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About Me

My husband James and I have been married for 23 years, and we live in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. We have 4 daughters, Ashley- 23, Briana-20, Marissa-12, and Daniella-8. This is our 16th year of homeschooling. I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, camping, games with my family, and Bible study. My most favorite place on earth is sitting on a white sandy beach with the "sand between my toes", listening to the waves splash on shore. Our family is also passionate about adoption, Guatemala, and missions.


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Entry 12 of 222
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You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;
Jun. 9, 2009
Changes

Posted in Life Happenings

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? 


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Comments

Jun. 9, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Louscrew


No wonder God has laid you on my heart so often! Yes, I'm still with you. LOL! Hopefully things will calm down a tad before long. I'm excited about the changes happening in your family. I'm sure it can be a little daunting at times, too.
Thanks for asking about Grace. She has a double ear infection. Her lungs are so full they gave her a breathing treatment in the office and we're doing them every few hours here at home. She's on the mend, though!
Tell James I'm proud of him taking such good care of the girls and taking up your slack. LOL! Just kidding...You're too busy to be slack.
Much love!
Lisa
P.S. And why haven't you emailed me???? *grin*


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Jun. 9, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by denisebp


My goodness! I knew there was a lot going on, but I didn't know how much! I know that there are huge changes happening, and I know that if I were in your shoes, my mind would be going a mile a minute, 24/7! What exciting changes, though! I'm so happy that Ashley will get to meet Mokoi; I can't wait to see those pictures!

I'm also happy that you got a quiet meal with Briana and Troy. He sounds so nice!

So, I guess you're packing your bags again. :) Praying for you, girlfriend!

Denise


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Jun. 10, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Canadagirl


I am still here [0=

It was wonderful to catch up with your family's happenings. Wow ! how exciting but I can for sure say tiring. I pray for much needed sleep for you and to enjoy all the new happenings.

I missing you and wanted to let you know.
Blessing and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary


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Jun. 10, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Juliestew


ours works great. the floats came with the slide. and it spurts out water constantly so that helps. also, if you try one again a little dish soap does wonders!!!!!!!!
julie


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Jun. 10, 2009 - busy, like whoa!

Posted by Anonymous


Boy, no wonder you are not sleeping...your big girls are certainly keeping you busy. What great opportunities that lay before them for this summer.

Praying for you and asking God to send you deep sweet sleep.

Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted


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Jun. 10, 2009 - Of course I'm here!

Posted by tn3jcarter


Love hearing all the updates on your girls. It all sounds kind of overwhelming, but wonderful. So sweet that your hubby is able to do so much with the younger girls while you're working through things with the older ones. You have SUCH a precious family. I think Ashley's camp idea sounds wonderful. Praying for you! Keep trying to get some rest and take some extra B vitamins (if you aren't already). Your body needs extra B when dealing with stress (even if it's good stress). Ha!


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Jun. 11, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by AcceptanceWithJoy


Well, I want to thank you for this post. I had a friend in the Fetal Alcohol community write me recently and tell me, "This adult transition time is so so so hard..." Those of us with kids who have developmental disabilities can sometimes think it is only hard for us and that parents of "neurotypical" kids have it easy. It isn't easy for anyone, is it?

Will be praying for your girls as they make life changing decisions ~


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Jun. 15, 2009 - letitia...

Posted by mommyof3girlies


wow, sorry I haven't been on blogger for a while but i'm glad i stopped by to catch up, I know you shared with me a bit about your daughter..I will be praying for all you have shared. juliet


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Jul. 2, 2009 - I read it all!

Posted by SweetHomeTennessee


It's been so long since I've been over here, I have a lot to catch up on. Miss you.
Betsy


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