Thorns with the Roses OR Roses with the Thorns?!

Abraham Lincoln said, "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." 

Life is a journey with beautiful roses to enjoy and a few thorns also along the way. If we didn’t have the thorns, we wouldn’t appreciate the roses in our lives. In the Christian’s life, God uses these experiences to draw us to Himself...both the lows and the highs. I’m so thankful for both, but sometimes the thorns  seem a bit pokier and sharper than I’d prefer! However, I know that God is the Ultimate Planner and Director of my life, and I have no reason to  worry or fret.

 

 

This past week, (10/18) my college cross-country coach for two of the four years that I ran, finished his earthly journey. Coach was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer towards the end of September, and he is celebrating a brand new body in Heaven now. It happened so quickly, and I’m still pondering so much of it all. Jack Noonan was my cross-country coach for my first two years of college running. I couldn’t possibly relate all that I learned from him both in running, but more importantly, in life. Coach was also the head of the kitchen on our college campus, which is not a particularly recognized position. Yet he worked hard at what he did, and he tried to instill in his team the need to work hard regardless of recognition. I remember him telling me early on in my running years that cross-country was not the sport to be in if you were seeking recognition or fame. Runners run early in the morning, have practice in the afternoon, and very few people come to watch runners race. Yet he taught us to enjoy the sport, to take delight in the quiet morning runs, to spend that quiet time reflecting on the goodnesses of God and His Word. Coach always opened practice with Scripture and prayer, and I’ll never forget his mentorship in my life. He saw potential in a girl who had tried out for the volley ball team (and had not been chosen!), and he taught me to enjoy running...something I still enjoy to this day. I’m not running sub-twenty minutes for three miles any more, but I still appreciate the sport. I’ll miss his birthday blessings to me every year, and his smile. Heaven is a bit sweeter this week.

Last week we also had our first “snow day”. It was actually a storm day, as school was closed due to power outages. I’m thankful that our house has a generator, and it really didn’t seem that bad to me. I ended up at the school anyways as I needed to work on some stuff for school, and the kids came with me. They played while I worked for a bit, and then we headed home. It was a productive day as far as projects at home, so that was nice.

We played soccer with some other friends on Saturday morning, so that was a fun time for us. Roger had the day off, so it was nice to play together as a family. The boys really enjoy soccer, and it was a beautiful fall day. In the afternoon, I took Emma to a birthday party for one of her classmates. The two younger boys also came along, while Roger took the older boys to the airport to do some work. I  wasn’t exactly crazy about going back out on Saturday afternoon, but God provided me with wonderful opportunity to visit with one of the other moms of a student in Emma’s class. I had prayed  specifically before walking into the party that I would find someone to be a blessing to and to have a
conversation with someone. I don’t know if I blessed this mom, but I certainly received a blessing! I am so thankful for the opportunity that God gave to me to visit with this mom. My heart was certainly encouraged.


Sunday was a bit crazy and chaotic. I’m not big on disorganization and miscommunication, and I wasn’t feeling my best on Sunday morning. I’m thankful that Roger had the day off or I might have given into the flesh and just stayed home! Roger had the opportunity to help in the morning service  with the music, and I taught Childrens church. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to serve  Christ in our local church body, but does anyone else ever wonder if we do what we do because we are called to serve, but its not necessarily our gift or where we’d prefer to serve?! Every once in a while, I wonder if I’m serving because I’m using “my gifts” or just filling a need in the body of believers. I’m not necessarily  saying either are bad...sometimes I just need a nap to reset! So, I went  home and after lunch, I took a nap! God gives us rest, and sometimes that’s all it takes for a fresh perspective.

This week felt like a lot of  Mondays! I told Renee that I felt like every day this week was Monday! I taught music classes on Monday, and I attended a baby shower for a mama in our church in the evening. On Tuesday, my friend, Claire, offered to take Emma for the afternoon. That worked out well for me as I was able to get a lot done for our upcoming fundraiser auction. Emma is a great trooper, but going in and out of places asking for auction donations, is not really something she enjoys. (Me either...but I do it!)


On Wednesday, I received a text saying that someone had donated money for my Haiti Missions trip! This was a complete and total surprise to me, and I think God specifically waited to let me know about the gift to bless my heart on Wednesday. The gift came from some dear friends of ours in Alaska. I called Damaris in the afternoon to tell her thank you, and we had such a good visit. About this time of year, seven years ago, we were preparing to head to Alaska with our four young sons. We would spend a couple of months in a small village in Alaska to help in a church there. The experience has never been forgotten, and should God ever provide us with that opportunity again, I would definitely want to go. We made such wonderful memories, and God provided us with some dear friends that we still treasure to this day.


It’s been a busy and full week, but the weather has been mostly gorgeous! Roger is happy to be back to flying again as the plane needing the paint job is complete. God blessed Roger with a great job, and for the most part, he really enjoys what he does.

