In other news, our parent group at school hosted a birthday party for Maine last Friday night. Maine turned 199 years old on March 15, and it seemed like a good time of year to have a family fun event! The event was well attended by our school families, and it was a good opportunity for fellowship and enjoying Maine food (whoopie pies, blueberry muffins, Moxie, and pink hotdogs). Roger missed it as he was working. Since we’ve “sprung” forward in the time, it means the start of longer days for Roger. The boys and Emma enjoyed the “Maine” event, and I’m thankful for those parents that helped in the event as well as those families that attended.
Emma is finishing up her last few days of her antibiotic for Lyme. The medicine is affecting her stomach though, so we’ve been trying to encourage lots of yogurt and probiotics! She seems to tire more easily as of late, and Roger asked if it was “just him or does she seem more emotional”!? We are thankful that she takes the medicine without complaining or whining, and she’s good at pretending that the flavor changes every time she takes it. She pretends it’s cherry, strawberry, blueberry or a variety of other flavors. Travis asked if the flavor really changes or is she using her imagination! Its her imagination, buddy!
We are coming down the homestretch in working on these academic fair reports and projects. I do
not think that there is another event that can show the differences in each of our children’s
personalities more clearly! Wyatt is working on “The Green Mountian Boys”. He has most of his report done, the resource page completed, and he’s been brainstorming about his project. Travis is completely overwhelmed by the entire thing, and I think he’d like to crawl under the table and ignore everything! Chandler works independently, and he only asks for help if he can’t manage something on his own. Garett is in no hurry or rush, and seems to think that the deadline is ages away...he will think that right up until the day it’s due, if we allow that! The bright spot is that once the academic fair is over, we have spring break! While I do enjoy breaks from school, I do wish that the school year would get done a little sooner around here. But since we already have the week off, we might as well enjoy it!
I’ve been working with our school music classes on preparing for a Patriotic program in May. Some classes are working on poems, or handbells, or Bible verses. And they are all working on various patriotic songs. It is so important that we encourage the next generation to love Jesus, serve God, and
love their country. So many brave women and men sacrificed so much for this great country, and yet so many people take these liberties and freedoms for granted. We cannot be slack in encouraging and training the next generation!
Also this week, I bought Garett his first pair of pants from the men’s department. Where did time go?! He’s been growing so much and change is happening. I was looking back over pictures from years ago when it was just the four boys...in four years. Those were some long moments, but wow did time ever fly! I am constantly reminded of the changes that are happening as the children grow older and face challenges far deeper than the struggles of years ago. I beg for wisdom on a daily, moment by moment basis. If our children grow up to love Jesus and serve Him, it will be in spite of their mama not because of their mama! I’m just reminded often to keep short accounts with them; to ask their forgiveness as needed; to pray intercessory prayers for them; to love them fervently, and to always point them to Jesus.
In other news this week we had a friend unexpectedly pass away. In the very first church we visited in Maine, we met a dear pastor and his dear wife. She welcomed me and our children with open arms. Although we didn’t stay at the church where he pastored, we remained friends with them. We attended the church we are now involved with due to their suggestion and the fact that Pastor Welch had been the pastor there years ago. For the past three years, Mrs. Welch has loved on our children, remembered their birthdays, provided a listening ear for me, and has always opened the door to her home with a hug for me. This past Thursday, Mrs. Welch went to be with Jesus. She died unexpectedly of cardiac arrest. I feel like I’ve lost the very first friend I met when we moved to Maine. God knew that I needed an older lady to love our children and to help me through some of those first very long and very lonely months in Maine. We will miss her. Emma cried when I explained that “Grandma” Welch had gone to be with Jesus. She said, “But Mom, you were going to
call her and we were going to go visit.” Yes, the last few weeks have just been a bit crazy with coming back from Haiti, school, my parents visting, and our vacation. I struggle with the fact that I didn’t make time for one more visit. But as Roger so gently told me, “Honey, you can’t possibly do everything. God knows your heart. And He knows that you can only stretch yourself so thin, and you can only put so many things on your to-do list.” True, but my heart still hurts. I also realized anew that salvation is something that only God can bring about. Emma had a very difficult time understanding how Mrs. Welch’s heart stopped working; but yet, because she trusted Jesus and asked him into her heart, she is in heaven with Jesus. I know that God is working in Emma’s heart too as she has asked many questions about heaven as a result of the events of the past week. Please pray that Emma would come to know Jesus as her personal Savior.
Today I had a much needed date with my friend, Allison. For a change we didn’t need to shop for 500
things for the the school, but could instead just spend some time together. Emma was with us too, but Emma is the only one of our children that doesn’t mind shopping. I had a return I needed to make, and Allison was such good company for the day. I am truly blessed by her friendship, our laughter, the memories, and her encouragement to me. God blessed me when He placed Allison in my life. I am blessed.
All that to say...God is still on the throne, where He was when Daniel was in the Lions den, when Paul and Silas prayed in jail at midnight. He’s on His throne, and He giveth songs in the night.
Love,
Sarah
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