Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Never have a lump.

May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off of your thighs.


We have so much to be thankful for...consider voicing what you are thankful for aloud to the One Who gives those blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lydia at 6 months

Lydia Lanae

I'm Back!

I have internet service at home so I can keep up on our blog again. I tried to do it on my BlackBerry and it just wouldn't work. So just in time for the holiday season, I get to work on updating the past months I have missed...or maybe just pick up where we are now. :)

Oh, Lydia!

Lydia Lanae

Little Lydia

"Laughing Lydia"

What joy she brings to our lives!!

The first two were taken today after church.

The last one was taken yesterday afternoon while Big Brother was King For The Day!

More about him in another post!

Enjoy your day!

Another Blessing!

The last time I posted this, it was from a girlfriend far, far away

that simply sent me a + in the content of an email.

That was all.

Just a plus sign.

What GREAT emails those are to receive!!

This time we are making a HUGE one that is PINK:

+

(Pretend it is huge!)

I get to share here that another friend is pregnant!

Children are a gift from the Lord! May we rejoice in the gift of Life from our Creator!

Congratulations!!!

Third Shift and Sin

It has amazed me (and I am not sure why I am shocked by it) how my sin has flaired up since Hubby has been on third shift this week. I was mad that his "reward" for working so much last week at the Vermilion Grove mine to help Peabody transfer gear was to work third shift upon his return.

This has really been hard on me. Mostly, I am not having my way and my sin is made aware due to it. Keeping the children quiet when we are a stay-at-home-family and staying on task with the daily routine of our home isn't easy or fun. The washer and dryer is off of our bedroom so general household chores are difficult to accomplish and still respect his sleep requirements.

The more the week has passed, the uglier my heart has grown weeds of sin. Then I remember that where He leads me to He will take me through. It is a fleeting thought. It comes and goes. I read my Bible and gain focus and then almost instantly lose my train of thought as the reality of the situation comes into view. I, then, try to get my heart aligned with right thoughts -- boom, they are gone again.

I confessed this to the Lord and asked for Him to give me the right heart. The heart that I need to have to serve my family even when things are not as I want them to be. He has established our home and family and brought us to these circumstances. May He be glorified in them as I seek to put off self and honor Him with my thoughts and actions.

49 seconds of a Mother's Joy

Lydia Lanae is 6 weeks old today!!

What is normal?

"Act Normal"

This is what you get when you have "normal" childen!

Our Lydia Lanae

Photo Credit: Shelley Henk

Love

Photo Credit: Shelley Henk

Through The Eyes of a Child

Photo Credit: Shelley Henk

The Wonder...

Photo Credit: Shelley Henk

Daughters

Being a mother is wonderful...

Photo Credit: Shelley Henk

THE WEDDING DAY!

Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Munro

A kiss




Our newest daughter, Faith Joelle



Best Man and Groom

Father and Son

The Bride, her Groom and his siblings

Cutting the cake

This is one of the most special days for our family. Faith did a lovely job planning their wedding and the whole day was full of such joy and love! Everything was elegant and beautiful and what an incredibly beautiful bride she was--if I don't say so myself!

Congratulations Faith and Michael!

May God richly bless you and keep you!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Today is the wedding day of our first born child,

Michael Joshua Munro.

He is marrying Faith Joelle Frederick from Munising, Michigan

where their wedding is being held.

Pictures to follow!

9 days old

Our Daughter, Lydia

Lydia Lanae

MDA

Please help Jeanne

Welcome Baby Munro

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

8 pounds and 10 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long

Time of Arrival was 3:43 AM

My eyes are blue

My hair is dark

My Name Is

Lydia Lanae

Pictures Soon!

Looking Ahead

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Proverbs 31:28

40 weeks

Homeschool Graduation

Tonight is the Homefires Graduation Ceremony!

May God be glorified in the lives of these young people and their families!!

Busy Days

There is much going on in our home, family and lives! One of the current (defined as going on this very second) projects belongs to E. She is busy baking and decorating cakes for the Homeschool Graduation. This is the first of two full size sheet cakes. Can't you see her with flour all over her face?? What a gem!

This is the second sheet cake and it is boxed and ready to be delivered to the church in the morning. She is working on the last cake--a bear with a graduation cap and a diploma. Picture to follow!

The House

Our
version
of
pan
o
ram
a

Plans...

Disruptive moments are often divine appointments.

Well...

Still housing hunting? Nope! We have found our earthly dwelling for yet another transition.

Thank you, Lord!!

House Hunting

We have made two trips to Vincennes this past week for the purpose of finding a house to rent. We are still uncertain as to when we will move date-wise but we also know that it is approaching. We have three more houses that might be possibilities so William and T are going back to Vincennes again this evening to look at those. I just can't make the trip again so soon! I am still tired from yesterday!! So, please pray with us for the Lord's leading regarding the house we will rent, wisdom for Wm and T as well as their safety, and all of the details that God so amazingly works out!

Preemie

Little Tait

Looking

Take your eyes off the mountain and look to the Mountain Mover!

