Sometimes life just is hard...

Today was a hard day. My cousin, Becky, had to testify in court and it was so emotinally draining. Without telling too much...she is not the one in trouble. She is a witness for a case the D.A. is trying against an ex-boyfriend. My aunt (her mom), another aunt and cousin went with her for support. I was able to leave work early to go and be with them. I really thank God for giving me a work environment where something like that is possible and I was actually encouraged to leave and be there for her.
I was so proud of her. She stood her ground, spoke the truth, stayed calm. The defense tried to break her, but she did so well. I know all of the prayers helped her keep her composure. The D.A. told her that he has never had a witness that was so good--recalling details, maintaining her story, keeping her head. It was so hard to see her have to relive it again. I can only look at him and his family with sorrow because of the way they have treated Becky and what they have put her through. I pray that she will allow me in just a little to be there for her as she continues to work through this.
There are times when it seems like God is just forgotten about you. It's not true. It's Satan playing on your emotions and betting that you will fall for the bait. We usually do. In our humaness we fall prey to his lies. Life is just hard sometimes. We live in a world that most definately has evil in it and things often are messy and ugly. But there is also grace...and mercy....and beauty...and love. The times when we are broken and down are often the times when we learn to go to Christ for strength, focus, help. His hand is extended and He is waiting for you...run to Him.
Lord, please keep Becky in your care and continue to tug on her heart, I know you are the Almighty God, who knows and sees all and however you see fit to handle this...I trust that Your plan is mighty and just. Please have mercy on her and I beg of you to grant her closure on this case. Let her feel your hand of comfort as she begins to finally heal.
Amen

God's Blessing to me...

Yesterday I came home from such an amazing retreat. The Ministry Wives conference put on by the Just Between Us magazine. I went last year and it was great as well, but this year, probably partly because of my comfort level, it far surpassed my expectations. The seminar sessions were informative and enjoyable, and as always Jill (Briscoe) was inspiring. I could listen to her talk and tell stories all day. She puts all of her heart into her words and you come away feeling encouraged, restored, lifted.
To be with other women that have some of the same struggles, hurts, worries as me is also phenomenal. Women from all over the country come and truly fellowship together. What does that mean? The table talks are not just about how many kids do you have...but true struggles and triumphs we've had in ministry.
I was able to spend time with my friend Andrea. We met last year and she was back again with her mother and also some women from the church plant that they are starting this summer. We discovered that we both have a love of writing and are now going to help keep each other accountable. Neither of us have ever pursued it very much, but both desire to do so...so this is something that we can do for each other. We are also making plans to get together sometime before next year.
I also met a great ladies named Marcy, Lisa...and even got to know better some women from my own church. It was nice to meet in a different capacity and chat about life issues, parenting struggles, racial inequities.
But best of all and probably my biggest blessing was meeting Gail. What a special
friend God sent me in her. (and I know now that someone can truly be a friend no matter what length of time they are in your life) We had amazing talks about prison ministry, reaching the lost, living in the fishbowl, and Granny. It didn't hit me until much later, but she allowed me to share much of my testimony and in doing so, also explain the part I feel that Granny played in that because of her vital daily prayers for Marlon and I. Without her interceding on our behalf...I don't know if we would have made all of the right choices. I didn't realize how much I needed to talk about that...cry about it...laugh about it. I thank Gail for giving me that and
always thankful first to my Lord and Savior for allowing me that gift.
Back to church and serving today. Then a candle party at my sister's and finally Marlon and I are going to a prison tonight. I am excited because I feel the spirit moving in me and I know it will be a blessed evening.

Love...

Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast....
Very famous words to the people of Corinth, very often used at weddings,
but how many of us really practise them? I am not sure what made me
decide to write about this, but it's just what came out, so I'll go
with it...lol. Marlon and I were taught this neat thing to do. Go to
1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Everywhere you see the for Love, replace your
name. Then live by those things. Nobody is perfect, Christ was the
only perfect human that will ever walk this earth....but we can strive
for, and pattern our life after biblical truths so that we are in
obedience to God's will. It doesn't say love is patient if the person
does what you want, or if you're having a bad day I can act all rude
and mean. I can't bring up past wrongs or be happy when another is
hurt or misled. We're always so quick to point a finger...myself
included and it says right there...it is not proud and not self-seeking.
Lord, I confess right now for any time that I did not follow these ways.
I can't think of a specific incident recently, but that is probably
because there are hundreds of incidents. I will remember to practise
obedience to your will, to let the spirit lead my direction. I will
be patient, kind, i will not boast or be envious...
Remember also, that this does not mean just the love with your spouse
or family. We are commanded to love others. In John 15:12-13, Jesus's
own words were, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay doesn his life for his friends."
Then he reiterates that in verse 17: "This is my command: Love each other."

So I'm gonna get right and set out upon my day.

And yet another week passes....

Here it is another Friday night--only tonight I was very productive!
I worked on worship music for Kid Zone all night. Kid Zone is
the K-1 Sunday programming at Elmbrook. I am the music coordinator
and have been very slack about getting together the music since we
started back up at the beginning of the month. I basically got out
the curriculum, all of my kid's worship CD's and just prayed over my
choices. I was able to get the entire semester completed!! Of course,
it's now 11:30pm and I started at 7:00pm!!! It feels good having it
accomplished though and knowing that I did it with integrity and led by
the spirit.

