My hubby works at a church where there are lots of elderly people.   Somehow we both have come to develop a love for these special folks.  Many of them have been so kind to my family.  There's one lady that has been sending sour dough bread home to us for years, along with her special jams, preserves and honey.  Another sends whatever clothes she thinks the children might be able to wear.  There's also the gentleman who is a very talented carpenter.  I often joke with my husband that he needs to spend more time with this man so he can learn from him.  Seriously, show this man a picture and he can make it. 

Their talents are so varied, wonderful cooks, seamstresses, carpenters, plumbers, carpet layers, electricians, sound engineers, etc.  It is my hope that my children can apprentence with some of them one day.  Come to think of it, I would love to apprentence with them now if I had the time!    I still don't understand why more of the young people at the church don't hang out with these seasoned, talented people.  The people my age are usually working at jobs and the children just aren't interested.  What a shame and what a loss

You should see the way their faces light up whenever someone shows an interest in them.  I think they need to be needed, and they want so much to pass on what they have learned.  One Sunday I asked one lady how to make giblet gravy and for the next half hour, she and her friend instructed me on how to make the perfect gravy.  She told me she thought of me on Thanksgiving Day and wished I had come over so she could make gravy with me.  How sweet   One day my husband had to move a lot of chairs for them and the elderly carpenter saw him.  He later made some type of contraption that made moving the furniture easier and faster.  They seem to look for ways to be helpful and to put their skills to use.  The elderly men are the ones who came to the church and worked to clear out the flood waters.  Some of the older women sew sleeping bags and other items for the children's home her. 

So this year, I wanted to do something for them.  Just a little something that says that I am thinking of you and appreciate you.  Since I interact more with the ladies, I decided to give them crochet and knitted dish cloths for Christmas.  (this is part of why I haven't been online much lately)  While my family and friends don't appreciate homemade items, I think that these sweet ladies will.  Anyway I hope they will. 

Our pastor and friend is at home but is not doing well at all.  The deacons had asked that people not go and see him because he doesn't feel like receiving visitors.  And now we hear that they don't expect him to last much longer.   Hubby is hoping to see him on Friday, but the children and I will stay at home.  He has often told my hubby that he really enjoys our children and loves our family.  And the children are crazy about Pastor Ralph, so they are disappointed about not seeing him but they understand why.  It makes me happy to hear them praying for him each night and to see the letters my daughter has written to him and to God about this situation. 

The odd thing about this is that a little over a year ago, Pastor Ralph told his staff to be prepared for the enemy to attack them.  He had just come in as the pastor and was going to follow the leading of God (and not the deacons) in whatever God wanted to do in and for the church.  Not long afterwards, he became sick.  Coincidence, ya think??  Every staff member has had crazy trials since then, but none to the extent of the pastor.  Yet still he praises God and his faith remains strong.  If you feel so led, please pray for our friend.

In other news, right before Thanksgiving, oldest son decided to run away from home rather than face punishment for disobedience.  This silly child ran to hubby's work, spotted his father leaving and then tried to run back home before hubby got here.  That didn't work, so he went to our neighbor across the street who called the police thinking someone was trying to break in.  When he saw the police, he ran again.  The police were constantly on the phone with us giving updates on his whereabouts and told us to keep looking out the windows because he was spotted around our house.  The officer decided to drive by one more time and found him asleep in the front yard.  He handcuffed him and brought him inside and gave him a nice long talk.  Silly boy didn't think this through at all.  It was really cold and all he had on was a sweater and light jacket.  He took his backpack with three oranges and his Bible.  This is my child that I am still in labor with.  Please pray that I will deliver this child soon

Daughter is doing fine.  I am hoping to get her interested in more girlie things, but haven't found anything yet that she enjoys.  I'm starting to think that I should just insist that she do some of them anyway.  I never thought one would have to force a child to play, craft of have a hobby.  Would I be a mean momma if I gave her a crafty kit and made her work on it.  Or made them play games together?  Builder Boy doesn't have enough hours in a day for all the things he's interested in.  But my other two haven't found their interests yet.  I wonder if daughter spent time with some of these things, would she grow to enjoy them.  What does one do with children that seemingly have no interest other than foolishness?? 

In brighter news, there must be something about turning 10 years old.  We have seen such a dramatic change in our little Builder Boy over the past few months.  He has noticed that we are trusting him with more responsibilities and is happy about it.  He used to be our quietest child, but now talks a LOT.  I am thrilled that he enjoys spending time with me and sharing his heart with me.  He has always be open to me, but struggled getting his words out.  Not any more!   And for those of you with late bloomers, take heart.  What the experienced homeschoolers said was right . . . some children are just late bloomers.  I had just about given up on phonics, but a few months ago, he asked for his phonics workbook and we've been working steadily through it AND he's getting it! 

I have been spending more time with all the children, trying to minister to the individual needs of each one.   I am seeing glimmers of hope that are encouraging.  So I'm limiting myself online until I can get a handle on things here. 

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Posted by 2peter318