Greetings!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
What has happened 17 times in the last 17 years in the Wood family???
Hello dear friends!
Well, the Wood family has some wonderful, exciting, new news to share with you all.... first have you gotten use to writing the Wood family address in pencil yet? I sure hope so because we are on the move once again! Move 17 in 17 years is just a few months away. The Lord has richly blessed us with a home on 16 acres that is already subdivided so my parents can one day build and live with us. It is our desire to care for them when the time comes- what a treat it will be to have the family all together! The home is so pretty... it is truly a "Jeanette" house with a front porch for friendship visits, big pretty windows and plenty of room for our family to grow! Two orchards, two gardens, and multiple berries are already mature and ready for the Wood family to enjoy! A pretty wooded park like area is awaiting the children for days of play! We also have a river that is quite huge, it actually is hooked up to our water system to care for the animals, landscaping and gardens. The river is sure to provide fun in the heat of summer, fishing tales and days of fun in the canoe with daddy! The barn is huge and is sure to be filled with the animals our Father provides in His perfect timing! We are all delighted!!! Can I share how it all happened? It was truly a God event!!!
One day, a few weeks ago, a gentleman came to our door saying that he was running for office. I directed him out back to visit with my Joe for awhile. After some time, Joe came to me and introduced us again- his name was Mr. Zeller- he mentioned to me that he had met several home school families and was also a father of five. Later that day we were driving around as a family when we saw him going door to door on another street. We pulled over to invite him to dinner however, when he pulled out his calendar it was easy to see he was quite busy. He asked for our email and phone number so he could call us and try to fit something in should the Lord open those doors. He also asked if I would want to be added to his email newsletter. Of course! We would love to keep current on his progress and the issues we could be in prayer over.
A few days later I received an email from the woman who was in charge of Mr. Zellers email newsletter. She sent me a sweet introduction letter to her family- she is a homeschool mom of 7. What a treat it was to hear from her and more than that she also invited us out to her home for a dinner and dance. Now, everyone that knows the Wood family knows we don't go out much but after talking to my Joe and the children everyone thought we should go and meet them. What a surprise when we showed up... there was 6-7 other homeschool families all with many children! We were delighted and had a fun night of fellowship! The children continually came to me saying, "Momma.. these are really neat friends!" While visiting with some of the women I was asked how we liked Kansas. I responded, "We are enjoying it. It was quite a pleasant surprise to find it so pretty and people so friendly. My parents came out and would like to join us here one day. We are going to start looking for property but we have some special requests because of their needs." One of the woman said, "Oh! You're looking for a place?" "Well, yes but it must have a paved road." I said hesitantly since most of what Joe and I found has been on dirt roads. "Oh! It does!" she responded and then she told us that the Ribelins had not yet put their home up for sale but that they had built a home on more property and were getting ready to do so. I got the phone number so we could contact them but I wasn't really feeling rushed to call since it probably wasn't what we were looking for.
Two days after that party, Joe was off from work and said he wanted to go look at the home. We got directions and were so surprised... rolling hills, everything was green, close to the shopping center, nice homes on the drive out.. everything was looking so lovely. Could this home really be something we are looking for? As we turned the bend of the road we saw the home.. instantly, the car "whoooed and awed" Oh, could this be the home we are looking for? We met the family, who are very precious! Both of us talked and said.. "Let's see what God does." Even if He says no to us buying the home we both agreed that we wanted our friendship to grow as we grow in Him. We toured the property.. I called mom in tears as this was exactly where I could see them growing old and me walking over to enjoy a cup of tea with her in the mornings!
After a few exchanges in documents, photos and information. Mom and Dad felt they needed to fly out for the weekend to look at the property and see if this was the Lords direction for our families. After mom and dad took a look at everything and the matter was given time in prayer.. we have all decided this is the Lords direction and... well... The Wood family is moving!!!
We have a lease at this home however, the land lord has agreed to let us out of it if he can find another quality renter. We know that if this is the Lords direction He will take care of all these details. Our hearts are filled with thanks! We feel so richly, abundantly and undeservingly blessed!!! Dear friends, please lift your voice in praise and thank Him for His continual faithfulness to our family. Surely He has taken us to green pastures!!!
I have posted some photos for you to peek into our new home. I will send everyone our address as things get closer!
Thank you again for all your prayers and love toward us... we appreciate each of you!!!!
With much love, Mrs. Joseph Wood
Driving up to our new home
Coming down the driveway
Buidling site for Momma and Daddy some day
Wooded area
Huge pretty back yard for fun with friends
River:
Home:
I hope you enjoyed your little tour! Until our next chat dear friends....
