Building Our Homes Together ~ June 29th

                         Wow, can you believe we are on week #5 of 
 

Building Our Homes Together?

Time flies when you are sharing it with nice people!

Be sure and head over to Prairie Flower Farm to get the scoop!  Then blog about what you and JESUS are doing to build your home.....transforming your house into your sanctuary.  After that, link up with the rest of us!  

*We'll come visit....well, we will visit your blog, anyway!*

Now, there are Blueberry Muffins on the stove and the coffee is wonderful this morning!  Help yourself, then find a comfy place to sit.  It is always nice to have friends to drop by!

I still have days when I look around and can’t quite figure out what I’ve accomplished.  So, I thought it might be nice to take inventory!

To date I have accomplished the following:

I finished cleaning the well house and it is ready for the shelves to be put in.

I plan to store some of the overflow of canning jars (etc.) in the well house, freeing up some space in the kitchen.

 (My spider bite, acquired while cleaning the well house, is nearly completely healed.  Thank you to those who knew about my bite and prayed.)

I started cleaning out drawers.  I love cleaning drawers, because there

is an instant gratification.  You can see the results of your handiwork immediately!  To date, 8 drawers and two shelving units have been cleaned.

We had a number of boxes and storage tubs that different ones had carried in….and left + their contents.  4 Boxes….4 large boxes, emptied and the boxes thrown away and two tubs emptied.

In the living room, the DVD/video/game shelves have been moved cleaned behind and the movies/games dusted and rearranged.

Ditto on the living room book shelf.

I am now tackling the computer desk….which is HUGE and PACKED!

This may not seem like a lot….but I’ve also had grandkids continuously, cooked at least two meals a day + clean up, fought my way across mountains of laundry, cleaned the bathrooms at least 3 dozen times, processed 360 liters of milk, made soap, made laundry soap (okay, that one didn’t take that long), cleaned off the kitchen table, fought to keep kitchen table half way cleaned off, made jelly, worked in the garden, …..and the list goes on.

Have I learned anything?  Turning loose of clutter before it becomes attached to our lives would be the smart thing to do. *smile*

So, what are your plans for the Fourth?

Oklahoma Sports Park is just a few miles from the house, so we will take the boys to watch the firework display Saturday evening after a family cookout.

Sunday, after church DD#1 and her family will be down….well, two of hers are here now, but the rest will join….another cookout.  Kids will swim, fish in the pond and ride the ATVs….maybe play baseball in the pasture if it isn’t too HOT.

If we don’t get some rain, popping fireworks won’t be a part of the celebration due to a burn band.  We might plan a treasure hunt or something for the younger kids.

~ MENU ~

Saturday

Hamburgers with trimmings

Hot Dogs

Deviled Eggs

Chips

Homemade Banana Ice Cream

Watermelon

Cookies

Sunday

Grilled Chicken

Baked Beans

Potato Salad

Fresh Corn on the Cob

Chips

And those cute little individual cheese cakes

served  in  ½ pint Mason jars Linda showed us.  

More WatermeloN

Monday

                                    I’ll be babysitting and the menu will be leftovers!

Spiritually speaking....amazing things are happening!  Like the clutter that seems to overflow, what is happening in the spirit is also overflowing!  It is awesome!

I've joined other ladies (particularly Angela) in dedicating Fridays to praying for people...anyone...you...your children....the neighbor next door.  You can find out all about it at the top of my side bar.  We'd love, love for you to join us!!!

We are seeing some amazing answers to prayer!

My honey and I also started the Shi-anne Social Club....(which is just a take off of my favorite dog's name).  We invite friends and neighbors who might be hurting spiritually, to come for dinner each SONday evening!  God is blessing and we are beyond thrilled! 

So...what's going on at your place?  If you don't have enough to keep you busy, after breakfast we will be worming horses.  You're welcome to join us....it's really not that bad.

Be sure and visit the other ladies participating in Building Our Homes Together With JESUS! 

Praying the rest of the week is a blessed one and you and yours have a very blessed and safe Fourth of July celebration!

May Goodness and Mercy be your constant companions! 

~ Cheryl ~ 

Thought for today: 

"Bravery never goes out of fashion."  William Thackeray

Praise Report, Your Opinion?, and Pay It Forward!

 One of our Fearless Friday prayer requests has been for Beverly.  Beverly is dh's cousin.           

