Hillsong UNITED - Oceans (Where Feet may fail) radio version - Lyric Video

Really enjoying this song lately. Perhaps you will too..? :)  ~Renée

Emily's Fifth

Joel here.  I've been working on a piano piece I'd like to share with you all.  I finished recording it on the 11th, Emily's fifth Heaven Day, so I titled it Emily's Fifth.  I think the music fits her well.  Actually, I think she even likes it!  Enjoy: Emily's Fifth

Sing and Make Music

Praise the Lord!

How good it is to sing praises to our God;

for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.

He heals the brokenhearted, 

and binds up their wounds.

Joshua trying out Daddy's electric guitar

Ever since Emily died, Joshua has complained of stomach aches. Until last fall. 

The summer of 2012 the Lord did miraculous healing in my own grief and thus in the grief journeys of my children. Ever since then, Joshua has not complained of stomach pain.

Josh has been ITP free for over one year now.

Joshua's blood sugar levels are steadily (and very slowly) improving. (We are giving him Prickly Pear Extract- a natural source of insulin).

Madelynn with Davidic harp (lyre)

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; 

make melody to our God on the lyre.

Rachel with harp

Rachel continues to eat gluten, with no side effects. Does she still have Celiac? We don't know, but we do know that she is happy, content, learning, growing and exploring. She is showing no signs of disease.

Hudson tooting on the recorder

Let Israel be glad in its Maker;

let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.

Praise him with trumpet sound;

praise him with strings and pipe!

Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!

(Psalms 147, 149 & 150)

Uppy-datey

I haven't given an update on the kids in awhile. I know some of you enjoy that, and I enjoy remembering what new things they are up to. So I'll begin...

Dressed for summer.

Hudson with a green bean up his nose.
Don't worry, it's organic.

I'll start with Hudson (2 yrs), or our little "pie" as Rachel calls him. She has all sorts of pet names for him. He and Madelynn weigh the same, their heads are the same size, but he is still shorter than her. He enjoys tackling his siblings by running and then pushing them over with his arms wrapped around their waist. It is quite funny to watch as he barrels them over. He's a sturdy kid, for our family anyway. He's laid back, mostly happy, even when he wears his serious face. Hudson is also our parrot. He will mimic whatever you say, usually the last one-two words of your sentence. Which makes communication difficult, but he is getting better. He calls Mommy "cute" and proclaims Mommy is also "cutest". Hudson admits that Josh, Rachel, Meh-meh and Daddy are also "cute". He loves the Piano Guys and plays the "cello" rocking out in the middle of the living room floor. It's just the toy ukulele we have and it's usually upside down. This morning the first thing Hudson said to me was, "Cello Wars!" Hmm-mm. Yes, I think we have a little groupie.

Meh-meh (as Hudson calls her) with some
of her stuffed animals stuffed in her
nightgown.

Madelynn (3.5 yrs) is our little blue-eyed joy. Full of smiles, hugs, cuddles, jumps and wiggles. She is learning a mile a minute along side her older brother and sister. She hates baths (yes, still), shares a double bed with her sister, loves being read to, and loves pancakes. Right now she is in the transition from taking one nap a day to taking zero naps a day. Sometimes it's a hard balance to figure out what she needs. She can rattle off numbers 1-10 in Thai faster than in English. She also is working on her emotional stability and the ability to use her words rather than her emotions. That said, she is like my (Renee) little shadow if she's not running around with Hudson. Unless of course, Nina (Renee's mom) is in the house, then it's Nina's turn to have a shadow!

Stuffed animals and dolls dressed in doll clothes.
These doll clothes my mom made for
my Patty Pumpkin doll when I was a child.
Now they have been given to R and M
and R has had a great time dressing up her "friends".

Rachel (6 yrs) is our growing artist. She loves to draw, decorate, organize, create and tape. Did I say tape? We go through alot of tape. She enjoys keeping a piece of tape on her chin, just in case. Rachel loves to give gifts (another reason for the use of tape) and often gives Joel and/or I something new. She is full of love and hugs and notes full of hearts and stars. She is also learning to read. Rachel is a wonderful big sister to Madelynn, taking care of her when Mommy can't and taking her by the hand in "shy" situations. Madelynn soaks it in and loves being cared for, most of the time.
Rachel is also, no longer gluten free. 

