Hustle & Bustle and Quietness!

 

                                                             Beautiful Snow! 

                                                        Asleep by the Christmas tree! 

As the flurry of activities and festivities swirl around us, I’m thankful for quiet reflective moments in God’s Word each morning. I’ve been reading through Paul Tripp’s advent devotional again this year, and I am enjoying my time. We are also reading through the book of Luke as a family, and I treasure those moments with our children.  (I cling to the fact that God’s Word will not return void as twice this week Travis and Emma have fallen asleep while we’ve been reading!) 

I’m also thankful for family moments...getting a Christmas tree, making cookies, Christmas shopping together (which mostly consists of mom giving out ideas to each child about the person they are shopping for!). A few years ago, we decided that each of us would draw names for someone in our family. Roger and I set the limit on how much to spend,  but this way it involves our children, and it doesn’t feel like Roger and I are doing all the gift shopping. Garett and Chandler both have enough money saved that they buy their own gifts for the person who’s named they’ve drawn, but the younger three still get help from mom and dad. Garett had Emma this year, and he came to talk to me one day about a gift for Emma. He handed me twenty dollars and said, “Mom, I know Emma will want something pink, sparkly and probably messy. I know that you can make this twenty dollars stretch really far in gift giving so will you help me?” It was so sweet. We found Emma a pink tent and a very fuzzy pink jacket that Garett thought was terrible, but he knows Emma will love it! 

Travis picked out Rogers name this year, and he’s come up with all kinds of wild ideas! I love hearing his thoughts on what dad might like...usually, he’s right, but way, way out of the budget! Travis did get a wallet for Roger, and he picked out some heat warmers. Travis didn’t realize that they lost their heat and couldn’t be reused, so at first he was going to wrap a whole stack of ones that he had already opened! Haha! Oh, the memories! 

Last week on Friday, I went to a ladies Christmas party. It felt like such a “normal” Christmas thing to do in a year that has been so “not normal”. It was so fun! Garett and Chandler watched three young boys at our house (they are working on raising money for their Haiti missions trip). Allison, Ashley and I all rode together to the Christmas party. We did a Christmas mug exchange, and all the mugs were so different but fun! (Only two mugs out of 16 were the same ones, which isn’t bad in an area where there are not many places for shopping) Our friend, Robin, hosted the party and we had a wonderful time laughing, fellowshipping, and of course, eating! It was a good time of renewing and strengthening friendships. 

                                                              So very thankful for this friend! 

Last Saturday, our family went Christmas shopping. This consisted of a stop at Mardens (a fun discount store) and a discount grocery store, and dinner at Taco Bell. All of our children like Taco Bell, except Emma. The biggest bummer is having to eat a fun dinner in the car. We don’t get to go out to eat very often, and sitting in the van with seven people eating Taco Bell is it’s own kind of adventure! But the boys said that they had a fun time, and even Garett put up with shopping for an afternoon. I’m pretty sure he feels like he’s done his shopping for the year! 

When we came home from our shopping adventure last Saturday, Roger had a phone call. One of his friends was calling to see if our family was interested in any hunting, fishing, camping supplies. Chandler’s eyes swelled up really big, and said “Yes!”. So Roger took Travis and Chandler to go look at some stuff that was free if the boys wanted it. Oh my! Our boys were so excited! I don’t know why I’m amazed sometimes, but God cares about the smallest details in our lives! We weren’t looking for hunting, camping or fishing stuff, per se, but we sure do have some boys that are interested in that! Gary and his wife were so generous in giving to our family. The boys came home with sleeping bags, camping chairs, deer scent (nasty), a tent, fishing lures, and enough treasures that the boys spent hours and hours in the basement this past week looking over their treasures! It was like a Christmas present for the boys. I did nearly have a meltdown when I went into the basement later in the week and saw the stuff e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e , but we managed to get some type of order to their madness. They were thrilled, and I know they’ll talk about “that time when Mr. and Mrs. Peabody gave us all that fishing and  hunting stuff”.   God is in the little things also! 

                                                   The boys are excited and eager to try out this ice fishing equipment! 

