A Magical, Miraculous Day...

Today we sit in the afterglow of a magical, miraculous day...

Where to begin?

Leah, Lucas, and Zach were talking this afternoon... "that was the best wedding we have ever been to"... "that was so much fun"... Leah... "I want my wedding to be just like that"...

It wasn't perfect... but it was such a peace-filled, beautiful, fun, emotional, love-filled, joyful day... full of healing... hope... promises for the future...

The Bible says in Isaiah 61...

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
       to bestow on them a crown of beauty
       instead of ashes,
       the oil of gladness
       instead of mourning,
       and a garment of praise
       instead of a spirit of despair.
       They will be called oaks of righteousness,
       a planting of the LORD
       for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and restore the places long devastated;
       they will renew the ruined cities
       that have been devastated for generations.

What true words.  Words that describe what God has done in my sister's life.

I missed an opportunity.  At the last minute the maid of honor decided she didn't want to give a "speech"... Lana said, "do you want to do it?"  My immediate, impulsive, spur-of-the-moment reaction was, NO!  I laid in bed last night, wishing I had said yes... 

So what would I have said?  I would have said these verses above... (but since I don't know them by heart, that wouldn't have worked very well!)  But, since we are just pretending anyway... I would have said those verses... and I would have said that my sister used to be a very happy, trusting, loving, joyful person... she was giving, smiley, and full of hope for a future...

Then I watched, helplessly,along with everyone else, as life took those things all away from her.  Years past, when I don't remember ever seeing my sister smile.  I didn't know how she was surviving.  And I questioned God on why these things were happening to her, the one who did things like she was supposed to, married a Christian man, and put God first, sought His will for her life... Why?

We prayed.  We prayed.  We prayed.  We prayed. 

The circumstances went from bad to worse... worse to yet worse... yet worse to even worse...

Divorce.

Pain.

Unbelievable hurt.

Then after years and years of watching her suffer... of praying for her... of trying to help her... my own life crashed in.

Suddenly we were in the same, but very different circumstances.

Suddenly we were both divorced.  We were both so hurting, we went through a season that we couldn't even speak to each other without hurting the other.

Healing is a slow process... and slowing things began to heal.

Ben came into Lana's life.  She was full of doubts at first... and so was I.

No one wanted to see Lana hurt again.  Not to mention her kids.

When we went to Florida this past March, I finally found peace about her relationship with Ben. 

And when I was taking their pictures for their wedding... my heart realized that the sister I had lost all those year ago had risen up from the depths of the ashes...

This was my favorite of the pictures I took that day...

My sister is so happy.  God brought oil of gladness to her instead of mourning.

My heart began to explode with the joy of God's miracle.

At the end of the day yesterday... she came to me and thanked me for all my help... All I could say with my whole heart was that I wouldn't have had it any other way... and I wouldn't have... I am so thankful that I didn't let the enemy and his evil come in and rob me of sharing in this beautiful day with my sister, her new husband, and their children... what a gift...

Pam

It's Wedding Day!!

I just had to take a moment and post!  I know, I don't have time!!  But, too bad!! 

Last night went really well for Kiahna!  Keep praying she does it today!!  (she had a long nap yesterday, and was very good...today there will not be nap) 

(Zach was taking pictures... sorry)

Kiahna and Kaitlyn...

 

Livia and Leah...

Jadon just happened to eat dinner beside the guy that I walk out with... and he just happened to ask the guy if he was going to marry his mom... UHG!!  The guy is single... ;)  10 years younger than me... and has a great sense of humor (THANK GOD!!!)

Oh, and see where we have to stand during he ceremony??

Pray we don't fall off that skinny little step!! 

My emotions are pretty at the surface... tears come easily...

Standing on a little step...

Good Gracious God Help me!!!

When it is all said and done... these two will be married... and life can find some sort of normalcy (a new one yet again) for our family...

(funny how Zach got such a good picture of that!!!!)

Lana's kids...  lots of changes... they are very involved in the ceremony... it is so sweet... giving their mom away... lighting a family unity candle... with them as the kneel during the prayer... all walking out together... precious...

Thanks so much for your prayers all over the place today!  We need them! All of us!! 

...I'm sweating a nervous sweat just typing this out!

Pam

Incredibly blessed...

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!  Just going to post a few pictures of our day... and then we are off to finish our whirl-wind week...

... my sister got moved into their new house...

...Kiahna's hair is done... now pray that she walks down the aisle with that basket of flower petals... it's going to take a MAJOR miracle...all the nieces are "flower girls" (not standing in front though, just covering the aisle in petals)

...a million other things accomplished...

...Thanksgiving... where I am moved to tears for my abundant blessings...

...such cute blessings... a little strange though...  ;)

...back into the whirlwind... decorating in the morning, rehearsal tomorrow evening... hair done Saturday morning... wedding at 5:30 Saturday...

...I asked the kids to just sit on the couch for 3 days... and not move... so far... they are failing miserably... we'll make it... right???? 

...Sunday... crash... oh, and return to the world of blogging!! 

Missing you all!!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!  Hoping you all had a wonderful day... no matter what...