I have been enjoying the preschoolers as there is never a dull moment! It is hard to believe that we are finishing up week 8 this week! Even harder to believe that the Christmas Program is right around the corner! The students have been working hard, and I always start to wonder if Ive bitten off more than I can chew about this time of year! One day and one practice at a time, and I don’t want to do this for my glory, but that God will be magnified and glorified through this Christmas program.

We appreciate your love and prayers,
Sarah

Moments, Memories, and Mayhem!

 

Eight years! That’s the number of years that I have been blogging for our family! It’s hard to believe that eight years have flown by, but perhaps even more astonishing is the fact that I am still writing! I’m not reaching a large audience (I never intended it for that); I’m not an overly exciting or great writer but I still write...why? I was having this discussion with Roger earlier this week, and it’s for several reasons. I began writing things down eight years ago because I wanted to remember certain events that happened in our lives. Now I sometimes write because it’s a habit or I write because I still want to remember events, feelings, situations or memories. But mostly I want to write because I want my life to be a testament to how God has worked in my life. God is at work in my life and in the lives of those around me on a daily basis, and I want to write a few of these memories (because I am going to get old and forgetful!)

This week is a different one for me as our head preschool teachers is away this week. So I’ve been teaching in the preschool room this week. (I work in there every school day, but generally, I’m just the aide). I have been enjoying the challenge, but I told Roger that I feel like I teach a lot these days. I’m currently teaching a preschool Sunday school class, teaching preschoolers for our children’s program at church, and teaching preschool at school! Not that I’ve minded, but it does make me appreciate adult conversations!


Last Thursday, Emma and I had coffee with our friend, Terri. It’s much harder to stay connected with people this year as I am at the school every day, but I’m thankful for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with Emma. It’s our time to catch up with other friends, get caught up on chores around
our house, or just enjoy time with Emma. We enjoyed coffee and a walk with Terri and her dog,   Annie.


Last week the kids had a four day weekend. We had a teacher workshop on Friday, and no school on Monday due to Columbus Day. I worked a very full day on Friday between a workshop at school, and cleaning out in our classroom. Roger had the day off so he was able to be home with the kids. It was the first time in our fourteen years plus of marriage that I went to make money and Roger stayed home with the kids! (It was a weird feeling!) On Friday morning, we had a workshop at school for  the teacher and staff. The workshop was called “Darkness to Light” and it was on sexual abuse in  children. The seminar was very well done, but wow ...what a heavy topic! My heart hurts for those  that have been affected by sexual abuse. Did you know that the number of kids affected by sexual  
abuse is one out of ten?! Read that again! That’s horrific! However, I’m thankful for the opportunity  to be educated on this topic, and it makes me more aware of how Roger and I can protect our
children.

After the workshop on Friday, Renee and I spent a good amount of time cleaning out a room that has  harbored many, many years of preschool materials and supplies. It was a bit overwhelming, and we did not have enough time to finish the job. But we did make a good healthy dent in cleaning it out. Roger and the kids came in the afternoon to help me take stuff to Goodwill.

On Saturday, we did “family fun” (I.e. work) around the house and yard. Then we went  to a lake so that the kids could fish, or ride their bikes, or use their magnets to try to find stuff in the lake. It was a bit of a dreary day, but the kids didn’t seem to mind.


Roger had to work on Sunday, and I was playing the piano at another church. It always seems that  when I’m playing the piano at another church, Roger is working! I knew all the songs this time, so
that definitely made playing a bit easier. I enjoyed the opportunity, and I’m thankful for all those  years of lessons that my parents invested in for me. Side note: Wyatt is very dedicated to his piano  practice, and he has been excelling at his lessons. Garett enjoys lessons, but practice is not his   favorite thing.

This week on Tuesday, Emma and I had company for lunch. My friend, Ashley, is planning on going to Haiti with me on a missions trip. She had a lot of questions, and it was good to sit and visit and talk about the missions trip. Please pray that the situation in Haiti will calm down a bit as tensions are high, people are hungry, gasoline is in short supply, and the country is hurting. Please pray for the country of Haiti and for wisdom concerning the missions trip.

Roger has been busy working on an airplane that needs to be painted in the company colors. This  means that he has not been able to fly as much, and I can tell that her really misses flying. Garett  asked me, “Is Dad grouchy because he hasn’t  been flying much lately?”. I laughed, but told Garett that that just might be a true statement! I know that Roger will be glad to get back to flying soon!

