Wonderful normal

Today has been what I would call a normal day...but oh what a special treat it has been. Everyone is walking (or in Nehemiah's case, running) around with extra bright smiles on their faces.
When Samuel came home from the hospital earlier in the month, he just never seemed "right". We were watching him very carefully and just had that nagging feeling that something was wrong.
But this time, Samuel seems so much better. He's still sick, but not so sick that we are afraid to take our eyes off him for a few minutes. He's eating well and has been awake looking around for hours. I think he likes it here :) and we are hoping he'll decide to stay for a while...18-20 years or so would be good :)
Today we felt like we could relax for the first time in a long time. We all sat around the breakfast table to eat oatmeal together while Daniel led our morning Bible time. Breakfast ended a bit late as we all mommy and daddy slept in a bit and we just all hung around the table visiting together.
We cleaned up and then the children wrote a letter while Daniel and I worked on our new prayer letter. We played for a while, made bean burritos for lunch, ate outside on the picnic tables, and then Rebekah made banana bread while the rest of us worked on afternoon projects...homework, music practice, housework, laundry and lots of cuddling with Samuel.
Normal just doesn't seem that normal today...it seems so very sweet and special.
____________________________________________________________________________
The girls have been asking me to cut them bangs this summer. I was planning on doing it the beginning of the month, but with all that was going on, it didn't happen. So today I called them into my bathroom one by one and gave them bangs.
Rebekah was first and when she walked out into the kitchen where Abigail and Elijah were washing dishes, they both immediately knew what was different about her and Elijah said, "Oh Rebekah, you look so beautiful and young! I like it a lot!" Abigail gave me that look of "Mommy, what about me????" so I smiled and pointed and off she ran for her turn.
Thank the Lord for plain, ordinary days :) They are so wonderful!

Night Night little Samuel...to sleep in your own bed

Reason for our sleeping in this morning...a round the clock feeding, medicine, nebulization schedule to help our little man continue to get better

These last shots are of the girls bang cut. Don't they look sweet? :)

Elijah took these pictures of us girls enjoying the afternoon sun. With so many men folk around here, us ladies love to get alone to visit...or giggle, which is what normally happens :)

Somebody came home....

Somebody is missing home...

Awwww.....now that's more like it!

We hope your Lord's day was a wonderful as ours! Lots of snuggling, cuddling, kissing, hugging, loving and thanking the Lord to do as a FAMILY tonight! :)
God is so good! Thank you Lord!

Update on Little Samuel...and new family picture :)

Little Samuel is still in the hospital, but has slowly been improving. Yesterday, Daniel called and said Samuel was being fussy but wasn't hungry and didn't seem to be in pain; it suddenly occurred to Daniel that maybe he was bored (he had felt so sick the past several days that all he wanted to do was lay down and sleep). So Daniel sat him up in his Bumbo seat and he stopped fussing, gave 3 big smiles (awwwww....I'm so sad I missed them :) ), and then sat there and looked around for over an hour. His lungs are sounding better and his appetite is gradually improving as well.
We still don't know when he'll be able to come home, but it just makes us so happy to see him doing better. Thank you so much for praying and for the comments and verses you shared with us. What a blessing you have been to us during this time!

When Samuel went into the hospital for 8 days at the beginning of this month, Daniel and I went back and forth taking turns caring for him. Daniel would stay with him overnight until around lunch time and then I would stay with him from then until late at night when Daniel would come back. I would get home around 10 or 11 pm and then begin on the housework and laundry. In the morning, I'd make breakfast, get the children up and ready, do a little bit of school with them and try to prepare something for lunch and/or supper for the family before I'd head back.

