GO LOOK!

This family has so touched my heart and this dear lady has loved me so unconditionally and her big boys are just precious and I know I have mentioned this before so

GO LOOK AT HER BLOG!

She's still waiting to come home but has posted some beautiful pictures (the very first one made me all teary eyed).
 Go Look! And pray! And if you can give she has a link for that! But pray and praise the Lord!

The Petitt Family

 

just do your clicky-mouse thing on those big words there



Bitterness

As busily happy as I am of late, I discovered this morning a root of bitterness.
A little thing I was totally unaware was there. Some harsh feelings that just sprang up suddenly.
Poor Gene, he hadn't left for work yet and discovered with me that I have this issue.
We are both pretty shocked.

So, do I deal with this by confronting the object of this bitterness (a clueless person who would only be upset).

Is praying the only thing I need to do? (Over analyzing it seems a fuzzier idea to this flesh).

AND I feel justified in my bitterness (almost) and want to hang on to it.

Why? What is up with that? ("Get over it." "Just let it go.")

Security? High Expectations? Lack of duck feathers on my back?

 I'm hurt. I don't like being hurt . . .passed over . . . let down . . . ignored . . . IRRITATED.

Now, granted, part of this is a relationship issue - a relationship in name only, pretty much non-existent.
But have I done my half of the whole relationship dance?

No.

Can I really be mad at someone who may just be acting like . . . well, me? Apparently, YES.

And if I'm bitter - - - ARE THEY?!?!?!

Then, in God's humor, He gave me these verses today:

 

If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
or if you have been devising evil,
put your hand on your mouth.
 For pressing milk produces curds,
pressing the nose produces blood,
and pressing anger produces strife.

~ Proverbs 30:32-33 ~

 

So, other than venting here - sharing with you all that sometimes we all have issues . . .

OKAY! ALL THE TIME I HAVE SOME MAJOR ISSUES!

I'm putting my had to my mouth and not stirring up strife with someone(s) I need to be building loving relationships with. (Growing some duck feathers). And trusting God's leading as I go turn this over to Him.

 

But I want you to feel "normal" when you have issues like this.

Normal like me! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA . . .



 

 

Together for Life 2013

We once again made the annual trip to Hot-lant-er for Together for Life, a memorial service for those lost to abortion and a call to a renewed commitment to protect the sanctity of all life - from conception to natural death - after 40 years of abortion on demand in our country.

40 years?!?!? 56 million lives ended. Destroyed. Trashed. Slaughtered.
I can't even imagine that number.

After sending out an invitation for any and all to go with us one young lady took us up on our offer. Thank you Mrs. B for standing bravely in honor of those who cannot.
I guess a crowd of 11 isn't so bad.


The Franklin County Crew

 We took a part in the service and until "our turn" we stood behind the stage area. Here's our view.

Some of the crowd.

 For a little while I was standing next to the beautiful Dr. Alveda King. Until she gave the opening prayer. If you've never gotten to listen to this lady - your missing out.
On the other side of me was the group of State Representatives and their aids. Then it was their turn.

State Reps get attention

 About Noon-thirty it was our turn. We all held signs with the year (or close enough to the year) we were born. Gene and I were near the front of the line.

He is really a year younger - but we got years 1976 and 77
and there is no way I was going to act a year older.

On each sign was the year and a big number (like the 1,179,300 on Gene's sign) representing the known number of lives taken by abortion that year. (In 2010 there were almost 35,000 just in our state of Georgia).
After several went, the lady to the other side of Gene helped me hold his sign so that he could go get Josiah - he was NOT at all happy about being awake or not having "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" instead of his sweet biggest sister.

 

Then Dan Becker, President of GRTL introduced the Keynote speaker Doug McKillip.

 

Dan

 

Doug.
This was the second time I've gotten to hear him speak.
I'm looking for a written version of his testimony to share with you. Remarkable.

 A few more talkers. Like the amazing Cathrine Davis.



Ms. Davis

Then somebody from the Arch Dioceses of the Southeast prayed a wonderful prayer, and we walked.





 

That's the top of me walking. My little gaggle did most of the walk with those sweet sisters back there.
What a wonderful smile that one in the middle (next to the priest) had. I'd love to go walking with them again sometime.

Normally we don't have many, if any, opposing protesters. We did this year. A little band of rebels - who have as much right to speak as we do - some of whom were costumed (as female genitalia) and all of whom were spouting ugliness. Most of which I can't repeat and was embarrassed to hear. (Plus, I was walking with children, other families, several Nuns and a priest). Thankfully, as far as the children were concerned, these lost ones may as well have been speaking a foreign language - they understood very little. What they did understand, they, these little children, deemed "just didn't make sense" - and it led to a discussion over supper about illogical arguments.

