Chrismas Blessings!

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, from our home to yours!

Here's a little bit of our year in photos...

enjoy!

As the Waves of the Ocean

It's so easy to stand on the beach and watch the waves roll against the sand...

how beautiful and relaxing it may be. 

But, when you stand amid the waves, trying to gain a footing, if there for hours, you may find it frustrating at the wrestling with the tide.

This is a good picture of how life has been for me for...hmmm, well ...a good long time.  I feel as if I am out there in the sea, not simply in a boat that's rocking to and fro in the midst of the storm, but rather within the waves, struggling to catch my breath, to gain a footing, to get some respite.

Uhhh, it's a very difficult battle I have been fighting, mostly within.   Each day, there is a battle that rages.  Will I give into this disease or fight? Fight! Ah yes, this is what I want to do but often, I become weary in this battle.  But, really! what other choice do I have but to struggle and fight?  You see, if I were alone on this earth, I could very well, pick a spot on the map, and live as a recluse and just give in. 

BUT, God has given me a family, a purpose on this green planet, and for that simple reason, I have to fight!  I have six children to raise up for the Lord.  I must try, ever so intently, to help them to be what God desires them to be.  I must give them the tools, practically to be a godly wife, a good parent and spiritually to be a strong Christian.  My efforts, truly are flawed but my prayer is that God will give grace and that He will make up for my many short-comings and faults.

What will this result be?  I really can't tell.  Oh, I can imagine these wonderful dreams of my girls being wonderful wives and godly mothers, my boys being strong men that will hold fast in THE faith, loving their wives with delight and valuing their relationships with their children but only God knows what the future holds.  It is up to me and what I do with THIS DAY that is before me.  To hold eternity in view, to die to self and selfish desires, to fight with all of my being, all that would threaten God's best in their lives. 

And so THIS day, I choose to fight, to face these storms with all that I am.  And when there is nothing left in me to fight, then fight some more, to be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might.

"I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"

I don't know about tomorrow,

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine

'Cause the skies might turn to grey.

I don't worry about the future,

'Cause I know what Jesus said,

And today I'll walk beside him

'Cause he's knows what lies ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

 I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb.

Every burden is getting lighter

All the clouds are silver lined.

Over there the sun is always shining

And no tears will dim the eye

And the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains, they touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Yes I know who holds my hand.

Family Memories

Frontier Culture Museum Family Day

My Sweet Fella

Brittany walked over to where Joshy was petting the little sheep and
casually leaned over to TOUCH the ANIMAL.  Yes, it's true.
"Ohh!  It's sooo soft" 

Brit helped the boys "Old School" style with pieces of metal and slates.

My pretty little Abby.  She's growing up so quickly and looking
like her big sisters more and more each day.

Samuel grabbed it,
already figuring in his mind
how he was going to handle it. 
My little Paul Bunyan

"In all this Job sinned not"

God's timing amazes me...as I am reading through my Bible everyday, I find that God gives me exactly what I need for each day.  Not too many days ago, I sat on my bed, warm steamy coffee in hand and my Bible on my lap...  This has been my morning routine since I can't remember. 

With me being sick, my husband has played a great part in this: The alarm usually goes off at about 6am.  The smell of fresh coffee brewing has already filled the house with it's "best part of waking up" aroma.  My dear, sweet husband, makes his way into the kitchen to fill my favorite cup and grabs my medicine.  He usually walks into the bedroom, scooting my little Romeo off of the bed (Romeo is my ever-devoted kitty) and helps me out of bed with a warm hug and kiss as I stand to my feet.  "Here's your medicine, sweety."
"Thank you. Good morning." Is my usual reply as I sip my hot coffee and down a hand full of pills.  (Brittany is amazed at my ability to swallow so many pills at once.  I don't even have to wiggle my toes or jump up and down to help them make their way in like some 5 foot 3 inch people! ) :)

I make use of the time it takes for my pain medicine to kick in and sit on the bed doing my morning devotions...which is where I began this little story of mine...