Last week was a bit of a rough week for me, as I have several hurting friends. A college  acquaintance, who is 37 years old, had a stroke. She is the mom to two young children, and it’s just hard to imagine how their lives will be changing. My dear college cross-country coach was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.  This man was my coach for two of my four years of college running, and I learned so much from him. He encouraged me so much in my walk with the Lord and his faithfulness in the little things of life.  Thirdly, a dear friend messaged me that her husband had an affair, and their lives would forever be changed. It was a lot of sad and disheartening information for one week! I’m thankful that these things do not catch God by  surprise, and He never wonders what He should do next!  We serve a mighty, immutable, unchangeable God! Even in the midst of stormy  situations and circumstances, God is still faithful and true. I’ll cling to Him in the midst of a raging
storm!



Also this week, I read a good article on dressing up for church...gasp?! Yes! I’m going to include a  link to the article, but the truth is that the article describes much of what is in my heart. I know that  God looks at our hearts, and He welcomes us just as we are every time. I know that sometimes there are situations where it’s just not feasible to dress up every time and a million other reasons. However, I also think that dressing up for church shows my family that it’s valuable to me. I wouldn’t wear pajamas to go on a date with Roger, and I wouldn’t wear my swimsuit to a wedding. Are pajamas or swimsuits evil? Um, no! There is a time and a place for those articles of clothing. But when I dress up for church, I am showing my children that I value this time with God.  I hope that I am  teaching them that we dress up for situations that we value, take seriously, and we count it a privilege to attend services with other believers. I hope you don’t feel like I am getting after you if you choose to not   dress up for church, I truly love you just as you are! Roger and I just realize that for our family, we want our children to know that we count it a blessing and a privilege to attend church. And it’s not killing any of our children to wear a button-down shirt and nice pants!  Church dress

In closing, I realize that this post jumps around a bit. So if you read the whole thing - hurrah  and thank you! I hope that you have a wonderful week. We love you all,
Sarah

Fall Beauty in Maine (and falling in Maine!)

If you’ve ever tried to plan a quick getaway as a family, and you have a large family, you know the struggle! It’s a struggle to find something for a large family to do on a shoe-string budget! Our boys are getting bigger, and it’s nearly impossible to fit us all into one small hotel room. Then there is the food cost factor on top of the lodging factor that makes planning a family getaway seem a bit daunting!

However, God is so good to us! He gives us unexpected blessings and surprises at every turn just because He loves us. Roger has a friend that has a small cabin up in Northern  Maine. When I was lamenting to Roger about struggling to find a place that we could get away as a family for a night, he thought of his friend. This friend had offered up their cabin to our family if we would like to use it for a day or two. This fit into our budget quite nicely, so we decided to do it! We planned a spur of the moment trip to Millinocket, Maine. We left on Friday afternoon and we came back on Saturday evening. It was a quick trip, but a beautiful one! The cabin was quite lovely, and it was right on the lake. Chandler was up at 4:50 am. On Saturday morning to go fishing! All the other kids slept in...until 5:20am! We enjoyed the lake sunrise, and the boys did catch some fish. Most of them were too small to keep, so we put them all back.

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like you have two left feet?! That was definitely me on Saturday morning! First of all, I went to try out my own magnet fishing experience. Roger had tied my magnet to some paracord (50 feet), and I was anxious to see if I could snag anything magnetic. Well, on my very first attempt, I forgot to hang on to the string, and promptly threw the magnet and the rope into the lake! My boys were just in awe of how I managed to do that! Chandler managed to snag the rope with his fishing rod, and we rescued my magnet. I then decided to tie my rope to the tree so that I couldn’t do that again! The boys were fishing off the dock, so I decided to climb down on some rocks to use my magnet. All was well for a few moments until I leaned over too far, and fell into the lake! I was soaked from head to toe! My boys gaped at me with open mouths for a few seconds, and then they all burst out laughing! I must have looked a sight with water dripping off everywhere...it was so cold!!! I managed to haul myself out of the lake with Roger’s help. (He wisely refrained from asking me how that happened!) I waddled back to the house, any thankfully my clothes from the day before weren’t too dirty! I managed to hit my shin bone pretty hard on a rock, and it’s been a bit painful for a few days! It was just that kind of a morning!

We enjoyed God’s beautiful creation, hiked on some great trails, went down into an ice cave, and made some wonderful memories together. Garett and Chandler did miss out on an opportunity to go on a teen active, but sometimes you just can’t do it all! We chose to do this as a family, and I am so glad that we did.

 Roger has had some rough days at work as he prepares a plane for paint. He is missing being in the  plane, and he is ready to get back to that.  My friend, Allison, and I were able to have lunch together last week, and I certainly enjoyed that! Since she has a daughter in high school, and I’ve been working, we just do not have very much time to spend together! I’ve been missing our deep conversations and laughter together. Hopefully, we will be able to find our routine, and we can get back to sharing a bit more time together.