On another corner a nice looking man of color who seemed to have just been minding his on business until this quiet parade went by, gave us a thumbs down and called our mixed group racist - the kids chuckled over that comment. We laughingly admitted to being racist against abortionist - but we think they may also be racist against us.
We do believe we have the upper hand - we know God still loves them and offers them hope and a way of escape - they just have hate, violence, and ugly words.

Here's one more - the yearly group picture on the capitol steps.

(well, there should be a picture here - I'll work on it again later)

We normally take the train (Marta - $6 each) into town but this year we drove on in and parked nearby (only $5). However, we will have to find a time to ride Marta around Atlanta - I mean, how dare we deny the children such an experience (every single year)? (They kinda missed it and let us know of their displeasure.)
But they did get to eat Chick-fil-a (in Duluth - the one with the little dwarf door) so they'll live.

Little Is Much

I was just thinking that I never told you what happened to the van. I told you it Kaputted. But Gene had it running again the next morning. It took him a little bit to narrow down the problem - it was just one little "coil" thing. Not to expensive. Just one of those things.
And the two boys that rode home with the tow-truck fella got to talk to him about "going to church." My little missionaries.

Jorja lost two more teeth this weekend. She wiggled one Saturday till it dropped out and then Sunday during the invitation at church another one "heard the call" and jumped out.
She is the cutest snagglepus.

We pulled up at the house after church yesterday to find Essie, the pig, standing in the yard. So we filed out slowly and in our Sunday duds chased that pig around the yard and into the edge of the woods - twice. We tried bribing her with food. We (Gene in a tie) tried tackling her. We tried getting a rope around her neck. She is a very smart pig. Finally, by just running along side her, (stopping for her to sniff and munch things on the ground) we corralled her back to her pen. She was very happy to be home again (jiggity jog).
Just in case you ever have to chase pigs in your Sunday duds - change shoes first. Them little cute slipper things us ladies wear are just not the thing to go hopping through the woods in.
And remember what Gene said as he pondered this adventure - "pigs are slick even when they aren't greased."

My friend Ann is still in Russia - and getting media attention! She said things have been going smoothly and little Chance is just wonderful. Pray the details that are left also go smoothly and that we will get to welcome them home this weekend.

I very excited this morning. Matter of fact I'm just bubbling over!
I've been thinking of having another Franklin County Right to Life meeting but was resisting the urge to ask for things. Then in the past week there have been a secession of coincidences (that's God working anonymously).
A lady called me from a doctors office and offered her help and the use of the doctors "reception area." So we have The place.
Then I read a short article about about a lady, who lives in Franklin County, that was preggers and had cancer at the same time - and had chemo - and she is fine and the baby was a perfectly healthy boy (he's 2 1/2 now). I shot her an email and she called me right back. We talked a long time! What a story she has to tell!
So, tada! I have The speaker! A real live person with a powerful testimony!
I just need to come up with a date. I turned that back over to Him and sent an email to my dear friend at Georgia Right to Life.

The other good news is that to be an "official" right to life chapter I need two board members (Gene can't be one). I may have mentioned this in several conversations. As of today God is answering that prayer also - they are praying about it! AND called me to tell me about it!

So, other than sending 3 emails and answering the phone and asking "Are you willing?" a few times - I've done nothing. God is planning this one! He is sending in the laborers.

Update: By bedtime Monday night everything was set for our Franklin County Right to Life Meeting
It will be: Febuary 28, 2013, 7:00 PM at Lighthouse Family Practice - I just need extra chairs (NOT a problem).
God is great! I'm still pretty tickled!
I'll post the flyer soon - and I'm sure you'll be reminded.

Of Kids and Pigs

The little mother

 We had a little shower for Mrs. Ann before she left to go back to Russia. And we prayed over her - and continue to.
While we were praying another friend realized that a while back, when the Petitts first started praying for another baby, when they were praying for her womb, was about the same time little Chance would have been being conceived on the opposite side of the globe.
We marvel at God's ways. Of how He answers our prayers in ways we could never imagine. Of how He truly does "got the whole world in in His hands." Of the beauty of trusting Him when things seem - ARE out of our control.
Ann and her oldest son arrived safely and while we were asleep in our beds last night (about 2pm our time) she picked up HER son!
There's still some legalities and paper work to do to make everyone happy - but the labor pains are over and Mom and baby will be back home soon.
Read some happy details of the last few days in Russia here.



