Pray for Opal and her friend....

The craziness continued right through to my trip to Halifax, it was a quick trip there and back filled with lots of chatting with my bro and bestest friend and kisses to my 9month old nephew. It was also filled with lots of learning at my course Saturday which has "filled" me up. I still have some assignements to do, but I am feeling better about them knowing that I am more ontrack then I previously had thought.

This in one of my favorite verses, Jerimiah 29:11-13:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “Plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray I will listen. When you search wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

People closest to me know that when I travel I only like to stop when necessary. For example when the gas tank is empty. Not for multiple bathroom breaks or even drive-thru. When I go some where I like to get there, and I often forget that God didn't bless everyone with a gigantic bladder like me. With that being said, when I approached Moncton Friday on my way to Halifax I realized that I didn't have any cash for the $4.00 toll in Halifax. I had to stop at the big stop and get some cash...sigh...I was a little mad at myself because I know J always has lots of change on his dresser and I should have remembered this toll. But I didn't, so I was going to loose 5-10min of travel time.

The whole time up to this point I was thinking about this particular verse a lot and how I have used it many times in the past, how it has been an encouragment to me and how I have held on to it as a promise. The weather had been pretty good, sunny sometimes and overcast and at times with a trace of flurries. As I approached Sackville NB, it went from that to a blizzard. I am pretty sure you could have drawn a line on the road where the snow stopped and started. Within minutes I saw several cars ahead of me slow down. The first thought I had was that there must be an animal on the road, or that it was just the all-of-a-sudden conditions. I, too, slowed right down, amost to a stop, when the van ahead of me pulled over and the man driving got out. Richard. He looked past my van and naturally I looked to see what he was looking at. What I saw was a half ton truck on it's side, and the wheels were still turning. I got out and Richard and I were running towards it to find two girls in there. The truck was resting on the the passenger side and the girl in the passenger side, Opal, had her leg out the passenger side window. She was stuck there. Well, they both were.  

Richard was on the phone, getting the professionals on their way which I was very glad for because I am not sure if I would have been able to tell them very good directions other then between moncton and sackville.... There wasn't much I could do other then sit/lay on the ground, in the snow with lots more snow coming down by the minute and hold Opal's hand and talk to her and her friend. (Forgive me for not remembering Opal's Friends name...) Her Friend was on the phone calling people she knew, she was shaken up, naturally. But for the most part ok. Opal was crying, scared, cold, and hurt. She wasn't moving much, not that she had much option. but she could wiggle her toes and wipe her tears. I kept talking. Learning about them, where they lived where they had been, how the accident happened. and finding out that they were around my age. All the while reassuring them help was on the way, that everything was going to be ok, and praying for the words to say. It took about 30-40 minutes for help to arrive. When they got there, they sprung into action. (We are so blessed to live in a place that help is just a phone call away, and they are fast and efficient once they get there!) I prayed for the firefighters and paremdics and police and still for Opal and her Friend. I waited awhile, and was getting wetter and colder by the second. Richard and I talked small talk about where we were headed and where we were from. I asked him if he had ever experienced something like this before. He was a volunteer firefighter for 12 years. (Coincidence? I think not...) He then asked me the same question, and I said no but that I had taken the First Aid Course a few times. He looked at me, shook my hand and said, thank you for stopping. You handled it like a pro. Not everyone can stop (As I clearly witnessed). He then said that he was going to go, and I agreed. There was nothing more that we could do other then just be in the way.

If I hadn't needed money for the toll, I wouldn't have been there. God knew the plan. He gave me eyes to be very aware of the weather and the traffic in front of me, and he gave me the courage to stop, run, and stay with strangers. He had a plan for me that day. And for everyday. He has a plan for Opal and her friend. I hope that through this they find Him. And I hope you will take just a second to pray for them too.

" 'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord." Thank God for that!!

CrAzYness...

I thought I would just let all of you know that I haven't fallen off the face of the planet. I am still here. It has been insanely busy! i am going to let you in on just today:

I had Lily all ready and on her way to school by 7:15am
Savannah and Isabella were all ready and finishing up their breakfast when Lily got on the bus and we headed down to the barn at 7:30am.
From 7:30-11:30 I fed cows grain and silage, shook up their bedding (so they would be comfy cozy, this is what I tell Savannah when she asks me Why) sterilized calf pens, cleaned out the gutter, and of course catered to two little girl when they wanted a drink or whatever, and when one had a little accident and stripped down half naked.... in the barn... no joke. Never a dull moment.
Then I came home had a quick bite to eat and switched over some laundry and headed down to the church to clean. J stayed home with the girls and took a longer break then usual. It was nice to have some time with just me, even if it was spent cleaning. Cleaning my church is hardly work, I love my church, and I am glad that it is used enough to need to be cleaned :)
Then home again to vacuum, do dishes and starighten up some things, do some more laundry.
Then off to Lily's Student Led Conference at 3-4. She is doing very well in school and is always very excited to show us the things she has been working on. And Isabella and Savannah are very happy to go and explore her classroom. Savannah can't wait to go to school.
Back home to drop J off, and I headed into town with my girlies, went to the bank and then off to the petro to vacuum and scrub my van. I guess it is safe to say that most everywhere is clean now!
Back home...again, and am waiting for the kids to tidy up some of their toys that they played with today, then I will be doing more laundry... I head to Halifax in the morning for a youth leadership training program. And the girls are staying at moms, so I guess packing is still an item to do before bed. And I still have reading to do for papers to write that are due in a couple weeks.... and I have to make a pot of chili....and send off a couple e-mails.... told ya it was crazyness. That was just today.