He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots. Job 28:9

How Great His Love!!

Sometimes going through life, we don't always remember to reflect back to what God did for us on the cross. Reading my devotions yesterday, I was completely touched at how he (Max Lucado in It's Not About Me) put Christ's suffering into words. He was talking about the Edwards Aquifer in South Texas- how no one knows the depth of it. They know how many miles of land it covers but not the depth. He said,"Remarkable. We use it, depend on it, would perish without it.....but measure it? We can't."

While thinking on that, let's bring to mind another unmeasured "pool". It is the pool of God's love. Who has measured the depth of God's love? Only He has. Now as you read, picture this and let yourself experience the amount of pain our Savior endured for us.

"Want to see the size of my love?" He invites. "Ascend the winding path outside Jerusalem. Follow the dots of bloody dirt until you crest the hill. Before looking up, pause and hear me whisper, 'This is how much I love you.' " Condemned to die by crucifixion. Whip-ripped muscles drape his back. Blood streams down his face. His eyes and lips are swollen shut. Pain rages at wildfire intensity. At the edge of suffocation, he shoves pierced muscles against the spike and inches up the cross. He does this for hours. Painfully up and down until his strength and our doubts are gone.

So, the question that still awaits for us to ask is, does God love me? Look at the cross, and we will find our answer. Because maybe someday someone will likely find the limits of the Aquifer.
When it comes to water, we could find the limits, but God's love, we never will.

I hope you have enjoyed this. When I read it my eyes where close to tears and my heart was hurting with pain at how many times I forget to thank God for what He did and does for me. I usually pray and ask God for things more than I thank Him for what He does. That hurt to learn but I think it is well worth it. - Emily

News Article

April 22, 2009 - 10:16 PM

Maricopa City Police Officer Christopher Evans only had an hour left in his shift when he got the call to respond to a newborn who was no longer breathing.
"It was about 6:30 p.m. on February 6 when another officer in my squad and I picked up the call and said we were en route," said Evans, who grew up in the Yuma area. "When we arrived at the house, the father was in the front yard yelling and screaming for us to come in. We entered the house and found the mother on the floor looking at the baby girl laying next to her."Evans said the 8-day-old had just come home from the hospital the day before."The baby's mouth and jaw had turned blue, and she was not responding to stimulus. Her eyes were open and did not blink. Her pupils were fixed and did not dilate when I shined a light in her eyes. I could not find a pulse and she was not breathing."Evans said the mother had already begun CPR, and he took over after his assessment.
"When you give a baby CPR you have to be very careful because they are so small and fragile, and when you are applying compressions, you can't push too hard." Evans said he continued with the CPR for about 5 minutes, and thought of his own infant son during the entire ordeal. "I have a son who was 2 months old at the time, and when I was performing the CPR, in my mind it was my son laying there. It was rough and very emotional. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my law enforcement career." Evans said after a while, there were signs the baby might be coming around. "She started to kick her legs a little at the end, which gave me hope. I did not know if it was just nerves or if the CPR was working. That was when the city fire department arrived and took over. Within a few minutes the baby was breathing and making noises. She started crying, and they transported her to Phoenix Children's Hospital by helicopter." According to police officials, the medical personnel who arrived on the scene indicated that if it was not for the direct involvement from Evans administering CPR, the infant would not have survived. They have recommended him for the Medal of Life Saving Award. Evans said the whole event was a very traumatic time. "I was drained and I cried my whole way home. The one thing that kept running through my mind was a Bible verse I learned as a kid which says, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.' It was my faith that kept me going." (Emphasis is mine--from a mom praying that all I do for Jesus is really sinking into their hearts.) Evans said he has closure now because he knows the baby is safe. "She is home now. She had been born with complications which caused the incident; but as far as I know now, she is developing normally." Evans graduated from Kofa High in 1991, and completed law enforcement training at AWC. He has served in the Navy, the San Luis Police Department, Cocopah Tribal Police, and the Yuma County Sheriffs's Office. Evans said helping save a life is what being a cop is all about. "This is definitely one of the reasons I became a police officer. I don't know how not to be a cop."

Notice

Vision Forum is pleased to announce their upcoming internships for 2009. The internships — which emphasize biblical manhood, practical business skills, and preparation for Christian leadership — are available to Christian, home-educated young men who possess a servant’s spirit, a teachable heart, and a desire to work hard serving a ministry devoted to the restoration of the Christian family. Application deadline is May 15th.

Rules

The 21 Rules Of This House

by Gregg Harris

1. We obey God.

2. We love, honor and pray for one another.

3. We tell the truth.

4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.

5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.

6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.

7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.

8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.

9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.

10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.

11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.

12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.

13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.

14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.

15. When we open something, we close it.

16. When we take something out, we put it away.

17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.

18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.

19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.

20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.

