We took Merry to visit the allergist today, hoping to get some insight on these crazy spider bites she's been getting!
Turns out that she's too young to have skin testing done, to determine the intensity of the allergy, and she's too young to be given Epipins (is that the correct spelling? I'm not too sure on that.). So, the doctor told us to call an exterminator to get rid of the bugs and spiders, and to bring her in the next time she gets a bite.
Much to my relief, my little girl did NOT have to have pins poked into her back or any shots. The visit didn't involve needles of any kind, thank heavens!
I will keep you all updated on her progress, and by the way, I hope to post some new pictures of the girls and Zachariah very soon. :)
God bless.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
Leaning
Leaning
I lean upon Him
As I walk through Life.
I know He is my only Hope.
“Leaning, leaning... “
I feel His strong arm
Supporting me
As I slip down into the dark valley.
“Safe and secure... “
His touch is gentle
As He brushes away
My tears of Hurt and Sorrow.
“... from all alarm... “
I feel His hand
Urging me on
As I trudge back up the Mountain.
“Leaning, leaning... “
I know He will always be there,
Holding me up, and keeping me safe,
As I journey through Life.
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arm! “
Written by Kendra Roberts
March 23, 1996
I lean upon Him
As I walk through Life.
I know He is my only Hope.
“Leaning, leaning... “
I feel His strong arm
Supporting me
As I slip down into the dark valley.
“Safe and secure... “
His touch is gentle
As He brushes away
My tears of Hurt and Sorrow.
“... from all alarm... “
I feel His hand
Urging me on
As I trudge back up the Mountain.
“Leaning, leaning... “
I know He will always be there,
Holding me up, and keeping me safe,
As I journey through Life.
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arm! “
Written by Kendra Roberts
March 23, 1996
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
A New Creature
A New Creature
The caterpillar lives its days
Crawling, belly to the ground,
Hiding beneath leaves and in the grass
From its predators,
Desperately trying to survive.
One day,
The caterpillar, unable to bear life anymore
Wraps itself in a cocoon,
Sealing itself away from the world,
And falls into a deep, life-changing sleep.
And then, a miracle takes place.
The ugly caterpillar awakens
From its lonely sleep, only to find
That it is changed!
It emerges from its safe cocoon, a new creature.
No longer a ground traveler,
No longer a colorless blob,
Crawling along with the rest of the dirt creatures.
Now she is new,
A beautiful butterfly.
She spreads her wings and flies,
Up, up, up,
Into the blue sky of the Creator of Life.
Her wings reflect the colors of the rainbow,
And she soars above the treetops.
You and I are like the caterpillar.
Living our days,
Every day like the day before.
Hiding in this world,
Desperately trying to survive.
You and I , one day,
Grew tired of this ugly world,
And looked for a sanctuary for our souls.
We found safety in God,
And were baptized and filled with His Spirit.
And then, a miracle took place.
You and I emerged from the waters of baptism,
Only to find that we were changed.
Born again in of the Spirit and the water,
A new creature, in Christ.
No longer do we travel the road of sin,
No longer do we embrace the world.
Now we are new,
And we walk in the newness of Life,
Beautiful Butterflies, as it were.
We spread our wings and fly,
Up, up, up,
Into the Eastern sky,
Our robes of righteousness reflecting the glory of God.
And we soar, forever changed.
The caterpillar lives its days
Crawling, belly to the ground,
Hiding beneath leaves and in the grass
From its predators,
Desperately trying to survive.
One day,
The caterpillar, unable to bear life anymore
Wraps itself in a cocoon,
Sealing itself away from the world,
And falls into a deep, life-changing sleep.
And then, a miracle takes place.
The ugly caterpillar awakens
From its lonely sleep, only to find
That it is changed!
It emerges from its safe cocoon, a new creature.
No longer a ground traveler,
No longer a colorless blob,
Crawling along with the rest of the dirt creatures.
Now she is new,
A beautiful butterfly.
She spreads her wings and flies,
Up, up, up,
Into the blue sky of the Creator of Life.
Her wings reflect the colors of the rainbow,
And she soars above the treetops.
You and I are like the caterpillar.
Living our days,
Every day like the day before.
Hiding in this world,
Desperately trying to survive.
You and I , one day,
Grew tired of this ugly world,
And looked for a sanctuary for our souls.
We found safety in God,
And were baptized and filled with His Spirit.
And then, a miracle took place.
You and I emerged from the waters of baptism,
Only to find that we were changed.
Born again in of the Spirit and the water,
A new creature, in Christ.
No longer do we travel the road of sin,
No longer do we embrace the world.
Now we are new,
And we walk in the newness of Life,
Beautiful Butterflies, as it were.
We spread our wings and fly,
Up, up, up,
Into the Eastern sky,
Our robes of righteousness reflecting the glory of God.
And we soar, forever changed.
First Colds of the Season
Well, here we are, barely into Autumn, and our whole family is sick with a cold.
The girls are sneezing, coughing, having runny noses.
Scott and I are feeling run down, sneezing, coughing, and have sore throats. Ugh.
That is just about my only complaint about the fall/winter season. Colds. I can handle ALMOST any other sickness, but that crazy cold can knock me flat in one day!
Thankfully, we haven't had any bouts of asthma (Merry's prone to that) or pnemonia or my migraines.
I guess I need to be happy that we are as healthy as we are! :)
In all honesty, God has been awfully good to our family, and I really can't complain.
The girls are sneezing, coughing, having runny noses.
Scott and I are feeling run down, sneezing, coughing, and have sore throats. Ugh.
That is just about my only complaint about the fall/winter season. Colds. I can handle ALMOST any other sickness, but that crazy cold can knock me flat in one day!
Thankfully, we haven't had any bouts of asthma (Merry's prone to that) or pnemonia or my migraines.
I guess I need to be happy that we are as healthy as we are! :)
In all honesty, God has been awfully good to our family, and I really can't complain.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Yard Sale Totals
Well...okay...I did pretty well on my yard sale.
Even though my back is out and I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open, I made right around 400 dollars at the yard sale.
Pretty good if I do say so myself. :)
It was alot of work...but I'm glad I did it.
