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As a mom and a believer, it is my desire to live my life in ways that are constantly seeking HIM, and growing in HIM. My time on this planet is numbered. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I blink and another year has past, and the older I get, it seems this process just gets faster and faster. Some days are a blur. Some days are slower. But all in all, it is but a vapor, a breath, a fleeting moment in time. That reality hits me every day..... But............the moment I surrendered my life to Christ, I began living in eternity...the death to my old self brought new life that will never end....my life will not end when this flesh dies. My desire today is to grasp this idea, this truth. That what I do today is all a part of a larger picture. An eternal picture. I am thankful that I learned early on how to have a relationship with Jesus. I am thankful that I can experience Him for REAL. I am thankful that His Spirit is alive in me. Not everyone who believes really understands that. Sometimes, a person really believes.....but they never get to experience the fullness of HIM. I knew someone like that. He loved Jesus. He really did. But because of mental anguish, disease, and the darts of the enemy, he could never ever really experience Christ how he could have. He suffered so much within himself, that he couldn't see past his suffering. He overcame so many obstacles in his life, but he just had such a hard time. I so wanted him to know Christ like I did. I held onto the hope that the work that began in him, would one day be completed. I knew in my heart that one day, he would know Jesus so personally and intimately, that even I would crave HIM in a more personal way. On November 20, a prayer was sent out to God on his behalf. That he would be healed. 9 weeks before, we discovered that cancer had taken over his body. He was going through radical treatments but it was clear that his body couldn't take it much longer. We knew that Jesus was The Great Physician and could heal anyone. We had seen it! We had read about it! Some people I knew had even experienced it first hand! So a child's prayer whispered in the ear of God...and He heard...and He answered... On November 21, 2009, my dad discovered first hand what it meant to live in the Fullness of Christ. He took his last earthly breathe on noon that day. At that moment, Jesus became completely real to him! He not only understood the mystery of Christ, but from that moment on into eternity, he will experience my Jesus, his Jesus, first hand! I am glad, Dad, that you can finally taste and see that He is Good! For me, I am thankful that I don't have to wait until I shed my earthly shell. I can experience Christ right here, right now, every second of every minute. He is alive and He is Real. I do long for the day when I can be done with the flesh. To no longer be hindered by the things of this world, and to be rid of all the pain it has to offer. I miss my true home, and I long for it everyday. But for now, in the busyness of this life, I will continue to run the race....until the work that began in me is complete.....then, I will continue on into the eternity that began the day I met Him.....See you soon Dad.....we will have so much to talk about! |
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Today I found myself reading old posts. I began to get lost in it all, and had to stop. Memories can be fun to visit, but today, I just can't. I am happy to announce, though, that this new school year has brought three of my five kids at home, back to home schooling. Jessica-7th grade, Thomas-8th Grade, and Robbie-10th grade, are now doing an online school! they are accountable to "the system", but for now, it has to be that way. They have live lessons, and are in constant contact with their teachers. I am still very much involved, which works out perfectly especially on days when they have to learn about the big bang (which was discussed on day 1). David and Johnny are still attending a Private Christian school for now. They are all thriving! I am still very busy as I help MIke run the business, and am currently on staff at my church. Beach Church in Myrtle Beach, just in case any of my readers travel. I am constantly juggling my time, and am diligently praying for better time management skills. This year, my dad passed away. In fact, he died on November 21. It is still very fresh. I think about him a lot. He was a very good grand pa to his 10 grand kids...for that, I am thankful. Off to work...another busy day.... nice to visit you again oh blog of mine......i have missed our times together.... Today in Myrtle Beach, it is 70 degrees! |
