Honey

We sold Honey yesterday. My kids were sad, but we think they'll survive (we're just feeling a little sorry for the guy who bought her)!

Reagan & Conner, we were SO sad to hear about sweet Piper. McKenna and I keep talking about how sad we are for y'all! We all thought Piper was the perfect puppy. Bless you guys.

Anda

Happy Birthday, Bailey!

You will always be my very first niece! You are loved and adored by all your cousins, and are such a great role model for them to follow (except in the area of driving, but we'll give you some time to work that one out--and it's given us a chance to hang out with you a bit more!) Thank you for always making our kids feel special.

We hope you had a great day! You are a great blessing to our family and to the rest of the world! We love you!

Baby Shark

Just had to share this story--
Sunday morning our SuperKids were getting restless and Tim was still preaching, so one of our teens started "Baby Shark". I wasn't there, but had I been there, I would have cringed. It's a meaningless song--not one to sing in Bible class. But God has a sense of humor--and a great love for His children.
On the way home, Destiny (5th or 6th grade daughter of one of our single moms) and her friend Kimberly, who has come to church faithfully with Destiny, sang the song again. When they got to the end, "Gone to heaven, do do do do do dodo...", little sister Rylea asked, "How do you get to heaven?" Destiny asked, "Yeah, how do you get to heaven?" Mom Linda responded and they had a conversation that led Destiny and Kimberly to say they want to be baptized. Linda told me this as she was picking up her 8th grade daughter, Savannah, from Winterfest. Savannah came home wanting to be baptized too. So, Ben met with Savannah and Destiny today and is waiting for Kimberly's mom to call to set up a time. We are praying that her mom will have a receptive heart to this. She was all ready to participate in the Christmas pageant, but her mom just didn't bring her on that Sunday morning. I'm not sure why.
Meanwhile, I am just so tickled that God would use that silly song to prompt such a decision in those sweet girls' hearts! He is the God who redeems!
(Maybe I'll rethink my dislike for Chris Rice's Cartoon song...)

Grandma and Grandpa duty

Well, all the kids are wanting me to post so Tod and Lee Ann can get the update while on their cruise. (We are keeping Connor and Reagan while Tod and Lee Ann are on a cruise in California.) Tonight I took Reagan to his basketball game where he contributed to his team's 18-13 win with 2 baskets. The first was a wooosh. The second was a pass across court that went awry. Since I was bribing him for taking shots, it counts as a shot in my book. He was still laughing after the game.
Grandpa went to Hutton's game which was a blowout for MCS.
Bailey came home to get Connor ready for his social debut. They called me on the phone wondering if I knew how to tie a tie. No. I called Uncle Alan who said he would help if they would drop by on the way. I called back, but Bailey said she had it under control. She went to "Ask Jeeves" on the internet and followed the step by step instructions. I was quite impressed with her creative solution.
They keep us smiling.
Bailey and Hutton just left for their "home alone" experience. I have all the confidence in the world that they will handle it beautifully.
I must close and go correct a math paper for Reagan. They really are wonderful kids, and we love just being with them.

Connor ready for his debut into the social world of 6th graders. 

Bailey to the rescue. Bailey. a woman of many talents, had to learn to tie a tie for Connor's debut tonight. 

End of the Spear

We went to see the movie last night. Wow! What a powerful story of God's mercy and redemption. Go see it if you haven't already!

Happy 39th Birthday, Cary!

 

A mom has got to brag

 

The Coolnest Nerd

Mitch won his school spelling bee today! On the way to the school, I had to hear about how stupid spelling bees are and that they're really only for nerds (he was unclear on how HE could actually be in a spelling bee). I gave him speech #37 that "you come from a long line of nerds"(no offense, family) and to "embrace your dorkdom."

There were about 24 kids in the final round, and it came down to Mitch and a 5th grade girl whose parents were missionaries in South Africa and moved to Midland this year. Mitch spelled words like "lackadaisical" and "accipiter." The fifth grade girl finally missed one. Then Mitch had to spell her word that she missed "paduasoy," and then he had to spell the next one on the list, "groundsel." We still don't know what these words mean, but HE CAN SPELL THEM! He is now the offical, "king of the nerds," a regular, ol' spell-check machine.

When we were walking out he said, "I'm sweating like a pig - I gotta get out of here!" He left Cary a message and told him that he thought he had inherited Cary's "sweat-gene." We can only pray that will not be the case.