Not too many days ago, I sat on my bed, warm steamy coffee in hand and my Bible on my lap... 
I had been reading through my Bible and on the previous day finished up the book of Esther.  (I love reading the book of Esther, although I can't help but to play it out in my mind like the movie, "One Night With the King".  I love that movie and it suits me just fine to let my mind wonder this way.) So, I turn the page and what do I find?  My next assignment is .... JOB.  (Ahh, thanks Lord! I don't know if I want this lesson.)  In the past, I have read the book of Job and wondered at Job's distress and not really understanding his response.

My first new insight was that Job was emotional and grieved.  

But, "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." Job 1:22 

You see this was such a revelation for me!  I have had so many moments of grief and tears. I began to feel guilty, like I was being so unspiritual for struggling with what I was going through. 

I mean REALLY!  How can a mother look into the face of her sweet little dimpled seven year old and think that she may not be there to help him grow up? Or watch her girls sit on the end of her bed, talking, laughing and being silly and think she may not be there to hold their first child?  There are so many aspects to dealing with a life-threatening disease.  It can be so overwhelming at times. 
 So, you grieve, and cry and even question your struggles.

But, "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." Job 1:22 

You mean to tell me, "It's okay to grieve and cry and struggle?" 

That, "My tears don't mean that I'm unspiritual?"

How LIBERATING that truth was!

And so, I am really enjoying my study through the book of Job. 

God is teaching me so much and ministering to my spirit in so many wonderful ways.

This morning has been no different!  

This was what God had for me today:

"Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant?"
Numbers 11:11

Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father's countenance is hidden. A faith which can say, in the direst trouble, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him," is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts his servants to glorify himself, for he is greatly glorified in the graces of his people, which are his own handiwork. When "tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope," the Lord is honoured by these growing virtues. We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which his vessels of mercy are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? Will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified? There are many other comfortable answers to the question with which we opened our brief meditation, let us muse upon it all day long.

White Coats & High Hopes

White Coats & High Hopes

So, here I sit in one of the best hospitals in the country

(and likely the world) and what is the prevailing thought? 

 "Life is so disposable."        Or better yet... It is but a vapor.

 There are hundreds of people sitting here in the waiting room to get help for whatever ails them and the first stop is blood work.  Walk up to the counter, "Hilton Building, Desk C" and you are greeted by a smiling, cheerful face.  "Wow" I think to myself.  After all, it's 8am, I'm nervous because I don't know what lies before me, I'm probably patient number 473 this morning alone and this is a welcoming stop on my journey.  Perhaps this is just a really sweet lady!

Blood work done.  Onward to my next appointment.  As we tunnel our way through the underground walkways (aka "subways") toward the main lobby, I feel like I'm entering a beautiful hotel lobby with 40 foot ceilings, marble floors, beautiful art and a pleasant grand piano filling the air with lovely music.

 "Shall we just sit here, drink in the atmosphere and lose ourselves in the music?"  Ahh, no- we didn't travel close to a thousand miles for atmosphere!  I mean it could look like a sanitarium and it wouldn't matter if they did what I needed done!

Appointment after appointment, that lady from the "Hilton Building, Desk C" must have sent her sisters to take care of me because they were ALL so sweet and lovely.  I'm not joking, even the men were pleasant.  We must be on another planet!  Are we still in America?  And "Up North" for goodness sakes!  Everybody knows that "all Northerners are rude." (At least that's what our mamas told us)

No, no, we were in the right place but they must have one of those Wal-Mart kind of morning "pep rallies" before the doors open at 6am for patients, to get everyone motivated and happy. 