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I have not been to this site for a very long time. I have been so out of it.... Here is my story.... Mike and I moved down here when he got transferred with his company. To make extra money, we started working for a woman who owned her own cleaning company. It was Mike who was actually on her payroll, I just came with the deal. So, we worked very hard the summer of 07. My kids even helped out, and Robbie even got hired. Well, when the off season came, I just knew I needed to get back to schooling the children. So, I stopped working for her. Mike stayed one weekend, then she helped us get our own units to take care of. We had five. That was perfect. Mike and I could take care of them ourselves! As the off season continued, the company that hired us began to give us more and more responsiblity. Plus, we had to get all the things in order for a business: insurance, warehouse, bank account, etc. Schooling the kids was not going how I thought it should. Spring came, and our employer wanted to give us even more responsibilties, which meant we needed to hire A Lot of people. We did. We trained them and gave them work. Summer came and we were extremely busy. Busy is good. Our business continued to grow. When summer was just about over, Alexx, our 20 year old daughter, and Mike, got to thinking that the five children at home needed to go to school. My world completely changed. So did theirs. This decision came about in July 08, and in August we began to move forward with the idea. I was never really on board with it, but regardless, the five kids entered a private Christian school. On being tested, each of them needed to be held back a few grades. It embarrasses me to even write this, but it's the truth. Because of the busyness, and the business, I just didn't do what I was suppossed to do book wise. We did a ton of other things, and for that, I have no regrets. They are where they need to be right now. They are learning and moving forward. It is now Dec. 08 and I think I am almost ok with it all. It took them a very long time to adjust to the whole routine thing, But I'm sure it's for the best. It is a small school, which is good for them for now. Plus to send them there, we got a scholarship and for the remainder of the cost, Mike and I clean it in the evenings. Sometimes I help him, sometimes we pay an employee to help. Regardless, Mike is working very hard for this.In my heart, I wish that they were still here..... But in reality, there is nothing I can do..... I have kept this blog. But maybe I should just put it on something to save it. I don't really know..... I still want to write..... Basically when the kids come home, I am still homeschooling them. It's just crazy. It is hard. Sending them is hard. I won't get any deeper into this story as there are many different roads I could take right now. I will contemplate and maybe write it later. I know that Carmon still comes here to check. So, that is cool. I may even put the link up on my facebook page so more people can read it. ANd maybe get the word out on homeschooling. It didn't work for my family, but I know tons of success stories, and maybe someone out there will chose to do it on account of visiting the homeschool blogger. Whatever happems, I don't regret ever having the kids home. I do regret not being more organized, and more diligent. I have to run the race that is before me. I wasn't expecting these results, but it's for the kids. As you can see, sometimes I am still not settled about it.(sigh) |
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I am full tonight. Our business is booming, our kids are happy, the sun is shining(well actually, it's dark out but only because its nighttime). I had a good day at work today. We have begun to clean homes, now. Vacation homes on Saturdays, and now residential homes. I took two of my cleaners with me today, and we had a time. We took so much longer than we had anticipated, but then went out to lunch. I have so many wonderful employees. I see the potential in so many of them. I have always known that we would have a business. It is truely an amazing adventure. I found out today, that because she works for me, she is buying her groceries and making her car payment! Plus, we have a blast! We laugh, we pray, we talk. Oh, and we work. And somewhere in there, we do get paid. sometimes I think the girls make more than me. But most of our money goes back into the business, and now to Mike. I do pay him now. And, he was able to quit his regular job. WhooHoo. So now he works full time for the company. what a huge load off of my plate. We are loving it. He is finally living the dream. Dreams do come true. Dream on girl friends! never give up and never surrender(well only to Jesus) never settle for less. when you hear Him speak, listen!!!! Thanks for tuning in. Gosh, I still have soooo much to say. but for now, i will rest. |
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Just a note to all who pass by: Just keep doing what you were called to do. Every day is a new learning experience for you and your children. No matter what season you are in. If you feel like you are behind, just ask yourself,"who is it that I think I am behind anyway?" This is Your journey. These are Your kids. Hang on! And, enjoy the ride!!!! Press on readers!!!! |
