The Boy's bike comes home

The Boy L.O.V.E.S. riding. Really, really loves it. He even dreams of racing someday. Mommy will be hiding her eyes supporting him the entire way. Both the Boy and the Girl very gratefully received new dirt bikes two years ago. The Girl is happily keeping hers for one more summer, but the time had come for the Boy to get an upgrade.

So, Mommy and Daddy packed up in the truck and made the trek to PA. Not, mind you, right over the border, PA, but deep into the underbelly of the backwoods, PA. Like, backwoods of Tennessee, underbelly of the backwoods. All of the houses that we saw were either in gated "communities" or had bleached out skulls over the doors. Literally. Upon seeing these... houses.... I realized that we had no cell phone coverage. At. All. It was a tiny bit nerve racking.

We finally made it to the house where we would be purchasing the Boy's new motorcycle, and I was pleasantly surprised and relieved! The owner was not at all like Michael Meyers after all!! *whew* He was, in fact, very kind and refined and definitely knew his motorcycle stuff. As an added bonus, there was not a single skull hanging anywhere on his house. Batman and the homeowner talked motorcycles and racing and motorcycles and racing and more motorcycles for a long time, then we loaded up the Boy's new ride in the back of the truck and headed out. On the way home, I realized we were in the Poconos.

*Note to self: DO. NOT, I repeat DO. NOT! EVER, under any circumstance, hop online and find a "nice cozy get-a-way" with one of those champagne glass hot tubs and heart shaped bed and tell yourself that it would be nice to rent it and go hide away with the hubby. DON'T DO IT.*

Hey, maybe those places really are a nice, romantic get-a-way, but my first impression of the Poconos wasn't fabulous, so I'd really rather just not go back. I'm just sayin'....

Back on the road, we started looking for gas stations with good prices and a snack. Spotting decent prices, we pulled in, filled up, and grabbed a picture or two of the bike so the Boy could enjoy it's journey home. Then, gas in the tank and snacks and coffee in hand, we were underway, headed home!

It was dark when we pulled in, but it didn't stop the Boy from flying out the door, up into the truck bed, and onto his motorcycle. Could you hear his delighted squeals at your house?? In the morning, the bike was brought in to warm up next to the wood stove (no, I am not kidding), where Crumb-Crumb checked it out, ensured that it was a Suzuki, and gave his approval.  It was then taken back out, started up, and the boys gave it a spin. Approval ratings? Quite high. Mommy went out in the cold to watch him climb on, but quickly retreated to the house so I didn't have to watch remembered a few very important things that I had to do to get ready for our guests that would be arriving later that evening.

The bike is now home, the Boy has new boots and a chest protector to keep him safe (just so you know, that was Daddy's idea) and the special oil to mix with his gas has been ordered. All we need now is a warm day.

I Found This For You

Dearest Brother,

I have been thinking of you lately, and getting quite excited that you will be returning home to the states for a little visit with your exceptionally beautiful wife and sweet *little* baby. I wanted to find something to give you when you got home - after all, it is almost your birthday AND your anniversary. I found something I think you will *love*. Unfortunately, I was unable to pick it up and bring it home. The best I can do is give you pictures. I really hope you like it. We were thinking of you.

All our love,
Your favorite sister, coolest brother-in-law and beloved niece and nephew
xoxo

How to Gain 10 Pounds

What is Saint Patrick's Day without the traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner??

Then, there's dessert.... BUTTER ROLL..... The name says it all.

I will willing give you pictures of this delectable creation. If you were ever in Mississippi and went to God's Katrina Kitchen and were able to experience Mo's cooking and his *drool* butter roll *drool*, your mouth should be watering right now. And, also, if you have done that, you may very well have met Mo, and should therefore know the severe pains I had to go to GET this recipe. I will not share the recipe. Selfish, I know... (But, somebody might have to kill me if I share it.)

Some of the ingredients

Mixed together to make this

Then add a little more stuff so it looks like this

Roll it out

Put it in a pan like so (not so pretty, but.... oh, the joy that floods my... stomach... sorry, I was starting to hear heavenly choruses)

Bake it...

