odd behavior

So, a couple of weeks ago Macie had the stomach virus and was up all night vomiting. It was just that one night, but apparently it had quite an affect on her. Several nights later, after she was completely well, she got up about 11 pm and came running in our room terrified of something. It was like she was sick again yet she wasn't. She was just responding in fear to the possibility of being sick again. She was shaking and making no sense with her words. We couldn't figure out what was wrong. She kept apologizing and telling me she loved me. She would settle down and start to fall back asleep then out of nowhere start panicking again. It was bizarre. She was finally able to stay asleep and was perfectly normal the next day. I thought it was night terrors which is something young children get sometimes. She didn't quite fit that criteria. Well since then she has done it once more, basically the same thing only it made even less sense. Last night she woke us up, again around 11p. This time she was in the kitchen with the light on, getting a sheet of copy paper. Jeff got up and went to her and she was scared, but we couldn't figure out why. Hilarious!! She got in bed with us, went to sleep and woke up perfectly fine. This time she doesn't remember doing it. Too funny! We don't know what's going on.

And the roller coaster goes up the hill

The house is showing today!
Now, side note, the situation with the other buyers is weird and not quite over yet.. We don't really quite understand what the deal is but our realtor is movin on getting someone else in there. Our realtor has been such a blessing
So anyway, say a prayer please. One day it will be the one!

God Through My Eyes

I have been a true Christian, surrendered to His lordship, since I was 18 years old. I have learned much about who God is. I have seen Him in the lives of others. I've personally witnessed miracles. I've watched God prove Himself again and again. And I know He doesn't change. I know He still works in the lives of those who love Him and obey His commandments. We are not perfect. We aren't even close, but we do try to obey. We are committed to Him, to serving Him. We do love Him and strive to remain in His will. Because we attempt to be faithful, I know He will remain faithful to us. I know He will carry my nephew and his family, my family through the trial they are experiencing with his health. And I know He will have us in our own home when His timing is perfect.

The contract is void. They didn't get the loan. The house is back on the market. God is good. That's one thing that hasn't changed. He closed the door again, because it wasn't what was abundantly good for us. He is a God of abundance and He has something great in store for us. My faith is based on evidence, not wishes. His goodness is a realization in my life. It is an absolute. That's how I see this. My disappointment is God's appointment!

Catchin' Up

First of all, I'm gonna try to blog more often so I don't have to play catch up each time.



Brannon, my nephew is doing well. He is at home and once again trying to adjust. His incision is healing but the skin is very irritated from all that it has gone through lately. The ileostomy is working well so far since the last surgery. His parents (my sister-mom) are in the stage of trying to figure out the best plan for Brannon in terms of his schooling. The original hope was that he would be able to return to his school like normal and continue his usual daily activities. This does happen for kids who have had similar issues as he. But, it doesn't look like it will work out for him, considering the challenges he has had over and over again. So, they are researching other options, one being homeschooling with us. My sister needs wisdom and discernment. You can imagine how difficult it is to make big decisions for your child. Please pray for her and the rest of the family.

Other things going on in my world:

Sunday School--I still love it! The kids continue to amaze me regularly. We are studying the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, though we are all over the Bible cross referencing. They have been able to search the scriptures from numerous sections of the Bible and it is so refreshing to me to be reminded how complete God's word is. I'm also reminded that we have all we need to do God's will. We have a new heart, as a Christian, and the indwelling Spirit of God which "causes us to walk in His statutes" and "observe His ordinances" Eze. 36:27. It is possible to be obedient to the Lord in all things. I'm trying to convey to them that we always have a choice. The choice is to submit to His Lordship, to obey, or to not obey taking ourselves out of the protection of His sovereignty. I keep reminding them that it is possible to have no regrets, but only if we choose obedience. It is a challenge to me as I struggle with wanting things my way, and in my timing. I laugh at myself when I realize how much wisdom I lack. I pray God's grace never runs out! :)

