Is modern youth ministry multiplying or dividing the church?

This video trailer helps sum up the journey we've been on with starting our church 2 years ago. You may find it controversial. I'm okay with that.

Divided Trailer from NCFIC on Vimeo.

Getting ready for baby...
This past week I really shifted into baby prep mode.  Somehow realizing that 40 weeks was getting close woke me out of my stupor and made me get into gear to be ready and not caught off-guard when little E makes his entrance.

This week I:
~Cleaned my room
~Emptied the crib...still standing in my room from Elisha's days...filled to the rim with outgrown clothing from 5 kids.  We sorted and put away clothing and donated a few bags.
~Unpacked onesies, baby hats, receiving blankets and burp cloths and set them up for use
~Double and tripled dinners each night to have things ready in the freezer.  We have pizza goulash, sloppy joes, mashed potatoes, spaghetti, beef and turkey curry, rice ready to go.
~Baked breakfast cookies and homemade nutrigrain-type bars for the freezer.
~Ordered some necessary-but-hard-to-find-locally-nursing-mom items.
~Made a list of items to grill and bake this week to add to the freezer stash...pancakes, chocolate chip banana bread, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon swirl bread, english muffins, pita pockets, mini hamburgers and marinated ck breasts.
~Bought flip flops that are 2 sizes larger than my usual size to accomodate my severely swollen feet.
~Convinced a friend that she could have a baby shower for me whenever she wanted and that I'd do my best not to have my baby before her party ;-)  She moved the party up a few days and it'll be next week...I'll be at 39+ weeks.

All this while carting a ballerina back and forth to summer classes, a basketball player and his friends to practice (I have to be out with the ballerina anyway, so I take the boys and someone brings Erik home), homeschooling full throttle (so we can take off when the baby comes), and making sure I get a nap each and every day.

Hi!!!!
  Emma and Ellie here.  We hijacked Mommy's Blog(We got permission, and the usual eye roll).
  Today we were playing elves.  We usually don't play dress-up, but being that Emma is currently OBSESSED with the Lord of The Rings we decided to break out the dress-up clothes.
  Emma was a 15 year old elf named Larxlyn of Elvendore, who was in love with the imaginary prince Memulas.  Ellie was 13 year old Islelyn of Mirkwood, a happy-go-lucky daughter of the Lord Isholder. Elisha played the part of Islelyn's pet wolf, Kazack. After going to an elf festival, being attacked by Dwarves, running through the woods (that looked just like the driveway) and going to a old elf war fort for refuge we went to the palace, A.K.A. the house, for the royal ball. The royal cook Mommy fed us leftover pizza and lime water. VERY tasty =).
    We then went outside for a photo shoot, we do that often. Look and enjoy the fruits of our labor=).

                                                           Kazack, Wolf of Mirkwood

                                                                Islelyn of Mirkwood

                                                               Larxlyn of Elvendore

                                                                    Happy 4th!!!!!!!

      P.S. Erik and Everson would have played but Everson was shocked by the startling lack of action (oh brother) and Erik wanted nothing to do with our "crazy" games (as usual).
             We leave now because Ellie has to clean her dressup clothes and Emma wants a nap.=)

Everson is keeping us on our toes...

Sunday morning came especially early for me.  I had worked until 2 am and wanted to sleep in until at least 9 to be ready to leave for church by 10.  Doug woke at 7:30 saying, "I wouldn't be waking you if it wasn't important.  Everson is showing all the symptoms of appendicitis."

Well now, didn't that wake me right up!  So did the cup of hot coffee.

Everson was lying on the couch, pale, with a fever, complaining about how much his tummy hurt.  I asked all the regular diagnostic questions, thinking in the back of my mind..."I really don't want to mess with the Emergency Room today"

So I call the pediatrician.  Our regular doctor is not on call, so a partner calls back a little after 8.  We go through the regular diagnostic questions, even having Everson get up and try to walk around.  "It hurts every time I take a step with my right foot, " he says with a moan.

The doctor says, "Well it could be a stomach bug, or constipation, or appendicitis.  I wouldn't wait for the Urgent Care to open at noon, I'd take him to the ER now."  Thank you doctor, that's just what I wanted to hear...

