See You At The Pole

. . . . bzzz, bzzz, bzzz, crash, hit, smack, bzz, bzzz, bzzz, THUD! began our morning yesterday as the alarm went off and we tried to turn it off (okay I might be exagerating a little). Around 6:30 am yesterday, I went in to wake Sarah up for her first See You At The Pole event. She moaned a little and a quick smile showed me that she remembered why she was being shaken so early in the morning. She dressed, ate breakfast, brushed her teeth & hair, and washed her face. Her and daddy took off to the flag pole of the YMCA. The homeschoolers were meeting there for our See You At the Pole rally. She with a group of about 20 or so kids stood round the pole and prayed for our schools. Not just homeschools, but all schools. I was proud of her to take her stance. I'm sure it is way harder for the public school kids, but all around our great nation our younger generation held hands and bridged the gap and stood on the wall to pray to the One and Only God! Almighty Father in heaven is He! They prayed over school issues, american issues, and family issues. I know He heard them and smiled! He was pleased because they stood in faith and according to Heb 11:6, that is what pleases God!

Last night they held a "Saw You at the Pole" ralley at one of the local theatres. This is a time where the youth all over our city cross over denominational lines and form together for worship, more prayer, and some reading of His Word. Even though she woke up early and went to bed later than usual, a smile was on her face. Why? Because she had joined her heart with her God for her classmates, her friends, and her world! Will you join her and pray for our schools?

Our Cry for Help!

Last weekend was the first weekend in a very long series of weekends that Mike didn't have to work, go to the hospital, get a call from someone, and more. He actually had time off. I know that was refreshing to him. He did have to haul kids all over our town to their different events because I have a seminar on Saturday to go to. After the seminar, we rested for about an hour and then we took off for the fair.

While at the fair and Sarah was sailing through the air on a swing ride, Mike and I and the other two were over waiting and overhearing a conversation behind us. Yes, I actually heard very clearly a conversation this lady was having right behind me on her cell phone. Not because I was listening but obviously she was very loud for me to hear behind me. She was sobbing into the phone and talking frantically about being left and she didn't know what to do and so forth. Even though Mike and I wanted a family night out with just our family and no interupptions, I don't think God intended it to be that way. In our overhearing, we looked at one another and Mike suggested that I stay behind and see if we can help in any way and he would take the kids on to another ride. So that is what happened. Her name isn't important, but her story is.

She had called her husband to meet her at the fair and they were going to enjoy it with her three sons. She had three, one 14 (never met him as he was off with his friends somewhere), one 6 (she had one more week with him as he was going back to his daddy's because she didn't have custody of him), and a 10 month old that she had with her current husband. Did you catch that? All three were from different daddies and her current one (the reason why she was crying) had just left her in the park by herself. Her tears are what broke my heart because it wasn't that her current husband had left, it was because she was not able to ride any rides with her 6 year old son because of her baby. The current husband was supposed to watch his 10 month old so that she could ride rides with her son that she hardly ever sees and wanted a momentous time with him during the time she had with him. So my council, come with our family and let him have fun with all of us. And she did. We rode rides with him and she rode rides with him and my children, while Mike and I watch ed her baby. She was fearful for a while that maybe we were ax murders or kidnappers and would offscond with her baby (sometimes pastors and pastors wives are known for a lot of things!), but she quickly realized we were honest and just wanted to help her. She had grown up in church but promptly let me know she is not interested in it now and it had been a long time since she had gone. At the end of our time there we had gotten to know her & her sons. I don't know where she is now, but I'm praying for her to want to seek Jesus and the love He was able to show her through us at the fair. For that is what we did. We didn't judge her or condemn her, we just loved on her and I hope she saw Jesus in the love! That is what church is about!

Utterly good for you!

Attending the fair was not only exciting and fun, but it was also educational. They had many shows ranging from eating contest, singing kareoke, and entertainment. The show we attended and learned from was the Cow Milking show. Yes, I said it right. If you look at the picture, they had this dairy cow (Holstein) in a trailor and taught all about the benefits of milk and how they actually get the milk out and to you. Did you know in our state (not sure if in all states) there is a rule that you may not drink milk straight from any cow, it has to be your cow? Basically he could not allow us to sample this because it would be against the law. Unless it is your cow, it has to be pasturized before allowing anyone a sample of your cows milk besides you and your family. Interesting facts! Anyway, the gentlemen who taught this roaring crowd of about 20 or so, had some funny jokes; "The front end of the cow is called __________," the crowd rightly stated, "The front end!", he said, "The other end of the cow is called _________,?" and the crowd stated, "The back end," but he corrected us and said, "No it is the Utter end!" Too funny! He also said there is a cheese (because cheese comes from dairy milk) that you can't eat. Of course the audience asks which one? He states, "Nacho cheese." (now for those of you who are slow this is supposed to mean "not your cheese.") He demonstrated the cleaning of the "teets" and the clamping on of the pumps and then in the picture above you will see the container with the milk that he pumped that milk into. Did you know also that the milk is about 100 degrees in temperature? I didn't, but warm milk sounds yummy. Especially straight from the cow. Mike said because he lived close to a dairy farm growing up he tasted this milk often and said it is way good. I'm sure it is way fattening too. This cow easily produced several gallons of milk during this one show. So there you go, we not only were entertained but taught as well.

A Fair to Remember!

We received some free tickets to the state Fair this past week and decided to take an adventure. So I'm thinking, this is a 2 state fair, it is probably big, right? I mean during my childhood years there was always a county fair to go to and it seemed big to me! So off we went and what to our wondering eyes should appear? A Fair to Remember but definetly not as big as we had thought. The kids had a blast and Mike and I have to stories to share! The kids think this is way cool, booths of all sorts and sizes that offer candy, cookies, stuffed animals, and Funnel Cakes! YUM! Rides of every sort and shows that make you snort (laugh!). By the time we left our tummies were sick from all the sweet stuff we tasted and drank to the round and round rides that we rode (I only rode one, daddy rode 2!) (I don't do the round and round stuff too well). The kids all said in unison, "Thank you mom & dad for taking us, that was the best!" So whether or not the size makes the difference, I'm sure it doesn't, because my kids will always remember the Fair!

Friday Fotos!

Zech playing football!

Zech displaying his talent as center!

Videos!

I hope you enjoy!