Seasons...

Everyone talks in terms of "seasons."  This season of your life, that season of your life...This is a busy season of your life...etc.  Aren't they all busy, though?  I mean, yes, we can break things up and say 'I was busy doing blah-blah during such and such a time..." however, I think that people actually feel that this will end.  They feel that the business will somehow end, mysteriously disapear.  Folks--it doesn't end until we die...or Jesus comes...and even then, we may still be busy, we just will not care because we will be joyfully serving the Lord (or at least, I pray that you will be.)  I think that we get this idea in our heads that someday, somehow we will be saved from "business" or is it busy-ness? My prayer is, not that I will be saved from busy-ness, but, that all that I am doing glorifies and is for one Person.  God.  I do not mind dropping in my tracks if it is for Him, however, if I am so busy just because I am serving my self, my pride, and seeking my own glory...I have a serious problem.  Woe and whoa--to those of us doing that.  I do realize that in our human sinfulness, we do not always seek the godly and eternal things, but our main focus should be the Lord, not ourselves.  His glory and not our own. Well...those are just the thoughts running through my brain today. Grace and Peace!

A few of my favorite things...

Grace and Peace. Aren't they beautiful words? I am so thankful for the Grace bestowed upon me by my Father.  I am also thankful for the peace that His grace brings to me.  I am duelly blessed.  That does not mean that I am always at peace...my last post shows that!  It does mean, however, that I can seek peace within my Savior and find it in the midst of trials and tribulations. 

I have some friends who, as I write, are facing trials that I cannot imagine.  First, their baby was born with a serious heart condition.  The condition is so serious, in fact, that he received open heart surgery only days after his birth.  He has faced various complications since his birth and daily fights for his life.  His mother and father held him, for the first time, on his two week birthday.  This baby is a fighter and he continues to amaze us all with his strength and determination to live.  God has given this little baby the spirit of a warrior! 

Now, for the next trial.  Their home burned.  While the children were visiting with Grandma and Mama and Papa were at the hospital with the baby, their home caught fire and burned.  What was not destroyed was damaged by water and smoke.  God showed His mercy, however.  No one was home to be harmed.  A precious memory book, containing memories of a child lost to them a few years ago, was spared.  Precious heirlooms survived the destruction.  All in all, the fire was...dare I say...blessed.  The local news station came and interviewed my friend and her husband.  Thousands of people now know of their plight and are now praying for them and reaching out to them in numerous ways.  Above all, this couple has shown the Peace and the Light of Christ through this whole ordeal.  Their actions and their words have glorified our Heavenly Father throughout it all.  They have given praise to Him, leaned on Him, and glorified Him.  They are finding their peace in Him.  I believe that they are storing up precious treasure in Heaven...I also believe that the Lord will bless them for their faithfulness.  I am so thankful to have a Father who loves, and loves to bless, His children.  I cannot wait to see what He does next in the life of this family.

Grace and Peace...what a wonderful gift.

Did you ever....?

Did you ever get the impression that you had hurt someone's feelings or disappointed them somehow...but you had NO idea how?

Thus I find myself sitting at the computer at 5:30 in the morning, unsettled in my heart, because I feel that somehow we have offended a family who we love dearly.  Things have not felt right, between our two families, for some time now and I do not know why.  However, I thought that perhaps things were on the mend.  They had closed themselves off for a long while; not telling anyone anything about what was going on in their family.  Their family was going through some rough times. In the past, my friend would have called and asked for prayer, but, I was clueless because she did not.  I must stop and admit guilt here, though.  Because I sensed tension I backed off.  I thought maybe my friend needed space.  I did not want to seem overly pushy and I hoped that she would come to me when she was ready and talk to me about what was so heavy a burden on her heart.  She never did.  Occasionally, I would ask her how I could pray for her.  I would ask her how she was doing.  I would receive a non commital answer and I would move away. Should I have pressed?  I didn't think so at the time, but, now I wonder if I did not choose the wrong course of action.  My daughter, in speaking with their daughter was informed that their family was being cautious regarding us.  Had we proven ourselves untrustworthy?  I was confused.  What did we do?  Why did they not tell us we had done it?  Why did they not come to us and admonish us if we had done something offensive?

