#1 in State Track

Home now ... after a VERY loooooong weekend.

Took Papa back to the ferry ... so that he could go back to the island.  So hard.

Ben's 4x400 Relay not only took FIRST IN STATE ... they are the 4x400 State Champions ... but they also SET A SCHOOL RECORD of 3:37.14 .  (Last week's P.R. was 3:46.)

Pics and details will follow tomorrow ...

Time for a hot bath ... and a good long sleep in my comfy bed.

Hosanna ... Another Fast Runner

Just uploaded some pics ... here are a few from Hosanna's track meet two weeks ago.  (Last week's track meet pics are on Ben's camera.)

Hosanna is following in Ben's footsteps ... as a sprinter.

Hosanna (in the center) Running the 100m.

Hosanna (out in front) in the 4x100 Relay.

Hosanna (in 2nd place) in the 200m.

"Open Your Eyes, Hosanna!"

Love it when I get a pic of the kids making intense faces.

This has been Hosanna's first season as a track runner.

(Our schools start sports in 7th grade.)

It has been so fun to watch her develop as a runner.

(She's wearing Big Sis Carissa's spikes.  Fun Memories!)

Oh my! The things we do for our kids!

The facts ...

We drove 350 miles yesterday.

We will drive 350 miles home on Sunday.

I made/decorated 9 Team Benjamite t-shirts.

We paid $124 ... yes, $124 ... just to get into the State Track Meet.

Big Brother Jeremiah and Jared are driving probably 9 hours today and another 350 miles home tomorrow night.  (They are still on the road tonight, after HUGE traffic delays because of an accident.  Took them 3.5 hours to go 78 miles.)


What for ???

To watch Ben run for about 50 seconds.  Yep.  50 seconds.


Why would we do that ???

Because we LOVE him.  No other reason.


Yes ... we LOVE our kids, and we want to support them in any and all things that they choose to do.

This is my 14th year as a Track Mom.  Cassie started track in 4th grade.  (When she was in high school I drove 4 hours each way to watch her run for about 25 seconds.  You bet I did.)  Carissa & Lindsey started track in 7th grade.  Josh started running in 10th grade.  Ben in 9th grade.  Hosanna in 7th grade.  I'm sure I've got a LOT of years left as a Track Mom.

I'm also a Baseball Mom.  I've been a Baseball Mom for 22 straight years.  Gregg started when he was 4 years old.  Jeremiah has played baseball/softball for the past 19 consecutive years.  Even though he is 23, and doesn't live at home, his weekly games are on my calendar, and we try to go as often as possible.  Other baseball players we've had:  Cassie, Carissa, Lindsey, Josh, Ben, Hosanna, Josiah, & Elijah.  Yes ... we are a baseball playing family!!!

I was an Army Mom for 4.5 years.  Couldn't have been more proud of my Army Boy!  No ... we didn't travel to Iraq to cheer him on.  But ... we flew to Georgia to welcome him home from Iraq.  Yes. We. Did.

Now ... I'm a Navy Mom.  (For those that don't know, Jeremiah joined the Navy this year.)

I'm also a Missionary Mom.  Oh yes.  Cassie, Jeremiah, Carissa, and Lindsey have all been missionaries.  They've worked for the Lord in Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, Haiti, The Gambia, Senegal, India, Bangladesh, Germany, Czech Republic, and Jordan.  I would have loved to travel along with them on their missionary endeavors, but I had a few young ones I needed to stay home with.  (I did, however, spend 2 weeks in Argentina with Carissa, after she decided to stay there long term.)

Yes.  We do these things because we love to encourage our kids as they pursue their passions, and the dreams that the Lord has placed in their hearts.

Whether it's a trip across the world ... across the country ... across the state ... or just across town, I would encourage you to be the best cheerleaders your kids could ever hope for.  The rewards are immeasurable.

What Will You Find in Mama D.'s Kitchen?

I thought I would share with you some of my favorite Kitchen Tools.  I actually just found a website that sells most of them, at very reasonable prices.  I am NOT a salesperson for this website.  I am NOT receiving any benefit from promoting them.  But, since I was going to write a post about my favorite Kitchen Tools, I thought you might like to know where to purchase some of them:  www.everythingkitchens.com .  If you don't find the specific Kitchen Tool on this website, just google it.  All of these Kitchen Tools are currently being manufactured, and sold on the web.