The next round will be at Midland College and then on to Washington D.C. In Mitch's words, "the only thing separating me from the national title is to change my origin of birth to New Delhi."

leading cell solo w/a newborn & 4 kids

Randy and I met with our zone pastors last Sunday just to talk about cell and how we're not doing such a great job of leading cell right now. They gave us some ideas and mostly encouraged us to get away for a few hours together and pray about what we're supposed to be doing during this season (not sure when we're going to do THAT...). I thought maybe I had been exaggerating about the difficulty of leading right now and then we had cell Wednesday night...

Randy had a mandatory business meeting and cell was scheduled to be at our house. Okay, a bit stressful, but Bertha, the housekeeper-that-I-can't-seem-to-"fire", had been here that a.m., I fed my kids early, the baby was sleeping, McKenna was leading the gang in playing Polly Pockets, and I was totally prepared! A miracle! Unfortunately, cell didn't go so smoothly! I got everyone situated, grabbed the baby and started feeding him a bottle since it didn't seem quite appropriate to nurse while leading a group. Moriah was in her highchair for the icebreaker, but then she was "all done" so I handed Isaac off to someone else and then tried to subtly(sp?) discipline my precious 2-year-old who didn't want to sit in my lap (I'm still "leading" the group, by the way). Then we pray for the kids and they're off to Isaac's room where they will be having kids' cell (there are 7 children). The kids' leader has brought a DVD to watch so I have transported the DVD player into the nursery, but unfortunately Moriah had knocked the player backwards earlier during worship. This means that the DVDs that are already in the machine have been knocked out and are actually inside the player - it won't work. Our zone pastors have actually come to help me out and Todd was leading the discussion time. He is waiting for me to come back, but I let him know I'm going to be a while so he moves on. Meanwhile, I have to take the DVD player apart (we're talking 8-10 screws) to remove the discs inside while the kids are bee-bopping all over Isaac's tiny room! Another cell member brings me Isaac who is crying because she doesn't know what to do with him. About that time I realize that Moriah's last diaper change was at school some time around lunch so I take her and the screaming baby into her room to change both of their diapers (keep in mind here that I'm still "in charge" of the group sitting in the living room). I finally get Moriah changed and back into the kids' room and return to the group where they are discussing something strange - I realize that Todd didn't know I had typed up cell questions because I never had a chance to give them to him so he is winging it (but doing an excellent job)! About this time, RB returns from his meeting and joins us. We split into men and women to pray for each other, etc. and while we're talking one of the women looks at me as I'm standing there doing a little Isaac dance to keep him calm and says, pointing, "Um, there's something wet getting all over your shirt." Yes, I have pee-pee all over my stomach somehow so I leave again to go change my clothes and his, missing the prayer time altogether. By this time, I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry! It was hilarious!! Our zone pastors were laughing afterwards and could not really doubt the legitimacy of my cell leading concerns! Todd said he had never seen such "multi-tasking"! The Lord may be telling us that it's time for a little break!

Here's the cool thing - God is teaching me to be content in all circumstances right now. I'm enjoying this chaotic, crazy time more and more. Praise God for big families!! Love you all.

Anda

P.S. Grandma, RB, Dave, and my Dad have almost finished the playground!! Yea! The kids are so excited...does anyone want a Golden Retriever?!

Our baby

We got to see our baby's heartbeat today! It always thrills and amazes me to see that tiny little 1 inch creature with a heartbeat as strong as yours and mine! Praise God!

I also hear that Steven and Stephanie had their baby girl! Congratulations Aunt Lee Ann and Uncle Tod and cousins! What an answer to prayer she is!

Elijah Update

We're home from the hospital and Elijah is doing well so far. He still isn't feeling great, and the dr. says this rotovirus could last another week (which would make it 3+ weeks for him). He hasn't thrown up since Fri. night, so I'm hopeful. Still not interested in food much, though. The dr. assured me that he can live on Pedialyte for several days. The IV fluids helped tremendously. He's definitely not the limp rag he was a few days ago.

Thank you to Bailey and Cary and Jill's family for all your help with Alex and Katy! They had a great time and didn't seem a bit upset to be away from us. We are so very blessed to have such a wonderful family! Mom, thank you for coming and entertaining the little guy this morning. I needed the reinforcements!

Every time we have a crisis in our family, I find myself thankful for all the resources God has given us--I'm thankful for insurance to cover most of the medical expenses, for people like Randy and Lee Ann and our doctors and nurses who offer expertise, for people to fill in the gaps at home, with the kids and at church, for a family who really does pray, for friends who bring food and even came and cleaned our bathrooms yesterday!!! We are so very rich. God is so very gracious.

