I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!!!!!

I've been dying to share this news and finally got the OK!!!! Marc and Sam called us Christmas morning to tell us that they are expecting! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! I'm so excited! No definite due date yet - but they are thinking August or September.

Please pray for an easy pregnancy for Sam and a healthy baby Mickle!!!! I will definitely keep you posted!!!!!!

Congratulations Marc and Sam!

Merry Christmas!

Many of you have been asking to see Anne's Castle so I posted some photos on here for you. It was the hit of the day - which is no surprise for a 3 year old who loves everything princess! I would have loved this myself! Aunt Sam and I had a great time setting it all up!

It has lights, and the clock chimes as well! Even makes that fun Tinker Bell sound!

It has completely taken over my coffee table so now we have to find it a home!

We spend Christmas night at Russell's parents house with family. Jarod received a really cool illustrated Bible. He can't stop reading it.....

Enter Karaoke machine.... Here are 3 generations joining together in song....

Notice Anne is the one with the microphone. I told you Nana created a Diva! Hee Hee!!!!

Our Anne will be 4 in two weeks! Hard to believe - the time just flies by so quickly.
We had a quiet Christmas with family and friends and we are looking forward to the next week as well. Both Russ and Jarod are home and we plan on just laying low and catching up on doing nothing!
Merry Christmas!

Away in a Manger

Anne got to get all dressed up for church today as her Pre-School class was singing "Away in a Manger" during the worship service.

She did pretty good - you know how it goes with 3 year olds. Too cute for words. Of course, she kept trying to get closer and closer to the microphone. Her teacher kept making her get back up on the steps. Anne kept trying to lean over into the mic and was getting very frustrated with her teacher. Finally, during the song, she announced that, "My Nana says you have to sing close to the microphone!" I'm afraid Nana has created a "Diva" as she has recently introduced Anne to the Karaoke Machine!

Russell helps sing with the Praise Band.....

Anne made lambs ears in her class today while learning about Baby Jesus. Goes with the dress, don't you think?

Finally, tonight we got together with several of our Pathway friends for a Christmas Party. What fun and laughter and great fellowship! They have been such a blessing to us and we truly consider them our closest friends. We are so thankful for each family and what they mean to us. It has been our joy and honor to share our life's path with them and they each are so special to us!

A few of the kids.... Zander, Anne, Maddie and Jarod

The Bennett Family!

Marc & Sam! Somehow I missed Jon and Shanon! Sorry guys! And of course we missed seeing the Kolb's and the Edwards! Hope the Open House went well Charlotte!

Until next time......

Skate Boarding down The Hill

The kids LOVE our hill! At one point when we were driving around Orlando, looking at possible neighborhoods, Jarod said, "But Mom, non of these have a hill!" We still aren't 100% sure about Orlando yet, but we have to trust that God will replace our hill with something else fun for the kids...

Enjoy!

Today's Sunrise

"I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2



This was the sunrise outside of our house this morning. Doesn't it just make you want to sing praises to our Lord? No matter what is happening in our lives, He is God, He is still in control and He will bring glory unto Himself. We truly serve a Mighty God.

The Littlest Christmas Tree

Jarod was in his first Christmas Program last night at school. He was so proud. He's been singing the songs around the house for weeks! We took advantage of him being all dressed up and took a few photos. Thought you would enjoy them.......

Merry Christmas!

Gotta have that "cool" pose....

He's growing up so fast!



Jarod is top row - 3rd from the right - next to the really tall girl!

Christmas Cookies

Christmas has arrived at the Franklin house!

It never feels completely like Christmas until the Christmas cookies are made. When Marc and I were very little, mom began the tradition of these special, homemade sugar cookies. We would decorate them for hours and then mom would make goodie boxes up with them and all the other yummy things that she baked. Then we would take them to friends and neighbors. Once Marc and I became teenagers, the tradition evolved into having our friends over for a Cookie Decorating Party and whatever they decorated, they got to take home to their families.

