Mommy is away...time to play!

While Bethany was gone today, Daddy decided we needed a cool project to work on. We thought about cleaning our rooms, doing dishes, or putting up c-mas decorations. But none of that sounded very fun. Then we remembered the "kit". My mom bought a gingerbread house kit for the kids, and we had not built it yet.

Our two oldest, ready to get started

Looks easy enough

Awesome, directions with pictures!

Can we eat it now dad?

Jackson using the "glue" (frosting)

Clara finishing the base

Big Brother telling sister what the next step is

Construction is complete. Now we have to wait? Yeah, 30 minutes to dry.

We "organized" (tasted) each kind of candy while we waited.

Starting to accesorize.

Building the sidewalk to the front door.

Finishing touches.

Thanks Grandma for buying this gingerbread house kit for us. We enjoyed putting it together, and will enjoy it more when we can eat it (after mommy gets to see it).

long day...

Hello friends,
Today has been a long day.I (Bethany) woke up this morning not feeling well. I had really bad stomach pain,that by nine am,was so bad I had to go lay back down in bed. Once the pain got so bad that I was feeling light headed,and thought I might pass out,I decided I better call the doctors office. They had me come in asap,then sent me to the hospital for a CT scan.The entire time I kept praying that it would not be my appendix,as the doctors thought.Prayers were answered,it's not my appendix or Kidneys.I have an infection,and two ovarian cysts. I have another doctors appointment tomorrow,and was sent home with the only pain medication I can take,Tylenol. Prayers would be appreciated. As the Tylenol does very little for the pain.I will be seeing my doctor tomorrow,to talk about the options,of either laproscopic surgery,or trying some different medications. Thanks again for all the prayers for our family during this time. To say things have been stressful is an understatement! Blessings to you All!

Prayers are being answered....

Just wanted to update everyone.I'm sorry that I have not posted sooner! I started working part time this week,and when I was not working I was either,cleaning my house,cleaning my mother in laws house,at bible study,or helping at Awana. Adam came home Wends night.One day earlier than we expected! God answers prayers! I have not been able to talk to anyone about how he is doing,I think they have had a flood of people visiting. Brandon is hoping to get off work early tonight,and go over to their house to see Adam.We have a pile of cards and pictures the kids have made for him that need to be delivered! I will post more after our visit! Got to go feed my many small children!
Thank you SO much for your prayers for Adam,please continue to pray for him,as this is going to be a long recovery.Pray no infection sets in.Also,pray for my sister in law Kaity,who is getting married in a little over two weeks! Pray she can continue to enjoy planning,and not get stressed out with everything else going on! Thanks Again every one!

Asking for many prayers...

Uncle Adam & Jackson
Making Memories...

Dearest Friends and Family,

The title of this post is an earnest plea for our christian community to pray.This weekend,Saturday to be exact.My husbands brother Adam,had a terrible accident.

He was at a shooting range scoping in his mussel loader,he had shot the gun a few times,went back to reload it,and while he was reloading it, the gun went off.

He shot his hands.

We are praising God he did not shoot him self in the head or,any of his friends standing around him.The gun shot through his right hand,shattering all the bones,then shot through his left hand's middle knuckle.He was taken to Our local hospital,who took x-rays and said "there is no nerve damage or vein damage",but they did not have any hand surgeons on call,so they sent him to Indianapolis.

Another huge praise.He got the best of the best at St.Vincents Hospital in Indianapolis.

After eleven hours of surgery the doctors released him to his room.The doctors at St.Vincents said our local hospital could not have been farther from the truth.There was extensive damage to the nerves.He only has one that was somewhat in tact in his right hand.There was no vein,so they pulled one from his arm.There were fiberglass pieces in his hand,that were like razor blades,and shredded all the muscle and nerves. Needless to say,the prognosis is grim.

But,we serve a MIGHTY God!

