". . . walk worthy of the calling with wich you were called,
with all lowiness and gentleness, with longsuffering . . .
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace . .
But to each one of us GRACE was given . . . " - Ephesians
There’s not too many places one can cry in private in this household . . . and the other day I was outside in tears (I wasn’t particularly wanting their attention at the moment)when my six year old asks Japheth, “Does Mama have to go to the bathroom?” (Ah, if only that was the extent of it . . .) You know how it is for them . . . they have to go soooo bad and at times don’t come in soon enough . . . I guess this is what they thought happened with Mama!
And today . . . my tears consisted of my heart’s cry “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear me and ALWAYS keep all my commandments that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” The frustration of all the PRECEPTS and LINES and HERE A LITTLE and THERE A LITTLE’s that it takes to get something across . . . It would be much easier to take up dog training me thinks 
I think too that there are times to let the children see that this “problem” brings you to your knees and how distressing it is,in that it makes one cry aloud . . . Maybe this doesn’t happen with you . . . but if you have one child multiply that by six, add a certain time of the month and a REALLY messy house and I assure you, that YOU will be in tears too. Trust me.
“As for me, I will call upon God,
And the Lord shall save me.
Evening and at morning and at noon
Will I pray and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice,
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me
For there are many against me . . .
Cast your burden upon the Lord
And He will sustain you;
He will never permit the righteous to be moved . . .
You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into your bottle;
Are they not in your book?
When I cry out to you . . .
- Taken from Psalm 55 & 56
A note from the Editor I’ve already had to add to my list in the last post . . . 
sorry if it was you that I missed (I just added you in somewhere down there). . . as I said it was not intentional to skip you. . . Blessings to all!
“The poor and needy seek water,
but there is none,
their tongues fail for thirst.
I the Lord will hear them;
I the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open rivers in desolate heights,
and fountains in the midst of the valleys ;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land spring of water . . . ” Isaiah 41:17,18
Oh, Lord, today I am so needy . . . help me focus on what I can do for others, to brighten their day . . .
(and so this came to my mind . . . now don’t you wish, you’d let me know that you read my ramblings . . . I do hope though that those of you that I did mention and don’t come here very often will “happen” upon this post . . . cause you have blessed my heart . . . )
This is kinda random . . . nothing alphabetical about it . . . and I didn’t mean to leave anyone out . . . this brain can only remember so much . . . and much of it is full of “baby fuzz”
Marie . . . you will always have a special place in my heart . . . I remember going over to your house and watching you put the finishing touches to a wonderful supper, playing with cousins and just being in your home . . . and I too grieve with you in your sorrow . . .
Angela - you are a sweet little mama, not letting those storms in your life make you bitter, but allowing God to transform it into something beautiful . . . .
Carrie, you will always be a favorite cousin . . . we’d use “Stewarts path” through he cornfield to get to your place . . .remember the times of playing “house” and jumping off the roof of you guy’s shed . . . You are a wonderful fun\lovin’ mom!
Dear Aunt Elva . . . always getting teased . . . another link to the past loved ones gone on before, I love your pictures of the olden days when we cousins were little, God knew we’d get much enjoyment out of those . . . take courage and live on . . .
Dear Cheryl . . . we go way back of course, to the days of pigtails and Sunday school . . . old friends are the BEST . . .you cheer me, by just being you, flexible and so comfortable to be around and share one’s heart with!
And oh, Krista, what can I say . . . it was hard to “give you up” to Lonnie and in those latter years, you watched me “drift” away . . . You were the first one of our class to become a mother and the adjustments of all that . . . you are a friend though the thick and the thin . . .
Juanita . . . you who have closely watched and cheered these years of my mothering . . . your hugs and prayers and smiles are precious . . . may God grant you, your own family . . .
Judi . . . from the very first your songs ministered to me there in the Four Seasons cabin, your dedication to the Lord and long hours of prayer on behalf of others . . . you’ve often brightened and lightened my load just by caring . . . thank- you for being a shoulder I can cry on . . .
Aunt Frances . . . stories of Pop and Grandmother you pass on to us youngsters . . . love and care for us your nieces and nephews, cards and phone calls . . .
Aunt Mollie . . . Early morning walks and talks on our dirt road . . . your flowerbed bank blooming each summer . . .
Aunt Edith . . . letters in the mail, handwritten
Lez . . . such a faithful reader and commenter . . . words and “company” do cheer a body so . . .
Dorene . . . whenever we sing the song “Come to Bible School” pictures of your dad and my Summer Bible school days flood my memory . . . I have a basket woven by your mom . . . have you picked up that talent . . . you are a blessing, allowing God to use your hands and heart for some little needy one\ones
Elaine . . . experiencing once again that word full of joy and dread, pregnancy . . . God bless you, my sister . . .
Cretora . . . I love your openness and honesty . . . I love reading from ladies in my season of life who have their hands full and homeschool, you cheer me girl . . .
Wilson . . . remember . . . . remember now your Creator, in the days of your youth and manhood, . . . remember our water fights (chickenwater and mudpuddle water . . .) ah, you were a fun guy . . .
Matthew . . . (I can’t get used to calling you Matt) I remember those schooldays and watching you struggle against the odds, praying for your dad . . . keep up the fight
Richard . . . I remember you as such a young and innocent boy . . . now with many questions and doubts . . . God doesn’t change . . .
Julie . . . from bear paws to youth group to Faith Builders . . . oh yeah . . .you are one of the most friendly, hospitable people I know . . .
Cheryl Y - I thank you for being a friend to my sis . . . a woman of God
Heidi . . . what a joy you are to me . . . filling the place as best you can of my long ago friends and acquaintances who live somewhere far away in another state that I can’t see often enough . . .