How can you NOT enjoy??

Indiana

Well, we actually did it! We left at 6:30 in the morning as planned. Perhaps it was the threat from J to carry me out to the car and leave promptly at 6:30 NO MATTER WHAT. I asked if that was a threat and he told me it was a promise, he didn't care if I was in the middle of a showe and still had soap in my hair, if I wasn't ready, he would haul me out there. I believed him so I didn't press my luck. I don't think this threat will work for church on Sunday mornings, though. (I have to defend myself, here, I get up about an hour earlier than he does, get my shower and then get the kids going while he is still tucked snuggly in bed Sundays, so I think I deserve a little slack on that one. Besides, we do a very good job of making it on time and are usually earlier than almost everyone else on the worship team.)

Oh yeah, we saw snow on the way out!! It wasn't that bad, but EVERY snow plow in western NY was out in full force... I think the state workers were trying to get in al their over time since they have not had much of a chance so far this winter.

The family we have been staying with are amazing! They have the sweetest spirits and it has been very cool because their son is autistic, and the mom is always a little worried about how people will react to him. We understood so many of the little - idiosyncrocies - and our girlfriend that came out with us actually works with autistic children, so it was a blessing all the way around for all of us. It was amazing to hear this young man's story and to see what God has done in his life! His parents were told he would never talk, never read, never anything, and it honestly took me a little while to even realize he is autistic! He even has his own driver's licence and helps his father run the farm! Talk about a miracle boy!

Our time in Indiana has been both good and challenging... Our hearts are really to keep getting closer to God and walk deeper with Him, and we've been on the brink of making some decisions regarding our walk and how much we really want to pursue Him. This weekend we've come to the point where God really is asking us to make some of those "required sacrifices". Areas that are not neccessarily wrong, but for where we want to go with Him, are areas that we have to not live in the gray area, but stick with black and white. Higher standards to adhere to. So... we are choosing to let go of the things required to gain a greater intimacy with God and a more holy walk. We have done a lot of talking this weekend with a prophet friend and mentor and he's been in on all these decisions and has been the instrument used to pose some of these challenges and questions. This morning I told him about a dream someone had about J. We went to visit them J was beat but victorious and in AMAZING shape and had a "Moses glow." (Very abridged version) He said that these decisions and actions are what she dreamed about and will in fact be a battle with our own flesh (I hate that!!) and in the end will result in the best spiritual (and potentially physical?) shape we've been in and definitely in that "Moses glow." So, some of this will be tough. No, I take that back, probably all of it will be tough. God does not tend to ask for EASY sacrifices. If it was easy, it wouldn't be a sacrifice, right?? BUT, God honors obedience, and both of us want that deeper walk and power, and I am willing to go through the temporary discomfort for my greater good.

We talked today about upcoming trips with this group and are DEFINITELY looking forward to it! FL for spring break, an invite to Africa... oh yeah. For those interested, BP and team will be in Elmira at the beginning of Feb. Let me know if you want specifics!

That wraps up the Indiana trip for the most part... I miss my kids but it has been good to have the time away, too.

Reasons We Know We are Supposed to Go

I once heard that if you think you heard God ask you to do something, you know He really did if it would be really inconvenient. If everything would work out, (i.e., you have the finances, time and other means) you may be facing a temptation rather than a test.

Here are our reasons:

1) family is sick

2) no money - laid off

3) odd jobs that are being done are being done with a broken hand

4) no money, did I mention laid off?

5) front wheel berring gone in the truck ($250 fix)

6) no time - wait, we do have that - laid off

7) front wheel berring just went on the car - at least that is cheaper

Maybe we should stop there... this could get depressing if you let it.

It boils down to we DID hear God and it definitely isn't convenient. J says if we only have enough to get out, we are going, cause God said "GO". I remember people thinking we were nuts to go to MS, too. HA! Next week I might have another sermon on faith! :)

Indiana

Well, I've been asked about our upcoming trip to Indiana. Do you want the short version or the long version?

