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Happy-est Mother's Day

Sun, 11 May 2008 20:52:54 GMT

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

To My Children

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening, when I run my fingers through your hair, as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

And when I kiss you goodnight, I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except another day......

Stephanie

This is the Day God Chose

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:04:22 GMT

to bring our first (reversal baby) son into the world.

What a day ~ I'll never forget hearing

"It's a boy!"

for the first time in 13 years!! A baby boy ~ 9lb and 9oz ~ 22 inches long ~

God protected him in the womb.

At birth the OB discovered an infection (sepsis) was traveling up the umbilical cord toward him. The amniotic fluid was cloudy from infection. Thank God he was perfectly healthy!

He and my Dad both celebrate the same birthday!

~ Birthday Buddies ~

and......what joy and fun he has brought into our life!!!

Thank you Lord

for

Bradley Joseph

Happy 9th birthday Bradley!

When he was only three, I would say...."Out of all the little boys in the whole wide world, how come God gave me the best one?" He would say with sweet sincerity, "Because He loves you Mommy!" Awwwwww How humbling is that?

He is still an affectionate son today. When he was little, I would tell him stories at naptime. I can still see the look on his face. He was like a little sponge that would soak up every word spoken and want to hear more.

One of his best character qualities is attentiveness! What a blessing!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

For my birthday Monday, our youngest son watched the others give me gifts (before I even got out of bed!!!) He then went and got a bag, filled it with these items, brought it to me and said, "Mommy, I worked so hard on this picture for you." Awwwww....aren't these the sweetest little boys? I just love them so much!

BTW, this is his favorite airplane!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mother's Day 2007

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Everything I Know I Learned in Home School

by Melody Gillum

I know that character is more important than academics. An educated fool is still a fool, and the Bible does not have anything good to say about fools.

I know that experience is a great teacher. No matter how many books you read about bicycles, you will never learn to ride one until you get on one and try, fall, and try, try again.

I know the best place for socialization is the home. If you can get along with your family, you can get along with anybody.

I know that relationships are more important than rules. A strong, resilient parent-child relationship is the glue that bonds a family.

I know that being real teaches more than being right. If I win the argument and lose the child's heart, what good is that? If I am right and go about everything in a wrong way, then I have not Love.

I know that people are more important than things. They are only children once, and then your opportunity is gone. For now, I choose the children.

I know that it is not about me. It is about God. It is about obedience. It is about my children, my grandchildren, and the generations to come. It is a life of training and teaching, of learning and growing. About doing the best I can with what I have and what I know.

Stephanie

Today is the day God chose

Mon, 05 May 2008 22:36:49 GMT

Today is the day God chose to bring me into the world....yes, it's my birthday!!! Happy birthday to me! It was a wonderful day today.

I got to spend it with Brittany

Twice in the past two weeks or so I have 'lost it' thinking about her going to Nicaragua for so long! I missed them so much when she and Natalie went for two weeks!

God's grace IS (and WILL BE) sufficient.

Yesterday was one of those days! For some reason, I decided to update her journal I have been adding to and working on for years, (filling in...you know those type) and was adding pictures. I could hardly look at her without wanting to cry, and finally I met Barry in our closet and I had a crying spell. He is such a comforter and helper.

She is my best friend (next to Barry) and has helped me get through the toughest times in my life. No one else but God knows about some of them....not even Barry. He's a man (well, of course you know that! ), and they don't always understand everything like a woman does. Sometimes they are at work when "things" happen and we break.

But, God has blessed me with the most wonderful " _ " year old daughter in the world!!! This I know to be true! She is beautiful inside and outside. Very mature for her age and can run a household. She has actually been capable of that since she was about 12 or 13 years old. Brittany is our dinner cook sooooo.....I have brainstormed and decided to make out a rotating dinner menu for three weeks and a coordinating grocery list and go from there. Brittany has always been able to put together what we have, add the most perfect blend of spices and make a delicious meal, most of the time without recipes!

Please pray that God really does make this transition into another season easy on us both. She is so close to her brothers and sisters and will miss them terribly. She needs God's grace as well. Thanks for your prayers!

Mother's Day is coming!!! I have so much I want to pass along, so let's start with Proverbs 31:10-31

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

from The Message Bible

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.

