Just could NOT come up with a title, since this blog is about all kinds of things!
Today has been a progressively rainy day as a "cold" front has moved through Florida. I know I say this all the time but I just love rain. And I also like Mondays....LOL I can't sing the Carpenter's song "Rainy Days & Mondays always get me down" because they don't :)
Sarah and Selah got their braces today. Sarah got a short ankle brace that she tolerated much better than we anticipated. The only shoes that work with it are Sam's tennis shoes -Only our therapist would find them for Sarah. We keep our most frequently worn shoes by the front door on a tiered stand, so she tried all the little ones shoes with the brace until she found one that worked. Sarah and I will be going shoe shopping this week! she has to have pretty shoes:) right now we are just using the brace for 30 minutes at a time.
Selah got new hand braces, that are really comfy looking. she also got knee braces and got her regular foot braces back! She also tolerated it all very well. I took pictures but for some reason the laptop won't let me load them! The new hand brace is to help her thumbs not to curl up into her hand, some days this is more bothersome than others for her. The knee brace is help her get range of motion back in her knees, since her hip surgery & recovery time she lost some range of motion ROM, that our therapist believes can be gotten back with a little more work. Her feet braces, were too tight so now they've been made to fit better.
Sarah has been in the "I love Mommy & want her to hold me all day" mode :) She used to be content with me just holding her, it helped me to get a lot of reading done. BUT now she wants to play the "Up" game where she pulls up on my hands, pushed them away, stands for a few seconds and then sometimes takes a step into my lap. No reading can be done while we do that for hours...... Oh but it is ok with Mommy too.
Last night I read another mom's facebook post about her daughter also adopted from the same mental institution as my girls..... Her daughter can speak and has given us some awful but not surprising details of life in the institution. It hurts so bad to hear, but when I hear it, and my heart hurts, I feel like I am entering into my daughters' and the other children's suffering. I get so angry to think caregivers can be so mean to helpless children, but I know it happens. Not all caregivers were bad, but the ones who were, were very bad.
I have friends who don't watch the news, don't want to hear about the reality of life because life can be so sad and hard. It can be, no lie..... but we can also share each other's burdens. I can pray for the children I know (and the ones I don't know) who are left behind in orphanages all over the world.
This article caught my attention....Mom Regrets Not Aborting Disabled Baby: I Would’ve Killed My Son if I Had the Chance
http://www.lifenews.com/2014/10/13/mom-regrets-not-aborting-disabled-baby-i-wouldve-killed-my-son-if-i-had-the-chance/
Unreal....Basically this couple was told their son had a small defect with his arm, turned out that he had much more wrong with him. "Dylan was born with severe micrognathia, a condition that causes acute breathing problems and an undersized jaw. Iain said, “We made it clear to the doctors that we didn’t want a child who wasn’t going to be able to ride a bike and do things that normal children do.” Now, Dylan has a permanent tracheotomy, has a deformed arm, slurred speech and must be feed nutrient-rich milk through his stomach" Despite his physical problems it seems he is normal mentally and his mother plans on telling him that had she known how disabled he was, she would have aborted him. Wow that should make for a great relationship.......
The article goes on to say "Unfortunately, because of the extensive care Dylan needed, both Iain and Jill were forced to leave their jobs and were declared bankrupt. Eventually, they even lost their home" This is a family from England where they have universal health care, so they shouldn't have had any medical bills right? I don't understand why both parents felt forced to leave their jobs. I know when Sam was born, I did leave my job, and he was very medically unstable but we had medical bills galore!
Sam changed our lives......even from the beginning I was grateful for his life despite my fears for his future. Oh I cried, some silly tears now that I look back on them. I worried about things like him not riding a bike or playing a video game.... But the things that looked so upsetting and scary back then, are just vague memories now.
Just like there is a commitment in marriage, there is a commitment to your children. What if that family's "normal" daughter was in an accident? A near drowning? Would they still love her and take care of her. What if the husband gets ill and is unable to walk, would the wife leave because he was now disabled? I don't know about you but I wouldn't that husband or wife on MY "next of kin" list!!!!
This whole article is just so outside of where I live that it is hard to fathom thinking like that.....
Oh we have had some hard times financially, especially after having Sam but what is that? I can very easily remember having to pay hospital bills so that Sam could have another surgery and wondering how we were going to make it. Really I do not know how we did it BUT for the help of God! We made some choices, totally changed our lifestyle (not that we were big spenders before LOL), and we made it. We moved from the beautiful home we'd leased for years to live in a trailer ON the prison grounds, that was hard but necessary for us to do. I only cried once about it, I was too busy taking care of Sam and we were in and out of the hospital so much, I was just glad when we were all together. I grew to "love" that trailer at the prison so much that I was very sad to move from it to the church parsonage! It had good memories of the four of us together.....
Obviously this women, has no idea of God. That is pretty clear. When one has a proper perspective of God & His ways, then I think a peace comes over every situation. Contentment in whatever situation is really "great gain" just like the Bible says it is! Once I learned contentment in every situation, things changed in my heart.