21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Bowlin

I HAVE to share information about a Christian chiropractor that has blessed me with help as I have had several struggles during this past week. He is located in town and is a network provider for our health insurance...Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you have need of a chiropractor or are considering chiropractic care, please contact this terrific individual and his excellent staff! 446-7112

Drawn By God

Repeatedly in the Bible, we see men and women of God drawn into a deeper relationship with God through adversity. There is no doubt that all the circumstances in the long delay of the birth of Isaac and then the experience of taking his only son up to the mountain to offer as a sacrifice brought Abraham into a much deeper relationship with God. The Psalms are replete with expressions of ever-deepening knowledge of God as the psalmists seek Him in times of adversity. (Psalms 23, 42, 61, 62).

You and I obviously do no seek out adversity just so we can develop a deeper relationship with God. Rather God, through adversity, seeks us out. It is God who draws us more and more into a deeper relationship with Him. If we are seeking Him it is because He is seeking us. One of the strong cords with which He draws us into a more intimate, personal relationship with Him is adversity. If, instead of fighting God or doubting Him in times of adversity, we will seek to cooperate with God, we will find that we will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Him. We will come to know Him as Abraham and Job and David and Paul came to know him.
-Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

Relationship With God

Perhaps the most valuable way we profit from adversity is in the deepening of our relationship with God. Through adversity we learn to bow before His sovereignty, to trust His wisdom, and to experience the consolations of His love, until we come to the place where we can say with Job, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you" (Job 42:5). We begin to pass from knowing about God to knowing God Himself in a personal and intimate way.
-Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

Growing Through Adversity

Part of coming to know Christ in a more intimate way is through the fellowship of His sufferings. If we are to truly grow in knowing Christ, we can be sure we will to some degree experience the fellowship of His sufferings. If we are to experience the power of His resurrection, we can also be sure we will experience the fellowship of His sufferings.
-Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

Sentiments

I am ready for summer!

The Duggars Are Having Another Baby!

Four months after Michelle gave birth to number eighteen (Jordyn), the Duggars announced today that they are having another baby, but this time the baby will be from the family of Jim Bob and Michelle’s eldest son Josh and his wife Anna. The baby is due on October 12.
The story was announced this morning on Today Monday. MSNBC reported:
The couple made their happy news public from the home of Josh Duggar’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. Surrounding them were Josh’s 17 brothers and sisters and his parents. . . .
“We are so thrilled and so excited for Josh and Anna,” said Michelle Duggar, who held her youngest daughter, 4-month-old Jordyn, on her knee. She said that when she was growing up, she had nieces and nephews her own age, so it wouldn’t be strange to have a grandchild almost the same age as her own child. . . .
Vieira asked Josh what lessons he’s learned about parenthood from growing up in such a large family.
“In any large family you learn responsibility. You learn it from an early age,” he said.
His father offered another bit of advice: “teach your children to love the lord with all their hearts; serve others.” . . .
On their web page, Josh and Anna write: “We look forward to the blessing of children as stated in the Psalms, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (Psalms 127:3) Having both been raised in large families, we have agreed to trust God in the area of children and the size of it.”
In January, Josh told People magazine, “I would welcome a big family. My parents have been wonderful examples.”

The Seasoned Sisters Experience

Seasoned: Old enough to know what we want out of life, and wise enough to know what to do with those desires, hopes, and dreams.

Sisters: When building a home, 2x4s are hammered together on bearing walls so they can bear more weight. This term is called “sistering.” When women stand shoulder to shoulder and sister one another, we are stronger, and we can make a positive difference.

The Seasoned Sisters experience will help you discover renewed strength because Seasoned Sisters:

• Choose Joy together
• Laugh Together
• Learn Together
• Pray Together
• Serve Together
  

Together we are stronger!

May we be led to pray for each other and not tear each other down with our words toward or about each other! May we build up the body of Christ through "Sistering" and Shepherding not searing and scorching each other.

TWENTY

We are celebrating the birthday of our second son turning twenty today! Reservations at Tuscany's in Paris for 18 of us and then back home for cake and ice cream! We have had four months of three teenagers living in our home! This young man is giving, loyal, sharing, funny, thrifty, generous and friendly! He is the source of laughter being the best medicine in our home. Happy Birthday, T! We love you!

Thought For The Weekend III

Wouldn't it be nice if whenever we messed up our life we could simply press 'Ctr Alt Delete' and start all over?

Bonus

While attending Hearts At Home, I heard the most amazing, wonderful things. One of those things was a term that was so affirming to the place I am in life. Pam Ferrell was describing the typical season of a woman over 40...wife for decades, mom of teens with hormones, aging parents, witnessing husband begin to slow down (termed: midlife!) and for some of us, BONUS BABIES. I was stunned! Do you know what that is?? A BONUS BABY is a baby born in our 40's! WOW! What an incredible view to have about this little life with which God Himself has blessed us! It was amazing what soared through my heart...in the midst of all these changes in my life, these struggles with which I battle, what a concept to have regarding the Blessing that God has given to us!! A BONUS! So when I had previously struggled with how to deal with others' comments and attitudes about still having children, this has completely changed my perspective on how to deal with it/them! A BONUS! Extra! Plus! Additional benefit! Windfall! How fantastic to go along with God's Word that calls children a blessing...a reward! WOO HOO! Bonus Baby!

