Posted in Prayer Requests

The Lord is great and we are on our way!!  The Shingles for the roof have been supplied, tar paper for the roof has been supplied ( we need a little more of this), and money to rent a dumpster has been supplied. We only need about $100.00 and this will be ready to go!! I asked the Lord to have this done before the summers end and guess what?? He is answering my prayer. He is so faithful!!  Thank you Lord for showing this family how real you are. I will be taking before and after pictures for all to see.. Look for a posting on my blog soon!!

Blessings,

Kelli

Posted in Prayer Requests

I am seeking Gods face early this am. Several things, my son just bought a car from a wholesaler-it failed inspection and is now in my driveway and will not start, My husbands car died and had to be repaired with money we do not have and now I will be at the Gynecologist at 11am this morning to have precancer cells removed from my cervix. My biopsy from the surgery came back not well. I will find out more after this next biopsy, how bad it is. The Lord is in control and trying to teach us all new and wonderful things about Him. Keep us in prayer during this time. My doctor is not covered by the insurance that I have so we are paying cash for the hospital, as well as all of the procedures after that. Keep that in prayer as well. Money for everyone is tight these days. The Lord provides. Thank you and may the Lord shine His face upon you!!

Posted in Healthy Foods

This has been a questions on a few of the "groups" that I belong to. My son was diagnosed with ADHD w/ impulsivity, when he was 18 months old. Had I known back then, what I know now. I would have NEVER given him medication. This is just for me and may not be for every one. I struggled with it, everyday. Do I medicate him or become insane!!! I have researched this in its entirety and have implemented all that I researched. My Son is 13, off all meds and very healthy and happy. NO Mood swings,, temper tantrums or staying up all night because he can not sleep. The secret is in the diet. If you would like more info on this I will send it to you personally. Just e-mail me. I am in the process of getting a degree to become a nutritionist. I know that people like to see the "degree" so they know you know what you are talking about. 

Posted in Thoughts

In many ways, the needs of a husband are the counterpart to the needs of his wife. God made the woman with a view to male needs (Genesis 2:18), and thus He equipped her with just the proper resources for meeting those needs. So just what are the needs of a husband?

1. A husband needs someone who depends on him. God has given to the man the responsibility of leadership in the home. There is something about the dependence of a wife which calls to the manliness of her husband. His very malehood wants to provide, to nurture, to care for, and to protect; and he finds satisfaction and fulfillment in meeting the needs of his wife. Even as the husband can misuse his strength to dominate, so the woman can misuse her weakness and dependence to manipulate. Many are the women who have used their tears, their headaches, and their whining to play upon the malehood of their husbands in order to get their own way. Such "weakness" gets old fast. A wise wife allows her husband to be her provider, but does not control him from beneath.

2. A husband needs someone who accepts him as he is. Everyone has a basic need for acceptance, and inasmuch as marriage is the deepest level of human friendship, it has the most potential for meeting that need. It likewise has the greatest potential for rejection. Nagging criticism and discussing a husband's failures with others are probably the two most common ways a wife signals rejection of her husband. Acceptance, as noted earlier, does not necessarily mean complete approval. It does mean recognizing a person for who he is, as opposed to fighting that reality, and supporting him in becoming all that God intends him to be.

3. A husband needs someone who encourages and supports him. In describing His intentions in making a wife for Adam, God said, "I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18). The woman is a "help." This does not mean she is a tagalong, someone who comes in handy at times, but that she was designed to fill a necessary role as man's mainstay. Her mind, her will, her energies are hers to use, not in competition with him, but in union with him to complement his mind, his will, and his energies. Certainly, much of the wife's potential to encourage and support depends upon the husband's willingness to talk and work together. But a wise wife will recognize that every husband has weaknesses, and she will not allow her support and encouragement to mope continually at the foot of his failures. She will instead clearly ally herself with him so that both his strengths and his weaknesses are improved by her presence in his life. A very practical way in which a wife can encourage her husband is by her gratitude. Her smile, her expressions of thanks, her willingness to find joy even in difficult circumstances will fill one of the most basic needs in his life.

4. A husband needs his wife's womanhood in the home atmosphere. "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands" (Proverbs 14:1). "The aged women likewise . . that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home..." (Titus 2:3-5). While the husband is responsible for leadership in the home, he is inadequate by himself to build the home. He needs the womanhood of his wife to establish an atmosphere of order, beauty, cleanliness, and care. Contrary to modern thought, homemaking is not a dull, servile work for lower-intelligence women; it is a full-time, lifetime responsibility which demands creativity, intelligence, and management skills of the highest caliber. The womanhood of a wife is in many ways the heart of the home and, as such, is the fulfillment of her husband; and the career-minded wife leaves a void both in her home and in her husband which nothing can replace.

