The Bravest Person I Know

brave/brāv/

Adjective:

Ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage.

Often when we hear this word, we think of soldiers, law enforcement officers, firemen. Maybe we think of Christians who are persecuted, or Rosa Parks, for taking a stand for equal rights.  In this modern day, few of us probably get to meet someone that is really, truly brave.  I have met such a someone.  She isn't a fearless soldier, although she is fearless.  She is not a courageous fireman or law enforcement officer, although she is truly courageous.  She is not a persecuted Christian in a foreign land, although she is certainly persecuted.  She is a not quite 17 year old, just a couple inches over 4 feet tall, who has had to endure much more in her short life than nearly all of us will in all of our years. 

She is my niece, Sarah. 

Sarah has Eczema.  Now, most of you are thinking "Well, that's just dry skin.  Hardly anything to be brave over."  No, for Sarah, it isn't just dry skin.  It is dry skin over every inch of her body. Skin so dry it flakes constantly, cracks open, and leaves sores and scars.  Her skin can be so dry that the backs of her knees crack open to the point she cannot walk.  Even the creases around her eyes can and do crack open.  Look down at your body.  Imagine that every crease in your skin is now an open wound.  Think about a mosquito bite or the worst case of poison ivy you have ever had.  Multiply it to COVERING YOUR ENTIRE BODY.  That is what Sarah endures EVERY DAY.  Now, imagine you are a 16 year old high school girl, who has to go to school every day with flakey skin, a bottle of moisturizer to be applied every hour in order to make it through, and a stature that is extra small due to the many medications she has had to take over the years.  Hmmm...think about YOUR high school days.  Do you think that your peers would be loving and accepting of you?  Do you think they would see your sweet smile or be too distracted by your mottled appearance?

THAT is why Sarah is the bravest person I know.  Brave because she gets up every morning, even when she hasn't been able to sleep because the itching is so bad, spends MUCH MUCH longer trying to look "normal" just so people will not stare and she goes to school.  Brave because her whole life she has had to defend her illness.  "No it isn't chicken pox , or scabies, or anything else that is contagious.  It's just Eczema, and I have it really really bad."  Brave because her whole life people have stared at her, wondering what is wrong with her but not really being compassionate. Brave because last week at lunch, her "regular" crowd wasn't there, and when she went to sit at another table, all of the kids got up and left.  And most of all, she is brave because tomorrow night, Sarah will go to her Junior prom, BY HERSELF.  A date would have been too much to ask for, even though Sarah is such a delightful companion.  Smiling, giggly, silly, fun.  But Sarah couldn't even find one of her friends to go with her.  So tomorrow, Sarah will have a facial to hopefully smooth out some of the uneven tones.  She will have a hairdresser put her long, thick hair in a beautiful updo.  She will get dressed in her beautiful pint sized dress, and go to the prom, alone. 

I wish I could change it for her.  I wish that someone would have compassion on her and accompany her to the prom.  I wish....SO MUCH for Sarah because the world has been so cruel to her.  Wishes don't do anything, but I wanted to share why...

Sarah Lindsay Houston is, by far, THE BRAVEST PERSON I KNOW.  And I could not be prouder to be her aunt.

God provides even the littlest of things...

8 years ago this month, God provided us with a lovely home in a rather miraculous way.  It has been a blessing to us and to anyone else we could bring into it, and we are very thankful.  The trying economy, our decreasing income, our first children heading off to college in a few years, and the expense of running this household have prompted us to (once again) place this home up for sale.  We had only planned to stay here a few years, and now it has been 8.  Our finances are incredibly tight, and we have been faithful to let God know that we are willing to do whatever He asks.  That has caused us some dramatic cutbacks in many areas.  Recently Truett asked for new cleats for baseball.  He is almost out of his size 9s, and after all, the older boys wear the cleats with spikes in them instead of rubber.  I told him that our budget really did not allow for new cleats until absolutely necessary, but I would continue to look for a bargain.  So far, visiting Good Will and thrift stores had proved unfruitful.

Since we have taken the Dave Ramsey statement to heart,"Sell so much the kids think they're next!", we held a yard sale over the weekend.  This yard sale was to help our ailing budget, but also to set aside at least half of the money for four of the kids to go to church camp this summer, and for three of them to go to Child Evangelism Traning.  This training will enable them to teach 5-day Bible Clubs throughout our community the rest of the summer. While it is a wonderful mission endeavor, which equips them in ways for Christ far beyond this summer, it is over $300 per child to attend.  When we opened up our yard sale on Saturday, I simply asked God to replace the grocery money I had spent this week, which was roughly $200.  I labeled envelopes for each of the children to set aside the extra money for camp.  Five hours later, we had nearly $600.  How exciting for our family to see Him provide above and beyond what we had asked!

Even more amazing, my friend and neighbor stopped by our sale.  She had picked up several things and asked what I wanted for them.  She is our favorite for giving hand-me-downs, leftovers, and miscellaneous, the most recent being a dorm room refrigerator which will come in handy in another year or so.  I refused money on the basis of all of the blessings she has given me!  She left and a few minutes later came back with an armload of sporting equipment.  Her son, she explained, had given up BASEBALL for Lacrosse, and didn't need them anymore.  In addition to some uniforms (2 sizes up from Truett!) and 2 very nice gloves, guess what was in that pile?  Size 9.5 cleats. With spikes.  In great condition.  Furthermore, as my friend was walking away, shaking the now empty duffel bag to get out the leftover dirt, she found a gold chain that her son thought had been stolen long ago!  Her kindness to me revealed another blessing to her!

