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Seaside Escape

                                          Recently I attended a one day retreat at Church of the Rock.
                          The theme was to be a seaside escape.  The church hall was decorated beautifully!

We sang some beautiful songs and had the opportunity to

worship and pray with the soothing sound of the surf in the background.

                     It was a pleasure to have breakfast and lunch served at such pretty tables!

We used the sand on the tables for one of our games.  We had to pour out the sand slowly from our hand and try to time it so that it was all gone within 30 seconds.  It was a lesson in learning how to live within God's timing.  Sometimes I really want something now!!  For example, for the last three years, I have hoped to move from Enosburg to St Albans.   Our house never sold in all that time!  I could take matters into my own hands and try to force the issue.  I could try to rent it out and move anyway.  But I believe that God has a plan for our lives.  He wants us here in Enosburg for the time being.  In His good time, when things are right and according to His plan, I am sure we will have no trouble selling our house.  But for now, this is where we are and where we will stay and I am at peace with that.  This is one lesson, I think I knew before the retreat but it was confirmation of it for me.

                                                     Sharon, enjoying the lounge chair!

Roxanne led the singing, worship portion of the retreat.

She is a true blessing to the Church of the Rock! 

                                           My sisters in Christ singing and praising the Lord together!

We were seated at tables in groups of 3 and 4 and I believe that God placed us exactly who we needed to be sitting with that day.  Who we could help and minister to and who would help and minister to us.

Did you know that if the starfish loses one of its arms, it is able to grow it back again? 

(as long as it stays in the ocean)   The lesson here for us was that even though we go through trials and very painful times, we are not completely broken!   We are still able to heal as long as we give it all to God and trust in HIM!  He makes all things new!

A lot went on at this retreat.  Hanging out with friends, singing, playing silly games, eating yummy food and making new friends.  Many things I won't remember, but there were a few specific things that God had in place for me to learn on this day and I won't soon forget them.  

The first thing that happened was that I had the time to quietly pray for about 15 minutes.  I was specifically praying for my hunny Paul.  He had been quite sick for the last month with some kind of virus that was kicking his butt.  He was so down and out.  I was picturing Jesus pouring oil on his head and healing him.  Praying hard for him to feel better.  Just as we finished praying, I received a text from Paul saying that he was doing a lot better and was working in the garage.   He sent me a video of the skidoo starting up!  By the sound of his voice in the video, I knew that he sounded more like his old self.  I knew then that God was going to heal him.

The other thing I will never forget about this retreat is this little story.

I ran into a woman at this retreat, whom I had been angry at for a very long time.  It was a grudge that I had held but had turned over to God.  I had prayed for about 3 years for God to help me to forgive her.  I never saw her very often but every once in a while, the memory of the hurt would crop up.   Well, doesn't she end up here at my church!!  I did the only thing I could.  At lunch break, I went over to her table and told her I was sorry.  She said it was all forgotten and I told her that no it wasn't.  That I had held a grudge for a very long time and I was sorry.  Isn't God good?  To gently bring this person to me in a safe place and allow me to  ask forgiveness and truly know that it was all healed!  Isn't He so very loving and gentle when he disciplines us His daughters?   I will never forget this lesson.  I was able to let all this go finally!  God forgives us and forgets our sins immediately.  

Shortly after lunch and this apology,we had to form new groups within the retreat.  You guessed it~I ended up in a group of three with this woman!  We got to talk and get to know each other and share what God was doing in our lives.  Look how God heals and makes new, things that are broken!  

There were many lessons at this retreat but these are the things I will remember the most.  How God placed me in the right place to learn a lesson from His very gentle spirit!

God is good.  I am glad he is teaching me so sweetly!

"Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalm 46:10

www.burlingtonfloorcoveringsinternational.com

     Hi,  I wanted to give a plug to a new company that has been doing the flooring at our home.

BEFORE

 Run by Kyle Santor.   They came out to our house, gave an estimate and offered financing.  Although we did choose to do our own financing, the opportunity was there.  They have been amazing! 

Tyler is prepping upstairs floors here!

Supportive, timely and extremely hard workers. 

 We did alot of prep work and tried to get alot of the carpets out beforehand.   But that was our choice.  They would provide this service if we wanted them too.

  When they got here, they headed right to work despite my trying to stop them to eat a slice of coffee cake!  This is Gerry prepping floor in hallway!

Kayne Santor is

moving so fast, the pictures are blurry!

They removed the remainder of the carpeting swiftly.  They moved a 2 ton bureau (exaggeration~but I can't move that thing unless I take all of the drawers out first)out of my daughters room effortlessly!  Any other heavy items that I hadn't got to yet were magically moved out of the way.  All dooors were taken off the hinges to do the installation properly!! 
On the first day they put all the padding down in the rooms and the stairway.  They left two rooms undone.  ( We put our furniture in those rooms!)

