Father's Day '21 and Eminent Domain

Well that's an interesting title.... always some drama going on....

Father's Day '21 this year was a bit smaller.  We brought Selah to church and Sam and Sarah stayed home with their caregiver.  It was a little too complicated to bring all of them.  Steve was able to get there in time for the sermon.  The church he works out closes about the time we start service.  It works nicely:)

I love this candid picture-it just shows how natural our older boys are with our little ones.  Everything is just a part of their lives.  

Jon got his pictures with Sarah and Sam at home

We had a good day together with our kids! Any time we can get together is a good day!

Well for a few years now we have heard that our "neighborhood" could be affected by a new state road.... I've fought it and have emailed and called politicians over the years.  Recently we got a notice about the proposed routes of the new road.  One route would affect our home and one route would affect our church.  How ironic!  We have already hired a lawyer to fight Eminent Domain. However if we do not win we want the best outcome for our family as possible.  It is very very probable that we will lose our home.  If you remember Habitat for Humanity helped us build a handicapped accessible home for the kids.  IF you have any questions about HH just let me tell  you it's not quite what you'd imagine.  I'm still not sure what I think of them.  The only real advantage of working with them is the home owners get an interest free loan on their home.  Of course a family has to qualify just as if they were buying a home from any other company.  Many people thought our home was free (far from it) and I know some folks donated to HH with that idea in mind.  At the time we were overwhelmed by Selah's needs and our nursing situation.  We had looked for a home with an area that would work for Selah and had not been able to find it.  HH contacted us and it went from there.  We have had to do many upgrades on our home and deal with several issues.  What you see of HH - with volunteers building the houses....that's just for show.  Contractors and their crews do most of the work.  They do have some skilled retired volunteers who do some work under the contractors supervision.  But it is far from what most people think HH does.  HH was not helpful after we got into our home and they got no publicity for their actions.  Thanks to an inheritance we paid off our home and got the needed upgrades and repairs done.  We had many promises made to our family that never ever happened.  I'm not bitter but  I am a very realistic person and call it like I see it.  I think they used our family (orphans/disabled kids) as a publicity stunt for a company that was near bankruptcy (the local one was in bad shape financially and had to let staff go along with a building)   But despite all of that we love our home.  Like I said we paid it off (full market value) and we did all the upgrades and repairs that were needed.  There are still somethings that were done "half butt" as my grandmother would say (or something along those lines lol)  that we need to redo but we've taken it one step at a time.  

We had planned on this being our last home and a home where the little kids could live the rest of their lives with caregivers after we were gone.  This is the last home that we all lived under the same roof as now our oldest lives on his own and our second oldest probably will soon.   So we were willing to do all the things to make the house perfect and for long term upkeep.  So while we love our home we love it because we live here together and have worked on it and paid it off.  We have a bad taste in our mouths from dealing with HH  But we'd had hoped this was going to be the "family home" for the rest of our lives and beyond.  Now we know that may not be!

Yesterday I met with two lawyers-our house is right in the crosshairs of developers.  Understanding the states obligation should they take our property helps as they have a huge obligation especially with our family's situation and the fact this home was built for the children.  But even tho we would be compensated I shudder to think of the impact to the environment if this road extension should go through.  This road would cut through our rural neighborhood and miles and miles of virgin forest!  It would go through the watershed of the Hillsborough River that is the main water source for the Tampa Bay area!  It makes me sick!  We just celebrated 6 years of living in this house..... we never dreamed 6 years ago that something like this could happen to us.  But I'm a long range planner so we are already discussing what to do if this all happens and we have to rebuild.  We are thinking of moving north to a more rural area up near where our kids go to horse therapy.  By the time this all happens my husband will be near retirement age -he only needs 4 more years.  But who know what will happen?  I've just learned to trust God and hang on for the ride!  This whole situation has made me very anxious at times.  Sometimes I feel the anxiety rising up in me and I have to calm down.  Now tht we have semblance of a plan I'm trying to focus on the positives.  

These pictures are from the farm during a lovely rainstorm last week .  Luckily Sarah had finished her horse riding or she would have been upset.  We are actually looking up in this area....can you see why?  

The moon over our yard a few nights ago....

