Christmas Letter 2014

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that the year ahead will be full of adventure, fun family time together and LOVE!

Wow, it's hard to believe that another year will soon be ending.  Hoping this Christmas letter finds your family well and that this beautiful season is a joyous one for you and your loved ones!  And here are a few family highlights for 2014.

Michael and Amanda are both doing well. They stay very busy with work as well as the daily activities involved in caring for and raising four very active and of course very beautiful little girls. Super Mom Amanda stays very busy with all that comes with having daughters. She is an expert with all hair styles and finding cheap, cute & cool outfits to wear are always on the shopping list.  Along with her Mommy responsibilities, Amanda works full time at Xerox and recently joined Rodan & Fields, which promotes a prestige skin care line of products. She is excited about this new adventure and is looking forward to a great year ahead.  When Michael and the girls are "home alone" it's an exciting day of anything goes, the Disney channel and prayers that Brooklyn and Renee will take a good long nap. The girls love their daddy and he enjoys every moment of "daddy duty." (Well, at least most moments)  Michael is still working as an electrician but recently changed jobs and went back to work with one of the first companies he started with just out of school.  He's excited about his new job and looking forward to what building he will "light up" next.  And just so everyone is clear, the Dallas Cowboys will be "his" team forever!

Hannah turned 12 this year and is in the 6th grade. It's hard to believe she will be in junior high next year. She still enjoys playing soccer and her team Forney Blast took the first place spot again this year. Hannah is doing excellent in school, loves to draw and of course shopping is her favorite activity. She is sweet to help with her younger sisters and is usually the first one out to the pasture to check on all of Nanny and Paw's animals.  Lilly is 7 years old, with a birthday coming up in January and is in the 2nd grade. She does great in school and reads way beyond her grade level. She decided to try girl’s softball this year and we all very much enjoyed her first season. Even though she is a sweet "girly" girl, she reminded me of her daddy when he first started playing.  Lilly also loves to play the minecraft game, has a fun imagination and has mastered catching a chicken now and then, just to give it a hug!  Brooklyn and Renee turned two in June. This has been a really big year for them. They are able to do so many new things for themselves. They love playing and running outside, watching all the fun Disney shows, taking care of their baby dolls, including diaper changes and coming to visit us at the farm.  Brooklyn loves the animals and isn't afraid to touch and get near them. Renee loves them with a little bit of caution and will ride with Paw on his tractor. They started day care in August after having "Nanny" as their sitter since they were born. Fortunately, they seem to love learning in a more structured environment and especially enjoy playing with all the kids and making new friends. They definitely bring a wonderful bright light to our family and keep us entertained with their crazy faces, constant energy and sweet personalities.

Brad and Kate are also doing well and are keeping life fun with a variety of activities.  Katelyn is in her fourth year of teaching and loving the kiddos at Beasley Elementary. She enjoys her time in the classroom and makes everyday a fun learning day as well as gives each child an opportunity to be creative through art and other activities.  Her co-workers keep her encouraged and the students keep her smiling.  During her time away from work Kate was able to do some traveling this year. She took two trips to New York, yes two!  She and her Mom enjoyed a few days exploring the Big Apple together and I am sure made memories that they will always treasure!  She also enjoyed a trip to New York with her friend Stesha!  They had a great time as well.  Brad continues to work as a pastor and teacher at “The Gathering” where he serves with passion and a loving heart. He loves to run, fish and play golf.  He and several of his friends were able to get away together for the annual "guys golf trip" again this year and I'm sure they implemented the "what happens here, stays here" slogan.  He is constantly doing projects around the house. He built a beautiful new outdoor area with a huge picnic  table where they can entertain, spend time and share life with a wonderful group of friends.  It's been a year of waiting with the new building for "The Gathering" but things are finally coming together.  Brad and Kate are both ready and excited to begin a new year of serving and loving the community.

Barry and I seem to stay very busy as well.  This year has been a little different for us.  In March I took a tumble from a little Welch pony and oh my, did he have quite a buck for such a little guy. I have spent quite a few months recovering from two surgeries, some physical therapy along the way and a lot of sitting with my feet up resting. I'm not going to deny some days were very challenging but through it all I learned a little more about patience.  Isn’t it wonderful that even in our weakest moments God is still working through us in His beautiful patient way, soaking up the joy of every moment and hoping that we will too.  Thankfully, this summer we were able to take our annual trip to Panama City and spent the week relaxing and enjoying the ocean.  It was wonderful to have some time together to rest and listen to the peaceful sound of the ocean waves.  While there we went on a deep sea fishing trip. It was SO much fun!  Four of us went on the trip and we caught quite a few fish, and yes, yours truly caught the biggest one!   Barry is still working hard during the week but looks forward to weekends so he can ride around on his tractor, putter around in his barn and give extra attention to his two cows, two horses, four ducks and our recently born calves Millie and Max. This year we added fish and ducks to the pond, enjoyed a beautiful and bountiful garden this summer and raised baby chicks to add to the layers we already have. Still love my fresh eggs!  We are enjoying every moment of being a "Nanny and Paw" to our four beautiful granddaughters, love spending time with our family and are soaking up farm life as much as we possibly can.

