I haven't written for a while. It has been hard to put my thoughts down in my writings. I will simply say that I and our family need your prayers as this has been one of the toughest winters we have faced, with several different factors weighing us down.
On the light side: The children and Bruce just returned from a fun filled time at the family winter tournament in Lexington, KY. They also took this opportunity to visit a famous horse farm and museum while they were there. A big thank you to Sarah, Kelsi and Hannah for sending me pics, you can view them on the left side panel! We also enjoyed a delicious roast beef dinner at Kelsi and Daniels apartment last evening, what a treat!
I spent this week at home anticipating Abby's due date which has now passed. She is scheduled for an induction on the 4th of Jan. please pray all goes well and that God's will be done. The quiet time I was able to spend at home during this time did help my spirits, however I am still fighting the shakiness, weakness, insomnia at times and fatigue. I find it very frustrating, but am trying to give it over to the Lord.
Martha came and joined me for a couple days which really encouraged me. We enjoyed the movie "UP" so much we had to share it with our parents. So we had them here for dinner and a movie and what a good time we had! They say laughter is the best medicine, well we got plenty!
But now it is back to reality and the need for the strength and wisdom to be proactive to make peace in our family. This is one of my biggest concerns for I have learned that for to long I have been a peacekeeper and not a peace maker. Keeping peace where there really is no peace is futile and exhausting. Peacemaking sometimes includes confrontation and this has always come hard to both Bruce and myself. So I have found that the Lord needs us to be strong in Him. That we need to strengthen up our feeble knees and walk the path set before us.

Snowed in, but kids are all here and having fun sledding!

The many trials we have been facing here are seeming less weighty as I am learning to turn my worries over to the Master as I realize His control over our lives and how very little control I have.
Abby is looking like she is going to burst and of course she is very uncomfortable. But through it all she is the only reliable worker at the daycare where she works and has been having a terrific attitude about her plight.
Bruce and Daniel have little to no work, as is the norm this time of year, I am hoping for something to break for them as they get cabin fever easily. I think they will probably use some of the time to go hunting.
Troy, Martha's husband could also really use prayers as he has been laid off from Harley since the spring and can not find work, he is a machinist. They have also had some threats made to them and their dog from their next door neighbor who is sure they reported him for animal cruelty, they did not but the man is quite enraged and will not listen to reason even after the warden explained there were several complaints from different sources.
I have not written much lately as I have had very little energy and still feel weak and shaky. Today was one of my best days for awhile and I am hopeful that the worst is past. Thank you again for your prayers on my behalf. The sleep studies (2 so far) leave me completely exhausted the next day, I am really hoping there will be no more, so far I have not heard the results from them, only that I don't sleep well.
I will leave you with this verse from Matthew 11:28: "Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

What a sweet Sabbath Day! Words can not express the love and kindness I have felt from my brothers and sisters in the church these past two weeks, thank you so very much, it is greatly appreciated!
God has warmed my heart through all of you and the encouragement and prayers were of great benefit! Thank you!
I am feeling somewhat better but still tremble in the legs and arms quite a bit, especially the tireder I get. I will be going for a sleep study tonight, Bruce asked the doctor to do it, I am not looking forward to it, but perhaps it will help!
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. AMEN! Gal. 1:3-5

Happy Thanksgivng Everyone!

I hope this note finds each of you with peace in your hearts and a strong hope of eternal salvation! What wondrous things we have to be thankful for from our Lord and Master!
Our family is doing ok, Abby is in her last month of pregnancy and feeling very uncomfortable. I am concerned for her as she is so small and she works long hours at a day care, many times as the only teacher.
Hannah is working as an asst. teacher at a school in Harrisburg, she seems to like the job.
The blood tests that I had, this past week, show that I am dealing with a chronic form of mono/Epstein Barr virus. It does not go away as quickly as regular mono. It causes me to tremble in the legs and arms and feel very weak and light headed. I am just learning about it. The doctor gave me a shot of B12, and told me to double up on vitamins. He also ordered a sleep study to be done next week. He explained that if I can get a better nights sleep I won't be as fatigued during the day and it will help recovery. He also explained that stress is a big factor and must be reduced! I am trying to learn how to reduce the stress but that is not all that easy.
So as this weekend continues I hope and pray that you, along with me and my family, will find rest and comfort in the Lord Our Mighty King who has everything under His control! Amen

I haven't written lately because of an illness I have been dealing with. This is the 11th day of low grade fevers ranging from 99.8 F to 100.2F and swollen glands throughout my body. It leaves me exhausted and fatigued, so I have been doing the necessary tasks of the day and then resting. I have started an antibiotic as well. The doctor is not sure whether I have an infection or if there is another cause so he is running some other tests in the meantime.
Our Sabbath was filled with activity. Ross Jutsum, an accomplished pianist and Christian song writer was here from California. We had something going from 9AM till 9PM, enjoyable but tiring day.
Anna's birthday was very nice, I enjoyed having my parents and Martha & Troy and our children here for a turkey dinner. Bob and Grayson came to share some cake and Anna was happy to have her friend help her open presents.
Hannah and Abby are now both working almost full time, Abby is working at a daycare, Hannah is working as an asst. teacher at an elementary school.
I will sign off with these words from Romans 12, Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Just a quick note to say all is going better here. Thank you for your prayers. The days are filled with schoolwork, housework and other work.
Samuel got a pretty nasty infection in his mouth from the wisdom teeth extraction, I took him to the dentist today and he gave him antibiotics. He looks like a chipmunk with a nut in his cheek again, and it is pretty painful, poor guy.
I hope your week is going well and that Christ's will is being done in your life!

The weekend proved to be relaxing and refreshing. Sabbath was a blessing with a good worship service and potluck and then a good nap for Bruce in the afternoon as all the children were busy and either away or home reading or such but quiet. I spent the time reading and relaxing, which I greatly appreciated.
Sunday we had a beautifully relaxing hike around a lake in York Co. and then went to dinner with my parents and then to their home for more time to talk and laugh.
Life has been quite stressful, but we find Christ giving us bits of refreshment along the way to keep us going with a song in our heart of hope for His soon coming kingdom!

