Don't Worry

Just so you don't worry about me ...

I am overwhelmed with PAPERWORK this week.  Ugh!

We are listing our house with an mls4owners business.  They will do the marketing; but we will still be selling it "by owner".  Lots of paperwork to do today, to get it back on the market.  Copies need to be made.  A fax machine needs to be found.  (Don't yet know where one is, on the island.)  We NEED our house to sell.  The owners of our Little House in the Big Woods will be returning to the island in April.  Yikes!

Papa's Painting Business has it's annual state taxes due this week.  So, yesterday was spent making sure all of that paperwork was in order.  Papa is the painter.  Mama is the administrator.

Josh will be transferring to a university in March, and I have a lot of financial aid paperwork to do today ... along with a request for "special circumstances".  Financial Aid for 2009-2010 is based on our 2008 income.  But ... we are living on about 1/3 of what we were living on then.  So ... yea ... we need some "special consideration".

I still have all of the medical bills hanging over my head ... the $2500 in bills from this past fall, that I'm trying to figure out why they were so high, and how I'm going to pay them.

Ben & Hosanna might take a class or two at the public school this spring ... in order to meet other island teens (since we don't have any at our church).  So, we are looking at schedules and filling out paperwork.

Papa had to leave this morning for a 3 day Pastor's Retreat.  So, I had all of my documents lined up for his signatures before he headed out the door to catch the ferry.  At one point he asked what exactly he was signing.  I had to respond, "Ummmm ... I haven't filled out the paperwork yet, so I don't exactly know.  But, I need your signature."  Thankfully, Papa trusts me.

The most difficult aspect of getting all of this paperwork done is that ... we live in two houses that are 2.5 hours of travel time apart (between ferry time and drive time).  And, I have a computer at each house ... which means that I have paperwork details at each house.  But ... I think I have most everything worked out for this week's paperwork.

Now ... I only have about 24 hours to get it all done ... before I am off on another adventure ...

Just didn't want you to think things were quiet on my blog because of our Crisis situation.  Nope.  I put my appeal in the mail and gave the whole thing up to God.  Nothing more I can do right now.

My Amazing Birthday Celebrations

Knowing that I had had a TOUGH week ... month ... 6 months ... my sweet husband planned the most AMAZING birthday party for me yesterday.  Only problem ... his birthday is just 6 weeks away, and there is no way I can come close to pulling off what he did for me.  Oh dear.


Last Tuesday (as I wrote about) I was able to celebrate my birthday, along with the birthdays of 3 of my children, as I went out to dinner at Red Robin with 9 of my kids, Big Kids, and Adopted Big Kids.  Very fun!


Then ... Jeremiah came out to the island on Saturday, and Papa took the both of us out to dinner.  (Jeremiah turned 23 on Wednesday.)


Then ... Josh & Hannah surprised me with an early morning arrival, so that they could spend the day with me.  We worshipped together yesterday morning, and played a great game of Hand & Foot after lunch.


So ... I was happy as a clam.  No need for anything more.  Life was good.


But ... then the SURPRISE took place ...


At 1:30, Papa told me we would be going some place to eat at 5:30.  Okay.


At 5:30, we went over to the P.'s house.  There were 7 of our dear, new Island Friends there.  I thought, "Well ... we must be having dinner here."  Several of the friends were busy in the kitchen, so I moved in to the living room to visit with the others.  But, I noticed that the dining table didn't have the leaves in it; and it wasn't set for dinner.  Odd.  Soon, the hostess brought out a platter of meatballs and a plate of batter fried zucchini.  Okay.  That looks like an interesting dinner.  Before picking up a plate to serve myself, I was told not to eat very much ... there was more to come.  Hmmm.  This was just the appetizers.


At about 7:00, we all went out, got in our cars, and drove across the island to Mr. & Mrs. S.'s house.  And ... there I found the most beautifully decorated "Greek Restaurant".  Oh my.  It was amazing!  We were served Greek Salad.  Yummm ... And then came the Greek Potatoes, along with the Lamb Kabobs, Pork Kabobs, and Chicken Kabobs (all of which had been marinated for 24 hours before being grilled with onions, green peppers, red peppers).  It was, seriously, the best lamb I had ever tasted.  (And my sweet husbands favorite type of restaurant is Greek, so we've had lamb a few times.)  We sipped sparkling cider from delicate wine glasses, and my dear friends gave "toasts" for my birthday.  


Then ... nope, we're not done yet ... at 8:45 we headed back across the island to T & S's house for dessert.  My favorite dessert awaited me:  cheesecake w/ raspberries, along with a beautiful tray of 3 kinds of Baklava (for the Greek side of things).  


Then ... the presents were brought out.  What?!  I don't need presents.  I'm overwhelmed.  This is too much.  Bosko (the craziest 65 y.o. character I've ever known ... w/ a heart of gold) carries in a big box.  The ladies all sigh.  They know what is going to come out of that box.  Bosko places on my head a crown of light purple roses, as they all begin to sing "Happy Birthday".  Absolutely Beautiful!  I'll take a picture of this wreath of roses tomorrow.  Truly a work of art!!!  Bosko is the "rose guy".  Nearly every week he brings to church a bucket of roses; and, after church he goes throughout the building offering a rose to each and every lady and young girl.  Our church is BLESSED to have such a man amongst us.