If you think of us just pray that our family will be in just the right place that will best for the little kids.  That's the most important thing.  There's so much to think about to relocate them from child care and therapies to doctors & safe areas where they feel calm  

SILVER SPRINGS STATE PARK

 Silver Springs in Ocala Florida is famous for its glass bottom boats.  It was Florida's first tourist attraction and it dates bac to the 1870's.  My granny told me of visiting there but for some reason I had never gone.   Well Jon had an extra day off this week so we went.  It was well worth the trip. 

  Someone asked why we don't take the little kids on most of these trips...well there's a couple of reasons.  The first reason is they are just not too interested in their schedule being changed around.  If it's just Jon and me going then it is alot of work to take them.  As they are older it's hard to find places to change them.  You have NO idea what a problem that is for us.  Also Sarah only eats pureed food so that is a challenge too, there are only a few places where we can get her food pureed- Olive Garden is one of the few that will always do it for us.  Thankfully they have a wonderful caregiver who they love and they stay home with her playing with their toys, eating and taking afternoon naps with no stress for anyone.  It also refreshes us not to have to be caregivers for a few hours.  We love our kids but the responsibilities with special needs kids only grows as they grow.  Think of having children who are toddlers forever..... that's our life and we gladly accept it but we need a few hours to unwind!  The older boys were both at work.  Our oldest son told us we've been acting like empty nesters LOL

Silver Spring web site

The admission price is $2 (well it is for seniors which Jon and I both are!!!!  OH MY GAWD!  It make me feel good and yet a bit guilty when the ticket taker questioned my age.  She was suspicious....and I loved her for that!  

To ride the boat it is $10 and you are guaranteed to get a few screaming kids or one that asks dumb questions (yes some questions are dumb)   we were lucky we got both!  Actually it's usually a parent who thinks little Mikey is sooooo cute asking questions and generally being obnoxious.... As you can tell when I have no kids with me I don't want anyone's kids around LOL  One of my pet peeves is kis who are obnoxious because the parent thinks that's cute...it's not!  Ok off my soap box! 

the famous glass bottom boat  The fleet they have now were first used in 1965... a good year!

 It's really that clear- no touch ups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This was actually used in several tv shows/movies

 Absolutely beautiful 

 Se walked all the trails and even did a dirt one to be able to get our 10,000 steps in.  it's very wheel chair accessible except for the boat a person has to be able to transfer themselves.  

 

Jon always wears long sleeves and pants and i wear as little as I can!  I don't know how he stands it in Florida!  He looks like a ranger! 

this was taken from the bridge- yes it is that clear

Most of the builds are closed for repairs.  I was so disappointed because we usually get a magnet and coffee mug from every where we go.

It was absolutely gorgeous and not too hot.  We got there at 10 (its a 1.5 hour drive for us.)  We drive up a country road through the middle of Florida Hwy 471.  I just love that drive.  We were there for about 3-4 hours.  We walked all the trails but didn't see the wild monkeys although we think we heard them once or twice.  

Then we went to lunch at a Cracker Barrel in order to do a favor for a friend.  Just know no good deal goes unpunished....   She needed cases of DAD root beer for her church on Sunday as part of a give away to the dads.  So she found the one in that area that had loads of it.  After we got it loaded in the van we ate lunch.  Then before we took the long ride home we stopped at the bathrooms....  now normally I wouldn't share that but there's a reason...

This is my FB posts only moments later as I wanted to capture my emotions....

"Y’all I’m DYING.... new Cracker Barrel-everything is the same EXCEPT for the bathrooms- they are switched. I am a creature of habit. Y’all know what just happened...I didn’t realize it was the men’s room till I came out of the stall & saw the urinal! . I ran out without washing my hands . . What’s even funnier.... my husband saw my tennis shoes next to him & was wondering about the guy with the MUDD Shoes on ( they are girls tennis shoes) I laughed so hard I cried & couldn’t get my breath I met Jon when he came out. He was laughing when he realized that was me "

You see I have a history of going into men's bathrooms BY ACCIDENT.  We have some family jokes about it.  This just took me over the edge.  I was absolutely howling with laughter, tears running down my face... I needed a good laugh.  And you can laugh at me!  I always say "if you can't laugh at yourself come sit by me and I'll laugh at you"  Laughter is good medicine.  

