different seasons

So this past weekend my grandpa had a retirement party. He finally retired from Cross Implement after 34 years of combined service with John Deere. This year has been pretty rough for him, he battled pneumonia for about 3 months at the beginning of the year. Then after about 2 months back to work after that, he came down with shingles and couldn't work for another 2 months. So with half the year spent ill at home he finally decided it wasn't worth it. But what an amazing night to see all the people he has touched over the years just by loving his job. One lady made the comment about "George's own special language" I just laughed because it's not just his own but his children have the ability to understand and speak the same language! The example this woman used was one day when Grandpa was on a run he called back in to the office to say he had a flat "tar". Which took about 3 people talking to him on the phone before everyone realized he was not stuck in tar, but in fact had a flat tire. It was great to listen to all the memories of this man that means so much to me.
I remember going to church with them when I would spend the night when I was younger. As a matter of fact I think that's where I got my first good dose of God (or at least what I can remember). And you know all the books I'm reading and everything I listen to cannot compare to what I think my grandpa has nailed on the head. Having a relationship with God is not something hard, it is the simplest thing in the world. I beat myself up some days thinking that I am not deep enough, or I'm not spiritual enough, or I'm not spending enough time praying and meditating. My grandpa goes to church regularly, works because he enjoys it, would help anyone who needed it no matter what, and just spills Godliness. He obviously is not a wordy man with his own language, so Grandpa may not go about preaching his beliefs. But anyone who meets him can tell that this man is a child of God's. Sometimes I think we Americans like to make things way too complicated-when in all actuality simplicity is the key....
"But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

i'm still alive

So my friend called me last week and just wanted to see how things were going. She said she checked my blog and I hadn't written anything lately, so just for all you others who happen to be reading this blog I figured I'd post. Last week we took Sesleigh to a pediatric urologist to see what's going on with her bladder and kidneys. Without getting into too many gory details she cannot pee properly, she has some skin that has closed over her opening, and as soon as that is corrected they are going to test her for vicerouretal reflux (think acid reflux except in the kidney area). All of it sounds kinda bad, but nothing is hard to treat we just have to make a few kinda changes and adjust our normal.
I got the results back yesterday from my heart monitor. They said that I was having PVC's (not too sure what it stands for), nothing too serious there either I just have to stay away from caffeine (not a problem cuz I don't drink it-gives me migraines) and chocolate (there's where the problem lies). And if I was having any anxious feelings or nervousness then I needed to let them know because they would give me meds for anxiety. But such is not the case I just need to once again adjust my normal.
Jade is doing well as well. Her grades are pretty good, and she was making out her Christmas list the other day with such simple things that would make her happy. It is so nice to see that she is content with her life and doesn't want for much. It's been hard these last few years for her to adjust-I mean she's gotten a new step mom, 2 new sisters here, a new step dad and 2 new sisters at her mom's, a new house at her mom's, and now a new baby on the way at her mom's. All within a 2 year time frame. So I was pleased when she was just writing down some of the simplest things and smiling and singing.
Last night after supper Caleb and I did dishes together. Then he helped Jade with her homework while I wrestled around on the floor with the two other girls. Then everyone joined in and finally Caleb and I stood back and watched and he said, "Isn't this what you always dreamed it would be like". I thought it was awesome that he said exactly what I had been thinking. We were looking in on the girls from the kitchen and it was like a scene from a movie. I'm sure some people might read this and think, "Ugh you guys make me sick". Maybe not in a bad way, but I never thought I would have something so good, and I remember thinking that way about other people's lives when I was younger. I must admit though, it doesn't just happen. There's a touch of discipline, an armload of love, and all of God's grace mixed together to actually make us a FUNctional family. I thank God everyday that He has poured blessings on me. When I think about my past and which direction I could have went with circumstances and choices I had made I'm glad that He pulled on my heartstrings enough to pull me to Him. Nothing happens by chance, it's all part of God's plan all you have to do is cry out to Him.