MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We are finishing up our time in Canada...and looking forward to what the Lord has in store for this next year. Love and miss all of our family and friends. We'll be posting a longer overview/update from this last year, hopefully in the next 24 hrs.

GLORY COME DOWN

I hope we who believe in the ALL SUFFICIENT ONE realize that we are the manifestation of His goodness in the land and I also pray that we are living our lives worthy of Him who has called us for this reason.

Pray for me that I will start writing, painting, singing and playing again...I've taken some time off from all of it and it would be good for the break to be over. Time for refreshing. Time for creativity. Time to display His glory in some new ways. Thanks for continuing to pray for me and my family even when I am not so good at staying in touch.

SIX IN THE MORNING CONFESSIONS

I AM MISSING YOU MOM. I HAVEN'T SAID IT OUT LOUD IN A WHILE. IN FACT, I'VE STOPPED SAYING IT, EXCEPT FOR EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. IT'S SIX IN THE MORNING AND I'M LOOKING AT RECIPE'S FOR HOECAKE BREAD THAT YOU USED TO FIX FOR US KIDS AS A TREAT. I REALIZED AS I WAS SITTING HERE READING THE RECIPE THAT I WAS HOLDING MY COLD FOLDED ARMS JUST THE WAY YOU USED TOO. WITH MY FEET CROSSED JUST AT MY ANKLES AND SHAKING MY LEGS MINDLESSLY --- I GUESS TO HELP WITH CONCENTRATION.

SLEEP IS IMPORTANT, BUT I MISS IT A LOT LESS THAN I MISS YOU. SO MUCH HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE. NOTHING HAS. NOT THAT I EVER REALLY HAD GOOD HABITS TO BEGIN WITH SINCE MY YOUNG ADULT YEARS. BUT IT TRULY HAS BEEN THE SHEER GRACE OF GOD THAT HAS KEPT ME ALIVE.

FEELS LIKE I'M IN A CONSTANT SEASON OF BROKENNESS EVEN THOUGH I CAN FEEL THE LORD BINDING UP MY BROKENNESS. MY HEART SO EASILY TURNS TO TEARS TO THINK UPON WHERE EVERYONE IS AT THESE DAYS (AS FAR AS ALL THE SIBLINGS AND HOW LITTLE WE ALL COMMUNICATE AND KEEP TRACT OF EACH OTHER). I REALIZE THIS IS NORMAL FOR MOST OF THE WORLD, BUT NOT FOR THE MAYO'S. I KEEP BELIEVING THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE.

I AM NOT WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO BE IN REGARDS TO PRAYER OR DEVOTIONS, I TALK TO GOD EVERY DAY, BUT IT IS NOT THE SAME AS IT USED TO BE. SO MUCH HAS CHANGED. I AM GLAD THAT HE NEVER CHANGES. HE IS ALWAYS THERE AND AVAILABLE AND LISTENING AND NEAR...EVEN WHEN I FEEL FAR. HOW EASILY WE FORGET THE LORD, HOW UNFAITHFUL WE ARE IN FOLLOWING HIM AND HE CONTINUALLY DELIVERS US AND RESCUES US AND REMINDS US OF HIS GOODNESS BY ALLOWING US TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY.

LIFE'S A TRIP

Dylan has started his fall semester already a few trips under way. Shiloh has done wonderfully although after a few days without (Daddy) he kisses his picture and reaches his hands up to the picture on the wall. When Dylan comes home he sobs and won't let go of him for the first few hours. He can't even go in the next room without him panicking... so hoping that his fears subside.

Here are some overdue pics. Shiloh has two bottom teeth now and a few more days he will be a year old.

WALK ON

Shiloh's been walking since August 21st... so fun watching him grow up.

LITTLE AT A TIME

Today Shiloh is eleven months old...and I am taking each day a little at a time. Time keeps moving on...faster and faster...so I am trying to take it slow and get things accomplished when I can, but also take the time to hold and play with our baby and praying for some new creative ways to show love to Dylan.

Do seasons ever change ---
Today is Dylan's last day of work at this job he's had working with conference center at the school. He has been so faithful and loyal and never once complains. He does all that he does well and finishes strong. I am so thankful for his sacrifice and service.

Pictures from camping and from going to our friends wedding...

BRIEF UPDATE

Shiloh's 10 months old now, already taken his first steps and has said his first words (GOD and ball).

This is the backyard where we live...

Sunset towards the north...

Grapes on the vine..

GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS

Dylan and I just got over being sick with colds. He had fever, I did not. I have a bit of a cough and the baby was coughing slightly. But I am quite sure we are all recovered and strong again. THANKS be to GOD our healer.

I tell you what ---- when you don't feel good (which is rare by the mercy of God) it sure does bring some new and important perspective on thankfulness. So thankful to be done with the yuck.

OCCUPY

Spent the 4th of July in Bellingham watching fireworks. When we crossed the border back to the states on our way to go see the fireworks... the border patrol person said, "WELCOME HOME." I was wishing I was wearing red white and blue right then. I do love and appreciate America. I am thankful to be an American. I cannot in good conscience say that I am proud of America due to the onslaught of injustice and dishonor and constant greed and lies happening from the top to the bottom...affecting us all.
Here's a video of Shiloh's first time swinging on an outdoor swing...at the playground.