Well, the Wood family has some wonderful, exciting, new news to share with you all.... first have you gotten use to writing the Wood family address in pencil yet? I sure hope so because we are on the move once again! Move 17 in 17 years is just a few months away. The Lord has richly blessed us with a home on 16 acres that is already subdivided so my parents can one day build and live with us. It is our desire to care for them when the time comes- what a treat it will be to have the family all together! The home is so pretty... it is truly a "Jeanette" house with a front porch for friendship visits, big pretty windows and plenty of room for our family to grow! Two orchards, two gardens, and multiple berries are already mature and ready for the Wood family to enjoy! A pretty wooded park like area is awaiting the children for days of play! We also have a river that is quite huge, it actually is hooked up to our water system to care for the animals, landscaping and gardens. The river is sure to provide fun in the heat of summer, fishing tales and days of fun in the canoe with daddy! The barn is huge and is sure to be filled with the animals our Father provides in His perfect timing! We are all delighted!!! Can I share how it all happened? It was truly a God event!!!
One day, a few weeks ago, a gentleman came to our door saying that he was running for office. I directed him out back to visit with my Joe for awhile. After some time, Joe came to me and introduced us again- his name was Mr. Zeller- he mentioned to me that he had met several home school families and was also a father of five. Later that day we were driving around as a family when we saw him going door to door on another street. We pulled over to invite him to dinner however, when he pulled out his calendar it was easy to see he was quite busy. He asked for our email and phone number so he could call us and try to fit something in should the Lord open those doors. He also asked if I would want to be added to his email newsletter. Of course! We would love to keep current on his progress and the issues we could be in prayer over.
A few days later I received an email from the woman who was in charge of Mr. Zellers email newsletter. She sent me a sweet introduction letter to her family- she is a homeschool mom of 7. What a treat it was to hear from her and more than that she also invited us out to her home for a dinner and dance. Now, everyone that knows the Wood family knows we don't go out much but after talking to my Joe and the children everyone thought we should go and meet them. What a surprise when we showed up... there was 6-7 other homeschool families all with many children! We were delighted and had a fun night of fellowship! The children continually came to me saying, "Momma.. these are really neat friends!" While visiting with some of the women I was asked how we liked Kansas. I responded, "We are enjoying it. It was quite a pleasant surprise to find it so pretty and people so friendly. My parents came out and would like to join us here one day. We are going to start looking for property but we have some special requests because of their needs." One of the woman said, "Oh! You're looking for a place?" "Well, yes but it must have a paved road." I said hesitantly since most of what Joe and I found has been on dirt roads. "Oh! It does!" she responded and then she told us that the Ribelins had not yet put their home up for sale but that they had built a home on more property and were getting ready to do so. I got the phone number so we could contact them but I wasn't really feeling rushed to call since it probably wasn't what we were looking for.
Two days after that party, Joe was off from work and said he wanted to go look at the home. We got directions and were so surprised... rolling hills, everything was green, close to the shopping center, nice homes on the drive out.. everything was looking so lovely. Could this home really be something we are looking for? As we turned the bend of the road we saw the home.. instantly, the car "whoooed and awed" Oh, could this be the home we are looking for? We met the family, who are very precious! Both of us talked and said.. "Let's see what God does." Even if He says no to us buying the home we both agreed that we wanted our friendship to grow as we grow in Him. We toured the property.. I called mom in tears as this was exactly where I could see them growing old and me walking over to enjoy a cup of tea with her in the mornings!
After a few exchanges in documents, photos and information. Mom and Dad felt they needed to fly out for the weekend to look at the property and see if this was the Lords direction for our families. After mom and dad took a look at everything and the matter was given time in prayer.. we have all decided this is the Lords direction and... well... The Wood family is moving!!!
We have a lease at this home however, the land lord has agreed to let us out of it if he can find another quality renter. We know that if this is the Lords direction He will take care of all these details. Our hearts are filled with thanks! We feel so richly, abundantly and undeservingly blessed!!! Dear friends, please lift your voice in praise and thank Him for His continual faithfulness to our family. Surely He has taken us to green pastures!!!
I have posted some photos for you to peek into our new home. I will send everyone our address as things get closer!
Thank you again for all your prayers and love toward us... we appreciate each of you!!!!
With much love, Mrs. Joseph Wood
Driving up to our new home
Coming down the driveway
Buidling site for Momma and Daddy some day
Wooded area
Huge pretty back yard for fun with friends
River:
Home:
I hope you enjoyed your little tour! Until our next chat dear friends....
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Thursday, October 2, 2008
How Frail is your Faith?
