A Day At Our Home
NOTE: Photos coming soon.. (hopefully)!
Monday, November 26, 1996
Brrr! At the moment, I’m penning these words as
I sit with my feet soaking in a tub of hot water... I guess that’s exactly
what icy feet beg for, isn’t it? :-)
Yes, the snow and ice finally hit Van Alstyne, Texas last night for
the very first time this winter. Cold weather isn’t exactly something we’d
been anticipating, as our large house isn’t very well insulated. However,
we knew it was coming sooner or later, and so we got out our blankets,
coats, and sweaters. :-)
If you were to visit our house at the moment, you would most likely
see stacks of blankets lying around on the couches...often with little
tykes (and sometimes big tykes too!) lying all snug and cozy underneath.
Yesterday evening, we had two families over for dinner. It was while
we were eating and fellowshipping together, that the sleeting began. It
wasn’t long until the tree branches became enveloped in icicles and the
puddles began to freeze.
As the outside world slowly froze, the “inside” world also began to
get chilly, and we all finally decided to move to one of the warmer rooms
in the house (the dining room which was also open to the kitchen), and
to shut off the rest of the house. This plan worked much better!
All went well last night, excepting the fact that Harmony came down
with a headache and awoke several times in the right as a result... I know
that this wasn’t a fun thing for her (or for Mom either) and so, I’m glad
she seems to be doing better today.
I hope that everyone stays well enough for us to make it to the Thanksgiving
dinner with our relatives in Oklahoma. Thanksgiving Day is still three
days away, but others in our family could come down with a virus between
now and then... Only the Lord knows, and we must be content with whatever
He plans for us!
Before leaving to work this morning, Dad spent a good bit of time scraping
ice off of our van windows because the van's defroster doesn't work. He
had to use a hair dryer on the ice to “soften” it before he could scrape.
I prayed a great deal that he would make it to work safely in spite of
the ice... and thankfully, he did. :-) I hope he’ll also make it home safely!
The ice seems to be melting outside at the moment, and when I took my morning
walk down the driveway, I noticed that the snow was already getting slushy.
The wind has also died down a great deal... Why, yesterday, I think
the windchill factor was 7 degrees... and I can believe it. - The north
wind was blowing hard enough to knock the breath out of a giant! (I know
you northerners must be chuckling! :-) ) Our Great Pyrenees dog, Blizzard,
has been having a ball in the thin layer of snow that covers our yard!
It’s his first experience with snow and ice. - No, I take that back. It’s
not his first experience with ice. Sometimes, during the summer, I’d give
him ice cubes to chomp on. Oh, how he loved those ice cubes! :-) I honestly
wonder what he thought as he chomped on ice covered branches this morning?
Really, I saw him do it !
A minute ago, I slipped outside to take a picture of the beautiful
sunset as it cast it’s pink glow over hundreds of “branchsicles.” The branches
literally looked as though they were “on fire”. - It was so beautiful!
I have just brought my notebook upstairs to my completely heatless
bedroom, and so now my fingers are growing somewhat stiff with the cold...
I think the cold, dead wintertime can be a good time to remind us of
the coldness and the hardness of our hearts. Indeed , it takes such a great
thing as God’s mercy and love to melt our icy hearts so He can plant His
seed of regeneration within us!
However, the wintertime also reminds me of His judgement, especially
as I read these verses in Psalm 147... "He sendeth forth his commandment
upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. He giveth snow like wool: he
scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels:
who can stand before his cold? He sendeth out his word, and melteth them:
he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He sheweth his word unto
Jacob, his statutes and his judgements unto Israel." - vs. 15-19
Our God is a God to love, but also a God to fear in a holy, reverent
way. He is All - Powerful, and when He sends forth His Word to us, He expects
us to obey it! If we do not, we have cause to fear! - All cause to tremble
and weep! His Holy Law constantly condemns us, therefore, if it were not
for the merciful aspect of His character, indeed none of us would have
a tiniest speck of hope! Praise His Holy Name, we do!!!
Tuesday, November 27, 1996
Well, what a way to approach the winter season!!!
...This afternoon, we received a mail notice from our landlord’s wife,
informing us that we will have to be out of our house by February 1997
in order for them to get the place ready to sell. I suppose his plan is
to sell it this coming spring? - We heard that He went down on his formerly
high price.
I guess this means that we will now be scrounging desperately around
looking for a house to rent (they’re rather scarce around here, to tell
the truth), but I know the Lord will certainly provide. (He always
has! :-) ) Please pray that He will open up a way for us...
Melody has been busy making calls to Real Estate companies this afternoon,
looking for houses to rent. (Didn’t I say in our last issue that she liked
to talk on the phone?! :-) ) In fact, she’s on that phone right now!