In the busyness of each day, look for joy, in the still quiet moments, seek his will and with a loving heart, shine your light into the world and you will find peace.       

From the Ogle Farm  -  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!   -  Love Barry & Tina

Things I Learned

It has been quite some time since my last post and it seems as though blogging is one of the things I save until last and then it doesn’t happen.  I must warn you; this is a very long post and involves a recent event in my life.

When something traumatic happens in my life, and that doesn’t mean it’s traumatic to the average person, usually it just affects me that way, my first thought is usually, really???  After I take a few deep breaths and have some time to process things, I try to remember to thank Jesus, remind myself that things could always be worse and that this is just another bump along the way on my journey through life.  Not that we will always learn a huge lesson through these times and experiences but I do believe that if we will allow our heart to be open, amazing things will come to light.   I believe that our Father walks with us every moment of each day, smiles as we celebrate our successes and is ready with arms stretched out to comfort us during the challenges times in our lives.  I also believe that His hand of protection was on me during my recent incident as I fell from that “bronco bucking” Welch pony.  I believe that, because HE is my protector, my rock and is with me always.  I am thankful that God protected my brain and spine and anything else that would have kept me from being as I was before.  I am thankful that my broken bones were minimal, that they were fixable and that in time I will make a full recovery. Sometimes I tell myself that me and my traumatic moments are not God's top priority but deep down in my heart I know that everything in our lives are important to Him.  As I try to communicate my thoughts about my journey I am praying that my words will not be taken the wrong way for my heart is truly humble and like so many others I am on a lifelong adventure of seeking and understanding His truth. Every day since this accident I have wondered why HE would spare me from something much worse and others have and will endure much more pain and brokenness than I could ever imagine. Why some of us are spared the pain and others are not has always been a hard thing for me to wrap my mind around.  With every bout of pain, I honestly thought about those who are suffering with daily pain that will never go away and those who are living a life that was changed because of an injury that will hinder or keep them from being able to do many of the daily chores that we take for granted.  I am brokenhearted for those whose lives are forever changed from an illness or an injury. I always felt that I was compassionate and understood what they were feeling, but I truly had absolutely NO idea what they were going through.  During my recovery I definitely had times of feeling hopeless. My healing has been very slow and requiring help with even the basics was extremely hard for me.  I definitely had time to be still and ponder, pray and wonder what might be revealed to me during this time. In the beginning I was in quite a bit of pain and praying almost every minute that God would take it away instantly. We sometimes feel as though God is slow in answering our prayers.  Without a doubt most of the time HE is slow in answering according to what we want. Our body is a beautiful perfectly made piece of art that our creator gave each of us to enjoy, use wisely and treat with respect. Thankfully in time I began to realize that something so perfect would take time to heal and to be restored back to the healthy body I had trusted to carry me through this life. During the many hours of idle time my mind was constantly wondering what this could possibly bring to my life.  I actually learned many things about myself during this time, some were a surprise and some I was unfortunately already aware of.  I learned that it's ok if I sit in a chair while everyone else is running my household, I learned that even a simple walk to the barn and back is very precious and that taking an afternoon nap is not being lazy. I learned that ice packs, a heating pad and pillow pet can become a good friend.  I learned that my parents can still take care of me even though I am over 50 and that my children are able to do so much more to help me than I ever realized.  I guess I had forgotten that they are adults now.  I am certainly proud of them and would like to take credit for who they have become but to be honest the credit goes completely to each of them. I learned that when my Mom brushed my hair it didn't hurt as much as I thought it did when I was a child and that my Dad even at 80 is the dish washing King.  I learned that if I can’t get out of the chair to pick up my grandchildren, they will come running to me.  It’s amazing how even at their young age, they understand that Nanny has a boo boo.  I learned that I have wonderful neighbors all around me and that if I need them they will come running.  I have to mention something else at this point. After I fell to the ground and was lying in the dirt waiting for the ambulance to arrive, I ask my neighbor for a pillow and a blanket.  I have no idea why other than; remember that part about everything being traumatic for me.  Like I said, they went running to get them for me.  I also have to mention that my neighbor and her 5 year old daughter kneeled beside me and prayed over my body.  How awesome is that!   I learned that I can shop from a wheelchair just as well as I can when I am up and walking and that you get a completely different view of the world at that level.  I noticed things in my house that I never noticed before, mostly the dust but still, I learned.  I had my first ambulance ride and I pray that it will be my last.  I learned firsthand how important our first responders are for ALL of us.  They were my saving grace for sure!!!  While we are at this point I have to share a little story.  As the EMT’s were trying to get me hooked up to an IV and comfortable I kept interrupting them saying I need something to prop my leg up on.  In my mind I felt that it would help to relieve the pain.  I went on and on with my request. Finally, one of the gentlemen suggested that we use a medical bag.  I am sure they were looking at each other thinking this is going to be a long ride.  Anyway, they placed the medical bag under my leg and it did relieve some of the pain but not all of it.  I thanked them over and over and was very cooperative the rest of the trip to the hospital.  I guess this would also fall under that comment about everything being traumatic.   I learned that my sweet husband Barry is ONE LOYAL CARING MAN and a great stand-in hairstylist.  He has talked me down off the ledge many times during the past several weeks and when he thinks I need to laugh, he will tell me to "just go ahead and jump." I am just kidding of course. As I said over and over, “I can’t do this anymore,” Barry would respond by saying, “OK, just quit” and he would smile.  I learned that Barry can actually function on a few hours of sleep each night as long as there is Dr. Pepper available, that he truly has the patience of JOB and that he is the greatest encourager I’ve ever known.  I was reminded that my friends are caring and loyal and still love me more than I deserve and that my family will do WHATEVER it takes to hold us together.  I learned that it’s very encouraging to have visitors and tons of love poured on you much longer than just the week of and the week after surgery.  Thankfully my family and friends already knew that.  Good things happen and not so good things happen, this is life and I love it no matter what.  My circumstances today are not life threatening and certainly not to the extent of what several of my precious friends are going through at this very moment. We never know what the next season of life will hold for us.  Each "season" of our life will come and go and I believe the Lord wants us to enjoy and be "present" in each one whether our days are currently complete joy or seem a bit challenging.  My constant prayer is that I will always be present in each season, that my heart will be open to change and that I am willing to follow Him no matter where He leads me. I am also praying that I will more often approach Him “seeking” instead of “asking.”  My goal is to NOT focus on the circumstances of "now" but just be completely immersed in the "present" and in each precious moment. We can be certain that a change in season will come so we should be hopeful for what God has planned for us in the next season. I still have a few weeks of physical therapy and recovery to go but thankfully I am on the downhill side of things.  I am thankful for my family and friends and for the ONE who holds everything in HIS hands.  God is a beautiful mystery but is SO worth getting to know. His awesomeness overwhelms me and the depth of HIS love reaches deep within my heart and soul to a place I will probably never understand. And that's ok.