Her husband trusts her wtihout reserve, and never has reason to regret it.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.

She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.

She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things but you've outclassed them all!"

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!

Enjoy your week, and enjoy your children!

Children are a heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward! Psalm 127:3

~Stephanie~

Miscellaneous Musings

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:59:56 GMT

My favorite poem ~

Out in the Fields

The little cares which fretted me,
I lost them yesterday
Among the fields, above the sea,
Among the winds at play;
Among the lowing of the herds,
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds,
The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what may come,
I cast them all away
Among the clover scented grass,
Among the new mown hay;
Among the hushing of the corn,
Where drowsing poppies nod,
Ill thoughts can die, and good be born,
Out in the fields of God.

(Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806-1861)

Matthew 6:28-30 “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you?

Casting my care......

Psalm 41:11 (New Living Translation)

I know you are pleased with me,
for you have not let my enemies triumph over me.

Well, our van is totalled. Thank God the girls are doing well and thank God for a good chiropractor! Now we have to look for a new vehicle to seat us all and tow our RV. We really don't have time to shop for a vehicle right now, but we are going to have to make time. We need wisdom ~ thank God He gives liberally when we ask!

Emily Dawn

Emily will graduate this weekend! The ceremony is Saturday morning which has kept us busy. We are having potentially 75 people over that evening. Brittany has been working soooo hard cleaning our carpets. What patience she must have! It takes a very long time for the steamer to do its thing. It is a VERY slow process, but maybe she is enjoying the monotony of it!! Sometimes that can be good ~ I think I'd like a little monotony about now. Yea...The carpets look NEW!

There are so many details that go into a Graduation Party. Especially just after a wreck like the girls just had and preparing our oldest for a five month mission trip. To top it off, I'm not really into hosting big parties. Sorry, but it's true. I'm doing this for our daughter. That's the bottom line! I like small intimate gathering where I can visit each person, or sit around quietly and worship the Lord! Is that selfish or what???? Pray for me

You might want to pass this site along to friends and family. There is alot going on in the world concerning parents rights (or lack thereof!)................

www.parentalrights.org

This is a picture I took before the A.L.E.R.T. Cadet meeting which is a father/son group. ALERT stands for Air Land Emergency Resource Team. At this particular meeting, Barry taught the young men how to do interior house painting. Then on Saturday the group painted for a large family that has undertaken a large addition to their house. Their ninth baby is due within a couple of weeks. They had a small house for 8 boys and 1 girl ~ but added a large bedroom for all 8 boys! Each time the Cadets (ages 8-17) meet, they learn a new skill. The Dad's lead the devotional and there are projects they work on together between meetings....it's pretty neat.....OMGoodness...I promise Barry doesn't wear this shirt all the time! Just when I take a picture of him I guess! LOL

I'm still learning not to tip the camera toooooo much (like this one!)

A politician looks forward only to the next election,

A statesman looks forward to the next generation.

Stephanie

Monday, April 28, 2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:08:29 GMT

Read to Your Bunny is my favorite for new readers and their parents .....

The Reading Motherby Strickland Gillilan

I had a Mother who read to me

Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,

Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,

"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.

I had a Mother who read me lays

Of ancient and gallant and golden days;

Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,

Which every boy has a right to know.

I had a Mother who read me tales

Of Gelert and hound of the hills of Wales,

True to his trust till his tragic death,

Faithfulness blent with his final breath.

I had a Mother who read me the things

That wholesome life to the boy heart brings -

Stories that stir with an upward touch,

Oh, that each mother of boys were such!

You may have tangible wealth untold;

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be -

I had a Mother who read to me.

Stephanie

Happy Birthday Natalie!!!!!!

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:01:52 GMT

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Natalie, Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

~ Natalie Brooke ~

It seems like only yesterday, Natalie was born ~ early, small (for me ~ she was our smallest at 7lb 8oz), struggling to breathe because her lungs were not yet fully developed. God has used her healthy lungs to praise Him through many songs, some of which she has written.

Happy birthday Natalie 'child of joy' ~ * ~ * you are a joy to us................

