tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12153395317949462872024-03-13T11:55:47.965-04:00Training my Family for EternityRenewing your Life with Christ, Keeping you and your Family following Jesus.
Homeschool Product Reviews.ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-76914889084994719912020-02-06T15:04:00.000-05:002020-02-06T20:11:33.497-05:00New Year New Goals New Vision 2020<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Howzit readers</span>. (My Zimbabwean roots are deeply hidden)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today I begin again to share thoughts and feelings and ideas from our crazy Blended family life. Whilst reading over the previous years journals I have discovered a pattern about me. I do procrastinate more now than ever. I have deep desires to help others and to serve Jesus in various ways that I can figure out, but also see that He has had me serve in places I did not want to be. Those are the places that seem to do the most changing in my heart and life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My word for the Year for 2019 was as follows</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"BE DIFFERENT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">BE REAL</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">BE THERE FULLY"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well I think that looking over my personal journals from 2019 this phrase empowered me some days, but most of the time I was fighting all the memories and all the situations that I could not control. Being there fully is not being in control. Being there for your family and the Lord fully is really and truly allowing God to place you in a situation or taking the place where you are, and to be pliable and soft and gentle, and adaptable to that situation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I heard this on the radio one day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"If being a Christian was a crime would there be enough evidence to use against you" No I do not know who shared that as it was way over a year ago since I heard it. I am convicted again because there would be no evidence to convict me at all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also was able to watch the new movie that came out in November called "Overcomer" produced by the Kendrick brothers. I have since watched this movie at least three times. Some days I want to take up running but know for me physically that is just not possible and ridiculous. the main Scripture shared in the movie is about how Christ sees you and how do you see yourself as a result and you can Overcome any situation with the realization of how Christ really sees you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ephesians 1 was a Scripture I read over and over.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He chose Me before the world began.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He pre-destined me.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He adopted me as His daughter.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He gives me grace.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been one of the walking wounded in the past but Christ is in me. He lives in Me. He sees me as important, beautiful, smart, funny and talented. I do have something to say and I do have a purpose in this world and my new to me family. It is a daily search or let me re-phrase - a daily waiting on the suddenlies of God. The Holy Spirit reminds me often that surrendering situations like celebrations, kids going to Overnight birthday parties in gyms, and everyday order in the home and letting Him have control when my day is re-organized. I need to allow my brain to be re-wired by the Lord's gifts of the Word, confession of His Word over my day early before I even rise, and leaning into HIm and His peace through every hour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My word for 2020 is NEW HOME 2020. I am seeking Him as to what this all about as the literal sense of it would be a new physical building. Christ wants to build a new Home within me. That's where we will begin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Enjoy your Day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-29193648502464584332018-10-17T13:56:00.002-04:002018-10-17T13:56:55.443-04:00Remembering My Little Man<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, I am sitting here with noise all around me, pretty much like the night I was up most of the night with a very sick little boy. I had spent the weekend caring for Brendon after returning from a short vacation in Mackinac City with Walt and Daniel. We had had a tumultuous time on that vacation, not sure when Brendon would be vomiting, or fall or pass out. He was growing thinner each day and weaker too. We didn’t know what was wrong with him. He had developed a weariness of eating as he did not want to vomit it all up yet again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This evening is different though from that one 12 years ago (17<sup>th</sup> October 2006). I am in a different state, I am not 10 weeks pregnant and feeling nauseous myself, and Walt, Brendon’s Daddy is not even here to remember these moments with me. I’m sure he could recount it over and over and remember the pictures of B’s face and physique that evening and the days following. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Some folks will think I should not even be thinking about that ordinary day that suddenly changed to an extraordinary day and became the turning point of our lives for the next two years and forever afterwards. Well I found that when I have met and talked to people who have lost their children through the last twelve years that most of them/us all feel the same way. We still want to remember and honor our child. No, we don’t want to idolize our child or spouse who died, but some days we want to be heard, we want to talk about them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I remember his sweet blue eyes full of wisdom especially at a young age. He would look up at you even from just being a crawler, smile Big and Wide and scoot over to you to snuggle. He loved his big brother Daniel and when old enough to walk followed him everywhere and copied most of what he was doing. Of course, Andrew once born and about 1 year old did the same thing and followed B everywhere and copied him too, when he could. I see traces of Brendon’s character in Andrew’s nature but some of them have disappeared now.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have been re-reading the journal entries on CaringBridge that I wrote 12 years ago. Its sad that all the visitor’s comments have disappeared since the website was re-done, but its okay too. So many crazy thoughts must have rallied through my mind and heart whilst writing those updates. I was pregnant at the time and couldn’t share that information either. I remember Walt was so frustrated as he couldn’t work and be occupied, instead was caring for a busy 5-year-old. He did a great job too. I remember we were both overwhelmed often late at night, and would talk about the what-if’s, and why this medicine works in this way and perhaps there was another opportunity we should delve into, or just lie silently until sleep came eventually. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our son’s head would never be the same and would always have scars to show his battle wounds, but some hair grew back eventually thankfully. He lost his hair, his </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">eyebrows and of course his beautiful eyelashes. We saw more heaviness and sadness in his eyes during chemo when his eyes were deep set in his face. I met people who would never normally be a part of our daily lives but who had decided to work in the “caregiving”, hospice or nursing field because of their compassionate heart. Many a hug was given to me by a visiting nurse. My favorite I remember was Joy. Brendon loved her tremendously and giggled immensely when she was trying to draw labs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Summer of 2008 was a busy one but full of family times on our Make-A-Wish Trip to the Grand Canyon, and family visiting too from New Zealand. No one ever wanted to say goodbye to B either, but just see you again sometime. Brendon met Joey Keller and his mama during the summer of 2008 too and they got to know each other a little bit better during those months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Brendon would be all of 15 years old now and doing who knows what! I am more of a “helicopter pilot” mama now than I ever wanted to be. I have let go of more recently some of the reins that I held tightly for many years. It is hard to watch my boys not know the answers to some of their questions and I don’t know them either. In heaven the Lord will not even have to reveal that, but we will see it right away and our “eyes will be opened” to a dimension we have never seen before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I pray often for other parents I have met along my journey who have lost their children or grandchildren to disease, or accident or sudden death. Praying with people seems to be the best way I can reach out and comfort. I don’t have advice for how they will be able to cope with daily life but can just share my story. Looking back and having lost both my son, and my husband has taken a toll on my “faith” walk and that has been wobbly at certain stages in the last 3 years. The Holy Spirit reminds me often through a song playing on the radio, or a snippet of a sermon, or something I read in a magazine, that He is still ultimately in charge. I would still say I would take Brendon and his short life, and my sweet husband Walt and our 17-year marriage all over again if that was the path that I was always supposed to have to get where I am today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am always on the lookout for fresh ways to remember my boy and never to forget him or the promise I made to “NOT GIVE UP!” I was blessed to receive a necklace last Christmas with the “Portraits of Hope” photograph inside the pendant to wear, and it reminds me of when there were three boys being shepherded on earth by us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always love to share about the boy with the amazing smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No matter how tomorrow looks or how I feel, heaven is full of people that I love and