Catching Up!

Willy Bear is farting on your bed.

Okay. It is two weeks before Christmas 2008, and we have spent the weekend keeping up with two boys from Uganda, Africa. How did this happen? Well, as we were sitting in church on Sunday morning, November 30, (the day after a very trying trip to Kentucky with my family for Thanksgiving) a notice came across the screen announcing that “host families” were needed for the Children of Hope tour that would be coming from Friday, December 12 through Sunday, December 14. I looked at Jeff; he looked at me and said “go ahead”. I went down to the front of the church after the service to “sign us up”. We were told to come back on the 7th for further information. On December 7th, I again went down and found out that we would be getting 3 girls. During the week, I made fantastic plans – we could bake cookies, polish our fingernails, color, etc... Something inside kept telling me – don’t go buy extra stuff. I also told Jeff and the kids that it didn’t matter which children we got, God would give us the ones we needed. So on Friday, Jeff arrived home early to go with me to the church to pick up the little girls. As we were waiting for our names to be called, we saw the three girls paired together go with another family. Again I looked at Jeff; he looked at me. Then they got down to the final two boys – Francis and Wilber, and who were we? “Oh, the Knowles, we’re supposed to be getting three girls.” “You can take these two” their chaperone said. (More looks from Jeff).

So much for planning...

We bring the boys into our home and the first thing Wilber says – “Auntie, I’m very hungry”
“OR-ANGES!!!!”
“ You have to eat supper first.”
“What will we have?”
“Chicken”
“CHICKEN-IE”
So the boys follow Jeff outside, I begin to cook supper. When I called them inside, they were excited to eat.
I must say that we have never heard such noises come from children. They were constantly whistling, or making other noises. Their room sounded like the rain forest with both of them going at it.

Shower time proved to be another challenge. We were told to give the children complete privacy while showering – okay – I fully agree with this one! We were told that the children go into the restroom to shower together – so we went with this too. Jeff had to knock on the door to tell them to quit playing and to get their shower. When they were finished with their shower, Jeff went into the bathroom to find the shower curtain lying on the floor????
Wilber speaks very little English and he and Francis were speaking in their native tongue when Francis tells me that Willy Bear is abusing him. I didn’t see anyone being hit and they wouldn’t tell me what they were saying. I just tell them to get along...??
Saturday morning – Wilber - “Auntie, I’m hungry! I want Or-anges!, Tomandjelly…”
“What?”
“Tomandjelly, tomandjelly…
Francis – “Tom and Jerry”
“Oh, okay”
After breakfast, Jeff takes the boys outside and tells them that they can walk around the pasture. He opens the gate and they take off running. Running as fast as they can – I’ve never seen anything like it. Buck, our eight month old golden retriever could not keep up with them. Any tree they came across, they climbed it…Then down to the pond they go, straight to the paddle boat that was filled with ice and of course Wilber sticks his foot down through the ice, getting his only shoes soaked and his pants wet up to his knees. Back up the hill we go. After running two hair dryers for about 30 minutes to dry his shoes and pants, they were ready to go back outside.
They enjoyed riding Scott’s old bicycle – they rode up and down the driveway – both of them on the same bicycle most of the time. Next we went to a friend’s home to help unload their Christmas tree. I kept the boys outside while Jeff took care of business. The boys climbed the rock wall surrounding their garden and went straight to the lake. Wilber was calling the fish. Francis was finding trees to climb. Wilber told “uncle” that he wanted to go fishing. When we got home about 30 minutes later, the boys were very hungry again. They both liked chicken pot pie. Or Chicken-ie popeye.
After lunch, Wilber pointed out that we had fishing poles. Jeff took off to the bait store to get some crickets and worms. Next we went next door for a birthday party – we didn’t stay long, fishing time was getting away from us. I was surprised that Wilber was a little curious why we were killing a cricket to catch a fish. Both boys caught a fish and it was soon time to go and cook again. Thank heavens for crock pots. I had put a roast on to cook in the morning. While I was finishing up supper, the boys found the pathway lights and they were “fixing” them. They must have spent an hour outside wiping the dirt off of the batteries. The boys ate up a whole bunch of mashed potatoes and gravy – they loved gravy! And of course Or-anges!
Bed time again – this time Francis is abusing Wilber??? I had Francis stay in the restroom with Wilber while he showered, then asked Wilber to come out for Francis to take his shower in private – Francis liked this arrangement much better, and the shower curtain stayed up this time and things went much smoother.
The boys were in their room getting their bags packed and clothes ready for church – again jungle sounds…giggles… I walked into the room and Francis says “Willy Bear is farting in your bed!” Wilber just giggles – I asked him if he needed to use the restroom “No” (more giggles). “Goodnight Boys!” “Goodnight Auntie!”

Stephanie, You Are A Beautiful Soul

Today is March 11, 2009. Our daughter Stephanie is 18 years old today. I have been compiling photographs for a DVD to play at her party on Saturday and it seems impossible for her to have grown up so quickly. Stephanie, you are beautiful on the inside and out. You don't know how proud you make us feel. To be a witness of your walk with Christ and to see how you have matured spiritually has been absolutely amazing. I don't know of a person with a sweeter spirit than what you possess. I want to encourage you to continue seeking Christ in all that you do. I want you to let your light shine brightly for all to see. We have been so blessed to have you in our lives. We pray that you will be yourself and enjoy your life to its fullest.


