise known as Keith Yates thougth that adjective described it as well as it could. He had us play it over and over and over!!!
They also sing "Be Still My Soul" in the most becomeing melodious way!!! Our top two favorite songs right now!

"Ask, and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you . . ."
Just don't expect it to happen overnight . . . though it could!! Our God is God of the impossilbe!!!

"Morning Glories!"

2006-09-09T19:09:00.000-07:00

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed.
Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness . . . " Lam 3:23

Good Morning to all my friends out there . . .

God is so good to each of us . . . sometimes this feels so much like a one-sided thing and that's ok. But today, please, tell me how God has been there for you . . . I so long to know, to hear how my Awesome God did another great thing be it little or big in our minds. I LOVE to hear stories about God, that are in the here and now, that are in my life and yours . . . That glorify His name . . . That tell of His might . . .

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord.
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High!

To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning

And Your FAITHFULNESS every night!

. . . For You, O Lord, have made me glad through Your work;

I will triumph in the works of Your hands!" - Psalm 92:1-4

Do you need more prompting?

"Sing out the honor of His name;

Make His praise glorious . . ." Psalm 66:2

"Tell me the stories of Jesus, I love to hear . . . "

Tomato Fun

2006-09-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is very helpful for us this year . . . I wish I would've made use of this organizing tip before.

Don't laugh but . . . this is on the back of our bathroom door!!!

I know, I didn't really want it there, but it's the best place for it considering the layout of our house . . . We HAVE to have them in the warmth! (We live up North) It cannot be on the garage door. And our "coat closet" is too full with jackets and shoes and boots . . . Maybe we should say 1 per person (just kidding) The children are always getting them wet or dirty and they need extra till I get the "worn" ones dry or cleaned.

Someday we plan to expand the house to have a bit more room for this kind of stuff. Until then we merrily make do.

Yesterday we did 15 pints of salsa.

Today we tackle spaghetti sauce, my kitchen crew and I!

Actually I was hoping Jaden would be happy in his jumper . . . but today he was not. He had to be in on the ruckus.

Here we are just starting. The three oldest are taking the tops off. "Spiders" they called them.

Wayne plays with everythng from tomatoes to kettles to little gagets . . .

The mess has begun . . .

The start of a good day!

God's Faithfulness!

2006-08-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more thrilling than following the Holy Spirit’s prompting . . . .
. . . And being an overcomer, by God’s grace and strength!

Psalm 44:3-6 “For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword,
Nor did their own arm save them.
But it was Your right hand
Your arm,
And the light of Your countenance
Because You favored them.

You are my King,
O God,
Command victories for Jacob
Through You we will push down our enemies;
Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.
For I will not trust in my bow,
Nor shall my sword save me
But You have saved us from our enemies!

Yes, “I can do all things through Christ who give me strength!”

Let’s just say that I often feel like Moses in that I have troubles in communicating with eloquence. I tend to be blunt and abrupt. But God ( and my husband – hey, they come in handy for a lot of things!) ) has been teaching me in this area.

But today I testify of God’s faithfulness . . . As He said to Moses,

Exodus 4:11a “Who hath made man’s mouth?
Or, who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing or the blind?
Have not I, the Lord?
Now therefore,
Go,
And I will be with your mouth
And teach you what you shall say.”

So today still rang true. Yesterday, today and forever, God is the same. God is faithful!!!

Harvest Time

2006-08-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

"If I simply gave you things, how would you appreciate them . . ."

I love harvesting from the garden . . . I like to spend time out there in the cool of the day, in the hot afternoon. There's a certain satisfaction of pulling those weeds! . . . picking tomatoes, cuting dill heads, pulling beets, watching my pumpkins turn orange, etc.

I think I inherited this from my mom.

Yeah, this is a wonderful time . . . Thank-You, God, for a bountiful crop!

The Savior's Words

If you never felt pain,

How would you know that

I'm a Healer?

If you never went through bondage,

How would you know that I'm a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial,

How could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness,

How would you know that I am a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake,

How would you know that I am forgiving?

If you never were in trouble,

How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never had any problems,

How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering,

how would you know what I went through?

If you never went through fire,

How would you become pure?

If I simply gave you things,

How would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you,

How would you know that I love you?

If you had all power,

How would you lean on Me?

If your life was perfect,

What would you need Me for?

Today

2006-08-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Today I think, “There is a time for everything.” Really? Homeschool with all my little ones underfoot?” I guess we’ll see. But here is a sample of how things went today.

After breakfast the boys clear the table and load up the dishwasher while I hang out laundry. Loraine and Wayne come out to help. I put finish putting shoes on these two. I go in and check up on the progress of the table getting clean. Not good. So I remind them of their responsibility. Go back out to hang up wash. Wayne drops things over the deck. I send Loraine down to fetch them. Next we haul Wayne inside for a diaper change. Then back out.

I want to have the house somewhat “picked up” before we sit down. So everyone helps pick up things, some cheerful, some not so cheerfull. So we have a “board meeting” about this.

Bible memory and Bible story commence while the 1 and 2 year olds are supposed to stay on their blanket. Then I send those blanket sitters outside with Jeremiah while I do math flashcards with Japheth. Japheth being mathed out goes for a break also.

Cries then are heard from the cradle, time to feed Jaden and change his pamper and put on a clean set of clothes. Then he’s good for awhile in the jumper.

Today I needed to do up a small batch of tomatoes, so I opted for tomato juice. The boys love to help crack. So I told Japheth after some reading he could help me with that. While he read two pages I worked on learning how to make oval rugs. Then it needed more concentration than I was able to give while helping Japheth Jr. along with his review words. So off to the kitchen we headed. Japheth did half, then I called Jeremiah in for his turn. He would be put out if I finished it myself!

Reading again commenced this time on the kitchen counter where I could kinda see his book as I washed up the breakfast pans and then the rest of the tomato strainer things. Jeremiah unloaded the dishwasher after the tomatoes were all fed through.

Loraine came in and I rewarded her with a bubble gum for staying dry, and sent one with her for Wayne. Jeremiah then got one for cheerfully staying at his kitchen duties! Japheth complained because he didn’t get any . . . . and the reason he didn’t was because he complained about the amount of pages he had to read this morning.

Finally words all done and everyone is outside playing in the sandbox and enjoying the beautiful weather while Jaden gets his dinner. I thought I should be giving him lessons on keeping his hands out of his mouth while I’m trying to put in reddish brown goo (sweet potatoes with a bit of baby cereal and some applesauce mixed in), but I let it pass .

Time for Jeremiah's addition.

Gathering up the three youngest in the stroller, I head down the lane for the mailbox

Lunch time of leftovers . . And what do you know, someone isn’t very fond of something on his plate but requests a duplicate of yesterdays competition. Whoever cleans up the soup first gets a sticker. And wouln’t you know the same person lost . . . again . . . and the tears flowed just as freely . . . again.

Whups . . . Loraine's wet. I put a pamper on her in preparation for naptime . . . but a few minutes later I find her messing with her pamper that's loaded! She's been taking them off and trying to wipe herself and then putting her underwear on.

Whew! Jaden made it without sleeping over lunch time and Wayne made it without a late morning nap! . . . Something to praise the Lord about. Just maybe today I can have nap! (But I’ve learned to not count my chicks till they’ve hatched)

And so the day goes on . . .

Thankfulness - Part III

2006-08-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

This morning I was listening to a cd and these words stuck out,
“Give it all, give it all to Jesus and He will turn your sorrow into joy. He never said we’d only see sunshine, He never said there’d be no rain. He only promised a heart full of singing, about the very things that once brought pain. So give them all to Jesus and He will turn your sorrow into joy!”

. . . and another song, “Hidden valleys will make the heart strong . . .hidden valleys turn shepherds to Kings”

So how does God go about bring a heart change? . . . How does it happen that our hearts soften and we let God mold it into what He desires?

I just know that we can’t get away from . . . He doesn’t give up on us! Praise the Lord!

“Whither shall I do from Thy Spirit?
Or whither shall I flee from Thy prescence?
If I ascend up into heaven Thou art there,
If I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10

He “compasseth” our paths and keeps bringing us back to what He desires to do in us until we yield or harden ourselves . . .

“Thou copasseth my path and my lying down,
and art aquainted with all my ways . . .
Thou hast set me behind and before
And laid thy hand upon me . . . “ Psalm 139:3-6

God is so good to relentlessly love and chasten us until
“My stubborn will at last had yielded, I would be thine and thine alone . . .”

And so today I praise Him for pursing me in love, for this particular pruning in my life, for chastening me as a daughter . . .

Hebrews 12:7 “If ye endure chasting, God dealeth with you as with sons;
for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

God is good, He has put gladness in my heart . . . and my heart doth dwell in safety!

. . for “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for Thou, Lord, makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 3:7-8"

Thankfulness - Part II

2006-08-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

II Corinthians 4:1-7 “ . . .We do not lose heart, but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God . . . For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

In continuing on with my story . . .

The intenseness of my struggle you may never know . . . . but my flesh was battling hard as could be (Satan was trying to devour my soul). My love for Japheth, my fiancé, was tested . . . what would he do if I refused to hear his concerns. No, I just couldn’t think that far. . .
Yet would I humble myself and come back under the authority I had left? For days I cried and wept . . . my life hung in the balance. What would be my choice?

Romans 8:8- “For they that are in the flesh do mind the things of the flesh . . . So they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you,
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you . . .
For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die;
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (daughters) of God.”

Finally the time came . . . when I yielded. God’s still small voice mattered to me more than anything (Then why did I struggle so long?) . . . and the voice of Japheth was something to consider was it not? . . . and my Dad’s . . . and my Father-in-law-to-be.

(I know I’ve posted this recently, but here this is again now in its own context.)

