It's been well over a month since I last posted.  I have no intention of re-entering the blog world but I realize that there are people who like to know how things are and how we are doing.  I have pretty much cut myself off from cyber world.  It has been a long time coming and I thought I would hate it and feel I was missing out on something!  I guess that "something" turned out to be not so much!  I feel a freedom and I am in a place that is good.  We are still growing and learning.  Times have NOT been easy!  A valley one might say.  Many valley's at one time actually.  A deep, dark place as I have never known before.  I have grown up and God has continued to display His great mercy and grace upon me and our family.  Things are changing and it has not been pleasurable or easy.  I know we still have not "arrived" and we never will until we reach our final destination, Heaven!  But the journey is growing us closer to Him and sad to say as my flesh continues to die to itself, I have resisted but my loving Father has gently taken my hand and captured my heart with more truth.  I don't have many answers and in fact sometimes I feel my questions are much greater.  The things I once knew, I no longer understand and it is pushing me towards a stronger and higher place.  Nothing in and of myself but a place of freedom and less pride.  A place of grace for others and less demands on myself because God is showing me that HE wants priority in my life above EVERYTHING!  I have fought it!  It has been eye-opening to say the least but He has kept me and continues to stretch me into those closed places where I built walls.  I am being vulnerable and it is not an easy task!  I fight it and resist it but in the struggle, I am finding peace because my guard is down and my walls have crumbled.  Scary?  Yes!  I have desired for years and years more of Him and less of me and so now, his favor of chastising continues to pour out.  Not the way I thought or wanted, but HIS way!  As I let go of the former and cling to the present, I will continue to cling to all I have ever known....my Jesus loves me and He is fighting for me and will not rest until I have given all of myself to Him.  Quite a place to be!

What we have been up to....

• getting used to my husbands new job hours
• making schedule changes after 20 years of doing it the same way, a change is in order
• enjoyed my oldest daughters graduation open house
• playing outside
• going to baseball games
• watching my baby girl grow up WAYYYYY to fast!
• having fun doing my own mobile SPA business
• going to summer Campmeeting at church
• preparing a women's spring gathering
• preparing a "Thankful for men" dinner at church
• growing up spiritually from being the parent of 2 official adults
• realizing that a grown child's heart pain is the WORST pain a parent can ever feel
• learning about the power of prayer more and more
• learning to be content....again
• learning to have more faith....again
• sometimes knowing the days can seem long but the years go by sooooo fast
• desiring another baby after the loss of 2 in a row
• things I used to take for granted, are suddenly becoming so sacred
• picnics
• parks
• endless walks with kids discovering Gods creations for the first time
• being more creative with homeschooling with summer activities because I choose to do it all year round
• free summer kids bowling....everyday!
• endless baseball playing with boys and mom
• learning that I actually CAN hit a ball but I still flinch and duck every time a ball comes towards me (yes... the boys laugh every time!)
• enjoying friendships
• loving my kids and husband in a deeper way than I ever thought possible because Christ has revealed Himself in wonderful new ways!

Just learning to be thankful for all things.....

 

Some pics....

My oldest girls

My baseball players

Just for fun

The baby of the family with mama

Strength made perfect

The verse that comes to mind the past couple of days, "His strength is made perfect when I am weak..."  There is also a song that states that verse and then it says, "All that I cling to, I lay at His feet..."  Well, this week was a week of clinging.  Clinging to things that I wanted.  My dreams, insights, my ways and my thoughts.  My thoughts, dreams, insights and ways were not necessarily wrong.  Wanting a new life in my womb and our home is not wrong...HOWEVER, when I am not willing to lay the things down that I want, then it becomes something that I cling to and the ONLY thing I should be clinging to is my Savior no matter what.  I wanted that sweet little life inside of me to be in my arms someday and I don't know why Jesus choose to take him/her home before that happened but I do know that the past 48 hours has been an amazing journey for me.  I have never been in a place of complete, perfect strength.  I know it is nothing I have done!  I know that if it were only me, I would be in a much different place emotionally, spiritually and physically!  I have the peace that passes ALL understanding and I am truly amazed at how Jesus has come to me so perfectly. 

 

When I released MY plan to His perfect plan, it all began to unfold.  I usually like my way and I think I know LOTS more than I really do!  I remember asking God Monday night why He thought I was this strong.  How could He think I could take anymore?  How much more did He really think I was capable of?  Well, His answer to me was that I am not strong and I could not do it and I was NOT capable of doing this without Him! 

 

Yesterday I woke up in total perfection!  I am not exaggerating!  Even physically! My 15 year old daughter met me in the kitchen and was just sure I was going to be a mess in every way.  She stated that she could not believe how strong I seemed.  I had no explanation but God!  We took the boys on a picnic, went on the bike trail, played catch, and watched their oldest brother do some fishing.  It was an AMAZING day with constant reminders of how good I have it and how blessed I truly am.  I was not sad, I knew my sweet baby was in the arms of Jesus and I was there too!  What more could I want!  Today, the peace has continued and I am awestruck at the abundance we can live in IF we allow God to be God!  I can't say it was by my choice that all of this happened.  It was probably one of the hardest times in my life!  Monday night my choice would have been to have a perfect little heartbeat beating in that perfect little tiny body inside of my womb, but it did not happen MY way!  God's way was to teach me a lesson on letting go through the pain and to remember that HIS strength is perfect.  I called on Him and He has been there.  He has never left me nor forsaken me!  I am at rest in His arms!