*Praise Report* 

Parkinson’s ~

 Beverly 

I’m not sure how much of Bev’s story she would want me to tell.  But I’ll give you the “short” version. 

She thought they were happily married for nearly 30 years, found out he was having an affair.  He manages to lie his way back  home. Then Bev was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.  Husband leaves (Bev’s insurance was through his employer).  Divorce.  Health continued to decline.

Last week, she went to a different doctor (due to no longer having insurance; because of the divorce, so she didn't feel she could afford to go to the specialist she had been seeing).  Different doctor takes time to look at all the previous tests, MRI(s) and info.  He actually took the time to talk to her.  The results:  he feels she does not have Parkinson’s, rather it is a pinched nerve and wrong medications!!!  New doctor changed her meds and told her, she would feel like a new person in 30 days!

Last Saturday, was the first time she was able to sleep all night in over five years!

Now, that is a gift LADIES!

Praise God for HE is Good!

 ~ ~ ~ ~

I need you opinion....

first, remember to think "cheap" economical.

In 21 months (or there about) we will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.

We are planning to redo our wedding vowels.  Dh's uncle will officiate.  That is the only two things we are definite about.

We are doing this for two reasons...one, we want to.  Secondly, we feel this will make a statement to our children and our grandchildren about the importance of commitment.

If you were going to redo your vowels, how would you plan it?  Would you go fancy or keep it super simple?  Would you have the ceremony at home or go away somewhere?  Would you have flowers?

A little background info....our wedding was simple.  We told our parents the night before, at 10:30 pm.  Then we got married in my parents' living room the next afternoon.  My mother and mother-in-love still managed to have a sit down dinner and a house full of flowers....

that was one of the reasons we waited until the night before.  They would have gone way overboard if they had been given anymore advance notice.

We were both twenty-five and no, I wasn't ahem...you know!  (Oldest daughter was born three years and 2 months later).

The fact was, my younger sister had the big wedding.  I watched as she and Mom stressed and argued over every detail.  I didn't want four or five months of stress.  And we were ready.

Our anniversary is April 4th.  But because that falls during 'kidding" season with the goats, it is impossible for us to do anything from mid February until after the middle of April.  So, we will be doing whatever we decide, probably sometime in December.

We could go as early as November, but no later than December because during January the weather becomes so unpredictable.

In case you are wondering, why we are starting to plan so early (after all, we didn't the first time).....

the one place I really wanted to go (and even possibly take the whole family, if we could afford) is already completely booked anytime after mid January of 2013!  
Wanta take a peek, though?

Rivers Edge Cottages

(They are pretty pricey anyway.)

I looked at wedding dresses on ebay and the price isn't that bad; however, most do not look like they were designed for a person of my advanced age maturity.  Then I thought about a denim skirt with a really feminine white blouse.

If it is in December....I thought about using red roses, somehow....
Maybe a bouquet of 40 on the serving table ~ one for each year and carrying a small bridal bouquet made up of 5 ~ one for each child.  Does that sound dorkey?
(BTW, dh's favorite color is baby blue....not red.)

Anyway, what would you do?

 ~ ~ ~ ~

And now.....

it's Tuesday, so let's 

Pay It Forward!

You may already know my victim pick for this week. For me, she visits in my email inbox each day.  Her posts are always beautifully done, thought provoking and uplifting!

Meet Ann Voskamp.

Last Wednesday blog post was one that really reached deep into my heart, it made me think, and it made  me miss a woman I never met.

It will make you rethink your priorities.

Be sure and stop by Holly's for more Pay It Forward posts.

Tomorrow is Building Our Homes Together!  Get your post written...about what's the Lord is doing in your home and link up.  He may be teaching you something new....or leading you to do something different.  Come share and be apart of tomorrow's gathering.

Love you much!

Blessings,

Cheryl

P.S.  I received word this morning, a precious friend of mine went to ER last night with chest pains.  They kept her overnight and will be running test today.  Her name is Glenis, if you would say a prayer for her.  Also, have another friend who's son will be going to court this morning over custody of his young daughter.  Please ask for this young man to have favor with the judge. 

The needs are great....aren't you glad we serve a greater God!

Thank you....you are loved!

