Spring Sports Wrap-Up

Spotlight on Sarah

I am going to do a series of short posts, 

spotlighting each of our 

Spring Sports Kids.

We were kept busy the past 6 weeks,

averaging 4 baseball games and 

3 track meets per week.

Sarah really enjoyed her first year on the

Middle School Track Team.

She ran the 100m

and the 200m . . .

. . . and she long jumped.

She ran the 4 x 100m Relay

and the 4 x 200m Relay.

Our county has a Middle School 

League Track Meet,

where the top 8 athletes in each event 

(from 10 schools) compete.

Sarah qualified for the League Meet in . . . 

THREE EVENTS,

(as a first year 7th grade runner).

Woo Hoo!

Way to go Sarah!!!

Sarah took 7th place in the 100m, with a time of 14.37.

Sarah took 4th place in the 4 x 100m Relay, with a time of 57.42.

Sarah took 5th place in the Long Jump, with a jump of 12' 9".

Sarah's Personal Records (PRs) 

for the season were:

100m @ 14.24

200m @ 31.54

4 x 100 Relay @ 57.14

4 x 200 Relay @ 2:16.90

Long Jump @ 12' 11.0"

We are so proud of Sarah,

for the hard work and diligence

that she displayed this season!

Surgery Update

Ben's surgery went well yesterday . . . but, sadly, it did not fix the problem.  The surgeon discovered a birth defect that did not show up on the original M.R.I.  He was able to do some repairs, but will need to schedule a 2nd surgery in about 3 months (after this one heals).  Sad that a 2nd surgery is necessary, but very glad that the surgeon does believe that the deafness is correctable.  Please pray for a speedy recovery, with no complications, for Ben.  Thanks for lifting him up to the Lord.

Tears . . .

Memorial Day

by Gregory D.  5/28/12

Tears, they fall from my eyes.  They hit me like a hammer hitting a nail: strong and unrelenting.  I don't know why; I never know why; the moments just come.  The thoughts of my fallen brothers overcomes me in a fraction of a second.  The suddenness of it all always catches me off guard.  It happens when I'm driving, at the gym, or holding my son.  My fallen brothers and sisters in arms, they are who I live every day for.  They are the reason I will always stand against the evil that has beset this country from the inside and the outside.

Tears, they are always overwhelming. Even for those I never met. But the moment I think of the six men that I knew who gave up everything they knew so you and I could stand here today free is totally overwhelming. Knowing and seeing the things I saw in Iraq have changed my life. They changed who I am and what I am about. The men I will never see again have given me new strength to fight though whatever comes into my life. The men of Bayonet Company 2-69AR will always be my family. The family that I faced down the enemy with, we stood alongside one another and fought, lived, bled, cried, laughed, and died together.

Tears, they come when I think of the families of my fallen brothers. How could they not come streaming down my face? Now these young wives and even younger children are husband/fatherless.  Mothers and fathers have a son who has gone to the other side before them. The heartbreak that has overcome these people has to be a heavy weight they carry. And while these men are now angels that watch over their families we must come alongside them, stand with them, cry with them, and hold them up as the greatest among us. For without the loss of their loved ones we would not know freedom.

The sun races across the sky on this Memorial Day, I am more than ever aware of why this day means so much to me. I carry the burden of my brothers with me each day and every waking moment. I will never forget what they have given up.  And so this is why tears come on this day and other days like it.

Never Forget

I.D.W.I.C

13 HUGS

Our eldest son, Gregg, served in the U.S. Army for 4 1/2 years . . . serving 2 1/2 years in Iraq . . . willing to give his life in order to protect the freedoms that each of us take for granted every.single.day.

Our grandson, Noah William David D. was named after 3 of the men that gave their lives for our country.  They will never be forgotten.

Headed to Surgery . . .

Please pray for Ben today, 

as he is having surgery on his inner ear.  

He is completely deaf in one ear,

and the CAT scan did not show exactly what is wrong.

The surgeon believes that there may be a little tiny inner ear broken bone,

which he will replace with a titanium bar if possible.

Pray for WISDOM for the doctor.

Pray for HEARING for Ben.

Pray for HEALING for Ben.

Pray for PATIENCE  for Ben,

as he must "lay low" for a couple of weeks.

Yes . . . Noah was Here

My last post had all kinds of fun pictures 

from our time at the beach this weekend;

but Noah was in my arms while I took the pics,

so none of him were included.

