TESTIMONY!!!

How about this?!!!  Here where we live, surrounded by mountains, it can get very cold, very quickly. The forecast has been calling for freeze warnings along with dry spells(which means fires).  

Now, everyone has been touched by the decline of our economy here in the US.  I don't know anyone who hasn't been affected. Other nations are seemingly facing economic difficulties also.  Well, we are going through yet another job loss with my husbands career and are literally making it day by day...
BUT, "I HAVE A TESTIMONY!"

God is on HIS throne and takes care of his people.  I'm so thankful I know HIM! 

There are a few other choices besides electric that someone could use for heating their home: natural gas, wood log fireplace, or propane.  Here we have propane, which means that we have to schedule the propane company to come out and deliver the fuel from their huge truck and fill up the tank that sits to the side of our house. It isn't something that would go unnoticed by anyone, including the neighbors.  

Well, for the last 4 weeks, we have had some pretty cold temperatures.  It has fallen down into the lower 30's at night and we have had to keep the heating lamps going for the fowl.  I remember about a month ago, my husband said we were going to NEED to get the tank re-fueled for winter, because it was on '0'.  We weren't sure how we were going to do that.  It costs about $2.50-$3.00 per pound to get fuel.  And the company will NOT come out and re-fuel for less than 100 POUNDS. Ok. Do you see where this is going?  And to top it off, you need to re-fuel at least 1 time during the winter months if you only get 100 #'s.  Are you getting the picture...

HERE'S THE GAUGE...IT'S ON ZERO  
I just took this pic early this morning--Ha!

BUT WE KNOW A GOD!!!  THE ONE TRUE GOD OF ALL CREATION!  HE CARES ABOUT US IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE KNOW IT CAN ONLY BE HIM WHO PERFORMS THE MIRACLES!!  

On the night that we were getting some super cold weather, my husband went over to the fireplace (it's a gas log f/p, and heats the entire house), and began to light the pilot light.  We asked him what he was doing and he just said, "I'm gonna light this thing and see what happens." Just as calm as he always is.  The kids and I all smiled big and said, "In Jesus Name!" It just seemed natural for us all to say that.  That was the end of that and we sat down to eat dinner together.  In a minute, flames came up out of the logs (gas logs have a thermostat, my husband set the thermostat as he lit the pilot light). We all began to laugh and clap hands and thank God for what HE just did!  We knew God had done it.   But that's only the start...

YES!  WE KNOW A GOD!!  THE ONE TRUE GOD!

 It's been about 4 weeks and that fire is still burning!  We have had temperatures down into the lower 30's and this house can get very cold.  We haven't had one single night (or day) that it has been cold in this house and we have all slept warm, and snug and toasty every night.

HERE'S THE FIRE...STILL BURNING AND WARM AND COZY

What a powerful GOD we serve!  
Ok. For those of you who may DOUBT...fyi:when the gauge gets down to about '5', EVERYONE knows YOU MUST HAVE IT RE-FUELED--A.S.A.P.!!!   It will not run when it's lower than that.  You just don't take that chance. WE all know to get the thing filled back up.  Only this time God's the one who took care of it..and just to kick that 'ole serpent in the face...
...When the f/p kicks itself off, sometimes I'll just go over to the thermostat and turn it up a little bit just to see the flames...and say to myself, "Ha!!!  Look at that! My God is sooooo GOOD!"

Enjoying this warm weather together

It is always nice to get together with friends. Especially when the weather warms up and all the kids can get outside. I love to make homemade pancakes and waffles from freshly ground wheat. I know that may sound weird, but they really taste so much better than the other flour. So, Christy and I got together and made some breakfast for us all! Now between us we have 13 children. Not all of them were here this particular day...that is really ok. But we did have a great time and enjoyed a nice breakfast together. Now you know homeschoolers...we do accomplish our studies...here we all are in the kitchen. Time for some fun! Ashley and Christy hard at work! Hee-hee! Love you guys!

A little syrup - homemade!! MMmmmmm...good!

Everyone in the kitchen around my little farm table that Bridget gave me...it just fits me! Thanks Bridget...wish you were here too! And Tammy, and Christy B, and Tammy A, and my Mom, and Von, and Michelle, Andrea, Marsha....

Jesse and Garrett preparing their plates.

Emily, Micaylah, Katelin, Ashley, Christy, Austin, Jesse & Garrett. Me(taking pic).We all sat down and had a nice breakfast of freshly milled, homemade pancakes, waffles, and sausages. Complete with homemade syrup. There was a few pancakes left so we sent them home to Bob and Micheal. (Christy's husband and son). Hope they liked them!

Camille and Ashley are catching up on conversation.

Here's a new 'do' for ya! Turned out pretty Camille :)

Another day on the dirt mound...Jesse and Austin

Jacob is driving this half track, front end loader...big guy!

Emily is holding Dusti, Micaylah and Katelin are keeping Laci still. What sweet friends

We ended the afternoon with some soccer ball and running.

Christy and I got to sit on the patio watching them run and play and talk a while. It was a very nice day...I am looking forward to doing it again soon. Now she is not my neighbor any longer...she is my friend. God has a way of bringing special people into our lives.

It's another adventure!