The baby brother with 1/2 the gaggle.

Saturday, Uncle Michael, Aunt Jessica and "the snowman" (that's what the ultrasound looks like) came to visit us. I'm not sure who had more fun playing, them or the kids. But I hope they got plenty of rest afterwards.
And I hope we get to visit with them again REAL soon!

Also, on Saturday, the wonderful Daddy, Papa, and Jacob visited a pig farm and brought home the bacon.
Meet Esmeralda - Essie for short.



Essie

She's not actually the bacon, we are going to get more little piggies and bred Essie - so our bacon multiplies. (We will eat the others).

And many thanks to our kind friends who brought us more big chickens (I'm sure they will be yummy just as soon as we find time to "take care of them").

Another thing I have to brag about (as a good mother should):

Sometime last week the boys built this big paper tower - no tape or glue - just balance.
Ava is in the picture to show you how tall it is and the littlers are waiting for it to fall down.

Yesterday was a big day too. You'll hear about it soon (I've lost the camera. . . again.)

That's all.

MawMaw and Fringe

I wrote this post back in August (or maybe September). But I wasn't ready to post it.
However, today I feel like I'm leaving you out of the joy of knowing a child of God.
So, here it is - the pieces of my heart scattered around the country.
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

One of the greatest things about our fringe benefits is all the extra in-loves you get.
One of the greatest drawbacks to our fringe benefits is all the extra in-loves you get.

Have you missed other post about "fringe benefits"?
Fringe Benefits = those things about life now that are made possible (or impossible) because of the "love" from former spouses. Not baggage. Not regrets. Those oddities in life that some people just don't get to enjoy. Those things only crockpot families have to think about or deal with.

For example: We recently received a notice in the mail from our health insurance that it was denying a claim. But that was okay because it wasn't for anybody on our plan (not any of the 10 of us). But it was somebody we know. I called the insurance company and also the hospital (who chuckled when told the name because they know this hypochondriac very well). Unexpected? Yes. Surprised? No.

A better example, and a little more recent (and a little longer), is all the extra grandparents you and your children acquire. And how, when something happens, it affects you.

I meet Mrs. Mary Marie Chandler 15 years ago, when a young man took me home to meet his family. Honesty, kindness, compassion, strength, faithfulness, and enduring love (a little stubberness) are a few words that would describe this lady. We didn't see eye-to-eye on everything all the time. Hind-site being what it is, she was right most of the time. I wish I had gotten to sit in her living room eating candy and talking to her way more then I did. I wish the short people had known her better. I wish I had saved a few more cards she sent over the years.

The last several times I sat with her she was being lovingly cared for by Mom, her baby daughter. She didn't get around very well anymore. She was becoming more and more fragile. She commented several times, "I just don't know why God still has me here." I always told her it was because sometimes we just need to know she is still praying for us. We just need to sit in a chair near her and listen, or relate the latest news from our lives. We delight in her delight of our children.

After 92 1/2 years she finished her journey down here very early last Friday morning. We knew she wasn't going to stay with us much longer but I think we all thought we had just a few more days. I certainly didn't expect that call so soon. I praise God that He took her. That she is without pain. That because of her testimony I know she will be in the crowd that greets me some glad morning and leads me to the feet of Jesus.

Everyone who wasn't already there hurried to get there. I longed to be there to lay her body to rest. I longed to be able to put my arms around Mom. I  longed to see all the family. This family I still love and consider my own.



MawMaw

The fact is, I haven't been a Pinckley now for nearly as long as I was one. I don't get to see them very often.  "Going home" use to mean that little house near the Kudzu. There's not room for me at Mom's house anymore.
I know I'm not forgotten, but I feel replaced. I don't feel missed.
I didn't make it to the hurried funeral. I didn't get to take pictures of all the kids. My children aren't in any of the pictures that were made. Again.
And MY MawMaw, that fine lady that loved me, has left the planet.
I hurt.

Now, I'm not whining . . . much. Paul and the current (and we hope last) girlfriend, graciously offered to board the children and I. Gene said no. I just have never considered it. I'm still not comfortable with it. (There will be much prayer and thought and pillow talk).
And then there wasn't extra money for gas anyway.

My heart is on my sleeve. My emotions are at an all time high. I've had to revisit and reevaluate old wounds and step back and TRY to sort out current circumstances.