Pictures

For Christmas, we purchased the two youngest girls a camera. I have one but somehow I would manage to rarely remember to bring it along. IF I did remember, I wouldn't think to take pictures until the entire event was over. Age! So this great idea was to have the girls own their own camera in hopes they would remember it and then take pictures to help capture our lives digitally. How exciting! Gone would be the day that we have less and less pictures of the youngest child in the family!! Full would be the scrapbooks of our lives together!! Here are a few memories we now have from pictures taken by youth. :)

What a GREAT idea!

Dress

New dress for R! I love the spring and sewing new dresses for my girls. Soon, they will each be able to sew completely for themselves. E is working on a quilt sample for a friend so she is broadening her horizons! How exciting as I watch them become young ladies!

Revive Our Hearts

True Woman Manifesto
A personal and corporate declaration of belief, consecration, and prayerful intent—to the end that Christ may be exalted and the glory and redeeming love of God may be displayed throughout the whole earth.

We believe that God is the sovereign Lord of the universe and the Creator of life, and that all created things exist for His pleasure and to bring Him glory.
We believe that the creation of humanity as male and female was a purposeful and magnificent part of God’s wise plan, and that men and women were designed to reflect the image of God in complementary and distinct ways.
We believe that sin has separated every human being from God and made us incapable of reflecting His image as we were created to do. Our only hope for restoration and salvation is found in repenting of our sin and trusting in Christ who lived a sinless life, died in our place, and was raised from the dead.
We realize that we live in a culture that does not recognize God’s right to rule, does not accept Scripture as the pattern for life, and is experiencing the consequences of abandoning God’s design for men and women.
We believe that Christ is redeeming this sinful world and making all things new, and that His followers are called to share in His redemptive purposes as they seek, by God’s empowerment, to transform every aspect of human life that has been marred and ruined by sin.
As Christian women, we desire to honor God by living counter-cultural lives that reflect the beauty of Christ and His gospel to our world.
To thatend, we affirm that. . .
Scripture is God’s authoritative means of instructing us in His ways and it reveals His holy pattern for our womanhood, our character, our priorities, and our various roles, responsibilities, and relationships.
We glorify God and experience His blessing when we accept and joyfully embrace His created design, function, and order for our lives.
As redeemed sinners, we cannot live out the beauty of biblical womanhood apart from the sanctifying work of the gospel and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Men and women are both created in the image of God and are equal in value and dignity, but they have distinct roles and functions in the home and in the church.
We are called as women to affirm and encourage men as they seek to express godly masculinity, and to honor and support God-ordained male leadership in the home and in the church.
Marriage, as created by God, is a sacred, binding, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman.
When we respond humbly to male leadership in our homes and churches, we demonstrate a noble submission to authority that reflects Christ’s submission to God His Father.
Selfish insistence on personal rights is contrary to the spirit of Christ who humbled Himself, took on the form of a servant, and laid down His life for us.
Human life is precious to God and is to be valued and protected, from the point of conception until rightful death.
Children are a blessing from God, and women are uniquely designed to be bearers and nurturers of life, whether it be their own biological or adopted children, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, or other children in their sphere of influence.
God’s plan for gender is wider than marriage; all women, whether married or single, are to model femininity in their various relationships, by exhibiting a distinctive modesty, responsiveness, and gentleness of spirit.
Suffering is an inevitable reality in a fallen world; at times we will be called to suffer for doing what is good—looking to heavenly reward rather than earthly comfort—for the sake of the gospel and the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.
Mature Christian women have a responsibility to leave a legacy of faith, by discipling younger women in the Word and ways of God and modeling for the next generation lives of fruitful femininity.

Believing the above, we declare our desire and intent to be "true women" of God. We consecrate ourselves to fulfill His calling and purposes for our lives. By His grace and in humble dependence on His power, we will:
1. Seek to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
2. Gladly yield control of our lives to Christ as Lord—we will say "Yes, Lord" to the Word and the will of God.
3. Be women of the Word, seeking to grow in our knowledge of Scripture and to live in accord with sound doctrine in every area of our lives.
4. Nurture our fellowship and communion with God through prayer—in praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and supplication.
5. Embrace and express our unique design and calling as women with humility, gratitude, faith, and joy.
6. Seek to glorify God by cultivating such virtues as purity, modesty, submission, meekness, and love.
7. Show proper respect to both men and women, created in the image of God, esteeming others as better than ourselves, seeking to build them up, and putting off bitterness, anger, and evil speaking.
8. Be faithfully engaged in our local church, submitting ourselves to our spiritual leaders, growing in the context of the community of faith, and using the gifts He has given us to serve others, to build up the Body of Christ, and to fulfill His redemptive purposes in the world.
9. Seek to establish homes that manifest the love, grace, beauty, and order of God, that provide a climate conducive to nurturing life, and that extend Christian hospitality to those outside the walls of our homes.
10. Honor the sacredness, purity, and permanence of the marriage covenant—whether ours or others'.
11. Receive children as a blessing from the Lord, seeking to train them to love and follow Christ and to consecrate their lives for the sake of His gospel and Kingdom.
12. Live out the mandate of Titus 2—as older women, modeling godliness and training younger women to be pleasing to God in every respect; as younger women, receiving instruction with meekness and humility and aspiring to become mature women of God who in turn will train the next generation.
13. Seek opportunities to share the gospel of Christ with unbelievers.
14. Reflect God’s heart for those who are poor, infirm, oppressed, widows, orphans, and prisoners, by reaching out to minister to their practical and spiritual needs in the name of Christ.
15. Pray for a movement of revival and reformation among God’s people that will result in the advancement of the Kingdom and gospel of Christ among all nations.
_____________________________________________
Signature Date
• ReviveOurHearts.com • TrueWoman.com

