1 Year ago...

Yesterday we celebrated our 1 year anniversary of moving to Central IL. Looking back we see how God moved in our lives to bring us to the point of moving and then to this day. The road was not without trials and heart aches, but He saw us through. God has blessed our family with a wonderful church family, friends, a home that we can use to bless others, and most of all a renewed sense of faith that God does work all thing together for our good. We may not see it in the midst of trial, but God does and brings us through.

Our life lately...

Life in our home lately has been very busy arranging things, learning where things are and getting adjusted to our surroundings. 

The boys and men spent Saturday afternoon chopping wood.  We have a wood furnace along with a gas furnace.  The previous owners used the wood and supplemented with the gas when it was really cold.  There are lots of fallen trees around here, so fuel is free!  Daniel was pleased because he got to buy some manly tools to cut the wood.

Jesi and I have been working on the Reformation Day costumes.  We did 2 mock-ups of vest and now are ready to cut out the real thing and get these costumes finished.  Ashly has been taking care of us by doing some of the cooking.  She makes really yummy enchiladas!

Yesterday we got 2 kitties.  They are NOT house kitties, but mousers!  We do have mice - part of living in the country - so they should be well fed.  They haven't ventured much past the garage yet.  The children are having fun playing with them.  Their names are Patriot and Expresso.  I am not a cat lover, but they are cute.  Sara isn't so sure of them and fusses when they get too close.

I have been very busy getting us settled down here and making dentist, orthodontist and chiropractor appointments.  Thanks to our Providence family, we had several good choices!  Sara and I have been going to the chiropractor and the adjustments have been starting to help my headaches/migraines.

We are also in the process of getting instrument lessons set up.  I have a good lead on a violin teacher and possibly a cello teacher.  Ashly is still playing the piano and wants to take formal lessons to improve her technique.  We'll have to see about a teacher and fitting it into the schedule.  Cara and Josiah will hopefully be starting soon also.  I will be teaching them the basics and we'll go from there.

Daniel has been enjoying the shorter ride to work.  His ride is still 50 minutes, but he uses that time for sermons, prayer, phone calls, and classical music.  A lot can be done in that time.  This week he is attending a Systems Engineer conference in New Orleans.  Living in Central IL has it's perks.  The airport is only 30 minutes away and small!  I believe he said there were 5 gates.  He flew from here to O'Hare at 6 am and was in New Orleans by 10:15 am.  Not too bad.

Tomorrow is our usual school day and applesauce day!  We have 4 apple trees with lots of apples.  The previous owners picked quite a few of them and the children have been eating alot, but there are still plenty for sauce.  What fun we shall have!

So that is what has been happening here.  Hope everyone has a great week!

Pictures of the new house

Here is a slide show of some pictures of our new home - with our furniture!  Some of the pictures include the kitchen, dining room, school room, great/family room, master bedroom, loft, girls' room, boys' room, outside pictures, and deck.  Please excuse the mess in the children's rooms.  Organization is greatly needed in both of those rooms!

All moved in!

We are all moved in and the house is about 95 % unpacked.  We need a few more bookshelves and shelving for the Children's rooms.  

The house is great and more that what we imagined!  It has been only 4 days and we already feel at home here.  The children are loving playing outdoors - shooting their bow and arrow, playing in their new tree fort, chasing squirrels, eating apples straight off the tree, seeing snakes in the house, watching for deer, biking up, down, and around the hill, swinging on the tree swing, watching the sunsets during dinner, sitting on the *party deck* - the list goes on and on.

The move itself was awesome!  We almost didn't close as scheduled, so closing took 2.5 hours.  When we arrived back at the house, several families were here unloading our truck and trailer.  It was just wonderful!  I wish I could put into words the emotion Daniel and I felt when we pulled in and saw all the people showing us Christian Brotherly Love.  

Mom and Dad came and spent the night.  Dad spent Wednesday putting my dryer and washer together (had to be stacked and converted to LP gas), installed the water softener, put together the grill, picked apples with Cara, and put carpet pads on the bunk beds so they slide easier.  Mom helped me unpack and organize the kitchen.  What a project that was!  Thanks for all the help!  We appreciate it more that words can say!

