Saturday, May 27, 2017

Thank you for praying


As I've read over the comments and emails, I've been so overwhelmed.  To have someone pray for me is a treasure.  Thank you so very much dear friends!

 I hesitated to even post my last blog post because so often over the last 4 years I've posted asking prayer for my health.  For us, we go through many emotions as we feel we could be getting closer to the reason for my pain.   The visit with the Pulmonologist brought back many emotions that we've faced in the past.  The look on the doctor's face of "I really don't know what's going on"  can be quite discouraging.

The new doctor was very kind, but honestly he was stumped.  He doesn't feel it's necessary to further investigate the "cystic lesion."  My lungs are functioning normal, and that was his main concern and the lesion is not inside the lungs.  We are thankful for that.  But, the pain is still there.  He would like to order another bone scan .

 My primary doctor has talked about possibly getting a second opinion at UF Shands about the lesion. She has a fear of not finding a doctor to investigate this problem.  There aren't any specialist that deal with that area between the lungs and the heart.  Since it's a holiday weekend, we are at a stand still.

 When I came home yesterday, I was quite discouraged.  Sometimes it feels as if our life is on hold waiting for answers.  Then, as I was drying my tears, my girls went to the piano.  I don't even know if they realized what they were doing for me.  But, they began to sing.  And even though my situation is the same and we aren't closer to an answer, I was reminded about the great God we serve.  I don't see the answers.  I don't have an answer of why.  But God does.   He sees our storm from the other side.

When the storm raged about them, the disciples were afraid.
For the waves were high and the ship was tossed, they could not find their way.
Then, they awoke the Master, saying, "Lord please save us now."
He rebuked the wind and the sea grew calm and they all wondered how.

Like the man on the sea did, I have called on God in prayer.
When it seemed to me all hope was gone, and in my deep despair.
I remembered what the Lord said when He calmed that troubled sea.
And I know once more how He sees the storm.  And peace floods over me.

God sees the storm from the other side.  
He knows the lessons learned and just beyond the cloud He sees clear skies.  
He speaks peace to the raging storm when peace could not be found. 
He already sees the rainbow.  When we see only clouds.

When the storm of life come crashing in and covers me, I can feel God's arms around me, and He whispers "Let it be."



And since every post needs a happy picture, I thought I would post this one of me and my 7.  My family is so supportive and amazing.

So, once again, Thank you for praying.  It means so much to me.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

A Prayer Request

I posted last month about my health situation getting worse.  This crazy chest pain/pressure has been getting unbearable. I've had many tests since then, and my heart has been, once again, declared healthy.  I'm so thankful for that!  But there was also found a new "Cystic Lesion" on the outside of my aorta. I will see a new Pulmonologist on Friday.  Getting that appointment moved up is an answer to prayer!

 I had an appointment with my Primary Care Doctor today.  She is such a blessing to me!  She said that if this cyst lesion were anywhere but the place it is, a doctor would want to biopsy it right away.  But, this just happens to be in a special place....between the aorta and the lungs.  The Cardiologist doesn't want to biopsy it since it's not interfering with heart.  We're hoping the Pulmonologist will.  But, since it's so close to the aorta and not actually inside the lungs, they might choose not to because it's risky.  She said this particular area doesn't really have a "specialist."    She said the best option is for the Pulmonologist to choose to do it.  We need to find out exactly what this lesion is.

So, would you pray along with us?  We've seen God's hand in this journey all along the way.  His way truly is best!  We're praying specifically for Dr. Tonner, the Pulmonologist that I will be seeing on Friday afternoon.  Pray that he will have wisdom from the Great Physician to do what's best for my health.

