Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Psalms 91:11

Please pray for our son-in-law, Josh.  He was deployed today. 

Here is a picture Amanda sent me today of Josh and Jaelynn a few hours before he left.  (Pray for Amanda and Jaelynn too.  They will be coming home for the summer but as delighted as I am to have them here, I know Amanda's heart is deeply sad right now and she will miss her man like crazy!!  Of course, Miss Jaelynn will miss her daddy bunches too!!!)


For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. 
Psalms 91:11 (Amplifed Version)


Monday, June 21, 2010

17 Kids and counting--- The Fick Version



When we think of a mother having  17 children, most would automatically think of the popular TV Family, The Duggars.   I personally am a fan of the Duggar Family and admire, respect and appreciate what they stand for as Christians.  Not long ago I asked my dad to watch The Duggar Show, to which he laughingly replied: 

 “My mother had 17 children and she didn’t have a TV show!!”.  

 I couldn’t help but to chuckle at Pop’s disinterest in the TV show.   Though I am fascinated with a large family and how they manage from day to day, my dad is not so fascinated.  He knows first hand how large families function because he lived it.   My Pop is the youngest boy of 17 children.   His stories fascinate me.  You know the proverbial, “ We woke up at 5:00 am and had to milk the cow and feed the chickens with a foot snow on the ground before we went school,” or “we use to walk uphill to school with no shoes” or “at Christmas we were thrilled to receive an orange and apple as a gift”.  

 One of my favorite memories my dad shares is the one where he recounts the fact that they grew-up with out TV, internet or computer games.  They regularly passed time by moving all the furniture around in the den, putting on some music and “cutting the rug” for hours.  (And boy—you should see those Ficks dance!!!  )

This past weekend we had the pleasure to attend our Fick family reunion.   It has been many years since we had this opportunity but what a blessing it was.  We were reunited with family from all over the country and I  “met” (yes, MET) family I never knew I had.


Jordyn, Jim, Me, Mom (in front), Pop, Ryan (my brother) and Holly 

  My dad and his family have always exhibited a very close bond.  They have a tie that no one can break and most can not even understand.  They are some of the most giving, loving, servant-hearted, comical people I have ever met.  Through the years the Fick brothers and sisters (most are in their 70’s or older) have remained a very close family.  Though I personally have vague memories of my Grandma and Grandaddy Fick I have heard accounts of  my grandmother’s commitment to The Lord and to prayer.    As I think of the legacy my grandparents  left,  Psalms 127  comes to my mind: 
  3Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
  4As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth.
    5Happy, blessed, and fortunate is the man whose quiver is filled with them! They will not be put to shame when they speak with their adversaries [in gatherings] at the [city's] gate.  (Ampliphied Version)

When studying this verse this morning my Life Application Bible commentary lends a MUCH needed reminder to our society:

"Too often children are seen as liabilities rather than assets.  But the bible calls children “a heritage from the Lord”, a reward.  We can learn valuable lessons from their inquisitive minds and trusting spirits.  Those who view children as a distraction or nuisance should instead see them as an opportunity to shape the future.  We dare not treat children as an inconvience when God values them so highly”

Thank you to Grandma and Granddaddy Fick for the legacy and example you have left behind through your lives and your children.


Grandma and Grand-daddy Fick


50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

 
A Few Pictures from The Fick Family Reunion 2010



Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Help Support orphans in Peru


Jim and I met with Sam today.  She is a wonderful, Godly young  woman .  I have known Sam since she was a youth in a local youth group.  (Amanda and Sam went to Mexico on a mission trip about 8 years ago.)

Sam lives in Peru now.  She has recently spent two years of her life volunteering at an orphanage in Peru.  She basically took a leap of faith, depleted her savings account, sold her car and moved to help this Christian orphanage.   She is home for a few weeks and is getting ready to return to Peru.  She is not going back to the orphanage to serve but she is waiting on The Lord to show her the next “season” of her life.   

Sam blessed my heart today as she is trying to get the word out about “Hogar De Esperanga” (Home of Hope).    One of the things that impressed me most is that since she is not returning to the orphanage she is not in any way trying to raise personal support.  She is only motivated by the deep love she has for the children and her desire to see  the work at the orphanage continue.  She wants to help spread the word to as many as will listen.  

I sat as she told story after story (with pictures) about the orphans that are in the home.   It is hard to fathom the stories behind the precious faces.  Heart wrenching. 

As Sam talked to us, I noticed her necklace.  It continued to catch my eye during our meeting.  I finally asked her about it (it reminded me of Skittles).   She explained that the orphans make the necklaces out of seeds (and paint them).  Then they sell them for $10.   The money is divided.  Half goes to support the work of the orphanage and the other half goes to an account for the orphan to use when they turn 18 and have to live on their own.

