Adkins Family Story

Weekend of Travel

2012-01-31T14:24:00.003-05:00

This past weekend our family traveled to Ligonier, Indiana! On Saturday night Ron and I gave a seminar on Discipleship. The church had been hearing about Discipleship from their Pastor, Troy, but he had asked Ron to go into more detail about how to and what might become issues in a group.

Ron and I have been leading Discipleship groups since Ron began teaching at Circleville Bible College (now Ohio Christian University). We both lead a few groups during our 4 years there and have continued to lead discipleship groups.

We think the seminar went well and we are excited to see what God has in store for Ligonier Evangelical Church.

Then on Sunday morning Ron lead the adult Sunday School class

and preached the morning message.

Additionally, our boys sang, "How Great is Our God" with sign language. They have sang this song several times now in different churches, but this was for sure the biggest church they had sung in and they did a great job!

We had a fun weekend! We were pretty excited to get to stay with our friends, the Diersings (who also Pastor the Ligonier Church). Troy and Gloria were at CBC when we were in school and we were married the same summer and went to Wesley Biblical Seminary together! We enjoy spending time with them.

and now our kids enjoy their kids too!
Here Nathaniel is holding Caleb while he chews on a toy!

Here are our 4 with Charissa and Caleb! (They were all sooo upset when the weather got pretty intense on Sunday afternoon and we had to stay longer than planned - sarcasm intended!)

We had a great time with friends and a great time worshipping together!

2 Dates and a Preacher

2012-01-27T06:42:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I took Eli to get his 5 year pictures taken. It was a little rough knowing that after this he will have school pictures and no more trips with mom to get them taken - crazy, but it was hard in a way!

So Eli kept telling Ron, "Mom and I have a date". I realized Eli was pretty excited about this so I told him that we would need to take Maddie with us too. His response, "oh, 2 dates"! Gotta love that kid!

Here he is enjoying his Subway. After the pictures we stopped to see a parishioner in the nursing home, Eli's request, then we went to Subway for lunch! Eli did great and really tried to be the big man and take care of his 2 dates!

He was pretty excited to get his picture taken. He wanted to wear his new suit! The photographer asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and his response was, "a Preacher"!

When we got home and I relayed the conversation to Ron and he immediately said, "Eli, you should have taken a Bible with you!"

We proceeded to take some pictures at home.

The Preacher

"Jesus said"
"Repent!"

"Praise the Lord"

I'm so thankful for Eli and for his desire to be a Preacher!

My prayer is that Jesus will use Him in Big Ways to further His Kingdom!

Did you know?

2012-01-25T14:54:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure if you were aware, but besides having 3 boys and a little girl around here, we also have...

Cowboys and Princesses

It is so fun to watch these 2 play together! They have realized that they can both be Cowboys! Maddie has learned though that she is a "Cowgirl"!
They have also both learned that Eli can't be a Princess, but he can be a Prince. At which point he gets out his shield, sword and helmet and protects his princess!

I love it!

I wish I could always have a Cowboy and Princess around!

"Wake Up Panpa"

2012-01-24T13:16:00.003-05:00

When Ron's parents came at Christmas time, it had been right around a month since "Panpa" (as Maddie lovingly refers to him) began a new job. He had been laid off for several years and it was a huge answer to prayer when he began a job right after Thanksgiving. However, it was 3rd shift and at Christmas time, when they visited, he was still adjusting to the hours!

This picture below shows him trying to get some sleep (imagine with 4 running around)! He was successful in sleeping and was out pretty hard, but Maddie thought she would read to him a story while he napped!

It was so cute. She got some books (Christmas books with Baby Jesus in them, of course) and she sat down in front of him to read to him!

She tired of that, (perhaps of his lack of responding to her amazing reading skills!) and decided she wanted Panpa to wake up! She would get real close, but not touch him, then she would slowly rub his arm! Grandma was trying to encourage her to rub his back - to which she got very frustrated because she "couldn't find his back" :) So Grandma suggested, "give him a kiss", but his face was covered too!

She proceeded to get more and more daring, kissing his arm, rubbing his arm, talking softly to him! Until finally...

She got what she wanted...Panpa's undivided attention!

It was so cute to sit and watch!

Maddie loves her Panpa!

1st Significant Snowfall

2012-01-21T14:36:00.004-05:00

Yesterday and into last night we got our first significant snowfall of this winter! It seems very late for it and we were pretty excited about it coming! We stayed warm last night with some yummy biscuits and gravy and then sat around and played games.

Then this morning we all bundled up and went to work!

OK, not everybody worked!

she did manage to clear some the snow off the porch!
Everybody worked hard!

It was a very fine snow, it didn't pack very well. Maddie was excited to make a snowman and a santa claus (not sure where she got that)! But she and Eli settled for just relaxing!

He's sun bathing in the snow and lovin' it (just look at that grin)

Eli and Maddie even got their beach stuff out to play!

Immediately after I took the above picture I went to get one of the football game that was beginning! I didn't make it though. The little gal in pink decided that Eli needed a little snow on his head - and down his neck and into his shirt! That cut our morning time a little short!

Eli eventually went back out (after some hot chocolate) and helped the Giants win the game. Apparently the NFC, AFC and Superbowl were all played this morning and the Giants were successful!

Daddy is still recovering after 3 games in 3 inches of snow in 1 morning!

But everyone had a great time!

Discipleship

2012-01-19T10:24:00.004-05:00

In late fall, I began a Discipleship group with some young ladies from our Farmer Church. There was a desire by one and so I offered it to 7 or 8 young ladies who were in a similar situation with young families. My thought was that keeping it to this younger crowd would allow us learn and grow from one another and our experiences. Four of those ladies were interested and one more has since joined us.

I will admit, and have to them, the first night was eye opening. I struggled with how God was going to use this group when I realized there was not any set aside time for focusing on Jesus and deepening relationships with Him.

Through much prayer I had to share how Jesus is moving and working. I am being challenged every time we meet. Challenged to know Scripture and be able to answer questions, challenged to pray in new areas, Challenged to seek Him for others in all situations, Challenged to be Jesus to these women! They are reading their Bibles now and seeking and asking and questioning and desiring! It is exciting! We are praying with and for one another and we are seeing answers!

I am excited and nervous every time we meet! Excited to see what God has done and will do, nervous as I lead these young women who are searching and have so many questions!

I'll be honest I didn't think, after that first meeting, that I would be challenged. But Jesus is showing me new things from His word every day as I prepare and pray for these women! It's amazing!

I would love for you to pray with me. Pray that Jesus will use me! Pray for these women to desire more of Jesus and desire to be in deeper relationships with Him! I'm so thankful for all He has done and excited to see what He has in store for each one of us!

Check-Up

2012-01-19T09:01:00.003-05:00

Two weeks ago now, Eli had his 5 year check up! He likes his doctor and so this was a pretty good visit! Eli was a little disappointed to learn that he would go ahead and get his shots for Kindergarten while we were there! Not sure he was ready for school in that moment!

His nurse tried to comfort him as he waited for the inevitable! It seems to be working, as you can see I got a thumbs up!

Both Eli and Maddie were good for the visit and as a result the nurse, who adores them, gave Eli 4 free Kids meals at Applebees!

(Yes, 4 - they like our family).

So last night we were finally able to enjoy the Applebee's meal. Eli was so excited to "treat" everyone - too bad they decided we could only use 2 kids meal coupons per visit!

We had a fun evening together!

It was an answer to prayer as the beginning of the evening didn't go quite as planned!

PJ's

2012-01-17T06:34:00.003-05:00

Last Friday a box came for Ronnie and Nathaniel. Our "mail lady" remarked that it looked like somebody had been left out. In all honesty, Eli knew what was in the box and he was excited.

See for his birthday, Eli had gotten some PJ's from Grandma Adkins. These weren't just any PJ's, they were handmade and soooo warm! So Eli knew that Ronnie and Nathaniel's were coming!

The boys knew too, but they were so anxious to see them!

You can tell by their faces, they were pretty excited!

Ronnie didn't even take time to take his coat off before opening the package!

So now all three boys have Jammies from Grandma.

Oh... and Maddie too. She reminded us that she is not to be left out. Grandma Adkins made her nightgown before the boys got their PJ's! So fun to be warm together, sporting all Grandma's hard work.

Thanks Grandma Adkins, everybody loves them!

He's Home

2012-01-14T15:21:00.001-05:00

We are so thankful that Wilmroe Week is over. Daddy is home with us again! Thank you to all who prayed for him this week, and us! It has been a rough week for all of us and we are thankful to have Daddy back home!

Beauty Sleep

2012-01-13T08:47:00.003-05:00

Some day just require a little extra!

Daddy captured these pictures while we were in Gulf Shores!

Ron, I thought yo might like to see them while in KY!

Heaven

2012-01-12T14:13:00.004-05:00

Have you heard of the book, Heaven is for Real for kids. It is told by a little boy named Colton Burpo and is the story of his experience in Heaven. You should read the adult version, its a good book. I read it this past year and enjoyed it.

Anyway, the kids got the Kid Version for Christmas from my Grandma and I had held it back waiting for a good opportunity to read it to them and have a discussion that I was sure was coming.

Well I took that opportunity one evening this week and let me just say, it was amazing!

We talked about Colton's "Astounding Story of his Trip to Heaven and Back" in his own words and descriptions. We talked about how wonderful Heaven was. The book is really neat in that it gives Scripture to back up the memories that Colton has. So it would describe the amazing music and bright colors and streets of gold and jewels and then use Revelation 21: 19, 21.

The book talked about how happy everyone was there and how there is no sun in heaven but it is never dark, because the Light of God is so bright. (Rev. 21:23-24).

When we finished the book, we had a great conversation. Eli was very excited about Colton's memories of playing with animals particularly Lions and Kangaroos. He was so excited about the idea of heaven being filled with animals and being able to play with all of them (Is. 11:6).

Nathaniel liked the idea of playing with all the kids. (Mark 10:14-16) He of course was thinking more along the lines of football and said, it even says we won't get hurt when we play. We don't even have to wear pads. (Wow, can you imagine!)

Ronnie commented on the fact that he would actually get to meet Daddy's Grandpa Adkins. I didn't even get to meet Grandpa Adkins although Ronnie has heard his Dad and Grandpa talk about him and was so excited to think that he will get to meet him and know him!

It brought tears to my eyes to sit there and experience with my kids just a tiny bit of the excitement that we will get to experience in Heaven. What an amazing story! What an amazing reality! Heaven will truly be amazing.

As excited as I was to discuss Heaven with the kids, I wanted them to understand that not everyone goes to Heaven. We talked about the fact that there is a place called Hell as well and that it is much worse that our worst nightmare. It is more horrible than we can imagine and it won't be fun at all.

We talked about how we can be sure that we are going to Heaven and get to play with kids and animals and Great-Grandpa Adkins - and JESUS! We talked about living a life here on earth that is honoring to Jesus and pleases Him and asking Him to guide us every day!