This past week
Marlon was able to purchase some Top Gun books for the bible study that he
leads at Kettle Moraine. For those who don't know, Top Gun is an amazing
men's bible study. Marlon went through it years ago, and it really was
a transforming experience for him. He has been with the inmates at Kettle
Moraine for about 2 years now and has done many bible studies with them.
They are a very grounded group of men and focused on Christ. Marlon has been
praying for a way to take the Top Gun study into the institution. What makes
it difficult is that it is VERY expensive to buy 20 copies of everything at once.
He had several conversations with people around church and was allowed to buy
one book to start for each. He feels so strongly about this that he put up
his own ministry money to do this. I know that these men and the people they
come in contact with are going to be so blessed!

Jordyn had her first experience with high school mid-terms! She did wonderfully
as she already found out a few of the scores. She will end up with another 4.0
this semester. Her personal goal is to have a 4.0 every semester of every year
so that she can have scholarships available to her when she goes to college. I
am so proud of how disciplined she is and thankful that God gave her the gift
of knowledge and desire to learn.

I had a funeral on Monday for a co-worker/friend's mother in law and then have
another this coming Sunday for my dear friend, Jenni's grandma. Wednesday was
also the 5 year anniversary of my Grandma Nickel Pickel's death. Very
reflective week as a result. It is so easy to take people for granted. We
all are guilty of doing it. How easily we are irritated by others...only to
truly miss the things that irritated us once they are gone. It's important to
remember that death is a part of our life and what will carry us into Heaven-if
we believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins...so each moment is important.
Each day a gift to give back to God.

Okay, better go to bed. Basketball games all day tomorrow. I love being a
mom and rooting them on!! Flash and Tarheels all the way!

My mommy and daddy

This is my mommy and daddy. I talk about them a lot, so I figured that
I would add them to the page as well. Every once in awhile I will add
pictures of family members and talk about them. Some of you who read this,
and haven't seen us for awhile-might find it fun.
My parents, Louie and Linda, have been together forever it seems. This March
they will celebrate 34 years of marriage!! It is hard to imagine one with
out the other. They truly are a testament to sticking together no matter
what and comprimising to make it work. I am proud to be their daughter!

Where does the time go...

I don't know how time passes so quickly! It seems like it was just Tuesday and I was writing the last entry. This has been a nice week-busy...but nice. Weekdays just always speed by with all of the activities. I do have to say that we keep it pretty streamlined. The boys are working on their rockets in boys club, so Marlon went with them on Thursday to help them get them ready. Next week he'll do the same to help as well. Friday was basketball practise and Saturday was the first game!! The boys did so well! Izzy's team lost by one basket and Elijah and Isaiah's teams won. Upward is a great league where each game is significant for the boys as they can earn stars based on offense, defense, effort, sportsmanship and Christ-likeness. It was a long day for me because Sat. night was our Souper Supper at church for the Children's Ministry. So I just stayed at church to cook, set up and then clean. I got home about 8:45pm. It turned out to be a pretty good event--considering it was my first where I was in charge of planning, ordering food, decorations, etc. I think it went well.
Today Marlon is at a prison. To be honest, I can't remember which one. He also met with the missions board today and had an opportunity to tell them about his ministry and what he does, also what his future goals are. He won't get home until about 9, so that'll be a long day for him. After church we went over to my parent's house because me, my mom, my dad, sister, aunt, and Jordyn are doing a Biggest Loser weight loss challenge together. It's the 2nd weigh in and so far I've lost 8 lbs. :)
Tomorrow is our anniversary!! 8 years. We've been through so much in our marriage that sometimes it seems much longer. When I look back over it all, I see how each moment prepared us for where we are today. I can honestly say that there is nobody that I would rather be with or married to. While it is certainly not perfect...we are so much more open and honest and loving and giving with each other. I know that there is nothing life can throw at us that God can't get us through. Changing the focus of our marriage really changed things for us. It's not about me or him, it's about always laying our selves before the Lord and letting him work on us to work it out. I am thankful every day for the incredible grace and mercy God gives me, the horrible relationships and warped thinking he delivered me from..so that I can be even somewhat prepared to be a loving, kind and caring wife.
Back to the laundry...

Just an update...

