My Touch of Heaven ~ October 22, 2011 AM

This morning I woke up before everyone else. It was nice to have a little bit of time in the morning alone. Just as I was sitting down to start my devo’s Hunter started crying. (He is sleeping in the same room as I). I went in a got him and took him outside…these photos are what greeted us.

    

As I sat all snuggled with my little man I kept thinking about the return of Jesus! Everyday we are a little bit closer to that time. When I hear of families sending loved ones on to Jesus, it makes me long for the day more. Yet, this is totally selfish. There are people who still need to hear of Jesus! We are called to be the ones sharing Him with them! J Keep sharing to love of Jesus everyday. He is coming soon…morning or night or noon…and many, yes many…are going to meet their doom, its our job to let them know about our savior! 

These birds were so amazing!! They were also loud!

Something scared them away! 

We decided it was time to play

And Laugh

While ridding the bike! 

    

A Cow's Tale ~ Oct 6 2011

     Just by reading the title most of you are probably thinking I am talking about a kind of candy, or a part of the body on a cow. However, this is neither...this is a story of the cows who interrupted lunch. This is one of those things that may only be funny to the people involved. For me...this was one of the funniest things that have happened to me on this trip. So...sit back and prepare to laugh...or just think I am silly and odd. :) Happy reading.
     Today Cindy, Hank and I were the only ones still sitting at the lunch table. All of the sudden, we heard one of the little girls yell, "There's two black cows in the driveway." We all jumped up from the table and started peering out the windows...sure enough...there were about five cows racing through the back yard. Now when I say racing I really mean racing. I am not sure I have ever seen cows run so fast. Perhaps they also heard the shrill yelling?! More likely then not, they knew they were not welcome in the yard around the house.
     This is one of those things that would never happen back in Ohio. It was such a funny thing to me. I had to take some photos of the whole episode, starting with the empty table and poor Hunter, who kept yelling "mommy, mommmmmy, mommmmmmmmmmy". Hank was tasked with the job of herding the cows back out onto the road. (Yes your really did read that right...the ROAD). The Turners live on the Indian Reservation, and its a free range area for cattle. Moving on...Hank quickly jumped on his scooter (Like the ones we will be riding in Thailand...Nope I have not attempted it yet) and headed towards the cows. The only problem was that we have had lots of rain, and everything was muddy. He could not hardly go. Cindy and I thought he was going to crash before it was all over. In the meantime, an older gentleman comes ridding in the lane on a mule...(Yup you read that right too it really was a mule...not a horse). He said he was here to get the cows and herd them into the Field, and out of the yard. Hank and he did good work and the cows did not even have to come back by the house. I'm not really sure Hank had much to do with the whole thing but he had lots of fun being out there. Hope this brightened your day!

                                          

He was saying "Aunt Bree" melts my heart every time! 

Watching the excitement

Joe to the rescue!!! This is not a horse...its a mule! 

Hank headed out to help

I know it does not look like it but there really are cows in this photo...WAY in the back! 

Lacy showing me her treasures 

Sweet girl! 

     P.S. A few days after I wrote this I had the opportunity to go out and chase cows. It really can be a fun and stress relieving activity. Niki and I went out and as we were chasing it I said I thought it was with child...Niki then said, "Um...Aunt Bree, its a male...its not going to have a baby."  This became the new joke each time we saw the cow the rest of the day!

Birthday Cake "Almost" Disaster ~ September 30, 2011

     Today was Brandy's birthday. To celebrate she got to choose what we were eating for every meal. For breakfast she wanted cereal, lunch she wanted hamburger gravy and potatoes (its really good), and supper was pizza and cake.
     Brandy wanted me to help make her cake. So after lunch all the children went down for naps except for Niki and Brandy. We went into the kitchen and got to work. Niki started on the icing while Brandy and I stared on the cake. After mixing everything together  the batter looked like chocolate milk...not cake. It was so runny I did not think it would ever bake up. I thought for sure I had flopped the cake. Cindy came out and looked at it, and said we may as well try baking it and see what happened. We poured it into two round pans and there was still some left, so it went into a stone dish. we now had three round cakes. I was fairly certain I had make a huge mistake with the silly thing. However, praise the Lord, it came out fine and tasted amazing. It was super moist and yummy.

Niki did a great job decorating the cake! 

