No Ark Needed!

We had SUNSHINE today!!!!  The water has not receded in our yard much but it hasn't gotten worse.  Our road was worse today it seemed but at least there has been no new rain!!!  It was great to see the sun creeping through my window this morning.  I feel like we had a good practice run for any hurricanes or problems that could come up. 

Today we had a free day, I got to go out to breakfast with a friend.  Later Steve and Shad went to a movie and I got a little reading in.  Sarah will sit right with me as I read and she usually keeps one leg over mine so I can't get up :)  Sam took a nap- he's been off his schedule since we've moved and he is a child that needs a nap.

Tomorrow Shad leaves for Orlando and the National Fine Arts/General Council of the Assemblies of God.  He is representing the Clantons this year.  Even tho it was close to home, the move, along with Steve leaving for college and our looming September trip to NY- it was too much for us to go.  Of course seeing all the pictures, I do regret not seeing friends there but we just weren't up to it this year.   Shad's all excited.  We are hoping his percussion group will win :) 

Anyhow just wanted to let y'all know we are not needing an ark!

Rain!!!

This is day 20 of rain for our area.  We live about a mile from the Hillsborough River and 1.5 miles from Crystal Springs, that feeds into the river.  Thanks to Angelo's Recycling, who brought in truckloads of sand,  our house itself is high up but our roads are getting really bad!

Yesterday our road was under water in an area.  I am beyond traumatized about water so I stayed home with the kids from church.  That was a first!   Since we live in an area that is plagued with sinkholes, I was not driving through any water that I could not see the road under it!  It's one thing to get myself out of a vehicle, it's another to get the kids out of their car seats and out safely!  We've bought the sticks that will break the car windows from the inside in case of something like that happening. 

Well today it's worse!  Our nurse could barely drive her small car in this morning.  since rain is expected for 3 more days....I called Emergency Management.  We were actually thinking we might need to take Selah to a hotel to be safe.  EM was very helpful.  Originally I had called them per our nursing agency when we came home with Selah.  Basically they told us they had no place for our family due to all the needs.  So they told us to be prepared to hunker down.  With our new house, that is what we prepared for. BUT the nurses can't get in and out, especially the ones with smaller cars.   So the EM guy suggested that the nurses park at our local fire station and they can be shuttled back & to if they need to be. 

I love rain but....this is too much!

Forecast for today



this is our side yard, as you can see the water from the gully is over taking it

 

the picture below is our neighbor's yard, you can see it's coming in our yard.  

 

the neighbor's yard is underwater

 

This is across the street, there is almost always water here, but as you can see from the next picture, it is overflowing out to the road.  

 

the water is very swampy

More of the neighbor's yard, there is also usually water in it too

You can see our house on the left, the water is closer!!

we can't get to the dumpster



this was earlier this morning....

backyard

 

 

 We aren't really worried about water getting into the house but more about not being able to leave the house, or get back to it if we leave!   Even the ground that looks dry, isn't.  Where the sod/grass is, the water is there, maybe like a 1/4 og an inch.  You can't walk on it without sinking into the water. 

 

Right this second, it's not raining here but we are expecting more rain soon by the looks of the radar. 

 

 

This is interesting, usually we deal with hurricanes in Florida, where there is a tremendous amount of rain in a short amount of time.   Then the sun comes up and dries it all out.  This has been 20 days of rain for us, it's different.

 

 

========================================================

These pictures are from yesterday.  Sarah has on what I call her Ukraine shirt. 

She absolutely hates having her picture taken (that's her other stubborn thing!)  HOW does she know I'm taking a picture?  Seconds before she was giggling until I was ready to take a picture!  Then she got all serious.

 

 

 

Almost a smile in this one!

 

 

Well I hope you are safe and dry wherever in the world you are :)  We're trying here!!!!

 

 

 

Juice Boxes

When I talk about Sarah, I always stress how easy going and pleasant she is...and she is!  BUT she has a stubborn streak a mile long in a few areas.  One of those areas is her drinking.  She absolutely will NOT drink from anything but a Capri Sun packet.  Publix was having a buy 1 get1 sale of another juice box last week so I bought a couple of cartons.  Since we have Sam drinking out of a Sippy cup all the time now, I even got the apple flavor which is Sarah's favorite.  It was a NO GO!  The best I did was get her to take small sips.  So I continued daily for 3 or 4 days to get her to drink from it.  Nope, only a few sips.  So I thought I'd give her sweet tea in a Sippy cup...Nope.  I tried everything, even going back to giving her drink by a large tablespoon and then switching back to the Sippy cup or to the new juice box.  Nope.....  She did let us give her her daily Pedisure shake by spoon)

I gave in!  Today I went and bought her the Capri Sun that she loves and she set down and drank two packets immediately with a smile on her face.  She won!  (btw I get the one that is 100% juice)   

Usually I never give in to a child but when the child is non verbal and not drinking as much as I think she should, I give in.  She always had wet diapers and gets lots of fluids through her food since it is all pureed with additional water or broth.  But I worried about her. 