So at Doug's urging, I hop in the shower, grab a travel mug of coffee and a bagel, and leave some final before church directions and head off to the hospital with Everson.  Only Doug and I know that we're going to the hospital...everyone under the age of 15 thinks we're going to the doctor's office.

Everson moans at every bump in the road.  As I turn a block earlier than the doctors office, Everson wonders why we're taking a different way.  I explain that we're actually going to the hospital.

Everson moans with every step to the ER...I'm 7.5 months pregant and NOT picking up my 7 year old and carrying him across the parking lot.  Mean mom.

We get into the ER and he is evaluated rather soon.  Xray, blood work and 2 or 3 painful exams all before noon.  A CT scan is ordered to confirm diagnosis.  By 1:30, the surgeon comes down for a consult, cancels the CT scan, and by 3pm, Everson is wheeled into an operating room for the removal of his inflamed appendix.

About 40 minutes later, the surgeon appears to tell Doug and I that all went well and that Everson would be spending the night in the children's hospital.  We see our very very drugged and groggy boy and laugh as we follow his bed to the children's ward for admission.

Our pastor and his 7 year old son come by to visit Everson, who barely could talk, due to a sore throat and post op drugs.

I come home and pick up the 4 healthy kiddos and homemade cards and return to the hospital for a quick visit.  All kids are appropriately grossed out by Everson's 2 inch scar on his abdomen and the iv in his hand.

I leave the hospital with the kiddos and put the younger ones in bed and regroup from my Saturday night and all day Sunday of not being home.  Doug is much better at the hospital overnight than I am, anyway ;-)

By the morning, the report is that overnight there was a low grade fever and not much fluid intake.  And no eating.  The surgeon will not release Everson from the hospital until he is eating and drinking (and preferably passing some solid waste).  As of dinnertime today, Everson has found an appetite (48 hours after his last meal) and his thirst.    The solid waste thing...not a chance of incurring any additional pain for this 7 year old!  So we wait.  Another night in the hospital and a pleading mommy tomorrow morning, who thinks all would be much better to have the kid at home ;-)

We'll keep you posted.  I can't guarantee a phone call to give you the update...it's been crazy juggling kids and parents and Doug's work schedule (he took today off, but is going back to work tomorrow).  Just assume that we'll call if things turn south and that no call is a good thing ;-)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! 

We love you Daddy.  We're so thankful for you and all the things you do for us..

.and all the silly things you do with us.  We love you for the hard things you do,

to make a home for us and to take care of our needs.       

The 5 (soon to be 6 E's)

Thank you Daddy, for living this for us: 

"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isaiah 54:13)

This prophetic verse has its primary fulfillment still in the future. Nevertheless, it states a basic principle which is always valid, and which is especially relevant on Father's Day. The greatest honor that children can bestow on a father is a solid Christian character of their own, but that must first be his own gift to them. Before sons and daughters can experience real peace of soul, they must first be taught of the Lord themselves, and the heavenly Father has delegated this responsibility first of all to human fathers.

The classic example is Abraham, "the father of all them that believe" (Romans 4:11). God's testimony concerning Abraham was this: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment" (Genesis 18:19). This is the first reference in Scripture to the training of children and it is significant that it stresses paternal instruction in the things of God. Furthermore, the instruction should be diligent and continual: "When thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6:7).

The classic New Testament teaching on child training has the same message: "Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).

Not wrath, but peace, as our text suggests. Great shall be the peace of our children when they know the Lord and keep His ways. Great, also, is the joy of a godly father when he can see the blessing of the Lord on his children, and then on his grandchildren. "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers" (Proverbs 17:6).

"Days of Praise", Institute for Creation Research

Peter and the Wolf 2011

Emma was Grandfather last year, and this year, she is playing the part of Peter.  She's very humbled to play this part...and very nervous.  Ellie is a Hunter.  She's double cast, so she's only in one of the two shows.  I snuck up there this afternoon during the dress rehearsal and tried to get video on my digital camera...the quality is not the best, but at least you get to see a bit of the girls in action.  In the Hunter scene, Ellie is I think the 4th hunter on the stage...she's not in a white leotard, b/c of the double cast situation.  She's wearing a white hat - I followed her with the camera.  .  Enjoy.

