Inspiration when we need it most

One thing that I am learning from the place that the Lord has me in right now is that it is the place that I am supposed be. Three different times in the past two days very significant things have happened to show me that the Lord knows my struggles and my victories and He is in the midst of them. Where are you? Are you in a time of struggle or victory? As trite as my pettiness seems sometimes, He is in those petty details of my little life.

Just today I received a forward from a friend about our friend Wendy. Several weeks ago she ran in the Wichita Marathon. Wendy has an amazing story, battling lupus and just beginning her love of running in the past year. I am so inspired by her and the incredible stories I hear from her about what the Lord teaches her through her running. I know that Jesus is running with her. He carries her and shows more of Himself to her each run and each race. He is also using this to touch other people. Many people wonder about her dedication and her struggle through this and she always points them back to Jesus. He is her strength. I love her so much! Click on the link below to catch a glimpse of this amazing life.

http://www.aircapitalmustangs.com/members/jeremy/vids/Wendy.htm

What a Girl!

Duane and I have a big girl now. Jena lost her first tooth on Saturday. After an exhausting day before, she was diagnosed with strep throat and threw up three different times (two of those times being in the car too) Jena was so proud when her tooth came out! We were too!

I caught myself from crying in front of her. What a journey she is on and it is so exciting to see the steps she gets to take each day. It is amazing to know that she will be followed by two more sisters, it humbles us to think that we get to be their parents.

Still I am going to relish this moment as she gets that much closer to becoming a big girl, or since she is from my family, that much closer to needing braces!

One of those mornings...

I am having one of "those" mornings. There a song that says, "Mama said there be days like this..." Thanks for warning me Mom!

Sometime during the night, Jena became afraid and came running into our room and crawled in bed with us. About 5am she awoke with a sore throat and a fever. I gave her some medicine and heard Annie crying. After I fed her I decided I might as well stay awake. I had a really good time during my quiet time and even had some time to make breakfast for my husband too. Poor Duane, his wife doesn't make him a hot meal every morning, but this morning, even if it was on the run, he had some fresh muffins to eat.

Then the girls woke up and I started the mornings routine. After calling the mothers of the children I watch to warn them about Jena and calling the school, I still needed to bathe the girls. So as I sit here, I want to fall asleep, but the sounds of Sesame Street rudely keep me awake! I suppose that is a good thing. Oh yeah and before I sat down to type, I spilled 3/4 of my coffee all over the computer desk. One good thing, it didn't get on the computer!

So as we move on with the day, I look forward to the next part, lunch and naptime! I love days like these.

The Newest Chef in the Kitchen Is...

My newest helper in the kitchen is a quiet one but nonetheless loves to be beside me. She enjoys learning how to make desserts. Her favorite is brownies. But this day we decided to make chocolate chip cookies. Throughout the entire process she continued to ask to taste the batter. Who doesn't like a little cookie dough now and then? After we were all done, Paige was able to lick the batter on the beaters. I remember cooking in the kitchen with my grandma when I was Paige's age. My favorite thing to help her with was mashed potatoes. She never used measuring cups, she had it perfected. I was always amazed at how great they always tasted. Somewhere in the abyss of photographs is a picture of me licking the beaters with mashed potatoes on them. That is such a fond memory of my childhood.

Happy Fall!

We began our morning with a trip to the pumpkin patch to celebrate our friend Judah's 3rd birthday. The girls had agreat time eating cookies bigger than their heads and scavenging for pumpkins. The best part was watching Judah open up his presents! Before we left we climbed a large stack of hay bales and had a family picture taken. Annie was loving the texture of the hay. Annie also enjoyed the taste of gourds! Not much escapes her mouth these days, see for yourself in the following photos.
Annie enjoys food. I began making food for her and I am amazed how cheap it is to make our own food! The last photo is taken after Annie followed me into the kitchen. I turned around in time to see her take a hand full of our cat's food and throw it across the kitchen. I ran to grab the camera and found her picking up a piece and putting it in her mouth. She then grinned at me and said, "Yumm!" We have our hands full with this little one. But we love it!

A True Marriage

We have some dear friends that are hurting right now. Their father is dying. He is struggling through some extremely aggressive cancer. He was just diagnosed recently and the effects of the cancer have taken their toll on his body. He is very strong and continues to hold on even though hospice stands amazed that each day he continues to live. He has not eaten in 2 1/2 days and at times seems to take his last breath. I cannot imagine standing by and watching a loved one struggle like this.