We think she just likes the feel of the Capri sun packet.  The other juice boxes have very narrow straws, although the sippy cup did have a larger straw.  I actually used a straw from the Capri Sun to put in the other juice box, it did not work!

My funny girl and her preference for the most expensive juice box on the shelf LOL!
But I figure after all she's been through, she can have the darn things!!!!


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Continued Rain......I love rain and even I am beginning to wonder about this!   This morning I almost got stuck leaving our parking area.  The pillows on the front porch all got mildew, and had to be thrown away.   Our yard is full of water, since we have sod (thank you Habitat!) it doesn't look too bad till you start walking and the water covers your shoe!  Hopefully all this rain will just cause the trees and grass to grow and get roots. 

With the move, I've not done a garden, I miss it so much.  I can't imagine how a garden would grow this year, it's perfect weather for one!!!!!

Well the countdown is really on, two weeks from today Steve leaves for college.  Some of his high school friends are throwing him a good bye party tonight.  We are having one the week he leaves too.  (Even tho he'll be coming back a lot LOL)   It's getting way too real!  Yesterday we worked on emptying out the shed at our old house and it has plastic boxes of stuff....probably not the kind of stuff you need to go through when your first born is leaving home in a few weeks!  I went through his baby box...oh my......seems like yesterday.   We always had a sense of time passing us.....I can remember having a conversation when he was pre school about when he would start Kindergarten.  Since we were sending him to private school, we could have allowed him to start a year earlier because of when his birthday fell.  I was all for it UNTIL my husband reminded me that Steve would graduate a year sooner if we did that.  I still remember him saying "we want him with us as long as possible"   So we stuck with Steve going to school at the regular time for his birthday. 

The old saying "the days are long, but the years are short" are true, extremely true! 

Well hope you all are having a great weekend!  Stay dry and enjoy your family!!

Dependence

I read this post today and it really spoke to me for the most part.  Not sure about the part where it says God won't allow someone to do something in order for us to look only to Him.  In one way I agree but in another I disagree.   In my experience God doesn't need to stop someone from doing good, they usually stop themselves LOL.  But there is that kernel of truth there.

 So many times in my life I did not feel supported by others.  I remember when I left home for college, I could count on one hand (and have some fingers left over) the folks that supported me and none of them were family members.   I even had a minister preach AGAINST me from the pulpit.  Can't get much lower than that!!   But God.....was with me and helped me through to graduation. 

When we were home missionaries, we were no-bodies in our denomination  and it was very hard to schedule services, and raise the required support.   But God.....was with us and helped us through. 

Those two experiences built FAITH in me, not for what man would do, but how God would take care of us. 

When we were adopting Shad, I just knew that everyone in our large church would JUMP on board and help us raise money, do car washes, yard sales etc......  LOL that so did not happen!  In fact I heard that one of the deacons ( a very wealthy man) asked WHY we would go get another kid with a problem since we already had one with a problem (Sam).  So I chose NOT to get bitter (although I've not ever forgotten those statements or lack of support- it reminds me to help others and not discourage them)   THEN an amazing thing began to happen, people started helping us, some people that church folks might call "heathens" gave to our adoption.  We received grants and had some fees slashed.   It was CRAZY!  And it was all from the hand of God not from a man! 

When we started the girls adoption, we knew it would be all God.  We didn't try to do any fund raising, we just left it up to God and in 8 weeks, every penny was raised.  NOT from the people that had extra money to give, but from the ones who gave sacrificially.    It was like walking in the middle of a miracle. 

When the accident happened and Jon was out of work for months, God provided for us abundantly. We never once asked for anything, in fact we didn't even think about money- we were so devastated.   God provided from so many different sources, people were so very kind.  But what was funny, when we looked back was how it all happened and where it came from.  It didn't come from any place that we would have thought it came from but from unexpected sources.    We did have some folks make promises to us that we never saw....but we were so intently focused on Selah it didn't really matter to us at the time.  In fact we forgot some of it till later. 