How frail is your faith? These are the words I considered this week. My parents had come for a visit- it was a quick visit and I was concerned about their safety with them being so tired. I tried calling daddy however, his cell phone wasn't charged. I waited for the next morning and called their home.. no answer. Instantly my heart dropped to my feet. I tried the cell phones again, the car phones, the home phone again and then I heard that sweet sound I was longing to hear... that deep, raspy voice say, "Hello?" Oh, daddy! You are home! I heard all the details and learned the Lord had led them home safely without incident.. in fact he had a highway patrol man pulled them over at one point when momma was getting to tired just to check on them. Well, that sure woke her up and she was able to drive the rest of the way home without any incident! After I hung up I considered how frail is my faith.. will one missed phone call instantly make me forget all the countless times of His faithfulness? I had to ask the Father to forgive me and have kept that reminder in my thoughts this week as we have faced pressing issues. The Wood family is doing well...we delight in singing His praises and fixing our attention on Him instead of the storms of life. Cheryl, thank you for all your prayers and emails. Cyndi- thank you for calling to check on us and praying faithfully for our family. And to everyone else that lifts up the Wood family in prayer- thank you! How humbled we are that others would take time to pray for us!!!
I know there are many friends of ours with heartaches, concerns and life storms that seem to be invading every part of your being- may I encourage you to trust in the Lord... praise Him for who He is not just what He does! Fall into His arms and just listen to His heart beat! The song, I have posted above is one that has been sang often here in the Wood household, may we each desire to drink of His cup despite any discomfort to our physical bodies!
I pray that my brief note finds you all doing well.. bathing in His blessings and giving thanks for all He has done in your lives! And on a really fun note... go check my Bekah girls blog she has a fun post about laws in our new home state of KS posted. I laughed to the point of tears... just tooo funny! I also have posted here a trailer clip of a new movie that I am sure will be a blessing to many! Fireproof is a movie made by the same people that made Facing the Giants. Our Beckham family friends first told us about it; they watched the film last week and only suggested that if you go... take Kleenex! I pray that the Lord will use these films to reach the lost, the hurting and those that have strayed from His arms. Enjoy the clip and let me know if you go. I hope to go this weekend with my Joe as well as Bekah and Shadow- we will see what the Lord has planned.
Have a wonderful weekend as you abide in Him dear friends. May He have His perfect will in each of our lives.
May our lives be a testimony for all the World to see that there is a God in Heaven because of His Handiwork that they wittness in our lives.
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Bekahs Blog: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteadprincess
Fireproof video clip:
I know there are many friends of ours with heartaches, concerns and life storms that seem to be invading every part of your being- may I encourage you to trust in the Lord... praise Him for who He is not just what He does! Fall into His arms and just listen to His heart beat! The song, I have posted above is one that has been sang often here in the Wood household, may we each desire to drink of His cup despite any discomfort to our physical bodies!
I pray that my brief note finds you all doing well.. bathing in His blessings and giving thanks for all He has done in your lives! And on a really fun note... go check my Bekah girls blog she has a fun post about laws in our new home state of KS posted. I laughed to the point of tears... just tooo funny! I also have posted here a trailer clip of a new movie that I am sure will be a blessing to many! Fireproof is a movie made by the same people that made Facing the Giants. Our Beckham family friends first told us about it; they watched the film last week and only suggested that if you go... take Kleenex! I pray that the Lord will use these films to reach the lost, the hurting and those that have strayed from His arms. Enjoy the clip and let me know if you go. I hope to go this weekend with my Joe as well as Bekah and Shadow- we will see what the Lord has planned.
Have a wonderful weekend as you abide in Him dear friends. May He have His perfect will in each of our lives.
May our lives be a testimony for all the World to see that there is a God in Heaven because of His Handiwork that they wittness in our lives.
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Bekahs Blog: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteadprincess
Fireproof video clip:
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Friday, September 26, 2008
Beth Joy
My Beth Joy is such a blessing to me and her daddy! Her heart is tender, loving and always serving others! What a Joy she truly is to all her family! I loved staying up late with her last night, helping her finish up her bread baking. She has started making bread for some of the families we have been introduced to through our neighbors. I don't know how long the Lord will allow us to serve others in this way but for now, we are enjoying the memories made in the kitchen. Here is a photo of my Beth Joy walking with Sammy through a field- he adores his big sister Beth and she is pretty fond of him too!
Have a wonderful weekend dear friends!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Have a wonderful weekend dear friends!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Fun and His faithfulness
Hello Friends!
