Exciting New Adventure

I awoke this morning with a sense of excitement.   I realized I have been sent on a mission field.   I am to give the Hope of Jesus where the fear of death is commonplace.  Last year I had no doctors.   Heck, last month I had no doctor.   Today I have 4, a gynecologist, a gastroenterologist, an oncologist, and a surgeon.  That's four new offices with lots of nurses.   I will be going 5 days a week for 8 weeks to chemo/radiation treatments and will have opportunities to speak to lots of people.   As a busy home schooling Mom of 8, I thought my big mission trips would come when the children are grown.  I could become a Betty Fountain, an older saint at our last church, who spent her last years going back to forth to Honduras ministering to others.   While they were in high school, my oldest daughter went to Honduras and my oldest son went to Brazil.  I hope each of my children get a taste of mission work before they leave home that spurs a lifetime interest of investment.   It's why we spent years of Tuesday mornings at our church's food pantry ministry.  I want our family to have a lifestyle of ministering to others.  But in the here and now, I was too busy in my family ministry to invest much time elsewhere.  

I will still be excited if God does a great miracle of healing in my body.  However, I sense a greater purpose in this trial than God being glorified in my healing right away.  Perhaps this time, it will be God glorified in my suffering.  I remember Pastor Wade sharing this as one of his life verses:  "I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:8-11  I always thought phew, not for me.   I do count everything loss for the excellence of knowing Christ BUT do not sign me up for that suffering part.  No thank you!

But now, I'm super excited about the opportunities before me.   (Remind me that when I'm sick and losing hair.)  So watch out Satan, what you meant for evil, God meant for good.

Beeeeeeeeep Beeeeeeeeep

This is a test. For the next few hours, this blog will conduct a test of the Miracle Broadcast System. This is only a test

Beeeeeeeeep   Beeeeeeeeep

This is a test of the Miracle Broadcast System. The broadcasters of miracles in voluntary cooperation with your prayers and the Holy Spirit have developed this system to keep you informed in the event of a miracle.

If this had been the actual miracle, the Attention Signal you just heard would have been followed by official hallelujahs, amens and Praise Jesus'.   All meals, transportation, planned on our behalf (unless you feel led....or if it's Mexican) will be suspended. 

This blog serves the praying saints on my behalf.  This concludes this test of the Miracle Broadcast System.

Biopsy Results Are In

So, I decide to see if the grandbabies can meet us at the indoor McDonald's playground knowing I won't be able to meet them out much after the chemo/radiation begins (at least not anywhere where germs are rampant as they tend to be in the winter.) 

Gastro doctor called while in the madness of the playground so I stepped outside.
"Hi Michelle.   Dr. Curtis is out of town.  I'm his partner and calling to tell you your results.  I know he probably told you what the chances were."

Me:  "Yes, he told me 99.9% he thought it was cancer.   But I'm sure you called to tell me that it was the .1% not."

Doctor:  "Well, that was hopeful (cheerful voice) and I wish it was true but no, I'm afraid you do have cancer........."

What a hard job that most be.   To be the doctor who has to tell folks that they have cancer.   Hoping I made his one call a little easier today by a little humor.   I know this didn't catch God by surprise so no need to fear.  Appreciate all the prayers and show of support.   Pray tomorrow that they find 1) I'm totally healed and the cancer has miraculously disappeared and/or 2) it's only in my colon. 

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.  Psalm 31:24

Visit with Surgeon

Today my husband and I went to the surgeon.   Good news is that I should make beach weight this summer.   Bad news is I will because 8 weeks of radiation/chemotherapy is on the agenda.   The mass was confirmed by this doctor that it is large.  After being completely violated in details that I won't go into on this blog, he was happy to find the mass was much higher than thought so I shouldn't lose all my colon, probably only 1/3 and 2/3 of my rectum  They don't want to do surgery until they have shrunk the mass.  After those 8 weeks, my body rests for 8 weeks then I have the surgery to remove the mass and give me a temporary bag.   After 6-8 weeks of recovery, if I don't have to go through more chemo. they will put me back together again and I'll be almost as good as new.   However, no matter how  much weight I lose, he let me know my stomach muscles are complete separated from having so many children so unless I had stomach surgery I won't be having a six pack on the beach again this summer.   (Yep, that's been a real concern, lol.)  That's all the details as of yet.   Thank you so much for all the notes of concern and I cannot tell you how much your prayers mean to myself and my family during this time.   Much love, Michelle

