We had a great speaker at our last MUMS meeting. Karen Hossink, author of Confessions of an Irritable Mother. She was transparent in her thoughts towards motherhood and the frustrations we face mostly because of our selfishness. She recommended the book Growing Your Faith by Jerry Bridges. In her books she spoke about reaching toward holiness. It just so happens that a friend brought over a book by Jerry Bridges called The Pursuit of Holiness. I have just started it. It seems that God is constantly working on me to be a better mother and I am trying. I have found that the closer I am to the Lord...meaning that I am reading the Bible and meditating on what it says, praying, and just focusing on the Lord that I am a better mother and person. I make a greater effort to put my own wants and needs aside and focus on what God wants me to do, which is to be patient with my children and consistent in discipline. God will provide all that I need, so I do not need to worry about it. God is so good to us. Something that I have struggled with is wanting to make a difference for His kingdom and I know that raising Godly children is my priority and my current focus, but I am selfish and I felt like I wasn't making a difference. As I focus on God and where He wants me: in the home with my children, God has put people in my path that I have been able to share the gospel with. When our focus is where it should be He is able to use us for His glory. How awesome is that!

Blogging

What is the purpose of blogging? To state your opinion for a few to read or keep up with what is going on with you and your family. It is not a personal diary or even like writing a letter to a friend. I see it as a platform to try to reach others and convince them of your opinion. To sway others to believe as you believe. What is your purpose of a blog?

Politics

The primary's are almost here. Who are you voting for and are you voting in the primary's? What is most important to you when thinking about voting for someone?

Where did summer go?

Summer is almost over? Where did it go? We have spent the last month down at my sister's during the week. Great time visiting, but need to get my house cleaned. Fair week is coming and so is school. So far I only work 1 day a week, but they may open the backpocket section and so it will be two days a week. Elizabeth starts Kindergarten (Homeschool). We will have to get structured and on a strict routine. That will be hard for me, but super beneficial for the girls, so I am excited! Lillian is throwing fits and likes to run from me. Working on that. Any ideas?

Back Home

The house is finally finished. We moved back in on Elizabeth's 5th birthday, May 12th. It was 13 months away from home. It is only just now starting to feel like home because we haven't had the chance just to be home. It is beautiful with hardwood floors and lots of character. George is working down state near my sister, so we are with him and spending wonderful time with Angie. The garden is in and looks to be a good garden this year.

Slow Going

This construction stuff is slow going when your husband is working in the UP. It seems to be taking forever. We were not able to get the roof on the house and it is now raining and has been all day, so the drywall that was left will have to go and it will cost us even more. Our home will be lovely when done, it will just take a lot of time to get there.

Elizabeth stepped on a nail, but she is current with all her shots. I put Thieves oil on it right away and then have been putting Melrose on it.

Waiting for a part for the tractor to finish tilling the garden, then I can finish planting.

House Fire

We are so blessed and are thanking God for his protection. Thursday morning about 4 am I heard a noise, which I knew was not the children, so I told George, "Go get that." He got up and yelled. I realized the noise was the smoke detector and I jumped out of bed. I saw the flames coming out of the wall and George grabbed the fire extinguisher and sprayed the fire. I closed Elizabeth's door because of the smoke. George's , Bob, jumped out of bed and came out to help. Then George yelled, "Grab the girls." I grabbed Lillian out of our bed and wrapped her in a blanket, because she was just in a diaper. I yelled to George to get Elizabeth. Bob asked George if he had another fire extinguisher. George ran to the garage with Elizabeth bouncing along with him. I grabbed the cell phone and went on the front lawn and called 911. Bob looked in the attic and could see smoke. George dropped Elizabeth with me and he went in the attic and could see flames, so he sprayed them. The girls and I went to the back of the garage where it is heated to keep warm. The fire department got there in about 10 min and pulled down the wall and ceiling and sprayed the rest of the fire out and the hot spots. The Ogemaw Fire Department was wonderful they got there quickly, covered the furniture, and pulled out my pictures from the closet. After the fire was out, we got the girls dressed and went to Grandma Harshman's house. It was about 6:30 by then. We waited a couple hours for daylight, the went back to grab some clothes and see the damage by daylight. The insurance company has been wonderful and we are now able to start repairs. Grandma Harshman is loving having us and the girls love being with Grandma Harshman. It was a scary time, but I know God had his hand over us protecting us. The battery in the smoke detector had died and we quickly replaced it, which is unusual because it seems we always forget to buy a new battery, but not this time. The fire was centrally located and only damaged the house and a few spare blankets. Most importantly we got out so quickly there were no injuries. Praise God!