So the weekend went great. Saturday my talk on Prayer went well. I realized that we ordered a tad bit of food, but we were able to put some of it out for the volunteers on Sunday and use a little for our meeting. The pictures of the kids look wonderful! It took us more than a few times to get it right. With 6 kids, aging from 1 1/2 to 14 that shouldn't be suprising though. Then Marlon and I had our date night. That was a lot of fun too. It was nice to just hang out the two of us. We went to a movie, The Ringer. Although we both want to see Narnia, neither of us really felt like a long movie on a Sat. night...so we opted for laughter instead. Then we went to Olive Garden, and had some great conversation about us, our marriage, what we've come through... Special thanks to my parents who kept the boys overnight so we didn't have to go and pick them up until morning.
Sunday was nice because Marlon didn't have to go to prison. After church I had a meeting so he spent the afternoon watching football with the boys. Jordyn went to a movie with a friend and hung out with my parents for awhile. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, playing games with the boys and always, a little laundry!
Marlon is looking into doing something awesome once a month. There is this prison, Stanley, that he enjoys going to but is about 4 hours away. Right now BBO is there the first Sunday of the month and he rotates going with 1 or 2 other men. It is always hard because of the long drive and I have to admit I am always worried about his drive home. If he adds on a second prison, New Lisbon, to that day (which he often does because it is far up north as well) then he doesn't get home until 10ish. Well, he's always wanted to do a bible study and one on one counseling there, but with the drive hasn't really been able to. Since it's only once a month, I suggested that he stay overnight up there and then do the other stuff on Monday. Brother Bob used to do this there, so it isn't unheard of. Marlon liked the idea and quite honestly I think that he didn't realize I would be okay with that. There was a time that I would have been like, "No way...you can't leave once a month!" Like he was going on vacation or something. So he talked to the chaplain about it and he is going to bring it up at a meeting they're having this week and get back to Marlon. We are praying that God's will is served and if this is a good idea it will be blessed and granted. He also recieved his paperwork from Oak Hills to get clearance. This is going to be an exciting year for him with a lot of new possibilities.
As for me...life is good. I love my job and the stage of life I am in right now. Although to some people it might seem hectic...and I'll admit that it is busy...it's just as it should be right now. We are blessed to have the love and support of friends and family, blessed to have a home and the necessities, blessed to know that Christ is always with us throught the Holy Spirit and as long as we put our faith in Him and His plans for us...we will have peace and success.

Basketball has begun...

So tonight was the first basketball practise of the season...it will consume us every Friday and Saturday for the next 8 weeks or so. (Just in time for soccer to start mind you!) The boys and Marlon had fun and the uniforms are very nice. What a good mommy I've become...I know to say uniforms and not costumes!!

Tomorrow is going to be a very full day. At church we are having a teaching class for our Parent Child Dedication ceremony later this month. I am teaching the parents with more than one child about prayer. How to have a stronger prayer life, how to pray for your child, etc. That lasts until 12:30. Then at 2:30 the kids are getting their pictures taken with my nieces. After that, Jordyn is going to stay overnight at a friend's house and the boys are either going to my parents or my sister in law's. The fun part is that Marlon thinks we are spending the evening serving at church for a Couples Date Night event. BUT I have made arrangements with the committee to not be there so that we can have a night to ourselves and go out for our anniversary!! (Since Marlon never reads this, I'll be okay!!) Don't any of you tell him :) Our 8 year anniversary is the 16th, but we really won't have another chance to go out and celebrate so this will be a fun night for us. Probably dinner and a movie. Really looking forward to it.

Then Sun. there is a meeting after church that I have to go to. Busy...but a good busy. That's part of why I haven't written all week. So much going on with the return to school and weekday activities.

Well, it's getting late and I still have some preparation for tomorrow. I also need to find two boy's ties somewhere in this house. Did you know that children's clothing can walk away on it's own?? lol

Night!

New Year!!

Welcome to 2006! The Pitchford's rang in the New Year with
an evening of games, movies and food! Marlon made steaks
on the grill and we toasted with the kids and Jordyn's friend
Margot at midnight with sparkling grape juice. What fun!

When I asked the kids if they had New Year's resolutions,
our youngest Izzy said that he was going to try not to
act so crazy and not to run so much in the house!! What a
cutie.

As for me, I usually don't do "resolutions" because there
is so much normally that I need to work on, but I do try
to recommit myself to things with a new start. I am
going to read more...make a concerted effort to read. I
love to read and used to read frequently, but I let that
slip so easily with busy schedules. We have an office
full of books I have not yet read and I need to devote
daily to the bible and give it the reverence that it
deserves. I also am going to allow myself the privelege
of taking time to slow down and relax. I am trusting
God to handle stripping away the things that I don't
need to be concerned with...He has been so faithful
with that already. I know that when I am closer to Him...
everything is that much better!

This year marks some exciting things for us as a family
as well. Marlon and I will be married for 8 years on
Jan. 16th. Marlon is planning to expand the institutions
that Brother Bob's Outreach ministers to. 4 cousins are
getting married which will involve a possible trip to
California (God willing) The boys have joined their first
basketball league at Elmbrook and Marlon is coaching two of
their teams...my brother-in-law the other. Marlon and I are
are working on possible marriage counseling in the prisons
as well as expanding the topics that we can speak on.
The boys will have their first trip to Disney in Nov. (a
wonderful Christmas gift from Marlon's Aunt/Pops/2 cousins/
and another aunt & uncle. Jordyn is going to start guitar
lessons. Wow...it's busy and it's only 1 day into the New
Year!!

I pray that each of you has a great time planning and enjoying
your 2006! May God lead and direct your plans.

More from the 23rd

This picture is so cute to me. Candise, Elijah and Israel had a ball
coloring when we were there. They took time agreeing on a picture
and sharing and just laughing together. It was a lot of fun for them.