Tomorrow is going to be down time from packing.  We need to open some bank accounts, grocery shop, celebrate my birthday, and relax.  It has been a long week and we need to recover!  I hope to get some pictures up soon.

See you on the other side!

Tomorrow is moving day.  The truck, trailer, and van are packed.  The children are sleeping and we will be soon also.

We close on this home at 9 am and our new one at 3 pm.  Please pray for safe travels and smooth closings.

Our internet won't be up until Wednesday or Thursday, so we'll *see* you then!

Loading the truck...the saga continues...

We own A LOT of stuff!  I told Daniel next time we move we are selling everything and buying new!  Shopping would be way more fun that getting frustrated and overwhelmed with all the stuff (aka junk) we are moving!

It also seems to have a child, of the female persuasion, that can seemingly create stuff out of nothing.  Last week I watched this child pack a bag of doll clothes and then I sealed the rest in a bag and out it went.  Today I found her with 2 FULL BAGS of doll stuff!  No idea where it came from and no idea where it is all going to fit!!  

Here are some more pictures to chronicle our day:

Tomorrow is the Sabbath rest, worship and fellowship with the McDonalds.  

Monday Daniel is working from home and the girls and I will be cleaning.  In the afternoon the buyers are coming through the house for one last walk through before Tuesday's closing.

Tuesday morning we leave our home one last time and start the trek to Pekin.  Our closing is at 3 pm and our church is coming to help us after dinner.

Thank you for all your prayers during these past 7 months.  We are blessed.

Loading the truck - Day 1

The day finally came - time to load the truck.  All day Justin, Samuel, and Colton "Staged" the garage by placing all the boxes by size.  The girls and I finished some laundry, did a bit of cleaning, and packed a few more boxes.

Around 3 pm Mike came over with his truck.  Using his truck will be such a blessing to us.  During the whole moving process, Christian fellowship has been such a blessing and encouragement to us.  Mike and Daniel are the truck organizers - actually Mike is the head organizer with Daniel and the "box/furniture orderer".

Here are a few pictures from the day.

Packin, Packing, and more Packing - Part 3

Today we tackled the kitchen.  What a job!  Mom came and helped and don't tell anyone - especially those who will be carrying boxes for us - she packs heavy!  Justin had to come in several times just to check the weight!  They all passed his approval - with a few grunts and groans.  So really you can blame him if they are too heavy.

Thanks, Mom, for coming and helping.  We really appreciate it!

In preparation for the loading of the trucks and the Reformation Faire next month, Justin, Colton and Samuel are working their muscles and reflexes.  Nothing like a good boffer war....

Another thing checked off the list....

Today was Josiah's last appointment for his broken arm.  He is totally healed and can resume all normal 8 year old activity without having to wear his brace!  Dr Grosskopf said he is cleared to carry all the heavy boxes for our move!  Josiah is *so excited* and *can't wait* for all the labor we are going to use him for during these coming days!

Packing, Packing, and more packing - Part 2

Moving.....Packing is just one part of moving.  Shutting off and starting utilities, getting LP gas tanks filled, closing and opening bank accounts, negotiating replacement of too small of septic tanks, planning meals and packing clothes for the unpacking days are all a huge part of the adventure we call moving.

I'm sure I am speaking for the whole family when I say this: (even though the chidlren have no idea what I am talking about!)

Calgon...take me away!!!

Packing, Packing, and more Packing

Moving....you don't realize how much stuff you own until you try and pack it all!  I keep filling boxes and it seems as though I have hardly made a dent in what needs to be done!  We did finish up the basement today, so that feels really good.  

The children's bedrooms are  pretty much done also.  Just the beds and clothing remain.  Our bedroom still needs lots of work.  Tomorrow that is my goal.  

The bathrooms are coming along.  Everything that isn't needed on a daily basis has been moved to a central location so it can be sorted for the new house.

The office, living room and family room just have furniture and boxes in them. Curtains have been taken down and packed.  School books do need to be packed yet, but we are using them until Thursday.  