miss. I need to keep on keeping on, I need to keep parenting and teaching Daniel and Andrew, Brendon’s brothers, and following the example of Christ and resting in Him, allowing the Lord to continue to change me into who I need to become. One day at a time and some days are one hour at a time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I would like to encourage you personally if you know of a family in your church or community who have recently had a major loss of a child or parent, to step up and be Jesus to them in the middle of their holiday season. You may not know what to say to them but perhaps just hug them, shed a tear, offer to babysit if you know them well enough, or bring over a few pre-made frozen dinners and a basket of fruit. It will mean so much to their family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The boys and I are continually adjusting to the warmer southern climate we now live in and some of the different traditions and ways of the south. We miss the fall colors and cooler days of the Midwest. However, this is I believe where we are supposed to be. The Lord has always had his hand guiding and leading our family. We would appreciate you praying during this season of festivals, and holidays, and travelling mercies for our whole Indiana family and our “new to us” blended family, if you do think of us. Thank you once again for all the love and care and prayer cover over the last 12 years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "bradley hand itc"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Much love to you all – Julie, Daniel and Andrew<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-3385183441812671122018-01-06T13:36:00.000-05:002018-01-06T13:36:31.000-05:00Remembering youDear Blog readers,<br />
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I forgot to post this at Christmas time.<br />
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We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas season full of Christmas Carols, family, singing, friends and travelling.<br />
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Back to school and taking down the tree decorations on Epiphany today.<br />
Much love to you all.<br />
Julie and my three men! <br />
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♡♡♡<br />
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Remembering Walt and B.<br />
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Oh Christmas Tree<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So many memories you behold, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Of jubilant celebrations </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And a future yet untold. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A promise of a new baby, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Or heartbreak that they are no longer here. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">An infectious peal of laughter and joy, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">From a bald-headed boy. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Looks of surprise, wonder and glee </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">As you three dig under the tree. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Now there are new traditions. laughter and His Names, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Decorating and proclaiming what we believe. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Christmas is not just about a tree, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">But our Savior Christ the King. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Lets turn off all the house lights, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And snuggle up to hear, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Advent story once more </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Of how men traveled so far </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Shepherds bowed low, angels sang loudly </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The candles will still burn brightly, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">To push back the dark </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">As we reflect in our hearts, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">On Jesus, Daddy and "B". </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: "lato" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">(Julie Gaiger Knight) ( November 2015)</span>ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-43613508287155230662016-04-22T00:03:00.001-04:002016-04-22T00:03:49.009-04:00Life's Journey is like Stained Glass windows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Well there is this old Keith Green song called </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stained Glass Windows. I </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">just used to love this song, but I have a new </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">realization of the </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">goodness and grace of </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">God through this picture. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">When a Stained Glass window is made, it consists of broken pieces of colored glass. The artist then has to take those broken pieces of colored glass and turn them into a window. The artist has to be careful to join them together in just the right way.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The windows are usually placed up high in church buildings. The sun will then hit them at peak strength. This will cause the colors in the stain glass windows to shine even brighter. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I have not done research on this of course until more recently. I was reminded of this just today as when at my Homeschool co-op and the church sanctuary is full of beautiful Stained glass windows with different parts of Scripture represented on them. Some photographs are in this blog post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My Abba Father has been chasing after pieces of my heart which have been broken over and over. He has showed me His abundant grace again and again. When I look back over the last 20 years I can see the incredible piecing together by my Father God artist. The window that He has designed is the most beautiful picture that I can see. My life portrayed full of grace, mercy and the Light of the Son shining through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So when I look at the last few months of good changes, the realization that I can love someone else again, the newness of the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit blowing through my life, I see the sun shining into my heart and filling the building of my family once again with hope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The rainbow of colors will still be shadowed at times but God, but God, but God can do over and above anything we could ever expect. With Easter fast approaching and the reminder of Christ’s blood being shed for us this rainbow of colors appeals to my heart, soul and spirit.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></div>
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Easter and Resurrection Sunday came and went before I could get this posted. So here you go for the weekend reading list. </div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-76836811042198186462016-01-22T19:16:00.000-05:002016-01-22T19:16:52.971-05:00Second Year of Mourning<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The journey less travelled is one that is harder. The Bible talks about the narrow way and the wide road. Obviously the narrow road is the journey less </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px;">traveled</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">. It is one that probably you have to climb over mountains along treacherous pathways where if you dare look to the left or right of you, you would fall, or become very afraid and start shaking with fear. It is followed by steep inclines into the valleys below the mountains, and then over another set of hills or mountains with deep dark valleys on the other side. This is how these last few months have been for our small family. I remember climbing Mount Inyangani in Nyanga, Zimbabwe and seeing the deep crevices in the rocks cutting down the other side of the mountain that had been put there by years and years of rain pounding the side of the mountain. There were also many trees standing bent over from years of strong winds blowing them in one direction. On the top of the mountain though was a fresh mountain stream with icy cold water. It was refreshing even on a cool fall day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have endured much suffering as a family by the US standard of suffering. Of course the Word of God says “we will suffer” in the last days especially. I think the believers on earth are suffering almost as much as those who lived in Bible times did, perhaps a little more. Becoming friends with grief is not where I would like to stay. Grief can be your friend but really only for a period of time. I think for me personally the deep sense of loss of Walt happened almost right after the one year anniversary of his death. That is not so long ago. I felt desperation inside me that I was being carried by huge waves, like on a surfboard climbing to the top of the wave and then plunging into the depths under the wave as it broke and washed up on to the shore. I am sure this sounds like depression. It probably is or was. I have never felt that way before in my life not knowing what I was going to do or feel the next second. To know that I was going to be okay I continued to play praise and worship music or Christian contemporary music in the night going to sleep, when I slept and 9 out of 10 times the Lord would minister directly to my heart through the words of a particular song. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More recently every time I get in the car or truck to run errands, take a son to practice, or even just when I wake up in the mornings my radio alarm clock has the perfect Scripture in song that I need to hear right then. I think the grace and love of the Lord is chasing me, wooing me and drawing me to seek Him first and not things or stuff, to continue to bring myself back to Him and what He wants for our lives as a family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I took a self-imposed retreat in the southern hills of Brown County in Indiana between Christmas and New Year. I was really alone without the boys for the first time in a year for more than 48 hours. It was deliciously enjoyable, yet being alone was good, and lonely at the same time. The Lord took me on a journey through 20 years of living in Indiana and all that I had seen and done with being married to Walt, being involved in three to four different churches and meeting some incredible people on this journey. So many of those folk were divine appointments. Some through doctors and nurses who just happened to be there at the right time when we needed prayer or guidance, others just met in the lobby of our church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whilst walking around the lake one cold afternoon I began to look at the trees and the broken down forests around and how they were all different in form. My first picture is one of a cool fresh water lake that is dark and forlorn but beneath the surface of it life continues on perhaps just a little slower than other seasons. Fish go down deeper or move to warmer areas of the lake to keep safe. Is this not what the human spirit does when times are cold and dark, we go to hide in the deep places so that our ‘hard’ is not exposed more to the cold damaging winter storms?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My second photograph is obviously of a tree that had fallen, but you know what, God still took that fallen trunk and turned it into something that glorified Him. I looked closer at the ‘life’ that showed up right there on something that most people would think was dead. There is both lichen and moss growing prolifically on that trunk.</span><br />
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God can still move. He is the God of the impossible. He is the God who clothes the trees, flowers and birds with exactly what they need. He gives them rest in cooler seasons, or instinctively plants in them the direction to fly to warmer places. God can give that desire to us too to find warmer places to go for our spirits and hearts to be nourished too. God can take the dead things or what you thought was dead in your heart and bring them back to life again. I thought that even when a tree is rendered totally dead and lying uprooted from the ground there is still life growing on or inn it. Even though your loved one may not be here any longer the Lord takes that legacy that in the natural is dead and gone, but 'new' things can start from there. Dead things can be changed to new dreams, new vision, new direction, new ideas - it is limitless with God.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl3VVDhlFphwE-r77fPyghgyIn3-PapsPkUuodvp9GBzXuDIZeu74ARd8ezGmI8jsdWqAgiI438GBNB6seSzpZ_c1Gzd2r_xUx-VA2If8ohlREDd-PtcAx-_aEFSBQXT44ycvJrHz-D6t/s1600/20151229_155013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl3VVDhlFphwE-r77fPyghgyIn3-PapsPkUuodvp9GBzXuDIZeu74ARd8ezGmI8jsdWqAgiI438GBNB6seSzpZ_c1Gzd2r_xUx-VA2If8ohlREDd-PtcAx-_aEFSBQXT44ycvJrHz-D6t/s200/20151229_155013.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Other photographs here show streams flowing into the lake and feeding its water supply providing freshness and newness of life to the lake. Though there were dead leaves everywhere I noticed that many of the lower branches of the trees were not on those really skinny trees. This is </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">because they had fallen off due to not getting enough nourishment or lack of light during the summer months I presume. Sometimes, or a lot of times actually God has pruned situations, people and places out of my life. He showed me this again just to remind me where I have been and why. The dead branches need to drop off at times to allow the tree to grow taller towards the sky, but also to continue to allow its roots to grow deeper for security too. New growth and new branches come in the spring time too and remain for a time that the tree needs them or we need and allow them in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I crossed a few bridges. These reminded me of the help that our family had been given both financially, spiritually and physically in our home. Help with my boys now is gratefully received and cherished too. Bridges take us from one situation to another over another. There are rails on the bridge to make sure we stay in those boundaries and don’t try to venture out into side streams once again to find better options than what God wants for us. The lord puts those boundaries there for protection. Not to harm us like we usually think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On the ground was leaves and moss, with the moss standing out in such vivid color against the dull brown, broken, dried leaves. To me this resembled how the broken </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">days had passed by but there were patches of green showing life once again. In the middle of the hard days there are times you can smile, laugh, or just have joy in your heart whilst tears are pouring down your cheeks. My broken dreams of what we may have accomplished together are no longer there. My dreams of spending nights snuggled with him are gone but we instead have different challenging evenings. Evenings that are not peaceful. The strategy to adjust that is coming slowly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lastly at the end of the pathway around the lake there were some amazingly tall trees but half of their root system was exposed. These thick strong roots had originally been covered, but even though now they were exposed they were still holding the tree up tall and strong. All around these exposed tree roots were outcrops of moss. Green against gray. I would rather take the green of ‘newness’ any day than gray of the old. Our strength comes from the Lord. I am thankful for the Word of God and people that taught me this Word at a young age. I memorized verses like “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) as a little girl by learning a song. Sometimes I have to hum the chorus often through the day to remind myself if I am not seeking Him then I can not possibly be living the best possible way for Him. The tree roots I think have to grow twice as deep as the height of the tree to prevent the tree from buckling when the winds are strong. I could be wrong on that point but it made sense to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In order to become a stronger person of faith your roots and nutrition need to be stronger. This is the Word of God actively working in your life 'under' the soil. I am not an avid reader of the Bible right now but have to fight for every verse. I want to run and hide when the words jump off the page and convict me or scold me with their truth. But God's word rightly divides the truth from the garbage. I only want what is good to be inside me, and to be in my children. Living this out is a daily, sometimes hourly challenge. My closest friends know so many of our struggles, and mine and why, and still love me. Leaning on their faith and strength helps us through some days too. Your roots will be exposed when the strong winds and storms come. Keep holding on is all I can say from experience. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5rwkT5IrtMEvuwyAmSF2QGOwTx-QCjz3U4Ut90XFuq-kajVMlypu_huqEpukZdWcZCAPd03stOq32XZ5UWwQWv5Ag9ysqaTeClP4r58XE2_CNkter92TANqULOraqzp2aJ69J2hZL0ac/s1600/20151230_124558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5rwkT5IrtMEvuwyAmSF2QGOwTx-QCjz3U4Ut90XFuq-kajVMlypu_huqEpukZdWcZCAPd03stOq32XZ5UWwQWv5Ag9ysqaTeClP4r58XE2_CNkter92TANqULOraqzp2aJ69J2hZL0ac/s320/20151230_124558.jpg" width="192" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on Him and He shall direct your paths.” God’s word is the nutrition and food that our spirit and soul needs. I am preaching to myself right now because he reminded me how to live and why I live, because I’ve been redeemed, by the Blood of the Lamb. Only Jesus can rejuvenate those weary, depressed tired spirits in our lives. Only Jesus can nourish your aching heart where no-one can see that pain or talk through it with you. It is a daily and hourly job to keep giving those cares back to the Lord. We do not need to carry them off the altar and then try to figure out what to do with all of them. I am so guilty of this one even in the last 24/ hours. That’s a fact. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have to keep feeding our family the right nutrition both physically and spiritually. I know I cannot depend on my children’s church pastor to be responsible for my son’s Christian walk. No that is my responsibility until they are old enough as a teen to take over. There will continue to be life in my family. There will be joy and laughter again. There will be changes in our daily lives all the time, but if we keep eating the right Word nuggets day by day we can build back up the soil around the roots of our tree, or just grow deeper roots to search for a better source of nutrition. New branches will grow again on our trees.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I learned so much about the very nature of God’s design for my family just on those walks around the lake. Nature is like free counselling. In the middle of my widowhood there is still life, it may be buried deep beneath the surface of our daily ‘grind’. But God – he rose from the dead and He can resurrect new trees or old trees strongly rooted with new branches too. There are cardinals in the woods in winter too providing a different sense of color, the blood of Jesus showing up to remind us of His sacrifice for everyone. Your sacrifice as a man and allowing God to lead and guide you is minimal. A bird singing in the distance says there is still JOY in this season of barrenness. A woodpecker knocking against the branches means Jesus is still there knocking at the door of some of you who won’t let him in to all the hard places. (Speaking to me here for sure.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>So from a snowy cold Midwest stay safe in the storms and hold on with all you can. </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Sincerely</o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Julie</o:p></span><br />