I know many moms that would love to have some of these Kitchen Tools, but they don't think it will fit into their budget.  And, for some of you, the reality is that they won't.  However, I want to encourage you to set aside money to buy the right tools.  They will save you time and money over the long run.

Most Dads, if they have a project to do, will go out and buy the proper tools to do it.  They want tools that are up for the task.  They want tools that are going to last.  They want just the right tool, for their intended project.  Mom's need to think of their kitchens, just as Dad's think of their workshops.

What will you find in Mama D.'s Kitchen?

K-Tec Kitchen Machine

I have had my Kitchen Machine for 10 years and I LOVE it!!!  The mixing bowl is big enough to make 5 loaves of Mama's Whole Wheat Bread.  It is also the only way that I make my family's favorite secret-recipe cookies.  And, the 8 cup Blender is the BEST for smoothies.  Seriously ... throw in some frozen juice concentrate, ice cubes, frozen berries and 20 seconds later ... the perfect Fruit Smoothie.  Yummm !!!  (In 10 years, I have had to replace the blender jar a couple of times, but we have made a LOT of smoothies.)  The K-Tec Kitchen Machine can be purchased at:  www.breadmachinedigest.com .

BlendTec Kitchen Mill

(used to be K-Tec Kitchen Mill)

Nothing beats fresh ground flour ... for homemade bread (No. Mama does not make bread as often as the family would like her to.  Bad Mama.)  ... for pancakes or waffles ... for homemade hamburger buns.  I have had my grain mill for 10 years, as well, and it still works GREAT!  Some people think of whole wheat bread as heavy, rather than the light and fluffy bread made from white flour.  But, I have a secret to share ... there are several kinds of wheat that you can purchase.  If you use Hard Red Wheat as the only flour for your bread, yes, it will be a heavy loaf of bread.  However, if you use 1/2 Hard Red Wheat and 1/2 Soft White Wheat (a pastry flour), your whole wheat bread can turn out light and fluffy.  This machine currently costs $179.  Divide that out over 10 years (and it has many years left).  Add up the savings from buying bags of wheat rather than bags of flour.  Then, add in the health benefits of whole wheat, and you should definitely be able to figure out how to afford this wonderful Kitchen Tool.

Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker

A couple of years ago, my 40+ year old waffle maker finally had to be put to rest.  Oh. So. Sad.  I was on a hunt.  I actually purchased a different machine, and then returned it after making our first batch.  I wanted a good quality waffle maker, and I wasn't going to settle for anything less. This makes WONDERFUL waffles ... especially when using fresh ground whole wheat flour.  Just found on this kitchen website ... that this machine comes in a 6-slice model.  Wow!  I've never heard of one.  I'll have to put that on Mama's Wish List, and then I could make 10 waffles at once.

Aroma Cool Touch Rice Cooker

We LOVE rice ... and we LOVE our Rice Cooker.  Easy to use ... easy to clean ... and GOOD soft rice (not crunchy or mushy) ... and BIG enough to feed our extra large family.

Rival 7 quart Crock Pot

We had a 5 quart Crock Pot for MANY years, but it just wasn't big enough for our family.  We didn't use it very often.  Last year, I found this 7 quart model at Kohls, and it was Love At First Sight.  I brought it home ... bought a new Crock Pot Cookbook ... and our dinner menu was revolutionized ... transformed.  Seriously!  This is a MUST when you want to save time in the kitchen, and feed a crowd. 

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

Oh yea!  Mama D.'s Coffee Shop!  What a great way to start the day!  An old friend came over to visit today.  She asked if she could run by Starbucks to bring us each a drink.  I said, "Oh. No. You just come on ahead and I'll whip us up a few drinks."  She loved it.  This, too, could save you money and enhance your time with friends.

I hope you have enjoyed a 

peek into Mama D.'s  kitchen.  

Let me know if you have any 

questions about my Kitchen Tools.

And, please share with us what 

YOUR favorite Kitchen Tool is.

I look forward to hearing from you ...

Team Benjamites

It's 2:00 a.m.

We are leaving tomorrow morning 

for the State Track Meet.

Have I packed my clothes?

No.

Have I packed food for 10 people?

No.

Have I gone to bed yet?

No.

"What," you might ask, "have I been doing?"

Making T-Shirts.

Yes.  T-Shirts.

Well ... not actually "making" them.

But ... decorating them.

Lots of T-Shirts.

Special T-Shirts.

Most of the T-Shirts Look Like This ...

But, the Young Ones Get Really Special Ones ...

"What," you might ask, "is a Benjamite?"

Good question.

