Published Article written by Breanna on Human Trafficking

 

God has blessed us with some gifted and passionate children. The Lord has given them unique passions and abilities that give them a platform to bring Him glory.

 

Breanna loves art, missions, has deep rooted friendships and a strong bond with her siblings.  She has had her artwork featured in some public shows in the area and she is continuing to explore and try new things.  She has a heart for missions and for people, particularly those who are the downtrodden and less fortunate.  This love has given her a passion for helping to shed light on the human slavery problem that exists throughout the world.  She wrote her first paper about the subject in 9th grade and her knowledge and interest has grown ever since.

 

This is an article that Breanna wrote on Human trafficking that was recently published in a magazine for teens that covers all of south central PA.  We are very proud of her and the hard work it took to write an article on a very difficult topic. It is such a joy to see how her passion and love for people is manifesting itself through her writing.

 

 



"Mom, I really feel really special"

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to post! I sure hope the grandparents will forgive me!

Birthday's are a pretty big deal in our family. I am not sure how, but it just has happened. In a larger family it seems like a great opportunity to "pour" into one child. We do not do "friend" birthdays for all the birthdays unless it happens spontaneously. More for the practical financial and planning. We plan friend parties for years like 5, 10, 13, & 16. So, this year we had a family Birthday celebration however we were able to include a little party at school with her friends in her class.



 

 Olivia opened her gift from us before she went to school. A new dress, shoes and birthday ribbon. She was so excited and was full of smiles. She received lots of big hugs from her siblings all morning long.

Olivia requested Hello Kitty Cake Pops. I had no idea how I was going to pull it off but I was looking forward to the challenge. 

I had the opportunity to hang out with the kids and teachers during recess. After most, if not all of the class came over to greet and give little hugs (I had just been in the classroom 2 days ago)  they waited and asked to get their picture taken together. I chuckled as they know me well since I always have my camera with me snapping pictures. This sweet little picture is just precious to me. I am looking forward to watching this group of kids grow up together.

The cake pops were a hit.

I took Olivia out of school early knowing our evening was going to be very busy with Madelyn's band performance. On our way to her surprise she said

"Mom, I really feel really special"

 She has never been to Build-A-Bear Workshop and really didn't know what it was all about but it sure didn't take long for her to figure it out! She was so full of smiles it was if her little face was lit up. Can you guess what stuffed animal she selected?....

She giggled, played, dressed and danced in the store.

So much fun, her little love tank runneth over....

The fun didn't stop! The kids waited eagerly to hear about her day and to see her Hello Kitty. I love to watch their excitement for one another. We had cake early with a busy night ahead but they didn't seem to care at all to have cake first and by far that is probably the best present ever for Olivia. She does like chocolate! 



Silly kids....oh let me take in all these moments. They pass so quickly. sniff-sniff

Our "sweet pea" with 6 little candles. A knot in my throat as I type.You are truly a gift, you add so much fun to our family. Your animated personality, your sense of humor, your inquisitiveness, your silly faces, your imagination, your articulation of your feelings, your creativity, your love for your siblings... We wait in expectation of how the Lord will use you to share the Love of Jesus with others. 

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14

Growing Up-She is His

Growing up!

I have no idea how this happened. It just seemed like yesterday I was rocking my first little baby girl. She was 4 weeks premature and so tiny.  Soon after though, I would find myself wondering when she would take her first steps and say her first word. Recently, Breanna got her driving licence AND a job within the same week.

Breanna interviewed and accepted a position at Hershey Park. She is excited about the position but might not be as excited about the uniform. Those shorts are pretty high waisted, I must admit but they do offer to wash them daily! There are several perks with working at the park and it seems like a great place work and she could have a fun summer doing it. We will certainly keep you posted on her first employment.

 

In the same week Breanna, walked in the door with her freshly printed drivers licence and asked to take the kids to Sonic for ice cream. Not, "can I go see my friends, go to the mall, go do something for myself." She asked to take her siblings out and she used her own money to buy them ice cream. They celebrated together and Breanna received praises from her little passengers of how she is a "good driver."  It's little moments like this that I treasure and want to tuck away in my memory forever. I was thankful for their time and I have to admit I breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled back in the driveway.  There are an endless amount of opportunities raising children when I am challenged to trust the Lord; that He loves them far more than I ever can and He is their protector.

Watching my little 4 year old jump out of the car with a bookbag bigger than her body going into her first day of school-stretched me. He is her protector 

 first sleepovers- stretched me. He is her protector 

first walks around the neighborhood- stretched me. He is her protector
 staying by herself for the first time- stretched me. He is her protector

watching my young teen get on a plane to go thousands of miles away for her first of many mission trips by herself- stretched me. He is her protector

 first boy relationship- stretched me. He is her protector

 getting into a car driving away- stretched me. He is her protector

 

Stretched me to trust in the Lord and know that He is sovereign, He is good and 

HE is her protector.  

He was the one who wove her together in my womb, the one who uniquely created her and loves her perfectly. We have been entrusted to raise and train her but to know

She is His.

 

 Getting her picture for the license! smile!

 

 

Here is a video that Breanna took of Olivia when they went to Sonic for ice cream. She was a little excited and maybe even on a bit of a sugar rush.

