Tis The Season

This is the season of cheer and giving and family, and in my house baking, and crafting, and all those merry things that come along with this time of year. This season started out happy and cheerful, after all it is my favorite time of year. We got our tree a few days after Thanksgiving. the kids were so excited when we walked in the door and surprised them with a tree. Doug put in up and the kids and I put "snow" on it. We decided to put clear lights on this year. We thought we would avoid any ornament breakage, so we went out and bought two small things of plastic ornaments, one blue, one silver. Looked like a petty classy tree. I got the feeling the night we put it up we were going to have a battle on our hands with Judah. While we were still putting the "snow" on, he was taking it right back off. Sigh...the joys of a two year old. Maybe it was just that we were playing with the tree, he thought he had to, too....or maybe not. In the days to come the tree was bald, no snow, no balls, and the needles started falling off too....talk about a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, that's what it was turning into.
     Ok so the tree was looking bad, doesn't mean Christmas is ruined right. I started to go though my budget to see how much money we would have to spend on Christmas. Every year I try to shift things around in our budget so that Doug's last check before Christmas, we have a few extra bucks to go shopping. Looking over our bills, our shut off notices and what had to be paid I quickly realized there would be no wiggle room to spend ANYTHING...and our grocery bill has been growing tighter and tighter so it seems every week. How is it this crew can polish off a $10 tub of p-nut butter and four loaves of bread in 48 hours? It's not like that was the ONLY food I had in the house, but this is what they chose to target this week. It's ok I had one last reserve.
    Every year starting in the spring I start filling my closet with gifts. I see things on sale I know the kids would like, and put them back for Christmas. This always fills in the gaps at Christmas time. I went up to my closet the beginning of this week to see what was in my reserve. I make sure things are fair for everyone at Christmas time. I am careful and calculate right down to the dollar for every kid (and Doug too). Ok first on the list Doug $100 not bad, Josiah $100 so far so good, Joel $100 I'm really doing good. Then I get to Jada $17, Jonah $12, Josh $55 (little better), Judah $0. How could I have not gotten Judah a single thing all year? How do I make this right? What can I do to give the kids a decent and fair Christmas....all the questions brewing in the back of my mind.
   Like any good parent I started brain storming. What can I do, where could I get money? I baby sitt our neighbor kids every morning. They owe me for about 13 weeks, maybe I could ask. Doug and I went over and asked, still waiting on an answer. Well maybe we could get a big gift though Rent A Center and pay it off when tax money comes. Checked and it really was a bad deal. So it would seem, every avenue was a dead end. Then during the kids classes yesterday our internet, phone and cable all were turned off. I called them begging to let it on till Friday. I explained it is in my budget for Friday, but I only have 20 bucks to my name till then. Not only will my kids be truant from school, but I have no way of calling our FSC to tell her our inter net is out....no deal. They really didn't care and the only way to get it turned on was to pay in full. After talking to one dept after another they agreed to turn it on for a deposit of $50. Well that could have as well been a million, cause I didn't have it. After scraping every corner of our house for change and taking a pair of jeans we got Josiah back to Kmart, we put it together. While in all the craziness of the day, Josiah saw his one and only gift I got that would have surprised any of the kids with, a WII guitar.
     Officially I was bah humbugged!!! When will I ever learn when all circumstances in life seem impossible, that's when God shows up. I got this message last night "

Guess what?!!! A wonderful woman from our church contacted Mike yesterday and wanted to know of a family..her family could bless. And guess who that's going to be??? YOU! You are getting target, walmart, and whatever else gift cards coming your way!!!!!!!!!! Jehovah Jireh!!! Get up and dance girl!" I don't know how much it is,(nor do I care) all I know is I'm humbled. Today I went to the mailbox and there was a check in a Christmas card from my dad and his fiancee. Once again God has let us know HE has not forgotten us. NO ONE knew what we had been going through!! HE saw and HE knew. He never stops showing me this, I don't know why I doubt! Thank you Lord for you continued blessings!

A College Student at 35???