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ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-56405086375382788412015-09-30T14:32:00.000-04:002015-09-30T14:32:20.627-04:00Jesus Calling (Me)The Lord has ministered to me so much recently on a daily basis through the book "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. This book reminds me daily that the Word of God was written for a whole different variety of people throughout centuries of change.<br />
<br />
<b><u>September 30th </u></b><br />
<b><br />
</b> I am perpetually with you, taking care of you. This is the most important fact of your existence. I am not limited by time or space; My Presence with you is a forever promise. You need not fear the future, for I am already there. when you make that <i>quantum leap</i> into eternity, you will find Me awaiting you in heaven. Your future is in My Hands; I release it to you day by day, moment by moment. Therefore, <i>do not worry about tomorrow</i>. <br />
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I want you to live this day abundantly, seeing all there is to see, doing all there is to do. Don't be distracted by future concerns. Leave them to Me! Each day of life is a glorious gift, but so few people know how to live within the confines of today. Much of their energy for abundant living spills over the timeline into tomorrow's worries or past regrets. Their remaining energy is sufficient only for limping through the day, not for living it to the full. I am training you to keep your focus on My Presence in the present. This is how to receive abundant Life, which flows freely from my throne of grace.<br />
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<i>(Scriptures: Matthew 8:34; John 10:10 ; James 4:13-15)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why would this be so relevant to me? Well every day I think over the past 18-19 years, wonder what would my life be like if I had stayed in Zimbabwe. What would I be doing now, where would I be living in this world? All these questions. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would also have missed out on all the amazing people, places and experiences that I have had living in the United States. My faith has been stretched, to say the least, to the 'nth' degree. Some days are terrifying now, others satisfactory and some of them fantastic. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I choose to worry over the future of my boys, my latter years, my income, my calling, where I will be in a year from now, He reminds me of how far I have come, where I used to be, and who I am today. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I am a Princess in His eyes, I'm a vision of the Father glorified, I am beautiful to Jesus, I know" - that is what I want to be. I want to be like Jesus. I have a long way to go (IMO). </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crying in the midnight hour over my precious angel boy and my sweet husband is healing to my soul, hurts my physical body and heart, but is so necessary and important. I am so blessed with some widows who have walked this road before me, praying for me and with me, coaching me through hard moments, reminding me what I have been through, and that it's okay. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He's got me. Thankfully. One day at a time is all He is asking of me. He's got the future of my family and I in His hands. </span>ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-20881010837676694612015-04-20T23:30:00.001-04:002015-04-20T23:30:13.680-04:00Crisis in GriefI needed to write tonight before retiring dear readers whoever you may still be. To write on Caringbridge does not always fill the need for unexpressed emotions indeed.<br />
<br />
What does one's day look like when you roll out of bed early and see the constant pile of papers and documents to be filed and put way neatly on the other side of this huge bed that your beloved husband used to sleep in. Rotten ! Why have I not organized this yet so that my precious boys can lay on my bed and talk to me or reminisce about their Dad, or watch a show he used to like. I don't know - perhaps I am scared of losing the memories of him being there, and replace them with new ones. Perhaps I am just too lazy and became too much of a procrastinator like he was, and could not be bothered to do the work.<br />
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Challenges on how to parent a teenage boy when nearby there is no-one really close to teach them how to grow up into a man. I know some men who are husbands of my friends, but most of the time I do not like to intrude on their family time. You say that is ridiculous, but it's not. I do not think I would like a widow asking my husband for help. Yet it is what God's word says to do. Mmmmm- stirring I think, maybe too much.<br />
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How can I get inside the head of an almost 8 year old who is missing his Daddy like crazy but who does not have the words to express it, so instead bubbles up like a volcano full of wrath and lashes out at everyone who is closest to him, but has fun with those he does not really do 'life' with? He is one incredibly smart, amazing child so full of energy that needs to be let out.<br />
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As I lay there and think long into the night, of the roof that may need repairs, the inside handyman work that needs to be done in the next 10 days, and other worries - I just do not know where to start. Yes I have made significant steps to start detoxing my home of all the "things" that have built up during the last 3 years of fighting cancer as a family unit, but think if I had not let it build up around me during that time I would have less stress now. Ugh - who's to know.<br />
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Researching for a child's career that is 5 years down the road and trying to get inside his head so you can help him understand it is not all about him or just what he likes to do , but needs to be something that will inspire others too, as well as be work he enjoys and pays the bills. This is heavy stuff to face each day. Wow God sure knew what he was doing when he created Man and Woman together to face life and all the difficulties of each day.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU19ZVN_PIFhfxOYj5ByrquviLflHtTX0fJnCGT6mjkjm_EzcWIn-PRBc-TbtWYaqjh5Pu2KXs6Hbsjtq6PSKU7LhO6G3Dyze0UTCBG4aYqFuZ1sZtJic62sYoXCcyBbc0aHSZK4hyVHq/s1600/092706+Daddy+&+B+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU19ZVN_PIFhfxOYj5ByrquviLflHtTX0fJnCGT6mjkjm_EzcWIn-PRBc-TbtWYaqjh5Pu2KXs6Hbsjtq6PSKU7LhO6G3Dyze0UTCBG4aYqFuZ1sZtJic62sYoXCcyBbc0aHSZK4hyVHq/s1600/092706+Daddy+&+B+085.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>I want my home to be full of laughter again like when my son and my husband were still here that first year of my baby boy's life. I do not want to be upset or Miss. Perfectionist, but just Mummy hugging and loving on these blessings God trusted me with. The Holy Spirit and grace are much needed gifts in our home hourly.<br />
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I want to sing from the mountain tops that He is Alive, yet bow before Him in humble worship, then in the next second want to lead others into His presence and sense the Lord's overwhelming , consuming love that He has for each one of us. Worshiping my Savior is what I love to do best and is an incredible stress release for me.<br />
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May I re-learn to breathe in the oxygen of the love of the Lord again in every area of my life and heart, may I learn to live with my whole heart and not just a part. May the Joy of the Lord be my strength , physically, mentally and spiritually.ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-47325232997148104472015-04-02T12:32:00.000-04:002015-04-02T12:32:28.981-04:00Life after Husband's Heavenly Appointment.Dear Friends and Readers of my blog,<br />
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I have been noticeably absent for some time. My precious husband went to be with Jesus in November. We journeyed through Thanksgiving, Christmas and the first few months of the New Year slowly. It has been a difficult, joyous, relief, anger, bitterness, confusion and much much more emotional roller-coasters too. Please excuse my English grammar here.<br />
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I will update our journey through the maze of grief more as days go by as well as how to continue homeschooling in the middle of and future of this family grief and chaos. Our lives are a permanent chaos BUT living and practicing Grace with each other and outsiders of our home is something we are learning to do daily.<br />
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Thanks for reading.<br />
<br />
Sincerely<br />
<br />
Julie<br />
<br />
ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-4990680565759356802014-10-28T07:52:00.001-04:002014-10-28T07:54:29.762-04:00Family Crisis againFor those who are wondering why I have not updated in forever on here it is due to the fact that my husband's cancer has got a lot worse. He is more than Stage 4 now and is on palliative pain medicine and care basically by a home care nurse.<br />
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He is waiting on a new drug which is ready to ship to us but my husband has jaundice really bad. He is having difficulties using the bathroom too and the plumbing is just not working right. We are still homeschooling a little bit each day through the situation.<br />
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Please go to this link if you want to stay abreast of the situation. Thanks.<br />
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<a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonknight/journal" target="_blank">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonknight</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Enjoy the fall<br />
JulieZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-12817608057161092582014-03-29T11:05:00.000-04:002014-03-29T11:05:12.007-04:00Can you Cope with Crisis?Today and this week I am struggling. Struggling with the inability to do all the things that I am supposed to do in my job, as a wife and Homeschool Mom. My heart is definitely floating outside my body today.<br />
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I do not get on my knees too often, (but choose to pray whilst being active), but it seems that I need to do this very often recently. Sometimes I end up taking a nap when in that position too. Don't laugh, or smile - yes you have probably done that once or twice too.<br />