Op Camp

We had the first official Op Camp Como meeting yesterday with Van, Valerie, and some leaders from other churches. Van did a great job. It's exciting to think about what God could do with this camp. Pray that He will provide counselors, though. Christ Chapel is the huge church that is very interested in being involved, but their youth are going to Guatemala that week (80 of them). We were counting on them to be the main source of high schoolers so this presents a little challenge! But God is big! Just pray that the leaders/pastors in Como will be on board - racial junk is big here and those walls are hard to break through sometimes. A lot of distrust.

And while we're on the subject of praying - could you guys pray that my sweet Isaac will get over this colicky thing quickly. He cried almost the whole day yesterday when he was awake (which was a lot!). The good thing about wearing yourself out crying is that it makes you tired - He slept 7 hours last p.m. and the night before! God IS merciful!!

Grandma, the boys and Moriah are singing "Tutti Frutti" at the top of their lungs right now on the karoke machine - it's a big (and loud) hit! Ha!

I'm about to put an ad in the newspaper for Honey. The time has come - and we've told McKenna that we'll put any money made from this sale (if any!) in a little piggy bank for our next (and much smaller) dog.

Bless you guys! We love you!

Anda

Pray for Elijah

Elijah may weigh less than Isaac or Lena by now. He seems to have gotten another round of the rotovirus. I took him to the dr. today and she gave him a phenagren shot and rx for more. She said he's "borderline" dehydrated. We sure don't want to have to put him in the hospital. So pray that he will get better quickly--that his little body will hold something in. He's pitiful.

Still haven't caught the mouse.

I think I'm going to cry....

Quick report

Ben went to court today to be with our friend Jay (our tattoo studio friend). I stayed home with still sick kids. The attorneys were able to reach an agreement without actually going to hearing, and Jay got custody of the kids from Sunday mornings-Tuesday mornings and every other weekend. That means he will be able to bring them to church, which was important to him. That is the time when he is off work, too. We are praising God for the outcome, and still praying for his wife.

Read a quote the other day, "There's always room for one more in the house--except for a mouse!" We will not be bullied by a 3-inch mouse!!!

I look forward to seeing all the sweet moments that I will have with Lena once she starts talking. Right now I'm just enjoying all the sweet moments of just simply being with her. It seems that she has a bit of a personality. Last night, she slept from 11:30 p.m. to 4:20 a.m. Thats' nearly a whole hour and a half longer than usual. Yeah! Anyways, after I fed her, she was asleep. I was on my way to put her back to bed, when she opened her eyes and was wide awake, ready to party. I told her, "You're not supposed to wake up at this hour when I'm about to put you into bed." She just smiled at me the biggest grin I've seen on her. It was as if she was saying, "Ha, ha, mom. You just thought I was asleep. Time to play!" A few minutes later I was rocking her, and I told her "Mommy loves you", and she just smiled. I don't know how much she actually understands, but they were sweet moments for me.

Yesterday was her one month birthday. James wanted to get a cake, but I told him to wait till she was a year old. We are enjoying every moment with her. Yesterday, I dressed her in her leopard skirt, and everyone stopped me to ooh and ahh over her. I love playing dress up with her. January 29 is the Baby Dedication Day at church. I already have her dress picked out.

Mom and Dad, thanks so much for the house. We LOVE it! We haven't quite started on the moving process, since they just finished painting last week, but I'm starting on it today. My goal is to be totally moved by the 22nd.

We enjoyed being with everyone at Christmas. We miss you all.
Gotta go now. Time to feed Lena. Love you all.

April

Checking in...

Hi everyone. It's amazing how quickly I feel out of touch with you all already! So I thought I'd touch base. Ben was in Nashville most of the week, so the kids and I spent the week in the "re-entry" process. Then we found a beady-eyed little mouse in Elijah's closet Wednesday night (with Ben still gone)! There was evidence of what looks to be a whole family, and we still haven't caught them, so that has added a bit of adventure to our week. They have eaten through most of my extra bedding--quilts, special handmade blanket from Granny, etc. I'm still VERY angry at the little guys--and I will kill them if I see them again!! (Or scream for Ben!)

This weekend we had two of our Tyler kids visit, and another kid and dad for just Friday evening. It has been great fun to have them here. They are and always will be "our" kids. Tod, it was Josh Gorenflo and Jarrod Howell--from YouthWAVE CA. We love being part of their lives and seeing them grow as men of God.