     Sometimes in our lives when bad things happen to us we can react in one of two ways. We  can either carry it as a burden, or we can push though it and reach new heights. God never promised us that bad things wouldn't happen to us, however He is with us though it(He will never leave me nor forsake me). How does that old saying go...."If He brought me to it, He'll bring me though it". Two months ago I felt life looked dim. I still don't understand totally why, however I do know it has pushed me to answer a call on my life I've had for many years.
    The week after my miscarriage I went through some family issues, that still are not resolved. I hope they will be set right again in the future, but it may take time. The next week Doug escaped a layoff, but still had been reduced at work. Ever since they have been bouncing him from first to second shift at random. This not only has left our monthly budget tight, but pretty much bringing my crafty talents out for Christmas. I hope the kids like blankets, cause it looks like quilts will be the main gift under the tree this year (Christmas has been way to commercialize anyhow).       
     The week after that I had a friend cut me out of their life. Stopped answering my messages, wouldn't call me, I still don't know what I did to upset them so much. This was not just a friend, but one of my best friends. This made me question every friendship or friendly relationship I have. I began to click the unfriend button on social media like you wouldn't believe. I think I cut something like 75 "friends". I had many question me that maybe I had post partium depression. Maybe I should go see a doctor if I was feeling sad or angry. I've had post partum before, this is defiantly different. I had a fire set in me, a boldness not to shy away from issues that I had before.
      With this fire came the discussion with my wonderful husband about perusing my passion, my calling. Many people that know me, know I sign. Those who know me better know not only do I sign, but I LOVE the deaf. I feel more comfortable around them, and confident too. With this love I have a deep burden for their souls. The statistic's are staggering of how many do not know Christ, many who don't go to church at all, and many who would love to go to church but there is no where for them to go. Imagine for a second what it would feel like if you lived in a world where very few knew your language, many that know your language can only speak your language, and very few can interpret your thoughts to others. Now try to find a church in that world. Try to make friends outside that group in your world. Now you have an idea of where my passion comes from.
    After Dougs ok, some thought and some prayer I reapplied to a university that I applied to about a year and a half ago. When I applied the first time I got intimidated and quit the process. Having it made up in my mind all the reasons I shouldn't go though with this were valid reasons. I'm too old, I have six children that I educate at home, I can't afford it, how in the world would I ever grow a deaf church, would I be accepted as a minister by my peers....the list went on and on. I froze in my process and just dropped the whole idea, not this time though. After I reapplied I filled out the financial paper work, applied for some scholarships and finished the required steps needed to become a student in the spring.
     I still have a few steps to go, but it is looking like I will be a student beginning January 4th. I will be majoring in sign language interpreting, with a minor in Bible. This may change, I would like to possibly double major adding theology into the mix. I am a little nervous, but I know I'm following the calling on my life. Serving the deaf, and reaching them for Christ is what I know God has called me to do, and if this is what I have to do to see that come to pass, then this is what I'm going to try to do. I am still very sad that I will never see my baby here on earth, but losing him or her has made me look at this very short life we've all been given on this earth. Not to make a difference would be a waste of the gift of time God has give to us. Now let me ask, how are you allowing situations in your life controlling your future, what are you doing with your time?

One Nation Under God

     Many of us in our nation woke up with what I call an election day hangover. I promise there are many who either woke up this way either because they were parting with their candidate, or this way because they are so bummed about the results. Our family was up till about one o'clock this morning glued to our computers and our news. Beginning at 6 we started to watch the news and hung on numbers. We waited till most of all the numbers came in, so waking up this morning for all of us was hard. Just hang on for this ride, I'm going to tell you how this became family time for us.
     Growing up politics never concerned me much. I thought it was hooey in school when we voted for various things. If you were popular you got the vote, if you were less than in, well you better have a good concession speech. So if this was the way it was in school, this must be the way it is in the real world, this was my thought. My mom was a republican and voted every major election, but never voiced any of her political views. Later she told me that growing up she wanted me to make my own decisions what I thought was right. My dad and I had spoke of politics a few times, however what I could tell from him, he was neither republican or democrat. Forming options on my own about politics would be the way I would learn, if I would ever gain interest. When I was 17 my mom was put into the hospital to have my brother on November 8th, that was election day that year. I remember calling aunts and uncles and telling them "This kid better not be a politician!". I had already formed ideas about ALL politicians. I didn't care if I ever voted!
    Who knew finding the love of my life would impact the way I view politics. Doug and I began to date, then marry the next year. By this time I was 18 and still had no desire to register to vote. The election in 2000 changed that. We learned quickly how every voted counted when we watched people counting ballots in Florida, and learning what hanging chads were. Doug and I registered that year. Doug began to listen to talk radio more and more. Things i had no clue about in government Doug could fill me in on. By george I think I found the passion in this man for something other than me.
    Doug learned more and more, and sometimes board me to tears, but I always listened. Somethings I was interested in, others I thought was still a lot of mindless dribble. There were real issues that I tried convinced him that we could get involved with, at least a little. Doug not being a social kinda guy, decided it would be better, just do do our part and vote....that was till 2004. This was the year we got involved. We called  people from our local office....we got out the vote, we went to political rallies, put up yard signs, stayed informed....thus the birth of our involvement in politics as a family.
    Teaching our children how government works has been an ongoing event in our home. We follow important votes in Washington, and support our those who we feel represent us the best in offices. There are cheers and tears in our home when election days come. However the one thing we stress to our children is that no matter how wrapped up we get, there is always a winner, and always a loser. We will not win every time. When it is our time to be on the losing end life goes on. The sun will rise, and the sun will set. Time marches on and a new day will come. Be happy when you win, but don't rub it in to others when others lose. All things happen for a reason, and though it all God is still in control. Now my thoughts have changed since I was a kid. I'm thankful for the right to vote and thankful for a nation that allows us to voice our different opinions! No matter yesterdays out come GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE!!!!