This time, after much thought and prayer, Daniel thought it would be best if he stayed at the hospital with Samuel most of the time and I stayed at home with the rest of the children. At first, I did not like that idea at all, but Daniel often has this annoying habit of being right :), and he asked me to just try it and that of course, I could come into town anytime if I really wanted to.
So that's what we did this week. And while I did miss my baby terribly, the Lord gave us all a good week. Samuel was so sick for most of the week that he just slept. Daniel brought his typewriter, Bible, books and paper and studied and worked on his sermons for this week. I was able to homeschool, care for and play with the other children and take care of the home. Everyone got some much needed rest too.
Wednesday afternoon, I got to stay with Samuel (yea! :) )for several hours while Daniel and the other children prepared for and held Wednesday night service at church. He gave me a big smile, let me feed him, and then slept in my arms until the nurses made me put him back under his oxygen hood. I brought him his favorite stuffed animals, extra blankets, books, toys, and Bible lullaby music. The nurses all said how cute his room looked and how good it was that I was making him feel like he was at home. I told them that I wonder if maybe Samuel thinks the hospital is his home as he's spent the majority of his life there. :)
I'll get to stay with him most of the weekend too. Saturday Daniel has soul-winning, teaches guitar class, has a meeting with the youth, as well as all the preparation for Sunday services; and then on Sunday he'll have services all day.
A pastor once told us that the magnitude of a trial is proportionate to the blessing that is to follow. We are so thankful that the Lord never gives us more than we can bear and is so good to freely give us the grace and strength we need as we go to Him. How we desire Him to be able to use us more fully!
Daniel has his cell phone and calls me throughout the day to give me updates on Samuel or just to chat (how I miss my hubby too! I love it when he calls!). How blessed I have been to hear over and over again the opportunities he has had to share the gospel with the nurses and other patients/their family members there.
Wednesday was my 36th birthday. Daniel said we'd celebrate as soon as Samuel gets to come home, and while I know he and the children want to give me a gift and have a cake, I told him that I just feel so very blessed already and had a truly good day.
Timothy and Benjamin made breakfast, the children were so sweet and gave me little treats from the store and made me many pictures and notes; my morning was filled with laughing and singing with my 11 here at home and then I got to cuddle with Samuel all afternoon. And in the evening, the nurse said she would watch Samuel for a bit so Daniel could take the children and I for supper...a really special treat...Chinese food! :)
Do you like the new family picture and blog header? We had that taken right before we headed back to Mexico. I look at the line up of precious little (and not so little anymore) ones and I either smile or cry...happy tears of course...tears that come from a heart that says "Why me?". Not a "why me" of regret but one of feeling so very undeservedly blessed!
Oh the Lord is so good! How loving, forgiving, and faithful He is! What a wonderful God!

Little Samuel is back in the hospital

Last night we had to take Samuel back to the hospital. He just wasn't eating much at all and often vomiting the little he did eat. He was running a fever and just not breathing right. We were very concerned about him getting dehydrated, but you could tell he just felt too sick to eat.
Daniel took him to the ER and they admitted him. The doctor just came by this morning and said the blood work indicated that Samuel has an infection which is most likely pneumonia. He'll probably be in the hospital for several days.
We will keep you updated and appreciate your prayers so much. Besides the concern of having a little one so sick, both Daniel and I are weary. Again, we take turns staying at the hospital with Samuel or caring for the other children and ministry here. Isaiah 40:31 says, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." Most of the verses the Lord has given me during this trial have been on "waiting on the Lord."
My heart is comforted knowing that I can fully trust our Lord; He is so loving and good. Before he left for the hospital last night, Daniel prayed with me and read me James 1:2-4..."My brethern, count it ALL joy when ye fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing."
My brother in law preached a message while we were up north on this very passage. He pointed out that the Bible calls trials "temptations" because they tempt us to respond in the wrong way. And how strong that temptation can be at times! How thankful we are for God's Word as we meditate on His truth. So we keep clinging to the Lord and His Word for He is our strength and our shelter in the time of storm. May His wonderful name be glorified.

