Tuesday, November 16, 2010

What a fast transition from summer, to Fall, and now to Winter.......

This year with not much warm weather and time to mature, our grapes, corn, tomatoes, and some other fruit and veggies didn't produce to the fullest. But we were still able to make lots of jam from our berries, and applesauce, juice, and cider from the apples. Erawyns squash garden did awesome so we have been giving away lots as gifts, already excited for the new year to (growing season) start again.

Our birds have been doing great to the point it is now time to thin them out. We have been getting atleast 6-8 fresh eggs aday. The kids love having breakfast for dinner so that helps me out in the imagination department for dinner planning. The turkeys proved a bit harder to raise and keep from the coyotes and the cold weather. But we still have enough big healthy males to give away for others thanksgiving.

We have been blessed again with a new additiong to the family. Estelle Hope was born to Reese and Natasha on the 13th of November. She is beautiful and healthy and mom and daughter are doing great! With in our trials and sorrows in the family, we have been blessed with amazing JOY ! I don't know a better family than Reese and Natasha who are united in their Love of the Lord a nd lean on him during thier times of heartbreak. Please keep them in your prayers.

It seems so long ago that we were having a hard time last year. Because of our loving family members, friends, and good samaritans, we got through. We were loved and carried through our desperate times. But unfortunately their are still alof of families struggling. We need to still be aware that a little kindness and generosity goes along way, and can really change someones outlook during these times. :)

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Starting over

Well, things for the most part are getting back to normal. With Mike now working and especially enjoying his job, a lot of stress and frustration has been eliminated from our daily lives.

Thinking back on last year with all the heart aches that we went through, and living our daily lives with such toxic worry, stress, and pain, Its hard to believe that we have overcome and are given a new chance.

With Mike being unemployed, we have learned to be grateful even for the littlest things. To be humble and forgiving even if it mean biting our tongues. To enjoy our time together and cherish eachother for that time may not be there next time. To always turn a bad situation into a positive one to enjoy all that God has provided for us!

With Baby Case passing away so unexpectanlty, i beleive it has taught me to love with no restrictions. That every little person that is brought into your life is there for a reason no matter how short. And that Through Jesus we will be given to ultimate gift of seeing them again. That continuing our love for that person who is no longer here will have been collected through the years as if there was no absence or separartion. To enjoy every little runny nose and temper tantrum, to get to know my children and enjoy their quirks, rather than having no time between laundry, and vacuuming, and time outs.

With taking my trip to Chile and surviving the earthquake I have learned to be generous with my friends, family, and strangers. That one kind action causes such a ripple into lifes fabric, we have no concept of the ultimate finish, and that it is also continuous-never completely gone. I have also been reaffimed of the bounty that God has provided for us here on earth and that it is our duty to take care of it all as well as providing for our health and the planet. Chile made such a "dent" in my heart. My capacity to love was greatly increased.

I do admit, with not being able to spend the smallest dollar for over 10months, it is difficult now to still be restrained with catching up on much needed supplies, and of course a few treats here and there:) We have had an amazing time! All for now, hope everyone who reads this is enjoying life to the fullest!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

! CHILE ! My experience

On February 16th as my husband and kids dropped me off at the airport, i swiftly gave hugs and pecks on the cheeks and i was out the door on my adventure. I was so ready for my time to be my only care taker, and to have some one on one time with me, myself, and I. I was so excited and in a hurry i had left behind my cell phone which would not have worked down there but could have used in case of emergencies.

We had a relatively smooth trip into the country. The last flight was so bumpy with turbulence that a few people headed to the front of the plane and lost their lunch. We were not able to land after 3 failed attempts and headed north for an emergency landing in conception. This would mean we now needed to take a 5 hour bus ride to our destination in temuco, and then off to Nueve Imperial where our beds were.

We were greeted with open arms and a huge table of food! We were loved upon and then sent to our warm beds and different host homes to be ready for the morning.

The next days that followed were wonderful hard working days and days of translation and answering questions about ourselves and where we live. We were along way off on the translation part but at the end of the day we had a bond with everyone and had lots of laughs and fun. Sure enough our hearts grew bigger and bigger with our loving co-workers and friends. Even though their burdens were heavy, and most of the time they didn't understand us and we them, we were very cared for.

Over the course of the 2 weeks, we accomplished tasks that improved their school. We were very grateful to be able to lend a hand and man power to repair, rebuild, and do upkeep on a school compound that housed many children from very poverish homes for a week at a time. We were invited into their homes and churches. Oh so many things that we take for granted and can live without. In their broken window churches with no air conditioning or rest rooms, and sometimes share a space with a dog or two, their joyful celebration to GOD is something that i will always treasure. Theirs is a passion that i wish we sometimes had more of. Their love and kindness to strangers and giving everything they have is how i want my heart to resemble.

Someone down their had brought the subject up of why people just don't send the money for the mission trips and forgo the hassle of the trip. And he explained that one of the important pieces to this puzzle is interaction and relationships. I get that now. I have left behind people that i have been so touched by their giving and kindness. People that have imprinted my heart and make me feel alive more and more with everyone that i open my heart to and love. I have a family down there. I have sisters that i never had with my blood relatives, as well as brothers, fathers, mothers and friends. I feel complete, and whole once again.

The earthquake was in fact a terrible thing, but it didn't take away from my experience at all. If anything, it made it stronger. We shared a frightening experience with them and gave our best to provide love, prayers, and distraction during this time. But i think in the end they were the ones consoling us! We heard horrible stories of people losing their lives, homes crashing down, buildings that had amazing history suddenly erased from time, and a silent and deadly tsunami that stole away people, homes, and villages in the darkness before the sun rose as if they had never existed. We saw cracks in roads and highways, landslides, and buildings falling apart. We saw people going down to the rivers to collect water in jugs, buckets, and pop bottles to bring back to their homes.

I am now home again after 5 days of no sleep and 3 days of traveling. I have a peace inside me that i can't quite explain and a contentment that opens my eyes in a new ways. I will forever love the country of chile and its people. For them and God i will always be thankful!

to be continued due to too many pictures!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Praying for Reese and Natasha

We were so fortunate to get to spend so much time with baby Case over thanksgiving and Christmas. These are times and pictures that we will be treasuring in our hearts forever.

But we ache for the pain and sorrow that his parents are going through. Please pray that they be comforted and given strength during this time no parent should have to endure. With Natasha losing her mother, she has had to go through so much. I am so thankful for her sisters to help her through and be there. Natasha has been a shining light to so many, I hope that we all can now be that for her.

:)