I just want you to know that we DID take a couple of pictures

of our absolutely adorable and precious grandson while he was here.

While Noah is only 10 weeks old,

Grandpa thought it was time to teach him the

Family Game:  

Hand & Foot.

He even helped Grandpa discard.

Grandma got plenty of Snuggle Time in, as well.

There were always many arms ready and waiting for some Noah-Time.

But . . . he was never far from His Mama.

Yes . . . Noah came to visit for the whole long weekend,

and we couldn't have had more fun with he and his mommy and daddy.

Noah has an absolutely adorable smile;

but he wants to keep it private for now;

he is not yet ready to smile for the camera.

A Day At The Beach

What JOY it is to have Gregg, Kayla, and Noah visiting for the weekend!

We have been so BLESSED by this time with them!

We spent all day yesterday relaxing at the beach at Semiahmoo.

Sorry . . . no pics of Noah because he was in Grandma's arms while I took all of the pics.

Sad / Happy Weekend

Mama is SAD that we aren't at State Track with Ben & Hosanna this weekend.  (It would have cost over $100 for gas plus another $100 for entrance fees for the family ... not to mention food costs.)

But, I am HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY that Gregg, Kayla, and Noah came to visit us for the weekend.   (We were supposed to stay with them when we went to State Track.) Woo Hoo!  Nothing better than relaxing in my rocking chair with a sleeping babe in arms.

We are supposed to have BEAUTIFUL weather today and tomorrow, so a BBQ at the beach is on the agenda.

What are YOU up to?  

Do YOU have any fun plans for Memorial Day Weekend?

BLESSED by the Work of their Hands

Due to our ongoing unemployment situation,

Mother's Day gifts this year did not entail trips to the mall.

Even better, though . . .

Papa and the Young Ones BLESSED me

with the Labor of their Hands.

Papa planted my favorite Gerbera Daisies in a pot on the deck.

(I usually have 6-8 hanging pots around my deck,
but this year I am THANKFUL for one pot of beautiful daisies.)

Papa made 4 Raised Bed Gardens

(where he will grow wonderful food for me to cook).

So far . . .

Papa has planted tomatoes, onions, peppers, strawberries,

and plans to add lettuce, squash, and who-knows-what.

(this pic shows strawberries, onions, and several kinds of peppers)

Elijah sanded the last of the old paint off of the fence,

so that Papa could stain it for me.

(Have you ever had a 10 year old project that when you finally

completed it you wondered, "Why did I wait so long?")

This 10 ft. section of fence has been UGLY for 10 years,

and it was only a one day project.  (smile)

Rachel picked up sticks, leaves, and twigs out of the Play Area.

Josiah weeded the Flower Beds.

Sarah was hard at work inside the house,

doing dishes and cleaning bathrooms.

(her preferred work place)

Ben & Hosanna ???

I think they somehow did a 

Disappearing Act on Work Day,

but they DID wish me a 

Happy Mother's Day.

Yep.

BLESSED I am.

And so PROUD of my 

Hard-Working Bunch!

Thanks, Papa !

Thanks, Kids !

Dinner's On . . .

What does it look like when . . .

17 Teenagers come over for Dinner ???

We were so THANKFUL for a Warm and Sunny day last Tuesday . . .

as the District Qualifiers from the High School Track Team . . .

came over for a Pasta Feed.

Oh yea !!!

(However, even when it rains, we make room for FRIENDS.

We have had 20+ for a sit-down dinner in our Dining Room.)

Oh my! Oh my! Praying . . .

Last year, Jim applied for 14 teaching jobs around the state.  There was only 1 in our whole county that he was qualified for (and he is qualified to teach a LOT of different grade levels and subject areas).  Out of the 14 jobs that he applied for, he got 2 interviews . . . with a district an hour away.

Teaching jobs are FEW and FAR BETWEEN up here in Washington State.

Yesterday, Jim found out about 2 open teaching positions . . .

. . . in a district 20 minutes from home.

. . . in the school that he has done most of his substitute teaching in.

(and a school that he LOVES working at)

. . . at the Middle School level. 

(where most of his experience is)

. . . with an opening for Assistant Softball Coach, as well.

(his favorite sport to coach)

He will be turning in his application TODAY.  