I've discovered, sadly, that while my home has 8 children, only some count. Who or how many that  "some" is varies depending on who your talking to. But I'm not told this, I find it out. The fact hits me in the face. The children are only mildly aware of it.
I testify to people all the time that "on paper we don't work"  or "They (who ever they are) say that our crockpot will never be full of deliciousness."
We KNOW that with God all things are possible and we ARE living proof of it.
We also know that other people hold the sins of the fathers (and mothers) against (these) children. We can love them all. Why can't they?
They are all OURS.
The only "steps" at this house are the ones to get in the door.
I've given birth to 6 and God blessed me with 2 more. (And they were potty trained - a bonus!)
If we love them differently, its because they are all so different, not because of whose name is on a birth certificate.

I know that there are some in this vast family that don't draw a line in the blood. They naturally include each child at family events. They don't give it a second thought. Families are built with love, not hospital ink.
I also know, and in my naivety its taken me a long time to realize it, some people would rather we not show up with the "other ones."
The funny thing is, there's a mixed group in each fringe. The two opposing views often live in the same house or see each other very regularly.
I don't understand it. I don't won't to. But I guess I should learn to live with it. I guess I should pray for a way to guard up all 8 to understand that they are loved, just not by everybody.
Wish I had learned that lesson a little better. I still get my feelings hurt.

 . . . And Mawmaw frowns, then smiles, and chuckles (I can hear her laugh), and pats my hand. "You know, so-and-so . . ." she begins some story. Tells me not to worry. And somehow that helps make it all better. I love you MawMaw. Hug my all my other ones up waiting (just as soon as you quit running).


Some people I miss. (plus a few cute kids)

Today's News

This week it was decided that my dad is going to have surgury on his shoulder. Its all set for March 4th. He's a big (OLD) fella and uses his arms to help get himself up and down, therefore, this is a big deal.
A friend suggested that he look into getting a hospital bed so that after the surgury it would be easier to get in and out of bed. So he called the doctor's office back and they were very helpful in obliging this request. Very helpful.
He got a call later that day from a company that wanted to deliver the bed THAT DAY. They called to get my address (he'll stay with us for a while) and he ask why they need that now. "Well, sir, we are about to deliver your bed?" "Well, I'm not having my surgury until March." "Then why do you need this bed now?"
We haven't seen them. Yet.

Today my mother sent me an email with the heading Bucket List. You were to look at what the person before you checked off on a list of random things and then forward this list after having revised it with your own checked off stuff. So, being the obedient daughter that I am I hit forward and proceded to delete things my mother has done and find that there are one or two things I've done that she hasn't (but she does have a 22 year head start on me so that made it even - I'm not sure why it became a compitition?)
At the end you were to put (1) your age: I put my real age (gasp! We were both REALLY honest - we aren't actually 26 and 27 yrs old we just play that on TV). (2) Who you thought would respond:  I said "I don't know." And (3) what was the furtherest place you'd send this chain mail fun email: thinking of my dear cousin that I haven't seen in a very long time I wrote (a state that starts with "W") Wyoming.
I knew that I had spelled that state wrong, I spell checked it. What spell check doesn't check for is if you in fact know what you are talking about. My sweet cousin (Hey Angie!) lives in Wisconsin. (I just spell checked that too).
I then went up and clicked on "To:" and got a long list of names, I knew I should send it back to Mama, I thought Gene might enjoy it and then I thought I should tell the kids to get dressed so that we could head to Hobby Lobby.
I sent the email to Lawrenceville and the other end of my house. It barely left town.

Dear Mama,
Thanks for talking to me when I called you back. And thanks for knowing me well enough to ask, "Who do you know in Wyoming?" I don't know anybody in Wyoming. I'm also 98% positive I've never sent an email there.
Love you,
Me

We had to go to Hobby Lobby to buy paint and four brushes. The kids begin Art and PE with our homeschool group tomorrow and the oldest two will be learning to paint with fancy watercolors (way fancier then the crayola stuff and plastic brushes we have at home).
Before leaving we had to kill ants and call the pest control people.
We then drove up I-85 in the pouring rain and the whole gaggle waded into Hobby Lobby like a bunch of drowned ducks. I'm glad my children are semi-well behaved, otherwise we may have bought out one craft store.
We found some paint stuff and someone to inturpret the list we had from the art teacher. While I was picking which (of 4 choices of) boxes of paint to get the kind sales lady assisted the students in finding the recommended brushes from our list. We left that asile feeling very victorious in our search. We took the time to look at model cars and tote bags you can decorate and headed slowly to the front enjoying all the pretty things we could look at with our EYES (not our hands).
We lined up in front of the young cashier and plesently discoursed with some of the other assciates milling around. Our cashier totalled it all up (2 boxes of paint, 2 #8 & 2 1/2" brushes - and a cute, on sale bag for the Mama) $104!!!!!!!! The whole party was astonished!
"Something must be wrong," said the young cashier as she began unloading our bag.
The problem, "professional brushes," the cheapest of which was $14.99. No stinking way!
The very helpful, kind, milling about assiocates quickly located alternate BAGS of brushes right their near the registars. A whole bag full of brushes  - little skinny brushes for $4.99 or just a big 'o mess of 'um for $7.99. I got two of the $7.99 bags. Surely to goodness theres a #8 and a 1/2" whatever in there. If not, they can just kiss my grits and paint with what they got.