More presents ... 


...  a Lopez Island Cookbook.  (I'm told you can't be a true islander until you have one of these.)  


...  a box filled with scrapbooking supplies.  (These sweet friends phoned Jim when they were shopping off-island to ask for his suggestions.)


...  a gift card to a book store on one of the other islands, with a note telling me that I will need to set aside a day so that this dear friend can take me shopping on the other island, and out to lunch at the Orcas Island Hotel.  Oh my!




Can I cry yet?  Seriously.  It has been a very long time since I have felt such love from a group of friends.


Oh ... yea ... while these dear friends each hosted (and cooked) a segment of this amazing Greek Dinner in their homes ... it was my amazing husband who planned, researched the menu, bought all of the food, and put together this most incredible Birthday Surprise.  Wow!

A Birthday Wow!

I had an AMAZING birthday weekend.


THANK YOU Jeremiah ... for coming out yesterday and today.  It was so good to go out to dinner with you and Papa last night.


THANK YOU Josh & Hannah ... you SURPRISED me with your early morning arrival.  To know that you would get up before 4:00 a.m. (after working until midnight), just so that you could catch the first ferry out at 5:40, in order to join us for church  ...  Wow!  And you had to head back home this evening, in order to get up bright and early for school tomorrow.  You two BLESSED my day!!!


THANK YOU Papa ... for the MOST AMAZING birthday party EVER.  Wow!  Wow!  Wow!  (More details tomorrow ... I'm too tired to tell you everything tonight.)  But ... I have to SHOUT IT OUT ... my husband continues to ROCK MY WORLD ... after 27 years of marriage.  Wow!


THANK YOU Island Friends ... for showing me such AMAZING love, after only knowing me a few short months.  I am in AWE of all that the Lord has done and is doing in and through our friendships.  I feel like God has blessed me with a WONDERFUL group of "big brothers & sisters".  Your love is truly UNBELIEVABLE to me!!!


THANK YOU Hosanna (age 13) ... for finding a new recipe and making something that you've never made before ... all by yourself ... without anyone to ask questions of.  I got home from my party at 11:00 pm and sitting in the kitchen was a 2 layer chocolate cake with the most yummy looking frosting.  Wow!  Great job!  Can't wait to taste it ... but the tummy is full tonight ... my birthday cheesecake with raspberries, and the baklava just about did me in.


THANK YOU Ben ... for your unending willingness to stay home with the little ones while Papa & Mama are out.  I KNOW how badly you wanted to go to youth group tonight.  I so want you to find a way to plug in with other teens on the island.  I didn't know about my surprise party.  I wanted you to go to youth group.  THANK YOU ... for not complaining, when I know that you would have rather been some place else tonight.  I am BLESSED by the very mature 16 year old that you are!

Pray for Me, Pray for Others

On top of all of the very difficult things that I have been walking through the past 2 weeks, my heart is HEAVY for so many others.


Please pray with me ...


...  for the people of Haiti.  Did you hear that a young man was pulled out alive today ... 11 days after the earthquake?  Truly a miracle from the Lord!  


Thank you Jesus, for ALL of the MIRACLES that you have performed in the past 12 days in Haiti!  Praise you Lord!!!


...  for the missionaries, medical personnel, and rescue workers in Haiti.  God is doing an AMAZING work through Troy & Tara Livesay.  (I hope you'll pop on over to their blog for updates, and prayer requests.) 


I pray, Father, that you would give Troy & Tara all of the strength and wisdom that they need in this most difficult time; and, please be with their 5 children that were flown to big sister's house in Texas.  Give them peace, as they are away from their Daddy & Mommy.


...  for my dear friends Jason & Dawn.  They were informed today that they will not be allowed to adopt sweet little Naomi, from Ethiopia.  It was a very unfair and unjust ruling.  Dawn and I talked on the phone for a long time this afternoon ... both coming to terms with U.S. Government agencies that seem to not want to see or hear TRUTH.  


Dear Lord, please wrap your arms of comfort around Jason & Dawn and their children tonight.  Please show them whether or not they should appeal this ruling.


...  for 3 of my young adult children who are dealing with tough stuff in relationships.  Who ever said it was easier to parent teens and young adults, than a house full of little ones?  Oh my!  My mama heart is HURTING this week.  


Please Lord, give them guidance and wisdom as my children seek out the ones that you desire for them to be lifelong partners with.  Give them peace when they are to wait; and give them wisdom to know when to pursue.


...  for 2 of my young adults who are looking for work ... who are searching for career direction right now ... who are hurting financially while they look for work ...


I pray, Lord, that you would speak to them clearly about where to go.  I pray that you would bring them jobs, and give them the financial provision that they need.


...  for our financial situation ... for our house to sell ... for more painting jobs ... for more finances through the ministry (so that we don't need more painting jobs) ...  for financial wisdom ...