We have said often it will take a miracle to sell our house.  I have a God in the miracle business!  If he can provide baseball cleats to my son from a friend that didn't even know I needed them, then I am confident He will sell this house when He seems fit, and will be glorified all the more. How marvelous is it that our God knows exactly what we need? And even when there is guilt that we cannot provide a reasonable want to our children, He chooses to bless us with it anyway? I have a faith that is so very small!  I am thankful that God loves me in spite of it.  And loves me enough to provide my son with baseball cleats, in just the right size. I hope my faith continues to grow to be just the right size, too.

Seasons...

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Seasons!  Yesterday Truett played his last baseball game as a member of a Carrigan team.  He played in three tournaments in All Stars, giving it his all every time.  He played so well behind the plate in one game, that the coach from the opposing team came over and congratulated both him and our coaches on his performance.  Wow.  And to think when he started catching in Rookies it was only because he wanted to play the infield!  As catcher, he played every inning of every game in All Stars.  His team would have most certainly been in trouble without him as Truett was the wall blocking home plate.  I was so proud of his heart.  He finished his Carrigan career with 3 RBIs, a triple and a run scored of his own, as well as another aggressive game behind the plate.  We finished 5th...just out of the finals, but I am so thankful that Truett did his job well.  He is glad baseball is over to make way for some low pressure summer fun! As this season comes to an end, I am thankful for all of the character growth he has experienced, the wonderful friends I have made (and will miss!), and the hours spent as a baseball mom.  Carrigan Park has been a blessing to us and will be greatly missed as we move up to Rotary Sportsplex and the next age division.  So I have washed my last Carrigan uniform...good bye baseball season!

And another season comes to pass...

Since Bradlee was about 8, she has been asking about going on a mission trip. Obviously, that was a desire that needed to be placed on hold.  Last year she began asking again so we looked for mission opportunities. Even though God closed several doors, He opened one that was such an amazingly perfect fit that it could only be attributed to Him.  A friend once told me that having children was like having pieces of your heart running around outside of your body.  So a piece of my heart got on an airplane to go to Haiti this morning.  As I write this, my girl is on the mission field, following the plan God has laid for her.  We dropped her team off at the airport at 5:30 this morning where they were full of hope and excitement for their adventure, covered in prayer by their friends and family.  Riding home I was thinking of all of the planning that resulted in a quick goodbye on an airport curb.  I was thinking about her safety, even though I trusted God with everything, knowing He loves her more than I.  I thought about all she will learn this week.  And then I thought what a big step she had just taken towards adulthood.  It is hard not to be sad when I think of my children growing up, but I remember, this is what our job is!  We are to raise them up in Christ, teach them His word, equip them with all they need to do great things.  We aren't raising them to stay at home forever being children.  They are to be productive adults, good people, ideally living with an eternal perspective. I pray we have done our job, through the grace of God, to equip her to do what she needs to do this week.  I am so proud of my girl and all that God has in store for her!

Toothless grins and Homeruns...

It seems that every time a milestone passes in our lives, no matter how big or small, I am prompted to write at least a little about it. After 2 years of T-Ball starting in 2004, Truett moved to playing baseball at Carrigan Park in Spring of 2006.    I was reading in Truett's scrapbook a memory that was long ago, yet seems like yesterday: "Our rookie season ended with a grand finale.  We played in the city tournament and had a great time.  Truett's team played very well.  The fourth game we played was against the team that had beaten us in the regular season and had finished first in our league. At this point, the tournament took second place to all other events, because during this game, TRUETT HIT A HOMERUN.  Anything else was just a bonus."   Now he is beginning his final season at Carrigan, one I face with mixed emotions. My son is no longer a toothless little boy but a tall 12 year old young man.  Last night, however, he achieved a long time goal:  he hit a ball out of the park.  His first at bat of the season, in his home park.  It wasn't a make it around the bases as little rookies committed error after error for an in the park home run, but rather a long, soaring hit that landed solidly on the other side of the fence.  One hit by a handsome 12 year old.  One thing that hasn't changed, though, is the winning smile stretching across his face.  That grin of shock and surprise as he rounded second and realized it was truly OVER THE FENCE was just as priceless as that toothless grin that crossed homeplate to the arms of a screaming mother in the dugout.  Now, last night I was still screaming, but I didn't scoop him up in my arms like I did all those years ago.  I subdued myself to a substantial high five and a hug.  I am blessed with a son that loves his family.  He is not embarrassed when I hug him, and he still hugs me every day and kisses me good night.  I hope he never outgrows that.  So, Truett will finish his final year at Carrigan, anxious to earn the "Iron Man" award, an award reserved for players that complete all six years (2 rookie, 2 minor, 2 major) at the park.  What happens after that, we're not sure.  What I do know, is that my oldest son has started his season off with a bang.  And everything after this, is just a bonus.

Memories!

Our story is a story of God ordained meetings and occurences.  It's a lot longer than I can post here at this time, but in honor of Valentine's Day, I will give an overview :)

Spring 1989, I was dating a Resident Advisor at Liberty University, where I was a student.  It was Youth Ministry focus week, and I attended a seminar with him in another class.  I was often being introduced to the guys in his dorm, so when a couple of fellas came up after the seminar, I didn't think much of it.  I remember the introduction, but nothing about the guys.  One of them whispered in hia ear and he laughed.  I asked what was said and he said he'd tell me later.  After we left, he said "That was one of my guys.  He said 'Please tell me that girl is your sister.' "  I thought it was funny.  Later that night, the "guy", Ben, went to the RA's dorm room and told him "One of these days, you're going to be without that girl.  And I'm going to take her out."  My guy thought that was funny, too.  Those are the only details I remember about our first meeting.  I couldn't have picked Ben out of a lineup if my life depended on it.  I guess you could say I was a loyal girlfriend, only having eyes for the guy I was with, but in reality, I'm just kind of oblivious that way.  I'm not really good about remembering people if I don't make a conscious effort!

