Thursday, February 28, 2013

Prepared by the Past 2/28/13

Three gifts from the past that help you trust the future:

175. God protected me from the people who tried to harm me when I was 14. He rescued me from a frightening situation and brought me home to my parents and friends and family. He used that experience for me to fully understand what true forgiveness is and how bitterness can invade a life and destroy you. He showed me how if we trust in him that we can be rescued from any situation.

176. He walked right with me when my beloved and I were going through a separation. He was there through the whole thing. He forgave me for the things that I had done wrong in the marriage and led my husband to a point of repentance. It makes me believe that no matter what happens that he will walk with me and what I going through is only going to make me stronger.

177. Having one sister who has a learning disability and the other sister having major medical problems has prepared me for having children. I have several children who have major learning issues and three sons who have chronic health issues (asthma, seizures). Growing up with my two sisters prepared me to be ready when the Lord gifted me with my children who require more time and patience.

Esther's eye is so much better today. The prayers and antibiotics have finally started working. Her eye is like 10 times better than it was even last night. I am so thankful. We still need to be careful until we know what kind of infection that she has. The doctor told me today that it could take 6 months for her to be clear of this ordeal. He says that it is on her skin and can be passed by touching. We need to be real careful about who she has close contact with. I am just trusting the Lord that it will all work out. He knows what tomorrow will bring and he gives me the strength to handle it that day.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Reflections and Ugliness 2/27/13


Three gifts that are reflections:

169. The reflection of the pond that I drive past every time I go to visit my mom. There are these trees that surround one side of it and it is amazing to see the change of season in those trees and the reflection in the pond. I keep threatening my kids that I am going to stop on the side of the road and take a picture of them in summer, spring, fall and winter.

170. The reflection of my face in the morning. Yes, it is a lot fatter than it used to be and there are more lines and spots, but I am healthy and have a husband I adore and 8 children who I love more than life itself.

171. The attitudes I see in my children that they get directly from me. They are just a reflection of me and it causes me to daily examine my life for what needs to be removed and what needs to be developed.

Three ugly - beautiful gifts

172. Esther's eye infection. It has caused me to do a lot of thinking these past few days about how I have taught my children. There has been a lot of doctor's appointments and interruptions to my day. I have found myself getting frustrated and I have seen the kids behavior as lacking. It has made me have a renewed desire to teach them better to be like the Lord.

173. The floor we uncovered in the kids bathroom. It was installed horribly when the house was built. It was just poor workmanship. My husband took that ugliness and installed a beautiful ceramica floor. I love it and it looks so much better. Knowing my husband's work ethic I know the floor was installed properly this time.


174. Our backyard in the winter looks like just a brown mess. During the spring we slowly see the green creep back until the whole yard is full and lovely and beautiful again.

I found out that I had numbered some of my gifts wrong. I going back and trying to repair them some of the posts got out of order. I do not know how to fix this. I am glad that I started the habit of putting the date in the title of the post. Sorry for any confusion.

Changes and Textiles 2/23/13

Three Gifts that Changed Today

157. We got a message from my brother in law today that said he was going to be driving through North Carolina on his way to Florida. He wanted to meet for lunch. He has driven through before but never offered to stop. We met him and his family for lunch right off the interstate. We ate at Bob Evans and had a great visit. We had 12 kids and 4 adults in our party. It was awesome for the cousins to visit and the adults too. What a great afternoon!

158. Being able to go grocery shopping with my Esther girl and spending time with her looking at clothes and fabric for her Snow White dress.

159. Being able to talk to my husband while in the car on the way to meet his family. It was nice having time to talk to him where he and I were not doing anything else.

160. A gift of tin. A little tin candle stick holder that I bought while on our honeymoon to Williamsburg, Virginia. A lot of funny memories is associated with it.

161. A gift of wood. The wooden bookshelves that my husband designed and built on either side of our fireplace. Every time I look at them I think of what a talent my husband has.

162. A gift of glass. Windows. They keep out the cold, the heat, and the bugs!!!

Monday, February 25, 2013

A Mac and an electric griddle 2/25/13

A gift worn out, new, made do

166. The electric griddle that I cook pancakes, eggs, and bacon on. It is a great tool that my husband and I use several times a week. We are on our third one and it needs to be replaced soon. It is a mandatory tool in the kitchen of large families. The kids know when I get it out that we are having one of their favorite dinners, pancakes and eggs.

