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!