They took in a lot in in this short time that we sat together. It was an amazing opportunity for me to show them the excitement of Jesus and eternity. I am so greatfull and thankful for opportunities to share Jesus with my babies!

A Quick Visit

2012-01-11T13:24:00.003-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, Pap and Grandma Neff came for a quick visit. They played with the younger 2, while I picked the older 2 up from school. Then they took all of us out for pizza!

The kids always have a good time with Pap!

I didn't get my camera out soon enough, but I got a picture right before we headed home!

Thanks for a fun visit Pap and Grandma!

Joyful?

2012-01-10T09:27:00.003-05:00

The Bible says to count it all joy when we face various trial! I know that and yet it is hard. We have had a hard week and a half around here and it's sometimes hard to be joyful.

Brakes out in the Van

Radiator out in the Van

Washer transmission gone

Random electrical outlet needing replaced

Refrigerator/Freezer not cooling or freezing

Ron gone to Wilmore

Ron struggling this week in Wilmore

Kids up at night with belly pain (perhaps due to not cold enough milk ?)

It seems the "trials" are adding up. I'm doing my best to remain joyful, but it's hard!

Jesus help me to remain JOYFUL in all things and find you in them too!

We walked out the door this morning after a less than restful night for this momma, but the repair man had already been called and will come before lunch and the belly issues seem to be OK. And despite little sleep from this momma and her youngest - there was excitement!

The Moon was Big Full and Beautiful this morning as we traveled to take the boys to school. Eli kept an eye on it and declared it was "following us". Even "stopping when we stop" at lights! He waved to it, talked to it and reported on it's progress! It was amazing! Beautiful!

Thank you Jesus for Reminders of your Love for us! Thank you for your Beautiful Creation. Thank you for trials when we can lean on you and draw closer to you and be JOYFUL!

Wilmore Week #5

2012-01-08T14:57:00.002-05:00

Ron is off again for a week in Wilmore!

We had our share of "trials" last week, and I am just very thankful that he was home for those. We are praying for a calm, uneventful week both her and at Wilmore.

If it crosses your mind, please pray for his research studies to go well this week. Additionally, there are some logistical things to work out at the seminary, please pray for God's leading in those areas!

We are missing Daddy already and beginning our countdown to Saturday!

Nativities!

2012-01-06T16:15:00.003-05:00

I love Nativities!

I love that they show the true meaning of Christmas! It's fun for me to see all different kinds. I am collecting them and am at about 20! Not a lot, I know, but it is fun. I thought I would show you the new ones I got this year, as I just got all my Christmas stuff put away today! (The pictures don't really do them justice, just take my word for it, they are neat!)

This Nativity was given to me by my handsome hubby prior to Christmas. He actually got it in November when he went to Wilmore! He wanted me to have it to display this year! It is so neat, I love it!

This one was a gift from our Farmer Church. It has so much detail that it's hard to see it in this picture. It is very neat! I love that it is in a cross too! I'm not sure you can see it, but in the top, below the star are the wise men coming!

This one is from a parishioner! She got me one last year too. I like this because the boys and I studied the Christmas Tree this year in our Advent book. We talked about how its shape is a triangle to represent the Trinity. And how all the branches point to Heaven. We have talked about this story before, but it seems to have stuck this year with Eli who has repeated it several times. This Nativity is a fun reminder of that story!

This one is only partially new! We had the Stable, star and Mary, Joseph and Jesus before, but this year my mom added some pieces. She made all of it. It is cross stitched. Her intent was so that the kids could play with it, and they are honestly beginning to wear it out. It sits on our windowsill that leads up our stairs, so it has a lot of activity throughout the Christmas Season!

A funny story with it, Maddie opened the bag that the new pieces were in, along with her brothers, but she was very upset and even began to get whiny and weepy. She wanted to know why we didn't get Baby Jesus! I had to explain to her that the Baby Jesus was at home (not AL, where we opened it) and that we would take the other pieces home to be with the Baby Jesus!

This one below is another new Nativity in our home, but it is not mine. Maddie got her first Nativity or "tivity" this year! Granny gave her this glass one. She was so excited that it was her own and I can't wait to see her use it to decorate her own home one day and share it with her children! Until then, I'll display it for her! Maddie has really grown to love the Baby Jesus' figurines around our house and it has been a good opportunity to talk to her about Jesus and who he was. I new she was a little confused one day when she said, "Baby Jesus died on the cross". Not exactly, we'll still work on the whole story!

So we are sad to put away our Christmas decorations today and our Nativities, but excited to see them all again in just about 11 months :)

Travel

2012-01-05T19:47:00.003-05:00

The travel down to Alabama went pretty well. We left Christmas day after our 2 church services, so we didn't get a very early start!

Maddie passed much of the time like this:

We stayed the night in KY

The trip home was a little bit more rough. For starters, there isn't the excitement of going to the beach - there is the thought of going home and getting back into the routine!

Secondly, we had car troubles! We are extremely fortunate though that despite the fact that the van didn't run real well, it only cost us about an hour (in a dealership in AL, along the highway). The real cost was once we got home.

We have had new front breaks and a radiator in the last 4 days and discovered that we got a tank of bad gas somewhere along the way!

But the Lord protected us while we were traveling. This handsome driver below did the entire 1914 miles to and from Alabama! Isn't he amazing?! He is, take my word for it!

We did 16 hours straight to get back in one day.
Ronnie passed the time looking for license plates.

Nathaniel struggled!

Eli entertained. (he's singing here)

Maddie didn't sleep quite as much, but she well!

We are extremely thankful for a great trip filled with lots of memories that we will take with us for years to come.

Gulf Shores - A bit more!

2012-01-05T14:05:00.005-05:00

Here are a couple more random pictures:

The kids all enjoyed decorating the big house that the Coppedge family brought.

Somehow I missed putting these next couple of pictures on and I didn't want to leave them out! Isn't she so cute - this one is Chloe with her Daddy.

Maddie showing her shell!

Maddie waits with Pap to run the remote control boat!

Running the boat in the pool!

We had the left side of this house. Our family was up on the 3rd floor, where the windows are open. We had a beautiful view of the Gulf and even watched Dolphins out our window.

The boys remembered this story from our last visit to Gulf Shores!
They had also gotten $5 each from a lady in our congregation so we allowed them to pick out their own souvenir. They loved it!

One day our friend, Neil Dover, came. Neil's family was in the church dad Pastored in Georgia. I was 9 years old when we moved to Georgia and New Liberty Church. The Dover family was a very close family that we all enjoyed spending time with. It was fun to reconnect with Neil for a few hours! It is a little weird now some 20+ years later! We would have loved to see his whole family, but it was nice to get an update from him and hear about his band!

Below Terra had just finished her dance for us and Elsie and Lucy wanted to learn some moves from her! It was pretty funny!

I woke up early one morning to watch the sunrise from the beach. What an amazing sight. The beauty, the sound of the waves crashing in. It was amazing and a fabulous way to begin my day. Just me and Jesus admiring His Creation!

We had a great time and I'm sure you're tired of all the pictures, so I'll stop, but it was a fun trip!

Gulf Shores - The Beach

2012-01-05T09:42:00.013-05:00

When we arrived at Gulf Shores it was late Monday afternoon and the wind was strong and picking up speed. We learned that there was a wind advisory that continued into Tuesday. But finally on Tuesday we bundled up , grabbed our shovels and buckets (from Grandma) and headed out to the beach. You can tell by those waves it was still choppy, but our family loves the sand and shells and the sound of the waves crashing! Here are some random pictures from the beach! Enjoy!

As you can tell there was one day when we allowed the kids to get their feet wet, it was still pretty cold water.

We all enjoyed the beach!

Gulf Shores - Family

2012-01-05T07:44:00.007-05:00

The week between Christmas and New Years we were invited again, by my parents, to join the family in Gulf Shores, Alabama! The boys were so excited, remembering the fun from last year. Maddie was excited because they were excited! She would get to see, "my beach".

All of us getting together was made possible by these 2! They were pretty excited to host all 18 of us! They rented a house just off the beach, but we were fortunate enough to cross the street and be on the beach!

Pap (as he's lovingly referred to by 8 who were in attendance and 2 more who will when they begin talking) was not short on entertainment!

All the cousins enjoyed being together. Here the younger 3 girls wait their turn to use the remote control boat in the pool.

This is honestly the reason we were all invited to the Gulf!

The Grand kids were the reason we ALL got to come!

There was entertaining by all though, here Elsie and Lucy practice some of their "dance moves".

Of course I took every opportunity to get that "good picture" of the 4!

Maddie loves her cousin Terra!

The little girls enjoyed some play dough, while the twins (in the background) got ready for the day!

The newest additions to the family!

Sophie was ready, Chloe wanted a little more time to get prepared before the picture!

Pap enjoyed reading on the porch!

Maddie joined him one particular morning (although the sun was a bit bright)!

Aunt Tonya hooked up all the girls so they could be princesses together. They all had tiara's, wands, necklaces, bracelets and rings!

Grandma took advantage of several opportunities to read to the grand kids - who love it just as much as her!

Maddie begged for her painting time with Aunt Tonya and was so pleased when it finally happened!

still trying!

This one was "slightly" posed. Grandma was reading to the 8 Big Kids and Pap asked that the babies be added for a group picture! It won't be long and they'll all coming running to hear Grandma reading to them.

A fun surprise was when Pap had Fred and Freida devotions planned for the kids!

I think all 8 of them looked forward to these and couldn't wait for the next devotion!

Pap, here's your proof that what you said through Fred and Freida got through. All 4 of mine sitting and reading their little Bibles!

We had a great time together on the Beach of Gulf Shores!

It's not the greatest picture quality, but I did get all 10 together!

Their faces say it all!

We had a great time as a family on the beach!

Pray for Safety

2012-01-03T14:50:00.002-05:00

My sister, Joanna, her husband, Billy and their 4 girls (Elsie Jayne, Lucy, Sophie and Chloe) are beginning their travels within the hour. They are headed back to Africa to their ministry in Arua. It will be several days before they are home-home, but please pray for them as the Lord prompts.

Thank you!

Back WAY up

2012-01-02T10:32:00.005-05:00

I have to go WAY back 2 weeks ago to catch up on things. It has been a busy, hectic, memory making couple of weeks! I'll try to give the short version, but there are lots of cute pictures to tell the story!

My last posts were on Eli's birthday and the anticipation of Christmas! On Thursday evening (prior to Christmas) Ron had a wedding rehearsal. Who gets married 2 days before Christmas? Seriously though, we have enjoyed getting to know Mike and Natalie through Marriage Counseling the past couple of months and have prayed a lot for them and their marriage together. We are excited to see how Jesus leads them and we're excited that they have decided to join our Ney congregation! So Ron was busy with the rehearsal and then Friday a wedding.

Also, on Friday, Ron's parents came! They wanted to celebrate Eli's birthday with us and also Christmas! They got Eli this for his birthday...

He was so excited for Christmas Morning to wear it.

He looked just like a "real preacher".

