Hey Guys,
If you have been trying to call me, I haven't noticed, because my phone got fried and I've lost all my numbers. So, unless you call me, I won't call you, because I don't know your number. But when you call me I'll save the number then I'll have it and I can call you.
I'd like to thank all of your for your prayers this weekend. It was a lovely service and now the hard part begins of sifting through a lifetime of finances, relationships, and belongings that were my grandfathers. I'm glad I can be here to help my mom during this time.
I've spoken to Jon little over the last week, but he's been very excited about being able to minister to people. He finally got work and is very busy, and apparently has been able to pray for many of the people he is working for. Of course our enemy doesn't like this so everything else is going wrong. (my phone broke, the car isn't drivable right now, his borrowed computer keeps fizzing out on him, he still doesn't have electricity, and so forth)Please keep him in your prayers as he is under attack spiritually also. I've asked him to give you all an update so hopefully he can share the awesome stuff going on down there soon.
I'll be at the Vineyard this Sunday, so I'll see most of you then!!!
Blessings,
Emily
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Of Birth and Death
My grandfather breathed his last breath around 4:30 this morning. I can only say that is was remarkably akin to birth. Having witnessed so many as a doula, I couldn't help but draw the comparisons. As with birth, when Papa was home, he was finally able to relax. It was quite and still, peaceful. Grandchildren played and laughed in the yard. The house was full of loved ones and friends. Some cried, some laughed. There was sorrow and joy. It was just as it should be. Peaceful and loving. Painful, yet hopeful. Birth and death, death and birth. A soul ushered from the hands of God into the earth. A soul ushered from this earth into the hands of God. But in both, God is central, and at the end of both journeys, it simply is what it is no matter what your plans. For there is a time for every purpose under the heavens. You can either stand in that truth, or sink in unbelief. The experience of birth, the experience of death. Both beautiful in their own right, and solely to the Glory of God. Thank you for your prayers. God answered.
blessings,
Emily
blessings,
Emily
Thursday, September 18, 2008
I'm Home...Well...Sort of...
Because my home is actually in Winnie, TX with Jon, but I'm in Dallas, which Dallas is the city we call home, so if that doesn't mess with your head.........
Anyway...Just a quick note to let you know I'm in town, I've got to run and see my grandpa, they will be taking him off the ventilator tomorrow and they say it could be minutes, hours, or days before he passes, but it will be soon. Please continue to keep my family in your prayers.
Blessings!!!
Emily
Anyway...Just a quick note to let you know I'm in town, I've got to run and see my grandpa, they will be taking him off the ventilator tomorrow and they say it could be minutes, hours, or days before he passes, but it will be soon. Please continue to keep my family in your prayers.
Blessings!!!
Emily
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Time to Breathe
Hey,
We've had a really great day. It's kind of like being on a deserted Island. We have everything we need PLUS....TIME!!! Charis actually learned to ride her bike today, and we flew a kite this morning. We are still waiting for Jon to get some claims so we know where to go. We thought about going west of Houston, but then the realization came that he might have to travel to Beaumont and that would make where we are at the prime spot to be. As you all know Jon makes friends wherever he goes and today was no exception. He went looking for water...well...because we are new at this RV thing and didn't check our freshwater tank before we left Alabama, and though we filled it up it was REALLY stinky. He met some folks down the road with a generator and a well and offered to trade water for Public Adjusting Service...BINGO!
So here I am, well on my way with my part of the Big Fish Adventure, and I'm still not sure what God is up to. Jon had been getting words of Knowledge for folks around us and ministering to them like he was born to do. I had no doubt of that. The kids are making fast friends at every stop...yes...even in the parking lot of a damaged Exxon. And here I am....doing what? I have a lot of time to converse with God as I drive the car with just me and the dogs on our travels. So here is where I'm at. The first place we stopped at was a dump. The trailer next to us was permanent and there were four kids under the age of 6 living there, one of them just a little older than Caedon. I know the oldest was six because she wouldn't let me forget. The first day we were there they stole all the kids toys and "piggy" (our cement pig that greats people who come to our house, we've had him since Charis was born). I was quite put out, but everything turned up later. The next day, I heard them playing with the stuff again(which I didn't mind), about 6 am on Sunday morning...a little annoying. Then...they knocked on my door all day long and ran away until I let my kids go out and play. Then there was no getting rid of them. About 2 a car pulled up with two adults in it, gathered all the kids and disappeared for an hour or two. When they returned, the incessant knocking returned also. This time it was to show me her birthday presents. I told Summer, that was the oldest one, that I would make her some cookies for her birthday and did. They stayed on my doorstep eating, talking, and playing until I made them go home at 10. IT was then that I realized that they had been home ALONE this whole time. My heart broke. I could have done so much more. That night I went to take the dogs out and in that small trailer with those 4 kids, the two "adults" were screaming, cursing, and I'm pretty sure the guy was beating the woman, but I couldn't prove it. We left the next morning because we just didn't feel safe there. I wanted to cry as i imagined those little ones getting up early again and coming out to play with their new friends and we wouldn't be there.
