Brooke gets promoted

Last fall, I wrote a post about our dilemma with Brooke's age and kindergarten. I found the comments and verbal advice from people very interesting. No matter what the outcome, we decided (and Brooke was ready) to do her kindergarten work and see how well she focused and comprehended.

Well, nearly 10 months later, we are proud to say that Brooke has completed her kindergarten work. She is reading and adding and saying her special blends like a pro. I must admit, that I struggled with teaching this young girl. She is a much more an "emotional" learner than her brothers ever were. Some days, Brooke would read quickly, and then the next day, she would say, "I don't want to" or "I don' know how to" or "Can you help me, PLEEEEASE!" Girls can sure be moody!! This past Sunday, Brooke was promoted to Junior Church since she will be going to first grade in the fall.

We will continue to work this summer in getting her ready for first grade. Though I debated over the issue of "should she be the youngest or the oldest in her class," I finally realized that it was not really MY choice to make. I thank God for a husband who is a great leader and a daughter who is a great learner and a group of friends who are a great support. I pray that Brooke continues to grow to be a godly, young lady who most importantly loves her Lord. Upon finishing kindergarten, Brooke was given a new Bible (a pink princess Bible). She hugged it and said, "Can I please read John 3:16 to you?" "Yes, Brooke," I replied. She opened to some page and said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son whoever should believe in Him should have everlasting life." I think that is a combination of KJV, NASB, ICB and Brooke Beard :)

End of an Era

It may not be the end of an era, but it was the end of the school year at Ventura Missionary School. I am not sure who was more excited this evening: me, that there was no homework to be done; or the boys, that they could stay up as late as they wanted and watch the Lakers.


The picture above was taken after school this afternoon. As a comparison, I am also posting the picture from the first day of school last August (2008). It is not a great portrait to compare how they have grown, but they have both grown!

Andrew completed second grade. His teacher, Mrs. Campbell, loves Andrew! She always tells me what a kind soul he is. She loves how "Andrew always talks about his church and his family. He has such a kind heart." I am thankful for Andrew's testimony and for this special teacher.

Wesley finished fourth grade. Most parents and students comment how fourth grade is such a "tough academic year." I am proud of Wesley's academic accomplishments, though he does need some extra practice on his cursive. (What is it with males and their attitude toward cursive writing????) Mr. Rabinowitz was a great blessing to Wesley this year. It was fun for him to have a "guy" as a teacher. Better yet, a guy with a Harley :)


So, it is the end of an academic school year and the start of a welcome summer. Good work, Andrew and Wesley!!!!!!!!

Great great aunts

I must start by saying this post goes out as a big thank you to two great great aunts. They are not great-great aunts to my three kids, but they sure are great at being great aunts. Yes, that would be Aunt Juliet and Aunt Louise. They love to garage sale (and shop overall), and we received a special package this past week from their shopping efforts. Brooke was ecstatic. Of course, the girl loves clothes!

We all need the reminder

Life sometimes can become so hectic. With a family and friends and work and activities, it is any wonder any of us find time for peace and quiet. I have had some quiet moments this week, and it was a good reminder to me of the Lord's goodness. I recently finished Beth Moore's Bible Study on the book of Esther. What an amazing study! The subtitle is "It's tough being a woman!" (Amen to that, particularly on certain days.) As always, I walked away with more than I expected. I want to share some particularly powerful thoughts:

1. Self-preservation is a natural instinct. Sadly enough, we often "protect" ourselves right out of God's calling for us.
2. Our ego would rather be special than useful.
3. Once we are in Christ, Satan has no authority to destroy us, so he settles for the next best thing: threatening to destroy us.
4. You won't ever be perfect. If you are waiting for perfection to be able to minister to others, you will always be waiting.
5. Our strength is renewed when we wait upon God. If you are waiting on a person or an event, you will get frustrated.
6. Esther was called to a life of obedience, not called to "figure everything out."
7. Don't let the craving to do something great keep you from doing something good.

Each one of these statements can carry a powerful message. I hope maybe one of them "hits" you where you need it today.

On another topic, a few weeks ago, Gary and Wesley were camping on the islands with Wesley's school class. While they were gone, I picked up Andrew from school and had a low blood sugar problem. I remember pulling over to the side of the road. I told Andrew and Brooke: "We need to pray that someone will come help us." About an hour later and after an ambulance visit and some glucose, I was better. When we got back in the car, I hugged my kids and told them I was so proud of them and I was so sorry that I had scared them. Andrew said: "Mom, when you told us to pray, Brooke and me prayed, and the people came out of their house in like two seconds." My diabetes is a constant reminder to me of God's protection and how my life is not mine to control. It was good to see how a horrible situation like this could teach my kids that we are NEVER alone.

Over the past two weeks, I have seen God working in people and people trying to live outside of God. What a mess this world is in! Thank God for the constant reminders of His love. "There in the shelter of the Most High we find our significance and only satisfaction of our insatiable need to be noticed. There and there alone we are free to be neither depressed nor impressed with the capricious reactions of this carnal world. All will fall before God's throne. Blessed is he--and blessed is she---who does not have far to go."

Happy Mother's Day, Gramma!

Happy mothers day to my mother! I borrowed this idea from a friend, and we had fun answering the questions about my mom (their gramma).