Months pass...we are now in August.  My fella had gone home for the summer, and we weren't really serious to begin with.  It was no surprise to either of us when we decided to stop dating.  I was working at Winn Dixie, where I had been working since high school.  Several times people in the store would tell me that a guy had been asking about me.  They would describe him and I would be clueless as to who it was.  One evening I was working in the office and this guy comes in the store.  He asks one of our cashiers a question (a dumb question, I might add) and thankfully, the cashier he asked was busy, so she referred him to me, the bookkeeper working up in the "box."  The question?  "How do you make pink icing?"  I had to come down out of the office to help this poor fellow.  We went to the baking aisle and I handed him a bottle of red food coloring.  I explained that you add the red food coloring to white icing and that will make it pink.  I walked away.  He then asks "So, you just dump the whole bottle in?"  I remember thinking: "This guy is seriously domestically challenged."  "No, you add a little bit at a time until you get the color you want."  He tells me some ridiculous story about making a cake for a friend, wanting it to be as embarrassing and feminine as possible.  I smiled and walked away.  He calls again "Can I ask you another question?"  I at this point really just wanted to get back to work.  I turned and responded "Sure.  What is it?"  "Do you have a boyfriend?"  "Uh...no."  "Would you like to go out sometime?"  Keep in mind I had worked at this store for 4.5 years.  I had been asked out by a variety of interesting and not-so-interesting people who shopped there.  I had NEVER, EVER said yes to ANY of them.  So, why did I say yes this time?  Call it God.  I felt safe, secure, and confident that this guy was a good one.  Obviously, that guy was Ben.  Even funnier, he did not realize that the girl he met on campus that was dating his RA and the girl in the grocery store were the same person.  At least his taste was consistent!  And, he had to write a check for the food coloring.  I think it was 97 cents.  I still have the bottle, because, after all, Ben is a VERY smart guy.  His little story was all just to get my phone number.  It turns out, I was the one that wasn't very bright...it took me YEARS to figure out it was just a very creative pickup line!

There is more to our love story than that, but this was the beginning.  We got married in May of 1991...7 children and 20 years later, here we are.  I am thankful to God for the man he brought into my life all of those years ago.  Thankful for my children.  And thankful for red food coloring :)

Drawing Moments...

A friend's recent loss has left me compelled to write about the most difficult trial I have ever walked through.  6 years ago, Ben and I were expecting our fifth baby.  Having had 4 uneventful pregnancies, I expected this one to be no different.  We were full of excitement, hope and love for this new little one.  She was to be greeted by 3 sisters and 1 brother, all of whom loved her and could not wait for the months to pass so she would be with us.  This baby was very real and very much a part of our lives, even though she was still months away from us being able to touch her and hold her.  I had been sicker with this pregnancy than my others, but I was also older.  I didn't think much of it.  I was 18 weeks along, and was certain I had felt movement.  Having heard the heartbeat at 10 weeks, I had no reason to believe anything was wrong.  I went to see my doctor for a regular appointment, and since Ben was in California leaving me with no babysitters, I had 3 of the children with me.  That appointment led to a whirlwind of activity and devastating emotions.  Measurements, weight, blood pressure...all fine.  Doppler...not fine.  The nurse tried unsuccessfully to find the heartbeat.  Then the doctor.  Then the portable ultrasound machine confirms every pregnant woman's nightmare "There is no heartbeat."  What do you mean "no heartbeat" my own heart cried.  Of course there is a heartbeat...right next to mine!  I have loved and cared for this baby.  I have been careful, I have cut down caffeine, been drinking water, increased protein, taken my vitamins.  I have had 4 healthy pregnancies and no miscarriages.  HOW CAN THERE BE NO HEARTBEAT?  Coupled with the confused looks of three young children, ages 9, 8 and 5, it was all I could do to get out of the doctor's office without complete hysteria.  I do not remember leaving...I do remember the car being so low on fuel that in the midst of this horrible pain, I had to go to the gas station and from there began trying to call Ben.  Even now, I can still hear my voice gasping for breath as I sobbed the words "They couldn't find a heartbeat."  Home.  Calming my children.  Finding myself surrounded by this circle of friends who have been there for me always, none of them knowing what to say, but more than willing to cry with me.  Finally, Ben arrives home the next morning.  We pray for a miracle, but it doesn't come.  A more detailed ultrasound confirms that our baby was a little girl, and that while all appeared perfect, her little heart had stopped beating at some point around 16 weeks.  The next few days and weeks remain the most horrible I have ever known.  For weeks, maybe months, I would wake up in a panic, my heart crying out for the baby I had lost.  Ben was patient and loving, never critical, never telling me to move on.  He was in pain because I was in pain, but he didn't fully understand.  My biggest fear was that I would walk through all of this and still miss what God was trying to tell me.


Miscarriage is something that a woman must walk through alone.  It is painful and difficult.  Husbands love us, but do not really understand what we are going through.  A friend who has had a miscarriage or stillbirth may certainly relate to your pain, but since everyone's grief is different, it is still a lonely place.  The most lonely place, I believe.  It is in this place that we must rest in God's sovereignty.  KNOW it is HE that has made us, and HE made that little one, too.  He loves us and sheds tears for us in our pain.  It is a journey of reflection and evaluation, and we need to rest in Christ so that we may hear the message that God has for us.  Don't think that I walked through this with grace, because I didn't.  I was frustrated and angry.  I was mad at God and questioned what I could have done differently.  I am just thankful that I did not rest in THAT place, but rather in the one of God's love for me.  Had I chosen to be angry, bitter, and continually mourn, I would be a different person than I am today.  I chose to seek out what God wanted to teach me. I needed to know why God was drawing me close and what He was going to whisper in my ear.


