"Joe Hashabah"

 KB came to awhile ago, telling me about one of her imaginary friends, Joe Hashabah, who was "vewy, vewy sick!" and how we needed to pray for him. Me humoring her, says M'kay sweetie, we'll do that....   Not knowing that mere minutes later, she would come back, insisting that we pray for him "wight NOW!" So I bowed my head, closed my eyes, and listened as she prayed the most sweetest, sincere prayers for this "friend" of hers. She thanked God for Joe, asked Him to bless him, and to heal him fast, so we can "have fun an plway wif him verwy soon"

Thank you Lord for giving her a loving & caring heart... and helping her see the need for YOU in all thing...even those whose worth I overlook.

Shock, horror & disbelief!

Please pray for our family. We received word yesterday afternoon, that our (B's) 17 year old cousin, died in a swimming incident. Details as to what really happened are still being investigated. The whole family is in a total state of shock and disbielf.. and her mother is really having a hard time coping. We know Keetz believed in Christ, and was saved - so she is in a better place... But it still doesnt make the pain of a young, vibrant life taken way too soon, any easier.

RIP Keetz.... we love you!! 

Perspective

Isn't interesting how you can be having one the worst days...  you know: the bread doesn't rise,and/or sticks to the pan... the muffins burn... the kid(s) are unruly, whiny and disobedient... laundry (both clean & dirty) are piled... and the house is in shambles...  ??

Interview....

Praying for hubby, as he is driving to Ellenton as we speak, for an 11am interview w/ Verizon Wireless!!

Thursday Thoughts: Haiti

This photo is both heartbreaking and encouraging at the same time. --  Despite all the turmoil around, Renante Taris breastfeeds her son, Erikson at a hospital in Port-au-Prince, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010. --- Troops, doctors and aid workers continue to flow into Haiti as hundreds of thousands of quake survivors struggle to find water or food. A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, leaving a multitude of people, injured, homeless, or dead.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) 

Our hearts & prayers go out to all those who were effected, by the devastation in Haiti. We have several Haitian-American families in our church (and know many who have ministered over there - including my own husband)... and the stories being relaying from "home" - not to mention the pictures we are seeing on the news - are just heartbreaking.  

I Corinthians 13 - A Prayer for a Wife

The following excerpt is taken from the book: "Becoming the Woman of His Dreams" by Sharon Jaynes. Every time I read it,  it resounds so deeply within my heart...  it nearly moves me to tears. I actually have it printed off, and taped to the inside cover of my Bible, so I can read/pray through/think on it often.  It's a beautiful reminder that, above everything else this world has to offer...  our purpose & priority as Godly wives,  should be to love & honor our husbands. -- be their biggest cheerleader, chief adviser, most trusted confidant,  best-friend., & helpmeet. ~ Enjoy!

picture courtesy of\

Happy 2010

As I sit here thinking about the new year that's quickly approaching us,  as well as of the beautiful messages we heard at church, last night -- Let's make the new year one of Separation [unto God], Service, & Stewardship -- this song seems to be perfectly fitted for the theme -  as a prayer on my heart, if you will... 

Waiting, hoping, praying...

With the sudden recent outburst of pregnancy announcements... it is getting exceedingly harder to be patient. But alas, we are still waiting & praying for our turn. KB is now 26 mos old - passing the 20-month mark it took to get preggo with her... as well as uprooting all ideals of the "perfect age gap". I know it will come about in the right timing... but sometimes it's SOOOO difficult not to doubt and wonder.  All in all, though, I have to remind myself that God is in control, and His timing is perfect!  Meanwhile I am just trying to focus on  cherishing every moment I have with the precious & beautiful gift - which we have been so very blessed to have as part of our family!
 

Lunchtime prayers...

Heart warming moment of the day...