Samuel's Home

After a week in the hospital and many prayers, little Samuel was able to come home today. He's doing so much better and we appreciate your prayers as he continues to recover here at home.
This past week was one of the hardest weeks I've ever gone through, not just with Samuel being sick but another trial as well. The Lord gave me much alone time (very rare :)! ) there in that hospital as I sat for hours by Samuel's bedside. My heart hurt so badly and all I wanted to do was cry out to the Lord and read His Word. Daniel is always so strong and encouraged me to keep trusting the Lord. He reminded me again and again of truth that my mind and heart were forgetting. The book of Job and the Psalms became so dear to me. At the beginning of the week, I just wanted to lay down and cry, but after seeking the Lord those first few days, I just wanted to praise Him and sing. He again lifted my burdens and the joy and peace He gave! He keeps working on me, changing me, molding me...and how it hurts! His ways are so much higher than our own. But how wonderful it is to know Him more!
Thank you all so much for praying; I know often those words may sound trite, but oh if you could just see how the Lord answers your prayers! I told you all that I would update again once Samuel came home. Daniel called me from the hospital early one morning this week. He told me he honestly thought the Lord was going to take Samuel home to be with Him that past night. I thought maybe my next update would be letting you know that Samuel was home with his Heavenly Father. Each morning, we thanked the Lord for giving Samuel one more day. How short time is for all of us. Do you long for Heaven more and more? Do you long for His Kingdom to come? My heart longs for it much more than it did before. And my heart longs for those who do not know the King of Kings...who do not have them as their own Savior...How he wants them to come to Him while there is still time.
I cannot explain it, but we are seeing the Lord open hearts here like never before. Daniel would preach and preach and preach and come home saying, "Jaynee, we need to keep praying...they can't hear." And now, there seems to be a softness in their hearts...they are listening...they are coming. Our burden for their souls deepens.
Why the Lord chose us to go here for Him, I do not know. But I do know He has called us, sustains us, and continues to prepare us more and more for the work He has for us to do. May He receive all glory!
If any of you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and you want to know Him, please email us.
(*Amanda, please email me again). How we want you to know His mercy, grace, love and forgiveness in your life...what joy He gives!

Waiting on the Lord

As you know, the Lord has lovingly allowed another trial to touch our lives. Little Samuel is still in the hospital; he’s still sick, but stable and the doctor tonight said his lungs are sounding a little bit better. We are thankful for the doctors and nurses the Lord has placed here to care for him. Just like we did during my pregnancy, we rest knowing the Lord has Samuel in his ever loving hands.
Either Daniel or I are by Samuel’s bedside day and night (which is why it‘s taken so long for us to update!). I’m grateful for Daniel taking the late night shift as he seems to be able to sleep anywhere…even a cold, hard hospital floor. Though it’s been very tiring physically, the Lord has enabled us to continue with the ministry as well as maintaining most of our schedule at home with the other children. Of course, Daniel and I miss being together as one of us is always here with Samuel while the other is working with the other children. But we pray together often over the phone and happily give up some sleep in the wee hours of the night so we can chat as well.
As you may know or can well imagine, having a sick child is not only physically draining but emotionally hard as well. We have been so blessed to have the love and prayers of so many which I know the Lord hears as He gently under girds us day by day/night by night.
Often times, as we pass through trials, the Lord will give me a special verse or verses to which I can cling. As my mind begins to doubt or fear or as discouragement comes, I say that special verse and let it’s truth fill my heart and mind. How precious is God’s Word! Yesterday, the Lord gave me Psalms 27:14~ “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”
I don’t remember how long ago it was that Daniel asked me if I would keep our blog updated. I have always enjoyed writing and am happy to share from my heart what the Lord is doing in our lives as we serve Him here in Mexico. He’s taught us so much, given us wonderful opportunities to share the gospel with those who have never heard, provided for our every need, and carried us through many trials which have caused us to grow in His grace and love Him all the more. We have thanked him for loving us so much to refine us more and more that we may be able to be used by Him. I can’t thank Him enough and through all the difficulties, our hearts overflow with joy each time we see someone come to Christ. We just want the Lord to use our lives to bring glory to His name.
This afternoon, I was sitting by Samuel while sharing some burdens that were heavy on my heart with Daniel. A thought came to his mind that had already crossed my mind as well. He said that maybe it would be best at this time take a break from the blog. We talked a bit and both felt the Lord’s peace over that decision. Right now, I just need to put my whole heart and time into caring for our children and then in the evenings (which is really the only time to use the computer) ….sleep! We’ll will be sure to let you know when Samuel get's back home and will pray about when to continue regular updates.
We are so thankful for those who have blessed us abundantly through emails and comments and most of all, have helped bear our burdens by bringing us before the Lord in prayer. We continue to desire your prayers and during this “break” , please feel free to write us (email or snail mail) anytime. The Lord is so good and faithful.
Love,
Daniel and Jaynee
Timothy, Elijah, Rebekah, Benjamin, Abigail, Isaiah, Josiah, Noah, Susannah, Nehemiah, Eliseo, and Samuel Lockwood

