Vacation With The Family:)

We are on our yearly Branson trip. I love this time with Ray, the kids, and my brother. Our original plans were to boat for a couple of days, but due to unseasonably cold weather, plans changed, no big deal. We have had a blast, no schedule, no time clock, nada, nothing, just go with the flow.
On the way down here we finally stopped at Lambert's Cafe, it only took us 12 years to finally eat at the "throwed roll place." Got into town and of course we had to hit the Go-Carts, we actually were able to crash into eachother without getting kicked out, Kudos to "The Track." Next stop our amazing vacation rental home, our family could actually live here, that's how big this place is. The girls and I went shopping, believe it or not the boys actually did as well. We met up for dinner at Red Lobster, yummy. Next stop the Haygoods, they put on an amazing show. We all went zip-lining, despite the fear some of us were feeling, can't wait to do that again. The girls headed home for a concert today and the boys went out on ATV's, the girls are coming back tomorrow. I almost forgot there has been some swimming, Basketball, and many hours at the arcade, (Ray is a kid at heart). Oh, and I fit a little school in as well.
This has been a great time of bonding, love having Josh back home, enjoy the sibling "interactions." Despite their differences they love eachother very much and care how the other is feeling. They are there to pick one another up, that is what family is all about.
We have a couple days left, I wish it didn't have to end! Not sure what we are going to do, but I do know it will be fun.
I am already looking forward to my beach vacation in July, I honestly don't think I could go a summer without the beach, yes, Ray spoils me. Loving God, family, and life.
~Linda

The Simple Life

Oh, to live the simple life!!! As I was driving to Branson this past Friday I past a horse and buggy. I have often wondered in all our craziness what it would be like to live like the Amish live. Would the kids appreciate the simple things in life? Would they be able to survive without t.v., internet, cell phones, video games, and of course electricity. I wonder, would our family relationships change? I guess the question is, would Ray and I be able to handle all the hard labor that would be involved living this life style? Not to mention in our fast paced world could we slow down and be happy with simplicity? Hmm, if only for a few months, would we all learn to get along better, appreciate everything we have, and never disrespect each other again?
O.K., who am I kidding? Honestly it is a great idea, but it would be a huge failure. Everyone is so used to the modern world we live in. I guess for now I will just hope that technology does not replace relationships and that dinner time can mean something to the family again, besides just eating on the run.
I feel blessed for what I have and hope I never take anything for granted, especially my precious family, whom I love more than words can say!

Ray's First Time "Kicked Out"

This weekend Ray coached Jacob's first tournament games for the season. They had a great win Friday night and well, a not so great rest of the weekend. I am not referring to how the kids played, I think they did the best they could for their first tournament this year. They all have to adjust to the changes they have gone through over the past year and learn to work together.
The funny part of this weekend is that Ray, who has mellowed out over the years, actually got kicked out of his first game. Anybody that knew the old Ray would have thought that he had probably been kicked out of many games, after all he has coached many years for kids ranging from age 6 through High School. We have seen many coaches cuss like sailors and remain in the game, but when Ray says, "Goodness gracious," they kick him out. Goodness gracious, really?!?! We just laughed about it probably because we have been around baseball for so many years, not much can shock us. I just thought this was too silly not to share. Hopefully we will have better umpires the rest of the year, but if not we might see a replay of Ray getting, "Kicked out."
~Linda

People Pleaser or God Pleaser

I came to the realization that I try to be a people pleaser. There is nothing wrong with being nice to people, but you don't have to try to make everyone happy. It is really hard to change, after all this is kinda who I am. I guess i just need to work on my relationship with God and only be concerned with pleasing Him. Sometimes guilt has played a role in being a people pleaser, but when I really stop and think about it what I feel guilty about is out of my control.
You can't always make your children, spouse, friends, etc. happy, so why bother? When you are walking in God's love everything else will work out. You can't change people or how they feel about you, but you can love them like Jesus does. How they react to you is totally up to them. I am just going to draw near to Him and trust that all other relationships with fall into place.
~Linda

Autoimmune Disease GONE!!!!