(courtesy of)

Today as lunch approached, I became busy working about the kitchen... therefore not sitting down upon putting the food on the table, and KB in her highchair - as I normally do. I finally came to a stopping point, went and sat down, and began eating. A couple minutes later, I see KB solemnly set the corn chip she was munching on, down on her plate. Confused as to what was the matter, I look up just in time to watch her bow her head, close her eyes, and start babbling ever so sincerly. However, it wasn't until she finished - with the sweetest little "a-men!" you've ever heard - did I realize what was going on. In our family, we always pray a blessing over our food before we eat. But due to KB sitting down first, and me having my brain in too many places at once... we started eating without giving thanks. I asked her, "KB, where you just praying for your lunch?" She slowly nodded. Then she reached for my hand (we always hold hands to pray) and once again, quietly bowed her head - waiting for me to begin. With a lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes, I joyfully prayed with her, thanking the Lord for our food, the day... and for KB remembering what makes Jesus happy! :-) My heart is overwhelmed with love, joy, & gratefulness... for this generous, compassionate, and tender-hearted little girl with whom the Lord has blessed us. ~ I love my baby girl... ♥

Bryce Eric Update: 3/14/09 9pm

As posted by Marmee...

This evening's x-ray showed that Bryce Eric's lung appears to be re-inflated for the second time. He has been out of the oxygen tent since 7pm and is breathing in slow, steady, even breaths. He is nursing well and looks so healthy and wonderful! He has the sweetest, calmest disposition you could ever dream of. He has even shared a few precious smiles! My heart just melts!
I am totally convinced that God heard the many, many prayers lifted up on his behalf and saw fit to heal him. We will continue to ask God to allow him to make progress and possibly even come home tomorrow, Sunday! This is a long shot, but Daddy Bryce has to work Monday and I want him to be the one to bring his family home! Thank you to everyone who joined with us in prayer across the US and around the world! We serve a mighty God!!
We will update after the Dr. comes in Sunday morning! blessings and hugs! Marmee

Collapsed again... (w/ UPDATE @ 6:55pm!!)

UPDATE: 6:55 pm

We Are at the Hospital I got to peek at him (he's in the nursery) He is so sweet!

BE is gonna be coming off the oxygen and going in for another x-ray at 7 PM(in 5 mins) please pray very hard!!! If the x-rays don't show good news(improvement) then it's possible they might have to transfer him to Hershey... Pray Pray Pray! ~Thank you!

----------------------------------------
Written By Heather M & Ashlee this morning....

Bryce[Eric]'s lung has partially collapsed again so they are repeating the oxygen treatment for 8 hours..... which was successful before for 8 hours. He'll definitely be in the hospital till tomorrow, but the good news is he can come out of the oxygen tent to feed!! If there are any further complications or episodes he will be transported to Hershey, PA. (1 1/2 hours away)

Thank you all for praying!!
We are on our way to he hospital now! Pray really hard for Heather too... as we all can imagine it would be very hard to see your baby go through this!

Ashlee<3

Bryce Eric ~*Update*~ 3/13/09

Here's what our sister Ashlee wrote a little bit ago...

Bryce is no longer under the oxygen tent! His lung is not collapsed anymore! Praise the Lord! He is still in the nursery hooked up to all the monitors but Mommy, Daddy, and Grandparents are allowed in to hold and snuggle with him! I can hardly wait to get to see him again. He will be in the nursery(so they can monitor him closely) for 12-24 more hrs. Heather was able to try and feed him earlier... She had success! YAY!!! She has been released, but is allowed to stay there until he is also allowed to go home! They have moved her to a room with a more comfortable bed (yay for Nae)!!

Thank you all so very much for all your Love, support, and most importantly your Prayers!

I will try to keep you posted... untill later... God Bless!

~ Ashlee (proud Auntie)

Goodnight!

What a day! ~ Going to bed.... but just wanted to share the latest picture....


He's calm and doing a little better! - Pray, pray, pray!! ♥


(Aunt Debi's sweet post: Prayers needed for Baby Bryce)

PRAYERS!! (8pm: UPDATE at bottom!!)