Short:

Bob Perry came to town, God said, "I want you to travel with him when he asks you to." We said ok, he eventually asked, we are going.

Too short? Here's the long, although I am not completely sure that it will be much longer than the short.

Back in.... October, I believe, Bob Perry came to town to minister at Living Waters Church here in Hornell. Being interested in getting as much of God as possible, we went to find out what this prophet was all about. From all accounts that we had heard, he's one of those guys that are scary accurate and on. He is. When we first saw him, God told Johnny that he (BP) would be asking us to travel with him and that we were supposed to go because God wanted to hook us up with the people that BP knows. So, time and life have happened since that chat with God, and we find ourselves gearing up to leave to meet BP and his team in Indiana. J informed me yesterday that we will be leaving at 6:30 next Wednesday..... in the morning.... I did question his choice of time. I was further informed that it is a ten hour drive and I better believe that we will be leaving that early in the morning because there is no way we are arriving on the west side of Indiana at ten o'clock at night. Hm.... Perhaps I can sleep on the way out. We are looking forward to this trip, there is another girl from our church that will be going along but she will be flying in on Thursday. Another friend of ours called up a couple days ago and told J that he felt like maybe he was supposed to go so J told him we have room in the car. He called us back the next day and said that when the ride was offered, he no longer had any excuses NOT to go so we will be traveling together. And I was thrilled to find out that another friend and prophet (he and J are like two peas in a pod and do a lot of "parking lot*" together) from FL will be there as well. That actually made the trip for me.

I was also asked about what we will be doing out there... My current answer is that I do don't know the specifics, but B told J that he will be "by his side" and "you will know what to do". When we are there, I think he is right, there will be know doubt about what it is that God wants us doing. We are both excited and anticipating what God has planned for next week. We leave Wednesday morning and return Sunday or Monday. Should be fun!! :)


*"Parking lot" - They spend whatever time they have and call each other on the carpet on things, hold each other accountable, critique, etc.... Iron sharpens iron.

Late Starts, Alligators, Traffic Jams and Blown Tires

God said “Go.”

We said “ok.”

Then we asked, “Why, God? How long, God? God, we KNOW You have a plan here, but what is it? Um, God, it is getting kind-of warm down here….” We learned a lot along the way and did quite a bit of growing.

Then God said, “Go.” So, we packed up and made ready for the 1200 mile journey home. We started bright and early on one hot and sunny Thursday morning. And made it five minutes down the road. We have to eat, you know. Harbor View Café was calling our names, and so was J’s sister and a handful of other friends that we arranged to have breakfast with and say our goodbyes to. Did I mention that we were already an hour and a half late for this breakfast? It turned into brunch. Tears were shed as we said our goodbyes to family and friends – this seems to be the hardest part – then we were off. And we made a wrong turn. Now, J could turn around with the motorcycle rather easily, but I had a little bit harder of a time, so, even though he realized his mistake as soon as he turned onto said wrong road, we had to go all the way down it to find a suitable place to turn around, thus burning an additional thirty minutes. By now the kids had to pee, so I convinced them that the best course of action would be to do the wiggle until we actually made it to Canal Road and the truck stop to fill up right before getting on the interstate. Thankfully we got onto the right road this time and took the normal five minutes to get there. We pulled in, making all necessary pit stops and 45 minutes later were finally under way. By now it was noon. So much for that early start.