I hope you all are doing well! Most everyone here is healthy. Samuel is healing from mouth surgery, although he looks like a chipmunk his spirits are good. I am experiencing some sinus trouble. I am concerned that I aggrivated the condition by breathing in some clorox spray I was using in a tight space. The headaches and face pressure are extremely painful and inflamed.
Please pray for our family, we seem to be going through a lot of trials and stress and it doesn't seem to end. The stress only seems to compound. We are trying to focus on God's will in each situation and praying for discernment and direction. Although Bruce's health is a concern he is making decisions to deal with it and moving forward.
Our children are our biggest concern at this time. Satan certainly knows he has but a short time.
Thank you for your prayers on our behalf. May God give you peace and contentment as you follow His will.

What a beautiful weekend! We had a great worship service with an excellent message about the passage of Jesus walking on the water. It was pouring with rain outside as he gave the sermon both in Harrisburg and then in the Poconos, how fitting to speak about storms of life on a day like this! The drive up to the Poconos was mostly free from rain, and what a gorgeous trip with the fall splendor surrounding us as we glided from mountain to mountain on our ride up north.
We slept in the camper last night because of Anna's persistent pleas. It was so peaceful we ended up sleeping till 9:30 this morning. Bruce said he felt so good after a sound night's rest!
We woke to such a beautiful sky and birds celebrating as they called from tree to tree!

Bruce's health is still a heavy concern, he bled some again over the weekend after having stomach discomfort. The doctor's office called Thursday to say that the polyps that were removed were precancerous. We are still waiting to hear if any more polyps need to be removed.

Samuel is to have his wisdom teeth cut out tomorrow morning, they are impacted. I am hoping that he doesn't suffer to much, he is not one to complain much!

I hope you are all healthy and enjoying these beautiful fall days. What a beautiful blessing they are!

Life has been a bit hard here. Bruce had a colonoscopy Tuesday, and they found lots of polyps. They did biopsies and should know more next week. The doctor had me very concerned at first, he said Bruce bled hard from the one biopsy and I may have to take him back to the hospital if it didn't stop by the afternoon. Thankfully it did stop bleeding and Bruce was fine. Although he was extremely loopy for the rest of the day, the kids thought it was funny, but it concerned me. I suppose he is not used to medications as he rarely takes even a Tylenol and then having lost blood made him especially groggy.
Sarah has been giving me major grief about cyber school and when I went into her grade book online I found she was extremely behind in her classwork and has not been honest with me. She has stated several times that she is going to make my life "a living hell". And went as far as to write it out on a piece of paper by the computer.

One very upbeat event, that has also helped Sarah's emotions, is the purchase of a 30 foot 2004 RV. We finally were able to get it here yesterday and the children think it is great! We bought it for a really good price from a friend of Bruce's Dad. The owners are moving into an assisted living facility and are selling almost everything. We were able to buy it with out borrowing any money and we count it a very nice blessing. The lady left it with everything in it and more.

Abby is getting very large and uncomfortable, she has included Hannah into her confidences and it has been beautiful to see Hannah care for her and attend her appointments. They also hope to go to birthing classes together, Hannah is planning to be Abby's birth partner during labor and delivery.

I have not had much time to write, so I hope this catches you up on things. It was kind of sweet yesterday as I was at our family doctors who we have known for over 20 years. He talked with me for about a half hour and when I went to leave he gave me a big bear hug. I think he can see the stress and understands.
I thought a lot about that and how we need a hug of encouragement now and then to keep us from totally falling to pieces. God helps in this way, as we confide our inner most worries and concerns to Him for He really does care.

I spent a beautiful fall day at Martha's home helping to watch Tristan, her grandson, while his mommy and Hannah went horseback riding at Lorie's ranch. We took a long walk and saw deer, fed a pony along the way and watched the brook ripple along as the trout swam against the current. Anna and I tumbled down a grassy hill several times and tried to do cart wheels, and then laid in the grass, dizzy from all the spinning, and watched the wind carry the falling leaves high into the sky with it's little gusts of cool fall breeze.
We retired to the warm living room where Anna curled up on my lap and fell asleep while Martha and I viewed a web page about the fantastic complexity of the cell and how amazing DNA chains are. Man is building better and better microscopes to uncover the intricate workings of the tiniest particles and finding a highly complex world exists where Darwin thought there was only simplicity. It takes a very arrogant attitude to proclaim there is no God! I would encourage everyone to view the video series "The Truth Project" and the video "Expelled" with Ben Stein. Both are a great resource and are excellent for those going to college or who are working with young people as the science world tries to cause disbelief in a Holy Creator who has authority over His creation.

