Some Things A Mama Just Can't Fix

It takes a lot of courage to walk in her skin.  To experience life through her eyes, her ears, her disabilities, and her heart.  Often misunderstood, she stands alone.  Waiting.  Discouraged.  Hurting.  Lonely.  Hopeful.  Hiding behind the smile, she courageously emerges again for another day.  Another dose of rejection and isolation is administered from peers and she feels defeated. "Why did God make me if THIS is how I will be treated?"  "Why should I keep trying if my heart keeps getting hurt?"  Those questions and more flood her mind and finally erupt out of her heart and mouth into my ears.  Tears betray her efforts to be brave and pour down her cheeks. 

I see her.  I truly see her - beautiful, humorous, artistic, kindhearted, truthful, loyal, sincere, dedicated, enthusiastic, gentle, and so much more.  I hear her.  I hear the pain in her voice and see it in her eyes.  I cannot ease this pain.  I cannot fix this situation.  I have no answers.  The advice I have given previously has not helped.  The optimism and faith in the good will of others has been disproved.  We sit.  I hold her.  She sobs.  When the silence comes we pray.  I remind her of whose she is and how much I love her.

We have taught her to treat people the way she wants to be treated.  Now I find myself struggling not to pray that “they” are treated the way they treat her.  I want them to know what it feels like to have someone whisper unkind things about them loud enough they can hear.  That they know what it feels like to sit beside someone and have that person get up and move to a different chair across the room leaving them alone.  No one has bullied her, no one has said malicious things to her, and no one has physically harmed her.  It’s much deeper than that.  They have her labeled in their minds.  She isn’t one of them.  She is an outsider.  She is different, a little quirky and socially awkward.  They keep her arm’s length away.  She can see in.  She wants in.  However, access is denied, and she knows it.  She may not be like them, but she isn’t ignorant of their polite disdain towards her.  They have hurt her emotionally.  The wounds are deep.   All she wants is to be loved and accepted and they have made it plain she just doesn't make the cut.  She is not good enough to be included in the group; she isn’t worthy of their time or friendship. 

We pray for her.  We talk about God’s love for her and for “them”.  We try to rationalize why they might behave this way.  We tell her how much we love her, about the plan God has for her, how her worth doesn’t lie in what “they” think, but instead in whose she is.  We pray more.  We ask God to provide the companions she needs.  We wait expectantly….

Painful times at the Ferris house.   Trying to remember, whose we are and what we mean to Him!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSIVjjY8Ou8&list=PL25D8DC0DDCBE1021

 

Transformations



This is Lake Springfield in the fall.  I did not take this picture, but found it online.  It's very pretty!

Fall has come to Springfield.  Each day we notice more and more trees changing into their fall colors, transforming the landscape into a beautiful picture.  The temperatures are cooler, and Rocket Football is in full swing.  We are trying to find new places to do the things we enjoy this time of year – an apple orchard, a pumpkin farm, and area fall festivals.  I’m starting to crave my sister-in-law’s pumpkin dump cake and hot chocolate.  I was able to find the tub with what few fall decorations we have, and placed them around the upstairs.  Candy corn filled the dish on the table last week, and I bought some caramel apples this week.  We’ve also had several days where we were able to open up windows and allow the fresh air into the house.  We’ve pulled out sweatshirts and long pants.  I enjoy this time of the year.

Sarah and Samuel at the Rochester Fall Festival.  We LOVED the kettle popcorn booth!  YUM!

This fall, we’ve also enjoyed some of the projects the kids have been involved in for their classes. Sarah’s science curriculum had a chapter on insects, and so we sent off for caterpillars, harvester ants, and lady bug larvae.  We are still awaiting the ladybugs, but the harvester ants have amazed us with their industriousness and constant activity!  Our favorites though have been the caterpillars.  They arrived here first and were greeted with shrill squeals from Sarah and Sam.  Sarah immediately named the five girls:  Maisy, Daisy, Molly, Polly, and Scarlet.  Sam was very unhappy there wasn’t one boy in the bunch.  He wanted to name one Bob.  We’re not sure how Sarah knew there were no boys, but I didn’t really pursue that with her. 

Our ants not only tunneled through the sand, but completely removed sand and created a new ant hill on the other side of the habitat and continued to tunnel.  Very interesting to watch!