How old is gramma?
Wesley: 58 (He is off to a very accurate start)
Andrew: 62
Brooke: 75

How tall is gramma?
Andrew: 1 million feet
Brooke: This tall (and she raised her hand and jumped)
Wesley: 5' 11"

What is gramma good at doing?
Wesley: Making kids happy
Andrew: (answered rather quickly) Making chocolate chip zucchini muffins
Brooke: Making french toast

What does gramma say to you?
Andrew: Let's go to the park.
Wesley: I love you (all three agreed on this one)
Brooke: Hi!

If gramma were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Andrew: Goofy
Brooke: Minnie Mouse
Wesley: Velma (on Scooby-doo)

What is gramma's favorite thing to do?
Wesley: Be with us
Andrew: Gardening
Brooke: Hug me

What do you want to tell gramma today?
Andrew: You rock!
Wesley: I love you.... and keep sending us gifts.
Brooke: I love you!

Who does gramma love most in the world?
All three answered at once: ME!!!

Weekend with Gramma!

Mom flew into LAX this past Friday evening to spend a long weekend with us. The main reason for her visit was the fact that Wesley and Andrew were getting baptized in church on Sunday morning. It was also nice for her to celebrate my birthday (just a few days late) and see our new house. It is always good to have mom visit! The kids sure do get spoiled, and I guess I do a little bit too.

What a blessing to see Wesley and Andrew get baptized this morning. Their testimony is so clear, and their love for Christ so strong and pure. They were a little nervous, but excited. Brooke's class sang in the morning service, too.

Happy Easter

One of my favorite Sundays of the year is Easter Sunday. I love walking into church when we have to park off site because the parking lot is so full. I love the bright colors everyone is wearing. I love the praise music. I love when the choir sings, and the special music is shared. One of the kids said, "I am so glad I am a Christian. People who are not saved do not have much to be happy about." It was kind of my feeling as I sat in church this morning. When I picked Brooke up from her class, her teacher asked: "Brooke, tell your mom the good news. Jesus is...." Brooke said, "He died on the cross." True, Brooke, but I don't think that was what he is looking for. "Jesus is alive!"

It is good to have a great family

I was without internet service at the house for a week and a half, and I went to school each morning just to check into my different e-mails and accounts. I realize how technologically dependent I have become. I am also taking an internet course, which can be difficult to do without the internet.

One thing that makes me most thankful for the internet, however, is the way that I can be in contact with family members who live many miles away. Even if I lived in the mid-west, I would probably not know them as well as I do now in reading the blogs. I laugh at Ann-Marie's long posts and candid comments. I am touched by updates of Naomi's little boy, Trey. I love to read about Beth and Deborah's "mother" moments. I smile every time I see Brielle's smiles. I am glad Aunt Juliet keeps me posted and pictured on Rehfeldt events. It was good to see my nieces' and nephews' lives through the posts of Linda and Danielle (though I must say they have been slacking off quite a bit lately). I am amazed at how big Tammy's kids are getting, and I am somewhat jealous of the fun Charity has with all of those Gagliano angels :) Mostly, however, it is a blessing to see how God is working in the different lives. Each one of us are at different places, and we question God in different ways, but it is such a blessing to see the constant thread: "God is so real to us and He is working in us!" I never knew God so much as I do now, as an adult. I am glad that my childhood "training" has become an adulthood reality. So, thank you, all of you, for sharing your lives. It is so good to get to know you in this way. I thanked God, several times today, for my amazing family. The pictures below are another thanks to an amazing mother-in-law and her enormous Easter boxes. "Let's call Mamaw and tell her thank you right now," Wesley said, "even before I open the box. I know it will be good."

It goes like this........

I have been meaning to post for some time now, but........... over the course of the past 10 days, we have been overwhelmed with all of the activities and moving into our new home. I am so thankful for the Lord's care, as I have been battling with low blood sugars every day. Keep that matter in your prayers. We are so thankful for the Lord's provision and his continued strength.

The boys are starting spring break this week, but they recently enjoyed the annual jog-a-thon at school. Thanks to Aunt Kari, Gramma, and Mamaw for sponsoring the boys! Wesley was involved in the spring concert at school. It was one of the best that I have ever seen!

I was so thankful for the missions conference at our church last week. Our family adopted the McKnight family about two years ago. Ever since, we pray daily for them. We send them packages and correspond regularly. It was fun to visit with them and take them out for dinner. There are some people whom you meet and just form an instant connection with---Christine was like that for me.

Before moving into the new house, we decided to paint the entire thing. Gary purchased a sprayer and paint went flying. You can see the results below :)

My "sweet" boy

I wanted to post Andrew's most recent pictures (Look at Andrew; he is 8!), and after reading my cousin, Ann-Marie's, exciting post about having a baby boy, I just wanted to cry. I remember when I was pregnant with Andrew, and we found out we were having a boy. I was disappointed! I already had a gorgeous son, and I really wanted a girl. You must know that God blessed us with Brooke several years later, but, at the time, I really wanted a girl. After delivering Andrew, we were riding home in the car, and I just cried. I had two precious gifts in the back seat, and they were both boys! I loved Wesley, but I still had plenty of heart left over to love Andrew. He was my cuddler :) As I look back now, I know he will always own a soft spot of his mother's heart. Sorry to all the other 8-year old boys in the world, but I live with the greatest!!!