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I had the pleasure of attending a childrens ministry conference in Atlanta on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It was absolutely amazing. I have attended conferences for women before, but never for children. I would have to say that this was my favorite. The way they worshiped God, the way they taught, the skits, the fun.... It was so real, and so easy to grasp. There were 9 of us. We took 2 vehicles. The church paid for the entire event. I was completely blessed. I know that God has called me to minister to children. Whether they are babies in the nursery, or teens going through the tough things that teens go through. I just love children. I am so blessed to be able to finally serve in church again. That was the hardest part about not having a church home I think. Not being able to serve somewhere where I know that God has called me. Of course my #1 is my family. And the great thing about home schooling, is they can serve with me as I serve them. Being an example is the best way I can do it. And I believe, that my kids do love kids as well. In fact, Jessie was asked to serve in the 2 year old room on Sunday, and joyfully said YES! Who could say no? I believe if everyone just served once, the volunteer problem at ALL churches would be solved. But even more importantly, the growth from the ones who choose to serve will be phenominal. I can not express enough how serving in the local church is a major growing experience for ALL believers. When people who get saved drift away from God, I seriously believe that part of that is they don't do anything with their faith. Just sitting and "watching" is not gonna grow you. Believe me, I love attending service on Sunday. But serving on the children side is also sweet. I have said it before and I will say it again: I can Worship God anywhere. And I do. I have even been in dead churches where I invited Him in and I think He visited. Well, attending service for me, is a time to tithe, sing, be with fellow believers, and serve Him! Attending the Children section is a time to help them learn how to love God, serve Him, sing to Him, learn about Him, show the kids that people that care, and give them a safe place to go. Well, I am so full, that I just had to share it here. Wherever you are in your journey with Christ, always remember you have NOT arrived. God created you for a purpose, and it's not just to warm a pew! Go and tell! Go and Show! Go and Live! There is a child out there waiting to see the Jesus in you! God speed as you go!
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I woke up this morning to my phone alarm going off. This was one of those calls from an employee that I appreciated. I was accidentally sleeping in, and she was calling with a question. The problem was, I was dreaming that I was at the church babysitting. So, as far as I knew, I was awake. When I awoke, I realized it had all been a very bad dream. The entire community had come, and there weren't enough childcare providers. Well, we got to the church in time. One of the workers did not show. wow. what's new? Church volunteers,employees, etc. Does no one take their position in life seriously? I could never just not show up. Call someone. Let someone know. Preferrably ahead of time. Doesn't anyone take responsibility anymore. Well, just another thing to teach my children. When you have a job to do, do it. if you can't, find someone else to do it. take responsibility. step up. There is so much more to life than what we see. Service is so important. Serving with a willing heart is even more important. God certainly does love a cheerful giver. So, how do we teach our kids to serve and give of themselves cheerfully? By doing it ourselves. And certainly when I am frustrated with the worker not showing, I can not complain, but patiently practice grace. My kids will learn more about serving others through what they see me doing. So, the lesson for the week: Thinking about others, and what we can do for them. and practicing grace. so forgive me folks for "complaining" about the worker not showing. now I will go and practice. |
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This week, Alexx's mom-in-law had an opportunity to come down, and took it and surprised Brian. We had a great visit with her as well. She got to come to our church and Jess gave her a tour of the nursery area(Laura is the coordinator for nursery at her church). Then the whole gang got together for a "grill out" as they refer to cook outs down south. The sun was out, and it was fun. Then we took her for a small beach house tour. Mike and I had some things to pick up as we had cleaners cleaning houses yesterday. So we showed her our business. Then we got 5 different flavors of ice cream, and watched a movie. It was a lot of fun. Laura has been a part of our family since 1994, so it was nice to be together again. During the movie, David and Johnny sat on her lap in our oversized chair. It was an image I will remember. She loves the kids so much. When we lived in NY, she would take them ALL at least once a month. Brian and Alexx have somewhat taken her place down here. They have had them all on occasion, and sometimes just a few. But for those of you out there with large families, you will agree, it makes a huge difference in the dynamics of the family when just one of them is out of the house. So, this morning, I am here alone. (except for the dogs)(and the tortoise) I will take advantage of this time to hustle around and take care of some business. Then we will meet at the beach. Mind you, Alexx and Brian have a 2 bedroom apartment. There are 8 people in it right now. Wow. These are memories they will cherish for a long time. Well, off I go............ When I write again, nobody knows...............busy, busy, and having fun.........the clouds just broke.............here comes the sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Whoo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 |