Next year I am going to advertise in the newspaper and maybe even hang up some flyers around town.
I think that would help with sales.
Well...I'm off to rest my weary bones.
p.s. Thanks alot for all your prayers for Merry. She's doing great!
Even though my back is out and I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open, I made right around 400 dollars at the yard sale.
Pretty good if I do say so myself. :)
It was alot of work...but I'm glad I did it.
Next year I am going to advertise in the newspaper and maybe even hang up some flyers around town.
I think that would help with sales.
Well...I'm off to rest my weary bones.
p.s. Thanks alot for all your prayers for Merry. She's doing great!
Friday, September 09, 2005
Yard Sales...Waste of Time or WorthWhile?
Okay...what do you all think?
Are yard sales a waste of time or are they worthwhile?
I have been having a yard sale this weekend at my mom's.
I started it yesterday and it ends tomorrow.
I made about 100 dollars yesterday, and maybe 110 today.
I may make another hundred tomorrow, but its VERY hard to tell.
Now...is it worth 300 dollars in three days for me to just SIT for roughly 21 hours and man a yardsale? Is it worth it for me to have to have my mom watch the kids most of the time while I sit there? Is it worth it for me to have to price things high just so I can make a little moolah when people haggle me down?
I don't know.
I'm tired, sunburned (yes, I know, my own fault!), and sore from too little exercise.
I spent 20 minutes tonight haggling with some people for 18 dollars. That's less than a dollar a minute...was the headache worth it?
Perhaps.
Some of the money I earn will go toward the offering our church is taking up on Sunday for the victims of Katrina. Some will go toward winter clothes for my girls. And if I'm lucky, I'll have some left over to put toward paint, lamps and curtains for the girls playroom.
So...I guess I look at having a yard sale this way...NO PAIN, NO GAIN.
What do YOU think?
p.s. By the way, Merry is well on her way back to health. She's as wild as ever!
Are yard sales a waste of time or are they worthwhile?
I have been having a yard sale this weekend at my mom's.
I started it yesterday and it ends tomorrow.
I made about 100 dollars yesterday, and maybe 110 today.
I may make another hundred tomorrow, but its VERY hard to tell.
Now...is it worth 300 dollars in three days for me to just SIT for roughly 21 hours and man a yardsale? Is it worth it for me to have to have my mom watch the kids most of the time while I sit there? Is it worth it for me to have to price things high just so I can make a little moolah when people haggle me down?
I don't know.
I'm tired, sunburned (yes, I know, my own fault!), and sore from too little exercise.
I spent 20 minutes tonight haggling with some people for 18 dollars. That's less than a dollar a minute...was the headache worth it?
Perhaps.
Some of the money I earn will go toward the offering our church is taking up on Sunday for the victims of Katrina. Some will go toward winter clothes for my girls. And if I'm lucky, I'll have some left over to put toward paint, lamps and curtains for the girls playroom.
So...I guess I look at having a yard sale this way...NO PAIN, NO GAIN.
What do YOU think?
p.s. By the way, Merry is well on her way back to health. She's as wild as ever!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
A BIG Scare!
Wow...this has been an eventful week for us Lynn's.
I noticed today that Merry had another bite on her ankle, and started getting a little worried.
I cleaned the bite, just as her pediatrician had instructed me, and put her down for a nap. When she got up, her ankle was a little more red and swollen, so I gave her a Benedryl around five p.m.
The bite seemed to get redder and redder every time I looked at it. I cleaned it several more times and put a cool compress on it...nothing helped.
I finally called Scott and told him I thought we needed to take her to Urgent Care.
He came over around 6:30 and looked at her ankle. He agreed to take her and I took Kelsey home.
He called me around seven saying that they were at Urgent Care and asking me a bunch of questions about what meds I had given her and was she allergic to this or that.
In the background I could hear a nurse saying, "Wake up, Meredith. Don't fall asleep...stay awake!"
I wondered what that was all about, but Scott didn't say anything to me, and I gave him the info I could and he hung up.
About ten minutes later he called me and said that Meredith had passed out on the way over to Urgent Care and that they had her awake, but were sending her to St.Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor by ambulance!
I rushed Kelsey to my parents', took my mom with me, and hurried to the hospital.
When we got there I ran in and they informed me that the ambulance wasn't there yet!
Now I was really really worried. I called everyone I could think of to pray, and did some praying myself.
My mom joined me in the emergency room, and as we were waiting, a couple and their little boy stopped by. The lady leaned down and hugged me and said, "I feel so badly for you...I know you are scared right now." I asked her to say a prayer and she said she would. Its amazing how tragedy can bring together perfect strangers like that.
A minute or so later they told me that Merry was in a room and I could go back.
She was screaming and crying, so I just followed her cries back to her room.
It took me a few minutes to calm her down, but once she stopped crying she asked to watch a movie and for her milk.
She sat on my lap and seemed just fine.
The doctor came in and looked at her. She said she thought that Merry was bitten by a spider, and her ankle became infected. She didn't know why Merry passed out. She hadn't had a fever or convulsions. From all appearances, she fell into a very deep sleep and didn't rouse from it for about fifteen minutes.
We don't know if it was cause by the Benedryl or what.
All I know is that my baby is okay. They've put her back on antibiotics and she goes to see her pediatrician for a checkup tomorrow.
Right now we are spoiling her rotten. She's sitting in her little chair, watching Pocahontas and struggling to stay awake.
I am so so thankful for all of you who took time out to pray!
A special thanks to my mom and sister for caring out ME during this trying evening.
Also, special thanks to Bro. Zane and Sis. Alissa King for coming to the hospital to pray for Merry.
And thank You, Jesus, for touching my baby girl!
I noticed today that Merry had another bite on her ankle, and started getting a little worried.
I cleaned the bite, just as her pediatrician had instructed me, and put her down for a nap. When she got up, her ankle was a little more red and swollen, so I gave her a Benedryl around five p.m.
The bite seemed to get redder and redder every time I looked at it. I cleaned it several more times and put a cool compress on it...nothing helped.
