Posted in Living Godly Lives
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Wow. Where do I even start? Last time I posted I was at my parents house on my birthday...June 15. It is now June 28, and I have been back over here twice. What a month....what a year. I did have a very good birthday cookout. It only rained about 5 min., and we had fun. It also gave us a chance to spend the afternoon with Troy and him with the whole family. Four and a half days after we got home from that visit, we went back to my parents'/ Briana's, which is a 2 hour drive. James took pictures of Hairspray dress rehearsals (fun pictures coming soon!!) on Tues., and Wed. night. Opening night was Thurs. night. It was spectacular....and not just because my daughter was in it. : ) On Wed., while Briana was in all day rehearsals, James and I went out and did some preleminary scouting for her an apt. Mostly ruling some out based on location. That is a little freaky.....finding my baby an apt. : )We were here that trip 3 nights. My sister and 2 nieces from the other side of TN were also here visiting my parents, so we had a FULL house. A 3 bedroom house with 11 people, 5 dogs, 2 cats, and an African Grey parrot. Wow. It was fun visiting, though. We went back home Friday night. Got home about 10:00! Marissa stayed at my parents' to play with her cousins and stay to visit with her grandparents after they leave. Well, the next night at 9:45, I hurriedly threw some things in the car, and unexpectedly set out once again to my parents' house, alone this time. Marissa was running a high fever, had a sore throat, and was throwing up. She needed her mama. That was last night. It was about 11:00 their time (midnight mine.....I changed time zones coming here) when I got here, and she was back up and had just thrown up again. It was pretty long night, especially up until about 3:00 this morning. She finally stopped throwing up then, but sleep was still fretful, since I was sleeping curled up in a living room chair. Thankfully, I was able to take a nap today. Marissa is doing better today, although still running a low grade temp. I hope to be able to go home tomorrow afternoon (which will actually be today, I guess by the time I get this posted). I guess she will still be staying here, which means James will still be making a trip to come back over here to pick her back up. I am currently still up because I am chapheroning Briana and Troy while they watch a movie. : ) Everyone else is in bed. I am hoping to make it home tomorrow because tomorrow....the 29th....James and I celebrate our 24th weddding anniversary. I love him!!! Our marriage gets so much better the further we go, and I am more in love with him than ever! When I get back, guess what! I will have 11 whole days to be at home before I come back. Long story, but it's just a season. I will be coming back alone again, and be here 9 days. I think this season will slow down after Briana is in an apt. Okay. I realized I didn't throw in the joys! Spending time with Briana, spending time with Troy, spending time with my nieces, a *wonderful* opening night for Briana (we laughed and had a ball), sitting beside the quiet lake in prayer and thought, seeing Briana so happy and doing what she loves, cleansing tears, good conversations and strengthening friendship with Ashley, enjoying seeing Ashley prepare for all the exciting things coming up in her life and seeing her be blessed by people donating for her Kenya trip, a sweet time with Daniella before I had to leave last night, dancing to oldies in the car coming over here last night, and, yes, even holding Marissa's hair back and wiping her face down when she was sick last night. The situation wasn't really a joy, but I felt so much love and pain for her. I'm sure there are many others. God has blessed me. I also realized I didn't mention the greatest of the trying days, but that will have to wait for another post. I sure am hoping this movie is over soon! : ) |
Posted in Life Happenings
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We are visiting our daughter Briana this week. We came over on Friday, and Friday night James and I had dinner with her and Troy. It was a really nice time. On Sat. afternoon, I went alone to see them in Shenandoah.....which is where they met. On Sunday,.....I went again (sheepish grin) with Ashley. Sunday was their final of 36 shows since it opened mid-March. She was getting pretty tired of it these last few weeks, but was still, in some ways, sad it was over. Of course, she is in full swing of Hairspray rehearsals. She's 10 to 10 tomorrow, with an hour and a half break for lunch, and one for supper. It's like that most of this week. Troy and Briana in their Shenandoah costumes.
