September 16, 2009
August 21, 2009
WE are bat killers!
For the last month we have had an unusual sound in the stove pipe of our wood stove. Rick and I both knew what was going on….. we just did not want to admit it. Yes, bats!
It was two years ago that we dealt with a bat infestation at one of our caretaking homes and in the process learned much about bats.
They do have a leader that they follow, they can fly down a circular opening, but they cannot fly up and out of the same opening, they will fight to live. I think that last one is the grossest. Is grossest a word? I am not getting the red line so maybe….. anyway!
A few days ago I noticed the twittering had become very loud as I was heading to bed. I mentioned to Rick that there was a lot of noise coming from the chimney. This activated my man and he jumped up asking for duck-tape, as any good midwesterner would! 
Now, to my knowledge there are few things that make my man react like this as he is not one prone to over-reacting or fear (that would be other members of our family) but I will tell you a few other things:
A snake being found in the house, on the porch or on our acreage.
A possum being found on our property.
Maybe a cop coming to our front door ( we have never had that happen except for the horse incident)
Definitely a DNR officer at the front door.
Definitely any young man who may show up wanting to ask one of our daughters out!!!!
There’s the list……. now you know!
So, I found duck-tape and he sealed the wood stove vents, small cracks, air-holes… you get the picture. We went to bed knowing that thanks to duck-tape we were safe.
The next day the girls and I returned from our cleaning job to a dining area which was warmer than usual. Rick was sitting in front of the woodstove with matches and newspaper. He needed more newspaper and asked Annie to go find some for him. Annie, our little animal lover, said that she could have no part in the killing of animals, especially in her own home. This was said with quite a bit of drama, so entertaining!
Rick said that the other option would be to let the bats go free in her bedroom.
Annie went and found newspaper!
Rick got a roaring fire going in the woodstove. Would that be the equivalent of a bat hell?? Just wondering.
Wish I could say that was the end of the story but three days later he had to do it again…
Yes, I would say he enjoys it!
August 17, 2009
April 26, 2009
Dad update
After a week of on again off again oxygen, and fighting a bad cold I am glad to have good news.
Last night when I called to check on him I asked, “How are you doing Dad?” He answered, “Terrific!”
If you know my Dad you know that that has been his response for years, and he MEANS it!
So when he responded with that word last night I knew things were better and my heart was thrilled.
Please continue to pray for my Mom and Dad. This is hard in it’s own way for Mom to drive in each day and be there for hours.
The good part is that Dad’s room mate is a Believer and sweet. He tolerates children coming in and being there well.
Mom will go with the Penrods to the funeral and their church will have someone there to care for Dad on Monday and Tuesday. I love the their church, what a blessing.
Good news today
Joyce
April 25, 2009
April 17, 2009
April 9, 2009
Update
Yesterday my Dad went through surgery to remove a large infected area from around the pressure sore. They cleaned up all the infected area. He will remain in the hospital for some time for his antibiotic care needed to heal and gain strength. We are grateful that the doctors discovered the area of infection.
We are so thankful for your prayers.
Mom is doing well. We are preparing for the arrival of Dad’s brother Bruce and his wife, my sister and her boys and my brother Bill. This is the first time that my siblings have been together in 5 years!
We are spending our days taking turns running in to care for Dad. He needs to be fed so it is easier if one of us is there. Of course, Angela and I are not Mom but he is putting up with us anyway!!!
Blessed
Joyce
April 2, 2009
Melody’s poem for Matthew
Matthew
A name that has power
As strong as a tower
A man so daring
A man so caring
He has something in his heart
Unlike any sort
He is unlike any one
He is a lot of fun.
He will bless the Lord
He will always walk toward
His heart of gold
It can’t be sold.
By MJ
Melody’s Poem for Mandy
Mandy
A girl that trusts in the Lord
She will fight with His sword
She is always careful
And never fearful
She always cares
And she is always there
She shines so bright
In everybody’s sight.
She can’t be sold
She is worth more then gold
She is beautiful
Only one man is suitable.
By MJ
February 27, 2009
February 23, 2009
Sometimes life is funny
I was gone all weekend to a youth retreat in the Upper Peninsula, Yuper Territory. I will write about that later but today I am struck with how funny life can be.
I came home tired from the weekend and last night my husband and I could not communicate, we kept misunderstanding each other, it was annoying but very funny.