B...B...B...Belly!

SIX MORE WEEKS!

Mother/Daughter Tea

Last year, my girls and I attended a Mother/Daughter Tea along with another friend.

Save-The-Date for this year's Tea.

Save the Date!
Saturday, July 11, 2009

10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Providence Church

401 S. Carol Avenue

Morton, IL 61550

Thought For The Weekend II

Brain cells come and brain cells go but fat cells live forever.

Box

We have designated Thursday nights for packing. I don't want to spend time each day doing all that I do and adding PACKING to the list. So, each Thursday night this month we have set aside those nights to pack boxes. (We had been using Thursday nights for hospitality to have family and friends in for dinner and fellowship...our ship's course has altered!) Now we are going to take one room each week and go through things to give away and pack the rest. (We did this in October but not as well as we should have so we are getting nitty-gritty this time!) By the end of the month, we hope to be all done with nonessentials and be able to go through the boxes of baby items. I am praying Baby waits to come until we are done with that project!

Note: WJ is up and around now but walking on his left heel rather than his whole foot. Thank you for praying for him--and ME!

Culture Dictates?

The Move and More

We still don't have a "date" for moving, however, we do know that the mine intends to keep William back for the reclamation process. He said four weeks, then July, and then June. That--much like our Marine Corps days--translates into not knowing when we are moving. For this Planner Person, it isn't easy to not have a plan. So...

We have started the packing process with WONDERFUL BOXES from a dear friend! I intend to get everything but the bathrooms and kitchen packed so whenever it ends up being time to go, we will be ready. I had hoped to move before the baby is born to be able to get "settled" the best I could before the birth, but so far, God indicates that isn't His plan for us. I will need to call on my dear friends and family to come help once we actually move. (Practice of humility! Not easy for this do-it-all Gal!)

In the meantime, I bought our first package of newborn disposable diapers. CUTE!! I have a rain check for the sale price for the rest of the sizes 1 and 2 that we will purchase with coupons!! The girls are getting so excited and it is so fun to watch my belly and see the baby move about and talk about the upcoming events with them. We still need to go through the boxes of what baby things we have kept to see what we will need but the whole move thing threw me for a loop! : ) Recovery in process!

Additionally, my faith continues to be challenged. I struggle (battle!) with fear as our pregnancy nears the end of the third trimester...and have our "abilities" tested to be parents of adult children...and then amongst the list of other things I didn't mention, WJ fell with a solid wooden chair landing on two of his four-year-old toes and did a wammy-ka-jammy on them. I melted. I was at the end of myself but stood amazed yet again of the Mighty, Amazing, Wonderful, Loving God that I serve. He showed Himself Incredible yet again in the maze of life He has prepared for me to journey.

“As for His failing you, never dream of it—hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end.” -Charles Spurgeon

Please battle with me in prayer as I seek to trust in the One alone Who is Trustworthy!

Legacy Five

Saturday evening we attended a great gospel music concert here in town. Homeward Bound is a local singing group that brings in Legacy Five to perform along with them annually. We went last year for the first time and have asked to be included in purchasing tickets each year! We even bought CDs last year for us and DVDs for my dad.

This year we invited my parents to come along with us. They enjoy the Gaither's so we knew they'd like to see Legacy Five in person. It was fabulous music with incredible harmony that always makes me tingle inside! Love that harmony!! We had a great night even with all the rain and cold weather that is back.

It was wonderful to be in an assembly particularly made up of Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as we listened to God-honoring music and worshipped Him in our hearts! The auditorium was packed...I can't help but long for Heaven and the music with which we will worship the King of Kings!

Games For When We Are Older

1. Sag, you're It.
2. 20 questions shouted into your good ear.
3. Kick the bucket
4. Musical recliners.
5. Simon says something incoherent.
6. Pin the Toupee on the bald guy

FIFTY

IF I deliver on Saturday the 16th, we have 50 more days until Baby is born! I am so excited!!

Psalm 27:14

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Thought For The Weekend

If raising children was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called labor!

Ponderisms

• I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.
• Garden Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
• The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
• Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
• Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?
• In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
• How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
• If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?
• Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed if he's going to look there anyway?

Adventure Begins...

