Merry Christmas to all,
The year of 2011 has brought many struggles and victories to our family. We continue to trust in the Lord to make it through each day. Marsha has a plaque in the living room that says “Every Day is A Gift” and it truly is. Proverbs 16:9 says, “in his heart a man plans his ways, but the Lord determines his steps.” Our family lives this each day as we make plans only to see the Lord change them.
Our biggest blessing this year has been Marsha’s continued improvement. She has decreased her infusion pump (Flolan) to almost nothing and has just started an oral medication that hopefully will replace the pump in the next couple months. She still has days that are very debilitating due to headaches and fatigue. Her schedule has to stay limited to allow for rest.
The kids began school this year in Minneola. Mason (7) started 1st grade and Maiya (6) started Kindergarten. They have adjusted well with a few struggles at the beginning with new teachers, new building and new rules. This is the first time either one has been in school all day. The kids did much better than Marsha with this issue! It was hard on mom to have both kids gone all day! Marsha, though, has time to rest during the day and be ready for the kids when they get home from school. This has also been our first year to have homework! Mason usually has a math paper and reading to do. Thankfully, he is ready to get it finished right away. Both of the kids have really taken off with reading this year and it’s such a joy to share that with them! Although we aren’t able to spell words without saying them anymore so the kids won’t know what we’re talking about. They are catching on quickly!
Mason still loves to play with his dozens and dozens of tractors, combines, grain carts, semi-trucks, and all related machines. He spends time every day playing basketball. Who would have thought Matt’s son would like basketball so much? OK, everyone that knows him. Maiya loves going to gymnastics every Friday and is crazy flexible. She is able to do splits in all three directions (yes, there is 3!) and is getting close to having her back handspring mastered. Don’t know how she does it. Many hours this summer were spent playing t-ball and swimming as well.
Wednesday evenings are quite chaotic, not only in our home, but also at church. Wednesdays are AWANA nights. Mason and Maiya are both in Sparks this year, and Matt is the AWANA Commander. So Matt pretty much drives home from his “real job”, feeds cattle, picks up the kids and his AWANA supplies then heads to the church. Marsha has been able to help with this ministry some, but is usually too worn out by evening.
Matt decided this was the year to buy a baler and swather. Needless to say, he wasn’t at home much for a couple months this fall! Matt put up bales for his own cattle, and also for others. Mason has enjoyed riding in the tractor with Dad tremendously! Through the summer, Matt and Mason took care of the lawn at church as well as at home. Mason has done so well learning to use the push mower and usually he loves mowing as long as it’s not too hot. Matt still has to empty the bag for Mason since it’s kind of heavy, but it’s well worth the tradeoff of having the help. With his “real job”, cattle, AWANA, mowing and church board, how many things Matt can pack into a day remains a mystery. Matt has also added nurse and pharmacist to list of trades.
As we celebrate the greatest gift ever, the birth of our Redeemer and Lord, our family hopes this Christmas season you will take time out of your schedule to worship the King of Kings. Remember the hope found wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manager; a hope that sustains you through trials and a hope that brings you peace as we await the return of our Savior.
Love in Christ, The Shelors
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