167. Our new Mac. I love it and it has made homeschool so much easier.

168. Shoes. I would love to buy all new shoes for my children. With 8 kids we do a lot of handing down. Sometimes by the time the little ones get the shoes they are very worn out. We make do with what we have and every one always has shoes on their feet. That is a blessing. I also have found shoes at consignment sales just when I need them.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

11 a.m. and Nameless Strangers 2/24/13

Three gifts before 11 a.m.

163. Family worship with my family. My husband was not feeling well so we did not go to church but worshipped at home this morning. We sang some songs and discussed Psalm 34. We were able to really have some good conversation about the passage. It was a great morning. It was fun playing the piano with my William boy.

164. Two extra chicken biscuits at McDonalds drive thru. Small, I know, but it was a blessing as one of our children did not like the thing he ordered. It saved a lot of time already having something extra that he could eat.

165. Coming out of my bedroom and being met with the baby giggles of my Tirzah girl in the hallway. She slept with her sister last night and woke up and went in search of Mommy. We were able to snuggle with Daddy for a few minutes before getting up.

Do you ever get the sudden urge that you are supposed to pray for a particular person? I asked The Lord at the beginning of this year to make my prayer life stronger and he has answered. I have felt the urge to pray for more people this year than ever before. A lot of times I will be asleep and will wake and have The Lord lead me to pray for someone. It happened today while driving. At McDonalds this morning we witnessed a very nasty encounter between two vehicles. One had cut the other one off in the parking lot and was very upset. It is a confusing parking lot and at one place you really do not know who has the right of way. The one car stopped and started yelling at the other people. It lasted a few minuted before they sped away. I really did not think anything of it. After Carl made the decision to return home instead of going to church (he was feeling poorly) we headed home. We encountered a police car blocking our lane. Two other police cars had a car pulled over in a driveway and they were searching it pretty throughly. It was the same car that had done the horn blowing and yelling at the McDonalds parking lot. I found it interesting but did not think anything of it. That was until I was in the car on the way to the fabric store with Esther. For some reason, all of a sudden, The Lord led me to rpay for that man and woman in that car that had been pulled over. It was an overwhelming feeling and I just had to start praying for them. I just prayed that The Lord would protect those two and would lead them to Him. I just kept praying it the entire way to the store and then back. I have no idea what is going on in their lives but I knew I had to pay for them. I will probably never see them again or know why they needed prayer today. All I know that is that I had to obey the Lord's leading. I pray for this nameless couple tonight that The Lord would lead them to come to him.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

White 2/21/13

3 Gifts White

154. The white of my wedding gown that was a representation of the purity coming into marriage.
My husband and I remained pure for each other before we were married. The white of the wedding dress meant so much to us. It also reminded us of the sinlessness of Christ. He was a completely pure sacrifice.

155. Snow. We do not see much of it here in North Carolina but when we do there is excitement. This past weekend it did snow and the kids had a blast. It did not last long but the flakes were so big. I had never seen flakes that big before, even being born and raised in Maryland.  My children loved it, especially our little 1 year old. She kept running to the window as if to say "Look Mommy."

156. Our van. It is white like most 15 passenger vehicles. It is such a blessing to be able to have room for all the kids a vehicle. It also encourages me that we can have a few more and still not run out of room. Also, the church we attend has a lot of 15 passenger vans in the parking lot every Sunday. I am thankful for a church that believes that children are a blessing and heritage.


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Mealtime Blessings 2/20/13

A gift at breakfast, lunch, and dinner

151. Breakfast - reading the Bible to my sweet children. It is getting better every day as it is becoming a habit for them. The behavior and sitting still is improving. Sometimes I have to wait to eat my breakfast after the bible reading because my one son is so eager to hear it. We also have had quite a few discussions about what we have been reading. Praise the Lord.

152. Lunch - going to lunch with my mom today. It is always a blessing to eat with my mom and dad. I love seeing the kids run to them. She also surprised me by helping out with buying some homeschool supplies for the kids at the Homeschool Gathering Place. I am very blessed to have parents like that who are willing to help us out.