                          ************

With all of that being said, I hope I have set the atmosphere quite perfectly for you.  I ended up in "The" Liver Specialist's office by Wednesday.  The bulk of tests had been done and it was time for some serious observation.  We sat and talked with him as he sorted files, read records, asked questions and made notes.  He was a pleasant man, relaxed, calculated and very knowledgeable.  After examining me, it was time for us to ask questions.  We had many fears- my doctors at UVA helped us to understand how serious my condition was, no doubt so that we would handle it seriously and follow their treatment plan.  I had Stage 3 Liver Disease.  They wanted to, "save my liver" and avoid the need for a transplant.  Along with this, we had been studying up on this disease and knew allot of the "Ins and outs" from our reading.

So, what did he say?

He did confirm that I have both PBC (Primary Biliary Cirrhosis) and AIH (Autoimmune Hepatitis). 

They have ordered the actual tissue samples from my last two biopsies and will have them looked at by Mayo.  (He didn't see the point in taking another biopsy)  He believes that with a little different approach, as far as my medicine goes, we can get to the place that we can manage these diseases and the damage they are having on my liver. There are no dietary changes that will aid in managing the effects of this disease on my liver.  I don't need to worry about a transplant: 25 years ago PBC was the leading reason for a liver transplant but with the advancement of medicine and treatment options, it is rare for a PBC patient to need a transplant (even at Stage 4).

Long term, things look good for me.  I will still have the difficulty of day-to-day pain and fatigue from the disease. Over the next week, I have a series of appointments with the chronic pain clinic which will help me with managing my pain through medicine and lifestyle management. (like the physical therapy I am currently doing)

All in all, we are so encouraged!  We are truly rejoicing in The Lord and are THANKFUL for the LIFE He has given me.

Why Mayo?

So why can't I just stay in Virginia and get my treatment at UVA?

After much prodding from my husband, I put in a request with the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.  Within four days, they contacted me with an appointment.  My first thought was, "We don't have a dime to do this".  With tears streaming down my face and the phone still by my ear, my husband told me that God would provide...

Well, he was right- God provided!  He has provided the way, a place to stay and a car to drive. 
Without a doubt, I KNOW that God wants me here!

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience. Mayo Clinic is one of the leading treatment centers for primary biliary cirrhosis in the United States. You benefit from the experience of primary biliary cirrhosis specialists who treat hundreds of people each year.
• Research advances. You have access to the latest diagnosis and treatment advances at Mayo Clinic, which has been conducting research on primary biliary cirrhosis for more than 40 years. Mayo Clinic researchers have studied many treatments for primary biliary cirrhosis and have made significant contributions to understanding its cause, including finding two gene variations that seem to predispose people to primary biliary cirrhosis. This discovery is the first step toward developing targeted treatments and a cure.
• Excellence in liver transplants. Mayo Clinic has performed more than 4,500 liver transplants and has some of the highest transplant survival rates in the world. People with primary biliary cirrhosis who receive transplants have particularly high survival rates.
• Team approach. Liver specialists, radiologists, pathologists and surgeons work together as a team to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for people with primary biliary cirrhosis.

What Aileth Thee?

I have had alot of people asking questions about what I have. 

What do I have?
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)

What is it?
Primary biliary cirrhosis is a disease in which the bile ducts in your liver are slowly destroyed. Bile, a fluid produced in your liver, is essential for the proper digestion of fats. It also helps rid your body of worn-out red blood cells, cholesterol and toxins. In primary biliary cirrhosis, the destruction of your bile ducts can cause harmful substances to build up in your liver and sometimes lead to irreversible scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).
The cause of primary biliary cirrhosis remains unclear.  Many experts consider primary biliary cirrhosis an autoimmune disease in which the body turns against its own cells, although it's likely that genetic and environmental factors also play a part. Primary biliary cirrhosis develops slowly. Medication can slow the progression of the disease, especially if treatment begins early

