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Friday, August 29, 2008

  • Do you ever wonder...

    Do you ever wonder what the saints were like in a particular church/town where the apostles wrote letters?  I know that the Philippians were the only church that Paul didn't chastise, but look at how many times he wrote for them to rejoice. And he even said that it was not hardship for him to repeat it but it was such a benefit to them.  I don't know the hearts and struggles of the Philippian saints, but I sure do know mine!!

    One of the greatest blessings in my life has been the number of times God tells us to rejoice.  I have struggled with fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, and just plain "plainness" (you know, not happy, not sad, just plain).  God continues to encourage and strengthen me through these verses on rejoicing.  And I LOVE the verse that says, "the joy of the Lord is our strength".  How often do I give into the weakness of my life when I am not rejoicing?  (rhetorical question, no confessions coming here!

    Anyway, just a word to encourage me (and you) that rejoicing is not just something that makes us feel good.  It actually gives us spiritual strength and lines my heart up with the heart of God.  Wow!  Now THAT'S sweet!!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

  • All is well

    The news from the doctor was that everything was fine with Kevin.
  • Kevin had a mole removed...

    Kevin had a mole and a skin tag removed on Monday and the doctor's office called for him today.  I'm concerned since the doctor said they would probably not get the results for about a week and would just drop a note in the mail if all were OK.  Waiting for Kevin to call the doctor back when he is out of class.
  • Oh My!!! Is it possible or am I just dreaming??

    Is it possible that my laundry is just about all caught up??? I don't think I've seen the floor under or around my laundry hampers(s) in 4 years, and today, I am just 3 loads away from being ALL DONE!!! What an accomplishment! I would stand up and take a bow if I weren't in cyberspace. And just in time, too. With the month of September rapidly approaching we will soon be taking down winter clothes and putting away the summer ones. And now they are all washed for that task. **BIG SIGH**

    However, the house still feels trashed (bits and pieces of laundry here and there that didn't get put away yet) and we have the youth girls of M&M coming over tonight. So I've still got dishes to do, the kitchen to clean up and the children have their regular chores to do. Once that is done we really will be presentable.

    Checked out a car today at our mechanic but he said that it sounded like there might be something wrong with the transmission and it was going to need new front and rear breaks soon (although not immediately) and felt the asking price wasn't worth paying. So, back to the drawing board.

    In the meantime, we are continuing to pray - that we will manage with the vehicle we have until the Lord provides us with something affordable that is worth the money.

Monday, August 25, 2008

  • Paul in Philippians

    You know, Paul always amazes me. His passion and zeal are more than I have ever seen in anyone in my lifetime. And his attitude toward the trials in his life blow me out of the water.

    Here he is in prison and his thoughts are for the saints in Philippi! And he is rejoicing in the fact that his situation is known to all the guard where he is imprisoned, how he was dedicated to sharing the gospel and it is going on without him. Of course Paul's thrill in the spreading of the gospel is not based on selfish motives like his own reputation, but I'm humbled by Paul's response of knowing that some people were only doing it to get Paul's goat!! He just will NOT allow his goat to be gotten!

    And I sure don't think I would be thinking that I should better stay on for the benefit of others rather than going home to be with the Lord - especially being in prison at the time!!! But then, I still have a long way to go (if ever) to get to Paul's heart and walk with Jesus.

    Anyway, on this Monday morning and our first day of school, I'm pondering Paul and his intimate, passionate and fully-surrendered walk with God.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

  • Well, today begins detasseling for my girls!

    Letting my children go out into the world is never easy for me. Today is no exception. My 18 year old and 13 year old daughters began detasseling today, a job that usually lasts for about 3 weeks. For those of you not from Corn Country, in order for the corn to germinate and not cross pollinate (or whatever) there is a tall straight thing that grows up from the top of the stalk called the tassel. This must be pulled off before it pollinates the other rows of corn. There is a small window of opportunity when it is to be pulled. This is what my girls are doing today.

    You walk down the long rows of corn (getting eaten by bugs, scorched by the sun and cut by the blades of corn), reach up, pull off and go the next stalk. You start around 6am in the field (leaving from your pick up point around 5:30 or so) and might not come home til 4pm and you work every day, rain or shine until the fields are done. You almost always have to do every field twice, the second time a few days later (some tassels are not up when you first go down the rows) but you don't want to have to go back a 3rd time, that usually means that too many were left unpulled from before.

    For 13-16 year olds it is good money for a short summer job (usually $7 + per hour) but the work is kind of grueling.

    So, I just came back from dropping them off at the bus (a local teacher from the junior high leads a team into the fields) armed with insect repellant, sunscreen, a plastic bag to cover them and protect them from the wet morning corn, their water and lunch and mp3 players - feeling a little sad and lonely (I know, there are still 6 children in the house) looking forward to the 9th of August when ALL my little ones will be at home with me once again - at least for a time!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  • Why is it that doing TONS of stuff but not the one...