I had a meeting with Garett’s teacher, speech teacher, and several others today to discuss Garett’s education process. Garett is a slow learner, but he is progressing. His teacher reports that he is a hard worker, and his speech teacher gave him high praise also. Out of all the speech teachers that Garett could have gotten, God gave Garett a wonderful Christian lady to give him lessons! She has been such a blessing to us, and we are so very thankful for her work with Garett. I’m thankful that Garett
will be able to continue to receive speech lessons twice a week, and we are looking at getting him    
  some additional help in reading. Garett is a hard worker, and a great kid. We will continue to pray for God to work in his heart and life.



And now for pictures...lots of them!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banquet and Magnet Fishing!

God is good and faithful, just as He always is to us! He brought us safely through another week; and although it had its challenging moments, we saw God at work.

 

 

 

My biggest praise from last week is simply that the banquet/pledge dinner is behind us! I don’t have to have nightmares about roasting turkeys and making pumpkin rolls this week! I made nine pumpkin rolls for the dinner, and we did not have as many people as we originally thought that we might. That means that we have lots of leftover pumpkin rolls, which totally delights everyone in my family! We served a menu of turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, sautéed green beans, rolls, cranberry Caesar salad as well as carrot cake or pumpkin roll for dessert- it was quite the meal! I am so thankful for my friend, Robin, who graciously put together the shopping list for me. She also contacted area businesses about donating food to our dinner. She spent most of the day on Friday at the church with me helping to prepare the food. It would have been much harder for me to coordinate it all without her help! I am also thankful for those that helped peel potatoes, wash mountains of dishes, and those who helped serve the meal. It took a lot of people working together to coordinate the banquet, and I am so thankful that this event is behind us!



However, I do feel that God greatly blessed our school on Friday night. Although it was a smaller crowd than we had planned for, God knows best. The crowd that came was gracious, kind and supportive of the school. And we cant have a second annual banquet until we have the first! The seventh and eighth graders came to help serve the meal, and they waited on tables. They did such a good job of asking people what they wanted to drink, how they could help, and being polite. I gave the students a crash course in serving and in etiquette on Friday afternoon, and they gave it their best effort on Friday night. While we did not make the amount of money that I had been praying for, we did get the perfect amount that God wanted to provide. This Christian school has been in existence since 1978, and Lord willing, it will continue to stand firmly on God’s Word and endeavoring to give
students a quality Christian education for many, many years to come. We are blessed.


Terri (a good family friend) was able to watch the younger four children on Friday night. Garett helped serve at the banquet, and Roger was working. It was a long day for me on Friday as I assisted with Preschool, made and prepared food, and then stayed to clean up and put away food. I think Garett and I arrived home around ten pm. I was thankful that Terri was willing and available to watch our children, and that Roger came over after work to help wash dishes!


On Saturday we spent a low-key day at home-Hallelujah! Roger and the boys did some yard work, while I folded mountains of laundry. Then we took some time in the afternoon to run a few errands together and to spend some time as a family. We needed that. Roger has been busy at work with preparing a plane to be painted, which has meant additional hours for him at work. However, the sun is starting to set a little earlier so that means that Roger will be able to start coming home earlier.

As far as preschool goes, I am really enjoying the job. Like most of the rest of my life, it is never boring in there! Renee and I seem to be able to work together quite easily, and I am thankful for her friendship to me.

Last week held some interesting moments, but God provided grace for every moment. God provided moments that gave me opportunities to praise Him and to pray to Him for wisdom.

I’m not saying that Roger and I have it all together by ANY means because we Do NOT! There are many, many different styles and ways of parenting, and our society today is flooded with books and information on that topic.   I am thankful for the many people that influenced Roger and I in our early years of raising our children. I am thankful that God gives grace for the many, many mistakes that we make!  I am thankful that I had the opportunity to attend a Bible college where classes in parenting and raising children helped to form principles and guidelines that I would use years later as the principles are founded on God’s Word. I often tell Roger that if our children grow up to love and serve Jesus it will be only because of Jesus and not because of their mother! I fail so often (everyday) at taking advantage of opportunities to point my kids to Jesus. I get upset, frustrated, respond without grace or am perhaps too passionate or not passionate enough, oh, the struggles are real! But the grace of God surrounds me, and His mercies are new every morning! I already know that I’m an imperfect mama, but I want my children to see a mama that asks for forgiveness, cries out to God, and has a real relationship with her Heavenly Father!


 One other similarity I see is the comparison between preschoolers and teenagers! As Garett enters his teen years, I see many similarities between him and the preschoolers. Garett is sometimes moody, always hungry, often smelly (especially according to his sister), and often loud! He is also loving, sweet and kind! A friend told me years ago to “Wait and see. When your boys become teens you’re going to think you’re back in the toddler years” I didn’t believe her and practically laughed, but oh, its a bit true! However, I love them all dearly-both our students and our children! We have such opportunities to point them to Jesus, but far too often I lay in bed at night thinking of the missed opportunities. But God is faithful to give new mercies every morning!

We also were able to see a butterfly come out of its cocoon. It was the perfect opportunity to teach our students about the beauty and amazement of God’s Creation.