5. A husband needs someone who is faithful. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her" (Proverbs 31:10,11). Fidelity is imperative on both sides of the marriage relationship. Even as faithful love stirs the sweetest emotions in human relationships, so unfaithfulness stirs the bitterest emotions. There is probably nothing so devastating to a marriage as the realization that a third party has invaded the sacrosanct realm of intimacy. Wives need faithful husbands; husbands need faithful wives. A godly wife will guard her manners, her speech, and her appearance, reserving her womanly charm and beauty for her husband alone. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9,10).

Understanding one another's needs in marriage is the first step love takes toward meeting those needs. If we focus on our needs rather than on those of our partner, we may easily stumble in self-pity rather than move ahead in love. Much of the success in marriage depends upon the willingness to give ourselves to meeting the deepest needs of one another. This is the exercise of love, and love is the cement of marriage.

Posted in Daily Blog

Steve had to work yesterday, so we did not go to church today and we went down to our lake for a fishing contest. It was a great family day!! The kids look forward to it every year!! Stephanie won second place for her age group and Peter won third place for his age group. Rebekah and Rachel were fishing for a while but then decided to play in the sand at the beach. So no place for them. They all received prizes for participating. This is one of the blessings that we have here at our lake community.

Posted in Daily Blog

The Homeschooler's 23rd Psalm

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.
He maketh me to live on less sleep:
He leadeth me through the noise of many voices.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me to teach
The right lessons each day, for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of undone
Laundry and kitchen messes, I will fear no evil:
For thou art with me, my teacher's guides and
Answer keys, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
Of threatening school officials and critical family members:
Thou anointest my head with heavenly wisdom, my cup runneth over.

Surely educated and godly children shall follow after me
All the days of my life: and I will dwell again one day
In a clean house with the Lord forevermore.

Praise God, we do have a good Shepherd who leads us through every homeschooling problem and provides for our every need. Best of all, our Shepherd knows us and promises never to desert us when the wolf comes seeking to destroy (John 10:11-13). As we listen to the Shepherd's voice and follow Him, we are sure to receive a great reward as we reach the peaceful green pastures of Christ-like, educated children. "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 5:4)

Posted in Poems

The Patriarch

More noble than the valiant deeds of shining knights of yore,
More powerful than earthly plights that make the rich man poor,
More kingly than a royal throne or a lion with his pride,
Is he whose babes sleep well at night sure Daddy will provide.

There is a spirit in this land and Jezebel’s her name.
She’s calling you to leave your home for power, fun, and fame.
She wants your wife, your children too — she’ll never compromise,
Until your house is torn in two by listening to her lies.

But though a hundred thousand million men may fall prey to her lures,
And wives en masse leave home in search of “more fulfilling” chores,
Though preachers praise, and friends embrace, her pagan plan of death,
Stand strong and quit you like a man with every blessed breath.

Stand strong and rise, O man of God, to meet this noble call,
The battle is not new you see, it’s been here since the Fall.

Your wife is your helpmeet, my friend, and not another man’s,
So care for her and keep her far from Mistress Jezi’s plans.
Protect, provide, and give to her your undivided life,
This is the dear one of your youth, your precious bride, your wife.

And rally to those tiny ones who trust you for their care —
A lifetime spent discipling them’s a lifetime pure and rare.
For when they put their hand in yours and know a Daddy’s love,
You’re showing them a picture of the Father from above.

Look not toward worldly goal or gain, or for your liberty,
Look only into their sweet eyes to find your ministry.
Devote your heart and sacrifice and make your manly mark —
There is none so great as he who finds his call as patriarch.
—Douglas W. Phillips

Posted in Thoughts

2:9 JESUS ~ The Captain of Our Salvation

4:14 JESUS ~ The Great High Priest

6:20 JESUS ~ The Forerunner

In Hebrews... Jesus is

7:22 JESUS ~ The Surety of a Better Testament

10:19 JESUS ~ The Veil

12:2 JESUS ~ The Author and Finisher of Faith

12:24 JESUS ~ The Mediator of the New Covenant

13:12 JESUS ~ The Sanctifier of His People

 

Posted in Daily Blog

There is a widowed mother in my lake community with 2 children that have a need. The roof on their home completely needs to be replaced. Steve was there today to do repairs but it is just to far gone. We are looking for tar paper as well as shingles. The soffets as well as the gutters need to be replaced as well but the roof is most important. It leaks in 2 areas of the home. One in the girls bedroom and another inthe livingroom. We have been witnessing to this family and know that the Lord will provide for them as well as show them that he is Alive today. If you have any materials or $$ that you would like to donate to this project, let me know. An account has been set up for this purpose. The Lord has provided $30.00 so far. We will also need a "dumpster" to load the old roof into when the time comes. If you know where we can get this, that will also be appreciated. Many hands make light work, so when the "project" is underway, we will need helpers.