I finally called Scott and told him I thought we needed to take her to Urgent Care.
He came over around 6:30 and looked at her ankle. He agreed to take her and I took Kelsey home.
He called me around seven saying that they were at Urgent Care and asking me a bunch of questions about what meds I had given her and was she allergic to this or that.
In the background I could hear a nurse saying, "Wake up, Meredith. Don't fall asleep...stay awake!"
I wondered what that was all about, but Scott didn't say anything to me, and I gave him the info I could and he hung up.
About ten minutes later he called me and said that Meredith had passed out on the way over to Urgent Care and that they had her awake, but were sending her to St.Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor by ambulance!
I rushed Kelsey to my parents', took my mom with me, and hurried to the hospital.
When we got there I ran in and they informed me that the ambulance wasn't there yet!
Now I was really really worried. I called everyone I could think of to pray, and did some praying myself.
My mom joined me in the emergency room, and as we were waiting, a couple and their little boy stopped by. The lady leaned down and hugged me and said, "I feel so badly for you...I know you are scared right now." I asked her to say a prayer and she said she would. Its amazing how tragedy can bring together perfect strangers like that.
A minute or so later they told me that Merry was in a room and I could go back.
She was screaming and crying, so I just followed her cries back to her room.
It took me a few minutes to calm her down, but once she stopped crying she asked to watch a movie and for her milk.
She sat on my lap and seemed just fine.
The doctor came in and looked at her. She said she thought that Merry was bitten by a spider, and her ankle became infected. She didn't know why Merry passed out. She hadn't had a fever or convulsions. From all appearances, she fell into a very deep sleep and didn't rouse from it for about fifteen minutes.
We don't know if it was cause by the Benedryl or what.
All I know is that my baby is okay. They've put her back on antibiotics and she goes to see her pediatrician for a checkup tomorrow.
Right now we are spoiling her rotten. She's sitting in her little chair, watching Pocahontas and struggling to stay awake.
I am so so thankful for all of you who took time out to pray!
A special thanks to my mom and sister for caring out ME during this trying evening.
Also, special thanks to Bro. Zane and Sis. Alissa King for coming to the hospital to pray for Merry.
And thank You, Jesus, for touching my baby girl!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Merry's First Day
Well, I survived Merry's first day of preschool. What a relief!
She was SO excited to go today!
When we arrived at the school, I could barely get her to slow down...she ran up the steps and kept pulling on my hand.
"Let's go to school, Mommy!"
The teacher let her keep her little stuffed dog in her tote bag, so that if she got scared or lonely she could go to her cubby and take her doggy out for a hug. I don't think she even remembered he was there with her today!
Mrs. Dale opened the doors and Merry went right to her cubby, pointed out her name that was posted there, and took off for the art center. I had to chase her down to pin her nametag on her!
Mrs. Morris gave me good advice, "Do your normal goodbye ritual, and leave," she said. So I did.
Merry stopped running long enough to hug me and kiss me, and when I left she was doing a puzzle at one of the tables.
She didn't even miss me. :( My baby is growing up!
Only one little incident today...as we were waiting for Mrs.Dale to open the doors, all the kids were showing each other their totebags (provided by the school). I had NO IDEA that I was supposed to doctor up Merry's tote! All the other kids had bells, ribbons, appliques, etc. on their totebags. Merry and ONE other little girl only had their names on theirs.
Two little boys standing across from Merry and me were showing off their bags.
Merry reached up, took her bag from me and started examining it. Uh-oh...no frills...what will we do???
"Look," she said. "Here's my bag...here's my name!"
Oh man, was I embarrassed!
As you can probably guess, Kelsey and I made a trip to WalMart and I picked up all the necessary stuff to make her bag pretty. When she returns to school on Thursday, she can show off her bag!
Any of you moms have any other items to inform me of? I don't want to be the odd duck.
She was SO excited to go today!
When we arrived at the school, I could barely get her to slow down...she ran up the steps and kept pulling on my hand.
"Let's go to school, Mommy!"
The teacher let her keep her little stuffed dog in her tote bag, so that if she got scared or lonely she could go to her cubby and take her doggy out for a hug. I don't think she even remembered he was there with her today!
Mrs. Dale opened the doors and Merry went right to her cubby, pointed out her name that was posted there, and took off for the art center. I had to chase her down to pin her nametag on her!
Mrs. Morris gave me good advice, "Do your normal goodbye ritual, and leave," she said. So I did.
Merry stopped running long enough to hug me and kiss me, and when I left she was doing a puzzle at one of the tables.
She didn't even miss me. :( My baby is growing up!
Only one little incident today...as we were waiting for Mrs.Dale to open the doors, all the kids were showing each other their totebags (provided by the school). I had NO IDEA that I was supposed to doctor up Merry's tote! All the other kids had bells, ribbons, appliques, etc. on their totebags. Merry and ONE other little girl only had their names on theirs.
Two little boys standing across from Merry and me were showing off their bags.
Merry reached up, took her bag from me and started examining it. Uh-oh...no frills...what will we do???
"Look," she said. "Here's my bag...here's my name!"
Oh man, was I embarrassed!
As you can probably guess, Kelsey and I made a trip to WalMart and I picked up all the necessary stuff to make her bag pretty. When she returns to school on Thursday, she can show off her bag!
Any of you moms have any other items to inform me of? I don't want to be the odd duck.
A New Poem
A Word Fitly Spoken
A word spoken gently
Can tame even the greatest of beasts.
A word spoken gently
Can hush even the loudest of cries.
A word spoken gently
Can calm even the fiercest of storms.
Speak gently.
A word spoken in love
Can change even the most difficult situations.
A word spoken in love
Can stop even the harshest of deeds.
A word spoken in love
Can thaw even the most frozen of hearts.
Speak in love.
A word spoken in anger
Can crush even the strongest hope.
A word spoken in anger
Can push even the mightiest to the brink of despair.
A word spoken in anger
Can harm even the most resilient child.
Refrain from anger.
A word spoken in judgment
Can hurt even those closest to God.
A word spoken in judgment
Can turn away even the dearest of friends.
A word spoken in judgment
Can poison even the healthiest of souls.
