Praise God from Whom ALL Blessings Flow

I am so excited to give the final report of  Mom! All test have been done, and EVERYONE of them show NO cancer!! She does have a fracture in her femur and will follow up with the bone specialist in a month with another x-ray to check its progress! I am so thankful to all of my friends that have prayed for her and my family during this time! God is ALWAYS good, and even if we got the news of cancer we would have trusted Him for the answers we needed!

Life continues to roll on in the Kennedy home and we are in the process of planning fall activities. I want to hit the apple orchard so we can make homemade goodies, and I REALLY want to take the girls to Brown County too. Fall is my favorite time of year and I need to get the girls out and take pictures. I know I will get good ones when we go to the orchard and Brown County!

I have been painting in my bedroom and master bathroom. I love how it is looking and the freshness that paint brings to a room! My living room/ dining room is next on the painting agenda! I am putting my own style to this house and it is so wonderful!! I have always dreamed of redecorating my own home and it is happening. I am thankful that my husband just lets me do what I want (within reason) in our home. I am ready to pull up the carpet in my living/dining room, but am afraid to just in case the wood beneath is a mess!  I am going to price area rugs before I pull it up so I know I have an option if it is nasty!

Still Waiting for Answers

It is easier to update on Mom this way because there is so much to say! Last Friday she went and had a Mammogram and PET scan. Yesterday her doctor told her she was clear except for her leg. He ordered a MRI for early this morning. His nurse called to tell her he wants her to go and see another Doctor on Friday, have another Mammogram and then go back to him next week. We know for SURE that something IS going on, but are still unsure of what it is. He was not comfortable giving her the all clear in her breast yet and that is why she is doing another Mammogram. Our family asks that you continue to pray for us as we walk through this together.

I am so thankful that I was able to go to Ladies Retreat over the weekend because God KNEW what was going to be happening in my life. The theme was The Other Side of the Storm. Our family is in the midst of the storm, but God knows what is on the other side and He is going to walk with us each step of the way. My God will continue to be my rock and I will trust in Him. Right now the clouds are thick and hard to see through but I know the answers are near and He NEVER changes. I can thank Him today for tomorrow because God is ALWAYS good to me even in the storms!

The song below has been on my heart for a few days. I used to sing this with my friend and her parents as a teen. The message is so strong in this song. No matter what happens GOD will roll me over the tide!

       HE'LL ROLL ME OVER THE TIDE

                      I

WHEN OLD STEVEN WAS ACCUSED, LONELY AND BEWILDERED

NO ONE THAT DAY WOULD STAND BY HIS SIDE.

SO HE JUST LOOKED INTO THE HEAVENS

AND HE SAW THE FACE OF JESUS.

AND IT ROLLED HIM OVER THE TIDE.

                      II

NOW WHEN THE WORLD IS CLOSING IN AND LIFE BECOMES A BURDEN.

I WANT TO RUN, BUT THERE'S NO PLACE TO HIDE.

SO I JUST LOOK LIKE OLD STEVEN TO THE RIGHT HAND

OF MY FATHER AND HE'LL ROLL ME OVER THE TIDE.

                  CHORUS

AND I NEVER SAID A PRAYER THAT HE COULDN'T ANSWER

AND I NEVER SHED A TEAR THAT HE COULD NOT DRY.

NOW WHEN THE WAVES OF LIFE ARE SO HIGH THAT YOU CAN'T

MOUNT THEM I KNOW HE'LL ROLL ME OVER THE TIDE.

God's Ways are Best

Rob has been in Texas for almost a month and I MISS him like CRAZY!! This month has been like an ETERNITY to me and the girls! Not quite sure when he gets to come home yet, but I know it isn't real soon.  A lot has happened since he left. Sick kids, dead battery, and other things too. Nothing to life shattering! Normal day to day things until yesterday :-)

Yesterday my Mom went to see her Cancer Doc due to pain she has had in her arm. Blood work came back great, BUT they found a lump in her breast. On Friday she is going to be having a mammogram and PET scan. These tests will help us to know what they are looking at. The doctor is pretty sure she has breast cancer due to the lump and the pain. My heart dropped when she told me and my mind went back 7&1/2 years ago when we found out about her Lymphoma in her leg. My Mom means the world to me and I don't want to watch her go through this again. I don't like that she is in pain and facing this again. Yes, I am selfish and want to bury my head in the sand, BUT I am so THANKFUL that I know the Master Healer and I can trust Him no matter what we find out. God is good no matter the outcome. His ways are best even in hearing the scary words Cancer has returned! I don't understand why this is happening and I know it is not for me to understand. I am ever thankful for a mother that trusts the Lord even in stormy weather. I am most thankful that God gave her a wonderful, loving husband 5 years ago. She is not going to face this trial alone on this earth. God gave her Gary and I know he will be with her every step of the way.

Please pray for our family as we face this scary time together. I am reminded of the song "Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus." I pray this will be my song through this trial for I know when I trust in Jesus ALL fears cease, and I know He will see me through the entire trial! God is so good to me!