With the closing of the coal mine and the offer of the company to relocate families to other mines, I guess as official as it can be so far, we are transferring to Vincennes, Indiana. We don't know his report date as of yet but the flurry of boxes has begun. We are anticipating what God has for us ahead! Life is indeed an adventure!

Two Families

This is a picture of us with friends that are visiting from Pennsylvania. We ate at the Covered Bridge Restaurant on Sunday after church and asked a passerby to take our picture. How fun to be together again after eight years.

P. S. At the Creation Museum, we got a DISCOUNT because we numbered enough to get a group rate for the cost of the pictures they took of us!!

Preemie

This is Baby#12 of twelve children born at 32 weeks on 3/12 and he weighed 3' 12" and his name is Samuel Thomas...twelve letters. His parents are missionaries to Mexico...you can check out their blog. There are pictures at the bottom of the post that show about the size our baby might be now at 33 weeks. So far we have basically bald babies but their little guy has hair! It was fun to see an idea of the size of our baby now so I wanted to share the link.

Camels in Kentucky!

Family Fun!

Feeding the camel yesterday at the "petting zoo" portion of the Creation Museum.

Creation Museum

Today we are heading out for Kentucky! We are going to the Creation Museum for the day with some friends that are visiting us from Pennsylvania. Pictures to follow!

Bear

These are a couple pictures of the cake that E has been working on for a good friend! Ain't it the cutest? It is for a baby shower tomorrow! CUTE!! CUTE!! CUTE!! Diaper pins and all!

Victory in Christ

1 Samuel 12: 20b-21 ESV Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.

Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place
where I find peace, again.

You are the strength, that keeps me walking.
You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.
You are the light, to my soul.
You are my purpose, you're everything.

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.
You still my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Cause you're all I want, you're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want, you're all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want, you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want, you're all I need.
You're everything, everything.

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better, any better than this.

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Red Hot Monogamy

What does it take to have Red Hot Monogamy?

Procreation. Genesis 1:22 This one is a bit obvious. Sex creates babies. For the human race to go forward, sex has to take place. Social studies show it is preferable for the children if they are born into a loving family with both a mom and a dad united in marriage.

Proclamation. Ephesians 5:31-32 When a couple marries, their act of consummation is a symbolic picture of the wedding of Christ and His church. In a real sense, each time a couple enjoys each other sexually, it is a proclamation to Satan that God’s plan of love will win out over Satan’s misguided attempt to dethrone the Lord in the Garden of Eden. A happily married couple, one united emotionally, spiritually, and sexually, is one of the best antidotes to the evil in the world because love is proclaimed.

Reconnection. I Cor 7:5 Life is busy, and that is no surprise to God, so He planned a yearning to be together into the human soul. The deep intellectual, emotional, and spiritual connection that happens during sex is progressive. Good sex makes us yearn for more good sex, so a wonderful cycle of marital union can develop that will keep a couple coming back together over and over again.

Recreation. Genesis 26:8 God actually thinks sex should be fun. In the Old Testament, when a king spotted Isaac and Rebekah caressing in a private moment, the word he used to describe their activity is “sporting with” (Genesis 26:8). In addition, if you do a quick read through the Song of Songs, you see that the king and his newlywed wife are enjoying their relationship immensely. They even have code words for sex and sexual acts. They play games to build their anticipation of being together, and later in the book, we see just how much this couple enjoyed their sexual relationship. Song of Songs is all about a couple who enjoys a healthy sexual life, and God included it in the canon of Holy Scripture to remind us that that sex is supposed to be enjoyable.

Rejuvenation. Song of Songs 2:5 Sex within the context of marriage is good for your emotional and physical well-being. Sex raises your endorphin level, so it makes you happier. Sex even burns calories. WOW Another great reason to have Red Hot Monogamy!

T ten to twenty minutes to chat each day
I invest in a weekly date
M monthly get away (8-10 hours at one time)
E escape one time each year (24-48 hours)

Bill and Pam Ferrell advised to choose one of these and begin there!

Home

These are some notes that I wrote from a workshop at the conference this weekend from Jill Savage called My Hearts At Home.

Home As A Safe House-emotionally as well as physically safe place to be.
-require respect among all family members
-practice grace and forgiveness
-safe place to fail as failure creates character

Home As A Rest Area-a place to retreat to from the world
-let kids be kids: play, be children, not loaded with "classes" or "sports" at too young of an age
-family meal time for relational value
-family night--play together

Home As A Trauma Unit-hospital where our wounds are bandaged

Home As A Church-learn about God, faith, the Bible--including reading it and prayer.

Home As A Pep Rally-cheered on and celebrated

Home As A Research Lab-where we try things out to see if we like them; explore

Home As A School-learn skills to carry into adulthood

Home As A Museum-heritage both spiritually and biologically

Home As A Playground-have a good time together

Home As A Business Office-learn to organize, fill out forms, obtain skills

Home As A Hospitality House-the world feels welcome there and we give to others

Home As A Cultural Center-learn about others around us and not just our own sphere of life

M-O-M

Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes

The best plans...

Proverbs 16: 9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

The coal mine closed this week. My husband will have a job for possibly a few more weeks to maybe two more months.