153. Dinner - eating with my children and husband. Dinner was quick and simple but the conversation and fellowship was awesome. I love the fact that we all sit down together and eat a meal.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Plan B 2/19/13

3 Gifts that Were Plan B

148. On vacation this year we were driving cross country to Colorado from North Carolina to visit my sister. We hit a deer on our second day of traveling. We were doing 70 miles an hour down the interstate. Thankfully no one was injured. It was memorial day weekend so we had to wait 3 days before our car could be looked at. We were stuck in Evansville, Indiana. We sent out an e-mail to our church asking for prayer and were flooded with offers of people who knew friends and family in the area. We ended up spending two days with complete strangers who opened their home to us. They fed us, did our laundry, and entertained us. We now have great friends for life.

149. My husband was deployed in 2004 to Kuwait. It was actually a Plan B. My husband's unit kept being on alert to be deployed and then taken off. This off and on went on for 2 years. It was horrible as we would get ready and then have to make changes again. My husband was given the opportunity to be a part of a small port operations unit going to Kuwait in 2004. He actually volunteered to go. He spent the entire year over there except for 2 weeks in September. We ended up getting pregnant during those 2 weeks. He came home and later found out that his original unit still had not been deployed but were now being sent over to Iraq. My husband never stepped foot in Iraq for which I am thankful. Plan B worked out just fine.

150. Having 4 children who have some sort of learning disabilities was not in my original plan. They have taught me to be patient and loving and understanding. I have more compassion for moms who are struggling with a difficult child. Being told your child has the worst case of ADHD the doctor has ever seen is heart breaking but I have learned that God does not give us anything that we cannot handle. It requires me to go to him in prayer many times a day in confession and crying out to him.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Catch Up 2/18/13

3 Gifts in Shadows

139. On a hot summer day the cool shade of a tree is awesome. Sitting under the shade of the tree with a cool breeze blowing against your face is the most fantastic thing about summer.

140. The shadows that appear out our backyard when the sun goes down. It cast a wonderful glow above the trees and send the entire backyard into a contrast of shadow and light. It is magnificent because every evening is a little bit different.

141. When I am walking through the hardest times of my life I feel like there is darkness all around me. The truth is that in those times that God is walking so close to me to protect me that his shadow completely covers me from the evil trying to destroy me.

3 Gifts Found in Giving and Serving

142. The tears of woman who is going through chemo when you tell her you woke up in the middle of the night to pray for her. She shares with you that at the time you were praying she was awake and really struggling with pain and needed prayers just then.

143. The awesome feeling you have when you wake up at 2:00 in the morning and feel called to pray for a little girl who is in the hospital due to a car accident. You wake up the following morning to an e-mail that says that right at the moment you woke up and prayed she coded and had to be revived several times.

144. The wonder at being woken up in the middle of the night to pray for your brother-in-law in Iraq. Urgent prayer and I am talking the fall down on your knees and cry out to God kind. You wake up in the morning to 3 different phone calls by your two sisters and your mother. We all woke the same time that night and cried out to God on behalf of our brother-in-law, son-in-law, and husband. We found out later that day that his convoy had been attacked at that moment and they were pinned behind their overturned truck in a valley surrounded on all sides by enemy fire. They had no way of escape except for air support which came soon after four women and probably many others the Lord woke up a world way started to pray.  Give me goosebumps every time I think about it.

3 Gifts on Paper

145. The note to my husband written by a sweet little 9 year old girl who loves her daddy very much. She had written it a while ago but it somehow had made its way under the bed in our room. Cleaning up this morning I found it and it brought a smile to my face.

146. The blog I follow that has been kicking me out of my comfort zone as a parent and a wife. Every post is convicting and leads me to scripture to repent and seek help to deal with the consequences of my sin.

147. The lesson plans that I need to make today for the week. It makes me thankful that I have the awesome privledge of homeschooling my children and treaching them about God and who he is.

Friday, February 15, 2013

A Loss, A Find, and Something Homemade 2/15/13

A gift in losing, finding, and making something

136. Losing - the loss of my grandmother this summer. She had been in pain for so long and kept expressing a desire to just "go home." She passed into the arms of Jesus to peace and seeing her husband again. Her death also made me reexamine how I mother. She was a woman who exuded a meek and quiet spirit. Her children all said they could remember only one time that she yelled. It made me desire to have a meek and quiet spirit with my own children.