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I am grasping with the how, why us again, why now, wait until my boys are grown up, can I handle this all now. That's right, it is not up to us to handle. Life is a journey sometimes short and sometimes long but mostly just right in length. When I think of beautiful places , usually they involve mountains, waterfalls, deserts, hills, lots of busyness of nature criss-crossing each other. Well I think life is like that for us too. <br />
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Crisis has been a part of my life for at least 7 years now. I mean major life happenings. Firstly the diagnosis with cancer in our son, then for 2 years fighting that with him, then grief for a very, very long time; and now cancer again. All the "what if's " hang in the air unspoken each day between my husband and I. Physically it is difficult to hold each other arm in arm as it is uncomfortable for him. Being able to comfort each other emotionally is hard too - as I'm sure you can imagine. <br />
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I ask God to heal and to do that miracle right before our eyes and then I think, well maybe it will take a while. Do I now have enough faith or belief? Yes I do. I know God can do this. He has done it before and He can do it again. God you are not moving fast enough, well, some days He just does not do that. Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit wrap me in Your arms and strengthen me. I am so thankful for the Word of God, it comforts , strengthens and lifts my spirit to rejoice. <br />
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"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,<br />
Praise Him all creatures here below,<br />
Praise Him above Ye Heavenly Hosts,<br />
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."<br />
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The doxology is always a comfort to me and a reminder of so much we need to be thankful for. Share with me in the comments how you cope with continuous crisis?<br />
JulieZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-68836151703935590252014-03-15T20:30:00.000-04:002014-03-15T20:33:08.403-04:00Treatment options Changed AgainMy husbands scans did not come back free and clear, and obviously we knew that would happen too. His tumor is the size of a baseball or softball now. There is however no spread of cancer anywhere else in the body. <br />
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Here is an update however on our Caringbridge site for those who are really interested and have not already seen this update through Facebook.<br />
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<a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonknight/journal" target="_blank">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendonknight/journal</a><br />
<br />
I am reading Mrs Ann Voskamp's blog daily as there is so much in there to keep me turning to my Bible and reading what God's way is. The Bible not the blog are keeping me hanging onto Jesus. (<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank">http://www.aholyexperience.com/</a> )<br />
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I do believe in healing and that God's word works. He has healed before and He can do it again.<br />
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Believe with us for the Lord's mighty hand to reach into Walt's body and heal thoroughly whether it be slow or instantly. Thank you for loving us from afar dear friends. <br />
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Be blessed and worship in the Lord's house on Sunday if you can.<br />
<br />
Julie<br />
<br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-36819145309649398412014-02-26T15:57:00.000-05:002014-02-26T16:16:00.805-05:00Hello again friends<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today is a new day. I am thankful each day is new with new mercies and God’s Grace is New every morning and not just once a week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This year we have been studying the Olympics since mid-January. This has opened my eyes to many situations that athletes have to overcome to become an Olympian. Instead of just being an athlete they also have a family and a life outside of their sport. They face long and sometimes grueling practice schedules, falls, injuries, and probably sometimes the temptations to give up. I am amazed at how much we have learned through Amanda Bennett’s Unit Study (<a href="http://unitstudy.com/Olympics2014.html">http://unitstudy.com/Olympics2014.html</a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">) for the Sochi 2014 Olympics, as well as using printables from the internet and the <a href="http://www.sochi2014.com/en/olympic">http://www.sochi2014.com/en/olympic</a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> website. Knowledge Box (<a href="http://www.currclick.com/product/89369/2014-Winter-Olympics-Lapbook">http://www.currclick.com/product/89369/2014-Winter-Olympics-Lapbook</a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">) gave us some wonderful information in a condensed format so we have a combination study of Unit Study and lapbook all-in-one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many days I am tempted in some ways to not want to Homeschool, but when I get to the end of a study or week and review in conversation with the boys what they have really learned I am glad we have the freedom to homeschool and right now, can decide what/how to learn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our family has not had it easy since 2000. We have experienced many losses. It makes me open up my Bible and read through the Old Testament where many men and women lost precious children, spouses, parents at varying stages of their lives. Some reacted and some responded to that loss. I want to choose to respond and not react. I want the Holy Spirit to be so much a part of my every action, especially those when it involves interaction with the boys and family. That is definitely not so right now, so I will continue working on that point. I will try not to strive but to just change one moment at a time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Lord has been working on our family relationships with one another and maintaining an atmosphere of peace. Well in a home with boys who are bouncing off the walls, as well as the basketballs and footballs bouncing, that is a hard task. God certainly created the family unit to prune our characters and I suppose that is going to bring out the best and worst in our individual characters. Yes I do know this already. Wow Cain and Able sure battled against each other it seemed and that did not end well. Jacob and Esau are a good example of this rivalry too. Character work is one of the toughest issues I have dealt with in my own and my son’s lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Today we ended our study of the Olympics by listening to one of the Lamplighter’s audios called “Charlie’s Choice.”</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Charlie made numerous choices in his life that affected the direction of where his life would go and eventually end up. His most important choice came after studying the Bible and deciding to let God and Jesus, be the Captain of his life. This made me re-think my decision about who is directing my life.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There seems to be only one way to me. My question today after all my ramblings is this…some text taken from “Charlie’s Choice.” (</span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">http://store.lamplighter.net/da---charlies-choice---dramatic-audio-cd-p67.aspx )</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A true hero has the strength to listen to what his Captain commands” said Charlie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Is your Captain your Heavenly Father, your God – your calling?” (Me)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The book shop owner said, “When God blesses there is no sorrow attached. Focus on what you do have, not on what you don’t have. The most important journey in life is not about what you can get but about what you become.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “The goals you set for tomorrow shape who you are today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My calling as a wife and mother is to serve Him, the Captain of my life. To love my husband and my boys with everything I can and to train the boys the best I can with God’s help. Thanks for listening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-35423918400279021122013-12-25T19:03:00.000-05:002013-12-25T19:03:10.846-05:00Merry Christmas <div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“If
It Had Not Been for Christ</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If this was the title on a Christmas card sent to you
today would it make you think a little more about why we celebrate today,
Christmas Day. I certainly think it shall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where would the stockings hung by the fire be?; The
Christmas bells would not ring, the holly and the mistletoe would be hidden,
and possibly gifts not given in such generosity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There would be no churches, no rules or very few to read
about. People would have no hope when death touches their life. There would be
no chance of ever seeing that person again. The Bible would end at Malachi. Joy
would probably be at the expense of others too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But there came a day on earth when things changed and
Israel’s hope could be seen and heaven came down to tell us about it too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">O Come All Ye Faithful, joyful and triumphant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Come and Behold Him, born the King of Angels, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let us be glad and rejoice for the Hope, Love and Joy
that Christ brought to our earth. He came bringing good news. To me having that
Saviour of the whole wide world living in my heart is so amazing. He loves me
and He loves you and wants you to know Him too. Talk to Him, ask Him to come
live inside you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Be thankful you can celebrate Jesus birth where so many
are unable to do this. Bless others with
extra that you have the whole year through.