What does the disease do to your body?
The problems in primary biliary cirrhosis begin with inflammation in the smallest ducts in your liver. In time, the inflammation spreads to and destroys nearby liver cells. As these cells are destroyed, they're replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis). Over a period of years, the combination of ongoing inflammation, scarring and toxicity from trapped bile can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis involves irreversible scarring of liver tissue that makes it impossible for your liver to carry out essential functions.
The inflammation begins when T lymphocytes (T cells) begin accumulating in your liver. T cells are white blood cells that are part of your immune system response. Normally, T cells recognize and help defend against bacteria and fungi. But in primary biliary cirrhosis, the T cells invade and destroy the cells lining the small bile ducts. The T cells also produce chemicals that stimulate liver cells to secrete proteins that attract more T cells, thereby creating an ongoing cycle of damage.
Researchers suspect that a genetic susceptibility coupled with an environmental trigger, such as infection, may be at the root of this abnormal immune response:

• Genetics. Primary biliary cirrhosis seems to run in families, and scientists believe that some people may inherit certain immune system defects that make them more susceptible to the disorder. Research has identified three genetic variations associated with primary biliary cirrhosis. This finding may eventually help researchers narrow in on the cause of primary biliary cirrhosis.
• Infection. For decades, researchers have suspected that primary biliary cirrhosis might result from a bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection, which would explain the massing of T cells in the small bile ducts. Some women reported having urinary tract infections, primarily those caused by the Escherichia coli bacterium, prior to the development of primary biliary cirrhosis. However, no commonplace infections have yet been consistently linked to primary biliary cirrhosis.

What are the complications?
As liver damage progresses, people with primary biliary cirrhosis may develop a number of serious problems, including:

• Cirrhosis. The term "primary biliary cirrhosis" isn't entirely accurate because cirrhosis develops only in the later stages of the disease — often many years after diagnosis. Yet when it does occur, cirrhosis can be life-threatening because it interferes with your liver's ability to carry out essential functions. Cases of primary biliary cirrhosis are divided into four stages. The first stage — inflammation of the bile ducts — is the least serious, and stage 4 — cirrhosis — the most serious. Ongoing cirrhosis can lead to liver failure, which occurs when your liver is no longer able to function.
• Increased pressure in the portal vein (portal hypertension). Blood from your intestine, spleen and pancreas enters your liver through a large blood vessel called the portal vein. When scar tissue blocks normal circulation through your liver, blood backs up, much like water behind a dam, leading to increased pressure within the vein. And because blood doesn't flow normally through your liver, hormones, drugs and other toxins aren't filtered properly before entering your bloodstream.
• Enlarged veins (varices). When circulation through the portal vein is slowed or blocked, blood may back up into other veins — mainly those in your stomach and esophagus. The blood vessels are thin walled, and increased pressure in your veins can cause bleeding in your upper stomach or esophagus. This bleeding is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical care.
• Liver cancer. The destruction of healthy liver tissue that occurs in cirrhosis increases your risk of liver cancer.
• Weak bones (osteoporosis). Liver scarring interferes with your liver's ability to process vitamin D and calcium, both of which are essential for bone growth and health. As a result, weak, brittle bones and bone loss may be complications of late-stage primary biliary cirrhosis, and your doctor may order a bone density test to look for osteoporosis.
• Vitamin deficiencies. A lack of bile affects the absorption of fats and of the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K. This sometimes leads to deficiencies of these vitamins in advanced cases of primary biliary cirrhosis.
• Cognitive impairment. Some people with primary biliary cirrhosis have problems with memory and concentration. Cognitive difficulties don't seem to correlate directly to the amount of liver damage, however.

Treating the disease
Treatments aimed at slowing the disease and prolonging life include:

• Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Also known as ursodiol (Actigall), UDCA is a bile acid that helps move bile through your liver. Although UDCA doesn't cure primary biliary cirrhosis, it may prolong life if started early in the disease and is commonly considered the first line of therapy. It's less likely to help people with advanced liver damage. Side effects of UDCA may include weight gain, hair loss and diarrhea.
• Other drugs. Sometimes other drugs are used off-label or in clinical trials to treat primary biliary cirrhosis, but many have proved to have serious side effects or haven't been effective. For example, some studies show that the drug methotrexate, which is normally used to treat arthritis, psoriasis and some types of cancer, isn't helpful in primary biliary cirrhosis, whereas others show it to be somewhat effective.
• Liver transplant. When treatments no longer control primary biliary cirrhosis and the liver begins to fail, a liver transplant may help prolong life. People with primary biliary cirrhosis who have liver transplants often do very well, although the disease may recur in the new liver.