 

 

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Blessed-STHS Luncheon

I am beyond thankful to have the opportunity to participate in a Moms in Prayer Group where we pray together once a week for one hour for our schools, children and other specific request. We had the opportunity to do a luncheon for the teachers and staff at Susquehanna Township High School. We had a great time talking with the people there. We so appreciate all they do and we were blessed by this opportunity.

 

 

I had a nice long day in the kitchen baking. It is a creative outlet for me and I must say it was done in record time while the kids were in school.

 

We had a steady crowd for each lunch period...

 

Alia and I snuck away for a few minutes with a teacher to take a peek at the production lab. We had a chance to talk with Mr. Andries and also two school board members that were there.

 Breanna has production lab three days a week within the School of the Arts. She is currently working on a student's prom dress.

 

Two walls are lined with top quality sewing machines and equipment. Supplies placed all around the room.

Back to to the luncheon : )

 

Blessed to have the opportunity to talk with the staff/administration/teachers at STHS.  Also, enjoyed  running into several students that have been woven into our lives the past 2 years. Not to mention running into your own daughter in the hall was bonus! 

 

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:6-7

 

Stop and smell the flowers

Spring tends to ramp up our family calendar and it is fast paced with a variety of activities. The days seem to fly by as we turn the calendar pages quickly. Even in the busyness of life I am thankful for the sweet moments the Lord weaves into our lives that slow the pace.

Last Wednesday was beyond busy with Billy out of town and the kids had a number of commitments. Despite all the busyness Olivia had a moment to bounce through the yard and she brought a flower over to the porch and asked me to look at all the bumps and colors. As I took a deep breath to slow my pace I peered down in between her tiny hands and noticed how detailed, intricate, precise and beautiful it was. As her hands clutched the flower and those little brown eyes looked up I cupped my hands around hers and whispered "God made it, it's beautiful, just beautiful Olivia, do you see all the detail?"
We took a moment to inspect all the lines, bumps, colors, details and took a few sniffs (very strong fragrant smell)  then she dropped the cut off flower in a bucket and bounced through the yard once more.

Although many things needed to get accomplished before the sun went down I was Thankful God gave me little ones that slow me down in my tracks. I cringe at the thought of how many times I have missed the sweetness of these opportunities but I am thankful this time (by His grace)  it was not overlooked. This flower was a sweet reminder that God created, grows, and cares for the details on the flower and He cares about every single detail in our lives. Nothing is overlooked, nothing thrown together, nothing un-noticed, nothing out of His grip and control. He already knows what the day and future hold. Despite changing circumstances and trials that we face in this fallen world, God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.(Hebrews 13:8)  He cares about all the details in our lives and can use all things to mature us in our faith and point others to the hope and unchangeable Jesus Christ.

" Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" Luke 12:27

 

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

New Activities= New Friends

 

 Madelyn has kept us "hoppin" with her new hobby and activities. She has met so many new friends and has learned so much the past few months. It is great to see her thriving, growing and enjoying this activity. Billy and I grew up participating in sports and she has certainly introduced many new things to our lives like band, chorus, horseback riding and 4-H

 

 

We have met many new friends with Madelyn's 4-H group. I have been blessed by this friendship and so enjoy all the time we have at the shows, meetings and events to talk. The best part is they only live a few blocks away from us.
As you can see by the girl's sleepy eyes, we left before daylight to get to a show about an hour away

 

 

 

 

Can I tell you what I enjoy the most about going to the shows?

TALKING!!

There is a good amount of time waiting if you only have a few rabbits to show and it allows for plenty of great conversations.

 

 

Madelyn has enjoyed making many new friends and there are several kids who attend shows from our local "Fur and Feathers" group.

Make sure you check out her website to see how her bunnies placed and to hear about her experience from her point of view...She loves comments : )

Click here

3:00AM Wake Up Call. Not.fun.at.all

 

I just love our little mail slot, one of the many things I enjoy about our home in PA. However, at 3 am waking up with someone reaching in the mail slot is not fun.Yes, we had a 3 am wake up call with the dog barking relentlessly and someone insisting they needed to be in our home.

 Not.Fun.at.all.

 

After looking through the window at the top, Billy cracked open the door just a bit and asked the lady on our porch if he could help her. She was clearly out of it and wanted to come in to talk.  That didn't happen so he quickly shut and locked the door as the disgruntled lady wandered up the sidewalk. The police were fast and furious as they were on the street in no time at all. Not sure the full scoop of why she was walking around the neighborhood accumulating mail from mail slots or why we ended up with a neighbor's mortgage payment in our door slot but it sure did make for an interesting night.

 

Not to mention, I had already been up with the dog (yes dog) that was sick. The house smelled nice and clean as I had just finished mopping the kitchen floor about 45 minutes before the officer stopped by to take the mail that was left behind. I'm sure he appreciated the lemony fresh scent during his visit with us.

 

As we make it through the day yawning and drinking coffee we just can't shake the giggles of all the excitement in the middle of the night. Luckily no one was hurt and it was a relatively minor incident.  We have made some minor adjustments to our "Operation Intruder Prevention" plan.

  

You just never know what goes on in the middle of the night.