Recently, however, it seemed that they, as a whole family, were opening up again.  I was so excited!  My friend wanted to share with me again!  She wanted to talk to me! 

**sigh** and now, I am not so sure...

We apparently have offended them again in some way.  I do not understand.  Is this some ploy by the enemy (yes, I mean satan) to divide our two families?  What is going on?  I am sick in my heart about this.  I am one of those people who naturally shy away from conflict.  I am not brave about confronting someone when I feel that there is tension.  This morning I feel compelled to strap on the big guns.  I am going to get down on bended knee and ask the Lord for some serious strength and courage.  I am going to ask Him for wisdom.  I am going to ask Him for love.  I am going to ask Him for words to crck the shell of angst between us. Then, I am going to go and talk to my friend.  I am going to ask straight out...what is happening here?

We love this family.  They have been with us through so many things.  I cannot fathom not having them in our lives.  They were there for us when we first became believers.  They answered questions and they patiently guided us through ups and downs.  I, for one, am not going to lie down and watch as the enemy destroys our relationship.  I am going to fight.

So, if you happen upon this blog today and you are a believer and the Lord compells you...would you please pray for me?  I am not very good at slaying dragons...praise the Lord, He has given me armor to protect me and help me defeat the enemy.  Please pray that I will win this battle.

If Wishes Were Fishes...

I wish that I was a godly woman of great encouragment to others. I wish that I knew intuitively, how to be a great hostess. I wish I was a woman whose home knew no strangers. I'm not, though...and we live far enough out of town and in the opposite direction of every one else, that no one wants to come out here to just "stop by" for a visit. This, compounded by the fact that I am rather shy, makes hospitality an act of stepping forth from the ole comfort zone. As for the encouragement part...well, I am one of those people who thinks of the right thing to say 2 or three days later.  I try to be a good listener, though.  If I tried to pinpoint a specific "gift" that I have...well, listening would be it.

The thing that is great about listening is that you tend to watch people also.  By doing so, I have actually been learning quite a bit from a few of the ladies around me who are blessed with the gifts that I do no have.  These gifts may not come naturally, but, some of them can be learned.  Take hospitality for instance...I have a wonderful friend who is just a natural.  Even if she is just serving Mac-n-cheese, you feel like the guest of honor at a royal banquet.  She has everything set out, just so. There are candles, sometimes soft music, and she serves tea in beautiful cups that she has collected, if there is a wait for the meal. Several years back she tried to encourage some of us to be a bit more hospitable.  I began to shake. How would I do it?  What would I serve? What if they wanted to TALK or something?!? Then, I looked to my friend's example. Well, I do not have the lovely collection of pretty tea cups and saucers and I often forget to ask my guest(s) if they would like any refreshment, but, I do have a godly example set before me by my friend.  She has challenged me to be more courageous, hospitable, and transparent as a Christian.  I am learning from her, whether she knows it or not, and I try to imitate many of the examples that she has placed before me.  I figure that someday I will find my own rythmn and such, but, for now...I am learning all that I can.  Thank you, Julianne.

As for learning to be an encouragement to others...well, I am working on that.  I have shortened my response delay time to about 18 hours...but, it is getting better and well, God is not done with me yet.

God bless you all!

Well, it has been a mighty long time and MUCH has happened since last I wrote. To start off, we miscarried baby #5. He was brought into this world at a gestational age of 12 weeks. We named him Abram Woods. He was tiny and beautiful and is now in the arms of our Savior. We have also lost baby #6. We will not know whether this baby was a girl or a boy until we are called Home by our Heavenly Father. HOWEVER, we have officially gained a daughter!! Our dear girl, Faith, was officaially made our daughter on April 27th. She has been such a help to me and I thank God that He sent her to us. She is a wonderul daughter. I still have much to learn about being a mama...especially to a teenager! Most people get to grow into this role...we jumped into it--heart first! She and I are discovering all sorts of interesting things about ourselves...like, we both have control issues when we are working in the kitchen. We do things differently and like it our way...what can I say? Like mother, like daughter! I love her. We shall see if I can manage to keep up with this, this time...I really do enjoy it. It is a soothing balm in a way. God bless you all...whoever you may be.

Hiya!

