Thankful

I've been sitting here reading through blogs of friends, aquaintances, and strangers. As I read I'm reminded how blessed and thankful I am for the paths God has led me in. When I think back 10 years to the direction I thought (wanted) my life to take it certainly wouldn't have been as fulfilling or exciting as where God has led.

All I really wanted was a little trailer/house in the country in PA, be able to teach (preferably third grade or below), my own dog, my own garden, and my own clothesline. Just a quiet, simple life with as few people watching me as possible.

And here I am: in a beautiful apartment in Cincinnati, Ohio, teaching college (philosophy of all things!), God gave me a husband (I didn't want one of those but I've found that I needed one!), two healthy normal boys (I didn't want any of those either!) I do have my own garden (Thanks to Mr. Lum and Dr. Avery), you don't want to air your laundry if you live in the city and particularly on GBS campus (do I need to explain further?). Quiet and simple life? That ended when I married "Dr. Phil" and moved to the "fishbowl" atmosphere of a Bible College campus.

God has taught me a lot in the last 10 years about His ways being higher than my ways. His stretching of me has not been without an ample supply of grace to trust Him unreservedly with my life. Isn't life with God good?

Well, I must red up the house (For those of you who are not familiar with PA Dutch that is pronounced "red" and means to tidy, straighten, clear of clutter, etc.) so that #1 I don't fall and break something if one of the boys wakes in the night and #2 so that I can start tomorrow fresh without a pile of clutter staring me in the face.

To those who comment on my blog and wonder why they never receive a reply: Teaching this semester has taken a LOT of my time and so responding to comments is one of the things that I have had to put aside. One of those priority, choosing what is best decisions that I had to make. In two weeks I should be fully functional again!

Feels like Summer!

The boys have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful weather that we have had this week! We're very blessed to have a city park less than 1/2 a block from our house where they can swing. Even Daniel enjoys it. My garden is doing well but we've discovered that what we thought were rabbits munching at my plants are actually DEER! I still can't believe it but they leave their hoof prints as evidence. This morning John Lum actually saw the deer standing in the yard. So much for my little chicken wire fence (that was intended to keep people from walking through the garden).

Three years old

Allan's birthday was on April 7th but we weren't able to celebrate until Tuesday. If you ask him if he's three he usually replies, "I'm five actually." That seems to be his favorite number. Here are some pictures of our celebration. And some pictures that I just thought were cute.

Fast Work!

They are building a new maintenance building at GBS right next to the house where we are living. They put up walls Monday, trusses Tuesday, it rained Wednesday and they're putting on the roof today. It's been incredible! Allan has been glued to the study window watching all of the goings on. It's nice for him since it's cold and rainy and he can't go outside. Oh, he now also has new equipment words: Nail gun, compressor.

Deanna's Wedding Cake

We woke up on Saturday morning to SNOW! It was Deanna Wolf's wedding day and also Allan's birthday. The cake was both chocolate and white filled with raspberry filling. The only decorations that were used were ribbon, edible pearls and her cake topper.

Happy April!

Here we are entering another busy month! Deanna Wolf is getting married this coming Saturday and I have her cake to do this week. Allan's 3rd birthday is also this Saturday. My niece Kathryn's birthday is today and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law's anniversary is also Saturday. We're on spring break here at GBS so I am relieved of teaching responsibilities. YEAH!!!!

 Allan and Daniel are now exactly 10 inches and 10 lbs apart. I'm thinking that soon they're going to be wearing the same size!

 Allan has taken it upon himself to make sure all of the GBS personnel are in a right relationship with the Lord. Last week as I was combing my hair I heard him in the office hollering out the window, "Mr. Durham?..... Do you have Jesus in your heart?" Mr. Durham answered affirmative. And then I heard, "Mr. Lum?..... Do you have Jesus in your heart?" (Also affirmative) I'm just waiting for him to do that to someone passing our house on the sidewalk. I hope I'm there to see their face!

 This morning I was a little disturbed by his amount of noise at breakfast (you mother's know what I mean...you inwardly sigh because you know it's going to be a LOUD day). And he could tell by my face that I wasn't a very happy camper because he said to me with a big grin on his face, "I'm happy in Jesus! Are you happy in Jesus?" I decided in a split second that my attitude needed to change and I said that I was happy in Jesus. He then said, "Well, you need to smile!" :o) I followed his advice.

Here are some photos - Daniel is now sitting (at the pushing of his occupational therapists!) and having a wonderful time being a baby. Allan is loving all of the nice weather since it allows him to play outside for hours at a time. He did tell me the other week that he wanted to come in because it was "sweaty outside." Ha! And we're not even to summer yet.