We knew we had to move into a home that was better equipped for the children, especially Selah but never dreamed of how it would work out.  A charity that we had heard of, but really didn't know much about came along side of us to help us.  I don't think Habitat for Humanity ever once crossed my mind as I worried about how we'd afford a home that would meet her needs.  But then BAM!  They were there for us.  I can truly say they have done everything and then some, that they told us they would do.  It's been a good experience.  I'd encourage anyone to contribute or get involved with Habitat, they also build homes in other countries.  ( BTW our home is not free, we have a 30 year mortgage, it's just a home beyond anything we could have bought or built on our own thanks to all the donations and volunteer hours that cut the cost down)


I usually don't share about something I'm dealing with until I've totally dealt with it but I will admit that right now I have some not so nice thoughts about how my family has been treated in regards to a certain situation.  It involves one of my kids, so that makes it even more harder for me to swallow!  I'm reminding myself that our source is from God and never from man.   And it is a good thing for my children to learn also. 

AND I want to say, that having been disappointed by man, it's taught me to be encouraging and take part in other people's dreams.   I try to encourage, give, share and network for/with others so they aren't ever in the situation I've been in.  It's not all about money, I've been encouraged by friends who didn't have a penny in their pocket, but they encouraged me.  Sometimes emotional support is the best support someone can give!


I look back now on my family/church and I am actually grateful that they did not support me.  I saw God's hand and His provision in a way that I never would have if they'd been supportive.  It taught me to stand on my own two feet and be independent.  It certainly taught me not to let people stand in my way!   I learned a great work ethic.  But it was hard and it was lonely.  Personally I'd rather support someone than to let them go on their own (unless they were doing something sinful!) 


Another thing I've learned, is not to have the fear of man.  It doesn't bother me to think differently than others.  I certainly think different than a lot of folks in the world.  But I also think differently than some folks in the church world too LOL  I'm not afraid to have my own thoughts.  And I don't care what anyone thinks of me.  Now I hear people say stuff like that all the time and it's usually because they want to live with no rules and sin.  I don't mean it that way, I just mean, that I'm going to serve God and I'm not concerned about what you think of me.  It also means, I'm not going to give you authority over my life. 

( a totally side note here.....   Most of the time today I see people who want to live with no authority over them.  That is certainly the spirit of the world!  However occasionally in some circumstances people allow others to take authority over them in a way that is not good.  Believe it or not I'm very submissive in a work type situation.  I've always been a team player and basically did what I was told to do with only a small amount of grumbling.  However my boss was the rightful authority when it came to my job.  Therefore I was correct in submitting THAT area of my life to them.  But I didn't let any  bosses control my family life or my spiritual life.  So be CAREFUL who you allow to be in authority in your life and what areas!   I've been in situations (especially spiritual/ministry situations)where people tried to "take authority" over me and they were not qualified nor did they have the spiritual authority to do so. In cases like that RUN!!!!!!!  For the most part I got away from those type of situations and people.  Time certainly told on many of them and it showed the person for who he/she really was and it showed me I was right for distancing myself.  )

The bible says "the fear of man is a snare"  That is so true.  When we are afraid of people, it traps us.  I'm not going to let myself be trapped in any type of situation whether it's being afraid of losing friends because I stand for biblical truth or whether it is that I'd have to be fake to keep members in our church or kiss up to someone in authority to get  something......  I'm just not going to do any of that. 

I am the type of person who usually says the thing that other people are thinking but won't say.   I figure they need to be said LOL.  I don't know how to say things except in a straight forward way.  And that is the best way because then there is no misunderstanding or guessing about what was said!

But as I learned and am continuing to learn, GOD is our source of everything we need.  Look to Him and He will never ever disappoint you.  That is something I can promise you.  He is a faithful God.   He'll never do anything for selfish gain and He will never cast you aside or get tired of you & your problems. 


========================================================================


Happy Dance:)  One of my childhood friends Angie and her family was down in our area today and they came by to see us!  We ate lunch together and just had a good ole time talking about old and new times.    We met in junior high chorus and have stayed friends ever since.  We were remembering one of our dear friends, Robbie who passed away in his late teens.  He was a conservative trip back in the 80's, we tried to imagine what he'd think of the world today!!!   We had to laugh.....

 

 

Sarah had a blast with Hannah

 

 

Happy girl

 

 

 

 

I treasure friendships, especially the ones that knew me "back then" Fun times:)  

It Happened

Well it happened...almost eerie how this happened....


Remember I said if Planned Parenthood was aborting puppies and killing them in a way to preserve their bodies and organs better, the whole country would go nutso......something close to that happened......

Well a dentist killed a lion and the whole country is going nuts.....

Now I grew up with everyone going hunting.  I never did myself but my husband did some.  The difference is they hunted and ate what they killed.  I do not believe in killing for sport at all.   I'm sorry the lion was killed.  The guy was a jerk.

BUT the outcry has been ridiculous especially since we are dealing with more videos coming out showing Planned Parenthood to be the awful organization that we knew it to be.  This dentist's life has been threatened and people told to boycott him  Jimmy Kimmel got chocked up on his show last night.....wonder how many tears he's shed over the millions of babies aborted? 