Thank you for the prayers on my behalf, I was able to enjoy the rest of the week with only some ear aches and some sinus trouble.
Bruce Noble from Owosso Michigan, gave a message Thursday night encouraging us to renew our first love in Christ. My dear husband Bruce gave an inspiring message Friday evening about these temporary dwellings(our bodies) and how they are not sufficient and there is no security to be found in them. He emphasised the importance of looking to the day when the mortal takes on immortality and this life is but a fading thing. Jeff Endicott from North Carolina gave a good message as well about "Biblical Positivism" and how it differs from the world views of self esteem and new age thinking. Robert Wertz wrapped up the speaking with an interactive message, having many in the group read aloud passages about Christ's imminent return. Heather, from Virginia, gave several inspiring vocal numbers and we really loved hearing from her! Heather and her husband also hosted a dinner at their home they rented for this week and it was delicious!
Kelsi and I worked hard at preparing a week long class for the children. It was entitled "The Jerusalem Market Place", it included 10 shops with crafts( making clay oil lamps and pots, weaving, food and spices, jewelry, harp making, etc.) and focused on what life was like when Jesus walked the earth as a young man. The children seemed to enjoy it and went home with lots of cool stuff to help them remember their lessons.
Sabbath evening was pleasant and bittersweet as we shared a meal together and said our good byes with promises to return next year.
Jim and Kathy Jobe who came from the west coast to be here, over came several obstacle to make their trip possible. Kathy needed to find a medical facility here that would provide dialysis almost every day of her stay and Jim is just recovering from a heart attack. We were so glad to have them with us!
Kelsi's parent's (Dennis and Kathy O'Banion) were able to make it as well, what a highlight that has been for her and us! We hope to share a meal together Monday either here or at a lake close by.
We loved seeing dear ones too, Staszaks, Yoos, Holmes and Angilo and Neraida and their children are just a few to mention! And we met some new brothers and sisters, as well and hope to see them again!
I spent the day, today cleaning and doing laundry. The house looked so bad because of my neglect these past two weeks. Then to add to the mess Anna and some of the little girls, who attended services, went to our garden last evening and with precious helpful hearts thought they would help me by harvesting much of our carrot and green pepper crop, bringing lots of mud and full stalks into the kitchen and heaping them on an already neglected bunch of dishes in the kitchen sink. So as you can see my work was cut out for me as I rolled up my sleeves and waded through the mess! ( I can laugh about now!)
I was able to spead some relaxing and fun time at the park this afternnon with Anna and it really helped my spirits!
I hope your week is filled with thoughts of Christ's return and how these deteriorating bodies are surely going to be replaced with something much better and we will LIVE without pain, sickness or death, and with a KING who is righteous and good. AMEN!

Sorry I have not been able to keep this blog current. We have been extremely busy with Celebration 2009, Feast of Tabernacles. Sunday we had a picnic at Pinchot State Park and then left for the beach Monday morning. A group of about 14 went to the Delaware Seashore and most spent the night. We had a wonderful time walking and collecting seashells, playing ladder ball on the beach and then walking the board walk as we watch the silvery moon rise over the water. Tuesday we returned within minutes of leaving again to take a group of almost 20 to the Biblical Archeological Museum in Mirestown PA. . We returned to a dinner of soup and salad made by Ruth Wertz, it certainly hit the spot! Today a group of people visited the Gettysburg battlefield, we hope to be enjoying a dinner creatively done by Bonnie Sumner and her son Ben who works as a chef. We heard two messages by Calvin Burrell that were thought provoking and excellent for consideration, yesterday and today we heard from Wayne Hrenyk who is from San Antinio. We certainly are enjoying the fellowship and were sad to see some leave early in the week.
I spent most of today in bed hoping to recover enough from a flu bug to enjoy the rest of the week. I feel very weak and could use some prayers to carry me through.
I hope you find rest in the Lord as you continue on the straight and narrow path.

We (Bruce, Martha, Sarah and myself) have just returned from an exhausting weekend of driving. We were in Michigan for the Super Sabbath event and district board meeting. The service was nice but I found it hard to enjoy because of extreme fatigue. We did however sneak a nap Sabbath afternoon and boy what a difference that made!
We stayed with the Sextons (Jack and Sandy), they are super hosts and dear brethren! They shared a video called the "Truth Project". It is very stirring and I would love to see more. It would be a great tool to use in our church! I would say our fellowship with the Sextons and the viewing of this video were the highlight of the trip. It was also stunningly beautiful at there home and the Spring Vale campus. We ate dinner, Friday evening, on their deck with candles lit and the sun setting with purple and pinks reflecting on large pond and over the grassy fields outside of their home. A group of geese sailed across the darkening sky in their usual v shape, and it made the sunset even more beautiful and the evening that more peaceful!
We also visited with Joannah (Martha's daughter) in Lansing, MI and found that there is a strong group of christian youth that are a super support for her there.
As we remember the Atonement of Christ this day may your heart and mind be turned toward Him and the wonderful plan of salvation that has been laid out for us!

We had a beautiful and peace Sunday. Our children suggested a hike at Cummingham Falls, MD. Hannah prepared a back pack of water and snacks and we were off. The day was filled with pleasant sights and activities.
I hope your week is filled with pleasant moments as you walk this narrow path of Our Lord!

What a sweet day of fellowship it has been! The Church of God Central PA joined with us in worship and what a beautiful sound of praise went up to our Father today! The two sermons that were given today were uplifting and inspiring. The special music was outstanding too! And the weather 70 and sunny with a small breeze, how beautiful! The food was delicious and abundant! We had so many people we ran out of room in the fellowship hall and needed to setup outside as well!
Even so Lord quickly come!

Good Sabbath and Feast of Trumpets!
Today we celebrate the blowing of the trumpet which has serveral meanings. One being the day of Judgement and another the return of our King and Lord Jesus Christ!
Today I listed some info.for you about this day, it has a jewish slant to it, but gives us a little more insight into this very special day!
From Judaism 101:
The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25. The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day.
Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). We walk to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. Small pieces of bread are commonly put in the pocket to cast off. This practice is not discussed in the Bible, but is a long-standing custom. Tashlikh is normally observed on the afternoon of the first day, before afternoon services. When the first day occurs on Shabbat, many synagogues observe Tashlikh on Sunday afternoon, to avoid carrying (the bread) on Shabbat.
Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d's sovereignty.
I hope the weeks ahead bring you closer to the Redeemer of our souls! AMEN!

Wedding pics are here!

To view wedding picture album go to
Have fun!

We returned today from an extended weekend at the Finger Lakes in New York. We took Daniel and Kelsi along. We enjoyed their company greatly. Time was spent hiking and touring the lakes. The lakes each have small quaint towns with lots of unique shops to browse through.
My favorite part was watching Dainel swim in the cold lake. He reminds me of a playful puppy!
Our Bed and Breakfast experience was not the best and it really put a damper on the experience. Kelsi and I also struggled with some kind stomach virus, which made eating tough.
We hiked some trails at the Penna. Grand Canyon and the waterfalls at Watkins Glen NY. Wow, are they beautiful!
We are all thankful to be home again and hopeful to return to a more routine pace of life as homeschooling, housework and business resumes.
Martha and Troy were real champs as they cared for Sarah and Anna while we were gone. The girls really enjoyed their stay too! Sarah helped bake a beautiful 4 layer cake with aqua icing and cocanut and gave Martha a make-over and received one from Martha as well.
I hope your days are filled with blessed moments and peaceful thoughts as the week continues!