The boys enjoyed “Magnet fishing” this week also. Oh, you don’t know what that is?! Ha! Neither did I! The boys spent some of their money and bought these magnets from the Harbor Freight Store. Chandler bought a 150lb magnet (the magnet is not 150lbs...it attracts and can hold up to 150lbs.) The other boys have slightly smaller ones, but everyone has one-except Garett. He didn't think he wanted one, but now that the other boys have magnets, I think he is wanting one also. So back to magnet fishing- you go “fishing” with the magnets! The object is not to get actual fish, but rather fishing lures, anything magnetic, etc. I had such a good time at the lake on Sunday afternoon with the kids as we did magnet fishing. The boys were actually quite successful, and acquired enough lures that the magnets have paid for themselves. Its actually really quite fun to throw in the magnet, reel it in and see if anything is attached. The boys use paracord to tie to the magnets, and they have quite the system worked out. It was a fun afternoon.

This week is a bit more relaxed for me as we do not have a banquet on Friday. Roger and I are trying to plan a quick family getaway this weekend, but we will see. God is good, and I hope He is real and at work in your life also!

Highlights! (Not the Hair Kind!) And Travis’s Eyes

Exodus 20:11a “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.”

That was Emma’s Bible verse last week, and since she’s only in kindergarten that means that Mom gets to review them with her every night. By the end of the week, we both know them (or at least I know it, and I hope she knows it!) We’ve also been learning the Creation Story in our preschool classes, and last week we got to see a butterfly come out of it’s cocoon! I have never seen that, and it was fascinating to all of us!

Travis had/has some problems with his eyes this past week. On Wednesday, his teacher came to me and said that Travis’s eyes were really red and maybe he had pink eye! None of our kids have ever had pink eye, but to be honest, I hadn’t even noticed that Travis’s eyes were red!! Thankfully, Roger had off of work on Wednesday and he was able to come get Travis from school. Travis was not at all heartbroken to be leaving school at 8:30 in the morning! He went with Roger to run some errands, they brought me coffee, and Roger took Travis to the pediatrician. The pediatrician confirmed that it was not pink eye, but something was not right with Travis’s eyes. So Roger had to take him over to the eye doctor. The eye doctor said that Travis has some type of allergy to something, but his eyes should be improving. Well, I’ve washed everything under the sun and Travis has been getting plenty of sleep and rest and his eyes are still red, itchy and slightly swollen! Please pray we can figure out what will help his eyes heal!

Also this week, Garett and Wyatt started back to piano lessons. We are just not able to afford for all of the kids to take lessons as piano lessons are expensive out here! I talked with someone in a different part of the country and she said that her daughter takes lessons for $12.00 for one-half hour. It’s about three times that much here! We were able to apply for a discount, and that has helped    significantly. When we were talking to the boys about piano lessons, both Garett and Wyatt specifically asked if they could take lessons. Chandler came to us later on and said, “I’m just not that interested in taking piano lessons. And I don’t know if spending money on me to take lessons would be a good idea!” We tried not to laugh as he was so serious and intentionally in talking with us. However, after much prayer and discussion we did decided to enroll Garett and Wyatt for piano lessons this fall. They are very excited, and Wyatt has been especially diligent in practicing.

Last week was a week filled with beautiful weather-truly an Indian Summer type of weather! It’s always enjoyable to get outside with the students as that is good for both teachers and students! Renee (our preschool head teacher) and I were able to enjoy staff devotions on both Tuesday and Thursday. It was so encouraging to come together with these dear ladies and pour out our requests and praises to our Heavenly Father. Renee and I have both definitely be experiencing a learning curve  and some times we are just “living and learning”. Last week our “color” that we studied was yellow.  We put cornmeal in our sensory bin...and we had cornmeal dust about everywhere! BUT it was  yellow! ( and so fun to play in!)

I feel like the preschool staff and the elementary staff as well as the staff as a whole school are better united this year than they have in past years. I’m definitely not claiming the credit for that, but I do think that God has used me as in instrument to bring two different programs a little closer together. I remember talking to one of our staff ladies this summer, and explaining the hard decision between giving up the school board and going on a staff position. She had given me a hug, and then looked me
 right in the eyes and said, “Sarah, I have no doubt that wherever you serve, God will use you for His honor and glory.” I do enjoy being at school with our children, and I certainly pray that God will continue to use me.

The boys (and Emma) had a field trip Friday to a corn maze. It was a fun field trip and they came home with lots of experiences to tell. It was hard for me to miss the field trip, but my friend (Claire)  did send me several pictures from the event. After the students field trip, we had music classes. I’m  looking forward to moving to Mondays for music classes as I don’t feel like either the students or the teacher are  as productive at the end of the week! So, we will be having music classes again on Monday as we move to transition to Music on Mondays! I’m so thrilled with the progress the students have made in the three weeks of classes....and a bit intimidated by how far we need to go in just ten weeks! But God gives grace for every moment, and it’s not given for me to store up!