Thankfully, she is off today. She's off most Mondays unless it's tech week (next week). Today is my birthday, so we're planning to go for a cookout this afternoon. Unfortunately, there is a 50% chance of scattered storms this afternoon. : ( I hope we don't get rained out! Ashley is still plugging away at her college history course, and she and I have been enjoying some fun times together. It's funny how you can miss one so much, and yet be thankful for the opportunites it's giving you with another one. Confusing emotions. : ) Speaking of which, this letting go thing is just not easy.......learning to share them with others (especially a man! : ) ), and that they are spreading their wings in new, higher, different places, and learning from God what your new place in that is......... I'm getting there....I think..... I had hoped to go home Tues., which became Wed., which I find out now, is Thurs. I enjoy visiting with Briana, but we're going to be seeing very little of her Tues.-Thurs. with her rehearsals. And, we will be coming back 5 days later for James to take pictures at Hairspray dress rehearsals 2 nights, then the 3rd night we will go to the opening. Ashley is getting very excited about her Kenya trip. If you are on Facebook, look up "Ashley's Going to Kenya!", and join her group to join us in prayer for the trip and team. The younger girls are doing good. They are looking forward to coming back over next week again because 2 of their cousins will be here that week. It's kind of a low key week for them this week. Not much of their stuff here, their grandparents are out of town this week, we haven't been able to get swimming passes to the pool yet (hopefully today), and I've been gone a lot of the time we've been here. They played Wii quite a while yesterday with their Daddy. They're watching Animal Planet right now. We watch very little t.v., but I do let them watch some of the shows on there sometimes. I tell you.....that little Daniella can remember every single detail about animals that she hears on that show. Even when she has trouble comprehending and remembering other things, she can tell you word for word details about animals on a show she saw months ago. Off to get pull everything together for our cookout. Troy is joining us, and I'm looking forward to some fun family time.....please don't storm! |
Posted in Life Happenings
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Wow! Where has the time gone? The last couple of weeks have been full of changes, possible changes, discussions of changes, wondering about changes...... you get the picture. Sending adult children off into the world is exciting, difficult, and full of all kinds of emotions. Let's see.....I will start with Ashley, our 22 year old. She is living at home still (YAY!!), and taking her courses in "Religion" online through Liberty Univ. She's really struggling, and not having any peace about college right now. She's praying for the Lord to fill her heart with HIS desires, and to show her whether it is good for her to continue, whether she should continue part time, or keep going like she is now. She's not struggling with her classes. So far, she's blown all of those away. It's a struggle of whether this, at this time, is the right course for her life. Her mental plate (and, therefore, mine!) is full right now. This week she is teaching music at our VBS, and loving it. I don't know if I've said this here before, but she has been blessed this summer to fulfill a 11 or 12 year dream to go to Kenya. The Lord really brought this whole trip together. She had been doing a lot of internet searching on what type of extended trip she wanted to do this summer, and nothing would ever come together or click. Then, just like God, at the exact right moment, came this opportunity, and we knew it was time. She will be going to Orbit, Kenya (20 or 30 min from Nairobi) for 3 weeks beginning July 28ish, with a missionary whom we have supported for about 11 years. If you all remember the story I posted recently about her sponsor child there, who had been raped, had a baby girl whom she named Ashley, and then the baby recently died at one year old.......she will get to finally meet Mokoi this summer! She is so very excited. I think 1/2 the village is excited, too. Because our family was the 2nd ones to ever sponsor a child in the village, the missionary, Cyndy, says that Ashley is literally a celebrity in the village. ; ) So, this week, Ashley has been busy sending out fundraising letters, in between studying a monster U.S. History course (tons and tons and tons of reading) and VBS. Also, in the midst of this, the Lord has led us to check out some camp internships all across the U.S. Ashley has a very strong desire to be a Christian Camp director, with the dream of one day owning her own camp, centered around horses. We have dreamed together of lots of things it could include and expand upon, including church retreats, praise dance camps, hayrides, etc. It has been fun to dream with her. Somehow she stumbled upon an internship program in CA. It is not the right one for her, but got us to thinking, praying, and researching. I have a feeling that if not this winter, then definitely by next, she will be in one of these internships somewhere in the country. The ones we have found are anywhere from 6 weeks to one or 2 years. Six weeks is not near long enough, but she's not sure she's ready to move across country for a year, either. So, we're just looking and praying for the one that is right for her. I