Just a Post to let you know we are alive. I intend o n trying to write more but unfortunatly there is probably no one who knows as we have not updated this thing for so long. Just announcing that in aug/sep we should be having another child....#5. Otherwise the progress of this band of pilgrims goes fairly well. we slog through the valleys and rapture in the peaks
Glory to God
Trust

Faith is home to stay

My Steelhead caught on the Grande Ronde river
Trust and Obey
Our Daughter Faiths Puppy " Matilda" staring in the Kitchen window atop the snow burm
Goofy lil Blessing
A pic of the Ronde coming down the Rattlesnake Grade

The most exciting news we have had for awhile-Our Girl Faith is with us full time now as we have been officially made Foster Parents. We will be trying to solidify our position with her by getting her adopted into the family. It should take several months to complete so prayer would be good.
Trust has come back from His annual fishing trip with a couple friends from college. It was a pretty good trip. Success in the fishing and good time away from work where stress has seemed to be on the increase.
IN addition we have heard from some friends we have not heard from in awhile. Congrats to M & R for the new baby boy, and hello to J.B. who does not live that far from Trust and Obey at all.
I will leave with some more of our growing band of Pilgrims. We are 6 now in total, Our Lord is so Good to us.

Trust, Obey, Faith, Hopeful, Loyal, & Blessing

Just a few photos

I could not help myself, If you look close Blessing is Barfing
Loyal is just to much fun
What a good boy
I had a photo of our newest addition ( hopefully ) but i think it wiser to wait a little before we introduce her to the world

Love Trust, Obey, Hopefull , Loyal, Blessing and Gracefull ( alt name #2 )

Better than Bonanza!

It really is...better than Bonanza...What?! you might ask. What could possibly be better than Bonanza? God. Jesus. The Holy Spirit. His mighty plan. He has a plan for all of us. It's really hard to see sometimes. Sometimes we play dumb and look around saying,"who? me?" But not this time. Nope, sometimes it's a neon sign flashing brightly before our eyes. Trust and I are entering into an amazing adventure that seems clearly set before us by God.

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our next child! Our home is abuzz with the sounds of preparations being made...literally. We are building an addition, expanding our house so that we might expand our home. Our next child is a beautiful blue eyed blond. She's 14...occasionally boy crazy and likes to get her way, we've been told/warned. We will call her Faith.

Our Faith caught our hearts, I think, some time ago. However, during that time we didn't know it. We tried to encourage her as we watched her discover the Lord and all His blessings. We've watched her bloom slowly under the careful care and cultivation of our loving pastor and his family. We've watched as careless handling damaged our beautiful flower (not the pastor...someone else.)

Then one night, Trust looked at me and I looked at him and we knew. She's our daughter and she needs to come home with us.

Well, that's easier said than done...but not impossible. We have to become foster parents first. We have to take classes, have FBI background checks done, and fill out lots of forms. Our home will have to be approved by the State. It's all kind of a pain (mostly because we're impatient!), but, Faith is more than worth it! The Lord has placed her in our hearts. She's there to stay. No matter what she does or what she says or how she acts...she's our daughter. I hope that she knows that we will fight for her.

Mercy is 14. I think that she sincerely wants to focus on her Lord and Savior. Everything is new to her! It will be exciting to watch her grow in the love of our Lord. Trust and I are excited to bring her into our family. Her little brothers-to-be already refer to her as sister and cry when she has to leave. We want to bless her with a family who loves her unconditionally. We want to offer her a stable, loving home where she can feel safe. A place to seek refuge if she needs it.

I'm tired. It's very late. I have babbled on long enough.
Good night and God bless

Long time, no post...

Well, our intention to keep this blog up and running...and up to date, has fallen by the wayside. It has been 4 months since our last post and many things have happened. The best and greatest is that our sweet little Blessing was born mid August! Yes, she was due August 2nd, but the Lord's timing is perfect. Even at 2 weeks + overdue she was only 6lbs. 13 oz. Had she been born on her due date or had she been delivered by scheduled c-section as originally planned, she would have been much smaller. We tried the VBAC but alas to no avail. The Lord had other plans for me.