WE ARE HERE

Just moved to our new place two weeks ago. Thanks for everyone who prayed for us and who helped us. We are unpacking and will get back to everyone soon. We still receive mail at P.O Box 257  Sumas, WA 98295.

IN THE WAITING

Encouraging myself in the Lord today. "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." crazy all the stuff that can go on inside you when you are waiting. The funny thing is --- we are always waiting on something whether we realize it or not.

We have been waiting on housing for the last month. Looking and researching and going here and there and making calls and sending emails and waiting to see where the Lord would have us. Pretty sure we found a place that will be ready 1st of June.

Struggling some days to keep right perspective and to have right priorities..  pray for  me if you think about it. 

SOME COLD, SUNSHINE, AND RAIN

Back in Abbotsford. A little chilly out. Raining off and on. But the fire is shining in my heart and is being stirred at what is before us.

We just finished twenty somethings days of travel with our little one -- he did awesome! We stayed about nine days in Alabama/Florida, 1 night in San Antonio, 1 night in El Paso, 2 nights in Phoenix, 2 nights in San Diego, 1 night in Portland and now here we are. Temporarily staying at the dorms on campus while Dylan works and we're are on the hunt for a place to rent for this next year.

I'm going over ideas for indoor gardening, daily devotions, contemplating how to use my time better, how to not miss the important things. First things first...prayer and scripture and spending time with those you love while still getting stuff done. Letter writing and instrument playing and art making... to come.

Really thankful for everyone who housed us along the way. So good to see you! Let us know if you would like to come visit us...

Being gone flew by and I'm certain that being here one year...will do the same. Lord, please have your way in us and glorify yourself in our family --lead us in the way-- everlasting.

DO NOT GIVE INTO ESCAPISMS

Barely dozed off to sleep long enough today, while I was nursing, but I must have fallen to sleep because I had a dream. In the dream three men approached me and one of them them tried to take hold of me. They were intimidating and trying to tell me that I looked ''awake or scared." There was darkness all around and shadows passing by. I did not want to look in their eyes. I was trying to figure out if this was real or if I was imagining things. They looked high or like they were on something. They were trying to get me to do something or go somewhere with them, but I walked quickly away and outside. On my way out something else appeared and disappeared, the best I can describe it was a form of darkness and it continually poked me. I rebuked it in Jesus name and told it to leave me alone. 

There are other details I do not remember so I will just stick to what I do remember. As I went outside chaos was everywhere. A man with a hurt limb was sliding down a sidewalk. He could not stop himself. He was chasing after his battery operated dog. His wife was in a wheelchair and could not get to him in time to help him so I stopped him from sliding and helped him back onto his device (walker/wheelchair) and retrieved his dog for him.

I kept passing by people sitting around fires that had gone out. As if it was some place to be or hangout. Everyone seemed to be on their devices...computers, cell phones, large screen TV. And in my mind something was trying to appeal to me to sit there and then I would be left alone or would not be as bothered by the darkness or the poking or whatever else was going on. But something else in my heart said, if you do not sit down where the fires have gone out then you will speak the Word with power and the time will come where what you say will cause others to overcome, but just don't get distracted or deceived.

I woke up.

IN MEMORY OF MOM

Today was my Mom's birthday. Her name means Beautiful. Bonnie. I miss my beautiful Mother. I'm wondering if it's still your birthday in Heaven.

One of Mom's favorite books of the Bible was Hebrews.
So In Memory of Mom: Hebrews 11:8 "By Faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. By Faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise.."

Many years ago, Mom, By Faith moved us all to Pensacola, Florida where she had no idea what was ahead of her, but she continued to trust the Lord and beheld His goodness and came through many trials and difficulties, joy and tears. Her decisions impacted all of our lives forever. She did not lose the battle to anything...because there is victory in the Lord! She fought the good fight. She won the race! She is only sleeping and she belongs to the place where there is no more night. Christ is her life!

Years later after we had moved to Pensacola, the Lord woke me up before my young adult years began. Gave me the idea to go onto the Military Installations and talk to people about Jesus and listen to their hearts. I soon met Dan Seidel and his best friends from high school, one of which is my husband Dylan. It is Dan's Dad's birthday today. Happy Birthday David Seidel! You all have been such a rich blessing in me and my family's lives.

Mom was not perfect, but she desperately wanted to please God and do what was right by us kids. She made mistakes as we all do. She was a very busy lady caring for others as a nurse, but she worked to leave something for her children. Gift giving was her big thing. What she didn't realize is she was the gift. She still is the gift. Her memories are alive in our hearts and we (her children) live the love we saw lived out in her.

We miss you Mom. Time is passing faster than it ever has. We are going to keep on praying and seeking and believing and living until Jesus comes. Thanks for all you gave us, especially yourself.


Love your six kids and nine grand kids (and counting)