JMU Friends and Family

just for our JMU friends and family
Lord willing, we will see you soon!

Rejoicing over Caleb's "New" Truck

 

On the evening of the 26th, we found an 1998 Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer fully loaded 4WD in great condition for sale for $1100.

When we got there, the battery was deader than dead. We tried a long while to get it to take a charge, but there was no helping that battery. 

We could not start it. The person selling it would not invest $100 to get it running for potential sellers to get the maximum value out of it. We could see they had a parking issue at their apartment complex, noted the inspection was a YEAR out of date, and the tags were going to expire in a few days. We figured they were already or would soon be in trouble for the vehicle sitting there. So, Clint took a chance offered $300 (approximate current scrap metal value) which was promptly refused. He didn't want to invest more than that because we did not know the condition of the vehicle beyond appearance. They had admitted they had not started it since "sometime in the winter."

As we were leaving, the person came out and counter offered $500. They and I talked a little, and we came to $450. Clint and I figured if it was not drivable, we would keep it ourselves for parts for our other Explorers making it still a good deal. 

Since it is 4WD Clint took out the drivetrain to tow it home. We drove all the way home not knowing if was a drivable vehicle or a parts car. 

Yesterday morning, Joshua and I were able to switch out the batteries and get it started! It runs great! There is a little tear in the leather of the center console, but other than that, the inside is in fantastic shape. The outside is too. Clint went over everything, and it needs some regular maintenance which Caleb can handle. 

Family teamwork got it registered, titled, and insured yesterday too. We have to get it inspected, and then Caleb can drive his "new" truck to work!

Caleb is one of the hardest working in our family. He often relinquishes "fun" to help others. He is a selfless, quiet, sincere, and generous young man who treats everyone he meets very well. When anyone needs his help, he drops everything he's doing to help them right then. He is patient and thoughtful with his younger sisters often letting them use his computers or desk space. He has lifted our disabled neighbor in and out of the bed, helped in and outside of his house, and hauled away his trash more times than I can count. I could go on and on about how much Caleb gives of himself for the good of those God sends his way. 

Clint and I are so thankful God gave Caleb such a fantastic deal on such a very nice truck! He deserves something nice for all he does for others.

Yesterday Was Eventful

Yesterday, Caleb passed his driving test, purchased a nice used SUV, and was officially employed! Joshua dropped him off at work today. Then, Joshua and I worked to get a battery installed and the truck started. Clint has to reconnect the drive train tonight. 

Yes, there's a God story about Caleb's truck. I'll share tomorrow!

Another Driver!!

Caleb passed his DMV driving test with flying colors! The DMV test administrator was thrilled with how competently he drove and said, "He even looked over his shoulder!" In their experience giving tests, most new driver's don't.

Because we homeschool and are hands on parents, we teach our children ourselves through National Driver Training Institute. Clint and I both are very pleased with how thorough this course is and how well it has prepared our children to be safe and responsible drivers. We have to sacrifice a lot of time, but the results have been well worth the investment.

Joshua is excited too! His first words after Caleb told him were, "Good! Now you can run to the store for them!" Ha ha!!

Thank you to all of those who joined us in rejoicing with Caleb today!

(I retroactively set this post to the exact time he called me to let me know he passed.)

It Requires Grace Driven Effort

“People do not drift toward Holiness. 

Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord. 

We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated." by D.A. Carson For the Love of God 

Colossians 3:2 
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Contentment Acres Bees

Beekeeping is something I have always wanted to do. However, I have a childhood history of severe allergic reaction to bee stings that made me hesitant to try.

Brandon started beekeeping last spring. He purchased a nuc of the Italian race of bees. I was around him when he worked the hive and was surprised at how docile they were. 

So, this year, we added a hive of Italian bees to Contentment Acres! 

They are doing so well that experienced beekeepers are surprised at how quickly they are growing! We've had to add more supers because of all of the honey they are making. 

I am using 10 frame hives this year but plan to have some top bar hives built for next. 

So far, Clint, Brandon, and Caleb have been stung multiple times but nothing severe. I haven't been stung YET, but I run faster and farther! 

