Hello Peoples!!! I hope you are having a great day! Before I go on with this post, I just want to deal with one issue. In my last post, I dabbled in a little political talk, which I will probably do again. It appears that at least one person may have been offended by it. So, let me clear up for all you Christian Democrats. In no way was I implying that you could not be a Christian and a Democrat at the same time. Nor, was it my intention (nor, in fact, did I) judge anyone's heart. My observations are just that, my observations, and, held by others, also, I might add. I believe everyone is accountable to God for their actions, not to me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, including me, I hope. No hard feelings!

Okay, that said!

So today, Gracie stayed home from school today because she was supposed to have an appt. with her pediatrician. she's been having some tummy pain. I think it may be scar tissue from her stomach surgeries. For those of you who are just starting to keep up with our family, our 4th child, Gracie, has some severe congenital anomalies of the heart and abdomen. She has what is called Heterotaxy syndrome with asplenia. She has had malrotation of the bowel with 2 obstructions over the years which brought her close to death at least once. She has had 3 heart surgeries (2 of them open heart) and 2 stomach surgeries. She has anaphylaxis to dairy and almost died from that at 9 months (she was resuscitated). As I said she is asplenic, so she takes antibitotics everyday for that. She is a single ventricle and has pulmonary stenosis and a double SVC. She is a completed Fontan now. Last year she became very ill and was septic, again, she almost died and ended up in Boston. God is sooooo gracious and saw her through this trial safely. She has recently been diagnosed with Klippel Fiel Syndrome for which she is supposed to have an increased risk for paralysis and even death. Now, her neurosurgeon has limited the activities that she can participate in, understandably. So, that was the crash course on Gracie, back to her tummy. So, she's been having pain, which I think may be scar tissue and she was supposed to go to the dr. today (so I kept her home) but he didn't come in to the office today. Just a side note, if you see Gracie (and for those of you that know her) you would never guess she has all these issues. She's very tenacious, bright, hardworking and has a smile that will win you over with one glance!


and here she is.....Gracie Lane!!!!!

So, you could keep her in your prayers, please. Samuel Isaac was supposed to go to the doc today for a follow-up for his beestings, but obviously, he won't go either. So, I'll move on with the rest of the day's plan. I'm having a yard-sale, so I'm gonna go set up for that!
Love you All!
Lindy

Thinking today....can you believe we are less than 30 days out from the 2008 presidential election. I really hope the liberal media and polls are wrong when they say Obama is ahead. I was shocked to find out that 2 older ladies at our church are Obama supporters. One said she is supporting Obama because McCain said the war would go on for 100 years. I don't know what he meant but I don't think it was literally that. I'll have to research that. The scary thing is that in order for a Christian to support Obama, you have to ignore his ties to William Ayers and his close association with the shady activity of Acorn...and his position on abortion. Well, people, I hope everyone is vigilant in these unstable days. Please vote!!!! Don't console yourself with the notion that one vote isn't going to make a difference. Everyone only has one vote-and they do count!


Well, I know I have a lot of SAHM's who read my blog so, I want to speak to you today. Today you will do hundreds of seemingly meaningless things-some that you have already done hundreds of times. You have your own way of folding underwear (in fact, if you're like me, it's different for each person, ie. very small underwear are stacked neatly, not even folded...lol). It gets tiresome and old, I know, and some days you wonder what it's all for. Some of you have college degrees and that nagging voice keeps rearing it's head "you could be doing something more....". I think this way, too. But, truth is, there is nothing more important that you could ever undertake to do than to raise children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. I know that you already know this, but...humor me. It's good to be reminded and maybe I'm reminding myself. Let's face it, after you've researched the hard issues (ie. immunizations, schooling, etc.) and taken your stand, then it's mainly (hopefully, although some of us have had more challenging situations) daily maintenance and a lot of mundane work. But, believe me, life does change. Once your oldest gets into the teen years, the face of your family will begin to change. Enjoy these easy years while they are are still small and their issues are small. These are some good times...


ILY


Lindy


ps-Here's a cleaning tip. During a busy week, when you can't keep up with all the housework, if you can't do anything else, keep up the 2 things that pile up-laundry and dishes. It takes the same amount of time to vacuum whether you wait 5 days are whether you do it everyday. On the other hand, if you let the laundry pile up, you will be covered up in it and it will take way more time, same with dishes! Happy Housecleaning!

Speaking of teens.....here is my sweet 16, Abbey!

I love this child soooo much-she is beautiful inside and out!

Ok, so another week begins at the Agee household! This weekend was a blast. Friday night Chris went to a bible study at one of our elder's houses. On Saturday morning, the 'Ladies of Grace' met with the men's Saturday morning bible study crew. The men fixed US breakfast then we had some teaching from Pastor Chris. The ladies discussed the various ministries they are developing and heading up. It is neat to see this. 4 ministries have come out of Ladies if Grace in just 2 months of existence. The Bread Basket, ran by Miss Kitty (a ministry to help first our church members, then others, with food in times of need). Sheltering Arms, ran by Miss Dawn (a ministry to the folks at Lord Howe (a senior housing community where she lives-she has a monthly birthday party and celebration for everyone in the community whose b'day falls in that month). Helping Hands, ran by Miss Laura (this is a ministry which provides meals to church members in times of sickness or other crisis) and the newest ministry Community Care for Christ, ran by Linda D ( a ministry that will give away hats, coats, gloves and mittens to the community for free, starting this month because it has gotten cold already). So, this is very encouraging to see the ladies stepping out and serving.








Saturday afternoon was the first annual wood chopping contest and archery shoot at out house. It was very well attended by Vermonters and New Yorkers. We grilled hot dogs and had a ton of snacks.

This was the teen division! They all gave it their best and did a great job!! Justin Genova won!

Above is the junior division which consisted of Samuel Isaac and Jarod Pike. Sam won the fastest split and Jarod won the least # of hits! Great job boys!!!



This is our curly-headed monster, Judah! He had a ball watching all the splitting and can't wait until he can swing the maul! He's a rascal!



Well, it was a fun day! Thanks everyone who helped make it a special day for all the kids and adults! We capped the weekend off with church, of course. Chris continued his series on America with an exhortation to the people to send the light-put God's Word out there and be salt and light in this decaying society. As we all know, it is never a waste of time to preach and teach the Word. It always has some effect for we know it never goes forth and returns void! What a great comfort and an encouragement to invest in something that is guaranteed to have results (which we will leave to God, Himself, of course)! Well, I hope everyone has a great week. Miss you all and may God Bless all you sweet friends and family!
Lindy