    Why is it that when you do TONS of stuff but not the ONE thing you had on your "list" (even if for very good reasons) you feel like a failure? I got quite a few things done today but didn't get to finish all the bedrooms and I really had to work to ignore those feelings of failure. We still have tomorrow to finish bedrooms (gave myself that leeway) while I do the bathrooms so we aren't behind. But the day didn't quite go as I'd expected. Unexpected company took a chunk of time, I wasn't feeling super perky for much of the afternoon and things kind of snowballed.

    BUT we did get school done, I did rescreen a window, I did mow the yard. Those actually were quite a few things that needed to get done...they just weren't the ONE item on "the list".

    Who was the first person to come up with a list anyway???

    Anyway, a new day tomorrow and always more work ahead!
  • Well, her room is done!

    Well, Hannah's room has been rearranged and cleaned and has had her 1000 year old computer tossed. I removed the hard drives and just found out about a cord that plugs into the hard drive and the other end plugs into a USB port so I can transfer her data without having to use the computer. YAY!!

    So, the morning will be for working on the other bedrooms. It's late and I'm tuckered. Just wanted to log that I did what I set out to do today. It doesn't happen often so I'm excited!!!

Monday, June 23, 2008

  • Back in the saddle again...

    Well, we are back to school this week and it is a low-key day. I am so delighted when Kevin is able to help the children (all levels) with their math! Hooray for Dad being home!!!!

    With the New Life Drama Team and Uncle Andy coming this week-end, we have lots of housework to get caught up on!!!! You'd think that with a week off we'd have done all the housework, but we spent the week getting the OUTSIDE taken care of. So, this week is the INSIDE.

    We won't be doing our astronomy today (I had church website stuff to take care of) so we will be working on: Hannah's room! The goal is to get it fully ready for Andy's visit on Monday.

    Tuesday we'll work on: Bedrooms

    Wednesday will be: Bathrooms (including stripping and reapplying the grout)

    Thursday shall be designated: Living Room/Den Day

    Friday we'll attend to the: Kitchen

    Saturday we should finish with: Laundry Room (this will give me the entire week to get the laundry caught up...PHEW!)

    Sunday will be our day off as we eargerly await our company!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

  • Boo Hoo!!!

    Oh what a disappointment...the waterslide does not stay inflated. The company doesn't have anything that will seal the seams and I think that is where air is leaking out. The patch we put on seems to be holding very well, but when the kids climb on it, it just sort of crumbles. Oh what sadness!

    On to phase 2 for summer fun and cooling. (wish I knew what phase 2 was!!!!!!!!)
  • Oh My...the weather is FAR from frightful!!!

    We have had the most GORGEOUS week of weather I think we've ever had in the going on 13 years we've lived in Illinois! No rain, little humidity, sun, breezy but warm, cool night weather for sleeping. AHHH...this is living!!

    I patched the cut from last summer on our water slide so today I get to inflate it and see if it works. The kids had so much fun on this last year. We don't have a fence so we can't have a pool, but this is sort of carnival fun! Here is a picture:
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    (and no, those aren't my children...this is the picture from the box that I got from online...trust me, you DON'T want to see any pictures *I* take!!! )

    I'm also going to put up new line for my clothes line today. The old was frayed and pulled apart by neighbor kids. But I need to get my line up so I can get my laundry caught up. And with this beautiful weather, I don't want to waste any more time.

    Well, if you drink coffee, have a cup this morning and think of me! I'm probably wishing I was visiting with you!!!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

  • Wow...lots of flooding around here!

    By 'around here' I mean in this part of the midwest. Most of Iowa (and the highways) are under water and in our little section of the globe, folks living by the river are warned they may be evacuated. Apparently, this is the worst flooding since 1993, but we were in ND then so I know nothing about it.

    Well, our trip to Colorado this summer for a reunion with Kevin's family is pretty set. His brother has booked the place (a large lodge...there will be 21 of us, our 10, his middle brother (who is paying for the lodging), his younger brother, wife and 7 children - 2 sweet Ethiopian treasures they just adopted - plus his mom. We had such a BLAST 2 years ago when we got together.

    Hannah texted me last night to see if we could host a team for New Life Drama Company the night before we leave!! So I'm thinking, if we are all packed and the van is ready to be loaded - WHY NOT?!?! What's another 6 adults? And these kids are sooo great and we love them all soo much!

    Happy Father's Day to all the dads!

mrsp31wannabe

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    • Name: KateM
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About Me

  • My interests are my wonderful and goofy family, Jesus and growing in my walk with Him, friendships, web design, gardening and home repair/remodeling

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  • Rebekah62
    Kate - I love the picture! If you have time, please pray. My mom and step-dad are visiting this week. This is the one that causes a lot of stress and doesn't like my dh, nor agrees with our "style" of childrearing - we're too strict :) Anyway, dh left today for denominational conference, so I'

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