From Hurricane Irene to Day 1 of Homeschool...

I really did have good intentions of keeping this blog updated. I feel like I have let so many people down. As I read through all the old posts it brings tears to my eyes of what our family has gone through sense I have last posted. In one word to describe the last five months sense the last post is: ROLLERCOASTER.

Let me bring you all up to date. This family from California has experienced our first Hurricane. Hurrican Irene was bad!!  So much destruction and loss. Our villiage here (we have been corrected so many times. It's a villiage, not a town) took alot of damage from the wind and rain. Many many trees down, roofs destroyed or damaged, water damage to complete loss. We were without power 4 days many others were without much longer. There are many that are still without power. We visited an area that was flooded with 5-8 feet of storm surge. Countless homes with all their belongings just thrown outside into large piles.  So many people lost everything. From the day the storm hit Perry has been out in force. He has such a huge heart and a desire to help others. A semi truck full of supplies from  the Church of Christ Diaster Relief was brought here. So many people were helped with food boxes, cleaning supplies, sheets, pillows, shovels, blankets, gloves.... This Disaster has changed us. Seeing so many people in the flooded community who were so thankful for just a mop or a gallon of bleach dry pillow and blanket. Yesterday the final supplies were sent our neighboring county to help Disaster victim's there.  As people contiune to clean up Perry is working on a plan to go into the community that was so damaged with flooding to offer his help in contruction. Our entire family will help in this. All his years in flooring with come into good use.

All summer we have been preparing to homeschool our children. Today was Day 1: First day of Homeschool. We followed a strick schedule which really seemed to help us. The children were all up and had their showers by 6:30am. They were so excitied. We began our day with a family scripture reading. We are studying the book of Job together.  As much as I planned it felt alot like we are flying by the seat of our pants. At times it was difficult. All three have their school work on the computer. We decided and went with Switched on School House or SOS. I didn't know and struggled with how was I going to teach three children in three different grades. So far I am very pleased with our decision. We didn't get to have our mock school day as planned but it all worked out. The curriculum is difficult. Our oldest daughter thought she was going to breeze right through it. At the end of the day, Sharon said she had not been this challenged sense we left Memphis. It was hard when all three had questions at the same time. All three are compeletly different. They learn differently  As they calmed down and we got into a rhytm the day just flew by. All work was completed and corrected and the kids did great.

Thank you all for your contiuned prayers and support.

In Christian Love,
Maria

Busy Bee

It’s been a busy productive week so far. While Perry is away in Georgia for a Gospel Meeting, I have been cleaning and organizing our home.  Still had a lot of books to put away from the Lectureship. After a wonderful trip to Memphis and Kentucky for the Memphis School of Preaching Lectureship it is nice to get the house in order. We made such awesome memories. To see all of our classmates and getting to catch up the instructors was amazing.  The memories made staying with our dear friends were  priceless! Staying up till 3am, our son preaching his first sermon at 9 o ‘clock at night in McDonald’s in Memphis,  Perry breaking out with Andrew Connelly DVD at 2am, all the kids playing together, such wonderful encouragement and support! You can never put a price on Christian Friendship! We are already counting down until next March.

Our lives are busy here as the school year is wrapping up.  We are very excited for the next school year as all three kids have asked to be home schooled.  There are various reasons; it has been a tough year with its ups and downs. We must do what is best for our Children.  I am very excited and nervous all at the same time.  I have spent many hours researching curriculum, reading blogs, researching our rights and the laws of North Carolina. The more I have researched and learned the more I know we are making the right decision.  I have a very special friend who home schools her girls. She has given me lots of advice and encouragement and I couldn’t do this with her! Thank you

Sharon is feeling great. She is pretty much back to normal. We are just patiently awaiting her next cycle. She is a little nervous but we must have faith in knowing  everything is going to be OK!

Perry’s work with the Prison is going well. He will resume his work once he returns from Georgia.  I have started volunteering at a local nursing home here in our county.  I was really nervous considering I had one day of training.  But my first day was incredible.  These people just want attention and someone to listen to them. It was heart breaking really. They have so much wisdom and life experience.  I look forward to each day I get to work with them.  Anyone have any advice or suggestions on activates please email them to me!

Can’t wait for Perry to return so we can get our garden planted. We thought we were behind but everyone has told us for our region we are right on time! With the cost of fresh vegetables we need this garden.  I look forward to fresh from the garden veggies.

Lesson for the day: Never Never question or criticize someone for what they have done  if your not willing to do it yourself!

Roller Coaster Ride

Life has been like a Roller Coaster and I am ready for a pit stop.  We are really looking forward to traveling back to Memphis for the Lectureship this year. Our children are excited and so are we. We look forward to some great lessons, fellowship and to be spiritually uplifted and edified. We need our batteries recharged!

Sharon is doing so much better and this we are so thankful for this. It appears that medication Sharon was given to shed her lining worked. The bleeding has stopped! We are now in a waiting period to wait and see what is going to happen.  Sharon is nervous; she thinks she is going to bleed for another three months straight once it starts again. I must admit so am I.  However the Doctor believes we are on the right track.  

I don’t know if life will ever be leveled out or just stroll along at a consistent pace.  I can take bumps in the road but I am really tired of sink holes.  It has been an emotional trying time this past week and I am thankful all is better.  I am thankful for God, who I know I can turn all my worries over and he will protect and guide me. I am thankful for our church family and friends all over this country who love us and are so supportive of our work!

At the end of a very ugly week this past Friday; I delivered the Meals on Wheels food alone. Perry and Mickey one of our Brother’s in Christ were putting windows in a member’s home here.  We have had the opportunity to get to know some of these people who we deliver the food.  There is one house where two sister live. To see their love and care for another is a truly beautiful thing.  As I walked in the door, I said, “Where are my two favorite twins!”  (They are not twins, but they could be.) These are the happiest, funniest most warm and welcoming two women. They always have smiles on their face.  I always ask them how are they are and if they need anything.  One of the sister’s spoke up said, “A lot of people could learn a lesson from you and your husband”.  I didn’t quite know what she meant. She must have seen the puzzled look on my face. She said more people need to get out and help others.  I replied with, “More people need to follow the example and teachings of the Lord”! She yelled, “Amen!” Three minutes had soon turned into 45. I knew I had all that hot food in the van to deliver but I couldn’t leave her. I listened to her cry about “her church” and the teachings there.  How she said she knows they are teaching wrong. She says she studies her Bible for hours and hours every day and she just knows what her “pastor” is yelling at her is wrong. She went in to describe all the non-sense she called it. She said she feels like she is going to a movie show instead of going to worship God. I didn’t know if I should give my opinion and yet out it came. I said, “It sounds like to me, is it was just entertainment”.   A big show.   My heart just broke for her.  I sat with her and just listened. I really wasn’t sure what to do but just but listen. I knew what I needed to say, but I just didn’t know how.  In my head I kept saying WHY TODAY why isn’t Perry with me.  I knew I had to help her. To me she is a woman who is searching for the truth to be taught.  I asked her if she would like me to come back and study with her and she said YES!  This week Perry is going back with me and we are going to go begin a Bible Study with them.  

Our community here is small but it just shows it is never too small to go out and spread God’s Word! I will never forget what Cindy Colley said at a recent Ladies Day Program here in North Carolina.  She said during her introduction that the day wasn’t about her, it was about God. She is just a tool. We are all tools that need to get to work!

Love,

Maria