Gratitude Journal for Monday, June 27th

My Gratitude Journal

Some of the many blessings, for which I am thankful ~

#51 to #75  (working toward 1000)

that there is a difference between condemnation and conviction and to be able to discern that difference.

for a Father who loves me, in spite of my actions that sometimes leave much to be desired.

to know that there is a vast difference between clean and unclean and HE was willing to cross that great distance.

for the sound of the whippoorwill

for music and silence

for time to reflect

for food to cook and days I don’t have too.

that the ground at the foot of the cross is level

for chickens that lay fresh eggs

for people who’s laughter spreads to their eyes

for tiny footprints and age-weathered hands

for sunshine and air conditioning

for daffodils

for the smell of honeysuckle

for people who always encourage

that Yeshua/Jesus loves me, this I know

for the color RED

for birds that sing

for ice!

for happy tears

for dandelions

for long relaxing baths

for time to just be

for friends who show up with unexpected surprises

for those who are willing to pray

Be sure and checkout A Holy Experience for more gratitude list.  Hey, why not start one of your own?

I have a new *Praise Report* I can't wait to share with you!  Abba has been busy. ;)  I am going to 'double check' tomorrow.....just to be sure.  Then I will share!  Promise!

Also, I have a question (or 2) I want to ask....I need opinions!  Got one?  LOL 

 

Fasting and Fearless Friday, 6/24

Welcome to Fearless Fridays!  

Be sure and visit Angela's blog *which is where Fearless Fridays originated* and stand in agreement with the prayers listed there.  

You will need to visit her comment section.

 There is a spiritual battle going on.  Are you ready for war?

They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and  

can face their foes triumphantly.” 

~ Psalm 112:7-8 NLT

I have some fantastic news to share!  But I have to tell you, this was a busy week and I didn't do a very good job of keeping last week's post updated.  However, it is still buried around here somewhere and you are more than welcome to go back and refer to it if you like.

~ PRAISE REPORTS ~

Two weeks ago, we had the following request listed:

Please be with the little three month old girl that was beaten.  Father, it breaks my heart.  I cannot imagine such cruelty.

Last week, I attempted to find out how this baby girl was doing.  My contact person, who works in the hospital were this baby was admitted, had been off for two days and simply said she didn't know.....the ICU room was empty, but they had a definite cause of her injuries.  So, last Friday I added this update:

No longer in the hospital; condition unknown. Said to be shaken baby syndrome.

This past Tuesday, I received a excited call.  "I'm calling to let you know how Bethany *not her real name* is doing."

Me ~ "Who's Bethany?"  Because I had never been told her name.

Caller, "The baby we admitted with shaken baby syndrome!"

 Me ~ "Oh, okay."

Caller, "She is going to be fine!"

Now, there is still the possibility she may have some slight problems, but she is alert, eating...doing everything a three month old would normally be doing.

AMAZING!!!  What a miracle!

 God is Amazing....HE is Jehovah-nissi ~

The LORD is my Banner!

The emergency room staff was amazed at how this turned out!

"He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was LOVE."  Song of Solomon 2:4

God has a purpose for this little one and HIS banner of her is LOVE!  And HE has a purpose for YOU!

Many of you prayed for Taylor (Linda's daughter, Prairie Flower Farm) last Tuesday.  Taylor is doing great...considering she had a horse on top of her three days ago.  She's sore and bruised, but she is going to be fine!  Praise God!

You can read about Taylor's incident here.

There was another praise report, B.J.'s husband will be able to move home, as he received a job that is much closer to where they live.

There are other answers to prayer we are praising God for, but these are the ones I really felt lead to write about here.

YOU

PRAYER

WARRIORS

are the

BEST!

 Okay,  it is a little after 2:00 a.m. ~ So, let’s get started ~

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”  

                                                       Isaiah 53:5

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."  Isaiah 55:11 

Father, I am praying for and sending YOUR Word to those listed below.  As it is written, when Your Word goes forth, it does not return void.  Rather in accomplishes that for which it was sent!  Father, I ask that it be so in the lives of the following.  May YOUR tender mercies and healing touch minister to each person listed.

Father I am praying for those dealing with cancer ~

Rob Thomason

Julie

 Kearsie 

 Pia's father 

(*Pia and her father will be traveling to China on Monday for his third nano chemo treatment.  Please keep them in your prayers for a safe flight as well and praying for her father's healing.  Also, keep Pia's mother in your prayers.  She is ill and having dialysis three times a week.)