We have continued the tradition and had our Cookie Party this past weekend. What fun it was to sit around the table, chat and decorate cookies!!!

The Lord Continues to Work

I wanted to take a few moments and fill you in on what has happened with me concerning the older post, "My Mouth Will Speak in Praise to the Lord." First of all, thank you for all your encouraging comments and prayers. They are appreciated. It has been a tough road, with lots of lessons, but I feel as though God has answered my prayer and is healing it in His way and His time.

Unfortunately this has meant the severing of a relationship. It was very difficult at first, but I can see God's hand. I can see His protection for my family and His healing for me. I had allowed this family member back into my life in an attempt to forgive and restore a broken relationship. Unfortunately, things had not changed and when confronting them with their behavior, instead of a willingness to work on it, they decided to walk away from our relationship for good. This has been a pattern for this person their entire life, so though very painful, it was not surprising. It is quite sad, but I do see God's protection and actually feel a load off of my shoulders. I had not realized how stressful the relationship had become and stress is not what God intended.

I can only hope and pray that the Lord will work on this person's heart and in their life to draw them to Himself. But, until then, we will continue to go our separate ways. I am truly sad for the path they have taken. It will prove to be a lonely one.

We are continuing to pray about our ministry opportunity in Orlando and will keep you updated as we know more. We ask that you pray with us for any "Red Flags" that the Lord wants us to see. We want to move forward with our eyes wide open and a willingness to turn away if this is not God's plan for us. They will not ask us for a decision until after the first of the year, so we are praying and waiting. I'm not panicky, so this is good! God has given me a peace to wait on Him and see what happens next. One step at a time. Again, I don't need the whole picture, just the next step in front of me. Right now, that is waiting. Thanks again! We love and appreciate you all!

Orlando, Santa and My Mom

Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement. Things went very well in Orlando. It was an exhausting weekend, especially for Russell. If I had a dollar for every question that they asked him, we could move without any stress! Hee hee!

Amazingly enough, we all felt very comfortable and can see how our family could fit very easily into this church. All of our questions were answered in a positive manner and we really enjoyed getting to know the people. There are MANY Campus Crusade Staff at this church and we felt right at home with them. The Pastor is from the Philippines and was a Missionary in Indonesia for 6 years. He has a world view and a heart for missions, which we so appreciate. The teens have a Puppet Team and many of them know Marc from going to Puppet Festivals over the years. There are about 60 teenagers in the youth group right now. We met a little over half of them this weekend.

Everything seems to fit nicely for us. The only obstacle we see is our house. We bought at the peak three years ago so we will loose money either way we go. (Selling or renting) Now, that's our view on paper - that may not be God's plan. He is bigger than all the numbers and can provide "Exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine." (Eph. 3:20) What we are praying for now is clarity. We want clear direction on whether to try and sell or try and rent. Is the house our "answer"? That's the big question right now and we aren't exactly sure how to move forward. As Russ said this morning, these obstacles are man made - God is bigger. He owns it all and if He wants us in Orlando, He will make it all work. We just need direction on what to do next.

On a lighter note, while Russ was in meetings, I took the kids to Downtown Disney for a few hours. We wanted to look around and to visit Santa. We have visited the Santa at Disney for the past 4 years. Now, I have to tell you, I got from the church to Disney in 15 minutes! How awesome is that?????

Waiting to see Santa.....


Now, to change gears a little. Today marks 6 years since my mom passed away. How quickly time has flown by. I had to filter through many old photo disks to find this picture and was amazed at all that has happened in our lives since her passing. Life does go on for us, but knowing that she is with our precious Savior is so comforting. We speak of her often and miss her smile, her laughter and her sweet spirit. She touched so many lives.
There is a line in the movie "You've Got Mail" where Meg Ryan was typing an email to Tom Hanks and telling him a little about her day. She had been decorating her bookstore for Christmas and she says, "I was unwrapping all the goofy Christmas ornaments made of pop cycle sticks and missing my mother so much, I almost couldn't breath. I need her to make me a cup of hot cocoa and tell me that everything in my life is going to be okay." Of course, I was watching that movie as I was unwrapping my Christmas stuff and just as she said that line, I opened one of mom's Snowman Tea Pots. It brings tears to my eyes even now. I do know that everything is going to be okay - but there is just something so reassuring to hear those words from your mom.