Top 6 Countdodwn of What I may Hear from the Doctor Today

I head to the doctor to hear how serious things are and how we are going to proceed with this mass they found in me.   Bu my goofy sense of humor came up with at 3:30 this morning a top 6 countdown of what I may hear from the doctor today.  
6) You can't blame your weight on this mass. 
5) When your husband said you were full of it, well, you were.
4) This surgery is going to be a royal pain in your behind. 
3) You are at least "healthy" enough weight wise that you won't get too thin no matter what treatment we decide. 
2) You can use this as an excuse of why you cannot go to your friend's child's birthday party on a rainy Saturday in Chuckie Cheese. and last but not least 
1) You cannot make a sad countenance every time you are losing a game just so you'll be felt sorry for and they will let you win.


Ahh, laughter is good medicine.   Even made Rusty smile this morning as we head out in the cold, rain that would seem to be the perfect setting for dark news but.....Christ.

We Wish You a Mary Christmas

What a wonderful weekend!   We began our Christmas celebration at my daughter Cindy's house with all the Rutherfords, my sister's family (the Colstons), my mother & stepfather (a.k.a. Nana and Grandy Randy), Aunt Fran, Uncle Mike and Aunt Joan all came together.  We ate a feast of horsdevours followed by the sneaky Santa game with all the children.   It always brings rolls of laughter.  We then traded gifts with the families we wouldn't see on Christmas. 

We spent the night at my daughter's home and put our gifts under the tree as soon a we got the very excited little one's to sleep.   We read all the sweet notes that I had received concerning my illness.   We were overwhelmed with kindness and then we ended with giggles watching silly videos.   Hit the sack totally exhausted but awoke ~3 am with a frightening voice in my head telling me what awful news I was going o hear Tuesday and that there would be no hope for me.   My mind began to go places I had not allowed it to visit since hearing I had a mass Tuesday.   Fortunately for the great preaching I had heard under Pastor Wade Trimmer, his FEAR acronym came right to mind.   I preached to myself that fear was False Evidence Appearing Real.   Purposely choosing against allowing my mind to wander the rabbit trail of what if's and hopelessness I choose instead to pray and worship the Lord.  His peace surrounded me and I slept soundly the rest of the night and even awoke earlier than I had in months!! 

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord.

After making our family's grits casserole (recipe I believe is on my menu blog), we sat and slowly opened gifts.   With a large family such as ours, it takes quite a bit of time because we make sure every gift is seen, every one thanked, and savor each moment.    The wee ones still being in "training mode" had a little bit harder time but relatively quickly got the hang of it.    Then many went into nap mode while the mama's went into organizing and followed quickly by relaxing mode.   There are 16 people present and it's as peaceful as could be on this rainy, Christmas day.  At some point today, when the family is awake and attentive we'll read the His birth story in Luke and hopefully sing some carols together.

For He alone is worthy
For He alone is worthy
For He alone is worthy
Christ the Lord.

 We will have lasagne together around three.   Our family will gather from my daughter's family's home and unload at the house.   We will then go visit my mother's home as my brother will have arrived today.  Everyone has been so kind to me and I've not had to really fulfill my normal mom's roles.   My appetizer last night was even taken over by the women in the kitchen who ordered me to go sit.   The only thing I've personally prepared was the breakfast casserole.  

We give you all the glory

We give you all the glory

We give you all the glory
Christ the Lord.

"Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, I pray that you will make plans to have a “Mary” Christmas” by experiencing His entering into you, growing within you, happening through you, and impacting the world around you. May you not miss the Christ of Christmas and may you have a never ending “Mary” Christmas!" ~Wade Trimmer tridm.org

Merry Christmas Adam

You know, Adam came before Eve and tomorrow is Christmas Eve.  Have spent the day with my 4 youngest at my daughter's house.   We baked, we sat and laughed at youtube videos, we baked, I napped, we baked, we played jeopardy (and got spanked by her husband), now we need to clean but we are playing scrabble first.