For me, the message was CHERISH.  There may be more to it as I grow older and have opportunities to minister to others, but for now, this is my note from God.  I am a busy mom.  I am easily distracted.  Treasuring my children needs to be a priority!  For now, the most important thing that I can do is to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  To be distracted by "stuff" is certainly not what God wants for me.  This experience taught me to cherish my moments with my children.  


I found out I was pregnant on what would have been the due date for our baby.  I had mixed emotions of fear and joy.  Our joy was complete when Emmett arrived September 10, 2005, right at a year after our miscarriage.  He is a precious delight and adored by his siblings.  They lived with a mixture of fear and excitement, as I did throughout my pregnancy, that Emmett would not make it to meet us face to face.  The first year of Emmett's life, I told him every day "I'm so glad you are here."  I never took his birth, babyhood or very presence forgranted.  I marvel even now.  Birth is such a miracle.  Such wondrous development takes place in utero...so many things happening so fast and so many that can go wrong!  It is an amazement and wonder that any of our children are here.  What a gift from God!   


There is only one thing that can ease the pain of a miscarriage along with resting in Christ, and that is time.  6 years have passed, and while I can recall the pain, I no longer mourn our baby.  She is a point on our timeline, an important period that shaped the lives of myself and my children.  She will never be forgotten and is forever remembered as "the baby we lost."  I am thankful she is not truly lost, but FOUND.  Found to be in heaven with Jesus, resting with Him. Thankful that one day I will truly meet her.  


Miscarriage is not for the faint of heart.  I do know that walking through it made me a different, better person.  I would not wish it on anyone, but recognize the blessings that have come from my grief.  So if you have a friend walking this lonely road, do not try to fix them.  Respect their grief.  Pray for them.  Cry with them.  Know that in Christ, they will come through it as refined silver, with character that only deep pain can give.  If you are walking through this pain yourself, know that time will heal the rawness of the wound, but that baby that you lost will forever be a part of who you are.  Embracing that and remembering that God is SOVEREIGN will allow your heart to heal.

Fleeting Treasures...

August 16, 2010


Everyone had eaten dinner except for me, and Wyatt and Emmett were finishing. Wyatt asked me for something and I replied “No Wyatt, I am sitting down to eat dinner. I will get that for you later.” Emmett: “Then I am going to sit with you and talk to you while you eat.” Wyatt: “I want to sit ‘side you, too.” So I pulled both of their chairs up on either side of me and they chatted while I ate. Emmett finished and left. Wyatt looks at me and says, “You’re not sitting ‘side me, Mommy.” “Of course I am!” “Come closer, Mommy.” I slid my chair closer to his. “Touch me, Mommy.” I touched his sticky little rice covered hand. “I just want to talk to you for a minute,” he said. Precious little boy.


And to think, I almost went to eat my dinner in front of the television.

True Love and Superheros

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Ps 127:-5 (NAS)

As a "mom of many," I admit, I do not understand those that choose to not have children.  I say this because I am almost 42 years old and I have 7 great accomplishments.  None of them were achieved without the power of God and I can take little true credit for any of them.  While a few of them are discovering that I actually do not know everything (say is isn't so!), I still have a couple that think the world revolves around everything that mom says and does.  Wyatt & Sam both adore me.  I'm not bragging on that;  it's just a fact.  I didn't do anything to deserve it, it is just because I am their mommy.  If I would hold Sam all day(and feed as needed), he would never even whimper.  I haven't tried this experiment, but I am almost sure it would prove out.  When I sit down to feed him, sometimes he is so happy to see me that he can't eat for smiling.  Of course, he does smile...a lot...at everyone, but there are smiles that he saves just for me.    He strokes my face when he eats.  It can be annoying, but I remember that no other babies will stroke my face like this ever again when he ceases to do it.  These actions say "Mommy, I love you.  You are the greatest person in the whole world."  Who wouldn't want someone to think that about them, even if it was only for a little while?  Wyatt is 3, and no, he does not stroke my face while he's eating.  With the mess he makes, it is certainly not something I wish for!  What Wyatt does do, however, is really need me.  He doesn't need me to dress him, feed him or play with him.  His siblings can take care of anything he cannot do for himself.  What he does need, is to just be with me.  Just to BE.  If he doesn't get time with me to just sit, or talk, or rest, he actually goes sour.  Like milk sitting out, or fruit rotting!  He just turns into this beastly little child that we do not like!  If he has time with me, though, he can be amiable throughout the day, charming, funny, delightful.  How cool is it to BE some one's happy pill?  That is why I do not understand how anyone could choose not to have even one child.  It's the only time that you are ever viewed as unconditionally beautiful (even with a cold and no makeup), brilliant (because you know absolutely EVERYTHING!), and you are, most definitely, a superhero.  Isn't that just amazing?  So Moms, enjoy the moments of dependent babies, inquisitive toddlers, and little sleep.  All too soon, your superhero status will fade as they discover your true identity when they turn into...TEENAGERS.

Almost...

Life moves at a furious pace, and this spring has been no exception.  While adjusting to life with a new baby, the other kids activities have continued.  May brings such a relief of such enjoyable activities!  Baseball is over (with a City Championship win!),  ballet is over (with a beautiful recital, including Bradlee's debut on pointe!), riding is ending on Saturday (with Mary riding with the Drill Team!)  and Whitney's voice recital was last week.  There's more but it makes me tired to even type it!


We kick off our summer with a camping trip next week.  Increasing our fun will be the addition of my nephews arriving on Saturday for a few weeks.


Life remains joyful in the midst of our busyness.  We are thankful for work, thankful for family, and looking forward to what will be, quite possibly, the most fun summer of our lives!

Party of NINE!

Whew! Life moves at a furious pace, but we are blessed to have a most welcome addition to our family in SAM. He is beautiful, much loved, and so sweet. Of course, I would post more, but I am busy trying to finish a project for Ben's work, do preschool with Emmett, and hold Sam. All at the same time. So I will be back another time to tell you more about our crazy life, but for now, update your blog list to include our new name! robertspartyof9.blogspot.com!