The next place we went to had a bunch of kids too. Eythan and Charis had a blast! Again, the kids wanted to talk to me to and it was quite annoying. Didn't they know I had stuff to do? our last day there, Charis played with the little girl across the way (who stole her barbie, but Charis didn't care). When I went over to the trailer to talk to the girls mom about looking for it, the little girl let me know her mom wasn't home and wouldn't be until "night, night time." OH GOD!!! I did it again!!!! Here I've had the opportunity to be the one thing I know I am....a mom, and I let it pass by.
So here is where I'm at. What does God want me to do? Just be a mom to every kid I meet? Is He trying to urge me to do something special at the places we stop to minister to kids, some kind of program? WHAT!?!?! Jon knows what he is doing....the kids know what they are doing....What am I supposed to be doing? I guess we will just have to wait and see.
On another note....I will probably be heading home tomorrow or the next day as they will most likely be taking my Papa off the ventilator.
See you soon!
blessings,
Emily
We've had a really great day. It's kind of like being on a deserted Island. We have everything we need PLUS....TIME!!! Charis actually learned to ride her bike today, and we flew a kite this morning. We are still waiting for Jon to get some claims so we know where to go. We thought about going west of Houston, but then the realization came that he might have to travel to Beaumont and that would make where we are at the prime spot to be. As you all know Jon makes friends wherever he goes and today was no exception. He went looking for water...well...because we are new at this RV thing and didn't check our freshwater tank before we left Alabama, and though we filled it up it was REALLY stinky. He met some folks down the road with a generator and a well and offered to trade water for Public Adjusting Service...BINGO!
So here I am, well on my way with my part of the Big Fish Adventure, and I'm still not sure what God is up to. Jon had been getting words of Knowledge for folks around us and ministering to them like he was born to do. I had no doubt of that. The kids are making fast friends at every stop...yes...even in the parking lot of a damaged Exxon. And here I am....doing what? I have a lot of time to converse with God as I drive the car with just me and the dogs on our travels. So here is where I'm at. The first place we stopped at was a dump. The trailer next to us was permanent and there were four kids under the age of 6 living there, one of them just a little older than Caedon. I know the oldest was six because she wouldn't let me forget. The first day we were there they stole all the kids toys and "piggy" (our cement pig that greats people who come to our house, we've had him since Charis was born). I was quite put out, but everything turned up later. The next day, I heard them playing with the stuff again(which I didn't mind), about 6 am on Sunday morning...a little annoying. Then...they knocked on my door all day long and ran away until I let my kids go out and play. Then there was no getting rid of them. About 2 a car pulled up with two adults in it, gathered all the kids and disappeared for an hour or two. When they returned, the incessant knocking returned also. This time it was to show me her birthday presents. I told Summer, that was the oldest one, that I would make her some cookies for her birthday and did. They stayed on my doorstep eating, talking, and playing until I made them go home at 10. IT was then that I realized that they had been home ALONE this whole time. My heart broke. I could have done so much more. That night I went to take the dogs out and in that small trailer with those 4 kids, the two "adults" were screaming, cursing, and I'm pretty sure the guy was beating the woman, but I couldn't prove it. We left the next morning because we just didn't feel safe there. I wanted to cry as i imagined those little ones getting up early again and coming out to play with their new friends and we wouldn't be there.
The next place we went to had a bunch of kids too. Eythan and Charis had a blast! Again, the kids wanted to talk to me to and it was quite annoying. Didn't they know I had stuff to do? our last day there, Charis played with the little girl across the way (who stole her barbie, but Charis didn't care). When I went over to the trailer to talk to the girls mom about looking for it, the little girl let me know her mom wasn't home and wouldn't be until "night, night time." OH GOD!!! I did it again!!!! Here I've had the opportunity to be the one thing I know I am....a mom, and I let it pass by.