I'm excited about the new house, it will make life so much easier for our family and our nurses but you know we are happy now. We have fun now. My little house is comfortable and the place I feel the happiest in.......because my family is there. It's home. We aren't waiting to move into the new house to be happy. When Selah was in the hospital for all those long 5 months in NY, that room in the Ronald McD House with the six of us sleeping in there every night was home. I did not pine for our little house here in Florida, I was content with the place we were at....together.
So what I'm saying is LIFE does not have to be perfect to be good! LIFE can be good in some of the hardest situations. Life can be good-even when there is pain.
Selah's accident has broken my heart more than anything else ever has done. I thought losing the twins was the absolute worse thing and it was bad. But the accident has been far worse in so many ways, I knew Selah, I'd felt her little chubby arms around me, I'd held her hand, heard her babble, fed her supper, taught her how to drink from a cup, played with her, took her to the beach....all those precious memories.... BUT the difference between losing the twins and Selah's accident is I just gave (and give) the pain to God. I do not "charge God foolishly" I put my trust in Him. What a difference the outcomes have been personally. Oh it's been hard, I've had a few panic attacks, I have had many tears....but I am trusting God through this valley. And even if we never come out of the valley, I am content.
My prayers are for that little boy, I doubt he feels accepted by his family. How horrible.......
"Our life maybe a crazy life but it's our life" I'm married to a pastor of a small rural church, who is also the prison chaplain. We have 5 kids, each with their unique story. I love gardening & we all love the outdoors. Our life is not the way we planned it to be, but we are learning to trust God in every area. Come and read about our life as we live it to the fullest!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary!
Where has Yvonne been??? Celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary:) I fought temptation and did not take my laptop with me and since being home we have just had a crazy busy time!
For the first time in 16 years, Jon and I went on a short vacation-JUST the two of us! We went to St Pete beach and had a great time. It was a little odd not to have any child with us...but we had a really nice time.
After lunch we swam all afternoon. Usually when I'm at the beach, I'm holding kids, watching kids etc... I swam so much that I was aching by the time I went to bed! I had to take some advil:)
We just stayed one night and then came home on Saturday. I have to admit, I was glad to see my little people, all my kids but my little people were glad to see me! I had planned on surprising Jon with a DVD set to music for our actual anniversary on the 12th (Sunday) so I had scanned all the pictures and given the disc to my friend, she then put it to music for us. She sent it to me via FB and we had to figure out how to download it so we could play it at church Sunday. That involved going to Staples and one of the guys there helping me! I was able to download it to my computer after much work but could never get it off my laptop. Luckily we were able to connect the laptop to the church's system to play it Sunday morning. I really wish I could down load it to the blog. Maybe one of the boys in our church can figure it out, we have a genius, who is only 15 who has more common sense than most 50 year olds:) No one else has been able to figure out how to do it, it really got complicated! Anyhow our pictures are set to the music "Still the One" by Orleans and the other song "Still the One" by Shania Twain - totally separate songs but meaningful to us! Everyone had some good laughs at some of my hairdo's....I took BIG hair to some extremes at times in the early 90's!
So anyhow we get that all squared away, as well as getting clothes out for Sunday....the nurse calls me to tell me something had happened to Selah's elbow..... the nurse was changing her out of her day clothes into her nightgown and she started crying. Her elbow was a little red and sore. So we called the ambulance, not wanting to try and move her ourselves if something was broken. The ambulance crew was wonderful, we went to the local hospital HOPING they would allow her to be seen there (sometimes the smaller hospitals don't want to deal with a complicated case) But since this was just an x-ray, they worked with us, did the x-ray. First they told us that there was no fracture or break, but then someone thought there could be a tiny bit of bone that was off the elbow. I could see it in the picture but they couldn't tell if that was new or old. By that time, she didn't seem bothered by the arm/elbow, there was no redness, swelling or problems. To be on the safe side, they put her in a sling and we will see her orthopedic doctor next week. I talked to him today and he wasn't worried since she does not seem to be in pain, even if it is a small fracture, this sling is all he would do for it.
Then we all watched Jurassic Park III & dream of dinosaurs LOL!
Sunday morning we get up early, I rushed Jon out of the house so I could run to the store and pick up the cake and food for our party. (it was also a surprise for him) Get to the van, and it's DEAD! Luckily I was able to borrow the nurse's brand new sports car-so hard to do LOL and was got everything, arranged it in the Fellowship Hall and got everyone ready....WHEW!
For the first time in 16 years, Jon and I went on a short vacation-JUST the two of us! We went to St Pete beach and had a great time. It was a little odd not to have any child with us...but we had a really nice time.
These are HAPPY feet!
the beach just makes me HAPPY!
I'm a beach girl!
We walked down the beach and ate lunch Friday at the Loews Don CeSar Hotel
But we stayed at a much economical hotel!
this was our room.
I'd recommend it, comfy bed, good shower and right on the beach -it fits my criteria!