It’s been a hard year for most of us, and our family is certainly no exception. I found myself feeling the same kind of depression that I felt back in March. Between the Presidential election, our state governor, and several other disappointments, it’s been quite the week. But one of my dear friends reminded me, “We have Emmanuel! God with us!” Yes, I’m discouraged, disappointed that our country seems to be surrendering to evil, overwhelmed  with concerns for America and our children, but...God is still with us! I can find peace in that. And I will continue to pray, fight against evil, call our senators, and beg God to show Himself strong and mighty! 

We are in our last week before Christmas break! We’ve stayed in school thus far, which is due largely to the fact that so many of you are praying for God’s protection on us. Please, pray that our school will be able to continue with in-person learning, that God will continue to protect us, and that we will be a witness for His honor and glory to those around us. God is faithful. 

We head into a week of busyness with classroom activities, fun events at school, and preparing for our own Christmas. Our church is planning a living nativity for December 22, and we need some animals. Will you please pray that God will help us find someone who can bring some animals? Please also pray for our nation, our states, our church and pastors, families, and the elderly who are especially lonely this year. Also, will you please pray that we can get Chandler’s passport for his missions trip to Haiti? I know that I’ve been convicted to write more cards as of late, as there are so many people who need encouragement. God brought along several people to encourage me this past week. I pray that I can also encourage someone this week. 

Praises: New Teacher, Birthdays, & More Preparation!

 It kinda bothers me that it’s again been almost a week since I’ve written, but the truth is that there are simply not enough hours in the day these days! Trying to prioritize between school preparations, family time, Travis’s tenth birthday, and long days sometimes leaves my head spinning! 

However, this week was a full week that had several highlights for our family and school! Our teacher in service days started on Tuesday, and my friend, Claire, graciously watched our younger four children for a good chunk of the day. Claire had ice cream for Travis’s birthday, and that is definitely one of his favorite treats! Travis’s tenth birthday was also on Tuesday, and he had big plans to go mini golfing for his birthday! Garett went to the airport for a few hours, and I spent a good chunk of the day at school. Travis’s plans for mini golf were washed away by a thunderstorm that swept through, so that was disappointing enough to bring a young boy to tears...after all you only turn ten once! But some of the evening was salvaged by ice cream cake and a visit from Mrs. Terri. Roger had a school board evening on Tuesday that he had told the board that he would be unable to make the meeting due to Travis’s birthday plans. But since the meeting was to discuss a teacher for Travis’s grade level, Travis told Roger that “Dad, you should probably go to the meeting. We need a teacher in our class.” Once Travis overcame his disappointment about going mini golfing, he had a great evening. We laughed and opened presents, and I had a wonderful visit with Mrs. Terri. We really don’t have that many opportunities to visit together, so I was thankful to sit and chat. Roger came home with wonderful news that a teacher had been hired! What an answer to prayer and right on time! I had prayed specifically that God would provide a teacher at least two weeks before school started. Well, God provided the perfect teacher at exactly two weeks before school is to start! We serve an amazing God! The new teacher is young, vibrant, and I think she’s going to be the perfect fit for our school. God knows exactly what we need. 

Wednesday brought another day of teacher inservice. I spent a lot of time at school partially due to the fact that I knew that Roger had the day off to be with the kids. We did get to go mini golfing in the afternoon, and Travis was thrilled! It really was a fun memory for our children. The day ended up being long for me, and I have no idea how Roger can consistently put in long hours at work...I was exhausted! We did have a great day of teacher inservice though and I can see all  my classroom coming together and lesson plans are being made. I’ll be excited to start school and see all our hard work come to fruition! God is so faithful though and He continues to give energy and strength and mental capacity (most of the time!) 

Thursday brought about our inservice day on technology and learning new tools to help us become bette teachers. I really have enjoyed using the teacher tools online resource that BJU offers to teachers, as that is going to be very helpful. It’s a lot of knowledge to be poured in, but one task at a time. My older boys spent the day at school with me playing with the pastors sons, and our younger three children had the opportunity to play at a friends house. I’m so thankful for friends that have come alongside of me to help provide for our children’s supervision during this week. We are trying to avoid our children getting burnt out on being too much at the school before we actually START school! 