Firsts...

It is amazing to me that I, at age (almost 41) am continuing to experience firsts. First time (and LAST time) being pregnant over 40. First time sending a little boy to preschool, albeit only one day a week. First time actually forgetting to get Truett to baseball practice (must be that over 40 thing). First time going through the "busy season" of work working for someone else, and terribly missing those that got us through it in previous years.

This has been one of the hardest years of our lives. So many changes with life, job, and church. There have been many days I have wondered why on earth God would give us a new life to look after when our "normal" life has been turned upside down! I remember, however, that all babies are blessings. And so much joy comes from them. Not to mention the lack of focusing on oneself when there is one so completely dependent on you. I am confident that THIS is why we have a new little boy arriving in 100 days or less! Such precious gifts that we are so unworthy to receive.

As for us...
Mary just won 2 silver medals at the Special Olympics State Aquatics meet. She is also on the Equestrian Drill Team at her therapeutic riding school and continues to take ballet, including Light of Joy Ballet Company.

Bradlee returned to art classes this fall as that is her declared "major area of interest" for high school and she is truly amazing in this area. I am so thankful for her gift that I know she will always be able to use. She continues to take piano and is making great strides in adding to her basic playing ability. She is still taking ballet and is also in the Company. Much talk about going on pointe at the beginning of the year..so we hold our breath on that one.

Whitney is still my dreamer. She reminds me of the line from the movie Say Anything when Lloyd Dobler is asked what he wants to do with his life and he replies "I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that." That is so Whitney. She is going to do great things. I just know it. As for activities, she gave up piano as in her logic "The only reason I continue to take piano is because I know I will regret it later if I quit." So she is applying her piano knowledge to voice lessons and loves it. She also takes ballet and is only 1 level below Bradlee. She's in Company and is extremely hard on herself but is doing so well. It's hard having a sister 13 months older and wanting to do all that she does and not being able to see what she will be like in one year. She thinks much and works hard. She is definitely my "go to" gal around here when something needs to be done well.

Truett is growing up. I am proud and sad all at the same time. He is an aggravating (to his sisters, anyway) 10 year old in every sense, but to me, he's a precious young man who is kind to his peers and well liked by everyone. His baseball playing abilities, developed only with hard work, some natural talent, and very little help from his sports challenged parents, have come a long way. Even as a 1st year major (moved into 11-12 division) and one of only 3 first years on the team, he is the starting short stop, has sat out only 1 inning all year, and has made a great impression on yet another set of coaches. 3 different head coaches at his ballpark have told me that they hoped to get Truett on their team in the Spring. This amazes me because Truett is not an A-list player (although, he's getting so much better that I think I'm going to have to drop that line). What he lacks in ability, though, he makes up for in heart. He loves the game. Loves his coaches. Listens well. Works hard. Is kind. That means so much to me as I know that those qualities will take him farther than any great playing ability. He also plays piano...ALL THE TIME. I am thankful for his enjoyment, but sometimes it does make me crazy, especially if he REALLY loves the song. Then we get to hear it....EXTRA.

Emmett started preschool one day a week. He loves it. He's so smart that I'm not sure they're teaching him anything he doesn't already know, but he is learning how to follow instructions and work in a more disciplined environment. He can't wait to go and is disappointed to come home. I just miss him so much when he's not here. Whatever will I do when the girls leave for college?

Wyatt is talking more. He still has lots of times when he carries on a conversation with you and you have no idea what he is saying, but he's getting there. He's in a big boy bed now but ignores me when I talk about the new baby. He's been more attached to me than any of our other kids so January should bring some interesting changes for him. He is the only one of my children that actually goes "sour" if he doesn't have some time with me alone each day. Like he missed a vitamin or something. We accommodate this, but it is going to be more of a challenge when his little brother arrives in a few months. Still, how sweet to have someone love you so much that they just can't be without you.

As for our nameless baby boy...he is growing and active. Doctor says I am very healthy and do better being pregnant than most 20 somethings he sees every day. I stay away between appointments as much as possible and hope to keep my distance from there another 2 months.

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, REJOICE! Even when in the car, even when Monday rolls around and I have preschool, art, ballet (3 times over) and baseball, even when work is complete stress. REJOICE. I am thankful for the days the Lord has made for me and my family. I am thankful for my children who are such great people and wonderful to be around. And I am thankful for a husband who loves me and them, and works so hard to provide for us.

I hope that you all find reasons to rejoice each day. Our purpose is truly to show that joy to a lost world and clearly point them in the direction of Christ. I pray for boldness to show the joy that exists in our home truly comes from Christ, and that all other paths are just leading nowhere. I'm rejoicing that mine leads somewhere...heavenward.

We are pregnant!

Much to our shock and surprise, we are expecting a new little one in January. While it was not in our plans, it must have been in God's because here we are. All babies are blessings and this one is no exception. While we spent quite a few weeks ignoring our latest news, we are now excited about the coming days.

Counting down...

Summertime!

...and the living is easy...

Okay, not really. Life with six children can be fun, busy, silly, exciting, tiring...but not REALLY easy. And with homeschooled children, summer vacation never really seems to be here. 3 of my 4 children have yet to finish their curriculum and therefore, their teacher, ME, does not get to quit, either! That being said, we have much to be thankful for with summer here.

Ballet recital was beautiful, the girls developed so much this year, and the year is over just in time...to start summer workshop.

Baseball season was a blast. Truett had a great coach he adores and learned so much. We finished 2nd at our park and 3rd in the city and spring season is over just in time...for All Stars, which Truett made for the very first time!

And soon, school will be over. (It WILL be over, right kids???)