Michael wanted to make a Happy Birthday Jesus cake and decided upon a peanut butter cake.  We made a french vanilla cake and flavored it with peanut butter.   After we baked the cake, we made peanut butter frosting with butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar and milk.   Michael frosted the cake and then cut up little peanut butter cups all over the top.   He did a great job.

Praise, Michael & Cindy also made cute little pretzel snacks with m and m's and chocolate chips.   They also made peanut butter, sugar, and chocolate chip cookies.  We baked many small loaves of bread.    We'll have to finish the rest of the baking tomorrow because if you stuck a fork in me now you'd find that I'm done.   Thanking the Lord for all the sweet notes of prayer I received today.  Good night.

I Don't Get the Slacker Mom Award, phew!!

I have been feeling lousy for  few months.   Most people don't know the intricate details of our big family but my husband has always provided well but it requires he works... a lot.     I don't complain (anymore, lol) because I realize it's how I'm able to be home and home school the children.  But that also means I get little sleep....6 hours the norm until a few months ago.   To pinpoint exactly when things weren't right is not easy.  I started out being early to our home school co-op on Tuesday's the first few months then I could barely get there when it began.   I began taking naps with my 2 year old (which I've never done unless I was pregnant and sick because it seemed such a waste of time.)   I fell asleep every night right after dinner.    My house began falling apart although the kiddos helped a lot; I just didn't have it in me to make them do more when I was becoming such a sluggard.  My thoughts were 1) I am truly lazy and a slob!  Why am I not doing more or 2) maybe I'm depressed but I cannot figure out about what for the life of me.   Therefore, when I finally took the time to go to the doctor, my iron was low, my blood pressure in normal range but high for me, cholesterol slightly high (did I mention I quit cooking and eating...this was not a surprise), but they couldn't find my uterus or ovaries until they did an ultrasound on the outside of my belly and they were high.   They sent me home with prenatal vitamins to get my iron levels up and I told my children we were expecting again...  the littles were all woo hoos.....the olders were like "mom, aren't you too old?"   I told them the truth, afterwards.  (I totally had them fooled because they know I'd always LOVE to have another baby.)  I agree with Mother Teresa when she said, "How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers."

A colonoscopy and mammogram ordered next.  (When did I get so old?  The ladies I met last week thought I was 25 and now I'm having old folk's appointments!)    Well, everything changed after the colonoscopy when they told my husband and I that I had a large mass that needed to be removed immediately and were 99.9% sure it was colon/rectal cancer.  I advised them this was not the Christmas gift I wanted and could they please take it back.   Not understanding my goofy humor, they said they were so sorry.    We told the family and allowed them to tell others to pray.  The Lord is actually given me such a peace that I'm handling this news much better than my family.  (However, if it was one of my family members, I don't know if I'd be doing as well either.)   Humor has always been a part of our family and it helps in stressful times.   Proverbs 17:22 tells us a joyful heart is good medicine and I believe it.   When my mother checked in with me this morning, she asked if I knew how they were going to remove the mass.  I replied, "I don't know mom, but I have a feeling it's going to be a royal pain in the butt!!" and laughed and laughed and laughed.

"It's a Wonderful Life" has always been one of my favorite Christmas movies.   I've never been a pessimist as Jimmy Stewart's character plays.   However, I can relate to the surprise he felt when the whole town came to bless him in his darkest hours.   I have been overwhelmed with notes of encouragement, love and prayer.   There is already a blessing found in this situation I am facing.   Relationships are being restored.   Things seem pretty petty in the light of cancer.  I believe this outpouring of love from the church is already at work healing the seeds of cynicism that were planted in the hearts of some of my family members.   Although they still loved the Lord, they lost trust in the church body.  Praying this restores them to see that the Lord is still in the church.   Why He chose us to begin with is a mystery to me.   We are a mess!   But for some reason, He chooses to use the messy and ugly (like us) to bless the world with His love and grace.   What a Savior!