Autumn is in her playpen at the moment, happily making faces. One of
her cute “faces” is when she squints and wrinkles up her nose. It’s just
sooo.. darling... in my eyes. Another cute one is when she sucks her cheeks
in, in a strongly exaggerated kiss. That, too, is so darling!
Now Harmony is doing a little dance for Autumn to make her laugh. Autumn
is grinning from ear to ear! Harmony seems to be quite active with her
gymnastics at the moment. :-)
I believe that the bright sun (that rose with the Texas roosters this
morning) succeeded in melting most of the snow and ice around here. To
tell the truth, I think it’s been several years now since I last saw icicles
on trees, bushes and grass, so I couldn’t help myself when I saw the first
sun in several days peeping through all that ice and making it dazzle,
that I had to take a few snapshots at this “eighth wonder of the
world”! Clear ice, with the sun glowing brightly behind it, makes a beautiful
picture!
I guess our family rose even later than the “roosters” this morning,
and shortly after I pulled myself from my slumbers, I discovered that I
had come down with a slight headache and a cold. I walked around making
breakfast somewhat groggily; it was quite some while before I even felt
fully awake.. Charity also awoke feeling sick this morning, and I believe
she stayed in bed most of the day...so our plans for Thanksgiving Day are
still somewhat in doubt.
My cold is still not full blown, and my headache has subsided. I wonder
what tomorrow will bring in the “sickness” respect?
Last night we had a fun family time by lighting candles and drinking
hot tea while Mom read several stories aloud. - I think sometimes you just
have to set aside precious time to devote to the family in a special
way. Sometimes we just need to slow down; yes even stop and grow
still and quiet together; it helps to promote closeness and family unity.
Having individual projects and doing individual duties are good...to
a certain extent. But there still needs to be that special family time
(even apart from family devotions) where the family can get together and
actually have some cozy, heartwarming fun! :-)
A computer can be used for a lot of good things (i.e. “YWSH”, etc.)
, and yet, if it’s on all the time, it can end up stealing away the chances
of having a good family time.
Which is more important... family, or ministry? I’d say the family
is, for without a united family, ministry becomes almost impossible!
So, again, computers and e-mail do have their place, and I say, “Let
them stay there, and come no further!”
Now, I know that those of you who don’t have computers or e-mail, or
who have them but rarely use them, may be wondering, “What in the world
is she talking about?” I guess most of you would agree that TV is addictive?
Well, you see, computer can get the same way, if you let it! If
you’re big into computers (which our family seems to be at the moment;
and necessarily so, because of our many projects and e-pals!) ,
you have to make a conscious effort to turn the computer off at times...which
is what we basically did last week when we decided: “No e-mail until the
week is up.” We did briefly answer the most important messages, but that
was it. :-)
In my personal opinion, machines can turn into monsters if you
let them! But, you don’t have to let them. (And, by the way, when
I say “machines”, I’m not necessarily talking solely about computers!)
Remember when you lived in a “slow paced” world, when all you could
ever read by, was sunlight or candlelight?... no, I guess you don’t! (I
don’t either! :-) ) But, you see, “back then” you either had to go to bed
when the sun went down, or else you had to burn your oil lamps or candles
late into the night (which, of course, was not practical, neither
“eyesight-wise”, nor “expense-wise”.) I really feel that in some ways,
electricity really is a tremendous blessing... and yet, if we misuse
it, it can become a real monster! It provides a temptation to stay
up late at night to do things that can really wait, or just to play
around. It can also tempt us to laziness with all the modern conveniences
it affords! Therefore, even blessings can become curses. We must be very
careful not to misuse them. (You’re speaking to yourself, Summer! :-| )
Well, I must go now... till next time!
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 1996
You may be shocked when I tell you this, but then
again... maybe not! Brace yourself anyway! It was... 81 degrees F. today!
(I wish I could see your faces. :-) - now you see why I thought 7 degrees
was cold.) Actually, this is somewhat shocking to me as well.
Hmm... I don’t remember it getting 81 degrees in the middle of winter in
Tennessee ,where we used to live!!?
Well, I guess you’re all pretty curious by now, as to how our Thanksgiving
week turned out...
To put it short, quite a few of us came down with colds, headaches
and fevers, and when Thanksgiving Day actually rolled around, we were feeling
too miserable to make the 2+ hour trip in our heatless 15 passenger van.
We also didn’t want to share our “miserable virus” with our relatives!
So... we ended up having our “own” little Thanksgiving meal!
I’ll admit, the house was in somewhat of a disorder, and many of us
still tried to stay “bundled up”, but in spite of that, combined with all
the sniffles, sneezes and coughs, this Thanksgiving Day was still pretty
nice because, of course, Dad didn’t have to go to work!