I went to bed at 9:00 and when I go to sleep exhausted I have a bad habit, snoring! I woke in the middle of the night and noticed Rick was up. I did not know why he was up and being tired, I fell back to sleep.
He was not in our bed when the alarm attempted to wake me. Poor Guy. He went to the couch in the living room, far far away from our bedroom, to sleep in peace and quiet. I felt so bad.
I made his lunch, and miraculously remembered a spoon, so often forgotten when I am tired! I made him coffee and we talked, well, I talked. He was tired remember?
He left for work with a fresh cup of coffee.
Only tonight did I find out I gave him a cup of my French Vanilla coffee when he walked out the door.
He made it to the stop sign and dumped it out the truck window.
When he told me about it I asked him why he did not drink it.
He said it gives him headaches.
I asked him if they are as bad as the headaches I give him 
He said no, they are not quite that bad!
Just keeping it real!
February 11, 2009
Yesterday
Yesterday I taught a ladies Bible study and we studies contentment……… I should have known I would be in for one of “those” kind of days!!!
It started with a text from Mandy, our daughter who was visiting a friend in Detroit Michigan, that would be a LONG way from Door County!
Text: We have a huge problem
What is a mother to do but groan and and call back trying to act normal when my heart is in the bottom of my stomach?
Problem: She missed the bus which was to return her to Chicago where she would get her car and two siblings and start the 5.5 hour drive home.
Of course I could not believe this had happened!!!!!!!!!!
I told her to call when she knew what was happening as I was going to drive to Green Bay and meet her to gather our two teens, a friend and their stuff to bring home.
Then, I got to practice contentment and joy in the midst of this stressful situation.
I taught the Bible study which was so good…. sweet ladies learning to be loving and godly wives.
I kept returning to contentment when she started out on the road with her friend to drive to Chicago…….. and after a few hours did not know where she was!
I practiced contentment when no one was answering my calls or texts….
Do you see a pattern for the day here?
The day brought discussions on attitudes and actions, responsibilities and respect. Good lessons learned.
The good news: they did make it to Chicago, they did make it safely, and with much prayer, to Green Bay. My friend Kim and I had a wonderful time sharing hearts and encouraging one another over supper as we waited for the girls to arrive. We made it home safely tho very late.
As I fell into bed last night I thought about the day and realized that God orchestrated this day for so many reasons. I felt peace, and yes contentment as I fell to sleep, thankful.
January 31, 2009
Being a Help meet.
My husband and I are self-employed and own three different businesses. It is a little crazy all year around, but at this time of year it is absurd. All of the sudden I am overwhelmed with numbers, sales tax forms, 1099s and bank statements, computer print outs and my absolute distain for accounting. I am just not good at the number game. I have run the books for a number of years and God has always shown His faithfulness to me in this endeavor. I am thankful God gives ability for the things we must do in life.
I am thankful to be a wife and mother. My greatest joy is being my husband’s wife and the mother of his children. The work involved with those two honors is for another post! :)
I want my girls to know that God is going to take them to amazing places in their future and they can trust Him for their future. They will have all the wisdom they need to help their husbands in the unique areas that they will be called to be helpers to them.
I am a high-school graduate. I have never studied for the titles that God has given me. Business owner, accountant, Public Relations, Sales-woman, fisherman’s wife and all that that entails, musician, worship leader, Bible Study leader, teacher for my children, interior decorator, truck driver and fish delivery lady! I handle computers that are security encoded, have learned to care for beautiful stonework and art pieces, care for beautiful gardens of exotic flora, and cook meals for clients who have traveled the world!
I had no clue at 18 that I would have held all these titles and done these jobs in the 27 years of my marriage. Yes, I married VERY young! :)
As each need has come along in our businesses I have prayed for wisdom and then started the job needed. Yes, in the middle of some jobs I have had to learn via books or researching for answers, and that is fun in itself…….. at least for me.
God does not give us boring lives as women! He wants us to be help-meets to our husbands and for my own family that has meant lots of involvement from me. It is fun to see all that He has taught me and the situations He has lead me through. I just have to praise Him.
Don’t fear daughters. Your life will be full and rewarding. Your mind will grow and learn as you pursue knowledge for your life and the tasks that it brings. God has great plans for each of you. I am not God, I do not know what His plans are for your life beyond loving and enjoying Him and bringing Him glory. I can’t wait to see what they are!