After dropping Emma off at a friend's house for a ballet/basketball switcharoo carpool, we took the boys to basketball practice and then went to Unidad Park with the younger 3.  Everyone but Elisha has been able to do something fun in the past week and he was begging for the playground.  Since it was 9am and cool and shady, we went for 40 minutes.  Ellie was, of course, a great playmate for Elisha.  Everson roamed around looking for something fun to do when he discovered the monkey bars...and discovered that he could go all across them...with ease!  He then ran around the playground looking for more monkey bars to conquer.  I told him we'd try to find some more at different playgrounds ;-)

 Climbing on top of the monkey bars was fun, too...getting down was tricker than he thought, though.

Elisha for some reason LOVES these yellow swings...and his swing pusher.

After the playground, we swung by Target for $2.69/gallon milk, and some new markers and posters from the dollar section.  2 gallons of milk and 3 $1 goodies ended up costing me about $4 cash.  We came home to fresh bread that was just finishing up in the oven...why don't I use the time bake feature more often?!

We came home and the younger 3 set to furiously coloring their new Cars and Toy Story posters, while I cleaned the pool filter and pulled weeds and dying plants from the garden...the chickens now love me!

I didn't sleep well last night, so I need a nap before work.  This afternoon will consist of  lunch, ballet run, pool for the boys, ballet run, laundry folding, dusting, vacuuming, dishes, dinner of pasta w/meat sauce and steamed veggies.  The littles will watch some fun movie before bed, and the older 2 are DYING to watch "The City of Ember" from Netflix now that Erik has finally finished the book!

So glad tomorrow is produce!  Erik and I get to team up to take out the back seat of the van and unload the produce while Emma is at ballet...should be an interesting morning.  Taking dinner to 2 families from church that had babies on Tuesday...they won't mind to both be getting the same thing ;-)  Meatloaf and roasted potatoes and zucchini.

I've given birth...
to a conference...
Homeschool Conference in San Angelo

Update:  I didn't really look at the pictures closely, until a neighbor brought the actual paper.  If you look at the pic of the children, Elisha is in the top left corner with the blue shirt/green stripes.  He is VERY proud of having his picture in the paper!

Deja's Children Say,"You Rock"

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Prov 31:26,28

Early in marriage I(Doug) had an interesting discussion with my wife. She had asked me about the direction our family was heading. At first I had winced anticipating the discussion to follow. But actually it was a good question then and it's a question we all need to keep asking ourselves and our Lord.

We had just had our first child, I was working, and Deja was immersing herself in motherhood. We were living in a new city, became members at a church, and we had some good friends. But Deja wanted to know what our purpose(s) were and what was next. This certainly didn't start as a fun conversation and I'll admit I was a little defensive. My answer though, thank the Lord, came straight from heaven. In fact it is still a guiding principal in our marriage today.

I answered,"We are just a family that lives in Albany, we have a church home, friends, I go to work, we have a daughter, and you are providing the atmosphere for our family to thrive." It seemed that all of her concerns vanished immediately and she was encouraged greatly. I had simply told the truth that Deja makes our home.

When our homes are filled with love and our words are filled with kindness we do thrive. The tongue does have the power of life and death. A godly woman speaks with wisdom and truth and kindness. Her hearers are receptive. Her children and her husband will praise her. In our house they say,"You rock!"

Happy Mothers Day Deja,
All your children

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Prov 25:11

WILDFIRES... 
We have had wildfires off and on for the past week.  The first was caused by a lightning strike in the overnight hours.  The fire was probably 15 miles from us and we could see the trail of smoke, but it didn't affect us.

THEN this past Thursday night another fire flared up.  Much closer.  By friday morning, there were ashes on our lawn and cars.  The air was suffocating.  Erik had to wear a mask and use his inhaler off and on.  Friends had to evacuate their homesteads and horses.  Then the winds shifted and took the smoke and fire northeast of us.  At it's closest, the fire line was probably 5-8 miles from our house.  One of those times we're glad to live in the city rather than the country.

This fire is still raging.  At last count, it had destroyed over 140,000 acres.  Folks we know are still evacuating.  Volunteer Fire Departments are working round the clock with various other agencies helping.  Texas Forest Service say it's only 10% contained...and no signs of advancing against this beast.  A 20% chance of rain is in our forecast later this week...but around these parts, that's as good as no rain.