Maizy, Daisy, Molly, Polly, and Scarlet finally arrived!

 After about 7-10 days the caterpillars were four times larger and began to climb to the top of the cup and form their “J’s”.  Within a short time they changed from caterpillars to chrysalises.  We were actually able to watch Scarlet, also affectionately known as the runt of the group, shed her skin one last time.  (I will add, the only reason I know it was Scarlett is because as the smallest of the group, she did things about 2 days behind the others.)  Another 7-10 days after that, we had beautiful Painted Lady Butterflies!



Maizy was the first to make her J.  At least that's what Sarah said!

Finally all five were chrysalises.  Polly's fell down off the lid, but we put her in the butterfly habitat and she hatched just fine!

Hatched and ready to fly!

We enjoyed watching them transform from these ugly looking caterpillars, to chrysalis, to butterflies.  The transformation inside the chrysalis sounds so gross.  Their bodies break down into this gooey stuff where the cells reorganize and form these beautiful butterflies.  We were reminded not to “help” the caterpillars out as they began to emerge from their chrysalises as well.  If we helped them they would die.  Their struggle out of the chrysalis is also a part of this amazing transformation.  We were able to observe them several days and enjoy them before releasing them one warm afternoon.  Their take off was magnificent. 

So pretty!  I'm not sure which one this is, but if you were to ask Sarah, I'm sure she could tell you!

As we observed this process, I was amazed at God’s awesomeness once again displayed in his creation.  It reminded me of the spiritual transformation we go through as we become like Christ.  It also reminded me of a transformation our teenage son Neil is going through, and one Brad and I are going through as parents of a teenager.  Neil is no longer a little boy, even though at times I see him that way.  You know, like that commercial where this little girl who looks about 4 years old asks for the keys to the car, and then you see the dad who says yes.  When they flash back to the girl again, she is this teenager.  Just like that father, when I see Neil, I still remember him as a little guy.  However, Neil is no “caterpillar” anymore.  He is in this chrysalis stage and so are we as his parents.  He is changing into a man physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  He has new opportunities before him.  He has new responsibilities.  His world is expanding beyond our walls.  He desires to do more grown- up things.  He has big dreams, hopes, and goals.  All of it is natural and as God has intended.  I am excited for him.  As a good friend once told her children, “The best is yet to come!”  She is so right.  So many wonderful things await this boy God blessed us with. 

Neil at three months.  Seems like yesterday.

Brad and I are discovering parenting through this transformation from a teen to an adult is not for the weak.  I was foolish enough to think my children would need me more as infants and toddlers than as teenagers.  Parenting the young takes a lot of your physical energy.  Parenting teens is very much a mental task and a spiritual battle for their hearts.  We have taught and trained.  We have given chores and responsibilities.  We have sought God in instilling godly character, morals, and values in Neil’s life.  We have admonished and praised.  We have disciplined and celebrated.  We have laughed and cried.  We have reinforced good behaviors and tried to weed out the bad.  We’ve invested our time in preparing him for his day of release into the world.  This process is being done in small steps, testing to see if he’s ready for these new responsibilities and privileges.  Is he ready to stand on his own?  Is he not?  If so, then it is a victory.  If not, we reteach and train.  Our time with him is so short.  We have only about 2 ½ more years to influence, teach, and train him on a daily basis.  It is during this stage of parenting where Neil is taking what we have taught him, and starting to put it into action.  It is a time where he takes the knowledge he has learned and either applies it to his life (wisdom), or chooses to not apply it to his life (foolishness).   

Singing, Playing, and helping to lead worship for the youth group.

It’s also frustrating as a parent of a transforming teen because while they are in this “chrysalis” stage….you are the most unintelligent person on the face of the earth according to this sweet, precious child you have sacrificed for these ump-TEEN years!  Ah yes, the stage where we are just plain stupid has arrived.  We can tell him something and get an eye roll, shoulder shrug, and huge sigh, or those two words that just SET.  ME.  OFF.  “I know!”  I utterly detest those words.  They should be banned from all teen vocabulary.  The way I see it, if they KNOW then they should DO.  Again, it’s an issue of wisdom verses foolishness.  A fool may know something but a wise man will do something with what he knows.

All dressed up for Rochester's Homecoming Dance.

