We are on our last night of our 3rd VBS and we have one more to go. As usual I am getting tired of VBS's. The next thing on our list is to go to the County Fair. Where we are entering a pygmy goat as a show goat. Can't wait to be done with that project too. Sammi is going to be putting the finishing touches on her clover bud project. Then homeschool starts the 29th. We are going with a new curriculum this year K12. Beth is also starting Spanish but somehow I want to include the whole family in her language class.

There have been many losses lately of people dying, 3 in one week that I knew. So it has been a long week. 2 of them were known Christians, one was not really sure. Though it was known that the opportunities were available for that person to meet Jesus, nothing concrete about whether or not the choice was made. It has made my heart feel very heavy.

Missing my Aunt Teresa even though knowing she has no more pain. And that her and Mom and Grandpa are together again. It seems as though God keeps taking the people but I am having a hard time replacing their relationships in my life. I wonder if this is how Elisha felt when Elijha went to heaven. That the responsiblity of praying for people has fallen into his lap and that it is a heavy mantle/duty.

And of course with any passing I think of my Earl. I had a dream the other night that he was standing in a garden and had a white 3 piece suit on. I laughed and told him that 'only Jesus could get you to wear a tie'. He just kept saying "It's gonna be all right Baby Girl". I was telling him that 'they just keep leaving'. And he would answer me. Wasn't a long dream but in its own way a good one.

My oldest daughter Beth is old enough this year to be in the regular 4-H at the fair. She choose to do a pygmy goat. The picture below is the first picture of when we brought her home. And the picture also explains why there is a $100 goat pen out back with the little "darling" in it. Molly a.k.a."goat pest" decided that the fun thing to do would be standing and jumping in and out of her water bucket.

The fair is a month away and we have been 3x's a day walking the goat (which gets some pretty weird looks from people driving their cars) It seems to be working. She knows when we bring out the leash that it is time to work and I don't make her work very long. Just trying to get her leash trained. Hoping that all the work would let Sammi know that maybe animals is not the way to go for 4-H, she has happily told me that she wants to do rabbits. Thankfully that will be in 3 years, gives me time to save up the money. Sammi is a Cloverbud and is going to build a cow girl and horse out of terracotta pots. We are also making a killing jar for insects and then doing a display of things that we have found in nature.

I am using Ohio Virtual Academy for our homeschooling curriculum this year. Beth is excited about getting to do some of the work on the computer. In the meantime I am trying to get Sammi's IEP updated so that the school will know where to place her.

Suzy is improving with her speech though expressive language is still a problem. We have enjoyed going to our library's reading program this summer. Last week they got to talk about the civil war and what kind of food and medicine was used during that time. The girls were all excited to tell me that if we have bug bites and don't have any medicine for it we can use Mint toothpaste because that is the equivalent to what they used during the civil war. So when we go grocery shopping next month they want to look for that kind of toothpaste to see if it works.

It has been a long time since I blogged. I have spent so much time on Facebook. But since I get such encouragment from other blogs I decided I should try to do both. We have been on vacation to Myrtle Beach

We went to Aligator Adventures...

We went fishing on the pier... or should I say attempted to fish, the fish were uncoperative..

Suzy in the rocking chairs at the front of the hotel...

I also found another blog. Happily Domestic. And they are having a contest for a conservative swimming suit. I would love one for the girls. The only problem I see with that is they grow so quick that it won't fit next year and they run about $40 and up. But winning one would be great. haha

Someone is Missing at Christmas by Anne Cochran

To all those that I am missing this year. From friends, to Mom's, to my loving husband Earl.
I love you and miss you all.

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below

With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear

For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear

But the sounds of music can’t comparewith the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,

For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart

But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear.

And be glad I’m spending Christmaswith Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.

I sent you each a memory of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold

It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do

For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear

Remember, I am spending Christmaswith Jesus Christ this year

(by Author Unknown)

Would have been 17 years today.

I have been thinking about in Esther 4:14b ...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

There have been many times that I thought that another time period would have suited me more. But lately I have been considering Esther and that she was put there for that time. It has made me wonder what I have been put here for this time. There are things that come to mind, but I am thinking along the spiritual aspect. I know that it probably won't be for saving a group of people like Esther. However I want to make sure that I am ready and willing to be there for just one. I feel very consumed with day to day living, taking care of my girls, that I have found my self going days without really praying and without devotions. Not even realizing it until days have gone by or I'm in bed lights out when it comes to mind. So I have begun to write a scripture on Facebook every day and then I am in the word and I have my devotions. Though taking care of my family is important so is being an example of Godliness and teaching them. I don't think that I will be ready for any "Esther" duties if I haven't studied, or talked to my Father.

So what's been happening in your spiritual life this month?