Now, three very sweet people were looking out for our best interests, and suggested we take an alternate route. One that was “much quicker” than the diagonal, up-and-over-at-the-same-time-common-sense-says-it’s-quicker route. Against our better judgment we went all the way over then straight up. Nope, not quicker. More miles, too. By now it was eight o’clock at night and we were not even out of Alabama. Not good. The sun had just set, and dusk was upon us in full force, someone changed lanes in front of me, then suddenly, AN ALLIGATOR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD! (Ok, quick lesson: an “Alligator” is a tractor trailer tire split open and laying flat in the middle of the road. Rather dangerous, actually. Then dangerous part I knew right off the bat. It wasn’t until telling this story in church that I found out what these wonderful little things on the road are called. I learned this from a tractor trailer driver himself. Thank you R.) Well, I thought very quickly, knew that even though the truck would clear it, the trailer was too low and would not, so I moved over. The truck missed it by a mile – I mean a foot. The trailer, however, did not, and I hit that alligator with the driver side tire of the trailer with a terrific thud. My heart raced but everything felt ok with my vehicle, so I started to breath again. Then my phone rang. J was calling to find out what I hit and kicked up into him…. He thought it was a deer. We pulled over and checked everything over – the trailer tire was bent in and therefore caused problems later on. The bike was leaking break fluid, had a bent rim and the bottom faring was broke. (Just had an estimate done on it – damage totaled $2700. I think this is an expensive bike. Good thing we have full coverage!) It was just beginning….

While J was checking everything else over, he noticed that the passenger side tire of the trailer was leaking air and really needed to be replaced. We went up to the next exit to find a Wal-Mart and a hotel to stay in for the night. Wal-Mart was not going to be able to fix the tire until the next morning so we figured that J could get up when TLE opened in the morning and get right in so we could get right out. HA! HA! HA! They could not fix the tire until 10:30…. So, guess when we got on the road….. NOON! Seems to be a running theme, here. The rest of the day went by without much hassle. We made it just past Cincinnati and stopped again for the night. This hotel was GORGEOUS! (And somehow managed to be cheaper than the one the night before… huh…) We had a wonderful dinner, slept in a great bed, and took showers with Bath and Body Works. How much better could it get? We even ended up SLEEPING until 10. So, guess what time we actually left town… Yep, NOON.

On the road again, just sittin’ on the road again… Today the trouble came in full force. We were driving along, and I rounded a slight corner and… ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED! It was a good time to test the brakes. A little more quick thinking, and when I saw that my truck would not stop in time and I was about to have a BOAT in our laps, I swerved to the other lane which was suddenly and thankfully empty. I past three cars (one towing the boat) before I got the truck stopped, and I just about hit the huge arrow over sign that was sitting in the middle of my lane. My body suddenly felt like I had been drinking ten cups of coffee. One of the cars that I screeched past was kind enough to let me in, and J was now a few cars behind. He called me and I asked in a very shaky voice, “D-d-di-id I h-handle that o-o-ok?”

“Well, honey, did you wreck?”

“N-n-no-o-o.”

“Then you handled it just fine.”

He also had to test out his brakes so he wasn’t eating the back of me, then when I swerved over, he had to make sure he didn’t eat the boat. Could have hurt….

A few hours later, J decided that he REALLY needed to... take a break..., and wanted to use the trailer as cover… how redneck. He started checking the tires and realized that the driver side tire had steel belts showing through and need to be changed right away so we didn’t have a blow out. So, I squeezed my arm between the wall of stuff and the wall of the trailer so I could loosen the nut holding the spare onto the side of the trailer. OUCH. J jacked up the trailer, got the tires switched and then put the bad tire back on the side. I then jammed my arm back in to fasten the tire back on. And away we went!

And made it 20 miles down the road. The BRAND NEW spare that we just put on (it still had the little knobby things on the side of the tire that are there when you buy it brand new!) EXPLODED. The truck swerved all over the road and I managed to get it pulled over to the shoulder. We called his dad and couldn’t get ahold of him, so tried his mom. Her response? “God told me that Satan doesn’t want you home.” Hmm, glad we got that one figured out. We had an inkling that might be the case with the FIRST incident… Dad was unable to come for us and we were still out by Jamestown, so we made the tire switch again, back to the one with threads – our only option. We prayed over the vehicles and tires again then headed out. A few miles down the road, J flagged me over and told me that dad had called and told us to put the new Wal-Mart tire on the tilted side and the steel belt tire on the good side, hopefully extending the life of the tire. We made it about an hour down the road, past all the one lane, 45mph construction zone before the tire went flat. This time we were past Olean and only about 30 miles from home or so and dad was able to come with a new tire. While we were waiting on the side of the road for dad, looking at all the gorgeous stars out, we began to feel raindrops. But the sky was clear and star-filled…. And then we looked up. Directly above us was a little fist sized cloud… All we could do was laugh. He sure was trying everything he could, but no matter what, we were going home!!