Little Samuel is in the hospital...

Samuel's took a turn for the worse today. He sounded so much more congested and as he coughed, he couldn't breathe and would turn bluish/purple. I took him to the ER in the town next to us and they admitted him. The pediatrician will be in early in the morning to evaluate him and take chest x-rays. Daniel is there with him now; the children and I will return in a few hours. He turned 3 months old today.
The Lord is so good; He loves us so much; and He hears.
While my heart aches so badly right now, I know I am not alone. I can cry my heart out to my God and He hears. When sleep won't come, I can open His precious Word and cling to His promises.
Please pray the Lord will heal our little boy.

Thinking Truth

Between caring for sick little Samuel and being sick myself, I've had quite a few sleepless nights.
When feeling weary, little things can seem overwhelming. When I feel discouraged or at a loss, I tend to try to reason things out in my mind and "fix the problem" which in turn generally leaves me feeling worse. But more and more, I am learning to take the Lord my every burden, little and big, and open His Word to search for truth.
By filling my thoughts with what is true, those doubts, fears, and worries fade as I know He so lovingly cares for me and gives me His grace and strength to do all He's called me to do.

We took Samuel to the doctor in La Paz this week and he said he has bronchilitis. He started him on another antibiotic as well as several other medicines to help relieve his symptoms and help him fight the infection.
So we have our own little mini pharmacy at my bedside :) As I tend to Samuel throughout the night, it is so sweet to know my Lord meets me there as well. As I give him his medicines and feed him, I give him to the Lord knowing He loves and cares for each one of our children so much more than even Daniel and I do.

During the afternoons while the little ones rest, I've been plugging away at our new schedule. Each morning, I ask the Lord to help me and give me wisdom as I put it together. Daniel has spent a couple of his free evenings going over it with me giving me his thoughts/ideas. This is so important to me because my goal is not only to give order to our day and cover our schooling/chores, but to ensure each day, we are taking steps toward the vision/goals that our husband/father has set for our family.
I also have re-read "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit" by Teri Maxwell. I read this each summer as I am about to enter another school year. I highly recommend it to any mom who homeschools. It is an easy, simple read, yet the deep truths she covers from God's Word have encouraged me immensly as I endeavor to follow the Lord in teaching my children here at home.

Due to sickness, I've only been able to attend a couple of church services since we've been home, but how sweet it was to fellowship once again with our brothers and sisters in Christ here. Daniel was so encouraged to see the faithfulness of each member in our absense and their hunger and thirst for God's Word hasn't waned but rather grown all the more. How blessed we are to have God's Holy Spirit in us as we become His children as He guides us and changes us as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Saviour!

Here are a couple of new Samuel shots:
He loves his bath time and just looks at me with a look of "awwwww! I'm so relaxed Mommy" :)

Saturday was Abigail's 8th birthday. What a joy she is! Her smile lights up the room and her sweet spirit is so beautiful.
She loves to play with her baby brothers and is so patient with them.