Ok, yes! We are embarking on another fun adventure. What would life be like with out something to work toward. Where would we be, if we didn't have a VISION? Ok, I know that is something spiritual, but you have to admit, it is truth. Now, we are getting ready to move. We have been working out at our new place and preparing it for our family to move into. It is a lovely brick home that needs some TLC. I just love doing this sort of thing...but I will have to admit, it has been harder this time. Selling my home has been an adjustment, but with the economy like it is and the Lord blessing my husband with a job in the restaurant industry, we are choosing the path God has set out for us. You know, it is A choice, after all. We do have the choice to choose which path we take. God has given us a free will and has allowed us to make choices and then, of course, live with the blessings or the consequences of the choices we make. Here is part of what we've been doing in regards to moving forward into what and where God is leading. I used to think that not everything is spiritual. I used to think that. Not any more. My view has been in the mode of change for a long, long time now. I'm glad it is. Something as simple as painting a house, among other things, (ha-ha) can be used to bring God glory, and bring people together.(once again) I'm so thankful for what God is doing in a very special family's life! Bob, Christy and all your kids...we just love you guys! You have been a wonderful blessing to us and we are so glad that we are all getting to know each other and become friends. Getting together with you all and getting to know your children has been wonderful! Each of them are very unique and special, with their own talents and gifts to bring and share. I'm so excited to see what all God has laid out for your family. It's only the beginning and it's wonderful how God does things...we think you all are great! Below are some photos of the effort and the beginning of the 'transformation' that is taking place out in our little part of the country. We started with the girls room. It's pink and brown and we are going to use polkas and geometrics. Wheewwww! What next?

Missy painting their door! It will be pink on the inside and rice paper on the side.

Painting their wall! A lovely pink and chocolate brown. Looks real nice!

Michael is shopvac'n the remnants of wall repair.

 working on the pink walls. Austin is getting the door way.

Austin and Jesse gett'n R done! Yes, the boys did help in a pink room. What troopers!

Christy working on the pink room. See the brown. It really looks nice. Thanks Christy!

Ashley is repairing the walls. Jeff and Grant ended up taking down the chair rail and then Ashley came in and repaired the aftermath. She did a super-dee-dooper job! Guys, you have a rival in workmanship here!

Missy is getting every last bit. Great job Micaylah!

Bob and Grant have taken out some cabinets in one of the rooms so we could paint and make room for the boys. Wow! What a nice size room. Too bad we had to lose these cabinets, but with 2 boys in there, it will make for more room.

We are choosing to follow after God things and create an Apostolic culture for our heritage. This is where we are living. In that Apostolic culture. It's great! Not only are we out in the country, but we are bringing our lifestyle with us out there! Country never seemed so good! More coming soon and updates on the redecorating of our new home. Much love! Kimi

birthday for me :)

I am so thankful to the Lord for another year. What a treasure of friends He has given to me. What a blessed church family He has placed me in. How honored I am to be part of the family I am part of.In good times and in trying times He has always been there for me and for my family. He has provided everything I have ever needed and has equipped me to succeed. The world may look at success by how much you have in your bank account, how far you can climb up the corporate ladder or what your retirement can bring you, but I count my success in different ways. My phone didn't stop ringing with wishes of a happy birthday, my husband and children woke up that morning with glad faces of 'what are we going to do today, it's your birthday!' and the day was bright with a fresh new feeling of being a new year. That's what I like about being born at the first of the year. Everything's new. And I count it all joy! We did have a great day. Since my husband was working, we went to Bible Quiz practice at 8am. After that came back to town and went to a neat little restaurant called 'L Rancho'. Which by the way, if you haven't ever been there...you must go and get breakfast!! It was wonderful and what a breakfast did they serve. It was on a huge platter and served so quickly and piping hot! Yummie! I think I may find another reason to go out for breakfast soon. Anyway, the kids treated me and we had such a nice morning. When we were done we went out to our new house and they had a surprise for me. A birthday cake. It was delicious! Thank you Ashley...you're a great baker! Later, my husband came and picked me up from the house and while Camille kept the children, Grant and I went home to get ready to go out to dinner. We haven't been out to dinner, well, since the last time we went for the Wendy's dinner. Wow!! two times in one month--I really am special. Hee Hee! We did have a nice time and I enjoyed having some time alone with just my husband. No one else was there! Just us.

I'm so thankful to the Lord of my life for allowing me another year to learn and grow and give and share and meet new people and see new things and do new things and all that HE has for me. I hope you are having as much fun in your new year as we are in ours. Trials WILL come and we WILL over come them...one at a time, because "...with God nothing shall be impossible." I really have so much more I want to share, but time does not permit. More soon...much love! Kimi

Happy New Year Time Together!

Oh, did we have a great time together last week for New Year's. We decided that since it would be our last time to celebrate in our home, we might as well go out with a huge bang! Here's a little bit of what we all did. A picture is worth a thousand words. I'm so glad everyone came and surely did MISS those who were not able to. We are planning to do it again when we get moved. I loved it! I am officially "OUT OF MY BOX!" Thank you Pastor! Thank you Bro I! Thank you Bro JL! And thank you to my SISTERS in the Lord! I love you! Kimi