And here we are. Granted, Satan has definitely not let up. I didn’t really think that once we made it home he would let up, but I know that we are victorious in Jesus! So, bring it. I am not worried about it. A song we recently introduced in church says it well”

I believe in You

I believe in Your Word

I believe Your promises are true

I believe in You

I believe in miracles

I know I can do all things through You

Cause I believe in You, yeah, I believe in You

And a piece that came to me one Sunday morning and just won't get out of my head,

I will not be shaken, I will not be moved

No matter what the circumstances say

No matter what I see

I will not be shaken, I will not be moved

My God is not a god that lies

FINALLY!

WE MADE IT HOME!!!! And it ONLY took three whole days to get here!! That will be a story for another day with more time. Lets just say we know Satan did NOT (and still doesn't, I am sure) want us home... But we are here and ready to WAR! Love you all!

We Will Get There Eventually...

Nope, not there yet. Walmart did not finish our tire this morning until close to 11:00. So we did not even get out of the state of Alabama until noon. I WOULD be screaming right now, but the hotel we stopped at in Ohio has a nice comfy bed, a pool that the kids are looking forward to, and a wonderful shower equipped with BATH AND BODY WORKS STUFF!!!!!!! Yes, I am VERY excited about that and I smell FANTASTIC right now. We will see NY tomorrow. At least today has been far less eventful. ;)

Headed Home

WOW!! Ok, so we left MS around noon today... so much for an early start. ;) And we have had our fill of adventures already. Currently we are... relaxing... at a hotel... at the top of Alabama... (Ok, you can stop laughing now.) We will be fixing a tire tomorrow - that was the latest episode - semi lost his tire, I avoided it with the truck but managed to get it with the driver side tire on the trailer. It kicked up and hit John square on. We are all safe. The kids and I had JUST been praying that God would protect us and keep His hand on us.... This could have been SO much worse! Glad I am in His hands!

So, we are going to watch a movie and relax and get the tire that was having issues holding air fixed in the morning... then onward!!

Dreams and Going Home

My Dream... I was with my mom and my aunt had sent me a present/card. I opened it and found dollar bills in it. These bills were special - like a two dollar bill, only bigger. Two of the specific ones I remember were 2001 dollar bills. I remember thinking they were like the year. There were a few other bills for various other amounts, some for a couple hundred... THe other one I remember very clearly was the one that was a 10,541 dollar bill... very nice... If all the bills were totalled, it would be close to what I have been praying for. All of the bills had a numeric code on the bottom of them, much like what you see on your checks. I looked closer at the $10, 541 and realized that the code had been cut off that one. It was for a great amount of money, and it was in my hand, but I could not use it. The only thing the bill was good for was displaying on the wall or making notes on it. I thought that at least I had the other bills, and they totalled up to a few thousand dollars, but were still not what I had been praying for.
When I woke up, I KNEW this was a dream that meant something, not just one of those brain processing dreams.... That morning, I had to run to Winn Dixie (Hurray! *please notice the sarcasm here*) and on my way home, I took a right out of the road and drove down Railroad instead of taking the left, going onto Jeff Davis and then onto 90 (along the beach) ... after several blocks, I turned down toward the beach, then after one block, turned right again... I ended up driving by the house that we were supposed to have... Hmm... Ended up praying about all of it, just praying that all the finances will be released, that whatever happened will be reversed, etc....
Ok, taking a breath. ;)
Going Home.... We received word yesterday that Johnny's aunt passed away Friday night. So... shortening the rest of the story for you... we are heading out this week - Wednesday, Thursday at the latest... Thanks for praying us home... I had been praying that we would be home by the beginning of July... that has been answered... I have to admit that I would like to see my sister's baby, but that is ok - I am ready to go home... :)

Back Home

Ok, so, the North is FREEZING!!! Almost literally. I swear I can see my breath when I am outside and it is cold enough to snow!! BRR!!! I talked with my sister-in-law today and she said it is 90 down there! Grr. We will head back to summer shortly. But, despite the winterish conditions up here, it is very good to be back for a little bit. I'm just hoping I won't lose my tan in two weeks.