After lunch we swam all afternoon. Usually when I'm at the beach, I'm holding kids, watching kids etc... I swam so much that I was aching by the time I went to bed! I had to take some advil:)
We watched the sunset
this is the back of the hotel
We just stayed one night and then came home on Saturday. I have to admit, I was glad to see my little people, all my kids but my little people were glad to see me! I had planned on surprising Jon with a DVD set to music for our actual anniversary on the 12th (Sunday) so I had scanned all the pictures and given the disc to my friend, she then put it to music for us. She sent it to me via FB and we had to figure out how to download it so we could play it at church Sunday. That involved going to Staples and one of the guys there helping me! I was able to download it to my computer after much work but could never get it off my laptop. Luckily we were able to connect the laptop to the church's system to play it Sunday morning. I really wish I could down load it to the blog. Maybe one of the boys in our church can figure it out, we have a genius, who is only 15 who has more common sense than most 50 year olds:) No one else has been able to figure out how to do it, it really got complicated! Anyhow our pictures are set to the music "Still the One" by Orleans and the other song "Still the One" by Shania Twain - totally separate songs but meaningful to us! Everyone had some good laughs at some of my hairdo's....I took BIG hair to some extremes at times in the early 90's!
So anyhow we get that all squared away, as well as getting clothes out for Sunday....the nurse calls me to tell me something had happened to Selah's elbow..... the nurse was changing her out of her day clothes into her nightgown and she started crying. Her elbow was a little red and sore. So we called the ambulance, not wanting to try and move her ourselves if something was broken. The ambulance crew was wonderful, we went to the local hospital HOPING they would allow her to be seen there (sometimes the smaller hospitals don't want to deal with a complicated case) But since this was just an x-ray, they worked with us, did the x-ray. First they told us that there was no fracture or break, but then someone thought there could be a tiny bit of bone that was off the elbow. I could see it in the picture but they couldn't tell if that was new or old. By that time, she didn't seem bothered by the arm/elbow, there was no redness, swelling or problems. To be on the safe side, they put her in a sling and we will see her orthopedic doctor next week. I talked to him today and he wasn't worried since she does not seem to be in pain, even if it is a small fracture, this sling is all he would do for it.
Then we all watched Jurassic Park III & dream of dinosaurs LOL!
Sunday morning we get up early, I rushed Jon out of the house so I could run to the store and pick up the cake and food for our party. (it was also a surprise for him) Get to the van, and it's DEAD! Luckily I was able to borrow the nurse's brand new sports car-so hard to do LOL and was got everything, arranged it in the Fellowship Hall and got everyone ready....WHEW!
Our cake!
we cut it
NO we did not feed each other LOL
I should have taken more pictures some of our folks had already gone and all the food was gone LOL
After everyone left, Jon and I went out to see the work on the house, he hadn't been out since the foundation was put in.
This is the foundation for the car port and the storage room to the right.
I'm standing in what will be the kitchen & Jon is standing in what will be our room
the big part in front is the front porch
this is taken from the back of the property....see the Pine Trees? I LOVE Pines! And well I should since I come from the Pine Tree Capital of the South!
We'll be doing some cleaning out!
Love this big tall Pine.
Even like the Pine needles on the ground!
Today Shad had COLUMBUS DAY off. He finished up the cake from our little party. This picture was NOT staged which is what made it so funny!
And whether it is PC or not, YEAH for good old Christopher Columbus, when I was a child, he was respected. Now it's all about being politically correct. I saw "phooey" on that!
So that's been our Wedding Anniversary weekend.
I have to finish this blog by saying how very blessed I have been these last 25 years. Believe me, we had NO idea all that was before us when we said "I do"! Many people would look at our life and think we've had a hard/sad life. Yes there have been hard times.....but we've learned to trust God and each other. But really most of it has been good times, the good times, have taken the edge off of the harder times. We've certainly have grown in our faith in ways we could have never imagined back 25 years ago, done things that weren't even things we could not even comprehend back then- on our wedding day, we would have never dreamed we would have a son from China or two daughters from Ukraine...... We would have never imagined having a son born blind, or almost losing a daughter in a near drowning....or losing the twins.....
BUT we also could not have imagined all the blessings and joys we would have either! Those blessings and joys have far out weighed those hard times.
Jon is a wonderful man to be married to, he is real, what you see in public is what you see in private. He loves our kids 100%. He is committed to them and to me.
When we eloped after only knowing each other a month.....people thought we'd lost our minds. Many people thought we'd never make it, some said it to our faces, some behind our backs....but we're still here. We've had some rough times, times but God brought us through! I've found it's not the fancy wedding, big gifts, all the proper steps, the big house etc that makes a MARRIAGE....marriage is made daily-it's walked out daily...... A marriage is more than a wedding.....
Thursday, October 9, 2014
TBT and some new house pictures! Assisted Suicide discussion
Got a lot on here today!
This is Steve holding Sam about 10 years ago.
Here is Steve holding Sam last night!
Same PJ's
And Shad wore them too!!!
It seems Steve should be about that old....9 years old, sounds good to me!
Oh but he is almost 19....
Sam is 10 himself....
where does the time go???
We rode out to the house today.....the road looks like a "Children of the Corn" Road!