Refrain from judgment.
Speak in truth
God’s truth.
Speak gently
With the love of God.
Refrain from angry retorts
Or judgments that belong
Only to God.
Use your words wisely.
Think before your speak.
A word should be spoken fitly,
And beautifully.
May each of us
Learn to let God’s
Holy Truth guide our tongues.
A word spoken gently
Can tame even the greatest of beasts.
A word spoken gently
Can hush even the loudest of cries.
A word spoken gently
Can calm even the fiercest of storms.
Speak gently.
A word spoken in love
Can change even the most difficult situations.
A word spoken in love
Can stop even the harshest of deeds.
A word spoken in love
Can thaw even the most frozen of hearts.
Speak in love.
A word spoken in anger
Can crush even the strongest hope.
A word spoken in anger
Can push even the mightiest to the brink of despair.
A word spoken in anger
Can harm even the most resilient child.
Refrain from anger.
A word spoken in judgment
Can hurt even those closest to God.
A word spoken in judgment
Can turn away even the dearest of friends.
A word spoken in judgment
Can poison even the healthiest of souls.
Refrain from judgment.
Speak in truth
God’s truth.
Speak gently
With the love of God.
Refrain from angry retorts
Or judgments that belong
Only to God.
Use your words wisely.
Think before your speak.
A word should be spoken fitly,
And beautifully.
May each of us
Learn to let God’s
Holy Truth guide our tongues.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Vision
VISION
I stumbled along blindly,
My heart filled with
Fear and despair.
All I could see were
My overwhelming problems
And the fast-approaching,
Fearsome Darkness…
I tried to overcome it all
By myself with
No one to help.
But my fear was too great,
And the enemy’s troops
Were closing in close
About me…
And then, in the midst of
The blinding Darkness,
There came a flash of Light!
My eyes were opened and
Vision came to me.
I saw the army of God
Surrounding the enemy.
Fear and despair ran…
Darkness and blindness fled…
I stood in the Light of God
With new Vision…
New hope and new faith…
And a new desire to
Trust in God.
With the new Vision,
I can clearly see that
My God is in control.
I see His hand
Reaching for mine…
And I will follow
In His footsteps forever.
I stumbled along blindly,
My heart filled with
Fear and despair.
All I could see were
My overwhelming problems
And the fast-approaching,
Fearsome Darkness…
I tried to overcome it all
By myself with
No one to help.
But my fear was too great,
And the enemy’s troops
Were closing in close
About me…
And then, in the midst of
The blinding Darkness,
There came a flash of Light!
My eyes were opened and
Vision came to me.
I saw the army of God
Surrounding the enemy.
Fear and despair ran…
Darkness and blindness fled…
I stood in the Light of God
With new Vision…
New hope and new faith…
And a new desire to
Trust in God.
With the new Vision,
I can clearly see that
My God is in control.
I see His hand
Reaching for mine…
And I will follow
In His footsteps forever.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Fits and Fun
Well, Merry's visitation at preschool was LOTS of fun.
Her teachers are very nice and capable, the room was HUGE and filled with tons of great toys, and she got to make two art projects while we were there!
The biggest draw for her was this sandbox playarea with shovels and pails and little wheels that sift the sand. She played there with a couple of other kids for at least fifteen minutes.
When it was time to go, we tried to get her to leave (which normally isn't a problem), and the kid FREAKED!!!!
I have NEVER seen her throw a fit like that! In front of at least 20 other parents and that many other kids and four teachers!
She screamed and kicked and sobbed through our goodbyes, the gathering of her totebag and the walk to the car!
The she proceeded to cry all the way home. We made two stops on the way home and she cried all the way. It was at least a fifteen minute crying jag.
I told Scott, "At least I don't have to worry about her crying when I drop her off on the first day!"
Picking her up may be a different story....whew....hopefully we can avoid another "scene" and she'll be her normal, angelic self.
Needless to say, the emotion I was feeling today was NOT sadness...it was frustration, which is NOT what I expected!
At least she had fun, until the fits kicked in!
Her teachers are very nice and capable, the room was HUGE and filled with tons of great toys, and she got to make two art projects while we were there!
The biggest draw for her was this sandbox playarea with shovels and pails and little wheels that sift the sand. She played there with a couple of other kids for at least fifteen minutes.
When it was time to go, we tried to get her to leave (which normally isn't a problem), and the kid FREAKED!!!!
I have NEVER seen her throw a fit like that! In front of at least 20 other parents and that many other kids and four teachers!
She screamed and kicked and sobbed through our goodbyes, the gathering of her totebag and the walk to the car!
The she proceeded to cry all the way home. We made two stops on the way home and she cried all the way. It was at least a fifteen minute crying jag.
I told Scott, "At least I don't have to worry about her crying when I drop her off on the first day!"
Picking her up may be a different story....whew....hopefully we can avoid another "scene" and she'll be her normal, angelic self.
Needless to say, the emotion I was feeling today was NOT sadness...it was frustration, which is NOT what I expected!
At least she had fun, until the fits kicked in!
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Merry's Big Day
Tomorrow my little girl will end her time as a baby. I can hardly believe its come so quickly!
It seems like just yesterday that she was lying in my arms, drinking her bottle and looking up at me with those big brown eyes.
Yet, tomorrow, she will take the first steps as a "big girl".
Tomorrow Scott and I will take her to her preschool visitation. She will meet her teachers, get aquainted with some new friends, and familiarize herself with her classroom. I will be standing beside her, choking back tears.
I've looked forward to this day ever since Kelsey was born, but now that its here...I'm not so sure.
I'm feeling this VERY strong emotion...my baby is leaving me!
I take comfort in knowing that eventually I will get used to the first day of school, and will actually look forward to it!
I also take comfort in knowing tht MY momma managed to survive me "leaving the nest".
She even wrote a poem for me, and presented it to me. And I, at the tender age of five, actually comprehended the poem, and had to force myself not to cry. I remember the moment vividly.
I remember how much my momma loved me.
I hope that Merry remembers her first day, and that its a GOOD memory.