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Thanks to you girls who posted a comment yesterday. This week I will spend some time catching up on my reading of blogs. That can be so fun. I learn so many new things, and meet so many women. It's like I have this network of friends. How fun is that! Today, my 2 daughters and I will go and babysit for a moms group at our church. I absolutely love it. In fact, they have asked me to coordinate the childcare end of things. Ha Ha. Nothing like the most challenging job!!! I did this in NY with MOPS. I was the MOPPETS coordinators. Wow! This program is set up a bit different, so it should be easier to find servers. It is a blessing, that is all I know. Now, Alexx, our oldest daughter wants to help too. Jessica has been helping all along. She so looks forward to it. So, together we will serve The Lord. Is that not the whole point of living!!!!! And to be able to do it with my girls! I am a blessed woman. I hope you ladies out there have a most joyous, and blessed day. Keep looking up. |
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It is so nice to have a computer back that works again. It is used for so many things. I am not talking about idleness, but real life things. Our personal information, our business, our school, contacts. The list goes on. Just like in the old days, we used manila files. Now we use technology. Like any tool, when used correctly, is a great resource. I have missed writing........ The last few months have been very busy for me. With "slow season" or "off season" in the vacation rental world, that just means more work for those of us who care for the houses. For instance, now is the time for owner checkins. So, we need to get in there and not only make the house pretty, but clean it when they leave. Also for us, starting out with only 5 houses in September, and now having 40, we had to go into every single unit, and clean up after other companies. Not bad clean up, but we have a standard that not everyone does. So, with Mike still working at his full-time job, I have taken on a lot of the duties. It has been an amazing experience. I do look forward to Saturday only work, though. The children have been experiencing what I call a different summer vacation. They have had quite a bit of time off this spring. This means, that soon, they will resume their regular lessons. They will also be schooling in the summer. The reactions I get when I tell others that is pretty weird. For one, there are so many tourists here in the summer, I don't feel that we will miss out on festivities. We enjoy going to the beach when the crowds are low. We try to get our fun in before the visitors come. And, it gets so hot here, most of our time is spent indoors, unless we are at the pool. They will be done schooling by noon anyhow. So, I don't see a problem with it. Every family has to do what is right for them. That is the beauty of home schooling. I have heard of public schools out west that school all year round. They just get different vacations at different intervals. So, I try not to let the opinions of others discourage me. Everyone has an opinion. That is fine. And disagreeing with it is fine too. I have learned that when someone disagrees with your opinion, it doesn't mean they stop loving you. I never knew that before. (deep story for another time) I am happy to have learned that. It is freeing. So often we can get trapped by our own thoughts. So, if I say something on my blog that you don't agree with, I hope you will still read. One day I may say something that you do agree with. If we all thought the same, what a boring world we would live in. I am happy that my 7 children have different personalities and opinions. I am happy that my husband is completely different than I am. Wow would I go insane if I was married to anyone like me! I mean I like myself and all, but sometimes I get on my own nerves. I think that is why most of my friends have softer and quieter personalities than me. We balance each other out. Funny, I had no intention of writing all this. Guess my fingers and my brain have really missed just talking. I will write about other things later. Thank you to all my faithful readers for not giving up on me. |
