Flip. Flop.

If you look closely you will see the infamous flip flop and the fishing line!

Nothing is ever dull here at the Ferris house.  This week was no different.  Monday was a horrible, awful, terrible, I’m-so-glad-it’s-over kind of a day.  More of the same frustrations we’ve had ever since we decided to follow God’s call to Rochester….things breaking and puppies eating things they shouldn’t.   It was also a week where Brad got to come back to stay with us a few days.  So while it started out icky, it’s really been a good week.  On Wednesday evening,   Neil came in from the outdoors to announce to us that his flip flop was on the roof.   So we ask him the obvious question, “How did your flip flop get up on the roof?”  Simple answer, “I was trying to flip it off my foot into the garage.”  Oh the things teenagers will do for fun.

Brad and I both were thinking Neil meant his flip flop was on the little overhang above the front porch.  Brad instructs Neil to take his fishing rod and “hook” his shoe and pull it down.  So after supper Neil, thinking this was a great idea, returns outdoors to hook his flip flop.  Several minutes go by and Neil returns very upset at this point.  Not only is his flip flop now on the roof, but his fishing lure is stuck as well.  It was at this point I decide maybe I should go out and assess the situation.   Once outside I realize that Neil’s flip flop is actually on the top of our two story house and his fishing lure is now stuck tight, too.  Not really knowing what to do at this point, I ask him what in the world possessed him to do this foolish thing.  He really couldn’t give me any logical reason why.  Just got that sheepish, boyish grin all males have when they are in a situation as this one.

Neil was in the driveway by the sidewalk.  The garage was his target.  Can you see the flip flop on the roof above the set of windows on the left?

So we got Brad and for the next half hour Brad, Neil and I provided passersby and our neighbors with free entertainment.  I don’t think any of the America’s Got Talent acts could have outdone us.  Howard, Sharon, and Howie wouldn’t have buzzed us with our exciting and dangerous feat and America most definitely would have voted us on through to the semi-finals!  Neil tried flipping the lure loose.  When that didn’t work, Brad and I took the screen out of the second story window just under the location of the stuck fishing lure.  Using another six foot fishing pole, we hung out of the window by our waists trying to reach up towards the roof and snag Neil’s fishing line and flip it up and off.  Thankfully no one driving by was injured in the process of gawking at us, but several cars went by very, very slowly.  Thankfully Brad or I didn’t fall out of the window.  Finally realizing that we lacked the resources, we gave up and cut the line.  So now there is not only a flip flop on the roof, but a fishing bait as well.

The window Brad and I were handing out of.  Oh so close but oh so very far away!

This has been a tough lesson for our teenager as these were his favorite shoes.  However, the more I think about this little event, there’s a lesson/reminder for all of us.  We’re all like Neil, aren’t we?  We all do things periodically that at the time seem like a harmless, fun, great idea – FLIPing our shoe into the garage.  In the end however, we –FLOP and end up on the roof.  A, if I knew then what I know now, moment.  Just another great reminder that we cannot be wise in our own eyes and need to be grounded and rooted in God’s word to gain the wisdom and discernment for life’s decisions.  We need to prayerfully consider our choices first before we “Flip our shoe” into the garage.  Only with Godly wisdom can we ensure we won’t FLOP on the roof or worse. 

As I said earlier, nothing is ever dull here.  God uses these daily adventures to illustrate important truths and lessons to me and my family.  I share this particular one to encourage you in your personal relationship with God.  May the flip flop on our roof be a visual reminder for you of our need for Scripture.  We need Scripture to guide our thoughts, because our thoughts or lack of them determine our actions.  I encourage you to read your Bible daily, spend some time in prayer with God, and some time in worship to God.   It is only through this special time that we gain the wisdom we need to make better choices; choices that honor God.  Proverbs 3:13-26; 4:4-13 are scriptures that talk about gaining Godly wisdom.  There are many more in the book of Proverbs and the rest of Scripture.  If you have a favorite one that has been an encouragement to you and your family, please feel free to share them with me.  While this is the first flip flop on the roof, I have a feeling it won’t be the last!