We are PRAYING for FAVOR with the principal,

as he decides who he wants to interview.

THANKING Jesus . . . for "Little Answers" to "Little Prayers"

Our BIG PRAYER is that the LORD would provide a FULL-TIME and PERMANENT job for Jim . . . preferably in TEACHING.

Our "Little Prayer", and more pressing, but temporary prayer,  is that the LORD would provide the necessary $$$ to pay the bills next month.

While we continue to pray our BIG PRAYER . . . we are THANKFUL that the LORD has answered our "Little Prayer" for next month.

On Wednesday, Jim lined up an interview for Friday with a Painting Contractor.

On Thursday, the contractor phoned and asked, "Can you come to work NOW?"  (without even an interview)

On Thursday, the contractor told Jim he would pay him $11/hour.  (Yikes!  This does not come close to paying our bills.)  Jim worked a few hours that day.

On Friday, the contractor told Jim he would pay him $13/hour.  (Better than $11, but still hardly a "living wage" in this area of the country, where our cost of living is high and our minimum wage is over $9/hr.)  Jim worked a few more hours that day.

On Saturday, the contractor told Jim he would pay him $15/hour.  (A whole lot better than $11, and getting closer to filling our needs.)  Jim worked all day.

We have no idea how long this position will last . . . or how many hours per week Jim will get . . . but we are THANKFUL that the LORD continues to provide for our immediate needs.


And, after Jim got home from work on Saturday afternoon, he got a call from someone to give a bid for painting her house.  Yes!  God will continue to provide.  We are Thanking and Praising Jesus!!!

A Clarification . . . and a Bit of Financial Ponderings

Oh dear . . . 

I'm going to talk about $$$ again . . . 

(see my last post on the "job . . . or lack thereof . . . update")

so I'd better get out my shield to protect myself 

from the poison arrows that will be headed my way.  

(insert smiley face)

Clarification . . .

Some of you apparently assume that when I talk about Jim being "unemployed", that he is receiving "unemployment benefits".  That has not been the case for the majority of our unemployment the past 17 months.

Because Jim was a "self-employed" pastor . . . and then a "self-employed" painter . . . he has not been eligible for unemployment benefits for the majority of the time he has been unemployed.

Many people face times of "unemployment" on a regular, annual basis (due to the nature of their construction jobs not working during the winter months).  Those people make generally high wages during the months that they are employed, and then are able to frugally live off of their "unemployment benefits" during the winter months.

Others use credit cards to pay their bills during the "lean" months, and then pay off those loans during the "more fruitful" months.

Jim did not receive ANY unemployment benefits during all of his months of unemployment in 2011.  And, we do not have any credit cards, and  did not take out any loans.  We have always worked hard to live frugally during the "fruitful times", so that we could put a bit of money into savings to get through the "lean times".  However, with month after month after month of ZERO income, our savings account hit empty right when Jim got the temporary job at the refinery this spring.  Then, while he worked this spring, we filled up the savings acct. as best we could (while also needing to pay our current bills, etc...).

Now, Jim is getting a very small bit of unemployment from last year's temporary refinery job.  In the past month, since he has been unemployed again, he received one check for $128 and another for $241.  Clearly, we are not living off of unemployment benefits.  I don't know exactly how unemployment benefits work, but he was told that the benefits he "earned" while working at the refinery this spring, are not available to him until December.  So, if he is unemployed for another 6 months, then he can get a couple of hundred dollars per week of benefits?  Doesn't make sense to me.  Do any of you understand how unemployment benefits work?

Financial Ponderings . . .

Should we sell our house?  This is a valid question.  We do have a lot of equity in our house, so that could be an option.  However, we would not be allowed to purchase a less expensive home (and . . . our house is a pretty inexpensive house to begin with), due to Jim being unemployed.  Renting is often an option for people, however it can be VERY difficult to find a landlord that will even rent to an extra large family.  Did you know this is the only area that landlords are allowed to discriminate?  They cannot discriminate due to gender, s*xual orientation or preference, religion, etc ... but they can discriminate against large families.  So sad.  (insert frowny face)

Should Jim take a minimum wage job . . . even if it doesn't fully pay our bills?  Another valid question, and one that we ponder often.  A small income is better than no income.  However, then Jim would not have the time to pursue other job possibilities.  And, unless it is a job that requires no training (like painting), we do not feel that it would be right to commit to an employer while continuing to look for work.