Rachel lifting Hudson up

Yes, you read that correctly. For the last month and a half or more, Rachel has been eating like the rest of the family: wheat toast, cross-contaminated oats, whole wheat noodles, Red River cereal, etc. We haven't gotten her tested again for Celiac Disease, but she is experiencing no symptoms of this disease any longer.
Four years ago Rachel was diagnosed with Celiac and put on a strict gluten free diet. A year ago I came across this article and decided to give it a try after praying about it. What they said in the article made sense and it was how we wanted to eat anyway-more healthy, more whole grains, less processed foods.
Well, all I can say is, I am amazed. It was frightening at first letting Rachel eat a whole slice of wheat bread. But after awhile, I got used to it. And after seeing no ill side effects, it seems natural now for Rachel to eat like us. She loves it by the way. Rachel had her first cinnamon bun and loved unrolling it as she ate it. She also had her first malted milk ball.
Maybe someday down the road we'll get her tested, but right now we are just rejoicing in God's goodness and mercy to us.

Joshua (8 yrs) has really been into building and creating and then taking pictures of what he has created. Whether it's Legos, blocks from wood kindling, Duplos, train and road systems, he enjoys building. (At the moment of this typing he is with his grandpa playing with an old Erector Set) His favorite right now is to create a city and of course add the cars and trucks to his building creations. Here are a few of the photos Joshua took himself:

A recent highlight for Josh was when a long time buddy and his family came to visit. Oliver and Josh have been good pals for their whole lives. This last time they had fun making a way cool robot out of Legos:

Joshua and Oliver with a Robot

After seeing the Piano Guys play music that he likes to listen to, Joshua has expressed interest in learning to play the cello! We were happy to hear that, but in our family, learning piano comes first as it's such a foundational learning instrument. So now Josh is learning piano, and so far, he is motivated to play.

And I will end with a family photo.

Thanks for checking in and reading this far!

May God bless you with His wonderful Presence.

A "hey! everyone's smiling and looking at the camera
and not blinking!" family photo

Coldplay - Paradise (Peponi) African Style (ft. guest artist, Alex Boye)...

Another Piano Guys music video for a beautiful Friday!
This one is for you, Joshua, our precious son!
We thank the Lord for giving us eight wonderful years with you.
We love you!

Charlie Brown Medley - ThePianoGuys

Joel and I have really enjoyed watching The Piano Guys' music videos. They are based in Southern Utah and are extremely talented musicians. I'll be posting our favorite videos for awhile, but you can check them out on their website or on YouTube.

The video below is a surprise concert they put on for a senior citizen audience. 

Enjoy it and have a Happy Friday!

One Direction - What Makes You Beautiful (5 Piano Guys, 1 piano) - ThePi...

Five guys play the same piano:

This is entertaining and very fun to watch! Great music too!

Strength for today, Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Emily's Heaven Day

Yes Emily died. But just like Jesus, she was resurrected, into heaven, with Jesus. And that my friends, is why Joel and I can grieve with hope. 
We can cry and smile at the same time.

We can weep and have peace in the same moment.
Emily Grace, along with thousands of others, are alive, they are not dead.
They are in paradise.
They are laughing, smiling, praising the Awesome Creator of the Universe.
And they love Him.

Joel holding Madelynn, June 2009, at the grave site.

God consoles His suffering people, and His consolations, which are proportioned to the nature and degree of their suffering, shall surely appear to all who stick to His truth and trust Him with their souls. It is a demonstration of the faithfulness of God to those that, suffering according to His will, do commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
(I Peter 4:19 NKJV)

::The Following Pictures are taken at Emily's grave side May 2012::

Four children helping their Mommy and Daddy clean up Emily's  grave site, while the June berry tree blossoms.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 

(Psalm 116:15 NKJV)

Hudson helping Daddy

Mourn not ye, whose child hath found

purer skies and holier ground;

Flowers of bright and pleasant hue,

Free from thorns, and fresh with dew.

Mourn not ye, whose child hath fled

From this region of the dead,

To yon winged angel-band,

To a better, fairer land.

Knowledge in that clime doth grow

Free from weeds of toil and woe,

Joys which mortals may not share;

Mourn ye not, your child is there.