Hug your family a little tighter this year and be thankful that they are still with you.....

Orlando

We leave today for a few days in Orlando. Saturday is filled with meetings and interviews for Russell. They have us scheduled from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm with Russell teaching Sunday School on Sunday morning. It's easier for everyone since we are coming from out of town, but it makes for an exhausting weekend.

We are still unsure as to what the Lord wants us to do. These meetings will answer many questions that we still have. We met with our Realtor this week and things look kind of bleak. Not impossible, but it would definitely have to be a "God thing" in order to sell our house and just break even with the market the way that it is. We are also praying about the possibility of renting it.

Please just pray that God will give us wisdom, discernment and clear direction as to the next step. We don't need to see the whole picture - just the next step. Right now, that means going to Orlando and asking more questions but after this weekend we will need to make some major decisions.

I am concerned, of course, about Jarod's schooling. He's in an excellent school here in Orange Park. One that I know God clearly showed us to put him in. Last time we did a major move, Jarod was barely 2. There are many things to consider when it comes to the kids.

God is able and He has a plan. I am looking forward to being able to share everything with you as it comes to be. He always "provides exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine." (Eph. 3:20) and I know He can do it again!

Thank you for your prayers.......

Our Big Reader!

Jarod entered a contest at school sponsered by the Orange Park Fire Department. The student in each grade who read the most minutes during a weeks time, won a ride to school in a Fire Truck! Jarod logged over 450 minutes (7 1/2 hours) of reading after his homework during the week and he was the winner for his 3rd grade class. Today was the big day! He received a special backpack full of fun stuff from the Fire Dept. and a tour of the Ladder Truck.

He was so excited! He was grinning from ear to ear the entire time!

Off they go.....

Jarod arriving at School. All of his 3rd grade class mates were lined up along the fence. Jarod arrived with lights flashing and horns blowing! All his friends cheered and clapped. He was so proud - and so was I!

This will be an event he will always remember! Way to go Jarod! We are proud of you!

Our Future Rockette!

We spent the morning watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Anne was mesmerized by all the Broadway stuff in the beginning and absolutely LOVED the Rockettes! She had to get up and show us her stuff. Just thought I would share........What a cutie!!!!!

Thanksgiving

Our family has always joined extended family for our Thanksgiving dinner. This is nice, except that Russ and I have not been able to implement any of our own traditions with the kids. This year, I decided to be intentional about doing that. So, I got up this morning and cooked our own Thanksgiving dinner today. Mostly just my favorites that we will not have tomorrow with Russell's family. They have a traditional Southern meal, whereas I grew up on "Northern" stuff.

Anyway, the kids helped by working on a center piece for the table. That was Russell's idea. Jarod knew immediately what he wanted to do. He took the last of my paper towels so he could have the holder in the center and he made a tree. He and Anne then talked about things they were thankful for and he wrote those things on leaves and attached them to the tree and also laid them all around the table. It is after all, Fall. I was quite impressed with his immediate creativity and excitement, especially because of the project I had for us during dinner.

When I was growing up, my mom had taken Indian Corn and pulled all the kernels off of it. She kept them in the freezer in a plastic bag and brought them out each Thanksgiving. When we sat down to eat, there would be a bowl of colorful corn at the table, along with a handful of them by each plate. After the prayer and while we were eating, we would go around the table and put a piece of corn back in the bowl and tell about what we were thankful for. We would continue until the meal was over. If you ran out of corn, you just grabbed more from the bowl.