The Lord has been so faithful to us regarding our move to KS- He is always faithful! We have met several sweet families that have such a sweet spirits. This last weekend we were invited to join them for a night of dancing. The children had a great deal of fun and we were also able to get to know others that have large families and love the Lord as well. One family we met had ten boys, another had seven girls and two boys, one family had nine children, another had seven children and still another had five girls. What a joy it is to fellowship with other mommies that love their duties as wife and mommy!
The next night my Joe was home and we were able to visit with one of the families from the dance night. We had a wonderful time playing games and eating popcorn and apples! What fun these simple moments are! I love to share the Lord with others and hear what He is doing in their hearts and homes too!
I have posted a few photos for you to enjoy from our night of dancing and fun. I need to finish up some more grape jelly and start some apple butter. We have been richly blessed by the Father. He has truly done marvelous things our lives!
With much love dear friends,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
The Lord has been so faithful to us regarding our move to KS- He is always faithful! We have met several sweet families that have such a sweet spirits. This last weekend we were invited to join them for a night of dancing. The children had a great deal of fun and we were also able to get to know others that have large families and love the Lord as well. One family we met had ten boys, another had seven girls and two boys, one family had nine children, another had seven children and still another had five girls. What a joy it is to fellowship with other mommies that love their duties as wife and mommy!
The next night my Joe was home and we were able to visit with one of the families from the dance night. We had a wonderful time playing games and eating popcorn and apples! What fun these simple moments are! I love to share the Lord with others and hear what He is doing in their hearts and homes too!
I have posted a few photos for you to enjoy from our night of dancing and fun. I need to finish up some more grape jelly and start some apple butter. We have been richly blessed by the Father. He has truly done marvelous things our lives!
With much love dear friends,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
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Friday, September 19, 2008
Grape Jelly
Hello Friends!
The Lord has been pouring out his healing into the Wood family and we praise God for His faithfulness to do so. For all of you that were praying for Elisha- thank you! He is healing and doing so much better. Bekah calls him our family cameleon since his face has been turning colors from all the bruises.
Yesterday, Thursday: Sept 18th, we were invited to glean a Concord grape vineyard and gather grapes for a local homeless ministry. We were delighted to participate and after 10 hours of picking, washing, and cleaning we were ready to head home. The children all had such good attitudes singing songs, quoting scripture, and discussing biblical viewpoints in the vineyard! Wonderful memories were made! We do have some "battle wounds" cut fingers and such but nothing was able to steal our joy!~ Praise God!
Today, I have already put away 16 jars of grape jelly and have 60 more to go! We have shared with many of the neighbors- what fun it is to give!!! Tonight, we plan on attending our local library sale with some of our neighbors. The children and I have never been to such a sale so this will all be new to us. We are hoping to find some good picture books for the toddlers, resource books and even some Bibles.
Saturday, we have been invited to join some other homeschool families here in our area for a time of folk dancing. When the children heard the invitation, they all cheered and started talking about the fun we had with our Callis friends, in CA, learning some simple dances. I am confident we will be blessed by this time of fellowship with others.
My Joe is doing well. Busy and blessed! He is out on a run and won't return until Sunday. We are all missing him but know that this is for a very short season and what the Father has given us to do. Oh, my! I better run, Sarah just came in and reminded me I need to tend to the jelly!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
The Lord has been pouring out his healing into the Wood family and we praise God for His faithfulness to do so. For all of you that were praying for Elisha- thank you! He is healing and doing so much better. Bekah calls him our family cameleon since his face has been turning colors from all the bruises.
Yesterday, Thursday: Sept 18th, we were invited to glean a Concord grape vineyard and gather grapes for a local homeless ministry. We were delighted to participate and after 10 hours of picking, washing, and cleaning we were ready to head home. The children all had such good attitudes singing songs, quoting scripture, and discussing biblical viewpoints in the vineyard! Wonderful memories were made! We do have some "battle wounds" cut fingers and such but nothing was able to steal our joy!~ Praise God!
Today, I have already put away 16 jars of grape jelly and have 60 more to go! We have shared with many of the neighbors- what fun it is to give!!! Tonight, we plan on attending our local library sale with some of our neighbors. The children and I have never been to such a sale so this will all be new to us. We are hoping to find some good picture books for the toddlers, resource books and even some Bibles.
Saturday, we have been invited to join some other homeschool families here in our area for a time of folk dancing. When the children heard the invitation, they all cheered and started talking about the fun we had with our Callis friends, in CA, learning some simple dances. I am confident we will be blessed by this time of fellowship with others.
My Joe is doing well. Busy and blessed! He is out on a run and won't return until Sunday. We are all missing him but know that this is for a very short season and what the Father has given us to do. Oh, my! I better run, Sarah just came in and reminded me I need to tend to the jelly!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