 

In HIS Service,

Stepehen & Kelli Yanez

 

You can e-mail us with what you will provide, we will let you know where it has to go. We do not have the equipment to pick anything up, so if you can deliver it to the home that is in repair, that would be a BLESSING!!! Please pass this on to anyone that  you think can help. We would like to have this done before the summer ends. GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU BLESS OTHERS!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Posted in Prayer Requests

For those of you that have been praying for me .. Thank you.. This has been a trying 9 months for me. God is so faithful. With personal issues as well as all my medical issues since September, wearing heart monitors, x-rays, cardiologist, endocrinologist, nephrologist, emergency room visits.. my head has not been on and I thank God for carrying me through all this. My son Anthony was away at boot camp, he is now in VIrgina. That was a bunch to handle as well. I have lost friends in the process. I have become closer to the Lord in the process. I have realized whom I can depend on , whom does not judge as well as who my real friends are. It has been a great trial and continues... The Lord will show me through that as well. An accaintance of mine, Christina commited suicide 3 weeks ago, she left behind a husband (Mike) and a 3 year old son.  I just thank God for those of you that take the time to pray for fellow brotheres and sisters in CHrist. I just pray that my actions will that of CHrists... When I sign my e-mails under HIS Grace it really means somthing to me.. Without HIS grace I would be destined to Hell, because I am a sinner as everyone else. The grace that the Lord bestows upon us should be seen more often in HIS church. May God bless you today and Thank you for your prayers.

Posted in Freebie Links

LINKS FOR HOME SCHOOLERS
History, science, art, grammar, and more...

HISTORY

General History Resources

Eyewitness History: http://www.ibiscom.com/index.html
First-person historical accounts

Food in history: http://www.gti.net/mocolib1/kid/food.html

History Source Book: Outline and timeline
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/asbook.html

Hyperhistory:
http://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/a.html

Primary source documents:
http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources

School History:  http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk
General history site from the UK

Teacher Oz's History Kingdom: http://members.aol.com/Tchrfromoz/frames.html
Links to everything history related

Through the Ages:
http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/history/eraindex.html
Links to all different historical eras.

Today in History: http://www.loc.gov/
From the Library of Congress website

World Cultures: http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/WORLD.HTM
Great for logic-stage history and higher
 

Ancient History

Ancient Adventures: Interactive site for teaching ancient history
http://members.tripod.com/jaydambrosio/

Ancient civilizations: Mr. Donn's Ancient History Page:
http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/index.html

Ancient civilizations: The Ancient World Web:
http://www.julen.net/ancient/

Ancient civilizations: The University of Chicago site
http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/ABZU/YOUTH_RESOURCES.HTML
Includes maps.

Ancient History Links: http://members.tripod.com/jaydambrosio/links.html

Ancient Middle East music:
http://hometown.aol.com/ricdum/mane.htm

Babylonian Writing:
http://home.korax.net/~websiter/cgi-bin/cuneiform.cgi
Create a cuneiform monogram online

Biblical timeline:
http://www.mustardseed.net/timeline/timeline-top.html

Catal Huyuk: http://www.smm.org/catal/

China, photographs:
http://www.chinavista.com/travel/greatwall/greatwall.html

Chinese history:
http://www.chinavista.com/travel/index.html
http://www.asiaforkids.com
http://www.mrdowling.com/index.html
http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Chinalife.html
http://members.aol.com/MrDonnHistory/K12east.html#CHINA

Egyptian civilization: Guardians Egypt
http://guardians.net/egypt/gardmain.htm

Egypt: Hieroglyphics:
http://www2.torstar.com/rom/egypt/sentocar.cgi
http://www.eyelid.co.uk/index.htm

Egypt: Making Mummies: http://members.aol.com/neferkiki/fruit.html
Simulated mummification -- making fruit mummies.

