Appreciation Plaques

There is a Staff Leader Appreciation tonight at the Children's Student Ministry Youth Group Service tonight. There is a list of over 30 adults that assist with activities in the Jr. High and Sr. High groups on Wednesday nights. The students wrote letters etc for them to be included in a basket/bag for each leader to be given by the Youth Pastor. Zekaryah wanted to do plaques for each one. It turned out to be a pretty good undertaking but he was able to make them for 8 of the leaders, one of which is the youth pastor.

He is really loving making things out of wood, metal etc. I can't wait to see how he continue to perfect gifts like these in the future. There was a learning curve on this one, such as centering the names, how much heat to apply to get the "burned" look, maybe having the money to purchase oak wood or some cedar.

I think for the first time around he did an amazing job. Hopefully they can find a use for them, in the garden, on a shop wall, or in their homes. We certainly appreciate all the time they volunteer to be part of the kids lives.

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Sunday Moments January

I am so thankful for today's sermon at church. I have been working hard at simplifying life and relying on the Lord more. It is hard to not feel discouraged at times. I have felt very alone and depressed lately. I have been finding myself spending more time in my devotion just pouring over what I am reading and my prayers. I think mainly I felt disconnected from my husband. We both work so incredibly hard to provide for the kids that it leaves little time for ourselves. Today I was talking about just that as we thought we were going to have to cancel plans to get away for our anniversary. The timing and money just weren't working out. We came home and he wanted to till in the garden. I found myself sink to an all new level of depression. I just wanted to spend time with him. I knew he needed to till. He had worked a side job yesterday morning and then we had things to do and he helped me clean, we had gone and picked up quilting fabric and something from Walmart. Then this morning we went to church, then he had the game, then we had to run kids back to church and then there was my current moment. So he suggested I find some comfy clothes and join him outside. That meant not working on my quilt or cleaning inside, but I would be spending time with him, which is what I was complaining about. So he taught me to use the tiller. Boy is it a workout. It was fun though. We got a lot done and then we were able to pick up kids from church/band and have dinner then drive my daughter to her friends. He had a little time so we got one more thing off my list and the rest of that list goes to tomorrow. It all worked out but I have to remember to stop and take a deep breath, realize that there are days were getting it all done is not possible and that if I need time with him I need to ask, he can't read my mind.

We didn't use this part of the garden last year so it had not been tilled yet. We found TONS of rocks and limbs/roots in it. It was a lot of work.

He had a little section in the middle about 5 rows worth that I did. He caught a picture at the end because I was getting exhausted~

Between the two of us we got it all done. He left the row of okra, not sure if it will produce anymore and then the pepper plants that are still blooming from our summer/fall crop. We have mulch, manure and such to add to it, but this is a good first till for our Spring/Summer garden, which I pray is more successful then last year. 

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Catching up from Time Away from Blogging

Sometimes you have to step away in order to see more clearly. I had to take some time off from blogging it seemed like we were in the middle of so much chaos and I needed to take something off my schedule. We went from such a busy Senior Year with Jakob to constant doctor appointments and medical situations with Zekaryah. I think the hardest situation is truly not knowing what is going on. I never know what will activate one of his episodes. The neurologists are convinced he is not having seizures, the heart doctor can't find any problems. We decided part way through the year during spring break to pay a crazy amount of money out of pocket to go to a functional medicine doctor/chiropractor. While I was relieved to have a few answers it really isn't something that works with school. They were given supplements that cost a fortune because insurance does not cover them, they also cannot be administered at school because they are not FDA approved. The kids were not even convinced that they really were helping so they decided it was money being wasted. I felt like they did seem to feel better but when they are strong willed teens at some point you give in a little.
We have made major changes with food in the house. I see that has been a hard adjustment but for the most part it isn't too bad. Its probably hardest on my oldest because items like chips, crackers and cookies are not part of our pantry anymore. Its definitely difficult money wise. I can't believe how expensive it is to constantly keep fresh produce on hand.
So the bottom line is that Zekaryah potentially has an endocrine gland issue. It doesn't produce or distribute correctly. His heart stopped at camp this year. I think that has conversation in our house changing. He told me this summer that he is secure in the knowledge that he will go to heaven. I never thought much about that part of life with him.
Mekenzei is having issues with her endocrine system as well, although her main issue is her pituitary gland. I cannot believe how much that does in our bodies. We are using oils and diet at this time to try and help them. They seem to really be listening to their bodies and learning the signs of when they need more rest, food and what oil to use to feel better.
 I can't believe how much they have both grown in the Lord through this experience. MeKenzei wanted with all her heart to go to Ecuador to minister to others. Zekaryah decided he will try to help raise the money for both of them to be able to go next year. I see their involvement in church becoming a constant in our schedule. They participate in band, student ministry and children's ministry. Sometimes I find myself gripping because the church sees them more than I do. I feel bad for those times. I found myself telling them they can't live at the church. I had to step back and evaluate my attitude. I should be thrilled that they want to serve and volunteer. I am interested to see what next year holds. Zekaryah will be back at running for Cross Country again. Mekenzei will be taking 6 AP courses- a very heavy load, her only fun class will be choir- which really still is work. I am super thankful for family and friends who have prayed for us this past year. Prayer is what helped us, especially me, get through some very dark places.