think it will be a tremendous opportunity for her, and very good for her. Next....Briana. whew. : ) If you remember I said about 3 or 4 weeks ago, that she and a guy friend of hers were going out as friends and seeing if there was anything stronger there. Yep. They are now officially a couple. The Lord has given James and me great peace about their relationship, and we really like what we know about him so far. Because they live 2 hours away, we had not been able to meet him, even though my parents had. Yes, I've been dying to get back over there!!! But, he has shown himself to be a friend and wonderful gentleman. He's very artsy, which makes us smile. Most of his life has been spent in Seattle, and he has lived in NYC for a while. He is an actor, playwright, wonderful artist, singer, musician, comic...but, most of all a Christian, wants to serve God with his life, knows how to have serious and deep conversations, and did I mention, gentleman. : ) Yesterday he (Troy) and Briana came over for the day to go to Dollywood...I had been able to get them free passes. They had to come by the house to pick the tickets up. Bless his heart! I bet is was awfully overwhelming to be surrounded by the 6 of us!! We only got to see them about 5 min., which was more than a little frustrating for me! However, last night everyone was gone to VBS except me (the resident heathen. LOL) , and Troy and Briana, spur of the moment, came back over for supper before they headed back home. It was so neat. It was just the 3 of us, and they were here for almost 2 hours. I loved getting to spend that quiet time with them. So.....we shall see what the Lord has planned. We are going over to see Briana this Friday. Shenandoah is in it's last week (36 shows total!), and Ashley and I are going to see the closing. James and I are going out to dinner with Troy and Briana this weekend. Are you still with me??? A couple of weeks ago, we found out that Briana made Hairspay for the summer. YAY!!! It's going to be fun, although, she's so tired right now. If you've seen the show, she was cast as one of the 8 Counsel Members. They are the main dancers on the Corny Collins show on the movie. They dance up front and have extra parts, etc. Today she told me that she is one of 5 of them who get to help out in the store during "Welcome to the 60's" when Tracy and Edna(?...the mom) are being all dressed up in their pink sparkly dresses. I *cannot* wait to go see it. Opening is June 25th, and we'll be there!! Are you still with me???? Briana has also made the decision (with our blessing) that she is not coming back home after Hairspray ends Aug. 30, as originally planned. She is going to be looking for a roommate/apt., possibly auditioning for the fall musical, depending on what it is, driving 45 min. to college and going part or full time (depending on the musical) with a major in voice, and hopefully still taking one or 2 dance classes at the Playhouse. And, yes. This has all happened in the last 3 weeks. Would you like to pray for me??!! LOL. One last thing, is that I am so incredibly thankful for my husband. With all that has been going on, he has been such a blessing. He has done most of anything that has been done with the younger girls the last couple of weeks. My plate has been so full, and I am still struggling with not sleeping. My body has become weary, and if he had not been here to pick up the slack, I'm not sure how I would have handled it. Hello???? is anyone still there? |
Posted in Living Godly Lives
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Our daughter met with her friend for 2 1/2 hours yesterday morning. I think it was a pretty intense study. Although, so far, nothing has changed, she felt confident about the meeting. Although the friend argued their case, they really seemed to listen to her, wrote down the scripture references our daughter shared, and said they were going to study them. They seemed to genuinely be considering her words and the scriptures she shared. Please continue to pray. (If you haven't read the request, it's in the previous entry.) Probably the best thing, so far, to come out of this was my daughter's experience. She went with a little trepidation. She knew we were fasting and praying, and she knew she had some scripture prepared to share, but she said she knew she was going in feeling like she had to change their mind, even though in her head she knows it's God that has to do that. She had also struggled the day before of wondering if she knew why she believes what she does. There comes a point in the life of a young adult when they have to own their beliefs. They have been believing what their parents have taught them. Even though she had no doubts about what she believed and has read the scriptures many times, I guess being able to express those beliefs and why is something else that has to be grown into. As she told me about the morning, she came to a point where she just had the most peaceful tone of voice. She told me that as she was sharing scripture about salvation/baptism/works, that she knew it was not her that was speaking. She said that she was not a debater, she knew she didn't have all of those things to say, and that she is not generally that outspoken and bold. She could feel the Spirit and Him speaking through her. And, she said that as she spoke she was just filled with the sense that, "this is truth. I know that. And, no matter what happens, it really doesn't matter, because this is truth, and I have spoken truth." Of course, she knows that what happens with the friend matters. It was just that she was filled with the Spirit, and He comforted her, guided her, and assured her that she had obeyed and done what he asked. It was very much a maturing in her faith and a growing experience for her. There is still much for them to discuss. I don't know yet when they will meet again. Thank you for your prayers, and I will probably be asking again. Please now, pray for this friend's heart to be opened to the truth as they seek the Word. And, pray they will seek the Word and God, instead of going to someone else in their church. |