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I have just a minute before I take this computer back to the dr. That is why I have been out of the loop for a while. Well, partly why. Our poor computer has a virus that I think was connected to my email, so it is going back again tonight. The other reason is.... Our business. It is spring here(sorry all you NY friends), and the season is picking up. Owners coming in, and spring break have proven to be busy. So, writing on my blog has taken a back seat. Soon, I will be back, though. It is beautiful outside!!!!!! WHOOWHOO |
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I am guessing that today is my reality check day. After 2 weeks of surprises and fun,now it's back to "the norm". But not really sure what "the norm" is. I would like to think that surprises and fun are the norm. My mind is just a-wandering, so I just felt like putting it on paper. But the more I think of it, I would just rather not. Well this is probably my dullest entry yet. I will go an organize the lessons now, watch a little idol, and snuggle on the couch with my blankey.(sigh) Pathetic, I know........ |
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2 weeks ago, I was imagining my friend Carmon coming here for a visit. I knew her kids would be out of school for winter break(for ya'll in the south, this is an extra holiday for the children in the thick of winter), and I was so hoping that they could come. But for the last month, she had said that she couldn't find any cheap flights. I suggested just driving, but she claimed that they had plans at home for winter break.Daniel had a party planned, he also had a snow tubing trip to go on. Then she said she had to work as well. There was just no way. So she claimed. What I didn't know, was that she had called my husband about a month ago, and told him she was indeed coming, and he needed to make sure I didn't know. She also informed my daughter, Alexx. So, the scheme began.......... I came up with all these scenarios that I thought would actually happen. But she continued to claim that they couldn't come. MIke played along very well, and even teased me at times. So, last Friday night, which was the 15th of February, I called her one last time. I asked her if she was on her way down here following her Pastor, as he was coming down with his family that night. She said that she wasn't. I told her that I wouldn't bother her anymore about it as I had been pestering her for a month to find a way here. So, Saturday came, and for me was a very depressing day. I didn't even get dressed. I decided it was a good day to catch up on American Idol. I had about 4 or 5 episodes recorded, so I found a spot in the living room, plopped myself down, and wallowed in self pity....... Toward the end of the evening, one of the episodes cut out before we found out who the last girl to make the final 24 was. So I called Carmon to ask her. She didn't answer, but texted me back that she had gotten called into work, and she would call me at 9pm. Then she texted me back, said she got my voice mail, and told me who won. Then she started chatting with me about who I liked on Idol and who I wanted to win. I told her I wanted to win, but she could too.(we are too old to audition, but it's a nice dream). Then she asked me what I was doing. I was actually online chatting with my mom. She asked me what I thought she was doing. Joking, I thought maybe she was on a break having a smoke(neither one of us smoke, it was just a sick joke, I laughed)I started to text her back that I actually thought she was on a flight here, but couldn't type fast enough when another message from her came throught. She said," I'm petting your dog." the next few events take place in about 30 seconds.What? I thought. My dog? Then I remembered that Mike was out walking Carly. Alexx was sitting innocently on the couch while my brain pistons began firing. My dog....my dog....outside....she is petting.....my dog....here...outside......(I throw my cell phone down, I spin around quickly in my chair, my arms extend out in front of me, I literally fly out of my front door) As I see the rental car, and Carmon's head, I scream. I am sure the neighbors thought something bad had happened ie; a murder, a robbery, etc. But no, it was just the best ending to a perfectly bummer of a day!!!!! She really was coming, well she was here. Her and her two boys. Wow!!!!!!!!! She was lying all that time. Wow!!!!!! It couldn't have been any sweeter. |
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16 years and counting..... On February 14, Mike and I celebrated 16 years of marriage. He took a few days off, and Alexx and Brian came over and watched the kids while we went all the way to Myrtle Beach for 2 nights. As most of you know, we live 20 minutes from Myrtle Beach, so we saved some travel time. He had won a drawing a few weeks earlier for a 2 night stay at a resort at the beach. So, with the Christmas gift cards that we received, most of our getaway was free. It was very relaxing, and we had a wonderful time. We had a tasty dinner the first night. The next day we shopped and went to our small group from church, then we went to the movies. It went by quickly, but was worth every minute. He always trys to do special things for us on our anniversary, and I so appreciate it. Our honeymoon took place in the White Mountains of NH, and now we are celebrating our marriage at the beach. That is just so cool to me.I so love being married for this long, and look forward to the next 16 years, and then 16 more, and on and on. I know that so many people don't stay married this long, and it makes me sad. I couldn't imagine not being married to Mike. He is a good man..... I love him deeper, and more than I can even say here in a blog. It's just so hard to write. Kind of like explaining God's love. I just can't seem to put it into words. My amazing week did not stop when we got home either. But I will save that for another entry. It has been a good 2 weeks! |