The kitchen is ...well...not a room I and looking forward to.  I feel overwhelmed just thinking about it.  It will need to be tackled soon...

The children (and Mom) are starting to see reality hitting them in the face.  The older ones are pretty excited, but we are getting confusion and tears from some of the younger ones.  Mathias, in particular, is not understanding what is happening and why all his things are in boxes.  We drove by the new house yesterday and he told us he didn't like it and wants to stay in our current house.  So the next few days will be rough on him as we make the transition.

Right now bed sounds like a good idea, so that is where we are heading.  Maybe things won't feel so overwhelming in the morning.

Things Keep on a Movin'

As I look at my moving checklist, I am encouraged to see that it is getting shorter.

• Both home inspections are finished with just a few details to attend to.
  
• The Radon mitigator was installed yesterday and the radon tester will be here tomorrow to retest.  Mr Handyman was here last week to make a few repairs.
  
• The well and septic are bing check today.
  
• I also gave notice to the post office of the the change of address.
  
• Gas company has been notified of the move and LP gas companies are contacting us about getting our tank in Pekin filled.  It is about 3% filled right now.
• We met with Todd, our mortgage guy, and all the paperwork is ready to go.
• Daniel met with the State Farm guy this morning to get all our insurance changed. (Hmmm wonder why we chose State Farm???)

Still have a bit left to do, such as:

• contact electric, phone and internet people at both ends.
• last minute paperwork and other small misc. things as they pop-up.

Packing is coming along pretty well.  Here are the rooms that are finished:

• girls'
  
• boys'
  
• kids' toys
• most of the office
• part of the master bath
• garage and shed

Still to do:

• Pack bathrooms
• Sara's room
• books in school room and living room
• cd's/dvd's
• craft closet downstairs
• kitchen and pantry

We have enough to keep us busy for the next week and probably a bit longer.  We're just taking it day by day so we don't wear ourselves out or get stressed with each other.  That is a big one right now!  On Friday, Justin and Daniel are bringing another load to our storage unit.  Thank you, Pastor, for the use of your trailer!

Here are a few brief pictures of our home that Daniel took yesterday along with some from the internet listing.

great room

landing off the great room

deck, master bedroom walk-out and out building (in background)

family room

kitchen

ps - none of the beautiful furniture is ours...

Life goes on and some pictures

Here it is September 11. (to see a tribute of the day see Jesi's blog)I can hardly believe it! So much has been happening this month that it seems as though time is flying faster than usual.

Lately my posts have been more on the serious note and not really about family and life as it is happening in our household right now. That is going to change with this post. I'm going to give some updates along with some much needed pictures.

Housing update:

We have a contract on our home and a contract on a home to buy. Paperwork is flying fast and furious through email and fax. Home inspections are being done. Much needed packing is NOT being done. I take that back...Daniel and Justin have packed the garage and shed and have a load ready to bring to our storage unit tomorrow. I know, we have to move out in less than 3 weeks and I really should be packing. I just can't yet. Excitement is running high, yet I am not one that likes change. So even though I am excited about what lies ahead, I am scared and not wanting to leave the comfortable...the familiar...the home that holds so many memories....

Costumes

Reformation Day Faire is the end of October and we have 9 costumes to make. Progress is being made. Cara, Sara, Josiah and Mathias will be fully costumed! Their costumes are finished 99% of the way (need a hem and some hook and eyes put on). We also have 4 of the 5 blouses/shirts made. Today we'll make 2 pairs of pants and begin work on skirts. Saturday night the machine will become quiet until after the move.

Here are some pictures of our sewing:

Ashly in her partly finished blouse. She persevered and finished it - even after having to rip some of it out! Way to go, Ashly!

Jesica modeling her finished shirt! Beauiful!

School

School?? What is school? Oh, that's right! If we had a normal life going on right now, that is what I would be doing with my children! Technically we are doing school. It's just that instead of science, math, and English, we are doing full days of home economics! Or at least the girls are. Education for them consists of learning how to sew and balance it with meals and child care. You know... the real life stuff. Thankfully Justin is a self learner. He has been trying to be faithful in his studies and Daniel is still teaching 2 nights week. Josiah has been educating Cara and Mathias by reading to them from his history and science books. So we are still learning, just not in your traditional way. I LOVE home education!

