Buggling Bandwagon

So, it has been nearly 2 months since I've buggled. Actually, the only reason I'm saying "buggle" is because Harry just noticed that I'm blogging and asked, "Are you buggling?" So yes, I am buggling. I think the term is appropriate given the the title of my blog!

There are a number of reasons for my falling off the buggling bandwagon, none of which are really all that interesting, and most of which are incredibly too personal for an "I haven't blogged in two months blog." Suffice it to say, that I'm back on the buggling bandwagon and I have missed, missed, MISSED buggling.

Today, Kahmylia read THREE books to me. It took like an hour and a half, but it was still very, very cool. I wish I could say that this is a testament to my fabulous homeschooling program, but, alas, it is not. She is a natural born reader, and I'm lucky to have her as a daughter. Otherwise, I would feel even more guilty for falling off the homeschooling bandwagon. Ah well, we're climbing back on that one soon. (For those of you who do not know, my brother got married this month in New Mexico and we were gone for 10 days. That said, our homeschooling routine is completely haywire.) To all my homeschooling friends, please, if you have anything encouraging to say, I need to be reminded that it is ok to take 2 weeks off of homeschooling because your brother got married all last minute and stuff.

So, anyway, I'm glad to be buggling again.

God Bless

Chili DInner and CONCERT

When? September 18th, 2009 5:30-8:30pm

Where? Redeemer Evangelical Church St. Louis MO

Why? Save our house!

Tickets: Adults - $9 Kids 6-12 - $2

Awesome, AWESOME news!!!!!!

Due to the extreme generosity of the host church of our event, this Chili Dinner and Concert is not going to cost the Walls family a dime! 100% of what you give will go toward helping us to keep our house out of foreclosure! A group of people have volunteered not only to make the chili but also to cover the entire overhead of the dinner. I am completely floored! Now, the only thing left is all the hard work.:-) If you are available to help, please let me know. It's gonna take a sizable crew to pull this off!

Again, thank you for all of your prayers and support. We still have no idea what God has in store for us in the form of a livelihood. He is opening doors for Harry to do some concerts. We are praying about the many possibilities. Please pray with us!

And, of course, come eat chili with us and listen to some great music! It's gonna be FUN! And you know the Walls know how to have fun!!!!!!!!!

Overwhelmed

This past weekend was incredibly overwhelming. God has been pouring out His love on my family through our Christ family and our friends. I have been blessed and encouraged over and over. I am reminded, however, that God's blessings are not the primary way that God has shown me his love. Jesus is! How is it that I so easily forget the significance and the power of the gospel in my life!? Thank you, Lord!

Living in Mugglebug Land

Mugglebug Glossary of Terms:

My Ruth of my mouth = roof of my mouth. "I did not let my pineapple touch my tongue or my Ruth of my mouth when I ate it."

To pimp = to flick. "Daddy! I just pimped a fly off my arm!"

Thermotica = harmonica. "I want to play my thermotica on the stage at church!" (This term later evolved into harmotica which is not quite as funny)

Food stamps = finger prick. "I do not like food stamps! Am I ever gonna have to get food stamps again, Mommy? I did not like that!" I'm not sure where this one comes from, perhaps because she had to get a finger stick to check her hemoglobin levels to qualify for WIC?)

Yesterday = at some point in the near or distant past. "Remember yesterday when we had a sleepover at Cloe's house? That was so fun!" (That sleepover happened months ago)

My boy = my imaginary husband. "Well, my boy likes strawberry vanilla tea!"

My mean boy = my other imaginary husband or his alter ego (not sure which). "Do you know what my mean boy did to me? He hit me!"

(Sadly, but probably for the best, the usage of "my boy" is all but obsolete in the girls' vocabulary these days.)

Nipples = bra. At Dillards-- "Mommy, look at all those nipples!"

~Things I Never Thought I'd Say~

"No more salad until you finish your pizza!"

" You ate the ENTIRE bag of frozen corn?"

"Really? You thought flinging wet toilet paper on the wall and ceiling was a good idea?"

"Using a purple marker as lipstick is not really good for you."

"Go watch TV!"

Rolling

I feel like things are rolling along. Even though we are still in the same situation--Harry still has no job--I have started to realize some new things. Many positive things have come from our experience.

1. Everyday I learn to trust God. I am reminded of how much He loves me and how much He cares. I feel so privileged to know that I serve a God who knows me and, more than that, provides for me in the way that is best for me.

2. We have made many new friends who are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have visited so many churches this summer and the Lord has revealed Himself in such a special way through His people. My family grew this summer! How exciting is that!

3. We have learned to better manage our money. Who knew that you actually need less money to learn to budget well? Less money to make it work harder for you? I've learned a lot about money... and tithing.... Good things.

4. I'm finally coming to accept and understand who God made me to be. I'm starting to understand that I'm a human with strengths and weaknesses, that I'm specially designed to do God's perfect work, and that I'm so very, very forgiven and loved! I am free to be who God designed me to be! I'm free of my self-imposed limitations. I'm done trying to be someone I'm not!

Again, thanks to all of you who love and support me and my family!

Save the House!

So instead of trying to clean my house, I've decided to try to save it instead! My energies are devoted to creative money making endeavors. I'm crocheting hats, scarves, purses, blankets, and doilies for sale. Hoping to get some customers soon... I'm also doing a "save the house" fundraiser. More on that later. I'm begging for your prayers in the days ahead as we put our energy into trying to be good stewards of what the Lord has given us. I love all of you! Thank you so much for your encouragement and your support and your love! God bless you tonight!

God Loves Mugglebugs!

So this last week I learned something very, very important. I learned that the people we love, love us so much more than I ever realized! Anyone who read my post about how I was feeling tired and discouraged could tell that I was having a rough day. But the truth is I had a really tough week. I know most of you who read my blog already know our situation, but for those who don't...

Harry has not been able to find a job. The reality of our situation is that the totality of our monthly income is less than our monthly mortgage payment. All of our other bills apart from the mortgage have gone unpaid. Without going into more detail, suffice it to say that we are really feeling this living by faith thing right about now.

So this week our friends and neighbors have poured out their love and encouragement on us. We had friends who helped us pay our electric bill, a church who is giving is $1000 (yes, that is 3 zeros) in gift cards to Shop & Save and Quick Trip and other places to help provide for our basic necessities, and friends who've so generously given of themselves and their resources to help. We've had friends and family praying for us and encouraging us, literally and figuratively holding us up during this time. In all this, I have felt so overwhelmed by the sacrificial love people have showed us.

In the midst of all this, God reached down and spoke to my heart. "You feel so overwhelmed by the unexpected demonstrations of love by your friends and brothers. How much more do you think I love you? How much more do you think I care?" Suddenly I realized that God was showing me his infinite love and mercy in a tangible way. But beyond that, I feel a deep conviction that God loves me! He cares about me! And He has not forgotten me! I am encouraged to know that He is taking care of me through His people.

How predictably unexpected!