Praise the LORD.

       How good it is to sing praises to our God,

       how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

       he gathers the exiles of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted

       and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars

       and calls them each by name.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

       his understanding has no limit.

Psalm 147: 1-5

Pam

Not Me Monday

It's "Not Me Monday" again... Playing along with McKMamma's, Cheaper than Therapy, blog carnival... ;)

One of my daughters did not tear up the other daughter's journal.  Nope.  She wouldn't do that. 

We didn't consider purchasing this book for said daughter... Nope... And my older daughter did not recommend I take a picture of it for my blog...

None of my children ever lock their keys in the car... twice... in one week... nope.  Not my child!

The door did not mysteriously lock, and James was not banging on the door and calling to wake me up at midnight... and he didn't wake up and scare Leah... who didn't come get me up, alarmed that "someone is banging on the door!"... Nope... not here.

No one has ever written on anything outside of the usual paper in my house.  Nope.  Not on my sheets.  Didn't happen.

My child did not run outside in the snow with bare-feet.  Nope.  It's way too cold for that...

None of my children pooped in their pants in church yesterday... Nope.  They didn't clean it up themselves and try to hide the evidence, and the whole bathroom didn't smell awful, inspiring an impromptu scrubbing... and that is most defiantly not the only way my bathroom gets cleaned these days.  I have a schedule.  Really.  I just haven't been able to find it for a few years... Nope, Not me.

And while we are not on the subject of bodily fluids... Kiahna does not inspect the toilet every time she uses it for "boy pee"... and she is not hilarious as she cleans it off and complains about it... ;)  Nope.  Not at all.

It was not 16 degrees outside the other night, and we did not get TP-ed...

People don't go TP-ing in that kind of weather... Nope, Not here.

We didn't put up our Christmas tree last night... and 1/2 the lights are not broken.  Nope.  Our tree does not have the top unlit and decorated.  I won't be buying more lights today.  Undecorating the tree and redecorating it again.  Why would I do that?  Nope, Not me.

I did not have a conversation with my daughter that went like this...

Kiahna:  I know what Kendra (her doll) starts with "Khhh"

Me:  Yes, just like you!

Kiahna:   And Kendra is brown, just like me.

Me:  You are so beautiful.

Kiahna:  Yeah, I'm cute being brown.

Nope... didn't have that conversation. 

And, I am not taking the week off of my computer... No.  That can't be.  Not me.  And none of the coming week has me feeling the least bit anxious.  No, I am not praying for much grace and strength... as we have Thanksgiving and my sister's wedding (and we are still moving her into their new house!)... nope, no anxiety here.

I won't miss you all dreadfully, and probably break my resolve and be back here again very soon, because I have low self control and the computer just sucks me in every time I pass by it... Nope.  Not me!

Pam

a little "Sunshine"

Tonight James and is at a formal dinner and dance, The Sunshine Banquet, with his girlfriend Alisen...  I went over to her parent's house (along with much of her family!) to take pictures...

Young and Beautiful.  Whew... it's scary!

Blessings and Purity upon them.  God's plan and purpose and best for them both. 

I know lots of the pictures are the same... these were my favorites, so I played with them on Picnik. 

Next Saturday the whole family will be all dressed up!

Pam

YOUR Gonna Miss This...Moment... Week 12

This week I am going to make my moment about snow...  Don't throw any at me if you are a snow hater!  I don't become a snow hater until about March... then it gets old.  I am blessed to be able to live where the snow doesn't turn brown in a day.  It just lays in it's natural state... where the beauty of God's creation give me cause to praise Him... again.

We grow up and many times lose our wonder at snow.  I've done my share of complaining... don't get me wrong... I have to live on one of the messiest, bumpiest roads in the country in the winter.  Gravel roads that they don't re-stone because the snow plows will just throw them off again... full of horrible pot holes that don't get filled until spring... my van is consistently muddy.  No, not the best time of year for my road.

But, it is so beautiful...

It snowed here most of the day yesterday... I caught Jadon and his friend out running in the huge flakes... bare foot...

I LOVE this... who does that?  Runs outside, barefoot, arms raised to catch the beauty of the flakes?  Only a child I am afraid... I will miss this...

And yet, I hold a glimmer of hope... and maybe, just maybe, (with shoes ;)) I could lift my hands in wonder and praise the next time it snows... maybe...

Do you suppose that is the child like faith the Bible speaks of? 

Pam

I hope you play along with me this week.  If you are don't know the guidelines for this blog carnival, you can read them here!  I love reading all the moments you all capture and share with us!  I hope that every else does too!  If you go visit the blogs that link up, don't forget to leave them some comment love!! 

'round the house...

So, time to catch you up on the many activities of this busy house!!

Basketball season began this week...

Zach is starting on his 8th grade team this year.  I am working with my camera, trying figure out how to get the best pictures... They have had two games so far.  Won one and lost one.

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I finally finished my kitchen cabinets!!!!!  It's only taken me two and a half months!  It has been the topic of many a Tackle it Tuesday Post!

AFTER, FINISHED!!  DONE!!  WHOO-HOO!!!!