My life is but a weaving ..

My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I may choose the colors
But He knows what they should be.

For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side
While I see it….
Only on the underside.

Sometimes He weaveth sorrow
Which seemeth strange to me
But I will trust His judgment
And work on faithfully.

Tis He who fills the shuttle
For He knows what is best
And I shall weave in earnest
And leave with Him the rest.

At last when life has ended
With Him I shall abide
Then I may view the pattern
Upon the other side.

Then I shall know the reason why
Pain with joy entwined
Was woven in the fabric of life
That God designed.
The shuttles of His purpose move
To carry out His own design;
Seek not too soon to disapprove
His work, nor yet assign
Dark motives, when, with silent tread,
You view some somber fold;
For lo, within each darker thread
There twines a thread of gold.

Spin cheerfully,
Not tearfully,
He knows the way you plod; Spin carefully,
Spin prayerfully,
But leave the thread with God.

The Mountain Top by Abigail Miller

The Faith of Chicken Little

Chicken Little was in the woods one day when an acorn fell on her head. It scared her so much she trembled all over. She shook so hard, half her feathers fell out. "Help! Help! The sky is falling! I have to go tell the king!"  So she ran in great fright to tell the king. Along the way she met Henny Penny.
"Where are you going, Chicken Little?" 
"Oh, help! The sky is falling!"
"How do you know?"
"I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!"
"This is terrible, just terrible! We'd better hurry up."
So they both ran away as fast as they could. Soon they met Ducky Lucky.
"Where are you going, Chicken Little and Henny Penny?"
"The sky is falling! The sky is falling! We're going to tell the king!"
"How do you know?"
"I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head."
"Oh dear, oh dear! We'd better run!"
So they all ran down the road as fast as they could. Soon they met Goosey Loosey walking down the roadside.
"Hello there. Where are you all going in such a hurry?"
"We're running for our lives!"
"The sky is falling!"
"And we're running to tell the king!"
"How do you know the sky is falling?"
"I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!"
"Goodness! Then I'd better run with you."
And they all ran in great fright across a field. Before long they met Turkey Lurkey strutting back and forth..
"Hello there, Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, and Goosey Loosey. Where are you all going in such a hurry?"
"Help! Help!"
"We're running for our lives!"
"The sky is falling!"
"And we're running to tell the king!"
"How do you know the sky is falling?"
"I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!"
"Oh dear! I always suspected the sky would fall someday. I'd better run with you."
So they ran with all their might, until they met Foxy Loxy.
"Well, well. Where are you rushing on such a fine day?"
"Help! Help!" It's not a fine day at all. The sky is falling, and we're running to tell the king!"
"How do you know the sky is falling?"
"I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!"
"I see. Well then, follow me, and I'll show you the way to the king."
So Foxy Loxy led Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey, and Turkey Lurkey across a field and through the woods. He led them straight to his den, and they never saw the king to tell him that the sky is falling.


The Faith of Chicken Little
So, it’s been 26 days since I began my little egg hatching project and  I still have 3 un-hatched eggs sitting in the incubator.  In case you’re wondering, it’s only supposed to take 21 days.  If you’ve read my previous post, you will know that I have been excitedly waiting for God to hatch my little eggs.  Can you guess how disappointed I was (and still am) when the days just ticked away without any faint chirps or breaks in the shells?  I just knew God was going to give me …one rooster and two hens.  REALLY!  