This blog by Matt Walsh says it all so much better than I  could ever try to do! 

http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/sometimes-its-just-easier-to-care-about-dead-lions-than-dead-people/

 

 

 

 

Wake up America!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

======================================================================

 

One of my close friends came over this afternoon and we sat on the front porch in our rockers.  Sarah came out with us and I turned some music on for her and she rocked and rocked as we talked and talked.  I looked over at one point and this is what I saw......

Funny little girl was dead asleep in her rocking chair. 

We started laughing and woke her up after I snapped this picture. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was Sam earlier, he was listening to a sermon on his tablet.  Believe it or not Sam LOVES to hear preaching.  He will sit and listen like an adult.  He particularly likes Tommy Bates, a Church of God minister.   Tommy Bates has that "old fashioned" Pentecostal voice.  He actually is a good preacher and everything I know about him I like.   We've heard him speak before and occasionally catch him on TV, he is the ONLY TV preacher I will listen to!!!!!

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69c6DbsUOZk    

 

the above you tube video is one of my favorites of Bates singing all the old "Red Back hymnal" songs.    It reminds me of Sunday nights growing up in the Church of God.  Every song he sings, are songs I grew up singing.  Good memories!     Sam and Sarah LOVE to hear this video.  Sam will press his little face up to the screen to listen.  It's so cute:) 

 

 

 

 

So last night my blog hit 2 million!  

 

 

I missed it but a friend caught it and took a picture for me:)

 

Thanks for coming back and catching up on my thoughts and on our family.  It amazes me that I continue to have a readership.  Thank you. 

 

   

What Is Worth Your Tears?

Seldom do I delete comments put on my blog.  I do moderate them but usually put them on because some are so stupid they just make me laugh.  Well today I deleted a comment and I really wish I had not done it!

The comment was regarding my dismay at how this president has not responded to the shooting of Five Servicemen in Chattanooga.   At first the person agreed with me by saying something along the line of "we are all wondering and watching" BUT then she said something equating the fact I gave a cat away to a farm so she could give them kittens to the killing of the servicemen.  I deleted it because it was so silly to even discuss the two things in the same sentence but then I regretted deleting it. (please forgive me for not quoting it correctly)

My regret was because it was a perfect example of the silliness I see in America right now.  We groan and cry over animals yet we aren't crying over Planned Parenthood aborting babies and selling their bodies for profit.  We cry about abandoned animals, but not abandoned starving children.  We pass laws to protect turtles but pass other laws so that babies can be killed up to the time they are viable.....

Our world is upside down.

It amazes me the people who worried about the one cat we gave away not spayed but those same folks aren't worried about orphans.  When I write on this blog about orphans, it gets strangely
 quiet....you can hear the protected crickets croaking....

Guess what folks HUMAN lives matter. 

We, as a nation should be concerned about our leader's lack of concern of five servicemen's deaths.  Those men took an oath that they would serve America and protect her with their lives.   They fulfilled their part.....we should show them the respect they deserve. 

Don't let yourselves become desensitized to human suffering and heartache.  It's fine to care about animals but animals are not humans. 

I know plenty of people who get worked up about dolphin or whale killings but could care less about orphans, the disabled or the poor.  That ain't right! 

I tell my kids when things happen in life that there are things to cry over and there are things not worth their tears.

Let's remember what is worth our tears......

Torez Ukraine

This afternoon I sat with Sarah and went on YouTube.  since Torez Ukraine is so close to my heart after our time there, I looked it up to see if there was anything new on the war and found some interesting videos. They are interesting to me because we were there....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbc6uma8rhM  This video shows the streets of Torez, towards the end, the building with the blue roof is our friend's church.  They had to flee under the threat of death last year.  It was so moving to look at places we've been....across the street to the right is the cemetery, we walked through there, it's huge! 

Then this has English subtitles and was filmed in downtown Torez.  At one point, you can see the statue of Lenin, we took many pictures in that square. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGSQPB1WZs0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyXIY6EBm7g this part of the interview was  shot in the park where we spent many days with Sam.  After Jon and I would go to the orphanage, we'd go walking with the boys all over Torez. 

Living was hard there, even before the war, I can't imagine how it is now for the people of Torez that remain. 

Over the years, I've traveled quite a bit, but no where else has become a part of me like Torez has.  There was nothing "lovely" about the town, nothing glamorous  or easy.   I didn't like the food, the water situation was sketchy, the bathrooms (expect for our apartment was rough) there was no Wifi, we couldn't watch tv because it was all in Russian.  the supermarkets didn't smell good.....but I loved the place.   The place just grabbed me and it's still in my heart.