The year in overview

It’s that time again. I am preparing to switch to a new planner (a pretty travel design this time) and as I always do, I have been going over the last year- looking at my goals at the beginning of the year compared to the actual life that I lived. And, of course, pulling out my favorite quotes and thoughts from the past year that I scribbled in the note pages…

Highlights:
November- I got married!
Wedding Trip from Indian Lake to Maine.
December- Christmas with two families for the first time.
January- Major health issues
Brother engaged
February- Wedding plans
Asked to be Matron of Honor
March- Wedding! It was beautiful.
Threw “Yarn” birthday party for Brianna.
April- MDS trip to Louisiana.
May- Anaiah Marie born! (Keturah’s first baby)
June- Elyse Raine born! (Niece)
July- County Fair- went with my husband!
Went for a boat ride in Old Forge.
Went overnight on the Sailboat.
August- Vacation Bible School for new church!
Olivia Elise born! (Shae’s first baby)
September- Overnight for Delite’s birthday
Seneca Falls, women’s retreat- led music
October- Vaughn & April’s wedding (help cook)
Cort & Kerin’s wedding
Ali & William’s wedding
Kim & Jamie’s wedding

Favorite notes & quotes:

Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?(John 11:40)

Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials. (Smith Wigglesworth)

“I agree with what he said. I, I, well, I just don’t remember what it was.”

“I am not worried about staying clean. I will jump into any pit if it means I can pull you out of it.” (Jesus- to Delite)

Him, whom I have not seen, I love



The nieces and nephews

Heidi Rose was eating breakfast and Grandpa and Grandma’s with us- She looked at her egg that Grandpa had salted and peppered for her then turned to Amos and I and said, “Looks like he dropped it in the flower garden.”

Giselle was in the van sniffing the air.
“Mom, what’s that smell?”
“I don’t know.” (Ana)
“Mom, I smell a rainbow! A little tiny rainbow!”

Marsha was just home from the hospital with baby Elyse. We were having dinner together and Marsha took Elyse into the other room to nurse her. Aurora looked up, saw the baby crying and said, “Uh, guys, I’m gonna… check on the baby.” Then promptly jumped down out of her highchair and ran after them.

Zellie went up to Brianna and said, “Mya toh tolld. My happa wap me up. Mya lil baby.”
(My too cold. My have to wrap me up. My a little baby.)

The kids were all outside playing in the first snow of the year. Brianna looked out and saw Giselle laying down. A little while later Alora came in and Brianna asked her what Zellie was doing. Alora looked out at her and said, “Oh, making a snow angel.” A few minutes later Zellie was still lying down. Brianna suddenly panicked…what if she was too cold and had gone to sleep? She yelled out to Eric, “What is Giselle doing? Is she sleeping?” Eric looked over at her and said, “Na, just crying.” Brianna yelled back, “Why?” And she heard Giselle answer between tears, “I TANT GET UP!”

Overheard in the kids playroom:
“You be superman, you be supergirl and I’ll be Jesus!” (Eric, 4yrs.)
“No, I want to be Jesus!” (Alora, 8yrs.)
“Fine, I’ll be God.” (Eric)
“But Jesus and God are the same thing.” (Alora)
“YOU MEAN THEY’RE STUCK TOGETHER?” (Aurora, 3yrs.)
“No, one’s the father and the other is the son.” (Eric)
“But they’re the same.” (Alora)
“YOU MEAN THEY’RE STUCK TOGETHER?” (Aurora, again)
“No, they’re different but the same.” (Alora)
“NO! THEY’RE STUCK IN OUR HEARTS!” (Aurora)

SNOW!

It snowed like... 3 feet. It's so pretty out. I'll have to get a picture. For now I'll leave you with a picture from last year- of the ice storm.

A Simple Woman's DayBook

Outside my window: Darkness and SNOW! I love the first snow of the year.


I am thinking: About the mounds of laundry that I need to do tomorrow.

From the learning rooms: I taught myself how to make tied flannel blankets today. I made little doll ones for the twins birthday friday.

I am thankful for: My husband. He is so kind and considerate. Although at this moment I am waiting for him. *smiles* But that's okay.

From the kitchen: Fresh Venison. Fried with onions and a little butter. Nothing beats it.