Krzysztof, Christov, Chris

We have enjoyed meeting and spending time with Chris. He is a very polite and respectful young man with a quiet demeanor and good manners. He does Poland and his family proud by how well he represents them.

Chris only has one sibling, so I was concerned about how he would handle himself with the cheerful controlled chaos of our large family. However, Chris blends right in with our happy gang. He has managed his own with many "instant siblings!"

Every member of our family loves Chris! We'd happily keep him, but it would break his mother's heart.

And, Chris, if you are reading this after you get home on the 24th, we still want to know the story of the pretty girl in the lobby that Brandon shut you down from telling. Spill the beans. Email is in the header. :-) 

And Chris, come back to see us soon!!

Celebrating in Heaven

Today is my mother in law's birthday. She ran away with Jesus in 2007. I am very grateful to her for raising such a fine man as Clint. 

No relationship on this earth is perfect no matter how much we try to deceive ourselves. Once we are in the presence of Jesus, ALL things will be made whole and new. That's the joy we are looking forward to when we are reunited with Midge. 

Today, Clint leads our whole family in giving the Lord thanks for his mother. 

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Midge!

Three Graduations

Our three "middles" have graduated high school!

In the last several months, we have had Joshua (17), Caleb (16), and Bethany (14) graduate from high school. 

Bethany timed hers perfectly so she would graduate on Clint's birthday which made for a nice surprise birthday present for him. 

The boys decided they wanted to wait for Bethany to finish so they could have a graduation party together. We are planning that now.

Joshua started on his journey to become a lawyer. Caleb is working towards a degree in construction. Bethany will start college in the fall to earn a degree in criminal justice. 

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.   

Psalm 16:7-11

God Honoring Choices Open the Door to His Blessings

This spring has been an extremely busy time with an abundance of blessings! 

Around 12 years ago, Brandon was playing an online game when things became nasty between two groups. Brandon and one other player, named Christov, refused to join in and maintained their standards of conduct. Because of that, they became good friends. 

Over the years, they shared the similarities and differences of their countries, cultures, families, and supported each other through high school, girls, college, adulthood, and careers. 

Christov's family is also Christian and has many of the same interests as ours. 

Last year, Brandon spend two weeks visiting Christov, meeting his family, and visiting just about every spot in Poland including Auschwitz and about a dozen beautiful castles. 

On June 8th, Christov began his exploration of our part of the United States from NYC to PA to VA to OBX. While he is in the US, Clint and I will look after him as if he is our own child. 

Our family looks forward to his visit and hope we can welcome him in a manner that honors the Lord and our beautiful country. Since they do not have them there, Brandon has asked us to make him tacos. We will make those and several other American dishes. 

I love how the Lord rewarded two young boys for honoring Him with their choice in behavior with a lasting friendship that turned to international travels! I hope they are able to take many more journeys together.

Great Customer Service!

We have a very special guest coming to Contentment Acres. I wanted to find a Virginia made pewter state shaped ornament for Chrisov to take home to Poland. The only place I could find what I liked was at the American Civil War Museum. The ornament there has our state bird and flower on it too. I asked them to ship it asap since it is for our international guest. They kindly shipped it quickly AND sent a second ornament free for my family to enjoy! How nice!! Now our family will have a reminder of Chris's visit too!

New Home Owner

 

Amanda, 23, found a house she loved and closed on it last week! 

She found the house hours after it was posted one night while she was on break at work. She contacted me through text, asked me how I liked it, and had me pull all of the property data off of the county website for her.

She now has a four bedroom two bath brick home with a master suite wing. 

She saved $10,000 by working 12 hour days during 60 and 72 hour weeks.

She had to make repairs to the house out of her own pocket in order to satisfy the mortgage lender. It needed the septic tank pumped and well water tested (twice). She had to have it sprayed for powder beetles and have a vapor barrier installed which Joshua and Caleb did for her. She also had to do a little sheetrock work which she did herself. 

She purchased a house that was $70,000 below the current market value. Her current plan is to live in it and improve some things. After five years, she plans to sell it at full value.

We are very proud of her for working so hard and reaching such a big milestone so early! If there's a will, there is a way!

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.