Meet My Family

Finally, got the whole family together for a photo!

Jonathan (black sweater), oldest son, Worship Pastor. Ryan (red shirt) youngest,Medic in Army. Kara, daughter, full time mom, and wife, and Adrian, son-in-law, student preparing for full time ministry, with their two little ones, Nolan and Jordyn, who bring us all tons of joy.

Through the Eyes of a Child

While eating out at Fuzzy's with the family, Nolan, my 3 year old grandson, saw a lady walk in and sit down at a table near us. Nolan said in a very concerned little voice, "That lady is all alone!" He continued to talk about this, asking his mom if she (his mom) liked to be all alone. So, his mom asked if he would like to go talk to the lady. He replied "Yes", so whenever he finished eating, she let him down to go say hi. He wanted someone to go with him, so my husband went with him (I must admit I was hesitant to just go up and start talking to a stranger). He said "Hi", then the lady had to do most of the talking, because he didn't really know what else to say. He told her "Merry Christmas" as we were leaving and she said he had made her day.
While thinking back on this, I am reminded of the need, especially this time of year when we get so busy and wrapped up with our own agenda, to take time to look at the people around us as people, to look at those around us with eyes of compassion, truly caring about them and whether they have needs. And, not just seeing the needs, but caring enough to do something about it.
Let's slow down and look at the world through the eyes of a child!

side note: this picture is not from Fuzzy's, but from nostaligic hometown hamburger joint called,"Oma's".

Hurry Up and Wait

Ever heard the phrase "Hurry Up and Wait"? It's been known to be an unofficial motto for the army. We are in Kansas awaiting the arrival of our youngest son, Ryan to arrive from Iraq. My husband and I rushed to make it here by Friday and my oldest son, Jonathan, drove from NM and met us here on Monday. We were told originally that if we got here on Thursday (last Thursday) we would be safe to be here when he arrived, for they would be coming starting Thurs. evening through Monday. Well, it's Wed. morning and we are still waiting. We received a call this morning saying he would be arriving Thursday morning at 2 a.m. Every day they push it forward, but hopefully they won't extend it any further, because his brother has to leave Fri. morning to head back home. Lord, help me to remember that our days are in Your hands and everything will happen according to your perfect timing.

Our Plans vs. His Plans

Monday morning, Feb. 14th, my husband had just left for work and I was beginning what I had planned for my day, when I got a phone call saying my dad had been rushed to the hospital. I rushed there as fast as I could to find him arriving in an ambulance unresponsive. As the morning went by, and many tests were performed, he was diagnosed with a stroke and not expected to live. The doctor said to call in all the family. All of my siblings arrived from several states, some with their families ( there are 6 of us living). As he days went by and dad started responding, the doctors said that if he lived, he would be a vegetable and we needed to find a home to put him in permanently. The stroke also affected his swallowing, so they had to put a feeding tube into his stomach. Well, he started responding more, and more, but was hallucinating a lot and very delusional. We were taking turns sitting with him 24 hrs a day, and he was having to be put in restraints most of the time to keep him in bed and from pulling all of his tubes out. All of this time, many of his friends and family were coming in and out to visit him, and almost always they prayed for him before they left. One day the ER doctor came into ICU and was totally shocked to see that dad had come out of the coma. Well, evidently, God isn't limited by the doctors diagnosis and hears all of the prayers that had been going up to Him. Today, dad is in a nursing home going through therapy. He can carry on a normal conversation and is enjoying joking with the nurses and therapist. He is pretty much normal, only gets confused occasionally, and forgets that he's not at home. He can walk, but is still very weak and tires quickly, but is getting stronger every day. Tomorrow they will do another swallow test to see if he can eat yet or what he can eat if anything. He loves to eat, so is very concerned about the outcome of this test. Yesterday, the social services director said that this looked like it was going to be a very short stay. This just makes me want to laugh, just thinking about how good our God is, and how miraculous is His love. And, just like He didn't ask me what my plans were that Monday morning that I received the phone call (or for the weeks that followed), I guess He didn't bother to ask the doctors what their plans/diagnoses was for dad.

Off to War

Ryan, our youngest, left for Baghdad again yesterday.

Watching A Movie in the Nude

A couple of nights ago, Nolan(my 20 mo. old grandbaby) was standing in front of the TV watching the "JESUS" movie. Suddenly, he strips all of his clothes off. He had realized that Adam was walking around naked in the bushes (you couldn't see his whole body). He then wanted his mom and me to do the same, but we just couldn't sit around watching a movie in the nude, not even for Nolan.
Whoever said kids are not affected by TV?!

They're Off to India!