Until next time, love, love, love!                                                                                                                                 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Happy New Year ~ 2014 ~

Happy New Year! 

I am truly blessed to begin a new year with my precious family and beautiful friends. I am excited and awaiting God’s goodness and faithfulness in the months ahead and I am anxious to see what plans He has for me in 2014.  How blessed I am to be able to begin a fresh new season and I am especially thankful that Jesus is planning to do something brand new in my life and in my heart.  His way is the only way and my prayer is that I will open my heart to whatever He has planned for me this year.  I know He holds us securely in the palm of His hand and what comfort and peace that brings to my soul.  It's a new year and a great time for a new beginning.  I have a burning desire to search my heart to discover things I may need to change about myself and I pray that I will not be blinded by untruth but that my heart will find the real truth and I can be more of what my Father wants me to be for myself and for others that I love and care so deeply for.  I also hope that in this truth I will sincerely seek and find ways to make a small difference in this world.  My goal is to try not to focus on current situations whether they are good or bad but rather open my heart to others and look for ways each and every day to show love to them.  Jesus is the "love" of my life.  I will pray hard and listen closely for His spirit to lead and guide me to places that I have avoided in the past and toward people who may not know Him in the same way I do but who will no doubt be able to teach me about Jesus, life and unconditional love in ways I could never imagine. The spirit is whispering that our journey together will be filled with much joy for all hearts involved and that His purpose will be fulfilled in a wonderful and loving way.  I realize the process of change is slow and sometimes challenging. It takes willingness and prayerful preparation.  I am trusting God to show me the way to His truth. I want to look for ways to be Christ to others and to strive more toward the forgiveness that flowed from our sweet Jesus that day as he hung on the cross. I want to dig deep into the scriptures and let them truly become my daily bread.  My heart is filled with the anticipation of something new and foreign, the opportunity to be obedient to the One who had given me everything, to experience His grace again and again, to be enlightened by His truth and to find SO much joy in the journey we will take together into unfamiliar places and less traveled roads. I am amazed by all I have seen done in His name and I am overflowing with excitement for what I know He is going to do in my life and the lives of those around me in 2014. To my family and friends I hope and pray you will hold me accountable, lift me up and hold my hand as together we strive with all our hearts to be a dedicated follower of the Redeemer of our souls and with a loving heart be a faithful servant to the One who created everything.  From deep within my heart, this is my New Year's wish for myself and for you my precious family and friends! Until we meet again, may you find peace and joy in all your days and may LOVE surround your life.  ~ Tina  ~