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I have heard a lot of "God's Will" being thrown around lately. It has been bothering me that sometimes we just use that phrase very flippantly. I am learning in this walk with The Lord, that the closer I am to Him, the more He reveals to me. The more I am consumed, the clearer I think. There are many things that I have done in my life that I know were not God's Will. In His omnipotience, though, He did allow me to make choices on my own. It was not His will that I had a child out of wedlock. But because He is bigger than that, He turned ashes to beauty. It was not His Will, that I lived a Godless life for so many years. But again, He turned my sorrow into a song. Now, how do we discern His will? How do we know? If you truely know Him, I believe you will know...... I believe that it is not in our human minds what God's will is. I believe that even closed doors could be part of that. I believe that His ways are so much higher than anything I could even conceive. God desires a relationship with each of us. If He choses to place you in a job or ministry, you need to continue to move in a direction that is glorifying to Him. You can go to church all you want and just sit there. Or, you can join Him...... You can go to work everyday and keep to yourself, or you can look for ways that God is moving and meet Him there and partake in His work. You can live in a neighborhood and keep to yourself or get to know them and look for opportunities to love your neighbor as yourself. You can be completely miserable and think that your circumstances couldn't possibly be God's Will for you. He calls us to be active participants in this life.Even if we are uncomfortable. I think of people like Joni Erickson-Tada. She doesn't ask God to take her out of her current situation(in a wheel chair completely depending on everyone), she asks God to work on her "inside", her attitudes, and the way she treats others. I heard her mention this recently, and was so blown away. It is not about our physical, but our spiritual. I am so thankful for mature people like her to teach me. This is my personal conclusion: God's Will isn't where He puts me, but what happens when He puts me there. He takes me, and uses me, my gifts and my talents, and even uses my story.....For His Glory.... He could chose to move me to Africa, or Asia, or a red cross shelter..... What will I do with that? Complain about the mosquitos?Complain about the food? Complain about being homeless? No. I will look around, talk to the people. Forget about myself.....Live life completely for Him! Be totally consumed!!!!! Love God, Love myself, Love others. This isn't always easy, but through my pastors teaching and growing closer to God, I think I can continue to strive for that goal. I am thankful today that He speaks to me, and shows me His Will. I love you Lord...... With all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, with all my strength......Use me......For Your Glory.... |
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It was a great day. Aside from a massive headache, and a problem with one of the rental houses, it was a happy day. It feels like April out! And... Alexx and Brian came home tonight from their 2 week vacation in NY. They had lots of funny stories to tell. It is nice to have them back here. Yesterday in NY it was 7 degrees! So they are pretty happy to be back as well. They had a wonderful time and made lots of memories. They will be back tomorrow to sit with the kids for 2 nights. Mike and I will be going all the way to Myrtle Beach(ha ha) for an anniversary weekend, or more appropriately, mid-week. He had already planned on doing something, and was looking into a beach house, when he entered a drawing and won a 2 night stay at a resort in Myrtle. We will still be close if the kids need us, but it is right on the coast!!! So, Alexx and Brian have decided that them coming here would be better for everyone. I am sure they will all have a blast! They all seem to get along so well. The kids absolutely adore Brian. And Jessie and Alexx have never gotten along so well as they do now that they don't live together. I have been getting very inspired to write in this blog everyday. I noticed that I passed the 5000 mark!!! Wow. I so want to use this site as an avenue...or maybe a boulevard.....or perhaps a highway. I don't know, something where all the things in my head can just come