The Testing

The testing, the fire burns hot at my feet.
Will I go under? Will I be beat?
By the evil that's out to suck in my soul,
BUT NO! THERE'S A GOD WHO IS IN CONTROL!
I have but to ask, His power is there.
He's wanting and longing to release it by prayer.
I've asked Him –
He's faithful and true!
He knows what's best and always will do . . .
Even though the pruning and chastening brings pain.
For each loss and heartache is exchanged by rich gain.
There's joy that follows sorrow -
God is there for each tomorrow.
I asked for courage to face the test,
Not run . . . or hide from what really is best.
But turn toward the battle and fight,
For the Lord in His strength and His might.
I asked for His blood, to rid my soul of its sin and its strife.
The sin that stains my heart and my life,
Can be washed and renewed -
Though scars bring remorse . . . it reminds me again,
Of what He's forgiven and cleansed from within.
He's promised to bless and repay -
The years the locasts have eaten away.
Who else can give all that I wonder?
My God is a God of strength and thunder!
I'm glad to place my life in His hands, . . . .
And rejoice when thorns almost break my song . . .
I rest in His care - I ask nothing more
Than His cleansing power and grace to restore.
He's given me all my hearts desire.
He's given it though through testing and fire.
It's worth all the pain, the heart-wrenching cries.
My soul is united to Him in the skies.
I'm going Home to Heaven above.
I can't wait to experience all of His love.
The look in His eyes, the loving smile on His face,
The warmth of His forgiveness and mercy and grace.
He's acquainted with sorrow and tears and grief;
He knows how to still my heart and bring relief.
My Savior, My Lord, and My King
HE IS WORTH EVERYTHING!
And to Him I come, just as I am -
Sinful and wicked, worn as a lamb.
Unable to save from the dreadful fall.
But He's sought me and bought me, He gave His all!
I'm listening for that great trumpeter call.
For the day the Father will give the word,
Then to all that call will be heard.
Some will go upward and others will perish
But not those who love Jesus and cherish -
All that He's done and all He can do,
I thank Him, My LORD, My Father too.
But I can't . . . express it enough . . .
To tell you the love that overflows my heart
With the joy of knowing we won't be apart.
The Bride and the Groom united will be . . .
AND LIVE IN HEAVEN ETERNALLY!
MY GOD REIGNS SUPREME!
- Written by Aimee Loraine Beery in August 2000 exactly six years ago

So . . . I talked with Dad . . . and he affirmed my decision to rejoin our church ( I had withdrawn my membership and currently wasn’t accountable anywhere.)

Hebrews 10:24-25” And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 3:12 “ Beware brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Then the time came when I stood before the McGaheysville congregation . . . and verbally expressed that I would like to be taken back in. I’m not sure what all I said but I do recall saying somewhere in there (I wanted to be honest.) that I know this is the right thing to do, God is asking this of me, but my heart is having a hard time following after.

(I guess this is the end of chapter two . . . I was going to finish it all but my husband said it ended too abruptly and I can’t seem to find the words to “fix” that problem . . . this still isn’t the end of the story.)

Thankfulness for God Working in my Heart!

2006-08-15T09:24:00.001-07:00

How does God work in a heart? How does He bring about change in my innermost being? I only know He’s at work in the very core of my soul.

For years I’ve been praying for God to turn a certain pile of ashes in my life into something beautiful . . . But I think deep down I’ve avoided the happening of that very thing . . . because in order for God to do this work I have to “bring it to the light”

“This is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But He that doeth truth, cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they were wrought in God.” John 3:18-20

I guess I am very ashamed of this particular ash pile. I’ve just wanted to cover those ashes and hide them, not expose them. Maybe also because I didn’t fully realize or know how deeply they contradicted God’s character . . .

. . . But I have gathered strength once again from my dear husband’s example. Every time he shares the story or stories of how God made something lovely come out of some shameful past, I cry . . . some for the wonderful working of God in his life and some for my own life and this pile of ashes that is still there.

I long to see the redeeming work of God there . . .yet what holds me back?

And so today I take a step forward toward that goal . . . I have something to share with you . . .

How do you know when you are deceived? How do you know when you’ve sinned? Well, there is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart, there is God’s Word that speaks to us, and there is the family of God here on this earth to help us stay on the narrow way. Sometimes our wrongdoing comes to us though God’s Spirit and sometimes it’s through reading the word that “quickens” us and sometimes it’s a brother or sister that jolts us with the reality in which we are living.

And, so it was my-husband-to-be that jolted me out of my deceived state . . and I sensed the Spirit and God’s word saying “It is true . . . Repent ye” Did God know before hand how hard this would be for me? Of course, he did! I often wonder if that is why God led our courtship the way He did . . . As (if) He knew what it would take to get me to repent of my ways.

I fell short of the grace of God and some roots of bitterness sprung up and I became critical of my parents and my church.

My heart was beginning to wax hard and unsubmissive to my authorities . . .I knew what was better . . . I would go my own way . . . and yet I thought I was following the Lord with all my heart, I thought I was closer to Him than ever before . . .

Hebrews 12:15 “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God
lest any root of bitterness springing up cause you trouble,
and by this many become defiled.
Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau,
who for one morsel of food sold his birthright
For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing,
was rejected, for he found no place for repentance,
though he sought it diligently with tears . . .
For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched . . .
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumberable company of angels,
to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven,
to God the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant,
and the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Hebrews 13:17 “ Obey those who rule over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you . . . “

I “wanted to inherit the blessing” but even though “I sought it diligently with tears” there was none . . . . until I brought myself to repent. (To be continued, I think)

Our Baby

2006-08-12T20:40:00.000-07:00

Hello from Jaden!

with Auntie Juanita

Our "Thai" Boy

2006-08-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Wayne - our 1 year old

Our Girlie

2006-08-12T06:19:00.000-07:00

Loraine Rose - 2 years old

Papa picked this one.

Kindergarten Class

2006-08-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah Frank - almost four years old . . .

He's been so anxious for his birthday. Earlier I told him that he has to wait till the leaves turn brown, well he went out and found one. "Now it is my birthday?" I had to inform him of the sad news that almost all the other leaves were still green and he had awile to wait yet.

Anway it's getting closer - September 4th

My First Grader

2006-08-10T14:05:00.000-07:00

Our son is enrolled in Lakewood Christian Academy. (This is the name we choose for our homeschool)

I now have a first grader! . . . He's growing up!

Actually I've been teaching him how to read for awhile here and there. We are into words with two vowels now, and just starting math facts.

It's fun watching them learn and comprehend.

I'm Not Sorry

2006-08-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

It is a sad time . . . grieving over your sin. I watched out the window as my three oldest trudged down the path single file to Grandma’s house tears streaking their dirt smeared faces. Their mission to say “I’m sorry” lay before them (I caught them out in the garden picking Grandma’s tomatoes without permission. They had asked permission to go hoe and use the garden rake. Somewhere they strayed and . . . the result was not a happy one.)

But I will not be sorry I’ve trained my children after God’s standard of living.

My Violet Project

2006-08-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

I know it's a bit warm to be crocheting but . . . Actually I've been working on this while I listen to Japheth Jr.'s words. That way I get less frustrated at how long he takes. Sometimes he thinks he has to know what each word means and thinks up other ways the word is used or tell me stories that that word brought to mind, and I just want to get on with the next word. This is a patience helper.

I didn't take it to the tea. I didn't go. Instead I was cleaning and making rasberry pies and catching up from getting a batch of corn done up the day before. I did want to go but . . . I was being a"Keeper at Home" cause I felt my house and family needed it more than a ladies tea. Someday I will have more time to do things like that.

Someday I hope to have a little Violet.

Beauty Is . . . a Light in the Heart

2006-07-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

As a woman I long to be beautiful . . . In this day and age where many flaunt their physical beauty it can be easy to be dissatisfied with one’s self and envious of another, and forget about God’s view of beauty.

And yes, last night after a few comments from me, my husband advised me to “Go see Eli” (Know the Wemmick story I’m referring too?)

God in his wisdom, made me exactly as He wants me (outwardly) . . . But the most important thing is my heart! I have something to do about that!

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain (or passing), But a woman that feareth the Lord, She shall be praised.” - Proverbs 31:30

. . . As for the outward God does give us directions to follow.

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” I Timothy 2:9,10

And yes, there are so many ways “Christians” today apply or ignore the whole thing of dressing modestly. But God Word isn’t something I want to take lightly. After all who will we stand before to give account of how we conducted our lives on this earth?

"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: I Peter 3:1-5

I have found this to be true . . . Ladies with this “hidden” beauty of heart make the best friends!!! Their sweetness comes out is so many caring, gentle ways . . . ways of Jesus!!!

And really it is not hidden . . . it doesn’t take long to “see” the “beauty of the Lord” in a person.

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us . . .” Psalm 90:17

A Houseful and Overflowing!

2006-07-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

"Don't bring your teacup to God and ask for grace and strength, bring your wheelbarrow or your dumptruck." - Bob Stauffer

Today I asked for a houseful . . . after all it is Monday.

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." Proverbs 24:10

Quote

2006-07-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

Quote from my brother Skyler, “One thing about those boys, they wear a body out!” Don’t I know!

Skyler actually took a nap this afternoon, but Japheth didn’t. He was too worried he might miss out on something!

It’s good having him here!

The Testing

2006-07-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

I wrote this during a time of great testing in the year 2000. I know it could be written better . . . but God doesn't always call the best writer to write . . . He just asks us to let Him use us . . . and so I say, "Yes, Lord" What else can I say to my Lord? or He isn't really Lord.