Bradlee and Whitney have the wonderful opportunity through our church to go to Child Evangelism Fellowship training camp. They are off staying at Clearwater Christian College, studying hard, preparing well, and hopefully, having a great time. This will hopefully equip them to lead Back Yard Bible clubs with confidence!

Truett's All Star career has been frustrating to say the least. While I consider him to be in the top half of his team ability-wise (and am quite confident in my assessment) because his new coach hasn't ever had him on a team, he has been sitting the bench. A LOT. It is terribly unfair and quite sad. We played 2 games Saturday, nearly 11 innings, IN THE RAIN, and Truett played 1 1/2 innings. Now, I try really hard to be a team player. I really WANT to be happy "just for being nominated." That being said, with finances the way they are, I am not really willing to sacrifice our only vacation for our entire family this year for Truett to go to the state tournament if he is going to sit on the bench. He's such a good little player, with so much heart, and love for the game. I only wish others could see what I see and what every coach he's ever had in regular season has seen. It's a treasure, and his current coach is just missing it. I can say that because no one is harder on my kid than me. And he truly deserves to be playing. (Stepping off of the soap box, now.)

I hope that all of those I love are truly enjoying their summers! We have had the joy of celebrating my Dad's 70th birthday which was great fun. I hope that soon we will get some beach time. For now, we are home, waiting for our pool to be resurfaced and "like new", trying to get our house ready to sell, and building a new client base for the ever changing fundraising business. All blessings!

May your summer be filled with many blessings, unexpected and expected, also!!

In just a minute...

You can heat up dinner in the microwave.
You can sweep the floor or scrub a toilet.
You can change over a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer.
You can check out what your friends are doing via Facebook or Twitter.
You can send an email to a friend.
You can give a hug, a kiss or a smile.

And in just a minute, your life can be changed forever. A week ago today, my little boy almost drowned. Some mornings this week I woke up thinking what if he really died and I've just lived this week in a dream? EVERY day I imagine him in the water. And every day I'm thankful that we don't have to live through the dying. God gave Wyatt back to us. 6 swimmers within 15 feet, and no one saw him fall in. How does that happen? By not being vigilant in our stewardship of our children. Not that accidents don't happen. Obviously, they do. If we are being good stewards of the children that God has given us, however, there will be lots less opportunities for sorrow.

In a minute...a 3 year old can save his brother's life.
In a minute...a dad can instinctively know how to get the water dispelled.
In a minute...waiting arms beg to hold their baby brother to be reassured that all is well.
In a minute...we can praise God for miracles.
In a minute...
God reminded me "Never think for a MINUTE that I am not watching over you. Never think for a MINUTE that you are alone. I am here. I was with your little boy. He rested in my arms through it all. It was MY choice to give him back to you. Please cherish him until the time that I choose to take him to be with me again."

It probably took about a minute to read this. I pray that it was not a minute wasted, but rather one to remind you to love your little ones, big ones, and all those around you, and remember that it is God who has numbered our days. Let's not waste any of them.

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Spring Is On The Way!

Spring is on the way...and how do I know this? Because BASEBALL SEASON has begun! Truett had his first game tonight...was the first batter...and scored the first run of the 2009 Carrigan Royals season. It was so exciting!

Growing up, I hated baseball. Didn't just dislike, or kind of not be interested in, but really, hated baseball! My brother played everything from little league through High School. I didn't have any Spring activities, so being only 14 months younger than my brother and therefore obviously not old enough to stay at home alone, I was needed to cheer on my brother in every game (READ IN, I was drug there). Couple that with church softball leagues and I felt I spent half my life at the ballpark. Considering I was (and still am) extremely sports challenged, you just might as well have beat me with a stick. I played in the dirt, read a book (this was well before Gameboys), climbed up and down the bleachers and whined for french fries. To top it all off, my mom was generally the "TEAM MOM" so she was the number one fan, in charge of everything and officially the person to yell at my brother to "Get the lead out of your britches, honey!" For me, it was misery. At home, my lack of affinity for baseball didn't improve as our television seemed to only have one channel...TBS. That's right...Braves baseball took up permanent residence in our home, and as far as I know, still does at my parent's house. Seriously, I don't watch baseball at all until the playoffs even now, so to start watching it in pre-season all the way through the World Series is just insane! Truly, baseball didn't have any redeeming factors until high school when I was able to date my brother's teammates...but that's another story.

So my relationship with baseball was rocky until...I had a little boy of my own. A little boy who at 5 played T-ball and at 6 hit one all the way to the fence. A little boy who started at Carrigan's Rookie league in February of 2006 and whose heart for the game has made me proud ever since. Truett's not an all-star. He's usually in the bottom half of his team. He comes from a sports-challenged family and sometimes, it shows! What Truett has, though, is heart. He's the first one out when the inning begins, the first one to the dugout when it's over. He listens to his coaches, is polite and respectful, and well liked by his teammates. Every coach he's ever had has wanted him back. Truett has played on two city championship teams and won some heart-attack games. Through watching him, I finally understood the plaque that my mother had in her bedroom for many years that said "When ball season is over, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown." Now my "little" boy is 10. He's in his second year of minors, and things are really coming together. Tonight, he got a hit and a walk and scored 2 runs. His team won 13-7. Always, though, he comes away thankful he got to play. And I'm thankful that I get to watch. How different life is as a mother! I can hardly wait until Emmett and Wyatt begin little league...in 2012 and 2014. BATTER UP!

Babies Are Blessings!

