To my surprise and utter delight, in the midst of storms and unpleasant conversations, there always seems to be a bright spot! I have found a new friend that sheds light on the bright spot. She has s similar job as me, house 'mom' to up to 6 boys. The difference is, I am old enough to be her mom! Hilarious, to me...and then I find myself asking the most daunting of questions. Questions like: Perhaps I really am too old to effectively parent teen-agers. She certainly seems to have it all together. Perhaps if I were younger, thinner, more beautiful in the morning, had longer or shorter hair...you know....all those questions we ask ourselves in the quiet moments...and then in my head I have to scream: JUST GO WITH IT...YOU ARE HERE FOR A REASON...NO MATTER YOUR AGE, JEAN SIZE, OR HAIR COLOR (which is, of course, up to one of my other new friends, Tania--the Master Stylist).
And, in the quiet of the morning, and in the intimate moments with my God, He assuringly tells me to trust only in Him and His timing and His provision. His word is clear, but the sweetness of His presence also assures me of His plans. It is truly amazing to watch as He places people in this ministry that can not only minister effectively to these young people, but also to the hearts of the staff, as well! I am in awe most of the time!
Just last night, our tutor, who comes three times per week, showed me some pictures on the Internet of his great uncle...who was sainted in Canada. A fascinating story, really, of a very frail man, who in the end of his life, had a chapel that was built to the side of the church. In this chapel, he would meet with people and pray for them, and they were healed...the fascinating part is that when my friend the tutor visited this place years later, there were crutches and other items the people who had been healed as a result of his prayers just left at the chapel. Why is it that we can become so excited that it happened 'back then', and discount such miracles from our God today.
Of course, I would say, because I get to write this, that if we believe that the same God that healed all those people so long ago isn't doing the same kinds of things today, we are deeply misled. God has provided miracle after miracle for me and my family and for those around me...It is truly inspiring to hear stories of God's move and purpose in people's lives.
My new friend that I first talked about, is such a blessing to me in this 'dry spell from real-life girl friends'...she speaks openly of scripture and God's move in their life as a couple! I love that about God's people...I can't wait to meet more and more of them, as time goes on, Lord willing!
Be blessed today. This, as you probably know, would be considered a 'hard day' for those who grieve loved ones who have gone on to Heaven. By God's grace and mercy, we are still breathing in and out, and praise His Name!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
To bring you up to date...
Here we go, again! The beginning of a New Year...the beginning of a second semester...the beginning of a new life..much to celebrate in 2012!
We were truly blessed on December 6, as a family to welcome our third grand baby in to the world..her name: Anna Grace...she's beautiful, as you would know, and she completes her family to five. Our daughter, who always and only wanted to be a mom and wife, is living her dream. Because God is anxious to bless, and He is faithful, as only He could orchestrate, I was able to spend twelve days with them, helping get Will to school, and play with Ally, and keep laundry caught up during those first few days of adjusting to a 'large' family!
And, again as only our Loving God could bless, we were able to be with our immediate family to celebrate Christmas. To continue our family tradition, we all went together to see 'ChipWrecked'...and I didn't even fall asleep!
We were able, then, to make it back home in time to be here in North Georgia for the actual Christmas holiday, celebrating with the boys in our home--and introducing them to the 'Bishop family traditions' that we enjoy together. Part of that tradition is to have our tree up for most of the month of December to enjoy. One day, early in the month, the boys came home from school and it was just 'there'...in the foyer, in all its holiday splendor! They seemed to love it! One of them would just go sit on the stairs, and look at it. Another tradition is that I wrap all the presents, but I 'code' them so that I know who they belong to, but the recipient won't know til Christmas Eve! That was fun! We did lots of finger foods for Christmas Eve, and then the more traditional ham/turkey on Christmas Day! Then Christmas night, we took them to the movie to see "We Bought a Zoo"...some how, that seemed to fit us exactly.
We attended church on Christmas Eve together, then came home to eat and open presents! The boys got so many really nice things. It was such a blessing to be here to see their expressions when they opened those things that they'd asked for, or dreamed about for this entire fall.
The Christmas break, winter break, what ever you call it, was quite a challenge in many respects. Everyone was home all the time, and there was no 'routine'...just a glimpse of summer time, perhaps I'll buy some chickens or rabbits to 'tend'...of course, I am kidding.
We were able to take most of our kids to an event called 'Winter Ramp 2011'. What an experience. 5,000 kids. Loud music. Challenging Messages. Lots of hugs. Many tears. Constant shouts of praise. Praised in the New Year. Not much sitting. After 2 full days of that, I felt every 'one' of my fifty years. But it was such an experience, that I would do it all again. Drawing near to the God of the Universe, watching our girls seek His face in prayer, and then encourage their friends in this ministry to do the same was an experience I won't soon forget, and neither will they! Each of the girls experienced God in a new and exciting way. Each was unique to them, and the circumstances they are in personally, but it was such a blessing for me to have been there to experience it with them. Truly special, these daughters of ours!