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

and sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

and looked down one as far as I could

to where it bent in the undergrowth;

I've always loved this Robert Frost poem.   This new adventure that has been thrust upon me is not the path I would have chosen.  As a sweet friend told me when she faced breast cancer, she wouldn't have chosen it either but told the Lord she'd walk it with Him if that's the path He placed her on.  I too choose to walk in the way He leads. I hope, of course, that just as He healed my Praise from death, seizures, and macrocephalus, that He will choose to take this from me as well.  He's a big God! I know my path could change in a blink.  However, as Daniel and his friends told the king, I KNOW HE can, but if not...I still choose to praise Him.   Good grief...where else could I go?   Once you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good nothing else can satisfy!!
 

My brother and sister got the "Monk" gene that makes their homes neat as pins and I got the "happy go lucky wish I could be as neat gene".  I will never have a gorgeous all together home like my siblings (whom I'm so proud of), but it was a big relief to find out I wasn't going to get the 2011 Slacker Mom Award, I wasn't depressed nor crazy (although my family may say the jury is still out on that claim), I was just ill.   Time to heal up.   Will be doing a super healthy diet such as "The Hallelujah Diet" or "The Gerson Diet" that I watched in "A Beautiful Truth" last year beginning Monday.   Don't know how much exercise will happen as it takes all my strength just to get a "little" done each day but may walk with the kiddos when the energy hits.  I'm not going to function as if it's over.   I've got my fighting gloves on and until the Lord tells me different He is going to see us through this.   I've got too many little ones to not put up a big fight.   (Remind me of this if I get weary!)   I'm going to continue to try to live each day without regrets and press in to the Lord, my source of strength.   Lastly, I will choose to thank the Lord in all things (I Thess 5:18) even this dark and scary journey that I am choosing to see as a new adventure with the Lord.   It seems fitting to end with the last stanza of Robert Frost's poem.

 I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Merry Christmas 2011

2011 Tordoff Holiday Letter

Greetings to the saints, faithful friends and family.  I've always loved how Paul began his letters.  Wishing my salutations to you could be so eloquent and inspiring, I chose to begin this letter with a snippet from Colossians 1:  ⁹And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, ¹⁰so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ¹¹ May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, ¹² giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. ¹³He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

2011 has raced by.  Even though I am fighting the speed of each week with all my might by cutting out extras to enjoy each day, it still marches on rather quickly.   Our family has been blessed with another year of living life.   Though there are many days that we struggle to keep the house in order, the laundry under control, the sock basket full, the dishwasher empty, the garden weeded, school work completed... we press on.  Of course, my fantasy world would have me managing all my duties with excellence, always complete with plenty of time to study, draw, write, sew, bake, etc.   Reality smacks back and sometimes rather hard.  Having a choice of pondering the "if only's" or "keep on keeping on", I choose the latter and try to give thanks for all those duties.   Thank you Lord that when we hang out laundry we have the ability to enjoy nature for a few fleeting moments that I would otherwise not have taken time for. Thank you for this mountain of clothes to launder because you blessed my womb with a household of children fit for your kingdom and clothed them all.   Thank you for these dishes piled in my sink for you have provided my family with food.  Mostly this year, I thank the Lord for choosing a mess like me who struggles to balance life well and for constantly teaching me to find my identity in Him and not all my shortcomings (phew, that's BIG!).

John Russell is officially a MAN this year.   He is 18 and graduated.  He has been doing lots of odd work (from detailing cars, being the "geek squad" for a small company, and cleaning evictions) while saving up for personal training and nutrition courses.  He continues to enjoy working out, and hanging out with friends and family.  His dream would to one day own a Cross Fit gym. 

Nicholas, 16 and a junior in high school this year, has been working hard on his Classical Conversations Challenge II courses.   His favorite subject this year has been Biology.  He still enjoys running (like John Russell) or biking. He is now leaning towards being a linguist when he finishes his high school courses.   When we finish Latin II, he wants to begin Spanish, then Arabic.    He's more ambitious than I!