Great little inspirational thought I found on Pinterest this week.  I found it appropriate.

Whose shoes? My shoes.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?  Do you know?  Can you even begin to count them?  I have to confess that I am not a collector of shoes.  I have exactly nine pair of shoes which is the most shoes I’ve had in many, many years.   Usually, I have only four pair of shoes – tennis shoes, sandals, white church shoes and black church shoes.  There are an endless number of types of shoes:  shoes for running, walking, dancing, soccer, baseball, bowling, ballet, golf, and basketball.  There are clogs, water shoes, flip flops, boots, pumps, flats, heels, slippers, boots, moccasins, Mary Janes, Oxfords, penny loafers, rain boots, etc…   There are shoes that match any color outfit of the rainbow.  Shoes can slip on, tie on, Velcro on, strap on, or buckle.  There are shoes that light up, shoes with bedazzles, and even platform shoes to make you taller.  I love the itty bitty shoes you can find for infants.  They are just plain adorable.

Even young children love shoes.  They love to slide their little feet inside their older siblings’ or parents’ shoes and take a walk.  They stagger forward as they struggle to lift those heavy shoes, toddling on the verge of collapsing and even at times wiping out.  It’s hilarious to see our children trying to fill these huge shoes with their little feet; we laugh at the absurdity of them trying to walk in gigantic shoes.  Somewhere I think I have pictures of each of our children at a young age trying to walk in Brad’s bulky tennis shoes.  It reminds me of the saying, “You have big shoes to fill”.  It is an idiom that means someone has to meet high expectations about something/someone that came before.  It can be meant as a compliment or forewarning depending on its context.

The truth of the matter is, as God’s children we are not called to fill someone else’s shoes.  He calls us to walk in our own shoes and follow Jesus.  God has created each of us with unique spiritual gifts, skills, abilities, personalities, and experiences that make us who we are.  The only person we are to imitate or even to try to follow after is His son, Jesus.  It is not hilarious for us to try and slip our feet into someone else’s shoes; it’s absurd.  We toddle on the verge of collapsing and struggle to even lift these bulky shoes, and sometimes we wipe out.  It’s not funny; it’s frustrating.

1 Samuel 17 gives the account of David and Goliath.  David is just a shepherd boy and his father sends him to check up on his older brothers who are serving in King Saul’s army.  While there, he hears Goliath’s challenge and begins asking questions.  David's older brother get upset with him and rebukes him.  Eventually King Saul hears about David and summons him.  David accepts the challenge to defend God and Israel, but King Saul is skeptical that this young man can succeed.  He couldn’t see how David could defeat the giant when his mighty warriors wouldn’t even attempt to fight Goliath.  King Saul has David try on his own armor -- a bronze helmet and a coat of armor.  David puts on the armor and tries it out.  He basically tries to walk in King Saul’s shoes and do it his way, but after a few steps David realizes it is too cumbersome.  He tells the king he can’t use his armor because he is not used to them; he can’t fill King Saul’s shoes because they are too big and bulky.

This is the part I love….David takes off the armor and starts to walk in his own shoes.  He was comfortable with who he was and how God had made him.  He knew he couldn’t be like King Saul, he had to be himself.  So he collects five smooth stones from a stream and then with the power of God, his sling, and stones, David, the shepherd boy, defeats the giant!   Israel had warriors with armor and weapons and skill and experience and this little shepherd boy did what they could not.  Not because he tried to be like them or fill their shoes, but because was himself.  David trusted in God and used his gifts and abilities and past experiences to defeat Goliath.

I challenge you today to walk in your own God given and shaped shoes.  Stop trying to fill someone else’s shoes.  That is not what God intended.  He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11) and wants to use you to build His kingdom.  He’s created you with a specific purpose, a purpose different than everyone else.  He’s shaped you to fulfill that purpose and has given you what you need to succeed.  It may not be a great voice like your friend in the choir, but he’s given you something and no matter how big or small it is, we are responsible to be obedient and use it while we follow God’s plan for our lives.  At the end of time, God’s opinion is the only one that matters.  We’ll be accountable to Him for our walk.  So if anyone ever tells you that you have big shoes to fill, smile politely and gently remind them that you are not called to fill someone else’s shoes.  God has called you to walk in your own.  I think you’ll find that your own shoes fit and feel better anyway. 

