Far from Perfect

I just read a blog post by Ashley Weis that touched my heart deeply. I've been thinking a lot lately about how far I have to go to become the person that God truly wants me to be and Ashley's article said what I would have liked to say, but a lot more eloquently. Check out her blog.

Life Goes On...for Some of Us...

Even though I haven't been to blogspot in a while life continues as usual here. There have been some changes in the last few months (pain, death, sickness). My kids are growing like weeds. My ten year old daughter is sitting next to me reading over my shoulder and she laughed and said, "We are weeds? I'm not a weed, I'm a flower!" Okay they are all flowers then... Hmmm maybe my son should be a tree, since if I don't know where he is I just need to look up and I'll probably find him in a tree.

I went in to a horrible time of back pain on March 14th and was hardly able to walk for a week. I couldn't get up by myself or even lift my feet. A friend from church brought me a walker to use. It took me five excruciating minutes to move from my living room to my kitchen (in a townhouse). Then on March 21st my mother unexpectedly died. She was only 59 and we were planning her annual trip to visit my family for Easter. I'm actually thankful for the bout with severe pain right before she died because I was able to tell her that I had a better understanding of what she deals with on a daily basis. I'm not unfamiliar with pain, but this pain was debilitating and I was actually afraid that I could end up paralyzed. I've been told that is a possibility.

When I told my children that Grandma died, my seven year old son fell to the floor weeping and my ten year old daughter sat on the couch with tears pouring down her face. My fifteen month old obviously didn't comprehend the loss, but she knew something was wrong. She walked over to my son and wrapped her little arms around his neck and just hugged him. Then she walked across the room and picked up a tissue and went to my daughter and began wiping her face. The sweet baby was like an angel as she ministered to her siblings.

While the me and the kids were in Ohio, my husband fell and got a blood clot in his leg (DVT). I was so worried about him, but unable to get home because I was stranded in Ohio. Since I was having back pain, I knew I couldn't drive to Ohio, so some wonderful friends helped transport us to Ohio. Then I was baffled as to how to return. I didn't have to be confused long because before I began looking at my options to return home, a friend called and told me that she and her husband wanted to come and get us. Talk about Jesus in action - those friends are definitely walking the walk and talking the talk.

I'm still not used to the fact that my mother is dead. When I returned home from my two weeks in Ohio for her funeral, I picked up the phone to call and let her know I made it home safely. I've actually started to call her quite a bit. There are some things in life you don't "get" until you experience them and I believe losing a mother - the woman who gave you life is one of them.

Keep my family in your prayers!




My mother 16 years old.

My mother on our horse, Angel.


Me and my mother (she was visiting me at college).

Me and my mother at my wedding.

My mother and my daughter at one of our annual trips to the National Zoo.


My mom and Aunt Rebbie last summer.

Still kicking...

Just wanted to touch base to let anyone who might stumble over know that I'm still kicking, but not posting too much. Life is busy and full with a nine month old and two older children. On Monday we returned from visiting my family for 10 days. It was so nice to see everyone and for the kids to get to spend time with family too.

My little one started walking on the 17th - she took 6 steps one time. It will be a while before she is walking all the time, but it's fun to watch her change and develop. She popped a new tooth today also. The older kids are having so much fun playing with the baby. They are all treasures.

ONE MILLION NEW TESTAMENTS!

I received the following exciting email from Tom White (Bibles Unbound) that I wanted to share:

August 13, 2009

On Aug. 5, Bibles Unbound reached an exciting milestone with the shipment of the ONE MILLIONTH NEW TESTAMENT! That New Testament, bound for China, was sponsored through our virtual mailing program by BU participant Mary in Crane, Texas.

In February 2006, VOM launched a project to let Christians like you send New Testaments into restricted nations — places where our brothers and sisters cannot simply go to a Christian bookstore and pick up a copy of the Bible. Our persecuted brothers and sisters joined in the project by collecting names and addresses of those who would be blessed by receiving God's Word. Our readers responded excitedly, and New Testaments began to go out from every part of the United States to hostile nations all over the world.

With your help, in just 42 months we have shipped the story of God's love for all mankind and his free offer of salvation through Christ to non-believers in several restricted nations.

Bibles Unbound is a team effort, and God has called together a wonderful team. We are so grateful to believers like you all across the United States who have provided New Testaments to people in countries such as Colombia, China, North Korea and Egypt. We are also thankful to the faithful Christians living inside these restricted and hostile nations who take great risks to supply names and addresses of those needing God's Word. With both standard and covert operations, Bibles Unbound is a unique tool to spread the gospel inside restricted nations.

If you have mailed or sponsored New Testaments, THANK YOU for helping reach this great milestone!

If you want to become part of this incredible ministry, please consider joining Bibles Unbound today. You can join us for future milestones of getting God's Word into hostile countries: 2 million....10 million...and more! To God be the glory! You can sign up, or simply get more information, at www.BiblesUnbound.com.

With God's help, BU has reached an incredible milestone. But millions of people around the world are still waiting. Will you help get the word of God to them?

For Those in Bonds,
Tom White VOM Executive Director

If you would like to view a list of resources on the persecuted church and online specials from VOM, please visit www.VOMBooks.com. This online offer is being presented by The Voice of the Martyrs. For additional information, you may contact us by clicking here or calling our order line at 800-747-0085.

McGruff House

Has anyone heard of the McGruff House Program? Recently we went to National Night Out in our city and learned about the McGruff House. After being interviewed by the police and having a criminal background check you are given a sign to put in your window identifying your home as a safe haven for children who are lost or in danger. Read More

McGruff House — National Crime Prevention Council

Moms in Touch

I just found out about a new prayer group called Moms in Touch. Check out their website for more information about becoming a part of a worldwide community of mothers praying for children and schools. They have tons of resources to guide women as they pray for children.

Full Speed Ahead...

Life has been busy and full over the past several months... We finished a week of VBS (the oldest two absolutely loved it and the youngest was there for the ride - literally in my sling). Then we headed off for my in-laws this past week. We had a fabulous time. Much of our time was spent at an amazing water park - the kids (and me too) wished we could live there.

Our smallest treasure is already seven months old and thinks she is the Queen of the World (she hasn't read any blogs yet or she would know that title was already taken). She has no fear, she climbs anything and everything near her and she thinks she can walk, unfortunately whenever she takes a step or two she falls, but she gets right back up and tries again - lessons we can learn from little ones. At the water park she (all 25" of her) would boldly walk into the waves (holding my hands) without a care in the world.



Now we are home getting settled and starting new projects...

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!

Still Kicking...

Just wanted to stop in and let you know that I'm still kicking if anyone is even there. I'm sure most have given up on me by now. Time is flying and I have much going on - with little time to post. When things slow down I will post more...

My little one is mobile and so fun to chase. We are homeschooling year round so there really isn't going to be much of a let up in the coming weeks. Pray I have wisdom and strength...

No Rest Without Work

Another chapter - No Rest Without Work - in Boyhood and Beyond by Bob Schultz has some thought provoking questions. I will share a few from page 149.

What work has someone done for you that allows you to rest?

What is the purpose of rest?

What job can you do, right now, to give someone else some rest?

What would happen to a free country if people stopped working and expected the government to provide for their needs?