You can go to our local newspaper for updated information and even cool maps to show where the fire has been and is headed...San Angelo Standard Times

"Mommy is a drumpyhead"

Yesterday morning, I served pancakes and juice for breakfast.  Elisha was not pleased with the red cup that I had selected to be his for the day.

We went back and forth for a few minutes on the cup...note that he had already had a drink from said cup 30 minutes earlier with no complaints.

I told Elisha that the red cup was his, or he was going back to a sippy cup.

He chose to throw the red cup in the sink.

I chose to swat the backside and send him to his bed to think about what happened.

After a bit, I went to visit Elisha, pouting in his bed.  "Sorry Mommy.  Tan I have a different tup?"

"No Elisha, you need to use the red cup today."

Tantrum continued, so I leave the room. 

Several minutes later, Elisha shows up in the dining room, issues an apology then walks to the kitchen, opens the pencil drawer, shuts it, then comes to stand next to me at the dining room table.

With his chin just above the table, and furious scribbling going on (on a small piece of sandpaper!), I hear these words, "Mommy is a drumpyhead.  Mommy is a drumpyhead."

I think he was trying to write it 100 times.

Robust laughter from all older children...and the dad who had just stopped in for another cup of coffee.

Swatted backside and 15 minutes in room later...

"Mommy, tan I have a sippytup?"

It's been the cause of much laughter these past 24 hours.

91 degrees

IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING....OR WORRYING

My pregnancy is progressing just fine. I've had those 'advanced maternal age' bloodtests. Ultrasounds. All come back "unremarkable". That means: so far, so good. No sign of any of the things that can trouble a later in life pregnancy. Blood pressure is fine. All systems go. I'm feeling fine. Actually, better than any previous pregnancy. So far. I'm predicting a rerun of "The Great Swollen Legs and Feet of 2007"...the year Elisha was born. Some may think this pregnancy is one of those "Oooops" that happen and people talk about. Somehow, being over 40 and having 5 children already seems to indicate to our culture that we should "be done". Never do we consider a pregnancy an ooops, something we could have or should have prevented. We are beyond thrilled that God chose to bless us with another baby. Frankly (and without details), my body was starting to show some signs of this season of life coming to an end...but we managed to sneak in another blessing before that door closes.

FACES OF ELISHA Muddy face from last summer. Too cute not to post here.

This is our very own in-house Batman. Taken just last week.

Friends in Japan

We have some dear friends, Air Force folks, who moved to Misawa AFB in Northeastern Japan almost 2 years ago. Mike is a Chaplain. The earthquake and tsunami was personal. It affected friends. We quickly learned from one of Mike and De'Etta's sons who attends college here that they were all safe. But De'Etta was stranded in Tokyo. She was headed out for a ministry-related event along with 2 other women. Currently, they are in Tokyo figuring out how to make the 400-something mile trip back to Misawa. All main routes go right through the hardest hit areas and nuclear plant areas.

Here's a link to a post by Mike with some pictures of the inside of their home. Thought you'd be interested. http://not2many.blogspot.com/2011/03/rocking-and-rolling-in-japan.html

It's a boy.

There is much whooping going on around here at the news of another Armstrong joining us.

Except Elisha. He cried and cried. He didn't want a baby brother. He wants a baby sister. Now that we're a couple of days later, he seems to be okay with his world getting turned upside down.

Everson asked, "Where are we getting the baby from?" Drawing from life, I said, "You've seen the chickens lay eggs, right?" After a brief thought, he said, "Ohhh yuck! You mean I came out of where you poop?!"

Ellie said, "Oh that's good. I was thinking you were getting a bit fat." And, "I didn't know that you could still have babies being, you know, so old."

Erik was not pleased with the news that he'd have to share his room with another brother. He's our neat freak who doesn't enjoy sharing a room with little brothers who constantly make messes in his clean room.

Emma exclaimed, "MOM, I'm going to be 14 years older than this kid!" I said, "Yes, Emma I know, you'll be 32 when he graduates from high school...and I'll be about 61 or 62." Nuf said.

Anyhow, we're thrilled to announce that another E will join our family this August.

