Women in the Area

This is from our church... but all women in the area are invited!



Covenant Ladies, invite a friend to come with you. These events are suited to women of all ages.


This Sunday, Nov. 2 "Resting in God" Bible study
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Room # 302

Monday, Nov. 3 - WMU World Day of Prayer
Catawba Baptist Church
1144 Riverside Rd., Lancaster
6:45 p.m. registration, 7:00 p.m. meeting
Everyone is on their own for transportation.

Saturday, Nov. 8 - "Pumpkinlopes" Conference, a study on friendship from God's perspective
9:00 a.m. registration, 9:30 - 11:30 conference
Fellowship Hall - Covenant
Preschool child care available
Sign up on Women's Ministry bulletin board in main hallway by Wed., Nov. 5

Pass this along to others who may not be involved in our Women's Ministry.

Hope you're having a great day! Be safe! Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

Strong Heartbeat

Yea! I had another prenatal appointment today and heard the heartbeat of our little one growing inside. All is well. I'm measuring as I should, and all things are normal. Well, in my opinion my weight is way too high... but that is another story. =0) I am 20 weeks along. For those of you who don't keep up with these sorts of things... pregnancies are normally 40 weeks long (+/- a couple of weeks). I'm usually pregnant about 41 weeks! So, most likely, I'm about half way. I'm still feeling this little one inside squirming all around... one of the greatest feelings in all the world.

Thanks for continuing to keep us in your prayers. Please continue to pray for a normal, healthy pregnancy & birth for the little one and me.

In case you are wondering... we're not going to find out if we're having a boy or a girl. I guess we'll all find out in March! Crazy, huh?

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

Princess Emma

I seldom post pictures of my Emma. Now this has nothing to do with how much I love her or anything like that. It has to do with the fact that she is in that wonderful three year old stage that does not want to look at the camera and smile. Olivia was the SAME way. So hopefully Emma will soon pass through it like her big sister & become a poser! =0)

On this day (in the last week or so), she was in a posing mood! =0) All the kids (yes, even the boys) were playing dress up. The girls were in princess garb, and the boys were who knows what... builders, pirates, etc. I decided to grab the camera to see if Emma would pose... and she did!

While you're here looking at my Emma, I want to tell you something so sweet about her. Below is a picture of some flowers that grow by our back door. (Now they might be weeds for all I know, but to Emma & me, they are flowers!) There were some other flowers growing there, too, but I waited too long to get a picture of them.

Just about each and every time we pass by those flowers, Emma stops to pick some for me. It just about makes me cry. Now, it usually just about makes me cry because I am always fussing and rushing the kids in or out of the house... "hurry & get in the car & buckle up" or "hurry & get inside." In the midst of my fussing, my precious Emma is picking me flowers. I don't deserve them. Not at all. Then each time, I'm finishing buckling her or inside the house, she looks up at me and grins, "Flowers for you, Mommy."

Just sitting here thinking about this, I am crying. How undeserving I am of her unconditional love.

Isn't God the same way? We are rushing around hurrying through life, and He is holding out blessings for us that we pass up. Right now, he is offering us the glory of Fall. Are we able to sit back & relax and enjoy his gift? Do we stop to say, "Thank you, Lord"? Do we model that for our children? Are they learning the hurried life from us? Or are they learning to be still and know that HE is Lord?

I know I need to stop being in a hurry so much. Even when I'm trying to stop, I'm still hurrying (and not accomplishing anything).

Lord, please help me to STOP. Help me to start each day asking you to fill me with the Holy Spirit. Help me to only walk the path you have chosen for me that day. Help me to stroll down that path, not sprint, so that I will not miss anything you have in store for me. Help me notice others along the path that you have put there for me to bless and bring closer to you. Father, help me be still... not just to be still... but in order to hear you speaking to me. Help me teach my children these truths. More importantly, Lord, help me model these truths to the blessings you have given me. In Jesus name, Amen

May the Lord be with you today as you worship Him.

Love,
Melinda =0)

January Florida Trip Cancelled

I can't remember what I've posted here, what we've sent out in updates, and what some of you may have received in the mail or in person... but for those of you who read our blog, I thought I'd let you know before we send out our next update via e-mail or newsletter via mail.