Heart conditions ~

Linda

Phil

Shoshannah

Dewaine
Heather's (in Oregon)  father

Father, I thank you for the opportunity to pray for the following three ladies.  All three are such precious women of faith.  Their love for you, for their families and others knows no bounds.  All three have MS.  All three have had major flare ups recently.  We desire that all three be healed in the name of Jesus.  Father, YOUR WORD says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)….Because they do diligently seek YOU, I ask that YOU would heal their bodies.  May Wendy, Gert, and Terry be healed in the Name of Yeshua.

Parkinson’s ~

Beverly
Ron Hicks (also needs salvation)

Eyesight ~

Onie and Lord I ask you heal Onie’s leg also.  Update:  the doctor says Onie's leg is healing nicely.  For those of you who don't know, Onie fell while going to the cellar a few weeks ago.  She actually fell from the top step into the cellar and knock a chunk out of her left leg.  Onie is in her 70's. 

Linda W.'s cousin (S.J.), has small cataracts on both of her eyes and request prayer.


Joint pain ~

Beth 

Onie

Cheryl

Bren

Kim in Ohio's husband ~ a rip in his shoulder muscle, praying he receives a complete healing!

Other illnesses  or injuries ~

Asking for a complete healing for Taylor.

Bren ~ Father, give the doctors wisdom to discover what is causing Bren’s health problems and may she be set free from these issues.

Sara ~ heal her wrist and her right hip, Father

Dawn
Anney's mother-in-law

Father, please be with Terry and Melissa, as they go to doctors trying to find what is wrong.  Father heal them in the Name of Jesus.

Surgeries ~

Angel ~ Father, I am claiming Ezekiel 16:6 for Angel, "And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live."

Update ~ Angel had surgery on the 16^th.  The surgery went well and she was off the ventilator in a very short time.  When writing this, it looked as if she would be discharged sometime today (Friday).  This is sweet, prayer warriors,  It is an amazing answer to prayer.  Thank you, for praying. ~ Angel's family

Please continue to keep Angel in your prayers.  The doctors are somewhat concerned about her blood count.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

Father, I am standing in the gap and believing for salvation and/or deliverance for ~

Anney’s son

Lynne’s son, a daughter-in-law and her daughter & son-in-law

Phil’s father

Bren’s daughter and sons and father

Autumn Grace’s son and d-i-l

Roger
Justin
Leigh and Stacy Lynn
Rob
David, Walt, Penny

David

Donnie

Wendy

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” 

Ephesians 3:20

I am asking that the needs and finances be meet of the following ~

Shoshannah and her family

Beverly and family

Anney and family

Linda and family

Bren and family

Terry and family

Linda and family (different from above)

Pam and her husband (and help him to find work, Father)

“Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”  

 Leviticus 26:4

Praying for those areas of the country that need rain ~ especially Colorado, Kansas, western Oklahoma, and west Texas.  

Praising God for the 2" of rain in south Texas!  Thank YOU, Father!!

Father, we thank YOU for the rain YOU poured out of Kansas last week.  Please continue to pour rain in the areas where it is needed..   

Father, I ask You to be with our farmers and those who supply our food.  Be they be blessed in a special way.  May the increase of their crops and harvest confound the wicked!  May YOU fill their storehouses to overflowing and may YOU be their source!

 

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;”  ~  Psalm 103:2 - 4

Praying for the people in the areas that are experiencing flooding

Lifting those who’s lives have been changed due to major disasters, not only here in the U.S. but around the world.

Praying for travel mercies for Dave and Wendy, Mary (A.G.) and her husband, and Bren, Ashlyn and Bren’s dad.  Update:  All of the above made it to their destinations safely!

Be with those in and around Fort Calhoun, Nebraska.  Spread a blanket of protection over the people there and the farmland.

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."  Matthew 18:6

Praying for protection for little Mallory.  May God’s angels watch over her continually and may she be kept safe.

Praying for V’s adoption to go forth smoothly and quickly and may any obstacles that remain be removed.  Give V’s new family all that is needed to see this through to completion.
*Update* on V's adoption...there has been a breakthrough and things are beginning to move quickly.  Please pray all the papers and such will be filed correctly and things will go smoothly.

 Praying for Samuel who has Celiac Disease.  May he be healed in the name of Jesus.

Father, also be with  Little Ellianna.  Heal her small body and may she and her family be blessed in every way.  Update:  Ellianna had surgery yesterday, I believe, and I haven't heard how that went.

