God's Protection!

This is a copy of the post I have on our Great Big Family Project blog.


God's protection!

Thursday afternoon around 6:30 I received a phone call from the Sheriffs Department. The officer proceeded to ask if I had a daughter named Sarah and her back pack had been found at a near by park. The contents had been strewn all over: Her bible,journal,day planner,pens and pencils. My first question was if her cell phone was in it? Thankfully NO was her answer...or so I thought.

I have always stressed to my kids...especially the girls... stay in groups when going anywhere if possible. So to think something bad had happened was out of the question.I hung up the phone with dispatch and headed up to the park to retrieve Sarah's pack. I am calling her cell all the while. After many repeated attempts of reaching her I was beginning to listen to Satan's negative thoughts being sent my way. Why can't I simply keep my eyes on Jesus? When I do, I am so much more at peace.

Arriving at the park I saw a car similar to hers...more negative thoughts! Praise God it wasn't! As I pulled up next to the officer my mind was already exhausted, my husband had been out of town all week,I don't sleep well when he's gone.

I approached the officer with apprehension and really not sure what I should do. I am still trying to reach Sarah only getting a voicemail instead. It had been 4:30 since I last saw her. Thursday's she goes to a Bible study for college and career kids...that was where she was suppose to be! After about what seemed like several hours...only 15 minutes...I began calling my son who was in Florida...After leaving him a voice mail of urgency, he returned to my frantic voice. He attends the same study and would know someone's number! He hung up and a few moments later called me back... she WAS at Bible study and would call me.

While waiting and trying to physically speak to my daughter...for peace of mind...the officer is patiently asking questions. Thinking about it now he was concerned too. He wasn't leaving until I spoke with her. How crazy is it for a policeman to find a back pack dumped out and track down the owner. They had to call several other families before they found us! Was he afraid something had happened to her?

After 25 minutes and me calling my son back for a number to her friend, I finally heard her sweet voice. Music to my ears! She didn't have a signal...thanks VERIZON! The pack had been left there on Wednesday...she had been there with a few friends. This absent minded daughter of mine caused her mom to just about have a nervous breakdown.

Our world is not what it use to be. Praise God the outcome turned out so much better than it could have been. So many families live the nightmare I did, but theirs never ends.Just this week a local woman was snatched while walking on a rural road. Just because you live away from the big city, don't think for one moment you are immune from crime.

Have you seen the movie "Taken"? Our girls are so naive. I have got to educate my daughters! I have really been thinking lately, why has God given me seven daughters? My boys are just as important and I love them dearly...they are just easier to raise in some ways. At times raising girls can be so much more intense. I'm very thankful the boys are around for extra eyes to watch them. We live in a fallen world full of evil. At times I have joked about moving to a deserted island somewhere...maybe I should consider it!

New post!

After many months I finally have a new post on my Great big family blog.
There is a link in my right hand side bar...check it out!

Busy Busy Summer!!!!!

I think I need a vacation from our vacation home...I'm not joking! We spent Father's Day weekend at the Lake House as our first official weekend in the "finished house".Is it really ever finished? We have been working inside and out to make this house a place to retreat. Ever since Father's Day Kelley has... screened in the porch...hung window blinds... put in two water filters... layed down walkway tiles...hung towel racks... climbed a tree to put the hangers in for the swings... climbed onto the roof to trim the trees...installed a repeater in hopes we could get a cell phone signal.The repeater doesn't do much in strengthening the signal! We have had Emily's 21st Bday and Evelyn's 70th Bday parties there. All in all this has been a very busy summer with no time to really relax...and the summer isn't over! I am not complaining...it has been a great summer so far! The best part has been working along side my hubby doing all the projects on the house. Our next plan is to build a water slide that runs into the lake.I see it in my head...now to just make it work on land. I guess we will always have projects to do to make this a more fun place to be.

Fathers Day 2009

We managed to have all 10 kids...I'm including Eric in the count... up to the lake this Fathers Day weekend. We spent 3 official days in our finished house...56 days from start to finish is totally awesome! We had a nice weekend moving in a few things and just enjoying our kids on that huge porch! I can't wait to do some landscaping and get the screen up on the porch. Little by little we hope to make improvements to this little retreat bungalow of ours.

Happy Father's Day Dad of 9 !!!!!!!!!

Twenty five years ago who would have thought we would have 9 kids? Kelley didn't become a dad for the first time until he was 28 and had his last one at 50. When most men are meeting their grand kids at 50... my man was enjoying the miracle of becoming a daddy. I have seen him go from building houses to moving to the job of Deputy Regional Commissioner for GSA. If it weren't for having so many kids...I don't think he would have succeeded in all his achievements. Four years ago he was finally able to begin his dream of getting his masters degree. After two long years of nonstop classes...all the while working a FULL time job,raising a family and participating in a Senior fellow program...Oh! we had our last baby January 2007 and He graduated November 2007 with a Master of Science Degree. What an achievement! I am so proud to be married to a man that truly loves his family and is proud to let everyone know that he has 9 kids! In the past 25 years we have had many adventures,trials and achievements. I can't imagine ever walking this road with anyone other than Kelley Holcombe. He has been my encourager,confidant,fellow partner in crime of baby making,prayer warrior,husband and friend...he keeps me sane. The one thing that gives me peace about our marriage...no matter how tough the road is...is Kelley's walk with Jesus. My prayer is that our children will find that same peace in their future spouses. Nothing can describe how it feels to know that the one that loves you KNOWS the ONE THAT LOVES YOU!

I love you Kelley Holcombe! I am so blessed to have you as a husband and father to our children. Happy Father's Day!!!

Oh! And for this Father's Day weekend...OUR LAKE HOUSE IS FINISHED !

One more weeeeeek!

ADDED June 15...I added a few more picks with the carpet and faucets.The appliances and final cleaning are being done this week.It's so nice to have AC and full bathroom facilities.


Paint is done...counter tops are installed...heating and air are complete. One more week and our little bungalow will be finished. Hopefully we can get a closing date for the end of June.

2 weeks and we are done!!!!!!!

I think God is having mercy on me!!!



I can't believe I am saying this but... 2 more weeks and our little lake retreat will be finished! Didn't we just break ground the middle of April? Ty Pennington would be proud of Darrel and the fabulous job Trinity Homes has done. We thought if they were done by August that would be wonderful...but mid June is just plain awesome! I would highly recommend them if you are looking for a builder. They have built a quality energy efficient home at a cost that we couldn't find anywhere.

Last weekend we celebrated Jordan's 22nd Birthday. Would you believe we had 12 college and carrier kids plus all but two of our kids. I must be crazy! They had a wonderful time and didn't even mind that we had a porta toilet and no showers. Only three boys stayed the night...We camped inside the house...sheet rock dust and all! Feeding this crew with no kitchen and fridge was a challenge...but we survived! All in all I am proud of the group of friends Jordan chooses to hang with.

It will be so nice to have a real bathroom...kitchen...laundry...AIR CONDITIONING! I love my camper...but camping with all these girls and occasionally the boys...let's just say gets a little cramped and insane! I can't wait to test out our kitchen and the screen porch. My hubby has worked so hard to do this for us and our kids. I hope he knows how much we appreciate and love him!