Thank you Father, for ALL that you have provided.  Thank you for the PEACE you have given us when our house hasn't sold in the past 5 months.  Thank you for the growth in our wonderful little church ... the growth in numbers ... the spiritual growth ... the financial growth.  Praise you Jesus!

Thank you ... for joining me in prayer this week.  

Please let me know how I can be praying for YOU.

Nurses Needed in Haiti

Troy & Tara Livesay are American Missionaries in Haiti.  They have been in Haiti for 4 years, this past year moving to Port-au-Prince.  The Lord protected the Livesay Family (they have 7 children); and their house remained standing in the quake.  Troy and Tara were able to get their children onto a US Military Transport  Plane shortly after the earthquake, so the children are safely in the arms of their big sister in Texas.  Troy and Tara, however, have stayed in Haiti.  They have opened a clinic/hospital and the Lord is using them in miraculous ways.

I have read the Livesay Blog for several years, but I have really appreciated it so much in the past 10 days, as I have prayed for the people of Haiti.  The Livesay Blog has links to pictures ... twitter updates from Troy ... prayer requests ... links to news sources.  Troy and Tara have done an amazing job of using their family blog to call the Lord's Family together in this time of great need.

This morning, I saw this post on their blog and wanted to get it out to all of you.  Please pass the word along ... Nurses are Needed in Haiti.

ATTN:

We are in urgent need of nurses who are able to come down here and volunteer ASAP. We are specifically looking for people who are able to leave within the next 2 days, and stay for 2 weeks or longer. 

Your role could include the following:

• Wound care (wound debridement, dressings, wound vac placement, etc)
• Med/surg inpatient care (with shifts being 12 hour days or nights, likely 5-6 shifts per week) with a probable patient load of 10-20 patients per nurse
• Acute care ER/OR nursing, assisting doctors in the care of injured and ill patients
• Managing the flow of patients, assisting doctors with completing medical records, gathering medications and supplies, providing discharge instructions, restocking supplies, managing the central administration desk, etc
  

MUST have the following qualifications:

• Be able to leave by Monday or Tuesday and stay for at least 1 week (prefer longer)
  
• RN certification
• At least 2 years clinical experience in an inpatient, ER, ICU, or OR setting. WOUND CARE nurses are especially needed, especially if you are also skilled in ER/inpatient care
• Previous travel to the developing (3rd) world
• Flexibility (you may be asked to do things that are not officially a part of your job description)
• Ability to work long hours and function in less than ideal conditions with less than adequate sleep
• Ability to submit to our medical chain of command that is already in place; we do not want people who are going to come down here and try to do their own thing (in other words...leave your egos at the door)
• Be able to fund your own travel to Florida, and possibly to Haiti (we are currently bringing in medical professionals free of charge on many flights from various locations in Florida, but this opportunity may not last)
  

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Previous medical experience in the developing world
• Ability to speak Haitian Creole
• Ability to stay 2 weeks or longer
  

While you are here, you will be staying in cramped quarters. You will likely eat snack foods most of the time and may not eat a hot meal for several days in a row. It is hot and dusty here. You will get dirty. You may not be able to shower every day. You will need to pack your bags with medical supplies from our needs list, and also bring in food for yourself (things like granola bars, fruit snacks, cereal, etc).

At the same time, you will have an very rewarding experience caring for some special and grateful patients. You will be helping save lives. And you will be working with some incredible people. This work is demanding, but very gratifying.

If you meet these qualifications and are interested, please contact Shelley Stammis ASAP at lexismom1972@yahoo.com and please cc me on the e-mail (halv0105@umn.edu). In your e-mail, please describe in detail how you meet the above qualifications. If you are interested but do not meet ALL of these qualifications, we are grateful for your interest, but please do not contact Shelley or me at this time, as we simply do not have the time to respond to every inquiry we get.

THANK YOU in advance for your interest and for caring about Haiti! We so appreciate your support and willingness to help.

Jen Halverson, M.D.

Heartline Clinic & Hospital

Thank You!

The past 2 weeks have been ...

...  crazy busy.

...  stressful.

...  frustrating.

...  hurtful.

...  difficult.

But ... today ... I am ready to move on.  I've done all that I can, for now.  My 6 page appeal has been written ... printed ... and is in the process of being delivered via Certified Mail.  Mr. Forgetful wrote an amazing letter of verification and support; and his letter was included in my appeal packet.


Now ... all I can do is wait.  I had 20 days to write my appeal.  "They" have 60 days to respond.  Makes sense, right?  If the response to the appeal is negative, we will then hire an attorney.  Praying that my 6 page appeal has spelled things out clearly enough as to clear up the false accusations that were brought against me.  Praying that TRUTH and JUSTICE will prevail.

THANK YOU ...

... for all of your love.

... for all of your support.

... for all of your prayers.

... for your amazing friendships.

"Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  We ought always to thank God for you, brothers (and sisters), and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing."   2 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Distractions ...

I believe that one of the enemy's favorite ways to block the Lord's work ... is through distractions.  Seriously, whenever I am "going about My Father's work", my life gets DISTRACTED.

First of all ... The Crisis itself has brought HUGE distractions to the work that the Lord has called us to do on the island.  Every time we step out in ministry ... another chapter of The Crisis crashes into our lives.