A Time To Heal

So it was about a week ago since I wrote my last blog.What a week it has been! The Bible tells us there is a time for everything. Even tough it doesn't say a time to heal it does say there is a time for EVERYTHING. It never tells us what is going to happen to us in every season, that's because we all handle things in our life differently. For some reason when life is too much for me to handle I shut down. I don't answer my phone, I don't talk to my family, I only get dressed if necessary. Probably not the best way to handle a situation that isn't going to disappear, but this is what I do. My brain just needs time to process what is going on, or my emotions would lead my life...NO ONE wants that, especially Doug....tick, tick, tick, tick, BOOOOOOMMMM. Yea that would be me.
The thoughts that I've been processing in the last week have been my loss, my relationship with my husband, being a failure, feeling abandon. Not to mention word has come that my husband has been reduced at work (thank God not laid off) which comes with a five dollar an hour reduction in pay. SIGH. Don't know about you, but there are whole years sometimes that my mind and emotions don't have to deal with this much. Add on top of that I'm sooooo tired I could just sleep all day, an my body is still adjusting to hormonal issues. Thinking my desire to sleep may have something with my chronic anemia. I'm also having trouble having the doc I saw last week to check it. Like it would be sooo hard to add it to the blood work they are already checking, I hate the system!
 So how am I handling all of this? Some days well, others not so. One day I cried so hard I ended up with a migraine. This is what led me not to answer my phone, not check my e mail and avoid direct contact with people outside my house. Today I slept till one, thank God the kids didn't have classes today. My dishes have seen better days, as has the rest of my home. House work all together has been put on the back burner. I don't think I've not  been this affectionate with my husband since the years where we almost split. This in no way means we are going to part ways. We each have our ways of dealing with things, unfortunately we both pull back emotionally when under different situations. After all one of the seasons the Bible does speak of is a time not to embrace. We have never pulled back at the same time. We have always risen when the other was down, we're not use to being down at the same time. It's OK we are in the same season at the same time.
   So what keeps me going? My kiddos. Knowing I have to get them fed, I have to keep their education going, I have to make sure they don't kill each other. I know this is just going to last a time. I saw a sign a week ago that has spoken to me strongly. It said "Don't focus so much on what you've lost that you forget what you have." I've greatly been blessed with the six children God has given me! I do mourn for the one I've lost, but push forward for the ones God has allowed me to keep.  I'm tring to show my kids day by day I love them and would do anything for them. Teaching them that even though life isn't always sunshine and roses God is God, He's sovern and in control of everything. Showing them even in hard times my love for them doesn't change. Being an example for their future even though as a couple their dad and I are down, we still love each other, and a relationship with your spouse doesn't end in a hard time. Life can throw you a curve ball, but it marches on. Life is what YOU make it even in the hard times.
   
   My time to heal may take longer than it may take someone else. You may not understand my grieving, or the way I handle situations in my life, but this is MY time to heal. Who knows where I'll be in a week or a month, but I feel as long as I'm going forward at least I''m not standing still, and for sure not going backwards. Right now is a time to heal, but I know soon I'll have a time to laugh again.