There is a hope of new countertop coming soon!  A friend has offered to purchase and install one for us! 

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It happened again.  I was sure that my electric bill was late and overdue.  I got the bill yesterday.  When I opened it, it showed a credit!  Someone has paid my bill!  Over two months worth!!

ARE YOU PRAISING GOD WITH ME!!??!!!!!!!!!!

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My child who was struggling a few days ago, seems to think that the situation is resolved... I doubt it.  But, we'll keep walking through and prayin...

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I plan on visiting a new preschool with Kiahna next week.  She is doing pretty well.  Believing for miracles. 

Meanwhile, we are working on redoing her hair.  It has never been such a long process for me.  One braid at a time.  I am not even going to tell you how long some of these braids have been in... uhg.

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I can't make any promises on how much time I'll be having to blog this next week.  My sister's wedding is next Saturday... so besides, Thanksgiving, 2 basketball games, helping her move, finishing these braids, oh and let's not forget taking some time to just be quiet... yeah... I may see you next week... or maybe not!   But, the week after, I hope that I will have lots of great moments to share with you all!! 

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I thank you all for your amazing support and encouraging comments (and e-mails, phone calls, etc)  You are all such a blessing to me.

Pam

Trying to keep it real...

It is challenging sometimes to keep things real... wouldn't' you say?  First of all, we don't really like the reality we are living in.  Second, people can get hurt when we share the reality, as we see it.  And third, sometimes reality scares people away... and then again... sometimes it draws them in.

Does it scare you to bits to know the reality that my family and I have endured?  I was told once by a friend, that I was living out her worst nightmare, and that it made it hard for awhile to talk to me. 

Last week when I was so down... did it discourage you from reading?  Do you think that you dreaded coming and hearing what I had to say, because it was so full of pain?

Pain is part of our lives.  We all experience it.  We all get down.  Discouraged.  Frustrated.  Pretending like we don't is completely unrealistic.

Recently, one of my children had a conversation with a person that could not grasp the magnitude of what our family deals with.  This person told my child that they should be more positive.  More upbeat.  Work harder.  Do more.  My child did not measure up.

My child came home and was devastated.  It all snowballed in their mind.  It all became so much bigger than it was... and all the future problems came crashing down... all the what if's... all the unknowns... all the potential failures... all the inadequacies... all the doubts... all the pain.

You know what?  I listened to this child for 45 minutes... and tried to offer my support... and I had this incredible peace.   I have been in the place my child was so many times... I was just there last week... and I have every confidence that the SAME GOD who lifted this child out of a pit of mire, will lift that child out of a pit of mire... and HE will use this to bring healing and hope back into my child's life... same as HE has done for me... over and over again...

Do I want to become angry at this person for saying what they did?  Yes.  Should I?  Maybe?  Will it help?  No. 

I told my child that this person cannot understand.. this person has never been there. 

I told my child that they CAN understand... because they have been there...

Which is better?

Lord God Almighty... I am reminded today to pray.  To pray for my children to survive this season in our lives.. and for YOU to bring good out of all that has been intended for evil.  I can't do this... but YOU can.  I can't heal their pain.  YOU can.  I can't stop people from saying things that are wrong... but YOU can bring life lessons and help my children realize what NOT to say... YOU can make my children into sensitive, passionate, forgiving, loving, restored, adults... people who are not shallow or unaware... but are aware of life's pain, and YOUR ABILITY TO CARRY US THROUGH THE WORST OF THE WORST...

...and,as hard as it is.... I pray again for the father of these children... I pray blessing... I pray for eyes to be open... for YOUR angels to come and minister to him... in his sleep, in his depression, in every area of his life... bring the promised restoration... I believe YOU for it.

Thank YOU... In JESUS Name... Amen.

Pam

Wordless Wednesday...

...with words... 

Our trip to Chicago...

Leah and I beside the bus... just arriving...

In front of the American Girl Doll Store (where we would spend much of the day!)

American Girl's Christmas Display Window...Leah, Livia, & Kaitlyn (cousins)

Leah looking at the Nelly and Samantha display... she has the Nelly Doll.

Watching the ladies do dolls hair... 

The place setting at the American Girl Restaurant, where we had lunch... the bow is for your hair!

Leah and I ready for lunch...

Our whole table...

Appetizers...

Leah and her doll having hot chocolate...

Leah helping Nelly with what she couldn't finish!

Leah with her lunch... Tic-Tac--Toe PIzza...

My lunch, some sort of chicken pasta...

DESSERT!!!!  Pudding in the flower pot, cake cut out like a heart, and star cookie...

Leah eating dessert...

Grandma and the granddaughters...

Grandma and the daughters... (Me, Sally, Mom, Lana, and Allison)

A book we found that we decided Kiahna needed, Leah told me I needed to take a picture of it for my blog... ;)

Gorgeous Dolls that I wish I could trust Jadon and Kiahna with, because I know they would love them... but think... picture before this... uh-huh...

Leah, pouting... wanting me to get her some pj's... which I had already done, but am saving for Christmas...

Leah and the lego man... weird...

That's it!!  We had a great day! 

Pam