thinking of 6th grade

Hello friends, I can't believe that it's almost time for our second year of homeschooling to begin. I am very excited and looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us. I learned so much this past school year and will put that knowledge to good use as we travel this road of home schooling again. Our books arrived in the mail this week and I have typed up a new daily schedule. We will start school on August the 9th or the 16th ( I have not decided yet). The curriculum for 6 grade looks interesting. I can remember my 6th grade teacher Mrs. Sherry Lindsay. She was awesome in and out of the classroom. I can still see her spinning the globe on one hand and pointing out land masses with the other. When we would go outside to play sports she didn't sit on the sidelines and watch, she played the game with us. The best memory of her though had to be when she brought her guitar to class and taught us a John Denver song. Our class sang it for all the parents during PTA. That was so much fun. I hope to make Olivia's 6th grade school year just as exciting. I haven't started planning lessons yet, but I will keep Mrs. Lindsay's enthusiasm and creativity in mind :)

Olivia's foot has healed up nicely from her sprain. She is back on her scooter and doing well; thanks for the prayers. As far as foster updates go we are now in the home stretch ( 4 weeks until we have our license ... if all goes well). After a trip to our storage building I was surprised to find how many of Olivia's clothes I had kept. I have been washing and sorting them today. My sweet friend Shelly called yesterday and is offering crib sheets, pull ups and other items from her son. I feel so blessed. I can't thank the Lord enough. I am so happy :)

Speaking of Happy ... I'd like to wish my friend from college Rosellen a Happy 40th Birthday on the 19th as well as my brother Joey :) Happy Birthday wishes also go out to my friend since birth Karen Snow Johnson whose birthday is this Friday. Happy Birthday to all of you :)

Many blessings ...

Foster update this week

All of our paper work is complete and in the hands of our DSS lady. She will send it to Columbia probably on Monday and then we'll have approximately 4 weeks to wait to get our license. One thing I've learned through this process is how to spell the word, license :) That's one of those words that I always had trouble with. I am not a great speller ( or communicator of language) I wish I were, but grammar and me never meshed. I am still learning though :) In the meantime I am still collecting items that we will need. Since many of you have asked what we need I am going to list the items below.

size 2T, 3T, 4T clothes, especially pajama's and socks
crib mattress cover
crib sheets
baby bottles
bibs
full size waterproof mattress cover
infant car seat
toddler car seat
over-night pull ups
diapers
no spill sippy cups

I have purchased these items brand new and will replenish often as the children will take them with them when they leave our home:

brush/comb sets
toothbrushes
diapers
wipes
bib
pacifier
shoes
underwear boy 4T, girls underwear 4T
socks for infant
books
toys


Thanks for your prayers and support. Together we can make a difference in the life of a hurting child.

God bless you.

Hello friends, here is an updated photo of the foster child room with a cleaned out and organized closet. Thanks goes out to Jody and Maria for giving us a great deal on the crib and changing table. All we had to do was walk across the street :) Donna your offer of a free crib was very sweet as well, but due to time and distance this was best. We think it all fits well together.

We had our home study last night with one of the sweetest Christian ladies ... love her already. She was such a joy to work with. She was open and honest and a definite bright light for Jesus. She prayed for us and had me and her in tears. It was a special evening. One thing I asked her was how much longer before we'll have our license and she said it could take up to a month to finish this process. I was disappointed at that answer, but I know it's all in God's timing. She said she would do her part to send in the report today, but then it will be in another person's hands before being sent to Columbia for the final write up and licensing. So we will continue to ready our heart and home.

I'd like to take this space to thank Lori and Jack Heckman for donating the high chair, stroller, bouncy seat, take along booster seat and many little boy clothes all for FREE. I want to thank Renee and Jack Biggers for donating a baby gate and safety bed rails also for FREE. Thank you to everyone who has contacted me to say you have things to donate ... we will get together on those items. I am so appreciative of your prayers. This is not going to be easy. Satan does not want these children coming into a Christian home where we will openly share about Jesus and his love to these children. This is a ministry and we are fighting an enemy. Pray for our family as we begin this journey. What a mission field ... these children will be coming from drug homes and abuse ... they not only need to hear of the Lord's love for them, but we will have an opportunity to be a light for their parents to see Jesus. We covet your prayers. Satan wants to seek and destroy and I truly believe he hits the children the hardest. Pray for these children, pray for your own children. Prayer works. Please pray for my Olivia who sprained her ankle this week. We took her for x-rays and the doctor said it could take 10 days or more to heal. Thanks.