137. March 21, 1986 - The day I found myself washed anew with the blood of Jesus Christ. I asked Jesus to be my Savior that day while praying with my mother. It all came about by my first failing grade ever, pre algebra.

138. Making my own laundry detergent. It gives me great satisfaction to make something that i know what is in and am protecting my children from unwanted chemicals and perfumes. My 3 year old and my baby girl break out when I use anything but homemade detergent.

I love Carl because he came home early to spend time with his parents who are visiting from Maryland and we had a date night tonight.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

The Love of God 2/14/13

3 ways I feel the Love of God

133. The fact that he has planned every day of my life shows me how much he loves me. Nothing is a surprise to him and he never says "Oops." Every thing that he has planned for me and given to me has been determined just right for me. He only wants good things for me and even the hard things are meant to make me grow close to him and to become more like him.

134. Knowing that from the first sin, God made a way to redeem us. He knew that Adam and Eve were going to sin and already made a way to save us from death. It is amazing to me that he loved us that much.

135. He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. Satan may bring up my sin again and try to make me feel guilty but God never does. If I have truly repented and turned from my sin then he does not bring it up again.

I love Carl because he understands that when he calls and I complain about the cake taking longer than I expected to bake, dinner not being started, and the house being a mess that I am not really mad at him. I am just venting. The cake got made and was delicious, dinner was late but delicious, and my house will get clean tomorrow. He loves me despite my grumblings.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Behind Doors 2/13/13


Three Gifts Behind a Door

130. All of my children as little babies. When they first woke in the morning and I would hear them start to talk and then slowly open the door and peer in at them. That first smile of the day that said "I love you, Mom" is the best in the whole world.

131. A knock on the door of my 6th grade classroom 15 years ago. Behind that door was my sweet boyfriend, now husband, who was wearing a suit and had flowers and a stuffed bear. He also had a beautifully designed engagement ring and asked me to marry him right in front of 30 screaming and giggling 6th graders.

132. Watching my husband arrive home from work and be tackled by eight children. My boys are running at him full force. My oldest daughter is launching herself into his arms for a hug. My sweet Tirzah girl, who just learned to say Dad-Dy just runs as fast as her little legs can carry her and holds her arms up until he reaches down to pick her up. She then wraps her arms securely around his neck and just smiles.  What a sight to see every evening. It makes me cry every time.

I love Carl because he brings Bo Berry biscuits for the kids in the morning but still encourages me to stay on my juice fast.

Hard Things 2/12/13

Three Hard Things

127. Being a mother is the hardest thing I have ever done. Actually, being a mother who is intent on raising her children to follow after God is hard. Being an example of how my children should follow Christ is literally the toughest thing I have ever experienced. I have never cried so many tears or laughed so hard. I have been kicked out of my comfort zone and yet found extreme joy. There have been so many sleepless nights and early mornings. I also have never learned so much or grown so close to the Lord.

128. Going through a separation with my husband was also one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. It was necessary to wake my husband up to sin in his life but in the process it revealed sin of my own. It was good for both of us as he was forced to draw close to God and so was I. When the separation was over we were both stronger and closer to God and each other. We learned so much.

129. Watching my 13 year old son have his first seizure in July was the most heart wrenching thing ever. I have never felt so helpless. It was actually a blessing because in the midst of the many doctor"s appointments that followed my son and I improved our relationship. It was also a blessing because he was initially put on a medication that caused wild violent episodes that woke my husband up to the fact that he and my son have a lot of healing to do in their relationship. My son is now on a new medication that causes less side effects and my husband and son meet together each week for one on one bible study.

I love Carl because he loves his two little girls with such a great love.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Blessings from Work 2/11/13

Three gifts in working:

124. Working on something with and for my husband is such a wonderful blessing. Completing something while working by his side makes me feel so close to him and makes our relationship stronger. Right now we are doing a juice fast together and i slept in this morning and was not able to make his juice to take to work. When I made mine I just made extra and dropped it off to his work on my way to run an errand. It felt good to do something for him.

125. When I see my children working together it just makes my heart sing. Having so many brothers and sisters can be trying at times. They do get upset with each other. I love it when they unselfishly meet the needs of one of their siblings. I make it a big deal when I see this to encourage them to do it more. Sometimes they see if they can outdo one another in good deeds.