Cheryl W - It’s a joy to have many friends whether you’ve met them or not . . . God’s blessings on your life and day, today!
Martha F. - thanks for opening up and writing . . . I love your smiles and chuckles, your zest for life . . .
Sylvia H. - a special admiration for contacting me, a stranger and sharing a bit of yourself
Donna K - Such a gentle, gracious lady . . . you remind me of a special aunt of mine . . . I remember your times of sharing with the “bakery crew” . . . your an example to follow . . .
Aunt Donna - so creative . . . and brave raising all those boys and homeschooling them yourself . . .my “hat’s off to you”!
Cheryl T. - an encourager . . . willing to go out of your way to pray and minister to others
Dorcas S. - filling many a day with laughter and humor, as I follow along and read the episodes of your life. I appreciated the writing class this past fall . . .
Barb K. - a “new” friend, sharing in the joys and trials of mothering . . . reveling together in the enjoyment of Ladies Retreats each year . . . thanks for caring and praying . . .
Nettie - Seeing God at work in and around your life is an inspiration and challenge to “Let God” reach in deeper in my life . . .
Carolyn - through the years, you have been persistent on reaching out to me and keeping in contact . . . you are a gal after my own heart . . .
Joy - you are your name, joy . . . and David, you are strong in spirit . . . Weldon, you take after them both . . . Trenton, patient and enduring, Dawnita - full of joy and smiles
Ginny - yeah just to know that you are also walking down the path of number six, trying to keep all “them ducks in a row”, is a lift to me . . . Blessings my friend . . .
Monica - God does have a plan . . . He has a purpose for your life . . . You are a BRIGTHT light for him!!! It made me cry to see you and your sisters reach out and minister to the young moms in your church fellowship . . .
Rachel Z - just knowing that I am not alone, that others go through these baby days with much need of strength and wisdom( and God sees them though) . . . is sweet to the soul . . .
Kristina - Shall we go camping again . . . in the valley . . . in the rain what fun memories with you and your family . . . I am blessed to know you . . .
Aunt Doris Jean - what a dear, entertaining my school children on your vacations up here . . . cheerful as the summer is green when there’s plenty of rain!
Aunt Jeannie - a welcomer to this in-law . . . thanks for accepting me into your family
Dianne - a rememberer of birthdays . . . tangible greetings from the old-fashioned mail-box
Carita - a jewel of a young lady . . . you will make a wonderful wife and mother . . .
Michelle B. - a lover of children, one who stands up for Jesus bravely amidst family and friends, one who welcomed me warmly when I moved to this community . . .
Michelle F. - you truely are an inspiration to me to keep on training, and loving, and growing . . .
Sharon - my sisters old classmate and now my friend and “neighbor” It’s a joy to visit with you and see you . . . a taste of home You are a blessing . . .
Deborah - mother of many little ones, God bless you REAL good, someday maybe we can meet again
Deb - you are a special joy in that you were brave enough to let me know that you’re “out there” It’s fun to have some of the same friends as my older sister
Naomi - day in and day out, you care for your children . . . that does not go unnoticed . . .
Kaylouann - you joy and thrive on fixing food, some of us need encouragement in that, thanks for letting us see into your life, and for being our friend . . .
Lavonne - Enjoying each moment of being a mom . . . such tender loving care!
And of course a few words to my Honey . . . You are a listener . . . one who walks with me . . . always takes my calls and makes me feel loved . . . you cheer me on in stormy weather, and try to hold the umbrella over me to keep out the worst . . . I love you . . .
And to you all, . . .my friends . . . I thank - you . . . you have inspired and encouraged me in one way or another just by being you . . .
God bless you!!! . . . and may He brighten your day and lighten your load . . . - Aimee
You know there really is something to this thing of becoming one when you say those marriage vows . . .I just don’t like going places without my husband, especially to church. Wednesday evening Japheth and some of the little ones were feeling under the weather so we were going to stay home from cell group, but he said I could go if I liked . . . As much as I want to take a break from my responsibilities at times, I declined. If I go alone, it just doesn’t seem right . . . like some thing’s missing . . . like I’m only half there.
This morning Loraine and I headed off bright and early for the hour and a quarter drive to get my lab work done and get back before Japheth needs to head into work( it seems I’m always running out of pills - Synthroid - And they only give me a refill or two at a time) Thankfully I can be there as early as seven. AND THANKFULLY with this doctor, I don’t have to have an official visit, I can just go get my blood drawn! I guess my body keeps changing cause several times a year my dosage needs adjusting Anyway, I didn’t want to go alone . . .maybe I am finally getting used to chatter . . . I had the chance of two and a half hours of silence . . . and instead I chose to answer all the “why” questions . . . Though the Lord gave me much silence anyway, (she was tired and sleepy).
But I love it when we can go together . . . to the doctor, getting groceries, whatever . . . I just love being with him!!!
. . . And we are the bride of Christ . . . just being with Him is all that matters . . .
I don’t have four children three and under anymore . . . I don’t have three in diapers anymore either. Wayne is officially potty trained now and Loraine celebrates her 4th birthday.
But I admit I am burnt out of having babies and such. I am. That’s all there is to it. If I get pregnant here again soon I think I will pull out my hair, God knows this . . . if anybody, He knows this truly!
But someday these days of training and trying to maintain ones sanity will pay off . . .
"For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in it. Thanksgiving and the voice of melody." - Isaiah 51:3
PS. Tonight Loraine and Lynne and I are having a slumber party. NO BOYS ALLOWED!
