Everyday...

Everyday this week it seems we saw changes in Isaac for the better. He must be absorbing more and more with all that we see changing. Praise the Lord for all of that! He has more energy, he's more talkative, louder, more initiative. He hasn't been waiting for someone to get something for him; ie, he just went downstairs, found his tent and set it up and slept in it last night (in his room). Usually, that would be too much for him but not yesterday. He makes his own breakfast and snack. He enjoys the kitchen, always has liked making things for others. We started a new food yesterday, almond bread, tastes like cornbread. Everyone, but me, thought it was great with honey on top. Almond flour gives me a stomach ache.

Last night, we got an email about some children needing a home and my heartstrings are being pulled. Of course right now I wouldn't even put our name in for any of them unless the Lord clearly showed us that is what we are to do but boy, do I want to. Adoption is still very much on our hearts. One child up for adoption is a 9 month old girl. Oh, how I've always longed for twins and although she would have missed some of the growing up with Lena I just can't get that out of my mind, how she is very nearly the same age. I am trusting that in His timing the Lord will show us what to do. The girls were oohing and aahing over the children available because their hearts want to do it too and I told them it wasn't impossible but God would have to do a few specific things to show us that and that would be a miracle for us to see, easy for God but definitely a miracle on our end. Anyway, I'm just rambling my thoughts. The sun is shining and I'm ready to figure out breakfast and start another school day. God Bless You All!

Happy Birthday!

Caleb turned 10 today! He is just the class clown around here. Making jokes all the time and making everyone laugh, that's Caleb. We didn't have a real exciting day but made a nice breakfast and all sat down together to eat it; squash pancakes, scrambled eggs and liver and onions! Ok, I thought the liver would be a great addition to the meal for one, I remember thinking liver was pretty good the few times I had it as a kid and two, the iron is so high in it, Isaac would benefit greatly. I try always to eat what I serve even if it isn't quite to my liking. Well, I just had to spit it in the sink and then I just had to wash my mouth out because it was soooooo bad. It tasted like cow barn, yard, manure. I couldn't make the kids eat it since it almost made me vomit. They did all try it. I have to give them credit for that. Jordan and I remember liver tasting chalky but not like that. I don't know what was wrong. It was even pasture fed organic beef?!?

Isaac had a good, good day. He bounced and drank and still looks good at 9:48 p.m. Praise be to God! Bekah finished her math today and other kids are nearing the end of several subjects. I am hopeful they are mostly done soon. Spring is here and it is nice to be outside more.

Have a good Friday!

A pretty good day...

It was a pretty good day today. We went to the doctor today and Isaac had another lymph treatment. They have been so good for him. When he started them is when he started gaining and absorbing nutrients. He continues to fill out in different places on his body. What a praise that is! He went to AWANA with us tonight and did his memory work and really lasted until 10 p.m. when we got home. THAT is not normal for him. Another Praise! It was store night and the kids got to spend the dollars they earned since January on all kinds of stuff. I am always trying to get them not to pay my children all the dollars due them because 5 kids times 30 some dollars equals a lot of stuff in our house! They do enjoy it and we only have one day left, Awards night next Wednesday and we will have one less place to drive each week. Another praise!

Prayer requests: Please pray that Isaac feels like bouncing on the tramp and drinking a lot tomorrow. The lymph treatments make him tired.

Continue praying for a van.

Praise that someone is interested in one of our miniature horses and might even take him home on Saturday. Pray that it would work out for this man. We are trying to make decisions to have only what we need around here, a bit out of necessity and a bit out of needing to give this horse that we have no time for a good home.

Praise for good friends and family who are always thinking and praying for us. I love hearing from people that they are praying for Isaac. It is incredibly uplifting to know. We have been loved greatly during this time. Another Praise! God is so good!

Introducing the newest members of the family...