Pile of Gifts

     After supper Brandy opened her gifts. While she was opening them I was struck with my selfish and greedy attitude. Birthdays around here are super special and the day is all about the person who is turning a year older...its not about the gifts. As Brandy opened her gifts she started pulling out cans of beef broth, grape juice, and potatoes. Its a family tradition to give the birthday person cans of preserved items. Brandy was so excited about each and every gift she received. There was a point of much laughter and blushing when she pulled out a pair of her mama's undies :).Another thing that stood out to me was the special gifts the children were giving. Almost all of the kiddos gave Brandy one of their most precious treasures. Aspen gave her a sticker book, and Lacy some special "pretty" rocks. I love how Brandy loved each gift, even if it was not new and shinny. I pray that God contiues to work in my life and teach me how giving is better than reciving! Its not about the new things and stuff, its about the thought and the person who is willing to give up something special  for someone else.

 

An Apple a Day... ~ Thursday September 29, 2011

     Today was a blast!! In Washington it is normal to glean fruit and veggies. The Turners have been able to get lots of apples to make applesauce. So today, we spend the day doing just that. We started out making chunky sauce, and then switched to smooth. By the time we finished we had 12 quarts of chunky and 30 quarts of smooth! 

     In the evening we went to Zillah Dunkard Brethren and heard Brant Jamison talk about effective fathering. It was a great day! 

 

My Home for a Little While ~ Tuesday September 27, 2011

     Tuesday September 27, 2011 I left Ohio and headed out west to Washington. I am so excited to be starting my journey. I started my trip at Dayton, had a layover in Chicago, and then flew to Seattle. When I arrived at Seattle, I got on a shuttle and took it to Yakama where Cindy and the children picked me up. 

     I forgot how much I love the mountains and landscape out here! It was so fun to drive over the pass again. The evergreens are a beautiful as ever. 

     After picking me up at the airport, Cindy, the children and I went to Costco. Shopping with six children for nine people is such a fun experience. Somehow I have seemed to forget how much I love the kiddos.

     When we got home I was given a tour of the house. I was here last time I was out, but they had just moved and nothing was unpacked. As I walked into the living room there was a huge banner that said "Welcome Bree". All the children and Cindy had written sweet little notes to make me feel welcomed and loved! God knows how to use other people to make me feel loved and blessed beyond measure. This was one of those moments where I just felt a hug from God! (Sorry I don't have a photo. We took it down before I could get one). 

     As we continued the tour I got to see the girls room and the ORANGE bathroom (Yes I love it!). Then we got to the boys room. Inside was the crib, and then it was all set up for me. There were little gifts on the end table, and another welcome note. Here is how it looks....  

I am still saving this chocolate bar for a rainy day :)

Yes I really did bring all these books :) I have to spend a bit of time reading before I sleep. 

Sorry the photos are not great. The lighting is horrid for photos. :) 

     I am so thankful for a little place to call my own while I am here. It's a great place to spend time with God, and rest. I always carry photos of my family in my journal so I was able to personalize the room a bit! This is my home for a little while, and I am so thankful Hank was willing to give up his room for me. He is sleeping in a tent in the basement on a cot. It looks like fun! 

Model ~ B

To see before shots please go to this link ~ http://philippians4-13-bree.blogspot.com/2011/05/lavy-enterprises-photo-shoot-2.html

My Place Has Already Been Taken

     I feel a drop, and look up. The sun is shinning so brightly behind You: I can't make out Your face. There You hang, the Savior of the world. My hand goes to my head where the drop landed, I look down and see the crimson red. Mixed emotions overwhelm me. Do I cry for the pain and suffering, or do I rejoice in my salvation?

     As the blood flows over me I feel such pain and sadness. My sin caused this suffering. I should be the one hanging to die. Instead, You have taken my place. God, Your love, I simply can't understand. Why do You keep choosing to forgive me, and why did You take my place? Hell and eternal suffering is all that I deserve, yet You offer me a FREE gift. All I need to do is ask and You forgive. Thank you Jesus for giving up your life for me!

     Its not over, Your life is going to reign on the land again. Three days after being placed in a tomb, You come back to life. God, You are alive and living today!! Thank you Father. However, its still not over. One  day You are going to come here again. I am ready Lord. I can't wait to see your face and forever be by Your side! You have promised; no more suffering and pain, no more sin and sorrow, no more sickness and poverty, no more death and loss. Thank you God! Praise be to Your name most high!