Please Pray with Me

for the husband/father who lost his wife and 2 children in a house fire late last night.

We've known this family all our lives. They are from Flora,Indiana, (where Jerald was from).

Brian & Leah Wagoner had a son, Harrison (almost 8) and a daughter, Sophia (4). Brian's dad was our dentist for many years and I worked with Leah's mother for several years.

Indiana had a very severe electrical storm last night which they believe struck the house and started a fire. Leah and both children died in the fire. Brian's hands were burned, but not too bad. They are strong Christians, but how...how is Brian supposed to go on? I guess I'm showing how weak my faith really is, but why? I know in my head that God is sovereign and good, but my heart still can't understand why God wants it to be this way. I hurt so much for the grandparents/parents, Brian, their friends...

And so, even though you don't know this family, would you still remember to pray for them? please?

Mother's Day Weekend

Every year my kids get me something for Mother's Day even though I insist that they shouldn't. This year it was a beautiful diamond bracelet which I love, but I really mean it when I say it is enough to have 5 beautiful children who love Jesus and have submitted their hearts to His leadership. For a mother to know that her children are walking with the Lord is gift enough.

We had a fun and busy weekend with my family. As a Christmas gift, my mom pays for the whole family (I think there were 40+ this year) to go to a state park in Indiana for the weekend. The last two years we have went to Pokagon and stayed in the inn. It's a fun time for the kids to be together and the adults to catch up.

On Sunday, we helped some friends set up for their daughter's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, full of God's goodness and love. The couple had saved their first kiss for this special day. I love weddings that glorify Christ; they always make me want to go home and pay more attention to the vows I made on my wedding day.

A Happy belated Mother's Day wish to all you moms!

Frustration

There are thoughts running around in my head that are driving me crazy, but I can't seem to be able to sit down, corral them together and write something that would make sense. It's making me a bit frustrated, but I'm thinking that maybe God knows my heart does not have the right attitude about one aspect of my thoughts. And so, I will wait and pray and renew my mind. God may give me permission and then again, He may not.

Never Mind, Lord

Sometimes I wonder if I'm like the man who was driving down the street in a panic because he had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking space. Looking up to heaven, he said, "Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking space, I promise to go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up swearing."
Miraculously, a spot opened right in front of the building.
The man looked up and said, "Never mind. I found one."

I pray and seek the face of God; He faithfully answers and I act like it was my own doing.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding". Prov. 3:5

Recommended Reading

Not much time to blog these days what with college plans, wedding plans, therapy visits plus the usual to keep our home running smoothly. We leave at 6:20a on Wednesday to take Nicole to LA to visit Azusa Pacific University.

I know it's a little odd to recommend my own daughter's blog, but sometimes my kids' wisdom can blow me away. It's definitely worth reading and sharing with your own daughters. So, check this out.

Plans

"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."- Jer. 29:11-13

"I know the plans that I have for you" versus "I know the plans that I have scheduled in my planner". Last week taught me that there is a vast difference between the two. The best of planning on my part may not always line up with the best God has for me.

My schedule for last week:
~Monday- skating lessons for Brooke from 2:30-4:45
~Tuesday- skating at 2:15
~Wednesday- Mom's group & errands
~Thursday- Women's study, grocery & errands
~Friday- prepare meal for ADDICT ministries

God's schedule for last week:
~Monday- skating 2:30-4:00
~Tuesday- no skating
~Wednesday- Mom's group and emergency room
~Thursday- Emergency room and surgery
~Friday- home & emotionally spent

Monday, Brooke was skating when she fell on the ice and broke her chin open. We decided to try a butterfly bandage rather than stitches. It turned out to be the right decision, although I am the most deficient in the medical aspect of mothering. I hate, hate, hate the idea that my kids might be in pain. I couldn't even watch when they would get their immunizations. Anyway, that pretty much ended skating for that day and it canceled skating for the next day. Her heart was broken because that was the last skating opportunity until June. (They take the ice off for soccer.)

Wednesday morning I went to Mom's group and was almost home when I got a phone call that Colin hurt his hand at work and they were taking him by squad to the hospital. I drove to the farm and got there in time to ride in the ambulance with him to Upper Valley. He was changing a tire on a trailer when the jack slipped out. The trailer fell on his right hand causing the u-bolt that secures the axle to go completely through his hand about 3/4" below the knuckle on the index finger. He yelled for help while jacking the trailer up with his left hand. (He's my hero!)

After taking xrays, Upper Valley wanted him to go to the Hand & Orthopedic Center at Southview Hospital, so they took him by transport to the ER there. I did very well staying with him the whole time until they needed to numb his hand to cleanse and sanitize the hole where the bolt went through. Jerald got to hold his hand for that one.