Samuel's Special Day

Spectacular Spiderman Cake!

Today is Samuel's special day. Samuel is now four years old! We celebrated last night with Spiderman Cake and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream while Brad was back in town, a gift in itself! Sam was pleased to wear his new St. Louis Cardinal t-shirt with his favorite player’s number, #23 – David Freese, while playing catch with his new baseball glove and wiffle balls.  Spiderman PJs and a Lightening McQueen shirt rounded off the night.  He was so happy!  Oh...to be four again, you know?!  It was a great night.

Each child has a unique story. Sam is no different. All our children are miracles, but Sam is even more so to me. We knew we wanted another little blessing from God and had it all planned out. Our other three pregnancies were aided with some low dosage fertility medication. All three very planned out. Baby #4 would be no different. We were in control, right? Our niece was going to be born early December and we wanted to wait so she could just be the center of our family’s affections. We wanted to get through the school year and into the summer so if I had any complications the first trimester as in previous pregnancies then it would be during our summer break. I had an appointment all set up in January to discuss our plan with our Dr. and so we went through the holidays enjoying the time with our families and meeting our new niece. We were praying about our family and adding a special baby but in the context of our plan for our family.

Right before Christmas I just didn’t feel right and even told Brad I thought I was pregnant. He laughed me out of town!!  There was no way that could happen to us he told me.  Well, a few days later I took a test and guess what?  We were expecting.  We were amazed at what God had done for us with no help from anyone but God!  He loves to give good gifts to his children.  What a Christmas present that year! We were reminded again of who is in control and once again....it wasn't us. So the first of January instead of talking to the Dr. about a plan for another baby, I went for blood work and our prenatal care visits started. 


I remember singing in the Christmas program early in December that year wearing a black maternity top since it was the only black top I had and the dress code was all black. How funny to think back that I was wearing a maternity top but was unaware I was expecting! God has humor I’m telling you.

His eyes say it all!

Samuel's name has special meaning and kind of tells his story.  Samuel comes from the Old Testament account of Hannah and her desire for a child.  I love this story and can relate to her deep yearning to be a mama.  I can imagine the urgency and deep desire flooding through her fervent prayers to God as she prayed for a child. When we first decided we were ready to have a family, we prayed for a child and it was several years before we realized we had to have fertility medication and were able to have Neil. Each of our pregnancies was a higher risk due to various complications and usually it required some bed rest along the way. We prayed a lot before, during, and even now for each child.  Hannah's story was one I could relate to and I love how the Bible has special meaning for the names given a child.  God heard Hannah's prayers and gave her a son, Samuel.  Samuel means, God heard. God heard our prayers for a child just as He did Hannah's prayers, and in His own special way, He blessed us with our Samuel in His timing and in His plan for our family. I have to admit, it was much better than our ol' plan anyway! The Isaac part came from the story of Abraham and Sarah when God told them they were going to have a baby. Sarah laughed…just like Brad did when I first told him I thought we were expecting. So we put those names together and waited for our Samuel Isaac to arrive.

Samuel Isaac Ferris
August 11, 2008

Fast forward to present time....Samuel is such a blessing! He brings a lot of laughter to our home! At dinner last night he was pumped up about presents and was so excited he couldn't get the words out when he talked.  He looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm ready to eat my presents now!"  He stopped just a second and we all started howling.  He takes his little hand and lightly bonks his forehead and says, "No, I mean I'm ready to OPEN my presents now!"  I'm telling you all that life without him would be dull.    These last four years have been a gift. I look forward to many more birthdays with our little guy!  Celebrating Samuel's special day today with gratefulness for God's gift to our family!