Posted in Living Godly Lives
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I know I have been absent much lately. That is because much has been on my mind and heavy on my heart. A couple of people have asked if I am sleeping better. No. I did sleep almost 6 hours last night. There have been only 4 nights out of the last 12 that I have slept more than 3 or 4 hours. On those 4 nights, it has not been longer than 6 hours. I know the reason is probably stress, although, I don't feel stressed when I wake up after only 2 or 3 hours of sleep. Another possibility is the Lord is waking me up to pray. I have prayed a tremendous amount during these long nights, and the Lord has shown me things concerning that which is stressing. I am asking you, as my friends in Christ, to please stand and pray with me. You see, I don't need prayer for sleep, or for anything for myself. We need prayer for a spiritual battle that the enemy is fighting. This is a battle involving one of my daughters. NO! it is not a battle for her, but a battle for a friend of hers. God has called our daughter to be a light and a witness. This friend is in a very legalistic church, and we KNOW, with no doubts, that God has put this friend in her life, and that satan wants to keep that friend in this legalism. In one respect, it is about our daughter, too, in that she needs to be covered in the full armor, so that she is not swayed in any way by this friend's words. I can't go into many details, but this an urgent prayer. The outcome has many important consequences. She will be meeting with her friend for a Bible study for the first time tomorrow morning at 10:00 am central time. She is not sure she feels prepared. As I prayed for her last night, and asked God to help her, I was struggling with feeling like this was too big for my little girl. Immediately, God gave me the picture of David and Goliath. He was a young boy (much younger than my daughter, I'm sure) facing a huge enemy. But, David knew that he did not need to fear, because God was with him, God was fighting this battle, and all David had to do was show up and obey. Next, Gideon came to my mind. God continually reduced his army until it looked impossible. Again, God fought the battle using willing, obedient, and trusting hearts. God wanted the glory for Himself, not the army. God has been preparing us for this.....James, our daughter, and me. We have watched him AMAZINGLY answer prayer after prayer and answer question after question in this so far. He has made it clear for over a week now, in several different ways, that He is in this, and that He has a plan. Then on Monday, THREE times throughout the day, God brought the same verse before my eyes from 3 very different and random places....."For God has not given you a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline". When a verse comes at you 3 times in that short of a period, God wants you to take notice. Also, this friend told her Monday, that they had been in a dry place spiritually, but that over the last week or so they had realized some things that were not right, and had made some big changes. They told her that she was the reason for this....that it was nothing in particular that she had done, but just who she was, and watching her walk with Christ. God is working. So, our daughter just found out about this Thurs. morning Bible study late last night. That does not give her much time to prepare to learn something about what this friend believes, and to be able to pray and search for answers. Only a few hours today. Therefore, we need the LORD to go before her, to continue to pave the way, to open this friend's heart to the truth, to give our daughter a spirit of power, love, and gentle boldness, to be able to continue to just be the person she is, who has already made an impact, and to be able to hear the spirit whisper to her what to say. We fully believe this friend is a Christian, but is in bondage to some legalistic beliefs. I know without the details, that it is hard to understand why we feel so strongly that this is a spiritual battle, and, perhaps it is just my mother's heart over reacting, but would you please pray? |
Posted in Life Happenings
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I'm finally getting time to post Marissa's birthday pictures. The day before her birthday, we went bowling as a family. That is what she chose as her "party". At the bowling alley~
Our beautiful girls~
Never take a ballerina bowling! LOL
She was hillarious, and Ashley and I had a fun laughing at Bri's unique bowling style that she just "discovered" that day. The next day was Marissa's 12th birthday, and my parents joined us for a family party on the back deck. Well, it was a frozen strawberry cake (homemade), so we started out with the cake inside.~
A girl and her books......deliriously happy!
More books~
New American Girl doll~ Kit. She also got the Kit movie, and some Kit clothes.
