Trust.......

Today, giving much thought to TRUST, I am reminded that Faith is believing in something or some One who is trustworthy. It is NOT just believing that God WILL do something. Not long ago I saw a church sign which read; "Faith is not believing that God can; it's believing that God will." I gave that some thought and just cannot come away believing that statement. Sometimes God just does not choose to do what we think He should do in a way that we think He should do it. Not that He Can't; it is just He does NOT CHOOSE to do so.

Through this season in our lives with the situation we are facing with the baby; I am learning and trying to keep the faith even when I cannot see. I don't think I realized before how difficult it can be. But one thing I do know.....My God CAN do anything!!!! I reaffirm through scripture time and time again that GOD CAN. Will He? Will He change our situation??? I don't know; but even if He does not choose to work in that manner; by healing our little one so that we can bring it home to raise; I have no doubt that He CAN!!!

Someone recently said that she believed God was using our situation to show His power. I do believe that God will show His power!! He will be glorified!!! It's just sometimes, I can't get it through my thick skull that God may glorify Himself through another way....some way that I wouldn't even think of. But can I trust??? Can I throw myself into His arms and really say "Here Lord....I TRUST YOU!!???" Yes I can!!! Lord, You do it your way.....in Your Time!! TRUST!!!

Zoo Day

I think this was our favorite place, I think. LOL

Kids LOVED the dolphin show....came home and immediately mimicked them :)

Petting the goats

The group waiting on the train

The first roller coaster ride for several in our group....they loved it!!

Random Pictures following:

Our kids were soooo excited to be going to the zoo and all had their sunglasses on top of their heads :)

The weather was perfect

More New Happenings

Another year has begun and another baby started Kindergarten this year. Here are some of her pictures :) Hard to believe how fast time flies!! She is LOVING it!!!

In my Restlessness

Today I awoke with a feeling of restlessness and other emotions. Just wondering what is going to happen in my future and the future of my family. Feelings of excitement mixed with fear amerge sometimes, so it is good to know in whom I trust and to know that God is on my side.

Here is the song I read this morning that ministered to me.

BE STILL MY SOUL

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; they best, they heav'nly Friend
Thro' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my sou; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be stil, my soul; the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever witht he Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Wonderful Life Lessons

Today was a busy day. I watched 3 extra kids this morning for a while, then my sister and I took the kids to the park in town. It was fun!! We got to go in the petting zoo and then they played on the playground for awhile. It was amusing to hear the girls talking how "not fun" the park was because they would much rather go swimming in the new swimming pool we bought. :) Any other time they would be jumping for joy to go to TPA park.

We came home and I had a ton of dishes to do. My dishwasher went on the blink so I had take them out and wash all of them by hand. I hadn't done that in a long time. The kids and I worked a long time getting all of them done. I guess that was a good lesson time for them. It is good to know how to do dishes by hand. I think I am spoiled!!! :) I am going to miss that dishwasher! :'(

Tonight we plan to take the younguns fishing. It is a fun thing to do as a family and soooo relaxing. We really enjoy it.

Now to go get some icing made for my last graduation cake. What a busy, busy day!!!

Happiness Is:

Reading the "Be Happy Attitudes" by Robert Schuller, he talked about seeing our problems as possibilities. I wias so blessed while reading this.
He says, "To Jesus the whole world was jammed, pregnant, loaded, bulging with untapped, undiscovered, undetected POSSIBILITIES! Jesus really believed in the supreme possibilities!

Man can be born again!
Character can be changed!
You can become a new person!
Life can be beautiful!
There is a solution to every problem!
There is a light behind every shadow!
Yes! Jesus had an unshakable faith in these ultimate possibilities:
God exists!
Life goes on beyound death!
Heavin is for real!
Jesus was prepared to prove it. Be dying--and rising again!"

Happiness -- that deep inner strength that is made up of courage, faith, hope, and peace. Mix them together, and you have happiness!

Happiness--the courage to hang on in the face of severe adversity!

Happiness--the faith that God will have the last word, and it will be good!