I ran to Lubbock Saturday to see Rob and Jana's BEAUTIFUL new baby girl, Grace Elizabeth. She's half the size of Lena and Isaac--less than 6 lb.! A little doll!

We had a great day at New Life, added a new toddler class this morning (thanks, Bailey for your help!), several new members tonight and great conversations all day. I'm just still amazed that God is letting us do this! I got to actually sit in church most of the time today and it was a wonderful experience!

Tomorrow we've been asked to testify on behalf of one of our New Life friends in a divorce custody case. It will be interesting. We are praying that we can be wise and honest and bearers of God's grace.

May His joy be your strength this week!

GREAT HONK!!!

Great honk--company is gone! We had a wonderful 4 NIGHTS/5 days with the McLeod family (let me emphasize the 4 nights--great honk!) --what a way to bring in the new year. 20 month old triplets, a 12 month old, two almost 5 year olds and my crew--IT WAS LOUD but I cherished every moment and were so glad they could be here to celebrate Annie's baptism. Today was d-day...RE-ENTRY. Back to the routine and loads of laundry. I aspire for my tombstone to read PHENOMENAL WOMAN of God, but I fear will it will say LAUNDRY KILLED HER.

We enjoyed our time with all of you! Such a blessing from the Lord!

My prayer for 2006 is to draw closer to HIM! Yes, Lord!

Sweet moment

We all have sweet moments with our kids--moments when they just thrill us. Yesterday I had one of those with Alex. He was asking why someone would give up their baby for adoption (as a result of Rob and Jana's baby's birth). As I tried to explain the situation carefully, we talked about God's plan. I told him that someday we pray he will meet a woman who loves Jesus as much as he does and he will get married. Then they can have babies. His immediate response was, "Then we'll go plant a church!"

It was so fun to hear those words from my 6-year old. As we've mentioned several times in the last week, we have no idea what will happen tomorrow, but I love his vision! Oh, how we pray that God will use them all and all their gifts to His glory! It will be fun to see what He does with all these amazing kids, won't it?

Yea!!!

Wow! What a way to start off the year! Congratulations, Annie, Ashley, and Emily! We bless you to ENJOY Jesus and to follow Him wherever He leads you, no matter what the cost! He is so sweet and He is rejoicing over you all right now!

We've had kind of a strange start to our new year. We've both been a little "dry" spiritually lately (to say the least). It didn't help yesterday that Josiah somehow got the chicken pox so the desperately-in-need-of-our-church-body-mama had to stay home! As we reviewed the past year and looked forward to this one yesterday, we realized that we have gotten very distracted from God's calling on our lives. We were also talking about how we have somehow started thinking that WE can do things on our own and have stopped seeking Him in total dependence and humility. Confession and repentance were part of our family's prayer time last p.m. because of my sweet husband's leadership and we felt like there was some breakthrough. Praise God! In His mercy, He is calling us back to the riskier, yet more joyful place, of trusting Him.

Thanks so much for Xmas everyone! We are still overwhelmed with the goodness and abundance of God demonstrated through our family. We are richly, richly blessed! May we all walk in all the abundance and joy that God wants for us in 2006 and may we all experience more of His reality and glory than ever before! We love all of you!

love,
Anda

A Great Day

Today was precious. Watching Emily, Ashley, and Annie be born again in Christ was an awesome way to start the year.

Holly, we enjoyed ALL of your family at lunch- what a great, fun crew!

Trisha, thanks so much for being here this morning. "Yes, Lord," is a theme I definitely want to have, too, this year. I'm also feeling the need for God to "ground" my family - for His spirit to keep us real, keep us humble, and keep us glued together and glued to Him during this next phase in our lives.

April, my kids loved their confetti eggs on New Year's Eve - thanks!

We had a great holiday with all of you - hope your New Year's holiday was great!

New babes in Christ

 
 

Everything New

I love New Year's. I love "moving in" to a new calendar, thinking about what this year might hold, setting unreasonable and lofty goals for myself. It's a hopeful time. And today was even more special because we got to watch Emily, Ashley and Annie make a new commitment to Christ. What a beautiful day!

I'm wondering...if you had to pick an "anthem" for the new year, what would it be? Is there a song, or maybe a scripture that you want to be your theme for 2006?

I think mine will be the song, "Yes, Lord". It says, "I'm trading it all...for the joy of the Lord."

I'd love to hear all your thoughts!