The xray showed his knuckle in 4-5 pieces and tendon damage to his index finger. After a MOST miserable night in the ER (the hospital had NO available rooms), they took him for surgery Thursday at noon and he had surgery at 3:00p. The surgeon came out at 4:30 and said they were able to use pins and put the knuckle back together. Here's the miraculous part: all the doctors and the surgeon who looked at the xray said he had tendon damage and if they couldn't repair it, they would have to take a tendon from his wrist and graft it in. After the surgery, the surgeon told us there was no tendon damage. Do I believe in the power of prayer? Absolutely!!

We were back home by 5p Thursday night. Friday, I was emotionally and physically exhausted! We were able to keep the pain controlled with Percocet. Now we are looking at about 6 weeks of occupational therapy twice a week. Yesterday was his first appointment. They removed the surgical dressing, cleaned the hand really well and created a less burdensome splint.

Colin has been the best patient a mom could ask for. He's very undemanding, very patient with me, extremely grateful for everything and anything I do. I have actually enjoyed serving him in this way.

My mom (bless her) fixed my food for the Friday night meal.

Right in the middle of all this, Adam & Heidi got engaged and will be getting married August 1st.

AND, we are taking Nicole to CA in 2 weeks to visit Azusa Pacific University in LA.

This week, as I created my schedule, I did so with a little less boldness and more prayer. I do not know what my life will be like tomorrow. If the LORD wills, I will live and also do this or that. (James 4:14 & 15) I'm trying to appreciate today and the blessings it holds.

I'm reminded every day of Proverbs 19:21- "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD, it will stand".

Family Life

After many months of a "normal" schedule, we've had to rewrite what normal is. The new normal consists of Jerald traveling...a LOT. The LORD has taught me many things about flexibility through experience. I used to get very anxious when my well-thought-out schedule had to be rearranged. It hardly fazes me any more. :)

A month ago Jerald was in Mexico for a few days. That was a little unnerving with the restlessness of the drug cartel. He was quite glad to arrive safely at home. The week after that he was in Las Vegas for 4 days. He's been there several times before and still can't find the fascination that others have for that city. Get this- he had a lady walk up to him as he was going to meet some other guys and ask him if he was alone. The nerve! I asked him if he told her, "No, I carry my wife in my heart everywhere I go." The next week he was in Pennsylvania for a couple days and then he was actually home for a week. Today he is going to Chicago until tomorrow night and next week is California.

For those who always asks just what exactly Jerald does, here's a brief description: He is an electrical engineer for a company (Trimble) in Huber Heights that designs and manufactures GPS and lasers for excavators, pavers, and agricultural use. Jerald is the System Technical Manager for a joint venture with Caterpillar & Trimble. His job is to make sure that the components and the machines are connected properly along with being responsible for making sure that all aspects (like user interface, operation, etc.) are consistent. If you want any more details, you will have to talk to him. :) Needless to say, I think he is one of the smartest people I know!

I was recently asked how I handle him being gone so much. I must say it is definitely easier with the children being older, but I give all the credit to God. I believe that when I support and encourage my husband in the talents God has given him, God will pour out His grace on our family and help us in an extra way when Jerald is gone. My husband loves, loves, loves his job and I am so very grateful for that. I want to be his help mate in this area by blessing him in his work.

On to other family news...the week Jerald was home we took a quick trip to Florida with Nicole to visit Warner University in Lake Wales. We left on Wednesday and got home on Sunday. We did get to spend a few hours on the beach.




The college was a bust, but the trip was not. We enjoyed getting to spend time with just Nicole. She did say, though, that it would be very lonely to be an only child.



































































We are getting excited to see the end of some of the school books. We hope to be wrapped up no later than the end of May. Sometimes I feel it would be so nice to continue through the summer in a couple subjects, but when it gets right down to it, I really enjoy my summer break. (And the kids do, too.)

Lately, I've been doing some sewing for a friend who doesn't sew...things like making a dress for serving in a wedding, making a bridesmaid dress from a size 22 to a size 14 and making 2 pairs of pants into skirts. I'm going to do a little on her bridesmaids dresses for her wedding coming up in May along with making corn salsa for the reception.

Brooke is home again after being in Indiana for 2 weeks. Boy, I miss her when she's gone. Especially when she does things like cook dinner while I sew. Last night she made chicken and vegetable potpie and bread. Wow!

Laina likes to get her school work done so she can get outside as quickly as possible on these nice days. She loves spending time with her cats.













That's a little peak into our lives.