Hopefully it won't contain a memory of her mommy breaking down in tears in her preschool classroom!
On with life...
Congratulations on becoming a big girl, Meredith!
Mommy loves you more than you could ever know.
It seems like just yesterday that she was lying in my arms, drinking her bottle and looking up at me with those big brown eyes.
Yet, tomorrow, she will take the first steps as a "big girl".
Tomorrow Scott and I will take her to her preschool visitation. She will meet her teachers, get aquainted with some new friends, and familiarize herself with her classroom. I will be standing beside her, choking back tears.
I've looked forward to this day ever since Kelsey was born, but now that its here...I'm not so sure.
I'm feeling this VERY strong emotion...my baby is leaving me!
I take comfort in knowing that eventually I will get used to the first day of school, and will actually look forward to it!
I also take comfort in knowing tht MY momma managed to survive me "leaving the nest".
She even wrote a poem for me, and presented it to me. And I, at the tender age of five, actually comprehended the poem, and had to force myself not to cry. I remember the moment vividly.
I remember how much my momma loved me.
I hope that Merry remembers her first day, and that its a GOOD memory.
Hopefully it won't contain a memory of her mommy breaking down in tears in her preschool classroom!
On with life...
Congratulations on becoming a big girl, Meredith!
Mommy loves you more than you could ever know.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Traverse City, the PERFECT Place
Hi. Well, I promised that I'd post something about Traverse City.
Oh man! What a lovely trip!
My husband is truly wonderful. (In case any of you didn't know...he is what every woman wishes she had!) He booked us into the Best Western Four Seasons in Traverse City. It was a very nice, big room...very comfortable. The BEST part was this: the room had a large loft with a HUGE two-person jacuzzi in it! Talk about wonderful...I was soooo relaxed.
We spent alot of time wandering around Traverse City. We played miniature golf three times...mainly because Scott wanted to beat me at it. I won the first two games...he won the last. It was great! :)
We ate at Boone's...unquestionably the BEST steakhouse EVER. We ate there twice...thanks to the Hemmes' family! :) And we enjoyed every bite. :) (Oh...and we enjoyed fellowshipping with our friends, the Hemmes'.)
We went to church on Sunday morning. Bro. Hemmes and Scott conspired against me and I was forced to sing...sigh...
THEY said I did well, but you can never tell, maybe they were just trying to make me feel better!
After church, we attended a picnic with the church, that was fun. :) It was gorgeous weather for a picnic and the fellowship was so refreshing.
Later that evening we went rollerblading by Lake Michigan, and then went to our favorite pizza place, Paesanos, for a great meal.
All in all, it was a marvellous trip!
Thanks to my mom and dad for watching the girls and the dog, and also to my in-laws for a very generous birthday gift.
A special thanks to Jim McDonald, for his generosity as well!
I HIGHLY recommend visiting Traverse City for at least a weekend. You will NOT regret it!
Oh man! What a lovely trip!
My husband is truly wonderful. (In case any of you didn't know...he is what every woman wishes she had!) He booked us into the Best Western Four Seasons in Traverse City. It was a very nice, big room...very comfortable. The BEST part was this: the room had a large loft with a HUGE two-person jacuzzi in it! Talk about wonderful...I was soooo relaxed.
We spent alot of time wandering around Traverse City. We played miniature golf three times...mainly because Scott wanted to beat me at it. I won the first two games...he won the last. It was great! :)
We ate at Boone's...unquestionably the BEST steakhouse EVER. We ate there twice...thanks to the Hemmes' family! :) And we enjoyed every bite. :) (Oh...and we enjoyed fellowshipping with our friends, the Hemmes'.)
We went to church on Sunday morning. Bro. Hemmes and Scott conspired against me and I was forced to sing...sigh...
THEY said I did well, but you can never tell, maybe they were just trying to make me feel better!
After church, we attended a picnic with the church, that was fun. :) It was gorgeous weather for a picnic and the fellowship was so refreshing.
Later that evening we went rollerblading by Lake Michigan, and then went to our favorite pizza place, Paesanos, for a great meal.
All in all, it was a marvellous trip!
Thanks to my mom and dad for watching the girls and the dog, and also to my in-laws for a very generous birthday gift.
A special thanks to Jim McDonald, for his generosity as well!
I HIGHLY recommend visiting Traverse City for at least a weekend. You will NOT regret it!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
A GetAway
I'm so excited! Tomorrow morning, my sweet husband is taking me away for a long weekend trip. We will be going up to Traverse City, MI, the city we hope to live in someday.
My wonderful parents are watching the girls, and the dog, and Scott and I are on our own for four wonderful days. :)
So...I probably won't be posting anything until we get back. I plan to sleep, sleep and sleep some more...uninterrupted sleep...no little girls opening up the door in the middle of the night, or crying out in their sleep because they lost their pacifier!
I highly recommend that all of you try to visit Traverse City at least once. I promise you that you won't be disappointed.
See you Monday!!
My wonderful parents are watching the girls, and the dog, and Scott and I are on our own for four wonderful days. :)
So...I probably won't be posting anything until we get back. I plan to sleep, sleep and sleep some more...uninterrupted sleep...no little girls opening up the door in the middle of the night, or crying out in their sleep because they lost their pacifier!
I highly recommend that all of you try to visit Traverse City at least once. I promise you that you won't be disappointed.
See you Monday!!
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
A Man After God's Own Heart
A Man After God’s Own Heart
Once upon a time, there was a young man named David, who was close to God. He was a tender of sheep and he would spend hours each day in the fields with his flock.
He would take his small harp with him every day, and while his sheep were grazing, he would compose songs of praise to his God.
One day a bear attacked his flock, and God gave the young man strength to kill the bear. Another time a lion caught one of his lambs, and God once again gave him the strength to kill the lion. He was close to God, and God was close to him.
When he was a little older, his country went to war against the Philistines. His older brothers went to battle, and he was left home to tend his flock and help his father. There came a day when his father sent him to the battlefield to bring food to his brothers, and to make sure that they were still alive. When he reached the camp, all the soldiers were hiding in fear from the enemy and their champion, a giant named Goliath.