You can't tell in the picture but the grass if up on the road!
the kids are standing by the south wall which will be our room, Sarah's and Sam's room
Because we will live in a very swampy area, close to a river, the foundation is being raised three feet. So what they are doing is building the foundation, then will fill it with Sand, and then put a concrete slab on top. Generally in Florida the concrete slab is put on the ground, not raised this much.
they were pouring cement in the far side, we didn't go over in that area, didn't want to get in the guys' way.
We are excited!!!! It's just crazy to watch it go up:)
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On to a more serious subject....
Have you heard about the young woman who has cancer and has decided to end her life on November 1? I have compassion for her, as a pastor's wife, I've seen some hard deaths. But I've also seen people go into amazing remissions. I know of a minister who had only hours to live with melanoma cancer, hospice was there..... and he rallied and lived three more years. What IF he had taken a suicide pill before he got so bad off? He would have missed three good years of life! I know things like that don't always happen, but I think it comes down to a matter of trust...trusting God.
Most deaths seem to be painful....unfortunately that is part of the curse that is over mankind. a few weeks ago I started reading this pastor's wife/mom/ terminal cancer patient's blog. She wrote the most beautiful blog regarding how she views "end of life".
She stated what I feel, but in a way and with an authority I can not give at this time, since she knows she is at the same place as Brittney.
Right now I have THREE friends with brain cancer.
An adoptive mom (who met us at the airport returning with the girls)
a dear church member
a son of a lady I used to work with
ALL three of them have had better outcomes thus far than predicated in the beginning. All three have held onto God with all their hearts during this journey....All three inspire my faith.
I'm against assisted suicide for many reasons, the biggest reason is it devalues life.......
I'm also concerned about the slippery slope that takes us on...... Having three disabled children, it is a scary place to be....will there come a time when the mindset of society is to "put to sleep" anyone who does not contribute to society? It's happened in other countries, where the rate of euthanasia of special need kids has increased
I pray for Britney, that she finds peace with God. When you can trust God to be with you even in the darkest situations, there is a peace that is incredible.
I don't know how to phrase this....but in a terrible way, there can be some beauty in suffering. Now I'm not advocating some odd religion here but be honest, most of you began reading my blog BECAUSE of the accident and what we were going through. Why? I think it's because we all can relate to heartache, my heartache might be different than your heartache but we all are going to have valleys in life and possibly MY story can help YOU through your valley.
We also know that unless the Rapture happens, we all will face death one day. When I look at people who have courageously faced their death, it gives me COURAGE to know when my time comes, I can also trust God to walk with me "through the valley of the shadow of death" That is what bothers me about assisted suicides. That's not dying with grace, there is nothing brave about that.....and I also believe it can encourage others who may not have a terminal illness, to commit suicide, it seems to "glorify" suicide.
I do not want to see anyone in pain. I can't stand to see a bug in pain.....but doctors help out more now, and I know there is a balance because at some point a drug can depress the breathing. However I do know there are many kinds of pain killers out there, and some help without hurting the patient.
This blog has gone the gamut from happy pictures to a serious discussion but I wanted to put that blog up so you could read it and be encouraged that there is HOPE even with a terrible diagnosis.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Papua New Guinea Mission Bill & Lori Smith
I have to introduce you to this ministry I've just learned about. A few days ago I was sent an email to see if I could help the missionaries bring a sick newborn into the country. There was nothing I could do that they hadn't tried and more but I started learning about their ministry there in Papua New Guinea. Bill & Lori Smith work in a medical clinic, run a bible school, do ministry all over the area, preaching and teaching.
Right now they are trying to help a baby girl born with a huge tumor growth on her hips that may become cancerous if not removed. They've been unable to get her to the USA for surgery and have yet to be able to have the surgery there in New Guinea.
Read about their ministry here :
http://www.billandlorismithpng.com/ministries.html
this is her personal blog and it tells the baby's story
http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ef1f9c716bfaafcec114ce628&id=561c22c60e
They are trying to raise money to have the surgery for the baby......
When I read about folks like this.....it's like a balm to my heart. People out there, giving their lives for ministry. Guarantee you they aren't worried about a $40,000 chandelier!(read last blog/rant) Probably most of the time they don't even have electricity! If you want to give to some ministry that is making a direct impact on people everyday.....this one seems to be a GREAT place to do it!!!
Right now they are trying to help a baby girl born with a huge tumor growth on her hips that may become cancerous if not removed. They've been unable to get her to the USA for surgery and have yet to be able to have the surgery there in New Guinea.
Read about their ministry here :
http://www.billandlorismithpng.com/ministries.html
this is her personal blog and it tells the baby's story
http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ef1f9c716bfaafcec114ce628&id=561c22c60e
They are trying to raise money to have the surgery for the baby......
When I read about folks like this.....it's like a balm to my heart. People out there, giving their lives for ministry. Guarantee you they aren't worried about a $40,000 chandelier!(read last blog/rant) Probably most of the time they don't even have electricity! If you want to give to some ministry that is making a direct impact on people everyday.....this one seems to be a GREAT place to do it!!!