Sara

As many of you are familiar with, Sara has not been a very easy baby. She has been very fussy, not sleeping well, and just a myriad of other difficulties. Well, we are happy to say that she is getting better! For about the last 3 weeks we have been taking her to a chiropractor and Dr Thompson has been wonderful. After her first exam, Dr Thompson told us that Sara had a compressed nerve in her neck and her back was having frequent muscle spams. Since taking her all of the issues are not solved, but most everything is getting better - much better! Sara is back to being the happy baby that we thought we had been blessed with. Night time sleeping is still a problem, but she is also cutting teeth #3 & #4 and that would make any baby irritable!

I will have to say that Sara really doesn't like going to see Dr Thompson. Yesterday as we were laying on the table getting ready for the Dr to adjust her neck, she put both of her hands up behind her head as if to protect her neck! Babies are just so smart!

Sara has also started eating some table food. Last night we had beef stew for dinner and found out that she loves potatoes! We have also learned that smooth baby food is not something she really likes. She'd rather pick up cheerios , bread, or chunks of food. Smart baby!

Two days ago Sara turned 7 months old. My baby is growing up so fast. Here are some pictures that we took recently of her.

Sara is learning to drink from a sippy cup. She loves a bit of water now and them. Plus she gets to be a big person and drink from her own cup! Now Mommy doesn't have to share anymore!

No caption can capture the emotion in this picture!

Sleeping peacefully on her Daddy. Who could ask for a better place to sleep than in a Daddy's arms? Well, maybe a Mommy's.....but even Mommy likes to be held in Daddy's arms.

Josiah

The cast if off! He still is wearing a brace for playing, but the bone has healed nicely! Thank you for all your prayers!

So that is our life right now. Please remember us in your prayers as we pack, finish the paperwork on the houses, move, and become adjusted to our new life in Central Illinois. God's had has been upon us and we are overwhelmed with all the blessings he has bestowed upon us. We are so undeserving.

God Works in Mysterious and Amazing Ways

The other night I was laying in bed thinking about our new home. I was thinking of how I want to set things up, thinking about the yard and apple trees, and the fact that the zip code is almost the same as our current zip code. That got me thinking about our address - 12836. All of a sudden I am wide awake, giddy with excitement and no one to share it with (everyone is sleeping). We don't believe in coincidence, just God's providence, and this address shows us God's hand again at work in our move.

Some of you are probably thinking "what in the world is she talking about?" Others will know already. For those of you who don't, I'll share....12836 is our new address. Broken down it can read 128 36. Well Psalm 128 is our family Psalm and verses 3-6 speak of the blessing of family and fearing the Lord.

Before we had our house neutralized with white paint, this Psalm was painted on our kitchen wall.

Psalm 128

Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
When you eat the labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
In the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants
All around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem
All the days of your life.
Yes, may you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!

One Step Closer to Central IL!

Wednesday we again drove down to Central IL to do some house hunting. The weather was very rainy as the remnants of Hurricane Gustav was coming through. We are very excited to say that we made an offer on a home and are working on getting a contract put together. Here is a picture of our new home-to-be:

For those of you who are very curious - and you know who you are - the home is about 4 miles south of downtown Pekin. It has 2.3 wooded acres, zoned AG so we can eventually get the chickens the children want, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, large living areas, deck, outbuilding, some apple trees, a driveway that encircles the house and goes through the garage. The children are really excited about taking their bikes and rollerblades around the driveway! The best part of all is we are about 20-25 minutes from church and the majority of the members of Providence. (18 minutes for you, Karen! 11 miles exactly door to door!)

We should be closing on both of our homes September 30th. The moving details are still being worked out, but we know that we will need some muscle at both ends. If you would be willing to help, please let us know and we can fill you in on the details when we know them.

If anyone else wants to follow us and move down to Central IL, we know a GREAT realtor (including her staff - thanks Mary Ann, Cathy, and Holly!).