Anyway, the title tells you that we aren't going to Florida in January. Since we are members of Wycliffe now, our next step was going to the Training Camp (TC) they hold in Orlando. The next one is in January, so we were planning on attending that. Well, they have just revamped the TC, and now it is a lot different, and we've been advised not to attend because it is basically a lot of stuff we don't need now since we're already part of a faith-based mission organization. However, there is still some training we need, but our Personnel Administrator (PA) here in town is going to be able to do that with us one afternoon a week in Dec & Jan. Plus they are putting some training online that we will be doing.

Now, in some ways this is sad. Who wouldn't want to go to Orlando in January??? Also, we'd hoped to see some friends who were close by while we were there. Also, everyone always talks about how great TC is and how much they and their kids loved it. But the good side... the new TC is not going to be what the old TC was. We won't have to travel 8,000 hours in the van with the kids (oh, I mean 8+). I won't have to endure that road trip 7 months pregnant! And always a good point, this will save us (and our financial partners) a big chunk of change for the TC and for traveling.

Just thought I'd let you know in case you knew about our upcoming trip.

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

Please Read

I know your time is precious... everyone's is! But I think the blog post below is well worth your time, and I even think it is worth passing on to others... which is what I'm doing (thank you Ken for taking the time to pass it on to me). I hope you take the time to read all of it. It might take you one or two or three times to get to the end... it took me coming back & forth. Watch the movies, too. The first one is great even for the kids to see. The second one is good for older kids (maybe middle school or high school). You watch it first to decide. I remember seeing stuff like this when I was in middle school. It has definitely impacted my life. I'm glad I was able to see it then... when I was impressionable. May the Lord bring us all to our knees in repentance as a nation.

The author of this blog is a very credible source. I respect all of his stuff I have ever read.

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

Click this link:
http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/2008/10/im-not-voting-for-man-im-voting-for.html

Mourning into Gladness

Last week as I was waking, this verse was on my mind. (The verse is Jeremiah 31:13 where God says, "Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow." (italics mine)

This verse was on my mind because I was enjoying the movements of this precious life inside of me. I have been confident of this baby's movement since October 1st when I was speaking at the church up in Charlotte for Caleb Ministries.

The reason it is even SO MUCH MORE special this time around is because after I began to suspect something may be wrong with Seth, I would lie in bed waiting and waiting and waiting to feel him move. I was far enough along that I thought I should be feeling him. However, I was still in the range of "normal" for not feeling movement yet. Those weeks of wondering and waiting were so hard. It was hard to start my day which in turn made everything much slower getting started. I had already begun the mourning process before I knew for sure that something was wrong with Seth.

So, now... I have the GLADNESS. Now when I awake, I can feel the reassuring signs of life. I am around 19 weeks along now, so I have been feeling movement since before 17 weeks. It has been a precious gift from my Lord. And with this gift, as it states in the verse... God has given me Gladness... He's given me comfort and joy. It does make me feel like dancing... but instead, I lie in bed a few minutes longer and savor every movement. Thank you, Lord.

As you may pray for our family today, please pray that we would have joy and gladness throughout the day no matter what we face. Pray that we would accomplish all that GOD DESIRES for us to accomplish. Pray that we would all be disciplined in all areas the Lord is at work in our lives. Also continue to pray for this life inside... pray for a healthy baby & Mommy & a wonderful delivery in March. Also, please pray for all to stay healthy as the temperatures change.

Please let us know how we can pray for you! Have a wonderful Monday & a great week!

Love,
Melinda =0)

Pumpkin Patches

Below are some farms kind of in the area where you can go to celebrate Fall and get some good pumpkin pictures. This has become a tradition in our family. I'm surprised how far we have to go to do this. I wanted to post this for you gals in the area in case you didn't know where to go. We plan to go somewhere this weekend, but we haven't decided which one yet. The first 2 are a little over an hour away from where we live. The third is only about 45 minutes away.

The one we went to last year has some slides that the kids loved! One is even fun for the parents... I think I'll skip this year.

Here's the info! Maybe we'll see you there!

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

The Apple Harvest Festival on Saturday is at Windy Hill Orchard in York, SC (from 9-6, I think) The festival is free, but if you want to do some stuff… it is $7 a person. Here is what they said in an e-mail back to me: Admission is free....if you would like to do the tour (hayride, pumpkin, tasting, cider making demi, Johnny Appleseed story) the cost is $7 http://www.windyhillorchard.com/oscommerce-2.2ms2/catalog/index.php (I just got an e-mail from the orchard and you don't need reservations for the tours on Saturday, and kids under 2 are free with a paying adult.)

