Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday -

It's Friday, and I am glad. We have a busy weekend ahead of us, but it is a different kind of work.

This morning, Tom will welcome the washing machine repair man :( - to fix our washing machine. Then, he will be taking Aleya to a friend's house for the day (and night). Then, he heads for work.

We are cleaning out our stuff for spring cleaning this weekend (yea!), and putting it all on the curb Monday night.

Tom is working on Sunday School tomorrow.

Kayren is in Grove City visiting Kyrie Jo.

Jathan is doing well, though the church service isn't very good on base and he isn't allowed to leave base. Please pray for him spiritually as he seeks to be constant without a lot of encouragement from the base church.

We are trying to make Jathan's graduation (May 15th). Anyone who would like to come would be welcome. It will be at Ft Knox. If you want to come, please let me know. I need to send you a copy of the letter that allows you to get on base for it.

Our Lord is faithful and gives us strength for the upcoming day. I am very thankful for that!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Tom left yesterday morning for presbytery in St Louis.  They traveled until 4 or 5 I guess.  They were able to attend a conference last night on John Calvin.  Tom said that it was excellent.  Mr. Vennema gave it, and Tom was so encouraged by his balanced view.  I guess Mr Vennema pointed out that Calvin wasn't perfect, and gave lots of history about him.  In the end though, Tom said that you appreciated Calvin's example as well as his writings so much more because of some of his struggles.  Today, the men start with the presbytery business.  They work from 8:30 in the morning until 9 at night with two short breaks, and one lunch break.  Sometimes it sounds like it would be a vacation, but I think not.  It is a long meeting about important things, so dozing off in the middle isn't kosher.  Anyway, we are praying for Tom today.  

At home we are tying up the loose ends of spring break projects.  I'll be making a trip to Goodwill, the bank, the post office, Faith Academy, and then around town to return children to their homes.  I also need to go grocery shopping.  Hmm.  The list is building in my mind.

School starts back on Monday, and our schedules will return to normal.  Normal is nice though.  It seems easier sometimes to be in normal mode.  

Please continue to pray for Jathan at boot camp.  Write him, too, if you get the chance!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Spring Break

Spring break continues today, and just gets busier and busier.  Today, Lorien is babysitting a young boy - Curtis.  He will be spending the next three nights with us.  It has been a while since a four year old boy was around the house!  Kayren is babysitting Lilly today and tomorrow, and Aleya is having her friend Rachel over to spend the night.  Tom left for presbytery this morning, too.  Back to six kids - but without my husband.  

Somewhere in the back of my mind, it has occurred to me that spring break is supposed to be a break, but I haven't quite figured out how to make that happen. There are far too many things to do!  This morning, the furnace was not working correctly, so I had to call a repair man to fix it.  We are trying to get all the spring cleaning items ready for the one day a year that we get to throw away anything we want.  There is painting to do too, but I don't think we will manage that this time.  And, of course, the basement needs to be finished.  Ahhh.  

There is the spring paperwork - FAFSA and taxes.  It makes me think that I would like a break.  
We are very thankful for God's provisions.  He has given us so much.  Stewardship keeps us busy.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Spring Break

I just love spring break - especially when it actually feels like spring.  We are getting 50 and 60 degree weather this week!  This never means that winter is over, but the warm temps let us open windows and just bring in a wonderful freshness to the house.  

We are cleaning this week - closets, junk drawers and the garage.  Sigh.  It always feels better after it is done, than while I am anticipating it.  We get the joy of knowing that we shed ourselves of more useless stuff.  How come some stuff seems important enough to keep for so long?  Then, suddenly, it is ready for the trash.  Hmm.  I am certainly in the throwing away mood - which is good. 

Lorien got to spend the night out with a friend from Grandview.  I was glad that they were able to get together.  Lorien is babysitting a boy at the end of the week for three full days (overnight, too!)  She'll be busy.