At the very 1st track meet of the season, we had 3 of our friends from church cheering with us.  So, there was quite a "crowd" of Benjamin Cheerleaders.  Either Papa or dear friend Susie commented that we were the Benjamites, cheering for Benjamin.  Papa immediately said, "When we go to State, we can make T-Shirts that say Team Benjamite."  And ... every meet ... we talked about those T-Shirts that were going to say Team Benjamite.  

Tomorrow ... we are going to State.  

Tonight ... I made the promised T-Shirts.

Run, Ben, Run!!!

In the Bible, the Tribe of Benjamin 
was also known as the Benjamites.  

"There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name 
was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, 
the son of Aphiah of Benjamin."   1 Samuel 9:1

So, the Tribe of Benjamin will be cheering on Benjamin, 
son of James, brother of Gregg, brother of Jeremiah, 
brother of Joshua, brother of Josiah, brother of Elijah, 
as he "runs the race set before him".

(Doesn't our family sound Biblical or something?)

Definitely time for bed now ...

Parenting the Older Adopted Child

Last week, I wrote about our  Misadventure That Could Have Ended in a Tragedy.


At the end of the post, I was pondering the following questions ...

"How do we teach a child not to do something, if that something would never cross our minds to do?"

"How do we train a child in 'critical thinking' skills?"

"How do we make up for the many, many years of lost parenting, without having our house burn down in the process?"

These questions have continued to plague me throughout the past week.  Papa and I have discussed them almost daily.  We have discussed them often over the past 2 years.  But, we have not found a whole lot of answers yet.

If you have adopted an Older Child ... a child who lived for 5+ years without the loving care of a family ... have you run into the same questions/concerns?  Have you found any answers?

We LOVE our girls dearly!!!  They are ... sweet, precious, well-behaved, obedient, hard workers, etc...  We are BLESSED to have them in our family!!!  Yet ... at times ... though their birth certificates say they are 8 and 11 (and we know they are actually even older) ... their minds often seem stuck in preschool mode.

I am not wanting in any way to be critical of their character or personality.  It's not that at all.  We do not see them as "immature" in a bad way ... but, in reality, their minds are very immature.  Does that make sense?

Some examples ...

#1  Rachel fell out of the van 2 summers ago, and landed on her face on the concrete.  As we cleaned up the bloody nose, we nonchalantly asked, "Why didn't you put your hands out when you fell?"  Her response, "No one ever taught me to put my hands out."  What is hard to understand, is that I have never taught any of my 12 children to "put your hands out when you fall"; it's just something that they instinctively do.

#2  Rachel fell off the swing last summer.  She had seen her brother Elijah standing on the swing, so she decided to follow his example.  While swinging standing up, she decided to sit down.  So ... she let go.  Yes ... she just let go.  No one had ever taught her that she should stop the swing before sitting down.  Oh my!

#3  J. broke a big bedroom window last summer.  He was in the front yard.  He saw a bird.  He picked up a rock, and decided to throw it at the bird.  He didn't really notice that the bird was flying right in front of a big window.  I guess no one ever taught him not to throw rocks at birds or windows.  

#4  Sarah broke a window a week ago.  Her response to the window breaking was a very typical 2 year old response.  She completely fell apart emotionally, something that she had never done before.  Because she works so very hard to be the "good child", she didn't know what to do when suddenly she did something "bad".  I wasn't angry.  She wasn't in trouble.  But, she completely beat herself up emotionally over her error in judgment.  Her emotions were very much preschool emotions.  So sad!

#5  Last week, Rachel wrapped the towel around the night light, which could have easily caused the house to burn down while we were sleeping that night (if the Lord hadn't led me to find it).  When questioned, she said, "No one ever told me not to put a towel on a night light." Again, I have never taught any of my children that.  They just knew.

I know this is not really a unique parenting situation for older child adoptions.  Sadly, it is something that many families unexpectedly face.  Yet, the mothers that I have talked to haven't really found any answers, either.  The day after our night light incident, I spoke with the mother of a 14 year old from Ethiopia.  This mother said, "Oh. Yes. I have to treat her much like a 5 year old."  This mother actually had thought that it would have been nice to have bio. kids around her age.  However, I shared the flip side of that equation:  it is really hard to have bio. kids that are given much more freedoms and responsibilities because they have had so many years of training.  When the adopted child is the same age as the bio. child, that brings with it daily reminders of "I'm sorry, but your brother has had 8 years of training already.  I can't allow you to do that yet."

