Getting a little quiet!

Tania and the girls flew home on Wednesday, they were on the same flight as Dr Lillpop and his group on their way to Haiti for a mission trip. I introduced him to Tania and the girls and he said if she had any problems with Daphne on the plane he would help out - what a blessing, since Tania cannot hear and has a very small visual field! Chris and his family headed for Missouri yesterday morning to see Jennifers family and this morning Dan left for Chattanoga Tennesee to speak at a youth event. April and the twins are still here - keeping us all smiling. Dan will be back Sunday night and then they will leave for home on Monday. I don't know what we are going to do with an almost empty house. Of course, Nick keeps it exciting, he bought an I-phone yesterday, that is going to be the talk of the house for a long time. It really is cool! Tania called yesterday and said her and Johnny are talking about the possiblity of moving to Illinois - what great news, it sure would be nice to have them close! I hear the boys - I better go!

Easter! Easter?

This was a couple days before Easter, the weather was great almost 70 degrees, Dan and April took all the kids to the park to play, and then ........ Yes, we woke up Easter morning to snow on the ground, but it was also a blessing. Cassie had never seen or touched snow, so she was thrilled! They live about 45 minutes north of Miami, so 50's is extremely cold to her!! The girls looked so pretty in their Easter outfits for church, but they were a little chilly! The ham was baking, the potatoes were in the oven and off to church, for a wonderful service! Dan preached at a church near Chicago this morning, so believe it or not, he left here at 6:00 am - drove to Chicago, preached and then turned around and headed home! He arrived about 3:00. This year Jordans birthday fell on Easter, so after ham, sweet potatoe casserole, texas potatoes, green beans and homemade yeast rolls we had a birthday party! The girls settled in on Grandpas recliner and played their DS's. We spent a couple of hours on a photo session by Chris, those pictures will show up here on the blog before the end of the week - stay tuned! Also notice I added a link to Chris's Blog to the right - check it out! I pray you all had a blessed Easter - God has been so good to me, He has blessed me with a wonderful family - Thank you Lord!

They are all here!

Ahhhh - they are all here! Chris and his family arrived about 7:00 pm - my chicks are all in the nest. All of you mothers out there with children in far off places know exactly what I mean. My three children - now 35, 32 and 31 years old - and all their families are here. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was just to sit here tonight between my boys - Wendell, laughing at their "growing up" stories - Tania, Jen and April talking about everyday stuff, Caylee (6) and Cassie (7) - giggling and holding hands, happy to see long lost cousins - Nick coming in from work and joining the party - Jordan - looking every bit the almost 12 that he is, the twins and Daphne running in circles around the rooms - chasing each other, baby giggles, sweet - sweet sounds! Family - this is what it is all about! We will have more cousins in tomorrow and another set of DeWitt twin boys (5 mo old) - it is going to be a crazy house, what fun! The nest is full and I am wore out - I am going to bed - with a smile on my face!

More fun!

Cassie, Daphne and their mom are headed for Illinois today - I am so anxious to see them!! We were in Florida in August, Daphne was just 11 mo old, now she is 18 mo old and walking! It will be interesting to see what she thinks of her twin cousins, Isaiah and Micah who are 1 mo younger. Cassie will meet Flat Stanley on his vacation in Illinois and we are going to have fun! I am so thankful that my kids like to come home and I love it when they do! Thank you Lord for your gift of my children, their spouses and my grandchildren!

Spring

Well, here in central Illinois we are into the spring season. I noticed last night when we got home from church about 7:30 the birds were still singing. Obviously the spring mating season is in full swing. I saw a woodpecker on a tree in the backyard, first time ever. The robins are back, the purple finches, gold finches and winter juncos are all fighting for seed at the thistle feeder. My chives are about 6 inches tall and my tulips are not far behind. I got on the Pasty cam, a website in the upper peninsula of Michigan, http://www.pasty.com/cam/ this morning and copied this picture, obviously they are still deep in winter up there, although with the sight of open water it means spring is on the way. That is a lot of snow! Snowmobiling, skiing, ice skating, hockey and sledding are still the main sports! When I was little, growing up there, this was the worst time of year. Winter is so long and you are so anxious for spring, I just wanted to go pour hot water on the snow and melt it! But soon enough the snow would melt and spring would arrive! I sure miss winter up north, I would love to be the first to leave boot prints in that snow! Happy Spring to you all!