Reviews of Christian TV Shows
As a rule I do not watch a lot of tv. Generally at night Jon and I will watch prerecorded news shows ( DVRs are the best invention!) We also watch Duck Dynasty:) The kids watch a lot more tv than we do, I'd much rather read a book!
But last night I watched two episodes of "the Duggars" and then a new TLC show called "Preaching Alabama" The Duggars just kill me. I do not know why I watch them because I feel they are in an evangelical "cult". Yes I believe they are Christians but I think they have things a bit warped. They follow a sect of evangelical Christianity that promotes a form of legalism that affects families. What I mean if their leaders (several who have fallen into sexual sin themselves) try to dictate how a family should live regarding their dress, non birth control, homeschooling, courting, even the length of a person's hair. I grew up in LEGALISM and I hate the smell of it. That being said, I do think the Duggar family try their best to live for God. There is a sweetness about them, especially the kids, Michelle, well I just want to shake her sometimes and Jim Bob is a bit over the top. I do not care for their PDAs (public displays of affection) or anyone's, my kids would die if my husband and I acted like that in public!
That being said "Preaching Alabama" is the opposite evangelical extreme...... it's a family -an older retired preacher daddy and mama. Then two daughters who are married to ministers. The 6 of them are starting a church in Alabama Let's just say there is none of the Duggar legalism there, tattoos and piercing abound.
But there is something that drives me BATTY....I do not care if someone has tats or wears a long dress BUT when the focus is on the outward, whatever the outward looks like, then that is wrong. What I'm saying is there can be legalism to dress a certain way to be considered "cool" also. I see that with ministers now. We have some friends, older than us who dress cooler than my teenaged son! I just laugh at 50's something year olds who wear "holey" jeans and a cool shirt to preach in so they are "relevant" Got a secret for you....You're NOT cool, you just look funny. And yes I laugh at you!
When I see anyone going out of their way to dress a certain way, I have to wonder what is going on? I think the way the Duggars dress bring WAY more attention to their bodies than if they just had on a decent shirt and a pair of jeans. To me that is modesty-not bringing undue attention to yourself. if you are going to go horseback riding WHY do you feel the need to wear a skirt over a pair of pants? That makes people look at a person more than if they just had on jeans and a shirt. (that was part of last night's episode)
Ok the same goes for the "I'm free from legalism" extreme...... when you have tattoos, body piercings and silly awls in your ears, all you are doing is bringing attention to your outward body. Then I've seen those folks, become legalistic AGAINST people who did not dress cool or have tats and piercings LOL!!!
Our church runs the gamete from people who dress very conservatively to bikers:) It's not about the outward. The bikers are just that bikers, they dress in what is comfortable for them. The conservatives wear what they are comfortable in and no one has a point to prove!
Anyhow I was so troubled by the new show. Here this family is starting a church. I KNOW that someone edited their hours of film, we've been on TV enough to know not everything said and done gets on the final cut. BUT I was troubled by many statements made.
In the evangelical church world (Pentecostal and non Pentecostal) there is a "new" way to start a church. First let me say there are sooooooooooooooo many older churches that could be renovated like our church. I know in our denomination, we close as many churches as we open yearly. So a lot of the older churches already OWN buildings debt free but rather than work on the buildings and regrow the church in number, most just throw their hands up and want to go start something new. Statistically people will come to a new church.
So the new idea is to rent/buy a "non church" looking building, give it a silly non biblical name ie Movement Church, Ignite, Fuel Church, Journey, Lift, Flood gates, Epic church. Life, Bridge, Lifebridge, etc and etc...... (although I kinda like the name Journey church) Then instead of calling themselves CHRISTIAN they are now called "Christ followers" (Christian is too old fashioned)
Then inside has to be all cool.....when we were redoing our church, I was advised we should paint a wall BLACK ....I just laughed and said we are a country church and our folks would think we'd lost our minds trying to be "cool" There is nothing wrong with a specific color, it is just yet again the focus becomes on the outward things, rather than focusing on God.
Anyhow this show is telling the story of the new classic non denominational church plant....but it is telling it badly.
One thing that is "cool" in the evangelical is doing things for the community. Y'all know I'm ALL about giving and doing for others BUT the difference is I don't believe you should do for others as a TOOL to grow your church!
Doing things as a tool to grow a church makes me very uncomfortable. For example this church first gave out little baggies of laundry detergent with some pamphlet about their church to people in Laundromats. That didn't go over good. Then they tried a "Free" carwash so they could "serve" their community. No they did the carwash so people would feel obligated to come to their church. That's a marketing strategy, "do something to make someone feel indebted to you then they will do what you want them to do" The bible teaches us to do things for "those who can not repay us"
But what bothered me most is the lament the pastor's wife (co pastor- I won't even go there) would keep saying.... she was so upset that not enough people would come and GIVE so they could keep going. They had committed to buying so much equipment and things for their church that they felt they needed the income from the new members to make it. I can truly say I've never thought like that!
