Happy Halloween!

Praise You in This Storm

"Praise You in This Storm"
Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Sundee Photos

That's Jeff showing off his leaping skills.
He and Andrew created it as a competitive event
that takes place a couple times a week during dish duty.
He remains the household champion.

Twenty weeks of pregnancy didn't stop Meridith from
trying to beat her brother's record.
She didn't beat him, but her excellent form
did not go unnoticed by the judges.
(Grandchild #15 is on board...shhh, it's a...)

Meridith's competitive daughter, Lexi.

Umm...yeaah. I don't think my feet even left the floor.
But I laughed awfully hard.

Three guesses for who was trying to feed my infant pizza.
(It rhymes with Neridith.)

Probably the only time that a 29 year old mother,
an 18 year old high school senior, and an 11 year old boy
will ever all be making the same birthday wish...

Laughter

One of the things that impressed me first about the Jackson family was their ability to laugh. At each other. At themselves. At life. They are fun people to be around. You never have to worry about what to talk about. There is no social anxiety. They are relaxed and they make you feel relaxed. In my life I have observed few, if any, other families with this unique ability.

At first glance, one could speculate that the only reason they could possibly be this light-hearted is because their lives were easy, that they have never known true sorrow, loss, or disappointment. But after knowing them for 15 1/2 years, I know this has not been the case.

Not including the devastating news of this weekend, they have known heartache, though never to this degree, but heartache nonetheless. They have known brokenness. They have known suffering. They have known hardship. They have known disappointment. Life has not always been ideal. Yet they have remained not bitter, and still able to laugh. And most importantly, they have demonstrated again and again how they will not allow family difficulties to destroy their family spirit.

Friday and Saturday were among the darkest days of my life, and I am just a lowly in-law. I can only imagine the grief that they were feeling. Together we cried more tears than I have seen in all the years I have been a Jackson. Several boxes of tissues were emptied. Shoulders were soaked. At times there was wailing. At times there was silence. At times there was quiet thanksgiving and reflection upon a good, blessing-filled life and what the future might hold. And the tears would fall once again.

But then Sunday came and the family came together with a purpose in true Jackson form. We had some birthdays that needed celebrating and there were to be no tears allowed!

All 24 of us gathered at our house and did what we do best, and not a single tear was shed.

I am proud to be a Jackson.

(Blogger is giving me fits as I try to post some photos of the day. Maybe later.)

Absolutely Bad

I don't have the emotional or physical energy to write out the whole story but....

The alternative treatment in Mexico didn't work.

The cancer not only has not shrunk, but also has grown and invaded new areas, including bones and lymph nodes.

Sharon, who is my mother-in-law as you may recall, has been given months to live.

Yes, I know only God gives and takes away life.

And yes, I know what unlimited faith in an unlimited God brings.

But right now that is not looking like healing.

Please pray for our family. Or at least think of us, if you will.

After explaining a very simplified version of the situation with Kathryn, she said with furrowed brow, "Oh, that is absolutely bad!"

It is, Kathryn. It is.

Things

Things I will miss about having small children at home someday:

• Hearing Andrew pray nightly, “Help our family to make the right choices and become more like You every day.

• Having Julia think I have the coolest “outfits” ever.

• Being able to right all that is wrong in Kathryn’s world with the promise of watching Franklin On-Demand.

• The feeling of David’s soft little hands grasping affectionately at the short hair on the back of my head as if he just can’t get a tight enough hold on me.

Unusual Array

Dear Diary,

Today my mother told me I have an unusual array of skills.

I am thinking this might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.

I love me some words of affirmation, even when they include the word "unusual".

TTFN,
Janelle

Almost Famous

Jeff's bottom was on the 5 o'clock news tonight. I am so proud!

Twas not the main feature of the story, but present nevertheless. The whole family gathered around the television set gleefully anticipating the moment Daddy might appear. Finally at the end of the 5 o'clock segment, we saw the outside of his workplace and the company logo and then the face of his boss. Then into the inside of the building, we could see some of his co-workers, and then there was Daddy. No face, just a bottom. I was hoping to have a link to the video clip of his twenty seconds of fame, but so far the website only has the text of the segment.

I am proud, but mostly thankful, for his job and that his employer could be featured as a thriving business owner in the economic climate that is called Michigan, at a time when the words "thriving" and "Michigan" are seldom spoken or written in the same sentence.

I guess the word "thriving" wasn't actually used, but that was the impression anyway.

Hooray for the machining industry in Michigan!

My Other Baby

This week he started riding in the shopping cart without his carseat, holding his own bottle, and wearing Size 3 diapers. Next he'll be tying his own shoes, buckling his own seatbelt, and riding a bike. If I didn't already have ten-D-twelve kids, and not enough sanity and money and time to go around, I'd almost want to have just one more. If only they could stay this small and containable. And quiet. Forever.

Emerging Artist

Andrew was recently asked to be part of an Emerging Artist exhibit at the local art gallery. It was quite an honor as he was one of 5 chosen from his grade level. They got to meet with a photographer, Monte Nagler, for a presentation called Through the Lens and instructions on how to take interesting pictures. They then each received a disposable camera to take home for the weekend to take pictures. On Monday they turned the camera in and the photographer chose his favorite of each of their pictures. The photos were printed and hung on display in the gallery where they will hang for the remainder of the month. Sunday the families were invited for a private viewing of the exhibit. Here was his masterpiece:

Andrew with Mr. Nagler

Today My Firstborn Baby Boy is 11!