Last year we went to Riverbend Farm. It is north (maybe) of Monroe. It was great! It is $4 a person (not an apple orchard… but it has neat stuff) Pumpkins are 40 cents a pound if you want to pick one from the field (or 5). It is a HUGE field! Cool. The kids LOVED this whole experience last year. (open 10-6 on Saturdays) http://www.riverbendfarm.net/docs/october_weekends.html


Hunter Farm is open 9-7 on Saturdays. It is just up 16. The MOPS group went there last year, but I didn’t go. It is in Weddington 3 miles south of 485, I think. It is $8 for adults and $6 for kids and pony rides are $4 each. http://www.thehunterfarm.org/Home/index.html
Grandparents might be free.

Virus

If you haven't read the post below about civil war, read it first...

So today must be the day for misquotes! ha!

While we were at the library, Olivia checked out a book about How to Draw Tennessee and Things from Tennessee (that may not be the exact title). But anyway, as I was making lunch, she was saying she couldn't wait to learn how to draw Tennessee and other things like their flower, the "virus"!! ha ha!

Those of you NOT from Tennessee, like we are, may not be laughing yet... but the state flower from Tennessee is the IRIS!!

Kids say some funny things, don't they? =0)

Civil War

Today on the way home from the library, we were listening to an Adventures in Odyssey tape. One of the characters mentioned civil war just as we were arriving home. Derek got out of his seat & was looking directly at me. He said, "Mom, he just said civil war." I agreed & said it again wondering what his big epiphany was. Actually, I was hoping he was remembering the other day when we had read a story about some missionaries who were experiencing civil war in their country. Derek has an excellent memory and quite a handle on some big vocabulary for a Kindergartener.

Well, I quickly discovered I was wrong. Derek said, "He said, 'civil war' you know like what we eat with!"

Ha! I tried not to laugh too hard, but I made sure I enunciated the difference between silverware and civil war!

I hope you're having a good day! Our day yesterday improved. Derek hasn't complained about his thumb all day today... nor did he complain at all yesterday past mid-morning! Thank you, Lord. Thank YOU for lifting us up!

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

Burnt Thumb and Spilled Milk

Okay, I know you are not supposed to cry over spilled milk... but I'm getting close! =0)

I guess the most important part of this message is to ask you to pray for Derek and his thumb. He burned it this morning. He felt it necessary to move something from the top of the stove that he thought would get burned (???). Meanwhile, he burned his thumb because the "eye" was still hot from where I had just finished cooking eggs. Now, you know Derek is tough and all boy and daring and all that... what you may not know is he is the biggest whiner in all the world when he gets hurt! So please pray that the pain will remain subsided. Thankfully, the Lord has already answered our prayers concerning this.

Then shortly after this "tragedy" was taken care of, he and Emma both tripped over a broom (at separate times) that Wesley had gotten out (and due to its location, I did not see it). They might have bruised shins since it was just below the step that steps up into the kitchen. However both seem to be doing fine.

Now on to the spilled milk...

Olivia spilled Emma's milk. Then a little later Derek spilled his! Argh! Not only is this a mess... but this is expensive! =0) We drink rice milk. AND just recently everyone around us has stopped selling it... so just yesterday, we drove all the way to Charlotte to get 12 half-gallons which will last about 1 1/2 weeks... think a half-gallon a day. So, we are rationing this so that we don't run out too soon... so what happens today??? We spill two precious cups of this stuff! =0) See why I want to cry... well maybe not cry... but SCREAM at some kids!

So... please pray that the rest of today will go a little smoother. Pray that I will have gentle answers that turn away wrath... rather than harsh words that stir up anger! =0) Wednesdays are supposed to be days we accomplish a lot since we have no where to go, no interruptions, etc. Well, it is 9:36 a.m. and we haven't gotten far yet! SO, I thought I would take a few minutes to ask you to lift us up if you are reading blogs first thing this morning! =0)

Meanwhile, I will go practice inhaling and exhaling... nice & deep! Thanks for listening and lifting us up even for "little" things.

See below for a couple of posts listed recently.