*Update:* on Ellianna at the very bottom of this post!
Plus a sweet picture.;)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” ~

Psalm 37:23

Praying for my friend Parsley’s husband as he considers changing jobs ~ may he follow the path that Our Heavenly Father has chosen for him.  Also, their daughter is experiencing terrible headaches.  May she be healed in the Name of Jesus!

Update:  My sister (Bobbie) called and requested prayer for God's will, as she interviewed for a new position within the (same) hospital where she works.  This job would put her back in IT, so she is excited about the possibilities, but wants it to be God's will if it comes through.  Update, on my update:  She is being considered for a position which will come available in August.  Prayers are appreciated.

Father,  we come here again praying for families.  I stand on Your Word and bind Satan from the family unit in the Name of Yeshua.  You said, whatever is bound in earth would be bound in Heaven and whatever is loosed in earth would be loosed in Heaven.  Father, please bind the enemy of our homes and loose the power of GRACE and LOVE in families, that their homes might be like sanctuaries where YOUR Shalom resides!

"So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him" 

Isaiah 59:19 

Father, I ask that You would be with each of those participating in “Building Our Homes Together With Jesus”.  Father, help us to build our homes, so that when others come, they will feel Your presence.  May we have the energy and the resources needed for keeping our families’ needs met and give us words that would bring encouragement to others.  May YOUR Banner over each of our homes be LOVE!  If there are financial needs, I ask that You would supply those needs according to Your riches in glory.  But most of all, Abba….may we reflect Your light and the message of salvation through your SON.  You and You alone are the giver of all good things!  May we hide YOUR Word in our heart that we might not sin against Thee. 

Betty Jo has a request concerning her daughter and family's new home.  Father, please remove the obstacles that are standing in the way of a timely move.  She also has requested prayer for her parents to be able to sell their place.  Father, please send the right buyer.

 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:31

Special prayers for my friend Anney, who’s m-i-l has dementia and is staying with them.  Father, I ask that you lighten Anney’s burden and renew her strength. Update:  Anney's m-i-l was able to move home, at least for now.  Thank you, for answered prayers!

Father, I lift all those who diligently work as caregivers.  May You reward their sacrifice.

 Father, we also continue to lift Anney’s mil to YOU.  May she be content in her circumstances and please keep her safe. 

Father, we lift Linda’s step-mother that You might heal her body and give her strength.  We ask that You move in the midst of Phil’s family, that they might come to know YOU.  Father, please heal Linda’s ears and refresh both her and Phil’s bodies.  And Lord, I ask YOU provide a new home for Linda and Phil.

Father, may YOU move in the lives of Bren’s Aunt Bobbi, bringing comfort to her hurting heart and Father, asking YOU clear the way for this move Bren’s son will be making.

Praying special prayers of protection and safety for the men & women in the military and their families.  Father, please be with Jason and Brian along with all those in foreign lands.  May they see YOUR mighty hand at work.

  Praying for our country and our leaders - may we repent as a nation and seek Your direction, Father.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” ~ Psalms 122:6

Father, I pray for the city You love.  May peace surround Jerusalem, may eyes that are blinded be opened and may those that are captive be set free.  May the people of Israel know the TRUTH and may Your Shalom be their Peace.  We pray for the protection of the Land of the Book!

Father, be with Beth's son, Josiah, as he undertakes another mission assignment for the Glory of Your Kingdom.  May You surround him with angels that will minister to him day and night.  And may Beth be at  peace her heart, knowing Josiah is in YOUR perfect will.

 Beth also has an unspoken request. God knows, He hears and HE will move the mountains that need to be moved.

Father, I stand in agreement with the requests on Angela's blog.  May each need, each desire be met.  

"We are confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you (us) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" (Php. 1:6)

Father, I ask that YOU speak to Stephanie's heart and draw her back to her first LOVE.  May YOU alone rule and reign in her life!  Father, YOUR LOVE toward us is so Amazing!

Father, there is a church that is need of prayer for direction.  Please show them Your will and Your perfect timing. 

Father, I have one unspoken request, but I know YOU know my heart on this.  May it be done according to YOUR will.

Praise YOUR Holy Name, Father.....By faith we see strongholds falling....YOUR WORD is ever TRUE!  We thank YOU for Your Son and it is in His Name, the Name of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah we ask and believe all these things.