Remember:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Far as the curse is found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He took the curse for you and He asks you to believe……<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Merry Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-28046487852668520542013-10-23T10:08:00.002-04:002013-10-23T10:11:04.476-04:00Angel Day 5 years on.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dear Brendon,</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wow. I never thought we would get to this day and be okay. God has been with us <b>B</b>, and in us too and helped us to live without you. Some days are so long and so tiring without you. Others we look at your photographs and pictures and smile with joy and the privilege of knowing you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How is life with the Lord? Are you enjoying worshipping Him every day? I often wonder what that will be like <b>Brendon</b>. I am looking forward to the day you will show me around. We have many friends in heaven with you dear Bren and hope that you are enjoying their company. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daddy is keeping on keeping on. We are on this journey once again with cancer sitting on the doorstep of our lives. Daddy is working hard and fighting with all his might sweetie.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daniel misses you still so much and wonders often what life would be like sharing a room with you now. He is so smart and good with his hands. He is also great at taking care of Andy when needed. Today he just may snuggle up with some of your toys and stuffed animals.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Andy is a lot like you as he loves life and loves to talk. He also loves to read books, look at animals outside the back door and play with your toys too. We are so thankful for him in our lives.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mummy just plain misses you often. Yes I cry tears a lot of days, but there are smiles in the middle of those times too.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Love Mum</span><br />
_________________________________________________________________________________<br />
For others reading this blog - yes these are my thoughts today. I am so blessed to have been the mother of a little boy who had cancer. That cancer did not define him or our family. Brendon knew beyond a shadow of a doubt who his Savior and Lord was and he is with Him now.He would love for you to know Jesus as your Saviour too so that you can one day be in heaven with Brendon and the Lord.<br />
<br />
Grief is a journey and losing a child changes the direction of your life in so many ways, some so subtle you don't see until years later and are looking back. The loss of a child is a lifelong loss but it does not have to break you totally. To get up each day and continue living is hard but it can be done. I am not saying we are amazing people, as inside these 4 walls there are so many issues on a daily basis in our family. Some are related to grief, and others are everyday stuff.<br />
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If you know of a family who has recently suffered the loss of a child then I challenge you to be there for them, not just during the first few months, but for a few years and more. The marriage and family suffer so much when they lose a child/sibling or parent. Be there for someone. Listen. Send cards. Show them the tangible love of the Lord Jesus.<br />
<br />
Brendon loved life and he loved the Lord. Challenge yourself to do the same.<br />
<br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-19871093540387270082013-09-12T10:16:00.001-04:002013-09-12T10:16:44.035-04:00New Treatment PlanMy husband begins his new Clinical Trial today at the local hospital downtown. He will only have to go for infusions every 2 or 3 weeks depending on which drug he gets first. The trial is for 6 months. He is unable to continue on any supplements, oils or any herbal medicines.<br />
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Please lift our family up in prayer at this time. Thank you.<br />
<br />
This is short and sweet due to today being a learning day in our home.<br />
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Love you sweetheart. Praying for you too.</div>
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J</div>
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ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-8955636587034608682013-09-02T21:17:00.000-04:002013-09-02T21:17:57.918-04:00Treatment Changes, and Life Goes On<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dear sweet husband has had a rough summer once again. He was progressing nicely on his alternative medicine therapy and diet, which helped him lose 40 pounds and then whammo.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After some weeks his tumors decided to grow back. This has saddened our hearts somewhat but we have not stopped looking for answers. He is now signed up to do a Clinical trial through IU Health in Indiana. He got the last spot open for this particular trial and so we believe that was God's hand. We are sad to have to stop all the alternative medicines as we know they do work so well. I, as his executive chef now have to figure out ways of feeding him what those supplements were giving him, but in his food. This is proving harder than I though. He does not eat as much as he used to either.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He will be monitored carefully for changes in tumor size and/or health all the way through. We are praying the medicines work like they are supposed to and reduce the tumor size so he continue on the trial and continue to fight. He will be able to work through this process too and only has to have a few days off per month for the visits to the hospitals to receive the meds. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be staying in the USA instead of visiting family overseas for our vacation this year. We had planned a trip to the UK if possible but seems we will have to save that for when he is well. Believe with us for that healing that we so believe in.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for praying for our family too when you remember. Pray for peace for our boys too please as this disruptive summer has caused them to be worried and fearful too at times.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our God is an awesome God. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessings to you and yours tonight and this week.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Julie</span><br />
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ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-53187861234439667732013-07-17T10:33:00.002-04:002013-07-17T10:38:15.383-04:00Half Way MarkMy sweet husband is halfway through his treatment with IV Therapy. He is really, really tired but thankful for all the IV fluids that are keeping him floating in these hot temps as he endeavours to work in the heatwave after therapy each day.<br />
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Thank you for continued prayer. We believe that we need to be proactive with God's natural medicines and allow Him to work a healing in Walt's body through these. WE continue to try to enjoy the summer that took a very hot turn recently.<br />
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The boys and I are looking forward to attending VBS soon at a local church who have been very helpful to us in many difficult times of our lives.<br />
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Stay the course, keep on living for Christ - He lived and died for you!<br />
<br />
Juls<br />
<br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-42371623444494108192013-07-14T21:14:00.002-04:002013-07-14T21:15:03.099-04:00Cancer TherapyThank you for praying for our family over the past week. My husband has completed one week of therapy and is tired. That is not the only side effect but seems to be the one most prevalent.<br />
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He has had some stomach issues with new medicines to take at home and his appetite seems to be okay. He does not eat very much in the hot summer days anyway so maybe this is good for him too. Please pray for him to not be too concerned but to be at peace. There is some swelling going on in the scar issue from his surgery where the melanoma nodules were removed from. We await for an MRI to see about that and exactly what is going on under the skin.<br />
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I am basically very busy and trying to keep it altogether. Ha like you can do that as a Homeschooling Mom with 2 rambunctious boys. Pray for peace in the walls of our home which is my husband's sanctuary after a day at work and having IV Therapy.<br />
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Thanks<br />
Julie<br />
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<br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-16980967529026907282013-07-08T21:22:00.001-04:002013-07-08T21:22:29.784-04:00Praying for my Husband
