For His Service

On July 12th, Noah (my 11 1/2 year old) got a virus. July 16th, I began to run a fever. That fever lasted 4 days. I went to the doctor on July 19th and she said it is a virus, "come back if you still have a fever in a few days". July 20th, I developed a lacy rash all over my torso. The next day, the lacy rash moved to my arms. The next day, the rash looked just like a very bad sunburn. It was the weirdest thing! All the while, I felt just wiped out! I have been training to run a 1/2 marathon yet, I couldn't even get off the couch. I went back to the doctor on Friday, July 23rd. After buckets of blood work, they tell me I have Fifth's Disease ..a nasty virus and the my liver is in rebellion. My white blood count was also way too low. Please pray when I go give them more buckets of blood today, that my counts will be heading towards the normal ends. My poor husband has been pulling double duty for almost 2 weeks. I am ready for our regular normal. :)

Well, I had to do it. I had the Vente Mocha about two hours before bedtime. I suppose having completed 60 minutes of P90 X with my sweet husband a few hours before, I still had no problem going to sleep. However, I woke up at 3:30 and now I am not able to sleep. I still think the coffee...and the company I had at the coffee shop...was worth it, but ask me again tomorrow when I am juggling Bible Study, 3 kids (one of which is sick), preparing dinner, training for my 1/2 marathon in November (I have to run over 5 miles tomorrow). ...I think I hear another Starbucks calling...

We had one week of craziness at the Pate household. Our waterline was accidentally cut so we had a day without running water (no flushing toilets, washing hands, etc). Our van's radiator developed a hole in it and we did without a van for two and 1/2 days. You have to do some fancy car juggling when your family is going in many different directions. Then, Dirk.... our 7 1/2 year old snoodle developed another ear infection and sneezed more than not. Well, the plumber repaired the pipes. Gerald's automotive repaired our radiator and we have it back once again. Orr animal hospital gave Dirk a shot, ear drops, and doubled his dosage of allergy medication. The sneezing has stopped. Enjoy the silence, Rachel

This is another way I have stayed busy this summer. In the far left, you can see part of my waterfall that dumps into the pond below. The hillside, which you can only see a small part of it here, is full of flowers and veggies. I love my garden and the joy of getting food out of it for my family and seeing humming birds and butterflies enjoying the flowers.

Well, I do claim them. I do love them. And, actually they do come when I call them. So, I say, "Bluebird, bluebird" and they come because they know that I have a plate full of mealworms. I suppose I could say "hotdog, hotdog" and they would still come. It makes no difference to me. Apparently, the baby bluebirds listen for me as well as they too come within 15 seconds of me calling. This is just one of the many blessings I enjoy. May you see your "bluebird" today. Blessings, Rachel

I really dreaded my 40 th birthday. It's such a BIG birthday. My husband and my friends made it really special. Birthday cakes, flowers, balloons, surprise lunch, surprise dinner-party, and other gifts. Most of all I appreciate their presents, not gifts, but time with me. Nothing is more important to me than the people in my life. God has taught me so much in my 40 years, but that is one of the things I really, really get. I am grateful that I don't struggle with keeping up with the Jones. I happily look for ways to save money and don't care if I don't have a $500 purse. I have learned... blood doesn't make family. I have some amazing sisters that grew up in different homes, but I love them dearly. You know who you are. (If you wonder if it is you, it is). I have learned to not judge God based upon my circumstances, but to judge my circumstances based upon who I know God to be. I have learned not to say "if only" for that leads me to be bitt...

My friend, Vicki wrote this about a man that I only had the pleasure to meet a few times. This is really good, so please take the time to read it. Remembering Tom Carpenter April 27, 2010 by acupofearlgreywithme I have been desiring to post a blog on a friend of ours, who recently past away in February, for some time now. Tom, a servant of Christ and custodian at the church we attend, was diagnosed with cancer and went to be with Jesus three weeks after his diagnosis. He was at the young age of 51 when he passed. He never married or had children, but had a huge family in the Lord that surrounded him, especially in his final days. Do you ever wonder what your thoughts will be during those last moments or days before Christ calls you home? People have quoted the famous last words of people and sometimes, because of the final circumstances, made them words to live by. Tom’s last words to his friends and brothers in the Lord (Kevin and Caleb) were, “Could you pray for me?” and “I love you...