The way we look at things is IF God wants the church to go on....He will be the provider. It might come from church members or from a surprise source but GOD is in control.
Let me tell you as a pastor's wife I do understand wanting to grow a church. I'd love to see our church bursting at the seams every Sunday NOT to pay the bills but that people were coming to Christ, living for God, finding victory in their life, being a part of a fellowship.......
We have chosen to live modestly. When we redid our church, we did it nice, but we also did not buy the most expensive carpet, sound system, media system...etc.... we stayed in the middle. We were determined not to go into debt and not to use money too freely on THINGS! For example we used to go to a church that has a large beautiful chandelier in it's large lobby. When I learned the chandelier had cost over $40,000 I felt SICK! To me that is a waste of God's money. I've seen too many needs and hungry children to spend $40.000 on a light fixture......
One area that we've never struggled in since we have pastored is trusting God for the finances. My husband does occasionally preach about tithing and giving. It's in the bible and it's a GREAT way to live BUT he shares that it is a JOY to give to God and others. And I do absolutely believe in living with an "open hand approach", keep our hands open and NOT clutching onto things, being free to be able to give. God does bless folks in many ways when they give to others and to the work of God but maybe not in just financial ways. There is just something freeing about giving to others!
Recently I've also watched "Preachers of LA" People had asked me if I'd seen it for a year or more so I finally remembered to DVR it.... Talk about foolishness..... That show more focuses on the individual pastors and their families' private lives.....LORD HAVE MERCY as my grandmother would say! I watched 3 or 4 episodes and all I can say is thank God I do not personally know any preachers who live like those ones.....
One show I watched last year was "Snake Salvation" The pastors on there were straight up crazy, handling snakes but what I did like about them was the fact they actually seemed to care about the people in their community with true compassion. Of course they thought the answer for the folks was to "get saved and handle snakes" but there was a focus on people and not things. Of course the show was stopped when one of the pastors got "out of the faith" and got bit by a rattle snake and died....
So what do all these shows have in common??? They show extreme people who are a bit off. Last night's tv viewing will cause me to go back to my news shows for sure! I was very disappointed in the new show "Preaching Alabama" I have mutual friends with them so that is a bit awkward but I have to be honest, I do not like how that show portrays Pastors! I really dislike the "new" way of church planting and feel that while numbers may come in (or may not, more than 80% of those type of churches fail within 5 years) DISCIPLIES are not made! People don't learn to walk with God through life. Often these churches do surveys to see what the community thinks it wants. That sounds good right? I think it is wrong, the church is coming with the answer for the need whether a person lives in the hood or the richest mansion in the city.
Ok my ranting is over, maybe.....these are things I think about and think deeply about since I am a pastor's wife NOT a co-pastor.....like I said that is another rant all together!
But last night I watched two episodes of "the Duggars" and then a new TLC show called "Preaching Alabama" The Duggars just kill me. I do not know why I watch them because I feel they are in an evangelical "cult". Yes I believe they are Christians but I think they have things a bit warped. They follow a sect of evangelical Christianity that promotes a form of legalism that affects families. What I mean if their leaders (several who have fallen into sexual sin themselves) try to dictate how a family should live regarding their dress, non birth control, homeschooling, courting, even the length of a person's hair. I grew up in LEGALISM and I hate the smell of it. That being said, I do think the Duggar family try their best to live for God. There is a sweetness about them, especially the kids, Michelle, well I just want to shake her sometimes and Jim Bob is a bit over the top. I do not care for their PDAs (public displays of affection) or anyone's, my kids would die if my husband and I acted like that in public!
That being said "Preaching Alabama" is the opposite evangelical extreme...... it's a family -an older retired preacher daddy and mama. Then two daughters who are married to ministers. The 6 of them are starting a church in Alabama Let's just say there is none of the Duggar legalism there, tattoos and piercing abound.
But there is something that drives me BATTY....I do not care if someone has tats or wears a long dress BUT when the focus is on the outward, whatever the outward looks like, then that is wrong. What I'm saying is there can be legalism to dress a certain way to be considered "cool" also. I see that with ministers now. We have some friends, older than us who dress cooler than my teenaged son! I just laugh at 50's something year olds who wear "holey" jeans and a cool shirt to preach in so they are "relevant" Got a secret for you....You're NOT cool, you just look funny. And yes I laugh at you!
When I see anyone going out of their way to dress a certain way, I have to wonder what is going on? I think the way the Duggars dress bring WAY more attention to their bodies than if they just had on a decent shirt and a pair of jeans. To me that is modesty-not bringing undue attention to yourself. if you are going to go horseback riding WHY do you feel the need to wear a skirt over a pair of pants? That makes people look at a person more than if they just had on jeans and a shirt. (that was part of last night's episode)
Ok the same goes for the "I'm free from legalism" extreme...... when you have tattoos, body piercings and silly awls in your ears, all you are doing is bringing attention to your outward body. Then I've seen those folks, become legalistic AGAINST people who did not dress cool or have tats and piercings LOL!!!
Our church runs the gamete from people who dress very conservatively to bikers:) It's not about the outward. The bikers are just that bikers, they dress in what is comfortable for them. The conservatives wear what they are comfortable in and no one has a point to prove!