On Friday night, we had two extra little boys for a few hours. These boys go to our school, and I  wanted to try to be a blessing to their mama, so I offered to watch her boys for a few hours on Friday night. She was able to enjoy some time with a friend, and our boys (and Emma) enjoyed having a few friends over for a bit. It was such a delight to my heart to watch my older boys with these young kids. Chandler patiently went on the trampoline, and Garett and Wyatt played nerf guns and airplanes for as long as the boys were interested. My boys helped the little ones with their supper and cut up their food, played with them, and entertained them. It was truly a blessing to my heart!

Garett and Travis are both experiencing a few school struggles, but they have wonderful teachers, and we are working through small problems before they are big problems! Garett is definitely entering into those preteen years where he is stinky all the time, a bit clumsy at times, sometimes easily
irritated (usually at siblings) but he still wants to talk to me! Oh, my hearts desire is for my children to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul and mind!


On Saturday we had the opportunity to play soccer at the church field for a bit! It was an unusually warm September day, but we all had a good time. I played too, and Roger was able to leave work for a bit to play also. Emma had no desire to play, but she was a good sport on the sidelines, and she enjoyed holding the baby that was there!

 

 

Beautiful Flowers from my friend, Claire.

 I also tried Walmart Grocery Pickup on Saturday. I was impressed by the convenience of using the online order form. I’m definitely not crazy about the fact that using coupons is not an option right now, but I’m happy to use the service as long as they keep giving me $10.00 off my order coupons! It certainly helped us save time on a busy day. After the grocery pickup we went home to drop off groceries. Wyatt and Travis picked out a present for the birthday party that they were going to in the afternoon. They wrapped it with packing tape, but they did it themselves! I took the two younger boys to the birthday party which was at the YMCA. The boys had the opportunity to swim in the pool at the party, and Travis was thrilled to pass the swim test. Wyatt had already passed it at a pervious party. Watching Travis take the swim test was one thing that I didn’t really do. I have a hard time watching when I’m not 100% sure that my child will succeed. I did watch some of the test, and he was doing okay. Then the instructor said that Travis did not pass the test because he had touched the wall before treading water. Claire (the other mom siting with me) and I were both surprised as we hadn’t heard the instructor tell Travis not to do that. Claire asked (she’s outspoken like that :) ) the instructor if Travis had know about that. Travis said he did not know that was the rule and he offered to take the test again. The instructor decided to allow Travis to pass which totally made his day...and mine. Then Claire’s son took the swim test, and she was the one facing away! It surprised me that we both had the same response to watching our children do something that we were not 100% sure they would succeed at, but her son passed as well! The younger boys had a good time at the party, and they definitely enjoy  swimming!

I had two friends surprise me last week with coupons for coffee at Dunkin Donuts. Allison and Claire both gave me coupon booklets...somehow they must know that I enjoy coffee and I definitely like coupons!

I’ve been a bit surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed working in the preschool. It is definitely not roses every day, but I enjoy going to work with these little ones. I know I partially enjoy the job because of the person I get to work with in that program. Every day one of these little ones surprises me with either a funny comment or action, or just how fun life is to them! I told Renee recently that “We don’t even need the Holy Spirit in here lately as we have so many that are telling us about everyone else’s problems!” I’m joking, of course! We surely need God to work in their lives, but laughter certainly makes the day more enjoyable!

Week #2- Challenges and Blessings!

 

Week two is now behind us! For all of you that are on weeks four, five or greater...we don’t want to hear it! (Just kidding- we are happy for you!)  We are happy to have completed two weeks of school! I’m happy to write that this week seemed to go much smoother than last week. We made it to the end of the week before feeling really tired, and it was a full week! Gym, art, and music classes all started this week, and that always makes the days a little bit more fun (probably for both the teacher and the students!).

The preschoolers are adjusting to school which is making things both easier and more interesting! It’s great that all the students are starting to remember each other’s names and understand how the  schedule works. As each school day passes, they each become a bit more comfortable at school
revealing their personalities! We have been teaching them Genesis 1:1 as well as a few songs to go with the days of Creation. God blessed our school with a wonderful preschool teacher, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to work alongside of her. It takes a special gift to work with preschoolers, and God gave her that gift. We seem to work really well together, and I’m excited to “live and learn” with her. As we work through the school year, we are keeping files on what we do with the preschoolers as it will make consecutive years a bit easier for whomever teaches. We are also learning what doesn’t work well or what not to try again!

Another great change in the preschool program is the joining together of preschool and elementary staff prayer meetings. This week I suggested that perhaps we could meet together at least one morning a week to all pray together. The elementary staff does their devotions and prayer time together every day, but the preschool staff has not joined in the past, due in part to just preparing for a different schedule on the preschool side. However, this year we are excited  to have staff devotions  together to pray. Oh, how we all need it! I’m looking forward to praying alongside these wonderful, dear teachers at our school.