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

Texas Trip Cancelled

We told some of you that we may be coming to Texas at the end of October/first of November, but we decided (after prayer and budget watching) that now wouldn't be the best time. We are sad that we won't get to see you, but maybe in the Spring (around Mother's Day) we'll be able to come for a visit!

Have a great Wednesday!

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

Butterfly Release - Saturday, October 11

I wish I had a great picture of a Monarch butterfly to show you. Unfortunately, they are too hard to capture with a still camera as you release them. =0(

We were invited to this Butterfly Release in memory of Seth. Actually, it was a memorial type service for a lot of families who had lost babies or children over the years. We received the invitation from the hospital where Seth was born. The service was actually sponsored by the children's hospital in town. It was the 4th annual. Mostly it was for families who had stillborn babies, early infant deaths (premature babies or babies with major complications), or young children who died after a long struggle since birth.

It was a beautiful service. It was outdoors at a park where the bricks in the courtyard area had some names of some of these children or children from years past. The weather was gorgeous. (We were actually overdressed.) When we left home in SC (around 12:45 pm), it was chilly & windy & spitting rain. When we arrived in Charlotte (1 hour north), it was sunny and warm. It wasn't too hot, but we definitely could have worn short sleeves!

I was surprised at how Christian the service was. They had several parents speak who all mentioned their faith. They had a doctor speak (not sure if he was an MD or another kind of doctor), but when he prayed and spoke it included a lot of scripture (mostly from the New Testament). They also had at least 4 people sing beautiful Christian songs.

Then as we all stood in a circle around the courtyard, we were given the opportunity to say who we were there in memory of and we could add anything we wanted. Some people shared a story... most, like us, just shared our baby's name and the age he/she died.

There were lots of kids there, including ours. There were babies and pregnant women, too. There were lots of tears shed that day by many, but not that many by us. It was a celebration of life... even if the lives were very short. I was thankful to have been invited. They said we would be invited every year if we wanted to stay on the mailing list. We chose to stay on the list. Maybe we'll go again next year.

After we left, we stopped by the hospital to drop off notes to the two nurses who meant so much to us during Seth's birth (we had hoped they were going to be at the Butterfly Release). It was upon arriving at the hospital that my tears began to flow. I was kind of shocked at how much emotion flooded me upon approaching the birthing center at the hospital. I had driven by the hospital several times since April 30th, but I had never driven back to the birthing center area. It took me several minutes to calm down enough to walk in to drop off the notes. Unfortunately the nurses were not there, so I left them at the desk.

From there, oddly enough, we went to Babies R Us (since we were "in the city") to look at a couple of items we'll be needing for our new baby's arrival in the spring! We even actually registered so we wouldn't have to try to remember the stuff! ha! After that, we ran a couple of other errands "in the city" before heading home.

So, all in all, it was a good day. It was emotional... happy & sad... but it is nice to know there are others who understand our pain. It is also nice to know there are people who want to remember our children we only had for a moment. While they were only here on earth for a glimpse of time... we'll be in eternity with them forever... our family will be complete.

Below are some pix from the day...

Love,

Melinda =0)

The three big kids during the service. Wesley was in his stroller. No, the kids did not stay this way the entire time (unfortunately). It was an informal service, and there were lots of "city noises" so thankfully it was kid friendly.

This was the triangular shaped cardstock box our butterfly was in. When you opened it, the butterfly was folded up in the box.

If you look carefully just above the white canopy, you can see a Monarch Butterfly. (No that isn't Dano in the picture. Dano still has a thick head of hair. hee hee)

Our photographer, Olivia, took the picture of the two of us, and I took the picture of the kids. (Yes, Wesley had on shoes when we arrived... but part of his entertainment during the service was removing his socks & shoes. This also happens to be one of his favorite past times in the car whenever we go anywhere! Ugh!)

These beautiful murals were painted on the walls of a pedestrian tunnel that passes under an overpass at the park.

If you are thinking I'm HUGE... I am. Remember, I started out this pregnancy with a lot of weight from Seth's pregnancy that I hadn't lost yet. So if you're wondering twins... there has been no sign of them yet... but we'll let you know if that changes! ha!

PS If you want to see larger versions of these pictures, I think if you just click or double click on them, they will enlarge. =0)

Encouragement for Today

Psalm 18
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.
...
16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.
...
46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
47 He is the God who avenges me,
who subdues nations under me,
48 who saves me from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
from violent men you rescued me.
49 Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD;
I will sing praises to your name.
50 He gives his king great victories;
he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.