Timothy, 14, has had no more dramatic breaks to report this year, phew!  He has had no problems since his arm was repaired in surgery the year before.   He is working hard on his Challenge B courses.  His favorite subject this year is Science.  He continues to play tennis along with Praise, Michael and his cousins Clayton and Grace Anne.

Praise, 12, is in her last year of foundations in Classical Conversations.  Her favorite subject is art.  She and Timothy still cook a lot and she still dreams of owning a bakery with Grace Anne.    If we can not find her, she is usually hiding with a book.  She plays around at the piano so lessons are on the agenda and she enjoys tennis with the others.

Michael, 10, has probably grown the most this year.  His favorite subject is Geography.  He loves to camp outside with his brothers (unless he gets too cold), ride bikes, to swim, and play tennis.  He has made new friends through church and Classical Conversations this year.

Emily, 6, is in first grade and reading.   Strange to think I only have one more child to teach how to read.    Her favorite subject is math or as she calls it "numbers".   She loves playing at tennis :D, being outside with her siblings, and swimming in the summer.

Christopher, 2, is 98% potty trained hence my last year of diapers.  Happy for the savings but will miss the baby years.   He loves being with his nephew Jackson and making us laugh.   He woke up a few days ago and said he wanted to watch "Cake Boss."  He calls John Russell when he's gone and tells him to "come home" and "be careful".   He's still yummy to squeeze and smooch on.

Cindy's family is busy but doing great.  Brandon keeps busy with work and holding down the fort while Cindy is in school. Cindy is excelling in nursing school.  Rylie began Christian school at Augusta Christian and loves it.  Jackson, all boy, is a happy, smiley 3 year old.

Our family still enjoys lots of laughter.  I wish I wrote down all the funny things they say and do each day that keeps us in stitches and helps us struggle through life together with smiles on our faces.    I pray you had a wonderful year filled with laughter and joy despite any tears and heartache.  I pray you know the preeminence of Christ as found in Colossians 1 and know that ¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.  I pray that (Col 2) ⁶ therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.  

Love to all.  Be sure to keep in touch!

Merry Christmas to All

from the Tordoff Troop and

Blessings for a Wonderful New Year

Spirt of Thanksgiving

Almighty God,
Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you
for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world
by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray,
give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts
we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer/Book of Divine Worship

Quote from "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickins

It was the best of times,

it was the worst of times,

it was the age of wisdom,

it was the age of foolishness,

it was the epoch of belief,

it was the epoch of incredulity,

it was the season of Light,

it was the season of Darkness,

it was the spring of hope,

it was the winter of despair, 

we had everything before us, 

we had nothing before us, 

we were all going direct to Heaven, 

we were all going direct the other way

--in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ecclesiastes 1:9

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; 

and that which is done is that which shall be done: 

and there is no new thing under the sun. 

Jesus to His Mother by J.R.. Miller

It was on the cross that Jesus paid his last tribute of love and honor to his mother.   The nails were in his hands and feet and he hung there in agony.  He was dying in deepest shame.  The obloquy of the world was pouring its blackest tides upon his head.  In the throng below,, his eye fell on a little group of loving friends, and among them he saw his mother.   Full as his heart was of its own anguish, it was not too full to give thought to her.  She would have no protector now.  The storms would beat in merciless fury upon her unsheltered head.  Besides the bitterness of her bereavement there must be the shame she must endure on his account, the shame of being the mother of one who died on a cross.  His heart felt all this, and there, in the midst of his own agony, he made provision for her, preparing a home and shelter for her.  Amid the dark scenes of the cross his example shines like star in the bosom of the blackest clouds saying to us, "Honor they father and they mother."

Gleanings from 'The Hiding Place" Corrie Ten Boom

"Sometimes I would slip the Bible from its little sack with 

hands that shook, so mysterious had it become to me. 

It was new; it had just been written. 

I marveled sometimes that the ink was dry. 

I had believed the Bible always, but reading it now 

had nothing to do with belief. 