Hope you had a refreshing Labor Day weekend! Ours was labor intensive as we needed to redo what Sarah had painted in her room. It wasn't really her fault because she choose a dark/bright green and rolled it over white leaving a lot of stripes and ghost marks. Her tile floor needed to be washed 3 times, twice on hands and knees to scrub off stubborn grout left by the installer. This definitely has been the most labor intensive of all the rooms we have done.
I think the only thing that helped me to keep going was the thought of our planned get away this weekend. Thursday Bruce and I plan (Lord willing) to take Daniel and Kelsi to the Finger Lakes.
I have made reservations at a Bed & Breakfast called "Gone With The Wind". It looks like a southern plantation mansion and is set high on a hill over looking Keuka Lake. It offers 14 acres of hiking trails, beautiful brooks and a swimming cove. The bedrooms each have their individual character and charm, ours has a Navajo theme with a queens size log bed. Daniel and Kelsi's is design to give one the feeling of being aboard a ship,with royal blues and burgundy accents. Breakfast is served with an old fashion flair, with rhubarb cake, many flavors of pancakes and scrambled eggs.
Now I have probably made you hungry! I'm sorry I just wanted to share some joy and anticipation. Some day we would love to organize a trip for all of you to join us, it really is a great place to relax and recover from the busy pace of life!
Hope your week is free from worry, for we need not be anxious for anything when we are in the Lord! He loves and cares for us, for we are His dearly loved children and His heart is toward our well being and health both physically and spiritually! AMEN!

Oh, how wonderful to have the weekend here! Friday evenings always hold so much hope: hope for rest and relaxation, fellowship and hopefully some quiet time to grow closer to Our Lord and Master!
The Sabbath rest and fellowship often reminds me of the coming of Our Saviour to setup His kingdom! Our anticipation and hope is great as we look forward to such an incredible fellowship with Our King! What a time that will be! It gives me deep pangs of joy as well as a wrenching feeling in my heart as I l-o-n-g for that day and for the joyous return of Our Master as King over the entire earth!
I hope this extended weekend brings you to a closer walk with Him!

School has started and there have been mixed emotions over it.
Anna was certain she would hate school but found it to be fun. She still resists some of the hard work of learning but I am trying to make it as palatable as possible.
Sarah is really missing going to a classroom, a lot of friends have told her that the first day back was the best day ever! This of course did not help her spirits. Her main reason for agreeing to homeschool/cyber was because she knew she would be getting a lap top computer. It has not arrived and so that has driven her spirits even lower. The books she received are very thick and exhaustive. So I am seeking wisdom from the Lord as to how to encourage her and lift her spirits while hanging tough about getting the work done. She is a very social person so I really need to find her an outlet that is safe and productive!
Martha is really suffering from her back condition and has opted out of a procedure to place an electric stimulator into her back to kill the pain. It would entail a surgery at least every 2 years to change the batteries. The device also has been known to move and become ineffective after being placed. She also found that she has more conjoined nerves and a conjoined kidney. The outlook for these conditions are uncertain but we can only pray and hope for a more pain free life for her.
I hope your week has started well and that Lord is in all you do!

Hopefully your weekend was peaceful and your energy is at it's peak! The week's weather here is supposed to be excellent and that is good news as school begins.

I feel so good, I finally have room to move and a place for almost everything! ( :
Anna has been going to bed at a good time every night since she got her room and new bed, WOW,what a relief, Bruce and I are actually able to hit the hay by 10!
I have been able to get the house cleaned up too, it just feels so good! The days have been peaceful and the kids have been doing well, we can only hope and pray that continues to be the case! (Although conflict and troubles are all part of growing)
And how about the cooler temps, even 10 degrees cooler can really lift your spirits!
So, dear ones, take time to count your blessings, they are always there we just need to look for them!

Bruce went for his physical yesterday and found that his prostate cancer count is up considerably. Please pray that he makes wise choices as he looks at available treatment. Also please pray that he prepares physically for fighting this cancer and that the Lord heals him, with the help of doctors or through a miracle.
I am very concerned that Bruce hesitates to do any treatment because all treatments seem to have negative side effects. We have tried diet/exercise, but Bruce finds it very hard to stick to any regiment. Stress plays a large part in this growth of cancer. Bruce has had a lot of stress lately, both with his business and from other sources. I am praying these will lessen in the days ahead.
Thank you in advance for your prayers!

We have finally finshed painting Anna's room except for a dophin and few waves. Kelsi, Hannah and I painted the room to look like the ocean with a sandy beach. Now we are having fun putting sea creatures and beachy things all around. Kelsi has been a great help the last two days, she has helped me clean as well, so today we took some time off to go to the library and craft shop.
Sarah is trying to paint her room and I am wondering if she will need help, ugh!

We did not make it to the Seveth Day Baptist Special Service today and I am feeling a bit sad about it. The Fedoriws are a sweet example of a godly christian family and it is a blessing to be with them.
I have been suffering from stomach ulcers and other stomach problems which sometimes keep me awake at night and leave me feeling wiped out and exhausted all day. I have started back on a medicine I had been given awhile back. I believe it helps and will try to stay on it for now. I had tried to slowly take myself off of a lot of prescriptions because I don't like taking so many, but I suppose some I will need for a while longer.
Many of you know at this point that our daughter Abigail is expecting in December and she has determined to give the child(girl) to a christian family she chose on her own. I am somewhat broken hearted about this for many reasons you could imagine. But after much prayer I believe God is telling me to let it go, this is Abby's responsibility not mine. After seeing the sonograms I needed to remind myself again of this, as the sight of this innocent little baby took my heart for a loop again!
Prayers on Abby's behalf are much appreciated!