The testing, the fire burns hot at my feet
Will I go under? Will I be beat?
By the evil that's out to suck in my soul,
BUT NO! THERE'S A GOD WHO IS IN CONTROL!
I have but to ask, His power is there.
He's wanting and longing to release it by prayer.
I've asked Him –
He's faithful and true!
He knows what's best and always will do . . .
Even though the pruning and chastening brings pain.
For each loss and heartache is exchanged by rich gain.
There's joy that follows sorrow -
God is there for each tomorrow.
I asked for courage to face the test,
Not run . . . or hide from what really is best.
But turn toward the battle and fight,
For the Lord in His strength and His might.
I asked for His blood, to rid my soul of its sin and its strife.
The sin that stains my heart and my life,
Can be washed and renewed -
Though scars bring remorse . . . it reminds me again,
Of what He's forgiven and cleansed from within.
He's promised to bless and repay -
The years the locusts have eaten away.
Who else can give all that I wonder?
My God is a God of strength and thunder!
I'm glad to place my life in His hands, . . . .
And rejoice when thorns almost break my song . . .
I rest in His care - I ask nothing more
Than His cleansing power and grace to restore.
He's given me all my hearts desire.
He's given it though through testing and fire.
It's worth all the pain, the heart-wrenching cries.
My soul is united to Him in the skies.
I'm going Home to Heaven above.
I can't wait to experience all of His love.
The look in His eyes, the loving smile on His face,
The warmth of His forgiveness and mercy and grace.
He's acquainted with sorrow and tears and grief;
He knows how to still my heart and bring relief.
My Savior, My Lord, and My King
HE IS WORTH EVERYTHING!
And to Him I come, just as I am -
Sinful and wicked, worn as a lamb.
Unable to save from the dreadful fall.
But He's sought me and bought me, He gave His all!
I'm listening for that great trumpeter call.
For the day the Father will give the word,
Then to all that call will be heard.
Some will go upward and others will perish
But not those who love Jesus and cherish -
All that He's done and all He can do,
I thank Him, My LORD, My Father too.
But I can't . . . express it enough . . .
To tell you the love that overflows my heart
With the joy of knowing we won't be apart.
The Bride and the Groom united will be . . .
AND LIVE IN HEAVEN ETERNALLY!
MY GOD REIGNS SUPREME!

Remembering

2006-07-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

Memories are special. (Good ones anyway) Yet I find myself not remembering enough of bygone days and I wish it were not so. So to help keep these things fresh in my mind I’ve started to write them down. I’ll let you in on some.

There are many things God wants us to remember . . . and for each of us it comes about in different ways, through different people, different times and different places.

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth . . .” Ecclessiastes 12:1a

Nursing Home Handshakes

2006-07-08T20:02:00.000-07:00

“We’re going to visit Ethal “ I told the boys one morning. She had just been transferred from the hospital to a nursing home. Ethal was an elderly neighbor and we had a two fold purpose in going to see her. First of all she loved company and I wanted to get out of the house on that March day. So I packed up the boys and my little girlie and off we drove to Blackduck.
On the way I realized that this was the first time that I would have all three little ones to tow around by myself. Hmm . . . how would this go?

We found Ethal grateful for our efforts to brighten her day. Soon we were ready to say good-bye and after little hugs and chocolate cookies for the boys, we took our little procession down the hall in search of another lady we knew. Japheth’s cookie promptly went into his mouth, but Jeremiah having recently been awakened from sleep clung to his.

On the way a white haired lady by the name of Alice intercepted us by holding out her hand and saying over and over God bless you. Japheth gladly shook her hand and Jeremiah followed suit. As we traipsed around the nursing home looking for Opal (as she wasn’t in her room), Alice followed us and got several more handshakes out of the boys. Two sets of big blue eyes and soft chubby little hands brought Alice a bit of love and cheer that day.

My heart overflowed with joy to watch my sons let Jesus use their hands and give comfort to the feeble. Truly “ A wise son maketh a glad father (and Mother any day!), but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.”

Black Lace

2006-07-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

     Helping gather maple sap one evening, I noticed once again the beauty of God’s creation.  The sight brought back memories of my Aunt Josie.  I don’t remember where we were or what we were doing exactly but I remember her words.
     “There was a tree line on a fencerow on the old home place where locusts grew different heights.  In the evening when the sun would set, I enjoyed so much the view of the dark, bare trees against the sky.  In my mind it looked like scalloped black lace, so elegant with all the little twigs and branches.  Sometimes there were rosy skies, sometimes hues of blue, maybe a touch of twilight with the moon and a few stars.  A thing of beauty that only God could create, more vibrant and real than any black lace!”
     Now when I see the winter trees, her words come to my mind.  I marvel at how God makes so much beauty out of the bare.  God can make beautiful the bare and ugly in my life too. Isaiah 61:3 says “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called the trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord.”

Cow Paths

2006-07-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

As a girl I enjoyed our cow paths. Often evenings after my chores were done, I would take off and wander done these paths. We had a very rocky hillside below our house which was also part of the dry cow pasture. The narrow, smooth, dirt paths the cows made felt good to my bare feet. I can still almost feel the air and the quiet of those times sitting on a rock and just enjoying the day God had made.
Today I still want to walk in paths . . . in the paths of righteousness where God leads me, to drink from His still waters and let Him restore my soul. For when I daily come before Him, I do not lack. His grace is sufficient. And I can enjoy peace and quiet in my heart just as I enjoyed the quiet of the evening in the cow pasture in days gone by.

Beery Family News

2006-07-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

Exciting days are ahead of us next week . . . we get to keep my Aunt Frances and my youngest brother, Skyler here for about a week.  Uncle Ellis and Aunt Donna are bringing them along.  Hopefully we can spend a bit of time with them also.

The boys are elated!!!!!!!!!!  They’ve been begging to go see Uncle Skyler!  He spells lots of fun as he is twelve years old.

And while I’m talking family, my older sister Kendra and her husband Loren are in the process of moving further south from Harrisonburg, VA.  Ferrum, VA it is.  They are dairy farmers.

And Dad and Mom just moved also . . . not even a mile away!  They are out of farming now.  It’s hard to believe . . . but life goes on.

God is good:  His mercy endures forever!

"My son"

2006-07-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

We’re celebrating life . . . five years of life for our first born son!

God gives life . . . physical and spiritual. One day we hope and pray that Japheth will be born again . . . and have eternal life! The angels help celebrate that we are told.

“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.” Luke
15:10b

What really matters in life?

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself , and take up his cross and follow Me. For whosoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24b-26

Like in Proverbs, I long to direct “My son” in matters of life. I desperately long for him to heed my council.

What’s sobering is that in my walk of life I am “telling” him what’s most important to me . . . “O God, that I would show him right!”

Fight Those Battles!

2006-06-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Somehow when we have lots of things to do and I give the children small jobs there is a lot of conflicts, the battles of obedience and promptness are fought in a fury.

When I let the children off and do everything myself, peace reigns, well not quite, then there’s squabbles to settle between them.

. . .But what have I accomplished?  I am to be training my children . . . not letting them slide.

But I find that too in my life, in a different way or maybe not so different.  When I enter in the spiritual battles there happens to be so much more conflict.  Satan sees the detriment it is to his kingdom and comes on like you wouldn’t believe.

And when I am laid back about engaging in the warfare things seem to go so much smoother.

Am I doing the will of my Father? There will be confict.

Am I letting things slide . . .It defiantly is an easier, smoother, wider way!

“Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places . . .”   Ephesians 6:11,12

Peace That Passeth Understanding

2006-06-26T12:24:00.000-07:00

“There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.” Isaiah 48:22

All day Saturday I battled with anxious, worrying thoughts . . . and all that day I was stressed out trying to get everything done and attend to the children’s needs (which were not a few). I spent extra time alone with God . . . yet still somehow I couldn’t keep back those troublesome worries.

I didn’t have peace.

“Therefore take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? (This is hard to do on a Saturday when company comes that evening and then someone calls to say they are coming the next day, and one is tired and stressed out already, and you just wish you could rest on the “Sabbath” ;) ) or Wherewithall shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Take no thought for the morrow: For the morrow shall take thought(Well, my husband made it easier for me. He forbade me to think of Sunday dinner . . . He said he'd grill something) for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:31-34 . . .In other words don’t worry anxiously. . .

“Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds (from going crazy) through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7

“Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you . . .”

And today I had a chance to try again. (Isn’t that funny?) My grade is a bit better today, I think. Praise God!

In School

2006-06-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

My son loves school  . . . or so he thinks.  I am teaching him to read but somehow he gets the idea of school as being with other children like Summer Bible School.  He just loves to be with other children!   He doesn’t consider that he’s really in school . . .

And so with me, I’m in God’s school . . .  It gets lonely at times thinking that I’m the only one learning “how to read” . . .  and I want to be with others where it’s “more fun”.

But God has me in school . . . and I am glad . . . .for there is no other way for me to be taught the things that deep down I really want to learn . . .

“Thou hast made the earth to tremble;  Thou hast broken it:  Heal the breaches thereof;  for it shaketh.  For Thou hast showed thy people hard things . . . .”  Psalm 60:2,3a

Someone Really Is Missing

2006-06-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

I was mentally checking off the children. Okay, Jeremiah’s in the bottom bunk, Wayne is in his crib, Loraine is in her bed in her little bedroom nook, Jaden is fed and in the swing sleeping away the day, Japtheth is “having school” at the kitchen table and lets see . . . it seems like I’m missing someone . . . Do any of you Mom’s do that? Maybe everybody does . . . Someone recently told me that women who have miscarried do that all the time . . . .Someone really is missing . . .

"Promise of the Life"

2006-06-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

Since Jaden has been born, I’m having a hard time getting the scales to read a lower number . . . It’s coming off a lot harder than after my other babies (well after Jeremiah it was soooo slow too). So time to exercise and watch what I eat . . . and now I’m getting excited. I am starting to see results! Actually just two pounds since Friday, but it’s a whole lot better than seeing them go up or stay the same!

