We're Home. . .but. . .

I just wanted to let everyone know that I haven't forgotten about updating our blog with the details of our trip to the Philippines. Since we returned, our heads have been swimming with jet lag, finishing school, and home renovations! I can't wait until Friday. "The boys" are putting our new (free!)floor in on Wednesday (Ugh! I cannot believe how disgusting it was under our living room carpet!). Our homeschool assessment is on Thursday and on Friday, I'm going to put my house in some sort of order! Baby coming in less than 5 weeks! I think I must be insane! Lord willing on Friday I will start telling you all about our trip. So until then. . .pray for me!!

"I did it, Mom!"

This is what Micah said when he called me from the hospital last Thursday. When he went for his MRI, the technician was concerned whether he would be able to be still enough to get good images. As I waited at home I just kept praying. If he couldn't be still, the test would have to be rescheduled; and he would have to be put under anesthetics. About 50 minutes after the test was scheduled to start the phone rang, and it was Micah. He said, "I did it, Mom!" He was so excited that he had done such a good job. Jun said the technician was very impressed with how well he did. Thank you to those of you who prayed for him. This Friday is his EEG. Pray that he will do just as well, and please pray that I will not feel sick on that day. It's already been a long week and it's only Tuesday. Thank you again for all of your prayers!

Micah's MRI

I just received a call from the MRI office. Micah's MRI is scheduled for 3:40 pm tomorrow, Thursday. Micah's head will be put into a brace to make sure that he will not move his head. The concern is that he will be claustrophobic. Also, his asthma is acting up right now. When he is having trouble with his asthma he has a hard time laying on his back because it makes breathing difficult and causes him to cough. Please pray that he will be able to do exactly what he needs to for the tests to be successful. Thank you!

My Micah

I would like to ask friends and family to pray for Micah. On Friday night around 10:00, he had a seizure. Since this was the first time we've ever seen this, it was very scary. He was unconscious for a short time during the convulsing and then he still very disoriented until the first responders hooked him up to oxygen. It was amazing how quickly the oxygen cleared his brain. Micah was taken by ambulance and then assessed by doctors at the hospital. The possibility of Benign Rolandic Epilepsy is being investigated. Micah will be having an MRI and an EEG. His EEG will be on December 4th at 10 am. His MRI is yet to be scheduled. Please pray that Micah will be able to be still. Being very still is very important for both tests, but it is paramount for the MRI. If he cannot be still for the MRI, the test will have to be rescheduled at the children's hospital and he will have to be put under anesthetics. We would much prefer that the procedure be done without him being medicated. If Micah's asthma is acting up he will not be able to lay still on his back because this makes him cough. Please pray that he will not get another cold before these tests. Thank you to those who will pray. Thanks be to God who loves us and has everything in control.

A Call to Action

With missions ever present in my mind and heavy in my heart, I see the dire need of Christ for our world. I wish I could say I've always done everything I could to see folks find our Saviour--but I have not. We Christians of North America need to realise that we are not far from losing our freedoms to openly worship and tell others about the One True God. You Tube is not something I whole-heartedly endorse. Much filth is posted on this site. I am still compelled to pass you this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU We cannot argue with facts, but we can pray and work. Also, we young parents must ask God to give us wisdom to prepare our children for the world they will live in. (Just click on the link and it will take you right to the documentary.)

A Daughter of the King

"My father is rich in houses and lands,

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!

Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,

His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

I'm a child of the King, A child of the King:

With Jesus my Saviour, I'm a child of the King."

--Harriett E. Buell

When I was a little girl my dad used to work in the special education Sunday school class in our church. Whenever it was his turn to preach, he would take me out of my Sunday school class to sing the special music for their service. He always wanted me to sing the same thing--"A Child of the King".

I became a child of the King of Kings when I was five years old and I vividly remember the day. My mom was sitting in the old, gold velour armchair in the corner of the living room. While I was playing with something by her feet, the Lord helped me to realise that I needed to accept Him as my Saviour. I remember sitting in my mother's lap and praying first that I loved everybody and I wanted to be saved. My mother then explained to me that it's nothing that we do to be saved, it's only by Jesus' sacrifice for us. I then prayed again with full understanding and accepted Christ as my Saviour.

Through the years I have grown as a child of God, but I don't think I've quite aspired to "princess" level. Today I begin a quest to become a true princess. I am a daughter of the King because I am saved, but I am a far cry from being a princess.

At our new church I was offered the opportunity to teach the young ladies' Sunday school class. My pastor's wife has named the class "Jewels for Jesus". I know that I need some shining and some dross removed if I will be a "Jewel for Jesus." Last night the Lord impressed upon me that if He is going to use me to train "princesses" I must become one myself. Where will my quest take me? I have no idea. Many times when God has a journey for us to embark upon, we do not even know the immediate future let alone the end of the line. I'm am excited to see how God will turn me from a chamber-maid into a princess. Praise God for His grace in accepting each and every person alive to be His children if we will but ask in humble faith.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." --Ephesians 2:8,9

A Day With Mama

Grocery shopping. . .again?! This time I had the privilege of having my Mama (mother-in-law) with me. We don't usually get to spend much time together because of our busy schedules, but Mama had a day off today. We had tea together this morning and some heart to heart talks that we haven't been able to have in way too long. Our local "Tim's" served a great lunch, and the kids provided many laughs. Shirley now dislikes apple juice because she was drenched by it! After going BACK home to get dry clothes for Shirley we headed to the grocery store. Wow! It's amazing what an extra pair of willing hands can do! I was so thankful to have her with me today. In the busyness of life we tend to take the ones closest to us for granted. I for one do not say enough how thankful I am for Mama and Papa. Crossing cultures when getting married brings a set of unique challenges. The challenges aren't necessarily reserved for the bride and groom. Even parents have things to learn and understand. We've learned together for over 7 years. Though we have not always completely understood each other, we've always loved each other (in our own unique ways!). "The Five Love Languages" is a book I have been reading recently. The book is about learning your spouse's love language, but "love languages" apply to all types of personal relationships. Learning "love languages" has been an ongoing project for all of us. As with crossing actual language barriers, there have been misunderstandings and blunders. This daughter -in-law is thankful that as we've crossed these TWO language barriers we've built a love that will last a lifetime. I've never thought of all of this before today--and all because I had a day with Mama.