These last 9 months have been exciting, trying, discouraging, stressful, full of ups and downs, a teaching tool, and yet a blessing. We have seen God's hand working and orchestrating each step of the way. The home that we are buying has almost every "requirement" that we had wanted in a home and we feel overwhelmed at the blessing that God has given us. May He continue to bless our family through the move and as we open our new home to family, friends, and strangers.

The Search begins

Our home is under contract!

So now the search begins in earnest for our new home!

Please pray that the Lord would make it clear to us the home we are to purchase.

Words can not express what we are feeling right now. God has been so good to us these last 6 months and we are thankful to Him for everything He has done in our lives.

Please read this post on "Waiting on God" from Biblical Womanhood. Here is an excerpt:

"The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him." Lam. 3: 25."There is none good but God." "His goodness is in the heavens." "Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee." "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!"And here is now the true way of entering into and rejoicing in this goodness of God--waiting upon Him. The Lord is good--even His children often do not know it, for they wait not in quietness for Him to reveal it. But to those who persevere in waiting, whose souls do wait, it will come true...."

Someday He'll Make it Plain

The last 2 weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. A family came through and had basically narrowed all their choices of homes down to ours. They requested tax and utility bills, so we thought an offer was forthcoming. However, it was not meant to be. We were all devastated and aren't sure what to do. Do we make some upgrades that people have commented on? Do we lower the price again? Do we move to Central IL and find a place to rent until this home is sold?

I believe the hardest part of these last 6 or so months is "why". Why has God provided Daniel a job 2 hours from here? Why did He provide a church over 2 hours from here? Why aren't we moving when He has provided all these things? We do not know the answers to these and many other questions. We do know that God is good, ALL the time, and that he will move us when His timing is perfect.

I have a dear friend who know just how to encourage us. Janet sent this post by John Piper "Why God Doesn't Fully Explain Pain" (Janet's family is going through a difficult trial right now also. Please pray for her family.)

Why God Doesn't Fully Explain Pain
July 14, 2008
By: John Piper
Category: Commentary

One of the reasons God rarely gives micro reasons for his painful Providences, but regularly gives magnificent macro reasons, is that there are too many micro reasons for us to manage, namely, millions and millions and millions and millions and millions.

God says things like:

• These bad things happened to you because I intend to work it together for your good (Romans 8).
• These happened so that you would rely more on God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1).
• This happened so that the gold and silver of your faith would be refined (1 Peter1).
• This thorn is so that the power of Christ would be magnified in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12).
  

But we can always object that there are other easier ways for God to accomplish those things. We want to know more specifics: Why now? Why this much? Why this often? Why this way? Why these people?

The problem is, we would have to be God to grasp all that God is doing in our problems. In fact, pushing too hard for more detailed explanations from God is a kind of demand that we be God.

Think of this, you are a blacksmith making horseshoes. You are hammering on a white hot shoe and it ricochets off and hits you in the leg and burns you. In your haste to tend to your leg you let the shoe alone unfinished. You wonder why God let this happen. You were singing a hymn and doing his will.

Your helper, not knowing the horseshoe was unfinished gathered it up and put it with the others.

Later there was an invasion of your country by a hostile army with a powerful cavalry. They came through your town and demanded that you supply them with food and with shoes for their horses. You comply.

Their commander has his horse shoed by his own smith using the stolen horseshoes, and the unfinished shoe with the thin weak spot is put on the commander’s horse.

In the decisive battle against the loyal troops defending your homeland the enemy commander is leading the final charge. The weak shoe snaps and catches on a root and causes his horse to fall. He crashes to the ground and his own soldiers, galloping at full speed, trample him to death.

This causes such a confusion that the defenders are able to rout the enemy and the country is saved.

Now you might say, well, it would sure help me trust God if he informed me of these events so that I would know why the horseshoe ricocheted and burned my leg. Well maybe it would help you. Maybe not.

God cannot make plain all he is doing, because there are millions and millions and millions and millions of effects of every event in your life, the good and the bad. God guides them all. They all have micro purposes and macro purposes. He cannot tell you all of them because your brain can’t hold all of them.