Please pray for us and with us for wisdom and guidance as we seek to relocate!

Thank you!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

32 and counting...

Can you say "feeling pregnant"??? We are EIGHT MONTHS now and have two more to go! For me that typically calculates to nine more weeks. My biggest project is to take out the boxes of baby things and see what we have and what we may still need. I plan to make a "girl" list and a "boy" list and send my mom with my daughters to shop for us after the baby is born. What a great plan!! : )

The girls and I DID buy some things, though. CUTE! CUTE! CUTE! (My mom said she'd take them back if we don't have a _____ because we bought for both a girl and a boy.)

Workshops

I am leaving for the weekend...Hearts At Home conference in Bloomington-Normal! I am hungry!! Please feed me, Lord. Some of the workshops that I will attend are titled Raising Financially Savvy Kids, My Heart's at Home, Setting A Paradigm For Purity, Finding the Hero in Your Husband (that will be an easy one!!) and Red Hot Monogamy. (I read the book!) I have ten workshops total chosen besides the main sessions. I won't get to attend that many but those were my top choices. Can't wait! Please pray for my physical well-being since I will be EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT roaming the college campus hunting for my classroom. lol I am really anticipating what the Lord will do in my heart and life. I don't want the easy way out. I want to take the high road. Please pray with me, for me.

Purpose

Live Intentionally!

Summit

The two Munro Men came back from their vision-packed weekend on fire and spunky. (Very lively, determined, and courageous if I don't say so myself!) I feel their eagerness and anticipate what God is going to do in their hearts and lives as they seek to apply what they heard! How exciting!! The sessions will be available and you can find them at this site.

Awards Night

The first night of Upward Awards was last night! J was among the youngest group and they had their awards presented last evening while the older ages will receive their awards tonight and Wednesday night. Great idea but I feel sorry for families with children in each age bracket having to attend each night this week. If this baby is a boy, we may find ourselves in that situation some day.

The evening was attended by our family and William's parents. How fun to have extended family participate in something the children are doing.

Baby

• My iron is low which is pretty typical at this gestation but I am working to get it raised before delivery.
• Baby is head down.
• Still no names.
• My back is adjusted from the fall so I don't waddle like I had been.
• Ten more weeks!

Speech

Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?

Looming Laundry

Among many of the topics we share when gathering together as moms, one topic that generally comes up in some shape or form is LAUNDRY. We all have it. We all have to do it...if we want clean clothes! I wanted to share ideas that we have adapted for our family over the years.

We use sturdy, plastic shelves that hold our laundry baskets. We sort the dirty laundry right into the labeled baskets (we have several) and when they are full enough for me to see that it needs done, I wash a load. I don't have to mess with dragging out the laundry into the hallway near the laundry room and sorting the clothes, towels, cleaning rags, etc., not to mention stumbling over it all day or having it greet whomever stops by. It stays confined to the room hidden neatly behind the door and is washed as needed.

I don't do laundry on the weekends but Monday is a big wash day. It works for me. I typically do laundry every week day and usually in the morning. I even set a timer so that I don't forget that I have something in the washer that needs to be moved to the dryer.

OxyClean is a huge help in the laundry room. I soak things over night in the washer with two scoops of this great cleaner and most everything comes out the first time! Even old yellow stains! We have even used it as a carpet cleaner and it works well!

I keep a container for our cleaning rags in the laundry room next to the cleaners so that I can just drop them right back into it when they come out of the dryer. (I used to fold the cleaning cloths! HUGE time-waster!)

I have a small area to place hangers that are then available when clothing comes out of the dryer so I can hang it promptly. Less ironing! Each week, one child is assigned to collect the empty hangers throughout the house.

If you have any helpful hints to add, please share them! Thanks!!

Webinar

Last night I listened to Love For A Lifetime. This is a workshop from at Hearts At Home last year done by Mark and Jill Savage. They shared the content again last night online and I wanted to share it here.

They used the acronym GROW UP:
G Give grace and ask forgiveness often. We all make mistakes so choose to forgive. Don't get angry. Let him off the hook. Colossians 3:13 Make allowance for each other's faults and forgive anyone who offends you.

R Respect him. Our differences benefit each other. Just because he likes spicy foods and I don't care for them doesn't make either of us wrong--just different. Respect it not struggle with it. I Peter 2:17 Treat everyone with dignity.

O Own your own stuff. No "blame game" playing. Be responsible about my part in the conflict. Even if my part is 10% then own what my "stuff" is and allow God to deal with him. Proverbs 13:10 Pride leads to conflict.

W Watch my tongue. Huge amounts of self control. Use words that bring healing. Be oh so careful about my thoughts regarding him. Tone is crucial! Challenge: Fast from criticism--choose to restrain words and then choose to forgive and let it go. Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death. Proverbs 21:23 Watch you words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief. Luke 6:45 What you say flows from what is in your heart.


U Understand love. Love is a choice. It is active serving! It is honest. Be respectful when sharing the truth. Deal with my own junk first before I loving share what the difficulty is within me. Know our love languages to be able to communicate love the way we receive it. I Corinthians 16:14 Do everything in love.