Sniff

So, the owner of the house suprised us at church by presenting us with a gorgeous collage of pictures nicely framed. It will be the first photos that will be hung on our walls down here. So there I am up there crying because he it talking about what our family has meant to him and what all the help from everyone around has done for them....
I took the liberty of scanning a couple and decided to post them here since... WOW! I'm in them! :) I am normally the one BEHIND the camera, and I thought maybe family and friends might want to be able to have a reminder of what I look like?? ;) Really, I thought that the picture of the "two girls" was a good one - looks a LOT like her mommy!! The other picture is of our sheetrock unloaders, so they NEED to be in there. :) Thanks for your help, guys!!

Back "Home"

Well, we arrived safe and sound back in the WARM (read: 75 degrees!) South yesterday morning.... It is SO good to be back!

Right now I am sitting in Cafe Restoration at the Rec Center in Long Beach and I am surrounded by volunteers... it is so awesome!! All I can say at this point is God is awesome and the work being done here is amazing.... It really is good to be back.....

I'll write more later.... Love you all....

Whoa! A Spare Minute!!

I know, shocking, isn't it? What is more shocking is that we are actually going to [attempt] sleep in tommorrow!! Taking the weekend off!!! I would say that I won't know what to do with myself, BUT, I think I will finish "moving in" (read: unpacking and putting stuff away) to our "new" house. We have met a wonderful Christian couple down here and they have offered us their four bedroom house RENT FREE to live in until it sells. Works for me. I think D and E are liking this arrangement as well. We will be doing a few minor repairs (fixing a flood light, a window, paint) instead of paying rent. I'll take it! We moved a number of things in Wednesday night and the kids and I did some unpacking and arranging. Oh yeah, and I saw my fist cockroack ever... EWWW.

Things have been AMAZING down here. Very busy, but good. It has been so cool to meet so many people from so many different places who have just come down here to help clean up and rebuild. And the "natives" as some of them like to be referred to are wonderful, too. I am so amazed at the thankfulness I see in them. And what a good lesson for us to be learning... It is just stuff. Stuff is not where the importance lies..... Wow.... It is hard to put much else into words...

Last night we had one AMAZING and powerful service.... It was SOOO good!! It felt like being back at our home chuch worshipping with everyone there and throwing about 300 more people in the mix. There was such an excitement there! And even though it was a little hard to be away from family on Thanksgiving, I can honestly say that I would LOVE to have another Thanksgiving like that! Whew!!!!!

I am putting together TONS of pictures... You will be able to view them if you click my picture link on the side of the page. It is definitely true, though, that pictures do not do any of this justice.....

We are Here!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we have made it to Mississippi! It is warmer and sunnier than home, but a whole lot messier!!

How It All Began

The short version:My brother and his wife are stationed in Gulfport, MS, so we told them that if anything needed to be fixed with their church after Hurricane Katrina hit, we would take a couple weeks off of work and come down and fix it. Well, through talking with them, we found out that there was MUCH work to be done, and they were letting people know that we were coming. Jobs started lining up before we went down. So we decided to take a six month leave of absence and go down for teh winter and part of the spring. Then we met with missionary friends of ours the weekend before we left New York and they shared their vision with us. They want to send down teams of high school and college kids and needed a couple to lay the groundwork down South and to run the teams when they get there. We agreed to do that and that developement took us from six months to maybe coming back in September.... We are relying on God for His direction and we will head back to New York when He says it is time. We left jobs, pulled the kids out of school, packed up and went down. This has been a step of faith and a life changing opportunity. The blogs that will follow will give you a glimpse of what is going on in our life and down South. Also feel free to contact us if you feel that you should come down to help with the clean up and rebuilding. May God bless you.