. . . Then I am reminded about how little it matters (except there is something to say for self-discipline)

“For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” I Timothy 4:8

“having promise of the life . . . .” THIS TRUELY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

Sad Little Boys

2006-06-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

This picture is especially for Grandpa and Grandma Beery! . . . And Uncle Loren & Aunt Kendra, Courtney, Reagan, Uncle Roland & Aunt Patrica, Cheyanne, Aunt Karen, Aunt Sally and Uncle Skyler!

We're sad because we want to come see you all again . . . but we can't. Please "bear" with us . . . someday we will see you face to face . . . God be with you til we meet again . . . May He hold you in the palm of His hand, May the wind rise to meet you . . . (Or however that Irish blessing goes)

Lay Aside

2006-06-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

These are the words of the motto I saw on the wall in Val’s living room this morning,
“ They will be made
perfect forever,
who are
being made
holy now.”

Memories . . . . Krystal is perfect forever. I need to be made holy now and I too one day shall be made perfect forever. . .

I am striving all the more to let myself be made holy by God . . . It’s only through Him that I can do these things!

Yesterday I was reminded again that when I’m feeding Jaden I need to set him aside and settle squabbles right away not letting them go on until it suits me.

Hebrews 12:1b “ . . .let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doeth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus . . .

Excuses

2006-06-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

What kind of excuses do you give for not consistently exercising or drinking enough water or you name it. Sorry to say but here are some of mine. It’s Sunday. It’s supposed to be a day of rest.
It’s Monday, I can’t handle anything extra on a Monday of all days!
Not now, I’m too busy. I’ll wait till things slow down a bit. (Do they ever?)

And guess what excuse I found myself using today. It’s my birthday.

I was reminded of this verse . . .“The slothful man sayeth, ‘There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.’” Proverbs 26:13 I wouldn’t have called myself slothful, but maybe I will have to reconsider.

Garage Cleaning Time

2006-05-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18

Sometimes I chaff at being a helper . . . Who wants to be “errand boy” or put away camping things . . . or organize the boxes of stuff in the garage that has sat there since we moved and gotten more things heaped on top of mess? . . . But when I look at it in God’s eyes I am ashamed.

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:7,8

Serving . . . that was what. Jesus’ life was all about. It’s the greatest thing.

“ . . .but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Luke 10:43-45

Satan tries to tell me different. He’s a liar! Why do I let his values sneak into my heart?

Remember the song, “If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, learn to be the servant of all . . .”

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6 It is GREAT GAIN to cheerfully do what needs to be done.

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (or server too I imagine :)) II Corinthians 9:7

The Father of My Children

2006-05-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Father's Day is coming up. . . And it makes me rejoice to have such a father as this for my children!

He's one of the best story-tellers around! . . . and he makes Bible stories come alive.

He helps the children say their prayers at bedtime . . . coaches them with prayers at prayermeeting and has them bless Mama with prayers when she's sick.

He enjoys making eggrolls . . . and other things with his frying techniques.

He comes up with wonderful ideas for "family fun"

He loves to be at home with us!

He's a great teacher . . . always showing us how to do things.

Father's can make all the difference!

Thank-You, Honey, for being the best Father that you can be! We love ya!

Field Day Expectations

2006-05-26T04:06:00.000-07:00

Circumstances seem overwhelming . . . or is it just my high expectations and deep desires for the day? I was hoping for enjoying field day with Japheth by my side and lots of help with the children . . . but Japheth got a call from a lady who desperately needs her sewing machine fixed right away so he’s going in early this morning to do that and yesterday I found out that he is helping direct the shot-puts, the high jump and maybe more if Daddy is still sick

.  . . . So after shedding a few tears and meditating on God’s Word,  I’ve been challenged by these thoughts:

Will I find enough grace for today . . .and tomorrow?  Will God find his grace in me?

“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord”  Genesis 6:8

And the Lord said unto Moses, “I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken;  for thou hast found grace in my sight.”

“Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly (depressed in mind or circumstances).”   Proverbs 3:34

1”And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”  John 1:16

“ . . .Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.”  Acts 13:43

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost.”  Romans 15:13

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”  Philippians 4:23

Jaden Again

2006-05-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here's my six-week old boy! . . . Weighing in at 12 lbs now. He's taking after Jeremiah, solid and stocky.

Night's are pretty good . . . for that I am well pleased! Praise be to God! Last night he slept from eleven to six.

Today I helped Japheth and Jeremiah start practicing for Track and Field Day (next year). We ran three laps around the garden, practiced three-legged walking and a bit of jumping.

They have to be five to participate. Each year we've been going and watching and visiting. It's an exciting day for these guys . . .and NEXT YEAR we will have one elated boy!!!!

Friday is field day . . . and then church campout the rest of the weekend. WHAT aBIG weekend it will be! No, Sally, the mowed "pasture" is for vollyball I think. Make sure Mom gets to see this picture.

When?

2006-05-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

There is a time for everything the Bible says.

"Lord, please help me to do the right thing at the right time, to know the time to play and the time to work, the time to instruct and the time to make sand castles or play house. Give me wisdom to know the right time for giving treats and the time for denying those special things. I need your grace to help me discern the right time to get enough sleep and the right time to devote to communion with you. I need YOU, Lord, to whisper in my ear. I desire to know the right time to take walks and the time for naps or not for naps, for cleaning up messes or letting them go for more important matters, for mopping floors or for resting awhile. Show me your will today . . ."

In His time . . .

Rides

2006-05-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

" . . .Making memories of what was today."

Faint-hearted

2006-05-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

I’m behind in a lot of things . . . clutter spots, laundry, sleep, etc . . . Why do I feel so faint-hearted when this is the case?

“Men ought always to pray and not faint.” Luke 18:1b

The Pine Trail

2006-05-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

This is what I named our neighbor's path through the pine trees. Just recently they trimmed the branches in order for their children to walk through . . . we have been enjoying it alot also! It has two rows of trees on each side all close together.

I would have been thrilled with this as a child!

The Journalist

2006-05-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

Read all about us in the "paper."
I warn you, the pictures take a LONG TIME to load!!!!!! . . . there's plenty of them!

I am an Aunt again, as you will see. I haven't gotten pictures of her myself yet so you can see her there.

Wonder

2006-05-11T17:27:00.000-07:00

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" Genesis 1:1

Oh, the wonder of it all . . . to our eyes. How much more to the eyes of a child seeing things for the first time.

Look through the eyes of a child . . .

Dandy Days

2006-05-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hope to do this with my daughter(s) in heaven . . .

My little girl . . . yeah the "feeling" doesn't go away. What a gift!

Blessings

2006-05-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

The biggest blessing to me this week . . . Aunt Doris Jean.

The children think she is the greatest! School each morning with little field trips, snacks and pictures to watch on her computer. (She is a camera woman for sure! I should ask her how many she took while she was here.) Even in church . . . they sat quite still. They were beside Aunt Doris Jean.

God bless you, Doris Jean!

Tickled with Tick-Picking Husband

2006-05-08T12:53:00.000-07:00

It's tick season now, but my husband and I have this agreement.

I hate ticks: he hates changing stinking diapers. So he picks ticks and I change diapers. We are both happy with the arrangement though there is one slight problem. Japheth's often at work when I need him for this!

One older lady told me she had felt the same way years ago. As I watched her calmy pick them off, tear off the head and throw them away as if she didn't mind at all, I thought, " Really? I'm not so sure that came happen to me . . . maybe . . . but I'm still a few years away from that I think."

When Japheth picks those horribly creepy critters of the children and I, he does me a HUGE favor!

Thank-you, Honey!!!

Permission

2006-05-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

There are many things to teach a child.  Lately we’ve been working on getting them to ask permission for almost anything.  This cuts down on doing “repair” work like trying to get them over a cold because they went outside with out a coat when it’s not quite warm enough for that or even just getting out another toy set when they didn’t put the first one away and the room becomes overwhelmed with toys!

This afternoon as I was working on supper, Japheth asked permission for several things that recently he wouldn’t have and I was quite pleased. I rewarded him with two pieces of candy.  Now he is quite pleased!

Loraine came down from napping and Japheth let her know that he had candy.  This is how he worded it.  “Loraine, Moma gave me two candies . . . but you have to keep asking.”  Now I had to chuckle over that one!  It sounds like he’s telling her to keep bugging me and I will finally give her some candy.  Wrong!

Anyway, it’s great to reap the results of the lessons you’ve been trying for weeks to instill.

Line upon line, it truly is!

Render Praise

2006-05-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

Question for you: How many times, during naptime, do you almost fall asleep and get interrupted before you say, “That’s it!” and get up to do something else even though you really need a nap?

Yesterday I got a bit frustrated again . . . I needed an attitude adjustment so I sang. These words from Psalm 56, helped me direct my thoughts into praise when I felt like crying for lack of sleep and rest.

Render Praise

I will render praise unto Thee
When I cry, when I cry.

I will praise, I will praise
God is for me, this I know.

Be merciful unto me.
Oh, God, Oh, God!

I will praise, I will praise,
God is for me this I know.

In God I have put my trust.
I will not be afraid.

I will praise, I will praise,
God is for me this I know.

Every day wresting against me
Evil comes, evil comes.

I will praise, I will praise,
God is for me this I know.

When I cry unto Thee
Then shall my enemies turn back.

I will praise, I will praise,
God is for me this I know.

You Get Out Much?

2006-05-02T11:13:00.000-07:00

Feel like you’re at home a lot? Yesterday this made me chuckle.

While I was dining out with my children, a man came over to
our table, and we started talking.

He asked where my kids go to school. I told him we
home-schooled them.

With a raised eyebrow, he asked if my husband is the sole
breadwinner for our family. I said, "No, I also work ... out
of our home."

Then, noticing our two-month-old son, he mentioned that his
daughter had just had a baby, and he wondered what hospital
our son was born in. "He was born at home," I answered.

The man looked at me, then said, "Wow, you don't get out
much, do you?"