I knew immediately I wanted a necklace.  Sam did not have them with her but she went home and brought back several for me to choose from.

Here is the one that caught my eye:



The tag names the little boy who made the necklace.



I noticed some beautiful purple “seeds” in one of the bags.  She told me they were bracelets.  I decided I “needed” a purple bracelet too! (to match my purple pinky).  I randomly picked a purple bracelet :



And the name tag was this:



God wink?  ABSOLUTELY???    Anyone want to go to Peru with me to meet Fernando and help out??

If you are interested in buying a necklace or bracelet let me know.  I can “hook you up!!”.   If you are in my area and want to hear Sam share her story (and the stories of the orphans),  she will be speaking at our church (www.ccfnet1.org)  on Sunday, July 11th.  She will have the bracelets and necklaces available to purchase that day as well.

Here are some more link in case you are lead to do anything for this ministry:

www.perukids.com  (orphanage site)

Please pray for them!!  




Monday, June 14, 2010

Pomp and Circumstance

Congratulations to Jordyn Burton.  Our 2010 home school graduate!!!  Jim and I are so proud of Jordyn and her hard work.  Jim has been an amazing support and encouragement to me the past 12 years.  I could have never done this without his love, support, understanding and shoulder to cry on from time to time.  (Oh--of course, his support when it was time to dissect the pig fetus on the kitchen counter.  GROSS!!).   We were so excited this weekend  we just couldn't contain our happiness:


That was our "School's out for summer" dance!   Or the "happy" dance as Jordyn and I use to say when she would pass a test or finish a unit of study.  :)

What a fun filled and blessed weekend we had as we celebrated Jordyn's high school graduation.  It was a bitter-sweet time for me.  Many times over the past 12 years, I have been tempted to chase the school bus down and surrender.  I am thankful that the Lord didn't let me throw the towel in. With His help, we were able to press-on to the end.  I do not regret my decision to home school for one moment.  I would do it all over again if given the chance.  

 Here is a glimpse from our weekend celebrations:


Our 2010 graduate at our Virginia Home Educators Graduation.  


Our special little guest was with us this weekend.  She celebrated her 2 month birthday on JoJo's graduation. 

Jordyn and Chris.  It wouldn't be complete without him being there!  We love you "toot"!

Jordyn peeking out for a quick look to see if mom was bawling yet.  (and for the record, I only cried through HALF of the ceremony.)

Commencement speaker, Ken Hamm from Answers in Genesis 


We had 200 home school "kids" from all over the state take part in the graduation ceremony this year. 


(and for anyone who has ever asked, "What about socicalization??".  This pictures if for YOU!)




Jordyn with our dear friends--G Rich and Crusty C

My girls!

JoJo, Pop and Nanny (not in that exact order)

The Graduation Party


My brother's fiancĂ©e, Miss Holly Allen (soon to be  Holly Fick) 

Poppa Johnny and Jaelynn "chillin' " by the pool at the graduation party.

'Kane' (a.k.a. Elena) and baby Jaelynn.  Kane is a major prayer warrior and she couldn't wait to get her hands on the "child for whom she had prayed"......

I think the heat was starting to get to us!  You never know what will happen when you get the Burton gals together.


So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.  Deut. 11: 18-21

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Outta the bag.....

The cat is out of the bag!!!!  I have been carrying around a secret for 2 weeks and I have been about to explode.  Amanda and baby Jaelynn drove from TN to surprise Jordyn for her upcoming graduation weekend celebrations!  Amanda timed it perfectly and arrived right before Jordyn got off work this afternoon.  We told Jordyn that a  graduation "package" had been delivered from her sissy and that it was on her bed.  Little did Jordyn know but Amanda and Jaelynn were hiding in JoJo's room.  I think Amanda was more excited than anyone.  I can't believe we pulled it off!  

Jordyn's face is priceless!  She was totally shocked!

JoJo and baby JaeJae


My girls


Great grandparents, Nanny Pat and Poppa Johnny.  This is their first time meeting baby Jaelynn

Mimi's little precious!


Tuesday, June 08, 2010

P.Y.T.

Another hectic week is in full swing around The Burton household.  We are getting ready for Jordyn's home school graduation and party this weekend.  

Amanda sent me two pictures today that I just had to share.

(Though I prefer "Mimi", I think I could easily answer to grandma if that precious little face called me that!  So, the I heart grandmas onesie is totally okay with me!!)

  


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