Then, in the midst of trying to FIGHT this last chapter of The Crisis ... more distractions are thrown my way.

Some distractions are frustrating ... while others are "good things".  But, just the same, they are distractions.

Today's distractions ... as I am trying desperately to complete the paperwork for my appeal process ...

1.  I am TIRED!  I can hardly keep my eyes open.

2.  Carissa (in Argentina) wanted to chat on Skype.  I LOVE chatting with Carissa.  I haven't heard from her in several weeks.  I wanted to totally focus on our conversation.  I wanted to give her my undivided attention.  We talked for about half an hour.

3.  Cassie (in Oregon) wanted to chat on Skype.  I chatted for just a moment, and then had to say "good-bye" so that I could chat with Carissa.  I LOVE chatting with my girls.  I am so BLESSED by such wonderful relationships with them.

4.  Gregg needed a serious chat time with Mama ... even though he didn't know it.  Papa and I have been trying for a month to have a serious discussion with him.  Today ... he was here (after spending the night last night) ... and, I was here.  The discussion couldn't wait any longer.  Again ... I LOVE to have one-on-one time with my Big Kids. We had a good talk.

5.  Elijah got hurt.  He got hit in the eye with a little football.  He cried.  He rolled on the floor.  He said, "I can't open my eye."  He said, "I'm blind."  Okay.  Stay calm.  Elijah is not usually our traumatic/dramatic one ... so I take him pretty seriously.  We have a doctor's office across the street from our "old house".  But ... we don't have health insurance.  (Remember last night's post about the big medical bills hanging over our heads?)  I held him.  I rocked him.  I prayed for him.  I found a medicine dropper and washed out his eye with cool water.  He screamed some more.  Don't panic Mama!  I prayed some more.  An hour later ... he is okay.  His eye is red.  We didn't go to the doctor.  We didn't rack up more medical bills.  My little boy needed me.  I was here for him.

Now ... I have been up for 5 hours and have not yet made the phone calls that need to be made ... I've not written the letters I need to write ... I've not contacted Mr. Forgetful about the letter I need to pick up from him ...

The story of my life ... the life of a Mama of 13 ... the tyranny of the urgent distracts from doing what's most important.  But ... ALL of these things are not only urgent, they are important, too.

Sooo ... BACK OFF SATAN ... let me get to work ...

And ... LORD ... while you know that I love my kids, and you know that they are NOT distractions ... that they are huge BLESSINGS in my life ... please keep the distractions away this afternoon, so that I can focus on what You need me to do.  Help my children to know that I love them dearly, even if I don't have time for more good conversations today.

Another Earthquake?

My heart is breaking for Haiti this morning.  Did you hear?  They had another earthquake at 6:00 a.m. ... it was a 6.1 magnitude this time.

Yesterday, there were still people being rescued from buildings that tumbled a week ago.  People are still alive ... under the wreckage ... a full week after the first earthquake.  How many more died this morning?  I cannot imagine the hopelessness.

A friend of ours is in Haiti today ... trying to bring home the little guy that they have been working to adopt for the past 3.5 years.  They were sooo... close, and then the earthquake destroyed their adoption attorney's office.  Please pray for Bob and Isaac today.  As of yesterday, Bob was at the orphanage, but did not see any way to get safely to the Embassy to finalize the paperwork to bring Isaac home.

Another blog that I read told about their children's orphanage.  This morning they were planning to WALK with 130 children (65 of them under 3 years old) the 2K to the embassy.  They  had been promised that if they could get the children safely to the embassy, that the children would be flown to the US ... into the arms of their adoptive families.  Where were those children when this morning's quake hit?  Are they okay?  Will they make it to the embassy in time for the flight?  I'm sure the streets of the city are in utter chaos this morning, after this quake.  Please pray for the children.

My problems seem so simple ... compared to the lives of those in Haiti ...

Spur of the Moment Fun

This morning, while getting things ready to come off-island again for a couple of days, Elijah randomly asked, "Can I go?"  Hmmm ???  I couldn't really think of a reason NOT to take him; and he so misses all of his big brothers.  So, I said, "Sure.  Pack your clothes."  I was also taking Ben with me, so I knew it would be easier on Jim and Hosanna if I took Mr. High Energy with me, as well.


While driving to "the old house", I realized that 4 of the 5 family members with birthdays this week would be in town together.  So, I said, "Hey E ... maybe we can get the big kids together for a birthday dinner."  We love to go to Red Robin for our family birthday dinners because we get email coupons for a free birthday dinner.  And, when you have 5 birthdays in 1 week, then it makes a family dinner out almost affordable.


At 2:00 I started making phone calls.  Unbelievably, none of the Big Kids had to work this evening.  Wow!  Even if I had tried to arrange it a month early ... I'm sure it would have never worked.  So, after "planning" it at 2:00 this afternoon ... by 4:45 we had 10 of us at Red Robin.  Wow!


