tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87402391450028002692024-03-13T15:52:27.565-04:00Glorious HopeRejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-47085598106958649042012-10-02T12:31:00.000-04:002012-10-02T12:31:42.172-04:00Trust<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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The Lord has been doing some major changes in our
lives, teaching us some deep lessons that I would like to share. Up until June the Lord had been teaching us to trust Him in a very
simple way. The bills would come in, they would be paid. He always brought the
work in time. Always. Sometimes the very day something was due we would have no
way of knowing how to pay it but always before the day was over the money was
there to cover it. I finally came to the place of just trusting Him, if an
anxious thought arose it quickly was sent away by the realization that God
always provided for us. Always. Then June rolled around. We sent out our
monthly checks like before and one after the other they were returned because
of “Insufficient funds”. No work, no reprieve, nothing. I was totally shocked.
How could God allow us to arrive at that kind of trust and then BOOM, drop the
bottom out from under us? Had we sinned? Was it a test (for what)? Why??? We
waited and struggled to find enough work to put food on the table as well as
pay some of the bills and the multiple fees associated with an overdrawn bank
account. July, same story. It did not make sense to me, I know God does all
things well, but this just did not add up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Lord revealed to me that I had become angry with God. That sobered
me greatly and made me fall on my face before Him, begging for some sort of
understanding, pleading for peace. I went to my husband for help, asking him
“why?” his answer was so simple, yet so profound. “Even when we don’t
understand, we need to trust the Lord. It is not always going to be easy to
trust Him like it has been but we should trust Him even in the hard times.
Whenever doubt comes in, take it to the Lord right away.” So I began to pray
about that, especially “even in the hard times”. Then the Lord reminded me of
Job. WOW! God allowed everything to be taken from Job, even his children, and
it was still for God’s glory. Job basically answered the same way I
did…paraphrasing... “Why, what have I done? I am innocent.” Yet Elihu rebuked
him and his rebuke now stung me as well…. </div>
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“Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that
God is greater than man. Why doest thou strive against him? For he giveth not
account of any of his matters.” (Job 33:12) and in 34:5. “For Job hath said, I
am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.” V. 10 “…far be it from God,
that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit
iniquity.” V.23. “For he will not lay on man more than right; that he should
enter into judgment with God.” V.29. “When he giveth quietness, who then can
make trouble? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Whether it
be done against a nation, or against a man only:” vs. 31-32. “Surely it is meet
to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: <u>That
which I see not teach thou me</u>: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.”
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The Lord is bringing us into a new level of trust. Up until
now we trusted that He would provide. Now He wants us to trust Him even if He
does not provide. Is our faith conditional? Will we only praise Him when things
go our way? Or will we still trust and praise Him when it seems like everything
is falling apart and we are faced with losing everything? Our dear Lord Jesus
Christ has a plan and purpose in all things that He does and in what He allows
to happen. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Does that mean that everything will go the way we want it to? No. All things
work for our good, even what seems “bad” works for our good. God is bringing glory
to His name and He has many ways of doing that. If teaching us to praise Him
even in the hard times will bring Him more glory, than I rejoice and am very
thankful for this deep lesson He is teaching us! Growth is painful, but oh how
blessed we are that He is willing to allow us to go through painful times that
we can grow through it. Praise Him! Praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!
He is worthy of all praise and honor! Sing to Him, offer a sacrifice of praise,
He is worthy! (Hebrews 13:15)</div>
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Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-85879453625312573262012-09-28T16:21:00.000-04:002012-09-28T16:21:01.750-04:00Life!So much for me posting more often :) Life gets busy and training even one little girl is a great task and responsibility from our Heavenly Father. So the blog can wait...even the dishes can wait if need be, except for the fact that they are part of the training. :) Grace now can stand on a chair beside me and "help" do the dishes, cook, bake, clean. Whatever I am doing I try to include her. It is not always easy and I am by no means doing so all the time or even as much as I would like to, but it really amazes me how much the Lord keeps reminding me..."why are you doing this by yourself?" It also is a great encouragement to see how happy she is when working along side me, she is just bubbling with excitement over being included in real life! Oh how we pray for her that she will come to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ at an early age, that He would save her and bring much glory to His worthy name through her life! We also pray this for our dear little one who is now due in less than a week!<br />
<br />
I have been "nesting" for several weeks now, changing things around in our home with my husbands help....I should rephrase that... Patrick changes things around while I point where I would like them to go. :) He is so wonderful and uncomplaining about my sudden ideas, and usually refines them to a better way of managing our space, or comes up with his own. I am truly blessed to be married to such a great man! We are so excited as we wait to meet our little boy or girl, though I am somewhat nervous about the labor since Grace's was so long. Yet I know the Lord will give me the strength for whatever He allows, I just cannot dwell on it too much, just trust in Him who does all things well.<br />
<br />
Grace loves babies! Every morning she has to greet her three baby dolls with squeals of delight and exclamations of "baby! baby!" She cares for them so lovingly, rocking, singing and changing them. We really look forward to how she will be with her little brother or sister, it will be such fun to watch! I have to run, but here are a few random pictures.....<br />
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<br />Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-64313074865051955642012-04-29T16:04:00.001-04:002012-04-29T16:09:13.069-04:00Snap Shots of our LifeHello everyone it sure has been a long time since I have written anything on here! I do not have much time but want to make a short update...During the past (almost) year my husband stopped building sheds since the company he was working for began to short us large amounts on his paychecks. We started a company as a family hauling all over the US and added many new States to our "been there" list. Lately the Lord has led us to do more local hauls as Grace is growing quickly and it is very hard for her to take long trips now that she is mobile. Though in the past few weeks people have been calling us from all over wanting things hauled and we end up making more than when we were looking for things to ship! We have taken note of the fact that this has happened only after we each (separately) "let go" of our ideas of what God wanted us to do and just let the Lord show us day by day what to do next. We are overcome with the peace He has given us now! No longer are we saying "we need to pay these bills so we have to look for shipments that will meet our needs". We just say "what should we do Lord?" and everything is met without all the worry and stress! I am so thankful that He is so patient and has brought us to this point. Thank you Lord Jesus!!! Our God is faithful and delights to care for His sheep.<br />
We are much closer to moving our mobile home to our property! I can hardly wait for that! and..... <u><b>We are expecting a new little one the beginning of October!!!!</b></u> We are so excited and praising our Lord Jesus for His great blessings on us! I love being a Mommy...no I said that wrong... I LOVE being a Mommy!! There are so many challenges and we are learning so much as Grace grows and learns, I wish I had time to share what the Lord has been teaching us. Our lives seen to be a whirlwind of activity and I am so grateful to our Lord for the quite times He gives us to seek Him. I could not survive otherwise, He is everything we need and indeed everything we have. Praise Him!!!<br />
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I must go now but here are some pictures recapping the year:<br />
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A visit to Wisconsin in October! We were able to share the gospel at the Bayfield Apple Fest</div>
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Grace's first time at Lake Superior</div>
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Enjoying time together! :)</div>
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Grace and Nana!</div>
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Playing with Grandpa!</div>
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With Daddy on the skid loader :)</div>
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October 26th Grace is 7 months old!</div>
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While visiting with family in Colorado Springs, CO in December, they took us to see "The Garden of the Gods" It has a strange name but what a wonderful place to see the beautiful creation of our God!</div>
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Patrick and I at the "Balanced Rock"!</div>
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Grace on the military tank :) </div>
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This tank is the reason we were out West. We hauled it from Ohio to Idaho. It was quite the adventure!</div>
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Patrick and Grace in Yellowstone National Park!</div>
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We did not realize that they close Yellowstone to "tired" vehicles in the winter until we got there and did not get to see much before a park ranger told us we had to leave. It was beautiful though!</div>
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On our way back home we stopped to visit my family again! :) Here is Uncle Michael playing the piano with Grace :)</div>
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Lifting a skid loader out of our truck in Indiana</div>
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Skipping ahead a few months...March 10th 2012... Grace in Birmingham, AL enjoying the warm sunshine</div>
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We hauled this load of flooring down there</div>
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Not so sure about being bare foot on the ground :)</div>
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The warm weather spoiled us, it was so beautiful!</div>
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Patrick and Grace :)</div>
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Back home again, Grace is showing off her teeth :)</div>
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She absolutely loves to read!</div>
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Grace's Birthday! March 26, 2012 It is so hard to believe she is one year old! Can you tell she is enjoying her balloon?! :)</div>
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Best of all Grandpa and Nana were able to make it down for her big day! Thank you Lord Jesus!</div>
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Grandpa points our something of interest</div>
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<b>:)</b></div>
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Too much fun!</div>
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Grace was eating it up!</div>
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Ready for work around the house :)</div>
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Reading with Daddy :)</div>
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We love you so much!!!</div>
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So hard to say goodbye</div>
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Here we are hiking at Mohican Sate Park April 1st</div>
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At the Dam</div>
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That is all for now I hope to update more often... May our dear Lord Jesus be glorified in all that we do and say! Praise Him forever!</div>
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<span id="goog_1435716536"></span><span id="goog_1435716537"></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-92012049938890507782011-07-22T09:11:00.001-04:002011-07-22T17:32:59.352-04:00Flea Market Anyone?<div class="MsoNormal">My husband and I are homeless, well practically. BUT we do own a flea market. Is that news to you? It is to us too. We welcome you all to come on in and pick up as many fleas as you can attract before leaving. We would be happy to share the wealth of our abundance. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To back up a little… we own a dog named Abby, she is a German Shepherd and a real sweet heart if you pass her inspection and criteria. She has one problem, she has fleas (or I should say, had). Now dogs often have fleas and we were not too worried about it. Get some flea stuff and get rid of them, right? At least that’s what I thought. So being a use-the-least-amount-of-chemicals-as-you-can type of person, I decided to use diatomaceous earth which is reported to be a very good flea killer and I have had good success with it in the past. That weekend Patrick and I gave Abby a good long bath, (she hates those) and when she had dried off, I rubbed the DE into her fur. She was completely white and looked quite ridiculous, but hey, at lease she would be rid of the fleas, ha. Since we were about to leave for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that evening for a week of work, I sprinkled the DE all over our house just in case, of the probability, of fleas residing there. We took Abby with us since we had found a hotel that allowed pets. We left with the happy thought that any fleas in the house would certainly cut themselves on the microscopic razor blade sharpness of the diatomaceous earth and would be no more!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">During the week Abby seemed to be quite relieved and feeling much better, so I was very pleased and looked forward to going home and cleaning up the DE all over the floor and being done with it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">……..(Long rabbit trail alert!)…… The Lord has led us to a new job that requires a whole lot of traveling for now. Patrick is building prefab sheds at customers homes, as a subcontractor. He now has a large truck and goose-neck trailer and two employees to work with him. He has to have a DOT (Department of Transportation) number on the truck and in order to drive that with the trailer, he has to have a health certificate. We spend the week in a hotel and come home on the weekends. Traveling is not something we really want to do, but for now this is where the Lord has us and we continue to work towards the goal and vision the Lord has given us of full time ministry. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because of the way Patrick’s work week went, we ended up heading home on Saturday (9<sup>th</sup>) morning around 2:00 am. Patrick was absolutely exhausted from an especially grueling week of work and since we were pulling the goose-neck trailer and I don’t have my health certificate yet, I could not drive for him. So every fifteen to twenty minutes he had to pull over and sleep for fifteen to twenty minutes. We would have slept longer but we had an appointment at 9:00 am that we had to make and which could not be moved. It normally takes about an hour and a half to get to our friends house where we were dropping off the trailer, but it took a whole lot longer than that. Finally we made it and I could take over the driving. By that time I had become very tired and made it only for an hour before having to pull over, but since Patrick had slept for that hour very soundly, he was able to get us to our appointment and we were only a few minutes late. Then we had to get to a Title office to get plates for the truck which were about to expire and come to find out the only one open until noon on Saturday was a good ways away and since we had to leave for Buffalo New York on Sunday there was no other time to get them. So we took off and got there in time to get the plates, praise the Lord! Then our helper, who was riding along with us, told us that the only way he could cash his pay check was at his bank and it was closing at noon…it was quite a long way away! Off we went again and somehow we made it at 12:01 and since they saw him running for the door they let him in. Praise the Lord! Then we still had to drop him off at his home, get our mail and make it to our bank before their 1:00 pm closing time. Whew! ...... (End rabbit trail)….. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We were very thankful to the Lord and relieved when we finally made it home and were ready to get some much needed rest, before getting ready to leave on Sunday for Buffalo NY. I took Grace out of her car seat and was talking to Patrick for a moment as he brought things in from the truck, when I felt something on my leg. Looking down, I saw fleas, what seemed like millions of them, crawling and jumping up my legs!!! I ran out of the house jumping all around brushing them off, it took a little while to get them all off. Patrick grabbed the few things from the house that he had taken in and closed it up. I climbed into the truck and began to cry. It felt like too much, more than I could bear. Yet the Lord was there and He so gently took the burden from us, letting us rest in the knowledge that He knows best and is allowing this for a purpose. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We went to Patrick’s parents who very graciously let us spend the night, feeding us and everything. They are such a blessing to us! Before leaving for Buffalo we bought some house foggers and bombed the house,</div><div class="MsoNormal">chemicals or not we have to get rid of the fleas! We took Abby to our land where she would be safe and cared for. So we went to Buffalo content that the fleas would certainly be dead now. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Home again on the 16<sup>th</sup> we walked into the house to check around, I was probably in there for about one minute when I looked down at my feet and saw my white socks turning black with the tiny things, which for some reason now looked larger than they had before! Again I ran out doing the flea dance. Again we stayed at Patrick’s parents, this time until Tuesday night when we left for Buffalo. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Patrick’s Dad helped us get in contact with an exterminator who told Patrick that the reason the fleas look different this time, is because the fogger we used had birth control in it to supposedly kill the eggs and <b>that</b> sometimes causes the fleas to become <span style="font-size: large;">twice their normal size!</span> He said that he is unable to come do it himself but is sending all the sprays and things that we need to do it ourselves. So…. We will be home next week for a much anticipated break, but we don’t really have a home to go to. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I love being home, I love keeping my home and to have this happen is a great trial for me. Looking through the windows, I can see the rocker, couch, kitchen, etc. all the comforts of what we call home and it makes me cry because I cannot even walk in the door. For some reason the Lord is allowing this to happen, somehow He is using it to shape us more into the image of His Son and He will be glorified. Yet, I must say, it is not fun. Patrick’s family is so sweet and loving to us, I am so thankful to the Lord for them! So many emotions! Yet that must not be my focus, only Jesus. I pray we learn what He wants us to learn through this.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: teal; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">(Mat 6:19-21)</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of </span><i style="color: #3d85c6;">our</i> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">lips giving thanks to his name.</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: teal; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">(Heb 13:15)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Praise Him even when we don’t feel like it!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-19881066813437431442011-07-13T18:35:00.000-04:002011-07-13T18:35:49.017-04:00Home Birth Story: Grace Tabitha<div class="MsoNormal">I promised to post the story of Grace’s birth and now, three months later, here it is!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When my due date on March 10<sup>th</sup> came and went without any signs of things happening I was rather disappointed. On the 8<sup>th</sup> I had four contractions thirteen minutes apart, but they did not return and so we waited. The Braxton Hicks were getting stronger and more frequent but that was it. We visited our chiropractor who found that my pelvis was pinched and something in my hips was out of line, so he did an adjustment on me and sent us home to walk. We had walked for about a mile with me doing some squats now and then, when suddenly I felt her drop. I was so excited and walked home waddling and looking much more pregnant then when we had left home, it was amazing. We were so thankful to the Lord that I had not started labor before that, since our chiropractor said that if I had it would have been a very difficult labor. We waited some more, hoping, but still nothing. At my appointment with my midwife she said that I was dilated to two centimeters but no effacement. I began to do everything I could to go into labor as one week over due came and went. I loved being pregnant but I was so very ready to be done with that part. I really had to turn to the Lord for strength to keep going and waiting, it was very hard to be patient but that was what the Lord wanted to teach us. People were telling me that I would probably go into labor on Saturday the 19<sup>th</sup> because it was a full moon, I was doubtful but wishful as well. : ) So when on that night I began having contractions, first 15 minutes apart and eventually down to 5 minutes apart for several hours, I was very hopeful. My Mom was on the phone with me talking as I walked around and around my kitchen and living room trying to keep things going as my husband slept so he could be rested. They were not hard contractions but enough to stop me in my tracks as I breathed through them, often times squatting, while my Mom helped me time them. Then they petered out and stopped. So I went to bed, disappointed, but still hopeful that things would happen soon. The next morning I began walking again and by late morning the contractions started again. I was thrilled! My sister Bonnie was very excited that I might be having my baby on her birthday. Patrick was excited now too and as the contractions continued without letting up for five hours he had me call the midwife to let her know what was going on. She decided to come see how things were going. By the time she got there they were starting to peter out again and I was still only dilated to two. She gave me some castor oil to take along with blue cohosh with instruction on dosage and she went home. That evening I did have some more contraction that were harder than they had been, but they did not last through the night. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Several more days went by and I went to see the chiropractor again since my midwife had told us that yes, the baby had dropped but not enough. Another adjustment, some more walking and she dropped lower. We went to see my midwife again the same day and she gave me more herbs to help start labor and told me to take more castor oil. So I began taking all those things, drank cups of parsley tea, walked, squatted and waited. On Thursday the 24<sup>th</sup> I began having more contractions, but by this time I was more or less ignoring them other than doing some squats. I did not want to get my hopes up again. Then about three in the afternoon I realized “hey, these are getting really hard!” I could not ignore them anymore and in fact they were increasing in strength very quickly and I had to really concentrate on breathing through them. I looked at my husband and said with a smile “I think this is the real thing!” We decided to take a nap just in case, so we would be rested. He slept, but I sure didn’t! There was no sleeping through those contractions as they increased in strength. I got up and walked around for as long as I could and when I could stand it no longer, I climbed into bed to try to relax like the Bradley Method teaches. I was not smiling anymore. Patrick then called our midwife who said she would be there in a couple of hours. My sweet husband spent those hours and many more hours into the night heating up water in the stove to pour into the birthing pool since the water coming out of our hot water tank was discolored for some reason. He traveled back and forth from the kitchen to the bedroom carrying pot after pot of boiling water. While he waited for it to boil he would spend time coaching me through the contractions, which by this time I desperately needed his help. He also sent texts out to friends and family letting them know what was going on and asking for prayer. I finally asked him to ask the midwife to please hurry.. she did and was soon hovering over me and giving me herbs to help me relax and to get the contractions to increase. She had Patrick fill up the tub with hot water so I could get in there while I waited for the pool to get warm enough. Oh how good that water felt! It gave me the strength I needed to get through the contractions since before getting in I was beginning to feel a little panicky. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrsh9dwNyYw9IMONzuKpG-UmDSX7KwSHyawiAP3NbzxkvSKCAjXV6OmMm50Sr9dSIH-FwS1APtSjDoYj4KCzZt8DITfglbaKd9Qp2nF6gMvwdOIIiwkNoHCsb31NQIiiJZLv9EWacAgA/s1600/WaitingDaddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrsh9dwNyYw9IMONzuKpG-UmDSX7KwSHyawiAP3NbzxkvSKCAjXV6OmMm50Sr9dSIH-FwS1APtSjDoYj4KCzZt8DITfglbaKd9Qp2nF6gMvwdOIIiwkNoHCsb31NQIiiJZLv9EWacAgA/s320/WaitingDaddy.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> I took this of my husband as I labored in the tub, the love in his eyes says it all.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I soaked in the tub I heard my midwife moaning in the living room, soon Patrick came in telling me that she had the flu! I felt so sorry for her, it had to be hard to be in a strange home helping at a birth and feeling that awful. I began to pray for her and the Lord put in my mind to tell Patrick to give her a teaspoon of Diatomaceous Earth in water. I had heard that it could help with a flu but never tried it myself. Patty(our midwife) took it and within thirty minutes was up feeling much better and a couple of hours later she had no flu symptoms at all! Praise the Lord! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All night long the contractions continued. When I was not in the pool my dear husband would rub my back through every contraction. We would sleep in between them, (at least he would, I tried to and I think that I did a little) and then I would wake him up pleading for help. I was so very thankful for him and felt bad that he could not sleep as he was exhausted, so I tried to get though them alone, but most of the time I could not. I could get through the front labor pain, but the back pain was so intense I could not bear it without his fist pressed into my back rubbing in a circular motion. When I was able to get into the tub, oh what a relief it was! I could float around into whatever position I needed and the warmth of the water on my back was so helpful, it was still not easy but more manageable. After a couple of times in and out of the pool my contractions slowed down a little so I began walking again to keep things going, the break was not for long and they soon picked up again with gusto. I don’t know the times when things happened, the hours that went by all blurred as I tried to just get through the next contraction. Patrick put on some soothing instrumental hymn cds that his mother had given us, they were very calming and comforting. I was dilating very slowly and as the morning and day (May 25th) progressed my midwife found that the warm water was causing me to swell, so I could not get back in. That was a huge disappointment! She also began to use ice to bring down the swelling which was very uncomfortable. As night fell I was getting closer to full dilatation. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I think it was around 11:00 p.m. on my second night of labor when I finally reached full dilatation and transitioned into the pushing stage. It was a relief to be able to do something. At some point Patty broke my bag of water and I remember her saying that it looked like our baby’s birth date would be the 25<sup>th</sup>. Then a problem developed. Part of my cervix was hung up on my baby’s head and when I pushed, it would tighten up not allowing her to move down through. So Patty told me to stop pushing with the contractions but rather in between them, while she held the cervix back. Oh that was hard. She would then have me relax through them for large spaces of time, then come back and try it again. There was little to no progress for hours and I began to fear we might have to have a c-section. Which I did not want. As I lay there is complete misery, (Patrick still rubbing my back!) everything seemed dark and I really did not know how I could make it any longer. I asked the Lord “Why does it have to be this hard, many women have shorter labors.” He showed me that although I had been praying throughout, I was trying to do it myself, not consciously, but I was not fully relying on the Lord for help. By His grace I truly cast myself upon the Lord and told Him that I could not do it without Him. I pleaded with Him to help me and remembered the agony that Jesus bore for me, in my place on the cross and I thought, cannot I bear this for my child? But my strength was gone, it was then that I either imagined or saw Jesus reaching out His hand to me. I grabbed onto His hand and did not let go. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Soon Patty came in to check again and suddenly progress was being made! My baby had gone past the point where she was stuck and now things were moving quickly. I could push! Oh how strong the urge to push became… and ruthless! There was hardly any time to rest and I was exhausted. Patty began preparing things for the baby and then concentrated on talking me through each push. Soon they could see the head and Patty kept telling me to push harder, but I was so tired! Patrick then took a picture of my baby’s head, which gave me the boost I needed to give it all I had. Patrick got more and more excited as more of her head showed and kept showing me pictures which really worked to keep me motivated. My midwife had to snip a little and finally my baby’s head was out! Patrick showed me a picture of her scrunched up little face and in two more pushes which took everything left in me, she was out at 5:37 a.m. on March 26<sup>th</sup>! Praise the Lord!