While I spent the morning at the school, this afternoon the kids and I went to the lake to swim. Well, the kids went swimming and I sat and talked with Allison. It was a good decompressing afternoon to laugh and to visit about many, many things. I so appreciate Allison’s deep friendship and ability to listen (and laugh) at my problems! I am blessed with her friendship! 

It’s been a busy and full week. Probably too busy and too full, but God is so good. Travis asked me this week how I felt about teaching kindergarten. I told him that I waffled between being very excited and somewhat overwhelmed. Travis replied, “Oh, you don’t have to worry, Mom. The kindergartners will love waffles!” It was a lighthearted moment! If all else fails, I guess we can make waffles! 

I did a short birthday interview with Travis. 

Q: What is your favorite kind of food? A: Chinese

Q: Who is your best friend? A: Dad. He talks to me even when he’s tired. 

Q: What is your favorite color? A: blue

Q: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? A: Hawaii. I’ve never been there. 

Q: Do you know what you’d like to do when you grow up? A: No, um...I’m going to get a job. I just don’t know what job. 

Q: What’s the perfect amount of money for a birthday gift? A: Probably like  $20.00

Activities, School Prep, and Friendships!

 

Good sports while at school! 

                                                    Game night....PIT! 

Fun while working! 

                                            Games! 

Fun with friends at school! 

                                                Chandler painted Emma’s toenails. 

A week has past since I’ve updated the blog, and it is not because we have nothing to share! The last seven days have passed by so quickly. We’ve been busy at the school working on many, many projects to get done before school starts. I finally feel like my kindergarten space is coming together, and we received our curriculum order this week -so still plenty to do! 

We have spent quite a bit of time at school this past week, but the kids have been really good sports about it. Our new administrator has young children, and my children adore her kiddos! Between our kids and Hannah’s we have children in every single classroom at school! Hannah is a good friend of mine and in spite of all the business at school, we still find time to laugh and visit. This past week I was getting a crash course in using the laminator, and Hannah was helping me. It was a bit like the blind leading the blind, but it was a good moment of light hearted laughter! I am so thankful for laughter! 

Because of Covid-19 as well as an increase in enrollment, we needed to find space to put bookshelves, extra tables, etc. that we just didn’t have room for in the classrooms. I’ve been taking the kids with me to school most mornings this past week, and on Tuesday morning the boys worked hard at emptying out a small room so that we could repurpose the room for furniture,  etc. What a job! The room was packed with items, books, and a bunch of stuff that someone along the way had decided to give the school...it was so much stuff! The boys stuck with it and by the time we left around noon, the room was empty. Roger did not have to go into work on Wednesday. He took Garett and Chandler with him to school around 6:00 am. to take legs off of tables, and repack the stuff that the teachers and the school wanted to have in that room. I am married to an amazingly selfless man. There are 500 things that Roger could’ve done with his time on Wednesday morning, but instead he went to fulfill a need at our small school. It was a good opportunity for Garett and Chandler to have some time with Roger, so we were thankful for that too. 

Garett and Chandler were able to attend teen VBS at our church for two evenings this week and they went on a bike ride on Friday with a bunch of the teens. I think they biked over 18 miles on the trails at Acadia National Park. We are so thankful for other Godly people that influence and mentor our children. 

My friend, Bethany, watched our tribe on Thursday. All of our children were delighted to go over to their friends house, and while the kids haven’t complained about being at the school a lot, I know that they were happy to have something different! Bethany has four children of her own, so that was nine kids for several hours! I am so blessed to have friends that love me and love our children. 

While the older boys went on the bike ride on Friday, we had some friends over to our house to play with our younger children. I do feel like my to-do list is long and lengthy these days, but I also know how important it is to see the needs of our children too. I’m not always good at balancing everything, but when the Opportunity came  along to have some friends over on Friday, we took it! It was good to visit with Ashley, and adult conversation was nice for both of us. Both of our spouses are in work places that have long hours and days for at least a season. It’s nice to have someone who can relate to a lot of what I’m feeling! 

So yes, Roger has been busy at work. This is just a season also, and we know that God will see us through it all. I’ve seen the faithfulness and grace of God at work in my own life over the last week, and I know that His hand of provision and goodness will see us through. Roger and I are back to trying to squeeze in time together wherever we can. I know that when Roger comes home from work, I want to tell him so many things....but so do five other people! I’m not a night owl and neither is Roger (early mornings at work require early bedtimes) but I’ve been working harder at getting up with Roger at 4:45am when his alarm goes off. I haven’t done too great about that this week, but it’s a goal! 