It was simply a description of the way things were--

of hell and heaven, 

of how men act and how God acts. 

I had read a thousand times the story of Jesus' arrest --

how soldiers had slapped him, 

laughed at Him, 

flogged Him. 

Now such happenings had faces and voices."

~Corrie Ten Boom 

"The Hiding Place"

 

If you asked my family, they would tell you I am not an "emotional" mama.  I never have been.  They have seen me cry in church services where the Holy Spirit was moving more than the day to day moments of life.  Now my heart cries over many things...the injustices in the world, the desire for salvation to come to all my family and that they walk close to Him each day, the overwhelming awe for the mercy I receive each moment from a loving Father who knows my many faults and shortcomings yet still loves me, and more.   Even though I've read her story before, you cannot help but cry when you read "The Hiding Place".  

Your heart breaks that anyone could ignore such brutal inhumanity such as was inflicted in Europe by the Nazis.  Yet my heart wonders how many injustices I miss or am immune to each day while trying to get my daily list done and am about my own business.  

Encouragement in our God, who keeps you in His arms, is found when you read the many miracles experienced in the dark, brutally cold, crowded, flea-infested prison.  It's hard to complain about cobwebs and piles of laundry when you know how really blessed and free you are.  But you can live in a prison of your own design, if you walk in fear and miss the blessings He pours out each day for you.

If you want a quick read that will truly build your faith in our amazing God, who provides and cares for your every need, who is with you in the darkest of times, who has purposes and designs for your life this is the book for you.  Be sure to have tissues handy for the tears of heartache and the tears of thankfulness.

So much to do....so little time

Outside the trees are blowing sporadically in the grey sky while sprinkles of rain drops come down off and on throughout the afternoon.  Inside our home is warmth and coziness with most of it's members around the dining room table.  Two children are working on origami while two others are practicing their music.  Two other children are looking and sorting through the rock collection.  All the while I am answering e-mails, reading Pride and Prejudice for my co-op class, planning school and work for the week as beefy-vegetable and cabbage soup is permeating the air around us.  There is a floor to be mopped, clothes to be folded, and bathrooms to be scrubbed but for now I will enjoy these moments of togetherness that pass by so quickly.

I Peter 1:24
²⁴For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  ²⁵But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.

Whom do you want to get noticed?

"When Jesus entered Jerusalem many people spread their clothing and palm branches on the street to honor the Lord.
"Jesus was riding, as the prophets foretold, on a donkey.  In this was the feet of Jesus did not touch the street adorned with clothes and branches, but instead the donkey walked right over them.

"It would have been very stupid of the donkey if she had imagined that she was very important.  It was not for her that the people threw their clothes on the streets."

Stupid are those who spread the good news of Jesus and expect to receive glory themselves.  The glory should go to Jesus.  

Excerpted from, "He Cares for You" by Corrie Ten Boom.

One door closes....and another opens

I've managed a warehouse for a missionary for about the last 5 years.  It's been a great blessing for our family to work together.  However, the business is closing this month.  It wasn't a total surprise as just a few years ago we were shipping sometimes 500 books a week and now we were shipping maybe 20.  It was a great provision from the Lord when we needed it.  As I was praying about what our new season would look like and knowing finances were going to be difficult if my husband didn't get cabinet jobs, I was sure of God's provision again.  In a very short time, we were given the opportunity of taking over the home school consignment store in the Augusta area.  Although it has made October very difficult with closing down a warehouse and starting a new business at the same time, (not to mention home schooling, teaching high school classes in our co-op...and would you believe my family still wanted to eat and wear clean clothes!!)  it's been exciting too.  I began a face book group "Big Happy Family Books" and will try to list books as they come in the store to keep folks abreast of what is available.  Although these are very uncertain times in our economy, I'm optimistic about our new direction.  Hoping to do a better job posting on this blog, along with my cooking and saving money blogs since we will be home more.  Thank you Lord for your provision!