We are praying for Adam's complete healing. We went and visited him yesterday.He is doing as well as can be expected.The doctors won't say how much use he will have of his right hand.The left hand has a metal plate in his middle finger,that won't be able to move.but the rest of that hand should be okay.In a month,if he has some movement,they will remove a nerve from his leg,as well as do some skin grafts to try and repair the damage.

Please,friends,pray for our Adam. He is a dearly loved,Brother and Uncle to our little family. Please pray for my mother in law,Kay.As she is his primary care giver.Also pray for his girl friend, Drea.

He is still at St.Vincents and will be there until Thursday at least.

If you go to the hospitals website (linked above) you can register an account and send him a greeting. How awesome would it be to flood Adam with love and prayers! It takes a little time,but I think it's worth it!

Here are some pictures of Adam....
Elliott and Adam this summer...riding Adam's 4 wheeler

Jackson giving Adam a ride in Jackson's jeep!

And here are some from yesterday...he is going to kill me for posting these. I took them while he was sleeping,because he kept getting mad and trying to lift his hands up when people tried to take pictures.
We love you SO much Adam!
The picture below is his right hand,it is so swollen,about four times it's normal size.

That would be Drea by his side.She had not slept,so I was kind and did not ask to take a close up!

Snow...

Today we woke up to snow,and a lot of it! As I sit in my warm house, looking out on the blanket of white snow,I think of two things.

1.Christ dying for me,my sins,and how His love covers all the yucky imperfections of me. Just like the snow covers all the mud,dirt,and the millions of leaves we did not get raked up before it snowed.
2.I think about how God has blessed me,with a warm home,healthy children,warm food to feed them,coats to clothe them,etc.Then I think about the Mom's in Romania,in the gypsy village,who have no heat,cold dirt floors,no food,no coats,and sick children.

I have so much to be thankful for,and SO much that I can bless others with.
During the next week,while you are partaking in the feast of Thanksgiving,don't forget the millions of people who don't have food to eat.Perhaps you could invite a widow to your thanksgiving dinner,or an international student who can't afford to go home over the holidays,or a family who does not have the money to have Thanksgiving Dinner due to job loss.And,maybe you could pray for the orphans of Romania on thanksgiving day,before you and your family sit down to eat. Or just maybe you would like more information on how your church can host an orphan Sunday.Pray about it,and Please don't hesitate to ask for more information! Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

"For where two or three come together in my name,

there am I with them." Matthew 18:20

The faces I see...

How could I ever forget these children? Throughout my day,I'm reminded of their sad eyes.I hope these pictures give you an idea of the hurt,pain,and loneliness these children are facing on a daily basis. Pathway is working on meeting their needs.We have so many ways for you to get involved,or for your church to get involved.Consider hosting an orphan Sunday.Perhaps your family would like to sponsor one of these children,or donate money to help with the costs of building a school for these kids.As you look as these precious Children of God,may He prick your hearts...as He did ours...

So much to report...

There are so many exciting things happening at our house.We are praising God that Brandon was offered a job and started last week.

That was a HUGE answer to prayer for us!The hours are long,and I sure miss his help around the house,but,we are so grateful for a job!


"J" Giving "R" some loving,while "C" strikes a pose!This was while we were sick last week...hence the naked baby,and mis matched clothing of the other two!lol
With in the next three weeks...

"E" turns two
"C" turns four on sat,
"J" turns five next week!

And "R" is pulling himself up on everything to stand,won't be long now and he will be walking!

In Romania things are happening too! In the gypsy villiage,the school has been started. Inside the school there will be showers,with running warm water! Also,that water will help heat the school,the children will have a shelter that provides education and warmth! A well is being put in to provide clean drinking water for the village.

This is the church and right next door,is where the school will be built
This is where they currently get their water,a very dirty stream



This is the hospital,where Anca has lived all of her life!She has lived on the ninth floor,you can only see up to the sixth.

And little Anca is now in foster care! She is no longer living in the childrens hospital,I can only imagine how much she will improve being in a loving family!She is blind,but SO smart,and is walking,and only eating with a spoon now! She is almost two,we think.
So many things to Praise our Lord for! So much to report!