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6DjMqh8DrWRImSzs3IlH0lyUifS4Y0cw52rOLWkdJqmF6R8z2kTicOOwwwiI7U1QdjnIKwjptKZi_J74B0zS_74K7ValkYJe_HfxVnE05O7bGsof2W-xyQm2OrNrnemjb2GfsEr1wnU/s1600/DaddyMommyGrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6DjMqh8DrWRImSzs3IlH0lyUifS4Y0cw52rOLWkdJqmF6R8z2kTicOOwwwiI7U1QdjnIKwjptKZi_J74B0zS_74K7ValkYJe_HfxVnE05O7bGsof2W-xyQm2OrNrnemjb2GfsEr1wnU/s320/DaddyMommyGrace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Joy!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> The first thing that struck me was that my baby is a girl! All throughout the pregnancy we thought that it probably was a boy, so we were amazed to see our little girl. She was pink and screaming and as Patty laid her on my chest she began to suck her fist, so I decided to try nursing her right away and sure enough she latched on and wanted both sides! I was so thankful that she could get that good colostrum in her little body. We left the umbilical cord attached for about 45 minutes until in stopped pulsating then Patrick cut it. He was then able to hold his little girl for the first time! I cannot describe the joy it was to see our baby in her Daddy’s arms and the amazed look on my husband’s face! The Lord is so good! It took a while to get the placenta out but once it was finally out, oh it was such a relief! Patty took Grace to bathe and weigh her while I rested. She weighed in at 8lbs. 3oz. and was 19 ½ inches long. Patty could not get over her color, how pink she was (and still is :). She told me that I could not get up until much later that day since I had lost about five to six cups of blood and anything over four is considered a hemorrhage. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkDz5B07wii81ZN2OKOGvIebdHHf7T-Rvfd4niTNlc8c5sJx5bxiO09B-4xLTJ6cQbFc6Pq9Szt42QPg4svUO-4EocOSF58AhCyBc0oXIcHQnzG7mv7QMHIYmo0s0sxf4w28CPwfLmhk/s1600/Daddy%2526Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkDz5B07wii81ZN2OKOGvIebdHHf7T-Rvfd4niTNlc8c5sJx5bxiO09B-4xLTJ6cQbFc6Pq9Szt42QPg4svUO-4EocOSF58AhCyBc0oXIcHQnzG7mv7QMHIYmo0s0sxf4w28CPwfLmhk/s320/Daddy%2526Grace.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx3g6KNx4V6m4P6Rv9OZppezbG_21L9zxu9c7SNTSIaM11PHvEOxVkvi-RTxf1us3QF2-ChBfAs02Z7oJBhS_K7yWVJvzy9KDA5R-ePhFlvL9vfVpBljkXkul7tX3HgLYV-5k8-DvQY4/s1600/Daddy%2526Grace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx3g6KNx4V6m4P6Rv9OZppezbG_21L9zxu9c7SNTSIaM11PHvEOxVkvi-RTxf1us3QF2-ChBfAs02Z7oJBhS_K7yWVJvzy9KDA5R-ePhFlvL9vfVpBljkXkul7tX3HgLYV-5k8-DvQY4/s320/Daddy%2526Grace2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Bonding :)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKvdZkl2ce0KpazfX2NjqfPYXYjmqhoj-PTQjfBPLRw4QCdo-0DVWGARMyHpZCpC0iHJt_p2gkDNRVEOObEUEzZ2bS4kmeEwzR2Z2NOzBFyl0FFd_b2IlvRp3O6_keBDGTNVHJMFu0ks/s1600/Firstbath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKvdZkl2ce0KpazfX2NjqfPYXYjmqhoj-PTQjfBPLRw4QCdo-0DVWGARMyHpZCpC0iHJt_p2gkDNRVEOObEUEzZ2bS4kmeEwzR2Z2NOzBFyl0FFd_b2IlvRp3O6_keBDGTNVHJMFu0ks/s320/Firstbath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> First bath</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> My parents were already packed and ready to travel down from Wisconsin to stay with us for a while, so they soon began their 14 hour drive. Patrick’s family came to meet the new arrival, bearing presents and food. My sister-in-love Leah stayed for the night to help us, which was a great blessing. I would almost faint standing up from lack of blood, so they both would support me whenever I had to get up. A friend brought over all kinds of good iron building foods which I began to eat and slowly the color came back into my cheeks after several days. My parents arrived on Sunday and stayed for over a week. It was such a HUGE blessing having them there! My Mom took care of meals, housework, laundry, etc., babysat Grace so that I could sleep and just blessed us tremendously. My Dad helped Patrick out with numerous projects and fixed a drawer in my kitchen that had to be completely rebuilt! They did not leave until I was able to pick Grace up and carry her around the house. Before that time I would get dizzy and begin to topple over. I am so thankful to the Lord for their love and kindness to us!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8Ai-9NloPxjCOvTnCNFQMNukQDeuSwPhQh0td2lINPgbVpvc0HbqEmpXFxSImtw2WuNhDzAC5DvoFOg3C4sfUsTPc6yOEbQ8weKMAVmAFWiFtaoJW2cQI1v47RAYZbd1IpJi1kv25Bo/s1600/HappyGrandpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8Ai-9NloPxjCOvTnCNFQMNukQDeuSwPhQh0td2lINPgbVpvc0HbqEmpXFxSImtw2WuNhDzAC5DvoFOg3C4sfUsTPc6yOEbQ8weKMAVmAFWiFtaoJW2cQI1v47RAYZbd1IpJi1kv25Bo/s320/HappyGrandpa.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Grandpa </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvSlz8an23cfW_vEt3PiQpODwU0E5RZqk0tFbGzK0Ffr7evIfbML-crTNn0zf4F5bol7UqDRLX_9bD4D57MPLKYLRVdejXO6vMjKgi0u6o4o8BMy9-qnSsXFSM_9-VTtKMkUBvSN2cKs/s1600/HappyNana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvSlz8an23cfW_vEt3PiQpODwU0E5RZqk0tFbGzK0Ffr7evIfbML-crTNn0zf4F5bol7UqDRLX_9bD4D57MPLKYLRVdejXO6vMjKgi0u6o4o8BMy9-qnSsXFSM_9-VTtKMkUBvSN2cKs/s320/HappyNana.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Happy Nana</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"> During the time of my darkest moments, especially in the second night of labor, I did not realize just how many people were praying for me. It blows me away to think how many people slept very little that night as the Lord burdened their hearts to pray! My parents were in agony, crying before the Lord as they waited for more news and none came hour after hour. Patrick sent out several texts, but the last they received before the happy call about the birth was that the baby was stuck. It makes me cry now to think of their prayers. Oh how thankful I am that the Lord had so many people praying and that He answered their prayers in a mighty way! I did not have the strength, but He gave it to me, I could not go on, but he lifted me up and set me on a Rock, Jesus my Savior! Thank you Lord Jesus! All glory goes to my Lord!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiTkw-blbCLV6Vfll0ZBwxWll9tPBbF4G-hyUhZRdznD6yipyw4fOBy0XRA3BbCcE2nCj_71rwh1AfoKzKz8KtUsqhNZnzPfHxPvymZHXcbY5hy0mbDS4nmyg63jjkgFM3K8UJPPRpY8/s1600/footstamping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiTkw-blbCLV6Vfll0ZBwxWll9tPBbF4G-hyUhZRdznD6yipyw4fOBy0XRA3BbCcE2nCj_71rwh1AfoKzKz8KtUsqhNZnzPfHxPvymZHXcbY5hy0mbDS4nmyg63jjkgFM3K8UJPPRpY8/s320/footstamping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Foot stamping</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuSnbyg2gOAOUSDc5LZdjk78-6aZbqdxJjpVIH3OPQVoOM6OPxszsWJAkjtUxcjhk5IS4FML1GkzpAcKSW5yOVo5oc4g_UbiX9cB7dXzJOKKK6N_9dR7xBHzBicjkN2gW1Kp5X9i95TM/s1600/headsup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuSnbyg2gOAOUSDc5LZdjk78-6aZbqdxJjpVIH3OPQVoOM6OPxszsWJAkjtUxcjhk5IS4FML1GkzpAcKSW5yOVo5oc4g_UbiX9cB7dXzJOKKK6N_9dR7xBHzBicjkN2gW1Kp5X9i95TM/s320/headsup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Grace amazed us by holding her head up off of our shoulders from day 1, strong little girl!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKU_TEjzHgSwrj2a97DDdeI1sotFnzK7SjPlRIGrW91E3RI5QyZpYcaDZgHR7YDGZXAgKmfkx7Llbkcc89vtRsTPjBba1WlauI8Nbkr7U6jYczkNXVGvWGDKARLN-T4d4CRPl8E_iGLY/s1600/Mommy%2526Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKU_TEjzHgSwrj2a97DDdeI1sotFnzK7SjPlRIGrW91E3RI5QyZpYcaDZgHR7YDGZXAgKmfkx7Llbkcc89vtRsTPjBba1WlauI8Nbkr7U6jYczkNXVGvWGDKARLN-T4d4CRPl8E_iGLY/s320/Mommy%2526Grace.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Very happy Mommy :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnDUmPg0wK47EOmwS6gy6-mORRdtyQZyr3gQxVGAJki1F8-_oIBs79hwytdngIIhD2EWQAyTdTvs0eE8sYZT_PTZdI0R7-1TmhShfZksrd0ZLNyhtSUjLcGHgXngraRNDQV2m5KgEsrk/s1600/Grace%2526hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnDUmPg0wK47EOmwS6gy6-mORRdtyQZyr3gQxVGAJki1F8-_oIBs79hwytdngIIhD2EWQAyTdTvs0eE8sYZT_PTZdI0R7-1TmhShfZksrd0ZLNyhtSUjLcGHgXngraRNDQV2m5KgEsrk/s320/Grace%2526hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Our precious little girl, such a gift from God.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">My sister-in-love Olivia crocheted this hat for Grace.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Now my little girl is three months old! It is hard to believe, she is growing so very quickly! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcdFXpwechr3EglUubLE5ukLY37lt2Saa4ZrwwqcFfIbkpQPH919VvzeyfrwUX2e0mOB3IazRJECbz-Jbpp2j8mfgSmk9Br1if3gdgkHNIfIel5UtcAfb8KCu98XeNB6LnzwmZW_CI2Q/s1600/Grace6-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcdFXpwechr3EglUubLE5ukLY37lt2Saa4ZrwwqcFfIbkpQPH919VvzeyfrwUX2e0mOB3IazRJECbz-Jbpp2j8mfgSmk9Br1if3gdgkHNIfIel5UtcAfb8KCu98XeNB6LnzwmZW_CI2Q/s320/Grace6-22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. <br />
(John 16:21)</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-86041089812150238242011-03-29T20:03:00.000-04:002011-03-29T20:03:51.789-04:00It's a Girl!!!!On March 26th 2011 at 5:37 a.m. my husband and I joyfully welcomed into the world<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Grace Tabitha </span>!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEupYqa8aLJGz84VlEdM4hUFEmZEMW4HQ78cmaxKiLPApBuQLPij-jGIBjFbwMdGc90VV3aGousPn_CvJ3RJSS7je05BfAu-no1CRCoAwuKfKq-kY_-E8Z4CDzaIcqQeTD7Tt1lkJPmA/s1600/Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEupYqa8aLJGz84VlEdM4hUFEmZEMW4HQ78cmaxKiLPApBuQLPij-jGIBjFbwMdGc90VV3aGousPn_CvJ3RJSS7je05BfAu-no1CRCoAwuKfKq-kY_-E8Z4CDzaIcqQeTD7Tt1lkJPmA/s320/Grace.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzpKZkpoR8fsLLJ0N5Gu9RSnu7tM61kF7G_uNarSS00dCwLUwHT3lMjlw9EqGVZq_rBmIRBQcukuFbdPqXr9cwQm0lPiVvvnZSOUtSaWlU105GmCb7SI96F-gXMQOhbZ3fHBw7gwgDUg/s1600/Daddy%2526Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzpKZkpoR8fsLLJ0N5Gu9RSnu7tM61kF7G_uNarSS00dCwLUwHT3lMjlw9EqGVZq_rBmIRBQcukuFbdPqXr9cwQm0lPiVvvnZSOUtSaWlU105GmCb7SI96F-gXMQOhbZ3fHBw7gwgDUg/s320/Daddy%2526Grace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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She is a beautiful gift from the Lord to us, we are so very blessed. After over 37 hours of labor, I am still a little weak but very happy. Grace is a very healthy little girl weighing in at 8 lbs. 3 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. I plan to post the story of her birth later on... for now we are enjoying our baby girl, recovering and enjoying my parents company who have come all the way from Northern Wisconsin to give us some much needed help. The Lord is so good!!!<br />
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</style> <![endif]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For you are my hope, O Lord GOD: you are my trust from my youth. <br />
By you have I been upheld from birth: you are he that took me out of my mother's womb: <br />
my praise shall be continually of you. I am as a wonder unto many; but you are my strong refuge. <br />
Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your honor all the day. <br />
(Psalms 71:5-8)<br />
<br />
</span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-14117323074521401482011-03-01T16:01:00.000-05:002011-03-01T16:01:25.513-05:00Yesterday's FloodSunday night we had thunderstorms all night with lots of rain (2-3 inches). I love thunderstorms and did not think anything of the amount of water coming down mixed with the large amount of snow it was melting. In the morning we began to hear reports of flooding nearby and so we decided to take a look, we did not have to go far...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37bWF6hQPI-re56hz_V0fJ4pVrflnAakt5IzWLUm7LoAkBQIjnSqHWlpV218k6m_4xE3fuBTlIkgy2qkYM598oZFS-gzSuZiQ_rGLPT-iKWxrBXQLIw1atZCnNMhgqgqqphgWa4Zeurs/s1600/HPIM3434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37bWF6hQPI-re56hz_V0fJ4pVrflnAakt5IzWLUm7LoAkBQIjnSqHWlpV218k6m_4xE3fuBTlIkgy2qkYM598oZFS-gzSuZiQ_rGLPT-iKWxrBXQLIw1atZCnNMhgqgqqphgWa4Zeurs/s320/HPIM3434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboUv72Ehu4SgHOQUcvIPwaJUqrMkDOzDBLsnuSevKIk8Uqlhqkss2qPriB5Vi1aEBSZvi44WZg4NJjLBJu-Y_oh1G5E_sdXvQkyhwgO897MK1rNdLv57EVwjCOKNW90acr01rl2C1io8/s1600/Patrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboUv72Ehu4SgHOQUcvIPwaJUqrMkDOzDBLsnuSevKIk8Uqlhqkss2qPriB5Vi1aEBSZvi44WZg4NJjLBJu-Y_oh1G5E_sdXvQkyhwgO897MK1rNdLv57EVwjCOKNW90acr01rl2C1io8/s320/Patrick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjforjOHiVu1191PatIPH_EZLQvdICA419nRQQWdmZihpnGHCpUccGLnPZTrc5FPu5yUgy__mREHKpsD5BHpMsBvyoPC5nJY42WL076jeusmyMgj_hvrvkIxqXjVPD9RD7YiLCCwEMyyyM/s1600/Leah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjforjOHiVu1191PatIPH_EZLQvdICA419nRQQWdmZihpnGHCpUccGLnPZTrc5FPu5yUgy__mREHKpsD5BHpMsBvyoPC5nJY42WL076jeusmyMgj_hvrvkIxqXjVPD9RD7YiLCCwEMyyyM/s320/Leah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are standing on a bridge here and that is the local elementary school behind us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We are so thankful that the flood waters did not reach us in our trailer park, though for a while we thought they might. There are so many people that lost so much and we pray that we can somehow help them in the days to come. There were rescue vehicles everywhere including boats in the water, I have not heard if there were any deaths or not, I pray there was none. We were headed down one road when a truck stopped us saying that we shouldn't go any further since they had just rescued some people off the top of their vehicle down there. One lady told Patrick that she was driving along and everything seemed fine until she saw a truck floating passed her and she could not get stopped in time and they collided. Then they both had to be rescued from their vehicles! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Now the waters have receded but there are many roads still closed and a whole lot of cleanup work to be done. We praise the Lord for His protection and pray for those that have losses, that it will cause them to seek the Lord Jesus Christ.</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-72021853296805392622011-02-21T17:16:00.000-05:002011-02-21T17:16:57.351-05:00Preparing for Home Birth<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99DT1vcV0mW9UJhF3T09oSkr2vD4IDxEQyTxaVkT4oW1cCQnIJodsiiWt8zIn34YII7nrkGYcpqittsE4mlIwLXtT7zRI6_ilcfqwjebPfjKuwIzrYSUUrS1EPaKGcLh3f8XHfsHIwFc/s1600/Leah+prego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99DT1vcV0mW9UJhF3T09oSkr2vD4IDxEQyTxaVkT4oW1cCQnIJodsiiWt8zIn34YII7nrkGYcpqittsE4mlIwLXtT7zRI6_ilcfqwjebPfjKuwIzrYSUUrS1EPaKGcLh3f8XHfsHIwFc/s320/Leah+prego.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">There is less than three weeks to my due date and I am excited, yet sober about the changes that are soon to take place in our lives. Sober because it is an incredible thing to be given a child to raise by the Lord. This little one knows neither right nor wrong and we as his or her parents will be the ones to lay the foundation for life. How can we raise children that will love and serve the Lord Jesus with all of their hearts? It seems to be a mammoth and impossible task. It IS impossible. For us humans. Yet who is this God that we serve? Is He not the God of the impossible?<span> </span>Remember when Jesus told His disciples that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to<span> </span>be saved?</span> “<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, <span style="color: red;">With men</span> <i><span style="color: grey;">it is</span></i> <span style="color: red;">impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.