3:16 - the numbers of hope

We just got home from church, our choir presented the musical "3:16 - the numbers of hope" it was great! Max Lucado wrote the program after his staff were talking about 911 - and how those numbers were tragic and sad, they said we need numbers of hope. He said we do have numbers of hope and the idea started! Many people came, I saw a dear old friend who has cancer, one of our deacons who has a serious lung problem, a grandmother whose young grandson drowned in the bathtub a few months ago, a young mother who is struggling with the possibility of a diagnosis of autism for one of her young children, an older lady that I have just come to know in the past few months who is going through chemo for breast cancer, and I am sure in a church filled to the brim with over 400 people there were many more with serious problems, however they were all smiling, filled with hope, knowing the message of the musical was truth! Jesus was born, lived, died on the cross and was resurrected, and all because "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes on Him will have eternal life" John 3:16. That is hope, no matter what we are going through, He knows He loves us and He gives hope!

Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley has arrived! He came from Boca Raton Florida for vacation, Uncle Dan, Aunt April and cousins Isaiah and Micah were here too so they got to meet. His first day the boys took him outside to play, and then we went to the new Walmart Supercenter! He really enjoyed himself!

Flat Stanley is a story about a little boy that was flattened when something fell on him - he wanted to go on vacation to California, but could not afford it, so they mailed him. Cassies class has read the book and colored their Flat Stanley and she choose to send him to us to visit us! Stay tuned for future adventures!

The boys and their binkies

The boys are supposed to leave their binkies in their beds, but Nana and Grandpa forgot - they loved that! They were sitting on the bench looking at some whirlygig flowers in the window box. Isaiah has taken to walking around with his hands behind his back - he looks very thoughtful! Mom and Dad are headed back today - the boys will be so excited to see them, but I think Mom and Dad are more excited, they have missed their boys! Next week the rest of the family is headed home, I am just as excited to see my kids and grandkids as they are!! As we draw close to Easter Sunday and we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord - let us not forget His example. He washed the disciples feet and told them to do the same for each other - be servants! He gave His life and told them to love one another as He loves us - that is how the world will know we are His disciples. Phil. 2:1-8 -tells us of His love for us, that it was so great He was obedient to death - Lord help us to be obedient and to love as You love - sacrificially - putting others first - always acting out of love, without prejudice - openly, lavishly , obediently. Love is a choice - He compels us to love as He loves. Hallelujah we serve a risen Savior!

Toothless

Caylee is anxious to have a loose tooth removed and after begging Daddy -- they get the task completed! She is very brave! and beautiful - see you next week Miss Caylee Lynn DeWitt and your toothless smile!

My 3 little kids

Ok that was a trip backwards in time! I could not be anymore proud of my kids - my daughter who is deaf and legally blind, who is a wonderful wife and mom of 3 - I don't know how she does it all, but she does and does it well. My Sons - Christopher a very talented photo journalist in the Air Force with a photography business of his own, a wonderful husband and dad of a son and daughter- Daniel - the Professor, talented artist, wonderful husband and dad of twin boys - The lists are endless if I was to brag on each of them, but the reward of all those years of sweat and tears are demonstrated in Chris's blog entry today - check it out at http://dewittphotos.blogspot.com/ - grab a kleenex.

Boys and toys

Toys all over the place and where do we find the twins???? In the kitchen sink!! Only grandpa would do that, the boys were curious so he just let them get in and play!! Today we have our Missions Fair at church, we have been working on it for several months, and I am looking forward to it. We have 17 different areas of mission ministry that will be represented - it will be a wonderful opportunity to see how God is working all over the world. I better get moving! Hope you have a great weekend!

The Underground Railroad Quilt Book

In Toni's comment yesterday she asked about the pattern book I am using. It is from "quilt in a day" by Eleanor Burns & Sue Bouchard. The book is full of information about the Underground Railroad and the path to Canada. We live in Jacksonville, Il which is very connected to the Railroad. There are several places here in town that were a part of the railroad, if you go to http://www.laddcenter.com/ugrr/index.html - you will find more information, pictures and general info on this town and how it was a part of it. It is very interesting, particularly if you are a history buff, which I am not, but I do enjoy this. We all have a history, our family, our ancestors, they are our history. The most important "link" we can make is to our Lord - His is the only family that will remain eternally! Hope you have a great Thursday!