This morning as I get glimpses of the sun rising over our back field, the following is so true...
Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
...
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

In my quiet times in the morning, I have been attempting to read a chapter in Genesis and 5 chapters in Psalms. Well, as seems to be the theme... I am always behind. Since today is the 14th, I should have read Psalm 66-70. But instead I read Psalm 18 & 19! Nonetheless, they were what I needed to read this morning. What a wonderful reminder of God's power and righteousness. What a great reminder that He is on our side... if we're on His.

May you be encouraged today by God's Word no matter the battle, enemy, or struggle you face. May you take refuge in HIM today!

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

For both complete passages follow the link to Biblegateway.com: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2018%20-19;&version=31;

Wesley... Future Photographer?

Well, maybe not!!!! This little guy is apparently quicker than I think. Obviously, I should be more responsible with my camera. I often leave it next to the computer after I upload... or is it download... my pix from my camera to my computer. After finding evidence of Wesley's photography, I am doing my best to be more responsible. I really had no idea he had taken these pictures until I was looking at them on the computer! I knew he had the camera... but I didn't realize he had operated it! The first one of his face was taken about a week before the last four. (I think the second one was before we went to FL.) The three shots of his feet are only a sampling of the 6 or 7 shots he took of his feet... and it looks like he was standing in his little tent while shooting. (Can you say "Fred Flintstone"?? Those are some WIDE rectangle feet!)

Now, I know some of you may not remember what flooring from the 60's or 70's looked like (or maybe you've tried to forget)... so get a good look at the linoleum in our family room. It is in our kitchen and back entry, too. It compliments the giant wagon wheel light fixture hanging in our family room (as seen in the first picture above Wesley). =0)

Now see this last picture shows what he was doing before he got the photography itch... he was being a good little 21 month old playing with his puzzles and drinking his milk, then suddenly I guess he heard the call of the camera! Was he hiding in his tent with the camera? And some people believe children are perfectly innocent!

I hope you're having a great Monday! May the Lord bless you this week... so that you may go out and be a blessing to others!

In Him,

Melinda =0)

You Know What Stinks?

I'm sure many of you have had to deal with this as you have lost loved ones, but I had never thought of this aspect until this season of our life dealing with Seth's death.

What stinks is that you get bills from the hospital (and all those involved). Of course, this is just to be expected. It was sad the first time we got them, but now it is annoying and frustrating and even more sad. Our medical coverage (with Christian Care Medi-Share) is covering them. However, it takes a while sometimes for claims to be paid. In the meantime, we keep getting bills informing us if we don't pay they'll turn us over to collection, etc. I'm sure you've all dealt with similar situations with any number of medical bills. This always seems to be the case somehow... something was processed wrong, someone has the wrong info, etc., etc.

So... in order to stay in good standing, you make a phone call... and another... and another.

All in all, I have talked to kind people who seem to help me get things sorted out... again. But I just wish it would end!!

Can you say a prayer with me that the phone calls I made today will be the last phone calls I have to make regarding this? I just want to close this chapter of Seth's life. Will you also pray that the claims would be paid quickly so that we can stop receiving bills from the hospital, the doctor's office, and the pathology people?

This is not a money issue... it is a bureaucracy issue! I cannot even imagine if the government were involved! It would be MUCH worse! Actually, I don't have to imagine. We used to have our insurance through the government when Dano was in the Navy. It WAS worse! Okay, I didn't mean to turn political. I just wanted to vent & ask you to pray... this way I didn't have to call Dano at work or call my sisters!

Thanks for listening!

Love,
Melinda =0)

Rummage Sale

This is info from my friend here in town. I think she'll be selling some of her kids' clothes in this sale. She has 3 boys and 2 girls. They are always dressed so cutely! Please come if you can or make a donation by Friday. This is for a great cause. We're all commanded to care for the orphans. We can help Mary Ann and her family care for the orphans they adopted!

Blessings,
Melinda =0)


The Shrum Family will be having a Yard Sale Oct. 11th, 2008. All funds raised will be put toward their adoption expenses that were left over from the adoptions of Sara Ava and Lilee. They will also be taking donations. If you would like to donate some unwanted items, bake something , or give a donation please contact Mary Ann 803-313-9706. (They will be accepting items through Friday Oct. 10th) Please pass this on to as many people as you can!
(The yard sale will be from 7am-12 noon) They live at 604 Gills Brook Rd. in Lancaster. *Please pray that it does not rain and that the sale does well!!!!!!*

What's In the Box - Part 2

And finally... the answer...