I will be honest.  This stage is uncomfortable for me as a mama.  This young man before me wants us to just release him now, but he’s not yet ready for complete release.  He is still changing and transforming.  He is impatient; he wants to be all grown up now, yet it’s a process.  We have had to remind him his time will come.  He can’t rush things.  What’s more, he is uncomfortable.  Life isn’t as easy as it used to be.  He has had to learn to manage his time and find a balance with his activities and studies.  He is no longer a little kid, yet he is not an adult either.  As he has started to face some adult things this year, it’s hard to see him hurt and struggle.  Yet, just like a butterfly struggling to get out of the cocoon, if we bail him out from his struggles, we can cripple him or cause him to be unsuccessful.  A kiss, Band-Aid, or boo-boo bunny ice pack can’t fix these things.  For this mama, that’s hard. 

If you look closely you can see the empty shell from the chrysalis in the middle.  You can also see the wings through the transparent chrysalis on the bottom.  So neat to observe.

The butterflies reminded me of God’s faithfulness, His power, His love, and his grace.  He is working even when we can’t see.  While the butterflies were inside their chrysalises, we couldn’t see what was going on inside at the transformation that was taking place, but God did.  Towards their last days in their chrysalis, the chrysalis itself became transparent and we could see some orange and black wings.  We were able to catch a glimpse of what they might look like. We were so excited!  We knew they would hatch out soon.  When they did emerge, they were breathtaking.  I was encouraged as a parent that day.  While Neil is in this time of transformation we can’t always see what God is doing, yet we cling to His promise. Every now and then we catch a glimpse at His handiwork in our son’s life and it’s so exciting!  Very soon he will be going into the world on his own.  I am praying he emerges from these latter teen years as a breathtaking masterpiece of God!  Until that time, I know God is working in his heart and mind.  That gives me peace on the hard days.  It makes the good days sweeter.  It gives me hope for the future.

A time for letting them go!

Once again I am reminded of God’s faithfulness and power from, of all things, a science lesson in a second grade science book!  Fall has come to Springfield. 

 

 

Fridays at the Fountain

I have discovered a beautiful, quiet place in the middle of the busyness of Springfield.  If you aren’t careful you will miss it; I almost did.  It’s not even tucked away in some quaint corner of a beautiful park.  It’s right smack dab in front of a medical building on the west side.  Over the last few weeks I have found myself eagerly looking forward to my Fridays at the fountain.  It is there I can be still.  Perfectly still in body, mind, and spirit.  It has such a calming effect on my soul.  The running water drowns out the sounds of the traffic, the city, my heart, and even the internal voices in my mind.


My Fountain Place

After settling in our new home, we spent some time researching Occupational Therapy options for Madeline and finally decided upon the one we felt would meet her needs the best.  We started with a new therapist in July.  Unlike Ginger’s privately owned and operated clinic in Evansville, our new therapist was a part of a larger group in a hospital affiliated clinic.    It’s not exactly close to where we live, but as you parents know you do what you have to do to meet the needs of your children.  The fountain area is sandwiched between two entrances to the building.  While it is one of the first things you notice about this building, the fountain is soon forgotten with the busyness of finding the right suite inside, filling out paper work, being on time, or rushing to the next destination. 

 

One day I decided I would walk out to the fountain while waiting for Madeline to finish up her appointment.  I sat on one of the benches.  I observed so many others rushing in and out of the building.  I checked my e-mail.  I checked Facebook.  I sent a few texts since I wasn’t going to be interrupted.  Then I put my phone away.  I noticed a “No Wading in Pool” sign.  I had not even considered wading in the fountain until I read that sign.  Once I read it however, it planted a seed in my mind that began to sprout uncontrollably.  I had this unquenchable urge to take off my sandals and go wading, running, and splashing!  Because in situations like these I always seem to be the one to get caught and into trouble, I had self-control.  Although I may have been sitting on the outside,  I was wading, running, and splashing on the inside!  I was having a lovely time too I might add!  



Silly Sign!