Yesterday, my daughter, son-in-law, and yes, even my grandson, left for a missions trip to India. They'll be gone for six weeks. I would surely appreciate it if you would mention them in your prayers (Kara, Adrian, and Nolan).

A Heritage of Hospitality

Hospitality (according to Webster) is the act or practice of receiving and entertaining strangers or guests without reward, or with kind and generous liberality.

A stranger (according to Webster) is a foreigner of another country; one of another town, city, state, ... ; one unknown; one unacquainted; a guest; a visitor.

Guests - a person who spends some time at another persons home at a party, dinner, or just visiting.

In Romans 12 Paul is talking about how we are to live out the righteousness of God, the practical application of it in our lives. Verse 13 says that we are to be given to hospitality. I am very grateful to have grown up in a home where this was demonstrated. It was nothing unusual to have guests at our table and staying overnight, and not just people that we knew. Very often, my mom invited, whoever the visitors at church were, over to our house to eat after church. I remember one Sunday a family showed up (is that proper English) at the church with all of their belongings in and on their car. They had just arrived in town from California with no place to live yet. Of course they came home with us until they found a place to stay. I'm sure I could not count the number of people who have stayed with us and ate with us, people from many different countries, states, and backgrounds. Such a rich heritage.

Not only have I been impacted by the hospitality shown growing up, but also by the hospitality shown to me and my family. When we moved away from home, we learned how meaningful it is to be invited into someone elses home and family. When you are new to a church or living away from family, and someone invites you into their home, it right away makes you feel welcome and more a part of that church. I often remember the story that I read in Guidepost about a young lady who had just moved to a new town. She visited a church that Sunday and after the service a lady invited her to her home for lunch. The lady brought out a pan of cornbread and a drink. They sat and talked and ate. The young lady kept thinking that the second course would be brought out, but it never was. But actually, she so enjoyed her visit and the kindness that was shown to her, a lonely stranger, that she really didn't care that this was all they had for lunch. She was so touched by this older woman's kindness and hospitality. I often think of this story when I feel like I don't have anything special enough to offer guests. One of the families from our church in Kansas who often opened up their home to the whole church, did not have the fanciest house, and it was not always spotless (6 kids), but no one cared, we just appreciated and enjoyed their hospitality. People really don't care what your house looks like (thank goodness) or how fancy the meal is, they just want to be shown that you love and care about them. I believe this element of godliness is so important in our lives and in the church.

1 Peter 4:9 "Use hospitality one to another without grudging."

Hebrews13:2 "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Sing!

Psalm 147:1-2 "praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing praises unto our God. Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving..."



Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God..."



I was reminded this morning by the devotional sent to me, the importance of singing praise to God. When we are singing praises to God, our words are not vain words, but there is power in the praises that we sing. Praise breaks chains that have us bound. Praise can lift our spirits. Praise helps us to focus on our God. Praise brings a joyful , thankful, spirit into our home or wherever we are at. I must remember to not let the noises and busyness around me crowd out my song.



Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Thrift Store Find

Look at the cute pajamas Nolan's momma found him at the thrift store! I enjoy looking at other peoples thrift store finds, so I thought I would let Nolan model his new pajamas. He doesn't look like he seems to mind, now does he?

Learning Can Be Messy

Galatians 6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Confession: I have a problem with giving up too soon on my learning ventures when they don't turn out so good from the beginning. I could learn a lesson from this baby. He is very persistent in feeding his self. And, I'm pretty sure we won't have to be washing him from head to toe after every meal for the rest of his life.

Lesson to self: Don't be afraid to learn something new. And keep trying, and trying and trying!

Reflections

I know! I keep saying that I'm going to get back to blogging consistently, but I've still been having computer issues. Last night my husband spent a really long time on the phone with the Internet tech and hopefully we have things fixed for sure now.

Since my blogging has been so sporadic this summer, I thought I'd post some pictures of a few of the things that have kept us busy.

pic 1 - Hubby and I on cruise (anniversary gift from kids).

pic 2 - We went to Ft. Riley, KS to welcome son, Ryan home from a year in Iraq.

pic 3 - Nolan, our grandson, turned 1 yr old already! Here he is with his mom and day, Kara & Adrian.

pic 4 - My house has been getting baby proofed.

pic 5 - My husband with our son, Jonathan, in the mountains around Albuquerque, on our trip out to see him.

We've Been Married 25 Years Today!

It's hard to believe, but today is our 25th wedding anniversary! For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, believe me, we've been through it all. I surely don't want my children or anyone else to follow the example of everything we've done, but I do hope that they've learned that divorce is not an option when the going gets tough (neither is murder). My husband has told me that I should write my story. I don't know that I ever will, but I'll tell you it hasn't been any easier than anyone elses. When my children were small we separated for 3 yrs., but God was gracious to restore our marriage. Let me say, we probably would have divorced, if it had not been for the encouragement of brothers and sisters in the Lord(very few) encouraging us and telling us we didn't have to. I am so grateful that we didn't and that our family is still intact. I am also grateful that through all we've been through the Lord has given me a testimony to share with others who are struggling, that gives them hope.