So here is where I'm at. What does God want me to do? Just be a mom to every kid I meet? Is He trying to urge me to do something special at the places we stop to minister to kids, some kind of program? WHAT!?!?! Jon knows what he is doing....the kids know what they are doing....What am I supposed to be doing? I guess we will just have to wait and see.
On another note....I will probably be heading home tomorrow or the next day as they will most likely be taking my Papa off the ventilator.
See you soon!
blessings,
Emily
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Surreal Life
Today we started heading into the disaster zone. It's very odd to see everything around you distorted just a bit...just a little off from reality. We are in a little town called Winnie just outside of Houston at a truck stop for the night. We are only going to run our generator for an hour so I have to hurry and type!!! It is cool enough to go with out electric during the nights, but we will see what tomorrow brings. Thanks for the prayers on Caedon...the bump is all but gone! Praise GOD!!!! We'll update tomorrow when we turn the generator on. If you don't' want these updates just let me know and I won't include you anymore. Soon I'll have a website up and then you can just check my blog when you are interested!!!!
Blessings,
Emily
Blessings,
Emily
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Texas, Our Texas
Hey Everyone,
We are about an hour from the Texas Border at Poche's Fish Camp and Rv Park (it's actually a very nice place despite the name and the mosquitoes) just outside of Lafayette, LA. We are waiting here until they are letting people into Houston again. Very soon I'll let you know about all the neat stuff going on but I just don't seem to have enough time on line to get it out to you. Anyway, I may be coming home in a few days as my grandfather is slipping away. Thank you for all your prayers as it seems my mom won't have to make a decision after all, it will just be what it will be. Please continue to pray though. Just one more quick prayer request. Tonight I noticed a lump on Caedon's spine. He falls all the time and is quite rambunctious as you all know, but there isn't a bruise over it which is what is concerning. It doesn't seem to bother him, but being a mom it bothers me. Please pray that it is just a bump from falling or something and that my mind will be at ease (Jon's too, he's freakin' out). Blessings, to you all! Hope to see you soon!
Emily
We are about an hour from the Texas Border at Poche's Fish Camp and Rv Park (it's actually a very nice place despite the name and the mosquitoes) just outside of Lafayette, LA. We are waiting here until they are letting people into Houston again. Very soon I'll let you know about all the neat stuff going on but I just don't seem to have enough time on line to get it out to you. Anyway, I may be coming home in a few days as my grandfather is slipping away. Thank you for all your prayers as it seems my mom won't have to make a decision after all, it will just be what it will be. Please continue to pray though. Just one more quick prayer request. Tonight I noticed a lump on Caedon's spine. He falls all the time and is quite rambunctious as you all know, but there isn't a bruise over it which is what is concerning. It doesn't seem to bother him, but being a mom it bothers me. Please pray that it is just a bump from falling or something and that my mind will be at ease (Jon's too, he's freakin' out). Blessings, to you all! Hope to see you soon!
Emily
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Big Fish Adventure Update
Hey Guys,
Sorry I haven't let you all know what is going on but I haven't had much Internet access. As i write, Jon is leaving to go find gas (9:30pm on Friday). I hadn't been watching tv and I didn't have Internet access and when I went to get gas this evening the price had gone up by $.30 and then when Jon went to get some, they were out. We are all doing fine and are well out of harms way. We did get to experience storm surge in Mobile Bay yesterday but we are not in any danger. We will be heading for the Houston area on Sunday or Monday so tomorrow we will be stocking up on water and non perishable foods (and hopefully gas) before we leave here. Some really neat God stuff is happening. Jon happened to be speaking to a man in his class and the man found out about his RV and let Jon know that he owned an RV park. When Jon wanted to know where the guys says it is north of Houston. Cool huh? Well...as they keep talking Jon wants to know if that is what he does for a living on off seasons....nope...the guy is a Vineyard Pastor!!!!! I can't remember his name right now and Jon is looking for gas so I can't ask him...but How cool is that!!!! Anyway...we have a place to stay and a church to go to (if it's still standing). Anyway...we are having a good time and I'll let you all know what we've been up to in another update when I have time. Pray for the kids...they are missing their friends when I can't keep them busy enough. Pray for Jon...he lost two fillings a couple months ago, and one of the teeth just busted yesterday, and he can hardly eat. He's in a lot of pain. It will still be weeks before we can do anything about it. Pray for me...I don't do well without air conditioning!!! We have it right now, but probably not in a couple of days! :)
My Grandfather is back in ICU and things continue to deteriorate from what I'm understanding. Please pray for my family and especially my mom. This needs to end for his and her sake. He either needs to go home or go "home" and have peace.