"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Refrain

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to trust His cleansing blood;

And in simple faith to plunge me

’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Refrain

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just from sin and self to cease;

Just from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest, and joy and peace.

Refrain

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

God is ALWAYS Good!

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.


The last few days have been a time of sorrow, joy and hope for our family. 

 On Thursday, I went to the doctor for a second ultrasound to find that our baby's heart had stopped beating. I do not know why, but I have peace because I trust in the Lord! He is the giver and taker of life so I trust Him to know best for me. I have had tears of sorrow and of joy.

I have joy for many reasons. His timing is PERFECT! Rob is scheduled to go to Texas for 2 months for work and God allowed this to happen before he left so I was not alone! I have joy because God has blessed me with 6 children already. I have joy knowing that this baby is in heaven with my first child I lost and I have hope knowing I will see their faces some sweet day!!

I can rest knowing that my Heavenly Father has my best in His mind. His ways are perfect and I rest in the promises of His Word. 

First Day of School!

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Today we started our first day of school! I am blessed to have a functioning school room from day one. Our room is a finished room in the basement. God knew exactly what we needed when we got this house. I know a classroom is not necessary for home schooling but it is nice to have a set place! It was fun to hear the excitement of the girls as they dressed, brushed teeth and did their hair before school. I love that they were so excited! We will see in a month if they continue this excitement!

 Our morning started with the Pledge to our Nations Flag, and singing "My Country Tis of Thee." I remember doing this in school every morning and I want to teach my girls too. Hannah and Elizabeth learned about organizing today, and put those skills to the test. Julia and Emily did Bible and then Julia finished the day with her counting book. Rachel did Bible and Math for her first day. We were in school for about an hour and a half today. I plan on adding new subjects every couple of days. I like the idea of building up to the next subject.

I know it will take a few weeks to tweak our day to how I want it to be. I have 3 who are 3, 2, and 1 so I am open to ideas from those who have had this in their schooling. (Mrs. Chilson HINT) I know they will get used to the routine too. I plan on finding age appropriate things to try to keep their attention to, and they will ONLY get those items when we are down stairs for school. It will be their special school box. Please pray for me as we continue our school year. Pray that the girls will continue their excitement for learning. I know this is going to be a great year! It is hard to believe that Hannah is in 5th, Elizabeth is in 4th, Rachel in 2nd, Julia K5, and Emily K3! My girls are growing so fast and I constantly pray that I am instilling God's Values for life and book learning.

RANDOM Top 5's

It has been over a month since I have posted so I am going to post several top 5's of my life right now! I think I am going to start doing this often. It makes me stop and think and reminds me of what is special in my life. There are days that I get down, and feel alone but this is a great reminder for me to know I am NEVER alone!

Top 5 Reasons I Home School

5. I want to be home with my children and Christian School is not in our budget.

4. I truly enjoy being with my children and seeing their faces light up with understanding!

3. I want to know my children are getting a well rounded education. (not necessarily just from books)

2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE teaching!

1. I want my children to learn about every day life too. I have all girls and I am training them to one day be a better wife and mother than I am! 

Top 5 Reasons I KNOW I Am Getting OLD(er)

5. Kids with NO respect for adults ANNOY me!!

4. I often think "What would my Grandparents and Parents do?

3. My back hurts EVERY morning when I wake up and it makes me MOAN!!

2. I am now the one that feels that driving 60 in a 55 is speeding!

1. I can NO LONGER drink caffeine with dinner. It keeps me up until 4am!!

Top 5 Reasons I Love my Church: Lighthouse Indy

5. My Pastor prays for me daily!

4. There is a place for everyone in the family.

3. Bus kids! Yes, sometimes they can be crazy, but aren't all kids a little crazy sometimes? I know mine are.

2. I have the BEST Pastor and Pastor's Wife. I love them so very much.

1. Everyone is WELCOME! God is no respecter of persons and wants all to come to Him. 

Top 5 Reason I Love my Husband

5. He loves me even when I am unlovable!

4. He loves ALL of our children as much as I do!

3. He works VERY hard so I can be home!

2. He knows when I need a break and sends me OUT the door or comes home with a Pepsi in his hand!

1. He makes me feel special every day. Some days it is just that look in his eyes that makes me know I am his number 1!

July 2012

July is a very busy month for us. On the 15th we celebrate our anniversary  17 years this year!! Then we have birthdays on the 23rd and 30th! I always sit back and think about how fortunate I am to have the husband that I have. God definitely hand picked him for me! He is my perfect match. I am not always the easiest person to be around BUT he loves me even on the grumpy days. Some days he knows to just bring home a BIG fountain Pepsi and give me a little time to chill out! Some days it is why don't you get out of the house ALONE! He works extremely hard so that I can stay home and teach our girls. The house isn't always   perfect, but he NEVER complains. Do we have disagreements? OF COURSE we do!! I never remember what they are about and they are usually down right STUPID, but we always make up and they never last long. My husband is my VERY BEST friend and I don't know what I would do without him. He makes me smile. With just one look he can make me weak in the knees :-) I love him with my whole heart and thank God for him each and every day! He is every thing I ever wanted and more!