Jeremiah will turn 23 tomorrow (20th) ... Elijah will turn 8 on the 23rd ... Mama will turn "older" on the 24th ... and Lindsey and Carissa will turn 21 on the 25th.  Yes, we have 5 birthdays in 6 days.  Crazy, huh?  So, while we missed Carissa (and are hoping that she has a very special 21st birthday in Argentina), the rest of us had a very fun last-minute celebration.  Along with the 4 of us with birthdays, the other Big Kids that were able to join us were:  Ben, Gregg, Josh & Hannah, and Jared & Christen.  It was so fun to be with all of them.


I had to laugh, as I watched little almost-eight-year-old Elijah interact with the 20-something crowd.  These truly are his best friends ... his peer group ... his buddies ... and, when asked by another friend of Jeremiah's that stopped by later, how old he was he said, "Eight ... teen."  Too cute!  For a little guy with a dozen older siblings, he just doesn't quite fit in the "little kid" box.


Today's accomplishments ..


#1  Touched base with the "Oops, I forgot" person.  Will be picking up letter from them tomorrow morning.

#2  Tackled one of the many medical bills that are hanging over our heads (over $2500 in medical bills last fall ... right after taking a 50% salary cut ...).  But ... wonderful lady at the medical office realized how ridiculous one of the charges was and got it reduced by $150.  Praising Jesus ... every little bit helps.  Need to call about 5 more places tomorrow to discuss payment options and possible bill reductions.

#3  Had fun with my Big Kids.  Very important ... in the midst of all of the tough stuff.


#4  Finished off my evening with my quarterly "hair appt." and had a wonderful 2.5 hour visit with my dear friend and stylist.  She was "friend" before she became my "stylist" ... so, while I love the hair stuff, what I really love is the chat time with a special friend.




Tonight, I am NOT playing cards with all of the Big Kids that are over here.  I am going to go to bed early (which, for me, means "before midnight") ... get lots of sleep ... and get up tomorrow ready to TACKLE the final parts of the paperwork documentation.  Bring it on ... I'm ready to tackle it ... I'm ready to print it all off and put it in the mail and get on with the serious business of LIFE with my beautiful family.


Thanks for your continued prayers.  I have no doubt that tomorrow will bring with it all kinds of distractions, things that will try to steal my focus away from what I am here to accomplish.  But ... with God's grace, strength, and wisdom ... I can work hard and put this chapter behind me.

Oh So Frustrating ...

Last week, I came back to "the old house" 

to deal with paperwork and 

to request help for documentation 

of our Crisis situation.

I waited all week for the letter to come in the mail.

I came back to "the old house" today ... 

...  another ferry ride. 

...  more hours on the road.

I called to find out about the documentation.

The response ... "Oh ... I forgot."

To me, it feels like my life is riding on this documentation.  

To the other person ... "Oops ... I'm sorry."

Did they not hear my cry for help last week?

Did they not see the desperation in my eyes?

Did they not understand that I have 

a short deadline to make my appeal?

Did they not understand how 

critical their part in this is?

I know they have "been busy".

I understand busy.

But ... "I forgot."

I don't understand.

Just Putting One Foot in Front of the Other ...

Tonight ... 


...  I am exhausted.


...  I don't have any news to share.


...  I don't have anything light hearted to tell.


...  I haven't taken any cute pictures to show you.




Tonight ...


...  I want to write something.


...  I want to connect with my bloggy friends.


...  I want to get back to all of the fun posts about
     "life with my large family".




But ...


...  I'm just plain tired.


...  I'm worn out.


...  I'm overwhelmed.




Today ...


...  One of my Big Kids is hurting,
     and Mommy's band-aids won't help.
     I am crying with them, and praying for them.  
     My heart hurts, wishing I could take away their pain.




Tomorrow ...


...  I head off-island once again,
     not knowing when I'll return.


...  My husband has company coming for dinner,
     and I won't be here to prepare it.


...  My children, once again, will be doing their 
     schoolwork without Mommy.


...  My head is spinning with all that needs to be done;
     yet I don't even know how to write my "to-do list".




Thank you for your continued prayers!

A Long Week ...

It's been a very long week.

I was off-island for 4 days.

Papa was off-island the 

2 days before that.

It's difficult for the children.

It's difficult for the marriage.

Please pray for the children.

(When Mama's stressed,

it always rubs off.)

Please pray for our marriage:

It's strong, but hurting tonight.

I got "home" late tonight,

back to my island, 

back to my 

Little House in the Big Woods.


I am so blessed by this house
that has been loaned to us;
yet I so desperately crave
a place of our own,
a place to call home.


Living in 2 places is difficult,
even when "life is good".
But, it is especially hard,
when walking through a Crisis.
(I have the wrong paperwork,
at the wrong house,
at the wrong time.)

I've been strong the past 4 days.

Tonight ... the tears flow once again.

I got a lot accomplished,

but still have so much to do.

I am still completely overwhelmed

by the enormity of the situation.

Still praying for wisdom.

Still praying for peace.

Still praying for strength,

to put one foot in front of the other.

Your prayers ...

and your words of encouragement ..

have meant the world to me this week.

Thank You!!!

Prayer Needed

While I obviously can't give a lot of details about what we are walking through right now, I want you to know ...

... this is BIG.