Life has been hard in so many ways recently.  I'm dealing with a lot of pain and loss as I recently lost a newly discovered family member and one of my dearest friends is facing a major health crises that is not going the way we want it to go.  Tears and eternity are close to me right now.  Both dear ones have the hope of heaven and that is a blessing but the pain of loss is very real.  For one the pain of not knowing about each other but for just a few weeks before he passed...and for the other one  a dear long time friend who is struggling so hard to fight a monster of a disease.   Life is so very very hard at times.  My emotions are on the surface right now and the only thing I can do is fall back on the promises of God.  I have to remind myself throughout the day.  Loss is hard for everyone that's why we hate death so much and fight it because we don't want to be apart from the ones we love.  But loss is my nemesis.  I've had more than my share of loss starting from when I was born- some losses were by death some were separation or things out of my control.  One of my close friends says I have a little tribe that I hold fiercely to and that's true.  I like/care about most everyone in my world but I'm not a gushy person.  I have "my people" that little group that I'd rather be with than anyone else in the world (some are related, some are not and a couple have never even met each other, they are from different parts of my life)  I'm grieving the loss of what could have been with the newly discovered family member.  A lifetime of loss that we didn't know each other and this person was absolutely one of the best  The stories I've heard just make me sad for what could have been if a lifetime of secrets had not happened.  When I say I'm a very standoffish person with my emotions it's no exaggeration.  So this crushing loss has taken me by surprise.  To be honest I've always been a bit prideful in how I felt I didn't need anyone especially family.  Of course I could psychoanalysis myself- that was my minor in college - but I have realized how much I wish I'd had more family in my life especially in my teens and young adulthood when I was so alone.  So I lost one who should have been a part of that tribe and I'm afraid I'm going to lose one who is apart of that tribe...  Pray for my friend that God will be merciful and give the doctors wisdom!  Life can be cruel but this is not the end.....

 

Talking to Jesus

Generally new songs don't do much for  me in but this song is on continual play on my Spotify list and I can barely get through it without bawling my eyes out! 

Awhile back my oldest son introduced me to Maverick City a new Christian group.  I listened to some of the songs because they spoke to him  and because he took the time to share them with me.  Well some of them started speaking to me too.  Then this song came out.... Talking to Jesus   The first time I heard it, I thought of my family and my heritage.  And I thought of what we've passed on to our children.   But then a  few weeks ago my son called me.  He had been having his devotions and listened to the song and it really ministered to him (especially the part about wearing a polo shirt and khaki pants LOL)   Having him share that with me just about wrecked me in the best way.  Now I can't listen to it without tears falling.... I just pray that my boys will be "talking to Jesus for the rest of their lives" 