Bruce and I were invited to visit the HELP office which helps homeless people find housing, pay for life sustaining meds, utilities, rent and transportation for those who need to get to work.
We also now have a better understanding of how to screen calls for help and what the process is for someone who needs help.
We also made an appointment to meet with a gentleman who runs a food bank in Harrisburg.
So we are encouraged that we are finding ways to help personally and ways that the church can help as well! I believe that we will continue to see more and more need as the economy down shift has left alot of people without work.

Wow, what hot humid weather, typical of August I guess! At least there appears to be some relief in sight, according to the weather map a cold front is coming to cool things down ! Yes, I am so thankful!
Samuel and I attempted to weed the overgrown strawberry patch this morning. We did get quite a lot done but there is still much more to be weeded. After realizing I was straining to breath, from being over heated and very tired, I told Sam we would stop and try again when it is cooler.
I attempted to make salsa this afternoon at Bruce's request. I thought it tasted pretty good, but Bruce thinks I need to cook it. Any ideas on this, is salsa better fresh or cooked what is your opinion? For now I am cooking some for him and leaving the rest fresh.
I am also hoping to make some grape juice today from our small vineyard. A storm is coming so I best go and get the grapes. (Update: I did make it,the grape juice that is, and it is great! Sarah keeps saying "Dude, dude this is really good!" Guess she never realized how good the real deal could be. Sometimes our Christian walk is that way when we have a fire lit under us after years of luke warm living!)
Hope your week is productive in the Lord!

Today I was reading some scriptures apparently about Satan that caused me to think about how our Heavenly Father viewed the fall of Satan. In Ezekiel 28 it says,:
"The word of the LORD came to me: 12 "Son of man, take up a lament concerning the king of Tyre and say to him: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
" 'You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you:
ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper,
sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings
were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared.
14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, or so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created
till wickedness was found in you.
Although I have often contemplated what the beauty of Satan might have been like I had not really thought much about his character. If indeed this is talking about him then we can assume he was very wise, a model of perfection and blameless.
The first thing that strikes me is how great Our Father's lament is over the prideful fall of something He created! I believe He really understands our parental groans and tears over things our children do that are contrary to the christian walk we have, with great effort, instilled in them.
The second thought is that a being of such perfection and wisdom turned so evil over pride and vanity. How easy can we as Christians fall in this culture where beauty is so important, being ahead at any cost is common and where there is a lot of wisdom, contrary to God, being taught in our colleges and played out in politics and in science institutes where God is ignored and disdained.
I am sure Satan knows his time is short, remember he is very wise, of course in his own ways, and ready to trip us up at any and every chance.
Dear ones we must be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves" in a culture bent on setting itself above Our Lord and Redeemer!

Sorry about the length of time it has taken to write. Life here has been hectic and I have been quite low and now am sick to add to it.
Sabbath was a blessing again! Helen ( a dear sister/mother in the Lord) is turning 75 this week and her children(4) and grandchildren, who have never been to our church, surprised her by all coming together to our church this week. Some came as far as Ohio and Maryland! What a way to honor their mother!
Daniel and Kelsi took Sarah and Anna overnight so I slept late today. I awoke to Kelsi and Sarah making breakfast in our kitchen, and what a breakfast it was! They were so thoughtful, and it really cheered me up!
Dear ones keep looking for the little blessings along the way, especially when Satan keeps trying to get you down!

I hope to be giving you a verse a week that has some good food for thought and meditation. Just look for it at the top of the pictures. This picture was taken by Lorie my sister, she does some awesome photography!
We have a prayer request for Robert(Assco. Pastor) and Beverly's son Grayson. He is sick and was tested for whopping cough. His cough is really bad and keeps them all awake at night. Our family seems to have some type of virus as well, and Anna started another cold last night as well. Hannah is having severe back pain and she is not able to sleep, she has no health insurance. I have tried everything I know from rubbing creams to tens unit to medication to help her and nothing is working. She has some scoliosis and I believe it may be aggravated by the virus, it has been almost 2 weeks she has suffered pain in her upper back. So if you could remember her as well we would appreciate it.

Please look for the pictures of the reception down loaded today! It was great fun thanks to all who helped out, it was greatly apprecitated!

We had a very full weekend beginning with a really nice visit with the John's, at their home. Saturday began with a good study from Beth Moore's Esther study at 9:00AM, children's class followed by a great worship service. Then in the late afternoon we set up the back parking lot for a luau type reception for Daniel and Kelsi. Then a church picnic on Sunday.
The reception was interrupted by rain,but everyone was very helpful with taking tables, chairs and food indoors.
I was a bit upset by the rain, especially after praying a lot about it and watching watching watching the weather! But God had something else in mind and through it all I saw the great love of our brothers and sisters in Christ as they worked so hard, with wonderful grace ,to help setup at the beginning of the evening and then help move everything down to the fellowship hall when rain became to heavy to ignore.
I suppose the lesson in all of this is that sometimes God answers prayers in a different way then we hoped because he has a different and sweet blessing in store for us.
Thankfully I have most of this week to clean-up although I am having trouble with fevers, perhaps a days rest is needed before clean-up, is that possible?!? We shall see! ( :

Daniel and Kelsi are home safely and getting back to work. We had a really nice dinner together last evening as we heard of their adventures over seas. And now the hard but fun work of getting a home organized and function-able is at hand.
We are still trying to get Daniel's old room ready for the study, spackle and priming are done. A coat of paint should be rolled on in the next couple of days and then Bruce must sort through his books and pack them and move them. Then we must prime and spackle Anna's new room and then paint. Not a quick or easy process.
I hope to spend this week preparing for the reception, which includes a lot of yard work, let's hope for the temperatures to get a little cooler, as it is now, you get exhausted quickly with little exertion.
I found today that by writing prayer requests on a piece of paper before I pray helps to not forget some important things that need brought before the Lord. Often when praying I would tend to get emotional and then forget some of those important issues that really need His care! I would often remember them later and pray as I worked, which is good to do as well, but there is nothing like being in the quiet and pouring out your soul to Him. May your week be full of God's presence and your participation in His will!