I am wearing: My new pretty green skirt that I got at the thrift shop for 4 dollars.

I am creating: My own planner for the next year. I couldn't find one with a cover that I liked (or a price tag that I could afford) so I bought a pretty travel journal with pockets and sections and am making my own calendar pages.

I am reading: To Dance in the Desert by Kathleen Popa. I love it.

I am hoping: That I will get some sleep tonight as the little one is sleeping now while she should be awake...

I am hearing: My mother, my husband and my father chatting as they work on the fall puzzle (my mother has puzzles for every season) in the living room.

Around the house: Other than the laundry piled up my house is wonderfully clean and smelling of fresh baked cookies.

One of my favorite things: My niece spending the night. I love her soft little body and darling smiles.

A few plans for the (rest of the) week: mail out passport applications. bible study tomorrow. twins birthday friday. sunday school party friday night.

Oh! And this is a picture of our house in haiti!

A New Day.

Last night I had my first bout with depression since this past spring. Thankfully, I was able to go to sleep and wake up this morning feeling refreshed and new. I was singing my verse (to memorize verses my friends and I put them to music...) and felt my spirit lift even more:
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

I love truth. It's so calming.

I worked on a sewing project for a few minutes then made chocolate angel food cake for my husband. I am not eating sugar (although this was made with whole wheat and raw sugar anyways) so I made it chocolate so I wouldn't be tempted to eat any. (I'm not a big fan of chocolate. Well, I like dark chocolate but not any chocolate cakes or ice cream.)

Somewhere in there my niece was dropped off. I love that little chunker munker. Then my sister-in-law called to ask how to make salsa and I decided to just go over and help her. So, I took my cake batter and the baby and a bunch of onions and peppers and went to visit the far of villiage of Castorland. (okay, 15 minutes away. Kind of far.)

The baby loves her Auntie Bee-anna anyways.

Amos said last night that maybe we could buy a cow in Haiti. I would LOVE to have fresh milk and butter... and I've always liked the idea of having a cow to feed the family. It makes sense. And it's WAY cheaper to house and feed a cow than to buy raw milk. Crazy but true.
Well, cheaper for us because we have a farm already. And Haiti IS one big farm. *laughs*


I'm a little distraught about this last bout with depression. I only get depressed when my body isn't functioning properly. It's been doing well for SO long and I've been careful with what I eat and what I do... and when I think about going through the emotional upheaval that I did before... I just want to curl up and die now.

There is a remote chance that I could actually be pregnant this time. But I don't even want to find out if I am or not because if not and it's just my body making more cysts and such... I don't think I could handle it.

So, I'm going to ignore it.

God, you know my fears. You know how much I don't want to face any of this. You also know what is best for me. You have given me so much.... so many promises. I can't help but think about Abraham and Sarah and their promises. How many times did she say what I am saying? That she just couldn't handle another month of unfulfilled promises. Not another year. Not another ten years. But she did. And she saw the fulfillment of your spoken word.

Give me endurance. Give me patience. And bring me healing.

He who promised is faithful!

The preparations begin!
We’ve set a tentative date for the first week of January to leave for Haiti. There are still so many things that don’t make sense, so many places where it looks impossible to the human eye. We’ve set before us Genesis 12:1 as “our verse” for this new adventure in following God.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”
And we believe that this is the Lord speaking to Amos and Natasha saying, “Go. Leave your country, your friends and your family and go to the place I have for you.”

Some things still make me nervous.
1. The language. I can sing a few songs in Creole but more than that? Nothing.

2. My work there. It was Amos who was asked to go. He has all the abilities they need and at times I feel a little confused… what is expected of me? If it is just to go and support my husband I feel confidant in doing that. However, I somehow doubt that God will make it that simple for me! It would be easy for me to do that in my own strength… and God has been impressing the verse in 2 Corinthians upon us lately:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

3. My health. I’ve had some major health problems over the past year. Part of me wonders at leaving all doctors and trained medical people…


But then! Oh, then… I think of Christ’s redemption. I think of his miracles. I think of his grace. And the solution I come to is this:
God shall not be mocked; men will reap what he sows.
And!
For everyone born of God overcomes the world!
And!
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.