You know I don't want to be legalistic but I just want to tell you Mamas and Daddies- get God in your children's lives.  Not in a legalistic weird way but as part of your every day life.  Take them babies to church, take those teens to church.  "Put them under the spout where the glory comes out"  Be in church regularly. Immerse them in the things of God.  The world is so willing and ready to take their hearts-point their hearts towards Jesus.  Be open with them apologize when you miss the mark and make mistakes. Explain to them Jesus is so much more than you are.  I tell my kids that I'm a poor example of who Jesus is.  I don't want a disagreement between us to be turned into an excuse to turn from God.  Be real with your kids.  
Looking back over 25 years of being a parent the only thing I'd really change is I would have immersed them MORE in the things of God.  Sure they got put to bed every night with a prayer time but if I'd understood the fight that this world and the devil would fight for them, I would have prayed over them a lot longer.  I would have prayed harder & bolder.  My kids rarely missed church even on vacation but our church usually only has Sunday morning services.  I would have had them at every revival and youth group within a 25 mile radius!  I'm not saying this because we've had so many problems but because evil is strong in this world.  Kids today face more things than any other generation has in my opinion.  I see a difference from our oldest son to our next oldest - 8 years difference is like almost a different generation in some ways.  Things have changed so much in society in those 8 years it's unbelievable.  The devil will fight for your children's hearts...fight harder!   
Keep your kids in church!  I know it's not easy but let them see that you honor God by making the effort to be in church every Sunday.  That's not legalism....no more than being at a football game every Sunday is legalism....  it just show them where your heart is at- is your heart on the things of this world or eternal things?  It'll show them that you recognize your need of God.  Maybe they'll remember that one day.  Because one day your babies are going to need Jesus.  They are going to need to know how to talk to Jesus!  
I can not emphasis this enough....of course I know each child has to find their own way BUT let them know where that path is!  Lead them to it, show it to them, point the way out to them so they'll know where to run when they need Jesus!  Don't be wishy washy!  Tighten up your life because believe me those kids are watching you.  
The other day one of my close friends and I were discussing LIFE.... us middle aged ladies tend to do that alot.  Life has tended to surprise us with all the difficulties it brings.  Things we NEVER imagined when we were younger!  We say alot of "did you ever think "this" would have happened?"  Of course the answer is NO!  NO we could have never even thought up all the twists that life has taken us on.....Then we started talking about our kids- one of our #1 subjects as we are all at a new place in life- a place where we are letting go of our babies....  Let me tell you it is a process.  I'm not sure I've been the most gracious or the most perfect in this stage of motherhood.  It's not been easy for me  It's way too scary.  But I can assure you my prayer life has grown by leaps and bounds.  I have found myself at times praying myself to sleep, waking up at night with a prayer in my heart, waking up in the morning praying, cleaning the house praying.... again NOT that my kids have gotten in to much trouble but just there are so many paths and choices for them to make.  There are even so many good choices for them to make- which one is the best?  And THEY have to be the ones to make them, we can only pray and offer advice.  And ONLY Jesus can take care of them- actually HE has always been the only one who could take care of them.  But I've sure have tried to help out LOL  But  wish I'd prayed more a decade ago for them and their futures.  I wish I'd gone to sleep every night praying for them, I wish I'd woke up every morning with a prayer on my lips for them.  If I'd only knew and understood what all was ahead of us I would have!  Again we haven't had any terrible thing happen- but my kids and all my friends' kids have had so much thrown at them and they have had to make so many choices.  
I think we thought that WE were different kind of parents.... Of course I was raised by older folks who mostly gave up by the time I was a teen. They had health problems    Although I was a church kid and expected to go to church on Sunday I had WAY too much freedom.  My husband also had way too much freedom.  Most of my friends did too  There were a few who were smothered but most of us lived wild and free.... Truly God kept me because there was so much that I could have gotten...I dabbled in things but I always had the fear of God so that kept me somewhat on the right  path. 
So we were going to be different! Our kids came home from the hospital surrounded by "Christian" life.  Steve's nursery theme was Noah's Ark LOL  We were careful about what our kids watched on TV, most of my friends homeschooled or did private school.  Some sent their kids to public school.  I feel like we were more involved in our kids spiritual life than our family's had been but maybe while those things were good and needful they weren't enough.  Those things were more the outward things....we needed more!  They face so much.   Maybe this generation needs more- so much more is coming against them!   I can not even imagine what my grandchildren's lives will be like... society and culture has broken down so much.  What's evil is called good and good called evil....  
I think every decision we made as far as protecting them from ungodly influences was the right decision but there's more to leading a child to Christ than to just protect them from the world.  You go to get them to Jesus.   
So pray for your kids, pray for their future, pray for their spouses.... oh that's a HUGE thing!  Do more battles in prayer than anywhere else.  Veggie Tales ain't going to save your kids, neither is just Sunday School....all those things are helpful but they are only props... PRAY  And have them in church - they will be in school for close to 40 hours a week...maybe 2 hours a week in church....  School is important but Church is what points them to the Eternal!  There are studies that show kids even young ones are on social media/watching tv/texting  6-9 hours EVERY DAY!  Let me tell you most of that ain't Jesus stuff!  We were lucky we lived out in the country with terrible wifi for many years!  But it's a hard thing and don't even get me started on gaming!  I hate that with a complete hatred.... the majority of our fights with the kids have been media related mostly gaming.  But the most important thing is prayer and having your kids in church in a community so they see it lived out-even the parts where people make mistakes.  Our kids have always been PK preacher's kids so they've seen the good bad and ugly.... they've been hurt sometimes but I have always pointed them to Jesus and reminded them we are all fallen people.  No one is perfect but we each stand before God on our own not based on what someone did or didn't do to or for us.  They've seen some good life lessons in church-not always positive but we've been able to use it all to help them prepare for life.  
So fight in prayer for your kids.  Don't be too strict and make them bitter but don't be so lenient either.  There's a balance ask God to show you the right balance.  Aa pastors we have always always let our kids know they are more important to us than the ministry.  They come before the church!  Again there is a balance but God created the family before He created the church!  I think pastor's families need to know that.  There's always a balance but keep your family first- not first over God but first over ministry!  I know too many kids who have no relationship  to God because of bitterness of how their parents raised them and put the church or ministry before the kids.  Of course you don't want to have kids who rule the home  or the church again there is a balance!  I guess you can see how much i think BALANCE is important!  That's the key!  Out of balance would be missing church every week because your kid is in a sport it could also mean NEVER letting your kid be involved in something like sports or band because you are too busy with church projects.  I've seen both extremes and as I learned in college "all extremes are dysfunctional"  We have tried so hard to steer things right in the middle.  
Let me tell you parenting is not for wimps!  But lead them to Jesus....get them talking to Jesus!  He can do more in 5 minutes than you can in 5 months! He can touch their hearts, give them knowledge, help them make decisions and most importantly get them to heaven!  That is the most important thing!  
And by the way...I'm pretty conservative for a Pentecostal but when it comes to my kids I don't get too worried about theology or the right way to pray!  I will bind and cast out anything that comes against them that leads them from God.  I've prayed some crazy prayers that I've even prefaced to God and apologized beforehand if I was wrong for praying the particular prayer!  But I was determined to pray any ungodly influence out of their life!  I've probably prayed some unorthodox prayers but God has answered time and time again.  
As Christians we are so blessed to be able to approach God- the Creator of this Universe..... He made a way for us to be saved and to be able to approach Him without having to go through animal sacrifices or others.....  God hears and answers prayers.  Sometimes the answer is not really what we want but when we trust God we can look back and see His hand.  What a good God we serve!  If you are not a Christian- it's easy just start talking to Jesus   Confess your sins and turn to Him.  He will be there and be a friend that is closer than any other.  
LYRICSGrandma used to pray out loud By her bed every night