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted to just update everyone on what is happening in
Walt’s life and body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Walt is undergoing 15 days (on weekdays) of IV Therapy at
his Doctor’s offices during this month. On the weekends he will be taking extra
supplements along with all the others he already swallows, and this will enable
the activity begun through the IV’s to continue. He is taking Salicinium/Orasal
which is a medicine that targets fermenting cells.(usually cancer cells).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also deprives the cancer cells of the
sugars they so desperately want to grow and spread. Here is a link for anyone who
wants to read more about it. The non-cancerous cells also adapt to using
ketones for energy on Walt’s Ketogenic diet. Cancer cells are unable to use fat
to make energy for themselves to grow, only sugars and carbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His diet is very, very high in fat and
extremely low in carbs and no sugars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">(</span><a href="http://www.naturodoc.com/orasal.htm"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.naturodoc.com/orasal.htm</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">People with cancer should not be eating sugars or
carbohydrates if they want to get better (IMO). I am learning more and more
about this through this journey with Walt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please pray for him to succeed with working and doing this therapy
in the mornings before going out into the heat to deliver mail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some side effects can be lethargy and
tiredness, which he already experiences just being on a continual
detoxification diet. It takes the body a long time sometimes to get sick and so
it may be a while before we see positive changes on a scan for example. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pray for our family to adapt to him being so very tired, and
for the boys to be more considerate, for Walt to be able to continue to eat and
still have energy to have fun with us. Pray for me to be patient in the middle
of a continually changing situation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
most of you know we have been down this road before. We are challenged once
again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for the medicine or muti
(African word) to work and boost his immune system whilst it is cleaning up the
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe for blood tests to
give us good results next time we have them done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you for praying for us. He is Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah
Rapha, Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for us to walk in His peace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Julie, Walt and the boys Daniel, Andrew and ‘Angel Brendon.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-85098781113012036352013-07-02T08:37:00.000-04:002013-07-02T08:37:02.744-04:00Happy "10th" Birthday in heaven Brendon Richard Knight.Dearest Brendon,<br />
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We miss you. We love you. We are so glad God chose to place you in our family for 5 years and a few months.<br />
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Happy Birthday to you sweetheart.<br />
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lots of love Mommy, Daddy,<br />
Daniel and Andrew.<br />
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<br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-29559068826386342382013-06-07T21:38:00.000-04:002013-06-07T21:38:41.335-04:00Summer Days are Here AgainHow did summer get here so fast, and we are almost mid-way through June. I have not had much time to relish these warm days. I continue to spring clean this little abode we have, trying to rid us of books we no longer use, or read, and toys that have been outgrown. Of course some of these are precious and have been used by 3 different boys and some belong to our Angel boy so we have a tendency to hold on to them longer.<br />
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How are we doing? Well that is hard to say. As I listen to Ann Voskamp's blog music play in the background I would say we are okay. We are surviving in the middle of the storm. We do not know how my husband's cancer is slowing down or growing as it will be a few months before we can test again. Blood tests for markers were done today but it will be a few weeks before we have results. Our family life is continually adjusted or disrupted due to new eating routines and diets being changed almost on a daily basis here. I have to monitor how many carbs, fats and proteins he inputs in to his body and how much liquid goes down each day. To take supplements without being able to swallow them is a feat in itself. We may have found the answers in a protein shake which has low carbs. Praying this works on a continual basis and the patient does not become bored with it.<br />
<br />
We celebrated 6 years of life with our youngest son who is so full of energy it is hard to keep pace with him. He has a smile and giggle that will melt your heart. It is hard to imagine that the days he came in to this world were so filled with turmoil. Car accidents, stem cell transplants and giving birth don't all go together but the Knights seem to do things like this.<br />
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We are trying to stay away from a summer full of unnecessary activities to remain focused on being a family without the constant pressure of school every day too. Visits to friends and celebrating friendship with other families is perhaps something on our agenda. My hubby will be doing some treatments towards the end of the summer and we are praying the Lord uses these medicines and others he is currently taking to continue to heal his body.<br />
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As a mom and wife I am struggling internally with many things. Each day is a gift I know that I should not take for granted but some days I can barely focus on me for all the 'stuff;' and things that need to be accomplished. Spending time in prayer at the feet of my Saviour should be first but often is not, and often comes in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. My Bible seems to call me so much and then I am called away and it never gets completed. I need you Jesus to come to my rescue, and to satisfy my soul and spirit more than anything else. We in this world of crazies need Him to be Lord of all. Pray for me to focus on His will for our family, and to welcome interruption or crisis and not to wiggle and squirm when life is hard. Pray for my husband to want to eat exactly right so that he can remain cancer free. Thank you.<br />
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I am so longing for more of Him each day. I'm thanking Him He has provided a way for us to pay our bills, and to survive for right now. All glory, blessing and honor and power and praise be unto Him. He is Creator, King of Kings, Lord of Lords and our Saviour. He is....<br />
<br />
Life is not fair but our God is good. Goodnight.<br />
<br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-2646885029573275892013-05-04T20:01:00.000-04:002013-05-04T20:01:40.700-04:00Sweet Birthday wishes!Happy 6th Birthday precious child! Dearest Andy so sweet and so tenderly born into the world after a hit and run accident the day before! Here he is then:<br />
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Tomorrow/Today 5th May, on Cinco De Mayo he turns 6 already. He is a healthy and strong boy and we are so thankful and grateful for that. He talks non-stop from the time he wakes to the time he falls asleep. Thank you Lord for reminding me each day through him to enjoy each day for itself. He truly is a blessing and has been a healing balm in our lives on many days. Here is today's pic:<br />
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Hug your young boys, little ones, and big boys if you can, and your girls too if you have them! </div>
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Have a blessed weekend.</div>
ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-88221752570419245422013-04-22T22:14:00.002-04:002013-04-23T21:31:01.488-04:00Contemplating Cancer Treatment - Why is it There?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #cc0000; line-height: 19.5px;">Husband , Best Friend, Daddy, Son and Brother. </span></span></div>