BY the way……………. there are things I have found that I cannot do! I am not good at accounting and keeping the books, it takes me so long to do simple forms. I can’t bake cookies to save my life, ( I think it is an ADD thing with me ). I cannot hammer over 4 inch nails, make a straight plum-line or measure to hang pictures. I am terrified of chain-saws, but enjoy cutting on a table-saw. I can mow a lawn but not in a boring back and forth pattern, Rick never knows what our lawn will look like! I can shoot a gun, but I cannot kill possums and other rodents that show up around here, too gross. I cannot start a fire in the wood stove with just one match, but I bet you can guess who can! I cannot hang, or cut, or mow, or draw straight lines. It must be the free-spirited part that keeps that from working for me! But, that is OK because I am married to Mr. 1/8th inch who is incredibly precise and makes up for all my crookedness! :) We would not have a healthy marriage if we were both that way, I am just sure of that! We balance each other. :)
Being a help meet is a rewarding place of service in the kingdom of God and He blesses us. And, we woman get to be amazed at all God enables us to do.
Blessed
Joyce
January 24, 2009
January 23, 2009
God Speaking
I often laugh when I read verses which say that God satisfies. Don’t get me wrong, I understand completely what that means. But… I am never satisfied…..
I want to hear more from God today.
I want to have Him lead me more today.
I want more of Him today.
I want more of His joy today.
I want more of His peace
And the list goes on.
I especially want to hear Him speak.
Jeni just gave me a CD by a worship leader from her church. One of the songs says -
I will wait with all my might
I’m crying out, Speak to me
I’m longing to hear
Your voice in the night
Calling out , Meet with me
You’re all I desire
For Your love is better than life
And all I need Is here in Your presence
Here in Your Word
Speak to me
I love this song, and so does Jeni.
It sums up my heart.
This week God has spoken to me many times, through His Word, a preacher, a daughter, a song, two different ladies, a parent, and through quiet.
Maybe I am just a slow hearer, and undeniably slower obeyer at times, or maybe this was a very IMPORTANT message from God. All I know is that I have heard, and I will obey.
The lesson is staying, staying where God has put me. The text, James 1,…. for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Oh no, this is not the first time that I have read these words, nor will it be the last. But, for this time in my life they are God’s command to me.
We live at the end of a peninsula extending out into Lake Michigan. It limits a LOT of things, lots of choices. I have attended my husband’s church since I married him. It is really the only choice for about 40 miles. This church suffers and my husband is frustrated with the lack of leadership, lack of male leadership, lack of teaching, etc.. Despite all this we have stayed and served as God has allowed. We have trusted. We have searched and found great sources of teaching on the internet and we have purchased teachings. We have used our home to teach and have been blessed by dear ones that we have come to love. We have learned that Sunday service is not about us, it is about God. We have learned to love deeply those whose convictions have little similarity to ours. All this is for God’s glory, not ours. He places us here with an occupation tied to the Lake. He convicted us to home-school and live out our convictions here with little support and much condemnation. This is His plan.
But I have bucked it. I have wrestled with Him on this and He did not touch my hip, He touched my toe! He won the battle.
Now, months later, as my heart is ready, my will tempered, my passion energized, He speaks to me. Over and over again in a matter of a few days. I know He is good. My husband too is resolved to obey. To stay and be steadfast, trusting God to continue to give us the fruits of the Spirit to bless, the wisdom to speak Truth, the strength to stand against the dark tide in our County, the diligence to be set-apart by our convictions and the ability to love others and minister.
Steadfastness means to stay under.
We would not even consider staying under if we did not know that God promises to stay with us in that place. He never leaves us nor forsakes us,
Oh, He is so loving.
And best of all, He Speaks!
Blessed so much,
Joyce
January 11, 2009
Mark and Elizabeth’s wedding.
Yesterday we were invited to attend the long awaited wedding of our dear friends. Two young adults who love the Lord and love each other. It was so beautiful!
The service went very well. Rick ran the sound, Mandy sang and Matthew was the best man, yes, we were involved!
There is something very special about a unity being formed that we KNOW will honor the Lord. I believe that this one will do all of that, fulfilling it’s purpose.
It was also one of the first weddings that we had been to where the wedding was so much more about the marriage than the wedding itself. It was not the typical show that many weddings turn out to be. Even our son mentioned that as well.
I am glad that our pastor brought out the holiness of this ceremony, the sacredness of these vows.