I would love to hear your thoughts, incites, and questions about this adoptive parenting challenge ...

Live ... on Blog Talk Radio ... Tonight ...

At 8:00 PST, 9:00 Mtn, 10:00 Central ... 

I will be the Guest on Brent Rigg's Blog Talk Radio ...

Tonight's Topic ...

Life Is Like A Circus

You can tune in at www.themindofbrent.com .

If you miss tonight's show, 

just pop on over to the website any time, 

to listen to the recorded shows.

Don't miss the post just below, where I am asking for prayer for my boys.  I posted this shortly after the last post, so some of you might have missed it.

Tears ... Tender Hearts ... Two Boys ... Transitions ...

Tears are flowing ...

Tender hearts are hurting ...

Two boys are missing the ones they love ...

Transitions can be very hard ...


Mama's love isn't always enough ...

Please pray for my two youngest boys:  Elijah (8) and Josiah(10).  This time of transition has definitely been the most difficult for them.

The past 2 afternoons, I have laid in my bed, rubbing Elijah's back, as he has sobbed himself to sleep.  Why?  Because he just plain misses his Papa and his Big Brothers.  (He misses his Big Sisters, too, but nothing can compare to the brother-to-brother bond.)

Last summer, Elijah had 11 of his 12 older siblings living at home.  He had Gregg (24), Jeremiah (22), Josh (18), and Ben (16) involved in his daily life, in addition to Papa, Mama, and the girls.

Then, for 6 months, we were on the island with "only" the 6 younger children.  But, this included Papa and Ben.  Though Ben is 16, he is so involved in the younger kids' lives.  He loved to take them all out into the woods to play last winter, for hours at a time.

Now, Elijah spends his days with Mama and the other Young Ones.  He misses Papa.  He misses Ben.  He misses the Big Boys.  Gregg moved to Texas in February.  Josh moved across the state in March.  Jeremiah moved across the county in April.  Leaving Elijah and Josiah as the only boys at home.

Elijah spent all of last week with Papa.  Then, after the track meet, Papa had to go back to the island without Elijah.  The next 2 days were TOUGH for Elijah.  The good-byes are always so very hard.

Gregg called yesterday, and talked to Elijah.  Elijah sobbed for 30 minutes, "When can we go visit Gregg?"

We went to Jeremiah's softball game last night.  Elijah said, "Can I ride with you?"  "Can I sit in the dugout with you?"  "Can I ride home with you?"  He just wants to BE with his Big Brothers.

Josiah has taken over the Big Boy role, without being asked.  He proudly took out the garbage and all of the recycle bins this morning before I was even up.  I didn't even know that he knew which days they were supposed to be out by the curb.  It is good for him to be learning these things, but it would be so much better for him to learn them as he walks side-by-side with his Big Brothers, rather than being thrown into the role unprepared.

Please pray for my boys ...

State Track ... Here We Come

June 2008 ... a conversation between Josh & Ben ...


Josh said, "Ben, if I buy you some running shoes, will you run cross-country with me?"


Ben was going to be a Freshman.  Josh was going to be a Senior.  Ben didn't have any other fall sports to do.  Why not?!  Ben thought it would be fun to run around with Josh and his running buddies.


I LOVE these sibling relationships!  Here is a Senior, asking his "little" Freshman brother to be involved in a high school sport with him.  REALLY cool thing ... a couple of years before, it was Carissa & Lindsey (the Seniors) asking their "little" brother Josh (the Sophomore) to run track with them.  (He had never run before; so, he did track his Sophomore year and added Cross-Country his Junior year.)


Ben said, "Yes." to cross-country, having no idea the change that simple yes would bring to his life.  


Spring 2009 rolled around ... Ben had to make the very difficult decision of whether to continue playing baseball (after about 8 years on baseball teams) ... or switch to track.  He chose track (primarily because he was excited about the photography opportunities that it would provide).  


Ben enjoyed track.  He tried out a few different races, but primarily ran the 800m.  He was a new runner ... a Freshman ... on a team that took 1st place at the State Meet.  Ben wasn't noticed much ... he just ran and did his best.

Josh graduated.  

We moved to the island.  

Spring 2010 ... Ben joined the track team.  And ... a sprinter was born!  Ben has had an AMAZING season, with more 1st and 2nd place finishes than I can keep track of.