To me, it sounded like mumbling Like she was out of her mind She said, "Boy, this kind of praying Is what saved my life You outta try it some time" And now I know she was right

She was talking to Jesus She was talking to Jesus She'd been talking to Jesus For all of her life

Mama used to drag me to church Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights Khaki pants and a polo shirt Boy, I put up a fight She said, "Son, one day you'll thank me For having God in your life" And yeah I know she was right Yeah my mama was right

'Cause now I'm talking to Jesus She got me talking to Jesus She got me talking to Jesus Yeah my mama was right 'Cause now I'm talking to Jesus Yeah I love talking to Jesus And I'll be talking to Jesus For the rest of my life

What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus Don't you know What a friend we have in Jesus Oh-oh-oh, what a friend we have What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus Oh-oh-oh

I've got 3 of my own now Trying to raise them up right My oldest is fifteen And I remember what that was like Trying to deal with the drama Trying to figure out the questions in life And I've been looking for a way to show him How to make it alright Then He walked in my room While I was saying my prayers the other night He said, "I'll come back later I can tell you got a lot on your mind" I said it's not an interruption You couldn't have picked a better time 'Cause I was just talking to Jesus Come over and give it a try We started talking to Jesus We started talking to Jesus We started talking to Jesus

Oh-oh-oh And now He's talking to Jesus Thank God He's talking to Jesus I hope He's talking to Jesus For the rest of his life, yeah

What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus Oh-oh-oh, what a friend we have What a friend we have in Jesus (aren't you glad we have a friend?) What a friend we have in Jesus (none more thankful, none more true) What a friend we have in Jesus Oh-oh-oh There's no wrong way to do it There's no bad time to start It don't have to sound pretty Just tell Him what's on your heart 'Cause it's not a religion 'Cause it's more like a friendship Just talk to your Father Like you are his kid Just start talking to Jesus Just start talking to Jesus You can talk to Jesus Oh, whenever you like Just start talking to Jesus Just start talking to Jesus Just keep talking to Jesus For the rest of your life Oh, just talk, oh-oh Just talk, just talk, just talk to Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus Oh-oh-oh, what a friend we have What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus (so faithful, so true) What a friend we have in Jesus Oh-oh-oh, oh Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh Oh the cross, too much for words Just let it out, let it out, let it out right now Let it out, let it out, let it out, let it out right now Let it out, let it out, let it out What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus What a friend we have in Jesus Oh-oh-oh, He's so close, He's so close What a friend we have in Jesus (yeah, He's right in front of you) What a friend we have in Jesus (just talk to Jesus) What a friend we have in Jesus