Then I closed my eyes and listened to the moving water.   I felt my body relax.  I was able to sift through thoughts in my mind and “organize” them.  I was able to actually “hear myself think”.  Then I even found those thoughts quieted down.  In the stillness I felt God’s presence.  I began praying and pouring my heart out to God.  I began communicating with my best friend in a way I can’t in the busyness of my life at home.  Back home the distracting dishes in the sink, the piles of sorted dirty laundry in the foyer, the pile of clothes needing ironing, the hungry children waking up, the other fed children asking multiple questions, the school schedule calling me down to my desk, etc… all battle for my attention and fill my mind with multiple “to do” items screaming to be checked off the list!  In the silence of the moment, I was able to think, empty my mind, and something so wonderful happened.  My heart began to sing a song of praise and I was able to worship my Savior in the quietness of that fountain.  It was an unexpected treasure. 

 

I hope you have a “fountain” place, a place to get away from everything and just be still.  In today’s fast paced rat race, we all need a fountain.  If you don’t have a special place, keep your eyes open.  It might be right in front of you the whole time like mine was.  Scripture states in more than one place that Jesus went alone to pray and be still before God.  My special place used to be our patio in Newburgh.  From the table under the gazebo I would be able to watch the deer on the back tree line, listen to the insects and birds, relax, read my Bible, pray, and worship.  I have tried hiding out in our bedroom at the new house, but it's not working very well.  I have missed having a quiet place.    



My special place in Newburgh.  Beautiful early morning or evening.

Fridays at the fountain are special.  I find myself eagerly looking forward to them.  I don’t even bother taking my phone out of my purse while I’m there anymore.  I just sit down on “my bench”, still myself, and enjoy the moments.  I still struggle with that silly “No Wading In Pool” sign.  I also struggle with letting Brad help me out on Fridays.  Brad has offered to take Madeline to O.T. a few times, but I don’t want to let him.  That would mean missing my Friday at the fountain.  I am getting a little possessive of it.  I love my quiet place.  It’s a highlight of my week.  My only complaint…..now I have to wait “seven more sleeps”! 

 

Back to School

The start of school brings back memories of a new box of crayons, cool pencil erasers, new notebooks, and new school clothes.  As I grew older the excitement came not from those things, but instead from the understanding I was one year closer to graduation.  Now as I have the privilege to teach my children, I LOVE going to the teacher store in preparation for the new school year!  Brad is very thankful I’ve not found one of those here….yet!   


Ahh....how I miss The Teacher's Aid Store!  You can't just get ONE item!

I hope your back to school experiences were terrific!  I saw lots of smiling and excited faces on Facebook!  August 5 we began our new school year with a sophomore, 7^th grader, 2^nd grader, and one in Pre-K!  I am ashamed to say not one “First Day of School” picture was taken.  We just started.  One of the benefits of moving is reorganizing things.  I did find a box full of school supplies purchased who knows when but was not with the other school items.  Yeah for me!  Another wonderful surprise was no one needed any new clothes.  Purchasing school materials was also pleasant.  Maddie is using texts Neil once used so only workbooks needed purchased.  Sarah is using materials Maddie once used so again, only a few workbooks.  I had lots of PreK stuff from when I was a preschool teacher so Sam was pretty set as well.  We were also blessed with a treasure of books, an incredible microscope, and other lab materials from a local family no longer home schooling as their children are graduated! 

Anymore it seems the back to school hoopla starts before the 4th of July!  I mean, school hasn't been out THAT long! No one wants to think about going back then because it’s summer break for goodness sake!  Yet there it is all over the place.  The shelves in Wal-Mart start becoming stocked with supplies, ads in the paper full of clothing sales, colorful backpacks and lunch boxes of all shapes and sizes are strategically placed in our paths.  It just irritates me.  However, there are some awesome back to school events that take place over the summer that absolutely inspire me.  Events where people come together for a common purpose and make a difference in the lives of others.

Back in Newburgh, Indiana First Christian hosted their second annual Threads and Treads for the community a few weeks before school began in Warrick County.  Families were invited to come to FCCN from 10 – 2 and  were able to “shop” for gently used clothing – no limit on how many items they could take, get a haircut, pick up a new Bible, pick up a bag of school supplies, and have some lunch if they so desired.  I loved seeing the updates on Facebook about the collection of donations, the set up, and the pictures taken from that day.

Donations being sorted.

Getting set up for Threads and Treads event.