Last Saturday, was the Tri-District Meet in Seattle.  The Top 3 finishers in each event would qualify for the State Meet next weekend.  Ben had been struggling with his strained quad muscle for 3 weeks.  Mama had prayed all week, that the Lord would bring healing.  (Thank you, Jesus!)


100m  *  Ben was out of the blocks fast.  He ran strong.  He placed 7th.  But ... we were not disappointed.  His leg was strong.  He wasn't hurting.  Yeah, God!!!

4x100m  *  In order to keep Ben's leg strong for his next 2 events, the coach decided to put in an alternate runner for this race.  They were pretty confident that they could still qualify for State, and that Ben would then run this relay at State.  However ... the alternate runner missed the hand-off mark.  The team was disqualified.  Oh. So. Disappointing!!!  A crushing blow for a group of hard working young men.  Even with the alternate (the 3rd runner) they would have easily made the State qualifying time if they hadn't missed the hand-off.  So. Sad.


200m  *  Ben was, again, out of the blocks fast.  He ran strong.  He placed 4th.  He missed going to State by 1/10th of a second.  Oh. So. Hard.  Mama prayed for him, that he would be able to work through 3 disappointments, to come out mentally strong for the final race of the day.


4x400m  *  Two of the other boys on this relay team had been a part of the team that was disqualified earlier in the day.  They, too, had to work through the mental side of things.  They wanted this ... and they wanted it badly.  They were ready to run ... and run they did!  These boys placed 3rd, but were far ahead of the 4th place team.  

Ben & The Boys ran the 4x400 in 3:46 ... 

their Team Record.

They are EXCITED for the State Meet next weekend.  

Oh yea!

After coming from a 2A division school last year, that took 1st in State, Ben was a little concerned about moving to this little 1B division school, on the island. Would they even have any other serious runners?  Oh. My. Yes.  

The high school has approx. 65 students in its student body.  1/4th of the entire student body has qualified for the State Track Meet next weekend.  Amazing!  They are taking 16 students, who are competing in 18 events, with several of them competing in 3 or 4 events each.  They are GOOD!

We are so excited to travel across the state for next weekend's meet.  Woohoo!!!

And ... one of the really cool little details of the State Meet ... brother Josh (the one that bought Ben a pair of running shoes so that they could run together) hasn't been able to see any of Ben's track meets.  He hasn't seen this amazing sprinter emerge.  He hasn't been here to cheer him on ... because Josh moved across the State just 1 week before Ben's first track meet.  However ... Ben's State Meet will be run at Josh's university.  Amazing!  Thank you Lord for working out such a fun little detail.  So, in addition to getting to go be cheerleaders for Ben's whole team ... we also get to spend the weekend with Josh.  So excited!!!

For those of you who live in small states, and "across the state" is just a short drive ... it is 380 miles from our house to Josh's house, which is why he could not come home to watch Ben run.

Our Little Church on the Island

I thought you might like a quick little update on Our Little Church on the Island ...


While I have really missed being there for the past 5 or 6 weeks, I look forward to the day that we will all be on the island together again soon.  


Not only do I miss my husband and teens, but I miss our little church ...


...  I miss my dear friends.  (We are truly in awe of the close, loving friendships that we developed in just our first 6 months there.)


...  I miss our new Worship Center, that we moved into right before I had to leave the islands.  


...  I miss the beautiful banners that I was able to pick out for the new worship center.


...  I miss the sweet & simple worship of our small body of Believers.


...  I miss the hugs & the smiles.


But, I am confident that the Lord will bring us all back together very soon.




I was excited to hear Papa's weekly update yesterday (when he calls every Sunday afternoon to tell me of the morning's service).


Yesterday ...


... there were 69 people at church.  (Last June, when we first visited, there were 25.)  Just think, if the kids and I had been there, the attendance would have been 75 ... and if the Big Kids would have come, we would have had 80.


... there was a new member of the worship team. (A teen asked if she could join the worship team.)  Papa said that worship was truly blessed this week.


... all of our "snow-bird" couples have returned from their winter homes in Arizona.  Papa said is was so good to have them all back this week.  He said that they LOVED the new Worship Center, and the beautiful banners.


... there were several new visitors this week.


... there were several people who returned this week, after not coming for awhile.


... Papa got several comments after service that this was his "best message yet".  (I know that Papa's messages are always good ... but I guess the Lord gave him an extra blessing this morning.)




Yes.  Things are GOOD at Our Little Church on the Island.  (Hmmm ... sounds like a book title to me.)  

God is working in us and through us.  

Men are being discipled.  

Women are studying God's Word together.  