126. I love Chick Fil A. The customer service there is above the norm for fast food restaurants. They are always eager to help and meet the needs of their customers. I enjoy the smiles and service every time I go. I also point this out to my children to encourage them that when they get jobs that they should strive to have excellent customer service skills.

I love Carl because he loves to spend time with the boys at night building those relationships with them.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Laughter 2/10/13

Three Times Hearing Laughter Today

121. Daniel and I laughing between Sunday school and church today over him having the hiccups. Luckily by the time the service began they had stopped.

122. Esther and I laughing at each other because we were both crying at the same point in a movie. We were snuggling in bed and watching Amazing Love about the prophet Hosea. We were both crying over Hosea redeeming Gomer from being sold into slavery. What a picture of God redeeming us.

123. Tirzah laughing and running around with just a diaper on. She was getting her pajamas on when Daddy came home. Chaos of greeting erupted from the children and she escaped her pajama changer. It was pure joy of greeting daddy after working all weekend.

I love Carl because he brought home dinner tonight because I had a headache and a cold. Also for letting me go upstairs and rest.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Surprise Graces 2/9/13

3 surprise graces - unexpected blessings

118. My sweet first girl, Esther, was a complete surprise. We had three boys at the time and they were 4,3, and 1. I did not expect to get pregnant again so soon. I remember calling my husband and not being able to reach him. I called my sister in law and just broke down. She encouraged me and I was able to calm down and realize what a blessing this new life was going to be. Now, I look back nine years later and realize that this was no surprise to God. He knew that my precious Esther girl would be such a blessing to our family.

119. My sweet second girl, Tirzah. She also was a complete surprise. By this time we had seven children, 12,11,9,8,6,3, and 2. I was already overwhelmed. I was shocked when I found out and I was scared. I had had my first c-section with number 7 so I was really worried. It turned out that this little one was our long awaited and prayed for second girl. God knew that I would need this sweet little girl to make me laugh and smile.

120. My mother falling and hitting her head. She fell in the backyard and almost lost consciousness. In the process of getting checked out at the hospital the doctors found a brain tumor that probably would never have been found otherwise. This was just a few months after my father was diagnosed with leukemia. She had surgery to remove it and is now fine. My father is also cancer free. What a blessing that fall was. We are also able to help other families going through hard times.

I love Carl because when I am at the grocery store he takes care of the kids and tries to get them to clean the house and do the laundry so I have a clean house to come home to.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Broken and Fixed 2/8/13

A gift broken, fixed, and thrifted

115. Broken - Our marriage that reached the point of brokenness a few years ago. We dealt with an addiction and unfaithfulness. We even separated for while. We both purposed in our hearts that divorce was not an option. We have come back from that time of brokenness to a time of repentance, repairing, and renewal. We have come so far and continue to grow closer to The Lord and to each other.

116. Fixed - An iPod that was left in a pocket during a wash cycle. We found it in the dryer and immediately put it in rice. I prayed a lot. My son uses his iPod for school. A few days later we took it out and it works perfectly. I was not looking forward to buying a new one but The Lord chose to fix it.

117. Thrifted - The almost $200 Breville juicer that we found for $40. We had been praying for a few years that we could afford a nice juicer. What an amazing blessing from The Lord. We have used it many times. My husband and I are getting ready to do a juice fast next week.

I love Carl because he makes the time to get up early on Friday mornings to meet with other men in the church to encourage each other to grow in The Lord.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Time Slots 2/7/13

A gift at 11:30, 2:30, and 6:30

112. 11:30 - I went to the kids exchange today and saved a lot of money. I was able to get a whole summer wardrobe for Tirzah. I was also able to get some shorts for the boys and a bathing suit for Esther. What a blessing to go and shop in one spot for all the kids and still pay yard sale prices.

113. 2:30 - I woke up around this time last night from a deep sleep. The Lord woke me and I felt led to pray for a woman at our church who is going through chemo right now. I was also led to pray for a little girl who was in a car accident a few days ago and is serious condition. I prayed and went back to sleep. When I woke up this morning I had an e-mail about the little girl that said around 2:30 in the morning she went from stable to critical and had to be revived several times due to fluid in her belly. I saw the lady from our church this evening and told her I prayed for her last night. When I told her what time she grabbed me and said that she was awake at that time and just needed prayer right then. All I can say is Wow!