Also Friday night we learned that one of our parishioners was life flighted to Toledo. Ron couldn't go immediately, because of the wedding, but went Saturday morning! It was a touch a go day, but we are thankful that Ron was able to be with the family for a short time.

We all enjoyed Grandma and Grandpa Adkins. It seems that our double "guest" bed is getting a little small for 4 kids to sneak down and crawl into bed with Grandpa and Grandma in the mornings. The fun had to be moved to the couch!

Our gift to the kids was connected to my parents gift. We were traveling to Gulf Shores, Alabama again this year for some fun with cousins on the beach (much more on that to come). Because of our plans to leave after Church Christmas morning, we celebrated Jesus birthday on Christmas Eve with our Birthday cake for Jesus and we opened presents with Grandpa and Grandma.

Eli was so excited to give a gift to Grandpa and Grandma this year. He had painted and, with Daddy's help, assembled this gift and even wrapped it himself. Just look at his eyes as the anticipation mounts.

Their very own...

helicopter!

And he thought they should display it on the back porch to their house! He had it all figured out!

Here he is showing Grandma how it works, in case she wants to play!

The boys got complete Buckeye equipment (shoulder pads and helmets too) from their Grandparents!

Maddie got a vacuum, and she's not even scared of it!

Things calmed down briefly the evening of Christmas Eve so that we could get some pictures... before worshipping together in a beautiful candlelight service!

These 4 even sang together (Away in a Manger). It was the first time they had all 4 sang together in public. This momma thought they did great!

Christmas morning we were up again getting ready to worship together. What a Blessing to Worship Jesus on Christmas morning together with our family and our churches.

I had to throw this picture of Maddie in.

Sometimes the busy season can just be overwhelming!

She was quickly over her mood and ready to pose (not smile) with her brothers!

You may not completely understand this, but ministry is tough sometimes, in a lot of ways. But I think it is at times hard on our kids. We want them to be involved in our ministry and make it fun for them and I think we do pretty good.

Christmas morning they had several songs and memorized lines for 2 churches, but they did a wonderful job at both services and we had a wonderful time of celebrating Christ's birth!

Although I am several days behind schedule, we hope that you and your family had a very Merry Christmas and enjoyed the season of celebrating our Savior's Birth!

A Belated Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Anticipation

2011-12-22T12:59:00.001-05:00

"Best Birthday Ever"

2011-12-21T20:35:00.004-05:00

"The Best Birthday Ever", is how Eli described today! He thought it went pretty well! He was so excited this morning when his brothers were on a 2-hour delay for fog. He thought that was a perfect beginning and surely they would want to play a game with him. Like, Go Fish! (and they did).

When he found out the delay had turned to a cancellation, things just got better! He was so excited. We decided to move our Birthday celebration to lunchtime instead of having to wait for dinner! We had pizza and then of course cake and ice cream!

This year Eli said I should surprise him with the cake

(instead of him picking what he wanted).

I'd say he looks pretty pleased with Frosty.

He said he loved it!

He also enjoyed his Buckeye Wallet!
(beware, he may ask you for a business card to fill it up)

He, and his brothers, enjoyed his Parking Garage.

and all three helped Daddy put it together

So my littlest man is now a Big 5 year old! It's so hard to believe. I remember his first Christmas, just days home from the hospital. He enjoyed all the festivities in his bouncer chair near the tree totally oblivious to the craziness 2 big brothers were making around him.

Eli is a special little guy. It's hard watching him grow up and yet I am so proud. He is a smart, kind caring little guy and he loves people! He can bring a smile to any ones face and genuinely loves to make people laugh! We are blessed beyond measure to have Eli in our family and we are excited to see all the Jesus has in store for our 5 year old little man in the year ahead!

Happy Birthday Elijah Wesley!

We love you and are so proud of the man you are becoming!

4 No More

2011-12-21T09:08:00.003-05:00

It is official - Eli is no longer 4!

Today he is BIG, he is a Whole Hand of numbers!

He's no longer the young little boy, but officially of school age(he was a little frusterated to realize he would not be going today, or even after Christmas break).

He has arrived.

He's growing so much.

He can dress himself with ease and usually even matches!

He still likes to be a cowboy,

but he rides his (bear) horse, "silver", so much better now that he is big.

He is still adventurous but now can climb to new heights!

He's still that lovable little guy who loves to dress up with a tie!

and talk on the phone...

But somehow today - it's different! He's big, he's

(more to come later on today about his BIG day)

Mary

2011-12-19T13:04:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, our Pastor's sermon was from Luke 1:26-38 about Mary and when she was told by the angel, Gabriel that she would have a baby. I have heard this passage preached on before, but this message was different. He described Mary as Philip Yancy does, "the first person to accept Jesus Christ on His terms no matter what cost." Let me see if I can explain.

Luke 1:26-38
"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
35And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God."
38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her."

This story doesn't seem all that "amazing" to us in the 21st century. After all millions of teenage girls are becoming pregnant yearly in our society. It has become the norm. It's not a big thing for a young girl to become pregnant or even to become a mother.

First of all, let me give a little historical background to help us understand what is going on here. Mary would probably have been between 10-13 years old. In Jewish law during those times young girls would have been "engaged" as early as 10 years old and married around 12 or 13. So she was very young. Again, the Jewish tradition was so that the Father and the Groom had an agreement between themselves and there was a price set and once money had exchanged hands the deed was good. The Father gave the Groom his word that his daughter was pure and a virgin. Again in those days if a girl/woman would to become pregnant and not be married, she would be stoned to death.

Again, in our society, this story doesn't seem that weird. Young girls are becoming pregnant in nearly every community in our nation - some because it is the "in" thing to do. It is not out of the norm at all.

So now to the passage when Gabriel visits Mary. Remember how young she is and then think of the message Gabriel gives her. Gabriel greets her as, "O favored one". He tells her, she is going to have a baby, but this seems impossible to Mary, she is a virgin. Gabriel tells her that the baby will be God's son. Gabriel goes on to tell her how he will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. How he will be from the line of David and his kingdom will reign forever and will never end!

Mary has to be confused at this point. Her mind has to be running through what her family and friends will say - what will happen to her. She could be killed as a result of this pregnancy. Instead of all that though, she replies, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"

Gabriel tells her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the Most High will overshadow her. He goes on to tell her about her Aunt Elizabeth, (the barren one) who is right now 6 months pregnant and how nothing is impossible with God.

And what is her response? "Sorry Gabriel, I can't do it. I could be killed! My dad already paid the deed! I'm going to marry Joseph! I will be disgraced!

NO, she simply says, "May it be to me as you have said."

She trusted God! She had a faith relationship with Him. The Lord needed her to be a ready and willing recipient of the Will of God. She trusted Him. She had childlike faith - Faith on God's terms, not her own. She didn't have excuses when everything she knew told her this could be very bad for her. She had childlike faith - Faith that says, yes it may not make complete sense to me, but Jesus is calling and I am willing to do whatever He calls me to do.

Are you that willing? Do you have that kind of faith! The Bible says we are to have faith like a child. Not questioning and making excuses or even making our own terms.

"OK God, I'll do what you want, if you promise to give me this".

No, faith that says, "God, I may not understand completely, but I trust you and have faith that you will go before me!"

Lord, I want that kind of faith. Help me to say "yes" to you, no matter what the circumstances around me may seem. Give me faith to simply say, "whatever you want, I will do it."

Lights

2011-12-17T20:36:00.002-05:00

Last night we loaded up the kids and went to the local square to walk around and see the lights. We knew that Maddie would love the "tivity" or "activity" (as Eli calls it), so we positioned ourselves so that we would end our walk at the Nativity scene!

All four kids enjoyed the lights and all the pretty colors!

From decorated trees...

to playing toy soldier (I wish the quality of the picture were better, because it really was so funny to see all 4 of them being soldiers. The big tall one on the far left is still a kid at heart.)

Santa was lit up - my kids know that Santa is not real, however they also enjoy him!

and Frosty the Snowman, well that is one of Maddie's favorite!

and this next picture is...

well it was suppose to be the Nativity, and even Maddie's expression when she saw it, it was priceless. She was all grins! But my batteries in my camera died at that moment and so I didn't get the climax!

After those lights we went to another local town where there were lights in the park and all different displays, the kids enjoyed all the lights and enjoyed seeing them on our journey!

Then tonight our Advent reading was about the outside lights and how we are to be lights for Jesus year round.

We also practiced the kids song for Ney church tomorrow, which talks about letting your light shine!

I love it when teachable moments just fall into place!

We are learning how to let our lights shine for Jesus around here, I hope you are enjoying the Christmas lights too!

School Program

2011-12-17T19:16:00.004-05:00

Let me just tell you that I LOVE our Christian School!

It's not because they have elaborate Christmas programs, or even because they are such awesome quality - it's the message. I know you could probably go to many other local schools and have a very quality lights and music and dancing and drama, but I wouldn't trade it.

The title of the boys Program this year was, "The Present is the Future". You couldn't hear all the words and Ron had a hard time following because the kids weren't mic'd, but the message was fantastic!

The present - the gift that we get at Christmas time is a future with God! What an amazing message. The boys learned 7 songs to go with that theme and I have heard Maddie and Eli singing them too. I know the younger 2 don't know exactly what they are singing, but I am pretty sure it is pleasing to their Heavenly Father, and I'm so thankful that Ronnie and Nathaniel are learning the true message of Christmas, even at school.

So I am pleased that my boys are singing, learning, dancing, and doing all things for Jesus! So thankful for Christian Education!

Birthday Party

2011-12-15T21:34:00.003-05:00

This year at our Ney Church our Annual Christmas Party was a Birthday Party for Jesus! We began our evening together by caroling to some shut ins in town! The kids all enjoyed this and sang so much more than last year!

Then we gathered in the church basement and enjoyed some yummy food!

After eating I snapped a quick picture of the kids before we headed upstairs for a movie, "The Very First Noel".

Then back downstairs for some fun Christmas Birthday Party games, like Garland Limbo, Snowball Toss and Candy Relay!

Some, enjoyed observing!

We finished our evening with a Birthday Cake for Jesus!

It was a fun evening with our focus on the Guest of Honor - JESUS!

Christmas with Family

2011-12-13T11:40:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, after Ron returned from Wilmore we loaded up and went to my Grandparents (My Dad's parents) for Christmas. It was fun to have everyone together.

I love this picture of Uncle Jay and Nathaniel.

It's cool to be like your Uncle Jay!

We opened lots of gifts from Granny and Gramps!

Maddie snuggled with her fun big cousin, Terra!

All the girls enjoyed being together!

Here Gramps got to enjoy both the new girls!

And my Mom was pretty excited to have all 10 of her grand kids together for the first time!

It was a fun time together with family!

Visiting Grandma

2011-12-09T18:33:00.002-05:00

Last week Ron and I took Eli and Maddie on some visitations. One of the people we visited was my Grandma Donna (Mom's mom). She has been in assisted living for a little while now. Grandma seems to really be doing well there. She is suffering from Alzheimer's and I'm pretty sure she didn't know us. Despite that fact, she loved Eli and Maddie and I was so excited that they took well to her. They talked to her, sang to her, answered questions and followed her as she showed them all the Christmas decorations in the lobby! It was a fun time for all 3 of them and I am so thankful for opportunities like this!It's so good to be near my Grandparents during this time! I don't want to regret it later by not taking advantage of the time I have near them!