out on this screen, and somehow mean something.I know that this is a homeschooling blog site, so I may just start a new blog. Not sure yet. I just don't do a lot of talking about school here. I probably should. But talking about what I do all day, would be tiring. I mean, I just lived it, then write about it. And it is work sometimes. And who writes about work. I want to write about the stuff that matters. Like the awesome field trips. The great life skills, and life lessons that not only the kids learn, but I learn as well. The snuggle time, the story times, the crying together times. School for me is so much more than the books and the math and the grammar. While all these things are so important, I don't want to only focus on that. That is what regular school does. It is something special for me. We have just a few short years to train up the children. I know that when my part is over, they will be ready for adulthood. So, I look so forward to my time with Mike. We so need that. I am thankful for a daughter and son-in-law that are willing to stay here and help us out in that way. I am very proud of them. I can't wait to one day be able to babysit for them!!!!Now THAT will be great. And believe me, when that happens, I will be blogging about it. So, for all you that would rather read about school, this may not be the blog to read. But, for those of you who want to have fun, grow, and get into my world,,,,read on. Until I get back home........ |
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Ten reasons I homeschool:(plus one more)
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It was another beautiful sunny day here in SC. Wearing a coat was not an option. Fanning myself in the vehicle after church was. I love, love, love living here. Even when it rains, it's nice. After living in Central NY for 15 years, seeing the sun again is amazing. For those of you who have lived there for your whole lives, there are other states. 49. I know, you have family and friends, a church, job, house. All very good reasons to stay. But traveling is always fun. I met a wonderful couple today from Central NY. In fact, they go to the same church I attended when I lived there. They know tons of the same people that I know. They are not even in their 60's, and are already retired. Isn't that amazing? So, they are in Myrtle beach for 3 months. They got in touch with me, and I told them how to get to my present church. We had a sweet time of fellowship. It was great hearing about some of our friends back home. I am blessed and excited to see them again. Isn't that what it's all about? Hanging out with fellow believers? Helping each other? Praying for one another? It was a good day. Then of course, topping the whole morning off, I got to sit in the coffee shop and talk to Carmon. It was almost like having her right there at church with me. And one day, I know she will come back for a visit. She has already been down here twice since we moved here. And I have been up twice. She was home schooled most of her life, but now sends her kids to school. Her father-in-law is a retired principle of the school district they live in. How funny is that? So, her children are thriving and learning andf growing. I have friends that homeschool, public school, and private. I am thankful to live in a country where we even have an option. I am thankful that I got to go assemble in a building and worship God. There were no guards with machine guns blocking the doors or arresting people who claimed to be Christians. It is a freedom and a blessing.I am grateful to live in this country. I hope that many of you can travel this spring and summer to come and visit us. We always feed our guests well. And we have a wonderful church that you will just love. It is alive, and thriving! And if you don't know Jesus, I just know you can find Him there. And remember, anyone can leave comments on this site. It is really quite easy. And, you can remain anonymous. I know many people have been visiting, and by the location map, a lot of people in Maine. I just want to thank you for visiting my site. It is a place where I write pretty much whatever is on my heart. I am pretty busy these days, but am trying to be a bit more disciplined about reading more blogs, and writing more of my own. With the help of more experienced bloggers, I hope to make my site a bit more interesting. I would like to have some links and photos and other things. In time. Well, I need to sign off and watch the super bowl. I sure hope it is an exciting game. A lot of super bowls are wipe outs. Hopefully, this one will be close. I know that I lived in New England, and NY. So I'm not even going to tell you who I am rooting for. I am a Colts fan, but since they aren't in it, I will root for someone else. Enjoy, and eat snacks. |
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I have a story to tell..... It is one of strength, endurance, and perserverance. It is not an ordinary blog story.It is not a love story........It is a sad story....It is a funny story......It could even be considered an angry story...........But it is my story.........