Anyhow I was so troubled by the new show. Here this family is starting a church. I KNOW that someone edited their hours of film, we've been on TV enough to know not everything said and done gets on the final cut. BUT I was troubled by many statements made.
In the evangelical church world (Pentecostal and non Pentecostal) there is a "new" way to start a church. First let me say there are sooooooooooooooo many older churches that could be renovated like our church. I know in our denomination, we close as many churches as we open yearly. So a lot of the older churches already OWN buildings debt free but rather than work on the buildings and regrow the church in number, most just throw their hands up and want to go start something new. Statistically people will come to a new church.
So the new idea is to rent/buy a "non church" looking building, give it a silly non biblical name ie Movement Church, Ignite, Fuel Church, Journey, Lift, Flood gates, Epic church. Life, Bridge, Lifebridge, etc and etc...... (although I kinda like the name Journey church) Then instead of calling themselves CHRISTIAN they are now called "Christ followers" (Christian is too old fashioned)
Then inside has to be all cool.....when we were redoing our church, I was advised we should paint a wall BLACK ....I just laughed and said we are a country church and our folks would think we'd lost our minds trying to be "cool" There is nothing wrong with a specific color, it is just yet again the focus becomes on the outward things, rather than focusing on God.
Anyhow this show is telling the story of the new classic non denominational church plant....but it is telling it badly.
One thing that is "cool" in the evangelical is doing things for the community. Y'all know I'm ALL about giving and doing for others BUT the difference is I don't believe you should do for others as a TOOL to grow your church!
Doing things as a tool to grow a church makes me very uncomfortable. For example this church first gave out little baggies of laundry detergent with some pamphlet about their church to people in Laundromats. That didn't go over good. Then they tried a "Free" carwash so they could "serve" their community. No they did the carwash so people would feel obligated to come to their church. That's a marketing strategy, "do something to make someone feel indebted to you then they will do what you want them to do" The bible teaches us to do things for "those who can not repay us"
But what bothered me most is the lament the pastor's wife (co pastor- I won't even go there) would keep saying.... she was so upset that not enough people would come and GIVE so they could keep going. They had committed to buying so much equipment and things for their church that they felt they needed the income from the new members to make it. I can truly say I've never thought like that!
The way we look at things is IF God wants the church to go on....He will be the provider. It might come from church members or from a surprise source but GOD is in control.
Let me tell you as a pastor's wife I do understand wanting to grow a church. I'd love to see our church bursting at the seams every Sunday NOT to pay the bills but that people were coming to Christ, living for God, finding victory in their life, being a part of a fellowship.......
We have chosen to live modestly. When we redid our church, we did it nice, but we also did not buy the most expensive carpet, sound system, media system...etc.... we stayed in the middle. We were determined not to go into debt and not to use money too freely on THINGS! For example we used to go to a church that has a large beautiful chandelier in it's large lobby. When I learned the chandelier had cost over $40,000 I felt SICK! To me that is a waste of God's money. I've seen too many needs and hungry children to spend $40.000 on a light fixture......
One area that we've never struggled in since we have pastored is trusting God for the finances. My husband does occasionally preach about tithing and giving. It's in the bible and it's a GREAT way to live BUT he shares that it is a JOY to give to God and others. And I do absolutely believe in living with an "open hand approach", keep our hands open and NOT clutching onto things, being free to be able to give. God does bless folks in many ways when they give to others and to the work of God but maybe not in just financial ways. There is just something freeing about giving to others!
Recently I've also watched "Preachers of LA" People had asked me if I'd seen it for a year or more so I finally remembered to DVR it.... Talk about foolishness..... That show more focuses on the individual pastors and their families' private lives.....LORD HAVE MERCY as my grandmother would say! I watched 3 or 4 episodes and all I can say is thank God I do not personally know any preachers who live like those ones.....
One show I watched last year was "Snake Salvation" The pastors on there were straight up crazy, handling snakes but what I did like about them was the fact they actually seemed to care about the people in their community with true compassion. Of course they thought the answer for the folks was to "get saved and handle snakes" but there was a focus on people and not things. Of course the show was stopped when one of the pastors got "out of the faith" and got bit by a rattle snake and died....
So what do all these shows have in common??? They show extreme people who are a bit off. Last night's tv viewing will cause me to go back to my news shows for sure! I was very disappointed in the new show "Preaching Alabama" I have mutual friends with them so that is a bit awkward but I have to be honest, I do not like how that show portrays Pastors! I really dislike the "new" way of church planting and feel that while numbers may come in (or may not, more than 80% of those type of churches fail within 5 years) DISCIPLIES are not made! People don't learn to walk with God through life. Often these churches do surveys to see what the community thinks it wants. That sounds good right? I think it is wrong, the church is coming with the answer for the need whether a person lives in the hood or the richest mansion in the city.
Ok my ranting is over, maybe.....these are things I think about and think deeply about since I am a pastor's wife NOT a co-pastor.....like I said that is another rant all together!