I promise I will get back to my regular more purposeful posts......one day. But that day ain't today!

First week done...

I have finished my first week on the farm! Yay! And what a great week. :) It was like it was saturday everyday. The kids and I would get up an get ready (which always took longer then I would allow, I'll be glad when we don't need to layer up as much) and then we would head down to the barn. The girls all looked pretty spiffy in there coveralls. They have had so much fun. And again, J and I are realizing how great it is that I started on the farm now, while the kids are young instead of waiting until they are older and they don't want to come. I realize that there will be a day when they won't want to come, but we are enjoying these days, where they jump up and down with excitement, they like to help feed and sweep, but mostly they just play around. Isabella likes to play with a door that she can open and close all by herslef because it is a handle instead of a nob. Savannah wanders about, like she owns the place, alway observing. And Lily pretty much tries to stay clean, and makes sure the younger two aren't getting into any trouble, lol!

I am enjoying working along side of Joel. (And pa-in-law :) ) Some days I haven't felt like I have "helped" that much at all and am often reminding myself that I will get better and faster and it all just takes time. My biggest struggle is getting things at home done. Truth be told though, without 2-4 extra kids wandering about, it doesn't get nearly as messy. I think I am used to cleaning all the time, that is why is weird if I don't have to do it now. I am sure this is also a struggle where I am back to paper writing again. The other struggle I have and fear the most is that my house (and van) will start to smell like the barn. So I have a huge tote at our entry way where all or most of our clothes go in as soon as we step in the door. I think it is working, but I tend to ask almost everyone who comes in if my house smells like the barn, lol! When I am not going to be at the barn for a day or more then everything gets washed ASAP. (My washer and dryer aren't gonna know what hit 'em...I HATE laundry! But I hate my house smelling like the barn more)

We are still trying to figure out a good schedule of my tasks as I still haven't done some of the things we decided I could do, like lead cows and clean them. Hopefully time the classifier comes again we'll have some cleaner cows....who knows...

Anyway, sorry for a more rambling post...I just thought I would update you on my new life as a farmer :) Have a great weekend everyone!

Make a difference...

Do you ever wonder if what you do in a child/youths life makes a difference? I have a huge passion for Youth ministry and I can tell that my interest for childrens ministry is also growing and how they all work together. And one question that keeps coming to mind is, "Am I really making a difference?" Am I the only one who thinks this....um...probably not.

When thinking of an answer, it made me reflect on my own experience raising my own kids. Sure we laugh and play and read and run and sing and dance and eat and snuggle (the list could go on and on) But am I making a real difference in their life? Am I teaching them things that will stick with them through the day, week, year...until they are adults? Am I teaching them things that will last all eternity? It seems that just when I feel like I am not doing enough I am reminded by my dear children, that I, Me, Amy, am indeed making a difference. For example, when it is Easter Lily reminds ME what it is all about, Jesus coming. Jesus Living. Jesus Dying. Jesus RISING. Same as when it is Chirstmas, the info that both her and Savannah have taken in they reteach me what Christmas is all about and the ultimate gift that was given. (however, sometimes, when they are talking about their "wishlist" with their friends, they say often with a big sigh that "Christmas isn't all about presents anyway, it's about Jesus' Birthday. I guess they are kids afterall... :) ) They remind me when the radio is on and they sing along or dance freely to the worship songs that they are familiar with from church and at home. My favorite is when the song comes on "Oh no you never let go, through the calm or through the storm....oh you never let go of me..." and Lily says, "Mommy, that song means the Jesus and God never let go of us." Oh how right she is. Most often then not, they remind me when I need it the most.

So let me encourage you. Whether you work with kids, are in children/youth ministry, have kids of your own, what you are doing IS making a difference. What you are teaching them IS going to stick with them.You just never know when God is going to refresh their memory on the things they have been taught. But a good question to ask yourself is, am I fully helping them prepare for their day, week, life.....eternity?

"Our chiildren will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done." Psalm 22:30-31

Last Day....

It's my last day. Really. I can hardly believe that after today I won't have any other kids on a daily basis other then my own. Seems weird and I don't think that it will fully kick in for a few weeks. So for this post, I am gonna reminisce on some of the greatness of the past 4 years.

1. dancing with the kiddies (mostly like I fool)
2. hearing them giggle at my sillyness (we heard LOTS of giggling)
3. comforting them in their time of sorrow (like when they can't find the last piece to their puzzle)
4. serving them (like a mom, friend, and Christ follower)
5. teaching them how to share and participate in all things together (even cleaning!)
6. listening to them play together (and fight together....and hear them solve the problem themselves in non-violent ways)
7. seeing their face light up when I make their favorite snack/lunch (kids love when you make food just for them)
8. being showered with hugs and cuddles (enough said)
9. their endless questions about everything great or small (from why are you making that to why did Jesus die on the cross)
10. the thing I will miss the most is just knowing them. These kids come in my house and I am a stranger. It takes time for them to get comfortable to bring their sorrows to me, laugh and dance like no one is watching, some don't talk, and then they don't stop, they tell me stories and color me pictures, they run with open arms into mine and tell me they love me, I'll miss watching them overcome fears and seeing them grow up even more then they have in the short time that they have been here.

In my experience in doing this I have gained even more patience, I have learned to love even more, I have become a better parent and wife, I have learned that all you do and go through is all apart of God's plan and to just go with it. And I'll admit, sometimes I wore sweat pants, had no make-up on and had messy hair (Ok 98% of the time this is how it is) but the kids didn't care they accepted me as I was and we had a blast! These kids will hold a special part of my heart forever!

A great thing is that I still get to do all these things with my own kids! And cherish them even more!

Aren't kids such a great blessing?