We are still needing a teacher for 2-4th grades at our school. We start two weeks from Tuesday, so we would surely appreciate your prayers on that! God is faithful, and on that we do depend! 

Update- It’s been a few days! 😀

😀

 Life has been busy the last few days with time at the lake, working at the school, meetings, outside play, prepping for lessons, and time away at Mrs. Terri’s cabin. Roger had some time off of work this week, so we tried to squeeze in as much time as we could with him. Roger helped me moved things in and out of the kindergarten room, and watched me change my mind several times, but he’s a good sport! 

On Wednesday morning, my friend, Claire, watched the younger three children while I was at school for a bit. On Monday morning, the kindergarten room was overwhelming, but by this afternoon (Saturday)  -it’s still a mess, but I have a vision! I can now wrap my mind around what I want the end result to kinda look like, so that’s helpful! We spent Thursday afternoon at Allison’s lake, and on Friday the kids and I took off for an overnight to Terri's cabin. I know these days of summer are winding down, so I want to make the most of the time I can spend with our children. They fished and swam while I wrote lesson plans, and after supper we all went swimming for a while. The boys enjoy sleeping on the screened in porch at the cabin, but they also wake up very early! It was a good time, and I was thankful to spend time with them. Time slows down at the lake, and life feels “normal”. I appreciate the memories and moments that we created this time. Chandler caught a big fish, and Emma even caught a little fish too. 

It’s been a busy week, and tomorrow I’m playing the piano at a different local church. I’m thankful that the music is mostly hymns, as that’s the easiest for me to play! But learning new things is also good for our brains, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to serve the Lord at church tomorrow. 

Our school enrollment has been increasing, and we are thankful for growth. With growth also brings new challenges, but I’m confident that the administrator that God provided for us this year is the right one for the job. God has been so faithful in answering our prayers, and I know that He will continue to do so. We are currently in need of a teacher for one of our classrooms. We are fervently praying that God will provide the right teacher and soon. Please pray with us! 

 

                                         Chandler painted Emma’s toenails 

Garett enjoyed fishing

Wyatt and I 

Emma’s fish 

                                                        Lesson planning at the lake! 

Chandler’s fish! 

              Time at Allison’s lake this week too! 

More Blueberries, Adventures and Work!

 

 

                                          Fruits for our labor! 

 

                 

 

                               Newly finished Gaga Pit! 

                                    Preschool room! 

                                      Emma’s outfit for her birthday! 

                                  Happy birthday to Emma! 

The summer in Maine has been hot and dry this year! It’s the first year since we’ve been here that the weather has been consistently warm. We really could use some rain as the ponds and lakes are showing the effects of a dry summer. 

In the last few days, we celebrated Emma’s 7th birthday; Roger and the boys helped build a Gaga pit at the church; I helped organize the preschool room; we went wild blueberry picking, and just lots of outside play! Terri and Roger made it in time for supper on Saturday, and Emma was thrilled with her spaghetti supper and birthday cake. Terri gave Emma some clothes and fancy shoes for her birthday, and Emma was thrilled! Emma enjoys clothes, and she was so happy with one of the new outfits that she decided to wear it to bed! It’s hard to believe that Emma is seven! 

I had a conversation with my friend, Jenna, today and we talked about many of our concerns in our states and our nation. We don’t really have a plan other than to keep praying, raising our children for God’s glory, and trying to stand for righteousness in a world that seems desperate to be wicked! These are trying time in our nation and in our world right now, and we need to be sure that our hope is in Jesus!  

I had planned to take the kids out to pick wild blueberries yesterday, but I ended up too late at the school, so we weren’t able to do that. Roger ended up working for half the day, and I headed back to school later in the afternoon to help Renee with the preschool room. It was a disaster when we started, but we are practically ready for our open house next week! I was very happy with how the room looked when we finished, and I will miss that room this year. Roger came over to the school later to help work on the Gaga pit. Another dad had bought the materials, and Roger and the boys were able to help work on the project together. It was nice to see another thing crossed off the to-do list...and one that I really had nothing to do with other than helping to organize it together. It was a long day yesterday, but we were all happy with the progress. 