We have been having devotionals and special Bible Study times every night during dinner and I didn't want Thanksgiving to go by and us not have a special time to thank God for our year since we would be sharing it away from home. The kids loved it! How wonderful it was to hear my children be thankful for everything from Salvation and the gift of Jesus Christ to Mickey Mouse and the Princesses. But also, they named their friends, their teachers, their family and the way the Lord has provided for us this year. They talked about Oregon and Anne thanked God for her horse. They had so very much to be thankful for that they didn't want it to end.

How easy it is to get caught up in the holidays. We get so caught up in all the work, the gatherings, the busyness and then we forget the real reason for it all. I always want to be intentional in enhancing God's reputation. It may take extra work, but in the long run - it's most important. All the other will just fade away. It's temporal. Enhancing God's reputation is eternal. And besides, we have so much to be thankful for!

On a side note....Russell's time in Midian may be over soon. (See older post) There is a church looking at him seriously for a Full-time Associate Pastor Position - emphasis on Students and Education. We have visited once and are to return for a long weekend full of interviews and such on the weekend of Dec. 5th. The church is in Orlando. I know, I know - you are chuckling! How awesome would that be for me! But, honestly, I haven't focussed on that so much as the fact that this is a major life change for us. We have lived here for 7 years. This is home. Our family is here and we have roots. Orlando is not far so that is a plus, but there are many things to consider. Please just pray that God will give us wisdom, discernment and crystal clear direction! We will keep you posted, as always!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Franklin's!

Russell Started It!

This is the kind of spontaneous craziness that my husband starts at our house! I left the room for a few moments to take a phone call only to find everyone laughing because Russ decided to put this clothes pen on his lip and sing Deck the Halls!!!!

It then began a series on crazy clothes pen photos!!!!


Life in our house is never dull........

Out of the Mouths of Babes......

Russell prayed for a little girl who would look like me and act like him. The acting like him part is scary and all who know my husband and his crazy spontaneity understand that. As far as looking like me - well, if you could see my baby pictures you would see that God answered that prayer. As far as the other, Anne continues to prove herself more and more fun and care free like her daddy. We never know what will come out of her mouth next. A friend of mine finally nailed it today when she said, "She is a 30 year old trapped in a 3 year old body!" That is more true than I can explain. Like her name sake, Anne of Green Gables, Anne just says it like it is. I thought I would share of couple of instances with you. And these have only happened in the past two days......

Monday night, Anne woke up not feeling well. She was having some pain so I took her to the Dr. yesterday to see if she had a possible bladder infection. I always try and explain to my kids what is going to happen so they aren't left wondering. So, while we were getting ready to go to the Dr., I told her how they were going to listen to her heart, look in her ears, take her temperature, and put that thing on her arm that will squeeze it. She stopped me in the middle of my sentence and was horrified. She said, "I don't want them to put that thing on my arm and squeeze it, my arm is small enough already!" Hee! Hee!

Once in the Dr.'s office, after asking several questions, he decides that he wants to look at her just to make sure. He is a wonderful Christian man and he asked me to help him. So, I went over to Anne, who was laying on the table and told her that I was going to take her pants off so that the Dr. could look at her bottom. She didn't miss a beat and said to me quietly, under her breath, "Oh, this is so not going to be good!" Of course, I explained that all would be okay, but it was very hard to do so without chuckling! How often I have thought that very thing myself when I have had to go to the Dr.!

Last but not least, today at BSF she got into a confrontation with a little boy in her class. The little boy took her toy from her and when the teacher turned around they were toe to toe with their fists up. The teacher took both of their wrists and said, "Oh, I don't think so!" To which Anne quickly commented, "Oh, I think so!" Of course the teachers got a big kick out of it! All I can do is trust that the Lord is going to use this feisty personality of hers in a might way later in life. Until then, HELP!!!!

I will tell you that the Dr. did not find anything wrong - so that is a relief. He thinks it might have just been a bladder spasm. We will continue to watch and see if it happens again. And, of course, the teacher went on to lovingly correct her on how God doesn't like it when we treat our friends that way. Thank you Lord for surrounding her with loving people that know and love you as well!