I started to labor on a Friday at about 11:30 a.m. . That evening we drove up to the birthing center. At about midnight or so my water broke...but we didn't realize that it had, as there wasn't really any fluid. When my midwife came in that morning to check me she realized what had happened and that there was a lot of meconium present. Meconium in utero, if you don't know, is caused generally when a baby is under stress in the womb and passes a bowel movement. Meconium is the bowel movement...it's the yucky tar-ish stuff that babies pass until mama's milk comes in and flushes it out. Looking at the evidence, our little girl had been in it for several days. It was very thick and yucky. My midwife gave me 2 hours to show some progress in my labor. She said if there wasn't any progress we would have to look at our other options. Other options really meant c-section.

Well, 2 hours passed and nada...no progress. Inga, my midwife, left the room to go make a phone call to the hospital in C'dA. Now, here is where God's hand is so clearly evident!! At this time, my friend, doctor, and sister in Christ, Doctor B. was looking for a number on her caller ID. She couldn't find it, and never did. Every time she scrolled through, though, our pastor's cell number would catch her eye. She thought maybe she would give a call and see how my labor was going...I failed to mention that he and his wife were with us, lending moral and spiritual support!

My understanding is that she called just as Inga was going downstairs to call the hospital. Once on the phone, Pastor asked Dr. B if she would be able to do a c-section that day. She said that she would make some calls and get right back with him.

Imagine my surprise (and delight) when Inga came up to ask me if I would like to go back to home town and have Dr. B do my surgery!!!

Although I was saddened by the fact that I would not be able to deliver naturally, I was sooo grateful that the Lord had provided me with the opportunity to be surrounded by my family in Christ even while "under the knife."

I have to admit that there was a period there where I was fighting with myself and my emotions. I had wanted this so badly...but I wanted to be an obedient daughter and not fight my Father. He knows what is best for me...so much more than I do. I really wanted to glorify Him...but, I had this struggle within myself because I wasn't getting what I wanted...I felt like I was 2 years old again. But, I digress...

Anyway, the surgery went on and our little Blessing was born at 2:22 p.m. on Saturday. God is so good! He placed His mighty hands on our little girl and kept her safe through the delivery. He kept her from asperating (that might be spelled wrong) any of the meconium, and drawing it into her lungs. He kept her safe in my womb and free from the infection that we found out later had been spreading through the placenta. He is so good and soo faithful!

God has also blessed me with a nearly painless recovery!
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL FOLKS!!

At 5 weeks old, our lil' Blessing came down with an unexplainable fever of 102.2. After running several tests to rule out things like a urinary tract infection, Dr. B decided to do a spinal tap to culture for menengitis. Gentle though they were, and try though they might the doctors had to stick our little girl 6 times before they were able to get a sample. There is nothing worse than standing by listening to your tiny baby scream in pain and not be able to do anything, including comfort her. The samples were contaminated by blood so preliminary tests were ruled null and void. We had to wait for the culture. Three days minimum in the hospital and hooked to an IV pumping antibiotics into a very tiny body.
The folks in our neck of the woods are amazing. Trust's boss told him to take whatever time he needed so that he could be at home with the boys while I was in the hospital with Blessing. You should understand that this had the potential of being 4-5 weeks if Blessing did in fact have menengitis.
Our Christian brothers and sisters rallied around us, not only in prayer but also coming to see us at the hospital and holding Blessing while Trust and I got a bite to eat or I got out and stretched my legs. Being confined in a quarentine room in a hospital is like being a prisoner in solitary confinement. Except you get a TV. I was reintroduced to TV at this time and am very thankful that we don't have that poison in our home. Even the commercials are revolting! We have a television set to watch movies if we'd like...but no stations. Again, I digress!
On our fourth afternoon in the hospital Blessing's IV popped out of her arm. The nurse looked at the sight and said it looked fine. They decided not to put a new one in right away. A half an hour later the doctor came in to tell me we were free to go! hmmmm.... might the Lord have been telling me something? I don't know. But it sure seemed like it!
I got on the phone to call me husband...I couldn't find him! Not anywhere! I was packed--ready to go home--NOW!! And I couldn't find him!
I was grabbing everything together and getting ready to lug everything into the waiting room when the door opened. There stood my knight in dusty Carharts! I love my husband. I missed my husband. And there he was! My heart leapt and I nearly burst into tears!
And what did I say to him? I love you? I've missed you? We can finally be a family, together at home again? Nope.
"Where have you been?!" I accused,"I've been trying to find you for the last 45 minutes!"
What a wife! Evidently, the Lord needs to work on my mouth.
The point of this story is this: God is good. All the time. Would He still be good if my baby had been ill with menengitis? Of course. I don't understand the why's and wherefor's of God. I don't need to. He is faithful. He is true. He is also wrathful and just. He is God. I love Him. I trust Him. I only wish to praise and glorify His name. He is so good to such a yucky little sinner like me...and He loves me even though I'm a yucky little sinner.
May the Blood of Christ cover you.
Love to all,
Obey