I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease 3 months ago. Blood tests confirmed it. I had prayed that God would just heal me of this, as I have a lot I want to accomplish and I felt this would just get in the way. Well, drum roll please...I went back today and there are no signs of it! I thought my doctor was going to do the happy dance. The first words out of my mouth were "It was God." I have no doubt that this was a God thing, autoimmune diseases don't just disappear. I am more than thrilled, because this is proof that my God is a healer. If He can heal me that quickly, I know He can do it for anyone.
My life just keeps getting better and better. This was just the "icing on the cake." I am expecting great things to happen for those that are asking and believing that they will receive.
Thank you God!!!!

You Are More....

As I was driving to the store this morning one of my favorite songs came on KLOVE, "You Are More." I feel like that could be my song. It's as if I could have written it. It starts with "There's a girl in the corner, with tear stains on her face", yes I was her! Note I said WAS her, past tense. God is so awesome, he took me from that place and really transformed me. I tried really hard to hide, but man, you just can't hide from God. "How did I get here?, I'm not who I once was." Through my three years of living in the pit, I often asked myself that same question. I wondered could God really return me to "who I once was?" I can say he has not only returned me to who I once was, but he has actually made me into a better version of my former self. I am not saying this because I am arrogant, I just know what God has done. "But don't you know who you are, what's been done for you?" I can now say, "I know who I am in Christ and what He has done for me." "Cause this is not about what you've done, But what's been done for you." It's not about my past or anybody's past for that matter!!! It's about what's been done for us on the cross!!!!! "You are more than the choices that you've made, you are more than the sum of your past mistakes, you are more than the problems you create, YOU'VE BEEN REMADE." That just sums it up. I know I have been remade and I want everyone to feel the freedom that I feel. I realize that it doesn't matter how bad you mess up, there is a God that forgives. Sometimes we are our own worst critics, but when you listen to the words in this song you realize, "You've been remade." I never want to forget what God has done for me; after all I've been remade:)

Surprise from Josh:)

It has been two weeks since we dropped Josh off at school and we are starting to adjust pretty well. He actually came home on Friday and totally surprised me, as I was expecting him on Saturday. When Caleb saw him he wrapped his arms around him, not about to let go, I saw his little face and there were tears. He is so close to Josh, so we knew it would be hard on him.
I began my first Phase of school last Tuesday and had completed it by Thursday. They allow two months to complete it and I was excited to have finished it so quickly. The next Phase will be a lot more intense, I know I was just blessed to have done so much of Phase 1 ahead of time. I took my first Childbirth class on Saturday and loved being around those cute little pregnant mommas. I can't say I really learned anything, but I enjoyed hearing what I already knew. It just reiterated why I am going to become a midwife. I can't wait to give more women the choice to birth the way God made their bodies to do so.
Zach and Hannah start school this week and I will miss having them around, even though they aren't going away to school, they will still be gone a lot. Family dinners will be fewer and farther between now. We did manage to have a couple of family dinners this past week, this is a huge accomplishment for us because everybody's schedules are so crazy. Sunday's are the day I am shooting for, this seems to work well with everybody.

Times Are Changing

This new year is going to be a year of changes for us. It started last weekend with taking Josh to College. He has been attending JCCC and chose Sterling Christian as the next step for his education. He will also be running Track, which is definitely his passion. It has been an adjustment for some of us, as we are used to having him around. The little guys and myself are really feeling it. I know this is only the beginning of what is to come, as we will watch 6 more kids head off to College over the years. Zach and Hannah are attending schools close to home; however they both will probably be going to different schools in the Fall. I think Caleb will have to live with us forever:)
I am beginning midwifery school this month, which has been a passion of mine for years, actually since before I started having kids. I know that this is my calling, I just had to wait until the kids were all old enough for me to begin this phase of my life. With me being in school that puts 4 of us in College, wow that is a huge burden for Ray to take on. We are blessed with Ray's business which allows all of us to go after our dreams.
I am trying to plan family dinner night, which is a huge challenge, as all the schedules don't coincide. Five of the nine of us were home last Thursday and actually all sat down together, we had a great time. Here's a little bit of the conversation between Matthew and Hannah. Hannah asked him, "Are there any cute girls in your class?", he responded, "No...wait, yes there are 2!", we asked who are they are, he was giggling and reluctant to tell us in front of his little brother, beings they go to the same school. We were all laughing, because Matt never talks about girls. We never did find out who they are. I look forward to a lot more of these family times. I guess it is the little things in life that make me smile.