Monday, May 22, 2017

A Bee's Knees Mother Daughter Banquet



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 We were very blessed to be invited to the Tri-City Baptist Church of Port Charlotte's Mother Daughter Banquet.  The Pastor's Wife, Trina Sheppard, asked if I would come and give the devotion for the ladies.  When I heard the theme was about honeybees, I knew I would have plenty of silly stories to share.  We've had quite an adventure with our beehive!
I was so glad that 3 of my girls could come along with me!
 My sweet friend, Cynthia, volunteered to drive us there.  That was a blessing to me!  We had such sweet fellowship on the way there and on the way home.  We laughed so much!  So thankful for my girls and for sweet friends!

 The food was wonderful and was decorated so cute!

 We were able to sit at a table with the Sheppard family.  What a blessing that was!  They are such an encouragement and we enjoyed visiting with them.

For the devotion, I had Brenna be the beekeeper.  Doesn't she look cute?  Then, I taught on how honey production is greatly affected by the bee's surroundings.  I used that as a jumping board for how ladies are to create an "environment" that will honor the Lord.

So thankful for sister churches that are an encouragement to us.  It was a great day!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

My Callie's Day

 We sure do love birthdays around here! The birthday girl (or boy) is in charge and they love it!  It's amazing what they pick to do.  It's usually staying around the house, playing games and enjoying their gifts.  It's always full of giggles and memories and Callie's day was no different!

 She loves phone calls for her!


 She asked if we could go to the park that has "skin colored slides"  We had to stop for a bit and figure out which one that was!
 Even though it was the beginning of May, we had such a chilly wind!  And we had the park all to ourselves.  That's a benefit of being a homeschooler! :o)





 Then, our boys played football in the baseball field.  It was the gators vs the bulldogs.

 The girls had fun cheering them on!

 Sure do love my 7!


I'm not sure who loved Callie's gift from Josh and Tabitha more.... Callie or Josh?  Although I found my husband playing with it last night!



Then, Brenna built a hug tent and we all had chocolate cake in the tent together.  How fun!


Happy Birthday my sweet girl!  What a fun day!!

Friday, May 5, 2017

Happy 7th Birthday to my Callie Grace!


 Today, my sweet Callie Grace, turns 7!

What a sweet treasure she is to our family!  
She loves the Lord, loves her family, friends and church.  
And just loves life!


 Bless this girl's heart, she's sandwiched in between two rough and tumble, tough boys!  This makes her pretty patient and pretty tough!  She loves to play with her babies and loves to dress up in to a princess.  Just yesterday she had Silas and Micah be her body guards because she was a queen!



And yet, through all this girly-ness, she loves to be outside.  Loves to feed her chickens (that's her job!) and loves to get muddy!


She's almost done with 1st grade and is an excellent student!  Oh my, how she can read!  She's reading through most of the American Girl series and is so excited to get back to the library this summer!  She loves to bake, help me clean, play teacher and giggle.

We sure do love you Callie!  So thankful you are part of our family!!

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Summer is almost here!

 I can tell that summer break is almost here.  A couple of days ago I found Micah practicing his snorkeling skills in our living room!
June 1st starts our summer break.  I have a goals chart started and it's going to be a great summer!
Until then, there's plenty left to do!


Monday, May 1, 2017

The Desires of His Heart

 It was about a year ago that Silas was given his first goat.  He sure does love his Jenna and faithfully takes care of her.  He wanted to be able to have goats milk and make cheese and fudge.  As you know, to have milk, you must have two goats!  A friend of ours needed a place to put their male goat for a while.  So...in moved Olaf!  There has been a lot of gentle explaining to our little boy about boy goats and girl goats.  Silas was quite concerned about his Jenna's safety!  But, it seems things are moving along naturally and we may have some new baby goats sometime in September!

 Then, a friend of Joshua's had two goats that he could no longer care for.  Of course, Silas wanted them!  So, we added to our little herd, Nathan and Peggy.


 It's been fun, busy, and stinky work for our Silas.  At first Olaf found ways to escape.  He's huge!  Then, Jenna would find ways. We think we have all the escape routes plugged and all 4 goats are getting along good.

Thank you Lord for granting my boys heart's desire!