Long Distance Family - it's hard!!

I think, when we're with those whom we love very much and see all the time we take that time for granted. I'm trying hard to always appreciate and cherish the time I have with Kristi, Jeremy, Madison, Annie, Eric, my mom and dad and my precious mother-in-law as well as other extended family that live right here and I see all the time. For those that aren't here, missing them??? You bet.!! It's the moments that you see pictures of them, hear them over the phone or see them on the webcam that really get difficult. In my family I have Todd, Letty, Mikayla (9), Travis (8), Austin (3) and our unborn newest one that will arrive in November living in North Carolina. Then there is Jeff, Val, Janelle (7 this month) and Isaac (3) who live in New Jersey. And now our latest separation, Jessica. Jessica has already become an important part of our family. Her and Eric have been together for almost a year and she fits in just fine! Jessica has decided to go to Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, MI to finish up her degree and even though I know that she will be coming home once in awhile, she's not only missed by Eric but by me! (I think Madison and Annie miss her, too)

So what do we do?? I think we pray alot, have moments of sadness, lots of tears and times of dreaming about when we will be together again. The old saying of "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is so true. When we do reunite, we build more memories and cherish the time that we have together.

Some of the pictures that I've posted are from Valerie when they went down and visited with Todd's family last week. I sure did appreciate getting them.

Wii games

If you have a Wii system, then you know how vigerating and addicting it can be. I've come to the conclusion that they should have named it something else because it doesn't take a wii bit of time to play it. It's downright fun and once you start playing, you can't stop. I have to tell myself I can only play it at night when I've accomplished all that I need to do. (yeah right!) At least I can use the excuse that my doctor has highly recommended it for my MS. Ummmm, do you think it can be a tax write off? (lol) Really, the doctor told me that!

Time flies so fast

Here it is Labor Day, September 1, 2008 already. Where did the summer go???? My family and closest friends know how much I am dreading the change of seasons. Although I do love fall with the beautiful trees that change their color, the smell of the air, apple cider, apple pie and apple orchards, candles burning with the apple scent, schedules getting back to normal (whatever normal is) etc. I do dread what follows fall. WINTER!!!! Winter is not a favorite season because of the cold which affects my health, icy roads which keeps me homebound more and no sun. (although I will admit the snow can be beautiful)

This year I am offering a Bible study in my home to a group of women entitled "There is a Season" and one of the chapters is called "Rejoicing in Every Season". Now mind you, this is not referring to the seasons of weather but the seasons in my life. However, I got to thinking abut that chapter title and I thought how I need to rejoice in every weather season also. God does not want me only to be happy and productive in the kinds of weather that I like, He wants me to be a doer for Him all the time. "For if anyone is a bearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful bearer, but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does." James 1:23-25

May God be with us and bless us as we carry out His mission no matter what the season of weather is or what our season of life is.