In an email update our friend writes:

Before bed last night, Barb sat by his bed holding his hand. I held her for a minute while she cried. She said she wants it over with, yet she doesn't want to let him go. It's so hard. She told Dave yesterday, "It was such a love affair." She and George truly were happy together and had a strong, healthy marriage.

The father has shared with his children that he knows where he is going and is ready. He has taught his children about the Lord and stands to leave an incredible legacy with his 9 children and all his grandchildren. But as a wife I cannot imagine the struggle she is facing. As she said she doesn't want to let him go but it is so painful to watch him suffer this way. How do you pray during these times?

This has made Duane and I once again reflect on our own "love affair." We want it to be said of us that we were "truly happy together and had a strong, healthy marriage." Isn't that what a marriage is about? Despite the petty differences and the disagreements over who is right this time, in the light of eternity, what does that all matter? What matters is a marriage deeply committed to the Lord and a love affair with the spouse of my youth. My words fall so short of the depth of love I have for my husband. I am so grateful to the Lord for putting him in my life. I love you so much Duane!

Shh...it's so quiet.

Maria's blog

I cannot even begin to tell you how incredibly quiet it is in my house right now. It is Wednesday evening and Duane, Jena and Paige are at Arise. I stayed home with Annie because she is a sick, miserable mess right now. I am also not feeling well. The chance to spend an evening in complete quiet settles my heart!

I've been wandering from room to room not knowing what to do with myself. It is so nice to feel this way. No babies are crying now and no one is asking for something from me. Wow, what a retreat! My husband deserves an award for loving me enough to encourage me to stay home by myself with Annie. I love him so much!

Isn't it wonderful to appreciate the little things in life every now and then. SILENCE is truly golden in my life!

The Gift of Friendship

Amy Amiee Andrea Ange Anissa Annie Ashley Becca Beverly Bridget Britney Carriane Carrie Cherie Cheryl Christina Crystal Debbie Debby Dia Dihn Ema Emily Faith Gail Gayle Holly Jackie Jamie Janetta Jayne Jena Jennifer Jenny Jessica Jill Judy Joleen Joleyne Kathi Kelly Kelley Lacey Lacy Lara Leah Lilla Linda Lisa Lissa Liz Lori Michaela Michelle Nikki Paige Phyllis Rachel Robin Samantha Sara Sarah Shari Sherry Sidrah Steph Stephanie Sumon Tammy Terri Tracy Tina Wendy

These names represent the women that have had an impact in my life. I have known many Sarahs, Amys, Lisas and Stephanies but the fact that each of these names represent a special bond of friendship humbles me. These names aren't listed in any particular order other than alphabetical, so as not to step on anyone's toes. The friendships may have been for a season but I grew because of that season. (Of the 73 names listed I am sure that I have forgotten a few and even as I write this more names come to mind.) Even if the relationship fizzled because of differences I can see now how it has challenged me to grow. Beginning when I was 3 years old till now those names carry many significant changes in my life. 13 names remind me of significant people in my life before I turned 10. Some names represent mentors I have had in my life. 8 represent dear friends that I spent time with growing in the Lord as a young teenager. Many more remind me of rocky times in college, such a challenging time for me then. 2 of my friends are no longer living and they remind me to enjoy the friends I have now. 6 of the names listed remind me of the daughters I have had the privledge of mothering, even if for only a few weeks.

Such a deep sense of gratitude grows within me when I look over this list. I am proud to have known these women as babies, young girls, teenagers, mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. What a legacy we can have, even if it starts with a simple thing like friendship.

Just tell me mama!

Maria's blog

Our girls are very concerned with our schedule, to the point that they are constantly asking what is next on the agenda. Tonight at dinner was no exception.

Generally we are on the run but Thursdays are family night around here. Especially since Duane and I have found a TV show that we don't want to miss. Before TV, like 2 weeks ago, we used to frequent the library.

As dinner, Paige turns to me and says, "What are we doing tonight Mama? Are we going to church?" (Usually that is the question, "Are we going to church tonight?" Tells you that we spend a lot of time there.) Anyhow, I told her that we were staying home. She obviously wasn't satisfied with my answer and says, "Just tell me Mama, are we going nowhere or yeswhere." I laughed because Paige likes to give me 2 options with every question she asks. Usually she says, "Yes or no, Mama?"

I love to think about the way they put together their own vocabulary. Jena spent most of her 2nd and 3rd year with a French accent. Paige hasn't quite picked up her "R" sound so for instance instead of saying, "Water" Paige says, "Wateey." I have been told that I did the same. I have since refined my ways and would like to think that I can help her add another letter to her alphabet. In the meantime, I am just going to enjoy the way she talks to me!