WHEN I REFER TO YOU NO WAY AM I REFERRING TO ANY ONE PERSON IN PARTICULAR

Ecclesiastes 3 (King James Version)

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born , and a time to die ; a time to plant , and a time to pluck up that which is planted ; 3 A time to kill , and a time to heal ; a time to break down , and a time to build up ; 4 A time to weep , and a time to laugh ; a time to mourn , and a time to dance ; 5 A time to cast awaystones, and a time to gatherstones together ; a time to embrace , and a time to refrain from embracing ; 6 A time to get , and a time to lose ; a time to keep , and a time to cast away ; 7 A time to rend , and a time to sew ; a time to keep silence , and a time to speak ; 8 A time to love , and a time to hate ; a time of war, and a time of peace.9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice , and to dogood in his life.13 And also that every man should eat and drink , and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth , it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fearbefore him. 15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past .16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again . 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goethupward, and the spirit of the beast that goethdownward to the earth?22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?  

So much love

   I've pretty much been an open book though my life. My theory is how can people know how good God is if you won't show what He does in your life. I've been so blessed to have a husband that loves me first, after all that's what our family has been built from. When Doug and I were dating I had a doctor tell me because of my neurological issues I would never have children. Working with kids day in and day out, this is all I ever wanted. To grow up find a true love and grow a family, and a large one at that. You can imagine my heart break when the doctor told me this. However I know God is bigger. I'm glad at a young age I knew that as well. We were pleasantly surprised when we found we were pregnant the first time. Not only did we have a baby, but I delivered a 10 plus pound baby. The day after I had Josiah we had a family member come into my hospital room and tell me I should be done having children, cause God knew I wouldn't be able to care for this baby let alone anymore children.
      So it went through the years every time we had another baby I got so sick of the neigh sayers. The comments I've heard is "You can't do this again" Don't you know how this happens" "Don't you have enough...it's time to quit" "Your health can't do it again". This is the reason it has come so hard for me to share my joy and enthusiasm in every pregnancy. If it were up to me I wouldn't tell anyone till the baby's born. My favorite comment was one of someone from our church. We entered the church after having our fifth baby. As I was walking up the steps with new baby in hand someone said to me "Are you finished now?" And my reply "No we're going to have six more." Clearly not everyone shares our view's on having a family. What may be normal for one family isn't normal for all. What I see as a form of worship, another may see as me going off the deep end and losing it. It is something I choose to do, you don't need to understand why.
     Recently we learned we were going to have baby seven. Even though maybe it's not the best time for a baby, we were still thrilled. There have been times in the past that we were expecting that the timing wasn't perfect, but God has always seen us though it! For example when we got pregnant with Joel, Doug and I were on the verge of divorce, God restored us. When I got pregnant with Jada, Doug just got a new job and problems with Joel just came to our attention. God provided the insurance just in time, we learned how to deal with new issues with a special needs son. When we got pregnant with Jonah, we thought we were done having a family, we were taught to love even when it was not the right time. With Doug looking at a possible layoff in Oct, we knew God would provide for our situation.
     Last Saturday my body began to act funny, by Wednesday I realized I was losing our baby. Going though tests that no woman should ever have to endure, by Friday we had lost our little baby. Suddenly all of me began to morn the loss of a dear tender life. Was it a boy or girl?  For sure it would have favored the other kids. All the sudden I missed the laughter that would have been, and the tears I would have kissed away. How could I have so much love for someone I've never met? How could I feel so much love for something about the size of a half dollar? As I shed tears for our little one, God reminded me how much He cares for us. Not only are we small, but He gave his son for us. Even though we seem so small in His eyes our worries and concerns are important to us. In order for us not to suffer an eternity in hell, He has given his most beloved....his own child. If that doesn't say love I don't know what does.
    In closing I would just like anyone that reads this that knows me, if you have nothing kind or consoling, please don't say it to me or to anyone in convorsation. I don't put this up to make for good gossip, or hurtful word that may reach our ears, and remember God hears it all even if it never reaches my ears. If you're just a passer by that happens upon this, be mindful of your words in someones grief, or maybe their joy you may not understand. Not everyone sees things the same, and one day it could be you that is hurt by another words.
Psalm 102
1Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. 2Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I callanswer me speedily.3 For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.4 My heart is smitten , and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.7 I watch , and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.8 Mine enemiesreproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me. 9 For I have eatenashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,10Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up , and cast me down . 11 My days are like a shadow that declineth ; and I am withered like grass.12 But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.13 Thou shalt arise , and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come . 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.16 When the LORD shall build upZion, he shall appear in his glory.17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death;21 To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;22 When the people are gatheredtogether, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.23 He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.24 I said , O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.26 They shall perish , but thou shalt endure : yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed : 27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end . 28 The children of thy servants shall continue , and their seed shall be establishedbefore thee.