On another note, but still regarding my SS kids:

Some friends of ours came to visit one weekend recently. The wife is one of my closest friends and she hears me brag on my "spiritual kids" all the time. Her and her husband came to my class that weekend to sorta observe. One of the things I don't usually talk about is how nutty the class is. Often people have commented on how middle schoolers aren't for them, not their area of interests. The Sunday my friends were there my class was pretty typical, in fact, I thought they behaved pretty well for the most part. My friends thought they were crazy! They couldn't believe that I did that (taught them) every week. It wasn't that they did anything wrong, it was just that they ARE a little nutty right now. The thing is, I don't even see it. I don't see disrespect because they question me. I don't see lack of understanding because they have an off the wall answer. I don't see foolishness when they answer wrong. I don't see immaturity when they show their goofiness. What I see is what I hope God sees in me. A searching for the Truth. A need for guidance. A desire for wisdom. And a need for unconditional acceptance.

Also, as I've described to our youth pastor recently, it's not so much middle schoolers that I love. It's these. The ones that I see every Sunday and Wednesday. The ones I spent all of the previous school year with. The ones that I have come to know very well and who know me pretty good. The ones I can call by name. My point is that God has allowed me to love a group of kids in a special way. I don't know why, I just say "thank you" and keep going in hopes not to mess it up. But I have come to understand that God loves all people, but He knows each by name. There's something very special about that, something worth investing in. I am drawn to Him because He knows me and loves me. I think these kids are drawn to me for the same reason. God shows Himself in ways we can't imagine. This is one for me.

Now, in terms of that investing I just mentioned. I'm finding that it is quite easy for me to study and prepare lessons for my class, whether it is ss or dship, but much harder for me to just simply do it for myself. Why is that? It frustrates me that I let the activities of life interrupt my personal growth. If I'm able to put things aside to prepare lessons for the benefit of others, why not for myself. Yes, with each lesson I am drawn closer to my Father, I do grow in my spiritual walk as a result of these, but it is always about other people. I wish I could just sit down with the sole purpose of seeing what God has for me, just me. I don't know if that makes any sense. Maybe some of you who are in teaching roles get it. I just want to go to my Bible because I want to engage with God, not because of the accountability of church. Crazy, I know...

House:
We were suppose to close next Friday, the 30Th. Issues with paperwork have put a kink in things, but we aren't too worried. We will close in mid Feb. as long as no other setbacks happen. We both still feel pretty good about it all.

Another thing worth mentioning:

My kids have great friends. I'm so thankful for the people at Rich Fork and those involved in Classical Conversations (a homeschooling network). Families are raising their kids with Godly convictions and it is evident in their behavior. It is so incredible to have young boys and girls who live as they are being taught. Both my children have numerous choices in who to have over each weekend. If you are reading this and have kids you are in this group I'm referring to. It is just amazing at the network of encouragement and exhortation that God has surrounded us with. Even now as I write this Macie is at a friend's house and Cody has a friend over and both of those families represented by those friends are truly gifts to us. I hope we are impacting others the way our peers are impacting us and I hope our kids are just as bright a light.

Ok, enough said for now!!

Need a little more prayer

Brannon, my nephew is back in the hospital with more complications from the colostomy. Not sure at this point if more surgery is coming. Please pray for him as he continues to struggle through things that most 9 year olds can't imagine.

Family Bowling

Last night we took a little time to do a family activity-bowling. Once you get past the smoke, it's all good. Macie was particularly impressive. Her ball rarely hit the bumper gaurds even though they were there. Xander, our neighbor, went with us. Jeff had a hard time with his knee, but he managed to bowl without falling, or ending up in the ER. So here are some pics of our evening.

By the way: Cody, my 9 year old son, has a blog now called 'Cody in the kitchen'. He likes to cook and wanted to tell others about his recipes. Take a look! You can clink the link to the left under my blog list or go to http://www.codyhudler.blogspot.com/.