it was like "Christmas in July"

Jacqueline, Elizabeth, Me, Emily, Casey, Katie

Victoria

Some of the "brothers" golfed on Saturday morning

David, Branden, Daniel, Bryan, Brett and Ben

For the past week we have enjoyed having almost all of our children home (usually its at Christmas).  We've had a driveway full of out-of-state vehicles and it's been a blast.  Our little house has been bursting at the seems with kids and grandkids.  So many pictures were taken and memories made.  There is never a dull moment in this home; Friday there were 17 of us, here, for lunch.  My second oldest son posted this on Facebook, "I am so blessed to have such an awesome family." I completely agree!

Our "Army Family" was definitely missed and we're praying that we all will connect during the Christmas Holiday.

a "fight to the finish"

Many days I feel as if I am fighting a battle, not against my family or God but against Satan.  He knows just where and when to attack.  Unfortunately I succumb to his tactics all too often.  I don't know why I listen to his lies.  These past few months I've been in constant prayer for my family, praying over them daily and many times throughout the night; fighting the battle to keep our family free from his attacks.  I have a very good friend, Marcie, who has been faithfully praying for our family as well.  It has been a huge comfort knowing someone else understands and is willing to go to the throne of grace on our behalf.  Satanic attack is rarely talked about these days within the Christian circles; in fact, I really wonder just how many people truly believe that Satan attacks?  we have experienced it, first hand, these past 5 months.  Its easy to push it aside as coincidence, happenstance, etc., but I know when we decided to trust God, seek Him, no matter what; Satan would be on the war path.  Like the picture, I want protection and that comes only from Christ.  He will guard and protect us if we ask.


Epesians 6:10-18, "And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

UPDATE on Loren

Thank you to those who've responded in prayer for Loren.  He is still in the hospital, going on week two, without much encouragement medically.  The doctors are working to adjust his medicine but nothing has helped thus far.  He is in a deep rest today, vitals are normal and the doctors say that these past few weeks have caught up with him so they are letting him rest, pain free for now.  His dad is still there, with him.  His family is physically exhausted, emotionally spent and spiritually depleted.  Please continue to pray for Loren, his family and the doctors; pray that God would bring the right doctor across his path that has the answers to help Loren, as well as  others who are able to love and encourage the family.  My heart is so deeply touched by your willingness to pray!

a "BIG" dose of perspective. . . . . .

Brennan and Loren

God has blessed us with an amazing friend.  His name is Loren and he's the kind of guy I pray for my girls to marry one day! Handsome, sweet, kind, thoughtful, caring, easy going, determined, loyal, strong in His faith, friendly, happy even amidst the toughest of circumstances.  You see, Loren is in a wheel chair, paralyzed from the chest down.  He was on vacation in Hawaii, dove into the surf and broke his neck.  Whats truly remarkable about Loren is that once you meet him you no longer see the wheelchair.  His outlook on life, since his accident, is humbling.  He laughs, well he used too, a lot! and we "used" to spend quite a bit of time with him too but this last year, Loren's health has been very bad; debilitating, and his quality of life has plummeted.   He has been in severe and constant nerve pain.  I don't know about you, but most of my aches and pains are nothing compared to the intensity of pain this guy feels on a daily basis.  His parents are his primary care-givers, in fact his dad has gone to part-time work to help ease the financial strain on their family.  They are an unbelievable family of strong and deep faith, yet they've hit rock bottom, in their trust and faith, this past week.  There are no doctors, there is no medicine that will help with his severe nerve pain.  Last Thursday Loren's dad drove him to a specialist two hours away in hopes of gaining answers, relief for Loren.  None is available.  Tonight Den got a text from his dad, Greg, asking if he would be willing to spend the night in the hospital with them.  Exhaustion, frustration, helplessness and abandonment has set in.  Of course Den was ready within minutes to leave and we are so thankful they aren't afraid to ask us for help.  But Loren and his parents could really use your prayers.  We (I) get caught up in the little trials in my life, which compared to Loren's don't really amount to anything and it takes just an instant to realize how God changes your perspective on life.  It could always be worse, far worse.  My petty little problems, grievances, frustrations are nothing compared to what Loren and his family are dealing with.  Though you do not know them, personally, please pray for them.  Pray that God would bring a doctor across their path that knows how to help Loren.  Pray that his parents are able to trust amidst this tumultuous storm, one that never seems to end, only intensifies.  Pray that Den and I can be a support to them; physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Isn't that what we're called to do? 

Matthew 18:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Living in a Season of "How Long"

we've moved. . . . .

We've been in our new home for almost three weeks! What a blessing! What a gift from God.  We did not move to North Carolina as planned; long story.  Once we made the decision to stay in the area (for our son's sake) every little detail fell into place in a matter of one hour! All those weeks of agonizing over staying or leaving; waiting, praying, waiting, praying; seeking His direction and it all fell into place in one hour! Don't ya' just love how God works? His plans are so perfect.  As I look back I ask myself "why did I ever doubt Him?"  I find myself doing that alot these days.  Trust and Faith are serious issues I struggle with, yet when (and He always does) God comes through I am completely amazed, and I shouldn't be.  I should be waiting and watching, knowing He will take care of our every need, from the basic to the complex.  I hate that I learn lessons the hard way, well I learn them because I want it "my way" and fail to fully lean and trust the one who sustains me.  So as I sit here, penning this, I am in awe of how wonderful God is, how perfectly He meets our every need and gives us many wonderful blessings, big and small, along our journey.  Our new home is amazing.  I love it! It's comfortable, cozy, and very homey.  It took just a matter of a few days to unpack and settle in.  Now. . . .we're anxious to meet the neighbors! I've been praying that God uses us in a mighty way in our little subdivision.

Matthew 5:14-16 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

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