Received from Thomas S. Ellsworth.

Saturday Morning Stroll

2006-04-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

. . . in the rain

. . . sights of spring

. . . the best thing this week, our double stroller arrived!!! I even carried Jaden in my baby sling underneath my jacket.

Now all the summer outings are looking more feasible! Thank-You, Lord!!!

" . . . when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" Acts 3:19b

On the Right Hand and on the Left

2006-04-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

One child has the earache, another the fever, and all snotty noses. How many tissues have we gone through this week??? . . . and still it gets wiped away just by little hands across the cheek! Jaden is starting to be fussy at nighttime no matter how careful I am about what I eat. It’s just that certain foods make it worse. I finally decided that even popcorn is a “no,no”

But two boys are out haning up the wash, and two boys are sleeping. The girlie is finally quiet . . . the whimpering, fussy, crying has stopped. (It has a way of getting on the nerves. ) God has not forsaken us!

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses . . . by longsuffering, by kindness, . . .by the power of God, by the amour of righteousness, on the right hand and on the left . . . “
II Corinthians 6:4-7

My Kitchen Window

2006-04-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

I prayed for a parsley plant last fall after mine had died. No parsley plants to be found anywhere in a store. No parsley plant appeared on my doorstep . . . I longed greatly to have fresh parsley to use. Now my prayer is answered. This is the result of two seeds that I sowed in my pot. Finally it has matured . . . and tonight as I stir my pot of chicken\corn\noodle soup I will once again have a FRESH green herb to add! It makes a world of difference.

Sometimes prayer takes a long time till you see the answer . . . sometimes you never do . . . But what rejoicing when your faith beomes sight!!!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Now for those of you who like crafts as well as I, here's a cute one for you. When the seeds go on sale or get out of date or you can even just slit it at the top and dump them out to use, then you can creat this little birdhouse with some tape. My "gloryland" friend made a bunch of them last year and had them sitting on the windowsills in our church basement for sewing circle. We finally figured out who did this. I just loved it and thought you might too.

Have fun.

Spring Days

2006-04-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

The guys are starting to get in the next winter's supply of wood. So the little guys have to too. Japheth was so excited to start hauling in the kitchen wood, pieces for the old cook stove that we use in the spring and fall to "warm up" the house. Even in winter it's fun to have it going in the morning, we also use it to burn up our paper trash. That reminds me, I need to empty the ashes out today. The last few days were kinda windy so I put it off.

We planted another row of rasberries and some garden on Tuesday! Fun!! Only problem I had to feed baby and didn't get to be in on all of it. But babies don't stay babies so I am trying to enjoy all the stages and moments that go along with the little guy!

Yesterday morning I went Wal-Mart shopping. I could leave as early as I wanted to . . . Just had to be back before Japheth needed to head off for work. Silence on the way in and silence on the way back. Jaden didn't make a peep. I knew he should sleep the whole time yet I took him so I wouldn't have to worry if he needed me. Japheth doesn't like having a baby with no Mama around . . . What if he gets hungry???

It's a wonderful rainy day!!! Although I started to hang out wash, I still love these days. Idecided to pull out my crocheting project, white" lattice"work with pansies. Will let you see the finished project . . . in several years. :) One block at a time just as we take one day at a time. Actually, I'm hoping to have enough of it done to take it to the ladies tea at Camp Chippewa this summer. I've been working at it off and on now for a year or two.

Tin Tea Party

2006-04-17T13:42:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'll just post pictures for awhile . . . That way I won't flavor everything with the "Baby blues." :)

Here he is with eyes open. Poor boy, today he got an "owie."

I love my tin cups! . . . Drinks are nice and cold in them. They don't break. They make a nice unbreakable tea party for boys . . . and girls. Uhmmm . . . they might be able to break the lid off the tea pot . . . Hope not. We'll see I guess what happens over this summer.

They love their little picnic table too to eat their snacks on. It was a gift last fall from a friend. It's just their size. It comes in so handy, especially since we don't have a regular size one yet.

A tin tea party . . . makes the day special.

Jaden Scott Stauffer

2006-04-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hodge-Podge

2006-04-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

SEE!!! The ice went out yesterday. NOW, it is spring!

Today is Sewing Circle day . . . so my writing can be a “hodge-podge” just like some of the comforts are right? (We ventured down for lunch; Grandma provided extra food so I didn't have to fix any.)

Ah, what a relief to have baby here safe and sound, to be feeling better and those first days past!

Instead of going uphill gaining weight we are now on the downhill side . . . YES!!!

Also yesterday I and the three youngest Stauffers had a wonderful two-hour morning nap while a friend took the two eldest Stauffer boys to the park. What a treat for us all!

It is a blessing to have meals brought in by our church ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grandma’s close by are a God send at times!

Grandpa’s new hobby this year is his bee hives . . . They are right by were we are going to move our raspberries so we will see how the summer goes. ( Sap time is over already. They harvested around twenty gallons I think.

Japheth is quite busy at his store . . . He thrives on customer relationships and interaction. He has been making friends too with the other “companies” sharing the same building. They are warming up. At first they weren’t too sure they wanted someone else in there. I think till another month goes around they won’t want to leave. (One is considering leaving because he doesn’t like the extra “traffic” coming through there.) I sent a Shoo-fly pie the other day for Japheth to share. Yesterday the guy that frequents the Pizza Hut next door and usually only eats their salad, snatched a piece of sausage pizza for Japheth. God has blessed him with the gift of making friends out of anybody!

Juanita was such a help to me too. One day she came and did my laundry, cleaned out the fridge, swept the floors, and changed diapers.( Loraine still is not trained. That’s my next project. One excuse is that we didn’t want her to go backwards after baby came. Now no excuse. )

One lady offered to wash diapers . . . What a wonderful old-fashioned practical gift! As we use pampers she settled for doing our laundry and making cookies and a hotdish.

Our midwife’s daughter was here for about two days. Finally the van got a good vacuuming! It was special to be able to sit down and watch the table getting cleared and food put away with out having to supervise energetic boys who would LOTS rather be doing something else!!!

God is good!!! His mercy is everlasting . . . and His truth endures to MY generation!!

A New joy, It's a Boy!!

2006-04-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

We praise the Lord that He saw fit to bless us with another son. After weeks of unrest in the fact of not knowing when we were due and several false starts of labor, today was a God-send!

Jaden Scott Stauffer
was born at 3:17 am on April 5th, 2006.
He weighed in at 9 lbs even, and was 20 3/8" long.

The labor was hard to get started but once Aimee's water broke at 2:05 am, things kicked in high gear and Jaden was born 72 minutes later. Both Aimee and Jaden are doing very well. Aimee had no complications and is recovering quickly. Truly God answered our prayers for safety and as quick a birth as possible.

Thank YOU for all the prayers you have offered up for us the last week or so. We have felt them and feel very blessed by all the friends we have out there.

Now it is 5:21 and I have not slept yet so since Aimee and the little one are sleeping, I shall try to get a few winks in before I have to get up with the rest of the children.

"Brownie Points"

2006-03-31T07:52:00.000-08:00

Although I grew up on a dairy farm, I am not overly fond of animals.  Oh, yes, I loved the puppies and kittens but once they grew up I didn’t have much time for them.  Well, guess what? . . .  then I married this guy that had a dog quite spoiled to say the least!  Growing up we did NOT  allow any animals in the house.  This is what I was used to and liked!

It’s a long story but Japheth’s folks were that way but have since softened their hearts and the dogs are allowed inside the door though only on the entry rug.  Even this is disgusting to me . . . At times you walk past and .”OH!” the dog smell is horrible;   other times I admit it is kinda nice to have a “pooch” lying there keeping you company.  (This was before the children ;)

Being female, I do love God’s flowers!  So when the dogs (Bentley-ours and Max- the folks) freguent my flower beds that are along the house my love for dogs drops almost into a hate mode.  Last fall I covered the beds up with lots of leaves and the dogs loved this a nice warm dry bed . . . Then they took to digging holes which brought up some of my hollyhock roots.  I WAS NOT IMPRESSED!.

So yesterday morning before work, as I had spotted a few one half inch green shoots coming up that were already getting trampled on and ruined, my DEAR husband went out and put up electric fencing at the edge of and down the middle of the flowerbeds.  I was tickled pink all day thinking of the dogs HAVING to stay OUT of my flowers.  This brings me much joy of heart.   . . . And my husband has earned some “brownie points” as my Dad would say!

Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work

2006-03-28T07:46:00.000-08:00

No baby yet . . .  but life goes on.

It is spring now . . .  the neighbors cows have calved. (Our first sign) The pussy willows are sporting there fuzzy gray blooms (The second sign) and the sap is occasionally flowing a bit.(The third sign)  Japheth’s dad cooked down the first batch yesterday.  He got two and one half gallons.  And the fourth sign is that I’m now hanging out wash . . . .Ah, that fresh smell is delightful to the max! The fifth sign? . . . is a fun one (not) the children come in from playing (in the afternoon, anyway) wet and muddy.  The snow is slowly, (occasionally) melting away.  We still have a ways to go.  But one of my favorite signs is still several weeks away.  It’s when the ice gives way and lets the blue water shine though on the lake!  That takes the cake!

An explanation of my “labor” Sunday . . .  to be honest I don’t feel like talking about it.  With each pregnancy the Braxton hicks get more frequent and I guess so does false labor.  Anyway some labor began and we tried to help it along . . .  not a good thing if it doesn’t keep going!

And yes . . . I’m waiting again.  The only thing is I’m a bit scared that the date we thought might be right isn’t and it really won’t be till the beginning of April sometime.