A Detour and a Broken Ear

In a previous blog I shared the Ferris Family was dealing with frustrations.   The last few months have been filled with a steady flow of things breaking or needing repair.  Nothing really bad, but the steady stream has caused us to become weary.  My “favorite” cluster of such occurrences happened during the second lengthy trip to Illinois.  While I couldn’t even begin to smile about it then, I can chuckle about it now.  It all started with a detour and ended with a broken ear.

We were dealing with the van air conditioner not working correctly at this point so we left Newburgh early one Saturday morning to try and beat the 100+ degree heat forcasted for that day.  Things were going well and we made good time.  In Mount Vernon, Illinois there is a stretch of construction and as I was going through it Brad called to check on us.  At this moment I stopped watching the green signs and started watching the GPS.  Long story short….we went 40 miles round trip off course and I arrived an hour later than originally planned. 

We settled into a family’s home that night who had invited us to stay there while they were on vacation.  In the morning we are up getting ready for church and Neil informs me he had a bloody nose in the middle of the night and now we had sheets to deal with.  On our way out the door to load up for breakfast before church Madeline gets caught in this purple princess canopy and hook and all come flying out of the ceiling.  We head to Mello Cream Donuts, the Donut Bank of Springfield.  I have the children get seated and order our breakfast only to hear a huge commotion behind me.  I turn to see Neil holding the centerpiece of the table high over his head and the other three lunging quite loudly trying to get it away from him.  I had to leave the counter to hiss at them through clenched teeth to put it down, sit down, and be quiet.  It was at this point I could have sold them all to the gypsies.

After breakfast we make one last bathroom break before going to Rochester Christian for worship.  The zipper on Sarah’s only church outfit broke.  Sarah is our tomboy and so imagine with me if you will this little one doing her best to hold her skirt together so her pink panties didn’t flash the world.  We leave there and go to Wal-mart where again she had to hold it together so we could buy her a new church outfit.  Finally with a dress in hand we make it to RCC’s bathroom and got her decent.   With everyone in their places, I finally made it to a chair in the Great Room for worship and still had three minutes on the countdown.  For those of you who know me well, please don’t pass out at this point because, yes, I was on time even after all that!!!   I was on time and I was exhausted.  I don’t remember much about the service I hate to say but we made it.

The last few days of our trip, after dealing with a broken CPAP machine, Samuel comes to me and says, “Mom, my ear is broken!”  WHAT?!  He was having an allergic reaction to some mosquito bites he had gotten the night before.  They were blistering and the bite on his ear caused it to swell to twice its normal size.  So off we went to the Dr. and after some medications, all is healed and the ear is its normal size.

Flashback with me now 12 ½ years ago to when Brad and I moved to Newburgh in October of 1999.  I remember those first few weeks as being just as frustrating.  Our first weekend at FCCN, I ran a 102 fever.  Our rental house in Chandler had mice sneaking in where the dryer vent was.  Chandlers 1-3 are now in that great cheese wheel in the sky but they did create some good memories.  Neil fell off our bed and hit his head on the handle of my dresser removing a small chunk of scalp.  Brad crunched the fender of the Lumina.  Then the utility man came to shut off the power at the rental house.  So there I was in a strange place with a two year old and no power.  I remember calling the church office for Brad but he wasn’t there.  Donna Rhoades, the office administrator at that time, answered the phone.  I can’t remember the exact wording but I expressed to her that I wish I still had boxes because I wanted to pack up and go home to Olathe.   Later that day, there was a knock at the door and there stood Cindy Claypool with this little pitiful plant with a sad little ribbon tied around it.  Honestly, it was the most beautiful sight I’d seen and a friendship was born that day and with it came hope and a change in my attitude. 

I knew this journey wouldn’t be easy, but I can tell you truthfully, I didn’t know it would be so difficult.  The bottom line though hasn’t changed.  The Ferris family had two choices many months ago.  Are we going to be comfortable or are we going to be obedient to Christ?  We decided we were going to follow Christ and that hasn’t changed today.  So I have to stay focused on that.  I remind myself how grateful I should be that my husband has a job when so many others don’t. I remind myself how grateful I should be that I and my family have their health as a good friend of ours is battling for her life in a second bone marrow transplant for leukemia.  I remind myself how grateful I should be because I am God’s child and he loves me and even though I can’t see Him, He is working right now for our good to give us a hope and a future.