A Different View...

Life is so full and busy...can't seem to find the camera when I want it and when I find the camera, the computer is occupied by Doug or I'm really needing to do something with one of the kiddos...

Just so you know I am in fact alive and well, I thought I'd send you over to my mother-in-law's blog. Doug's mom and stepfather have been staying with us several weeks. They have moved their 5th wheel camper into the yard, hooked up to water and electric, and have been such a blessing to us.

For a different view of our "Life in Texas", go see Al and Nita's Travels You'll have to go back in the archives to 11/09 and read to about New Year's.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll get a post put up from my perspective. Can't wait to show you pictures of the kids, the chickens and the canning I've been doing.

Time for an update...

I know, I know. It's been forever since my last update. Life around here is happening at full speed and will slow down a bit once Nutcracker is over (in 11 days, but who's counting).

Ballet classes, Nutcracker rehearsals, basketball practices and lots of games, me working, doing some canning (marmalades, applesauce, apple butter and 19 pints of salsa...wouldn't Beth be proud of me Nancy?), getting ready for Thanksgiving...oh, and educating my children along with my regular day to day doings...well, you get the picture.

Doug's mom and Stepdad arrived in their camper/condominium on wheels on Sunday and will be staying with us (in our yard, that is) until after Christmas. AND Doug's brother and his family will be coming down for Christmas. I'm so glad! Doug hasn't spent a holiday with his family since we moved here 4 years ago.

Oh, MY Dad and stepmom are coming from Buffalo for a long weekend in time to see opening night of Nutcracker...and my brother is coming for a week, right after that.

So in the course of a month, we'll have seen much of our immediate family. Whoo hoo!

I haven't the time to upload pictures, but I will soon. Promise.

Hi Y'all

It's me Emma. This is my first annual blog post[hopefully]. I will tell you about my life in Texas and such.

I am 5ft 3 and a half in. My hair has decided to be really wavy, and I am still skin and bones!!!



MY AVERAGE WEEK

MONDAY: 7:00-11:30ish is school time. 4:30-7:30 is ballet/pointe class, pilates, and rehearsal for Nutcracker

TUESDAY: school , 3:40-4:10 french horn lessons

WEDSDAY: school, 4:30-6:45 ballet/pointe class

THURSDAY: school, 3:30-7:45 help teach Ellie's ballet class, ballet/pointe class, rehersal for Nutcracker

FRIDAY: 9:30-11:00 mother's helper [not my mother. A lady from our church with three kids under the age of five] 1:45-2:45 band rehersal, 2:45-4:30 best friend Stephanie [she plays the flute in the band and is in my ballet class] comes to our house after band and before 4:30-6:15 ballet class.

Nutcracker is underway and every Saturday I have 3 to 5 hours of rehersals!!! However, despite the chaos, I live, eat, and breathe ballet.

I MISS Y'ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Emma

In Memory of Grannie

Emma Elizabeth Boisse

1911-2009

My dear, sweet Grannie passed away Saturday evening. The kids and I were singing, "Because He Lives" with her on Wednesday afternoon. It was her favorite hymn. At her funeral yesterday, we cheerfully sang her going home song.

She lived 98+ years on this earth. I figure she has known the Lord for over 70 years! Up until a few months ago, Grannie would still wear skirts and stockings. Every day. She'd leave off the stockings in the heat of summer. She lived by herself and cooked and cleaned for herself. She lived on $700 a month since my Poppy died (25 years ago!). She prayed for each member of her family. Daily. In the last couple of years, as her eyesight was failing, she told me that she wanted to memorize as much Scripture as she could, before the Lord took her sight.

We're so very glad that we moved to Texas when we did! We had 4 wonderful years with our Grannie. My children, especially the older 3, have wonderful memories of time spent with their GREAT GREAT Grandmother. What a privilege!

Here she is, being silly with Everson's hat. She was 'just' 94 in this picture!

Grannie made the curtains for the girl's bedroom.

We're sad. We'll miss her. But even 5 year old Everson knows that we just buried her body and that her soul is worshipping our Lord even now.



On a side note...it was the first funeral for our children. While trying to respect the folks around us, my kids were asking so many questions. It was like a field trip ;-)