Tis the Season...Slave or Free

It's interesting that one day seems to be celebrated for a "season"...

December is filled with shopping, parties, shopping, crafting, SHOPPING, cooking, Shopping, caroling, SHOPPING, eating, Shopping, plays and maybe even a little more SHOPPING (imagine that).

It's no wonder why so many people get depressed right after Christmas. There has to be a bit of a letdown with all of this leading up to one day (not to mention the credit card bills that start to roll in after all of the shopping).

The thought of being a "slave" to something seems to stick out in my mind of late...

The Bible tells us that we should not be a slave to anything (other than Christ). Yet, have you ever realized how much we allow other things to become our masters?

Any SIN that we allow in our lives becomes our master.

ANY SIN!

Pride, Envy, Hate, Lust, etc.

They are the things that we allow to dictate our behavior, our attitudes, our relationships...the reason that we do the things we do.

Ugh! Not a pretty thought, is it?

It may even be the praise of men...

could it be that sometimes we don't give gifts out of genuine love but instead that we may be thought of well by the one receiving the gift. We spend MORE on a gift because we don't want someone to think we're "cheap" or because we want someone to like us.

Generally, I give gifts out of sincerity. Nothing irks me more than the phrase,
"We'll, you know you have to give them something since they got you a gift."

Really?!?!

I think not- I want to be "real" and act out of heartfelt love and sincerity.

I thought we were giving gifts out of sincere love, to show appreciation and as a sign of affection...not DUTY.

Don't get me wrong, I am no Scrooge. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I LOVE to give gifts...I'd be bankrupt if I gave everyone what I would like to...I like to put a lot of thought into what I give. My kids laugh because they never ask for anything (I thank God for children that are not so self-centered and want, want, want) but they always seem to be thrilled with the gifts that they get. I think it's because I don't just get things to shove under the tree but spend a lot of time researching, paying attention to what they like, and then thoughtfully choosing a gift for them.

They don't get tons of gifts either. This year they may get 2 gifts each along with a stocking with some small things and goodies.

But I GUARANTEE they are going to LoVE what they get. (I can hardly wait to see them open them ). For goodness sakes, how awful it would be if they had piles of presents and didn't appreciate anything...unwrapping one thing, tossing it aside and going to the next thing.

I challenge you, dear reader to slow down, think about how you are choosing to celebrate this holiday.

Don't become a slave to the commercialism that seems to have invaded this beautiful season.

Instead find joy in the little things...reflect upon Christ and His ultimate gift.

This time of year is wonderful to stop and REALLY think about the sacrifice Christ made for us so that we can be free from the chains and slavery of sin.

The decorating, the parties, the gift-giving...it's all just fine. But try to think about the reason you do what you...make sure you are living in the freedom Christ has given you if you are HIs Child.

A Little Drive and Memory or Two

We took a bit of some time away and enjoyed family time in Williamsburg.

My little soldiers trying on military uniforms.

Elaina and Her Daddy stopping for a quick shot in one of the houses as we toured the Jamestown Settlement.

Ode to JOY!

I have been strongly encouraged to write an uplifting post. A post to bring smiles of delight....where exactly shall I begin? I could begin nowhere but in the next room! You see, I have a delightful family (my greatest treasure and blessing).  A typical day around here is filled with conversation, laughter and silliness. Our day begins when my husband and I get up, grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes with the morning news while we wipe the sleepiness from our eyes.  As the bottom of our cups appear, we grab our Bibles, spend time alone in prayer and Bible reading.  Around seven, our golden retriever, Dolly is gotten up.  It is her job to cheerfully wake everyone else up in the house.  She does her job well and rather enjoys it!  First, she runs to Brittany's room, placing her paws right on her bed.  If by chance her face is close enough to the edge, she gets several slobbery kisses before she has a chance to know what hit her. :) Once Dolly is sure she has done the job thoroughly, getting a moment of cuddles with Brit, she heads upstairs to find the rest of her beloved family.  Her happy, half-growls, half-barks bring cheer to our mornings!  Who can wake up in a grumpy mood with such a wake-up call? Once everyone has done their devotions, eaten breakfast and dressed for the day, the children and I crowd around the living room, ready for morning school devotions. For quite some time, we have been going through a set of character sketch books for our school devotions.  Everyone seems to enjoy this, for the most part.  The book goes through different character traits and how they are illustrated in nature, as well as how it is illustrated in the Bible.  This is always interesting! I did say that everyone enjoys it "for the most part" because sometimes there are animals that the girls don't really care to learn about...you know, the creepy, crawly reptiles and so forth.  But, the boys eat it up! :) And thus our school day begins!   If I am feeling well, I shuffle between those needing help and housework.  THIS is my favorite way to spend the day! I absolutely love being a wife and mother- it is the most rewarding thing I could ever do.  It is such a joy to have the opportunity to have my children around me, to homeschool, to spend time with them, watching them grow, learn and develop.

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.

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.

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.

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

Peace in the Valley

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside still waters."


Just imagine...place yourself in this picture.


The grass is cool, the sky, a clear azure blue. Hear the birds flutter their wings.
Now, take a look over at the water. The sky is reflected in the the still, calm water...

Is there turmoil? No, there is a strange calm and peace. This morning, as I read my Bible, savoring The Word, The Lord brought this verse to my mind. You see, my body was full of pain but it didn't matter. No, pain was not my focus. Instead, He made me to "lie down in green pastures" and "led me beside the still waters". There was calm in my spirit and peace in my soul. The world stood still as I spent time in prayer and reading The Word. Although there was much to disturb me, pain, sickness, frustration, worry, none of it mattered because I was there, resting in those green pastures.


Oh, if I could, I would love to simply stay there. THERE, with Him. But, life beckons me on- there are things to be done, appointments, errands, household duties. And yet, my soul can still be at peace, for I have the comfort of the Shepherd along with me, still guiding, still comforting, still loving...and I can rest in Him.



"My soul wait thou only upon God... " Psalm 62:5