So thankful too that my kids love to be involved in our ministry! Eli was asked to sing at every place we visited and it wasn't until the final place that he claimed he was just too tired! They both did good! So thankful they love ministry and can be involved with their Daddy and I.

Christmas Play

2011-12-08T13:31:00.003-05:00

This year all 4 of our children were in the Christmas Play at our Farmer Church. They were all pretty excited to see what their parts would be. Honestly most of the mom's were thinking we should videotape for AFV, but the performance last Sunday evening went very smoothly and we probably wouldn't have won any money!

Maddie got to be an angel. He daddy thought that was very fitting and once she realized she got a pretty costume, she was sold on the part!

Eli was a Donkey for the 2nd time and was pretty excited himself. Below he is pictures with his buddy Owen, the cow!

Ronnie was both a Wise man and the Inn keeper and Nathaniel was a Shepherd!

Maddie brought me her halo about halfway through the play - she didn't like that part of the costume!

The boys were too quick after it was over, so I missed a picture of the four of them together, but it was a fun time and a good opportunity for the kids to share the true meaning of Christmas!

We did have a fun fellowship time afterwards. Maddie wanted to sit with the big kids! Here she is with Wendy

a fun evening for everyone!

We are so thankful for opportunities to point others to the True Meaning of CHRISTmas!

Coppedge Cousins

2011-12-07T21:41:00.007-05:00

Tuesday evening I took the kids and we headed to Pap and Grandma Neff's! Everyone was pretty excited. Our Coppedge Cousins were there and we couldn't want to spend some time with them.

Of course no visit to Grandma's is complete without a story - and a Christmas Story makes it even better.

Grandma even had her nativities out so we watched the Christmas story unfold...

and were even given permission for a closer look.

Pap even read some Christmas Stories (that's Eli behind the book).

Maddie read Lucy about the Princesses

(It's so fun to see these 2 together and remember they were born 3 weeks apart on 2 different continents)

"Lucy Maid"

(as Maddie calls her)

and "Elsie James"

(again, Maddie's names)

To be perfectly honest, I was really wanting to get my hands on these 2!

Meet Chloe Catherine and Sophie Anne

Everyone wanted a turn to hold one.

and if we weren't lucky enough to be holding, we were watching someone else hold!

My sis has her hands full! I offered to lighten her load some, but she didn't seem interested in my offer! :)

"look Mom, I'm holding the baby"

I was surprised at how different they are. Both so adorable.

Sophie and Chloe

Sophie with lighter skin, lighter curly hair and just so different from her darker complected and darker haired twin, Chloe! And yet both so perfect and adorable! What a Blessing!

The Coppedge Sisters

Below, Lucy holding Sophie

and Elsie Jayne holding Chloe

4 Beautiful Coppedge Sisters!

A perfectly wonderful time with Cousins!

It was a Blessing to finally meet these 2 cuties and so fun to be together with cousins for the day! So thankful that it worked out!

Wilmore Week #4

2011-12-06T12:48:00.003-05:00

It is once again Wilmore Week around here. Yes it is early (not the typical 2nd week), but Ron planned to make the December trip a week earlier so that the library would be available and not worry about finals and such at the Seminary!

However, it is also Tuesday! Ron was called on Friday afternoon to go with one of our parishioners to the hospice center to visit a neighbor and friend. He went and was holding the hand of this 75 year old man as he passed only moments after their arrival. Ron was asked to do the funeral services and that is not until tonight.

So...Wilmore Week is beginning, just not as we had originally planned. Ron will leave tonight after the funeral and return home on Saturday morning, as usual! Please pray for his safety and protection, especially traveling so late tonight.

The kids and I had made plans for today as well. My sisters family is in Marion Indiana with my mom and dad this week and we made plans to visit and meet those twins! We decided that with Ron leaving tonight anyway, I will still plan to pick up the boys from school and head south to Marion!

We would appreciate your prayers as we all scatter tonight and remain apart until Saturday. These are difficult days in our home and yet they are days of obedience and we continue to trust the Lord's leading!

Prayer Time

2011-12-04T06:34:00.002-05:00

I just love images like this. Pictures of little ones, my little one, kneeling to thank Jesus for the day. Together with her Daddy! What a beautiful example of what parenting is all about. There are days when we go through the day and wonder, "did I do anything right today?". Then evening comes when we snuggle together and go before our Heavenly Father!

Thank you Jesus that even when those days of uncertainty come, You are still near to guide us! Thank you for your patience with us as parents! Thank you for little hearts that love you and desire to be in relationship with you. Please help where we, as parents have failed, and guide us in our Training!

1st Snow

2011-12-02T06:42:00.004-05:00

The first snow of the season came earlier this week!

It was not a lot of snow, but there was ice underneath! We had a ton of rain before it turned to snow. Everything was flooded! I believe it is official (except on the calendar), winter has arrived!

O-H-I-O

2011-11-30T06:46:00.003-05:00

The saying, "a lot can happen in a year", is oh so true! Below is our crew cheering for their Buckeyes during a pretty good season last year and a fun season to be a Buckeye. Notice there was still some help needed back then on that Little O!

What a difference a year can make. Our Football Buckeyes didn't have such a great season, this year, but we are still fans! And just look how good our O-H-I-O is!

We'll always be fans, even when the record is not so great! Football (for our Buckeyes) is pretty much over (except for the bowl games), but we are excited about the upcoming Buckeye Basketball season. Our Basketball teams looks very impressive! So we continue to be Buckeye fans, through victory and defeat!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-26T20:28:00.004-05:00

We spent a couple of days relaxing with Ron's parents in Northeast Ohio! It has been a fun and needed break from the norm!

One thing Maddie and Eli had been anticipating was a bath in Grandma's tub with Bubbles to their chins!

Thanksgiving Day was full of wonderful food...

and of course relaxing!

We even got to visit with Aunt Barb!

Panpa (as Maddie calls him) even got a double duty back rub!

You can't beat that!

We enjoyed time as a family!

Time with Grandparents!

And although we missed the rest of the Adkins clan, it was fun to be together!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa (Panpa) for wonderful Thanksgiving Memories! We had fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T06:38:00.002-05:00

From our family to yours, we hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and that the Lord will help you to see your Many Blessings not just tomorrow but throughout the coming year!

"Thank you Jesus for all of the Many Blessings you have given each one of us! Help us to always have thankful hearts."

Exercising

2011-11-22T21:57:00.003-05:00

Lately, Eli has been very excited to "exercise" with Daddy. He will be right by his side while Daddy is working up a sweat! Eli gives lots of "encouragement" as he chatters away!

Upon closer evaluation, it may be only his jaw that is getting much of a workout, but hey...he's having fun!

Pilgrims and Indians

2011-11-22T21:52:00.003-05:00

The boys were permitted to break dress code today and were allowed to dress as either Pilgrims or Indians. They could earn extra credit points if they choose to dress up! Nathaniel opted not too, Ronnie however wanted to be an Indian.

Ronnie absolutely loves history (just like his Daddy) and could tell you the entire story of the 1st Thanksgiving in more detail than you thought possible! He loves to tell all he knows!

He also makes a very cute Indian Chief!

Chief Ronnie!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fun with Pap and Grandma

2011-11-19T21:23:00.004-05:00

Friday afternoon we picked up Ronnie and Nathaniel from school and headed south! We were planning to spend the night with Pap and Grandma Neff and they had fun stuff planned.

My Dad is a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and with that comes perks! The kids were pretty excited about the chick-fil-et right there in his school. It was kinda hard for them to concentrate on eating though with all those college kids around. They were equally impressed with the movie theatre right there too and it was even playing a baseball movie (Sandlot). I pulled my mom card out though and overruled the majority by deciding to go to the Women's Basketball game!

It only looks like they are not enjoying themselves. (they are enjoying themselves so much they can't stop for a picture). In fact they all 4 had a great time. Ronnie and Nathaniel loved the watching the game. Eli and Maddie loved watching the band and cheerleaders! Everyone was happy!

Then Pap even took us off campus to the local JuJu Berry (which really everyone should try) where we built our own ice cream treat! Fun times.

Then we headed back to Grandma and Paps for a fun sleepover that included watching a little OSU Buckeyes Basketball on Pap's TV! Who knew you could watch the Buckeyes while in Indiana!?

We had a great time and made fun memories. I was in a rush to get home before Daddy did so that he wouldn't come home to an empty house (and we did), so we rushed off this morning, but we had a great time and are already talking about when Pap can use his IWU Pass again!

He Made It!

2011-11-19T21:20:00.003-05:00

Ron made it home today and we are so so thankful to have him home! We are praising the Lord for protection, safety, health and the best week yet as far as research goes!

It's just not the same around here with Daddy gone!

We are super excited today!

Jesus Birthday

2011-11-18T13:27:00.003-05:00

This handsome young man celebrates a Birthday today! 2 years ago today Ronnie invited Jesus to be Lord of his life! We are still rejoicing in that decision!

The big plans are to pick him up after school, along with his brother, and then we will head south to spend the night with Pap and Grandma Neff! Fun times with Grandparents as we celebrate Jesus in Ronnie life!

Visit

2011-11-18T13:10:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we met my mom in Ft. Wayne and then traveled together to Warsaw to visit my Grandma Hornish. I have mentioned her several times on this blog before. She is such an amazing woman and so fun to visit with!

Eli got to help fill her bird feeder and was amazed at how soon the birds began to visit and get some lunch! She was recently moved into a smaller room but has a much better view out her window! Eli also shared his recently learned Bible Verses with her and a new song too! Maddie was a grouch and didn't act very well, but all in all we had a good visit.

Grandma is doing well. She turned 90 just a few weeks ago and looks so good for her age (although she doesn't think so). The thing that most impresses me is her mind. She is still very much in her right mind and so fun to talk with! I love how she will quote the line of an old hymn as we sit together and are in conversation with her!

I love love love this sweet lady and am so thankful to have her in my life and now even in my children's lives! What a wonderful Blessing!

Waiting to Talk

2011-11-18T13:06:00.002-05:00

This is what we've been doing lately...
waiting to talk to Daddy!

He will be home in less than 24 hours and we are SUPER EXCITED!

Random Pictures

2011-11-16T13:17:00.004-05:00

Here are some random pictures that I don't think ever made it to the blog!

"Do my eyes tell you, I'm innocent?"

snuggling with "Panpa"

"Look Mom, I dressed myself!"

Baby can dance on the table!?

"Like my new glasses?"

Sibling bonding!

Cute picture

We are managing this "Wilmore Week" -

thankful it is Wednesday, praying for Saturday!