Kayren is working on her schoolwork because she is set to fly to Grove City at the end of the month to visit Kyrie Jo.  What joys of having a job with few bills to pay!  Traveling is so much fun!

Aleya got to spend the last two nights with her friend Rachel, and she should be coming home this morning.  I am always so encouraged when the kids have formed godly friendships.  

Jathan is thriving!  He loves boot camp - how odd!   He met up with a fellow soldier who is asking questions about the Lord.  This man is now reading through his New Testament, and has started coming to church with Jathan.  

Kesse just finished her spring break with Arne and Debbie (thank you very much guys!)  She called to say that she got there, and called to say that she got back to college - soooo, I am assuming that she must have had a great time, else she would have written more.  

Kyrie is working non-stop to get all her work done (or as much as possible) before Kayren comes so that they can have a good time.  Grove City has been quite challenging, and she is working very hard on her studies.  Please pray for her!

We also are thinking of Grandmama Robinson today as she celebrates her birthday.  Happy Birthday Grandmama!  We love you!

Tom took the week off, but is working the night shift dispatching.  He is helping me on my projects :)!   He is also going to presbytery at the end of the week, so we just get Mon, Tues and Wed together. 

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Jathan's Address

Jathan's letters came yesterday and we received his address:



Specialist Thomas Robinson

3rd Platoon, Warriors

Echo Company, 1/46 IN BN

Fort Knox, KY 40121 - 5728



There is a list of things that he is NOT allowed to receive:



Please don't send candy, soda, cookies, magazines or newspapers. In fact, do not send food at all.



He is doing well, but he would absolutely LOVE to get some mail.

Monday, March 9, 2009

It was a long weekend for many reasons, but probably the hardest reason is that Cindy, of whom I wrote earlier, is no longer able to swallow very well. We are praying long and hard for the Fryes this week. We are sorrowing for the agony of the family, and the grief of losing a good friend. Please pray for them.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Aunt Carol

Mom just called a few minutes ago, and told me that my Aunt Carol was in a car wreck. She has sustained some pretty severe injuries and was taken to Syracuse for surgery. I know that she broke her pelvis, and perhaps her feet. She has had other health problems, so surgery will not be a small issue. Please pray for her.

Also, a good friend in our church is in the hospital with a minor stroke. I would ask that you pray for her as well, as she seeks to recover.

Thank you !

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Is Jathan surviving?

Yes! He is surviving! We received a letter yesterday that he had written on Sunday. They were still processing at the time, but were supposed to begin boot camp this week sometime. There was one point where he was regretting having joined, but seems to have gotten past that and is liking learning how to be a good soldier. He has very little spare time, but would love to get letters from everyone. He hasn't given us his address yet, so we are waiting on that. As soon as we get it, we can post it, and we can all write him!

We heard from Kyrie Jo, who just got back from a Gospel Team Tour. She had a wonderful time, but is having lots of studying to do now. Please pray for her as she tries to get everything done.

Kesse must be busy too. When she is swamped, she doesn't write too much, and we haven't heard from her in a week or so. She did post some very nice pictures on FB, which we really enjoyed!

Kayren, Lorien and Aleya are eager for spring. They are enjoying the warm weather, seeing the grass, and walking outside without gasping for breath. I do love the spring too.

We are ever thankful for God's blessings in our lives.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Jathan called!

Jathan called this afternoon - for 2 minutes.  He told us everything that he could in 2 minutes.  He is doing well.  The first day was crazy.  This morning the sergeant made them stand at attention for over an hour, just because he could.  He is doing well now, though they haven't started basic yet.  They have only been in reception so far.  He will be moved to basic in a couple of days, and then he will send us an address.  He said that on Sundays during basic, they are usually allowed 20 minutes of phone time.  Today, it was literally 2.  

It was great to hear his voice and know that he is doing well.  

I didn't even get the chance to tell him that Dordt had sent his deposit back.

Keep praying!  I am sure that next week will be a bit ugly.