Happy Birthday!

We Love You Stephanie!

Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday

Today is our son's 14th Birthday! Isn't it amazing how quickly these years pass by? I know that I am not alone in wondering where all of these years have gone. I can still vividly remember the day that God blessed us with him, as though it were just yesterday. I am thankful that God put him in our lives and I have the joy of knowing him and watching how he is developing into a fine young man. Today he is taller than I am and he is edging up on his dad. The two of them wear the same size shoes and he is one size away in his clothes. I'm not sure if he has even had his final growth spurt, I tend to think that God isn't done with him yet. Son, you are a wonderful child of God! You have so much potential and I know that if you continue to seek HIM in all areas of your life, HE will bless you with so much more than you could ever dream for yourself.

I Love You Scott!

Haggai 2:1-9

I want to post this - so everyone will know how Great our God is!

Let's go back to several months ago during the time when Jeff and I was working on the house. I was at a point of frustration, not sure how everything was going to work out. Was it going to be the way that we had imagined it could be? Would we be able to finish several of the projects? I know several people that talk about being able to take the Bible and just open it up to find the special message that their soul is searching for that day. That had never happened to me and I just needed peace about the whole situation. So I took a New Student Bible NIV, I closed my eyes and I said "Lord, I need some peace, I'm frustrated, please show me Your Word". I opened the Bible up and laid my hand on the page, took three fingers to point at the scripture and then I opened my eyes to see that I ended up on Haggai 2:1-9 The title for this section of scripture is "The Promised Glory of the New House" WOW! Let me share it with you.


On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the Lord. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the Lord, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty. This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.' This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the Lord Almighty. 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the Lord Almighty. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the Lord Almighty."

Is that not powerful? The house is Beautiful and Peaceful! Everyone who visits loves to sit out back and watch the beautiful sunsets that God paints for us each night. To see the storms coming across from the west and watching the lightning. We've enjoyed firework shows that we could see at one time from several counties from miles away sitting on top of this hill. We've found fertile soil and planted and enjoyed a vegetable garden with our friends and family.

Our God is Great!

God Is Good.....ALL the Time

Today the weather has been absolutely BEAUTIFUL!



Our daughter returned from her youth group last night with a photo treasure hunt list. I read over the list of crazy things for her to take pictures of and to e-mail back to the youth leader. One item on the list was to take a picture of a cloud, shaped like a heart. I thought COOL...then as I began to watch the clouds today, I thought this is not as easy as I thought it would be. The wind was blowing the clouds around quicker than you could get the camera. Needless to say what may have started out shaping up to look like a heart would just be a puffy cloud by the time I even turned the camera on. I soon became intrigued with this cloud picture mission and soon made it my own. I took the camera out and waited, and waited, and waited. Nothing that looked like a heart. So, back into the house I go. Then it occured to me to pray for a heart shaped cloud. I figured that if I was concerned, then God would be concerned too. So pray I did.



I grabbed the camera and as I walked out the door, I said, "Lord, only you can blow me up a heart shaped cloud." I looked up in the sky. Just puffy clouds, then I turned around and looked back over the top of the house and you guessed it. A beautiful heart shaped cloud.



Yes, God is Good All the Time!



Imagine if we put ALL of our cares and worries into His hands. Not just the little things - He cares about them all, we just need to let go and let Him take charge.

Anniversary

Today marks our 25th Wedding Anniversary!



I'm not sure where all of that time went - over half of our lives. The journey getting here sure has been a blessing and I know that we've been having fun! The first 7 1/2 years we spent together - just the two of us, two dogs and a cat. We bought our first home and a ski boat and worked like crazy, occasionally taking a vacation, most often on a whim. When our beautiful daughter was born in March of 1991, she was a huge blessing! Our lives have been forever changed! As with most first children, we had a lot to learn and she was more than willing to teach us what we needed to know!! We are thankful for her forgiving spirit and her leadership abilities! She is currently a senior in high school and wants to attend the University of Georgia after graduation. (She's working on her apps now). In September of 1994, we were blessed with a wonderful son! So we think we know what we're doing this time? Wrong! Again, it was our time to learn from our children. No two are the same! We are thankful for his patience and his kind heart! He is currently in the eighth grade and is doing great!



So...two teenagers (one driving), three dogs, a cat and a horse. Our lives are full and busy - like the cup that runneth over. Blessings indeed!

As the scenery in our life changes (moving, children growing, etc.), it is exciting to know that as we started on our journey we had common goals. God was and still is the center of our marriage and home. Our entire lives are built around Him. As we go through this life and accept the changes and challenges before us, we know that we can do so gracefully with the help of our Lord. What matters most is at the end of any given day, no matter what circumstances you're dealing with, you're still with the one you set out on your journey with, facing these circumstances together.