School is In

As stretched as I get teaching so many different levels of school in one day, I cannot imagine missing out on seeing my 1st grader practicing her reading on me each day, my baby "schooling" with the others as they practice their Classical Conversations history sentences, math facts, English rules, Latin words, science facts, and timeline cards.  With my first two graduated, I've gone back to teaching at CC.  It's been difficult to learn Latin II and "relearning" Advanced Math in order to teach it; however, it's also been great to be able to work alongside my son and model life-long learning habits.

I've been blessed with a great class of students at co-op who get as excited as I do when we are looking under the microscope at pond water that we stored with egg yolk and see all kinds of  creatures that we get to draw and label in our lab journals.  We ewww and ahhhh together when we admire fascinating art like the mirror in Van Eyck's Giovanni Arnolfini and His Bride.  It's only been four weeks of classes but already we have been discussing great British Literature that we've read at home between classes.   We all enjoyed Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Canterbury Tales.  Paradise Lost was not a favorite of many although it still made for great Socratic discussion.  They are to read Pilgrim's Progress this week and I hope it will become one of their favorites!  We do Logic together in class and are working through Francis Shaeffer's How Shall We Then Live book and watching the video series along with the book State of the Arts. 

Son # 3 is in another Challenge class that is also learning Logic, Math, Latin I, and Current Events & Debate.  They have been reading great books like The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and Little Britches.   They have been studying Kepler and Newton in science which has made for interesting conversation and discoveries. 

The rest of my guys are learning about the human body in science to coincide with their cycle 3 work in CC.  It's quite a bit of juggling and we don't always accomplish all I'd like but it's still a joy to watch your children grown in wisdom and knowledge.  Especially, when you see them making the connection in all learning to the One who created them and the wonderful creation that surrounds us.  To find His Truth hidden in every subject is one of the most exciting things of all.  Had I sent my guys to school, I wouldn't have taken the time to learn all I've learned over the past 20+ years of homeschooling,    Did I cover it all and get it all right?  Absolutely not.   But for what I did, I give Him the glory and pray He'll continue to grow and teach my children marvelous truths long after I've graduated them, continue to write His Word on their hearts, and continue to overwhelm them with His love and beauty.

Until,
Michelle

A Cup of Tea

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful for beauty is God's handwriting--a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Read "Everything I Know I Learned Over Tea" tonight to relax after a day of teaching at co-op.  It's a great quick read and encourages to take time for family, for friends, for even yourself in this hurried world.  Always enjoying a tea party with family, I am going to try this little tradition as part of our 3:00 snack each day.  A little time out in the busyness of school, chores, homemaking, etc. to reflect on the blessings of the day, the needs of my children, or even to dig into the Word to refill from a day of "pouring out".  May we each take time each day with or without tea to reflect on the goodness and the greatness of our wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Until,

Michelle 

What Are You Passionate About?

Today is my birthday and the first thing on my list of to do's was to go to Dr. Dan Dickinson's funeral today.  He was hit by a car while riding his bike to work and was survived by his beautiful wife and 4 young adult children. My eldest daughter went with me as she was in youth group with his older children and was grieved by their loss.  There were very few dry eyes in the large church we were in.  I'm unsure if you can have a "favorite" part of a funeral, but if so, I loved hearing his best friends talk.  The theme throughout every story was that he had a passion for life.  He did everything with with great passion whether it was enjoying family, eating, bike riding, working, studying or reading the Word.  The common thread in all he did was his unashamed love for the Gospel and sharing it with the world.  They spoke of his overwhelming generosity with his time and resources to spread the Gospel.  Their stories were funny, serious, and encouraging and yet, you knew the great loss to the family of such a great husband and father.   Always wanting to learn and grow myself, there were many life lessons learned by his short but powerful life.  As one of his friends said, he lived more in 57 years than most folks do if they lived to be 100! 

First of all, he put God and family first.  He was disciplined in every area of his life.  If he gained weight because of his love for food, he went back to Weight Watchers to get it off.  He got up at 4 to study because he began work at a hospital with many young doctors and he wanted to stay sharp and knowledgeable.  From five to six, he studied his Word and had his quiet time.  Then he rode his bike to work because he was training for a big race later this year.  He kept his Christian childhood friends and they kept each other growing in the Lord, accountable and had a Jonathon/David type relationship.   He made regular time for medical missions using his personal vacation time to invest in others.  He was a true friend to others and made an impact for Christ.   My prayers go out to His family that the Lord will comfort them and that his children will grab his gusto for life, passion for Christ, and climb even greater mountains for the Lord.