It is important we believe the good report (God's WORD) and not the lies the world tells us.....it is the same as it was with the spies that were sent into the Promise Land.  We have to hold fast to what God says is the TRUTH.  Never loose sight that  “We are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” ~ Romans 8:37

Ladies, our contact information is on my sidebar in the top right hand corner.  I hope I haven't left anyone out.  I have a little one (4 y/o grandchickie) who is awake and unhappy.  I will try to get around early in the morning and recheck everything.

Until then, know we are praying....it is an honor to lift your requests to our Heavenly Father!  Abba, loves each of YOU ~ never doubt it!

May your homes be filled with the peace that passes all understanding.  May God's Shalom settle over all your cares and needs like a blanket.  Remember, HE is Jehovah Nissi and HIS Banner over YOU is

LOVE!

This is a new request...please pray for Felisha Wood.  They have two bulldogs that were fighting and she tried to separate them.  That resulted in her getting attack.  She had to have stitches and stables and has some torn muscle tissue.  Please lift her in prayer. 
 

(Julie, we are mashing those buttons!  God is good!)

Blessings,

Cheryl 

*Praises!!!  Update on Ellianna  Praises!!!*

First a new picture:

I took the picture and the update from Linda's blog.  Yes, I just c & p'd because I wanted to make sure

you have the opportunity to read this amazing report!!!

God is good! 

Report on Ellianna.........thank you for praying. As many of you know she had surgery again on Wednesday to get a new final shunt put in. Here is a update from Hannah. I thought it would be easier to put this up for those who want to read. God is there for this precious family!!!

Yesterday as Ellianna was getting ready for surgery, her doctors became increasingly concerned about her blood work.  Her electrolytes sky-rocketed since being admitted last Thursday, and were high enough that they could cause serious problems with her heart.  They were worried that she has an underlying condition causing this, separate from her brain issues.  They checked an EKG of her heart right before surgery to make sure she was stable enough to tolerate being put to sleep.  It looked fine...

Surgery went very well and her doctor came out beaming, pleased with the outcome.  Her head pressure could go down really rapidly now.  We were handed a little bag with a clump of her hair they shaved...she has an incision on the back of her head and another in the center of her belly.  Poor little thing is swollen all over.

We were moved from the pediatric floor into the PICU so they could keep a closer watch on her.  Morphine, Tylenol, and Motrin seemed to slightly dull her discomfort.  We answered a barrage of questions from the intensive care doctor... I left feeling like they doubted our capabilities as parents.  They drew labs one more time to see if anything had changed and then were going to consult with other doctors to see if they could figure out what was going on.

I reluctantly left my baby's side to pick up the other kids and spend the night at home.  I could tell Mark was worried and needed to be with her for awhile.  He texted me later and said the results were back and they showed all levels were NORMAL!  This was astounding to us.  They checked them again this morning and everything still looked perfectly normal.  Not sure what happened...either there was a mix-up, or God gave us one of those miracles we have been praying for.  Either way, it is nice to be able to breathe out.

Ellianna is drowsy today, but wakes up every few minutes seeming to be in pain. Everything looks stable though and she is starting to eat again.  We will hopefully be moved back to the regular pediatric floor today and hope her discharge will be soon.

Thanks to everyone who is supporting  us...in thoughts, prayer, meals, time off from work, and helping out with the other kids.  We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful army of friends and family holding us up. 

Thursday's Top Ten

Top Ten List

Be sure and go by Beth's....hey, why don't  you pick your own Top Ten!

Ten top song favorites…are you kidding me?!

I love music!  I love the memories music invokes.  Music is my “time-machine” transporting me back in time.  Music is a gift and I enjoy most of the different types.  I think I could fill ten pages with favorites, instead of ten songs.

All that up there.....before this sentence.....I wrote a few nights ago.  My original plan was  to pick two songs from each of the different types of music I enjoy.....scratch that plan!

I actually thought this would be the easiest list Beth has come up with.....NOT!

As I begin going through our massive music collection, I realized my taste in music has changed.  I don't know when it happen, only what I once loved, I still enjoy, but it no longer speaks to my heart.

What I picked really surprised me!

(no Doris Day~still love Sentimental Journey, no Chuck Berry, no Carpenters, no Simon & Garfunkel, no Rod Stewart, no Reba, no......okay, you get it!)