Egypt: Pyramids: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid

Greek and Roman civilization: http://www.mrdowling.com/index.html

Hittites: http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/index.html#AFRICA
 

Medieval & Renaissance History

Interactive Kids' Castle: http://kotn.ntu.ac.uk/castle/
Enter the castle and explore!

Middle Ages Bibliography:
http://users.massed.net/~mdurant/medievalbooks.htm

The Norman Conquest School Site: http://www.normanconquest.co.uk/

Odin's Castle of Dreams & Legends: http://www.odinscastle.org/
 

Modern History
 

GEOGRAPHY

Map outlines that can be colored:
http://geography.about.com/science/geography/cs/blankoutlinemaps/index.html
 http://geography.about.com/science/geography/cs/blankoutlinemaps
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/ssmaps/index.html
http://www.mapstoremn.com/free.htm
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/resources/ngo/education/xpeditions/main.html
Maps of the continents and of each American state:
http://www.abcteach.com/Maps/mapsTOC.htm

Ancient Atlas: Maps and Geography of the Ancient World
http://ancienthistory.about.com/homework/ancienthistory/library/bl/bl_maps_index.htm
Links separated by continents.

Outline Map of Late Medieval Europe:
http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/images/maps/decworld/EuropeLateMA.gif

Outline Physical Maps (1200-1700):
http://www.washburn.edu/cas/history/101pageSTf2000.html
College course page listing for a medieval history class. 8 blank outline maps.

Medieval Map Collection
http://crh.choate.edu/worldtech/1.Resources/Maps.htm
Short list of maps (not all are blank outlines)

Regional Maps of the Middle Ages:
http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/images/maps/decworld/polimaps.html
4 pages of various maps

Interactive Mediterranean Map Index:
http://iam.classics.unc.edu/map/map_idx.html
Scroll down to the bottom for the Mediterranean Basin maps in .pdf format

Historic Atlas Resource--Europe
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/maps.html

Maps of Canada:
http://welcome.to/map_of_canada

National Geographic maps:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/resources/ngo/education/xpeditions/main.html
Downloadable maps to color

States and Capitals: http://www.50states.com/
 

SCIENCE

Newton's Apple (science activities from PBS)
http://www.pbs.org/ktca/newtons/

Biology

Animal Classification:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/index.html

Animal Drawings:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/list.shtml
Website with 522 printouts of animals; each is a black line drawing,
often labeled with parts, suitable for coloring; each includes about 3 short
paragraphs of information about the animal and its habitat.

Microscope Slides to View:
http://www.greatscopes.com/activity.htm
http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/~kunkel/
http://micscape.simplenet.com/mag/wimsmall/smal1.html
http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Geol/opmin/mins.html
http://chroma.mbt.washington.edu/outreach/hands_on_science.html
http://people.clarityconnect.com/webpages/cramer/pictureit/cells.htm

Easy DNA Extraction!
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/activities/extraction/
 

Earth Science

Backyard Nature
http://www.backyardnature.net.

Creation Science: Media Angels
http://www.mediaangels.com/

Loess Hills Nature Study
http://www.earthfoot.org/loess/loess.html
 

Astronomy

NASA: http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com
Lesson plans and educational activities from NASA.

Earth & Sky radio show and activities:
http://earthsky.worldofscience.com/

http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html
Makes sense of the less well-known  gods/goddesses after whom the planets, moons, constellations were named.
 
 

Chemistry

Explore chemistry at Chem4Kids:
http://www.chem4kids.com/

Memorize the periodic table with a silly song:
http://chemlab.pc.maricopa.edu/periodic/lyrics.html

Doc Brown's Chemistry Clinic:
www.wpbschoolhouse.btinternet.co.uk
A growing non-commercial general help and revision site
for UK GCSE, AS and A2 CHEMISTRY
and USA/Canada grades 9-12.
Revision notes, multiple choice tests, structured questions, graphics and extensive links.
 

Physics
 

MATHEMATICS

Algebra lessons and more: http://www.purplemath.com

Math Fact Cafe: http://www.mathfactcafe.com/
Generate custom math fact sheets online

Math Word Problems Online: http://www.mathstories.com

Math Worksheets:
http://www.coastlink.com/users/sbryce/mathwork/index.htm

Printable Worksheets: http://www.brobstsystems.com/kids

Online math worksheets:
http://www.schoolhousetech.com/ 
 

GRAMMAR

Daily Grammar: http://www.Dailygrammar.com
Daily grammar review

Interactive Grammar Online:
http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/getskill.cgi?