I’m always amazed at what we as a body of believers can do when we choose to love and use our gifts and talents to serve others.  In June, a team of people began to ask for clothes donations from church members.  Each week those items were sorted through by a group of volunteers.  Bags are handed out with school supply lists inside at the beginning of July as well.  This year there were 300 bags, 50 bags per grades K-5, handed out, and of those 300 bags, 270 were filled and returned in their “Pack the Bus” event.  Some people chose to make a monetary donation towards Threads and Treads.  New socks and underwear were purchased with that money and distributed that day as well.  Over 120 Bibles were taken home this year!  Volunteers prepared hot dogs, chips, cookies, and lemonade for lunches.  This year one of the church members who is a hairdresser even provided free haircuts for 28 students.  LOVE IT!

The Big Day!

Back in Springfield July 27 – August 3, hundreds of people were able to participate in an extreme school makeover with West Side Christian Church as a part of Springfield Sharefest.   Back in 2011 1500+ volunteers and over 100 local organizations teamed up with West Side and the local school district to renovate one of the local schools.  After the makeover, volunteers provided a reading mentor program.  Lives were changed.  This year they decided it was time to do another renovation of another school along with providing some health, safety and enhancement projects at a second school.  It was an amazing project to be a part of.  RCC now has an opportunity to provide the volunteers for the reading mentor program.  So many people from all over the city and beyond working together to bring help and hope to a community is an amazing thing!  Lives are being changed, and I’m not just talking about the students, teachers, parents, or administrators.  I’m talking about everyone involved. 

 

A local PBS station did a piece on Springfield Sharefest this year on their Illinois Stories program.  I leave you with a link to it from You Tube.  It's about 25 minutes.  It’s an inspiring story of how we as believers can come together to make a difference in the lives of others.  It's worth your time to see how we can bless others because of how we’ve been blessed by Christ.  While God can use us as individuals, I think it is extremely exciting to see how He can use us when we come together and are unified!

Link to Illinois Stories piece about Springfield Sharefest

 

Tomorrow May Not Come

In an instant everything can change.   We can be going about our everyday tasks, and then something happens that takes your breath away.  You feel like everything around you is going 100 miles an hour, but you are stuck in slow motion.  That’s where our church family and community has been this past week here in Rochester/Springfield. A very special young man from RCC had an accident while skateboarding and passed away.  He was 15 years old.

This has been one of the most difficult weeks we’ve had to go through.  We grieve for the loss of this young man.  We grieve for his family.  Our hearts are breaking.  We hold our own children closer and let them know how much we love and appreciate them.  We do our best to reach out and be the hands and feet of Jesus to this family.  We trust in our God even though we don’t understand.  We hold on to His promises.  We remember and celebrate the gift Riley was to us all.  We are inspired to hear how his life touched so many and led them to Christ.  Riley’s love of people and his love for the Lord…amazing and inspiring!  We rejoice he is in heaven.  We hold onto the hope we have as believers that we’ll see him again.

Please join us in praying for Riley’s family – for comfort, peace, and strength in the coming days, weeks, months, and beyond.    Also, please pray for the youth in our community as they try to make sense of what has happened; as they ask questions and search for answers to really tough questions. 

We were reminded this week how precious each moment is.  Treasure it.  Enjoy it.  Live this moment for the Lord.  Don’t underestimate those small things (smiles, kind words, notes, etc…) as God takes those very small offerings of love and does huge things for the Kingdom with them.  Love people…all kinds of people.  Let God use you to reach others for Him.  Live what you say you believe.  Share your faith with those you know so they can know the hope that can only be found in Christ.  May your words be encouraging and build others up.  Make the most of every opportunity.   Lives can and will be transformed.   

Here in Rochester/Springfield we prepare to start a new week just as you do.  We look ahead to see what God will do.  We draw our strength from Him.  We trust Him. We place our hope in His promises.  We celebrate a new day with new opportunities, and we strive to make each one count because we have been reminded tomorrow may not come.  

 

Somebody

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him -- but some of them still doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

  Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)

 

Last Sunday we were challenged at RCC to be a Matthew 28 church.  We were reminded of Jesus’ last words to his followers to go and make disciples.  Those last words however, weren’t meant for just those there that day.  They were left for all believers in Christ that would follow until Jesus returns.  It was brought to our attention that there is no plan B.  It is up to us.  We were challenged to look outward and start building relationships with those who don’t know Christ.  The plan is simple.  Christians are called to share with the lost the truth about Jesus and what he’s done for us instead of depending upon ministers, elders, church ministries and programs to do it for us. We all have a role to play and a job to do.  We are called to go and be “Somebody” to someone else personally.