P Pray continually. I need God's help to walk in the right way. I can't do it by myself--ask Him for help. Let God lead. Be certain to follow. I Thessalonians 5:17 Never stop praying.

A good marriage is not so much about marrying the right person

as it is about becoming the right partner.

Unknown

Pronto Pasta Salad Recipe

1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise
¼ cup milk
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 pkg. Knorr Vegetable Soup and Recipe Mix
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen broccoli florets, thawed
8 oz. twist macaroni, cooked and drained (I used the colored macaroni.)

In a large bowl combine mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, basil and soup mix. Add broccoli and macaroni; toss to coat well. Cover; chill 2 hours. Makes 6 cups.

Variation: Substitute 1 medium tomato, chopped, for broccoli florets. Actually, I thought I could use the tomato as well as the broccoli.

Today

Awhile back, I had ordered two dresses for R and AG for them to wear to the upcoming wedding. I had decided that I would purchase material and make a dress for E similar to the ones I bought. Their dresses looked a bit young for her so I would alter it a bit to make it "junior" rather than "little girl-ish." I have hunted for both material and a pattern. Nada. I knew that I could make my own pattern but the problem remained not finding material to match the two younger girls. I wondered if a thrift store might have a dress in the same color material that I could tear apart and remake for her. We headed there today but the place was packed. Instead of fighting the crowd, I decided to get what we needed from Target and head back home. (My back was killing me from waddling around!) When I parked, I noticed the bridal store next to Target. As much as the two little boys didn't want to, we headed into the store. I explained what I was looking for and the lady showed us to the dresses that would be in the girls' size. Lo and behold, on the rack where we were looking was a dress that wasn't suppose to be in that area. This dress, we were certain, was the exact same color we had been hunting for all over the surrounding towns. The clerk explained that it wasn't suppose to be hanging there because it was on clearance. I knew in my heart Who had put it there and that it was indeed suppose to be there for us today. E went to try it on and it was as if I had custom made it to fit her. I was choked up! The lady came to check on her and I told her that God had put that dress there just for us today and explained the other two dresses and our quest. She said she is so excited when He does that and builds faith in us and our children and uses things that most think that He doesn't care at all about--like dresses for a wedding. I paid for our dress-on-clearance and hugged her on my way out of the store.
THEN! I had a sad email from a dear friend this morning that asked me to pray with her regarding the precious baby she is carrying. She thought that the baby might have gone to Heaven and knowing well that feeling, I bowed and prayed. I prayed all through the day and specifically when I knew she was seeing a midwife to ascertain her situation with Baby. She emailed me to say they saw a heartbeat and that Baby is doing well. Rejoice in the Lord!

Lastly, DH and T arrived safely in Indianapolis and are enjoying their time together at the summit. Please continue to pray with me for each of them!

RECALL NOTICE

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a "malfunction" in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect. The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes. WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus. DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your attention! - GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'.

Leadership

DH and T left today for a conference! I am so excited for them. DH and our two oldest sons have gone to several seminars and conferences together. It is so great to see them pack up their needs for a few days (and nights) and take off together. They plan on things like EATING AT A RESTAURANT and GETTING COFFEE together. Important things!! So off two of them go again to take in the wisdom and counsel of Godly men with vision and passion for God and His Word! Please pray for them as they retreat together and seek God during this weekend!

ICE

Ice skating season is over. The children each received ice skates for Christmas and have enjoyed using the local ice rink we are so blessed to have here in town. We have had weekly lessons by Debby and she has done a fantastic job working with the children. We are so thankful for her and for all that the children have learned.

Basketball

Last night was J's last basketball practice. It has been so much fun seeing his Daddy spend time with him each week...just the two of them! It seems like yesterday the two oldest were in "sports" and my how time has flown. His last game is this Saturday and then Awards Night is Monday evening. Upwards has been such a rewarding experience for our family. If you want to know more about the program, contact Calvary Baptist for information or to get on their mailing list for next season.

Advice

I was given one of those "baby" magazines and honestly, I usually trash the things. They rarely say anything that I believe is beneficial for ANY mom, newby or salty! Well, when I saw there was an article that gave advice from "Large Families" I had to at least check it out. Lo and behold, the advice was from LARGE FAMILIES! Mom's with THREE and FOUR children. So, there you have it, folks. I don't have a large family after all!!

The Blues

OK! DH is away for a business trip! I am glad that he gets to come home earlier than we had thought! No "deployments"? WELL! If I thought things were good regarding this trip away, they got better! He WENT to an ICE HOCKEY GAME!

Saint Louis Blues!

If you know anything about our family, you know that we all are hockey fans. Well, DH was the envy of the whole family last night as he called home between periods to tell us the score. How great for him to get to attend something while he was away on a business trip that we all have wanted to be able to do. I am still in disbelief and thrilled for him all at the same time!

Peabody is really scoring points with the Munro's!

The Blues won and we all were cheering from the stands (in our minds) right along with him!