On the way home from that crazy Springfield trip, Neil shared a new CD he purchased from his Big Stuff trip with the RCC youth group to Panama City, Florida.  It was my "knock at the door" experience from 12 1/2 years prior.  One of the songs was full of praise and adoration for God and who He is.  It talked about how His grace is always enough.  It drove Neil crazy, but I bet I replayed that song three times.  I claimed it that day and when I start to feel frustration and pressure inside, I listen to it.  It is a tool God has given me to help me refocus on who He is and on His power and it gives me hope and helps to change my attitude.  It reminds me that even with detours and broken ears, He is in control and that is enough. 

Here is a link to the song, No One Higher from the album No One Higher by North Point InsideOut.  I you enjoy it as much as I have and that it helps you to refocus this day!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFCBhTe-WYg

Bike Camp Graduation Day

WOW!!!  What a week here at the Ferris household!  Madeline graduated this afternoon from the Lose the Training Wheel Bike Camp hosted by the Evansville Easter Seals.  What an incredible, amazing, wonderful, fantastic program!!!  I highly recommend this camp to anyone.  We are amazed at what has happened.   Today marks a big milestone for Madeline.

We are so very proud of Maddie Grace!  Now she has a skill she can use throughout her life.  I’m not sure if she will be able to drive a car someday, but she can ride her bike and that gives her a mode of transportation and independence.  The confidence she has gained is priceless.  This is a very big accomplishment for her.

Day #4, Thursday:  Learning to stop with coaster brakes.

Day #4, Thursday:  Learning to self start.

Graduation Day:  Riding solo!

1:30 p.m. Session Graduating Class with their bike spotters!

This afternoon she received a certificate and there was a cookie and juice reception afterwards for all campers and their families.  It was really a great way to celebrate.  As promised, we took her to Sonic afterwards for a LARGE (32 oz.) Batter, Batter Blast.   She knew she couldn't eat it all, but there was just something about being able to get a Large....she earned it!  The rest is in the freezer for later!  To top it all off, Brad and Madeline's OT, Ginger Whitler, were there to watch, cheer, and celebrate with us!  It was a great, great day!   

LTTW Camp Coordinators

Madeline and Ms. Ginger

Madeline and her Bike Camp Spotter, Ariel

Madeline has inspired me to want to ride a bike again.  I think maybe I need to go bike shopping so we can ride together and have some mother-daughter bonding!  We've heard there is a great walking/bike path connecting Rochester, Illinois to Springfield, Illinois.  I have hopes of next spring taking a family bike ride.  That of course depends upon the house selling.  Until then though, we will be practicing and focus on Madeline's accomplishment!  Celebrating today! 

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words!!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Today I'll let the pictures do the talking.  Oh so proud of Madeline!  The next two days they will begin to work with her on her own bike!  Brad will be her spotter.  Until then enjoy!  Celebrating a big victory in the Ferris house tonight!

Here we go!!  First attempt this week on a two wheel bike.

Getting a feel for it inside.

After about 5 minutes inside they taught her how to stop and then took her outside!

She never stalled or looked back. 

I think I see a smile, but I was a little teary at this point.

She did it!

Bike Camp Days 1 and 2

Madeline is doing awesome at “Lose the Training Wheels” Bike Camp hosted by the Evansville Easter Seals!!  Lose the Training Wheels is an organization that had its start with help from University of Illinois professor, Dr. Richard E. Klein.  Go Illini!! The Lose The Training Wheels™ bike program has grown from one camp and one fleet of adapted bike equipment in 1999, to over 80 camps across the U.S. and Canada and ten fleets of adapted bike equipment. You can learn more about this wonderful program at www.losethetrainingwheels.org.

We are so proud of Madeline and all she has accomplished in these first two days.  I wasn’t sure what to expect to be honest, except that they worked with children like her all over the nation. Monday afternoon, in the first ten minutes, they were able to get her to do far more than Brad and I had been able to get her to do for the last two years!