The dinner was a simple and very good meal in our church hall. Matthew stood up to give his best-man’s speech and surprised us all. He and I had talked at breakfast about what he should say and I had written down some things on a card. He of course, being the independent man that he is gave his own version and it was well done! He and the groom had been friends for years and Matthew got the folks howling when he said, “Mark, you have been like a brother to me, especially because my parents couldn’t give me one!” Amidst the laughter someone shouted, “It’s not too late!” We all laughed. Matthew has such a great sense of humor and he is such a loyal and loving friend.
Because this was a church given wedding, we all stayed and helped clean up and take down decorations. It was a lot of work but so much fun as we talked together. Matthew and his sisters loaded tables to take down to the fish sheds and then headed home. Matthew left soon after with all the tuxes in tow. Part of his responsibility was to get them back to the store so he had to head home soon.
We came home tired. Everyone crashed until supper. After supper Mandy, Kristi and Annie bundled up and headed to our friend’s house to sled under the full moon. We have tough midwestern kids and 8 degrees with wind won’t keep them from having fun!
What a beautiful day.
Our prayers go with Mark and Elizabeth.
January 10, 2009
January 9, 2009
New Year’s Eve
First off, we have had wonderful, wonderful days the last few weeks. Jeni was here long enough for us to celebrate her birthday before she left. There is something so special about being with your children on their birthday, or close to it! She turned 24. Beautiful 24. God has done so much for her the last year. He has protected her, guided her and rescued her. Oh how I praise Him. Although the time was very full and busy we had a few heart to heart talks, some with tears. I am always thankful that she is so open and my sister-in-the-Lord as well as my daughter. She is a blessing to me in so many ways, and she is funny, she cracks me up and makes me laugh. I miss her. She left to go be with two other very important people in her life, Jessie and Jason. I know where her heart lies
Amazingly we pulled together a pretty clean house for our annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza! It is WORK to recoup a house from to many parties and very little motivation for cleaning! But I made the list the day before and we went at it. Praise the Lord for girls, I am not sure what sons would do with a list and I have never in 28 years of marriage given my sweetie a list so I do not know if men know what to do with them………. but my girls do!
The girls baked and mixed and put foods together and moved furniture and wrapped Yankee Swap gifts! They entertained when company stopped in to visit and watched younger children who came to the house. Can I sing my daughters praises enough? It almost makes up for their behavior at the Christmas Eve service…….. almost!
Folks started arriving around 6:00 and the island filled with food which overflowed to the snackbar as well. We ended up with 32 for supper as illnesses had taken some out for the night. I am glad there were a few less as it made it possible to talk to more of my friends around the table.
After dinner we did the Yankee Swap and there were some nice gifts! They were brought in from our friends in California. Evidently in California they play the game differently! Some of the funny gifts this year were the set of Buns of Steel videos that always show up, unusual dolls that no-one has ever seen before and a box of chocolates with a bite out of every chocolate! There were others but I cannot remember.
I told our older daughters that their friends could come after the Yankee Swap and let me tell you, it was an invasion! Kids started piling in and I was amazed at who had heard of the party and decided to come along with cousins and friends etc.. I believe there was a group of at least 24 extra teens and young adults in the house by 10:00. We played games and kept the party going. At 11:00 our friend David told us the Fireworks were ready and we all headed out to watch. Well, some adults stayed inside. But NOT me! I love the night air, the cold and the clear sky. The mass of folks, well, mostly young folks swarming the road in front of the house. it is fun! David did a great job and the fireworks were beautiful, (even the ones that shot across the snow white fields, close to the woods, which made my heart race at the thought of the woods burning to the ground just so I could have fireworks), instead of straight up!
Some folks left after the show claiming sickness etc. but I know that it just boils down to some of our friends getting TOO old, but i won’t mention names here! Even with some leaving there were still around 40 in the house for the sparkling juice toast which we do at midnight. We count down with the crystal ball being dropped somewhere, while we hold the little antique glasses of juice. Even the littlest child is given an antique goblet to toast with and I always enjoy watching their faces as they anticipate the moment. It is good.
The party goes on, some leave, some stay, games are played and fellowship continues in various groups around the house. I always gather the antique glasses and soda cans from around the house knowing it will be two days before I find all the left behinds from the meal and the fun and games. It was almost two when I headed to bed this year, earlier then usual but content and blessed and full of thanks for God’s grace and unmeasurable love extended to our family in 2008.
Blessed New Year
Joyce