My first thought Sunday was, “Who do I know that isn’t a Christian?”  As a stay at home mom, I’m with my children and I disciple them daily.  I don’t have many outside contacts except through our local congregation and most of those are Christians.  Yet, again, God whispered to me in service, “Have you prayed for an opportunity?”  Ouch.  No, I hadn’t in a very long time.  In one of my college classes at LCU, we were encouraged to pray for God to give us an opportunity to share Christ with someone who was lost, and that we’d be able to recognize that opportunity and make the most of it. (Colossians 4:2-6).  I can't remember the last time I did that.

Lost people matter to God.  They were made in His image.  He loves them.  Lost people need to matter to us.  We need to make them a priority just like Jesus did.  I find it so amazing that it didn’t seem to matter how busy Jesus was, he always made time to spend with lost people.  He would talk to them, eat with them, show compassion and mercy to them, and heal them.  They were transformed because of their encounter with Him.  Usually after such an encounter they would go and tell others.   They couldn’t contain their new love for Him and had to share what had happened. 

I sat in my seat Sunday ashamed that I have been so caught up in my own agenda and lists of things to do that somehow reaching lost people has not been a priority.  Sharing my story has not crossed my mind while out in the community.  I have been focused on the spiritual health of our children, preparing for our new school year, and just trying to enjoy the summer.  I love God so much.  I crave my daily quiet time and enjoy each moment of it.  I can’t make it through the day without it.   Yet, somehow along the way I have lost the excitement to tell others and have totally turned my focus inward.  I realize as a mom, it’s part of my responsibility to shepherd and teach my own children, but I also have a responsibility to tell others as well.

Relationship building is not my strength.  I’m not a social butterfly.  It can be very stressful because people are intimidating to me.  Yet nowhere in Matthew 28 do I see a loophole to get out of going to tell others.  Yeah….I went to worship Sunday and got “wacked” on the head by the message.  Who does that preacher guy think he is to go meddling in my personal life?  J  Doesn’t God know that for me, building relationships can be scary?  What if they don’t like me?  Building relationships takes time.  It takes work.  It requires me to open myself up and invest myself in others.  Yet that’s exactly what I’ve been called to do; there is no exemption. 

City Harbor has a song you may have heard, “Somebody Tell Them”.  I love that song.  The chorus is my FAVORITE part.  It talks about how somebody needs to go and share Christ with these broken and lost people.

“Somebody tell him that the lost are saved
Somebody tell him that his debt has been paid
Let him know that love is calling out his name
Somebody tell him that he's a child of the king
And there's an end to the suffering
And hope that never fades
Through grace that's made a way

Somebody tell him
Somebody tell him now”

Matthew 28 tells us we are that “Somebody”.  We are given opportunities during the course of our day or week to share what Jesus has done in our lives.  Sometimes we may seize that opportunity and sometimes we may hold back because of our fear or insecurity.    I don’t know about you, but I want to be the voice of love to them.  Please join me and pray for me as I begin to pray for an opportunity to share Christ. 

 

Here is a link to the song.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIgNbmHDaBo

 

Twenty Years Ago Today.....

July 10, 1993

Twenty years:  one score, 240 months, roughly 1,040 weeks, 7,300 days, 175,200 hours, 10,512,000 minutes, and 630,720,000 seconds worth of time.  Twenty years is a long time, you know?  As a young child just the few weeks from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve was an eternity.  In that amount of time one can go from Kindergarten through high school and college with a few years to spare depending upon the college major.  And yet it’s gone by in a blink of an eye.  Twenty years ago today I married my best friend.



July 10, 1993
"Just Married"

The months of planning the wedding went smoothly and were enjoyable.  I had heard horror stories, but everything fell into place.  The day went off with only one hitch, the lighting of the unity candle.  The candles we chose were flat topped, and when we went to light our big candle the wax spilled over the top and burnt both our hands.  OUCH!  Other than that, it was a good day and the start of our family.

OUCH!  That wax was pretty hot!

In the years that followed our love and family grew.  God added to our family four beautiful children and blessed us over and over again.  It wasn’t always easy because there were times of selfishness, stubbornness, and stupidity which led to some “intense fellowship”.  However, there were also many times of happiness, laughter and romance along the way.  Each year we have learned more about each other, and our love has deepened.

