Who Knew?

Who knew a few logs could spark such creativity?





Tanner and Caelan played for a few hours this afternoon in their new log house, complete with kitchen, living room, and bedroom. After these pictures, they furnished the house with a couple of small lawn chairs.



They were orphans, they built a pond, it was a castle....just too much fun!

He's Home!

We went to meet Tony at the airport last night. The kids all made welcome home signs for him, and they all managed to stay awake on the drive to the airport even though it was past their bedtime. They were so excited to finally see him walking down the ramp. And, of course, so was I! Today we took it easy. Tony slept in while we had our morning routine and got up in time for lunch. Then I finally got to look at all of his pictures from the trip.

This afternoon we built a house for the kids out of the small logs from a few trees we had cut down. Now, lest you think we are incredibly ambitious, we actually created the outline of a small house out under our cedar trees. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow. We took the idea from Tony's parents, who created a similar house in their backyard for the grandkids. Tanner loved it and really got into putting the logs down. He was ready to build a mansion!

After supper it was baths for the kids and then they all went to bed and so did Tony. He is exhausted and trying to get his days and nights back on schedule. And now I think it is bedtime for me, too!

The Journey Back

Tony has been gone for 10 days on a trip to the Philippines. We've done alright without him, but I sure will be glad to load the kids into the car tomorrow evening and drive to the airport to pick him up. Life just isn't right without him! He's had a great trip and I know that his life has been impacted because of his willingness to serve Christ wherever he has opportunity to go. I can hardly wait to see him and hear everything about the trip.

But he will not be the only one sharing about what has happened this week. I have over a week's worth of stories to tell as well. Our church family has been so wonderful while he was gone, taking the kids when I needed a break, watching them while I was at work, mowing the yard and helping out with a little extra yard work. We are truly blessed with some incredible friends! Of course, there are stories about the kids, too. We did school this week with Tanner and Caelan. They have been so eager to work on anything I could get together for them. (School this year will officially start in a week or so. Tanner will be joined by three cousins of the same age for school together. It will be kindergarten. I will trade off teaching with my sister and sister-in-law. I will continue to do preschool work with Caelan.) We rearranged some of the furniture this week. Hopefully Tony will like it!

However, just as I am looking most forward to listening to Tony's heart about his experiences and not just the details of his days, I am also looking forward to sharing with him my heart and the experiences that have shaped it this week. I will not be sharing all of those treasures here in this post. I do not know how much of it I will share here at all, but I do want to begin to write again. My mother-in-law asked me recently when I would be adding a post here, but quickly added that she understood why I had not posted. It has not been an easy year for me and my family. I have been dealing with some deep wounds and needing to heal. If you have read my previous posts, then you have had a glimpse of my journey, but that is all. I am not ready to openly share details, nor do I believe this is the appropriate place for the discussion, as many family members are involved, but I do want to share some of what is happening in my life, as it is my testimony to God's grace extended to me and my family in the midst of tradgedy.

The lyrics below are to a song by Casting Crowns called 'Praise You In This Storm.' My personal storm is by no means over, but I sense a breaking in the clouds. I have found a peace in the midst of raging winds and driving rains. There are still tears, but there is also hope that my torn heart, though changed, will heal.


I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard me cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth


Tony's journey back home is a long one. He has been far away. I'll be so glad to have him back. My journey has been long as well, eight months or more of storms. But I am coming back to wholeness, and though it has been hard, I'm glad to be here.