Introducing the newest member of our family:

Posted on March 10, 2007 at 08:07 by Faith Acre Farm - 4 Comments - Post Comment - Link

"SOFIE"

She's somewhere between 8 months to 1 year old.  The owner needed to get rid of her and gave her to us for free.  He said she was a Springer Spaniel, but we are pretty sure she is not.  She looks more like a Pointer mixed with something else.  Guess we have a thing for Pointers huh? 

Home again, Home again..jiggety jig

Posted on March 7, 2007 at 06:19 by Faith Acre Farm - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Oh we had another wonderful vacation to the "Homestead Farm" resort in Lynden, Washington (western Washington about 5 minutes from B.C. Canada).  If it wasn't so expensive over there, we'd probably move in a heartbeat!

Anyway it was a marvelous time of walking along the waterfront, shopping in downtown historic districts, visiting local farms and just spending sweet time with my hubby & little ladies!

Now that we are home I'm running around like a chicken with .....well you know.  I'm throwing a baby shower for a sweet friend of mine tomorrow evening, then we need to get everything ready for chicks, prepare for the retreat in Olympia next weekend, and then get the house in order for my in-laws to visit during spring break. 

Somewhere in there I need to get about 10 batches of soap made, clean the church once a week, sing on worship team & work with another friend on a special song, homeschool the ladies, keep the house clean, do a weekly book study with a couple friends, plan my garden....oh the list can go on and on...but you know what??

I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!  I live a blessed life: busy or boring, quiet or crazy...the life the Lord has given me is so very sweet...surrounded by dear loved ones that deserve every bit of me that I can give. 

So off I go to get busy & praise Him every step of the way :)!!

My Love Letters came

Posted on February 24, 2007 at 08:58 by Faith Acre Farm - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

My "Mothers of Love" letters came.  I have 2, no make that 3 precious teenage sons in Liberia, Africa.  What joy and yet what heartache those letters arrived here with.  You see, these boys are all orphans at the Shepherds Village over in Liberia, they desperately want a family to belong to, especially here in the U.S.   But unfortunately, my sons are nearing the adoption cut-off age of 16 in just a few short months.  

Our God is a God of miracles, I know.  And if it were in my power to start up and adopt these boys NOW, I would.  Yet, because of another situation in our life right now, we just don't think the Lord has called us to adopt at this time.  I do strongly feel that we will adopt sometime in the near future though, hopefully the next couple years....and of course from that little country in Africa that has stolen my heart...Liberia. 

Team Jillian

Posted on February 22, 2007 at 06:01 by Faith Acre Farm - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Isn't this so neat?  Jillian's daddy made this sticker for the hospital staff & helpers that are working with Jillian.  I just had to post it here! 

So..instead of re-typing up all of the new news, I will direct you to Katie's blog and you can read all that is going on.  She's doing better. Praise God!

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/teambettendorf

Thank you to all that have prayed, from church or family & friends.  PLEASE continue to keep Jillian as well as Jeff & Katie and the rest of the children in your prayers!  THANK YOU!!

Grand Opening...

Posted on February 14, 2007 at 10:17 by Faith Acre Farm - 7 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Ok, so this is the second time I am opening technically :).  But, this store is my very own...so come and check it out! 

Handmade soaps, mainly Goat Milk Soap, and some other goodies.  Just go look. 

Thanks! (click on my logo to get there!)

My Valentine's Gift!

Posted on February 14, 2007 at 12:24 by Breezy - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Please Pray for Jillian!!

Posted on February 9, 2007 at 05:09 by Faith Acre Farm - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

A dear friend of mine through an internet message board has just recently found out that her 4 year old daughter Jillian has a large tumor in her chest.  They took little Jillian to the hospital a couple days ago thinking she had pnuemonia. After a few tests had been run, they concluded that there was a large tumor in her chest, pushing on her lung and heart. 

As of right now, a biopsy has been taken and they are waiting on the results.  Jillian is on oxygen, as her breathing capacity has been reduced by the tumor.  They are just waiting to see the size & complexity of this tumor for the next move.  A snippet  from a friend on the message board:

""surgeon says is one of 3 things, rhabdomyosarcoma, pleuropulmonary blastoma or germ cell tumor. surgeon said last night that she doubts if it would be benign, but we are praying for that""

Katie is a dear person and a wonderful mother of 11 children.  You can read a little about her at her website here:  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/teambettendorf.

Please please, PRAY! 

UPDATE 02/09/07 ~ 8:30 pm PST.

It IS cancer.  The tumor is huge - football size, according to updates on the message board.  Jillian is having a very difficult time breathing, her unaffected lung is filling with liquid.  The Dr's are waiting to see if anything has spread and will start Chemo on Monday. 

Pray for this little sweetie, Pray for this family! PLEASE! 

UPDATE 02/10/07 ~ Friday PM / Saturday Early AM

The medical team working with Jillian has realized that something needs to be done now. No waiting until Monday.  Katie is thinking they may go in and drain some fluid from the tumor, hopefully it is fluid enough to make a difference.   She is on Morphine now, sitting up a bit, drinking and eliminating.

I'll keep you posted...