Our blessings from God

This last year while we were experiencing times of separation, we learned in the classroom of life how much we needed one another.  Please don’t get me wrong.  Things between us were good.  However, we learned to appreciate one another in a new way.  We learned how to cherish one another and the time we have together, because only God knows what tomorrow will hold.  We fell in love all over again.  We began courting once again, and even though we are back together again under one roof....we haven't stopped!  It's a lot of fun!

I have been blessed with a God fearing man who loves the Lord with his whole heart.  He preaches the word in season and out of season straight from Scripture, sharing God’s salvation story each week.  He doesn’t cater to “itching ears” but teaches sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:1-8).  He is loyal, faithful, and kindhearted.  He is trustworthy and honest, full of integrity.  He is a servant leader in our home.  He is tender.  I love spending time with him.  I find as he ages he grows more and more handsome.  His smile melts my heart.  I love how his blue eyes sparkle when he and the kids get into mischief together!  He's my best friend!

The love of my life, my best friend!

There is no one else I’d rather do life with this side of eternity; no one else I’d rather share my hopes and dream with.   I am so blessed!  It’s amusing to look back and think it started with a cocky grin and a finger swiped through Jell-O cake in the lunch line of Lincoln Christian College.  We’ve indeed come a long, long way!  I look forward to our future together!  I love you, Brad!  Happy Anniversary!


It all started with a swipe of some frosting!  I'm glad we had the photographer take this picture on our wedding day to remember it by.  She thought we were crazy, but it's one of my favorites taken from that day!

I Am Chosen

I remember the day well.  We were on a quest to find the perfect pet for Maddie.   She just wanted a puppy to love and love her back so badly.  I had spent hours searching for just the perfect one that would be a companion pet and do well with little children, small in size, and non- shedding.  I felt as if my list of criteria was limiting me and would keep us from finding the perfect puppy.  However, that was not the case.  We had found a breeder and were in the car on the way to check things out in person. 

The kennel was clean and the little cage had three adorable pups.   I put my hand down inside to let the one we’d chosen for Maddie to sniff me, and all of a sudden this little black fuzz ball bounded over her siblings to kiss my hand and greet me.  I couldn’t resist and pulled her up and then she woofed at me.  She chose me.  I believe that today more than ever.  Now I know some of you would say she’d have done that no matter who’d have stuck their hand down in that cage, but I disagree.  It was all in the way she woofed….she chose me.  I had to convince Brad of that, and it took a little time, but a few weeks later we brought TWO puppies home.   It was wonderful.   I was hers and she was mine and we loved one another.   Macie Claire brought us so much laughter and enjoyment.  She was so full of energy and was known to steal socks and run off with them. 



Macie's "come adopt me" picture.

Fast forward to about two weeks ago.  Macie started to act different.  She was quieter and slept more.  She started eating less.  We took her in to the vet and discovered she had a rare autoimmune condition that attacked her red blood cells.  We treated her the best we could, but yesterday her levels dropped to a dangerous level where her organs were going to start shutting down.  It was time to make a tremendously difficult decision.  She had no energy to eat or even to stand up anymore.  In the last week she didn’t even have the energy to hop up on our bed.  Even though we knew it was time, I have to admit it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  After all, she chose me and I loved her so.

 


Gracie and Macie last June

In the last few days I have spent time trying to figure out what in the world we were going to tell our children and even looked up on the internet about dogs going to heaven.  I have a degree from Lincoln Christian University.  I have grown up in church.  I know that Scripture doesn’t state if dogs go to heaven.  However, I have read through the Bible several times now and I see where God created these creatures with such love and creativity.  I see places where there are references in animals in heaven.  I’m not sure if I’ll ever see our Macie again.  However, in my childlike, simplistic view I know that God created our puppy, loved her and gave her to us for a short time.  He loves animals or why would he have Noah go to all the trouble to save them in the flood.  He could have just made more.  I like to think of her up in heaven with past childhood pets that have gone before, grabbing Jesus’ sandal, taking off with it barking with her mouth full, and then turning around pouncing and wanting Jesus to come play.  She’s free from the 5 pills we were forcing down her each day, no more pokes, and she has energy again.  While it may not be true, it helps me deal with my hurt and the empty place in my heart right now.



Macie last week.  So precious.

