Has it been so long?

I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged!

I figured it was time for an update :)  Hunny is doing well I am happy to report.  It was a long 5 day stint in the hospital with severe reactions to meds :(  He went cold turkey when we got home, had a few challenges, but he's moving along.  We just had his two week, post-op, appointment and doc gave a big thumbs up!

The walking program consists of starting with 10 minutes a day.  We walked some today and he's sooo sore!  We will start with 5 minutes tomorrow I think.  By the time his  next appointment is here, a month away, he is to be walking 30 minutes every day.  Even if it's 15 in the morning and 15 in the evening.  Hard to believe that it's that slow, huh?  It's going to take time I guess.

One thing I have to confess too.... I was prepared to get very frustrated having to care for a grown man.  I can't tell you how AMAZING our God is!  I have found an even GREATER love for my husband than I had before :D  Isn't God FANTASTIC?!?!

There is always hope, peace and joy.  In every situation, a silver lining.  I pray this blog finds you seeking that out in whatever you may be facing this very minute.

Artichoke hearts and a cute little pair of red shoes...

These two simple items may not drum up the word "hope" for you but for some, they are the pure essence of it.

My Friday's consist of several things.  Getting up at the crack of dawn, well, shortly there after  (this is a miracle for those that truly know me).  Getting two children dressed, fed, lunches made, books together, water bottles filled,  myself dressed, hopefully fed and out the door.  We are part of a home school group called "HEART Club", Home Educators Activities for Righteous Training.  It is full of wonderful women that love the Lord and allow Him to use them anyway He can.

HEART Club consists of multiple hours in which we have PE, two class hours and now an optional "outdoor" class, graciously offered by the place sponsoring us this year, Camp Peniel.  It's a wonderful Christian camp in a BEAUTIFUL location in the hill country.  It's farther away from home (meaning I have to rise and shine much earlier) but sooo worth it.  It was by God's design and purpose we had to change locations.  I complained inwardly at first, I mean let's be honest, who wants to get up that early?!?  But now.... NO complaints outta this momma!

One of the things that was introduced last year was a class for the moms :)  Normally we are in a room, either as the teacher or a helper.  Now during one of the class hours we get the chance to be edified and blessed.  This Friday was no exception.

It can get heavy sometimes.  We mom's carry many loads and  it's wonderful to have someone come along side you and offer aide.  This class is exactly that.  Individual women, same heart, sharing Jesus and carrying each others burdens.

This particular Friday was going to be a light-hearted time.  We played the "Un-game".  It's not a competition, just answering questions and learning about one another.  One of the ladies read her question and in thinking and hearing her response, I knew immediately I had to blog about this.  Her question read, "I know God loves me because_________________."  As she answered each woman around the circle was able to share as well.  One sweet friend mentioned something that I'm sure many of us have experienced but must continually be reminded of.

There was a time in this woman's life where things were so difficult that they couldn't afford groceries.  It's a hard place to be.  A very humbling place to be.  She loved artichoke hearts and spotted them on the grocery aisle shelf.  She was with her mother-in-law (who was lovingly purchasing groceries for them) when she stopped and made a profound statement.  "One day, my pantry will be full of those little jars."  We all know, when you can't buy milk, eggs and bread, you DON'T purchase luxury items like artichoke hearts.

The next day she came home to find a bag of groceries on the kitchen table.  Within the contents of that package, she discovered a jar of these delicacies.  She questioned her husband about the possibility of her mother-in-law having dropped them off.  He stated that someone from the church had brought the bag by and left it for them.  God gave her a glimpse of hope.  A moment in time where He reached down, put His arms around her and said, "I love you, and I care about you more than you know".  It's those moments when we realize that if He cares enough to give us a jar of artichoke hearts, why would He not care about the bigger things?

For some of us, it's artichoke hearts, for some it's the $5 you find at the bottom of an old purse.  For some, it's finding a pair of cute little red shoes that fit like a glove after searching and searching and not being able to find a single pair anywhere.  It's also when you find those cute little red shoes at a thrift store for only $2 and then remember that you have a credit at said store and they are yours... free of charge.