-Lydia H. Sigourney

Madelynn smiling

"Oh troubled heart, be still and learn that no selfishness can be in love; that he who loves his Master withholds nothing when He has need of it; and he who loves his child will sink all sense of loss in the everlasting gain of lying safe upon the bosom of the Shepherd."

-Benjamin M. Palmer, 1818-1902, buried five of six children

 Joshua, Rachel, Hudson making 'creeping phlox angels'

Thus says the Lord: 'I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth...The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.'
Zechariah 8:3,5 NKJV

A square on Emily's quilt

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
Revelation 21:4 NKJV

"This is Not The End" by Gungor

Lyrics:

This is not the end
This is not the end of this
We will open our eyes wide, wider

This is not our last
This is not our last breath
We will open our mouths wide, wider

And you know you’ll be alright
Oh and you know you’ll be alright

This is not the end
This is not the end of us
We will shine like the stars bright, brighter

~

And her Daddy has the last word::

Resurrection Morn

by Joel 

Now that I've held death in my arms.

Now that my own flesh and blood has grown cold.

Now that I've seen a soul move on,

leaving behind a little body and a little less of me.

Now that I've seen the heavenly slip away....

Nothings left when the heavenly slips away.

Now that I've seen...

What would've it been like to be there on a hill outside of Jerusalem?

When the earth shuddered and the sky rolled and on the cross hung the One who made it all?

He made the hands that beat Him.

He made the tongues that cursed Him over and over.

He made the nails that pierced His wrists.

He made the thorns that crowned His bloody head.

The Author of Life wrote His death. He wrote in His own blood.

And the Light of the world was extinguished.

And what is a world without the One by whom it is made?

No there's nothing left when the heavenly slips away.

Oh for the resurrection morn!

Oh for the first light of dawn!

All would be lost it that'd been all;

if death could keep a hold on God

Enter the tomb. Pass the stone rolled away.

He is not here. He is risen from the dead!

Oh for the resurrection morn! (Where would we be?)

Oh for the first light of dawn! (Come Lord Jesus come)

The Sun Shines Upon the Storm

I cannot know why suddenly the storm

should rage so fiercely round me in its wrath

But this I know-God watches all my path,

And I can trust

I may not draw aside the unseen veil

That hides the unknown future from my sight

Nor know if for me waits the dark or light;

But I can trust

I have no power to look across the tide,

To see while here the land beyond the river;

But this I know-I will be God's forever;

So I can trust.

-"Streams in the Desert" Devotional p. 196

The God Joel and I serve is amazing. He is truly wonderful. When one of us is down, grieving, broken- He lifts us up. He raises us. He reassures and whispers and comforts. I know I can trust a God who cares about me and the people I love. He did not abandon us during our time with Emily. No, instead He was there every second of it, strong and warm. He whispers to me, "Trust. Trust Me." And I cannot. And yet I can. I can choose to trust. Because His Spirit lives inside me, and He gives me the ability to trust- when I let go. When I let go of my hurt, not letting go of Emily, but letting go of my selfishness, any bitterness and self-pitying thoughts, He enables me to trust Him completely. And then, I am free. Free like Emily.

You Raise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;

But when you come and I am filled with wonder, 

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

Hudson: A Musical

Hudson is a master at baby facial expressions. Here he demonstrates this ability among others...

Dance Away

Some friends of ours put on a dance to raise money for coffee farmers in Burundi. 

Here is a taste of that fine evening:

Smorgas-nalia

Lots going on. Sometimes it's overwhelming. But I know God is not overwhelmed and to Him I trust and depend upon for strength.

Last week we had a scare with Josh so we had his platelets checked. No problems-his numbers are in the normal range.

Joshua's insulin pump arrived on Sunday. Who knew there would be three workbooks and a big box of stuff to sort through just for a pump? A little much I think, but we're wading through it.

Hudson is finally over his sickness. I think he's taking a break from teething too. He's been sleeping through the night a little more and he's been happy! It's so nice to have my Hudson-boy happy again. He babbles so much; we have "conversations" which he turns very serious for, and then starts smiling and laughing. He's still crawling and cruising along the furniture. No interest in walking...yet.

Madelynn is still sick. And miserable.

Rachel has been bubbly and happy. She's been saying some funny stuff, but I keep forgetting to write it down so I can share it with you.