Travis was very disappointed yesterday when we were unable to go blueberry picking, so I signed up for today. There is a preserve that allows people to pick wild blueberries. You can’t use a blueberry rake, and masks were required, but the kids still wanted to go. Actually, Garett did not want to go, so he went to the airport while we went blueberry picking. The mask thing was interesting because you didn’t have to wear a mask when you were in the field picking, but when you checked in at the tent they wanted you to be wearing one...even though everything was social distanced. And on the trail to the blueberries there is plenty of space to social distance so I’m still not really sure what was the point of the masks. However, there were plenty of blueberries out in the field, and we had a good time picking even though it was hot. We filled two ice cream buckets in about an hour, and the kids at plenty of blueberries while in the field. It was a fun memory. I probably wouldn’t have chosen to spend time doing that today as I feel like I have a lot to do, but I also think it was important to Travis that I keep my word about picking blueberries. God will make a way to get everything done that needs doing even if it means earlier mornings or later evenings. 

After blueberry picking, I needed the boys to help me move a desk at the school. Most of our school stuff is given to us, and by the time the school is done using it, it’s really used! The desk was like an elephant, and it was hard work for all of us to get it outside and ready to go to firewood or the dump. It was hot, and we were tired, but I was thankful for the boys working together to get it done. The pastor's son, Austin, was around to help us too, so that helped! Many hands made for lighter work! 

Our student body continues to grow! I am thrilled with all that God is doing, but the need for more staff is a constant prayer request on my mind. We are also praying that we will be able to minister to these families, and that through this school year we will not only educate children but also point them to Jesus. We appreciate your prayers as we wait patiently for God to continue to work in and through us. 

Blueberries, Basements, and Birthdays!

 Emma went to a yard sale with me, and she found a scooter for her dolls. The lady gave it to Emma for free because it was her birthday! Emma was thrilled! 

    Mini golf! A fun time with friends! 

Fun at the lake! 

Blueberries! 

At the blueberry farm

I must work quickly if any blueberries will make it to the freezer! 

 In the past few days, we went to the lake with some friends. Garett, Chandler and I helped clean out a basement for one of our teachers. One of our teachers at school resigned.The school board hired a new administrator.  I went to a ladies fellowship at church and enjoyed mini golf, food and fellowship. I ordered twenty pounds of blueberries. Emma’s seventh birthday is today! The last few days have been full! 

The kids and I enjoyed a morning at a lake on Thursday morning. It was a great time of informal visiting and watching our kids play in the water. Bethany’s children are returning to the school were our children attend, and we are excited about that! I also took Garett on a drive to get some ice skates for this winter. He found a good deal on Facebook marketplace, but it was a drive to get the ice skates! However, it was an opportunity for some one-on-one time with Garett, and I want to soak up those times these days. It also meant time away from many, many projects that I need to work on, but one thing at a time. I am excited about teaching kindergarten this fall, but it’s new territory for me. However, God’s has given clear direction thus far, so I know I can continue to trust and lean on Him. 

On Friday morning I arranged with one of our teachers at school for some of us to come over to help carry some stuff out of her basement. I was able to borrow a truck from Roger’s work, and my friend, Ashley, graciously agreed to watch our youngest three children. So I dropped three kids off at Ashley’s house, went to pick up the truck from work, went to clean the basement, back home to drop off the stuff that needed to be hauled to the dump, and back to pick up our three other children....some days it’s s wonder I can keep track of my head -oh, wait, it’s attached! Our friend and teacher was happy to have some help, and I’m thankful that Garett and Chandler were willing to take many trips out of the basement. Chandler was excited because he loves to look through stuff-junk-free piles-anything! Mrs. Chamberlain told him that whatever he wanted from the stuff in the basement, he could have. That made for one happy boy! 

Friday evening brought about the opportunity to attend a ladies fellowship. Several of us met before supper to play mini golf. I am terrible at mini golf, but that’s okay! We laughed and enjoyed the time together. It was a sweet time of food, fellowship, prayer and songs. The songs sounded especially beautiful to me as we sung around the fire pit. “When words fail, music speaks.” Some of the old hymns of the faith such as “It is Well with my Soul”, “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and others can be like a balm to a weary soul. I’m so thankful that God never changes. 

