Catching up

I can't believe how time has flown. My last post was June 1. Alot has happened since then.
In August, Anna and I flew to Cincinnati, OH, for her to attend God's Bible School. What a major event in all of our lives. She is doing so well. I am so proud of her!!! She is where God wants her to be, and He has really blessed her. Her first semester bill is paid for--with all the praise going to God for His wonderful mercies. It's so exciting to see Anna's faith grow as God
leads her each step of the way.

As for me, I had quite the trip home from Cincinnati. So my crying time was put off by all that I had to go through just to get home. I miss Anna terribly, but knowing she is following God's will for her life helps me make it through. I feel so blessed and honored that God would specifically call my child to the mission field as a teacher. How humbled I am!!! Yet it is exciting to see
God at work in Anna's life. Yes, we are looking forward to her coming home Christmas.

In September, Wesley started going to Bates Technical College. He is in the Automotive Technician program. He is doing really well. He came home and told us that he is where God wants him to be. What an amazing statement coming from him. Yesterday he came home with the biggest smile and was truly excited about what he was doing. Thank you, Lord!!!

It is really strange having only Ben at home during the day. This is the first time in 17 years that I only have 1 child at home during the day. I don't know if I like it or not. Yes, I like the peace and quiet. But, I loved having the kids around and I loved teaching them. Ben is so quiet and plays by himself most of the time. He is really good about getting his schoolwork done. He is taking fiddle lessons at co-op and then we do Boy Scouts on Wed. nights.

So that is what I have been doing. Among all the other mom, church, etc. things. My time seems to be filling up just as fast as ever. I praise God for giving me the strength and help that I have needed during these transition times.

It's a long road!

On May 1, I had surgery to remove a huge tumor off of my thigh. The incision was quite long
and the doctor had to take quite a bit of good tissue in hopes of preventing it from returning.
(This is the third time it has come back. This time it was bigger, came back faster, and hurt.)
It is not cancerous, which we are very thankful. This surgery REALLY hurt and I am taking
longer to recover. Because the doctor took so much tissue out, I am having problems with
it filling up with fluid. One week alone they drained 23 oz. off of it. I know that sounds really
gross. She said it was as much as a can of pop. Ha! Talk about hurting!!! Now I am going back
2-3 times a week for it to be drained. I wish it would hurry up and heal!! I don't like being
crippled!! But she said it will be a long process.

Next week my sweet daughter will graduate from high school as well as the local community college. That is so hard to believe!!! I can't be that old!!! I am so proud of her. She has
accomplished something that required a lot of work and endurance. She had a prom party on
Friday. Next week is graduation with 2 parties--will I ever be busy. She is an awesome girl!!!

I am getting sleepy now so I must go to bed. Insomnia has set it so I will probably be awake
in a few hours--again.

Wow--what a few rough days. On Friday, I had a huge tumor removed from my leg. This is the
third time it has come back. So the doctor was aggressive this time and took alot of tissue in hopes to keep it from coming back. It has been very painful this time. Plus, the percocet has has
made my stomach hurt. And--I am NOT one for being down for very long. So it has not been a pleasant experience.

But--a highlight for us was going to a "Weekend to Remember" at the Bellevue Hilton on Apr. 24-26. We were able to take 4 other couples with us. What a blessing it was! We had some very awesome times and the Lord really enriched out lives. I would highly recommend to anyone to go to one of these conferences. You won't be disappointed!!

Jonny and Anna flew to Cincinnati, OH to check out God's Bible School for Anna. They both had a wonderful time. God is working things out for Anna to go somewhere to college this fall. He continues to lead and guide her. It is so exciting to see God working in your children's lives and seeing their faith increased. She graduatates on June 11--so we are busy making plans for her graduation party.

My mother is also coming out to visit for 3 weeks in June. We are looking forward to that.
June will be busy, but fun and rewarding.

Wow, has this ever been a tough week! This last weekend was extremely busy for me.
Last Thursday, I spent 5 hour decorating for a Sweetheart's Banquet. On Friday, I had
Homeschool Co-op, then a Snak-n-Yak after Midwinter camp service. Saturday some
dear friends arrived and we all went to a Sweetheart Banquet--which Jonny and I
coordinated. Sunday I play the piano at church, birthday party after a.m. church,
then last service at camp, and friends and fellowship afterwards. Monday I babysat
all day. And guess what happened? I knew I was coming down with a sore throat and my
ear hurt. Well, Monday evening my voice took a trip and left me for several days. I ended
up going to the doctor and got some medicine. I am sure my kids and my hubby loved
my silence!!! As of this evening (Friday p.m.), I just started getting my voice back. Do you
know how difiicult it is to try and communicate with no voice? Screeches and scratches
just don't work!!

In spite of it all, we had an awesome Sweetheart's Banquet. We had 13 couples in our
beautifully decorated fellowship hall. We had lots of laughter and silly times. Plus,
awesome bar-b-que brisket and pulled pork, delicious potatao salad, cole slaw, and
baked beans, rolls, and our choice of several delectable desserts!!! It was also nice
to sit up late at night--after ALL the kids were asleep--chattin' with our special friends
and being crazy. Thank the Lord for special friends who love the Lord and love us for
who we are.

Hopefully, I am on the mend and soon be flapping my jaws again. And then I probably
won't shut up!!

As I told my choir members--I am so glad that JESUS LOVES ME!! No matter what I
do or say or feel, JESUS LOVES ME FOR WHO I AM!!! And Jesus loves you, too!!!

Busy, busy, busy!!!

That seems to be the story of my life these days!! I have finally got 99% of the information
to our tax preparer--1 item left to go! Yeah!! That huge chore is finally almost done!!

I have also been filling out college applications, scholarship applications, etc. for Anna.
Yes, she will graduate this year! Can you believe that? I am so proud of her. For 2 years
she has been taking college classes at a local community college and will graduate in June
not only with her high school diploma, but also with an Assosicate of Arts degree. She
has worked so hard and we are excited for her! But I don't remember filling out college
applications and scholarship applications being so long and technical! Maybe I just forgot!!

Now I am getting ready for our Sweetheart's Banquet that my husband so cheerfully
volunteered "us" for! But guess who does all the work? I think it will be fun and
exciting!! This will be the first banquet in our new church facility! It looks so nice
and festive all decorated up! Lots of bar-b-que, games, fun, and laughter will be
provided for all the "sweethearts" of our church!

I have also been trying to see my way through the dark hole of Algebra 1. I am not a
math person (English is my expertise) so this is very mind boggling to me. Hopefully
at the end of the school year we can say we persevered to the end.

Jon still has a job--thank the Lord!! Though Boeing is starting to lay off people in his area.
He has 20 years in almost--so maybe that will count for something.

Well, that's what's going on in my life! Busy, busy, busy!!!!

I Stand Amazed

Finally--my computer is getting well. It's almost there. I can't believe how
much I am dependent on it. But life goes on, Things have been quite exciting
at our house. First we had lots of snow--which we loved, but others didn't.
Then there was a lot of flooding in our area--but we were safe. And now--the
flu and cold season has hit our house. Along with my oldest son haveing severe
eye infections in both eyes--even the corneas are infected and the eyelids have
bump underneath them. It's pretty scary when your 17 year old wakes up and
says his eyes hurt so bad and he can't see. And it would have to happen on the
day of the worst snow storm ever. When will this madness ever end. But,
as for me, I can only say that my strength comes from the Lord. I am amazed
at how much strength and endurance He has given me these last few weeks.
I can only stand amazed.