Happiness--the hope that, even though you can only see the shadow, someday the clouds will clear away and the sun will shine again!

Happiness--the quiet sense of self-esteem that comes when you know you have done your best.

Happiness--the assurance that you have been merciful and kind to enemy and friend alike.

Happiness--the quiet assurance that God will be merciful and kind to you, too.

Happiness--the beautifull belief that htis life, no matter how difficult it may be, is not your final destination. Your life here on earth is only a pilgrimage. Heaven--life with Jesus forever--is our eternal destiny.

I CAN CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY -- ANYWAY!!

Wow!! What a challenge!! I am SOOOOO Blessed!!

Gearing up for the End of the Year

Our big Preschooler!! :)

Our 1st Grader

It is so hard to believe that the end of the school year is here already. We had a busy but fun weekend!! Friday we had a birthday party for my neice and it was fun getting with all the family and watching the kids play outside. Mike had to work all night....or til midnight so we missed him.
Saturday evening we had an Awards Banquet for FCA. It was very nice!! There was live entertainment from the Riverboat Ramblers. It was very enjoyable! We enjoyed watching the kids get their awards. I must say, I was very proud of Kendra. She got the most 100's in the lower learning center and the highest GPA. It was 99.9%. She was excited although I don't think she realized what it all meant. :) Daddy and Mommy were very proud of her hard work!!
Abigail is finished with preschool so now she is a big kindergartner. She is really excited about going to Kindergarten next year. It has been a great year and I am very happy with how she has developed this year. She is growing up and becoming a little lady.
I will post a few pictures of the girls. I know you will enjoy!!

Kendra with her awards

Kendra with three of her classmates. One of them had already gone.

Saying their scripture. They did a great job!! I love the motions Mrs Coleman puts with it.

The River Boat Ramblers

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend was a whirl, but what a wonderful weekend it was!! I was so encouraged with the Sunday morning service. It was a busy time with class all morning and then trying to sing in the choir too. Thanks to Mrs Angie for sitting in for us during that time. :) I came away feeling so good!! God certainly was with us and I felt His prescence. It was also wonderful to have some visitors that we had invited! I know God is still working in lives!!

We went home to a wonderful dinner with the family. We did an egg hunt with the kiddos. They really enjoyed that!! I will have to post pictures in a little while. I am so thankful that JESUS IS RISEN!!! I serve a Risen Saviour....whose in the world today; still working, ruling, and in control of EVERYTHING. (including our government) I am BLESSED!!

Wow It has been a while

Well blogging hasn't been a Big "thing" for me. It has been a LOOONG while since I have been on. There has been lots that has happened since May. I definately need to keep up :) In August we went camping and in the last 15 minutes on the campsite, Kendra fell backward into the firepit which landed us in Riley for a couple of days. While we were there we counted our blessings as we were there for 2 days versus months and months, like some were. Kendra's burns were pretty minor and healed without infection setting in which we were VERY thankful for. She is doing very well!!

Kendra is in first grade this year and doing very well in school! She loves learning volleyball and is doing great in her studies! We are proud of her!

Abby started preschool in September. She is thoroughly enjoying it!! I can see a Huge difference this year in her maturity level. She loves writing her letters and is learning her phone number and address. It is big stuff! :) She will definately be ready for kindergarten!

Benjamin has really grown and this year has made so many changes. He is talking sooo much! I love it when toddlers get to where they able to really tell you what they are trying to say. They have such cute ways of saying them. We are learning a lot with our little boy.

Now we are headed into the Easter season. I am trying to find something new to demonstrate the "Old and Wonderful" story. I am so thankful for God and His love for us. He chose to send His ONLY son for me. And He takes time to teach us and show us His ways and what He wants from us. He has been teaching me sooo much lately. He is showing me how much He really cares!!

Latest cakes

My niece's Strawberry Shortcake birthday cake.

My Grandparents 63rd Anniversary cake.

My kiddos and me...

Mother's day was great! Here are a couple pics of my children and me. I am very blessed!!