I want to ask for your prayers!!! Heather & Bryce Eric were supposed to be released from the hospital** but after some tests, were postponed until tomorrow. I just got a call from my Mom, and after some x-rays, have discovered that the lower part of BE's right lung is collapsed. They are going to put him in an oxygen tank for the next 8-12 hours (most likely the latter due to the time of day), and then take another x-ray to see where we stand. They have requested that the oxygen tent be in their room, and the doctor said he'd do his best to make that happen. Please pray that the staff will be able to arrange something, so he won't have to be separated from Heather. Also, unfortunately, this means Heather will not be able to breastfeed BE for the next while... but given how shallow his breathing is, hard he is having to work to breathe... he's not really nursing, as it is. The nurses are supposed to get H a breast pump, and if she can get any colostrum, they will give it to BE. Otherwise they will monitor his hydration, and give him some electrolyte solution if needed. Please pray for BE's quick healing, and ease in breathing.... and that weight or jaundice do not become an issue!! Thankfully, the rest of his lungs & his heart look healthy and fine.... and we are praising the Lord they are not having to transfer him to a bigger hospital or anything! Most likely they will not be released tomorrow - discharge all depends on getting & keeping BE's lung inflated.

(Photo taken last night!)

Thank you for your prayers! - I will keep you updated as I know more!!

~Tiph

**(for clarification, her midwife delivers in a birthing center area IN the hospital)


Edit: 7:56 - What a day!

I just talked to mom again, and Heather was able to pump about 3oz in just a short time... so they will be giving that to BE from his tube!! That's a major praise! Unfortunately, they were not able to put the oxygen tent in Heather's room. Meaning he is down in the nursery for the next 8-12 hours as he gets his treatments. Please pray for strength for Heather. She is having hard time, as she cannot hold him while he is getting his treatment... so if he cries, etc. it's very difficult to deal with. She called my mom, and Marmee is headed back up there, to lend some extra support.

Then, on top of all this news of BE.... my dad came over this afternoon, and went on & on about job/life problems... and then, my mom calls back to tell me about some other things going on.... INCLUDING that my Grandma (her mom) was recently diagnosed with cancer again. (It's in the same lung as she had partially removed a few years ago - she will begin treatment (chemo) next week.) I just don't know how much more I can take! I really feel so helpless. I am praying... but it's just not the same! I want to BE there with them, and see my nephew, and *hug* all of them, and tell my sweet sister everything will be alright, and eat Oreos with Peanut butter with her.... ::tear:: this is SO hard!! ::tear::

(and of course, it doesn't help (emotionally) that a certain monthly visitor came to town this afternoon.... arg!! )

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!

I have to say.... I really find the all the hatred & disrespect that is coming out, by so many during this inaguration, a real shame! I thought Obama's message was for people to unite or was that just to get him elected? I will admit, I am not an fan of much of what Obama stands for... but,

now that he is my President.... whether I agree with him, or not...
I *will* respect him (and pray for him daily)...
because he IS the leader of MY country!!!

Besides, isn't the Presidents ultimate job, first and foremost, to keep the county safe...? With as much as President Bush may have done things wrong... I do believe he has accomplished at least that much! Interesting how quickly we forget!

The Inauguration...

As we speak, Barack Hussein Obama has just been sworn in as the 44th president of the United States... and is now giving his inauguration speech. - A speech I am trying so very hard to listen too... yet between the cable cutting out (apropos, no?)... the sight of my precious daughter, sweet/silly husband, and crazy puppies rolling around/playing on the floor... and all the fluff & big talk comprised within afore mentioned speech.... it is seriously becoming less & less of interest or appeal.

Overall, I find this day surrounded by some very mixed emotions. I am anxious, skeptical, & unbelieving... yet at the same time, confident, hopeful, prayerful, and totally at peace. I know these may sound like very stark contradictions... but if you really believe"In God We Trust"... then you also know, no matter who stands in office... it is HE who puts the Kings in power, sustains them, raises them up, and causes their defeat. God is the ruler of ALL things... and has a purpose in everything he allows to happen. So now, I pray that HE will raise up President Obama to lead this nation and that HE will humble us who at times think we know better than HE HIMSELF.