My Mouth Will Speak in Praise of the Lord

"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name forever and ever." Psalm 145:17-21

The past few weeks at BSF we have been studying about how God continually rescued the Israelites in spite of all of their groaning and complaining. Ouch! How I can relate to those Israelites. So often we think that grumbling is okay and we disguise it with catch words like "venting." But in reality, we are complaining about God. Every situation in our lives, from someone cutting us off in traffic to the death of a loved one, is allowed by him for a purpose and to complain about it is sin. We are saying that God's plan for our lives isn't good enough. That we know better than Him. We are feeling inconvenienced because things didn't go the way we thought they should. He never promised us that things would be easy - only that he would be with us when they got hard.

This week has been hard for me. The death of my G-ma triggered other events in my life that I'm not quite ready to share yet. I have found myself complaining. Part of that has been a mourning of ideas and expectations that I had about a situation, which is natural and healthy. But, there has been another part of me that has been complaining and even pouty about how "it's not supposed to be like this." Who am I to say that? Obviously, because God has allowed it, it is supposed to be like this. Nothing surprises Him! I have to learn that God has allowed it for a reason. I don't know what that is just yet, I don't know exactly what the outcome will be, but I do know that God is with me and is proving to be faithful in my pain. And proving to love and provide for me in spite of my complaining. Just like the Israelites.

This entire situation has been brought on by another persons sin. I am suffering the consequences of that. It does not seem to be fair but that is not the point. The point is, what am I going to do with the situation now that it has affected my life? How can I deal with this in such a way that it enhances the reputation of Christ?

The other thing that we have been studying is how Jethro came to visit Moses in the desert. (Jethro was Moses' father-in-law who came after hearing all that God had done.) Moses sat down with him and told him everything! Like the plaques, the Passover, freeing the Israelites from slavery, the parting of the Red Sea, turning bitter water sweet, providing water from a rock when there was none, leading 2 million plus people by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night, the quail and the manna, and I could go on and on. Jethro listened and was amazed. When they were all finished, Jethro said, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods." (Exodus 18:11)

When we begin to complain, we quickly forget all the wonderful and amazing things God has done in our lives! We focus so much on what we think is negative, that we can't see God. I can honestly say that the things in my life that I thought were so negative, truly turned out to be the most positive blessings ever. One thing that I need to always be reminded of is that when things get difficult, we need to look back and focus on all the positive things God has done for us in the past and rely on the fact that He will do that again! He will take the negative and make it a blessing. ("For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28) He will grow us and strengthen us through the difficult times. And then, we are to share those things with others, like Moses did with Jethro, so that they will see that the Lord is greater than anything else out there that they are putting their trust in. That's enhancing God's reputation!

I look forward to one day being able to share with you all that God is going to do in my current situation. I can't know that yet, and to share at this time would just be complaining. But pray that God will heal the situation in His way and in His time and that I can truly let go and let Him do it. (I'm such a fixer!) Ultimately, I want to grow in this and bring God the greatest amount of glory possible. That is, after all, why I am still here. God will heal it - His reputation is at stake and He cannot fail. He has a plan and it will come to be. In the meantime, I'm going to deal with it by focusing on all the positive and I'm going to be thankful........

G-ma

My Aunt called me today to let me know that my Grandma passed away last night. They found her sitting on her couch this morning. They think she had a heart attack last night. Thankfully, I had just spoken to her last week after they had to put her 16 year old Toy Poodle, Daisy, to sleep. G-ma had sent me an email just a few days ago. She had finally gotten her computer up and running again and was able to read both this and my Oregon blog. She was excited to see pictures of the kids.

Grandma was 82 and lived in Tremont, Illinois. She had 8 children and my mom was one of them. Seems my mind is flooded tonight with memories. My parents moved to Illinois from Guam when I was 8 months old. They tell me I loved G-ma immediately. Went right to her as if I'd known her the whole time. I loved going to G-ma's house. The only time I ever asked for my mom was when I had a 104 temperature. Everyone wants their mom then.