My phone has been broken since last Saturday, so I’ve been without a phone all week. It’s been weird as I don’t consider myself especially attached to my phone, but not having one has been a weird experience. I do wonder how many messages Ive missed in the last week, but I figure if it was a real emergency, someone would have called Roger! Lord willing, we will be able to get a replacement phone soon. My phone slid off the counter, and the screen is not turning on. I remember all during my growing up years only having a land line phone, but in the culture we live in, it’s a totally unusual thing to not have a cell phone. To be honest, it’s been kinda nice...except for all the meetings and important things I’ve probably forgotten!

We did have a busy week, with school, a meeting for an upcoming fundraising dinner, making a meal  for a friend, and prepping for music classes. Our school is working on a fundraising dinner to try to  help raise money for our school. Our school offers amazing discounts for families with multiple children (1st one is full price, 2nd one is 25% off, And any additional children are free!) However, we  did not get the 90 students that we prayed for this year...instead we have about 60. It’s 60 kids that God wants us to minster to, but it also means that we need to make some money to meet budget goals. The purpose of the fundraising dinner is to help the school meet its budget! We are preparing and planning for a banquet dinner with a guest speaker, picture slide show, and then a pledge offering (It’s  where you fill out a card and either give a one time donation or you pledge to give a certain amount each month for a year). I have a very specific amount I am praying for, but I know that God has to do a mighty work. Would you pray for this banquet with us? In two short weeks, this banquet  will take place. We need your prayers. (And if you want to make a donation, just let me know and I’ll be happy to get you our school address!)

I made a meal for a friend on Thursday. She and her husband just recently welcomed their first little  baby. Since I was already making a meal for a family, I went ahead and made a meal for my family, and three of our teachers at school. If I’m making a mess, I might as well try to be a blessing in the process! I made stuffed taco shells, which is a super easy meal to make, and one of my kids favorites! Emma was thrilled that she would get to come along with me to drop off the meal. She prayed all summer for this baby, and she was delighted to get to see the baby! Thursday is Emma’s short day as she is done with school at 11:30am. We left school and took a meal over to them, and we were able to have a wonderful visit together. I’m thankful for these opportunities to love on new mammas and their families.

Friday marked the first day of music classes. I didn’t feel as prepared as I have in years past, but maybe that has something to do with how little time I’ve had to get everything done. Because I am teaching in the afternoon, the music classes are a little shorter than when I was able to teach in the morning. Half an hour flies by! We have much to do to get ready for a Christmas program in 12  weeks, and I’m thankful that we serve a big, big God who can help me organize, prepare, plan and teach these students. I was given some small melody harps that I am going to try to teach the oldest class to use for a Christmas song. Today was pretty rough, but I’m sure they will get better!

The boys have adjusted quite easily to this week of school. Travis told me that even enjoyed some of school this week! We’ve been back to studying our Bible verses, spelling lists, etc.  Chandler and I have been working on how to discern types of sentences! I’m so proud of how the children have been getting up early, getting ready for school, and we’ve been even earlier than we need to be to school this week. I’ve  been getting up with Roger at 4:40 am. We enjoy a cup of coffee, a bit of quiet time and prayer, and then he goes to work. Then I have my Bible time, and usually the boys are up by 5:30am. (That’s why they are usually in bed by 7:30 pm.) I’ve been able to squeeze in a short run every morning this week -it’s not far- only two miles, but it helps me get my exercise in before school starts. We leave for school around 7:10am. The boys have been great about helping Emma get her  breakfast, and then doing their chores before leaving for school. I’m certainly praying that these habits will continue throughout the school year! We are an early rising family, but that also means  that we are an early-to-bed family!

Today (Sunday) we had the opportunity to worship with other believers at our church, and then we had a baptismal service out at the pond. Roger was working today, and he was disappointed to miss it.  This baptismal service was especially special as the man getting baptized is the dad of one of the boys that was baptized earlier this summer. How wonderful to see this father take this step in his walk
 with the Lord !

This week I was also able to find some great bargains for Christmas presents, gifts for school and back to school supplies for 90% off at Rite Aid! I enjoy giving gifts to others (that’s my love language) and I also enjoy staying on budget! It’s always so wonderful to see how God can put me in the right place at the right time, and I do enjoy finding bargains!

Roger and I were able to get a replacement phone for me yesterday. It’s a used phone, but it should last me a few years, and it’s paid for completely. I’m thankful that I was able to find a protective case for .96 at Staples! (One of the benefits of not having the newest phone is that then I was able to find a clearance phone case!) As much as we travel for school and other events, it’s nice to have a phone again.

We are so very thankful for how God has blessed us this week. It has certainly had it’s challenges and trials, but God has been so very, very faithful!