Those who "guessed" Pilatus Porter going to Indonesia were right... and perhaps had some insider info! Good Job!

The top two pictures were taken on the same (rainy) day we took the pictures of the exterior of the container in the first post about this box. It doesn't look much like a plane because it is disassembled for shipping.

I've posted a picture of what the plane looked like when it arrived at JAARS and a link to show you what it looked like before it was disassembled.

Now here is Dano to give you some more info: The first PC-6 I ever saw was in Papua, Indonesia about two years ago while on a rapid response trip. Two of the three mission aviation organizations operating there were using PC-6's. While I was there the chief of maintenance told me that in five years he expected all of their aircraft to be turbine powered due to the scarcity of avgas needed for piston powered aircraft. Today, the fleet of aircraft used in Papua has increased by two, thanks to raised funds to purchase a PC-12 and the tremendous gift of this PC-6.

The picture below is the PC-6 that was donated. After dedicating it for God's use in missions the team in Waxhaw began to remove the amphibious floats and set it back on its legs (landing gear) again. Next the aircraft underwent a tremendous amount of avionics and navigational equipment upgrades. Then the 6 was sent to Texas for a paint scheme change and new registration numbers identifying it as Indonesian. After the 6's return to Waxhaw more projects and a mountain of paperwork was implemented. Finally, the 6 was disassembled and carefully secured inside the above trailer. That container is now on a ship on its way to Indonesia. It will take about two months for the 6 to arrive at its final destination so I am told.

If you are wondering about the floats... we sold them on E-Bay I think it was. Those proceeds were used to prepare this 6 for its new work environment. If you think it is rare for someone to donate an airplane to you, just think how rare it is to be donated an airplane that is of the same make and exact model you need to augment what you already have. God really does know our needs and when it comes to His word being put into the language of people who have never had it, I know He can move in mighty ways. So lets keep on praying and give what we can when we can and finish the work of putting God's word into every language.

Thank you for praying for our family as we continue to serve Him through mission aviation. God answers every prayer.

A link for "the rest of the story" http://www.jaars.org/whoweare/newsroom/pressreleases/new-york-stock-exchange-chairman-marshall-n-carter-donates-plane-north-carolina%E2%80%99s-jaars-inc

Here is what the new paint job looks like. This is not the plane in the container, but this is the same type of plane with the same paint job. This picture is copyrighted, so you have to follow the link if you want to see it. http://www.airliners.net/open.file/660712/L/

Roasting Marshmallows

Why is it that what Daddies see as fun, Mommies see as stressful? I'm sure it goes back to that warrior/hunter thing I mentioned the other day. Plus I guess really us "girls" are nurturers. Dano wanted to roast marshmallows after supper tonight on a little fire in the backyard. At first this sounded great... until I saw the fire in the backyard and our children outside playing! Yikes! All I could think now was about an ER trip with a child covered in burns! Okay, I'm not completely paranoid all the time, but a fire is pretty scary... and yes, maybe I'm still afraid of fire! =0) So, there were lots of prayers and times for instruction... for example, you don't run toward a fire, you don't throw things into the fire, you don't poke sticks in the fire, etc.

All in all we had a fun little marshmallow roast. In the end, Olivia is really the only one (besides the adults) who appreciated the roasted marshmallows. The rest preferred them "raw."

This was supposed to be a picture of me and Wesley (he is standing in front of me helping me roast a marshmallow). Olivia was taking the picture... just as she was finally going to snap it, Emma stepped in to roast her marshmallow! Look at all that hair she is finally getting!

Okay, I cannot take credit for Derek's outfit. He loves to dress in layers... and you never know what he's going to be dressed like! As soon as we got home from JAARS Day, he changed his clothes. Then later he had this on. He has on a sleeveless t-shirt with his jammie shirt over it with a camo jacket (that is too small). On the lower half, I later found out he had on jammie shorts (that don't match the jammie shirt) and athletic pants on over those! Strange or creative?

Later tonight or maybe tomorrow I plan to post some pictures & movies from JAARS Day. We had a great time!