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</span></span> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cancer. Recurrence. Metastasis This can be a scary time for a man, a family, especially one with small children already scarred by this disease. We took time out today to go over numerous tests with W's integrative health physician, and still more to peruse later this week. God has a plan for this family whether it be for many years ahead or a shorter space of time. We do not know how long he has for each of our lives but He knows. He assures us we are in the palm of His hand.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Yes He sends His angels to watch over us, the Holy Spirit to guide us. We need to be still long enough to listen and to wait for that direction. Brendon saw angels in our home so we know they are still around. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">We have so much information to learn in a short space of time so we are asking Him for wisdom and direction. To change our ways of eating is so hard for most people in this country. To start off right from birth would be so much better for everyone. To encourage others to eat better is good too but not to force them. I have never had issues with eating healthy as in a Third World Nation where I grew up, it was easy. I did not have too many choices for boxed and canned 'delicacies' - if you could call them that. Those were our 'treat' foods. Thank you Lord for that teaching my parents instilled in me to eat that way. </span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Choose wisely what you eat yourself and for your children as much as you can. <br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Pray for my husband and children that they will be willing to adapt to our new way of life whatever that may be and whatever change that may involve for the dynamics of our home. Thank you so very much. Pray for many years of family life and many places to witness of God's blessing in our lives. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">We will continue to update you when we know more. Pray for W to find some other kind of work in the Postal Service he can do to keep him occupied. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">Thank you and thank you</span></span></span>ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-24646124818204840922013-03-08T20:35:00.001-05:002013-03-08T20:44:31.490-05:00Walking Wounded.Are you one of the walking wounded? I am. I have been, and some days I still think I am. There are many times I think about my decision to move to the United States. It was a hard thing to give up so many family and friends. I missed out on many happy and sad occasions to leave and make a new life for myself. I know the Lord wanted me to be here as He was confirming so many different things a whole year before I moved.<br />
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However there are numerous times I look around me at my family here and at times do not understand why this particular family has to be so affected by disease and illness. I think some days it is a choice, and others it is just genetics. I had chosen to move here and be a part of this family so in essences I choose to live with all of this. Yes I am pouring my heart out a little.<br />
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Yesterday my dear husband of 15 1/2 years had surgery to remove more melanoma cancer cells. The unknown sits behind us and in front of us. We know in some way what lies ahead. We are trusting God to guide and guard us in the years ahead. We believe He is the "Jehovah Rapha" - the God who heals and the "Jehovah Jireh" - the God who provides. There are so many options open to us and people think we are crazy if he does nothing. Change is a way of life and there has been a lot of that going on the last year. It is always hard to try to change someone else unless they realize themselves this is for their own benefit.<br />
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I know that the Lord has used my life in the USA for myself and others. Of course we will only see the clear picture at the end of our lives when we look back and see the quilt or tapestry He has painted of our lives and where the suffering has made the colours brighter and others blended in. In my life I walk with a limp but know I hold on to Jesus more because of that.<br />
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See my heart is really out there today. God is good, and He is still on the throne. He is still my Lord and Saviour. Some days I just wish things were more defined. Ann Voskamp talks about in her two latest blog posts the scars of our lives. I have linked these posts to this post of mine. I love the way she writes and she expresses so much of what my heart feels. Have a read and make sure you have a tissue too.<br />
Love always in Him<br />
Juls<br />
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<b>" I know He stands before me, I know He stands behind.</b><br />
<b>The God of Angel Armies is always by my side.</b> " (I declare no matter what)<br />
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Links to Ann Voskamp's posts here below:<br />
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<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/03/letters-to-the-wounded-1/">http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/03/letters-to-the-wounded-1/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/03/letters-to-the-wounded-2/">http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/03/letters-to-the-wounded-2/</a><br />
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Goodnight again! ;)<br />
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<br />ZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215339531794946287.post-42748350831778676252013-02-13T16:41:00.001-05:002013-02-13T16:41:41.802-05:00January Journey of Life.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On a cold dark wintry night - here is the promise I found waiting for me on the way out to a basketball practice. This is one of the things in which the Lord reminds me over and over of how BIG and AMAZING and how precious and colourful His love for me is. <br />
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January has brought some interesting out and about activities. We began with visiting the Model Train Expo and staying as long as we could. We saw all kinds of tracks and train sizes and including in that was an amazing Lego display with model trains on it too. See below:<br />
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This is a bullet train I think. The mountains behind are all built out of lego too. Last one of the Lego day I promise! Thomas the Tank Engine is sneaking into this one! Incredible patience to build this scene every year!<br />
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Our "Heart of Dakota" homeschooling days are somewhat crazy every day. Getting a pre-teen out of bed is such hard work, whilst the Kindergartener is ready by 8 am all the time. Chores, breakfast and no playtime before school are a hard and fast rule in our home but seem to be broken constantly. Anyone else have this issue or just me? Schedules are kept loosely in our home due to interruptions currently from Doctor's phone calls and Granny Skype 'dates'. I'm so blessed to have Skype and to 'see' my Mum on a regular basis and have our boys read stories to her and get to know her even though they only see her in person every 3 years.<br />
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Our Heart of Dakota Kindergarten Bible lesson a few weeks ago was to build a replica of the paralyzed man being put down through the roof to be healed by the Lord - Here is a peak of how excited our boys were to re-enact this! Oh for just plain old boxes, string and a recycled shoebox! (which served as a fantastic motorcar just a few hours later. <br />
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D's final feat for January was a 4D puzzle of London. It involved 2 puzzles one on top of the other, a flat one and then the 4D on top. The puzzle underneath was London in the 1800's before the Fire of London and the one on top is built with buildings and includes the Olympic stadium on far right and one building (not sure what) to be completed this year in London. I would not have the patience to do this stuff. It took 3 weeks and monopolized my living room for that period of time. Ok it looks crazy as I took the picture upside down! Maybe you can find the London Bridge ! :)<br />
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This week we study Chocolate through a Lapbook from In the Hands of a Child. We are learning where cacao is grown and how it has been used since 4000 years ago, to today's world and uses of it. I guess the Lord may/may not have got to taste this wonderful luxury drink! This study is for Pre-K through 2nd grade but fun for older ones to try out and they have a seperate study for older grades on their website. Here is the link for the one we are working on: <a href="http://www.handsofachild.com/sweet-chocolate-curriculum.html">http://www.handsofachild.com/sweet-chocolate-curriculum.html</a>. <br />
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Sure makes you hungry after a day studying all about Chocolate. <br />
Thats it for now folks - have a good rest of your week. <br />
JulsZimboUSA Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13018987977647988910noreply@blogger.com1