While reading my Bible this morning I came across this verse that really touched my heart.
Psalm 20:4 "May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose."
For many years my hearts desire was to have more children; now by being obedient to God's call to foster He is giving me the desire of my heart :) God is God. He knows best and will work out everything for not only His will but for our good. He loves me. He loves you.

Go be a blessing ...

Getting closer :)

The closet I must tackle today!!
cute shoes I bought :)






I mailed our completed medical forms and pet vet records to DSS this morning. Not long after walking in from the mailbox I got a phone call from the lady who will do our home study. We now have that scheduled for next Thursday !!!! Once the home study is complete we will be on our way to fostering :) This is all great, BUT what that means for me is that I have to put the crib up and have the room completely ready by next Thursday. When you walk into the room it "looks" ready until you open the closet and see all of those computer cables and equipment. My job today will be to empty the closet. I still need to purchase a chest of drawers, those safety bed rails to go on each side of the full size bed that we have in the room ( for the older children). Wow!! I can't believe after all of these months (since April) this process is finally coming to fruition. Yay!! So many people have been so gracious to pray for us and to donate items. Our family feels truly blessed. Thanks for your prayers and support.


I suppose I need to get to work :) Have a blessed day.

Updates on foster care process

Yesterday Olivia and I went to the doctor. She had her yearly checkup and got her updated shots ( which consisted of one shot). She did great! I on the other hand had to get a TB test for part of my DSS requirement ( it was painful!!!). I also had my eyes examined. I go back to the doctor tomorrow to have the TB spot checked. Once I get the all clear then they'll give me the medical forms to turn in to DSS so we can complete this process. Chris also has to have his eyes checked and a TB test, but his schedule didn't allow him to come yesterday. We are making good progress though and I am thankful and getting excited. Olivia and I went to Hobby Lobby after our doctor visit ( we wanted to buy some prints to hang up in the foster child's room). I can't wait to get everything hung and ready ... then I'll post some pictures. Olivia is so excited. A friend donated a stroller, high chair, bouncy seat and boy clothes this weekend. Olivia has been pushing her dolls around in the stroller; she really hopes we get a baby to foster. We have signed up for birth to 4 so any age is possible; we won't know until we get the call. We received a letter from the fire inspector today that says we passed our fire inspection. This is a long process. I used to ask people why it took so long, but now I know. It's good though, because it gives us time to prepare not only our home, but our hearts. I am so proud of my family and how we are in this together. If your heart has a desire, don't give up ... pray. I have been praying for over 6 years that my family would come to this agreement and we are unified on this. Praise God for answering my cry ( my prayer). Even those who didn't understand WHY we wanted to do this now understand. When you are in God's will you don't have to worry He takes care of everything. What a great place to be!!!

Go be a blessing ... smile at the store clerk, tip a little extra, hold the door for someone, ask a friend if you can pray for them ... you can make a difference right where you are.

Updates ...

Where do I start? Olivia and I finished school and mailed in her grades yesterday!! She earned all A's just as she did at Spartanburg Christian Academy. I think she has gotten two B+'s before, but otherwise all A's. She is super smart and very creative. I tell her all the time that she is going to make a wonderful architect ( she builds the most unique structure's with tape and cardboard :)

Chris left Monday at 5:00 to go to the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida with a group of men from our church. We picked him up at the church at 7:15 last night (it's good to have him back home). While he was away Olivia and I painted the old office/new foster child room ... we picked a nice, calming green color. It looks great! Chris was so surprised to come home and see all of the hard work we had done. We have a bed set up in the room and will also add a crib. We are going to foster birth to age 4 so we have to be prepared for those ages. I went out to our storage building and brought up some of Olivia's baby clothes and toys ( her Barney doll still talks and play music). I posted on facebook some of the items we'll need like a high chair and stroller and a friend already donated those two items for free ( what a huge blessing). Others are donating items as well. We've started buying toothbrushes and hygiene items and I am collecting shoes (a fellow foster mom told me these kids usually don't come with shoes :( We had to buy all new mini blinds to pass our home inspection so we just took care of that. We passed our fire inspection this week !! Now to complete our medical records and have our home study. I know it will all come together. I realize I don't have to have everything now, but those of you who know me know that I like to be prepared. We feel like the Lord has called us to minister to these children and we feel so very blessed. Pray for us on this journey. It is not going to be easy. I cried when I gave my kittens to new homes. Our goal is to give these children a safe and loving home until their families can get back on their feet and in a position to care for them. When our mothers and a good friend of mine became widows we began then to learn how to care for the widow as the Bible says. Now we are taking the next step to care for the orphans. James 1:27

God be with you ...

