God's Time Not My Time

Since Pearl was born we have adored her and loved her. We also have always had a desire to have another. I had always dreamed of at least two children and with in a year or two of each other. So that when I was done with diapers and other baby stuff I would be done. However month after month since 2004 the answer was no no no. I became very irregular with my cycle and went through about a year of testing and medicine to get regulated and to see if there was a medical reason as to why I wasn't conceiving. Nothing, no reason medically. Was told I could go to a fertility specialist and we said no. We did not feel that was what we needed to do. We have always said when it is God's time it will happen. During this time of testing a lady told Corben that not to give up hope he would have a son, while he was in Kentucky for school.
Over the next couple of years i just tucked that away. It was not always easy to accept what I was telling people including Pearl.."when it is God's time it will happen." Pearl so wanted to be a big sister and has been asking since she was three. I had many times when I was just plain sad and angry. You name it I know I thought it and more than likely said to at least Corben. We even had got rid of just about everything from when Pearl was a baby, cause I didn't want to keep moving it. And than I in late summer early fall this year had pretty much got tired of all the counting and stuff to figure out best time when to take a test and was really tired of seeing no. Not this month, maybe next. I had coincided to the fact that this was our family of 3 and that is what God was blessing me with and I was going to be content with it.
So we headed to Florida to celebrate Pearl's birthday in October. I carried with me the whole time a tampon because I just knew I would need it any day now. Well our week at Disney passed and I never needed that tampon. So when we got home I thought well I am about two weeks late I better take a test. So off to the store I went and the next morning to my utter amazement and joy it said I was pregnant. Corben and I couldn't contain our joy. We had waited so long. What a gift God had given us.
Everything was going great all tests good and progressing normal. Pearl was and is so excited to be a big sister. We than found out what I figured would be we were expecting a little boy.
Than while Corben was in England I found out my glucose test was high and would need to do the 3 hour test upon his return. So we did and that came back good. Praise God!!!
Than last week I noticed my ankles were swelling and not going down like they did with Pearl. So I just knew there was something going on here. Corben and Pearl even put me on their version of bed rest and left Mommy alone during the weekend but to no avail. Sunday night we took my blood pressure and it was up. So Monday morning it was off to see the Dr. My blood pressure was up and I was sent home on bed rest and lab work to be done. Well Monday night it spiked and so off the the hospital we went. They kept me over night to run test and monitor me.
And the verdict came in gestational hypertension severe of course...every number is 1 or 2 under being diagnosed preaclympsia. They say once this starts it doesn't get better just worse until the baby is born. They expect I will present myself to full blown preaclympsia next week...it is just a matter of time.
So here I am at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown West Virginia until little Isaac arrives. The ultimate goal is to get to 37 weeks...I am currently 31 weeks...34 weeks is also a possibility. It all depends on how I and Isaac deal with the high blood pressure.
So after all of this I am very thankful for it being God's time and not ours because:
*Corben is done with school and all his provisional stuff
*Pearl is in school all day and independent
*We live with in a 1/2 hour of a hospital equipped to handle high risk pregnancies and a NICU for Issac when he comes early
*We have a great friend who works in the NICU who can answer questions and has all her friends looking after me and Isaac

Thank you God for your time and not mine!!!!!!!!

Pearl you are a child of God

Yesterday Pearl and I were not home for our normal Sunday morning routine. We were at my parents house for the weekend. It was communion Sunday at my parents church and like any other communion Sunday for as long as I can remember my Mom was getting the bread and juice ready to take to church. At their church they cut the bread into little squares to be served to the congregation. Pearl got so excited about communion, that Mamaw had extra work to do. Pearl needed her own set of communion she said. So what Pearl wants Pearl usually gets and yesterday morning was no different. So Mamaw cut up a couple slices of bread for Pearl. Than she asked for the special juice. So with a cup of juice in one hand and a pile of bread in the other hand she set out from the kitchen to....deliver communion to everybody in the house. There is no better way to share the Lord's supper than first thing in the morning brought to you by a child of God.

It's Been Forever and a Day!

I can not believe we have not posted for over a year!@! what a messed up world it is when i can't even take a few seconds to drop a thoughtful heartfelt post here and there.

I am reminded of the passage, Acts 28:1-6, of Paul traveling to the destination of Rome when he found himself gathering wood, bitten by a viper, and it hanging from his hand. It is interesting that the islanders see this and condemn Paul for they believe bad things happen to bad people and when Paul is not affected that he is a God, but how often do we fall in this mindset as Clergy or as Leader and even everyday church attenders? Why do we make things a prosperity gospel or drawn out to a logical conclusion that God is the author of evil?

What if in God's infinite wisdom we are created in His image... I think this is even Scriptural.... NIV Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

Yes when the above has written man I believe they mean people... men and women.

