Spring cleaning - yes it is time!

With two kids gone I actually had some time to do some of the more heavy duty cleaning. I am embarrassed to admit this was under the stove. Well, it is not there any longer. I cleaned all the burners on the stove, washed the entire stove down and cleaned under it. Yuk!

I am feeling like I accomplished quite a bit today - as I also got to move out the nightstands in our room and vacuum under them. I vacuumed under the bed and cleaned out all the items my husband has stored there - of all places.

I also (while the kids are gone) pulled off all the sheets and bedding - washed and put back on.

Washed the kitchen floor, cleaned the bathroom and vacuumed the whole house. I threatened to rearrange the furniture in the living room - my husband looked at me in horror! "No, no! Don't touch my chair!" Isn't he funny! So I did NOT move his chair!

Tom helping

We found something that Tom could help out with - the dog is in full shed and needing brushing. He is such a good dog and stays so well. Tom was able to hobble outside to the back stoop, sat down and brushed Tanner! Hopefully, it will cut down on the amount of hair balls inside.

The Telling - book 3

Book 3 in the Seasons of Grace series by Beverly Lewis

I liked this series and it gives a great view of the Amish lifestyle. The books move rather slowly but then I also think that since the Amish cut out much of the things that make life fast paced - that their lives move slower, also. The books seem to move at the same, slower pace. There is a parallel there. In this last, book Mom has finally been found and returned home. The secret that began in the first book is revealed to the family. The reader has been made aware of the sin and the problem that caused her to go searching back in the first book. It was a sin that had been carefully covered up and buried by the family. Mom could no longer live with that --- the sin was eating away at her. She eventually does a kneeling confession in front of the whole congregation.

I found this interesting because while our faith does stress confession of sins we do not confess to others - unless we have wronged them - we do apologize and ask for their forgiveness. But our confess is handled in prayer - straight with God. For it is God who forgives sins. Still, there is something to be said for kneeling confessions as it helps a church to stay healthier. Our church has a saying - we lower the threshold but raise the bar. The problem with this is that lowering the threshold while it may seem welcoming and certainly we except all people - but lowering the threshold can also give the appearance of tolerance and acceptance of the sin. It is still a sin and it is not okay to continue sinning or to wallow in the 'filth' of life. Due to our relationship with Christ we want to strive to be more Christ-like and that includes trying to live a sin-free life. Of course we will never be perfect - it is only with God's help we can even attempt to try.

The kneeling confession, though, isn't just for the benefit of the person confessing but for the benefit of the congregation as an example - demonstrating that this act that was done IS a sin. Something that now days we seem reluctant to admit to. How can we confess if we don't even admit it is wrong - don't admit it is a sin? The kneeling confession helps to keep the congregation healthy as it is a visible witness to others that this was a sin, it is wrong, the person has confessed and now has received God's grace and forgiveness. What a powerful testimony that is! Certainly, something to think about. Although hard to do. I, for one, know that I have sinned and prefer to take it up with God directly. It takes a lot of courage to do it in the public's eye like the Mother does in the book. And what is the culture at today's churches - is it like the Amish where we would be enveloped and welcomed back after the confession? While we know we are forgiven by God, are we forgiven by the church membership? Or will we be met with judgement? It just got me to thinking, that is for sure and for certain!

A very good series and I do recommend them. My only complaint is that they do move along slowly but the story line is good. The content is good. Very much a Christian series.

Here's one you don't hear often

Our boys headed out for a weekend camping with the scouts. As we were dropping off at the parking lot - one of our scout leaders who had went up early today called to tell us this ---- as he was pulling in --- the Ranger said, "Go HOME!" He was dumb founded. The Ranger then said, "The mosquitos are so thick they will carry you away!"