Which brings me to the next big event: the girl's 16th birthday is tomorrow! I have told their story so many times, they are sick of hearing it. But, let me just say one more time: these girls have been such a gift from God, their entire lives--even though there have been truly hard moments for us all, they are precious! They are so hilarious, and love to make each other crazy...but they are mostly tender hearted, and love to laugh...and that we are really good at doing! Just this week: Madison was helping the kitchen chore boys do dishes, she was wiping counters or something, they were about done, and the two boys picked her up, and sat her in the dish water...hilarious. Randy was washing the van, with some help, but before it was over, they were ALL wet...I'm considering a big floor drain in the kitchen, and installing a power washer in the wall in there, not sure that would meet state standards, but we could have some fun!
I'll write more later...the kids are back in school...the population of our home continues to change, and we all crave routine...Oh, and I am again being blessed to begin another semester at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary, beginning tomorrow. Blessing to you for reading this, and remembering our family in prayer!
We were truly blessed on December 6, as a family to welcome our third grand baby in to the world..her name: Anna Grace...she's beautiful, as you would know, and she completes her family to five. Our daughter, who always and only wanted to be a mom and wife, is living her dream. Because God is anxious to bless, and He is faithful, as only He could orchestrate, I was able to spend twelve days with them, helping get Will to school, and play with Ally, and keep laundry caught up during those first few days of adjusting to a 'large' family!
And, again as only our Loving God could bless, we were able to be with our immediate family to celebrate Christmas. To continue our family tradition, we all went together to see 'ChipWrecked'...and I didn't even fall asleep!
We were able, then, to make it back home in time to be here in North Georgia for the actual Christmas holiday, celebrating with the boys in our home--and introducing them to the 'Bishop family traditions' that we enjoy together. Part of that tradition is to have our tree up for most of the month of December to enjoy. One day, early in the month, the boys came home from school and it was just 'there'...in the foyer, in all its holiday splendor! They seemed to love it! One of them would just go sit on the stairs, and look at it. Another tradition is that I wrap all the presents, but I 'code' them so that I know who they belong to, but the recipient won't know til Christmas Eve! That was fun! We did lots of finger foods for Christmas Eve, and then the more traditional ham/turkey on Christmas Day! Then Christmas night, we took them to the movie to see "We Bought a Zoo"...some how, that seemed to fit us exactly.
We attended church on Christmas Eve together, then came home to eat and open presents! The boys got so many really nice things. It was such a blessing to be here to see their expressions when they opened those things that they'd asked for, or dreamed about for this entire fall.
The Christmas break, winter break, what ever you call it, was quite a challenge in many respects. Everyone was home all the time, and there was no 'routine'...just a glimpse of summer time, perhaps I'll buy some chickens or rabbits to 'tend'...of course, I am kidding.
We were able to take most of our kids to an event called 'Winter Ramp 2011'. What an experience. 5,000 kids. Loud music. Challenging Messages. Lots of hugs. Many tears. Constant shouts of praise. Praised in the New Year. Not much sitting. After 2 full days of that, I felt every 'one' of my fifty years. But it was such an experience, that I would do it all again. Drawing near to the God of the Universe, watching our girls seek His face in prayer, and then encourage their friends in this ministry to do the same was an experience I won't soon forget, and neither will they! Each of the girls experienced God in a new and exciting way. Each was unique to them, and the circumstances they are in personally, but it was such a blessing for me to have been there to experience it with them. Truly special, these daughters of ours!
Which brings me to the next big event: the girl's 16th birthday is tomorrow! I have told their story so many times, they are sick of hearing it. But, let me just say one more time: these girls have been such a gift from God, their entire lives--even though there have been truly hard moments for us all, they are precious! They are so hilarious, and love to make each other crazy...but they are mostly tender hearted, and love to laugh...and that we are really good at doing! Just this week: Madison was helping the kitchen chore boys do dishes, she was wiping counters or something, they were about done, and the two boys picked her up, and sat her in the dish water...hilarious. Randy was washing the van, with some help, but before it was over, they were ALL wet...I'm considering a big floor drain in the kitchen, and installing a power washer in the wall in there, not sure that would meet state standards, but we could have some fun!
I'll write more later...the kids are back in school...the population of our home continues to change, and we all crave routine...Oh, and I am again being blessed to begin another semester at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary, beginning tomorrow. Blessing to you for reading this, and remembering our family in prayer!
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