Should Jim substitute teach as much as possible . . . even if it doesn't fully pay the bills, and he doesn't get paid for 6-8 weeks?  We just don't know the answer to this one.  When he is substitute teaching, he isn't out "pounding the pavement" in search of more profitable and consistent work.

Should we get a credit card or two?  No.  Not an option.  We do not believe this is the route the Lord wants us to take.

Should we take out a 2nd mortgage on our house?  This is one that I have been seriously wondering about.  As I said, we do have a lot of equity in our home.  Maybe this would help us over this financial bump until Jim finds a permanent job.  I don't even know if a bank would give us a 2nd mortgage without a job, but we could look into it.  Have any of you ever gone this route???

Should Mama get a job?  No.  The LORD has clearly called me to be home.  But . . . it is a question that still nearly haunts me.  There is a job opening . . . a few blocks away . . . that pays pretty well . . . with full benefits . . . where I know people . . . that I am highly qualified for.   BUT, the LORD has continued to tell me that my place is at home with my children (a conversation just last night totally confirmed this).  But, I have to admit, it is HARD.  I am NOT called to be my family's primary provider.  I must allow Jim (and the Lord) to fill their God-given roles.  I must not "take over" this position, even if I am qualified, able, and available . . . even if it means selling our house and living in a tent.  (Seriously.)  My "job" is to trust (my husband and the Lord).  My job is to wait patiently.  My job is to pray.  My job is to support Jim in any way that I can.  My job is NOT to become our family's primary provider.  Period.

Now . . . 

some of you are wondering WHY? I wrote this post . . . 

because it is so very uncomfortable for you 

to even hear details about peoples' personal finances . . .

and so very hard for you to not judge those that

make decisions contrary to the decisions you would make.

Why ? ? ?  

Because . . .

I like people shooting poison arrows at me.

(just kidding)

I like talking about "unmentionable" subjects.

(maybe)

I know others of you are walking the same journey.

I know we can learn a lot from each other.

I want to hear your thoughts and ideas.

(as long as they are not attached to a poison arrow)

I know that we can pray more specifically when we know specifics.

So . . .

Let's TALK about MONEY!

How have YOU responded to extended times of unemployment?

Have any of YOU taken out a 2nd mortgage?

Do YOU use credit cards to make it through the lean times?

Have YOU gone to work, 

when your husband is unemployed or under-employed?

(I am in NO WAY judging those that have made those difficult choices;

I am just sharing what the LORD has called ME to . . . OUR FAMILY to.)

What have YOU done to help your family survive during "lean times"?

How can I be praying for YOU and YOUR family???

Job . . . or lack thereof . . . Update

After 17 months of the unemployment roller coaster . . .

I'm tired.

I'm ready to be done with "Job Updates".

Jim is oh.so.ready to be done with looking for work.

He is tired.

He is discouraged.

He is stressed.

Our bank acct. will run dry (again) in a couple of weeks.

So hard.

So stressful for all of us.

None of the "promised" out-of-state refinery jobs came through.

Hoped for painting jobs haven't come through.

(Several local painting contractors are hiring right now,

but they are breaking state laws left and right,

so Jim won't work for them.)

Jim is substitute teaching a couple of days per week,

but we won't get paid for that until the end of June.

(after the bank acct. runs dry)

We have taken Grampa's old 1988 Honda Accord 

out of storage, to save on gas.  

(Mama's Dream Machine is staying parked as much as possible.)

We didn't take the whole family to the District Track Meet on Wednesday,

so that we could drive the little Focus instead of the Dream Machine.

We asked another mom to ride with us to the District Track Finals,

so that we can split the gas costs.

We haven't seen Little Noah since he was 2 weeks old

(and he's now 2 months)

because we are cutting out as much gas expenses as possible.

(our gas prices are up to $4.15 at the cheap stations)

We absolutely BELIEVE that the LORD will continue to provide for us.

We have SEEN His FAITHFULNESS the past 17 months.

Last time the bank acct. ran dry, Jim got a job at 

THE.VERY.LAST.MINUTE.

We are PRAYING.

We are BELIEVING.

We are TRUSTING

But ... we are TIRED.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

For all of you that are sneering . . . thinking, "I knew it. They shouldn't have wasted their money on that Spring Break trip."  No.  We do not regret that trip one bit.  The amount of money that we spent was a mere fraction of our monthly budget.  We do not believe our little road trip was "foolish", one bit.  So . . . please keep those comments to yourself.