Today is Emma’s seventh birthday! I can’t even believe that our youngest is seven years old! Emma has a unique birth story, and you can read about it Here . Emma can be a thorn in the side of her brothers, but they all love her dearly. Emma is all things girl...she loves dress up, Barbies, dolls, sweets, sugar, nail polish and makeup! We are so thankful that God allowed Emma to be a part of our family. We are planning on a small birthday dinner. Emma picked out spaghetti, meatballs, salad and bread for her birthday supper, which the boys are also delighted with having for supper! Terri is also planning on coming over for supper, but it’s 5:30pm now., and Roger is still at work as well as Terri. We will see how the evening progresses. Oh well, Emma is happy to have a present to open, and cake and ice cream. She will be fine with however the evening pans out. 

We’ve had a few discouraging moments the last few days (it’s par for the course in 2020!). I know that Roger would especially appreciate your prayers as he navigates through work details, school board details, and also being a husband and father. I’d appreciate your prayers as I try to balance out many things at home, and prepare for the coming school year, but yet give my children the time that they need. Sometimes, the balance feels really off, but I return to promises in God’s Word...He is enough. He gives grace for every moment. He is faithful and true, and He knows exactly how many hours are in a day! (I just need wisdom on how to manage the hours in the day!). 

Storms of Life and Peace

Peace in the midst of the storm. That’s what I feel God is giving me today, and for the last few days I’ve felt the hand of God giving peace to me. We’ve faced a few bumps in the road the past few days, and I’m thankful that God goes beside us and before us. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that God has all of this in His control. Our governor declared another state of emergency...it’s hard to even believe! I think this is her fourth one now?! I’ve included our most recent stats in the photo below. I’ve stopped even looking at what the media has to say about Coronavirus, but most of it is so blown out of proportion it’s almost ludicrous. There seems to be a desperate attempt to arise panic as much as possible, and yet the hard facts are that there is one active case in our county! Oh, and we live in a county of almost 40,000 people! 123 people have died from Coronavirus this year, but yet on average 227 people die from suicide each year in Maine...where’s the outcry for them?! 

Anyways, Roger’s back is feeling a bit better these days, and we are thankful for that. He missed a few days of work, but he’s back to work again albeit a bit slower these days. 

I’ve been asked to teach kindergarten in our small Christian school this year, and I am excited and terrified! I’ve accepted the offer, and I’m looking forward to seeing how God uses me this year. There have been so many changes in the year 2020, but I’m thankful that God has not been surprised. I will very, very much miss working with our preschool children, but I am thankful for this new opportunity. I’ve been pouring over lesson plan books, reading, and trying to keep all my ducks in a row! I would very much appreciate your prayers as I prepare for this year. I want to be a good educator to our students, and I want them to see Christ in and through me. Basic theology is formed in these young years, and it’s important that they learn the truths found in God’s Word as well as learn to read, write and do basic math! 

I’ve had a few distressing moments in my life over the past few days, and I did what I usually do when I need advice -talk to Roger and talk to my dad. Roger has his hands more than full these days with additional responsibilities at work, being on the school board, and life with five kids! He told me that I should talk to my dad about some of my concerns, which I had planned to do anyways. I value my dad’s opinion, and he’s one to always point me to Jesus. I expressed some of my concerns, he gave me some advice, and we prayed together. I still don’t have a much clearer picture, but it’s nice to know that my dad is praying with me and for me. My dad is a pastor himself, so one of his pieces of advice was to talk to our pastor. Both my dad and our pastor gave similar advice, “Stay in your lane.” Meaning that I don’t need to get bogged down by things that I can’t solve. Relinquish the concerns to those that can help or give advice, and let it go. Easier said than done, but again - God’s got this! (I realize that is a very vague paragraph) Just please keep praying for our family, our church, our school, and of course...me! Thank you!

A lady in our church brought over wild Maine blueberries yesterday! So delicious! By the time Roger arrived home, there was about a cup left that the kids had “saved” for him! We are so thankful for sweet friends who share such a delightful fruit with us!