Webster's Guide to Grammar and Writing:
http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm
 

SPELLING

Puzzlemaker: http://www.puzzlemaker.com

Spelling and other resources for dyslexic students:
http://www.avko.org/

Spelling Ticklers
http://www.coedu.usf.edu/~morris/speltic.html
 

LITERATURE

Aesop's Fables online:
http://www.pacificnet.net/~johnr/aesop/

Charles and Mary Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare online:
http://daphne.palomar.edu/shakespeare/lambtales/LAMBTALE.HTM
http://eldred.ne.mediaone.net

Children's Literature Database:
http://www.2.wcoil.com/~ellerbee/cgi-bin/db_search.cgi?setup_file+searchnew.setup.cgi
Lists of award-winning literature.

Greek Mythology:
http://homepage.mac.com/cparada/GML/

The Odyssey online:
http://classics.mit.edu/Homer/odyssey.html
http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/
http://www.robotwisdom.com/jaj/odyssey.html
Helps, summaries, definitions, paraphrases, and text
 

WRITING

An autobiography course online:
http://www.blackboard.com/bin/login.pl?course_id=HMSC200&new_loc=/courses/HMSC200
Designed for home schoolers aged 12 and up!

Book report help: http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/Books/index.html

Great writing exercises and teaching suggestions:
http://www.bravewriter.com
 

ART

Ace Pintura, Art Detective: http://www.eduweb.com/pintura
Learn about colour theory; examine paintings.

Art Education Adventures: http://www.sanford-artedventures.com/
An art lesson, timeline, and history website

Art, Era By Era: http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/art2/eras/

Art History Resources on the Web: http://witcombe.sbc.edu/ARTHLinks.html
A wonderful page of links -- art history resources for every era and country

Art Takes Time: http://hometown.aol.com/TWard64340/Index.htm
Elementary-level art projects for each period of history,
from cave art through modern times.

CGFA Virtual Art Museum
http://sunsite.dk/cgfa/fineart.htm

Chronological Art Lessons For Art History:
http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/art_history.htm

Drawing with Children:
http://donnayoung.org/art/art.htm
Extra drawing sheet for those using Drawing with Children

            Gateway to Art History:  http://www.harbrace.com/art/gardner

 KidsArt: http://www.kidsart.com
Ideas for art projects

 National Gallery of Art:
http://www.nga.gov/shop/
Art cards

    No Fear O' Eras:  http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/art2/eras

Pictures to print:
http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/categoryindex.html

Art Online: http://www.spectrumvoice.com/art/index.html
Scanned pictures online

   Virtual Tours:  http://www.artsreformation.com

Website search engine for visuals: http://www.ditto.com
 

MUSIC

 Classical Composers: http://home.att.net/~mikejaqua/news/march-April-00.html

Classical Net: http://www.classical.net
Classical music, pictures, biographies of the composers and lists by period

Easy Music Theory: http://www.musictheory.halifax.ns.ca
A beginning online course in music theory (free!)

Finer Music: http://www.finerMusic.com
Uses music to teach fine arts, social studies, science, and language arts.
Includes interactive lesson plans, streaming classical music videos,
and animated biographies. 

Music At School: http://www.musicatschool.co.uk
General site for music study

The Piano Education Page:  http://www.unm.edu/~loritaf/pnoedmn.html
The Just for Kids section has composer interviews with
music selections you can listen to online.

Piano Pedagogy Plus
Resources and a great essay on "Music and Classical Education."
 

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

The Dialecticizer: http://www.rinkworks.com/dialect/
Purely for fun!  Reconfigure any page on the net to
sound as though it were written/spoken by Yoda, Porky Pig, etc...

Latin Helps:
http://www.latinteach.com/

Sign Language:
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm
 

GENERAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES

ABC Teach: maps, puzzles, coloring pages, mazes, etc.
http://www.abcteach.com

Enchanted Learning: maps, worksheets, coloring pages on dozens of subjects
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html

Quia: http://www.quia.com
Make your own on-line drills, flashcards, etc.