And, for all of you that are laughing . . . thinking, "Here she goes begging for money again."  No.  I have many friends who read my blog who want me to give job updates and who want to pray for us.  The mere mention of money does not mean that I am begging. (Some of you believe that money is the unspeakable topic . . . never to be shared in public.)  Only ONCE have I ever received money from a blog friend after she read an update.  She was blessed to be able to give.  We were blessed to receive.  And . . . that is just how God works sometimes.

So sad that I must even write the last 2 paragraphs, but most of you would be shocked by the judgement and condemnation I receive over every little mention of money . . . over every prayer request for a job.   I have been raked over the coals (by a local stalker) for the "expensive" hair salon I go to (for my 3 times per year haircut and foil) . . . for my monthly $15 splurge on a manicure . . . for the type of cell phone I use . . . over any mention of driving out-of-town (because I am "wasting" money on gas).  Seriously.  It is over-the-top out-of-line condemnation from an "anonymous" local stalker.  Sad.  Truly sad.  THAT is why I must preview all comments now, before they are published.  I'm just not up for the public debate of every financial decision we make.

If this post offends you . . . please stop reading my blog.  Seriously.  It's time to do both of us a favor and just stop reading.  Thanks.

If this post does not offend you . . . please keep us in your prayers.  Thanks.  Much appreciated.

Grandma Pics of the Week . . . and a Little Announcement

Have you ever seen such beautiful blue eyes ?

Oh So Adorable !

Noah's Daddy is most certainly a Sports Addict

Noah and his Daddy take a hike.

Kayla celebrates her first Mother's Day with a Family Hike.

Grandma News Flash:

Auntie Cassie celebrated Mother's Day

dreaming of next year with her own babe in arms.

Yes.

Grandbaby #2 is on the way!

Noah will have his first cousin.

I'm Okay ...

. . . Just BUSY!

Papa even mentioned last night that I

"haven't posted in awhile".

He does like to read this here Family Blog.

I didn't feel well on Monday . . .

so spent much of the day in bed . . .

except for my time in the kitchen . . .

as Papa needed 2 Apple Pies . . .

for Bible Study Fellowship that night.

I felt better on Tuesday  . . .

but still took a couple of naps.

I think the CRAZY Spring Sports Schedule

just finally caught up with me.

Papa took over the Tuesday Night Sports,

as he went to Sarah's Track Meet

and Josiah and Elijah's Baseball Games.

However, I did NOT stay home to REST.

Oh.My.No.

I was busy, busy, busy in the kitchen . . .

as Ben & Hosanna hosted a Pasta Feed . . .

for 17 High School Track Stars . . .

the night before their District Track Meet.

Mama made a Four Cheese Chicken Fettuccini Casserole.

Hosanna made a yummy new recipe for Yeast Rolls

(with fresh ground whole wheat).

Ben made the Spaghetti Sauce in a crock pot

(earlier in the day).

Oh how I LOVE to have a house FULL of

Teens and/or Young Adults.

Love. Love. Love.

THANKFUL . . . that the LORD blessed us with this house.

THANKFUL . . . for the GREAT friends Ben & Hosanna have.

THANKFUL . . . for their AWESOME Track Team.

Oh yes . . .

the rest of my busy week . . .

Yesterday, we went to the District Track Meet.

(a 2 hour drive each way)

Ben ran in the 100, 200, and 4x100 relay.

(pics and more details later)

Hosanna went as an alternate for the 200 and 4x200 relay.

(she didn't run, but is such a supporter of the rest of the team)

We got home at 10:15 last night.

We had Homeschool Enrichment Classes this morning.

We have Baseball Practices this evening.

Tomorrow . . .

More Homeschool Enrichment Classes

Mama's Ladies' Small Group

Another trip south to the District Finals

(where the 4x100 relay hopes to qualify for a trip to STATE)

Off to pick up the kids from their classes.

Hope you all are having a BLESSED week!!!

A Good Day

I hope all of you Mamas out there had a GREAT Mother's Day.

While I certainly MISSED having any of my Big Kids home 

(and had a few teary-eyed moments), 

I CHOSE to have a GREAT day with the 6 that are still at home.