...Jane, Lizzie, Georgiana and Gizmo. We are now goat owners. Anyone know where we named the girls from. My favorite movie ever! Wow! I just love that movie. Anyway, I deviate from my post. Gizmo is the baby buck we got that Emily is holding in the picture. The three girls are all three ready to be milked. We had hoped to get goats last summer but I was pregnant and Kevin was always working so it didn't work out. Now, goat's milk is a bit of a necessity so here we go. I'll be making Isaac some yogurt tomorrow afternoon with it and he can try it on Monday. We'll go real slow to see if he has a reaction. We won't be drinking the milk for quite awhile, just making yogurt out of it since milk isn't on the diet plan we are on. The kids are thrilled about goats and we learned a lot about them from the place we bought them so we are a bit excited too.

Even now at 11:20 p.m. Kevin is out securing the pen. We had a quick trip to Fleet Farm for tin last night and this morning Kevin was out adding to the shelter we already had and securing the gate. We went to pick them up today and to our surprise her fencing looks like ours and she had a gate and latch exactly like ours. Providence. God is always providing answers. This lady has a sustainable farming operation and we loved the place. They raise pasture fed organic beef, chickens, etc. She gave us lots of beef bones and oxtail for free so we are thankful for that. We bought some chickens since we ran out from last year. Nice to know they were raised without any junk and in an open environment. Come check out the goats anytime if you want a field trip. Call and I'll let you know when we'll be milking.

It's been awhile...

I was surprised when I saw I haven't posted in a whole week. We've been busy I guess. Isaac has been doing well. He was having some more cramping in the last two weeks but it seems to be clearing now the last day or two. The more he drinks and bounces on the trampoline the better he feels. He does not like me to make him meatballs and green beans. He always gets a stomach cramp when I serve it up. Jordan and I noticed this. I kind of head it off by telling him how much I expect him to eat of it and miraculously he'll be stomach pain free when he knows he can't get away with not eating them. He's been good other than the cramps. He is talking quite a lot more.

Thank you to whoever sent us the Wal-mart gift card. Again, God stepped down to say, "Here I am to ease your burden." It was a beautiful thought. Thank you, if you even read this blog. The burden of the finances of this illness can be overwhelming at times but God keeps showing himself to us in various ways. Thank you Lord! I know the Lord wants you to "be anxious for nothing" and "casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you". It is a test of will to really follow that and not worry. I am struggling with that right now. So, if you are thinking of our family please pray for the finances to keep treating Isaac the way we are, the food we need for him and the rest of us and for provision of a van. We need to give back the one we are borrowing and how humbling it is to not have a vehicle. Pray as a family has a 15 passenger van that needs some fixing. Pray that it works and is minimal cost to fix.

Of course, please keep praying for Isaac to absorb his nutrients and for his body to continue on the healing path. We feel we are finally seeing the light we've been waiting for in his healing. We are praising the Lord for that.

Thanks also to the Z family for the squash. I didn't put up much squash because I don't personally care for it and now that Isaac needs squash for his pancakes he loves to eat everyday I don't have it and have had to call around asking. It is hard to find in the store right now. What a blessing to get a few bags and a few squash to keep Isaac in pancakes for a few more weeks anyway. He was heartbroken last Sunday when I didn't have any for breakfast.

Big changes...

Whoa, there was no stopping Isaac today! He talked non-stop on the way home from town today. After lessons we ran to town to look for a stainless steel bread pan and muffin pan. We didn't find them. I don't want to use our old pans since they have layers of bread and muffin stuff on them and I don't know at this point how sensitive his body will be to wheat products. I want to hold off a few months before we even look at wheat stuff. He will be having breads and muffins made from almond flour soon so I want to be prepared. It looks like I'll have to order them and pay shipping charges.

He was just a ball of fire though. I was amazed whenever I heard his voice, it was so strong and clear. We ate supper together again and it was nice having him with us. Roast and veggies. He bought some legos with his brother and they have been busy putting them together, talking and laughing and having a really good time. It was encouraging. We spent so may months wondering if he would ever recover, mostly wondering when. Now we are seeing some major steps to recovery and all I can say is Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord! We are coming out of the darkness into light! Please keep petitioning the Lord on Isaac's behalf. I'd love to see him enjoy his summer running and building forts. The other day he was watching the kids run around and commented how he wished he could do that. He will again!