We had a wonderful visit with my parents last evening as we celebrated my dad's 73rd birthday. How beautiful their yard is, every inch is used for some beautiful garden or plant, including a water garden. Walking through the gardens and talking with my dad about the plants and discussing what is special and unique about each one, reminds me of how our Heavenly Father likes to walk and talk with us about His creation, His Holy Word, His good and perfect will and about what is going on in our lives.
How intriguing and mysterious He is! What a wonderful time we can have getting to know Him!
I hope you can find time to do just that, because then you will find blessings beyond your wildest dreams!

Days are filled with back breaking work, I fear I am not getting any younger as all of you aren't either. Trying to box books to either store or move down to our new study. And sorting, sorting sorting through junk and stuff, junk we throw, stuff we judge to junk or keep. A bit back breaking and hard on the knees, as that is where I end up sorting.
I signed Sarah up for Cyber School today, she is not totally happy, but she likes the idea of having a lap top computer.
Finger doc said today to take it easy for another 6 months now that the pin is out he doesn't want it to drop. I guess that means no hand wrestling for a while! It is hyper extended, if it gets better then nothing more needs to be done, if not well.... I don't want to even consider that.
Ladies study was thought provoking today as we finished our study on Philippians. One piece of food for thought is that we as parents need to exhibit the mind Paul had as he talked about being satisfied in what ever state we find ourselves. Hopefully our children will learn from our behavior. After all Paul said he learned to be satisfied and didn't just gain contentment overnight.

It was another nice worship service and a restful Sabbath. Bob and Beverly (Assco.Pastor and wife) took Anna for the afternoon, which gave Bruce and I a nice rest! I watched some video lessons from the holy lands which held a lot of food for thought. The speaker talked about how Christ went where the disciples feared to go, such as the Decopolis and a place of fertility worship, the Gates of Hell. He talked about the fact that we often visualize the church as a fortress where we fight off Satan. But he said that really when Christ spoke about the Gates of Hell not holding up, He really was describing the Church attacking the Gates of Hell from the outside, not sitting in a comfortable fortress waiting for an attack. In fact we are to be on the offensive, not waiting in our fortress for an attack from Satan.
Another important fact that was brought to light was that the man who had a legion of demons cast out was told he could not follow Christ and the disciples, however Christ commanded him to go and tell his family what was done for him. When Christ came back there was a multitude of people gathered to see Him. What one man cleansed and witnessing can do!
You are welcome to borrow these video lessons, they have a lot of food for thought!

Cleaning is the topic of the day as we try hard to reorganize and purge the house of junk.
The girls, Sarah and Anna, picked out a few art supplies to help them stay constructive during these long summer days. Anna got an easel to use in the kitchen. Sarah picked out a scrap booking kit, both have stayed very content.
I have been suffering from migraine headaches again and stomach pain. It kept waking me till I finally woke fully and took some more medicine, then finally gave into sleep at 5:30AM.
We had a wonderful rainstorm during the evening hours, so we are hopeful that the garden and vineyard will perk back up.
A question for all who read this: How hard is it to stay constant in prayer throughout the week? And what are the helpful ideas you could offer for those struggling to make a habit of being on their knees. Please write with your ideas or lessons. Thank you in advance!

A big thank you to all who have been praying for our family and for Anna in particular! She is much better, with only a few coughing spasms a day.
The surgery on my finger went well! They told me to think of a place I would like to be as they put me under, I said Hawaii. I must have relaxed a little to much because I was told afterwards that my oxygen levels really dropped and I was on oxygen awhile before I could leave. I guess I really just needed that rest!
Life here is getting back to normal as we put away garden food and I begin preparing for home school for Sarah and Anna. Now that Daniel has moved out we are preparing his room for the study, as we plan to move Anna out of our bedroom and into the room which holds the study now.
Preparations for Daniel & Kelsi's reception here are under way. A Hawaiian Luau is the theme and we plan to have it out side here at the church with food from the grill.
Plans are coming together for a wonderful feast day celebration as well, as we hope for the return of our Lord and Redeemer one day, hopefully soon. What a wonderful focus, as we set our minds on His soon coming reign!

How sweet home and the home church truly are! Worship was so refreshing and it was so good to see our dear ones again! It was wonderful news to hear of our co-pastor's (Robert Wertz) busniness growth, with several very nice contacts in the works, when we returned and we are so very glad for him!
Bruce has over whelmed the kitchen with produce from the garden, so I have been extremely busy putting away green beans and red beets.
Some of us returning from TX caught a sickness which includes vertigo, mine gave me a migraine headache, it is slowly getting better.
Tomorrow I must have surgery to remove the last pin in my finger. It has a hook in it so it must be cut out, I will be asleep for this thankfully.
Anna still is fever less, praise the Lord. She did enjoy Lorie's horse yesterday, which really cheered her up! However her cough is bad and it is still causing her to vomit several times a day and at night. I will be so glad for a sound night's sleep for her and ourselves, your prayers are still welcome on her behalf!

Friday PM

Anna seems to be on the mend. She is eating better and sleeps well. The doctor said he feels pretty certain she has a full blown viral disease that may be complicated by asthma. They are not certain why she coughs up what she does, her lungs sound clear and that is good news to me. They said it will take a while for her to completely recover. Thank you again for your prayers, I know He hears and cares about all His children young and old!

We arrived home at about 12 midnight and found the weather to be refreshingly cooler! Thank you all for your prayers for Anna, she did well on the trip home. Her fevers continue, she eats little or nothing at all. Her cough is rare but when she does cough she can barely breath and gasps for air. Her bed had quite a bit of blood on the pillow and in the sheets when she awoke. She has an appointment this morning with the doctor, hopefully they can figure out what is wrong. I am feeling very weary and tired. Thankfully we are home now, which makes dealing with this a bit easier! Please continue to pray for her, as we all know, she is in the Lord's hands.