It all began in July of 2007. An ordinary day, an ordinary load of laundry. Everything was going just as planned:
And that's when the problems began........... My spinner was broken! Ok I will just deal with it. And I did. I simply gave it a quick spin manually, and soon, it would be spinning just fine. But, as you know, you cannot enter the spin cycle with the lid to the washer open. So, I had to get a very thin object to press down the safety button, so I could stick my arm into the washer, and make it spin. Never try this. It is dangerous. I kept imagining my arm getting sucked in and no one knowing what happened to me. Thankfully this did not happen. What did happen was the safety latch broke. So, my next job was to find something small enough to clip it together, and I can't even explain it unless you see it. A clothes pin did the trick. Now, I can leave the washer lid open, and spin the clothes. The problem with push starting it, though, was if the load was too heavy I would have to remove a good portion of the clothing, and spin it in three different trys. So one load of laundry, suddenly became three. Now, if you know anything about us, you know there are a lot of us. Two adults, two teens, one preteen, and two young boys.Not to mention that Alexx brings their laundry here as well. So, now that my one load has become three, it takes a lot longer to get the masses under control. And there are a lot of masses. One day produces 7 pairs of socks. 7 under garments. 7 outfits. Some towels(I make certain individuals use the same towel twice).Dish towels, and sheets can vary. So, maybe you have a bit of a picture. I would take one, but that is just too personal. Mind you, this is just one days worth. This went on until today. Today was a new dawn. Today was the day of reckoning. Today, patience has paid off. Today was the last day I have to spin my own laundry. Mind you, my ancestors probably knew nothing except for a tub and a wash board, but who wants to live in the past? Laundry happens to be(well used to be) my favorite household chore. For the last 6 months, it was more of a form of torture. But...I endured it. I knew there was a light at the end of my tunnel. And, today was the end. A few days ago, our personal human angel(I know that is an oxymoron, but it's the only way to describe him) dropped off this "new to us" washer. Actually, I think it is new. But he needed to replace it because of a leak.(Mike fixed the leak) Today, Mike installed it. Today, I ran to do the laundry. I am waiting for the cycle to end to do another load. It can be my favorite chore again. Unless you have experienced this unfortunate circumstance, you cannot possibly fully understand the magnitude of the problem. Nor do I want you to. No one should. But it could have been worse. There are worse things. I just don't understand why it even had to happen. I never complained about the mountains of laundry. In fact, I encouraged my friends to use that time in their day to pray for their family. You know, every piece of clothing meant that you had people to wash for. A family. A husband. Children. I love folding their clothes, and thinking of them, and even praying for that particular family member. So, I wonder why I even had to go through that. Another time my dryer didn't work. Back in NY. In the summer it was fine, I love to hang out the clothes. But in the winter? My basement was a laundry hanging room. Wow. I guess maybe so I could just practice the fine art of not complaining. (that's why I am writing this now while I am happy about laundry, rather than then when I, uh, wasn't so happy). Maybe it is...just because. Oh well, doesn't matter why anyway. Usually doesn't. So that is my story, and I'm stickin' with it. I hope you enjoyed it and weren't too disappointed that there wasn't more action. I guess some of my friends(ahem, carm) would have thought it more of a comedy if I had gotten pulled into the washer while push starting it. I am glad that didn't happen. So thank you Kelly. Thank you for giving us that washer. That beautiful spin-on-its-own washer.Thank you for all things you have given us and done for us. Your friendship is invaluable. May your gift of giving be an inspiration to all who read this real life story. |
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I am taking a chance today.... I went on my old high schools web site and looked up some former classmates. It was fun seeing the 80's hair! Well for some reason, I decided to put my info on it. I even went to far as to include this blog site. The reason I am taking a chance is because I only went to that school for one year; my senior year. I went from attending a very large city school in Fort Worth, Texas, to a very small rural school in Central Maine. It was definately a culture shock for me. I made a few friends, and a few more enemies, graduated, stayed for one more year, then moved. Having my grandparents and my mom being from that same town, did not make much of a difference, and I don't think I was ever accepted. Most of the people there have been there since birth and grew up together. I was just this thin, blond, southern outsider. I went to my 10th year reunion and received a gift for having the most kids; I have even more children now! 7! Onto other things: It has been a good week. Today it is pouring rain, but warm. I love it. I am thankful it's not snow. My peeps up in NY are having snow, though. Alexx and Brian are there for a 2 week vacation. They surprised Brian's mom! How fun is that? I miss them, but know they are having a blast reconnecting to their friends and family! Well, I am off to read something to the kids, and get cozy! Blog on and thanks for visiting! |