So if we are created in His image then maybe we have free will and with that the responsibility of our, as a plural all people or humanities, actions.

I am glad we have God that can be described, from Exodus 34:6-7 as "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

But even more when I think about good and bad I am uplifted by Ephesians 1:4b-12
"In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. "

Just a few thoughts from the Pastoral Penut Gallory
Corben

Posting, Posting, Posting!!!

I am not sure what happened, why, or how, but I have recognized a few signs on the way! I noticed I stopped posting as much on the Blog and started posting more on Facebook. Then I noticed my posts started getting smaller and smaller. I am not sure the size was due to my lack of writing larger material or that I had fewer responses when I wrote larger amounts of posts. Either way... it seems there has been a clear shift, at least for me, from blogging to Facebooking in an almost twittering way. Also the ease of posting on Facebook through my cell phone definitely has its advantages. I can upload pictures of events at the churches, I can upload family stuff, friend stuff, communicate via Facebook-email and more. I think there is another technology shift even though this has been available before it is now easier, cheaper, and more widely accepted, this facebooking and such through the phone.

I admit it is great that I can get emails on the phone, respond to important things quickly, and keep people updated, but I ask at what price?

What are we loosing in all this? and moreover if we are created to be relational beings as I believe God created us to be, then how is this foundational aspect of humanity being affected?

Just food for thought

Few moments have topped today… in my whole life…

Few moments have topped today… in my whole life…

I got to play outside with my daughter in our blow up slide-fort-pool!!!

After an amazing day of spending time with immediate and some not-so immediate family, i.e. Gramma & Grandpap Aegan, Mamaw, PapPap, Aunt Dottie and John as well as Becky, Cooper, Calvin, and Bailey… Pearl and I washed the van and then went swimming in the pool.

As Pearl and I played I started singing to her, in the tune of nick nack paddie wack give the dog a bone, a made up song: I splash you, you splash me, we all splash as a family, with a Pearly splashing me and dear old dad getting ready to get a bath!

After that we went inside… warmed up from the cold well water… and relaxed together as a family watching some DVR recordings of our favorite show!

Now this is a day to remember… the smile on Brenda’s face as we all sat down and ate a wonderful lunch… as Pearl and I played in the pool… as Pearl slept and even sat up sleeping while on the couch as Brenda and I watched The Unit… and of course seeing Grandpap’s face light up as it always does every time he talks about Justin.

Today was not only a good day, a grace filled day, a blessed day, but a moment or better yet a snapshot that I will never forget and will always be dear to my heart!

I am not sure why but this passage seems to fit with today:

NIV Hebrews 2:11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

A book of Prayers!!!

I recently re-found a book that was given to me more then a few years ago: “Prayers and Blessings and Hymns” or known as “Grace, Hymns, and Blessings” compiled and arranged by Rabbi CH. M. Brecher, New York: KTAV Publishing, 1960.

On page 5 there is a morning prayer for children:

“Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of all the world (of the universe), Who has made our bodies wisely, with many passageways for our health. It is known to You, seated on Your throne of glory, that if any of these passages be wrongly closed or opened, we could no longer live or stand up before You. Blessed are You, O Lord, Who heals all bodies and performs so many miracles.

O God, the soul You gave me is clean. You made and created it; You breathed life into me, and keep me alive. I know that some day You will take life from me, but only to continue it in another world. So long as my soul lives, I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, god of all who came before me, Ruler of all things formed about me, and Master of all souls. Blessed are You, O Lord Who can return life even to the dead.

The following is to be said while the fringes are held:

I am ready to obey the commandment concerning the fringes (tzitzis) to place on our garments; for the Torah orders our people-“And they shall make fringes.”

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of all the world (of the universe), Who has made us holy through Your commandments, and has commanded us to make fringes.

May it be Your wish, O Lord my God, and god of all who came before me, that the way in which I have obeyed the commandment concerning the fringes be considered perfectly performed, and that I also be considered to have fulfilled all the 613 commandments based upon this one. Amen!”


Now this, to me, seemed like a rather long poem, but I started asking myself:

Do I help Pearl thank and recognize God’s amazing grace from all of creation through each person individually?

Do I help Pearl acknowledge the majesty and rightful place of God as king of the universe?

Do I help Pearl thank God for the health we have?

Do I help Pearl thank God for miracles?

So many questions I could ask, but to finish up with two more?

Do I help Pearl pray for help to continually be obedient to better fulfill “Loving God with all… (her) heart, soul, strength, and mind” as well as loving… (her) neighbor as… (herself)” as seen in Matthew 22:37-39.

I mean if we all work every day at teaching, leading, and loving our children to live out a prayer like this one… what would the world be like?