I guess we’re still suffering some of the side effects from
the virus. Yesterday, Mom had to take baby Autumn to the doctor to have
her ears checked (she had been fussy and had a high fever), and sure enough...
she has an ear infection. :-( I believe that Samuel and Harmony also experienced
short earaches after they came down with their colds. We’re praying that
Autumn will feel better soon. I hate to see my sunshiny baby suffer!
On a new line of topic now... I’m wondering if any of you know what
it’s like to live in a house trailer with 7 kids? Perhaps some of you have
experienced this, but to be perfectly honest with you, we’ve never
tried it. I suppose you wonder what my words are leading up to?? :-) You
guessed it! Yes, we’ve found a house for rent purchase.. -a mobile home,
complete with 3 small bedrooms and two bathrooms. Hmm.. should I go into
detail? -No I don’t want to bore you with all the facts about this trailer,
but one big fact is that if we do move there, we will probably have
to get rid of a lot of our stuff, and when I say a lot, I mean A
LOT!...thankfully, because I hate clutter. :-)
Dad, Mom, Melody, Charity, and Samuel all went to see the trailer last
night, while I stayed home with Tommy and the two little girls to get some
typing for “YWSH” done. They came back all excited with the possibility
of moving there, because, after a year or two of paying rent, the house
would be ours to own!
Really, I do enjoy the thought of getting rid of a lot of our stuff.
If we move there, we’ll have to file away almost everything in the
way of paper. Most of our books would have to be put in bookshelves in
a storage shed. No more clutter!:-) When I told Mom this, she said, “Oh,
you just don’t know what it’s going to be like living in a trailer!” Gulp!
Gulp! <cringe>, but we must be thankful for everything...
and yes, that includes clutter, too, if it can’t be helped at times! Well,
it looks like it’s time to leave to see the trailer now. Dad’s home, and
everyone is getting anxious to leave. I’m rather anxious to see this trailer
myself. Gotta go, but I’ll be back tonight...to tell you about it!
* * *
Well, we’re back now, but it really is too late for me to “tell you
about it.” (I was afraid that might happen.) I guess you’ll have to excuse
me for the night! Lights off now! =) Goodnight...and God Bless!
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the
bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” -Psalm 127:2
Thursday, December 12, 1996
Good morning everyone!
I thought I’d begin by explaining why Melody hasn’t written
for “Days at our Home”, yet. She told me to tell you that the two different
times she started to write something for it, she just “blanked out” halfway
through the day. Finally, in desperation, she decided to let me finish
this, and she will write a testimony on thankfulness. (Which is what she
is sitting at the computer doing at this very moment!)
* * *
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” I Timothy
6:8 This is a verse which I hope to post up in my bedroom when we move
to the trailer in a few weeks. Yes, it looks like we will probably be living
there, as my dad made up a contract with the owner last night. I don’t
think Dad plans to sign the contract until Saturday night (when he shows
us his title), however, so it’s still not an “absolute” thing. We’re pretty
sure about it, but I guess most of you are not going to be able to
hear the ending until we send out the next issue. Sorry to leave you hanging,
but we’ve got to get this issue out!
I still don’t know if we will be able to get this issue out by the
end of December, but I’m sure you’ll all understand, seeing as we're fixing
to go through another move. (The 18th one since my parents have been married!!
:-) )
A few minutes ago, I stopped writing to join Melody, Charity, Samuel,
and Harmony in “OOOOing” like Indians for Autumn. We “OOOOed” the songs
“One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians..” and Twinkle, Twinkle Little
Star” for her. She was enthralled, and began trying to do it herself. It
was so funny watching her, because she ended up hitting herself all over
her face and ears instead of “OOOOing” with her mouth. Once, she hit her
face so hard that she knocked herself off balance! Amazingly enough, she
just picked herself right up, and started to dance... :-)
* * *
Well, before I conclude, I would like to share Philippians 3:12-21
with all of you....
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended
of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but
this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as
many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, where to we
have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same
thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk
so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you
often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and
whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation
is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus
Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto
his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to
subdue all things unto himself.
We are not perfect (nor shall we be, till we reach heaven), but if
we are truly His, shall we not be growing more like our blessed
Savior every day? If He truly lives within us, will there not be
a change in the way we live our lives? Will we not, in our conversations,
speak of Him? Will we not desire perfection with all of our hearts?
How can we claim that we are Christians if we do not grow in our Christian
walk? (And you’re speaking to yourself, Summer! :-| ) Growth in Christ,
is a sign of genuine salvation. If there is no sign of growth, we
have much cause to question our salvation experience.
Let us all muse on Philippians 3:12-21 today!
Only Because of Him,
Summer Joy
P.S. Melody sends her love to all of you!