She had a happy, happy 2 days! Growing up into such a young lady. Would you all pray for me? I keep going to sleep fine, but waking up after 2 or 3 hours, and not able to go back to sleep the rest of the night. I've done this 3 out of the last 5 nights. The 2 nights in between, I've slept wonderfully out of sheer exhaustion. I've been okay the other two days, but this morning I'm completely miserable. There will definitely be a nap before I go out this afternoon! We spent a wonderful day in the mountains yesterday (Briana included), so I will be posting those pictures in a few days! |
Posted in Life Happenings
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One time I said on here that life was swirly. Well swirly has hit again! What a week this has been. Many good things, some nerve wracking things. (is wracking with or without a "w"? Wednesday was Marissa's 12th birthday! Happy Birthday, beautiful daughter! Unfortunately, I don't have time to do pictures today, but I will get them up for her next week. The day before, for her family "party" we went bowling, and had a fun time. Briana was here for 3 days, so she got to go with us, and it was hilarious and fun for us all. On Wed. afternoon (her bday), my parents came, and we had cake and gifts. Briana went back home with them Wed. night. The nerve wracking excitement comes in with Briana. She is ummmm.....getting to know a guy. : ) Since she lives away from home, we are having to do a spin on courtship. Actually, at this point, we don't know if it will progress to anything more than friends. She is not sure how she feels, but is interested. I teasingly call it "not-dating". ; ) They are in the same musical right now, and they talk a lot there. The past 2 weeks, they have been on 2 not-dates. LOL. After one of their shows, they have been out to an early, in the daylight, she takes her own car dinner just as friends. They have both said they just want to get to know each other better and see. James and I have done an awful LOT of praying over this. Despite some obvious obstacles (one of which is that he wants to move back to NYC), we feel like God is in on it, even if they never progress past friends. If this works out, it will be a God-thing. The prayers that were answered to a T, make it obvious that God was involved. Anyway, that's all I can say for now. We are on our way back to see her once again this afternoon. : ) Of course, I love seeing her. I'm excited to be going to see her in Shenandoah again tonight for the 3rd time. Tomorrow night, Briana, Ashley, my mom, and I are going back to the same theater to see Smoke on the Mountain, which is said to be a wonderful show. Her not-date friend is one of the main characters, plus we just want to see it. On Sunday, Briana will get to come back home with us for 5 days. I'd better finish packing! |
Posted in Life Happenings
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We had a really fun Mother's Day weekend around here. On Saturday morning, Marissa went to an American Girl birthday party. They all dressed up in either their best dresses, or period costumes if they had them. A dance instructor came and taught them a minuette, and they all brought home a little tea cup and saucer as their party favor. Marissa won a prize for best costume. : ) (For some reason, HSB is making all of my pictures look mosaic when I resized them today. ugh)
Daniella in front of an old pioneer fireplace~ Lots of purple butterflies~
The trail has quite a few 3D plaques of the different leaves found on the trees on this trail. The girls took their drawing pads and did rubbings of them.~
Crystal clear mountain water~
And to end a great day, Briana came home last night, and will be here until Wed. evening! I hope all of you had a terrific Mother's Day! |
Posted in On Stage
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Things are not slowing down around here any. Two days after Daniella's recital, we made another trip to my parents' house and spent 3 nights. The purpose of the trip was to see Briana in her recital, but we went a couple of days early to visit and so James could go take pictures at dress rehearsal. The theme of the show was "All We Need is Love", set in the 60's. Most of the drama was centered around a young man being drafted to the war. If you see an older couple in any pictures, they are the young couple today. It continually flashed back and forth between 60's and present day. Most of the dances except the ballet were done to 60's music. These pointe dresses were actually green. Bri is 2nd from the left.~
Ballet~
This picture makes me laugh~
Modern~ Jazz. She's middle of the front row~
Musical Theater~
She called this dress her rug. Singing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.~
"Let It Be"~
It was a great show. It was very refreshing. As you all know, this is the first year Briana has been in this theater and in their dance program. Did you notice the jazz costumes? Their bodies are fully covered. This is the first time Bri has been able to dance jazz since she was about 7 because the studio here had very skimpy (as in bikini outfits...literally) costumes, and did very provocative dances. We had none of that in this studio, so she was able to participate. It was so nice to sit through a recital and not have to sit through, or get up and walk out of dances. They did 4 performances in 3 days. I only got to go to one of them, because we had to get back home for a fund raising dinner with Ashley. The recital was on the same stage as all of the professional musicals, so Shenandoah was off for a week for the recital tech and dress rehearsals. It was back up and going yesterday, though. She is just over half way through with Shenandoah performances. Nineteen down, seventeen to go! We'll be going to see it again (for the 3rd time) in 10 days. Go, go, go is the theme for us this spring! : ) |
Posted in Life Happenings
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April was a busy month, and an exciting one for Miss Daniella. Most people dread April 15th : ) , but at our house we celebrate! April 15 was Daniella's 7th Adoption Day. We always let them pick out a treat for the day, and she chose a chocolate cake this year. She had an idea to decorate it, and did it herself, with a little help from Marissa.
One week later, we celebrated her 8th birthday.
Briana and my parents joined the party via Skype. Daniella even posed to have her picture made with Briana. : )
Silly String fun~
Afterwards, we went to the Track and rode a few rides.
Then this past Sunday on the 26th, Daniella had her first ballet recital, which is more praise dance than classical ballet.
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