We always enjoy starting off our Sundays at our new church with . . .

Great Sunday School Class.

Wonderful Worship.

Digging into Scripture during the Message.

Home to change clothes and pack the truck.

Off to the BEACH for a SUNNY and HOT afternoon.

Woo Hoo!

"Happened" to run into a Sweet Friend and her family at the beach.

Totally random and fun to visit a bit,

(and good for our unemployed husbands to commiserate a bit).

"Adopted Big Kid" Jared joined us about 4:30,

just in time for our BBQ.

Nothing better than a Grilled Chicken Burger!

Yummm . . . . .

After dinner . . . . .

Papa & Mama relaxed and enjoyed the sunshine,

while Jared played catch with the boys,

Hosanna & Ben napped on the picnic blanket,

Sarah read a book,

and Rachel played with her soccer ball.

We packed up the truck about 7:00 and headed home.

Jared joined us for . . . . .

a backyard campfire . . .

roasting marshmallows . . .

s'mores made with Nutella . . .

After a very difficult morning of . . .

missing my Big Kids . . .

hoping for phone calls . . .

waiting to hear from them . . .

(I did get 1 phone call and a couple of text messages,
but had hoped to hear from more of my Big Kids.)

the Lord helped me to put aside my pain for awhile,

and really ENJOY my time with the rest of my family.

Thank you, Jesus!

Today was a . . .

Good Day!

Now . . .

Mama needs to get some SLEEP,

so that I have some ENERGY,

for a VERY BUSY week ahead:

2 kids' doctor appointments

4 baseball games

3 track meets

(2 district meets that are a 2 hour drive each way)

1 track team dinner at the D. House

1 coffee date with a friend

1 ladies' small group

1 awards night for the high school musical

1 parent meeting for youth group

Whew!

Only 2 more weeks until SUMMER BREAK!

Blessed By Your Words

Thank you!

I am always so BLESSED by your encouragement.

Many of you shared specific . . .

Scriptures

Words from the Lord

Songs

. . . in response to


"I've Lost My Sheep.

I want you to know that the 

Comment Section

is an integral part of my blog.

I value your input,

I appreciate your prayers,

and

I believe that the Discussions that we have

through the Comment Section

can be an Encouragement for all of us.

I thought I would share a few excerpts from your comments last week,

as I know that others are struggling along the same path.

* * * * *

“A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping,

Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, 

because they are no more.” 

This is what the Lord says:

“Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, 

for your work will be rewarded, ”declares the Lord.

"They will return from the land of the enemy. 

So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the Lord.

“Your children will return to their own land." ~ Jeremiah 31:15-17

* * * * *

God was the perfect parent to Adam and Eve 

yet they still chose to disobey Him and doubt His word and His love. 

They chose to break their relationship with Him 

even though they were the closest anyone has ever been with God. 

They also lived in a perfect world 

without peer pressure or modern temptations 

yet they still chose to walk away from that all. 

* * * * *

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

* * * * *

I have to join the others in reminding you that 

this is not because of something YOU have done. 

It is true that none of us well-intentioned mothers are perfect, 

and in my short career as a mother, 

I know there are things to repent of and grieve over, 

things I should have done differently, could have done better. 

Perhaps there are still things to repent of, ask forgiveness for? 

But you cannot be accountable to an individual's 

(and adult, no less) response to a genuine plea for forgiveness and reconciliation. 

Only Christ can soften hearts and restore relationship. 

* * * * *


"Maybe we need to let our children see us as less than perfect, 
maybe then they would be able to understand 
how hard we are trying to do things well and right." 


* * * * *


You have a large family and so many relationships 
that one mama can't even begin to do it all.


* * * * *

Again . . . THANK YOU for adding to my blog

in a powerful way through your comments.

The LORD has used your words . . .

 . . .  to teach.

. . .  to exhort.

. . .  to challenge.

. . .  to encourage.

I pray that we all continue . . .

. . .  to learn from each other.

. . .  to encourage each other.

. . .  to pray for one another.



YOU are a BLESSING to ME!!!

I want you to know . . . your words are a blessing to Jim, as well.  He has reminded me several times recently, "Your Blog Friends keep telling us that 'God is working.  He has a new season in store for us.' "   Yes.  Jim has been greatly encouraged by your words, your love, your encouragement, your prayers, and your support.  Thanks, much!