David rebuked the army for their fear and distrust in the Lord, and he took his sling and some smooth stones and went to face Goliath.
He went to Goliath in the name of his God, and when he slung the stone at the giant, God directed the stone, and it sunk deep into Goliath’s head. Goliath fell, and David cut the giant’s head off with his own sword.
Sometime later, David became king of Israel, anointed by the hand of his God. He was a great king with much vision for his people, and he was loved by his subjects. However, he let himself get sidetracked and a little distant from God.
Israel was at war, and in those times, the kings went to war with their armies. In this particular season, however, David decided to stay home from the battle. He dismissed his servants and sat on his rooftop in the sunshine, sipping lemonade, and thoroughly enjoying himself. After awhile, he got up and went to the wall of his roof, and looked over. There, on a neighboring rooftop, was a beautiful woman, bathing herself.
Now, here was a man who was what the Bible calls, “a man after God’s own heart”, looking at something that he shouldn’t have been looking at! He was getting himself into some major trouble.
As he looked at her, he became obsessed with knowing who she was, so he sent a servant to bring her to him. He found that her name was Bathsheba, and that her husband was in his army, at war.
David decided that since he was king, he could have whatever he wanted, so he took Bathsheba and fornicated with her. Then he sent her home, back to her house.
Not long after, Bathsheba sent word to the king that she was pregnant. With his child. Hmmm….what was David going to do now? (I think if I had been him, I would be doing some heavy-duty praying!) David made another stupid choice.
He sent a message to the captain of his and requested that Bathsheba’s husband be sent home for a brief leave. Uzziah came home, but refused to leave the king’s doorstep because he felt guilty for being home in comfort when his fellow soldiers were fighting in the war. He would not go home to see his wife, and so David’s plan for saving his own hide went awry.
David sent Uriah back to the battlefront with a message to the captain. The message simply said that Uriah was to be sent to the front-line, which pretty much guaranteed that he would be killed.
Okay, let’s see here…what was it that we said before…that David was a man after GOD’S own heart??? Come on!! He sure doesn’t sound like a godly man at this point in his life.
Anyways, Uriah died on the front-line, and David took Bathsheba as one of his wives. He decided to try to make things right. Bathsheba gave birth to a baby boy, and all seemed to be well. But David forgot one little detail. He forgot to talk to God.
Pretty soon he received a visit from the prophet, Nathan, who proceeded to tell him a terrible story about a rich man that coveted and stole a poor man’s only sheep. David was furious and said that the man who committed such a crime deserved to die! And Nathan said to him, “You are that man.”
David was so ashamed and confessed that he had sinned against the Lord. Nathan told him that God would forgive him, but because of his sin, his son would die. After seven days, Bathsheba’s child died.
Now, the point of this story is not to tell you that you are going to be severely punished for your sins, so hold on a second. I’ll get to the point in just a minute!
After the incident with the prophet, and the death of his child, David got out his harp, and wrote another song. The song that he wrote has been sung and re-sung for thousands of years. If you look in your Bible in the book of Psalms, and read chapter 51, you will find why David was a man after God’s own heart.
“ Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stains of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my shameful deeds – they haunt me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner – yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD. RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN ME.
DO NOT BANISH ME FROM YOUR PRESENCE, AND DON’T TAKE YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME.
RESTORE TO ME AGAIN THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION, AND MAKE ME WILLING TO OBEY YOU. Psalms 51: 1 – 12 “
Isn’t it amazing how God forgives? That psalm of David proved that he was indeed still a man after God’s own heart. He knew that he had sinned, and he was sorry. Not only was he sorry, but he ASKED GOD FOR FORGIVENESS! Not only did he ask God for forgiveness, but he made a conscious effort in his heart to change, to be a better person, and to live and walk closely with the Lord.
Sometimes you and I mess up in our lives, kind of like David did. And although we feel sorry for what we did, sometimes its very hard for us to admit we were wrong and CHANGE HOW WE DO THINGS! Think about this for a minute…how do you suppose David’s country felt about their king sinning in such a way? I imagine that they were pretty disappointed in their leader, and I also imagine that David felt their disappointment. But somehow he managed to get up from the pit that he dug for himself, and in spite of his human nature, he repented. He didn’t just say, “God, I’m sorry.” He actually changed his way of living, and his way of acting. He became, once again, A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART.
You and I can do the same, if we will purpose in ourselves to really WANT to live for God. We can be men and women after God’s own heart.
Once upon a time, there was a young man named David, who was close to God. He was a tender of sheep and he would spend hours each day in the fields with his flock.
He would take his small harp with him every day, and while his sheep were grazing, he would compose songs of praise to his God.
One day a bear attacked his flock, and God gave the young man strength to kill the bear. Another time a lion caught one of his lambs, and God once again gave him the strength to kill the lion. He was close to God, and God was close to him.
When he was a little older, his country went to war against the Philistines. His older brothers went to battle, and he was left home to tend his flock and help his father. There came a day when his father sent him to the battlefield to bring food to his brothers, and to make sure that they were still alive. When he reached the camp, all the soldiers were hiding in fear from the enemy and their champion, a giant named Goliath.
David rebuked the army for their fear and distrust in the Lord, and he took his sling and some smooth stones and went to face Goliath.
He went to Goliath in the name of his God, and when he slung the stone at the giant, God directed the stone, and it sunk deep into Goliath’s head. Goliath fell, and David cut the giant’s head off with his own sword.
Sometime later, David became king of Israel, anointed by the hand of his God. He was a great king with much vision for his people, and he was loved by his subjects. However, he let himself get sidetracked and a little distant from God.
Israel was at war, and in those times, the kings went to war with their armies. In this particular season, however, David decided to stay home from the battle. He dismissed his servants and sat on his rooftop in the sunshine, sipping lemonade, and thoroughly enjoying himself. After awhile, he got up and went to the wall of his roof, and looked over. There, on a neighboring rooftop, was a beautiful woman, bathing herself.
Now, here was a man who was what the Bible calls, “a man after God’s own heart”, looking at something that he shouldn’t have been looking at! He was getting himself into some major trouble.