Now Rangers tend to be rather woodsy and just hard core when it comes to being out in nature. For a Ranger to say - Go Home! Well, I can only imagine how thick the mosquitos are!! We did send OFF and some itch cream. Still, I bet the kids are going to come back quite bit up. One of our leaders is a lady and she did decide to head back home to grab the fogger. I think that was a very wise decision! Normally, that kind of equipment is not allowed on scout trips but this seemed to be an unusual situation that warranted it. When 'Rangers' start complaining - honestly that a sign it is really bad. Those guys are just hard core woodsmen.

Thankful Fridays

I am keeping up with Thankful Fridays.

"O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:12

1) I am thankful it is Friday.

2) I am thankful for a wonderful boy scout troop that my two oldest are in with Godly men leaders. They are all fantastic.

3) And I am thankful that my two oldest are camping with the boy scouts this weekend! Only 1 at home - no fight! It is wonderful.

4) I am very, very thankful for our wonderful virtual TOG co-op. There are some wonderful Christian ladies and fantastic kids in the co-op. We are so blessed to be a part of it. It has been simply wonderful for both my two oldest to have others to discuss concepts and ideas with. They like being connected to other homeschoolers. It has been just such a great experience for our family. Thank you all - you Rock!

5) I am thankful for computers and technology that make the virtual co-oping a reality. It is wonderful. We didn't have anyone locally that was ready for the high school level - and this way my son could connect and share at his level. It also helps as it cuts down on the amount of running and leaving the house that I have to do.

6) I am thankful my husband is going back to work - he is feeling much better but was getting to that I am not well but I am not happy with being cooped up anymore - and just plain grumpy stage. Really grumpy! It is a great thing that he will head back to work - and have a break from us and be able to be around adults and adult conversations again. I think he really, really missed that!

7) I am thankful for all the fresh fruits and vegetables of spring and summer. They taste so good. What a blessing!

8) I am thankful for my Mom and the wonderful conversation we had today. Nothing big and important - just talking on the phone, sharing and enjoying each others company. It was wonderful.

9) I am thankful for bats (hang with me here on this one!) The kids and I saw a huge one the other day at dusk. The mosquitos are out in full force right now and I am thankful God made bats to eat the bugs. (Have to say the bat did startle me when it swooped down though!) Still, I would take a bat to a mosquito any day.

10) I am thankful my friend, Collette, who listens to me when I complain about my grumpy husband. She loves us both and yet is able to be sympathetic to my issues. She is one of those rare gems that is able to hear your troubles and not judge. She is just a fantastic friend. Collette - you Rock!

Tom update

We went to the doctor and bone is starting to grow. It is about an eighth of an inch thick on the bottom and on the back end of the heel it looks to be about a full half inch thick. It is encouraging to see it growing. Tom is now fully off the pain killers. Yah! He still gets some swelling and throbbing but it is manageable with tylenol.

He is being released to go to work as of next week Monday. Plus he has been released to begin trying to drive. The doctor feels that is okay as there is no weight being put on the foot. He still can't stand or try to walk at all - not even with the walker. But whooo hooo! He will be able to drive to work. I got his temporary handicapped sticker so he will be able to park closer and crutch into work. He works downtown and even close parking is three blocks away. So the handicapped sticker is essential. That parking fills up quickly - so we are hoping that he will find a spot when he goes to work. But I won't have to drive him there and back. I honestly thought June would be a killer and it is turning out to already be much better than I ever imagined.

He is going to head back working 50% for 2 weeks and then 75% for 2 weeks and then will be full time. He is grateful for the transition as sitting at a desk (sitting up with the foot down - type of position) will be hard on him. He mostly has kept his foot elevated and it does throb more when it is not elevated. He is so excited to head back though so that he can start to utilize his mind again. And have adult conversations.

The Missing - by Beverly Lewis Book 2 of Seasons of Grace

This is the second in the series. It is a good book too. But the series is moving slowly. It has taken us two books to find out where mom is but the family still hasn't figured out why she left or if she is coming back. It is a great book in helping to find out about Amish customs and lifestyle. It is well written and interesting. I just can't believe we are two books deep and still Mom is not home! On to book 3! I will keep you posted.