I made T stop and smile for the camera!

Don't worry I'll get to the after pictures soon!

I guess the important things to take care of when you are undertaking a big job like this are as follows:

1.   Make sure that you give yourself enough time to prepare yourself and your home.
2.   Put away all your knickknacks, books, breakables in boxes.  Try to do any painting, wallpapering, home improvement stuff before they arrive.  That way you won't be spilling paint on the new carpeting or flooring!  (like I am apt to do!) 
3.  Make a plan for where your furniture will go.  (Have lots of strong helpers around)
4.  Don't sweat the mess for a little while.  (It will all be worth it in the end.)
5.  Call Kyle Santor At Floor Coverings International at 802-655-9663! 

Now I must add, that these guys took only 3 days to recarpet and vinyl 5 rooms, 3 hallways and a set of stairs!   At the end of each working day, they cleaned up all debris and put things back where they belonged.  They even reset up a bed for my kids.  They were amazingly helpful!!  They were respectful and went above and beyond!! 

AFTER

Downstairs Hall

Audrey' Room

Kayne installing the vinyl!

This will be our new laundry room!

The stairs look awesome!

The master bedroom!

A short and sweet blog to cover an amazing bunch of guys who worked really hard to make things look nice for our home!  Thanks burlingtonfloorcoveringsinternational.com!!!
Sincerely, Janet and Paul Wells!

Happy Birthday Nolan ~ 21 Wow!

     My first born son turned 21 on December 29th!   He was due on Christmas day in the year 1990.  I remember thinking how special that my first baby could possibly be due on such a day.  I remember my excitement at becoming a Mom.  I remember going to midnight mass on December 24th and being so hopeful that I would hold my firstborn on Christmas day!  However, Christmas day came and went and no baby.  I eagerly and nervously waited for the first pains but they didn't come.  At that time, I didn't know what I was having.  I love surprises and waiting to see if it was a boy or a girl was a surprise worth waiting for.  I did have names picked out.  If it was a boy, it was definitely going to be Nolan Michael Parker.  If it was a girl, I had numerous names picked out.
     Finally, on December 28th; at 10pm, my water broke.  We drove to the hospital and were so excited.  The pains did not start until I was admitted and snugly tucked into bed!  He always had good timing.  He still does.  He was born in the morning at 8:28.  I guess it was the best Christmas and New Years gift that I ever got!!

There he is.  My Nolan.  My first born son.  I miss those days when he was little.  He was always wise beyond his time.  He was starting to say words when he was about 8 months old.  He was a chunky baby.  Really couldn't sit up without support til he was about 10 months old cuz he was so fat.  I remember being at the playground with him when he was about 18 months and crying because a little kid called him fat.  I laugh now. 

     He scared me when he wrapped a backpack around his arms when he was about 4 and fell flat on his face in the driveway.  His tooth was knocked loose and I was afraid he would lose it.  Then he scared me again when he stuck a q-tip in his ear to clean it and fell against the vanity in the bathroom.  Ouch, his ear was bleeding and I was afraid he damaged his eardrum.  Then he had appendicitis when he was 16 and proceeded to get sicker and sicker.  He had an abcess in his belly and lost 21 pounds!!  I was never so scared in my life as then.  But look at him now.  Healthy and strong.  God is good!!
Then he joined the Air National Guard at the age of 17!  We had to sign for him being so young.  I was scared then too.   Being a mom to him had so many scary times and so much more joy.  Wish I could go back sometimes. 
     I am so glad for all the time I spent reading to him.  My fondest memories:  reading Berenstain Bears, The Boy with the Drum,  Mrs Doodlepunk, The Elves and the Shoemaker,  the Critter books, Morris the Moose, and a zillion others.  Over and over until he could finish the end of every sentence.  His memory was and still is amazing!  And he is so smart!  Well, I could go on~ so many memories but just wanted to celebrate his birthday with a blog!!  I am so proud of you son.  May God bless you and draw him closer to you.  He loves you so much, as does your whole family!!
Love Mom

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Worthy am I ( a prayer)

Worthy am I 

I am redeemed 

My heart is His

And His alone

I seek to satisfy

Through many means

People, circumstances

Doing what Matters

But none suffice

I must look beyond self

Only at Him

Read His Word

Commit truth to mind and memory

Speak it out loud

I do matter

In His eyes

I am complete already

When will this sink in?

When will I believe it

All the way

Deep down inside?

The work is done

Trust that

Know that

Live that

This is all I ask

That this truth would flow out of me

And others may want the same

As I look at the gifts all around me and realize how truly blessed I am I finally realize, deep down inside just how much I am loved by my Father in Heaven.  May each of these children, Nolan, Jacob, Holly, Audrey  Faith,  Ebonie and Adam be blessed with a knowledge of this that will reach to many generations!