Week #1 (What a week!)

Did we make it?! I feel a bit like a barn cat that is trying to sneak in the door before his tail is slammed in the door! It felt like a marathon, a whirlwind, and a tornado all in one, but we all survived week one of school!

First of all, last Friday Garett turned thirteen! I think I’m still in shock over that! Secondly, we celebrated our fourteenth anniversary on Monday. Roger and I sometimes joke about the fact that Garett has never hurried for anything in his entire life...except for crashing our first anniversary! Garett’s due date was October 3rd, and he was born on August 30th! He was an unexpected addition to our first, very unromantic first anniversary! However, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for the special gift of our first born son. Every anniversary looks a bit different for Roger and I, and I don’t think we’ve ever really celebrated with an expensive dinner and a get away on our anniversary. The beginning of the school year is not a prime time to have an anniversary! (But we didn’t think about that 14 years ago!)

We had company for our anniversary (also on Labor Day this year). My sister, Hannah, her husband, Josh, along with some of our dear friends, the Faulde’s (missionaries to Haiti) and Rogers boss, (Kevin and Terry) came for dinner! It was a table full, but what a great time we had together. Roger grilled out a bunch of different types of meat (they had cleaned out the freezer at work). Terry brought an ice cream cake to celebrate Garett and Travis’s birthdays, and the table was filled with delicious things to eat! It was a good time to visit about Haiti, the mission work there, and enjoy each other’s company. I’m thankful for a home in which to be hospitable to others. I’m thankful for a spouse who graciously helps prepare food. I’m thankful for our children who enjoy having others at  
our house. I’m thankful to our, good, good Heavenly Father who bountifully bestows blessings on us!


Tuesday was our first day of school! A cool mama would’ve taken pictures of our first day of school, but maybe we will get a picture by day 20 of the school year! Garett is in 7th grade, Chandler is in 6th, Wyatt is in 4th, Travis is in 3rd grade and Emma started kindergarten. I was not emotional about Emma starting school, probably because I was nervous also about my first day of being the pre-school aide! I forgot to take a picture of Emma, and that does make me a little sad as she is our last one to go to kindergarten.


This year brought about many changes for our school schedule as we are now all going to school. I  LOVE the fact that all of our children are learning at the same school, and I am delighted to be there with them. I MISS the fact that I’m not going to be available for each of our children’s field trips, and that I am no longer able to play the piano for chapel. I appreciate the fact that I can earn a bit of  money to help with the school bills, and maybe even help our children be able to take music lessons this fall.

I’ve probably had a bigger adjustment than our children this year simply as its been quite a few years since I’ve had a job that requires tax paperwork to be filled out and actually results in a paycheck! It’s also exhausting and tired to get back into a routine! We started off with the three-year olds on Tuesday, and what an adventure that was for both the new teacher and myself! Three year olds are just discovering how independent they can be, and not one of them was interested in a  schedule or routine! Its amazing though at how quickly kids can adjust and adapt as Thursday was a much better day. I’m excited to see how God works in and through me.  

Wednesday was Emma’s long day at school (She goes full day on Mon./Wed./Fri./ and half days on Tuesday/Thursday) She has been tired for much of the week, and by Thursday she was ready for a    
nap after school! I watch a little boy from our preschool class on Wednesday afternoons, so we went  to the bank and out to see Roger. The little boy was very impressed with the stickers and sucker he got at the bank. (Oh, sometimes its the little things that provide the most joy!)  I also worked some on paperwork, music class lessons, and other things that needed to be done.

Thursday afternoon provided me with the unexpected blessing of being able to finish up working in the music room. My friend, Claire, took Emma home with her for the afternoon, which gave me several hours just to work on my music class space! I am delighted to see it come together, and now just have to work on the lesson plans for the Christmas program and how we are going to be ready for that in 12 weeks! AHH!!

And just like that Friday is here -Snap! We are thankful that God brought us safely through our first week of school. We are thankful for the weekend as we will have family staying overnight again this  weekend. I’m looking forward to making my grocery list and prepping for next week’s meals. This week we kinda flew by the seat of our pants, which resulted in popcorn and cheese for supper one night, and eggs and sausage another night, etc.

We are closing up the weekend with enjoying two days with Roger’s sister, Erin, her husband, Jason, and their five girls at our house for a few days. It was good to catch up and visit with them. We enjoyed a walk on the board walk, loud nerf gun fights at home, and just enjoying each other’s company. This morning we were all able to attend church together, and it was good to enjoy a morning with other believers. Pastor Faulde presented his ministry to our church this morning, and I am thankful that I have been able to be a part of several medical trips to Haiti. It was a good day in the Lord’s house.

Tomorrow we begin week two of school, and I would appreciate your continued prayers for both  Roger and I and our children. To God be the Glory,  

Sarah

 

Fort Building