Feeling blessed and thankful

It's good when your blessings are overflowing and the Lord gives you so much to do that you don't know which way to go :) That's how I feel lately. I have many plates spinning right now, good plates, but many. We had our DSS home inspection and passed !!! I am very happy to have that part of our process complete. We are almost finished with the paper work and will be sending that in soon ( we have to get our doctor report back to mail with it). We have our 14 hour training coming up and our fire inspection all this month. It looks like we could be licensed to foster/adopt by July. Things seem to be moving right along, however, it takes time. We almost have the "office" room empty ( it's hard to move file cabinets and years of paperwork quickly) but we are making progress. The walls are bare so I am going to putty the holes and give it a fresh coat of paint. I want the foster child(ren) to have an extra special room to come home to :) I am very excited; we all are. Olivia and I still have school to finish (we have about 5 days worth of work left). We also need to find homes for two of our kittens and our guinea pig. Since we have decided to bring a kitten inside Olivia agreed that our guinea pig, Cassie, needs a new home. I can't deal with two indoor pets. I want to focus my time on the foster children, not pets. God is so good and I know he will provide for these animals.

We are excited to be going back to teach in the 5 year old Sunday school starting this Sunday. I am going to meet our co-teachers tonight to work on our room and get everything ready. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful body of believers to fellowship with each week at church. I feel very blessed.

One thing that I have noticed lately is that my exercise time is lacking. Pray that I'll get back on track with that. I miss walking in the evenings, but I've had the kittens to care for and just haven't had much spare time. I did play a game of basketball with Chris and Olivia, but I need to keep walking. While you are praying I want you to pray for a female friend of mine who is having a mammogram today for a suspicious lump (pray it is not cancer). Thank you.

Have a great day and be a blessing to someone ...

We remember, we'll never forget

My dad and my father-in-law
Frank W. Neal III (June 28, 1941 -May 28, 2008)

Ray J. Boiter, Sr. (May 28, 1935 - Nov. 22, 2006)


Today is my dad's 75th birthday, as well as, the two year anniversary of the passing of Chris's dad from this life to Heaven. What a day it was two years ago to sit by Franks side and hold his hand as he took his last breath. I have to admit I whispered in his ear to tell my daddy "Happy Birthday" when he got to Heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus and sing and shout the VICTORY! Frank was a good father-in-law and an excellent grandpa. He is missed. Say a special prayer for Chris and Olivia and all of the Neal's as we remember Frank. Thank you.

Happy Birthday sweet daddy, oh how you are missed. Say a prayer for my mom and brothers as we reflex on my dad today too. Don't we serve an awesome God that His timing would allow these two events to fall on the same day? Sure, it would be my preference to have dad and Frank this side of heaven right now, but ... I don't get to make that call. Instead a perfect, all knowing, all loving, God decides. I trust Him and love Him and thank Him for this day.

Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Go be a blessing.

Fabulous Friday

Oh how I love Friday :) those of you who know me well know it's our family fun night!! We go out to eat, visit family or friends, find a park, hit the mall or Chuck E. Cheese ... something for family togetherness. Right at the moment I am covered in white specks of paint and need to shower before our fun begins. I have been painting our front porch and let me just say; it is a bear!!! We have these decorative spindles with curves, more curves and then a little straight strip (the easy part). Those curves require patience and diligence. Since I want the porch to look good up next to our new siding I am taking my time and doing the job right. I could go out there and throw on the paint, but that would only make a mess and would require more work to straighten it out. Kind of reminds me of my life. When I get in a hurry and don't take the time to read my Bible and just sit and listen to the Lord my whole day turns into a mess. I need that direction early so I will be able to with stand the "curves" thrown at me during the day. You know it's like Matthew 7: 24 - 25 says "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock."