Thank you all for keeping in touch, we miss you and we will all see you soon!!!
Blessings,
Emily
Sorry I haven't let you all know what is going on but I haven't had much Internet access. As i write, Jon is leaving to go find gas (9:30pm on Friday). I hadn't been watching tv and I didn't have Internet access and when I went to get gas this evening the price had gone up by $.30 and then when Jon went to get some, they were out. We are all doing fine and are well out of harms way. We did get to experience storm surge in Mobile Bay yesterday but we are not in any danger. We will be heading for the Houston area on Sunday or Monday so tomorrow we will be stocking up on water and non perishable foods (and hopefully gas) before we leave here. Some really neat God stuff is happening. Jon happened to be speaking to a man in his class and the man found out about his RV and let Jon know that he owned an RV park. When Jon wanted to know where the guys says it is north of Houston. Cool huh? Well...as they keep talking Jon wants to know if that is what he does for a living on off seasons....nope...the guy is a Vineyard Pastor!!!!! I can't remember his name right now and Jon is looking for gas so I can't ask him...but How cool is that!!!! Anyway...we have a place to stay and a church to go to (if it's still standing). Anyway...we are having a good time and I'll let you all know what we've been up to in another update when I have time. Pray for the kids...they are missing their friends when I can't keep them busy enough. Pray for Jon...he lost two fillings a couple months ago, and one of the teeth just busted yesterday, and he can hardly eat. He's in a lot of pain. It will still be weeks before we can do anything about it. Pray for me...I don't do well without air conditioning!!! We have it right now, but probably not in a couple of days! :)
My Grandfather is back in ICU and things continue to deteriorate from what I'm understanding. Please pray for my family and especially my mom. This needs to end for his and her sake. He either needs to go home or go "home" and have peace.
Thank you all for keeping in touch, we miss you and we will all see you soon!!!
Blessings,
Emily
Friday, September 5, 2008
WE MADE IT!! Sweet Home Alabama
Hey Everyone,
Sorry I didn't update you sooner, it's only been a day but I feel like it's been a weeks already. I guess driving through the night will do that to you. We didn't pull into Mobile until 4am on Thursday. It took us about 14 hours, with stopping for gas, food, potty breaks and once for about 30 minutes when it was raining to hard to see. It is really hot and humid here....I would say I hate it and it's worse than the Texas dry heat, but really the only difference is that in Texas you feel like your being baked...here you feel like your being boiled.
So....Jon most likely will not be working Gustav claims they are waiting to send him to Hanna...so we will be heading to South Carolina in a couple of days. If Hanna doesn't pan out for us, then we will be going to Ike. Either way this company is paying him "per diam" :(daily rate = 4 X what he was being paid for Unemployment), until he is sent out, plus he will be in training 8-5 until they run out of training to do. He is making very valuable relationships with folks so he will have work year round hopefully.
Me and the kids are in an RV park that really makes us miss our park in Corinth. It's ok I guess, but it's just not to our standards, but I checked out all the alternatives and this will work just fine...plus we have cable here so the kids are happy.
On another note, the kids and I may be coming back sooner than expected as my grandfather has taken a turn for the worse. Please pray right now, this very minute for my family as they have some very hard decisions to make, and especially for peace in my mother's spirit...Her name is Jackie.
Thank you all, for being such blessings in our lives, and pray that the big fish vision will come true, that our family can minister where God's placed us (thank goodness it wasn't Nineveh...I mean NOLA). I'm not sure what that will look like, but I think we're ready for the challenge, trusting and leaning on God in the process.
Blessings,
Emily
P.s. Call me anytime!!!
Sorry I didn't update you sooner, it's only been a day but I feel like it's been a weeks already. I guess driving through the night will do that to you. We didn't pull into Mobile until 4am on Thursday. It took us about 14 hours, with stopping for gas, food, potty breaks and once for about 30 minutes when it was raining to hard to see. It is really hot and humid here....I would say I hate it and it's worse than the Texas dry heat, but really the only difference is that in Texas you feel like your being baked...here you feel like your being boiled.
So....Jon most likely will not be working Gustav claims they are waiting to send him to Hanna...so we will be heading to South Carolina in a couple of days. If Hanna doesn't pan out for us, then we will be going to Ike. Either way this company is paying him "per diam" :(daily rate = 4 X what he was being paid for Unemployment), until he is sent out, plus he will be in training 8-5 until they run out of training to do. He is making very valuable relationships with folks so he will have work year round hopefully.