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:13

Simple Treasure....

For those of you that don't know me, I am a mommy of three fabulous kids!

My daughter, Hannah, is soon to be 16, driving and headed to vet school. She is amazing! A true testimony to God's favor and goodness. She is incredibly bright, unbelievably smart (nothing less than A's both years of HS so far), and a blast to hang out with. She is stunningly beautiful (I think all my kids got their good looks from the hubby and smarts from me right, LOL!?)

My son, Andrew, is fantastically sweet. Eleven years old and has already skipped a grade. A best friend to many, precious beyond words, a mommy's delight. Freckled and always ready with a hug and a kiss. He's a talented drummer, loves guitar and piano, and is also very scientific. He loves to make lists, loves to dissect anything from bugs to vacuums. His sense of humor keeps us all in stitches!

My youngest, Emily, (Heaven help!!!!) just turned 10 but is going on 21. Gorgeous and cute as a button! Drama queen to the max, and has the long hair to add emphasis to ANY emotion she may be experiencing at the time. She LOVES babies and little ones. So much so that she would rather hang out with them for hours than do anything else with anyone else. She has even been paid for watching the neighbors great granddaughter while grandma recouped from a headache in the other room. She has incredible fashion sense and we ALL sense we're in for it when she gets older and can wear makeup. She is a leader to a fault (just ask her older brother) and hasn't a shy bone in her body. She just recently played the lead role in our end-of-the-year home school program and did a FABULOUS job!

You may wonder why I am telling you about my precious kiddos. They are one of the most important parts of this blog. I must lay the foundation for the most unbelievable story I'm certain I'll ever tell. If you have read my previous blog, you know about the current situation we have found ourselves in. Indescribably the most unreal moment of my life. Probably the closest to a Hollywood action scene I will ever be a part of. If you haven't read about the burning of the van, you must do so now, for this next blog is a continuation of that most implausible turn of events.

The saga continues......

The van is now quite the metal sculpture, gracing my front lawn. We have engrossed and entertained the neighborhood with our telling and retelling of the horrific ordeal. The well-wishes, hugs and offers of vehicles to borrow have been many and truly appreciated. But, the most incredible thing about this entire experience is the simple treasure we found amongst the rubble.

We decided to pick through the ashy remains inside the van, hoping to find something we believe may have been lost. We found the skeletons of our favorite umbrellas, the shards of glass and blobs of melted alloy. We pulled back the chunks of asphalt which the tow company so lovingly shoveled into the trunk area of my dodge, only to find shreds of pink and denim, fluff and plastic. All of which were meant to find their way to the consignment shop in hopes of funding next years school clothes. Nothing could have surprised us more when we discovered what lay underneath the seat where my children rode for the last 10years of "the van's" life.

Bibles. Four Bibles to be exact. ALL of which we were eventually able to open. Only to discover they had not burned all the way through. These Bibles were directly over the fuel tank. They should have been incinerated. We have been able to salvage 3 of them, the 4th was pretty much sticking to the bottom of the car and accompanying it to it's final resting place. The first of these discoveries was the most profound and the one in which this blog centers.

I was 10 years old when I earned this particular Bible. It was beautiful. A cream colored cover, with a photo of a gentle, loving Jesus on the cover. His expression was so tender while He sat, holding several children. I, of course, would often imagine myself as one of these precious little ones. Especially when I got into trouble :) This Bible was the most costly item I could have earned with my points from Sunday school. I worked so hard on my scripture memorization, bringing friends, always there rain or shine, hoping to earn enough before someone else was able to. I finally did it! It was mine. I loved that Bible! That Bible encouraged me to set up the same point system 25 years later at our own church for the elementary aged children. My youngest daughter, Emily, found a love for that Bible just as I had and she wanted to use it when we would go to church. Despite it's frailty, that Bible held up well and stayed in the van, awaiting Sunday mornings, in it's new pink, floral cover. Emily used it every Sunday and earned her own points. Unfortunately, this Bible was in the van when it perished.