Matthew 25

2011-11-15T14:28:00.002-05:00

My Pastor (who I might add is my favorite man in the whole world), challenged me a couple of weeks ago with new insight into a passage. I love it when he does that. It is a passage that I have looked over several times since and I am convinced that many people don't truly understand it for what it is!

The passage that his sermon was preached on was Matthew 25:1-13. You may know the passage commonly referred to as the Parable of the Ten Virgins. It is a familiar parable.

In summary, there are 10 virgins who are all waiting on the bridegroom to come. He comes unexpectedly in the middle of the night and 5 virgins are unprepared for his coming and need more oil. As a result of their unpreparedness, they are left out of the wedding feast.

It may also not be a surprise to you that this bridegroom is referring to Christ and when He returns for his people!

That all makes sense to me and I've heard it time and time before, but here is the part that was new, at least in my ears - and yet makes perfect sense!

If we go back to the beginning of chapter 24 we will see that Jesus is answering His disciples with this question. The disciples want to know, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?" (vs. 3).

Jesus uses several parables in the next few chapters to explain different aspects of this question. So He is talking to the disciples and therefore talking to believers about the End Times or His Second Coming.

Now go back to chapter 25 and the 10 virgins. Those 10 virgins don't represent just anyone, they represent the Church! They represent Believers! He is talking about 10 Believers!

See all 10 Virgins were waiting on the Coming of the Bridegroom. They knew Jesus return was coming. None of them knew when and yet only 5 were prepared.

This chapter tells us very clearly that there will be those "churched people" who do not enter the Wedding Feast (Kingdom of Heaven). There are those who have grown up in the church and are still not prepared.

We can't just "play church" and expect to be taken into Glory when our Lord returns. We must be prepared!

See, we can Know that Jesus is coming back. We can Be Ready for His coming, we can even Be Watching, but if we aren't Prepared we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven! We will not join the Wedding Feast, we will be on the outside and when asked for the door to be opened. The reply will come, "I tell you the truth, I don't know you."

WOW!

Unprepared!

You might ask, how can we be prepared? Discipleship is a way of being prepared, simply seeking others for accountability, knowing the Word, Asking the Holy Spirit to help you understand and absorb His Word! Seek Him in order to be prepared!

"Jesus, help me to be prepared! I know you are coming and I am anxiously waiting. Help me to be prepared for your return!"

Card Update

2011-11-14T12:55:00.002-05:00

In case you were wondering...
Ron continued to get cards even after I updated on all that had come in.

The total was 123 Cards from 15 different states (AZ was added) and 2 additional communities in Ohio were added making it 30 different zip codes from Ohio alone.

It was a huge outpouring of love for Ron and our whole family. Thank you to all who sent him a Birthday wish!

In case you're wondering, I won't let him forget he's 40, at least not for a few more years!

Wilmore Week #3

2011-11-13T15:46:00.002-05:00

Here we are in our third month of Ron traveling to Wilmore! Just because we've done this twice already, doesn't make this time that much easier! We are still missing him already, and he just pulled away!

Would you pray for Ron this week as the Lord bring him to mind. Please pray for his safety, he will be traveling in the dark today (he keeps getting a later and later start on the week). Pray for his truck to run well (the brakes should be good now!)

Please pray for his physical health. We have had some sickness in our house this past week and I really don't want Ron to be stuck in a dorm room in KY sick! Please pray that the Lord would keep the germs away!

Then would you also pray for his studies. Pray that he will get the time he needs to research as well as work with the Francis Asbury Society. He needs to be able to balance both of these this week! Additionally he will be meeting again with his Discipleship Group - pray that the Lord would continue to lead these men as they draw closer to Him!

Thank you for your prayers and love for our family! We are counting down the days and hours until Daddy comes back next Saturday!

Fun with Family

2011-11-11T12:55:00.005-05:00

After our time at the Historical Museum, we went pack to Granny and Gramps house for lunch. Pap had bought pizza and Grandma made a birthday cake because Uncle Jay had just celebrated his birthday the day before!

Here are some more random pictures from our time with family!
What can possibly be more fun than eating pizza with your cousins on Granny's kitchen floor?...Pap joining you!

male bonding!

Then of course, I had to try a group picture

which Uncle Jay felt left out of, so he rolled in...

then he disappeared!

notice who wasn't too excited about the pile on Uncle Jay!

She has told me several times since Saturday, "I love my Uncle Jay".

Pap and Grandma Neff with 6 out of 10 grand kids!

Granny and Gramps with 6 out of 13 great-grand kids!

FUN Family Times!

History and Fun!

2011-11-10T14:55:00.005-05:00

I'm a little late, but last Saturday the kids and I met some of our extended family {Pap and Grandma, Grandma Donna (mom's mom), Gramps (dad's dad), Uncle Jay, Terra and Bradley} in Paulding. We were all going to the Historical Museum.

We had a purpose. See my Grandma Donna's Dad (that would make him, my Great-Grandpa) delivered the mail. He used a horse and buggy. What we all wanted to see in the Museum was the wooden buggy that he had built in 1920. Very Cool!

Here is the front

I think all the kids were impressed.
they, of course, didn't know their Great Great Grandpa, but just knowing they were related to the guy who make it was cool!

Here is my crew and 4 generations in front of the buggy (Maddie wasn't too excited, but she perked up later)!

The rest of the museum was cool too, from tractors, to firetucks, to farm machinery and cars - fun times for little boys!

Ronnie has a tractor that looks just like this one.

same with Nathaniel and this one.

cool fire trucks

Maddie preferred the part of the museum that was heated and had the "babies"

She even got down and talked to them!

It was a fun time spent with family.

I'll have more pictures tomorrow of more family time!

Ministry

2011-11-04T13:50:00.003-04:00

Last Sunday we, as a family, had an opportunity to minister to 2 new churches. Ron had been invited to speak at Sherwood UMC and Bethel Forder UMC. He wanted to share about our ministry with the Francis Asbury Society in Discipling future Pastors and also brought the morning message at both services.

The 3 boys also ministered. They sang and did the sign language to "How Great is Our God". They have done this a couple of times before in 6 different churches now. It is so amazing to me to think of them being a part of our ministry! They like to be a part and it is really special! I'm so glad they are willing and that the Lord has Blessed them with the abilities!

Of course with all 4 of them all spiffed up and looking so cute, I had to try to get some pictures!

this one might be a little forced

fake smiles and buggy eyes

you can tell they are tired of this!

wait...I think we got one!
Not bad for 4 adorable kids who are ready to share Jesus in Ministry!

I love my kids! and I LOVE that my kids love Jesus!

Brutus

2011-11-02T08:19:00.004-04:00

Although I haven't mentioned a whole lot recently on our Buckeyes, we are still faithful followers and fans! Last year we had gotten the opportunity to get a picture of Brutus when a neighbor friend here in Ney put him up. Brutus goes up every game day (unless the wind is too bad). I remember that last year, Maddie was clinging onto my leg as we took the picture, she was frightened of him.

Well not this year! The kids all greeted Brutus with high fives and hugs when we arrived at Ms. Claudia's house!

Then they promptly turned around and posed with their favorite Buckeye!

being very sure to make sure their Buckeye apparel showed for the picture

All grins for Brutus!

Go Buckeyes!

Missions Festival

2011-11-01T14:38:00.003-04:00

Every year the boys school has a Missions Festival in late October. You may remember me posting about last years, as it was really amazing! Seriously, you should just click on the link and go back and read about it. Really amazing! Before going on Friday night, I was seriously wondering if they could honestly even come close to topping last years festival. I had my doubts!

Let me just say, it was nothing like last year, and yet so rewarding and thought provoking! The mission this year for Fountain City Christian School is an organization called, Fountains of Hope. Again, I encourage you to go to the link and check out their website, but let me tell you a little about FOH!

Fountains of Hope is a non-profit, faith based organization that is committed to the installation, integration and teaching of safe water solutions for the poor and most marginalized via water purification, well drilling and health and hygiene education. The vision of FOH is to empower and equip the body of Christ to provide life-sustaining water for all of God's children. They will expand this vision by continuing to build relationships with churches as well as other like-minded ministries and organizations.

Let me give you a few statistics:
Did you know?
*Contaminated water is the #1 cause of death in developing countries.
*Bad water kills people: cholera, hepatitis, typhoid, dysentery, guinea worm and more! Over a billion people today do not have access to safe water!
*Less than 1% of the earth's water is fresh water, and only about one-third of this 1% is available for human use. Unfortunately, almost all of this water is contaminated. According to USA Today, "More people die each year from unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including war."
*Even those who have access to wells are not safe. Often these wells are contaminated by seeping surface water and pit latrines.
*One person in six lives without regular access to safe drinking water. (UN Sec. Gen. Kofi Annan)
*In the developing world, contaminated water accounts for 80% of all diseases and claims the lives of 5 million children a year. (World Vision)

Staggering statistics! And it is part of our world! Do we even realize. Do you know how many gallons of water your household goes through in a month's time? Again, staggering!

So, Fountains of Hope is doing something about it. They have designed a water purifying system that will chlorinate the water and disinfect it in order to provide safe water to those without that luxury. Again you can go to the website to see how their system works and all kinds of details about it.

Bill Farrar, the Founder and CEO, was the speaker for the Conference on Friday night and told much of what they do and what his vision is! He was actually at the school all day with the kids showing them the system and allowing the HS students to put a system together. He showed them how it works and what it does.

He has been traveling to countries and has installed over 60 purifier systems in six countries since FOH's incorporation in 2009.

In one specific community in West Africa the typhoid outbreak was killing an average of 30 people per month. After Fountains of Hope installed the water purification system at the community well, there have been NO cases of typhoid and 40% of the medical cases were eliminated at the local medical clinic!

Not only is that amazing - think about this:
When you come into a community and are able to give them clean water to drink and to change the culture of their families. Think about the opportunity then to tell them about the Living Water. The Purifier of our Souls who can transform lives! What an amazing opportunity!

Ron and I left the Conference excited. How can we help? What can we do?

Treating a single case of a waterborne disease may cost more than providing safe water for a village for a whole year! Depending on the size of the system, the number of people being served, and a few other factors, safe water can be provided for as little as $1 per person per year. One purifier can potentially serve an entire village.

Bill told us that literally for around $5000 (depending on what country and airfare) he can take and install a unit and teach the people to maintain it! And again, then has the opportunity to develop relationships and share Jesus with them! The goal for FCCS is to raise enough money for a system to be installed!

We were excited about the ministry of Fountains of Hope. If you are at all interested feel free to check out their website at www.fountainsofhope.org.

Another fantastic Missions Conference at Fountain City Christian School!

Big Difference

2011-10-31T06:32:00.002-04:00

What a difference 17 days make!

It didn't take long for the leaves to come off our big tree! I actually didn't get it as soon as they were off! Fall seems to have been such a short season this year! Winter is coming, Fast!

Cards

2011-10-28T08:58:00.006-04:00

Our home has become a card display! Many of you know that Ron turned 40 on Tuesday. In my attempt to celebrate this milestone in Ron's life I contacted lots of people (hehe) and asked them to send him a card to celebrate his 40th Birthday!