</span>”<span style="color: teal;">(Mar 10:26-27)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We serve the Almighty God, He who creates our children and chooses to give them to us. He is not up there wondering what will happen if He gives this type of personality to these parents and this to those… He Knows. That is why He does what He does, nothing escapes Him. That is why we can rest in perfect peace knowing that He has designed our children for US to raise, He is very specific. The other day I was reading in Isaiah and thinking about our child when I came across this passage that brought great comfort to me: <b><span style="color: #38761d;">“</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">And all thy children </span><i style="color: #38761d;">shall be</i><span style="color: #38761d;"> taught of the LORD; and great </span><i style="color: #38761d;">shall be</i><span style="color: #38761d;"> the peace of thy children.”</span></b><span style="color: teal;">(Isa 54:13) “</span><span style="color: black;">Taught of the Lord”!!! Wow, that brought things into prospective for me. Yes, we do have a great responsibility before the Lord to raise our children in His fear and admonition and we must stay close to the Lord to do that, but ultimately it is the Lord shaping the lives of our Little Ones. I don’t want this to sound like I am saying we don’t work hard at raising them for Him, because we ought to. (If we do not, then that shows that we do not have the fear of the Lord.) Only that it is comforting to know that the Lord IS in control and He can raise up a Godly generation of warriors in spite of our failures as parents.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The “nesting instinct” has hit me in earnest and I can hardly believe the amount of dust and dirt I see everywhere now. I have been busy scrubbing walls, floors, and everything else that I can lay hands on, stopping now and then as a Braxton Hicks comes and then goes. My dear husband is very patient with me as I ask him to pull apart the bed, move the couch and a number of other things that I cannot do myself. He says that he has been through this before with his mother when she was pregnant with his four siblings that came after him. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>:)</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> I find it hard to be away from home for very long, I just begin to get very tired and “spacey” but the funny thing is that when I get home, I am fine, have energy and am ready to keep going. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Our midwife is coming up for our next appointment and is bringing a birthing pool and birthing kit. Two weeks ago she started me on an herbal supplement called “Blessed Beginnings” which is supposed to help prepare the uterus for labor. She tells us that mothers who have been on it do not have problems with bleeding after the birth and it also seems to cut down on the amount of time spent in labor. I’m certainly all for that! If you would like to know what the ingredients are, just ask, I would be happy to post them if anyone is interested. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Patrick and I are reading the book “Natural Childbirth: The Bradley Way” together and trying to implement the exercises and relaxation techniques it teaches. I have to read it to him because of the incredibly indiscreet pictures, but other than that and the fact that they do not give glory to the Lord, we are enjoying the thoroughness of the book. Has anyone reading this given birth using the Bradley Method? I am very interested to hear your story and what you thought of it. In fact, any mothers with birth stories, tips, things that helped you etc. that you would like to share with me, I would love to hear and learn from you!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-10004524073668313252011-01-19T00:17:00.000-05:002011-01-19T00:17:03.009-05:00What our life has been like...Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">Can you believe it is 2011 already?! It is incredible to me that in just two days it will be the 20<sup>th</sup> which marks one year from the time my husband began to court me and he has been courting me ever since! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span> I hope you all had a blessed New Year. We were sick for a while with colds, then just as we recovered from that we got two bouts of food poisoning from two separate sources. Talk about NO fun! But the Lord took us through it and we are doing much better now and praising the Lord for health! How good our dear Lord Jesus is to us! One thing I am thankful for, among many, is the way sickness draws us closer to the Lord and to each other. There is such a joy in serving my husband, just being there for him in his time of need. How wonderful our Savior is to bring things into our lives, that though they are not fun bring glory to our Lord.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">In July 2010 we took a trip down to Charlotte NC for the annual Operation Save America event. That is the event at which we had met the year before, in Las Vegas. It was so much fun to be there this time together as a young married couple! A dear family that was out of town let us stay at their house for the week we were there, which was a blessing, especially since I was going through morning sickness. We enjoyed seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and ministering on the streets of Charlotte.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWOyFjRWbB9G7Nsm-aLj3-LXmd5jbv4vqSq64R-lh0RtgcqjLwJM9KgGAQ4rKOEKu3Qde-589jh2CfnTtMyScbKyp8NJDmN26Yu2pmTsN8H7-hhGgaRTBbZA-bxJmq-CZ-OqYTmQh7Vc/s1600/NCtrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWOyFjRWbB9G7Nsm-aLj3-LXmd5jbv4vqSq64R-lh0RtgcqjLwJM9KgGAQ4rKOEKu3Qde-589jh2CfnTtMyScbKyp8NJDmN26Yu2pmTsN8H7-hhGgaRTBbZA-bxJmq-CZ-OqYTmQh7Vc/s320/NCtrip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Traveling :)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUTlZCXVspJVVBiL737L58oayWcbP6Zf0d7I3RKdhoZTZj_M7q0k03uS6urM7oV6wxCtz82l8rfAcFGe1W45n2-Jm8leBLHZ8Mt2Q94dL7iUarOp17IumJriLcuOJ8xoJDKPhxUZbXP0/s1600/NCPatrickMalaci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUTlZCXVspJVVBiL737L58oayWcbP6Zf0d7I3RKdhoZTZj_M7q0k03uS6urM7oV6wxCtz82l8rfAcFGe1W45n2-Jm8leBLHZ8Mt2Q94dL7iUarOp17IumJriLcuOJ8xoJDKPhxUZbXP0/s320/NCPatrickMalaci.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Holding signs</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzAIaVYXb6N-TJK1TtVoolf94pFw25lJ7qEPfW2pJ3SMRJlb4uzz943E_3Xu46A63ZXtwaN4YONKBB4BAyUAw-GP1i_BLyMTqp8j3yqUAVvlBnNKqTx_2FH9IU5H9L5URP3GwDt7FIkA/s1600/NCd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzAIaVYXb6N-TJK1TtVoolf94pFw25lJ7qEPfW2pJ3SMRJlb4uzz943E_3Xu46A63ZXtwaN4YONKBB4BAyUAw-GP1i_BLyMTqp8j3yqUAVvlBnNKqTx_2FH9IU5H9L5URP3GwDt7FIkA/s320/NCd1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We were part of the setup and take-down team for the American Holocaust Display. Setup on Charlotte's square, it presented excellent opportunities to share the gospel.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgEmf_O6gctyK-QSaeDs56ebgVW1dlc7gn6LCGq_5gKvaqmWSoFXgscvdr3AGXZydi8jk85J0G-BCo72D0cENftWyNDz0ckzza0fBP3XN7VKnF7BVAjb1jX5ZUKPfLk5baEQX5d7XLhk/s1600/NChaulacostd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgEmf_O6gctyK-QSaeDs56ebgVW1dlc7gn6LCGq_5gKvaqmWSoFXgscvdr3AGXZydi8jk85J0G-BCo72D0cENftWyNDz0ckzza0fBP3XN7VKnF7BVAjb1jX5ZUKPfLk5baEQX5d7XLhk/s320/NChaulacostd2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> There was open-air preaching as well throughout the days of the event.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNfWm_NSptPkNER8dZ5cHy66BMO0D3ULJaQRVMgpr0tTPxAdqNKaJgTY2jL_ppVZsp2hKjW_ZkhiGFZpYIaAXHUFpqYXkc81S64n2jO9MZoCb-2IJnhO6NIOM7X5Yotm9LZ4La9zBhI4/s1600/NCPatricktracts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNfWm_NSptPkNER8dZ5cHy66BMO0D3ULJaQRVMgpr0tTPxAdqNKaJgTY2jL_ppVZsp2hKjW_ZkhiGFZpYIaAXHUFpqYXkc81S64n2jO9MZoCb-2IJnhO6NIOM7X5Yotm9LZ4La9zBhI4/s320/NCPatricktracts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We handed out countless tracts....</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktXKuu-W2v3mxVFrJDTRBXlxZm9K4iunOj7OET8eeiux69sRP40Iq6b5D_RbzPTWrzkdFnnsrkAqfqhJ80FPazUIj7EHNmobL6drr_viAlSPV3-RPVAO7AotJxds_GhunAMSGw-lBTLE/s1600/NCLeahtracts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktXKuu-W2v3mxVFrJDTRBXlxZm9K4iunOj7OET8eeiux69sRP40Iq6b5D_RbzPTWrzkdFnnsrkAqfqhJ80FPazUIj7EHNmobL6drr_viAlSPV3-RPVAO7AotJxds_GhunAMSGw-lBTLE/s320/NCLeahtracts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpwgbTV7_FU6YOv0AvtiqmeHIWXVQa1HQMLbV7ka2vffW4ncd1IIZUcr98GMFh9AcPnBeaCgtVfoGP0y1TBmi0rFEEBzkXsir-PeRQ1X0quSEDCQncv_UcWx0UlefydsSn32nspRzQ5g/s1600/NCBonnieMichael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpwgbTV7_FU6YOv0AvtiqmeHIWXVQa1HQMLbV7ka2vffW4ncd1IIZUcr98GMFh9AcPnBeaCgtVfoGP0y1TBmi0rFEEBzkXsir-PeRQ1X0quSEDCQncv_UcWx0UlefydsSn32nspRzQ5g/s320/NCBonnieMichael.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We were very happy to see my sister Bonnie and brother Michael who traveled by bus to get there!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_M-mE_nPA0KsqHYbZ5xwMtTZFvmaC50kdXJ4vlAa7ZkBfsORsCpiSsyGLjiVjRt0jzFp-0F2zFVNljiDMfNk_rq8fCqPjKPuUniBF7eg_B9XbpPPqMfyEqyOdTV6r4pzb6AXxVPwS0UU/s1600/NCmemorialmarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_M-mE_nPA0KsqHYbZ5xwMtTZFvmaC50kdXJ4vlAa7ZkBfsORsCpiSsyGLjiVjRt0jzFp-0F2zFVNljiDMfNk_rq8fCqPjKPuUniBF7eg_B9XbpPPqMfyEqyOdTV6r4pzb6AXxVPwS0UU/s320/NCmemorialmarch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a memorial service for a precious unborn child who had been killed by abortion. Here is the processional. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQHltw41gJwyzHsnP_9JSIYOO8w4JbKpc6g8Y8NzzwFxv8FPdNbCDe-WGQRry1pKNzyOMsBx6mA2fsybEVP6CaQnUgb0QpINojLYT8NF2UNUf5nyVUxwu1VH3lyt4IC8n1LLkVtXw0X0/s1600/NCmemorial3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQHltw41gJwyzHsnP_9JSIYOO8w4JbKpc6g8Y8NzzwFxv8FPdNbCDe-WGQRry1pKNzyOMsBx6mA2fsybEVP6CaQnUgb0QpINojLYT8NF2UNUf5nyVUxwu1VH3lyt4IC8n1LLkVtXw0X0/s320/NCmemorial3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The service was very good, calling for repentance and had a time for everyone to view the little one.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m7-Pg05wa018W-8Px1ii7BzUi1EPdSCPpLfeNyHBO-zlpmDAemq2xmdhhb-V_J5GhUgWn0la2IJXhCH6-QZ4sYb9bFpQzI-dY9JUkdZGwqVvLv4FyH02L5lYzz9J9qn25nzg9Bz1hjo/s1600/NCmemorial2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m7-Pg05wa018W-8Px1ii7BzUi1EPdSCPpLfeNyHBO-zlpmDAemq2xmdhhb-V_J5GhUgWn0la2IJXhCH6-QZ4sYb9bFpQzI-dY9JUkdZGwqVvLv4FyH02L5lYzz9J9qn25nzg9Bz1hjo/s320/NCmemorial2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> There was a large crowd watching.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmko2k5QEt6RyjmSrLYUUSIVkUsDRDZl5NFI0wYW-Riit7k-mCZrKFEe3JEizTYDozGlo8lZzXZzihM8NCo3bkEZVssB_L1fvsly9NGhC7Zt0K8-DDtsTox5M8rPngHgh3VAPuAtnddSM/s1600/NCtakedown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmko2k5QEt6RyjmSrLYUUSIVkUsDRDZl5NFI0wYW-Riit7k-mCZrKFEe3JEizTYDozGlo8lZzXZzihM8NCo3bkEZVssB_L1fvsly9NGhC7Zt0K8-DDtsTox5M8rPngHgh3VAPuAtnddSM/s320/NCtakedown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> At one point the display had to be dismantled in a down pour! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyrxGYftBAoX-Z2jH1hInexgpVTlZQ4vzc-fK_9jMf3pkD-Z_cXMDY6hZJ2ThiUc3I2hFvvac5b7Nn9vi1qzgJBsZF5Ce-DAWbCshizc4gFmDLzUxPLI9HWw38xZfyY7kEPE-wWyAEp4/s1600/NCtakedown2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyrxGYftBAoX-Z2jH1hInexgpVTlZQ4vzc-fK_9jMf3pkD-Z_cXMDY6hZJ2ThiUc3I2hFvvac5b7Nn9vi1qzgJBsZF5Ce-DAWbCshizc4gFmDLzUxPLI9HWw38xZfyY7kEPE-wWyAEp4/s320/NCtakedown2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> It was coming down hard!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kzhh4yZtEHTDKHtvfcbdsf265h8GCdcwtdVOHvWqJ_-gQZVWTQzi6vQhTDCzA5sddjS6K6Qn_wxRAT1VwDYCCijZqPnXhi34tuTud2c8JKyvUTo4vBHEXXhCJLjHltnBMS2kZPrd6qA/s1600/NCview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kzhh4yZtEHTDKHtvfcbdsf265h8GCdcwtdVOHvWqJ_-gQZVWTQzi6vQhTDCzA5sddjS6K6Qn_wxRAT1VwDYCCijZqPnXhi34tuTud2c8JKyvUTo4vBHEXXhCJLjHltnBMS2kZPrd6qA/s320/NCview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">It was a great trip and the scenery there and back was wonderful!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Since then we have been keeping very busy. From scrapping cars....</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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to tearing down a modular home.... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiKNlTa4w_Ll5lXgnKG642HjHVsVZQ7kHEGgQXuHLJmcDliKbk25xiDVm6ud5Ud26t1N_f0gIvDwDHMWfAR2LoBwe3QhxL3Yt47ozvheqZVAMTx9aXN8PiEXfb-48558tRxdyEaN9wQE/s1600/modhometeardown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiKNlTa4w_Ll5lXgnKG642HjHVsVZQ7kHEGgQXuHLJmcDliKbk25xiDVm6ud5Ud26t1N_f0gIvDwDHMWfAR2LoBwe3QhxL3Yt47ozvheqZVAMTx9aXN8PiEXfb-48558tRxdyEaN9wQE/s320/modhometeardown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Ministry on the streets...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lZNFFdxR5j5cC7aetkGoobsI1waSqrmD689-fMgZHhC1Ojo-JnLrM27L327vQ3ULOns9lSpE-0khWfRvEVPGDKHxnK_COZzXW2fh9CDrnRr2pT9vNESIxZWfuJYkMIc8_Wnsidrg2J4/s1600/Ministrywork1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lZNFFdxR5j5cC7aetkGoobsI1waSqrmD689-fMgZHhC1Ojo-JnLrM27L327vQ3ULOns9lSpE-0khWfRvEVPGDKHxnK_COZzXW2fh9CDrnRr2pT9vNESIxZWfuJYkMIc8_Wnsidrg2J4/s320/Ministrywork1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPZIXfPGAvjSf-Lo-gQt1Ct2EY5aOOqB3EZUoREJhTVgCbsoMQ6Y-iFysYb5YirTN6MojIGkMkF3mFc_5wrtWGleijcK7a4w_XsxvX64v4exq9xwBGJ1QKEC3LUzxX-vksp3QKKU_QCI/s1600/Ministrywork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPZIXfPGAvjSf-Lo-gQt1Ct2EY5aOOqB3EZUoREJhTVgCbsoMQ6Y-iFysYb5YirTN6MojIGkMkF3mFc_5wrtWGleijcK7a4w_XsxvX64v4exq9xwBGJ1QKEC3LUzxX-vksp3QKKU_QCI/s320/Ministrywork.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Having fun...yes I rode it too! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpJ9-kptKvk6h5yA_NEjZ2aTeopkivolT9eB8cQthplCAb3qCE2eKAcflM7HMxz8AdC_br0IH1Qofn9YYtp8MIOa4tVmPEZauCgY_n0i2sv1kdJ8zjmHHqx5bTLzDxZJuy0KRfIWiAuY/s1600/Patrickminibike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpJ9-kptKvk6h5yA_NEjZ2aTeopkivolT9eB8cQthplCAb3qCE2eKAcflM7HMxz8AdC_br0IH1Qofn9YYtp8MIOa4tVmPEZauCgY_n0i2sv1kdJ8zjmHHqx5bTLzDxZJuy0KRfIWiAuY/s320/Patrickminibike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">spending time with our growing nephew Josiah and the rest of the family...</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0depwQ_UIPEyauy8QNkXbNVZzVQpbxCOGA5TyvZJVBTRllR2XgPVlb5c7DNEN2Qlfham30xvpHibmM5J-yy7QVnr8C_IlYh_PtH6yMnSKKB1EGCh8AS7aWAjpyM8e7E8z2n45oxcD4GM/s1600/Josiah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0depwQ_UIPEyauy8QNkXbNVZzVQpbxCOGA5TyvZJVBTRllR2XgPVlb5c7DNEN2Qlfham30xvpHibmM5J-yy7QVnr8C_IlYh_PtH6yMnSKKB1EGCh8AS7aWAjpyM8e7E8z2n45oxcD4GM/s320/Josiah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">...meeting our Midwife appointments and enjoying preparing for our little one who will be here very soon! :) ...and a host of other things that fill our days. How good the Lord has been to us and continues to be! Keep praising our dear Lord Jesus, He is worthy of all praise, no matter what!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-49814830287729024232010-12-11T12:05:00.000-05:002010-12-11T12:05:46.359-05:00What our life has been like...Part 1<div class="MsoNormal">I must say that I was surprised to receive so many comments on my last post, thank you all so much! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Lord has been so good to us, He is faithful in all things just as He promises in His word. Patrick lost his job about a month before our wedding and has not been able to find a good steady job since, yet the Lord is our provider and He has never failed us. Time and again we have wondered how He would provide for our next need only to see His hand move in a mighty way. Our dear Heavenly Father is taking us through a trial of faith that we might be more conformed to the image of His son, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful thing to know that whatever He takes us through it is that we might be more like Him for His glory, this is the joy of our journey. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;<br />
This is my constant longing and prayer;<br />
Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures,<br />
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.</span></div><div style="color: #38761d;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!<br />
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;<br />
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;<br />
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.</span></i></div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">O to be like Thee! full of compassion,<br />
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,<br />
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,<br />
Seeking the wand'ring sinners to find.</span></div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,<br />
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;<br />
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,<br />
Willing to suffer, others to save.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our Lord has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us, we are His children and the sheep of His pasture, He cares, oh so tenderly He cares for His own. When I have times of doubt the Lord points me back to Matthew chapter six. What comfort is to be found in those precious words of our Lord Jesus! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek;) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:31-33)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We took a trip up to Wisconsin in June to get my dog Abby and some of my things as well as visit with the family. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq2HFCvatkIUwZAamyZQCgbTuIo6y5ncvyHMDUpWFVFhIOux2E7KvbuTkSQiErVd6LohCynw3Ar-p8TsvLE8I6SSSEOYFE1g0XEbkp5hCN17RCpLnhEwmbYHR36RmZgJPexz63O_TQAc/s1600/withparents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZq2HFCvatkIUwZAamyZQCgbTuIo6y5ncvyHMDUpWFVFhIOux2E7KvbuTkSQiErVd6LohCynw3Ar-p8TsvLE8I6SSSEOYFE1g0XEbkp5hCN17RCpLnhEwmbYHR36RmZgJPexz63O_TQAc/s320/withparents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It was wonderful to see everyone again!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorRgqHqTbE6I5zTi102D0EduCVk_1rT64uOMTdf93bIfo4VsapLbgpcx8Ke-YlpMyW8fMPq18wqDclqxSmnMtQgC7oc8OlZorQfTIJGFoRZE9u36UMdiD0Lc2G2cRTPTokIei-knWry0/s1600/withMichael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorRgqHqTbE6I5zTi102D0EduCVk_1rT64uOMTdf93bIfo4VsapLbgpcx8Ke-YlpMyW8fMPq18wqDclqxSmnMtQgC7oc8OlZorQfTIJGFoRZE9u36UMdiD0Lc2G2cRTPTokIei-knWry0/s320/withMichael.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmx7f8ysocGPhm0CNnGPtm5kq3-tRmS2ZJ0zZOGGX0t_ZoVupPRb63a-OMhLUw14PKAr8wJkcCVgxXW6pwENpMAeSKtH59BQx39ILbJhq7WO9310oj12V2hoOuHDgUsd3vDKB6BEccoX4/s1600/visiting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmx7f8ysocGPhm0CNnGPtm5kq3-tRmS2ZJ0zZOGGX0t_ZoVupPRb63a-OMhLUw14PKAr8wJkcCVgxXW6pwENpMAeSKtH59BQx39ILbJhq7WO9310oj12V2hoOuHDgUsd3vDKB6BEccoX4/s320/visiting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We brought back tomato and pepper plants that I had started back in April, which we were able to plant along with beans and a few other things. It was a smaller garden, but a great blessing. It is so much fun to work the soil and care for the plants, then later to harvest and can. This time was especially fun as I worked alongside my husband! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1xg0ibC_sM08NF2uVFaYjOWTGRv5Ol1WhmkxFTJiqdIiAUp9BO8Uj-FZFz6V1raAtKHKr8Gwna0kolVuGQqiTzU4DQPMTyF1drPUkqsMRdALAsat_H6HT2CdpoJ6rZRit8if9yU_Vaw/s1600/pickingtomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1xg0ibC_sM08NF2uVFaYjOWTGRv5Ol1WhmkxFTJiqdIiAUp9BO8Uj-FZFz6V1raAtKHKr8Gwna0kolVuGQqiTzU4DQPMTyF1drPUkqsMRdALAsat_H6HT2CdpoJ6rZRit8if9yU_Vaw/s320/pickingtomatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> We had to harvest the tomatoes while they were yet green because of caterpillars attacking them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There are no words to explain the blessing and joy of having a godly, loving husband! When I think back over all the years that I prayed for him, hoping that he existed, I can see so clearly now how the Lord was answering those prayers. I used to think that maybe I was asking too much when I told the Lord what kind of a man I wanted for my husband. I thought maybe I would have to settle for less than what I prayed for, then after more prayer I realized that I did not want to marry a man who was not what I was asking for. So I began to think that I would never get married, since it seemed impossible that such a wonderful, godly young man existed. Please allow me to tell you that the Lord answered far above what I could ask or think! Patrick is so much more than what I asked for, daily I am brought before the Lord with thanksgiving for creating me for such a wonderful man!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eBNkZCLIJv2zXqjULYj41Gq3XztzN8CIT4z5ZV17yuZyGsaFpbFO4xD-jWZa5mPWTEeVjJpOWuMFYazMaUxEI9kDAq7SJAdpLEw1mwQYrZkfpyYyy2qtsOysyX3XlSHBVFuVen808AE/s1600/PatrickandLeahandAbby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0eBNkZCLIJv2zXqjULYj41Gq3XztzN8CIT4z5ZV17yuZyGsaFpbFO4xD-jWZa5mPWTEeVjJpOWuMFYazMaUxEI9kDAq7SJAdpLEw1mwQYrZkfpyYyy2qtsOysyX3XlSHBVFuVen808AE/s320/PatrickandLeahandAbby.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-72334406701558941562010-11-23T13:07:00.000-05:002010-11-23T13:07:32.846-05:00Wedding<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> <o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">Wow, it has been a long time since I have updated my blog! It seems hard to believe that Patrick and I have been married for almost six months now! We are joyfully looking forward to the arrival of our little one who is due March 10<sup>th</sup>! I am guessing that I have lost most of my readers, but I will go ahead and write a few posts to update everyone on what our life has been like up to this point. The Lord has greatly blessed me with a wonderful, godly young man as my husband. I never imagined that such a sweet and kind, compassionate man even existed, much less that I would be his privileged help meet. I am so very thankful to the Lord for teaching me to wait for the right man, the man for whom I was created. I cannot describe the joy it is to serve the Lord by serving my husband! Yes, there are difficult times and yes, we must deny our selves, but what a wonderful thing it is to know that God is using it to conform us more into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We were married May 29<sup>th</sup> 2010 in a beautiful outdoors setting in Ohio. The Lord blessed us with many people who poured themselves into helping set up, prepare the food and numberless other things. One friend made all of my bouquets (except for the bridal as that was real). Friends and family traveled from all over to bless us with their presence, it was a joyful time of celebration of what the Lord has done. Our ceremony was different than the traditional since we wanted it to be a symbol of that great day when Christ will come for His bride. We asked our preacher, Cal, to preach the gospel clearly and to explain to everyone gathered why we did things the way we did. The processional of Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Ring bearers and Flower girls walked to the tune “I Come to The Garden” .<span> </span>Then, before Patrick made his appearance, both my parents walked me down to the tune of “Be Thou My Vision” , my Dad removed my veil and my Mom and I sang “Be Thou My Vision”. Then the bagpipes started up and everyone turned to a balcony from which Patrick and both his parents descended. Our parents greeted one another, then all but my Father stepped away. We stood on either side of him and he held our hands as he spoke some words of wisdom to us and told everyone how thankful he was to be entrusting his daughter to this man. Then he placed our hands together, the first time we had ever held hands, oh what joy!!! Cal then preached and we said our vows which we had written ourselves, exchanged rings, then gave to each other our first kiss. What a blessing it was to have saved that for my husband and to know that he saved his for me! </div><div class="MsoNormal"> After pictures we had a time of fellowship, visiting and eating. We were so blessed by the people who came to show us their love. The Lord is good!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Here are some pictures: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XSpJ3Mkh-7tsZ078_ZIiMQM_UtmI_owdAsrSenMw2NDMEXnAtoYj7o8PnxFCHqnjAcmrr-Z0SXOk206SrIxCGqe0IJJRldPDB7pWTZAXZMFv71rou9Vesg8NbrLna1OmAVSagffrwdU/s1600/Patrick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XSpJ3Mkh-7tsZ078_ZIiMQM_UtmI_owdAsrSenMw2NDMEXnAtoYj7o8PnxFCHqnjAcmrr-Z0SXOk206SrIxCGqe0IJJRldPDB7pWTZAXZMFv71rou9Vesg8NbrLna1OmAVSagffrwdU/s320/Patrick.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Patrick :)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEPUAx4pLSXj9PPF97CR7_XAewuDm6AH8ODTDn2WpXUA75jegwWJ52eH4F3PYX0ykyWCAZERMANT3KyA_1pv7IpHeEZ_FlId9H08QUkqeDBnRTpYzUgzz0zg4pg8Xxx50U4cxijvS0I4/s1600/Leah1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEPUAx4pLSXj9PPF97CR7_XAewuDm6AH8ODTDn2WpXUA75jegwWJ52eH4F3PYX0ykyWCAZERMANT3KyA_1pv7IpHeEZ_FlId9H08QUkqeDBnRTpYzUgzz0zg4pg8Xxx50U4cxijvS0I4/s320/Leah1.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> What a joy to be his bride!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tIU6LZ0-4wH4PPcJS8lrQO2UXhClKOmOrFS09v_6rmL4CZyDqXBtWN8bmPUnFz4JU0fs5bAt3UUq6LQ0ULxCsgqPheKsbr897dF8BnfEEFw98kchsiwE9ApxP0iINFgRQKANy5Z0YUU/s1600/Patrickandparents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tIU6LZ0-4wH4PPcJS8lrQO2UXhClKOmOrFS09v_6rmL4CZyDqXBtWN8bmPUnFz4JU0fs5bAt3UUq6LQ0ULxCsgqPheKsbr897dF8BnfEEFw98kchsiwE9ApxP0iINFgRQKANy5Z0YUU/s320/Patrickandparents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Patrick and his parents </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh6i12hDwHpChc3FqmxeztWyrj-LpJuVa98aZbDd9ycA88YH0BiC2t2lXr1_MQCLwjDfaC2p238APG6ceadZJw9aeFw84BR0zQzxT7P-Y1-YHL8MXx_53LlZkhqgDubg-Eln8PirQVUU/s1600/LeahandMom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdh6i12hDwHpChc3FqmxeztWyrj-LpJuVa98aZbDd9ycA88YH0BiC2t2lXr1_MQCLwjDfaC2p238APG6ceadZJw9aeFw84BR0zQzxT7P-Y1-YHL8MXx_53LlZkhqgDubg-Eln8PirQVUU/s320/LeahandMom.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My dear Momma and I</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5Ovn04OcucChGAECd9-NVjaMHxr0OxqlYwY5KQpckS0BLDJ8ycGQUV9hBW4DqMaf6eSh0Ld8_DRwEjKYLotZcvzL8qBoP1KPd8yAwIAtGCZoNVGh0KV4HS3vV0MAvMWX3vHXPu-c5tA/s1600/LeahandDadsmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5Ovn04OcucChGAECd9-NVjaMHxr0OxqlYwY5KQpckS0BLDJ8ycGQUV9hBW4DqMaf6eSh0Ld8_DRwEjKYLotZcvzL8qBoP1KPd8yAwIAtGCZoNVGh0KV4HS3vV0MAvMWX3vHXPu-c5tA/s320/LeahandDadsmile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My dear Daddy and I</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPth7BiIVBMbrGzEQ_v7je2oyBaRlAyvnNZzGSEvlGOsS-f7K0Mj7BjzRpnqkBi9TS4Qp9AM6gjYHFw23pqn6SZGOXX_cgsZ0aurOWu-s5WBBdA4j2vEpZJy2zphsqfvZ7ultV5x_tzaQ/s1600/Leahandgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPth7BiIVBMbrGzEQ_v7je2oyBaRlAyvnNZzGSEvlGOsS-f7K0Mj7BjzRpnqkBi9TS4Qp9AM6gjYHFw23pqn6SZGOXX_cgsZ0aurOWu-s5WBBdA4j2vEpZJy2zphsqfvZ7ultV5x_tzaQ/s320/Leahandgirls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My flower girls and I</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw4O5EKiFgflMTbmNUy-FuVlFLWp8nX62l8uc_0hvbWTI-Onsf5AVnWe18vMJC2QcC1MT7otb4Jb9-1odMTp8Oz6BAzw7CxCYPbqgD5t9WzBfxVXaXZidCGsSSIVcRHqpca022IFhTPg/s1600/LeahandLadies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw4O5EKiFgflMTbmNUy-FuVlFLWp8nX62l8uc_0hvbWTI-Onsf5AVnWe18vMJC2QcC1MT7otb4Jb9-1odMTp8Oz6BAzw7CxCYPbqgD5t9WzBfxVXaXZidCGsSSIVcRHqpca022IFhTPg/s320/LeahandLadies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The girls :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsgznFMNPO03HXeeNTBOVNWPLI7GjKf9OMsGZ3c61bU1nBR6Pua4xlocxJf3vjY4jgJgB3-aNJ2wIGnhva5WFqpfY_k4Tm1QgMg1WzJ0LioZhogEcatTNK5GmlqcIQW7xIIHtzCy7FbY/s1600/Patrickandguys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsgznFMNPO03HXeeNTBOVNWPLI7GjKf9OMsGZ3c61bU1nBR6Pua4xlocxJf3vjY4jgJgB3-aNJ2wIGnhva5WFqpfY_k4Tm1QgMg1WzJ0LioZhogEcatTNK5GmlqcIQW7xIIHtzCy7FbY/s320/Patrickandguys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> The guys :)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Kristofer my nephew was also a ring bearer, but was unable to make it to the pictures.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg317vuDEdgF_6Itshg_qbMUJJjPif8yJTsd7knVZgebnQT0ecM9aN_4pYRplsRZNplkykYXUa0t_-F-aOjdHDhuKQIyxQaJtWbHiPt8AfzFzOJWLsJnBymGPdGiMHV-AZ9x18NPNOPd0I/s1600/Brideandparents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg317vuDEdgF_6Itshg_qbMUJJjPif8yJTsd7knVZgebnQT0ecM9aN_4pYRplsRZNplkykYXUa0t_-F-aOjdHDhuKQIyxQaJtWbHiPt8AfzFzOJWLsJnBymGPdGiMHV-AZ9x18NPNOPd0I/s320/Brideandparents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Bride and parents</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKahqiDk3hHIdUOnsE8KZp4iyMGYYV0HZ2CVritjL6B_cEnT62UM7CkiOrarMRKavxIJuctBgCQCDGisN7KMSV-yvRpG-Azh5UwGA2DqWIj9mamQI3cq6GLmjFQYXbjf7B4vgVtE3aICQ/s1600/Groomandparents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKahqiDk3hHIdUOnsE8KZp4iyMGYYV0HZ2CVritjL6B_cEnT62UM7CkiOrarMRKavxIJuctBgCQCDGisN7KMSV-yvRpG-Azh5UwGA2DqWIj9mamQI3cq6GLmjFQYXbjf7B4vgVtE3aICQ/s320/Groomandparents.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Groom and parents</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting the beautiful cake that my new mother-in-love made</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-3584756128417395602010-02-10T14:26:00.003-05:002010-02-10T14:46:36.223-05:00Thoughts on Exodus<style></style>Patrick and I have been reading through Exodus and as we read through the law (in the last part of Exodus) that God gave to Moses, there are some interesting things that stand out...<br /><br /> We noticed that God's laws are direct instructions of how to live, down to the minutest detail. He did not just tell Moses, "Make a tabernacle, make an alter, offer sacrifices", He gave specific directions. With what metals to make exact utensils, what wood to use and what size boards of a certain number for the ark of the covenant. What kind and color of cloth with an exact number of<br />gems for the priests garments. What type of animals and grain to offer, and how to cut, wash, separate, and what parts to burn, what parts to eat, and what parts to cast without the camp. At that time Moses and the children of Israel obeyed the Lord and did all according "as the Lord commanded Moses." They did not question God's wisdom in using a vast amount of gold and silver to build His tabernacle, instead they gave willingly of what they had until they had to be restrained from bringing any more gifts. <span style="font-weight: bold;">They found <span style="font-size:130%;">joy</span> in obeying the Lord.</span><br /><br />This makes me think of my life. Do I find joy in obeying the Lord my God? Are His commands precious to me? God has given us very specific commands for this life... we are told: <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."</span> (1 John 2:15) Have you thought about this? I mean <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Really</span> thought about it. What does it mean to love the world? Some things come to mind immediately...immorality, profanity, idolatry, just godlessness in general. Of course these things are of the world and we should not love them, but does it stop there? How far does God take this? To the tiny details? I think so.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."</span> (Psalms 101:3) Do you love to watch TV, movies, play video games? Are you aware of the filth that you are allowing to come into your eyes, mind and heart? OK lets just say that you are very careful and only watch good movies without offensive scenes and language, or violence. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why do you watch it? To glorify God? That is the reason He gave you breath today, that should be our reason for living. It should motivate everything that we do.</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"For my own sake, even for my own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be profaned? and I will not give my glory unto another."</span> (Isaiah 48:11)<br /><br />We should ask ourselves, "Where is my heart?" We can find that out by asking "where is my treasure?" <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."</span> (Matthew 6:21) <span style="font-weight: bold;">What do you think about all day long?</span> Seriously consider that one. Because... <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."</span> (Psalms 10:4) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Is God in all your thoughts?</span> Do you find your thoughts soaring to Him throughout the day? Some would say, "you have to be able to think about other things, there is work to do." Yes, and no. Of course there are tasks that take concentration and there are things to think through, but in what context are those thoughts? <span style="font-weight: bold;">Are you abiding in Christ?</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."</span> (John 15:4) It is a moment by moment thing, abide in Christ. Rest in Him. <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"Pray without ceasing.</span>" (1Thessalonians 5:17)<br /><br />What other worldly things can we think of that we may find ourselves loving and not realize the danger? The list can be pretty big. I pray that the Lord will reveal those things to me in my life, help me compare my life to His Word and make me sensitive to His voice. I want to follow Jesus...and he, <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;"</span> (Hebrews 5:8) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jesus obeyed to the tiniest detail, He offered Himself willingly until it was enough.</span> He tells us...<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">"If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.</span> (John 15:18)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you enjoy and are you entertained by the things that nailed Jesus to the tree?<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" >Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, <span style="font-weight: bold;">be sober</span>, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As <span style="font-weight: bold;">obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance</span>: But as he who has called you is holy, <span style="font-weight: bold;">so be holy in all manner of conduct</span>; Because it is written, <span style="font-weight: bold;">You will be holy; for I am holy</span>. And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man's work, <span style="font-weight: bold;">pass the time of your exile here in fear</span>: Since you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain manner of life received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:13-21)<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-75325690174809361952010-01-24T16:49:00.003-05:002010-01-24T16:57:42.644-05:00Announcing a Courtship!!!<style></style><div>On January 20th, 2010 my Dad gave Patrick permission to court me! What a day of rejoicing that was, and every day following continues to be!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN6y5zk3av5RV6dhmoYWy3WFwalO6r2jK-Zw4xrRmG63VmkKM6ZMnSTI0iBaD3hfDlfj-jpDnMbMDlfPcOKER7y2ZWstc4wakh6nz8aYqBkLYf460fKwtKV9vB6n79Fe8L7oihaKw5Fg/s1600-h/LeahPatrickMichael.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggN6y5zk3av5RV6dhmoYWy3WFwalO6r2jK-Zw4xrRmG63VmkKM6ZMnSTI0iBaD3hfDlfj-jpDnMbMDlfPcOKER7y2ZWstc4wakh6nz8aYqBkLYf460fKwtKV9vB6n79Fe8L7oihaKw5Fg/s320/LeahPatrickMichael.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430427183478305202" border="0" /></a>L-R: Leah, Patrick, Michael<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDfadt8kz74YGNZCYsU-soEmgyqPmGSI4GHEfMP3neIFtHOg-IXle0zxKyyNOtplqVU0TSrLmyDfLasWZWyRNPfRGf1IJM3N_bo1jApaiQ5zMN7iqf5VLUOkPTfyFY4mYn2iPTTv6j7U/s1600-h/LeahMichaelPatrick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDfadt8kz74YGNZCYsU-soEmgyqPmGSI4GHEfMP3neIFtHOg-IXle0zxKyyNOtplqVU0TSrLmyDfLasWZWyRNPfRGf1IJM3N_bo1jApaiQ5zMN7iqf5VLUOkPTfyFY4mYn2iPTTv6j7U/s320/LeahMichaelPatrick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430427660357739922" border="0" /></a>Leah, Michael, Patrick<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocF4s5cpEb0dXxZz0LuzD7xcdxCBHpgiY9ta6osqmTxbNMriM6FQsMxJa4ZS5DNTCmHgtlkPaHSQ5n5gEAc2n56u37CSoBKTLqdLH6ME7Bthr7eVY6AcXb7y5qIBEz2aJdf7MPWFEV08/s1600-h/Patrick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocF4s5cpEb0dXxZz0LuzD7xcdxCBHpgiY9ta6osqmTxbNMriM6FQsMxJa4ZS5DNTCmHgtlkPaHSQ5n5gEAc2n56u37CSoBKTLqdLH6ME7Bthr7eVY6AcXb7y5qIBEz2aJdf7MPWFEV08/s320/Patrick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430427666741401602" border="0" /></a></div></div> <div><div style="text-align: center;">Patrick<br /><br /></div>My brother Michael and I met Patrick on our mission trip to Las Vegas in July, but we barely got to know him. Later on, my Mom, Michael and I joined the social network called, Facebook, to keep in touch with friends and family. Soon we had friend requests from Patrick. It did not take long before we began to notice his love for the Lord Jesus in his posts and comments, it was refreshing to meet a believer who sought the Lord with all his heart. Over the chat we all became good friends and had wonderful times of fellowship encouraging each other in the Lord. From time to time Patrick would call to talk with Michael, and eventually the calls became more frequent. In time he made plans to visit us, and finally made his way up from Ohio to meet the family. And the rest, as they say...is history! Someday I am sure I will share more details....but now you all know why I have been quite absent from this blog. I had a good reason this time! :)</div> <div><br />I am very blessed to be courted by such a godly young man! His fervent love for Jesus is very evident in his walk and talk. The Lord is so good, and His mercies are beyond comprehension!<span class="UIStory_Message"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Praise the Lord for His wonderful works among the children of men!!!</span></span></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-20634527067538487892010-01-15T17:32:00.001-05:002010-01-15T17:34:41.570-05:00Radio Station in Duluth Bans Pro-Life Van<span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Radio Station in Duluth Bans Pro-Life Van from Parking Lot</span> By Jim Tuttle<br /><br /></span>A local "christian" radio station in Duluth MN has told us that we cannot park our Pro-Life van in their parking lot because they do not want to be associated with what we do in front of planned parenthood. Please take the time to read this article by Pastor Tuttle, then contact the station manager. Please note: the station manager has claimed that he is receiving many hateful and unkind phone calls so please be as respectful as possible when you call. Thank you!<br /><br /><span> ..........................</span><div><wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>..........................</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>..........................</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>..........................</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>......<br />I have very sad news to share. A local Christian radio<br />station’s new manager, Scott Michaels, has banned my pro-life<br />van from its parking lot because our weekly ministry to expose<br />Planned Parenthood’s wicked practices is too controversial and<br />threatens the radio station’s ministry. <br /> For the last several years we have parked in KDNW’s<br />parking lot. Then we walked up to PP’s location, using signs to<br />expose what it does. Up until now, the radio station stood with us<br />in the battle. But now, all that has changed. The new manager<br />called me to his office only five days after he started in his new<br />position. (I must have been a very high priority on his list of first<br />things to do.) In the brief meeting we exchanged our ideas about<br />Christian ministry. But he held firm, not wanting to be identified<br />with what we do at PP. <br /> After this meeting I called on my pastor, Duncan Ross,<br />and asked for his evaluation about our ministry to make sure I<br />had not missed something. Mount of Olives Church and Pastor<br />Duncan have always stood with me. In that meeting Pastor as-<br />sured me that I was on biblical grounds exposing PP in the man-<br />ner in which we do. I then asked him to come with me to make<br />another appeal for the use of KDNW’s parking lot. He agreed.<br />But Scott Michaels was not willing to meet with Pastor and me. It<br />is only a minor inconvenience for me to find someplace else to<br />park but the loss of KDNW’s partnership grieves me.<br /> We are in a battle for the lives of unborn children—<br />God’s Heritage. To ignore this reality is to ignore the admonition<br />of Scripture. Rescue those who are being taken away to death;<br />hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say,<br />"Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart<br />perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,<br />and will he not repay man according to his work? <br />(Proverbs 24:11-12)<br /> I am not asking my brother to stand out on the sidewalk<br />with me, nor am I asking for air time. (Although this would not<br />be an unreasonable request considering the enormity of PP’s sin-<br />ful practices). I just ask that he be willing to show his support to<br />this ministry by allowing us to park in his parking lot. And, yes,<br />he would have to defend what we do to a few angry people who<br />may call from time to time. Is this too much to ask considering<br />the river of innocent blood and sexual wickedness that flows out<br />of Planned Parenthood nationwide? <br /> You may wonder about his reasons for his actions. <br />When I asked him if I could quote him, he said, “No, I do not<br />want you to represent my position.” So let me paraphrase—he<br />wants to reach people with a positive message. He doesn’t want<br />to risk the radio station’s reputation with a protest. He wants to<br />build a relationship with the lost and draw them to<br />Christ. And I think he wants to get the radio station on<br />better financial ground with these new listeners. He<br />said in an e-mail to me, “As I communicated during<br />our meeting, I cannot allow the brand and reach of the<br />radio station to be hurt in any way by the actions of<br />another ministry.” <br />Tragically, he is willing to live with the ugly <br />reality of slain children and Planned Parenthood’s vile practices in<br />his quest to strengthen KDNW’s role in the Christian community. <br /> To be fair to Mr. Michaels, he did tell me that he was pro-<br />life. (I am sure that the millions that have been aborted and the mil-<br />lions that will be aborted will find great comfort in this fact.)<br /> Potentially the radio station could have a profound impact<br />for good against those that hate righteousness and love death. But<br />as it stands now—it is silent no matter how vast the coverage. I be-<br />lieve God is looking for the Daniels and Esthers of our generation<br />to make their stand, to raise their voices, to run to the roar as<br />David’s men did.<br /> Call, write, or e-mail Scott Michaels and<br />respectfully let him know what you think. His e-mail<br />address is <a class="linkification-ext" href="mailto:smichaels@nwc.edu" title="Linkification: mailto:smichaels@nwc.edu">smichaels@nwc.edu</a> or call at 218-722-6700. Write to:<br />KDNW,<br />1101 East Central Entrance, Duluth, MN 55811<br /><br /><br /><div class="photo photo_center"><div class="photo_img"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=174851&op=1&view=all&subj=429609050346&aid=-1&auser=0&oid=429609050346&id=100000157396951"><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs228.snc3/21532_106714946010418_100000157396951_174851_737831_a.jpg" /></a></div><div class="caption">This is the van that was "banned" by Scott Michaels from KDNW's parking lot</div></div><div class="clear_center"><br /><br />This article is posted with the permission of Jim Tuttle.</div><br /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-14957817424494590602009-12-19T15:03:00.005-05:002009-12-19T15:18:32.683-05:00No king but King Jesus!<style></style><div>In Duluth there is an on going event called "Bentleyville Tour of Lights" which is a large area decked out in lights. We saw an opportunity to proclaim the name of Jesus, but just as the event began my brother and I fell sick. We were sick for some time, ending up with sinus infections and such. Praise God that He has healed us and we are back on the streets singing the praise of our King! On Thursday we did a "Health Partners" witness and a "Planned Parenthood" witness, then headed down to Bentleyville. My Mom and I held signs that said: "Jesus Came to Give Life" and "The Lord our God, He is Mightily to Save!" We sung carols while Michael and our friend and brother Steve handed out gospel tracts. Before long Mr. Bentley showed up. He was furious with us for being there! "Why are you here?" he yelled. "This does not belong at this event!" He told Steve: "The police told me you would come, but it took you <span style="font-weight: bold;">two weeks</span> to get here!" This reminds us of a verse <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;" >"These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also...!"</span> (Acts 17:6) Mr. Bentley tried all he could to get us to leave, even bodily blocking my brother from handing out tracts! One of his volunteers said she is a Christian, but also said that when someone hands her a tract it "makes me sick"! Another volunteer began to tell those coming to the event who were about to take a tract: "We're sorry they are not part of Bentleyville, they're just soliciting." Over and over. My brother responded by saying "These are free, we are not soliciting." Thankfully a police officer arrived who knew the law and told Mr. Bentley that we have "a Constitutional right" to be there. Praise God!</div> <div><br />We returned on Friday night, and hope to go again for many nights to come. What an opportunity to glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Obviously Mr. Bentley wants his event to be all about HIM and cannot tolerate competition. We are there to proclaim that there is no king but King Jesus! Please pray for us, and for the many people that accept tracts, hear the songs, etc. that they will be convicted by the Spirit of God and come to repentance and faith. One young man named Dan, was very open to hear the gospel, please pray for the salvation of his soul.<br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>Also on Tuesday this week a baby's life was spared at the abortion mill in Duluth! We are praise God! To read that story go here: <a class="linkification-ext" href="http://www.sarahsprolife.com/blog/" title="Linkification: http://www.sarahsprolife.com/blog/">http://www.sarahsprolife.com/blog/</a><br /><br /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-23802540774892485622009-12-05T15:54:00.003-05:002009-12-05T16:14:03.852-05:00Praise God For His Wonderful Works!<style></style><div>I am amazed at the way God has used the incident that happened on Tuesday the 24, for His glory! The story has travelled across the nation and even over the world. Already I have done two radio interviews and a paper interview, as well as responding to multiple e-mails. This has really surprised me since the incident is not an isolated occurrence, other sidewalk councilors are attacked weekly and the news does not cover it. One man told me what had attracted him to the story, and I think this is probably the reason for all the attention. He said, "It is the fact that God gave you such peace in the moment of need, that is so amazing." Praise God! So it is God's working that causes people to cry when they read what happened, it is God's ability and power to give a weak girl peace in the face of death, and God's protection over His people. In this I rejoice, that the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is being glorified and lifted up through this whole thing! He is worthy of ALL praise! I have been greatly reminded of the fact that my life is NOT about me. It is about my God, I am His, and all I am, have and do are His. If He chooses to use me, I rejoice and glory in Christ my Savior. </div> <div><br />I am not great at speaking so when it came time to do the radio interviews I prayed and prayed, and others (especially my dear Mother) prayed as well. Asking the Lord to speak through me, clearly and to His glory. He did it! He really did! My prayer is that people will see how beautiful my Lord Jesus is, and how worthy of praise. That they who heard/hear will tremble before God and give glory to Him. That many will be turned unto the Lord and be saved. As the second interview approached, I was sick with a bad cold and without a voice. But when it came time to talk, my voice was there! Praise be to God!<br /><br />Recently we heard from relatives of Michelle's (the attacker), I will let this note speak for itself, it is addressed to my Mom:<br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic;">Sarah,<br />Thank you so much for your blog. I am a relative of Mechelle and live in Minneapolis. I, too, am a pro-lifer. In response to my convictions I have in the past housed pregnant women who had no place to live. I have never been outside an abortion clinic as I had believed that it was pushing it too far in a negative manner. This incident has changed my mind. Although things did not go as smoothly as normal for you, you were at the place God wanted you to be. My brother visited her the other day and said “I believe the protester was an angel sent by God to save the life of the baby”. That is just what happened. Since the incident, she has decided against abortion. I wanted to thank you for the work you are doing. Keep praying for Mechelle that she would return to Jesus.</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Lori</p><p style="font-style: italic;"><br /></p>Did you read that? Michelle decided NOT to kill her baby! Praise God! And this relative of Michelle's now sees the value in pleading with women at the gates of hell as a last voice of reason that they will hear before going in. Praise God again and again! As she said, please keep praying for Michelle that she will be saved. For legal reasons we have not been able to visit with her, but pray that we may be able to do so some day.<br /></div> <div> </div> <div> <br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14) </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to test you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Peter 4:11-14)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. (Romans 16:27)<br /><br /></span><span lang="EN"><span lang="EN"><span lang="EN"></span></span></span></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-56374392085853976852009-11-25T10:53:00.004-05:002009-11-27T16:11:42.057-05:00A hairbreadth away from Glory?Yesterday morning my Mom and I, were at the Building For Women in Duluth MN, to plead for the lives of unborn babies (sidewalk counsel) with Jim Tuttle of Pro-Life Ministries of Duluth. I saw a lady walking toward the building, who I figured must be a client. Before I could talk to her or approach her with literature, she snapped open a knife. She waved the point at me saying, "Don't come near me!" I stayed where I was and said, "Please don't kill your baby, fear God." She walked past into the courtyard, so I moved to the fence corner to continue counseling. She then turned around, came up to me and held the point of the knife at my throat! The thought flashed through my mind, "What if she stabs me?" and then, "That's ok." God gave me great peace as I looked into her angry eyes and said, "Fear God. You need to fear God Ma'am." She turned around, and began to walk through the court yard again. My Mom, Sarah, who was standing at the other end of the fence, called out to her, "We love you, and care about you, don't kill your baby." The women turned and waved the knife at her yelling, "I'm certified crazy, that's why I'm doing this!" She then went into the building.<br /><br /> Jim Tuttle called the police and they arrived very quickly, seven squad cars strong. Several went immediately into the building, and shortly came out with the women in handcuffs, she was crying. They interviewed us, had us write reports, and told us that this is a felony offence. My Mom told two of the officers that we feel very sad for the women who did this, and we will be praying for her. One of the officers looked shocked at that.<br /><br /> A local TV newsman showed up and interviewed us. We were able to give glory to God for His protection and testify that God says, "You shall not murder." I explained that we are living in a culture of death, and if they believe it is fine to kill babies in the womb, what would be the difference killing someone out of the womb? He wanted to know if this would change my mind about coming out to talk to the abortion clients. I said "No, not at all! I am excited that God protected me." My Mom told him that we care about the women who did this, forgive her, and want her to know that if she came to Jesus Christ and was saved, God would completely change her.<br /><br /> God allowed this all to happen for a reason, and I greatly desire that His name be glorified through this incident. Our God is worthy to be praised! Psalm 91 was going through my head... "He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." (Psalms 91:1-2) Praise God for His mercy, not only on me for protection, but also in the fact that this lady still has her baby!<br /><br /> As the police were leaving, a young women ran into the building very quickly. After a few minutes she came out onto the sidewalk, and seemed to be waiting for someone. My Mom talked to her, and she turned out to be the friend of the women who had just been arrested. Not knowing what had just happened, she had come to support her friend, but was told that her friend had left the building quickly. They didn't even tell her why or in what state she had left! So we were able to minister to this women, her name is, Melissa and her friend, who had been arrested is Michelle. My Mom shared the gospel with her, gave her a Bible, and asked if we could visit Michelle in jail. She agreed that it might be possible.<br /><br />Please pray for these two women. I do forgive Michelle, and pray that she will be saved, she needs Jesus. Only God knows what He will do with this situation, we pray that He will be glorified!<br /><br /><br />EDITED to add:<br /><br />Here are some news articles covering the incident:<br /><br />LifeSiteNews: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/nov/09112603.html<br /><br />WorldNetDaily: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=117119<br /><br />LifeNews: http://www.lifenews.com/state4602.html<br /><br />NorthlandNews: http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/72989782.htmlLeahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-78817986802327994482009-11-18T16:49:00.001-05:002009-11-18T16:52:12.152-05:00At The Abortion Clinic<div>We were at the abortion mill yesterday to plead for the lives of innocent baby girls and boys. 16 mothers, 1 turn-away (which means, one left before having an abortion without giving us the reason. She could have changed her mind...we hope so!...or she may have been too far along...or had taken RU486, a chemical abortion....or any other number of reasons). As I showed one mother a baby model and spoke to her about the gift God has given her, she took the model...thinking that I was offering to her. She then walked toward the building and threw the model in the trash before going in. I called out, "Don't throw away your baby! Fear God!" </div> <div><br />That was not a cheap baby model, so I asked one of the "escorts" if he could retrieve it for us. Being the "kind" man that he is, (very intentional) he looked in the trash for it. When he failed to find it, the two women "escorts" with him, took the trash inside and looked through it with a ....coat hanger....we thought they were kidding when they <span class="text_exposed_show">said that, but they were serious. Here they were digging through the trash looking for a baby model, with a coat hanger, a symbol of death used often by the pro-death people. How ironic. They "did not" find it. Perhaps that mother had thrown something else away, and carried the model with her to the waiting room...we pray so. </span></div> <div><span class="text_exposed_show"></span> <span class="text_exposed_show"><br />One vehicle pulled in with a "Jesus fish" bumper sticker. As the young mother made her way to the building, my brother Michael said to her: "Jesus said, '"As much as you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."' So if you abort your baby, it is like you are killing Jesus." She did not respond, and he continued. "Jesus also said, '"A thief comes to steal and destroy, but I come to give you life."' At this she made a bad hand gesture. </span></div> <div><span class="text_exposed_show"></span> <span class="text_exposed_show"><br />It is terribly sad that the modern church of America has made Jesus look like a "cool guy" who will be our best buddy to keep us out of the hell that the mean God wants to send us to. In America it's "cool" to be a Christian. What happened to the true gospel? Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) and "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Timothy 3:12) It sure wasn't "cool" to be a follower of Jesus when he was hanging on the cross, and it certainly has not been "cool" in the worlds eyes, to be his follower ever since. So why is it suddenly "cool" in America? Is our country more spiritual than all nations before us? OR are American churches preaching a false gospel, one that omits God's holiness, wrath, anger, judgment, and commandments, and is therefore expectable to the world? It's ok to be saved from a mean God way up there, if you don't have to give up your sin, your life and turn your back on the world. No longer do people seem to care that Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15).... (What I am NOT saying is that we are <em>saved</em> by keeping commandments i.e.. saved by works. I AM saying that someone who has truly been saved by God, <strong>will </strong>bear good fruit. "You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7:16) "Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith." (2 Corinthians 13:5) etc.) They do not understand that <strong>we</strong> are the ones with the problem, we are sinners, filthy, rotten, disgusting in God's eyes. Jesus is righteous (without sin), pure, and holy (set apart, different), He died for us bearing our sin as if He had done it, and God punished His own son for our sakes. People believe that "yes it is wrong to have an abortion, but God will forgive me." They don't get it!!! So we warn them of their error, and pray that God will open their eyes. God is the only one who can cause them to see and understand the truth, because they are blinded by the lies of satan.</span></div> <div><span class="text_exposed_show"></span> <span class="text_exposed_show"><br />I praise God that we were able to lift up the name of our Lord Jesus on the streets. We pray that He was mightily glorified, by our singing, praying, and proclaiming His Word to the lost. He is worthy to receive all praise!</span></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-42044238564822027292009-11-12T13:12:00.005-05:002009-11-12T13:49:25.108-05:00Eyes Focused on Jesus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B8Xux1Mf7MlIeaoUhshkL4LK5PLXhYRlrh3UnbLQpd0aKhOoBPKImNQuHFFF44S9_BXeMwMHY2Vi4_7pcT6W-wOeq_ZCXF_ZrkT09Pvlk0rpRpcX3M8tnTRejIMlCylcUe8P1gw1ha0/s1600-h/Shephrd1the+good+shepherd.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B8Xux1Mf7MlIeaoUhshkL4LK5PLXhYRlrh3UnbLQpd0aKhOoBPKImNQuHFFF44S9_BXeMwMHY2Vi4_7pcT6W-wOeq_ZCXF_ZrkT09Pvlk0rpRpcX3M8tnTRejIMlCylcUe8P1gw1ha0/s320/Shephrd1the+good+shepherd.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403290978862659506" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, let us keep our eyes on Jesus dear sisters! There is no other help for us. If we focus on our ministry, on the things we do for God and not on Him, then are we sure to drift. To gaze at Him, to seek, and adore Him is our great privilege. Upon taking our eyes off of Jesus we are sure to falter, slip and fall. Remember Peter on the water. He took his eyes off of Jesus, and soon sunk in the waves. How easy it is for us to look at our circumstances instead of our great God. Again, how easy it is to look at our work, and ministry, instead of looking at He who equips us unto the ministry. For a time we can manage to go on "auto pilot", seeming to be in the same spiritual state as before, but time will show that growth has stopped. We will begin to notice a coldness in our hearts, a lack of deep fellowship with our God. Outwardly we say the same things, do the same things, but inwardly we are groping in the dark, dieing. Indeed, if this process continues, we will stop bearing fruit all together, and being no longer a glory to our King, we will in a sense die.<br /><br />Thanks be to God who gives us the victory in Christ Jesus our Lord! Cry out to Him for mercy, repent of your sin. Seek fellowship with your Father in Heaven, and plead with Him to soften and change your heart. He is our dear Father, we can cry Abba (Daddy!) and oh how tenderly He cares for us.<br /><br />These things I know because for a time I had forgotten. I looked around me instead of at Jesus, and I was miserable. But, Praise be to God who brought me out of the pit and brought me back to the the Light of His countenance! Our God is so good, faithful, and kind!<br /><br />We do not have the answers, but He does. We cannot see the future, but He does. And He cares, He knows how to get a hold of our hearts. Give Him your heart, and He will glorify Himself through you. Oh what joy!Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-13105009967699662922009-10-20T19:35:00.004-04:002009-10-20T19:54:14.928-04:00The Refiner's Fire<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H5967sR5sawxhnlSTrK0W2-LQkJNzV1RRT9-pYQUmxM_pWX2xiA__HD_LhRJaIU7JZma3nyJN8NRAx0Rk8r3CkXSs_IM4-DAhmUbMzU6QSPz0kHdzzOcIvPgzbBRANq0vZpePMlJ650/s1600-h/therefinersfire.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H5967sR5sawxhnlSTrK0W2-LQkJNzV1RRT9-pYQUmxM_pWX2xiA__HD_LhRJaIU7JZma3nyJN8NRAx0Rk8r3CkXSs_IM4-DAhmUbMzU6QSPz0kHdzzOcIvPgzbBRANq0vZpePMlJ650/s320/therefinersfire.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394834528618312434" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">He sat by a fire of seven-fold heat,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> As He watched by the precious ore.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">And closer He bent with a searching gaze</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">As He heated it more and more.