My uncle died in a construction accident when I was 3. I was at her house after the funeral. G-ma cried and cried. I remember climbing up on her bed and saying, "Be happy, G-ma. Be happy." G-ma never forgot that. She reminisced about it not too long ago during one of our phone conversations. She sent me a plaque with that saying on it when I was little. It hung in my bedroom for years. I'm sure it's around here somewhere.

I got angry with my mom once when I was about 4 and I packed my little play suitcase, put my coat on over my pj's and went to the front door. When my mom asked where I was going, I firmly announced that I was "going to G-ma's to stay 2 weeks."

We moved to California and had flown to see G-ma for a visit. The night before we were supposed to fly back home, I came down with the chicken pox. Dad had to fly home without us, but I was excited because I got to stay another week!

I remember G-ma coming to stay with us for a few months when we lived in Hawaii. Mom was having surgery and G-ma came to help out. We were cleaning the upstairs bathroom and came across an ugly Cane Spider. They are furry and as big as your hands but absolutely harmless. Except to give you a fright. G-ma and I both screamed and ran like little girls. What a sight!

She was there when I graduated from high school. She came to Florida and we all went down to spend an entire month at my Uncle's condo in Naples. G-ma and I would go to the pool and lay in the sun together and just talk.

I remember going through old black and white photos at her house after Grandpa died and telling stories. I remember laughing until we cried. We did that a lot. G-ma was so funny! We always had so much fun together.

I remember a big chunk of our family going to Disney at Christmas time. There were 18 of us. We stayed together the entire day and would take up entire rides. I think we all fit in a Small World boat, and a huge section of Thunder Mountain Railroad. But I can not ride Space Mountain to this day without thinking of her. She was 70 years old and got on Space Mountain for the first time. She rode the car in front of us with Marc and my cousin. Russ and I were in the car right after them. When we rounded the corner to where you get off the ride, G-ma was on the floor. My heart sank as I just knew she was having a heart attack. Come to find out, she was laughing so hard that she fell on the floor when she got out! She was perfectly fine!!! We all laughed until we cried.

She was at my wedding. She worked so hard making homemade mints for the reception. They didn't work out because of the humidity here in Florida so she went out and bought a bunch of Fannie Mae's instead.

She met Jarod about 5 years ago. That was the last time we were up there. It was shortly after my mom died and we were traveling to Colorado for a Campus Crusade Retreat.

All families have their "stuff" and ours is no exception. But no matter what has happened, I've always known that G-ma loved me. Even though we lived far away, she is a vibrant person who played a big role in my childhood. I am so very thankful to have had her in my life. She will be greatly missed.

Trick or Treat!

My cowboy and Cinderella. Anne wanted to be Cinderella again this year. So - we let her. How easy was that? Nothing new to buy and she was pretty as a princess. Jarod brought home the boots, belt, hat, neckerchief, and rope from camp this past summer where he learned about being a real cowboy. This was the easiest Halloween ever!

Every year, for the past 3 years, we have gotten together with the same group of friends and taken our kids Trick or Treating. It has been so much fun to watch the kids grow over the years and to have that fellowship time together.

Jarod and his best friend Zander (Zorro), then Ambury (the monkey), Maddie (the Tooth Fairy), Anne (Cinderella) and in the corner is Will (our favorite little Ewok from Star Wars)

Could he be any cuter? I don't think so!!!!!

This is my charming, yet nerdy husband. Like I said in earlier blogs, they were dressing up all week at school and today was "Smarties Day" - or better known as Nerd day. Now, I got this photo at the end of the day - but at some point he had tape on his glasses and a sign that said, "Bill Gates for President" What a character! Of course he talked in a high pitch nasally voice as well. Gotta love him.......Is this what I have to look forward to when he's 70?