... it is UGLY.

... it could have far-reaching,

    life-changing consequences.

... it is so much more than

  "someone hurt my feelings, 

    by saying something bad about me."

Because of the false allegations that were made against me, I must spend this week ...

... researching laws.

... meeting with police.

... seeking legal council.

... gathering all documentation

at "the old house".

This is so NOT FUN!

One of my Big Kids discovered this state law yesterday ...

"A person who, intentionally and in bad faith, knowingly makes a false report of ________ or _______ shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with RCW _____.

Very interesting. 

PLEASE keep me in your prayers this week for ...

... wisdom to know who to talk to.

... strength to walk through each door.

... truth to be revealed and believed.

... peace in my heart.

... love for the accuser.

The Enemy wants to fill my heart with anger and bitterness; while the LORD wants me to replace those temporal thoughts and feelings with HIS love and understanding.

So. Yes. Please also pray for my accuser.  Seriously.  I have no idea what would cause them to make such accusations.  Please pray for their heart to be softened and their eyes to be opened to the truth.

Thank you so much ... for your outpouring of love, support, and prayers this week.  You have no idea what you, my Bloggy Family, mean to me.  I'd probably still be in bed with the covers over my head, if it weren't for your prayers and support.

Still Trusting ...

A few hours ago ... I posted a post about Trust.  It was a great little quote that I borrowed from another blog.

However ... I didn't write it a few hours ago.  No.  I wrote it the day before and set it to post today.

Yesterday ... it sounded good.  I had a fun story to share about Trusting God for provision, and one of the many ways that He has provided for us.

Today ... the word TRUST goes deeper.  

Today ... I don't have any fun stories to share.  

Today ... I was hit HARD by an unfair outcome 

... that comes from unwarranted allegations 

... that arose from twisted stories and gossip.

Today ...  I still have to TRUST

...  that God knows the final outcome.

...  that God will bring TRUTH.

... that God will bring JUSTICE.

Today ... I am reminded

... that Jesus Christ had an unfair outcome.

... that Jesus Christ had unwarranted 

allegations made against him.

... that Jesus Christ was the subject of

twisted stories and gossip.

Today ... I am reminded

... that Jesus Christ TRUSTED God

... and he calls each one of us to TRUST God

... regardless of our circumstances.

... regardless of whether life is fair, or not.

I am trusting GOD tonight,

as I cry out to HIM 

for TRUTH and JUSTICE.

I have to share that it is REALLY hard to share a post like this.  While I KNOW that the large majority of you are supporting us through our crisis ... and praying for us as we walk this most difficult walk ...  I also know that there are others reading this ... those that are the cause of much of the pain that we are living in ... 

To be honest, I don't want them to know that they have succeeded in causing such pain.  I have to wonder ... are they glad that they "won"?  There was no prize for winner ... just pain for the loser.  I didn't even know I'd signed up for the competition.  Do they actually find joy, in causing such pain?  What could their purpose have been in making false allegations?  What was their desired outcome?  To see us in pain ...

At the same time, I want to be honest with the rest of you.  I don't want this blog to put up a false front.  I can't pretend that we are the "big happy family" every day.  While I LOVE life ... and I am a joy-filled person most of the time.  Today ... not so much.  

Today ... 

... I soaked my pillow with tears.  

... my husband had to just hold me; 

    there were no words to say.  

... my eyes are swollen from the tears.  

... my heart is broken from the pain 

    of being falsely accused, 

    and not allowed to defend myself.

Tomorrow ... 

...  I have to wipe away the tears. 

... I have to step back in the ring. 

... I have to ask God for wisdom, 

    in how to fight the good fight. 

... I have to TRUST God for the outcome.

Wow!  I just realized that yesterday I put a verse of Scripture at the top of my blog (under the picture).  And ... what word does that Scripture verse start with?  TRUST ...    So, while I was putting that Scripture verse up there about Trust ... and while I was writing that blog post to share that cute quote about Trust ... God knew that I was going to have to cling to that word today, didn't He?  I'm speechless ...

Trust ...

"One does not learn to trust in the miraculous provision of God until they are forced into a position that demands it. To truly learn and live out who we are in Christ, we must leave behind the illusion of knowing how it will all unfold."



Wow!  This is so true.  This fall and winter, we have seen such miraculous provision, because we KNEW that we didn't have a plan.  We left all of our security behind, when my husband resigned after 21 years of teaching, and we moved out to our little island to pastor our little church.  No more guaranteed income ... no more health insurance ... no house to live in ... no idea of how we could afford to buy a house ... but we KNEW, beyond a shadow of doubt, that the LORD was calling us here, and that HE would provide. And ... He has.


Last weekend, I was really sensing that we needed to take everyone off-island to go visit my dear 91 year old Daddy.  It is a VERY rare occasion for us to take the kids off island, because of the cost of the ferry.  Just to go to my Daddy's house for a couple of hours, 125 miles away, we would have to spend $150 (ferry, gas, and food "on the road").  It would be a 12 hour day ... with only 3 hours to spend with Grampa. (Ferry schedules and rush hour traffic through Seattle make up the other 9 hours ... Yes, even though it's only 125 miles.) So, we made plans to go, even though our budget was very tight this week.  The day before ... a friend walked up to Papa at church and said, "Here ... I found this on the ground at the ferry dock."  It was a ferry pass with 9 passenger fares still on it (almost $75 value).  That pass got us home the next day.  Thank you Jesus!!!