When my day starts with the rock of my salvation, then no matter what happens it's going to be a good day ... mess free.

I guess I'll go clean up so our family fun can begin ... be a blessing where ever you are.

Busy days ...

Do you ever have those days/weeks where you have so much to do that you can't see straight? I am in the midst of one of those months. It's all good stuff, actually great stuff, but just time consuming. We have gotten the siding and windows taken care of and now I need to paint the front porch ( will start today). Remember though I am a home schooling mom so I have lessons to teach, tests to grade and grades to average and send in to our home school association. I also have 5 kittens to teach how to eat and play and get ready to give away. We are about to start teaching the 5 year olds at church again so I have Sunday school lessons / crafts to prepare. In the midst of all of that the Lord has laid on our hearts to be foster/adoptive parents ... now you know what my last post was all about. We have completed the first large packet of questions and are finishing up packet #2 (very in depth and time consuming questions). We have put up a fire extinguisher and got all new smoke alarms. We now have a fire escape route posted in our home :-) We have been fingerprinted and had a SLED check. Chris is giving up his hunting/ fishing / office room so we can make a bedroom for our future foster children. We plan to foster one child at a time due to the fact that we only have room for one other person in both our vehicles ( I don't have a mini van anymore :-( We are very excited, but lots to do in preparation. Cleaning out this office and moving fish and deer heads will be a job ( who knows which wall they will go on now??) I don't want to think about that :-) All I know is that it will be worth it to help a child in need. I am so thankful that the Lord has laid this on the heart of my entire family. Olivia is so excited and looking forward to having a baby or little one in our home. We are applying to help children birth to 4 years right now, but we'll see what the Lord lays on our hearts for the future. Join us in prayer as we seek His will and not our own.

Back to my busy schedule ... Chris's sister is getting married this Saturday in York, SC so we are looking forward to that. Olivia's piano recital is May 18th ... can't wait. Bible Fellowship appreciation dinner May 19, Chris and I will be married 14 years on May 25th . My niece Kayla graduates high school May 28th ( my dad's birthday). Sunday June 30th will be our last day as secretary/ administrator in adult Bible fellowship because we will start back teaching in the 5's on June 6th. Fun days ahead.

That's our little world. ... Jeremiah 29:11

Go be a blessing ...

Our stray cat and orphans

Have you ever taken in a stray cat? My dad used to say it was good luck when a cat comes to your house. ( He wasn't fond of cats so I don't know why he said that, but he believed it). Back in February a stray cat showed up on our deck. It was dark and had started snowing. I turned on the deck light so we could see the snow and that's when I spotted the skinny cat. I carried her around to our front porch and gave her the only thing I had ( dog food)she ate every bite. She seemed "normal looking" no visible signs of poor health other than needing food. I continued to feed her and we claimed her as our own. Olivia named her Pepper. Fast forward to this morning. I was out sitting on the back steps watching Pepper eat and thinking how she came to be our cat. She needed a home and we provided that for her. There was nothing wrong with her ... she just needed love. Now she is happy and has 5 sweet kittens who we are also caring for. We can't imagine not having Pepper. She has a wonderful personality and it's like she's always been apart of our family. I guess that's the good luck my dad was talking about :) a new part of our family.Switch gears with me and let's talk about orphans for a moment. Do you know that orphans are little children who haven't done anything wrong? They were born and have been harmed either by abuse or neglect by their parents; the very people who are suppose to care for them. Do you know how many orphans there are in South Carolina? thousands of them. Do you know what they look like? They look like my daughter and your child. Do you ever watch the news and hear a reporter say that the child was taken into protective custody. Do you ever think about what that really means? Do you visualize a huge building where all of these kids just stay and wait until their parents get their act together? Do you think about these kids at all??? well you should. Think of your own life and your own children if you have them. Can you imagine them not having you? Can you imagine what it would be like for a child to have their parent one moment then to be without them the next. When these children's parents do wrong and the children have to be taken out of their home they don't get to pack an overnight bag and get their things, they just go. How would you feel if someone came in and took you away from the only life you knew? Put yourself in the place of an orphan. The Bible tells us in James 1:27 (New Living Translation)"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." We are told in the Bible to care for the widows and the orphans. Do we do that? Now is a good time to ask the Lord how he would have you help care for the orphans.I'll share more later ... I have a class to go to. Pray and seek.