Anna was a little better as the day wore on and so she spent a little time shopping with her Aunt Pilar and Marsha. She still coughs but has not had any more blood and her fevers are manageable.
I gave her some milk of magnesia and I believe that helped to clean her of some toxins yesterday and Darlene suggested loading her with vitamin C, and we are doing that as well. I made an appointment with our family doctor as soon as we get home.
We had a lot of fun at Rick and Pilar's swimming, it was the best way to beat the heat (107F). They help rescue dogs,so the house is filled with dogs having fun, Anna loved that, Abby too!
We must pack for the journey home now, praise the Lord, I am so thankful for this beautiful trip, and now I am sooo thankful as well to go home!

We are presently in Dallas,visiting Bruce's sisters Marsha and Pilar. Anna has been very sick and feverish. We took her to an urgent care Monday night (with a fever of 104.7F) and were told that she still is fighting bronchitis and that the antibiotic we were using was not helping. So they gave her two shots of antibiotic and sent us back with more for the week and told us this should really help and that we should see a definite improvement in 24 hrs.
Yesterday (Tuesday) Anna slept most of the day, she ate well, I controlled the fever with Motrin and Tylenol, rotating them every 4hrs. She felt good enough by evening to take a short swim and watch a couple of movies with me. Her fever started to rise every time the medicine wore off.
This morning at 5:30 she woke coughing and wheezing and went to the bathroom to throw-up, like she has been throughout this illness, but this time she threw up a small amount (about 2 quarter sized pieces) of blood. So now I am preparing to take her in again to be checked. I am writing this down to help me remember the progression of her illness. It is so hard to keep it all straight because of all of the activities we have done since we arrived in TX.
We went out to the Gulf on Thursday (July 9th) and Anna swam the entire time, trying to boogie board, I thought the very salty water would be good for her sinuses. It was record breaking heat there and they had an advisory for children and the elderly, we spent our time on the beach in the late afternoon and evening. Sarah and I had great fun diving for sand dollars. We found about 10 or more.
Friday Anna started a fever, our family doctor called in another antibiotic. She was still feverish, but a little better Saturday morning, so I allowed her to sing with her group in the conference children's program. She got sicker through the day as we traveled to Houston to prepare for Daniel and Kelsi's wedding. But after some rest she rallied and seemed to be fairly good on Sunday, swimming and enjoying getting her hair done for the wedding. She started to look bad as the day wore on,but rallied again to do her part as the flower girl in the wedding. She was feeling fairly well as we drove to Dallas Monday, but by late afternoon she started to look sick again. She swam a little and that was when I noticed the tiredness in her face. I wrapped her in a towel and shortly after that is when I noticed her fever was spiking. Right away we gave her Motrin, and Pilar and Marsha took Anna and I to the urgent care unit at Baylor hospital.
So now I am very worried as I really don't understand this illness and the complications Anna is having. One other note is that her gums are swollen in the back of the mouth as if she is getting a set of new molars. Could this have any thing to do with the fevers?
To make things worse Bruce and I are fighting some kind of cold virus. It is very draining and we both get small fevers throughout the day. Bruce has a cough, which worries me as well because he usually has a hard time getting over any respiratory problems.
So that brings us up to date, if you are reading this, close to the date I have written it, would you please pray for us? Being in a strange place with an illness is very hard. So we appreciate your prayers on our behalf!

Hope everyone is enjoying these warm summer days! We have really been enjoying Corpis Christi! We went to the bay today, the water is very warm and there are two foot waves. Anna took the boogie board and had fun trying to ride the waves. I started the day at 6:00AM both yesterday and today,walking with Robin, Maude, Darlene and some others from the conference. Then today Darlene and I took a swim right afterwards (at 7:00AM) to cool off and stretch, it was so peaceful and quiet! I was able to help at registration both days and really enjoyed that too!
We are headed for the woman's ministry dinner and then worship! What a blessing to be here!

We had a beautiful day yesterday, I am simply astounded at the beauty of this place, it is hard to take it all in! The moon was full over the water last night as Martha, Darlene, Maude and myself walked along the waters edge. There were torches lit and it really felt tropical!
We spent the majority of the day at the aquarium. We loved watching the otters, how adorable and playful they are! The dolphins gave a moving performance, and although Darlene, Anna and Maude had front row seats, they were probably not the best seats because the dolphins splashed them. They were soaked!
Today is a little less fun as we attend seminars most of the day. We are seeing a lot of dear ones and renewing old friendships! I had the joy of helping with registration and was able to see a lot of sweet faces.
Soup and Salad for dinner tonight with Jack and Sandy from Michigan and Mark & Robin.
Anna is still coughing badly, so the doctor called down another round of antibiotics, I sure hope it helps.

After waking at 2:00AM, loading everything, and heading for the Balt./Wash. airport, we arrived in Houston at about 9:30AM (Houston time) with a little bit of a bumpy landing which was a little scary. I mean we just survived the air trip, are we going to die now that we are on the ground!?! But all is well, Praise the Lord! We (Maude Nagle, D. Wiedenheft, Martha and most of our family) traveled to Corpus Christi, (oh how dry the land is), and arrived about 4:00PM. Bruce was so tired, was constantly waking him with back rubs,it was very hard on him so he slept for a couple hours while we swam.
Later, we tried to find a restaurant, and at first it proved to be very hard, we finally used the GPS unit and found lots of good food establishments. By this time, 9:00PM, Anna was done in, poor thing, she just wanted to sleep and her cough was worse then ever, so she ended up going to the van with the girls while us slower eaters finished our feast (at I HOP).
Martha recalled some of our funnier moments and shared with our friends, she had us all in tears of laughter before the evening was over. We fell asleep fast and rose this morning to a beautiful view of the bay and marina. How blessed we are to be able to enjoy this! Although the temperature is hot, there is a beautiful breeze and the smell of salt water permeates the air!