Moving through the grieving process of losing the van, we felt the need to see what had been lost. Don't get me wrong, we knew how incredibly blessed we were. I had not perished, the children had not been with me, the Lord had me surrounded by amazing friends immediately after the fire started, houses were spared, my camera and several other precious things (including one of the kids Bibles AND dessert) had been spared. Life was good and we knew it. There's just something about having closure on everything. This was big.

I was poking around the ashes, looking specifically for something my son may have had in the van. It was a notebook. One that he had been writing in ever since he could do so. He LOVED lists. He had lists of numbers, lists of skateboard brands, lists of cars, alphabets (different languages), animals, illnesses (the way he tried to spell pneumonia was soooo precious!). You name it, he made a list of it. This was priceless. I wanted any piece of it I could salvage. It wasn't found. I am still praying that it is somewhere in his room, buried under a mountain of toys, not in that van under a mountain of ash and metal.

I noticed several "book" type items under the kids seat. Knowing that they were most likely Bibles, but really hoping to find the notebook, I gingerly stepped up into the van and attempted to reach through the exposed wires and open the first book. I couldn't believe my eyes!!! It was the Bible. My Bible! The page I opened to was almost in perfect condition, and the picture BLEW my mind!

In this Bible, the pictures were not in the same section as the story. I always thought that was strange. The right side of the section held the picture. It was of Jesus holding three children. This alone stopped me in my tracks. As tears spilled down my cheeks, I began to notice something about the children that were sitting with Him. The eldest was a young girl, long blondish-brown hair. She was standing in front of Jesus, staring into His eyes with rapt attention. The second oldest was a boy! He was sitting on Jesus' left knee, Jesus' arm wrapped around him. He had darker brown hair and was completely engaged, watching the third child. This child was a baby with sandy brown hair. She was as cute as a button, playing with Jesus' string on His robe. Jesus was looking upon this little one with such a look of love and joy. THESE were MY CHILDREN! They were safe! Safe in His arms. SAFE! I stood there for the longest time, no words, only sobs. I knew at that moment, I needed that Bible! I didn't care what it took, I had to get it out of the rubble. It's home needed to be with us, not at a salvage yard. I started to inspect the area to figure out the best way to retrieve it. It wasn't an easy task. The cover had melted to the floor of the van and I was so worried I would ruin the Bible trying to get it out. I decided to separate as much of the remains from the outer part as I could. It was then that I noticed the scripture on the opposite page. That did it!

As I said before, the pictures in this Bible weren't placed in correlation with the stories that they represented. They were basically scattered throughout the Word. The section of scripture where this particular picture was placed was in Jeremiah. No, not Jeremiah 29:11, that would be too easy, too general, too overused. It was Jeremiah 30:18-20. This scripture jumped out from the page at me. It was the part that was least touched by the flames. It was set aside in it's own section. It was meant for me. It was meant for US!

 " This is what the Lord says: 'I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents

and have compassion on his dwellings;

the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,

and the palace will stand in its proper place.

19 From them will come songs of thanksgiving

and the sound of rejoicing.

I will add to their numbers,

and they will not be decreased;

I will bring them honor,

and they will not be disdained.

20 Their children will be as in days of old,

and their community will be established before me;

I will punish all who oppress them.

WHAT A PROMISE!!!!!!! We salvaged the Bible, it will reside in a shadow box in our home. A perfect reminder of God's goodness and grace, His salvation, His provision, His love and protection. He is a good God. A wonderful God. An AMAZING God! I don't deserve His love, I should have lost everything, if not myself in that fire. He knew it would happen. He made sure my precious children weren't there. He made sure I would be taken care of. He wrapped me in love and prayer IMMEDIATELY after those flames started. He reminded me to save the camera AND dessert. He will provide a better vehicle for us. HE IS WHO I LIVE FOR! If you don't know Him, you need to..... NOW! He is waiting for you. Accept Him today. 

Tomorrow may be too late.