Women are meeting for Coffee & Prayer.  

Men are learning to Fast & to Pray.

Couples are meeting to discuss the Sermon Notes.

Marriages are being transformed.

Lives are being transformed.

Families are being strengthened.

Extended families are being brought back together.

Non-Believers are coming to church regularly.

New people are stepping into ministry roles.

Children are being ministered to.

Yes.  God is at work in ...

Our Little Church on the Island.

A Crazy, Busy Week ... and My Friend Susie

Wow!  The last 7 days have been a whirlwind!  I have so many blog posts whirling around in my mind, that I don't know where to start:  fun stuff ... deep stuff ... parenting stuff ... island stuff ... decorating stuff ... kitchen stuff ... adoptive parenting stuff ... adoptions that are in crisis, that I am praying for ...

I think tonight I'll just give a short recap of this past week, and then maybe tomorrow I'll be able to sort through all of the deeper things I've been processing.

Last Sunday afternoon, my sweet friend Susie came to visit from the Island.  It was SUCH a blessing to spend the day with a friend.  (The last month has been VERY lonely.)  Susie was "supposed" to catch the 9:00 am ferry to head this way.  But (as island life so often goes) she didn't get on that ferry.  The car in front of her was the last car to fill the ferry.  So, she sat in line for 2 hours, waiting to catch the next one.  Susie finally arrived at about 1:30 pm, after leaving home before 8:30 am.  We visited.  We took a walk downtown with the kids.  Susie took us all out to dinner.  We took Susie to our favorite mainland beach.  We came home, tucked the kids in bed (after the very scary Night Light Incident), and sat down to chat.  At 11:45, I finally told Susie that I thought she should get a few hours of sleep before heading off to the first early morning ferry (because she had to be at work on the island at 8:30).  It was so fun to have an island friend come visit me at "my house" ... to see how our family lives ... since all of our island friends have only seen us living in the borrowed house all winter.  It was so nice to be able to welcome her into my kitchen, and to make her a mocha at Mama's Coffee Shop.


Monday brought another long day, with a trip to Hosanna's Track Meet.  We must leave here by 1:00, to pick Papa up at the ferry dock at 2:20, to get to Hosanna's Track Meet by 3:00.  After the meet, Papa wanted to go out to dinner and catch the later ferry back to the island, but Mama was just too tired.  (Then, of course, Mama felt guilty because she should want to spend as much time with Papa as possible.)  If Mama had agree to go out to dinner, than Papa would have caught the 8:45 ferry back to the island and Mama and the young ones wouldn't have made it home until after 10:00 pm.  Instead, Mama took Papa too the 6:20 ferry, and actually got her little Shopping Trip to the Bookstore on the way home.


Tuesday brought the excitement of A New Roommate.  Yeah!!!


Wednesday, Mama and the kids packed their bags for a trip to the island.  Woohoo!  We hadn't been back to the island in over a month.  Packing didn't go well, though.  Kids' behavior wasn't good.  Mama 'bout had a stress-induced breakdown.  (Just bein' real here.)  Mama sent all kids back to bed and went back to bed herself (after sending Papa an email saying she didn't know if she could pull it all together).  Mama slept for a little while, and then got up and pulled things together.  Mama and the young ones missed Hosanna's last Track Meet, though.  Sorry, Hosanna!  It was pouring rain anyway, and would not have been the most fun (especially with the bad attitude behaviors going on with a few of the young ones).  We all made it to the island, though, and into the loving arms of sweet friend, Susie and her husband, Tim.  Ahhhh ...  The love of a friend can do wonders for a hurting Mama.  Sweet Tim & Susie let all 8 of us invade their 2 bedroom / 1 bath home for 3 days.  Now, THAT is a true friend.  We had people sleeping on the porch (in a mighty wind storm) ... in a trailer ... and in a tent.  But, it worked!


Thursday, we all had a pretty quiet day.  The boys played in the woods.  Papa worked on his sermon.  The girls read books and colored.  Mama read one of her new books ... took a nap ... read her book ... took a nap ... read her book ... (while Susie was at work).  After dinner, we all headed down to the community center for Ben & Hosanna's performance with their Musical Theater class.  They have enjoyed going to school this semester for just this one class (that meets twice a week, for 2 hours each time).  I was so glad that we could all go out to the island for their performance.  Thanks, Susie!