As he looked at her, he became obsessed with knowing who she was, so he sent a servant to bring her to him. He found that her name was Bathsheba, and that her husband was in his army, at war.
David decided that since he was king, he could have whatever he wanted, so he took Bathsheba and fornicated with her. Then he sent her home, back to her house.
Not long after, Bathsheba sent word to the king that she was pregnant. With his child. Hmmm….what was David going to do now? (I think if I had been him, I would be doing some heavy-duty praying!) David made another stupid choice.
He sent a message to the captain of his and requested that Bathsheba’s husband be sent home for a brief leave. Uzziah came home, but refused to leave the king’s doorstep because he felt guilty for being home in comfort when his fellow soldiers were fighting in the war. He would not go home to see his wife, and so David’s plan for saving his own hide went awry.
David sent Uriah back to the battlefront with a message to the captain. The message simply said that Uriah was to be sent to the front-line, which pretty much guaranteed that he would be killed.
Okay, let’s see here…what was it that we said before…that David was a man after GOD’S own heart??? Come on!! He sure doesn’t sound like a godly man at this point in his life.
Anyways, Uriah died on the front-line, and David took Bathsheba as one of his wives. He decided to try to make things right. Bathsheba gave birth to a baby boy, and all seemed to be well. But David forgot one little detail. He forgot to talk to God.
Pretty soon he received a visit from the prophet, Nathan, who proceeded to tell him a terrible story about a rich man that coveted and stole a poor man’s only sheep. David was furious and said that the man who committed such a crime deserved to die! And Nathan said to him, “You are that man.”
David was so ashamed and confessed that he had sinned against the Lord. Nathan told him that God would forgive him, but because of his sin, his son would die. After seven days, Bathsheba’s child died.
Now, the point of this story is not to tell you that you are going to be severely punished for your sins, so hold on a second. I’ll get to the point in just a minute!
After the incident with the prophet, and the death of his child, David got out his harp, and wrote another song. The song that he wrote has been sung and re-sung for thousands of years. If you look in your Bible in the book of Psalms, and read chapter 51, you will find why David was a man after God’s own heart.
“ Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stains of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my shameful deeds – they haunt me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner – yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD. RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN ME.
DO NOT BANISH ME FROM YOUR PRESENCE, AND DON’T TAKE YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME.
RESTORE TO ME AGAIN THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION, AND MAKE ME WILLING TO OBEY YOU. Psalms 51: 1 – 12 “
Isn’t it amazing how God forgives? That psalm of David proved that he was indeed still a man after God’s own heart. He knew that he had sinned, and he was sorry. Not only was he sorry, but he ASKED GOD FOR FORGIVENESS! Not only did he ask God for forgiveness, but he made a conscious effort in his heart to change, to be a better person, and to live and walk closely with the Lord.
Sometimes you and I mess up in our lives, kind of like David did. And although we feel sorry for what we did, sometimes its very hard for us to admit we were wrong and CHANGE HOW WE DO THINGS! Think about this for a minute…how do you suppose David’s country felt about their king sinning in such a way? I imagine that they were pretty disappointed in their leader, and I also imagine that David felt their disappointment. But somehow he managed to get up from the pit that he dug for himself, and in spite of his human nature, he repented. He didn’t just say, “God, I’m sorry.” He actually changed his way of living, and his way of acting. He became, once again, A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART.
You and I can do the same, if we will purpose in ourselves to really WANT to live for God. We can be men and women after God’s own heart.
The Promise and The Hope
The Promise and the Hope
Written by Kendra Roberts
When Darkness starts to threaten,
And it seems you’ve lost the Light of Day,
When storm clouds roll on the horizon,
And the Sun’s brightness fades,
When no one stands beside you,
And you face the storm alone,
When all faces are those of strangers,
And all friends are gone,
When the great Unknown looms ahead,
And all that’s familiar is behind,
When the path is straight and narrow,
And the mountaintop is too high to reach,
When the Life is uncertain,
And you’ve lost the will to go on…
Just remember where you came from,
Where you were in the past.
Remember the trials and tribulations
That seemed would never end!
And remember the One who said He would
Be with you and stand by you,
No matter what the cost.
Just remember how He brought you out
Of the deep, miry clay.
Remember how He set your feet
On a solid Rock to stay.
Remember how He put a new song in your heart
To sing of His praises!
Hallelujah!
Although right now it may seem
That your circumstances are dreary
And it may seem that the Darkness
Will blot out the Light of Day.
It may seem that the storm is on the horizon,
And the Sun’s brightness is gone.
Perhaps no one stands beside you,
And you face the storm alone.
Maybe strangers surround you,
And you cannot find a friend.
The Unknown lies ahead,
And the familiar is left behind.
The pathway is straight and narrow,
And the mountaintop is too high.
Life has become Uncertain,
And you do not want to go on.
But…
God is still before you,
Behind you,
On your right hand and on your left.
His angels still surround you,
And in His arms you will find rest.
He will not let you fall,
Nor will He let you slip.
His hand will guide you
Through the storm, through the night,
And on to the Brightest Light.
His voice will comfort you,
His hand will be in yours,
And no matter where you find yourself,
He will be
There
Beside you.
And He will give you sweet peace.
I wrote this poem a long time ago, during a trying time, and I have found it to be true that God is ALWAYS with us. It doesn't matter where we are in our lives, He is there beside us, taking care of us, comforting us, and guiding us.
May you find that truth as well.
Written by Kendra Roberts
When Darkness starts to threaten,
And it seems you’ve lost the Light of Day,
When storm clouds roll on the horizon,
And the Sun’s brightness fades,
When no one stands beside you,
And you face the storm alone,
When all faces are those of strangers,
And all friends are gone,
When the great Unknown looms ahead,
And all that’s familiar is behind,
When the path is straight and narrow,
And the mountaintop is too high to reach,
When the Life is uncertain,
And you’ve lost the will to go on…
Just remember where you came from,
Where you were in the past.
Remember the trials and tribulations
That seemed would never end!
And remember the One who said He would
Be with you and stand by you,
No matter what the cost.