Before I tell you about ALL the cards he received, let me just say that it is tradition in our home to display our birthday cards on top of our entertainment center. The kids love seeing their cards displayed for about a week before I take them down! That being said, we have NEVER had so many cards that they would not fit on the entertainment center.

In fact, I'm not sure we had more than about 10, until now... (there are over 25 here)
We started displaying them on the entertainment center, but then had to move to the wall
the spare room door and wherever else we could find room!

Ron was pretty embarrassed for me to hang them all, but it's tradition. He kept saying, "what if someone comes to the door". Well, chances are good that if they walk in and see the cards, they probably sent one of them!

Are you ready for this...Ron has received to date (and they are still trickling in)

115 Cards!!

Did you catch that? 115 cards came in for my handsome hubby to wish him a Happy 40th. I don't think we get that many at Christmas time! And I know of a couple more who were sending them too. Then there were also 6 email well wishes on that day! Wow, that is amazing. You guys did not disappoint!

Let me tell you a little about these 115 cards:

The majority of cards came on Monday, the day before his birthday when he received 27 cards in one day! He got pretty close to that on his Birthday with 22 coming and 6 emails! 2 of the cards on his birthday were hand delivered, one from his UM Mentor and friend who drove about an hour to deliver it in person! Thanks Wayne!

The cards were from 14 different states

(Ohio -over 27 towns-, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Maine, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina, Montana and Virgina)

2 Continents

(North America and South America)

Cards came from family members, parishioners, former churches we have attended, colleagues, former colleagues, neighbors, institutions and friends!

There were 5 Homemade, although 1 more was given a special added picture of Ron to help personalize it! (Hilarious Peg, really it was)

The youngest who sent a card was a 4 year old sweetheart in our Ney Church who handmade a card for "Pastor Ron".

One was in Spanish! Thank you, Wolheters, so much for taking the time to find and mail a card from Bolivia!

Some were hilarious!

28 had reference to being either 40 or OLD!

and many more wrote that in:)

Which the boys enjoyed, more than Daddy!

2 had sound,

one was a firetruck coming to put out the candles and the other sang Happy Birthday

Some contained extras:

Money, Gas Card, Pictures, bookmarks

One in particular had a very thoughtful extra.

2 Gideon Bibles were purchased in Ron's Honor, thank you Mel and Sally!

Some were very sweet and kind too, with many personal messages!

Many of the things written were so kind and humbling!

Even coming from those who have never met Ron, but know him through me or this blog! Thank you!

Ron did find out early about the cards. I had sent out postcards to those of you without email and thought I had it timed correctly, so that anything being returned in the mail would come back while he was in Wilmore. Well, the Monday that he got back, he received a postcard and before he got home for me to snatch it from him, he had read it...but really what could he do then! Cards were already coming in!

Thankfully he opened them as they came in because if not he would have spent his whole Birthday opening and reading 115 Cards!

Thank you so much for Blessing my Hubby in this way!

Over an over again he kept saying, "this is just so humbling"! Truly it is!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Beautiful Fall Day!

2011-10-27T14:18:00.004-04:00

I mentioned how Tuesday was such a beautiful day here! We spent a few hours in the late afternoon outside!

Everybody had a job!

Most everybody stuck to their job!

But after the job was done...it was time for play!

It was a fun family time with both work and play!

Birthday Fun

2011-10-26T15:07:00.002-04:00

Yesterday we did a few fun things to celebrate Ron's BIG day and make it a special time! There are tons of cards around the house, but I'll wait another day or two to post on that (they are still coming in)!

When Ron came up from his office on Tuesday morning for breakfast, we all were wearing Birthday Hats that Eli had picked out. We got 6 hats for $0.96 so you can't beat that! Cheap fun! The guys all had fun with theirs!

Here Ron is pointing out that this is his 40th! His Apple Dumplings only had one candle on them, because we didn't want to burn the house down!

Believe it or not, he still has enough hot air to blow out the candle!

(What will we do when the kids are gone and there is no one to entertain?)

It was a gorgeous day, so we spent some time outside raking up leaves! It was a fun activity that even Maddie has asked if we can do it again today. Thankfully we got the leaves pretty much taken care of, but it was a gorgeous day to be outside together!

Daddy found some time between studying to snuggle his favorite little girl and read to her and Eli!

I think he had a fun Birthday, despite it being #40. We even reminisced on all that has happened in his 30's. Wow, it's a lot! Hopefully the next 10 will slow down a little!

Happy Birthday!

2011-10-25T06:32:00.002-04:00

Forty years ago today, Ronald Lee Adkins, II was born!

While I could dwell on the time, I'd rather focus on the guy!!!

I am so blessed!

I'm praising the Lord today for my hubby!

What a blessing he is to me and to our family!

He is a Wonderful Husband!

a Fantastic Father

And most importantly, A Man of God!

I am Blessed beyond measure to call him my Husband, my Friend, my Helpmate, my Spiritual Leader and so much more!

Happy Birthday Ron and many many more!

I love you so much!

Date Night

2011-10-22T16:40:00.002-04:00

Our Farmer Church Blessed Ron and I with 2 tickets to hear Tim Hawkins in Ft. Wayne. Last night was the night. For those of you who don't know, Tim Hawkins is a "Christian Comedian". We had never heard of him before, so we really had no idea what to expect!

Let me just say that we don't do "Date Night" very often around here. It just doesn't happen that we get out of the house without a kid or diaper bag or curfew or anything - so I personally was pretty excited! We were also using this as our Birthday Date! Mine was last week and Ron's is coming up next week, so it was perfect timing!

I had asked Ron's parents almost a month ago if they would be interested in coming and keeping the kids while we went to the concert, they were and came! So we had a DATE!

We actually had a triple date. Two other couples from our church(our age with young kids) went with us to Ft. Wayne! It was a fun evening. We enjoyed the adult conversation (even it it was mainly about our kids), a clean van (with no car seats), and a night full of laughs.

Tim Hawkins was great. I laughed so much. He is very funny! Then we also went out to dinner afterwards - with no kids! Again it was fun.

It was a late evening, but we had a good time!

And for those few of you who say I NEVER post pictures of myself - here you go!

The boys wanted to take one! (Eli's)

(Nathaniel's)
Grandma took one too! So we could document our Date!
(as a matter of fact, that may be the only time I do get a picture of myself on here - hummm, interesting)

We had a fun evening and the fact that Ronnie was puking when we got home, didn't seem to dampen it too much - made for a long night on the couch with him, but still a fun Date Night! :)

Thanks Farmer UMC and Grandpa and Grandma!

The Robe

2011-10-21T09:03:00.001-04:00

Now that the weather is turning colder, Maddie has been enjoying her cozy robe!

She loves to wear her robe every morning when she wakes up!

Coppedge Girls

2011-10-20T12:55:00.003-04:00

If you read my sister's blog you have seen these pictures, but they are just too cute! Below, Sophie is on the left and Chloe on the right!

Aren't they just perfect!?!!

Then this picture below, I love. All 4 sisters.

When Jo and I were younger we used to "argue" about which one of us would have twins first. When Ronnie was 6 months old and I was pregnant with Nathaniel, I thought I was close enough to knowing how it would feel!

So now, my little sister has "won". She got the twins and they are adorable!

Pastor Appreciation

2011-10-18T19:55:00.002-04:00

The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month! A couple of weeks ago, the boys brought home an invitation from school that was to be signed and delivered to their Pastor (and spouse) inviting them to a special Luncheon in their Honor!

In spite of our unique situation, the boys signed their invitation then hand delivered it to Daddy in his office. They were so excited to see if he would be excited about coming!

Today was the day for the Luncheon and the boys were still very excited. Most of the kids in their school had Pastor's coming, but they were pretty special to have their Daddy too!

It was such a sweet time. The Luncheon was delicious with nicely decorated tables where each Pastor sat with those students and staff who attended their church. Then there was a brief presentation from some of the students.

The 1st and 2nd graders made a banner for each Pastor that read the following:
P - Pray for Us

A - Always Loves Us

S - Share Things About God

T - Talk About God

O - Obey God

R - Read the Bible to US

Nathaniel is pretty proud that his is hanging in Daddy's office!

Then the 3rd and 4th grade made up their own acronym. Ronnie had the S. He wrote. "My Pastor is silly. He says funny jokes. He tells very funny story's to teach us about God. My Pastor is my Dad." He giggled his way through reading the whole thing.

The time ended with the school principal, a very dear friend of ours, praying for all of the Pastor's and their ministries. It was a very special time that Ron and I both enjoyed being a part of! Ministry is not always easy, but there are times like today when it is so much fun!

1st Picture

2011-10-18T14:29:00.002-04:00

I know you can't see the babies very well, but at least you can see that they arrived and are safe in Momma's arms! Hopefully more pictures to follow! I was able to view the Hospital Pictures and they are cuties! Hopefully I'll post more later!

Names

2011-10-18T06:47:00.002-04:00

Sophia Anne and Chloe Catherine!

Sophia was 6.2 lbs and 19 1/4 inches and came first at 8:17pm and Chloe was 6.1 and 19 1/2 inches and arrived at 8:37pm.

Both are doing well! They are nursing well. Momma is doing well!

They're Here

2011-10-18T06:38:00.002-04:00

The Coppedge Twins have arrived. I don't have a lot of details. Baby A arrived at 8:17pm last night and was 6.2 lbs. Baby B came at 8:35 and was 6.1. Both are smaller than the ultrasound 2 weeks ago indicated, but still good size for twins!

I don't know names, or details and have no picture yet, but will pass along info as soon as this auntie finds out!

Fall Fellowship

2011-10-17T20:35:00.006-04:00

On Sunday afternoon, we had a Fall Fellowship in the parking lot of our Ney Church! It was a fun afternoon of Food, Fun and Fellowship!

The kids were ready to play some games!

like a Popcorn Relay

Even the little ones got to join in!

The most fun was eating the popcorn after the game!

Both teams enjoyed their buckets of popcorn.

and even a few who missed out on the relay, isn't he a cutie?

The kids also enjoyed the unplanned rides around Ney with Mr. Tom!

Then we got to roast marshmallows from smores. Ronnie is like his Daddy and doesn't care for marshmallows or smores, but he enjoyed roasting them for his little sister to enjoy.

Maddie had her 1st smore - and loved it!

lots of people enjoyed the gooey goodness

these 2 are warming themselves by the fire - honestly, sometime I think they are brothers!

more fellowship

The kids went inside for a few more games, like passing the apples (without using your hands)

As you can tell, this was not Ronnie's favorite game - especially playing it with girls! hehehe

Instead of Hot Potato, they played Hot Apple

Then they had to guess the fruit/vegetable by touch only.

It was a fun time!

It's fun to get together with our Church Family!

I WIN!

2011-10-17T16:22:00.004-04:00

It's not official, yet - but it's pretty close!

I picked today! My little sister is at the hospital now. The nurse who is taking care of her goes home at 7:30 and told Jo that she expects to meet the twins before she goes home tonight! They are coming!