Did I not have enough faith to hatch these little eggs…

Along with my prayers for God to hatch these eggs, I have also been praying that God would provide the money needed to buy my children’s school curriculum before school started in September.  I don’t mean that every-now-and-then I would casually mumble a prayer in passing, “by the way, God we need money for the kids schoolwork”. No, it was every day, fervently asking God to meet this need (and just knowing that He was going to do it).  I have been praying this way for the past two months, not only by myself but I also had the children praying along with me.  Each time they would ask about ordering their schoolwork, I would reply, “Just keep praying.”

July passed.  August slowly drew to a close…now SEPTEMBER was here and still NO MONEY for school!  I was beginning to get a little nervous.  I finally broke on Tuesday, when the Christian School had their first day and my children did not have even the slightest idea on when they could start.  I mean, I am a pretty resourceful person but I cannot pull schoolwork out of thin air so they could begin.  Although, the thought of making up something for them to do until God gave us their books, did cross my mind. 

I began talking to my husband about it and finally broke down.  (I am actually a very privileged person because I get to live with the Pastor and can get counseling anytime) :)

   I was overwhelmed and had let everything get to me, even testing my faith and questioning prayer life. 

“God hasn’t answered my prayer about school AND hasn’t hatched my little eggs.  I have prayed and prayed about these things.  I just knew God was going to answer my prayers!  And he hasn’t !  I know it’s silly but every time I walk by those eggs, I think, What if God doesn’t answer my other prayers?” By this time I was broken, sobbing and overwhelmed with sorrow.

My sweet, patient, godly husband comforted me with, “You’re basing your theology on three little eggs!!??  You can’t allow yourself to think that God is not going to heal you just because those eggs haven’t hatched!”

He was right, you know!  In the midst of our conversation, he realized that God had already provided for the kids schoolwork, we had just overlooked His answer to our prayers.  The answer was already there.  But, I needed this lesson.  You see, I learned that even though our prayers seemingly go unanswered, it doesn’t mean God is not at work.  I can trust Him, rest in Him.  These aren’t new concepts to this lady- it’s just that sometimes, in the midst of a storm, like Peter, we look at the raging winds, the swelling tide and fail to see the Savior is right there extending His Loving Hand of Comfort.

Well, my little eggs still haven’t hatched.  But, it’s okay- I am so thankful for the lessons they have taught me and the way they were used to strengthen my faith.

True Treasure

Some women find happiness in their work, some in their social status, some find their happiness in the things they own. But for me, I could not ask for anything more than what God has given me. Above all else in this life of mine, I adore my family. They are my greatest blessing and my most valued treasure. If you knew them the way I know them, you would know why! As I think about each of them, a few things come to mind.

There are so many reasons why I love them but here are a few.

My husband…

The way his eyes still sparkle sometimes when he looks at me

The way that he keeps me grounded- things are black and white to him and me, well not so much

His playful spirit

The way he takes care of me- there are so many ways, but one that especially warms my heart is the way that he wakes me up every morning. He comes into the bedroom, with a cup of hot coffee and my medicine, gently helping me sit up in the bed with a warm hug and a kiss. Then he gives me my medicine. I can’t think of many better ways to be woken up!

Brittany, my 20 year old…

Her smile and playful spirit.

She has such a friendly personality, a “people person”.

Her creativity- I LOVE reading her blog. She has a wonderful way of writing and makes even the most boring things interesting.

She’s so good with children and they love her. She’s going to make a good mommy, she already understands the principles and ways of training. It warms my heart to see her working with them and guiding them in right.

McKenna, my 16 year old…

Her smile and crazy sense of humor.

Her servant’s heart- she’s a worker.

The sound of her piano playing in the background as I work around the house.

She is very good with children and I notice the way she sets her plans aside so she can read a book, jump on the trampoline or play with them.

Elaina, my 14 year old

Her smile and quick wit.

She has the most gentle spirit & tender heart.

She is such a worker- and if I want it done “right” she can handle it without a problem.

She has a submissive attitude and will do whatever I ask without complaint.

