Who is our Master?

Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

This is one of my very favorite Bible verses. What Master do we serve? We are kidding ourselves if we say that we don't serve any master...that we are our own master and answer to no one. We all serve something...whether it be money, false religion, humanism, food, t.v., etc. Jesus is the perfect Master.....while things may not be perfect in this physical world and we may go through trials because of our devotion to Him, we always have peace and security serving the One. Sometimes as followers of Jesus we look away and serve other things temporarily....that always brings grief and sin. But "Rest for our souls"....that is so wonderful and encouraging in this messed up world.

Dinner with Grandpa...

He did pretty good tonight...we are still not sure what caused his descent into utter confusion but he seems to be having more moments of clarity. We ate Mexican, which is his favorite and had a nice time. After dinner, we took him back home. Jesse went to his room for a moment to get something for him...he asked me why Jesse had dropped off the kids and left and said he didn't understand what was happening. He looked so sad. Some of the worse trials in my marriage, well, actually my life, have been brought on by this man, but I don't wish this on him. To be confused and realize you are confused...that must be terrible. Not so bad if one is in la-la land and doesn't know it, but he struggles with it. He has changed so much since his divorce in 2002, that you really wouldn't recognize him now.

Busy work day...

Jesse was up so early this morning working on projects. The new cabinets look great and give me lots of room for bathroom and home school supplies. At one point the house was trashed but it has been put back together for the most part. Julia did touch-up painting...she loves to paint (walls) and it freshened things up. Jesse's brother and family decided not to come down due to a storm that is coming at us, plus he had to work on Sunday, so that is a bummer. I am fighting this cold and also trying to get Anna to nurse. She is so difficult. I haven't had this much trouble since Colton. I was always trying to devise new ways to get him to nurse. With her I have to sit on the edge of the bed and bounce up and down. She absolutely does not want to nurse on the right side and I really have to be clever. I remember fighting Colton until he was 9 months old and then I gave up. He was sooo much happier on the bottle and so was I. I have nursed each for different lengths of time, but Colton's was the shortest unless I can't perservere with Anna. The longest I ever went was 2.5 yrs with Katie. Carlina was 18 mo., Julia 15 mo., Alicia 2 yr, Garrett 2 yr, Thomas 2 yr..etc. Usually I lose my milk supply when I get pg and the nursing slowly tapers off until no milk (about 3 mo. pg).

Thursday...

Well, taxes are done...so that is a relief. Things have gotten easier since we are not farming (very complicated taxes ) or running our own business (also complicated). Although, there are still residue issues from the business like depreciation, etc. Next year should be really easy. We still have in our minds that we want to start another business...but look at the economy! Don't know when/if that will happen. Jesse wants to buy cheap tractors at auctions and fix them up to sell. His mom has the perfect place to do that, so maybe one day. We have been looking at buying some cabinets for storing homeschool stuff next year. I will be homeschooling 6 so will need lots of space. We went to Lowes. It is gorgeous here today, very sunny and warm! Must enjoy it before the next storm hits (Sat?). I have a cold, now. I thought I would miss it, but everyone had them and I guess I am just the last one to catch it, boohoo. Anna and Thomas seem a tad bit better today. Poor Jesse worked all night and then spent all day with me in SC doing taxes, etc. He is done for. We have a busy weekend coming up. Jesse's brother and family are coming down, wedding shower at church and having a family over after church on Sunday.

Ear infections..

Thomas has one in both ears and Anna has one in her right ear. Both very cranky and coughing lots. I hate to put them on antibiotics but it has been 3 days of misery and Garrett's antibiotics kicked his out right away. So we will see.....also, had dental appointments today. Katie was the only one with a cavity and just one...so I am thrilled about that. Still working on how Carlina's bridge is going to happen....she will be getting braces off soon and will need something to fill that gap. Julia is getting an ortho consult refer and maybe by the Fall will be able to get in and get braces. All in all...exhausting day! Mom and Terry came over to help; Mom went to the doctor with me, too, which was great. Finally to top it all off, I found out my sister lost her job. Her clinic has been losing business due to the poor economy and they had to let several people go. I feel terrible for her...they were trying to save money to move. I would appreciate prayers for her and her family.

Sick babies...

Last night was awful...Anna and Thomas both have bad colds and coughs and were up most of the night. The older kids have colds, too. I remember March (in Iowa) always being a bad month for sickness and it's living up to its former reputation. March is my least favorite month of the year here....lots of snow and just enough warm weather to tease about spring, not to mention the illnesses. Plus the mud! Our drive in the back would be a great place for pigs to muddle around...we need rock.

Anna is now rolling around, so the bed isn't the greatest place for her anymore. She can roll front to back with ease and the other way most times. She will be 5 months on the 13th...that sure flew by!

I am looking forward to the garden my mom and her dh will be planting this Spring. We will be helping out and get to take part in the rewards, too. They both have very green thumbs and I'm sure it will be a great success. Hopefully our labor will be helpful as well. We don't have room here for a garden, but maybe a tomato patch. I am planning on planting lots of zinnias and marigolds...my 2 favorites.

Dentist appointments for the kids tomorrow and then an Awana skating party tomorrow night. I am taking a van full...a friend's 15 passenger van loaded with mine and hers (she has 7). Should be a blast...hopefully the kiddos are better tomorrow.

Weekend...

The weekend went by fast as it always does. Yesterday we went to church and then Grandma (Merriel) came over afterwards. She brought chicken and lots of other goodies from the local store in town and we feasted. Everyone is always starved after church. Garrett is doing tons better and I am so thankful. Julia stayed home due to a cold and several others have colds as well. Anna has been coughing, it sounds so pitiful. Jesse got a call from his dad last night...he is so confused and it is as if he lives in a dream. He is very paranoid and upset. We really don't have any answers as to why he has gone downhill so fast. He saw the Alzheimers doctor 2 weeks ago and Debi is hoping to get some test results from them. We are planning on seeing him sometime this week.


Colton and Carlina went with 4 others from the youth group bowling and out to eat. They had a good time. The young people in the church are so wonderful and it has been a blessing for the kids. Colton is going on a youth trip to Calvary Bible College next week with the Pastor. He is still trying to decide what he wants to do after he graduates. He loves to write and really wants to be a writer but don't know if he can make a living doing that.

Jesse has been doing a Bible study with the pastor...really focusing on Grace and still trying to break down barriers in the mind and be able to teach others. The Pastor really teaches right from the Bible.