It was just past lunch time by then and we had a lovely - active - lunch at Chick-fil-A. The really tall children were discussing shoes at Target and suggesting that we go there. So, about 2:15 we were on our way again.
As I pulled into my really great, near the door, parking spot at Target, the motor stopped running. Just quit.. Weird. No warning. No nothing. Just kaput. I rolled on in and turned every thing else off.
We sat there a few moments and tried to crank it back up. RArrrrrrr, rrrrrrr, rrrrrrr, rrrrrrr..... It was turning but not catching (Gene later made a more technical statement - but that didn't make any sense to me).
We waited a few more minutes and tried again. Nothing. We waited a few more minutes (because Gene takes a 15 minute break at 2:30) and called the Daddy. Then we called a tow truck. Then we called the Daddy back.
We looked at shoes and at every toy and were just starting on the bedding section when to tow truck fella called me back. Bless his heart.
Gene arrived not long after the sweet tow fella and they hauled home my ride, and six of my little wet ducks. Ava, Lora and I finished our inventory of Target's stock, found out they have nice smelling restrooms, and ate at their cafe.
My knight in shining armor rode back on his gray steed (formerly know as "The Thing") and fetched us home.

Now, were all home safe and sound. Papa was close enough to come check on the Home Alone-ers before he had to be elsewhere. (Contented sigh).

Elijah just commented that we haven't done any school today. (Thanks Watson).
I think going to Hobby Lobby, playing on a playground, learning about what to do when your ride goes kaput, and becoming overly familer with Target's layout is a great school day. Plus, I got a big soft pretzel - how can a day be bad when it ends with a big soft pretzel?

God really is looking after us. We could have kaputted anywhere else. But He guided us to a place of shelter and safety (and soft pretzels).

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place -
   the Most High, who is my refuge ^_
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent. (or van).

For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.

~Psalm 91:9-12~

 

 

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho

It's back to "normal" we go.

We'll refrain from chasing that "normal" rabbit.

Did I tell you Happy New Year?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We spent New Years Eve with all the little people (and the not so little people too) eating vegies and junk, drinking Shirley Temples, playing board games, and trying to stay awake until the big ball drops in NYC. Then the next day we slept late and stayed in our PJs.

Then I was mildly sick (again) for a few days. (By the way - I sleep for like 18 hours on one dose of Night Time formula cold medicine - everyone tried to stay quiet, but I'm not sure I would have heard them anyway. And 18 hours of sleep made me a much more pleasant person.)

My little Wednesday night class started back. We talk a lot about missionaries. This week our missionary family went snow skiing - so we did too!

That's my Jacob on the water skis - and its totally okay, four year olds
couldn't tell the difference between snow skis and water skis.
They also thought making a snowman later with the "snow" I brought from home was great.

And one of them had a birthday so we learned to sing Happy Birthday in French ('cause we were "in" Montreal, Canada).

We also learned a few Bible verses and talked about Jesus going to church (Temple) with His family.
And I must say that I have the GREATEST group of 4 year olds ever! (most weeks)

Friday afternoon the little girls and I went to the local Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store to look for them some "new" shoes (they have a VERY hard time keeping up with shoes - I'm SURE they have more shoes than anybody else in the house). Lora was wearing two that were similar but not a match (at least she had a left and a right).

While were were there we found Lora two pairs of shoes and some other treasures (of course). We got a princess jump rope, and two big pickle jars full of wooded beads - WOOHOO! Plus some cheap shoe strings to string the beads.
So while the big kids went with the Daddy to the nursing home the littles and I tried out this new, super fun, crafty, educational, really cheap, colorful, quiet time activity.

Cute kids being good.

Fun Fun!

What have we learned this week:
*Mama may need to take LOTS more vitamin C.
*Mama has never come out of the Habitat store empty handed. (But she often donates so its even).
*Leaves have many shapes. (We are studying Botany this year).
*Change is good. (more on the later - when, maybe, I'll know what I'm talking about - and still think it's good).