Job!!!

I just realized I mentioned something the other day about being grateful for B's willingness to work such long hours to provide for us... but I never posted to tell you, B GOT A JOB!!! It's only through January... but it's decent $$ to pay the bills until something else come around!

Shortly after we received the "no go" call from Best Buy.... my MIL received/forwarded us an email from a family acquaintance, who has a flourishing [seasonal] business of putting up Christmas lights/decorations for [mostly] commercial properties. They were looking for some some extra help, at least through Thanksgiving -- apparently that's when most companies want to have their decorations in place by(read - crazy busy!) ... and for as long as through January (for take down/cleanup/storage).

Friday afternoon/evening, B put in the call.... and after a short conversation, they scheduled a time the next afternoon to pick up some paper work. Apparently his 1½ years of landscaping experience & many years of annually assisting in putting up his dad's crazy light displays were impressive... because they pretty much hired him on the spot! Saturday we went and picked up the paperwork (liability stuff), filled it out/returned it on Sunday, and he started working with them on Monday morning! The Lord is SO good! It's hard work and long days....but it's honest work. And with as much as he "complains" (for lack of a better terms).... he seems to like it a lot! Actually, he cracks me up when he comes home and shows me the "battle scars" he received while fluffing garland/wreaths, walking through shrubbery, stringing palm trees, or just going up and down the ladders & bucket trucks. ;-) He says it has a lot of similarities to his landscaping job... but it's nuch different than what he was was expecting it to be. ~ Though a good different!, it seems!

So far this week (three days).. he's already put in around 38 hours of work! (Thankfully he gets paid overtime.!!) He did get a slight refresher this morning - he didn't have to go in until 1:30 today - but then it was back to work. I think he possibly has tomorrow off (that would be nice!)... and I know he definitely has the weekend off.... so I am looking forward to that! As much as I appreciate everything he's doing to provide for us... we do miss him!! :-)

Anyway, thank you all SO much for all your prayers during this little adventure! God defintitely heard them... and we are eternally grateful!

Final (disappointing) Best Buy Update...

Best Buy just called.... it's a no go. :-( They said "all our applications have been filled." Interestingly enough, they did ask him if they could keep his application open through the holidays (they usually only keep them for 30days).... but unfortunately, we don't have time to wait around... so it's on to other things. B says he's ok... but he's being very quiet, which is what he does when he's upset or concerned about something. I know providing for /taking care of us, is his utmost concern... and he's really feeling disheartened right now. Please pray that God will make whatever path we need to take next, very clear. Thank you!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

On a lighter note... I have to say I have the greatest two best friends in the entire world. Within mere minutes of hearing things didn't work out with the job today, I got very heartfelt messages/calls from both of them... checking on us, and assuring me that if there is anything they can do, or anything we need... esp anything that might help lessen our worries right now... to please let them know!! I also have received amazing support, love & prayers from my family. It's because of them, I know we are going to be ok, and can make it through this!!

Best Buy update..

Well, after calling and leaving a message Monday... calling and getting no answer yesterday (literally - the phone just rang & rang for like 3 mins).... DH finally stopped in there today, and got to talk to someone! Apparently there was a misunderstanding, and the "We'll let you know be the weekend" was referring to the next weekend (this coming one, now). The hiring gal says she has a few more interviews to do, and some "hard decisions to make".... so, though we have no real answers as to his employee status.... it's nice to know, it's not over yet!!

So the wait continues... KEEP PRAYING!!

Interview update...

Well... he went in for the 2nd interview and feels *really* comfortabe/good with the way everything played out. They told him they'd call sometime this weekend, maybe as early as tonight with their answer. So far we haven't heard anything, and it's already after hours... so we can only hope we hear something tomorrow! Thanx for you T&P's... and keep 'em coming, this isn't over yet!