Anyway I am back to everyday life again which today includes another sign of spring.  Spring cleaning fever has hit.  So thus I am slowly ticking away at cluttered cupboards and areas that collect stuff,  Uhm, like this “office” room.  It’s terrible!  I’m glad you can’t see it . . . or can you, Cretora? (

“But let patience have her perfect work . . .”  James 1:4

Sunday evening an acquaintance or ours (who had the same due date) ended up with a cesarean.  It was with a thankful heart that I went to bed with Sunday evening.  I am content to wait.  ”I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content . . .”

Today?!

2006-03-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

We woke up this morning to the realization that today is likely going to be the day of delivery. However, we would sure appreciate your prayers as it is going very slow and
Aimee's feeling discouraged.

Please pray with us that God would draw this young life forth both safely and quickly! Thank you!!

-Japheth (Aimee's napping right now :-)

My Deliverer

2006-03-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and FORGET NOT ALL his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities
Who healeth all thy diseases
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;  so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.”
                                        - Psalm 103:2-5

It is easy to forget . . .  not only all that God done in my life but to forget from one year to the next how one feels at eight and nine months pregnant.  How can I say what my actual due date is when I don’t know? . . . Although we though maybe the 27th of this month . . .

But the days stretch on and on each day I wonder if I can handle another one . . .  The nights, you can’t wait for bedtime, yet you dread those too with all the “potty breaks” and turning from side to side to relieve aching hips and then you get up for awhile just to give then both a nice break . . . Morning finally breaks and the children wake and the day begins all over again wondering if this will be the day . . .  And during the day you continue to train children and make meals and “pick up” the house when you feel like doing none of the above . . .

Then you read God’s Word and all these verses of deliverance REALLY start to stand out at you and you with the writer long for deliverance . . . in more ways than one, that words meaning grows deeper and deeper as you wait! . . . And you can’t wait for the Lord God to (Psalm 44:4b) “command deliverances for (Aimee) “

But in the end . . . Weeping may endure for awhile, but joy cometh . . .

“The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”  Psalm 34:17

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous;  but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”  - Psalm 34:19

There is a price for everything . . .  but like that song says “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus . . . “  All these trials here in this life trying to walk that “straight and narrow way” when so many choose the broad way . . . But it will be worth it!

  It will be worth the discomforts and pain when we see our little one face to face. . .  And I will forget once again all that it took to bring him\her forth.  My joy will be full!

“We went through fire and water;  but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.”  Psalm 66:12b

Popcorn and Pajama's and . . . Strollers

2006-03-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

Japheth won't be getting home till late tonight so it's another popcorn and pajama party, and then an early to bed night. A good way to make the evening go faster!

I've started a kitty for a double stroller like my everyday stroller that has seen better days. I loved it. It had big tired wheels and I can fit the youngest toddler on the seat and the other one right beind the front wheel, though that makes it hard to turn. Our "beloved" dog Bently recently chewed off the seat. So today I sewed up something to replace it. It will do I guess for here at home, but I might be rather embarrased to take it to the park.

We got it at a garage sale when Japheth was little . . . It has gotten lots of use as I always used it everytime we went to Grandma's who live behind our house and the garden, just a short stroll. I put the two toddlers in it and used my baby sling for the baby. Jeremiah is sad now as he is going to be bannished "forever"(so it seems to him) from getting a ride in it. It now has to be stored in the garage where there is no room for it as we already have the snow blower and Grandpa's little tractor and lots of tools and miscellaneous stuff besides the van. Anyway we can still get some use out of it. Praise the Lord!!!

Thank-You, Aunt Elva!

2006-03-14T15:11:00.000-08:00

A special Aunt sent me a gift in the mail today.

This is the third person that has done that in the past few weeks. Each one I felt as if from the Lord.

I want to say Thank-You to my Aunt Elva (who is a "silent" reader of this blog) and God bless your day as He has mine through you!

Love, your neice - Aimee

"Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised . . ." Psalm 48:1a

"For this God is our God for ever and ever;
He will be our guide even unto death." Psalm 48:14

My "White Thing"

2006-03-14T14:37:00.000-08:00

“ . . . Knowing that ye have a Master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
Withal praying for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ . . . That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak
. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt
that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
Colossians 4:1b-6

“But santify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you the reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience; that whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”
II Peter 3:15-16

Dear Anon., ( and anyone else intrested in his question)

Thanks you for asking . . . That ”funny white thing” is my way of applying the Scriptural command in I Corinthians 11:!-16.

It is an outward sign that I make it my choice to be in submission to the authority that God has ordained.

I Corinthinans11:3 “ But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ;
And the head of every woman is the man;
And the head of Christ is God.”

It is “prayer veiling.”

I Corinthinas 11:4-6 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered dishonoureth his head.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head;
For that is even all one as if she were shaven.
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn;
But if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

When I pray I want nothing to hinder “help from above” whether it be this funny sign on my head or something in my heart that is not surrendered to my Lord.

I John 3:23 says, “And whatsoever we ask we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

It is also a visual sign to the angels that I am one of His.

“For this cause ought woman to have power on her head because of the angels.” I Cor. 1:10

But most of all I want to glorify my Father. I owe everything to Him!!! Peace in my heart reigns when I am completely surrendered to Him! After all what is worth living for if I don’t have peace with God??? What hope do I have for the Judgment Day if I am not in full obedience to His Word?

I John 3:24 And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him and He in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

II Peter 3:14 “ Wherefore beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

I John 2:5 “But whoso keepeth His word in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in Him.”

I know the majority of “Christians” today do not believe in this. They also do not believe what the Bible says about loving our enemies . . . or what God has to say about marriage being for life. Many so-called Christians today do not embrace Christ’s teachings to their heart and apply them like it matters.

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself. And take up his cross daily . . . For what is a man profited if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24b-26

“ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world;
But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
That ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2

I pray that you will come to believe that,

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
II Timothy 3"16

God's Spirit in Me

2006-03-13T07:34:00.000-08:00

“How gracious will you be when pangs come upon you, like the pain of a woman in labor?”  Jeremiah 22:23b

“For when they say “Peace and safety” then sudden destruction come upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.  And they shall not escape.”  I Thessalonians 5:3

“Anguish has taken hold of him, pangs as of a woman in childbirth.”  Jeremiah 50:43b

How do you cope with delivery? . . . . How do you deal with the afterbirth pains that get worse with the birth of each child . . . and the nursing pains those first few days?  After four children does it keep getting worse? . . .I though last time was terrible.  I have been dreading the labor and delivery until this week I suddenly remembered the after pains and nursing contractions . . .  Needless to say fears have taken hold of me.

My first birth I can defiantly say was the worst during labor, not having been done this road before . . . but I didn’t know what to expect, thus my fears weren’t too deep.  (

The others seemed easier . . . I love using the pool, relaxing as best as one can in the hot water. . . .But now the after pains are awful!  It makes me want to push the baby away.  And I wonder . . . I know God has a plan and purpose for everything . . . But why does childbirth have to be so painful? . . .

I remember Krystal saying that you have to embrace the pain to feel the full extent of the joy . . . I guess there is truth in that.  I had been praying for an “easy and fast delivery” and then I resigned it all into God’s hands.  If it was easy and fast would I even feel that the child was mine?  It just wouldn’t seem right.

All I know is that is is a time to CLING to the Word of God.  Japheth put these verses on a cd for me with soft music playing in the background.  I used to listen to them by the hour.  Now with this pregnancy hardly ever . . . with all the noise of children around here I just long for quiet, so when it is quiet I relish the quiet!

Verses for Pregnancy and Childbirth

Phil 4:19     But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

THE LORD CREATES LIFE AND BRINGS IT FORTH
Gen 33:5     And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.

Ex 23:26     There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfill.

Ps 22:9-10     But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.   I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

Ps 71:6     By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

Ps 127:3     Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Ps 139:14-16     I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Eccl 11:5     As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

Isa 44:24     Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

Isa 46:3-4     Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isa 66:9     Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

Jer 1:5     Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Col 1:16     For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

THE LORD SHALL BLESS THY SEED AND THY CHILDREN
Gen 49:25     Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

Deut 7:13     And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

Deut 28:4     Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

Deut 30:6     And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Ps 37:26     He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Isa 44:3     For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Isa 61:9     And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

GOD WILL BE WITH YOU
Ex 33:14     And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Deut 31:8     And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

2 Chron 15:2     And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

Matt 28:20     Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

GOD WILL KEEP YOU
Ps 121:4-5     Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Prov 3:26      For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Prov 18:10     The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Isa 40:11      He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

2 Thess 3:3     But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Rev 21:3     And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
GOD WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND PEACE
Deut 33:25     Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

Neh 8:10     Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Psalms 18:32     It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Psalms 20:6     Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

Psalms 28:7-8     The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.  The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

Psalms 29:11     The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Psalms 46:1     God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalms 85:8     I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

Psalms 91:4     He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psalms 121:1-2     I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 26:3     Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 41:10      Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:13     For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 43:5     Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Joel 3:10     Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

John 14:27     Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

2 Cor 4:16-18     For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Cor 12:9-10     And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Phil 4:7     And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:13     I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Col 1:11     Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

2 Thess 3:16     Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

TRUST IN THE LORD FOR HE IS FAITHFUL
Deut 7:9     Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Psalms 91:2     I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psalms 112:7     He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

Isaiah 26:4     Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

Romans 4:21     And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

2 Cor 1:20     For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Phil 1:6     Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

1 Thess 5:24     Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Hebrews 10:23     Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

EXPECT ANSWERS TO YOUR PRAYERS, FOR GOD DESIRES TO GIVE YOU YOUR DESIRES
Job 22:27     Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.