Living on the Edge

Hopeful and Loyal at the new used organ that we got from some friends for free. The edge comes in on the increase in noise pollution in the house
Love you all

June 10 update!

Onward Christian Soldier! Hopeful and Oliver take on a crusade against the Saracens.

Hopeful and Matilda Chasin Bubbles on a sunday afternoon

Good natured Loyal with matilda and little car in the back ground.
An actual still photo of Matilda!
Just a nice shot of the spring flowers in the front field. Its really beautiful...then all the noxious weeds come into bloom and its not so great.

The Theology of Children

What a fancy way to say: what does God say about Children in His Word. This has been a topic that has been on our mind ALOT lately. The questions we had to ask were: how many, how often, with what attitude. We have a wife who has had 2 c sections who desperatly does not want another but is commited to doing both her husbands and especially her Lords will. Her husband would like nothing better than say: C section from here on out baby! But he realises his weakness in regards to listening to Medical science and paying attention to it. His wife would like to give V backs a chance in a safe hospital environment. Wanting to please my wife and trust in our lord, I am willing to move forward in a controlled manner and give V backs a chance...just on the possibility that we are not done having children but are in fact intended to have quite a few more.

With that said we have given away the obvious conclusin that we saw in scripture. God opens and closes the womb. Children are precious in his sight and we are told to be fruitful. There is also they parable of the talents or menas. How many gifts and responsibilities will our Father give me? What will I do with those gifts and how will they profit Him to His Glory. That is why we have indeed decided that now is not the time to seek a vasectomy or tubal ligation. My wife has been gifted with fertility in a time when so many around me are having trouble concieving. What would it be if I turned aside what they so desperatly desire. Our children are a treasure of Love and effort. Given by Our God and Father to the Glory of His Son Jesus, through the working and indwelling of His Holy Spirit in us. I could collect rifles and fishing gear have a nice place and be able to retire at a ripe age with a functioning body. No, I would rather wear this weak vessel out in service to Him and my Family.

Please pray as we look into how we may have a V-Back birth. To help me fight the fear of losing my precious wife in child birth. We both feel good about the decision to have as many children as He wants. I am struggling to feel good about defying doctors ( who i have listened to my whole life ) who state your "numbers" and without a doubt would rather schedule your delivery than wait to do it naturally. My wife is much braver than I and certainly more confident in alternative medicine.

Much continues to change in who we are, where God wants us to be.

Maranatha!
Trust

A good book

Just thought I would make mention of an excellent book:
Where the Red fern Grows. I have not read a piece of fiction like this in a long time ... now some more photos....

The Boys...............



Me getting mauled by the naughty puppy while oliver ignores her..sorry cannot figure out how not to underline stuff

whats happening latley: for our single fan

Hello all ( haha )
What has been happening: I have been planting trees ( or supervising ). Possibly the most boring job in the world. If it was not for my bible and things going wrong to cause a panic situation I would die from boredom. It is actually tough work b/c you spend all day in a clearcut walking and digging and watching etc etc. Hopeful and Loyal are doing well. As is my lovely bride. I have been trying to get her to come on and post, but it seems difficult to tear her away from 2 screaming children hahahah.


Some big news: we have a new addition to the family:


Meet Matilda! She is 1/2 anatolian shepard and 1/2 ??????. ?????? means that we could buy her for 50$ instead of the normal 700- 1000$ for a 100% anatolian. We are happy with our little girl who could grow quite big.Loyal is growing big and is starting to use some sign language.
Hopeful is Hopeful, trucks cars, horses with barns on fire ( reference : Black Beauty ) are on his brain as well as a dramatic increase in energy that comes with being a little boy! Amen to that!
With our Saviors Love,
Trust

The beginning of critical thinking.