And may my husband and I continue to draw close to You Jesus and lead these children in your way!

Janet will you play with me?

     I spend most of my time, either working or seeing to the needs of my family.  Today was no different.  I got to sleep til 8:30 am.  Had breakfast with my husband and Faith and Noah.  Did a little housework, visited with my Mom when she dropped by.  Talked on the phone with my niece to catch up a little.  Then went for a little run/ walk by myself.  Grover, the dog wanted to join me but usually he drags me along cuz he goes so fast so I left him at home!  Yes, I felt a little guilty when he whined at the door but I gotta have some time to myself...

     When I got home I made lunch for the family and we spent time at the table, talking and laughing.  Just taking our time.  That's the nice thing about Saturdays.  No schedule, no rush.

     Then we all got ready to go to Franklin County Field Days.  We had a great time, eating ice cream, riding on the rides, seeing the animals.  It was hot, standing in those long lines waiting our turn on the Gravitron and the Himalaya!  But Paul and I were patient, letting the kids have their fun!

We got home and took out a bag of chex mix, and cooked up some hot dogs.  We sat on the deck enjoying the coolness of the evening.  The kids lined up the chex mix according to what kind  they liked best.  We shared some with Grover and had lots of good conversation.  Noah called his other Nana on the phone and had a good conversation with his brothers and sister.
     Then Faith and Noah took turns running around the house while I timed them with the second hand on my watch.   In my mind, this is a good quality day with plenty of quality time with the kids.  Being together and talking and playing together.  So it was really funny, when Noah finished his last lap around the house and said, "Janet, will you play with me?  I'm not sure but I think I already spent the day playing!  Didn't I?
I love you my precious family!!

God Answers Prayers in Unexpected Ways

     Recently I posted on Facebook that God answers prayers in unexpected ways.  A few of you commented that you wanted to know in what way.  I wrote that because I want to give glory to God and be a witness.  To get people to think.  To get people to consider God as the answer if they don't already do that.  Because for me He is the Answer and the Way and the One I count on so completely in my life.  It has been that way for most of my life and I feel fortunate that He has given me eyes to see Him and a spirit to sense Him.
     Anyway, as you know we have been taking care of our grandson for the last few months.  At the end of the school year, he was still going to school in Milton.  A 31 mile drive from little old Enosburg.  So everyday, Paul or I drove him to school and picked him up for about 6 weeks.  It was a busy time and a lot of miles.  But as you know, you do what you gotta do and he was able to finish out his kindergarden time at his own school.
     Months ago I had been praying about a certain bill that had to paid.  It was weighing on me heavily.  I wanted to be able to pay it off quickly but other things got in the way.  It was to the school, The Fold where I had sent Holly to school for a year.  It is a private Christian organization which helps trouble teens.  They did so much for my daughter and I will be forever grateful to them.  So it was important to me to pay this bill off more quickly.  I wrote the amount on a paper and sat before the Lord in prayer.  I said,  "Lord I cannot pay this bill off but You can, so in whatever way you could help me do this please pay this bill." 
      I left it at that.  3 months later, Paul and I get a check in the mail from the state for all the mileage we had put on driving Noah to school all those days.  It was almost the same amount as the bill that needed to be paid.  So that was my answer to prayer!  I am so grateful to God for providing that for us!  It certainly did not occur to me while I was bringing him to school all those days that it was an answer to prayer.  God is good!
   
   

Paul Wheels Wells

     My husband is a car guy.  He is a motor guy.  A fix it guy.  An I like anything with wheels kind of guy.  He is a do it yourself  guy.  And he is not a procrastinator.  He starts a project and he finishes it.  All in a timely manner.  Just one of the things I love about him.  I remember when I first met him.  He would do things for me.  I had a broken light fixture in my bathroom and so I had put a lamp up on shelf to use instead.  Not very convenient or safe.  He came along and fixed the wires to the fixture and tada! let there be light.  I think that is when I fell in love with him. 

     Or maybe it was when I came home from work one day and found that he had laid fresh gravel in my driveway.  The lines were perfectly straight and he had posted a sign which read, "Mama's Parking Only."  Just another one of many little things.  He always said to me I love you so much, or "SMUCH."  I came home to find a rock painted and laid by the door, with the words, So much painted on it.  It's the little things and there are always so many of them living with Paul.

     Another time I was going through a rough time and I was having a lot of anxiety attacks.  He showed up after work and told me to open the trunk of the car.  Inside he had loaded with antique fisher price toys which he had found at a yard sale.  Wow, I was so touched and distracted from my anxiety for a little while.

      Two years ago, I pulled into the driveway and he was standing beside something with a blanket over it.  He told me to close my eyes and then he revealed a bananna seat bike which he had completely restored and painted red, white and blue!  I love surprises and this guy is always surprising me!

     Prayers to you my hunny and may God bless you and heal you!!

Love me