Papa and I toured 5 homes with our realtor on Friday morning.  It was really good to walk through a wide variety of available homes, and see a variety of types of properties.  We now have a good idea of what we might buy when our house sells (if Papa gets one of the two part-time jobs that he has now applied for).  Please be praying for the job situation with Papa ... pray for wisdom for Papa, and favor with the people doing the hiring.  As I mentioned earlier, while we LOVE Papa's job as a pastor, at this time the church cannot afford to pay enough to fully support us.  Therefore, Papa is pursuing a couple of different part-time positions that would make up the financial difference.  We are still VERY excited about the pastoral position; this would not lesson our ministry there at all; this would just provide enough for us financially so that we can afford to move to the island.


Friday afternoon we hurriedly packed everything up (after returning from our time with the realtor) and raced down to catch the early afternoon ferry.  We made it.  Papa came home with us for the night.  So good to have him home, even if just for 16 hours.


Saturday ...

... we left here at 9:00 am to go to Ben's Tri-District Track Meet in Seattle.  (This will get it's own post.  But ... Ben will be running at the STATE meet next weekend!!!  WooHoo!!!)  Susie came to the track meet, too.  Fun!!!

...  we had a big family dinner after the track meet (Papa, Mama, the Young Ones ... Jeremiah, Lindsey, Ben, Hosanna ... Adopted Big Kid Vicky ... and Sweet Friend Susie) at our favorite Mexican Restaurant.

After dinner ...

... Papa, Ben, & Susie headed North to the ferry.

... the Young Ones headed South with Vicky for Ice Cream & a Movie Night at Vicky's house.

... Jeremiah, Lindsey, Hosanna, and Mama headed South to a surprise 50th birthday party for Mama's dear friend Janie (who has been a friend for about 19 years).

At 9:45 pm ... we picked up the Young Ones at Vicky's and headed North the 150 miles home ... arriving at 12:30 am.

It was a VERY long day ... at the end of a VERY long week ... but it was GOOD.  Very. Very. Good.


Today ... it is Sunday again ... and we rested.

David Platt and RADICAL

After I wrote the post about my trip to the Bookstore, one of my Bloggy Friends asked what other posts I had read about David Platt's book, Radical.  Actually, after I wrote the post I even found a couple of other recent posts by other Bloggy Friends.




Here are a couple of the recent posts about David Platt and this new book.  I can't wait to read it!

Jessica wrote ...  Radical: What is Jesus Worth to You?

Gwen wrote ... Radical by David Platt

And ... I KNOW that I read at least one more.  If you have recently written a post about this book, please let us know.

Would You Like to Save Money at the Grocery Store?

My Bloggy Friend Carissa (not my daughter Carissa) wrote a blog post last week on Kitchen Confessions.  She confessed that she struggles in the kitchen, and she asked for tips from her readers.  Then, this week, she wrote Help! I'm in Charge of Feeding My Family, using her favorite readers tips.

Even though I've taught classes on Saving $$ at the Grocery Store for many years, I even learned a few things from Carissa's Post.  Thought you might like to pop on over to see what Carissa's readers had to share.

And ... if you are new to my blog ... you may not know that I've written a variety of posts on this topic over the past few years.  You might like to check out the archives under "What's Cooking?" and/or "Family Finances".

Where to Buy Books on a Budget

After I wrote the post about my trip to the Bookstore, my friend Donna wrote THIS post about how/where to buy books on a budget.  (They're actually free.)

I hope you'll pop over to her blog to find out all about it.  I'm certainly going to look into it.

A New Roommate

Yeah!!!  We had a new roommate move in last night:  Adopted Big Kid Kati joined me and the young ones in our big house.

Kati is 21.  Kati has been a "part of our family" since she was in 8th or 9th grade.  Kati has worshipped with us.  Kati has vacationed with us.  Kati joined us out on the island multiple times during our 6 months there.  The one thing that Kati has never done ... is actually live with the Big D. Family.

While we LOVE our "Adopted Big Kids" as we love our own ... we have always encouraged them in any way we could, to build their relationships with their bio. families.  If there was not a safety issue, we never invited them to live with us.  They could come over ANY time for the love and security that our family offered.  But, if at all possible, they needed to live with their parents.

Now that Kati is a young adult, and needed to move out of her apartment, I thought it was the PERFECT time to come live with Mama D.  Kati will be living here until August (unless our house sells before then).  Then, she will be headed to Texas for a YWAM school.  Not only will Kati be able to save on monthly rent, by moving in with Mama D., but she will be able to save a LOT on gas money.  Kati works across the street at our church.  She had been driving probably 10 miles each way (from her apartment), 6 days per week.  Now, she can walk to work.  We are excited to help Kati save some money for her ministry school, by giving her a place to live.  And, we are very excited to have this time with her before she heads to TX.