Just remember how He brought you out
Of the deep, miry clay.
Remember how He set your feet
On a solid Rock to stay.
Remember how He put a new song in your heart
To sing of His praises!
Hallelujah!
Although right now it may seem
That your circumstances are dreary
And it may seem that the Darkness
Will blot out the Light of Day.
It may seem that the storm is on the horizon,
And the Sun’s brightness is gone.
Perhaps no one stands beside you,
And you face the storm alone.
Maybe strangers surround you,
And you cannot find a friend.
The Unknown lies ahead,
And the familiar is left behind.
The pathway is straight and narrow,
And the mountaintop is too high.
Life has become Uncertain,
And you do not want to go on.
But…
God is still before you,
Behind you,
On your right hand and on your left.
His angels still surround you,
And in His arms you will find rest.
He will not let you fall,
Nor will He let you slip.
His hand will guide you
Through the storm, through the night,
And on to the Brightest Light.
His voice will comfort you,
His hand will be in yours,
And no matter where you find yourself,
He will be
There
Beside you.
And He will give you sweet peace.
I wrote this poem a long time ago, during a trying time, and I have found it to be true that God is ALWAYS with us. It doesn't matter where we are in our lives, He is there beside us, taking care of us, comforting us, and guiding us.
May you find that truth as well.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Birthday Blues (Just Kidding!)
"I got the birthday blues, take 'em away, take 'em away, take 'em away!"
Just kidding.
Even though I will be turning 28 in just two days...I'm still feelin' young. :)
I guess it helps that whenever people try to guess my age they guess me around 19 or 20...and if you look past the ever present grey hairs, I might even look that young!
I have heard so many people say that after 26 they just dreaded every birthday. I can honestly say that, so far, I haven't dreaded any of my birthdays. Unless you count that horrible 16th birthday. That one was pretty bad!
Really, I look forward to my birthday, and turning another year older. Hey, think of all the experiences I've had over the past few years...love lost, love gained, marriage, pregnancy and then another pregnancy. Now I'm in the toddler years...the terrible two's and the traumatic three's.
I'm just thankful that NEXT year...when I'm turning 29...I'll be ALMOST PAST THE TODDLER YEARS!!!
This year, well, I'm just happy to be healthy and loved.
God has blessed me and my family.
Happy birthday to me!
Just kidding.
Even though I will be turning 28 in just two days...I'm still feelin' young. :)
I guess it helps that whenever people try to guess my age they guess me around 19 or 20...and if you look past the ever present grey hairs, I might even look that young!
I have heard so many people say that after 26 they just dreaded every birthday. I can honestly say that, so far, I haven't dreaded any of my birthdays. Unless you count that horrible 16th birthday. That one was pretty bad!
Really, I look forward to my birthday, and turning another year older. Hey, think of all the experiences I've had over the past few years...love lost, love gained, marriage, pregnancy and then another pregnancy. Now I'm in the toddler years...the terrible two's and the traumatic three's.
I'm just thankful that NEXT year...when I'm turning 29...I'll be ALMOST PAST THE TODDLER YEARS!!!
This year, well, I'm just happy to be healthy and loved.
God has blessed me and my family.
Happy birthday to me!
Saturday, August 20, 2005
News On Merry
Hi. Just wanted to give you a brief update on Merry's condition.
She seems to be doing aLOT better today. Her fever was down, and the bite on her leg wasn't nearly as red and swollen as yesterday.
We are still keeping a very close eye on it, though, and really appreciate all your prayers.
Thanks.
God bless you all.
She seems to be doing aLOT better today. Her fever was down, and the bite on her leg wasn't nearly as red and swollen as yesterday.
We are still keeping a very close eye on it, though, and really appreciate all your prayers.
Thanks.
God bless you all.
Friday, August 19, 2005
A Special Prayer Request
Well...today Meredith and I had quite a scare. Scott and I noticed on Wednesday morning that Merry had a HUGE mosquito bite on her leg. It was really swollen and a bit red. We gave her Benadryl and kept an eye on it. By last evening it was starting to look quite a bit better, but was still a little swollen. We didn't think anything more of it until my mom saw it today.
Merry's leg had developed a blotchy red rash all around the bite, and was very swollen. She developed a fever very quickly and I immediately called her pediatrician.
They got her in this afternoon, took one look at her leg, and told me that if I had waited any longer, she would have had to go to the emergency room and probably would have been put on an iv antibiotic!
Apparently, during the night, an infection developed, and her leg is pretty bad right now.
They've put her on some very strong antibiotics and I have very clear instructions on washing and taking care of the bite. I also have very clear instructions on how quickly to get her to the ER if anything changes!
Please say a prayer for my baby. I want this thing to clear up as soon as possible!
Thank God my mom saw the infection in time.
We'd appreciate your prayers.
Merry's leg had developed a blotchy red rash all around the bite, and was very swollen. She developed a fever very quickly and I immediately called her pediatrician.
They got her in this afternoon, took one look at her leg, and told me that if I had waited any longer, she would have had to go to the emergency room and probably would have been put on an iv antibiotic!
Apparently, during the night, an infection developed, and her leg is pretty bad right now.
They've put her on some very strong antibiotics and I have very clear instructions on washing and taking care of the bite. I also have very clear instructions on how quickly to get her to the ER if anything changes!
Please say a prayer for my baby. I want this thing to clear up as soon as possible!
Thank God my mom saw the infection in time.
We'd appreciate your prayers.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
A New Experience
I have recently been voted in as a member of our "southern gospel" quartet at church.
Today was our second time singing, and let me tell you, I had no idea it was so hard to sing southern gospel style! Its actually a bit more difficult than the singing I'm used to doing.
I was "plumb wore out" after singing today.
Hopefully I get used to this new form of singing, and make some improvments on my part.
Whew.
Lord, help me! :)
Today was our second time singing, and let me tell you, I had no idea it was so hard to sing southern gospel style! Its actually a bit more difficult than the singing I'm used to doing.
I was "plumb wore out" after singing today.
Hopefully I get used to this new form of singing, and make some improvments on my part.
Whew.
Lord, help me! :)
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