114. 6:30 - I got to spend some time with my oldest girl tonight. We are part of a group called Keepers At Home. We got to meet with other girls her age and make soap. What a blessing it was to help train her to one day be a keeper of her own home.

I love Carl because he is so willing to watch the kids while Esther and I go meet with other girls and women at our Keepers meeting, especially since it his birthday today.
Happy birthday my sweet man.

A Look Outside 2/6/13

Three things outside

109. The beautiful weather outside. It was about 55 degrees outside today and we did not need coats at all. What a gorgeous day to go and run some errands.

110. The fact that spring is coming and it is almost time to start planting my garden. Starting to pick what I want to plant this year.

111. The beautiful stars in the sky on a clear cold night. How amazing it is to see the multitude of stars in the sky and know that God put every one in place. Yet, he loves me more than all the stars in the sky and cherishes me.

I love Carl because he finally took me to Flemmings Steak House. Boy, was it delicious. Hands down it was the best steak I have ever had.

Caleb today decided that he wants to play football. He took two different snow gloves and put them on. He announced to us all that they were his football gloves. He then proceeded to find an extra large football jersey and put it on. This jersey is too big for everyone in the house, even Carl. It was huge on him but he was so cute. He even took it to BaBa's house today. He is just so cute and he makes me smile.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Stitched together 2/5/13

A gift stitched
106. The aprons I made for Esther and me for our keepers meeting. It reminds me that I need to be training her to be a godly women who is ready for whatever God has in store for her. I had such a great time making them with her.

A gift hammered
107. The benches at my kitchen table that my dad made for me. It is the only way that we can fit all the kids at the table. Everyone loves them and is always asking me where I got them.

A gift woven
108. The quilt that my Aunt Othella made for me for my wedding. It is called my special blanket. Whenever anyone in the house is sick or tired or just need to rest on the couch, this blanket is brought out. I love it and it the most well used blanket in the house.

I love Carl because he made my life easier today by bringing home lasagna left over from a lunch meeting he had.

Daniel learned today that he needs to trust me and obey me. I had to drop off the things I was selling for the kids exchange. I had to take all the kids with me. They were pretty well behaved except for one thing. I had told them not to climb on the low concrete wall that was outside the building. They kept running on it. Daniel was trying to jump from one section to another and slipped and banged his leg really bad. Luckily, Dr. Bob was home and we ran him over. He checked him out and gave him a clean bill of health. It saved me a trip to the ER.



Monday, February 4, 2013

Bending Down 2/4/13

3 gifts written in word

100. The marriage vows between Carl and me. Our pastor gave us a copy of the complete wedding ceremony, word for word. It was his gift to us. I love that my kids can read what was said at our marriage ceremony.

101. The sweet letters from my children to my husband and myself. They are written in little kids handwriting and include pictures. They are thank you letters, letters of apology, and general I love you mommy and daddy letters. They are so reckons and I keep them all.

102. The letters that were written by Carl and myself while he was in Kuwait for a year. Each letter and email was so precious and I love to go back and read them from time to time.

3 gift found while bent down

103. The sweet arms wrapped around me and the giggles as I bend down to tuck in three little boys each night. I never get tired of hearing "mommy, do it again."

104. The kiss my husband gives me each morning as he bends down to my lips. I am thankful for a man who has a job and works hard to provide for our family.

105. My knees which are still working although not as good as they used to. I recently started running and am thankful for the strength my knees have.

I love Carl because he loves football and encourages that in the boys.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Slips of paper

3 gifts on paper

97. My marriage certificate that started this journey I am on with my husband. It is more than just a legal document. It is a covenant I made before God. Divorce has never been an option for my husband and I despite trials that would have ended most marriages. Thank you God for allowing me to be Carl's helpmeet.

98. The 8 birth certificates of my children. Each one reminds of the wonderful blessing of that child. I am amazed that God chose me to be the mother of these children. They are all precious gifts.

99. The Bible that allows us to learn more about who God is and to become more like Christ. The men and women who gave their live protecting it makes it such a special book. What a huge gift we have in this country to read it freely and have multiple copies in our homes, for now anyway.

I love Carl because he is my beloved and my friend.