Abigail, my 11 year old…

Her compassionate heart & warm spirit

Her love language is definitely touch & needs lots of hugs and encouragement

She is one who will be sure to make an elderly person in the church feel loved & special

She loves animals and babies. I’m sure she will make a good mommy one day!

Samuel, my 8 year old…

His tender heart, he tells me twenty times a day, “Mommy, I love you.” He always has and I hope he always will

The way he loves his little beagle, Copper.

The way he is so sweet to his little brother & takes care of him.

His sense of humor- he is always trying to come up with something funny to do.

He loves to “organize” things either to make his mommy happy or “just because”

Joshua, my 7 year old

His sunshine personality and dimpled smile. Nothing melts mine and his sister’s hearts more than that little smile

His tenderness, he loves any kind of animal. He loves to bring his little treasures to me. There have been many times he has come in from outside with a handful of something, be it lizards, frogs, grasshoppers, you name it. It’s always interesting, I promise you!

He doesn’t mind being the baby of the family. Only sometimes, he will get on his sisters for calling him, “Baby” other times, he quite enjoys it.

I could go on forever but I won’t. Overall, I love my family, I love being with them, I am overwhelmed at times that God has given me such wonders. There is no one on this rich green earth that I would rather be with. I cannot understand the woman that wants to be anywhere but home. My home is my haven. It is the place where I find peace, joy, love, laughter, acceptance, encouragement and comfort. And for this I am most grateful.

The Substance of Chicks Hoped For...

If anyone knows me well, they know that I have recently acquired some chickens. Not only have I recently acquired them but I simply love my little chickens! Before you draw any conclusions that I am just an old country girl, I must tell you that I am a city girl that is slowly warming up to this country thing.

Yes...working in the garden until my hands and fingernails are covered in rich brown dirt, growing our own food, cooking a meal of fresh vegetables and knowing that you are giving your family the very best, canning with my girls, baking fresh loaves of bread for my family, gathering fresh eggs everyday, sitting on the swing with my husband after a hard day of yard work, sipping a glass of lemonade...I mean REALLY! Who could resist such a wonderfully rewarding lifestyle?

And so, I am enjoying this life...
COUNTRY I am happily becoming!

I am really learning allot. One endeavor I have undertaken is trying to hatch 3 little eggs. We have 11 chickens- all hens. I am happy as can be to have my chickens but we sure would like to have a rooster. So, a friend is letting me borrow a small dome incubator and has given me 3 fertilized eggs. Of coarse, we don't know what each of these little treasures will become. I mean, there's nothing like a little ultrasound machine out there to scan to find out if "it's a boy" (just in case you city folk were wondering).

This is a terrific project for me to do with my children BUT I am a bit selfish. With it being the first time I have ever attempted hatching my very own little chicks, I have kept the incubator in my bedroom, daring anyone to lay a finger on them. :)

I have come to the conclusion that hatching these eggs is a wonderful illustration of faith. Seriously! Each time I go to turn these warm little things, I pray,

"Lord, please One Rooster, Two Hens, help these live...

Lord, PLEASE one ROOSTER, two HENS, PLEASE HELP THESE LIVE..."Several times a day, I have to turn them. Praying the same prayer every time. You know, I don't know if I'm spending my time flipping "duds".

"Lord please one rooster, two hens, help these to live..."

Perhaps, something went wrong: the temperature wasn't just right, the proper humidity level was not maintained, they weren't turned enough, they were turned too much, the list goes on and on. Yet still...

"Lord, please one rooster, two hens, help these live..."

Really, if these things live it will be a miracle.

By the way, ALL life is a miracle of God. Think about it. God has designed the egg to hatch under it's mother who instinctly knows how to turn her eggs, keep them warm, protect them, hatch them. I am merely trying to do something that God has precisely designed a chicken to do.

And so I will continue to pray,


"Lord, please one rooster, two hens, help these live..."

Six days and counting!


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