Spring break...

I am a little late in getting this post out, but last week was Kendra's spring break. We didn't go anywhere so we wanted to do something a little special with the kids. We decided on the Fair Oaks Dairy Farm. This is a neat place and the kids always love the cows. Here are just a couple of pictures from there.

Kids in the play area....in the cheese.

Brand new baby calf we were able to see be born.

Benjamin's favorite spot, I think. He really enjoyed this play area.

Sweet are God's Promises

This morning in the wee hours I couldn't sleep so I decided to take advantage of my "quiet, wake time." I came downstairs and while I was reading my Bible, God gave me this promise. It was a real encouragement to me so I thought I would share it with you:

Isaiah 43:1-3 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord you God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Saviour; Verse 4 says also "Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you;"

My little boy is growing up.....

Benjamin now 21 months is making so many changes and is talking a lot. He got on his sister's scooter Sunday morning and started riding it...ever so careful and slowly...but actually riding it. It was so cute. I could hardly believe it...already.

Vanilla....

Last night our associate pastor preached on Andrew who was an "ordinary" man who brought people to Jesus. He likened him to vanilla ice cream....just plain icecream....ordinary. When he announced his message being on "Ordinary Vanilla Andrew" a little friend of Abigail's who was sitting next to me looked up at me and said "I like Milky Way". I got so tickled at her. But it wasn't only her that was hungry for Ice Cream after church. :) You'll have to ask Mike about it. :)

Just thinking.....

The last couple of days I have had Philippians 4:8 on my mind. "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise; think on these things." This is one of my favorite verses because it really helps in my battles of the mind. Usually the things that bother me the most are things that I really don't KNOW to be true....things just seem true. Therefore, when I am bothered about something I try to ask myself..."Do I KNOW this is the case? Is it something lovely to think about? Is it of good report? Is it praiseworthy? I am amazed of the things I can clear out of my day just from this filter. WOW!! God knew what He was doing when He gave us this verse.

I Wish I Could Go up in the Real Heaven.....

These are the words of our 4 year old at bedtime tonight, while thinking about Heaven. I really don't know what brought it on, but she knows that heaven is "very Beautiful". We won't need any light. We won't even need to sleep. We can go anywhere we want to go. "We can see Jesus and give him a kiss and a hug". I know Jesus must smile to think of a child's anticipation to see Him. Oh that we would all have this kind of anticipation!! I really believe we will see Him very soon.

God Answers Prayer...

Mike's work has been very unsteady the last 2 or 3 weeks. We have been wondering how we were going to make it. Presently there are some jobs out there in the future, but not much right now. Mike said to me yesterday morning, "Let's pray together that God will send me three jobs today." We did. We prayed together and asked God for three jobs to come in yesterday. At the end of the day, God had sent in three new jobs. WOW!! We are so blessed to know a God who cares about our lives and He even tells us to come BOLDLY before His throne. I just want to Thank God and give Him the glory for what He does for us.

Belated Valentines

Mike's mom had sent the kids a box for Valentine's Day with lots of goodies. Valentine's day was really busy for us so we decided to wait for our dinner. We had our Valentine's dinner tonight. It was so much fun. The girls loved the "party". They were so excited when they saw the decorations. Here are a couple the pictures of our "I Love You" dinner.

A Great Day

Today we went to my parent's house so I could work on music. I had this great plan I was going to hook up to the computer and play the music then just tweek it manually. Well I finally got a cord that was supposed to work...but no it didn't, so I worked it manually for about 5 hours and was able to get 3 of the 4 songs well on their way to being done. YAY!!! Then I had shopping to do and a lesson to study for. It was a busy day...but productive!!

At about 10:45pm lifeline was coming in. Benjamin is very fascinated with airplanes and helicopters right now. He had a long nap and was still up so Mike asked him if he wanted to go see it. It's about a mile away. Benjamin just started laughing and giggling. He was sooo excited!!! He tried to tell me about it when he got back. It is cute to hear him try to say "copter, and ambulance". He is really changing and talking a lot.