Day One:  Hopped right on and took off!

Typically, she would straddle the bike a friend had given her in the back yard and spend most of the time telling me how she couldn’t ride a bike and would proceed to give me all kinds of excuses as to why she couldn’t ride a bike.  We were in the back yard on the grass so she wouldn’t be afraid of falling on the sidewalk.  I would reassure her she could do it and she would argue that she couldn’t.  I held her seat and promised not to let go.  We broke it down step by step.   Nothing seemed to work.  Eventually my encouragement turned to frustration and then she would get frustrated.  As you can imagine when things had escalated to this point, no bike riding occurred.  After a few days of this, we would conclude that it was time to put the bike away until next year only to have a rerun of the previous attempt occur.

Monday afternoon she received her new t-shirt and bike helmet, hopped ON the bike with her assigned spotter beside her, and she took off.  My lower jaw hit the floor.  She didn’t once straddle the bike and argue with anyone.  Just hopped on like she’d always done this and took off!!!!  Granted the cylinder was on the back giving her complete balance, but for 75 minutes Monday Maddie rode a bike and did lap after lap in the Evansville Armory Gymnasium.  Blew me away!  It took her the first 10 minutes to figure out how to steer the bike and as time went on, her spotter did less and less of that for her.  She had a smile on her face and talked the arm and leg off of Ariel, her spotter for the week.  In fact, I texted Brad that if she pedaled as much as she was talking, there would have been fire and smoke coming off the back cylinder!

Instead of a back wheel, there is a cylinder.  When they first start they are fatter.  As they progress the ends of the cylinder will become more and more tapered. 

Before the 75 minute session was over, they had had her come in for a “pit stop” on three separate occasions.  While she was getting a drink they flipped the bike over and switched the cylinder to a different one that had the outer ends more tapered.  This causes the rider to gradually learn to balance more and more on their own.  They make this switch while the campers are out of the gym because they don’t want them to feel like it’s going to be getting too difficult and lose confidence.  Before she comes back in from her drink, the bike is back in her station just like she left it.  Very sneaky!  LOVE IT!

Today she was able to ride a tandem bike.  The Lose the Training Wheels Bike Instructor lets everyone have at least one ride during the course of the week.  This allows them to feel what it is like to ride a bike at normal speed and he would even get close to other riders doing their laps and at one point it must have been too close for Madeline’s comfort because I heard her say, “OH MY!” all the way up in the balcony where the parents sit.

She had progressed enough today that they laid out discs for her to ride over in each of the four corners and she had to “hit” them or ride over them.  Then they had some cones on one of the lengths of the gym and she was able to weave in and out of them.  Today they changed her cylinder twice that I know of.  The last change caused her to be a bit wobbly, but she didn’t quit, argue, or complain.  However, she did talk a little less! J    

Tomorrow she may get to go to the outside course.  It was my understanding that when they go outside, they will be riding a wheeled bike.  I have mixed feelings about this because I’m not sure what to expect.  Part of me is afraid the bike-straddling, argumentative, blond monster with blue fire flaming from her eyes, and horns protruding from the bike helmet will come out.  Trust me when I say that when that occurs, it’s a down right ugly thing.  The other part of me thinks maybe she’s gained enough confidence and has learned the feel of it these past two days that she’ll be able to ride with some encouragement and a steady hand from her spotter.  Maybe the precious little rosebud of mine with the blond hair and blue eyes will shine oh so bright!  Time will tell!  It’s on the blacktop behind the armory so it’s going to be a hot one for sure.  I’ve got Gatorade chillin’ and am taking sunscreen and an umbrella for shade.  

OH…and I’ve saved the best for last!  Brad will be coming home tomorrow evening so he will be here the last two days of her camp and will be her spotter.  They asked us to have a family spotter the last two days of camp at the parent meeting Sunday morning and so he’s not only going to be able to be here to see her in person, but to also participate with her.  I can’t wait!  I told him today he’d better get ready because her last two laps today in the gym were her best yet.  She had her spotter running beside her! I bought him some Gatorade, too!  I’ll keep you posted!