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Summer 2015 Church Camp

Zekaryah got to attend Church Camp

MeKenzei did not get to attend because she was trying to raise money for Ecuador and didn't have enough for both

He had a great deal of fun

He also seemed to capture the heart of a friend

While he did not get to go with MeKenzei to Ecuador it was nice for him to go to camp and them have something of their own this summer

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Church Activities

I am so thankful that the kids have some amazing friends from wonderful families. I love how involved they are in church and how creative the services on Wednesday Nights can be

Mekenzei went as Snow White- we learned an important lesson- black temporary hair dye does not come out

Zekaryah has so much humor, sometimes I am not sure that is a good thing. He went as Gods gift to people. 

I sure love these two~!

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Jakobs Suprise 18th Birthday

Mekenzei went to great lengths to try and give Jakob a fantastic birthday. He has never had a party before because honestly he doesn't have very many friends. He pretty much keeps to himself. This year he seems to enjoy life a little more and there were several people that were interested in attending a surprise party. He isn't much for dancing, music that is loud etc. His ideal party would be a video game night. 

We ordered a half chocolate, half white strawberry filled, whip cream topped cake. It was very YUMMY! We also kept the design very simple.

The youth pastor was in on the surprise and he made it so much more fun!

His friends from school- mainly acadec and then a couple of close friends came and hid in the kitchen, he truly had no idea they were there or that even his teacher and her two children were there. I thought it was pretty funny. They came out with his sister and presented him with his cake on stage.

The pastor was great about letting them all celebrate in the kitchen while the service took place. I am glad he understood that some of them might not stay for the service.

Mekenzei was super excited to have pulled it all off and she really owed a lot to two girls and their asking around to get a few of them to show up and make it a special evening.

Jakob had never even cut a cake before so we got some assistance from one of the parents at church

Here is a teacher of his, she is very special to me because over the years I have come to be friends with her. I am so happy she would come to his get together, often teachers separate themselves and it meant alot to have her their supporting him.

Every once in a while I get a picture of a genuine smile of Jakob- those are very precious and hard to come by because he is so serious all the time.

They really did have a great time even if it wasn't your typical party and it was pretty short. It was nice to just have him enjoy cake with some friends.

And even his brother had to join in- he was trying to give Jakob a hug- something Jakob really doesn't like. I think this will be a birthday to remember when he looks back. Paybacks might be pretty stiff too- MeKenzei topped herself with Valentines Day by sending him flowers with a note that said You are a  Handsome Beast- your Secret Admirer. 

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Menu Monday and a Bit on Serving

Well I must confess I have no idea what we will eat this week. I have been so busy! Friday night our church The Fellowship of the Woodlands had an activity for children in 2nd-4th grade. I picked up my daughter, middle son and their friend in 2nd grade from school, then came home real quick to talk with my oldest-make a couple phone calls. Found out I was picking up not just one of my son's friends but two. We went out got them, then drove to the church. SO I arrive with five children all but one is in 4th grade. Wow, what a car ride that was.

We all had a very good time. I got to do one of my favorite things ever- serve Children!

It was nice because I could leave my husband and oldest at home that night, and let the five children I brought blend in with the rest of the kids, worry about nothing but painting little girls fingernails all night in the Glamour Room they had set up for "Blast Off". What a joy.

It was wonderful to see them get their hair done, even some by an actual hair stylist- who us adult women might pay a fortune for. Some got some eye makeup- which I never let my daughter do- she is not even 10 yet, ugh... but nonetheless it was an event so she got to try on some blue eyeshadow. YEAH. LOL
These little girls showed the true feeling of just having fun. Talking about school, boys, home, the High School Musical 3 movie that was playing. Most asking for black nail polish, which I would have to decline and choose the darkest blue for, each time asking are you sure this is the color you want, your mom won't get mad? I was so concerned for some of them. Then I realized why i was there that night- among all these little girls.

A little girl came up, picked her polish and said I love Blast Off, I said well that is great, what have you done tonight? We preceded to talk and I found out her parents had recently divorced, she was here from Louisiana, didn't know anyone and just wanted to stay there and have fun, not go home. My heart went out to this little girl, who then enjoyed my conversation so much that about 15 min later she brought her twin sister to meet me so I could then do her nails- a similar color which her sister was thrilled with.

It reminded me of God and how often times we are displaced in our lives, maybe we are still in our home, but we move the slightest bit away from him. How we feel alone and sad and just could really use a Blast Off day. In my serving children I got to be that smile that girl needed- maybe that stranger that she could confide in, that person that could tell her how much Jesus loves her, show her by painting her nails and giving her a ray of sunshine into her life- even so brief. So maybe as she grows older and things continue to change she can look back at that moment and remember it as one not quite so bad afterall. She is in a new church, living with dad, a church that loves god so much, and loves everyone who attends. I can't wait to see that little girl another time and see where she has grown.

We are so lucky to live here in a place that can freely worship Jesus and have hope. Hope is what those two sisters left with that night, and hope can make a huge difference in those dark tunnels we face for whatever reason they come.

As for my menu- I am sure I will throw something together this week. It will be rushed between Book Fair, Special Pals Week at Lunch, Choir Practices before and after school, A Choir Performance this week on Thur... Busy busy.. Thankfully I have hamburger frozen, some eggs, stuff to make pancakes, and a fresh bag of Pinto beans for some Bean Soup. This week we might just go Menuless. I'll let you know how we made it through next Monday.

Have a Wonderful Week

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.(Matthew 18:2-6 ESV)

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should

perish.(Matthew 18:12-14 ESV)

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.(Mark 10:13-16 ESV)

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.(Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV)