Emily's 4th Birthday

Emily turned 4 years old today. I was looking through her pictures today and can't believe how much she has changed since she was born! For one thing, she is running around like any other child! What is so special about that is that she was born with clubbed feet, and spent the first few months of her life in cast from hip to toe.

Praise God for what he did for her. She could have been in cast for 6 months or longer and there was a good chance she would need surgery. God answered many prayers! She was only in cast for close to 3 months and was good to go without any surgeries.

Here she is still in the cast at a few weeks old.

...and here she is today, riding her bike without any problems!

Happy Birthday, Emily!!!

School Days Begin!

We started school again yesterday. Had a very good start. It seems to be good to have a break and then a fresh start.

Emily picks up a lot from the boys and I noticed again today that she knows things I didn't know she knew. Quite amazing sometimes. Kati-Lyn wants to be completely involved too which is fun but can be a challenge too. Really have to watch what she ends up writing on.

The boys are trying a lot harder again now then what they did at the end of last school year. Hope I can keep them motivated through this year.

We are all going to do a tree project together. each one working at their own level, but all learn about trees, so I need to look for ideas on that. The other subject I have lesson plans and books for right now. Any ideas that anyone might have to learn about trees would be great! Going to start on that tomorrow.

Thursday we plan to go visit friends we have not seen in a long time. They live about two and a half hours away from us. Kids are excited about that. Friday I think we will just have a preperation day for next week. Saturday we meet with our homeschool group for supper.

That's life here right now. I'm thankful God always prepares the way for all things according to His good will!

Boys camping in our backyard

The boys had been wanting to sleep outside for a while, but I just really haven't been up for it and I didn't want them to by themselves. So last night I told them they could call someone older and ask them to come camp. Jamie decided to ask his cousin Bradley. They had a good time with it. Played Monopoly untill pretty late, and ya they did stay out all night.

"THANKS BRAD!! Glad you came!"

Doing God's Will in all Circumstances

After John's death:

    "When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."    But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
John 14:13-16

Jesus often went on his own to pray and seek the will of His Father and sometimes we need to do that, too. What stood out to me in these verses today was that after John's death, it seems that Jesus wanted some time on His own. The news must have been heart breaking for Him. However quiet time didn't work out for Him since He was followed. He then went right back to helping people.
 As women we can often get very overwhelmed by the business of life. Often it seems we are needed in too many places at once.  Juggling family, all the chores, errands outside of home, homeschooling, appointments ( the list could go on ) will sometimes leave us exhausted! You add a sick child to that or maybe being sick ourselves, financial hardships, broken appliances or vehicle  and it might feel like chaos and hopeless at times. How we react in whatever our circumstances may be a challenging test...  A test that we may often fail in, but lets think of it as a test we want to pass. To do well on a test requires studying an taking in knowledge. To pass this test during challenges requires the same. We need to study God's word, which will fill us with His Spirit / way of thinking. What is in the heart will eventually show on the outside. If we fill our hearts with good, good will come from it.... if we don't we will not have the strength that He gracefully gives us as we need.

If you are having a day where you feel out of control, overwhelmed and exhausted, take a moment to yourself (in the bathroom may work) Ask God to help you start over, turn on some soft music, go gives your kids or husband a hug and do the thing set before you one thing at a time.  Maybe God  isn't asking you to do quite as much as you think you need to do but just do what you are able to. And if you do come out of the bathroom to what seems like chaos with needs everywhere you look, remember what Jesus did in this story. He continued to serve even though He too was exhausted.... this too shall pass!

Kindred Spirit Award

Thank you Margaret who has awarded me with the Kindred Spirit Award! I would like to pass it on to a few people who are a blessing and make a difference in this world:

Andrea

Tina

Teana

Karen

Becky

Sherry

http://buildethherhouse.blogspot.com/

Here are the guidelines for you to pass on the award.. Keep the light shining for Jesus!

Who is God?

Remembering Johnny

At this time our nephew is very sick in the hospital. His blood count is very low. He ended up having to stay in the hospital with a high fever and also had a seizure. We are all not allowed to see him right now. Please keep praying for God's hand in all of it.

An Important Job

I had an important task today. I spent the day preparing for our special guest. I wanted it to be clean, comfortable and smell nice. With things more organized, it is easier to serve others and saves time, so that we have more time for quality time with those that come here.
So that is what I set out to do today. After all if Jesus is going to be here I want to do a good job with the work I do for Him, and make this place as enjoyable and comfortable for Him as I can. You might be thinking that I must be talking about something deeper than house cleaning now, but no I am not. I'm talking about cleaning my house for Jesus. Doing my work for the Lord. I am excited that I get the privilege to do these things for Him.
Most importantly though , I am excited that the first thing I get to do is just sit at His feet and listen to Him and Learn.

"...Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily ,as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that it is from the Lord , that you will receive the inheritance which is your reward. The One Whom you are actually serving is the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3: 23-24

Being a Blessing to Others

Earlier today, I was in the middle of making buns and talking to God at the same time. I started to feel so inspired to write, that I just dropped the buns for a bit and started writing in my journal. Sometimes it’s like God is talking so fast that I can hardly keep up. I’m sure he never talks to us too fast but it can feel like it at times. I want to take it all in and write things down too, but so often don’t get around to it.
One of the things I have seen lately is how God’s will for me or purpose for the day might sometimes be so different from my own desires.
One of my own desires and also something God has blessed me with often is close friends. Most of us (especially us woman) like to have friends that we can talk to about almost anything and friends who will come to us when they need an ear or a hug. Those things I think are good and I am glad God brings us friends. However, even though I think this is an added blessing to our lives, it’s not God’s will for us to become depended on such things, and it is also not our main purpose in life to go find that friend or group of friends.
I think we need to be ready and willing to show ALL people God’s love. To be a good neighbour and a helping hand to whosoever will need it each day. The more I see that the more my days just become about serving God .

Men's Camp

Art and Jamie went to the men's camp with the church men this year. Jamie had been wanting to go for years already but it never did work out before. So he was pretty excited about it! They both had a lot of fun and a lot of stories to tell when they got home! I am so glad they got to spend time together like that.

Otto koning was at the camp as well. He has gone through a lot of things and has some great stories to tell. For those who don't know who he is. He was a missionary in New Guinea. He worked among a native tribe that had known only their village ways. He was put in some pretty dangerous situations there.

Otto Koning is also well known for The Pineapple story. http://store.iblp.org/products/CTPS/ .

Shattered Glass

I come from many broken pieces. Like a glass that has shattered into little bits. It would seem like there is no way to fix it. Humanly all that can be done is sweep it up and throw it away. That is me, without Jesus. I would not be redeemable or fit for any space.

I was a baby at one time but I grew up and along the way, life became rough and unstable. There wasn`t any security in this world it seemed, and it was enough to break me. I wanted to be fixed, I wanted to be whole again. I tried to put myself back together, but no matter how I tried it did not work. A hopeless case I was. So why not, sweep me up and be done with me? Jesus IS the only answer to that. He wanted to keep me, just as He wants to keep everyone. He began a work, with much patience, I have to say. With Jesus all things are possible.
I am not a clear, shiny window yet. He is still putting in pieces everyday. His work in me isn`t finished. One day... he will come and take me home and then I shall be whole, clear without a crack. Untill then I ask, Jesus please keep working in me.
The road seems long and our hearts will ache at times. Jesus is able to take our burdens and give us rest, as He promised.

Sunday School Picnic

Here are a few pictures that I took on Sunday, at our annual sunday school picnic. It was a good day, but I sure did feel tired by the end of it. We had a big lunch there and the children played some games. I really like how our youth works/plays with the little ones.

This last picture is my friend Margaret, whom I had a chance to get to know a bit better on Sunday as well. Thank God for the many blessings!

Saved By Grace

All of us are born sinful. People might do good things but we are not born good....because to be good would mean to be perfect, never breaking God's commands, always doing God's will. So first we have to acknowledge that we have all sinned. Then we can cry out to God for mercy and forgiveness and repentance. God has paid the price of sin through Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. If we believe in Jesus, confess our sins and turn from it, He will forgive us.The bible says to seek God and search for Him with your whole heart. If we do this and ask Him to fill us with the holy Spirit, He will and that gives us a new life. This is what it means to be born again. There is no other gift as great as the gift of the holy Spirit! We then will want the things of God. We will love God and He will become the most important thing.This does not mean now you will be perfect. This just means that God will teach you and show you day by day what he wants or does not want you to do. It will not make life easy, and there will still be temptations and mistakes. So we just have to continually pray and ask for His guidance.When a baby is born they need time to grow and learn . It does not happen all at once. The same thing when we are born again, we will grow each day, and become more like Jesus. God will show us bit by bit. Only God is able to do all this in our lives. .It is not the things we do that make us Christian, it is faith. We can not make ourselves Christians no matter how hard we try. By faith though he will bring us to Himself and we will want to live the way God wants us to and the things we are doing will often show that we are Christians. God will make us a light in the dark because of what he has done in our lives.

Salvation Verses

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
—Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 6:23


But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
—John 1:12
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
—John 3:16-17

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
—Ephesians 2:8-9

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
—Romans 10:9-13


Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
—1 Peter 1:8-9

Our first born son

A.J.- Born June 22nd, 1996, passed away June 24th, 1996

I see your picture on the wall,

I wonder how big you'd be , or how tall?

When you would have started to walk?

How good would you be able to talk?

What would your first words be,

Would it be mom, or would it be daddy?

Would you be walking all around?

Would you be noisy or hardly make a sound?

Would you keep me up at night,

or go to bed without a fight?

None of this I will ever know,

can not help but wonder though.

Poem written on what would have been his first birthday by Nancy Wall

Learning from Others

God put something on my heart today and I thought maybe I should write it down right now while it is fresh in my mind. It has to do with the older women teaching the younger women as it says in the bible.
Titus2:3-5
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
I am grateful for those verses. I have had a few great older women in my life to teach me much in different areas. From some I have been taught much about the word of God, from some about being a wife and raising children. (My mom for one seems to have a special touch with our children when they are not feeling well...or sometimes maybe just need that soothing from grandma.) Having ladies to turn to has been a great inspiration for me!
So then why get offended or annoyed when an older lady with more experience in an area tries to help us in an area. It seems that often people do not want to accept help or advice from someone else. Dare I say... that maybe it is pride in our own hearts..when we believe we know best.
God has called these older women to do just that, to help the younger...so why refuse help or feel upset about such things? It's taking away from what God has asked of woman.
I keep putting myself in the younger woman category, I know!. Well the truth is I still have much to learn from older woman(and well I am young) At the same time I guess there are areas where I am not THAT young and need to be willing to help others as well. In fact I think almost our whole life is like that, where we live, learn and pass it on.
We just have to swollow our pride, be willing to learn each day, and then be willing to teach.

More Gardening

Fast Growing Weeds

A negative thought is like a fast growing vine or more like an ugly weed. It very quickly spreads into many areas, and this is what I have done these last few weeks. It started with me feeling like I couldn’t keep up with everything that was going on. Felt like there was just too much to take care of. I could go into all the details and come up with a bunch of reasons why I felt like this, but I’m not going to do that, because the fact is God’s grace is always sufficient and somewhere in there, this was my own fault, and God had a better way for me then what I was taking. With negative thinking, it’s funny what it can do… A little self pity and suddenly you have a huge unwanted weed!
So I’m thinking, this is all too much, then I start thinking it’s not fair! Oh, AND then wait a minute…My husband should do this and that and the this and maybe this…..(oh,I could give him a long to do list ) Do you see how this could grow into bitterness towards him and well anyone else who isn’t doing things according to MY list. I know! As I’m writing, I’m thinking what kind of a woman would be like that…Oh ya me. Well, this weed started to go into other areas as well. I started to think well it’s not like anyone else cares either. The only reason people talk to me is because, I always make the start. You see how one thing led to another? I think I was beginning to believe some lies here and being ungrateful for God’s many blessings.
Well, I needed to get down on my knees and ask God for forgiveness for my attitude and not being thankful in all things. I needed to let Art (Hubby) know that I had been wrong and ask him to forgive me. God changed my thoughts and feelings as soon as I repented.
Then my eyes were opened again to all the things I needed to thank God for. Art goes to work in an over heated paint booth everyday for his family, he is always the one to clean our van, yesterday he cleaned up all th junk in our basement, he cleaned the pool for the kids.(and he does all these things without me asking him to) I started to feel bad because I saw he was doing way more then I deserve. The greatest blessing of all is he often reads and prays with the kids now. He is always telling me he loves me and makes me feel like I’m worth so much to him. God has done so much in both our lives! I know! How could I ever complain! It’s embarrassing to think about it now!
Then as for other people go, I have received a number of calls and an email this week from friends just checking in to see if Kati-Lyn is okay now (she was sick) I have a mom who is always there and a dad whom I talk to more now then ever. Many sisters and sister -in- laws who do care. Also thankful for my prayer sister I have now who also really brightened my day. Thank s to the people who pray for me even though I don’t always know it So all around I just needed to be thankful and apologize for not weeding this garden.
I am so grateful for the mercy and forgiveness and grace God has for us if we as!

O what a wonderful, wonderful day- day I will never forget;
After I’d wondered in darkness away, Jesus my savior I met!

Johnny was blessed with a little brother

On May 31st, Johnny's family was blessed with another boy. (that's 4 boys now)His name is Matthew. He was 9 lb and 11 oz. mom and baby are healthy and well. This was pretty exciting for Johnny! He has had a great attitude through all that he is going through.

Children are Gifts

God is the creator and giver of life. Children are a blessing from God. They are a gift and God is counting on us as parents to nourish, protect and bring them up in the ways of our Lord.
We walk through this life and watch our children grow. As babies, just watching them sleep is amazing. They seem so peaceful and innocent. Seeing them smile, kick, hold things for the first time, their first words.... It's all so much fun! So many stages come and go. Before you know it they are talking, walking, playing, and with it comes teaching them no means no! If you are a parent, or take care of other people's children, you have a clear picture of all this.
I guess the most important thing I have learned is that children are gifts that I need to give right back to God. Ultimately they belong to Him. Sometimes it's hard to give them back to God. We always feel like we want to be in control of things ourselves.(or atleast those have often been my first instincts.) But really, if we come to the point where we say it's all yours God...Whatever you see best for the day we will do, they are in much better hands and so are we. We are not perfect parents but God is a perfect holy father. Who better then to keep watch over us and our children 24/7 !

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3

Jesus said, "let the little children come to me, and forbid them not, for of such are the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:14

Family Devotions

We have been going through Step into the Bible by Ruth Graham. We started to do family devotions first thing in the morning now...well right after breakfast. It seems like after beakfast works better because the kids are more ready to listen. This book has a story, bible verses to read and verses to memorize and questions to ask. Then we also have a time of prayer. I have noticed that it makes such a big difference in everyones day, and I really want to keep it up... I pray that we will. I am grateful that God has made this possible for us, so I don't want to take it for granted!

A Train Ride

Today we went on a train ride in Port Stanley with our homeschool group. The children were very excited about it! Even Kati-Lyn got all excited on the train, and I din't think she would even pay attention. It was a good experience for them.

http://www.pstr.on.ca/history.htm

I had to laugh at this picture. I noticed after that Art was holding Emily by her hair!

Kati-Lyn just kept waving bye.

I take a lot of pictures because I want the pictures to be a reminder to our children, of the speacial family times we have had.

Seek and you shall find

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' (Acts 17:24-28)


"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Be worried for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Matthew 11:28-

My baby is a year and 3 months!

She is growing up so fast!

Happy Birthday Mom-Grandma

This is my mom, holding my youngest sister. Today was her birthday. In this picture they are singing, Joyful, Joyful will the meeting be. Joyful it will be! I realized again today as I was watching her how much she means to me.She has endured so many things that seem impossible to bare. She does so much for the family. Her hearts desire is that all her children will live to serve and love Jesus. I know my mom well and know that she is praying for me, for my 7 sisters and 4 brothers. She is praying for her son in laws and daughter in laws. She is praying for her grand children. I don't want to take her for granted. I thank God for her and may He answer her prayers according to His will. She is a woman after God's own heart.

Love Is A Mother’s Gift

When God made mothers, He took great care

To fill their hearts with love so rare.

Their children are their greatest prize;

You can see the great love in your mother’s eyes.

Love, love is a mother’s gift

To their precious children, their hearts to lift.

Warm, tender and giving love

That grows them up healthy and happy.

Thank you, mother for all you give

To help me grow and to help me live.

I will love you forevermore,

My mother, my mom, whom I adore.

Love, love is a mother’s gift

To their precious children, their hearts to lift.

Warm, tender and giving love

That grows us up healthy and happy.

By Joanna Fuchs

On Good Ground?

Matthew 13
1 On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

A Prayer

I wrote this poem before Jamie was born, on the day I found out he had a heart defect. We had lost a baby about 7 months earlier. Him and Jamie are 11 months apart.

Dear Lord, I am asking thee
don't take away what you've given me
I have grown to close to lose him now

to bare it again, I don't know how

He would be in the best of care, I agree

but all the pain and sorrow that would be

I am not strong enough to get by it again

For whatever is to come I will need your hand

I do not know what you have in store for me

But I want to put my faith in thee.

Just give me directions until I reach your gate

where sorrow is no more, love is only; no hate

This is my prayer tonight to you

All this I am sure you already knew

I'm thankful though you listened to all I said

To you I have let out all thought I've had

written January 15th, 1997

©Nancy Wall

Jamie's birthday celebration

We had some friends and family (well I guess they are all family, but also friends) come for supper. I had a very good evening. We had chicken, pork chops, burgers, hotdogs and salads for supper. (barbecued) Relaxed around a fire for a while, cousin Henry sang a few songs yet, kids played.... (you get the picture:) Blessed fellowship!

By now you can tell I like taking pictures, I'm sure!

Jamie's Birthday

That's my boy! 11 years old. He had a good day I think. Him and Anthony went fishing with their dad. We bought him a basketball, 2 t-shirts and that hat. Tomorrow a few friends are coming for barbecue.

I am so grateful that Jamie is doing so well! He too, was born with a heart defect, but is doing great now!! The day I found out about his heart, I wrote a poem, a prayer really asking God to let us keep him. God answered that prayer. I don't have enough time to type out the poem now, but maybe I will share it tomorrow if I get a chance.

Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy! I praise you for you are an awesome God!

Our baby would have been eight...

Eight years ago yesterday our baby David was born. It's hard to believe that it has been 8 years! In this picture I had just bathed him and I remember how he watched me so closely! He had hypoplastic left heart and passed away on the 15th, 2 days later at midnight. The 15th which is tomorrow is also our other son (Jamie's) 11th birthday. We plan to celebrate that as a gift from God but will also remember everything that happened 8 years ago. He was a beautiful healthy looking full term baby!

If you are wondering what hypoplastic left heart is, here is a place you can learn about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoplastic_left_heart_syndrome