Have a wonderful day of Rest and Worship tomorrow. May each day in the coming week be a day of worship!

Blessings,

Melinda =0)

JAARS Day... Tomorrow!

If you are in the area or you can get here quick, you should go to JAARS Day tomorrow. We go to each one (I think). Our kids love to go. There are four a year. This is the last one this year. It starts at 10 a.m. They each have a different focus. This time the focus is aviation (or maybe all of transportation). If you can't make it by 10... come by the hanger at 11 a.m. for the flight demonstration. There will be other things set up in the hangar. You can bring a lunch or you can buy a lunch for $5 a person. Everthing is basically free except food and flights. You can ride in a helio (small plane) or a helicopter.

If you can't make it tomorrow, plan on coming next year! We'll host you if you're from out of town. It is a great opportunity to learn more about JAARS and Wycliffe Bible Translators.

Here is a link to learn more about JAARS Day: http://www.jaars.org/visit.shtml#JAARSDay

Hope to see you there! Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Melinda

PS My thumb is so great that I don't even wear a band-aid anymore! Thanks for praying!

Thank You for Praying!

Tonight I was so blessed to share with the above ladies. You know, I'm sure their group probably has a name, but I don't know what it is. Nonetheless, they were a blessing and an encouragement to me! I love the way God works. (See previous post for the beginning of this story.)

He did give me words to say, and He gave me the strength to speak without a constant flow of tears. In my weakness, He makes me strong.

Below are some items they had ready for Caleb Ministries. Actually, one of the ladies pictured above is with Caleb Ministries not the sewing group at this church, but she does sew for the PAT boxes, too, from what I understand. I couldn't believe how many items there were. This wasn't a year's worth either. I think it was only from a few weeks or months. Wow! I could sew for the rest of my life & never make so many beautiful things... or even one!

Pictured are dresses (or gowns) in a variety of sizes, blankets, bonnets, and even some booties. The booties are knitted. Tonight, these precious ladies blessed me with a tiny pair of booties for my Seth.

The sad thing is that families will be needing these precious items. Families will be losing precious little babies. We live in a fallen world where we are affected by death, but thankfully we worship a Lord who has conquered death and is ALIVE! And we, too, can have this LIFE! My Seth is already living eternally!

Please pray for these unknown families. Pray they will be blessed by the PAT box. Pray they will turn to God in their loss. Pray He will receive Glory and Honor through the life of the little one that left their lives so soon.

Pray for these ladies to continue to be encouraged in their work. If you like to sew, and want to be a blessing to someone in this situation, please see the Caleb Ministry website to learn more. Click Here! Then scroll down a little. You can sew or just donate needed items for others to sew.

Love,

Melinda =0)

Please Pray

Tonight I have the opportunity to go share with a group of ladies who sew as their ministry. They faithfully supply Caleb Ministries with items for their PAT boxes. A PAT box is what I received from Caleb Ministries when Seth was born. Mine contained a precious gown and a blanket sewn by someone with a ministering heart. It could have been one of these ladies. PAT boxes for older babies also contain a bonnet and an envelope for the baby's hair. In addition to these items, the boxes also contain information and a book to help during a mother's time of loss.

Please pray that I will speak what the Lord will have me to say.
Please pray that He will give me the strength to share without too many tears.
Please pray that the Lord will use me to encourage these ladies in their ministry.
Please pray for protection as I travel to and from the church. It is about 1 hour away (up in Charlotte).

I speak at 6:30 pm (EST) tonight (Wednesday).

Thank you for supporting me in prayer. I'd love to know if you're praying. You could leave a comment to let me know. (I realize that some of you may not receive this until AFTERWARDS, but you could still pray for the Lord to continue to encourage these ladies.)

Blessings,
Melinda =0)

(The underlined words above are links to the ministry and the boxes.)

Olivia Lost a Tooth

Olivia's front tooth was finally ready to let go! It has been hanging on by a thread for weeks! This morning it easily let go when I gave it a tug! Yea! Olivia quickly discovered that her permanent tooth is already emerging! So she won't be toothless long!

This is the 4th tooth Olivia has lost. The first three were on the bottom. I wonder when she'll lose that other top tooth. I just gave it a little wiggle. It might be ready to let go in the near future!

Have a great Wednesday!

Blessings,
Melinda =0)