I am going to share something a little personal. Tonight as I lay tucking the boys into bed...i had...well some pretty bad gas. So Hopeful ever on the " watch " caught some bad odor and declared " Loyal pooped". I naturally laughed and said no Loyal did'nt poop. He stopped looked for a second and said " Poppa pooped " I couldnt help but laugh pretty hard. Its amazing to see the wheels clicking and the wonderful development of our children. Loyal is definatly understanding most of what we tell him and Lord bless him the little sinner is actively rebeling.
I would just ask for your prayers ( any who do read this ) my wife is off to visit her folks and swing by mine later, all by her lonesome pregnant with 2 kids. But with the help of a portable DVD from a friend I am hoping travel will be a breeze for her.
We are putting our Jeep up for sale as we have just bought a Black suburban we are nick naming the Dark Ark. In our typical nutty christian way-everything refers to our Lord and what we are about in some way.
Love you
Trust

We have decided on a girls name

Since we have had no input we have decided to name our little girl Iliene Dover.

Apple???

Well Ultra sound is done. Turns out the baby is progressing very nicely. As my wife likes to say there is no stem on the apple so it turns out we MOST probably have a girl. Any one have any suggestions for a name????? pipe up on the comments if you have one that you think would fit our family personality. Please pray for a healthy little girl. I am starting to really look forward to a child that I treat differently and treats me differently. Instead of tackling me, standing on my chest and face I will have a sweet little girl i get to cuddle and love on, who will be Mama's constant companion and protege on being a Godly woman and wife to some very blessed young man someday.
Lords Blessings to you all who come and visit and even those who don't

Well here we are in March..I am spending the day home, because I have the hacking crud. So i thought I would update the ol blog.

Life has been getting back to what I would call normal. I went to a preaching conference and learned that the Holy Spirit utilizes sound bites/ the 2 parts of "ideas"/ and imagery to grab ahold of the audience. In fact if the Spirit does not grab them within 20 seconds in the intro they are lost to the boredom of a lecture as opposed to a soul winning sermon. I was encouraged in alot of ways but was also dissapointed in the worldly way in which sermons are approached. I think any subject spoken with conviction and passion for the Lord would reflect in an attentive audience.

Prior to the conference I had struggled quite a bit. I allowed Stress and work situations to affect my walk with God. It compromised my relationship with my wife, who has stayed ever faithful, by making nice at a moody and irratible Papa. I often felt like I had turned my back upon my God and Father. But in the end Gods timing is always perfect. I cannot see the total end result other than to realize my shortcomings and rely upon him a little more.

Went and saw our cousin get married. He was in his early 40's and has lived a life of training race horses. It was a true pleasure to see him find a woman who seems to suit him so well. We had the opportunity to see my sister and brother in law. They will be moving back up to the NW and he will be deployed to Iraq as a doctor within a helicopter battalion. We pray that Our Lords hand is upon him there and come what may, we will find Joy within His will.

I have been reading Doug Wilsons Future Men book. A convicting book on how we should raise our young boys into honoring brave and gentle Men. The Japanese had a similar idea in their warrior poets. As did the knights in days gone by. Chivalorous behavior, Men who would sacrifice all for the women in their lives. As I look into it I see and appreciate the beauty of a Man dedicated to the precious gem that God gave him. Dedicated to treating her with respect, honor, and compassion. God calls us as Men to lift our women up, we are responsible for their improvement. To teach them to Love our Lord, to show Gods love mercy and sacrifice to our wives by leading that example. To teach our sons these values of worth and esteem. To at one moment caress our wife and kiss our children and then face a bully.

It is fantastic to see that our God is a God not only of Love...but strength as well. Compromise is not a word associated with Jesus. He not once failed in his path to the cross. He not once stumbled. The burden was exhausting and immense, perhaps terrifying? but unflagging he continued as HE PLANNED and completed it. So we to are to present a defense. A standard for our sons and daughters and they will see it. Unflagging, uncompromising truth. Gods word. Uncompromising life. It is a high wall to set before me and you. It will be difficult and success will come through Christ. denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily. As our Lord said " He who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God" Not a whole lot to compromise there.

winter blews

this winter is really long
I am gettin kind of tired of it.