Okay, now that I said that and scared my parents out of their minds...no it isn't me. But all babies truly are blessings, and my precious friend Angela delivered her sixth such blessing yesterday. Now, when a woman is expecting, she has all kinds of plans. A plan A, B, C, & D for what will happen when labor begins. My labors have been somewhat unpredictable...but all but one have "felt" like I was in control. I say that because, obviously, God is in control. Sometimes He just humors us by allowing us to think that we have some say. Yesterday when Angela woke up, I'm sure she had no idea that at 7:15 last night her little one would be born via emergency c-section and ultimately taken to the NICU in a nearby city. It was not her plan A, B, C, or D. See, our plans do not supercede those of our Father. Even when we do not understand, even when our heart hurts, even when things are upside down, He only wants us to trust Him. That may require some stretching on our part, but He is there, waiting for us to trust. Know that His plans for us are sure. They are good. And for those that love Him, everything happen to point us to Him.

We are so thankful for this new baby that we get to enjoy and invest in. My prayers are not only for her immediate safety, but for her future, that she may come to know Christ personally and be able to share Him with others.

Babies are blessings! Welcome to our world, Laurel! We are thankful that you are rapidly improving and will be home soon with your family.

Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Get your act together, It's FEBRUARY already!!!

Oh my...it seems time just flies by. I can't believe that it is February when just "yesterday" I was making Christmas photos. In the past several weeks, our septic tank has backed up (oh crap!), our frig and freezer have gone on the fritz (they're in a union, you know), the hot water heater quit...heating, and we sprung a delightful leak in our foundation in the bedroom. The frig and freezer are repaired, we're limping the septic tank along, two new heating elements in the hot water tank make for nice hot showers, and now the leak is fixed, albeit there is still no carpet in my bedroom. Life just rolls, doesn't it? God is in control even of this. As I dealt with the many challenges that arose during the week of preparation for Mary's Sweet Sixteen party, I had to just laugh at each of them. "Can it get worse?" I continued to think, always to be corrected, by YES! It could get worse. So, I chose to handle all the little bumps in my plans with as much grace as I could muster. (Yes, I did cry when there was a great possibility that the leak was under our hardwood floor; but I got past that, too.) I tend to let the little things get to me. A crabby person a Wal-Mart (and there's always at least one!), a bad driver pulling out at an in opportune time, an unknown charge on my credit card bill...all these things I could really let eat me up (and sometimes do). BUT! That's not what God wants us to do. He wants us to take it all in stride, knowing that His hand is on even this. He's been with me as I've gone through my pregnancies (including 2 losses); He's been with me as I've watched my precious sister struggle with a chronically ill child, He's been with us as we've closed our business and had to say good-bye to wonderful people whom I love dearly and have sacrificed greatly to try to keep things going. EMMANUEL. God with us. Always.

All in all, I lead a wonderful, privileged life. Not in material things, although there is plenty of that, too, but the privilege of having Jesus Christ as my Savior. The privilege of being born in this free nation. The privilege of health and a marriage that is approaching 18 years. The privilege of knowing some of the most amazing people that God has placed on this earth.

I am privileged, so I will NOT let the little things get me down. And I will do my best to not let the time be taken for granted. I will cherish the little ones in my home and appreciate the teenagers. I've only got 11 months of 2009 left! So I'd better get my act together!

Mary is 16!

It is hard to believe that 16 years and 5 hours ago, Mary entered this world as a tiny 5 lb baby. A much wanted little one...she made me what I wanted to be all my life...a Mom. We didn't know what the future held for her, we didn't know about her brain problems, we didn't know about her difficulties to learn and understand. What we knew was that God had blessed us with the most precious little one, and that she was here safely! Our hearts were full of hope and wonder at her every movement. 16 years later, our hearts are still full of hope for this young lady. Sure, our dreams for her have adjusted with her discovered challenges, but we still know that her future rests in God's hands, and that no amount of labels you can stick on her will truly determine what she will be able to accomplish. Only God knows that. Our job, as parents, is to equip her to reach whatever potential she has. And I pray the ceiling continues to rise. I pray that she will learn to drive (someday...NOT NOW!). I pray that she will have a job. Most of all, I pray that she will be a wife, and that great dream that she made come true for me 16 years ago...a mother. I know without a doubt that she will be a great wife to the man that God has in mind for her. I pray that he is praying for her even now. She has so much to give, and no one should look at her as being less than a person simply because she has a mental handicap. What they should see is a beautiful young woman with a heart, that in its simplicity, loves everyone. Such blessings we have in the midst of those labeled less than "perfect." Remember that NONE of us are perfect...it is just that our handicap may be different than Mary's. It may be a sour outlook, a bad temper, a lack of compassion, an inability to see that there is good in all people. Whatever your handicap, God loves you in spite of it. And I love Mary, in spite of hers. Thank you God, for giving me this most precious gift 16 years ago. I look forward to experiencing the moments of her future as well. Happy Birthday, Mary! I love you!

2009

I can't believe the first month of 2009 is almost OVER, and I've missed it! Life at the Roberts house has been, to put it mildly, CRAZY. Did you ever feel like there MIGHT be a light at the end of the tunnel, IF you could ever get close enough to the end to see it? That's where we are. We are packing up our old office building, which is so much work in and of itself, but work that is sad, feels so much heavier. We've used every weekend since Christmas to pack up stuff, throw away stuff, and move stuff to a small storage location. If we had the energy, we could be excited about the positive changes, but the sadness of closing our "old" business and saying good bye to precious friends greatly overshadows the new opportunities. It's tiring! A New Year, indeed. Bring it on!

In the midst of all of this, we are planning for a momentous occasion. Our oldest child is turning sweet sixteen next Friday. Wow. How on earth can I be old enough to have a sixteen year old? It simply cannot be! Still, the house is being decked out in pinks and sparkles, ready for the blow out next weekend. I will reflect more on the past 16 years in another post, for now, I just marvel that it is here!