 

Thank you for your prayers!  I know that is what has been my saving grace!  God has heard you and He has answered in so many ways!  This is a beautiful journey and I can't wait to continue with HIS plan whatever that may be!

It's been a while....

I would love to write this saying that all is well but really today, it is not.  I am sorry my faithful readers that I have not been around much.  8 weeks ago, we were celebrating the news of number 13 on his/her way.

 

On Monday I went for my normal check-up and was thrilled with anticipation to see the heartbeat once again on ultrasound.  As I lied there watching the screen excitedly, as I always do when a little life is in my womb... the fully formed, perfect baby was still with no heartbeat. Only about 3 days before, it seems that it's little soul passed out of him/her from my body to Jesus' arms.

 

Tonight, my heart, I am sure has blisters on it and the dark seems so dark.  The mountain in front of me seems so great and my faith seems so small right now.  I DO know who I cling to and I know that right now, He is holding my baby and me in His precious arms. 

 

"A BABY'S SECRET"


I'm just a little person who didn't make it there;
I went straight to be with Jesus,
but I'm waiting for you here.


Don't you fret about me, Mommy,
I'm of all God's lambs most blessed;
I'd have loved to stay there with you,


but the Shepherd knows what's best.
Many dwelling here where I live,
waited years to ent...er in;
Struggled through a world of sorrow,
and their lives were marred with sin.


So, sweet Mommy, don't you sorrow ~
Wipe those tears and chase the gloom ~
I went straight to Jesus' bosom
from my mother's womb.


Thank you for the life you gave me ~
It was brief, but don't complain...
I have all of heaven's glory...
suffered none of earthling's pain.


- by Sandi Johnson

I WILL be back and this has given me a reason to write again.  It is so healing.  Thank you for listening and please pray for my heart to heal.
 

Some wedding pics...

The girls and I had a bridal shower brunch for the bride to be...

 

 Muffins and egg casserole

 And cake of course!

The colors were black, white with red accents

serving table

One of the brides gifts

 

A week later...

The wedding!

We made the wedding cake/cupcakes

Red-velvet with one design

And another

The tiers

3 of the girls were in the wedding

Are they beautiful or what?!!!

The happy bride and groom after the wedding

The infamous cake feeding

The first dance

Mom and dad of the groom many years and dances later!

The baby made her wedding debut with such cuteness! 

 

It was a beautiful day and we are so thankful for the woman our son has chosen to spend the rest of his life with. 

 

I prayed since my son was a newborn in my arms for his future wife.

  God has blessed us with a Christian girl to add to our family.  We are so blessed! 

 

Don't ever forget to pray for your children's future!  It will happen before you know it!

The blink of an eye and they will have a family of their own! 

Make the years count!

 

 

 

Should I continue to post about my latest post ORRRRR post the wedding pictures of my oldest son's wedding this past week?  What to do, what to do...
Hmmmmmm........

Any advice?

Being Thriftful...

I get so many comments on wondering how I do it...

-How do you shop for that many?
-How do you cook for that many?
-What kind of meals do you make?
-What do you do for snacks?
-How often do you go grocery shopping?
-How many gallons of milk do you buy a week?
And the list goes on and on...

Well, I have been so often helped by others that I often think what I have to say is not that important or helpful but as I was driving today, I began to think that if I could help just one person find something that might help them, then that would bless me! 

• My average grocery bill is about $125-$150 a week...that is for 13 people
• I do not freeze many meals, I make them on a daily basis- I have tried other ways but it is just easier for me to make them everyday.  I will on occasion make a double batch of something and freeze it.
• So far, my family eats about a 9x13 and a 9x9 dish at meals. We ALWAYS have sides with our meals such as fruit and/or veggies and a bread of some type
• I make casseroles about 3 times a week for dinners
• I usually start with what my meat will be and let that simmer in a crock pot and do the add-ons later in the day
• Lunches are sandwiches or tortilla wraps with fruit and crackers
• We don't snack except for rare occasions and then we have popcorn or apples with p-nut butter and raisins
• I shop once a week for the bulk and then 2 other times for fill-ins
• We go through about 6-7 gallons of milk a week
• We make most things from scratch
• We hardly ever buy desserts...my husband LOVES his chocolate so my girls are GREAT at making him treats quite often! :)
• We do not drink pop or juices.  Water most of the time with a cup of milk for one meal a day
• Cheese is our big expense and we go through MUCH of that in a week!  Like 20 cups or so!
• I buy flour, sugar, spices and oatmeal in bulk at our Amish store about once a month
• I use pasta, potatoes,eggs and rice often!  They are GREAT fillers!
• Hamburger and other meat I use lightly...about 1 lb per recipe.  I usually just double up on other ingredients that are less costly...ground turkey is also very reasonable!
• Biscuits are so versatile and we use them often!  Pizza boats, homemade donuts, baked sloppy joes, etc.
• Once a week I make about 60 pancakes or french toast to use the rest of the week for another meal
• I fry hamburger up all at once and freeze it in 1 lb packages to save time
• Breakfasts are our lightest meals...my kids seem to eat very little at that meal
• Dinner is our biggest meal but if dad is home during lunch, we change that around

I am going to keep going a little bit on this subject.  Please tell me some things you would like to know and I will try to accommodate! If you have any insight, I would love that also!