This quote was taken off a blog ... which took it off of a Faceb*ok page ... so I don't really know who to attribute it to.  But, I thought it was a very good quote.

Quaint & Romantic ... or ... Modern w/ Amenities

My Big Kids have mentioned funny stories that they have read/seen on Fail Bl*g.  I've never looked at the website (so am NOT recommending it), but I definitely have a FAIL story to tell.  When I first told Cassie about our weekend, she said, "Oh, I can't wait to read your blog about this one."

The FAILED Romantic Vacation

Vicky had a 4 day weekend for New Years, so she asked if we would like her to come up and watch the kids so that the TWO of us could get away for a couple of days.  Obviously, we couldn't be gone ALL weekend ... as dear hubby is a Pastor now, so he has a sermon to preach each week.  But, a couple days away sounded good to both of us.  It had been many months since we had gotten away for some "Couple Time".  I actually cannot remember when the last time was ... this is not a good sign.

Usually, when we can get away for a couple of days, we can quickly agree on the details ... where we want to go ... where we want to stay ... etc ..  But, this time was different.  Jim wanted to stay close to home (not drive very far), and he wanted Quaint & Romantic.  While I LOVE romantic, I'm a bit hesitant about the "quaint".  He found an old "Seafarer's Cabin" that looked to me like it could be musty and dirty.  He found a cute "cottage" ... but when I read the fine print, it certainly didn't fit my definition of "cottage".  It was a spare room attached to a house.  Ummm ... no.  NOT my idea of quaint and romantic.  I always love to head across the mountains to Leavenworth, and we have a wonderful little Inn that we like to stay in.  But, I was trying VERY hard to please Jim, and not press my agenda.  So, we compromised.  We headed to the little seaside town across the water from our island (actually 2 ferry rides away), that Jim wanted to go to.  We didn't drive far (with the original plan) ... but we spent a bit of time on ferries and in ferry lines.  

So, we went to "his" quaint and romantic little seaside town ... but we stayed (the first night) at a "historic hotel" rather than in a cottage.  Sounds good, right?  Wrong!

I had asked specifically when booking this hotel room whether or not they had wireless internet. (Something that the cottages did not have.)  I was assured that they did.  Jim would need to be spending quite a bit of time on his sermon prep over the course of 3 days, so I wanted access to my favorite Bloggy Land.

Shortly after making ourselves comfortable in the $149/night Romantic Room w/ King Bed and Large Jaccuzzi Tub, Jim popped out his computer.  Uhhhmmmm... no internet?  We phoned the front desk.  And ... we phoned again.  Over the course of the next 3 hours we had at least 5 phone conversations with the front desk.  They blamed the problem on our computer.  I told them that my husband's computer was brand new, and my computer had worked well in Africa and South America, so it certainly should be able to connect in good old Wa. State.  No luck!  They finally had someone else call me, who said he would "come up to take a look after he was back on the premises ... currently he was babysitting."  Okay then.  He said he'd be up in 30-45 minutes.  We gave him the full 45 ... and then left for dinner.  FAIL!!!

Dinner?  Finding a nice restaurant should be easy, right?  We looked in the Hotel Book (the nice notebook that is found in every hotel room).  Oh yes ... not only did they list local restaurants, but they even had menus.  Great!  We found a nice Italian Restaurant.  It said that reservations were recommended.  So, I phone to make my reservation.  Wrong number.  I was told that the restaurant had closed at least 5 years ago. FAIL!!!  Okay then.  Guess they forgot to update it.  Let's look in the phone book.  We found another Italian Restaurant.

After the computer guy was a no-show, we headed out the door to find the restaurant.  We had the address and we'd looked at the map (in the Hotel Book).  But ... no such restaurant.  Uhhhmmm ... the phone book was a 2008.  Guess they forgot to update it.  FAIL!!!

We finally found an "upscale" Bar & Grill ... with the greasiest burger I'd ever had, and the absolutely worst service EVER.  And ... it was a $50 meal.  FAIL!!!

Okay ... back to our hotel room.  Still no internet.  Guess we'll watch t.v. for awhile before bed.

In the morning, Jim headed down to the front desk with his computer.  He was able to hook right up to the internet.  He asked if there was a room in that building where we might have internet access.  He went upstairs to the 3rd floor ... but no such luck.  Internet was only available to "our computers" in the lobby.  The "sweet" receptionist continued to blame it on our computers.  He stayed downstairs to work on his computer, while I took my shower.  Then ... I was going to meet him downstairs for the "complimentary breakfast".  We missed breakfast ... but it was just bagels or English muffins, anyways.

Why did we miss breakfast, you ask???  Oh no ... our FAIL VACATION isn't done yet.