Here are a few pictures from her special day:
She asked for omelets for her birthday breakfast. Yum :)

We had nachos for her birthday supper...Eliseo really enjoyed them :)

She got a weaving loom from Grandma and she and half the other children have been enjoying making things.

She looks so much like her Daddy (especially in this picture :) ) and loves to please Him.

She is quite the little lady and so very helpful! I've been told that as your children get older, they become more and more your friends. Oh, how blessed I shall then be!

A little bit of this and that

After 3 1/2 days of non-stop unloading, unpacking, sorting, putting things away, cleaning a VERY dusty, spider web filled house, and LOTS of laundry, this is the face of a hot, sweaty, tired, and VERY happy mommy... who after this picture was taken, went outside with a big glass of iced lemonade as she watched her children and their neighborhood friends play once again in their back yard.

Oh, it is so good to be home. It is so good to be in the place where I know the Lord has called our family to serve Him.
And this is room that I walked through to get to the back yard. I couldn't have done that the day before as it was piled high with laundry from the trip. It is so good to be caught up on laundry too! :)

Notice there are 3 washers and 2 dryers (plus a nice clothes line outside!)...we went from having no working washers and dryers last year (those were interesting days!) to finally having 1 working one of each. And then, right before I had to fly to the states for the baby, we got 2 more washers and another dryer! Someday I'll share how that happened.... :)
__________________________________________

The next few days, I'll be working on our summer schedule. It will be a bit different this year...mainly in the fact that we will have to continue on with school full time as we missed so much during the time Samuel and I were in the hospital. But I'm not hearing any complaints :) Everyone is eager to "get back to work"!
One of the biggest things we all missed while up north was being able to sit around the same table together.

Once Eliseo outgrows the highchair, we'll be shy a seat...and of course someday, little Samuel will be joining us too...but I've heard Daniel and the boys making plans to build a "really big table" :)
______________________________________

Thank you for praying for Susannah. Her chin is healing very nicely and she says, "It doesn't hurt at all unless Noah tries to take my stitches out" ???? :)



Speaking of Noah, the other day, I walked into our bedroom to do something and Noah was standing there at the dresser obviously waiting for Daddy to come in and help give him a clear conscience about something.
I asked him, "Noah, what did you do?"
He replied, "I pushed Nehemiah on the ground"
I said, "Oh, that's not nice. Should we push people?"
"No", he said.
"Why shouldn't we push people, Noah", I asked him.
His answer..."Because the Bible says 'Thou shalt not push'"! :)
__________________________


So after breakfast yesterday, everyone did their chores....







And then we all kept busy while we waited for Daddy to be ready to take us over to work at the church...









And while the girls here are greatly out numbered...you can still see their fingerprints on many things...



Hna. Tola and Hna. Victoria walked from all the way across town to come see their newest "grandbaby" (as they call him). They checked him all our from head to toe and then got lots of time to hold and love on him while we drank coffee and chatted.



Finally it was time to head over to the church to work. Remember the pick-up that was given to us that Daniel's brother brought down in December? Doesn't it fit our family nicely? :)


While the girls and I cleaned inside, the boys worked on the yard.




After a couple hours of work, we were all hot and thirsty. We went back home and I opened my cupboard to get a couple of pitchers to make something to drink...and the new pitcher I brought back from the states was gone. After looking around I bit, I spied it out on the back porch (along with one of my pots). Now how did they get out there?


I guess the boys leave their fingerprints on somethings too :)


____________________________

We are all battling with chest colds right now and little Samuel was running a fever again yesterday. I'm sure that it being 92 degrees in the house didn't help, so stripped him, bathed him, and put a cool cloth on his head which brought his temp down considerably. His cough has gotten worse, poor baby. We have church service tonight and will be praying for him there. Will you please pray for him too? We have to go to the capital tomorrow and will get him checked by the pediatrician there.
We know God hears and answers prayer...I still remember that almost everytime I see or hold Samuel.