When Ben & Hosanna move home in the next couple of weeks (after track season), Hosanna and Kati will get to share a bedroom.  They are both excited!

Yeah ... for Adopted Big Kids!  

Yeah ... for a house that is big enough ... 

with always room for one more!  

Yeah ... for YWAM schools!  

Yeah ...  for young adults passionate about ministry!  

Thank you, Lord, for this awesome opportunity to have Kati live with us for a short time.  Thank you for the wonderful work you have done in her life over the past 7 years since we've known her.  Thank you, Lord, for giving me and Papa a heart for so many "Adopted Big Kids".  Thank you for showing us which teens really needed us to reach out to them, and for giving us the opportunity to truly show them the love of a godly family.  Thank you Lord for the adults that reached out to me and Papa, as we were teens ... in need of examples of godly families.  Thank you for the examples that they set for us, as they opened their hearts and homes to me and Papa ... teens in need of love and security.

I LOVE New Books!

I only go to the bookstore a few times per year, because I LOVE buying books.  I love reading them too; but it is always exciting to go shopping to see what new books the Lord might prompt me to buy.


I went to the bookstore yesterday on the way home from Hosanna's track meet.  There were 4 reasons that prompted me to go yesterday ...


#1  Lindsey was working last night, so I thought we would surprise her with a quick "hello".  Yea, right ... "quick" and bookstore shopping do NOT go together in my vocabulary.


#2  I had a 25% off coupon that expires in a couple of weeks.


#3  I had 3 birthdays, 1 graduation, and Father's Day coming up in the next month, which is always a good reason to shop at the bookstore.


#4  I read 2 blog posts yesterday morning that "happened" to recommend the same book.  So, I had to see what it was all about.  Yes ... I bought it.


Let me tell you what I bought; and you tell me if you have read any of them.  No, I am not going to tell you about the presents that I bought.  My children and husband do read my blog, you know.


#1  Radical by David Platt  *  This is the one that was recommended by the 2 blog posts this morning.  Looks really good!


In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences.  He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple - then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard.  And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.


#2  Red Letters by Tom Davis  *  Another one recommended by multiple blog posts.


The gospel wasn't only meant to be read - it was meant to be lived.  From the HIV crisis in Africa to a single abused and lonely child in Russia, the church must seize the opportunity to serve with a radical, reckless abandon.  Tom Davis offers both challenge and encouragement to get involved in an increasingly interconnected, desperate modern world.


#3  You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes by Lisa McKay  *  I always need a little fun reading, alongside the "how to be a better Christian" stuff.


When most women think of a "pastor's wife", one of two images come to mind:  either a woman who's so holy she doesn't seem human, or someone sentenced to a life without fun, fashion, or friends.  Lisa McKay understands the challenges of a life lived before a congregation.  You will feel an instant sisterhood with her as she shares the struggles and joys of "doing the ministry-wife thing" ... You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes is an utterly honest, charmingly witty, and biblically insightful guide for every minister's wife who wants to serve the church and support her husband without losing herself along the way.


#4  Decorating Without Fear by Sharon Hanb-Robie  *  Dreaming of buying a new house makes me dream of decorating a new house.  So, I thought I would put a bit of substance to my dreams.  


Even if you don't know Chippendale from Neoclassic, or chintz from damask, you can follow Sharon's step-by-step process to achieve the look you want.  "interior design style today is less about rules", Sharon writes, "and more about personalization and creating unique spaces that make sense for you and your family and the way you want to live."




Side note: The young ones and I are going out to the island for a couple of days this week, and Papa and I are going to be looking at a few houses with a realtor.  The houses we will be looking at range from a mobile home on 1 acre ... to a 2800 sq. ft. house on a hill with a beautiful view of Fisherman's Bay ... to a medium sized log house in the woods ... to a small but beautiful brand new house in the woods ... to a 2300 sq. ft. 1970's house on 24 acres.   We have no idea what the Lord would have for us, but we want to look ... see ... dream ... and pray for wisdom and direction.  Papa has two part time job possibilities that, when added to our pastoral salary, would double our income; thus making it possible to afford any of these houses.  Please pray with us about the job possibilities.  At this time it appears that our church cannot afford a full-time pastor.  Sad.  But reality for us right now.