Psalms 34:7     The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalms 37:4-5     Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalms 42:11     Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalms 91:15     He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Isaiah 46:11     Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Isaiah 58:9     Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 65:24     And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Matthew 7:7-8     Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 7:11     If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matthew 18:19     Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 21:22     And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 11:24     Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Luke 11:10     For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

John 14:13-14     And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 15:7     If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:16     Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 16:24     Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Romans 8:32     He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

1 Thess 5:24     Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

James 4:7-8     Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

1 John 3:22     And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 5:14-15     And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

VERSES TO ENCOURAGE YOU IN YOUR FAITH
Matthew 17:20     And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew 21:22     And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 9:23     Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Romans 4:21     And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Romans 5:1     Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 12:3     For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

2 Cor 4:13     We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Eph 3:12     In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

1 John 5:4     For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

My midwife had given the above ones to me and I added these to the list.  This paper of verses I have taped by my kitchen sink.

Crying Out To God
Psalm 56:9 - When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back:
This I know; for God is for me.
Psalm 57:2 - I cry unto God most High;
Unto God that performeth all things for me.
Psalm 86:8 - Among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord;
Neither are there any works like unto Thy works.
Psalm106:44 - Nevertheless He regarded their affliction,
when He heard their cry.
Psalm 119:69 - Let my cry come near before Thee, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Thy Word.
Isaiah 12:6 - Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion;  For great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
God Gives Me Strength!
Psalm 68:28 - Thy God hath commandeth thy strength;
Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us!
Psalm 73:26 & 28 - My flesh and my heart faileth:
But God is the strenght of my heart, and my portion forever.
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all thy works.
Psalm 71:9b  . . . Forsake me not when my strength faileth.
Psalm 71:18b . . . O God, forsake me not;
Until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation
And thy power to every one that is to come!
Knowing God
Psalm 9:10 - And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee:
                                         For thou, Lord, hast not forsake them that seek Thee!

Life and Death Are In God’s Hands And In God’s Time
Job 1: 21&22 - Naked came I out of my mother’s womb,
and naked shall I return thither:
The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 5:26 - You will come to the grave in full vigor,
like sheaves gathered in season.
Job 2:10 Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil?
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that are called according to His purpose.
Psalm 30:5 - Weeping may endure for the night; but joy cometh in the morning!
Isaiah 61:3 He giveth beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
I am a tree of righteousness the planting of the Lord,
That He might be glorified.

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  II Timothy 1:7

I pray for this spirit of power of love and of a sound mind . . . that as God’s thoughts and ways are higher than my own I would cling to Him and not fear, but embrace the Lord’s work in me, in my life and in the life of this baby!!!

March Babies

2006-03-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

No, this is not our "new" baby this is our birthday girl on her real birthday! Loraine Rose . . . she turned two on the fourth of this month.

Here is Wayne Robert a few days old . . . He turns one on the fifteeneth. Just in the last month he's cut about eight teeth and has been happy as can be! It's hard to believe but we praise the Lord. It is His doing and we thank Him.

Now we are waiting to post another baby picture . . . one of these days.
We will definantly let you know!

Gracious is the Lord!

2006-03-11T14:57:00.000-08:00

“I love the Lord,
Because He hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Because He hath inclined His ear unto me,
Therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. . .
Gracious is the Lord,
And righteous:
Yeah, our God is merciful.”  Psalm 116:1-5

“The Lord is my strength and song,
And is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly!
The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly!”
Psalm 11814-16

Just for you info most of those ladies that came here to bless and pray for me are part of an encouragement blogring that one of my friends recently joined.  They all showed up out of the” blue.” But it did the work that God wanted it to!  Thank you for your support and care!

This is unrelated but my husband has some news to share (I won’t spill the beans) if he can find the time here in the next day for two.
“Order my steps in thy Word:
And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
Psalm 119:133

When You Pray Will You Pray For Me?

2006-03-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

When you read this please pray for me . . . Life is realas you well know and the battles have not all been fought yet . . . Satan's out as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour . . . . my soul is exceedingly sore and sorrowful . . . I need to stay focused on the Lord . . .

Sorry, but it's too personal to share to the whole blog world, but I do long for your prayers on my behalf.

Thank you for your kindness.

"The Lord is my Shepherd
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.
Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil.
For Thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil.
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever! "- Psalm 23

Reality

2006-03-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

I read this post this morning and it made me laugh . . . Yep, that's the way it is! You just don't get everything done the way you did with baby number one.

I don't like to admit it but it's special at our house to actually be dressed in pj's for bed. Usually we are so tired and can't wait for the quiet hour or two before we retire that we tuck them in just like they are, although now Japheth can get them on on his own and Jeremiah most of the time too.

I know, I know it's not the way I dreamed of raising children . . . reality has a way of setting in and circumstances are different too than one imagined life would be . . .

But "He is good; (and) His mercy endureth forever." Psalm 107:1b

Be Happy

2006-02-25T09:12:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I am feeling the blues . . . The flu hit me again this weekend. (I had it last weekend) It brings to mind a very discouraging time two years ago when for six weekends (almost in a row) I'd get sick. I HATE having the flu when I am so far along in my pregnancy!

Last evening Loraine came up to where Iwas sitting, some tears had escaped down my cheeks. She said, "Mama, happy." Often I tell her that she needs to "be happy". I guess she thought I needed the same words

"Be Thou my strong habitation,
whereunto I may continually resort :
Thou hast given commandment to save me;

for Thou art my Rock and my Fortress. Psalm 71:3

Sweethearts Forever!

2006-02-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

This was a big bright spot in the weekend!

The youth went to a lot of work for us. One of the best things was babysitting being provided. I've never seen the church so romantic! We had fun choosing a table.

I shared a rhama with Japheth that evening about our upcoming birth.

Daddy and Mother were the first to walk into the banquet hall.

Enjoying being with my hubby again after two and a half long weeks!

"Let thy fountain be blessed:
and rejoice with the (husband) of thy youth.
. . . and be thou always ravished with (his) love. Proverbs 5:18,19

This Weekend

2006-02-20T00:49:00.000-08:00

II Corinthians 12:15a “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;”

Thursday evening I couldn’t sleep, of course ,with Japheth and Wayne and the Hesses arriving sometime during the night.  They pulled in at 1:30 AM.  We then all stayed up and talked till about 3:00.  It being the “middle of the day” for them.  Finally we retired . . . then Wayne decided that that was all the “nap” he wanted and so I was up with him again at 4:30 for over an hour.  Somehow when your pregnant you need more sleep than ever.  The next day was a drag on my body, but I was so FULL OF JOY to have my loved ones back that I didn’t care!

Friday night again I got to have “second hand jet lag” with Wayne.  He came back a changed boy . . . Loves to cuddle so much more than before and will fall asleep in your arms so easy.  I had trained all our children to go to sleep in their crib, but at times wished it wasn’t so.  It is truly a joy to rock your child to sleep, but with my energy level I felt I had to rest when they did otherwise I didn’t get enough rest.  I didn’t want to have a child that HAD to be rocked every single time they needed sleep . . .  I didn’t think I could handle that, thus they ended up thinking that they HAD to be lying down in their bed to go to sleep.  So I am actually relishing this special time with Wayne especially since he’s been gone for so long . . . but he’s definitely become a Papa’s boy now, having spent so much time with him while surrounded with the unfamiliar.

Saturday evening I got out the calendar and figured out exactly how many weeks to go I had yet.  Is five weeks too early to have a baby at home? . . .  I was having contractions pretty consistently although not hard ones.  I did not feel prepared at all . . .   we had a house full of overnight company just getting to sleep for the night, a messy house, no newborn pampers on hand yet, ect.  Wednesday evening at prayer meeting I’d asked prayer that I would be ready for this birth . . . I didn’t feel ready at all . . . but if God thought I was then I that was ok.  Finally at 1:00 we decided that this was not the night and went to bed.  And once again Wayne and I had “special” time then later on.  Somehow I managed to have the strength to go to church . .  then we had company for lunch and I missed my much needed nap, but it was worth it.  God grace was there for me!!!

Ok, so Sunday evening rolls around and out come the buckets . . . bedding is being washed and buckets are still in use.  It is 2:30 and I give up of getting any sleep . . .  up and down and up and down so let’s just make the best of it and stay up!  I am very grateful that we have hardly had the flu at all this winter . . . in fact is this the first?  God has blessed us abundantly in this way this year.

Being a Mom you get many opportunities to serve your family . . .

At times like these I look back and praise the Lord for the loving, caring Mom that I had.  Then I took it for granted, Mom was just always there, she cleaned up the messes we made . . .  Now I realize how much she did for us all!!! She gladly was spent for us because she loved us . . .  Love makes all the difference in the world!!!

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations.”  Psalm 89:1

Celebrating!!

2006-02-16T20:52:00.000-08:00

It is almost 11:00 and Laura and I are partying with cappuccino and chips. We are celebrating the return of our families! Everyone else is fast asleep.

Japheth called twice and they are on the road now. SOOOO glad to have them safe in the US at last.

We also had a party at supper with party hats and little pizza's . . . . for the one's who would be asleep whent the real fun begins!

Praise God, Hallelujah!! We will see them soon! Thank-YOU, Lord!!!

"He maketh the storm a calm so that the waves thereof are still.
Then are they glad because they be quiet,
so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness
and for His wonderful works to the children of men. Psalm 107:29-31

Deep Longing Love

2006-02-14T05:16:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day -  a special day to revel in God’s love for me

“And thou shalt be called by a new name,
which the mouth of the Lord shall name” Isaiah 62:2b

Thou shalt no more be termed, Forsaken;
neither shall thy land an more be termed, Desolate:
but thou shalt be called, Hephzibah and thy land Beulah:
For the Lord thy God delighteth in thee.”  Isaiah 62:4a

Reading these verses brought back to mind the words of a song I learned at the Ladies Retreat one year. It says it this way:

I will change your name!
You shall no longer be called,
Wounded, Outcast, Lonely or Afraid

I will change your name!
Your new name shall be,
Confidence, Joyfulness, Overcoming One
Faithfulness, Friend of God, One Who Seeks Your Face!

Oh the vastness of what God can do for me . . . Will I let Him? . .  . Will I respond to His deep, deep longing love for me?!!!