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">He knew He had ore that could stand the test,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">And He wanted the finest gold</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">To mold as a crown for the King to wear,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Set with gems with a price untold.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">So He laid our gold in the burning fire,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Tho' we fain would have said him 'Nay',</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">And He watched the dross that we had not seen,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">As it melted and passed away.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">But our eyes were so dim with tears,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">We saw but the fire - not the Master's hand,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">And questioned with anxious fears.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">As it mirrored a Form above,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">That bent o'er the fire, tho' unseen by us,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">With a look of ineffable Love.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Can we think that it pleases His loving heart</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">To cause us a moments' pain?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Ah, no! but He saw through the present cross</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The bliss of eternal gain.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">So He waited there with a watchful eye.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">With a love that is strong and sure,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat,</span> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Than was needed to make it pure.</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >-Author Unkown<br />From "Streams in the Dessert" By Mrs. Chas Cowman</span><br /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-68103589160430710732009-10-15T13:31:00.004-04:002009-10-15T13:47:50.740-04:00The Promises of God<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg058Jh1oY9eD66HYWpB0kUOkQyGXKQAVrnPJkI1HGiQ7sNGVsltF5QQscD-XWO_-Aa1BPj52XvX0VsrXXaGaBUTv8jyX1oj1s01n4qj1YJKz6Hx8LaSXBfP7lKs7pny9xItyUWto52en4/s1600-h/TheStormHarrow_Gascoyne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg058Jh1oY9eD66HYWpB0kUOkQyGXKQAVrnPJkI1HGiQ7sNGVsltF5QQscD-XWO_-Aa1BPj52XvX0VsrXXaGaBUTv8jyX1oj1s01n4qj1YJKz6Hx8LaSXBfP7lKs7pny9xItyUWto52en4/s320/TheStormHarrow_Gascoyne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392884795444328882" border="0" /></a><br />Take hold, oh fainting heart, upon the Key of Promise. Do you think it will break beneath your weight? Fear not! God's honor rests upon keeping His promises, He will not fail to uphold them. Throughout the ages His faithfulness has been proven, His changeless nature shown. The promises of God are not idle words or hopeful fancies, behind them stands the weight of He who spoke the world into existence. What God has promised, He is more than able to fulfill; therefore look up. Dwell not on the greatness of your problems, sink not in the waves of circumstance. Be not consumed by impossibilities, and your own inability. Only look now to the Powerful One, He who delights to do the impossible. See not your great troubles, instead see your Great God. Take up the shield of Faith, it is given for your defense.Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-47843008634439662332009-10-13T16:40:00.008-04:002009-10-13T17:22:30.396-04:00A trip, and Where are God's People?<style></style><div>It has been far too long since I have written on here! I have been very busy canning garden produce. We had a hard frost several weeks ago which sent us scrambling to bring in all the green tomatoes before it hit. With my Dad and brother's help, we managed to pull all the plants and box up the green fruit. Now they are ripening, so I have been canning almost every day. We are also making and canning applesauce, chutney, various jellies, and ketchup.</div> <div><br />Two weeks ago my Grandma who lives with us, had a mini stroke. Thankfully it did not do too much damage, but she needs to have an operation on her carotid arteries soon. Wednesday last week, my brother and I took her down to IL. to visit family and attend a cousin's wedding. We were able to see our Uncle & Aunt from WA, who we have not seen in a long time. It was a great time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteN3uXt6k3h9D-zag1gd8eygTSUvgJi5szaFoaD3O8GSlPCGJ7qef6XBq0vkl4uLHyaSlE4Xe0guejT4-vy3DrDkL5SvsMDqUYiJQU51A8L4288uhHIs6ZCIhVDNI5yPAiKIOl-Pr2no/s1600-h/Josh&Cathy1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteN3uXt6k3h9D-zag1gd8eygTSUvgJi5szaFoaD3O8GSlPCGJ7qef6XBq0vkl4uLHyaSlE4Xe0guejT4-vy3DrDkL5SvsMDqUYiJQU51A8L4288uhHIs6ZCIhVDNI5yPAiKIOl-Pr2no/s320/Josh&Cathy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392193583303280994" border="0" /></a>The bride and groom! Josh & Cathy<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRl_7WH4dI_iEjOC0uKdAfi9S7TxHUqsjDlc5-VDvEHf9rc54vUDRe_3Nz6SU8pQTrQSraTt3yeSMnO7wGhOQHN4tSMwpgEO6S2goF6_h1F-X1ybIyVuRPR2Bw4ThmRR5NOUHSjg3geFk/s1600-h/Danielle&Leah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRl_7WH4dI_iEjOC0uKdAfi9S7TxHUqsjDlc5-VDvEHf9rc54vUDRe_3Nz6SU8pQTrQSraTt3yeSMnO7wGhOQHN4tSMwpgEO6S2goF6_h1F-X1ybIyVuRPR2Bw4ThmRR5NOUHSjg3geFk/s320/Danielle&Leah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392190380182311874" border="0" /></a>My cousin Danielle and I<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div> We also visited with our brother Dan, sister-in-love Basia, and their two boys, Kristofer and Noah.<br /><br /></div> <div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hYwyFQbeRj_WP_F259olEzqoM1WU09PN-ruHCUrXV76SkqXzv7ZmYDT6UZv3xhscQlH4MCdaExhwQVdbmDIoliJRnZOPNX_sNdNT3Xa0MwgXZCWaXNIk3aFMP_Y7l42NEtTjovwsXfo/s1600-h/Kristofer&Leah.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hYwyFQbeRj_WP_F259olEzqoM1WU09PN-ruHCUrXV76SkqXzv7ZmYDT6UZv3xhscQlH4MCdaExhwQVdbmDIoliJRnZOPNX_sNdNT3Xa0MwgXZCWaXNIk3aFMP_Y7l42NEtTjovwsXfo/s320/Kristofer&Leah.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392188058878586130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iL9ZduuhKYuQhrCkcVOsptL_1xQdCM7QK9XL6Ug82WDz-z3G0iQqN6Y9CNYL324oKreaXkBf7c-hkJcJv1WlBD_QlSPzbzLNW8ut0kZtBF_D6mnrHZ0TVakGvQIkAD9PFSwly1IZD7Q/s1600-h/Michael&Kristofer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iL9ZduuhKYuQhrCkcVOsptL_1xQdCM7QK9XL6Ug82WDz-z3G0iQqN6Y9CNYL324oKreaXkBf7c-hkJcJv1WlBD_QlSPzbzLNW8ut0kZtBF_D6mnrHZ0TVakGvQIkAD9PFSwly1IZD7Q/s320/Michael&Kristofer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392191569380031890" border="0" /></a>Hanging out with Kristofer<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewtuZ41dH9eoRWn2YNULreBOcpi_5986mCaNyG3Ur_YSQ4G8OXF7jbBdHS30hoNzNANLRgyETRmAfBS3UwZpj5_vrYsEJ8xXAj_HqHwCKGsq3XXpVSgF6AF9FfNYVcF2PvdQdblH0CrM/s1600-h/Noah2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewtuZ41dH9eoRWn2YNULreBOcpi_5986mCaNyG3Ur_YSQ4G8OXF7jbBdHS30hoNzNANLRgyETRmAfBS3UwZpj5_vrYsEJ8xXAj_HqHwCKGsq3XXpVSgF6AF9FfNYVcF2PvdQdblH0CrM/s320/Noah2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392190411123959010" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoJdgVEGHt-KIojMTZE3JXbKfv6szxo2G2mPUee4hJXDqFwqZnMWIuexd06FPgRDouQ3PQWy3PyS-8_LiaCIxpdeeeVIArrXEFbfxYfWttGv3w76OTxZX59dJzPND-gEYJ0NFxou7_08/s1600-h/Noah3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoJdgVEGHt-KIojMTZE3JXbKfv6szxo2G2mPUee4hJXDqFwqZnMWIuexd06FPgRDouQ3PQWy3PyS-8_LiaCIxpdeeeVIArrXEFbfxYfWttGv3w76OTxZX59dJzPND-gEYJ0NFxou7_08/s320/Noah3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392190400526763346" border="0" /></a>Cutie!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29TRGCPESCNcWaB0923lACpBGMDH7LFA8Lu_-SFy4iSCidGg2ygCuKuwOCNoBWFRY7nYTetXHptx9c64XMNkunxOFN4rBznaz5RHBEZf0l4cb_3NkQjtN2vvHWR7VKVGx_dbfiDU08i0/s1600-h/Kristoferpeaking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29TRGCPESCNcWaB0923lACpBGMDH7LFA8Lu_-SFy4iSCidGg2ygCuKuwOCNoBWFRY7nYTetXHptx9c64XMNkunxOFN4rBznaz5RHBEZf0l4cb_3NkQjtN2vvHWR7VKVGx_dbfiDU08i0/s320/Kristoferpeaking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392190391059498098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had a little extra bit of time on Friday, so we drove down to an abortion mill in Chicago, and did some sidewalk counciling. It was a late term killing center...we saw mothers great with child going in there to kill their little ones. . . . . Soon after we arrived, one young woman came out crying. My brother asked if she had changed her mind, and she affirmed that she had. Praise God! There were no other sidewalk councilors out there when we arrived, no one obeying <a target="_blank" title="Proverbs 24:11-12 (Bible.Logos.com: NIV)" href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/NIV/Proverbs%2024.11-12">Proverbs 24:11-12</a>, just some catholics praying their repetitious prayers. Where are God's people? What are you doing?<br />This is a gospel outreach, not just a humanitarian effort. God commands, who will obey?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oov0c8imB1jEMEHDpiPqECRVmNbmtFdljU7Fq-boNESsm_8KpvjFTCxRyzuhxmwNd1gYTKbsNIGigLO8E0J6wzYPW0nqNix7i9DHtS7h5DfPbHbEBpX5l1jWoaqJ0opzsRTC4gwyD8A/s1600-h/SCinChicago.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oov0c8imB1jEMEHDpiPqECRVmNbmtFdljU7Fq-boNESsm_8KpvjFTCxRyzuhxmwNd1gYTKbsNIGigLO8E0J6wzYPW0nqNix7i9DHtS7h5DfPbHbEBpX5l1jWoaqJ0opzsRTC4gwyD8A/s320/SCinChicago.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392188075087671186" border="0" /></a>Pleading for souls, and lives.<br /></div><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Michael and I came back on Saturday, my Grandma stayed down there for a few more days. One of my Aunts is bringing her back up here today. The surgeon thinks that it will be safe to wait a few weeks to have the surgery...I hope he is right since there is danger of her having a major stroke that would leave her paralyzed. Please pray that that won't happen! </div> <div><br />God really impressed upon me how much He protects us. Driving around the Chicago suburbs for four days, made me realize that ANYthing can happen, it is only God who keeps and protects us. We do the best we can, drive the best we can, but ultimately God keeps us safe. If anything does happen, it is because He has allowed it, and it is for our best. </div> <div><br />Keep seeking God with all your heart, and praise our Lord Jesus Christ always!</div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-58187168240648862782009-09-18T13:19:00.002-04:002009-09-18T13:25:01.590-04:00God is Worthy to be Praised!<style></style><div>We were at the abortion mill today. The gospel was clearly given to the eleven mothers who went in to destroy the lives of their little ones. We read the Word of God out loud, and sang praise to our Lord Jesus Christ because He is worthy. What a joy to lift up His name!</div> <div><br />I was able to preach for some time to a group of eight woman who gathered in the "gated" area. There were two mothers in the group who seemed to be sobered as I shared with them on sin, righteousness, and judgment. One loud woman came over to tell me that she had an abortion once because "the baby was not right", and when I expressed sympathy and regret that she had done that, she said that she was not sorry. She also said that she had "Jesus in her soul". At which I began to share that God does not forgive those who will not repent. She called me a "Bible preacher" and wished I would stop. Glory! What a name to be called! </div> <div><br />As we prepared to leave, a couple came out. We asked them if they had changed their mind, The woman answered, "Yes". Praise God! We rejoice, and give glory to God! They would not stop to talk, but drove away, and she waved. Please pray for them, that God will convict them of sin and save their souls. </div> <div><br />Our God is great, and worthy of all praise and glory!<br /><br />You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.<br />(Revelation 4:11)<br /><br /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-5438576966862928392009-09-10T20:43:00.004-04:002009-09-10T20:50:01.239-04:00A Witnessing Opportunity<style></style><div>On Tuesday this week Michael and I went to the abortion clinic early to sidewalk council. It was not open, so we prepared to hold signs and pray. Then this young woman came to us asking if we knew when the place opened. We asked what she wanted there, she said to get a pregnancy test. We offered to take her to a life care center for a free pregnancy test, and she agreed. The LCC did not open until 9am, so Mr. Tuttle asked myself and another sidewalk councilor to take her to breakfast. </div> <div><br />I began to share the gospel with her and found that she had heard about Jesus, but she did not know about judgment. She had heard that Jesus was her only hope, but did not know why! At first she would not look me in the eye, but as I shared about sin, righteousness and judgment, she became very sober and looked me in the eye. When I told her about Jesus coming back to destroy the world with fire, I had to go back to the flood of Noah's time and explain why God judged the world then, and why He will judge it now. </div> <div><br />People used to have a foundational knowledge of Scripture, but now there seem to be few who do. We have to do as Paul did at Athens, begin at the beginning and lay the foundation, the reason for Christ's sacrifice. When I told her that the earth will be destroy by fire, she looked very sober and asked, "So then none of us are going to make it?" </div> <div>I rejoice and praise God for the opportunity to share with her the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We exchanged phone numbers, so I hope to keep in touch with her.</div> <div>Please pray with me that God will get glory for His name by saving this young woman.</div> <div> </div> <div><span lang="EN"> <p><br /></p><p>Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto your name give glory, for your mercy, and for your truth's sake. (Psalms 115:1)</p></span></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8740239145002800269.post-90989315350967495372009-09-03T16:20:00.001-04:002009-09-03T16:22:22.174-04:00What has been going on over here?<style></style><div>My dear Mother has been sick for three weeks now...earlier this week her symptoms changed for the worse, so she wet to the doctor yesterday. They ran more tests, and finally decided that even though the result came back negative, she does have Lyme disease. This is transmitted by the bite of a deer tick, which we have up here. These ticks are the size of a pin head, very hard to spot, and are carriers of several diseases. Now my Mom is on antibiotics for three weeks, prayerfully this is "in time". If left untreated for long, this disease begins to effect the neurological system. As it is my Mom has been in a lot of pain, but she can tell a slight difference now after taking two doses of the meds. Please do pray for her recovery, and thank you so much to those who have been praying. Praise God that they were able to find out what was wrong!</div> <div><br />I have been *very* busy taking care of things here. Harvesting and preserving, caring for (with my brother's help) almost 150 chickens, caring for the family, etc. My Grandma has been a huge blessing to me as she washes all of the dishes, not a small task, as I cook meals from scratch and use lots of pots and pans in the food preservation process. </div> <div><br />So now you know where I have been and will be...</div> <div><br />Keep close to Jesus!</div> <div><br />I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy<br />name, O thou most High. (Psalm 9:2)<br /><br /></div>Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155254834520417254noreply@blogger.com2