They're Yours Lord

I have a ratty notebook beside my computer full of post ideas.  While washing dishes, I'll think, "Oooo, that's a good thing to blog about!"  I'll run, suds-covered hands to my computer and scribble down something illegible, something that I just know you guys would love.

Then, two days later when I have 2.3 seconds to sit and write, the topics in my notebook (if I can read them) seem dumb..... shallow.......

This morning my heart is heavy.

Those corny ideas will have to wait for another day.

My thoughts are on my children.

Today officially begins the school year.  Three girls are already out the door while the remaining two are still in bed, awaiting Mama's call to 'rise and shine'. (Man, I could go for a Hardees biscuit right about now..)

Those oldest three.....that are gone, not to return today until after 5:30.....that will spend an entire day away from Mom and Dad.....that will make their own decisions without council from us.....those three, precious souls that God adores....those same three are on my heart.

"Lord, they're yours.  You blessed us with them....blessings they certainly are.  But from the moment we knew for certain they were on their way, we prayed, giving them back to you.  We're not capable, us alone  in ourselves, of raising them.  I can't be with them always, as You can.  Speak to their nervous hearts this morning, encourage them to do what's right, what's honorable.  Help them to shine today....a light in this dark land.  Bless them I pray......"

We Take A Lickin.....

...but we keep on tickin.

Monday was our much anticipated "Family Day". After non-stop ministry related busy-ness, we decided to take a day for ourselves. Our plan? To leave the house and do what WE wanted to do. It was an easy plan really. Monday's have always been what we would call our "off days", but so often, and those of you in the ministry understand, it doesn't always work out like that.

On the agenda?

Lunch out
Bowling
Grill out for dinner and eat outdoors (a.k.a. our campsite)
Sleep in a tent in the backyard

After leaving the house, we made a quick errand stop and while backing out of our parking lot, we were rear-ended by another car. So the kids and I sat in a hot car for about two hours while insurance men and police offers tried to decide who's fault it was. When we left, we still didn't know who's fault it was...and even today, after a visit to our insurance office, we have yet to determine who's paying for what. Things are like that in Portugal.


The other car.


Our car. Only minor damages, thank the Lord. I'd rather my car be dented than one of my kids.

So finally....off to the restaurant with grumpy kids who skipped breakfast because we were heading to a Pizza Rodízio. (basically a buffet, but they bring the pizza around to all the tables) Finally we arrived and had a great meal which even included pizza with honest to goodness pepperoni! Not just a salami that has been re-named 'pepperoni'....this was the real stuff! A rare treat for us.





Next stop, bowling. Where Faith showed out beating everyone, and Michael threw his back out. But we had a good time anyway.....






Bless her heart...someone show that girl how to bowl!


"Here's my ball daddy!" (Look at him in his bowling shoes!!)


I've always loved bowling shoes....one day I'm going to buy a pair.


Justice was worn out...and Liberty was holding his head while he slept. (She's not that sweet...I made her do it)


I guess she got tired of holding it.....


I know it looks like we're in a bar, but trust me..we weren't. It was a restaurant behind the bowling alley.....Honestly

Then finally home where we grilled out and put up the tent. Brooklyn made a peanut butter pie and we all enjoyed a piece before heading out to the tent. We played Uno by lantern, and then all laid down to sleep....


...but not much sleep was done....not by me anyway...I'm too old to sleep on the ground with only a blanket.

Overall....it was a fun day that we'll not soon forget.

Dana Has Been Found

I'm unaware of the details, but the most important one is she's safe now.

Thank you for praying. Our God is Amazing!

Urgent Prayer Request

There is a 13 year old young lady named Dana that has been kidnapped in New Zealand. Her parents are missionaries. Here is all the information I know at the present time:

Jerry and Dawn's daughter, Dana, has been kidnapped! It happened yesterday. Police and family are searching for her. They had just moved to the north island from the south island to work with another missionary. Dana went to the store to purchase a Christmas present. When she didn’t return, they went to the store and the owner said she never showed up. They texted her cell phone and a message came back that said “If you want to see your daughter again, you can pick her up at Christ Church on the 14th.” Other text messages came following that were very nasty. Please pray for Dana at this time … for her safety … for her safe return … for Jerry, Dawn and Justin. Dana is a scrapper and strong, even though she is only 13 years old. Please pray! It is 12 hours later in New Zealand.

Please pray for this family. ----This really strikes home with us. Thanks.

"Thank You Lord"

Today I made a big pot of chili and had it on the stove to eat after church tonight. About 10 minutes before we left for the evening service I turned on the eye. I have a gas stove so I put the flame at a med-low setting while I filled a sippy cup and put a few snacks in my bag for Justice. My intention was to get the chili hot and turn it off as we were walking out the door. That was at 5:20 pm.

At 7:30 pm we were all loading back into the van for the drive home when Michael excitedly said to the kids, "Let's go home and eat some chili!" ---Immediately it hit me. Panic...dread..fear...I almost couldn't breath. Did we have the number of our neighbor? Could we call him and ask him if the house was still standing? Had our neighbor already tried to call us?

I told Michael what I had done and we drove as quickly as possible to get home. I cried the whole way. Fear....most of the house would be gone. I knew it. The flame was high enough to cause major damage. I though of the precious items in my kitchen that would be gone. I thought of my dog and cat and tried to remember if they were inside or out. I looked toward the direction of our house the entire way back. Looking for smoke, smelling the air. Listening for sirens. Trying to remember what "911" is in Portugal....Is it "211" or is it "411"...I couldn't remember. Michael assured me it was OK. I insisted it wasn't. I knew what I had done and I couldn't believe I went to church with the stove on. I was punishing myself already. I KNEW there would be trouble.

We arrive at the house and I saw no smoke. I ran immediately to the back door almost afraid to grab the knob...would it be hot? I looked through the windows for smoke. As best I could tell there wasn't any. I opened the door and ran through into the kitchen. I smelled nothing...only a faint smell of chili. I turned on the light and ran to the stove. There sitting on the stove was a beautiful pot of chili. The perfect temperature for us to sit down to dinner right then. The knob on my stove was still set to the medium/low setting, but the flame was not on. It had not boiled over and drowned out the flame, and there was still plenty of gas. The flame had just gone out. And from the temperature of the chili it had gone out shortly after we left for church.

Overwhelmed I cried even harder. How could that have happend?

God blew that flame out as we were leaving for church. You can't convince me otherwise.

How many other times in my ignorance has He protected me? Other times that I had no knowledge of? What about you?