Mam-maw's Visit

 I was so thankful when my Mam-maw called last month to tell me she wanted to come for a visit.  When she heard I hadn't been feeling well, she wanted to come and help our family. It was so sweet and thoughtful of her.  We're so glad she came! We had a really good time together and she did many things for us!  Josh had fun showing some magic tricks.

 Mam-maw brought some fabric and sewed Callie an adorable skirt.

 Her and Tabitha (and Brenna too) put together a couple of puzzles.

 We visited on the porch.

She did many dishes, folded laundry and even cleaned out my refridgerator!  And, of course, I gave her the usual job I give her when she comes to visit....she matched our socks!  :o)

So thankful for my Mam-maw and her servant's heart.  She is a blessing!!

Cutesy Camper Pillow

My sweet daughter-in-law, Tabitha, had a birthday last month.  When I saw this adorable quilt block pattern with a camper on it, I knew I wanted to make it for her! :o)

I made it into a pillow.  It was such an easy pattern and I whipped it up pretty quick!  Doesn't it look cute at my place? But, don't worry, I really did give it to her. :o)  It put me in a sewing mood!  And when I saw how cute it looked to have throw pillows on my couch (something I haven't done in a while) I decided it's time to sew some more.  I think some fall looking pillows are in my future!

Confused Peaches

 Peaches has turned into a really great family pet (if you forget the time she had heaven, our chicken, in  her mouth)  She loves to roam our property and bark at grasshoppers and walking sticks.  She loves to be with the kiddos!  But what she really loves????

 Is our goats.  She spends a good bit of time in the paddock with them.  She especially loves when Silas goes to take care of them.  She will follow him out there and try to herd the goats.  She jumps up and tries to play with them. I think they are tolerating her.
But, we've noticed a problem...

 The more time she spends with them, the more she acts like them!
She chews and chews any shrubbery or plants she can find.
 And when I took out the trash not too long ago, she backed up, put her head down, and ran full force into my leg.  My dog actually headbutted me!

Crazy dog!  She seems to like life on our little family farm!

My Girl's Plans

 I posted last that I would share some exciting news about my girls, Elisabeth and Brenna. Beth graduated 2016 and Brenna just graduated this past year, April 2017.

They both have a desire to be a wife and mother working in the ministry. But, what about the time in between?  What should they do as they prepare for their Prince Charming?

They've both prayed and prayed asking the Lord for direction and wisdom for their future.  As they've prayed, they've both separately came up with the same conclusion.  The Lord wants them to continue working in the ministries here at VSIBC.

 So, they will continue to serve in many aspects of the ministry here. They really do have front row seats on how to start a church plant.  It's great training for their future! They work in the bus ministry, nursery, Sunday School, music ministry....and are vital.  Patrick and I are so thankful for them!!

But, then, last month the Lord opened doors for them to attend Virginia Baptist College while working here in the ministries at home.  We love this college's philosophy!  All of their courses will be online and assignments will be completed online as well.

Elisabeth is working towards her Bachelors in Church Ministry with a concentration in Church Business Managament.  Beth has been our church secretary for over a year.  She keeps the bank books and records, pays the bills and our missionaries, does printing, and anything else her Daddy has need of. :o)

Brenna is also working towards her Bachelors in Church Ministry but with a Music Minor.  Is that a surprise?  Anyone that has visited our church has heard our Brenna on the piano.  She has a God-given talent and wants to pursue this further.

The girls received their textbooks in the mail and few days ago and were so excited!  They each have a very full load with 6 classes each. Classes start Monday and they are ready to go!

Our first day of school

It's that time of year! I can always tell when summer break is almost over.  The kids get antsy, a little bored, and are ready to hit the books.  We decided to make Monday our first day.

 Micah started kindergarten this year.

 Callie is in 2nd grade.

 Silas is in 3rd grade.

 They were so excited to start!  I have them starting Bible class all together.  They watch Silas's 3rd grade Abeka video for Bible class.  I sure do love Abeka!  We adjust things to fit our family, but it works very well for us!

 We decided to do the DVD route this year, since it's not possible to do two live streamings.  Our internet just isn't that fast!  The kiddos take turns who does school where.  This week Silas has the schoolroom,

 and Callie does her school in the living room.  And Micah....

 ....half way through Bible time he was just too weak and hurting.  It had been 5 days since his tonsils and adenoids were removed.  It's been a lot tougher than we thought it would be.  Poor little man is hurting quite often. He's lost 4 pounds.  It's so hard for him to eat and his throat hurts.  So, after Bible, he went and took about an hour nap.  It's so hard hearing him whimper in his sleep. :o(

 After he woke up, we got some food in him and some more medicine in him, and he was so ready to start his class!