I jumped in the shower, had problems regulating the heat (as in ... there was no cold water), but continued to shampoo my hair.  But ... before I could think about rinsing out the shampoo and putting in some conditioner ... the water stopped.  Dead.  No water.  None in the sink.  None in the fancy Jaccuzzi Tub.  Nope.  I was covered in shampoo, with no way to rinse off.  FAIL!!!  I called the front desk.

"Oh.  I'm sorry.  We're having some problems with the water pipes.  We have no idea when it will be fixed."  "What?  You were in the middle of a shower.  I'm so sorry."

In the sweetest voice I could muster, I asked, "Could you please ask my husband to come up to the room?  He is using the internet in your lobby."

When Jim arrived, I told him of our predicament ... as in, I could be stuck in this nice comfy hotel bathrobe for HOURS ... without breakfast ... without internet access ...  But, wait ... maybe there is water some place else in the hotel.  I asked Jim to please return to the front desk and ask if they might have a bucket that he could bring me some warm water in from the building with the lobby.

He arrived with a 1/2 bucket of warm water and a 1 gallon jug of water from the grocery store.  Am I supposed to rinse off with this "spring water"?  Ughhh ...

I rinsed ... dressed ... and did my hair and makeup as quickly as possible.  All I wanted was OUT of this crazy "romantic, historic hotel by the sea".  Enough!

The "sweet" receptionist agreed to not charge us for our 2nd night (since we were leaving), but she DIDN'T refund us for the NIGHT OF FIASCOS.  A $149 FAIL!!!

As for the internet problem, I suggested that maybe they should put routers in each of the buildings, so that the computers could connect to the wireless.  She told me, "Oh.  We sent someone upstairs, outside your room, to see if their iPhone could connect, since your computers are Macs.  And, he had no problem."  NEWSFLASH:  iPhones do NOT use wireless internet ... they use cell phone lines.  FAIL!!!

Okay.  We are OUT OF HERE!  But, where should we go?  We have no internet to find any place else.

Let's head down the road to the cute little town of Poulsbo, where Mama LOVES to shop.  Papa had never been shopping there with me, so he was looking forward to shopping, and the bakery.  As we pulled into town, we realized that it was 11:30 and we hadn't eaten breakfast.  We drove through town, looking at hotels and restaurants, trying to decide if we were going to eat breakfast or lunch.  I finally said, "Let's just go downtown to the "quaint" little shops and the bakery."  Yea.  Great plan!  No.  Friday was January 1st ... a Federal Holiday ... and this quaint little shopping town was locked up tight.  On a 4 day weekend???  You've got to be kidding?!  No.  

Kristen ... your town FAILED me ... and I was planning to call you and ask if we could go out for coffee ... or rather, go out for mochas.  (Maybe next time.)

Jim says, "Let's catch another ferry, and go over to a different quaint little town to go shopping."  I had never been to this little town to shop, but Jim had gotten his Master's Degree there, 10 years ago, so he was looking forward to showing me around his favorite little town.  Now, of course, we have already traveled by way of 2 ferries and we've gone over 2 major bridges.  Jim's "quaint little town" was across another body of water ... requiring a 3rd ferry ride (for those of you that don't regularly ride ferries ... they aren't cheap).  And ... we were then heading in the complete opposite direction of home.  The following day would take us up the interstate, over another bridge to another island, and on to our 4th ferry.  So much for "staying close to home" and "not driving very far".

Guess what?!  The 2nd "quaint little town" was also closed for the holiday.  FAIL!!!  Looks like we'd better head to the Big City.

We arrived in Big City and saw a Holiday Inn Express sign.  I was ready for quality and consistency, with amenities.  No more quaint and romantic for me.  I was so excited, as I knew that the Holiday Express was next door to the Old Spaghetti Factory.  Jim didn't know there was one in this city, so he was excited to eat dinner there.  (I waitressed at the Old Spaghetti Factory in another city, for 6 years ... 20 years ago.  So, we enjoy stopping by one now and then, for memories sake.)  Okay ... we THINK we've hit the jackpot.  But ... the hotel was under construction ... and the restaurant was closed for the holiday.  FAIL!!!  We were seriously laughing!  What else could we do?

Down the street, we saw a nice hotel, and I hurried in to see if they had any vacancies.  I was ready to pay $200/night if I had to, for quality and comfort.  Yes, they had rooms available.  And ... for only $99 we got a King Bed ... a complimentary "Managers Reception" in the  evening (with snacks, soups, and drinks) and a complimentary full-buffet, hot breakfast in the morning.  And ... there was wireless internet in the lobby AND in the room.  Yippee!  Nope ... it wasn't quaint or romantic, but I've made up my mind ... I'll take quality over quaint any day.

I went shopping in the Big City, while Jim worked on his sermon.  And I got some GREAT deals at Kohls.  We had dinner at a reputable Mexican Restaurant (no more greasy burgers), and we relaxed in our modern and comfortable hotel room afterwards.

We had a great time away.  We laughed a LOT.  And we know what type of vacation we'll be looking for the next time we are BLESSED with a couple of days away.  Thanks Vicky!

Not only did Vicky "watch" my kids ... but she homeschooled them, as well.  They got a LOT of school work done.  Good job!