Matthew 19:6 "...What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."


Let me show you a picture of my husband who not only adores me, but also our children and grandson:

He is a great man who works hard to show his love for his wife. I thank God for him. And God has blessed us with 3 wonderful children and 1 really great son-in-law and 1 perfect grandson. And, this morning they surprised us with a Caribbean Cruise for our anniversary present. Yes, I cried, just as much from the sweet notes as from the gift, although I am so excited I can't wait for Aug. 31 to come. Here we all are:

Thanks kids! You're the best!

Homeschool Success Story/Tips

Let me introduce you to my youngest child, Ryan. Though never diagnosed as such, I'm sure he's ADD. Trying to do school work with him was loads of fun (a little sarcasm). His attention span was very short. He did not like to read books. Textbook work was torture. The unschool method worked best for him although I did require some curriculum work. He loved reading fishing and hunting magazines and I never knew so much biology could be learned from a magazine. He loved doing carpenter work with his grandpa and come to find out there is lots of math to be learned from building a house. He did love learning about history whether it was from videos, books(not textbooks), museums, or however we could learn it. Most people (especially me, since we spent very little time learning history) are amazed at his knowledge of history. We never actually finished a high school curriculum, it was too torturous for us both. He wanted a job, so he took the GED and passed it with above average scores. He has since then joined the army, and all the tests required to be accepted, he passed with really good scores. He told me that the thing that helped him the most with all of his testing was a book I bought at Hastings for $2.99 on the clearance table. Is is "2 Real LSAT's Explained". This is a book published by KPLAN, a test prep company, for law school exams. I purchased this to help him with his thinking and problem solving skills. The book explains every answer and the concepts and strategies for every question. We used this as part of his curriculum. Well worth the money. Ryan is now a medic in the army serving in Baghdad. In his free time he loves to read, believe it or not, and usually books much thicker and deeper than I would choose to read. There is hope! Keep it up!

A Soldiers Valentine Welcome

This morning we picked up my youngest son Ryan at the airport. He's on leave from Baghdad. I was not expecting the great welcome from the citizens of America. It was very moving. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, representatives from local churches, schools, veterans, and family members were there with shouts of "Welcome Home!", "USA", "Thanks!", with patriotic music, gifts, and valentines. Needless to say I'm excited to have him home again and ever so proud to be an American.

Homeschool Success Story

Please note that these posts are not meant to boast or brag on our accomplishments, but to give encouragement to you moms who are presently homeschooling. I know from experience how intimidating and discouraging it can be at times. Now, for todays topic. Do you moms who have children who have finished homeschooling ever have people asking what your kids do now? If you google "homeschool success stories" you'll find sites wanting to find out what these young people are accomplishing in life now that they've graduated. Let me introduce you to my daughter, Kara. Today she is married to a great, christian young man, and they have a son(who I showed you a couple of days ago). Kara is a stay at home mom/wife and loving it. I could not be happier. She is already leaps and bounds ahead of where I was at that time in my life, both as a mom and as a wife. Maybe that's because she has been at home with me watching and helping all of her life. I'm sure she learned from the good and the not so good examples(what not to do). She is a great cook, housekeeper, bookkeeper, mom. All the things necessary to run a home. Yes, I do know she's not perfect, but I am happy with the way her life has turned out and I give God the glory!

1 Corinthians 13:4

"... charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." (does not brag, is not arrogant) This is the verse I've been studying this morning. Do you think it applies to grandparents?

P.S. This is Nolan Dallas at birth (9/24/08) and at 3 months.

Homeschool Success Story

Do writing assignments strike terror in your children? I'm often asked about this problem by mothers who find that I homeschooled my children. What I tell them is, "Don't stress over it, when your child finds something that interests them to write about, thus, a reason to write, they'll start enjoying it". My oldest son, Jonathan, hated to write. When I would give him a writing assignment his mind froze. We had many a battle, with us both nearly in tears. It was very hard for me to make him do the assignment I gave him, because, I had the same problem in school. I finally quit trying, it wasn't worth the battle. Hopefully, he wouldn't need to do much writing in life. Well, was I ever surprised when, one day (as a teen) he shows me a letter he wrote a friend (as a joke) posing as her secret admirer. It was hilarious and so creative. From that point on he went on writing songs, sermons, stories, etc. And I can't take the credit for it. To see an example of some of his writings check out his blog: http://www.jfloblog.com/