When Queens Ride By

I read this story a few years ago in one of Joe Wheeler's books "Mom In My Heart.".  I loved it and thought it would make good reading for any wife.  I hope it blesses you the way it blessed me.

To read it:  click here

Isaac Watts Song on Salvation

The Invitation of the Gospel

Let every mortal ear attend,
And every heart rejoice,
The trumpet of the gospel sounds
With an inviting voice.

Ho, all ye hungry starving souls,
That feed upon the wind,
And vainly strive with earthly toys
To fill an empty mind,

Eternal wisdom has prepar'd
A soul reviving feast,
And bids your longing appetites
The rich provision taste.

Ho, ye that pant for living streams,
And pine away and die,
Here you may quench your raging thirst
With springs that never dry.

Rivers of love and mercy here
In a rich ocean join;
Salvation in abundance flows,
Like floods of milk and wine.

Ye perishing and naked poor,
Who work with mighty pain
To weave a garment of your own
That will not hide your sin,

Come naked, and adorn your souls
In robes prepar'd by God,
Wrought by the labours of his Son,
And dy'd in his own blood.

Dear God, the treasures of thy love
Are everlasting mines,
Deep as our helpless miseries are,
And boundless as our sins.

The happy gates of gospel grace
Stand open night and day,
Lord, we are come to seek supplies,
And drive our wants away.

Quotes for Moms

What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.

 -Martin Luther

 

 

No ordinary work done by a man is either as hard or as responsible as the work of a woman who is bringing up a family of small children; for upon her time and strength demands are made not only every hour of the day but often every hour of the night. She may have to get up night after night to take care of a sick child, and yet must by day continue to do all her household duties well; and if the family means are scant she must usually enjoy even her rare holidays taking her whole brood of children with her. The birth pangs make all men the debtors of all women. Above all our sympathy and regard are due to the struggling wives among those whom Abraham Lincoln called the plain people, and whom he so loved and trusted; for the lives of these women are often led on the lonely heights of quiet, self-sacrificing heroism. 

 -Teddy Roosevelt, 1905

 

 

"I learned more about Christianity

from my mother

 than from all the theologians
in England."

- John Wesley

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.  They have clung to me all my life.  ~Abraham Lincoln

 

 

Our Family Beach Vacation 2011

The Family (minus Wesley, Cindy, Brandon, Rylie and Jackson)

We did our beach trip a few weeks earlier this year due to our expanding gardens.  It was a great, relaxing trip although it wasn't quite the same without Wesley and Cindy's family.   Probably my favorite moments were our daily walks, the games, and just enjoying watching the family eat, work, play and laugh together.  Yep, we even work on vacation....household chores can't escape a crowd this large anywhere.  Dishes still needed to be washed, clothes laundered, and floors vacuumed to keep the sand out.

Muscle Men

Every year since the boys were babies, they pose at least once showing off their muscles. The toddler got in on the act this year.  We've played bocce ball, volleyball, football, and frisbee every year at the beach.  This year the boys, sometimes girls, played a lot of beach soccer.  A few swollen feet, bruised shins and ankles but no breaks as in previous trips with the skim board. 

All boy's game

The brothers

Even Christopher gets a good kick in!

In the picture below my son is pointing at the sign behind the plane.  It says judgment day.   Can you believe the world was "ending" the same day we were out on the beach?   Thank the Lord we knew the Word says in Matthew 24:36, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."

The girls stroll along with us on our daily, long, beach walks.  These are great moments of bonding, talking about life, and enjoying God's great creation. 

 All and all another wonderful week and we are so thankful to our friend Suzanne.  We had such a great time when visiting with her that we can't wait to see her again soon. 

Lazy, sunny days, ahhhhhhhhh

Life is good

The end of the island and the end of this page.