The Resource Room: http://www.resourceroom.net
Drills for all subjects, designed for LD students

Sites For Teachers:
http://www.sitesforteachers.com/sitesforteachers/index.html

World Book Curriculum Requirements and Standards:
http://www.worldbook.com/ptrc/html/curr.htm
 

HOME SCHOOL RECORD KEEPING

Home School Forms: http://donnayoung.org/forms.htm

Posted in Daily Blog

 I have used up all my picture space on this blog and have started blogging here...   http://wearethebranches.blogspot.com/

 

Posted in Prayer Requests

Posted in Daily Blog

Today we walked the duck trail. 2 miles in and 2 miles out. It is flat and very doable with little ones. We had a great time!! I wanted to start off slow with the walking and complete 3 miles a week. I did 4!!!  Thank you God and thank you RELIV. I have been sleeping all night, waking early, having energy and feeling good.

Posted in Daily Blog

This was sent to me by someone from my home school group. Try not to cry, I did.

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the
operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he
going to be all right? When can I see him?'
The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could,
but your boy didn't make it.'

Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer?
Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son
needed you?'

The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone
with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a
few minutes, before he's transported to the university.'


Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said
good-bye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his
thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his
hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The
nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair , put it in a
plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his
body to the University for Study. He said it might help
somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I
won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some
other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.'
She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always
thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help
others if he could.'

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for
the last time, after spending most of the last six
months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's
belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder
to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and
the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's
room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal
things back in his room exactly where he had always kept
them.. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow,
cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying
beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The
letter said :

'Dear Mom,
I know you're going to miss me; but don't think
that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you,
just 'cause I'm not around to say "I LOVE
YOU". I will always love you, Mom, even more with
each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until t hen,
if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be
so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my
room and old stuff to play with. But, if you
decide to get a girl instead, she probably
wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy
her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.
Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a
neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as
I got here and showed me around some, but it will
take a long time to see everything. The angels are
so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know
what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I
saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see
GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's
knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody
important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to
write you a letter, to tell you good bye and
everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you
know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own
personal pen to write you this letter. I think
Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to
drop this letter off to you. God said for me to
give you the answer to one of the questions you
asked Him 'where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was
in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the
cross. He was right there, as He always is with all
His children.
Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've
written except you. To everyone else this is just a
blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to
give God His pen back now He needs it to write
some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get
to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food
will be great.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt
anymore the cancer is all gone.. I'm glad because I
couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see
me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of
Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special
Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

Posted in Daily Blog

Today we started to complete our Botany study that we began 2 years ago!!! It was amazing how the 5 year olds remembered what we studied. Even thought is was minute detail for them, it was a great deal of info. Peter and Stephanie had a great time as well. The weather here is wonderfully spring and we will be completeing our Botany study using Jeannie Fulbrights book. She has done an outstanding job and it can be used with all ages.  Ahhhh Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was Beka's favorite!!

Stephanie, very busy inspecting her flowers, as well as seeds. They are looking for the seed in the flower as well as parts of the flower itself.

Rachel, loving Gods creation!!!

Rebekah with her gloves!!  Possible Surgeon???? 

Peter showing the inside of a pinecone.

 

Posted in Medical Update

I just got back from the hospital. They have done another
Echocardiogram as well as blood work to prep me for a CT scan of the chest
on Friday am. The cardiologist believes that I may have a Pulmonary
embolism. God is so awsome because my appointment for the cardiologist was
not until Friday. They had a cancellation and took me yesterday. I had an
appointment for a Nuclear Stress test today (which the doctor cancelled) He
said that if his suspicion is correct and I do have a PE the stress test
could have released the clot and most likely killed me. WOW, at the doors of
death and not even aware. I thank God that HE is on my side. SO now I was at
the Cardio and Hospital today and will be back in the hospital Friday early
am. Please keep me in prayer.

Posted in Anthony Update

This is Anthony's graduation. It was hard to see. There were 603 Soldiers graduating.

 

The Army Band

Anthony marching on Hilton Field. Procession out of graduation.

Anthony marching out.

We are signing him out of Fort Jackson, SC to transport him to Fort Lee, Virginia.

Anthony and Courtney.

Posted in Daily Blog

MY SOLDIER!!!  Here is Anthony!!!!  God Has truly held him in HIS hand!!!

 

 

My Soldier!!!! April 17, 2008 Family Day.

It was really cool the way the Soldiers were presented to the parents. They threw out colored smoke bombs, then the soldiers CHARGED out of the woods.... You can see Anthony all the way to the right on the second picture. He was one of the first in lineup..  It was great to see him.

Posted in Daily Blog

We left on April 15, 2008 at 9:30am and arrived in SC at 1 am in the morning. We stopped in DC on the way down,. I took some pictures. Hope you enjoy them. I will send more pictures as I take them. We visited Fort Jackson today and received our pass for family day tomorrow.