Today in church I was reminded I am chosen.  I am God’s child.  He saw my sin sickness and treated me with the most extreme act of love known to mankind.  He sent Jesus to die for my sin and to cleanse me, heal me, and make me whole.  Being chosen is such an incredible feeling.  I am His and He is mine and He loves me.  Today the Ferris family is resting in that love and we are grateful to our God for choosing us.

Butterflies, Blooms, and Basketball

Spring has been very wet here in Springfield with an abundance of rain.  The front flower beds are gorgeous and we have enjoyed the beauty of our new neighborhood.   Little cabbage butterflies and bees visit our front flower beds daily.  It’s a beautiful time of year with everything so green and bright!


Roses in the front flower bed.  Very pretty!

School is also wrapping up this week here at the Ferris house.  Due to all the moving around it added many days to the end of our originally planned last day of school!  It is safe to say we are all extremely excited for the end of the year.  Much of that excitement is because our June calendar is packed with fun things to do and explore here in the Rochester/Springfield area.  We are eagerly looking forward to checking out the Muni, Knight’s Action Park, the drive in, and a few Slider Baseball Games.  We have been able to go to our first Movie in the Park last week and watch Brave on a big blow up screen at the Community Park in Rochester.  It was a lot of fun!

Movie in the Park.  Was very much like a drive in experience.  We enjoyed the evening.

Something we are participating in this summer is the Rochester Summer Recreation Program.  It is incredible!  This program runs through June and July and is open to not only those in Rochester, but surrounding areas as well for ages Pre-K through adult.  Here are just a few of the classes the 18 page packet lists to choose from:  Tennis, sandlot baseball, cheering, archery, football, soccer, volleyball, karate, gymnastics, dance, and even scuba diving!  Cupcake wars, chocolate confections, classes at a local pizzeria, cake decorating, drawing super heroes, building benches for a local park, drama, how to do nails and French braiding, teddy bear picnic, Legos, visit to local farm, firehouse, and a local stable and saw mill are yet others.  I saw things for girls with Fancy Nancy, Princesses, and Strawberry Shortcake.  Things for boys like pirates and a “boys will be boys” class.  They have a sign up day near the end of May and each class has a fee to cover materials but nothing outrageous.  It’s amazing! 

Madeline was able to go to her first class last week, Butterflies and Blooms.  The hour long class was held in a classroom at Rochester Christian Church.  She had such a good time and created this vase of beautiful paper flowers from punches, stencils, and other materials.  It is so pretty we have it on our fireplace mantle!  Next week she gets to go to a Pajama party where they will learn to make homemade poptarts.  Samuel will go to the Boys Will Be Boys class later this week where they make and play with slime, play in dirt, and even paint with mud.   Sarah also gets to attend a class this Friday, Fun with Science.  Later in July the three younger Ferris children get to go to Razzos, a great little pizza place in Rochester, and take a class, Pizza Science, where they get to learn about using pizza dough for more than pizza.  

Madeline's Masterpiece

Neil has his own activities this summer.  We are excited to announce that God has opened a door for him to play organized basketball at a local Christian School, Calvary Academy.  We have been praying for God to open a door for him to play on a team of some sort for over a year now, so this is an exciting answer to those prayers!  He has been able to participate in some open gyms in the last few weeks and travel with the JV and Varsity teams to Waverly, IL and Lincoln, IL for summer basketball league play.  His first play of a Varsity game left him with a bloody nose and broken glasses for about a half, but after his nose was taken care of he went back in without his glasses and played well…he even scored.  We were proud of him.

Posting up under the basket

His summer league schedule has us doing two games a night, three nights a week.  It’s been something new to adjust to, but we are so excited for him!  The experience he is gaining by playing now will help him later for his first season.  Not playing on an organized team before has him a little behind the others, but they are all so encouraging and have welcomed him in with open arms.  We know with time and hard work he will catch up.

Once I began putting things on the calendar with camps, classes, games, reading program, movies at the park, and activities at the local library, etc…  our June is crazy full!  I’m sure many of you can relate!!  It’s going to be fun.  I hope I can find someone to even take me to the local farmers market in town, too.  (Hint! Hint!)  I’ve heard so many good things about that as well. We also need to find a place to swim, too.  

Summer is almost here!  I can’t wait!!!  It’s going to be a great time!