Bettina Guyllenhaal here. I know it's been a while since I last written (almost three months ago???); things have been crazy at best!
For starters, I have been looking for another job. Got fired at my job for talking about God to another co-worker; administration didn't like that, so they let me go. At first I was very angry, but maybe it is for the best; I know God will provide for our needs, which He does (plus it gives me time to be home with hubby and the children, which I love!).
Secondly, we have been busy trying to go over our severe weather plan. We do this every spring, at the start of tornado season: we do live in Tornado Country, so we have to keep aware, especially when bad weather threatens. We have a safe room now, thanks to the generosity of some caring neighbors who know we struggle from time to time. Raising a family like ours isn't cheap!!
Add kids with special needs to the mix, and the costs double.
Of course, the children love having me home. I love being with them. They are all so sweet, especially Esther Grace, who dosen't have a mean bone in her body (she has Down syndrome and has the mind of a six year old, even though she is really sixteen years old). Uriah Matthew (four) and Precious Mirqcle (seven) are two others who don't have a mean bone in their body. Uriah and Precious both have severe cerebral palsy and have mental disabilities; to care for them requires much in the way of intestinal fortitude, patience, and imagination.
Jedediah keeps a tight ship when we, the parents, aren't home. He is very good at managing his younger brothers and sisters, even though he is deaf and mute. He's our oldest. Ruth Ann (14) is also very good and very responsible for her younger brothers and sisters (and for Esther).
Now it is soon to be Easter; spring has busted out all over: flowers and trees coming in bloom, really pretty. Warmer temperatures too; today finds us with bright, pristine-blue skies (not a cloud in sight!) and abundant sunshine, with temperatures in the upper sixties to lower seventies, just delightful! And tomorrow starts the kids' Easter break, so that means no homeschool for a week, much to their delight. Oh, we'll still teach them and take them places; we just won't put much of an educational emphasis on it; we want to give them (and ourselves) a break.
We are also busy with practicing for our upcoming church cantata. Easter is in a few weeks, and we want to make sure all goes well for the Cantata. There will be drama, visual aids, and songs depicting the crucifixion, death/burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a way that will move people's hearts and to remind them why we really celebrate Easter. We do this every year.
Healthwise, the kids have remained well: only a few minor flu outbreaks, and some escaped the flu altogether (Uriah, Esther, and Precious! LOL), much to our relief. If they had gotten sick, one (or all) would have ended up in the hospital, since their health is so delicate.
It's been a huge answer to prayer that the kids have remained as well as they have. I pray this continues; I am thankful that we've survived the flu season relatively unscathed!
On Saturday, the Oklahoma Severe Weather Association (OKSWA) will be holding their annual conference here in Pryor; we plan to be there. I want to know the latest efforts about keeping our citizens safe and how to go about protecting my family and property. This will be the first time we will have gone; my husband happens to be a trained storm spotter and part time storm chaser: he chases storms every spring, from April to June (most of the time).
Last week, in fact, he chased the storm that sent tornadoes into Arkansas; there was a pretty bad one in Searcy, that killed several people. He was gone for two days during that event; I was never so glad when he walked into the door; I really missed him!
Well, Uriah is crying again; I must tend to him and see what is going on. I will write in here again soon; until later, take care and God bless! Just keep us in your prayers; at times, it is hard to live without much income, but as I said earlier, God is good, and we rely on Him to provide for us, which He does, all the time! We would greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!
~Love, your friend in Oklahoma, Bettina Guyllenhaal. :)