Update on my loved ones far away . . .  Last night they flew back to Bankock.  Tonight they will see the doctor one last time (hopefully . . . unless they need to readjust something) and the next day they come flying home!! Praise God!!! . . . Thursday night or rather early Friday morning if they are awake enough to drive they are to arrive.   God has been with us each step of the way!

“Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet life’s trials here, trusting . . .”    His grace has been sufficient!!!!

Climbing

2006-02-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

I’m in the middle of reading the book, “Climbing” by Rosilind Goforth. I recommend it to any Mom. It has been such an encouragement for me!!! Today once again I was impressed by the poem at the beginning of the book even more so than when I read it at first.

CALL BACK!

If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back –
“Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if perchance, Faith’s light is dim, because the oil is low,
Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

Call back and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
Call back and say He kept you when the forest’s roots were torn;
That when the heavens thundered and the earthquake shook the hill,
He bore you up and held you where the air was still.

O friend, call back and tell me, for I cannot see your face;
They say in it glows with triumph, and your feet bound in the race;
But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.

But if you’ll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you’ll say He saw you through the night’s sin-darkened sky –
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back –
“Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track. – Selected

This goes along with the Scripture that so boldly stood out to me yesterday that I even made it into a little song that’s just between me and the Lord right now. (Most of my singing is that way, I play guitar only good enough for the children to hear and also for the Lord and I. I’m not sure I’ll ever get beyond that . . . But when I started learning (and I feel I’m still in kindergarden) I desired to at least play songs for my children and myself. I have sung at the nursing home . . . I figure the old folks won’t mind if it’s not perfect, but I do feel embarrassed to have the nurses listen too long. And someday my children will probably be embarrassed of me . . . but until then I will sing to them. ;)
Isaiah 50:4 goes like this:

“The Lord God has given me
the tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak
A word in season to him who is weary
He awakens me morning by morning,
He awakens my ear.”

I just know what a few words, from an older more experienced Mom that I look up to, did to this heart of mine! It happened last week and oh, the encouragement and boost that it gave my soul!!!

Probably what thrills my soul more than anything about Rosalind’s story is that her life has difficulties, her life is not picture perfect, she has to rely on God, she has several small children, and she is a real person who tells her story of how God was there for her! I think in heaven that will be a big part . . . each of us proclaiming aloud of how God was with us, there for us and what He did and has done for us.

That is why communions is one of my favorite services here at Kitchi, we all are given time to share what God is doing in our lives. Some are in triumphant victory, others are struggling, others have failed . . . but we get to hear and share with one another on a deep level that we don’t always take the time to or open up on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday evening. And we get to hear from everyone . . .it does get late, but it’s well worth the time!

Anyway, changing the subject, I am anxiously awaiting word from Japheth . . . They are supposedly in Chaing Mae sleeping right now. Several different things increasing my stress level have made me become impatient to hear his reassuring voice. Maybe this is just God’s way of making me more dependant on the “Rock that is higher than I” . . . So I cry out to Him . . . Japheth Jr. heard me crying this afternoon and came downstairs saying, “Mama, we’ll pray for you.” How sweet and precious little ones are!

"Surely the Lord God will help me, . . . Let him (me) trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his (my) God." Isaiah 50:9

No Matter What!

2006-02-08T04:38:00.000-08:00

Praise be to God!!!!!!!!!!

When Japheth called with this news a measure of relief flooded through me.

Surgery went fine . . . Wayne has to wear a patch over the eye for a while (not sure how long) but he keeps wanting to pick it off. His one hand is still taped down with IV’s . . . Japheth will be busy keeping both of his little hands off the bandage once that hand is released.

They are staying overnight at the hospital there . . . their room even has a balcony! The nursed brought a crib in for Wayne so Japheth is using the hospital bed. ;) He had the back propped up and was holding Wayne when he called. Wayne had just downed his second full bottle! Japheth hadn’t eaten anything either . . . so there were two hungry guys after everything was done!

Judi’s surgery went well also. They had to do two muscles in her eye, one for moving up and down and one for moving sideways. She was still recovering from being put out. I can’t wait to see the “new” looks on both of them!

I was reading Psalm 30 this morning . .
.”O Lord my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me.”

I praise the Lord for that healing . . . but even if things wouldn’t have or will not go as we desire them to, I will still bless the Lord . . . He doeth all things well. He giveth and He taketh away; blessed be his name. He is God. He is allowed the privilege to do as He will and I will always praise Him. He is My Creator, My Shepherd, My King, The Lover of my Soul, My Rock . . . God is good no matter what! He loves me no matter what, and I love and trust Him no matter what!

Thanks for praying with us!

Friday Bills and Japheth fly up to Chaing Mai to visit Deanial Yoder (Val’s oldest son) and Lee Hess (Bill’s oldest son) who have just gotten back from an adventuresome trip to Packistan, while they wait for the eyes to heal. Then they will come back to Bangkok and see the doctor again and make sure they don’t need an adjustment.

We’re getting anxious to see and feel them again. I miss the baby I used to have in my arms. I miss Japheth’s arms around me . . .

. . . But in God’s hands they are in good hands.

My Guys

2006-02-07T15:34:00.000-08:00

Just received this today . . . Japheth and Wayne getting ready to order Thai food. Japheth especially enjoys the pinapples and lemondaides. When we were over there two years ago, he relished the food quite a bit more than I did although I loved the fruits too!

Tonight while we sleep (or maybe you sleep) Wayne and Judi undergo surgery. Wayne's fisrt at 4:00 our time. He's not supposed to eat from 8:00 AM their time till the surgery at 3:00 PM. I hink he will be a pretty fussy little guy to care for right now!

God bless you for caring enought to pray for them.

Sunday evening in church at about 5:30 Japheth Jr. patted me and whispered, "Mom, the sun's gone to Thailand now."

Wings of Prayer

2006-02-04T20:35:00.000-08:00

I was telling someone the other day that I have really felt the prayers of people these past few days.  No, life isn’t perfect, but you feel the grace in abundance to meet the struggles and issues head on.  Things have been going so well, not that we haven’t had things to iron out and struggles in adjusting to a routine here at home with two different “parts” of families left behind, but that I’ve been upbeat about it all.  Several people have called and I got the impression that they thought I might be feeling down, they were surprised at how “chipper” I sounded.  Well, it was of the Lord.

This afternoon that changed.  I was quite emotional and several small things just made the tears course down my cheeks.  I almost canceled going to family night because I knew I would break down again . . . and I hate that.  I did go though.  I thought I’d gotten it all out of my system . . .  well as usual, I didn’t make it . . . I couldn’t hide my feelings long.

So Loraine and Jeremiah and I came home early and I sent them to bed.  I was thankful for a quiet house . . .  after they finally stopped calling for Mom and went to sleep.

Later I called Japheth.  It is Sunday morning there.  He said that they were planning to visit a Baptist church in the city there that would be in English . . . But with all the big days for Wayne (he was so tired and grumpy),  Japheth (being the good Papa that he is) decided to give up his plans and stay behind with Wayne and let him rest.

So we had a good time talking together . . .  Later I told him, “This feels like when  we were dating, all the phone time together, sharing and praying, laughing and crying, just loving hearing your deep strong voice and waiting for the day when we can be together again!”

I told him about my day, since he hadn’t gotten my emails yet, and he said in a sober voice, “You know why? I forgot to pray for you this morning.”  It hit me again.  Prayer is so important.  I had to admit to him too that I have backed off in my prayers for him now that he’s safely there and it’s interesting when he left a message for me this afternoon while we were out, he sounded tired and a bit discouraged, (Wayne keeps wetting his clothes and the pampers stay fairly dry ;) He does that quite a bit for me too.)  And that was one of the small things that got me down, that he sounded tired and discouraged.  Up till now he has sounded excited, happy, and cheerful.

  So I repented of  my lack in the command to “Pray without ceasing” and to “Pray for one another.”  Prayer is vital and so important.  So many times if I don’t see evidence, I subconsciously wonder what good it really does.  So with that “kick in the pants” I determined to do better and with God’s help I will!

Okay, I know . . .  this is my third post for today.  Now you know,  I do really miss my husband!!!!!!

Grandpa and the Fish Symbols

2006-02-04T18:13:00.000-08:00

This afternoon while we were napping the girls ventured out to Grandpa's shop to see what he was doing. He stopped his work and made them each a fish symbol out of a thin strip of wood. So my three, after naps thought that they too should make a vistit next door. :) Sure enough they came back carrying a smaller version of the same! This made my day.

I appreciate very much the Grandpa my children have. And something so simple as these fish touched my heart. Grandpa giving of his time to make the children smile.

I Will Lift Up MIne Eyes

2006-02-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

I’m considering wearing an apron.

About a year ago a lady told me that her mom, who had twelve children, always wore an apron. When she needed time alone she would just throw her apron up over her head and cry out to God.

Today I needed some extra quiet time alone. The children getting insufficient naps this afternoon needed extra supervision. So I brought my Bible down to the living room and read and cried and prayed in the midst of the “storm” of play and chatter. I thought of this Godly lady and wished a bit for an apron to hide the signs of tears, for privacy in my talk with God.

I remember seeing my Mom reading her Bible in the living room. I like to see Japheth with his Bible too. I love to watch him pray and commune with His Friend! There is a certain sense of security in knowing that those you love, those who are leading you enjoy spending time with God and have their heart in tune with Him.

I decided that it was alright after all. I do want my children to see where I draw my strength from. I want them to see me in communion with my Lord. I want them to feel secure in my relationship with Jesus! Can I give them this “gift”?

“I will lift up my mine eyes unto the hills – From whence cometh my help. MY HELP COMETH FROM THE LORD WHICH MADE HEAVEN AND EARTH . . .” Psalm 121:1

“Being brave doesn’t mean there aren’t any tears . . . it’s going on in the midst of them.”