So without anymore fanfare

my list.

1. Amazing Grace
2. Always on My Mind, Willie Nelson (I can't believe he is 78!)
3. Beer For My Horses,  Toby Keith (It makes me smile!  Everything Toby does makes me smile.)
4. In My Life, the Beetles
5. Hero by Enrique Iglesias (Because honey-hunk plays it for me)
6. Anything recorded by Selah especially Bika Mono Ve/It Is Well With My Soul and His Eye Is On The Sparrow
7. How Great Thou Art (by Vince Gill & Amy Grant ~ They do it as an instrumental and it is like applying a sweet balm to your soul.)
8. Blessed Assurance ~ by anyone!
9. Classical Gas (Classical guitar, played by Mason Williams)
10. I Can't Help, Falling In Love ~ Elvis (who else?!)

  10.5   Dixie Carter's, I Shaved My Legs for This?  (Well, it makes me laugh out loud!)

Hope you enjoyed my list!  Okay,  I had to cheat a little....

(Sorry, Blake and Dwayne....maybe next time!  Love you guys!)




# 1
~ Honorable Mention ~

(I can't stop!  Beth has created a monster.)

Be sure and come back tomorrow for Fearless Friday!  

In the meantime, please keep

Taylor in your prayers!  

Blessings,

Cheryl

Building Our Homes Together ~ June 22nd

Building Our Homes Together ~

with Jesus!

(Blogger isn't wanting to load pictures today....everyday it seems to be something new.)

At least we can visit with one another...that's a blessing!

Be sure and go by Linda's at Prairie Flower Farm for more Building Our Homes Together blog posts.

Picture one of those little girls Mary Englebreit draw's tapping her foot.  The caption underneath reads ~

Must Change Attitude!

I smiled to myself at the thought, “How is that house cleaning coming along?” while nearly tripping over one of the seven pallets of sleeping grandkids on the living room floor.

This leads me to one conclusion ~ When things do not happen the way you planned, it is much better to accept life’s interruptions with a smile and enjoy them as the gift they are.

G.R.A.C.E.

The BBE (Bible in Basic English) translates Proverbs 31:25 this way:

“Strength and self-respect are her clothing; 

she is facing the future with a smile.”

Do I face the future with a smile?

More than a house, I desire a home.

More than clean, I desire harmony.

Rather than strife, I desire peace.

Rather than ‘Susie Spotless’ (anyone remember Susie?), I desire to be like the lady in Proverbs 31.  I want to embrace the future and be able to smile, rather than look toward it with dread.

That’s not to say I enjoy chaos!  But some amount of chaos is going to be with us, unless we isolate ourselves from those we love.  And how can we invite the

~ Fruits of the Spirit ~

Love – Joy – Peace – Longsuffering – Gentleness – Goodness –

                               Faith – Meekness – Temperance

to dwell within our lives, unless we are willing to be flexible and accepting to those God sends our way?

Do I want a house that is a total disaster?  No.

What I want is for those who enter our home, to feel  

WELCOMED!

 

I want – from the very youngest, to the very oldest to feel  

“at peace” 

when they come.  I want God’s presence to reign over everything and everyone.

I have a friend who recently shared with me, that after praying one morning she felt lead to tie small red ribbons and hang above the doors in their home …. Just a small reminder.

I have another friend that once she finishes “deep cleaning” a room, she anoints the door of that room with oil and prays over the room and all who will be entering.

Is there something that you have felt lead to do?  Do you allow your home to become your ministry?  Does the presence of God feel welcome in your home?  

My prayer for you is that above all else, your home is a sanctuary from the outside world.  When you walk in the doorway, you are able to smile and relax, not fret over what hasn’t been done.

Obviously, with seven very active grandkids here, cleaning has been put on the back burner…except for the ever present (happy) hum of the washing machine (clean clothes are such a blessing, after being without a washer for nearly a week!).  The pool has been busy!  And while they have played in the water, I have had time to go through more papers and I was even able to write a note or two.  Little things yes, but moving forward….smiling at the future!

If you could see seven kids (three teaching the other four) how to milk, you'd be smiling too!

Remember, if you have a prayer request, let us know.  See my side bar for more information on Fearless Fridays and how to contact.

  Cranberry Morning's soap giveaway is still going on.  Be sure and go by!

Please kept Taylor in your prayers.

Blessings,

Cheryl