Thank you for praying!

For the record, I picked the 17th, which is today, when we all picked a date that we thought they would be born on. The 17th was my day!

Unofficially, cause she didn't sign anything, Jo loosely agreed that the winner would win a twin. I don't think it matters that she was very exhausted and miserable at the time that she agreed to that. An agreement is an agreement, right?

We'll work out the details later - they are coming!

Two Down and an Update

2011-10-15T19:30:00.004-04:00

We made it! Wilmore Week #2 is over! Daddy arrived home around lunchtime today. I think he was in a big a hurry to get home, he left pretty early :)

We enjoyed a fun afternoon of wrestling, football, snuggling and more football (the boys really missed their quarterback Daddy this week).

We all missed him and are so glad he is home safely! He is now finishing up his preparations for Church tomorrow!

So so good to have him home!

By way of an update, my sis is still holding onto those twins! The doctor says she will be induced next Tuesday evening, if they haven't come before that! That puts her at 38 weeks, I believe. Although we are learning that with twins it is more like 42 weeks and it is not good for them to wait too much longer! She would love for everything to be natural, so we would appreciate your prayers to that end! I'll keep you posted!

My Sidekicks!

2011-10-14T13:07:00.004-04:00

With Daddy gone this week, my sidekicks and I have been running the boys to and from school. In the afternoon these 2 like to get there a little early. The weather has been great, so we roll the windows down and turn the music on. They like to climb out of their seats and sit up with me! It's funny the things that make them happy!

Maddie asks for either the song, "Holy Alive" or "Radiant Son" as we're driving along. The song is actually the Come to the Fire theme song, but those two parts are what she likes best!

I love these two little crazies and love hanging out with them!

Even though they are just as ornery as they look!

They did good today, we went after dropping off the boys to do some visitations.

We saw Ms Shirley (whose porch is the Farmer Post Office). It's always fun to visit Ms. Shirley and both the kids enjoy her and the cookies she shares!

Then we went to visit Ms. Cleda, who was in the hospital a week ago, but is home and doing better now. She is a 96 year old sweetheart of a lady who is fun to talk with.

Lastly we visited with Mr. Ed and Ms. Marion. The kids enjoy them too. By the time we finished there Maddie was getting out of her shell and playing with Mr. Ed's feet (don't worry Ron, he loved it), and I knew we better keep moving!

The kids do pretty well with these visitations and I know the people we visit enjoy so much seeing little ones! I'm so glad my kids can be a part of our ministry!

So we're down to about 24 hours left before Daddy gets home!

We can't wait!

Fall is in the Air

2011-10-13T20:03:00.004-04:00

It has been a beautiful Fall Season here in Northwest Ohio! I love Fall. It has always been my favorite time of year, my favorite season. I think when I was younger it was because my birthday was in the fall, but now I just love the beauty. It is just so amazing to view God's wonderful Creation with all the colors. It's like everything is so vibrant!

This tree is gorgeous this year, in my opinion. This is our shade tree in the summer as it's right beside our house. It's just been so beautiful! This picture really doesn't even do it justice! But trust me, it's wonderful!

These 2 were so excited the other day to walk outside to a blanket of color! The leaves seem to be changing and falling fast! Daddy had just mowed on Saturday and this was taken on Tuesday. Fun times in the leaves!

Then there is my never ending attempt at getting a group of four in any season!
If you are tired of these mindless attempts, you don't have to look, but their Grandma's enjoy them!

I should note, no one was injured during the strangulation, I mean taking, of this photo!

And really, don't we all just want to do this! The kid in us wants to run out and just throw a huge pile of leaves right up to the sky to come down onto our heads and then giggle uncontrollably! Oh to be 4 again!

Don't miss out on the beauty of this season!

I hope you are enjoying this fall season!

Enjoying the Park

2011-10-12T09:33:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I thought perhaps it might be the last REALLY nice day for awhile (we could get rain today and then temps go down too), so I thought we would eat our supper in the park and then play!

Initially, everyone wandered to their own favorite thing!

There's an Indian in that tee pee.

Oh, it's just Ronnie with his bow and arrow!

Despite the fat lip Eli got while chasing Ronnie through the different things - he was still able to sneak a kiss from his favorite sis!

These 2 wandered off to the grass between the park and the cemetery!

Before we left I told them they could each pick a spot for a picture (I know I'm weird, but it's my desperate attempt to get a good picture of all 4 together! - and I do mean desperate!)

This was Eli's pose

Then Maddie's

Next Nathaniel got to pick.

and finally Ronnie posed everyone in a football position.

OK, so it didn't exactly go as I had planned, but they had a good time!

And everyone was good and tired and slept well!

Toddlers and Homeschool

2011-10-10T20:31:00.005-04:00

I've mentioned before how Maddie and Eli are buddies. While I am so glad that they are, it does make homeschooling Eli a little challenging!

I tried to set Maddie up with her own coloring book and crayons and her very own table to use while we were busy with school work, but she inevitable found her way back to the table with us! I didn't want to ban her from the room, because honestly she is picking up things and learning with Eli and I don't want to get in the way of that, but I had to find something to keep her occupied.

So I decided she needed her own "School Box".

I filled the box with all kinds of stuff to keep her occupied.

So excited!

Even Ronnie thought she was a "lucky dog"

(not sure what that means, but he was a little jealous of her box)!

Maddie has done pretty good with the box. She can only have it during school time, so that makes it all the more appealing! She still has her moments of being more interested in what Eli is doing, but for the most part, the School Box has helped!

Take Two

2011-10-10T14:29:00.002-04:00

Ron is on the road, again! 24 hours later than he had originally planned, but better late than never!

It ended up being one of the front brake lines that needed repaired, and then as the mechanic finished up and was flushing the new line the other front one broke through. Thankfully that was done at the shop and not after Ron started again.

And so we begin again,

Wilmore Week #2 is underway!

We would appreciate your prayers for all 6 of us!

Especially Ron as he travels!

Short Week

2011-10-09T20:06:00.002-04:00

We have prayed that this would be a short week, with Daddy gone, but we had no idea! Ron is actually home right now. He got to Kalida (about 1 hour down the road) before his back brakes went out on his truck. Praise the Lord for protection! Jesus kept him safe and even allowed someone to come and help him pinch the back brakes so that he could drive home on the front. Again Jesus protected and he made it home.

So the week didn't exactly start the way we had planned, but we are thankful that Daddy is here and that he is safe. We'll talk to the mechanic tomorrow and see how the rest of the week will play out!

If you are one who had read the earlier post today and prayed for my hubby - thank you so much! Jesus answered!

Wilmore Week #2

2011-10-09T14:54:00.002-04:00

Wilmore Week #2 is now officially underway. Ron is on the road! Please pray for him for safety as he travels (he is very tired), pray for protection. Pray that his week would go well, as he studies and meets with his Discipleship Group!

Pray for us. It's a long week here at home too!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever! He is faithful and we trust in that promise!

Work Day

2011-10-08T18:21:00.006-04:00

Today was a perfect day for outdoor work! Beautiful clear blue skies with the high in the low 80's! Perfect! The boys had several projects that they hoped to get completed today!

They began with a repair job. Our sweet widow neighbor owns this garage and as it turns out our not so innocent boys had put a hole in the siding. So today they fixed it. It turned out to be a much bigger job than Daddy had hoped, but they were able to complete it!

Next was the fence around the garden, it needed to come down. With such a nice day it was perfect for cleaning up the garden. Honestly it was not the best year for our garden. We put it in late (not knowing if we would be around or not). Finally at the last moment we planted and just decided we would get what we could and the Pastor who followed us could have the rest! Well that fact coupled with the very dry summer - was not a good combination.

The boys tried to find potatoes...but it was a very disappointing harvest!

Maddie kept herself busy too!
I love seeing my guys hard at work!

"Wait, I think I see one."

Really it was that bad. What we did get was so small that I will probably just can them all! No Baked Potatoes for now.

Earlier this summer we got some summer squash that Ronnie was pretty proud of - that is one thing that really did well this year! We had lots of huge summer squash.

Maddie continued to entertain herself while her brothers worked away.

But finally...it was time for catch!

It's amazing where all that energy comes from, especially after a long day of work.

When it comes down too it! It's been a long day and everyone is worn out. There shouldn't be any trouble sleeping tonight!

Out of Control

2011-10-07T08:14:00.002-04:00

In my devotional time this morning I saw the passage in Genesis chapter 11 in a different way. It is the story of the tower of Babel and I have read it many times before. However this time I looked at it a little different.

In this Genesis passage, the survivors of the flood shared one language and worked together, by doing this they began to build a tower to heaven. Sounds good, right. But their motives were wrong. Their desire was to make a name for themselves, so that they could say, we have our life under control.

God had other plans. He confused their language, not because God is a God of confusion or because He didn't want them to cooperate but because God wanted to be God in their lives.

He wants to be God. He wants to have the Control. When we are gripping the controls of our own life and dictating every detail, can we really expect God to just go along with it?

I think in a way we are to live lives that are out of control. Only when we are out of control can God be in control! That's hard for those personality types that like to have things all planned out and figured out! I like to know what is going to happen and be prepared. God's saying, let me figure it out. Trust me to take control and lead you where I want you to go and do.

That's what I want. A life that God is in control of, not one that I control and allow God to be a part of!

2 Babies Coming!

2011-10-05T21:15:00.004-04:00

In just a few days, perhaps even hours, my beautiful little sis will give birth to 2 baby girls!

Katy Beth, I thought you would enjoy seeing how beautiful she looks!

She went for her check-up today and discovered that she is carrying around over 13 lbs of baby. One is 6.9lbs and one is 6.7lbs. That's a lot of baby! The babies have dropped since I saw her on Saturday and she had contractions throughout the night last night. She is soooooooooo ready!

I tried to get a pool going to see if everyone in our extended family wanted to try to pick the birthday of the twins. I offered to Jo that the winner could win a twin, but I'm honestly thinking now that she is going to win - wouldn't you know it :)

She is ready and I hope to introduce you very soon to my 2 beautiful nieces! Until then, I know she would appreciate your prayers!

Home School / Preschool

2011-10-05T06:33:00.003-04:00

We started, over 4 weeks ago now, Home School / Preschool with Eli. He really seems to be loving it! We are doing 1 letter each week and then spending the week on different activities related to that letter. We are also doing lots of worksheets and games, songs and fun. We work on the pledges to the American and Christian Flag's each morning. We work on our calendar and colors too! It's been fun! No pressure, just Eli and I hanging out and learning together!

You'll notice we have an "observer". I have tried some things in this area and I'll share more later about what Maddie does while we have our Home School time!

Come to the Fire

2011-10-04T06:31:00.003-04:00

This past weekend, I was able to attend my second Come to the Fire Conference. I really can't put into words how Amazing this conference is. It is so spirit led and completely focused on Jesus! It's just an amazing conference.

I had the opportunity to go with several ladies from our Farmer Church. I wanted to kick myself for not getting a good picture of all of us, but I do have these!