Underground railroad quilt blocks

Remember the new book I showed you last week? It is the pattern for the Undergroud Railroad quilt - which is so cool - because it tells a story, they hung quilts out to tell messages to the slaves, to let them know what to do next. I have all the blocks cut out and have 4 put together as you can see. I will tell you more about the story when I put it together. I went to Hancock fabrics on Saturday and bought the fabric for the rails and borders, it was $7.99 a yard, but when I got to the check out they said it was 60% off, how cool is that!! Well, I probably will not have time to sew for about a month, the twins and their parents will be here on Thursday night - so the fun begins - yeaaah! Hope you are having a good week - mine is about to get better!

Oh what joy!

Oh what joy - my Savior lives! There is so much sadness around, which in turn always provides opportunity for praise, knowing God loves us and wants only the best for us. I ran into a friend today whose husband killed himself just before Christmas, he had been injured and disabled for years, he finally ended his life, his mother found him. Everytime I see her I cry, my heart is so broken for her - I have no words of comfort, "I'm so broken hearted for you, I am praying for you" I say. A good friend is fighting for his life, he has been here before, a different cancer - he survived and now there is a new cancer - "I am praying for you" I say. Another friend has a precious little boy diagnosed with a life changing and sometimes life threatening syndrome - "I am praying for you - I love you" I say. Just a couple of days ago my cousin sent me a link to a website: my cousins grandaughter was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago and died within months, she was 1 year and a few days old. During that time my cousins wife (the babys grandmother) was fighting for her life with breast cancer, she lost that fight 1 year ago last week. My cousin himself has developed a dibilitating rare disease that he has been fighting for about 5 years now. After Kylie Janes death her parents started a foundation to support parents of children with life threatening or serious disease, the link was to a fundraiser that was phenomenal - here is the link - http://www.bmbw.com/events-and-activities/hope-slopes-2008 or their homepage to see what they are doing and to learn Kylie Janes story. http://www.kyliejanelong.org/kylieshomepage.htm. There are no words to comfort a grieving widow, a broken hearted mom, a struggling cancer patient, or my cousin who lost his first grandchild, his wife and is struggling with his own disease, but there is hope! Jesus cares for you, and He seeks to be glorified in your most difficult moments, and hours and days and years. He is not watching to see if you follow the checklist of appropriate behaviors, He is standing with open arms to catch you when you fall...... into Him, completely exhausted and worn out from trying to do the "right thing", to "be the good witness", to meet everyone elses expectations. He only wants to comfort and give peace. Press into Him, sob, scream, complain, He can take it. You will find only comfort and love . I think of when my children were small, and they were going through a hard time, I only wanted to comfort them, hold them, stroke their hair, speak words of comfort and dry their tears. Our heavenly Father wants to do the same. I have no words to help, only words of encouragement, RUN TO HIM, PRESS INTO HIM, only He can give you peace. We all have problems, maybe not all as difficult as these, but they are real none the less, the words are the same to us. Psalm 121 1-3: I look to the mountains, where does my help come from, my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber." He is always there, arms open.....Run...run...run...into Him. He gives peace. John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." Run ....run....what joy - He is always there waiting ...fall into Him!

Tulips - see note in previous post -

I am afraid their going to get a shock tomorrow, but they will survive. Its a promise of what is to come - I'm ready!

Spring?!!

It is more than 70 degrees outside, I have the heat turned off and the windows open!! Wendell and I walked around the yard and I am so tempted to start clearing off my flower beds, but believe it or not it is supposed to SNOW tomorrow!! Welcome to Illinois weather. We were sitting on the front porch and I looked down...it can't be, oh yeah ---- those are tulips sticking up about 1 1/2 inches!! I am so ready to get my hands dirty, but I'll wait. Hope you are having a good weekend.

Toddlers on the way

Isn't that the cutest table and chairs! Within 2 weeks we will have 3 toddlers in the house, Tania's daughter Daphne is 17 mo old and Dan and April twin boys are 16 mo old, can't you see them sitting there? We are anxious to see them all including Chris and Jens kids , Jordan (who will celebrate his 12th birthday when they are here on Easter day!) and Caylee, also Tania's oldest daughter Cassie. We will have a house full, what fun!

Please continue to pray for Dr Fox, he is hopefully in his last round of antibiotics, another MRI next Friday, and then hopefully the following week he will have the bone marrow transplant. Keep him and his family in your prayers!