Happy in Nicaragua, happy holding her baby sister! She's always smiling ~ I love you Natalie!~

Stephanie

Hurry Home, Candy & My Favorite Flowers

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:45:10 GMT

I recently read an article and the author mentioned a wonderful book he was read to as a young boy. It was instrumental in his love of books and reading. I can see why! Hurry Home, Candy by Meindert De Jong is such a great read! We're on the edge of our seats (full attention from the younger ones ), wondering how it's going to turn out for little Candy. This picturesque book makes us feel as if we know where he is, what is going on around him as well as how he is feeling. He is a humble little creature!

I won't tell you more ~ you need to check it out ~ but if you are a dog lover, you'll love it, if you aren't, you will be by the middle of the book! This sweet little innocent puppy will steal your heart.

I'm having Bradley copy some of the beautifully written paragraphs and sentences in cursive for handwriting. This is one of them....

The warm, furry mother, the puppy brothers and sisters, the nest in the basket, had long since slipped out of the puppy's milky memory. This was his new home, the children were his new happiness, but his comfort was the small warm space between the stove and wall.

Excerpt from Hurry Home, Candy

Yesterday, after I finished working in the yard, I decided to take pictures of my flowers and tomato plant. Yes, my ONE tomato plant. I'm getting better....it's still alive and even has nine tomatoes growing healthy right now!!! As I was looking through our pictures, I came to one that my eyes fell upon.

Hannah

A flower; a little girl flower ~ growing healthy and stretching to show God's goodness and grace. I felt it should go with the flowers, because this little jewel is a flower to me! Her name is Hannah.

Brittany has been caring for she and her two brothers, one older and one younger, for quite some time. When Britt goes to live with a missionary family in Nicaragua next month for five months, I think she may miss Hannah more than the rest of us!! Hannah was born with cerebral palsy and she has a special place in her heart and ours. Brittany speaks words of affirmation and success over her everytime she cares for Hannah. She tells her, "You can do it!" when it looks impossible. She picks Hannah up and lets her do things to strengthen her muscles that she doesn't get to do at other times. Her favorite thing is to jump! Yes, jump ~ in Brittany's arms, while she is holding her up ~ she is a very smart and determined young lady. Britt helps her feel and look beautiful. I get tears as I write and wonder ~ really ~ where does she get this gift?

Blow drying Hannah's hair.....

Tomatoes, little purple weed flowers that grow anywhere (does anyone know their name? ~ I love them peeping up all around), our new garden puppy, red geraniums (my favorite!) and caladium (elephant ears), lantana are the yellow ones that now look like a bush, verbena, petunias, our cute little garden bunny, hibiscus (Natalie's favorite), tomatoes, Reagan rose and begonias (given to me this week by our neighbor after she pruned her flowers).

I'll have to label these later.....got an important t-ball game to get to!!

Stephanie <><

Let Him Be God of Your Heart ~

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:17:07 GMT

"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance."
(Psalm 32:7)

Psalm 34

In this day and time, trouble seems to surround us on every side. If it's not a failing economy, it's a failing business, a failing marriage, or failing health. Yet, in the midst of seemingly overwhelming problems, God has promised to deliver us.

If you want God to be God of your trouble, then you must let Him be God in your heart. God honors those who honor Him. If you're facing problems, honor Him by going to His Word and doing what He says to do.

Psalm 34 is a good place to start. It says, for example, to seek God (verse 4). As you seek Him, He will deliver you from the things that threaten you.

Secondly, it instructs you to cry out to the Lord. He will save you out of ALL your troubles (verse 6).

Next it tells you to fear the Lord. Verses 11-14 tell you exactly how to do that: Keep from speaking evil and deceit; depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Remember, if you want God to be God of your trouble, let Him be God of your heart.

(from an email devotional from Kenneth Copeland Ministries~ very timely ~)

Protection

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:07:43 GMT

Yesterday afternoon........

At about 6:30 in the evening, I dropped my hubby and oldest son off at baseball practice. My younger son and I were headed to Wal Mart to make a few returns and pick up a few items. As I got onto the highway, I was prompted to pray for our three oldest daughters.

Mind you, when they back out of the driveway, I always pray. I pray that God goes with them and protects them from evil, harm or temptation and that His angels go with them wherever they are ~ to protect them. If you have children of driving age, you know what I mean! Mine are safe and 'defensive' drivers, but there are alot of crazy people on the road.

