Answered prayers

Recently we discussed the possibility of me needing to go back to work outside the home in the evenings because the ends were no longer meeting. This is not something we really wanted but were willing to do what ever we needed to. I prayed for God to send us the answer and to lead me where I need to be to help with our families finances and he delivered as he always does. I have a new full time charge starting on Monday...praise be to God! God has sent us a new friend named Rome. He is 5 and will be here full time until he starts Kindergarten in the fall. This will also help this summer since I will be loosing my two other full time kids. I have seen so many horrible stories of families loosing their homes and are living on the streets, in tent cities and in shelters that are full beyond capacity. But for the grace of God..., This could happen to anyone of us today. We give all the glory to God for our health, desire, ability to be able to work and have the employment to meet our responsibilities.

Random Emily Pictures

Here are some random Emily pictures from the last couple of months that I haven't posted. She is growing at an alarming rate and so his her vocabulary!! She keeps us going that's for sure!! Enjoy.

Camping in the living room

We started our morning today camping. We made a tent out of Emily's comforter from her bed. Here are a couple pictures of Emily and our friend Sadie in the "tent". They are too cute!!

My birthday prayer

O God of new beginnings and wonderful surprises, thank you for the gift of a new year. May it be a time of grace for me, a time to grow in faith and love, a time to renew my commitment to following Your Son, Jesus. May it be a year of blessings for me, a time to cherish my family and friends, a time to renew my efforts at work, a time to embrace my faith more fully. Walk with me, please, in every day and every hour of this new year. Above all, may I remeber this year that I am a pilgrim on the sacred path to you. Amen.

This was given to us at church for the New Year, but I feel it is also an appropriate prayer at the start of my new year.

Jackson Grabow

Jackson Grabow 24 months old little boy who recently had a brain tumor removed and is now undergoing intensive chemo therapy to battle the cancer. A fundraiser is being held to help the family with the medical expenses.

Spaghetti dinner 6-8:00/ Silent auction 6-8:30/Raffles all night/live entertainment and karaoke.

When: Saturday 2/21/09 6-10 PM

Where: McHenry VFW 3002 W Rte 120 McHenry

Cost: $10 for adults and $8 for children

Donations can also be made at the Amcore bank in McHenry for Jackson Grabow.

WWW.caringbridge.org/visit/jacksongrabow

Thank you

I have be meaning to post a huge thank you to my very thoughtful and loving husband for the beautiful roses he sent me for Valentine's Day last week. We were not able to spend much time together last Saturday, but he wanted to make sure I knew how much I am loved and appreciated. Thank you Gary, I love you too!!

More prayers needed

Last Friday I reported Kale was well enough to return home and he did. By Sunday afternoon he had taken a turn for the worse and was re-admitted to Lutheran General. He now has full blown pnuemonia. Poor little guy is still very sick and needs all our prayers. Please keep Kale, Amy and Jeff in you thoughts and prayers!!!

Baby Kale is going home

Amy called this afternoon and Kale is well enough to go home today. He is still very ill and will need suctioning of his lungs at home for awhile. Amy's mom will be here to help her while Amy and Jeff return to work next week. We continue to pray for Kale's improving condition!! Thank you all for your prayers over this past week.

Baby Kale update

I just spoke with Kale's mom, Amy and Kale has had some improvement. He is still on oxygen and feeding tubes. The doctor's are still not giving him anything orally. If his levels stay at 60 or below Amy can start to feed him tomorrow. Please keep this sweet baby and his family in your prayers that he continues to improve. Amy's mom is coming in from N. Carolina to help with the baby. Hopefully he will return here in 2 weeks. WE MISS AND LOVE YOU BABY KALE!!

I was mistaken about the hospital, Kale was transferred to Lutheran General yesterday not Good Shepard.

Prayer request

Please be in prayer for my little buddy Kale. Kale is 12 weeks old and I started baby-sitting him about 3 weeks ago. Over this past weekend Kale developed RSV. He was hospitalized at Good Shepard yesterday evening. I am not sure of his condition today, but the next time I speak to his mom I will post any developments on his condition. This is my friend Amy and her husband Jeff's first baby. Please pray that God holds this family in his care and grace during this difficult time.

Emily-ism

Every Sunday we need to be at church at 9 AM for Sunday school. Gary comes along and will hang around until his greeting duties start at 9:45. He will either sit in the parlor or in the nursery. Yesterday he was in the nursery alone and he heard what he thought sounded like Emily cough. Then he heard a group of little foot steps running toward the nursery. He got up and looked out the door and there he saw our little Emily leading the group of three that managed to escape the Sunday School classroom and three teachers! Not far behind was Miss Linda trying to corral her flock back to the class room. Fourantly they ran right for the nursery and Gary. What a sight this must have been to see. When Gary and I met for service and he told me what happened I really couldn't help but burst out in laghter. Only our little Emily!

Message from Church

This is what I walked away with from Church today. I know I heard a lot more but this is what stuck. I need to be reminded of this from time to time...

The gift that God is offering is available out of love to everyone. It is a gift not only of quantity (eternity) of life but the quality of life.

What am I doing to improve the quality of my life and the lives of the ones I love?

Cabin Fever

I am not sure about anyone else but I have had just about enough of winter that I can handle! I have never really complained about winters here in Illinois because I choose to stay and live here. This is my home and winter comes every year at the same time, this is no surprise. That being said, the last two winters have pretty much taken it's toll don't you think? I can't remember winters being this cold and snowy and lasting so long. Are the winters really more intolerable or, and here goes, am I just getting OLD! Now Spring will come around and then Summer and we will enjoy all the activities these two seasons bring. Then Autumn will be upon us and there is really no season prettier than Fall in the midwest. I will then be axniously waiting for the beauty of the first snow fall and hoping for a white Christmas. I am insane! So I guess I just needed to vent my cabin fever and get it out of my system and yes I do feel much better. God truly blesses us with having four beatiful seasons to enjoy each year. March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, I am looking forward to greeting that lamb this year!!