For kindergarten, I am the teacher. I love teaching my kiddos how to read. So rewarding!

 He was so proud of his papers and ready to do more.  He loves school!!

Yay for school!  We're off to a great start!
So, that's how it's going for Silas, Callie and Micah.
Joshua is doing great managing ACE hardware, serving in many ministries at VSIBC and preparing to be a Daddy. :o)
How's it going for Elisabeth and Brenna?  I'll post on their exciting news next!

Answer to a call

Last Sunday was a very special day for our family.  But, before I tell you our good news, let me tell you what has been happening in the past year.  We've had a lot of interesting conversations with our Silas.  Here is how some of them went:

Silas:  Mom, I think God might want me to be a preacher, but I'm just not sure.

Me:  Silas, you just keep praying and asking God to show you.  The important thing is that whatever it may be that God wants you to do, whether a preacher, a fireman, or a trashman....you tell God yes!

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Silas:  I just thought of a great message to preach, do you want to hear it?

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Silas:  Mom, I think God is telling me to be a preacher, but I'm not sure.

Me:  You just keep praying.  There is no rush.  You'll know for sure if God wants you to be a preacher.

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Silas:  Mom, I have a list of sermons from my favorite verses that I'm preparing.  Want to hear them?

 Then, right before church Sunday night Silas came to Patrick and I and said that he needed to speak to us privately.  We went into the back room.  He was nearly bouncing, with an electric smile and tears in his eyes, he said, "I know for sure God wants me to be a preacher!"  He talked to us about how he has such a desire to preach and God told him that is what he is to do!  Patrick and I were so excited for him!  He was so happy and couldn't sit still he was so excited!

That night, Patrick announced to the church that Silas had surrendered to God's call on his life to be a preacher.  What a blessing!  There were so many amens!  Then, he called all the men forward to pray for him.  What a sweet moment!

So thankful for a boy who said "Yes!" to God!  Can't wait until Sunday night....it's his first time to preach!

A beautiful prayer answered!

 My sweet Brenna has been praying for some time that God would provide our church with a Grand Piano. I've started praying with her, and I also mentioned to some of our ladies and they started praying.  Well, God does hear and He does answer!  Winkler Road Baptist Church gave us a Baby Grand!

 We called some of the men of our church and within moments they were there to help us unload.  It was so exciting!

It looks great and plays beautifully.  Thank you, God, for answered prayer!!

Tonsils out...popsicles in!

Thank you for praying for our Micah!  He did great!  We arrived at the surgery center and they took us back to the pre-op area.  They had an IPad waiting for him with all kinds of games.  Since Micah hasn't played much with an IPad, this was a great distraction for him!  He played and played a lego game building cars and trucks.

The doctors and staff for UF Children's department are great!  They know how to deal with children and helped Micah so much.  Then, it was time to wheel him back.  He was still so interested in the IPad that it didn't phase him much.  Me, on the other hand....I was quite nervous.  It was a horrible feeling watching your baby being rolled away into a room to have a surgery.  As we left him, I was thankful that this is a first for us in this parenting journey.  So very thankful!

Then, about an hour later they called for us.  As they walked us back, the nurse warned us that Micah is very "rowdy."  What?  Doesn't sound like my Micah at all.  But, sure enough, as we walked closer to the recovery area we could hear screaming.  They were quickly unattaching Micah so that we could hopefully calm him down.  He was screaming and flailing himself all over.  Yet, his eyes were closed.  Poor guy wasn't really awake and was very confused.  Patrick picked him up and handed him to me in the rocking chair.  It was all I could do to hold him!  At one point he punched Patrick in the neck!

My poor little guy had such a hard time waking up.  Then, he started crying, "My mouth, my mouth." and holding his neck.  It was all I could do not to cry with him.

After he calmed down a bit and actually woke up, he downed 2 popsicles.  Then, went back to sleep for the next hour.  When he woke up, he said, "Momma, are my tonsils gone?"  He didn't remember too much from before.  Then, we went home.  So thankful for home and a comfy couch to cuddle my boy!

He had quite a rough night and we're trying to find a balance between eating enough for him to take medicine, and not aggravating his throat.

Thank you again for praying!  God is so good!

Micah Roo's Tonsils

My sweet Micah.  We noticed that since moving here, our Micah struggles with allergies.  Especially in the wintertime.  The poor little guy.  We noticed his little tonsils weren't so little anymore.  And it was affecting his sleep.  So, after dealing with this for quite some time, his doctor ordered a sleep study.

It turns out that Micah wakes up rather often because it's difficult for him to breathe with his tonsils so swollen.  So, this morning we are off to have his tonsils and adenoids removed.  Much prayer would be appreciated!

We took him last night to buy tons of ice cream and jello.  He's liking that idea!