We had some wonderful times of fellowship and just being together that I think everyone enjoyed!

My roomies!

(Mom got to go too, it was up in the air if she could go or not, as she is waiting for Jo to have her babies and help her out)

Even my 8+ month pregnant sister of my twin nieces was able to come.
Beth, Jo and Cricket

(her mother and sister-in-law)

I was able to connect with several friends that I don't get to see often enough, like Andrea!

I'll be honest with you though. Jesus Came and that was the most exciting part. On Friday night I could hardly sleep! Jesus came and met one of the ladies from my church during the service. I was honored to get to pray with her and for her as she offered Jesus all of her for ALL of HIM!!

From there we had a debrief in our hotel room and I really believe Jesus opened some doors and perhaps began to break down some walls. I think there are a lot of walls built up, but I was so "giddy" that some were beginning to be taken down, piece by piece.

I'm excited to see what Jesus will do next. I'm willing to do whatever He wants from me and so that is exciting too!

If you think about it, pray for our women. Pray that Jesus would continue to reveal Himself to them. Pray that they would desire to have Holy Hearts and desire to be completely sold out to Jesus!

Training

2011-09-29T06:35:00.002-04:00

I snapped this picture on Sunday. Eli was getting a lesson from Mr. Calvin, our organist. I love it when our children learn from people in our church and learn how to serve the church!

Perhaps one day Eli will be praising the Lord with beautiful Organ music!

Is It Possible?

2011-09-28T06:20:00.002-04:00

I'm seriously wondering...is it even possible to get a "good" picture of 4 kids at the same time?

By good I mean, smiles - not the fake kind and eyes that don't bug out at the camera.

Maybe it's just not possible!

I guess I will settle for a picture with 4 kids - who are pretty cute even with their eyes bugging out and their fake smiles!

New Beds

2011-09-27T06:28:00.002-04:00

This summer (yes, I know it's officially fall, but I'm still playing catch up)...anyway...this summer both Maddie and Eli got "new" beds.

With Maddie we simply took the front off her crib and made it a toddler bed. She loved it. She only fell out 2 times the first night. Since then she has done wonderfully. With all my kids, I trained them to stay in their beds. Maddie did/does great at that too. She won't get out of bed at night without yelling for me and she won't even get out at nap time! She's doing pretty good at this big girl stuff! As you can see, everyone enjoys hanging out in Maddie's room!

This summer also meant a new bed for Eli. We were given this bed when some friends found out we had been looking for one. See Eli is a little rough, and his toddler bed didn't last as long as we would have liked. So honestly, he had been on the mattress on the floor for several months. When we realized we were not moving, we decided we couldn't wait longer and we were excited to get this bed!

Eli was so proud of his new bed!

He still loves it and loves climbing in and out!

Below he and Daddy are reading a Bible Story together!

Like Father Like Son

2011-09-26T06:13:00.004-04:00

There are times when these 2 are more like brothers, or even twins!

It's not just there names that are the same and aren't they just so cute?!

I love my Ronnie's!

A Fun Visit

2011-09-23T22:04:00.007-04:00

On Wednesday, Grandma and Grandpa Adkins came for a visit. They came to help celebrate Nathaniel's birthday, but I have to tell you - Maddie and Eli really took advantage of the time while Ronnie and Nathaniel were at school!

There was lots of snuggling, bonding and catching up!

Then there were new things to learn.

and of course, everybody was interested!

There was time for Baseball

walks,

just chatting,

more baseball,

hugs,

more snuggles,

more hugs

(this is how 8 year old boys hug - they allow themselves to be hugged - and really if you are the recipient of such a privilege - consider it a privilege),

it's always hard to say good-bye...

to family

(3 generations of Ron's!)

so we'll just say - Until next time!

high-five's are a great man way to say good-bye

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for a great time and a fun couple of days! Sorry things are/were so crazy around here.

We love you and are so glad you came to visit!

Come Back Soon!

Celebrating Seven

2011-09-23T06:32:00.007-04:00

Yesterday we celebrated Nathaniel's 7 years! The only problem is that we had to wait until he got home from school! Then...can you believe, he had homework?! He got it done quickly and the celebrating began!

What better way to celebrate than to have Grandparents!

We were blessed to have both mine and Ron's parents able to come for a few hours together.

Even my Grand-parents were able to come!

Our kids are very blessed to have both sets of Grandparents as well as 3 Great-Grandmas and 2 Great-Grandpa's!
Nathaniel Blake with Pap (Blake)

Pap thought he needed Birthday spankings.

Lucky for Pap, Nathaniel didn't fight him on it!

Beow Gramps gets his 7 in.

Nathaniel ordered pizza for his special birthday meal.

Here he is enjoying it with his new Indians hat and Brutus.

Ronnie even read Nathaniel's new book to him and to Eli.

Nathaniel's expression at the sight of his cake, made the hours spent on it well worth it!

This sports lovin' little man couldn't decide between Indians and Buckeyes - so we went with both!

I thought this was a cute picture of his siblings chekcing out the cake!

Nathaniel was able to end his day by trying out some new games...

and watching the Indians play. We had hoped that his Birthday would be announced on STO (Sports Time Ohio), but aparently there were a lot of Indians fans born on Sept 22nd !

Nathaniel we hope you had a great Birthday and we look forward to many many more years celebrating with you!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Seven Years Old

2011-09-22T06:15:00.006-04:00

Today our Nathaniel Blake turns 7!

My little man is becoming quite the Little Man! He's not a "little" boy anymore! He's huge. Seriously he could pass for an 8 or 9 year old by his outward appearance. Inwardly, well, he's my sensitive, caring, compassionate and loving Nate! Almost always thinking of someone else! Deeply caring for those around him!

He's a fun boy to be around and loves loves loves sports! He can't decide what is his favorite sport (which you'll see from his cake later on).

He wakes up early...snuggles into daddy's chair...

just so he can watch the Indians game replay from the night before!

what little boy does that before school every morning?

And today that same little man will turn 7 years old!

He's pretty excited that Grandpa Adkins is here. He got to watch some Indians play last night and gets to watch them tonight with his Grandpa! Can't beat that!

I'll post more of our days activities later, but for now I wanted to wish our Handsome 7 year old,

A Very Happy Birthday!

We love you Nathaniel!

(feel free to leave him a birthday wish in the comments below)

That Time of Year

2011-09-20T06:42:00.004-04:00

It's that dreaded time of year again...

Homework time!

One of those things that must be done, but really not so fun!

A Graduation

2011-09-19T06:39:00.003-04:00

If you haven't read the post below titled, "A Very Important Milestone", I would suggest you read it first!

Because of Maddie's big accomplishment, Ron and I have now entered a new phase of parenting. After 9 years of buying diapers and or pull-ups or something of that nature.

We have officially graduated!

I just loved Graduations! And this one has been a LONG time coming!

A Very Important Milestone

2011-09-19T06:32:00.003-04:00

I have missed blogging on a very important part of Maddie's summer!

This summer she was
Potty Trained!

She really has done a fabulous job with this and I am impressed with how different she was than the boys. So much easier! We still had our moments, but so much better!

I would say for well over a month now Maddie has been officially potty trained.
Yes, she still has an occasional nighttime accident, but for the most part she is doing wonderfully!

And so proud of herself too!

We Made It

2011-09-16T21:05:00.002-04:00

Well...we almost made it!

Ron is stuck in traffic south of Dayton, but he's on his way!

He had a pretty productive week. He met with advisers, students, mentors and friends and did lots of reading and studying! This is going to be a long hard process that is now underway!

I'm just excited that in just a few more hours we will have survived Wilmore Week #1!

YEAH!

Thank you for your prayers!

Granny and Gramps

2011-09-16T20:32:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, Maddie, Eli and I went to visit Granny and Gramps. It had been way to long since we had been for a visit so we were all excited for our morning outing! We dropped the boys off at school and then headed to Payne, Ohio!

Eli was probably the most excited. He really wanted to play the "planno"!

Maddie saw how much fun Eli was having and decided she wanted a turn too!

She danced and sang to while playing - she's multi-talented!

There are always lots of fun things to do at Garnny and Gramps house.

My dad was visiting too, so it was even more fun! Pap too!

Thanks Granny and Gramps for a fun visit!

We promise we won't wait so long the next time!

See you soon!

Inadequate

2011-09-15T19:22:00.002-04:00

I'm feeling rather inadequate tonight.

As we came in the door this evening from picking up the boys from school, the phone rang. It was the daughter of a very sweet 90+ year old lady from one of our congregations. This sweet lady is not doing well. She is in hospice care and things are not going well.

I listened and prayed as this daughter told me of all her mother was going through and what was going on. I knew right away that had Ron been here he would have gone right away to be with this family.

I made a couple of phone calls and then decided to pack up the kids and go. I knew the hospice center and knew that the kids could do their homework or color in the lobby while I talked and prayed with the family.

However, I am not use to this type of thing. I spent a short time with the daughter and this lady who I had visited many times in her home. A lady who has loved my children and loved visits from our famliy. A lady who is so classy and so loving! I prayed with and for them both!

As I got the kids back into the van and started around to the drivers side the tears began. I don't know how to minister in these situations. I don't feel that I was prepared or even helpful. I called Ron as I left and told him how I thought it went. He tried to assure me that I did well.

I was not looking for compliments. I am feeling so inadequate. I know that this type of situation is so difficult and so hard. I find peace in my heart that this sweet lady lying in bed knows Jesus and loves Him with her whole heart. It's just so hard!

I'm so thankful that even in our humanness Jesus can mininster and speak. I pray that tonight Jesus ministered to this family and that He continues to do so!

Kids Say

2011-09-14T22:15:00.002-04:00

My kids crack me up sometimes! I think I've mentioned her before how I keep a notebook of things they say. It might just come back to haunt them in the future (maybe at a high school graduation or something)!

Today, Eli was working on a project where he needed to use his scissors and cut. I snapped this picture just before he took a break and rubbed his arm and said,

"Man, my muscle hurts."

Too cute!

Lately Maddie has had us laughing at her wording for certain foods!

For example she says,

"some getti" for spaghetti

and

"macaronnie" for macaroni

So we're filling up the notebook around here!

There are lots of cute sayings in the notebook, too many to tell them all!

Christian Radio

2011-09-14T14:31:00.002-04:00

Last week I got a Free Gift in the Mail (it's really not important where it came from, but I love gifts).

Anyway, this gift was especially Wonderful. Once we got the battery in it and got it set, we started searching for the channel! It's 90.3 WBCL! I love it!

I usually only listen in the car, but now with my new little radio I can enjoy the Christian toons anytime I'm in the kitchen too! It even makes me want to be in the kitchen more!

As soon as we found the station Eli says, "Hey, that's the car music!" The kids love this station too. They are learning new songs and I don't have to worry about them hearing something they shouldn't. It's very Family Oriented!

I really just love this station and the Godly people who are behind this station!

So I'm loving Christian Radio Today and thought I'd share with you!

Feel free to check it out at www.wbcl.org