UPDATE 02/11/07 ~ Sunday

They administered the first round of Chemo yesterday.  She is hanging on and her momma is one tough lady, who will NOT allow bad care for her children.  You have to know Katie to know this is how she is....she will FIGHT!

Keep praying please!

UPDATE 02/12/07 ~ Monday AM.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!

Jillian has been on a ventilator to help her breathe.  Her lung capacity is growing and she is breathing some on her own, so the plan for today is to try and get her off the vent.  Jeff & Katie have been taking turns watching her 24/7..she needs to be constantly attended to because of all the tubes...she can't move much as it would disturb them.  Her heart appears to be moving back into the correct postition, it had been moved into the center of her chest.  So, if they can get her off this vent the plan is to get her home soon! 

We serve such a loving, awesome God! 

UPDATE 02/14/07

Jillian is doing better!  For any future updates see Katie's blog here: www.homeschoolblogger.com/teambettendorf

Pray for your children.

Posted on February 9, 2007 at 10:39 by Breezy - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

That they will know Christ early in life. (Psalm 63:1, 2 Timothy 3:15)

That they will have a hatred for sin. (Psalm 97:10)

That they will be caught when guilty. (Psalm 119:71)

That they will be protected from the evil on in each area of their lives - spiritual, emotional and physical. (John 17:15, I Thessalonians 5:23)

That they will have a responsible attitude in their interpersonal relationships. (Daniel 6:3)

That they will respect those in authority over them. (Romans 13:1)

That they will desire the right kind of friends. (Proverbs 1:10, 13:20)

That they will be kept from the wrong mate and preserved for the right one. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

That they, as well as those they marry, will be kept pure until marriage.      (I Corinthians 6:18-20)

That they will learn to totally submit to God and resist Satan. (James 4:7)

That they will be single-hearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:1-2)

That they will be hedged in so they cannot find their way to wrong people and places. (Hosea 2:6)

Taken from The Power of Motherhood by Nancy Campbell

A Mother's Prayer

Posted on February 7, 2007 at 09:01 by Breezy - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

"Father, I thank you that you created me to be a mother. I thank you that it is as a mother that I will fulfill the destiny that you have chosen for me before the foundation of the world. I embrace the mother heart you have given me. I give myself to this great calling.

Father, I thank you that you have not left me to cope on my own. I am so thankful that in the heart of God there is a well of motherhood that never runs dry. I draw from this inexhaustible well today. I thank you that motherhood comes from your heart. I know that this is in the anointing that you have chosen for me to walk in. Father, fill me again today with the anointing of motherhood. I want to walk in the fullness and power of motherhood that you have ordained. Fill me with your wisdom. Fill me with your gentleness. Fill me with your longsuffering and patience. May you love, nurture and nourishment flow from me to my family today.

Father, I do not want to be a miserly mother. Make me a great mother. Enlarge my heart and my capacity to mother. Open my eyes to continually see the needs of others. Help me to forget my own selfishness and to continually serve in self-sacrificing love. Let me truly be a revelation of your mother heart to my family and those around me.

In Jesus' name. Amen."

Taken from The Power of Motherhood by Nancy Campbell

Happy Birthday to me!

Posted on February 6, 2007 at 09:36 by Breezy - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Friday was my 29th birthday, again! (For the 5th time. I am getting used to being 29.) Anywho, it was a great day! I feel so blessed. My husband woke me up at 6:30 am and put my wedding ring on my finger! What so exciting about that, you say? Well, I haven't been able to wear it for 4 +- years! The diamonds were going to come out unless I had all the gold built up around them. It was too expensive to fix so I have been buying costume jewelry to wear. I haven't complained a bit because I don't mind getting a new ring now and again. Might I add, Avon has a wonderful selection. I have enjoyed it, but secretly hoping mine would be fixed. Well I noticed back in November that my ring was not in my jewelry box. I asked my 14 yr old if she knew what happened, and her reply, "I don't know what you are talking about." I asked my husband, he didn't have a clue and seemed agitated that I might have missed placed it. My mom had the same response. So, I hoped to see it at Christmas time. Well, Christmas came and went and my concern increased significantly. I decided that if at my birthday it did not show up I was going to panic. So, to my delight and welcomed surprise my husband saved up some money and had it fixed! Yeah! I feel married again! (just kidding)

Let's see, after the marvelous surprise first thing in the morning. My dear husband made me breakfast. Then we headed for a field trip to the planetarium and a historical museum. It was the neatest place. I really enjoyed it. I believe the kids did too.

I wanted to surprise the kiddos for lunch, so I didn't tell them what or where we were going for lunch. I took them to my favorite place in Boise, Tami's Tea Room.  

www.greattearoomsofamerica.com/tearoom_show.asp?room=roomID00001

They have the best Monte Cristo in the world! They loved it! I believe that they want to go again real soon. I think that I have started a tradition. We will probably go for everyone's birthday. One of my clients even gave me a tea cup, with a beautiful pink rose on it! How perfect!

Later that evening, my husband invited a few friends over and we visited and enjoyed each other's company. Not to mention, played a few games. My mother made a rasberry cake in the shape of a heart. I believe that is to symbolize all the love she feels for me. ( kidding again) No, she said it was for the month of love. So, I loved it. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.