It seems as though it's spring here. Robins, rain, sunshine, 60 F, breezy, walks, no jackets, yarrow and green grass coming up. I'm trying to get some spring cleaning done so I can move onto the yard work. I didn't expect spring to come so quickly! What a treat!

Trying to decide on having a garage sale or not.

Joel's been helping out at the church alot lately due to Pastor and his wife being on vacation. They deserve a vacation!!

I've been able to make bread almost everyday. I love fresh bread so much. My dad gave me an easy one rise recipe. It takes a mere five minutes to mix up. If you want the recipe let me know.

Joshua is working on his first creative writing assignment.

Joel and I bought a new wedding ring for me. I had lost mine a couple years ago gardening (or something like that) and we never found it. I love the new ring-it is so simple yet beautiful. I will try to post a picture of it later.

Joshua learned how to ride a bike!!

Rachel is learning to write letters and draw stick figures.

Madelynn knows most of her ABC's just by listening to the older two.

We visited some dear friends, Mark and Kelley, Oliver and Karis last weekend. It was so great to see them and catch up and see where they live now. (they moved recently). The kids had a great time together.

I really like birds. I'm not big into naming them, but I like the idea of birds. So sweet, so free, so fun to watch.

I miss Emily. But yet I am delighted that she is with Jesus.

I am excited and looking forward to this summer. This summer with a garden, and fresh air and picnics and spending time with family.

Joel took over for an evening after supper so I could go on a bike ride. (Isn't he a great husband?) I love to bike. I really do. I love to go fast and feel the wind, and yes even get out of breath. I feel so invigorated afterwards. I hope I can keep this up throughout the summer, then maybe I won't feel so tired all the time.

I love my kids.

I love my husband.

Ryan and Djembe lessons!

I'm so proud of him! -Renee

You Raise me Up

Selah - You Raise Me Up Lyrics

When I am down, and oh my soul, so weary.

When troubles come, and my heart burdened be.

Then I am still and wait here in the silence.

Until You come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

I am strong when I am on your shoulders.

You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

I am strong when I am on your shoulders.

You raise me up to more than I can be.

There is no life no life without its hunger.

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly.

But when you come and I am filled with wonder.

Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

I am strong when I am on your shoulders.

You raise me up to more than I can be.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.

You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.

I am strong when I am on your shoulders.

You raise me up to more than I can be.

***

He has risen me up.

It's been a long month, a long season of depending on Him for every bit of energy I need. I have teetered on the ridge of exhaustion, physically and emotionally. It is a fight to keep my thoughts from wandering to "And then what? Who's next to come down with some terrible disease?" 

These bodies are temporary. This life is fleeting. I cannot stake anything upon this world. Only in Christ, only in Him is it worth giving everything for.

For Eva Ruby Christine and Emily Grace and especially their Mothers

Josh Garrells - Farther Along

This is a great song off a great album which you can download for free from here.

Farther Along

Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by

Tempted and tried, I wondered why
The good man died, the bad man thrives
And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both
We’re all cast-aways in need of ropes
Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope
In a house of mirrors full of smoke
Confusing illusions I’ve seen

Where did I go wrong, I sang along
To every chorus of the song
That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates
Leading mice and men down to their fates
But some will courageously escape
The seductive voice with a heart of faith
While walkin’ that line back home

So much more to life than we’ve been told
It’s full of beauty that will unfold
And shine like you struck gold my wayward son
That deadweight burden weighs a ton
Go down into the river and let it run
And wash away all the things you’ve done
Forgiveness alright

Chorus

Still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul
And I’ve got no place left go
Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown
More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin’ on

Skipping like a calf loosed from its stall
I’m free to love once and for all
And even when I fall I’ll get back up
For the joy that overflows my cup
Heaven filled me with more than enough
Broke down my levee and my bluff
Let the flood wash me

And one day when the sky rolls back on us
Some rejoice and the others fuss
Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess
That the son of god is forever blessed
His is the kingdom, we’re the guests
So put your voice up to the test
Sing Lord, come soon

Chorus

"Beautiful Things" A Post from Renee

I'm tired.

I know we just had a baby. I know we just bought a house and moved into it. But I'm still tired.

Things are tough right now. Every day is a battle and right now the battle feels overwhelming.

Among a few other things, I am finding encouragement in this particular song:

Beautiful Things
All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make me new, You are making me new

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

This song has been close to our hearts. This particular version has been our favorite right now.