Skunks

Some of you may that back in August 2007 Pearl and I accompanied Corben to Kentucky, while he took one of his many on campus classes at Asbury. Well I was driving and about 10 minutes from campus I hit a skunk. I thought well maybe Pearl won't notice. After all it didn't make a loud sound, but than the smell oh the smell. Well to say the least she noticed.

So almost every week since than during prayer and praise time at church Pearl raises her hand and asks for prayer that mommy doesn't hit a skunk again. It has become pretty comical to say the least.

Well on Friday night Pearl's prayer was answered. I was on my way home from DuBois. It was dark and rainy. I was coming up a dark country road and out of the corner of my eye on the left side of the road I saw two little beady eyes coming out of the woods. So I let up on the gas, and than running in front of the car was oh no a skunk. I still remember the smell that hot August night. So I applied the brakes and the skunk scurried into the woods on the other side of the road.

Pearl's prayer of many many months was answered. Mommy did not hit a skunk again. Praise God.

Groundhogs

In Punxy there are 32 statues of groundhogs all around town. Since the very first time Pearl was in town almost a year ago for our "tak-in" she has been infactuated with them. We decided that through the year we would take her to each one and get her picture with them. We did some in the fall, but wanted to wait until it got nice to do the rest. Today we had 2 hours in between pre-school and an Easter egg hunt in town so we spent that time going to more groundhogs. We have three groundhogs left to get to. Here are a few pictures from today.

March Winds

Everyone always says March winds bring April Showers. Well I am not sure how many showers will come our way in April but one thing I do know is that the March winds of 2009 brought sickness to the Russell house. It started with Corben having some type of virus that was going around. Than it started with Pearl she got the same virus that Corben had and pink eye all at the same time. Than Pearl and Corben were both seen in the ER and diagnosed with ear infections, so antibiotics for the both of them. Thought everyone was getting better and Pearl got the flu. Than Pearl had an early morning visit to the ER due to severe pain and was diagnosed with an urinary track infection. All the while she has been going to see an allergist for allergy testing. Yesterday we got the all clear Pearl has no infection left in her body and as Pearl puts is my pee is clean no more medicine. The March winds also brought us a time of vacation. We enjoyed the first part of it just relaxing @ home and than went to spend sometime with my parents and sister. We enjoyed worshipping with our Concord church family and seeing many friends while there. Pearl has been going to King Kids Club @ a local church and was a little sad that it is done as of the end of March. She enjoyed the Monday evening time with other children from the community, and her Mom and Dad enjoyed the time alone while she was learning the Word of God and growing closer to Him. I think that our March came in like a lion with sickness, but it is going out like a lamb with just a few lingering coughs for the Pearl and myself, nothing her and I can't deal with. And looking ahead to April as far as weather goes it looks like the March winds are bringing in some much needed April showers our way tomorrow. And as far as us we are going to be busy busy busy. We will be celebrating Easter, going to see the dentist for 6 month checkups for the whole family, Easter egg hunts, planting a tree for earth day, and the first of many wedding showers to come this year as of now i know of 4 between June and September.

Pearl's Christmas Pictures

Wow it has been a long time

I got an e-mail asking how I was doing, because I hadn't posted anything since December. So I said to myself that is bad I need to do an update. So here goes....
We had a great Christmas, we got together with both sides of the family and enjoyed catching up with everyone who we do not get to see on a regular basis. The end of December beginning of January found us on vacation. We vacationed to my parents house. Which Pearl absolutely loved and so did they. While there Corben meet with the Board of Ordained Ministry and was granted provisional status as of July 1, 2009. Pearl and I are so proud of him and can not think of a better person to be leading us in the ministry that God has called our family to. In January soon after returning from a week with my parenets our phone rang late one night when I answered the phone it was my sister telling us that their house was on fire. She said everyone was outside and that they were waiting for the fire department. She said that my dad tried to put it out but was not successful. They still have not determined a cause. My parents and sister are living at the holiday inn for now and have been told to expect to be there for 8-10 months. So January found us making a few trips down to help with some clean up. January also found us watching lots of snow fall on us here in Timblin. At the deepest the snow was higher than the swings on Pearl's swing set in our back yard. February came with us getting to watch an awsome super bowl. I think I screamed enough for a year during the game, but never lost faith that my steelers would win. Corben and Pearl believe it or not slept through my screaming. We ventured into Punxy for groundhog day. What an experience. We did not go the the knob, but I think we will have to do tha when Pearl is a little older. Pearl got to see Phill up close and in person when he stopped in for a visit at the Bishop's Day on the district that night. They said that it was Phil's last stop of the day. Pearl has had many play dates in February with Becky and Dave's kids. I think she would move in there or have them move in here if she could. We took Pearl to Clarion for Valentine's Day to see the movie Hotel for Dogs. An excelent movie with a great message is a must have when it comes out on DVD. This movie will preach. If I was still in youth ministry I would take the youth group to see it. When we left to come home Pearl started crying and saying she wanted to stay in the city. I said to Corben she has defintly turned into a country girl if she thinks Clarion is the city. I had said to my Grandfather that I didn't think we would see grass until at least March, but I was wrong all the snow melted the second week of February, but it is back this week and again on Friday morning there was no grass to be seen. We like it though and after all it is still only February. I will post some pictures latter. If you are on facebook look us up we are there also.