Trust does not demand more than God has told us. And he has given us immeasurably precious promises that he is in control of all things and only does good to his children. And he has given us a very thick book where we can read story after story after story about how he rules for the good of his people.

Let’s trust him and not ask for what our brains cannot contain.

Another family that is going through a similar ordeal as us, sent us the words to this hymn today. May it bless your heart as it has done mine.

SOME DAY HE’LL MAKE IT PLAIN

I do not know why oft ’round me

My hopes all shattered seem to be;

God’s perfect plan I cannot see,

But some day I’ll understand.

(Refrain) Some day He’ll make it plain to me,

Some day when I His face shall see;

Some day from tears I shall be free,

For some day I shall understand.

I cannot tell the depth of love,

Which moves the Father’s heart above;

My faith to test, my love to prove,

But some day I’ll understand.

(Refrain)

Tho’ trials come thro’ passing days,

My life will still be filled with praise;

For God will lead thro’ darkened ways,

But some day I’ll understand.

(Refrain)

Words: Ly­dia S. Leech, 1911

The Anatomy of Showing A House

10:15 this morning........

Ring, Ring (telephone ringing)

"Mom! It's the realtor on the phone!"

"Is your home available to show today between 12 and 1 pm?"
I look around in panic..."We'll be ready" Say a quick prayer, as I start making a plan of action in my head.

"Justin, go mow the lawn and make sure that the yard is in order. Everyone else up to the bedrooms!" 20 minutes later the rooms are in order, dusted and vacuumed. "Jesi, clean your bathroom. Ashly, vacuum the hallway. Josiah, Cara, and Mathias, go put your knights and castles away - in the basement!" I do a quick cleaning of the master bath and hang the clothes that need ironing in the closet.

2nd floor is now cleaned and everyone is banned from going up there!

"Jesica, sweep and mop the kitchen. Ashly, help the younger ones clean the basement." I wipe down the counters and make sure that the dishes are all put away or out of sight in the dishwasher.

"Mom! Basement is done!" Great! One more thing to cross of the list!

"Ashly, here is more ironing that needs to be hung! Josiah, vacuum! Cara, dust. Mathias sit on the couch and read a book!"

"Lawn is finished, but there are some weeds that need pulling."

"Josiah and Mathias, go help Justin pull the weeds!"

Whew...almost finished!

1st floor is now ready to go.

"Mom! We're hungry!" Quick check my watch. "Ok, I have time to make PB&J, but you have to eat it outside and make sure the plates get in the trash!"

11:45 I do a final walk-through, touch up a few areas, and pray again that this will the THE family.

11:55 we pile into the van and are off to the library.......

1:10 we are home again. The realtor didn't leave a calling card, so we aren't sure if he has been here or not. The younger ones go down to the basement to watch the movie they borrowed from the library. The older ones are checking their email and chatting with friends. I am here blogging and enjoying the clean, quiet house, while my Baby Sara sleeps.

I was wrong....Baby Sara is awake...crying....again... (deep sigh)

Home for Sale

Our home is officially on the market. It is a bittersweet time, as we are sad to leave our home. Yet we are very excited for what the Lord has planned for our family in the Peoria/Bloomington area. If you or anyone you know is interested in moving to the Sugar Grove, IL area, the details of our home can be found on the left hand side of this blog, along with a slide show of the home.

This past weekend we were house hunting again. Last time we went it was so discouraging. This time started out rough. The first home we went to had lots of character, but when you stood on the second floor, you felt as though you were going to fall over. The floors were so slanted! Obviously the house had settled a lot in the last 100+ years! After looking at a few more houses, we came to the one we think may be it! It has almost everything we have been looking for - land, large home with room to grow, and centrally located between church and work. The draw back is the lack of mature trees and it is closer to a town than we would like. However, we think we can get past those cons. So we are committing this house to prayer over the next few days and see where the Lord leads us.

"Unemployed"

Yesterday was Daniel's last day at DeVry. Last night he came home without a cell phone or laptop. He said it felt so strange. For me it is wonderful! So until Monday morning, my husband remains "unemployed". We are continuing to be so excited with all the changes that our family is going through.