I began to pray at about 6:40pm. I am sitting here in awe of the goodness of God! I pulled up at Wal Mart and the phone rang. It was our oldest daughter. "Mom, I need you to pray." She was extremely calm and sounded so normal. They were in Houston; had gone to Harwin to shop for Natalie's birthday, then to Rice Village to eat at the Black Walnut Cafe. "A man ran a red light and hit us. We are all OK, but I need you to pray." The police report said the wreck happened at 6:53pm. I am still amazed at the Holy Spirit prompting me to pray!

Then Brittany called back. "Mom, I am going in the ambulance with Natalie and Emily." I was confused. Why were they needing to go if everyone was alright? "We are all going to Methodist Hospital." OMGoodness.......I had my four year old energetic son and was now on my way into Houston on a Friday evening. My mind raced..... BUT ~ I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!

My husband was stuck at the ball field. I assured him that everything was alright according to our oldest. When I arrived, Natalie was on the gurney with a neck brace, white tape keeping her head and neck in place, extremely confused. She could not remember where they had been, what day it was, and many other details she should have known. She looked fine, but dazed.

My eyes shifted questionly over at the EMT as the ER doctor assessed her. "She has been asking the same questions and repeating herself," he said. I went kinda numb. She looked at me and tried to smile. For the next 6 hours she cried many times as people would ask her questions and she was unable to answer. She repeated a few things many times. Thank God her CT scan showed no brain swelling or bleeding! Thank you LORD!

My other daughter Emily was down the hall in Room 19 ER. She was worse. In extreme pain, her forehead looked like 'caveman' size, and her right eye was swollen. They were giving her high doses of pain meds and anti-nausea med. She was sick at her stomach.

Thank God my oldest daughter who was driving was perfectly fine, although extremely sore today. The ER doctor said they should have been in much worse condition after hearing from the EMT and police about the wreck.

Natalie was so confused after we got home that it was causing her great distress. She was in tears from about 6:30 pm to 12:30 am. I called a 24 hour prayer line and asked them to pray in agreement with us that her mind would be at peace and she would be able to rest. She desperately needed the rest!

Thirty minutes later I heard she and Brittany laughing uncontrollably!!! "Devil you gave it your best shot and it wasn't good enough. All I got was this little scratch on my arm! I'm still here!" This went on for about an hour. God supernaturally gave them their joy back and although Natalie still could not remember much at all, she was praising God by faith ~ it was Happy Hour from 12:30 am - 1:30 am! Then they went to sleep and slept most of the night (and rested all day today).

My dear friend Jamie brought beef stew, homemade rolls, fruit salad and homemade chocolate cake this evening ~ what a blessing! She either brings a cooler full of fresh home-cooked food or her beautiful picnic basket! She has a gift.

Praise the Lord and all glory to Him!!!

Natalie still cannot remember anything about the wreck or afterward until 3am. She felt like she woke up at that time. I told her she will only remember what she needs to.

Emily finally stopped getting sick at her stomach around midnight and went to sleep. She was to be woken every two hours. Barry took care of the three younger ones upstairs. What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn into good!

Stephanie

An Intense Affection

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:30:14 GMT

"An Intense Affection" by Charles Spurgeon

....A land which the Lord thy God careth for; the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. (Deut. 11:12 )

The first word that glitters before us like a jewel in a crown in that word eyes - "the eyes of the Lord." What is meant here? The meaning of the text is first, that God's love is always upon His people. Oh, Christians, think of this....God loves us, always loves us, and never thinks of us without loving thoughts. He never regards us, nor speaks of us, nor acts toward us, except in love.

The text teaches us that the Lord takes a personal interest in us. It does not say that God loves us and therefore sends an angel to protect and watch over us, but the Lord does it Himself. The eyes that observe us are God's own eyes. Some mothers give their children to others to feed and care for, but God never does. All His babes are fed by Him and are carried in His own arms.

I know what unbelief has said to you. It has whispered, "He brings forth the stars, "He calls them by name." (Psalm 147:4). How then can He notice an insignificant being like you?"

Not only has He not forgotten you, but He has never once taken His eyes off you!

You have sinned in the past, but your sin has never made Him love you less. He never looked at you as you are in yourself, naked and standing alone, but He saw you and loved you in Christ, even when you were "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). He has seen you In Christ ever since and has never ceased to love you!

Stephanie