Jesus

Last week one day while we were out and about Pearl saw a manger scene in a yard. It was one of the ones where each figure is a different piece. She says to me "Mom we don't have a Jesus." I said to her yes you are right we don't have one like that. For the past two years while living in Bridgewater they had one and she would ask to go talk to Jesus and would walk into the stable and talk to Baby Jesus. The first time she did this I cried like a baby.

On Monday morning we were visiting my parents and Pearl said to her Dad as they walked out the door Daddy we need that. I knew @ once that it was my parents baby Jesus. A few minutes latter she was pleading with my Mom to let her have Baby Jesus. She said don't worry Mamaw I'll bring it back after Christmas cause she doesn't have one and she needs Baby Jesus.
My prayer is that we will hunger for Jesus as much in 2009 as Pearl does in 08, and that she will never lose the passion she has for Jesus as she grows.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, to one and all. We started this morning by reading from the Bible about the birth of Jesus. Than it was down stairs to see what Santa had brought. Pearl after opening a few gifts said she was done and to give the rest of her presents to other boy and girls. Now that is a lesson for all of us. Than it was breakfast with my parents when they arrived. Pearl had a great time visiting with them. She even got her mamaw to go outside and play chase with her. We exchanged gifts with my parents and than ate lunch together. After that we just hung out for a while until it was time to say good-bye. We spent rest of the evening enjoying family time playing with our new WII. Pearl loves the controler. We ended the evening with a birthday cake for Jesus, candles and all. Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!

GrAdUaTiOn!@!

Hello, well the time has come, the end is near, I have finished my last semester of seminary at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore Kentucky and I am waiting for all my grades to come in. I am glad it is done and I really appreciated all I learned and all that God used to teach me, mold me, and make me grow. I am especially thankful for family and even more thankful for Brenda and her support, help, and love as we finish seminary. I told her even though the diploma has my name on it... it was a joint effort.



I just kept thinking, "Where is my family and I hope I don't trip!"



Well, graduation is over and now it is another experience behind me :-)




And of course Pearl still watches my every move...

Thank you Brenda, thank you Pearl, thank you all who helped me in all the many ways graduate from seminary.

Pearl's first written story

Pearl never ceases to amaze me. She just turned four and started walking up to me and telling me stories. Well she did it again and said dad, "I have a story... listen" and I was in the middle of writting my sermon for November 30th, the first Sunday of Advent this year and I said sure, so I stopped and opened a word document and typed down what she said. It was interesting to say the least and of course I am sure she is a genious for coming up with this at age four and only turning four less then two months ago.

Pearl's




First story written down:

There was a horse in the field in the storm and a big monster came. It was a big monster and it hit the horse and pearl and knocked them down. Then Justin came and he got hit. Pearl was Hanna Montana and came and saved Justin.
Then the big monster went potty and Justin fell on it.

I would add "The End!!!"

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY

Thank you to all the men and women who have served and are serving our country in the armed forces. I am very thankful for the sacrifices you have made and continue to make for our country. I am thankful for the freedom that my family and I have because of what you have given. Thanks for your service

Church fire

This is the church that I grew up in. I have many memories there as a child and will always have them. I talked to my Dad yesterday morning and he said that there is not much left. Please pray for the church members as the move on from here and rebuild. It is said that God will bring beauty out of ashes. The church was a 107 years old. The memories will live on and so will the church it will just look a little different in the next 107 years.

Pearl's 4 year old pictures!@!

Pearl is turning four in October and we took her for her four year old Pictures.

I could not believe she was posing with such expressions. She never stops amazing me.

Pearl's fourth day of Preschool

Pearl was just as excited today for preschool.

I am glad she really is enjoying school and i hoep she keeps it.

Stepping Up

Today, even though I could not make it to the session due to the fact I am away on a Clergy Spouse Retreat, I am starting another Beth Moore Bible study. This one is entitled Stepping Up. I did this once before with a group of wonderful ladies from Concord, of which some I have known since I was in high school. This time however I am doing it with a group of ladies as a part of a community Bible study in Punxy. I am looking forward to meeting new people and building relationships with the ladies of the area. As part of today's lesson I wrote a psalm based on Psalm 120. Enjoy:

I yell for God and He says what.
Lord deliver me from family strife.
What will He do to you strife.
A servant's heart with love!
Oh that I satay that I live in hurt.
I have been silent and absent too long.
I want to build a bridge but they won't come on.