Me and the kids are in an RV park that really makes us miss our park in Corinth. It's ok I guess, but it's just not to our standards, but I checked out all the alternatives and this will work just fine...plus we have cable here so the kids are happy.
On another note, the kids and I may be coming back sooner than expected as my grandfather has taken a turn for the worse. Please pray right now, this very minute for my family as they have some very hard decisions to make, and especially for peace in my mother's spirit...Her name is Jackie.
Thank you all, for being such blessings in our lives, and pray that the big fish vision will come true, that our family can minister where God's placed us (thank goodness it wasn't Nineveh...I mean NOLA). I'm not sure what that will look like, but I think we're ready for the challenge, trusting and leaning on God in the process.
Blessings,
Emily
P.s. Call me anytime!!!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Praise God!!!
Ok Folks,
We're going!!! We have to be in Mobile, AL by 8am on Thursday...and yes I said US!!! Just let me walk you through our day. Well I'll start with yesterday. On of the "things that went wrong" was that we couldn't find our power cord to our printer. Yesterday Best Buy gave Jon a free one that they found in the back room. This morning it was all chewed up...Yeah...the stupid one..Nala. Anyway, needless to say Jon was quite upset and discouraged because he had also gotten an email saying not to count on going. Jon had a serious talk with God on his way to Fry's (to find another power cord), and called on God to let him know what was going on. As Jon was getting out of the car he noticed a cord on his dashboard (our car was actually clean so it was odd it was there), he looked closer and it was a brand new power cord, the kind that fit our printer!!!! Don't' believe in the power of God??? Believe it....God materialized a power cord for Jon this morning!!! Then Jon got two...count them TWO calls for office/desk jobs today. We decided he should follow through just in case but we really were believing we would go. When we got home, Jon checked his email and there was a request from one of his companies that if anyone hadn't been deployed to please call this number. He called and...Praise the LORD!!! they asked him to come to mobile....AND they are giving him an advance so we can ALL go!!!! AND our great, GREAT, incredible friends are letting us borrow a generator so we will have electricity!!!! Every obstacle has been overcome!!!! We have a job, we have a purpose, we have a plan, and God is taking care of it. Thank you all for your prayers and we will keep you up to date on our great adventure. Me and the kids will see you all in a couple of weeks, but until then BLESSINGS!!!!
The Havens
We're going!!! We have to be in Mobile, AL by 8am on Thursday...and yes I said US!!! Just let me walk you through our day. Well I'll start with yesterday. On of the "things that went wrong" was that we couldn't find our power cord to our printer. Yesterday Best Buy gave Jon a free one that they found in the back room. This morning it was all chewed up...Yeah...the stupid one..Nala. Anyway, needless to say Jon was quite upset and discouraged because he had also gotten an email saying not to count on going. Jon had a serious talk with God on his way to Fry's (to find another power cord), and called on God to let him know what was going on. As Jon was getting out of the car he noticed a cord on his dashboard (our car was actually clean so it was odd it was there), he looked closer and it was a brand new power cord, the kind that fit our printer!!!! Don't' believe in the power of God??? Believe it....God materialized a power cord for Jon this morning!!! Then Jon got two...count them TWO calls for office/desk jobs today. We decided he should follow through just in case but we really were believing we would go. When we got home, Jon checked his email and there was a request from one of his companies that if anyone hadn't been deployed to please call this number. He called and...Praise the LORD!!! they asked him to come to mobile....AND they are giving him an advance so we can ALL go!!!! AND our great, GREAT, incredible friends are letting us borrow a generator so we will have electricity!!!! Every obstacle has been overcome!!!! We have a job, we have a purpose, we have a plan, and God is taking care of it. Thank you all for your prayers and we will keep you up to date on our great adventure. Me and the kids will see you all in a couple of weeks, but until then BLESSINGS!!!!
The Havens
What's Going on With Us
Since everyone is calling and wondering what's going on, I'll give you an update. Jon has received several emails and phone calls regarding being sent out, but it could be a couple of more days before he actually leaves. He may not be on the first wave of personnel to be sent (seniority you know), but he WILL be sent...we are having faith for that. However, we would like prayer for peace in our house as tensions are running a bit high. We have also made the difficult but financially necessary decision that Jon will go with out us until his first paycheck. Please pray for Jon during this time as he will have to camp out until we get there.
Emily
Emily
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