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Big House News!
Big news on our house today!
Habitat for Humanity has us up on their website:) You can click here to see it. You can also see how to be a part of the building, there is a place to sign up if you live in this area & want to work on the house. If you'd like to give to the project, you can also give here!
https://www.mymissio.com/missio/the-clanton-family-habitat-home
I had a chance to ride by the property today and WOW there is a lot going on! The "footers" are done, the concrete blocks are started. This is the view facing the front of the house
I thought they may have gotten some things done but I didn't know they'd gotten this much done:)
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The domestic adoption of the little boy I told you about yesterday has generated some responses:) If you responded, PLEASE check that you sent in your contact info. Someone sent something but didn't send a contact number. PLEASE check!
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Well I'm just a bit overwhelmed by all of our good news on the house, it's becoming real! Looking forward to see the walls go up next Friday!
Habitat for Humanity has us up on their website:) You can click here to see it. You can also see how to be a part of the building, there is a place to sign up if you live in this area & want to work on the house. If you'd like to give to the project, you can also give here!
https://www.mymissio.com/missio/the-clanton-family-habitat-home
I had a chance to ride by the property today and WOW there is a lot going on! The "footers" are done, the concrete blocks are started. This is the view facing the front of the house
This is facing the south side and MY room:)
the front again
this is facing the back
I thought they may have gotten some things done but I didn't know they'd gotten this much done:)
=========================================================================
The domestic adoption of the little boy I told you about yesterday has generated some responses:) If you responded, PLEASE check that you sent in your contact info. Someone sent something but didn't send a contact number. PLEASE check!
=========================================================================
Well I'm just a bit overwhelmed by all of our good news on the house, it's becoming real! Looking forward to see the walls go up next Friday!
Monday, October 6, 2014
Domestic Adoption Opportunity
Domestic Adoption Opportunity!!!
I was contacted today by a friend about a baby here in Florida who is up for adoption. He is a healthy bi racial newborn boy and his mom wants him raised by a Pentecostal family. If you are interested please contact janna.adoptionadvisors@gmail.com or by phone 330-398-0186. Please say you found out about the baby from my blog. I'd love to hear that:)
Fees are estimated 24-26k everything included. Don't freak over the fees, their are grants and even more than that God can do miracles in the situation. I spoke to the director of the agency and she has a heart for adoption. If you are interested, you do not have to live in Florida. http://www.hopeembraced.org/About-Us.html
Please share and forward this as the birth mother wants to complete the adoption asap!
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We are also helping out Druz Orphanage again. As I shared before it was a full orphanage AND THEN two other orphanages had to evacuate to safety there, so they are full. Many of the new children are sleeping on the floor. I showed many pictures in this post http://myreallifebyyvonne.blogspot.com/2014/09/urgent-please-read.html things were not so critical during the hot summer but Ukraine has very cold winters and these special needs children need to be off the floor. They need at least 55 cots with mattresses. The need is almost $100 per bed.
You can give directly to L2O
Life2Orphans, Inc6326 E. Sandra Terrace
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
http://www.life2orphans.net/make-a-monetary-donation.html or you can give on line!
You can also give through our church
Grace Church
7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540
but it is quicker to give directly to L2O
Please pray for their well situation, the money is there for it but they've had an issue with the company that was going to do the well and in getting a signature. The funds are being held until the situation is resolved. Hopefully that will be soon!!!!!!!! Please pray! It is seems close to being resolved so pray that it will be soon!
I was contacted today by a friend about a baby here in Florida who is up for adoption. He is a healthy bi racial newborn boy and his mom wants him raised by a Pentecostal family. If you are interested please contact janna.adoptionadvisors@gmail.com or by phone 330-398-0186. Please say you found out about the baby from my blog. I'd love to hear that:)
Fees are estimated 24-26k everything included. Don't freak over the fees, their are grants and even more than that God can do miracles in the situation. I spoke to the director of the agency and she has a heart for adoption. If you are interested, you do not have to live in Florida. http://www.hopeembraced.org/About-Us.html
Please share and forward this as the birth mother wants to complete the adoption asap!
=================================================================
We are also helping out Druz Orphanage again. As I shared before it was a full orphanage AND THEN two other orphanages had to evacuate to safety there, so they are full. Many of the new children are sleeping on the floor. I showed many pictures in this post http://myreallifebyyvonne.blogspot.com/2014/09/urgent-please-read.html things were not so critical during the hot summer but Ukraine has very cold winters and these special needs children need to be off the floor. They need at least 55 cots with mattresses. The need is almost $100 per bed.
You can give directly to L2O
Life2Orphans, Inc6326 E. Sandra Terrace
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
http://www.life2orphans.net/make-a-monetary-donation.html or you can give on line!
You can also give through our church
Grace Church
7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540
but it is quicker to give directly to L2O
Please pray for their well situation, the money is there for it but they've had an issue with the company that was going to do the well and in getting a signature. The funds are being held until the situation is resolved. Hopefully that will be soon!!!!!!!! Please pray! It is seems close to being resolved so pray that it will be soon!
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