We are about to embark on another Disney adventure...my sister and her family will arrive tomorrow morning, and I will be "Tour Guide Paige" for the next couple of days. Since our Disney passes expired, much to my children's disappointment, I cannot afford to take them, but truly wanted to enjoy this time with my sister, nieces, and nephew. (My brother in law falls in there somewhere, too.) I would take every friend/family through Disney if I could, wishing that everyone would enjoy it in the way, and as much, as I do. So, in the haste of travel preparations, I now need to log off to prepare for the next few MAGICAL days.

As for my other comments to start off this new year, I continue to trust that God is in control of all of this, and He will provide for our family as well as for those that we love. This new year can bring great hope, not in our governmental leadership, but rather in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who remains constant and true.

God bless you all...HAPPY HAPPY JOYOUS NEW YEAR!!

2008 Roberts Family Christmas Letter

I know that most of you reading this would GET our Christmas letter, but for those of you who don't...here is our year snapshot.

Dear Family and Friends,

This is my very first Christmas letter! I always enjoy everyone’s updates, so I decided that it was time to try my own. 2008 has been a busy year (as every year is when you have 6 children!) filled with wonderful events as well as some sadness that comes with life.


We began our year with the Anderson clan at our house for our Christmas after Christmas. We thoroughly enjoyed having both of my siblings and their families here, as well as my Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad stayed for an extended period, visiting friends throughout Florida. Wyatt began crawling, Mary turned 15, and Truett began his 3rd year of baseball.




February was relatively uneventful (it is one of the few months we have no birthdays!) with a day trip to Disney the only thing of note. Our Christmas gift was Florida seasonal passes to Disney, so that offered more opportunities for visits to our (well, MY) favorite place on earth.

At the end of February, I reunited with my 2 best friends from college, Valerie (Tanner) Gaines and Deborah (Jankowski) Donaldson for a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas. It is always a precious time with these friends who can pick up as if a day hasn’t passed (even though we are 9 children and 20 years beyond our college days).

In March we added another Teenager to our house as Bradlee celebrated her 13th birthday with an elegant dinner party for her friends. We pulled it off with help from my sister-in-law, Amy, who cooked a wonderful menu that Bradlee planned herself.
We celebrated Easter at our home church, Community Bible Church of Ocala. We have been a part of this church plant since 2005 and prayerfully hired a pastor who started serving in Ocala in June. Pastor Matt McGuire and his wife, Christy, have been a huge blessing to our little church family.

Spring brought Whitney’s 12th birthday and a camping trip to Fort Wilderness at Disney World. Mary rode in the Special Olympics equestrian event for our county, finishing first in her English Equitation class and 5th in her trail class (due to a very uncooperative pony!). She qualified for the State games as well but did not participate.


All 3 girls danced in the ballet “Jacob’s Ladder” in May, completing their 5th year with Dance Divine and Light of Joy Ballet company. Mom and Dad came to watch, and Bradlee & Whitney went home with them for a 2-week visit. We met back up with Mom & Dad in Gatlinburg and had a relaxing vacation with them and my niece, Sarah. We also celebrated Wyatt’s first birthday on June 7, with him taking his first steps just a few days before.

Summer was quiet with no baseball or ballet, and my personal highlight was 10 weeks of horseback riding lessons taken at Mary’s school. It had been a long time since I had been riding on a regular basis, and I recruited my friend Deirdre to enjoy the adventure with me. It was so much fun. In August, the kids and I traveled to Virginia to celebrate my mom’s 70th birthday with all of her family, and everyone but Ben was able to come. While we all missed him, it was a great time. School began in full swing at the beginning of August, with Mary beginning high school, Bradlee in 8th, Whitney in 7th, and Truett in 4th. Homeschooling continues to go well as we enjoy our time together.

Mary competed at a horse show in September for exceptional students, riding independently and placed well. Emmett celebrated his 3rd birthday with a day at Hollywood Studios in Disney World. He continues to make us smile daily with his antics.
We also took an opportunity to enjoy the flexibility of our homeschool schedule; travel time with Daddy to Georgia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where we met up again with Mom & Dad while Ben attended a Christian School conference.

In October, I celebrated a milestone of my own, turning the grand age of 40. My fine plan was to be at Disney World on my birthday…and that is exactly where we were. We had a wonderful time with several extra magical moments throughout the day. It was our year to stay in Florida for Thanksgiving, so we headed to the Roberts Farm in Polk City and enjoyed Jerry & Karen’s hospitality, riding 4-wheelers, and playing paint ball.

As we end this year, with tears we are closing the doors of our company here in Ocala. Abundant Funds Ministries will now exist as a division of Signature Fundraising, based out of Lancaster, California. We are excited about the new opportunities that will allow Ben, his brother, and our sales staff to continue with the jobs they love, but equally saddened by the loss of jobs for our local employees, several of whom have been with us for over 10 years and are like family to us. We will miss the regular contact with them and pray for great new opportunities for them in the future. The Christian Collection fundraising program for Christian schools that we have developed with great care and precision over the last 18 years, will continue under the Signature umbrella, and we are so blessed that God has brought this company into our path. They are likeminded with us in our business as well as spiritual philosophy, and we will look forward to the coming changes and opportunities.

With all joys seem to come sadness, and while we have been blessed with healthy children and parents this year, I have also lost an aunt and an uncle. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, please take time to hold your family close. If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please take the time to reflect on this season as one of great blessing and great sacrifice. Truly the greatest gift ever given was wrapped in swaddling clothes. Marvel at the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Thank you all for your prayers for our family as we have difficult decisions this year. And thank you for the wonderful blessing of your friendship with us. For those of you who are far away, we always delight in visits from you as you pass through our beautiful state, and for those of you who live close, we are thankful for the regular contact that we are able to have with you. Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas.

In Christ,
Paige
(& on behalf of Ben, Mary, Bradlee, Whitney, Truett, Emmett & Wyatt)