It was a beautiful Sabbath today! Not only was it beautiful outside, but inside it was even more beautiful! All the dear brothers and sisters rejoicing together! Who needs fireworks!?! And I really enjoyed the message about how far our country has fallen. I must have snoozed and missed a lot of history in school because I found those facts very intriguing today!
Seeing Orabell Youngs and her daughter Jenny Stevens was quite a treat too, and oh, how our small group seems to grow, and with little children as well! God sure does bless in beautiful ways!
Well, tomorrow morning at about 7:30AM we fly (Lord willing) to Houston,Texas. Please pray for all the brothers and sisters traveling to conference and to the wedding. Traveling is such an arduous thing and at the same time it so much fun!
Blessings to you on this fourth of July, may it be a reminder of the wonderful freedom we have through Christ, our Savior!

Onward and Upward!

Just a note this morning about the race we run... I couldn't help but write down my thoughts after seeing Serena William's excitement after her match in tennis yesterday. The look on her face was one of hard earned victory. I am sure Mark and Robin ( our marathon running friends and brother & sister in Christ) know the feeling of striving for the goal or finish line after having put so much effort into training and consistent exercise, diet and self discipline. When you finish and you know you have done well, oh what a feeling! How similar our race for the Lord is, seeking His will, being disciplined and consistent in our christian walk and being careful not to stray from the course He sets before us. Dear ones, some day we to will feel an even greater feeling of victory if we stay to the path, pressing onward and upward in the Lord!

Almost There!

Wow, what a day! Started with Abby(our 19 yr.old daughter) telling me that she only slept a few hours because of terrible back pain. I knew she had been suffering since the weekend and I had been massaging her with icy hot since, but now it had escalated to unbearable pain. To make this story short we went to three doctors today till she could get some medication. One was a chiropractor who tried to help. She finally groaned through packing tonight and we sent Daniel off with the van, much later then he wanted. Abby seems to have a contusion and possibly a pinched nerve the doc said. She recalls helping to lift a mop bucket full of water for a housekeeper at work and feeling the pain in her back then. She is really concerned about the plane ride. Martha you will have company. The doctor said to grab as many of those little pillows as you can when you get on the plane and use them for support.
Well, I can breath a little sigh of relief. Besides our clothes (Conference-casual and dressy, wedding, beach and traveling) being packed, so is the ingredients for 7 pies, two very large tropical ambrosia salads, jewelry to sell at the women's bazaar, sand toys, boogie board and lots of food for breakfast and snack times. Mark and Robin can relate as they are helping with both a running/walking program at conference and the youth program and must pack clothes for so many different things!
Is this a problem we should be glad to have, after all there are a lot worse things we could be dealing with? Traveling is supposed to be fun!?! Hopefully we can all heave a sigh and relax a little and enjoy entire time away.
Well...traveling games and books are bought and packed, atlas reviewed and airlines called several times to be clear about several issues and now I can relax! Maybe I will simply sleep through to Sabbath. ( :

Fooled Again

I thought I was going to get a great nights sleep, but about 15 min. after posting Anna had a coughing fit and woke up Finally after she did go to bed at 11PM she woke again at 1AM and didn't go back to sleep until 7:30AM. Soooo we enjoyed cereal together at 3AM.
I did go to the orthopedic today and found out that I need to have surgery again on my finger, Monday after we return from TX. There is a stitch trying to come out on top of the finger and is becoming sore. I thought they could simply lance it, and he could have, but after looking at the new x-ray today he said the other pin has to come out. Because he put the pin (which is half the length of the finger) in with a hook at the bottom, he can not be pulled it out, instead it must be cut out.
There is still a great joy in the air, not much can take that away as we eagerly await our departure date and pray nothing happens to cancel it. Sometimes you try to guard your emotions, not allowing yourself the pleasure of great anticipation because you are afraid of the let down. I have let my guard down this time and am trying to enjoy every moment, joying in the look on Daniel's face as he talks of the wedding, sharing Martha's joy as she prepares and hopes for the best of health on the trip and seeing Anna's anticipation, trying to view the trip from her eyes.

Getting Ready

It has been a tiring day. Started with taking little Anna to the doctor (Matsko Jr.). She has been coughing for over a week, sounds terrible and keeps us awake. He said she has junk in her broncial tubes and gave her an antibiotic. He also recommended that we give here an antihistamine and decongestant right before getting on the plane, so she doesn't get a terrible ear or head ache. (Good advice for us too, Martha!)
Brought Anna home and headed to get the prescription filled, then headed for Sabita's to go grocery shopping (Indian lady who lives with her sister and has no car) when a down pour stopped me from going anywhere, so I was able to take five in the parking lot of Gander Mountain.
Sometimes you need to pause and if you don't weellll.... then God will do something unexpected during your day to cause you to stop. Oh, I believe we run way to much , like hamsters on a wheel!
Dinner with orange chicken for 7 at 5 , now I am cleaned up and ready for some much needed rest. Anna is already asleep and it is only 7:30ish. Boy do I feel blessed tonight! Shhh

I am a mother of 6 children ages 5 to 22yrs old. My husband is the pastor of our church (Pleasant Hills Christian Church) in Harrisburg, PA. and he also runs a plumbing business to help make ends meet, although we know it is Our Heavenly Father who really helps us make ends meet!
Our son is planning to wed his very dear bride in Houston, TX in about a week and we are so overjoyed, words can not even express the blessings we feel right now. We plan to attend the Church of God conference in Corpis Christi July 6-11 and then travel to Conroe (Seven Coves Resort) for the wedding on the 12th of July.
The Lord has been merciful and kind and although we ahve weathered many storms, He has seen us through and I know He will continue to calm the waves and winds!

This site is for all of those who are searching for the Lord and desire fellowship with his people!